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Fortune Valley Treasures (FVTI) Risk Analysis

Public companies are required to disclose risks that can affect the business and impact the stock. These disclosures are known as “Risk Factors”. Companies disclose these risks in their yearly (Form 10-K), quarterly earnings (Form 10-Q), or “foreign private issuer” reports (Form 20-F). Risk factors show the challenges a company faces. Investors can consider the worst-case scenarios before making an investment. TipRanks’ Risk Analysis categorizes risks based on proprietary classification algorithms and machine learning. Fortune Valley Treasures disclosed 71 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. Fortune Valley Treasures reported the most risks in the “Legal & Regulatory” category.

Risk Overview Q4, 2023

Source: the company's latest filing for the period ended Dec 31, 2023, filed Apr 15, 2024

Risk Distribution
71Risks
Sector Avg.Finance & CorporateTech & InnovationLegal & RegulatoryProductionAbility to SellMacro & Political
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy

Risk Change Over Time

Fortune Valley Treasures disclosed risks per quarterNo. of Risks69.757070.2570.570.757171.25Q4Q4Showing: Q4, 2023
Risks removedRisks addedRisks changedFortune Valley Treasures Risk Factors
New Risk (1)
  • Cyber Security - Risk 1
    While we are not aware of any data breach in the past, future cyberattacks, computer viruses or any failure to adequately maintain security and prevent unauthorized access to our information technology system or data could result in a disruption of our business operations and materially adversely affect our reputation, financial condition and operating results.

    The protection of our customers', business partners', our Company's and employees' data is critically important to us. Our customers, business partners, and employees expect we will adequately safeguard and protect their sensitive personal and business information. We have become increasingly dependent upon automated information technology processes. Improper activities by third parties, exploitation of encryption technology, data-hacking tools and discoveries and other events or developments may result in a future compromise or breach of our networks, payment terminals or other settlement systems. In particular, the techniques used by criminals to obtain unauthorized access to sensitive data change frequently and often are not recognized until launched against a target; accordingly, we may be unable to anticipate these techniques or implement adequate preventative measures. There can be no assurance that we will not suffer a criminal cyber-attack in the future, that unauthorized parties will not gain access to personal or business information or sensitive data, or that any such incident will be discovered in a timely manner. We also face indirect technology, cybersecurity and operational risks relating to the third parties whom we work with to facilitate our business activities, including, among others, third-party online service providers who manage accounts for our customers and external cloud service provider. As a result of increasing consolidation and interdependence of technology systems, a technology failure, cyber-attack or other information or security breach that significantly compromises the systems of one entity could have a material impact on its counterparties. Any cyber-attack, computer viruses, physical or electronic break-ins or similar disruptions of such third-party service providers could adversely affect our operations and could result in misappropriation of funds of our customers. Security breaches or unauthorized access to confidential information could also expose us to liability related to the loss of the information, time-consuming and expensive litigation and negative publicity. If security measures are breached because of third-party action, employee error, malfeasance or otherwise, or if design flaws in our technology infrastructure are exposed and exploited, our relationships with customers and cooperation partners could be severely damaged, we could incur significant liability and our business and operations could be adversely affected.

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Risk Highlights Q4, 2023

Main Risk Category
Legal & Regulatory
With 21 Risks
Number of Disclosed Risks
71
+1
From last report
S&P 500 Average: 32
Recent Changes
1Risks added
0Risks removed
1Risks changed
Since Dec 2023
Number of Risk Changed
1
-3
From last report
S&P 500 Average: 1

Risk Word Cloud

supply chain issues that increase our costs or cause a delay in our ability to fulfill orders, could have an adverse impact on our business and operating results, and our failure to estimate customer demand properly may result in excess or obsolete product supply, which could adversely affect our gross margins.our ability to fulfill ordersyou may experience difficulties in effecting service of legal process, enforcing foreign judgments or bringing original actions in china against us or hong kong or other foreign laws.effecting service of legal processbecause our retail customers and distributors are not required to place minimum orders with us, we need to manage our inventory levels, and it is difficult to predict the timing and amount of our sales.to manage our inventory levelswe may be exposed to intellectual property infringement and other claims by third parties which, if successful, could disrupt our business and have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.exposed to intellectual property infringementbecause our retail customers and distributors are not required to place minimum orders with us, we need to manage our inventory levels, and it is difficult to predict the timing and amount of our sales.required to place minimum ordersif the products we sell are not safe or otherwise fail to meet our customers' expectations, we could lose customers, incur liability for any injuries suffered by customers using or consuming our products or otherwise experience a material impact to our brand, reputation and financial performance. we are also subject to reputational and other risks related to third-party sales on our online platforms.risks related to third-party salesnewly enacted holding foreign companies accountable act, recent regulatory actions taken by the sec and the public company accounting oversight board, and proposed rule changes submitted by nasdaq calling for additional and more stringent criteria to be applied to china-based public companies could add uncertainties to our capital raising activities and compliance costs.applied to china-based public companiesnewly enacted holding foreign companies accountable act, recent regulatory actions taken by the sec and the public company accounting oversight board, and proposed rule changes submitted by nasdaq calling for additional and more stringent criteria to be applied to china-based public companies could add uncertainties to our capital raising activities and compliance costs.public company accounting oversight boardif we are unable to maintain brand image and product quality, or if we encounter other product issues such as product recalls, our business may suffer.unable to maintain brand imagethe effect of hkaa and other u.s. government policies in response to the enactment of law of the prc on safeguarding national security in the hong kong special administrative region (the "hong kong national security law") could impact our hong kong holding subsidiaries.hong kong special administrative region

Risk Factors Full Breakdown - Total Risks 71

Regulation15 | 21.1%
  • Regulation - Risk 1
    We may be subject to penalties under relevant PRC laws and regulations due to failure to make full social security and housing fund contributions for our employees.

    Our PRC subsidiaries have not made full contribution to the social security and housing funds for some or all of their employees as required by the relevant social security and housing fund regulations. Pursuant to the Regulation on the Administration of Housing Accumulation Funds, as amended in 2019, the relevant housing fund authority may order an enterprise to pay outstanding contributions within a prescribed time limit. Pursuant to the PRC Social Insurance Law promulgated in 2010 and amended in 2018, the social security authority may order an enterprise to pay the outstanding contributions within a prescribed time limit and may impose penalties if there is a failure to do so. To the extent the relevant authorities determine we have not paid or underpaid, our PRC subsidiaries may be required to pay outstanding contributions and penalties to the extent they did not make full contributions to the social security and housing funds. In addition, in July 2018, the General Office of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the General Office of the State Council jointly issued the Reform Plan of the Taxation and Collection Systems of National Taxes and Local Taxes, which states that, effective January 1, 2019, basic pension insurance premiums, basic medical insurance premiums, unemployment insurance premiums, injury insurance premiums and maternity insurance premiums shall be levied by the tax authorities. Under the new system, tax collection is likely to be stringently administrated and enforced. As of the date hereof, the aggregate amount of unpaid social security and housing fund contributions is approximately RMB 899,940 (approximately $135,985) and the amount of potential penalties, if levied, is estimated to be RMB 133,460 (approximately $20,187). Due to the fact that the payment of social security and housing accumulation funds will reduce the net amounts of the employees' wages, after consulting with and receiving voluntary waivers from those employees, our PRC subsidiaries decided not to pay social security and housing accumulation funds for those employees in full. As of the date of this report, we have not had any complaints, investigations, lawsuits and arbitration proceedings brought against us by our employees or PRC authorities. In addition, according to the Enterprise Credit Report issued by the government, our subsidiaries are in good standing and have not been warned or administratively penalized for failing to pay social security and housing accumulation funds. Our PRC subsidiaries intend to pay the full social security and housing accumulation funds for employees according to the laws and regulations. With respect to the previously unpaid social security and housing funds of our PRC subsidiaries, one of our major shareholders, Yumin Lin, has provided a personal guarantee that, if the subsidiaries incur any losses due to our subsidiaries' failure to pay full contributions, he would be jointly liable for the payment to compensate any losses the Company may incur. For the reasons stated above, we don't believe that our subsidiaries' business and operations would be materially adversely affected by previous nonpayment of full social security and housing accumulation fund contributions. Nevertheless, there can be no assurance that our subsidiaries will not be required to pay all of the previously delinquent social insurance and housing fund contribution amounts and associated administrative penalties or that any financial losses our subsidiaries may suffer will actually be borne by Mr. Lin through his personal guarantee.

  • Regulation - Risk 2
    We may be unable to obtain or renew required permits, licenses or approvals necessary for our business operations, and could be imposed with fines and penalties for any violations of the license requirements.

    We are required to maintain certain permits, licenses and approvals issued by relevant government agencies to operate business in the PRC. Our inability to secure any permits, licenses and approvals in the PRC in a timely manner or at all could result in operational delays, suspensions and/or administrative fines and penalties, which could have a material adverse effect on our operations, results of operations and financial condition. The Telecommunications Regulations of the PRC issued by the State Council of the PRC, as amended, provide the general framework for the provision of telecommunication services by PRC companies and require a telecommunication service provider in China to obtain an operating license from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, or MIIT, or its provincial counterparts, prior to commencement of operations. Our subsidiary, FVT Supply Chain, engages in food, beverage and related product purchases and sales via its online platform. As a provider of online data processing and transaction processing services, FVT Supply Chain is required to obtain a license issued by the relevant telecommunications administrative authorities and has applied for an Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) certificate. The online platform run by FVT Supply Chain was registered and established on August 14, 2019 and put into operations in April 2021. FVT Supply Chain obtained the EDI License on September 30, 2021. Prior to receiving the License, the company was not qualified to operate value-added telecommunication services for several months. Under the Telecommunication Regulation of the People's Republic of China (2016 Revision), we could be subject to fines and penalties and the income generated before receiving the EDI License could be confiscated. Since our online platform was in the test phase before we obtained the EDI License and income from the platform operations was very small, and we have not received any notice of warning or penalty from the administration agency, we believe that such fines and penalties, if imposed, would not have a material adverse effect on our operations and financial condition. Pursuant to the Measures for the Administration of Food Business Licenses, businesses engaged in food operations activities without a food business license are subject to penalties imposed under the Food Safety Law of the People's Republic of China. The Food Safety Law provides, among other things, that any person engages in food production and business activities without a food production and business license shall be subject to confiscation of illegal income and tools, equipment, and other items used in illegal production and operation, and be subject to fines and penalties as set forth in the applicable provisions. Therefore, companies that carry out food related operations before obtaining food business licenses are at risk of being subject to administrative penalties. Our subsidiary, Xixingdao and some of its subsidiaries, had engaged in certain food purchase and sale activities before obtaining their food business licenses. We cannot assure you that the relevant administrative agencies will not impose fines and penalties for our prior sale should they decide to enforce the above PRC license requirements for prior violations. Should our subsidiaries be required to pay fines or penalties, our results of operations and financial condition would be materially adversely affected. In addition, there is no assurance that we will be able to renew any existing permits, licenses and approvals when they expire or that we will be able to obtain or renew future permits, licenses and approvals in a timely manner, or at all. Further, there can be no assurance that such permits, licenses or approvals will not be revoked for whatever reason by the relevant authorities in the future. Failure to obtain or renew such permits, licenses and approvals as planned could materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.

  • Regulation - Risk 3
    PRC regulation of loans and direct investment by offshore holding companies in PRC entities may delay or prevent us from using the proceeds of our securities offerings to make loans or additional capital contributions to our PRC operating subsidiaries, which could materially and adversely affect our liquidity and our ability to fund and expand our business.

    In the normal course of our business, we may make loans to our PRC subsidiaries or may make additional capital contributions to our PRC subsidiaries. Any loans to our wholly foreign-owned or holding subsidiaries in China, which are treated as foreign-invested enterprises ("FIEs") under PRC law, are subject to PRC regulations and foreign exchange loan registrations. For example, loans by us to our FIE subsidiaries in China to finance their activities cannot exceed statutory limits and must be registered with SAFE or its local counterparts, or filed with SAFE in its information system. In addition, a foreign invested enterprise shall use its capital pursuant to the principle of authenticity and self-use within its business scope. The capital of a foreign invested enterprise shall not be used for the following purposes: (i) directly or indirectly used for payment beyond the business scope of the enterprises or the payment prohibited by relevant laws and regulations; (ii) directly or indirectly used for investment in securities or investments other than banks' principal-secured products unless otherwise provided by relevant laws and regulations; (iii) granting of loans to non-affiliated enterprises, except where it is expressly permitted in the business license; and (iv) paying the expenses related to the purchase of real estate that is not for self-use (except for the foreign-invested real estate enterprises). SAFE promulgated the Notice of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange on Reforming the Administration of Foreign Exchange Settlement of Capital of Foreign-invested Enterprises, or SAFE Circular 19, effective June 2015, in replacement of the Circular on the Relevant Operating Issues Concerning the Improvement of the Administration of the Payment and Settlement of Foreign Currency Capital of Foreign-Invested Enterprises, the Notice from the State Administration of Foreign Exchange on Relevant Issues Concerning Strengthening the Administration of Foreign Exchange Businesses, and the Circular on Further Clarification and Regulation of the Issues Concerning the Administration of Certain Capital Account Foreign Exchange Businesses. According to SAFE Circular 19, the flow and use of the RMB capital converted from foreign currency-denominated registered capital of a foreign-invested company is regulated such that RMB capital may not be used for the issuance of RMB entrusted loans, the repayment of inter-enterprise loans or the repayment of banks loans that have been transferred to a third party. Although SAFE Circular 19 allows RMB capital converted from foreign currency-denominated registered capital of a foreign-invested enterprise to be used for equity investments within China, it also reiterates the principle that RMB converted from the foreign currency-denominated capital of a foreign-invested company may not be directly or indirectly used for purposes beyond its business scope. SAFE promulgated the Notice of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange on Reforming and Standardizing the Foreign Exchange Settlement Management Policy of Capital Account, or SAFE Circular 16, effective on June 9, 2016, which reiterates some of the rules set forth in SAFE Circular 19, but changes the prohibition against using RMB capital converted from foreign currency-denominated registered capital of a foreign-invested company to issue RMB entrusted loans to a prohibition against using such capital to issue loans to non-associated enterprises. Violations of SAFE Circular 19 and SAFE Circular 16 could result in administrative penalties. SAFE Circular 19 and SAFE Circular 16 may significantly limit our ability to transfer any foreign currency we hold, including the net proceeds from this offering, to our PRC subsidiaries, which may adversely affect our liquidity and our ability to fund and expand our business in China. On October 23, 2019, the SAFE promulgated the Notice of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange on Further Promoting the Convenience of Cross-border Trade and Investment, or the SAFE Circular 28, which, among other things, allows all foreign-invested companies to use Renminbi converted from foreign currency-denominated capital for equity investments in China, as long as the equity investment is genuine, does not violate applicable laws, and complies with the negative list on foreign investment. However, since the SAFE Circular 28 is newly promulgated, it is unclear how SAFE and competent banks will implement the relevant rules in practice. In light of the various requirements imposed by PRC regulations on loans to and direct investment in PRC entities by offshore holding companies, we cannot be certain that we will be able to complete the necessary government registrations or obtain the necessary government approvals on a timely basis, if at all, with respect to future loans to our PRC subsidiaries or future capital contributions by us to our subsidiaries in China. As a result, uncertainties exist as to our ability to provide prompt funding to our PRC subsidiaries when needed. If we fail to complete such registrations or obtain such approvals, our ability to use the proceeds we expect to receive from this offering and to capitalize or otherwise fund our PRC operations may be negatively affected, which could materially and adversely affect our financial condition and operating results.

  • Regulation - Risk 4
    Provisions in the Nevada Revised Statutes and our Bylaws could make it very difficult for an investor to bring any legal actions against our directors or officers for violations of their fiduciary duties or could require us to pay any amounts incurred by our directors or officers in any such actions.

    Members of our board of directors and our officers will have no liability for breaches of their fiduciary duty of care as a director or officer, except in limited circumstances, pursuant to provisions in the Nevada Revised Statutes and our Bylaws as authorized by the Nevada Revised Statutes. Specifically, Section 78.138 of the Nevada Revised Statutes provides that a director or officer is not individually liable to the company or its shareholders or creditors for any damages as a result of any act or failure to act in his or her capacity as a director or officer unless it is proven that (1) the director's or officer's act or failure to act constituted a breach of his or her fiduciary duties as a director or officer and (2) his or her breach of those duties involved intentional misconduct, fraud or a knowing violation of law. This provision is intended to afford directors and officers protection against and to limit their potential liability for monetary damages resulting from suits alleging a breach of the duty of care by a director or officer. Accordingly, you may be unable to prevail in a legal action against our directors or officers even if they have breached their fiduciary duty of care. In addition, we are allowed to indemnify our directors and officers from and against any and all costs, charges and expenses resulting from their acting in such capacities with us. If you were able to enforce an action against our directors or officers, in all likelihood, we would be required to pay any expenses they incurred in defending the lawsuit and any judgment or settlement they otherwise would be required to pay. Accordingly, our indemnification obligations could divert needed financial resources and may adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows, and adversely affect prevailing market prices for our common stock.

  • Regulation - Risk 5
    Any failure or perceived failure by our PRC subsidiaries to comply with the Anti-Monopoly Guidelines for Internet Platforms Economy Sector and other PRC anti-monopoly laws and regulations may result in governmental investigations or enforcement actions, litigation or claims against us and could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

    The PRC anti-monopoly enforcement agencies have strengthened enforcement under the PRC Anti-Monopoly Law in the recent years. On December 28, 2018, the SAMR issued the Notice on Anti-monopoly Enforcement Authorization, pursuant to which its province-level branches are authorized to conduct anti-monopoly enforcement within their respective jurisdictions. On September 11, 2020, the Anti-Monopoly Commission of the State Council issued Anti-monopoly Compliance Guideline for Operators, which requires operators to establish anti-monopoly compliance management systems under the PRC Anti-Monopoly Law to manage anti-monopoly compliance risks. On February 7, 2021, the Anti-Monopoly Commission of the State Council published Anti-Monopoly Guidelines for the Internet Platform Economy Sector that specified circumstances under which an activity of an internet platform will be identified as monopolistic act as well as concentration filing procedures for business operators. According to the PRC Anti-Monopoly Law, if a business operator carries out a concentration in violation of the law, the relevant authority shall order the business operator to terminate the concentration, dispose of the shares or assets or transfer the business within a specified time limit, or take other measures to restore the pre-concentration status, and impose a fine of up to RMB500,000. On March 12, 2021, the SAMR published several administrative penalty cases in connection with concentration of business operators that violated PRC Anti-Monopoly Law in the internet sector. On October 23, 2021, the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress issued a discussion draft of the amended Anti-Monopoly Law, which proposes to increase the fines for illegal concentration of business operators to "no more than ten percent of its last year's sales revenue if the concentration of business operator has or may have an effect of excluding or limiting competition; or a fine of up to RMB5 million if the concentration of business operator does not have an effect of excluding or limiting competition." The draft also proposes for the relevant authority to investigate transaction where there is evidence that the concentration has or may have the effect of eliminating or restricting competition, even if such concentration does not reach the filing threshold. On December 24, 2021, nine government agencies, including the NDRC, jointly issued the Opinions on Promoting the Healthy and Sustainable Development of Platform Economy, which provides that, among others, monopolistic agreements, abuse of dominant market position and illegal concentration of business operators in the field of platform economy will be strictly investigated and punished in accordance with the relevant laws. At the present time, we have a relatively small scale supply chain platform operations based on our market share in our product markets and other factors. We are not an operator with a dominant market position, and our operating activity cannot constitute an anti-monopoly behavior that abuses our dominant market position. We have not entered into monopoly agreements prohibited by the Anti-Monopoly Law with competing business operators. As of the date of the report, we have not received a notification from the anti-monopoly regulatory authority requiring us to file the concentration of undertakings or received any related administrative penalties. We believe that we are in compliance with the currently effective PRC anti-monopoly laws in all material aspects. Nevertheless, if the PRC regulatory authorities identify any of our activities as monopolistic under the PRC Anti-Monopoly Law or the Anti-Monopoly Guidelines for the Internet Platform Economy Sector, we may be subject to investigations and administrative penalties, and therefore materially and adversely affect our financial conditions, operations and business prospects. If we are required to take any rectifying or remedial measures or are subject to any penalties, our reputation and business operations may be materially and adversely affected.

  • Regulation - Risk 6
    The Chinese government may intervene or influence our operations at any time, or may exert more control over offerings conducted overseas and/or foreign investment in China-based issuers, which could result in a material change in our operations and/or the value of the securities we are registering for sale.

    The Chinese government has significant oversight and discretion over the conduct of our business and may intervene or influence our operations as the government deems appropriate to further regulatory, political and societal goals. The Chinese government has recently published new policies that significantly affected certain industries such as the education and internet industries, and we cannot rule out the possibility that it will in the future release regulations or policies regarding the food and beverage industry or the supply chain industry that could require us to seek permission from Chinese authorities to continue to operate our business, which may adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. Furthermore, recent statements made by the Chinese government have indicated an intent to increase the government's oversight and control over offerings of companies with significant operations in mainland China that are to be conducted in foreign markets, as well as foreign investment in China-based issuers like us. Any future action by the Chinese government expanding the categories of industries and companies whose foreign securities offerings are subject to government review could significantly limit or completely hinder our ability to offer or continue to offer securities to investors or could disallow our current operating structure, which would likely result in a material change in our operations and/or a material change in the value of our securities, including causing the value of such securities to significantly decline or become worthless. On July 6, 2021, the General Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the General Office of the State Council jointly issued a document to crack down on illegal activities in the securities market and promote the high-quality development of the capital market, which, among other things, requires the relevant governmental authorities to strengthen cross-border oversight of law enforcement and judicial cooperation, to enhance supervision over China-based companies listed overseas, and to establish and improve the system of extraterritorial application of the PRC securities laws. Since this document is relatively new, uncertainties still exist in relation to how soon legislative or administrative regulation making bodies will respond and what existing or new laws or regulations or detailed implementations and interpretations will be modified or promulgated, if any, and the potential impact such modified or new laws and regulations will have on our future business combination with a company with major operation in China. Further, Chinese government continues to exert more oversight and control over Chinese technology firms. On July 2, 2021, Chinese cybersecurity regulator announced, that it had begun an investigation of Didi Global Inc. (NYSE: DIDI) and two days later ordered that the company's application be removed from smartphone application stores. On July 5, 2021, the Chinese cybersecurity regulator launched the same investigation on two other Internet platforms, China's Full Truck Alliance of Full Truck Alliance Co. Ltd. (NYSE: YMM) and Boss of KANZHUN LIMITED (Nasdaq: BZ). On December 24, 2021, the CSRC issued the Administrative Provisions of the State Council Regarding the Overseas Issuance and Listing of Securities by Domestic Enterprises (the "Draft Administrative Provisions") and the Measures for the Overseas Issuance of Securities and Listing Record-Filings by Domestic Enterprises (Draft for Comments) (the "Draft Filing Measures"), collectively, the Draft Overseas Listing Rules. On February 17, 2023, the CSRC issued the Trial Measures and five application guidelines, or the Overseas Listing Rules, which became effective on March 31, 2023. According to the Overseas Listing Rules, among other things, all China-based companies applying for overseas securities issuance, listing and post-listing capital operations shall be subject to statutory procedures, such as filing and information reporting requirement. After making initial applications with overseas stock markets for offerings or listings, all China-based companies shall file with the CSRC within three business days. In addition, overseas offerings and listings are prohibited for such China-based companies when any of the following applies: (a) where such securities offering and listing is explicitly prohibited by applicable PRC laws, administrative regulations and rules; (b) where a intended securities offering and listing may endanger national security as reviewed and determined by competent authorities under the State Council in accordance with law; (c) where a domestic company intending to make a securities offering and listing, or its controlling shareholder(s) or actual controlling person(s), have committed crimes, such as corruption, bribery, embezzlement, misappropriation of property or undermining the order of the socialist market economy, during the past three years; (d) where a domestic company intending to make a securities offering and listing is suspected of committing crimes or major violations of laws and regulations, and is under investigation according to law, and no conclusion has yet been made thereof; (e) where there are material ownership disputes over equity held by the domestic company's controlling shareholder or by other shareholders that are controlled by the controlling shareholder and/or actual controller. The Overseas Listing Rules further provide that a fine between RMB 1 million and RMB 10 million may be imposed if a company fails to fulfill the filing requirements with the CSRC or conducts an overseas offering or listing in violation of the Overseas Listing Rules. Overseas issuance and listings subject to the Overseas Listing Rules include direct and indirect issuance and listings. According to the Notice on the Administrative Procedures for the Filing of Overseas Offerings and Listings by Domestic Companies published by the CSRC on February 17, 2023, existing listed companies are not required to make any filings until they conduct a new offering or financing transaction in the future. A company is regarded as an existing listed company if it (a) has already completed overseas listing or offering, or (b) has already obtained the approval for the offering or listing from overseas securities regulatory authorities or stock exchanges but has not completed such offering or listing before effective date of the Overseas Listing Rules and also completes the offering or listing before September 30, 2023. On the effective date of the Overseas Listing Rules, PRC companies that have already submitted offering and listing applications but have not yet obtained the approvals from overseas securities regulators or exchanges shall make filings with the CSRC at a reasonable time before the completion of the offerings or listings. We believe that our offering and the listing of our shares on Nasdaq Capital Market would be deemed an indirect overseas offering and listing under the Overseas Listing Rules and will be required to complete the filing procedures and submit the relevant information to CSRC if we cannot obtain the approvals for this offering and listing from the U.S. securities regulators or the Nasdaq before the Overseas Listing Rules become effective. As of the date of this report, the Overseas Listing Rules have not become effective and we are not required to complete the filing procedures if we obtain the approvals for this offering and listing from the U.S. securities regulators and the Nasdaq before the Overseas Listing Rules take effect and complete this offering and begin the trading of our securities on the Nasdaq before September 30, 2023. In addition, after the Overseas Listing Rules take effect, even if we are required to complete the filing procedures, we would only need to submit the filing materials and no CSRC approval would be required under the rules. Because we are relying on an opinion of counsel, there is uncertainty inherent in relying on an opinion of counsel in connection with whether we are required to obtain permissions from a governmental agency that is required to approve of our operations and/or listings. In the event that an government approval is required, we cannot assure you that we will be able to receive clearance in a timely manner, or at all. Any failure of us to fully comply with new regulatory requirements may significantly limit or completely hinder our ability to offer or continue to offer our common stock, cause significant disruption to our business operations, severely damage our reputation, materially and adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations and cause our shares to significantly decline in value or become worthless. China Securities Regulatory Commission and other Chinese government agencies may exert more oversight and control over offerings that are conducted overseas and foreign investment in China-based issuers, especially those in the technology filed. Additional compliance procedures may be required in connection with this offering and our business operations, and, if required, we cannot predict whether we will be able to obtain such approval. As a result, we face uncertainty about future actions by the PRC government that could significantly affect our ability to offer or continue to offer securities to investors and cause the value of our shares to significantly decline or be worthless. We may be subject to PRC laws relating to the collection, use, sharing, retention, security, and transfer of confidential and private information, such as personal information and other data. These laws continue to develop, and the PRC government may adopt other rules and restrictions in the future. Non-compliance could result in penalties or other significant legal liabilities.

  • Regulation - Risk 7
    If the Chinese government determines that our corporate structure does not comply with Chinese regulations, or if Chinese regulations change or are interpreted differently in the future, Chinese regulatory authorities could disallow our current operating structure, which would likely result in a material change in our operations and/or a material change in the value of the securities we are registering for sale, including that it could cause the value of such securities to significantly decline or become worthless.

    Our business in China, through the operations of our PRC subsidiaries, are governed by PRC law, including PRC foreign investment laws and regulations, among others. On January 1, 2020, the PRC Foreign Investment Law, or the Foreign Investment Law, and the Regulations for Implementation of the Foreign Investment Law of the People's Republic of China, or the Implementation Regulations, came into effect and replaced the trio of prior laws regulating foreign investment in China, namely, the Sino-foreign Equity Joint Venture Enterprise Law, the Sino-foreign Cooperative Joint Venture Enterprise Law and the Wholly Foreign-invested Enterprise Law, together with their implementation rules and ancillary regulations. The relevant PRC Telecommunications Regulations require a telecommunication service provider in China to obtain an operating license from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, or MIIT, or its provincial counterparts, prior to commencement of operations. Foreign direct investment in telecommunications companies in China is governed by the Administrative Rules on Foreign-invested Telecommunications Enterprises, or the FITE Regulations, which was issued by the State Council on December 11, 2001 and amended on February 6, 2016. On March 29, 2022, the State Council issued the Decision on Revising or Abolishing Some Administrative Regulations which will take effective May 1, 2022, made certain significant changes to the 2016 FITE Regulations. Under the 2016 FITE Regulations, a foreign investor who invests in a value-added telecommunications business in the PRC must possess prior experience in and a proven track record of operating value-added telecommunications businesses overseas (the "Qualification Requirements"), while the 2022 Decision repeals the Qualification Requirements. Therefore, the restrictions of Qualification Requirements no longer apply to foreign investors. Investments in the PRC by foreign investors and foreign-invested enterprises are also regulated by the Catalogue of Industries in which Foreign Investment is Encouraged (2020 Edition), or the 2020 Catalogue, and the Special Administrative Measures for Foreign Investment Access (Negative List 2021), or the 2021 Negative List. Under the Circular on Loosening the Restriction on Foreign Shareholdings in Online Data Processing and Transaction Processing Business (for E-commerce), or Circular 196, issued by MIIT on June 19, 2015, foreign investors may hold up to 100% of all equity interest in an online data processing and transaction processing business operating e-commerce in China. Apart from e-commerce, the 2021 Negative List also provides that foreign investors may hold 100% equity interest in domestic multi-party communications, data collection and transmission services and call centers. Pursuant to these laws and regulations, we are permitted, through our subsidiaries, to engage in food and related product purchases and sales via online platforms as a provider of online data processing and transaction processing services. However, the relevant PRC foreign investment regulations are still evolving, and there have been limited guidance and interpretation with respect to these new rules and regulations. In July 2021, the Chinese government provided new guidance on Chinese companies raising capital outside of mainland China, including through arrangements called variable interest entities, or VIEs. Currently, our corporate structure contains no variable interest entities and we are not in an industry that is subject to foreign ownership limitations in mainland China. However, there are uncertainties with respect to the Chinese legal system and there may be changes in laws, regulations and policies, including how those laws, regulations and policies will be interpreted or implemented. If in the future the Chinese government determines that our corporate structure does not comply with Chinese regulations, or if Chinese regulations change or are interpreted differently, the value of our securities may decline or become worthless. In addition, pursuant to the PRC M&A Rules, an offshore special purpose vehicle formed for listing purposes and controlled directly or indirectly by Chinese companies or individuals is required to obtain the approval of the CSRC prior to the listing and trading of such SPV's securities on an overseas stock exchange. However, the provisions of the M&A Rules remains unclear regarding the scope and applicability of the CSRC approval requirement. The CSRC has not issued any definitive rule or interpretations. Based on the current laws and regulations, our Chinese legal counsel has advised us that the M&A Rules and related regulations do not require the Company or its PRC subsidiaries to obtain prior approval from CSRC for the listing and trading of the Company's shares on an overseas securities market, given that our wholly foreign-owned enterprise subsidiaries were established by direct investment, rather than by a merger with or an acquisition of any PRC domestic companies as defined under the M&A Rules. However, there are substantial uncertainties as to how the M&A Rules are interpreted or implemented in the context of an overseas offering and our PRC counsel's opinions stated above are subject to further changes in PRC laws or implementations and interpretations of the M&A Rules, and there can be no assurance that the PRC governmental agencies will ultimately take a view that is consistent with our PRC counsel's opinion stated above. If the PRC regulatory authorities were to find our legal structure and operations in the PRC to be in violation of any PRC laws, administrative regulations or provisions, we are uncertain what impact of PRC regulatory authorities' actions would have on us and our subsidiaries and we may lose our right to operate in China through our investment and ownership in our PRC subsidiaries. If the Chinese government determines that our corporate structure does not comply with Chinese regulations, or if Chinese regulations change or are interpreted differently in the future, Chinese regulatory authorities could disallow our current operating structure, which would likely result in a material change in our operations and/or a material change in the value of the securities we are registering for sale, including that it could cause the value of such securities to significantly decline or become worthless.

  • Regulation - Risk 8
    Recent regulatory developments in China, including greater oversight and control by the CAC over data security, may subject us to additional regulatory review, and any actions by the Chinese government to exert more oversight and control over foreign investment in China-based issuers 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.

    Recent statements by the Chinese government have indicated an intent to exert more oversight and control over offerings that are conducted overseas and/or foreign investments in China based issuers. The PRC government recently initiated a series of regulatory actions and statements to regulate business operations in China with little advance notice, among other things, including adopting new measures to extend the scope of cybersecurity reviews, cracking down on illegal activities in the securities market, and expanding the efforts in anti-monopoly enforcement. The PRC government is increasingly focused on data security, recently launching cybersecurity review against a number of mobile apps operated by several U.S.-listed Chinese companies and prohibiting these apps from registering new users during the review period. We are subject to various risks and costs related to the collection, use, sharing, retention, security, and transfer of confidential and private information, such as personal information and other data. Such covered data is wide ranging and relates to our investors, employees, contractors and other third parties. The relevant PRC laws apply not only to third-party transactions, but also to transfers of information between FVTI Nevada, offshore subsidiaries, our PRC subsidiaries, and other parties with which we have commercial relations. The PRC regulatory and enforcement regime with regard to privacy and data security is evolving. The PRC Cybersecurity Law, which was promulgated on November 7, 2016 and became effective on June 1, 2017, provides that personal information and important data collected and generated by operators of critical information infrastructure in the course of their operations in the PRC should be stored in the PRC, and the law imposes heightened regulation and additional security obligations on operators of critical information infrastructure. On July 10, 2021, the CAC issued the Revised Cybersecurity Measures for public comments. According to the Revised Cybersecurity Measures, the scope of cybersecurity reviews is extended to data processing operators engaging in data processing activities that affect or may affect national security. The Revised Cybersecurity Measures further require that any operator applying for listing on a foreign exchange must go through cybersecurity review if it possesses personal information of more than one million users. A cybersecurity review assesses potential national security risk that may be brought about by any procurement, data processing, or overseas listing. The review focuses on several factors, including, among others, (i) the risk of theft, leakage, corruption, illegal use or export of any core or important data, or a large amount of personal information, and (ii) the risk of any critical information infrastructure, core or important data, or a large amount of personal information being affected, controlled or maliciously exploited by a foreign government after a company is listed overseas. On November 14, 2021, the CAC published the Regulations of Internet Data Security Management (Draft for Comments), which further regulate the internet data processing activities and emphasize the supervision and management of network data security, and further stipulate the obligations of internet platform operators, such as to establish a system for disclosure of platform rules, privacy policies and algorithmic strategies related to data. Specifically, the draft regulations require data processors to, among others, (i) adopt immediate remediation measures when finding that network products and services they use or provide have security defects and vulnerabilities, or threaten national security or endanger public interest, and (ii) follow a series of detailed requirements with respect to processing of personal information, management of important data and proposed overseas transfer of data. In addition, the draft regulations require data processors handling important data or the data processors to be listed overseas to complete an annual data security assessment and file a data security assessment report to applicable regulators. Such annual assessment, as required by the draft regulations, would encompass areas including, but not limited to, the status of important data processing, data security risks identified and the measures adopted, the effectiveness of data protection measures, the implementation of national data security laws and regulations, data security incidents that occurred and their handling, and a security assessment with respect to sharing and provision of important data overseas. As of the date of this report, the draft regulations have been released for public comment only and have not been formally adopted. The final provisions and the timeline for its adoption are subject to changes and uncertainties. We currently operate an online trading platform, primarily engaged in sales of products to our customers in China, where our customers can register as members first, and then search for, purchase or sell any desired food and beverage products. Our online platform collects and transmits product, supplier and customer information and data. Since our online trading platform has only been in operation for about a year, we are in the process of studying the newly issued rules and regulations governing cybersecurity and data protection and the industry best practice, as well as assessing the extent to which our information and data system is not in full compliance with the various requirements under the newly proposed regulations. Based on the preliminary assessment, our management has determined that we are not in full compliance with those new proposed rules. For example, we have not consistently informed users of the purpose, method and scope of personal information and data collections and uses. We also have not fully implemented the measures designed by us to provide additional security to personal information obtained and stored by us through our online platform. As of the date of this report, the proposed rules have not been adopted and thus we are not subject to those requirements in the proposed rules. However, if the final rules are adopted as proposed, we intend to fully comply with the requirements of the regulations. We are committed to taking the necessary actions to satisfy the effective personal information protection and internet data security regulatory requirements. We have designed a user information protection mechanism, which includes seven detailed personal information and data security protection measures. We have implemented some of those measures while are in the process of completing the execution of others. We intend to fully comply with the following requirements should the final rules are issued as proposed: (a) enter into user information collection, storage and use rules and privacy agreements with all users, (b) fully inform users of the purpose, method and scope of personal information and data collection, (c) provide channels for inquiring stored personal information and correcting inaccuracies in information and data, and (d) remediate for violations of personal information and data security protection policies and guidelines, among other things. On December 28, 2021, the CAC, NDRC, and several other agencies jointly issued the final version of the Revised Measures for Cybersecurity Review, or the Revised Cybersecurity Measures, which took effect on February 15, 2022 and replaced the previously issued Revised Measures for Cybersecurity Review. Under the Revised Cybersecurity Measures, an "online platform operator" in possession of personal data of more than one million users must apply for a cybersecurity review if it intends to list its securities on a foreign stock exchange. The operators of critical information infrastructure purchasing network products and services, and the online platform operators (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, and 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. Pursuant to the Revised Cybersecurity Measures, we don't believe we will be subject to the cybersecurity review by the CAC, given that (i) we possess personal information of a relatively small number of users (less than 12,000 users) in our business operations as of the date of this report, significantly less than the one million user threshold set for a data processing operator applying for listing on a foreign exchange that is required to pass such cybersecurity review; and (ii) data processed in our business does not have a bearing on national security and thus shall not be classified as core or important data by the authorities. We don't believe that we are an Operator within the meaning of the Revised Cybersecurity Measures, nor do we control more than one million users' personal information, and as such, we should not be required to apply for a cybersecurity review under the Revised Cybersecurity Measures. However, there remains uncertainty as to how the Revised Cybersecurity Measures may be interpreted or implemented and whether the PRC regulatory agencies, including the CAC, may adopt new rules and regulations related to the Revised Cybersecurity Measures. For example, there is still no clear definition of "online platform operator". Whether the data processing activities carried out by traditional enterprises (such as food, medicine, manufacturing and merchandise sales enterprises) are subject to such review and the scope of the review remain to be further clarified by the regulatory authorities in the subsequent implementation process. If any new laws, regulations, implementation measures or interpretation are adopted, we may need to take further actions and invest resources to comply with such new rules and to minimize any potential negative effects on us. In addition, if the number of our online platform users increases to a level close to one million, we would expect to prepare for the required cybersecurity review procedure and approval from the PRC government. Furthermore, the CAC released the draft of the Regulations on Network Data Security Management (Draft for Comment) in November 2021 for public consultation, which among other things, stipulates that a data processor listed overseas must conduct an annual data security review by itself or by engaging a data security service provider and submit the annual data security review report for a given year to the municipal cybersecurity department before January 31 of the following year. If the draft Regulations on Network Data Security Management are enacted in the current form, we, as an overseas listed company, will be required to carry out an annual data security review and comply with the relevant reporting obligations. In summary, with regard to the current effective data security management regulations, we don't believe that we are required to conduct data security review for listing overseas. However, according to the Regulations on Network Data Security Management (Draft for Comment), as an overseas listed company, we will be required to conduct an annual data security review and to comply with the relevant reporting obligations. We have been closely monitoring the development in the regulatory landscape in China, particularly regarding the requirement of approvals, including on a retrospective basis, from the CSRC, the CAC or other PRC authorities with respect to this offering, as well as regarding any annual data security review or other procedures that may be imposed on us. If any approval, review or other procedure is in fact required, we cannot assure you that we will be able to obtain such approval or complete such review or other procedure timely or at all. For any approval that we may be able to obtain, it could nevertheless be revoked and the terms of its issuance may impose restrictions on our operations and offerings relating to our securities. Any actions by the Chinese government to exert more oversight and control over foreign investment in China-based issuers 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 regulatory requirements with respect to cybersecurity and data privacy are constantly evolving and can be subject to varying interpretations, and significant changes, resulting in uncertainties about the scope of our responsibilities in that regard. Failure to comply with the cybersecurity and data privacy requirements in a timely manner, or at all, may subject us to government enforcement actions and investigations, fines, penalties, suspension or disruption of our operations, among other things. Compliance with the PRC Cybersecurity Law, the PRC National Security Law, the Data Security Law, the Personal Information Protection Law, the Cybersecurity Review Measures, as well as additional laws and regulations that PRC regulatory bodies may enact in the future, may result in additional expenses to us and subject us to negative publicity, which could harm our reputation among users and negatively affect the trading price of our shares in the future. There are also uncertainties with respect to how the PRC Cybersecurity Law, the PRC National Security Law and the Data Security Law will be implemented and interpreted in practice. PRC regulators, including the Ministry of Public Security, the MIIT, the SAMR and the CAC, have been increasingly focused on regulation in the areas of data security and data protection, including for mobile apps, and are enhancing the protection of privacy and data security by rule-making and enforcement actions at national and local levels. We expect that these areas will receive greater and continued attention and scrutiny from regulators and the public going forward, which could increase our compliance costs and subject us to heightened risks and challenges associated with data security and protection. If we are unable to manage these risks, we could become subject to penalties, including fines, suspension of business, prohibition against new user registration (even for a short period of time) and revocation of required licenses, and our reputation and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.

  • Regulation - Risk 9
    The Chinese government may intervene or influence the operation of our PRC subsidiaries and exercise significant oversight and discretion over the conduct of their business and may intervene in or influence their operations at any time, or may exert more control over securities offerings conducted overseas and/or foreign investment in China-based issuers, which could result in a material change in operations of our PRC subsidiaries and/or the value of our common stock.

    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 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 in the areas in which we operate. 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. 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 Severely Cracking Down on Illegal Securities Activities According to Law, or the Opinions, which was made available to the public on July 6, 2021. The Opinions emphasized the need to strengthen the administration over illegal securities activities, and the need to strengthen the supervision over overseas listings by Chinese companies. Effective measures, such as promoting the construction of relevant regulatory systems, will be taken to deal with the risks and incidents of China-based overseas listed companies. As of the date of this report, we have not received any inquiry, notice, warning, or sanctions from PRC government authorities in connection with the Opinions. On June 10, 2021, the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress of China, or the SCNPC, promulgated the 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. The law provides for privacy obligations of entities and individuals carrying out data activities, prohibits entities and individuals in China from providing any foreign judicial or law enforcement authority with any data stored in China without approval from the competent PRC authority, and sets forth the legal liabilities of entities and individuals found to be in violation of their data protection obligations, including rectification order, warning, fines of up to RMB10 million, suspension of relevant business, and revocation of business permits or licenses. In early July 2021, regulatory authorities in China launched cybersecurity investigations with regard to several China-based companies that are listed in the United States. The Chinese cybersecurity regulator announced on July 2 that it had begun an investigation of Didi Global Inc. (NYSE: DIDI) and two days later ordered that the company's app be removed from smartphone app stores. On July 5, 2021, the Chinese cybersecurity regulator launched the same investigation on two other Internet platforms, China's Full Truck Alliance of Full Truck Alliance Co. Ltd. (NYSE: YMM) and Boss of KANZHUN LIMITED (Nasdaq: BZ). On July 24, 2021, the General Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the General Office of the State Council jointly released the Guidelines for Further Easing the Burden of Excessive Homework and Off-campus Tutoring for Students at the Stage of Compulsory Education, pursuant to which foreign investment in such firms via mergers and acquisitions, franchise development, and variable interest entities are banned from that sector. On July 10, 2021, the CAC released the Cybersecurity Review Measures (Revised Draft for Solicitation of Comments), or the Revised Cybersecurity Measures, pursuant to which operator holding more than one million users/users' (which is to be further specified) individual information shall be subject to cybersecurity review before listing abroad. The cybersecurity review will evaluate, among others, the risk of critical information infrastructure, core data, important data, or a large amount of personal information being influenced, controlled or maliciously used by foreign governments after going public overseas. The procurement of network products and services, data processing activities and overseas listing should also be subject to cybersecurity review if they concern or potentially pose risks to national security. According to the effective Cybersecurity Review Measures, online platform/website operators of certain industries may be identified as critical information infrastructure operators by the CAC, once they meet standard as stated in the National Cybersecurity Inspection Operation Guide, and such operators may be subject to cybersecurity review. The scope of business operations and financing activities that are subject to the Revised Cybersecurity Measures and the implementation thereof is not yet clear. As of the date of this report, we have not been informed by any PRC governmental authority of any requirement that we file for approval in connection with an offering of our common stock. On August 17, 2021, the State Council promulgated the Regulations on the Protection of the Security of Critical Information Infrastructure, or the Regulations, which took effect on September 1, 2021. The Regulations supplement and specify the provisions on the security of critical information infrastructure as stated in the Cybersecurity Review Measures. The Regulations provide, among others, that protection department of certain industry or sector shall notify the operator of the critical information infrastructure in time after the identification of certain critical information infrastructure. On August 20, 2021, the SCNPC adopted the Personal Information Security Law, which took effect on November 1, 2021. The Personal Information Protection Law includes the basic rules for personal information processing, the rules for cross-border provision of personal information, the rights of individuals in personal information processing activities, the obligations of personal information processors, and the legal responsibilities for illegal collection, processing, and use of personal information. As the first systematic and comprehensive law specifically for the protection of personal information in the PRC, the Personal Information Protection Law provides, among others, that (i) an individual's consent shall be obtained to use sensitive personal information, such as biometric characteristics and individual location tracking, (ii) personal information operators using sensitive personal information shall notify individuals of the necessity of such use and impact on the individual's rights, and (iii) where personal information operators reject an individual's request to exercise his or her rights, the individual may file a lawsuit with a People's Court. On December 28, 2021, the CAC, NDRC, and other government agencies jointly issued the Revised Measures for Cybersecurity Review Measures, or the Revised Cybersecurity Measures, which will take effect and replace the previously issued Revised Measures for Cybersecurity Review on February 15, 2022. Under the Revised Cybersecurity Measures, an "online platform operator" in possession of personal data of more than one million users must apply for a cybersecurity review if it intends to list its securities on a foreign stock exchange. The operators of critical information infrastructure purchasing network products and services, and the online platform operators (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, and 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. With regard to the current effective data security management regulations, we don't believe that we are required to conduct data security review for listing overseas. However, according to the Regulations on Network Data Security Management (Draft for Comment), as an overseas listed company, we will be required to conduct an annual data security review and to comply with the relevant reporting obligations. We have been closely monitoring the development in the regulatory landscape in China, particularly regarding the requirement of approvals, including on a retrospective basis, from the CSRC, the CAC or other PRC authorities with respect to this offering, as well as regarding any annual data security review or other procedures that may be imposed on us. If any approval, review or other procedure is in fact required, we cannot assure you that we will be able to obtain such approval or complete such review or other procedure timely or at all. For any approval that we may be able to obtain, it could nevertheless be revoked and the terms of its issuance may impose restrictions on our operations and offerings relating to our securities. The regulatory requirements with respect to cybersecurity and data privacy are constantly evolving and can be subject to varying interpretations, and significant changes, resulting in uncertainties about the scope of our responsibilities in that regard. Failure to comply with the cybersecurity and data privacy requirements in a timely manner, or at all, may subject us to government enforcement actions and investigations, fines, penalties, suspension or disruption of our operations, among other things. Given that the above referenced laws, regulations and policies were recently promulgated or publicly released, their interpretation, application and enforcement are subject to substantial uncertainties.

  • Regulation - Risk 10
    Uncertainties in the PRC legal system and the interpretation and enforcement of PRC laws and regulations could limit the legal protections available to us and our investors, and rules and regulations in China can change quickly with little advance notice. Such uncertainties could cause our shares to significantly decline in value or become worthless.

    We conduct substantially all of our business through our subsidiaries in China. Our operations in China are governed by PRC laws and regulations. Our PRC subsidiaries are generally subject to laws and regulations applicable to foreign investments in China and, in particular, laws and regulations applicable to wholly foreign-owned enterprises. The PRC legal system is based on statutes. Prior court decisions may be cited for reference but have limited precedential value. Since 1979, PRC legislation and regulations have significantly enhanced the protections afforded to various forms of foreign investments in China. However, China has not developed a fully integrated legal system and recently enacted laws and regulations may not sufficiently cover all aspects of economic activities in China. In particular, because of the limited volume of published decisions and their nonbinding nature, the interpretation and enforcement of these laws and regulations involve uncertainties. Since PRC administrative and court authorities have significant discretion in interpreting and implementing statutory provisions and contractual terms, it may be difficult to evaluate the outcome of administrative and court proceedings and the level of legal protection we enjoy. These uncertainties may affect our judgment on the relevance of legal requirements and our ability to enforce our contractual rights or tort claims. In addition, these regulatory uncertainties may be exploited through unmerited or frivolous legal actions or threats in attempts to extract payments or benefits from us. 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) that may change quickly with little advance notice or have a retroactive effect. As a result, we may not be aware of our violation of these policies and rules until sometime after the violation. On July 6, 2021, the General Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the General Office of the State Council jointly issued a document to enhance its enforcement against illegal activities in the securities markets and promote the high-quality development of capital markets, which, among other things, requires the relevant governmental authorities to strengthen cross-border oversight of law enforcement and judicial cooperation, to enhance supervision over Chinese companies listed overseas, and to establish and improve the system of extraterritorial application of the Chinese securities laws. Since this document is relatively new, uncertainties exist as to how soon legislative or administrative regulation-making bodies will respond and what existing or new laws, regulations or detailed implementations and interpretations will be modified or promulgated or mo and the potential impact such modified or new laws and regulations will have on companies like us. It is especially difficult for us to accurately predict the potential impact on us of new legal requirements in mainland China because the Chinese legal system is a civil law system based on written statutes. Unlike the common law system, prior court decisions under the civil law system may be cited for reference but have limited precedential value. Such uncertainties, including any inability to enforce our contracts, together with any development or interpretation of PRC law that is adverse to us, could materially and adversely affect our business and operations. Furthermore, intellectual property rights and confidentiality protections in China may not be as effective as in the United States or other more developed countries. We cannot predict the effect of future developments in the PRC legal system, including the promulgation of new laws, changes to existing laws or the interpretation or enforcement thereof, or the preemption of local regulations by national laws. These uncertainties could limit the legal protections available to us and our investors, including you. Such uncertainties could cause the value of such securities to significantly decline or be worthless.

  • Regulation - Risk 11
    The Hong Kong legal system embodies uncertainties which could limit the availability of legal protections.

    Hong Kong is a Special Administrative Region of the PRC. Following British colonial rule from 1842 to 1997, China assumed sovereignty under the "one country, two systems" principle. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region's constitutional document, the Basic Law, ensures that the current political situation will remain in effect for 50 years. Hong Kong has enjoyed the freedom to function with a high degree of autonomy for its affairs, including currencies, immigration and customs operations, and its independent judiciary system and parliamentary system. On July 14, 2020, the United States signed an executive order to end the special status enjoyed by Hong Kong post-1997. Any compromise on the autonomy of Hong Kong could have an adverse effect in our business and operations in Hong Kong if and when we expand our business or customer base in Hong Kong in the future. We cannot predict the effect of future developments in the Hong Kong legal system, including the promulgation of new laws, changes to existing laws or the interpretation or enforcement thereof.

  • Regulation - Risk 12
    The effect of HKAA and other U.S. government policies in response to the enactment of Law of the PRC on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (the "Hong Kong National Security Law") could impact our Hong Kong holding subsidiaries.

    On June 30, 2020, the Standing Committee of the PRC NPC adopted the Hong Kong National Security Law. This law defines the duties and government bodies of the Hong Kong National Security Law for safeguarding national security and four categories of offences - secession, subversion, terrorist activities, and collusion with a foreign country or external elements to endanger national security - and their corresponding penalties. On July 14, 2020, the former U.S. President Donald Trump signed the HKAA into law, authorizing the U.S. administration to impose sanctions against foreign individuals and entities who are determined by the U.S. administration to have materially contributed to the failure to preserve Hong Kong's autonomy. On August 7, 2020 the U.S. government imposed HKAA-authorized sanctions on eleven individuals, including Hong Kong's then chief executive, Carrie Lam. On October 14, 2020, the U.S. State Department submitted to relevant committees of Congress the report required under HKAA, identifying persons materially contributing to "the failure of the Government of China to meet its obligations under the Joint Declaration or the Basic Law." The HKAA further authorizes secondary sanctions, including the imposition of blocking sanctions, against foreign financial institutions that knowingly conduct a significant transaction with foreign persons sanctioned under this authority. The imposition of sanctions may directly affect the foreign financial institutions as well as any third parties or customers dealing with any foreign financial institution that is targeted. It is difficult to predict the full impact of the HKAA on Hong Kong and companies located in Hong Kong. If our Hong Kong subsidiaries conduct business operations in the future and were determined to be in violation of the Hong Kong National Security Law or the HKAA for some reasons, however unlikely, our business operations, financial position and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.

  • Regulation - Risk 13
    Newly enacted Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act, recent regulatory actions taken by the SEC and the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, and proposed rule changes submitted by Nasdaq calling for additional and more stringent criteria to be applied to China-based public companies could add uncertainties to our capital raising activities and compliance costs.

    U.S. public companies that have substantially all of their operations in China have been the subject of intense scrutiny, criticism and negative publicity by investors, financial commentators and regulatory agencies, such as the SEC. Much of the scrutiny, criticism and negative publicity has centered on financial and accounting irregularities and mistakes, a lack of effective internal controls over financial accounting, inadequate corporate governance policies or a lack of adherence thereto and, in many cases, allegations of fraud. On December 7, 2018, the SEC and the PCAOB issued a joint statement highlighting continued challenges faced by the U.S. regulators in their oversight of financial statement audits of U.S.-listed companies with significant operations in China. On April 21, 2020, the SEC Chairman and PCAOB Chairman, along with other senior SEC staff, released a joint statement highlighting the risks associated with investing in companies based in or have substantial operations in emerging markets including China, reiterating past SEC and PCAOB statements on matters including the difficulty associated with inspecting accounting firms and audit work papers in China and higher risks of fraud in emerging markets and the difficulty of bringing and enforcing SEC, Department of Justice and other U.S. regulatory actions, including in instances of fraud, in emerging markets generally. On May 18, 2020, NASDAQ filed three proposals with the SEC to (i) apply minimum offering size requirement for companies primarily operating in a "Restrictive Market", (ii) prohibit Restrictive Market companies from directly listing on NASDAQ Capital Market, and only permit them to list on NASDAQ Global Select or NASDAQ Global Market in connection with a direct listing, and (iii) apply additional and more stringent criteria to an applicant or listed company based on the qualifications of the company's auditors. On May 20, 2020, the U.S. Senate passed the Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act requiring a foreign company to certify it is not owned or controlled by a foreign government if the PCAOB is unable to audit specified reports because the company uses a foreign auditor not subject to PCAOB inspection. If the PCAOB is unable to inspect the company's auditors for three consecutive years, the issuer's securities are prohibited to trade on a national exchange. On December 2, 2020, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act. On December 18, 2020, the Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act was signed into law. On March 24, 2021, the SEC adopted interim final amendments to implement congressionally mandated submission and disclosure requirements of the Act. The interim final amendments will apply to registrants that the SEC identifies as having filed an annual report on Forms 10-K, 20-F, 40-F or N-CSR with an audit report issued by a registered public accounting firm that is located in a foreign jurisdiction and that the PCAOB has determined it is unable to inspect or investigate completely because of a position taken by an authority in that jurisdiction. The SEC will implement a process for identifying such a registrant and any such identified registrant will be required to submit documentation to the SEC establishing that it is not owned or controlled by a governmental entity in that foreign jurisdiction, and will also require disclosure in the registrant's annual report regarding the audit arrangements of, and governmental influence on, such a registrant. On December 2, 2021, the SEC issued amendments to finalize rules implementing the submission and disclosure requirements in the Holding Foreign Companies Accountable 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, PCAOB announced the PCAOB Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act determinations (the "PCAOB determinations") relating to the PCAOB's inability to inspect or investigate completely registered public accounting firms headquartered in mainland China of the PRC or Hong Kong, a Special Administrative Region and dependency of the PRC, because of a position taken by one or more authorities in the PRC or Hong Kong. On August 26, 2022, the PCAOB signed a SOP with the CSRC and the MOF of the PRC regarding cooperation in the oversight of PCAOB-registered public accounting firms in the PRC and Hong Kong. The SOP seeks to establish a method for the PCAOB to conduct inspections of PCAOB-registered public accounting firms in the PRC and Hong Kong. Under the agreement, (a) the PCAOB has sole discretion to select the firms, audit engagements and potential violations it inspects and investigates without consultation with, or input from, PRC authorities; (b) procedures are in place for PCAOB inspectors and investigators to view complete audit work papers with all information included and for the PCAOB to retain information as needed; (c) the PCAOB has direct access to interview and take testimony from all personnel associated with the audits the PCAOB inspects or investigates; and (d) the PCAOB shall have the unfettered ability to transfer information to the SEC in accordance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, and the SEC can use the information for all regulatory purposes, including administrative or civil enforcement actions. The PCAOB is required to reassess its determinations as to whether it is able to carry out inspections and investigations completely and without obstruction by the end of 2022. On December 15, 2022, the PCAOB determined that the PCAOB was able to secure complete access to inspect and investigate registered public accounting firms headquartered in mainland China and Hong Kong and voted to vacate its previous determinations. However, should PRC authorities obstruct or otherwise fail to facilitate the PCAOB's access in the future, the PCAOB will consider the need to issue a new determination. In December 2022, Congress passed fiscal year 2023 Omnibus spending legislation, which contained provisions to accelerate the HFCAA timeline for implementation of trading prohibitions from three years to two years. As a result of the legislation, the SEC is required to prohibit an issuer's securities from trading on any U.S. stock exchanges if its auditor is not subject to PCAOB inspections or complete investigations for two consecutive years. The recent regulatory developments would add uncertainties to our offering and we cannot assure you whether Nasdaq or regulatory authorities would apply additional and more stringent criteria to us after considering the effectiveness of our auditor's audit procedures and quality control procedures, adequacy of personnel and training, or sufficiency of resources, geographic reach or experience as it relates to the audit of our financial statements. It remains unclear what further actions the SEC, the PCAOB or Nasdaq will take to address these issues and what impact those actions will have on U.S. companies that have significant operations in the PRC and have securities listed on a U.S. stock exchange (including a national security exchange or over-the-counter stock market). In addition, any additional actions, proceedings, or new rules resulting from these efforts to increase U.S. regulatory access to audit information could create some uncertainty for investors, the market price of our shares could be adversely affected, and we could be delisted if we and our auditor are unable to meet the PCAOB inspection requirement or being required to engage a new audit firm, which would require significant expense and management time. As a result of these scrutiny, criticism and negative publicity, the publicly traded stock of many U.S. listed Chinese companies sharply decreased in value and, in some cases, has become virtually worthless. Many of these companies are now subject to shareholder lawsuits and SEC enforcement actions, and are conducting internal and external investigations into the allegations. It is not clear what effect this sector-wide scrutiny, criticism and negative publicity will have on us, our future securities offerings, business and our share price. If we become the subject of any unfavorable allegations, whether such allegations are proven to be true or untrue, we will have to expend significant resources to investigate such allegations and defend our Company. Our management would have to divert valuable resources and attention away from our operations and may negatively impact our operations. If such allegations are not proven to be groundless, we and our business operations will be severely affected and you could sustain a significant decline in the value of our shares.

  • Regulation - Risk 14
    Failure to comply with laws and regulations applicable to our business in China could subject us to fines and penalties and could also cause us to lose customers or otherwise harm our business.

    Our business is subject to regulation by various governmental agencies in China, including agencies responsible for monitoring and enforcing compliance with various legal obligations, such as privacy and data protection-related laws and regulations, intellectual property laws, employment and labor laws, workplace safety, environmental laws, consumer protection laws, governmental trade laws, import and export controls, anti-corruption and anti-bribery laws, and tax laws and regulations. These laws and regulations impose added costs on our business. Noncompliance with applicable regulations or requirements could subject us to: - investigations, enforcement actions, and sanctions;   - mandatory changes to our supply chain system and products;   - disgorgement of profits, fines, and damages;   - civil and criminal penalties or injunctions;   - claims for damages by our customers or partners;   - termination of contracts;   - loss of intellectual property rights;- failure to obtain, maintain or renew certain licenses, approvals, permits, registrations or filings   - necessary to conduct our operations; and   - temporary or permanent debarment from sales to public service organizations. If any governmental sanctions are imposed, or if we do not prevail in any possible civil or criminal litigation, our business, results of operations, and financial condition could be adversely affected. In addition, responding to any action will likely result in a significant diversion of our management's attention and resources and an increase in professional fees. Enforcement actions and sanctions could materially harm our business, results of operations, and financial condition. We are exposed to the risk of misconduct, errors and failure to functions by our management, employees and parties that we collaborate with, who may from time to time be subject to litigation and regulatory investigations and proceedings or otherwise face potential liability and penalties in relation to noncompliance with applicable laws and regulations, which could harm our reputation and business.

  • Regulation - Risk 15
    There are uncertainties under the PRC laws relating to the procedures for U.S. regulators to investigate and collect evidence from companies located in the PRC.

    Shareholder claims that are common in the U.S., including securities law class actions and fraud claims, among other matters, generally are difficult to pursue as a matter of law or practicality in China. For example, in China, there are significant legal and other obstacles to obtaining information needed for shareholder investigations or litigation outside China or otherwise with respect to foreign entities. Although the local authorities in China may establish a regulatory cooperation mechanism with the securities regulatory authorities of another country or region to implement cross-border supervision and administration, such regulatory cooperation with the securities regulatory authorities in the Unities States have not been efficient in the absence of mutual and practical cooperation mechanism. According to Article 177 of the PRC Securities Law, which became effective in March 2020, or Article 177, the securities regulatory authority of the State Council may collaborate with securities regulatory authorities of other countries or regions in order to monitor and oversee cross border securities activities. Article 177 further provides that overseas securities regulatory authorities are not permitted to carry out investigation and evidence collection directly within the territory of the PRC, and that any Chinese entities and individuals are not allowed to provide documents or materials related to securities business activities to overseas agencies without prior consent of the securities regulatory authority of the State Council and the competent departments of the State Council. Our principal business operations are conducted in the PRC. In the event that the U.S. regulators carry out investigations with respect to our business and need to conduct investigation or collect evidence within the territory of the PRC, the U.S. regulators may not be able to carry out such investigation or evidence collection directly in the PRC under the PRC laws. The U.S. regulators may consider cross-border cooperation with securities regulatory authority of the PRC by way of judicial assistance, diplomatic channels or regulatory cooperation mechanism established with the securities regulatory authority of the PRC. However, there can be no assurance that the U.S. regulators could succeed in establishing such cross-border cooperation in a specific case or could establish the cooperation in a timely manner. If U.S. regulators are unable to conduct such investigations, such U.S. regulators may determine to suspend and ultimately delist our common stock from the Nasdaq Capital Market or choose to suspend or de-register our SEC registration.

See a full breakdown of risk according to category and subcategory. The list starts with the category with the most risk. Click on subcategories to read relevant extracts from the most recent report.

FAQ

What are “Risk Factors”?
Risk factors are any situations or occurrences that could make investing in a company risky. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) requires that publicly traded companies disclose their most significant risk factors. This is so that potential investors can consider any risks before they make an investment. They also offer companies protection, as a company can use risk factors as liability protection. This could happen if a company underperforms and investors take legal action as a result. It is worth noting that smaller companies, that is those with a public float of under $75 million on the last business day, do not have to include risk factors in their 10-K and 10-Q forms, although some may choose to do so.
How do companies disclose their risk factors?
Publicly traded companies initially disclose their risk factors to the SEC through their S-1 filings as part of the IPO process. Additionally, companies must provide a complete list of risk factors in their Annual Reports (Form 10-K) or (Form 20-F) for “foreign private issuers”. Quarterly Reports also include a section on risk factors (Form 10-Q) where companies are only required to update any changes since the previous report. According to the SEC, risk factors should be reported concisely, logically and in “plain English” so investors can understand them.
How can I use TipRanks risk factors in my stock research?
Use the Risk Factors tab to get data about the risk factors of any company in which you are considering investing. You can easily see the most significant risks a company is facing. Additionally, you can find out which risk factors a company has added, removed or adjusted since its previous disclosure. You can also see how a company’s risk factors compare to others in its sector. Without reading company reports or participating in conference calls, you would most likely not have access to this sort of information, which is usually not included in press releases or other public announcements. A simplified analysis of risk factors is unique to TipRanks.
What are all the risk factor categories?
TipRanks has identified 6 major categories of risk factors and a number of subcategories for each. You can see how these categories are broken down in the list below. 1. Financial & Corporate Accounting & Financial Operations - risks related to accounting loss, value of intangible assets, financial statements, value of intangible assets, financial reporting, estimates, guidance, company profitability, dividends, fluctuating results. Share Price & Shareholder Rights – risks related to things that impact share prices and the rights of shareholders, including analyst ratings, major shareholder activity, trade volatility, liquidity of shares, anti-takeover provisions, international listing, dual listing. Debt & Financing – risks related to debt, funding, financing and interest rates, financial investments. Corporate Activity and Growth – risks related to restructuring, M&As, joint ventures, execution of corporate strategy, strategic alliances. 2. Legal & Regulatory Litigation and Legal Liabilities – risks related to litigation/ lawsuits against the company. Regulation – risks related to compliance, GDPR, and new legislation. Environmental / Social – risks related to environmental regulation and to data privacy. Taxation & Government Incentives – risks related to taxation and changes in government incentives. 3. Production Costs – risks related to costs of production including commodity prices, future contracts, inventory. Supply Chain – risks related to the company’s suppliers. Manufacturing – risks related to the company’s manufacturing process including product quality and product recalls. Human Capital – risks related to recruitment, training and retention of key employees, employee relationships & unions labor disputes, pension, and post retirement benefits, medical, health and welfare benefits, employee misconduct, employee litigation. 4. Technology & Innovation Innovation / R&D – risks related to innovation and new product development. Technology – risks related to the company’s reliance on technology. Cyber Security – risks related to securing the company’s digital assets and from cyber attacks. Trade Secrets & Patents – risks related to the company’s ability to protect its intellectual property and to infringement claims against the company as well as piracy and unlicensed copying. 5. Ability to Sell Demand – risks related to the demand of the company’s goods and services including seasonality, reliance on key customers. Competition – risks related to the company’s competition including substitutes. Sales & Marketing – risks related to sales, marketing, and distribution channels, pricing, and market penetration. Brand & Reputation – risks related to the company’s brand and reputation. 6. Macro & Political Economy & Political Environment – risks related to changes in economic and political conditions. Natural and Human Disruptions – risks related to catastrophes, floods, storms, terror, earthquakes, coronavirus pandemic/COVID-19. International Operations – risks related to the global nature of the company. Capital Markets – risks related to exchange rates and trade, cryptocurrency.