(Name, Telephone,
E-mail and/or Facsimile Number and Address of Company Contact Person)
Securities registered
or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Securities registered
or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
Securities for which
there is a reporting obligation pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Act:
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned
issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.
If this report is an annual or transition report, indicate
by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934.
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed
all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months
(or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements
for the past 90 days.
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted
electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant
to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that
the registrant was required to submit and post such files).
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated
filer, an accelerated filer or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer”
in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Indicate by check mark which basis of accounting the registrant
has used to prepare the financial statements included in this filing:
If “Other” has been checked in response to the
previous question, indicate by check mark which financial statement item the registrant has elected to follow.
If this is an annual report, indicate by check mark whether
the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
In this Annual Report on Form 20-F (the
“Annual Report”), unless otherwise indicated, “we,” “us,” “our,” and “China
Ceramics” refers to China Ceramics Co., Ltd., a British Virgin Islands company, and its subsidiaries, including Success
Winner Limited (“Success Winner”), a British Virgin Islands company and wholly owned subsidiary of China Ceramics,
Stand Best Creation Limited (“Stand Best”), a Hong Kong company and wholly owned subsidiary of Success Winner and
the entity that wholly owns Jinjiang Hengda Ceramics Co., Ltd. (“Hengda”), a PRC operating company that in turn wholly
owns Jiangxi Hengdali Ceramic Materials Co., Ltd. (“Hengdali”), and Fujian Province Hengdali Building Materials Co.,
Ltd. each a PRC operating company.
On November 20, 2009, China Holdings Acquisition
Corp. (“CHAC”), our predecessor, merged with and into China Ceramics, its wholly owned British Virgin Islands subsidiary,
resulting in the redomestication of CHAC to the British Virgin Islands as “China Ceramics Co., Ltd.” Immediately following
the merger and redomestication (the “Redomestication”), and as part of the same integrated transaction, China Ceramics
acquired all of the outstanding securities of Success Winner (the “Business Combination”). Unless the context
indicates otherwise, the “Company” refers to CHAC prior to the Business Combination and China Ceramics following the
Business Combination.
Unless the context indicates otherwise,
all references to “China” or “PRC” refer to the People’s Republic of China. All references to “provincial-level
regions” or “regions” include provinces as well as autonomous regions and directly controlled municipalities
in China, which have an administrative status equal to provinces, including Beijing.
All references to “Renminbi,” “RMB”
or “yuan” are to the legal currency of the People’s Republic of China, and all references to “U.S. dollars,”
“dollars,” “$” are to the legal currency of the United States. This Report contains translations of Renminbi
amounts into U.S. dollars at specified rates solely for the convenience of the reader. We make no representation that the Renminbi
or U.S. dollar amounts referred to in this Report could have been or could be converted into U.S. dollars or Renminbi, as the
case may be, at any particular rate or at all. On April 27, 2018, the buying rate announced by the Federal Reserve Statistical
Release was RMB6.3325 to $1.00.
This Report contains “forward-looking
statements” that represent our beliefs, projections and predictions about future events. All statements other than statements
of historical fact are “forward-looking statements” including any projections of earnings, revenue or other financial
items, any statements of the plans, strategies and objectives of management for future operations, any statements concerning proposed
new projects or other developments, any statements regarding future economic conditions or performance, any statements of management’s
beliefs, goals, strategies, intentions and objectives, and any statements of assumptions underlying any of the foregoing. Words
such as “may”, “will”, “should”, “could”, “would”, “predicts”,
“potential”, “continue”, “expects”, “anticipates”, “future”, “intends”,
“plans”, “believes”, “estimates” and similar expressions, as well as statements in the future
tense, identify forward-looking statements.
These statements are necessarily subjective
and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that could cause our actual results, performance
or achievements, or industry results, to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements described in or
implied by such statements. Actual results may differ materially from expected results described in our forward-looking statements,
including with respect to correct measurement and identification of factors affecting our business or the extent of their likely
impact, the accuracy and completeness of the publicly available information with respect to the factors upon which our business
strategy is based on the success of our business.
Forward-looking statements should not be
read as a guarantee of future performance or results, and will not necessarily be accurate indications of whether, or the times
by which, our performance or results may be achieved. Forward-looking statements are based on information available at the time
those statements are made and management’s belief as of that time with respect to future events, and are subject to risks
and uncertainties that could cause actual performance or results to differ materially from those expressed in or suggested by
the forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause such differences include, but are not limited to, those factors
discussed under the headings “Risk Factors”, “Operating and Financial Review and Prospects,” “Information
on the Company” and elsewhere in this Annual Report.
This Annual Report should be read in conjunction
with our audited financial statements and the accompanying notes thereto, which are included in Item 18 of this Annual Report.
PART
I
|
ITEM
1.
|
IDENTITY
OF DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND ADVISERS
|
Not required.
|
ITEM
2.
|
OFFER
STATISTICS AND EXPECTED TIMETABLE
|
Not required.
|
A.
|
Selected financial data
|
The following selected consolidated financial
data as of and for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016, 2015 and 2014 have been derived from the audited consolidated financial
statements of China Ceramics included in this Annual Report and the financial data as of and for the year ended December 31, 2013
have been derived from previously filed audited consolidated financial statements. This information is only a summary and
should be read together with the consolidated financial statements, the related notes, the section entitled “
Management’s
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations of China Ceramics
” and other financial information
included in this Annual Report.
The consolidated financial statements are
prepared and presented in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards, or IFRS, as issued by the International
Accounting Standards Board (“IASB”). The results of operations of China Ceramics in any period may not necessarily
be indicative of the results that may be expected for any future period. See “Risk Factors” included elsewhere in
this Annual Report.
CHINA CERAMICS CO., LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Selected Consolidated Financial Data
(RMB in Thousands except per Share and
Operating Data)
|
|
As of December 31
|
|
|
|
2017
|
|
|
2016
|
|
|
2015
|
|
|
2014
|
|
|
2013
|
|
Consolidated Statements of Financial Position Data
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents
|
|
|
2,328
|
|
|
|
110
|
|
|
|
514
|
|
|
|
61,155
|
|
|
|
28,848
|
|
Total current assets
|
|
|
728,535
|
|
|
|
781,769
|
|
|
|
877,772
|
|
|
|
972,893
|
|
|
|
880,201
|
|
Total assets
|
|
|
825,418
|
|
|
|
931,281
|
|
|
|
1,313,020
|
|
|
|
1,733,563
|
|
|
|
1,726,240
|
|
Total current liabilities
|
|
|
130,682
|
|
|
|
158,832
|
|
|
|
224,776
|
|
|
|
284,535
|
|
|
|
305,423
|
|
Long-term obligations
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
1,404
|
|
|
|
1,404
|
|
|
|
1,245
|
|
Total liabilities
|
|
|
130,682
|
|
|
|
158,832
|
|
|
|
226,180
|
|
|
|
285,939
|
|
|
|
306,668
|
|
Total equity
|
|
|
694,736
|
|
|
|
772,449
|
|
|
|
1,086,840
|
|
|
|
1,447,624
|
|
|
|
1,419,572
|
|
Outstanding shares
|
|
|
3,851,485
|
|
|
|
2,820,939
|
|
|
|
2,565,136
|
|
|
|
2,565,136
|
|
|
|
2,565,136
|
|
|
|
For the years ended December 31,
|
|
|
|
2017
|
|
|
2016
|
|
|
2015
|
|
|
2014
|
|
|
2013
|
|
Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income Data
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenues
|
|
|
821,792
|
|
|
|
793,745
|
|
|
|
1,017,146
|
|
|
|
1,037,651
|
|
|
|
932,894
|
|
Gross profit
|
|
|
50,354
|
|
|
|
(30,111
|
)
|
|
|
125,426
|
|
|
|
104,431
|
|
|
|
54,076
|
|
Operating income
|
|
|
(50,635
|
)
|
|
|
(89,714
|
)
|
|
|
85,347
|
|
|
|
56,095
|
|
|
|
12,496
|
|
(Loss)/profit before taxation
|
|
|
(78,285
|
)
|
|
|
(316,221
|
)
|
|
|
(339,159
|
)
|
|
|
(13,890
|
)
|
|
|
(3,697
|
)
|
(Loss)/profit attributable to shareholders
|
|
|
(88,026
|
)
|
|
|
(321,802
|
)
|
|
|
(362,412
|
)
|
|
|
(30,353
|
)
|
|
|
(2,032
|
)
|
Earnings per share –
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic
|
|
|
(26.36
|
)
|
|
|
(116.51
|
)
|
|
|
(141.91
|
)
|
|
|
(11.89
|
)
|
|
|
(0.8
|
)
|
Diluted
|
|
|
(26.36
|
)
|
|
|
(116.51
|
)
|
|
|
(141.91
|
)
|
|
|
(11.89
|
)
|
|
|
(0.8
|
)
|
Weighted average shares outstanding –
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic
|
|
|
3,339,487
|
|
|
|
2,761,998
|
|
|
|
2,553,855
|
|
|
|
2,553,855
|
|
|
|
2,553,855
|
|
Diluted
|
|
|
3,339,487
|
|
|
|
2,761,998
|
|
|
|
2,553,855
|
|
|
|
2,553,855
|
|
|
|
2,553,855
|
|
Cash dividends declared per share (RMB)
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
1.28
|
|
|
|
9.76
|
|
The following table sets forth
information concerning exchange rates between the RMB and the U.S. dollar for the periods indicated. On April 20, 2018, the
buying rate announced by the Federal Reserve Statistical Release was RMB 6.2945 to $1.00.
|
|
Spot Exchange Rate
|
|
Period
|
|
Period
Ended
|
|
|
Average
(1)
|
|
|
Low
|
|
|
High
|
|
|
|
(RMB
per US$1.00)
|
|
2011
|
|
|
6.2939
|
|
|
|
6.4475
|
|
|
|
6.2939
|
|
|
|
6.6017
|
|
2012
|
|
|
6.2301
|
|
|
|
6.3093
|
|
|
|
6.2221
|
|
|
|
6.3879
|
|
2013
|
|
|
6.0537
|
|
|
|
6.1478
|
|
|
|
6.0537
|
|
|
|
6.2438
|
|
2014
|
|
|
6.2046
|
|
|
|
6.1619
|
|
|
|
6.0402
|
|
|
|
6.2591
|
|
2015
|
|
|
6.4778
|
|
|
|
6.2827
|
|
|
|
6.1870
|
|
|
|
6.4896
|
|
2016
|
|
|
6.9421
|
|
|
|
6.6424
|
|
|
|
6.4498
|
|
|
|
6.9570
|
|
2017
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
January
|
|
|
6.8767
|
|
|
|
6.9008
|
|
|
|
6.8360
|
|
|
|
6.9575
|
|
February
|
|
|
6.8665
|
|
|
|
6.8727
|
|
|
|
6.8517
|
|
|
|
6.8821
|
|
March
|
|
|
6.8821
|
|
|
|
6.8940
|
|
|
|
6.8700
|
|
|
|
6.9132
|
|
April
|
|
|
6.8937
|
|
|
|
6.888
|
|
|
|
6.8944
|
|
|
|
6.9060
|
|
May
|
|
|
6.8098
|
|
|
|
6.8843
|
|
|
|
6.8098
|
|
|
|
6.9060
|
|
June
|
|
|
6.7793
|
|
|
|
6.8066
|
|
|
|
6.7793
|
|
|
|
6.8382
|
|
July
|
|
|
6.7240
|
|
|
|
6.7694
|
|
|
|
6.7240
|
|
|
|
6.8039
|
|
August
|
|
|
6.5888
|
|
|
|
6.6670
|
|
|
|
6.5918
|
|
|
|
6.7272
|
|
September
|
|
|
6.6533
|
|
|
|
6.5690
|
|
|
|
6.4773
|
|
|
|
6.6591
|
|
October
|
|
|
6.6328
|
|
|
|
6.6254
|
|
|
|
6.5712
|
|
|
|
6.6498
|
|
November
|
|
|
6.6090
|
|
|
|
6.6200
|
|
|
|
6.5967
|
|
|
|
6.6385
|
|
December
|
|
|
6.5063
|
|
|
|
6.5932
|
|
|
|
6.5063
|
|
|
|
6.6210
|
|
2018
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
January
|
|
|
6.2841
|
|
|
|
6.4233
|
|
|
|
6.2841
|
|
|
|
6.5263
|
|
February
|
|
|
6.3280
|
|
|
|
6.3183
|
|
|
|
6.2649
|
|
|
|
6.3471
|
|
March
|
|
|
6.2726
|
|
|
|
6.3174
|
|
|
|
6.2685
|
|
|
|
6.3565
|
|
April
|
|
|
6.2945
|
|
|
|
6.2859
|
|
|
|
6.2722
|
|
|
|
6.3045
|
|
Source: Federal Reserve Statistical Release.
|
(1)
|
Annual
averages, lows, and highs are calculated from month-end rates. Monthly averages, lows,
and highs are calculated using the average of the daily rates during the relevant period.
|
|
B.
|
Capitalization and Indebtedness
|
Not required.
|
C.
|
Reasons for the Offer and Use of Proceeds
|
Not required.
You should carefully consider the following
risk factors, together with all of the other information included in this Annual Report.
Risk Factors Relating
to Our Business
We generate a large percentage of
our revenues from a limited number of customers and our business will suffer if sales to such customers decline.
Our five largest customers accounted for
an aggregate of 19.8%, 26.3% and 37.4% of our total revenue in fiscal years 2015, 2016 and 2017, respectively. We are particularly
exposed to the credit risks of these customers as defaults in payment by our major customers would have a significant impact on
our cash flows and financial results. Our agreements with our major customers do not specify minimum sales volume. There is no
assurance that we will continue to retain these customers or that they will continue to purchase our products at their current
levels in the future. If there is any reduction or cancellation of purchase orders by these customers for any reason, including
a fall in demand from our customers’ downstream developer clients, or a termination of a relationship with these customers,
our revenues will be negatively impacted.
Payment defaults by the customers to
whom we extend credit would harm our cash flows and results.
Our financial position and profitability
is dependent on the creditworthiness of our customers. We are exposed to the credit risks of our customers and this risk increases
the larger the orders are. We usually offer our customers credit terms of approximately 120 to 150 days. During the past two years
our trade receivable turnover has increased substantially. In 2016, it increased to 245 days from 163 days in 2015. In 2017, it
increased to 206 days. In 2017, we increased our bad debt reserve by RMB 71.57 million (US$ 10.60 million). We may experience
increased credit risk from our customers resulting in an increased level of doubtful or bad debts in the future. Should we experience
any unexpected delay or difficulty in collecting receivables from our customers, our cash flows and financial results may be adversely
affected.
If our suppliers are unable to fulfill
our orders for raw materials, we may lose business.
Our suppliers are all located in the PRC.
Our purchases of raw materials is based on expected production levels, after taking into consideration, amongst other factors,
sales forecasts and actual orders from our customers. To ensure that we are able to deliver quality products at competitive prices,
we need to secure sufficient quantities of raw materials at acceptable prices and quality on a timely basis. Typically, we do
not enter into any long-term supply agreements with our suppliers. There is no assurance that these suppliers will continue to
supply us in the future or that they will do so at acceptable prices. In the event our suppliers are unable to fulfill our orders
or meet our requirements, we may not be able to find timely replacements at acceptable prices and quality, and this will delay
the fulfillment of our customers’ orders. Consequently, our reputation may be negatively affected, leading to a loss of
business and affecting our ability to attract new business.
Increases in the price of raw materials
will negatively impact our profitability.
In fiscal years 2015, 2016 and 2017 our
cost of raw materials and energy source, which consist of clay (comprising mainly of kaolin, flint and feldspar), coal and natural
gas (used to heat our kilns), coloring materials and glazing materials, accounted for approximately 67.9%, 62.7% and 71.7% of
our total cost of sales, respectively. The price of clay, coal, natural gas, coloring materials and glazing materials may fluctuate
due to factors such as global supply and demand for such raw materials and changes in global economic conditions. Coal and natural
gas in aggregate accounted for approximately 21.3%, 19.7% and 20.1% of our total costs of raw materials and energy source in fiscal
years 2015, 2016 and 2017, respectively. Any shortages or interruptions in the supply of clay, coal and natural gas, coloring
materials or glazing materials will result in an increase in the cost of production, thus increasing our cost of sales. If we
are not able to pass on such an increase to our customers or are unable to find alternative sources of clay, coal, coloring materials,
or glazing materials or appropriate substitute raw materials at comparable prices, our gross margins and overall financial performance
will be adversely affected.
If China’s inflation increases
or the prices of energy or raw materials increase, we may not be able to pass the resulting increased costs to our customers and
this may adversely affect our profitability or cause us to suffer operating losses.
Economic growth in China has, in the past,
been accompanied by periods of high inflation. In the past, the Chinese government has implemented various policies from time
to time to control inflation. For example, the Chinese government has periodically introduced measures in certain sectors to avoid
overheating of the economy, including tighter bank lending policies, increases in bank interest rates, and measures to curb inflation,
which has resulted in a decrease in the rate of inflation. An increase in inflation could cause our costs for energy, labor costs,
raw materials and other operating costs to increase, which would adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.
We are dependent on our management
team and any loss of our key management personnel without timely and suitable replacements may reduce our revenues and profits.
Our Chief Executive Officer, Huang Jia
Dong, and our Sales Deputy General Manager, Su Pei Zhi, have worked with our company since founding it over eighteen years ago.
Accordingly, our success is dependent to a large extent on our ability to retain Messrs. Huang and Su, who are responsible for
formulating and implementing our growth, corporate development and overall business strategies. Mr. Huang currently beneficially
owns 989,257 shares in us. Our employment agreements with Messrs. Huang and Su end on January 31, 2019, and there is no assurance
that we will be able to enter new long-term agreements with Messrs. Huang or Su. Our business is also dependent on our executive
officers who are responsible for implementing our business plans and driving growth. Please refer to “Directors, Senior
Management and Employees” herein for more information about our directors and officers. The demand for such experienced
personnel is intense and the search for personnel with the relevant skills set can be time consuming. The loss of our key management
personnel without timely and suitable replacements may reduce our revenues and profits.
Failure to compete successfully with
our competitors and new entrants to the ceramics industry in the PRC may result in China Ceramics losing market share.
We operate in a competitive and fragmented
industry. There is no assurance that we will not face competition from our existing competitors and new entrants. We compete with
a variety of companies, some of which have advantages that include: longer operating history, larger clientele base, superior
products, better access to capital, personnel and technology, or are better entrenched. Our competitors may be able to respond
more quickly to new and emerging technologies and changes in customer requirements or succeed in developing products that are
more effective or less costly than our products. Any increase in competition could have a negative impact on our pricing (thus
eroding our profit margins) and reduce our market share. If we are unable to compete effectively with our existing and future
competitors and do not adapt quickly to changing market conditions, we may lose market share.
We have not purchased product liability
insurance and any loss resulting from product liability claims must be paid by us.
Accidents may arise as a result of defects
in our products. If there are any defects in the products designed and/or manufactured by us, we may face claims from our customers
or third parties for the personal injury or property damage suffered as a result of such defects. We have not purchased insurance
coverage for product liability or third party liability and are therefore not covered or compensated by insurance in respect of
losses, damages, claims and liabilities arising from or in connection with product liability or third party liability.
Our production facilities may be
affected by power shortages which could result in a loss of business.
Our production facilities consume substantial
amounts of electrical power, which is the principal source of energy for our manufacturing operations. Although we have a back-up
generator at both our production facilities, we may experience occasional temporary power shortages disrupting production due
to power rationing activities conducted by the authorities, thunderstorms or other natural events beyond our control. Accordingly,
these production disruptions could result in a loss of business.
Our research and development efforts
may not result in marketable products.
Our research and development team develops
products which we have identified as having good potential in the market. There is no assurance that we will not experience delays
in future product developments. There is also no assurance that the products which we are currently developing or may develop
in the future will be successful or that we will be able to market these new products to our customers successfully. If our new
products are unable to gain the acceptance of our customers or potential customers, we will not be able to generate future sales
from our investment in research and development.
We may not be able to ensure the
successful implementation of our future plans and strategies, resulting in reduced financial performance.
We intend to expand our market presence
and explore opportunities in strategic investments or alliances and acquisitions. These initiatives involve various risks including,
but not limited to, the investment costs in setting up new offices and sales offices and working capital requirements. There is
no assurance that any future plan can be successfully implemented as the successful execution could depend on several factors,
some of which are not within our control. Failure to successfully implement our future plans or to effectively manage costs may
lead to a material adverse change in our operating environment or affect our ability to respond to market or industry changes,
resulting in reduced financial performance.
Decelerating economic growth in China
has caused challenging market conditions in the real estate and construction sectors resulting in a contraction in investment
and new housing projects by property developers. The challenging market conditions has resulted in an expected contraction in
demand for our products. Due to the reduced demand for our products, we recently recorded an impairment of assets. As we are currently
operating our facilities at significantly less than our maximum capacity, this could reduce our profitability.
Our facilities currently provide an aggregate
annual maximum production capacity of approximately 66 million square meters. However, due to a reduction in demand, we are currently
utilizing production facilities capable of producing only 31million square meters. In addition, we currently have fourteen production
lines of which only 8 were utilized as of the end of 2017 due to challenging macroeconomic conditions that began in the fourth
quarter of 2012. The fact that a significant portion of our facilities are not being used means that our net income will be significantly
less than it would otherwise be because we must maintain those unused facilities even though they are not currently being productive.
Because certain of our facilities have remained idle for an extended period of time, the Company recorded an impairment charge
of RMB 36.7 million (US$ 5.4 million) in its fourth quarter of 2017 related to property, plant and equipment, and land use rights
at its Hengda and Hengdali production facilities. The impairment of the non-current assets is attributable to challenging market
conditions in China which are expected to result in a contraction in demand for the Company’s products in 2017. If our facilities
continue to remain idle we may be required to take an additional impairment charge on our financial statements.
In order to maintain our market share and move
inventory, we reduced the selling price of certain of our slow moving products beginning on July 1, 2016 with the goal to turn
some of this inventory into cash. Beginning on October 1, 2016, in order to generate sales and move inventory, we instituted a
20% reduction of our slow-moving products. This price reduction led to a 35% increase in our sales volume in the fourth quarter
of 2016 compared to the same period of 2015. The fourth quarter growth in sales volume was the first positive comparison to the
previous comparable period after four straight fiscal quarters of period over period decline in this key metric. The discounting
of our products in 2016 led to an 11.5% decrease in our average selling price (“ASP”) for fiscal 2016 of RMB 27.5
on a weighted average basis by sales volume, our lowest ASP since fiscal 2013, when our ASP on a weighted average basis by sales
volume was RMB 26.9 per square meter of ceramic tile. In the latter period, an industry retrenchment also induced us to offer
price reductions in certain of our ceramic tile products. Consequently, our revenues and net income for those periods tend to
lower than they would otherwise be due to such reductions. In addition, if customers grow accustomed to such significant reductions,
we may need to offer significant discounts in the future, which could reduce our net income and revenues long term. We believe
our strong marketing efforts and long-standing reputation for best-in-class products and service will allow us to increase our
selling prices, as we did on July 1, 2014 and regain our pricing power, but there is no assurance that we will not be required
in the future to reduce our prices again to maintain market share. In 2014, we increased our average selling price by 10.4% on
a weighted average basis by sales volume as compared to 2013. In 2015, we increased our average selling price by 4.2% on a weighted
average basis by sales volume as compared to 2014. In 2017, we increased our average selling price twice with 10% increase for
each.
We may lose revenue if our intellectual
property rights are not protected and counterfeit HD, Hengda, HDL, Hengdeli, WULIQIAO, TOERTO or Pottery Capital of Tang Dynasty
brand products are sold in the market.
We believe our intellectual property rights
are important to our success and competitive position. A portion of our products are manufactured and marketed under our “HD”
or “Hengda,” “HDL” or “Hengdeli,” “Pottery Capital of Tang Dynasty”, “TOERTO”
and “WULIQIAO” labels. We have filed our labels as trademarks in the PRC. Before April13, 2011, WULIQIAO was a trademark
owned by Fujian Province Jinjiang City Hengda Construction Materials Co., Ltd. Hengda signed a Trademark Licensing Contract with
Fujian Province Jinjiang City Hengda Construction Materials Co., Ltd. and was licensed the exclusive right to use WULIQIAO during
the terms of that trademark. Since April 13, 2011, WULIQIAO has been transferred to Hengdali, according to Certificate of Approved
Transference of Trademark issued on April 13, 2011 by the Trademark Office of the State Administration for Industry & Commerce
of the P.R.C. In addition, we own twenty-two utility model patents and have certain trade secrets and unpatented proprietary technology.
We cannot assure you that there will not be any unauthorized usage or misuse of our trademarks and patent rights or that our intellectual
property rights will be adequately protected as it may be difficult and costly to monitor any infringements of our intellectual
property rights in the PRC. If we cannot adequately protect our intellectual property, we may lose revenue.
In addition, we believe the branding of
our products and the brand equity in our “HD” or “Hengda”, “HDL or Hengdeli”, “Pottery
Capital of Tang Dynasty”, “TOERTO” and “WULIQIAO” trademarks is critical to our expansion effort
and the continued success of our business. Our efforts to build our brand may be undermined by the sale of counterfeit goods.
The counterfeiting of our products may increase if our products become more popular. In order to preserve and enforce our intellectual
property rights, we may have to resort to litigation against the infringing or counterfeiting parties. Such litigation could result
in substantial costs and diversion of management resources which may have an effect on our financial performance.
We may inadvertently infringe third-party
intellectual property rights, which could negatively impact our business and financial results.
We are not aware of, nor have we received
any claims from third parties for, any violations or infringements of intellectual property rights of third parties by us as of
the date of this Annual Report. Nevertheless, there can be no assurance that as we develop new product designs and production
methods, we would not inadvertently infringe the intellectual property rights of others or others would not assert infringement
claims against us or claim that we have infringed their intellectual property rights. Claims against us, even if untrue or baseless,
could result in significant costs, legal or otherwise, cause product shipment delays, require us to develop non-infringing products,
enter into licensing agreements or may be a distraction to our management. Licensing agreements, if required, may not be available
on terms acceptable to us or at all. In the event of a successful claim of intellectual property rights infringement against us
and our failure or inability to develop non-infringing products or to license the infringed intellectual property rights in a
timely or cost-effective basis, our business and/or financial results will be negatively impacted.
The PRC government has historically
introduced certain policy and regulatory measures to control the rapid increase in housing prices and cool down the real estate
construction market and has more recently adopted policies to stimulate the real estate sector, and the government in the future
may refrain from supporting the sector or adopt measures in the future that may further adversely affect our business.
Our business depends on the level of business
activity in the property development and construction industries that use our products in their operations in the PRC. Our products
are sold to customers in the property development and construction industries. If the property and construction industries fall
into a recession in the future, the demand for construction materials, such as ceramic tiles, may consequently decrease and have
a significant adverse effect on our business.
The PRC government has committed to taking
steps to regulate real estate development, promote the healthy development of the real estate industry in China, and strengthen
the supervision over land for real estate development purposes. For example, in his 2010 annual report to the National People’s
Congress, as part of the 12
th
Five-Year Plan, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao pledged to curb the rise of housing prices
in certain cities to increase the availability of affordable housing. The PRC government has also adopted an array of policies
to stimulate the real estate sector which includes cutting benchmark interest rates five times in 2015, a lowering of the reserve
requirement ratio for banks, lower first home down payment ratios and a cut in the minimum capital ratio for fixed asset investments
which would help property developers. Although the Central Government’s measures have helped to sustain the real estate
sector, there has been a substantial slowdown in construction activity, and it is not clear if supportive monetary and regulatory
policies will continue in the future. We also cannot be certain that the PRC government will not issue additional and more stringent
regulations or measures or that agencies and banks will not adopt restrictive measures or practices in response to PRC governmental
policies and regulations, which could negatively affect the industries we serve in the PRC, and thereby harm our sales.
Our manufacturing activities are
dependent upon availability of skilled and unskilled labor, a deficiency of which could result in a reduction in profits.
Our manufacturing activities are labor
intensive and dependent on the availability of skilled and unskilled labor in large numbers. Large labor intensive operations
call for good monitoring and maintenance of cordial relations. Non-availability of labor, poor labor management and/or any disputes
between the labor and management may result in a reduction in profits. Further, we rely on contractors who engage on-site laborers
for performance of many of our unskilled operations. The scarcity or unavailability of contract laborers may affect our operations
and financial performance.
We face increasing labor costs and
other costs of production in the PRC, which could limit our profitability.
The ceramic tile manufacturing industry
is labor intensive. Labor costs in China have been increasing in recent years and our labor costs in the PRC could continue to
increase in the future. If labor costs in the PRC continue to increase, our production costs will likely increase which may in
turn affect the selling prices of our products. We may not be able to pass on these increased costs to consumers by increasing
the selling prices of our products in light of competitive pressure in the markets where we operate. In such circumstances, our
profit margin may decrease.
Violation of Foreign Corrupt Practices
Act or China anti-corruption law could subject us to penalties and other adverse consequences.
We are subject to the United States Foreign
Corrupt Practices Act, which generally prohibits United States public companies from bribing or making prohibited payments to
foreign officials to obtain or retain business. PRC law also strictly prohibits bribery of government officials. While we take
precautions to educate our employees about the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and Chinese anti-corruption law, there can be no
assurance that we or the employees or agents of our subsidiaries will not engage in such conduct, for which we may be held responsible.
If that were to occur, we could suffer penalties that may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition
and results of operations.
Our independent registered public
accounting firm’s audit documentation related to their audit reports included in this annual report may be located in the
People’s Republic of China. The Public Company Accounting Oversight Board currently cannot inspect audit documentation located
in China and, as such, you may be deprived of the benefits of such inspection.
Auditors of companies
whose shares are registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and traded publicly in the United States, including
our independent registered public accounting firm, must be registered with the U.S. Public Company Accounting Oversight Board
(the “PCAOB”) and are required by the laws of the United States to undergo regular inspections by the PCAOB to assess
their compliance with the laws of the United States and professional standards applicable to auditors. Because we have substantial
operations within the PRC, a jurisdiction where the PCAOB is currently unable to conduct inspections without the approval of the
Chinese authorities, our auditor is not currently inspected by the PCAOB. In May 2013, the PCAOB announced that it had entered
into a Memorandum of Understanding on Enforcement Cooperation with the China Securities Regulatory Commission, or CSRC, and the
PRC Ministry of Finance, which establishes a cooperative framework between the parties for the production and exchange of audit
documents relevant to investigations undertaken by the PCAOB, the CSRC or the Ministry of Finance in the United States and the
PRC, respectively. The PCAOB continues to be in discussions with the CSRC and the Ministry of Finance to permit joint inspections
in the PRC of audit firms that are registered with the PCAOB and audit Chinese companies that trade on U.S. exchanges. This lack
of PCAOB inspections in China prevents the PCAOB from regularly evaluating audits and quality control procedures of any auditors
operating in China, including our auditor. As a result, investors may be deprived of the benefits of PCAOB inspections. The inability
of the PCAOB to conduct inspections of auditors in China makes it more difficult to evaluate the effectiveness of our auditor's
audit procedures or quality control procedures as compared to auditors outside of China that are subject to PCAOB inspections.
Investors may lose confidence in our reported financial information and procedures and the quality of our financial statements.
Proceedings
instituted by the SEC against certain PRC-based accounting firms could result in financial statements being determined to not
be in compliance with the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act.
On December 3,
2012, the SEC issued an order instituting administrative proceedings against five of the largest global public accounting firms
relating to work performed in the PRC and such firms’ failure to provide audit work papers to the SEC in this regard. Our
independent registered public accounting firm is not one of the accounting firms referenced in the order. On January 22, 2014,
an initial administrative law decision was issued, censuring the five accounting firms and suspending four of the five firms from
practicing before the SEC for a period of six months. On February 12, 2014, four of these PRC-based accounting firms appealed
to the SEC against this decision. In February 2015, each of the four PRC-based accounting firms agreed to a censure and to pay
a fine to the SEC to settle the dispute and avoid suspension of their ability to practice before the SEC. The settlement requires
the firms to follow detailed procedures to seek to provide the SEC with access to Chinese firms’ audit documents via the
CSRC. If the firms do not follow these procedures, the SEC could impose penalties such as suspensions, or it could restart the
administrative proceedings. In the event that the SEC restarts the administrative proceedings, depending upon the final outcome,
listed companies in the United States with major PRC operations may find it difficult or impossible to retain auditors in respect
of their operations in the PRC, which could result in financial statements being determined to not be in compliance with the requirements
of the Exchange Act, including possible delisting. Moreover, any negative news about the proceedings against these audit firms
may cause investor uncertainty regarding China-based, United States-listed companies and the market price of our shares may be
adversely affected. If our independent registered public accounting firm was denied, temporarily, the ability to practice before
the SEC and we were unable to timely find another registered public accounting firm to audit and issue an opinion on our financial
statements, our financial statements could be determined to not be in compliance with the requirements of the Exchange Act.
Risk Factors Relating
to Operations In China
We are dependent on political, economic,
regulatory and social conditions in the PRC.
Approximately 94% of our revenue in each
of the last three fiscal years was derived from the PRC market and we anticipate that the PRC market will continue to be the major
source of revenue for the foreseeable future. Accordingly, any significant slowdown in the PRC economy or decline in demand for
our products from our customers in the PRC will have an adverse effect on our business and financial performance. Furthermore,
as our operations and production facilities are located in the PRC, any unfavorable changes in the social and/or political conditions
may also adversely affect our business and operations. While the current policy of the PRC government seems to be one of economic
reform to encourage foreign investments and greater economic decentralization, there is no assurance that such a policy will continue
to prevail in the future. There is no assurance that our operations will not be adversely affected should there be any policy
changes.
We are subject to risks related to
the laws and regulations of the PRC and the interpretation and implementation thereof.
Our business and operations, as well as
those of our customers and suppliers in the PRC, are subject to the laws and regulations promulgated by relevant PRC governmental
authorities. The PRC government is still in the process of developing a comprehensive set of laws and regulations in the course
of the PRC’s transformation from a centrally planned economy to a more free market oriented economy. As the legal system
in the PRC is still in flux, laws and regulations or their interpretation may be subject to change. Furthermore, any change in
the political and economic policy of the PRC government may also result in similar changes in the laws and regulations or the
interpretation thereof. Such changes may adversely affect our operations and business in the PRC.
The PRC legal system is a codified legal
system comprising written laws, regulations, circulars, administrative directives, and internal guidelines as well as judicial
interpretations. Decided cases do not form part of the legal structure of the PRC and thus have no binding effect. As such, the
administration of PRC laws and regulations may be subject to a certain degree of discretion by the authorities. This has resulted
in the outcome of dispute resolutions not having the level of consistency or predictability as in other countries with more developed
legal systems. Due to such inconsistency and unpredictability, if we should be involved in any legal dispute in the PRC, we may
experience difficulties in obtaining legal redress or in enforcing our legal rights.
From time to time, changes in law, registration
requirements, and regulations or the implementation thereof may also require us to obtain additional approvals and licenses from
the PRC authorities for carrying out our operations in the PRC which would require us to incur additional expenses in order to
comply with such requirements and in turn affect our financial performance with the increase in our business costs. Furthermore,
there can be no assurance that approvals, registrations, or licenses will be granted to us promptly or at all. If we experience
delays in obtaining or are unable to obtain such required approvals, registrations, or licenses, our operations and business in
the PRC, and hence our overall financial performance will be adversely affected.
Our business activities are subject
to certain PRC laws and regulations.
As our production and operations are carried
out in the PRC, we are subject to certain PRC laws and regulations. In addition, being wholly foreign-owned enterprises, we are
required to comply with certain additional laws and regulations. Pursuant to PRC laws and regulations, the breach or non-compliance
with such laws and regulations may result in the PRC authorities suspending, withdrawing or terminating our business license,
causing us to cease production of all or certain of our products, and this would materially and adversely affect our business
and financial performance.
Our corporate affairs in the PRC are governed
by our articles of association and the corporate and foreign investment laws and regulations of the PRC. The principles of the
PRC laws relating to matters such as the fiduciary duties of directors and other corporate governance matters and foreign investment
laws in the PRC are relatively new. Hence, the enforcement of investors or shareholders’ rights under the articles of association
of a PRC company and the interpretation of the relevant laws relating to corporate governance matters remain largely untested
in the PRC.
PRC foreign exchange control may
limit our ability to utilize our profits effectively and affect our ability to receive dividends and other payments from our PRC
subsidiaries.
Hengda is a foreign investment enterprise,
or “FIE,” and is subject to the rules and regulations in the PRC on currency conversion. In the PRC, State Administration
of Foreign Exchange, or SAFE, regulates the conversion of the RMB into foreign currencies. Currently, FIEs are required to apply
to SAFE for “Foreign Exchange Registration Certificates for Foreign Investment Enterprise”. With such registration
certifications (which need to be renewed annually), FIEs are allowed to open foreign currency accounts including the “current
account” and “capital account”. Currently, conversion of currency within the scope of the “current account”
(e.g. remittance of foreign currencies for payment of dividends, etc.) can be effected without requiring the approval of SAFE.
However, conversion of currency in the “capital account” (e.g. for capital items such as direct investments, loans,
securities, etc.) still requires the approval of SAFE.
On October 21, 2005, SAFE promulgated the
“Notice on Issues concerning Foreign Exchange Management in Financing by PRC Residents by Overseas Special Purpose Vehicle
and Return Investments” (the “No. 75 Notice”).
The No. 75 Notice came into effect on November
1, 2005 and requires the following matters, among others, to be complied with: every PRC domestic resident who establishes or
controls an overseas special purpose vehicle, or “SPV,” must apply to the local bureau of SAFE for an “overseas
investment foreign exchange registration.”
Every PRC domestic resident of an SPV who
has completed the “overseas investment foreign exchange registration”, or “Registrant,” must make an application
to the local bureau of SAFE to amend their registration particulars upon (i) the injection of any PRC domestic assets or the equity
interests of any PRC domestic company owned by the PRC domestic resident into the SPV, and (ii) the implementation of any overseas
equity fund-raising by the SPV following an injection of PRC domestic assets or the equity interests of a PRC domestic company;
every Registrant must apply to the local bureau of SAFE for change of registration particulars or recordation within 30 days after
the occurrence of any capital increase or reduction, changes in shareholdings or share swap, merger, long-term investment in equities
or debentures, guarantee of foreign indebtedness and other major capital changes not involving “return investment”,
undertaken by an SPV; and every Registrant must repatriate, within 180 days, dividends or profits which he receives from an SPV
and/or income derived from changes in the shareholding of an SPV.
On July 14, 2014, China’s State Administration
of Foreign Exchange (SAFE), the foreign exchange control authority, released the Notice of the State Administration of Foreign
Exchange on Relevant Issues Concerning Foreign Exchange Administration for Overseas Investment, Financing and Round Trip Investment
Undertaken by Domestic Residents via Special Purpose Vehicles (Notice 37). The new regulation took effect July 4, 2014. At that
time, the old regulation, “Notice on Issues concerning Foreign Exchange Management in Financing by PRC Residents by Overseas
Special Purpose Vehicle and Return Investments” (the “No. 75 Notice”), which was issued in 2005, was repealed.
Compared with Circular 75, Circular 37 reflects the trend of SAFE’s policy to gradually loosen the restrictions and simplify
the procedures for overseas financing and investment by Chinese residents, so as to fully utilize the financial resources in domestic
and overseas markets. However, as Circular 37 has only recently been issued, the actual interpretation and enforcement of the
above changes by SAFE in practice remain to be seen.
There can be no assurance that SAFE will
not continue to issue new rules and regulations and/or further interpretations of the No. 37 Notice that will strengthen the foreign
exchange control. As we are located in the PRC and all of our sales are denominated in RMB, our ability to pay dividends or make
other distributions may be restricted by PRC foreign exchange control restrictions. There can be no assurance that the relevant
regulations will not be amended to our detriment and that our ability to distribute dividends will not be adversely affected.
Introduction of new laws or changes
to existing laws by the PRC government may adversely affect our business.
The PRC legal system is based on the Constitution
of the People’s Republic of China and is made up of written laws, regulations, circulars and directives. With the PRC’s
entry into the WTO, the PRC government is in the process of developing its legal system so as to encourage foreign investments
and to meet the needs of investors. As the PRC economy is developing at a generally faster rate than its legal system, some degree
of uncertainty exists in connection with whether and how existing laws and regulations will apply to certain events or circumstances.
Some of the laws and regulations, and the interpretation, implementation and enforcement thereof, are still at the experimental
stage and therefore subject to policy changes. There is no assurance that the introduction of new laws or regulations, changes
to existing laws and regulations and the interpretation or application thereof or the delays in obtaining approvals from the relevant
PRC authorities will not have an adverse impact on our business or prospects.
In particular, on August 8, 2006, the Ministry
of Commerce, the China Securities Regulatory Commission, the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission, the
State Administration of Taxation, the State Administration of Industry and Commerce and the State Administration of Foreign Exchange
promulgated the “Rules on the Mergers and Acquisition of Domestic Enterprises by Foreign Investors” which came into
effect on September 8, 2006, or “the M&A Rules.” Foreign investors should comply with the rules when they purchase
shareholding equities of a PRC domestic non-foreign-funded enterprise, or Domestic Company, or subscribe to the increased capital
of a Domestic Company, and thus changing the nature of the Domestic Company into a foreign investment enterprise. The rules stipulate,
inter alia, (i) that the acquisition of a Domestic Company by an affiliated foreign enterprise established or controlled by PRC
entities or individuals must be approved by the Ministry of Commerce; (ii) that the incorporation of a special purpose vehicle,
which is directly or indirectly controlled by PRC entities for the purpose of an overseas listing of the equity interest of a
Domestic Company, must be subject to the approval of the Ministry of Commerce; (iii) that the acquisition of a Domestic Company
by a special purpose vehicle shall be subject to approval of the Ministry of Commerce and (iv) the offshore listing of a special
purpose vehicle shall be subject to the prior approval from China Securities Regulatory Commission.
As Hengda was incorporated as a FIE and
China Ceramics does not fall within the scope of being classified as a special purpose vehicle directly or indirectly established
or controlled by PRC entities or individuals, the M&A Rules did not apply to the Business Combination, and we were not required
to obtain the approval from the Ministry of Commerce, the approval from the China Securities Regulatory Commission and/or any
other approvals from PRC government authorities as stipulated by the M&A Rules. There is however no assurance that the PRC
authorities will not issue further directives, regulations, clarifications or implementation rules, which may require us or other
relevant parties to obtain further approvals with respect to the Business Combination. If new laws are promulgated or the existing
laws are reinterpreted, our structure could be determined to be in violation of such laws and subject to sanction by applicable
government authorities.
Environmental, health and safety
laws have in the past and may in the future impose material liabilities on us and require us to incur material capital and operational
costs.
We are subject to environmental, health
and safety laws and regulations in the PRC that impose controls on our air, water and waste discharges, on our storage, handling,
use, discharge and disposal of chemicals, and on exposure of our employees to hazardous substances. These laws and regulations
could require us to incur costs to maintain compliance and could impose liability to remedy the effects of hazardous substance
contamination. Although we do not believe that we have violated any of such laws and regulations and therefore have not incurred
any significant liabilities under these laws and regulations in the past, the environmental laws and regulations are constantly
evolving and becoming stricter in the PRC. The adoption of new laws or regulations or our failure to comply with these laws or
regulations in the future could cause us to incur material liabilities and could require us to incur additional expenses, curtail
operations and/or restrict our ability to expand. Hengdali is currently in the process of applying for a Pollutant Discharge Permit,
and the environmental protection agency in Gaoan has accepted Hengdali’s application. If the Pollutant Discharge Permit
is not issued and Hengdali discharges pollutants, Hengdali may be warned, ordered to stop discharging pollutants, and/or fined
by the environmental protection agency.
During 2014, our Hengda facility was required
by the local governmental entity to begin using natural gas to operate the facility, as opposed to coal. This mandated change
in fuel source is part of a province-wide (and country-wide) effort to reduce pollution. This change resulted in our incurring
a one-time charge of approximately RMB5.6 million ($0.9 million) in December 2013, and will increase our cost of goods produced
at that facility because natural gas is a more expensive energy source than coal. There is no assurance that in the future our
other production facilities will not be required to make similar modifications which could have similar adverse effects on our
operations.
Our business will suffer if we lose
our land use rights.
There is no private ownership of land in
China and all land ownership is held by the government of China, its agencies, and collectives. In the case of land used for business
purposes, land use rights can be obtained from the government for a period up to 50 years, and are typically renewable. Land use
rights can be granted upon approval by the land administrative authorities of China (State Land Administration Bureau) upon payment
of the required land granting fee, the entry into a land use agreement with a competent governmental authority and certain other
ministerial procedures. We have received land use certificates for certain parcels of land on which our operations reside, but
we may not have followed all procedures required to obtain such certificates or paid all required fees. If the Chinese administrative
authorities determine that we have not fully complied with all procedures and requirements needed to hold a land use certificate,
we may be forced by the Chinese administrative authorities to retroactively comply with such procedures and requirements, which
may be burdensome and require us to make payments, or such Chinese administrative authorities may invalidate or revoke our land
use certificate entirely. If the land use right certificates needed for our operations are determined by the government of China
to be invalid or if they are not renewed, we may lose production facilities or employee accommodations that would be difficult
or even impossible to replace. Should we have to relocate, our workforce may be unable or unwilling to work in the new location
and our business operations will be disrupted during the relocation. The relocation or loss of facilities could cause us to lose
sales and/or increase our costs of production, which would negatively impact our financial results.
We own certain buildings collectively,
which may limit our right to use, renovate or dispose of such buildings.
Together with three other companies, we
collectively own several buildings located at the Junbing Industrial Zone in Jinjiang City with a total construction area of 29,120.83
square meters. As a result, our right to use, renovate and dispose of such buildings may be limited.
Our Business Will Suffer If We Fail
to Comply With Environmental Protection Regulations
Companies which cause severe pollution
to the environment are required to restore the environment or remedy the effects of the pollution within a prescribed time limit.
If a company fails to report and/or register the environmental pollution it caused, it will receive a warning or be penalized.
Companies that fail to restore the environment or remedy the effects of the pollution within the prescribed time will be penalized
or have their business licenses terminated. Companies that have polluted and endangered the environment must bear the responsibility
for remedying the danger and effects of the pollution, as well as to compensate any losses or damages suffered as a result of
such environmental pollution.
Our Hengda facility obtained a Temporary
Pollutant Discharge Permit (No.350582-2014-000260) granted by Jinjiang City Environmental Protection Bureau that will expire on
May 1, 2016. Hengdali is currently in the process of applying for a Pollutant Discharge Permit, and the environmental protection
agency in Gaoan has accepted Hengdali’s application. If the Pollutant Discharge Permit is not issued and Hengdali discharges
pollutants, Hengdali may be warned, ordered to stop discharging pollutants, and/or fined by the environmental protection agency.
If Hengdali’s application is denied, or if the Hengdali facility is ordered to stop discharging pollutants or is fined,
that could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.
Our corporate structure together
with applicable law impede shareholders from asserting claims against us and our principals.
All of our operations and records, and
all of our senior management are located in the People’s Republic of China. Shareholders of companies such as ours have
limited ability to assert and collect on claims in litigation against such companies and their principals. In addition, China
has very restrictive secrecy laws that prohibit the delivery of many of the financial records maintained by a business located
in China to third parties absent Chinese government approval. Since discovery is an important part of proving a claim in litigation,
and since most if not all of our records are in China, Chinese secrecy laws could frustrate efforts to prove a claim against us
or our management.
In order to commence litigation in the
United States against an individual such as an officer or director, that individual must be served. Generally, service requires
the cooperation of the country in which a defendant resides. China has a history of failing to cooperate in efforts to affect
such service upon Chinese citizens in China.
If we become directly subject to
the recent scrutiny involving U.S.-listed Chinese companies, we may have to expend significant resources to investigate and/or
defend the matter, which could harm our business operations, stock price and reputation and could result in a complete loss of
your investment in us.
In recent years, U.S. public companies
that have substantially all of their operations in China have been the subject of intense scrutiny by investors, financial commentators
and regulatory agencies. Although a portion of this scrutiny seems to have abated, this scrutiny has centered around financial
and accounting irregularities and mistakes, a lack of effective internal controls over financial reporting and, in many cases,
allegations of fraud. As a result of the scrutiny, the publicly traded stock of many U.S. listed China-based companies that have
been the subject of such scrutiny has sharply decreased in value. Many of these companies are now subject to shareholder lawsuits
and/or SEC enforcement actions that are conducting internal and/or external investigations into the allegations. If we become
the subject of any such scrutiny, whether any allegations are true or not, we may have to expend significant resources to investigate
such allegations and/or defend our company. Such investigations or allegations will be costly and time-consuming and distract
our management from our business plan and could result in our reputation being harmed and our stock price could decline as a result
of such allegations, regardless of the truthfulness of the allegations.
Risks to China
Ceramics’ Shareholders
The price of our shares could be
volatile and could decline at a time when you want to sell your holdings.
The price of our shares has been and may
continue to be volatile, and that volatility may continue for an extended period of time. Since the completion of the business
combination through April 20, 2018, the trading price of our shares ranged between $36.32 and $1.30 per share. In June 2016,
following Special Meeting of shareholders held on May 23, 2016, the Company effected a 1-for-8 combination of all of the Company’s
outstanding ordinary shares. The Company’s shareholders also authorized an amendment to the Company’s Amended and
Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association to increase the par value of the Company’s shares from $0.001 per share
to $0.008 per share.
There is a risk that China Ceramics
could be treated as a U.S. domestic corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes after the Redomestication and the Business
Combination, which, among other things, could result in significantly greater U.S. federal income tax liability to China Ceramics.
Section 7874(b) of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) generally provides that a corporation organized outside the United States that
acquires, directly or indirectly, pursuant to a plan or series of related transactions substantially all of the assets of a corporation
organized in the United States will be treated as a domestic corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes if shareholders
of the acquired corporation, by reason of owning shares of the acquired corporation, own at least 80% (of either the voting power
or the value) of the stock of the acquiring corporation after the acquisition. Under regulations promulgated under Section 7874,
a warrant holder of either the acquired corporation or the acquiring corporation generally is treated for this purpose as owning
stock of the acquired corporation or the acquiring corporation, as the case may be, with a value equal to the excess of the value
of the shares underlying the warrant over the exercise price of the warrant. If Section 7874(b) were to have applied to the Redomestication,
then, among other things, China Ceramics, as the surviving entity, would have been subject to U.S. federal income tax on its worldwide
taxable income following the Redomestication and the Business Combination as if China Ceramics were a domestic corporation.
Although Section 7874(b) should not have
applied to treat China Ceramics as a domestic corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, due to the absence of full guidance
on how the rules of Section 7874(b) applied to the transactions completed pursuant to the Redomestication and Business Combination,
this result is not entirely free from doubt. Shareholders are urged to consult their own tax advisors on this issue. See the discussion
in the section entitled “Taxation — United States Federal Income Taxation — Tax Treatment of China Ceramics
After the Redomestication and the Business Combination.” The balance of this discussion assumes that China Ceramics has
been and will be treated as a foreign corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
There is a risk that China Ceramics
will be classified as a passive foreign investment company, or “PFIC,” which could result in adverse U.S. federal
income tax consequences to U.S. holders of its securities.
In general, China Ceramics will be treated
as a PFIC for any taxable year in which either (1) at least 75% of its gross income (including its pro rata share of the gross
income of its 25% or more-owned corporate subsidiaries) is passive income or (2) at least 50% of the average value of its assets
(including its pro rata share of the assets of its 25% or more-owned corporate subsidiaries) produce, or are held for the production
of, passive income. Passive income generally includes dividends, interest, rents, royalties, and gains from the disposition of
passive assets. If China Ceramics is determined to be a PFIC for any taxable year (or portion thereof) that is included in the
holding period of a U.S. Holder (as defined in the section entitled “Taxation—United States Federal Income Taxation—General”)
of its shares, the U.S. Holder may be subject to increased U.S. federal income tax liability upon a sale or other disposition
of the shares of China Ceramics or the receipt of certain excess distributions from China Ceramics and may be subject to additional
reporting requirements. Based on the composition (and estimated values) of the assets and the nature of the income of China Ceramics
and its subsidiaries during its 2015 taxable year, China Ceramics does not believe that it would be treated as a PFIC for such
year. However, because China Ceramics has not performed a definitive analysis as to its PFIC status for its 2015 taxable year,
there can be no assurance in respect to its PFIC status for such year. There also can be no assurance with respect to China Ceramics’
status as a PFIC for its current (2016) taxable year or any future taxable year. U.S. Holders of the shares of China Ceramics
are urged to consult their own tax advisors regarding the possible application of the PFIC rules. See the discussion in the section
entitled “Taxation—United States Federal Income Taxation—U.S. Holders—Passive Foreign Investment Company
Rules.”
Under the EIT Law, China Ceramics,
Success Winner and/or Stand Best may be classified as a “resident enterprise” of the PRC. Such classification could
result in PRC tax consequences to China Ceramics, our non-PRC resident shareholders, Success Winner and/or Stand Best.
On March 16, 2007, the National People’s
Congress approved and promulgated a new tax law, the PRC Enterprise Income Tax Law, or “EIT Law,” which took effect
on January 1, 2008. Under the EIT Law, enterprises are classified as “resident enterprises” and non-resident enterprises.
An enterprise established outside of China with “de facto management bodies” within China is considered a “resident
enterprise,” meaning that it can be treated in a manner similar to a Chinese enterprise for enterprise income tax purposes.
The implementing rules of the EIT Law define
“de facto management bodies” as a managing body that in practice exercises “substantial and overall management
and control over the production and operations, personnel, accounting, and properties” of the enterprise; however, it remains
unclear whether the PRC tax authorities would deem our managing body as being located within China. Due to the short history of
the EIT Law and lack of applicable legal precedents, the PRC tax authorities determine the PRC tax resident treatment of a foreign
(non-PRC) company on a case-by-case basis.
If the PRC tax authorities
determine that China Ceramics, Success Winner and/or Stand Best is a “resident enterprise” for PRC enterprise income
tax purposes, a number of PRC tax consequences could follow. First, China Ceramics, Success Winner and/or Stand Best may be subject
to the enterprise income tax at a rate of 25% on China Ceramics’, Success Winner’s and/or Stand Best’s worldwide
taxable income, as well as PRC enterprise income tax reporting obligations. Second, under the EIT Law and its implementing rules,
dividends paid between “qualified resident enterprises” are exempt from enterprise income tax. As a result, if China
Ceramics, Success Winner and Stand Best are each treated as “qualified resident enterprises,” all dividends from Hengda
to China Ceramics (through Success Winner and Stand Best) should be exempt from the PRC enterprise income tax.
If Stand Best were treated
as a PRC “non-resident enterprise” under the EIT Law, then dividends that Stand Best receives from Hengda (assuming
such dividends were considered sourced within the PRC) (i) may be subject to a 5% PRC withholding tax, provided that Stand Best
owns more than 25% of the registered capital of Hengda continuously within 12 months immediately prior to obtaining such dividend
from Hengda, and the Arrangement between the Mainland of China and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region for the Avoidance
of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with Respect to Taxes on Income, or the “PRC-Hong Kong Tax Treaty,”
were otherwise applicable, or (ii) if such treaty does not apply (i.e., because the PRC tax authorities may deem Stand Best to
be a conduit not entitled to treaty benefits), may be subject to a 10% PRC withholding tax. Similarly, if Success Winner were
treated as a “non-resident enterprise” under the EIT Law and Stand Best were treated as a “resident enterprise”
under the EIT Law, then dividends Success Winner receives from Stand Best (assuming such dividends were considered sourced within
the PRC) may be subject to a 10% PRC withholding tax. A similar situation may arise if China Ceramics were treated as a “non-resident
enterprise” under the EIT Law, and Success Winner were treated as a “resident enterprise” under the EIT Law.
Any such taxes on dividends could materially reduce the amount of dividends, if any, we could pay to our shareholders.
Finally, if China Ceramics
is determined to be a “resident enterprise” under the EIT Law, this could result in a situation in which a 10% PRC
tax is imposed on dividends China Ceramics pays to its shareholders that are not tax residents of the PRC, or “non-resident
investors,” and that are enterprises but not individuals, and gains derived by them from transferring China Ceramics’
shares, if such income is considered PRC-sourced income by the relevant PRC tax authorities. In such event, China Ceramics may
be required to withhold a 10% PRC tax on any dividends paid to such non-resident investors. Such non-resident investors also may
be responsible for paying PRC tax at a rate of 10% on any gain derived by such investors from the sale or transfer of China Ceramics’
shares in certain circumstances. China Ceramics would not, however, have an obligation to withhold PRC tax with respect to such
gain under the PRC tax laws. Also, if China Ceramics is determined to be a “resident enterprise,” its nonresident
investors who are individuals may also be subject to potential PRC individual income tax at a rate of 20% with respect to dividends
received from China Ceramics and/or gains derived by them from the sale or transfer of China Ceramics’ shares.
Moreover, the State Administration
of Taxation, or “SAT,” released Circular Guoshuihan No. 698, or Circular 698, on December 10, 2009 that reinforces
the taxation of certain equity transfers by non-resident investors through overseas holding vehicles. Circular 698 addresses indirect
equity transfers as well as other issues. Circular 698 is retroactively effective from January 1, 2008. According to Circular
698, where a nonresident investor who indirectly holds an equity interest in a PRC resident enterprise through a non-PRC offshore
holding company indirectly transfers an equity interest in the PRC resident enterprise by selling an equity interest in the offshore
holding company, and the latter is located in a country or jurisdiction where the actual tax burden is less than 12.5% or where
the offshore income of its residents is not taxable, the non-resident investor is required to provide the PRC tax authority in
charge of that PRC resident enterprise with certain relevant information within 30 days of the execution of the equity transfer
agreement. The tax authorities in charge will evaluate the offshore transaction for tax purposes. In the event that the tax authorities
determine that such transfer is abusing forms of business organization and a reasonable commercial purpose for the offshore holding
company other than the avoidance of PRC income tax liability is lacking, the PRC tax authorities will have the power to re-assess
the nature of the equity transfer under the doctrine of substance over form. A reasonable commercial purpose may be established
when the overall international (including U.S.) offshore structure is set up to comply with the requirements of supervising authorities
of international (including U.S.) capital markets. If the SAT’s challenge of a transfer is successful, it may deny the existence
of the offshore holding company that is used for tax planning purposes and subject the non-resident investor to PRC tax on the
capital gain from such transfer. Since Circular 698 has a short history, there is uncertainty as to its application. We (or a
nonresident investor) may become at risk of being taxed under Circular 698 and may be required to expend valuable resources to
comply with Circular 698 or to establish that we (or such non-resident investor) should not be taxed under Circular 698, which
could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations (or such non-resident investor’s
investment in us).
In additional, the PRC resident enterprise
may be required to provide necessary assistance to support the enforcement of Circular 698.
On February 3, 2015, the State Administration
of Tax issued a Public Notice Regarding Certain Corporate Income Tax Matters on Indirect Transfer of Properties by Non-tax Resident
Enterprise, or Public Notice 7. Public Notice 7 has introduced a new tax regime that is significantly different from that under
Circular 698. Public Notice 7 extends its tax jurisdiction to not only indirect transfers set forth under Circular 698 but also
transactions involving transfer of other taxable assets, through the offshore transfer of a foreign intermediate holding company.
In addition, Public Notice 7 provides clearer criteria the Circular 698 on how to assess reasonable commercial purposes and has
introduced safe harbors for internal group restructurings and the purchase and sale of equity through a public securities market.
Public Notice 7 also brings challenges to both the foreign transferor and transferee (or other person who is obligated to pay
for the transfer) of the taxable assets. Where a non-resident enterprise conducts an “indirect transfer” by transferring
the taxable assets indirectly by disposing of the equity interests of an overseas holding company, the non-resident enterprise
being the transferor, or the transferee, or the PRC entity which directly owned the taxable assets may report to the relevant
tax authority such indirect transfer. Using a “substance over form” principle, the PRC tax authority may re-characterize
such indirect transfer as a direct transfer of the equity interests in the PRC tax resident enterprise and other properties in
China, As a result, gains derived from such indirect transfer may be subject on PRC enterprise income tax, and the transferee
or other person who is obligated to pay for the transfer is obligated to withhold the applicable taxes, currently at a rate of
up to 10% for the transfer of equity interests in a PRC resident enterprise. Both the transferor and the transferee may be subject
to penalties under PRC tax laws if transferee fails to withhold the taxes and the transferor fails to pay the taxes.
We face uncertainties
with respect to the reporting and consequences of private equity financing transactions, share exchange or other transactions
involving the transfer of shares in our company by investors that are non-PRC resident enterprises, or sale or purchase of shares
in other non-PRC resident companies or other taxable assets by us. Our company and other non-resident enterprises in our group
may be subject to filing obligations or being taxed if our company and other non-resident enterprises in our group are transferors
in such transactions, and may be subject to withholding obligations if our company and other non-resident enterprises in our group
are transferees in such transactions, under Circular 698 and Public Notice 7. For the transfer to shares in our company by investors
that are non-PRC resident enterprises, our PRC subsidiaries may be requested to assist in the filing under Circular 698 and Public
Notice 7. As a result, we may be required to expend valuable resources to comply with Circular 698 and Public Notice 7 to request
the relevant transferors from whom we purchase taxable assets to comply with these circulars, or to establish that our company
and other non-resident enterprises in our group should not be taxed under these circulars, which may have a material adverse effect
on our financial condition and results of operations.
The PRC tax authorities
have the discretion under Circular 698 and Public Notice 7 to make adjustments to the taxable capital gains based on the difference
between the fair value of the taxable assets transferred and the cost of investment. If the PRC tax authorities make adjustments
to the taxable income of the transactions under Circular 698 and Public Notice 7, our income tax costs associated with such potential
acquisitions will be increased, which may have an adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
If any PRC tax applies
to a non-resident investor, the non-resident investor may be entitled to a reduced rate of PRC tax under an applicable income
tax treaty and/or a deduction for such PRC tax against such investor’s domestic taxable income or a foreign tax credit in
respect of such PRC tax against such investor’s domestic income tax liability (subject to applicable conditions and limitations).
Shareholders should consult with their own tax advisors regarding the applicability of any such taxes, the effects of any applicable
income tax treaties, and any available deductions or foreign tax credits. For a further discussion of these issues, see the section
herein captioned “Taxation—PRC Taxation.”
Fluctuations in exchange rates could
adversely affect our business and the value of our shares.
The value of our shares
will be indirectly affected by the foreign exchange rate between U.S. dollars and the Renminbi and between those currencies and
other currencies in which our revenue may be denominated. Because all of our earnings and cash assets are denominated in Renminbi,
fluctuations in the exchange rate between the U.S. dollar and the Renminbi will affect the relative purchasing power of these
proceeds, as well as our financial results reported in U.S. dollar terms without giving effect to any underlying change in our
business, financial condition or results of operations. Fluctuations in the exchange rate will also affect the relative value
of any dividend we issue after this offering that will be exchanged into U.S. dollars and earnings from, and the value of, any
U.S. dollar-denominated investments we make in the future.
Since July 2005, the Renminbi has not been
pegged to the U.S. dollar. Although the People’s Bank of China regularly intervenes in the foreign exchange market to prevent
significant short-term fluctuations in the exchange rate, the Renminbi may appreciate or depreciate significantly in value against
the U.S. dollar in the medium to long term. Moreover, it is possible that in the future the Chinese authorities may lift restrictions
on fluctuations in the Renminbi exchange rate and lessen intervention in the foreign exchange market. On March 17, 2014, the People’s
Bank of China announced that the RMB exchange rate flexibility increased to 2% in order to proceed further with reform of the
RMB exchange rate regime. These could result in a further and more significant fluctuation in the RMB’s value against the
U.S. Dollar.
Very limited hedging transactions are available
in China to reduce our exposure to exchange rate fluctuations. To date, we have not entered into any hedging transactions in an
effort to reduce our exposure to foreign currency exchange risk. While we may enter into hedging transactions in the future, the
availability and effectiveness of these transactions may be limited, and we may not be able to successfully hedge our exposure
at all. In addition, our foreign currency exchange losses may be magnified by Chinese exchange control regulations that restrict
our ability to convert Renminbi into foreign currencies.
As the rights of shareholders under
British Virgin Islands law differ from those under U.S. law, you may have fewer protections as a shareholder.
Our corporate affairs will be governed
by our memorandum and articles of association, the BVI Business Companies Act, 2004 (as amended) (the “BVI Act”),
and the common law of the British Virgin Islands. The rights of shareholders to take legal action against our directors, actions
by minority shareholders and the fiduciary responsibilities of our directors under British Virgin Islands law are governed by
the common law of the British Virgin Islands and by the BVI Act. The common law of the British Virgin Islands is derived in part
from comparatively limited judicial precedent in the British Virgin Islands as well as from English common law, which is applied
in the British Virgin Islands by virtue of the Common Law (Declaration of Application) Act. The rights of our shareholders and
the fiduciary responsibilities of our directors under British Virgin Islands law are not as clearly established as they would
be under statutes or judicial precedents in some jurisdictions in the United States. In particular, the British Virgin Islands
has a less developed body of securities laws as compared to the United States, and some states (such as Delaware) have more fully
developed and judicially interpreted bodies of corporate law.
As a result of all of the above, holders
of our shares may have more difficulty in protecting their interests through actions against our management, directors or major
shareholders than they would as shareholders of a U.S. company.
British Virgin Islands companies
may not be able to initiate shareholder derivative actions, thereby depriving shareholders of the ability to protect their interests.
British Virgin Islands companies may not
have standing to initiate a shareholder derivative action in a federal court of the United States. The circumstances in which
any such action may be brought, and the procedures and defenses that may be available in respect to any such action, may result
in the rights of shareholders of a British Virgin Islands company being more limited than those of shareholders of a company organized
in the United States. Accordingly, shareholders may have fewer alternatives available to them if they believe that corporate wrongdoing
has occurred. The British Virgin Islands courts are also unlikely to recognize or enforce against us judgments of courts in the
United States based on certain liability provisions of U.S. securities law; and to impose liabilities against us, in original
actions brought in the British Virgin Islands, based on certain liability provisions of U.S. securities laws that are penal in
nature. There is no statutory recognition in the British Virgin Islands of judgments obtained in the United States, although the
courts of the British Virgin Islands will generally recognize and enforce the non-penal judgment of a foreign court of competent
jurisdiction without retrial on the merits. This means that even if shareholders were to sue us successfully, they may not be
able to recover anything to make up for the losses suffered.
The laws of the British Virgin Islands
may provide comparatively limited protection for minority shareholders, so minority shareholders will have limited recourse if
the shareholders are dissatisfied with the conduct of our affairs.
Under the laws of the British Virgin Islands,
there is limited statutory law for the protection of minority shareholders in the form of the provisions of the BVI Act dealing
with shareholder remedies. The principal protection under statutory law is that shareholders may bring an action to enforce the
constitutional documents of the company, i.e. the memorandum and articles of association as shareholders are entitled to have
the affairs of the company conducted in accordance with the BVI Act and the memorandum and articles of association of the company.
A shareholder may also bring an action under statute if he feels that the affairs of the company have been or will be carried
out in a manner that is unfairly prejudicial or discriminating or oppressive to him. There are also common law rights for the
protection of shareholders that may be invoked, largely dependent on English common law, since the common law of the British Virgin
Islands for business companies is limited.
The market price for our shares has
been and may continue to be volatile.
The market price for our shares has been
and is likely to continue to be highly volatile and subject to wide fluctuations in response to factors including the following:
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actual
or anticipated fluctuations in our quarterly operating results and changes or revisions
of our expected results;
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changes
in financial estimates by securities research analysts;
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changes
in the economic performance or market valuations of companies specializing in the ceramics
business in China;
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announcements
by us and our affiliates or our competitors of new products, acquisitions, strategic
relationships, joint ventures or capital commitments;
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addition
or departure of our senior management and key personnel; and
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fluctuations
of exchange rates between the RMB and the U.S. dollar.
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Volatility in the price of our shares
may result in shareholder litigation that could in turn result in substantial costs and a diversion of our management’s
attention and resources.
The financial markets in the United States
and other countries have experienced significant price and volume fluctuations, and market prices have been and continue to be
extremely volatile. Volatility in the price of our shares may be caused by factors outside of our control and may be unrelated
or disproportionate to our results of operations. In the past, following periods of volatility in the market price of a public
company’s securities, shareholders have frequently instituted securities class action litigation against that company. Litigation
of this kind could result in substantial costs and a diversion of our management’s attention and resources.
Although we paid semi-annual dividends
in July 2013, January 2014, July 2014 and January 2015, we did not pay a dividend after January 2015 and do not currently plan
to pay a dividend in the near future. Therefore, shareholders will benefit from an investment in our shares only if those shares
appreciate in value
We paid dividends in July 2013, January
2014, July 2014 and January 2015. The declaration and payment of cash dividends is at the discretion of our board of directors
and will depend on factors our board of directors deems relevant, including among others, our results of operations, financial
condition and cash requirements, business prospects, and the terms of our credit facilities, if any, and any other financing arrangements.
We currently do not plan to pay a dividend in the near future. Therefore, the realization of a gain on shareholders’ investments
will depend on the appreciation of the price of our shares, and there is no guarantee that our shares will appreciate in value.
We may not be able to pay any dividends
on our shares in the future due to British Virgin Islands law.
Under British Virgin Islands law, we may
only pay dividends to our shareholders if the value of our assets exceeds our liabilities and we are able to pay our debts as
they become due. We cannot give any assurance that we will declare dividends of any amounts, at any rate or at all in the future.
Future dividends, if any, will be at the discretion of our board of directors, and will depend upon our results of operations,
cash flows, financial condition, payment to us of cash dividends by our subsidiaries, capital needs, future prospects and other
factors that our directors may deem appropriate.
We may need additional capital, and
the sale of additional shares or equity or debt securities could result in additional dilution to our shareholders.
We believe that our current cash and cash
equivalents and anticipated cash flow from operations will be sufficient to meet our anticipated cash needs for the foreseeable
future. We may, however, require additional cash resources due to changed business conditions or other future developments, including
any investments or acquisitions we may decide to pursue. If these resources are insufficient to satisfy our cash requirements,
we may seek to sell additional equity or debt securities or obtain one or more additional credit facilities. The sale of additional
equity securities could result in additional dilution to our shareholders. The incurrence of indebtedness would result in increased
debt service obligations and could result in operating and financing covenants that would restrict our operations. It is uncertain
whether financing will be available in amounts or on terms acceptable to us, if at all.
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ITEM
4.
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INFORMATION
ON THE COMPANY
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A.
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History and Development of the Company
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Our principal PRC-based operating subsidiary,
Hengda, was established on September 30, 1993 under the laws of the PRC. Hengda is a wholly foreign-owned enterprise in China.
Our other PRC-based operating subsidiary,
Hengdali, was established on May 4, 2008 under the laws of the PRC. All of the equity interests in Hengdali are 100% owned by
Hengda.
Stand Best was established on January 17,
2008 under the laws of Hong Kong. Stand Best acquired the entire shareholdings of Hengda on April 1, 2008 for consideration of
RMB 58,980,000. As a result of this acquisition, Hengda became the wholly owned subsidiary of Stand Best.
Success Winner was established on May 29,
2009 under the laws of British Virgin Islands with Mr. Wong Kung Tok as its sole shareholder and sole director.
On June 30, 2009, pursuant to the capitalization
agreement dated June 30, 2009, Success Winner was issued the 9,999 shares allotted by Stand Best as per the capitalization exercise
of a shareholder’s loan of HK$67.9 million (RMB 58.9 million). On the same date, the shareholder of Stand Best, Mr. Wong
Kung Tok transferred all his shareholdings in Stand Best to Success Winner. Therefore, Mr. Wong Kung Tok, from June 30, 2009 to
November 20, 2009, indirectly owned 100% of Stand Best and in turn, 100% of Hengda.
CHAC was incorporated in Delaware on June
22, 2007 and was organized as a blank check company for the purpose of acquiring, through a stock exchange, asset acquisition
or other similar business combination, or controlling, through contractual arrangements, an operating business that had its principal
operations in Asia, with a focus on potential acquisition targets in China.
Pursuant to the terms of a merger and stock
purchase agreement dated August 19, 2009, on November 20, 2009, CHAC merged with and into China Ceramics, its wholly owned British
Virgin Islands subsidiary, and immediately thereafter, and as part of the same integrated transaction, China Ceramics acquired
all of the outstanding securities of Success Winner.
Prior to China Ceramics’ acquisition
of Success Winner, neither CHAC nor China Ceramics had any operations.
On November 19, 2009, Hengda entered into
a definitive acquisition agreement to acquire a new production facility in Gaoan, Jiangxi Province, PRC by purchasing 100% of
the equity interests in Hengdali. The closing of the acquisition was subject to the Gaoan City Administration for Industry and
Commerce transferring the registration and business license of Hengdali from Hengdali’s former shareholders to Hengda. The
transfer occurred on January 8, 2010. Hengda appointed an executive officer to take control over Hengdali’s operating and
financing activities on the same day. In total, Hengda assumed loans of RMB 60.0 million and paid cash consideration of RMB 185.5
million for the acquisition.
On September 17, 2013, Fujian Province Hengdali
Building Materials Co., Ltd. (“Fujian Hengdali”) was incorporated in Pingtan, Fujian Province, and is 100% owned by
Hengda. Fujian Hengdali’s approved scope of business includes sales of building materials and interior and exterior decoration
materials. Fujian Hengdali had no operations since the incorporation date, and in August 2017, the Company disposed Fujian Hengdali
for RMB0 to a third-party.
On September 22, 2017, Success Winner incorporated
a 100% owned subsidiary Vast Elite Limited (“Vast Elite”) in Hong Kong with an initial registered capital of HKD1.
Vast Elite is engaged in the trading of building materials, but had no operations during the year ended December 31, 2017.
The total maximum annual production capacity
from our two facilities was 72 million square meters of ceramic tiles as of December 31, 2014. However, our annual production
capacity has been effectively reduced from 72 million square meters of ceramic tiles to 66 million square meters of ceramic tiles
due to an eight-year contract to lease out one of the production lines from our Hengdali facility that we entered into in March
2016. Further, due to current economic conditions, as of December 31, 2017, we were currently utilizing production facilities
capable of producing 31 million square meters.
China Ceramics’
History
China Ceramics is a British Virgin Islands
limited liability company whose predecessor, CHAC, incorporated in Delaware on June 22, 2007, was organized as a blank check company
for the purpose of acquiring, through a stock exchange, asset acquisition or other similar business combination, or controlling,
through contractual arrangements, an operating business, that has its principal operations in Asia.
Pre-IPO Private Placement
On November 21, 2007, CHAC completed a
private placement of 2,750,000 warrants to Paul K. Kelly, James D. Dunning, Jr., Alan G. Hassenfeld, Gregory E. Smith, Xiao Feng,
Cheng Yan Davis, Soapakij (Chris) Cheavranant and Ruby Bin Kao, collectively referred to as the founding shareholders, as a result
of which CHAC received net proceeds of $2,750,000.
The Initial Public Offering
On November 21, 2007, CHAC consummated
its initial public offering of 12,000,000 units. On December 14, 2007, the underwriters of CHAC’s initial public offering
exercised their over-allotment option for an offering of 800,000 units. Each unit in the offering consisted of one share and one
share purchase warrant. Each warrant entitled the holder to purchase from China Ceramics one share in China Ceramics at an exercise
price of $7.50. CHAC’s shares and warrants started trading separately as of December 17, 2007.
The Business Combination
Pursuant to the terms of a merger and stock
purchase agreement dated August 19, 2009, on November 20, 2009, CHAC merged with and into China Ceramics, its wholly owned British
Virgin Islands subsidiary, and, immediately thereafter, and as part of the same integrated transaction, China Ceramics acquired
all of the issued and outstanding shares of Success Winner held by its former shareholder in exchange for $10.00 and 5,743,320
shares of China Ceramics shares. In addition, 8,185,763 shares of the China Ceramics shares were placed in escrow (the “Contingent
Shares”) to be released to the seller in the event certain earnings and stock price thresholds were achieved. Of the Contingent
Shares, 5,185,763 Contingent Shares were released based on our achieving growth in either net earnings before tax or net earnings
after tax. 3,000,000 Contingent Shares that were eligible to be released if China Ceramics shares closed at or above certain share
price targets for any twenty trading days within a thirty trading day period prior to April 30, 2012 were canceled because we
did not meet applicable price targets.
Concurrent with the Business Combination,
we redeemed and purchased an aggregate of 11,193,149 of our shares from our public stockholders for an aggregate purchase price
of approximately $109.6 million (in transactions intended to assure the successful completion of the Business Combination). Such
shares were voted in favor of the Business Combination and the other related proposals.
On November 16, 2012 all of our share purchase
warrants expired and ceased to trade.
China Ceramics’ registered office
is c/o Harneys Corporate Services Limited of Craigmuir Chambers, P.O. Box 71, Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands.
February 2016 Public Offering
On February 4, 2016, we announced the pricing
of public offering of our shares (and common stock equivalents) with total gross proceeds of approximately $900,000 (the “Offering”).
The net proceeds to the Company from this offering, before deducting the placement agent’s fees and expenses, were approximately
$785,000.
In connection with the Offering, the Company
issued 1,428,571 shares at the price of $0.63 per share, with each share coupled with a Class A Warrant (1,428,571 Class A Warrants
in the aggregate) to purchase one share and a Class B Warrant (1,428,571 Class B Warrants in the aggregate) to purchase one share.
The shares, the Class A Warrants and the Class B Warrants were sold as units, but were issued separately. The Class A Warrants
have an exercise price of $0.63 per share and the Class B Warrants have an exercise price of $0.78 per share. The Class A Warrants
are exercisable on or after the date of issuance and will terminate on the six-month anniversary of the date of issuance. The
Class B Warrants are exercisable on or after the date of issuance and will terminate on the five-year anniversary of the date
of issuance.
Dawson James Securities, Inc. acted as
the Company’s exclusive placement agent, on a best efforts basis, in connection with the Offering. Pursuant to the terms
and provisions of the Placement Agency Agreement by and between the Company and the Placement Agent, dated as of February 3, 2016
(the “PAA”), the Company paid the Placement Agent a cash placement fee equal to 8% of the gross proceeds of the Offering,
or $71,999, plus a non-accountable expense allowance equal to $25,000. The Placement Agent also received five-year warrants (the
“Compensation Warrants”) to purchase up to a number of shares equal to 8% of the aggregate number of shares sold in
the Offering, or 114,286 shares. The Compensation Warrants have substantially the same terms as the Class B Warrants in the Offering,
except that such Compensation Warrants have an exercise price of $0.78 (125% of the public offering price per share) and terminate
on the five year anniversary of the effective date of this offering.
June 2016 Reverse Stock Split
Effective as of June 28, 2016, the Company
implemented a one-for-eight reverse stock split of its ordinary shares. The new CUSIP number for the Company's common stock following
the reverse split is G2113X134. The reverse stock split reduced the number of outstanding ordinary shares of the Company from
approximately 21.9 million shares to approximately 2.7 million shares and the par value per share will increase from $0.001 to
$0.008. In lieu of issuing fractional shares, the Company rounded fractions of shares down to the nearest whole share. All outstanding
stock options, warrants and other rights to purchase the Company's ordinary shares was adjusted proportionately as a result of
the reverse stock split. The number of total authorized ordinary shares of the Company was not changed as a result of the reverse
split.
April 2017 Convertible Note Offering
On April 3, 2017, we completed a registered
offering of $631,579 principal amount of our 5% original issue discount convertible promissory note due January 3, 2018 (the “Note”)
for the purchase price of $600,000 (the “Offering”). The net proceeds to the Company from this Offering were approximately
$530,000 to be used for general corporate and working capital purposes. The Offering also included up to 560,000 shares issuable
upon conversion of the Note.
The Note was sold pursuant to the terms
of the Purchase Agreement and carried interest at a rate of 5% per year, maturing on the 9-month anniversary of its issuance (the
“Maturity Date”) unless earlier converted into our common shares. The amounts due under the Note is payable in weekly
payments in the amount of 1/10th of the total principal of the Note, and together with interest outstanding thereon, commencing
on the seventh month following the original issue date of the Note. The Company may pay weekly amortization payments under the
Note in cash or shares. If the Company elects to make cash payments, such weekly payments must be made in the amounts equal to
the then outstanding principal of the Note and accrued interest, multiplied by 115%. If the Company elects to make such weekly
payments in shares, it must meet certain equity conditions, as described in this prospectus. The Note is our general unsecured
obligation and will rank equally in right of payment with all of our future unsecured indebtedness, senior in right of payment
to any of our future indebtedness that is expressly subordinated to the Note, effectively junior in right of payment to any of
our secured indebtedness to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness, and structurally junior to all indebtedness
and other liabilities of our current or future subsidiaries. The Note may be prepaid by the Company upon advance written notice
by making a cash payment in an amount equal to the sum of the then outstanding principal amount of the Note and any accrued and
unpaid interest multiplied by 105% if the prepayment takes place within 60 days of the closing, or by 115% if the prepayment takes
place at any time after the 60-day period. At its option, the holder of the Note may convert the Note into the right to acquire
shares of the Company at any time prior to the Maturity Date at the conversion price which is equal to 85% of the volume weighed
average price (VWAP) per share over the five (5) trading day period prior to each conversion of the Note, subject to $1.00 per
share floor price and other conversion limitations to ensure compliance with the Nasdaq Stock Exchange and other applicable laws,
rules and regulations. The conversion price of the Note will be subject to adjustment in the event of any stock split, stock dividends,
subsequent equity sales, subsequent rights offerings, or fundamental transaction. The Company’s is not required to issue
more than 560,000 shares pursuant to amortization or conversion provisions of the Note, unless it obtains shareholder approval
of any additional issuances in compliance with the Nasdaq continued listing requirements.
A holder will not have the right to convert
any portion of a Note, and we will not have the option to pay any weekly installment payment in shares to such holder, if the
holder, together with its affiliates, would beneficially own in excess of 4.99% of the number of shares of our shares outstanding
immediately after giving effect to such conversion or payment, as applicable, as such percentage ownership is determined in accordance
with the terms of the Note. Any holder may increase or decrease such percentage to any other percentage upon written notice to
us, provided that in no event shall such percentage be increased above 9.99%, and provided further that any increase of such percentage
will not be effective until 61 days after such holder provides us notice of such increase. The Note contains standard and customary
events of default, including, but not limited to, failure to provide shares upon conversion of the Note, failure to make payments
when due under the Note, and bankruptcy or insolvency of the Company. The Note will become immediately due and payable upon the
occurrence of an Event of Default specified in the Note, and interest will accrue at the rate of 18% annually upon the occurrence
of an Event of Default.
The Offering was made pursuant to an effective
“shelf” registration statement on Form F-3 (File No. 333-206516), as amended, which became effective on October 15,
2015, and a related prospectus supplement dated April 3, 2017 in connection with the Offering.
2017 Stock Compensation
From August to December
2017, the Company issued aggregate of 27,394 shares to its Chief Financial Officer
as stock compensation expense. The fair value of 27,394 shares was RMB294,000.
Private Placement of Unregistered Equity Securities of the
Company
On July 18, 2017, the
Company completed a USD$861,000 private placement of its ordinary shares pursuant to subscription agreements (the “Subscription
Agreements”) with certain accredited investors (the “Offering”) at the price of $1.36 per share, the closing
price of the Company’s securities on July 17, 2017. The Company agreed to register the shares sold in the Offering for resale
no later than 270 days after the closing of the Offering. All respective purchasers in the Offering were “accredited investors”
(as such term is defined in Rule 501(a) of Regulation D under the Securities Act ), and the Company sold the securities in the
Offering in reliance upon an exemption from registration contained in Section 4(2) and Rule 506 under the Securities Act. There
were no discounts or brokerage fees associated with this Offering. The net proceeds of the Offering were used for working capital
and general corporate purpose. On April 16, 2018, the Company filed a registration statement on Form F-3 to register its shares
sold in the Offering for resale.
Registered Direct Offering of the Company’s
Equity Securities
On April 19, 2018,
the Company entered into a securities purchase agreement (the “Agreement”) with certain individual investors relating
to a registered direct offering, issuance and sale (the “Offering”) of an aggregate of 770,299 of its shares (the
“Shares”), at a purchase price of $1.56 per share, the closing price of the Company’s equity securities as reported
on Nasdaq on the same date. The Shares were offered pursuant to the Company’s previously filed and effective Registration
Statement on Form F-3 that was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 21, 2015, subsequently amended, and
declared effective October 15, 2015 (File No. 333-206516). The Company filed a prospectus supplement related to the Offering dated
April 19, 2018. The gross proceeds to the Company from the Offering, before deducting the Company’s estimated offering expenses,
were approximately $1.2 million. The Offering closed on April 23, 2018. Proceeds from the Offering will be used for working capital
and general corporate purposes. There were no discounts or brokerage fees associated with this Offering.
Overview
We are a leading Chinese manufacturer of
ceramic tiles used for exterior siding and for interior flooring and design in residential and commercial buildings. The ceramic
tiles, sold under the “HD” or “Hengda,” “HDL” or “Hengdeli”, “Pottery Capital
of Tang Dynasty”, “TOERTO” and ”WULIQIAO” brands are available in over two thousand styles,
colors and size combinations. Currently, we have five principal product categories: (i) porcelain tiles, (ii) glazed tiles, (iii)
glazed porcelain tiles, (iv) rustic tiles, and (v) polished glazed tiles. Porcelain tiles are our best-selling products, accounting
for over 67.6% of our total revenue in 2017.
Ceramic tiles are widely used in the PRC
as a construction material for residential and commercial buildings. Ceramic tiles are used for flooring, interior walls for decorative
purposes and on exterior siding due to their resistance to temperature, extreme environments, erosion, abrasion and discoloration
for extended periods of time. Citigroup Global Markets reports that the PRC government has actively promoted the construction
of affordable housing by ensuring that 77% of the new land made available was allocated to those in the low-income bracket, especially
in Tier II and III cities. During the 11th National People’s Congress (NPC) relating to the central government’s draft
12th Five Year Plan (2011 - 2015), Premier Wen Jiabao pledged that the government will curb excessive housing price growth and
provide enough affordable houses for needy residents. Premier Wen stated that, from 2011 to 2015, the country aims to build 36
million units of affordable housing covering 20 percent of the country’s households. In addition, the government recently
released a statement stating that the greatest potential for expanding domestic demand and sustaining economic growth lies in
urbanization. Since urbanization leads to new property development and construction, this could positively impact the Company’s
business.
Our manufacturing facilities operated by
Jinjiang Hengda Ceramics Co., Ltd. are located in Jinjiang, Fujian Province, and our manufacturing facilities operated by Jiangxi
Hengdali Ceramic Materials Co., Ltd. are located in Gaoan, Jiangxi Province. Combined, these facilities currently provide an aggregate
annual maximum production capacity of approximately 72 million square meters. However, our annual production capacity has been
effectively reduced from 72 million square meters of ceramic tiles to 66 million square meters of ceramic tiles due to an eight-year
contract to lease out one of the production lines from our Hengdali facility that we entered into in March 2016. due to current
economic conditions, we are currently utilizing production facilities capable of producing 31 million square meters. We currently
have fourteen production lines (6 of which were utilized as of the end of 2017), with each production line optimized to manufacture
specific size ranges to maximize efficiency and output.
We primarily sell our products through
an exclusive distributor network or directly to property developers. We have long-term relationships with our customers; most
of our top ten customers in 2017 have been purchasing from us for over ten years. We have been in discussions with some large
property developers in China to be their exclusive or primary provider of ceramic tiles and, although no arrangements or agreements
have been entered into, we expect to enter into arrangements of that type in the foreseeable future.
We focus our research and development efforts
on developing innovative and environmentally-friendly products. We own eighteen utility model patents. Our stringent tile management
and marketing efforts have created a strong business reputation and high brand awareness as demonstrated by us receiving the “Chinese
Well-Known Trademark” award from the Intermediate People’s Court of Xiangtan City and “Asia’s 500 Most
Influential Brands 2014” award from the World Brand Laboratory.
Our Industry
We operate in the Chinese ceramic tile
industry which is fragmented, highly competitive and closely tied to the PRC economy. Although there is little industry data available,
management believes from its knowledge of other manufactures that it is one of the largest PRC-based manufacturers of ceramic
tiles.
In 2017, China’s gross domestic product
(GDP) totaled approximately $12.0 trillion and was the world’s second largest economy after the United States. As China’s
2017 GDP grew by 6.9% compared to 6.7% annual GDP growth in 2016, we believe that construction and real estate development will
continue to be a key driver behind China’s GDP growth with property investment and related industries constituting a significant
percentage of its GDP. Demand for ceramic tile product depends upon and directly correlates to activity in the construction and
real estate development industries. The ceramic tile industry’s two primary markets in the PRC are residential construction
applications and commercial construction applications.
We believe that China’s real estate sector
is likely to be relatively stable as speculative activities have prompted government policies to restrict construction with the
intent to rein in rising prices. Further, tighter policy in the sector has occurred as some banks have increased their mortgage
lending rates and down payment requirements. However, the government has issued statements stating that the greatest potential
for expanding domestic demand and sustaining economic growth lies in urbanization. Since urbanization leads to new property development
and construction, this could positively impact our business.
We believe that the
real estate and the construction and building materials sectors continue to be vital to sustaining China’s economy growth.
The Chinese Government is intent upon curbing real estate speculation and stabilizing prices by pronouncing that real estate is
for habitation versus speculation and by promoting affordable housing and inexpensive rental housing. However, the Chinese government
has also taken various actions to stimulate real estate development and home purchases which include interest rate cuts, lowering
the reserve requirement ratio for banks, lowering first home down payment ratios and cutting the minimum capital ratio for fixed
asset investments to aid property developers.
Although the Chinese
Government’s measures have helped to sustain the real estate sector, there is an oversupply of building material companies
which has exacerbated occasional slowdowns in construction activity.
Commencing in the fourth quarter of 2012,
we began experiencing challenging market conditions in China’s real estate and construction markets which resulted in a
marked decrease of our sales volume of our ceramic tile products. Beginning in December 2012, we began reducing the selling price
of our ceramic tile products to be competitive in the market and to maintain market share. For fiscal 2013, our full year revenue
was down 35.4% as compared to fiscal 2012 full year revenue, resulting from a 24.8% decrease in the sales volume of our ceramic
tiles and a 14.1% decline in our average selling price. In fiscal 2014, we began emerging from the sector downturn that occurred
in late 2012 due to challenging macroeconomic conditions. For fiscal 2014, our full year revenue increased 11.2% as compared to
fiscal 2013 resulting from a 1.2% increase in the sales volume of our ceramic tiles and a 9.7% increase in our average selling
price. However, for fiscal 2015, our full year revenue decreased by 2.0% as compared to fiscal 2014 resulting from a 5.8% decrease
in the sales volume of our ceramic tiles somewhat offset by a 4.2% increase in our average selling price. The decrease in revenue
in fiscal 2015 as compared to fiscal 2014 was primarily due to a substantial decline in business activity in the fourth quarter
of 2015 as compared to the fourth quarter of 2014. The Company’s sales volume of 6.7 million square meters represented a
13.0% reduction in sales volume from the 7.7 million square meters recorded in the fourth quarter of 2014. The average selling
price in the fourth quarter of 2015 rose 0.3% to 31.2 per square meter of ceramic tile as compared to the fourth quarter of 2014
as we had been able to retain our pricing power. The increase in average selling price in the fourth quarter of 2015 represents
eight consecutive quarters of period over year-ago period growth in average selling price. However, business conditions became
very challenging since the beginning of 2016. For fiscal 2016, our full year revenue decreased by 22.0% as compared to fiscal
2015 resulting from a 12.9% decrease in the sales volume of our ceramic tiles and an 11.5% decrease in our average selling price.
The decrease in revenue in fiscal 2016 as compared to fiscal 2015 was primarily due to continued challenging market conditions
and an overall decline in business activity. Consequently, beginning on July 1, 2016, we reduced the selling price of certain
of our slow- moving products by 10% with the goal to turn some of this inventory into cash. Beginning on October 1, 2016, in order
to generate sales and move inventory, we instituted a 20% reduction of our slow-moving products. This further price reduction
led to a 35% increase in our sales volume to 9.00 million square meters in the fourth quarter of 2016 compared to 6.68 million
square meters for the same period of 2015. However, the average selling price in the fourth quarter of 2016 fell 28.2% to RMB
22.4 per square meter of ceramic tile as compared to the fourth quarter of 2015 due to the price discounting instituted at the
beginning of the fourth quarter. The decreases in average selling price in beginning in the third quarter of 2016 reversed eight
consecutive quarters of period over year-ago period growth in this metric. Business conditions continued to be challenging in
fiscal 2017 as we experienced a year-over-year 6.5% decrease to RMB 25.8 in our average selling price as compared to RMB 27.6
for fiscal 2016. However,
due to
competitive pricing and the strong sales of our
porcelain ceramic tiles, we were able to generate a 10.6% increase in sales volume to 30.8 million square meters of ceramic
tiles
in 2017 from
28.8 million square meters of ceramic tiles for fiscal 2016.
Key Factors Affecting the Chinese Ceramic Tile Industry
The overall performance of the ceramic
tile industry is influenced by consumer confidence, spending for durable goods, interest rates, turnover in housing, the condition
of the residential and commercial construction industries and the overall strength of the economy and the recent restriction policy
on the purchase of property. Demand for our ceramic tile products in the PRC heavily depends on the following economic factors
and government policies designed to drive growth in the construction and real estate development sectors of the PRC economy.
Urbanization
Over the last twenty years, China has experienced
rapid urbanization due to the increasingly limited capacity of rural areas to provide adequate economic support for a large agrarian
population, the increasing disparity in disposable incomes between rural and urban dwellers and the easing of restrictions which
historically limited rural to urban migration from rural areas to towns and cities. The development of an industrial base and
service sector in urban areas has also driven large labor pools with a broad range of skills to urban areas. It is estimated that
China’s urban population will expand from 572 million in 2005 to 926 million in 2025 and hit the one billion mark by 2030.
In 20 years, China’s cities will have added 350 million people to its urban population — more than the entire population
of the United States today. As a result of the urbanization trend and the associated need to expand an underdeveloped infrastructure
to accommodate and house such growth, we believe that commercial and residential construction will expand measurably in future
years, thereby creating additional demand for our products.
Potential of Tier II and III cities
Much of the growth in China’s GDP
is being driven by economic activity in Tier II and Tier III cities, such as Chengdu, Chongqing, and Tianjin, which commonly have
populations that exceed 10 million individuals who often live in dwellings that do not meet modern standards. According to Jones
Lang LaSalle, Tier I cities will account for only 10% of China’s commercial real estate activities by 2020, which highlights
the attractive commercial development opportunities in Tier II and III cities. The economic impact of this trend is being felt
across China’s Tier II and Tier III cities as the upswing in new residential and commercial construction projects and renovations
is generating new demand for construction materials.
Importance of distributors
The majority of exterior ceramic tile
manufacturers do not have sufficient resources to provide their own sales coverage nationwide and rely heavily on local
distributors with roughly 83% of total sales pushed through such channels. As competition has intensified, many manufacturers
have started to bid directly to real-estate developers for large construction projects. Direct sales represented 6%, 11% and
17% of total sales in 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively and market participants expect this share will continue to increase,
placing a premium on a manufacturer’s internal sales force while requiring product lines with greater flexibility to
meet direct customer demands.
Industry and Product Offerings
There are two product segments within the
ceramic tile industry: exterior and interior.
Exterior ceramic tiles
Exterior ceramic tile is mainly used as
a decorative and protective component on building exteriors. Unlike other types of tiles, exterior ceramic tile must endure harsh
environmental conditions and typically is manufactured to be water/dirt-resistant, non-corrosive and energy efficient. In addition,
exterior ceramic tiles have other demands that interior ceramic tiles do not always have, including mandatory expansion joints,
moisture considerations and thermal demands. Depending on the ultimate use of the ceramic tile and customer preferences, exterior
ceramic tiles are often manufactured with customized glazing, coloring and other design and aesthetic features.
Interior ceramic tiles
Interior ceramic tiles are mainly used
for decorative purposes on walls and floors in kitchens and bathrooms. Interior ceramic tiles are differentiated by design, style
and perceived quality. Within China, interior ceramic tiles are typically purchased by residential owners or renovation contractors
rather than property developers.
The manufacturing process is similar for
both segments, however the distribution channels are different. Interior ceramic tiles are sold through retail stores and directly
to contractors or residential owners. Exterior ceramic tiles are sold through distributors or directly to large property developers.
Due to the higher cost distribution chain and typically smaller order sizes, profit margins are generally less within the interior
ceramic tile industry.
Future Product Trends
As the ceramic tile industry in the PRC
matures, builders are demanding construction materials that reduce building weight, making it possible to use light building structures
and accelerate the speed of construction. Government policies meant to address energy efficiency are promoting the use of innovative
wall materials, particularly those performing well in heat preservation and insulation and that are light in weight, and manufactured
utilizing waste materials, less energy and fewer raw materials. In an effort to differentiate their products and meet government
policies, ceramic tile manufacturers are increasingly focusing on research and development efforts.
China Ceramics’ Products
Currently, all of our products are exterior
wall ceramic tiles. We produce five types of ceramic tiles:
Porcelain tiles
: Porcelain
tiles are fired at extreme temperatures and are therefore stronger and harder than other types of ceramic tiles. The material
and the color is the same throughout and porcelain tiles are extremely durable. Although porcelain tiles have a matte surface,
they absorb less water than other ceramic tiles, and as such, they are a superior solution for exterior tiling where there is
frequent exposure to moisture.
Glazed tiles
: Glazed
tiles have a glossy finish and color patterns may be added to the exterior surface of the tile. The glaze does not go beyond the
exterior surface of the tile and the interior color will show if the tile is chipped. Although glazed tiles are less water-resistant
than matte porcelain tiles, they are easier to clean due to their glossy surface.
Glazed porcelain tiles
: Glazed
porcelain tiles combine the advantages of porcelain tiles and glazed tiles, thus enabling the tiles to have a porcelain body with
a stain-proof and glossy finish.
Rustic tiles
: Rustic
tiles have greater versatility in their design as textures and colors can be added to their exterior surfaces and therefore can
be used in more decorative situations. In addition to being used on exterior walls, rustic tiles are also used for interior walls
and flooring.
Polished glazed tiles:
Ceramic tiles
can be manufactured in differing sizes according to customer specifications, with the largest sized tiles measuring 800 mm by
800 mm.
We can produce over 2,000 different combinations
of products, colors, textures and sizes to meet the various demands of our customers.
In fiscal 2015, we constructed a new production
line to manufacture glazed brick ceramic tiles in our Hengdali facility, which we believe will be an attractive addition to our
current product portfolio. This new product is engineered to be competitively-priced and a highly effective roofing solution for
both high rise apartment buildings and housing projects, and it complements our existing ceramic tile building siding products.
In fiscal 2017, there was no change under product portfolio.
Our Competitive Strengths
We believe the following competitive strengths
will enable us to take advantage of the rapid growth of the ceramic tile industry in China:
Brand Recognition
We believe that the “Hengda,”
“HD,” “Hengdeli,” “HDL,”, “Pottery Capital of Tang Dynasty”, “TOERTO”
and “WULIQIAO” brands are well recognized and highly regarded in markets where our products are sold. Before April
13, 2011, WULIQIAO was a trademark owned by Fujian Province Jinjiang City Hengda Construction Materials Co., Ltd. Hengda signed
a Trademark Licensing Contract with Fujian Province Jinjiang City Hengda Construction Materials Co., Ltd. and was licensed the
exclusive right to use WULIQIAO during the term of that trademark, which expires on January 27, 2020. On April 13, 2011, WULIQIAO
was transferred to Hengdali. In 2005, the brands “Hengda” and “HD” were each certified as a Fujian Well-Known
Trademark by the Fujian Well-Known Trademark Award Commission and recognized as a “Chinese Well-known Trademark” in
2005 by the Intermediate People’s Court of Xiangtan City. Since 2012, we have been recognized with the “Asia’s
500 Most Influential Brands” award from the World Brand Laboratory. Our products are selected for inclusion in strategic
and high-profile projects such as the 16th Asian Games, the 11th National Chinese Games Village and the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
Focus on Tier II and Tier III Cities
Because of recent efforts by the PRC government
to tighten monetary policy and constrain real estate prices in the “Tier-I” cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen,
and Guangzhou, we believe the outlook for our business has improved, given our concentration in Tier-II and Tier-III cities. Approximately
16% of our revenue in the year ended December 31, 2017 was from sales of our products for use in projects in Tier-I cities, and
we expect any weakness in the Tier-I cities to be offset by continued demand growth in the Tier-II and Tier-III cities, driven
by urbanization trends as well as by the PRC government’s commitment to low-income housing.
Long-Term Sales Relationships
We have established an extensive distributor
network and long term customer relationships, where most of Hengda’s top ten customers in 2016 have been purchasing from
us for over 10 years each.
Experienced Management Team
Our experienced, professional and dedicated
management team brings a wealth of knowledge to our day-to-day operations and provides us with strategic direction. Our Chairman,
Chief Executive Officer and founder, Huang Jia Dong, has more than 20 years of experience in the ceramics industry and is Vice-Chairman
of the Fujian Province Ceramic Industry Association. The other members of the senior management team have many years of experience
in the ceramic industry.
Modern, environmentally friendly, and
efficient manufacturing capabilities
We have modern manufacturing facilities.
Our Hengda facility received an ISO 9001:2000 accreditation, an international standard that acknowledged our quality control process.
Our employees are required to undergo internal training regarding quality control policies, targets and procedures, as well as
production and processing techniques.
We upgraded our Hengda production lines
to recover and/or reuse waste water, waste dust, exhaust and kiln after-heat in 2007, which reduced our energy usage and energy
costs. Our new Hengdali production lines were also built using new equipment that incorporates recovery methods for recycling
waste water, waste dust, exhaust and kiln after-heat that operate at a higher efficiency rate. We received an Energy Conservation
Advance Enterprise Award in 2008 from the Jinjiang City Government.
Focus on Research and Development
We have devoted substantial resources to
establishing research and development capabilities in an effort to improve our products and diversify our product mix. Our R&D
team has developed over 2000 types of different product combinations. As of the date of this Annual Report, we own eighteen utility
model patents. “Utility model patents” means any new technical solution relating to the shape, the structure, or their
combination, of a product, which is fit for practical use. In addition, we were awarded a “High-tech Enterprise Certificate”
in 2007 from Fujian Provincial Department of Science and Technology, affirming our innovations in the industry. As of December
31, 2017, our research and development team includes 16 employees and focuses on new products as well as developing energy and
resource efficient production methods.
Strategic Location within the PRC
We are located in Jinjiang and Gaoan. The
Jinjiang region is an established ceramic and construction material hub in the PRC, and the Gaoan region is a developing ceramic
production area supported by the local government. Both of these areas are located near the raw materials required to produce
ceramic tiles. As distributors and direct customers come to these areas to procure construction materials for sale, construction
projects or export, these locations provide us a regular flow of customers and demand. These centralized industry locations allow
us to respond quickly to customer demands and react rapidly to emerging market trends. The proximity and ease of access to major
ports and transportation infrastructure in both of these regions enables us to decrease transportation and logistics costs.
Our Growth Strategy
We intend to further strengthen our position
as a leading manufacturer of ceramic tiles in China by implementing the following strategies:
Broadening Our Distribution Network
We sell our products mainly to distributors
located in major Tier-I cities such as Shanghai and Beijing and Tier-II cities such as Tianjin, Wuhan, Chengdu and Shenyang. We
plan to establish and/or increase our presence in Tier-II and Tier-III cities in provinces such as Zhejiang, Anhui, Heilongjiang,
Guizhou, Henan, Hebei, Shandong, Shanxi, Shaanxi, and Yunnan.
We believe that our new Hengdali production
facility in Gaoan will better position us to expand into new markets and reach additional end customers as transportation and
logistical costs of delivering products to these areas will be reduced.
Evaluating Opportunities to Increase
Exports
Currently, we export approximately 6.9%
of our products through PRC trading companies. We intend to increase the exported volume of our products with additional PRC trading
companies and by promoting our products in regional and international trade shows with a focus on direct selling efforts to property
developers in the PRC.
Pursuing Selective Acquisition Opportunities
We will explore business combinations that
broaden our product line, expand our customer base and allow us to penetrate new geographic regions. Our management believes that
it has sufficient expertise to find and acquire suitable ceramic production facilities and/or companies to increase our scale
and geographic diversification within the PRC. Our management intends to only pursue acquisitions where it believes that we will
be able to continue to provide cost competitive, high quality ceramic tiles to our customers.
Further Enhancing Our Brand Awareness
We plan to enhance awareness of the “Hengda”
or “HD,” “HDL” or “Hengdeli,” “TOERTO” and “WULIQIAO” brands in the
PRC exterior ceramic tile industry. Hengda produces our “Hengda” or “HD” brands, which are marketed toward
the high-end market. Hengdali produces our “HDL” or “Hengdeli” brands, which are marketed to the mid-level
market, “TOERTO” brand, which is a specialized brand for our large-sized rustic tiles and “WULIQIAO” brand,
which is a specialized brand for oriental pattern large-sized rustic tiles. WULIQIAO is a trademark owned by Fujian Province Jinjiang
City Hengda Construction Materials Co., Ltd. Hengda signed a Trademark Licensing Contract with Fujian Province Jinjiang City Hengda
Construction Materials Co., Ltd. and has been licensed the exclusive right to use WULIQIAO during the term of that trademark.
Our branding strategy is to reach a larger customer base with a wide spectrum of product offerings. We plan on strengthening our
brands by marketing our products to property developers and the construction industry, partnering with local distributors, attending
national fairs and promoting our products through inclusion in strategic high-profile projects.
Developing Advanced Products That Meet
Evolving Building Construction Requirements
We strive to develop new products that
address market demand for advanced building materials that meet or exceed evolving government policies for energy efficiency.
Our research and development efforts are focused on developing tiles which:
|
·
|
Reduce
raw materials and energy consumption in the production process;
|
|
·
|
Have
a density less than half of other tiles;
|
|
·
|
Reduce
load bearing stress on exterior walls of buildings and tile shedding;
|
|
·
|
Recycle
our by-products and limit waste output in our production process;
|
|
·
|
Utilize
a honeycomb structure which optimizes insulation performance for new products, such as
our light-weight product lines;
|
|
·
|
Have
higher standards for water resistance; and
|
|
·
|
Are
easier to attach to exterior walls.
|
We will continue to invest in research
and development to maintain our competitive position in the industry.
Production Process and Facilities
A typical production line for ceramic tiles
is comprised of preparation equipment (which typically includes a miller and a spray dryer), a press (which is used for shaping
raw ceramic material), a glazing line (used to supply glazed materials to the pressed tiles), a kiln (used to harden the soft
mixture of clay and minerals into a hard ceramic body by subjecting the mixture to high temperature) and packaging.
The following chart sets out the major
steps involved in the production process:
The procedures involved in the production of ceramic tiles
are summarized below:
Raw materials for ceramic products consist mainly
of clay (comprised of inorganic materials such as kaolin, flint and feldspar) obtained mostly from areas adjacent to our facilities,
such as Dehua county of Quanzhou city and the Fujian province. Raw materials are inspected by quality control staff upon receipt.
Batch calculations that take into consideration both physical properties and chemical compositions of the raw materials are performed
to ensure that the right amounts are mixed.
After stringent checks on the quality of the clay
and weighing, the raw material department mixes the clay as determined during inspection. The mixture is then sent to a ball mill
where water is added to form a slurry for finer grinding. This process takes approximately 12 hours to complete. The slurry is
then filtered and metallic particles are removed magnetically. The slurry is inspected at this stage for density, flow speed and
water ratio. Compared with many competitors who use stone ball millers, we use aluminum ball millers to grind materials. Aluminum
ball millers have a higher initial cost, but have higher grinding speed and can better process stone chips existing in the slurry.
The slurry is then moved to a large slurry pool. Based on the production schedule, portions of the slurry may be moved to smaller
slurry pools where coloring materials can be added. The mixture in smaller slurry pools are churned for approximately 24 hours
to keep quality and color consistent in the end product.
A spray dryer is then used to remove most of the
water content in the slurry to obtain granules with the required moisture level for processing. The slurry is pumped into an atomizer,
consisting of a rapidly rotating disk or nozzle where droplets are formed. The droplets of the slurry spray are then dried by
a rising hot air column, forming small free-flowing granules of a standard size and specific moisture content which is used in
the next stage. The stream of gases used to dry the slurry can be at temperatures as high as 1,100°C. The granules are then
moved to and held in steel containers called hoppers for over 24 hours to ensure consistency and uniformity of granule size and
color.
The granules flow from a hopper into the mold die
where they are compressed by steel plungers and then ejected by the bottom plunger in varying sizes based on specifications. The
automated presses used operate at pressures as high as 1,600 tons per square meter. The ceramic bisque, a shaped non-fired ceramic
tile, is then passed through to the dryer to remove most of the remaining water content present in preparation for the firing
and/or glazing stages. The tiles are fed into the dryer and conveyed horizontally on rollers, at temperatures of 250°C for
approximately 15 to 25 minutes based on tile type.
Glazing involves applying one or more coats of glaze,
comprised mainly of silica and other coloring agents such as iron, chromium, cobalt or manganese, onto the tile surface. The dried
ceramic bisque is then sent to the glazing station where a design and/or color is added. The glaze concentration and glazing quantity
is controlled by computers to avoid chromatic aberration and lack of uniformity. Not all products, such as porcelain tiles, require
glazing.
After molding and/or glazing, the ceramic bisque
is fired in a kiln. Typically, the temperature in a kiln is about 1,200°C and the firing process takes less than one hour.
The entire firing process is monitored and controlled by computers. We currently have twelve firing lines, nine located in the
Hengda facility and three located at the Hengdali facility.
After the firing process, tiles are inspected for
quality. Tiles which pass inspection are packaged and moved to the storage facility.
Quality Control & Assurance
The quality of our products is critical
to our continued growth and success. In July 2002, our Hengda facility received ISO 9001:2000 accreditation, an international
certification certificate, acknowledging our quality control process. Quality control procedures begin at the receipt of raw materials
and continue throughout the manufacturing process ending with a final quality check prior to packaging. Our employees are required
to undergo internal training regarding our quality control policies, targets and procedures, as well as production and processing
techniques. As of December 31, 2017, our quality assurance team consisted of 56 members.
Notable Awards & Certificates
We have received numerous awards and certificates
for our branding, product quality and R&D achievements. Select awards include:
Year
Initially
Received
|
|
Award
& Certificate Name
|
|
Issuer
|
|
|
|
|
|
2002
|
|
ISO 9001:2000 Quality Management System Certificate
|
|
China Certification Center for Quality Mark
|
|
|
|
|
|
2005
|
|
ISO 14001:2004 Environmental Management Standards
Certificate
|
|
Fujian Branch of Beijing World Standards Certification
Centre
|
|
|
|
|
|
2005
|
|
Fujian Well-known Trademark
|
|
Fujian Well-known Trademark Award Commission
|
|
|
|
|
|
2005
|
|
Chinese Well-known Trademark
|
|
Intermediate People’s Court of Xiangtan
City
|
|
|
|
|
|
2006
|
|
Inspection Exempted Products Certificate
|
|
National Bureau of Quality and Technical Supervision
|
|
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
High-tech Enterprise Certificate
|
|
Fujian Provincial Department of Science and
Technology
|
|
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
Energy Conservation Advanced Enterprise
|
|
Jinjiang City Government
|
|
|
|
|
|
2009
|
|
Fujian 100 Important Industrial Enterprise
|
|
Fujian Economic and Trading Commission
|
|
|
|
|
|
2010
|
|
Asia’s 500 Most Influential Brands 2010
|
|
World Brand Laboratory
|
|
|
|
|
|
2010
|
|
Fujian’s Top 300 Enterprises
|
|
Fujian Enterprise Evaluation Center and Fujian
Enterprise Evaluation Association
|
|
|
|
|
|
2011
|
|
China’s 500 Most Valuable Brands
|
|
World Brand Laboratory
|
|
|
|
|
|
2011
|
|
Top 100 Fastest Growing Enterprises for China
Building Material
|
|
China Building Materials Enterprise Management
Association
|
|
|
|
|
|
2011
|
|
Top 500 Enterprise in China Building Material
|
|
China Building Materials Enterprise Management
Association
|
|
|
|
|
|
2011
|
|
Customer Preferred Top 10 Brand
|
|
China International Nameplate Development Association
|
|
|
|
|
|
2012
|
|
Asia’s 500 Most Influential Brands 2012
|
|
World Brand Laboratory
|
|
|
|
|
|
2013
|
|
China’s 500 Most Valuable Brands
|
|
World Brand Laboratory
|
|
|
|
|
|
2013
|
|
Asia’s 500 Most Influential Brands 2013
|
|
World Brand Laboratory
|
|
|
|
|
|
2014
|
|
China’s 500 Most Valuable Brands
|
|
World Brand Laboratory
|
Customers, Sales & Marketing
We primarily sell our products through
an exclusive distributor network or directly to property developers. Distributors are located in major cities such as Shanghai,
Beijing, and Shenyang and second and third tier cities such as Chengdu, Haikou, Hefei, Tianjin, Wuhan and other rural areas in
the PRC. We have long-term relationships with many of our customers; most of our top ten customers in 2016 have been purchasing
from us for several years.
The following table sets forth revenues
by geographic market and the related percentage for the years ended 2015, 2016 and 2017:
Geographic
|
|
2015
|
|
|
2016
|
|
|
2017
|
|
Market
|
|
RMB’000
|
|
|
Percentage
|
|
|
RMB’000
|
|
|
Percentage
|
|
|
RMB’000
|
|
|
Percentage
|
|
PRC
|
|
|
938,663
|
|
|
|
92.3
|
%
|
|
|
750,966
|
|
|
|
94.6
|
%
|
|
|
772,221
|
|
|
|
94
|
%
|
Japan
|
|
|
9,619
|
|
|
|
0.9
|
%
|
|
|
5,243
|
|
|
|
0.7
|
%
|
|
|
7,072
|
|
|
|
0.9
|
%
|
Burma
|
|
|
8,008
|
|
|
|
0.8
|
%
|
|
|
4,365
|
|
|
|
0.5
|
%
|
|
|
4,519
|
|
|
|
0.5
|
%
|
India
|
|
|
8,025
|
|
|
|
0.8
|
%
|
|
|
4,374
|
|
|
|
0.6
|
%
|
|
|
6,172
|
|
|
|
0.8
|
%
|
Korea
|
|
|
7,464
|
|
|
|
0.7
|
%
|
|
|
4,069
|
|
|
|
0.5
|
%
|
|
|
4,213
|
|
|
|
0.5
|
%
|
Thailand
|
|
|
7,142
|
|
|
|
0.7
|
%
|
|
|
3,893
|
|
|
|
0.5
|
%
|
|
|
4,031
|
|
|
|
0.5
|
%
|
Hong Kong
|
|
|
7,265
|
|
|
|
0.7
|
%
|
|
|
3,960
|
|
|
|
0.5
|
%
|
|
|
5,743
|
|
|
|
0.7
|
%
|
Spain
|
|
|
5,024
|
|
|
|
0.5
|
%
|
|
|
2,739
|
|
|
|
0.3
|
%
|
|
|
2,836
|
|
|
|
0.4
|
%
|
Turkey
|
|
|
5,290
|
|
|
|
0.5
|
%
|
|
|
2,884
|
|
|
|
0.4
|
%
|
|
|
2,786
|
|
|
|
0.3
|
%
|
South Africa
|
|
|
5,090
|
|
|
|
0.5
|
%
|
|
|
2,775
|
|
|
|
0.3
|
%
|
|
|
2,573
|
|
|
|
0.3
|
%
|
Sierra Leone
|
|
|
3,492
|
|
|
|
0.3
|
%
|
|
|
1,903
|
|
|
|
0.2
|
%
|
|
|
1,870
|
|
|
|
0.2
|
%
|
Ghana
|
|
|
3,377
|
|
|
|
0.3
|
%
|
|
|
1,841
|
|
|
|
0.2
|
%
|
|
|
1,906
|
|
|
|
0.2
|
%
|
Russia
|
|
|
2,939
|
|
|
|
0.3
|
%
|
|
|
1,602
|
|
|
|
0.2
|
%
|
|
|
2,280
|
|
|
|
0.3
|
%
|
Morocco
|
|
|
3,078
|
|
|
|
0.3
|
%
|
|
|
1,678
|
|
|
|
0.2
|
%
|
|
|
1,737
|
|
|
|
0.2
|
%
|
Great Britain
|
|
|
2,669
|
|
|
|
0.3
|
%
|
|
|
1,453
|
|
|
|
0.2
|
%
|
|
|
1,833
|
|
|
|
0.2
|
%
|
Total
|
|
|
1,017,145
|
|
|
|
100
|
%
|
|
|
793,745
|
|
|
|
100
|
%
|
|
|
821,792
|
|
|
|
100
|
%
|
Our top ten customers are set forth in
the table below, and none of these customers individually accounted for more than 10% of our total revenue for the years ended
December 31, 2015 and 2016; just one customer accounted for more than 10% of our total revenue for the year ended December 31,
2017.
The following table sets forth revenue for
our major customers and the related percentage of our net revenue for the years 2015, 2016 and 2017.
|
|
2015
|
|
|
2016
|
|
|
2017
|
|
Customer Name
|
|
RMB’000
|
|
|
Percentage
|
|
|
RMB’000
|
|
|
Percentage
|
|
|
RMB’000
|
|
|
Percentage
|
|
Foshan City Jundian Ceramics Co., Ltd.
|
|
|
67,941
|
|
|
|
6.5
|
%
|
|
|
57,470
|
|
|
|
7.2
|
%
|
|
|
86,249
|
|
|
|
10.5
|
%
|
Fuzhou Chuanpin Materials Co., Ltd.
|
|
|
38,322
|
|
|
|
3.7
|
%
|
|
|
47,282
|
|
|
|
6.0
|
%
|
|
|
54,785
|
|
|
|
6.7
|
%
|
Xiamen Xinrui Materials Co., Ltd.
|
|
|
21,984
|
|
|
|
2.1
|
%
|
|
|
40,308
|
|
|
|
5.1
|
%
|
|
|
64,216
|
|
|
|
7.8
|
%
|
Chengdu City Dehui Construction Materials Co., Ltd.
|
|
|
32,646
|
|
|
|
3.1
|
%
|
|
|
34,770
|
|
|
|
4.4
|
%
|
|
|
57,005
|
|
|
|
6.9
|
%
|
Yangzhou Qiyang Trading Co., Ltd
|
|
|
23,395
|
|
|
|
2.3
|
%
|
|
|
29,010
|
|
|
|
3.7
|
%
|
|
|
25,161
|
|
|
|
3.1
|
%
|
Kunming Minhengda Trading Co. Ltd.
|
|
|
31,089
|
|
|
|
3.0
|
%
|
|
|
28,764
|
|
|
|
3.6
|
%
|
|
|
13,083
|
|
|
|
1.6
|
%
|
Nanjing Huli Construction Materials Co., Ltd.
|
|
|
29,513
|
|
|
|
2.8
|
%
|
|
|
28,242
|
|
|
|
3.6
|
%
|
|
|
44,946
|
|
|
|
5.5
|
%
|
Liuzhou City Shengquanda Trading Co., Ltd
|
|
|
28,785
|
|
|
|
2.8
|
%
|
|
|
27,791
|
|
|
|
3.5
|
%
|
|
|
28,906
|
|
|
|
3.5
|
%
|
Shangrao New Fangyuan Materials Co., Ltd.
|
|
|
31,221
|
|
|
|
3.0
|
%
|
|
|
26,739
|
|
|
|
3.4
|
%
|
|
|
34,377
|
|
|
|
4.2
|
%
|
Beihai Jinligao Materials Co., Ltd.
|
|
|
25,625
|
|
|
|
2.5
|
%
|
|
|
26,591
|
|
|
|
3.4
|
%
|
|
|
14,619
|
|
|
|
1.8
|
%
|
Our business and profitability is not materially
dependent on any industrial, commercial or financial contract with any of our customers. None of our directors or executive officers
or their respective affiliates has any interest, direct or indirect, in any of our customers.
Sales and Marketing
The sales and marketing department is responsible
for formulating sales policies and pricing based on market analysis, surveys and forecasts, developing and implementing our sales
and marketing campaigns, and promoting our products and brand. Additionally, our sales department is responsible for cultivating
new customers and business relationships, as well as servicing existing accounts.
We participate in a variety of sales and
marketing activities including trade shows, in-house sales and marketing seminars, factory tours, outdoor advertising, B2B catalogs
and customer calls. We believe that these techniques allow us to gather and better understand customers’ needs and requirements
and to obtain feedback on our products and services and intend to continue utilizing these techniques.
In the future, we intend to participate
in international trade fairs and seminars from time to time to promote our brand and products, and to establish a network with
industry professionals outside the PRC. To augment our plan to expand our markets internationally, our products will also be advertised
on and available to purchase on the Internet. As of December 31, 2016, our Sales and Marketing Department had 40 employees.
Backlog
We typically receive orders from customers
two months in advance of production on a rolling basis. We enter into a dealership agreement with customers, and a sales or purchase
contract each time a customer places an order. If a customer makes any changes to an order after we have used any raw materials
in fulfilling the order, the customer bears the losses. Once we have delivered the products to the customer and the customer has
examined and accepted the products, we provide no quality guarantees. We confirm amounts payable with each customer on a monthly
basis. The products typically must be delivered to customers within 90 days of receipt of the sales order, and the customers typically
must pay for the products within 120 to 150 days of delivery.
As of December 31, 2017, our backlog was
RMB 70.7 million (US$10.8 million) which represents approximately the next two months of revenue at the time, compared to a backlog
of approximately RMB 61.4 million as of December 31, 2016.
Major Suppliers & Raw Materials
Our suppliers are selected by our purchasing
department and are assessed on criteria such as the quality of materials supplied, duration of their business relationship with
us, pricing, delivery reliability and response time to orders placed by us. We have sufficient raw materials on hand to support,
on average, three weeks of production at any point in time to minimize any potential production delays that could arise due to
a delay in raw material delivery.
We have not experienced significant production
disruptions due to a supply shortage from our suppliers, nor have we had a major dispute with a supplier.
Our major suppliers for the last three
years are set forth in the table below, and except for Jinjiang Xinao Gas Company Limited and Foshan City Sanshui Baoligao Inorganic
Materials Co., Ltd., no suppliers accounted for more than 10% of our total purchases of raw materials and energy sources for the
years ended December 31, 2015, 2016 and 2017. Our business or profitability is not materially dependent on any industrial, commercial
or financial contract with any of our suppliers.
The following chart lists our major suppliers
and the related percentage of our total purchases of raw materials and energy sources in fiscal years 2014, 2015 and 2016:
|
|
|
|
|
2015
|
|
|
2016
|
|
|
2017
|
|
Supplier Name
|
|
Type
|
|
|
RMB’000
|
|
|
Percentage
|
|
|
RMB’000
|
|
|
Percentage
|
|
|
RMB’000
|
|
|
Percentage
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jinjiang Xinao Gas Company Limited
|
|
|
Gas
|
|
|
|
94,257
|
|
|
|
10.51
|
%
|
|
|
61,136
|
|
|
|
10.56
|
%
|
|
|
69,248
|
|
|
|
9.4
|
%
|
Jinjiang Xinao Gas Company Limited
|
|
|
Color
|
|
|
|
80,644
|
|
|
|
9.00
|
%
|
|
|
60,153
|
|
|
|
10.39
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Quanzhou Like Ceramic Materials Co., Ltd.
|
|
|
Color
|
|
|
|
50,332
|
|
|
|
5.61
|
%
|
|
|
45,069
|
|
|
|
7.79
|
%
|
|
|
53,493
|
|
|
|
7.3
|
%
|
Foshan City Nanhai Huaxiong Ceramic Materials Co., Ltd.
|
|
|
Color
|
|
|
|
49,221
|
|
|
|
5.49
|
%
|
|
|
42,779
|
|
|
|
7.39
|
%
|
|
|
38,403
|
|
|
|
5.2
|
%
|
Fengxin Huafeng Ceramic Co., Ltd.
|
|
|
Clay
|
|
|
|
48,197
|
|
|
|
5.38
|
%
|
|
|
54,914
|
|
|
|
9.49
|
%
|
|
|
52,853
|
|
|
|
7.2
|
%
|
Yongchun Junjie Mining Co., Ltd.
|
|
|
Coal
|
|
|
|
43,051
|
|
|
|
4.80
|
%
|
|
|
54,962
|
|
|
|
9.49
|
%
|
|
|
58,893
|
|
|
|
8.0
|
%
|
Foshan City Nanhai Zhongtai Glaze Production Plant
|
|
|
Color
|
|
|
|
38,763
|
|
|
|
4.32
|
%
|
|
|
35,046
|
|
|
|
6.05
|
%
|
|
|
14,449
|
|
|
|
2.0
|
%
|
Foshan City Sanshui Golden Eagle Inorganic Materials Co., Ltd.
|
|
|
Color
|
|
|
|
36,832
|
|
|
|
4.11
|
%
|
|
|
42,821
|
|
|
|
7.40
|
%
|
|
|
39,922
|
|
|
|
5.4
|
%
|
Guangfeng Fangzhengfeikuang Co., Ltd.
|
|
|
Clay
|
|
|
|
30,292
|
|
|
|
3.38
|
%
|
|
|
23,835
|
|
|
|
4.12
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fujian Nanping Minning Mining Exploitation Co., Ltd.
|
|
|
Clay
|
|
|
|
24,546
|
|
|
|
2.74
|
%
|
|
|
16,743
|
|
|
|
2.89
|
%
|
|
|
30,899
|
|
|
|
4.2
|
%
|
None of our officers or directors or their
respective affiliates has any interest, direct or indirect, in any of the above major suppliers. There are no arrangements or
understanding with any suppliers pursuant to which any of our directors and executive officers were appointed.
Research and Development
We have devoted substantial resources to
establishing research and development capabilities in an effort to improve our products and diversify our product mix. Our research
and development team focuses on new products as well as developing energy and resource efficient production methods.
We focus our research and development efforts
on the following:
|
·
|
Expanding
and improving production capacity;
|
|
·
|
Improving
and developing new production and processing techniques;
|
|
·
|
Improving
the use and selection of raw materials to lower costs; and
|
|
·
|
Developing
new products and designs to address changing market demands.
|
Our research and development costs were
approximately RMB 1.1 million, RMB 0.8 million and RMB 0.94 (US$ 0.14 million) for fiscal years 2015, 2016 and 2017. From time
to time, we may enter into collaboration agreements with research institutes to develop new products or improve our production
process. As of December 31, 2017, our R&D department had 16 employees.
Competition
We face intense competition from our existing
competitors and new market entrants. Our primary competitors are usually privately owned companies that are located mainly in
the PRC. Our principal competitors are Guangdong White Rabbit Ceramics, Foshan Shiwan Yulong Ceramics Co., Ltd, Jinjiang Haoyuan
Ceramics, Co., Ltd, Jinjiang Wanli Ceramics Co., Ltd, Jinjiang Tengda Ceramics Co., Ltd and Jinjiang Haoshan Construction Materials
Co., Ltd. We compete primarily based on product quality, brand recognition, and an extensive distributor network.
Intellectual Property
We protect our intellectual property primarily
through a mix of patent and trademark registrations.
Registered Trademarks
Our brand name distinguishes our products
and promotes consumer awareness of our products.
We have registered the following trademarks
in the PRC:
Trademark
|
|
Class/Products
|
|
Validity
Term
|
|
Registration
No.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
19/ Tile, ceramic tile and wave pattern tile
|
|
From February 21, 2012 to February 20, 2022
|
|
1716827
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
19/ Tile; non-metallic tile; ceramic tile; non-metallic
wall tile for constructional use; wave pattern tile; glass mosaic; non-metallic floor tile
|
|
From March 28, 2009 to March 27, 2019
|
|
4971248
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
19/ Tile; non-metallic tile; ceramic
tile; glass mosaic; non-metallic tile for constructional use; non-metallic construction material; marble; granite;
manual stone.
|
|
From October 21, 2010 to October 20, 2020
|
|
7543650
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
19/ Tile; non-metallic tile; non-metallic tile
for constructional use; non-metallic wall tile for constructional use; non-metallic floor tile; non-metallic ground tile;
glass mosaic; plaster; cement; concrete building unit.
|
|
From May 14, 2011 to May 13, 2021
|
|
8289754
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
19/ Tile; non-metallic tile;
non-metallic tile for constructional use; non-metallic wall tile for constructional use; non-metallic floor tile; non-metallic
ground tile; glass mosaic; plaster; cement; concrete building unit.
|
|
From May 14, 2011 to May
13, 2021
|
|
8289921
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
19/ Tile, ceramic tile, asbestos cement tile,
glass mosaic, non-metallic tile, non-metallic tile for constructional use, fireclay, firebrick, tile, ceramic kiln furniture.
|
|
From April 13, 2011 to January 27, 2020
|
|
1357830
|
Before April 13, 2011, WULIQIAO was a trademark
owned by Fujian Province Jinjiang City Hengda Construction Materials Co., Ltd. for Class 19 (Products: tile, ceramic tile, asbestos
cement tile, glass mosaic, non-metallic tile, non-metallic tile for constructional use, fireclay, firebrick, tile, ceramic kiln
furniture). Hengda signed a Trademark Licensing Contract with Fujian Province Jinjiang City Hengda Construction Materials Co.,
Ltd. and was licensed the exclusive right to use WULIQIAO during the terms of that trademark, which expires on January 27, 2020.
Since April 13, 2011, WULIQIAO has been transferred to Hengdali, according to Certificate of Approved Transference of Trademark
issued on April 13, 2011 by Trademark Office of the State Administration for Industry & Commerce of the P.R. China.
Patents
We currently own twenty two utility model
patents in the PRC for exterior wall tiles, which were applied for in November of 2007, July of 2011 and November of 2012 respectively.
A “utility model patent” is a new technical solution relating to the shape, the structure, or their combination, of
a product, which is fit for practical use. Utility model patents have a ten year term from the application date.
Except as disclosed above, as of December
31, 2017, our business or profitability is not materially dependent on any other trademarks, copyrights, registered designs, patents,
grant of licenses from third parties, new manufacturing processes or other intellectual property rights.
Environmental
We are subject to various environmental
regulations with respect to noise and air pollution and discharge of hazardous materials. We are also subject to periodic inspection.
Our Hengda facility obtained a Temporary Pollutant Discharge Permit (No.350582-2014-000260) granted by Jinjiang City Environmental
Protection Bureau that will expire on May 1, 2016, and we are currently in the process of applying for the renewal of the permit.
The permit is subject to annual renewal. We are currently in the process of applying for a Pollutant Discharge Permit for our
Hengdali production facility. We are not subject to any pending actions of alleged violations of applicable PRC environmental
laws. If the Pollutant Discharge Permit is not issued and Hengdali discharges pollutants, Hengdali may be warned, ordered to stop
discharging pollutants, and/or fined by the environmental protection agency.
Legal Proceedings
On June 6, 2014, a putative class action
complaint (the “Pollock Complaint”) was filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New
York against us and various current and former directors and officers asserting claims of violations of Section 10(b) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder against all defendants, and asserting
claims for violations of Section 20(a) of the Exchange Act against the individual defendants; and pursuing remedies under the
Exchange Act. The complaint is captioned Robert Pollock, Individually and On Behalf Of All Others Similarly Situated v. Huang
Jia Dong, Su Pei Zhi, Hen Man Edmund, Ding Wei Dong, Paul K. Kelly, Cheng Yan Davis, William L. Stulginsky, Su Wei Feng, Shen
Cheng Liang, Jianwei Liu, And China Ceramics Co., Ltd. (Case No. 14-cv-4100).
On June 16, 2014, a putative class action
complaint (the “Artinoff Complaint”) was filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New
York against us and various current and former directors and officers asserting claims of violations of Section 10(b) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder against all defendants, and asserting
claims for violations of Section 20(a) of the Exchange Act against the individual defendants; and pursuing remedies under the
Exchange Act. The complaint is captioned Roger Artinoff, Individually and On Behalf Of All Others Similarly Situated v. China
Ceramics Co. Ltd., Huang Jia Dong, Su Pei Zhi, Hen Man Edmund, Ding Wei Dong, Paul K. Kelly, Cheng Yan Davis, William L. Stulginsky
And Su Wei Feng. (Case No. 14-cv-4312).
On July 2, 2014, a putative class action
complaint (the “Finlayson Complaint”) was filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New
York against us and various current and former directors and officers asserting claims for violations of Section 10(b) of the
Exchange Act and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder against all defendants, and claims for violations of Section 20(a) of the Exchange
Act against the individual defendants; and pursuing remedies under the Exchange Act. The complaint is captioned Richard Finlayson,
Individually and On Behalf Of All Others Similarly Situated v. Huang Jia Dong, Su Pei Zhi, Hen Man Edmund, Ding Wei Dong, Paul
K. Kelly, Cheng Yan Davis, William L. Stulginsky, Su Wei Feng, Shen Cheng Liang, Jianwei Liu, and China Ceramics Co., Ltd. (Case
No. 14-cv-4997).
On February 6, 2015,
the Company and the individual defendants reached an agreement in principle to settle the class action litigation brought against
the Company in consideration of the payment by the Company of $850,000, consisting of $310,000 payable in cash and $540,000 to
be issued in the Company’s common shares. On January 6, 2016, the United States District Court for the Southern District
of New York (the “Court”) held a final hearing to consider approval of the settlement, and on April 22, 2016, it issued
a final order approving the settlement and ordering that the parties file a stipulation voluntarily dismissing the action on or
before May 23, 2016 or, in the alternative, to file a joint letter by the same deadline stating the reasons for the delay in filing
such a stipulation. On April 22, 2016, the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York issued a final order
approving the settlement. The Company remitted $310,000 in cash and issued 554,415 common shares in full satisfaction of the terms
of the settlement. The case was closed on August 2, 2016.
Seasonality
The second and third calendar quarters
have been the peak season of the property developing industry, and, therefore, our quarterly sales are usually highest from May
to September compared to the rest of the year. We have lower sales between the months of January and March due to the effects
of cold weather and the PRC Spring Festival.
The seasonality information above is based
on our turnover trend in the last three years and may vary slightly from year to year depending on the demand by our customers
and end customers for our products. However, management believes that the seasonality information for the last three years is
representative of the seasonality trend going forward.
Governmental Regulations
Environmental Protection Regulations
In accordance with the PRC Environmental
Protection Law adopted on December 26, 1989, the Administration Supervisory Department of Environmental Protection of the State
Council sets the national guidelines for the discharge of pollutants. The People’s Governments of provinces, autonomous
regions and municipalities may also set their own guidelines for the discharge of pollutants within their own provinces or districts
in the event that the national guidelines are inadequate. A company which causes environmental pollution and discharges other
polluting materials which endanger the public should implement environmental protection methods and procedures into their business
operations. This may be achieved by setting up a system of accountability within the company’s business structure for environmental
protection, adopting effective procedures to prevent environmental hazards such as waste gases, water and residues, dust powder,
radioactive materials and noise arising from production, construction and other activities from polluting and endangering the
environment. The environmental protection system and procedures should be implemented simultaneously with the commencement of
and during the operation of construction, production and other activities undertaken by the company. Any company which discharges
environmental pollutants should report and register such discharge with the Administration Supervisory Department of Environmental
Protection and pay any fines imposed for the discharge. A fee may also be imposed on the company for the cost of any work required
to restore the environment to its original state. Companies which have caused severe pollution to the environment are required
to restore the environment or remedy the effects of the pollution within a prescribed time limit. If a company fails to report
and/or register the environmental pollution it caused, it will receive a warning or be penalized. Companies that fail to restore
the environment or remedy the effects of the pollution within the prescribed time will be penalized or have their business licenses
terminated. Companies that have polluted and endangered the environment must bear the responsibility for remedying the danger
and effects of the pollution, as well as to compensate any losses or damages suffered as a result of such environmental pollution.
Our Hengda facility obtained a Temporary
Pollutant Discharge Permit (No.350582-2014-000260) granted by Jinjiang City Environmental Protection Bureau that will expire on
May 1, 2016, and we are currently in the process of applying for the renewal of the permit. Hengdali is currently in the process
of applying for a Pollutant Discharge Permit, and the environmental protection agency in Gaoan has accepted Hengdali’s application.
If the Pollutant Discharge Permit is not issued and Hengdali discharges pollutants, Hengdali may be warned, ordered to stop discharging
pollutants, and/or fined by the environmental protection agency.
Government Regulations Relating to Foreign
Exchange Controls
The principal regulation governing foreign
exchange in the PRC is the Foreign Currency Administration Rules and a series of implementing rules and regulations, as amended.
Under these rules, the Renminbi, the PRC’s currency, is freely convertible for trade and service related foreign exchange
transactions (such as normal purchases and sales of goods and services from providers in foreign countries), but not for direct
investment, loan or investment in securities outside of China unless the prior approval of the State Administration for Foreign
Exchange, or SAFE, of the PRC is obtained. Foreign investment enterprises, or FIEs, are required to apply to the SAFE for Foreign
Exchange Registration Certificates for FIEs. With such registration certificates, which need to be renewed annually, FIEs are
allowed to open foreign currency accounts including a basic account and capital account. Currency translation within the scope
of the basic account, such as remittance of foreign currencies for payment of dividends, can be effected without requiring the
approval of the SAFE. Such transactions are subject to the consent of PRC banks which are authorized by the SAFE to review basic
account currency transactions. However, conversion of currency in the capital account, including capital items such as direct
investment, loans and securities, still require approval of the SAFE. On November 21, 2005, the SAFE issued Circular No. 75 on
Relevant Issues Concerning Foreign Exchange Control on Domestic Residents Corporate Financing and Roundtrip Investment Through
Offshore Special Purpose Vehicles. Circular No. 75 confirms that the use of offshore special purpose vehicles as holding companies
for PRC investments are permitted, but proper foreign exchange registration applications are required to be reviewed and accepted
by the SAFE.
Regulation of Foreign Currency Exchange
Foreign currency exchange in the PRC is
governed by a series of regulations, including, without limitation, the Foreign Currency Administrative Rules (1996), as amended,
and the Administrative Regulations Regarding Settlement, Sale and Payment of Foreign Exchange (1996), as amended. Under these
regulations, the Renminbi is freely convertible for trade and service-related foreign exchange transactions, but not for direct
investment, loans or investments in securities outside China without the prior approval of the SAFE. Pursuant to the Administrative
Regulations Regarding Settlement, Sale and Payment of Foreign Exchange, foreign-invested enterprises in China may purchase foreign
exchange without the approval of the SAFE for trade and service-related foreign exchange transactions by providing commercial
documents evidencing these transactions. They may also retain foreign exchange, subject to a cap approved by SAFE, to satisfy
foreign exchange liabilities or to pay dividends. However, the relevant Chinese government authorities may limit or eliminate
the ability of foreign-invested enterprises to purchase and retain foreign currencies in the future. In addition, foreign exchange
transactions for direct investment, loan and investment in securities outside China are still subject to limitations and require
approvals from the SAFE. On August 29, 2008, SAFE issued Circular No. 142 on Relevant Business Operations Issues Concerning Improving
the Administration of the Payment and Settlement of Foreign Exchange Capital of Foreign-Invested Enterprises, with respect to
the administration of conversion of foreign exchange capital contributions of FIEs into Renminbi, unless otherwise permitted by
PRC laws or regulations, Renminbi converted from foreign exchange capital contributions can only be applied to activities within
the approved business scope of FIEs and cannot be used for domestic equity investment or acquisitions.
Regulation of Dividend Distribution
The principal laws and regulations in China
governing distribution of dividends by foreign-invested companies include:
|
·
|
The
Sino-foreign Equity Joint Venture Law (1979), as amended;
|
|
·
|
The
Regulations for the Implementation of the Sino-foreign Equity Joint Venture Law (1983),
as amended;
|
|
·
|
The
Sino-foreign Cooperative Enterprise Law (1988), as amended;
|
|
·
|
The
Detailed Rules for the Implementation of the Sino-foreign Cooperative Enterprise Law
(1995), as amended;
|
|
·
|
The
Foreign Investment Enterprise Law (1986), as amended; and
|
|
·
|
The
Regulations of Implementation of the Foreign Investment Enterprise Law (1990), as amended.
|
Under these regulations, foreign-invested
enterprises in China may pay dividends only out of their accumulated profits, if any, determined in accordance with Chinese accounting
standards and regulations. In addition, wholly foreign-owned enterprises in China are required to set aside at least 10% of their
respective accumulated profits each year, if any, to fund certain reserve funds unless such reserve funds have reached 50% of
their respective registered capital. These reserves are not distributable as cash dividends.
Insurance
We have not purchased insurance coverage
for product liability or third party liability and are therefore not covered or compensated by insurance in respect of losses,
damages, claims and liabilities arising from or in connection with product liability or third party liability. In addition, we
currently do not maintain business interruption insurance. As a result, our business and prospects could be adversely affected
in the event of such problems in our operations and may suffer losses that could have a material adverse effect on our business,
financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.
|
C
.
|
Organizational Structure
|
The following chart illustrates China Ceramics’
organizational structure as of December 31, 2017:
Corporate Structure and Background
Our principal PRC-based operating subsidiary,
Hengda, was established on September 30, 1993 under the laws of PRC. All of the equity interests in Hengda are 100% owned by Stand
Best. Hengda is a wholly foreign-owned enterprise in China.
Hengdali was established on May 4, 2008
under the laws of PRC. All of the equity interests in Hengdali are 100% owned by Hengda.
Stand Best was established on January 17,
2008 under the laws of Hong Kong. Stand Best acquired the entire shareholdings of Hengda on April 1, 2008 for consideration of
RMB 58,980,000. As a result of this acquisition, Hengda became the wholly owned subsidiary of Stand Best.
Success Winner was established on May 29,
2009 under the laws of British Virgin Islands with Mr. Wong Kung Tok as its sole shareholder and sole director.
On June 30, 2009, pursuant to the capitalization
agreement dated June 30, 2009, Success Winner was issued the 9,999 shares allotted by Stand Best as per the capitalization exercise
of a shareholder’s loan of HK$67.9 million (RMB 58.9 million). On the same date, the shareholder of Stand Best, Mr. Wong
Kung Tok transferred all his shareholdings in Stand Best to Success Winner. Therefore, Mr. Wong Kung Tok, from June 30, 2009 to
November 20, 2009, indirectly owned 100% of Stand Best and in turn, 100% of Hengda.
CHAC was incorporated in Delaware on June
22, 2007 and was organized as a blank check company for the purpose of acquiring, through a stock exchange, asset acquisition
or other similar business combination, or controlling, through contractual arrangements, an operating business that had its principal
operations in Asia, with a focus on potential acquisition target in China.
Pursuant to the terms of a merger and stock
purchase agreement dated August 19, 2009, on November 20, 2009, CHAC merged with and into China Ceramics, its wholly owned British
Virgin Islands subsidiary, and immediately thereafter, as part of the same integrated transaction, China Ceramics acquired all
of the outstanding securities of Success Winner.
Prior to China Ceramics’ acquisition
of Success Winner, neither CHAC nor China Ceramics’ had any operations.
On November 19, 2009, Hengda entered into
a definitive acquisition agreement to acquire a new production facility in Gaoan, Jiangxi Province, PRC by purchasing 100% of
the equity interests in Hengdali. The closing of the acquisition was subject to the Gaoan City Administration for Industry and
Commerce transferring the registration and business license of Hengdali from Hengdali’s former shareholders to Hengda. The
transfer occurred on January 8, 2010. Hengda appointed an executive officer to take control over Hengdali’s operating and
financing activities on the same day. In total, Hengda assumed loans of RMB 60.0 million and paid cash consideration of RMB 185.5
million for the acquisition, of which RMB 145.4 million was advanced to Hengdali’s former shareholders by December 31, 2009.
On September 17, 2013,
Fujian Province Hengdali Building Materials Co., Ltd. (“Fujian Hengdali”) was incorporated in Pingtan, Fujian Province,
and is 100% owned by Hengda. Fujian Hengdali’s approved scope of business includes sales of building materials and interior
and exterior decoration materials. Fujian Hengdali had no operations since the incorporation date, and in August 2017, the Company
disposed Fujian Hengdali for RMB0 to a third-party. A loss on disposal of RMB736,000 was recognized in other expenses for the year
ended December 31, 2017 relating to this transaction.
On September 22, 2017,
Success Winner incorporated a 100% owned subsidiary Vast Elite Limited (“Vast Elite”) in Hong Kong with initial registered
capital of HKD1. Vast Elite is engaged in the trading of building materials but during the year ended December 31, 2017, Vast Elite
had no operations.
|
D.
|
Property, plant and equipment
|
Together with three other companies, we
jointly own six buildings comprised of one office building and five workshops in Jinjiang, Fujian Province. We recorded the related
fixed assets in proportion to the amount we paid for our part of the buildings, which represents our interests in the buildings.
As co-owners of these six buildings under the relevant Building Ownership Certificate, all co-owners have collective rights and
obligations to the jointly-owned property under PRC law, and typically the disposal of such jointly owned property by one owner
without the consent of all other owners is prohibited.
The land-use rights of this workshop and
the co-owned six buildings expire in 2055 and cover approximately 10,023 square meters. We also own land-use rights at two locations
and seven buildings in Gaoan for office buildings, workshops, warehouses, and raw material yards and staff quarters. The land-use
rights for these two facilities expire in 2058 and cover an aggregate of approximately 244,324 square meters.
We currently lease 17 properties in Jinjiang,
Fujian Province in the PRC for various uses including warehouses, office space, workshops, staff quarters and stock yards. The
lease terms range from three to five years.
As of December 31, 2016 our Hengda production
facility in Jinjiang City, Fujian Province in the PRC, had a total gross floor area of approximately 140,000 square meters and
employed 728 production personnel and our Hengdali production facility in Gaoan, Jiangxi Province in the PRC, has a total gross
floor area of approximately 244,324 square meters and employed 393 production personnel. The Hengda facility consists of nine
production lines with an annual production capacity of 42 million square meters. The Hengdali facility consists of five production
lines with an annual production capacity of 30 million square meters of ceramic tiles. Historically, we have not experienced
any form of disruption in our production facility. However, our annual production capacity has been effectively reduced from 72
million square meters of ceramic tiles to 66 million square meters of ceramic tiles due to an eight-year contract to lease out
one of the production lines from our Hengdali facility that we entered into in March 2016. Due to current economic conditions,
we are currently utilizing production facilities capable of producing 29 million square meters. We currently have fourteen production
lines (6 of which were utilized at the end of 2017), with each production line optimized to manufacture specific size ranges to
maximize efficiency and output.
During 2014, our Hengda facility was required
by the local governmental entity to begin using natural gas to operate the facility, as opposed to coal. This mandated change
in fuel source is part of a province-wide (and country-wide) effort to reduce pollution. This change resulted in our incurring
a one-time charge of approximately RMB5.6 million (US$ 0.9 million) in December 2013, and will increase our cost of goods produced
at that facility because natural gas is a more expensive energy source than coal. Fuel source (comprising coal and natural gas)
accounted for 16.4% and 15.3% of the total cost of sales in 2014 and 2013, respectively. There is no assurance that in the future
our other production facilities will not be required to make similar modifications which could have similar adverse effects on
our operations.
In 2015, we began renovating the showroom
in our Hengda facility (the Hengda Exhibition Hall) that is a valuable resource for the marketing and promotion of our extensive
line of building material products. We believe that upgrading this showroom will enable us to continue to secure significant new
contracts for our products, especially from larger property developers. Capital expenditures for the new renovations to the Hengda
Exhibition Hall were RMB 3.9 million (US$ 0.6 million) in the third quarter of 2015 and RMB 6.6 million (US$ 1.0 million) in the
fourth quarter of 2015, with no unpaid balances as of December 31, 2015. The total cost of the renovations, which were completed
in the fourth quarter, was RMB 10.5 million (US$ 1.6 million).
We also constructed a new production line
to manufacture glazed brick ceramic tiles in our Hengdali facility. Capital expenditures for the new line were RMB 18.6 million
(US$ 2.9 million) in the third quarter of 2015 and RMB 130.1 million (US$ 20.1 million) in the fourth quarter of 2015, with no
unpaid balances as of December 31, 2015. The total cost of the new production line was RMB 148.7 million (US$ 23.0 million).
In March 2016, we entered into an eight-year
contract to lease out one of the production lines from our Hengdali facility. The production line has the capacity to produce
approximately 10 million square meters of ceramic tiles annually. The term of the contract is from March 1, 2016 to February 29,
2024, and the contract stipulates for the receipt of rental income of RMB 15.0 million (US$ 0.5 million) per year, including 6%
value added tax. The purpose of this arrangement was to generate income from the unused production capacity.
Therefore, for the term of the eight-year
lease, we may only produce up to 29 million square meters of ceramic tiles from its Hengdali facility, and its maximum annual
production capacity has been effectively reduced from 72 million square meters of ceramic tiles to 66 million square meters of
ceramic tiles attributable to the lease.
|
ITEM
4A.
|
UNRESOLVED
STAFF COMMENTS
|
Not applicable.
|
ITEM
5.
|
OPERATING
AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS
|
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Overview
We are a British Virgin Islands limited
liability company whose predecessor, CHAC, was incorporated in Delaware on June 22, 2007 and was organized as a “blank check”
company for the purpose of acquiring, through a stock exchange, asset acquisition or other similar business combination, or controlling,
through contractual arrangements, an operating business that had its principal operations in Asia, with a focus on potential acquisition
target in China.
Pursuant to the terms of a merger and stock
purchase agreement dated August 19, 2009, on November 20, 2009, CHAC merged with and into China Ceramics, its wholly owned British
Virgin Islands subsidiary, and, immediately thereafter, as part of the same integrated transaction, China Ceramics acquired all
of the outstanding securities of Success Winner.
China Ceramics, through its operating subsidiaries,
is a leading PRC-based manufacturer of ceramic tiles used for exterior siding and for interior flooring and design in residential
and commercial buildings. The ceramic tiles, sold under the “HD” or “Hengda”, “HDL” or “Hengdeli”,
“TOERTO” and “WULIQIAO” brands, are available in over two thousand styles, colors and size combinations.
Currently, we have five principal product categories: (i) porcelain tiles, (ii) glazed tiles, (iii) glazed porcelain tiles, (iv)
rustic tiles, and (v) polished glazed tiles. Porcelain tiles are our best-selling products, accounting for over 67.61% and 64.84%
of our total revenue in the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.
Combined, these facilities currently provide
an aggregate annual maximum production capacity of approximately 66 million square meters as of December 31, 2017. In March 2016,
the Company entered into an eight-year contract to lease out one of the production lines from its Hengdali facility. The production
line has the capacity to produce approximately 10 million square meters of ceramic tiles annually. The term of the contract is
from March 1, 2016 to February 29, 2024. The Company believes that it is prudent to generate income from its unused production
capacity from a third party rather than let it remain idle. Therefore, for the term of the eight-year lease, the Company may only
produce up to 29 million square meters of ceramic tiles from its Hengdali facility. In 2017, Hengda retired two old furnaces,
which caused Hengda’s annual maximum production capacity to be reduced to approximately 37 million and total effective annual
production capacity to 66 million ceramic tiles.
Due to currently challenging economic conditions,
in fiscal 2017, we utilized production facilities capable of producing 31 million square meters. We currently have fourteen production
lines, six of which are currently in use, with each production line optimized to manufacture specific size ranges to maximize
efficiency and output.
Basis of Presentation
The following discussion and analysis of
our financial condition and results of operations is based on the selected financial information as of and for the year ended
December 31, 2017 and has been prepared based on the consolidated financial statements of China Ceramics Co., Ltd. and its
subsidiaries. The consolidated financial statements of China Ceramics Co., Ltd. and its subsidiaries have been prepared in accordance
with IFRS as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board, or “IASB.” The consolidated financial statements
have been prepared on the historical cost basis, except for derivative financial instruments that have been measured at fair value.
The business combination on November 20,
2009 has been accounted for as a reverse recapitalization. The acquisition agreement resulted in the former owner of Success Winner
obtaining effective operating and financial control of the combined entity. Prior to the acquisition, we had no operating business.
Accordingly, the acquisition does not constitute a business combination for accounting purposes and is accounted for as a capital
transaction. That is, the transaction is in substance a reverse recapitalization, equivalent to the issuance of equity interests
by Success Winner for the net monetary assets of China Ceramics accompanied by a recapitalization. The consolidated financial
statements are a continuation of the financial statements of Success Winner. The assets and liabilities of China Ceramics are
recognized at their carrying amounts at the date of acquisition with a corresponding credit to the consolidated equity and no
goodwill or other intangible assets are recognized. The equity of the combined entity recognized at the date of acquisition represents
the equity balances of Success Winner together with the deemed proceeds from the reverse recapitalization determined as described
above. However, the equity structure presented in the consolidated financial statements (number and values of equity instruments
issued) reflects the equity structure of the legal parent, China Ceramics. Costs directly attributable to the transaction have
been debited to equity to the extent of net monetary assets received.
Results of Operations
The following table sets forth our financial
results for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively:
RMB(‘000)
|
|
2015
|
|
|
2016
|
|
|
2017
|
|
Revenue
|
|
|
1,017,146
|
|
|
|
793,745
|
|
|
|
821,792
|
|
Cost of sales
|
|
|
(891,720
|
)
|
|
|
(823,856
|
)
|
|
|
(771,438
|
)
|
Gross profit (loss)
|
|
|
125,426
|
|
|
|
(30,111
|
)
|
|
|
50,354
|
|
Other income
|
|
|
707
|
|
|
|
15,233
|
|
|
|
14,253
|
|
Other expenses
|
|
|
(3,572
|
)
|
|
|
(11,381
|
)
|
|
|
(5,220
|
)
|
Selling and distribution expenses
|
|
|
(14,153
|
)
|
|
|
(12,815
|
)
|
|
|
(11,962
|
)
|
Administrative expenses
|
|
|
(21,883
|
)
|
|
|
(46,704
|
)
|
|
|
(88,814
|
)
|
Loss from asset devaluation
|
|
|
(421,641
|
)
|
|
|
(230,359
|
)
|
|
|
(36,683
|
)
|
Finance costs
|
|
|
(4,043
|
)
|
|
|
(84
|
)
|
|
|
(213
|
)
|
Loss before taxation
|
|
|
(339,159
|
)
|
|
|
(316,221
|
)
|
|
|
(78,285
|
)
|
Income tax (expenses)/credit
|
|
|
(23,253
|
)
|
|
|
(5,581
|
)
|
|
|
(9,741
|
)
|
Loss attributable to shareholders
|
|
|
(362,412
|
)
|
|
|
(321,802
|
)
|
|
|
(88,026
|
)
|
Description of Selected Income Statement Items
Revenue
. We generate
revenue from the sales of ceramic tiles, including porcelain tiles, glazed porcelain tiles, glazed tiles, rustic tiles and polished
glazed tiles, net of rebates and discounts. For the past three fiscal years, the second and third calendar quarters have been
the peak season of the property developing industry, and, therefore, our quarterly sales are usually highest from May to September
compared to the rest of the year. Conversely, our sales were lower between the months of January to March. This is because property
developing activities tend to be low due to the effects of cold weather and the PRC Spring Festival. Beginning on July 1, 2016,
we reduced the selling price of certain of our slow-moving products by 10% with the goal of turning some of this inventory into
cash. Beginning on October 1, 2016, in order to generate sales and move inventory, we instituted a 20% reduction in price of our
slow-moving products. However, in 2017, we increased the pricing of our ceramic tile products by an average of 20%. Although we
increased our average selling price twice with 10% product raises in 2017, but we were not able to return to the price levels
achieved prior to 2016. Revenue increased by 3.5% for the year ended December 31, 2017 as compared to the year ended December
31, 2016. This was mainly due to the 10.6% increase in sales volume but offset by a 6.4% decrease in average selling price as
compared to 2016; the decrease in average selling price contributed to the increase in sales volume. In 2017, we continued to
encounter the challenging market conditions and an overall decline in business activity. Revenue decreased by 22.0% in 2016 as
compared to 2015, mainly due to a 12.9% year-over-year decrease in sales volume and a 10.4% year-over-year decrease in average
selling price.
Cost of sales
. Cost of
sales consists of costs directly attributable to production, including the cost of clay, color materials, glaze materials, coal,
salaries for staff engaged in production activity, electricity, depreciation, packing materials, and related expenses.
The most significant factors that directly
or indirectly affect our cost of sales are as follows:
|
·
|
Availability and price of clay;
|
|
·
|
Availability and price of coal; and
|
|
·
|
Availability and price of dyes; and
|
Clay is a key material for making ceramic
tiles, and accounted for approximately 25.3% and 22.2% of our cost of sales in the year ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.
Fujian and Jiangxi Provinces, where our production facilities are located, are the largest clay resources areas in China and clay
supply is stable and sufficient for our production and planned production.
Dyes are another key material for making
ceramic tiles, and accounted for approximately 28.4% and 28.2% of our cost of sales in the year ended December 31, 2017 and 2016,
respectively. A number of dyes are used in ceramic tiles, and the prices of different dyes have experienced fluctuations in the
past few years.
Coal is another key material for making
ceramic tiles on the natural gas conversion for the firing process. Coal accounted for approximately 2.0% and 5.7% of our cost
of sales in the year ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. We have long-term relationships with our coal suppliers.
Prices of coal have experienced fluctuations in the past few years. In 2017, Hengda used natural gas instead of coal for making
ceramic tile, and the natural gas accounted for approximately 7.9% of our cost of sales.
Other income and other expenses
. Other
income consists of interest income, foreign exchange gain/loss, gain on disposal of equipment and rental income by leasing
out one of its production lines. Other expenses primarily consist of the loss on disposal of equipment and the depreciation by
leasing out one of its production lines.
Selling and distribution expenses
. Selling
and distribution expenses consist of payroll, traveling expenses, transportation and advertising expenses incurred by our selling
and distribution team.
Administrative expenses
. Administrative
expenses consist primarily of employee remuneration, payroll taxes and benefits, general office expenses, bad debt provision of
trade receivable and depreciation. We expect administrative expenses to continue to increase in absolute amounts. We also incur
additional expenses related to costs of compliance with securities laws and other regulations, including audit and legal fees
and investor relations expenses.
Finance Costs
. Finance
costs consist of interest expense on bank loans. During the year ended December 31, 2017, the finance costs mainly consisted of
the interest expense that we paid on a convertible note.
Income taxes
. Our subsidiaries in
the PRC are subject to the PRC Enterprise Income Tax Law, and the applicable income tax rate pursuant to such law in the years
ended December 31, 2015, 2016 and 2017 is 25%.
Results of Operations
Fiscal Year Ended 2017 Compared to the Fiscal Year Ended
2016
Revenue
. The following
table sets forth the breakdown of revenue, by product categories, for years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016:
|
|
December 31
|
|
Revenue RMB (000)
|
|
2016
|
|
|
Percentage
|
|
|
2017
|
|
|
Percentage
|
|
Porcelain
|
|
|
514,659
|
|
|
|
64.84
|
%
|
|
|
555,642
|
|
|
|
67.62
|
%
|
Glazed Porcelain
|
|
|
32,298
|
|
|
|
4.07
|
%
|
|
|
32,063
|
|
|
|
3.90
|
%
|
Glazed
|
|
|
37,010
|
|
|
|
4.66
|
%
|
|
|
35,021
|
|
|
|
4.26
|
%
|
Rustic
|
|
|
83,954
|
|
|
|
10.58
|
%
|
|
|
81,354
|
|
|
|
9.90
|
%
|
Polished Glazed
|
|
|
125,824
|
|
|
|
15.85
|
%
|
|
|
117,712
|
|
|
|
14.32
|
%
|
Total
|
|
|
793,745
|
|
|
|
100.00
|
%
|
|
|
821,792
|
|
|
|
100.00
|
%
|
Revenue increased by RMB 28.0 million,
or 3.5%, to RMB 821.8 million ($121.7 million) in the year ended December 31, 2017, from RMB 793.8 million for the year ended
December 31, 2016. The increase in revenue was primarily due to the increase in sales volume of 10.6% despite our average sales
price was decrease of 6.4%. The year-over-year sales of porcelain tiles increased in 2017 as compared to 2016 due to positive
market trends and customers tastes, while the sales for other types of ceramic tiles decreased.
Porcelain tiles
. Revenue from
the sales of porcelain tiles increased 8.0%, from RMB 514.7 million ($76.5 million) for the year ended December 31, 2016 to RMB
555.6 million ($82.3 million) for the year ended December 31, 2017. The increase was primarily attributable to an increase in
our sales volume in 2017 as compared to 2016. Porcelain tiles for exterior walls are still our most popular product and have the
largest market potential of all of our tiles. We expect porcelain tiles to continue to be our key product for the foreseeable
future.
Glazed porcelain tiles.
Revenue
from glazed porcelain tiles decreased 0.7%, from approximately RMB 32.3 million ($4.8 million) for the year ended December 31,
2016 to RMB 32.1 million ($4.8 million) for the year ended December 31, 2017.
Glazed tiles
. Revenue from glazed tiles
decreased 5.4%, from RMB 37.0 million ($5.5 million) for the year ended December 31, 2016 to RMB 35.0 million ($5.2 million) for
the year ended December 31, 2017.
Rustic tiles.
Revenue from rustic
tiles decreased 3.1%, from RMB 83.9 million ($12.5 million) for the year ended December 31, 2016 to RMB 81.4million ($12.1 million)
for the year ended December 31, 2017.
Polished glazed tiles.
Revenue
from polished glazed tiles decreased 6.5%, from RMB 125.8 million ($18.6 million) for the year ended December 31, 2016 to RMB
117.7 million ($17.4million) for the year ended December 31, 2017. We began selling polished glazed tiles in the second quarter
of 2011. We believe that this product represents both a functional and cost-effective replacement for actual marble or stone materials
used in a decorative fashion inside homes. The polished glazed tiles are larger than our other tiles and we believe that demand
for this series will increase in the future.
Cost of sales.
The following
table sets forth the breakdown of cost of sales, by product segment, for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016:
Cost of sales RMB (‘000)
|
|
2016
|
|
|
Percentage
|
|
|
2017
|
|
|
Percentage
|
|
Porcelain
|
|
|
533,032
|
|
|
|
64.7
|
%
|
|
|
519,830
|
|
|
|
67.38
|
%
|
Glazed Porcelain
|
|
|
38,957
|
|
|
|
4.73
|
%
|
|
|
35,345
|
|
|
|
4.58
|
%
|
Glazed
|
|
|
40,790
|
|
|
|
4.95
|
%
|
|
|
34,418
|
|
|
|
4.46
|
%
|
Rustic
|
|
|
87,147
|
|
|
|
10.58
|
%
|
|
|
76,184
|
|
|
|
9.88
|
%
|
Polished Glazed
|
|
|
123,930
|
|
|
|
15.04
|
%
|
|
|
105,661
|
|
|
|
13.70
|
%
|
Total
|
|
|
823,856
|
|
|
|
100.00
|
%
|
|
|
771,438
|
|
|
|
100.00
|
%
|
Cost of sales was RMB 771.4 million ($114.3
million) for the year ended December 31, 2017 compared to RMB 823.86 million for the year ended December 31, 2016, representing
a decrease of RMB 52.4 million, or 6.4%. The decrease in cost of sales was primarily due to decreased depreciation expense by
RMB 29.2 million resulting from the impairment of fixed assets including manufacturing assets, and decreased inventory impairment
loss by RMB 77.81 million, despite our actual manufacturing cost increased due to increased sales.
Gross profit (loss).
The following
table breaks down of our gross profit (loss) and gross profit (loss) margin by product segment for the years ended December 31,
2017 and 2016:
|
|
December 31,
|
|
|
|
2016
|
|
|
2017
|
|
RMB (‘000)
|
|
Gross
Profit
|
|
|
Profit
Margin
|
|
|
Gross
Profit
|
|
|
Profit
Margin
|
|
Porcelain
|
|
|
(18,373
|
)
|
|
|
(3.57
|
)%
|
|
|
35,812
|
|
|
|
6.21
|
%
|
Glazed Porcelain
|
|
|
(6,659
|
)
|
|
|
(20.62
|
)%
|
|
|
(3,282
|
)
|
|
|
(10.52
|
)%
|
Glazed
|
|
|
(3,780
|
)
|
|
|
(10.21
|
)%
|
|
|
603
|
|
|
|
1.47
|
%
|
Rustic
|
|
|
(3,193
|
)
|
|
|
(3.80
|
)%
|
|
|
5,170
|
|
|
|
6.12
|
%
|
Polished Glazed
|
|
|
1,894
|
|
|
|
1.51
|
%
|
|
|
12,051
|
|
|
|
10.01
|
%
|
All products
|
|
|
(30,111
|
)
|
|
|
(3.79
|
)%
|
|
|
50,354
|
|
|
|
5.89
|
%
|
Our gross profit (loss) increased RMB 80.5
million from a gross loss of RMB 30.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2016 to a gross profit of RMB 50.4 million ($7.5
million) for 2017.
Administrative expenses.
Administrative
expenses were RMB 88.8 million ($13.2 million) for the year ended December 31, 2017, compared to RMB 46.7 million for the year
ended December 31, 2016, representing an increase of RMB 42.1million, or 90.2%. The increase in administrative expenses was mainly
due to the increase in provision for doubtful debts on trade receivables amounting to RMB 71.6 million.
Finance costs.
Finance costs
increased from RMB 84,000 for the year ended December 31, 2016 to RMB 0.2 million ($31,550) for the year ended December 31, 2017.
The increase mainly due to the increase in interest expense.
Loss from Asset Devaluation.
The
loss from asset devaluation resulting from an impairment of non-current assets (fixed assets and land use rights) was RMB 36.7
million ($5.4 million) for the year ended December 31, 2017 as compared to RMB 230.3 million for the year ended December
31, 2016. The loss from asset devaluation resulted from an impairment of non-current assets due to decelerating growth in China
and an expected contraction in the demand for the Company’s products.
Other expenses.
Other expenses
decreased 54.4% or RMB 6.2 million, from RMB 11.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2016 to RMB 5.2 million ($0.8 million)
for the year ended December 31, 2017. For the year ended December 31, 2017, loss on disposal of a subsidiary was
RMB 0.7 million. For the year ended December 31, 2016, loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment was RMB 6.2 million.
Income (loss) before taxation.
Loss
before taxation was RMB 316.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2016 as compared to a loss before taxation of RMB 78.3 million
($11.6 million) for the year ended December 31, 2017. The decrease in loss before taxation was mainly due to increased gross profit
and a lower loss from asset devaluation for the year ended December 31, 2017.
Income taxes.
We incurred an
income tax expense of RMB 9.7 million ($1.4 million) for the year ended December 31, 2017 compared to an income tax expense of
RMB 5.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2016, representing an increase in tax expense of RMB 4.1 million. Our PRC statutory
enterprise income tax rate was 25% for the year ended December 31, 2017 and 2016.
Income (loss) attributable to shareholders.
Loss
attributable to shareholders was RMB 321.8 million net for the year ended December 31, 2016 as compared to a loss attributable
to shareholders of RMB 88.0 million net ($13.0 million) for year ended December 31, 2017.
Fiscal Year Ended 2016 Compared to Fiscal
Year Ended 2015
Revenue
. The following
table sets forth the breakdown of revenue, by product categories, for fiscal years 2015 and 2016:
|
|
December 31,
|
|
Revenue RMB (000)
|
|
2015
|
|
|
Percentage
|
|
|
2016
|
|
|
Percentage
|
|
Porcelain
|
|
|
675,335
|
|
|
|
66.40
|
%
|
|
|
514,659
|
|
|
|
64.84
|
%
|
Glazed Porcelain
|
|
|
42,538
|
|
|
|
4.18
|
%
|
|
|
32,298
|
|
|
|
4.07
|
%
|
Glazed
|
|
|
47,467
|
|
|
|
4.67
|
%
|
|
|
37,010
|
|
|
|
4.66
|
%
|
Rustic
|
|
|
96,174
|
|
|
|
9.45
|
%
|
|
|
83,954
|
|
|
|
10.58
|
%
|
Polished Glazed
|
|
|
155,632
|
|
|
|
15.30
|
%
|
|
|
125,824
|
|
|
|
15.85
|
%
|
Total
|
|
|
1,017,146
|
|
|
|
100.00
|
%
|
|
|
793,745
|
|
|
|
100.00
|
%
|
Revenue decreased by RMB 223.4 million,
or 22.0%, to RMB 793.7 million (US$ 118.3 million) for the year ended December 31, 2016, from RMB 1,017.1 million for the year
ended December 31, 2015. The year-over-year decrease in revenue was primarily driven by a 12.9% decrease in our sales volume in
2016 as compared to 2015. Due to challenging market conditions in China, we experienced a contraction in demand for the Company’s
products in 2016.
Porcelain tiles
. Revenue from porcelain
tiles decreased 23.8% from RMB 675.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2015 to RMB 514.7 million ($76.7 million) for
the year ended December 31, 2016. The decrease was primarily attributable to a 13.6% decrease in our sales volume in 2016 as compared
to 2015. Porcelain tiles for exterior walls are still our most popular product and have the largest market potential of all of
our tiles. We expect porcelain tiles to continue to be our key product for the foreseeable future.
Glazed porcelain tiles.
Revenue
from glazed porcelain tiles decreased 24.1% from approximately RMB 42.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2015 to RMB 32.3
million ($4.81 million) for the year ended December 31, 2016. The decrease was mainly due to a 14.6% decrease in sales volume
in 2016 as compared to 2015. Glazed porcelain tiles accounted for 4.1% of total sales for the year ended December 31, 2016 compared
to 4.2% for the year ended December 31, 2015.
Glazed tiles
. Revenue from glazed tiles
increased 22.0% from RMB 47.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2015 to RMB 37.0 million ($5.5 million) for the year ended
December 31, 2016. The decrease was mainly due to a 15.1% decrease in sales volume in 2016 as compared to 2015. As compared to
our other products, glazed tiles have a lower average selling price (an RMB price of 20.9 per square meter in 2016). Glazed porcelain
tiles accounted for 4.7% of total sales for the year ended December 31, 2016 compared to 4.7% for the year ended December 31,
2015.
Rustic tiles.
Revenue from rustic
tiles decreased 12.7% from RMB 96.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2015 to RMB 84.0 million ($12.5 million) for the year
ended December 31, 2016 which was mainly due to a 5.9% decrease in sales volume in 2016 as compared to 2015. Rustic tiles accounted
for 10.6% of total sales for the year ended December 31, 2016 from 9.5% for the year ended December 31, 2015. We have been promoting
rustic tiles since we introduced them in 2007 and believe that rustic tiles will eventually become a larger portion of our product
mix due to its variety of patterns and textures.
Polished glazed tiles.
Revenue
from polished glazed tiles increased 19.2% from RMB 155.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2015 to RMB 125.8 million ($18.7
million) for the year ended December 31, 2016, mainly due to a 9.7% decrease in sales volume in 2016 as compared to 2015 and a
10.4% decrease in average sales price in 2016 as compared to 2015, to RMB 51.9 per square meter. We began selling polished glazed
tiles in the second quarter of 2011. We believe that this product represents both a functional and cost-effective replacement
for actual marble or stone materials used in a decorative fashion inside homes. The polished glazed tiles are of a larger size
than our other tiles and we believe that demand for this series will increase in the future.
Cost of sales.
The following
table sets forth the breakdown of cost of sales, by product segment, for December 31, 2015 and 2016:
Cost of sales RMB (‘000)
|
|
2015
|
|
|
Percentage
|
|
|
2016
|
|
|
Percentage
|
|
Porcelain
|
|
|
586,715
|
|
|
|
65.80
|
%
|
|
|
533,032
|
|
|
|
64.70
|
%
|
Glazed Porcelain
|
|
|
42,397
|
|
|
|
4.75
|
%
|
|
|
38,957
|
|
|
|
4.73
|
%
|
Glazed
|
|
|
45,193
|
|
|
|
5.07
|
%
|
|
|
40,790
|
|
|
|
4.95
|
%
|
Rustic
|
|
|
86,657
|
|
|
|
9.72
|
%
|
|
|
87,147
|
|
|
|
10.58
|
%
|
Polished Glazed
|
|
|
130,758
|
|
|
|
14.66
|
%
|
|
|
123,930
|
|
|
|
15.04
|
%
|
Total
|
|
|
891,720
|
|
|
|
100.00
|
%
|
|
|
823,856
|
|
|
|
100.00
|
%
|
Cost of sales was RMB 823.9 million ($122.8
million) for the year ended December 31, 2016 compared to RMB 891.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, representing
a decrease of RMB 67.8 million, or 7.6%. The decrease in cost of sales was primarily due to a 12.9% decrease in our sales volume
in 2016 as compared to 2015.
Gross profit.
The following
table sets forth the breakdown of our gross profit and gross profit margin, by product segment, for December 31, 2015 and 2016:
|
|
December 31,
|
|
|
|
2015
|
|
|
2016
|
|
RMB (‘000)
|
|
Gross
Profit
|
|
|
Profit
Margin
|
|
|
Gross
Profit
|
|
|
Profit
Margin
|
|
Porcelain
|
|
|
88,620
|
|
|
|
13.12
|
%
|
|
|
-18,373
|
|
|
|
-3.57
|
%
|
Glazed Porcelain
|
|
|
141
|
|
|
|
0.33
|
%
|
|
|
-6,659
|
|
|
|
-20.62
|
%
|
Glazed
|
|
|
2,274
|
|
|
|
4.79
|
%
|
|
|
-3,780
|
|
|
|
-10.21
|
%
|
Rustic
|
|
|
9,517
|
|
|
|
9.90
|
%
|
|
|
-3,193
|
|
|
|
-3.80
|
%
|
Polished Glazed
|
|
|
24,874
|
|
|
|
15.98
|
%
|
|
|
1,894
|
|
|
|
1.51
|
%
|
All products
|
|
|
125,426
|
|
|
|
12.33
|
%
|
|
|
-30,111
|
|
|
|
-3.79
|
%
|
Our gross profit decreased by RMB 155.5
million from RMB 125.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2015 to a gross loss of RMB 30.1 million ($4.5 million) for the
year ended December 31, 2016. Our gross profit margin was decreased from 12.3% for the year ended December 31, 2015 to a negative
3.8% for the year ended December 31, 2016. The year-over-year decrease in gross profit margin was primarily driven by reduction
in the average selling prices and an increase in inventory provision of RMB 75.1 million ($11.3 million).
Administrative expenses.
Administrative
expenses were RMB 46.7 million (US$ 7.0 million) for the year ended December 31, 2016, compared to RMB 21.9 million for the year
ended December 31, 2015, representing an increase of RMB 24.8 million, or 113.2%. The year-over-year increase in administrative
expenses was primarily due to an increase in bad debt provision of trade receivable from RMB 23.9 million for the year ended December
31, 2016 as compared to nil for the year ended December 31, 2015.
Finance costs.
Finance costs
decreased 97.9% or RMB 3.9 million from RMB 4.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2015 to RMB 0.1 million ($0.01 million)
for the year ended December 31, 2016. The year-over-year decrease in finance costs resulted from a decrease in interest expenses
of RMB 3.9 million from RMB 4.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2015 to RMB 0.1 million ($0.01 million) for the year ended
December 31, 2016.
Realized and Unrealized Fair Value Loss
on Derivative Financial Instruments.
The realized and unrealized fair value loss on derivative financial instruments
were nil for the year ended December 31, 2016 and 2015.
Loss from Asset Devaluation.
The
loss from asset devaluation resulting from an impairment of non-current assets was RMB 230.3 million ($34.3 million) for the year
ended December 31, 2016 as compared to RMB 421.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2015. The loss from asset devaluation
resulting from an impairment of non-current assets due to decelerating growth in China and an expected contraction in the demand
for the Company’s products.
Other expenses.
Other expenses
increased 218.6% or RMB 7.8 million from RMB 3.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2015 to RMB 11.4 million ($1.7 million)
for the year ended December 31, 2016. In 2016, loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment was RMB 6.2 million. Other expenses
in 2015 mainly included the business tax of RMB 1.7 million for related party loans and exchange loss of RMB 1.7 million.
Loss before taxation.
Loss
before taxation was RMB 339.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2015 as compared to RMB 316.2 million ($47.1 million) for
the year ended December 31, 2016. The decrease in loss before taxation was mainly due to the impairment of non-current assets
of RMB 230.3 million ($34.3 million) in the fourth quarter of 2016 as compared to RMB 421.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2015.
And we had a decrease in profit from operations of RMB 155.5 million in 2016 as compared to 2015, from a profit of RMB 125.4 million
for the year ended December 31, 2015 to a loss of RMB 30.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2016.
Income taxes.
We incurred an income
tax expense of RMB 5.6 million ($ 0.8 million) for the year ended December 31, 2016 compared to an income tax expense of RMB 23.3
million for the year ended December 31, 2015, representing a decrease in expenses of RMB 17.7 million. Our PRC statutory enterprise
income tax rate was 25% for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2016.
Loss attributable to shareholders.
Loss
attributable to shareholders decreased approximately RMB 40.6 million from RMB 362.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2015
to RMB 321.8 million ($48.0 million) for the year ended December 31, 2016. The year-over-year decrease in loss attributable to
shareholders was primarily caused by average selling price and the decrease in loss from asset devaluation in 2016 compared with
2015.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
The following table presents a summary
of our cash flows and beginning and ending cash balances for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2016 and 2017:
RMB (‘000)
|
|
2015
|
|
|
2016
|
|
|
2017
|
|
Net cash (used in)/generated from operating activities
|
|
|
161,982
|
|
|
|
(8,685
|
)
|
|
|
(2,046
|
)
|
Net cash generated from/(used in) investing activities
|
|
|
(176,742
|
)
|
|
|
44,463
|
|
|
|
(5,548
|
)
|
Net cash (used in)/generated from financing activities
|
|
|
(47,508
|
)
|
|
|
(33,891
|
)
|
|
|
9,537
|
|
Net cash flow
|
|
|
(62,268
|
)
|
|
|
1,887
|
|
|
|
1,943
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
|
|
|
61,155
|
|
|
|
514
|
|
|
|
110
|
|
Effect of foreign exchange rate differences
|
|
|
1,627
|
|
|
|
(2,291
|
)
|
|
|
275
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year
|
|
|
514
|
|
|
|
110
|
|
|
|
2,328
|
|
We have historically financed our liquidity
requirements mainly through operating cash flow, bank loans and issuance of new shares. We believe that we will generate sufficient
cash from operations to meet our needs for the next twelve months.
Private Placement of Unregistered Equity Securities of the
Company
On July 18, 2017, the
Company completed a USD$861,000 private placement of its ordinary shares pursuant to subscription agreements (the “Subscription
Agreements”) with certain accredited investors (the “Offering”) at the price of $1.36 per share, the closing
price of the Company’s securities on July 17, 2017. The Company agreed to register the shares sold in the Offering for resale
no later than 270 days after the closing of the Offering. All respective purchasers in the Offering were “accredited investors”
(as such term is defined in Rule 501(a) of Regulation D under the Securities Act ), and the Company sold the securities in the
Offering in reliance upon an exemption from registration contained in Section 4(2) and Rule 506 under the Securities Act. There
were no discounts or brokerage fees associated with this Offering. The net proceeds of the Offering were used for working capital
and general corporate purpose. On April 16, 2018, the Company filed a registration statement on Form F-3 to register its shares
sold in the Offering for resale.
Registered Direct Offering of the Company’s
Equity Securities
On April 19, 2018,
the Company entered into a securities purchase agreement (the “Agreement”) with certain individual investors relating
to a registered direct offering, issuance and sale (the “Offering”) of an aggregate of 770,299 of its shares (the
“Shares”), at a purchase price of $1.56 per share, the closing price of the Company’s equity securities as reported
on Nasdaq on the same date. The Shares were offered pursuant to the Company’s previously filed and effective Registration
Statement on Form F-3 that was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 21, 2015, subsequently amended, and
declared effective October 15, 2015 (File No. 333-206516). The Company filed a prospectus supplement related to the Offering dated
April 19, 2018. The gross proceeds to the Company from the Offering, before deducting the Company’s estimated offering expenses,
were approximately $1.2 million. The Offering closed on April 23, 2018. Proceeds from the Offering will be used for working capital
and general corporate purposes. There were no discounts or brokerage fees associated with this Offering.
Cash flows from operating activities.
Our net cash generated from (used in) operating
activities was RMB (2.0) million ($(0.3) million) for the year ended December 31, 2017, a decrease of RMB 6.7 million, or 77.0%,
from cash outflow of RMB (8.7) million for the same period in 2016. The decrease of cash outflows was mainly due decreased net
loss by RMB 237.9 million, increased cash inflow from inventory by RMB 4.8 million, increased cash inflow form other receivables
and tax receivables by RMB 3.5 million, decreased cash outflow on trade receivable by RMB 17.2 million, and no cash payment on
income tax due to net loss, despite we had increased cash outflow for accrued liabilities and payable to related party by RMB 15.1
million.
Our net cash used in operating activities
was negative RMB 8.7 million ($(1.3) million) for the year ended December 31, 2016, a decrease of RMB 170.7 million, or 105.4 %,
from RMB 162.0 million net cash generated from operating activities for the same period in 2015. The year-over-year decrease was
mainly due to a RMB 223.4 million ($42.1 million) decrease in revenue and by an RMB 43.6 million ($1.0 million) increase in trade
receivables in 2016.
Inventory and Accounts Receivable.
Our inventory turnover increased from 125
days in 2014 to 131 days for the year ended December 31, 2015, decrease to 108 days for the year ended December 31, 2016 and was
95 days for the year ended December 31, 2017. Based on our historical experience, except for RMB 75.1 million and reversal of
RMB 2.7 million (US$ 0.4 million) of inventory that was impaired for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2017, respectively,
we believe that the value of our current inventories is realizable.
The average number of days in which we received
payment on our trade receivables, net of value-added tax, was decreased from 163 days in 2015 to 209 days for the year ended December
31, 2016, and was 206 days for the year ended December 31, 2017. Since the end of 2012, we had extended the collection period
from 90 days to 150 days to address funding pressures of our distributors. Other customers were granted a credit period of 90
days in 2013 and 2012, and extended to 120 days beginning in 2014. This high trade receivables turnover days was primarily due
to the difficult economic environment which has prompted us to offer extended credit terms to certain customers resulting in a
higher trade receivables turnover figure than normal. In the fourth quarter of 2017, the Company accrued RMB 71.6 million ($10.9
million) for provision for bad debt related to the amount of outstanding trade receivables that did not conform with the Company’s
credit policy.
Cash flows from investing activities
.
Net cash generated from (used in) investing
activities for the year ended December 31, 2017 was cash outflow of RMB 5.5 million ($0.8 million), compared to RMB 44.5 million
of cash inflow in the same period of 2016. We had RMB 41.7 million cash inflow from restricted cash for the year ended December
31, 2016; while in the same period of 2017, we purchased fixed asset for RMB 5.6 million and received RMB 70,000 from disposal
of two vehicles.
Net cash generated from investing activities
in the year ended December 31, 2016 was RMB 44.5 million ($6.7 million), compared to RMB 176.7 million of net cash used in investing
activities in the same period of 2015. The investing cash inflows in 2016 were primary caused by a decrease in restricted cash.
Cash flows from financing activities.
Net cash generated from (used in) financing
activities was RMB 9.5 million ($1.4 million) cash inflow for the year ended December 31, 2017 comparing with cash outflow of
RMB 33.9 million for the same period of 2016, primarily due to the decrease of net repayment of short-term loan in 2017.
For the year ended December 31, 2016, net
cash used in financing activities was RMB 33.9 million ($5.1 million), primarily due to the decrease of net repayment of short-term
loan, compared to net cash used in financing activities of RMB 47.5 million for the same period of 2015.
The major sources of our liquidity for
fiscal year 2015, 2016 and 2017 were cash generated from operations, bank borrowings and issuance of our common shares. The cash
generated in 2017 was primarily due to the cash generated from financing activities of shares issuance of RMB 9.5 million, offset
primarily by acquisition of fixed assets. The cash generated in 2016 was primarily due to the cash generated from investing activities
of RMB 44.5 million ($6.7 million), offset primarily by repayment of bank loans. The cash generated in 2015 was primarily due
to the cash generated from operating activities of RMB 162.0 million ($25.0 million), offset primarily by acquisition of property,
plant and equipment and repayment of bank loans.
Cash and bank balances were RMB 2.3 million
($0.3 million) as of December 31, 2017, as compared to RMB 0.1 million as of December 31, 2016, and RMB 0.5 million as of December
31, 2015.
As of December 31, 2017, our total outstanding
bank loan amounts were nil.
Operating lease commitments totaled RMB
33.6 million ($5.1 million) as of December 31, 2017.
Operating lease commitments totaled RMB
47.5 million ($7.1million) as of December 31, 2016.
There were no capital commitments as of
December 31, 2017.
There were commitments for advertising
and insurance expenditure totaling RMB 1.7 million ($0.3 million) as of December 31, 2017.
There were commitments for advertising
and insurance expenditure totaling RMB 3.8 million ($0.5 million) as of December 31, 2016.
In our opinion, our working capital, including
our cash, income and cash flows from operations, and short-term borrowings, is sufficient for our present requirements.
However, we may sell additional equity
or obtain credit facilities to enhance our liquidity position or to increase our cash reserve for future acquisitions and capital
equipment expenditures. The sale of additional equity would result in further dilution to our shareholders. The incurrence in
indebtedness would result in increased fixed obligations and could result in operating covenants that would restrict our operations.
We cannot provide assurance that financing will be available in amounts or on terms acceptable to us, if at all.
Inventory Management
Our inventory is comprised of raw materials,
work in progress and finished goods. Raw materials are purchased from our suppliers located in Fujian, Guangdong and Jiangxi Provinces
and comprise mainly of clay, coal, colorings, and glazing materials.
We have sufficient raw materials to support,
on average, three weeks of production at any point in time. This helps to minimize any potential delays in our production process
which may arise due to insufficient raw materials. Our production of ceramic tiles is based on customers’ orders. In doing
so, we minimize storage space and maintain a relatively low inventory level of finished products. Our inventory turnover for the
years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 are as follows:
|
|
FY2015
|
|
|
FY2016
|
|
|
FY2017
|
|
Inventories (RMB’000)
|
|
|
306,853
|
|
|
|
212,742
|
|
|
|
191,667
|
|
Inventory turnover
(days)
(1)
|
|
|
131
|
|
|
|
108
|
|
|
|
95
|
|
(1)
|
The average inventory
turnover is computed based on the formula: (simple average opening and closing inventories balance in a financial year / cost
of sales) × 365 days.
|
Write down of inventory for the years ended
December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 was reversal of write-down RMB 2.7 million in 2017, write-down RMB 75.1 million in 2016, and
write-down RMB7.7 million in 2015, and was charged to cost of sales.
Credit Management
Credit terms to our customers
We typically extend credit terms of approximately
90 days to our customers. We will grant credit terms based on the reputation, creditworthiness, size of orders, payment records
and number of years we have done business with the customer. We do not have a goods return policy. Considering the challenging
market conditions in China’s real estate industry, we extended the collection period to 150 days to address funding pressures
of our distributors since the year ended December 31, 2012. Other customers were granted a credit period of 90 days in the years
ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 and extended to 120 days in the year ended December 31, 2014. In the fourth quarter of 2017,
the Company accrued RMB 71.6 million ($10.6 million) for provision for bad debt related to the amount of outstanding trade receivables
that did not conform with the Company’s credit policy.
Personnel from our sales and marketing
department typically conduct visits to new customers to evaluate their credit worthiness before entering into any arrangements
with them. In addition, as Hengda was awarded the top 500 brand, we increased the deposit required from new distributors from
RMB 0.4 million to RMB 1.0 million.
Our average trade receivables’ turnover
for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 are as follows:
|
|
FY2015
|
|
|
FY2016
|
|
|
FY 2017
|
|
Trade receivables (RMB’000)
|
|
|
509,903
|
|
|
|
553,542
|
|
|
|
532,361
|
|
Trade receivables turnover
(days)
(1)
|
|
|
163
|
|
|
|
209
|
|
|
|
206
|
|
|
(1)
|
The
average trade receivables’ turnover is computed based on the formula: (simple average
opening and closing trade receivables balance, net of value-added tax in fiscal year
/ revenue) × 365 days.
|
Credit terms from our suppliers
Our typical credit terms from our major
suppliers are from 1 to 4 months after the raw materials have been delivered. Our average trade payables’ turnover days
for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 are as follows:
|
|
FY2015
|
|
|
FY2016
|
|
|
FY2017
|
|
Trade payables (RMB’000)
|
|
|
110,267
|
|
|
|
84,257
|
|
|
|
61,084
|
|
Trade payables turnover
(days)
(1)
|
|
|
70
|
|
|
|
51
|
|
|
|
32
|
|
(1)
|
The average trade payables’ turnover is
computed based on the formula: (simple average opening and closing trade payables balance, net of value-added tax in facial
year / purchases) × 365 days.
|
Capital Expenditures
Our capital expenditures primarily consist
of expenditures on property, plant and equipment.
We had RMB 5.6 million in capital expenditure
attributable to the of purchase of fixed assets for the year ended December 31, 2017. There were no capital expenditures for the
year ended December 31, 2016. Capital expenditures on property, plant and equipment were RMB 164.7 million for the year ended
December 31, 2015. In 2015, we began renovating our showroom in our Hengda facility (the Hengda Exhibition Hall) that is a valuable
resource for the marketing and promotion of our extensive line of building material products, of the total cost of which was RMB
10.5 million ($1.6 million). We are also constructing a new production line to manufacture glazed brick ceramic tiles in our Hengdali
facility, which we believe will be an attractive addition to our current product portfolio. The total cost of the project was
RMB 148.7 million ($23.0 million).
Contractual Obligations
Our contractual obligations consist mainly
of debt obligations, operating lease obligations and other purchase obligations and commitments, and will be paid off with our
cash flow from operations. The following table sets forth a breakdown of our contractual obligations (including both interest
and principal cash flows) as of December 31, 2017:
|
|
Payment Due by Period
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
Less than 1
year
|
|
|
1-3 years
|
|
|
3-5
years
|
|
|
More than
5 years
|
|
Short-term debt obligations
(1)
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Operating purchase obligations
(2)
|
|
|
33,596
|
|
|
|
13,902
|
|
|
|
19,694
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Other obligations
(3)
|
|
|
1,670
|
|
|
|
1,670
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Total
|
|
|
35,266
|
|
|
|
15,572
|
|
|
|
19,694
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
(1)
|
Amounts
represent principal and interest cash payments over the life of the bank loans, including
anticipated interest payments that are not recorded in the financial statements.
|
|
(2)
|
We lease
plant buildings, production factories, warehouses and employees’ hostel from non-related
parties under non-cancellable operating lease arrangements.
|
|
(3)
|
Includes
advertising and insurance expenditure contracted but not provided for in the financial
statements.
|
Backlog
We typically receive orders from customers
two months in advance of production on a rolling basis. We enter into a dealership agreement with customers, and a sales or purchase
contract each time a customer places an order. If a customer makes any changes to an order after we have used any raw materials
in fulfilling the order, the customer bears the losses. Once we have delivered the products to the customer and the customer has
examined and accepted the products, we provide no quality guarantees. We confirm amounts payable with each customer on a monthly
basis. The products typically must be delivered to customers within 90 days of receipt of the sales order, and the customers typically
must pay for the products within 90 to 150 days of delivery.
As of December 31, 2017, our backlog was
RMB 70.7 million ($10.8 million), which represents approximately next two months of revenue, compared to a backlog of approximately
RMB 61.4 million ($8.9 million) on December 31, 2016, a year-over-year increase of 15.1%.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We do not have any outstanding off-balance
arrangements and have not entered into any transactions that are established for the purpose of facilitating off-balance sheet
arrangements.
Impact of Inflation
The general annual inflation rate in China
was approximately 1.44% in 2015, 3.02% in 2016, and 2.0% in 2017 according to the National Bureau of Statistics. Our results of
operations may be affected by inflation, particularly rising prices for energy, labor costs, raw materials and other operating
costs. See “Item 3. Key Information — Risk Factors — Risks relating to our business — If China’s
inflation increases or the prices of energy or raw materials increase, we may not be able to pass the resulting increased costs
to our customers and this may adversely affect our profitability or cause us to suffer operating losses.”
FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT
We are exposed to financial risks arising
from our operations and the use of financial instruments. The key financial risks included credit risk, liquidity risk, interest
rate risk, foreign currency risk and market price risk.
Apart from the foreign currency forward
contracts that we have entered into during 2013 and 2014, we do not hold or issue derivative financial instruments for trading
purposes or to hedge against fluctuations, if any, in interest rates and foreign exchange rates.
Our exposure to these financial risks increased
substantially during 2013 and 2014 due to our execution of the foreign currency forward contracts. However, in July 2014 those
contracts were assumed by an affiliate of our Chairman and we were released from the liabilities that it incurred under those
contracts. We do not intend to enter into similar contracts in the future.
Credit risk refers to the risk that a counterparty
will default on its contractual obligations resulting in financial loss us. Our exposure to credit risk arises primarily from
bank balances and trade receivables. For trade receivables, we adopt the policy of dealing only with customers of appropriate
credit history to mitigate credit risk. For other financial assets, we adopt the policy of dealing only with high credit quality
counterparties.
As we do not hold any collateral, the maximum
exposure to credit risk for each class of financial assets is the carrying amount of that class of financial assets presented
on the consolidated statements of financial position.
Cash and bank balances
Our bank deposits are placed with reputable
banks in the PRC, Hong Kong and the United States. The credit exposure of our cash and bank balances (including restricted cash)
as of December 31, 2015, 2016 and 2017 were RMB 42,186,000, RMB 110,000 and RMB 2,328,000, respectively.
Trade receivables
Our objective is to seek continual growth
while minimizing losses incurred due to increased credit risk exposure.
We have significant concentration of credit
risk as the Company’s top three largest trade receivables represent approximately 16%, 22% and 29.5% of the trade receivable
balance as of December 31, 2015, 2016 and 2017, respectively. Our five largest trade receivables represent approximately 22%,
26% and 43% of the trade receivable balance as of December 31, 2015, 2016 and 2017, respectively.
Our exposure to credit risks is influenced
mainly by the individual characteristics of each customer. We typically give the existing customers credit terms of approximately
120 days to 150 days. In deciding whether credit shall be extended, we will take into consideration factors such as the relationship
with the customer, its payment history and credit worthiness. In relation to new customers, the sales and marketing department
will prepare credit proposals for approval by the Chief Executive Officer.
We perform ongoing credit evaluation of
our customers’ financial condition and require no collateral from our customers. The provision for impairment loss for doubtful
debts is based upon a review of the expected collectability of all trade and other receivables.
The credit exposure of our trade receivables
as of December 31, 2015, 2016 and 2017 was RMB 509,903,000, RMB 553,542,000 and RMB 532,361,000, respectively.
Liquidity risk is the risk that we will
encounter difficulty in raising funds to meet commitments associated with financial instruments. Liquidity risk may result from
an inability to sell a financial asset quickly at close to its fair value.
Our exposure to liquidity risk arises primarily
from mismatches of the maturities of financial assets and liabilities. Our objective is to maintain a balance between continuity
of funding and flexibility through the use of stand-by credit facilities.
The table below summarizes the maturity
profile of the liabilities based on contractual undiscounted payments:
|
|
As of December 31, 2017
|
|
|
|
Within 1 year
|
|
|
More than 1
year but less
than3 years
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
|
RMB’000
|
|
|
RMB’000
|
|
|
RMB’000
|
|
Trade payables
|
|
|
61,084
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
61,084
|
|
Amounts owed to related parties
|
|
|
36,017
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
36,017
|
|
Interest-bearing
bank borrowings
(1)
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Total
|
|
|
97,101
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
97,101
|
|
|
(1)
|
Includes
contractual interest payments
|
We intend to ensure that there are adequate
funds to meet all its obligations in a timely and cost-effective manner. We intend to maintain sufficient level of cash and cash
equivalents and have available an adequate amount of committed credit facilities from financial institutions to meet our liquidity
requirements in the short and longer term.
Interest rate risk is the risk that the
fair value or future cash flows of our financial instruments will fluctuate because of changes in market interest rates.
Our interest-bearing bank deposits and
borrowings were nil as of December 31, 2017.
|
(iv)
|
Foreign currency risk
|
Currency risk is the risk that the value
of a financial instrument will fluctuate due to changes in foreign exchange rates. Currency risk arises when transactions are
denominated in foreign currencies.
Our operations are primarily conducted
in the PRC. All the sales and purchases transactions are denominated in RMB. As such, the operations are not exposed to exchange
rate fluctuation.
As at December 31, 2015, 2016 and 2017,
nearly all of our monetary assets and monetary liabilities were denominated in RMB except that as of December 31, 2017, certain
bank balances, bank borrowings and other payables were denominated in US dollars.
Critical Accounting Policies and Judgment
The preparation of the condensed consolidated
interim financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with International Accounting Standard (“IAS”)
as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (“IASB”), requires us to make estimates, judgments and assumptions
that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. Estimates and judgments are continually evaluated
and are based on historical experiences and other factors, including expectations of future events that are believed to be reasonable
under the circumstances. Actual results may materially differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.
See Note 2 to our condensed consolidated
interim financial statements, “Basis of Preparation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies.” We believe that
the following paragraphs reflect the most critical accounting policies that currently affect our financial condition and results
of operations:
Inventories
Inventories are carried at the lower of
cost and net realizable value. Cost is determined using the weighted average basis, and in the case of work in progress and finished
goods, comprises direct materials, direct labor and an appropriate proportion of overhead.
Net realizable value is the estimated selling
price in the ordinary course of business less the estimated cost of completion and applicable selling expenses.
When inventories are sold, the carrying
amount of those inventories is recognized as an expense in the period in which the related revenue is recognized. The amount of
any write-down of inventories to net realizable value and all losses of inventories are recognized as an expense in the period
the write-down or loss occurs. The amount of any reversal of any write-down of inventories is recognized as a reduction in the
amount of inventories recognized as an expense in the period in which the reversal occurs.
Financial instruments
Recognition, initial measurement and subsequent
measurement
Financial assets and financial liabilities
are recognized when we become a party to the contractual provisions of the financial instrument and are measured initially at
fair value adjusted by transaction costs, except for those carried at fair value through profit or loss which are measured initially
at fair value. Subsequent measurement of financial assets and financial liabilities are described below.
Financial assets are derecognized when
the contractual rights to the cash flows from the financial asset expire, or when the financial asset and all substantial risks
and rewards are transferred. A financial liability is derecognized when it is extinguished, discharged, cancelled or expires.
Classification and subsequent measurement of financial
assets
For the purpose of subsequent measurement,
financial assets other than those designated and effective as hedging instruments are classified into the following categories
upon initial recognition:
|
-
|
Financial assets at fair value through profit
or loss (“FVTPL”)
|
|
-
|
Held-to-maturity (“HTM”) investments
|
|
-
|
Available-for-sale (“AFS”) financial
assets
|
All financial assets except for those at
FVTPL are subject to review for impairment at least at each reporting date to identify whether there is any objective evidence
that a financial asset or a group of financial assets is impaired. Different criteria to determine impairment are applied for
each category of financial assets, which are described below.
All income and expenses relating to financial
assets are recognized in profit and loss.
Loans and receivables
Loans and receivables are non-derivative
financial assets with fixed or determinable payments that are not quoted in an active market. They are initially recognized at
fair value plus transaction costs that are directly attributable to their acquisition or issue. After initial recognition, these
are subsequently measured at amortized cost using the effective interest method, less provision for impairment. Discounting is
omitted where the effect of discounting is immaterial. Our cash and trade receivables fall into this category of financial instruments.
Individually significant receivables are
considered for impairment when they are past due or when other objective evidence is received.
Financial assets at FVTPL
Financial assets at FVTPL include financial
assets that are either classified as held for trading or that meet certain conditions and are designated at FVTPL upon initial
recognition. All derivative financial instruments fall into this category, except for those designated and effective as hedging
instruments, for which the hedge accounting requirements apply.
Assets in this category are measured at
fair value with net changes in fair value presented in the statement of profit or loss. Transaction costs are expensed as incurred.
The fair values of financial assets in this category are determined by reference to active market transactions or using a valuation
technique where no active market exists.
HTM investments
HTM investments are non-derivative financial
assets with fixed or determinable payments and fixed maturity other than loans and receivables. Investments are classified as
HTM if we have the intention and ability to hold them until maturity.
HTM investments are measured subsequently
at amortized cost using the effective interest method. We do not have any financial assets classified as HTM.
AFS financial assets
AFS financial assets are non-derivative
financial assets that are either designated to this category or do not qualify for inclusion in any of the other categories of
financial assets. We do not have any financial assets classified as AFS.
After initial measurement, AFS financial
investments are subsequently measured at fair value with unrealized gains or losses recognized in other comprehensive income and
credited in the AFS reserve until the investment is derecognized, at which time the cumulative gain or loss is recognized in other
operating income, or the investment is determined to be impaired. Interest is calculated using the effective interest method and
dividends are recognized in profit or loss within finance income.
Impairment of financial assets
We assess, at each reporting date, whether
there is objective evidence that a financial asset or a group of financial assets is impaired. An impairment exists if one or
more events that has occurred since the initial recognition of the asset (an incurred ‘loss event’), has an impact
on the estimated future cash flows of the financial asset or the group of financial assets that can be reliably estimated. Evidence
of impairment may include indications that the debtors or a group of debtors is experiencing significant financial difficulty,
default or delinquency in interest or principal payments, the probability that they will enter bankruptcy or other financial reorganization
and observable data indicating that there is a measurable decrease in the estimated future cash flows, such as changes in arrears
or economic conditions that correlate with defaults.
If any such evidence exists, any impairment
loss is determined and recognized as follows:
|
-
|
For trade and other current receivables and
other financial assets carried at amortized cost, the impairment loss is measured as the difference between the asset’s
carrying amount and the present value of estimated future cash flows. The present value of the estimated future cash flows
is discounted at the financial asset’s original effective interest rate, where the effect of discounting is material.
This assessment is made collectively where these financial assets share similar risk characteristics, such as similar past
due status, and have not been individually assessed as impaired. Future cash flows for financial assets which are assessed
for impairment collectively are based on historical loss experience for assets with credit risk characteristics similar to
the collective group.
|
|
|
If in a subsequent period the amount of an impairment
loss decreases, and the decrease can be linked objectively to an event occurring after the impairment loss was recognized,
the impairment loss is reversed through profit or loss. A reversal of an impairment loss shall not result in the asset’s
carrying amount exceeding that which would have been determined had no impairment loss been recognized in prior years.
|
|
-
|
For available-for-sale securities which are
stated at fair value, when a decline in the fair value has been recognized in other comprehensive income and there is objective
evidence that the asset is impaired, the cumulative loss that had been recognized in other comprehensive income shall be reclassified
from equity to profit or loss as a reclassification adjustment even though the financial asset has not been derecognized.
The amount of the cumulative loss that is recognized in profit or loss is the difference between the acquisition cost (net
of any principal repayment and amortization) and current fair value, less any impairment loss on that asset previously recognized
in profit or loss.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Impairment losses recognized in profit or loss
in respect of available-for-sale equity securities are not reversed through profit or loss. Any subsequent increase in the
fair value of such assets is recognized in other comprehensive income.
|
|
|
Impairment losses are written off against the
corresponding assets directly, except for impairment losses recognized in respect of trade debtors included within trade and
other receivables, whose recovery is considered doubtful but not remote. In this case, the impairment losses for doubtful
debts are recorded using an allowance account. When we are satisfied that recovery is remote, the amount considered irrecoverable
is written off against trade debtors directly and any amounts held in the allowance account relating to that debt are reversed.
Subsequent recoveries of amounts previously charged to the allowance account are reversed against the allowance account. Other
changes in the allowance account and subsequent recoveries of amounts previously written off directly are recognized in profit
or loss.
|
Classification and subsequent measurement
of financial liabilities
Financial liabilities
Financial liabilities are classified as
FVTPL, or other financial liabilities, as appropriate upon initial recognition. A financial liability is derecognized when the
obligation under the liability is discharged, cancelled or expired.
|
i
|
Financial liabilities classified as other financial
liabilities are initially recognized at fair value less directly attributable transaction costs. Subsequent to the initial
recognition, other financial liabilities are measured at amortized cost using the effective interest method. Our other financial
liabilities include trade payables and accrued liabilities.
|
|
ii
|
Financial liabilities classified as FVTPL include
financial liabilities held for trading and financial liabilities designated upon initial recognition as FVTPL. Financial liabilities
are classified as held-for-trading if they are acquired for the purpose of selling in the near term. This category includes
derivative financial instruments (including separated embedded derivatives) held for trading unless they are designated as
effective hedging instruments. Gains or losses on liabilities held for trading are recognized in the consolidated statement
of profit or loss. We do not have any financial liabilities classified as FVTPL.
|
Derivative financial instruments
Initial recognition and subsequent measurement
We use derivative financial instruments,
such as forward currency contracts, for investment purposes. Such derivative financial instruments are initially recognized at
fair value on the date on which a derivative contract is entered into and are subsequently re-measured at fair value. Derivatives
are carried as financial assets when the fair value is positive and as financial liabilities when the fair value is negative.
Any gains or losses arising from changes
in the fair value of derivatives are taken directly to profit or loss.
Leases
Financial leases refers to the situation
that the economic ownership of a leased asset is transferred to the lessee if the lessee bears substantially all the risks and
rewards of ownership of the leased asset.
All other leases are treated as operating
leases. Where we have the right to use of assets held under operating leases, payments made under the leases are charged to profit
or loss on a straight line basis over the lease terms except where an alternative basis is more representative of the time pattern
of benefits to be derived from the leased assets. Lease incentives received are recognized in profit or loss as an integral part
of the aggregate net lease payments made. Contingent rentals are charged to profit or loss in the accounting period in which they
are incurred.
All of our leases are operating leases
for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015.
Revenue recognition
Revenue comprises the fair value of the
consideration received or receivable for the sale of goods, net of rebates and discounts. We paid rebates to some distributors
on their annual cash collections in 2012 and 2011. No such rebates were paid to distributors since year 2013. Provided it is probable
that the economic benefits will flow to us and the revenue and costs, if applicable, can be measured reliably, revenue is recognized
as follows:
·
|
Sales of goods are recognized upon transfer
of the significant risks and rewards of ownership to the customer. This is usually taken as the time when the goods are delivered
and the customer has accepted the goods. Once goods are accepted by a customer, there is no continuing management involvement
with the goods and we do not have the obligation to accept the return of the goods to us from the customer.
|
·
|
Interest income is recognized on a time-proportion
basis using the effective interest method.
|
Impairment of non-financial assets
Impairment testing is made on our goodwill
at each reporting date. Property, plant and equipment and land use rights are tested for impairment if there is any indication
that the assets may be impaired at the balance sheet date.
If any indication exists, or when annual
impairment testing for an asset is required, we estimate the asset’s recoverable amount.
Calculation of recoverable amount
An asset’s recoverable amount is
the greater of an asset’s or cash-generating unit’s fair value less costs of disposal and its value in use. In assessing
value in use, the estimated future cash flows are discounted to their present value using a pre-tax discount rate that reflects
current market assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to the asset. Where an asset does not generate cash
inflows largely independent of those from other assets, the recoverable amount is determined for the smallest group of assets
that generates cash inflows independently (i.e. a cash-generating unit).
Recognition of impairment losses
An impairment loss is recognized in profit
or loss whenever the carrying amount of an asset, or the cash-generating unit to which it belongs, exceeds its recoverable amount.
Impairment losses recognized in respect of cash-generating units are allocated first to reduce the carrying amount of any goodwill
allocated to that cash-generating unit (or group of units), and then, to reduce on a pro rata basis the carrying amount of the
other assets in the unit (or group of units), except that the carrying amount of an asset will not be reduced below its individual
fair value less costs of disposal (if measurable) or value in use (if determinable).
Reversal of impairment losses
In respect of assets other than goodwill,
an impairment loss is reversed if there has been a favorable change in the estimates used to determine the recoverable amount.
An impairment loss in respect of goodwill is not reversed.
A reversal of an impairment loss is limited
to the asset’s carrying amount that would have been determined had no impairment loss been recognized in prior years. Reversals
of impairment losses are credited to profit or loss in the year in which the reversals are recognized.
Share-based employee remuneration
We operate equity-settled share-based remuneration
plans for its employees. None of our plans feature any options for a cash settlement.
The fair value of share options granted
to employees is recognized as an employee cost with a corresponding increase in the share-based payment reserve within equity.
The fair value is measured at the grant date using the Black Scholes Option Pricing Model, taking into account the terms and conditions
upon which the options were granted. Where the employees have to meet vesting conditions before becoming unconditionally entitled
to the share options, the total estimated fair value of the share options is spread over the vesting period, taking into account
the probability that the options will vest.
During the vesting period, the number of
share options expected to vest is reviewed. Any resulting adjustment to the cumulative fair value recognized in prior years is
charged/credited to the profit or loss for the year under review, unless the original employee expenses qualify for recognition
as an asset, with a corresponding adjustment to the share-based payment reserve. On the vesting date, the amount recognized as
an expense is adjusted to reflect the actual number of share options that vest (with a corresponding adjustment to the share-based
payment reserve) except where forfeiture is only due to not achieving vesting conditions that relate to the market price of our
shares. The equity amount is recognized in the share-based payment reserve until either the option is exercised (when it is transferred
to the share premium account) or the option expires (when it is released directly to retained earnings).
Accounting for income taxes
Income tax comprises current tax and deferred
tax.
Current tax and movements in deferred tax
assets and liabilities are recognized in profit or loss except to the extent that they relate to items recognized in other comprehensive
income or directly in equity, in which case the relevant amounts of tax are recognized in other comprehensive income or directly
in equity, respectively.
Current tax is the expected tax payable
on the taxable income for the year, using tax rates enacted or substantively enacted at the end of the reporting period, and any
adjustment to tax payable in respect of previous years.
Deferred tax is calculated using the liability
method on temporary differences at the reporting date between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities in the financial
statements and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax liabilities are generally recognized for all taxable temporary differences.
Deferred tax assets are recognized for all deductible temporary differences, tax losses available to be carried forward as well
as other unused tax credits, to the extent that it is probable that taxable profit, including existing taxable temporary differences,
will be available against which the deductible temporary differences, unused tax losses and unused tax credits can be utilized.
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are
not recognized if the temporary difference arises from goodwill or from initial recognition (other than in a business combination)
of assets and liabilities in a transaction that affects neither taxable nor accounting profit or loss.
Deferred tax liabilities are recognized
for taxable temporary differences arising on investments in subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures, except where we are able
to control the reversal of the temporary differences and it is probable that the temporary differences will not reverse in the
foreseeable future.
Deferred tax is calculated, without discounting,
at tax rates that are expected to apply in the period the liability is settled or the asset realized, based on tax rate (and tax
laws) that have been enacted or substantively enacted at the reporting date.
The carrying amount of a deferred tax asset
is reviewed at the end of each reporting period and is reduced to the extent that it is no longer probable that sufficient taxable
profits will be available to allow the related tax benefit to be utilized. Any such reduction is reversed to the extent that it
becomes probable that sufficient taxable profits will be available.
Additional income taxes that arise from
the distribution of dividends are recognized when the liability to pay the related dividends is recognized.
Current tax assets and current tax liabilities
are presented in net if we have the legally enforceable right to set off the recognized amounts and the following additional conditions
are met:
|
a)
|
in the case of current tax assets and liabilities,
we intend either to settle on a net basis, or to realize the asset and settle the liability simultaneously; or
|
|
b)
|
in the case of deferred tax assets and liabilities,
if they relate to income taxes levied by the same taxation authority on either:
|
|
(i)
|
the same taxable entity; or
|
|
(ii)
|
different taxable entities, which, in each future
period in which significant amounts of deferred tax liabilities or assets are expected to be settled or recovered, intend
either to settle current tax liabilities and realize the current tax assets on a net basis, or to settle the liabilities and
realize the assets simultaneously.
|
Critical accounting estimates and assumptions
We make estimates and assumptions concerning
the future. The resulting accounting estimates will, by definition, seldom equal the related actual results. The key sources of
estimation uncertainty and key assumptions concerning the future at the end of the reporting period, that have a significant risk
of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities within the next financial year are discussed
below:
Useful lives and impairment assessment
of property, plant and equipment
Property, plant and equipment are stated
at cost less accumulated depreciation and identified impairment losses. The estimation of useful lives impacts the level of annual
depreciation expenses recorded. Property, plant and equipment are evaluated for possible impairment on a specific asset basis
or in groups of similar assets, as applicable. This process requires management’s estimate of future cash flows generated
by each asset or group of assets. For any instance where this evaluation process indicates impairment, the relevant asset’s
carrying amount is written down to the recoverable amount and the amount of the write-down is charged against profit or loss.
Useful lives and impairment assessment
of investment property
Investment properties are stated at cost
less accumulated depreciation and identified impairment losses. The estimation of useful lives impacts the level of annual depreciation
expenses recorded. Investment properties are evaluated for possible impairment on a specific asset basis or in groups of similar
assets, as applicable. This process requires management’s estimate of future cash flows generated by each asset or group
of assets. For any instance where this evaluation process indicates impairment, the relevant asset’s carrying amount is
written down to the recoverable amount and the amount of the write-down is charged against profit or loss.
Impairment loss recognized in respect
of property, plant and equipment
As of December 31, 2017, the carrying amount
of property, plant and equipment was approximately RMB 87,316,000 (2016: RMB130,542,000). An impairment loss of approximately RMB33,653,000
recognized against the original carrying amount of property, plant and equipment in 2017. The impairment loss recognized for the
year ended December 31, 2016 was RMB209,919,000 and RMB405,125,000 for year 2015. Determining whether property, plant and equipment
are impaired requires an estimation of the recoverable amount of the property, plant and equipment. Such estimation was based on
certain assumptions, which are subject to uncertainty and might materially differ from the actual results.
Impairment loss recognized in respect
of investment property
As of December 31, 2017, the carrying amount
of investment property was approximately RMB4,994,000 (2016: RMB6,791,000). An impairment loss of approximately RMB1,617,000 recognized
against the original carrying amount of investment property in 2017. The impairment loss recognized for the year ended December
31, 2016 was RMB10, 920,000 and nil for year 2015. Determining whether investment property are impaired requires an estimation
of the recoverable amount of the investment property. Such estimation was based on certain assumptions, which are subject to uncertainty
and might materially differ from the actual results.
Impairment loss recognized in respect
of land use rights
As of December 31, 2017, the carrying amount
of land use rights was approximately RMB4,364,000 (2016: RMB5,920,000). An impairment loss of approximately RMB1,413,000 was recognized
against the original carrying amount of land use rights in 2017. The impairment loss recognized for the year ended December 31,
2016 was RMB9,520,000 and RMB12,781,000 for year 2015. Determining whether land use rights are impaired requires an estimation
of the recoverable amount of the land use rights. Such estimation was based on certain assumptions, which are subject to uncertainty
and might materially differ from the actual results.
Income tax
The Company has exposure to income taxes
in the PRC. Significant judgment is required in determining the provision for income taxes. There are certain transactions and
computations for which the ultimate tax determination is uncertain during the ordinary course of business. The Company recognizes
liabilities for expected tax issues based on estimates of whether additional taxes will be due. When the final tax outcome of
these matters is different from the amounts that were initially recognized, such differences will impact the income tax and deferred
tax provisions in the period in which such determination is made.
Impairment of trade receivables
The Company’s management assesses
the collectability of trade receivables. This estimate is based on the credit history of the Company’s customers and the
current market conditions. Management assesses the collectability of trade receivables at the balance sheet dates and makes the
provision, if any. The identification of doubtful debts requires the use of judgment and estimates. Judgment is required in assessing
the ultimate realization of these receivables, including the current creditworthiness, past collection history of each customer
and on-going dealings with them. Where the expectation is different from the original estimate, such difference will impact the
carrying value of trade and other receivables and doubtful debts expenses in the period in which such estimate has been changed.
Net realizable value of inventories
Net realizable value of inventories is
the management’s estimation of future selling price in the ordinary course of business, less estimated costs of completion
and selling expenses. These estimates are based on the current market condition and the historical experience of selling products
of a similar nature. It could change significantly as a result of various market factors.
Share-based payment transaction
The Company measures the cost of equity-settled
transactions with employees by reference to the fair value of the equity instruments at the date at which they are granted. Estimating
fair value for share-based payment transactions requires determining the most appropriate valuation model, which is dependent
on the terms and conditions of the grant. This estimate also requires determining the most appropriate inputs to the valuation
model including the expected life of the stock option, volatility and dividend yield and making assumptions about them.
|
ITEM
6.
|
DIRECTORS,
SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND EMPLOYEES
|
|
A.
|
Directors and senior management
|
Our current directors and executive officers
are:
Name
|
|
Age
|
|
Position
|
Huang Jia Dong
|
|
60
|
|
Chairman of the Board
and Chief Executive Officer
|
Hen Man Edmund
|
|
45
|
|
Chief Financial Officer
|
Liu Jun
(1)(2)(3)
|
|
49
|
|
Director
|
Roy Tan Choon Kang
(1)(2)(3)(4)
|
|
46
|
|
Director
|
Shen Cheng Liang
(1)(2)(3)
|
|
62
|
|
Director
|
Alex Ng Man Shek
|
|
48
|
|
Director and Corporate Secretary
|
|
(1)
|
Member of audit committee
|
|
(2)
|
Member of compensation committee
|
|
(3)
|
Member of nominations committee
|
|
(4)
|
Audit committee financial expert
|
Huang Jia Dong
founded Hengda
in 1993 and has served as our director since November 20, 2009 and Chief Executive Officer since April 4, 2010. Mr. Huang was
Chairman of the Board from November 20, 2009 until April 4, 2010. Mr. Huang currently serves as Chairman of Hengda. Mr. Huang
was previously involved in the construction material distribution business. Mr. Huang has been appointed as the vice chairman
of Fujian Province Ceramic Industry Association since 2006 and the executive director of Jinjiang City Chamber of Import and Export
Trade since 2007. Mr. Huang has a diploma in corporate management from Xiamen University. We have chosen Mr. Huang to serve as
director because of his extensive experience in the ceramic tiles industry and his intimate knowledge of our company.
Hen Man Edmund
has served
as our Chief Financial Officer since November 20, 2009. Mr. Hen joined Hengda in 2008 as the Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Hen
is responsible for the corporate finance function and oversees matters relating to compliance and reporting obligation of our
company. Prior to joining Hengda, Mr. Hen was a Financial Controller of a switchgear manufacturer in Sichuan Province, PRC and
was responsible for the corporate finance function of the company. Prior to that, Mr. Hen was the accountant of Dickson Concepts
(International) Ltd., a public listed company in Hong Kong and oversaw the accounting and financial administration of the company.
He also worked at a variety of international accountancy firms, including Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu, in assurance and advisory
services during the period from 1995 to 2001. Mr. Hen graduated from the University of East Anglia, United Kingdom, with a Bachelor
Degree in Science in 1995. He is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales and a member of the Hong
Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants.
Liu Jun
holds a Bachelor’s
degree in Business Administration from Dongbei University of Finance and Economics in China (1990). Mr. Liu’s expertise
is in the area of acquisitions, strategic planning and deal structuring. Presently, he serves as a consultant and advisor on various
mergers and risk management matters to several companies in the financial industry in China. In addition, Mr. Liu holds the position
of a senior manager of Dashang Group Co., Ltd., a large retail chain group in northeast China.
Roy Tan Choon
Kang
, 45, commenced his career at the Government of Singapore Investment Corporation (GIC) in 1996 at the Economics &
Strategy Department handling GIC’s equity and fixed income investments in North America and Latin America. From February
1, 2009 to December 31, 2016, Mr. Tan held the title of Managing Partner of One Tree Partners PTE Ltd., an asset management company.
From November 2016 to July 31, 2017, Mr. Tan held the office of the CFO of Fuse Enterprises Inc., a digital marketing and mining
company. Mr. Tan holds a joint MBA degree from National University of Singapore and Columbia University, NY (1999).
Shen Cheng Liang
has been
our director since November 1, 2013. Mr. Shen Cheng Liang is a ceramics production expert with over 30 years of experience in
the ceramics industry in China. Prior to his retirement from the industry in 2012, he was a senior production engineer and general
manager at Fujian Yiyan Ceramics Ltd. where he worked from 1983 to 2012. Mr. Liang graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in
material physics from Jingdezhen Ceramics College in 1983. We have chosen Mr. Liang to serve as director because of his experience
in our industry.
Alex Ng Man Shek
has been
served as the position of corporate secretary of Nova Lifestyle Inc. (NASDAQ: NVFY) from June 2011 to October 2016 and the chief
operating officer of a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nova Lifestyle Inc. in Dongguan, the PRC since 2003. He worked in various companies
in Hong Kong, Canada and the PRC. Mr. Ng received his Bachelor’s degree in Economics from York University, Canada in 1994.
He has also received a Certificate in Securities Course, a Certificate in Technical Analysis Course and a Certificate in Derivatives
Course from The Canadian Securities Institute during the period from 1998 to 2002. There is no arrangement or understanding between
Mr. Ng and any other persons pursuant to which he was appointed as discussed above. Nor are there any family relationships between
Mr. Ng and any executive officers and directors.
There are no family relationships among
our directors or officers.
The business address of each party described
above is c/o Jinjiang Hengda Ceramics Co., Ltd., Junbing Industrial Zone, Anhai, Jinjiang City, Fujian Province, People’s
Republic of China.
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
No member of our compensation committee
has at any time been our officer or employee, or our subsidiaries. No interlocking relationship exists between our board of directors
or compensation committee and the board of directors or compensation committee of any other company, nor has any interlocking
relationship existed in the past.
During the last fiscal year, none of our
officers and employees, and none of our former officers participated in deliberations of our Board of Directors concerning executive
officer compensation.
Director Compensation
Starting April 1, 2010, our Board determined
to provide its non-employee members annual compensation of $40,000.
The following table sets forth all of the compensation
paid by us or our significant subsidiaries in 2017 to each of our non-employee directors for such person’s service as a
director (including contingent or deferred compensation accrued during 2017):
Name and Principal Position
|
|
Compensation
RMB
|
|
|
Value of
Options(1)
RMB
|
|
|
Total RMB
|
|
Shen Cheng Liang
|
|
|
252,000
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
252,000
|
|
Cheng Yan Davis
|
|
|
202,554
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
202,554
|
|
Jianwei Liu
|
|
|
227,873
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
227,873
|
|
Liu Jun
|
|
|
135,036
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
135,036
|
|
Roy Tan Choon Kang
|
|
|
117,412
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
117,412
|
|
Alex Ng Man Shek
|
|
|
157,203
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
157,203
|
|
|
(1)
|
No options were granted to our directors in 2017.
|
Executive Officers
The following table sets forth all of the
compensation paid by us or our significant subsidiaries in 2017 to each of our officers for such person’s service as an
officer (including contingent or deferred compensation accrued during 2017 but not including any amounts paid to such persons
for their services as directors):
|
|
Salary
|
|
|
Bonus
|
|
|
Value of
Stock
Compensation(2)
|
|
|
Total
|
|
Name and Principal Position
|
|
RMB
|
|
|
RMB
|
|
|
RMB
|
|
|
RMB
|
|
Huang Jia Dong, Chief Executive Office
|
|
|
31,761
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
31,761
|
|
Hen Man Edmund, Chief Financial Officer
|
|
|
304,291
|
|
|
|
641,421
|
|
|
|
303,831
|
|
|
|
1,249,543
|
|
Su Wei Feng, Corporate Secretary (3)
|
|
|
76,003
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
76,003
|
|
|
(1)
|
No options were granted to our executives in 2017.
|
|
(2)
|
Stock Compensation were granted to our Chief Financial Officer in 2017
|
|
(3)
|
Resigned on October 23, 2017.
|
Retirement Benefits
As of December 31, 2017, we have contributed
to the government-mandated employee welfare and retirement benefit plan and provided pension, retirement or similar benefits to
its employees. The PRC regulations require us to pay the local labor administration bureau a monthly contribution at a stated
contribution rate based on the monthly basic compensation of qualified employees. The local labor administration bureau, which
manages various investment funds, will take care of employee retirement, medical and other fringe benefits. We have no further
commitments beyond our monthly contribution.
Employment Agreements
Upon consummation of the acquisition of
Success Winner, we entered into employment agreements with certain of our executive officers. The following discussion summarizes
the material terms of employment agreements entered into between us and our executive officers:
We entered into employment agreements with
the following officers: Huang Jia Dong, Chief Executive Officer, Hen Man Edmund, Chief Financial Officer, and Alex Ng Man Shek,
Corporate Secretary.
|
·
|
The
term of the employment agreements is three years (February 1, 2016 to January 31, 2019
for Huang Jia Dong), one year ( July 1, 2017 to June 30, 2018 for Hen Man Edmund and
Alex Ng Man Shek).
|
|
·
|
Since
August 1, 2013, Huang Jia Dong received compensation of RMB 12,000 per month. From July
1, 2017, Hen Man Edmund received compensation of RMB 50,715 (HKD58,500) per month. From
July 1, 2017, Alex Ng Man Shek received compensation of RMB 69,354 (HKD80,000) per month.
Alex became our director starting from October 2017.
|
|
·
|
We
may dismiss any of the above officers if any of the following events occurs with respect
to the officer: (1) failure to show up for work, (2) failure to provide required documents,
(3) falsification of documents, criminal record, etc., (4) serious violation of such
officers’ labor rules and of regulations, (5) serious lapse of duties and responsibilities,
(6) activities that violate regulations, resulting in loss of more than RMB 4,000, (7)
operation of his own business during the term of his employment, (8) criminal prosecution
and labor punishment, (9) request by the officer to resign, (10) causing us to sign or
change any contract through fraud, coercion and other fraudulent means, or (11) other
situations stipulated by law and statutes.
|
|
·
|
Each
officer is subject to the non-compete provisions of the agreement for a period of three
years following termination of the employment agreement and non-solicitation provisions
of the agreement for a period of two years following termination of the employment agreement.
|
Other Employees
Compensation for our senior executives
is comprised of four elements: a base salary, an annual performance bonus, equity and benefits.
In developing salary ranges, potential
bonus payouts, equity awards and benefit plans, it is anticipated that our compensation committee takes into account: 1) competitive
compensation among comparable companies and for similar positions in the market, 2) relevant ways to incentivize and reward senior
management for improving shareholder value while building a successful company, 3) individual performance, 4) how best to retain
key executives, 5) the overall performance of us and our various key component entities, 6) our ability to pay and 7) other factors
deemed to be relevant at the time.
Our senior management have discussed our
above mentioned planned process for executive compensation and the four compensation components. Specific compensation plans for
our key executives are negotiated and established by our compensation committee.
We have not entered into any service contracts
with any of our officers, directors or employees that contain any provisions for benefits upon termination of employment.
China Ceramics Co., Ltd. 2010 Incentive Compensation Plan
On December 27, 2010, our shareholders
approved the 2010 Incentive Plan. The purpose of the 2010 Incentive Plan is to assist us and our subsidiaries in attracting, motivating,
retaining and rewarding high-quality executives and other employees, officers, directors, and independent contractors by enabling
such persons to acquire or increase a proprietary interest in us in order to strengthen the mutuality of interests between such
persons and our shareholders, and providing such persons with annual and long-term performance incentives to expand their maximum
efforts in the creation of shareholder value. Awards under the 2010 Incentive Plan will be limited in the aggregate
to 1,200,000 shares. The 2010 Incentive Plan shall terminate at such time as no shares remain available for issuance under the
2010 Incentive Plan, when we have no further obligations with respect to outstanding awards under the 2010 Incentive Plan. As
of December 31, 2016, no stock options under the 2010 Incentive Plan have been granted.
Administration
. The 2010 Incentive
Plan is administered by a committee (the “Committee”) designated by our board of directors (the “Board”),
which shall consist of at least two directors, each of whom is (i) a “non-employee director” within the meaning of
Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act and (ii) an “outside director” within the meaning of Section 162(m)
of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, including regulations thereunder and successor provisions
and regulations thereto (the “Code”); provided, however, that except as otherwise expressly provided in the 2010 Incentive
Plan or in order to comply with Code Section 162(m) or Rule 13b-3 under the Exchange Act, the Board may exercise any power or
authority granted to the Committee under the 2010 Incentive Plan. Among other things, the Committee has complete discretion, subject
to the express limits of the 2010 Incentive Plan, to determine the officers, directors, employees and independent contractors
to be granted an award, the type of award to be granted, the number of shares subject to each award, the terms and conditions
of each award, the exercise price of each award which is a stock option (“Option”) and the base price of each award
which is a stock appreciation right (“SAR”), the term of each award, the vesting schedule for an award, whether to
accelerate award vesting, the value of the Shares underlying an award, and the required withholdings, if any. The Committee is
also authorized to construe the award agreements, and may prescribe rules relating to the 2010 Incentive Plan. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, neither the Committee nor the Board has any authority to grant or modify an award under the 2010 Incentive Plan
with terms or conditions that would cause the award to be considered nonqualified “deferred compensation” subject
to Code Section 409A.
Grant of Awards; Shares Available for
Awards
. The 2010 Incentive Plan provides for the grant of Options (both incentive stock options and non-incentive stock options),
SARs (including limited SARs), restricted stock, deferred stock, stock granted as a bonus or in lieu of another award, dividend
equivalents, bonus stock, awards in lieu of obligations, and performance or annual incentive awards (each an “award”)
to our executive officers, directors and employees, and independent contractors (each a “participant”) (however, solely
employees are eligible for awards which are incentive stock options). We have reserved a total of 1,200,000 shares for issuance
as or under awards to be made under the 2010 Incentive Plan. If any award lapses, expires, is cancelled, or terminates
unexercised or ceases to be exercisable for any reason, the number of shares subject thereto is again available for grant under
the 2010 Incentive Plan. The number of shares for which awards which are Options, SARs, performance awards or annual incentive
awards may be granted to a participant under the 2010 Incentive Plan in any fiscal year is limited to 350,000.
The number of awards to be granted to officers,
directors, employees and consultants cannot be determined at this time as the grant of awards is dependent upon various factors
such as hiring requirements and job performance.
Options
. The exercise price per
share purchasable under an Option shall be determined by the Committee or the Board, provided that such per share exercise price
shall not be less than 100% of the fair market value of a share on the date of grant of the Option and shall not, in any event,
be less than the par value of a share on the date of grant of such option. The Committee or the Board shall determine the time
or times at which or the circumstances under which an Option may be exercised in whole or in part, the time or times at which
Options shall cease to be or become exercisable following termination of employment or upon other conditions, the methods by which
such exercise price may be paid or deemed to be paid, the form of such payment, and the methods by or forms in which shares will
be delivered or deemed to be delivered to participants who exercise Options.
Options which are incentive stock options
(“ISOs”) granted under the 2010 Incentive Plan shall comply in all respects with Code Section 422. In the case of
ISOs, if an employee owns or is deemed to own (by reason of the attribution rules applicable under Code Section 424(d)) more than
10% of the combined voting power of all classes of our shares or the shares of any parent or subsidiary (a “ten percent
shareholder”) and an ISO is granted to such employee, the per share exercise price under such ISO (to the extent required
by the Code at the time of grant) shall be no less than 110% of the fair market value of a share on the date such ISO is granted.
The term of an ISO may not exceed 10 years (5 years in the case of an ISO granted to a ten percent shareholder). ISOs may be granted
to solely employees. In addition, the aggregate fair market value of the shares subject to an ISO (determined at the time of grant)
which are exercisable for the first time by an employee during any calendar year may not exceed $100,000.
Stock Appreciation Rights
. A SAR
provides the participant to whom it is granted the right to receive, upon its exercise, the excess of (A) the fair market value
of the number of shares subject to the SAR on the date of exercise (or, in the case of a “Limited SAR” (as defined
in the 2010 Incentive Plan) which may be exercised only in the event of a “change in control” (as defined in the 2010
Incentive Plan), the fair market value determined by reference to the change in control price, as defined in the 2010 Incentive
Plan), over (B) the product of the number of shares subject to the SAR multiplied by the grant price under the SAR, as determined
by the Committee or the Board. The per share grant price of a SAR shall not be less than the fair market value of a share on the
date of grant.
Restricted Stock Awards
. A restricted
stock award is a grant or sale of shares to the participant, subject to such restrictions on transferability, risk of forfeiture
and other restrictions, if any, as the Committee or the Board may impose, which restrictions may lapse separately or in combination
at such times, under such circumstances (including based on achievement of performance goals and/or future service requirements),
in such installments or otherwise, as the Committee or the Board may determine at the date of grant or purchase or thereafter.
Except to the extent restricted under the terms of the 2010 Incentive Plan and any agreement relating to the restricted stock
award, a participant who is granted or has purchased restricted stock shall have all of the rights of a shareholder, including
the right to vote the restricted stock and the right to receive dividends thereon (subject to any mandatory reinvestment or other
requirement imposed by the Committee or the Board). During the restricted period applicable to the restricted stock, subject to
certain exceptions, the restricted stock may not be sold, transferred, pledged, hypothecated, margined or otherwise encumbered
by the participant.
Deferred Stock
. A deferred stock
award is a right to receive shares, cash, or a combination thereof at the end of a specified deferral period, subject to certain
terms and conditions, and in compliance with Code Section 409A. Payment under an award of deferred stock shall occur upon expiration
of the deferral period specified for such deferred stock award by the Committee or the Board (or, if permitted by the Committee
or the Board, as elected by the participant). In addition, deferred stock awards shall be subject to such restrictions (which
may include a risk of forfeiture) as the Committee or the Board may impose, if any, which restrictions may lapse at the expiration
of the deferral period or at earlier specified times (including based on achievement of performance goals and/or future service
requirements), separately or in combination, in installments or otherwise, as the Committee or the Board may determine. Payments
under deferred stock awards may be by delivery of Shares, cash equal to the fair market value of the specified number of shares
covered by the deferred stock award, or a combination thereof, as determined by the Committee or the Board at the date of grant
or thereafter. Prior to the end of the specified deferral period for a deferred stock award, the award carries no voting or dividend
or other rights associated with share ownership.
Bonus Shares and Awards in Lieu of Obligations
.
The Committee and the Board are each authorized to grant shares as a bonus, or to grant shares or other awards in lieu of our
obligations to pay cash or deliver other property under the 2010 Incentive Plan or under other plans or compensatory arrangements,
provided that, in the case of participants subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act, the amount of such grants remains within
the discretion of the Committee to the extent necessary to ensure that acquisitions of shares or other awards are exempt from
liability under Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act. These bonus shares or awards granted under the 2010 Incentive Plan shall be
subject to such other terms as shall be determined by the Committee or the Board.
Dividend Equivalents
. The Committee
and the Board are each authorized to grant dividend equivalents to a participant, entitling the participant to receive cash, shares,
other awards, or other property equal in value to dividends paid with respect to a specified number of Shares, or other periodic
payments. Dividend equivalents may be awarded on a free-standing basis or in connection with another award. The Committee or the
Board may provide that dividend equivalents shall be paid or distributed when accrued or shall be deemed to have been reinvested
in additional shares, awards, or other investment vehicles, and subject to such restrictions on transferability and risks of forfeiture,
as the Committee or the Board may specify.
Other Stock-Based Awards
. The Committee
and the Board are each authorized, subject to limitations under applicable law, to grant to participants such other awards that
may be denominated or payable in, valued in whole or in part by reference to, or otherwise based on, or related to, shares, as
deemed by the Committee or the Board to be consistent with the purposes of the 2010 Incentive Plan, including, without limitation,
convertible or exchangeable debt securities, other rights convertible or exchangeable into shares, purchase rights for shares,
awards with value and payment contingent upon our performance or any other factors designated by the Committee or the Board, and
awards valued by reference to the book value of shares or the value of securities of or the performance of our specified subsidiaries
or business units.
Performance and Annual Incentive Awards
. The
Committee and the Board (except for such awards to be made to participants who are “covered employees” for purposes
of Code Section 162(m), which awards must be made by the Committee) are each authorized to grant (i) performance awards, under
which participants will receive cash payments, shares or other awards upon the satisfaction of pre-specified (generally, other
than annual) performance criteria, and (ii) annual incentive awards, under which participants will receive cash payments, shares
or other awards upon the satisfaction of pre-specified annual performance criteria. The performance criteria which
may be used for performance awards or annual incentive awards made to participants who are “covered employees” for
purposes of Code Section 162(m) may solely include, for us, on a consolidated basis and/or our specified subsidiaries or business
units (except with respect to total shareholder return and earnings per share criteria) - total shareholder return; total shareholder
return as compared to total return (on a comparable basis) of a publicly available index such as, but not limited to, the Standard
& Poor’s 500 Stock Index or the S&P Specialty Retailer Index; net income; pretax earnings; earnings before interest
expense, taxes, depreciation and amortization; pretax operating earnings after interest expense and before bonuses, service fees,
and extraordinary or special items; operating margin; earnings per share; return on equity; return on capital; return on investment;
operating earnings; working capital or inventory; and ratio of debt to shareholders’ equity.
Change in Control Provisions
. In
the event of a change in control (as defined in the 2010 Incentive Plan), (i) any award subject to vesting and exercisability
requirements that was not previously vested and exercisable shall become fully vested and exercisable as of the occurrence of
the change in control, subject to certain restrictions; (ii) Limited SARs (and other SARs if so provided by their terms) shall
become exercisable for amounts, in cash, determined by reference to the change in control price; (iii) the restrictions, deferral
of settlement, and forfeiture conditions applicable to any other award shall lapse and such awards shall be deemed fully vested
as of the occurrence of the change in control, except to the extent of any waiver by the participant and subject to certain restrictions;
(iv) with respect to any outstanding award subject to achievement of performance goals and conditions under the 2010 Incentive
Plan, such performance goals and other conditions will be deemed to be met if and to the extent so provided by the Committee in
the award agreement relating to such award; (v) the Board may in its sole and absolute discretion, provide on a case by case basis
that Options shall terminate, provided however, that a participant holding a terminating Option shall have the right, immediately
prior to the occurrence of such change in control and during such period as the Board in its sole discretion shall determine and
designate, to exercise that Option, to the extent exercisable, in whole or in part; and (vi) the Board may in its sole and absolute
discretion, provide on a case by case basis that any award entitled to be settled in shares shall instead be entitled to be settled,
during such period as the Board in its sole discretion shall determine and designate, by means of a cash payment equal to the
fair market value of such award immediately prior to the occurrence of such change in control, as determined in good faith by
the Board.
Amendment and Termination
. The Board
may amend, alter, suspend, discontinue or terminate the 2010 Incentive Plan, or the Committee’s authority to grant awards
under the 2010 Incentive Plan, without the consent of shareholders or participants, except that any amendment or alteration to
the 2010 Incentive Plan shall be subject to the approval of the Company’s shareholders not later than the annual meeting
next following such Board action if such shareholder approval is required by any federal or state law or regulation (including,
without limitation, Rule 16b-3 or Code Section 162(m)) or the rules of any stock exchange or automated quotation system on which
the Shares may then be listed or quoted, and the Board may otherwise, in its discretion, determine to submit other such changes
to the 2010 Incentive Plan to shareholders for approval; provided that, without the consent of an affected participant, no such
Board action may materially and adversely affect the rights of such participant under any previously granted and outstanding award.
The Committee or the Board may waive any conditions or rights under, or amend, alter, suspend, discontinue or terminate any award
theretofore granted and any award agreement relating thereto, except as otherwise provided in the 2010 Incentive Plan; provided
that, without the consent of an affected participant, no such Committee or the Board action may materially and adversely affect
the rights of such participant under such award.
Compensation Committee.
The shareholders
of the Company approved the 2010 Incentive Plan at the annual meeting held on December 27, 2010. In accordance with the 2010 Incentive
Plan, the Board of Directors of the Company has appointed the Compensation Committee (the “Committee”) to administer
the 2010 Incentive Plan. The Company granted an aggregate of 1,130,000 stock options to Huang Jia Dong, Su Pei Zhi, Su Wei Feng,
Hen Man Edmund, Paul K. Kelly, Cheng Yan Davis, Ding Wei Dong and William L. Stulginsky, upon the approval by the Board of Directors
on January 27, 2011, the grant date. The exercise price of the share options granted is $7.65 per share and the share options
are valid for a period of 5 years from January 27, 2011 to January 27, 2016. One-fourth of options granted will vest in every
year from the grant date. As at the grant date of January 27, 2011, the estimated total fair value of the options granted is $3,977,600.
Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences
of the 2010 Incentive Plan
The following is a general summary of the
U.S. federal income tax consequences under current tax law to China Ceramics, were it subject to U.S. federal income taxation
on a net income basis, and to participants under the 2010 Incentive Plan who are individual citizens or residents of the United
States for U.S. federal income tax purposes (“U.S. participants”) of Options, which include ISOs and Options that
are not ISOs, SARs, restricted stock, deferred stock, performance shares, performance units, restricted stock units, dividend
equivalent rights and bonus stock. It does not purport to cover all of the special rules that may apply, including special rules
relating to limitations on the ability of China Ceramics to deduct certain compensation, special rules relating to deferred compensation,
golden parachutes, participants subject to Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act and the exercise of an Option with previously-acquired
shares. This summary assumes that U.S. participants will hold their shares as capital assets within the meaning of Section 1221
of the Code. This summary does not address the application of the passive foreign investment company rules of the Code to U.S.
participants. These rules are discussed generally under the section below entitled “Taxation–United States Federal
Income Taxation–U.S. Holders–Passive Foreign Investment Company Rules”. In addition, this summary does not address
the foreign, state or local income or other tax consequences, or any U.S. federal non-income tax consequences, inherent in the
acquisition, ownership, vesting, exercise, termination or disposition of an award under the 2010 Incentive Plan or shares issued
pursuant thereto. Participants are urged to consult their own tax advisors concerning the tax consequences to them of an award
under the 2010 Incentive Plan or shares issued pursuant thereto.
A U.S. participant generally does not recognize
taxable income upon the grant of an Option. Upon the exercise of an Option that is not an ISO, the participant generally recognizes
ordinary income in an amount equal to the excess, if any, of the fair market value of the shares acquired on the date of exercise
over the exercise price therefor, and China Ceramics would be entitled to a deduction for such amount at that time. If the U.S.
participant later disposes of the shares acquired under an Option that is not an ISO, the U.S. participant generally recognizes
a long-term or short-term gain or loss, depending upon the period for which the shares were held thereby. A long-term capital
gain generally is subject to more favorable tax treatment than ordinary income or a short-term capital gain. The deductibility
of capital losses is subject to certain limitations.
Upon the exercise of an ISO, a U.S. participant
generally does not recognize taxable income. If the U.S. participant disposes of the shares acquired pursuant to the exercise
of an ISO more than two years after the date of grant and more than one year after the transfer of the shares to the participant,
the U.S. participant generally recognizes a long-term capital gain or loss, and China Ceramics would not be entitled to a deduction.
However, if the U.S. participant disposes of such shares prior to the end of the required holding period, all or a portion of
the gain is treated as ordinary income, and China Ceramics generally would be entitled to deduct such amount.
In addition to the U.S. federal income
tax consequences described above, the U.S. participant may be subject to the alternative minimum tax (“AMT”), which
is payable to the extent it exceeds the participant’s regular income tax. For this purpose, upon the exercise of an ISO,
the excess of the fair market value of the shares for which the ISO is exercised over the exercise price thereunder for such shares
is a preference item for purposes of the AMT. In addition, the U.S. participant’s basis in such shares is increased by such
excess for purposes of computing the gain or loss on the disposition of the shares for AMT purposes. If a U.S. participant is
required to pay any AMT, the amount of such tax which is attributable to deferral preferences (including any ISO adjustment) generally
may be allowed as a credit against the participant’s regular income tax liability (and, in certain cases, may be refunded
to the participant) in subsequent years. To the extent the credit is not used, it may be carried forward.
A U.S. participant who receives a restricted
stock award or who purchases shares of restricted stock, which shares, in either case, are subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture
and certain transfer restrictions, generally does not recognize income on the receipt of the award or the purchased restricted
shares and generally recognizes ordinary compensation income at the time the restrictions lapse in an amount equal to the excess,
if any, of the fair market value of the shares at such time over any amount paid by the U.S. participant for the shares. Alternatively,
the U.S. participant may elect to be taxed upon receipt of the restricted shares based on the value of the shares at the time
of receipt. China Ceramics generally would be entitled to deduct such amount at the same time as ordinary compensation income
is required to be included by the U.S. participant and in the same amount. Dividends received with respect to restricted shares
generally are treated as compensation, unless the U.S. participant elects to be taxed on the receipt (rather than the vesting)
of the restricted shares.
A U.S. participant generally does not recognize
income upon the grant of an SAR. The U.S. participant recognizes ordinary compensation income upon the exercise of the SAR equal
to the increase in the value of the underlying shares, and China Ceramics generally would be entitled to a deduction for such
amount.
A U.S. participant generally does not recognize
income on the receipt of a deferred stock award or a bonus stock award and generally recognizes income when the shares are received.
At such time, the U.S. participant recognizes ordinary compensation income equal to the excess, if any, of the fair market value
of the shares over any amount paid for the shares, and China Ceramics generally would be entitled to deduct such amount at such
time.
A U.S. participant generally does not recognize
income on the receipt of a performance award, annual incentive award or dividend equivalent right award until a payment is received
under the award. At such time, the U.S. participant recognizes ordinary compensation income equal to the amount of
any cash payments and the fair market value of any shares received, and China Ceramics generally would be entitled to deduct such
amount at such time.
China Ceramics Co., Ltd. 2017 Equity Compensation Plan
On
May 21, 2017, the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) approved the 2017 Equity Compensation Plan (the “Plan”)
is to attract and retain outstanding individuals as employees, directors and consultants of the Company and its subsidiaries, to
recognize the contributions made to the Company and its Subsidiaries by such individuals and to provide them with additional incentive
to expand and improve the profits and achieve the objectives of the Company
The
Plan is administered by the Board. The Board, in its sole discretion, will determine the eligible individuals to whom, and the
time or times at which awards will be granted, the form and amount of each award, the expiration date of each award, the time or
times within which the awards may be exercised, the cancellation of the awards and the other limitations, restrictions, terms and
conditions applicable to the grant of the awards.
The total number of
shares that may be issued under the Plan is 280,000, subject to adjustments in the event of any reorganization, recapitalization,
share split, distribution, merger, consolidation, split-up, spin-off, combination, subdivision, consolidation or exchange of shares,
any change in the capital structure of the Company or any similar corporate transaction. The Board may, in its discretion, (a)
grant shares under the Plan to any participant without consideration from such Participant or (b) sell shares under the Plan to
any participant for such amount of cash, shares or other consideration as the Board deems appropriate. Notwithstanding any of the
provisions of the Plan or any outstanding award agreement, upon a Change in Control of the Company, the Board is authorized and
has sole discretion to provide that all restrictions applicable to all awards shall terminate or lapse in order that Participants
may fully realize the benefits thereunder. Awards granted under the Plan, and any rights and privileges pertaining thereto, may
not be transferred, assigned, pledged or hypothecated in any manner, or be subject to execution, attachment or similar process,
by operation of law or otherwise, other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution. The Board may terminate, suspend,
or amend the Plan, in whole or in part, from time to time. The Board also has the authority to amend any award agreement at any
time.
The term of each director is until their
resignation or removal.
Our board of directors has established
an audit committee, a compensation committee and a governance and nominating committee.
Audit Committee.
The
audit committee consists of Liu Jun, Roy Tan Choon Kang and Shen Cheng Liang. Mr. Roy Tan Choon Kang is the chair of the audit
committee, and he qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert”, as
such term is defined in the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission.
The board of directors has adopted an audit
committee charter, providing for the following responsibilities of the audit committee:
|
·
|
appointing
and replacing our independent auditors and pre-approving all auditing and permitted non-auditing
services to be performed by the independent auditors;
|
|
·
|
reviewing and discussing the annual audited
financial statements with management and the independent auditors;
|
|
·
|
annually reviewing and reassessing the adequacy
of our audit committee charter;
|
|
·
|
such other matters that are specifically delegated
to our audit committee by our board of directors from time to time;
|
|
·
|
meeting separately and periodically with management,
the internal auditors and the independent auditors; and
|
|
·
|
reporting regularly to the board of directors.
|
A copy of the audit committee
charter is available on our website at
http://cceramics.com/Corporate-Governance.html
. The information contained on our
website is not a part of this Annual Report.
Compensation Committee
. Our
compensation committee consists of Liu Jun, Roy Tan Choon Kang and Shen Cheng Liang. Shen Cheng Liang is the chair of our compensation
committee. Liu Jun, Roy Tan Choon Kang and Shen Cheng Liang do not have any direct or indirect material relationship with us other
than as a director.
Our board of directors adopted a compensation
committee charter, providing for the following responsibilities of the compensation committee:
|
·
|
reviewing and making recommendations to the
board regarding our compensation policies and forms of compensation provided to our directors and officers;
|
|
·
|
reviewing and making recommendations to the
board regarding bonuses for our officers and other employees;
|
|
·
|
administering our incentive-compensation plans
for our directors and officers;
|
|
·
|
reviewing and assessing the adequacy of the
charter annually;
|
|
·
|
administering our share option plans, if they
are established in the future, in accordance with the terms thereof; and
|
|
·
|
such other matters that are specifically delegated
to the compensation committee by our board of directors from time to time.
|
A copy of the compensation committee
charter is available on our website at
http://cceramics.com/Corporate-Governance.html
. The information contained on our
website is not a part of this Annual Report.
Governance and Nominating Committee
. Our
governance and nominating committee consists of Liu Jun, Roy Tan Choon Kang and Shen Cheng Liang. Shen Cheng Liang is the chair
of our governance and nominating committee. Liu Jun, Roy Tan Choon Kang and Shen Cheng Liang do not have any direct or indirect
material relationship with us other than as a director.
Our board of directors adopted a governance
and nominating committee charter, providing for the following responsibilities of the governance and nominating committee:
|
·
|
overseeing
the process by which individuals may be nominated to our board of directors;
|
|
·
|
identifying potential directors and making recommendations
as to the size, functions and composition of our board of directors and its committees;
|
|
·
|
reviewing candidates proposed by our shareholders;
|
|
·
|
developing the criteria and qualifications for
the selection of potential directors; and
|
|
·
|
making recommendations to the board of directors
on new candidates for board membership.
|
A copy of the governance and nominating
committee charter is available on our website at
http://cceramics.com/Corporate-Governance.html
. The information contained
on our website is not a part of this Annual Report.
In making nominations, the governance and
nominating committee is required to submit candidates who have the highest personal and professional integrity, who have demonstrated
exceptional ability and judgment and who shall be most effective, in conjunction with the other nominees to the board, in collectively
serving the long-term interests of the shareholders. In evaluating nominees, the governance and nominating committee is required
to take into consideration the following attributes, which are desirable for a member of the board: leadership, independence,
interpersonal skills, financial acumen, business experiences, industry knowledge, and diversity of viewpoints.
Code of Ethics
In May 2010, our board of directors adopted
a code of ethics that applies to our directors, officers and employees. Our code of ethics is available on our website at http://cceramics.com/Corporate-Governance.html.
Director Independence
Our Board is subject to the independence
requirements of the Nasdaq Stock Market (“Nasdaq”). The Board undertakes periodic reviews of director independence.
During this review, the Board considers transactions and relationships between each director or any member of his immediate family,
the Company and its affiliates to determine whether any such relationships or transactions exist that are inconsistent with a
determination that the director is independent. Our Board has determined that all current members of the Audit Committee, the
Compensation Committee and the Nominating and Governance Committee (Jianwei Liu, Shen Cheng Liang and Ms. Cheng Yan) are ‘‘independent”
in accordance with the Nasdaq independence requirements. Our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer does not serve on any of the
Board committees. The majority of the Board is comprised of independent directors. The Board based these determinations primarily
on a review of the responses of the directors and executive officers to questions regarding employment and transaction history,
affiliations and family and other relationships and on discussions with the directors and the fact that no director previously
reported a change in circumstances that could affect his independence.
The table below provides information as
to the total number of employees at the end of the last three fiscal years. We reduced the number of our employees in 2015 due
to the reduction in the facilities that were being operated. We have no contracts or collective bargaining agreements with labor
unions and have never experienced work stoppages due to labor dispute. We consider our relations with our employees to be good.
|
|
2015
|
|
|
2016
|
|
|
2017
|
|
Number of Employees
|
|
|
1,417
|
|
|
|
1,275
|
|
|
|
1,265
|
|
See Item 7 below.
|
ITEM
7.
|
MAJOR
SHAREHOLDERS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
|
The following table sets forth certain
information regarding beneficial ownership of our shares by each person who is known by us to beneficially own more than 5% of
our shares. The table also identifies the share ownership of each of our directors, each of our named executive officers, and
all directors and officers as a group. Except as otherwise indicated, the shareholders listed in the table have sole voting and
investment powers with respect to the shares indicated. Our major shareholders do not have different voting rights than any other
holder of our shares.
Shares which an individual or group has
a right to acquire within 60 days pursuant to the exercise or conversion of options, warrants or other similar convertible or
derivative securities are deemed to be outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of such individual or
group, but are not deemed to be outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of any other person shown in
the table.
Beneficial ownership is determined in
accordance with the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission and generally includes voting and investment power.
Except as otherwise indicated below, each beneficial owner holds voting and investment power directly. The percentage of
ownership is based on 4,621,793 shares issued and outstanding as of April 18, 2018. All figures reported on a post
one-for-eight reverse split basis of the Company’s common shares effected in June 2016.
Name(1)
|
|
Number of Shares Beneficially Owned
|
|
|
% of Ownership
|
|
Shen Cheng Liang
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
Huang Jia Dong
|
|
|
989,257
|
(2)
|
|
|
21.4
|
%
|
Roy Tan Choon Kang
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
Liu Jun
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
Alex Ng Man Shek
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
Hen Man Edmund
|
|
|
9,446
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
All directors and executive officers as a group (6 individuals)
|
|
|
998,703
|
|
|
|
21.6
|
%
|
Sound Treasure Limited
|
|
|
651,613
|
(3)
|
|
|
14.09
|
%
|
|
(1)
|
Unless
otherwise indicated, the business address of each of the individuals is c/o Jinjiang Hengda Ceramics Co., Ltd.; Junbing Industrial
Zone; Anhai, Jinjiang City; Fujian Province, PRC.
|
|
(2)
|
Includes
(i) an aggregate of 335,300 shares owned by Mr. Huang’s spouse and children for which Mr. Huang may be deemed to be the beneficial
owner, which beneficial ownership Mr. Huang disclaims, and (ii) 651,613 shares owned by Sound Treasure Limited, an entity of which
Mr. Huang is the sole director and shareholder.
|
|
(3)
|
Huang
Jia Dong is the sole director and shareholder of Sound Treasure Limited. The mailing address for Sound Treasure is c/o c/o Jinjiang
Hengda Ceramics Co., Ltd.; Junbing Industrial Zone; Anhai, Jinjiang City; Fujian Province, PRC, Attn: Huang Jia Dong.
|
|
B.
|
Related Party Transactions
|
Related Party Transactions of China Ceramics and
Operating Predecessor
Mr. Huang Jia Dong, the founder and Chairman
of Hengda and the Chief Executive Officer and one of the directors of the Company, and a holder of approximately 21.4% equity interests
of the Company as ofApril 18, 2018 and Mr. Wong Kung Tok, formerly one of the Company’s significant shareholders, provide
working capital loans to the Company from time to time during the normal course of its business. These loans amounted to RMB 34,928,000,
RMB 34,469,000 and RMB 31,974,000 and as of December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. These loans are interest free, unsecured
and repayable on demand. Mr. Huang and Mr. Wong are brothers-in-law. In July 2014, an entity affiliated with Mr. Huang assumed
RMB20.7 million in loans due from the Company to Mr. Wong and then forgave those loans (see Note 23(f) to the accompanying financial
statements). As of December 31, 2017, the Company had a loan of RMB 1,089,000 (2016: RMB 1,157,000 and 2015: RMB 1,989,000) payable
to Sound Treasure Limited, an affiliate of Mr. Huang Jia Dong and a shareholder of the Company. This loan is interest free, unsecured
and repayable on demand.
Other Related Party Transactions
During 2013 and 2014 we entered into certain
foreign currency transaction agreements with an unaffiliated financial institution related to the fluctuation in value of the
Renminbi against the U.S. dollar. The Company recorded fair value gains on these agreements totaling RMB3,346,000 for the year
ended December 31, 2013. However, in 2014, as the Renminbi depreciated against the U.S. dollar, we incurred realized and unrealized
losses totaling RMB59,477,000 from January to July 31, 2014 in connection with these agreements.
In June 2014, we, our Chief Executive Officer
and the Audit Committee set out to attempt to terminate the foreign currency transaction agreements; and to reach a resolution
that would preclude the depletion of our liquid assets by virtue of our having entered into the foreign currency transaction agreements.
Ultimately our Chief Executive Officer agreed to cause an entity controlled by him to assume those agreements. On July 31, 2014,
Sound Treasure Limited, our largest shareholder and an affiliate of our Chief Executive Officer, executed an agreement (the “Novation”)
with us and the financial institution that originated the foreign currency transaction agreements pursuant to which Sound Treasure
Limited assumed the foreign currency transaction agreements and all assets (mainly deposits placed with the financial institution)
and all existing and future liabilities arising under these agreements, and we were released from the liabilities arising under
the foreign currency transaction agreements. As a result, we will not be required to fund any losses related to these agreements,
and will neither suffer any future liabilities arising under those agreements nor enjoy any benefits arising under those agreements.
At the time that each of the foreign currency
transaction agreements was established with the financial institution, we were required to deposit monies with the financial institution
that was the counterparty to the agreements. RMB6.7 million of a total of RMB15.6 million in deposits that we made were funded
on our behalf by Wong Kung Tok (who is the brother-in-law of our Chief Executive Officer), and were included in a total of RMB40.2
million in loans owing by us to Wong Kung Tok as of July 9, 2014. In connection with the Novation discussed above, our Chief Executive
Officer, Sound Treasure Limited and Wong Kung Tok executed an agreement with the Company on July 31, 2014 (the “Offset Agreement”)
pursuant to which loans totaling RMB20.7 million owed by us to Wong Kung Tok were transferred to Sound Treasure Limited and then
were forgiven by Sound Treasure Limited, and in return the Company agreed to forego any claim to RMB15.6 million in Deposits under
the foreign currency transaction agreements which were transferred to Sound Treasure Limited pursuant to the Novation.
Except as disclosed above, neither our
Chief Executive Officer nor any affiliate of our Chief Executive Officer received any remuneration for agreeing to assume the
foreign currency transaction agreements.
|
C.
|
Interests of Experts and Counsel
|
Not required.
|
ITEM
8.
|
FINANCIAL
INFORMATION
|
|
A.
|
Consolidated Statements and Other Financial
Information.
|
See Item 18 for our audited consolidated
financial statements.
Legal Proceedings
On June 6, 2014, a putative class action
complaint (the “Pollock Complaint”) was filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New
York against us and various current and former directors and officers asserting claims of violations of Section 10(b) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder against all defendants, and asserting
claims for violations of Section 20(a) of the Exchange Act against the individual defendants; and pursuing remedies under the
Exchange Act. The complaint is captioned Robert Pollock, Individually and On Behalf Of All Others Similarly Situated v. Huang
Jia Dong, Su Pei Zhi, Hen Man Edmund, Ding Wei Dong, Paul K. Kelly, Cheng Yan Davis, William L. Stulginsky, Su Wei Feng, Shen
Cheng Liang, Jianwei Liu, And China Ceramics Co., Ltd. (Case No. 14-cv-4100).
On June 16, 2014, a putative class action
complaint (the “Artinoff Complaint”) was filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New
York against us and various current and former directors and officers asserting claims of violations of Section 10(b) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder against all defendants, and asserting
claims for violations of Section 20(a) of the Exchange Act against the individual defendants; and pursuing remedies under the
Exchange Act. The complaint is captioned Roger Artinoff, Individually and On Behalf Of All Others Similarly Situated v. China
Ceramics Co. Ltd., Huang Jia Dong, Su Pei Zhi, Hen Man Edmund, Ding Wei Dong, Paul K. Kelly, Cheng Yan Davis, William L. Stulginsky
And Su Wei Feng. (Case No. 14-cv-4312).
On July 2, 2014, a putative class action
complaint (the “Finlayson Complaint”) was filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New
York against us and various current and former directors and officers asserting claims for violations of Section 10(b) of the
Exchange Act and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder against all defendants, and claims for violations of Section 20(a) of the Exchange
Act against the individual defendants; and pursuing remedies under the Exchange Act. The complaint is captioned Richard Finlayson,
Individually and On Behalf Of All Others Similarly Situated v. Huang Jia Dong, Su Pei Zhi, Hen Man Edmund, Ding Wei Dong, Paul
K. Kelly, Cheng Yan Davis, William L. Stulginsky, Su Wei Feng, Shen Cheng Liang, Jianwei Liu, and China Ceramics Co., Ltd. (Case
No. 14-cv-4997).
On February 6, 2015,
the Company and the individual defendants reached an agreement in principle to settle the class action litigation brought against
the Company in consideration of the payment by the Company of $850,000, consisting of $310,000 payable in cash and $540,000 to
be issued in the Company’s common shares. On January 6, 2016, the United States District Court for the Southern District
of New York (the “Court”) held a final hearing to consider approval of the settlement, and on April 22, 2016, it issued
a final order approving the settlement and ordering that the parties file a stipulation voluntarily dismissing the action on or
before May 23, 2016 or, in the alternative, to file a joint letter by the same deadline stating the reasons for the delay in filing
such a stipulation.On April 22, 2016, the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York issued a final order
approving the settlement. The Company remitted $310,000 in cash and issued 554,415 common shares in full satisfaction of the terms
of the settlement. The case was closed on August 2, 2016.
Dividend Policy
Our Board of Directors has discretion to
pay dividends. The form, frequency and amount will depend upon our future operations and earnings, capital requirements and surplus,
general financial condition, contractual restrictions and other factors that our Board of Directors may deem relevant. Although
we have paid dividends in the past, there is no assurance that we will continue to pay dividends in the future.
On February 25, 2014, we announced two
semi-annual cash dividends of $0.0125 per share. The first dividend of $0.0125 per share was paid on July 14, 2014 and the second
of $0.0125 per share was paid on January 14, 2015, with record dates of June 13, 2014 and December 12, 2014, respectively. No
dividends were paid subsequent to January 14, 2015. The Company does not anticipate paying dividends in the near future.
We are a holding company incorporated in
the British Virgin Islands. We rely on dividends paid by our Hong Kong and Chinese subsidiaries for our cash needs. The payment
of dividends by entities organized in China is subject to limitations. If the Boards of our Chinese subsidiaries decide to pay
dividends in the future, these restrictions may impede our ability to pay dividends and/or the amount of dividends we could pay.
In addition, if our Chinese subsidiaries incur debt on their own behalf in the future, the instruments governing the debt may
restrict their ability to pay dividends or make other distributions to us.
Except as disclosed elsewhere in this Annual
Report, we have not experienced any significant changes since the date of our audited consolidated financial statements included
in this Annual Report.
|
ITEM
9.
|
THE
OFFER AND LISTING
|
|
A.
|
Offer and Listing Details
|
The following tables set forth, for the
calendar quarters indicated and through March 31, 201
7,
the quarterly high and low sale prices for our shares, as reported on NASDAQ Stock Market, the OTC Bulletin Board or the NYSE
Amex, as applicable. The OTC Bulletin Board market quotations reflect inter-dealer prices, without retail mark-up, mark-down or
commission and may not necessarily reflect actual transactions. Prior to June 28, 2016, the sale prices of our shares were retroactively
restated to reflect the 8:1 reverse split effected on that date.
|
|
Shares
|
|
|
|
High
|
|
|
Low
|
|
Annual Highs and Lows
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2012
|
|
|
36.32
|
|
|
|
11.76
|
|
2013
|
|
|
32.48
|
|
|
|
15.84
|
|
2014
|
|
|
20.48
|
|
|
|
5.92
|
|
2015
|
|
|
11.36
|
|
|
|
6.00
|
|
2016
|
|
|
8.64
|
|
|
|
2.09
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Quarterly Highs and Lows
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2015
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
First Quarter
|
|
|
9.92
|
|
|
|
6.48
|
|
Second Quarter
|
|
|
11.36
|
|
|
|
8.88
|
|
Third Quarter
|
|
|
9.28
|
|
|
|
6.00
|
|
Fourth Quarter
|
|
|
9.60
|
|
|
|
6.00
|
|
2016
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
First Quarter
|
|
|
8.64
|
|
|
|
2.80
|
|
Second Quarter
|
|
|
4.08
|
|
|
|
2.09
|
|
Third Quarter
|
|
|
5.30
|
|
|
|
2.19
|
|
Fourth Quarter
|
|
|
3.02
|
|
|
|
2.10
|
|
2017
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
First
Quarter
|
|
|
2.53
|
|
|
|
2.08
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Monthly
Highs and Lows
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
September 2016
|
|
|
3.55
|
|
|
|
2.57
|
|
October 2016
|
|
|
3.02
|
|
|
|
2.25
|
|
November 2016
|
|
|
3.00
|
|
|
|
2.10
|
|
December 2016
|
|
|
2.51
|
|
|
|
2.25
|
|
January 2017
|
|
|
2.53
|
|
|
|
2.08
|
|
February 2017
|
|
|
2.47
|
|
|
|
2.15
|
|
March 2017
|
|
|
2.30
|
|
|
|
2.12
|
|
Not Applicable.
Our shares have been listed on the NASDAQ
Stock Market under the symbols CCCL, since January 18, 2011. Our shares were listed on the NASDAQ Capital Market from November
3, 2010 through January 17, 2011 and were relisted on the Nasdaq Capital Market on March 23, 2016 following the listing transfer
where it is trading now under the same symbol “CCCL.” Our shares were listed on the NASDAQ Global Market from January
18, 2011 until March 22, 2016. The shares were previously quoted on the OTC Bulletin Board from December 29, 2009 through November
2, 2010. Prior to December 29, 2009, our shares were traded on NYSE Amex, under the symbols “HOL.” CHAC’s shares
commenced to trade on December 17, 2007.
Not Applicable.
Not Applicable.
Not Applicable.
|
ITEM
10.
|
ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION
|
Not Applicable.
|
B.
|
Memorandum and Articles of Association
|
The information required by Item 10.B of
Form 20-F is included in the section titled “Description of Securities–Memorandum and Articles of Association”
in our Registration Statement on Form F-1 initially filed with the SEC on October 29, 2010 (File No.: 333-170237), which section
is incorporated herein by reference.
During 2013 and 2014, we entered into certain
foreign currency transaction agreements with an unaffiliated financial institution related to the fluctuation in value of the
Renminbi against the U.S. dollar. We recorded fair value gains on these agreements totaling RMB 3,346,000 for the year ended December
31, 2013. However, in 2014, as the Renminbi depreciated against the U.S. dollar, we incurred realized and unrealized losses totaling
RMB 59,477,000 from January 1 to July 31, 2014 in connection with these agreements. On July 31, 2014, Sound Treasure Limited,
our largest shareholder and an affiliate of our Chief Executive Officer, executed an agreement (the “Novation”) with
us and the financial institution that originated the foreign currency transaction agreements pursuant to which Sound Treasure
Limited assumed these agreements and all assets (mainly deposits placed with the financial institution) and all existing and future
liabilities arising under these agreements, and we were released from the liabilities arising under the foreign currency transaction
agreements. As a result, we will not be required to fund any losses related to these agreements, and will neither suffer any future
liabilities arising under those agreements nor enjoy any benefits arising under those agreements.
At the time that each of the foreign currency
transaction agreements was established with the financial institution, we were required to deposit monies (the “Deposits”)
with the financial institution that was the counterparty to the agreements. RMB 6.7 million of a total of RMB 15.6 million in
deposits that we made were funded on our behalf by Wong Kung Tok (who is the brother-in-law of our Chief Executive Officer), and
were included in a total of RMB 40.2 million in loans owing by us to Wong Kung Tok as of July 9, 2014. In connection with the
Novation discussed above, our Chief Executive Officer, Sound Treasure Limited and Wong Kung Tok executed an agreement with the
Company on July 31, 2014 (the “Offset Agreement”) pursuant to which loans totaling RMB 20.7 million owed by us to
Wong Kung Tok were transferred to Sound Treasure Limited and then were forgiven by Sound Treasure Limited, and in return the Company
agreed to forego any claim to RMB 15.6 million in Deposits under the foreign currency transaction agreements which were transferred
to Sound Treasure Limited pursuant to the Novation.
The Novation and the Offset Agreement became
effective on July 31, 2014.
Except for the above, we did not enter into
any other material contracts during fiscal years 2015, 2016 or 2017.
Under British Virgin Islands law, there
are currently no restrictions on the export or import of capital, including foreign exchange controls or restrictions that affect
the remittance of dividends, interest or other payments to nonresident holders of our shares.
The following summary of the material PRC
and U.S. federal income tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of China Ceramics shares, sometimes referred
to as “securities,” is based upon laws and relevant interpretations thereof in effect as of the date of this Annual
Report, all of which are subject to change. This summary does not deal with all possible tax consequences relating to an investment
in China Ceramics’ securities, such as the tax consequences under state, local and other tax laws. For purposes of this
discussion, references to “China Ceramics,” “we,” “us” or “our” refer only to
China Ceramics Co., Ltd.
PRC Taxation
The following discussion summarizes the
material PRC income tax considerations relating to the acquisition, ownership and disposition of China Ceramics’ securities.
You should consult with your own tax adviser
regarding the PRC tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of China Ceramics’ securities.
Resident Enterprise Treatment
On March 16, 2007, the Fifth Session of
the Tenth National People’s Congress passed the Enterprise Income Tax Law of the PRC (“EIT Law”), which became
effective on January 1, 2008. Under the EIT Law, enterprises are classified as “resident enterprises” and “non-resident
enterprises.” Pursuant to the EIT Law and its implementing rules, enterprises established outside China whose “de
facto management bodies” are located in China are considered “resident enterprises” and subject to the uniform
25% enterprise income tax rate on their worldwide taxable income. According to the implementing rules of the EIT Law, “de
facto management body” refers to a managing body that in practice exercises overall management control over the production
and business, personnel, accounting and assets of an enterprise.
On April 22, 2009, the State Administration
of Taxation issued the Notice on the Issues Regarding Recognition of Enterprises that are Domestically Controlled as PRC Resident
Enterprises Based on the De Facto Management Body Criteria, which was retroactively effective as of January 1, 2008. This notice
provides that an overseas incorporated enterprise that is controlled by PRC domestic companies will be recognized as a “tax-resident
enterprise” if it satisfies all of the following conditions: (i) the senior management responsible for daily production/business
operations are primarily located in the PRC, and the location(s) where such senior management execute their responsibilities are
primarily in the PRC; (ii) strategic financial and personnel decisions are made or approved by organizations or personnel located
in the PRC; (iii) major properties, accounting ledgers, company seals and minutes of board meetings and stockholder meetings,
etc., are maintained in the PRC; and (iv) 50% or more of the board members with voting rights or senior management habitually
reside in the PRC.
Given the short history of the EIT Law
and lack of applicable legal precedent, it remains unclear how the PRC tax authorities will determine the resident enterprise
status of a company organized under the laws of a foreign (non-PRC) jurisdiction, such as China Ceramics, Success Winner and Stand
Best. If the PRC tax authorities determine that China Ceramics, Success Winner and/or Stand Best is a “resident enterprise”
under the EIT Law, a number of tax consequences could follow. First, China Ceramics, Success Winner and/or Stand Best could be
subject to the enterprise income tax at a rate of 25% on their worldwide taxable income, as well as PRC enterprise income tax
reporting obligations. Second, the EIT Law provides that dividend income between “qualified resident enterprises”
is exempt from income tax. As a result, if China Ceramics, Success Winner and Stand Best are each treated as a “qualified
resident enterprise,” all dividends paid from Hengda to China Ceramics, through Success Winner and Stand Best, should be
exempt from the PRC enterprise income tax.
As of the date of this Annual Report, there
has not been a definitive determination by China Ceramics, Success Winner, Stand Best or the PRC tax authorities as to the “resident
enterprise” or “non-resident enterprise” status of China Ceramics, Success Winner and Stand Best. However, since
it is not anticipated that China Ceramics, Success Winner and/or Stand Best would receive dividends or generate other income in
the near future, China Ceramics, Success Winner and Stand Best are not expected to have any income that would be subject to the
25% enterprise income tax on worldwide taxable income in the near future. China Ceramics, Success Winner and Stand Best will make
any necessary tax payment if China Ceramics, Success Winner or Stand Best (based on future clarifying guidance issued by the PRC),
or the PRC tax authorities, determine that China Ceramics, Success Winner or Stand Best is a resident enterprise under the EIT
Law, and if China Ceramics, Success Winner or Stand Best were to have income in the future.
Dividends From Hengda
If Stand Best is not treated as a resident
enterprise under the EIT Law, then dividends that Stand Best receives from Hengda may be subject to PRC withholding tax. The EIT
Law and the implementing rules of the EIT Law provide that (A) an income tax rate of 25% will normally be applicable to investors
that are “non-resident enterprises” which (i) have an establishment or place of business inside the PRC, and (ii)
have income in connection with their establishment or place of business that is sourced from the PRC or is earned outside the
PRC but has an actual connection with their establishment or place of business inside the PRC, and (B) a PRC withholding tax at
a rate of 10% will normally be applicable to dividends payable to non-resident enterprises that (i) do not have an establishment
or place of business in the PRC or (ii) have an establishment or place of business in the PRC, but the relevant income is not
effectively connected with such establishment or place of business, to the extent such dividends are derived from sources within
the PRC.
As described above, the PRC tax authorities
may determine the resident enterprise status of entities organized under the laws of foreign jurisdictions on a case-by-case basis.
China Ceramics, Success Winner and Stand Best are holding companies and substantially all of China Ceramics’, Success Winner’s
and Stand Best’s income may be derived from dividends. Thus, if China Ceramics, Success Winner and/or Stand Best are considered
a “non-resident enterprise” under the EIT Law and the dividends paid to China Ceramics, Success Winner and/or Stand
Best are considered income sourced within the PRC, such dividends received may be subject to PRC withholding tax as described
in the foregoing paragraph.
The State Council of the PRC or a tax treaty
between China and the jurisdiction in which the non-resident enterprise resides may reduce such income or withholding tax, with
respect to a non-resident enterprise. Pursuant to the Arrangement between the Mainland of China and the Hong Kong Special Administrative
Region for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with Respect to Taxes on Income (the “PRC-Hong
Kong Tax Treaty”), if the Hong Kong resident enterprise that is not deemed to be a conduit by the PRC tax authorities owns
more than 25% of the equity interest in a PRC resident enterprise, the 10% PRC withholding tax on the dividends the Hong Kong
resident enterprise receives from such PRC resident enterprise is reduced to 5%.
China Ceramics is a British Virgin Islands
holding company, and it has a British Virgin Islands subsidiary (Success Winner), which owns a 100% equity interest in a subsidiary
in Hong Kong (Stand Best), which in turns owns a 100% equity interest in Hengda, a PRC company. As a result, if Stand Best were
treated as a “non-resident enterprise” under the EIT Law, then dividends that Stand Best receives from Hengda (assuming
such dividends were considered sourced within the PRC) (i) may be subject to a 5% PRC withholding tax, if the PRC-Hong Kong Tax
Treaty were applicable, or (ii) if such treaty does not apply (i.e., because the PRC tax authorities may deem Stand Best to be
a conduit that is not entitled to treaty benefits), may be subject to a 10% PRC withholding tax. Similarly, if Success Winner
were treated as a PRC “non-resident enterprise” under the EIT Law and Stand Best were treated as a PRC “resident
enterprise” under the EIT Law, then dividends that Success Winner receives from Stand Best (assuming such dividends were
considered sourced within the PRC) may be subject to a 10% PRC withholding tax. A similar situation may arise if China Ceramics
were treated as a “non-resident enterprise” under the EIT Law, and Success Winner were treated as a “resident
enterprise” under EIT Law. Any such taxes on dividends could materially reduce the amount of dividends, if any, China Ceramics
could pay to its shareholders.
As of the date of this Annual Report, there
has not been a definitive determination by China Ceramics, Success Winner, Stand Best or the PRC tax authorities as to the “resident
enterprise” or “non-resident enterprise” status of China Ceramics, Success Winner and Stand Best. As described
above, however, Hengda, Stand Best and Success Winner are not expected to pay any dividends in the near future. Hengda, Stand
Best and Success Winner will make any necessary tax withholding if, in the future, Hengda, Stand Best or Success Winner were to
pay any dividends and Hengda, Stand Best or Success Winner (based on future clarifying guidance issued by the PRC), or the PRC
tax authorities, determine that Stand Best, Success Winner or China Ceramics is a non-resident enterprise under the EIT Law.
Dividends that Non-PRC Resident Investors
Receive From China Ceramics; Gain on the Sale or Transfer of China Ceramics’ Securities
If we are determined to be a resident enterprise
under the EIT Law and dividends payable to (or gains realized by) China Ceramics’ investors that are not tax residents of
the PRC (“non-resident investors”) are treated as income derived from sources within the PRC, then the dividends that
the non-resident investors receive from us and any such gain derived by such investors on the sale or transfer of China Ceramics’
securities may be subject to income tax under the PRC tax laws.
Under the PRC tax laws, PRC withholding
tax at the rate of 10% is applicable to dividends payable to non-resident investors that are enterprises, but not individuals,
and that (i) do not have an establishment or place of business in the PRC or (ii) have an establishment or place of business in
the PRC but the relevant income is not effectively connected with the establishment or place of business, to the extent that such
dividends are deemed to be sourced within the PRC. Similarly, any gain realized on the transfer of China Ceramics’ securities
by such investors also is subject to 10% PRC income tax if such gain is regarded as income derived from sources within the PRC.
The dividends paid by us to such non-resident
investors with respect to China Ceramics’ securities, or gain such non-resident investors may realize from the sale or transfer
of China Ceramics’ securities, may be treated as PRC-sourced income and, as a result, may be subject to PRC tax at a rate
of 10%. In such event, China Ceramics may be required to withhold a 10% PRC tax on any dividends paid to such non-resident investors.
In addition, such non-resident investors in China Ceramics’ securities may be responsible for paying PRC tax at a rate of
10% on any gain realized from the sale or transfer of China Ceramics’ securities if such non-resident investors and the
gain satisfy the requirements under the PRC tax laws. However, under the PRC tax laws, China Ceramics would not have an obligation
to withhold PRC income tax in respect of the gains that such non-resident investors (including U.S. enterprise investors) may
realize from the sale or transfer of China Ceramics’ securities. Also, if China Ceramics is determined to be a “resident
enterprise,” its non-resident investors who are individuals may also be subject to potential PRC individual income tax at
a rate of 20% with respect to dividends received from China Ceramics and/or gains derived by them from the sale or transfer of
China Ceramics’ securities.
If China Ceramics were to pay any dividends
in the future, and if China Ceramics (based on future clarifying guidance issued by the PRC), or the PRC tax authorities, determine
that China Ceramics must withhold PRC tax on any dividends payable by China Ceramics under the PRC tax laws, China Ceramics will
make any necessary tax withholding on dividends payable to its non-resident investors. If non-resident investors as described
under the PRC tax laws (including U.S. investors) realize any gain from the sale or transfer of China Ceramics’ securities
and if such gain were considered as PRC-sourced income, such non-resident investors would be responsible for paying the applicable
PRC income tax on the gain from the sale or transfer of China Ceramics’ securities. As indicated above, under the PRC tax
laws, China Ceramics would not have an obligation to withhold PRC income tax in respect of the gains that non-resident investors
(including U.S. investors) may realize from the sale or transfer of China Ceramics’ securities.
On December 10, 2009, the SAT released
Circular Guoshuihan No. 698 (“Circular 698”) that reinforces the taxation of certain equity transfers by non-resident
investors through overseas holding vehicles. Circular 698 addresses indirect equity transfers as well as other issues. Circular
698 is retroactively effective from January 1, 2008. According to Circular 698, where a non-resident investor who indirectly holds
an equity interest in a PRC resident enterprise through a non-PRC offshore holding company indirectly transfers an equity interest
in the PRC resident enterprise by selling an equity interest in the offshore holding company, and the latter is located in a country
or jurisdiction where the actual tax burden is less than 12.5% or where the offshore income of its residents is not taxable, the
non-resident investor is required to provide the PRC tax authority in charge of that PRC resident enterprise with certain relevant
information within 30 days of the execution of the equity transfer agreement. The tax authorities in charge will evaluate the
offshore transaction for tax purposes. In the event that the PRC tax authorities determine that such transfer is abusing forms
of business organization and a reasonable commercial purpose for the offshore holding company other than the avoidance of PRC
income tax liability is lacking, the PRC tax authorities will have the power to re-assess the nature of the equity transfer under
the doctrine of substance over form. A reasonable commercial purpose may be established when the overall international (including
U.S.) offshore structure is set up to comply with the requirements of supervising authorities of international (including U.S.)
capital markets. If the SAT’s challenge of a transfer is successful, it may deny the existence of the offshore holding company
that is used for tax planning purposes and subject the seller to PRC tax on the capital gain from such transfer. Since Circular
698 has a short history, there is uncertainty as to its application. China Ceramics (or a non-resident investor) may become at
risk of being taxed under Circular 698 and may be required to expend valuable resources to comply with Circular 698 or to establish
that China Ceramics (or such non-resident investor) should not be taxed under Circular 698, which could have a material adverse
effect on China Ceramics’ financial condition and results of operations (or such non-resident investor’s investment
in China Ceramics).
In addition, the PRC
resident enterprise may be required to provide necessary assistance to support the enforcement of Circular 698.
On February 3, 2015,
the State Administration of Tax issued a Public Notice Regarding Certain Corporate Income Tax Matters on Indirect Transfer of
Properties by Non-tax Resident Enterprise, or Public Notice 7. Public Notice 7 has introduced a new tax regime that is significantly
different from that under Circular 698. Public Notice 7 extends its tax jurisdiction to not only indirect transfers set forth
under Circular 698 but also transactions involving transfer of other taxable assets, through the offshore transfer of a foreign
intermediate holding company. In addition, Public Notice 7 provides clearer criteria the Circular 698 on how to assess reasonable
commercial purposes and has introduced safe harbors for internal group restructurings and the purchase and sale of equity through
a public securities market. Public Notice 7 also brings challenges to both the foreign transferor and transferee (or other person
who is obligated to pay for the transfer) of the taxable assets. Where a non-resident enterprise conducts an “indirect transfer”
by transferring the taxable assets indirectly by disposing of the equity interests of an overseas holding company, the non-resident
enterprise being the transferor, or the transferee, or the PRC entity which directly owned the taxable assets may report to the
relevant tax authority such indirect transfer. Using a “substance over form” principle, the PRC tax authority may
re-characterize such indirect transfer as a direct transfer of the equity interests in the PRC tax resident enterprise and other
properties in China. As a result, gains derived from such indirect transfer may be subject to PRC enterprise income tax, and the
transferee or other person who is obligated to pay for the transfer is obligated to withhold the applicable taxes, currently at
a rate of up to 10% for the transfer of equity interests in a PRC resident enterprise. Both the transferor and the transferee
may be subject to penalties under PRC tax laws if transferee fails to withhold the taxes and the transferor fails to pay the taxes.
We face uncertainties
with respect to the reporting and consequences of private equity financing transactions, share exchange or other transactions
involving the transfer of shares in our company by investors that are non-PRC resident enterprises, or sale or purchase of shares
in other non-PRC resident companies or other taxable assets by us. Our company and other non-resident enterprises in our group
may be subject to filing obligations or being taxed if our company and other non-resident enterprises in our group are transferors
in such transactions, and may be subject to withholding obligations if our company and other non-resident enterprises in our group
are transferees in such transactions, under Circular 698 and Public Notice 7. For the transfer of shares to our company by investors
that are non-PRC resident enterprises, our PRC subsidiaries may be requested to assist in the filing under Circular 698 and Public
Notice 7. As a result, we may be required to expend valuable resources to comply with Circular 698 and Public Notice 7 to request
the relevant transferors from whom we purchase taxable assets to comply with these circulars, or to establish that our company
and other non-resident enterprises in our group should not be taxed under these circulars, which may have a material adverse effect
on our financial condition and results of operations.
The PRC tax authorities
have the discretion under Circular 698 and Public Notice 7 to make adjustments to the taxable capital gains based on the difference
between the fair value of the taxable assets transferred and the cost of investment. If the PRC tax authorities make adjustments
to the taxable income of the transactions under Circular 698 and Public Notice 7, our income tax costs associated with such potential
acquisitions will be increased, which may have an adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
Penalties for Failure to Pay Applicable
PRC Income Tax
A non-resident investor in us may be responsible
for paying PRC tax on any gain realized from the sale or transfer of China Ceramics’ securities if such non-resident investor
and the gain satisfy the requirements under the PRC tax laws, as described above.
According to the EIT Law and its implementing
rules, the PRC Individual Income Tax Law and its implementing rules, the PRC Tax Administration Law (the “Tax Administration
Law”) and its implementing rules, the Provisional Measures for the Administration of Withholding of Enterprise Income Tax
for Non-resident Enterprises (the “Administration Measures”) and other applicable PRC laws or regulations (collectively
the “Tax Related Laws”), where any gain derived by a non-resident investor from the sale or transfer of China Ceramics’
securities is subject to any income tax in the PRC, and such non-resident investor fails to file any tax return or pay tax in
this regard pursuant to the Tax Related Laws, such investor may be subject to certain fines, penalties or punishments, including
without limitation: (1) if the non-resident investor fails to file a tax return and present the relevant information in connection
with tax payments, the competent tax authorities shall order it to do so within the prescribed time limit and may impose a fine
up to RMB 2,000, and in egregious cases, may impose a fine ranging from RMB 2,000 to RMB 10,000; (2) if the non-resident investor
fails to file a tax return or fails to pay all or part of the amount of tax payable, the non-resident investor shall be required
to pay the unpaid tax amount payable, a surcharge on overdue tax payments (the daily surcharge is 0.05% of the overdue amount,
beginning from the day the deferral begins) and a fine ranging from 50% to 500% of the unpaid amount of the tax payable; (3) if
the non-resident investor fails to file a tax return and to pay the tax within the prescribed time limit according to the order
by the PRC tax authorities, the PRC tax authorities may collect and check information about the income receivable by the non-resident
investor in the PRC from other payers (the “Other Payers”) who will pay amounts to such non-resident investor, and
send a “Notice of Tax Issues” to the Other Payers to collect and recover the tax payable and overdue fines imposed
on such non-resident investor from the amounts otherwise payable to such non-resident investor by the Other Payers; (4) if the
non-resident investor fails to pay the tax payable within the prescribed time limit as ordered by the PRC tax authorities, a fine
may be imposed on the non-resident investor ranging from 50% to 500% of the unpaid tax payable, and the PRC tax authorities may,
upon approval by the director of the tax bureau (or sub-bureau) of, or higher than, the county level, take the following compulsory
measures: (i) notify in writing the non-resident investor’s bank or other financial institution to withhold from the account
thereof for payment of the amount of tax payable, and (ii) detain, seal off, or sell by auction or on the market the non-resident
investor’s commodities, goods or other property in a value equivalent to the amount of tax payable; or (5) if the non-resident
investor fails to pay all or part of the amount of tax payable or surcharge for overdue tax payment, and cannot provide a guarantee
to the PRC tax authorities, the tax authorities may notify the frontier authorities to prevent the non-resident investor or its
legal representative from leaving the PRC.
United States Federal Income Taxation
General
The following is a summary of the material
U.S. federal income tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of China Ceramics’ securities.
The discussion below of the U.S. federal
income tax consequences to “U.S. Holders” will apply to a beneficial owner of China Ceramics’ securities that
is for U.S. federal income tax purposes:
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an
individual citizen or resident of the United States;
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a
corporation (or other entity treated as a corporation) that is created or organized (or
treated as created or organized) in or under the laws of the United States, any state
thereof or the District of Columbia;
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an
estate whose income is includible in gross income for U.S. federal income tax purposes
regardless of its source; or
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a
trust if (i) a U.S. court can exercise primary supervision over the trust’s administration
and one or more U.S. persons are authorized to control all substantial decisions of the
trust, or (ii) it has a valid election in effect under applicable U.S. Treasury regulations
to be treated as a U.S. person.
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A beneficial owner of our securities that
is described above is referred to herein as a “U.S. Holder.” If a beneficial owner of China Ceramics’ securities
is not described as a U.S. Holder and is not an entity treated as a partnership or other pass-through entity for U.S. federal
income tax purposes, such owner will be considered a “Non-U.S. Holder.” The material U.S. federal income tax consequences
applicable specifically to Non-U.S. Holders are described below under the heading “Non-U.S. Holders.”
This summary is based on the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986, as amended, or the “Code,” its legislative history, Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder, published
rulings and court decisions, all as currently in effect. These authorities are subject to change or differing interpretations,
possibly on a retroactive basis.
This discussion does not address all aspects
of U.S. federal income taxation that may be relevant to any particular holder of China Ceramics’ securities based on such
holder’s individual circumstances. In particular, this discussion considers only holders that own and hold China Ceramics’
securities as capital assets within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code. This discussion also does not address the alternative
minimum tax. In addition, this discussion does not address the U.S. federal income tax consequences to holders that are subject
to special rules, including:
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financial
institutions or financial services entities;
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persons
that are subject to the mark-to-market accounting rules under Section 475 of the Code;
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governments
or agencies or instrumentalities thereof;
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regulated
investment companies;
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real
estate investment trusts;
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certain
expatriates or former long-term residents of the United States;
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persons
that actually or constructively own 5% or more of China Ceramics’ voting shares;
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persons
that acquired China Ceramics’ securities pursuant to an exercise of employee share
options, in connection with employee share incentive plans or otherwise as compensation;
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persons
that hold China Ceramics’ securities as part of a straddle, constructive sale,
hedging, conversion or other integrated transaction;
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persons
whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar;
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controlled
foreign corporations; or
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passive
foreign investment companies.
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This discussion does not address any aspect
of U.S. federal non-income tax laws, such as gift or estate tax laws, or state, local or non-U.S. tax laws, or, except as discussed
herein, any tax reporting obligations of a holder of China Ceramics’ securities. Additionally, this discussion does not
consider the tax treatment of partnerships or other pass-through entities or persons who hold China Ceramics’ securities
through such entities. If a partnership (or other entity classified as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) is
the beneficial owner of China Ceramics’ securities, the U.S. federal income tax treatment of a partner in the partnership
will generally depend on the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. This discussion also assumes that any
distribution made (or deemed made) in respect to the China Ceramics’ securities and any consideration received (or deemed
received) by a holder in connection with the sale or other disposition of such securities will be in U.S. dollars.
China Ceramics has not sought, and will
not seek, a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service, or “IRS,” or an opinion of counsel, as to any U.S. federal income
tax consequence described herein. The IRS may disagree with the description herein, and its determination may be upheld by a court.
Moreover, there can be no assurance that future legislation, regulations, administrative rulings or court decisions will not adversely
affect the accuracy of the statements in this discussion.
THIS DISCUSSION IS ONLY A SUMMARY OF
THE MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE ACQUISITION, OWNERSHIP AND DISPOSITION OF CHINA CERAMICS’ SECURITIES.
EACH HOLDER OF CHINA CERAMICS’ SECURITIES IS URGED TO CONSULT ITS OWN TAX ADVISOR WITH RESPECT TO THE PARTICULAR TAX CONSEQUENCES
TO SUCH HOLDER OF THE ACQUISITION, OWNERSHIP AND DISPOSITION OF CHINA CERAMICS’ SECURITIES, INCLUDING THE APPLICABILITY
AND EFFECT OF ANY STATE, LOCAL AND NON-U.S. TAX LAWS, AS WELL AS U.S. FEDERAL TAX LAWS AND APPLICABLE TAX TREATIES.
Tax Treatment of China Ceramics After
the Redomestication and the Business Combination
Section 7874(b) of the Code generally provides
that a corporation organized outside the United States that acquires, directly or indirectly, pursuant to a plan or series of
related transactions, substantially all of the assets of a corporation organized in the United States will be treated as a domestic
corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes if shareholders of the acquired corporation, by reason of owning shares of the
acquired corporation, own at least 80% of either the voting power or the value of the stock of the acquiring corporation after
the acquisition. Under regulations promulgated under Section 7874, a warrant holder of either the acquired corporation or the
acquiring corporation generally is treated for this purpose as owning stock of the acquired corporation or the acquiring corporation,
as the case may be, with a value equal to the excess of the value of the shares underlying the warrant over the exercise price
of the warrant. If Section 7874(b) were to have applied to the Redomestication, then, among other things, China Ceramics, as the
surviving entity, would have been subject to U.S. federal income tax on its worldwide taxable income following the Redomestication
and the Business Combination as if it were a domestic corporation.
After the completion of the Business Combination,
which occurred immediately after and as part of the same integrated transaction as the Redomestication, the former stockholders
of CHAC (including warrant holders treated as owning stock of CHAC pursuant to the regulations under Section 7874) should have
been considered as owning, by reason of owning (or being treated as owning) stock of CHAC, less than 80% of the voting power and
the value of the shares of China Ceramics (including any warrants treated as shares of China Ceramics pursuant to the regulations
promulgated under Section 7874). Accordingly, Section 7874(b) should not have applied to treat China Ceramics as a domestic corporation
for U.S. federal income tax purposes. However, due to the absence of full guidance on how the rules of Section 7874(b) applied
to the transactions completed pursuant to the Redomestication and the Business Combination, this result is not entirely free from
doubt. If, for example, the Redomestication were ultimately determined for purposes of Section 7874(b) as having occurred prior
to, and separate from, the Business Combination for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the share ownership threshold for applicability
of Section 7874(b) generally would have been satisfied (and China Ceramics would have been treated as a domestic corporation for
U.S. federal income tax purposes) because the former stockholders of CHAC (including warrant holders treated as owning stock of
CHAC), by reason of owning (or being treated as owning) stock of CHAC, would have owned all of the shares (including any warrants
treated as shares) of China Ceramics immediately after the Redomestication. Although normal “step transaction” tax
principles supported the view that the Redomestication and the Business Combination should have been viewed together for purposes
of determining whether Section 7874(b) was applicable, because of the absence of guidance under Section 7874(b) directly on point,
this result is not entirely free from doubt. The balance of this discussion assumes that China Ceramics has been and will be treated
as a foreign corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
U.S. Holders
Taxation of Cash Distributions Paid
on Shares
Subject to the passive foreign investment
company, or “PFIC,” rules discussed below, a U.S. Holder generally will be required to include in gross income as
ordinary income the amount of any cash dividend paid on the shares of China Ceramics. A cash distribution on such shares generally
will be treated as a dividend for U.S. federal income tax purposes to the extent the distribution is paid out of current or accumulated
earnings and profits of China Ceramics (as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes). Such dividend generally will not
be eligible for the dividends received deduction generally allowed to U.S. corporations in respect of dividends received from
other U.S. corporations. The portion of such cash distribution, if any, in excess of such earnings and profits will be applied
against and reduce (but not below zero) the U.S. Holder’s adjusted basis in its shares in China Ceramics. Any remaining
excess generally will be treated as gain from the sale or other taxable disposition of such shares.
With respect to non-corporate U.S. Holders,
such dividends may be subject to U.S. federal income tax at the lower applicable regular long-term capital gains tax rate (see
“—Taxation on the Disposition of Securities” below) provided that (1) the shares of China Ceramics are readily
tradable on an established securities market in the United States or, in the event China Ceramics is deemed to be a Chinese “resident
enterprise” under the EIT Law, China Ceramics is eligible for the benefits of the Agreement between the Government of the
United States of America and the Government of the People’s Republic of China for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the
Prevention of Tax Evasion with Respect to Taxes on Income, or the “U.S.-PRC Tax Treaty,” (2) China Ceramics is not
a PFIC, as discussed below, for either the taxable year in which the dividend was paid or the preceding taxable year, and (3)
certain holding period requirements are met. Under published IRS authority, shares are considered for purposes of clause (1) above
to be readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States only if they are listed on certain exchanges,
which presently include the NASDAQ Stock Market. Although China Ceramics’ shares are currently listed and traded on the
NASDAQ Stock Market, it cannot guarantee that its shares will continue to be listed or traded on the NASDAQ Stock Market. U.S.
Holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the availability of the lower rate for any dividends paid with respect
to the shares of China Ceramics.
If a PRC income tax applies to any
cash dividends paid to a U.S. Holder on the shares of China Ceramics, such tax may be treated as a foreign tax eligible for a
deduction from such holder’s U.S. federal taxable income or a foreign tax credit against such holder’s U.S. federal
income tax liability (subject to applicable conditions and limitations). In addition, if such PRC tax applies to such dividends,
such U.S. Holder may be entitled to certain benefits under the U.S.-PRC Tax Treaty if such holder is considered a resident of
the United States for purposes of, and otherwise meets the requirements of, the U.S.-PRC Tax Treaty. U.S. Holders should consult
their own tax advisors regarding the deduction or credit for any such PRC tax and their eligibility for the benefits of the U.S.-PRC
Tax Treaty.
Taxation on the Disposition of Securities
Upon a sale or other taxable disposition
of the securities in China Ceramics, and subject to the PFIC rules discussed below, a U.S. Holder generally will recognize capital
gain or loss in an amount equal to the difference between the amount realized and the U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in
the securities.
The regular U.S. federal income tax rate
on capital gains recognized by U.S. Holders generally is the same as the regular U.S. federal income tax rate on ordinary income,
except that long-term capital gains recognized by non-corporate U.S. Holders are generally subject to U.S. federal income tax
at a maximum regular rate of 20%. Capital gain or loss will constitute long-term capital gain or loss if the U.S. Holder’s
holding period for the securities exceeds one year. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to various limitations.
If a PRC income tax applies to any gain
from the disposition of the securities in China Ceramics by a U.S. Holder, such tax may be treated as a foreign tax eligible for
a deduction from such holder’s U.S. federal taxable income or a foreign tax credit against such holder’s U.S. federal
income tax liability (subject to applicable conditions and limitations). In addition, if such PRC tax applies to any gain, such
U.S. Holder may be entitled to certain benefits under the U.S.-PRC Tax Treaty if such holder is considered a resident of the United
States for purposes of, and otherwise meets the requirements of, the U.S.-PRC Tax Treaty. U.S. Holders should consult their own
tax advisors regarding the deduction or credit for any such PRC tax and their eligibility for the benefits of the U.S.-PRC Tax
Treaty.
Additional Taxes
U.S. Holders that are individuals, estates
or trusts and whose income exceeds certain thresholds generally will be subject to a 3.8% Medicare contribution tax on unearned
income, including, without limitation, dividends on, and gains from the sale or other taxable disposition of, China Ceramics’
securities, subject to certain limitations and exceptions. Under regulations, in the absence of a special election, such unearned
income generally would not include income inclusions under the qualified electing fund, or QEF, rules discussed below under “
Passive Foreign Investment Company Rules,” but would include distributions of earnings and profits from a QEF. U.S. Holders
should consult their own tax advisors regarding the effect, if any, of such tax on their ownership and disposition of China Ceramics’
securities.
Passive Foreign Investment Company Rules
A foreign (i.e., non-U.S.) corporation
will be a PFIC if at least 75% of its gross income in a taxable year of the foreign corporation, including its pro rata share
of the gross income of any corporation in which it is considered to own at least 25% of the shares by value, is passive income.
Alternatively, a foreign corporation will be a PFIC if at least 50% of its assets in a taxable year of the foreign corporation,
ordinarily determined based on fair market value and averaged quarterly over the year, including its pro rata share of the assets
of any corporation in which it is considered to own at least 25% of the shares by value, are held for the production of, or produce,
passive income. Passive income generally includes dividends, interest, rents and royalties (other than certain rents or royalties
derived from the active conduct of a trade or business) and gains from the disposition of passive assets.
Based on the composition (and estimated
values) of the assets and the nature of the income of China Ceramics and its subsidiaries during its 2015 taxable year, China
Ceramics does not believe that it was treated as a PFIC for such year. However, because China Ceramics has not performed a definitive
analysis as to its PFIC status for its 2015 taxable year, there can be no assurance in respect to its PFIC status for such year.
There also can be no assurance with respect to China Ceramics’ status as a PFIC for its current (2016) taxable year or any
future taxable year.
If China Ceramics is determined to be a
PFIC for any taxable year (or portion thereof) that is included in the holding period of a U.S. Holder of China Ceramics’
shares and, the U.S. Holder did not make a timely QEF election for China Ceramics’ first taxable year as a PFIC in which
the U.S. Holder held (or was deemed to hold) shares, a QEF election along with a purging election or a mark-to-market election,
each as described below, such holder generally will be subject to special rules for regular U.S. federal income tax purposes with
respect to:
|
·
|
any
gain recognized by the U.S. Holder on the sale or other disposition of its shares; and
|
|
·
|
any
“excess distribution” made to the U.S. Holder (generally, any distributions
to such U.S. Holder during a taxable year of the U.S. Holder that are greater than 125%
of the average annual distributions received by such U.S. Holder in respect of the shares
of China Ceramics during the three preceding taxable years of such U.S. Holder or, if
shorter, such U.S. Holder’s holding period for the shares).
|
Under these rules:
|
·
|
the
U.S. Holder’s gain or excess distribution will be allocated ratably over the U.S.
Holder’s holding period for the shares;
|
|
·
|
the
amount allocated to the U.S. Holder’s taxable year in which the U.S. Holder recognized
the gain or received the excess distribution or to the period in the U.S. Holder’s
holding period before the first day of the first taxable year of China Ceramics in which
China Ceramics qualified as a PFIC will be taxed as ordinary income;
|
|
·
|
the
amount allocated to other taxable years (or portions thereof) of the U.S. Holder and
included in its holding period will be taxed at the highest tax rate in effect for that
year and applicable to the U.S. Holder; and
|
|
·
|
the
interest charge generally applicable to underpayments of tax will be imposed in respect
of the tax attributable to each such other taxable year of the U.S. Holder.
|
In general, if we are determined to be
a PFIC, a U.S. Holder may avoid the PFIC tax consequences described above in respect to its shares in China Ceramics by making
a timely QEF election (or a QEF election along with a purging election). Pursuant to the QEF election, a U.S. Holder generally
will be required to include in income its pro rata share of China Ceramics’ net capital gains (as long-term capital gain)
and other earnings and profits (as ordinary income), on a current basis, in each case whether or not distributed, in the taxable
year of the U.S. Holder in which or with which China Ceramics’ taxable year ends if China Ceramics is treated as a PFIC
for that taxable year. A U.S. Holder may make a separate election to defer the payment of taxes on undistributed income inclusions
under the QEF rules, but if deferred, any such taxes will be subject to an interest charge.
The QEF election is made on a shareholder-by-shareholder
basis and, once made, can be revoked only with the consent of the IRS. A U.S. Holder generally makes a QEF election by attaching
a completed IRS Form 8621 (Information Return by a Shareholder of a Passive Foreign Investment Company or Qualified Electing Fund),
including the information provided in a PFIC annual information statement, to a timely filed U.S. federal income tax return for
the taxable year to which the election relates. Retroactive QEF elections generally may be made only by filing a protective statement
with such return and if certain other conditions are met or with the consent of the IRS.
In order to comply with the requirements
of a QEF election, a U.S. Holder must receive certain information from China Ceramics. Upon request from a U.S. Holder, China
Ceramics will endeavor to provide to the U.S. Holder, no later than 90 days after the request, such information as the IRS may
require, including a PFIC annual information statement, in order to enable the U.S. Holder to make and maintain a QEF election.
However, there is no assurance that China Ceramics will have timely knowledge of its status as a PFIC in the future or of the
required information to be provided.
If a U.S. Holder has made a QEF election
with respect to its shares in China Ceramics, and the special tax and interest charge rules do not apply to such shares (because
of a timely QEF election for China Ceramics’ first taxable year as a PFIC in which the U.S. Holder holds (or is deemed to
hold) such shares or a QEF election, along with a purge of the PFIC taint pursuant to a purging election, as described below),
any gain recognized on the sale or other taxable disposition of such shares generally will be taxable as capital gain and no interest
charge will be imposed. As discussed above, for regular U.S. federal income tax purposes, U.S. Holders of a QEF generally are
currently taxed on their pro rata shares of the QEF’s earnings and profits, whether or not distributed. In such case, a
subsequent distribution of such earnings and profits that were previously included in income generally should not be taxable as
a dividend to such U.S. Holders. The adjusted tax basis of a U.S. Holder’s shares in a QEF will be increased by amounts
that are included in income, and decreased by amounts distributed but not taxed as dividends, under the above rules. Similar basis
adjustments apply to property if by reason of holding such property the U.S. Holder is treated under the applicable attribution
rules as owning shares in a QEF.
Although a determination as to China Ceramics’
PFIC status will be made annually, an initial determination that it is a PFIC generally will apply for subsequent years to a U.S.
Holder who held shares of China Ceramics while it was a PFIC, whether or not it met the test for PFIC status in those subsequent
years. A U.S. Holder who makes the QEF election discussed above for China Ceramics’ first taxable year as a PFIC in which
the U.S. Holder holds (or is deemed to hold) shares in China Ceramics, however, will not be subject to the PFIC tax and interest
charge rules discussed above in respect to such shares. In addition, such U.S. Holder will not be subject to the QEF inclusion
regime with respect to such shares for any taxable year of China Ceramics that ends within or with a taxable year of the U.S.
Holder and in which China Ceramics is not a PFIC. On the other hand, if the QEF election is not effective for each of the taxable
years of China Ceramics in which China Ceramics is a PFIC and during which the U.S. Holder holds (or is deemed to hold) shares
in China Ceramics, the PFIC rules discussed above will continue to apply to such shares unless the holder files on a timely filed
U.S. income tax return (including extensions) a QEF election and a purging election to recognize under the rules of Section 1291
of the Code any gain that the U.S. Holder would otherwise recognize if the U.S. Holder had sold its shares for their fair market
value on the “qualification” date. The qualification date is the first day of China Ceramics’ tax year in which
it qualifies as a QEF with respect to such U.S. Holder. The purging election can only be made if such U.S. Holder held shares
on the qualification date. The gain recognized by the purging election will be subject to the special tax and interest charge
rules treating the gain as an excess distribution, as described above. As a result of the purging election, the U.S. Holder will
increase the adjusted tax basis in its shares by the amount of the gain recognized and will also have a new holding period in
the shares for purposes of the PFIC rules.
Alternatively, if a U.S. Holder, at the
close of its taxable year, owns shares in a PFIC that are treated as marketable stock, the U.S. Holder may make a mark-to-market
election with respect to such shares for such taxable year. If the U.S. Holder makes a valid mark-to-market election for the first
taxable year of the U.S. Holder in which the U.S. Holder holds (or is deemed to hold) shares in China Ceramics and for which China
Ceramics is determined to be a PFIC, such holder generally will not be subject to the PFIC rules described above in respect to
its shares as long as such shares continue to be treated as marketable stock. Instead, in general, the U.S. Holder will include
as ordinary income for each year that China Ceramics is treated as a PFIC, the excess, if any, of the fair market value of its
shares at the end of its taxable year over the adjusted tax basis in its shares. The U.S. Holder also will be allowed to take
an ordinary loss in respect of the excess, if any, of the adjusted tax basis of its shares over the fair market value of its shares
at the end of its taxable year (but only to the extent of the net amount of previously included income as a result of the mark-to-market
election). The U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in its shares will be adjusted to reflect any such income or loss amounts,
and any further gain recognized on a sale or other taxable disposition of the shares in a taxable year in which China Ceramics
is treated as a PFIC generally will be treated as ordinary income. Special tax rules may apply if a U.S. Holder makes a mark-to-market
election for a taxable year after the U.S. Holder holds (or is deemed to hold) the shares and for which China Ceramics is determined
to be a PFIC.
The mark-to-market election is available
only for stock that is regularly traded on a national securities exchange that is registered with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, including the NASDAQ Stock Market, or on a foreign exchange or market that the IRS determines has rules sufficient
to ensure that the market price represents a legitimate and sound fair market value. Although China Ceramics’ shares are
currently listed and traded on the NASDAQ Stock Market, it cannot guarantee that its shares will continue to be listed or traded
on the NASDAQ Stock Market. U.S. Holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the availability and tax consequences
of a mark-to-market election in respect to the shares of China Ceramics under their particular circumstances.
If China Ceramics is a PFIC and, at any
time, has a foreign subsidiary that is classified as a PFIC, a U.S. Holder of China Ceramics’ shares generally should be
deemed to own a portion of the shares of such lower-tier PFIC, and generally could incur liability for the deferred tax and interest
charge described above if China Ceramics receives a distribution from, or disposes of all or part of its interest in, or the U.S.
Holder were otherwise deemed to have disposed of an interest in, the lower-tier PFIC. Upon request, China Ceramics will endeavor
to cause any lower-tier PFIC to provide to a U.S. Holder no later than 90 days after the request the information that may be required
to make or maintain a QEF election with respect to the lower- tier PFIC. However, there is no assurance that China Ceramics will
have timely knowledge of the status of any such lower-tier PFIC or will be able to cause the lower-tier PFIC to provide the required
information. A mark-to-market election generally would not be available with respect to such a lower-tier PFIC. U.S. Holders are
urged to consult their own tax advisors regarding the tax issues raised by lower-tier PFICs.
A U.S. Holder that owns (or is deemed to
own) shares in a PFIC during any taxable year of the U.S. Holder may have to file an IRS Form 8621 (whether or not a QEF election
or mark-to-market election is or has been made) with such U.S. Holder’s U.S. federal income tax return and provide such
other information as may be required by the U.S. Treasury Department.
The rules dealing with PFICs and with the
QEF and mark-to-market elections are very complex and are affected by various factors in addition to those described above. Accordingly,
U.S. Holders of shares in China Ceramics should consult their own tax advisors concerning the application of the PFIC rules to
such shares under their particular circumstances.
Non-U.S. Holders
Cash dividends paid or deemed paid to a
Non-U.S. Holder in respect to its securities in China Ceramics generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax, unless
the dividends are effectively connected with the Non-U.S. Holder’s conduct of a trade or business within the United States
(and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, are attributable to a permanent establishment or fixed base that such holder
maintains or maintained in the United States).
In addition, a Non-U.S. Holder generally
will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on any gain attributable to a sale or other taxable disposition of securities in
China Ceramics unless such gain is effectively connected with its conduct of a trade or business in the United States (and, if
required by an applicable income tax treaty, is attributable to a permanent establishment or fixed base that such holder maintains
or maintained in the United States) or the Non-U.S. Holder is an individual who is present in the United States for 183 days or
more in the taxable year of such sale or other disposition and certain other conditions are met (in which case, such gain from
U.S. sources generally is subject to U.S. federal income tax at a 30% rate or a lower applicable tax treaty rate).
Dividends and gains that are effectively
connected with the Non-U.S. Holder’s conduct of a trade or business in the United States (and, if required by an applicable
income tax treaty, are attributable to a permanent establishment or fixed base that such holder maintains or maintained in the
United States) generally will be subject to regular U.S. federal income tax at the same regular U.S. federal income tax rates
applicable to a comparable U.S. Holder and, in the case of a Non-U.S. Holder that is a corporation for U.S. federal income tax
purposes, may also be subject to an additional branch profits tax at a 30% rate or a lower applicable tax treaty rate.
Backup Withholding and Information Reporting
In general, information reporting for U.S.
federal income tax purposes should apply to distributions made on the securities of China Ceramics within the United States to
a U.S. Holder (other than an exempt recipient) and to the proceeds from sales and other dispositions of securities of China Ceramics
by a U.S. Holder (other than an exempt recipient) to or through a U.S. office of a broker. Payments made (and sales and other
dispositions effected at an office) outside the United States will be subject to information reporting in limited circumstances.
In addition, certain information concerning a U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in its securities and adjustments to that
tax basis and whether any gain or loss with respect to such securities is long-term or short-term also may be required to be reported
to the IRS, and certain holders may be required to file an IRS Form 8938 (Statement of Specified Foreign Financial Assets) to
report their interest in our securities.
Moreover, backup withholding of U.S. federal
income tax at a rate of 28% generally will apply to dividends paid on the securities of China Ceramics to a U.S. Holder (other
than an exempt recipient) and the proceeds from sales and other dispositions of securities of China Ceramics by a U.S. Holder
(other than an exempt recipient), in each case who (a) fails to provide an accurate taxpayer identification number; (b) is notified
by the IRS that backup withholding is required; or (c) in certain circumstances, fails to comply with applicable certification
requirements.
A Non-U.S. Holder generally may eliminate
the requirement for information reporting and backup withholding by providing certification of its foreign status, under penalties
of perjury, on a duly executed applicable IRS Form W-8 or by otherwise establishing an exemption.
Backup withholding is not an additional
tax. Rather, the amount of any backup withholding will be allowed as a credit against a U.S. Holder’s or a Non-U.S. Holder’s
U.S. federal income tax liability and may entitle such holder to a refund, provided that certain required information is timely
furnished to the IRS. Holders are urged to consult their own tax advisors regarding the application of backup withholding and
the availability of and procedures for obtaining an exemption from backup withholding in their particular circumstances.
|
F.
|
Dividends and paying agents
|
Not required.
Not required.
Documents concerning us that are referred
to in this document may be inspected at Junbing Industrial Zone, Anhai, Jinjiang City, Fujian Province, PRC.
In addition, we file annual reports and
other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We file annual reports on Form 20-F and submit other information
under cover of Form 6-K. As a foreign private issuer, we are exempt from the proxy requirements of Section 14 of the Exchange
Act and our officers, directors and principal shareholders are exempt from the insider short-swing disclosure and profit recovery
rules of Section 16 of the Exchange Act. Annual reports and other information we file with the Commission may be inspected at
the public reference facilities maintained by the Commission at Room 1024, 100 F. Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549, and copies
of all or any part thereof may be obtained from such offices upon payment of the prescribed fees. You may call the Commission
at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the operation of the public reference rooms and you can request copies of the documents
upon payment of a duplicating fee, by writing to the Commission. In addition, the Commission maintains a web site that contains
reports and other information regarding registrants (including us) that file electronically with the Commission which can be assessed
at http://www.sec.gov.
|
I.
|
Subsidiary Information
|
Not required.
|
ITEM
11.
|
QUANTITATIVE
AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURE ABOUT MARKET RISK
|
Interest Rate Risk
Our exposure to interest rate risk primarily
relates to our outstanding debts and interest income generated by excess cash, which is mostly held in interest-bearing bank deposits.
Interest-earning instruments carry a degree of interest rate risk. As of December 31, 2015, our total outstanding loans for the
continuing operations amounted to RMB 40.1 million ($ 6.2 million) with interest rates in the range of 2.5700% to 3.1700% per
annum. We have not been exposed, nor do we anticipate being exposed, to material risks due to changes in market interest rates.
Foreign Currency Risk
During 2013 and 2014, we entered into certain
foreign currency transaction agreements with an unaffiliated financial institution related to the fluctuation in value of the
Renminbi against the U.S. dollar, for investment and not hedging purposes. The Company recorded fair value gains on these agreements
totaling RMB 3,346,000 for the year ended December 31, 2013. However, in 2014, as the Renminbi depreciated against the U.S. dollar,
we incurred realized and unrealized losses totaling RMB 54,977,000 for the year ended December 31, 2014 in connection with these
agreements. We do not intend to enter into similar investment transactions in the future.
In June 2014, we, our Chief Executive Officer
and the Audit Committee set out to attempt to terminate the foreign currency transaction agreements; and to reach a resolution
that would preclude the depletion of our liquid assets by virtue of its having entered into the foreign currency transaction agreements.
Ultimately our Chief Executive Officer agreed to cause an entity controlled by him to assume those agreements. On July 31, 2014,
Sound Treasure Limited, our largest shareholder and an affiliate of our Chief Executive Officer, executed an agreement (the “Novation”)
with us and the financial institution that originated the foreign currency transaction agreements pursuant to which Sound Treasure
Limited assumed these agreements and all assets (mainly deposits placed with the financial institution) and all existing and future
liabilities arising under these agreements, and we were released from the liabilities arising under the foreign currency transaction
agreements. As a result, we will not be required to fund any losses related to these agreements, and will neither suffer any future
liabilities arising under those agreements nor enjoy any benefits arising under those agreements.
At the time that each of the foreign currency
transaction agreements was established with the financial institution, we were required to deposit monies (the “Deposits”)
with the financial institution that was the counterparty to the agreements. RMB 6.7 million of a total of RMB 15.6 million in
deposits that we made were funded on our behalf by Wong Kung Tok (who is the brother-in-law of our Chief Executive Officer), and
were included in a total of RMB 40.2 million in loans owing by us to Wong Kung Tok as of July 9, 2014. In connection with the
Novation discussed above, our Chief Executive Officer, Sound Treasure Limited and Wong Kung Tok executed an agreement with the
Company on July 31, 2014 (the “Offset Agreement”) pursuant to which loans totaling RMB 20.7 million owed by us to
Wong Kung Tok were transferred to Sound Treasure Limited and then were forgiven by Sound Treasure Limited, and in return the Company
agreed to forego any claim to RMB 15.6 million in Deposits under the foreign currency transaction agreements which will be transferred
to Sound Treasure Limited pursuant to the Novation.
The Novation and the Offset Agreement became
effective on July 31, 2014. As a result of these transactions, Sound Treasure Limited released us from liabilities aggregating
RMB 76.8 million and we transferred ownership of RMB 15.6 million in deposits held at the financial institution from us to Sound
Treasure Limited. As a result of the Novation and the Offset Agreement, approximately RMB 76.8 million in liabilities on our books
were extinguished in 2014 and the Capital Reserve account was increased by approximately RMB 61.3 million.
Except as disclosed above, we do not currently
have any significant foreign exchange exposure as our sales and purchases are predominantly denominated in RMB. As of December
31, 2017, nearly all of our monetary assets and monetary liabilities were denominated in RMB except for certain bank balances,
bank borrowings and other payables which were denominated in US dollars. However, in the future, a proportion of our sales may
be denominated in other currencies as we expand into overseas markets. In such circumstances, we anticipate our primary market
risk, if any, to be related to fluctuations in exchange rates. Exchange rate risk may arise if we are required to use different
currencies for various aspects of its operations.
The Renminbi’s exchange rate with
the U.S. dollar and other currencies is affected by, among other things, changes in China’s political and economic conditions.
The exchange rate for conversion of Renminbi into foreign currencies is heavily influenced by intervention in the foreign exchange
market by the People’s Bank of China. From 1995 until July 2005, the People’s Bank of China intervened in the foreign
exchange market to maintain an exchange rate of approximately 8.3 Renminbi per U.S. dollar. On July 21, 2005, the PRC government
changed this policy and began allowing modest appreciation of the Renminbi versus the U.S. dollar. However, the Renminbi is restricted
to a rise or fall of no more than 0.5% per day versus the U.S. dollar, and the People’s Bank of China continues to intervene
in the foreign exchange market to prevent significant short-term fluctuations in the Renminbi exchange rate. On March 17, 2014,
the People’s Bank of China announced that the RMB exchange rate flexibility increased to 2% in order to proceed further
with reform of the RMB exchange rate regime. These could result in a further and more significant floatation in the RMB’s
value against the U.S. dollar. The international reaction to the RMB revaluation has generally been positive. But, international
pressure continues to be placed on the Chinese government to adopt an even more flexible currency policy, which could result in
significant fluctuation of the RMB against the U.S. dollar.
Very limited hedging transactions are available
in China to reduce our exposure to exchange rate fluctuations. While we have no present intention to enter into currency hedging
transactions in the future. we may decide to enter into hedging transactions if we are exposed to foreign currency risk. The availability
and effectiveness of these hedging transactions may be limited and we may not be able to successfully hedge our exposure at all.
In addition, our currency exchange losses may be magnified by PRC exchange control regulations that restrict our ability to convert
Renminbi into foreign currency.
|
ITEM
12.
|
DESCRIPTION
OF SECURITIES OTHER THAN EQUITY SECURITIES
|
Not required.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated
financial statements.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated
financial statements.
China Ceramics Co., Ltd.
(“China Ceramics” or the “Company”) is a British Virgin Islands company operating under the BVI Business
Companies Act (2004) with its shares listed on the NASDAQ (“symbol: CCCL”). Its predecessor company, China Holdings
Acquisition Corp. (“CHAC”), was incorporated in Delaware on June 22, 2007, and was organized as a blank check company
for the purpose of acquiring, through a stock exchange, asset acquisition or other similar business combination, or controlling,
through contractual arrangements, an operating business, that has its principal operations in Asia. The Company has no operations
and has no assets or liabilities of consequence outside its investments in its operating subsidiaries. The head office of the
Company is located at Junbing Industrial Zone, Jinjiang City, Fujian Province, the People’s Republic of China (“PRC”).
On November 20, 2009,
CHAC merged with and into China Ceramics, its wholly owned British Virgin Islands subsidiary, with China Ceramics surviving the
merger (the “Redomestication”). On the same day, pursuant to the terms of a merger and stock purchase agreement dated
August 19, 2009 (the “acquisition agreement”), China Ceramics acquired all of the outstanding securities of Success
Winner Limited (“Success Winner”) held by Mr. Wong Kung Tok in exchange for US$10.00 and 5,743,320 shares of China
Ceramics (the “Success Winner Acquisition”). The total number of issued and outstanding shares of China Ceramics immediately
after the acquisition was 8,950,171.
Prior to the Success Winner
Acquisition on November 20, 2009, neither CHAC nor China Ceramics had an operating business.
Jinjiang Hengda Ceramics
Co., Ltd. (“Hengda”), which became the operating entity of China Ceramics in connection with the Success Winner Acquisition,
was established on September 30, 1993 under the laws of PRC with 15% of its equity interest owned by Fujian Province Jinjiang
City Anhai Junbing Hengda Construction Material Factory (“Anhai Hengda”) and 85% owned by Chi Wah Trading Import and
Export Company (“Chi Wah”). Chi Wah is a sole proprietor under the laws of Hong Kong with its legal and equitable
interest solely owned by Mr. Wong Kung Tok. Anhai Hengda was owned by Mr. Wong Kung Tok’s family, which was considered an
act-in-concert party of Mr. Wong Kung Tok for accounting purposes.
Hengda is principally
engaged in the manufacture and sale of ceramic tiles used for exterior siding and for interior flooring and design in residential
and commercial buildings.
Hengda’s owners
reorganized the corporate structure in 2008 and 2009 (the “Hengda Reorganization” or the “Reorganization”),
as follows:
Stand Best Creation Limited
(“Stand Best”) was established on January 17, 2008 under the laws of Hong Kong with its paid-up share capital being
HK$1.00 divided into 1 ordinary share solely owned by Mr. Wong Kung Tok. Stand Best acquired 100% of Hengda’s equity interest
from Anhai Hengda and Chi Wah on April 1, 2008 at the consideration of RMB58,980,000.
Success Winner Limited
(“Success Winner”) was incorporated in the British Virgin Islands on May 29, 2009 as a limited liability company.
Its paid-up and issued capital is US$1 divided into 1 ordinary share solely owned by Mr. Wong Kung Tok.
On June 30, 2009, through
a capitalization agreement between Mr. Wong Kung Tok and Stand Best, Stand Best capitalized a shareholder loan due to Mr. Wong
Kung Tok in the amount of HK$67.9 million (equivalent to approximately RMB58.9 million) through the issuance of an aggregate of
9,999 ordinary shares of HK$1.00 par value which Mr. Wong Kung Tok allotted to Success Winner.
On the same date, Mr.
Wong Kung Tok transferred his ownership of the remaining 1 ordinary share of Stand Best to Success Winner, thus making Success
Winner the sole parent company of Stand Best.
On January 8, 2010, Hengda
completed the acquisition of all voting equity interests of Jiangxi Hengdali Ceramic Materials Co., Ltd. (“Hengdali”
or the “Gaoan Facility”), located in Gaoan, Jiangxi Province (the “Hengdali Acquisition”). Hengdali manufactures
and sells ceramics tiles used for exterior siding and for interior flooring. In total, Hengda assumed loans of RMB 60.0 million
and paid cash consideration of RMB185.5 million for the acquisition.
On September 17, 2013,
Fujian Province Hengdali Building Materials Co., Ltd. (“Fujian Hengdali”) was incorporated in Pingtan, Fujian Province,
100% owned by Hengda. Fujian Hengdali’s approved scope of business includes sales of building materials and interior and
exterior decoration materials. Fujian Hengdali had no operations since the incorporation date, and in August 2017, the Company
disposed of Fujian Hengdali for RMB0 to a third-party. A loss on disposal of RMB736,000 was recognized in other expenses for the
year ended December 31, 2017 relating to this transaction.
On September 22, 2017, Success Winner incorporated
a 100% owned subsidiary Vast Elite Limited (“Vast Elite”) in Hong Kong with an initial registered capital of HKD1.
Vast Elite is engaged in the trading of building materials, but had no operations during the year ended December 31, 2017.
China Ceramics and
its subsidiaries’ (the “Company”) corporate structure as of December 31, 2017 is as follows:
1. All The registered capital of Hengda, Hengdali,
Fujian Hengdali and Vast Elite had been fully paid up.
2. Fujian Henngali was disposed in August
2017.
The consolidated financial
statements have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRSs”) as issued by
the International Accounting Standards Board (“IASB”), which collective term includes all applicable individual International
Financial Reporting Standards, International Accounting Standards and Interpretations issued by the IASB.
The significant accounting
policies that have been used in the preparation of these consolidated financial statements are summarized below. These policies
have been consistently applied to all the years presented unless otherwise stated. The adoption of new or amended IFRSs and the
impacts on the Company’s financial statements, if any, are disclosed in Note 3.
The consolidated financial
statements have been prepared on the historical cost basis, except for derivative financial instruments that have been measured
at fair value.
The preparation of financial
statements in conformity with IFRSs requires management to make judgments, estimates and assumptions that affect the application
of policies and reported amounts of assets, liabilities, income and expenses. The estimates and associated assumptions are based
on historical experience and various other factors believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form
the basis of making the judgements about carrying amounts of assets and liabilities not readily apparent from other sources. Actual
results may differ from these estimates.
The estimates and underlying
assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognized in the period in which the estimate
is revised if the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods if the revision affects
both current and future periods.
Judgments made by management
in the application of IFRSs that have significant effect on the financial statements and major sources of estimation uncertainty
are discussed in Note 4.
The consolidated financial
statements were approved and authorized for issue by the Board of Directors on May 4
,
2018.
The Success Winner Acquisition
on November 22, 2009 has been accounted for as a reverse recapitalization. The acquisition agreement resulted in the former owner
of Success Winner obtaining effective operating and financial control of the combined entity. Prior to the acquisition, China
Ceramics had no operating business. Accordingly, the acquisition does not constitute a business combination for accounting purposes
and is accounted for as a capital transaction. That is, the transaction is in substance a reverse recapitalization, equivalent
to the issuance of equity interests by Success Winner for the net monetary assets of China Ceramics accompanied by a recapitalization.
The consolidated financial statements are a continuation of the financial statements of Success Winner. The assets and liabilities
of China Ceramics are recognized at their carrying amounts at the date of acquisition with a corresponding credit to the consolidated
equity and no goodwill or other intangible assets are recognized. The equity of the combined entity recognized at the date of
acquisition represents the equity balances of Success Winner together with the deemed proceeds from the reverse recapitalization
determined as described above. However, the equity structure presented in the consolidated financial statements (number and values
of equity instruments issued) reflects the equity structure of the legal parent, China Ceramics. Costs directly attributable to
the transaction have been debited to equity to the extent of net monetary assets received.
Success Winner and its
subsidiaries as a group is regarded as a continuing entity resulting from the Hengda Reorganization since the management of all
the entities which took part in the Reorganization were controlled by the same director and shareholder before and immediately
after the Reorganization. Immediately after the Reorganization, there was a continuation of the control over the entities’
financial and operating policy decision and risk and benefits to the ultimate shareholders that existed prior to the Reorganization.
Accordingly, the reorganization has been accounted for as a reorganization under common control and the financial statements of
Success Winner, Stand Best and Hengda have been combined on the basis of merger accounting for all periods presented.
The assets and liabilities
of the combining entities or businesses are combined using the existing book values from the controlling party’s perspective.
No amount is recognized as consideration for goodwill or excess of the acquirer’s interest in the net fair values of the
acquiree’s identifiable assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities over cost at the time of the common control combination.
The consolidated statement of comprehensive income includes the results of each of the combining entities or businesses from the
earliest date presented or the date of their incorporation/establishment or since the date when the combining entities or businesses
first came under common control, where this is a shorter period, regardless of the date of the common control combination.
The Hengdali Acquisition
on January 8, 2010 has been accounted for as a business combination using the acquisition method. Hengdali is a subsidiary of
the Company, and the Company has the power to govern the financial and operating policies which accompanies its shareholding of
100% of the voting rights in Hengdali. Therefore, Hengdali as a subsidiary is fully consolidated from January 8, 2010, the date
on which control was transferred to the Company.
The accounting for the
Hengdali Acquisition under the acquisition method, treats the consideration transferred for the acquisition of Hengdali as the
fair values of the assets transferred, the liabilities incurred and the equity interests issued by the Company. The consideration
transferred includes the fair value of any asset or liability resulting from a contingent consideration arrangement. Acquisition-related
costs are expensed as incurred. Identifiable assets acquired and liabilities and contingent liabilities assumed in this business
combination are measured initially at their fair values at the acquisition date.
The excess of the consideration
transferred over the fair value of the identifiable net assets acquired is recorded as goodwill.
The Company’s financial
statements consolidate those of the Company and all of its subsidiaries as of December 31, 2017. Subsidiaries are entities controlled
by the Company. The Company controls an entity when it is exposed, or has rights, to variable returns from its involvement with
the entity and has the ability to affect those returns through its power over the entity. When assessing whether the Company has
power, only substantive rights (held by the Company and other parties) are considered. All subsidiaries have a reporting date
of December 31.
An investment in a subsidiary
is consolidated into the consolidated financial statements form the date that control commences until the date that control ceases.
Inter-company transactions, balances and unrealized gains or losses on transactions between group companies are eliminated. Accounting
policies of subsidiaries have been changed where necessary to ensure consistency with the policies adopted by the Company.
The financial statements
are presented in RMB (to the nearest thousand), being the currency that best reflects the economic substance of the underlying
events and circumstances relevant to the Company. The Company’s operations are conducted through the subsidiaries in the
People’s Republic of China (“PRC”). The functional currency of these subsidiaries is Renminbi (“RMB”).
The functional currency of China Ceramics is the United State dollars (US$).
In the individual financial
statements of the consolidated entities, foreign currency transactions are translated into the functional currency of the individual
entity using the exchange rates prevailing at the dates of the transactions. At the reporting date, monetary assets and liabilities
denominated in foreign currencies are translated at the foreign exchange rates ruling at that date. Foreign exchange gains and
losses resulting from the settlement of such transactions and from the reporting date retranslation of monetary assets and liabilities
are recognized in profit or loss.
Non-monetary items carried
at fair value that are denominated in foreign currencies are retranslated at the rates prevailing on the date when the fair value
was determined and are reported as part of the fair value gain or loss. Non-monetary items that are measured in terms of historical
cost in a foreign currency are not retranslated.
In the consolidated financial
statements, all individual financial statements of foreign operations, originally presented in a currency different from the Company’s
presentation currency, have been converted into Renminbi. Assets and liabilities have been translated into Renminbi at the closing
rates at the reporting date. Income and expenses have been converted into Renminbi at the exchange rates ruling at the transaction
dates, or at the average rates over the reporting period provided that the exchange rates do not fluctuate significantly. Any
differences arising from this procedure have been recognized in other comprehensive income and accumulated separately in the currency
translation reserve in equity.
When a foreign operation
is sold, such exchange differences are reclassified from equity to profit or loss as part of the gain or loss on sale.
The translation of certain
RMB amounts as of and for the year ended December 31, 2017 into US$ is included in these financial statements solely for the convenience
of readers and was made at the rate of RMB6.53 to US$1.00, which was based on the noon buying rate on December 31, 2017 in the
City of New York cable transfers of RMB as certified for customers purposes by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. Such translation
should be construed as representation that RMB amounts could be converted, realized or settled into US$ at the rate stated above
or at any other rate.
When a lease includes
both land and building elements, the Company assesses the classification of each element as a finance or an operating lease separately
based on the assessment as to whether substantially all the risks and rewards incidental to ownership of each element have been
transferred to the Company, unless it is clear that both elements are operating leases in which case the entire lease is classified
as an operating lease. Specifically, the minimum lease payments (including any lump sum upfront payments) are allocated between
the land and the building elements in proportion to the relative fair values of the leasehold interests in the land element and
building element of the lease at the inception of the lease.
To the extent the allocation
of the lease payments can be made reliably, interest in leasehold land that is accounted for as an operating lease is presented
as "land use rights" in the consolidated statements of financial position and is amortized over the lease term on a
straight-line basis.
All buildings are depreciated
over their expected useful lives of 40 years.
Property, plant and equipment
are stated in the consolidated statements of financial position at cost less any accumulated depreciation and any accumulated
impairment losses.
Depreciation is provided
to write off the cost less their residual values over their estimated useful lives as follows, using the straight-line method:
The assets’ residual
values, depreciation methods and useful lives are reviewed, and adjusted if appropriate, at the end of each reporting period,
with the effect of any changes in estimate accounted for on a prospective basis.
Historical cost includes
expenditure that is directly attributable to the acquisition of the items. Subsequent costs are included in the asset’s
carrying amount or recognized as a separate asset, as appropriate, only when it is probable that future economic benefits associated
with the item will flow to the Company and the cost of the item can be measured reliably. The carrying amount of the replaced
part is derecognized. All other costs, such as repairs and maintenance, are charged to profit or loss during the financial period
in which they are incurred.
An asset’s carrying
amount is written down immediately to its recoverable amount if the asset’s carrying amount is greater than its estimated
recoverable amount.
The gain or loss arising
on retirement or disposal is determined as the difference between the sales proceeds and the carrying amount of the asset and
is recognized in profit or loss.
Investment properties
are properties held to earn rentals or for capital appreciation.
Investment properties
are initially measured at historical cost, including any directly attributable expenditure. Subsequent to initial recognition,
investment properties are measured at their historical cost less any accumulated depreciation and any accumulated impairment losses.
Historical cost includes
expenditure that is directly attributable to the acquisition of the items. Subsequent costs are included in the asset’s carrying
amount or recognized as a separate asset, as appropriate, only when it is probable that future economic benefits associated with
the item will flow to the Company and the cost of the item can be measured reliably. The carrying amount of the replaced part is
derecognized. All other costs, such as repairs and maintenance, are charged to profit or loss during the financial period in which
they are incurred.
An asset’s carrying
amount is written down immediately to its recoverable amount if the asset’s carrying amount is greater than its estimated
recoverable amount.
The gain or loss arising on retirement or disposal is determined as the difference between the sales
proceeds and the carrying amount of the asset and is recognized in profit or loss.
An investment property
is derecognized upon disposal or when the investment property is permanently withdrawn from use or no future economic benefits
are expected from its disposal. Any gain or loss arising on derecognition of the property (calculated as the difference between
the net disposal proceeds and the carrying amount of the asset) is included in profit or loss in the period in which the item
is derecognized.
Upfront payments made
to acquire land held under an operating lease are stated at cost less accumulated amortization and any accumulated impairment
losses. Amortization is calculated on a straight line basis over the leasing period of 50 years.
Goodwill arising on an
acquisition of a business is carried at cost as established at the date of acquisition of the business less accumulated impairment
losses, if any.
For the purposes of impairment
testing, goodwill is allocated to each of the Company’s cash-generating units, or groups of cash-generating units, that
is expected to benefit from the synergies of the combination.
A cash-generating unit
to which goodwill has been allocated is tested for impairment annually, or more frequently whenever there is indication that the
unit may be impaired. If some or all of the goodwill allocated to a cash-generating unit was acquired in a business combination
during the current annual period, that unit shall be tested for impairment before the end of the current annual period. If the
recoverable amount of the cash-generating unit is less than the carrying amount, the impairment loss is allocated first to reduce
the carrying amount of any goodwill allocated to the unit and then to the other assets of the unit on a pro – rata basis
based on the carrying amount of each asset in the unit. Any impairment loss for goodwill is recognized directly in profit or loss.
An impairment loss recognized for goodwill is not reversed in subsequent periods.
On disposal of the relevant cash generating
unit, the attributable amount of goodwill is included in the determination of the profit or loss on disposal.
Inventories are carried
at the lower of cost and net realizable value. Cost is determined using the weighted average basis, and in the case of work in
progress and finished goods, comprises direct materials, direct labor and an appropriate proportion of overhead.
Net realizable value is
the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business less the estimated cost of completion and applicable selling expenses.
When inventories are sold,
the carrying amount of those inventories is recognized as an expense in the period in which the related revenue is recognized.
The amount of any write-down of inventories to net realizable value and all losses of inventories are recognized as an expense
in the period the write-down or loss occurs. The amount of any reversal of any write-down of inventories is recognized as a reduction
in the amount of inventories recognized as an expense in the period in which the reversal occurs.
Cash and cash equivalents
include cash at bank and in hand, demand deposits with banks and short term highly liquid investments with original maturities
of three months or less that are readily convertible into known amounts of cash and which are subject to an insignificant risk
of changes in value. For the purpose of the statement of cash flows presentation, cash and cash equivalents include bank overdrafts
which are repayable on demand and form an integral part of the Company’s cash management.
Financial assets and financial
liabilities are recognized when the Company becomes a party to the contractual provisions of the financial instrument and are
measured initially at fair value adjusted by transaction costs, except for those carried at fair value through profit or loss
which are measured initially at fair value. Subsequent measurement of financial assets and financial liabilities are described
below.
Financial assets are derecognized
when the contractual rights to the cash flows from the financial asset expire, or when the financial asset and all substantial
risks and rewards are transferred. A financial liability is derecognized when it is extinguished, discharged, cancelled or expires.
The Company’s financial
assets include cash and short-term deposits, trade receivables and derivative financial instruments.
For the purpose of subsequent
measurement, financial assets other than those designated and effective as hedging instruments are classified into the following
categories upon initial recognition:
All financial assets except
for those at FVTPL are subject to review for impairment at least at each reporting date to identify whether there is any objective
evidence that a financial asset or a group of financial assets is impaired. Different criteria to determine impairment are applied
for each category of financial assets, which are described below.
All income and expenses
relating to financial assets are recognized in profit and loss.
Loans and receivables
are non-derivative financial assets with fixed or determinable payments that are not quoted in an active market. They are initially
recognized at fair value plus transaction costs that are directly attributable to their acquisition or issue. After initial recognition,
these are subsequently measured at amortized cost using the effective interest method, less provision for impairment. Discounting
is omitted where the effect of discounting is immaterial. The Company’s cash and trade receivables fall into this category
of financial instruments.
Financial assets at FVTPL
include financial assets that are either classified as held for trading or that meet certain conditions and are designated at
FVTPL upon initial recognition. All derivative financial instruments fall into this category, except for those designated and
effective as hedging instruments, for which the hedge accounting requirements apply.
Assets in this category
are measured at fair value with net changes in fair value presented in the consolidated statements of profit or loss and other
comprehensive income. Transaction costs are expensed as incurred. The fair values of financial assets in this category are determined
by reference to active market transactions or using a valuation technique where no active market exists.
HTM investments are non-derivative
financial assets with fixed or determinable payments and fixed maturity other than loans and receivables. Investments are classified
as HTM if the Company has the intention and ability to hold them until maturity.
HTM investments are measured
subsequently at amortized cost using the effective interest method. The Company does not have any financial assets classified
as HTM.
AFS financial assets are
non-derivative financial assets that are either designated to this category or do not qualify for inclusion in any of the other
categories of financial assets. The Company does not have any financial assets classified as AFS.
After initial measurement,
AFS financial investments are subsequently measured at fair value with unrealized gains or losses recognized in other comprehensive
income and credited in the AFS reserve until the investment is derecognized, at which time the cumulative gain or loss is recognized
in other operating income, or the investment is determined to be impaired. Interest calculated using the effective interest method
and dividends are recognized in profit or loss within finance income.
The Company assesses,
at the end of each reporting period, whether there is objective evidence that a financial asset or a group of financial assets
is impaired. An impairment exists if one or more events that has occurred since the initial recognition of the asset (an incurred
‘loss event’), has an impact on the estimated future cash flows of the financial asset or the group of financial assets
that can be reliably estimated. Objective evidence of impairment could include:
If any such evidence exists,
the impairment loss on trade and other financial assets carried at amortized cost is measured as the difference between the asset’s
carrying amount and the present value of estimated future cash flows. The present value of the estimated future cash flows is
discounted at the financial asset’s original effective interest rate, where the effect of discounting is material. This
assessment is made collectively where these financial assets share similar risk characteristics, such as similar past due status,
and have not been individually assessed as impaired. Future cash flows for financial assets which are assessed for impairment
collectively are based on historical loss experience for assets with credit risk characteristics similar to the collective group.
If in a subsequent period
the amount of an impairment loss decreases and the decrease can be linked objectively to an event occurring after the impairment
loss was recognized, the impairment loss is reversed through profit or loss. A reversal of an impairment loss shall not result
in the asset’s carrying amount exceeding that which would have been determined had no impairment loss been recognized in
prior years.
Impairment losses are
written off against the corresponding assets directly, except for impairment losses recognized in respect of trade debtors, whose
recovery is considered doubtful but not remote. In this case, the impairment losses for doubtful debts are recorded using an allowance
account. When the Company is satisfied that recovery is remote, the amount considered irrecoverable is written off against trade
debtors directly and any amounts held in the allowance account relating to that debt are reversed. Subsequent recoveries of amounts
previously charged to the allowance account are reversed against the allowance account. Other changes in the allowance account
and subsequent recoveries of amounts previously written off directly are recognized in profit or loss.
Financial liabilities
are classified as FVTPL, or other financial liabilities, as appropriate upon initial recognition. A financial liability is derecognized
when the obligation under the liability is discharged, cancelled or expired.
The Company uses derivative
financial instruments, such as forward currency contracts, for investment purposes. Such derivative financial instruments are
initially recognized at fair value on the date on which a derivative contract is entered into and are subsequently re-measured
at fair value. Derivatives are carried as financial assets when the fair value is positive and as financial liabilities when the
fair value is negative.
Any gains or losses arising
from changes in the fair value of derivatives are taken directly to profit or loss.
Finance leases refers
to the situation that the economic ownership of a leased asset is transferred to the lessee if the lessee bears substantially
all the risks and rewards of ownership of the leased asset.
All other leases are treated
as operating leases. Where the Company has the use of assets under operating leases, payments made under the leases are charged
to profit or loss on a straight line basis over the lease terms except where an alternative basis is more representative of the
time pattern of benefits to be derived from the leased assets. Lease incentives received are recognized in profit or loss as an
integral part of the aggregate net lease payments made. Contingent rental are charged to profit or loss in the accounting period
in which they are incurred.
All the leases of the
Company are operating leases for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015.
Provisions for product
warranties, legal disputes, onerous contracts or other claims are recognized when the Company has a present obligation (legal
or constructive) as a result of a past event, and it is probable that an outflow of economic benefits will be required to settle
the obligation and a reliable estimate of the amount of the obligation can be made. Where the time value of money is material,
provisions are stated at the present value of the expenditure expected to settle the obligation.
All provisions are reviewed
at each reporting date and adjusted to reflect the current best estimate.
Where it is not probable
that an outflow of economic benefits will be required, or the amount cannot be estimated reliably, the obligation is disclosed
as a contingent liability, unless the probability of outflow of economic benefits is remote. Possible obligations, whose existence
will only be confirmed by the occurrence or non-occurrence of one or more future uncertain events not wholly within the control
of the Company are also disclosed as contingent liabilities unless the probability of outflow of economic benefits is remote.
Ordinary shares are classified
as equity. Share capital is determined using the nominal value of shares that have been issued.
Any transaction costs
associated with the issuing of shares are deducted from share premium (net of any related income tax benefit) to the extent they
are incremental costs directly attributable to the equity transaction.
Revenue comprises the
fair value of the consideration received or receivable for the sale of goods, net of rebates and discounts. In 2012, the Company
paid rebates to some distributors on their annual cash collections. No such rebates were paid to distributors since year 2013.
Provided it is probable that the economic benefits will flow to the Company and the revenue and costs, if applicable, can be measured
reliably, revenue is recognized as follows:
Sales of goods are recognized
upon transfer of the significant risks and rewards of ownership to the customer. This is usually taken as the time when the goods
are delivered and the customer has accepted the goods. Once goods are accepted by a customer, there is no continuing management
involvement with the goods and the Company does not have the obligation to accept the return of the goods to the Company from
the customer.
Rental income is recognized
based upon our annual rental over the life of the lease under operating lease, using the straight-line method.
Interest income is recognized
on a time- proportion basis using the effective interest method.
Impairment testing is
made on the Company’s goodwill at each reporting date. Property, plant and equipment and land use rights are tested for
impairment if there is any indication that the assets may be impaired at the balance sheet date.
If any indication exists,
or when annual impairment testing for an asset is required, the Company estimates the asset’s recoverable amount.
An asset’s recoverable
amount is the greater of an asset’s or cash-generating unit’s fair value less costs of disposal and its value in use.
In assessing value in use, the estimated future cash flows are discounted to their present value using a pre-tax discount rate
that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to the asset. Where an asset does not
generate cash inflows largely independent of those from other assets, the recoverable amount is determined for the smallest group
of assets that generates cash inflows independently (i.e. a cash-generating unit).
An impairment loss is
recognized in profit or loss whenever the carrying amount of an asset, or the cash-generating unit to which it belongs, exceeds
its recoverable amount. Impairment losses recognized in respect of cash-generating units are allocated first to reduce the carrying
amount of any goodwill allocated to that cash-generating unit (or group of units), and then, to reduce on a pro rata basis the
carrying amount of the other assets in the unit (or group of units), except that the carrying amount of an asset will not be reduced
below its individual fair value less costs of disposal (if measurable) or value in use (if determinable).
In respect of assets other
than goodwill, an impairment loss is reversed if there has been a favorable change in the estimates used to determine the recoverable
amount. An impairment loss in respect of goodwill is not reversed.
A reversal of an impairment
loss is limited to the asset’s carrying amount that would have been determined had no impairment loss been recognized in
prior years. Reversals of impairment losses are credited to profit or loss in the year in which the reversals are recognized.
The employees of the Company’s
PRC subsidiaries are required to participate in a central pension scheme operated by the local municipal government. Contributions
are recognized as an expense in profit or loss as employees render services during the year. The Company’s obligation under
these plans is limited to the fixed percentage contributions payable.
The Company operates equity-settled
share-based remuneration plans for its employees. None of the Company’s plans feature any options for a cash settlement.
The fair value of share
options granted to employees is recognized as an employee cost with a corresponding increase in the share-based payment reserve
within equity. The fair value is measured at the grant date using the Black Scholes Option Pricing Model, taking into account
the terms and conditions upon which the options were granted. Where the employees have to meet vesting conditions before becoming
unconditionally entitled to the share options, the total estimated fair value of the share options is spread over the vesting
period, taking into account the probability that the options will vest.
During the vesting period,
the number of share options expected to vest is reviewed. Any resulting adjustment to the cumulative fair value recognized in
prior years is charged/credited to the profit or loss for the year under review, unless the original employee expenses qualify
for recognition as an asset, with a corresponding adjustment to the share-based payment reserve. On the vesting date, the amount
recognized as an expense is adjusted to reflect the actual number of share options that vest (with a corresponding adjustment
to the share-based payment reserve) except where forfeiture is only due to not achieving vesting conditions that relate to the
market price of the Company’s shares. The equity amount is recognized in the share-based payment reserve until either the
option is exercised (when it is transferred to the share premium account) or the option expires (when it is released directly
to retained earnings).
Borrowing costs consist
of interest and other costs incurred in connection with the borrowing of funds. Borrowing costs directly attributable to the acquisition,
construction or production of qualifying asset which necessarily takes a substantial period of time to get ready for its intended
use or sale are capitalized as part of the cost of that asset until such time as the assets are substantially ready for their
intended use or sale. Other borrowing costs are expensed when incurred.
Current tax and movements
in deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized in profit or loss except to the extent that they relate to items recognized
in other comprehensive income or directly in equity, in which case the relevant amounts of tax are recognized in other comprehensive
income or directly in equity, respectively.
Current tax is the expected
tax payable on the taxable income for the year, using tax rates enacted or substantively enacted at the end of the reporting period,
and any adjustment to tax payable in respect of previous years.
Deferred tax is calculated
using the liability method on temporary differences at the reporting date between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities
in the financial statements and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax liabilities are generally recognized for all taxable
temporary differences. Deferred tax assets are recognized for all deductible temporary differences, tax losses available to be
carried forward as well as other unused tax credits, to the extent that it is probable that taxable profit, including existing
taxable temporary differences, will be available against which the deductible temporary differences, unused tax losses and unused
tax credits can be utilized.
Deferred tax assets and
liabilities are not recognized if the temporary difference arises from goodwill or from initial recognition (other than in a business
combination) of assets and liabilities in a transaction that affects neither taxable nor accounting profit or loss.
Deferred tax liabilities
are recognized for taxable temporary differences arising on investments in subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures, except
where the Company is able to control the reversal of the temporary differences and it is probable that the temporary differences
will not reverse in the foreseeable future.
Deferred tax is calculated,
without discounting, at the tax rates that are expected to apply in the period the liability is settled or the asset realized,
based on tax rate (and tax laws) that have been enacted or substantively enacted at the reporting date.
The carrying amount of
a deferred tax asset is reviewed at the end of each reporting period and is reduced to the extent that it is no longer probable
that sufficient taxable profits will be available to allow the related tax benefit to be utilized. Any such reduction is reversed
to the extent that it becomes probable that sufficient taxable profits will be available.
Additional income taxes
that arise from the distribution of dividends are recognized when the liability to pay the related dividends is recognized.
Current tax balances and
deferred tax balances, and movements therein, are presented separately from each other and are not offset. Current tax assets
are offset against current tax liabilities, and deferred tax assets are offset against deferred tax liabilities, if the Company
has the legally enforceable right to set off the recognized amounts and the following additional conditions are met:
Costs associated with
research activities are expensed in profit or loss as they incur. Costs that are directly attributable to development activities
are recognized as intangible assets if, and only if, all of the following have been demonstrated:
The amount initially recognized
for internally-generated intangible assets is the sum of the expenditure incurred from the date when the intangible asset first
meets the recognition criteria listed above. Where no internally-generated intangible asset can be recognized, development expenditure
is recognized in profit or loss in the period in which it is incurred.
Subsequent to initial
recognition, internally-generated intangible assets are reported at cost less accumulated amortization and accumulated impairment
losses, on the same basis as intangible assets that are acquired separately.
Gains and losses arising from derecognition
of an intangible asset, measured as the difference between the net disposal proceeds and the carrying amount of the asset, are
recognized in profit or loss when the asset is derecognized.
The Company identifies
operating segments and prepares segment information based on the regular internal financial information reported to the Chief
Executive Officer and executive directors, who are the Company’s chief operating decision maker, for their decisions about
the allocation of resources to the Company’s business components and for their review of the performance of those components.
The Company operates principally
in the manufacturing and sale of medium to high-end ceramic tiles. The Chief Executive Officer and executive directors regularly
review the Company’s business as one business segment.
The business of the Company
is engaged entirely in the PRC. The Chief Executive Officer and executive directors regularly review the Company’s business
as one geographical segment.
Close members of the family
of a person are those family members who may be expected to influence, or be influenced by, that person in their dealings with
the entity.
The following amendments
to standards have been adopted by the Company for the first time for the financial year beginning on 1 January 2017. The application
of the amendments to IFRSs in the current year has had no material impact on the Group's financial performance and positions for
the current and prior years and/or on the disclosures set out in these consolidated financial statements.
IAS 12 (amendment)
Recognition of deferred tax assets for unrealized losses
IFRS 12 (amendment)
Clarification of disclosure requirement of interests in entities classified as held for sale.
At the date of authorization
of these financial statements, certain new standards, amendments and interpretations to existing standards have been published
by the IASB but are not yet effective, and have not been adopted by the Company
IFRS 9 issued in 2009
introduced new requirements for the classification and measurement of financial assets. IFRS 9 was subsequently amended in 2010
to include requirements for the classification and measurement of financial liabilities and for derecognition, and further amended
in 2013 to include the new requirements for general hedge accounting. Another revised version of IFRS 9 was issued in 2014 mainly
to include a) impairment requirements for financial assets and b) limited amendments to the classification and measurement requirements
by introducing a ‘fair value through other comprehensive income’ (FVTOCI) measurement category for certain simple
debt instruments.
The directors anticipate
that the adoption of IFRS 9 in the future may not have significant impact on amounts reported in respect of the Group’s
financial assets and financial liabilities existing as at the end of the current year.
IFRS 15 was issued which
establishes a single comprehensive model for entities to use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers.
IFRS 15 will supersede the current recognition guidance including IAS 18 Revenue, IAS 11 Construction Contracts and the related
interpretations when it becomes effective.
The core principle
of IFRS 15 is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount
that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. Specifically,
the Standard introduces a 5-step approach to revenue recognition:
• Step
4: Allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract
• Step
5: Recognize revenue when (or as) the entity satisfies a performance obligation
Under IFRS 15, an entity
recognizes revenue when (or as) a performance obligation is satisfied, i.e. when 'control' of the goods or services underlying
the particular performance obligation is transferred to the customer. Far more prescriptive guidance has been added in IFRS 15
to deal with specific scenarios. Furthermore, extensive disclosures are required by IFRS 15.
Management has assessed
the impact of the new standard on the Company’s financial statements and has concluded that adoption is not expected to have
a significant impact on the recognition of the Company’s revenue.
IFRS 16 will result
in almost all leases being recognized on the statement of financial position, as the distinction between operating and finance
leases is removed. Under the new standard, an asset (the right to use the leased item) and a financial liability to pay rentals
are recognized. The only exceptions are short-term and low-value leases. The accounting for lessors will not be significantly changed.
The standard will affect primarily the accounting for Company’s operating leases.
Management has just
commenced its assessment and have not yet determined to what extent its commitments will result in the recognition of an asset
and a liability for future payments and how this will affect the Company’s profit and classification of cash flows.
The new standard is
mandatory for financial years commencing on or after 1 January 2019. The Company does not intend to adopt this standard before
its effective date.
The preparation of the
Company’s consolidated financial statements requires management to make judgments, estimates and assumptions that affect
the reported amounts of revenues, expenses, assets and liabilities, and the accompanying disclosures, and the disclosure of contingent
liabilities. Uncertainty about these assumptions and estimates could result in outcomes that require a material adjustment to
the carrying amount of assets or liabilities affected in future periods.
Estimates and judgments
are continually evaluated and are based on historical experience and other factors, including expectations of future events that
are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances.
The Company makes estimates
and assumptions concerning the future. The resulting accounting estimates will, by definition, seldom equal the related actual
results. The key sources of estimation uncertainty and key assumptions concerning the future at the end of the reporting period,
that have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities within the next
financial year are discussed below:
Property, plant and equipment
are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and identified impairment losses. The estimation of useful lives impacts the
level of annual depreciation expenses recorded. Property, plant and equipment are evaluated for possible impairment on a specific
asset basis or in groups of similar assets, as applicable. This process requires management’s estimate of future cash flows
generated by each asset or group of assets. For any instance where this evaluation process indicates impairment, the relevant
asset’s carrying amount is written down to the recoverable amount and the amount of the write-down is charged against profit
or loss.
Investment properties
are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and identified impairment losses. The estimation of useful lives impacts the
level of annual depreciation expenses recorded. Investment properties are evaluated for possible impairment on a specific asset
basis or in groups of similar assets, as applicable. This process requires management’s estimate of future cash flows generated
by each asset or group of assets. For any instance where this evaluation process indicates impairment, the relevant asset’s
carrying amount is written down to the recoverable amount and the amount of the write-down is charged against profit or loss.
As of December 31,
2017, the net carrying amount of property, plant and equipment was approximately RMB 87,316,000 (2016: RMB130,542,000). An impairment
loss of approximately RMB33,653,000 recognized against the original carrying amount of property, plant and equipment. The impairment
loss recognized for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 was RMB209,919,000 and RMB 405,125,000, respectively. Determining
whether property, plant and equipment are impaired requires an estimation of the recoverable amount of the property, plant and
equipment. Such estimation was based on certain assumptions, which are subject to uncertainty and might materially differ from
the actual results.
As of December 31,
2017, the net carrying amount of investment property was approximately RMB4,994,000 (2016: RMB6,791,000). An impairment loss of
approximately RMB1,617,000 was recognized against the original carrying amount of investment property. The impairment loss recognized
for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 was approximately RMB10,920,000 and nil, respectively. Determining whether investment
property are impaired requires an estimation of the recoverable amount of the investment property. Such estimation was based on
certain assumptions, which are subject to uncertainty and might materially differ from the actual results.
As of December 31,
2017, the net carrying amount of land use rights was approximately RMB4,364,000 (2016: RMB5,920,000). An impairment loss of approximately
RMB1,413,000 was recognized against the original carrying amount of land use rights. The impairment loss recognized for the years
ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 was RMB9,520,000 and RMB12,781,000, respectively. Determining whether land use rights are impaired
requires an estimation of the recoverable amount of the land use rights. Such estimation was based on certain assumptions, which
are subject to uncertainty and might materially differ from the actual results.
Determining whether goodwill
is impaired requires an estimation of the value in use of the cash-generating units to which goodwill has been allocated. The
value in use calculation requires the Company to estimate the future cash flows expected to arise from the cash-generating unit
and a suitable discount rate in order to calculate present value. Where the actual future cash flows are less than expected, a
material impairment loss may arise. No impairment was made on goodwill for the year ended December 31, 2017. The impairment made
on goodwill for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 was nil and RMB3,735,000.
The Company has exposure
to income taxes in the PRC. Significant judgment is required in determining the provision for income taxes. There are certain
transactions and computations for which the ultimate tax determination is uncertain during the ordinary course of business. The
Company recognizes liabilities for expected tax issues based on estimates of whether additional taxes will be due. When the final
tax outcome of these matters is different from the amounts that were initially recognized, such differences will impact the income
tax and deferred tax provisions in the period in which such determination is made. The carrying amounts of the Company’s
income tax payable as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 were RMB3,862,000 and RMB1,309,000, respectively.
The Company’s management
assesses the collectability of trade receivables. This estimate is based on the credit history of the Company’s customers
and the current market conditions. Management assesses the collectability of trade receivables at the balance sheet dates and
makes the provision, if any. The identification of doubtful debts requires the use of judgment and estimates. Judgment is required
in assessing the ultimate realization of these receivables, including the current creditworthiness, past collection history of
each customer and on-going dealings with them. Where the expectation is different from the original estimate, such difference
will impact the carrying value of trade and other receivables and doubtful debts expenses in the period in which such estimate
has been changed. The net carrying amounts of the Company’s trade receivables as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 were RMB
532,361,000 and RMB553,542,000, respectively.
Net realizable value of
inventories is the management’s estimation of future selling price in the ordinary course of business, less estimated costs
of completion and selling expenses. These estimates are based on the current market condition and the historical experience of
selling products of a similar nature. It could change significantly as a result of various market factors. The net carrying amounts
of the Company’s inventories as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 were RMB191,667,000 and RMB212,742,000, respectively.
The Company measures the
cost of equity-settled transactions with employees by reference to the fair value of the equity instruments at the date at which
they are granted. Estimating fair value for share-based payment transactions requires determining the most appropriate valuation
model, which is dependent on the terms and conditions of the grant. This estimate also requires determining the most appropriate
inputs to the valuation model including the expected life of the stock option, volatility and dividend yield and making assumptions
about them. The assumptions and models used for estimating fair value for share-based payment transactions are disclosed in Note
26.
The Company’s loss before
taxation is arrived at after charging:
|
|
For the years ended December 31,
|
|
|
|
2017
|
|
|
2016
|
|
|
2015
|
|
|
|
RMB’000
|
|
|
RMB’000
|
|
|
RMB’000
|
|
Cost of inventories recognized as expense
(1)
|
|
|
771,438
|
|
|
|
823,856
|
|
|
|
891,720
|
|
Depreciation expenses
|
|
|
15,371
|
|
|
|
44,583
|
|
|
|
67,976
|
|
Amortization of land use rights
|
|
|
143
|
|
|
|
369
|
|
|
|
669
|
|
Auditors’ remuneration
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
– Audit fees
|
|
|
320
|
|
|
|
2,800
|
|
|
|
905
|
|
– Audit-related fees
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
320
|
|
|
|
2,800
|
|
|
|
905
|
|
Directors’ remuneration
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
– salaries and related cost
|
|
|
1,200
|
|
|
|
1,039
|
|
|
|
863
|
|
– retirement scheme contribution
|
|
|
9
|
|
|
|
9
|
|
|
|
9
|
|
– share-based payments
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Key management personnel (other than directors)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
– salaries and related cost
|
|
|
1,447
|
|
|
|
1,644
|
|
|
|
502
|
|
– retirement scheme contribution
|
|
|
23
|
|
|
|
17
|
|
|
|
11
|
|
– share-based payments
|
|
|
304
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Research and development personnel
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
– salaries and related cost
|
|
|
936
|
|
|
|
1,056
|
|
|
|
1,145
|
|
– retirement scheme contribution
|
|
|
102
|
|
|
|
63
|
|
|
|
87
|
|
Other personnel
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
– salaries and related cost
|
|
|
55,526
|
|
|
|
52,247
|
|
|
|
54,839
|
|
– retirement scheme contribution
|
|
|
8,478
|
|
|
|
6,000
|
|
|
|
8,135
|
|
Total employee benefit expenses
|
|
|
68,025
|
|
|
|
62,075
|
|
|
|
65,591
|
|
(1) Cost
of inventories recognized as expense included staff costs of RMB48,857,000, RMB45,886,000 and RMB52,685,000, retirement scheme
contribution of RMB6,984,000, RMB4,845,000 and RMB7,051,000, depreciation and amortization expense of RMB11,203,000, RMB37,545,000
and RMB67,732,000, operating lease charges of RMB13,902,000, RMB13,902,000 and RMB12,923,000, and reversal of write-down of inventories
of RMB2,733,000 and write-down of inventories of RMB75,078,000 and RMB7,667,000 for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016, and
2015, respectively, which amounts are also included in the respective total amounts disclosed separately for each of these types
of expenses.
|
9.
|
INCOME
TAX EXPENSE/(CREDIT)
|
|
|
For
the years ended December 31,
|
|
|
|
2017
|
|
|
2016
|
|
|
2015
|
|
|
|
RMB’000
|
|
|
RMB’000
|
|
|
RMB’000
|
|
Current Tax:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
PRC Income Tax
|
|
|
5,185
|
|
|
|
2,166
|
|
|
|
24,983
|
|
Over-provision of PRC Income Tax in
prior year
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
5,185
|
|
|
|
2,166
|
|
|
|
24,983
|
|
Deferred tax expense
|
|
|
4,556
|
|
|
|
3,415
|
|
|
|
(1,730
|
)
|
|
|
|
9,741
|
|
|
|
5,581
|
|
|
|
23,253
|
|
Reconciliation between income tax
expense (credit) and (loss) profit before taxation at applicable tax rates is as follows:
|
|
For the years ended December 31,
|
|
|
|
2017
RMB’000
|
|
|
2016
RMB’000
|
|
|
2015
RMB’000
|
|
Loss before taxation
|
|
|
(78,285
|
)
|
|
|
(316,221
|
)
|
|
|
(339,159
|
)
|
Tax calculated at a tax rate of 25%
|
|
|
(19,571
|
)
|
|
|
(79,055
|
)
|
|
|
(84,790
|
)
|
Tax effect on non-deductible expenses
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
30
|
|
|
|
992
|
|
Tax effect on non-taxable income
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Tax effect on different tax rates of group entities operating in other jurisdictions
|
|
|
218
|
|
|
|
3,840
|
|
|
|
1,641
|
|
Impairment losses on property, plant and equipment, and investment property that are not tax deductible
|
|
|
8,817
|
|
|
|
55,210
|
|
|
|
101,281
|
|
Impairment losses on land use right that are not tax deductible
|
|
|
353
|
|
|
|
2,380
|
|
|
|
3,195
|
|
Impairment losses on goodwill that are not tax deductible
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
934
|
|
Inventory provision that are not tax deductible
|
|
|
(683
|
)
|
|
|
23,176
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Bad debt allowance that are not tax deductible
|
|
|
6,232
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Depreciation and amortization adjustments that are not tax deductible
|
|
|
(15,617
|
)
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Income tax refund that are not expected to receive
|
|
|
24,270
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Net operating losses not recognized to deferred tax assets
|
|
|
5,722
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Tax per financial statements
|
|
|
9,741
|
|
|
|
5,581
|
|
|
|
23,253
|
|
British Virgin Islands Profits
Tax
The Company has not been subject
to any taxation in this jurisdiction for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015.
Hong Kong Profits Tax
The subsidiary in Hong
Kong is subject to tax charged on Hong Kong sourced income with a statutory tax rate of 16.5% for the years ended December 31,
2017, 2016 and 2015. No Hong Kong profits tax has been provided as the Company has no assessable profit arising in Hong Kong for
the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015.
PRC Income Tax
The subsidiaries in the
PRC are subject to the enterprise income tax in accordance with “PRC Enterprise Income Tax Law” (“EIT Law”),
and the applicable income tax rate for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 is 25%.
Under the prevailing EIT
Law and its relevant regulations, any dividends paid by the Company’s PRC subsidiaries to an overseas parent made out of
profits earned after January 1, 2008 to non-PRC corporate residents are subject to a 10% PRC dividend withholding tax, unless
reduced by tax treaties or arrangements. In addition, under the Sino-Hong Kong Double Tax Arrangement and its relevant regulations,
a qualified Hong Kong tax resident will be liable for withholding tax at the rate of 5% for dividend income derived from the PRC
if the Hong Kong tax resident is the “beneficial owner” and holds 25% or more of the equity interests of the PRC company.
Deferred tax liabilities have been provided for based on the expected dividends to be distributed from these subsidiaries in the
foreseeable future in respect of the profits generated since 1 January 2008.
Dividends withholding
tax represents tax charged/to be charged by the PRC tax authority on dividends distributed or intended to be distributed by the
Group’s subsidiaries in Mainland China during the years.
Deferred tax (assets)/liabilities
recognized in the consolidated statements of financial position and the movements during the years are as follows:
|
|
Dividend withholding
|
|
|
Inventory
|
|
|
Impairment
|
|
|
Bad debt
|
|
|
Net operating
|
|
|
Depreciation and
|
|
|
|
|
Deferred tax arising from:
|
|
tax
|
|
|
provision
|
|
|
loss
|
|
|
allowance
|
|
|
loss
|
|
|
amortization
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
|
RMB’000
|
|
|
RMB’000
|
|
|
RMB’000
|
|
|
RMB’000
|
|
|
RMB’000
|
|
|
RMB’000
|
|
|
RMB’000
|
|
As of January 1, 2015
|
|
|
1,404
|
|
|
|
(7,459
|
)
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
(1,377
|
)
|
|
|
982
|
|
|
|
(6,450
|
)
|
Charges/(credits) for the year
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
(1,916
|
)
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
1,377
|
|
|
|
(1,191
|
)
|
|
|
(1,730
|
)
|
As of December 31, 2015
|
|
|
1,404
|
|
|
|
(9,375
|
)
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
(209
|
)
|
|
|
(8,180
|
)
|
Charges/(credits) for the year
|
|
|
(1,404
|
)
|
|
|
4,610
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
209
|
|
|
|
3,415
|
|
As of December 31, 2016
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
(4,765
|
)
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
(4,765
|
)
|
Charges/(credits) for the year
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
4,765
|
|
|
|
--
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
(209)
|
|
|
|
4,556
|
|
As of December 31, 2017
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
--
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
(209)
|
|
|
|
(209
|
)
|
Hengda and Hengdali,
the Company’s PRC subsidiaries, have cumulative undistributed earnings of RMB380,109,000, RMB409,816,000 and RMB743,901,000,
as of December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, which are included in consolidated retained earnings. Deferred tax liabilities of RMB nil,
RMB nil and RMB1,404,000 have been recognized to the extent of distributable profits earned by Hengda as of December 31, 2017,
2016 and 2015. No provision has been made for deferred taxes related to future repatriation of the remaining earnings, as the Company
controls the dividend policy of these PRC subsidiaries and it has been determined that it is probable that these profits will not
be distributed in the foreseeable future. If the Company were to distribute these cumulated earnings in the foreseeable future,
the deferred tax liabilities of RMB19,005,000, RMB20,491,000 and RMB37,195,000 would be recognized as of December 31, 2017, 2016
and 2015, respectively.
For the purpose of
presentation in the consolidated statements of financial position, certain deferred tax assets and liabilities have been offset.
The following is the analysis of the deferred tax balances in the consolidated statements of financial position for financial presentation
purposes:
|
|
As of December 31,
|
|
|
|
2017
RMB’000
|
|
|
2016
RMB’000
|
|
Deferred tax assets
|
|
|
(209
|
)
|
|
|
(4,765
|
)
|
Deferred tax liabilities
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
(209
|
)
|
|
|
(4,765
|
)
|
|
|
For the years ended December 31,
|
|
|
|
2017
|
|
|
2016
|
|
|
2015
|
|
Loss attributable to holders of ordinary shares (RMB’000):
|
|
|
(88,026
|
)
|
|
|
(321,802
|
)
|
|
|
(362,412
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding used in computing basic and diluted (loss)/earnings per share
|
|
|
3,339,487
|
|
|
|
2,761,998
|
|
|
|
2,553,855
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loss per share - basic (RMB)
|
|
|
(26.36
|
)
|
|
|
(116.51
|
)
|
|
|
(141.91
|
)
|
Loss per share - diluted (RMB)
|
|
|
(26.36
|
)
|
|
|
(116.51
|
)
|
|
|
(141.91
|
)
|
Warrants to purchase
common stock are not included in the diluted loss per share calculations when their effect is antidilutive. For the year ended
December 31, 2017, about 178,571 of potential common stock related to outstanding warrants and stock options were excluded from
the calculation of diluted net loss per share as such shares are antidilutive when there is a loss. There were 178,571 and
0 shares for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015.
The 2015 weighted
average shares used to compute basic and diluted EPS were retroactively restated to reflect the 8:1 reverse split made in June
28, 2016.
|
|
As of December 31,
|
|
|
|
2017
|
|
|
2016
|
|
|
|
RMB’000
|
|
|
RMB’000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Carrying amount
|
|
3,735
|
|
|
3,735
|
|
Accumulated impairment losses
|
|
|
(3,735
|
)
|
|
|
(3,735
|
)
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
On January 8, 2010, the
Company consummated the acquisition of all voting equity interests of Hengdali (which is considered to be a CGU), and the excess
of the consideration transferred over the fair value of the identifiable net assets acquired is recorded as goodwill (Note 26).
The Company performs
a goodwill impairment test in year 2015 and was fully impaired at that time. At the end of the reporting period, the Company assessed
the recoverable amount of goodwill, and determined that no further impairment of goodwill was required for the 2016 year-end because
it was written down to zero in 2015. The impairment loss on goodwill recognized during the year ended December 31, 2015 was RMB3,735,000.
|
12.
|
PROPERTY,
PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
|
|
|
Buildings
RMB'000
|
|
|
Plant and
machinery
RMB'000
|
|
|
Motor
vehicles
RMB'000
|
|
|
Office
equipment
RMB'000
|
|
|
Total
RMB'000
|
|
Cost
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
At January 1,2016
|
|
|
382,011
|
|
|
|
779,410
|
|
|
|
4,915
|
|
|
|
1,829
|
|
|
|
1,168,165
|
|
Additions
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Disposals
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
(34,052
|
)
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
(5
|
)
|
|
|
(34,057
|
)
|
Transfer to investment property
|
|
|
(37,253
|
)
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
(37,253
|
)
|
At December 31,2016
|
|
|
344,758
|
|
|
|
745,358
|
|
|
|
4,915
|
|
|
|
1,824
|
|
|
|
1,096,855
|
|
Additions
|
|
|
4,872
|
|
|
|
684
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
62
|
|
|
|
5,618
|
|
Disposals
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
(690
|
)
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
(690
|
)
|
At December 31, 2017
|
|
|
349,630
|
|
|
|
746,042
|
|
|
|
4,225
|
|
|
|
1,886
|
|
|
|
1,101,783
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accumulated depreciation
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
At January 1, 2016
|
|
|
42,609
|
|
|
|
305,132
|
|
|
|
4,061
|
|
|
|
1,383
|
|
|
|
353,185
|
|
Depreciation charge
|
|
|
5,236
|
|
|
|
39,102
|
|
|
|
125
|
|
|
|
120
|
|
|
|
44,583
|
|
Disposals
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
(18,280
|
)
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
(5
|
)
|
|
|
(18,285
|
)
|
Transfer to investment property
|
|
|
(1,570
|
)
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
(1,570
|
)
|
At December 31,2016
|
|
|
46,275
|
|
|
|
325,954
|
|
|
|
4,186
|
|
|
|
1,498
|
|
|
|
377,913
|
|
Depreciation charge
|
|
|
1,759
|
|
|
|
13,374
|
|
|
|
38
|
|
|
|
20
|
|
|
|
15,191
|
|
Disposals
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
(504
|
)
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
(504
|
)
|
At December 31, 2017
|
|
|
48,034
|
|
|
|
339,328
|
|
|
|
3,720
|
|
|
|
1,518
|
|
|
|
392,600
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Impairment
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
At January 1, 2016
|
|
|
168,717
|
|
|
|
235,763
|
|
|
|
425
|
|
|
|
220
|
|
|
|
405,125
|
|
Impairment losses recognized in profit or loss
|
|
|
102,012
|
|
|
|
118,575
|
|
|
|
188
|
|
|
|
65
|
|
|
|
220,840
|
|
Disposals
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
(8,674
|
)
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
(8,674
|
)
|
Transfer to investment property
|
|
|
(28,891
|
)
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
(28,891
|
)
|
At December 31,2016
|
|
|
241,838
|
|
|
|
345,664
|
|
|
|
613
|
|
|
|
285
|
|
|
|
588,400
|
|
Impairment losses recognized in profit or loss
|
|
|
18,230
|
|
|
|
15,398
|
|
|
|
19
|
|
|
|
6
|
|
|
|
33,653
|
|
Disposals
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
(186
|
)
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
(186
|
)
|
At December 31, 2017
|
|
|
260,068
|
|
|
|
361,062
|
|
|
|
446
|
|
|
|
291
|
|
|
|
621,867
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Carrying amount
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
At December 31, 2016
|
|
|
56,645
|
|
|
|
73,740
|
|
|
|
116
|
|
|
|
41
|
|
|
|
130,542
|
|
At December 31, 2017
|
|
|
41,528
|
|
|
|
45,652
|
|
|
|
59
|
|
|
|
77
|
|
|
|
87,316
|
|
All property, plant and
equipment held by the Company are located in the PRC. The Company’s buildings are situated on land under medium-term land
use rights.
For the buildings owned
collectively by the Company and other three unrelated companies, the cost of buildings are stated according to the amounts paid
by the Company for its part of buildings, which represent the Company’s interests in the buildings. Buildings are depreciated
over their expected useful lives of 40 years. These buildings’ cost was RMB2,913,000, and accumulated depreciation of RMB1,226,000
and RMB1,226,000 as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively, and an impairment allocation of RMB1,687,000 and RMB1,687,000
as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. These buildings with a carrying value of approximately RMB2,200,000 were pledged
to secure the Company’s interest-bearing bank borrowings at December 31, 2015 (Note 22). No property, plant and equipment
was pledged to secure the Company interest-bearing bank borrowings at December 31, 2017 and 2016.
At the end of the reporting
period, the Company assessed the recoverable amount of property, plant and equipment, and determined that carrying amount was impaired
by RMB33,653,000 (2016: 209,919,000).
Loss (gain) on disposal
of property, plant and equipment in 2017, 2016 and 2015 was RMB(70,000) gain, RMB6,246,000 loss, and RMB109,000 loss, respectively.
|
|
2017
|
|
|
2016
|
|
|
|
RMB’000
|
|
|
RMB’000
|
|
Cost
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
At December 31, 2017 and 2016
|
|
|
37,253
|
|
|
|
37,253
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accumulated depreciation
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As of beginning of the year
|
|
|
(1,570
|
)
|
|
|
-
|
|
Transfer from property, plant and equipment
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
(1,101)
|
|
Depreciation for the year
|
|
|
(180
|
)
|
|
|
(469)
|
|
As of end of the year
|
|
|
(1,750
|
)
|
|
|
(1,570)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Impairment for the year
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As of beginning of the year
|
|
|
(28,892
|
)
|
|
|
-
|
|
Transfer from property, plant and equipment
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
(17,972)
|
|
Impairment losses recognized in profit or loss transferred from property, plant and equipment
|
|
|
(1,617
|
)
|
|
|
(10,920)
|
|
As of end of the year
|
|
|
(30,509
|
)
|
|
|
(28,892)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Carrying amount
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
At December 31, 2017 and 2016
|
|
|
4,994
|
|
|
|
6,791
|
|
The fair value of
this investment property, which is the estimation of the depreciated replacement cost, as of December 31, 2017 was RMB36,300,000
.
At the end of the
reporting period, the Company assessed the recoverable amount of investment property, and determined that carrying amount was
impaired by RMB1,617,000 (2016: 10,920,000).
The Company’s
land use rights are under medium-term leases in the PRC, and are analyzed for reporting purposes as follows:
|
|
2017
|
|
|
2016
|
|
|
|
RMB’000
|
|
|
RMB’000
|
|
Cost
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
At December 31, 2017 and 2016
|
|
|
32,619
|
|
|
|
32,619
|
|
Accumulated amortization
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
At beginning of the year
|
|
|
(4,398
|
)
|
|
|
(4,029
|
)
|
Amortization
|
|
|
(143
|
)
|
|
|
(369
|
)
|
At end of the year
|
|
|
(4,541
|
)
|
|
|
(4,398
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Impairment
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
At beginning of the year
|
|
|
(22,301
|
)
|
|
|
(12,781
|
)
|
Impairment for the year
|
|
|
(1,413
|
)
|
|
|
(9,520
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
At end of the year
|
|
|
(23,714
|
)
|
|
|
(22,301
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Carrying amount
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
At December 31, 2017 and 2016
|
|
|
4,364
|
|
|
|
5,920
|
|
No land use rights
of the Company were pledged to the banks as securities for the Company’s interest-bearing bank borrowings at December 31,
2017 and 2016. All the land use rights of the Company were pledged to the banks as securities for the Company’s interest-bearing
bank borrowings at December 31, 2015 (Note 22). At the end of the reporting period, the Company assessed the recoverable amount
of land use right, and determined that carrying amount was impaired by RMB1,413,000 (2016: 9,520,000).
|
15.
|
LONG-TERM
PREPAID EXPENSES
|
|
|
As of December 31,
|
|
|
|
2017
|
|
|
2016
|
|
|
|
RMB’000
|
|
|
RMB’000
|
|
Prepaid advertising fees
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
1,494
|
|
The amount represents
the advertising fees paid in advance covering periods over one year.
|
|
As of December 31,
|
|
|
|
2017
|
|
|
2016
|
|
|
|
RMB’000
|
|
|
RMB’000
|
|
Raw materials
|
|
|
20,896
|
|
|
|
21,909
|
|
Work in progress
|
|
|
5,206
|
|
|
|
5,657
|
|
Finished goods
|
|
|
165,565
|
|
|
|
185,176
|
|
|
|
|
191,667
|
|
|
|
212,742
|
|
The analysis of the
amount of inventories recognized as an expense and included in profit or loss is as follows:
|
|
For the years ended
December 31,
|
|
|
|
2017
|
|
|
2016
|
|
|
2015
|
|
|
|
RMB’000
|
|
|
RMB’000
|
|
|
RMB’000
|
|
Carrying amount of inventories sold
|
|
|
774,171
|
|
|
|
748,778
|
|
|
|
884,053
|
|
(Reversal of) write down of inventories (included in cost of sales)
|
|
|
(2,733
|
)
|
|
|
75,078
|
|
|
|
7,667
|
|
|
|
|
771,438
|
|
|
|
823,856
|
|
|
|
891,720
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Write down of inventories (included in administrative expenses)
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
As
of December 31,
|
|
|
|
2017
|
|
|
2016
|
|
|
|
RMB’000
|
|
|
RMB’000
|
|
Trade receivables
|
|
|
627,865
|
|
|
|
577,482
|
|
Less: provision for bad debt allowance
|
|
|
(95,504
|
)
|
|
|
(23,940
|
)
|
|
|
|
532,361
|
|
|
|
553,542
|
|
The Company’s
trade receivables are denominated in Renminbi and non-interest bearing. In 2011, the credit period granted to distributors was
generally for a period within 90 days. Since the end of 2012, the Company had extended the collection period to 150 days to address
funding pressures of its distributors. Other customers were granted a credit period of 90 days in the years ended December 31,
2013, and extended to 120 days in the year ended December 2016 and 2017. As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, the Company accrued
RMB95,504,000 and RMB23,940,000, respectively,
as
a provision for bad debt related to the amount of outstanding trade receivables that did not conform with the Company’s
credit policy.
All of the trade receivables
are expected to be recovered within one year. An aging analysis of the Company's trade receivables, based on the invoice date,
is as follows:
|
|
As
of December 31,
|
|
|
|
2017
|
|
|
2016
|
|
|
|
RMB’000
|
|
|
RMB’000
|
|
Within 90 days
|
|
|
246,441
|
|
|
|
236,251
|
|
Between 3 and 6 months
|
|
|
275,329
|
|
|
|
268,577
|
|
More than 6 months
|
|
|
10,591
|
|
|
|
48,714
|
|
|
|
|
532,361
|
|
|
|
553,542
|
|
An aging analysis of trade
receivables that were neither past due nor impaired or past due but not impaired, is as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
Past
due but not impaired
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Neither past due nor
impaired
|
|
|
Less than
30 days
|
|
|
31 to 120 days
|
|
|
Over 120
days
|
|
|
Sub-total
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
|
RMB'000
|
|
|
RMB'000
|
|
|
RMB'000
|
|
|
RMB'000
|
|
|
RMB'000
|
|
|
RMB'000
|
|
December 31, 2016
|
|
|
504,828
|
|
|
|
39,289
|
|
|
|
9,425
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
553,542
|
|
December 31, 2017
|
|
|
521,770
|
|
|
|
10,591
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
532,361
|
|
Receivables that were
neither past due nor impaired relate to a large number of customers for whom there was no recent history of default. All amounts
are short-term. The Company does not hold any collateral over these receivables.
The net carrying value
of trade receivables is considered a reasonable approximation of fair value.
As of December 31, 2017,
the Company is exposed to certain credit risks as 13% and 43
%
of the total trade receivables were due from the Company's largest and the five largest customers, respectively.
As of December 31, 2016,
the Company is exposed to certain credit risks as 8% and 26% of the total trade receivables were due from the Company's largest
and the five largest customers, respectively.
|
18.
|
OTHER
RECEIVABLES AND PREPAYMENTS
|
|
|
As
of December 31,
|
|
|
|
2017
|
|
|
2016
|
|
|
|
RMB’000
|
|
|
RMB’000
|
|
Prepayments
|
|
|
2,152
|
|
|
|
2,682
|
|
VAT recoverable
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
6,172
|
|
|
|
|
2,152
|
|
|
|
8,854
|
|
All of the other receivables
and prepayments are expected to be recovered or recognized as expense within one year. The net carrying value of these balances
is considered a reasonable approximation of fair value.
|
19.
|
CASH AND BANK BALANCES
|
|
|
As of December 31,
|
|
|
|
2017
|
|
|
2016
|
|
|
|
RMB’000
|
|
|
RMB’000
|
|
Cash on hand
|
|
|
42
|
|
|
|
65
|
|
Cash at banks
|
|
|
2,286
|
|
|
|
45
|
|
Cash and bank balances
|
|
|
2,328
|
|
|
|
110
|
|
Cash and bank balances
are denominated in the following currencies:
|
|
As of December 31,
|
|
|
|
2017
|
|
|
2016
|
|
|
|
RMB’000
|
|
|
RMB’000
|
|
Renminbi
|
|
|
171
|
|
|
|
105
|
|
Hong Kong dollars
|
|
|
6
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
US dollars
|
|
|
2,151
|
|
|
|
5
|
|
|
|
|
2,328
|
|
|
|
110
|
|
Bank balances denominated
in Renminbi are deposited with banks in the PRC and are not freely convertible to foreign currencies. The conversion of these
RMB denominated balances into foreign currencies is subject to the foreign exchange control rules and regulations promulgated
by the PRC Government.
Bank balances denominated
in US dollars are mainly held in bank accounts in Hong Kong and the United States of America.
Cash at banks and bank
deposits comprise cash held by the Company and short-term bank deposits with an original maturity of three months or less. The
deposits carry interest at prevailing market rates.
As of December 31, 2017,
the Company has restricted cash of nil (2016: nil), of which nil (2016: nil) was used as collateral for the Company’s bank
borrowings (Note 22), and nil was used as collateral for the Company’s financial derivatives (2016: nil). They were
temporarily not available for general use by the Company.
|
|
As of December 31,
|
|
|
|
2017
|
|
|
2016
|
|
|
|
RMB’000
|
|
|
RMB’000
|
|
Trade payables
|
|
|
61,084
|
|
|
|
84,257
|
|
Trade payables are denominated
in Renminbi, non-interest bearing and generally settled within 120-day terms. All of the trade payables are expected to be settled
within one year. The carrying value of trade payables is considered to be a reasonable approximation of fair value.
|
21.
|
ACCRUED
LIABILITIES AND OTHER PAYABLES
|
|
|
As of December 31,
|
|
|
|
2017
|
|
|
2016
|
|
|
|
RMB’000
|
|
|
RMB’000
|
|
Deposits received from distributors
|
|
|
17,200
|
|
|
|
18,600
|
|
VAT payables
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
1,054
|
|
Accrued salary
|
|
|
3,804
|
|
|
|
5,493
|
|
Accrued rent, electricity and water
|
|
|
3,641
|
|
|
|
4,848
|
|
Accrued other taxes
|
|
|
1,728
|
|
|
|
2,303
|
|
Others
|
|
|
3,346
|
|
|
|
5,342
|
|
|
|
|
29,719
|
|
|
|
37,640
|
|
Accrued liabilities and
other payables are denominated in the following currencies:
|
|
As of December 31,
|
|
|
|
2017
|
|
|
2016
|
|
|
|
RMB’000
|
|
|
RMB’000
|
|
Renminbi
|
|
|
29,696
|
|
|
|
34,790
|
|
US dollars
|
|
|
23
|
|
|
|
2,850
|
|
|
|
|
29,719
|
|
|
|
37,640
|
|
Deposits received represent
deposits from the Company’s distributors. The Company usually requests a deposit from RMB400,000 to RMB1,000,000 from new
distributors upon signing a distributorship agreement as security for the performance of their obligations under the distributorship
agreement.
Accrued liabilities consist
mainly of accrued rental, wages and utility expenses.
The carrying value of
accrued liabilities and other payables is considered to be a reasonable approximation of fair value.
|
22.
|
INTEREST-
BEARING BANK BORROWINGS (SECURED)
|
|
|
As of December 31,
|
|
|
|
2017
|
|
|
2016
|
|
|
|
RMB’000
|
|
|
RMB’000
|
|
Short-term bank borrowings - repayable within one year – shown under current
liabilities
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Long-term bank borrowings - repayable more than one year but not more than
5 years - shown under non-current liabilities
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Bank borrowings are denominated
in the following currencies:
|
|
As of December 31,
|
|
|
|
2017
|
|
|
2016
|
|
|
|
RMB’000
|
|
|
RMB’000
|
|
Renminbi
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
US dollars
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
The exposure of the Company’s
loans is as follows:
|
|
As of December 31,
|
|
|
|
2017
|
|
|
2016
|
|
|
|
Effective
interest
rates %
|
|
|
RMB’000
|
|
|
Effective
interest
rates %
|
|
|
RMB’000
|
|
Fixed rate borrowings:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Variable rate borrowings:
|
|
|
-
|
%
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
%
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
All of the Company’s
bank borrowings are carried at amortized cost. The carrying values of the Company’s bank borrowings approximate their fair
value.
The Company’s banking
facilities were pledged by bank deposits (Note 19), the Company’s buildings and land use rights (Notes 12 and 14), land
use rights of third parties, and guaranteed by related parties (Note 28), a subsidiary of the Company and third parties. As of
December 31, 2017 and 2016, such banking facilities were utilized to the extent of nil.
As of the end of the reporting periods,
the Company has the following undrawn bank borrowing facilities:
|
|
As of December 31,
|
|
|
|
2017
|
|
|
2016
|
|
|
|
RMB’000
|
|
|
RMB’000
|
|
Variable-rate - expiring within one year
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
As of December 31,
|
|
|
|
2017
|
|
|
2016
|
|
|
|
Number
|
|
|
US$
|
|
|
Number
|
|
|
US$
|
|
|
|
of shares
|
|
|
‘000
|
|
|
of shares
|
|
|
‘000
|
|
Authorized:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ordinary shares of US$0.008 each
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
At January 1 and December 31
|
|
|
51,000,000
|
|
|
|
400
|
|
|
|
5,000,000
|
|
|
|
400
|
|
|
|
As of December
31,
|
|
|
|
2017
|
|
|
2016
|
|
|
|
Number
|
|
|
RMB
|
|
|
Number
|
|
|
RMB
|
|
|
|
of shares
|
|
|
‘000
|
|
|
of shares
|
|
|
‘000
|
|
Issued:
|
|
|
3,851,485
|
|
|
|
206
|
|
|
|
2,820,939
|
|
|
|
151
|
|
Outstanding and fully paid:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ordinary shares of US$0.008 each
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
At January 1
|
|
|
2,820,939
|
|
|
|
151
|
|
|
|
2,565,136
|
|
|
|
137
|
|
Issuance of new shares
|
|
|
1,003,152
|
|
|
|
53
|
|
|
|
255,803
|
|
|
|
14
|
|
Equity compensation
|
|
|
27,394
|
|
|
|
2
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
At December 31
|
|
|
3,851,485
|
|
|
|
206
|
(2)
|
|
|
2,820,939
|
|
|
|
151
|
(1)
|
(1)
Equivalent
to US$22,000
(2)
Equivalent
to US$31,000
On November 21, 2007,
CHAC consummated its initial public offering, or IPO, of 12,800,000 units, including 800,000 units subject to an over-allotment
option, with each unit consisting of one ordinary share, US$ 0.001 par value per share, and one warrant to purchase one ordinary
share at an exercise price of US$ 7.50 per share. The units were sold at an offering price of US$10.00 per unit, generating total
gross proceeds of US$128,000,000. Simultaneously with the consummation of the IPO, CHAC consummated the private sale of 2,750,000
warrants to CHAC’s founders at a price of US$ 1.00 per warrant, generating total proceeds of US$ 2,750,000. CHAC’s
founders had 3,200,000 ordinary shares as founding shares.
All ordinary shares are
equally eligible to receive dividends and represent one vote at shareholders’ meetings of the Company.
Each warrant entitled
the holder to purchase shares at US$ 7.50 per share, subject to adjustment in the event of stock dividends and splits, reclassifications,
combinations and similar events for a period commencing on the later of: (a) completion of the business combination and (b) one
year from the closing date of the IPO, and ending November 16, 2012. On November 16, 2012, all of the share purchase warrants
expired and ceased to trade.
On November 20, 2009,
pursuant to the acquisition agreement, China Ceramics acquired all of the issued and outstanding shares of Success Winner held
by Mr. Wong Kung Tok in exchange for US$ 10.00 and 5,743,320 shares of China Ceramics. In addition, 8,185,763 shares of China
Ceramics were placed in escrow (the “Contingent Shares”) and for release to Mr. Wong Kung Tok in the event certain
earnings and stock price thresholds are achieved. Of the Contingent Shares, up to 5,185,763 Contingent Shares could have been
released based on achieving growth in either net earnings before tax or net earnings after tax, following the completion of an
annual audit. Additionally, 3,000,000 Contingent Shares could have been released if China Ceramics shares closed at or above certain
share price targets for any twenty trading days within a thirty trading day period prior to April 30, 2012. The Contingent Shares
were to be released without regard to continued employment and were only contingent on future earnings and the stock price of
China Ceramics. On May 24, 2010, the Company issued 1,214,127 shares to Mr. Wong Kung Tok based on the audited earnings before
tax result for the fiscal year 2009. On April 7, 2011, the Company issued 1,794,800 shares to Mr. Wong Kung Tok based on the audited
earnings before tax result for the fiscal year 2010. On April 3, 2012, the Company issued 2,176,836 shares to Mr. Wong Kung Tok
based on the audited earnings before tax result for the fiscal year 2011. No further Contingent Shares may be issued to Mr. Wong
Kung Tok. The issuance of the Contingent Shares is accounted for as a stock dividend.
The share price targets
for the issuance of the additional 3,000,000 Contingent Shares were not met by April 30, 2012.
Also, concurrent with
the Success Winner Acquisition, the Company purchased an aggregate of 11,193,149 ordinary shares from the public stockholders
for an aggregate purchase price of approximately RMB752.2 million in transactions intended to assure the successful completion
of the business combination. In connection with the closing of the Success Winner Acquisition, the CHAC’s founders forfeited
1,600,000 of their founders’ shares to CHAC for cancellation.
On May 25, 2010, the Company
purchased 996,051 public warrants from four warrant holders (all managed by a single entity) at a price of US$ 1.00 per warrant
in a privately negotiated transaction. The total amount paid to purchase the public warrants was US$996,051 (equivalent to RMB6,803,000)
and has been deducted from shareholders’ equity.
The Company initiated
an exchange offer (the “Offer”) pursuant to which holders of all 14,553,949 of the Company’s outstanding warrants
(the “Warrants”) had the opportunity to acquire the Company’s shares through a warrant for share exchange. The
Company issued one share for every four warrants tendered. On September 1, 2010, pursuant to the terms of the tender offer, 11,779,649
warrants were exchanged for 2,944,904 shares, which are freely tradable.
On November 24, 2010,
the Company closed an underwritten public offering of 3,350,000 shares at a price of US$7.75 per share for gross proceed of approximately
RMB172.7 million. The total net proceeds of the offering to the Company, after deduction of underwriters’ commissions and
discounts and estimated transaction expenses, were approximately RMB 159.6 million.
On February 4, 2016, we
announced the pricing of public offering of its shares (and common stock equivalents) with total gross proceeds of approximately
$900,000 (the “Offering”). The net proceeds to the Company from this offering, before deducting the placement agent’s
fees and expenses, were approximately $785,000.
In connection with the
Offering, the Company issued 1,428,571 shares at the price of US$0.63 per share, with each share coupled with a Class A Warrant
(1,428,571 Class A Warrants in the aggregate) to purchase one share and a Class B Warrant (1,428,571 Class B Warrants in the aggregate)
to purchase one share. The shares, the Class A Warrants and the Class B Warrants were sold as units, but were issued separately.
The Class A Warrants have an exercise price of US $0.63 per share and the Class B Warrants have an exercise price of $0.78 per
share. The Class A Warrants are exercisable on or after the date of issuance and will terminate on the six-month anniversary of
the date of issuance. The Class B Warrants are exercisable on or after the date of issuance and will terminate on the five-year
anniversary of the date of issuance.
Dawson James Securities,
Inc. acted as the Company’s exclusive placement agent, on a best efforts basis, in connection with the Offering. Pursuant
to the terms and provisions of the Placement Agency Agreement by and between the Company and the Placement Agent, dated as of
February 3, 2016 (the “PAA”), the Company paid the Placement Agent a cash placement fee equal to 8% of the gross proceeds
of the Offering, or $71,999, plus a non-accountable expense allowance equal to $25,000. The Placement Agent also received five-year
warrants (the “Compensation Warrants”) to purchase up to a number of shares equal to 8% of the aggregate number of
shares sold in the Offering, or 114,286 shares. The Compensation Warrants have substantially the same terms as the Class B Warrants
in the Offering, except that such Compensation Warrants have an exercise price of US$0.78 (125% of the public offering price per
share) and terminate on the five year anniversary of the effective date of this offering.
Effective as of June 28,
2016, the Company implemented a reverse stock split of its ordinary shares. The new CUSIP number for the Company's common stock
following the reverse split is G2113X134. On May 23, 2016, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a one-for-eight reverse
stock split intended to increase the per share trading price of the Company's outstanding ordinary shares in order to comply with
the minimum bid price requirement of $1.00 per share for continued listing on the NASDAQ Stock Market. In order to maintain the
Company's listing on the NASDAQ Capital Market, the Company's common stock must have a closing bid price of $1.00 or more for
a minimum of ten consecutive trading days by September 19, 2016. The reverse stock split reduced the number of outstanding ordinary
shares of the Company from approximately 21.9 million shares to approximately 2.7 million shares and the par value per share will
increase from $0.001 to $0.008. In lieu of issuing fractional shares, the Company rounded fractions of shares down to the nearest
whole share. All outstanding stock options, warrants and other rights to purchase the Company's ordinary shares was adjusted proportionately
as a result of the reverse stock split. The number of total authorized ordinary shares of the Company was not changed as a result
of the reverse split. The December 31, 2015 number of shares was retroactively restated to reflect the 8:1 reverse split made
in June 28, 2016.
On April 3, 2017,
the Company, pursuant to a securities purchase agreement, between the Company and an institutional accredited investor, completed
a registered offering of US$631,579 principal amount of its 5% original issue discount convertible promissory note due January
3, 2018 for the purchase price of US$600,000. At its option, the holder of the Note may convert the Note into the right to acquire
shares of the Company at any time prior to the Maturity Date at the conversion price which is equal to 85% of the volume weighed
average price (VWAP) per share over the five (5) trading day period prior to each conversion of the Note, subject to $1.00 per
share floor price and other conversion limitations to ensure compliance with the Nasdaq Stock Exchange and other applicable laws,
rules and regulations. Right after the issuance of the convertible promissory note, from April 4, 2017 through May 23, 2017, the
investors converted this note into 369,626 common shares at the conversion price ranging from US$1.1828 – US$1.9355 per
share.
On July 18, 2017, the
Company completed a private place for proceeds of US$861,595 by issuing 633,526 shares at US$1.36 per share.
From August to December
2017, the Company issued aggregate of 27,394 shares to its Chief Financial Officer as stock compensation expense. The fair
value of 27,394 shares was RMB294,000.
In accordance with
the relevant laws and regulations of the PRC, the Company’s PRC subsidiaries are required to transfer 10% of its profit
after taxation prepared in accordance with the accounting regulation of the PRC to the statutory reserve until the reserve balance
reaches 50% of the respective registered capital. Such reserve may be used to offset accumulated losses or increase the registered
capital of these subsidiaries, subject to the approval from the Board of Directors, and are not available for dividend distribution
to the shareholders.
|
(b)
|
Currency translation reserve
|
The reserve comprises
all foreign exchange differences arising from the translation of the financial statements of foreign operations.
The merger reserve
of the Company represents the difference between the nominal value of the shares of the subsidiaries acquired in the Hengda Reorganization
(Note 1) over the nominal value of the shares of the Company issued in exchange thereof.
|
(d)
|
Share-based payment reserve
|
After the successful
consummation of the reverse recapitalization, Mr. Wong Kung Tok, the former sole shareholder of Success Winner, allotted a total
of 1,521,528 China Ceramics’ ordinary shares to two financial advisors for their financial advisory services related to
the recapitalization activities. The shared based payment reserve represents the fair value of these allotted shares measured
based on the average market price over the service periods.
The share-based
payment reserve also represents the equity-settled share options granted to employees (Note 26). The reserve is made up of the
cumulative value of services received from employees recorded over the vesting period commencing from the grant date of equity-settled
share options, and is reduced by the expiry or exercise of the share options.
The share-based
payment reserve also represents the shares issued to its senior officers as stock compensation expense.
|
(e)
|
Reverse recapitalization reserve
|
The reverse recapitalization reserve arises as a result
of the method of accounting for the Success Winner Acquisition. In accordance with IFRS, the acquisition has been accounted for
as a reverse recapitalization.
On July 31, 2014,
Sound Treasure Limited, the Company’s largest shareholder and an affiliate of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer,
entered into a three party agreement (the “Novation”) with the financial institution that originated the foreign currency
transaction agreements and the Company. Under the Novation, Sound Treasure Limited assumed these agreements and all assets (mainly
deposits placed with the financial institution) and all existing and future liabilities arising under these agreements, and the
Company was released from the liabilities arising under the foreign currency transaction agreements. As a result, after July 31,
2014, the Company is no longer required to fund any losses related to these agreements, and the Company will neither suffer any
future liabilities arising under those agreements nor enjoy any benefit arising under those agreements.
At the time that
each of the foreign currency transaction agreements was established with the financial institution, the Company was required to
deposit monies with the financial institution. RMB6.7 million of a total of RMB 15.6 million in deposits were funded on behalf
of the Company by Wong Kung Tok (who is the brother-in-law of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer) at the request of the
Chief Executive Officer, and were included in a total of RMB40.2 million in loans owed by the Company to Wong Kung Tok as of July
9, 2014. In connection with the Novation discussed above, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, Sound Treasure Limited
and Wong Kung Tok entered into an agreement with the Company (the “Offset Agreement”) pursuant to which loans totaling
RMB 20.7 million owed by the Company to Wong Kung Tok as of the date of the Offset Agreement were transferred to Sound Treasure
Limited and then were forgiven by Sound Treasure Limited; and in return the Company agreed to forego any claim to RMB15.6 million
in deposits under the foreign currency transaction agreements which were transferred to Sound Treasure Limited pursuant to the
Novation. As a result of these transactions, Sound Treasure Limited released the Company from liabilities aggregating RMB76.8
million and the Company transferred ownership of RMB15.6 million in deposits held at the financial institution from the Company
to Sound Treasure Limited. Except as disclosed above, neither the Company’s Chief Executive Officer nor any affiliate of
the Chief Executive Officer received any remuneration for agreeing to assume the foreign currency transaction agreements. The
material terms of the Novation and the Sound Treasure Agreement were reviewed and approved by the Audit Committee of the Company.
As a result of the Novation and the Offset Agreement, approximately RMB76.8 million in liabilities on the Company’s books
were extinguished in 2014 and the Capital Reserve account was increased by approximately RMB61.3 million.
The Company paid a cash
dividend of US$0.10 (equivalent to RMB0.61) per share each on July 13, 2013 and January 14, 2014, respectively, to its shareholders
which totaled in aggregate US$ 4.1 million (equivalent to RMB 24.9 million gross, RMB23.66 million net of 5% PRC withholding tax
(Note 9)).
The Company paid a cash
dividend of US$0.0125 (equivalent to RMB0.08) per share each on July 14, 2014 and January 14, 2015, respectively, to its shareholders
which totaled in aggregate US$0.5 million (equivalent to RMB 3.2 million gross, RMB3.01 million net of 5% PRC withholding tax
(Note 9)).
|
26.
|
SHARE-BASED
EMPLOYEE REMUNERATION
|
(a) Employee option plan
At the annual meeting
on December 27, 2010, the shareholders of the Company approved the 2010 Incentive Compensation Plan (“the 2010 Plan”),
which was designed to retain directors and senior management. In accordance with the Plan, the Company granted an aggregate of
1,130,000 stock options to the Company’s then directors (Huang Jia Dong, Su Wei Feng, Su Pei Zhi, Paul K. Kelly, Cheng Yan
Davis, Ding Wei Dong and William L. Stulginsky) and executives (Hen Man Edmund), upon the approval by the Board of Directors on
January 27, 2011, the grant date. The exercise price of the share options granted was US$ 7.65 per share and the share options
were valid for a period of 5 years from January 27, 2011 to January 27, 2016. Such options were fully exercisable as of December
31, 2015. Such options terminated on January 27, 2016.
Share options and weighted
average exercise prices are as follows for the reporting periods presented:
|
|
Number of shares
|
|
|
Weighted average
exercise price
US$
|
|
Outstanding at January 1, 2013
|
|
|
1,130,000
|
|
|
|
7.65
|
|
Granted
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Forfeited
|
|
|
(20,000
|
)
|
|
|
7.65
|
|
Exercised
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Outstanding at December 31, 2013 and 2014
|
|
|
1,110,000
|
|
|
|
7.65
|
|
Exercisable at December 31, 2013
|
|
|
832,500
|
|
|
|
7.65
|
|
Exercisable at December 31, 2014
|
|
|
1,110,000
|
|
|
|
7.65
|
|
Exercisable at December 31, 2015
|
|
|
1,110,000
|
|
|
|
7.65
|
|
Exercisable at December 31, 2016
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Exercisable at December 31, 2017
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
The total fair value of
the share options granted under the 2010 Plan is RMB25,643,000. The fair values of options granted were determined using a variation
of the Black-Scholes Option Pricing Model that takes into account factors specific to the share incentive plans, such as the vesting
period. The following principal assumptions were used in the valuation:
Grant date
|
|
|
January 27,
2011
|
|
Vesting period ends
|
|
|
January 27,
2014
|
|
Share
price at date of grant
|
|
US$
|
7.65
|
|
Exercise price at
date of grant
|
|
US$
|
7.65
|
|
Volatility
|
|
|
65
|
%
|
Option life
|
|
|
5 years
|
|
Dividend yield
|
|
|
0
|
%
|
Risk-free interest
rate
|
|
|
1.98
|
%
|
Fair value at grant
date
|
|
US$
|
3.52
|
|
Weighted average
remaining contractual life
|
|
|
3.25 years
|
|
The underlying expected
volatility was determined by reference to historical data of the Company’s shares over a period of time, adjusted for any
expected changes to future volatility based on publicly available information. Expected dividends are based on historical dividends.
Changes in the subjective input assumptions could materially affect the fair value estimate.
(b) Employee share scheme
The Board of Directors
duly adopted and approved the 2017 Equity Compensation Plan (“the 2017 Plan”) on May 21, 2017. The purpose of the
2017 Plan was to attract and retain outstanding individuals as Employees, Directors and Consultants of the Company and its Subsidiaries,
to recognize the contributions made to the Company and its Subsidiaries by Employees, Directors and Consultants, and to provide
such Employees, Directors and Consultants with additional incentive to expand and improve the profits and achieve the objectives
of the Company and its Subsidiaries, by providing such Employees, Directors and Consultants with the opportunity to acquire or
increase their proprietary interest in the Company through receipt of Awards.
The Board, in its sole
discretion, shall determine the Employees, Consultants and Directors to whom, and the time or times at which Awards will be granted,
the form and amount of each Award, the expiration date of each Award, the time or times within which the Awards may be exercised,
the cancellation of the Awards and the other limitations, restrictions, terms and conditions applicable to the grant of the Awards.
To the extent permitted by applicable law, regulation, and rules of a stock exchange on which the Ordinary Shares are listed or
traded, the Board may delegate its authority to grant Awards to Employees or Consultants and to determine the terms and conditions
thereof to its standing committee, e.g., Compensation Committee, as it may determine in its discretion, on such terms and conditions
as it may impose.
The total number of shares
that may be issued under the 2017 Plan was 280,000. Such shares may be either be authorized but unissued shares or treasury shares.
In the event of any reorganization, recapitalization, share split, distribution, merger, consolidation, split-up, spin-off, combination,
subdivision, consolidation or exchange of shares, any change in the capital structure of the Company or any similar corporate
transaction, the Board shall make such adjustments as it deems appropriate, in its sole discretion, to preserve the benefits or
intended benefits of the 2017 Plan and Awards granted under the 2017 Plan.
The number of shares issued
to Employees, Directors and Consultants is the offer amount divided by the Fair Market Value, meaning (i) if the principal trading
market for the Ordinary Shares is the NASDAQ Capital Market or another national securities exchange, the “closing transaction”
price at which shares of Ordinary Shares are traded on such securities exchange on the relevant date or (if there were no trades
on that date) the latest preceding date upon which a sale was reported, (ii) if the Ordinary Shares is not principally traded
on a national securities exchange, but is quoted on the NASD OTC Bulletin Board (“OTCBB”) or the Pink Sheets, the
last reported “closing transaction” price of Ordinary Shares on the relevant date, as reported by the OTCBB or Pink
Sheets, or, if not so reported, as reported in a customary financial reporting service, as the Committee determines, or (iii)
if the Ordinary Shares is not publicly traded or, if publicly traded, is not subject to reported closing transaction prices as
set forth above, the Fair Market Value per share shall be as determined by the Board.
From August to December
2017, the Company issued aggregate of 27,394 shares to its Chief Financial Officer as stock compensation expense. The fair value of 27,394 shares
was RMB294,000.
For the years ended
December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, employee remuneration expense (all of which related to equity-settled share-based payment transactions)
of RMB294,000, RMB nil and RMB nil, respectively, has been included in profit or loss and credited to the share-based payment
reserve.
|
27.
|
BUSINESS
COMBINATIONS
|
On January 8, 2010, the
Company consummated the acquisition of all voting equity interests of Hengdali, a company that manufactures and sells ceramics
tiles used for exterior siding and for interior flooring, for a total cash consideration of RMB185,517,000. The acquisition is
intended to increase the Company’s production capacity and reduce costs through economies of scale.
Details of the purchase
consideration, the net assets acquired and goodwill are as follows:
|
|
Fair value
|
|
|
|
RMB’000
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents
|
|
|
3,822
|
|
Property, plant and equipment
|
|
|
206,532
|
|
Land use rights
|
|
|
32,439
|
|
Inventories
|
|
|
11,473
|
|
Receivables
|
|
|
400
|
|
Payables
|
|
|
(11,728
|
)
|
Borrowings
|
|
|
(60,000
|
)
|
Deferred tax liability
|
|
|
(1,156
|
)
|
Total identified assets
|
|
|
181,782
|
|
Goodwill
|
|
|
3,735
|
|
Purchase consideration, satisfied in cash
|
|
|
185,517
|
|
The goodwill is attributable
to Hengdali’s strong production capacity, foreseeable profitability and synergies expected to arise from the economies of
scale after the acquisition. None of the goodwill is expected to be deductible for tax purposes.
|
28.
|
SIGNIFICANT
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
|
|
(a)
|
Apart
from those discussed elsewhere in these financial statements, the following are significant
related party transactions entered into between the Company and its related parties at
agreed rates:
|
|
|
For the years ended
December 31,
|
|
|
|
2017
|
|
|
2016
|
|
|
2015
|
|
|
|
RMB’000
|
|
|
RMB’000
|
|
|
RMB’000
|
|
Service fees paid to Stuart Management Co.
|
|
|
81
|
|
|
|
81
|
|
|
|
76
|
|
|
|
2017
|
|
|
2016
|
|
|
|
RMB’000
|
|
|
RMB’000
|
|
Amounts owed to related parties
|
|
|
36,017
|
|
|
|
35,626
|
|
Service fees accrued to Stuart Management Co.
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
7
|
|
|
|
|
36,017
|
|
|
|
35,633
|
|
Pursuant to an administrative
services agreement dated as of December 1, 2009 between the Company and Stuart Management Co., an affiliate of Paul K. Kelly,
an ex-director who resigned on Nov 27, 2013, the Company paid US$ 12,000 (equivalent to RMB 81,000) during the year ended December
31, 2017 and 2016 plus out-of-pocket expenses to Stuart Management Co. for administrative services. The initial one-year term
began on December 1, 2009, and the agreement automatically renews for successive one-year terms unless either party notifies the
other of its intent not to renew. During the term of the agreement, Stuart Management Co. will provide the Company with general
administrative services, including acting as the Company’s administrative agent in the United States and the British Virgin
Islands, and allow the Company to utilize certain of its office space for meetings. The agreement was renewed to reduce the amount
to US$ 4,900 (equivalent to RMB 30,000) a month in December 2013. The amount was further reduced to US$ 1,000 (equivalent to RMB
6,000) a month commencing October 2014.
The Company owed Stuart
Management Co. US$0 and US$1,000 (equivalent to RMB7,000) as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.
Mr. Huang Jia Dong, the
founder and Chairman of Hengda and the Chief Executive Officer and one of the directors of the Company and Mr. Wong Kung Tok,
formerly one of the Company’s significant shareholders, provide working capital loans to the Company from time to time during
the normal course of its business. These loans amounted to RMB34,928,000 and RMB34,469,000 as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.
These loans are interest free, unsecured and repayable on demand. Mr. Huang and Mr. Wong are brothers-in-law. Mr. Huang and Mr.
Wong are brothers-in-law.
As of December 31, 2017,
the Company had a loan of US$167,000 (equivalent to RMB 1,089,000) (2016: US$ 167,000 (equivalent to RMB 1,157,000)) payable to
Sound Treasure Limited, an affiliate of Mr. Huang Jia Dong and a shareholder of the Company. This loan is interest free, unsecured
and repayable on demand.
|
(b)
|
Mr. Huang Jia Dong
and Su Pei Zhi provide personal guarantees to the Company for certain bank loans. The guarantees amounted to RMB nil, RMB
nil and RMB90,000,000 as of December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Mr. Su resigned as a director on April 27, 2014
but remains as the Company’s sales deputy general manager.
|
|
(a)
|
Operating lease commitments
|
The Company leases production
factories, warehouses and employees’ hostel from unrelated parties under non-cancellable operating lease arrangements. The
leases have varying terms and the total future minimum lease payments of the Company under non-cancellable operating leases are
payable as follows:
|
|
As of December 31,
|
|
|
|
2017
|
|
|
2016
|
|
|
2015
|
|
|
|
RMB’000
|
|
|
RMB’000
|
|
|
RMB’000
|
|
Within one year
|
|
|
13,902
|
|
|
|
13,902
|
|
|
|
13,902
|
|
After one year and within five years
|
|
|
19,694
|
|
|
|
33,596
|
|
|
|
47,499
|
|
|
|
|
33,596
|
|
|
|
47,498
|
|
|
|
61,401
|
|
The leases typically run
for an initial period of three to five years, with an option to renew the lease when all terms are renegotiated. Lease payments
are usually increased every five years to reflect market rentals. None of the leases includes contingent rentals.
The Company’s capital
expenditures consist of expenditures on property, plant and equipment and capital contribution. Capital expenditures contracted
for at the balance sheet date but not recognized in the financial statements are as follows:
|
|
As of December 31,
|
|
|
|
2017
|
|
|
2016
|
|
|
2015
|
|
|
|
RMB’000
|
|
|
RMB’000
|
|
|
RMB’000
|
|
Contracted for capital commitment in respect of capital contribution to its wholly
foreign owned subsidiary in the PRC:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
– Hengda
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Contracted but not provided for in the financial statements –
acquisition of property, plant and equipment
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
The Company had the following
other commitments:
|
|
Year ended December 31,
|
|
|
|
2017
|
|
|
2016
|
|
|
2015
|
|
|
|
RMB’000
|
|
|
RMB’000
|
|
|
RMB’000
|
|
Advertising expenditure contracted but not provided for in the financial statements
|
|
|
1,670
|
|
|
|
3,830
|
|
|
|
5,584
|
|
|
30.
|
FINANCIAL
RISK MANAGEMENT
|
The Company’s overall
financial risk management program seeks to minimize potential adverse effects of financial performance of the Company. Management
has in place processes and procedures to monitor the Company’s risk exposures while balancing the costs associated with
such monitoring and management against the costs of risk occurrence. The Company’s risk management policies are reviewed
periodically for changes in market conditions and the Company’s operations.
The Company is exposed
to financial risks arising from its operations and the use of financial instruments. The key financial risks included credit risk,
liquidity risk, interest rate risk, foreign currency risk and market price risk.
Except as disclosed in
(d), the Company does not hold or issue derivative financial instruments for trading purposes or to hedge against fluctuations,
if any, in interest rates and foreign exchange rates.
Credit risk refers to
the risk that a counterparty will default on its contractual obligations resulting in financial loss to the Company. The Company’s
exposure to credit risk arises primarily from bank balances and trade receivables. For trade receivables, the Company adopts the
policy of dealing only with customers of appropriate credit history to mitigate credit risk. For other financial assets, the Company
adopts the policy of dealing only with high credit quality counterparties.
As the Company does not
hold any collateral, the maximum exposure to credit risk for each class of financial assets is the carrying amount of that class
of financial assets presented on the consolidated statements of financial position.
Cash and bank balances
The Company’s bank
deposits are placed with reputable banks in the PRC, Hong Kong and the United States, which management believes are of high credit
quality. The Company performs periodic evaluations of the relative credit standing of these financial institutions.
Trade receivables
The Company’s objective
is to seek continual growth while minimizing losses incurred due to increased credit risk exposure.
The Company’s exposure
to credit risks is influenced mainly by the individual characteristics of each customer. The Company typically gives the existing
customers credit terms of approximately 120 days to 150 days. In deciding whether credit shall be extended, the Company will take
into consideration factors such as the relationship with the customer, its payment history and credit worthiness. In relation
to new customers, the sales and marketing department will prepare credit proposals for approval by the Chief Executive Officer.
The Company performs ongoing
credit evaluations of its customers’ financial condition and requires no collateral from its customers. The provision for
impairment loss for doubtful debts is based upon a review of the expected collectability of all trade and other receivables.
The Company’s concentration
of credit risk by geographical location is wholly in the PRC as of December 31, 2017 and 2016. Further details of the Company’s
concentration of credit risk are set out in Note 17.
The Company’s policy
is to regularly monitor current and expected liquidity requirements and its compliance with loan covenants to ensure that it maintains
a sufficient amount of cash and adequate committed lines of funding from major financial institutions to meet its liquidity requirements
in the short and longer term.
The following table details
the Company’s remaining contractual maturities for its financial liabilities. The table has been drawn up based on undiscounted
cash flows of financial liabilities based on the earliest date on which the Company can be required to pay. The table includes
both interest and principal cash flows. To the extent that interest flows are at a floating rate, the undiscounted amount is calculated
based on interest rate at the end of the reporting periods:
|
|
As of December 31, 2017
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
More than 1
|
|
|
Total contractual
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
year but less
|
|
|
undiscounted
|
|
|
Carrying
|
|
|
|
Within 1 year
|
|
|
than 3 years
|
|
|
cash flow
|
|
|
amount
|
|
|
|
RMB’000
|
|
|
RMB’000
|
|
|
RMB’000
|
|
|
RMB’000
|
|
Trade payables
|
|
|
61,084
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
61,084
|
|
|
|
61,084
|
|
Amounts owed to related parties
|
|
|
36,017
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
36,017
|
|
|
|
36,017
|
|
Interest-bearing bank borrowings
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Total
|
|
|
97,101
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
97,101
|
|
|
|
97,101
|
|
|
|
As of December 31, 2016
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
More than 1
|
|
|
Total contractual
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
year but less
|
|
|
undiscounted
|
|
|
Carrying
|
|
|
|
Within 1 year
|
|
|
than 3 years
|
|
|
cash flow
|
|
|
amount
|
|
|
|
RMB’000
|
|
|
RMB’000
|
|
|
RMB’000
|
|
|
RMB’000
|
|
Trade payables
|
|
|
84,257
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
84,257
|
|
|
|
84,257
|
|
Amounts owed to related parties
|
|
|
35,626
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
35,626
|
|
|
|
35,626
|
|
Interest-bearing bank borrowings
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Total
|
|
|
119,883
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
119,883
|
|
|
|
119,883
|
|
Interest rate risk is
the risk that the fair value or future cash flows of the Company’s financial instruments will fluctuate because of changes
in market interest rates.
The Company’s exposure
to interest rate risk arises primarily from the Company’s interest-bearing bank deposits and borrowings. The interest rates
and terms of repayment of the bank borrowings are disclosed in Note 22.
The Company is exposed
to fair value interest rate risk in relation to its fixed-rate bank borrowings. Bank borrowings subject to fixed interest rates
are contractually repriced at intervals of 12 months. The Company currently does not have an interest rate hedging policy. However,
the management monitors interest rate exposure and will consider other necessary actions when significant interest rate exposure
is anticipated.
The Company is also exposed
to cash flow interest rate risk related to bank balances and cash held at financial institutions carried at the prevailing market
rates and variable-rate bank borrowings.
At December 31, 2017 and
2016, the company has paid off all its loan. Thus was no variable-rate risk.
|
(d)
|
Foreign currency
risk
|
Currency risk is the risk
that the fair value or future cash flows of a financial instrument will fluctuate due to changes in foreign exchange rates. Currency
risk arises when transactions are denominated in foreign currencies.
The Company is mainly
exposed to foreign exchange risk arising from future commercial transactions, recognized assets and liabilities denominated in
currencies other than the functional currency of the group entities to which they relate. The Company’s operations are primarily
conducted in the PRC. All the sales and purchases transactions are denominated in RMB. As such, the operations are not exposed
to exchange rate fluctuation.
As of December 31, 2017
and 2016, nearly all of the Company’s monetary assets and monetary liabilities were denominated in RMB except that as of
December 31, 2017 and 2016, certain bank balances (Note 19), bank borrowings (Note 22) and other payables (Note 21) were denominated
in US dollars.
Sensitivity analysis
The Group’s foreign
currency risk is mainly concentrated on the fluctuation of US$ and HK$. The following table details the Group’s sensitivity
to a 4% increase and decrease in RMB against the relevant foreign currencies. The sensitivity analysis includes only outstanding
foreign currency denominated monetary items and adjusts their translation at the years end for a 4% change. On this basis, if
RMB strengthens against foreign currencies by 4%, the Group’s loss before taxation for the year would decrease by the following
amount, and vice versa.
|
|
As of December 31,
|
|
|
|
2017
|
|
|
2016
|
|
|
2015
|
|
|
|
RMB’000
|
|
|
RMB’000
|
|
|
RMB’000
|
|
Loss before taxation
|
|
|
86
|
|
|
|
8
|
|
|
|
3
|
|
The sensitivity analysis
has been determined assuming that the change in foreign exchange rates had occurred at the end of the reporting period and had
been applied to re-measure those financial instruments held by the Company which expose the Company to foreign currency risk at
the end of the reporting period. The stated changes represent management’s assessment of reasonably possible changes in
foreign exchange rates over the period until the end of next annual reporting period. The analysis is performed on the same basis
for 2016 and 2015.
In management’s
opinion, the sensitivity analysis is unrepresentative of the inherent foreign exchange risk as the year end exposure at the end
of the reporting period does not reflect the exposure during the year.
|
(e)
|
Fair value measurements
|
|
(i)
|
Financial instruments carried at fair value
|
Fair value hierarchy
The following table presents
the fair value of the Company’s financial instruments measured at the end of the reporting period on a recurring basis,
categorized into the three-level fair value hierarchy as defined in IFRS 13 Fair value measurement. The level into which a fair
value measurement is classified is determined with reference to the observability and significance of the inputs used in the valuation
technique as follows:
|
·
|
Level
1: quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
|
|
·
|
Level 2: inputs other than quoted prices included
within level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly (that is, as prices) or indirectly (that is,
derived from prices)
|
|
·
|
Level 3: inputs for the assets or liability
that are not based on observable market data (that is, unobservable inputs). The Company’s directors are responsible
to determine the appropriate valuation techniques and inputs for fair value measurements.
|
There were no transfers
between instrument levels during the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016.
As of December 31, 2017
and 2016 there were no other financial instruments measured on a recurring basis.
(ii) Financial assets and liabilities
measured at other than fair value
The carrying amounts of
the Company’s other financial instruments carried at cost or amortized cost approximate their fair values as of December
31, 2017 and 2016.
The Company’s objectives when
managing capital are:
(i) To
safeguard the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern and to be able to service its debts when they are due;
(ii) To
maintain an optimal capital structure so as to maximize shareholder value; and
(iii) To
maintain a strong credit rating and healthy capital ratios in order to support the Company’s stability and growth.
The Company actively and
regularly reviews and manages its capital structure to ensure optimal shareholder returns, taking into consideration the future
capital requirements of the Company and capital efficiency, prevailing and projected profitability, projected operating cash flows,
projected capital expenditures and projected strategic investment opportunities. The Company manages its common shares and stock
options as capital.
The Company is not subject
to externally imposed capital requirements, except for, as disclosed in Note 23(a), the Company’s PRC subsidiaries are required
by the Foreign Enterprise Law of the PRC to contribute to and maintain a non-distributable statutory reserve fund whose utilization
is subject to approval by the Board of Directors. This externally imposed capital requirement has been complied with by the PRC
subsidiaries for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015.
In order to maintain or
adjust the capital structure, the Company may adjust the amount of dividends paid to shareholders, return capital to shareholders,
increase share capital, obtain new borrowings or sell assets to reduce debt.
There were no changes
in the Company’s overall approach to capital management during the report periods.
The capital structure
of the Company consists of debts (which include borrowings, less cash and cash equivalents) and equity attributable to shareholders
of the Company (comprising issued capital and reserves). The Company monitors capital on the basis of the debt to capital ratio,
which is calculated as net debts divided by equity attributable to shareholders of the Company.
|
|
As of December 31,
|
|
|
|
2017
|
|
|
2016
|
|
|
|
RMB’000
|
|
|
RMB’000
|
|
Interest-bearing bank borrowings
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Amounts owed to related parties
|
|
|
36,017
|
|
|
|
35,626
|
|
Total debt
|
|
|
36,017
|
|
|
|
35,626
|
|
Less: Cash and cash equivalents (excluding restricted bank balances)
|
|
|
(2,328
|
)
|
|
|
(110
|
)
|
Net debts
|
|
|
33,689
|
|
|
|
35,516
|
|
Equity attributable to shareholders of the Company
|
|
|
694,530
|
|
|
|
772,298
|
|
Gearing ratio
|
|
|
4.9
|
%
|
|
|
4.6
|
%
|
On April 19, 2018, the Company entered into a security agreement with certain individual investors relating
to a registered direct offering of an aggregate of 770,299 shares, at a purchase price of $1.56 per share. The gross proceeds from
the offering, before deducting estimated offering expense, are expected to be approximately $1.2 million. The proceeds from the
offering will be used for working capital and general corporate purpose. There were no discounts or brokerage fees associated with
this offering. Please also refer to the Form 6-K filed to the SEC on April 20, 2018.
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