CPOP Pop Culture Group Company Ltd

Item 3. KEY INFORMATION

We are a holding company incorporated in the Cayman Islands on January 3, 2020 and not a Chinese operating company. As a holding company with no material operations of our own, we conduct our operations through the VIE and its subsidiaries in the PRC. For accounting purposes, we control and receive the economic benefits of the business operations of the VIE and its subsidiaries through the VIE Agreements, which enables us to consolidate the financial results of the VIE and its subsidiaries in our consolidated financial statements under generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”), and the structure involves unique risks to investors. Our securities are securities of Pop Culture Group, the offshore holding company in the Cayman Islands, instead of securities of the VIE or its subsidiaries in the PRC. The VIE structure provides contractual exposure to foreign investment in China-based companies where PRC laws and regulations prohibit direct foreign investment in the operating companies. As a result of our use of the VIE structure, investors may never hold equity interests in the VIE or its subsidiaries.

The following diagram illustrates our corporate structure, including our subsidiaries and the VIE and its subsidiaries, as of the date of this annual report: 

Notes: All percentages reflect the voting ownership interests instead of the equity interests held by each of our shareholders given that each holder of Class B Ordinary Shares is entitled to seven votes per one Class B Ordinary Share and each holder of Class A Ordinary Shares is entitled to one vote per one Class A Ordinary Share.

The VIE Agreements

Neither we nor our subsidiaries own any share in Xiamen Pop Culture or its subsidiaries. Instead, for accounting purposes, we control and receive the economic benefits of the business operations of the VIE and its subsidiaries through the VIE Agreements, which enables us to consolidate the financial results of the VIE and its subsidiaries in our consolidated financial statements under U.S. GAAP. Heliheng, Xiamen Pop Culture, and the Xiamen Pop Culture Shareholders entered into the VIE Agreements on March 30, 2020, which were amended and restated on February 19, 2021. The VIE Agreements are designed to provide Heliheng with the power, rights, and obligations with respect to Xiamen Pop Culture as set forth under the VIE Agreements. We have evaluated the guidance in Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification 810 and determined that we are regarded as the primary beneficiary of the VIE for accounting purposes, as a result of our direct ownership in Heliheng and the provisions of the VIE Agreements.

Each of the agreements in the VIE Agreements is described in detail below.

Exclusive Services Agreement

Pursuant to the Exclusive Services Agreement between Xiamen Pop Culture and Heliheng, Heliheng provides Xiamen Pop Culture with technical support, intellectual services, and other management services relating to its day-to-day business operations and management, on an exclusive basis, utilizing its advantages in technology, human resources, and information. For services rendered to Xiamen Pop Culture by Heliheng under the Exclusive Services Agreement, Heliheng is entitled to collect a service fee equal to 100% of the net income of Xiamen Pop Culture, which is Xiamen Pop Culture’s earnings before tax after deducting relevant costs and reasonable expenses.

The Exclusive Services Agreement became effective on March 30, 2020, was amended and restated on February 19, 2021, and will remain effective unless otherwise terminated as required by laws or regulations, or by relevant governmental or regulatory authorities. Nevertheless, the Exclusive Services Agreement will be terminated after all shares in Xiamen Pop Culture held by the Xiamen Pop Culture Shareholders and/or all the assets of Xiamen Pop Culture have been legally transferred to Heliheng and/or its designee in accordance with the Exclusive Option Agreement.

The Exclusive Services Agreement does not prohibit related party transactions. Our audit committee is required to review and approve in advance any related party transactions, including transactions involving Heliheng or Xiamen Pop Culture.

Share Pledge Agreement

Under the Share Pledge Agreement between Heliheng and the Xiamen Pop Culture Shareholders, together holding 100% of the shares in Xiamen Pop Culture, the Xiamen Pop Culture Shareholders pledged their shares in Xiamen Pop Culture to Heliheng to guarantee the performance of Xiamen Pop Culture’s obligations under the Exclusive Services Agreement. Under the terms of the Share Pledge Agreement, in the event that Xiamen Pop Culture or the Xiamen Pop Culture Shareholders breach their respective contractual obligations under the Exclusive Services Agreement, Heliheng, as pledgee, will be entitled to certain rights, including, but not limited to, the right to collect dividends generated by the pledged shares. The Xiamen Pop Culture Shareholders also agreed that upon occurrence of any event of default, as set forth in the Share Pledge Agreement, Heliheng is entitled to dispose of the pledged shares in accordance with applicable PRC laws and regulations. The Xiamen Pop Culture Shareholders further agreed not to dispose of the pledged shares or take any action that would prejudice Heliheng’s interest.

The Share Pledge Agreement is effective until the full payment of the service fees under the Exclusive Services Agreement and upon termination of Xiamen Pop Culture’s obligations under the Exclusive Services Agreement, or upon the transfer of shares under the Exclusive Option Agreement.

The purposes of the Share Pledge Agreement are to (1) guarantee the performance of Xiamen Pop Culture’s obligations under the Exclusive Services Agreement and (2) make sure the Xiamen Pop Culture Shareholders do not transfer or assign the pledged shares, or create or allow any encumbrance that would prejudice Heliheng’s interests without Heliheng’s prior written consent. In the event Xiamen Pop Culture breaches its contractual obligations under the Exclusive Services Agreement, Heliheng will be entitled to dispose of the pledged shares in accordance with relevant PRC laws and regulations.

As of the date of this annual report, the share pledges under the Share Pledge Agreement have been registered with the competent PRC regulatory authority.

Exclusive Option Agreement

Under the Exclusive Option Agreement, the Xiamen Pop Culture Shareholders, together holding 100% of the shares in Xiamen Pop Culture, irrevocably granted Heliheng (or its designee) an exclusive option to purchase, to the extent permitted under PRC laws and regulations, once or at multiple times, at any time, part or all of their shares in Xiamen Pop Culture. The option price is RMB10 or the minimum amount to the extent permitted under PRC laws and regulations, whichever is lower.

Under the Exclusive Option Agreement, Heliheng may at any time under any circumstances, purchase or have its designee purchase, at its discretion, to the extent permitted under PRC laws and regulations, all or part of the Xiamen Pop Culture Shareholders’ shares in Xiamen Pop Culture. The Exclusive Option Agreement, together with the Share Pledge Agreement, the Exclusive Services Agreement, and the Shareholders’ Powers of Attorney, enable us to consolidate the financial results of Xiamen Pop Culture and its subsidiaries in our consolidated financial statements under U.S. GAAP.

The Exclusive Option Agreement remains effective until all the equity of Xiamen Pop Culture is legally transferred under the name of Heliheng and/or other entity or individual designated by it, unless terminated earlier by Heliheng with a 30-day prior notice. 

Shareholders’ Powers of Attorney

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

The Powers of Attorney are irrevocable and continuously valid from the date of execution of the Powers of Attorney, so long as the Xiamen Pop Culture Shareholders are shareholders of Xiamen Pop Culture.

Spousal Consents

The spouses of certain of the Xiamen Pop Culture Shareholders agreed, via a spousal consent, to the execution of the “Transaction Documents” including: (a) Exclusive Option Agreement entered into with Heliheng and Xiamen Pop Culture; (b) Share Pledge Agreement entered into with Heliheng; and (c) Powers of Attorney executed by the Xiamen Pop Culture Shareholders, and the disposal of the shares of Xiamen Pop Culture held by the Xiamen Pop Culture Shareholders and registered in their names.

The spouses of certain of the Xiamen Pop Culture Shareholders further undertook not to make any assertions in connection with the shares of Xiamen Pop Culture which are held by the Xiamen Pop Culture Shareholders. The spouses of certain of the Xiamen Pop Culture Shareholders confirmed that the Xiamen Pop Culture Shareholders can perform, amend, or terminate the Transaction Documents without their authorization or consent. They undertook to execute all necessary documents and take all necessary actions to ensure appropriate performance of the agreements.

The spouses of certain of the Xiamen Pop Culture Shareholders also undertook that if they obtain any share of Xiamen Pop Culture which are held by the Xiamen Pop Culture Shareholders for any reasons, they will be bound by the Transaction Documents and comply with the obligations thereunder as shareholders of Xiamen Pop Culture. For this purpose, upon Heliheng’s request, they will sign a series of written documents in substantially the same format and content as the Transaction Documents and Exclusive Services Agreement (as amended from time to time).

Risks Associated with Our Corporate Structure and the VIE Agreements

Because we do not directly hold equity interests in the VIE and its subsidiaries, we are subject to risks and uncertainties of the interpretations and applications of PRC laws and regulations, including but not limited to, regulatory review of overseas listing of companies in the PRC through special purpose vehicles and the validity and enforcement of the VIE Agreements. We are also subject to the risks and uncertainties about any future actions of the PRC government in this regard that could disallow the VIE structure, which would likely result in a material change in the VIE’s operations, and the value of our Class A Ordinary Shares may depreciate significantly or become worthless. See “—D. Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Our Corporate Structure,” “—D. Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Doing Business in the PRC,” and “—D. Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Our Class A Ordinary Shares and the Trading Market.” The VIE Agreements have not been tested in a court of law in the PRC as of the date of this annual report.

The VIE Agreements may not be as effective as direct ownership in providing operational control. For instance, Xiamen Pop Culture and the Xiamen Pop Culture Shareholders could breach the VIE Agreements, by, among other things, failing to conduct their operations in an acceptable manner or taking other actions that are detrimental to our interests. The Xiamen Pop Culture Shareholders may not act in the best interests of our Company or may not perform their obligations under these contracts. Such risks exist throughout the period in which we intend to operate certain portions of our business through the VIE Agreements. In the event that Xiamen Pop Culture or the Xiamen Pop Culture Shareholders fail to perform their respective obligations under the VIE Agreements, we may have to incur substantial costs and expend additional resources to enforce such arrangements. In addition, even if legal actions are taken to enforce such arrangements, there is uncertainty as to whether the courts of the PRC would recognize or enforce judgments of U.S. courts against us or such persons predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the securities laws of the U.S. or any state. See “—D. Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Our Corporate Structure—If the PRC government determines that the VIE Agreements do not comply with PRC regulatory restrictions on foreign investment in the relevant industries, or if these regulations or the interpretation of existing regulations change in the future, we could be subject to severe penalties or be forced to relinquish our interests in those operations,” “—D. Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Doing Business in the PRC—Uncertainties in the interpretation and enforcement of PRC laws and regulations could limit the legal protection available to you and us,” “—D. Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Our Corporate Structure—The VIE Agreements may not be effective in providing control over Xiamen Pop Culture,” and “—D. Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Our Corporate Structure—The VIE Agreements are governed by the laws of the PRC and we may have difficulty in enforcing any rights we may have under the VIE Agreements.”

Risks Associated with being based in the PRC

We are subject to certain legal and operational risks associated with being based in the PRC, which could result in a material change in the VIE’s operations and/or the value of our securities, or could significantly limit or completely hinder our ability to offer or continue to offer securities to investors and cause the value of such securities to significantly decline or be worthless. PRC laws and regulations governing our current business operations are sometimes vague and uncertain. Recently, the PRC government adopted a series of regulatory actions and issued statements to regulate business operations in the PRC with little advance notice, including cracking down on illegal activities in the securities market, adopting new measures to extend the scope of cybersecurity reviews, and expanding the efforts in anti-monopoly enforcement. For example, 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 need to strengthen the supervision over overseas listings by Chinese companies. As of the date of this annual report, we, our subsidiaries, and the PRC operating entities have not been involved in any investigations on cybersecurity review initiated by any PRC regulatory authority, nor has any of them received any inquiry, notice, or sanction. As confirmed by our PRC counsel, Jincheng Tongda & Neal Law Firm (“JT&N”), as of the date of this annual report, we are not subject to cybersecurity review with the Cyberspace Administration of China, or the CAC, under the Cybersecurity Review Measures that became effective on February 15, 2022, or if the Security Administration Draft is enacted as proposed, since (i) as companies that host entertainment events, operate hip-hop related online programs, and provide event planning and execution services and brand promotion services to corporate clients, we and the PRC operating entities are unlikely to be classified as critical information infrastructure operators (“CIIOs”) by the PRC regulatory agencies; (ii) we and the PRC operating entities currently possess personal information of a relatively small number of users in their business operations, significantly less than the one million user threshold set for a data processing operator applying for listing on a foreign exchange that may be required to pass such cybersecurity review, and they do not anticipate that they will be collecting over one million users’ personal information in the foreseeable future; and (iii) since we and the PRC operating entities are in the hip-hop industry, data processed in their business is unlikely to have a bearing on national security and therefore is unlikely to be classified as core or important data by the authorities. There remains uncertainty, however, as to how the Cybersecurity Review Measures and the Security Administration Draft will be interpreted or implemented and whether the PRC regulatory agencies, including the CAC, may adopt new laws, regulations, rules, or detailed implementation and interpretation related to the Cybersecurity Review Measures and the Security Administration Draft. See “—D. Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Doing Business in the PRC—Recent greater oversight by the Cyberspace Administration of China over data security, particularly for companies seeking to list on a foreign exchange, could adversely impact our business and our offering.” Furthermore, on December 24, 2021, the China Securities Regulatory Commission (the “CSRC”) released the Administrative Provisions of the State Council Regarding the Overseas Issuance and Listing of Securities by Domestic Enterprises (Draft for Comments) (the “Administrative Provisions”) and the Measures for the Overseas Issuance of Securities and Listing Record-Filings by Domestic Enterprises (Draft for Comments) (the “Filing Measures” and, together with the Administrative Provisions, the “Draft Rules Regarding Overseas Listings”), both of which had a comment period that expired on January 23, 2022. The Administrative Provisions and the Filing Measures regulate overseas securities offering and listing activities by domestic enterprises in direct or indirect form. The Administrative Provisions specify that the CSRC has regulatory authority over the “overseas securities offering and listing by domestic enterprises,” and requires “domestic” enterprises to complete filing procedures with the CSRC if they wish to list overseas. The Administrative Provisions also contain regulatory red lines for overseas offerings and listings by “domestic” enterprises. The Filing Measures provide supplementary rules for the Administrative Provisions by specifying the primary filing procedures for overseas offerings and listing by domestic enterprises. If the Administrative Provisions and the Filing Measures are fully implemented in the current form, we may be required to file in accordance with the Filing Measures. As of the date of this annual report, these drafts have not been formally adopted, and, due to the lack of detailed guidance or implementation rules, there are still uncertainties regarding the Administrative Provisions and the Filing Measures. Since these statements and regulatory actions are newly published, however, official guidance and related implementation rules have not been issued. It is highly uncertain what the potential impact such modified or new laws and regulations will have on the daily business operations of our subsidiaries and the VIE, our ability to accept foreign investments, and our listing on an U.S. exchange. The Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress or PRC regulatory authorities may in the future promulgate laws, regulations, or implementing rules that require us, our subsidiaries, or the VIE to obtain regulatory approval from Chinese authorities for listing in the U.S. See “—D. Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Doing Business in the PRC—The Chinese government may exert more oversight and control over overseas public offerings conducted by China-based issuers, which could significantly limit or completely hinder our ability to offer or continue to offer our securities to investors and could cause the value of our securities to significantly decline or become worthless.”

Since 2021, the Chinese government has strengthened its anti-monopoly supervision, mainly in three aspects: (i) establishing the National Anti-Monopoly Bureau; (ii) revising and promulgating anti-monopoly laws and regulations, including: the Anti-Monopoly Law of the PRC (amended on June 24, 2022 and effective on August 1, 2022), the anti-monopoly guidelines for various industries, and the Detailed Rules for the Implementation of the Fair Competition Review System; and (iii) expanding the anti-monopoly law enforcement targeting Internet companies and large enterprises. As of the date of this annual report, the Chinese government’s recent statements and regulatory actions related to anti-monopoly concerns have not impacted our or the PRC operating entities’ ability to conduct business, our ability to accept foreign investments or issue our securities to foreign investors because neither we and our subsidiaries, nor the PRC operating entities engage in monopolistic behaviors that are subject to these statements or regulatory actions.

Permissions Required from PRC Authorities

As of the date of this annual report, we, our PRC subsidiaries, and the PRC operating entities, (i) are not covered by additional permissions or approval requirements from any governmental agency that is required to approve the PRC operating entities’ operations, (ii) have received from PRC authorities all requisite licenses, permissions, and approvals needed to engage in the businesses currently conducted in the PRC, and (iii) no such permission or approval has been denied. These licenses, permissions, and approvals, which have been successfully obtained, are: (i) business licenses; (ii) the Electronic Data Interchange (“EDI”) and Internet Content Provider (“ICP”) Licenses; (iii) the Commercial Performance License; (iv) the Radio and Television Program Production and Operation Permit; and (v) the filing-for-record procedures before engaging in non-commercial Internet content service operations. Besides, the PRC operating entities are in the process of applying for the following licenses, permissions, or approvals, which may be required for their new operations in the PRC: (i) the Internet Culture Business Operating License; (ii) the Internet Publication License; (iii) the filing-for-record procedures with the CAC’s filing management system for blockchain information services; and (iv) the filing-for-record procedures for artworks related business activities with local cultural administrative authorities. However, we cannot assure you that any of these entities will be able to receive clearance of such compliance requirements in a timely manner, or at all. Any failure of these entities to fully comply with such compliance requirements may cause our PRC subsidiaries or the PRC operating entities to be unable to begin their new businesses or operations in the PRC, subject them to fines, relevant new businesses or operations suspension for rectification, or other sanctions. See “—D. Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Doing Business in the PRC—If the PRC operating entities fail to obtain or renew any of the requisite approvals, licenses, or permits applicable to their business, it could materially and adversely affect their business and results of operations.”

As advised by our PRC counsel, JT&N, as of the date of this annual report, our Company, our subsidiaries, and the PRC operating entities, (i) are not required to obtain additional permissions or approvals to operate their current business, (ii) are not required to obtain permission from the CSRC, the CAC, or any other Chinese authorities to issue our securities to foreign investors based on PRC laws and regulations currently in effect, and (iii) have not received or were denied such permission by any Chinese authorities. However, we cannot assure you that the PRC regulatory agencies, including the CAC or the CSRC, would take the same view as we do, and there is no assurance that our PRC subsidiaries and the PRC operating entities are always able to successfully update or renew the licenses or permits required for the relevant business in a timely manner or that these licenses or permits are sufficient to conduct all of their present or future business. If our PRC subsidiaries or the PRC operating entities (i) do not receive or maintain required permissions or approvals, (ii) inadvertently conclude that such permissions or approvals are not required, or (iii) applicable laws, regulations, or interpretations change and our PRC subsidiaries and the PRC operating entities are required to obtain such permissions or approvals in the future, they could be subject to fines, legal sanctions, or an order to suspend their relevant services, which may materially and adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations and cause our securities to significantly decline in value or become worthless.

Recently, 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, 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 need to strengthen the supervision over overseas listings by Chinese companies. See “—D. Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Doing Business in the PRC—The Chinese government may exert more oversight and control over overseas public offerings conducted by China-based issuers, which could significantly limit or completely hinder our ability to offer or continue to offer our securities to investors and could cause the value of our securities to significantly decline or become worthless.”

In addition, our securities may be prohibited from trading on a national exchange or over-the-counter under the Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act if the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), or the “PCAOB,” is unable to inspect our auditor for three consecutive years beginning in 2021. Our auditor, WWC, P.C., is an independent registered public accounting firm with the PCAOB, and as an auditor of publicly traded companies in the U.S., is subject to laws in the U.S., pursuant to which the PCAOB conducts regular inspections to assess its compliance with the applicable professional standards. The PCAOB currently has access to inspect the working papers of our auditor and our auditor is not subject to the determinations announced by the PCAOB on December 16, 2021. If trading in our Class A Ordinary Shares is prohibited under the Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act in the future because the PCAOB determines that it cannot inspect or fully investigate our auditor at such future time, Nasdaq may determine to delist our Class A Ordinary Shares. On June 22, 2021, the U.S. Senate passed the Accelerating Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act, which, if passed by the U.S. House of Representatives and signed into law, would reduce the period of time for foreign companies to comply with PCAOB audits to two consecutive years instead of three, thus reducing the time period for triggering the delisting of our Company and the prohibition of trading in our securities if the PCAOB is unable to inspect our accounting firm at such future time. On August 26, 2022, the CSRC, the Ministry of Finance of the PRC (the “MOF”), and the PCAOB signed a Statement of Protocol (the “Protocol”) governing inspections and investigations of audit firms based in mainland China and Hong Kong, taking the first step toward opening access for the PCAOB to inspect and investigate registered public accounting firms headquartered in mainland China and Hong Kong. Pursuant to the fact sheet with respect to the Protocol disclosed by the SEC, the PCAOB shall have independent discretion to select any issuer audits for inspection or investigation and has the unfettered ability to transfer information to the SEC. However, uncertainties still exist as to whether and how this new Protocol will be implemented and whether the PCAOB can make a determination that it is able to inspect and investigate completely in mainland China and Hong Kong. When the PCAOB reassesses its determinations by the end of 2022, it could determine that it is still unable to inspect and investigate completely audit firms based in mainland China and Hong Kong. See “—D. Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Doing Business in the PRC—Recent joint statement by the SEC and the PCAOB, rule changes by Nasdaq, and the Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act 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 continued listing or future offerings of our securities in the U.S.” 

Asset Transfers Between Our Company, Our Subsidiaries, and the VIE

As of the date of this annual report, our Company, our subsidiaries, and the VIE have not distributed any earnings or settled any amounts owed under the VIE Agreements. Our Company, our subsidiaries, and the VIE do not have any plan to distribute earnings or settle amounts owed under the VIE Agreements in the foreseeable future.

The Company’s management is directly supervising cash management. Our finance department is responsible for establishing the cash management policies and procedures among our subsidiaries and departments and the PRC operating entities. Each subsidiary, department, or PRC operating entity initiates a cash request by putting forward a cash demand plan, which explains the specific amount and timing of cash requested, and submitting it to designated management members of the Company, based on the amount and the use of cash requested. The designated management member examines and approves the allocation of cash based on the sources of cash and the priorities of the needs, and submit it to the cashier specialists of our finance department for a second review. Other than the above, we currently do not have other cash management policies or procedures that dictate how funds are transferred.

During the fiscal years ended June 30, 2022, 2021, and 2020, cash transfers and transfers of other assets between our Company, our subsidiaries, and the VIE were as follows: in July 2020, Pop Culture Group transferred approximately $600,000 to Pop Culture HK, which in turn transferred approximately $599,000 to Heliheng; in July 2021, Pop Culture Group transferred approximately $7,081,000 of the net proceeds from our initial public offering to Pop Culture HK, which in turn transferred approximately $7,050,000 to Heliheng; and in May and June 2022, Pop Culture Group transferred approximately $3,019,000 to Pop Culture HK, which in turn transferred approximately $3,008,400 to Heliheng.

Dividends or Distributions Made to Our Company and U.S. Investors and Tax Consequences

As of the date of this annual report, none of our subsidiaries or the VIE have made any dividends or distributions to our Company and our Company has not made any dividends or distributions to our shareholders. We intend to keep any future earnings to finance the expansion of our business, and we do not anticipate that any cash dividends will be paid in the foreseeable future. Subject to the passive foreign investment company (“PFIC”) rules, the gross amount of distributions we make to investors with respect to our securities (including the amount of any taxes withheld therefrom) will be taxable as a dividend, to the extent that the distribution is paid out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits, as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles.

Under Cayman Islands law, a Cayman Islands company may pay a dividend on its shares out of either profit or share premium amount, provided that in no circumstances may a dividend be paid if this would result in the company being unable to pay its debts due in the ordinary course of business.

Cash is transferred among our Company, our subsidiaries, and the VIE, in the following manners: (i) funds are transferred to Heliheng, our WFOE, from our Company as needed through Pop Culture HK, our Hong Kong subsidiary, in the form of capital contributions or shareholder loans, as the case may be; (ii) funds may be paid by the VIE to Heliheng, as service fees according to the VIE Agreements; (iii) dividends or other distributions may be paid by Heliheng, to our Company through Pop Culture HK; and (iv) Heliheng and the VIE, lend to and borrow from each other from time to time for business operation purposes.

Relevant PRC laws and regulations permit the companies in the PRC to pay dividends only out of their retained earnings, if any, as determined in accordance with PRC accounting standards and regulations. Additionally, each of the companies in the PRC are required to set aside at least 10% of its after-tax profits each year, if any, to fund a statutory reserve until such reserve reaches 50% of its registered capital. The companies in the PRC are also required to further set aside a portion of their after-tax profits to fund the employee welfare fund, although the amount to be set aside, if any, is determined at their discretion. These reserves are not distributable as cash dividends. Furthermore, in order for us to pay dividends to our shareholders, we will rely on payments made from Xiamen Pop Culture to Heliheng, pursuant to the VIE Agreements, and the distribution of such payments to Pop Culture HK as dividends from Heliheng, and then to our Company. If our PRC subsidiaries and the PRC operating entities 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.

Our cash dividends, if any, will be paid in U.S. dollars. If we are considered a tax resident enterprise of the PRC for tax purposes, any dividends we pay to our overseas shareholders may be regarded as PRC-sourced income and as a result may be subject to PRC withholding tax. See “—D. Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Doing Business in the PRC—Under the PRC Enterprise Income Tax Law, we may be classified as a PRC ‘resident enterprise’ for PRC enterprise income tax purposes. Such classification would likely result in unfavorable tax consequences to us and our non-PRC shareholders and have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and the value of your investment.”

The PRC government also imposes controls on the convertibility of Renminbi into foreign currencies and, in certain cases, the remittance of currency out of the PRC. The majority of our and the PRC operating entities’ 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 the State Administration of Foreign Exchange 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 the PRC 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.

Any limitation on the ability of our PRC subsidiaries and the PRC operating entities to distribute dividends or other payments to their respective shareholders could materially and adversely limit our ability to conduct operations, make investments, engage in acquisitions, or undertake other activities requiring working capital. However, our operations and business, including investment and/or acquisitions by our PRC subsidiaries and the PRC operating entities within the PRC, will not be affected as long as the capital is not transferred in or out of the PRC.

Selected Condensed Consolidating Financial Schedule

As a holding company with no material operations of our own, we conduct our operations through our subsidiaries and the VIE and its subsidiaries in the PRC. Our subsidiaries and the VIE and its subsidiaries as of the date of this annual report are described below:

The following tables present selected condensed consolidated financial data of Pop Culture Group and its subsidiaries and the VIE and its subsidiaries for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2022, 2021, and 2020, and balance sheet data as of June 30, 2022 and 2021.

A. [Reserved]

B. Capitalization and Indebtedness

Not applicable.

C. Reasons for the Offer and Use of Proceeds

Not applicable.

D. Risk Factors

Risks Relating to Our Corporate Structure

Our corporate structure, in particular the VIE Agreements, is subject to significant risks, as set forth in the following risk factors.

If the PRC government determines that the VIE Agreements do not comply with PRC regulatory restrictions on foreign investment in the relevant industries, or if these regulations or the interpretation of existing regulations change in the future, we could be subject to severe penalties or be forced to relinquish our interests in those operations.

Foreign ownership of Internet content services and radio and television program production and distribution business is prohibited under current PRC laws and regulations. See “Item 4. Information on the Company—B. Business Overview—Regulations.” Accordingly, we currently operate our radio and television program production and distribution business through Xiamen Pop Culture, a VIE, pursuant to the VIE Agreements. For a description of the VIE Agreements, see “Item 4. Information on the Company—A. History and Development of the Company—The VIE Agreements.”

According to our PRC counsel, JT&N, based on its understandings of the relevant PRC laws and regulations, (i) the ownership structure of Xiamen Pop Culture and Heliheng is currently not in violation of applicable PRC laws and regulations currently in effect; and (ii) each of the VIE Agreements is legal, valid, binding, and enforceable in accordance with its terms and applicable PRC laws and regulations. Our PRC counsel, JT&N, however, has also advised us that there are substantial uncertainties regarding the interpretation and application of current or future PRC laws and regulations. The VIE Agreements have not been tested in a court of law in the PRC as of the date of this annual report. Accordingly, the PRC regulatory authorities may ultimately take a view contrary to the opinion of our PRC counsel. It is uncertain whether any new PRC laws or regulations relating to VIE structures will be adopted or, if adopted, what they would provide.

If our corporate structure and the VIE Agreements are determined as illegal or invalid by the competent court in the PRC, arbitral tribunal, or regulatory authorities, we may be unable to consolidate the financial results of the VIE and its subsidiaries in our consolidated financial statements under U.S. GAAP and have to modify such structure to comply with regulatory requirements. However, there can be no assurance that we can achieve this without material disruption to our business. Further, if our corporate structure and the VIE Agreements are found to be in violation of any existing or future PRC laws or regulations, or we or Xiamen Pop Culture fails to obtain or maintain any required permits or approvals, the relevant regulatory authorities would have broad discretion in dealing with such violations, including:

The imposition of any of these penalties would result in a material and adverse effect on the PRC operating entities’ ability to conduct their business. In addition, it is unclear what impact the PRC government actions would have on us and on our ability to consolidate the financial results of Xiamen Pop Culture in our consolidated financial statements, if the PRC government authorities were to find our legal structure and the VIE Agreements to be in violation of PRC laws and regulations. If the imposition of any of these government actions causes us to lose our right to direct the activities of Xiamen Pop Culture or our right to receive substantially all the economic benefits and residual returns from Xiamen Pop Culture 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 Xiamen Pop Culture in our consolidated financial statements. Either of these results, or any other significant penalties that might be imposed on us in this event, would have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations, and our securities may significantly decline in value or become worthless.

The VIE Agreements may not be effective in providing control over Xiamen Pop Culture.

We are a holding company incorporated in the Cayman Islands and not a Chinese operating entity. As a holding company with no material operations of our own, we conduct a substantial majority of our operations through the PRC operating entities. For accounting purposes, we control and receive the economic benefits of the PRC operating entities’ business operations through the VIE Agreements, which enables us to consolidate the financial results of Xiamen Pop Culture in our consolidated financial statements under U.S. GAAP. Our Class A Ordinary Shares are shares of our offshore holding company instead of shares of the PRC operating entities.

The VIE Agreements, however, may not be as effective in providing us with the necessary control over Xiamen Pop Culture and its operations. For example, Xiamen Pop Culture and the Xiamen Pop Culture Shareholders could breach the VIE Agreements by, among other things, failing to conduct their operations in an acceptable manner or taking other actions that are detrimental to our interests. If we had direct ownership of Xiamen Pop Culture, we would be able to exercise our rights as a shareholder to effect changes in the board of directors of Xiamen Pop Culture, which in turn could implement changes, subject to any applicable fiduciary obligations, at the management and operational level. Under the current VIE Agreements, however, we rely on the performance by Xiamen Pop Culture and the Xiamen Pop Culture Shareholders of their respective obligations under the contracts to exercise control over Xiamen Pop Culture for accounting purposes. The Xiamen Pop Culture Shareholders may not act in the best interests of our company or may not perform their obligations under these contracts. Such risks exist throughout the period in which we intend to operate certain portions of our business through the VIE Agreements with Xiamen Pop Culture. If any disputes relating to these contracts remain unresolved, we will have to enforce our rights under these contracts through the operations of PRC law and arbitration, litigation, and other legal proceedings and therefore will be subject to uncertainties in the PRC legal system. Therefore, the VIE Agreements may not be as effective in ensuring our control over the relevant portion of our business operations as direct ownership would be.

The VIE Agreements are governed by the laws of the PRC and we may have difficulty in enforcing any rights we may have under the VIE Agreements.

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

We may not be able to consolidate the financial results of Xiamen Pop Culture or such consolidation could materially and adversely affect our operating results and financial condition.

Our business is conducted through Xiamen Pop Culture, which currently is considered for accounting purposes as a VIE, and we are considered the primary beneficiary, enabling us to consolidate the financial results of Xiamen Pop Culture in our consolidated financial statements. In the event that in the future Xiamen Pop Culture would no longer meet the definition of a VIE, or we are deemed not to be the primary beneficiary, we would not be able to consolidate line by line its financial results in our consolidated financial statements for PRC purposes. Also, if in the future an affiliate company becomes a VIE and we become the primary beneficiary, we would be required to consolidate that entity’s financial results in our consolidated financial statements for PRC purposes. If such entity’s financial results were negative, this could have a corresponding negative impact on our operating results for PRC purposes. However, any material variations in the accounting principles, practices, and methods used in preparing financial statements for PRC purposes from the principles, practices, and methods generally accepted in the United States and in the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) accounting regulations must be discussed, quantified, and reconciled in financial statements for the U.S. GAAP and SEC purposes.

The VIE Agreements may result in adverse tax consequences.

PRC laws and regulations emphasize the requirement of an arm’s length basis for transfer pricing arrangements between related parties. The laws and regulations also require enterprises with related party transactions to prepare transfer pricing documentation to demonstrate the basis for determining pricing, the computation methodology, and detailed explanations. Related party arrangements and transactions may be subject to challenge or tax inspection by the PRC tax authorizes.

Under a tax inspection, if our transfer pricing arrangements between Heliheng and Xiamen Pop Culture are judged as tax avoidance, or related documentation does not meet the requirements, Heliheng and Xiamen Pop Culture may be subject to material adverse tax consequences, such as transfer pricing adjustment. A transfer pricing adjustment could result in a reduction, for PRC tax purpose, of adjustments recorded by Heliheng, which could adversely affect us by (i) increasing Xiamen Pop Culture’s tax liabilities without reducing Heliheng’s tax liabilities, which could further result in interest being levied to us for unpaid taxes; or (ii) imposing late payment fees and other penalties on Xiamen Pop Culture for the adjusted but unpaid taxes according to the applicable regulations. In addition, if Heliheng requests the Xiamen Pop Culture Shareholders to transfer their shares in Xiamen Pop Culture at nominal or no value pursuant to the VIE Agreements, such transfer may be viewed as a gift and subject Heliheng to PRC income tax. As a result, our financial position could be materially and adversely affected if Xiamen Pop Culture’s tax liabilities increase or if it is required to pay late payment fees and other penalties.

The Xiamen Pop Culture Shareholders have potential conflicts of interest with our Company which may adversely affect our business and financial condition.

The Xiamen Pop Culture Shareholders may have potential conflicts of interest with us. These shareholders may not act in the best interest of our Company or may breach, or cause Xiamen Pop Culture to breach the VIE Agreements, which would have a material and adverse effect on our ability to effectively control Xiamen Pop Culture and receive economic benefits from it for accounting purposes. For example, the shareholders may be able to cause the VIE Agreements to be performed in a manner adverse to us by, among other things, failing to remit payments due under the VIE Agreements to us on a timely basis. We cannot assure you that when conflicts of interest arise, any or all of these shareholders will act in the best interests of our Company or such conflicts will be resolved in our favor.

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

We rely on the approvals, certificates, and business licenses held by Xiamen Pop Culture and any deterioration of the relationship between Heliheng and Xiamen Pop Culture could materially and adversely affect our overall business operations.

Pursuant to the VIE Agreements, our business in the PRC will be undertaken on the basis of the approvals, certificates, business licenses, and other requisite licenses held by Xiamen Pop Culture. There is no assurance that Xiamen Pop Culture will be able to renew its licenses or certificates when their terms expire with substantially similar terms as the ones they currently hold.

Further, our relationship with Xiamen Pop Culture is governed by the VIE Agreements, which are intended to enable us, through our indirect ownership of Heliheng, to have a controlling financial interest in, and be the primary beneficiary of, Xiamen Pop Culture for accounting purposes. The VIE Agreements, however, may not be effective in providing control over the applications for and maintenance of the licenses required for our business operations. Xiamen Pop Culture could violate the VIE Agreements, go bankrupt, suffer from difficulties in its business, or otherwise become unable to perform its obligations under the VIE Agreements and, as a result, our operations, reputation, business, and stock price could be severely harmed.

The exercise of our option to purchase part or all of the shares in Xiamen Pop Culture under the exclusive option agreement might be subject to certain limitations and substantial costs.

Our exclusive option agreement with Xiamen Pop Culture and the Xiamen Pop Culture Shareholders gives Heliheng the option to purchase up to 100% of the shares in Xiamen Pop Culture. Such transfer of shares may be subject to approvals from, filings with, or reporting to competent PRC authorities, such as the Ministry of Commerce of the PRC (“MOFCOM”), the State Administration for Market Regulation, and/or their local competent branches. In addition, the shares transfer price may be subject to review and tax adjustment by the relevant tax authorities. The shares transfer price to be received by Xiamen Pop Culture under the VIE Agreements may also be subject to enterprise income tax, and these amounts could be substantial.

Risks Relating to Doing Business in the PRC

There are uncertainties under the Foreign Investment Law relating to the status of businesses in China controlled by foreign invested projects primarily through contractual arrangements, such as our business.

MOFCOM and the National Development and Reform Commission, or the “NDRC,” promulgated the Special Measures for Foreign Investment Access (2021 version), or the “Negative List,” on December 27, 2021, which became effective on January 1, 2022. According to the Negative List, the radio and television program production and operation business, in which the PRC operating entities engage, falls in the “prohibited” category for foreign investors. To comply with PRC laws and regulations, we rely on the VIE Agreements to operate such business in China.

On March 15, 2019, the National People’s Congress approved the Foreign Investment Law of the PRC, which came into effect on January 1, 2020, repealing simultaneously the Law of the PRC on Sino-foreign Equity Joint Ventures, the Law of the PRC on Wholly Foreign-owned Enterprises, and the Law of the PRC on Sino-foreign Cooperative Joint Ventures, together with their implementation rules and ancillary regulations. Pursuant to the Foreign Investment Law, foreign investment refers to any investment activity directly or indirectly carried out by foreign natural persons, enterprises, or other organizations, including investment in new construction project, establishment of foreign funded enterprise or increase of investment, merger and acquisition, and investment in any other way stipulated under laws, administrative regulations, or provisions of the State Council of the PRC (the “State Council”). The Foreign Investment Law does not explicitly stipulate the contractual arrangements as a form of foreign investment. On December 26, 2019, the State Council promulgated the Implementation Regulations on the Foreign Investment Law, which came into effect on January 1, 2020. However, the Implementation Regulations on the Foreign Investment Law still remain silent on whether contractual arrangements should be deemed as a form of foreign investment. Though these regulations do not explicitly classify contractual arrangements as a form of foreign investment, there is still uncertainty regarding whether the VIE would be identified as a foreign-invested enterprise in the future. As a result, there is no assurance that foreign investment via contractual arrangements would not be interpreted as a type of indirect foreign investment activities under the definition in the future.

If we are deemed to have a non-PRC entity as a controlling shareholder, the provisions regarding control through contractual arrangements could apply to the VIE Agreements, and as a result Xiamen Pop Culture could become subject to restrictions on foreign investment, which may materially impact the viability of its current and future operations. Specifically, we may be required to modify our corporate structure, change the PRC operating entities’ current scope of operations, obtain approvals, or face penalties or other additional requirements, compared to entities which do have PRC controlling shareholders. Uncertainties exist with respect to the interpretation and implementation of the Foreign Investment Law and how it may impact the viability of our current corporate structure, corporate governance, and business operations.

It is uncertain whether we would be considered as ultimately controlled by Chinese parties. Mr. Zhuoqin Huang, our chief executive officer, director, and chairman and a PRC citizen, beneficially and indirectly owns 5,763,077 Class B Ordinary Shares, representing approximately 68.81% of the voting rights in our Company. It is uncertain, however, if these factors would be sufficient to give him control over us under the Foreign Investment Law. If future revisions or implementation rules of the Foreign Investment Law mandate further actions, such as the MOFCOM market entry clearance or certain restructuring of our corporate structure and operations, there may be substantial uncertainties as to whether we can complete these actions in a timely manner, if at all, and our business and financial condition may be materially and adversely affected.

Changes in China’s economic, political, or social conditions or government policies could have a material adverse effect on the PRC operating entities’ business and operations.

Substantially all of the PRC operating entities’ assets and operations are currently located in China. Accordingly, the PRC operating entities’ business, financial condition, results of operations, and prospects may be influenced to a significant degree by political, economic, and social conditions in China generally. The Chinese economy differs from the economies of most developed countries in many respects, including the level of government involvement, level of development, growth rate, control of foreign exchange, and allocation of resources. Although the Chinese government has implemented measures emphasizing the utilization of market forces for economic reform, including the reduction of state ownership of productive assets and the establishment of improved corporate governance in business enterprises, a substantial portion of productive assets in China is still owned by the government. In addition, the Chinese government continues to play a significant role in regulating industry development by imposing industrial policies. The Chinese government also exercises significant control over China’s economic growth by allocating resources, controlling payment of foreign currency-denominated obligations, setting monetary policy, and providing preferential treatment to particular industries or companies.

While the Chinese economy has experienced significant growth over the past decades, growth has been uneven, both geographically and among various sectors of the economy. Any adverse changes in economic conditions in China, in the policies of the Chinese government, or in the laws and regulations in China could have a material adverse effect on the overall economic growth of China. Such developments could adversely affect the PRC operating entities’ business and operating results, reduce demand for their products, and weaken their competitive position. The Chinese government has implemented various measures to encourage economic growth and guide the allocation of resources. Some of these measures may benefit the overall Chinese economy, but may have a negative effect on the PRC operating entities. For example, the PRC operating entities’ financial condition and results of operations may be adversely affected by government control over capital investments or changes in tax regulations. In addition, in the past the Chinese government has implemented certain measures, including interest rate adjustments, to control the pace of economic growth. These measures may cause decreased economic activities in China, which may adversely affect the PRC operating entities’ business and operating results.

Furthermore, our Company, the PRC operating entities, and our investors may face uncertainty about future actions by the government of China that could significantly affect the PRC operating entities’ financial performance and operations, including the enforceability of the VIE Agreements. As of the date of this annual report, neither our Company nor the VIE has received or was denied permission from Chinese authorities to list on U.S. exchanges. However, there is no guarantee that our Company or the VIE will receive or not be denied permission from Chinese authorities to list on U.S. exchanges in the future.

Uncertainties in the interpretation and enforcement of PRC laws and regulations and changes in policies, rules, and regulations in China, which may be quick with little advance notice, could limit the legal protection available to you and us.

There are substantial uncertainties regarding the interpretation and application of PRC laws and regulations including, but not limited to, the laws and regulations governing our business and the enforcement and performance of our arrangements with third parties in certain circumstances. The laws and regulations are sometimes vague and may be subject to future changes, and their official interpretation and enforcement could be unpredictable, with little advance notice. The effectiveness and interpretation of newly enacted laws or regulations, including amendments to existing laws and regulations, may be delayed, and our business may be affected if we rely on laws and regulations which are subsequently adopted or interpreted in a manner different from our current understanding of these laws and regulations. New laws and regulations that affect existing and proposed future businesses may also be applied retroactively. We cannot predict what effect the interpretation of existing or new PRC laws or regulations may have on our business.

The legal system in the PRC is a civil law system based on written statutes. Unlike the common law system, prior court decisions under the civil law system may be cited for reference but have limited precedential value. In addition, any new or changes in PRC laws and regulations related to foreign investment in the PRC could affect the business environment and our ability to operate our business in the PRC. 

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

Such uncertainties, including the promulgation of new laws, or changes to existing laws or the interpretation or enforcement thereof, could limit the legal protections available to us and our investors, including you.

You may experience difficulties in effecting service of legal process, enforcing foreign judgments, or bringing actions in China against us or our management named in this annual report based on foreign laws. It may also be difficult for you or overseas regulators to conduct investigations or collect evidence within China.

As a company incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands, we conduct a majority of our operations in China and a majority of our assets are located in China. In addition, all of our senior executive officers reside within China for a significant portion of the time and are PRC nationals. As a result, it may be difficult for you to effect service of process upon those persons inside mainland China. It may be difficult for you to enforce judgements obtained in U.S. courts based on civil liability provisions of the U.S. federal securities laws against us and our officers and directors who do not currently reside in the U.S. or have substantial assets in the U.S. In addition, there is uncertainty as to whether the courts of the Cayman Islands or the PRC would recognize or enforce judgments of U.S. courts against us or such persons predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the securities laws of the U.S. or any state.

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 forms of written arrangement with the United States that provide for the reciprocal recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments. In addition, according to the PRC Civil Procedures Law, the PRC courts will not enforce a foreign judgment against us or our directors and officers if they decide that the judgment violates the basic principles of PRC laws or national sovereignty, security, or public interest. As a result, it is uncertain whether and on what basis a PRC court would enforce a judgment rendered by a court in the United States.

It may also be difficult for you or overseas regulators to conduct investigations or collect evidence within China. For example, in China, there are significant legal and other obstacles to obtaining information needed for shareholder investigations or litigation outside China or otherwise with respect to foreign entities. Although the authorities in China may establish a regulatory cooperation mechanism with its counterparts of another country or region to monitor and oversee cross border securities activities, such regulatory cooperation with the securities regulatory authorities in the United States may not be efficient in the absence of a practical cooperation mechanism. Furthermore, according to Article 177 of the PRC Securities Law, or “Article 177,” which became effective in March 2020, no overseas securities regulator is allowed to directly conduct investigations or evidence collection activities within the territory of the PRC. Article 177 further provides that Chinese entities and individuals are not allowed to provide documents or materials related to securities business activities to foreign agencies without prior consent from the securities regulatory authority of the State Council and the competent departments of the State Council. While detailed interpretation of or implementing rules under Article 177 have yet to be promulgated, the inability for an overseas securities regulator to directly conduct investigation or evidence collection activities within China may further increase difficulties faced by you in protecting your interests.

Given the Chinese government’s significant oversight and discretion over the conduct of our business, the Chinese government may intervene or influence our operations at any time, which could result in a material change in our operations and/or the value of our securities.

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

For example, the Chinese cybersecurity regulator announced on July 2, 2021, that it had begun an investigation of Didi Global Inc. and two days later ordered that the company’s app be removed from smartphone app stores. On July 24, 2021, the General Office of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China 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, pursuant to which foreign investment in such firms via mergers and acquisitions, franchise development, and variable interest entities are banned from this sector. We cannot rule out the possibility that the Chinese government will in the future release regulations or policies regarding our industry that could adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

As such, the PRC operating entities’ business segments may be subject to various government and regulatory interference, and they could be subject to new regulation by various political and regulatory entities, including various local and municipal agencies and government sub-divisions. The PRC operating entities may incur increased costs necessary to comply with existing and newly adopted laws and regulations or penalties for any failure to comply. As a result, we face uncertainty about future actions by the PRC government that could significantly affect our ability to offer or continue to offer securities to investors and cause the value of our securities to significantly decline or be worthless.

Any actions by the Chinese government, including any decision to intervene or influence the operations of the PRC operating entities 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 the PRC operating entities, 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 the PRC operating entities to operate in China may be impaired by changes in its laws and regulations, including those relating to taxation, environmental regulations, 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 the PRC operating entities’ compliance with such regulations or interpretations. As such, the PRC operating entities may be subject to various government 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 list on U.S. exchanges in the future, and even when such permission is obtained, whether it will be denied or rescinded. Although we believes our Company and the PRC operating entities are currently not required to obtain permission from any Chinese authorities and have not received any notice of denial of permission to list on the U.S. exchange, our operations could be adversely affected, directly or indirectly, by existing or future laws and regulations relating to our business or industry, particularly in the event permission to list on U.S. exchanges may be later required, or withheld or rescinded once given.

Accordingly, government actions in the future, including any decision to intervene or influence the operations of the PRC operating entities 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 the PRC operating entities, 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.

The Chinese government may exert more oversight and control over overseas public offerings conducted by China-based issuers, which could significantly limit or completely hinder our ability to offer or continue to offer our securities to investors and could cause the value of our securities to significantly decline or become worthless.

Recent statements made by the Chinese government have indicated an intent to increase the government’s oversight and control over offerings of companies with significant operations in the PRC that are to be conducted in foreign markets, as well as foreign investment in China-based issuers. For example, 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 need to strengthen the supervision over overseas listings by Chinese companies.

Furthermore, on December 24, 2021, the CSRC and relevant departments of the State Council released the Administrative Provisions and the Filing Measures, both of which had a comment period that expired on January 23, 2022. The Draft Rules Regarding Overseas Listing aim to lay out the filing regulation arrangement for both direct and indirect overseas listing and clarify the determination criteria for indirect overseas listing in overseas markers. Where an enterprise whose principal business activities are conducted in the PRC seeks to issue and list its shares in the name of an overseas enterprise based on equity, assets, income, or other similar rights and interests of the relevant domestic enterprise in the PRC, such activities are deemed an indirect overseas issuance and listing. According to the Draft Rules Regarding Overseas Listings, among other things, after making initial applications with overseas stock markets for initial public offerings or listings, or after the completion of issuance of overseas listed securities by the overseas listed issuer, all China-based companies shall file the required filing materials with the CSRC within three working days. In addition, overseas offerings and listings may be prohibited for such China-based companies when any of the following applies: (i) if the intended securities offerings and listings are specifically prohibited by the PRC laws and regulations; (ii) if the intended securities offerings and listings may constitute a threat to, or endanger national security as reviewed and determined by competent authorities under the State Council in accordance with laws; (iii) if there are material ownership disputes over applicants’ equity interests, major assets, core technologies, or the others; (iv) if, in the past three years, applicants’ domestic enterprises, controlling shareholders, or de facto controllers have committed corruption, bribery, embezzlement, misappropriation of property, or other criminal offenses disruptive to the order of the socialist market economy, or are currently under judicial investigation for suspicion of criminal offenses, or are under investigation for suspicion of major violations; (v) if, in the past three years, any directors, supervisors, or senior executives of applicants have been subject to administrative punishments for severe violations, or are currently under judicial investigation for suspicion of criminal offenses, or are under investigation for suspicion of major violations; or (vi) other circumstances as prescribed by the State Council. The Administrative Provisions further stipulate that a fine between RMB1 million (approximately $157,255) and RMB10 million (approximately $1,572,550) may be imposed if an applicant fails to fulfill the filing requirements with the CSRC or conducts an overseas offering or listing in violation of the Draft Rules Regarding Overseas Listings, and in cases of severe violations, a parallel order to suspend relevant businesses or halt operations for rectification may be issued, and relevant business permits or operational license revoked.

As of the date of this annual report, the Draft Rules Regarding Overseas Listings have been released for public comment only and have not been formally promulgated, and neither we, our subsidiaries, nor any of the PRC operating entities have been required to complete the filing procedures. However, uncertainties remain as to its enactment or future interpretations and implementations. Our PRC counsel, JT&N, has advised us that, even if the final rules are promulgated as proposed in the current Draft Rules Regarding Overseas Listings, none of the situations that would clearly prohibit overseas offering and listings would apply to us. In addition, we would only need to submit the filing materials and no CSRC approval would be required under such rules.

Notwithstanding the above, our PRC counsel has further advised us that uncertainties still exist as to whether we, our subsidiaries, or the PRC operating entities are required to obtain permissions from the CAC, the CSRC, or any other governmental agency that is required to approve our operations and/or offering. We have been closely monitoring the development in the regulatory landscape in the PRC, particularly regarding the requirement of approvals, including on a retrospective basis, from the CAC, the CSRC, or other PRC authorities with respect to our offerings, as well as other procedures that may be imposed on us. In the event that we, our subsidiaries, or the PRC operating entities are subject to the compliance requirements, we cannot assure you that any of these entities will be able to receive clearance of such compliance requirements in a timely manner, or at all. Any failure of our Company, our subsidiaries, or the PRC operating entities to fully comply with new regulatory requirements may subject us to regulatory actions, such as fines, relevant businesses or operations suspension for rectification, revocation of relevant business permits or operational license, or other sanctions, which may significantly limit or completely hinder our ability to offer or continue to offer our securities cause significant disruption to our business operations, severely damage our reputation, materially and adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations and cause our securities to significantly decline in value or become worthless.

Recent greater oversight by the CAC over data security, particularly for companies seeking to list on a foreign exchange, could adversely impact our business and our offering.

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

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

As of the date of this annual report, we have not received any notice from any authorities identifying our PRC subsidiaries or the PRC operating entities as CIIOs or requiring us to go through cybersecurity review or network data security review by the CAC. As confirmed by our PRC counsel, JT&N, neither the operations of our PRC subsidiaries, nor of the PRC operating entities, nor our offerings are expected to be affected, and that we will not be subject to cybersecurity review by the CAC under the Cybersecurity Review Measures, nor will any such entity be subject to the Security Administration Draft, if it is enacted as proposed, given that our PRC subsidiaries and the PRC operating entities possess personal data of fewer than one million individual clients and do not collect data that affects or may affect national security in their business operations as of the date of this annual report and do not anticipate that they will be collecting over one million users’ personal information or data that affects or may affect national security in the near future. In general, we believe we are compliant with the regulations or policies that have been issued by the CAC to date. There remains uncertainty, however, as to how the Cybersecurity Review Measures and the Security Administration Draft will be interpreted or implemented and whether the PRC regulatory agencies, including the CAC, may adopt new laws, regulations, rules, or detailed implementation and interpretation related to the Cybersecurity Review Measures and the Security Administration Draft. If any such new laws, regulations, rules, or implementation and interpretation come into effect, we will take all reasonable measures and actions to comply and to minimize the adverse effect of such laws on us. We cannot assure you that PRC regulatory agencies, including the CAC, would take the same view as we do. In the event that we are subject to any mandatory cybersecurity review and other specific actions required by the CAC, we face uncertainty as to whether any clearance or other required actions can be timely completed, or at all. If we inadvertently conclude that such approval is not required, fail to obtain and maintain such approvals, licenses, or permits required for our business or respond to changes in the regulatory environment, we could be subject to liabilities, penalties and operational disruption, which may materially and adversely affect our business, operating results, financial condition, and the value of our securities, significantly limit or completely hinder our ability to offer or continue to offer securities to investors, or cause such securities to significantly decline in value or become worthless.

Recent joint statement by the SEC and the PCAOB, rule changes by Nasdaq, and the Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act 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 continued listing or future offerings of our securities in the U.S.

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 a minimum offering size requirement for companies primarily operating in a “Restrictive Market,” (ii) adopt a new requirement relating to the qualification of management or the board of directors 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 auditor. On October 4, 2021, the SEC approved Nasdaq’s revised proposal for the rule changes.

On May 20, 2020, the U.S. Senate passed the Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act requiring a foreign company to certify it is not owned or controlled by a foreign government if the PCAOB is unable to audit specified reports because the company uses a foreign auditor not subject to PCAOB inspection. If the PCAOB is unable to inspect the company’s auditors for three consecutive years, the issuer’s securities are prohibited to trade on a national exchange. On December 2, 2020, the U.S. House of Representatives approved the Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act. On December 18, 2020, the Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act was signed into law.

On March 24, 2021, the SEC adopted interim final rules relating to the implementation of certain disclosure and documentation requirements of the Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act.

On June 22, 2021, the U.S. Senate passed the Accelerating Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act, which, if passed by the U.S. House of Representatives and signed into law, would reduce the number of consecutive non-inspection years required for triggering the prohibitions under the Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act from three years to two, and thus, would reduce the time before our securities may be prohibited from trading or delisted.

On September 22, 2021, the PCAOB adopted a final rule implementing the Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act, which provides a framework for the PCAOB to use when determining, as contemplated under the Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act, whether the board of directors of a company is unable to inspect or investigate completely registered public accounting firms located in a foreign jurisdiction because of a position taken by one or more authorities in that jurisdiction.

On December 2, 2021, the SEC adopted amendments to finalize rules implementing the submission and disclosure requirements in the Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act.

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 the PRC and in Hong Kong because of positions taken by the PRC and Hong Kong authorities in those jurisdictions.

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, 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 firm’s audit procedures or quality control procedures as compared to auditors outside of China that are subject to the PCAOB inspections, which could cause investors and potential investors to lose confidence in the audit procedures and reported financial information and the quality of the financial statements of those companies who have China-based auditors.

Our auditor, WWC, P.C., is an independent registered public accounting firm with the PCAOB, and as an auditor of publicly traded companies in the U.S., is subject to laws in the U.S., pursuant to which the PCAOB conducts regular inspections to assess its compliance with the applicable professional standards. The PCAOB currently has access to inspect the working papers of our auditor and our auditor is not subject to the determinations announced by the PCAOB on December 16, 2021. However, the recent developments would add uncertainties to our offering and we cannot assure you whether Nasdaq or regulatory authorities would apply additional and more stringent criteria to us since we are an emerging growth company and substantial all of our operations are conducting in China. Furthermore, the Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act, which requires that the PCAOB be permitted to inspect an issuer’s public accounting firm within three years, may result in the delisting of our Company or prohibition of trading in our securities in the future if the PCAOB is unable to inspect our accounting firm at such future time. The Accelerating Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act, if passed by the U.S. House of Representatives and signed into law, would reduce the period of time for foreign companies to comply with PCAOB audits to two consecutive years instead of three, thus reducing the time period for triggering the delisting of our Company and the prohibition of trading in our securities if the PCAOB is unable to inspect our accounting firm at such future time. In addition, delisting may cause a significant decrease in or a total loss of the value of our securities. Although a shareholder’s ownership of our Company may not decrease directly from delisting, the ownership may become worth much less, or, in some cases, lose its entire value.

On August 26, 2022, the CSRC, the MOF, and the PCAOB signed the Protocol governing inspections and investigations of audit firms based in mainland China and Hong Kong, taking the first step toward opening access for the PCAOB to inspect and investigate registered public accounting firms headquartered in mainland China and Hong Kong. Pursuant to the fact sheet with respect to the Protocol disclosed by the SEC, the PCAOB shall have independent discretion to select any issuer audits for inspection or investigation and has the unfettered ability to transfer information to the SEC. However, uncertainties still exist as to whether and how this new Protocol will be implemented and whether the PCAOB can make a determination that it is able to inspect and investigate completely in mainland China and Hong Kong. When the PCAOB reassesses its determinations by the end of 2022, it could determine that it is still unable to inspect and investigate completely audit firms based in mainland China and Hong Kong.

Increases in labor costs in the PRC may adversely affect the PRC operating entities’ business and profitability.

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

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

As the interpretation and implementation of labor-related laws and regulations are still evolving, we cannot assure you that the PRC operating entities’ employment practice does not and will not violate labor-related laws and regulations in China, which may subject the PRC operating entities to labor disputes or government investigations. If the PRC operating entities are deemed to have violated relevant labor laws and regulations, they could be required to provide additional compensation to their employees and their business, financial condition, and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.

If the PRC operating entities fail to obtain or renew any of the requisite approvals, licenses, or permits applicable to their business, it could materially and adversely affect their business and results of operations.

In accordance with the relevant PRC laws and regulations, the PRC operating entities are required to maintain various approvals, licenses, and permits and complete certain statutory procedures to operate their business, including the business license, the Value-added Telecommunications Business Operation License, or the EDI and ICP Licenses, the Commercial Performance License, and Radio and Television Program Production and Operation Permit, and the filing-for-record procedures before engaging in Internet information service operations. In particular, the EDI and ICP Licenses, the Commercial Performance License and Radio and Television Program Production and Operation Permit the PRC operating entities hold are subject to periodic renewal. In addition, evolving laws and regulations and inconsistent enforcement thereof could lead to their failure to obtain or maintain licenses and permits to do business in China. If the PRC operating entities fail to obtain or renew approvals, licenses, or permits required for their business or to respond to changes in the regulatory environment, they may be subject to fines or the suspension of operations, which could adversely affect their business and results of operations.

The PRC operating entities have not made adequate social insurance and housing fund contributions for all employees as required by PRC regulations, which may subject them to penalties.

According to the PRC Social Insurance Law and the Administrative Regulations on the Housing Funds, companies operating in China are required to participate in pension insurance, work-related injury insurance, medical insurance, unemployment insurance, maternity insurance (collectively known as “social insurance”), and housing funds plans, and the employers must pay all or a portion of the social insurance premiums and housing funds for their employees. For more details, please see “Item 4. Information on the Company—B. Business Overview—Regulations—Regulations Related to Employment and Social Welfare—Social Insurance and Housing Fund.” The requirement of social insurance and housing fund has not been implemented consistently by the local governments in China given the different levels of economic development in different locations.

The PRC operating entities have not made adequate social insurance and housing fund contributions for all employees. The PRC operating entities may be required to make up the social insurance contributions as well as to pay late fees at the rate of 0.05% per day of the outstanding amount from the due date. If they fail to make up for the shortfalls within the prescribed time limit, the relevant administrative authorities will impose a fine of one to three times the outstanding amount upon them. With respect to housing fund plans, the PRC operating entities may be required to pay and deposit housing funds in full and on time within the prescribed time limit. If they fail to do so, relevant authorities could file applications to competent courts for compulsory enforcement of payment and deposit. Accordingly, if the relevant PRC authorities determine that the PRC operating entities shall make supplemental social insurance and housing fund contributions or that they are subject to fines and legal sanctions in relation to their failure to make social insurance and housing fund contributions in full for their employees, their business, financial condition, and results of operations may be adversely affected. As of the date of this annual report, however, the relevant local authorities confirmed in writing that no records of violation were found on the PRC operating entities for social insurance and/or housing fund contribution obligations. Further, the PRC operating entities have never received any demand or order from the competent authorities. Therefore, our PRC counsel, JT&N, believes that the risk that the relevant authorities may impose regulatory penalty on the PRC operating entities for our underpayment of social insurance and housing funds is remote.

PRC regulations relating to offshore investment activities by PRC residents may subject our PRC resident beneficial owners or our PRC subsidiaries to liability or penalties, limit our ability to inject capital into our PRC subsidiaries, limit our PRC subsidiaries’ ability to increase its registered capital or distribute profits to us, or may otherwise adversely affect us.

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

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

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

PRC regulation of parent/subsidiary loans and direct investment by offshore holding companies to PRC entities may delay or prevent us from using the proceeds of offshore offerings to make loans or additional capital contributions to our PRC subsidiaries and to make loans to Xiamen Pop Culture, which could materially and adversely affect their liquidity and their ability to fund and expand their business.

We are an offshore holding company conducting our operations in China through our PRC subsidiaries, Xiamen Pop Culture, and subsidiaries of Xiamen Pop Culture. We may make loans to these entities, or we may make additional capital contributions to Heliheng, or we may establish new PRC subsidiaries and make capital contributions to these new PRC subsidiaries.

Most of these ways are subject to PRC regulations and approvals or registration. For example, any loans to Heliheng, which is treated as a foreign-invested enterprise under PRC law, are subject to PRC regulations and foreign exchange loan registrations. For example, loans by us to Heliheng to finance its activities cannot exceed statutory limits and must be registered with the local counterpart of SAFE, or filed with SAFE in its information system. Pursuant to relevant PRC regulations, we may provide loans to Heliheng up to the larger amount of (i) the balance between the registered total investment amount and registered capital of Heliheng, or (ii) twice the amount of the net assets of Heliheng calculated in accordance with the Circular on Full-Coverage Macro-Prudent Management of Cross-Border Financing, or the “PBOC Circular 9.” Moreover, any medium or long-term loan to be provided by us to Heliheng or other domestic PRC entities must also be filed and registered with the NDRC. We may also decide to finance Heliheng by means of capital contributions. These capital contributions are subject to registration with the State Administration for Market Regulation or its local branch, reporting of foreign investment information with MOFCOM, or registration with other governmental authorities in China. Due to the restrictions imposed on loans in foreign currencies extended to PRC domestic companies, we are not likely to make such loans to Xiamen Pop Culture, which is a PRC domestic company. Further, we are not likely to finance the activities of Xiamen Pop Culture and its subsidiaries by means of capital contributions due to regulatory restrictions relating to foreign investment in PRC domestic enterprises engaged in certain business.

On March 30, 2015, SAFE issued the Circular of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange on Reforming the Administrative Approach Regarding the Settlement of the Foreign Exchange Capital of Foreign-invested Enterprises, or “SAFE Circular 19,” which took effect and replaced previous regulations effective on June 1, 2015, and was amended on December 30, 2019. Pursuant to SAFE Circular 19, up to 100% of foreign currency capital of a foreign-invested enterprise may be converted into RMB capital according to the actual operation, and within the business scope, of the enterprise at its will. Although SAFE Circular 19 allows for the use of RMB converted from the foreign currency-denominated capital for equity investments in the PRC, the restrictions continue to apply as to foreign-invested enterprises’ use of the converted RMB for purposes beyond their business scope, for entrusted loans or for inter-company RMB loans. On June 9, 2016, SAFE promulgated the Notice of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange on Reforming and Standardizing the Foreign Exchange Settlement Management Policy of Capital Account, or “SAFE Circular 16,” effective on June 9, 2016, which reiterates some rules set forth in Circular 19, but changes the prohibition against using RMB capital converted from foreign currency-denominated registered capital of a foreign-invested company to issue RMB entrusted loans to a prohibition against using such capital to issue loans to non-affiliated enterprises. SAFE Circular 19 and SAFE Circular 16 may significantly limit our ability to transfer any foreign currency we hold, including the net proceeds from our offshore offerings, to Heliheng, which may adversely affect our liquidity and our ability to fund and expand our business in China. On October 23, 2019, the SAFE issued the Notice of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange on Further Facilitating Cross-border Trade and Investment, or “SAFE Circular 28,” which, among other things, expanded the use of foreign exchange capital to domestic equity investment area. Non-investment foreign-funded enterprises are allowed to lawfully make domestic equity investments by using their capital on the premise without violation to prevailing special administrative measures for access of foreign investments (negative list) and the authenticity and compliance with the regulations of domestic investment projects. However, since SAFE Circular 28 is newly promulgated, it is unclear how SAFE and competent banks will carry it out in practice.

In light of the various requirements imposed by PRC regulations on loans to and direct investment in PRC entities by offshore holding companies, including SAFE Circular 19, SAFE Circular 16, and other relevant rules and regulations, we cannot assure you that we will be able to complete the necessary registrations or obtain the necessary government approvals on a timely basis, if at all, with respect to future loans to Heliheng, Xiamen Pop Culture, or subsidiaries of Xiamen Pop Culture, or future capital contributions by us to Heliheng. As a result, uncertainties exist as to our ability to provide prompt financial support to Heliheng, Xiamen Pop Culture, or subsidiaries of Xiamen Pop Culture when needed. If we fail to complete such registrations or obtain such approvals, our ability to use the proceeds we received or expect to receive from our offshore offerings and to capitalize or otherwise fund our PRC operations may be negatively affected, which could materially and adversely affect the PRC operating entities’ business, including their liquidity and their ability to fund and expand their business.

Fluctuations in exchange rates could have a material and adverse effect on our results of operations and the value of your investment.

The value of the RMB against the U.S. dollar and other currencies may fluctuate and is affected by, among other things, changes in political and economic conditions in China and by China’s foreign exchange policies. On July 21, 2005, the PRC government changed its decade-old policy of pegging the value of the RMB to the U.S. dollar, and the RMB 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 the RMB and the U.S. dollar remained within a narrow band. Since June 2010, the RMB has fluctuated against the U.S. dollar, at times significantly and unpredictably. It is difficult to predict how market forces or PRC or U.S. government policy may impact the exchange rate between the RMB and the U.S. dollar in the future.

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

Very limited hedging options are available in China to reduce our exposure to exchange rate fluctuations. To date, we have not entered into any hedging transactions in an effort to reduce our exposure to foreign currency exchange risk. While we may decide to enter into more 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 RMB into foreign currency. As a result, fluctuations in exchange rates may have a material adverse effect on your investment.

Under the PRC Enterprise Income Tax Law, we may be classified as a PRC “resident enterprise” for PRC enterprise income tax purposes. Such classification would likely result in unfavorable tax consequences to us and our non-PRC shareholders and have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and the value of your investment.

Under the PRC Enterprise Income Tax Law, or the “EIT Law,” that became effective in January 2008, an enterprise established outside the PRC with “de facto management bodies” within the PRC is considered a “resident enterprise” for PRC enterprise income tax purposes and is generally subject to a uniform 25% enterprise income tax rate on its worldwide income. Under the implementation rules to the EIT Law, a “de facto management body” is defined as a body that has material and overall management and control over the manufacturing and business operations, personnel and human resources, finances, and properties of an enterprise. In April 2009, the State Administration of Taxation, or the “SAT,” issued the Circular on Issues Concerning the Identification of Chinese-Controlled Overseas Registered Enterprises as Resident Enterprises in Accordance with the Actual Standards of Organizational Management, or “SAT Circular 82,” which was amended in December 2017. SAT Circular 82 specifies that certain offshore incorporated enterprises controlled by PRC enterprises or PRC enterprise groups will be classified as PRC resident enterprises if the following are located or resident in the PRC: senior management personnel and departments that are responsible for daily production, operation and management; financial and personnel decision making bodies; key properties, accounting books, company seal, and minutes of board meetings and shareholders’ meetings; and half or more of the senior management or directors having voting rights. Further to SAT Circular 82, the SAT issued the Measures for the Administration of Enterprise Income Tax of Chinese-Controlled Overseas Registered Enterprises as Resident Enterprises (for Trial Implementation), or “SAT Bulletin 45,” which took effect in September 2011 and was amended in April 2015, to provide more guidance on the implementation of SAT Circular 82 and clarify the reporting and filing obligations of such “Chinese-controlled offshore incorporated resident enterprises.” SAT Bulletin 45 provides procedures and administrative details for the determination of resident status and administration on post-determination matters. Although both SAT Circular 82 and SAT Bulletin 45 only apply to offshore enterprises controlled by PRC enterprises or PRC enterprise groups, not those controlled by PRC individuals or foreign individuals, the determining criteria set forth in SAT Circular 82 and SAT Bulletin 45 may reflect the SAT’s general position 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, PRC enterprise groups, or by PRC or foreign individuals.

If the PRC tax authorities determine that the actual management organ of Pop Culture Group is within the territory of China, Pop Culture Group may be deemed to be a PRC resident enterprise for PRC enterprise income tax purposes and a number of unfavorable PRC tax consequences could follow. First, we will be subject to the uniform 25% enterprise income tax on our world-wide income, which could materially reduce our net income. In addition, we will also be subject to PRC enterprise income tax reporting obligations. Finally, dividends payable by us to our investors and gains on the sale of our shares may become subject to PRC withholding tax, at a rate of 10% in the case of non-PRC enterprises or 20% in the case of non-PRC individuals (in each case, subject to the provisions of any applicable tax treaty), if such gains are deemed to be from PRC sources. It is unclear whether non-PRC shareholders of our company would be able to claim the benefits of any tax treaties between their country of tax residence and the PRC in the event that we are treated as a PRC resident enterprise. Any such tax may reduce the returns on your investment in our shares. Although up to the date of this annual report, Pop Culture Group has not been notified or informed by the PRC tax authorities that it has been deemed to be a resident enterprise for the purpose of the EIT Law, we cannot assure you that it will not be deemed to be a resident enterprise in the future.

We face uncertainty with respect to indirect transfers of equity interests in PRC resident enterprises by their non-PRC holding companies.

In February 2015, SAT issued a Public Notice Regarding Certain Corporate Income Tax Matters on Indirect Transfer of Properties by Non-Tax Resident Enterprises, or “SAT Circular 7.” SAT Circular 7 provides comprehensive guidelines relating to indirect transfers of PRC taxable assets (including equity interests and real properties of a PRC resident enterprise) by a non-resident enterprise. In addition, in October 2017, SAT issued an Announcement on Issues Relating to Withholding at Source of Income Tax of Non-resident Enterprises, or “SAT Circular 37,” effective in December 2017, which, among others, amended certain provisions in SAT Circular 7 and further clarify the tax payable declaration obligation by non-resident enterprise. Indirect transfer of equity interest and/or real properties in a PRC resident enterprise by their non-PRC holding companies are subject to SAT Circular 7 and SAT Circular 37.

SAT Circular 7 provides clear criteria for an assessment of reasonable commercial purposes and has introduced safe harbors for internal group restructurings and the purchase and sale of equity through a public securities market. As stipulated in SAT Circular 7, indirect transfers of PRC taxable assets are considered as reasonable commercial purposes if the shareholding structure of both transaction parties falls within the following situations: i) the transferor directly or indirectly owns 80% or above equity interest of the transferee, or vice versa; ii) the transferor and the transferee are both 80% or above directly or indirectly owned by the same party; iii) the percentages in bullet points i) and ii) shall be 100% if over 50% the share value of a foreign enterprise is directly or indirectly derived from PRC real properties. Furthermore, SAT Circular 7 also brings challenges to both foreign transferor and transferee (or other person who is obligated to pay for the transfer) of taxable assets. Where a non-resident enterprise transfers PRC 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 and 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, 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.

According to SAT Circular 37, where the non-resident enterprise fails to declare the tax payable pursuant to Article 39 of the EIT Law, the tax authority may order it to pay the tax due within required time limits, and the non-resident enterprise shall declare and pay the tax payable within such time limits specified by the tax authority. If the non-resident enterprise, however, voluntarily declares and pays the tax payable before the tax authority orders it to do so within required time limits, it shall be deemed that such enterprise has paid the tax in time.

We face uncertainties as to the reporting and assessment of reasonable commercial purposes and future transactions where PRC taxable assets are involved, such as offshore restructuring, sale of the shares in our offshore subsidiaries, and investments. In the event of being assessed as having no reasonable commercial purposes in an indirect transfer transaction, we may be subject to filing obligations or taxed if we are a transferor in such transactions, and may be subject to withholding obligations (to be specific, a 10% withholding tax for the transfer of equity interests) if we are a transferee in such transactions, under SAT Circular 7 and SAT Circular 37. For transfer of shares by investors who are non-PRC resident enterprises, our PRC subsidiaries may be requested to assist in the filing under the SAT circulars. As a result, we may be required to expend valuable resources to comply with the SAT circulars or to request the relevant transferors from whom we purchase taxable assets to comply with these circulars, or to establish that we should not be taxed under these circulars, which may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

Our PRC subsidiaries are subject to restrictions on paying dividends or making other payments to us, which may have a material adverse effect on our ability to conduct our business.

We are a holding company incorporated in the Cayman Islands. We may need dividends and other distributions on equity from our PRC subsidiaries to satisfy our liquidity requirements, including the funds necessary to pay dividends and other cash distributions to our shareholders and service any debt we may incur. If our PRC subsidiaries incur debt on their own behalf in the future, the instruments governing the debt may restrict its ability to pay dividends or make other distributions to us. In addition, the PRC tax authorities may require our PRC subsidiaries to adjust their taxable income under the contractual agreements. Heliheng currently has in place with Xiamen Pop Culture in a manner that would materially and adversely affect its ability to pay dividends and other distribution to us. See “—Risks Relating to Our Corporate Structure—The VIE Agreements may result in adverse tax consequences.”

Current PRC regulations permit our PRC subsidiaries to pay dividends to us only out of their accumulated profits, if any, determined in accordance with PRC accounting standards and regulations. In addition, our PRC subsidiaries are required to set aside at least 10% of its respective accumulated profits each year, if any, to fund certain reserve funds until the total amount set aside reaches 50% of their respective registered capital. Our PRC subsidiaries may also allocate a portion of their respective after-tax profits based on PRC accounting standards to employee welfare and bonus funds at their discretion. These reserves are not distributable as cash dividends. These limitation on the ability of our PRC subsidiaries to pay dividends or make other distributions to us could materially and adversely limit our ability to grow, make investments, or acquisitions that could be beneficial to our business, pay dividends, or otherwise fund and conduct our business.

Governmental control of currency conversion may affect the value of your investment and our payment of dividends.

The PRC government imposes controls on the convertibility of the RMB into foreign currencies and, in certain cases, the remittance of currency out of China. We receive substantially all of our revenue in RMB. Under our current corporate structure, Pop Culture Group may rely on dividend payments from our PRC subsidiaries to fund any cash and financing requirements we may have. Under existing PRC foreign exchange regulations, payments of current account items, such as profit distributions and trade and service-related foreign exchange transactions, can be made in foreign currencies without prior approval from SAFE by complying with certain procedural requirements. Therefore, our PRC subsidiaries are able to pay dividends in foreign currencies to us without prior approval from SAFE, subject to the condition that the remittance of such dividends outside of the PRC complies with certain procedures under PRC foreign exchange regulation, such as the overseas investment registrations by our shareholders or the ultimate shareholders of our corporate shareholders who are PRC residents. Approval from or registration with appropriate government authorities is, however, required where the RMB is to be converted into foreign currency and remitted out of China to pay capital expenses such as the repayment of loans denominated in foreign currencies. The PRC government may also at its discretion restrict access in the future to foreign currencies for current account transactions. If the foreign exchange control system prevents us from obtaining sufficient foreign currencies to satisfy our foreign currency demand, we may not be able to pay dividends in foreign currencies to our shareholders.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The approval of the CSRC may be required in connection with our offerings under a regulation adopted in August 2006, and, if required, we cannot assure you that we will be able to obtain such approval, in which case we may face sanctions by the CSRC or other PRC regulatory agencies for failure to seek the CSRC approval for our offerings.

The Regulations on Mergers and Acquisitions of Domestic Companies by Foreign Investors, or the “M&A Rules,” adopted by six PRC regulatory agencies in 2006 and amended in 2009, requires an overseas SPV formed for listing purposes through acquisitions of PRC domestic companies and controlled by PRC companies or individuals to obtain the approval of the CSRC, prior to the listing and trading of such SPV’s securities on an overseas stock exchange. In September 2006, the CSRC published a notice on its official website specifying documents and materials required to be submitted to it by an SPV seeking the CSRC approval of its overseas listings. The application of the M&A Rules remains unclear.

Our PRC legal counsel, JT&N, has advised us based on their understanding of the current PRC law, rules, and regulations that the CSRC’s approval is not required for the listing and trading of our Class A Ordinary Shares on the Nasdaq Global Market in the context of our offerings, given that:

Our PRC legal counsel, however, has further advised us that there remains some uncertainty as to how the M&A Rules will be interpreted or implemented in the context of an overseas offering and its opinions summarized above are subject to any new laws, rules and regulations or detailed implementations and interpretations in any form relating to the M&A Rules. We cannot assure you that relevant PRC governmental agencies, including the CSRC, would reach the same conclusion as we do. If it is determined that the CSRC approval is required for our offerings in the U.S., we may face sanctions by the CSRC or other PRC regulatory agencies for failure to seek the CSRC approval for our offerings in the U.S. These sanctions may include fines and penalties on our operations in the PRC, limitations on our operating privileges in the PRC, delays in or restrictions on the repatriation of the proceeds from our offerings in the U.S. into the PRC, restrictions on or prohibition of the payments or remittance of dividends by our PRC subsidiaries, or other actions that could have a material and adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, reputation, and prospects, as well as the trading price of our Class A Ordinary Shares. The CSRC or other PRC regulatory agencies may also take actions requiring us, or making it advisable for us, to halt our offerings in the U.S. before the settlement and delivery of the Class A Ordinary Shares that we are offering. Consequently, if you engage in market trading or other activities in anticipation of and prior to the settlement and delivery of the shares we are offering, you would be doing so at the risk that the settlement and delivery may not occur.

The M&A Rules and certain other PRC regulations establish complex procedures for certain acquisitions of Chinese companies by foreign investors, which could make it more difficult for us to pursue growth through acquisitions in China.

The M&A Rules and recently adopted PRC regulations and rules concerning mergers and acquisitions established additional procedures and requirements that could make merger and acquisition activities by foreign investors more time consuming and complex. For example, the M&A Rules require that MOFCOM be notified in advance of any change-of-control transaction in which a foreign investor takes control of a PRC domestic enterprise, if (i) any important industry is concerned, (ii) such transaction involves factors that have or may have impact on the national economic security, or (iii) such transaction will lead to a change in control of a domestic enterprise which holds a famous trademark or PRC time-honored brand. Mergers or acquisitions that allow one market player to take control of or to exert decisive impact on another market player must also be notified in advance to MOFCOM when the threshold under the Provisions on Thresholds for Prior Notification of Concentrations of Undertakings, or the “Prior Notification Rules,” issued by the State Council in August 2008 is triggered. In addition, the Provisions of the Ministry of Commerce on the Implementation of the Security Review System for Mergers and Acquisitions of Domestic Enterprises by Foreign Investors (the “Security Review Rules”) issued by MOFCOM that became effective in September 2011 specify that mergers and acquisitions by foreign investors that raise “national defense and security” concerns and mergers and acquisitions through which foreign investors may acquire de facto control over domestic enterprises that raise “national security” concerns are subject to strict review by MOFCOM, and the Security Review Rules prohibit any activities attempting to bypass a security review, including by structuring the transaction through a proxy or contractual control arrangement. In the future, we may grow our business by acquiring complementary businesses. Complying with the requirements of the above-mentioned regulations and other relevant rules to complete such transactions could be time consuming, and any required approval processes, including obtaining approval from MOFCOM or its local counterparts may delay or inhibit our ability to complete such transactions. It is clear that our business would not be deemed to be in an industry that raises “national defense and security” or “national security” concerns. MOFCOM or other government agencies, however, may publish explanations in the future determining that our business is in an industry subject to the security review, in which case our future acquisitions in the PRC, including those by way of entering into contractual control arrangements with target entities, may be closely scrutinized or prohibited. Our ability to expand our business or maintain or expand our market share through future acquisitions would as such be materially and adversely affected.

Risks Related to Our Business

The PRC operating entities have in recent years shifted their focus to the Event Hosting business, which makes it difficult to predict our prospects and our business and financial performance.

The PRC operating entities have in recent years shifted their focus from providing event planning and execution services to developing and hosting their own hip-hop events. During the fiscal years ended June 30, 2022, 2021, and 2020, revenue from the Event Hosting business accounted for 46%, 59%, and 49% of our total revenue, respectively, while revenue from the Event Planning and Execution business accounted for 26%, 36%, and 35% of our total revenue, respectively. The recent operation results of the PRC operating entities in this business may not serve as an adequate basis for evaluating our prospect and operating results, including gross billings, net revenue, cash flows, and operating margins for the Event Hosting business. The PRC operating entities have encountered, and may continue to encounter in the future, risks, challenges, and uncertainties associated with the development of their Event Hosting business, such as adapting to the fast-evolving hip-hop ecosystem, addressing regulatory compliance and uncertainty, engaging, training, and retaining high-quality employees, and improving and expanding their hip-hop intellectual property portfolio. If the PRC operating entities do not manage these risks successfully, our operating and financial results may differ materially from our expectations and our business and financial performance may suffer.

If the PRC operating entities are unable to retain the existing clients for their Event Planning and Execution and Brand Promotion businesses, our results of operations will be materially and adversely affected.

The PRC operating entities provide event planning and execution services and brand promotion services to corporate clients primarily pursuant to service agreements with typical terms ranging from one to six months but usually less than three months. These contracts may not be renewed or, if renewed, may not be renewed on the same or more favorable terms for the PRC operating entities. The PRC operating entities may not be able to accurately predict future trends in corporate client renewals, and their corporate clients’ renewal rates may decline or fluctuate due to factors such as level of satisfaction with their services and solutions and their fees and charges, as well as factors beyond their control, such as level of competition faced by their corporate clients, their level of success in marketing efforts, and their spending levels. In particular, some of the existing corporate clients of the PRC operating entities, including Heng’an (China) Paper Industry Co., Ltd., Ab Inbev Sedrin Brewery Co., Ltd., and Xiamen Mastermind Advertising Co., Ltd., have been their clients for many years and the PRC operating entities generated a significant portion of their revenue through services provided to them. If some of the existing corporate clients of the PRC operating entities, in particular historic corporate clients, terminate or do not renew their business relationships with the PRC operating entities, renew on less favorable terms or for fewer services and solutions, and the PRC operating entities do not acquire replacement corporate clients or otherwise grow their corporate client base, our results of operations may be materially and adversely affected.

A substantial portion of the PRC operating entities’ revenue and accounts receivable are currently derived from a small number of customers. If any of these customers experiences a material business disruption, the PRC operating entities would likely incur substantial losses of revenue.

For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022, three major customers, Fujian Maibo Culture Communication Co., Ltd, Guangzhou Taiji Advertising Co., Ltd., and Heng’an (China) Paper Industry Co., Ltd., accounted for approximately 29%, 12%, and 7% of the PRC operating entities’ total revenue, respectively. For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2021, three major customers, Xiamen Many Idea Interactive Co., Ltd., Fuzhou New Civic Culture Communication Co., Ltd., and Heng’an (China) Paper Industry Co., Ltd., accounted for approximately 23%, 12%, and 8% of the PRC operating entities’ total revenue, respectively. For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2020, three major customers, Guangzhou Taiji Advertising Co., Ltd., Fujian Maibo Culture Communication Co., Ltd., and Xiamen Many Idea Interactive Co., Ltd., accounted for approximately 18%, 9%, and 9% of the PRC operating entities’ total revenue, respectively. As of June 30, 2022, the PRC operating entities’ top five customers accounted for approximately 72% of their net accounts receivable balance, with each customer representing 35%, 14%, 9%, 7%, and 7% of the net accounts receivable balance, respectively. As of June 30, 2021, the PRC operating entities’ top five customers accounted for approximately 58% of their net accounts receivable balance, with each customer representing 16%, 15%, 10%, 9%, and 8% of the net accounts receivable balance, respectively. As of June 30, 2020, the PRC operating entities’ top five customers accounted for approximately 66% of their net accounts receivable balance, with each customer representing 22%, 15%, 10%, 10%, and 9% of the net accounts receivable balance, respectively. The PRC operating entities’ major customers may change as they adjust marketing strategies or business focus, and any material business disruption affecting their major customers or any decrease in sales to their major customers may negatively impact the PRC operating entities’ operations and cash flows if the PRC operating entities fail to increase their sales to other customers.

In their Event Hosting business, the PRC operating entities primarily generate revenue from sponsorship. If they fail to attract more sponsors to their concerts, hip-hop events, and online hip-hop programs, or if sponsors are less willing to sponsor them, their revenue may be adversely affected.

The PRC operating entities generate a growing portion of their revenue from sponsorship provided by advertisers in the Event Hosting business, which they expect to further develop and expand in the near future as viewership of their hip-hop event offerings expand. The PRC operating entities’ revenue from sponsorship mainly depends on the number and attractiveness of their concerts, hip-hop events, and online hip-hop programs, and partly depends on the continual development of offline advertising industry in China and advertisers’ willingness to allocate budgets to offline advertising in the hip-hop industry. In addition, companies that decide to advertise or promote their products or services may utilize online methods or channels, such as Internet portals or search engines, over sponsorship during the PRC operating entities’ offline events. If the offline advertising and sponsorship market does not continue to grow, or if the PRC operating entities are unable to capture and retain a sufficient share of that market, their ability to maintain and increase their current level of sponsorship revenue and their profitability and prospects may be materially and adversely affected.

The financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows of the PRC operating entities during the first half of 2020 were adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in the implementation of significant governmental measures, including lockdowns, closures, quarantines, and travel bans, intended to control the spread of the virus. The Chinese government has ordered quarantines, travel restrictions, and the temporary closure of stores and facilities. Companies are also taking precautions, such as requiring employees to work remotely, imposing travel restrictions and temporarily closing businesses.

Since the PRC operating entities primarily engage in the businesses of hosting events and providing services related to events, their results of operations and financial condition for the six months ended June 30, 2020 were adversely affected by the spread of COVID-19 as the Chinese government took a number of actions, including extending the Chinese New Year holiday, encouraging employees of enterprises to work remotely from home, and cancelling public activities. In particular, between February and May 2020, all of the offline events the PRC operating entities expected to host or plan and execute were suspended because governmental authorities imposed restrictions on large in-person gatherings and the PRC operating entities also suffered a decrease in the Brand Promotion business because of the sluggish demand for advertising or marketing activities, resulting in lower revenue and net income during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2020. The PRC operating entities resumed their offline event planning and execution and event hosting in June 2020. They experienced more difficulties in collecting accounts receivable during the first half of 2020. The recent resurgence of the Omicron variant in China since the beginning of 2022 resulted in city-wide lockdowns in a number of Chinese cities with heightened prevention measures adopted across China to curb the outbreak. In 2022, the PRC operating entities postponed most of their Move It campaigns until July 2022 and their other dance competition events, music festivals, and promotional parties also had delays. In addition, some of the PRC operating entities’ clients reduced their budget for offline marketing events, which negatively affected the PRC operating entities’ event hosting and event planning and execution businesses. See “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects—D. Trend Information—COVID-19 Affecting Our Results of Operations.”

The COVID-19 pandemic may continue to materially and adversely affect the PRC operating entities’ business operations and condition and operating results for 2023, including delays in their execution of offline events, material negative impact on their total revenue, slower collection of accounts receivable, and additional allowance for doubtful accounts. The extent to which COVID-19 impacts the PRC operating entities’ results of operations during 2023 will depend on the future developments of the outbreak, including new information concerning the global severity of and actions taken to contain the outbreak, which are highly uncertain and unpredictable.

The PRC operating entities’ success is tied to events generally and, in particular, to changes in popularity of hip-hop events on which they choose to focus.

The PRC operating entities are largely dependent on the continued popularity of corporate, marketing, and entertainment events in China generally and, in particular, the popularity of hip-hop events upon which they have chosen to focus. Changes in the popularity of hip-hop culture in China or in particular cities or regions in China could be influenced by competition from other forms of entertainment. A change in fans’ tastes, or a change in perception relating to hip-hop culture, could result in the PRC operating entities’ hip-hop events becoming less popular or otherwise reduce the value of their hip-hop focused intellectual property portfolio. This, in turn, could reduce sponsorship or other advertising demand relating to their hip-hop events. Adverse developments or scandals relating to stars or key stakeholders in the hip-hop industry could affect the PRC operating entities’ ability to monetize acquired rights or possibly recover investments they have made in the relationships with the rights owners, and to the extent that any such star or stakeholder is material to their revenue, could have a material adverse effect on their business, results of operations, or prospects.

The PRC operating entities may be unable to maintain or enhance their portfolio of concerts, which is a key component of their growth strategy.

The PRC operating entities own, or otherwise have contractual rights to, an extensive portfolio of concerts and hip-hop events from which they seek to generate revenue through sponsorships and ticket sales for those concerts and events. The portfolio of concerts is derived from the PRC operating entities’ performance agreements with artists and music companies, which generally are for fixed terms and specific concerts. The PRC operating entities are dependent upon relationships with these artists and music companies to maintain or obtain new rights. The PRC operating entities have in the past been, and may in the future be, subject to risks that their partners in hosting concerts cease to work with them, develop their own service offerings instead of using those of the PRC operating entities, use alternative intermediaries for certain services, or fail to renew existing contracts on terms favorable to the PRC operating entities, or at all, and to the extent that any such partner is material to the revenue of the PRC operating entities, it could have a material adverse effect on the business, results of operations, or prospects of the PRC operating entities.

The service agreements and performance agreements for the PRC operating entities’ Event Planning and Execution and Event Hosting businesses impose numerous obligations on them.

In the PRC operating entities’ Event Planning and Execution business and when hosting concerts in their Event Hosting business, the PRC operating entities rely on contractual arrangements to provide a comprehensive suite of event-related services through their execution and marketing capabilities, and otherwise to obtain the right to host concerts they can then monetize.

The contracts with their clients and artists or music companies that underpin these arrangements are complex, come in a number of different forms and impose numerous obligations on the PRC operating entities, including the obligations to:

If the PRC operating entities are unable to meet their obligations or if they breach any of the other terms of their contractual arrangements, they could be subject to monetary penalties and their rights under such arrangements could be terminated, or could be subject to other remedies including obligations to renegotiate terms. Any of the foregoing could have a material adverse effect on their business, results of operations, financial condition, or prospects.

The PRC operating entities depend on the success of live entertainment events, which are inherently susceptible to risks, and their exposure to such risks is potentially heightened as a result of the nature of entertainment events and the fan experiences they seek to create.

Live entertainment events, and, in particular those involving large numbers of performers or fans, require significant logistical capabilities, including substantial resources for safety and security, and sufficient infrastructure, which can be complex, difficult to coordinate, and costly to have in place. Even where logistics and infrastructure have been appropriately planned for, public live events, including events owned by the PRC operating entities, involve risks that may be beyond the PRC operating entities’ control or the control of the relevant organizer (if not the PRC operating entities). Such risks may include terrorist attacks, gun violence, or other security threats, travel interruption or accidents, traffic incidents, weather-related interruptions, natural catastrophes, the spread of illness, equipment malfunction, labor strikes, or other disturbances. Any of these could result in personal injuries or deaths, canceled events, and other disruptions to events adversely affecting the success of the events or the PRC operating entities’ ability to stage events in the future (such as if host cities or organizations choose not to partner with the PRC operating entities given event-related risks). The realization of these risks could also otherwise impact the profitability of the PRC operating entities’ events and the PRC operating entities could also be exposed to liability or other losses for which they may not have insurance or suffer reputational harm.

The PRC operating entities focus on creating memorable entertainment event experiences for fans and cultivating highly-engaged and dedicated communities of fans. As a result, factors adversely impacting the enjoyment of fans during their entertainment events, even relatively minor issues, such as adverse weather conditions or poorly functioning infrastructure, to the extent they become associated with, and undercut, the PRC operating entities’ events or, more generally, the PRC operating entities’ brands, could lead to declining popularity of the PRC operating entities’ events in future periods. As the PRC operating entities coordinate all aspects of these events, including executing the events on-site, and undertaking the many items in preparation for each event, poor execution could also lead to declining popularity of these events in the future. In addition, these events typically require the PRC operating entities to obtain permits from the relevant host cities or municipalities, and restrictive permit conditions, poor delivery of services including those not directly under their control or cancellation of entertainment events could also harm their brands.

The PRC operating entities use third-party services in connection with their business, and any disruption to these services could result in a disruption to their business, negative publicity, and a slowdown in the growth of their customer base, materially and adversely affecting their business, financial condition, and results of operations.

The PRC operating entities’ business depends on services provided by, and relationships with, various third parties, including advertising companies and media companies, among others. In particular, for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022, the PRC operating entities purchased approximately 9%, 8%, and 6% of their services from three major suppliers, respectively; for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2021, the PRC operating entities purchased approximately 14%, 13%, and 12% of their services from three major suppliers, respectively; and for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2020, the PRC operating entities purchased 16% of their third-party services from one major supplier. The failure of these parties to perform in compliance with their agreements may negatively impact the PRC operating entities’ business.

In addition, if such third parties increase the prices of their services, fail to provide their services effectively, terminate their services or agreements, or discontinue their relationships with the PRC operating entities, the PRC operating entities could suffer service interruptions, reduced revenue, or increased costs, any of which may have a material adverse effect on their business, financial condition, and results of operations.

The PRC operating entities’ business could be harmed if the relationships on which they depend were to change adversely or terminate.

Some of the PRC operating entities’ events involves an exhaustive check-list of items to be organized and coordinated among numerous parties. Therefore, good relationships with these parties are key to a successful event. In particular, for the successful operation and execution of their hip-hop events, the PRC operating entities often are dependent on relationships with local authorities and government agencies, which provide the PRC operating entities essential services that are integral to the success of the event, such as police and security services, traffic control, and assistance in obtaining the required approvals and permits. For the operation of many of the PRC operating entities’ hip-hop events, they use third-party providers and may also rely on the support of volunteers. If the PRC operating entities are unable to rely on providers or volunteers in their event operations, it could cause disruptions to their events or otherwise adversely impact their relationships with their community of fans. Any adverse changes in or termination of any of these relationships could have a material adverse effect on their business, results of operations, financial condition, or prospects.

The PRC operating entities’ business depends on the continued success of their brands, and if they fail to maintain and enhance the recognition of their brands, they may face difficulty increasing their network of partners and clients, and their reputation and operating results may be harmed.

We believe that market awareness of the PRC operating entities’ brands, including , , and Hip Hop Master, have contributed significantly to the success of their business. Maintaining and enhancing their brands is critical to the PRC operating entities’ efforts to increase their network of sponsors, clients, and fans.

The PRC operating entities’ ability to attract new sponsors, clients, and fans depends not only on investment in their brands, their marketing efforts, and the success of their sales force, but also on the perceived value of their services versus competing alternatives among their client base. In addition, a failure by their clients to distinguish between the PRC operating entities’ brands and the different services provided by their competitors may result in a reduction in sales volume, revenue, and margins. If the PRC operating entities’ marketing initiatives are not successful or become less effective, if they are unable to further enhance their brand recognition, or if they incur excessive marketing and promotion expenses, they may not be able to attract new clients successfully or efficiently, and their business and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected.

In addition, negative publicity about the PRC operating entities’ business, shareholders, affiliates, directors, officers, and other employees, and the industry in which the PRC operating entities operate, can harm the recognition of their brands. Negative publicity, regardless of merits, concerning the foregoing, could be related to a wide variety of matters, including but not limited to:

In addition to traditional media, there has been an increasing use of social media platforms and similar devices in China, including instant messaging applications, social media websites, and other forms of Internet-based communications that provide individuals with access to a broad audience of consumers and other interested persons. The availability of information on instant messaging applications and social media platforms is virtually immediate as is its impact without affording the PRC operating entities an opportunity for redress or correction. The opportunity for dissemination of information, including inaccurate information, is readily available. Information concerning the PRC operating entities, and their shareholders, affiliates, directors, officers, and other employees, may be posted on such platforms at any time. The risks associated with any such negative publicity or incorrect information cannot be completely eliminated by the PRC operating entities’ strategies to maintain their brand and may materially harm the recognition of their brand, their reputation, business, financial condition, and results of operations.

The PRC operating entities could be adversely affected by a failure to protect their intellectual property or the intellectual property of their partners.

The PRC operating entities have significant intellectual property rights, in particular with respect to their event brands, such as , and related events, as well as their business brands, such as the Hip Hop Master brand. See also “—The PRC operating entities’ business depends on the continued success of their brands, and if they fail to maintain and enhance the recognition of their brands, they may face difficulty increasing their network of partners and clients, and their reputation and operating results may be harmed” and “Item 4. Information on the Company—B. Business Overview—Intellectual Property.” The PRC operating entities regard their intellectual properties as critical to their success, and they depend, to a large extent, on their ability to develop and maintain their intellectual property rights. To do so, they rely upon a combination of trade secrets, confidential policies, nondisclosure, and other contractual arrangements and copyrights, software copyrights, trademarks, and other intellectual property laws. The PRC operating entities also make use of the intellectual property rights from partners, such as artists and music companies, to monetize the concerts they host. Despite their efforts to protect their or their partners’ intellectual property rights, the steps the PRC operating entities take in this regard might not be adequate to prevent, or deter, infringement or other misappropriation of their or their partners’ intellectual property by competitors, former employees, or other third parties.

Monitoring and preventing any unauthorized use of the PRC operating entities’ or their partners’ intellectual property is difficult and costly, and any of their or their partners’ intellectual property rights could be challenged, invalidated, circumvented, or misappropriated, or such intellectual property may not be sufficient to provide the PRC operating entities with competitive advantages. Litigation or proceedings before governmental authorities, or administrative and judicial bodies may be necessary to enforce their intellectual property rights and to determine the validity and scope of their rights. The PRC operating entities’ efforts to protect their intellectual property in such litigation and proceedings may be ineffective and could result in substantial costs and diversion of resources and management time, each of which could substantially harm their operating results. Any failure in protecting or enforcing their or their partners’ intellectual property rights could have a material adverse effect on their business, results of operations, financial condition, or prospects.

Advertisements shown during the PRC operating entities’ events may subject them to penalties and other administrative actions.

Under PRC advertising laws and regulations, the PRC operating entities are obligated to monitor the advertising content shown during their events to ensure that such content is true, accurate, and in full compliance with applicable laws and regulations. In addition, where a special government review is required for specific types of advertisements prior to posting, such as advertisements relating to pharmaceuticals, medical instruments, agrochemicals, and veterinary pharmaceuticals, they are obligated to confirm that such review has been performed and approval has been obtained from competent governmental authority. To fulfill these monitoring functions, the PRC operating entities include clauses in all of their service contracts requiring that all advertising content provided by advertising agencies and advertisers must comply with relevant laws and regulations. Under PRC law, the PRC operating entities may have claims against advertising agencies and advertisers for all damages to the PRC operating entities caused by their breach of such representations. Violation of these laws and regulations may subject the PRC operating entities to penalties, including fines, confiscation of our advertising income, orders to cease dissemination of the advertisements, and orders to publish an announcement correcting the misleading information. In circumstances involving serious violations, such as posting a pharmaceutical product advertisement without approval, or posting an advertisement for fake pharmaceutical product, PRC governmental authorities may force the PRC operating entities to terminate their advertising operation or revoke their licenses.

A majority of the advertisements shown during the PRC operating entities’ events are provided to them by third parties. Although significant efforts have been made to ensure that the advertisements shown during their events are in full compliance with applicable laws and regulations, the PRC operating entities cannot assure you that all the content contained in such advertisements is true and accurate as required by the advertising laws and regulations, especially given the large number of advertisements and the uncertainty in the application of these laws and regulations. The inability of the PRC operating entities’ procedures to adequately and timely discover such evasions may subject them to regulatory penalties or administrative sanctions. Although the PRC operating entities have not been subject to any penalties or administrative sanctions in the past for the advertisements shown during their events, if they are found to be in violation of applicable PRC advertising laws and regulations in the future, the PRC operating entities may be subject to penalties and their reputation may be harmed, which may have a material and adverse effect on their business, financial condition, results of operations, and prospects.

The markets in which the PRC operating entities operate are highly competitive.

In providing event planning and execution and brand promotion services, the PRC operating entities seek to build strong connections, raise the value of services they provide, create effective communication platforms for brands, events, and organizations, and ultimately provide the vital link between events and consumers. The PRC operating entities face competition in acquiring corporate clients. Notwithstanding prior relationships, corporate clients might choose alternative service providers. If the PRC operating entities are unable to maintain current clients or acquire new clients, their ability to grow their business will be limited. In a competitive environment, they may lose existing business to their competitors or they may win less profitable business, including to the extent they may be required to lower the service fees they charge to their clients. In China, a number of companies have already engaged in event planning and execution and brand promotion services, and certain large companies, such as Alibaba, Tencent, and Baidu, are increasingly investing in entertainment businesses, including in hip-hop-related content and media channel development. In addition, partners of the PRC operating entities may expand their internal capabilities or otherwise integrate themselves vertically and more systematically, which could result in a reduction in opportunities available to the PRC operating entities or otherwise lead to potential new competitors.

In the case of concerts, hip-hop events, and online hip-hop programs, the PRC operating entities face competition principally from other hosts or creator of concerts, hip-hop events, and online hip-hop programs. The events, concerts, or online programs offered by other hosts may offer fans the ability to participate in events that represent or are perceived to represent better value for money than what the PRC operating entities offer. The PRC operating entities may face competition in cities or markets from competitors that have or are able to establish a more significant local presence than they can. In addition, the PRC operating entities face competition from other entertainment and non-entertainment events that may be more attractive or appealing to potential fans.

The PRC operating entities’ results of operations are subject to seasonality and their financial performance in any one interim period is unlikely to be indicative of, or comparable to, their financial performance in subsequent interim periods.

Ultimately, the PRC operating entities generate revenue from events, and these events occur at different times throughout the year. Most of their event-related revenue as well as event-related expenses are recognized in the month in which an event occurs. In particular for the PRC operating entities’ Event Planning and Execution and Brand Promotion businesses, revenue and direct expenses tend to be higher in the fourth quarter of our fiscal year given the PRC operating entities’ event calendar. Over the course of the four quarters, fluctuations in gross profit shows a largely similar pattern to fluctuations in revenue. The PRC operating entities’ results of operations in their Event Hosting business tend to have less seasonal fluctuations compared to their other businesses. Comparing the PRC operating entities’ operating results on a period-to-period basis may not be meaningful, and you should not rely on their past results as an indication of their future performance.

The PRC operating entities may be unable to expand successfully into new cities or markets or expand within cities or markets in which they are already present.

The PRC operating entities currently operate mainly in the coastal provinces of China. Expansion into new cities or markets or expansion within cities or markets in which they are already present could expose the PRC operating entities to significant legal and regulatory challenges, political, and economic instability or other adverse consequences. Such expansion may require the building of new relationships with stakeholders, which may have different interests or standards than stakeholders for which the PRC operating entities’ operations have otherwise been designed and for which they may have limited capabilities to leverage. Their lack of experience and operational expertise in these cities or markets could put the PRC operating entities in a disadvantageous position relative to their competitors with more experience or capabilities to address the relevant challenges. These factors, among others, could cause their expansion into new cities or markets to be unsuccessful or less profitable than what they are otherwise able to achieve, could cause their operating costs to increase unexpectedly or their revenue to decrease, or, in general, could otherwise negatively affect their expansion ambitions.

The PRC operating entities have grown rapidly and expect to continue to invest in their growth for the foreseeable future. If the PRC operating entities fail to manage this growth effectively, the success of their business model will be compromised.

The PRC operating entities have experienced rapid growth in recent years. Their rapid growth has placed, and will continue to place, a significant strain on their demand for effective planning and management processes, administrative and operating infrastructure, hip-hop event development, sales and marketing capacities, and other resources. The PRC operating entities’ ability to effectively implement their strategies and manage any significant growth of their business will depend on a number of factors, including their ability to: (i) effectively recruit, train, retain, and motivate a large number of new employees; (ii)  continue to improve their operational, financial, and management controls and efficiencies; (iii) improve hip-hop events to make them appealing to fans; (iv) maintain and improve their relationships with various stakeholders within their industry; (v) improve their sales and marketing efficiency; (vi) protect and further develop their intellectual property rights; and (vii) make sound business decisions in light of the scrutiny associated with operating as a public company. These activities require significant capital expenditures and investment of valuable management and financial resources, and the PRC operating entities’ growth will continue to place significant demands on their management. There are no guarantees that the PRC operating entities will be able to effectively manage any future growth in an efficient, cost-effective, and timely manner, or at all. Their growth in a relatively short period of time is not necessarily indicative of results that the PRC operating entities may achieve in the future. If the PRC operating entities do not effectively manage the growth of their business and operations, their reputation, results of operations, and overall business and prospects could be negatively impacted.

The PRC operating entities may be unable to pursue strategic partnership, acquisitions, and investment opportunities to further complement their service offerings.

The PRC operating entities may selectively partner with, invest in, or acquire companies that complement or enhance their existing operations as well as those that are strategically beneficial to their long-term goals, including opportunities that help broaden their corporate client base, expand their service offerings, and grow the number of their events. The costs of identifying and consummating partnerships, acquisitions, and investments may be significant, and the PRC operating entities may not be able to find suitable opportunities at reasonable prices, or at all, in the future. Finding and consummating partnerships, acquisitions, or investments requires management time and effort, and finding and consummating such opportunities in new markets can be affected by availability of suitable targets and uncertain business cases in ways that pose greater risk than initiatives that target established markets. More broadly, opportunities in markets in which the PRC operating entities have limited or no prior experience may pose a greater risk. Failure to further expand their service offerings through strategic partnerships, acquisitions, and investment opportunities could have a material adverse effect on their business, results of operations, financial condition, or prospects.

Failure to maintain the quality of customer services could harm the PRC operating entities’ reputation and their ability to retain existing clients and attract new clients, which may materially and adversely affect their business, financial condition, and results of operations.

The PRC operating entities depend on their customer service representatives to provide assistance to clients using their services. As such, the quality of customer services is critical to retaining their existing clients and attracting new clients. If their customer service representatives fail to satisfy clients’ individual needs, the PRC operating entities may incur reputational harms and lose potential or existing business opportunities with their existing clients, which could have a material adverse effect on their business, financial condition, and results of operations.

We rely on the skills, experience, and relationships of our senior management team and other key personnel, the loss of which could adversely affect us.

We believe that our future success depends significantly on our continuing ability to attract, develop, motivate, and retain our senior management and a sufficient number of hip-hop, event planning and execution, and brand promotion specialists and other experienced and skilled employees. We benefit from the track record of our senior management team, including Mr. Zhuoqin Huang, in building strategic personal relationships with key stakeholders throughout the hip-hop ecosystem and successfully growing our operations through strategic partnerships. Our senior management team works closely with seasoned hip-hop, event planning and execution, and brand promotion specialists who offer deep execution and operational experience combined with their relationships with various stakeholders. Our combined team offers deep industry experience throughout the hip-hop ecosystem, as well as in-depth knowledge of the Chinese hip-hop market.

Qualified individuals are in high demand, particularly in the hip-hop ecosystem, and the PRC operating entities may have to incur significant costs to attract and retain them. The loss of any member of the senior management team or such specialists could be highly disruptive and adversely affect our business operations in respect of a particular stakeholder or more broadly impact our future growth. Moreover, if any of these individuals joins a competitor or undertakes a competing business, the PRC operating entities may lose crucial business secrets, personal relationships, technological know-how, and other valuable resources, notwithstanding their contractual arrangements designed to mitigate this loss.

A decline in general economic conditions or a disruption of financial markets may affect entertainment markets or the discretionary income of consumers, which in turn could adversely affect the PRC operating entities’ profitability.

The PRC operating entities’ operations are affected by general economic conditions and, in particular, conditions that have a direct impact on the demand for entertainment and leisure activities. Declines in general economic conditions could reduce the level of discretionary income that their fans have to spend on attending or participating in entertainment events or on entertainment-related programs or consumer products more generally (thereby potentially reducing sponsorship and advertising spending), any of which could adversely impact their revenue. Adverse economic conditions, including volatility and disruptions in financial markets, may also affect other stakeholders in the hip-hop ecosystem, thereby reducing their engagement. For example, declines in consumer spending more broadly could affect advertising spend, which in turn could adversely affect broadcasters. These factors could reduce the prices the PRC operating entities can obtain in their arrangements with partners and clients.

Demand for the PRC operating entities’ content would be adversely affected by unauthorized distribution of that content.

To the extent that live hip-hop events are made available on the Internet by pirates or other unauthorized re-broadcasters and these are illegally streamed, demand for the PRC operating entities’ services could decline and they could lose the benefit of any associated revenue, which could have a material adverse effect on their reputation, business, results of operations, financial conditions, or prospects.

The PRC operating entities’ current insurance policies may not provide adequate levels of coverage against all claims and they may incur losses that are not covered by their insurance.

We believe the PRC operating entities maintain insurance coverage that is customary for businesses of their size and type. However, they may be unable to insure against certain types of losses or claims, or the cost of such insurance may be prohibitive. Uninsured losses or claims, if they occur, could have a material adverse effect on their reputation, business, results of operations, financial condition, or prospects.

Content related to hip-hop produced and/or distributed by the PRC operating entities may be found objectionable by PRC regulatory authorities, which may have an adverse effect on their business.

PRC laws and regulations impose certain restrictions on content of commercial performances, radio and television programs, and advertisements. See “Item 4. Information on the Company—B. Business Overview—Regulations.” These regulations provide that content is prohibited to, among other things, violate PRC laws and regulations, impair the national dignity of China or the public interest, or incite ethnic hatred, propagate cults and superstition, disturb social order, spread obscenity, gambling, or violence. In addition, PRC regulatory authorities may find any content objectionable, and accordingly such content may be limited or eliminated. For example, since the outset of 2018, the Chinese government has tightened its crackdown on content it deemed to be “vulgar” or “low taste,” which caused certain rap songs to be deleted or their lyrics redacted since the government deemed them inappropriate. The PRC operating entities currently engage in street dance, another area of hip-hop culture, which we do not believe has been deemed to be offensive or vulgar. However, the PRC operating entities also own an extensive portfolio of intellectual property rights related to hip-hop events, including a stage play, three dance competitions or events, two cultural and musical festivals, and two promotional parties, and online hip-hop programs, which usually feature rap songs. As of the date of this annual report, the PRC operating entities have not received any notice of warning or been subject to penalties or other disciplinary action regarding content we currently produce or distribute. However, we cannot assure you that content the PRC operating entities produce, promote, or distribute will not be found objectionable by regulatory authorities in the future. In the event that the PRC regulatory authorities find any content the PRC operating entities produce and/or distribute objectionable, such content may be deleted or restricted. As a result, the PRC operating entities’ business, financial condition, and results of operations may be affected.

As the PRC operating entities have been engaged in digital collection sales since May 2022 and we are in the process of developing non-fungible token (“NFT”) products, the PRC operating entities and we may be subject to an extensive and highly-evolving regulatory landscape and any adverse changes to, or our failure to comply with, any laws and regulations could adversely affect our brand, reputation, business, operating results, and financial condition.

The PRC operating entities have been engaged in digital collection sales since May 2022 and we are in the process of developing NFT products. As a result, the PRC operating entities’ and our business may be subject to extensive laws, rules, regulations, policies, orders, determinations, directives, treaties, and legal and regulatory interpretations and guidance in the markets in which the PRC operating entities and we operate, including those governing financial services and banking, trust companies, securities, commodities, credit, digital asset custody, exchange, and transfer, cross-border and domestic money and digital asset transmission, consumer and commercial lending, usury, foreign currency exchange, privacy, data governance, data protection, cybersecurity, fraud detection, payment services (including payment processing and settlement services), consumer protection, escheatment, antitrust and competition, bankruptcy, tax, anti-bribery, economic and trade sanctions, anti-money laundering, and counter-terrorist financing. Many of these legal and regulatory regimes were adopted prior to the advent of the Internet, mobile technologies, digital assets, and related technologies. As a result, they do not contemplate or address unique issues associated with the crypto economy, are subject to significant uncertainty, and vary widely across U.S. federal, state, and local and international jurisdictions. These legal and regulatory regimes, including the laws, rules, and regulations thereunder, evolve frequently and may be modified, interpreted, and applied in an inconsistent manner from one jurisdiction to another, and may conflict with one another. Moreover, the complexity and evolving nature of our business and the significant uncertainty surrounding the regulation of the crypto economy requires us to exercise our judgement as to whether certain laws, rules, and regulations apply to us, and it is possible that governmental bodies and regulators may disagree with our conclusions. To the extent we have not complied with such laws, rules, and regulations, we could be subject to significant fines, revocation of licenses, limitations on our products and services, reputational harm, and other regulatory consequences, each of which may be significant and could adversely affect our business, operating results, and financial condition.

Risks Relating to Our Class A Ordinary Shares and the Trading Market

Substantial future sales of our Class A Ordinary Shares or the anticipation of future sales of our Class A Ordinary Shares in the public market could cause the price of our Class A Ordinary Shares to decline.

Sales of substantial amounts of our Class A Ordinary Shares in the public market, or the perception that these sales could occur, could cause the market price of our Class A Ordinary Shares to decline. An aggregate of 18,286,923 Class A Ordinary Shares are outstanding as of the date of this annual report. Sales of these shares into the market could cause the market price of our Class A Ordinary Shares to decline.

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

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

If securities or industry analysts do not publish research or reports about our business, or if the publish a negative report regarding our Class A Ordinary Shares, the price of our Class A Ordinary Shares and trading volume could decline.

Any trading market for our Class A Ordinary Shares may depend in part on the research and reports that industry or securities analysts publish about us or our business. We do not have any control over these analysts. If one or more of the analysts who cover us downgrade us, the price of our Class A Ordinary Shares would likely decline. If one or more of these analysts cease coverage of our company or fail to regularly publish reports on us, we could lose visibility in the financial markets, which could cause the price of our Class A Ordinary Shares and the trading volume to decline.

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

From the closing of our initial public offering on July 2, 2021 to October 21, 2022, the price of our Class A Ordinary Shares has ranged from $0.72 to $78.00 per share. The trading price of our Class A Ordinary Shares is likely to continue to be volatile and could fluctuate widely due to factors beyond our control. This may happen because of broad market and industry factors, including the performance and fluctuation of the market prices of other companies with business operations located mainly in China that have listed their securities in the United States. The securities of some of these companies have experienced significant volatility since their initial public offerings, including, in some cases, substantial price declines in their trading prices. The trading performances of other Chinese companies’ securities after their offerings may affect the attitudes of investors toward Chinese companies listed in the United States in general and consequently may impact the trading performance of our Class A Ordinary Shares, regardless of our actual operating performance.

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

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

If we cease to qualify as a foreign private issuer, we would be required to comply fully with the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act applicable to U.S. domestic issuers, and we would incur significant additional legal, accounting, and other expenses that we would not incur as a foreign private issuer.

As a foreign private issuer, we are exempt from the rules under the Exchange Act prescribing the furnishing and content of proxy statements, and our 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 United States domestic issuers, and we are not required to disclose in our periodic reports all of the information that United States domestic issuers are required to disclose. While we currently are deemed as a foreign private issuer, we may cease to qualify as a foreign private issuer in the future, in which case we would incur significant additional expenses that could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.

Because we are a foreign private issuer and intend to take advantage of exemptions from certain Nasdaq corporate governance standards applicable to U.S. issuers, you will have less protection than you would have if we were a domestic issuer.

As a Cayman Islands company listed on the Nasdaq Global Market, we are subject to the Nasdaq corporate governance listing standards. Nasdaq rules, however, 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.

Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635 generally provides that shareholder approval is required of U.S. domestic companies listed on Nasdaq prior to issuance (or potential issuance) of securities (i) equaling 20% or more of the company’s common stock or voting power for less than the greater of market or book value (ii) resulting in a change of control of the company; and (iii) which is being issued pursuant to a stock option or purchase plan to be established or materially amended or other equity compensation arrangement made or materially amended. Notwithstanding this general requirement, Nasdaq Listing Rule 5615(a)(3)(A) permits foreign private issuers to follow their home country practice rather than these shareholder approval requirements. The Cayman Islands do not require shareholder approval prior to any of the foregoing types of issuances. We, therefore, are not required to obtain such shareholder approval prior to entering into a transaction with the potential to issue securities as described above. Specifically, our board of directors has elected to follow our home country rules and be exempt from the requirements to obtain shareholder approval for (1) the issuance of 20% or more of our outstanding ordinary shares under Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(d), and (2) the issuance of securities when the issuance or potential issuance will result in a change of control of our Company under Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(b).

Nasdaq Listing Rule 5605(b)(1) requires listed companies to have, among other things, a majority of its board members be independent. As a foreign private issuer, however, we are permitted to, and we may follow home country practice in lieu of the above requirement. The corporate governance practice in our home country, the Cayman Islands, does not require a majority of our board to consist of independent directors. Currently, a majority of our board members are independent. However, if we change our board composition such that independent directors do not constitute a majority of our board of directors, our shareholders may be afforded less protection than they would otherwise enjoy under Nasdaq’s corporate governance requirements applicable to U.S. domestic issuers.

Although as a foreign private issuer we are exempt from certain corporate governance standards applicable to U.S. issuers, if we cannot satisfy, or continue to satisfy, the continued listing requirements and other rules of the Nasdaq Global Market, our securities may not be listed or may be delisted, which could negatively impact the price of our securities and your ability to sell them.

Our Class A Ordinary Shares are listed on the Nasdaq Global Market. In order to maintain our listing on the Nasdaq Global Market, we are required to comply with certain rules of the Nasdaq Global Market, including those regarding minimum stockholders’ equity, minimum share price, minimum market value of publicly held shares, and various additional requirements. Even if we currently meet the listing requirements and other applicable rules of the Nasdaq Global Market, we may not be able to continue to satisfy these requirements and applicable rules. If we are unable to satisfy the Nasdaq Global Market criteria for maintaining our listing, our securities could be subject to delisting.

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

Our board of directors may decline to register transfers of Class A Ordinary Shares in certain circumstances.

Our board of directors may, in its sole discretion, decline to register any transfer of any Class A Ordinary Share which is not fully paid up or on which we have a lien. Our directors may also decline to register any transfer of any share unless (i) the instrument of transfer is lodged with us, accompanied by the certificate for the shares to which it relates and such other evidence as our board of directors may reasonably require to show the right of the transferor to make the transfer; (ii) the instrument of transfer is in respect of only one class of shares; (iii) the instrument of transfer is properly stamped, if required; (iv) in the case of a transfer to joint holders, the number of joint holders to whom the share is to be transferred does not exceed four; (v) the shares transferred are free of any lien in favor of us; or (vi) a fee of such maximum sum as the Nasdaq Global Market may determine to be payable, or such lesser sum as our board of directors may from time to time require, is paid to us in respect thereof.

If our directors refuse to register a transfer they shall, within three months after the date on which the instrument of transfer was lodged, send to each of the transferor and the transferee notice of such refusal. The registration of transfers may, on 14 days’ notice being given by advertisement in one or more newspapers or by electronic means, be suspended and the register closed at such times and for such periods as our board of directors may from time to time determine, provided, however, that the registration of transfers shall not be suspended nor the register closed for more than 30 days in any year.

This, however, is unlikely to affect market transactions of the Class A Ordinary Shares purchased by investors in our public offerings. The legal title to such Class A Ordinary Shares and the registration details of those Class A Ordinary Shares in our register of members remains with the Depository Trust Company. All market transactions with respect to those Class A Ordinary Shares are carried out without the need for any kind of registration by the directors, as the market transactions will all be conducted through the Depository Trust Company systems.

We are an “emerging growth company” within the meaning of the Securities Act, and if we take advantage of certain exemptions from disclosure requirements available to emerging growth companies, this will make it more difficult to compare our performance with other public companies.

We are an “emerging growth company” within the meaning of the Securities Act, as modified by the JOBS Act. Section 102(b)(1) of the JOBS Act exempts emerging growth companies from being required to comply with new or revised financial accounting standards until private companies (that is, those that have not had a Securities Act registration statement declared effective or do not have a class of securities registered under the Exchange Act) are required to comply with the new or revised financial accounting standards. The JOBS Act provides that a company can elect to opt out of the extended transition period and comply with the requirements that apply to non-emerging growth companies but any such an election to opt out is irrevocable. We have elected not to opt out of such extended transition period, which means that when a standard is issued or revised and it has different application dates for public or private companies, we, as an emerging growth company, can adopt the new or revised standard at the time private companies adopt the new or revised standard. This will make comparison of our financial statements with another public company which is neither an emerging growth company nor an emerging growth company which has opted out of using the extended transition period difficult or impossible because of the potential differences in accounting standards used.

Because we are an “emerging growth company,” we may not be subject to requirements that other public companies are subject to, which could affect investor confidence in us and our Class A Ordinary Shares.

For as long as we remain an “emerging growth company,” as defined in the JOBS Act, we will elect to take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not “emerging growth companies,” including, but not limited to, not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our periodic reports and proxy statements, and exemptions from the requirements of shareholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved. Because of these lessened regulatory requirements, our shareholders would be left without information or rights available to shareholders of more mature companies. If some investors find our Class A Ordinary Shares less attractive as a result, there may be a less active trading market for our Class A Ordinary Shares and our share price may be more volatile.

The laws of the Cayman Islands may not provide our shareholders with benefits comparable to those provided to shareholders of corporations incorporated in the United States.

Our corporate affairs are governed by our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, by the Companies Act (Revised) of the Cayman Islands and by the common law of the Cayman Islands. The rights of shareholders to take action against our directors, actions by minority shareholders and the fiduciary responsibilities of our directors to us under Cayman Islands law are to a large extent governed by the common law of the Cayman Islands. The common law in the Cayman Islands is derived in part from comparatively limited judicial precedent in the Cayman Islands and from English common law. Decisions of the Privy Council (which is the final Court of Appeal for British overseas territories such as the Cayman Islands) are binding on a court in the Cayman Islands. Decisions of the English courts, and particularly the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal are generally of persuasive authority but are not binding in the courts of the Cayman Islands. Decisions of courts in other Commonwealth jurisdictions are similarly of persuasive but not binding authority. The rights of our shareholders and the fiduciary responsibilities of our directors under Cayman Islands law are not as clearly established as they would be under statutes or judicial precedents in the United States. In particular, the Cayman Islands has a less developed body of securities laws relative to the United States. Therefore, our public shareholders may have more difficulty protecting their interests in the face of actions by our management, directors, or controlling shareholders than would shareholders of a corporation incorporated in a jurisdiction in the United States.

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

Cayman Islands law provides shareholders with only limited rights to requisition a general meeting, and does not provide shareholders with any right to put any proposal before a general meeting. These rights, however, may be provided in a company’s articles of association. Our articles of association allow our shareholders holding shares representing in aggregate not less than 10% of our voting share capital in issue, to requisition a general meeting of our shareholders, in which case our directors are obliged to call such meeting. Advance notice of at least 21 clear days is required for the convening of our annual general shareholders’ meeting and at least 14 clear days’ notice any other general meeting of our shareholders. A quorum required for a meeting of shareholders consists of at least one shareholder present or by proxy, representing not less than one-third of the total issued shares carrying the right to vote at a general meeting of our Company.

If we are classified as a PFIC, United States taxpayers who own our Class A Ordinary Shares may have adverse United States federal income tax consequences.

A non-U.S. corporation such as ourselves will be classified as a PFIC, for any taxable year if, for such year, either:

Passive income generally includes dividends, interest, rents and royalties (other than rents or royalties derived from the active conduct of a trade or business), and gains from the disposition of passive assets.

If we are determined to be a PFIC for any taxable year (or portion thereof) that is included in the holding period of a U.S. taxpayer who holds our Class A Ordinary Shares, the U.S. taxpayer may be subject to increased U.S. federal income tax liability and may be subject to additional reporting requirements.

Depending on the amount of cash we have and any other assets held for the production of passive income, it is possible that, for our current taxable year or for any subsequent year, more than 50% of our assets may be assets which produce passive income, in which case we would be deemed a PFIC, which could have adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences for U.S. taxpayers who are shareholders. We will make this determination following the end of any particular tax year.

Although the law in this regard is unclear, we treat the PRC operating entities as being owned by us for United States federal income tax purposes, not only because we exercise effective control over the operations of such entities but also because we are entitled to substantially all of their economic benefits, and, as a result, we consolidate their operating results in our consolidated financial statements. For purposes of the PFIC analysis, in general, a non-U.S. corporation is deemed to own its pro rata share of the gross income and assets of any entity in which it is considered to own at least 25% of the equity by value.

For a more detailed discussion of the application of the PFIC rules to us and the consequences to U.S. taxpayers if we were or are determined to be a PFIC, see “Item 10. Additional Information—E. Taxation—United States Federal Income Taxation—PFIC.”

Our shareholders may be held liable for claims by third parties against us to the extent of distributions received by them upon redemption of their shares.

If we are forced to enter into an insolvent liquidation, any distributions received by shareholders could be viewed as an unlawful payment if it was proved that immediately following the date on which the distribution was made, we were unable to pay our debts as they fall due in the ordinary course of business. As a result, a liquidator could seek to recover some or all amounts received by our shareholders. Furthermore, our directors may be viewed as having breached their fiduciary duties to us or our creditors and/or may have acted in bad faith, thereby exposing themselves and our company to claims, by paying public shareholders from the trust account prior to addressing the claims of creditors. We cannot assure you that claims will not be brought against us for these reasons. We and our directors and officers who knowingly and willfully authorized or permitted any distribution to be paid out of our share premium account while we were unable to pay our debts as they fall due in the ordinary course of business would be guilty of an offence and may be liable to a fine of $18,292.68 and to imprisonment for five years in the Cayman Islands.

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

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

The dual class structure of our ordinary shares has the effect of concentrating voting control with our chief executive officer and chairman, and his interests may not be aligned with the interests of our other shareholders.

We have a dual-class voting structure consisting of Class A Ordinary Shares and Class B Ordinary Shares. Under this structure, holders of Class A Ordinary Shares are entitled to one vote per one Class A Ordinary Share, and holders of Class B Ordinary Shares are entitled to seven votes per one Class B Ordinary Share, which may cause the holders of Class B Ordinary Shares to have an unbalanced, higher concentration of voting power. Mr. Zhuoqin Huang, our chief executive officer and chairman, indirectly holds 5,763,077, or 100% of our issued Class B Ordinary Shares, representing approximately 68.81% of the voting rights in our Company. As a result, until such time as his collective voting power is below 50%, Mr. Huang as the controlling shareholder has substantial influence over our business, including decisions regarding mergers, consolidations and the sale of all or substantially all of our assets, election of directors, and other significant corporate actions. He may take actions that are not in the best interests of us or our other shareholders. These corporate actions may be taken even if they are opposed by our other shareholders. Further, such concentration of voting power may discourage, prevent, or delay the consummation of recent change of control transactions that shareholders may consider favorable, including transactions in which shareholders might otherwise receive a premium for their shares. Future issuances of Class B Ordinary Shares may also be dilutive to the holders of Class A Ordinary Shares. As a result, the market price of our Class A Ordinary Shares could be adversely affected.

The dual-class structure of our ordinary shares may adversely affect the trading market for our Class A Ordinary Shares.

Several shareholder advisory firms have announced their opposition to the use of multiple class structures. As a result, the dual class structure of our ordinary shares may cause shareholder advisory firms to publish negative commentary about our corporate governance practices or otherwise seek to cause us to change our capital structure. Any actions or publications by shareholder advisory firms critical of our corporate governance practices or capital structure could also adversely affect the value of our Class A Ordinary Shares.

We are a “controlled company” within the meaning of the Nasdaq listing rules, and may follow certain exemptions from certain corporate governance requirements that could adversely affect our public shareholders.

Our largest shareholder, Mr. Zhuoqin Huang, owns more than a majority of the voting power of our outstanding ordinary shares. Under the Nasdaq listing rules, a company of which more than 50% of the voting power is held by an individual, group, or another company is a “controlled company” and is permitted to phase in its compliance with the independent committee requirements. Although we do not intend to rely on the “controlled company” exemptions under the Nasdaq listing rules even if we are deemed a “controlled company,” we could elect to rely on these exemptions in the future. If we were to elect to rely on the “controlled company” exemptions, a majority of the members of our board of directors might not be independent directors and our nominating and corporate governance and compensation committees might not consist entirely of independent directors. Accordingly, if we rely on the exemptions, during the period we remain a controlled company 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 of Nasdaq.

During the course of the audit of our consolidated financial statements, we and our independent registered public accounting firm identified a material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting. If we fail to establish and maintain an effective system of internal control over financial reporting, our ability to accurately and timely report our financial results or prevent fraud may be adversely affected, and investor confidence and the market price of our Class A Ordinary Shares may be adversely impacted.

We are subject to reporting obligations under U.S. securities laws. The SEC adopted rules pursuant to Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 requiring every public company to include a management report on such company’s internal control over financial reporting in its annual report, which contains management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting.

We and our independent registered public accounting firm, in connection with the preparation and external audit of our consolidated financial statements for the year ended June 30, 2022, identified a material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting, that is, we do not have sufficient in-house personnel in our accounting department with sufficient knowledge of U.S. GAAP and SEC reporting rules. See “Item 15. Controls and Procedures— Disclosure Controls and Procedures.” Our management is currently in the process of evaluating the steps necessary to remediate the ineffectiveness, such as (i) hiring more qualified accounting personnel with relevant U.S. GAAP and SEC reporting experience and qualifications to strengthen the financial reporting function and to set up a financial and system control framework, and (ii) implementing regular and continuous U.S. GAAP accounting and financial reporting training programs for our accounting and financial reporting personnel. Measures that we implement may not fully address the material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting and we may not be able to conclude that the material weakness has been fully remedied.

Failure to correct the material weakness and other control deficiencies or failure to discover and address any other control deficiencies could result in inaccuracies in our consolidated financial statements and could also impair our ability to comply with applicable financial reporting requirements and make related regulatory filings on a timely basis. As a result, our business, financial condition, results of operations, and prospects, as well as the trading price of our Class A Ordinary Shares, may be materially and adversely affected. Due to the material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting as described above, our management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was not effective as of June 30, 2022. This could adversely affect the market price of our Class A Ordinary Shares due to a loss of investor confidence in the reliability of our reporting processes.