UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM
20-F
(Mark One)
☐ |
REGISTRATION STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OR (g) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
OR
☒ |
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021.
OR
☐ |
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
OR
☐ |
SHELL COMPANY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
Date of event requiring this shell company report
For the transition period from to
Commission file number:
001-39559
Lixiang Education Holding Co., Ltd.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
N/A
(Translation of Registrant’s name into English)
(Jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
No. 818 Hua Yuan Street
Liandu District, Lishui City, Zhejiang Province, 323000
People’s Republic of China
(Address of principal executive offices)
Luoyuan Ye, Chief Financial Officer
Telephone:
+86-578-2267142
Email: irlxeh@lsmxjy.com
No. 818 Hua Yuan Street
Liandu District, Lishui City, Zhejiang Province, 323000
People’s Republic of China
(Name, Telephone, Email and/or Facsimile number and Address of Company Contact Person)
Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of Each Class |
Trading Symbol |
Name of Each Exchange On Which Registered | ||
American depositary shares, each representing five ordinary shares |
LXEH |
The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (The Nasdaq Global Market) | ||
Ordinary shares, par value US$0.0001 per share* |
The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (The Nasdaq Global Market) |
* |
Not for trading, but only in connection with the listing on The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC of the American depositary shares. |
Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
None
(Title of Class)
Securities for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Act:
None
(Title of Class)
Indicate the number of outstanding shares of each of the issuer’s classes of capital or common stock as of the close of the period covered by the annual report:
As of December 31, 2021, there were 66,667,000 ordinary shares outstanding, par value of US$0.0001 per share.
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. ☐ Yes ☒ No
If this report is an annual or transition report, indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. ☐ Yes ☒ No
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. ☒ Yes ☐ No
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation
S-T
(§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). ☒ Yes ☐ No Large accelerated filer |
☐ |
Accelerated filer |
☐ |
Non-accelerated filer |
☒ | |||||
Emerging growth company |
☒ | |||||||||
If an emerging growth company that prepares its financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards† provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
† |
The term “new or revised financial accounting standard” refers to any update issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board to its Accounting Standards Codification after April 5, 2012. |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report. ☐ Yes ☒ No
Indicate by check mark which basis of accounting the registrant has used to prepare the financial statements included in this filing:
U.S. GAAP ☒ |
International Financial Reporting Standards as issued |
Other ☐ | ||||||
by the International Accounting Standards Board |
☐ |
If “Other” has been checked in response to the previous question, indicate by check mark which financial statement item the registrant has elected to follow. ☐ Item 17 ☐ Item 18
If this is an annual report, indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule
12b-2
of the Exchange Act). ☐ Yes ☒ No
(APPLICABLE ONLY TO ISSUERS INVOLVED IN BANKRUPTCY PROCEEDINGS DURING THE PAST FIVE YEARS)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed all documents and reports required to be filed by Sections 12, 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 subsequent to the distribution of securities under a plan confirmed by a court. ☐ Yes ☐ No
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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INTRODUCTION
In this annual report on
Form 20-F,
unless otherwise indicated or the context otherwise requires, references to: | • | “ADRs” refer to our American depositary receipts that evidence our ADSs; |
| • | “ADSs” refer to our American depositary shares, each of which represents five ordinary shares; |
| • | “Beijing P.X.” refers to Beijing Pengxiang Tianxia Education Technology Co., Ltd. ( 北京鹏翔天下教育科技有限公司 ), a company incorporated under the laws of the PRC; |
| • | “Beijing Xinxiang” refers to Beijing Xinxiang Future Technology Development Co., Ltd. ( 北京心翔未来科技发展有限公司 ), a company incorporated under the laws of the PRC and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Lishui Mengxiang; |
| • | “CAGR” refers to compound annual growth rate; |
| • | “China” or the “PRC” refers to the People’s Republic of China, excluding, for the purposes of this annual report on Form 20-F only, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan; |
| • | “Chuangmei Weiye” refers to Beijing Chuangmei Weiye Enterprise Management Co., Ltd. ( 北京创美伟业企业管理有限公司 ) , a company incorporated under the laws of the PRC and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Beijing P.X.; |
| • | “Hainan Jiangcai” refers to Hainan Jiangcai Vocational Skills Training School Co., Ltd. ( 海南匠才职业技能培训学校有限公司 ), a company incorporated under the laws of the PRC and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Beijing P.X.; |
| • | “Hangzhou Youxi” refers to Hangzhou Youxi Information Technology Co., Ltd., a company incorporated under the laws of the PRC and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Liandu WFOE; |
| • | “Langfang School” refers to Langfang City Rail Transit Technical School ( 廊坊市城轨交通技工学校 ), a PRC school specialized in providing vocational education; |
| • | “Lianwai School” refers to Liandu Foreign Language School, comprising of Baiyun Campus and Yijing Campus—Featured Division, which was historically controlled and consolidated by Liandu WFOE through a series of contractual arrangements but was deconsolidated on September 1, 2021; |
| • | “Liandu WFOE” refers to Zhejiang Mengxiang Consultancy Services Co., Ltd. ( 浙江梦翔咨询服务有限公司 ), a wholly foreign-owned enterprise incorporated under the laws of the PRC; |
| • | “Lishui Mengxiang” refers to Zhejiang Lishui Mengxiang Education Development Co., Ltd. ( 浙江丽水梦翔教育发展有限公司 ), a company incorporated under the laws of the PRC and the sponsor of Qingtian International School; |
| • | “Lixiang,” “we,” “us,” “our company”, “the Company” and “our” refer to Lixiang Education Holding Co., Ltd. (formerly known as Lianwai Education Group Limited), an exempted company incorporated in the Cayman Islands with limited liability, and its subsidiaries, and, in the context of describing our operations and combined and consolidated financial information, also include its consolidated Variable Interest Entities; |
| • | “Mengxiang Holdings” or “Controlling Shareholder” refers to, Mengxiang Holdings Limited, a British Virgin Islands company; |
1
| • | “ordinary shares” refer to our ordinary shares of par value US$0.0001 per share; |
| • | “Qingtian International School” refers to Qingtian Overseas Chinese International School ( 青田县华侨国际学校 ), a PRC private educational school specialized in providing high school education; |
| • | “RMB” and “Renminbi” refer to the legal currency of China; |
| • | “SEC” refers to the United States Securities and Exchange Commission; |
| • | “school year” refers to the periods from September of each calendar year to July of the following calendar year which consists of two semesters. The first semester usually commences in September of each year and ends in January of the following year, while the second semester usually commences in March and ends in July of the following year; |
| • | “US$,” “U.S. dollars,” “$” and “dollars” refer to the legal currency of the United States; |
| • | “Variable Interest Entities” or “VIEs” refer to Lishui Mengxiang and our Qingtian International School, the PRC entities of which we have power to control the management, and financial and operating policies and have the right to recognize and receive substantially all the economic benefits and in which we have an exclusive option to purchase all or part of the equity interests and all or a portion of the assets at the minimum price possible to the extent permitted by PRC law as of the date of this annual report on Form 20-F; |
| • | “Vocational Training Institutions” refer to Langfang School, Chuangmei Weiye and Hainan Jiangcai; and |
| • | “Xianke” refers to Zhejiang Lishui Xianke Agricultural Products Distribution Co., Ltd. ( 浙江丽水鲜客农产品配送有限公司 ), a company incorporated under the laws of the PRC and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Liandu WFOE. |
Exchange Rate Information
Our business is conducted in China, all of our revenue is denominated in RMB and our financial records are maintained in RMB, our functional currency. Our reporting currency is RMB and this annual report on Form
20-F
contains translations of RMB into U.S. dollars solely for the convenience of the reader. The exchange rate used for translation on December 30, 2021 was US$1.00=RMB6.3726 , representing the certificated exchange rate published by the Federal Reserve Board. We make no representation that any Renminbi or U.S. dollar amounts could have been, or could be, converted into U.S. dollars or Renminbi, as the case may be, at any particular rate, or at all. The PRC government imposes controls over its foreign currency reserves in part through direct regulation of the conversion of RMB into foreign exchange and through restrictions on foreign trade. 2
FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
This annual report on
Form 20-F
contains forward-looking statements that reflect our current expectations and views of future events. These statements are made under the “safe harbor” provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. You can identify these forward-looking statements by terminology such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “aim,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “is/are likely to,” “potential,” “continue” or other similar expressions. We have based these forward-looking statements largely on our current expectations and projections about future events and financial trends that we believe may affect our financial condition, results of operations, business strategy and financial needs. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: | • | our goals and strategies; |
| • | our future business development, financial condition and results of operations; |
| • | the trends in, expected growth, market size and student enrollment in the private fundamental education industry, in China; |
| • | expected changes in our revenue, costs or expenditures; |
| • | competition in our industry; |
| • | relevant government policies and regulations relating to our industry; |
| • | general economic and business conditions in China; and |
| • | the development of COVID-19 pandemic in the PRC and globally. |
We would like to caution you not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements and you should read these statements in conjunction with the risk factors disclosed in “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors.” Those risks are not exhaustive. We operate in an evolving environment. New risks emerge from time to time and it is impossible for our management to predict all risk factors, 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 from those contained in any forward-looking statement. We do not undertake any obligation to update or revise the forward-looking statements except as required under applicable law. You should read this annual report on
Form 20-F
and the documents that we reference in this annual report on Form 20-F
completely and with the understanding that our actual future results may be materially different from what we expect. 3
PART I
ITEM 1. IDENTITY OF DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND ADVISERS
Not applicable.
ITEM 2. OFFER STATISTICS AND EXPECTED TIMETABLE
Not applicable.
ITEM 3. KEY INFORMATION
Our Corporate Structure and Contractual Arrangements with Our Consolidated VIEs
Lixiang Education Holding Co., Ltd. was incorporated as an exempted company under the laws of the Cayman Islands with limited liability in September 2018. We conduct our business through our PRC subsidiaries and VIEs with which we have a series of contractual arrangements. We are not a Chinese operating company, but rather a holding company incorporated in the Cayman Islands with no equity ownership in our VIEs.
Currently, we primarily offer high school education at Qingtian International School, in Lishui City, Zhejiang Province, through our VIE, Lishui Mengxiang, which became the sponsor of the school in August 2021. Prior to August 31, 2021, we primarily operated primary and secondary school in Baiyun campus and Yijing campus—Featured Division of Lianwai School through a series of contractual arrangements with Lishui Mengxiang. Under the Implementation Rules for the Law for Promoting Private Education of the PRC (
《中华人民共和国民办教育促进法实施条例》
) for Private Education Laws, or the 2021 Implementation Rules, which took effect on September 1, 2021, social organizations and individuals are prohibited from controlling a private school that provides compulsory education by means of, among others, merger, acquisition, and contractual arrangements, and a private school providing compulsory education is prohibited from conducting transactions with its related party. In particular, the prohibition over related party transactions has significantly affected the enforceability of the exclusive management services and business cooperation agreements among Liandu WFOE and Lianwai School providing compulsory education. Therefore, we re-assessed our control over Lianwai School. Based on the relevant accounting standard in accordance with U.S. GAAP, we have concluded that we have lost control of Lianwai School since August 31, 2021, in view of the significant uncertainties and restrictions the 2021 Implementation Rules impose on our ability to direct the range of ongoing activities that would most significantly impact the returns of Lianwai School. In light of such regulatory developments, on April 20, 2022, we entered into an acknowledgment agreement of contractual agreements with Lianwai School and respective directors, to confirm all the terms of rights and obligations relating to Lianwai School and the directors appointed by the sponsor under the contractual arrangements among them, and agree among the parties that such arrangements shall have been terminated on August 31, 2021. To minimize disruptions to existing students enrolled in Lianwai School, we continued to offer essential services to the students. We deconsolidated Lianwai School commencing from September 1, 2021 and presented it as a discontinued operation in current and comparative period financial statements.
We have explored and considerated business opportunities beyond high school education. We took steps to expand into online education and vocational education. In February 2021, we completed the acquisition of 100% equity interests of Hangzhou Youxi for the layout of online education. In January 2022, we formed Beijing Xinxiang with Beijing Renrenzhen Intelligent Technology Co., Ltd. (
北京人人诊智能科技有限公司
), a company incorporated under the laws of the PRC, or Beijing R.R.Z., to provide vocational education in the health care industry. In April 18, 2022, as part of the transactions contemplated under our investment cooperation agreement with Beijing Shangkun Education Technology Development Co., Ltd. (
北京商鲲教育科技发展有限公司
), a company incorporated under the laws of the PRC, or Beijing S.K., in July 2021 to expand our business into vocational education, we entered into definitive agreements to acquire 100% equity interests of Beijing P.X., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Beijing S.K., which in turn holds 100% equity interests of Chuangmei Weiye and Hainan Jiangcai, and the sponsorship interests of Langfang School. As of the date of this annual report on Form 20-F, the administrative procedures with the PRC governmental authorities to amend the registration reflecting the result of the acquisition have not been completed due to the effects of COVID-19 pandemic.
The following diagram illustrates the corporate structure of us, our subsidiaries and the VIEs, as of the date of this annual report on Form
20-F:
4
5
Notes:
(1) The sponsorship registration of Qingtian International School was changed to Lishui Mengxiang in August 2021. We are in the process of filing the relevant application pursuant to the PRC national and local regulations (including Zhejiang Province and Lishui City) of classification registration of private schools. As of the date of this annual report on Form 20-F, we have not received notice from the competent authorities of Qingtian County on the classified registration of private schools. We entered into a series of contractual arrangements with respect to our operation of Qingtian International School in April 2022, which arrangements took effect on August 31, 2021.
(2) Lishui Mengxiang holds 43% equity interests of Beijing Xinxiang. Given that the board of directors of Beijing Xinxiang consists of five members, three of which shall be appointed by Lishui Mengxiang, we are able to control Beijing Xinxiang by holding more than half of the voting power in the board of directors. Therefore, the financial statements of Beijing Xinxiang will be consolidated in our annual report on Form 20-F for the year ending December 31, 2022.
(3) According to PRC laws and regulations, entities and individuals who establish private schools are commonly referred to as “sponsors” instead of “owners” or “shareholders.” The economic substance of “sponsorship” with respect to private schools is substantially similar to that of ownership with regard to legal, regulatory and tax matters. However, the differences between sponsorship and equity ownership can be found in the specific provisions of the laws and regulations applicable to sponsors and owners, such as provisions regarding the right to receive returns on investment and the right to the distribution of residual properties upon termination and liquidation.
6
Foreign ownership in the educational industry is subject to significant regulations in China, including strict licensing requirements. Specifically, foreign ownership is prohibited in compulsory education at the primary and middle school levels, and is restricted at the high school level. As we are a company incorporated in the Cayman Islands, our wholly-owned subsidiary in the PRC, Liandu WFOE, is viewed as a foreign-owned enterprise thus is ineligible to apply for and hold licenses to operate, or otherwise own equity interests in, primary and middle school campuses or to independently or jointly invest and operate high school campus pursuant to the relevant laws and regulations.
In response to these restrictions, we have entered into a series of contractual arrangements through Liandu WFOE with our VIEs, shareholders of Lishui Mengxiang and the council members of Qingtian International School, which enables us to (i) exercise the power over our Lishui Mengxiang and Qingtian International School, (ii) have the exposure or rights to variable returns from our involvement with our VIEs, and (iii) exercise the ability to affect those returns through use of its power over our VIEs. These contractual arrangements include exclusive call option agreement, proxy agreements for school’s sponsors and council members, proxy agreements for shareholders, business cooperation agreement, exclusive technical service and
business consulting agreement, equity pledge agreements, etc. Terms contained in each set of contractual arrangements with our PRC subsidiaries, our VIEs and their respective shareholders are substantially similar. For more details of these contractual arrangements, see “Item 4. Information on the Company—C. Organizational Structure—Contractual Arrangements.”
business consulting agreement, equity pledge agreements, etc. Terms contained in each set of contractual arrangements with our PRC subsidiaries, our VIEs and their respective shareholders are substantially similar. For more details of these contractual arrangements, see “Item 4. Information on the Company—C. Organizational Structure—Contractual Arrangements.”
We do not have any equity interests in our VIEs. However, because of these contractual arrangements, we control our VIEs through our PRC subsidiary, Liandu WFOE, and become the primary beneficiary of the VIEs for accounting purposes. We have consolidated the results of our VIEs in our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this annual report on Form
20-F
in accordance with U.S. GAAP. For a more detailed discussion of the basis of presentation of our consolidated financial statements, see “Item 5. Operating and financial Review and Prospects—A. Operating Results—Critical Accounting Policies.” Neither we nor our investors own any equity ownership in, direct foreign investment in, or control of the VIEs as a result of Liandu WFOE’s contractual agreements with the VIEs and its shareholders. As a result, holders of the ADSs are not purchasing equity interests in the VIEs or its subsidiaries but instead are purchasing equity interests in Lixiang, a Cayman Islands holding company whose consolidated financial results include those of the VIEs and its subsidiaries under U.S. GAAP. Our contractual arrangements with the VIEs and its shareholders have not been tested in a court of law in the PRC and foreign investors may never be allowed to hold equity interests in the VIEs under PRC laws and regulations. Chinese regulatory authorities could in the future disallow these agreements, which would likely affect our operations in China. Please see “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Relating to doing business in China.”
Permissions Required for Our Operations in China
We and the VIEs face various legal and operational risks and uncertainties related to being based in and having significant operations in China. The PRC government has significant authority to exert influence on the ability of a China-based company, such as us and the VIEs, to conduct its business, accept foreign investments or list on U.S. or other foreign exchanges. For example, we and the VIEs face risks associated with regulatory approvals of offshore offerings, oversight on data privacy. Such risks could result in a material change in our operations and/or the value of the ADSs or could significantly limit or completely hinder our ability to offer ADSs and/or other securities to investors and cause the value of such securities to significantly decline or become worthless. The PRC government also has significant discretion over the conduct of the business of us and the VIEs and may intervene with or influence our operations or the development of the private education industry as it deems appropriate to further regulatory, political and societal goals. Furthermore, the PRC government has recently indicated an intent to exert more oversight and control over overseas securities offerings and foreign investment in China-based companies like us. Any such action, once taken by the PRC government, could significantly limit or completely hinder our ability to offer securities to investors and cause the value of such securities to significantly decline or in extreme cases, become worthless. For further details, see “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Our Corporate Structure” and “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Doing Business in China.”
The Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act
Our financial statements contained in the annual report on Form
20-F
for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021 have been audited by WWC Professional Corporation Limited, or WWC, P.C., an independent registered public accounting firm headquartered in the United States and is among the public accounting firms that are registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board of the United States, or the PCAOB. Such PCAOB-registered accounting firm is subject to laws in the United States pursuant to which the PCAOB conducts regular inspections to assess its compliance with the applicable professional standards. On December 16, 2021, the PCAOB issued its determination that the PCAOB is unable to inspect or investigate completely PCAOB-registered public accounting firms headquartered in mainland China and in Hong Kong, because of positions taken by PRC authorities in those jurisdictions, and the PCAOB included in the report of its determination a list of the accounting firms that are headquartered in the PRC or Hong Kong. This list does not include our auditor, WWC, P.C. As of the date of this annual report, our listing is not affected by the Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act, or the HFCAA, and related regulations. However, the recent developments would add uncertainties to our listing and we cannot assure you whether Nasdaq or regulatory authorities would apply additional and more stringent criteria to us after considering the effectiveness of our auditor’s audit procedures and quality control procedures, adequacy of personnel and training, or sufficiency of resources, geographic reach or experience as related to the audit of our financial statements. Furthermore, there is a risk that our auditor cannot be inspected by the PCAOB in the future. If, in the future, we have been identified by the SEC for three consecutive years as a commission-identified issuer whose registered public accounting firm is determined by the PCAOB that it is unable to inspect or investigate completely because of a position taken by one or more authorities in China, the SEC may prohibit our shares or ADSs from being traded on a national securities exchange or in the over the counter trading market in the United States. Additionally, on June 22, 2021, the U.S. Senate passed a bill, which would reduce the number of consecutive non-inspection years required for triggering the prohibitions under the HFCAA from three years to two. On February 4, 2022, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill, which contained, among other things, an identical provision. If this provision is enacted into law, the number of consecutive non-inspection years required for triggering the prohibitions under the HFCAA will be reduced from three years to two. 7
Financial Information Related to the VIEs
The following table presents the condensed consolidating schedule of financial position of our parent company, VIEs and their consolidated subsidiaries, Liandu WFOE that is the primary beneficiary of the VIEs, and other subsidiaries as of the December 31, 2020 and 2021.
As of December 31, 2021 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Condensed Consolidating Schedule of Financial Position |
Parent |
VIEs and their consolidated subsidiaries |
Liandu WFOE which is the primary beneficiary of the VIEs |
Other subsidiaries |
Elimination adjustments |
Total |
||||||||||||||||||
RMB |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Assets |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents |
194,729,331 | 1,453,323 | 1,059,179 | 2,169,990 | — | 199,411,823 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Inter-group balance due from VIEs and subsidiaries of continuing operations |
644,607 | 51,536,540 | 9,960,476 | 25,850,000 | (87,991,623 | ) | — | |||||||||||||||||
| Prepayments and other current assets |
— | 100,990,604 | 265,219 | 212,101 | — | 101,467,924 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Others |
— | — | 227,600 | — | — | 227,600 | ||||||||||||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
| Total current assets |
195,373,938 | 153,980,467 | 11,512,474 | 28,232,091 | (87,991,623 | ) | 301,107,347 | |||||||||||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
| Property and equipment, net |
— | 164,037,622 | — | 1,021,241 | — | 165,058,863 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Land use right |
— | 36,767,329 | — | — | — | 36,767,329 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Goodwill |
— | 26,644,407 | — | — | — | 26,644,407 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Other non-current assets |
— | 6,667 | — | 339,059 | 2,802,091 | 3,147,817 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Investments in subsidiaries |
— | — | 4,373,753 | 1,501,165 | (5,874,918 | ) | — | |||||||||||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
| Total non-current assets |
— | 227,456,025 | 4,373,753 | 2,861,465 | (3,072,827 | ) | 231,618,416 | |||||||||||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
| Total assets |
195,373,938 | 381,436,492 | 15,886,227 | 31,093,556 | (91,064,450 | ) | 532,725,763 | |||||||||||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
| Short-term borrowings |
— | 77,000,000 | — | — | — | 77,000,000 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Inter-group balance due to VIEs and subsidiaries of continuing operations |
40,296,870 | 16,754,595 | 28,805,002 | 644,607 | (86,501,074 | ) | — | |||||||||||||||||
| Accrued liabilities and other current liabilities |
16,708,810 | 642,925 | 40,481 | — | 17,392,216 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Investment deficit in subsidiaries and VIEs |
35,769,964 | — | — | — | (35,769,964 | ) | — | |||||||||||||||||
| Others |
244,166 | 4,904,517 | 681,412 | 4,657,539 | — | 10,487,634 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Amounts due to Lianwai School, current |
— | 288,261,447 | — | 20,521,528 | — | 308,782,975 | ||||||||||||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
| Total current liabilities |
76,311,000 | 403,629,369 | 30,129,339 | 25,864,155 | (122,271,038 | ) | 413,662,825 | |||||||||||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
| Total liabilities |
76,311,000 | 403,629,369 | 30,129,339 | 25,864,155 | (122,271,038 | ) | 413,662,825 | |||||||||||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
| Total shareholders’ equity/(deficit) |
119,062,938 | (22,192,877 | ) | (14,243,112 | ) | 5,229,401 | 31,206,588 | 119,062,938 | ||||||||||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
As of December 31, 2020 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Condensed Consolidating Schedule of Financial Position |
Parent |
VIEs and their consolidated subsidiaries |
Liandu WFOE which is the primary beneficiary of the VIEs |
Other subsidiaries |
Elimination adjustments |
Total |
||||||||||||||||||
RMB |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Assets |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents |
200,108,273 | 398,952 | 2,880,261 | 169,399 | — | 203,556,885 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Other current assets |
89,853 | 6,140 | 1,522,149 | 300 | — | 1,618,442 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Inter-group balance due from VIEs and subsidiaries of continuing operations |
— | 62,261,945 | 4,755,881 | — | (67,017,826 | ) | — | |||||||||||||||||
| Amounts due from Lianwai School, current |
— | — | 3,681,578 | 5,203,022 | — | 8,884,600 | ||||||||||||||||||
8
| Current assets belong to discontinued operation |
— | 265,798,189 | — | — | — | 265,798,189 | ||||||||||||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
| Total current assets |
200,198,126 | 328,465,226 | 12,839,869 | 5,372,721 | (67,017,826 | ) | 479,858,116 | |||||||||||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
— |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Property and equipment, net |
— | 162,463,014 | 1,502,623 | 1,400 | — | 163,967,037 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Land use right |
— | 37,720,475 | — | — | — | 37,720,475 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Other non-current assets |
— | 11,667 | — | — | — | 11,667 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Investments in subsidiaries |
208,398,302 | — | — | 469,147 | (208,867,449 | ) | — | |||||||||||||||||
| Non-current assets belong to discontinued operation |
— | 41,482,375 | — | — | — | 41,482,375 | ||||||||||||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
| Total non-current assets |
208,398,302 | 241,677,531 | 1,502,623 | 470,547 | (208,867,449 | ) | 243,181,554 | |||||||||||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
| — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
| Total assets |
408,596,428 | 570,142,757 | 14,342,492 | 5,843,268 | (275,885,275 | ) | 723,039,670 | |||||||||||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
— |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Short-term borrowings |
— | 24,895,606 | — | — | — | 24,895,606 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Accrued liabilities and other current liabilities |
— | 3,710,356 | 1,959,205 | — | — | 5,669,561 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Other current liabilities |
— | 1,830,105 | 1,996,646 | 3,815,421 | — | 7,642,172 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Inter-group balance due to VIEs and subsidiaries of continuing operations |
41,127,502 | — | 23,580,408 | 2,309,916 | (67,017,826 | ) | — | |||||||||||||||||
| Amounts due to Lianwai School, current |
— | 254,151,621 | — | — | — | 254,151,621 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Current liabilities belong to discontinued operation |
— | 62,799,191 | — | — | — | 62,799,191 | ||||||||||||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
| Total current liabilities |
41,127,502 | 347,386,879 | 27,536,259 | 6,125,337 | (67,017,826 | ) | 355,158,151 | |||||||||||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
| — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
| Total non-current liabilities |
— | 412,593 | — | — | — | 412,593 | ||||||||||||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
| — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
| Total liabilities |
41,127,502 | 347,799,472 | 27,536,259 | 6,125,337 | (67,017,826 | ) | 355,570,744 | |||||||||||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
— |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total shareholders’ equity/(deficit) |
367,468,926 | 222,343,285 | (13,193,767 | ) | (282,069 | ) | (208,867,449 | ) | 367,468,926 | |||||||||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
The following table presents the condensed consolidating schedule of results of operations and cash flows of our parent company, VIEs and their consolidated subsidiaries, Liandu WFOE that is the primary beneficiary of the VIEs, and other subsidiaries for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2020 and 2021.
For the year ended December 31, 2021 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Condensed Consolidating Schedule of Results of Operations |
Parent |
VIEs and their consolidated subsidiaries |
the primary beneficiary of the VIEs |
Other subsidiaries |
Elimination adjustments |
Total |
||||||||||||||||||
RMB |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Continuing operations |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Revenue |
— | 20,112,033 | 3,459,777 | 10,864,732 | 230 | 34,436,772 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Cost of revenue |
— | (10,419,986 | ) | (2,210,487 | ) | (4,725,977 | ) | — | (17,356,450 | ) | ||||||||||||||
| General and administrative expenses |
(1,059,294 | ) | (9,601,120 | ) | (6,327,602 | ) | (1,384,517 | ) | (230 | ) | (18,372,763 | ) | ||||||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
| （ Loss)/Income from operations |
(1,059,294 | ) | 90,927 | (5,078,312 | ) | 4,754,238 | — | (1,292,441 | ) | |||||||||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
| Other expense, net |
— | (558,309 | ) | (14,640 | ) | (38,445 | ) | 2,823,630 | 2,212,236 | |||||||||||||||
9
| Equity in (loss)/profit of subsidiaries and VIEs, net |
(242,760,667 | ) | — | 4,045,103 | 1,047,849 | 237,667,715 | — | |||||||||||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
| (Loss)/Income before income tax expenses |
(243,819,961 | ) | (467,382 | ) | (1,047,849 | ) | 5,763,642 | 240,491,345 | 919,795 | |||||||||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
| Income tax expense |
— | — | — | (670,976 | ) | — | (670,976 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
| (Loss)/Income from continuing operations, net of tax |
(243,819,961 |
) |
(467,382 |
) |
(1,047,849 |
) |
5,092,666 |
240,491,345 |
248,819 |
|||||||||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
| Loss from discontinued operation, net of tax |
— | (244,068,780 | ) | — | — | (244,068,780 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
| Net (loss)/income |
(243,819,961 | ) | (244,536,162 | ) | (1,047,849 | ) | 5,092,666 | 240,491,345 | (243,819,961 | ) | ||||||||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
| Condensed Consolidating Schedule of Cash Flows |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net cash (used in)/provided by operating activities |
(2,290,367 | ) | 29,764,431 | (1,397,532 | ) | 3,040,518 | 1,490,550 | 30,607,600 | ||||||||||||||||
| Net cash used in investing activities |
— | (153,593,942 | ) | (423,550 | ) | (1,153,024 | ) | 120,000 | (155,050,516 | ) | ||||||||||||||
| Net cash provided by financing activities |
— | 115,671,061 | — | 120,000 | (120,000 | ) | 115,671,061 | |||||||||||||||||
| Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents |
(3,088,575 | ) | — | — | (6,903 | ) | (1,490,550 | ) | (4,586,028 | ) | ||||||||||||||
| Net changes in cash and cash equivalents |
(5,378,942 | ) | (8,158,450 | ) | (1,821,082 | ) | 2,000,591 | — | (13,357,883 | ) | ||||||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of year |
200,108,273 | 9,611,773 | 2,880,261 | 169,399 | — | 212,769,706 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents at the end of year |
194,729,331 | 1,453,323 | 1,059,179 | 2,169,990 | — | 199,411,823 |
For the year ended December 31, 2020 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Condensed Consolidating Schedule of Results of Operations |
Parent |
VIEs and its consolidated subsidiaries |
Other subsidiaries |
Elimination adjustment |
Total |
|||||||||||||||||||
RMB |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Continuing operations |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Revenue |
— | 17,070,602 | 4,926,295 | 5,341,720 | (1,633,663 | ) | 25,704,954 | |||||||||||||||||
| Cost of revenue |
— | (4,839,390 | ) | (2,115,841 | ) | (3,796,721 | ) | — | (10,751,952 | ) | ||||||||||||||
| General and administrative expenses |
(3,666,937 | ) | (3,460,323 | ) | (2,855,352 | ) | (1,775,479 | ) | 1,633,663 | (10,124,428 | ) | |||||||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
| (Loss)/Income from operations |
(3,666,937 | ) | 8,770,889 | (44,898 | ) | (230,480 | ) | — | 4,828,574 | |||||||||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
| Other expense, net |
— | (876,596 | ) | (4,331 | ) | (1,263 | ) | — | (882,190 | ) | ||||||||||||||
| Equity in profit /(loss) of subsidiaries and VIEs, net |
37,252,021 | — | (141,350 | ) | (190,579 | ) | (36,920,092 | ) | — | |||||||||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
10
| Income/(loss) before income tax expenses |
33,585,084 | 7,894,293 | (190,579 | ) | (422,322 | ) | (36,920,092 | ) | 3,946,384 | |||||||||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
| Income tax expense |
— | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
| Income/(loss) from continuing operations, net of tax |
33,585,084 |
7,894,293 |
(190,579 |
) |
(422,322 |
) |
(36,920,092 |
) |
3,946,384 |
|||||||||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
| Income from discontinued operation, net of tax |
— | 29,638,700 | — | — | — | 29,638,700 | ||||||||||||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
| Net income/(loss) |
33,585,084 | 37,532,993 | (190,579 | ) | (422,322 | ) | (36,920,092 | ) | 33,585,084 | |||||||||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
| Condensed Consolidating Schedule of Cash Flows |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net cash provided by operating activities |
— | 47,477,961 | 1,198,900 | 779,125 | — | 49,455,986 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Net cash (used in)/provided by investing activities |
(653,250 | ) | 19,424,757 | 936,529 | (659,726 | ) | 709,326 | 19,757,636 | ||||||||||||||||
| Net cash provided by/(used in) financing activities |
208,718,163 | (81,928,356 | ) | 659,326 | 50,000 | (709,326 | ) | 126,789,807 | ||||||||||||||||
| Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents |
(7,956,640 | ) | — | — | — | — | (7,956,640 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| Net changes in cash and cash equivalents |
200,108,273 | (15,025,638 | ) | 2,794,755 | 169,399 | — | 188,046,789 | |||||||||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of year |
— | 24,637,411 | 85,506 | — | — | 24,722,917 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents at the end of year |
200,108,273 | 9,611,773 | 2,880,261 | 169,399 | — | 212,769,706 |
For the year ended December 31, 2019 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Condensed Consolidating Schedule of Results of Operations |
Parent |
VIEs and its consolidated subsidiaries |
Other subsidiaries |
Elimination adjustments |
Total |
|||||||||||||||||||
RMB |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Continuing operations |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Revenue |
— | 13,431,603 | — | — | — | 13,431,603 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Cost of revenue |
— | (4,764,530 | ) | — | — | — | (4,764,530 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| General and administrative expenses |
— | (2,047,180 | ) | (73,382 | ) | — | — | (2,120,562 | ) | |||||||||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
| Income/(loss) from operations |
— | 6,619,893 | (73,382 | ) | — | — | 6,546,511 | |||||||||||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
| Other expense, net |
— | (1,747,214 | ) | (438 | ) | — | — | (1,747,652 | ) | |||||||||||||||
| Equity in loss of subsidiaries and VIEs, net |
(47,236,997 | ) | — | — | (73,820 | ) | 47,310,817 | — | ||||||||||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
| (Loss)/Income before income tax expenses |
(47,236,997 | ) | 4,872,679 | (73,820 | ) | (73,820 | ) | 47,310,817 | 4,798,859 | |||||||||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
| Income tax expense |
— | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
11
| (Loss)/Income from continuing operations, net of tax |
(47,236,997 |
) |
4,872,679 |
(73,820 |
) |
(73,820 |
) |
47,310,817 |
4,798,859 |
|||||||||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
| Income from discontinued operation, net of tax |
— | 42,438,138 | — | — | — | 42,438,138 | ||||||||||||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
| Net (loss)/income |
(47,236,997 | ) | 47,310,817 | (73,820 | ) | (73,820 | ) | 47,310,817 | 47,236,997 | |||||||||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
| Condensed Consolidating Schedule of Cash Flows |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net cash provided by/(used in) operating activities |
— | 58,830,470 | (55,418 | ) | — | — | 58,775,052 | |||||||||||||||||
| Net cash used in investing activities |
— | (34,739,000 | ) | — | — | — | (34,739,000 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| Net cash used in financing activities |
— | (1,961,532 | ) | — | — | — | (1,961,532 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents |
— | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||
| Net changes in cash and cash equivalents |
— | 22,129,938 | (55,418 | ) | — | — | 22,074,520 | |||||||||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of year |
— | 2,507,473 | 140,924 | — | — | 2,648,397 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents at the end of year |
— | 24,637,411 | 85,506 | — | — | 24,722,917 |
Cash and Asset Flows through Our Organization
We may (i) transfer the net proceeds into Liandu WFOE to pay in their initially subscribed registered capital, and (ii) provide loans to Liandu WFOE and our VIEs. We may also establish and/or acquire new foreign-invested enterprises in China, pay in their registered capital and provide loans to them.
We plan to utilize part of the proceeds from our initial public offering by way of paying in the initially subscribed registered capital of Liandu WFOE. The amount of funds in the form of capital contribution into Liandu WFOE and other PRC subsidiaries we may establish in the future is subject to the amount of their initially subscribed registered capital. Currently, the initially subscribed registered capital of Liandu WFOE is US$1 million which will be fully paid before the deadline prescribed in its articles of association. If the initially subscribed registered capital is not sufficient to allow our intended capital injection, under the current PRC laws and regulation, we may increase the registered capital and complete the relevant procedures which include (i) altering our registration with local branch of the State Administration for Industry and Commerce of the PRC, or the SAIC, and (ii) filing the alteration report to local counterparts of the Ministry of Commerce of the PRC, or the MOFCOM. In addition, capital contribution to our schools must be approved by the Ministry of Civil Affairs of the PRC or the MCA or their respective local counterparts. As of the date of this annual report on Form
20-F,
we have not increased, but plan to increase, the registered capital of Liandu WFOE to approximately US$12 million. We also plan to provide loans to Liandu WFOE and Lishui Mengxiang. According to the current PRC laws and regulations, the maximum amount of the loans provided to a PRC enterprise is up to 2 times (or the prevailing statutory multiples) of the borrower’s net assets set out in its latest audited financial statement. As a result, the loans we may provide to Liandu WFOE and Lishui Mengxiang are in an amount of up to 2 times (or the prevailing statutory multiples) of their respective net assets set out in their latest audited financial statements. Liandu WFOE and Lishui Mengxiang are required to file the information of their cross-border financing arrangements with local branch of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange of the PRC, or the SAFE, after the loan agreements are signed and before three working days prior to the fund withdrawal. In addition, for loans carrying a term of more than one year, Liandu WFOE and Lishui Mengxiang may be required to complete the relevant filing and registration formalities to the National Development and Reform Commission of the PRC, or the NDRC. Currently, the Company’s business operation is conducted through Liandu WFOE’s contractual arrangements with the VIEs and Liandu WFOE does not engage in its own business. As such, Liandu WFOE’s current net assets are in close approximation to its
paid-up
registered capital. Pursuant to the relevant PRC laws and regulations, the estimated amount of loans we will provide to Liandu WFOE will be approximately US$30 million which is 2 times of its current enlarged registered capital, assuming that Liandu WFOE’s net assets set out in its latest audited financial statements equals to its paid-up
registered capital at the time when the loans are made. 12
Moreover, we intend to establish new foreign-invested enterprises in order to facilitate our business expansion and make additional investments in the manners described above. However, we cannot assure you that our intended investments to these entities will always succeed as we planned, or at all.
For the years ended December 31, 2019, 2020 and 2021, the cash flows that have occurred between our parent company, VIEs and their consolidated subsidiaries, Liandu WFOE which is the primary beneficiary of the VIE, and other subsidiaries are summarized as the following:
For the years ended December 31, |
||||||||||||
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
||||||||||
RMB |
||||||||||||
| Cash paid by VIEs and their consolidated subsidiaries to other subsidiaries for food procurement service |
— | 150,000 | 16,056,452 | |||||||||
| Cash transfer from Liandu WFOE which is the primary beneficiary of the VIEs to other subsidiaries |
— | 7,000,000 | 46,860,000 | |||||||||
| Cash transfer from other subsidiaries to Liandu WFOE which is the primary beneficiary of the VIEs |
— | — | 17,600,000 | |||||||||
| Cash transfer from VIEs and their consolidated subsidiaries to Liandu WFOE which is the primary beneficiary of the VIEs |
200,000 | 15,900,000 | 33,601,578 | |||||||||
| Cash transfer from VIEs and their consolidated subsidiaries to other subsidiaries |
25,010,752 | |||||||||||
For the years ended December 31, 2019, 2020 and 2021, no dividends were declared and paid by Liandu WFOE.
For the years ended December 31, 2019, 2020 and 2021, no assets other than the above cash transactions were transferred among the Company, Liandu WFOE, and the VIEs.
Restrictions and Limitations on Transfer of Cash
The PRC government imposes controls on the convertibility of Renminbi into foreign currencies and, in certain cases, the remittance of currency out of China. The majority of our and the VIEs’ income is received in Renminbi and shortages in foreign currencies may restrict our ability to pay dividends or other payments, or otherwise satisfy our foreign currency denominated obligations, if any. Under existing PRC foreign exchange regulations, payments of current account items, including profit distributions, interest payments and expenditures from trade-related transactions, can be made in foreign currencies without prior approval from SAFE as long as certain procedural requirements are met. Approval from appropriate government authorities is required if Renminbi is converted into foreign currency and remitted out of China to pay capital expenses such as the repayment of loans denominated in foreign currencies. The PRC government may, at its discretion, impose restrictions on access to foreign currencies for current account transactions and if this occurs in the future, we may not be able to pay dividends in foreign currencies to our shareholders.
Our cash dividends, if any, will be paid in U.S. dollars. If we are considered a PRC tax resident enterprise for tax purposes, any dividends we pay to our overseas shareholders may be regarded as China-sourced income and as a result may be subject to PRC withholding tax.
Relevant PRC laws and regulations permit the PRC companies to pay dividends only out of their retained earnings, if any, as determined in accordance with PRC accounting standards and regulations. Additionally, the Company’s PRC subsidiaries and the VIEs can only distribute dividends upon approval of the shareholders after they have met the PRC requirements for appropriation to the statutory reserves, subject to further restrictions applicable to
non-profit
private schools. As a result of these and other restrictions under the PRC laws and regulations, the PRC subsidiaries and the VIEs are restricted to transfer a portion of their net assets to the Company either in the form of dividends, loans or advances. Even though the Company currently does not require any such dividends, loans or advances from the PRC subsidiaries and the VIEs for working capital and other funding purposes, the Company may in the future require additional cash resources from its PRC subsidiaries and the VIEs due to changes in business conditions, to fund future acquisitions and developments, or merely declare and pay dividends to or distributions to the Company’s shareholders. 13
A. |
Selected Financial Data |
The following summary consolidated statements of comprehensive loss for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2019, 2020 and 2021 and summary consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2020 and 2021 have been derived from our audited consolidated financial statements included in this annual report on
Form 20-F
beginning on page F-1.
The following summary consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2019 have been derived from our audited consolidated financial statements not included in this annual report on Form 20-F.
Our consolidated financial statements are prepared and presented in accordance with the generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America, or US GAAP. Our historical results are not necessarily indicative of results expected for future periods. The selected consolidated financial data should be read in conjunction with, and are qualified in their entirety by reference to, our audited consolidated financial statements and the related notes and “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects” below. The following table presents our summary consolidated statements of comprehensive loss for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2019, 2020 and 2021.
For the years ended December 31, |
||||||||||||||||
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
||||||||||||||
RMB |
RMB |
RMB |
US$ |
|||||||||||||
| Net revenues: |
||||||||||||||||
| Revenue from related parties |
2,373,333 | 1,668,572 | 906,667 | 142,276 | ||||||||||||
| Revenue from third party |
1,717,697 | 3,410,091 | 8,512,992 | 1,335,874 | ||||||||||||
| Revenue from Affected Entity |
9,340,573 | 20,626,291 | 25,017,113 | 3,925,731 | ||||||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
| Total net revenue |
13,431,603 | 25,704,954 | 34,436,772 | 5,403,881 | ||||||||||||
| Cost of revenues |
(4,764,530 | ) | (10,751,952 | ) | (17,356,450 | ) | (2,723,606 | ) | ||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
| Gross profit |
8,667,073 | 14,953,002 | 17,080,322 | 2,680,275 | ||||||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
| Operating expenses: |
||||||||||||||||
| General and administrative expenses |
(2,120,562 | ) | (10,124,428 | ) | (18,372,763 | ) | (2,883,087 | ) | ||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
| Total operating expenses |
(2,120,562 | ) | (10,124,428 | ) | (18,372,763 | ) | (2,883,087 | ) | ||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
| Operating income/(loss) |
6,546,511 | 4,828,574 | (1,292,441 | ) | (202,812 | ) | ||||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
| Interest expense |
(1,738,301 | ) | (897,398 | ) | (2,393,178 | ) | (375,542 | ) | ||||||||
| Interest income |
13,230 | 16,634 | 14,834 | 2,328 | ||||||||||||
| Other (loss)/income, net |
(22,581 | ) | (1,426 | ) | 4,590,580 | 720,362 | ||||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
| Income before income tax expense |
4,798,859 | 3,946,384 | 919,795 | 144,336 | ||||||||||||
| Income tax expense |
— | — | (670,976 | ) | (105,291 | ) | ||||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
| Income from continuing operations, net of tax |
4,798,859 | 3,946,384 | 248,819 | 39,045 | ||||||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
| Income/(loss) from discontinued operation, net of tax |
42,438,138 | 29,638,700 | (244,068,780 | ) | (38,299,718 | ) | ||||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
| Net income/(loss) |
47,236,997 | 33,585,084 | (243,819,961 | ) | (38,260,673 | ) | ||||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
| Net income/(loss) attributable to the Company’s ordinary shareholders |
47,236,997 | 33,585,084 | (243,819,961 | ) | (38,260,673 | ) | ||||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
| Other comprehensive loss |
||||||||||||||||
| Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of nil tax |
— | (7,956,640 | ) | (4,586,027 | ) | (719,648 | ) | |||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
| Comprehensive income/(loss) |
47,236,997 | 25,628,444 | (248,405,988 | ) | (38,980,321 | ) | ||||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
| Total comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to the Company’s ordinary shareholders |
47,236,997 | 25,628,444 | (248,405,988 | ) | (38,980,321 | ) | ||||||||||
| Earnings per share from continuing operations |
||||||||||||||||
| —Basic and diluted |
0.10 | 0.07 | 0.00 | 0.00 | ||||||||||||
| Earnings/(loss) per share from discontinued operation |
||||||||||||||||
| —Basic and diluted |
0.85 | 0.55 | (3.66 | ) | (0.57 | ) | ||||||||||
| Weighted average number of ordinary shares used in per share calculation |
||||||||||||||||
| —Basic and diluted |
50,000,000 | 54,166,750 | 66,667,000 | 66,667,000 | ||||||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
14
The following table presents our summary consolidated balance sheet data as of December 31, 2019, 2020 and 2021.
As of December 31, |
||||||||||||
2020 |
2021 |
|||||||||||
RMB |
RMB |
US$ |
||||||||||
| Selected Consolidated Balance Sheet Data |
||||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents |
203,556,885 | 199,411,823 | 31,292,067 | |||||||||
| TOTAL ASSETS |
723,039,670 | 532,725,763 | 83,596,297 | |||||||||
| TOTAL LIABILITIES |
355,570,744 | 413,662,825 | 64,912,723 | |||||||||
| Ordinary shares (US$0.0001 par value; 500,000,000 and 500,000,000 shares authorized, 66,667,000 and 66,667,000 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2020 and 2021, respectively) |
45,198 | 45,198 | 7,093 | |||||||||
| TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY |
367,468,926 | 119,062,938 | 18,683,574 | |||||||||
B. |
Capitalization and Indebtedness |
Not applicable.
C. |
Reasons for the Offer and Use of Proceeds |
Not applicable.
D. |
Risk Factors |
An investment in our ADSs involves a number of risks, including risks relating to our business and industry, risks relating to our corporate structure, risks relating to doing business in China and risks relating to our ADSs. A description of factors that could materially affect our business, financial condition or operating results is provided below.
Risk Factors Summary
Risks relating to our business and industry
| • | Significant uncertainties exist in relation to the interpretation and implementation of, or proposed changes to, the PRC laws, regulations and policies regarding the private education industry. In particular, our compliance with the 2021 Implementation Rules for Private Education Laws has materially and adversely affected and may materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospect. |
| • | We are in the process of filing the relevant application pursuant to the national and local regulations (including Zhejiang Province and Lishui City) of classification registration of private schools where loss of taxes and fees may incur. |
| • | We are subject to general conditions and the education industry of Qingtian County, Lishui City and/or Zhejiang Province as all of our operations are currently located in a single city. |
• |
We may not be able to successfully integrate businesses operated by Qingtian International School and Vocational Training Institutions that we acquired, which may cause us to lose the anticipated benefits from such acquisitions and to incur significant additional expenses. |
15
• |
As of the date of this annual report, our auditor, WWC, P.C., is not subject to the Determinations announced by the PCAOB and our listing is not affected by the Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act and related regulations. However, we cannot assure you whether Nasdaq or regulatory authorities would apply additional and more stringent criteria to us after considering the effectiveness of our auditor’s audit of our financial statements. |
Risks relating to our corporate structure
| • | Our private education service business is subject to extensive regulation in China. We may be subject to severe penalties if the PRC government finds that the agreements that establish the structure for operating our business in China do not comply with applicable PRC laws and regulations. |
| • | Our contractual arrangements may not be as effective in providing control over our VIEs as equity ownership. If the PRC government determines that the contractual arrangements constituting part of our VIE structure do not comply with PRC regulations, or if these regulations change or are interpreted differently in the future, we may be unable to assert our contractual rights over the assets of the VIEs, and our ADSs or ordinary shares may decline in value or become worthless. |
| • | We rely on dividends and other payments from Liandu WFOE to pay dividends and other cash distributions to our shareholders. |
| • | Our Qingtian International School may be subject to limitations on their ability to operate private education or make payments to related parties. |
Risks relating to doing business in China
• |
Adverse changes in the PRC economic, political and social conditions as well as laws and government policies, may materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and growth prospects. |
• |
PRC regulation of loans and direct investment by offshore holding companies to PRC entities may delay or prevent us from using the proceeds of our initial public offering to make loans or additional capital contributions to our PRC subsidiaries or VIEs, which could materially and adversely affect our liquidity and our ability to fund and expand our business. |
16
| • | Any actions by the Chinese government, including any decision to intervene or influence the operations of our PRC subsidiaries or our VIE or to exert control over any offering of securities conducted overseas and/or foreign investment in China-based issuers, may cause us to make material changes to the operations of our PRC subsidiaries or our VIE, may limit or completely hinder our ability to offer or continue to offer securities to investors, and may cause the value of such securities to significantly decline or be worthless. |
• |
Based on the recent development of PRC law, there is significant uncertainty about the application and interpretation of the Law on the Promotion of Private Education, the 2021 Implementation Rules and their detailed implementation rules and regulations. We may be subject to significant limitations on our ability to engage in the private education business, acquire private schools, or receive payments from the VIEs and may otherwise be materially and adversely affected by changes in PRC laws and regulations. |
Risks relating to our ADSs
| • | The trading price of our ADSs may be volatile, which could result in substantial losses to you. |
| • | The voting rights of holders of our ADSs are limited by the terms of the deposit agreement, and you may not be able to exercise your right to direct how the ordinary shares represented by your ADSs are voted. |
| • | The depositary shall deem you to have instructed the depositary to give us a discretionary proxy to vote the ordinary shares underlying your ADSs if you do not give timely voting instructions to the depositary to direct how the ordinary shares underlying your ADSs are voted, except in limited circumstances, which could adversely affect your interests. |
Risks Relating to Our Business and Industry
Significant uncertainties exist in relation to the interpretation and implementation of, or proposed changes to, the PRC laws, regulations and policies regarding the private education industry. In particular, our compliance with the 2021 Implementation Rules for Private Education Laws has materially and adversely affected and may materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospect.
The private education industry in the PRC is subject to various laws and regulations including among others the amended Law for Promoting Private Education of the PRC, or the Promotion Law, promulgated in December 2002, which are subject to changes to accommodate the development of the education industry, in particular, the private education industry from time to time. On November 7, 2016, the Decision of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress on Amending the Private Education Promotion Law of the PRC, or the Decision, amended the Promotion Law. On December 29, 2018, the Promotion Law was further amended. Under the Decision and the current Promotion Law, private schools may be established The sponsor of
as non-profit or for-profit entities.
a non-profit private
school shall not receive proceeds from the running of the school and the cash surplus of the school shall be retained for the running of the school, while the sponsor of a for-profit private
school may gain proceeds from the running of the school, and the cash surplus of the school may be distributed in accordance with applicable PRC laws.The Opinions on Further Strengthening and Regulating the Administration of Education Fees, or the Opinions, which were issued on August 17, 2020 by the relevant authorities, reiterate the provision from the Decision that the sponsors of
non-profit
privately-run
schools shall not gain proceeds from the running of schools. The Opinions further underline that the sponsors of non-profit
privately-run
schools and non-profit
privately-run
sino-foreign cooperative educators shall be prohibited from obtaining proceeds from the running of schools such as tuition income, distributing school balances (residual assets) or transferring proceeds from the running of schools through related-party transactions or affiliated parties or other means. 17
On May 14, 2021, the State Council promulgated the 2021 Implementation Rules for Private Education Laws, which became effective on September 1, 2021. The 2021 Implementation Rules impose restrictions on the operation and management of private schools and the capital operation of private education. Pursuant to the 2021 Implementation Rules, (i) foreign-invested enterprises established in China and social organizations whose actual controllers are foreign parties shall not sponsor, participate in or actually control private schools that provide compulsory education; (ii) social organizations or individuals shall not control any private school that provides compulsory education or any
non-profit
private school that provides pre-school
education by means of merger, acquisition, contractual arrangements, etc.; (iii) private schools providing compulsory education shall not conduct any transaction with any interested related party; and (iv) for any change of school sponsor of a private school, an alteration agreement shall be entered into but shall not involve the legal property of the school, nor shall it affect the development of the school, or damage the rights and interests of teachers and students; the existing school sponsor may, in accordance with its lawful rights and interests, enter into agreements with the successional school sponsor to stipulate the income from the alteration. The 2021 Implementation Rules have had significant impacts on our business operations and our results of operations. As a result of the effectiveness of the 2021 Implementation Rules, we have lost control over Lianwai School which primarily provides primary and middle education to the students. We had ceased to recognize revenues for all activities related to Lianwai School and had discontinued all business activities with Lianwai School by August 31, 2021. We deconsolidated Lianwai School commencing from September 1, 2021 and presented it as a discontinued operation in current and comparative period financial statements. To minimize disruptions to existing students enrolled in Lianwai School, we continued to offer essential services to the students. As a result, our ability to engage in the private education in China has been materially and adversely affected, and we cannot assure you that we will be able to restore such ability, which could materially and adversely affect our business, prospects, results of operations and financial condition. In November 2021, we completed the acquisition of 100% of the sponsorship interest of Qingtian International School from Qingtian Zhongyi Education Investment Co., Ltd. (
not-for-profit
青田众亿教育投资有限公司
), a company incorporated under the laws of the PRC, or Qingtian Zhongyi Education Investment. We expect that this acquisition will strengthen our competitiveness in the private education sector.
There are substantial uncertainties regarding the interpretation and application of the Decision, the current Promotion Law, the Opinions and the 2021 Implementation Rules, which affect or may affect our industry as a whole or the schools, including Lianwai School and Qingtian International School. Such uncertainties include, among others:
18
| • | Uncertainties with respect to liquidation |
According to the Decision, upon liquidation
of for-profit private
schools, school sponsors can obtain the schools’ remaining assets after the settlement of the schools’ indebtedness. The Decision also states that, a private school established before the promulgation of this Decision registered as non-profit, shall
give appropriate compensation out of the remains to the sponsors after its property is liquidated, at its termination, based on their applications and by taking into full account of the circumstances. After that, the remaining assets shall be used for the operation of other non-profit
private schools. The Decision is silent on how or by whom the aforesaid rest of the remaining assets of a liquidated non-profit
private school shall be dominated or disposed of. Accordingly, we may not be able to transfer all or part of the remaining assets and residual interests of our school to Liandu WFOE upon their liquidation. As a result, our business, our financial position and the market price of our shares may be materially and adversely affected. | • | Uncertainties with respect to school fees |
According to the Decision, the fees charged by private schools shall be determined in accordance with costs and market demand. The level of fees charged
by for-profit private
schools is determined by the schools at their discretion, while the level of fees charged by non-profit private
schools shall be regulated by the relevant local government authorities. The 2021 Implementation Rules state that the people’s governments of provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities directly under the Central Government may set a ceiling for the fees charged by non-profit
private schools that the government-run
schools participate in the establishment thereof,
that use state-owned assets, or that receive government subsidies per student. There is uncertainty as to whether there will be any material adverse impact on the fees charged
by non-profit private
schools generally or our school. We may not be able to maintain our current tuition and boarding fees, and may not be able to raise any of such fees at our desired rates, times and places or at all in the future. As a result, our business, our financial position and the market price of our shares may be materially and adversely affected. | • | Uncertainties with respect to supporting measures |
According to the Decision and the 2021 Implementation Rules, additional supportive measures will be provided for private schools, there is currently uncertainty as to whether the tax treatments will change after the 2021 Implementation Rules became effective. According to the Decision and the 2021 Implementation
schools. Non-profit private
schools will enjoy more supportive measures than for-profit private
schools, such as government subsidies, fund awards and incentive donations. Non-profit private
schools will enjoy the same preferential tax policies as public schools, while for-profit private
schools will not be expected to enjoy the same preferential tax policies as public schools or non-profit private
schools. The Decision does not specify whether and how existing schools that choose to become for-profit private
schools will be required to pay additional taxes during the transition process. As the relevant PRC tax laws have not been amended to distinguish between non-profit and for-profit private
Rules, non-profit private
schools will enjoy the same treatment as public schools with respect to the supply of land, which will be supplied by the government through allocation or other means, and for-profit
private schools are not expected to enjoy the same treatment as public schools and non-profit
private schools. There is uncertainty as to whether and how our schools will be able to benefit from any of such additional supporting measures as contemplated or at all. We cannot assure you that the tax and other treatments will not change or that they apply or continue to apply to our school after the 2021 Implementation Rules became effective. | • | Uncertainties with respect to transactions with related parties |
According to the 2021 Implementation Rules, private schools providing compulsory education shall not conduct any transaction with any interested related party. Where any other private schools conducts any transaction with any interested related party, it shall follow the principles of openness, fairness and impartiality, fix the price reasonably and regulate the decision-making, and shall not damage the state interests, the interests of the school or the rights and interests of the teachers and students. Private schools shall establish an information disclosure system for their transactions with interested related parties. The departments of education, human resources and social security, finance and other relevant departments shall strengthen the supervision over the agreements entered into by and between The interested related parties as mentioned in the preceding paragraph refer to the founder, actual controller, principal, members of the council, director, supervisor, financial and other persons of a private school, and any organization or individual that has the relationship of mutual control and influence with the above-mentioned organization or individual, which may lead to the transfer of the interests of the private school.
non-profit
private schools and their interested related parties and review related-party transactions on an annual basis.person-in-charge
Further, the founder or actual controller, any member of the decision-making body or supervisory body of a private school conducting related-party transactions with a private school providing compulsory education, or conducting related-party transactions with any other private school, thus damaging the interests of the State, of the school or of the teachers and students, shall be orderd by the relevant authorities to make corrections within a time limit, and the illegal gains, if any, shall be confiscated after the fees collected are returned; if the circumstances are serious the offender shall not become the founder or actual controller, a member of the decision-making body or supervisory body of another private school within one to five years; if the circumstances are especially serious with adverse social impact, the offender shall not become the founder, actual controller or a member of the decision-making body or supervisory body of another private school permanently.
19
After the 2021 Implementation Rules took effect, we have ceased related party transactions with Lianwai School, including relevant property lease contracts, etc. We have not received income from such transactions since September 1, 2021, which had a material adverse impact on our income. However, we are also in active communication with the local competent authority in charge of education. According to its further regulatory measures, Lishui Mengxiang may consider selling Lianwai School or take other measures consistent with local regulations so as to minimize relevant adverse impact. Furthermore, our contractual arrangements may be regarded as connected transactions of our Qingtian International School and we may incur substantial compliance costs for establishing disclosure mechanisms and undergoing review by the relevant government authorities. Such process may not be in our control and may be highly complicated and burdensome and may divert management attention. Government authorities may, during their review process, compel us to make modifications to our contractual arrangements for whatever reason, which may in turn adversely affect the operation of our contractual arrangements. Government authorities may find that one or more agreements underlying our contractual arrangements do not comply with applicable PRC laws and regulations and may subject us to severe penalties, resulting in material adverse impact on our operation and financial condition.
The local governments and their education authorities will generally issue detailed rules, guidelines or opinions on the interpretation, application and implementation of the upper-level laws after they come into effect, and the local government and education authorities in Zhejiang Province have not yet issued such rules, guidelines or opinions on the interpretation, application and implementation of the 2021 Implementation Rules as of the date of this annual report on Form
20-F.
We’ve been closely monitoring the developments of the 2021 Implementation Rules and are carefully evaluating the possible impact of the 2021 Implementation Rules on our business development and financial performance. We are also proactively seeking guidance from and cooperating with government authorities in connection with our efforts to comply with the 2021 Implementation Rules and any related rules and regulations. We cannot assure you that we will always be deemed to be in compliance with the new laws and regulations, interpretation of which may remain uncertain and relevant PRC government authorities may take a different view or change their policy in the future, or that we will be able to efficiently change our business practice in line with the new regulatory environment. Any such failure could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
20
We are in the process of filing the relevant application pursuant to the national and local regulations (including Zhejiang Province and Lishui City) of classification registration of private schools. Loss of taxes and fees may incur in the process, which may have an adverse impact on Qingtian International School’s operations.
According to the Implementation Rules on Classification Registration of Private Schools (the “Classification Registration Rules”), which was issued jointly by the MOE, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security of the People’s Republic of China or the MOHRSS, the MCA, the State Commission Office of Public Sectors Reform and the SAMR, and became effective on December 30, 2016, if an existing private school chooses to register as a
non-profit
private school, it shall amend its articles of association in accordance with laws, continue its school operation, and complete the new registration formalities. If an existing private school chooses to register as a for-profit
private school, it shall make financial settlement, clarify the ownership of the schools’ land, buildings and accumulations with the consent of the relevant departments of the people’s governments at or below the provincial level, pay relevant taxes and fees, obtain new school permits, carry out their re-registration
and continue their school operation. The provincial people’s government is responsible for formulating the detailed measures on the alteration registration of the private schools in accordance with national laws and the local situation. On April 4, 2018, eight departments of Zhejiang Province including the Department of Education of Zhejiang Province promulgated the Implementation Measures for Existing Private Schools to Change Registration Status, or the Zhejiang Implementation Measures, which took effect on June 1, 2018 and applies to all private schools established before November 7, 2016. According to the Zhejiang Implementation Measures, (i) any existing private school which chooses to register as a
non-profit
private school shall amend and file its articles of association and complete the corresponding registration accordingly, and (ii) any existing private school that chooses to register as a for-profit
private school, shall obtain a new Permit for Operating a Private School and be re-registered
so as to continue its operation after completing its financial clearance and settlement, clarifying its ownership of assets, and paying relevant taxes and fees. On June 16, 2021, Lishui Municipal Education Bureau, Lishui Municipal Human Resources and Social Security Bureau, Office for Public Sector Reform Commission of Lishui, Lishui Municipal Civil Affairs Bureau and Lishui Municipal Market Supervision Administration jointly promulgated the Administrative Measures for Classification Registration of Private Schools in Lishui, which took effect on the same day. According to the Administrative Measures, where an existing private school opts to be registered as a
for-profit
private school, it shall make financial settlement, and the ownership of the land, school buildings, school-running accumulation and other property shall be clarified by the relevant departments of the government of the jurisdiction and the relevant agencies according to law. The school shall pay the relevant taxes and fees, go through the formalities for a new permit for the establishment of the school and make a new registration. The school may continue running during the process of the liquidation, re-handling
of the permit for the establishment of the school and registration as a legal person. On November 22, 2021, Lishui Education Bureau promulgated the Work Plan for Classified Registration and Administration of Existing Private Schools (Kindergartens) of Lishui City, which stipulates that they shall adhere to the principles of voluntary selection, smooth classification, public welfare orientation, and compliance with laws and regulations, and strive to complete the classified registration of existing private schools by December 30, 2022. The Plan also provides a schedule for arranging the classified registration tasks, from January to October in 2022, the classified registration of the existing private schools providing compulsory education, private kindergartens and private schools providing senior high school education shall be completed.
The main registration procedures for
non-profit
private schools are selected as follows: (i) schools shall file an application for classified registration; (ii) the approval authority shall conduct verification and replacement of the certificate; (iii) the articles of association shall be ratified (filed for the record); and (iv) schools shall apply for registration as a legal person. In addition, the main registration procedures for for-profit
private schools are selected as follows: (i) sponsors make a pre-application
for classified registration; (ii) schools make financial settlement; (iii) sponsors apply for the pre-registration
of corporate names; (iv) sponsors make a formal application for classified registration; (v) certificates are replaced upon the approval authorities; (vi) schools apply for the registration of legal persons; (vii) schools complete the amendment registration of assets; (viii) private non-enterprise
entities apply for deregistration with the original registration authorities. See “Item 4. Information on the Company—B. Business Overview—Regulation—Implementing Rules on Classification Registration of Private Schools” for details. With the approval of Education Bureau of Qingtian County, Qingtian International School is a
non-state
public institution providing non-profit
social welfare services for senior high school education with the status of an independent legal person, whose sponsor is Lishui Mengxiang after the acquisition. In accordance with the Circular of the Lishui Municipal People’s Government on Carrying out Pilot Programs for Unified Registration Administration of Various Public Institutions, except that funds are not guaranteed and personnel are not supported by financial resources, Qingtian International School shall enjoy the same treatment as the public institutions of the same category, and enjoy the supportive policies of the government for private social undertakings. 21
As of the date of this annual report on Form
20-F,
we have not received any formal notification from the competent authorities of Qingtian County requiring us to complete the classified registration of Qingtian International School as a for-profit
or non-profit
school. We may be unable to maintain or raise the tuition, meal and accommodation service fees we charge as planned.
We derive the majority of our revenue from tuition, meal and accommodation service fees. We determine the rates of the tuition or other fees for our schools primarily based on limits, guidelines and requirements set by the authorities and commercial considerations such as the demand for our educational programs, our cost of revenues, the tuition charged by our competitors, our pricing strategy, the economic conditions of Lishui City, Zhejiang Province and the general economic conditions in China.
Any increase in the tuition and accommodation service fees we charge at our schools are subject to regulatory approval. Moreover, the Decision sets out certain specific requirements with respect to the level of fees charged
by non-profit private
schools. Therefore, we may face the risks that we can only maintain our current tuition and accommodation service fees, and may not be able to raise any of such fees for our schools at our desired rates, times and places or at all in the future. 22
Even if our intended rates of tuition and other fees are approved by the authority, we may fail to attract sufficient prospective students to apply for our schools at those levels. As a result, our business, financial condition and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected.
Our business depends on the market recognition of our brand and reputation that we may not be able to maintain.
The success of our business has depended and will continue to depend on our brand and reputation. Our brand and reputation may be affected by a number of factors, including student and parent satisfaction rates, teaching quality, our students’ academic performances and test scores, campus accidents, scandals involving our schools, negative publicity and failure to pass governmental inspections. Some of these factors are beyond our control. In addition, as we continue to grow in size, expand our programs and extend our geographic reach, it may become difficult to maintain quality and consistency in the services we offer, which may lead to diminishing confidence in our brand name and negatively affect our reputation. If our brand or reputation is damaged or negatively affected, students’ and parents’ interest in our schools may decrease and our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.
We have developed our student base primarily However, we cannot assure you that our marketing efforts will be successful or sufficient in further promoting our brand and reputation to help us maintain or increase student enrollment. Moreover, there can be no assurance that our brand and reputation will hold sufficient market recognition in the geographic areas where we plan to acquire or establish schools. If we are unable to further enhance the market recognition of our brand and reputation, or if we are required to incur excessive marketing expenses to promote our brand and reputation, our business, financial condition and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected.
through word-of-mouth referrals.
We may fail to continue to recruit and retain students in our school.
The success of our business depends on the number of students enrolled in our school and in any school we may acquire or establish in the future. Our ability to attract and retain students depends on several factors, including our ability to:
| • | enhance existing programs to respond to market changes and the demands of students and parents; |
| • | develop new programs or schools that appeal to students; |
| • | maintain and improve our reputation for providing high quality private education; |
| • | maintain and improve the academic and non-academic performance of our students; |
| • | recruit and retain qualified teachers; |
| • | manage our growth while maintaining the consistency of our teaching quality; |
| • | expand our student capacity; |
| • | effectively market our schools and programs to prospective students; and |
| • | respond to the increasing competition in the market. |
On August 18, 2021, we entered into a sponsorship interests transfer agreement with Qingtian Zhongyi Education Investment in respect of the acquisition of 100% of the sponsorship interests of Qingtian International School, with a total consideration of RMB 23 million. The alteration registration of Qingtian International School was completed on August 24, 2021. Qingtian International School is an educational institution specialized in providing high school education to returned overseas Chinese students, and the transaction was closed in November 2021. We had 524 students enrolled in our Qingtian International School and recorded a utilization rate of 76.9% as of September 1, 2021. If we are unable to attract and retain students in Qingtian International School to fully utilize our campuses, we may record lower operation efficiency and we may be unable to benefit from our acquisition of Qingtian International School. As a result, our business, financial condition and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected.
Our students’ academic performance may fall and satisfaction with our educational services may otherwise decline.
Our students’ academic performance may be affected by various factors, including teaching method and materials, personal efforts, learning environment, pressure and family influence, some of which may be beyond our control. If their academic performance fall or do not improve as expected, our students may be unable to achieve the test scores necessary for their desired progressions and satisfaction with our educational services may decline. Satisfaction with our educational services may also decline due to negative publicity on our schools, directors or management, lack of qualified teachers, unsatisfactory learning environment or other factors, which may result in, among others, a decrease and reputation, students’ withdrawal from our schools and decreased application for our schools. If our student retention rate decreases substantially or if we otherwise fail to continue to attract and admit students due to decreased students’ or parents’ satisfaction with our educational services, our business, financial condition and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected.
in word-of-mouth referrals
We may fail to continue to attract and retain qualified and committed teachers and other school personnel.
We rely substantially on our teachers for the provision of educational services to our students. Our teachers are critical to maintaining the quality of our programs and upholding our brand and reputation. We must continue to attract qualified teachers who are committed to teaching. We face competition from public schools, other private education providers and other institutions for high quality candidates and may have to incur additional costs for our recruitment efforts. We may not be able to recruit enough teachers to keep pace with the growth of our student enrollment while maintaining consistent teaching quality and the overall quality of our education programs. In addition, criteria such as dedication, capability and loyalty are difficult to ascertain during the recruitment process and we may fail to identify and select the desired candidates.
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Furthermore, we may be unable to retain high quality teachers or have to incur significant expenditures for our retention efforts. Teachers may be dissatisfied with their workload, compensation, benefits, career path or working environment, which may disrupt our school operations and teaching activities, adversely affect our reputation and damage our ability to attract and retain teachers and students. Similarly, other school personnel such as administrators, counselors and financial staff also play an important role in the efficient and smooth running of our schools. There is no guarantee that we can recruit and retain quality personnel to perform these functions in the future without incurring significant costs or at all. If we are unable to attract and retain qualified and committed teachers and other school personnel at reasonable costs or at all, or if there is a significant decrease in teaching quality or educational experiences in our schools due to lack of qualified teachers or other school personnel, or if our teachers or other school personnel take disruptive actions to express their dissatisfaction with our school or us, our business, financial condition and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected.
We face intense competition in the education industry and we may fail to compete effectively.
The education sector in China is rapidly evolving, highly fragmented and competitive and we expect competition in this sector to persist and intensify. In the geographic market in which we operate our school, we compete with public schools and other private schools that offer high school education. We compete with these schools across a range of factors, including program and curriculum offerings, tuition level, school location and premises, qualified teachers and other key personnel.
Our competitors that are private schools may offer similar or superior educational programs, with different pricing and service packages that are more appealing than those offered at our school. Some of our competitors that are private schools may have more resources than us and may be able to devote greater resources than we can to the development and promotion of their schools and respond more quickly than we can to changes in student demands, testing materials, admissions standards, market needs or new technology. Our competitors that are public schools may have access to resources that may not be available to private schools and may be able to offer quality educational programs at lower prices than our Qingtian International School. According to the Frost & Sullivan report, tuition charged by public schools is generally lower than tuition charged by private schools, especially premium private schools. In addition, the PRC public education system continues to improve in terms of resources, admission policies and teaching quality and approaches. If public schools relax their admission limitations, offer more diversified curriculum, upgrade their campus facilities or reforms the exam-oriented education approach, they may become more attractive to students, which may lead to increased competition in the education industry.
As a result, we may be required to reduce tuition or increase spending in order to retain or attract students or pursue new market opportunities. If we are unable to successfully retain and attract students, maintain or increase our tuition level, recruit and retain qualified teachers or other key personnel, enhance the quality of our educational services or control competition costs, our business, financial condition and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected.
We may not be able to obtain all necessary approvals, licenses and permits and to make all necessary registrations and filings for our educational and other services in China.
We are required to obtain and maintain various approvals, licenses and permits and fulfill registration and filing requirements in order to operate our schools and provide educational and other services to our students. For instance, we are required to obtain and/or renew a private school operation permit, obtain and/or renew a registration certificate for
private non-enterprise entities,
pass annual inspections conducted by the relevant government authorities and obtain approval from the relevant government authorities as to the scale and scope of our student recruitment activities. Currently, we have obtained and maintained all such approvals, licenses and permits required for our operation. While we intend to obtain all requisite approvals, licenses and permits, and complete the necessary filings, renewals and registrations on a timely basis for our school, there is no assurance that our efforts will result in full compliance as there may be factors beyond our control, intention and anticipation, and the local PRC authorities may have significant discretion in interpreting, implementing and enforcing the relevant rules and regulations. If we fail to obtain or renew the required approvals, licenses or permits in a timely manner or at all, we may be subject to fines, confiscation of the gains derived from our schools, suspension of some or all of our schools’ operations, be required to compensate the economic losses suffered by our students or other relevant parties, or be subject to other penalties or administrative actions, which may materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We may not be able to successfully integrate businesses operated by Qingtian International School and Vocational Training Institutions that we acquired, which may cause us to lose the anticipated benefits from such acquisitions and to incur significant additional expenses.
We plan to expand our business and school network by entering into cooperation with third-party school sponsors to establish new schools, in addition to establishing new schools ourselves or acquiring existing schools. We believe we will face challenges in integrating business operations and management philosophies of the schools we may acquire. We consider the benefits of our prospective acquisitions will mainly hinge on our ability to effectively and timely integrate the management, operations and personnel of these schools. The integration of the schools we acquire may be a complex, time-consuming and costly process that without proper arrangement and implementation, could seriously interfere with our business operations and damage our reputation. Our Directors consider the main challenges involved in integrating acquired entities to include the following:
| • | retaining qualified teaching staff of any acquired school; |
| • | consolidating the educational services offered by the acquired school; |
| • | complying with the regulatory requirements; |
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| • | the acquired schools having a culture that may be adverse to change and may not be receptive to our educational values and methods; |
| • | integrating educational and administrative systems; |
| • | minimizing disruptions to existing students’ curricula and ensuring their ability to progress through the applicable education programs is not hindered as a result of the acquisition; |
| • | ensuring and illustrating to our students and their parents that the new acquisitions will not result in any adverse changes to our established brand image, reputation, service quality or standards; and |
| • | minimizing the diversion of our management’s attention from its on-going business concerns |
We may not be able to successfully integrate our operations and the operations of the schools such as Qingtian International School and Vocational Training Institutions we acquire in a timely manner, or at all, and we may not realize the expected benefits or synergies of the acquisitions to the extent, or in the timeframe we anticipated, which may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
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We are subject to general conditions and the education industry of Qingtian County, Lishui City and/or Zhejiang Province as our main operations are currently located in a single city.
Our Qingtian International School and its operations are currently located in Qingtian County, Lishui City, Zhejiang Province. As of the date of the annual report, according to the seventh census report of Zhejiang Province, the population of Lishui City and Zhejiang Province in 2021 was 2.5 million and 64.6 million, respectively. If Lishui City or Zhejiang Province experiences an event that materially and adversely affects its education industry or us, such as an economic downturn, a natural disaster or an outbreak of a contagious disease, or if any governmental authorities governing Lishui City or Zhejiang Province adopt regulations that place additional restrictions or burdens on us or on the education industry in general, our business, financial condition and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected. In addition, given that we mainly offer the education services at Qingtian International school, any material negative development with respect to Qingtian International school could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations as a whole.
Therefore, we hope to expand our business into other cities in China in the future. We expect that we will continue to generate the majority of our revenue from our Qingtian International School in Lishui City and Langfang School upon the completion of the acquisition in April 2022 for the foreseeable future.
Misconduct of students and employees and improper activities and any negative publicity concerning our schools, our Company, our Controlling Shareholder, our directors or our employees may adversely affect us.
Misconduct of students and employees and improper activities may adversely affect our brand image, business and results of operations. In addition, any negative publicity concerning our school, our Company, our controlling shareholder, our directors, our employees or any of them, even if untrue, may damage our brand image and reputation, deter prospective students and teachers and take up excessive time of our management and other resources. As a result, our business, financial condition and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected.
Our business depends on our ability to promptly and adequately respond to changes in admission requirements for higher-level education, testing materials and technologies.
Our high school students are subject to the National Joint Entrance Examination for overseas Chinese students. The admission scores for the various college schools in China usually change from year to year and so do the admission requirements for overseas universities. Testing materials may also change in terms of focus areas, format and the manner in which such tests are administered. The new examination syllabus implemented in 2021 has greatly reduced the difficulty of the examination. These changes require us to continually update and enhance the courses we offer and to continually train our students to take standardized tests so as to maximize their performance on these tests. In order to enable our students get admission to the prestigious colleges in China, we are required to offer not only the ordinary PRC high school curriculum program but also the courses designed for the National Joint Entrance Examination for overseas Chinese students. If we fail to adequately prepare our students for admission tests in our everyday classroom teaching and any test preparation courses we offer, our students’ admissions rates to PRC colleges may decrease and our programs and services may become less attractive to students. Furthermore, if we fail to timely develop and introduce new education services and programs in Qingtian International School based on the changing education and test standards in China and abroad, our ability to attract and retain students may decrease. As a result, our reputation, business, financial condition and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected.
We may not be able to successfully implement our business strategies.
Our business strategies include organic growth, strategic alliance with reputable education institutes, acquiring and establishing schools. We may not succeed in implementing our business strategies due to a number of factors, including the following:
| • | we may lose government support in Lishui City or in cities to which we plan to expand our operation; |
| • | we may not be able to admit all qualified students who would like to enroll in our schools due to the capacity constraints of our school facilities; |
| • | we may fail to identify cities with sufficient growth potential in which to acquire or establish schools; |
| • | we may have limited access to capital resources or may have to rely on the shareholders’ guarantee in obtaining bank facilities; |
| • | we may fail to acquire or lease suitable land sites in the cities to which we plan to expand our operations; |
| • | we may fail to effectively market our schools or brand in new markets or promote ourselves in existing markets; |
| • | we may not be able to replicate our successful growth model in new markets; |
| • | we may not be able to effectively integrate any future acquisitions into our operations; |
| • | we may fail to obtain the requisite licenses and permits from the authorities necessary to acquire or establish schools at our desired locations; |
| • | we may not be able to continue to enhance our course materials or adapt our course materials to changing student needs and teaching methods; |
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| • | we may fail to follow the expected timetable with respect to the development of our schools; and |
| • | we may fail to achieve the benefits we expect from our expansion. |
27
If we fail to successfully execute our growth strategies, we may not be able to maintain our growth rate and our business, financial condition and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected.
We recorded net current liabilities as of December 31, 2021.
As of December 31, 2021, we had net current assets of RMB125 million , and net current liabilities of RMB113 million, respectively. We cannot assure you that we will not experience periods of net current liabilities in the future. We may record net current liabilities in future periods as we continue to expand. A net current liabilities position could expose us to liquidity risks, constrain our operational flexibility and adversely affect our ability to obtain financing and expand our business. There can be no assurance that we will always be able to generate sufficient cash flow from our operations or obtain necessary funding to meet our future financial needs, including repaying our loans upon maturity and finance our capital commitments. If we fail to meet our financial obligations, our business, liquidity, financial position and prospects could be materially and adversely affected.
We face risks related to health epidemics, natural disasters or terrorist attacks in China.
We offer accommodation service to our students of Qingtian International School. We also
provide on-campus or
nearby off-site accommodation
to our teachers and staff. The boarding and accommodation arrangements make our students, teachers and staff vulnerable to outbreaks of health epidemics such as the COVID-19
virus, H1N1 flu virus, avian influenza and severe acute respiratory syndrome, or SARS, and Influenza A virus, such as H5N1 subtype and H5N2 subtype flu viruses, natural disasters, such as earthquakes, floods, landslides, as well as terrorist attacks, other acts of violence or war or social instability, especially when such health epidemics, natural disasters or terrorist attacks take place in our schools or in or near the regions where our schools are located. As a result, our business, financial condition and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected. 28
Since the worldwide outbreak of the
COVID-19
pandemic in early 2020, all sectors have been severely affected with no exception to the education industry. In early 2021, WHO announced the variants of the coronavirus causing COVID-19
were discovered in Denmark, the United Kingdom, South Africa and Japan subsequently, which is considered highly contagious and may pose a serious public health threat. To respond to the continuing impact and recurrence of COVID-19
pandemic, the PRC government has imposed various strict measures with the aim to contain the virus and restore the business operation in an orderly manner including, but not limited to, mandatory vaccination requirements, travel restrictions, mandatory quarantine requirements, and postponed resumption of business operations. However, the relaxation of the restrictions on economic and social life may lead to development of new cases, which may result in the reimposition of further restrictions. Our Baiyun Campus, Yijing Campus—Featured Division resumed normal operation from April 2020. No students withdrew from our schools due to the COVID-19
outbreak. We have taken a series of measures in response to the outbreak to protect our employees, students and teachers in the reopened campuses after the closedown in early 2020, including, among others, checking the temperature of our students, procurement and provision of hand sanitizers and other protective equipment for our employees. Our campuses remained in normal operation during 2021, and our students and teachers continued with their on-campus
courses. The COVID-19
did not interrupt the on-campus
teaching activities, so we did not offer any online-courses to our students during 2021. Also, as the students’ enrollment is conducted and our tuition is charged on a semester basis, it is anticipated that the COVID-19
outbreak will not have a material long-term impact on our financial condition and operation. The extent to which the COVID-19 outbreak
impacts our financial condition and results of operations cannot be reasonably estimated at this time and will depend on future developments. In addition, in the event that we establish our own online platform or the legal requirements applicable to us change resulting from the changes in the regulatory environment in this area, we may be required to obtain all applicable permits, licenses, certificates and approvals. Any future outbreak of public health epidemics may restrict economic activities in affected regions, resulting in reduced business volume, disrupt our business operations and adversely affect our results of operations. We are subject to extensive governmental approvals and compliance requirements for the construction and development of our school and in relation to the land and buildings that we own.
For campuses and school facilities constructed and developed for our school, we must obtain various permits, certificates and other approvals from the relevant authorities at various stages of property development, including the land use right certificates, planning permits, construction permits, certificates for passing environmental assessments, certificates for passing fire control assessments, certificates for passing construction completion inspections and building ownership certificates.
In the event that if we lose the rights to any of our land or buildings, our uses of such land or buildings may be limited, or we may be forced to relocate and incur additional costs, which may result in disruptions to the operations of our schools and materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. In addition, we may in the future encounter problems in obtaining the relevant permits, certificates and approvals for the construction and development of our schools, which may negatively affect our growth strategies. As a result, our business, financial condition and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected.
Capacity constraints of our school facilities could cause us to lose students to our competitors.
The educational facilities of our school are limited in space and size which is also subject to regulatory approval from the competent departments in charge of urban and rural planning. We may not be able to admit all qualified students who would like to enroll in our school due to the capacity constraints of our current school facilities. Qingtian International School’s capacity was 681 as of September 1, 2021 and it recorded a utilization rate of approximately 76.9% as of September 1, 2021. We may not be able to expand our capacity at our current campus unless we relocate to other facilities in the local area with more space. If we fail to expand our capacity as quickly as the demand for our services grows, or if we otherwise fail to grow by acquiring or establishing schools and campuses, we could lose potential students to our competitors, and our business, financial condition and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected.
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Our historical financial and operating results may not be indicative of our future performance and our financial and operating results may be difficult to forecast.
Our financial and operating results may not meet the expectations of public market analysts or investors, which could cause the price of our ADSs to decline. Our revenue, expenses and operating results may vary from year to year in response to a variety of factors beyond our control, including:
| • | our ability to increase student enrollment in our schools and raise tuitions fees; |
| • | general economic conditions and regulations or government actions pertaining to the provision of private educational services in China; |
| • | shifts in consumer attitude toward private secondary education and vocational education in China; |
| • | our ability to control cost of revenues, in particular salary and welfare relating to teachers and other costs; and |
| • | non-recurring charges incurred in connection with acquisitions or other extraordinary transactions or unexpected circumstances. |
Due to these factors, we believe of our operating results may not be indicative of our future performance and you should not rely on them to predict the future performance of our ADSs.
that year-to-year comparisons
Accidents or injuries suffered by our students, employees or other people at our schools may adversely affect our reputation and subject us to liability.
There are inherent risks of accidents or injuries in schools. We could be held liable in the event of personal injuries, disease, fires or other accidents suffered by students, employees or other people that occur at our school. Although we designate certain staff members in each of our campuses to be in charge of student health and security, in the event of personal injuries, disease, food poisoning, fires or other accidents suffered by our students, employees or other people on our campuses, we may face claims for damages and our school may be perceived unsafe by prospective parents and students.
Claims against us arising from injuries incurred or claimed to have incurred on our campuses may adversely affect our reputation, subject us to significant amounts of damages, divert management’s attention and other resources or increase our insurance costs. As a result, our business, financial condition and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected.
We may be involved in legal and other disputes and claims from time to time arising out of our operations.
We may, in the future, be involved in disputes with and subject to claims by parents and students, teachers and other school personnel, our suppliers, construction companies,
third-party sub-contractors and
other parties involved in our business. Legal or other proceedings involving us may, among others, incur significant costs, divert management’s attention and other resources, negatively affect our business operations, cause negative publicity against us or damage our reputation. As a result, our business, financial condition and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected. We may lose the services of our executive directors, officers and other key personnel.
Our future success depends heavily upon the continuing services of our executive directors and officers and in particular, Mr. Biao Wei and Ms. Fen Ye, who have been our leaders since our inception. If one or more of our executive directors, officers or other key personnel are unable or unwilling to continue in their present positions, we may not be able to replace them easily or at all and our business may be disrupted and our financial condition and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected. Competition for experienced executive directors or management personnel in the private education sector is intense, the pool of qualified candidates is very limited and we may not be able to retain the services of our executive directors or officers or key personnel, or attract and retain high-quality executive directors or officers or key personnel in the future. In addition, if any member of our executive directors or officers or any other key personnel joins a competitor or forms a competing company, we may lose teachers, students and staff members. As a result, our business, financial condition and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected.
Each of our executive officers has entered into an employment contract and certain executive officers and/or key employees have entered into confidentiality agreements with us. The employment contracts and confidentiality agreements are governed by PRC laws and any disputes would be resolved in accordance with PRC legal procedures. The legal environment in the PRC is not as developed as in other jurisdictions such as the United States and uncertainties in the PRC legal system could limit our ability to enforce these agreements. For example, prior court decisions may be cited for reference but not necessary and have limited precedential value in the PRC and the PRC arbitration tribunals and courts have significant discretion in interpreting, implementing or enforcing relevant PRC laws. It is thus difficult to predict the outcome of any arbitration awards or court proceedings or gage the level of legal protection that such awards or proceedings may provide. Accordingly, if any disputes arise between any of our senior executives or key personnel and us, it may be difficult to enforce these agreements against these individuals. As a result, our business, financial condition and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected.
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If we fail to implement and maintain an effective system of internal controls to remediate our material weakness over financial reporting, we may be unable to accurately report our results of operations, meet our reporting obligations or prevent fraud, and investor confidence and the market price of the ADSs may be materially and adversely affected.
We are subject to reporting obligations under the U.S. securities laws. Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 requires that we include a management report on such company’s internal control over financial reporting in our annual report on Form
20-F
beginning with our annual report for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021. Our management has concluded that the material weaknesses identified during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2019 and 2020 have been remediated, the internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2021. See “Item 15. Controls and Procedures.” As defined in the 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 during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2019 and 2020 is our lack of sufficient financial reporting and accounting personnel with appropriate understanding of accounting principles generally accepted in U.S. GAAP, to design and implement formal
period-end
financial reporting policies and procedures, to address complex U.S. GAAP technical accounting issues and to prepare and review our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures in accordance with U.S. GAAP and financial reporting requirements set forth by the SEC. We have implemented a number of measures to address the material weakness. See “Item 15. Controls and Procedures—Internal Control over Financial Reporting.” However, we cannot assure you that these measures may fully address the material weaknesses and deficiencies in our internal control over financial reporting or that we may conclude that they have been fully remediated. Neither we nor our independent registered public accounting firm undertook a comprehensive assessment of our internal control for purposes of identifying and reporting material weaknesses and other control deficiencies in our internal control over financial reporting. Had we performed a formal assessment of our internal control over financial reporting or had our independent registered public accounting firm performed an audit of our internal control over financial reporting, additional deficiencies may have been identified.
We are now a public company in the United States subject to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Section 404 of this Act requires that we include a report of management on our internal control over financial reporting in our annual report on Form
20-F
beginning with our annual report for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2021. 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. Moreover, even if our management concludes that our internal control over financial reporting is effective, our independent registered public accounting firm, after conducting its own independent testing, may issue a report that is qualified if it is not satisfied with our internal controls or the level at which our controls are documented, designed, operated or reviewed, or if it interprets the relevant requirements differently from us. In addition, being a public company, our reporting obligations may place a significant strain on our management, operational and financial resources and systems for the foreseeable future. We may be unable to timely complete our evaluation testing and any required remediation. During the course of documenting and testing our internal control procedures, in order to satisfy the requirements of Section 404, we may identify other weaknesses and deficiencies in our internal control over financial reporting. In addition, if we fail to maintain the adequacy of our internal control over financial reporting, as these standards are modified, supplemented or amended from time to time, we may not be able to conclude on an ongoing basis that we have effective internal control over financial reporting 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 to capital markets, harm our results of operations, and lead to a decline in the trading price of our ADSs. Additionally, ineffective internal control over financial reporting could expose us to increased risk of fraud or misuse of corporate assets and subject us to potential delisting from the stock exchange on which we list, regulatory investigations and civil or criminal sanctions. We may also be required to restate our financial statements from prior periods.
Failure to develop appropriate internal control and management structures in line with our rapid growth could result in a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations.
Our business and operations have been expanding rapidly. Significant management resources must be expanded to develop and implement appropriate and effective internal control, risk monitoring and management systems which are in line with our growth. These systems are critical to ensure our compliance with the relevant laws and regulations on an
on-going
basis, effective business operations and our future development. Historically, our business operations were subject to certain legal risks due to insufficient internal control measures. These miscellaneous fees were mainly fees incurred from medical care and purchase of learning materials. The teachers then immediately transferred all amounts collected to our schools’ accounts. Since June 2020, we have ceased such payment collection arrangement through teachers and no warnings or penalties were imposed upon us by the relevant authorities. However, if we fail to effectively implement our internal control measures and if we fail to allocate appropriate management resources, we may not be able to identify compliance issues, administrative oversight, unfavorable business trends or other risks that could materially and adversely affect our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations. 31
The newly enacted Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act and the Accelerating Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act passed by the U.S. Senate, all call for additional and more stringent criteria to be applied to emerging market companies upon assessing the qualification of their auditors, especially the
non-U.S.
auditors who are not inspected by the PCAOB. These developments could add uncertainties to our listing on the Nasdaq Capital Market, and Nasdaq may determine to delist our securities if the PCAOB determines that it cannot inspect or fully investigate our auditor. On April 21, 2020, SEC Chairman Jay Clayton and PCAOB Chairman William D. Duhnke III, along with other senior SEC staff, released a joint statement highlighting the risks associated with investing in companies based in or have substantial operations in emerging markets including China. The joint statement emphasized the risks associated with lack of access for the PCAOB to inspect auditors and audit work papers in China and higher risks of fraud in emerging markets.
On May 18, 2020, Nasdaq filed three proposals with the SEC to (i) apply minimum offering size requirement for companies primarily operating in “Restrictive Market”, (ii) adopt a new requirement relating to the qualification of management or board of director for Restrictive Market companies, and (iii) apply additional and more stringent criteria to an applicant or listed company based on the qualifications of the company’s auditors.
On December 18, 2020, the “Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act” was signed by President Donald Trump and became law. This legislation requires certain issuers of securities to establish that they are not owned or controlled by a foreign government. Specifically, an issuer must make this certification if the PCAOB is unable to audit specified reports because the issuer has retained a foreign public accounting firm not subject to inspection by the PCAOB. Furthermore, if the PCAOB is unable to inspect the issuer’s public accounting firm for three consecutive years beginning in 2021, the issuer’s securities are banned from trade on a national exchange or through other methods.
On June 22, 2021, the U.S. Senate passed a bill, which would reduce the number of consecutive non-inspection years required for triggering the prohibitions under the HFCAA from three years to two. On February 4, 2022, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill, which contained, among other things, an identical provision. If this provision is enacted into law, the number of consecutive non-inspection years required for triggering the prohibitions under the HFCAA will be reduced from three years to two.
On November 5, 2021, the SEC approved the PCAOB’s Rule 6100, Board Determinations Under the “Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act”. Rule 6100 provides a framework for the PCAOB to use to determine whether it is unable to inspect or investigate registered public accounting firms located in a foreign jurisdiction because of a position taken by one or more authorities in that jurisdiction.
On December 2, 2021, The SEC adopted amendments to finalize rules implementing the HFCAA. The rules apply to registrants the SEC identifies as having filed an annual report with an audit report issued by a registered public accounting firm that is located in a foreign jurisdiction and that the PCAOB is unable to inspect or investigate.
On December 16, 2021, the PCAOB issued a report on its determinations that it is unable to inspect or investigate completely PCAOB-registered public accounting firms headquartered in mainland China and in Hong Kong because of positions taken by PRC authorities in those jurisdictions (the “Determination”). The PCAOB made these determinations pursuant to PCAOB Rule 6100, which provides a framework for how the PCAOB fulfills its responsibilities under the HFCAA.
The lack of access to the PCAOB inspection in China prevents the PCAOB from fully evaluating audits and quality control procedures of the auditors based in China. As a result, the investors may be deprived of the benefits of such PCAOB inspections. The inability of the PCAOB to conduct inspections of auditors in China makes it more difficult to evaluate the effectiveness of these accounting firms’ audit procedures or quality control procedures as compared to auditors outside of China that are subject to the PCAOB inspections, which could cause existing and potential investors to lose confidence in audit procedures and reported financial information and the quality of financial statements of China-based companies.
Our auditor, WWC P.C., the independent registered public accounting firm that issues the audit report included elsewhere in this form, is headquartered in San Mateo, California and registered with the PCAOB. Our auditor is subject to laws in the United States pursuant to which the PCAOB conducts regular inspections to assess our auditor’s compliance with the applicable professional standards. As such, as of the date of this annual report, our auditor is not subject to the Determinations announced by the PCAOB and our listing is not affected by the HFCAA and related regulations. However, the recent developments would add uncertainties to our listing and we cannot assure you whether Nasdaq or regulatory authorities would apply additional and more stringent criteria to us after considering the effectiveness of our auditor’s audit procedures and quality control procedures, adequacy of personnel and training, or sufficiency of resources, geographic reach or experience as related to the audit of our financial statements. Furthermore, there is a risk that our auditor cannot be inspected by the PCAOB in the future. The lack of inspection could cause trading in our securities to be prohibited on a national exchange or in the trading market under the HFCAA and, as a result, Nasdaq may determine to delist our securities, which may cause the value of our securities to decline or become worthless.
over-the-counter
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Our business, financial performance and results of operations could be adversely affected by the deterioration of the relation between China and the United States.
The relation between China and the United States is constantly changing. There was a “trade war” between the two countries in during 2019, 2020 and 2021, the United States imposed additional import tariffs on specified products imported from China. As a result, China has responded by imposing retaliatory tariffs on goods exported from the United States. Tensions exist in other areas such as political, social and health issues, including the disagreements in relation to the
COVID-19
pandemic. In light of the ongoing tensions between China and the United States, there is a risk that our business and our listing status may be adversely affected by trade restrictions, sanctions and other policies that may be implemented. As we operate in China, any deterioration in political or trade relations might cause a public perception in the United States or elsewhere that might cause our education services to become less attractive. The United States lawmakers have introduced several bills intended to protect American investments in Chinese companies. The PWG criticized China’s failure to uphold international commitment to transparency and called for recommendations to protect U.S. investors from China’s failure to allow audits of U.S.-listed Chinese companies. The PWG may impact U.S.-listed Chinese companies if strict compliance with audit requirements and U.S. law or new listing rules or governance standards were imposed. Furthermore, there have been media reports on deliberations within the U.S. government regarding potentially limiting or restricting China-based companies from accessing U.S. capital markets. If any such deliberations were to materialize, the resulting legislation may have a material and adverse impact on the performance of the stocks of the China-based issuers listed in the United States. In addition, political tensions between the United States and China have escalated due to, among other things, trade disputes,
the COVID-19
outbreak, legislation passed by the U.S. Senate banning all imports from Xinjiang, sanctions imposed by the U.S. Department of Treasury on certain officials of Xinjiang ‘s regional government, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the central government of the PRC and the new executive orders issued by U.S. President Joe Biden in June 2021 that barring American investment into Chinese firms with purported ties to defense or surveillance technology sectors, which was expanded on an earlier investment blacklist issued by former U.S. President Donald J. Trump. Under President Joe Biden’s administration, causes of US-China
friction remains. Ongoing political tensions could reduce levels of trades, investments, technological exchanges and other economic activities between the two major economies, which would have a material adverse effect on global economic conditions and the stability of global financial markets. Any of these factors could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations. Changes in political conditions and changes in the state of
China-U.S.
relations are difficult to predict and could adversely affect our business, operating results and financial condition. We cannot predict what effect any changes in China-U.S.
relations may have on our ability to access capital or effectively operate our business in China. Moreover, any political or trade controversies between the United States and China, whether or not directly related to our business, could cause investors to be unwilling to hold or buy our ADSs and consequently cause the trading price of our ADSs to decline. The enforcement of the PRC Labor Contract Law and other labor-related regulations in the PRC may adversely affect our business and results of operations.
The Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress enacted the Labor Contract Law in 2008, and amended it on December 28, 2012. The Labor Contract Law introduced specific provisions related to fixed-term employment contracts, part-time employment, probationary periods, consultation with labor unions and employee assemblies, employment without a written contract, dismissal of employees, severance, and collective bargaining to enhance previous PRC labor laws. Under the Labor Contract Law, except where an employee under a fixed-term labor contract, an employer is obligated to sign a permanent labor contract with any employee who has worked for the employer for more than ten consecutive years. Further, if an employee requests or agrees to renew a fixed-term labor contract that has already been entered into twice consecutively, the resulting contract, with certain exceptions, must have an unlimited term, subject to certain exceptions. In addition, the PRC governmental authorities have continued to introduce various new labor-related regulations since the effectiveness of the Labor Contract Law.
Under the PRC Social Insurance Law and the Administrative Measures on Housing Fund, employees are required to participate in pension insurance, work-related injury insurance, medical insurance, unemployment insurance, maternity insurance, and housing funds and employers are required, together with their employees or separately, to pay the social insurance premiums and housing funds for their employees. As of December 31, 2021, we had made social insurance contribution for the
PRC-based
employees based on the relevant PRC laws and regulations and practical measures. If we fail to, or are deemed to have failed to, make adequate social insurance and housing fund contributions in the future, we may be required to make supplemental contributions and/or subject to overdue fees and/or fines and our business, financial condition and results of operations may be adversely affected. See “Item 4. Information on the Company—B. Business Overview—Regulation—PRC Laws and Regulations Relating to Labor Protection.” These laws designed to enhance labor protection tend to increase our labor costs. In addition, as the interpretation and implementation of these regulations are still evolving, our employment practices may not be at all times be deemed in compliance with the regulations. As a result, we could be subject to penalties or incur significant liabilities in connection with labor disputes or investigations.
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The increases in labor costs in the PRC may adversely affect our business and results of operations and we may face labor and employment related disputes and regulatory penalties.
China’s economy has experienced increases in labor costs in recent years and the overall economy and the average wages in China are expected to continue to grow. The average wage level for our employees has also increased in recent years. We expect that our employee costs, including salaries and welfare, will continue to increase. Unless we are able to pass on these increased labor costs to our students and their parents by increasing tuition, meal and accommodation service fees, our profitability and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected.
In addition, we have been subject to stricter regulatory requirements in terms of entering into labor contracts with our employees and paying various statutory employee benefits to designated government agencies for the benefit of our employees. Compared with its predecessors, the current Labor Contract Law of the PRC imposes stricter requirements on employers in terms of signing labor contracts, minimum wages, paying remuneration, determining the term of employees’ probation and unilaterally terminating labor contracts, further increasing our labor-related costs such as limiting our ability to terminate employment of some of our employees or otherwise change our employment or labor practices in a cost-effective manner. In addition, as the interpretation and implementation of labor-related laws and regulations are still developing, we cannot assure you that our employment practices have been or will at all times be deemed in compliance with the labor-related laws and regulations in China. If we are subject to severe penalties in connection with labor disputes or government investigations, our business, financial condition and results of operations will be adversely affected.
Seasonal and other fluctuations in our results of operations could adversely affect the trading price of the ADSs.
Our net revenue and results of operations normally fluctuate from quarter to quarter as a result of seasonal variations in our business. Our students and their parents typically pay the tuition and other fees prior to the commencement of a semester, and we recognize revenues from the delivery of education services on a straight-line basis over the semester. The fluctuations may result in volatility or have an adverse effect on the market price of the ADSs. In addition, comparisons of our operating results between different periods within a single financial year, or between the same periods in different financial years, may not be meaningful and should not be relied upon as good indicators of our performance.
We have limited insurance coverage.
We maintain various insurance policies to safeguard against certain risks and unexpected events, such as school liability insurance, student personal accident insurance and property insurance for vehicles. However, our insurance may not be sufficient in terms of amounts and scope. If we were held liable for amounts and claims exceeding the scope or amounts covered by our insurance policies, or suffered losses from incidents for which we do not currently maintain any insurance, we may be required to pay significant damages or suffer significant loss without being able to recover all or part of the amounts from insurance companies, and our business, results of operations and financial condition may be materially and adversely affected. In addition, we do not have any business disruption insurances to cover losses caused by natural disasters or catastrophic events, which may significantly disrupt our business operations and incur substantial costs on us, and may materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We may not be able to adequately protect our intellectual property rights.
As of December 31, 2021, we had 46 and two registered trademarks in the PRC and Hong Kong, respectively. As of December 31, 2021, we had no trademarks pending registration in the PRC or Hong Kong. We obtained five computer software copyrights through our acquisition of Hangzhou Youxi in February 2021. We believe our trademarks and other intellectual properties are competitive advantages and are important to our success to date and our future prospects. We have been investing resources to develop our own intellectual properties and we take prudent steps to protect our intellectual properties and
know-how.
However, the steps we have taken to protect our intellectual property rights may not prevent the misappropriation of our proprietary information or deter independent development of similar technologies by others and halt any copycat attempts. In addition, the legal regime governing intellectual property in China is still evolving and the level of protection of intellectual property rights and
know-how
in China may differ from those in other more developed jurisdictions. Accordingly, protection of intellectual property rights in China might not be as effective as in the United States or other western countries. Furthermore, policing unauthorized use of proprietary technology is difficult and expensive, and we might need to resort to litigation to enforce or defend our intellectual property rights or to determine the enforceability, scope and validity of our proprietary rights or those of others. Such litigation and an adverse determination in any such litigation, if any, could result in substantial costs and the diversion of resources and management’s attention. We may be subject to intellectual property infringement claims and our brand and reputation may be negatively affected.
From time to time, we could face allegations of trademark, copyright, patent and other intellectual property rights infringement of third parties. Such allegations of intellectual property right infringements could come from our competitors and third parties which operate in other industries. In the event that we are sued by the intellectual property owners or licensees, or we receive a cease and desist letter or a court order regarding alleged infringements, we may have to discontinue to our use of brand name and may be subject to claims or other financial losses. In the event that any lawsuit is filed against us and such claims were to prevail, it could have an adverse effect on our business, financial conditions and results of operations. In addition, we will have to invest in additional resources in establishing new brand names, which may take time and cause us significant costs and efforts, which in turn affects our ability to develop and grow.
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Capacity constraints or system disruptions to our computers or network, any cybersecurity incidents, or any unauthorized disclosure or manipulation of sensitive information relating to our students and teachers may expose us to litigation and damages or may adversely affect the reputation of our schools.
We possess sensitive and private information about our students and teachers, such as names, addresses, contact numbers, ID numbers and exam scores of our students. We store these sensitive data primarily in computers located in our school offices. If any sensitive and private data about our students and teachers was lost, damaged or leaked due to capacity constraints or system disruptions to our computers or network, was obtained, disclosed or manipulated by unauthorized third parties through cybersecurity breaches to the computers or network of our schools or our providers, or was negligently misappropriated or disclosed by our staff, we may be sued and held liable for damages, which may incur significant costs, negatively affect our reputation and divert management attention and other resources. As a result, our business, financial condition and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected.
Risks Relating to Our Corporate Structure
Our private education service business is subject to extensive regulation in China. We may be subject to severe penalties if the PRC government finds that the agreements that establish the structure for operating our business in China do not comply with applicable PRC laws and regulations.
Our private education service business is subject to extensive regulations in China. The PRC government regulates various aspects of our business and operations, such as curriculum content, education materials, standards of school operations, student recruitment activities, tuition and other fees. The laws and regulations applicable to the private education sector are subject to frequent changes, and new laws and regulations may be adopted, some of which may have a negative effect on our business, either retrospectively or prospectively.
We are a Cayman Islands company and thus, we are classified as a foreign enterprise under the PRC laws. Foreign investment in the education industry in China is extensively regulated and subject to various restrictions. Under the Special Administrative Measures for Foreign Investment Access (Negative List) (2021), or the 2021 Special Administrative Measures, high school is restricted industries for foreign investors, and foreign investors are only allowed to invest in such industries in cooperative ways with domestic investors, provided that domestic investors play a dominant role in such cooperation. Furthermore, under the Implementation Opinions of the MOE on Encouraging and Guiding the Entry of Private Capital in the Field of Education and Promoting the Healthy Development of Private Education, which was issued by the MOE on June 18, 2012, the foreign portion of the total investment in a Sino-foreign joint venture high school should be below 50%. According to Regulations of the People’s Republic of China on Establishment and Operation of Sino-Foreign Cooperative Educational Institutions issued by the State Council on March 2, 2019, the foreign investor that participates in the establishment of a Sino-foreign cooperative educational institution shall be a foreign educational institution that possesses the relevant credentials and teaching quality.See “Item 4. Information on the Company—B. Business Overview—Regulation—Regulations on Sino-Foreign Cooperation in operating school” for details.
Although foreign investment in high schools is not prohibited, based on the operation experience, our subsidiary Liandu WFOE in China is still ineligible to independently or jointly invest and operate high schools, including Qingtian International School. To comply with PRC laws and regulations, we have entered into a series of contractual arrangements pursuant to which our wholly-owned subsidiary Liandu WFOE receives the economic benefits from our VIEs. For a description of these contractual arrangements, see “Item 4. Information on the Company—C. Organizational Structure—Contractual Arrangements”. If the contractual arrangements that establish the structure for operating our business in China are found to violate any PRC laws or regulations in the future or fail to obtain or maintain any of the required permits or approvals, the relevant PRC regulatory authorities, including the Ministry of Education of People’s Republic of China, or the MOE, which regulates the education industry, the Ministry of Commerce, or MOFCOM, which regulates the foreign investment in China, and the Civil Affairs Bureau, which regulates the registration of schools in China, would have broad discretion in dealing with such violations, including:
| • | revoking the business and operating licenses of our PRC subsidiaries or VIEs; |
| • | discontinuing or restricting the operations of any related-party transactions among Liandu WFOE or VIEs; |
| • | imposing fines or other requirements with which we or Liandu WFOE or VIEs may not be able to comply; |
| • | requiring us to restructure our operations in such a way as to compel us to establish new entities, re-apply for the necessary licenses or relocate our businesses, staff and assets; |
| • | imposing additional conditions or requirements with which we may not be able to comply; or |
| • | restricting the use of proceeds from our additional public offering or financing to finance our business and operations in China. |
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As of the date of this annual report on Form
20-F,
similar ownership structure and contractual arrangements have been used by many China-based companies listed overseas, including a number of education companies listed in the United States. To our knowledge, none of the fines or punishments listed above has been imposed on any of these public companies, including companies in the education industry. However, we cannot assure you that such fines or punishments will not be imposed on us or any other companies in the future. If any of the above fines or punishments is imposed on us, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected. If any of these penalties results in our inability to direct the activities of the VIEs and their respective subsidiaries that most significantly impact their economic performance, and/or our failure to receive the economic benefits from the VIEs and their respective subsidiaries, we may not be able to consolidate the VIEs and their respective subsidiaries in our financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP. However, we do not believe that such actions would result in the liquidation or dissolution of our company, our wholly-owned subsidiaries in China or the VIEs or their respective subsidiaries. Uncertainties exist with respect to the interpretation and implementation of the newly enacted Foreign Investment Law of the People’s Republic of China and how it may affect the viability of our current corporate structure, corporate governance, business, financial condition and results of operations.
On March 15, 2019, the National People’s Congress promulgated the Foreign Investment Law of PRC or the Foreign Investment Law, which came into effect on January 1, 2020 and replaced the Law of the PRC on Chinese-Foreign Equity Joint Ventures, the Law of the PRC on Chinese-Foreign Contractual Joint Ventures, and the Wholly Foreign-invested Enterprise Law. The Foreign Investment Law embodies an expected PRC regulatory trend to rationalize its foreign investment regulatory regime in line with prevailing international practice and the legislative efforts to unify the corporate legal requirements for both foreign and domestic investments. For instance, the Foreign Investment Law does not explicitly classify contractual arrangements as a form of foreign investment.
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Conducting operations through contractual arrangements has been adopted by
many PRC-based companies,
and has been adopted by our Company to establish control of our VIEs. Since the Foreign Investment Law is relatively new, uncertainties still exist in relation to its interpretation and implementation, and failure to take timely and appropriate measures to cope with the regulatory-compliance challenges could result in material and adverse effect on us. For instance, although the Foreign Investment Law does not explicitly classify contractual arrangement as a form of foreign investment, it still leaves a leeway for future laws and if future laws, administrative regulations or provisions stipulates contractual arrangements as a way of foreign investment, then whether our contractual arrangements will be recognized as foreign investment, whether our contractual arrangements will be deemed to be in violation of the foreign investment access requirements and how our contractual arrangements will be handled are uncertain. In the extreme case-scenario, we may be required to unwind the contractual arrangements and/or dispose relevant business operations, which could have a material and adverse effect on our business, financial condition and result of operations. Our contractual arrangements may not be as effective in providing control over our VIEs as equity ownership
We have relied and expect to continue to rely on our contractual arrangements to operate private education businesses in China. These contractual arrangements may not be as effective in providing us with control over our VIEs as equity ownership. If we had equity ownership of our VIEs, we would be able to exercise our rights as a direct or indirect shareholder to effect changes in the board of directors of our VIEs, which in turn could effect changes, subject to any applicable fiduciary obligations, at the management level. However, as these contractual arrangements stand now, if our VIEs or their shareholders fail to perform their respective obligations under these contractual arrangements, we cannot exercise shareholders’ rights to direct corporate actions as direct ownership would otherwise entail. If the parties under such contractual arrangements refuse to carry out our directions in relation to everyday business operations, we will be unable to maintain effective control over the operations of our schools in China. If we were to lose effective control over our VIEs, certain negative consequences would result, including our being unable to consolidate the financial results of our VIEs with our financial results. Given that we derived all of our revenue from our VIEs for 2019, 2020 and 2021 and substantially all of our assets are held by our VIEs (including our permits and licenses, real estate leases, buildings and other educational facilities related to our schools), our financial position would be materially and adversely affected if we were to lose effective control over our VIEs or if our contractual arrangements are invalidated or nullified. In addition, losing effective control over our VIEs may negatively affect our operational efficiency and brand image. Further, losing effective control over our VIEs may impair our access to their cash flow from operations, which may reduce our liquidity.
In addition, if the legal structure and the contractual arrangements were found to be in violation of any existing or future PRC laws and regulations, we may be subject to fines or other legal or administrative sanctions. If government actions cause us to lose our right to direct the activities of our affiliated entities or our right to receive substantially all the economic benefits and residual returns from our affiliated entities and we are not able to restructure our ownership structure and operations in a satisfactory manner, we would no longer be able to consolidate the financial results of our affiliated entities.
Furthermore, we are a holding company incorporated in the Cayman Islands. As a holding company with no material operations of our own, we conduct a substantial majority of our operations through our subsidiaries established in China, our VIEs, and its subsidiaries in China. We control and receive the economic benefits of our VIEs and its subsidiaries’ business operations through certain contractual arrangements. Our ADSs listed on Nasdaq Global Market represents shares of our offshore holding company instead of shares of our VIEs or its subsidiaries in China. We may not be able to continue to satisfy the applicable requirements and rules with respect to such structure. If we are unable to satisfy the Nasdaq Capital Market criteria for maintaining our listing, our securities could be subject to delisting.
If the PRC government determines that the contractual arrangements constituting part of our VIE structure do not comply with PRC regulations, or if these regulations change or are interpreted differently in the future, we may be unable to assert our contractual rights over the assets of the VIEs, and our ADSs or ordinary shares may decline in value or become worthless.
Investors in the ADSs are not purchasing equity securities of our subsidiaries that have substantive business operations in China but instead are purchasing equity securities of a Cayman Islands holding company. We are a Cayman Islands holding company that conducts all of its operations and operates its business in China through its PRC subsidiaries and VIEs through contractual agreements. Such structure involves unique risks to investors in the ADSs.
Recently, the PRC government adopted a series of regulatory actions and issued statements to regulate business operations in China, including those related to VIEs and private schools, which may challenge the validity of our contractual arrangements. In the event that the PRC government determines that the contractual arrangements constituting part of our VIE structure do not comply with PRC regulations, or if these regulations change or are interpreted differently in the future, we may be unable to assert our contractual rights over the assets of the VIEs, and our ADSs or ordinary shares may decline in value or become worthless.
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Prior to August 31, 2021, we primarily operated primary and secondary school in Baiyun campus and Yijing campus—Featured Division of Lianwai School through a series of contractual arrangements with our VIEs. Under the 2021 Implementation Rules which took effect on September 1, 2021, social organizations and individuals are prohibited from controlling a private school that provides compulsory education by means of, among others, merger, acquisition, and contractual arrangements, and a private school providing compulsory education is prohibited from conducting transactions with its related party. In particular, the prohibition over related party transactions has significantly affected the enforceability of the exclusive management services and business cooperation agreements among Liandu WFOE and Lianwai School providing compulsory education. Therefore, we re-assessed our control over Lianwai School. Based on the relevant accounting standard in accordance with U.S. GAAP, we have concluded that we have lost control of Lianwai School since August 31, 2021, in view of the significant uncertainties and restrictions the 2021 Implementation Rules impose on our ability to direct the range of ongoing activities that would most significantly impact the returns of Lianwai School. In light of such regulatory developments, on April 20, 2022, we entered into an acknowledgment agreement of contractual agreements with Lianwai School and respective directors, to confirm all the terms of rights and obligations relating to Lianwai School and the directors appointed by the sponsor under the contractual arrangements among them, and agree among the parties that such arrangements shall have been terminated on August 31, 2021. To minimize disruptions to existing students enrolled in Lianwai School, we continued to offer essential services to the students. We deconsolidated Lianwai School commencing from September 1, 2021 and presented it as a discontinued operation in current and comparative period financial statements.
Meanwhile, we have entered into a series of contractual arrangements with Qingtian International School on April 20, 2022. The contractual arrangements enable us to: (i) exercise effective control over the VIEs; (ii) receive substantially all of the economic benefits of the VIEs in consideration for the services provided by us; and (iii) have an exclusive option to purchase all of the equity interests in the VIEs when and to the extent permitted under PRC law. Therefore, we are able to consolidate the financial results of the VIEs in our consolidated financial statements. However, as there are substantial uncertainties regarding the interpretation and application of PRC laws and regulations, we cannot assure you that the PRC government would agree that our corporate structure or any of the above contractual arrangements comply with current or future PRC laws or regulations. PRC laws and regulations governing the validity of these contractual arrangements are uncertain and the relevant government authorities may have broad discretion in interpreting these laws and regulations.
The owners of our VIEs may have conflicts of interest with us, which may materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Our control over our VIEs is based upon the contractual arrangements with our VIEs. The beneficial owners of our VIEs and the registered shareholders are also our controlling shareholders. Any of them may potentially have conflicts of interest with us and breach any of their contracts or undertakings with us if it would further any of their own interests or if any of them otherwise acts in bad faith. We cannot assure you that when conflicts of interest arise between our Company and the beneficial owners of our VIEs, any of them will act completely in our interest or that the conflicts of interest will be resolved in our favor. In the event that such conflict of interest cannot be resolved in our favor, we may have to rely on legal proceedings which may disrupt our business operations and subject us to uncertainties as to the outcome of such legal proceedings. As a result, our business, financial condition and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected.
We may have to incur additional costs and expend substantial resources to enforce our contractual arrangements, temporarily or permanently lose control over our primary operations or lose access to our primary sources of revenue, if our VIEs or their respective ultimate shareholders fail to perform their obligations under our contractual arrangements.
Under the current contractual arrangements, if any of our VIEs or their ultimate shareholders fails to perform its or her respective obligations under these contractual arrangements, we may incur substantial costs and resources to enforce such arrangements and relying on legal remedies under PRC laws, including seeking specific performance or injunctive relief and claiming damages.
Since our contractual arrangements are governed by PRC law and provide for the resolution of disputes through arbitration in China, these contracts would be interpreted in accordance with PRC laws and any disputes would be resolved in accordance with PRC legal procedures. Under PRC laws, rulings by arbitration tribunals are final and the parties to a dispute cannot appeal the arbitration award in any court based on the substance of the case. The prevailing party may enforce the arbitration award by instituting arbitration award recognition proceedings with the competent PRC court. In addition, uncertainties in the PRC legal system could limit our ability to enforce these contractual arrangements. In the event that we are unable to enforce these contractual arrangements, we may not be able to exert effective control over our VIEs for an extended period of time or we may be permanently unable to exert control over our VIEs.
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In addition to the enforcement costs outlined above, during the course of disputes regarding such enforcement action, we may temporarily lose effective control over our schools in China, which may lead to loss of revenue or potentially lead to our having to incur additional costs and expend substantial resources to operate our business in the absence of effective enforcement of these contractual arrangements. If this were to occur, our business, financial condition and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected and the value of our Shareholders’ investments in our Company may therefore decrease.
Certain terms of our contractual arrangements may not be enforceable under PRC laws.
Our contractual arrangements provide for the resolution of disputes through arbitration in accordance with the arbitration rules of the China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission in Beijing. Our contractual arrangements contain provisions to the effect that the arbitral body may award remedies over the shares and/or assets of our VIEs, injunctive relief and/or winding up of our VIEs. In addition, our contractual arrangements contain provisions to the effect that courts in the Cayman Islands are empowered to grant interim remedies in support of the arbitration pending the formation of an arbitral tribunal. Under PRC laws, an arbitral body granting any injunctive relief or provisional or final liquidation order to preserve the assets of or any equity interest in Chinese legal entities in case of disputes must submit the application to the court in China. Therefore, such remedies may not be available to us, notwithstanding the relevant contractual provisions contained in our contractual arrangements. PRC laws allow an arbitral body to award the transfer of assets of or an equity interest in China in favor of an aggrieved party. In the event
of non-compliance with
such award, enforcement measures may be sought from the court. However, the court may or may not support the award of an arbitral body when deciding whether to take enforcement measures. Under PRC laws, courts of judicial authorities in the PRC generally would not grant injunctive relief or the winding-up order
against an entity as interim remedies to preserve the assets or shares in favor of any aggrieved party. As a result, in the event that our VIEs or any of the registered shareholders breaches any of the contractual arrangements, we may not be able to obtain sufficient remedies in a timely manner, and our ability to exert effective control over our VIEs and conduct our education business could be materially and adversely affected. Our exercise of the option to acquire school sponsor’s interests in Qingtian International School may be subject to certain limitations and we may incur substantial costs and spend significant resources to enforce the option under the contractual arrangements.
We may incur substantial costs on our part to exercise the option to acquire the school sponsor’s interests in Qingtian International School.Pursuant to the Exclusive Call Option Agreement, if and when the PRC laws and regulations permit foreign investors to directly hold part or all of the equity interests of our VIEs and to engage in the restricted and prohibited business, Liandu WFOE or its designated purchaser may, at its discretion, purchase all or part of the direct and/or indirect equity interests (including the interests in Qingtian InternationalSchool) held by Lishui Mengxiang’s shareholders at the minimum price permitted by PRC laws and regulations, and the percentage of equity interests to be purchased by Liandu WFOE or its designated purchaser shall be no less than the maximum limit permitted by the PRC laws and regulations in relation to the equity held by foreign investors. Such equity transfer price is not expressly provided for in the current PRC laws and regulations and it is uncertain whether it may be further regulated by future PRC laws and regulations. As a result, the estimated costs associated with the purchase of the equity interests in our VIEs cannot be ascertained as of the date of this annual report on Form
20-F.
Pursuant to the Exclusive Call Option Agreement, Lishui Mengxiang’s shareholders have irrevocably undertaken that if the purchase price is determined at an amount exceeding RMB0, the difference shall be compensated fully by Lishui Mengxiang’s shareholders to Liandu WFOE or its designated entity. In the event that Liandu WFOE or its designated party acquires the equity interests of Lishui Mengxiang or Qingtian International School and the relevant PRC authorities determine that the purchase price for acquiring such interests in Qingtian International School is below market value, the respective equity holder(s), Lishui Mengxiang’s shareholders or Lishui Mengxiang, may be required to pay taxes with reference to the market value such that the amount of tax may be substantial. However, pursuant to the Exclusive Call Option Agreement, all taxes and fees associated with the equity transfer shall be paid by Lishui Mengxiang’s shareholders and/or the direct equity holders of our VIEs upon the transfer. We will determine the purchase target after due consideration of the said tax duties and fees before exercising the call option. In the event that Lishui Mengxiang is deemed as the direct interest holder, it may be subject to such tax. Furthermore, the PRC tax authorities may impose late payment penalties on Lishui Mengxiang for the adjusted but unpaid taxes according to the applicable regulations. Our financial position could be materially and adversely affected if Lishui Mengxiang’s tax liabilities increase or if it is required to pay late payment fees and other penalties. Our contractual arrangements may be subject to scrutiny by the PRC tax authorities, which may impose late payment fees and other penalties on us.
Under PRC laws and regulations, arrangements and transactions among related parties may be subject to audit or challenge by the PRC tax authorities. We could face material and adverse tax consequences if the PRC tax authorities determine that the Business Cooperation Agreement and Exclusive Technical Service and Business Consulting Agreement entered into, among others, our VIEs and Liandu WFOE does not represent
an arm’s-length price
and adjust any of those entities’ income in the form of a transfer pricing adjustment. A transfer pricing adjustment could increase our tax liabilities. In addition, PRC tax authorities may form the view that our subsidiaries or VIEs have improperly minimized their tax obligations and we may not be able to rectify any such incident within the limited timeline required by PRC tax authorities. As a result, PRC tax authorities may impose late payment fees and other penalties on us for under-paid taxes, which may materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. 39
Certain lease agreements of our leased properties have not been registered with the relevant PRC government authorities as required by PRC law, which may expose us to potential fines.
According to the applicable PRC laws, parties to a lease agreement are required to file the lease agreements for registration and obtain property leasing filing certificates for their leases. As of the date of this annual report on Form
20-F,
we leased three properties from third-party landlords including school buildings, facilities and dormitories in Lishui City, Zhejiang Province and failed to register three lease agreements under which we are tenant. The failure to register the lease agreements will not affect the validity of such agreements. However, we may be required by relevant government authorities to file the lease agreements to complete the registration formalities and may be subject to a fine for non-registration
within the prescribed time limit, which may range from RMB1,000 to RMB10,000 per lease agreement. The imposition of the above fines could require us to make additional efforts and/or incur additional expenses, any of which could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. The registration of these lease agreements to which we are a party requires additional steps to be taken by the respective other parties to the lease agreement which are beyond our control. We cannot assure you that the other parties to our lease agreements will be cooperative or that we can complete the registration of these lease agreements and any other lease agreements that we may enter into in the future. We rely on dividends and other payments from Liandu WFOE to pay dividends and other cash distributions to our shareholders
Our Company is a holding company and our ability to pay dividends and other cash distributions to our Shareholders, service any debt we may incur and meet our other cash requirements depends significantly on our ability to receive dividends and other distributions from Liandu WFOE. The amount of dividends paid to us by Liandu WFOE depends solely on the service fees paid to Liandu WFOE from our VIEs. However, there are restrictions under PRC laws for the payment of dividends to us by Liandu WFOE. For example, relevant PRC laws and regulations permit payments of dividends by Liandu WFOE only out of its retained earnings, if any, as determined in accordance with PRC accounting standards and regulations. Under PRC laws and regulations, Liandu WFOE is required to set aside at least 10% of
its after-tax profits
based on the PRC accounting standards each year to fund a statutory reserve, until the accumulated amount of such reserve has exceeded 50% of its registered capital. Consequently, Liandu WFOE is restricted in its ability to transfer a portion of its net assets to us or any of our other subsidiaries in the form of dividends, loans or advances. The foregoing restrictions on the ability of Liandu WFOE to pay dividends to us and the limitations on the ability of VIEs to pay service fees to Liandu WFOE could materially and adversely limit our ability to borrow money outside of China or pay dividends to holders of our shares. Our Qingtian International School may be subject to limitations on their ability to operate private education or make payments to related parties.
Before the promulgation of the Decision in 2016, the principal regulations governing private education in China are the Promotion Law and the Regulations on the Implementation of the
Non-State
Education Promotion Law of the PRC. Under these regulations, a private school may elect to be a school that does not require reasonable returns or a school that requires reasonable returns. A private school that does not require reasonable returns cannot distribute dividends to its school sponsors. A private school whose school sponsor requires reasonable returns must consider factors such as items and criteria for the school’s fees, the ratio of the funds used for education-related activities to the total fees collected, the school’s operational level and educational quality when determining the percentage of the school’s net income that would be distributed as reasonable returns. However, the Promotion Law in force at the time did not provide a formula or guidelines for determining what constitutes a “reasonable return”. PRC laws and regulations require a private school the school sponsor of which requires reasonable returns to make an annual appropriation of 25% of its after-tax
income to its development fund prior to payments of reasonable returns, while in the case of a private school that does not require reasonable returns, this amount is at least 25% of the annual increase in the net assets of the school, if any. Such appropriations are required to be used for the construction or maintenance of the school or for the procurement or upgrading of educational equipment. Furthermore, none of the current PRC laws and regulations set forth any requirements or restrictions on a private school’s ability to operate its education business that differ based on whether such school’s sponsor requires reasonable returns. On September 1, 2017, the Decision became effective. According to the Decision, private schools can be established as
non-profit
or for-profit
entities, with the exception of schools providing compulsory education, which can only be established as non-profit
entities. According to the Decision, it will no longer make a distinction between schools the school sponsors of which require reasonable returns and schools the school sponsors of which do not require reasonable returns. The sponsor of a non-profit
private-run
school shall not gain proceeds from school running, and the cash surplus of the school shall be used for school running. There are uncertainties involved in interpreting and implementing the Decision with respect to various aspects of the operations of a private school. Therefore, we cannot assure that the detailed rules and regulations to be promulgated by local governmental authorities would not impose restrictions on our ability to operate private schools or to make payments to Liandu WFOE under the contractual arrangements, which may have a material adverse impact on our business operations and prospects. 40
We may lose the ability to use and enjoy certain important assets, which could reduce the size of our operations, impair our ability to generate revenue and materially affect the market price of our shares, if any of our VIEs becomes the subject of a bankruptcy or liquidation proceeding.
We currently conduct our operations in China through the contractual arrangements. As part of these arrangements, our VIEs hold a majority of the assets that are important to the operation of our business, including operating permits and licenses and other educational facilities related to our schools. Under the contractual arrangements, Ms. Fen Ye, Ms. Fang Ye and Ms. Hong Ye may not unilaterally, without our consent, decide to voluntarily liquidate our VIEs.
If any of these entities goes bankrupt and all or part of their assets become subject to liens or rights of third-party creditors, we may be unable to continue some or all of our business activities, which could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and price of our shares. If any of our VIEs undergoes a voluntary or involuntary liquidation proceeding, its shareholders or unrelated third-party creditors may claim rights to some or all of these assets, thereby hindering our ability to operate our business.
41
Risks Relating to Doing Business in China
Adverse changes in the PRC economic, political and social conditions as well as laws and government policies, may materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and growth prospects.
COVID-19
pandemic had a severe and negative impact on the Chinese and the global economy in 2021. Whether this will lead to a prolonged downturn in the economy is still unknown. Even before the outbreak of the COVID-19,
the global macroeconomic environment was facing numerous challenges. The economic, political and social conditions in the PRC differ from those in more developed countries in many respects, including structure, government involvement, level of development, growth rate, control of foreign exchange, capital reinvestment, allocation of resources, rate of inflation and trade balance position. Before the adoption of its reform and opening up policies in 1978, the PRC was primarily a planned economy. In recent years, the PRC government has been reforming the PRC economic system and government structure. For example, the PRC government has implemented economic reform and measures emphasizing the utilization of market forces in the development of the PRC economy in the past four decades. These reforms have resulted in significant economic growth and social prospects. Economic reform measures, however, may be adjusted, modified or applied inconsistently from industry to industry or across different regions of the country.
We cannot predict whether the resulting changes will have any adverse effect on our current or future business, financial condition or results of operations. Despite these economic reforms and measures, the PRC government continues to play a significant role in regulating industrial development, allocation of natural and other resources, production, pricing and management of currency, and there can be no assurance that the PRC government will continue to pursue a policy of economic reform or that the direction of reform will continue to be market friendly.
Our ability to successfully expand our business operations in the PRC depends on a number of factors, including macro-economic and other market conditions, and credit availability from lending institutions. Stricter credit or lending policies in the PRC may affect our customers’ consumer credit or consumer banking business, and may also affect our ability to obtain external financing, which may reduce our ability to implement our expansion strategies. We cannot assure you that the PRC government will not implement any additional measures to tighten credit or lending standards, or that, if any such measure is implemented, it will not adversely affect our future results of operations or profitability.
Demand for our services and our business, financial condition and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected by the following factors:
| • | political instability or changes in social conditions of the PRC; |
| • | changes in laws, regulations, and administrative directives or the interpretation thereof; |
| • | measures which may be introduced to control inflation or deflation; and |
| • | changes in the rate or method of taxation. |
These factors are affected by a number of variables which are beyond our control.
The inherent uncertainties in the PRC legal system could materially and adversely affect us.
The PRC legal system is a civil law system based on written statutes. Unlike the common law system, prior court decisions in a civil law system may be cited as reference but have limited precedential value. Since 1979, newly introduced PRC laws and regulations have significantly enhanced the protections of interest relating to foreign investments in China. However, since these laws and regulations are relatively new and the PRC legal system continues to evolve rapidly, the interpretations of such laws and regulations may not always be consistent, and enforcement of these laws and regulations involves significant uncertainties, any of which could limit the available legal protections.
In addition, the PRC administrative and judicial authorities have significant discretion in interpreting, implementing or enforcing statutory rules and contractual terms, and it may be more difficult to predict the outcome of administrative and judicial proceedings and the level of legal protection we may enjoy in the PRC than under some more developed legal systems. These uncertainties may affect our decisions on the policies and actions to be taken to comply with PRC laws and regulations, and may affect our ability to enforce our contractual or tort rights. In addition, the regulatory uncertainties may be exploited through unmerited legal actions or threats in an attempt to extract payments or benefits from us. Such uncertainties may therefore increase our operating expenses and costs, and materially and adversely affect our business and results of operations.
In particular, PRC laws and regulations regarding the private fundamental education industry have been rapidly evolving in recent years. The relevant PRC government authorities may promulgate new laws and regulations or materialize draft laws and regulations or consultation papers regulating the private fundamental education industry in the future which may impose limitations and restrictions on our business operation. Moreover, developments in the private fundamental education industry may lead to changes in PRC laws, regulations and policies or in the interpretation and application of existing laws, regulations and policies that may impose limitations and restrictions on the private fundamental education market players, including us, which could materially and adversely affect our business and operations.
42
You may face difficulties in effecting service of legal process, enforcing foreign judgments or bringing actions in China against us or our management named in this annual report on Form
20-F
based on foreign laws. We are an exempted company incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands. We conduct our business in China, and our assets are located in China. In addition, most of our senior executive officers are PRC nationals and they have lived in China for a significant portion of time. As a result, it may be difficult or impossible for you to bring an action against us or against our management named in this annual report on Form
20-F
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 as it may be difficult for our shareholders to effect service of process upon us or those persons inside China. Furthermore, China does not have treaties providing for the reciprocal recognition and enforcement of judgments of courts with the Cayman Islands and many other countries and regions. Therefore, recognition and enforcement in China of judgments of a court in any of these non-PRC jurisdictions
in relation to any matter not subject to a binding arbitration provision may be difficult or impossible. Even if you are successful in bringing an action of this kind, the laws of China may render you unable to enforce a judgment against our assets or the assets of our directors and officers. 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), a judgment obtained in such jurisdiction will be recognized and enforced in the courts of the Cayman Islands at common law, without
any re-examination of
the merits of the underlying dispute, by an action commenced on the foreign judgment debt in the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands, provided such judgment (a) is given by a foreign court of competent jurisdiction, (b) imposes on the judgment debtor a liability to pay a liquidated sum for which judgment has been given, (c) is final, (d) is not in respect of taxes, a fine or a penalty, (e) was not obtained in a manner and is not of a kind the enforcement of which is contrary to natural justice or the public policy of the Cayman Islands. However, there is uncertainty with regard to Cayman Islands law on whether judgments of courts of the United States predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the securities laws of the United States or any State will be determined by the courts of the Cayman Islands as penal or punitive in nature. If such a determination is made, the courts of the Cayman Islands will not recognize or enforce the judgment against a Cayman Islands company, such as our company. Because such a determination in relation to judgments obtained from U.S. courts under civil liability provisions of U.S. securities laws has not yet been made by a court of the Cayman Islands, it is uncertain whether such judgments would be enforceable in the Cayman Islands. A Cayman Islands court may stay enforcement proceedings if concurrent proceedings are being brought elsewhere. The recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments are provided for under the PRC Civil Procedures Law. PRC courts may recognize and enforce foreign judgments in accordance with the requirements of the PRC Civil Procedures Law based either on treaties between China and the country where the judgment is made or on principles of reciprocity between jurisdictions. China does not have any treaties or other form of reciprocity with the United States 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 ratify and enforce a foreign judgment or ruling against us or our directors and officers if they deemed that the basic principle of the laws of the PRC or the sovereignty, security or public interest of the State is violated. 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 the Cayman Islands.
Furthermore, as a matter of law or practicality, it is generally difficult to pursue shareholder claims including securities law class actions and fraud claims in China, which are contrarily common in the United States. For example, you may experience significant legal and practical obstacles to obtaining necessary information for shareholder investigations or litigations outside China or 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, so far no such cooperation has been established with the United States securities regulatory authorities. In addition, Article 177 of the PRC Securities Law which became effective in March 2020 promulgated that no overseas securities regulator is allowed to conduct investigation or evidence collection activities directly in the PRC. Therefore, without approval from the competent PRC securities regulators and relevant authorities, no organization or individual may provide documents and materials relating to the securities activities to overseas entities. While detailed interpretation of or implementation rules under Article 177 has yet to be promulgated, the inability for an overseas securities regulator to directly conduct investigation or evidence collection activities within China may further increase the difficulties you face in protecting your interests.
43
PRC regulation of loans and direct investment by offshore holding companies to PRC entities may delay or prevent us from using the proceeds of our initial public offering to make loans or additional capital contributions to our PRC subsidiaries or VIEs, which could materially and adversely affect our liquidity and our ability to fund and expand our business.
We may (i) transfer the net proceeds into Liandu WFOE to pay in their initially subscribed registered capital, and (ii) provide loans to Liandu WFOE and our VIEs. We may also establish and/or acquire new foreign-invested enterprises in China, pay in their registered capital and provide loans to them.
We plan to utilize part of the proceeds from our initial public offering by way of paying in the initially subscribed registered capital of Liandu WFOE. The amount of funds in the form of capital contribution into Liandu WFOE and other PRC subsidiaries we establish in the future is subject to the amount of their initially subscribed registered capital. Currently, the initially subscribed registered capital of Liandu WFOE is US$1 million which will be fully paid before the deadline prescribed in its articles of association. If the initially subscribed registered capital is not sufficient to allow our intended capital injection, under the current PRC laws and regulation, we may increase the registered capital and complete the relevant procedures which include (i) altering our registration with local SAIC, and (ii) filing the alteration report to local counterparts of the Ministry of Commerce of the PRC, or the MOFCOM. In addition, capital contribution to our schools must be approved by the Ministry of Civil Affairs of the PRC or the MCA or their respective local counterparts. As of the date of this annual report on Form
20-F,
we have not increased, and plan to increase, the registered capital of Liandu WFOE to approximately US$12 million. We also plan to provide loans to Liandu WFOE and Lishui Mengxiang. According to the current PRC laws and regulations, the maximum amount of the loans provided to a PRC enterprise is up to 2 times (or the prevailing statutory multiples) of the borrower’s net assets set out in its latest audited financial statement. As a result, the loans we may provide to Liandu WFOE and Lishui Mengxiang are in an amount of up to 2 times (or the prevailing statutory multiples) of their respective net assets set out in their latest audited financial statements. Liandu WFOE and Lishui Mengxiang are required to file the information of their cross-border financing arrangements with local SAFE after the loan agreements are signed and before three working days prior to the fund withdrawal. In addition, for loans carrying a term of more than one year, Liandu WFOE and Lishui Mengxiang may be required to complete the relevant filing and registration formalities to the NDRC. Currently, the Company’s business operation is conducted through Liandu WFOE’s contractual arrangements with the VIEs and Liandu WFOE does not engage in its own business. As such, Liandu WFOE’s current net assets are in close approximation to its
paid-up
registered capital. Pursuant to the relevant PRC laws and regulations, the estimated amount of loans we will provide to Liandu WFOE will be approximately US$30 million which is 2 times of its current enlarged registered capital, assuming that Liandu WFOE’s net assets set out in its latest audited financial statements equals to its paid-up
registered capital at the time when the loans are made. Moreover, we intend to establish new foreign-invested enterprises in order to facilitate our business expansion and make additional investments in the manners described above. However, we cannot assure you that our intended investments to these entities will always succeed as we planned, or at all.
On March 30, 2015, the SAFE promulgated the Circular on Reforming the Management Approach regarding the Settlement of Foreign Exchange Capital of Foreign-invested Enterprises, or Circular 19. Circular 19 stipulates that the use of capital by foreign-invested enterprises shall follow the principles of authenticity and
self-use
within the business scope of enterprises. According to the Notice of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange on Further Promoting the Facilitation of Cross-border Trade and Investment, or Circular 28, promulgated on October 25, 2019 by SAFE, restrictions on the domestic equity investment by non-investment
foreign-funded enterprises with their capital funds have been canceled. Non-investment
foreign-funded enterprises are allowed to make domestic equity investment with their capital funds in accordance with the law on the premise that the existing Negative List for foreign investment access are not violated and the projects invested thereby in China are true and compliant. However, SAFE and competent banks may have different interpretations of SAFE Circular 28, resulting in uncertainties in practice. The aforementioned existing restrictions and future restrictions may significantly limit our ability to transfer the net proceeds from our initial public offering or any other offering of additional equity securities to Liandu WFOE or our VIEs or invest in or acquire any other companies in the PRC.
Restrictions on currency exchange under PRC laws may limit our ability to convert cash derived from our operating activities into foreign currencies and may materially and adversely affect the value of your investment.
The PRC government imposes controls on the convertibility of Renminbi into foreign currencies and, in certain cases, the remittance of currency out of China. We receive our revenue in Renminbi. Under our current corporate structure, our income is primarily derived from dividend payments from Liandu WFOE. Shortages in the availability of foreign currency may restrict the ability of Liandu WFOE to remit sufficient foreign currency to pay dividends or other payments to us, or otherwise satisfy their foreign currency denominated obligations, if any. Under existing PRC foreign exchange regulations, conversion of Renminbi is permitted, without prior approval from the SAFE, for current account transactions, including profit distributions, interest payments and expenditures from trade-related transactions, as long as certain procedural requirements are complied with. However, any existing and future restrictions on currency exchange in China may limit our ability to convert cash derived from our operating activities into foreign currencies to fund expenditures denominated in foreign currencies. If the foreign exchange restrictions in China prevent us from obtaining U.S. dollars or other foreign currencies as required, we may not be able to pay dividends in U.S. dollars or other foreign currencies to our Shareholders.
44
If we are classified as a PRC resident enterprise for PRC income tax purpose, holders of our shares may be subject to a PRC withholding tax upon the dividends payable by us and upon gain from the sale of our shares.
Under the PRC Enterprise Income Tax Law and its implementing regulations, an enterprise established outside China with its “de facto management body” within China is considered a “resident enterprise” in China and will be subject to the PRC enterprise income tax at the rate of 25% on its worldwide income. The tax authority will normally review factors such as the routine operation of the organizational body that effectively manages the enterprise’s production and business operations, locations of personnel holding decision-making power, location of finance and accounting functions and properties of the enterprise. The Enterprise Income Tax Law’s implementation regulations define the term “de facto management bodies” as “establishments that carry out substantial and overall management and control over the manufacturing and business operations, personnel, accounting, properties, etc. of an enterprise.” The State Administration of Taxation issued the Notice of the State Administration of Taxation on Issues about the Determination of Chinese-Controlled Enterprises Registered Abroad as Resident Enterprises on the Basis of Their Body of Actual Management, or the SAT Circular 82, on April 22, 2009. SAT Circular 82 provides certain specific criteria for determining whether the “de facto management body” of a Chinese-controlled offshore incorporated enterprise is located inside China, stating that only a company meeting all the criteria would be deemed having its de factor management body inside China.
One of the criteria is that a company’s major assets, accounting books and minutes and files of its board and shareholders’ meetings are located or kept in the PRC. In addition, the SAT issued a bulletin on July 27, 2011, effective on September 1, 2011, providing more guidance on the implementation of SAT Circular 82. This bulletin clarifies matters including residence status determination, post determination administration and competent tax authorities. Although both SAT Circular 82 and the bulletin only apply to offshore enterprises controlled by PRC enterprises and there are currently no further detailed rules or precedents applicable to us governing the procedures and specific criteria for determining “de facto management body” for companies like ours, the determination criteria set forth in SAT Circular 82 and the bulletin may reflect the SAT’s general position on how the “de facto management body” test should be applied in determining the tax residency status of offshore enterprises and how the administration measures should be implemented with respect to such enterprises, regardless of whether they are controlled by PRC enterprises or PRC individuals.
As all of our management members are based in China, it remains unclear how the tax residency rule will apply to our case. We do not believe that our Company, or any of our offshore subsidiaries, should be qualified as a “resident enterprise” as each of our offshore holding entities is a company incorporated outside the PRC and we are not an offshore enterprise controlled by PRC domestic enterprises. As holding companies, each of these entities’ corporate documents, minutes and files of the board and shareholders’ meetings are located and kept outside of the PRC. Therefore, we believe that none of our offshore holding entities should be treated as a “resident enterprise” with its “de facto management bodies” located within China as defined by the relevant regulations for PRC EIT purposes. However, as the tax resident status of an enterprise is subject to determination by the PRC tax authorities, there are uncertainties and risks associated with this issue.
Under the Enterprise Income Tax Law and the Regulation on the Implementation of the Enterprise Income Tax Law,
the non-resident enterprise
as the shareholder of the PRC resident enterprise will be subject to a 10% (or 20% for an individual shareholder pursuant to the Individual Income Tax Law) withholding tax upon dividends received from the PRC resident enterprise and on gain recognized with respect to the sale of shares of the resident enterprise. Accordingly, if we are treated as a PRC resident enterprise, our shareholders that are non-resident
enterprises, including the holders of the ADSs, may be subject to a 10% withholding tax upon dividends received from us and on gain recognized with respect to the sale of our shares, unless such withholding tax is reduced by an applicable income tax treaty between China and the jurisdiction of the shareholder. Any such tax may reduce the returns on your investment in our shares. We face uncertainty with respect to indirect transfers of equity interests in PRC resident enterprises by their
non-PRC
holding companies. On February 3, 2015, the SAT issued the Public Notice Regarding Certain Corporate Income Tax Matters on Indirect Transfer of Properties by
Non-Tax
Resident Enterprises, or SAT Bulletin 7. SAT Bulletin 7 extends its tax jurisdiction to transactions involving the transfer of PRC taxable assets through offshore transfer of a foreign intermediate holding company. In addition, SAT Bulletin 7 has introduced safe harbors for internal group restructurings and the purchase and sale of equity through a public securities market. SAT Bulletin 7 also brings challenges to both foreign transferor and transferee, or other person who is obligated to pay for the transfer, of taxable assets. On October 17, 2017, the SAT issued the Announcement of the State Administration of Taxation on Issues Concerning the Withholding at Source of Income Tax of Non-resident
Enterprise, or SAT Bulletin 37, which came into effect on December 1, 2017. The SAT Bulletin 37 further clarifies the practice and procedure of the withholding of non-resident
enterprise income tax. Where a non-resident
enterprise transfers its taxable assets indirectly by disposing of the equity interests of an overseas holding company, which is an Indirect Transfer, the non-resident
enterprise as either transferor or transferee, or the PRC entity that directly owns the taxable assets, may report such Indirect Transfer to the relevant tax authority. Using a “substance over form” principle, the PRC tax authority may 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 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 which is not related to a PRC establishment or place of business of a non-resident
enterprise, currently at a rate of 10% for the transfer of equity interests in a PRC resident enterprise. 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. 45
We face uncertainties as to the reporting and other implications of certain future transactions where PRC taxable assets are involved, such as offshore restructuring, sale of the shares in our offshore subsidiaries and investments. Our company may be subject to filing obligations or taxed if our company is transferor in such transactions, and may be subject to withholding obligations if our company is transferee in such transactions, under SAT Bulletin 7 and/or SAT Bulletin 37. For transfer of shares in our company by investors who are
non-PRC
resident enterprises, our PRC subsidiaries may be requested to assist in the filing under SAT Bulletin 7 and/or SAT Bulletin 37. As a result, we may be required to expend valuable resources to comply with SAT Bulletin 7 and/or SAT Bulletin 37 or to request the relevant transferors from whom we purchase taxable assets to comply with these circulars, or to establish that our company should not be taxed under these circulars, which may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. Fluctuations in exchange rates may result in foreign currency exchange losses and may have a material adverse effect on your investment.
The value of the Renminbi against the U.S. dollar and other currencies is affected by changes in China’s political and economic conditions and China’s foreign exchange policies, among other things. In 2005, the PRC government changed
its decades-old policy
of pegging the value of the Renminbi to the U.S. dollar, and the Renminbi appreciated more than 20% against the U.S. dollar over the following three years. Between July 2008 and June 2010, this appreciation halted and the exchange rate between Renminbi and the U.S. dollar remained within a narrow band. Since June 2010, Renminbi has fluctuated against the U.S. dollar, at times significantly and unpredictably. 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 Renminbi will not appreciate or depreciate significantly in value against the U.S. dollar in the future. It is difficult to predict how market forces or PRC or U.S. government policy may affect the exchange rate between Renminbi and the U.S. dollar in the future. Significant revaluation of the Renminbi may have a material and adverse effect on your investment. For example, to the extent that we need to convert U.S. dollars we receive from our initial public offering into Renminbi for our operations, appreciation of the Renminbi against the U.S. dollar would have an adverse effect on the Renminbi amount we would receive from the conversion. Conversely, if we decide to convert our Renminbi into U.S. dollars for the purpose of making payments for dividends on our ordinary shares or the ADSs or for other business purposes, appreciation of the U.S. dollar against the Renminbi would have a negative effect on the U.S. dollar amount available to us.
Very limited hedging options are available in China to reduce our exposure to exchange rate fluctuations. To date, we have not entered into any material hedging transactions in an effort to reduce our exposure to foreign currency exchange risk. While we may decide to enter into hedging transactions in the future, the availability and effectiveness of these hedges may be limited and we may not be able to adequately hedge our exposure or at all. In addition, our currency exchange losses may be magnified by PRC exchange control regulations that restrict our ability to convert Renminbi into foreign currency.
The preferential tax and other treatments contemplated by us may change or may become unavailable.
The 2021 Implementation Rules state that private schools enjoy preferential taxation policies, in particular,
non-profit
private schools enjoy the same preferential taxation policies with those for government-run
schools. We cannot assure you that the preferential tax and other treatments contemplated by us will not change or that they will apply or continue to apply to Qingtian International School, especially when Qingtian International school once registered as a for-profit
private school in the future. The uncertainty in securing such preferential tax treatments could affect our results of operations. See “Item 10. Additional Information—E. Taxation—People’s Republic of China Taxation.” PRC regulations relating to the establishment of offshore special purpose companies by PRC residents may subject our PRC resident beneficial owners or our PRC subsidiaries to liability or penalties, limit our ability to inject capital into our PRC subsidiaries, limit our PRC subsidiaries’ ability to increase its registered capital or distribute profits to us, or may otherwise adversely affect us.
The SAFE promulgated the Circular on the Management of Offshore Investment and Financing and Round Trip Investment By Domestic Residents through Special Purpose Vehicles, or SAFE Circular 37, in July 2014 that requires PRC residents or entities to register with SAFE or its local branch prior to making capital contribution in a special purpose vehicle in connection with their establishment or control of an offshore entity established for the purpose of overseas investment or financing with such PRC residents or entities’ legally owned assets or equity interests in domestic enterprises or offshore assets or interests. On February 13, 2015, SAFE issued Circular of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange on Further Simplifying and Improving the Direct Investment-related Foreign Exchange Administration Policies, or Circular 13, which took effect on June 1, 2015, pursuant to which, the power to accept SAFE registration was delegated from local SAFE to local qualified banks where the assets or interest in the domestic entity was located. In addition, such PRC residents or entities must update such registrations when the offshore special purpose vehicle undergoes material events relating to any change of basic information (including change of such PRC citizens or residents, name and operation term), increases or decreases in investment amount, transfers or exchanges of shares, or mergers or divisions. Chinese residents may undertake subsequent operations (including repatriation of profits and dividends) upon completion of such registration change formalities.
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Ms. Fen Ye, Ms. Hong Ye and Ms. Fang Ye who are known to us as being PRC residents have completed the foreign exchange registrations as required by SAFE Circular 37 and Circular 13. However, we cannot assure you that all existing and future shareholders or beneficial owners of ours who are PRC residents or entities will be able to update and/or obtain any applicable registrations or approvals required by SAFE regulations. Failure by such shareholders or beneficial owners to comply with SAFE regulations, or failure by us to amend the foreign exchange registrations of Liandu WFOE, could subject us to fines or legal sanctions, restrict our overseas or cross-border investment activities, limit Liandu WFOE’s ability to make distributions or pay dividends to us or affect our ownership structure, which could adversely affect our business and prospects.
If there are any failures in complying with PRC regulations with respect to the registration requirements for employee stock incentive plans, the PRC plan participants or we may be subject to fines and other legal or administrative sanctions.
We and our directors, senior management and other employees who are PRC residents that have been granted options will be subject to the Notice on Issues Concerning the Foreign Exchange Administration for Domestic Individuals Participating in Stock Incentive Plan of Overseas Publicly Listed Company, or SAFE Circular 7, issued by SAFE in February 2012, according to which, employees, directors, supervisors and other management members participating in any stock incentive plan of an overseas publicly listed company who are PRC residents are required to register with SAFE through a domestic qualified agent, which could be a PRC subsidiary of such overseas listed company, and complete certain other procedures. See “Item 4. Information on the Company—B. Business Overview—Regulation—PRC Laws and Regulations Relating to Foreign Investment in Education—Regulations on Stock Incentive Plans.”
We will try our best efforts to comply with these requirements upon the granting of the options under our 2020 Equity Incentive Plan. However, we cannot assure you that they can successfully register with SAFE in full compliance with the rules. If the participants or we fail to complete the SAFE registrations, the participants or we may be subject to fines and legal sanctions. It will adversely affect our ability to pay under the share incentive plans or receive dividends or sales proceeds related thereto, or our ability to contribute additional capital into our wholly-foreign owned enterprises in China and limit our wholly-foreign owned enterprises’ ability to distribute dividends to us. Uncertainties also exist in our ability to adopt additional share incentive plans for our directors and employees under PRC law because of the regulatory restrictions.
Any actions by the Chinese government, including any decision to intervene or influence the operations of our PRC subsidiaries or our VIE or to exert control over any offering of securities conducted overseas and/or foreign investment in China-based issuers, may cause us to make material changes to the operations of our PRC subsidiaries or our VIE, may limit or completely hinder our ability to offer or continue to offer securities to investors, and may cause the value of such securities to significantly decline or be worthless.
The Chinese government has exercised and continues to exercise substantial control over virtually every sector of the Chinese economy through regulation and state ownership. The ability of our subsidiaries and the VIEs to operate in China may be impaired by changes in its laws and regulations, including those relating to education, taxation, land use rights, foreign investment limitations, and other matters.
The central or local governments of China may impose new, stricter regulations or interpretations of existing regulations that would require additional expenditures and efforts on our part to ensure that our PRC subsidiaries and the VIEs comply with such regulations or interpretations. As such, our PRC subsidiaries and the VIEs may be subject to various government actions and regulatory interference in the provinces in which they operate. They could be subject to regulation by various political and regulatory entities, including various local and municipal agencies and government
sub-divisions.
They may incur increased costs necessary to comply with existing and newly adopted laws and regulations or penalties for any failure to comply. Furthermore, it is uncertain when and whether we will be required to obtain permission from the PRC government to maintain our listing status on U.S. exchanges in the future, and even when such permission is obtained, whether it will be later denied or rescinded. On December 24, 2021, the CSRC issued the Provisions of the State Council on the Administration of Overseas Securities Offering and Listing by Domestic Enterprises (Draft for Comments) and the Administrative Measures for the Filing of Overseas Securities Offering and Listing by Domestic Enterprise (Draft for Comments), which propose to require domestic enterprises with direct or indirect overseas offering securities and listing shall apply for record-filing in accordance with these Measures. Meanwhile, according to the press conference of a CSRC official, on the premise of abiding by domestic laws and regulations, VIE structured enterprises which satisfy compliance requirements may be listed overseas upon completion of filing; and in term of system design, the filing procedure shall be implemented firstly on increasing enterprises; and the filing of other existing enterprises will be otherwise arranged and given a full transitional period.If the CSRC or any other PRC regulatory body subsequently determines that we need to file with the CSRC or obtain the CSRC’s approval for any future offering of securities by us or if the CSRC or any other PRC government authorities promulgates any interpretation or implements rules that would require us to file with or obtain approvals of the CSRC or other governmental bodies for any such offering, we may face adverse actions or sanctions by the CSRC or other PRC regulatory agencies, which may include fines and penalties on our operations in China, limitations on our operating privileges in China, delays in or restrictions on the repatriation of the proceeds from any such 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 and adverse effect on our business, reputation, financial condition, results of operations, prospects, as well as the trading price of the ADSs. The CSRC or other PRC regulatory agencies may also take actions requiring us, or making it advisable for us, to halt any such offering before the settlement and delivery of the ADSs that we may offer. Consequently, if you engage in market trading or other activities in anticipation of and prior to the settlement and delivery of the ADSs we offer, 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 file with them, or obtain their approvals or clearances for any such offering, we may be unable to obtain a waiver of such regulatory requirements.
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Accordingly, government actions in the future, including any decision to intervene or influence the operations of our PRC subsidiaries or the VIEs at any time, or to exert control over an offering of securities conducted overseas and/or foreign investment in China-based issuers, may cause us to make material changes to the operations of our PRC subsidiaries or the VIEs, may limit or completely hinder our ability to offer or continue to offer securities to investors, and/or may cause the value of such securities to significantly decline or be worthless.
Based on the recent development of PRC law, there is significant uncertainty about the application and interpretation of the Law on the Promotion of Private Education, the 2021 Implementation Rules and their detailed implementation rules and regulations. We may be subject to significant limitations on our ability to engage in the private education business, acquire private schools, or receive payments from the VIEs and may otherwise be materially and adversely affected by changes in PRC laws and regulations.
Pursuant to the Law on the Promotion of Private Education, sponsors of private schools may choose to establish schools as either
non-profit
or for-profit
schools. Sponsors are not permitted to establish for-profit
schools that provide compulsory education services. Sponsors of for-profit
private schools are entitled to retain the profits from their schools and any operating surplus may be allocated to the sponsors pursuant to the PRC company law and other relevant laws and regulations. Sponsors of non-profit
private schools are not entitled to any distribution of profits from their schools and all revenue must be used for the operation of the schools. As a holding company, our ability to generate profits, pay dividends and other cash distributions to our shareholders under the Law on the Promotion of Private Education, the 2021 Implementation Rules and other relevant laws and regulations are affected by many factors, including whether our schools are characterized as
for-profit
or non-profit
schools, the profitability of our schools, and our ability to receive dividends and other distributions from our PRC subsidiary, Liandu WFOE, which in turn depends on the service fees paid to Liandu WFOE from the VIEs. Liandu WFOE has respectively entered into exclusive management services and business cooperation agreements with each of the VIEs, Ms. Fen Ye, Ms. Hong Ye and Ms. Fang Ye, as the shareholders of the VIEs, pursuant to which Liandu WFOE has the exclusive right to provide comprehensive technical and business support services to the VIEs. As of August 2021, our right to receive the service fees from Lianwai School and other affiliated entities did not, to our knowledge, contravene any PRC laws and regulations then in force. Likewise, the payment of service fees under our contractual arrangements should not be regarded as the distribution of returns, dividends or profits to the sponsors of our schools under the PRC laws and regulations then in force. However, according to the 2021 Implementation Rules, private schools providing compulsory education shall not conduct any transaction with any related party. As a result, the clauses or provisions of the exclusive management services and business cooperation agreements, in relation to related party transactions between Lianwai School and Liandu WFOE, are not legally enforceable since September 1, 2021. Therefore, we executed an acknowledgment agreement on April 20, 2022 to confirm all the terms of rights and obligations relating to Lianwai School and the directors appointed by the sponsor under the contractual arrangements in relation to Lianwai School, which shall be terminated on August 31, 2021. Since September 1, 2021, we have stopped transacting with Lianwai School. However, to keep Lianwai School providing compulsory education in operations, we continued to provide essential services without recognizing any revenues relating to such activities to schools providing compulsory education in our discontinued operations, which are key to the normal daily operation of it. As of the date of this annual report, schools providing compulsory education to which we continue to provide services have not received any further rectification requirements or penalty notices from the relevant competent authorities, and the possibility and impact of illegal risks are still unable to be assessed clearly. We are continuously assessing the impact of relevant regulations on our business and making necessary measures and efforts to comply with the requirements under these regulations and implementations, including selling Lianwai School, etc.
Furthermore, we entered into a series of contractual arrangements with respect to the operation of Qingtian International School on April 20, 2022. The contractual arrangements enable us to receive substantially all of the economic benefits of the VIEs in consideration for the services provided by us. However, as there are substantial uncertainties regarding the interpretation and application of PRC laws and regulations, and we cannot assure you that the PRC government would agree that our corporate structure or any of the above contractual arrangements comply with current or future PRC laws or regulations.
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In particular, the validity of our contractual arrangements may be challenged, and our corporate structure may need to be restructured to comply with the new regulations, which may be time-consuming and expensive and impose additional restrictions on our business expansion and may further adversely affect our business operations and results of operations. See “—Risks Related to Our Corporate Structure—Our private education service business is subject to extensive regulation in China. We may be subject to severe penalties if the PRC government finds that the agreements that establish the structure for operating our business in China do not comply with applicable PRC laws and regulations.”
Our subsidiaries and affiliated entities in China are subject to restrictions on making dividends and other payments to us.
We are a holding company and rely principally on dividends paid by our subsidiaries in China for our cash needs, including paying dividends and other cash distributions to our shareholders to the extent we choose to do so, servicing any debt we may incur and paying our operating expenses. The income for our PRC subsidiaries, especially Liandu WFOE, in turn depends on the service fees paid by the VIEs. Current PRC regulations permit our subsidiaries in China to pay dividends to us only out of their accumulated profits, if any, determined in accordance with Chinese accounting standards and regulations. Under the applicable requirements of PRC law, our PRC subsidiaries may only distribute dividends after they have made allowances to fund certain statutory reserves. These reserves are not distributable as cash dividends. Pursuant to the Law on the Promotion of Private Education, sponsors of
for-profit
private schools are entitled to retain the profits from their schools and the operating surplus may be allocated to the sponsors pursuant to the PRC company law and other relevant laws and regulations. Sponsors of non-profit
private schools are not entitled to any distribution of profits from their schools and all revenue must be used for the operation of the schools. According to 2021 Implementation Rules, a non-profit
private school should allocate no less than 10% of its audited annual non-restricted
net asset increase, or a for-profit
private school should allocate no less than 10% of its audited annual net income, to its development, respectively. In addition, prior to the specific Implementation Rules of the Law on the Promotion of Private Education being promulgated by the State Council and other relevant regulations promulgated by other local and regional governments, at the end of each fiscal year, each of our schools that are private schools in China is required to allocate a certain amount to its development fund for the construction or maintenance of the school properties or purchase or upgrade of school facilities. In particular, our schools that require reasonable returns must allocate no less than 25.0% of their annual net income, and our schools that do not require reasonable returns must allocate no less than 25.0% of their annual increase in the net assets of the school for such purposes. However, the relevant authorities have yet to promulgate any detailed implementation rules and regulations under the 2021 Implementation Rules. We remain uncertain as to the timing and substance of the rules under the Law on the Promotion of Private Education and the 2021 Implementation Rules to be promulgated, and how such rules will impact our operation. Furthermore, if our subsidiaries or the VIEs in China 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. Any such restrictions may materially affect such entities’ ability to make dividends or make payments, in service fees or otherwise, to us, which may materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. Failure to comply with governmental regulations and other legal obligations concerning data protection and cybersecurity may materially and adversely affect our business, as we routinely collect, store and use data during the conduct of our business.
We routinely collect, store and use data during our operations. We are subject to PRC laws and regulations governing the collecting, storing, sharing, using, processing, disclosure and protection of data on the Internet and mobile platforms as well as cybersecurity.
The PRC Cybersecurity Law which promulgated in November 7, 2016 and became effective in June 1, 2017 provides that personal information and important data collected and generated by operators of critical information infrastructure in the course of their operations in the PRC should be stored in the PRC, and the law imposes heightened regulation and additional security obligations on operators of critical information infrastructure.
On June 10, 2021, the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of China promulgated the Data Security Law which took effect in September 1, 2021. The Data Security Law provides for data security and privacy obligations of entities and individuals carrying out data activities, prohibits entities and individuals in China from providing any foreign judicial or law enforcement authority with any data stored in China without approval from competent PRC authority, and sets forth the legal liabilities of entities and individuals found to be in violation of their data protection obligations, including rectification order, warning, fines of up to RMB10 million, suspension of relevant business, and revocation of business permits or licenses.
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On August 20, 2021, the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress adopted the Personal Information Protection Law, which came into force as of November 1, 2021. The Personal Information Protection Law includes the basic rules for personal information processing, the rules for cross-border provision of personal information, the rights of individuals in personal information processing activities, the obligations of personal information processors, and the legal responsibilities for illegal collection, processing, and use of personal information.
On December 28, 2021, the CAC published the Measures for Cyber Security Review, which further restates and expands the applicable scope of the cybersecurity review. Pursuant to the Measures for Cyber Security Review, network platform operators grasping the personal information of more than 1 million users must apply to the office for cyber security review for cyber security review for foreign listing. We do not need to apply for a cyber security review pursuant to the above regulation, given that (i) we are not in possession of personal information of over one million users; (ii) as of the date of this annual report on Form
20-F,
we have not received any notice or determination from applicable PRC governmental authorities identifying it as a critical information infrastructure operator. We currently have less than 100 subscribers on our digital platform such as WeChat public account. We have no registered users on our website. We only require and obtain user information after users register with us. Although we believe we currently are not required to obtain clearance from the Cyberspace Administration of China for our offering under the Measures for Cybersecurity Review or the Opinions on Strictly Cracking Down on Illegal Securities Activities, we face uncertainties as to the interpretation or implementation of such regulations or rules, and if required, whether such clearance can be timely obtained, or at all.
The opinions recently issued by the General Office of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the General Office of the State Council may subject us to additional compliance requirement in the future.
The General Office of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the General Office of the State Council jointly issued the “Opinions on Severely Cracking Down on Illegal Securities Activities According to Law,” or the “Opinions,” which were made available to the public on July 6, 2021. The Opinions emphasized the need to strengthen the administration over illegal securities activities and the supervision on overseas listings by China-based companies. These Opinions proposed to take effective measures, such as promoting the construction of relevant regulatory systems, to deal with the risks and incidents facing China-based overseas-listed companies and the demand for cybersecurity and data privacy protection. The aforementioned policies and any related implementation rules to be enacted may subject us to additional compliance requirement in the future. As the Opinions were recently issued, official guidance to act upon, and interpretation of the Opinions, remain unclear in several respects at this time. Therefore, we cannot assure you that we will remain fully compliant with all new regulatory requirements of the Opinions or any future implementation rules on a timely basis, or at all.
Risks Relating to Our ADSs
The trading price of our ADSs may be volatile, which could result in substantial losses to you.
The trading prices of our ADSs has ranged from US$7.19 to US$12.5 in 2021. The trading prices of our ADSs are likely to be volatile and could fluctuate widely due to factors beyond our control. This may happen due to broad market and industry factors, such as performance and fluctuation in the market prices or under performance or deteriorating financial results of other listed companies based in China. The securities of some of these companies have experienced significant volatility since their initial public offerings, including, in some cases, substantial price declines in the trading prices of their securities. The trading performances of other Chinese companies’ securities may affect the attitudes of investors towards China-based and U.S.-listed companies, which consequently may affect the trading performance of our ADSs, regardless of our actual operating performance. In addition, any negative news or perceptions about inadequate corporate governance practices or fraudulent accounting, corporate structure or matters of other Chinese companies may also negatively affect the attitudes of investors towards Chinese companies in general, including us, regardless of whether we have conducted any inappropriate activities. Furthermore, securities markets may from time to time experience significant price and volume fluctuations that are not related to our operating performance, which may have a material and adverse effect on the trading price of our ADSs.
In addition to the above factors, the price and trading volume of our ADSs may be highly volatile due to multiple factors, including the following:
| • | regulatory developments affecting us or our industry; |
| • | variations in our revenue, profit, and cash flow; |
| • | changes in the economic performance or market valuations of other education service providers; |
| • | actual or anticipated fluctuations in our quarterly results of operations and changes or revisions of our expected results; |
| • | changes in financial estimates by securities research analysts; |
| • | detrimental negative publicity about us, our services, our officers, directors, Controlling Shareholder, or our industry; |
| • | announcements by us or our competitors of new service offerings, acquisitions, strategic relationships, joint ventures, capital raisings or capital commitments; |
| • | additions to or departures of our senior management; |
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| • | potential litigation or regulatory proceedings involving us, our officers, directors, or controlling shareholder; |
| • | negative publicity on our direct and indirect shareholders; |
| • | release or expiry of lock-up or other transfer restrictions on our outstanding shares or our ADSs; and |
| • | sales or perceived potential sales of additional ordinary shares or ADSs. |
Any of these factors may result in large and sudden changes in the volume and price at which our ADSs will trade.
In the past, shareholders of public companies have often brought securities class action suits against those companies following periods of instability in the market price of their securities. If we were involved in a class action suit, it could divert a significant amount of our management’s attention and other resources from our business and operations and require us to incur significant expenses to defend the suit, which could harm our results of operations. Any such class action suit, whether or not successful, could harm our reputation and restrict our ability to raise capital in the future. In addition, if a claim is successfully made against us, we may be required to pay significant damages, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
If securities or industry analysts do not publish 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 covers us downgrades our ADSs or publishes inaccurate or unfavorable research about our business, the market price for our ADSs would likely decline. If one or more of these analysts cease coverage of our company or fail to publish reports on us regularly, we could lose visibility in the financial markets, which, in turn, could cause the market price or trading volume for our ADSs to decline.
The sale or availability for sale of substantial amounts of our ADSs in the public market could adversely affect their market price.
Sales of substantial amounts of our ADSs in the public market, 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. We cannot predict what effect, if any, market sales of securities held by our significant shareholders or any other shareholder or the availability of these securities for future sale will have on the market price of our ADSs.
Because the amount, timing, and whether or not we distribute dividends at all is entirely at the discretion of our board of directors, you must rely on price appreciation of our ADSs for return on your investment.
Although we currently intend to distribute dividends in the future, the amount, timing, and whether or not we actually distribute dividends at all is entirely at the discretion of our board of directors. Our board of directors has complete discretion as to whether to distribute dividends. In addition, our shareholders may by ordinary resolution declare a dividend, but no dividend may exceed the amount recommended by our board of directors. In either case, all dividends are subject to certain restrictions under the Cayman Islands law, namely that our company may only pay dividends out of profits or share premium account, and provided always 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. 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. We cannot assure you that our ADSs will appreciate in value or even maintain the price at which you purchased the ADSs. You may not realize a return on your investment in our ADSs and you may even lose your entire investment in our ADSs.
The voting rights of holders of our ADSs are limited by the terms of the deposit agreement, and you may not be able to exercise your right to direct how the ordinary shares represented by your ADSs are voted.
Holders of our ADSs do not have the same rights as our registered shareholders. As a holder of 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 that are carried by the underlying ordinary shares represented by your ADSs indirectly by giving voting instructions to the depositary in accordance with the provisions of the deposit agreement. If we instruct the depositary to ask for your instructions, then upon timely receipt of your voting instructions, the depositary will try, as far as practicable, to vote the underlying ordinary shares represented by your ADSs in accordance with your instructions. If we do not instruct the depositary to ask for your instructions, the depositary may still vote in accordance with instructions you give, but it is not required to do so. You will not be able to directly exercise your right to vote with respect to the underlying 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 memorandum and articles of association, the minimum notice period required to be given by our company to our registered shareholders for convening a general meeting is 10 calendar days.
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When a general meeting is convened, you may not receive sufficient advance notice of the meeting to withdraw the ordinary shares underlying your ADSs and become the registered holder of such shares to allow you 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 memorandum and articles of association, 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 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 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 instructions, 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 thirty (30) 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 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 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 depositary shall deem you to have instructed the depositary to give us a discretionary proxy to vote the ordinary shares underlying your ADSs if you do not give timely voting instructions to the depositary to direct how the ordinary shares underlying your ADSs are voted, except in limited circumstances, which could adversely affect your interests.
Under the deposit agreement for the ADSs, if you do not give timely voting instructions to the depositary to direct how the ordinary shares underlying your ADSs are voted, the depositary shall deem you to have instructed the depositary to give us a discretionary proxy to vote the ordinary shares underlying your ADSs at shareholders’ meetings unless:
| • | we have instructed the depositary that we do not wish a discretionary proxy to be given; |
| • | we have informed the depositary that there is substantial opposition as to a matter to be voted on at the meeting; |
| • | a matter to be voted on at the meeting would have a material adverse impact on shareholders; or |
| • | the voting at the meeting is to be made on a show of hands. |
The effect of this discretionary proxy is that if you do not give timely voting instructions to the depositary to direct how the ordinary shares underlying your ADSs are voted, you cannot prevent the ordinary shares underlying your ADSs from being voted, except under the circumstances described above. This may make it more difficult for shareholders to influence the management of our company. Holders of our ordinary shares are not subject to this discretionary proxy.
Your right to participate in any future rights offerings may be limited, which may cause dilution to your holdings.
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 requirement 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 the registration requirement 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 in the future and may experience dilution in your holdings.
Techniques employed by short sellers may drive down the market price of the ADSs.
Short selling is the practice of selling securities that the seller does not own but rather has borrowed from a third party with the intention of buying identical securities back at a later date to return to the lender. The short seller hopes to profit from a decline in the value of the securities between the sale of the borrowed securities and the purchase of the replacement shares, as the short seller expects to pay less in that purchase than it received in the sale. As it is in the short seller’s interest for the price of the security to decline, many short sellers publish, or arrange for the publication of, negative opinions regarding the relevant issuer and its business prospects in order to create negative market momentum and generate profits for themselves after selling a security short. These short attacks have, in the past, led to selling of shares in the market.
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Public companies that have substantially all of their operations in China have been the subject of short selling. Much of the scrutiny and negative publicity has centered on allegations of a lack of effective internal control over financial reporting resulting in financial and accounting irregularities and mistakes, inadequate corporate governance policies or a lack of adherence thereto and, in many cases, allegations of fraud. As a result, many of these companies are now conducting internal and external investigations into the allegations and, in the interim, are subject to shareholder lawsuits and/or SEC enforcement actions.
It is not clear what effect such negative publicity could have on us. If we were to become the subject of any unfavorable allegations, whether such allegations are proven to be true or untrue, we could have to expend a significant amount of resources to investigate such allegations and/or defend ourselves. While we would strongly defend against any such short seller attacks, we may be constrained in the manner in which we can proceed against the relevant short seller by principles of freedom of speech, applicable state law or issues of commercial confidentiality. Such a situation could be costly and time-consuming, and could distract our management from growing our business. Even if such allegations are ultimately proven to be groundless, allegations against us could severely impact our business operations, and any investment in the ADSs could be greatly reduced or even rendered worthless.
You may not receive cash dividends if the depositary decides it is impractical to make them available to you.
The depositary will pay cash distributions on the ADSs only to the extent that we decide to distribute dividends on our ordinary shares or other deposited securities. To the extent that there is a distribution, the depositary has agreed to pay you the cash dividends or other distributions it or the custodian receives on our ordinary shares or other deposited securities after deducting its fees and expenses. You will receive these distributions in proportion to the number of ordinary shares your ADSs represent. However, the depositary may, at its discretion, decide that it is inequitable or impractical to make a distribution available to any holders of ADSs. For example, the depositary may determine that it is not practicable to distribute certain property through the mail, or that the value of certain distributions may be less than the cost of mailing them. In these cases, the depositary may decide not to distribute such property to you.
We and the depository are entitled to amend the deposit agreement and to change the rights of ADS holders under the terms of such agreement, and we may terminate the deposit agreement, without the prior consent of the ADS holders.
We and the depository are entitled to amend the deposit agreement and to change the rights of the ADS holders under the terms of such agreement, without the prior consent of the ADS holders. We and the depositary may agree to amend the deposit agreement in any way we decide is necessary or advantageous to us. Amendments may reflect, among other things, operational changes in the ADS program, legal developments affecting ADSs or changes in the terms of our business relationship with the depositary. In the event that the terms of an amendment are disadvantageous to ADS holders, ADS holders will only receive days’ advance notice of the amendment, and no prior consent of the ADS holders is required under the deposit agreement. Furthermore, we may decide to terminate the ADS facility at any time for any reason. For example, terminations may occur when we decide to list our shares on
a non-U.S. securities
exchange and determine not to continue to sponsor an ADS facility or when we become the subject of a takeover or a going-private transaction. If the ADS facility will terminate, ADS holders will receive at least thirty (30) days’ prior notice, but no prior consent is required from them. Under the circumstances that we decide to make an amendment to the deposit agreement that is disadvantageous to ADS holders or terminate the deposit agreement, the ADS holders may choose to sell their ADSs or surrender their ADSs and become direct holders of the underlying shares, but will have no right to any compensation whatsoever. 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 ordinary shares provides that, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, holders and beneficial owners of ADSs irrevocably waive the right to a jury trial of any claim that they may have against us or the depositary arising from or relating to our ordinary shares, our ADSs or the deposit agreement, including any claim under the U.S. federal securities laws. The waiver continues to apply to claims that arise during the period when a holder holds the ADSs, even if the ADS holder subsequently withdraws the underlying ordinary shares. However, you will not be deemed, by agreeing to the terms of the deposit agreement, to have waived our or the depositary’s compliance with U.S. federal securities laws and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. In fact, you cannot waive our or the depositary’s compliance with U.S. federal securities laws and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
If we or the depositary opposed a demand for jury trial relying on above-mentioned jury trial waiver, it is up to the court to determine whether such waiver was enforceable considering the facts and circumstances of that case in accordance with the applicable state and federal law.
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If this jury trial waiver provision is prohibited by applicable law, an action could nevertheless proceed under the terms of the deposit agreement with a jury trial. To our knowledge, the enforceability of a jury trial waiver under the federal securities laws has not been finally adjudicated by a federal court or by the United States Supreme Court. Nonetheless, we believe that a jury trial waiver provision is generally enforceable under the laws of the State of New York, which govern the deposit agreement, by a federal or state court in the City of New York. In determining whether to enforce a jury trial waiver provision, New York courts will consider whether the visibility of the jury trial waiver provision within the agreement is sufficiently prominent such that a party has knowingly waived any right to trial by jury. We believe that this is the case with respect to the deposit agreement and the ADSs. In addition, New York courts will not enforce a jury trial waiver provision in order to bar a viable setoff or counterclaim sounding in fraud or one which is based upon a creditor’s negligence in failing to liquidate collateral upon a guarantor’s demand, or in the case of an intentional tort claim, none of which we believe are applicable in the case of the deposit agreement or the ADSs. If you or any other holders or beneficial owners of ADSs bring a claim against us or the depositary relating to the matters arising under the deposit agreement or our ADSs, including claims under federal securities laws, you or such other holder or beneficial owner may not have the right to a jury trial regarding such claims, which may limit and discourage lawsuits against us or the depositary. If a lawsuit is brought against us or the depositary according to 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 have different outcomes compared to that of a jury trial, including results that could be less favorable to the plaintiff(s) in any such action.
Moreover, as the jury trial waiver relates to claims arising out of or relating to the ADSs or the deposit agreement, we believe that, as a matter of construction of the clause, the waiver would likely continue to apply to ADS holders who withdraw the ordinary shares from the ADS facility with respect to claims arising before the cancelation of the ADSs and the withdrawal of the ordinary shares, and the waiver would most likely not apply to ADS holders who subsequently withdraw the ordinary shares represented by ADSs from the ADS facility with respect to claims arising after the withdrawal. However, to our knowledge, there has been no case law on the applicability of the jury trial waiver to ADS holders who withdraw the ordinary shares represented by the ADSs from the ADS facility.
ADS holders have limited choice of forum, which could limit your ability to obtain a favorable judicial forum for complaints against us, the depositary or our or the depositary’s respective directors, officers or employees.
The deposit agreement governing our ADSs provides that, (i) the deposit agreement and the ADSs will be interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, and (ii) as an owner of ADSs, you irrevocably agree that any legal action arising out of the deposit agreement and the ADSs involving us or the depositary may only be instituted in a state or federal court in the city of New York. Any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring any our ADSs, whether by transfer, sale, operation of law or otherwise, shall be deemed to have notice of and have irrevocably agreed and consented to these provisions. This choice of forum provision may increase your cost and limit your ability to bring a claim in a judicial forum that you find favorable for disputes with us, the depositary or our and the depositary’s respective directors, officers or employees, which may discourage such lawsuits against us, the depositary and our and the depositary’s respective directors, officers or employees. However, it is possible that a court could find such choice of forum provisions to be inapplicable or unenforceable. The enforceability of similar choice of forum provisions has been challenged in legal proceedings. It is possible that a court could find this type of provisions to be inapplicable or unenforceable.
To the extent that any such claims may be based upon federal law claims, Section 27 of the Exchange Act creates exclusive federal jurisdiction over all suits brought to enforce any duty or liability created by the Exchange Act or the rules and regulations thereunder. Furthermore, Section 22 of the Securities Act creates concurrent jurisdiction for federal and state courts over all suits brought to enforce any duty or liability created by the Securities Act or the rules and regulations thereunder. Accordingly, actions by our ADS holders to enforce any duty or liability created by the Exchange Act, the Securities Act or the respective rules and regulations thereunder must also be brought in federal court. Our ADS holders will not be deemed to have waived our compliance with the federal securities laws and the regulations promulgated thereunder.
You may be subject to limitations on transfer of your ADSs.
Your ADSs are transferable on the books of the depositary. However, the depositary may close its books at any time or from time to time when it deems it expedient in connection with the performance of its duties. The depositary may close its books from time to time for a number of reasons, including in connection with corporate events such as a rights offering, during which time the depositary needs to maintain an exact number of ADS holders on its books for a specified period. The depositary may also close its books in emergencies, and on weekends and public holidays. The depositary may refuse to deliver, transfer or register transfers of the ADSs generally when our share register or the books of the depositary are closed, or at any time if we or the depositary thinks it is advisable to do so because of any requirement of law or of any government or governmental body, or under any provision of the deposit agreement, or for any other reason.
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You may experience difficulties in protecting your interests, and your ability to protect your rights through U.S. courts may be limited as we are incorporated under the Cayman Islands law.
As an exempted company incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands, our corporate affairs are governed by our memorandum and articles of association, together with the Companies Act (As Revised) of the Cayman Islands and the common law of the Cayman Islands. The rights of shareholders to take action against our directors, actions by our minority shareholders and the fiduciary duties of our directors to us under the Cayman Islands law are largely governed by the common law of the Cayman Islands. The common law of the Cayman Islands is derived partly from the comparatively limited judicial precedent in the Cayman Islands and also the common law of England and Wales, whose precedents are only of persuasive but not binding authority on a court in the Cayman Islands. The rights of our shareholders and the fiduciary duties of our directors under the Cayman Islands law are not as clearly established as they would be under statutes or judicial precedent in some jurisdictions in the United States. In particular, the Cayman Islands has a less developed body of securities laws compared to that of 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. Moreover, a company incorporated in the Cayman Islands may not have standing to initiate a shareholder derivative action in a federal court of the United States. In addition, controlling shareholders owe a fiduciary duty to the companies they control and the minority shareholders under Delaware laws, while our Controlling Shareholder do not owe any such fiduciary duties to our company or to our minority shareholders under the Cayman Island laws. As a result, our Controlling Shareholder may exercise their powers, including the voting rights in respect of their shares, as shareholders in a manner as they think fit.
Shareholders of Cayman Islands companies like us have no general rights under the Cayman Islands law to inspect corporate records, other than the memorandum and articles of association and any special resolutions passed by such companies, and the registers of mortgages and charges of such companies. Our directors have discretion under our memorandum and articles of association to determine whether or not, and under what conditions, our corporate records may be inspected by our shareholders, but are not obliged to make them available to our shareholders. This may make it more difficult for you to obtain the information needed to establish any facts necessary for a shareholder motion or to solicit proxies from other shareholders in connection with a proxy contest.
Certain corporate governance practices in our home country, the Cayman Islands are significantly different from the requirements for companies incorporated in other jurisdictions such as the United States. Currently, we will rely on home country practice with respect to our corporate governance subject to the applicable Nasdaq listing standards and the U.S. securities law, our shareholders may be afforded less protection than they otherwise would under rules and regulations applicable to the domestic issuers in the United States.
In light of the above, public shareholders may experience more difficulties in protecting their interests in the face of actions taken by our management, members of our board of directors, or our Controlling Shareholder than they would as public shareholders of a company incorporated in the United States. For a discussion of the significant differences between the provisions applicable to companies incorporated in the Cayman Islands and their shareholders, and the Companies and the relevant provision in laws of the United States, see also “Item 10. Additional Information—B. Memorandum and Articles of Association—Differences in Corporate Law.”
Our memorandum and articles of association provides that the courts of the Cayman Islands will be the sole and exclusive forum for a claim arising under the internal affairs doctrine, and that the U.S. federal district courts will be the exclusive forum within the United States of America for the resolution of any complaint asserting a cause of action arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, which could limit investors’ ability to obtain a favorable judicial forum for disputes with us.
We have adopted a forum selection provision under our memorandum and articles of association that provides that, unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the federal district courts of the United States of America shall be the exclusive forum within the United States of America for the resolution of any complaint asserting a cause of action arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. This forum selection clause does not apply to claims under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, which are subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of U.S. federal district courts, and it does not require investors to waive the requirements of the U.S. federal securities laws.
In addition, the forum selection provision in our memorandum and articles of association provides that the courts of the Cayman Islands shall be the sole and exclusive forum for (i) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of the Company, (ii) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any director, officer or other employee of the Company to the Company or its members, (iii) any action asserting a claim arising pursuant to any provision of the Companies Act (As Revised) of the Cayman Islands or the memorandum and articles of association including but not limited to any purchase or acquisition of Shares, security or guarantee provided in consideration thereof, or (iv) any action asserting a claim against the Company which if brought in the United States of America would be a claim arising under the internal affairs doctrine (as such concept is recognized under the laws of the United States of America from time to time).
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This forum selection provision may limit a shareholder’s ability to bring a claim in a judicial forum that it finds favorable for disputes with us or our directors, officers or other employees, which may discourage such lawsuits. Our forum selection provision seeks to reduce litigation costs and increase outcome predictability. While forum selection provisions in corporate charters and
by-laws
are becoming more commonplace for public companies in the United States and have been upheld by courts in certain states, it is possible that in connection with any action a court could find the forum selection provision contained in our memorandum and articles of association to be inapplicable or unenforceable in such action. If a court were to find our forum selection by-law
inapplicable to, or unenforceable in respect of, one or more of the specified types of actions or proceedings, we may incur additional costs associated with resolving such matters in other jurisdictions and we may not obtain the benefits of limiting jurisdiction to the courts selected. If a court were to find the forum selection provision to be inapplicable to, or unenforceable in respect of, one or more of the specified types of actions or proceedings, the Company may incur additional costs associated with resolving such action in other jurisdictions, which could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. Our memorandum and articles of association contain anti-takeover provisions that could discourage a third party from acquiring us, which could limit our shareholders’ opportunity to sell their ordinary shares, including ordinary shares represented by the ADSs, at a premium.
Our memorandum and articles of association contain provisions to limit the ability of others to acquire control of our company or cause us to engage These provisions could have the effect of depriving our shareholders of an opportunity to sell their shares at a premium over prevailing market prices by discouraging third parties from seeking to obtain control of our company in a tender offer or similar transaction. For example, our board of directors has the authority, without further action by our shareholders, to issue preferred shares in one or more series and to fix their designations, powers, preferences, privileges, and relative participating, optional or special rights and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions, including dividend rights, conversion rights, voting rights, terms of redemption and liquidation preferences, any or all of which may be greater than the rights associated with our ordinary shares, in the form of ADSs or otherwise. Preferred shares could be issued quickly with terms calculated to delay or prevent a change in control of our company or make removal of management more difficult. If our board of directors decides to issue preferred shares, the price of our ADSs may fall and the voting and other rights of the holders of our ordinary shares and our ADSs may be materially and adversely affected.
in change-of-control transactions.
We are a foreign private issuer within the meaning of the rules under the Exchange Act, and as such we are exempt from certain provisions applicable to U.S. domestic public companies.
Because we qualify as a foreign private issuer under the Exchange Act, we are exempt from certain provisions of the securities rules and regulations in the United States that are applicable to U.S. domestic issuers, including:
| • | the rules under the Exchange Act requiring the filing with the SEC of quarterly reports on Form 10-Q or current reports on Form 8-K; |
| • | the sections of the Exchange Act regulating the solicitation of proxies, consents, or authorizations in respect of a security registered under the Exchange Act; |
| • | the sections of the Exchange Act requiring insiders to file public reports of their stock ownership and trading activities and liability for insiders who profit from trades made in a short period of time; and |
| • | the selective disclosure rules by issuers of material nonpublic information under Regulation FD. |
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 half-year basis as press releases, distributed pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Nasdaq Global Market. 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. We are a “controlled company” within the meaning of the Nasdaq Stock Market Rules and as a result, we are entitled to, and do, rely on the exemption from certain corporate governance requirement that provide protection to shareholders of other companies.
Under the Nasdaq Stock Market Rules, a company of which more than 50% of the voting power for the election of directors is held by an individual, group or another company is a “controlled company” and is permitted to phase in its compliance with the corporate governance requirements. Following our initial public offering, Ms. Fen Ye, our chairlady and director and Mr. Wei, our director and the spouse of Ms. Fen Ye, together beneficially own 45,000,000 ordinary shares issued, representing more than 50% of our aggregate voting power and have the power to appoint a majority of the board of directors. As a result, we will be a “controlled company” under the Nasdaq Stock Market Rules and entitled to elect not to comply with certain corporate governance requirements of the Nasdaq Global Market, including the requirement that a majority of our directors to be independent. A majority of the members of our board of directors will not be independent directors as we choose to rely on the “controlled companies” exemption and do not intend to meet that requirement voluntarily.
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Ms. Fen Ye and Mr. Wei will have the power to control the Company in all material aspects, in consideration of the following:
| • | our memorandum and articles of association authorizes the board of directors to issue additional ordinary shares from time to time as the board of directors shall determine, to the extent of available authorized but unissued shares. Our memorandum and articles also authorizes the board of directors, subject to certain conditions, to establish from time to time one or more series of preferred shares and to determine, with respect to any series of preferred shares, the terms and rights of that series. The board of directors may issue preferred shares without action by our shareholders to the extent authorized but unissued; |
| • | our memorandum and articles of association may discourage, delay or prevent a change of control of our company or management that shareholders may consider favorable; and |
| • | the board of directors has all the powers necessary for managing, and for directing and supervising, our business affairs, including among others (i) declaring dividends and distributions; (ii) exercising our borrowing powers and our mortgaging the property; and (iii) approving the transfer of shares in the Company, including the registration of such shares in our register of members. |
See “Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employees—C. Board Practices—Duties of Directors” and “Item 10. Additional Information—B. Memorandum and Articles of Association.”
Accordingly, during the period we remain a controlled company relying on the exemption and during any transition period following a time when we are no longer a controlled company, you would not have the same protections afforded to shareholders of companies that are subject to all of the corporate governance requirements.
As a company incorporated in the Cayman Islands, we are permitted to adopt certain home country practices in relation to corporate governance matters that differ significantly from the Nasdaq Global Market listing standards; these practices may afford less protection to shareholders than they would enjoy if we complied fully with the Nasdaq Global Market listing standards.
As a Cayman Islands company listed on the Nasdaq Global Market, we are subject to the Nasdaq Global Market listing standards. However, the Nasdaq Global Market rules permit a foreign private issuer like us to follow the corporate governance practices of its home country. Certain corporate governance practices in the Cayman Islands, which is our home country, may differ significantly from the Nasdaq Global Market listing standards. We have relied on and intend to continue to rely on some of these exemptions. For instance, upon our listing in October 2020, we will not:
| • | have a majority of the board be independent (although all of the members of the audit committee must be independent under the Exchange Act within one year of the initial public offering); |
| • | have a compensation committee or a nominating and corporate governance committee consisting entirely of independent directors; or |
| • | have regularly scheduled executive sessions with only independent directors each year. |
As a result, you may not be provided with the benefits of certain corporate governance requirements of the Nasdaq Global Market.
There can be no assurance that we will not be a passive foreign investment company, or PFIC, for United States federal income tax purposes for any taxable year, which could subject United States investors in the ADSs or ordinary shares to significant adverse United States federal income tax consequences.
We will be classified as a passive foreign investment company, or PFIC, for any taxable year if either (i) 75% or more of our gross income for such year consists of certain types of “passive” income, or (ii) 50% or more of the value of our assets (determined on the basis of a quarterly average) during such year produce or are held for the production of passive income, or the asset test. Although the law in this regard is not entirely clear, we treat our consolidated VIEs as being owned by us for U.S. federal income tax purposes because we control their management decisions and are entitled to substantially all of the economic benefits associated with them. As a result, we consolidate their results of operations in our consolidated U.S. GAAP financial statements. If it were determined, however, that we are not the owner of our consolidated VIEs for U.S. federal income tax purposes, we may be treated as a PFIC for the current taxable year and any subsequent taxable year.
Assuming that we are the owner of our consolidated VIEs for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and based upon our current and expected income and assets, including goodwill, we do not presently expect to be classified as a PFIC for the current taxable year and/or the foreseeable future.
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While we do not expect to be a PFIC, because the value of our assets for purposes of the asset test may be determined by reference to the market price of our ADSs, fluctuations in the market price of our ADSs may cause us to become a PFIC for the current or subsequent taxable years. The determination of whether we will be or become a PFIC will also depend, in part, on the composition and classification of our income. Because there are uncertainties in the application of the relevant rules, it is possible that the IRS may challenge our classification of certain income and assets
as non-passive which
may result in our being or becoming a PFIC in the current or subsequent years. In addition, the composition of our income and assets will also be affected by how, and how quickly, we use our liquid assets and the cash in our initial public offering. If we determine not to deploy significant amounts of cash for active purposes, our risk of being a PFIC may substantially increase. Because there are uncertainties in the application of the relevant rules and PFIC status is a factual determination made annually after the close of each taxable year, there can be no assurance that we will not be a PFIC for the current taxable year or any future taxable year. If we are a PFIC in any taxable year, a U.S. Holder (as defined in “Item 10. Additional Information—E. Taxation—United States Federal Income Taxation”) may incur significantly increased United States income tax on gain recognized on the sale or other disposition of our ADSs or ordinary shares and on the receipt of distributions on our ADSs or ordinary shares to the extent such gain or distribution is treated as an “excess distribution” under the United States federal income tax rules, and such holder may be subject to burdensome reporting requirements. Further, if we are a PFIC for any year during which a U.S. Holder holds our ADSs or our ordinary shares, we will generally continue to be treated as a PFIC for all succeeding years during which such U.S. Holder holds our ADSs or our ordinary shares. For more information, see “Item 10. Additional Information—E. Taxation—United States Federal Income Taxation—Passive Foreign Investment Company Rules.”
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 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 for so long as a registrant qualifies as an emerging growth company it 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. Pursuant to the JOBS Act, we have elected to take advantage of the benefits of this extended transition period for complying with new or revised accounting standards as required when they are adopted for public companies. As a result, our operating results and financial statements may not be comparable to the operating results and financial statements of other companies who have adopted the new or revised accounting standards.
We incur increased costs because of being a public company, particularly after we cease to qualify as an emerging growth company.
We are a public company and we incur significant legal, accounting and other expenses that we did not incur as a private company. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the rules subsequently implemented by the SEC and the Nasdaq Global Market detailed requirements concerning corporate governance practices of public companies. As a company with less than US$1.07 billion in net revenues for our last fiscal year, we qualify as an “emerging growth company” pursuant to the JOBS Act. An emerging growth company may take advantage of specified reduced reporting and other requirements 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 2012 relating to internal controls over financial reporting.
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. 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. Our management will be required to devote substantial time and attention to our public company reporting obligations and other compliance matters. For example, as a result of becoming a public company, we need to increase the number of independent directors and adopt policies regarding internal controls and disclosure controls and procedures. We also expect that operating as a public company will make it more difficult and more expensive for us to obtain director and officer liability insurance, and we may be required to accept reduced policy limits and coverage or incur substantially higher costs to obtain the same or similar coverage. In addition, we incur additional costs associated with our public company reporting requirements. It may also be more difficult for us to find qualified persons to serve on our board of directors or as executive officers. We are currently evaluating and monitoring developments with respect to these rules and regulations, and we cannot predict or estimate with any degree of certainty the amount of additional costs we may incur or the timing of such costs.
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ITEM 4. INFORMATION ON THE COMPANY
A. History and Development of the Company
Lixiang Education Holding Co., Ltd. was incorporated as an exempted company under the laws of the Cayman Islands with limited liability in September 2018, to be our holding company. We conduct our business through our PRC subsidiaries and VIEs with which we have a series of contractual arrangements. On October 1, 2020, our ADSs commenced trading on the NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol “LXEH.” We raised from our initial public offering approximately US$26.2 million in net proceeds after deducting underwriting commission and related costs and expenses.
Prior to August 31, 2021, we primarily operated primary and secondary school in Baiyun campus and Yijing campus—Featured Division of Lianwai School through a series of contractual arrangements with our VIEs. Under the 2021 Implementation Rules which took effect on September 1, 2021, social organizations and individuals are prohibited from controlling a private school that provides compulsory education by means of, among others, merger, acquisition, and contractual arrangements, and a private school providing compulsory education is prohibited from conducting transactions with its related party. In particular, the prohibition over related party transactions has significantly affected the enforceability of the exclusive management services and business cooperation agreements among Liandu WFOE and Lianwai School providing compulsory education. Therefore, we re-assessed our control over Lianwai School. Based on the relevant accounting standard in accordance with U.S. GAAP, we have concluded that we have lost control of Lianwai School since August 31, 2021, in view of the significant uncertainties and restrictions the 2021 Implementation Rules impose on our ability to direct the range of ongoing activities that would most significantly impact the returns of Lianwai School. In light of such regulatory developments, on April 20, 2022, we entered into an acknowledgment agreement of contractual agreements with Lianwai School and respective directors, to confirm all the terms of rights and obligations relating to Lianwai School and the directors appointed by the sponsor under the contractual arrangements in relation to Lianwai School, and agree among the parties that such arrangements shall have been terminated on August 31, 2021. To minimize disruptions to existing students enrolled in Lianwai School, we continued to offer essential services to the students. We deconsolidated Lianwai School commencing from September 1, 2021 and presented it as a discontinued operation in current and comparative period financial statements.
On August 18, 2021, we entered into a sponsorship interests transfer agreement with Qingtian Zhongyi Education Investment in respect of the acquisition of 100% of the sponsorship interests of Qingtian International School, Lishui City, Zhejiang Province, with a total consideration of RMB23 million, and closed the trasanction in November 2021. The alteration registration of the sponsorship of Qingtian International School was completed on August 24, 2021. Qingtian International School is an educational institution specialized in providing high school education to returned overseas Chinese students. We believe there is significant market potential for the growth of private higher education in the PRC. As a private provider of higher education, we are well-positioned to capture on the growth opportunities in the PRC higher education sector.
We have explored and considerated business opportunities beyond high school education. We took steps to expand into online education and vocational education.
In February 2021, we completed the acquisition of 100% equity stake in Hangzhou Youxi, developer of five software with computer software copyright, including among others live streaming supervision system, Android live streaming system, and Apple live streaming system, etc, for the layout of online education. The total consideration of the acquisition was RMB300,000 in cash.
In January 2022, we formed Beijing Xinxiang with Beijing R.R.Z. to provide vocational education in the healthcare industry. Lishui Mengxiang will make an equity capital contribution of RMB4,300,000 to Beijing Xinxiang in exchange for 43% equity interests in Beijing Xinxiang. Given that the board of directors of Beijing Xinxiang consists of five members, three of which shall be appointed by Lishui Mengxiang, we are able to control Beijing Xinxiang by holding more than half of the voting power in the board of directors. Therefore, the financial statements of Beijing Xinxiang will be consolidated in our annual report for the year ending December 31, 2022. We plan to provide high-quality vocational education in the health care industry to help our students achieve success in the fields of nursing, emergency rescue and rehabilitation care.
In April 2022, as part of the transactions contemplated under our investment cooperation agreement with Beijing S.K. in July 2021 to expand our business into vocational education, we entered into definitive agreements to acquire 100% equity interests of Beijing P.X., which in turn holds 100% equity interests of Chuangmei Weiye and Hainan Jiangcai, and the sponsorship interests of Langfang School. As of the date of this annual report on Form 20-F, the administrative procedures with the PRC governmental authorities to amend the registration reflecting the result of the acquisition have not been completed due to the effects of COVID-19 pandemic.
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B. Business Overview
Our private education services used to primarily include primary and middle school education, while now turn to high school education and vocational education.
In 2003, we launched our Lianwai School in Lishui City, Zhejiang Province. Before August 31, 2021, we had two campuses offering primary and middle school private education in operation:
| • | Baiyun Campus offering standard PRC curriculum programs; and |
| • | Yijing Campus—Featured Division offering featured PRC curriculum programs. |
Under the 2021 Implementation Rules which took effect on September 1, 2021, social organizations and individuals are prohibited from controlling a private school that provides compulsory education by means of, among others, merger, acquisition, and contractual arrangements, and a private school providing compulsory education is prohibited from conducting transactions with its related party. In particular, the prohibition over related party transactions has significantly affected the enforceability of the exclusive management services and business cooperation agreements among Liandu WFOE and Lianwai School providing compulsory education. Therefore, we re-assessed our control over Lianwai School. Based on the relevant accounting standard in accordance with U.S. GAAP, we have concluded that we have lost control of Lianwai School since August 31, 2021, in view of the significant uncertainties and restrictions the 2021 Implementation Rules impose on our ability to direct the range of ongoing activities that would most significantly impact the returns of Lianwai School. In light of such regulatory developments, on April 20, 2022, we entered into an acknowledgment agreement of contractual agreements with Lianwai School and respective directors, to confirm all the terms of rights and obligations relating to Lianwai School and the directors appointed by the sponsor under the contractual arrangements in relation to Lianwai School, and agree among the parties that such arrangements shall have been terminated on August 31, 2021. To minimize disruptions to existing students enrolled in Lianwai School, we continued to offer essential services to the students. We deconsolidated Lianwai School commencing from September 1, 2021 and presented it as a discontinued operation in current and comparative period financial statements. See “Item 5. Operating and financial Review and Prospects—A. Operating Results.”
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We mainly offer high school education services at Qingtian International School which was acquired by us in November 2021. Our VIE, Lishui Mengxiang completed the required registration to hold 100% sponsorship interests of Qingtian International School in August 2021. In addition to providing high school education, we plan to offer vocational education services at our Vocational Training Institutions.
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Qingtian International School
Our high school curriculum programs offered at Qingtian International School are designed for students from overseas Chinese families returning to China who are commonly known as the overseas Chinese returnees.
The increasing population of overseas Chinese returnees and their immediate relatives in Zhejiang Province provide a growing opportunity in the private education industry. According to the Frost & Sullivan report, the population of overseas Chinese returnees (including Chinese returnees from Hong Kong and Macau) and their relatives residing in Zhejiang Province has increased from 1.2 million in 2014 to 1.5 million in 2019, representing a CAGR of 4.5%. It is expected that this number would continue to grow steadily at a CAGR of 4.0% from 2019 to 2024. Compared with local students, overseas Chinese returnees are afforded the opportunity to attend the PRC Joint Recruitment Examination for overseas Chinese returnees and students in Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan as a parallel track. As a result, we believe our graduates who are overseas Chinese returnees have a better opportunity to attend China’s top universities, which in turn enhances our schools’ reputation in the industry and improves our prospects.
As a boarding school specialized in providing high school education to overseas Chinese returnees, Qingtian International School provides high school education by small-class teaching method and semi-military management, enabling its students to gain admission to the most prestigious colleges and universities. We offer ordinary PRC high school curriculum program combined with the courses designed for the PRC Joint Recruitment Examination for overseas Chinese returnees.
As of September 1, 2021, we had 524 students in 15 classes enrolled in Qingtian International School with approximately 85% of the students living on-campus. The school recorded a utilization rate of 76.9% with the capacity of 681 as of September 1, 2021. We have on-campus canteen and provide dormitories for boarding students who live on-campus Sunday through Friday during school terms. Our student dormitories implement comprehensive boarding rules and are under the dual supervision of teachers and counselors. We also have on-campus medical staff and mental-health counselors to handle routine medical treatments and psychological counseling for our students, who will promptly send our students to hospitals when necessary. Our students usually wear school uniforms during school year, we arrange third-party suppliers to provide school uniform purchasing service for the convenience of parents.
Major decisions and policies concerning our school, such as principal nomination and budget planning (including tuition levels, construction of material new facilities and use of significant funds), are determined by our directors. At the same time, our finance team monitors the financial activities of our school through periodic audits from time to time. The school principal reports to our directors on school developments and major issues at least annually.
To facilitate parent-school communication and to timely obtain feedback from our students’ parents, we set up parents committee at our school comprising parent-representatives from each class; and maintain active social media groups on a class-wide, grade-wide and school-wide basis. The parents committees and social media groups act as a liaison between the management of the school and parents, and encourage parents to voice their opinions about our school. We also organize a variety of events and activities for our students’ parents. We believe these events and activities strengthened the relationship between our school and our students’ parents and contributed to creating a harmonious learning environment. We from time to time conduct parent satisfaction survey to obtain feedback on our teaching quality.
We believe our teachers are the key to our education programs and the reputation of our school. We employ a team of professional teachers, which enables us to offer a variety of mandatory and elective courses and provide moral guidance to our students. As of September 1, 2021, we had 62 teachers, with a teacher-student ratio of 1:8.
We employ our teachers through different channels and methods, including campus recruitment, general public recruitment, candidate self-nominations and the use of online recruiting websites. We determine our recruitment demands before we advertise for recruitment. We screen resumes received and select appropriate candidates. We make our hiring decision based on the candidates’ professional qualifications, moral qualities, professional skills, performance during trial lectures. The deliberation process involves our principals, teachers and administrative staff.
We typically enter into one-year contracts with our newly hired teachers and we will renew their contracts with longer terms only if they deliver satisfactory performance on a selective basis based on our evaluation. To uphold our reputation for providing high-quality education and maintain the consistency of our teaching standards, we monitor teaching quality through a comprehensive evaluation system. We perform our teacher evaluations annually. Our evaluations assess attendance, classroom preparation, classroom performance, teaching quality, continuing education coursework, publications and honors and awards. We also regularly engage external consultants specializing in education to evaluate the in-class performance of our teachers as well as the curriculum taught at our school. We believe our external consultants are able to provide our teachers with meaningful feedback that enable them to improve their teaching quality.
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Vocational Training Institutions
We plan to offer vocational education services at our Vocational Training Institutions, namely Chuangmei Weiye, Hainan Jiangcai and Langfang School which we acquired in April 2022. As of the date of this annual report on Form 20-F, the administrative procedures with the PRC governmental authorities to amend the registration reflecting the result of the acquisition have not been completed due to the effects of COVID-19 pandemic.
Chuangmei Weiye is a professional comprehensive education and human resources service provider, covering human resources (including labor dispatch, human education, agency recruitment), outsourcing vocational services, recruitment process outsourcing service, comprehensive services for flexible employment (including the services for the part-time employment, retirement re-employment, internships, and other short-term or temporary employment methods) and vocational education. Through Chuangmei Weiye, we aim to assist talents with practical skills in obtaining internship opportunities and positions in well-known companies so as to bridge the supply and demand gap between the employers and talents.
We plan to collaborate with Hainan Communication Senior Technical School (
海南省交通高级技工学校
), a reputable vocational education school in Haikou City, Hainan Province, through Hainan Jingcai to joinly design and develop curriculum programs based on the prevalent market trends and employer preferences, such as computer science application and maintenance, new energy automobile reqair and maintenance, and hotel management.
Langfang School is a provincial private technical school approved by the Human Resources and Social Security Department of Hebei Province, integrating academic education, further education, and training education. We will take advantage of the school-operating experience and high-quality resources that the Vocational Training Institutions accumulated in the vocational education industry in the past to teach students career-focused skill sets. We are moving towards the goal of becoming a leading vocational training leader and offer high-quality vocational courses to enhance students’ professional skills and improve their abilities to put their knowledge into practice. With the keen demand for vocational and professional education, we believe that the essential nature of education has gone from being theoretical knowledge-based to occupation-driven.
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Intellectual Property
As of December 31, 2021, we had 46 and two registered trademarks in the PRC and Hong Kong, respectively. As of December 31, 2021, we had no trademarks pending registration in the PRC. We obtained five computer software copyrights through our acquisition of Hangzhou Youxi in February 2021. As our brand name is of material importance to our business, we are working to increase, maintain and enforce our rights in our intellectual property portfolio.
Seasonality
Our financial performance is subject to seasonality as each of our school years includes a winter holiday between December and January and a summer holiday between July and August. Our net income and results of operations normally fluctuate from quarter to quarter as a result of seasonal variations in our education operations. See “Item 5. Operating and financial Review and Prospects—A. Operating Results—Seasonality.”
Marketing
We rely primarily on our reputation as one of the leading providers of education services in Lishui City to attract high-quality students to apply for our school and do not engage in marketing and recruitment methods that require additional cost. Nevertheless, we enhance the public awareness of our brand name and our education service offerings award and campus tours which are useful channels for prospective students and their family to learn more about our capabilities and education service offerings. We also from time to time formulate and implement our marketing and student recruiting plans suitable for the market to promote our school, programs and us.
through word-of-mouth advertising,
Competition
The education sector in China is growing, rapidly evolving, highly fragmented and competitive. We face competition for students in the geographic market in which we operate.
According to the Frost & Sullivan report, we are one of the top ten providers of private primary and secondary school education in Zhejiang Province and the largest private primary and middle school education in Lishui City as measured by students enrolled on a monthly average basis for the 2019/2020 school year. As of the date of this annual report on Form
20-F,
we are still one of the pioneers in the industry to provide education services in Zhejiang Province. With a successful track record of operation, we have gained a strong reputation in Zhejiang Province, especially in Lishui City, which in turn attracts more high-quality students and teachers and helps forming a virtuous cycle. We believe that the principal competitive factors in our relevant markets include academic performance of students, brand and reputation, quality of educational programs, operating experience, types of educational programs, tuition, students and parent satisfaction rate, student progression rate and ability to attract and retain high quality teachers and staff. See “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Our Business and Industry— We face intense competition in the education industry and we may fail to compete effectively.”
Regulation
This section sets forth a summary of the most significant rules and regulations that affect our business activities in China.
PRC Laws and Regulations Relating to Foreign Investment in Education
Regulations on Stock Incentive Plans
Pursuant to the Notice on Issues Concerning the Foreign Exchange Administration for Domestic Individuals Participating in Stock Incentive Plan of an Overseas Publicly Listed Company, or SAFE Circular 7, issued by SAFE in February 2012, directors, supervisors, senior managers and other employees participating in any stock incentive plan of an overseas listed company who are PRC citizens or who are
non-PRC
citizens residing in China for a continuous period of not less than one year, subject to a few exceptions, are required to register with SAFE through a domestic qualified agent, which could be a PRC subsidiary of such overseas listed company, and complete certain other procedures. If we fail to complete the SAFE registrations, such failure may subject us to fines and legal sanctions and may also limit our ability to contribute additional capital into our wholly foreign-owned subsidiary in China and limit such subsidiary’s ability to distribute dividends to us. In addition, the State Administration for Taxation has issued certain circulars concerning employee share options or restricted shares. Under these circulars, the employees working in the PRC who exercise share options or are granted restricted shares will be subject to PRC individual income tax. The PRC subsidiaries of such overseas listed company have 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 who exercise their share options. If the employees fail to pay or the PRC subsidiaries fail to withhold their income taxes according to relevant laws and regulations, the PRC subsidiaries may face sanctions imposed by the competent PRC government authorities.
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The Negative List
On June 23, 2020, the NDRC and the MOFCOM jointly issued the Special Administrative Measures for the Access of Foreign Investment (Negative List) (the “2020 Negative List”) with effect from July 23, 2020. Pursuant to the 2020 Negative List, ordinary high school education are restricted industries for foreign investors, and foreign investments are only allowed to invest in ordinary high school education in cooperative ways and the domestic party shall play a dominant role in the cooperation, which means the principal or other chief executive officer of the schools shall be a PRC national and the representative of the domestic party shall account for no less than half of the total members of the board of directors, the executive council or the joint administration committee of the Sino-foreign cooperative educational institution. In addition, foreign investors are prohibited from investing in compulsory education, namely primary school to middle school. Industries not listed in these two categories are generally deemed “permitted” for foreign investment unless specifically restricted by other PRC laws.
Furthermore, On December 27, 2021, the NDRC and the MOFCOM jointly issued the Special Administrative Measures for the Access of Foreign Investment (Negative List) (the “2021 Negative List”) with effect from January 1, 2022 and replaced the 2020 Negative List. The Negative List sets out the areas where foreign investment is prohibited, and the areas where foreign investment is restricted. Prior to investing in the restricted fields in the Negative List, foreign investor shall obtain foreign investment access permit. Unless otherwise provided in other laws, a foreign investment in areas not listed on the Negative List is unconditionally permitted and shall be treated in the same manner as domestic investment. The 2021 Negative List remains unchanged with respect to the education industry., while it further provides that any domestic enterprise, which is engaged in the field of business that foreign investment is prohibited from investing as set forth in the 2021 Negative List, shall be examined and approved by the relevant state authorities before issuing shares and listing and trading abroad. Besides, any foreign investor shall not participate in the management of such domestic enterprise, and its shareholding ratio shall follow the relevant provisions regulating foreign investors’ investment in domestic securities.
Regulations on Foreign Investment
On March 15, 2019, the Foreign Investment Law of the People’s Republic of China, or the Foreign Investment Law, was formally passed by the 13th NPC and took effect as on January 1, 2020. The Foreign Investment Law has replaced the Chinese-Foreign Equity Joint Ventures Law, the Chinese-Foreign Contractual Joint Ventures Law and the Wholly Foreign-owned Enterprise Law to become the legal foundation for foreign investment in the PRC. To implement the Foreign Investment Law, the State Council promulgated the Implementing Regulations of the Foreign Investment Law, and Ministry of Commerce of the PRC, or the MOFCOM, and the State Administration for Market Regulation, or the SAMR further promulgated the Measures for Reporting of Information on Foreign Investment.
The Foreign Investment Law establishes the administration systems for foreign investment, which mainly consists
of pre-establishment national
treatment plus negative list, foreign investment information report system and security review system. The aforesaid systems, together with other administrative measures stipulated under the Foreign Investment Law, constitute the frame of foreign investment administration. The pre-establishment
national treatment refers to granting to foreign investors and their investments, in the stage of investment access, the treatment no less favorable than that granted to domestic investors and their investments. The negative list refers to special administrative measures for access of foreign investment in specific fields as stipulated by the State and the State will give national treatment to foreign investments outside the negative list. The Foreign Investment Law further provides that foreign-invested enterprises established before the Foreign Investment Law coming into effect may retain their original form of organizations within five years after the Foreign Investment Law comes into effect. Pursuant to the Foreign Investment Law of the PRC which took effect as on January 1, 2020, foreign investors’ capital contribution, profits, capital gains, assets disposal income, intellectual property license fees, legally obtained damages or compensation, liquidation proceeds, etc., may be freely remitted into or out of China in RMB or foreign exchange according to PRC laws. Accordingly, the Company has the ability to repatriate revenues generated by the VIE businesses. However, there are restrictions under PRC laws for the payment of dividends to us by Liandu WFOE. See “—Regulation—Regulations on Taxation in the PRC—Income Tax in relation to Dividend Distribution” and “—Regulation—PRC Laws and Regulations relating to Foreign Exchange.”
As of the date of this annual report on Form
20-F,
our high school education services fall within restricted industries for foreign investors, and our primary and middle school which cover compulsory education fall within prohibited industries for foreign investors. We conduct business operations through our Variable Interest Entities. See “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Our Corporate Structure” and “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Doing Business in China” for details. Regulations on Sino-Foreign Cooperation in operating school
Pursuant to the 2021 Negative List, ordinary high school education are restricted industries for foreign investors, and foreign investments are only allowed to invest in ordinary high school education in cooperative ways and the domestic party shall play a dominant role in the cooperation, which means the principal or other chief executive officer of the schools shall be a PRC national and the representative of the domestic party shall account for no less than half of the total members of the board of directors, the executive council or the joint administration committee of the Sino-foreign cooperative educational institution.
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Sino-foreign cooperation in operating schools is specifically governed by the Regulation on Operating Sino-foreign Schools of the PRC, which was promulgated by the State Council on March 1, 2003, took effect from September 1, 2003 and recently amended on March 2, 2019, and the Implementing Rules for the Regulations on Operating Sino-foreign Schools of the PRC, or the Implementing Rules, which were issued by the Ministry of Education of the PRC, or the MOE on June 2, 2004 and became effective on July 1, 2004.
The Regulation on Operating Sino-foreign Schools of the PRC and the Implementing Rules apply to the activities of educational institutes established in the PRC jointly by foreign educational institutes and Chinese educational institutes, the students of which are to be recruited primarily from PRC citizens and encourage substantial cooperation between overseas educational organizations with relevant qualifications and experience in providing high-quality education, and PRC educational organizations to jointly operate various types of schools in the PRC, with such cooperation in the areas of higher education and occupational education being encouraged. The overseas educational organization must be a foreign educational institution with relevant qualification and experience at the same level and in the same category of education. It is uncertain as to what type of information (including the length and type of experience) a foreign investor must provide to the competent PRC government authority to demonstrate that it meets the qualification requirement. Sino-foreign cooperative schools are not permitted, however, to engage in compulsory education and military, police, political or other kinds of education that are of a special nature in the PRC. Any Sino-foreign cooperative school and cooperation program shall be approved by the relevant education authorities of provinces, autonomous regions or municipalities directly under PRC central governmental where the institute locates and obtain an Operation Permit for Sino-foreign Cooperation School, and a Sino-foreign cooperation school established without the above approval or permit may be prohibited by the relevant authorities, be ordered to refund the fees collected from its students and be subject to a fine of no more than RMB100,000, while a Sino-foreign cooperation program established without such approval or permit may also be banned and be ordered to refund the fees collected from its students.
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On June 18, 2012, the MOE issued the Implementation Opinions of the MOE on Encouraging and Guiding the Entry of Private Capital in the Fields of Education and Promoting the Healthy Development of Private Education to encourage private investment and foreign investment in the field of education. According to these opinions, the proportion of foreign capital in a Sino-foreign education institute shall be less than 50%.
As of the date of this annual report on Form
20-F,
no implementation measures or specific guidelines are promulgated in accordance with the Regulation on Operating Sino-foreign Schools of the PRC and Implementing Rules. Further, as far as we know, relevant Zhejiang authorities have not approved any establishment of Sino-foreign cooperative high school in at least past five years. Therefore, we can only control Qingtian International School through the contractual arrangements. Regulations on Private Education in the PRC
Education Law of the PRC
On March 18, 1995, the National People’s Congress of PRC, or the NPC enacted the Education Law of the PRC, or the Education Law, which was amended on August 27, 2009, June 1, 2016 and April 30, 2021, respectively. The Education Law sets forth provisions relating to the fundamental education systems of the PRC, including a school education system
comprising pre-school education,
primary education, secondary education and higher education, a system of nine-year compulsory education, a national education examination system, and a system of education certificates. The Education Law stipulates that the government formulates plans for the development of education, establishes and operates schools and other educational institution. Furthermore, it provides that in principle, enterprises, social organizations and individuals are encouraged to establish and operate schools and other types of educational institutes in accordance with PRC laws and regulations. Meanwhile, schools and other educational institutes sponsored by all or part of government financial funds and donated assets are forbidden to be established as for-profit organizations.
The Law for Promoting Private Education and the Implementation Rules for the Law for Promoting Private Education
The Law for Promoting Private Education of the PRC became effective on September 1, 2003 and was amended on November 7, 2016 by the Decision of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress on Amending the Law for Promoting Private Education of the PRC, or the Decision and amended on December 29, 2018. The Implementation Rules for the Law for Promoting Private Education of the PRC, or the 2004 Implementation Rules became effective on April 1, 2004 and recently amended on September 1, 2021. The Law for Promoting Private Education of the PRC shall be applicable to activities conducted by public organizations or individuals, other than the organs of the state, to establish and operate schools and other institutions of education
with non-governmental financial
funds, which are geared to the need of society. The establishment of a private school shall meet the local need for educational development and the requirements of the Education Law and the relevant laws and regulations. A duly approved private school will be granted a Permit for Operating a Private School, after which the private school can apply for registration as a legal person and the registration authority shall handle the matter in accordance with relevant laws and regulations. The Law for Promoting Private Education of the PRC mainly stipulates as follows:
| (i) | The sponsors of privately-run schools may establish non-profit or for-profit privately-run schools at their own discretion. However, they shall not establish for-profit privately-run schools providing compulsory education. |
| (ii) | The sponsor of a non-profit privately-run school shall not gain proceeds from school running, and the cash surplus of the school shall be used for school running, while the sponsor of a for-profit privately-run school may gain proceeds from school running, and the cash surplus of the school shall be disposed of in accordance with relevant PRC laws and regulations. |
| (iii) | The measures for the collection of fees by non-profit privately-run schools shall be formulated by the people’s governments of various provinces, autonomous regions and centrally-administered municipalities. |
However, the charging criteria are subject to market regulation and shall be determined by the schools themselves.
of for-profit privately-run schools
| (iv) | Privately-run schools may enjoy the preferential taxation policies, and non-profit privately-run schools may enjoy the same preferential taxation policies with that for publicly-run schools. |
| (v) | Additional supportive measures are provided for private schools. Non-profit private schools will enjoy additional supportive measures, such as government subsidies, fund awards and donations. |
Furthermore, if a private school established before the promulgation of this Decision chooses to be registered as and when
a non-profit privately-run school
the privately-run school
is terminated, if there are remains after its property is liquidated, appropriate compensation or rewards shall be given to capital contributors based on their applications and by taking into full account the factors such as the capital contributed before the implementation of this Decision, reasonable return gained and benefits from school running, and the other property may continue to be used for the running of other non-profit
schools. 67
The 2021 Implementation Rules was promulgated by the State Council on May 14, 2021, and came into effect on September 1, 2021. The 2021 Implementation Rules contain stricter provisions than the Draft Revision of the Regulations on the Implementation of the Law for Promoting Private Education of the PRC (the Draft for Comments) issued by the Ministry of Education of the PRC in April 2018 and the Draft Revision of the Regulations on the Implementation of the Law for Promoting Private Education of the PRC (the Draft for Examination and Approval) issued by the Ministry of Justice of the PRC on August 10, 2018. The 2021 Implementation Rules address the operation and management of private schools, especially
non-profit
private primary and middle schools, including: (i) foreign-invested enterprises established in China and social organizations whose actual controllers are foreign parties shall not sponsor, participate in or actually control private schools that provide compulsory education, (ii) social organizations or individuals shall not control any private school that provides compulsory education or any non-profit
private school that provides pre-school
education by means of merger, acquisition, contractual arrangements, etc., and (iii) private schools providing compulsory education shall not conduct any transaction with any interested related party. As disclosed in our prospectus dated September 30, 2020, we entered into a series of contractual arrangements through its wholly-owned PRC subsidiary, Liandu WFOE for its operation in the PRC, pursuant to which Liandu WFOE receives the economic benefits from Lishui Mengxiang and Lianwai School, the PRC Variable Interest Entities of which we have power to control the management, and financial and operating policies and have the right to recognize and receive substantially all the economic benefits and in which Liandu WFOE has an exclusive option to purchase all or part of the equity interests and all or a portion of the assets at the minimum price possible to the extent permitted by PRC law (collectively, the “VIEs”). We understand that the 2021 Implementation Rules may have retrospective effect, such that the aforesaid contractual arrangements may be deemed to violate the 2021 Implementation Rules and any related rules and regulations, which may lead to certain adverse outcome, including, among others, the loss of the Company’s rights to direct the activities of the VIEs and to receive economic benefits from them and therefore the inability to consolidate the financial results of the VIEs into the Company’s consolidated financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP. As a result, we concluded that we have lost ability to control Lianwai School by the end of 31 August 2021, immediately before the 2021 Implementation Rules became effective and the financial results of Lianwai School would no longer be consolidated into our company’s consolidated financial statements since September 1, 2021, and the net assets of Lianwai School were deconsolidated from the consolidated financial statements of our company as at August 31, 2021.
Nevertheless, the local governments and their education authorities will generally issue detailed rules, guidelines or opinions on the interpretation, application and implementation of the upper-level laws after they come into effect, and the local government and education authorities in Zhejiang Province have not yet issued such rules, guidelines or opinions on the interpretation, application and implementation of the Implementation Rules as of the date hereof. We are closely monitoring the developments of the Implementation Rules and is carefully evaluating the possible impact of the 2021 Implementation Rules on its business development and financial performance. We ar also proactively seeking guidance from and cooperating with government authorities in connection with its efforts to comply with the 2021 Implementation Rules and any related rules and regulations.
On August 17, 2020, MOE, NDRC, the Ministry of Finance, and the State Administration for Industry and Commerce or the SAMR, and the General Administration of Press and Publication jointly released the Opinions on Further Strengthening and Regulating the Administration of Education Fees, or the Opinions, effective as of the same date. The Opinions mainly stipulate the basic principles of education fee charging, modification of the policies and the management systems of education fee charging, including the legal consequences of charging in violation of the provisions. In particular, the part of provisions on improving the governance mechanism for education fee charges stipulate that “efforts shall be made to explore the establishment of a special audit system for school fees, with the focus on the audit of
non-profit
privately-run
schools, and the sponsors of non-profit
privately-run
schools and non-profit
privately-run
sino-foreign cooperative educators shall be prohibited from obtaining proceeds from school-running such as tuition income, distributing school balances (residual assets) or transferring proceeds from school running through related-party transactions or affiliated parties or other means.” The Opinions have not specified whether the contractual arrangements fall within the activities of transferring the school-running proceeds through related-party transactions and affiliated parties, and the Opinions have not specified the relevant legal consequences of such activities. For a detailed discussion on how the above laws and regulations will affect our school, see “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors.”
Implementing Rules on Classification Registration of Private Schools
According to the Implementation Rules on Classification Registration of Private Schools (the “Classification Registration Rules”), which was issued jointly by the MOE, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security of the People’s Republic of China or the MOHRSS, the MCA, the State Commission Office of Public Sectors Reform and the SAMR, and became effective on December 30, 2016, if an existing private school chooses to register as
a non-profit private
school, it shall amend its articles of association in accordance with laws, continue its school operation, and complete the new registration formalities. If an existing private school chooses to register as a for-profit private
school, it shall make financial settlement, clarify the ownership of the schools’ lands, buildings and accumulations with the consent of the relevant departments of the people’s governments at or below the provincial level, pay relevant taxes and fees, obtain new school permits, carry out their re-registration and
continue their school operation. The provincial people’s government is responsible for formulating the detailed measures on the alteration registration of the private schools in accordance with national laws and the local situation. 68
On December 26, 2017, the People’s Government of Zhejiang Province promulgated the Implementation Opinions of the People’s Government of Zhejiang Province on Encouraging Individual Persons or Entities to Conduct Education and Promote the Healthy Development of Private Education, or the Zhejiang Implementation Opinions, to establish a classification management system on private school. According to Zhejiang Implementation Opinions, existing private schools, which were established before November 7, 2016, shall finish the registration schools by the end of 2022.
as non-profit or for-profit private
On April 4, 2018, eight departments of Zhejiang Province including the Department of Education of Zhejiang Province promulgated the Implementation Measures for Existing Private Schools to Change Registration Status, or the Zhejiang Implementation Measures, which took effect on June 1, 2018 and applies to all private schools established before November 7, 2016. According to the Zhejiang Implementation Measures, (i) any existing private school which chooses to register as
a non-profit private
school shall amend and file its articles of association and complete the corresponding registration accordingly, and (ii) any existing private school that chooses to register as a for-profit private
school, shall obtain a new Permit for Operating a Private School and be re-registered so
as to continue its operation after completing its financial clearance and settlement, clarifying its ownership of assets, and paying relevant taxes and fees. 69
On June 16, 2021, Lishui Municipal Education Bureau, Lishui Municipal Human Resources and Social Security Bureau, Office for Public Sector Reform Commission of Lishui, Lishui Municipal Civil Affairs Bureau and Lishui Municipal Market Supervision Administration jointly promulgated the Administrative Measures for Classification Registration of Private Schools in Lishui, which came effect on the same day.
According to the Administrative Measures, (i) the existing private schools shall continue running according to the status quo before completing the classified registration, and shall complete the classified registration according to laws and regulations by the end of 2022. Private schools providing
non-diploma
education and training, private schools providing pre-school
education and diploma education for full-time primary and secondary schools and secondary vocational education shall, in principle, submit a written application for selection of the legal person nature of schools to the approval authority by September 31, 2021. After the approval authority receives the written application of the school, the private school that meets the statutory conditions and relevant provisions shall complete the classified registration within one year; (ii) Where an existing private school opts to be registered as a non-profit
private school, its articles of association shall be amended in accordance with the law, the school may continue its running, obtain a new license for establishment of the school and complete new registration formalities; (iii) An existing private school at the non-compulsory
education stage and a training institution may opt to be registered as a for-profit
private school. Where a school running under the consistent system on the same campus applies for registration as a for-profit
private school in the non-compulsory
education stage, the school assets shall be divided for registration and the corresponding conditions for independent school running shall be met. Otherwise, the school shall be registered as a non-profit
private school; (iv) Where an existing private school opts to be registered as a for-profit
private school, it shall make financial settlement, and the ownership of the land, school buildings, school-running accumulation and other property shall be clarified by the relevant departments of the government of the jurisdiction and the relevant agencies according to law. The school shall pay the relevant taxes and fees, go through the formalities for a new permit for the establishment of the school and make a new registration. The school may continue running during the process of the liquidation, re-handling
of the permit for the establishment of the school and registration as a legal person; and (v) When an existing private school is terminated, if there is surplus property after repayment in accordance with the Law of the People’s Republic of China on the Promotion of Private Schools, the Implementation Measures for Existing Private Schools to Change Registration Status, the Measures for the Financial Settlement of Private Schools in Zhejiang Province and other regulations, certain compensation or reward (the proportion and standard shall be determined by local authorities according to relevant laws and regulations and in combination with local actual conditions) shall be given to the capital contributors according to the application of the capital contributors and in comprehensive consideration of factors such as the capital contribution made before August 31, 2017, reasonable returns obtained and school-running benefits; the remaining property shall continue to be used for running other non-profit
schools. On November 22, 2021, Lishui Education Bureau has promulgated the Work Plan for Classified Registration and Administration of Existing Private Schools (Kindergartens) of Lishui City, which stipulates that they shall adhere to the principles of voluntary selection, smooth classification, public welfare orientation, and compliance with laws and regulations, and strive to complete the classified registration of existing private schools by December 30, 2022. The Plan also provides a schedule for arranging the classified registration tasks, from January to October in 2022, the classified registration of the existing private schools providing compulsory education, private kindergartens and private schools providing senior high school education shall be completed. The main registration procedures for
non-profit
private schools are selected as follows: (i) schools shall file an application for classified registration; (ii) the approval authority shall conduct verification and replacement of the certificate; (iii) the articles of association shall be ratified (filed for the record); and (iv) schools shall apply for registration as a legal person. In addition, the main registration procedures for for-profit
private schools are selected as follows: (i) sponsors make a pre-application
for classified registration; (ii) schools make financial settlement; (iii) sponsors apply for the pre-registration
of corporate names; (iv) sponsors make a formal application for classified registration; (v) certificates are replaced upon the approval authorities; (vi) schools apply for the registration of legal persons; (vii) schools complete the amendment registration of assets; (viii) private non-enterprise
entities apply for deregistration with the original registration authorities. As of the date of this annual report on Form
20-F,
we have not yet received any formal notification from the competent authorities of Qingtian County requiring us to complete the classified registration of Qingtian International School as a for-profit
or non-profit
school. Guidelines for Further Easing the Burden of Excessive Homework and
Off-campus
Tutoring for Students at the Stage of Compulsory Education. On July 24, 2021, the General Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the General Office of the State Council jointly released the Guidelines for Further Easing the Burden of Excessive Homework and
Off-campus
Tutoring for Students at the Stage of Compulsory Education. The guidelines stipulate a series of measures on education sector reforms designed to improve education quality, ease homework burdens for students, and restrict private investment in the industry. According to the guidelines, the reforms aim to promote the healthy development of students, improve education quality, alleviate financial burdens on parents, and institute law-based
governance of the education sector. They concentrate on education in core subjects, or compulsory education, which refers to grades K-9,
covering the ages of approximately 6-15
years. Pursuant to the guidelines, regional governments are no longer permitted to approve new
off-campus
tutoring centers providing core or compulsory education. Existing off-campus
tutoring centers must be registered as non-profit
institutions. Local governments must distinguish between training centers in sports, culture and art, and science and technology, and consult relevant departments to set standards for each category. The guidelines specifically ban foreign investment in such firms via mergers and acquisitions, franchise development, and variable interest entities, which are investment vehicles frequently used by foreign investors to bypass restrictions in China’s education sector. 70
Additionally, the guidelines prohibit tutoring on weekends, public holidays, and winter and summer vacations, which are popular times for
off-campus
education. Tutoring centers in core education cannot go public or be listed for financing. The guidelines call for the excessive capital in training centers to be controlled, and to ensure that financing is primarily used for operational costs. The hiring of foreign teachers and other staff must be according to relevant regulations, and firms cannot hire staff based outside of the country to carry out tutoring activities. As of the date of this annual report on Form
20-F,
Zhejiang Province has not been selected as national pilot cities to implement the guidelines. Regulations on Non-state Public Institution
In accordance with the provisions of the Tentative Regulations for the Registration of Public Institutions as revised by the State Council on June 27, 2004, for the purposes of these Regulations, “public institutions” refer to national social service organizations established by state organs or other organizations using state-owned assets for social welfare purposes, and engaged in education, science and technology, culture, health and other activities.
According to the Notice on Carrying out the Pilot Program for Unified Registration and Administration of Various Public Institutions issued by the Lishui People’s Government on December 31, 2015, (i) all
non-profit
public welfare institutions with state-owned assets that comply with the provisions of the Interim Regulations on the Administration of the Registration of Public Institutions, which are established with social forces and engaged in education, culture, sports, medical treatment, elderly care (health preservation) and other activities are allowed to be registered as public institutions and shall be collectively referred to as non-state public institutions, and the registration and administration of non-state public institutions shall be temporarily conducted in education and medical services; (ii) the registered non-state public institutions shall enjoy the same treatment as the public institutions of the same category except for those in which the funds are not guaranteed and the staff are not supported by the financial resources; and (iii) the founders of the non-state public institutions shall have the property ownership of the actual capital contributions (including the amount of capital added during the existence) and assume the corresponding liability for debts; during the existence of the non-state public institutions, the assets invested in them shall not be transferred by any means; the surplus income of the non-state public institutions shall not be distributed, but the corresponding investment incentive system may be established and the specific incentive standards shall be formulated by the competent departments of the industry. In accordance with the Interim Rules of Lishui Municipality on the Administration of Registration of Public Institutions by
Non-Profit
Schools Run by Social Capital issued by Lishui Municipal Education Bureau, Lishui Municipal Human Resources and Social Security Bureau and Office for Public Sector Reform Commission of Lishui on December 29, 2015, (i) a private school that is registered as a public institution shall establish a sound and effective financial supervision system and maintain normal teaching order; (ii) a public institution risk fund system shall be established for private schools, which is earmarked for the relevant expenses for returning fees, refunding fees and compensation at the time of termination (closure) of the private school; (iii) after the school reserves development fund and withdraws other relevant expenses, the school may, on the premise that there is balance of non-fiscal
funds in school running, withdraw a certain proportion of funds from the balance of non-fiscal
funds to reward the contributors upon research and decision made by the decision-making body of the school and approval by the administrative department of education or human resources and social security. The amount of annual reward shall be calculated at a rate of not more than three times of the benchmark one-year
loan interest rate of banks with the accumulative capital contributions of the contributors as the base. The assessment of the accumulative capital contributions of the contributors shall be based on the capital verification certificate issued by a statutory capital verification institution. Regulations on Vocational Education
According to the Vocational Education Law of the PRC, which was promulgated by the SCNPC on May 15, 1996 and came into effect on September 1, 1996, the state encourages institutional organisations, social organisations and other social groups and individuals to operate vocational schools and vocational training institutions according to relevant provisions of the state.
Vocational school education includes primary, secondary and higher vocational school education. Primary and secondary vocational school education shall be conducted respectively by primary and secondary vocational schools. Higher vocational school education shall be conducted by higher vocational schools or by common institutions of higher learning in accordance with the actual needs and conditions. Other schools may implement vocational school education at corresponding levels in accordance with the overall planning by the education administrative department. Vocational training includes training,
pre-employment
training, training to facilitate change of occupations, apprenticeship training, on-the-job
job-transfer
training and other vocational training. All these categories of training may, in light of actual conditions, be divided into three levels: primary, secondary and higher vocational training. Vocational training is carried out by the corresponding vocational training institutions and/or vocational schools. Other schools or educational institutions may, depending on their own capabilities, carry out various forms of vocational training to meet social needs. 71
The MOE issued the Rules on Management of Secondary Vocational Schools on May 13, 2010, according to which, the establishment of secondary vocational schools shall be based on the standards issued by the national and provincial education administrative departments and its establishment, change and termination shall be approved by or filled with the provincial education authorities. Secondary vocational schools provide a combination of academic education and vocational training, and offer full time and part time programs.
The education administrative department, the labour administrative department and other relevant departments of the State Council shall each be responsible for the work relating to vocational education within the scope of their functions and duties as specified by the State Council.
At a national conference on vocational education held in April 2021, important instructions were delivered by Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, Chinese President and chairman of the Central Military Commission, on the development of vocational education that vocational education has a promising future and great potential as China journeys toward socialist modernisation. It was emphasised that more efforts will be made to optimise the positioning of vocational education, to promote integration between industry and education and cooperation between schools and enterprises, to reform training and schooling modes as well as management and support mechanisms, to promote bachelor-level vocational education and bring about a number of quality vocational education institutions and programs, to promote the integration of vocational education and regular education, to improve the adaptability of vocational education and speed up the development of the modern vocational education system so as to cultivate more high-quality technical professionals.
In May 2021, the State Council promulgated 2021 Implementation Rules, pursuant to which, various policies have been introduced to encourage the development vocational education, such as “public schools implementing vocational education can attract the capital, technology, management and other elements of enterprises to establish or participate in the establishment of
for-profit
private schools that implement vocational education” and “enterprises are encouraged to establish or participate in the establishment of private schools that implement vocational education in various forms, such as sole proprietorship, joint venture and cooperation”. In June 2021, the Vocational Education Law of the People’s Republic of China (Revised Draft) (the “Revised Draft”) was submitted to the 29th meeting of the Standing Committee of the 13
th
National People’s Congress for consideration and public opinions were solicited thereon. The Revised Draft provides that vocational education and regular education are of the same importance. Besides, the country encourages the government and social organisations to participate in vocational education and the establishment of vocational education systems, and also gives support to the eligible enterprises or social organisations implementing vocational education according to regulations. In October 2021, the General Office of the Central Committee of CPC and the General Office of the State Council issued the Opinions (the “Opinions”) on Promoting the High-Quality Development of Modern Vocational Education. The Opinions has put forward that vocational education, an important part of the national education system and human resource development, shoulders the important responsibility of training diversified talents, inheriting technical skills, and promoting employment and entrepreneurship. In the new journey of building a modernised socialist country in an
all-round
way, vocational education has a bright and promising future. The Opinions have also determined the development goals for vocational education by 2025: the types of vocational education are more distinctive, a modern vocational education system is basically completed, and the construction of a skillbased society is being fully promoted. The pattern of running schools will be further optimised, the conditions of running schools will be greatly improved, the enrollment scale of vocational education at undergraduate level will not be less than 10% of the enrollment scale of higher vocational education, and thus the attractiveness and training quality of vocational education will be significantly enhanced. On April 20, 2022, the SCNPC issued the revised Vocational Education Law of the PRC, which will come into effect on May 1, 2022. According to the Law, vocational education is a type of education of the same status as general education. It is an important part of the national education system and human resources development, and an important way to cultivate diversified talents, inherit technical skills, and promote employment and entrepreneurship. Vocational education shall be planned by the government as a whole, administered at different levels, led by local authorities, given industrial guidance, school-enterprise cooperation, and participated by the whole society. The state encourages, guides, and supports enterprises and other social forces to establish vocational schools and vocational training institutions in accordance with the law. In addition, the Law also provides incentive policies such as rewards and tax incentives to enterprises that actively participate in industry-education integration and school-enterprise cooperation.
Notices on Management of the Charge of Schools
According to the Notice regarding Cancelation of the Fee Charge Permit System and Strengthening the Supervision in process and afterwards, which was issued jointly by the NDRC and the Ministry of Finance on January 9, 2015, the fee charge permit system shall be canceled nationwide from January 1, 2016. Furthermore, Zhejiang Provincial Price Bureau and Zhejiang Provincial Department of Finance issued Circular on Strengthen Supervision Cancelation of the Fee Charge Permit System in Process and afterwards on February 26, 2015, which provided more detailed supervision rules in accordance with Notice regarding Cancelation of the Fee Charge Permit System and Strengthening the Supervision in process and afterwards.
Pursuant to the Notice on Regulations Applicable to Service Charges and the Primary and Middle Schools jointly promulgated by the NDRC and the MOE on July 23, 2010, services charges and be publicly disclosed and paid on a voluntary
Fees Collected-on-behalf in
fees collected-on-behalf should
and non-profit basis.
72
On January 21, 2020, the Zhejiang Provincial Development and Reform Commission, Zhejiang Provincial Department of Education, Zhejiang Provincial Department of Human Resources and Social Security and Zhejiang Provincial Market Supervision Administration promulgated the Administrative Measures for Private Education Fees, which applies to
non-profit
private schools for academic education in Zhejiang province. The Administrative Measures for Private Education Fees stipulate, among other provisions, that: (1) the fee policy for private primary and secondary schools is determined by governments in accordance with the direction of marketization; (2) for the convenience of students’ study and life and under the precondition of students’ willingness, private schools can provide services and charge service fees, or collect and pay related services fees for the third service provider, who provide services. In addition, the service fee must be charged according to the fact, be settled timely and be published regularly. On August 17, 2020, the MOE and other four ministries and commissions promulgated the Opinions on Further Standardization of Education Fee, which stipulate, among other provisions, that:
(i) The measures for the collection of fees by
non-profit
private schools shall be formulated by the people’s governments of various provinces, autonomous regions and centrally-administered municipalities; the charging criteria of for-profit
private schools are subject to market regulation and shall be determined by the schools themselves. The private schools established before November 7, 2016 which have not complete their registration procedures of their for-profit
or non-profit
statuses must be managed according to the non-profit
private schools’ charging policy; (ii) In addition to completing education and teaching tasks, private schools can provide related convenient services for students, and organize research trips, after-school services, social practice and other activities, but the parts of service fees borne by the students or parents must be charged based on voluntary and
non-profit
principles. If related services are provided by the third party outside the school, the school may collect and pay related services fees for the third service provider; (iii) Private schools must publicize the charging items and standards in a prominent location in the school and indicate the charging items and standards in the admissions brochure and admission notice. If fees that should be publicized were actually not publicized, or the contents of the publicity are not in compliance with the related policies, students are entitled to refuse the payment of the fees;
(iv) Strengthen the audit for
non-profit
private schools, and strictly prohibit the sponsor of a non-profit
private school from gaining proceeds from school running in any way. The 2021 Implementation Rules for Private Education Laws, stipulates that a private school or the founder thereof shall not, under sponsor fee or any other item, collect or collect in disguised form any fees related to the enrollment from students or their parents. Private schools shall establish a cost accounting system for running schools, and reasonably determine the charging items and standards on the basis of the school operational costs, market demands and other factors, in compliance with the principles of fairness, lawfulness and good faith and in consideration of the economic benefits and social benefits. The people’s governments of provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities directly under the Central Government may set a ceiling for the fees charged by
non-profit
private schools that the government-run
schools participate in the establishment thereof, that use state-owned assets, or that receive government subsidies per student. Non-profit
private schools shall use the account filed with the relevant competent authorities for the record when collecting fees or carrying out activities. The relevant competent authorities shall supervise the account. All the income of for-profit
private schools shall be incorporated into the bank settlement account opened by the schools, and the distribution of school operating balance shall be made after the annual financial settlement. Moreover, it stipulates that a private school providing compulsory education shall not conduct any transaction with any related party. Where any other private school conducts any transaction with any related party, it shall follow the principles of openness, fairness and impartiality, fix the price reasonably and regulate the decision-making, and shall not damage the state interests, the interests of the school or the rights and interests of the teachers and students. Private school shall establish an information disclosure system for their transactions with interested related parties. As such, these rules and regulations will impact our operation and business model from the perspective of tuition and other education-related fees.
Regulations on Safety and Health Protection of Schools
Pursuant to the Food Safety Law of the PRC, which was amended on April 29, 2021, collective canteens of schools shall obtain licenses in accordance with the laws and strictly abide by the laws, regulations and food safety standards. Schools should only order meals
from off-site providers
that have obtained the relevant food production licenses and should conduct regular inspections on the meal provided. Pursuant to Administrative Measures for Food Operation Licensing promulgated on August 31, 2015 and amended on November 17, 2017 with effect from the same day, a food operation license shall be obtained in accordance with the law to engage in food selling and catering services within the territory of the PRC. The principle of one license for one site shall apply to the licensing for food operation, and classified licensing for food operation according to food operators’ types of operation and the degree of risk of their operation projects is implemented.
73
In accordance with the Provisions on Food Safety and Nutrition and Health Management in Schools, which was promulgated on February 20, 2019 and became effective on April 1, 2019, schools shall, in accordance with the provisions of food safety laws and regulations and the requirements of the healthy China strategy, establish and improve relevant systems, implement the campus food safety responsibility, and carry out publicity and education on food safety, nutrition and health. The principal (director) responsibility system shall be practiced in the work of school food safety.
According to the Circular on Strengthening Hygiene and Epidemic Prevention and Food Hygiene and Safety of Private Schools, which was promulgated on April 29, 2006, private schools should pay high attention to and strengthen the school hygiene and epidemic prevention and the food hygiene and safety.
According to the Administrative Measures of Safety of Kindergartens, Primary and Middle School, which was promulgated on June 30, 2006 and became effective on September 1, 2006, in order to ensure the hygiene and safety of food and drink of teachers and students, schools should (i) establish a system of procurement of canteen supplies from designated suppliers, (ii) establish a system of demanding for certificate and keeping record during procurement, (iii) establish a system of retention of food for checkup and record, and (iv) examine the situation of hygiene and safety of drinking water.
Pursuant to the Circular on Further Strengthening Food Safety of School Canteens issued on August 11, 2011, school canteens are comprehensively required to carry out food safety self-inspection. Local food and drug administration at all levels are required to comprehensively strengthen supervision and inspection on food safety of school canteens before commencement of each term, and, before the commencement of every spring term and every autumn term, should consider school canteens as key point of supervision and strengthen the supervision and inspection. School food safety responsibility system should be comprehensively carried out.
According to the Law on the Protection of Minors of the PRC, which was amended on October 17, 2020 and became effective on June 1, 2021, schools shall establish safety system, improve safety education among the minors and adopt measures to guarantee their personal safety.
In accordance with the Regulation on Safety Management of Middle, Primary Schools and Kindergartens, which was promulgated on June 30, 2006 and became effective on September 1, 2006, schools shall be responsible for safety management and education, establish and improve internal safety management system and safety emergency response mechanism, incorporate safety education into its teaching content and carry out safety education among students.
74
According to the Regulation on Sanitary Work of Schools, which was promulgated on June 4, 1990 and became effective on the same day, schools shall carry out sanitary work. The main tasks of the sanitary work include monitoring health conditions of students, carrying out health education among students, helping students develop good health habits, improving health environment and health conditions for teachers and enhancing prevention and treatment of infectious disease and common diseases among students.
On January 8, 2012, the Department of Education of Zhejiang Province promulgated Opinions on Further Strengthening the Management of Primary, Middle and High School Canteens (the “Opinion”). In accordance with the Opinion, all primary schools, middle schools and high schools shall regulate the school canteens management and guarantee the food quality, health and safety of school canteens.
Pursuant to Regulations on Administration of Security Services, which issued by State Council on October 13, 2009 and became effective on January 1, 2010, which was amended on November 29, 2020, enterprises hiring security personnel shall file with the local public security administration.
As of the date of this annual report on Form
20-F,
our schools’ canteens have acquired the applicable food operation licenses. In addition, we have submitted the recruitment of security personnel with competent authority for record. Regulations on the Operation of High Schools
The MOE has promulgated several regulations on the operation of high schools, which mainly concern the choice of textbooks, the curriculum system and the graduation exam system. According to the Circular of the Central Office of the MOE on the Selection of the Trial Textbooks for the Curriculum of High Schools promulgated on April 26, 2005 and the Interim Measures for the Management of the Selection of the Primary and Middle School Textbooks promulgated and came into effect on September 30, 2014, the textbooks used by the primary and middle schools can only be selected from the Catalog issued by the MOE; and the provincial education authority is in charge of textbook selection within its relevant administrative jurisdiction and has the power to approve the curriculum system applied in the primary and middle schools within the province.
Further, the MOE issued the Notice on Developing Trial Curriculum System in High Schools, the Guidance on Strengthening Instruction on Developing Trial Curriculum System in High Schools, the Notice on Propelling 2006 Trial Curriculum System in High Schools and the Notice on Propelling 2007 Trial Curriculum System in High Schools from 2003 through 2007, pursuant to which the MOE developed a new curriculum system in high schools nationwide, and the implementation of such curriculum system is carried on mainly by the provincial educational authorities while the MOE mainly provides guidance to its local counterparts. Under the guidelines of the MOE and subject to approval by the respective provincial educational authorities, the high schools may adopt their own unique curriculum system.
The MOE issued the Regulations on Disciplinary Measures for Primary and Secondary School Education (Trial) on December 23, 2020 and the regulations came into effect on March 1, 2021. It stipulates the attributes, the scope of educational disciplinary measures, and corresponding rules, and requires schools and teachers to follow the legality and appropriateness when implementing educational disciplinary measures.
PRC Laws and Regulations Relating to Property in the PRC
Pursuant to the Property Law of the PRC, or the Property Law, which was promulgated on March 16, 2007 and became effective on October 1, 2007, educational, medical and health and other public welfare facilities and other properties of institutions and social groups with the aim of benefiting the public such as schools and hospitals are not allowed to be mortgaged.
On May 28, 2020, the PRC Civil Code was approved by the NPC and became effective on January 1, 2021. Upon the effective date, it abolished, among other laws, the Property Law, but the PRC Civil Code follows the current regulatory principles of the Property Law of the PRC in material respects. The Civil Code provides that
non-profit
legal persons established for public welfare such as schools, kindergartens and medical institutions shall not mortgage their educational facilities, health care facilities and other public welfare facilities. According to the Civil Code, transferable fund units and equity, property right in intellectual property rights of transferable exclusive trademark rights, patent rights, copyrights, etc., existing and future accounts receivable and other property rights that can be pledged as stipulated by any law or administrative regulation may be pledged.
As of the date of this annual report on Form
20-F,
we have the land-use rights
of eight (8) pieces of land and the property ownership of twenty-five (25) buildings legally. 75
Regulations on Lease of Property
Pursuant to the Administrative Measures for Commodity Housing Leasing promulgated on December 1, 2010 and effective as of February 1, 2011, the parties to a real estate lease shall apply for lease registration with the competent construction (real estate) departments of the municipalities directly under the Central Government, cities and counties where the housing is located within 30 days after the lease contract is signed. There will be a fine below RMB1,000 on individuals who fail to make corrections within the specified time limit, and a fine between RMB1,000 and RMB10,000 on enterprises when fail to make corrections within the specified time limit.
76
Laws and reulations related to the protection of cyber security, data and privacy
The Cyber Security Law of the PRC, which was promulgated on November 7, 2016 and came into effect on June 1, 2017, requires that when constructing and operating a network, or providing services through a network, technical measures and other necessary measures shall be taken in accordance with laws, administrative regulations and the compulsory requirements set forth in national standards to ensure the secure and stable operation of the network, to effectively cope with cyber security events, to prevent criminal activities committed on the network, and to protect the integrity, confidentiality and availability of network data. The Cyber Security Law emphasizes that any individuals and organizations that use networks must not endanger network security or use networks to engage in unlawful activities such as those endangering national security, economic order and social order or infringing the reputation, privacy, intellectual property rights and other lawful rights and interests of others. The Cyber Security Law has also reaffirmed certain basic principles and requirements on personal information protection previously specified in other existing laws and regulations. Any violation of the provisions and requirements under the Cyber Security Law may subject an internet service provider to rectifications, warnings, fines, confiscation of illegal gains, revocation of licenses, cancellation of qualifications, closedown of websites or even criminal liabilities.
The Data Security Law of the PRC was passed by the Standing Committee of the 13th NPC at the 29
th
Session on June 10, 2021 and came into effect on September 1, 2021. The Data Security Law requires the data processor to establish and improve a whole-process data security management system, organize data security education and training, and take corresponding technical measures and other necessary measures to safeguard data security. In conducting data processing activities by using the Internet or any other information network, the data processor shall perform the above data security protection obligations on the basis of the hierarchical cybersecurity protection system. Any violation of the provisions and requirements under the Data Security Law may subject a data processor to rectifications, warnings, fines, suspension of the related business, revocation of licenses or even criminal liabilities. The Personal Information Protection Law of the PRC was passed by the Standing Committee of the 13th NPC at the 30th Session on August 20, 2021 and has come into effect on November 1, 2021. The Personal Information Protection Law reiterates the circumstances under which a personal information processor could process personal information and the requirements for such circumstances, such as when (i) the individual’s consent has been obtained; (ii) the processing is necessary for the conclusion or performance of a contract to which the individual is a party; (iii) the processing is necessary to fulfill statutory duties and statutory obligations; (iv) the processing is necessary to respond to public health emergencies or protect natural persons’ life, health and property safety under emergency circumstances; (v) the personal information that has been made public is processed within a reasonable scope in accordance with this Law; (vi) personal information is processed within a reasonable scope to conduct news reporting, public opinion-based supervision, and other activities in the public interest; or (vii) under any other circumstance as provided by any law or regulation. It also stipulates the obligations of a personal information processor. Any violation of the provisions and requirements under the Personal Information Protection Law may subject a personal information processor to rectifications, warnings, fines, suspension of the related business, revocation of licenses, being entered into the relevant credit record or even criminal liabilities.
On December 28, 2021, thirteen PRC governmental and regulatory agencies, including the CAC, promulgated the Measures for Cyber Security Review, which came into effect on February 15, 2022. The Measures for Cyber Security Review specifies that the procurement of network products and services by operator of critical information infrastructure and the activities of data process carried out by Internet platform operator that raise or may raise “national security” concerns are subject to strict cyber security review by Office of Cyber Security Review established by the CAC. Before critical information infrastructure operator purchases internet products and services, it should assess the potential risk of national security that may be caused by the use of such products and services. If such use of products and services may give raise to national security concerns, it should apply for a cyber security review by the Cyber Security Review Office and a report of analysis of the potential effect on national security shall be submitted when the application is made. In addition, Internet platform operators that possess the personal data of over one million users must apply for a review by the Cyber Security Review Office, if they plan listing of companies in foreign countries. The CAC may voluntarily conduct cyber security review if any network products and services and activities of data process affects or may affect national security. The cyber security review focuses on the assessment of risk factors include (i) the risk of critical information infrastructure being illegally controlled, interfered or destroyed as a result of the use of the products or services; (ii) the continuous harm to the business of critical information infrastructure by the interruption of provision of products or services; (iii) the security, openness, transparency, diversity of sources, reliability of supply and potential supply interruptions of products and services due to political, diplomatic or international trade issues; (iv) whether the products and services provider comply with PRC laws and regulations; (v) the risk of core data, important data or a large amount of personal information being stolen, leaked, destroyed, illegally utilized or exited the country; (vi) regarding to listing, there are risks of critical information infrastructure, core data, important data or a large amount of personal information being influenced, controlled or maliciously used by foreign governments, as well as network information security risks; and (vii) other factors that may endanger the security of critical information infrastructure, cyber security and data security. It may take approximately 70 business days in maximum for the general cybersecurity review upon the delivery of their applications, which may be subject to extensions for a special review.
Legal Regulations over Intellectual Property in the PRC
Copyright
77
Pursuant to the Copyright Law of the PRC, or the Copyright Law which last amended on November 11, 2020 with the effective date of June 1, 2021. Copyrights include personal rights such as the right of publication and that of attribution as well as property rights such as the right of production and that of distribution. Reproducing, distributing, performing, projecting, broadcasting or compiling a work or communicating the same to the public via an information network without permission from the owner of the copyright therein, unless otherwise provided in the Copyright Law, shall constitute infringements of copyrights. The infringer shall, according to the circumstances of the case, undertake to cease the infringement, take remedial action, and offer an apology, pay damages, etc.
Furthermore, the Implementation Regulations for the Copyright Law, which was latest amended on January 30, 2013 by State Council, provides more detailed implementation guidance for copyright legal regime.
As of the date of this annual report on Form
20-F,
we have five software with computer software copyright which are relevant to our future business through our ownership in Hangzhou Youxi, including among others live streaming supervision system, Android live streaming system, and Apple live streaming system, etc. Trademark
Pursuant to the Trademark Law of the PRC, or the Trademark Law, which was revised on April 23, 2019 and with effect from November 1, 2019, the right to exclusive use of a registered trademark shall be limited to trademarks which have been approved for registration and to goods for which the use of trademark has been approved. The period of validity of a registered trademark shall be ten years, counted from the day the registration is approved. According to the Trademark Law, usage of a trademark that is identical with or similar to a registered trademark in connection with the same or similar goods without authorization of the owner of the registered trademark constitutes an infringement of the exclusive right to use a registered trademark. The infringer shall, in accordance with the regulations, undertake to cease the infringement, take remedial action, and pay damages, etc.
On August 3, 2002, the State Council promulgated the Implementation Regulations for the Trademark Law of the PRC, which was lately amended on April 29, 2014 and was issued to providing practical implementation rules of trademarks.
As of the date of this annual report on Form
20-F,
we lawfully hold 46 registered trademarks in the PRC. Patent
Pursuant to the Patent Law of the PRC, or the Patent Law, which was last revised on October 17, 2020 with the effective date of June 1, 2021, after the grant of the patent right for an invention or utility model, except where otherwise provided for in the Patent Law, no entity or individual may, without the authorization of the patent owner, exploit the patent, that is, make, use, offer to sell, sell or import the patented product, or use the patented process, or use, offer to sell, sell or import any product which is a direct result of the use of the patented process, for production or business purposes. And after a patent right is granted for a design, no entity or individual shall, without the permission of the patent owner, exploit the patent, that is, for production or business purposes, manufacture, offer to sell, sell, or import any product containing the patented design. Where the infringement of patent is decided, the infringer shall, in accordance with the regulations, undertake to cease the infringement, take remedial action, and pay damages, etc.
Domain Name
Pursuant to the Administrative Measures for Internet Domain Names, which was promulgated by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology of the PRC on August 24, 2017 and with effect from November 1, 2017, “domain name” shall refer to the character mark of hierarchical structure, which identifies and locates a computer on the internet and corresponds to the Internet protocol (IP) address of that computer and the principle of “first come, first serve” is followed for the domain name registration service. Domain name registrations are handled through domain name service agencies established under the relevant regulations, and the applicants become domain name holders upon successful registration.
PRC Laws and Regulations Relating to Labor Protection
Employment
According to the Labor Law of the PRC, or the Labor Law, which was promulgated by the Standing Committee of the NPC on July 5, 1994 and became effective on January 1, 1995 and was amended on December 29, 2018, an employer shall establish a comprehensive management system to safeguard the rights of its employees, including developing and improving its labor safety and health system, stringently implementing national protocols and standards on labor safety and health, conducting labor safety and health education for workers, guarding against labor accidents and reducing occupational hazards.
The Labor Contract Law, which was promulgated by the Standing Committee of the NPC on June 29, 2007 and became effective on January 1, 2008, and was amended on December 28, 2012, and the Implementation Regulations on Labor Contract Law, which was promulgated and became effective on September 18, 2008, regulate employer and employee relations and contain specific provisions on the terms of the labor contract. Labor contracts must be made in writing. An employer and an employee may enter into a fixed-term labor contract,
an un-fixed term
labor contract, or a labor contract that concludes upon the completion of certain work assignments, after reaching due negotiations. An employer may legally terminate a labor contract and dismiss its employees after reaching agreement upon due negotiations with the employee or by fulfilling the statutory conditions. Labor contracts concluded prior to the enactment of the Labor Law and subsisting within the validity period thereof shall continue to be honored. 78
As of the date of this annual report on Form
20-F,
we have executed labor contracts with all of our employees in accordance with applicable PRC laws. Social Insurance
The Social Insurance Law, which was promulgated on October 28, 2010 and became effective on July 1, 2011, and was amended on December 29, 2018, has included pertinent provisions for basic pension insurance, unemployment insurance, maternity insurance, work injury insurance and basic medical insurance, and has elaborated in detail the legal obligations and liabilities of employers who do not comply with the relevant laws and regulations on social insurance.
According to the Interim Measures for Participation in the Social Insurance System by Foreigners Working within the Territory of China, which was promulgated by the MOHRSS on September 6, 2011 and became effective on October 15, 2011, employers who employ foreigners shall participate in the basic pension insurance, unemployment insurance, basic medical insurance, occupational injury insurance, and maternity leave insurance in accordance with the law, with the social insurance premiums to be contributed respectively by the employers and foreigner employees as required. In accordance with such Interim Measures, the social insurance administrative agencies shall supervise and examine the legal compliance of foreign employees and employers and the employers who do not pay social insurance premium in conformity with the laws shall be subject to the administrative provisions provided in the Social Insurance Law and the relevant regulations and rules mentioned above. On July 20, 2018, the General Office of the State Council issued the Plan for Reforming the State and Local Tax Collection and Administration Systems, which stipulated that the State Administration of Taxation of the PRC, or the SAT will become solely responsible for collecting social insurance premiums.
In accordance with the Interim Measures for Participation in the Social Insurance System by Foreigners Working within the Territory of China, employers who employ foreigners shall participate in the basic pension insurance, unemployment insurance, basic medical insurance, occupational injury insurance, and maternity leave insurance in accordance with the law, with the social insurance premiums to be contributed respectively by the employers and foreigner employees as required. The employers who do not pay social insurance premium in conformity with the laws shall be subject to the administrative provisions provided in the Social Insurance Law and the relevant regulations and rules mentioned above.
As of December 31, 2021, we had made social insurance contribution for the
PRC-based
employees based on the relevant PRC laws and regulations and practical measures. Housing Fund
According to the Regulations on the Administration of Housing Provident Fund, which was promulgated and became effective on April 3, 1999, and was amended on March 24, 2019, employers are required to contribute, on behalf of their employees, to housing provident funds. The employer shall process housing provident fund payment and deposit registrations with the housing provident fund administration center. The employer shall timely pay up and deposit housing provident fund contributions in full amount, any employer who violates the above regulations shall be fined and ordered to make good the deficit within a designed period. Those who fail to process their registrations within the designated period shall be subject to a fine ranging from RMB10,000 to RMB50,000. When companies breach these regulations and fail to pay up housing provident fund contributions in full amount as due, the housing provident fund administration center shall order such companies to pay up within a designated period, and may further apply to the People’s Court for mandatory enforcement against those who still fail to comply with such order after the expiry of such period.
As of December 31, 2021, we had made housing fund contribution for the
PRC-based
employees based on the relevant PRC laws and regulations and practical measures. Regulations on Taxation in the PRC
Income Tax
In accordance with the PRC Enterprise Income Tax Law, or the EIT Law, which was promulgated on March 16, 2007 and amended and became effective on December 29, 2018, and the Regulation on the Implementation of Enterprise Income Tax Law of the PRC, which was promulgated on December 6, 2007 and last amended on April 23, 2019 by the State Council of PRC, enterprises are classified as either “resident enterprises”
or “non-resident enterprises”.
A resident enterprise shall pay enterprise income tax on its income deriving from both inside and outside China at the rate of enterprise income tax of 25%. A non-resident enterprise
that has an establishment or place of business in the PRC shall pay enterprise income tax on its income deriving from inside China and obtained by such establishment or place of business, and on its income which derives from outside China but has actual relationship with such establishment or place of business, at the rate of enterprise income tax of 25%. A non-resident enterprise
that does not have an establishment or place of business in China, or has an establishment or place of business in China but the income has no actual relationship with such establishment or place of business, shall pay enterprise income tax on its income deriving from inside China at the reduced rate of enterprise income tax of 10%. 79
According to Notice of the Ministry of Finance and the State Administration of Taxation on Tax Policies Relating to Education, or the Circular 39, promulgated in February 2004, and Notice of the Ministry of Finance and the State Administration of Taxation on Issues Concerning Strengthening the Administration over the Collection of Business Tax on Educational Services, or the Circular 3, issued in January 2006, schools shall be exempt from enterprise income tax on fees they have collected upon approval and have incorporated under the fiscal budget management or the special account management of the funds outside the fiscal budget. Schools shall be exempt from enterprise income tax on the financial allocations they have received and special subsidies they have obtained from their administrative departments or institutions at higher levels.
According to the Law for Promoting Private Education and the 2021 Implementation Rules, private schools enjoy the state preferential tax policies,
while non-profit private
schools enjoy the same preferential tax treatment as public schools. In February 2015, the SAT issued the Bulletin on Issues of Enterprise Income Tax on Indirect Transfers of Assets by Non-PRC Resident
Enterprises, or the SAT Bulletin 7 as amended in 2017. Pursuant to this bulletin, 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. According to the SAT Bulletin 7, “PRC taxable assets” include assets attributed to an establishment in China, immovable properties located in China, and equity investments in PRC resident enterprises, in respect of which gains from their transfer by a direct holder, being a non-PRC resident
enterprise, would be subject to PRC enterprise income taxes. Income Tax in relation to Dividend Distribution
The PRC and the government of Hong Kong entered into the Arrangement between the Mainland of the PRC and Hong Kong for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with respect to Taxes on Income, or the Double Tax Avoidance Arrangement on August 21, 2006. According to the Double Tax Avoidance Arrangement, if the beneficiary of the dividends is a Hong Kong resident enterprise, which directly holds no less than 25% equity interests in the aforesaid enterprise, the tax levied shall be 5% of the distributed dividends. The 10% withholding tax rate applies to dividends paid by a PRC company to a Hong Kong resident if such Hong Kong resident holds less than 25% of the equity interests in such PRC company. Pursuant to the Circular of the State Administration of Taxation on Relevant Issues relating to the Implementation of Dividend Clauses in Tax Agreements promulgated by the SAT and became effective on February 20, 2009, recipients of dividends paid by PRC resident enterprises must satisfy certain requirements in order to obtain a preferential income tax rate pursuant to a tax treaty. One such requirement is that the taxpayer must be the “beneficiary owner” of relevant dividends. In order for a corporate recipient of dividends paid by a PRC enterprise to enjoy preferential tax treatment pursuant to a tax treaty, such recipient must be the direct owner of a certain proportion of the share capital of the PRC enterprise at all times during the 12 months preceding its receipt of the dividends. Pursuant to the Announcement of State Taxation Administration on Promulgation of the Administrative Measures
on Non-resident Taxpayers
Enjoying Treaty Benefits, which was promulgated on October 14, 2019 and became effective on January 1, 2020, non-resident taxpayers
making their own declaration shall self-assess whether they are entitled to treaty benefits and need to claim such benefits, and shall submit an “Information Report on Non-resident Taxpayers
Claiming Treaty Benefits” at the time of declaration, gather and retain the relevant materials pursuant to the provisions of Article 7 of these Measures for future inspection. Furthermore, all levels of tax authorities shall, through strengthening follow-up administration
for non-resident taxpayers
enjoying treaty benefits, implement treaties accurately, and prevent abuse of tax treaties and tax avoidance risks. Value-added Tax, or the VAT
According to the Temporary Regulations on Value-added Tax, which was amended on November 10, 2008, February 6, 2016 and November 19, 2017 and the Detailed Implementing Rules of the Temporary Regulations on Value-added Tax, which was amended on October 28, 2011 and became effective on November 11, 2011, or collectively, the VAT Law, all taxpayers selling goods or labor services of processing, repairing and replacement, selling services, intangible assets, immovable and importation of goods within the PRC shall pay value-added tax. For general VAT taxpayer selling or importing goods other than those specifically listed in the VAT Law, the value-added tax rate is 17%. On April 4, 2018, the MOF and the SAT promulgated the Notice on Adjusting Value-added Tax Rates, which reduced the tax rates for sale, import, and export of goods.
Furthermore, according to the Trial Scheme for the Conversion of Business Tax to Value-added Tax, which was promulgated by the MOF and the SAT, the State began to launch taxation reforms in a gradual manner with effect from January 1, 2012, whereby the collection of VAT in lieu of business tax items was implemented on a trial basis in regions showing significant radiating effects in economic development and providing outstanding reform examples, beginning with production service industries such as transportation and certain modern service industries.
In accordance with Circular on Comprehensively Promoting the Pilot Program of the Collection of Value-added Tax in Lieu of Business Tax, which was promulgated on March 23, 2016 and came into effect on May 1, 2016 and amended on March 20, 2019, upon approval of the State Council, the pilot program of the collection of VAT in lieu of business tax shall be promoted nationwide in a comprehensive manner starting from May 1, 2016, and all business tax payers engaged in the building industry, the real estate industry, the financial industry and the life service industry shall be included in the scope of the pilot program with regard to payment of value added tax instead of business tax. For general service income, the applicable VAT rate is 6%. Schools engaged in academic education are exempted from VAT on their education service.
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Other Tax Exemptions
According to Circular 39 and Circular 3, the real properties and land used by schools established by enterprises shall be exempt from house property tax and urban land use tax. Schools which expropriate arable land upon approval shall be exempt from arable land use tax.
PRC Laws and Regulations Relating to Companies
The establishment, operation and management of corporate entities in the PRC are governed by the Company Law of the PRC, or the Company Law, which was promulgated on December 29, 1993 and amended on December 25, 1999, August 28, 2004, October 27, 2005, December 28, 2013, and October 26, 2018, respectively. Under the Company Law, companies are generally classified into two categories: limited liability companies and limited companies by shares. The Company Law also applies to foreign-invested limited liability companies but where other relevant laws regarding foreign investment have provided otherwise, such other laws shall prevail. There is no longer a prescribed timeframe for the shareholders to make full capital contribution to a company, except otherwise provided in other relevant laws, administrative regulations and State Council decisions. However, shareholders are only required to state the capital amount that they commit to subscribe in the articles of association of the company. Furthermore, the initial payment of a company’s registered capital is no longer subject to a minimum amount requirement and the business license of a company will not show
its paid-up capital.
In addition, shareholders’ contribution of the registered capital is no longer required to be verified by capital verification agencies. PRC Laws and Regulations Relating to Securities
The revised Securities Law of the PRC, or the Securities law was passed by the 13th NPC on December 28, 2019 and took effect from March 1, 2020. The Securities Law further improves the investor protection and the information disclosure measures. According to the Securities law, the securities regulatory authority of the State Council, namely the China Securities Regulatory Commission, or the CSRC, may establish a regulatory cooperation mechanism with the securities regulatory authorities of another country or region, to implement cross-border supervision and administration. Moreover, the Securities law also provides that the offering and trading of securities outside the People’s Republic of China which disrupt the domestic market order of the People’s Republic of China and harm the legitimate rights and interests of domestic investors shall be dealt with pursuant to the relevant provisions of this Law, and legal liability shall be pursued.
PRC Laws and Regulations Relating to Foreign Exchange
The principal regulation governing foreign currency exchange in China is the Foreign Exchange Administration Rules of the PRC, or the Foreign Exchange Administration Rules. The Foreign Exchange Administration Rules were promulgated by the State Council of the PRC on January 29, 1996 and with effect from April 1, 1996 and were amended on January 14, 1997 and August 5, 2008. Under these rules, Renminbi is generally freely convertible for payments of current account items, such as trade and service-related foreign exchange transactions and dividend payments, but not freely convertible for capital account items, such as direct investment, loan or investment in securities outside China, unless the prior approval of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange of the PRC, or the SAFE or its local counterparts is obtained.
Under the Foreign Exchange Administration Rules, foreign-invested enterprises in the PRC may, without the approval of the SAFE, make a payment from their foreign exchange accounts at designated foreign exchange banks for paying dividends with certain evidencing documents (board resolutions, tax certificates, etc.), or for trade and services-related foreign exchange transactions by providing commercial documents evidencing such transactions. They are also allowed to retain foreign currency (subject to a cap approval by the SAFE) to satisfy foreign exchange liabilities. In addition, foreign exchange transactions involving overseas direct investment or investment and trading in securities, derivative products abroad are subject to registration with the SAFE or its local counterparts and approval form or filling with the relevant PRC government authorities (if necessary).
According to the Circular on the Management of Offshore Investment and Financing and Round Trip Investment By Domestic Residents through Special Purpose Vehicles, or Circular 37, which was promulgated on July 4, 2014 and with effect from the same day, the domestic resident shall be required to register with the local branch of the SAFE for foreign exchange registration of overseas investments before contributing the domestic and overseas lawful assets or interests to a SPV, and to update such registration in the event of any change of basic information of the registered SPV or major change in the SPV’s capital, including increases and decreases of capital, share transfers, share swaps, mergers or divisions. The SPV is defined as an “offshore enterprise directly established or indirectly controlled by the domestic resident (including domestic institution and individual resident) with their legally owned assets and equity of the domestic enterprise, or legally owned offshore assets or equity, for the purpose of investment and financing;” “Round Trip Investments” refer to “the direct investment activities carried out by a domestic resident directly or indirectly via an SPV, i.e. establishing a foreign-invested enterprise or project within the PRC through a new entity, merger or acquisition and other ways, while obtaining ownership, control, operation and management and other rights and interests.” In addition, according to the procedural guidelines as attached to Circular 37, the principle of review has been changed to “the domestic individual resident is only required to register the SPV directly established or controlled (first level).”
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Pursuant to Circular of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange on Further Simplifying and Improving the Direct Investment-related Foreign Exchange Administration Policies, or Circular 13, which was promulgated on February 13, 2015, implemented on June 1, 2015 and amended on December 30, 2019, the initial foreign exchange registration for establishing or taking control of a SPV by domestic residents can be conducted with a qualified bank, instead of the local foreign exchange bureau, and Circular 13 also simplifies some procedures relating to foreign exchange for direct investments.
On March 30, 2015, the SAFE promulgated the Circular on Reforming the Management Approach regarding the Settlement of Foreign Exchange Capital of Foreign-invested Enterprises, or Circular 19, which came into effect from June 1, 2015. According to Circular 19, the foreign exchange capital of foreign-invested enterprises shall be subject to the Discretional Foreign Exchange Settlement. The Discretional Foreign Exchange Settlement refers to the foreign exchange capital in the capital account of a foreign-invested enterprise for which the rights and interests of monetary contribution has been confirmed by the local foreign exchange bureau (or the book-entry registration of monetary contribution by the banks) can be settled at the banks based on the actual operational needs of the foreign-invested enterprise. The proportion of Discretional Foreign Exchange Settlement of the foreign exchange capital of a foreign-invested enterprise is temporarily determined to be 100%. The Renminbi converted from the foreign exchange capital will be kept in a designated account and if a foreign-invested enterprise needs to make further payment from such account, it still needs to provide supporting documents and go through the review process with the banks.
The SAFE issued the Circular on Reforming and Regulating Policies on the Control over Foreign Exchange Settlement of Capital Accounts, or Circular 16 on June 9, 2016, which became effective simultaneously. Pursuant to Circular 16, enterprises registered in the PRC may also convert their foreign debts from foreign currency to Renminbi on self-discretionary basis. Circular 16 provides an integrated standard for conversion of foreign exchange under capital account items (including but not limited to foreign currency capital and foreign debts) on self-discretionary basis which applies to all enterprises registered in the PRC. Circular 16 reiterates the principle that Renminbi converted from foreign currency-denominated capital of a company may not be directly or indirectly used for purposes beyond its business scope or prohibited by PRC laws or regulations, while such converted Renminbi shall not be provided as loans to its nonaffiliated entities. As the SAFE has not provided detailed guidelines with respect to its interpretation or implementations, it is uncertain how these rules will be interpreted and implemented.
As of the date of this annual report on Form
20-F,
Ms. Fen Ye, Ms. Hong Ye and Ms. Fang Ye have completed the necessary registrations, as required by Circular 37. Regulations on Loans to and Direct Investment in the PRC Entities by Offshore Holding Companies
According to the Implementation Rules for the Provisional Regulations on Statistics and Supervision of Foreign Debt promulgated by the SAFE on September 24, 1997 and the Interim Provisions on the Management of Foreign Debts promulgated by the SAFE, the NDRC and the MOF and effective from March 1, 2003, loans by foreign companies to their subsidiaries in China, which accordingly are foreign-invested enterprises, are considered foreign debt, and such loans must be registered with the local branches of the SAFE. Under the provisions, the total amount of accumulated medium-term and long-term foreign debt and the balance of short-term debt borrowed by a foreign-invested enterprise is limited to the difference between the total investment and the registered capital of the foreign-invested enterprise.
On January 12, 2017, the PBOC issued and implemented Notice of People’s Bank of China on Matters Concerning Macro-Prudential Management on
All-round
Cross-border Financing, or the Circular 9. A one-year
transitional period was set for foreign-invested enterprises and foreign financial institutions from the date of issuance, within which the foreign-invested enterprises may choose a mode between the existing cross-border financing management mode and that prescribed in the Circular 9, and no specific new notification or rules has been issued yet regarding the selection of the two modes. According to Circular 9, the calculation of the upper limit of the risk-weighted balance for cross-border financing =the capital or the net assets × the leverage rate of cross-border financing × the macro-prudential adjustment parameters, among which, enterprises are calculated at their net assets based on the latest audited financial statements, the leverage rate for cross-border financing for enterprises is 2, and the macro-prudential adjustment parameter is 1. Pursuant to Notice of the People’s Bank of China and the State Administration of Foreign Exchange on Adjustments to Macro-prudential Regulation Parameters for Full-covered Cross-border Financing issued and implemented on March 11, 2020, the PBOC and the SAFE decided to adjust the macro-prudential adjustment parameter specified in the Circular 9 to 1.25 from 1 in light of the current macroeconomic and international balance of payment.
On January 7, 2021, the PBOC and the SAFE issued Notice of People’s Bank of China and State Administration of Foreign Exchange on the Adjustment of Macro-Prudential Adjustment Parameters for Cross-border Financing of Enterprises, and decided to lower the macro-prudential adjustment parameter for cross-border financing of enterprises from 1.25 to 1. As for Liandu WFOE and Lishui Mengxiang, the upper limit of the risk-weighted balance for cross-border financing = the net assets based on the latest audited financial statements ×2×1.
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According to Circular 9, an enterprise shall file the information of its cross-border financing in the capital project information system with the SAFE after signing the contract and no later than three working days before the withdrawal. The enterprise, after conducting the contract filing for the cross-border financing, and the financial institution, after conducting information reporting for the cross-border financing, may carry out relevant capital settlement for the borrowers according to the withdrawal and repayment arrangement, report the relevant clearing information to the relevant systems of the PBOC and the SAFE, and complete the cross-border financing information updating. The enterprise shall also update cross-border financing and equity-related information.
Pursuant to the NDRC Circular on Promoting the Reform of the Administration on the Filing and Registration System for Foreign Debts Issued by Enterprises promulgated by the NDRC on September 14, 2015, which came into effect on the same date, enterprises domiciled within the PRC and their controlling subsidiaries or branches should file and register with the NDRC prior to issuance of foreign debts, including without limitation medium-term and long-term international commercial loans, and report relevant information on the issuance of the foreign debts to the NDRC within ten working days after the completion of the issuance. Foreign debt referred to in this circular shall mean debt instruments borrowed by domestic enterprises and overseas enterprises or branches controlled by them from overseas with a maturity term of one year or longer, including bonds issued overseas and mid to long-term international commercial loans.
According to the Notice of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange on Further Promoting the Facilitation of Cross-border Trade and Investment promulgated on October 25, 2019 by the SAFE, or Circular 28,
non-investment
foreign-funded enterprises are allowed to make domestic equity investments with their capital funds in accordance with the law on the premise that the existing special administrative measures (negative list) for foreign investment access are not violated and the projects invested thereby in China are true and compliant. Pursuant to the Measures on Reporting of Foreign Investment Information issued by the MOFCOM and SAIC on December 30, 2019, which became effective on January 1, 2020, where there is a change in information in the initial report which involves enterprise change registration or filing, the foreign investment enterprise shall submit a change report through the Enterprise Registration System at the time of completion of enterprise change registration.
Provisions on the Merger and Acquisition of Domestic Enterprises by Foreign Investors (Revised in 2009)
Under the Provisions on the Merger and Acquisition of Domestic Enterprises by Foreign Investors (Revised in 2009), or the M&A Rules, a foreign investor is required to obtain necessary approvals when (i) a foreign investor acquires equity in a domestic
non-foreign
invested enterprise thereby converting it into a foreign-invested enterprise, or subscribes for new equity in a domestic enterprise via an increase of registered capital thereby converting it into a foreign Invested enterprise; or (ii) a foreign investor establishes a foreign-invested enterprise which purchases and operates the assets of a domestic enterprise, or which purchases the assets of a domestic enterprise and injects those assets to establish a foreign-invested enterprise. According to Article 11 of the M&A Rules, where a domestic company or enterprise, or a domestic natural person, through an overseas company established or controlled by it/him/her, acquires a domestic company which is related to or connected with it/him/her, approval from the MOFCOM is required. Pursuant to the Measures on Reporting of Foreign Investment Information, or the Measures on Reporting came into effect from January 1, 2020, for the investment activities directly or indirectly conducted by foreign investors within the territory of China, the foreign investors or foreign-invested enterprises shall submit the investment information to the competent commercial department. Foreign investors or foreign-invested enterprises shall submit the investment information by presenting the initial report, the change report, the cancelation report and the annual report in accordance with the Measures on Reporting. Where a foreign investor establishes a foreign-invested enterprise within the territory of China, it shall submit an initial report through the enterprise registration system while applying for business establishment registration. If a foreign investor merges and acquires a
domestic non-foreign-invested enterprise
through the acquisition of equity in the domestic non-foreign-invested enterprise,
it shall submit the initial report through the enterprise registration system while applying for change of registration of the merged enterprise. 83
C. Organizational Structure
The following diagram illustrates our corporate structure, including our subsidiaries and consolidated affiliated entities as of the date of this annual report on
Form 20-F:
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Notes:
(1) The sponsorship registration of Qingtian International School was changed to Lishui Mengxiang in August 2021. We are in the process of filing the relevant application pursuant to the PRC national and local regulations (including Zhejiang Province and Lishui City) of classification registration of private schools. As of the date of this annual report on Form 20-F, we have not received notice from the competent authorities of Qingtian County on the classified registration of private schools. We entered into a series of contractual arrangements with respect to our operation of Qingtian International School in April 2022, which arrangements took effect on August 31, 2021.
(2) Lishui Mengxiang holds 43% equity interests of Beijing Xinxiang. Given that the board of directors of Beijing Xinxiang consists of five members, three of which shall be appointed by Lishui Mengxiang, we are able to control Beijing Xinxiang by holding more than half of the voting power in the board of directors. Therefore, the financial statements of Beijing Xinxiang will be consolidated in our annual report on Form 20-F for the year ending December 31, 2022.
(3) According to PRC laws and regulations, entities and individuals who establish private schools are commonly referred to as “sponsors” instead of “owners” or “shareholders.” The economic substance of “sponsorship” with respect to private schools is substantially similar to that of ownership with regard to legal, regulatory and tax matters. However, the differences between sponsorship and equity ownership can be found in the specific provisions of the laws and regulations applicable to sponsors and owners, such as provisions regarding the right to receive returns on investment and the right to the distribution of residual properties upon termination and liquidation.
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Contractual Arrangements
Foreign ownership in the educational industry is subject to significant regulations in China, including strict licensing requirements. Specifically, foreign ownership is prohibited in compulsory education at the primary and middle school levels, and is restricted at the high school level. As we are a company incorporated in the Cayman Islands, our wholly-owned subsidiary in the PRC, Liandu WFOE, is viewed as a foreign-owned enterprise thus is ineligible to apply for and hold licenses to operate, or otherwise own equity interests in, primary and middle school campuses and to independently or jointly invest and operate high school pursuant to the relevant laws and regulations.
Prior to August 31, 2021, we primarily operated primary and secondary school in Baiyun campus and Yijing campus—Featured Division of Lianwai School through a series of contractual arrangements with Lishui Mengxiang, which enabled us to (i) exercise the power over our Lishui Mengxiang and Lianwai School, (ii) have the exposure or rights to variable returns from our involvement with Lishui Mengxiang and Lianwai School, and (iii) exercise the ability to affect those returns through use of its power over Lishui Mengxiang and Lianwai School.
Under the 2021 Implementation Rules which took effect on September 1, 2021, social organizations and individuals are prohibited from controlling a private school that provides compulsory education by means of, among others, merger, acquisition, and contractual arrangements, and a private school providing compulsory education is prohibited from conducting transactions with its related party. In particular, the prohibition over related party transactions has significantly affected the enforceability of the exclusive management services and business cooperation agreements among Liandu WFOE and Lianwai School providing compulsory education. Therefore, we re-assessed our control over Lianwai School. Based on the relevant accounting standard in accordance with U.S. GAAP, we have concluded that we have lost control of Lianwai School since August 31, 2021, in view of the significant uncertainties and restrictions the 2021 Implementation Rules impose on our ability to direct the range of ongoing activities that would most significantly impact the returns of Lianwai School. In light of such regulatory developments, on April 20, 2022, we entered into an acknowledgment agreement of contractual agreements with Lianwai School and respective directors, to confirm all the terms of rights and obligations relating to Lianwai School and the directors appointed by the sponsor under the contractual arrangements among them, and agree among the parties that such arrangements shall have been terminated on August 31, 2021. To minimize disruptions to existing students enrolled in Lianwai School, we continued to offer essential services to the students. We deconsolidated Lianwai School commencing from September 1, 2021 and presented it as a discontinued operation in current and comparative period financial statements. See “Item 5. Operating and financial Review and Prospects—A. Operating Results.”
On April 20, 2022, we entered into a series of contractual arrangements through Liandu WFOE with our VIEs, shareholders of Lishui Mengxiang and the Council Members of Qingtian International School, which enables us to (i) exercise the power over our Lishui Mengxiang and Qingtian International School, (ii) have the exposure or rights to variable returns from our involvement with our VIEs, and (iii) exercise the ability to affect those returns through use of its power over our VIEs.
We do not have any equity interest in our VIEs. However, because of these contractual arrangements, we control our VIEs through our PRC subsidiary, Liandu WFOE. We have consolidated the results of our VIEs in our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this annual report on Form
20-F
in accordance with U.S. GAAP. For a more detailed discussion of the basis of presentation of our consolidated financial statements, see “Item 5. Operating and financial Review and Prospects—A. Operating Results—Critical Accounting Policies.” The contractual arrangements were executed on April 20, 2022 and shall become effective on August 31, 2021. For a detailed description of the risks associated with our corporate structure, see “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Our Corporate Structure” and “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Doing Business in China.” Below is a summary of the material provisions of these contractual arrangements with Liandu WFOE and the shareholders of Lishui Mengxiang. For more complete information you should read these agreements in their entirety.
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Exclusive Call Option Agreement.
Proxy Agreement for School’s Sponsors and Council Members.
non-profitability
of the characteristic of Qingtian International School in accordance with the PRC laws, regulations or regulatory documents; and(l) any other rights of Qingtian International School’s Sponsor provided by other applicable laws and regulations of the PRC and the articles of association of Qingtian International School (as amended from time to time). 87
The appointed Council Members of Qingtian International School from Lishui Mengxiang has irrevocably authorized and entrusted Liandu WFOE to exercise all its rights as school sponsor of Qingtian International School to the extent permitted by the PRC laws. These rights include, but are not limited to: (a) acting as the agent of Qingtian International School’s Sponsor to attend the council meeting of Qingtian International; enjoying the right to speak, propose, vote, elect and stand for election, and the right to know, propose and supervise council meeting and business activities carried out by Qingtian International School; (b) exercising the voting rights on behalf of Qingtian International School’s Sponsor for all matters requiring discussion and resolution of the council; (c) proposing to convene a council meeting of Qingtian International School; (d) signing the council meeting minutes, council meeting resolutions or other legal documents that the Appointed Council Members has the right to sign as the council member of Qingtian International School; (e) instructing the legal representative, the financial, business and administrative chiefs, etc. of Qingtian International School to act in accordance with the Trustee’s intention; (f) exercising other rights of the council member and council members’ voting rights under the articles of association (including any other council members’ voting rights as stipulated in the amended articles of association) of Qingtian International School; (g) handling legal procedures containing registration, examination and approval and license of schools at the competent departments of government; and (h) any other rights of the Council Member as pursuant to the applicable PRC laws, regulations and the articles of association (as amended from time to time) of Qingtian International School’s.In addition, each of Lishui Mengxiang and the Council Members of Qingtian International School have irrevocably agreed that (i) Liandu WFOE may delegate its rights under the Proxy Agreement for School’s Sponsors and Council Members to the directors of Liandu WFOE or its designated person, without prior notice to or approval by Lishui Mengxiang and the Council Members of Qingtian International School; and (ii) any person as successor of civil rights of Liandu WFOE or liquidator by reason of subdivision, merger, liquidation of Liandu WFOE or other circumstances shall have authority to replace Liandu WFOE to exercise all rights under the Proxy Agreement for School’s Sponsors and Council Members.
Proxy Agreement for Shareholders.
Business Cooperation Agreement
.
Exclusive Technical Service and Business Consulting Agreement.
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Equity Pledge Agreement
After consulting with our PRC legal counsel, we are of the view that:
| • | the ownership structures of Liandu WFOE and our VIEs currently will not violate any applicable PRC law, regulation, or rule currently in effect; and |
| • | the contractual arrangements among Liandu WFOE, our VIEs, Ms. Fen Ye, Ms. Hong Ye and Ms. Fang Ye, Qingtian International School and Qingtian International School’s Council Members governed by PRC laws are valid, binding and enforceable in accordance with their terms and applicable PRC laws, rules, and regulations currently in effect. |
However, 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 us. 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 our VIE is found to be in violation of any existing or future PRC laws or regulations, or fail to obtain or maintain any of the required permits or approvals, the relevant PRC regulatory authorities would have broad discretion to take action in dealing with such violations or failures. See “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Our Corporate Structure.”
D. Property, Plants and Equipment
Our headquarters are located in Lishui City, Zhejiang Province, the People’s Republic of China. As of December 31, 2021, we owned the land use rights for eight parcels of land in the PRC with a total site area of approximately 104,739 sq.m. We also owned 25 buildings with a total gross floor area of approximately 86,518 sq.m.
On January 29, 2019, Qingtian Zhongyi Education Investment as the tenant entered into a lease agreement with Qingtian High School of Zhejiang Province as the landlord. The lease cover the facilities and properties with a total aggregate area of approximately 9,012 sq.m, and the lease for this space will expire in July 2022. Currently, the lease properties serve as the educational buildings, premises and campus for Qingtian International School. The term of this lease is for three years from August 1, 2019 and the rental fees was RMB 600,000 (including tax) each year. The termination of this lease agreement during the lease period will be subject to further negotiation between the parties and the approval of the local Education Bureau.
On June 9, 2021, Qingtian International School as the tenant entered into two lease agreements with the third parties as the landlords. The leases cover the properties with a total aggregate area of approximately 840 sq.m, and the leases for this space will expire in August 2024. Such leased properties serve as the teacher dormitories for Qingtian International School. We believe that there is sufficient supply of properties in China, and thus we do not rely on existing leases for our business operations. The term of each of these leases is for three years from 26 August, 2021 and the rental fees was RMB336,000 in total for three years.
Pursuant to the applicable PRC laws and regulations, parties to a lease agreement are required to file the lease agreements for registration and obtain property leasing filing certificates for their leases. As of the date of this annual report, we had not completed lease registration of the properties we leased in China. Although failure to register or file a lease does not in itself invalidate the leases, we may be required by relevant government authorities to file the lease agreements to complete the registration formalities and may be subject to a fine for
non-registration
within the prescribed time limit, which may range from RMB1,000 to RMB10,000 per lease agreement. See “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors— Risks Relating to Our Business and Industry.” ITEM 4A. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
None.
89
ITEM 5. OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS
You should read the following discussion of our financial condition and results of operations in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the notes to those statements included elsewhere in this annual report on Form
20-F.
The discussion in this annual report on Form 20-F
contains forward-looking statements based upon current expectations that involve risks and uncertainties, such as statements of our plans, objectives, expectations and intentions. The cautionary statements made in this annual report on Form 20-F
should be read as applying to all related forward-looking statements wherever they appear in this annual report on Form 20-F.
Our actual results could differ materially from those discussed here. Factors that could cause or contribute to these differences include those discussed in “Risk Factors,” as well as those discussed elsewhere. See “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors” or in other parts of this annual report on Form 20-F.
A. |
Operating Results |
Overview
We are a prominent private primary and secondary education service provider in Lishui City, Zhejiang Province. According to the Frost & Sullivan report, we were one of the top ten private primary and secondary education institutes in Zhejiang Province in terms of the students enrolled on a monthly average basis for the 2019/2020 school year. We ranked second among the top private primary and secondary education institutes and second among the top private primary and middle school (excluding high school) education institutes in Lishui City both in terms of the students enrolled on a monthly average basis for the 2019/2020 school year. As of the date of this annual report on Form
20-F,
we are still one of the pioneers in the industry to provide education services in Zhejiang Province. In 2003, we launched our Lianwai School in Lishui City, Zhejiang Province. Prior to August 31, 2021, we primarily operated primary and secondary school in Baiyun campus and Yijing campus—Featured Division of Lianwai School through a series of contractual arrangements with Lishui Mengxiang, which enabled us to (i) exercise the power over our Lishui Mengxiang and Lianwai School, (ii) have the exposure or rights to variable returns from our involvement with Lishui Mengxiang and Lianwai School, and (iii) exercise the ability to affect those returns through use of its power over Lishui Mengxiang and Lianwai School.
Under the 2021 Implementation Rules which took effect on September 1, 2021, social organizations and individuals are prohibited from controlling a private school that provides compulsory education by means of, among others, merger, acquisition, and contractual arrangements, and a private school providing compulsory education is prohibited from conducting transactions with its related party. In particular, the prohibition over related party transactions has significantly affected the enforceability of the exclusive management services and business cooperation agreements among Liandu WFOE and Lianwai School providing compulsory education. Therefore, we re-assessed our control over Lianwai School. Based on the relevant accounting standard in accordance with U.S. GAAP, we have concluded that we have lost control of Lianwai School since August 31, 2021, in view of the significant uncertainties and restrictions the 2021 Implementation Rules impose on our ability to direct the range of ongoing activities that would most significantly impact the returns of Lianwai School. In light of such regulatory developments, on April 20, 2022, we entered into an acknowledgment agreement of contractual agreements with Lianwai School and respective directors, to confirm all the terms of rights and obligations relating to Lianwai School and the directors appointed by the sponsor under the contractual arrangements in relation to Lianwai School, and agree among the parties that such arrangements shall have been terminated on August 31, 2021. To minimize disruptions to existing students enrolled in Lianwai School, we continued to offer essential services to the students. We deconsolidated Lianwai School commencing from September 1, 2021 and presented it as a discontinued operation in current and comparative period financial statements.
We mainly offer high school education services at Qingtian International School which was acquired by us in November 2021. Our VIE, Lishui Mengxiang completed the required registration to hold 100% sponsorship interests of Qingtian International School in August 2021. On April 20, 2022, we entered into a series of contractual arrangements through Liandu WFOE with our VIEs, shareholders of Lishui Mengxiang and the Council Members of Qingtian International School, which enables us to (i) exercise the power over our Lishui Mengxiang and Qingtian International School, (ii) have the exposure or rights to variable returns from our involvement with our VIEs, and (iii) exercise the ability to affect those returns through use of its power over our VIEs.
We have explored and considerated business opportunities beyond high school education. We took steps to expand into online education and vocational education. In February 2021, we completed the acquisition of 100% equity interests of Hangzhou Youxi for the layout of online education. In January 2022, we formed Beijing Xinxiang with Beijing R.R.Z. to provide vocational education in the healthcare industry. Given that the board of directors of Beijing Xinxiang consists of five members, three of which shall be appointed by Lishui Mengxiang, we are able to control Beijing Xinxiang by holding more than half of the voting power in the board of directors. Therefore, the financial statements of Beijing Xinxiang will be consolidated in our annual report for the year ending December 31, 2022.
90
In April 2022, as part of the transactions contemplated under our investment cooperation agreement with Beijing S.K. in July 2021 to expand our business into vocational education, we entered into definitive agreements to acquire 100% equity interests of Beijing P.X., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Beijing S.K., which in turn holds 100% equity interests of Chuangmei Weiye and Hainan Jiangcai, and the sponsorship interests of Langfang School. As of the date of this annual report on Form 20-F, the administrative procedures with the PRC governmental authorities to amend the registration reflecting the result of the acquisition have not been completed due to the effects of COVID-19 pandemic.
Our net revenues for continuting operation were RMB13.4 million, RMB25.7 million and RMB34.4 million (US$5.4 million) in 2019, 2020 and 2021, respectively. We had net income RMB47.2 million and RMB33.6 million in 2019, 2020 and we had net loss RMB243.8 million (US$38.3 million) and 2021.
Major Factors Affecting Our Results of Operations
We believe that our results of operations are affected by the following factors:
Demand for Private Education in Zhejiang Province and the Rest of China
We currently offer the private education services in Zhejiang Province, China. Our operations are driven by the growth of demand for private education in Zhejiang Province and the rest of China. As one of the provinces with the highest per capita disposable income, Zhejiang Province has been a pioneer region for private primary and secondary education in China. The demand for private high schools is robust in Zhejiang Province. Penetration of private schools in China increased over the past five years, which has indicated that an increasing number of students have chosen to go to private schools instead of public ones and this trend is likely to continue in the future. The development of private education markets are driven by a number of factors, including increasing urbanization and associated increased demand for private education, diversified course offerings, improved quality of private education and continuous government support. We believe that these factors will continue to have an impact on the demand for the private education market in Zhejiang Province and the rest of China, which may in return affect our results of operations.
Level of our student enrollment
Our net revenues and profitability are dependent on the level of student enrollment at our schools. According to the Frost & Sullivan report, we were one of the top ten private primary and secondary education institutes in Zhejiang Province in terms of the students enrolled on a monthly average basis for the 2019/2020 school year. The total number of students enrolled in Lianwai School was 4,558, 4,855 and 5,147 as of September 1, 2019, 2020 and 2021, respectively. The total number of students enrolled in Qingtian International School was 524 as of September 1, 2021.
Attracting students and subsequent student admission largely depends on our reputation which is mainly driven by the quality of education we provide. Through the years of operations, we have accumulated experience in developing and customizing our educational programs to continue to attract top students and teachers to our school. We believe that highly qualified and dedicated teachers are critical to ensure our quality education and the quality of our teachers will continue to play an important role in the success of our school. Accordingly, we provide various training opportunities to our teachers, such as overseas school visits, education expert seminars and continuous studies. Our teachers’ assessments are performance-based, and we provide incentives based on the quality of teaching. We believe that our emphasis on high quality teachers will transform into high quality education for our students in and outside the classroom.
Our student enrollment level is also affected by the capacity of our school. Our Qingtian International School recorded a utilization rate of 77.0% as of September 1, 2021. Subject to the capacity of our school, we expect that our number of students will increase steadily by school year as we continue to recruit more students than graduates/withdrawals from our school.
91
Our tuition, meal and accommodation services fees
Our net revenues generally consist of tuition, meal and accommodation fees. The tuition and accommodation service fees we charge are subject to approval by the competent government pricing authorities. The pricing standards on tuition and accommodation fees for diploma education applied to
privately-run
schools shall be determined by the competent authorities with reference to the operating costs of the schools. The base price for each privately-run
school shall be approved by the competent governmental departments for both price and education, namely Lishui Development and Reform Commission and Lishui Education Bureau. The school may determine specific charging rates within applicable floating range on its own, and implement such rates after reporting to those governmental departments and making announcements to the public. For primary and middle school students, our Lianwai School’s approved base prices are (i) RMB13,000 per semester for tuition at our Baiyun Campus and RMB20,000 per semester for Yijing Campus—Featured Division, and (ii) RMB1,250 per semester for accommodation fees at our Baiyun Campus and RMB2,000 per semester for Yijing Campus—Featured Division. For high school students, our Qingtian International School’s approved base prices are RMB12,000 per semester for tuition and RMB600 per semester for accommodation fees. The floating range applicable to our Lianwai School is no more than 50% of the base prices due to high school-running costs or significant input as confirmed by the competent education department. Our tuition and accommodation fees are within the applicable floating range based on the approved base prices. In the event that we consider it necessary to increase the base prices based on the costs, we will initiate communications with the competent price authority which will issue a written notice instructing us the required application materials to be submitted. The new charging rates will be determined and issued after on-site
examination and review of the materials by the competent price authority. The processing time of this procedure is approximately one to two months. The tuition rates we charge are typically based on the demand for our educational programs, the cost of our operations, the tuition rates charged by our competitors, our pricing strategy to gain market share and general economic conditions in China and the areas in which our campuses are located. We believe high-quality educational resources and school infrastructure will allow us to raise our tuition rates to the extent permitted by the government. We believe that we remain competitive leveraging on our reputation and our ability to attract and retain students even if we raise our tuition rates. Our ability to control operating costs and expenses
Our cost of revenues primarily consists of salaries and welfare for our teachers, utilities and costs for food, books and school uniforms. Our general and administrative expenses primarily consist of salaries and welfare for our administrative staff and office expenses. Our profitability depends, in part, on our ability to control our operating costs and expenses. We highly value our teachers and invest in our teachers heavily, through extensive training opportunities and competitive compensation levels. The number of teachers employed by Lianwai School was 322, 351 and 370 as of September 1, 2019, 2020 and 2021, respectively. The number of teachers employed by Qingtian International School was 62 as of September 1, 2021. Salaries and welfare for our teachers increased by 8.7% from RMB84.9 million in 2020 to RMB92.3 million (US$14.5 million) in 2021. Salaries and welfare for our teachers increased 19.7% from RMB70.9 million in 2019 to RMB84.9 million (US$13.0 million) in 2020. Our strategy is to maintain and attract more high-quality teachers, by continuing to increase teachers’ salaries and other benefits from time to time to maintain our competitiveness in the market. As we continue to increase our student base and expand our operations, our utilities, costs for food, books and school uniforms and general and administrative expenses may increase accordingly. Our capability to effectively control operating costs and expenses will continue to affect our results of operations.
Seasonality
Our financial performance is subject to seasonality as each of our school years includes a winter holiday between December and January and a summer holiday between July and August. Our net income and results of operations normally fluctuate from quarter to quarter as a result of seasonal variations in our education operations. Our students and their parents typically pay the tuition and other fees prior to the commencement of a semester, and we recognize revenue generated from tuition and other fees on a straight-line basis over the semester. We typically incur higher upfront operating expenses in the third fiscal quarter at the start of each school year. As a result of the combination of the forgoing, we have historically recorded significantly lower net income in the first and third fiscal quarters, primarily due to our school being closed due to the winter and summer holidays, when no revenue from our school operations is recognized.
92
Key Components of Results of Operations
Net revenues
The following table sets forth the contribution of revenue of continuing operation.
For the years ended December 31, |
||||||||||||
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
||||||||||
RMB |
||||||||||||
| Revenue from Affected Entity ： |
||||||||||||
| Rental revenue |
9,340,573 | 15,284,572 | 14,152,381 | |||||||||
| Food procurement services |
— | 5,314,719 | 10,864,732 | |||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| Subtotal |
9,340,573 | 20,626,291 | 25,017,113 | |||||||||
| Revenue from related party ： |
||||||||||||
| Rental revenue |
2,373,333 | 1,668,572 | 906,667 | |||||||||
| Revenue from third parties ： |
||||||||||||
| Tuition fees |
— | — | 4,146,247 | |||||||||
| Accommodation |
— | — | 228,526 | |||||||||
| Uniform |
— | 1,932,094 | 1,334,416 | |||||||||
| Rental revenue |
952,381 | 104,761 | 76,191 | |||||||||
| Meals |
— | — | 591,304 | |||||||||
| Others |
765,316 | 1,373,236 | 2,136,308 | |||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| Subtotal |
1,717,697 | 3,410,091 | 8,512,992 | |||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| Total revenue |
13,431,603 | 25,704,954 | 34,436,772 | |||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Under the 2021 Implementation Rules which took effect on September 1, 2021, social organizations and individuals are prohibited from controlling a private school that provides compulsory education by means of, among others, merger, acquisition, and contractual arrangements, and a private school providing compulsory education is prohibited from conducting transactions with its related party. In particular, the prohibition over related party transactions has significantly affected the enforceability of the exclusive management services and business cooperation agreements among Liandu WFOE and Lianwai School providing compulsory education. Therefore, we re-assessed our control over Lianwai School. Based on the relevant accounting standard in accordance with U.S. GAAP, we have concluded that we have lost control of Lianwai School since August 31, 2021, in view of the significant uncertainties and restrictions the 2021 Implementation Rules impose on our ability to direct the range of ongoing activities that would most significantly impact the returns of Lianwai School. In light of such regulatory developments, on April 20, 2022, we entered into an acknowledgment agreement of contractual agreements with Lianwai School and respective directors, to confirm all the terms of rights and obligations relating to Lianwai School and the directors appointed by the sponsor under the contractual arrangements in relation to Lianwai School, and agree among the parties that such arrangements shall have been terminated on August 31, 2021. To minimize disruptions to existing students enrolled in Lianwai School, we continued to offer essential services to the students without recognizing any revenues relating to Lianwai School from September 1, 2021. We deconsolidated Lianwai School commencing from September 1, 2021 and presented it as a discontinued operation in current and comparative period financial statements. For continuing operations, our net revenues were RMB13.4 million, RMB25.7 million and RMB34.4 million (US$5.4 million) in 2019, 2020 and 2021, respectively.
Rental revenue from Lianwai School refers to premises we own and lease to Lianwai School as its school facilities before August 31, 2021. Our subsidiary, Xianke, established in August 2020, also offers meal procurement services to Lianwai School and charges meal fee based on the actual procurement. Given that such services offered to Lianwai School may be continued or provided to other third parties in compliance with the PRC laws, the revenue generated from Lianwai School were still recast in the continuing operations of the current and comparative period financial statements without being eliminated in consolidation. Under the 2021 Implementation Rules, private schools providing compulsory education is prohibited from being controlled through contractual arrangement and conducting transactions with its related parties. As a result, we terminated the contractual arrangements with respect to Lianwai School on August 31, 2021. However, in order to keep Lianwai School in daily operation, we continued to provide essential services without recognizing any revenues relating to Lianwai School from September 1, 2021. For the years ended December 31, 2019, 2020 and 2021, revenue from Lianwai School were RMB9.3 million, RMB20.6 million and RMB25.0 million, respectively.
Revenue from related parties refers to the rental income generated from premises we own and lease to Lishui Yuanmeng Training Company Limited as a training venue and to Liandu Foreign Language School Kindergarten as its kindergarten facilities. We ceased to lease our non-education space to Lishui Yuanmeng Training Company Limited after February 28, 2021. According to the lease agreement entered into with Lianwai Foreign Language School Kindergarten, the term of lease is three years commencing from January 2019 to January 2022. For the years ended December 31, 2019, 2020 and 2021, revenue from related parties were RMB2.4 million, RMB1.7 million and RMB0.9 million, respectively.
The third parties rented our
school non-education space
for grocery stores, selling stationeries or snacks etc. to students which were operated directly by the lessee. The total rental revenue for third parties rental was RMB952.4 thousands, RMB104.8 thousands and RMB76.2 thousands for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2020 and 2021, respectively. 93
In August, 2021, we acquired 100% of the sponsorship interests of Qingtian International School. Qingtian International School offered high school education services and our high school curriculum programs were designed for students from overseas Chinese families returning to China who were commonly known as the overseas Chinese returnees. We offer high school curriculum programs and accommodation service to the students in Qingtian International School, and generally charge our students tuition and accommodation fees prior to the beginning of each semester. During the stay in school, students are offered meals, and meal fees are collected each time students had meal. For the 2021/2022 school year, we had 527 students admitted to our Qingtian International School. For the year ended December 31, 2021, revenue generated by Qingtian International School was RMB5.0 million.
The following table sets forth the number of students enrolled at our school as of the dates indicated.
As of September 1, |
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2021 |
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Number |
% |
|||||||
| Qingtian International School |
||||||||
| Boarding |
447 | 85.0 | % | |||||
| Non-boarding |
80 | 15.0 | % | |||||
| |
|
|
|
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| Total |
527 |
100.0 |
% | |||||
| |
|
|
|
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In addition, we sell school uniform and other necessities to students in Lianwai School. For the 2019/2020, 2020/2021 and 2021/2022 school year, we had 4,545, 4,855 and 5,147 students admitted to our Lianwai School. For the years ended December 31, 2019, 2020 and 2021, revenues from selling uniforms and other necessities to students were nil, RMB1.9 million and RMB1.3 million, respectively.
Cost of revenues
For continuing operation, our cost of revenues primarily consists of salaries, welfare costs, cost for food, books and uniform, depreciation and amortization, utilities, tax surcharges and maintenance and repairs. Our cost of revenues was RMB4.8 million, RMB10.8 million and RMB17.4million (US$2.7million) in 2019, 2020 and 2021, accounting for 35.5%, 41.8% and 50.4% of our net revenues for the same periods, respectively.
Gross profit
Our gross profit was RMB8.7 million, RMB15.0 million and RMB17.1 million (US$2.7 million) in 2019, 2020 and 2021, respectively. Our gross profit margin was 64.5%, 58.2% and 49.6% in 2019, 2020 and 2021, respectively. The continuous decrease in gross profit margin was primarily due to the operation of Qingtian International School with lower gross margin in 2021.
General and administrative expenses
Our general and administrative expenses primarily consist of salaries and welfare for
our non-teaching staff,
office expenses, professional service fees, business entertainment fees, traveling and courier service expenses and others. Our general and administrative expenses were RMB2.1 million, RMB10.1 million and RMB18.4 million (US$2.9 million) in 2019, 2020 and 2021, respectively, accounting for 15.8%, 39.4% and 53.4% of our net revenues for the same periods, respectively. Interest expense
Our interest income is generated from our interest-bearing bank deposits. Our interest expense arises from our bank borrowings. Our interest expense was RMB1.7 million, RMB0.9 million and RMB2.4 million (US$0.4 million) in 2019, 2020 and 2021, accounting for 12.9%, 3.5% and 6.9% of our net revenues for the same periods, respectively.
Other (loss)/income, net
Our other income consists of government grants and other miscellaneous income/(cost). Government grants represented subsidies from various government authorities in China in relation to our school operation. Other miscellaneous income/(cost) consists of investment
income, non-operating income
and expenses, bank charges and others. Our other loss, net was RMB23 thousands and RMB1 thousands in 2019 and 2020, respectively. Our other income, net was RMB4.6million (US$0.7 million) in 2021, accounting for 0.2%, 0.0% and 13.4% of our net revenues for the same periods, respectively. 94
Taxation
Cayman Islands
We are incorporated in the Cayman Islands and conduct our primary business operations through the wholly foreign-owned subsidiary and consolidated VIEs in China. Under the current laws of the Cayman Islands, we are not subject to income, corporation or capital gains taxes. In addition, dividend payments are not subject to withholding tax in the Cayman Islands.
Hong Kong
Our Hong Kong subsidiary, Hong Kong Mengxiang Education Development Group Limited, is located in Hong Kong and is subject to an income tax rate of 16.5% for its estimated assessable profit for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2020 and 2021. Dividend income received from subsidiaries in China is not subject to Hong Kong profit tax. We made no provision for Hong Kong profits tax in our consolidated financial statements as our Hong Kong subsidiary had no assessable profit in 2019, 2020 and 2021.
British Virgin Islands
Under the current laws of the British Virgin Islands, our British Virgin Islands subsidiary, Lianwai Investment Co., Ltd., is not subject to income or capital gains taxes. In addition, dividend payments are not subject to withholding tax in the British Virgin Islands.
PRC
Our school has been granted corporate income tax exemption for the tuition, meal and accommodation fees from relevant local tax authorities. Pursuant to the Enterprise Income Tax Law of the People’s Republic of China amended on December 29, 2018 (the “EIT Law”), a uniform 25% enterprise income tax rate is generally applicable to both foreign-invested enterprises and domestic enterprises except where a special preferential rate applies, and the income of may enjoy the same preferential taxation policies
qualified non-profit organization’s
shall be tax-exempt. In
addition, according to the Law for Promoting Private Education of the PRC, privately-run schools
may enjoy preferential taxation policies and non-profit private-run schools
as government-run schools.
See “Item 4. Information on the Company—B. Business Overview—Regulation—Regulations on Taxation in the PRC.” Results of Operations
The following table sets forth a summary of our consolidated results of operations by amount and as a percentage of total revenue for the periods indicated. This information should be read together with our consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this annual report on Form
20-F.
The results of operations in any period are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for any future period. For the year ended December 31, |
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2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
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RMB |
% of net revenue |
RMB |
% of net revenue |
RMB |
US$ |
% of net revenue |
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(in thousands, except for percentage, share and per share data) |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net revenues: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Revenue from related parties |
2,373 | 17.7 | % | 1,669 | 6.5 | % | 907 | 142 | 2.6 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
| Revenue from third party |
1,718 | 12.8 | % | 3,410 | 13.3 | % | 8,513 | 1,336 | 25.7 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
| Revenue from Affected Entity |
9,341 | 69.5 | % | 20,626 | 80.2 | % | 25,017 | 3,926 | 72.6 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
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|
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|
|
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|
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| Total net revenue |
13,432 | 100.0 | % | 25,705 | 100.0 | % | 34,437 | 5,404 | 100.9 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
| Cost of revenues |
(4,765 | ) | (35.5 | %) | (10,752 | ) | (41.8 | %) | (17,356 | ) | (2,724 | ) | (50.4 | %) | ||||||||||||||
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| Gross profit |
8,667 | 64.5 | % | 14,953 | 58.2 | % | 17,080 | 2,680 | 50.5 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
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| Operating expenses: |
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| General and administrative expenses |
(2,121 | ) | (15.8 | %) | (10,124 | ) | (39.4 | %) | (18,373 | ) | (2,883 | ) | (53.4 | %) | ||||||||||||||
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| Total operating expenses |
(2,121 | ) | (15.8 | %) | (10,124 | ) | (39.4 | %) | (18,373 | ) | (2,883 | ) | (53.4 | %) | ||||||||||||||
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| Operating income/(loss) |
6,547 | 48.7 | % | 4,829 | 18.8 | % | (1,292 | ) | (203 | ) | (3.8 | %) | ||||||||||||||||
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| Interest expense |
(1,738 | ) | (12.9 | %) | (897 | ) | (3.5 | %) | (2,393 | ) | (376 | ) | (6.9 | %) | ||||||||||||||
95
| Interest income |
13 | 0.1 | % | 17 | 0.1 | % | 15 | 2 | — | |||||||||||||||||||
| Other (loss)/income, net |
(23 | ) | (0.2 | %) | (1 | ) | — | 4,591 | 720 | 13.3 | % | |||||||||||||||||
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| Income before income tax expense |
4,799 | 35.7 | % | 3,946 | 15.4 | % | 920 | 144 | 2.6 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
| Income tax expense |
— | — | — | — | (671 | ) | (105 | ) | (1.9 | %) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Income from continuing operations, net of tax |
4,799 | 35.7 | % | 3,946 | 15.4 | % | 249 | 39 | 0.7 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
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| Income/(loss) from discontinued operation, net of tax |
42,438 | 316.0 | % | 29,639 | 115.3 | % | (244,069 | ) | (38,300 | ) | (708.7 | %) | ||||||||||||||||
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| Net income/(loss) |
47,237 | 351.7 | % | 33,585 | 130.7 | % | (243,820 | ) | (38,261 | ) | (708.0 | %) | ||||||||||||||||
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| Net income/(loss) attributable to the Company’s ordinary shareholders |
47,237 | 351.7 | % | 33,585 | 130.7 | % | (243,820 | ) | (38,261 | ) | (708.0 | %) | ||||||||||||||||
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| Other comprehensive loss |
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| Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of nil tax |
— | — | (7,957 | ) | (31.0 | %) | (4,586 | ) | (720 | ) | (13.3 | %) | ||||||||||||||||
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| Comprehensive income/(loss) |
47,237 | 351.7 | % | 25,628 | 99.7 | % | (248,406 | ) | (38,980 | ) | (721.3 | %) | ||||||||||||||||
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| Total comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to the Company’s ordinary shareholders |
47,237 | 351.7 | % | 25,628 | 99.7 | % | (248,406 | ) | (38,980 | ) | (721.3 | %) | ||||||||||||||||
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Year ended December 31, 2020 compared to year ended December 31, 2021
Net revenues
Cost of revenues
Gross profit
General and administrative expenses
Income/(loss) from operations
Interest expense
Other (loss)/income, net
Income from operations, net of tax
96
Income/(loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax
one-off
loss upon deconsolidation of Lianwai School. Net income/(loss)
Year ended December 31, 2019 compared to year ended December 31, 2020
Net revenues
Cost of revenues
Gross profit
General and administrative expenses
Income from operations
Interest expense
Income from operations, net of tax
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax
Net income
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
For detailed discussion on recent accounting pronouncements, see Note 2 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.
Inflation
Since our inception, inflation in China has not materially affected our results of operations. According to the National Bureau of Statistics of China, the year-over-year percent changes in the consumer price index for December 2019, 2020 and 2021 were increases of 4.5%, 0.2% and 1.5%, respectively. Although we have not been materially affected by inflation in the past, we may be affected if China experiences higher rates of inflation in the future.
97
Critical Accounting Policies
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 financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP, which requires us to make judgments, estimates and assumptions. We continually evaluate these estimates and assumptions based on the most recently available information, our own historical experiences and various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. 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 other disclosures included in this annual report on Form
20-F.
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. Consolidation of variable interest entity (VIE)
We account for entities qualifying as VIEs in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Boards, or FASB, Accounting Standards Codification Topic 810, Consolidation, or ASC 810. In order to comply with PRC regulatory requirements restricting foreign ownership of education services in China, we have been conducting our education services through VIEs.
In 2018, we entered into a series of contractual arrangements, including loan agreement, exclusive call option agreement, proxy agreements and power of attorney for shareholders, proxy agreements and power of attorney for school’s sponsors and directors, equity pledge agreements, spousal undertakings, business cooperation agreement and exclusive technical services and business consulting agreements, with Lianwai School, Lishui Mengxiang and their respective shareholders. Before the 2021 Implementation Regulations became effective, as a result of our direct ownership in Liandu WFOE and the contractual arrangements relating to our VIEs and their respective shareholders, we are regarded as the primary beneficiary of our VIEs in accordance with ASC 810, and we treat them as our consolidated affiliate Chinese entities under U.S. GAAP. We have consolidated the financial results of our VIEs in our consolidated financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP.
Lianwai School
Prior to August 31, 2021, we primarily operated primary and secondary school in Baiyun campus and Yijing campus—Featured Division of Lianwai School through a series of contractual arrangements with Lishui Mengxiang. Under the 2021 Implementation Rules which took effect on September 1, 2021, social organizations and individuals are prohibited from controlling a private school that provides compulsory education by means of, among others, merger, acquisition, and contractual arrangements, and a private school providing compulsory education is prohibited from conducting transactions with its related party. In particular, the prohibition over related party transactions has significantly affected the enforceability of the exclusive management services and business cooperation agreements among Liandu WFOE and Lianwai School providing compulsory education. Therefore, we re-assessed our control over Lianwai School. Based on the relevant accounting standard in accordance with U.S. GAAP, we have concluded that we have lost control of Lianwai School since August 31, 2021, in view of the significant uncertainties and restrictions the 2021 Implementation Rules impose on our ability to direct the range of ongoing activities that would most significantly impact the returns of Lianwai School. In light of such regulatory developments, on April 20, 2022, we entered into an acknowledgment agreement of contractual agreements with Lianwai School and respective directors, to confirm all the terms of rights and obligations relating to Lianwai School and the directors appointed by the sponsor under the contractual arrangements among them, and agree among the parties that such arrangements shall have been terminated on August 31, 2021. To minimize disruptions to existing students enrolled in Lianwai School, we continued to offer essential services to the students. We deconsolidated Lianwai School commencing from September 1, 2021 and presented it as a discontinued operation in current and comparative period financial statements.
Qingtian International School
On August 24, 2021, we acquired 100% of the sponsorship interests of Qingtian International School. Thereafter, we entered into a series of contractual arrangements through Liandu WFOE with our VIEs, shareholders of Lishui Mengxiang and the Council Members of Qingtian International School, including Exclusive Call Option Agreement, Proxy Agreement for School’s Sponsors and Council Members, Proxy Agreement for Shareholders, Business Cooperation Agreement, Exclusive Technical Service and Business Consulting Agreement, Equity Pledge Agreement, etc, which become effective since August 31, 2021. We have consolidated the results of Qingtian International School in our consolidated financial statements since August 31, 2021, in accordance with U.S GAAP through these VIE contractual arrangements.
98
Revenue recognition
We adopted ASC 606, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers” for all periods presented. Consistent with the criteria of Topic 606, we follow five steps for its revenue recognition: (i) identify the contract(s) with a customer, (ii) identify the performance obligations in the contract, (iii) determine the transaction price, (iv) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract, and (v) recognize revenue when (or as) the entity satisfies a performance obligation.
We mainly offer school curriculum education services, including primary, middle and high school, to students. During the stay in schools, the students are offered meals (including breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks) and accommodation. Meal fees and accommodation fees are collected in advance prior to the beginning of each semester in Lianwai School. Meal fees are collected each time students had meal in Qingtian International School. Schools provide school uniforms to the students with payment also made prior to the beginning of each semester. Schools ask students to purchase certain designated additional learning materials, such as after-class reading books related to the courses provided. Students may choose to either purchase from bookstores by themselves or order from the school. The payments for learning materials are collected at the end of each semester.
Pursuant to the 2021 Implementation Rules which took effect on September 1, 2021 and the deconsolidation of Lianwai School, we have not recorded the revenue of primary and middle school curriculum education services since September 1, 2021. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 and for the eight months ended August 31, 2021, we provided operation services including rental services, and procurement services for Lianwai School. Although private schools providing compulsory education should not conduct any transaction with any related party under the 2021 Implementation Rules, to keep Lianwai School in continuing daily operation, we continued to provide essential services without recognizing any revenues relating to such activities to Lianwai School.
Tuition, meal and accommodation service income
Tuition, meal and accommodation service income are generally received in advance prior to the beginning of each semester of a school year, and are initially recorded as deferred revenue. Tuition, meal and accommodation service income are recognized over time during the service period over each semester. Amounts which will be earned within one year is reflected as a current liability, and those which will be earned beyond one year is reflected as
a non-current liability.
We recognize service income on a gross basis, as we are responsible for fulfilling the promise to provide the education, meal and accommodation services to students.
Financing component included in tuition
Some contracts contain a financing component because payment by the customer occurs significantly before performance of the obligation. We take the practical expedient and will not adjust the impact of a financing component for deferred revenue which will be earned within one year. We do not adjust the impact of a financing component for deferred revenue which will be earned beyond one year as the portion of financing component is immaterial.
Sale of uniforms and learning materials
We sell uniform and learning materials to students. Revenue from uniform and learning materials are recognized at a point in time when control of the uniforms and learning materials have been transferred and accepted by the students.
We recognize revenue from sale of uniform and learning materials on a gross basis, as we control the goods before they are transferred to the students. We are responsible for design of uniforms and have inventory risk for the uniforms and learning materials.
Rental income
Rental income is recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease.
We entered into lease agreements as lessor with both third parties and related parties.
Segment reporting
Operating segments are defined as components of an enterprise engaging in businesses activities for which separate financial information is available that is regularly evaluated by our chief operating decision makers in deciding how to allocate resources and assess performance.
99
For the year ended December 31, 2019 and 2020, we had one reportable segment for the primary and middle school education business from grade 1 to grade 9, provided by Lianwai School. For the year ended December 31, 2021, for continuing operations, we had one reportable segment for the high school education business, provided by Qingtian International School. In response to the 2021 Implementation Rules, the reportable segment for the primary and middle school education business from grade 1 to grade 9, qualifies for discontinued operation reporting and is not required to disclose the information in segment reporting required by ASC 280. Our chief operating decision maker has been identified as the chief executive officer, who reviews consolidated results including revenue, gross profit and operating profit at a consolidated level only. We do not distinguish between markets for the purpose of making decisions about resources allocation and performance assessment. We do not have any other geography besides the PRC that has above 10% of revenues or long-lived assets. Hence, we have only one operating segment and one reportable segment.
Income taxes
Current income taxes are provided on the basis of net income for financial reporting purposes, adjusted for income and expense items which are not assessable or deductible for income tax purposes, in accordance with the regulations of the relevant tax jurisdictions.
Deferred income taxes are accounted for using an asset and liability method. Under this method, deferred income taxes are recognized for the tax consequences of temporary differences by applying enacted statutory rates applicable to future years to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts and the tax bases of existing assets and liabilities. The tax base of an asset or liability is the amount attributed to that asset or liability for tax purpose. The effect on deferred taxes of a change in tax rates is recognized in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income in the period of change. A valuation allowance is provided to reduce the amount of deferred tax assets if it is considered more likely than not that some portion of, or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.
Uncertain Tax Positions
The guidance on accounting for uncertainties in income taxes prescribes a more likely than not threshold for financial statements recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. Guidance was also provided on derecognition of income tax assets and liabilities, classification of current and deferred income tax assets and liabilities, accounting for interest and penalties associated with tax positions, accounting for income taxes in interim periods, and income tax disclosures. Significant judgment is required in evaluating our uncertain tax positions and determining its provision for income taxes. We did not recognize any significant interest and penalties associated with uncertain tax positions for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2020 and 2021. As of December 31, 2019, 2020 and 2021, we did not have any significant unrecognized uncertain tax positions.
Goodwill, net
Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase consideration over the fair value of the identifiable net assets acquired in a business combination. Goodwill is not amortized but is tested for impairment on an annual basis as of December 31, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that it might be impaired. We have the option to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is necessary to perform the
two-step
quantitative goodwill impairment test. In the qualitative assessment, we consider primary factors such as industry and market considerations, overall financial performance of the reporting unit, and other specific information related to the operations. We will perform the quantitative impairment test if we bypass the qualitative assessment, or based on the qualitative assessment, if it is more likely than not that the fair value of each reporting unit is less than the carrying amount. We adopted ASU
No. 2017-04,
Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment, which simplifies the accounting for goodwill impairment by eliminating Step two from the goodwill impairment test. Under the new guidance, if the fair value of a reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount, goodwill is not impaired and no further testing is required. If the fair value of a reporting unit is less than the carrying value, an impairment charge is recognized for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value; however, the loss recognized should not exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. For the years ended December 31, 2019, 2020 and 2021, we did not recognize any impairment loss on goodwill.
100
Impact of Foreign Currency Fluctuation
See “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Doing Business in China—Fluctuations in exchange rates may result in foreign currency exchange losses and may have a material adverse effect on your investment.” and “Item 11. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk—Foreign Exchange Risk.”
Impact of Governmental Policies
See “ Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors— Risks Relating to Doing Business in China” and “Item 4. Information on the Company—B. Business Overview—Regulation.”
B. Liquidity and Capital Resources
Historically, we funded our operations primarily through cash generated from our operating activities, bank borrowings and financing from related parties and shareholders. As of December 31, 2020 and 2021, we had RMB203.6 million and RMB199.4 million (US$31.3 million), respectively, in cash and cash equivalents. The main reason of the increase in cash and cash equivalents was net cash inflow from financing activities. As of December 31, 2021, our cash and cash equivalents of RMB2.8 million (US$0.4 million) and RMB196.6 million (US$30.9 million) were held in China and in the Cayman Islands, respectively. Our cash and cash equivalents primarily consist of cash in banks or other financial institutions which are unrestricted as to withdrawal or use. As of December 31, 2020 and 2021, we had short-term bank borrowings of RMB24.9 million and RMB77.0 million (US$12.1 million), respectively. All of our bank borrowings were short term borrowings and were secured by (i) the pledge of the buildings we own and the land use right we have, and (ii) personal guarantees from related parties. As of December 31, 2021, we had net negative working capital of RMB112.6 million (US$17.7 million), which was primarily due to the amounts due to Lianwai School of RMB308.8 million (US$48.5 million). The amounts due to Lianwai School would be settled through the negotiation between Lianwai School and us. Therefore, it would not raise a significant doubt to our going-concern basis. In addition, our ability to continue to operate on a going-concern basis is dependent on our management’s ability to successfully execute our business plans, which includes increasing revenue while controlling operating expenses, as well as generating operating cash flows and continuing to obtain external sources of financing when necessary.
We intend to finance our future working capital requirements, capital expenditures and mergers and acquisitions or new projects from cash generated from operating activities, bank borrowings and from the net proceeds we received from the initial public offering.
Although we consolidate the results of our VIEs, we only have access to the assets or earnings of our VIEs through our contractual arrangements with our VIEs and their shareholders. See “Item 4. Information on the Company—C. Organizational Structure—Contractual Arrangements.”
We have not encountered any difficulties in meeting our cash obligations to date. When considering our liquidity position and our future capital resources and needs, we take into account price controls set by local governments that may affect the tuition and other fees we are able to charge to students in our schools, annual enrollment numbers approved for our schools, the economic benefits we have received from Liandu WFOE and our VIEs under our Business Cooperation Agreement and Exclusive Technical Service and Business Consulting Agreement. Based on cash flow projections for operating activities and available loan facilities, we believe that we have sufficient funds for sustainable operations and will be able to meet our working capital needs, payment obligations from operations and debt related commitments for the next twelve months from the date of this annual report on
Form 20-F.
101
Cash Flows
The following table presents our selected consolidated statements of cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2020 and 2021:
For the year ended December 31, |
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2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
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RMB |
RMB |
RMB |
US$ |
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(in thousands) |
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| Selected Consolidated Cash Flows: |
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| Net cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations |
60,978 | 46,831 | 63,071 | 9,897 | ||||||||||||
| Net cash (used in)/provided by operating activities from discontinued operation |
(2,203 | ) | 2,624 | (32,464 | ) | (5,094 | ) | |||||||||
| Net cash (used in)/provided by investing activities from continuing operations |
(20,595 | ) | 12,069 | (114,735 | ) | (18,004 | ) | |||||||||
| Net cash (used in)/provided by investing activities from discontinued operation |
(14,144 | ) | 7,689 | (40,316 | ) | (6,326 | ) | |||||||||
| Net cash (used in)/provided by financing activities from continuing operations |
(40,550 | ) | 150,790 | 52,104 | 8,176 | |||||||||||
| Net cash provided by/(used in) financing activities from discontinued operation |
38,588 | (24,000 | ) | 63,567 | 9,975 | |||||||||||
| Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents |
— | (7,957 | ) | (4,586 | ) | (720 | ) | |||||||||
| Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents |
22,074 | 188,047 | (13,358 | ) | (2,096 | ) | ||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the year |
2,648 | 24,723 | 212,770 | 33,388 | ||||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents at end of the year |
24,722 | 212,770 | 199,412 | 31,292 | ||||||||||||
Operating activities
We generate cash from operating activities primarily from tuition, meal and accommodation fees, all of which are typically paid in advance before the respective services are rendered. Tuition, meal and accommodation fees are initially recorded as deferred revenue. We recognize such amounts received as revenue proportionately over the relevant period in which the students attend the applicable programs of each semester.
In 2021, we had net cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations of RMB63.1 million (US$9.9 million). For continuing operation, in 2021, changes in the working capital accounts mainly included an increase in amounts due to Lianwai School of RMB54.6 million (US$8.6 million), an decrease in prepayments and other current assets of RMB17.6 million (US$2.8 million) and a decrease of amounts due from Lianwai School of RMB8.9 million (US$1.4 million), partly offset by a decrease in accrued liabilities and other current liabilities of RMB18.5 million (US$2.9 million) and an decrease in deferred revenue of RMB4.0 million (US$0.6 million).
In 2020, we had net cash provided by operating activities of RMB46.8 million (US$7.2 million) from continuing operations. In 2020, the difference between net income and net cash from operating activities primarily resulted from
non-cash
items such as depreciation of property and equipment of RMB3.9 million (US$0.6 million). Changes in the working capital accounts mainly included increase in amounts due to Lianwai School of RMB28.3 million (US$4.3 million), an increase in accounts payable of RMB6.2 million (US$0.9 million) and a decrease of amounts due from Lianwai School of RMB3.5 million (US$0.5 million). In 2019, we had net cash provided by operating activities of RMB61.0 million (US$8.8 million) from continuing operations. In 2019, the difference between net income and net cash from operating activities primarily resulted from
non-cash
items such as depreciation of property and equipment of RMB3.8 million (US$0.5 million). Changes in the working capital accounts mainly included an increase in amounts due to Lianwai School of RMB46.8 million (US$6.7 million) and a decrease in amounts due from related parties of RMB4.9 million (US$0.7 million), partly offset by an decrease in accrued liabilities and other current liabilities of RMB6.1 million (US$0.9 million) and a decrease in amounts due to related parties of RMB3.0 million (US$0.4 million). Investing activities
In 2021, we had net cash used in investing activities from continuing operations of RMB114.7 million (US$18.0 million), primarily attributable to (i) advance deposit for intent acquisition of Beijing S.K. of RMB100 million (US$15.7 million) , (ii) and the purchase of Qingtian International School of RMB12.2 million (US$1.9 million).
102
In 2020, we had net cash provided by investing activities from continuing operations of RMB12.1 million (US$1.8 million), primarily attributable to (i) proceeds from maturity of short-term investments of RMB65.0 million (US$10.0 million), (ii) repayments of loans by related parties of RMB28.1 million (US$4.3 million), partly offset by (i) purchase of short-term investments of RMB55.0 million (US$8.4 million), (ii) loans lent to related parties of RMB22.2 million (US$3.4 million) and (iii) purchase of property and equipment of RMB3.9 million (US$0.6 million) for the purposes of campus maintenance. Short-term investments include investments in wealth management products issued by certain banks with maturities between three months and one year.
In 2019, we had net cash used in investing activities from continuing operations of RMB20.6 million (US$3.0 million), primarily attributable to (i) purchase of short-term investments of RMB30.0 million (US$4.3 million), (ii) loans lent to related parties of RMB26.5 million (US$3.8 million), partly offset by repayment of loans by related parties of RMB17.8 million (US$2.6 million) and (iv) proceeds from maturity of short-term investments of RMB15.1 million (US$2.2 million). Short-term investments include investments in wealth management products issued by certain banks with maturities between three months and one year.
Financing activities
In 2021, we had net cash provided by financing activities from continuing operations of RMB52.1 million (US$8.2 million), primarily attributable to proceeds from short-term borrowings with banks of RMB97 million (US$15.2 million), partly offset by repayments of short-term borrowings with banks of RMB44.9 million (US$7.0 milllion).
In 2020, we had net cash provided by financing activities from continuing operations of RMB150.8 million (US$23.1 million), attributable to (i) proceeds from issuance of ordinary shares upon the initial public offering of RMB208.7 million (US$32.0 million), (ii) proceeds from short-term borrowings with banks of RMB43.4 million (US$6.7 million), partly offset by (ii) repayment of short-term borrowings with banks of RMB63.3 million (US$9.7 million) and (ii) cash paid for initial public offering related costs of RMB38.0 million (US$5.8 million).
In 2019, we had net cash used in financing activities from continuing operations of RMB40.5 million (US$5.8 million), attributable to (i) proceeds from and repayments of short-term borrowings with banks of RMB44.8 million (US$6.4 million) and RMB69.0 million (US$9.9 million), respectively, and (ii) repayments to of loan payable due to Lianwai Foreign Language School Kindergarten of RMB16.3 million (US$2.3 million).
Capital Expenditure
We incurred capital expenditure of RMB13 thousands, RMB3.9 million and RMB2.2 million (US$0.4 million) in 2019, 2020 and 2021, respectively, primarily in connection with the maintenance and renovation of school facilities and purchase of educational equipment. We intend to fund our future capital expenditure through our existing cash balance, bank borrowings, proceeds from the initial public offering and other financing alternatives. We will continue to incur capital expenditure to support the growth of our business.
Holding Company Structure
We are a holding company with no material operations of our own. We conduct our operations primarily through the wholly foreign-owned subsidiary and consolidated VIEs in China. As a result, our ability to pay dividends depends upon dividends paid by our wholly foreign-owned subsidiary in China. Our wholly foreign-owned subsidiary in China has not historically paid any dividends to our offshore entities until they generate accumulated profits and meet the requirements for statutory reserve funds. If our wholly foreign-owned subsidiary in China or any newly formed subsidiaries incur any debt in the future, the instruments governing their debt may restrict their ability to pay dividends to us. In addition, our wholly foreign-owned subsidiary in China is permitted to pay dividends to us only out of its retained earnings, if any, as determined in accordance with PRC accounting standards and regulations. Under PRC law, each of our subsidiaries, our consolidated VIEs in China 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 its registered capital. In addition, our wholly foreign-owned subsidiary in China may allocate a portion of its after-tax profits
based on PRC accounting standards to enterprise expansion funds and staff bonus and welfare funds at its discretion, and our consolidated VIEs may allocate a portion of their after-tax profits
based on PRC accounting standards to a discretionary 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 the banks designated by SAFE. Furthermore, according to the Implementing Regulations for the Law of the PRC on the Promotion
of Privately-run Schools
currently in force, at the end of each fiscal year, our school is required to allocate a portion of its funds to our development fund for the construction or maintenance of the school properties or purchase and upgrade of teaching equipment. Our school shall also withhold at least 25.0% of our annual increase of the net assets for the same purposes. 103
Off-Balance
Sheet Arrangements We have not entered into any 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. Moreover, 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.
C. Research and Development
Not applicable.
D. Trend Information
Other than as disclosed elsewhere in this annual report on Form
20-F,
we are not aware of any trends, uncertainties, demands, commitments or events since January 1, 2021 that are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on our net revenues, income, profitability, liquidity or capital resources, or that caused the disclosed financial information to be not necessarily indicative of future operating results or financial conditions. E. Critical Accounting Estimates
We consider an accounting estimate to be critical if: (i) the accounting estimate requires us to make assumptions about matters that were highly uncertain at the time the accounting estimate was made, and (ii) changes in the estimate that are reasonably likely to occur from period to period or use of different estimates that we reasonably could have used in the current period, would have a material impact on our financial condition or results of operations. When reading our consolidated financial statements, you should consider our selection of critical accounting policies, the judgment and other uncertainties affecting the application of such policies and the sensitivity of reported results to changes in conditions and assumptions. For a detailed discussion of critical accounting estimate of (i) Consolidation of variable interest entity (VIE); (ii) Revenue recognition; (iii) Segment reporting; (iv) Income tax and uncertain tax position; (v) Goodwill. See “—A. Operating results—Critical Accounting Policies, Judgments and Estimates.”
F. Tabular Disclosure of Contractual Obligations
As of December 31, 2021, we entered into lease agreements as lessee with third parties for the operation of Qingtian International School and we have prepaid RMB0.9 million (US$0.1 million).
G. Safe Harbor
This annual report on Form
20-F
contains forward-looking statements. These statements are made under the “safe harbor” provisions of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as “will,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “future,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “estimates,” “confident” and similar statements. Among other things, the sections titled “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors,” “Item 4. Information on the Company,” and “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects” in this annual report on Form 20-F,
as well as our strategic and operational plans, contain forward-looking statements. We may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in our filings with the SEC, in our annual report to shareholders, in press releases and other written materials and in oral statements made by our officers, directors or employees to third parties. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about our beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements and are subject to change, and such change may be material and may have a material and adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations for one or more prior periods. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained, either expressly or impliedly, in any of the forward-looking statements in this annual report on Form 20-F.
Potential risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: the Company’s strategies, future business development, and financial condition and results of operations; the expected growth of the Chinese private education market; Chinese governmental policies relating to private educational services and providers of such services; the Company’s ability to maintain and enhance its brand. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in the Company’s filings with the SEC. All information provided in this annual report on Form 20-F
and in the exhibits is as of the date of this annual report on Form 20-F,
and we do not undertake any obligation to update any such information, except as required under applicable law. 104
ITEM 6. DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND EMPLOYEES
A. Directors and Senior Management
The following table sets forth information regarding our directors and executive officers as of the date of this annual report on
Form 20-F.
| Name |
Age |
Position with the Company | ||||
| Executive Directors and Officers: |
||||||
| Fen Ye |
50 | Director; Chairlady | ||||
| Biao Wei |
50 | Director; Chief Executive Officer | ||||
| Fang Ye |
48 | Director | ||||
| Hong Ye |
45 | Director | ||||
| Guoliang Chen |
54 | Principal of Lianwai School | ||||
| Luoyuan Ye |
40 | Chief Financial Officer | ||||
| Non-Executive Directors: |
||||||
| Teck Yong Heng |
48 | Independent Director | ||||
| Yan Kit Lee |
51 | Independent Director | ||||
Executive Officers
Ms.
Fen Ye
Mr.
Biao Wei
Ms.
Fang Ye
,
Ms.
Hong Ye
,
105
Mr.
Guoliang Chen
,
Mr.
Luoyuan Ye
,
Yat-sen
University and is a member of Chinese Institute of Certified Public Accountants (CICPA) and American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). Mr. Ye is also a China Certified Tax Agent (CICTA). Non-executive
Directors Mr.
Teck Yong Heng
2
Partners, or C-Squared
Partners, a China focused consumer sector private equity fund. Before founding C-Squared
Partners, he was the managing director in QianHai Fund of Funds (“Qianhai FoF
Mr.
Yan Kit Lee
non-executive
director (also a member of audit committee, remuneration committee and nomination committee) of C-Link
Squared Limited (HKEx Stock Code: 1463) (principally engaged as outsourced document management services provider and related software application and enterprise software solutions developer) since March 2020. Mr. Lee has also been an independent non-executive
director (also a member of audit committee and nomination committee, and the chairman of remuneration committee) of Landrich Holding Limited (HKEx Stock Code: 2132) (a contractor company having a long history of undertaking construction works in Hong Kong) since October 2020. Mr. Lee was a volunteer director of Sowers Action (Non-Governmental
Organization) from October 2016 to October 2018, and has been a vice chairman of its board of directors since October 2018. Mr. Lee is and has been a founding director of Hong Kong Young Chief Officers’ Association since November 2017 and was appointed as the president of the external affairs committee since December 2018. Mr. Lee has also been awarded by Hong Kong Shue Yan University as an industrial advisor to the bachelor of business administration (honours) in digital marketing program since July 2020. Mr. Lee was successfully elected as the 5th “Outstanding Chinese Youth of the World” from Outstanding Chinese Culture Association in June 2020. Mr. Lee has over 20 years of abundant experience in the banking and financial industry as well as public relations and market strategy. Mr. Lee has been the director of Hoyan Group International Limited since September 2016. Mr. Lee served as the president of SBG Holdings Limited (principally engaged in the operation of beauty medical centers) between September 2016 and September 2017 and the chief marketing officer of HKST Group Holdings Limited (principally engaged in travel services and education consultancy business) between September 2016 and May 2018. Prior to 2016, Mr. Lee worked at Dah Sing Bank Limited, Standard Chartered Bank (HK) Limited, DBS (Hong Kong) Limited, Wing Hang Bank Limited (currently known as OCBC Wing Hang Bank) and Sin Hua Bank Ltd., Hong Kong branch (currently known as Bank of China (Hong Kong) Limited). Mr. Lee obtained his Bachelor of Arts Degree (with a major in economics and a minor in psychology) from the University of Manitoba in May 1993 in Canada and a certificate of business management from Ryerson Polytechnic University in June 1996 in Canada. Mr. Lee also obtained a Master of Science Degree in financial management from the University of London in the United Kingdom in December 2000. 106
B. Compensation
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021, we paid an aggregate of approximately US$0.26 million in cash to our executive officers and directors. 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 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. For incentive share grants to our officers and directors, see “—Share Incentive Plan.”
Share Incentive Plan
2020 Equity Incentive Plan
Our 2020 Equity Incentive Plan was adopted on September 8, 2020 to attract and retain the best available personnel for positions of substantial responsibility, provide additional incentive to employees, directors and consultants and promote the success of our business. The equity incentive plan provides for the grant of an option, restricted shares, restricted share units and local awards.
Authorized Shares
Administration
Awards under the Equity Incentive Plan
Share Options
shares. One-half of
the shares subject to an option will vest on each of the first and second annual anniversaries of the vesting commencement date, unless otherwise provided in the award agreement. Restricted Shares
shares. One-half of
the restricted shares will vest on each of the first and second annual anniversaries of the vesting commencement date, unless otherwise provided in the award agreement. Restricted Share Units
Local Awards
Change in Control
Term
107
Amendment and Termination
Granted Options and Restricted Share Units
C. Board Practices
Our board of directors consists of six directors, including four executive directors and two
non-executive
directors. We also promote gender diversity among our board members. The powers and duties of our directors include convening general meetings and reporting our board’s work at our shareholders’ meetings, declaring dividends and distributions, appointing officers and determining the term of office and responsibilities of the officers, as well as exercising other powers, functions and duties as conferred by our articles of association. Our directors may at their discretion exercise all the powers of our company to borrow money, and to mortgage or charge its undertaking, property and assets (present and future) and uncalled capital or any part thereof, to issue debentures, debenture stock, bonds and other securities, whether outright or as collateral security for any debt, liability or obligation of our Company or of any third party. None of our
non-executive
directors has a service contract with us that provides for benefits upon termination of service. Committees of the Board of Directors
We have established an audit committee, a compensation committee and a nominating and corporate governance committee under the board of directors. We have adopted a charter for each of the three committees. Each committee’s members and functions are described below.
Audit Committee.
Rule 10A-3
under the Exchange Act. We have determined that each of Mr. Teck Yong Heng qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert.” Our audit committee will consist solely of independent directors within one year of the initial public offering. The audit committee oversees our accounting and financial reporting processes and the audits of the financial statements of our company. The audit committee is responsible for, among other things: | • | selecting and appointing auditors and pre-approving all auditing and non-auditing services permitted to be performed by such independent auditors; |
| • | reviewing with the independent auditors any audit problems or difficulties and management’s response; |
| • | reviewing and approving all proposed related party transactions; |
| • | discussing the annual audited financial statements with management and the independent auditors; |
| • | reviewing the adequacy and effectiveness of our accounting and internal control policies and procedures and any steps taken to monitor and control major financial risk exposures; |
| • | meeting separately and periodically with management and our independent auditors; |
| • | reporting regularly to the board of directors; |
| • | monitoring compliance with our code of business conduct and ethics, including reviewing the adequacy and effectiveness of our procedures to ensure proper compliance; and |
| • | other matters that are specifically assigned to our audit committee by our board of directors from time to time; |
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Compensation Committee.
| • | reviewing and making recommendations to the board of directors with respect to directors’ compensation; |
| • | reviewing and approving to the board with respect to the compensation for our chief executive officer and other executive officers; |
| • | reviewing periodically and approving any incentive compensation or equity plans, programs or other similar arrangements; |
| • | approving guidelines for senior management salary, incentive, stock option, benefit and other compensation levels; and |
| • | producing an annual report on executive compensation in accordance with applicable rules and regulations. |
109
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.
| • | identifying and recommending nominees for election by the shareholders or appointment by the board of directors; |
| • | reviewing annually with the board of directors its current composition with regards to characteristics such as independence, age, skills, experience, diversity and availability of service to us; |
| • | advising the board of directors on the frequency and structure of board meetings and monitoring the functioning of the committees of the board; and |
| • | advising the board periodically with regards to significant developments in the law and practice of corporate governance as well as monitoring our compliance with applicable laws and regulations, and making recommendations to the board on all matters of corporate governance and on any remedial action to be taken. |
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 have a duty to exercise the skill they actually possess and such care and diligence that a reasonably prudent person would exercise in comparable circumstances. 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. A shareholder may in certain limited exceptional circumstances have the right to seek damages in our name if a duty owed by the directors is breached.
Our board of directors has all the powers necessary for managing, and for directing and supervising, our business affairs. The functions and powers of our board of directors include, among others:
| • | convening shareholders’ annual and extraordinary general meetings and reporting its work to shareholders at such meetings; |
| • | declaring dividends and distributions; |
| • | appointing officers and determining the term of office and responsibilities of the officers; |
| • | exercising the borrowing powers of our company and mortgaging the property of our company; and |
| • | approving the transfer of shares in our company, including the registration of such shares in our register of members. |
Terms of Directors and Officers
Our directors may be elected by an ordinary resolution of our shareholders, or by the affirmative vote of a simple majority of the remaining directors present and voting at a board meeting. Our directors are not subject to a term of office and hold office until they are removed from office by ordinary resolution of the shareholders. In accordance with our memorandum and articles of association, a director will cease to be a director if, among other things, the director (i) becomes bankrupt or makes any arrangement or composition with his creditors, (ii) dies or is found by our company to be or becomes of unsound mind, (iii) resigns his office by notice in writing to the company, (iv) without special leave of absence from our board, is absent from three consecutive board meetings and our directors resolve that his office be vacated, (v) is removed from office pursuant to any other provision of our memorandum and articles of association, as amended and restated from time to time. Our officers are elected by and serve at the discretion of the board of directors.
Employment Agreements and Confidentiality Agreements
We have entered into employment agreements and confidentiality agreements with each of our executive officers. Under these agreements, we are entitled to terminate an executive officer’s employment for cause at any time for certain acts of the officer, such as being convicted of any criminal conduct, any act of gross or willful misconduct or any serious, willful, grossly negligent or persistent breach of any employment agreement provision. We may also terminate an executive officer’s employment by giving three-month’s prior written notice without cause. An executive officer may terminate his or her employment at any time by giving three-month’s prior written notice. In connection with the employment agreement, each executive officer will enter into an intellectual property ownership and confidentiality agreement and agreed to hold all
information, know-how and
records in any way connected with the products or services of our company, in strict confidence perpetually. Each executive officer also agree that we shall own all the intellectual property developed by such executive officer during his or her employment. 110
We may enter into indemnification agreements with each of our directors and executive officers. Under these agreements, 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 a director or officer of our company.
D. Employees
We had 489, 517 and 540 full-time employees (including Qingtian International School and Lianwai School) as of December 31, 2019, 2020 and 2021, respectively. Approximately 75.7% of our employees are represented by a labor union. We have not experienced any work stoppages, and we consider our relations with our employees and the labor union to be good. The following table sets forth the number of our full-time employees categorized by function as of December 31, 2021:
Function |
Number of Employees |
|||
| Executive Directors and senior management |
5 | |||
| Teachers |
370 | |||
| Counselors |
77 | |||
| Administrative staff |
12 | |||
| Campus security |
12 | |||
| Accounting and finance staff |
10 | |||
| Supporting staff |
54 | |||
| Total |
540 | |||
We invest resources in the recruitment of employees in support of our business operations. We have established comprehensive training programs, including training programs for newly hired teachers, collaboration with Lishui University to establish a program that offers continuing education courses for teachers and to enhance performance and service quality.
on-the-job-training,
As required by PRC Laws and regulations, we participate in various employee social security plans for our PRC employees that are administered by municipal and provincial governments, including housing, pension, medical insurance, unemployment insurance, work-related injury insurance, maternity insurance. We are required under PRC law to contribute 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 maintain various insurance policies against certain risks and unexpected events, such as school liability insurance, student personal accident insurance and property insurance for vehicles. We also provide social security insurance including pension insurance, unemployment insurance, work related injury insurance and medical insurance for our PRC employees. We consider our insurance coverage to be generally in line with companies of similar industry and size in the PRC. See “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Our Business and Industry—We have limited insurance coverage” for further details of risks associated with our insurance coverage.
We enter into standard labor contracts with our employees. We may also enter into standard confidentiality and
non-compete
agreements with our executive officers. See “—C. Board Practices—Employment Agreements and Confidentiality Agreements.” E. Share Ownership
Please refer to “Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions—A. Major Shareholders” and “—B. Compensation—Share Incentive Plan.”
ITEM 7. MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
A. Major Shareholders
The following table presents information regarding the beneficial ownership of our ordinary shares as of March 31, 2022 by:
| • | each person or entity that we know beneficially owns or will beneficially own more than 5% of our outstanding ordinary shares; |
| • | each director or executive officer who beneficially owns or will beneficially own more than 1% of our outstanding ordinary shares; and |
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| • | all of our directors and executive officers as a group. |
Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC. In computing the number of ordinary shares beneficially owned by a person and the percentage ownership of that person, we have included ordinary shares that the person has the right to acquire within 60 days, including through the exercise of any option, warrant, or other right or the conversion of any other security. These ordinary shares, however, are not included in the computation of the percentage ownership of any other person. Unless otherwise indicated below, to our knowledge, all persons named in the table have sole voting and investment power with respect to their shares, except to the extent authority is shared by spouses under community property laws.
The percentage of beneficial ownership of our ordinary shares is based on 66,667,000 ordinary shares outstanding immediately as of March 31, 2022.
Ordinary Shares Beneficially Owned |
||||||||
Number |
% (2) |
|||||||
| Directors and Executive Officers (1) : |
||||||||
| Fen Ye |
45,000,000 | 67.5 | ||||||
| Biao Wei (3) |
— | — | ||||||
| Fang Ye |
2,500,000 | 3.75 | ||||||
| Hong Ye |
2,500,000 | 3.75 | ||||||
| Luoyuan Ye |
— | — | ||||||
| Teck Yong Heng |
— | — | ||||||
| Yan Kit Lee |
— | — | ||||||
| All directors and executive officers as a group |
50,000,000 | 75.0 | ||||||
| Principal Shareholders: |
||||||||
| Mengxiang Holdings (4) |
45,000,000 | 67.5 | ||||||
| Lianwai Holdings Co., Ltd. (5) |
2,500,000 | 3.75 | ||||||
| Mengxiang Investment Co., Ltd. (6) |
2,500,000 | 3.75 | ||||||
Notes:
| (1) | The address of our directors and executive officers is, No. 818 Hua Yuan Street, Liandu District, Lishui City, Zhejiang Province, 323000, the PRC. |
| (2) | For each person and group included in this column, percentage ownership is calculated by dividing the number of ordinary shares beneficially owned by such person or group, including shares that such person or group has the right to acquire within 60 days after March 31, 2021, by the sum of (i) 66,667,000 which is the total number of ordinary shares outstanding as of March 31, 2021, and (ii) the number of ordinary shares such person or group has the right to acquire within 60 days after March 31, 2021. |
| (3) | Mr. Biao Wei is the spouse of Ms. Fen Ye. |
| (4) | A British Virgin Islands company which is wholly-owned and controlled by Ms. Fen Ye. The registered office of Mengxiang Holdings is at Coastal Building, Wickham’s Cay II, P.O. Box 2221, Road Town Tortola, British Virgin Islands. |
| (5) | A British Virgins Islands company which is wholly-owned and controlled by Ms. Hong Ye. The registered office of Lianwai Holdings Co., Ltd. is at Coastal Building, Wickham’s Cay II, P.O. Box 2221, Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands. |
| (6) | A British Virgin Islands company which is wholly-owned and controlled by Ms. Fang Ye. The registered office of Mengxiang Investment Co., Ltd. is at Coastal Building, Wickham’s Cay II, P.O. Box 2221, Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands. |
As of March 31, 2022, a total of 16,667,000 ordinary shares were held by 1 record holder in the United States in the form of ADSs, representing 25% of our total outstanding shares. We are not aware of any arrangement that may, at a subsequent date, result in a change of control of our company.
112
B.
Related Party Transactions
Contractual Arrangements with our VIEs and Their Shareholders
In 2018, we entered into a series of contractual arrangements through Liandu WFOE with Lishui Mengxiang, Lianwai School, shareholders of Lishui Mengxiang and the directors of Lianwai School, which had enabled us to (i) exercise the power over our Lishui Mengxiang and Lianwai School, (ii) have the exposure or rights to variable returns from our involvement with Lishui Mengxiang and Lianwai School, and (iii) exercise the ability to affect those returns through use of its power over Lishui Mengxiang and Lianwai School.
Under the the 2021 Implementation Rules which took effect on September 1, 2021, social organizations and individuals are prohibited from controlling a private school that provides compulsory education by means of, among others, merger, acquisition, and contractual arrangements, and a private school providing compulsory education is prohibited from conducting transactions with its related party. In particular, the prohibition over related party transactions has significantly affected the enforceability of the exclusive management services and business cooperation agreements among Liandu WFOE and Lianwai School providing compulsory education. Therefore, we re-assessed our control over Lianwai School. Based on the relevant accounting standard in accordance with U.S. GAAP, we have concluded that we have lost control of Lianwai School since August 31, 2021, in view of the significant uncertainties and restrictions the 2021 Implementation Rules impose on our ability to direct the range of ongoing activities that would most significantly impact the returns of Lianwai School. In light of such regulatory developments, on April 20, 2022, we entered into an acknowledgment agreement of contractual agreements with Lianwai School and respective directors, to confirm all the terms of rights and obligations relating to Lianwai School and the directors appointed by the sponsor under the contractual arrangements among them, and agree among the parties that such arrangements shall have been terminated on August 31, 2021. To minimize disruptions to existing students enrolled in Lianwai School, we continued to offer essential services to the students. We deconsolidated Lianwai School commencing from September 1, 2021 and presented it as a discontinued operation in current and comparative period financial statements.
Our VIE, Lishui Mengxiang completed the required registration to hold 100% sponsorship interests of Qingtian International School on August 24, 2021. On April 20, 2022, we entered into a series of contractual arrangements through Liandu WFOE with our VIEs, shareholders of Lishui Mengxiang and the council members of Qingtian International School, which enables us to (i) exercise the power over our Lishui Mengxiang and Qingtian International School, (ii) have the exposure or rights to variable returns from our involvement with our VIEs, and (iii) exercise the ability to affect those returns through use of its power over our VIEs. These contractual arrangements include exclusive call option agreement, proxy agreements for school’s sponsors and council members, proxy agreements for shareholders, business cooperation agreement, exclusive technical service and business consulting agreement, equity pledge agreements, etc. Terms contained in each set of contractual arrangements with our PRC subsidiaries, our VIEs and their respective shareholders are substantially similar. For more details of these contractual arrangements, see “Item 4. Information on the Company—C. Organizational Structure—Contractual Arrangements.”
Transactions with Certain Related Parties
Loans to related parties
In 2019 and 2020, we provided loans to certain close family members of Ms. Fen Ye for their personal use. The financing was provided in the form of interest-free loans. The loans did not have a fixed term and were repayable upon demand. As of December 31, 2020 and 2021, there was no remaining balance of the loans. In light of our initial public offering in October 2020 in an overseas capital market and to improve our corporate governance, we have issued an internal policy to terminate its business practice of issuing advances and loans to close family members of Ms. Fen Ye.
Financing from related parties
Ms. Fen Ye and Ms. Yushu Ye, a close family member of Ms. Fen Ye, have historically provided short-term financing for us to support our operation. The financing was provided in the form of interest-free short-term borrowings. The short-term borrowings did not have a fixed term and were repayable upon demand. The remaining balance of the short-term borrowings was fully settled in 2019. We have not received any financing from related parties since the completion of our initial public offering.
Lease agreements with related parties
We leased certain properties and facilities to Lishui Yuanmeng Training Company Limited, a company controlled by Mr. Biao Wei, our director and chief executive officer, in which the lease was terminated on February 28, 2021. Furthermore, we ceased to lease our
non-education space
to Lishui Yuanmeng Training Company Limited after February 28, 2021. We also lease the school buildings and the related properties and facilities to Liandu Foreign Language School Kindergarten. In 2019, 2020 and 2021, our rental income from related parties was RMB2.4 million, RMB1.7 million and RMB0.9 million (US$0.1 million), respectively. The terms of our leases are three years. Under the leasing agreements, we can terminate the lease at any time for cause.
113
Private Placements
See “Item 10. Additional Information—B. Memorandum and Articles of Association—Ordinary Shares.”
Employment Agreements and Indemnification Agreements
See “Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employees—C. Board Practices—Employment Agreements and Confidentiality Agreements.”
Share Incentive Plans
See “Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employees—B. Compensation—Share Incentive Plan.”
C. Interests of Experts and Counsel
Not applicable.
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
A. Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information
Please refer to Item 18.
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Legal Proceedings
From time to time, we are subject to legal proceedings, investigations and claims during the course of our business. We are currently not a party to any legal proceeding or investigation which, in the opinion of our management, is likely to have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.
Dividend Policy
Our board of directors has discretion on whether to distribute dividends, subject to certain requirements of Cayman Islands law. In addition, our shareholders may by ordinary resolution declare a dividend, but no dividend may exceed the amount recommended by our board of directors. In either case, all dividends are subject to certain restrictions under Cayman Islands law, namely that our company may only pay dividends out of profits or share premium, and provided always 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. Even if we decide 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 of directors may deem relevant.
We do not have any present plan to pay any cash dividends on our ordinary shares in the foreseeable future. We currently intend to retain most, if not all, of our available funds and any future earnings to operate and expand our business.
We are a holding company incorporated in the Cayman Islands. We may rely on dividends from our subsidiaries in China for our cash requirements, including any payment of dividends to our shareholders. PRC regulations may restrict the ability of our PRC subsidiaries to pay dividends to us. See “Item 4. Information on the Company—B. Business Overview—Regulation—PRC Laws and Regulations Relating to Foreign Exchange” and “Item 4. Information on the Company—B. Business Overview—Regulation—Regulations on Taxation in the PRC—Income Tax in relation to Dividend Distribution”.
If we pay any dividends on our ordinary shares, we will pay those dividends which are payable in respect of the ordinary shares underlying our ADSs to the depositary, as the registered holder of such ordinary shares, and the depositary then will pay such amounts to our ADS holders in proportion to 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. Cash dividends on our ordinary shares, if any, will be paid in U.S. dollars. See “Item 12. Description of Securities other than Equity Securities—D. American Depositary Shares.”
B. |
Significant Changes |
We have not experienced any significant changes since the date of our audited consolidated financial statements included in this annual report on
Form 20-F.
ITEM 9. THE OFFER AND LISTING
A. |
Offering and Listing Details |
Our ADSs, each representing five ordinary shares, have been listed on the Nasdaq since October 1, 2020. Our ADSs trade under the symbol “LXEH.”
The last reported trading price for our ADSs on December 31, 2021 was US$9.94 per ADS. The following table provides the high and low trading prices for our ADSs on the Nasdaq since the date of our initial public offering.
Trading Price (US$) |
||||||||
High |
Low |
|||||||
| Annual Highs and Lows |
||||||||
| Fiscal Year ended December 31, 2021 |
12.5 | 7.19 | ||||||
| Quarterly Highs and Lows |
||||||||
| Fourth Quarter of Fiscal Year ended December 31, 2021 |
12.5 | 7.39 | ||||||
| Monthly Highs and Lows |
||||||||
| January 2022 |
9.95 | 5.75 | ||||||
| February 2022 |
7 | 5.05 | ||||||
| March 2022 |
5.7 | 4.05 | ||||||
| April 2022 (through April 26, 2022) |
5.1 | 4.37 | ||||||
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B. |
Plan of Distribution |
Not applicable.
116
C. |
Markets |
See “Item 9. The Offer and Listing—A. Offering and Listing Details.”
D. |
Selling Shareholders |
Not applicable.
E. |
Dilution |
Not applicable.
F. |
Expenses of the Issue |
Not applicable.
ITEM 10. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
A. |
Share Capital |
Not applicable.
B. |
Memorandum and Articles of Association |
We were incorporated as an exempted company with limited liability in the Cayman Islands on September 6, 2018. Our affairs are currently governed by our second amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, the Companies Act (As Revised) of the Cayman Islands, or the Companies Act in this section, and the common law of the Cayman Islands.
As of the date of this annual report on Form
20-F,
our authorized share capital is US$50,000 divided into 500,000,000 ordinary shares with a par value of US$0.0001 each. As of the date of this annual report on Form 20-F,
there are 66,667,000 ordinary shares issued and outstanding. All of our issued and outstanding ordinary shares are fully paid. All options, regardless of grant dates, will entitle holders to an equivalent number of ordinary shares once the vesting and exercising conditions are met. We have adopted a second amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, which became effective after our initial public offering.
The following are summaries of material provisions of our second amended and restated memorandum and articles of association and the Companies Act insofar as they relate to the material terms of our ordinary shares. This summary is not complete, and you should read our second amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, which has been filed as Exhibit 3.2 to our
Form F-1
(File No. 333-248691),
as amended, filed with the SEC on September 30, 2020. Registered Office and Objects
Our registered office in the Cayman Islands is located at the offices of Maples Corporate Services Limited, PO Box 309, Ugland House, Grand Cayman,
KY1-1104,
Cayman Islands. As set forth in article 3 of our memorandum and articles of association, the objects for which our company is established are unrestricted. Board of Directors
See “Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employees—C. Board Practices—Committees of the Board of Directors” and “Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employees—C. Board Practices—Terms of Directors and Officers.”
Ordinary Shares
General
are non-residents of
the Cayman Islands may freely hold and transfer their ordinary shares. Dividends
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Our directors may also pay interim dividends, whenever our financial position, in the opinion of our directors, justifies such payment.
Our directors may deduct from any dividend or distribution payable to any shareholder all sums of money (if any) presently payable by such shareholder to us on account of calls or otherwise.
No dividend or other money payable by us on or in respect of any share shall bear interest against us.
Voting Rights
A poll may be demanded by the chairman of such meeting or any shareholder present in person or by proxy.
No shareholder shall be entitled to vote or be reckoned in a quorum at any general meeting unless such shareholder is duly registered as our shareholder and all calls or other sums presently payable by such shareholder in respect of his voting shares to us have been paid.
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, while a special resolution requires the affirmative vote of no less than
two-thirds
of the votes cast attaching to the outstanding ordinary shares at a meeting. A special resolution will be required for important matters such as a change of name or making changes to our memorandum and articles of association. Our shareholders may, among other things, divide or combine their shares by ordinary resolution. General Meetings of Shareholders
Shareholders’ general meetings may be convened by a majority of our board of directors. Advance notice of at least 10 calendar 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 meeting. 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 memorandum and articles of association provide that upon the requisition of any one or more of our shareholders who together hold shares which carry in aggregate not less than
one-third
of all votes attaching to the issued and outstanding shares of our company entitled to vote at general meetings, our board will convene an extraordinary general meeting and put the resolutions so requisitioned to a vote at such meeting. However, our memorandum and articles of association do not provide our shareholders with any right to put any proposals before annual general meetings or extraordinary general meetings not called by such shareholders. Transfer of Ordinary Shares
Our directors may decline to register any transfer of any share which is not paid up or on which we have a lien. Our directors may also decline to register any transfer of any share unless:
| • | the instrument of transfer is lodged with us and is accompanied by the certificate for the shares to which it relates and such other evidence as our directors may reasonably require to show the right of the transferor to make the transfer; |
| • | the instrument of transfer is in respect of only one class of share; |
| • | the instrument of transfer is properly stamped (if required); |
| • | in the case of a transfer to joint holders, the number of joint holders to whom the ordinary share is to be transferred does not exceed four; |
| • | the shares are free from any lien in favor of the Company; and |
| • | a fee of such maximum sum as the Nasdaq Global Market may determine to be payable or such lesser sum as our directors may from time to time require is paid to us in respect thereof. |
Liquidation
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If we are wound up the liquidator may with the sanction of our special resolution and any other sanction required by the Companies Act, divide among our shareholders in kind the whole or any part of our assets (whether or not they shall consist of property of the same kind) and may, for such purpose, value any assets and determine how such division shall be carried out as between the shareholders or different classes of shareholders.
The liquidator may also vest the whole or any part of these assets in trustees upon such trusts for the benefit of the shareholders as the liquidator shall think fit, but so that no shareholder will be compelled to accept any assets, shares or other securities upon which there is a liability.
Calls on Ordinary Shares and Surrender of Ordinary Shares
The ordinary shares that have been called upon and remain unpaid are subject to forfeiture.
Redemption, Repurchase and Surrender of Ordinary Shares
Under the Companies Act, the redemption or repurchase of any share may be paid out of our company’s profits or out of the proceeds of a fresh issue of shares made for the purpose of such redemption or repurchase, or out of capital (including share premium account and capital redemption reserve) if the 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 (1) unless it is fully paid up, (2) if such redemption or repurchase would result in there being no shares outstanding, or (3) 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
two-thirds
of the issued shares of that class, or with the sanction of a resolution passed by at least a two-thirds
majority of the holders of shares of the class present in person or by proxy at a separate general meeting of the holders of the shares of that class. The rights conferred upon the holders of the shares of any class issued shall not, unless otherwise expressly provided by the terms of issue of the shares of that class, be deemed to be varied by the creation or issue of further shares ranking pari passu with such existing class of shares.
Inspection of Books and Records
Issuance of Additional Shares
Our memorandum of association also authorizes our board of directors to establish from time to time one or more series of preferred shares and to determine, with respect to any series of preferred shares, the terms and rights of that series, including:
| • | the designation of the series; |
| • | the number of shares of the series; |
| • | the dividend rights, dividend rates, conversion rights, voting rights; and |
| • | the rights and terms of redemption and liquidation preferences. |
Our board of directors may issue preferred 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.
Anti-Takeover Provisions
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| • | authorize our board of directors to issue preferred shares in one or more series and to designate the price, rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions of such preferred shares without any further vote or action by our shareholders. |
| • | limit the ability of shareholders to requisition and convene general meetings of shareholders. |
However, under Cayman Islands law, our directors may only exercise the rights and powers granted to them under our memorandum and articles of association for a proper purpose and for what they believe in good faith to be in the best interests of our company.
Differences in Corporate Law
The Companies Act is derived, to a large extent, from the older Companies Acts of England but does not follow recent United Kingdom statutory enactments, and accordingly there are significant differences between the Companies Act and the current Companies Act of England.
In addition, the Companies Act differs from laws applicable to United States 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 United States corporations and companies incorporated in the State of Delaware.
Mergers and Similar Arrangements.
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 written plan of merger or consolidation 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 declaration as to 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. Dissenting shareholders have the right to be paid the fair value of their shares (which, if not agreed between the parties, will be determined by the Cayman Islands court) if they follow the required procedures, subject to certain exceptions. Court approval is not required for a merger or consolidation which 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, provide 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, 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 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 Grand Court can be expected to approve the arrangement if it determines that:
provided
| • | the statutory provisions as to the required majority vote have been met; |
| • | the shareholders have been fairly represented at the meeting in question and the statutory majority are acting bona fide without coercion of the minority to promote interests adverse to those of the class; |
| • | the arrangement is such that may be reasonably approved by an intelligent and honest man of that class acting in respect of his interest; and |
| • | the arrangement is not one that would more properly be sanctioned under some other provision of the Companies Act. |
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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 90.0% 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 which has been so approved unless there is evidence of fraud, bad faith or collusion. If an arrangement and reconstruction is thus approved, or, if a tender offer is made and accepted, a dissenting shareholder would have no rights comparable to appraisal rights, 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.
Foss
v.
Harbottle
a non-controlling shareholder
may be permitted to commence a class action against or derivative actions in the name of our company to challenge actions where: | • | a company acts or proposes to act illegally or ultra vires; |
| • | the act complained of, although not ultra vires, could only be effected duly if authorized by more than a simple majority vote that has not been obtained; and |
| • | those who control our company are perpetrating a “fraud on the minority.” |
Indemnification of Directors and Executive Officers and Limitation of Liability.
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 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.
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 bona fide in the best interests of the company, a duty not to make a personal profit based on his or her position as director (unless the company permits him or her to do so), a duty not to put himself or herself in a position where the interests of the company conflict with his or her personal interest or his or her 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 or her duties a greater degree of skill than may reasonably be expected from a person of his or her 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.
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Shareholder Proposals.
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 memorandum and articles of association allow shareholders holding at least one third of the
paid-up
voting share capital of the Company to requisition an extraordinary general meeting of our shareholders, in which case our board is obliged to convene a general meeting. Other than this right to requisition a shareholders’ meeting, our memorandum and articles of association do not provide our shareholders with any other right to put proposals before annual general meetings or extraordinary general meetings not called by such shareholders. Cumulative Voting.
Removal of Directors.
Transactions with Interested Shareholders.
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 which resulted in the person becoming an interested shareholder. This encourages any potential acquirer of a 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, the directors of our company are required to comply with fiduciary duties which they owe to our company under Cayman Islands laws, including the duty to ensure that, in their opinion, any such transactions must be entered into bona fide in the best interests of the company, and are entered into for a proper corporate purpose and not with the effect of constituting a fraud on the minority shareholders.
Dissolution; Winding up.
Under Cayman Islands law, a company may be wound up by either 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.
two-thirds
of holders of the issued shares of that class or with the sanction of a special resolution passed at a general meeting of the holders of the shares of that class. 122
Amendment of Governing Documents.
Rights of
Non-resident
or Foreign Shareholders.C. Material Contracts
We have not entered into any material contracts other than in the ordinary course of business and other than those described in “Item 4. Information on the Company” or elsewhere in this annual report on
Form 20-F.
D. Exchange Controls
There is no exchange control legislation under Cayman Islands law, and accordingly, there are no exchange control regulations imposed under Cayman Islands law. See also “Item 4. Information on the Company—B. Business Overview—Regulation— PRC Laws and Regulations Relating to Foreign Exchange” and “Item 4. Information on the Company—B. Business Overview—Regulation—Regulations on Taxation in the PRC—Income Tax in relation to Dividend Distribution.”
E. Taxation
The following summary of the material Cayman Islands, PRC and U.S. federal income tax consequences of an investment in our ADSs or ordinary shares is based upon laws and relevant interpretations thereof in effect as of the date of this annual report on Form
20-F,
all of which are subject to change. This summary does not deal with all possible tax consequences relating to an investment in our ADSs or ordinary shares, such as the tax consequences under U.S. state and local tax laws or under the tax laws of jurisdictions other than the Cayman Islands, PRC and the United States. 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 which may be applicable on instruments executed in, or after execution 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 to or by 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 our ADSs or ordinary shares, nor will gains derived from the disposal of our ADSs or ordinary shares be subject to Cayman Islands income or corporation tax.
People’s Republic of China Taxation
Under the EIT Law and implementation regulations issued by the PRC State Council on April 23, 2019, 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 Regulation on the Implementation of Enterprise Income Tax Law of the PRC, 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. Accordingly, our holding company may be considered a resident enterprise and may therefore be subject to a PRC income tax on our global income.
The State Administration of Taxation issued the Notice Regarding the Determination of Chinese-Controlled Offshore Incorporated Enterprises as PRC Tax Resident Enterprises on the Basis of De Facto Management Bodies, or Circular 82, on April 22, 2009. Circular 82 provides certain specific criteria for determining whether the “de facto management body” of a Chinese-controlled offshore incorporated enterprise is located in China, which include all of the following conditions: (i) the senior management and core management departments in charge of daily operations are located mainly inside PRC, (ii) financial and personnel decision are subject to determination or approval by persons or organizations located inside PRC, (iii) major assets, accounting books, company seals and minutes and files of board and shareholders’ meeting are placed or kept inside PRC, and (iv) at least half of the enterprise’s directors with voting rights or senior management customarily reside inside PRC. Although Circular 82 explicitly provides that the above standards apply to enterprises which are registered outside the PRC and funded by PRC enterprises or PRC enterprise groups as controlling investors, the determining criteria set forth in Circular 82 may reflect the general position of the State Administration of Taxation on how the “de facto management body” test should be applied in determining the tax resident status of offshore enterprises, regardless of whether they are controlled by PRC enterprises or PRC enterprise groups or by PRC or foreign individuals.
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The Company is a company 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 its shareholders) are maintained, outside the PRC. For the same reasons, we believe our other entities outside of China are not PRC resident enterprises either. However, the tax resident status of an enterprise is subject to determination by the PRC tax authorities and uncertainties remain with respect to the interpretation of the term “de facto management body.” There can be no assurance that the PRC government will ultimately take a view that is consistent with ours. See “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Doing Business in China.” Such classification could result in unfavorable tax consequences to us and
our non-PRC shareholders.
The implementation rules of the EIT Law provide that, (i) if the enterprise that distributes dividends is domiciled in the PRC, or (ii) if gains are realized from transferring equity interests of enterprises domiciled in the PRC, then such dividends or capital gains are treated as China-sourced income. It is not clear how “domicile” may be interpreted under the EIT Law, and it may be interpreted as the jurisdiction where the enterprise is a tax resident. Any dividends we pay to our overseas shareholders or ADS holders as well as gains realized by such shareholders or ADS holders from the transfer of our shares or ADSs may be regarded as China-sourced income, if we are considered a PRC tax resident enterprise for tax purposes, and as a result, such dividends and capital gains paid to overseas shareholders or ADS holders that
are non-PRC resident
enterprises may become subject to PRC income tax at a rate of up to 10.0%, unless otherwise exempted or reduced under relevant tax treaties or arrangements between the PRC and relevant foreign jurisdictions. For example, for shareholders eligible for the benefits of the tax treaty between China and Hong Kong, the tax rate is reduced to 5% for dividends if relevant conditions are met. It is unclear whether
our non-PRC individual
shareholders would be subject to any PRC tax on dividends or gains obtained by such non-PRC individual
shareholders in the event we are determined to be a PRC resident enterprise. Under the PRC Individual Income Tax Law promulgated on September 10, 1980, and amended in 2018 and its implementation rules, dividends from sources within the PRC paid to foreign individual investors who are not residents of the PRC are ordinarily subject to a PRC withholding tax at a rate of 20% and PRC source gains realized by such investors on the transfer of ADSs or shares would be subject to 20% PRC income tax. However, it is also unclear whether non-PRC shareholders
of the 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 the Company is treated as a PRC resident enterprise. See “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Doing Business in China.” Such classification could result in unfavorable tax consequences to us and our non-PRC shareholders.
United States Federal Income Taxation
The following discussion describes the material United States federal income tax consequences to a U.S. Holder (as defined below), under current law, of an investment in our ADSs or ordinary shares. This discussion is based on the federal income tax laws of the United States as of the date of this annual report on Form
20-F,
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 U.S. Internal Revenue Service, or the IRS, and other applicable authorities, all as of the date of this annual report on Form 20-F.
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 statements made and the conclusions reached in the following discussion and there can be no assurance that the IRS or a court will agree with our statements and conclusions. This summary does not discuss the Medicare contribution tax on net investment income, any federal non-income tax
laws, including the federal estate or gift tax laws, or the laws of any state, local or non-United States
taxing jurisdiction. This discussion applies only to a U.S. Holder that holds ADSs or 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:
| • | banks; |
| • | certain financial institutions; |
| • | insurance companies; |
| • | regulated investment companies; |
| • | real estate investment trusts; |
| • | brokers or dealers in stocks and securities, or currencies; |
| • | persons who are required to use a mark-to-market method |
| • | certain former citizens or residents of the United States subject to Section 877 of the Code; |
| • | entities subject to the United States anti-inversion rules; |
| • | tax-exempt organizations and entities; |
| • | persons subject to the alternative minimum tax provisions of the Code; |
| • | persons whose functional currency is other than the United States dollar; |
| • | persons holding ADSs or ordinary shares as part of a straddle, hedging, conversion or integrated transaction; |
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| • | persons holding ADSs or ordinary shares through a bank, financial institution or other entity, or a branch thereof, located, organized or resident outside the United States; |
| • | persons that actually or constructively own 10% or more of our stock by vote or value; |
| • | persons subject to special tax accounting rules under Section 451(b) of the Code; |
| • | persons who acquired ADSs or ordinary shares pursuant to the exercise of an employee stock option or otherwise as compensation; or |
| • | partnerships or other pass-through entities, or persons holding ADSs or ordinary shares through such entities. |
If a partnership (including an entity or arrangement treated as a partnership for United States federal income tax purposes) holds our 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 partner in a partnership holding our ADSs or ordinary shares should consult its own tax advisors regarding the tax consequences of holding our ADSs or ordinary shares.
The following discussion is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for careful tax planning and advice. Investors considering the purchase of ADSs or ordinary shares should consult their own 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 Medicare contribution tax on net investment income, any
federal non-income tax
laws, including the federal estate or gift tax laws, or the laws of any state, local or non-United States
taxing jurisdiction and under any applicable tax treaty. For purposes of the discussion below, a “U.S. Holder” is a beneficial owner of our ADSs or ordinary shares that is, for United States federal income tax purposes:
| • | an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States; |
| • | a corporation (or other entity treated as a corporation for United States federal income tax purposes) created or organized in or under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia; |
| • | an estate, the income of which is subject to United States federal income taxation regardless of its source; or |
| • | a trust, if (i) a court within the United States is able to exercise primary supervision over its administration and one or more United States persons have the authority to control all of its substantial decisions or (ii) in the case of a trust that was treated as a domestic trust on August 19, 1996 under the law in effect as of that date, 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 is 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 ordinary shares represented by those ADSs for United States federal income tax purposes. Accordingly, deposits or withdrawals of ordinary shares for ADSs should not be subject to United States federal income tax.
The United States Treasury Department and the IRS have expressed concerns that intermediaries in the chain of ownership between the holder of an ADS and the issuer of the security underlying the ADS may be taking actions that are inconsistent with the beneficial ownership of the underlying security (for example,
a pre-release of
ADSs to persons that do not have beneficial ownership of the securities underlying the ADSs). Such actions may be inconsistent with the claiming of the reduced rate of tax applicable to certain dividends received by non-corporate U.S.
Holders of ADSs, including individual U.S. Holders, and the claiming of foreign tax credits by U.S. Holders of ADSs. Accordingly, among other things, the availability of foreign tax credits or the reduced tax rate for dividends received by non-corporate U.S.
Holders, each discussed below, could be affected by actions taken by intermediaries in the chain of ownership between the holder of an ADS and our company, if as a result of such actions, the holders of ADSs are not properly treated as beneficial owners of ordinary shares. Passive Foreign Investment Company Considerations
A non-U.S. corporation,
such as our company, will be classified as a PFIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes for any taxable year if either (i) 75% or more of its gross income for such year consists of certain types of “passive” income or (ii) 50% or more of the value of its assets (determined on the basis of a quarterly average) during such year is attributable to assets that produce or are held for the production of passive income, or the asset test. Passive income generally includes, among other things, dividends, interest, rents, royalties, and gains from the disposition of passive assets. Passive assets are those which give rise to passive income, and include assets held for investment, as well as cash, assets readily convertible into cash, and working capital. The company’s goodwill and other unbooked intangibles are taken into account and may be classified as active or passive depending upon the relative amounts of income generated by the company in each category. 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, 25% or more (by value) of the stock. Although the law in this regard is not entirely clear, we treat our consolidated VIEs as being owned by us for U.S. federal income tax purposes because we control their management decisions and are entitled to substantially all of the economic benefits associated with them. As a result, we consolidate their results of operations in our consolidated U.S. GAAP financial statements. If it were determined, however, that we are not the owner of our consolidated VIEs for U.S. federal income tax purposes, we may be treated as a PFIC for the current taxable year and any subsequent taxable year. 125
Assuming that we are the owner of our consolidated VIEs for U.S. federal income tax purposes and based upon our current and projected income and assets, we do not expect to be a PFIC for the current taxable year or the foreseeable future. However, no assurance can be given in this regard because the determination of whether we are or will become a PFIC is a factual determination made annually that will depend, in part, upon the composition and classification of our income and assets. Because there are uncertainties in the application of the relevant rules, it is possible that the IRS may challenge our classification of certain income and assets
as non-passive, which
may result in our being or becoming classified as a PFIC in the current or subsequent years. Furthermore fluctuations in the market price of our ADSs may cause us to be a PFIC for the current or future taxable years because the value of our assets for purposes of the asset test, including the value of our goodwill and unbooked intangibles, may be determined by reference to the market price of our ADSs from time to time (which may be volatile). 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. The composition of our income and assets may also be affected by how, and how quickly, we use our liquid assets and the cash raised in the initial public offering. 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, our risk of becoming a PFIC may substantially increase. If we are a PFIC for any year during which a U.S. Holder holds our ADSs or ordinary shares, we generally will continue to be treated as a PFIC for all succeeding years during which such U.S. Holder holds our ADSs or ordinary shares unless, in such case, we cease to be treated as a PFIC and such U.S. Holder makes a deemed sale election.
The discussion below under “—Dividends” and “—Sale or Other Disposition” is written on the basis that we will not be or become classified as a PFIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes. The U.S. federal income tax rules that apply generally if we are treated as a PFIC are discussed below under “—Passive Foreign Investment Company Rules.”
Dividends
Any cash distributions paid on our ADSs or ordinary shares out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits, as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles, will generally be includible in the gross income of a U.S. Holder as dividend income on the day actually or constructively received by the U.S. Holder, in the case of ordinary shares, or by the depositary, in the case of ADSs. Because we do not intend to determine our earnings and profits on the basis of U.S. federal income tax principles, any distribution we pay will generally be treated as a “dividend” for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Dividends received on our ADSs or ordinary shares will not be eligible for the dividends received deduction allowed to corporations in respect of dividends received from U.S. corporations.
Individuals and
other non-corporate U.S.
Holders may be subject to tax on any such dividends at the lower capital gain tax rate applicable to “qualified dividend income,” provided that certain conditions are satisfied, including that (i) either (x) our ADSs or ordinary shares on which the dividends are paid are readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States or (y) we are eligible for the benefits of a comprehensive income tax treaty with the United States which the Secretary of Treasury of the United States determines is satisfactory for purposes of this provision and which includes an exchange of information program, (ii) we are neither a PFIC nor treated as such with respect to a U.S. Holder for the taxable year in which the dividend is paid and the preceding taxable year, and (iii) certain holding period requirements are met. We have been approved for listing the ADSs on the Nasdaq Global Market. Provided that this listing is approved, we believe that the ADSs should generally be considered to be readily tradeable on an established securities market in the United States. There can be no assurance that the ADSs will be, or will in later years continue to be, considered readily tradable on an established securities market. Because the ordinary shares will not be listed on a U.S. exchange, we do not believe that dividends received with respect to ordinary shares that are not represented by ADSs will be treated as qualified dividends. In the event we are deemed to be a PRC resident enterprise under EIT Law (see “—People’s Republic of China Taxation”), we may be eligible for the benefits of the Agreement Between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the People’s Republic of China for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Tax Evasion with Respect to Taxes on Income (which the Secretary of Treasury of the United States has determined is satisfactory for this purpose). U.S. Holders are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding the availability of the lower rate for dividends paid with respect to the ADSs or ordinary shares. For U.S. foreign tax credit purposes, dividends paid on our ADSs or ordinary shares will generally be treated as income from foreign sources and will generally constitute passive category income. The rules governing the foreign tax credit are complex and U.S. Holders are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding the availability of the foreign tax credit under their particular circumstances.
Sale or Other Disposition
A U.S. Holder will generally recognize gain or loss upon the sale or other disposition of ADSs or ordinary shares in an amount equal to the difference between the amount realized upon the disposition and the holder’s adjusted tax basis in such ADSs or ordinary shares. Such gain or loss will generally be capital gain or loss. Any such capital gain or loss will be long term if the ADSs or ordinary shares have been held for more than one
year. Non-corporate U.S.
Holders (including individuals) generally will be subject to United States federal income tax on long-term capital gain at preferential rates. The deductibility of a capital loss may be subject to limitations. Any such gain or loss that the U.S. Holder recognizes will generally be treated as U.S. source income or loss for foreign tax credit limitation purposes, which could limit the availability of foreign tax credits. Each U.S. Holder is advised to consult its tax advisor regarding the tax consequences if a foreign tax is imposed on a disposition of our ADSs or ordinary shares, including the applicability of any tax treaty and the availability of the foreign tax credit under its particular circumstances. 126
Passive Foreign Investment Company Rules
If we are classified as a PFIC for any taxable year during which a U.S. Holder holds our ADSs or ordinary shares, and unless the U.S. Holder makes (as described below), the U.S. Holder will generally be subject to special tax rules on (i) any excess distribution that we make to the U.S. Holder (which generally means any distribution paid during a taxable year to a U.S. Holder that is greater than 125 percent of the average annual distributions paid in the three preceding taxable years or, if shorter, the U.S. Holder’s holding period for the ADSs or ordinary shares), and (ii) any gain realized on the sale or other disposition, including, under certain circumstances, a pledge, of ADSs or ordinary shares. Under the PFIC rules:
a mark-to-market election
| • | the excess distribution or gain will be allocated ratably over the U.S. Holder’s holding period for the ADSs or ordinary shares; |
| • | the amount allocated to the taxable year of distribution or gain and any taxable years in the U.S. Holder’s holding period prior to the first taxable year in which we are classified as a PFIC (each, a “pre-PFIC year”) will be taxable as ordinary income; and |
| • | the amount allocated to each prior taxable year, other than a pre-PFIC year, will be subject to tax at the highest tax rate in effect for individuals or corporations, as appropriate, for that year, increased by an additional tax equal to the interest on the resulting tax deemed deferred with respect to each such taxable year. |
As an alternative to the foregoing rules, a U.S. Holder of “marketable stock” (as defined below) in a PFIC may make with respect to such stock. If a U.S. Holder makes this election with respect to our ADSs, the holder will generally (i) include as ordinary income for each taxable year that we are a PFIC the excess, if any, of the fair market value of ADSs held at the end of the taxable year over the adjusted tax basis of such ADSs and (ii) deduct as an ordinary loss the excess, if any, of the adjusted tax basis of the ADSs over the fair market value of such ADSs held at the end of the taxable year, but such deduction will only be allowed to the extent of the net amount previously included in income as a result of The U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in the ADSs would be adjusted to reflect any income or loss resulting from If a U.S. Holder makes in respect of our ADSs and we cease to be classified as a PFIC, the holder will not be required to take into account the gain or loss described above during any period that we are not classified as a PFIC. If a U.S. Holder makes any gain such U.S. Holder recognizes upon the sale or other disposition of our ADSs in a year when we are a PFIC will be treated as ordinary income and any loss will be treated as ordinary loss, but such loss will only be treated as ordinary loss to the extent of the net amount previously included in income as a result of
a mark-to-market election
the mark-to-market election.
the mark-to-market election.
a mark-to-market election
a mark-to-market election,
the mark-to-market election.
The mark-to-market election
Because cannot technically be made for any lower-tier PFICs that we may own, a U.S. Holder may continue to be subject to the PFIC rules with respect to such U.S. Holder’s indirect interest in any investments held by us that are treated as an equity interests in a PFIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
a mark-to-market election
We do not intend to provide information necessary for U.S. Holders to make qualified electing fund elections which, if available, would result in tax treatment different from (and generally less adverse than) the general tax treatment for PFICs described above.
Dividends that we pay on our ADS or ordinary shares will not be eligible for the reduced tax rate that applies to qualified dividend income if we are classified as a PFIC for the taxable year in which the dividend is paid or the preceding taxable year. If a U.S. Holder owns our ADSs or ordinary shares during any taxable year that we are a PFIC, the holder must generally file an annual IRS Form 8621. You should consult your tax advisor regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of owning and disposing of our ADSs or ordinary shares if we are or become a PFIC.
Information Reporting and Backup Withholding
Certain U.S. Holders are required to report information to the IRS relating to an interest in “specified foreign financial assets” (as defined in the Code), including shares issued by
a non-U.S. corporation,
for any year in which the aggregate value of all specified foreign financial assets exceeds $50,000 (or a higher dollar amount prescribed by the IRS), subject to certain exceptions (including an exception for shares held in custodial accounts maintained with a U.S. financial institution). These rules also impose penalties if a U.S. Holder is required to submit such information to the IRS and fails to do so. In addition, U.S. Holders may be subject to information reporting to the IRS and backup withholding with respect to dividends on and proceeds from the sale or other disposition of the ADSs or ordinary shares. Information reporting will generally apply to payments of dividends on, and proceeds from the sale or other disposition of, ADSs or ordinary shares made by a paying agent within the United States to a U.S. Holder, other than U.S. Holders that are exempt from information reporting and properly certify their exemption. A paying agent within the United States will be required to withhold at the applicable statutory rate, currently 24%, in respect of any payments of dividends on, and the proceeds from the sale or other disposition of, ADSs or ordinary shares within the United States to a U.S. Holder (other than U.S. Holders that are exempt from backup withholding and properly certify their exemption) if the holder fails to furnish its correct taxpayer identification number or otherwise fails to comply with applicable backup withholding requirements. U.S. Holders who are required to establish their exempt status generally must provide a properly completed IRS
Form W-9.
127
Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Amounts withheld as backup withholding may be credited against a U.S. Holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability. A U.S. Holder generally may obtain a refund of any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules by filing the appropriate claim for refund with the IRS in a timely manner and furnishing any required information. Each U.S. Holder is advised to consult with its tax advisor regarding the application of information reporting and backup withholding rules to their particular circumstances.
F. Dividends and Paying Agents
Not applicable.
G. Statements by Experts
Not applicable.
H. Documents on Display
We previously filed with the SEC our registration statement on
Form F-1,
as amended, to register our ordinary shares in relation to our initial public offering. We have also filed with the SEC a related registration statement on F-6
(Registration No. 333-249010)
to register the ADSs. We are subject to periodic reporting and other information requirements of the Exchange Act as applicable to foreign private issuers. Accordingly, we are required to file reports, including annual reports on
Form 20-F, and
other information with the SEC. 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 documents, upon payment of a duplicating fee, by writing to the SEC. As a foreign private issuer, we are exempt under the Exchange Act from, among other things, the rules prescribing the furnishing and content of proxy statements, and our executive officers, directors and principal shareholders are exempt from the reporting and short-swing profit recovery provisions contained in Section 16 of the Exchange Act. In addition, we are not required under the Exchange Act to file periodic reports and financial statements with the SEC as frequently or as promptly as U.S. companies whose securities are registered under the Exchange Act. However, we will transmit to the depositary annual and semi-annual reports prepared in accordance with the applicable requirements of the SEC, to the extent such notices, reports and communications are not available on our website or are not otherwise publicly available, and all notices of shareholders’ meetings and other reports and communications that are made generally available to our shareholders. The depositary will make such notices, reports and communications available to holders of ADSs and, if we so request, will provide copies thereof to all record holders of ADSs.
I. |
Subsidiary Information |
Not applicable.
ITEM 11. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Foreign Exchange Risk
Our revenues, expenses and assets and liabilities are primarily denominated in Renminbi. Renminbi is not freely convertible into foreign currencies for capital account transactions. The value of the Renminbi against the U.S. dollar and other currencies is affected by changes in China’s political and economic conditions and by China’s foreign exchange policies, among other things. In July 2005, the PRC government changed
its decades-old policy
of pegging the value of the Renminbi to the U.S. dollar, and the Renminbi appreciated more than 20% against the U.S. dollar over the following three years. Between July 2008 and June 2010, this appreciation subsided and the exchange rate between the Renminbi and the U.S. dollar remained within a narrow band. Since June 2010, the Renminbi has fluctuated against the U.S. dollar, at times significantly and unpredictably. On March 17, 2014, the PRC government announced a policy to further expand the maximum daily floating range of Renminbi trading prices against the U.S. dollar in the inter-bank spot foreign exchange market to 2.0%. On August 10, 2015, the PRC government announced that it had changed the calculation method for Renminbi’s daily central parity exchange rate against the U.S. dollar, which resulted in an approximately 2.0% depreciation of Renminbi on that day. We expect Renminbi to fluctuate more significantly in value against the U.S. dollar or other foreign currencies in the future, depending on the market supply and demand with reference to a basket of major foreign currencies. It is difficult to predict how market forces or PRC or U.S. government policy may affect the exchange rate between the Renminbi and the U.S. dollar in the future. To date, we have not entered into any hedging transactions in an effort to reduce our exposure to foreign currency exchange risk. To the extent that we need to convert U.S. dollars we received from the initial public offering into Renminbi for our operations or capital expenditures, appreciation of the Renminbi against the U.S. dollar would have an adverse effect on the Renminbi amount we would receive from the conversion. Conversely, if we decide to convert our Renminbi into U.S. dollars for the purpose of making payments for dividends on our ordinary shares or ADSs or for other business purposes, appreciation of the U.S. dollar against the Renminbi would have a negative effect on the U.S. dollar amount available to us.
128
It is difficult to predict how market forces, including the volatile market conditions arising from the
COVID-19
pandemic, or PRC or U.S. government policy may impact the exchange rate between the RMB and the U.S. Dollar in the future. See “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Doing Business in China—Fluctuations in exchange rates may result in foreign currency exchange losses and may have material adverse effect on your investment.”
Credit and concentration risk
Financial instruments, including cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, prepayments and accounts receivable, potentially subject us to credit risks. As of December 31, 2021, our cash and cash equivalents were held by reputable financial institutions with high-credit ratings and quality. As a result, we do not have significant credit risk associated with the cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments. We do not have significant concentrations of credit risk associated with prepayments. We have not experienced any significant recoverability issue with respect to our accounts receivable and periodically evaluate the creditworthiness of the existing customers in determining an allowance for doubtful accounts primarily based on the age of receivables as well as other factors.
ITEM 12. DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES OTHER THAN EQUITY SECURITIES
A. |
Debt Securities |
Not applicable.
B. |
Warrants and Rights |
Not applicable.
C. |
Other Securities |
Not applicable.
D. |
American Depositary Shares |
Fees and Charges Our ADS Holders May Have to Pay
As an ADS holder, you will be required to pay the following under the terms of the deposit agreement:
| Service |
Fees | |
| (1) Issuance of ADSs (e.g., an issuance of ADS upon a deposit of ordinary shares, upon a change in the ADS(s)-to ordinary shares ratio, or for any other reason), excluding ADS issuances as a result of distributions of ordinary shares) |
Up to U.S.$5.00 per 100 ADSs issued | |
| (2) Cancelation of ADSs (e.g., a cancelation of ADSs for delivery of deposited property, upon a change in the ADS(s)-to-ordinary |
Up to U.S.$5.00 per 100 ADSs canceled | |
| (3) Distribution of cash dividends or other cash distributions (e.g., upon a sale of rights and other entitlements) |
Up to U.S.$5.00 per 100 ADSs held | |
| (4) Distribution of ADSs pursuant to (i) stock dividends or other free stock distributions, or (ii) exercise of rights to purchase additional ADSs |
Up to U.S.$5.00 per 100 ADSs held | |
| (5) Distribution of securities other than ADSs or rights to purchase additional ADSs (e.g., upon a spin-off) |
Up to U.S.$5.00 per 100 ADSs held | |
| (6) ADS Services |
Up to U.S.$5.00 per 100 ADSs held on the applicable record date(s) established by the depositary | |
| (7) Registration of ADS transfers (e.g., upon a registration of the transfer of registered ownership of ADSs, upon a transfer of ADSs into DTC and vice versa, or for any other reason) |
Up to U.S.$5.00 per 100 ADSs (or fraction thereof) transferred | |
| (8) Conversion of ADSs of one series for ADSs of another series (e.g., upon conversion of Partial Entitlement ADSs for Full Entitlement ADSs, or upon conversion of Restricted ADSs (each as defined in the Deposit Agreement) into freely transferable ADSs, and vice versa). |
Up to U.S.$5.00 per 100 ADSs (or fraction thereof) transferred |
129
As an ADS holder, you will also be responsible to pay certain charges such as:
| • | taxes (including applicable interest and penalties) and other governmental charges; |
| • | the registration fees as may from time to time be in effect for the registration of ordinary shares on the share register and applicable to transfers of ordinary shares to or from the name of the custodian, the depositary or any nominees upon the making of deposits and withdrawals, respectively; |
| • | certain cable, telex and facsimile transmission and delivery expenses; |
| • | the fees, expenses, spreads, taxes and other charges of the depositary and/or service providers (which may be a division, branch or affiliate of the depositary) in the conversion of foreign currency; |
| • | the reasonable and customary out-of-pocket |
| • | the fees, charges, costs and expenses incurred by the depositary, the custodian, or any nominee in connection with the ADR program. |
ADS fees and charges for (i) the issuance of ADSs, and (ii) the cancelation of ADSs are charged to the person for whom the ADSs are issued (in the case of ADS issuances) and to the person for whom ADSs are canceled (in the case of ADS cancelations). In the case of ADSs issued by the depositary into DTC, the ADS issuance and cancelation fees and charges may be deducted from distributions made through DTC, and may be charged to the DTC participant(s) receiving the ADSs being issued or the DTC participant(s) holding the ADSs being canceled, as the case may be, on behalf of the beneficial owner(s) and will be charged by the DTC participant(s) to the account of the applicable beneficial owner(s) in accordance with the procedures and practices of the DTC participants as in effect at the time. ADS fees and charges in respect of distributions and the ADS service fee are charged to the holders as of the applicable ADS record date. In the case of distributions of cash, the amount of the applicable ADS fees and charges is deducted from the funds being distributed. In the case of (i) distributions other than cash and (ii) the ADS service fee, holders as of the ADS record date will be invoiced for the amount of the ADS fees and charges and such ADS fees and charges may be deducted from distributions made to holders of ADSs. For ADSs held through DTC, the ADS fees and charges for distributions other than cash and the ADS service fee may be deducted from distributions made through DTC, and may be charged to the DTC participants in accordance with the procedures and practices prescribed by DTC and the DTC participants in turn charge the amount of such ADS fees and charges to the beneficial owners for whom they hold ADSs. In the case of (i) registration of ADS transfers, the ADS transfer fee will be payable by the ADS Holder whose ADSs are being transferred or by the person to whom the ADSs are transferred, and (ii) conversion of ADSs of one series for ADSs of another series, the ADS conversion fee will be payable by the Holder whose ADSs are converted or by the person to whom the converted ADSs are delivered.
In the event of refusal to pay the depositary fees, the depositary 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. Certain depositary fees and charges (such as the ADS services fee) may become payable shortly after the closing of the ADS offering. Note that the fees and charges you may be required to pay may vary over time and may be changed by us and by the depositary. You will receive prior notice of such changes.
Fees and Other Payments Made by the Depositary to Us
The depositary has agreed to share with us certain fees payable to the depositary by holders of ADSs. For the year ended December 31, 2021, we did not receive any payment from the depositary in reimbursements relating to the establishment and maintenance of the ADS program.
PART II
ITEM 13. DEFAULTS, DIVIDEND ARREARAGES AND DELINQUENCIES
None.
ITEM 14. MATERIAL MODIFICATIONS TO THE RIGHTS OF SECURITY HOLDERS AND USE OF PROCEEDS
Material Modifications to the Rights of Security Holders
130
See “Item 10. Additional Information—B. Memorandum and Articles of Association—Ordinary Shares” for a description of the rights of securities holders, which remain unchanged.
Use of Proceeds
The following “Use of Proceeds” information relates to (i) the registration statement on
Form F-1,
as amended (File Number: 333-248691)
in relation to our initial public offering of 3,333,400 ADSs representing 16,667,000 ordinary shares, at an initial offering price of US$9.25 per ADS. AMTD Global Markets Limited and Loop Capital Markets LLC were the representatives of the underwriters for our initial public offering. The
F-1
Registration Statement became effective on September 30, 2020. From the period from the date that the Form F-1
was declared effective by the SEC, to December 31, 2020, the total expenses incurred for our company’s account in connection with our initial public offering was approximately US$4.8 million, which included approximately US$2.2 million in underwriting discounts and commissions for the initial public offering, approximately US$440,000 in expenses paid to or for the underwriters as reimbursements, and approximately US$2.2 million in other costs and expenses for our initial public offering. As a result of our initial public offering, we raised an aggregate of approximately US$26.2 million in net proceeds, after deducting related costs and expenses. None of the transaction expenses included payments to directors or officers of our company or their associates, persons owning more than 10% or more of our equity securities or our affiliates. From the period from September 30, 2020, the date that the Form
F-1
was declared effective by the SEC, to December 31, 2021, we had not used any of the net proceeds received from our initial public offering. None of the net proceeds from the initial public offering were paid, directly or indirectly, to any of our directors or officers or their associates, persons owning 10% or more of our equity securities or our affiliates. We still intend to use the proceeds from our initial public offering, as disclosed in our registration statement on
Form F-1.
ITEM 15. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Our management, including our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, has performed an evaluation of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in
Rules 13a-15(e) and
15d-15(e) promulgated
under the Exchange Act) as of the end of the period covered by this annual report on Form 20-F,
as required by Rule 13a-15(b) under
the Exchange Act. Based on that evaluation, our management concluded that, as of December 31, 2021, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective in ensuring that the information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file and furnish under the Exchange Act was recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that the information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as defined in
Rules13a-15(f)
and 15d-15(f)
promulgated under the Exchange Act. Internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that: (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of our assets; (ii ) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP, and that our receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorizations of our management or our board of directors; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of our assets that could have a material effect on our interim or annual consolidated financial statements. Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to consolidated financial statement preparation and presentation and may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
131
Our management, including our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, evaluated the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting using the criteria established in the framework in Internal Control-Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on this evaluation, our management has concluded that the material weaknesses identified during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2019 and 2020 have been remediated, the internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2021.
Attestation Report of the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
This annual report does not include an attestation report of our company’s independent registered public accounting firm because we qualify as an emerging growth company as such term is defined in the JOBS Act as of December 31, 2021.
An emerging growth company may take advantage of specified reduced reporting and other requirements 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.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Since January 1, 2021, we have taken initiatives to improve our internal control over financial reporting to address the material weaknesses that have been identified December 31, 2019 and 2020. We have adopted certain measures to improve our internal control over financial reporting including:
| • | In 2021 we hired a new chief financial officer with responsibility for public disclosures, investor relations, and acquisitions |
| • | In 2021 we distributed internal policies and handbooks on topics such as contract management, vendor management, reimbursement management and risk control management to our employees, and conducted training seminars to ensure effective implementation |
| • | In 2021 we engaged an independent external consulting firm with extensive U.S. GAAP reporting experience to assist our U.S. GAAP reporting team in preparation of this annual report |
| • | In 2021 we engaged an external consulting firm to assist us to assess Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 compliance readiness and improve overall internal controls and this external consulting firm also provided a Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 training session to our senior employees |
Other than as described above, there were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
ITEM 16.A. AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT
Our audit committee consists of three members and is chaired by Mr. Teck Yong Heng. Each of Mr. Teck Yong Heng and Mr. Yan Kit Lee satisfies the “independence” requirements of the listing rules of Nasdaq Global Market and meet the independence standards under
Rule 10A-3
under the Exchange Act. We have determined that Mr. Teck Yong Heng qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert.” ITEM 16.B. CODE OF ETHICS
Our board of directors adopted a code of business conduct and ethics that applies to our directors, officers, employees and advisors. We have posted a copy of our code of business conduct and ethics on our website at .
www.lixiangeh.com
ITEM 16.C. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
The following table sets forth the aggregate fees by the categories specified in connection with certain professional services rendered by PricewaterhouseCoopers Zhong Tian LLP, our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2019 and 2020, and by WWC, P.C., our new independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021. We did not pay any other fees to our auditors during the periods indicated below.
For the year ended December 31, |
||||||||||||
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
||||||||||
| Audit fees (1) |
|
RMB1,174,456.07 (US$179,996.0 |
) |
|
RMB7,224,898.57 (US$1,107,281.1 |
) |
|
RMB1,274,200 (US$200,000 |
) | |||
| Tax fees (2) |
|
RMB79,179.69 (US$12,135 |
) |
|||||||||
132
| (1) | “Audit fees” represent the aggregate fees for professional services rendered by our principal auditors for the review of our interim consolidated financial statements, the audit of our annual consolidated financial statements and/or services that are normally provided by the auditors in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements. |
| (2) | “Tax fees” represent the aggregate fees for professional services rendered by our principal auditors for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning. |
133
The policy of our audit committee is to
pre-approve
all audit and non-audit
services to be provided by WWC, P.C., including audit services, audit-related services, tax services and other services as are described above, other than those for de minimis services which are approved by the audit committee prior to the completion of the audit. ITEM 16.D. EXEMPTIONS FROM THE LISTING STANDARDS FOR AUDIT COMMITTEES
As described under Item 16G, we have relied on and intend to continue relying on home country practice, our audit committee consists of three members (two of whom are independent directors and one of whom is an executive director), although all of the members of the audit committee must be independent under the Exchange Act within one year of the initial public offering. As the majority of the audit committee consists of independent directors, our reliance on such exemption will not materially adversely affect the ability of the audit committee to act independently.
ITEM 16.E. PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY THE ISSUER AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS
Not applicable.
ITEM 16.F. CHANGE IN REGISTRANT’S CERTIFYING ACCOUNTANT
On November 10, 2021, we dismissed PricewaterhouseCoopers Zhong Tian LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm in connection with the audit of our consolidated financial statements for the two most recent fiscal years ended December 31, 2019 and 2020. The audit report of PricewaterhouseCoopers Zhong Tian LLP on the consolidated financial statements of the Company as of December 31, 2019 and 2020 and for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2019 and 2020 did not contain an adverse opinion or disclaimer of opinion and was not qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope or accounting principles. The decision to change independent registered public accounting firm was recommended and approved by the audit committee and the board of directors of the Company.
During the fiscal years ended December 31, 2019 and 2020 and any subsequent interim period (as applicable) preceding the dismissal, there were no disagreements, as defined in Item 16F(a)(1)(iv) of Form 20-F, between us and PricewaterhouseCoopers Zhong Tian LLP on any matter of accounting matters, accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure, or auditing scope or procedure. There were no reportable events as defined in Item 16F(a)(1)(v)(A)-(D) of Form 20-F, other than as disclosed in this Item 16F and the material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting as disclosed in our annual report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 filed with the SEC on April 30, 2021.
On November 10, 2021, we engaged WWC, P.C., as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021. We also appointed WWC, P.C. to re-audit the consolidated financial statements for the two most recent fiscal years ended December 31, 2019 and 2020. The engagement of WWC, P.C. was approved by our audit committee and the board of directors. During the fiscal years ended December 31, 2019 and 2020 and any subsequent interim periods (as applicable) prior to the engagement of WWC, P.C., neither we, nor someone on our behalf, have consulted WWC, P.C. regarding:
| a. | the application of accounting principles to a specified transaction, either completed or proposed; or the type of audit opinion that might be rendered on our consolidated financial statements, and neither a written report was provided to us or oral advice was provided that WWC, P.C. concluded was an important factor considered by us in reaching a decision as to the accounting, auditing or financial reporting issue; or |
| b. | any matter that was the subject of a disagreement, or any reportable event as described above. |
We provided PricewaterhouseCoopers Zhong Tian LLP and WWC, P.C. with a copy of the foregoing disclosure, and requested that each of PricewaterhouseCoopers Zhong Tian LLP and WWC, P.C. furnish us with a letter addressed to the SEC stating whether it agrees with the above statements that relate to them, and if not, stating the respects in which it does not agree. We have received the requested letters from WWC, P.C. and PricewaterhouseCoopers Zhong Tian LLP, copies of which are included as Exhibit 15.3 and Exhibit 15.4 to this annual report on Form 20-F.
134
ITEM 16.G. CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
As a Cayman Islands exempted company listed on Nasdaq, we are subject to the Nasdaq corporate governance listing standards. However, Nasdaq rules permit a foreign private issuer like us to follow the corporate governance practices of its home country. Certain corporate governance practices in the Cayman Islands, which is our home country, may differ significantly from the Nasdaq corporate governance listing standards. Currently, we have relied on and intend to continue to rely on some of our home country exemptions for corporate governance matters. These practices may afford less protection to shareholders than they would enjoy if we complied fully with the Nasdaq corporate governance listing standards. As a result, you may not be provided with the benefits of certain corporate governance requirements of the Nasdaq Global Market. See “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Our ADSs—As a company incorporated in the Cayman Islands, we are permitted to adopt certain home country practices in relation to corporate governance matters that differ significantly from the Nasdaq Global Market listing standards; these practices may afford less protection to shareholders than they would enjoy if we complied fully with the Nasdaq Global Market listing standards.”
ITEM 16.H. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURE
Not applicable.
PART III
ITEM 17. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
We have elected to provide financial statements pursuant to Item 18.
ITEM 18. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The consolidated financial statements of Lixiang Education Holding Co., Ltd., its subsidiaries and its consolidated Variable Interest Entities are included at the end of this annual report on
Form 20-F.
135
ITEM 19. EXHIBITS
EXHIBIT INDEX
136
137
138
139
| * | Filed herewith |
| ** | Furnished herewith |
140
SIGNATURES
The registrant hereby certifies that it meets all of the requirements for filing on
Form 20-F,
and that it has duly caused and authorized the undersigned to sign this annual report on its behalf. | Lixiang Education Holding Co., Ltd. | ||||
| By: | /s/ Biao Wei | |||
| Name: | Biao Wei | |||
| Title: | Director and Chief Executive Officer | |||
Date: April 28, 2022
141
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
F-2 |
||||
F-3 |
||||
F-5 |
||||
F-6 |
||||
F-7 |
||||
F-9 |
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To: |
The Board of Directors and Shareholders of |
Lixiang Education Holding Co., Ltd.
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Lixiang Education Holding Co., Ltd. (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2020 and 2021, and the related consolidated statements of comprehensive income/(loss), changes in shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2021, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the financial statements). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2020 and 2021, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2021, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
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/ WWC, P.C.
WWC, P.C.
Certified Public Accountants
PCAOB NO.: 1171
We have served as the Company’s auditor since October 2021.
San Mateo, California
April 2
8
, 2022 F-2
Lixiang Education Holding Co., Ltd.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
As of December 31, 2020 and 2021
(RMB, except share data or otherwise noted)
As of December 31, |
||||||||||||
2020 |
2021 |
|||||||||||
RMB |
RMB |
US$(Note 2(g)) |
||||||||||
| ASSETS |
||||||||||||
| Current assets: |
||||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents |
203,556,885 | 199,411,823 | 31,292,067 | |||||||||
| Inventories |
1,577,330 | 227,600 | 35,715 | |||||||||
| Prepayments and other current assets |
41,112 | 101,467,924 | 15,922,531 | |||||||||
| Amounts due from Affected Entity, current |
8,884,600 | — | — | |||||||||
| Current assets belong to discontinued operation |
265,798,189 | — | — | |||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| Total current assets |
479,858,116 | 301,107,347 | 47,250,313 | |||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| Non-current assets: |
||||||||||||
| Property and equipment, net |
163,967,037 | 165,058,863 | 25,901,337 | |||||||||
| Land use rights |
37,720,475 | 36,767,329 | 5,769,596 | |||||||||
| Intangible assets |
11,667 | 254,634 | 39,958 | |||||||||
| Goodwill |
— | 26,644,407 | 4,181,089 | |||||||||
| Deferred tax assets |
— | 2,893,183 | 454,004 | |||||||||
| Non-Current assets belong to discontinued operation |
41,482,375 | — | — | |||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| Total non-current assets |
243,181,554 | 231,618,416 | 36,345,984 | |||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| Total assets |
723,039,670 | 532,725,763 | 83,596,297 | |||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY |
||||||||||||
| Current liabilities |
||||||||||||
| Short-term borrowings (including short-term borrowings of the consolidated variable interest entities (“VIEs”) without recourse to the Company of RMB 24,895,606 |
24,895,606 | 77,000,000 | 12,082,980 | |||||||||
| Accounts payable (including accounts payable of the consolidated variable interest entities (“VIEs”) without recourse to the Company of RMB600,000 an d RMB741,169 as of December 31, 2020 and 2021, respectively) |
6,163,277 | 6,002,448 | 941,915 | |||||||||
| Deferred revenue, current (including deferred revenue, current of the consolidated variable interest entities (“VIEs”) without recourse to the Company of RMB10,000 and RMB1,204,033 |
176,980 | 1,386,607 | 217,589 | |||||||||
| Salary and welfare payable (including salary and welfare payable of the consolidated variable interest entities (“VIEs”) without recourse to the Company of RMB 263,232 and RMB2,007,834 as of December 31, 2020 and 2021, respectively) |
312,788 | 2,126,041 | 333,622 | |||||||||
| Amounts due to related parties (including amounts due to related parties of the consolidated variable interest entities (“VIEs”) without recourse to the Company of RMB719,400 and RMB323,400 as of December 31, 2020 and 2021, respectively) |
719,400 | 323,400 | 50,749 | |||||||||
| Taxes payable (including taxes payable of the consolidated variable interest entities (“VIEs”) without recourse to the Company of RMB237,473 and RMB628,081 as of December 31, 2020 and 2021, respectively) |
269,727 | 649,138 | 101,864 | |||||||||
| Accrued liabilities and other current liabilities (including accrued liabilities and other current liabilities of the consolidated variable interest entities (“VIEs”) without recourse to the Company of RMB3,710,356 and RMB16,708,810 as of December 31, 2020 and 2021, respectively) |
5,669,561 | 17,392,216 | 2,729,218 | |||||||||
| Amounts due to Affected Entity, current |
254,151,621 | 308,782,975 | 48,454,786 | |||||||||
| Current liabilities belong to discontinued operation |
62,799,191 | — | — | |||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| Total current liabilities |
355,158,151 | 413,662,825 | 64,912,723 | |||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
F-3
| Non-current liabilities |
||||||||||||
| Non-current liabilities belong to discontinued operation |
412,593 | — | — | |||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| Total non-current liabilities |
412,593 | — | — | |||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| Total liabilities |
355,570,744 | 413,662,825 | 64,912,723 | |||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| Commitments and contingencies |
||||||||||||
| Shareholders’ equity: |
||||||||||||
| Ordinary shares (USD$0.0001 par value; 500,000,000 and 500,000,000 shares authorized, 66,667,000 and 66,667,000 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2020 and 2021, respectively) |
45,198 | 45,198 | 7,093 | |||||||||
| Additional paid-in capital |
181,849,003 | 181,849,003 | 28,536,077 | |||||||||
| Statutory reserves |
58,217,195 | 59,971,836 | 9,410,890 | |||||||||
| Accumulated other comprehensive loss |
(7,956,640 | ) | (12,542,667 | ) | (1,968,218 | ) | ||||||
| Retained earnings/(Accumulated deficit) |
135,314,170 | (110,260,432 | ) | (17,302,268 | ) | |||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| Total shareholders’ equity |
367,468,926 | 119,062,938 | 18,683,574 | |||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity |
723,039,670 | 532,725,763 | 83,596,297 | |||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
F-4
Lixiang Education Holding Co., Ltd.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME/(LOSS)
For the years ended December 31, 2019, 2020 and 2021
(RMB, except share data or otherwise noted)
For the years ended December 31, |
||||||||||||||||
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
||||||||||||||
RMB |
RMB |
RMB |
US$ (Note 2(g)) |
|||||||||||||
| Net revenues: |
||||||||||||||||
| Revenue from related parties |
2,373,333 | 1,668,572 | 906,667 | 142,276 | ||||||||||||
| Revenue from third party |
1,717,697 | 3,410,091 | 8,512,992 | 1,335,874 | ||||||||||||
| Revenue from Affected Entity |
9,340,573 | 20,626,291 | 25,017,113 | 3,925,731 | ||||||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
| Total net revenue |
13,431,603 | 25,704,954 | 34,436,772 | 5,403,881 | ||||||||||||
| Cost of revenues |
(4,764,530 | ) | (10,751,952 | ) | (17,356,450 | ) | (2,723,606 | ) | ||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
| Gross profit |
8,667,073 | 14,953,002 | 17,080,322 | 2,680,275 | ||||||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
| Operating expenses: |
||||||||||||||||
| General and administrative expenses |
(2,120,562 | ) | (10,124,428 | ) | (18,372,763 | ) | (2,883,087 | ) | ||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
| Total operating expenses |
(2,120,562 | ) | (10,124,428 | ) | (18,372,763 | ) | (2,883,087 | ) | ||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
| Operating income/(loss) |
6,546,511 | 4,828,574 | (1,292,441 | ) | (202,812 | ) | ||||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
| Interest expense |
(1,738,301 | ) | (897,398 | ) | (2,393,178 | ) | (375,542 | ) | ||||||||
| Interest income |
13,230 | 16,634 | 14,834 | 2,328 | ||||||||||||
| Other (loss)/income, net |
(22,581 | ) | (1,426 | ) | 4,590,580 | 720,362 | ||||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
| Income before income tax expense |
4,798,859 | 3,946,384 | 919,795 | 144,336 | ||||||||||||
| Income tax expense |
— | — | (670,976 | ) | (105,291 | ) | ||||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
| Income from continuing operations, net of tax |
4,798,859 | 3,946,384 | 248,819 | 39,045 | ||||||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
| Income/(loss) from discontinued operation, net of tax |
42,438,138 | 29,638,700 | (244,068,780 | ) | (38,299,718 | ) | ||||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
| Net income/(loss) |
47,236,997 | 33,585,084 | (243,819,961 | ) | (38,260,673 | ) | ||||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
| Net income/(loss) attributable to the Company’s ordinary shareholders |
47,236,997 | 33,585,084 | (243,819,961 | ) | (38,260,673 | ) | ||||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
| Other comprehensive loss |
||||||||||||||||
| Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of nil tax |
— | (7,956,640 | ) | (4,586,027 | ) | (719,648 | ) | |||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
| Comprehensive income/(loss) |
47,236,997 | 25,628,444 | (248,405,988 | ) | (38,980,321 | ) | ||||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
| Total comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to the Company’s ordinary shareholders |
47,236,997 | 25,628,444 | (248,405,988 | ) | (38,980,321 | ) | ||||||||||
| Earnings per share from continuing operations |
||||||||||||||||
| —Basic and diluted |
0.10 | 0.07 | 0.00 | 0.00 | ||||||||||||
| Earnings/(loss) per share from discontinued operation |
||||||||||||||||
| —Basic and diluted |
0.85 | 0.55 | (3.66 | ) | (0.57 | ) | ||||||||||
| Weighted average number of ordinary shares used in per share calculation |
||||||||||||||||
| —Basic and diluted |
50,000,000 | 54,166,750 | 66,667,000 | 66,667,000 | ||||||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
F-5
Lixiang Education Holding Co., Ltd.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
For the years ended December 31, 2019, 2020 and 2021
(RMB, except share data or otherwise noted)
Ordinary shares |
Additional paid-in capital |
Statutory reserves |
Accumulated other comprehensive loss |
Retained earnings/(Accumulated deficit) |
Total shareholders’ equity |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Number of shares |
Amount |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
RMB |
RMB |
RMB |
RMB |
RMB |
RMB |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance as of December 31, 2018 |
50,000,000 |
— |
11,200,000 |
40,197,986 |
— |
72,511,298 |
123,909,284 |
|||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income for the year |
— | — | — | — | — | 47,236,997 | 47,236,997 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Provision of statutory reserve |
— | — | — | 10,609,534 | — | (10,609,534 | ) | — | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Foreign currency translation |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||
| Balance as of December 31, 2019 |
50,000,000 |
— |
11,200,000 |
50,807,520 |
— |
109,138,761 |
171,146,281 |
|||||||||||||||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||
| Net income for the year |
— | — | — | — | — | 33,585,084 | 33,585,084 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Issuance of ordinary shares upon Initial Public Offering (“IPO”), net of issuance cost |
16,667,000 | 45,198 | 170,649,003 | — | — | — | 170,694,201 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Provision of statutory reserve |
— | — | — | 7,409,675 | — | (7,409,675 | ) | — | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Foreign currency translation |
— | — | — | — | (7,956,640 | ) | — | (7,956,640 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||
| Balance as of December 31, 2020 |
66,667,000 |
45,198 |
181,849,003 |
58,217,195 |
(7,956,640 |
) |
135,314,170 |
367,468,926 |
||||||||||||||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||
| Net loss for the year |
— | — | — | — | — | (243,819,961 | ) | (243,819,961 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Provision of statutory reserve |
— | — | — | 1,754,641 | — | (1,754,641 | ) | — | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Foreign currency translation |
— | — | — | — | (4,586,027 | ) | — | (4,586,027 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||
| Balance as of December 31, 2021 |
66,667,000 |
45,198 |
181,849,003 |
59,971,836 |
(12,542,667 |
) |
(110,260,432 |
) |
119,062,938 |
|||||||||||||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
F-6
Lixiang Education Holding Co., Ltd.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
For the years ended December 31, 2019, 2020 and 2021
(RMB, except share data or otherwise noted)
For the years ended December 31, |
||||||||||||||||
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
||||||||||||||
RMB |
RMB |
RMB |
US$ (Note 2(g)) |
|||||||||||||
| Cash flows from operating activities |
||||||||||||||||
| Net income/(loss) |
47,236,997 | 33,585,084 | (243,819,961 | ) | (38,260,673 | ) | ||||||||||
| Net income/(loss) from discontinued operation |
42,438,138 | 29,638,700 | (244,068,780 | ) | (38,299,718 | ) | ||||||||||
| Net income from continuing operations |
4,798,859 | 3,946,384 | 248,819 | 39,045 | ||||||||||||
| Adjustments for: |
||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation of property and equipment |
3,821,283 | 3,913,937 | 4,257,506 | 668,096 | ||||||||||||
| Amortization of land use rights |
940,247 | 946,697 | 946,697 | 148,557 | ||||||||||||
| Amortization of acquired intangible assets |
5,000 | 5,000 | 33,120 | 5,197 | ||||||||||||
| Loss on disposal of property and equipment |
— | — | 23,884 | 3,748 | ||||||||||||
| Gain on acquisition of Youxi Software |
— | — | (2,823,630 | ) | (443,089 | ) | ||||||||||
| Changes in assets and liabilities: |
||||||||||||||||
| Inventories |
— | (1,577,330 | ) | 1,349,730 | 211,802 | |||||||||||
| Prepayments and other current assets |
10,232,207 | 368,933 | 17,618,483 | 2,764,724 | ||||||||||||
| Amounts due from related parties |
4,873,445 | 977,770 | — | — | ||||||||||||
| Amounts due from Affected Entity |
— | 3,482,533 | 8,884,600 | 1,394,188 | ||||||||||||
| Accounts payable |
— | 6,163,277 | (1,379,609 | ) | (216,491 | ) | ||||||||||
| Amounts due to related parties |
(2,980,600 | ) | — |
(396,000 | ) | (62,141 | ) | |||||||||
| Amounts due to Affected Entity |
46,825,518 | 28,254,761 | 54,631,354 | 8,572,852 | ||||||||||||
| Salaries and welfare payable |
127,223 | 131,339 | 1,792,411 | 281,268 | ||||||||||||
| Taxes payable |
(518,613 | ) | 249,897 | 417,218 | 65,471 | |||||||||||
| Deferred revenue, current and non-current |
(1,000,000 | ) | 176,980 | (3,975,173 | ) | (623,791 | ) | |||||||||
| Accrued liabilities and other current liabilities |
(6,146,589 | ) | (208,685 | ) | (18,466,836 | ) | (2,897,850 | ) | ||||||||
| Deferred tax assets |
— | — | (91,092 | ) | (14,294 | ) | ||||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
| Net cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations |
60,977,980 | 46,831,493 | 63,071,482 | 9,897,292 | ||||||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
| Net cash (used in)/provided by operating activities from discontinued operation |
(2,202,928 | ) | 2,624,493 | (32,463,882 | ) | (5,094,291 | ) | |||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
| Net cash provided by operating activities |
58,775,052 | 49,455,986 | 30,607,600 | 4,803,001 | ||||||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
| Cash flows from investing activities: |
||||||||||||||||
| Purchase of short-term investments |
(30,000,000 | ) | (55,000,000 | ) | (107,500,000 | ) | (16,869,096 | ) | ||||||||
| Proceeds from maturity of short-term investments |
15,060,931 | 65,000,000 | 107,500,000 | 16,869,096 | ||||||||||||
| Purchase of property and equipment |
(13,050 | ) | (3,909,253 | ) | (2,249,341 | ) | (352,971 | ) | ||||||||
| Loans lent to related parties |
(26,471,645 | ) | (22,161,208 | ) | — | — | ||||||||||
| Repayments of loans by related parties |
17,828,445 | 28,139,563 | — | — | ||||||||||||
| Receipts of the consideration from the divestiture of Lianwai Kindergarten |
3,000,000 | — | — | — | ||||||||||||
| Advance deposit for intent acquisition |
— | — | (100,000,000 | ) | (15,692,182 | ) | ||||||||||
| Purchase of Youxi Software |
— | — | (296,789 | ) | (46,573 | ) | ||||||||||
| Purchase of Qingtian International School |
— | — | (12,188,781 | ) | (1,912,686 | ) | ||||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
| Net cash (used in)/provided by investing activities from continuing operations |
(20,595,319 | ) | 12,069,102 | (114,734,911 | ) | (18,004,412 | ) | |||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
| Net cash (used in)/provided by investing activities from discontinued operation |
(14,143,681 | ) | 7,688,534 | (40,315,605 | ) | (6,326,398 | ) | |||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
| Net cash (used in)/provided by investing activities |
(34,739,000 | ) | 19,757,636 | (155,050,516 | ) | (24,330,810 | ) | |||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
| Cash flows from financing activities: |
||||||||||||||||
| Proceeds from short-term borrowings with banks |
44,800,000 | 43,400,000 | 97,000,000 | 15,221,417 | ||||||||||||
F-7
| Repayments of short-term borrowings with banks |
(69,000,000 | ) | (63,304,394 | ) | (44,895,606 | ) | (7,045,100 | ) | ||||||||
| Proceeds from short-term borrowings from related parties |
3,049,462 | — | — | — | ||||||||||||
| Repayment of short-term borrowings to related parties |
(3,049,462 | ) | — | — | — | |||||||||||
| Repayments of loan payable due to Lianwai Kindergarten |
(16,349,911 | ) | — | — | — | |||||||||||
| Proceeds from issuance of ordinary shares upon IPO |
— | 208,718,163 | — | — | ||||||||||||
| Cash paid for initial public offering related costs |
— | (38,023,962 | ) | — | — | |||||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
| Net cash (used in)/provided by financing activities from continuing operations |
(40,549,911 | ) | 150,789,807 | 52,104,394 | 8,176,317 | |||||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
| Net cash provided by/(used in) financing activities from discontinued operation |
38,588,379 | (24,000,000 | ) | 63,566,667 | 9,974,997 | |||||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
| Net cash (used in)/provided by financing activities |
(1,961,532 | ) | 126,789,807 | 115,671,061 | 18,151,314 | |||||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
| Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents |
— | (7,956,640 | ) | (4,586,028 | ) | (719,648 | ) | |||||||||
| Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents |
22,074,520 | 188,046,789 | (13,357,883 | ) | (2,096,143 | ) | ||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of year |
2,648,397 | 24,722,917 | 212,769,706 | 33,388,210 | ||||||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents at the end of year |
24,722,917 | 212,769,706 | 199,411,823 | 31,292,067 | ||||||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
| Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information: |
||||||||||||||||
| Cash paid for interest expenses |
3,424,930 | 2,148,384 | — |
— |
||||||||||||
| Cash paid for income tax expenses |
— | — | 955,081 | 149,873 | ||||||||||||
| Supplemental schedule of non-cash investing and financing activities: |
||||||||||||||||
| Payables for Qingtian International School acquisition |
— | — | 8,000,000 | 1,255,375 | | |||||||||||
| Payables for property and equipment |
3,723,326 | 1,061,462 | — | — |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
F-8
Lixiang Education Holding Co., Ltd.
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(RMB, except share data or otherwise noted)
1. |
Organization and Principal Activities |
(a) |
Principal activities |
Lixiang Education Holding Co., Ltd. (formerly known as Lianwai Education Group Limited, the “Company”) was incorporated on September 6, 2018 under the law of the Cayman Islands as an exempted company with limited liability. The Company’s original name was Lianwai Education Group Limited. The Company changed its name to Lixiang Education Holding Co., Ltd. on May 26, 2020. The Company, through its subsidiaries and consolidated variable interest entities (“VIEs”) (collectively referred to as the “Group”) is primarily engaged in providing education services through Zhejiang Lishui Mengxiang Education Development Company Limited, Liandu Foreign Language School (“Lianwai School”) and Qingtian Overseas Chinese International School (“Qingtian International School”) in the People’s Republic of China (the “PRC”).
On May 14, 2021, the General Office of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China (the “PRC State Council”) announced the Implementation Rules, which became effective on September 1, 2021. Under the Implementation Rules, social organizations and individuals are prohibited from controlling a private school that provides compulsory education by means of, among others, merger, acquisition, and contractual arrangements, and a private school providing compulsory education is prohibited from conducting transactions with its related party. Compulsory education in this context means the nine years of curriculum education mandated by the PRC, consisting of six years of primary education at primary school and three years of secondary education at middle school. Moreover, Lianwai School provides compulsory education services in the PRC. Pursuant to the Implementation Rules, (1) foreign-invested enterprises established in China and social organizations whose actual controllers are foreign parties shall not sponsor, participate in or actually control private schools that provide compulsory education, (2) social organizations or individuals shall not control any private school that provides compulsory education or any
non-profit
private school that provides pre-school
education by means of merger, acquisition, contractual arrangements, etc., and (3) private schools providing compulsory education shall not conduct any transaction with any related party. Under the Implementation Rules, private schools providing compulsory education is prohibited from being controlled through contractual arrangement and conducting transactions with its related parties and hence, significantly affects the enforceability of the exclusive management services and business cooperation agreements with the Lianwai School providing compulsory education.
As a result of the effectiveness of the Implementation Rules, the Company would no longer be able to use its power under the contractual arrangements as disclosed in Note 2(c) to direct the relevant activities that would most significantly affect the economic performance of those schools and hence, has lost control on August 31, 2021 over Lianwai School “Affected Entity”. The Company assessed the implications of Implementation Rules and concluded that, based on all relevant facts and circumstances, the ability of the Group to use its power under the contractual arrangements with Zhejiang Lishui Mengxiang Education Development Company Limited to direct the relevant activities that would most significantly affect the economic performance of the Affected Entity had ceased on August 31, 2021 immediately before the Implementation Rules became effective. Accordingly, the carrying amount related to the net assets of the Affected Entity were deconsolidated from the consolidated financial statements of the Group as of August 31, 2021.
In addition, after August 31, 2021, the remaining businesses of the Group are mainly engaged in high school operation and the provision of operation services for domestic schools, including catering and procurement services.
Significant equity transactions
On October 1, 2020, the Company completed its IPO on the NASDAQ Global Market of 3,333,400 American Depositary Shares (“ADS”). Each ADS represents 5 ordinary shares. The offering was at a price of US$9.25 per ADS for a total offering size of approximately US$30.8 million. The net proceeds raised from the IPO amounted to approximately RMB 170.7 million (US$26.2 million) after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and other offering expenses.
On August 31, 2021, the Company acquired 100% of the sponsorship interest of Qingtian International School from Qingtian Zhongyi Education Investment Co., Ltd under the consideration of RMB23 million.
F-9
1. |
Organization and Principal Activities (Continued) |
As of December 31, 2021, the Company’s major subsidiaries and VIEs are as follows:
| Name of subsidiaries and VIE |
Date of establishment |
Place of incorporation |
Percentage of direct or indirect economic ownership |
Principal activities | ||||||
| Wholly owned subsidiaries of the Company: |
||||||||||
| Lianwai Investment Co., Ltd. (“Lianwai investment”) |
Established on September 11, 2018 |
BVI | 100 | % | Investment holding | |||||
| Hong Kong Mengxiang Education Development Group Limited (“HK Mengxiang”) |
Established on September 20, 2018 |
Hong Kong | 100 | % | Investment holding | |||||
| Zhejiang Mengxiang Consulting Services Co., Ltd. (“Liandu WFOE”) |
Established on October 10, 2018 |
PRC | 100 | % | Investment holding | |||||
| Zhejiang Lishui Xianke Agricultural Products Distribution Co., Ltd. (“Lishui Xianke”) |
Established on August 13, 2020 |
PRC | 100 | % | Operation of food procurement | |||||
| Hangzhou Youxi Information Technology Co., Ltd. (“Youxi Software”) |
Established on December 14, 2018 |
PRC | 100 | % | Information technology development | |||||
| Variable Interest Entities (“VIEs”) |
||||||||||
| Zhejiang Lishui Mengxiang Education Development Company Limited (“Lishui Mengxiang VIE”) |
Established on August 20, 2001 |
PRC | 100 | % | Operation of Liandu Foreign Language School | |||||
| Qingtian Overseas Chinese International School (“Qingtian International School”) |
Established on August 1, 2019 |
PRC | 100 | % | Operation of high school | |||||
(b) |
Group history |
The Group started its business through Lishui Mengxiang VIE and Lianwai School VIE. To facilitate offshore financing, an offshore corporate structure was formed in 2018, which was carried out as follows:
| 1) | On September 6, 2018, the Company was incorporated in the Cayman Islands by Ms. Fen Ye, Ms. Fang Ye, and Ms. Hong Ye (the “founders.”). |
| 2) | On September 11, 2018, Lianwai investment was incorporated in British Virgin Islands with 100% ownership by the Company. |
| 3) | On September 20, 2018, Mengxiang HK was incorporated in Hong Kong with 100% ownership by Lianwai investment. |
| 4) | On October 10, 2018, Liandu WFOE was incorporated in the PRC with 100% ownership by HK Mengxiang. |
| 5) | On August 13, 2020, Lishui Xianke was incorporated in the PRC with 100% ownership by Liandu WFOE. |
In order to comply with the PRC laws and regulations which prohibit or restrict foreign investments into companies involved in restricted businesses, the Group provides education services in the PRC through certain PRC domestic companies, whose equity interests are held by certain management members of the Company or onshore nominees of certain investors of the Company (“Nominee Shareholders”).
F-10
1. |
Organization and Principal Activities (Continued) |
The Company obtained control over these PRC domestic companies by entering into a series of Contractual Arrangements in October 2018. After that Lishui Mengxiang VIE, Lianwai Kindergarten and Lianwai School VIE became VIEs, whose primary beneficiary is Liandu WFOE, and the shareholders of these affiliate Chinese entities became the Nominee Shareholders at that date. Contractual Arrangements were subsequently revised in November 2018 and March 2019 (the “VIE Agreements”) with these PRC domestic companies and their respective shareholders. As a result, Lianwai Kindergarten ceased to be VIE and the VIEs consisted of Lishui Mengxiang VIE and Lianwai School VIE (“affiliate Chinese entities”). Reorganization is accounted for as a common control transaction under the pooling of interest method. Accordingly, the accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared as if the current corporate structure had been in existence throughout the periods.
On August 31, 2021, the ability of Group to use its power under the contractual arrangements with Lishui Mengxiang VIE to direct the relevant activities that would most significantly affect the economic performance of the Affected Entity had ceased due to Implementation Rules. The Group has executed the Acknowledgment Agreement on April 20, 2022 to confirm all the terms of rights and obligations relating to Lianwai School and the director appointed by the sponsor under the VIE Agreements, which shall be terminated on August 31, 2021. Meanwhile, the Group has entered into a series of Contractual Agreements through Liandu WFOE, Qingtian International School and the Council Members of Qingtian International School (the “new VIE Agreements”). After that Lishui Mengxiang VIE and Qingtian International School (“new VIEs”) became VIEs on August 31, 2021, whose primary beneficiary is Liandu WFOE, and the shareholders of new VIEs became the Nominee Shareholders at that date.
These Contractual Agreements cannot be unilaterally terminated by the Nominee Shareholders, or the new VIEs. As a result, the Company maintains the ability to control these new VIEs, and is entitled to substantially all of the economic benefits from these new VIEs. Accordingly, the Group had consolidated the financial position and operating results of affiliate Chinese entities, new VIEs in the consolidated financial statements of the Company during the year ended December 31, 2019, 2020 and 2021. The Company’s VIE includes (1) affiliate Chinese entities, prior to August 31, 2021; and (2) the new VIEs after August 31, 2021.
The principal terms of the agreements entered into amongst the VIEs, their respective shareholders and the Liandu WFOE are further described below.
(c) |
Contractual Agreements with VIEs |
Loan Agreements
Pursuant to the loan agreements entered into between Liandu WFOE and affiliate Chinese entities, and between Liandu WFOE and new VIEs, Liandu WFOE can grant interest-free loans to Lishui Mengxiang VIE with the sole purpose of providing funds necessary for the business operations and development of Lianwai School and Qingtian International School. These business loan amounts can be injected into Lianwai School and Qingtian International School as capital or other operation means, and cannot be accessed for any personal uses. There is no fixed term for each loan under the loan agreement except that Liandu WFOE can unilaterally decide when to recover the loan and the loan agreements shall remain effective during the operation term of Lianwai School and Qingtian International School and any periods that are renewable pursuant to PRC laws. Liandu WFOE has the right to unilaterally terminate these agreements after giving notice in advance , including that Liandu WFOE and/or its designated entities have fully exercised their options to purchase all the (direct and indirect) equities held by Nominee Shareholders of the relevant VIE in accordance with the Exclusive Call Option Agreements (as described in the following paragraph), while the shareholders of such consolidated affiliated Chinese entities have no right to unilaterally terminate these agreements. As of December 31, 2020 and 2021
Exclusive Call Option Agreements
Under the exclusive call option agreements, each Nominee Shareholders of the affiliate Chinese entities and new VIEs granted Liandu WFOE the exclusive and irrevocable right to purchase or to designate entities at their discretion to purchase part or all of the equity interests in the VIEs from the Nominee Shareholders, in the case that the PRC laws and regulations allows, at any time for a purchase price subject to the lowest price permitted by PRC laws and regulations. Liandu WFOE or its designated representatives have sole discretion as to when to exercise such options, either in part or in full. The affiliate Chinese entities and new VIEs (collectively the “VIEs”), and their Nominee Shareholders have agreed that without Liandu WFOE’s prior written consent, their respective Nominee Shareholders cannot sell, transfer, assign or dispose of or create any encumbrance on any of the VIEs’ equity interests, assets, and business. Also, as agreed, the VIEs cannot declare any dividend or change the capitalization structure of the VIEs and cannot enter into any loan, guarantee or investment agreements. Furthermore, the Nominee Shareholders have agreed that any proceeds but not limited to the sales of the Nominee Shareholders’ equity interest in relevant VIEs should be gratuitously paid to Liandu WFOE or one or more person(s) at their discretion. The agreements will remain in force during the operation terms of the relevant VIEs and any periods that are renewable pursuant to the PRC laws, and will terminate automatically when Liandu WFOE and/or its designated entities fully exercise their options to purchase all the equities held by Nominee Shareholders in accordance with the Exclusive Call Option Agreements. In addition, Liandu WFOE has the right to unilaterally terminate these agreements after 30 days advance written notice, while the Nominee Shareholders and relevant VIEs have no right to unilaterally terminate these agreements.
F-11
1. |
Organization and Principal Activities (Continued) |
Proxy Agreements and Power of Attorney for Shareholders
Pursuant to the proxy agreements and power of attorney, each equity holder of Lishui Mengxiang VIE appointed the Liandu WFOE as their to exercise all shareholder rights under PRC law and the relevant articles of association, including but not limited to, calling and attending shareholders’ meetings, voting on their behalf on all matters requiring shareholder approval, including but not limited to designating and electing the directors and other senior management of the VIEs, as well as liquidating and dismantling the VIEs. Each power of attorney will remain in force during the operation term of Lishui Mengxiang VIE and any periods that are renewable pursuant to the PRC laws, and will terminate automatically when Liandu WFOE and/or its designated entities fully exercise their options to purchase all the equities held by the Nominee Shareholders in accordance with the Exclusive Call Option Agreements. In addition, Liandu WFOE has the right to unilaterally terminate these agreements after 30 days advance written notice, while the Nominee Shareholders and Lishui Mengxiang VIE have no right to unilaterally terminate these agreements.
attorney-in-fact
Proxy Agreements and Power of Attorney for School’s Sponsors, Directors and Council Members
Pursuant to the proxy agreements and power of attorney, Lishui Mengxiang VIE has irrevocably authorized and entrusted Liandu WFOE to exercise all its rights as sponsor of both Lianwai school and Qingtian International School to the extent permitted by the PRC laws. The agreements shall remain effective during the operation term of Qingtian International School, and before August 31, 2021 for Lianwai School, and any periods that are renewable pursuant to PRC laws, and will terminate automatically when Liandu WFOE and/or its designated entities fully exercise their options to purchase all the equities held by the Nominee Shareholders in accordance with the Exclusive Call Option Agreement. In addition, the Liandu WFOE has the right to unilaterally terminate these agreements after 30 days advance written notice, while Lianwai school, Qingtian International School and their sponsors, council members and appointed directors have no right to unilaterally terminate these agreements.
Business Cooperation Agreement and Exclusive Technical Services and Business Consulting Agreement
Pursuant to the Business Cooperation Agreement and Exclusive Technical Services and Business Consulting Agreement, Liandu WFOE has agreed to provide affiliate Chinese entities and new VIEs with technical services, management support services, consulting services and intellectual property licenses required for the conducting of private education business activities, including but not limited to preparation, selection and/or recommendation of schools textbooks, recruitment of teachers and other staff, training support, admissions support, public relations maintenance, market research and development, management and marketing consulting and other related services. The affiliate Chinese entities and new VIEs shall pay to Liandu WFOE service fees withdrawn from their respective amount of surplus from operations after deducting all costs, expenses, taxes, losses (if required by the law) and the legally development fund of the respective school (if required by the law) and other costs and funds that shall be retained at Lianwai school and Qingtian International School in accordance with applicable PRC laws. Liandu WFOE has the right (but not the obligation) to adjust the amount of such service fee by reference to the actual services provided and the actual business operations and needs of affiliate Chinese entities and new VIEs, provided that any adjusted amount shall not exceed the amount mentioned above. The affiliate Chinese entities and new VIEs do not have any right to make any such adjustment. Liandu WFOE, as appropriate, will exclusively own any intellectual property rights arising from the performance of these agreements. The aforementioned agreements will terminate automatically when Liandu WFOE and/or its designated entities fully exercise their options to purchase all the equities held by the Nominee Shareholders in accordance with the Exclusive Call Option Agreements. In addition, Liandu WFOE retains the exclusive right to terminate the agreements at any time by delivering a written notice 30 days in advance to the applicable consolidated affiliate Chinese entities and new VIEs.
Equity Pledge Agreements
Pursuant to the equity pledge agreements among Liandu WFOE, Lishui Mengxiang VIE and the Nominee Shareholders of Lishui Mengxiang VIE, the Nominee Shareholders shall pledge all of their equity interests in Lishui Mengxiang VIE to Liandu WFOE as collateral for all of their payments to direct, indirect and derivate losses and losses of predictable profits of the PRC subsidiaries (“Secured Debts”) and to secure their obligations under the above agreements. In the event of a breach by the affiliate Chinese entities and new VIEs or any of their Nominee Shareholders of their contractual obligations, Liandu WFOE has the right to deal with the equity interests pledged in the following ways: i) purchasing or designating entities at their discretion to purchase part or all of the equity interests in the affiliate Chinese entities and new VIEs from the Nominee Shareholders, subject to the lowest price permitted by PRC laws and regulations; ii) selling the equity interests pledged through auction or discount, and preferentially compensated from the sales price; iii) other means agreed between Liandu WFOE and the Nominee Shareholders, after giving written notice to the Nominee Shareholders. The equity pledge agreements will expire when the Nominee Shareholders have completed all their obligations under the above agreements or the Secured Debts are fully settled, or when Liandu WFOE unilaterally delivers a written notice
F-12
1. |
Organization and Principal Activities (Continued) |
Spousal Undertakings
Pursuant to the Spousal Undertakings, each Nominee Shareholder, who is a natural person, and their spouses unconditionally and irrevocably agreed that the equity interests in the affiliate Chinese entities and new VIEs held by and registered in the name of their spouse will be disposed of pursuant to the equity pledge agreements, the exclusive call option agreements, the loan agreement and the proxy agreement and power of attorney. Each of their spouses agreed not to assert any rights over the equity interests in the affiliate Chinese entities and new VIEs held by their respective spouses. In addition, in the event that any spouse obtains any equity interests in the affiliate Chinese entities and new VIEs held by their spouse for any reason, they agreed to be bound by similar obligations and agreed to enter into similar contractual agreements.
(d) |
Combined financial information of the VIEs |
The following combined financial information of the Group’s VIEs as of December 31, 2020 and 2021 and for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2020 and 2021 was included in the accompanying consolidated financial statements of the Group as follows:
As of December 31, |
||||||||||||
2020 |
2021 |
|||||||||||
RMB |
RMB |
US$ (Note 2(g)) |
||||||||||
| ASSETS |
||||||||||||
| Current assets: |
||||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents |
398,952 | 1,453,323 | 228,058 | |||||||||
| Amounts due from inter-company entities |
62,261,945 | 51,536,540 | 8,087,208 | |||||||||
| Prepayments and other current assets |
6,140 | 100,990,604 | 15,847,630 | |||||||||
| Current assets belong to discontinued operation |
265,798,189 | — | — | |||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| Total current assets |
328,465,226 | 153,980,467 | 24,162,896 | |||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| Non-current assets: |
||||||||||||
| Property and equipment, net |
162,463,014 | 164,037,622 | 25,741,082 | |||||||||
| Land use rights |
37,720,475 | 36,767,329 | 5,769,596 | |||||||||
| Intangible assets |
11,667 | 6,667 | 1,046 | |||||||||
| Goodwill |
— | 26,644,407 | 4,181,089 | |||||||||
| Non- assets belong to discontinued operationc urrent |
41,482,375 | — | — | |||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| Total non-current assets |
241,677,531 | 227,456,025 | 35,692,813 | |||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| Total assets |
570,142,757 | 381,436,492 | 59,855,709 | |||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY |
||||||||||||
| Current liabilities |
||||||||||||
| Short-term borrowings |
24,895,606 | 77,000,000 | 12,082,980 | |||||||||
| Accounts payable |
600,000 |
741,169 | 116,306 | |||||||||
| Deferred revenue, current |
10,000 | 1,204,033 | 188,939 | |||||||||
| Salary and welfare payable |
263,232 | 2,007,834 | 315,073 | |||||||||
| Amounts due to related parties |
719,400 | 323,400 | 50,749 | |||||||||
| Tax payable |
237,473 | 628,081 | 98,560 | |||||||||
| Amount due to inter-company entities |
— | 16,754,595 | 2,629,162 | |||||||||
| Accrued liabilities and other current liabilities |
3,710,356 | 16,708,810 | 2,621,977 | |||||||||
| Amounts due to Affected Entity, current |
254,151,621 | 288,261,447 | 45,234,510 | |||||||||
| Current liabilities belong to discontinued operation |
62,799,191 | — | — | |||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| Total current liabilities |
347,386,879 | 403,629,369 | 63,338,256 | |||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| Non-current liabilities |
||||||||||||
| Non-current liabilities belong to discontinued operation |
412,593 | — | — | |||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| Total non-current liabilities |
412,593 | — | — | |||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| Total liabilities |
347,799,472 | 403,629,369 | 63,338,256 | |||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
F-13
1. |
Organization and Principal Activities (Continued) |
For the years ended December 31, |
||||||||||||||||
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
||||||||||||||
RMB |
RMB |
RMB |
US$ (Note 2(g)) |
|||||||||||||
| Net revenues from continuing operations |
13,431,603 | 17,070,602 | 20,112,033 | 3,156,017 | ||||||||||||
| Net revenues from discontinued operation |
148,029,606 | 154,160,699 | 102,006,339 | 16,007,021 | ||||||||||||
| Net income/(loss) from continuing operations |
4,872,678 | 7,894,293 | (467,382 | ) | (73,342 | ) | ||||||||||
| Net income/(loss) from discontinued operation |
42,438,138 | 29,638,700 | (244,068,780 | ) | (38,299,718 | ) | ||||||||||
| Net cash provided by operating activities |
58,830,470 | 47,477,961 | 29,764,431 | 4,670,688 | ||||||||||||
| Net cash (used in)/provided by investing activities |
(34,739,000 | ) | 19,424,757 | (153,593,942 | ) | (24,102,241 | ) | |||||||||
| Net cash (used in)/provided by financing activities |
(1,961,532 | ) | (81,928,356 | ) | 115,671,061 | 18,151,314 | ||||||||||
| Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents |
22,129,938 | (15,025,638 | ) | (8,158,450 | ) | (1,280,239 | ) | |||||||||
In accordance with the aforementioned agreements, the Company has the power to direct the activities of the VIEs, and have the control of their assets. Therefore the Company considers that there is no other asset in the VIEs that can be used only to settle obligations of the respective VIE, except for the education facilities assets, registered capital and the PRC statutory reserves, as of December 31, 2020 and 2021. As the VIEs are incorporated as schools and limited liability company under the PRC Company Law, the creditors of the VIEs do not have recourse to the general credit of the Company. There is currently no contractual arrangement that would require the Company to provide additional financial support to the VIEs. As the Group is conducting certain businesses in the PRC through the VIEs, the Group may provide additional financial support on a discretionary basis in the future, which could expose the Group to a loss.
The VIEs’ assets comprise both recognized and unrecognized revenue-producing assets. The recognized revenue-producing assets mainly include buildings, land use rights, computers and electronic devices. The unrecognized revenue-producing assets mainly consist of patents, trademarks and assembled workforce which are not recorded in the financial statements of the VIEs as they do not meet the recognition criteria set in ASC
350-30-25.
There is no VIE where the Company has a variable interest, but is not the primary beneficiary.
(e) |
Risks associated with VIE arrangements |
Foreign investment in the education industry in PRC is extensively regulated and subject to various restrictions. Specifically, high school is restricted industries for foreign investors, and foreign investors are only allowed to invest in such industries in cooperative ways with domestic investors, provided that domestic investors play a dominant role in such cooperation. In addition, foreign investment in education institutions in the PRC must be in the form of cooperation between Chinese educational institutions and foreign educational institutions and the foreign portion of the total investment in a Sino-foreign education institute must be below 50%. Although foreign investment in high schools is not prohibited, based on the operation experience, Liandu WFOE in China is still ineligible to independently or jointly invest and operate high schools, including Qingtian International School. To comply with PRC laws and regulations, the Group have entered into a series of contractual arrangements pursuant to which Liandu WFOE receives the economic benefits from our VIEs. If the contractual arrangements that establish the structure for operating our business in China are found to violate any PRC laws or regulations in the future or fail to obtain or maintain any of the required permits or approvals, the relevant PRC regulatory authorities, including the Ministry of Education of People’s Republic of China, or the MOE, which regulates the education industry, the Ministry of Commerce, or MOFCOM, which regulates the foreign investment in China, and the Civil Affairs Bureau, which regulates the registration of schools in China, would have broad discretion in dealing with such violations, including:
• |
revoking the business and operating licenses of the Company’s PRC subsidiaries or VIEs; |
• |
discontinuing or restricting the operations of any related-party transactions among Liandu WFOE or VIEs; |
• |
imposing fines or other requirements with which the Company or Liandu WFOE or VIEs may not be able to comply; |
• |
requiring the Company to restructure operations in such a way as to compel the Company to establish new entities, re-apply for the necessary licenses or relocate the businesses, staff and assets; |
• |
imposing additional conditions or requirements with which the Company may not be able to comply; or |
• |
restricting the use of proceeds from our additional public offering or financing to finance the business and operations in China. |
F-14
1. |
Organization and Principal Activities (Continued) |
Similar ownership structure and contractual arrangements have been used by many China-based companies listed overseas, including a number of education companies listed in the United States. To the Company’s knowledge, none of the fines or punishments listed above has been imposed on any of these public companies, including companies in the education industry. However, the Company cannot assure that such fines or punishments will not be imposed on the Company in the future. If any of the above fines or punishments is imposed on the Company, the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected. If any of these penalties results in the Company’s inability to direct the activities of the VIEs and their respective subsidiaries that most significantly impact their economic performance, and/or our failure to receive the economic benefits from the VIEs and their respective subsidiaries, the Company may not be able to consolidate the VIEs and their respective subsidiaries in our financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP. However, the Company do not believe that such actions would result in the liquidation or dissolution of the Company, the wholly-owned subsidiaries in China or the VIEs or their respective subsidiaries.
On March 15, 2019, the National People’s Congress promulgated the Foreign Investment Law of PRC or the Foreign Investment Law, which came into effect on January 1, 2020 and replaced the Law of the PRC on Chinese-Foreign Equity Joint Ventures, the Law of the PRC on Chinese-Foreign Contractual Joint Ventures, and the Wholly Foreign-invested Enterprise Law. The Foreign Investment Law embodies an expected PRC regulatory trend to rationalize its foreign investment regulatory regime in line with prevailing international practice and the legislative efforts to unify the corporate legal requirements for both foreign and domestic investments. For instance, the Foreign Investment Law does not explicitly classify contractual arrangements as a form of foreign investment.
Conducting operations through contractual arrangements has been adopted by many PRC-based companies, and has been adopted by the Company to establish control of VIEs. Since the Foreign Investment Law is relatively new, uncertainties still exist in relation to its interpretation and implementation, and failure to take timely and appropriate measures to cope with the regulatory-compliance challenges could result in material and adverse effect on us. For instance, although the Foreign Investment Law does not explicitly classify contractual arrangement as a form of foreign investment, it still leaves a leeway for future laws and if future laws, administrative regulations or provisions stipulates contractual arrangements as a way of foreign investment, then whether the Company’s contractual arrangements will be recognized as foreign investment, whether the contractual arrangements will be deemed to be in violation of the foreign investment access requirements and how the Company’s contractual arrangements will be handled are uncertain. In the extreme case-scenario, the Company may be required to unwind the contractual arrangements and/or dispose relevant business operations, which could have a material and adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition and result of operations.
As of December 31, 2021, based on all relevant facts and circumstances, the Company concluded that it no longer has a controlling interest in the Affected Entity due to the effectiveness of the Implementation Rules, which resulted to the deconsolidation of the Affected Entity. Nevertheless, the legal enforceability of the new VIE agreements are not impacted by the Implementation Rules.
2. |
Principal Accounting Policies |
(a) |
Basis of preparation |
The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“US GAAP”).
Significant accounting policies followed by the Company in the preparation of the accompanying consolidated financial statements are summarized further below.
(b) |
Use of estimates |
The preparation of the Group’s consolidated financial statements in conformity with US GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the balance sheet date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.
The Company believes that the consolidation and deconsolidation of VIEs, goodwill relating to business combination, depreciation of buildings and impairment assessments of long-lived assets reflect more significant estimates used in the preparation of its consolidated financial statements.
Management makes the estimates based on historical experience and on various other assumptions as discussed elsewhere in the consolidated financial statements that are believed to be reasonable, the results of which form the basis for making estimates about the carrying values of assets and liabilities. Actual results could materially differ from these estimates.
F-15
2. |
Principal Accounting Policies (Continued) |
(c) |
Consolidation |
The Group’s consolidated financial statements include the financial statements of the Company, its subsidiaries and its VIEs for which the Company or its subsidiaries are the primary beneficiary. All transactions and balances among the Company, its subsidiaries and its VIEs have been eliminated upon consolidation.
Subsidiaries are those entities in which the Company, directly or indirectly, controls more than one half of the voting powers; has the power to appoint or remove the majority of the members of the board of directors; or to cast a majority of votes at the meeting of directors; or has the power to govern the financial and operating policies of the investee under a statute or agreement among the shareholders or equity holders.
A consolidated VIE is an entity in which the Company, or its subsidiary, through contractual agreements, bears the risks of, and enjoys the rewards normally associated with ownership of the entity. In determining whether the Company or its subsidiaries are the primary beneficiary, the Company considers whether it has the power to direct activities that are significant to the VIE’s economic performance, and also the Group’s obligation to absorb losses of the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE or the right to receive benefits from the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE. The Company, through Liandu WFOE holds all the variable interests of the VIEs, and has been determined to be the primary beneficiary of the VIEs.
(d) |
Deconsolidation |
Upon the occurrence of certain events and on a regular basis, the Group evaluates whether it no longer has a controlling interest in its subsidiaries, including consolidated variable interest entities. If the Company determines it no longer has a controlling interest, the subsidiary is deconsolidated. The Company records a gain or loss on deconsolidation based on the difference on the deconsolidation date between (i) the aggregate of (a) the fair value of any consideration received, (b) the fair value of any retained
non-controlling
investment in the former subsidiary and (c) the carrying amount of any non-controlling
interest in the subsidiary being deconsolidated, less (ii) the carrying amount of the former subsidiary’s assets and liabilities. The Company assesses whether a deconsolidation is required to be presented as discontinued operation in its consolidated financial statements on the deconsolidation date. This assessment is based on whether or not the deconsolidation represents a strategic shift that has or will have a major effect on the Company’s operations or financial results. If the Company determines that a deconsolidation requires presentation as a discontinued operation on the deconsolidation date, or at any point during the
one-year
period following such date, it will present the former subsidiary as a discontinued operation in current and comparative period financial statements. (e) |
Business Combination |
Business combinations are recorded using the acquisition method of accounting. The assets acquired, the liabilities assumed, and any
non-controlling
interests of the acquiree at the acquisition date, if any, are measured at their fair values as of the acquisition date. Goodwill is recognized and measured as the excess of the total consideration transferred plus the fair value of any non-controlling
interest of the acquiree and fair value of previously held equity interest in the acquiree, if any, at the acquisition date over the fair values of the identifiable net assets acquired. Common forms of the consideration made in acquisitions include cash and common equity instruments. Consideration transferred in a business acquisition is measured at the fair value as of the date of acquisition. Acquisition-related expenses and restructuring costs are expensed as incurred. Where the consideration in an acquisition includes contingent consideration the payment of which depends on the achievement of certain specified conditions post-acquisition, the contingent consideration is recognized and measured at its fair value at the acquisition date and is recorded as a liability, it is subsequently remeasured at fair value at each reporting date with changes in fair value reflected in earnings.
F-16
2. |
Principal Accounting Policies (Continued) |
(f) |
Functional currency and foreign currency translation |
The Group uses Renminbi (“RMB”) as its reporting currency. The functional currency of the Company and its subsidiaries incorporated outside of PRC is the United States dollar (“US$”), while the functional currency of the PRC entities in the Group is RMB as determined based on the criteria of ASC 830, Foreign Currency Matters.
Transactions denominated in other than the functional currencies are
re-measured
into the functional currency of the entity at the exchange rates prevailing on the transaction dates. Financial assets and liabilities denominated in other than the functional currency are re-measured
at the balance sheet date exchange rate. The resulting exchange differences are included in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income/(loss) as foreign exchange related gains /(losses). The financial statements of the Group are translated from the functional currency to the reporting currency, RMB. Assets and liabilities of the Company and its subsidiaries incorporated outside of PRC are translated into RMB at fiscal
year-end
exchange rates, income and expense items are translated at average exchange rates prevailing during the fiscal year, representing the index rates stipulated by the People’s Bank of China. Translation adjustments arising from these are reported as foreign currency translation adjustments and are shown as a separate component of shareholders’ equity on the consolidated financial statement. The exchange rates used for translation on December 31, 2020 and 2021 were US$1.00=RMB 6.5249 and RMB 6.3757, respectively, representing the index rates stipulated by the People’s Bank of China. (g) |
Convenience translation |
The unaudited United States dollar (“US$”) amounts disclosed in the accompanying financial statements are presented solely for the convenience of the readers. Translations of amounts from RMB into US$ for the convenience of the reader were calculated at the rate of US$1 = RMB 6.3726 on December 3
0
, 2021, representing the noon buying rate in the City of New York for cable transfers of RMB as certified for customs purposes by the Federal Reserve Board. No representation is made that the RMB amounts could have been, or could be, converted into US$ at that rate on December 31, 2021, or at any other rate. F-17
2. |
Principal Accounting Policies (Continued) |
(h) |
Fair value of financial instruments |
Fair value is the price that would be received from selling an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. When determining the fair value measurements for assets and liabilities required or permitted to be recorded at fair value, the Group considers the principal or most advantageous market in which it would transact and it considers assumptions that market participants would use when pricing the asset or liability.
The established fair value hierarchy requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. A financial instrument’s categorization within the fair value hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.
The three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value include:
Level 1: Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
Level 2: Observable, market-based inputs, other than quoted prices, in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
Level 3: Unobservable inputs to the valuation methodology that are significant to the measurement of the fair value of the assets or liabilities.
Accounting guidance also describes three main approaches to measuring the fair value of assets and liabilities: (1) market approach; (2) income approach and (3) cost approach. The market approach uses prices and other relevant information generated from market transactions involving identical or comparable assets or liabilities. The income approach uses valuation techniques to convert future amounts to a single present value amount. The measurement is based on the value indicated by current market expectations about those future amounts. The cost approach is based on the amount that would currently be required to replace an asset.
The Group does not have any
non-financial
assets or liabilities that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a recurring basis. The Group’s financial instruments consist principally of cash and cash equivalents, prepayments and other current assets, accounts payable, and other liabilities.
As of December 31, 2020 and 2021, the carrying values of cash and cash equivalents, prepayments and other current assets, accounts payable, short-term borrowings and other liabilities approximated their fair values reported in the consolidated balance sheets due to the short-term maturities of these instruments.
(i) |
Cash and cash equivalents |
Cash and cash equivalents include cash in bank placed with banks or other financial institutions, which have original maturities of three months or less at the time of purchase and are readily convertible to known amounts of cash.
(j) |
Inventories |
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net realized value. Cost is determined using the weighted average method. As of each reporting date, the Group evaluates the net realizable value based on assumptions about future customer demand and market conditions. The evaluation may take into consideration inventory aging, expected demand, anticipated sales price, and other factors. Adjustments are recorded to write down the carrying amount of any obsolete and excess inventory to its estimated net realizable value. As of December 31, 2020, inventories mainly included uniforms and food of RMB 1.44 million and RMB 0.06 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2021, inventories mainly included dormitory bedding
of
RMB 0.17 million. There was no write-down of inventories for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2021, respectively. F-18
2. |
Principal Accounting Policies (Continued) |
(k) |
Property and equipment, net |
Property and equipment are stated at historical cost less accumulated depreciation and impairment income, if any. Depreciation is calculated using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives. The estimated useful lives are as follows:
| Buildings | 10 years to 50 years | |
| Electronic devices and other general equipment | 2 years to 5 years | |
| Leasehold improvements | Over the shorter of lease term or the estimated useful lives of the assets |
Expenditures for maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred. The gain or income on the disposal of property and equipment is the difference between the net sales proceeds and the carrying amount of the relevant assets and is recognized in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income/(loss).
(l) |
Land use rights, net |
Land use rights are recorded at cost less accumulated amortization. Amortization is provided over the term of the land use rights agreement on a straight-line basis over the term of the agreement, which is 50 years.
(m) |
Impairment of long-lived assets |
For other long-lived assets including property and equipment, other The Group did not recognize any impairment loss for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2020 and 2021.
non-current
assets and land use rights, the Group evaluates for impairment whenever events or changes (triggering events) indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may no longer be recoverable. The Group assesses the recoverability of the long-lived assets by comparing the carrying value of the long-lived assets to the estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to receive from use of the assets and their eventual disposition. Such assets are considered to be impaired if the sum of the expected undiscounted cash flows is less than the carrying amount of the assets. The impairment to be recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds the fair value of the assets.(n) |
Goodwill, net |
Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase consideration over the fair value of the identifiable net assets acquired in a business combination. Goodwill is not amortized but is tested for impairment on an annual basis as of December 31, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that it might be impaired. The Group has the option to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is necessary to perform the
two-step
quantitative goodwill impairment test. In the qualitative assessment, the Group considers primary factors such as industry and market considerations, overall financial performance of the reporting unit, and other specific information related to the operations. The Group will perform the quantitative impairment test if the Group bypasses the qualitative assessment, or based on the qualitative assessment, if it is more likely than not that the fair value of each reporting unit is less than the carrying amount. The Group adopted ASU
No. 2017-04,
Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment, which simplifies the accounting for goodwill impairment by eliminating Step two from the goodwill impairment test. Under the new guidance, if the fair value of a reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount, goodwill is not impaired and no further testing is required. If the fair value of a reporting unit is less than the carrying value, an impairment charge is recognized for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value; however, the loss recognized should not exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. For the years ended December 31, 2019, 2020 and 2021, the Group did not recognize any impairment loss on goodwill.
(o) |
Deferred revenue |
Cash proceeds received from customers are initially recorded as deferred revenue and are recognized as revenues when revenue recognition criteria are met.
F-19
2. |
Principal Accounting Policies (Continued) |
(p) |
Revenue recognition |
The Group adopted ASC 606, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers” for all periods presented. Consistent with the criteria of Topic 606, the Group follows five steps for its revenue recognition: (i) identify the contract(s) with a customer, (ii) identify the performance obligations in the contract, (iii) determine the transaction price, (iv) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract, and (v) recognize revenue when (or as) the entity satisfies a performance obligation.
The Group mainly offers school curriculum education services, including primary, middle and high school, to students. During the stay in schools, the students are offered meals (including breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks) and accommodation. Meal fees and accommodation fees are collected in advance prior to the beginning of each semester in Liandu Foreign School. Meal fees are collected each time students had meal in Qingtian International School. Schools provide school uniforms to the students with payment also made prior to the beginning of each semester. Schools ask students to purchase certain designated additional learning materials, such as after-class reading books related to the courses provided. Students may choose to either purchase from bookstores by themselves or order from the school. The payments for learning materials are collected at the end of each semester.
Pursuant to Implementation Rules effective on September 1, 2021 and the deconsolidation of Lianwai School, the Group has not recorded the revenue of primary and middle school curriculum education services since September 1, 2021. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 and for the eight months ended August 31, 2021, the Group provides operation services including rental services and procurement services for Lianwai School. Although private schools providing compulsory education should not conduct any transaction with any related party under the Implementation Rules, to keep Lianwai School in continuing daily operation, the Group continued to provide essential services without recognizing any revenues relating to such activities to Lianwai School.
Tuition, meal and accommodation service income
Tuition, meal and accommodation service income are generally received in advance prior to the beginning of each semester of a school year, and are initially recorded as deferred revenue. Tuition, meal and accommodation service income are recognized over time during the service period of each semester. Amounts which will be earned within one year are reflected as a current liability, and those which will be earned beyond one year are reflected as a
non-current
liability. The Group recognizes service income on a gross basis, as the Group is responsible for fulfilling the promise to provide the education, meal and accommodation services to students.
Financing component included in tuition fees
Some contracts contain a financing component because payment by the customer occurs significantly before performance of the obligation. The Group takes the practical expedient and will not adjust the impact of a financing component for deferred revenue which will be earned within one year. The Group does not adjust the impact of a financing component for deferred revenue which will be earned beyond one year as the portion of financing component is immaterial.
Sale of uniforms and learning materials
Schools sell uniform and learning materials to students. Revenue from uniform and learning materials is recognized at a point in time when control of the uniforms and learning materials have been transferred and accepted by the students.
The Group recognizes revenue from sale of uniform and learning materials on a gross basis, as the Group controls the goods before they are transferred to the students. The Group is responsible for the design of uniforms and has inventory risk for the uniforms and learning materials.
Food procurement services
The Group offers food procurement services to the Affected Entity. Revenue from food procurement services is recognized at a point in time when control of the food has been transferred and accepted by the Affected Entity. As these transaction with Affected Entity maybe offered to the third parties or still to Affected Entity under the regulations and laws in PRC, they were recast in continuing operations in current and comparative period financial statements instead of eliminated in consolidation.
F-20
2. |
Principal Accounting Policies (Continued) |
(q) |
Leases |
The Group assesses at contract inception whether a contract is, or contains, a lease. A contract is, or contains, a lease 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 lessor
When the Group acts as a lessor, it classifies at lease inception (or when there is a lease modification) each of its leases as either an operating lease or a finance lease.
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. Rental income is accounted for on a straight-line basis over the lease terms and is included in revenue in the statement of profit or loss due to its operating nature. Initial direct costs incurred in negotiating and arranging an operating lease are added to the carrying amount of the leased asset and recognized over the lease term on the same basis as rental income.
(r) |
Cost of revenues |
Cost of revenues consist of expenditures incurred in the generation of the Group’s revenue, includes but not limited to the salary and welfare for teachers, food costs, uniform and learning materials cost, utilities charges and depreciations.
(s) |
General and administrative expenses |
General and administrative expenses consist primarily of salary and welfare for general and administrative personnel, general office expenses and professional service fees.
(t) |
Government subsidies |
Government subsidies primarily consist of financial subsidies received from local governments for operating a business in their jurisdictions and compliance with specific policies promoted by the local governments. There are no defined rules and regulations to govern the criteria necessary for companies to receive such benefits, and the amount of financial subsidy is determined at the discretion of the relevant government authorities. The government subsidies with no further conditions to be met are recorded as “Other income, net” when received. The government subsidies with certain operating conditions are recorded as liabilities when received and will be recorded as operating income when the conditions are met. For the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2020,
Lianwai School
received financial subsidies of RMB5,857,993 and RMB9,860,106 from the local PRC government authorities, respectively. For the years ended December 31, 2021, Lianwai
School received financial subsidies of RMB4,859,215 and Qingtian International School received financial subsidies of RMB1,499,505. (u) |
Employee social security and welfare benefits |
Employees of the Group in the PRC are entitled to staff welfare benefits including pension, work-related injury benefits, maternity insurance, medical insurance, unemployment benefit and housing fund plans through a PRC government-mandated multi-employer defined contribution plan. The Group is required to contribute to the plan based on certain percentages of the employees’ salaries, up to a maximum amount specified by the local government.
The PRC government is responsible for the medical benefits and the pension liability to be paid to these employees and the Group’s obligations are limited to the amounts contributed and no legal obligation beyond the contributions made.
(v) |
Income taxes |
Current income taxes are provided on the basis of net income for financial reporting purposes, adjusted for income and expense items which are not assessable or deductible for income tax purposes, in accordance with the regulations of the relevant tax jurisdictions.
Deferred income taxes are accounted for using an asset and liability method. Under this method, deferred income taxes are recognized for the tax consequences of temporary differences by applying enacted statutory rates applicable to future years to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts and the tax bases of existing assets and liabilities. The tax base of an asset or liability is the amount attributed to that asset or liability for tax purpose. The effect on deferred taxes of a change in tax rates is recognized in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income/(loss) in the period of change. A valuation allowance is provided to reduce the amount of deferred tax assets if it is considered more likely than not that some portion of, or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.
F-21
2. |
Principal Accounting Policies (Continued) |
Uncertain tax positions
The guidance on accounting for uncertainties in income taxes prescribes a more likely than not threshold for financial statements recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. Guidance was also provided on derecognition of income tax assets and liabilities, classification of current and deferred income tax assets and liabilities, accounting for interest and penalties associated with tax positions, accounting for income taxes in interim periods, and income tax disclosures. Significant judgment is required in evaluating the Group’s uncertain tax positions and determining its provision for income taxes. The Group did not recognize any significant interest and penalties associated with uncertain tax positions for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2020 and 2021. As of December 31, 2020 and 2021, the Group did not have any significant unrecognized uncertain tax positions.
(w) |
Statutory reserves |
As stipulated by the relevant PRC laws and regulations applicable to the Group’s entities in the PRC, the Group is required to make appropriations from net income as determined in accordance with the PRC GAAP to
non-distributable
reserves, which include a statutory surplus reserve and a statutory welfare reserve. The PRC laws and regulations require that annual appropriations of 10% of after-tax
income should be set aside prior to payments of dividends as reserve fund, the appropriations to statutory surplus reserve are required until the balance reaches 50% of the PRC entity registered capital. In the private school sector, the Implementing Regulations for the Law of the People’s Republic of China on the Promotion of to the development fund, respectively.
Privately-run
Schools require that annual appropriations of 25% of after-tax
income should be set aside prior to payments of dividend as development fund. The statutory reserve is applied against prior year income, if any, and may be used for general business expansion and production or increase in registered capital of the entities. For the years ended December 31, 2019, 2020 and 2021, the Group made apportions of RMB 10,609,534, RMB 7,409,675 and R
1,322,803MB
(x) |
Related parties |
Parties are considered to be related if one party has the ability, directly or indirectly, to control the other party or exercise significant influence over the other party in making financial and operating decisions. Parties are also considered to be related if they are subject to common control or significant influence, such as a family member or relative, shareholder, or a related corporation.
(y) |
Dividends |
Dividends are recognized when declared. No dividends were declared for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2020 and 2021, respectively. The Group does not have any present plan to pay any dividends on ordinary shares in the foreseeable future. The Group currently intends to retain the available funds and any future earnings to operate and expand its business.
(z) |
Earnings/(loss) per share |
Basic income/(loss) per share is computed by dividing net income/(loss) attributable to holders of ordinary shares by the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the year.
Diluted income/(loss) per share is calculated by dividing net income/(loss) attributable to ordinary shareholders as adjusted for the effect of dilutive ordinary equivalent shares, if any, by the weighted average number of ordinary and dilutive ordinary equivalents shares outstanding during the year. Dilutive equivalent shares are excluded from the computation of diluted income per share if their effects would be anti-dilutive.
(aa) |
Comprehensive income/(loss) |
Comprehensive income/(loss) is defined as the change in shareholders’ equity of the Company during a period arising from transactions and other events and circumstances excluding transactions resulting from investments by shareholders and distributions to shareholders.
Comprehensive income/(loss) is reported in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income/(loss). Accumulated other comprehensive loss of the Group includes the foreign currency translation adjustments.
F-22
2. |
Principal Accounting Policies (Continued) |
(bb) |
Segment reporting |
Operating segments are defined as components of an enterprise engaging in businesses activities for which separate financial information is available that is regularly evaluated by the Group’s chief operating decision makers in deciding how to allocate resources and assess performance.
For the year ended December 31, 2019 and 2020, the Group had one reportable segment for the primary and middle school education business from grade 1 to grade 9, provided by Lianwai School VIE. For the year ended December 31, 2021, for continuing operations, the Group had one reportable segment for the high school education business, provided by Qingtian International School VIE. In response to Implementation Rules, the reportable segment for the primary and middle school education business from grade 1 to grade 9, qualifies for discontinued operation reporting and is not required to disclose the information in segment reporting required by ASC 280. The Group’s chief operating decision maker has been identified as the Chief Executive Officer, who reviews consolidated results including revenue, gross profit and operating profit at a consolidated level only. The Group does not distinguish between markets for the purpose of making decisions about resources allocation and performance assessment. The Group does not have any other geography besides the PRC that has above 10% of revenues or long-lived assets. Hence, the Group has only one operating segment and one reportable segment.
(cc) |
Recently issued accounting pronouncements |
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU
No. 2016-02,
“Leases (Topic 842)” (“ASU 2016-02”),
which requires lessees to recognize assets and liabilities for all leases with lease terms of more than 12 months on the balance sheets. Under the new guidance, the recognition, measurement, and presentation of expenses and cash flows arising from a lease by a lessee will depend on its classification as a finance or operating lease. The Group will be required to recognize and measure leases existing at, or entered into after, the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented using a modified retrospective approach, with certain practical expedients available. For the Group, this ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2021 and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022. The Company will adopt ASU 2016-02
from January 1, 2022. The adoption of this ASU is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU debt securities should be recorded through an allowance for credit losses. The guidance replaces the incurred loss impairment methodology with an expected credit loss model, which will mainly have an impact on credit losses in connection with loans recognized as a result of payments under the guarantee liabilities and guarantee liabilities. In 2019, the FASB subsequently issued ASU
2016-13,
Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, which requires financial assets measured at amortized cost to be presented at the net amount expected to be collected. The amortized cost basis of financial assets should be reduced by expected credit losses to present the net carrying value in the financial statements at the amount expected to be collected. The measurement of expected credit losses is based on past events, historical experience, current conditions and forecasts that affect the collectability of the financial assets. Additionally, credit losses relating to available-for-sale
2019-04,
ASU 2019-05,
and ASU 2019-11,
respectively, which contained updates to ASU 2016-13.
The Group is qualified as Emerging Growth Company, so the Group elected to use the extended transition period for complying with new or revised financial accounting standards and will not adopt this new guidance until 2023. In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU loss exceeds the anticipated loss for the year. This update also (1) requires an entity to recognize a franchise tax (or similar tax) that is partially based on income as an income-based tax and account for any incremental amount incurred as a
2019-12—Income
Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes. This ASU provides an exception to the general methodology for calculating income taxes in an interim period when a year-to-date
non-income-based
tax, (2) requires an entity to evaluate when a step-up
in the tax basis of goodwill should be considered part of the business combination in which goodwill was originally recognized for accounting purposes and when it should be considered a separate transaction, and (3) requires that an entity reflect the effect of an enacted change in tax laws or rates in the annual effective tax rate computation in the interim period that includes the enactment date. The standard is effective for the Company for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020. The adoption of this ASU is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. F-23
3. |
Discontinued operation |
As refer to Note 1, in connection with the deconsolidation of the Affected Entity, the Group evaluated and concluded that the Affected Entity should be accounted as discontinued operation during the year ended and as of December 31, 2021.
Reconciliation of the carrying amounts of the major classes of assets and liabilities from the discontinued operation in the consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2020 and 2021 is as follow.
As of December 31, |
||||||||||||
2020 |
2021 |
|||||||||||
RMB |
RMB |
US$(Note 2(h)) |
||||||||||
| ASSETS |
||||||||||||
| Current assets: |
||||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents |
9,212,821 | 35,561,745 | 5,580,414 | |||||||||
| Inventories |
55,607 | 3,775 | 592 | |||||||||
| Prepayments and other current assets |
2,378,140 | 16,450,858 | 2,581,499 | |||||||||
| Amounts due from continuing operations |
254,151,621 | 324,674,596 | 50,948,529 | |||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| Total current assets |
265,798,189 | 376,690,974 | 59,111,034 | |||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| Non-current assets: |
||||||||||||
| Property and equipment, net |
41,482,375 | 44,366,747 | 6,962,111 | |||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| Total non-current assets |
41,482,375 | 44,366,747 | 6,962,111 | |||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| Total assets |
307,280,564 | 421,057,721 | 66,073,145 | |||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| LIABILITIES |
||||||||||||
| Current liabilities |
||||||||||||
| Short-term borrowings |
14,800,000 | 78,366,667 | 12,297,440 | |||||||||
| Accounts payable |
2,787,497 | 1,032,500 | 162,022 | |||||||||
| Deferred revenue, current |
18,159,451 | 87,772,705 | 13,773,453 | |||||||||
| Salary and welfare payable |
17,078,606 | 1,813,920 | 284,644 | |||||||||
| Tax payable |
39,446 | — | — | |||||||||
| Accrued liabilities and other current liabilities |
1,049,591 | 2,711,936 | 425,562 | |||||||||
| Amounts due to continuing operations |
8,884,600 | — | — | |||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| Total current liabilities |
62,799,191 | 171,697,728 | 26,943,121 | |||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| Non-current liabilities |
||||||||||||
| Deferred revenue, non-current |
412,593 | — | — | |||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| Total non-current liabilities |
412,593 | — | — | |||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| Total liabilities |
63,211,784 | 171,697,728 | 26,943,121 | |||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Pursuant to the Implementation Rules, the Group lost control of Lianwai School on August 31, 2021. Therefore, the Group accounted Lianwai School as discontinued operation and recognized one-off loss of RMB249,359,993 for this deconsolidation.
Reconciliation of the major classes of income and losses from discontinued operations in the consolidated statements of operation and comprehensive income/(loss) for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2020 and 2021 is as follow:
For the years ended December 31, |
||||||||||||||||
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
||||||||||||||
RMB |
RMB |
RMB |
US$ (Note 2( g )) |
|||||||||||||
| Net revenues: |
||||||||||||||||
| Total net revenue |
148,029,606 | 154,160,699 | 102,006,339 | 16,007,021 | ||||||||||||
| Cost of revenues |
(102,708,988 | ) | (124,039,018 | ) | (91,342,012 | ) | (14,333,555 | ) | ||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
| Gross profit |
45,320,618 | 30,121,681 | 10,664,327 | 1,673,466 | ||||||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
| Operating expenses: |
||||||||||||||||
| General and administrative expenses |
(7,155,295 | ) | (9,099,960 | ) | (6,931,632 | ) | (1,087,724 | ) | ||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
| Total operating expenses |
(7,155,295 | ) | (9,099,960 | ) | (6,931,632 | ) | (1,087,724 | ) | ||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
F-24
3. |
Discontinued operation ( C ontinued) |
| Operating income |
38,165,323 | 21,021,721 | 3,732,695 | 585,742 | ||||||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
| Interest expense |
(1,688,079 | ) | (1,179,731 | ) | (3,284,732 | ) | (515,446 | ) | ||||||||
| Interest income |
39,664 | 43,377 | 15,183 | 2,383 | ||||||||||||
| Other income, net |
5,921,230 | 9,753,333 | 4,828,067 | 757,627 | ||||||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
| Income before income tax expense |
42,438,138 | 29,638,700 | 5,291,213 | 830,306 | ||||||||||||
| Income tax expense |
— | — | — | — | ||||||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
| Income before one-off loss upon deconsolidation of the Affected Entity |
42,438,138 | 29,638,700 | 5,291,213 | 830,306 | ||||||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
| One-off loss upon deconsolidation of the Affected Entity, net of tax |
— | — | (249,359,993 | ) | (39,130,024 | ) | ||||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
| Net income/(loss) from discontinued operation |
42,438,138 | 29,638,700 | (244,068,780 | ) | (38,299,718 | ) | ||||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Summarized cash flow information for discontinued operation for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2020 and 2021 are as follows:
For the years ended December 31, |
||||||||||||||||
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
||||||||||||||
RMB |
RMB |
RMB |
US$ (Note 2(g)) |
|||||||||||||
| Net cash (used in)/provided by operating activities |
(2,202,928 | ) | 2,624,493 | (32,463,883 | ) | (5,094,292 | ) | |||||||||
| Net cash (used in)/provided by investing activities |
(14,143,681 | ) | 7,688,534 | (40,315,605 | ) | (6,326,398 | ) | |||||||||
| Net cash provided by/(used in) financing activities |
38,588,379 | (24,000,000 | ) | 63,566,667 | 9,974,997 | |||||||||||
4. |
Business combination |
Acquisition of Hangzhou Youxi Information Technology Co., Ltd. (“Youxi Software”)
On January 31, 2021, the Group acquired 100% equity interest of Youxi Software, with a total consideration of RMB300,000 (approximately $46,500) in cash for the layout of online education of the Company. The acquisition of 100% equity interest of Youxi Software has been accounted for using the acquisition method of accounting, and accordingly, the acquired assets and liabilities were recorded at their fair value at the date of acquisition. The Group engaged a third-party valuation firm to assist with the valuation of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in this business combination. The result of acquired entity’s operation has been included in the consolidated financial statements since the date of acquisition. The purchase price was allocated as of February 1, 2021, the date of acquisition, as follows:
Amount |
||||
RMB |
||||
| Fair value of total consideration transferred: |
||||
| Cash consideration |
300,000 | |||
| Cash acquired from business combination |
(3,211 | ) | ||
| |
|
|||
| Subtotal |
296,789 | |||
| Recognized amounts of identifiable assets acquired and liability assumed: |
||||
| Current assets |
45,440 | |||
| Intangible asset - computer software |
276,087 | |||
| Current liabilities |
(3,200 | ) | ||
| Deferred tax assets |
2,802,091 | |||
| Total identifiable net assets |
3,120,419 | |||
| |
|
|||
| Other income* |
2,823,630 | |||
| |
|
|||
| * | The excess of the total consideration over the fair value of the assets acquired was recorded as other income, which was due to the deferred tax assets recognized since the management considered it more likely than not that Youxi Software could generate sufficient pre-tax profit in the next 5 consecutive years and the deferred tax assets will be utilized in the future. |
F-25
4. |
Business combination (Continued) |
The net revenue and net loss of Youxi Software since the acquisition date and that were included in the Group’s consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income/(loss) for the year ended December 31, 2021 are nil and RM
B364,366
, respectively. Based on the Group’s assessment, the revenues and net earnings of Youxi Software were not considered material prior to the acquisition date. Thus the Group’s management believes that the presentation of pro forma financial information with respect to the results of operations of the Group for the business combination is immaterial.
Acquisition of Qingtian Overseas Chinese International School (“Qingtian International School”)
On August 31, 2021, the Group acquired 100% equity interest of Qingtian International School, with a total consideration of RMB23 million (approximately $3.6million) in cash. Qingtian International School is an educational institution specialized in providing high school education to returned overseas Chinese students. As of December 31, 2021, the total unpaid consideration was RMB 8 million, which will be paid in 1 year and was recorded in other payables. The acquisition of 100% equity interest of Qingtian has been accounted for using the acquisition method of accounting, and accordingly, the acquired assets and liabilities were recorded at their fair value at the date of acquisition. The Group engaged a third-party valuation firm to assist with the valuation of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in this business combination. The result of acquired entity’s operation has been included in the consolidated financial statements since the date of acquisition. The purchase price was allocated as of August 31, 2021, the date of acquisition, as follows:
International
School
Amount |
||||
RMB |
||||
| Fair value of total consideration transferred: |
||||
| Cash consideration |
23,000,000 | |||
| Cash acquired from business combination |
(2,811,219 | ) | ||
| |
|
|||
| Subtotal |
20,188,781 | |||
| Recognized amounts of identifiable assets acquired and liability assumed: |
||||
| Current assets |
15,799,304 | |||
| Non-current assets |
6,230,107 | |||
| Current liabilities |
(28,485,037 | ) | ||
| Total identifiable net liabilities |
(6,455,626 | ) | ||
| |
|
|||
| Goodwill* |
26,644,407 | |||
| |
|
|||
| * | The goodwill was primarily attributable to the synergy from the joint students recruiting events and channel, program design, development and marketing, and teacher training and recruitment opportunities. The goodwill is not deductible for tax purposes. |
Based on the Group’s assessment, the revenues and net earnings of Qingtian International School were not considered material prior to the acquisition date. Thus the Group’s management believes that the presentation of pro forma financial information with respect to the results of operations of the Group for the business combination is immaterial.
F-26
5. |
Cash and cash equivalents |
Cash and cash equivalents represent cash on hand and demand deposits placed with banks or other financial institutions, which are unrestricted as to withdrawal or use. The following table sets forth a breakdown of cash and cash equivalents by currency denomination and jurisdiction as of December 31, 2020 and 2021.
RMB equivalent (US$) |
RMB |
Total in RMB |
||||||||||||||
China |
||||||||||||||||
Overseas |
Non VIE |
VIE s |
||||||||||||||
December 31, 2020 |
200,108,273 | 3,049,660 | 398,952 | 203,556,885 | ||||||||||||
December 31, 2021 |
196,642,333 | 1,316,167 | 1,453,323 | 199,411,823 | ||||||||||||
6. |
Prepayments and Other current assets |
Prepayments and other current assets consisted of the following:
As of December 31, |
||||||||
2020 |
2021 |
|||||||
Advance deposit for intent acquisition (1) |
— | 100,000,000 | ||||||
Prepaid rental fees |
— | 656,011 | ||||||
Prepayments of services |
34,672 | 300,000 | ||||||
Receivables of over-paid income tax |
— | 193,015 | ||||||
Others |
6,440 | 318,898 | ||||||
Total |
41,112 | 101,467,924 | ||||||
(1) On July 27, 2021, the Group entered into investment cooperation agreement with Beijing Shangkun Education Technology Development Co., Ltd. (“Beijing S.K.”). Pursuant to the agreement, the Group prepaid RMB100,000,000 for the intent acquisition of Beijing S.K. The closing of the acquisition is subject to satisfaction of certain closing conditions, including but not limited to completion of internal restructuring of Beijing S.K. under the supervision of the Group, which is expected to complete within one year after
signing of the agreement (See Note 19).
7. |
Property and equipment, net |
Property and equipment consisted of the following:
As of December 31, |
||||||||
2020 |
2021 |
|||||||
Cost: |
||||||||
Buildings |
184,813,833 | 184,813,833 | ||||||
Electronic devices and other general equipment |
5,153,850 | 5,491,675 | ||||||
Leasehold improvements |
1,347,781 | 6,337,234 | ||||||
Total cost |
191,315,464 | 196,642,742 | ||||||
Less: Accumulated depreciation |
(27,348,427 | ) | (31,583,879 | ) | ||||
Property and equipment, net |
163,967,037 | 165,058,863 | ||||||
Depreciation expense recognized for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2020 and 2021 were RMB3,821,283, RMB3,913,937 and RMB4,257,506. The net book amount of buildings pledged as collateral for the Group’s borrowings (Note 12) as at December 31, 2020 and 2021 was RMB 18,538,616 and RMB 18,049,651, respectively. The net book amount of buildings pledged as collateral for the Lianwai School’s borrowings as at December 31, 2020 and 2021 was RMB 66,783,536 and RMB 65,403,271, respectively. The net book amount of buildings pledged as collateral for the Lianwai Kindergarten’s borrowings as at December 31, 2020 and 2021 was RMB 4,852,182 and RMB 4,732,232, respectively.
F-27
8. |
Land use rights |
Land use rights consisted of the following:
As of December 31, |
||||||||
2020 |
2021 |
|||||||
Cost: |
||||||||
Land use rights |
47,334,839 | 47,334,839 | ||||||
Less: Accumulated amortization |
(9,614,364 | ) | (10,567,510 | ) | ||||
Land use rights, net |
37,720,475 | 36,767,329 | ||||||
The amortization expenses recognized for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2020 and 2021 were RMB 940,247, RMB
and RMB 946,697, respectively. The Group expects to record estimated amortization expenses RMB
946,697, RMB 946,697, RMB 946,697,
RMB 946,697 and RMB 946,697
for the years ending December 31, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 and 2026, respectively. The net book amounts of land use rights as collateral for the Group’s borrowings (Note 12) as of December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2021 were nil and RMB 33,066,332, respectively. The net book amounts of land use rights as collateral for the Lianwai School’s borrowings as of December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2021 were
and RMB 18,176,686, respectively.
9. |
Taxes payable |
As of December 31, |
||||||||
2020 |
2021 |
|||||||
Value-added tax |
251,087 | 530,980 | ||||||
Surtaxes |
6,638 | 84,187 | ||||||
Withholding individual income tax |
12,002 | 33,971 | ||||||
Total |
269,727 | 649,138 | ||||||
10. |
Accrued liabilities and other liabilities |
As of December 31, |
||||||||
2020 |
2021 |
|||||||
Qingtian I nternational S chool acquisi tion payable (1) |
— | 8,000,000 | ||||||
Payables to third parties (2) |
— | 4,500,000 | ||||||
Deposits related to the Group staff apartment sales (3) |
3,445,060 | 3,290,500 | ||||||
Accrued insurance expenses |
1,959,206 | — | ||||||
Audit fee payable |
— | 642,925 | ||||||
Leasehold improvement payables |
240,000 | 390,000 | ||||||
Interests payable |
25,295 | 55,289 | ||||||
Others |
— | 513,502 | ||||||
Total |
5,669,561 | 17,392,216 | ||||||
| (1) | On August 31, 2021, the Group acquired 100% equity interest of Qingtian International School, with a total consideration of RMB23 million in cash. According to payment schedule agreed in the equity transfer agreement, the remaining balance of acquisition payable will be settled within 2022. |
(2) |
Payables to third parties were loans for daily operational purposes, with 1.5% interest rate and due within one year. |
(3) |
Deposit prepaid to the Group for intention of purchasing the Group’s staff apartments which can be freely withdrawn before final approval of the ownership transfer. |
F-28
11. |
Ordinary shares |
In June 2020, the Company changed its authorized capital to US$ 50,000 (500,000,000 ordinary shares), with par value of $0.0001 per share. The Company retroactively reflected this change in capital structure for all periods presented.
On October 1, 2020, the Company completed its IPO on the NASDAQ Global Market of 3,333,400 American Depositary Shares (“ADS”). Each ADS represents 5 ordinary shares. The offering was at a price of US$9.25 per ADS for a total offering size of approximately US$30.8 million. The net proceeds raised from the IPO amounted to approximately RMB 170.7 million (US$26.2 million) after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and other offering expenses. The excesses of offering price over par value were recorded in additional
paid-in
capital. As of December 31, 2020 and 2021, the Company had 66,667,000 ordinary shares (US$6,667) issued and outstanding.
12. |
Short-term borrowings |
Annual Interest Rate |
Maturity (Months) |
As of December 31, 2020 |
As of December 31, 2021 |
|||||||||||||
Short-term borrowings: |
||||||||||||||||
China CITIC Bank |
4.98%-5.00% |
September, 2021 | 14,900,000 | — | ||||||||||||
China CITIC Bank |
4.70% | March,2022 | — | 27,000,000 | ||||||||||||
Bank of Ningbo |
4.80%-5.22% |
October, 2021 | 9,995,606 | — | ||||||||||||
Bank of Ningbo |
4.80% | December, 2022 | — | 50,000,000 | ||||||||||||
Total |
24,895,606 |
77,000,000 |
||||||||||||||
The weighted average interest rate per annum for the Group’s bank loans was 5.32%, 5.01% and 4.82%
respectively for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2020 and 2021. The Group’s bank loans were secured by the pledge of Group’s buildings and land use rights plus personal guarantees provided by related parties. As of December 31, 2020 and 2021, the total net book amounts of pledged assets were RMB 52,440,671 and RMB 51,115,983, respectively (Note 7 and 8), and the total guaranteed amounts provided by related parties were
RM
B 70,000,000 and RMB 70,000,000 respectively. The effective period of guarantees provided by related parties was within the period from July 29, 2020 to July 29, 2023. The fair values of personal guarantee provided by the related parties for the Company’s loan were not significant as of December 31, 2020 and 2021 respectively.
F-29
13. |
Revenue |
For the years ended December 31, 2019, 2020 and 2021, all of the Group’s revenue was generated in the PRC. The disaggregated revenues were as follows:
For the years ended December 31, |
||||||||||||
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
||||||||||
Revenue from Affected Entity: |
||||||||||||
Rental revenue |
9,340,573 | 15,284,572 | 14,152,381 | |||||||||
Food procurement services |
— | 5,341,719 | 10,864,732 | |||||||||
Subtotal |
9,340,573 | 20,626,291 | 25,017,113 | |||||||||
Revenue from related party: |
||||||||||||
Rental revenue |
2,373,333 |
1,668,572 |
906,667 |
|||||||||
Revenue from third parties : |
||||||||||||
Tuition fees |
— | — | 4,146,247 | |||||||||
Uniform |
— |
1,932,094 |
1,334,416 |
|||||||||
Meals |
— |
— |
591,304 |
|||||||||
Accommodation |
— |
— |
228,526 |
|||||||||
Rental revenue |
952,381 |
104,761 |
76,191 |
|||||||||
Others |
765,316 | 1,373,236 | 2,136,308 | |||||||||
Subtotal |
1,717,697 | 3,410,091 | 8,512,992 | |||||||||
Total revenue |
13,431,603 | 25,704,954 | 34,436,772 | |||||||||
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 and for the eight months ended August 31, 2021, the Group provides operation services including rental services and procurement services for Lianwai School. Although private schools providing compulsory education should not conduct any transaction with any related party under the Implementation Rules, to keep Lianwai School in continuing daily operation, the Group continued to provide essential services without recognizing any revenues relating to such activities to Lianwai School.
As of December 31, 2021, revenue for unsatisfied performance obligations expected to be recognized in year 2022 is RMB1,386,607, which primarily relates to education services and accommodation services to be delivered in the future to the students.
14. |
Income taxes |
| (a) | Cayman Islands |
Under the current tax laws of Cayman Islands, the Company is not subject to income, corporation or capital gains tax, and no withholding tax is imposed upon the payment of dividends.
| (b) | Hong Kong profits tax |
One of the Company’s subsidiaries incorporated in Hong Kong is subject to Hong Kong profits tax rate of 16.5% on its estimated assessable profit for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2020 and 2021. Dividends income received from Liandu WFOE is not subject to Hong Kong profits tax.
| (c) | British Virgin Islands |
Under the current laws of the British Virgin Islands (“BVI”), the Company’s subsidiary in BVI is not subject to tax on its income or capital gains. In addition, upon any payment of dividends by the Company, no British Virgin Islands withholding tax is imposed.
| (d) | PRC Enterprise Income Tax (“EIT”) |
On March 16, 2007, the National People’s Congress of the PRC enacted an Enterprise Income Tax Law (“EIT Law”), under which Foreign Investment Enterprises (“FIEs”) and domestic companies would be subject to EIT at a uniform rate of 25%. The EIT law became effective on January 1, 2008.
According to the Article 14 of Guofa 2016 No. 81 released by the State Council
non-profit
private schools are eligible to enjoy the same preferential tax treatment as public schools. As a result, non-profit
private schools providing academic qualification education are eligible to enjoy income tax exemption treatment. Lianwai School VIE and Qingtian International School VIE have been granted corporate income tax exemption for the tuition, meal and accommodation services, etc. from relevant local tax authorities. According to the Financial management system scheme of Lishui Development Zone (Park), Lishui Xianke is eligible to enjoy 40% income tax reduction treatment, subjecting to the PRC income tax at the rate of 15%.
F-30
14. |
Income taxes (Continued) |
The EIT Law also provides that an enterprise established under the laws of a foreign country or region but whose “de facto management body” is located in the PRC be treated as a resident enterprise for PRC tax purposes and consequently be subject to the PRC income tax at the rate of 25% for its global income. The implementing Rules of the EIT Law merely define the location of the “de facto management body” as “the place where the exercising, in substance, of the overall management and control of the production and business operation, personnel, accounting, properties, etc., of a
non-PRC
company is located.” The EIT Law also imposes a withholding income tax of 10% on dividends distributed by a FIE to its immediate holding company outside of China, if such immediate holding company is considered as a
non-resident
enterprise without any establishment or place within China or if the received dividends have no connection with the establishment or place of such immediate holding company within China, unless such immediate holding company’s jurisdiction of incorporation has a tax treaty with China that provides for a different withholding arrangement. The Cayman Islands, where the Company is incorporated, does not have such a tax treaty with China. According to the arrangement between Mainland China and Hong Kong Special Administrative Region on the Avoidance of Double Taxation and Prevention of Fiscal Evasion in August 2006, dividends paid by a FIE in China to its immediate holding company in Hong Kong will be subject to withholding tax at a rate of no more than 5% if the immediate holding company in Hong Kong owns directly at least 25% of the shares of the FIE and could be recognized as a Beneficial Owner of the dividend from PRC tax perspective. Composition of income tax expense
For the years ended |
||||||||||||
December 31, |
||||||||||||
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
||||||||||
Current |
— | — | 762,067 | |||||||||
Deferred |
— | — | (91,091 | ) | ||||||||
Less from discontinued operation |
— | — | — | |||||||||
Total from continuing operations |
— | — | 670,976 | |||||||||
A reconciliation between the effective income tax rate and the PRC statutory income tax rate is as follows:
For the years ended |
||||||||||||
December 31, |
||||||||||||
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
||||||||||
% |
% |
% |
||||||||||
PRC Statutory income tax rates |
25.0 | % | 25.0 | % | 25.0 | % | ||||||
Effect of preferential tax rates |
(25.0 | %) |
(25.0 | %) |
28.1 | % | ||||||
Effect of non-taxable gain (1) |
— |
— |
(381.2 |
%) | ||||||||
Change of valuation allowance |
— |
— |
401.0 |
% | ||||||||
Effective tax rate |
— | — | 72.9 | % | ||||||||
(1) |
Non-taxable gain was primarily due to gain from the acquisition of Youxi Software. |
Deferred tax assets
The significant components of the deferred tax assets are summarized below:
As of December 31, |
||||||||
2020 |
2021 |
|||||||
Deferred tax assets: |
||||||||
Net operating loss carry-forwards |
— | 6,581,225 | ||||||
Less: valuation allowance |
— | (3,688,042 |
) | |||||
Net deferred tax assets |
— | 2,893,183 | ||||||
As of December 31, 2020 and 2021, the Group had net operating loss carryforwards of approximately nil and
RMB
26,324,999, respectively, which arose from the Group’s subsidiaries, VIE and the VIEs’ subsidiaries established in the PRC. As of December 31, 2020 and 2021, deferred tax assets from the net operating loss carryforwards amounted to nil and RMB
2,893,183, respectively. The Group did not provide any valuation allowance as the Group consider it more likely than not that there would be sufficient pre-tax
profit in the next 5 consecutive years and the deferred tax assets will be utilized in the future. F-31
As private schools providing compulsory education should not conduct any transaction with any related party under the Implementation Rules, some of the Group’s subsidiaries and Lishui Mengxiang VIE were confronted with the adjustment of business. Thus, the Group considered it more likely than not that those subsidiaries and Lishui Mengxiang VIE could not generate sufficient pre-tax profit in the next 5 consecutive years and the deferred tax assets will not be utilized in the future. As of December 31, 2020 and 2021, the Group provided valuation allowance of nil and RMB3,688,042, respectively.
As of December 31, 2021, the net operating loss carryforwards will expire, if unused, as follows:
Net operating loss carryforwards 2022 |
— | |||
2023 |
— | |||
2024 |
8,859,516 | |||
2025 |
2,348,849 | |||
2026 |
15,116,633 | |||
Total |
26,324,999 | |||
15. |
Leases |
The Group as a lessor
The Group entered into lease agreements as lessor with both third parties and related parties.
For the years ended December 31, |
||||||||||||
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
||||||||||
Rental Income: |
||||||||||||
Lianwai Kindergarten |
754,285 |
754,285 |
754,285 |
|||||||||
Lishui Yuanmeng Training Company Limited |
1,619,048 | 914,287 | 152,382 | |||||||||
Grocery stores |
952,381 | 104,761 | 76,191 | |||||||||
Total |
3,325,714 | 1,773,333 | 982,858 | |||||||||
The third parties rented the school
non-education
space mainly for grocery stores, which sell mainly stationary or snacks etc. to students which were operated directly by the lessee, and the lease term ended in August, 2021. The Group leased certain
non-education
space to the related party, Lishui Yuanmeng Training Company Limited from December 1, 2016 to February 28, 2021. In addition, the Group continued leasing its space to Lianwai Kindergarten for their operation of kindergarten care service after the disposal on November, 2018, and the lease term ended in January 2022 (Note 17).
The Group as a lessee
The Group entered into lease agreements as lessee with third parties for the operation of Qingtian International School, and all payments have been paid upfront. For the years ended December 31, 2019, 2020 and 2021, lease expenses were nil, nil and RMB238,251.
16. |
Commitments and contingencies |
(a) |
Commitments |
As of December 31, 2021, the Group entered into lease agreements as lessee with third parties for the operation of Qingtian International School. The Group has prepaid RMB 886,000 of total lease amount in 2021.As of December 31, 2021, the Group did not have any purchase commitments or capital commitments.
(b) |
Litigation |
In the ordinary course of the business, the Group is subject to periodic legal or administrative proceedings. As of December 31, 2020 and 2021, the Group is not a party to any legal or administrative proceedings which will have a material adverse effect on the Group’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
F-32
17. |
Related party transaction and balances |
Name and relationship with related parties:
Name of related parties |
Relationship | |
| Ms. Fen Ye | Controlling shareholder | |
| Ms. Fang Ye | A close family member of Ms. Fen Ye | |
| Ms. Shou E Yan | A close family member of Ms. Fen Ye | |
| Ms. Chun E Ye | A close family member of Ms. Fen Ye | |
| Mr. Wu Wei | A close family member of Mr. Biao Wei | |
| Lishui Yuanmeng Training Company Limited (“Yuanmeng”) | Controlled by Mr. Biao Wei | |
| Lianwai Kindergarten | Controlled by Ms. Fen Ye |
| (a) | Significant transactions with related parties for continuing operations |
Years ended |
||||||||||||
December 31, |
||||||||||||
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
||||||||||
Rental revenue: |
||||||||||||
–Yuanmeng |
1,619,048 | 914,287 | 152,382 | |||||||||
–Lianwai Kindergarten |
754,285 | 754,285 | 754,285 | |||||||||
Total |
2,373,333 | 1,668,572 | 906,667 | |||||||||
Years ended |
||||||||||||
December 31, |
||||||||||||
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
||||||||||
Loans lent to related parties: |
||||||||||||
Ms. Fen Ye |
3,171,645 | — | — | |||||||||
Mr. Wu Wei |
— | 661,208 | — | |||||||||
Ms. Chun E Ye |
23,300,000 | 21,500,000 | — | |||||||||
Total |
26,471,645 | 22,161,208 | — | |||||||||
Years ended |
||||||||||||
December 31, |
||||||||||||
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
||||||||||
Repayments of loans to related parties: |
||||||||||||
Ms. Fang Ye |
506,800 | — | — | |||||||||
Mr. Wu Wei |
— | 661,208 | — | |||||||||
Ms. Chun E Ye |
17,321,645 | 27,478,355 | — | |||||||||
Total |
17,828,445 | 28,139,563 | — | |||||||||
Years ended |
||||||||||||
December 31, |
||||||||||||
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
||||||||||
Proceeds from short-term borrowings from related parties: |
||||||||||||
Ms. Fen Ye |
3,049,462 | — | — | |||||||||
Repayments of short-term borrowings to related parties: |
||||||||||||
Ms. Fen Ye |
3,049,462 | — | — | |||||||||
Repayment of loans due to Lianwai Kindergarten: |
16,349,911 | — | — | |||||||||
For the years ended December 31, 2019, 2020 and 2021, all loan amounts with related parties were
non-interest
bearing, unsecured and repayable on demand. F-33
17. |
Related party transaction and balances (continued) |
(b) |
Balances with related parties for continuing operations |
As of December 31, |
||||||||
2020 |
2021 |
|||||||
Due to related parties: |
||||||||
Advances from related parties for rental: |
||||||||
Lianwai Kindergarten |
719,400 | 323,400 | ||||||
Total |
719,400 | 323,400 | ||||||
(c) |
Balances with Affected Entity for continuing operations |
As of December 31, |
||||||||
2020 |
2021 |
|||||||
Due from Affected Entity: |
||||||||
Account receivables from Affected Entity |
5,203,022 | — | ||||||
Other receivables from Affected Entity |
3,681,578 |
— |
||||||
Total |
8,884,600 | — | ||||||
As of December 31, |
||||||||
2020 |
2021 |
|||||||
Due to Affected Entity: |
||||||||
Payables to Affected Entity: |
243,006,621 | 308,782,975 | ||||||
Advance from Affected Entity |
11,145,000 | — | ||||||
Total |
254,151,621 | 308,782,975 | ||||||
For the years ended December 31, 2019, 2020 and 2021, other receivables from and payables to Affected Entity were
non-interest
bearing, unsecured and repayable on demand for normal business course. For the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2020, account receivables and advance from Affected Entity arouse from the goods and services provided by the Group. Revenue transaction amount were recognized in the consolidated financial statements (Note 13).
18. |
Restricted net assets |
As stipulated by the relevant PRC laws and regulations applicable to the Group’s entities in the PRC, the Group is required to make appropriations from net income as determined in accordance with the PRC GAAP to
non-distributable
reserves, which include a statutory surplus reserve and a statutory welfare reserve. In addition, Liandu WFOE and Lishui Mengxiang VIE are required to annually appropriate 10% of their net after-tax
income to the statutory general reserve fund prior to payment of any dividends, unless such reserve funds have reached 50% of their respective registered capital. In addition, for private schools such as the School, PRC laws and regulations require that annual appropriations of at least 25% of after-tax
income should be set aside as development funds. The sponsor of non-profit
private schools shall not receive proceeds from the running of the school, and the cash surplus of the non-profit
private schools shall be retained for the running of the school development only. As a result of these and other restrictions under PRC laws and regulations, the Group’s subsidiaries and the VIEs incorporated in the PRC are restricted in their ability to transfer a portion of their net assets to the Company either in the form of dividends, loans or advances. There are no significant differences between US GAAP and PRC accounting standards in connection with the reported net assets of the legally owned subsidiary in the PRC and the VIE. Even though the Company currently does not require any such dividends, loans or advances from the PRC entities for working capital and other funding purposes, the Company may in the future require additional cash resources from them due to changes in business conditions, to fund future acquisitions and development, or merely to declare and pay dividends or distributions to the shareholders. Except for the above, there is no other restriction on use of proceeds generated by the Group’s subsidiaries and the VIEs to satisfy any obligations of the Company. As of December 31, 2021, the total restricted net assets of the Company’s subsidiaries and VIEs incorporated in PRC subjected to restriction, including the registered capital, the PRC statutory reserves and certain education facilities assets, exceeded the 25 percent threshold. This restriction results in a corresponding requirement to provide the Company’s financial information.
F-34
19. |
Subsequent events |
In January 2022, the Group entered into an agreement of establishing a joint venture company Beijing Xinxiang future technology development Co., Ltd (“Xinxiang”) with Beijing Renren Intelligent Technology Co., Ltd (“Renren”). The Group will hold 43% equity interests for a total consideration of RMB4,300,000. The Group has paid RMB3,200,000 in February 2022. With Renren’s expertise in nursing and emergency treatment, the Group can develop vocational education in health care industry.
On April 18, 2021, the Group entered into the supplemental agreement with Beijing S.K. Pursuant to the supplemental, the Group acquired
100%
equity interest of Beijing Pengxiang Tianxia Education Technology Co., LTD (“Beijing P.X.”) with wholly owned subsidiary Beijing Chuangmei Weiye Enterprise Management Co., LTD. (“Chuangmei Weiye”) and Hainan Jiangcai Vocational Skills Training School Co. LTD (“Hainan Jiangcai”), along with Langfang City Rail Transit Technical School (“Langfang School”), from Beijing S.K. with the consideration of
RMB53,400,000.
With respect to the remaining prepayment of RMB46,600,000 and its interest, the Group has the right to conduct the acquisition for other vocational education schools under the control of Beijing S.K, which will be completed within one year. Beijing P.X. owned the sponsorship interest of Langfang School, but due to the influence of COVID-19, the procedures to change the former sponsor of Langfang School to Beijing P.X. has not been completed until the issuance of the consolidated financial statements. On April 24, 2022, the Group entered into a supplemental agreement on the transfer of the target company with Beijing S.K., Beijing P.X. and certain other parties, in respect of the confirmation on consolidating Beijing P.X. into the financial statements from January 1, 2022.
The Company has evaluated subsequent events through the issuance of the consolidated financial statements and noted that there are no other subsequent events.
20. |
Information: Condensed financial statements of the Company |
Rules
12-04(a)
and 4-08(e) (3)
of Regulation S-X
require condensed financial information as to the financial position, cash flows and results of operations of a parent company as of and for the same periods for which the audited consolidated financial statements have been presented when the restricted net assets of the consolidated and unconsolidated subsidiaries together exceed 25% of consolidated net assets as of the end of the most recently completed fiscal year. The following condensed financial statements of the Company have been prepared using the same accounting policies as set out in the Company’s consolidated financial statements except that the Company used the equity method to account for its investment in its subsidiaries and VIEs. Such investment is presented on the separate condensed balance sheets of the Company as “Investment in subsidiaries and VIEs”. The Company, its subsidiaries and VIEs were included in the consolidated financial statements whereby the inter-company balances and transactions were eliminated upon consolidation. The Company’s share of income from its subsidiaries and VIEs is reported as its share of income from subsidiaries and VIEs in the condensed financial statements.
The Company is a Cayman Islands company and, therefore, is not subject to income taxes for all years presented. The footnote disclosures contain supplemental information relating to the operations of the Company and, as such, these statements should be read in conjunction with the notes to the consolidated financial statements of the Company. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP have been condensed or omitted.
As of December 31, 202
1
, there were no material commitments or contingencies, significant provisions for long-term obligations or guarantees of the Company, except for those which have been separately disclosed in the consolidated financial statements, if any. F-35
20. |
Information: Condensed financial statements of the Company ( C ontinued) |
Condensed Financial Information of the Company
BALANCE SHEETS
As of December 31, |
||||||||||||
2020 |
2021 |
|||||||||||
RMB |
RMB |
US$ (Note 2(g)) |
||||||||||
| ASSETS |
||||||||||||
| Current assets: |
||||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents |
200,108,273 | 194,729,331 | 30,557,281 | |||||||||
| Prepayments and other current assets |
89,853 | — | — | |||||||||
| Amounts due from subsidiaries and VIEs |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
644,607 |
|
|
|
101,153 |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| Total current assets |
200,198,126 | 195,373,938 | 30,658,434 | |||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| Non-current assets: |
||||||||||||
| Investment in subsidiaries and VIEs |
208,398,302 | — | — | |||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| Total non-current assets |
208,398,302 | — | — | |||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| Total assets |
408,596,428 | 195,373,938 | 30,658,434 | |||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY |
||||||||||||
| Current liabilities: |
||||||||||||
| Accrued liabilities and other current liabilities |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
244,166 |
|
|
|
38,314 |
|
| Investment deficit in subsidiaries and VIEs |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
35,769,964 |
|
|
|
5,613,088 |
|
| Amounts due to subsidiaries and VIEs |
41,127,502 | 40,296,870 | 6,323,458 | |||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| Total current liabilities |
41,127,502 | 76,311,000 | 11,974,860 | |||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| Total liabilities |
41,127,502 | 76,311,000 | 11,974,860 | |||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| Shareholders’ equity: |
||||||||||||
| Ordinary shares (USD$0.0001 par value; 500,000,000 and 500,000,000 shares authorized, 66,667,000 and 66,667,000 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2020 and 2021, respectively) |
45,198 | 45,198 | 7,093 | |||||||||
| Additional paid-in capital |
181,849,003 | 181,849,003 | 28,536,077 | |||||||||
| Statutory reserves |
58,217,195 | 59,971,836 | 9,410,890 | |||||||||
| Accumulated other comprehensive loss |
(7,956,640 | ) | (12,542,667 | ) | (1,968,218 | ) | ||||||
| Retained earnings/(Accumulated deficit) |
135,314,170 | (110,260,432 | ) | (17,302,268 | ) | |||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| Total shareholders’ equity |
367,468,926 | 119,062,938 | 18,683,574 | |||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity |
408,596,428 | 195,373,938 | 30,658,434 | |||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
F-36
20. |
Information: Condensed financial statements of the Company (Continued) |
STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME/(LOSS)
For the years ended December 31, |
||||||||||||||||
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
||||||||||||||
RMB |
RMB |
RMB |
US$ (Note 2 (g)) |
|||||||||||||
| Operating expenses |
||||||||||||||||
| General and administrative expenses |
— |
(3,666,937 |
) |
(1,059,294 |
) |
(166,226 |
) | |||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
| Total operating expenses |
— |
(3,666,937 |
) |
(1,059,294 |
) |
(166,226 |
) | |||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
| Equity in profit/(loss) of subsidiaries and VIEs, net |
47,236,997 |
37,252,021 |
(242,760,667 |
) |
(38,094,447 |
) | ||||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
| Income/(loss) from subsidiaries and VIEs |
47,236,997 |
37,252,021 |
(242,760,667 |
) |
(38,094,447 |
) | ||||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
| Net income/(loss) |
47,236,997 |
33,585,084 |
(243,819,961 |
) |
(38,260,673 |
) | ||||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
| Net income/(loss) attributable to ordinary shareholders |
47,236,997 |
33,585,084 |
(243,819,961 |
) |
(38,260,673 |
) | ||||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
| Net income/(loss) |
||||||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive loss, net of nil tax |
— |
(7,956,640 |
) |
(12,542,667 |
) |
(1,968,218 |
) | |||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
| Comprehensive income/(loss) |
47,236,997 |
25,628,444 |
(256,362,628 |
) |
(40,228,891 |
) | ||||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
For the years ended December 31, |
||||||||||||||||
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
||||||||||||||
RMB |
RMB |
RMB |
US$ (Note 2 (g)) |
|||||||||||||
| Cash flows used in operating activities |
— |
— |
(2,290,367 |
) |
(359,409 |
) | ||||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
| Cash flows used in investing activities |
— |
(653,250 |
) |
— |
— |
|||||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
| Cash flows provided by financing activities |
— |
208,718,163 |
— |
— |
||||||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
| Effect of exchange rate changes on cash |
— |
(7,956,640 |
) |
(3,088,575 |
) |
(484,665 |
) | |||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
| Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents |
— |
200,108,273 |
(5,378,942 |
) |
(844,074 |
) | ||||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year |
— |
— |
200,108,273 |
31,401,355 |
||||||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents, end of year |
— |
200,108,273 |
194,729,331 |
30,557,281 |
||||||||||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
F-37
