Except as otherwise indicated by the context, references in this Annual Report to the words “we,” “our,” “us,” the “Company” “AJIA,” or “Ajia” refers to Ajia Innogroup Holdings Limited. All references to “USD” or United States Dollars refer to the legal currency of the United States of America.
Item 1. Business
Doing Business in China and Hong Kong Corporate Overview
Ajia Innogroup Holdings Ltd. is a Nevada holding company that conducts all of its operations and operates its business in the People’s Republic of China (“PRC”) and Hong Kong, through its subsidiaries, in particular, (collectively the “Operating Subsidiaries”). Investors in our ordinary shares should be aware that they are not permitted to directly hold equity interests in the Chinese operating entities. Investors can only purchase equity solely Ajia Innogroup Holdings Ltd. which owns the majority equity interests in our Operating Subsidiaries.
Because of our corporate structure, we as well as the investors are subject to unique risks due to uncertainty of the interpretation and the application of the PRC laws and regulations. We are also subject to the risks of uncertainty about any future actions of the PRC government in this regard. We may also be subject to sanctions imposed by PRC regulatory agencies including the Chinese Securities Regulatory Commission (“CSRC”) if we fail to comply with their rules and regulations. The Chinese regulatory authorities could disallow our operating structure in the future, and this would likely result in a material change in our financial performance, our results of operations, our actual operations in China, and/or the value of our ordinary shares, which could cause the value of such securities to significantly decline or become worthless.
We face various legal and operational risks and uncertainties related to having all of our operations in China. The PRC government has significant authority to exert influence on the ability of a China-based company, such as us, to conduct its business, accept foreign investments, or list on U.S. or other foreign exchanges. For example, we may face risks associated with regulatory approvals of offshore offerings, anti-monopoly regulatory actions, as well as oversight on cybersecurity and data privacy. Such risks could result in a material change in our operations and/or the value of our ordinary shares or could significantly limit or completely hinder our ability to offer or continue to offer our ordinary shares and/or other securities to investors and 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. Our ability to operate in China may be harmed by changes in its laws and regulations, including those relating to securities regulation, data protection, cybersecurity and mergers and acquisitions and other matters. The central or local governments of these jurisdictions may impose new, stricter regulations or interpretations of existing regulations with little advance notice that would require additional expenditures and efforts on our part to ensure our compliance with such regulations or interpretations. Government actions in the future could significantly affect economic conditions in China or particular regions thereof and could require us to materially change our operating activities or divest ourselves of any interests we hold in Chinese assets. Our business may be subject to various government and regulatory interference. We may incur increased costs necessary to comply with existing and newly adopted laws and regulations or penalties for any failure to comply. Our operations could be adversely affected, directly or indirectly, by existing or future laws and regulations relating to our business or industry.
Given recent statements by the Chinese government indicating an intent to exert more oversight and control over offerings that are conducted overseas and/or foreign investment in China-based issuers, any such action 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 become worthless.
Additionally, more stringent criteria have been imposed by the SEC and the PCAOB, recently, our securities may be prohibited from trading if our auditor cannot be fully inspected. As of the date of the report, J&S Associate, our auditor, is not subject to the determinations as to the inability to inspect or investigate registered firms completely announced by the PCAOB on December 16, 2021. The recent joint statement by the SEC and PCAOB, proposed rule changes submitted 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 offering.
As of September 2022, we have disposed of our operation in the PRC, and operate primarily from our Hong Kong based subsidiaries. Current PRC regulations permit our PRC Subsidiaries to pay dividends to us through our subsidiaries in Hong Kong, only out of their accumulated profits, if any, determined in accordance with Chinese accounting standards and regulations. In addition, each of our PRC Subsidiaries is required to set aside at least 10% of its after-tax profits each year, if any, to fund a statutory reserve until such reserve reaches 50% of its registered capital. As of the date hereof, we have had no transactions that involved the transfer of cash or assets throughout our corporate structure since at least July 1, 2020. The PRC Subsidiaries have not transferred cash or other assets to the Company, including by way of dividends. The Company does not currently plan or anticipate transferring cash or other assets from our operations in China to any non-Chinese entity. As of the date hereof, no transfers, dividends, or distributions have been made to our U.S. investors.
For a detailed description of risks related to doing business in China, see “Risk Factors - Risks Related to Doing Business in China.
Corporate Background- Business Development
Ajia Innogroup Holdings, Limited. (the “Company”) was incorporated in the State of Nevada on March 19, 2014, and our fiscal year end is June 30. The Company’s administrative address is 187 E. Warm Springs Road, Suite B307, Las Vegas, Nevada 89119. The telephone number is: (702) 833-9872
The Company had intended to provide a website and mobile app to assist event planners in locating performers, bands and speakers, booking locations and planning events in areas around the United States and Canada. However, The Company changed its business plan in 2017 and pursued the business of self-help photo kiosks to be implemented at major convenient locations, such as shopping mall, buildings near subway stations, etc. to attract customers to use the service.
In September 2017, the Company began exploring a business plan for a sales system for food and beverage products also sometimes referred to as a catering integration system. The system consists of a website and app which offers menu and ordering systems for end users, which predominantly consists of restaurants and food vendors. We generate revenue from the licensing of our sales system and we provide all necessary training to restaurant staff, system maintenance and updates. In addition, the Company provides system development consulting and training services.
On November 24, 2017, the Board of Directors (the “Board”) accepted the resignation of Ms. Yin Ling (Elaine) Wan as Chief Executive and Chief Financial Officer of the Company. At the same time, the Board elected the following individuals to the following positions: Mr. Zhi Qiang Liang was elected as President, Chief Executive Officer and Director of the Company; Mr. Wai Hing (Samuel) Lai was elected as Chief Financial Officer of the Company; Shun Ching (Dickson) Wong was elected as a Director and a Member of the Audit Committee of the Company; Ms. Sin Kei Stella Hui was elected as a Director and a Member of the Audit Committee; Ms. Kiu Chung Jacqueline Tang was elected as Chief Operating Officer of the Company; Mr. Jeffrey Firestone was elected as Director and Vice President of Investor Relations of the Company; Dr. Kwai Lam (Terence) Wong was elected as Vice President of Investor Relations and Yin Ling (Elaine) Wan was elected as Director, Secretary and Treasurer.
On December 1, 2017, the Company acquired a ten percent (10%) ownership interest in a collection code project (“Project”), the purpose of which is to improve the marketability and market penetration of Alipay Network Technology Co., Ltd. (“Alipay”) collection code system. As a part of the agreement, the Company will share 10% of expenses and profit on the Project.
Effective February 9, 2018, the Board accepted the resignation of Jeffrey S. Firestone from his position as Vice President and director of the Company.
On April 25, 2018, the Company announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, Guangzhou Shengjia Trading Co., Ltd. of Guangzhou, China (“Shengjia”) has entered into an agreement with Guangzhou Renhai Network Technology Co., Ltd. (“Renhai”) in which Shengjia would replace its 10% interest in the Alipay payment code business development project (“Alipay Project”), with a 30% interest of Renhai’s new China Mobile project. Renhai has recently reached an agreement with China Mobile Communications Corporation (“China Mobile”) whereby Renhai and China Mobile are to sign an agreement appointing Renhai as one of China Mobile’s marketers in promoting China Mobile’s business products for the period from April 1, 2018 to September 30, 2018. Renhai’s China Mobile agreement will be extended once certain business targets are fulfilled.
Nevertheless, even with the above remedies, the returns from the projects are still not satisfied by the Company’s management and are far below the estimations made from Renhai to the Company. In this regard, on December 28, 2018, both parties agreed that the agreements between Shengia and Renhai are rescinded and voided. Renhai shall return the Company’s 3,000,000 shares to the Company for cancellation and the Company shall return all the incomes previously received from Renhai. The Company cancelled these 3,000,000 shares of common stock on December 28, 2018.
On July 28, 2018, the Company issued a convertible promissory note in the amount of $300,000.00 to Full Yick International Ltd. Pursuant to the terms the convertible promissory note was convertible into 93,750,000 common shares of the Company at $0.0032 per share on July 31, 2019. On or about August 9, 2019, Full Yick International Ltd. exercised their option to convert the $300,000.00 note into 93,750,000 common shares of the Company, which constitutes approximately 92.8% of the issued and outstanding common shares of the Company and instructed the Company to issue the shares to approximately 84 shareholders. Of those approximately 84 shareholders, the largest, Full Yick International, Ltd. holds 12,038,723 shares, or approximately 11.9% of the issued and outstanding shares of the Company. There are no arrangements between the members of the former and new control groups and their associates with respect to election of directors or other matters.
On September 20, 2019, Mr. Kin Chung (Ken) Tam was appointed as members of the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of the Company’s Executive directors. Mr. Hung Hin Samuel Leung and Mr. Kwok Fai (Thomas) Yip were appointed as members of the Board of the Company’s Independent and Non-executive directors - Audit committee. On September 20, 2019, Ms. Sin Kei Stella Hui and Mr. Shun Ching (Dickson) Wong were resigned from the member of the Board of the Company.
On March 30, 2020, Splendor Radiant Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (“MOU”) with Allied Precision Medicine Consultants Limited (“Allied”), a Hong Kong corporation, in which the Parties have committed to jointly promote stem cell products and services in Hong Kong and Macau. Ajia has initially issued 100,000 shares of its common stock to Allied to acquire 50% sharing of the profits in this project. The Board shall then appoint an independent third party to carry out due diligence and valuation of the project and, based upon the recommendation of this valuation report, the Board shall issue additional common shares of Ajia to Allied as fair consideration and compensation to acquire 50% profit sharing interest in the project. The project has not yet commenced.
On September 28, 2020, Mr. Kwok Fai YIP, Thomas (Mr. Yip) was resigned from a member of our Board of Directors of the Company’s Independent and Non-executive directors - Audit committee. Concurrently, Mr. Yip was appointed as the Company’s Executive Director and Vice Chairman. Mr. Yip’s position as the Company’s Independent and non-executive director was immediately replaced by Ms. Kiu Chung Jacqueline Tang (Ms. Tang) who was formerly engaged as the Company’s Chief Operating Officer (“COO”). Ms. Tang resigned from the position of COO concurrently with this appointment.
On November 17, 2020, subsequent to our year end, Mr. Zhi Qiang Liang resigned as Chief Executive Officer and Mr. Yip was appointed as Chief Executive Officer.
In October 16, 2020, Splendor Radiant Limited entered into a joint venture agreement with its strategic partner, Mr. Tsz Man (Eric) Ngan. Both parties agreed to establish a joint venture relationship in order to collaborate to form a company, Ajia Corporate Systems Architecture Solution Limited (“ACSA”) which Splendor Radiant own 51% of the shares. ACSA has planned to acquire or become business partner in insurance and finance industries, which includes licensed insurance brokerage, trust servicing consulting team and licensed money lender in Hong Kong. ACSA has owned 51% of Tangent Asia Pacific Finance Ltd (“TAPF”), licensed money lender in Hong Kong and willing to develop money lending in Hong Kong and global. TAPF is focusing on the money lending business on second mortgage on property market and lending on crypto assets as collateral that seeks for 8% to 10% return on principle per annum. The Company believes that the finance business in Hong Kong is profitable and has great potential because of the increasing demand for lending on second mortgages on property and cryptocurrency assets.
In June 2021, ACSA purchased 51% shares of Jia Yu Insurance Finance limited (“JYIF”), which is a licensed Insurance brokerage firm in Hong Kong. JYIF’s primary role is to provide local lump sum universal life, annuity assurance and offshore insurance products both life and non-life, which include compliant US PPLI, UL, and IUL policies, to designated clients asset growth purposes with complied tax solutions. There is a growing need and demand for Asian clients to purchase compliant PPLI, UL, and IUL policies in order to receive tax benefits and investment returns, and these products are becoming increasingly popular. The Company utilizes Hong Kong as a hub to organize US PPLI, UL, and IUL policies for high-net-worth clients from China, Japan, Taiwan, Korea, Thailand, and Indonesia. PPLI, IUL, and UL policies are increasingly in demand, and the Company has a professional technical team as well as US lawyers and tax advisors on hand to service these clients as a one-stop shop for all their insurance needs.
In 2021, Guangzhou Shengjia Trading Co., Ltd (“GST”), subsidiary of AJIA, aims to provide back-end support on project called “Easy Picture Mobile Application” (“Easy Picture”). Easy Picture is an application for mobile photos software for end customers who want to take qualified photos to apply for visas to China. Easy Picture is an accessible cost saving application offering user-friendly interface. GST has signed up agreement with a travel agency to use this Easy Picture App, however, execution of the business has been delayed due to COVID-19 and resulting closure of travel.
The details of the Company’s subsidiaries are described below:
Name | | Place of incorporation and kind of legal entity | | Principal activities and place of operation | | Particulars of issued/ registered share capital | | Effective interest Held |
| | | | | | | | |
Splendor Radiant Limited | | British Virgin Islands, a limited liability company | | Investment holding | | 1 ordinary share of US$1 each | | 100% |
| | | | | | | | |
Ajia Creative Holdings Limited | | Hong Kong, a limited liability company | | Provision of food and beverage sales system setup and maintenance service | | 100 ordinary shares for HK$100 | | 100% |
| | | | | | | | |
Guangzhou Shengjia Trading Co., Ltd(1) | | The PRC, a limited liability company | | Provision of mobile app back-end support service | | HK$1,000,000 | | 100% |
| | | | | | | | |
Ajia Corporate Systems Architecture Solution Limited | | Hong Kong, a limited liability company | | Provision of money lending, insurance brokerage and business development trustee service | | 10,000 ordinary shares of HK$10,000 | | 51% |
| | | | | | | | |
Union Passenger Limited | | Hong Kong, a limited liability company | | Provision of catering member service solutions and service platform | | 1,000 ordinary shares for HK$1,000 | | 100% |
(1) This subsidiary was disposed of on September 1, 2022.
AJIA and its subsidiaries are hereinafter referred to as (the “Company”).
Investors can only purchase equity solely Ajia Innogroup Holdings Ltd. which owns the majority equity interests in our Operating Subsidiaries.
Business Plan
In September 2017, the Company began exploring a business plan for a sales system for food and beverage products also sometimes referred to as a catering integration system. The system consists of a website and app which offers menu and ordering systems for end users, which predominantly consists of restaurants and food vendors. Its catering integration system has a crossover sales promotion program with our restaurants and food suppliers’ members to set up an incentive program for their seasonal and festival sales to meet with the HK Government consumption vouchers scheme during the COVID-19. The Company generates revenue from the licensing of its sales system and we provide all necessary training to restaurant staff, system maintenance and updates.
On December 1, 2017, the Company acquired a ten percent (10%) ownership interest in a collection code project (“Project”), the purpose of which is to improve the marketability and market penetration of Alipay Network Technology Co., Ltd. (“Alipay”) collection code system. The Company plans to acquire additional interest in this project as the project develops.
On October 15, 2020, the Company ratified entry into a Memorandum of Understanding with Union Patron Limited for the formation of holding joint venture company, AJIA Corporate Systems Architecture Solution Ltd (“Ajia Corporate”), which the Company shall own a 51% interest in. Ajia Corporate is a company registered in Hong Kong and intends to enter a Memorandum of Understanding (“MOU”) to expand its business developments in the following areas:
1. | Big Data Strategic enterprise solution, |
2. | Cloud and digital trading solution, |
3. | Combined enterprise syndication planning and solution, and |
4. | E-compliance system and enterprise solutions. |
The Company’s insurance brokerage firm, Jia Yu Insurance Finance limited (“JYIF”), in which Ajia Corporate owns 51% interest, is a licensed brokerage firm in Hong Kong. JYIF’s primary role is to design and place insurance for high net worth clients in Asia who either reside or plan to reside abroad. JYIF offers local lump sum universal life, annuity assurance, and offshore insurance products (both life and non-life), which include compliant US PPLI, UL, and IUL policies, to those designated clients for asset growth purposes (as well as other commercial reasons and purposes).
In June 2022, the Company purchased 100% shares of Union Passenger Limited (“UPL), a company incorporated in Hong Kong. According to the acquisition agreement, the Company will appoint UPL as its exclusive partner for the promotion of Company’s catering, services and total solutions for restaurants in Asia (“Products”). The Company shall share 100% of the profits and losses of the offering of Products to third party customers which are introduced by UPL.
Principal Products, Services and Their Markets
In last year, our business plan consisted of the following three primary segments: 1) the sales and licensing of our point of sales system for food and beverage products also sometimes referred to as a catering integration system, which we offer in Hong Kong, 2) our insurance private placement operations through Ajia Corporate Systems Architecture Solution Limited (“ACSA”), and 3) our Easy Picture application. We hope to expand our markets outside of Hong Kong in the future.
Status of Publicly Announced New Products or Services
Ajia currently has no new publicly announced products or services.
Competitive Business Conditions and Strategy; Position in the Industry
Ajia intends to establish itself as a competitive company in the point of sale technology market. Ajia’s main competitors are firms offering similar technologies and services. Our largest competitors are Multiable and MasterSoft.
Patents, Trademarks, Licenses, Agreements or Contracts
As part of our business, we will seek to protect our intellectual property rights in various ways, including through trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets, including know-how, patents, patent applications, employee and third-party nondisclosure agreements, intellectual property licenses and other contractual rights. At this time, however, there are no aspects of our business plan which require a patent, trademark, or product license. We have not entered into any vendor agreements or contracts that give or could give rise to any obligations or concessions.
Governmental Controls, Approval and Licensing Requirements
Our operation through ACSA requires a license from the Hong Kong insurance authority to operate. We were granted a three years license for our coming operation from 24 June, 2021 to 23 June, 2024. Additionally, certain roles within ACSA require an individual to hold a broker’s license from August 2021. We currently have 12 licensed individuals employed by ACSA.
As of September 2022, we have disposed of our operation in the PRC, and operate primarily from our Hong Kong based subsidiaries. Apart from customary business laws and regulations, the PRC government does not regulate the catering, services and total solutions for restaurants business industry. The PRC government may, however, from time to time institute rules and regulations on such businesses which makes it difficult or impossible for us to operate successfully, if at all, in the PRC. Please see the section on “Risk Factors” for further details.
Other than as mentioned above, we are unaware of any government regulations that are directly affecting our business, however, as we grow our business activities may become subject to various governmental regulations in different countries in which we operate, including regulations relating to: various business/investment approvals; trade affairs, including customs, import and export control; competition and antitrust; anti-bribery; advertising and promotion; intellectual property; consumer and business taxation; foreign exchange controls; personal information protection; labor; human rights; conflict; occupational health and safety; environmental; and recycling requirements.
Research and Development Activities and Costs
We have spent no time on specialized research and development activities, and have no plans to undertake any research or development in the future.
Cash Management Systems
We have no cash management policies that dictate how funds are transferred.
Number of Employees
The Company has approximately 20 part and full time employees at ACSA and 6 employees and IT support personnel working with Easy Picture application. We have no other significant employees other than our officers and directors and one employee who is responsible for the accounting and general administrative matters. In addition, the Company outsources its financial and management matters to various management consultants during the year. We intend to increase the size of our management team and hire additional employees in the future to manage the continued growth of our company and to increase our sales force and marketing efforts.
Place of Operation
Our executive and operating office is located at Room 1001, 10/F., Grandmark, No. 10 Granville Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong. Our management team is located at this office and will have to travel to Asian regions regularly to pursue the development of its businesses.
Regulatory Permission
We are currently not required to obtain approval from Chinese authorities to list on U.S. exchanges, however, if our subsidiaries or the holding company were required to obtain approval in the future and were denied permission from Chinese authorities to list on U.S. exchanges, we will not be able to continue listing on a U.S. exchange, which would materially affect the interest of the investors. It is uncertain when and whether the Company will be required to obtain permission from the PRC government to list on U.S. exchanges in the future, and when such permission is obtained, whether it will be rescinded. Although the Company is currently not required to obtain permission from any of the PRC federal or local government to list on U.S. exchanges and has not received any denial to list on a U.S. exchange, our operations could be adversely affected, directly or indirectly, by existing or future laws and regulations relating to its business or industry. If we are subsequently advised by any Chinese authorities that permission for this offering and/or listing on the Nasdaq Stock Market was required, we may not be able to obtain such permission in a timely manner, if at all. If this risk occurs, our ability to offer securities to investors could be significantly limited or completely hindered and the securities currently being offered may substantially 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 on Strictly Cracking Down on Illegal Securities Activities, which were made available to the public on July 6, 2021. The Opinions on Strictly Cracking Down on Illegal Securities Activities emphasized the need to strengthen the administration over illegal securities activities, and the need to strengthen the supervision over overseas listings by Chinese companies. Pursuant to the Opinions, Chinese regulators are required to accelerate rulemaking related to the overseas issuance and listing of securities, and update the existing laws and regulations related to data security, cross-border data flow, and management of confidential information. Numerous regulations, guidelines and other measures are expected to be adopted under the umbrella of or in addition to the Cybersecurity Law and Data Security Law. As of the date of this report, no official guidance or related implementation rules have been issued. As a result, the Opinions on Strictly Cracking Down on Illegal Securities Activities remain unclear on how they will be interpreted, amended and implemented by the relevant PRC governmental authorities.
On December 28, 2021, the Cyberspace Administration of China jointly with the relevant authorities formally published Measures for Cybersecurity Review (2021) which will took effect on February 15, 2022 and replace the former Measures for Cybersecurity Review (2020). Measures for Cybersecurity Review (2021) stipulates that operators of critical information infrastructure purchasing network products and services, and online platform operator (together with the operators of critical information infrastructure, the “Operators”) carrying out data processing activities that affect or may affect national security, shall conduct a cybersecurity review, any online platform operator who controls more than one million users’ personal information must go through a cybersecurity review by the cybersecurity review office if it seeks to be listed in a foreign country. Given that: (i) we do not possess personal information on more than one million users in our business operations; and (ii) data processed in our business does not have a bearing on national security and thus may not be classified as core or important data by the authorities, we would not be required to apply for a cybersecurity review under the Measures for Cybersecurity Review (2021).
Our PRC subsidiary was disposed of on September 1, 2022 and we do not believe the Company or its PRC subsidiary are or will become subject to enhanced cybersecurity review or investigation. Further, while we continue to have operations in Hong Kong through the Hong Kong subsidiaries, we believe that our operations are not affected by this since these statements and regulatory actions are new, it is highly uncertain how soon the legislative or administrative regulation making bodies will respond and what existing or new laws or regulations or detailed implementations and interpretations will be modified or promulgated, if any. It is also highly uncertain what the potential impacts such modified or new laws and regulations will have on our business operations, its ability to accept foreign investments and the listing of our Shares on a U.S. or other foreign exchanges. If certain PRC laws and regulations were to become applicable to a company such as us in the future, the application of such laws and regulations may have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations and our ability to offer or continue to offer securities to investors, any of which may cause the value of our securities, including our common Shares, to significantly decline or become worthless.
If the CSRC, CAC or other regulatory agencies later promulgate new rules or explanations requiring that we obtain their approvals, we may be unable to obtain such approvals and we may face sanctions by the CSRC, CAC or other PRC regulatory agencies for failure to seek their approval which could significantly limit or completely hinder our ability to offer or continue to offer securities to our investors and the securities currently being offered may substantially decline in value and be worthless.
Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act
U.S. laws and regulations, including the Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act, or HFCAA, may restrict or eliminate our ability to complete a business combination with certain companies, particularly those acquisition candidates with substantial operations in China.
On March 24, 2021, the SEC adopted interim final rules relating to the implementation of certain disclosure and documentation requirements of the HFCAA. An identified issuer will be required to comply with these rules if the SEC identifies it as having a “non-inspection” year under a process to be subsequently established by the SEC. In June 2021, the Senate passed the Accelerating Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act, which, if signed into law, would reduce the time period for the delisting of foreign companies under the HFCAA to two consecutive years instead of three years. If our auditor cannot be inspected by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, or the PCAOB, for two consecutive years, the trading of our securities on any U.S. national securities exchanges, as well as any over-the-counter trading in the U.S., will be prohibited. Additionally, and as a result of a failure to be inspected, the exchange on which we are then listed may determine to delist our securities.
On September 22, 2021, the PCAOB adopted a final rule implementing the HFCAA, which provides a framework for the PCAOB to use when determining, as contemplated under the HFCAA, whether the PCAOB 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 issued amendments to finalize rules implementing the submission and disclosure requirements in the HFCA Act. The rules apply to registrants that the SEC identifies as having filed an annual report with an audit report issued by a registered public accounting firm that is located in a foreign jurisdiction and that PCAOB is unable to inspect or investigate completely because of a position taken by an authority in foreign jurisdictions. On December 16, 2021, the PCAOB issued a report on its determinations that it is unable to inspect or investigate completely PCAOB-registered public accounting firms headquartered in mainland China and in Hong Kong, because of positions taken by PRC authorities in those jurisdictions. As of the date of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, J&S Associate, our auditor, is not subject to the determinations as to the inability to inspect or investigate registered firms completely announced by the PCAOB on December 16, 2021.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
There are certain inherent risks which will have an effect on our development in the future and the most significant risks and uncertainties known and identified by our management are described below.
SUMMARY RISK FACTORS
| · | Changes in China’s economic, political or social conditions or government policies could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and prospects. For more details, see “Risk Factors - General Risks Associated with Doing Business in China - Changes in the policies, regulations, rules and the enforcement of laws of the PRC government may be quick with little advance notice and could have a significant impact upon the business we may be able to conduct in the PRC and the profitability of such business.” |
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| · | There are uncertainties regarding the interpretation and enforcement of PRC laws, rules and regulations. For more details, see “Risk Factors – General Risks Related to Doing Business in China - There are uncertainties regarding the interpretation and enforcement of PRC laws, rules and regulations.”. |
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| · | We may rely on dividends and other distributions on equity paid by our PRC or Hong Kong subsidiaries to fund any cash and financing requirements we may have, and any limitation on the ability of our PRC and Hong Kong subsidiaries to make payments to us could have a material and adverse effect on our ability to conduct our business. See “Risk Factors – General Risks Related to Doing Business in China - Dividends and Other Distributions to U.S. Investors and Tax Consequences” |
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| · | To the extent cash in the business is in PRC, Hong Kong or a Hong Kong entity, funds may not be available to fund operations or for other use outside of Hong Kong due to interventions in or the imposition of restrictions and limitations on the ability of the Company and its subsidiaries by the PRC government to transfer cash. See “Risk Factors – General Risks Related to Doing Business in China - Transfers of Cash to and from our Subsidiaries in Hong Kong” |
RISKS RELATED TO PANDEMICS
The effects of the recent COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic are not immediately known, but may adversely affect our business, results of operations, financial condition, liquidity, and cash flow.
Presently, the impact of COVID-19 has not shown any imminent adverse effects on our business. This notwithstanding, it is still unknown and difficult to predict what adverse effects, if any, COVID-19 can have on our business, or against the various aspects of same, or how COVID-19 will continue to effect the world as the virus case numbers rise and fall.
As of the date of this Annual Report, COVID-19 coronavirus has been declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization, has been declared a National Emergency by the United States Government. COVID-19 coronavirus caused significant volatility in global markets. The spread of COVID-19 coronavirus has caused public health officials to recommend precautions to mitigate the spread of the virus, especially as to travel and congregating in large numbers. In addition, certain countries, states and municipalities have enacted, quarantining and “shelter-in-place” regulations which severely limit the ability of people to move and travel and require non-essential businesses and organizations to close. While some places have lessened their “shelter-in-place” restrictions and travel bans, as they are removed there is no certainty that an outbreak will not occur and additional restrictions imposed again in response.
Hong Kong has been the subject of significant COVID-19 related closures and quarantine restrictions which have affected businesses, individuals and travel. As these restrictions are being lifted, we cannot assure that restrictions will not be re-implemented in response to further COVID-19 outbreaks.
Further, It is unclear how such restrictions, which will contribute to a general slowdown in the global economy, will affect our business, results of operations, financial condition and our future strategic plans. Shelter-in-place and essential-only travel regulations could negatively impact us. The current status of COVID-19 coronavirus closures and restrictions could negatively impact our ability to receive funding from our existing capital sources as each business is and has been affected uniquely.
If any of our employees, consultant, customers, or visitors were to become infected we could be forced to close our operations temporarily as a preventative measure to prevent the risk of spread which could also negatively impact our ability to receive funding from our existing capital sources as each business is and has been affected uniquely.
In addition, our headquarters are located in Hong Kong which experienced restrictions on individuals and business shutdowns as the result of COVID-19. It is unclear at this time how these restrictions will be continued and/or amended as the pandemic evolves. We are hopeful that COVID-19 closures will have only a limited effect on our operations.
General securities market uncertainties resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Since the outset of the pandemic the United States and worldwide national securities markets have undergone unprecedented stress due to the uncertainties of the pandemic and the resulting reactions and outcomes of government, business and the general population. These uncertainties have resulted in declines in all market sectors, increases in volumes due to flight to safety and governmental actions to support the markets. As a result, until the pandemic has stabilized, the markets may not be available to the Company for purposes of raising required capital. Should we not be able to obtain financing when required, in the amounts necessary to execute on our plans in full, or on terms which are economically feasible we may be unable to sustain the necessary capital to pursue our strategic plan and may have to reduce the planned future growth and/or scope of our operations.
RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH OUR BUSINESS
Our independent auditors have issued an audit opinion for Ajia which includes a statement describing our going concern status. Our financial status creates a doubt whether we will continue as a going concern.
As described in Note 2 of our accompanying financial statements, our auditors have issued a going concern opinion regarding the Company. This means there is substantial doubt we can continue as an ongoing business for the next twelve months. The financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the uncertainty regarding our ability to continue in business. As such, we may have to cease operations and investors could lose part or all of their investment in the Company.
We lack an operating history and have losses which we expect to continue into the future. There is no assurance our future operations will result in profitable revenues. If we cannot generate sufficient revenues to operate profitably, we may suspend or cease operations.
We were incorporated on March 19, 2014, and we have not fully developed our proposed business operations and have realized limited revenues. We have limited operating history upon which an evaluation of our future success or failure can be made. Our net loss for the years ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, was $412,837 and $184,262, respectively, most of which is for general and administrative expenses and professional fees. Our ability to achieve and maintain profitability and positive cash flow is dependent upon our ability to raise capital if needed, to attract customers who will use our services, and to generate revenue through the sale of our services.
Based upon current plans, we expect to incur operating losses in future periods because we will be incurring expenses and generating limited revenues. We cannot guarantee that we will be successful in generating revenues in the future. In the event the Company is unable to generate revenues, it may be required to seek additional funding. Such funding may not be available, or may not be available on terms which are beneficial and/or acceptable to the Company. In the event the Company cannot generate sufficient revenues and/or secure additional financing, the Company may be forced to cease operations and investors will likely lose some or all of their investment in the Company.
Although we obtain clients or customers, there is no assurance that we will make a profit.
Even if we obtain clients or customers for our services, there is no guarantee that we will develop products and/or services that our clients/customers will want to use. If we are unable to attract enough customers/clients to purchase services (and any products we may develop or sell) it will have a negative effect on our ability to generate sufficient revenue from which we can operate or expand our business. The lack of sufficient revenues will have a negative effect on the ability of the Company to continue operations and it could force the Company to cease operations.
Some of our competitors have significantly greater financial and marketing resources than we do.
Our industry has many competitors that have significantly greater financial and marketing resources than do we. There are no assurances that our efforts to compete in the marketplace will be successful. We are a relatively late entry into a mature market for our services. There can be no assurance that we will be able to develop a profitable niche in this market.
We are in a competitive market which could impact our ability to gain market share which could harm our financial performance.
Our business can be competitive; we face competition from traditional caterers, marketing services, and other industry specific technologies offering similar services. The barriers to entry are relatively low, and we may face competitive pressures from companies anxious to join this niche. We face competition from larger businesses who are easily accessible proven companies that offer similar niche service which may prevent us from gaining enough market shares to become successful. These competitors have existing customers that may form a large part of our targeted client base, and such clients may be hesitant to switch over from already established competitors to our service. If we cannot gain enough market share, our business and our financial performance will be adversely affected.
We do not have any additional source of funding for our business plans and may be unable to find any such funding if and when needed, resulting in the failure of our business.
We have no source of capital that has been identified or sought. As a result we do not have an alternate source of funds. If we do find an alternative source of capital, the terms and conditions of acquiring such capital may result in dilution and the resultant lessening of value of the shares of stockholders. As widely reported, the global and domestic financial markets have been extremely volatile in recent months. If such conditions and constraints continue or if there is no investor appetite to finance our specific business, we may not be able to acquire additional financing through credit markets or equity markets. Even if additional financing is available, it may not be available on terms favourable to us. At this time, we have not identified or secured sources of additional financing. Our failure to secure additional financing when it becomes required will have an adverse effect on our ability to remain in business.
If we are not successful in raising sufficient funds, we will be faced with several options:
1. abandon our business plans, cease operations and go out of business;
2. continue to seek alternative and acceptable sources of capital; or
3. bring in additional capital that may result in a change of control.
We possess minimal capital, which may severely restrict our ability to develop our services. If we are unable to raise additional capital, our business will fail.
We possess minimal capital and must limit the amount of marketing we can perform with respect to our services. We feel we require a minimum of $100,000 over the next 12 months to continue operations and carry out our business plan. Our limited marketing activities may not attract enough clients to generate sufficient revenue to operate profitably, expand our services, implement our business plan or continue operating our business. Our limited marketing capabilities may have a negative effect on our business and may cause us to limit or cease our business operations which could result in investors losing some or all of their investment in the Company.
If our estimates related to future expenditures are erroneous or inaccurate, our business will fail and you could lose your entire investment.
Our success is dependent in part upon the accuracy of our management’s estimates of our future cost expenditures for legal and accounting services (including those we expect to incur as a publicly reporting company), for website marketing and development expenses, and for administrative expenses, which management estimates to be approximately between $25,000 and $45,000 over the next twelve months. If such estimates are erroneous or inaccurate, or if we encounter unforeseen costs, we may not be able to carry out our business plan, which could result in the failure of our business and the loss of your entire investment.
Our auditor has raised substantial doubts about our ability to continue as a going concern and if we are unable to continue our business, our shares may have little or no value.
The company’s ability to become a profitable operating company is dependent upon its ability to generate revenues and/or obtain financing adequate to fulfil its research and market introduction activities, and achieving a level of revenues adequate to support our cost structure has raised substantial doubts about our ability to continue as a going concern. We plan to attempt to raise additional equity capital by selling shares and, if necessary, through one or more private placement or public offerings.
However, the doubts raised, relating to our ability to continue as a going concern, may make our shares an unattractive investment for potential investors. These factors, among others, may make it difficult to raise any additional capital.
RISKS RELATED TO DOING BUSINESS IN CHINA
Transfers of Cash to and from our Subsidiaries; We may not be able to obtain certain benefits under relevant tax treaties on dividends paid by our PRC subsidiaries to us through our Hong Kong subsidiary.
We are a US company with subsidiaries incorporated under the laws of Hong Kong and PRC (although such operations have been winded down as of September 1, 2022). We are not a Chinese operating company. The Company’s ability to pay dividends to its shareholders and to service any debt it may incur may depend upon dividends paid by our subsidiaries. If any of our subsidiaries incurs debt on its own in the future, the instruments governing such debt may restrict its ability to pay dividends to the Company. In addition, our subsidiaries are required to make appropriations to certain statutory reserve funds, which are not distributable as cash dividends except in the event of a solvent liquidation of the companies. We have never paid any dividends and do not intend to as of the date of this Report. Pursuant to the PRC Enterprise Income Tax Law, a withholding tax rate of 10% currently applies to dividends paid by a PRC “resident enterprise” to a foreign enterprise investor, unless any such foreign investor’s jurisdiction of incorporation has a tax treaty with China that provides for preferential tax treatment. 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, such withholding tax rate may be lowered to 5% if a Hong Kong resident enterprise owns no less than 25% of a PRC enterprise. Furthermore, the Administrative Measures for Non-Resident Enterprises to Enjoy Treatments under Tax Treaties, which became effective in August 2015, require non-resident enterprises to determine whether they are qualified to enjoy the preferential tax treatment under the tax treaties and file the relevant report and materials with the tax authorities. There are also other conditions for enjoying the reduced withholding tax rate, according to other relevant tax rules and regulations. As of the date of this Report, we did not record any withholding tax on the retained earnings of our subsidiaries in the PRC, as we intend to re-invest all earnings generated from our PRC subsidiaries for the operation and expansion of our business in China, and we intend to continue this practice in the foreseeable future. Should our tax policy change to allow for offshore distribution of our earnings, we would be subject to a significant withholding tax. We cannot assure you that our determination regarding our qualification to enjoy the preferential tax treatment will not be challenged by the relevant tax authority or if we will be able to complete the necessary filings with the relevant tax authority and enjoy the preferential withholding tax rate of 5% under the Double Taxation Arrangement with respect to dividends to be paid by our PRC subsidiaries to our Hong Kong subsidiary.
To address persistent capital outflows and the RMB’s depreciation against the U.S. dollar in the fourth quarter of 2016, the People’s Bank of China and the State Administration of Foreign Exchange, or SAFE, implemented a series of capital control measures in the subsequent months, including stricter vetting procedures for China-based companies to remit foreign currency for overseas acquisitions, dividend payments and shareholder loan repayments. The PRC government may continue to strengthen its capital controls and our PRC subsidiaries’ dividends and other distributions may be subject to tightened scrutiny in the future. The PRC government also imposes controls on the conversion of RMB into foreign currencies and the remittance of currencies out of the PRC. Therefore, we may experience difficulties in completing the administrative procedures necessary to obtain and remit foreign currency for the payment of dividends from our profits, if any. In addition, to the extent cash is in our mainland China or Hong Kong subsidiaries, there can be no assurance that the PRC government will not intervene or impose restrictions on the ability of the Company or its subsidiaries to transfer or distribute cash within our organization or to foreign investors, which could result in an inability or prohibition on funding our operations or making transfers or distributions outside of mainland China and Hong Kong for other use.
Currently, other than complying with the applicable PRC laws and regulations, we do not have our own cash management policy and procedures that dictate how funds are transferred.
Transfers of Cash to and from our Subsidiaries in Hong Kong
The Company conducts operations in Hong Kong through Ajia Creative Holdings Limited Systems, Architecture Solution Limited, and Union Passenger Limited, each a Hong Kong entity and collectively its Hong Kong subsidiaries. The Company may rely on dividends or payments to be paid by its Hong Kong subsidiaries, to fund its cash and financing requirements, including the funds necessary to pay dividends and other cash distributions to our shareholders and U.S. investors, to service any debt we may incur and to pay our operating expenses
The Company is permitted to provide funding to its subsidiary in Hong Kong through loans or capital contributions without restrictions on the amount of the funds. The Hong Kong Subsidiaries are also permitted under the laws of Hong Kong to provide funding to the Company, through dividend distributions or payments, without restrictions on the amount of the funds.
There are no restrictions or limitation on our ability to distribute earnings by dividends from our subsidiaries, including our subsidiaries in Hong Kong, to the Company and our shareholders and U.S. investors, provided that the entity remains solvent after such distribution. According to the Companies Ordinance of Hong Kong, a Hong Kong company may only make a distribution out of profits available for distribution. We have not adopted or maintain any cash management policies and procedures as of the date of this report. There is no further Hong Kong statutory restriction on the amount of funds which may be distributed by us by dividend.
As of the date of this report, there are no restrictions or limitation under the laws of Hong Kong imposed on the conversion of HK$ into foreign currencies and the remittance of currencies out of Hong Kong or across borders and to U.S investors. The PRC laws and regulations do not currently have any material impact on transfer of cash from our Hong Kong Subsidiaries to the Company, our shareholders or U.S. investors. However, in the future, funds may not be available to fund operations or for other use outside of Hong Kong, due to interventions in, or the imposition of restrictions and limitations on, our ability or on our subsidiary’s ability by the PRC government to transfer cash. Any limitation on the ability of our subsidiary to make payments to us could have a material adverse effect on our ability to conduct our business and might materially decrease the value of our Shares or cause them to be worthless. Currently, all of our operations are in Hong Kong. We do not have or intend to set up any subsidiary or enter into any contractual arrangements to establish a variable interest entity, or VIE, structure with any entity in mainland China. Since Hong Kong is a special administrative region of the PRC and the basic policies of the PRC regarding Hong Kong are reflected in the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China, or the Basic Law, providing Hong Kong with a high degree of autonomy and executive, legislative and independent judicial powers, including that of final adjudication under the principle of “one country, two systems”. The PRC laws and regulations do not currently have any material impact on transfer of cash between the Company and the Hong Kong Subsidiaries and the investors in the U.S. However, the Chinese government may, in the future, impose restrictions or limitations on our ability to transfer money out of Hong Kong, to distribute earnings and pay dividends to and from the other entities within our organization, or to reinvest in our business outside of Hong Kong. Such restrictions and limitations, if imposed in the future, may delay or hinder the expansion of our business to outside of Hong Kong and may affect our ability to receive funds from our operating subsidiary in Hong Kong. The promulgation of new laws or regulations, or the new interpretation of existing laws and regulations, in each case, that restrict or otherwise unfavorably impact the ability or way we conduct our business, could require us to change certain aspects of our business to ensure compliance, which could decrease demand for our services, reduce revenues, increase costs, require us to obtain more licenses, permits, approvals or certificates, or subject us to additional liabilities. To the extent any new or more stringent measures are required to be implemented, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected and such measured could materially decrease the value of our Shares, potentially rendering it worthless.
Regulations related to Hong Kong taxation
Under the current practice of the Inland Revenue Department of Hong Kong, no tax is payable in Hong Kong in respect of dividends paid by us. The PRC laws and regulations do not currently have any material impact on transfers of cash from the Company to Hong Kong Subsidiaries, our shareholders and U.S. investors. However, the Chinese government may, in the future, impose restrictions or limitations on our ability to transfer money out of Hong Kong, to distribute earnings and pay dividends to and from the other entities within our organization, or to reinvest in our business outside of Hong Kong. Such restrictions and limitations, if imposed in the future, may delay or hinder the expansion of our business to outside of Hong Kong and may affect our ability to receive funds from our operating subsidiaries in Hong Kong. The promulgation of new laws or regulations, or the new interpretation of existing laws and regulations, in each case, that restrict or otherwise unfavorably impact the ability or way we conduct our business, could require us to change certain aspects of our business to ensure compliance, which could decrease demand for our services, reduce revenues, increase costs, require us to obtain more licenses, permits, approvals or certificates, or subject us to additional liabilities. To the extent any new or more stringent measures are required to be implemented, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected and such measured could materially decrease the value of our Shares, potentially rendering them worthless.
Dividends and Other Distributions to U.S. Investors and Tax Consequences
As of the date of this report, neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries have paid dividends or made distributions to U.S. investors. We intend to retain most, if not all, of our available funds and any future earnings after this offering to the development and growth of our business in China and Hong Kong. We do not expect to pay dividends in the foreseeable future.
Subject to the passive foreign investment company rules, the gross amount of any distribution that we make to investors with respect to the Company’s securities (including any amounts withheld to reflect PRC withholding taxes) will be taxable as a dividend, to the extent paid out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits, as determined under United States federal income tax principles.
The PRC Enterprise Income Tax Law and its implementation rules provide that a withholding tax at a rate of 10% will be applicable to dividends payable by Chinese companies to non-PRC-resident enterprises unless reduced under treaties or arrangements between the PRC central government and the governments of other countries or regions where the non-PRC resident enterprises are tax resident. Pursuant to the tax agreement between mainland China and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the withholding tax rate in respect to the payment of dividends by a PRC enterprise to a Hong Kong enterprise may be reduced to 5% from a standard rate of 10%. However, if the relevant tax authorities determine that our transactions or arrangements are for the primary purpose of enjoying a favorable tax treatment, the relevant tax authorities may adjust the favorable withholding tax in the future. Accordingly, there is no assurance that the reduced 5% withholding rate will apply to dividends received by our Hong Kong subsidiary from our PRC subsidiaries. This withholding tax will reduce the amount of dividends we may receive from our PRC subsidiaries.
Changes in the policies, regulations, rules and the enforcement of laws of the PRC government may be quick with little advance notice and could have a significant impact upon the business we may be able to conduct in the PRC and the profitability of such business.
The PRC’s economy is in a transition from a planned economy to a market oriented economy subject to five-year and annual plans adopted by the central government that set national economic development goals. Policies of the PRC government can have significant effects on the economic conditions of the PRC. The PRC government has confirmed that economic development will follow the model of a market economy. Under this direction, we believe that the PRC will continue to strengthen its economic and trading relationships with foreign countries and business development in the PRC will follow market forces. While we believe that this trend will continue, we cannot assure you that this will be the case. Changes in policies, regulations, rules and the enforcement of laws by the PRC government, which changes may be quick with little advance notice, could adversely affect our interests by, among other factors: changes in laws, regulations or the interpretation thereof, confiscatory taxation, restrictions on currency conversion, imports or sources of supplies, or the expropriation or nationalization of private enterprises. Although the PRC government has been pursuing economic reform policies for more than two decades, we cannot assure you that the government will continue to pursue such policies or that such policies may not be significantly altered, especially in the event of a change in leadership, social or political disruption, or other circumstances affecting the PRC’s political, economic and social environment.
There are uncertainties regarding the interpretation and enforcement of PRC laws, rules and regulations.
We had one subsidiary in PRC which has been inactive since July 2020 and winded down as of September 2022; the remainder of our subsidiaries are operating in Hong Kong. The PRC legal system is a civil law system based on written statutes. Unlike the common law system, prior court decisions may be cited for reference but have limited precedential value.
In 1979, the PRC government began to promulgate a comprehensive system of laws, rules and regulations governing economic matters in general. The overall effect of legislation over the past four decades has significantly enhanced the protections afforded to various forms of foreign investment in China. However, China has not developed a fully integrated legal system, and recently enacted laws, rules and regulations may not sufficiently cover all aspects of economic activities in China or may be subject to significant degree of interpretation by PRC regulatory agencies and courts. In particular, because these laws, rules and regulations are relatively new, and because of the limited number of published decisions and the non-precedential nature of these decisions, and because the laws, rules and regulations often give the relevant regulator significant discretion in how to enforce them, the interpretation and enforcement of these laws, rules and regulations involve uncertainties and can be inconsistent and unpredictable. Therefore, it is possible that our existing operations may be found not to be in full compliance with relevant laws and regulations in the future. In addition, the PRC legal system is based in part on government policies and internal rules, some of which are not published on a timely basis or at all, and which may have a retroactive effect. As a result, we may not be aware of our violation of these policies and rules until after the occurrence of the violation.
Any administrative and court proceedings in China 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, it may be more difficult to evaluate the outcome of administrative and court proceedings and the level of legal protection we enjoy than in more developed legal systems. These uncertainties may impede our ability to enforce the contracts we have entered into and could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Our Company is incorporated in Nevada and is subject to laws and regulations applicable to Nevada, and our subsidiary Guangzhou Shengjia Trading Co., Ltd (“GST”), is also subject to various Chinese laws and regulations generally applicable to companies incorporated in China. GST has been dormant since July 1, 2020 that it has not received any income and has only incurred administrative expenses, mainly for book keeping and statutory filing We have disposed of our GST operations as of September 1, 2022. However, since these laws and regulations are relatively new and the PRC legal system continues to rapidly evolve, the interpretations of many laws, regulations and rules are not always uniform and enforcement of these laws, regulations and rules involves uncertainties.
From time to time, we may have to resort to administrative and court proceedings to enforce our legal rights. However, since PRC administrative and court authorities have significant discretion in interpreting and implementing statutory and contractual terms, it may be more difficult to evaluate the outcome of administrative and court proceedings and the level of protection we enjoy than in more developed legal systems. Furthermore, the PRC legal system is based in part on government policies and internal rules, some of which are not published on a timely basis or at all, and which may have a retroactive effect. As a result, we may not be aware of our violation of any of these policies and rules until sometime after the violation. In addition, any administrative and court proceedings in China may be protracted, resulting in substantial costs and diversion of resources and management attention. Such uncertainties, including uncertainty over the scope and effect of our contractual, property (including intellectual property) and procedural rights, and any failure to respond to changes in the regulatory environment in China could materially and adversely affect our business and impede our ability to continue our operations.
The Chinese government exerts substantial influence over the manner in which we must conduct our business activities, which could result in a material change in our operations and/or the value of our ordinary shares. The Chinese government may intervene or influence our operations at any time, which could result in a material change in our operations and the value of our ordinary shares. Additionally, governmental and regulatory interference 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.
The Chinese government has exercised and continues to exercise substantial control over virtually every sector of the Chinese economy through regulation and state ownership. Our ability to operate in China may be harmed by changes in its laws and regulations, including those relating to taxation, environmental regulations, land use rights, property, and other matters. The central or local governments of these jurisdictions may impose new, stricter regulations or interpretations of existing regulations that would require additional expenditures and efforts on our part to ensure our compliance with such regulations or interpretations. Accordingly, government actions in the future, including any decision not to continue to support recent economic reforms and to return to a more centrally planned economy or regional or local variations in the implementation of economic policies, could have a significant effect on economic conditions in China or particular regions thereof and could require us to divest ourselves of any interest we then hold in Chinese properties.
As such, the Company’s business segments may be subject to various government and regulatory interference in the provinces in which they operate. The Company could be subject to regulation by various political and regulatory entities, including various local and municipal agencies and government sub-divisions. The Company may incur increased costs necessary to comply with existing and newly adopted laws and regulations or penalties for any failure to comply. The Company’s operations could be adversely affected, directly or indirectly, by existing or future laws and regulations relating to its business or industry. Given that the Chinese government may intervene or influence our operations at any time, it could result in a material change in our operation and the value of our ordinary shares. Given recent statements by the Chinese government indicating an intent to exert more oversight and control over offerings that are conducted overseas, any such action 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.
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 on Severe and Lawful Crackdown on Illegal Securities Activities, which were available to the public on July 6, 2021. These opinions emphasized the need to strengthen the administration over illegal securities activities and the supervision on overseas listings by China-based companies. These opinions proposed to take effective measures, such as promoting the construction of relevant regulatory systems, to deal with the risks and incidents facing China-based overseas-listed companies and the demand for cybersecurity and data privacy protection. Moreover, the State Internet Information Office issued the Measures of Cybersecurity Review (Revised Draft for Comments, not yet effective) on July 10, 2021, which require operators with personal information of more than 1 million users who want to list abroad to file a cybersecurity review with the Office of Cybersecurity Review. The aforementioned policies and any related implementation rules to be enacted may subject us to additional compliance requirement in the future.
Our PRC subsidiary was disposed of on September 1, 2022 and we do not believe the Company or its PRC subsidiary are or will become subject to enhanced cybersecurity review or investigation. Further, while we continue to have operations in Hong Kong through the Hong Kong subsidiaries, we believe that our operations are not affected by this since these statements and regulatory actions are new, it is highly uncertain how soon the legislative or administrative regulation making bodies will respond and what existing or new laws or regulations or detailed implementations and interpretations will be modified or promulgated, if any. It is also highly uncertain what the potential impacts such modified or new laws and regulations will have on our business operations, its ability to accept foreign investments and the listing of our Shares on a U.S. or other foreign exchanges. If certain PRC laws and regulations were to become applicable to a company such as us in the future, the application of such laws and regulations may have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations and our ability to offer or continue to offer securities to investors, any of which may cause the value of our securities, including our Shares, to significantly decline or become worthless.
We may be liable for improper use or appropriation of personal information provided by our customers.
Although limited, our business involves retaining certain customer data. We also maintain information about various aspects of our operations as well as regarding our employees. Our customers and employees expect that we will adequately protect their personal information. We are required by applicable laws to keep strictly confidential the personal information that we collect, and to take adequate security measures to safeguard such information.
The Civil Code of the PRC (issued by the PRC National People’s Congress on May 28, 2020 and effective from January 1, 2021) provides legal basis for privacy and personal information infringement claims under the Chinese civil laws. PRC regulators, including the CAC, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, or MIIT, and the Ministry of Public Security, have been increasingly focused on regulation in data security and data protection.
The PRC regulatory requirements regarding cybersecurity are evolving. For instance, various regulatory bodies in China, including the CAC, the Ministry of Public Security, and the State Administration for Market Regulation, or the SAMR (formerly known as State Administration for Industry and Commerce, or the SAIC), have enforced data privacy and protection laws and regulations with varying and evolving standards and interpretations. In April 2020, the Chinese government promulgated Cybersecurity Review Measures, which came into effect on June 1, 2020. According to the Cybersecurity Review Measures, operators of critical information infrastructure must pass a cybersecurity review when purchasing network products and services which do or may affect national security.
As there remains significant uncertainty in the interpretation and enforcement of relevant PRC cybersecurity laws and regulations, we could be subject to cybersecurity review, and if so, we may not be able to pass such review in relation to this offering. In addition, we could become subject to enhanced cybersecurity review or investigations launched by PRC regulators in the future. Any failure or delay in the completion of the cybersecurity review procedures or any other non-compliance with the related laws and regulations may result in fines or other penalties, including suspension of business, website closure, removal of our app from the relevant app stores, and revocation of prerequisite licenses, as well as reputational damage or legal proceedings or actions against us, which may have material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.
On June 10, 2021, the SCNPC promulgated the PRC Data Security Law, which took effect in September 2021. The PRC Data Security Law imposes data security and privacy obligations on entities and individuals carrying out data activities, and introduces a data classification and hierarchical protection system based on the importance of data in economic and social development, and the degree of harm it will cause to national security, public interests, or legitimate rights and interests of individuals or organizations when such data is tampered with, destroyed, leaked, illegally acquired or used. The PRC Data Security Law also provides for a national security review procedure for data activities that may affect national security and imposes export restrictions on certain data an information.
As uncertainties remain regarding the interpretation and implementation of these laws and regulations, we cannot assure you that we will comply with such regulations in all respects, and we may be ordered to rectify or terminate any actions that are deemed illegal by regulatory authorities. We may also become subject to fines and/or other sanctions which may have material adverse effect on our business, operations, and financial condition.
While we take various measures to comply with all applicable data privacy and protection laws and regulations, our current security measures and those of our third-party service providers may not always be adequate for the protection of our customer, employee, or company data. We may be a target for computer hackers, foreign governments, or cyber terrorists in the future.
Unauthorized access to our proprietary internal and customer data may be obtained through break-ins, sabotage, breach of our secure network by an unauthorized party, computer viruses, computer denial-of-service attacks, employee theft or misuse, breach of the security of the networks of our third-party service providers, or other misconduct. Because the techniques used by computer programmers who may attempt to penetrate and sabotage our proprietary internal and customer data change frequently and may not be recognized until launched against a target, we may be unable to anticipate these techniques.
Unauthorized access to our proprietary internal and customer data may also be obtained through inadequate use of security controls. Any of such incidents may harm our reputation and adversely affect our business and results of operations. In addition, we may be subject to negative publicity about our security and privacy policies, systems, or measurements. Any failure to prevent or mitigate security breaches, cyber-attacks or other unauthorized access to our systems or disclosure of our customers’ data, including their personal information, could result in loss or misuse of such data, interruptions to our service system, diminished customer experience, loss of customer confidence and trust, impairment of our technology infrastructure, and harm our reputation and business, resulting in significant legal and financial exposure and potential lawsuits.
You may face difficulties in protecting your interests and exercising your rights as a stockholder of ours since we conduct substantially all of our operations in Hong Kong and all of our officers and directors reside in Hong Kong.
We conduct substantially all of our operations in Hong Kong. All of our current officers and directors reside outside the United States and substantially all of the assets of those persons are located outside of the United States. Because of this factor, it may be difficult for you to conduct due diligence on our company, our executive officers or directors and attend stockholders meetings if the meetings are held in China. As a result, our public stockholders may have more difficulty in protecting their interests through actions against our management, directors or major stockholders than would stockholders of a corporation doing business entirely or predominantly within the United States.
If we become subject to additional scrutiny, criticism and negative publicity involving U.S.-listed China-based companies, we may have to expend significant resources to investigate and resolve the matter which could harm our business operations, this offering and our reputation and could result in a loss of your investment in our ordinary shares, especially if such matter cannot be addressed and resolved favourably.
Recently, 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. Much of the scrutiny, criticism and negative publicity has centered around financial and accounting irregularities, a lack of effective internal controls over financial accounting, inadequate corporate governance policies or a lack of adherence thereto and, in some cases, allegations of fraud. As a result of the scrutiny, criticism and negative publicity, the publicly traded stock of many U.S.-listed China-based companies has decreased in value and, in some cases, has become virtually worthless. Many of these companies have been subject to shareholder lawsuits and SEC enforcement actions and have conducted 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 this offering. If we become the subject of any unfavourable 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 may be a major distraction to our management. If such allegations are not proven to be groundless, our business operations will be severely hindered and your investment in our ordinary shares could be rendered worthless.
Risk of Investing in Hong Kong: Investments in Hong Kong issuers may subject the Fund to legal, regulatory, political, currency, security, and economic risk specific to Hong Kong. China is Hong Kong’s largest trading partner, both in terms of exports and imports. Any changes in the Chinese economy, trade regulations or currency exchange rates, or a tightening of China’s control over Hong Kong, including in connection with recent protests and unrest, may have an adverse impact on Hong Kong’s economy.
Risk of Investing in China: Investment exposure to China subjects the Fund to risks specific to China. China may be subject to considerable degrees of economic, political and social instability. Concerns about the rising government and household debt levels could impact the stability of the Chinese economy. China is an emerging market and demonstrates significantly higher volatility from time to time in comparison to developed markets. Over the last few decades, the Chinese government has undertaken reform of economic and market practices, including recent reforms to liberalize its capital markets and expand the sphere for private ownership of property in China. However, Chinese markets generally continue to experience inefficiency, volatility and pricing anomalies resulting from governmental influence, a lack of publicly available information and/or political and social instability. Internal social unrest or confrontations with other neighboring countries, including military conflicts in response to such events, may also disrupt economic development in China and result in a greater risk of currency fluctuations, currency convertibility, interest rate fluctuations and higher rates of inflation. China has experienced security concerns, such as terrorism and strained international relations, as well as major health crises. These health crises include, but are not limited to, the rapid and pandemic spread of novel viruses commonly known as SARS, MERS, and COVID-19 (Coronavirus). Such health crises could exacerbate political, social, and economic risks previously mentioned. Additionally, China is alleged to have participated in state-sponsored cyberattacks against foreign companies and foreign governments. Actual and threatened responses to such activity, including purchasing restrictions, sanctions, tariffs or cyberattacks on the Chinese government or Chinese companies, may impact China’s economy and Chinese issuers of securities in which the Fund invests. Incidents involving China’s or the region’s security, including the contagion of infectious viruses or diseases, may cause uncertainty in Chinese markets and may adversely affect the Chinese economy and the Fund’s investments. Export growth continues to be a major driver of China’s rapid economic growth. Elevated trade tensions between China and its trading partners, including the imposition of U.S. tariffs on certain Chinese goods and increased international pressure related to Chinese trade policy and forced technology transfers and intellectual property protections, may have a substantial impact on the Chinese economy. Reduction in spending on Chinese products and services, institution of additional tariffs or other trade barriers (including as a result of heightened trade tensions between China and the U.S. or in response to actual or alleged Chinese cyber activity), or a downturn in any of the economies of China’s key trading partners may have an adverse impact on the Chinese economy. The continuation or worsening of the current political climate between China and the U.S. could result in additional regulatory restrictions being contemplated or imposed on the U.S. or in China that could impact the Fund’s ability to invest in certain companies. Chinese companies, including Chinese companies that are listed on U.S. exchanges, are not subject to the same degree of regulatory requirements, accounting standards or auditor oversight as companies in more developed countries, and as a result, information about the Chinese securities in which the Fund invests may be less reliable or complete. There may be significant obstacles to obtaining information necessary for investigations into or litigation against Chinese companies and shareholders may have limited legal remedies. Investments in China may be subject to loss due to expropriation or nationalization of assets and property or the imposition of restrictions on foreign investments and repatriation of capital. China has implemented a number of tax reforms in recent years and may amend or revise its existing tax laws and/or procedures in the future, possibly with retroactive effect. Changes in applicable Chinese tax law could reduce the after-tax profits of the Fund, directly or indirectly, including by reducing the after-tax profits of companies in China in which the Fund invests. Uncertainties in Chinese tax rules could result in unexpected tax liabilities for the Fund.
Risks Related to our Common Stock
Trading in our stock is limited by the SEC’s penny stock regulations.
Our stock is categorized as a penny stock. The SEC has adopted Rule 15g-9 which generally defines “penny stock” to be any equity security that has a market price (as defined) less than US$ 5.00 per share or an exercise price of less than US $5.00 per share, subject to certain exclusions (e.g., net tangible assets in excess of $2,000,000 or average revenue of at least $6,000,000 for the last three years). The penny stock rules impose additional sales practice requirements on broker-dealers who sell to persons other than established customers and accredited investors. The penny stock rules require a broker-dealer, prior to a transaction in a penny stock not otherwise exempt from the rules, to deliver a standardized risk disclosure document in a form prepared by the SEC, which provides information about penny stocks and the nature and level of risks in the penny stock market. The broker-dealer also must provide the customer with current bid and offer quotations for the penny stock, the compensation of the broker-dealer and its salesperson in the transaction, and monthly account statements showing the market value of each penny stock held in the customer’s account. The bid and offer quotations, and the broker-dealer and salesperson compensation information, must be given to the customer orally or in writing prior to effecting the transaction and must be given to the customer in writing before or with the customer’s confirmation. In addition, the penny stock rules require that prior to a transaction in a penny stock not otherwise exempt from these rules, the broker-dealer must make a special written determination that the penny stock is a suitable investment for the purchaser and receive the purchaser’s written agreement to the transaction. Finally, broker-dealers may not handle penny stocks under $0.10 per share.
These disclosure requirements reduce the level of trading activity in the secondary market for the stock that is subject to these penny stock rules. Consequently, these penny stock rules would affect the ability of broker-dealers to trade our securities if we become subject to them in the future. The penny stock rules also could discourage investor interest in and limit the marketability of our common stock to future investors, resulting in limited ability for investors to sell their shares.
FINRA sales practice requirements may also limit a shareholder’s ability to buy and sell our stock.
In addition to the “penny stock” rules described above, FINRA has adopted rules that require that in recommending an investment to a customer, a broker-dealer must have reasonable grounds for believing that the investment is suitable for that customer. Prior to recommending speculative low priced securities to their non-institutional customers, broker-dealers must make reasonable efforts to obtain information about the customer’s financial status, tax status, investment objectives and other information. Under interpretations of these rules, FINRA believes that there is a high probability that speculative low priced securities will not be suitable for at least some customers. The FINRA requirements make it more difficult for broker-dealers to recommend that their customers buy our common stock, which may limit your ability to buy and sell our stock and have an adverse effect on the market for our shares.
The market price of our common stock may be volatile.
The market price of our common stock has been and is likely in the future to be volatile. Our common stock price may fluctuate in response to factors such as:
• | Halting of trading by the SEC or FINRA. |
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• | Announcements by us regarding liquidity, legal proceedings, significant acquisitions, equity investments and divestitures, strategic relationships, addition or loss of significant customers and contracts, capital expenditure commitments, loan, note payable and agreement defaults, loss of our subsidiaries and impairment of assets, |
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• | Issuance of convertible or equity securities for general or merger and acquisition purposes, |
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• | Issuance or repayment of debt, accounts payable or convertible debt for general or merger and acquisition purposes, |
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• | Sale of a significant number of shares of our common stock by shareholders, |
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• | General market and economic conditions, |
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• | Quarterly variations in our operating results, |
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• | Investor relation activities, |
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• | Announcements of technological innovations, |
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• | New product introductions by us or our competitors, |
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• | Competitive activities, and |
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• | Additions or departures of key personnel. |
These broad market and industry factors may have a material adverse effect on the market price of our common stock, regardless of our actual operating performance. These factors could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and/or results of operations.
We do not anticipate paying any cash dividends on our capital stock in the foreseeable future.
We have never declared or paid cash dividends on our capital stock. We currently intend to retain all of our future earnings, if any, to finance the growth and development of our business, and we do not anticipate paying any cash dividends on our capital stock in the foreseeable future. In addition, the terms of any future debt agreements may preclude us from paying dividends. As a result, capital appreciation, if any, of our common stock will be your sole source of gain for the foreseeable future.