Indicate the number of outstanding shares of each of the issuers classes of capital or common stock as of the close of the period covered by the Annual
Report.
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities
Act. ☐ Yes ☒ No
If this is an annual or transition report, indicate by
check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. ☐ Yes ☒ No
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past
90 days. ☐ Yes ☒ No
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant
has submitted electronically 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
during the preceding
12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). ☒ Yes ☐ No
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a
non-accelerated
filer, or an emerging growth company. See definition of accelerated filer and large accelerated filer in
Rule 12b-2
of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
If an emerging growth company that prepares its financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP, indicate by check mark if
the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
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. ☐ Item 17 ☐ Item 18
If this is
an Annual Report, indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in
Rule 12b-2
of the Exchange
Act). ☐ Yes ☒ No
PART I
This Annual Report for China Enterprises Limited (referred to in this report as the Company or we and which terms
shall include, when the context so requires, the subsidiaries of the Company during the applicable period) should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes included in this report.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This Annual Report on Form
20-F
for the year ended December 31, 2017 contains certain
forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act. These forward-looking statements are, by their nature, subject to significant risks and uncertainties, and
include, without limitation, statements relating to:
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our business, operating and expansion strategy;
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our ability to finance our business strategy;
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our future business conditions and financial results; and
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future developments in the economic and political environment in China.
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The words
anticipate, believe, estimate, expect, intend, plan, may and similar expressions, as they relate to us, are intended to identify certain of such forward-looking
statements. We do not intend to update these forward-looking statements except as required by the U.S. securities laws.
These
forward-looking statements reflect our current views with respect to future events and are not a guarantee of future performance. They are based upon various assumptions, many of which are based, in turn, upon further assumptions, including, without
limitation, managements examination of historical operating trends, data contained in the Companys records and other data available from third parties. Although the Company believes that these assumptions were reasonable when made,
because these assumptions are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies that are difficult or impossible to predict and are beyond the Companys control, there can be no assurance that the Company will achieve or
accomplish these expectations or beliefs.
In addition to the factors and matters discussed elsewhere herein, there are a number of
important factors that, in the Companys view, could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, the strength of world economies and currencies, general market
conditions, changes in general domestic and international political conditions, and other matters described in the Risk Factors section included in this Annual Report or otherwise described in the reports the Company files with the U.S.
Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC.
EXCHANGE RATE INFORMATION
Unless otherwise specified, all references in this document to U.S. Dollars, Dollars, US$ or $
are to United States dollars; all references to Renminbi or Rmb are to Renminbi, which is the legal tender currency of the Peoples Republic of China, or the PRC or China; and all references to
HK$ are to Hong Kong dollars, which is the legal tender currency of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, or Hong Kong. Where made for the convenience of the reader, conversions of amounts from Renminbi to U.S. Dollars
have been made in this document at US$1.00 to Rmb6.5063, the noon buying rate from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York on December 31, 2017. No representation is made that the Renminbi amounts could have been, or could be, converted into U.S.
Dollars at that or at any other rate. See the section Exchange Rate Information under Item 3. Key Information in this Annual Report for more details on the exchange rate between Renminbi and US Dollars.
References and statements contained in this document regarding China do not apply to Taiwan or the Republic of China.
ITEM 1.
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IDENTITY OF DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND ADVISERS
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Not applicable.
ITEM 2.
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OFFER STATISTICS AND EXPECTED TIMETABLE
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Not applicable.
3
A. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
The following table represents the selected consolidated financial information of the Company as of and for the years ended December 31,
2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017. The Consolidated Statements of Operations Data for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2017 and the Consolidated Balance Sheets Data as of December 31, 2016 and 2017 have been derived
from the audited consolidated financial statements, or the Consolidated Financial Statements, included in Item 17 Financial Statements of this Annual Report. The Consolidated Statements of Operations Data for the years
ended December 31, 2013 and 2014 and the Consolidated Balance Sheets Data as of December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015, as set forth below, have been derived from audited consolidated financial statements not included in this Annual Report. The
Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States, or U.S. GAAP. The selected financial information should be read in conjunction with, and is qualified in its
entirety by reference to, the respective consolidated financial statements and their accompanying notes.
Selected Consolidated
Financial Information of the Company
(Amounts in thousands, except number of shares, their par values and per share data)
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Year ended December 31,
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2013
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2014
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2015
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2016
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2017
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Rmb
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Rmb
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Rmb
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Rmb
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Rmb
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US$
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Consolidated Statements of Operations Data:
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Revenue
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Loss from operations
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(1,762
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(2,148
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(2,803
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(2,732
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(2,163
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(332
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Net income (loss)
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9,938
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(2,490
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4,062
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613
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6,545
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1,006
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Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per common share (a)
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1.10
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(0.28
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0.45
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0.07
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0.73
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0.11
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Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding (a)
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9,017,310
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9,017,310
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9,017,310
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9,017,310
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9,017,310
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9,017,310
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Consolidated Balance Sheets Data :
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Total assets
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632,879
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639,607
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668,582
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716,577
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667,369
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102,573
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Shareholders equity / Net assets
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599,897
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607,358
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634,655
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679,737
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637,457
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97,975
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Common stock par value US$0.01 per share
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770
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770
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770
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770
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770
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118
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Note:
(a)
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The calculation of basic and diluted (loss) earnings per common share from 2013 to 2017 is based on the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding during each of the years ended December 31, 2013
to 2017. The number of shares of common stock outstanding for 2013 to 2017 was 9,017,310. There were no dilutive securities issued or outstanding for any of the periods presented.
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Exchange Rate Information
The Consolidated Financial Statements are published and denominated in Renminbi. Where made for the convenience of the reader, conversion of
amounts from Renminbi to U.S. Dollars has been made in this document at US$1.00 to Rmb6.5063, the noon buying rate certified by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York on December 31, 2017. For the purpose of this Annual Report, the latest
practicable date with respect to share and certain exchange rate information is April 30, 2018. As of April 30, 2018, the noon buying rate certified by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York was US$1.00 to Rmb6.3325. No representation is made that the
Renminbi amounts could have been, or could be, converted into U.S. Dollars at that or at any other rate.
4
The following table sets forth the average unified exchange rates for each of the years ended
December 31, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017:
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Year Ended December 31,
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2013
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2014
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2015
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2016
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2017
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(Rmb
equivalent
of
US$1.00)
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Rmb
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Rmb
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Rmb
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Rmb
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Rmb
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At unified exchange rate
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- average rate calculated by using the average of the exchange rates on the last day of each month
during each period.
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6.14
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6.17
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6.29
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6.66
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6.73
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The following table sets forth the high and low exchange rates for each month during the previous six months:
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At Unified Exchange Rate
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(Rmb equivalent of US$1.00)
Month Ended
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High
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Low
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April 30, 2018
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6.33
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6.27
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March 31, 2018
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6.36
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6.27
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February 28, 2018
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6.35
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6.26
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January 31, 2018
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6.53
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6.28
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December 31, 2017
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6.62
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6.51
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November 30, 2017
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6.64
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6.60
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B. CAPITALIZATION AND INDEBTEDNESS
Not applicable.
C. REASONS
FOR THE OFFER AND PROCEEDS
Not applicable.
D. RISK FACTORS
Investing in our shares involves various risks, including the risks described below. You should carefully consider the following risks and the
other information contained in this Annual Report before investing in our shares. Additional risks not currently known to us or that we currently believe are immaterial also may impair our business operations, financial condition and our liquidity.
Risks Related to Our Business
AS A RESULT OF CHANGES IN THE COMPANYS ASSETS AND SOURCES OF INCOME, THE COMPANY MAY BE AN INVESTMENT COMPANY FOR PURPOSES OF THE
UNITED STATES INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940
While the Company believes that in the past, through its subsidiaries and affiliates,
it has actively engaged in operating businesses and did not meet the definition of an investment company for purposes of the United States Investment Company Act of 1940, or the 1940 Act, depending on the composition and valuation of the
Companys assets and the sources of the Companys income from time to time, including after the consummation of the transactions during 2015 described in Item 4.A., History and Development of the Company, the Company may fall within
the technical definition of the term investment company for purposes of the 1940 Act. The Company is not registered, nor is it eligible to register under the 1940 Act. As a result, if the Company is deemed to be an investment company
under the 1940 Act, the Companys operations and results may be negatively impacted. For example, among other possible effects and so long as the Company is an investment company, it would neither be able to raise capital through the offer and
sale of its securities in the United States nor to conduct business in the United States. The Company may be unable to continue operating as it currently does and might need to acquire or sell assets that it would not otherwise acquire or sell in
order to avoid continuing to be deemed an investment company as defined under the 1940 Act.
5
THE COMPANY MAY NOT BE ABLE TO SUCCESSFULLY IMPLEMENT ITS BUSINESS STRATEGY, IN WHICH CASE
ITS BUSINESS, OPERATING RESULTS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION WOULD SUFFER
In November 2011, the Company disposed of all of its interest
in Hangzhou Zhongce and it ceased to be an equity method affiliate of the Company. In addition, all of the subsidiaries of the Company were inactive during fiscal years 2016 and 2017. Despite the Companys efforts to identify new investments,
it has had limited success in doing so and, if it does identify new investments, it may not be able to consummate their acquisition. Even if the Company successfully identifies and consummates the acquisition of new investments, the acquisition of
new businesses and business lines carries substantial risk and uncertainties. Depending on the specific acquisition, there may be risks relating to the acquired business itself, risks relating to the industry in which the business operates and risks
relating to the Company itself.
THE COMPANY MAY NOT BE ABLE TO FINANCE ACQUISITIONS, STRATEGIC INVESTMENTS OR OTHER EXPANSIONS OR
MAY INCUR FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS OR LIABILITIES IN CONNECTION WITH ANY ACQUISITION OR EXPANSION
Although as of December 31,
2017, the Company believes it had a strong cash position, the Company may experience difficulty in funding acquisitions, investments or expansion. The Company may fund any such activities through bank loans or other debt financing and could incur an
increase in debt or other liabilities in connection with any acquisitions, strategic investments or other expansions.
FUTURE
ACQUISITIONS OR STRATEGIC INVESTMENTS MAY NOT BE SUCCESSFUL AND MAY HARM OUR OPERATING RESULTS
Selective acquisitions or strategic
investments form a large part of our strategy to further expand our business. If we are presented with appropriate opportunities, we may acquire or invest in other companies, ventures or businesses. Future acquisitions and the subsequent integration
of new companies into ours would require significant attention from our management. Potential problems encountered by each organization during mergers and acquisitions would be unique, posing additional risks to the company. Future acquisitions or
investments would expose us to potential risks, including risks associated with the assimilation of new operations, and could have a material adverse effect on our business and financial results because of possible charges for purchased technology,
restructuring or impairment charges related to goodwill or amortization expenses associated with intangible assets; potential increases in our expenses and working capital requirements and the incurrence of debt and contingent liabilities; diversion
or our capital and managements attention to other business concerns; risks of entering markets or geographic areas in which we have limited prior experience; or potential loss of key employees of acquired organizations or inability to hire key
employees necessary for expansion.
DIVERSIFICATION MAY RESULT IN LOWERED RESPONSIVENESS TO CYCLICAL CHANGES OF DIFFERENT BUSINESSES
Any diversification of the Companys businesses, including through any investments in other businesses, will result in
assets, resources and management being committed or allocated to businesses in different fields. As a result, the Companys flexibility in responding to seasonal changes or periodic fluctuations in the business cycle in a particular business
operation may be limited.
6
THE COMPANY BELIEVES IT WAS CLASSIFIED AS A PASSIVE FOREIGN INVESTMENT COMPANY
WHICH COULD HAVE A NEGATIVE IMPACT ON U.S. HOLDERS
U.S. investors in the Companys common stock should be aware that the
Company believes it was classified as a passive foreign investment company, or PFIC, during the tax year ended December 31, 2017, and based on current business plans and financial expectations, the Company believes that it may be a PFIC in
subsequent tax years. If the Company is a PFIC for any year during a U.S. shareholders holding period, then such U.S. shareholder generally will be required to treat any gain realized upon a disposition of the Companys common stock, or
any
so-called
excess distribution received on such common stock, as ordinary income, and to pay an interest charge on a portion of such gain or distributions, unless the shareholder makes a timely
and effective qualified electing fund election (QEF Election) with respect to such common stock. A U.S. shareholder who makes a QEF Election generally must report on a current basis its share of the Companys net capital
gain and ordinary earnings for any year in which the Company is a PFIC, whether or not the Company distributes any amounts to its shareholders. However, U.S. shareholders should be aware that the Company did not satisfy record keeping requirements
that apply to a qualified electing fund for its tax year ended December 31, 2017 and there can be no assurance that the Company will in the future satisfy record keeping requirements that apply to a qualified electing fund, or that the Company
will supply U.S. shareholders with information that such U.S. shareholders are required to report under the QEF Election rules, in the event that the Company is a PFIC and a U.S. shareholder wishes to make a QEF Election. Thus, U.S. shareholders may
not be able to make a QEF Election with respect to their Company common stock. This paragraph is qualified in its entirety by the discussion below under the heading Taxation Certain Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences.
Each U.S. shareholder should consult its own tax advisor regarding the PFIC rules and the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership, and disposition of the Companys common stock.
CHANGES IN ACCOUNTING STANDARDS AND TAXATION REQUIREMENTS COULD AFFECT OUR FINANCIAL RESULTS
New accounting standards or pronouncements that may become applicable to us from time to time, or changes in the interpretation of existing
standards and pronouncements, could have a significant effect on our reported results for the affected periods. We also expect to become subject to income tax in jurisdictions in which we expect to commence generating revenues. Increases in income
tax rates could reduce our
after-tax
income from affected jurisdictions, while increases in indirect taxes could affect our financial results.
FAILURE OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY COULD HAVE A NEGATIVE IMPACT ON OUR OPERATIONS
Growing standardization, more reliance on global systems, information technology services and increased regulations lead to a risk that our
information technology systems may fail. This could affect the Companys operational performance and financial position.
OUR
OPERATIONS, ASSETS AND STAFF CAN BE EXPOSED TO RISKS RELATED TO EVENTS OF AN EXCEPTIONAL NATURE
The Company, including its assets
and staff, could be exposed to risks related to events of an exceptional nature such as, but not limited to, severe weather, natural disasters, terrorist attacks, political unrest and accidents. Such events could have a significant effect on our
financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
FAILURE TO ESTABLISH AND MAINTAIN EFFECTIVE INTERNAL CONTROLS OVER
FINANCIAL REPORTING COULD HAVE A MATERIAL ADVERSE EFFECT ON THE ACCURACY IN REPORTING OUR FINANCIAL RESULTS OR PREVENTING FRAUD
Undetected internal control weaknesses or controls that function ineffectively represent a risk of loss or financial misstatement. Internal
control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements because of inherent limitations, including the possibility of human error, the circumvention or overriding of controls or fraud. Therefore, even effective internal controls can
provide only reasonable assurance with respect to the preparation and fair presentation of financial statements. If the Company fails to maintain the adequacy of its internal controls as it has at times in the past, including any failure to
implement required new or improved controls, or if it experiences difficulties in the implementation of internal controls, the Companys business and operating results could be harmed, and it could fail to meet its reporting obligations. As of
December 31, 2014, for example, management concluded that the Companys internal control over financial reporting was ineffective and identified a material weakness, similar to prior years, concerning the Companys internal accounting
staffs lack of understanding of complex accounting issues related to U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, including accounting for income taxes. In response, the Company engaged external consultants to perform a number of tasks to
prepare specific accounting analysis.
7
Moreover, effective internal controls are necessary for us to produce reliable financial reports
and are important in helping prevent financial fraud. If we are not able to provide reliable financial reports on a timely basis or prevent financial fraud, our business and operating results could be harmed, investors could lose confidence in our
reported financial information, and the trading price of our stock could drop significantly.
Because the Company is a
non-accelerated
filer, the Company is also not required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. As a result, investors may have less confidence in
the assessment of the Companys internal controls over financial reporting performed by management, and our stock may be less attractive.
Risks Related to Doing Business in China
THE COMPANYS BUSINESS FOCUS ON THE GREATER CHINA REGION SUBJECTS THE COMPANY AND ITS BUSINESS TO THE POLITICAL, ECONOMIC AND OTHER
DEVELOPMENTS IN THE REGION
As a result of the Companys traditional business focus on the Greater China Region, the
Companys business and its financial and operating results may be affected by significant political, economic, social and cultural developments in the region. A substantial portion of the Companys investment opportunities, major
businesses which are located in China, are dependent in large part on the performance of the Chinese economy and Chinese government policy. As a result, the future financial condition and results of operations of the Company could be adversely
affected by slowdowns in the Chinese economy, Chinese macroeconomic policies that
de-emphasize
the development of industries that utilize products or services of the Company or other governmental policies,
including changes in laws, regulations or the interpretation thereof; confiscatory taxation; restrictions on currency conversion, imports or sources of supplies; or the expropriation or nationalization of private enterprises. Any measures or actions
taken by the Chinese government to control industries that utilize products or services of the Company could restrict their business operations and adversely affect the financial positions of the Company.
Although the Company believes that the economic reforms and macroeconomic policies and measures adopted by the Chinese government will
continue to have a positive effect on economic development in China and that the Company will continue to benefit from these policies and measures, there is no assurance that the government will continue to pursue such policies or that such policies
may not be significantly altered, especially in the event of a change in leadership, social or political disruption, or other circumstances affecting Chinas political, economic and social life.
In addition, the Companys financial results are significantly dependent on the economy in the region. The economy of the Greater China
Region differs significantly from the economies of the United States and Western Europe in such respects as structure, level of development, growth rate, capital reinvestment, resource allocation, self-sufficiency, rate of inflation and balance of
payments position, among others. Furthermore, the recent global economic downturn has had a significant impact on the regions economic growth as it is primarily an export-oriented economy. Future adverse economic factors or changes in the
policies of the Chinese government could have a material adverse effect on the overall economic growth of China. These developments could adversely affect the financial condition, results of operations and business of the Company by reducing the
demand for the products and services of the Company.
As a member of the World Trade Organization, Chinas economic activity is
expected to become more and more export driven and Chinas internal market is expected to see more competition through imports. The expected change in economic activity in China and the Greater China Region and a greater interdependence of the
Chinese economy on the general world economy as a result of such changes could also impact the Companys financial results.
8
RESTRICTIONS ON FOREIGN CURRENCY EXCHANGE MAY LIMIT OUR ABILITY TO RECEIVE AND USE OUR
RESOURCES EFFECTIVELY
Any future restrictions on currency exchanges may limit our ability to use resources generated in Renminbi
to fund our business activities outside China or other payments in Hong Kong dollars or other foreign currencies. Although the PRC government introduced regulations in 1996 to allow greater convertibility of the Renminbi for current account
transactions, significant restrictions still remain, including primarily the restriction that foreign invested enterprises may only buy, sell or remit foreign currencies at those banks authorized to conduct foreign exchange business after providing
valid commercial documents. In addition, remittance of foreign currencies abroad and conversion of Renminbi for capital account items, including direct investment and loans, is subject to governmental approval in China, and companies are required to
open and maintain separate foreign exchange accounts for capital account items. We cannot be certain that the Chinese regulatory authorities will not impose more stringent restrictions on the convertibility of the Renminbi, especially with respect
to foreign exchange transactions.
FLUCTUATIONS IN THE VALUE OF THE RENMINBI COULD NEGATIVELY IMPACT OUR RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Our reporting currency is the Renminbi as a substantial portion of our investments are denominated in Renminbi. Our remaining
assets and liabilities and all of our operating expenses are denominated in Hong Kong dollars. As a result, we may be exposed to foreign exchange risk, and our results of operations may be negatively impacted by fluctuations in the exchange rate of
Renminbi against other currencies. As our major assets and liabilities comprise a mixture of items that are denominated in Renminbi and Hong Kong dollars, our business and operating results may be materially affected in the event of a severe
increase or decrease in the value of the Renminbi against other currencies.
The value of the Renminbi is subject to changes in
Chinas governmental policies and to international economic and political developments. Since January 1, 1994, the PRC government has used a unitary managed floating rate system. Under this system, the Peoples Bank of China, or PBOC,
publishes a daily base exchange rate with reference primarily to the supply and demand of Renminbi against U.S. dollars and other foreign currencies in the market during the previous day. Authorized banks and financial institutions are allowed to
quote buy and sell rates for Renminbi within a specified band around the PBOCs daily exchange rate. On August 11, 2015, the PBOC cut the Renminbi exchanges reference rate by a record of 1.9%, sparking the sharpest fall in the
currency since the U.S. dollar peg ended a decade ago, in order to proceed further with reform of the Renminbi exchange rate regime. This cut could result in a further and more significant floatation in the RMBs value against the
U.S. Dollar. Through 2016 the RMB continued its significant depreciation. This depreciation halted in 2017, and the RMB appreciated against the U.S. dollar during this
one-year
period. The exchange rate
of the RMB against U.S. Dollar as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 were 6.5063 and 6.9430.With the development of the foreign exchange market and progress towards interest rate liberalization and Renminbi internationalization, the PRC
government may in the future announce further changes to the exchange rate system and there is no guarantee that the RMB will not appreciate or depreciate significantly in value against the U.S. dollar in the future. It is difficult to predict how
market forces or PRC or U.S. government policy may impact the exchange rate between the RMB and the U.S. dollar in the future.
While the
international reaction to the Renminbi revaluation has generally been positive, there remains significant international pressure on the PRC government to adopt an even more flexible currency policy, which could result in a further and more
significant fluctuation of the Renminbi against the U.S. dollar and other currencies.
NATURAL DISASTERS IN THE GREATER CHINA REGION
COULD CAUSE SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO THE COMPANYS BUSINESS AND FINANCIAL RESULTS
The Companys investment opportunities
are primarily located in the PRC. During the past several years, the PRC has experienced natural disasters, including floods, fires and earthquakes. A disaster could cause significant damage to the facilities of potential investees, which may not be
adequately covered by insurance proceeds and could materially and adversely impact the business of the Company. The disaster relief and assistance in the PRC is not well developed and there can be no assurance that adequate government assistance
would be available in the absence of sufficient insurance coverage.
9
OUR RESULTS COULD BE HARMED IF WE HAVE TO COMPLY WITH NEW ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATIONS
The operations of the Company could create environmentally sensitive waste depending on the nature of the operations of potential
investees. The general issue of the disposal of hazardous waste has received increasing attention from Chinese national and local governments and foreign governments and agencies and has been subject to increasing regulation. Currently, relevant
Chinese environmental protection laws and regulations impose fines on the discharge of waste materials and empower certain environmental authorities to close any facility that causes serious environmental problems. Although it has not been alleged
by Chinese government officials that the Company have violated any current environmental regulations, there is no assurance that the Chinese government will not amend its current environmental protection laws and regulations. Our financial results
could be materially and adversely affected if the Company was to increase expenditures to comply with environmental regulations affecting the operations of potential investees.
LEGAL SYSTEM DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE GREATER CHINA REGION AND THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA COULD IMPACT INVESTORS
Unlike common law systems in certain parts of the Western world, China has a civil law system based on written statutes and, therefore, decided
legal cases are without binding legal effect, although they are often followed by judges as guidance. As the Chinese legal system develops, the promulgation of new laws, changes to existing laws and the preemption of local regulations by national
laws may adversely affect the interests of foreign investors.
YOU MAY HAVE DIFFICULTY ENFORCING JUDGMENTS AGAINST US
We are a Bermuda holding company and all of our assets are located outside of the United States. Most of our current business is conducted in
Hong Kong and in the PRC. In addition, most of our directors and officers are nationals and residents of countries other than the United States. A substantial portion of the assets of these persons is located outside the United States. As a result,
it may be difficult for you to effect service of process within the United States upon these persons. It may also be difficult for you to enforce in U.S. courts judgments on the civil liability provisions of the U.S. federal securities laws against
us and our officers and directors whom are not residents in the United States.
OUR INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING
FIRMS AUDIT DOCUMENTATION RELATED TO THEIR AUDIT REPORTS INCLUDED IN THIS ANNUAL REPORT MAY BE LOCATED IN THE PEOPLES 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
Our independent registered public accounting firms
that issue the audit reports included in our annual reports filed with the SEC as auditors of companies that are traded publicly in the United States and a firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (the
PCAOB), are required by the laws of the United States to undergo regular inspections by the PCAOB to assess their compliance with the applicable laws of the United States and professional standards. Because the audit documentation
relating to our audits is located in the Peoples Republic of China, a jurisdiction where the PCAOB, notwithstanding the requirements of U.S. law, is currently unable to conduct inspections without the approval of the Chinese authorities, such
auditors, like other independent registered public accounting firms operating in China, are 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 Chinese 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 PRC Ministry of Finance in the United States and the PRC, respectively. The PCAOB continues to be in discussions with the CSRC and the PRC 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.
Inspections of other firms that the PCAOB has
conducted outside of China have identified deficiencies in those firms audit procedures and quality control procedures, which may be addressed as part of the inspection process to improve future audit quality. The inability of PCAOB to conduct
inspections of independent registered public accounting firms operating in China makes it more difficult to evaluate the effectiveness of our auditors audit procedures or quality control procedures. As a result, investors may be deprived of
the benefits of PCAOB inspections.
10
PROCEEDINGS INSTITUTED BY THE SEC AGAINST FIVE
PRC-BASED
ACCOUNTING FIRMS COULD RESULT IN ADVERSE IMPACT ON OUR BUSINESS AND PRICE OF OUR STOCK
In late 2012, the SEC commenced administrative proceedings under Rule 102(e) of its Rules of Practice and also under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of
2002 against the
PRC-based
units of five accounting firms. The Rule 102(e) proceedings initiated by the SEC relate to these firms failure to produce documents, including audit work papers, in response to
the request of the SEC pursuant to Section 106 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as the auditors located in the PRC are not in a position lawfully to produce documents directly to the SEC because of restrictions under PRC law and specific
directives issued by the CSRC. The issues raised by the proceedings are not specific to our auditors or to us, but affect equally all audit firms based in China and all China-based businesses with securities listed in the United States.
In January 2014, the administrative judge reached an Initial Decision that the
PRC-based
units of the
big four accounting firms should be barred from practicing before the SEC for six months. The decision is neither final nor legally effective unless and until reviewed and approved by the SEC. In February 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, public 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 may result in SECs revocation of the registration of their shares under the Exchange Act, including possible
delisting. Moreover, although our independent registered public accounting firm was not named as a defendant in the above SEC administrative proceedings, any negative news about the proceedings against these audit firms may erode investor
confidence in China-based, U.S. public companies, including us, and the market price of our shares may be adversely affected.
WE
MAY FACE UNCERTAINTIES REGARDING INDIRECT TRANSFERS OF EQUITY INTERESTS IN PRC RESIDENT ENTERPRISES BY A
NON-RESIDENT
ENTERPRISE
In connection with the EIT Law, the Ministry of Finance of the PRC and the SAT jointly issued, on April 30, 2009, the Notice on Issues
Concerning Process of Enterprise Income Tax in Enterprise Restructuring Business, or Circular 59. On December 10, 2009, the SAT issued the Notice on Strengthening the Management on Enterprise Income Tax for
Non-resident
Enterprises Equity Transfer, or Circular 698. Both Circular 59 and Circular 698 became effective retrospectively on January 1, 2008. By promulgating and implementing these circulars, the PRC
tax authorities have strengthened their scrutiny over the direct or indirect transfer of equity interest in a PRC resident enterprise by a
non-resident
enterprise. For example, Circular 698 specifies that the
SAT is entitled to redefine the nature of an equity transfer where offshore vehicles are interposed by abusing corporate structures for
tax-avoidance
purposes and without reasonable commercial intention. We
may pursue acquisitions as one of our growth strategies, and may conduct acquisitions involving complex corporate structures. We cannot be assured that the PRC tax authorities will not, at their discretion, adjust the taxable capital gains of the
seller, which may indirectly increase acquisition costs.
11
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 Enterprises, 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 than 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 the transferee fails to withhold the taxes and the transferor fails to pay the taxes. In
addition, the transferors and transferees may be subject to the tax filing obligation, while the PRC subsidiaries or affiliates may be requested to assist in the filing.
We may 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 in our company by investors that are
non-PRC
resident enterprises, our PRC
subsidiaries or affiliates 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 or 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.
Risks Related to Our Capital Stock
LIMITED LIQUIDITY IN THE COMPANYS SECURITIES MAY MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO SELL SHARES
The public trading market for our common stock is limited. Beginning in November 2002, our common stock was traded on the OTC Securities
Marketplace. The OTC Securities Marketplace is an inter-dealer,
over-the-counter
market that provides significantly less liquidity than other markets. As a foreign
private issuer whose business is substantially in China and other Asian markets, the Company has less exposure in the U.S. capital markets than comparable U.S. issuers. In addition, the Company has a relatively small public float of its securities.
These and other general economic, industry or Company factors may result in low trading volumes or prices of the Companys securities. Accordingly, shareholders of the Company bear risks regarding the liquidity of the Companys shares and
may not be able to sell shares in desired quantities, at desired times or desired prices, or a combination thereof.
12
POSSIBLE VOLATILITY OF SHARE PRICES WORLDWIDE MAY HAVE SIGNIFICANT EFFECTS ON THE
COMPANYS SHARE PRICE
The trading price of the Companys shares has been and may continue to be subject to wide
fluctuations. Capital markets worldwide have generally experienced extreme price and volume fluctuations that have often been unrelated or disproportionate to the operating performance of the listed companies themselves. There can be no assurance
that trading prices and price earnings ratios previously experienced by the Companys common shares will be matched and maintained. Broad market and industry factors may adversely affect the market price of shares in the Company, regardless of
its operating performance.
ITEM 4.
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INFORMATION ON THE COMPANY
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A. HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE COMPANY
The Company was incorporated as an exempted company under the laws of Bermuda on January 28, 1993. From July 15, 1993 to late 2002,
the Companys shares were listed on the New York Stock Exchange. On November 26, 2002, the Companys shares began trading on the OTC Securities Marketplace in the United States. The legal name of the Company is China Enterprises
Limited and the Company is registered in Hong Kong under the commercial name of China Tire Holdings Limited due to local company registration considerations. The Company has historically been engaged in tire manufacturing and
trading and related businesses.
In 2001, the Company decided to reorganize its operations to improve its financial performance. The
Company began to dispose of loss-making subsidiaries and tried to diversify its business. In early 2002, the Company acquired a substantive equity interest of approximately 35% in Rosedale Hotel Holdings Limited, or Rosedale, which allowed it to
diversify its business into the travel industry. In fiscal year 2003, the Company further completed its disposals of its loss-making subsidiaries, Yinchuan CSI (Greatwall) Rubber Co., Limited, and the Companys remaining interests in Double
Happiness Tyre Industries Corporation Limited, and ceased to account for the results of operations and the assets and liabilities of these subsidiaries from their respective disposal dates.
In order to realize part of its investment, the Company entered into a contract to sell a 25% interest in its subsidiary Hangzhou Zhongce, a
PRC company, on June 15, 2003. As a result, the Company reduced its interest in Hangzhou Zhongce from 51% to 26%. The sale was completed in September 2003 and Hangzhou Zhongce became an equity method affiliate of the Company.
During 2006 and 2007, the Companys interest in its affiliate Rosedale, decreased from 20.36% to 12.77% as a result of dilution caused by
capital raising activities of Rosedale and the disposal of Rosedale shares by the Company in the market. As a result of its decreased ownership of Rosedale, the Company began accounting for its remaining interest in Rosedale as trading securities
instead of as an interest in an affiliate company as it was in previous years.
The Company, through Manwide Holdings Limited, a then
direct wholly-owned subsidiary, entered into a conditional sale and purchase agreement dated June 16, 2004 with an independent third party, Shanghai Jiu Sheng Investment Limited, or Jiu Sheng, for the acquisition and further development of
Xiang Zhang Garden, a parcel of land containing a
24-story
building under construction located in Shanghai, PRC. In June 2005, the Company commenced legal proceedings against Jiu Sheng, among other
things, to demand that Jiu Sheng meet its obligations under the two agreements related to the purchase of Xiang Zhang Garden and petitioned a PRC court for an injunction order to prevent Xiang Zhang Garden from being transferred to the secured
creditors of Jiu Sheng and the main contractor. In June 2006, the Peoples High Court of the City of Shanghai ruled in favor of the Company and ordered Jiu Sheng to continue fulfilling its obligations under the applicable agreements and to
proceed with the transfer of legal title of Xiang Zhang Garden to the Company. The judgment also required Jiu Sheng to pay Rmb5.9 million to the Company as compensation for the breach of the sale and purchase agreements. In August 2006, we
petitioned the Peoples High Court of Shanghai for a court execution order to enforce the June 2006 judgment against Jiu Sheng. In March 2008, we entered into a settlement agreement with Jiu Sheng whereby the Company disclaimed its rights
in Xiang Zhang Garden in exchange for a payment of Rmb75 million, which was received in April 2008. A gain of Rmb17 million was recognized in the consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2008.
13
In March 2008, Master Glory Group Limited (Master Glory, a publicly listed
company in Hong Kong, formerly known as Hanny Holdings Limited), and certain of its subsidiaries entered into conditional sale and purchase agreements with an independent third party whereby it disposed of a 29.2% interest in us for cash
consideration of approximately Rmb142 million. The sale closed on May 8, 2008. Following this sale, Master Glorys interest in the Company decreased from approximately 55.3% to 28.95% and the Company ceased to be a majority-owned
subsidiary of Master Glory.
In April 2008, the Company acquired 100% of the equity interests in Cosmos Regent Ltd, Cyber Generation
Limited and Whole Good Limited, all of which are engaged in securities investment, from Hanny Magnetics (B.V.I.) Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Master Glory. Total consideration for the three companies was Rmb34,417,000, and the amount was
settled through the cancellation of obligations from Master Glory to the Company.
In April 2008, the Company entered into a
Memorandum of Understanding to acquire a certain equity interest in a property investment company for consideration of Rmb150 million. A refundable deposit of Rmb75 million was paid to the third party vendor pursuant to the Memorandum of
Understanding during the year ended December 31, 2008 and recorded as a deposit paid for the acquisition of investments for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2009. The Memorandum of Understanding lapsed in June 2011. The deposit
of Rmb67.5 million was refunded to the Company and the remaining Rmb7.5 million was charged as an administrative charge in the year ended December 31, 2011.
In April 2009, X One Holdings Limited, or X One, an affiliate of the Company, was dissolved pursuant to Section 291 of the Hong Kong
Companies Ordinance.
In its Report on Form
6-K
filed with the SEC on November 21, 2011, the
Company reported that it had entered into a definitive agreement with CZ Tire Holdings Limited, or CZ. The Agreement provided for the sale of all of the Companys ownership interests in Hangzhou Zhongce to CZ for Rmb600 million or
approximately US$95.33 million in cash. The Company reported the closing of the transaction in its Report on Form
6-K
filed with the SEC on November 28, 2011.
In its Report on Form
6-K
filed with the SEC on October 4, 2012, the Company reported that its
wholly owned subsidiary, Wealth Faith Limited, or Wealth Faith, had entered into a definitive agreement with Fortuneasy Limited, or Fortuneasy. The agreement provides for the purchase by Wealth Faith of 40% of the shares of Million Cube Limited, or
Million Cube from Fortuneasy. The total purchase price for the shares being acquired by Wealth Faith is HK$200 million or approximately US$25.6 million. The Company, through Wealth Faith, previously deposited HK$154.8 million or
approximately Rmb127.3 million in earnest money with Fortuneasy, which was applied toward the purchase price. As provided in the agreement, Million Cube has acquired 45% of the issued share capital and corresponding shareholder loans of Paragon
Winner Company Limited, or Paragon. Paragon was formed to invest in a joint venture that has developed and operated the Sanya Sun Valley Golf Resort in Yalong Bay, Sanya City, Peoples Republic of China and that is seeking to develop a related
hotel and resort complex at such resort. The transaction was completed in March 2015.
Following the closing of the transaction and
pursuant to the Agreement, the Company had appointed one director to Million Cubes board of directors, and was resigned during the year ended December 31, 2016. The Company has continued to seek new strategic investment opportunities in
the PRC, including Hong Kong. Apart from the golf resort business, the Company is also looking at other potential investments and has a long term goal to build a platform of value-added and productive businesses under the strategic direction of the
Company whereby it can exercise significant influence over the financial and operating decisions of its investees, and then have a degree of responsibility for the return on its investments.
14
During 2017, Orion (B.V.I.) Tire Corporation, a 60% owned subsidiary incorporated in BVI and
Whole Good Limited, a 100% owned subsidiary incorporated in BVI, were dissolved and a gain of approximately Rmb6.5 million was recorded on dissolution.
The Company is a holding company and had interests in a number of subsidiaries as of December 31, 2017. The principal interests of the
Company were as follows:
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Cosmos Regent Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company in which the Company has a 100% interest.
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Cyber Generation Limited, a British Virgin Islands company in which the Company has a 100% interest.
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Great Windfall Agents Limited, a British Virgin Islands company in which the Company has a 100% interest.
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Million Good Limited, a British Virgin Islands company in which the Company has a 100% interest.
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Orion Tire Corporation, a U.S. corporation in which the Company has a 60% interest.
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Supreme Solutions Limited, a British Virgin Islands company in which the Company has a 100% interest.
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Ventures Kingdom Limited, a British Virgin Islands company in which the Company has a 100% interest.
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Wealth Faith Limited, a British Virgin Islands company in which the Company has a 100% interest.
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Additional information about the Company is available through the Internet at http://www.chinaenterpriseslimited.com. The principal place of
business and the executive offices of the Company are located at Unit 703, 7/F, 1063 Kings Road, Quarry Bay, Hong Kong and its telephone number is (852) 3151 0300.
B. BUSINESS OVERVIEW
The
financial results of the Company were previously dependent on its equity share of the results from Hangzhou Zhongce, which the Company disposed of in November 2011. The financial results of the Company now largely are attributable to
investing activities. All of the majority and wholly owned subsidiaries of the Company were inactive during fiscal years 2015, 2016 and 2017 (other than Wealth Faiths acquisition of 40% of the shares of Million Cube). The Company is
actively seeking new investment opportunities.
Million Cube
Million Cube is incorporated in the British Virgin Islands and is engaged in investment holding. Million Cube holds 45% of the issued share
capital and corresponding shareholder loans of Paragon Winner Company Limited, or Paragon. Paragon was incorporated in the British Virgin Islands and formed to invest in a joint venture that has developed and operated the Sanya Sun Valley Golf
Resort in Yalong Bay, Sanya City, the Peoples Republic of China. As a result of the Million Cube acquisition, the Company indirectly owns approximately 18% of Paragon.
Rosedale
Rosedale
is an exempted company incorporated in Bermuda with limited liability. Its shares are listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, or HKSE. Its principal subsidiaries are engaged in the business of hotel investment and trading of securities.
In 2002, the Company diversified into the travel business through an investment in Rosedale. However, following the disposal of a significant
portion of its equity interest during fiscal year 2007, the Companys equity interest in Rosedale decreased to 12.77% and was subsequently reclassified as trading securities of the Company. As of December 31, 2017, the equity interest had
decreased to 6.17%.
15
C. ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE
As of December 31, 2017, the principal subsidiaries of the Company were:
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Country of
Incorporation
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Principal Activities
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Companys
Ownership Interest
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Consolidated Subsidiary
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Directly
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Indirectly
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Cosmos Regent Ltd
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BVI
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Investment holding
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100
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%
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Cyber Generation Limited
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BVI
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Investment holding
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100
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%
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Great Windfall Agents Limited
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BVI
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Investment holding
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100
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%
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Million Good Limited
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BVI
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Investment holding
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100
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%
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Orion Tire Corporation
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USA
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Investment holding
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60
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%
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Supreme Solutions Limited
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BVI
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Investment holding
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100
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%
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Ventures Kingdom Limited
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BVI
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Investment holding
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100
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%
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Wealth Faith Limited
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BVI
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Investment holding
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100
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%
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D. PROPERTY, PLANTS AND EQUIPMENT
The registered office of the Company is located at Clarendon House, 2 Church Street, Hamilton, HM11, Bermuda. Only corporate administrative
matters are conducted at this office, through the Companys agent, MUFG Fund Services (Bermuda) Limited (formerly known as Butterfield Fulcrum Group (Bermuda) Limited). The Companys principal executive office is located at Unit 703, 7/F,
1063 Kings Road, Quarry Bay, Hong Kong. The Company neither owns nor leases real property in Bermuda, Hong Kong, China or elsewhere. Space for use as the Companys executive offices in Hong Kong is provided to the Company without charge
by Dr. Yap, the Companys Chairman.
The Company did not incur any principal capital expenditures, investment and divestitures
over the last three years ended December 31, 2017 other than with respect to the acquisition of 40% of the shares of Million Cube.
ITEM 5.
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Operating and Financial Review and Prospects
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Except for statements of historical facts,
this section contains forward-looking statements involving risks and uncertainties. You can identify these statements by forward-looking words including expect, anticipate, believe, seek,
estimate, intends, should or may. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of our future performance or results and our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these
forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors, including those set forth under the section of this Report entitled Item 3 Key Information Risk Factors. This section should be read along with our Consolidated
Financial Statements included as Item 17 of this Annual Report, including the accompanying notes, that are included in this Annual Report on Form
20-F.
The following discussion of operating results and
the financial review and prospects as well as our consolidated financial statements have been presented and prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The forward-looking statements in this Item 5 are not guarantees of future performance. They
involve both risk and uncertainty. Several important factors could cause our actual results to differ materially from those anticipated by these statements. Many of those factors are macroeconomic in nature and are, therefore, beyond the control of
our management. Please see the Risk Factors in this Annual Report for more details.
A. OPERATING RESULTS
Overview
After
disposal of all of its interest in the tire business in 2011 discussed above in History and Development of the Company, the Company is still actively looking for new investments. The PRC market continues to be the focus of world
industry, and the Company is confident in the PRC market and continues to explore appropriate investment projects to expand its business network in the PRC.
16
Critical Accounting Policies
The preparation of our financial statements and related disclosures in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and
judgments that affect our reported amounts of assets and liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities. On an
on-going
basis, we evaluate our estimates and
assumptions based upon historical experience and various other factors and circumstances. Management believes that our estimates and assumptions are reasonable under the circumstances; however, actual results may vary from these estimates and
assumptions under different future circumstances. The following critical accounting policies affect the more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of the Companys consolidated financial statements. For further discussion
of our significant accounting policies, refer to Note 2 Summary of Significant Accounting Policies to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 17 Financial Statements of this Annual Report.
Trading Securities
Trading securities refer to equity securities that are bought and held principally for the purpose of selling them in the near term, and are
reported at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses included in earnings. The fair value of the Companys investments in trading securities is based on the quoted market price on the last business day of the fiscal year.
Available-for-sale
Securities
Available-for-sale
securities consist of quoted equity
securities that are not designated as trading securities. They are held at fair value with unrealized gains and losses, net of tax, reported in accumulated other comprehensive gain or losses. Any unrealized losses that are deemed
other-than-temporary are included in current period earnings and removed from accumulated other comprehensive gains or losses.
Realized
gains and losses on investment securities are included in current period earnings. For purposes of computing realized gains and losses, the cost basis of each investment sold is generally based on the average cost method. And the Company regularly
evaluates whether the decline in fair value of
available-for-sale
securities is other-than-temporary and objective evidence of impairment could include:
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The severity and duration of the fair value decline;
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Deterioration in the financial condition of the issuer; and
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Evaluation of the factors that could cause individual securities to have an other-than-temporary impairment.
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No such other-than-temporary decline in fair value was recognized during the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2017.
Long-term Investment
In accordance with ASC
325-20,
Investments-Other: Cost Method Investments
, for investments in an
investee over which the Company does not have significant influence, the Company carries the investment at cost and only adjusts for other-than-temporary declines in fair value and distributions of earnings. The Companys management regularly
evaluates the impairment of its cost method investments based on the performance and financial position of the investee as well as other evidence of estimated market values. Such evaluation includes, but is not limited to, reviewing the
investees cash position, recent financing, projected and historical financial performance, cash flow forecasts and current and future financing needs. An impairment loss is recognized in the consolidated statements of operations equal to the
excess of the investments cost over its fair value at the balance sheet date of the reporting period for which the assessment is made. The fair value would then become the new cost basis of investment. No impairment loss had been recorded for
the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2017.
Income Taxes
The Company records a valuation allowance to reduce its deferred tax assets to the amount that the Company believes is more likely than not to
be realized. In the event the Company determines that it would be able to realize its deferred tax assets in the future in excess of its recorded amount, an adjustment to the deferred tax asset would be made that would increase income in the period
such determination was made. Likewise, should the Company determine that it would not be able to realize all or part of its net deferred tax asset in the future, an adjustment to the deferred tax asset would be charged to income in the period such
determination was made.
17
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the
reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses for the years presented. Actual results may differ from
those estimates. Significant estimates in these financial statements that are susceptible to change as more information becomes available are collectability of receivables, valuation allowances for deferred tax assets and impairment with respect to
i) trading securities, ii)
available-for-sale
securities and iii) long- term investment.
Results of Operations: Fiscal year ended December 31, 2017 compared with fiscal year ended December 31, 2016
For 2017, the Company recorded consolidated net profit of Rmb6.5 million, or Rmb0.73 per share. By comparison, the net profit and the
earnings per share in 2016 were Rmb0.6 million and Rmb0.07, respectively.
The Rmb2.2 million loss from operating activities
mainly represented the administrative expenses incurred for the year ended December 31, 2017. General and administrative expenses were comprised of expenditures for personnel and administrative functions, including accounting, information
technology, human resources, legal and administration. The general and administrative expenses in 2016 were Rmb2.7 million.
Apart
from the general and administrative expenses of Rmb2.2 million, components of net profit of Rmb6.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2017 were interest income of Rmb5.4 million, dividend income of Rmb0.1 million and
gain on dissolution of subsidiaries of Rmb6.5 million, partial offset by net realized loss on investments of Rmb0.2 million, unrealized loss on trading securities of Rmb2.3 million and interest expense of Rmb0.8 million.
Apart from the general and administrative expenses of Rmb2.7 million, components of net profit of Rmb0.6 million for the year ended
December 31, 2016 were interest income of Rmb2.6 million, unrealized gain on trading securities of Rmb2.4 million and an exchange gain of Rmb0.2 million, partial offset by net realized loss on investments of Rmb1.2 million
and interest expense of Rmb0.7 million.
Results of Operations: Fiscal year ended December 31, 2016 compared with fiscal
year ended December 31, 2015
For 2016, the Company recorded consolidated net profit of Rmb0.6 million, or Rmb0.07 per
share. By comparison, the net profit and the earnings per share in 2015 were Rmb4.1 million and Rmb0.45, respectively.
The
Rmb2.7 million loss from operating activities mainly represented the administrative expenses incurred for the year ended December 31, 2016. General and administrative expenses were comprised of expenditures for personnel and administrative
functions, including accounting, information technology, human resources, legal and administration. The general and administrative expenses in 2015 were Rmb2.8 million.
Apart from the general and administrative expenses of Rmb2.7 million, components of net profit of Rmb0.6 million for the year ended
December 31, 2016 were interest income of Rmb2.6 million, unrealized gain on trading securities of Rmb2.4 million and an exchange gain of Rmb0.2 million, partial offset by net realized loss on investments of Rmb1.2 million
and interest expense of Rmb0.7 million.
Apart from the general and administrative expenses of Rmb2.8 million, components of net
profit of Rmb4.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2015 were interest income of Rmb0.1 million, unrealized gain on trading securities of Rmb10.0 million, partial offset by interest expense of Rmb0.6 million, net
realized loss on investments of Rmb0.4 million and an exchange loss of Rmb2.2 million.
Impact of Inflation
Inflation and deflation in the PRC and Hong Kong has not had a material effect on our past operating results.
18
Impact of Tax Regulations
For the impact of tax regulations on the Company, see Note 6 to the Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company included in
Item 17. Financial Statements.
B. LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
For 2017, cash for financing the operations of the Company was principally obtained through the disposal of trading securities. During 2016 and
2017, the Company still saw a continuation of challenging financial and economic conditions. The global economy continued to face uncertainties while the growths have slowed down. As such, the Company will take a judicious approach in managing the
Groups investments portfolio. Despite the tough market environment, the Company continues to revisit its business strategy and composition of its investments portfolio.
The Companys working capital, calculated as current assets less current liabilities, remained at a similar level in 2017 and 2016.
Working capital was Rmb453.9 million as of December 31, 2017 and was Rmb483.8 million as of December 31, 2016.
Over
the last few years, cash flow for financing the operations of the Company was primarily obtained from the disposal of trading securities. As at December 31, 2017, the Company still held approximately Rmb26.4 million of marketable
securities. In 2017, the Company had net cash provided by operating activities of approximately Rmb2.7 million compared to net cash used in operating activities of approximately Rmb0.4 million in 2016. The operating cash inflows were
mainly caused by changes in operating assets and liabilities. The net cash provided by investing activities in 2017 was approximately Rmb8.5 million compared with approximately Rmb10.2 million in 2016. The investing cash inflows were
mainly related to proceeds from trading securities and increase in payables to securities brokers in 2017.
Other than the acquisition of
40% of the shares of Million Cube as described in Item 4 of this Form
20-F,
no transactions, arrangements or other relationships with unconsolidated entities or other persons that are reasonably likely to
affect materially the liquidity or the availability of or requirement for capital resources of the Company have been entered into during 2017. In managements opinion, the Company has sufficient cash and cash equivalents, notes receivable and
trading securities to support its working capital for its present requirements.
For the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2017, the
Company had no expenditures for property, plant and equipment.
Cash and cash equivalents of the Company decreased to
Rmb474.0 million at December 31, 2017 from approximately Rmb499.9 million at December 31, 2016, of which Rmb468.3 million (approximately US$72.0 million) were U.S. dollar deposits included in cash and cash equivalents.
There are no material restrictions, including foreign exchange controls, on the ability of the Companys subsidiaries to transfer funds
to the Company in the form of cash dividends, loans, advances or product/material purchases. See Dividend Policy under Item 8 below for more information.
For related party information, please see Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions in this Annual Report. In
the opinion of management, these related party transactions have no material effect on the Companys liquidity or cash flows.
C.
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT, PATENTS AND LICENSES
The Company does not conduct any research and development and does not rely on any
patents or licenses.
D. TREND INFORMATION
Following the disposal of its entire interest in Hangzhou Zhongce in 2011 and the acquisition of 40% of the shares of Million Cube in 2015
(please refer to Item 4 for details), the Company continues to position itself as a conglomerate investor in China and anticipates that it will maintain its conservative and cautious investment posture in the coming year and to continue its efforts
to explore new investment opportunities with the view to magnify shareholders value.
19
E.
OFF-BALANCE
SHEET ARRANGEMENTS
For the year of 2017, the Company did not have any
off-balance
sheet arrangements that have or are
reasonably likely to have a current or future effect on the Companys financial condition, changes in financial conditions, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources. Additionally, the
Company had not undertaken any guarantees as of December 31, 2017.
F. CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS AND COMMERCIAL COMMITMENTS
As of December 31, 2016 and 2017, the Company did not have any contractual obligations and commercial commitments.
ITEM 6.
|
DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND EMPLOYEES
|
A. DIRECTORS AND SENIOR MANAGEMENT
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name
|
|
Age
|
|
|
Position
|
|
Since
|
|
Allan Yap
|
|
|
62
|
|
|
Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Director
|
|
|
2001
|
|
Eva Chan Ling
|
|
|
52
|
|
|
Deputy Chairman and Director
|
|
|
2004
|
|
Dorothy Law
|
|
|
48
|
|
|
Director
|
|
|
2000
|
|
Richard Whittall
|
|
|
59
|
|
|
Independent Director and Audit Committee Member
|
|
|
2000
|
|
Lien Kait Long
|
|
|
70
|
|
|
Director
|
|
|
1999
|
|
Sin Chi Fai
|
|
|
58
|
|
|
Independent Director and Audit Committee Member
|
|
|
2010
|
|
Ken Lau
|
|
|
46
|
|
|
Chief Financial Officer
|
|
|
2014
|
|
There is no family relationship between any director or executive officer listed above and any other director
or executive officer listed above. None of the directors or executive officers was elected or appointed pursuant to an arrangement or understanding with any third party.
Biographies of Directors and Senior Management
Dr. Allan Yap, age 62, is the chairman, chief executive officer and a director of the Company. He holds an honorary degree of Doctor of
Laws and has over 30 years experience in finance, investment and banking. Dr. Yap is a substantial shareholder, the chairman and an executive director of Master Glory Group Limited. He is also the chairman and executive director of
Rosedale Hotel Holdings Limited (Rosedale), all of which are publicly listed companies in Hong Kong. He is also the chairman and chief executive officer of Burcon NutraScience Corporation (Burcon), a company whose shares are
listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange in Canada, NASDAQ Stock Exchange (Nasdaq) in the United States and the Frankfurt Stock Exchange in Germany. Burcon has been informed by the Nasdaq on April 25, 2018 of its decision to delist
Burcons common shares from the Nasdaq Capital Market and the trading of Burcons shares was suspended effective from April 27, 2018. Dr. Yap is an executive chairman of Hanwell Holdings Limited (formerly known as PSC Corporation
Limited) and Tat Seng Packaging Group Limited, both are publicly listed companies in Singapore. He was also the chairman of MRI Holdings Limited, which had been deregistered on February 28, 2015. Dr. Yap had been an executive chairman of
Intraco Limited, a public listed company in Singapore, and resigned on December 6, 2012. Dr. Yap had also been an executive director of See Corporation Limited, an alternate director of Television Broadcasts Limited, the chairman and an
executive director of Shaw Brothers Holdings Limited (formerly known as Meike International Holdings Limited) and the honorary chairman and a
non-executive
director of SMI Holdings Group Limited, all are
publicly listed companies in Hong Kong, and resigned on June 13, 2011, December 29, 2015, October 25, 2016 and November 28, 2017 respectively. Dr. Yap was appointed as the chairman and chief executive officer of the Company
on December 1, 2004.
Ms. Chan Ling, Eva, age 52, is a deputy chairman and a director of the Company. She has over 29
years experience in auditing, accounting and finance in both international accounting firms and listed companies. Ms. Chan is a member of the Chartered Accountants in Australia and New Zealand, a fellow member of the Association of
Chartered Certified Accountants and also a practicing member of the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants. Effective from June 1, 2009, Ms. Chan is the managing director of Rosedale. She was also a director of MRI Holdings
Limited. She had been an executive director of China Strategic Holdings Limited, and an independent
non-executive
director of Well Way Group Limited (now known as Global Mastermind Holdings Limited), both are
publicly listed companies in Hong Kong, and resigned on June 1, 2014 and June 23, 2014 respectively. Ms. Chan was appointed as deputy chairman of the Company on December 1, 2004.
20
Ms. Dorothy Law, age 48, is a director of the Company. She received her Bachelor of Commerce
and Bachelor of Laws degrees from the University of British Columbia in Canada. Ms. Law is a Barrister and Solicitor licensed to practice law in British Columbia and she has also been admitted as a Solicitor of the High Court of Hong Kong
(non-practicing).
Ms. Law is Senior Vice President, Legal and Corporate Secretary of Burcon NutraScience Corporation. Burcon has been informed by the Nasdaq on April 25, 2018 of its decision to delist
Burcons common shares from the Nasdaq Capital Market and the trading of Burcons shares was suspended effective from April 27, 2018.
Mr. Richard Whittall, age 59, is an independent director and the chairman of the audit committee of the Company. He is the President of
0979146 BC Ltd, an investment holding company, based in Vancouver, British Columbia. He is also the President of Watershed Capital Holdings Inc., an investment banking firm, based in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Mr. Whittall has over 23
years experience in investment banking, advising domestic and international companies in the areas of fund raising, mergers, acquisitions, divestitures and strategic business alliances. Mr. Whittall currently serves as a director of a
number of public and private companies, including GVIC Communications Corp., Canadian General Investments Limited and Canadian World Fund Limited.
Mr. Lien Kait Long, age 70, is a director of the Company. Mr. Lien holds a bachelors degree in commerce and is a fellow member
of the Institute of Singapore Chartered Accountants (ISCA) and CPA Australia. He has extensive experience in finance, corporate management and business investment. He has held a number of senior management positions as well as executive
directorships in various public and private corporations in Singapore, Hong Kong and China. Mr. Lien currently serves as an independent director on the board of several Singapore and Chinese Companies listed on the Singapore Exchange Securities
Trading Limited. He was also a director of MRI Holdings Limited.
Mr. Sin Chi Fai, age 58, is appointed an independent director and
an audit committee member of the Company on June 9, 2010. Mr. Sin obtained a diploma in Banking from The Hong Kong Polytechnic (now known as The Hong Kong Polytechnic University). He has over 19 years experience in banking field and
sales and marketing experience in information technology industries. Mr. Sin currently serves as an independent
non-executive
director of Rosedale and Master Glory, both are publicly listed companies in
Hong Kong. Mr. Sin is also currently a director and shareholder of a Singapore company engaged in the distribution of data storage media and computer-related products throughout Asia.
Mr. Ken Lau, aged 46, was appointed as the Chief Financial Officer of the Company on May 15, 2014. Mr. Lau is a member of CPA
Australia and a certificate holder of American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. He has about 20 years of progressive accounting experience through management roles for a variety of public and private multinational corporations.
B. COMPENSATION
For the
year ended December 31, 2017, the aggregate amount of compensation paid by the Company and its subsidiaries to the Companys directors, executive officers and senior management, for service in all capacities, was approximately Rmb775,603
(approximately US$119,208). The grant of bonuses is determined at the discretion of the board of directors. No bonuses were granted or paid in the year 2017.
The following table summarizes the compensation received by our executive and
non-executive
directors
and senior management for the year 2017.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name
|
|
Total
Salary (USD)
|
|
|
Total
Salary (Rmb)
|
|
Executive Director
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Allan Yap
|
|
|
20,000
|
|
|
|
130,126
|
|
Eva Chan Ling
|
|
|
20,000
|
|
|
|
130,126
|
|
Non-Executive
Director
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dorothy Law
|
|
|
20,000
|
|
|
|
130,126
|
|
Lien Kait Long
|
|
|
20,000
|
|
|
|
130,126
|
|
Richard Whittall
|
|
|
20,000
|
|
|
|
130,126
|
|
Sin Chi Fai
|
|
|
7,670
|
|
|
|
49,903
|
|
Senior Management
Ken Lau
|
|
|
11,538
|
|
|
|
75,070
|
|
No officer or director received any
non-cash
compensation in 2017.
21
C. BOARD PRACTICES
The 2018 annual general meeting of the Company will be held as soon as practicable, and the shareholders of the Company will be asked to
re-elect
the directors in the forthcoming annual general meeting of the Company.
No director of the
Company has entered into any service contract nor is entitled to any benefits upon termination of service with the Company.
The audit
committee of the board of directors reviews, acts on and reports to the board of directors with respect to various auditing and accounting matters, including the selection of our auditors, the scope of the annual audits, fees to be paid to the
auditors, the performance of the auditors and our accounting practices. During the year 2017 and as of the date of this filing, the audit committee of the Company consisted of Mr. Richard Whittall and Mr. Sin Chi Fai.
D. EMPLOYEES
As of
December 31, 2015, 2016 and 2017, the Company had no employees other than the senior management identified above.
E. SHARE
OWNERSHIP
As of December 31, 2017, none of the Companys directors, officers or their associates had any personal, family,
corporate or other interests in any shares of the Company or any of its associated corporations, other than Dr. Yap and Mr. Sin, the Chairman and a director, respectively, of Master Glory Group Limited.
ITEM 7.
|
MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
|
A. MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS
Based on filings on Schedule 13G under the Exchange Act and public announcements/circulars/annual reports of Master Glory pursuant to the
Listing Rules of HKSE, as of December 31, 2017, the following persons beneficially owned shares representing 5% or more of the issued share capital of the Company:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name of holder
|
|
Number of shares
held
|
|
|
Percentage of class
|
|
Master Glory Group Limited (1)
|
|
|
2,610,600
|
|
|
|
28.95
|
%
|
William F. Harnisch (2)
|
|
|
414,675
|
|
|
|
4.6
|
%
|
(1)
|
On July 28, 2017, Master Glory disclosed in its annual report 2016-2017 that it helds an equity interest of 28.95% in the issued share capital of the Company as of March 31, 2016 and 2017.
|
(2)
|
According to Amendment No.11 to a report on Schedule 13G/A dated February 14, 2017, the 414,675 shares beneficially owned by William F. Harnisch as of December 31, 2016, representing 4.6% equity interest in
the Company, consisted of (A) 79,800 shares beneficially owned individually by Mr. Harnisch; and (B)(i) 218,775 shares beneficially owned by Grenadier Fund; and (ii) 116,100 shares beneficially owned by Triumph Fund II L.P., all of which
shares Mr. Harnisch may be deemed to beneficially own by virtue of his position as President and Chief Executive Officer of Peconic Partners LLC, the investment adviser to the above-mentioned clients.
|
Neither of the shareholders listed in the table above have different voting rights than the Companys shareholders generally.
According to the shareholders list provided to the Company by its transfer agent, there were 46 shareholders (representing all issued common
stock of 9,017,310 shares) of record of the Companys common stock as of April 30, 2018.
22
B. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
The Company entered into the following related party transactions:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2016
|
|
|
2017
|
|
|
2017
|
|
|
|
Rmb000
|
|
|
Rmb000
|
|
|
USD000
|
|
Due from:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Master Glory and its subsidiaries
|
|
|
167
|
|
|
|
154
|
|
|
|
24
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
167
|
|
|
|
154
|
|
|
|
24
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
China Strategic Holdings Limited (CSH), a public company listed on the HKSE was the Companys
ultimate parent company before its completion of a group reorganization in May 2006 following which the Company became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Group Dragon Investments Limited (GDI), a then equity method affiliate of Master Glory.
In June 2006, Master Glory acquired a controlling interest in GDI and became the parent company. On December 8, 2006, Master Glory became a subsidiary of ITC Corporation Limited (ITC), a public company listed on HKSE and, as a
result, ITC became the ultimate parent company. On May 18, 2007, Master Glory was ceased to be a subsidiary of ITC and became the ultimate parent of the Company until 2008 when Master Glory reduced its equity interest in the Company. Following
the completion of the distribution of its Master Glory shares to its shareholders in November 2010, ITCs interests in Master Glory dropped from 42% to 0.1%. As of December 31, 2017, Master Glory held a 28.95% equity interest in the
Company, as disclosed in its annual report 2016-2017.
As of December 31, 2016 and 2017, the amounts due from related parties were
unsecured,
non-interest
bearing and had no fixed repayment terms.
In addition, as of
December 31, 2016 and 2017, the Company held a 6.17% equity interest in Rosedale. Dr. Yap serves as chairman of Rosedale, Ms. Chan serves as its managing director and Mr. Sin serves as an independent
non-executive
director of Rosedale.
ITEM 8.
|
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
|
A. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS AND OTHER FINANCIAL INFORMATION
See the Consolidated Financial Statements to the Company included in Item 17. Financial Statements of this Annual
Report.
Legal Proceedings
The Company is not currently involved in any legal or arbitration proceedings.
Dividend Policy
On July 3, 2001, the board of directors of the Company announced that the Company would suspend the declaration and payment of any
quarterly dividend until the profitability of the Company and its subsidiaries reached an acceptable level. During 2015, 2016 and 2017, no dividend was declared or paid by the Company. Any future determination to pay a dividend to shareholders of
the Company will depend on the Companys results of operations and financial condition, and other factors deemed relevant by its board of directors.
Since the Company is a holding company, its ability to pay dividends depends substantially on its receipt of distributions from its
subsidiaries. Applicable Chinese laws and regulations require that, before a Sino-foreign equity joint venture enterprise (such as each PRC subsidiary) distributes profits to investors, it must: (1) satisfy all tax liabilities; (2) provide
for losses in previous years; and (3) make allocations, in proportions determined at the sole discretion of the board of directors, to a general reserve fund and an enterprise expansion fund. During 2015, 2016 and 2017, no distribution of
dividends was made from any subsidiary to the Company.
B. SIGNIFICANT CHANGES
Not applicable.
23
Since November 26, 2002, the Companys common stock has traded on
the OTC Pink Marketplace under the stock symbol CSHEF. The OTC Pink Marketplace is a regulated quotation service that displays real-time quotes, last sale prices and volume information in
over-the-counter
equity securities for companies that are registrants with the SEC. Prior to that, the Companys common stock traded on the New York Stock Exchange, or NYSE, under the symbol
CSH. However, the trading was suspended on September 27, 2002 by the NYSE for the failure of the Company to meet the NYSEs continuing listing standards. Effective December 30, 2002, the common stock of the Company was
removed from listing on the NYSE.
The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the high and low closing sale prices of the
common stock as reported by the OTC Pink Marketplace from January 1, 2013 to December 31, 2017.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ended
|
|
High
(US$)
|
|
|
Low
(US$)
|
|
December 31, 2017
|
|
|
0.30
|
|
|
|
0.05
|
|
December 31, 2016
|
|
|
0.19
|
|
|
|
0.10
|
|
December 31, 2015
|
|
|
0.35
|
|
|
|
0.15
|
|
December 31, 2014
|
|
|
0.40
|
|
|
|
0.15
|
|
December 31, 2013
|
|
|
0.80
|
|
|
|
0.16
|
|
The following table sets forth the high and low closing sale prices for the common stock as reported during
each of the quarters in the
two-year
period ended December 31, 2017 and each of the most recent periods.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Quarter Ended
|
|
High
(US$)
|
|
|
Low
(US$)
|
|
March 31, 2018
|
|
|
0.24
|
|
|
|
0.07
|
|
December 31, 2017
|
|
|
0.30
|
|
|
|
0.05
|
|
September 30, 2017
|
|
|
0.30
|
|
|
|
0.17
|
|
June 30, 2017
|
|
|
0.30
|
|
|
|
0.13
|
|
March 31, 2017
|
|
|
0.13
|
|
|
|
0.12
|
|
December 31, 2016
|
|
|
0.13
|
|
|
|
0.10
|
|
September 30, 2016
|
|
|
0.14
|
|
|
|
0.10
|
|
June 30, 2016
|
|
|
0.19
|
|
|
|
0.10
|
|
March 31, 2016
|
|
|
0.15
|
|
|
|
0.10
|
|
The following table sets forth the high and low closing sale prices for the common stock as reported during
each of the most recent six months.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Month Ended
|
|
High
(US$)
|
|
|
Low
(US$)
|
|
April 30, 2018
|
|
|
0.12
|
|
|
|
0.06
|
|
March 31, 2018
|
|
|
0.15
|
|
|
|
0.15
|
|
February 28, 2018
|
|
|
0.24
|
|
|
|
0.15
|
|
January 31, 2018
|
|
|
0.09
|
|
|
|
0.07
|
|
December 31, 2017
|
|
|
0.30
|
|
|
|
0.05
|
|
November 30, 2017
|
|
|
0.27
|
|
|
|
0.19
|
|
24
ITEM 10.
|
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
|
A. SHARE CAPITAL
Not Applicable
B. MEMORANDUM
AND ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION
For a summary of the Companys Memorandum and Articles of Association, see Item 10 of the
Companys Form
20-F
for the year ended December 31, 2001, which summary is incorporated by reference herein.
C. MATERIAL CONTRACTS
See Item 4 - Information of the Company - A. History and Development of the Company for a discussion of the definitive
agreement between Wealth Faith and Fortuneasy relating to the acquisition of 40% of the shares of Million Cube.
D. EXCHANGE CONTROLS
Certain Foreign Issuer Considerations
The Company has been designated as a
non-resident
for exchange control purposes by the Bermuda Monetary
Authority, Foreign Exchange Control, whose permission for the issue of shares of common stock of the Company has been obtained. The transfer of shares between persons regarded as resident outside Bermuda for exchange control purposes and the issue
of shares to or by such persons may be effected without specific consent under the Exchange Control Act of 1972 and regulations thereunder. Issues and transfers of shares involving any person regarded as resident in Bermuda for exchange control
purposes require specific prior approval under the Exchange Control Act of 1972.
There are no limitations on the rights of
non-Bermuda
owners of the Companys common stock to hold or vote their shares. Because the Company has been designated as a
non-resident
for Bermuda exchange control
purposes, there are no restrictions on its ability to transfer funds in and out of Bermuda or to pay dividends to United States residents who are holders of the Companys common stock, other than in respect of local Bermuda currency.
In accordance with Bermuda law, share certificates are only issued in the names of corporations or individuals. In the case of an applicant
acting in a special capacity (for example, as an executor or trustee), certificates may, at the request of the applicant, record the capacity in which the applicant is acting. Notwithstanding the recording of any such special capacity, the Company
is not bound to investigate or incur any responsibility in respect of the proper administration of any such estate or trust. The Company will take no notice of any trust applicable to any of its shares whether or not it had notice of such trust.
As an exempted company, the Company is exempt from Bermuda laws restricting the percentage of share capital that may be held by
non-Bermudan
persons, but as an exempted company the Company may not participate in certain business transactions, including: (1) the acquisition or holding of land in Bermuda (except land required for business
and held by way of lease or tenancy for terms of not more than 21 years) without the express authorization of the Bermuda legislature; (2) the taking of mortgages on land in Bermuda to secure an amount in excess of US$50,000 without the
consent of the Minister of Finance of Bermuda; (3) the acquisition of securities created or issued by, or any interest in, any local company or business, other than certain types of Bermuda government securities or securities of another
exempted company, partnership or other corporation resident in Bermuda but incorporated abroad; or (4) the carrying on of business of any kind in Bermuda, except in furtherance of the business of the Company carried on outside Bermuda or under
a license granted by the Minister of Finance of Bermuda.
The Bermuda government actively encourages foreign investment in exempted
entities like the Company that are based in Bermuda but do not operate in competition with local business. In addition to having no restrictions on the degree of foreign ownership, the Company is subject neither to taxes on its income or dividends
nor to any foreign controls in Bermuda. In addition, there is no capital gains tax in Bermuda, and profits can be accumulated by the Company, as required, without limitation.
25
E. TAXATION
The following discussion is a summary of certain tax consequences of an investment in the Companys common stock under Bermuda tax laws,
British Virgin Islands (BVI) tax laws and U.S. federal income tax laws. The discussion does not deal with all possible tax consequences relating to an investment in the common stock and does not purport to deal with the tax
consequences applicable to all categories of investors, some of which (such as dealers in securities, insurance companies and
tax-exempt
entities) may be subject to special rules. In particular, the discussion
does not address the tax consequences under state, local and other laws (e.g.,
non-Bermuda,
non-BVI,
non-U.S. federal
tax
laws). This discussion 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.
Bermuda Taxation
The Company is incorporated in Bermuda. Under current Bermuda law, the Company is not subject to tax on income or capital gains, and no Bermuda
withholding tax will be imposed upon payments of dividends by the Company to its shareholders.
The United States does not have a
comprehensive income tax treaty with Bermuda.
As an exempted company, the Company is required to pay to the Bermuda government an annual
registration fee calculated on a sliding-scale basis by reference to its assessable capital, that is, its authorized capital plus any share premium.
BVI Taxation
The
Company has certain of its subsidiaries incorporated under the laws of the BVI. Pursuant to the rules and regulations of the BVI, these subsidiaries are not subject to any income tax in the BVI.
Under the International Business Companies Act of the BVI, as currently in effect, a holder of common stock who is not a resident of BVI is
exempt from BVI income tax on dividends paid with respect to the common stock and all holders of common stock are not liable for BVI income tax on gains realized during that year on sale or disposal of such shares; BVI does not impose a withholding
tax on dividends paid by a company incorporated under the International Business Companies Act.
There are no capital gains, gift or
inheritance taxes levied by the BVI on companies incorporated under the International Business Companies Act. In addition, the common stock is not subject to transfer taxes, stamp duties or similar charges.
There is no income tax treaty or convention currently in effect between the United States and the BVI.
Certain Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences
Taxation of Shareholders
The following is a summary of certain material U.S. federal income tax consequences to U.S. holders (as defined below) relating to the
purchase, ownership, and disposition of the Companys common stock. This discussion is based upon current provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code), Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder, rulings,
pronouncements, judicial decisions, and administrative interpretations of the Internal Revenue Service (the IRS), in each case as in effect and publicly available on the date hereof, all of which are subject to change and differing
interpretation, possibly on a retroactive basis, at any time by legislative, judicial, or administrative action. We cannot assure you that the IRS will not challenge the conclusions stated below or that a court will not find in the IRSs favor.
No legal opinion from U.S. counsel or ruling from the IRS has been (or will be) sought on any of the matters discussed herein. The discussion set forth below is limited to U.S. holders who hold the Companys common stock as a capital asset
within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code.
26
The following discussion does not purport to be a complete analysis of all the potential U.S.
federal income tax effects relating to the purchase, ownership, and disposition of the Companys common stock. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, this discussion does not address the effect of any rules applicable to U.S. holders
that are subject to special treatment under the U.S. federal income tax laws, including, without limitation: traders and dealers in securities or currencies; insurance companies; financial institutions, banks, and thrifts; regulated investment
companies, real estate investment trusts, controlled foreign corporations, passive foreign investment companies, and holders of interests in such entities;
tax-exempt
entities; U.S. persons whose functional
currency is not the U.S. dollar; U.S. expatriates; persons who hold the Companys common stock as part of a straddle, hedge, conversion transaction, or other risk reduction or integrated investment transaction; persons subject to the
alternative minimum tax; holders of securities that elect to use a
mark-to-market
method of accounting for their securities holdings; individual retirement accounts,
qualified pension plans, other retirement plans, and
tax-deferred
accounts; and pass-through entities, including partnerships and Subchapter S corporations, and beneficial owners of interests in such
pass-through entities. Finally, this discussion does not address the effect of any: U.S. state or local tax laws, U.S. federal tax laws other than U.S. federal income tax laws, or foreign tax laws.
The following discussion of certain material U.S. federal income tax considerations is for general information only. It is not tax advice.
Each prospective investor should consult its own tax advisor regarding the particular U.S. federal, state, local and foreign tax consequences of purchasing, holding, and disposing of the Companys common stock, including the consequences of any
proposed change in applicable laws.
U.S. Holder
For purposes of this discussion, the term U.S. holder means a beneficial owner of the Companys common stock that is for U.S.
federal income tax purposes:
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an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States, including an alien individual who is a lawful permanent resident of the United States or who meets the substantial presence test under
Section 7701(b) of the Code;
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a corporation or other entity taxable for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a corporation 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 the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source; or
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a trust if a court within the United States is able to exercise primary supervision over the administration of the trust and one or more U.S. persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust,
or if a valid election is in effect under applicable Treasury regulations to treat the trust as a U.S. person.
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Passive
Foreign Investment Company (PFIC)
The Company generally will be a PFIC if, for a taxable year, (a) 75% or more of the
gross income of the Company for such taxable year is passive income or (b) 50% or more of the assets held by the Company either produce passive income or are held for the production of passive income. Gross income generally includes
all sales revenues less the cost of goods sold, plus income from investments and from incidental or outside operations or sources. Passive income includes, for example, dividends, interest, certain rents and royalties, certain gains from
the sale of stock and securities, and certain gains from commodities transactions.
For purposes of the PFIC income and asset test
described above, if the Company owns, directly or indirectly, 25% or more of the total value of the outstanding shares of another foreign corporation, the Company will be treated as if it (a) held a proportionate share of the assets of such
other foreign corporation and (b) received directly a proportionate share of the income of such other foreign corporation. The PFIC rules are extremely complex, and U.S. Holders should consult their own U.S. tax advisors concerning the
application of the PFIC rules.
The Company believes it was classified as a PFIC during the tax year ended December 31, 2017, and
based on current business plans and financial expectations, the Company believes that it may be a PFIC in subsequent tax years. The determination of whether any foreign corporation was, or will be, a PFIC for a tax year depends, in part, on the
application of complex U.S. federal income tax rules, which are subject to differing interpretations. In addition, whether any corporation will be a PFIC for any tax year depends on the assets and income of such corporation over the course of each
such year and, as a result, cannot be predicted with certainty as of the date of this document.
27
In any year in which the Company is classified as a PFIC, a U.S. holder will be required to file
an annual report with the IRS containing such information as Treasury Regulations and IRS guidance may require.
Default PFIC Rules
Under Section 1291 of the Code
If the Company is a PFIC, the U.S. federal income tax consequences to a U.S. holder of the
acquisition, ownership, and disposition of the Companys common stock will depend on whether such U.S. holder makes an election to treat the Company as a qualified electing fund under Section 1295 of the Code (a QEF
Election), A U.S. holder that does not make a QEF Election will be referred to in this summary as a
Non-Electing
U.S. holder.
A
Non-Electing
U.S. holder will be subject to the rules of Section 1291 of the Code with respect
to any gain on the disposition of the Companys common stock and any excess distribution paid on the Companys common stock.
Under Section 1291 of the Code, any gain recognized on the sale or other disposition of the Companys common stock, and any excess
distribution paid on such common stock, must be ratably allocated to each day in a
Non-Electing
U.S. holders holding period for such common stock. The amount of any such gain or excess distribution
allocated to prior years of such
Non-Electing
U.S. holders holding period will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at the highest tax applicable to ordinary income in each such prior year. A
Non-Electing
U.S. holder will be required to pay interest on the resulting tax liability for each such prior year, calculated as if such tax liability had been due in each such prior year. The amount of any such
gain or excess distribution allocated to the current year of such
Non-Electing
U.S. holders holding period for the Companys common stock will be treated as ordinary income in the current year (but
will not qualify for the preferential dividend rate previously discussed), and no interest charge will be incurred with respect to the resulting tax liability for the current year.
If the Company is a PFIC for any taxable year during which a
Non-Electing
U.S. holder holds the
Companys common stock, the Company will continue to be treated as a PFIC with respect to such
Non-Electing
U.S. holder, regardless of whether the Company ceases to be a PFIC in one or more subsequent
years. A
Non-Electing
U.S. holder may terminate this deemed PFIC status by electing to recognize gain (which will be taxed under the rules of Section 1291 of the Code discussed above) as if such common
stock were sold on the last day of the last taxable year for which the Company was a PFIC.
QEF Election
A U.S. holder that makes a QEF Election generally will not be subject to the rules of Section 1291 of the Code discussed above. However, a
U.S. holder that makes a QEF Election will be subject to U.S. federal income tax annually on such U.S. holders pro rata share of (a) net capital gain of the Company, which will be taxed as capital gain to such U.S. holder, and
(b) the ordinary earnings of the Company, which will be taxed as ordinary income to such U.S. holder, regardless of whether such amounts are actually distributed to such U.S. holder by the Company. A U.S. holder that makes a QEF
Election may, subject to certain limitations, elect to defer payment of current U.S. federal income tax on such amounts, subject to an interest charge. In addition, a U.S. holder that makes a QEF Election generally will recognize capital gain or
loss on the sale or other taxable disposition of the Companys common stock, as long as the U.S. holder always had a QEF election in effect.
Each U.S. holder should consult its own U.S. tax advisors regarding the advisability of, and procedure for making, a QEF Election. However,
U.S. holders should be aware that the Company did not satisfy record keeping requirements that apply to a qualified electing fund for its tax year ended December 31, 2017 and there can be no assurance that the Company will in future satisfy
record keeping requirements that apply to a qualified electing fund, or that the Company will supply U.S. holders with information that such U.S. shareholders require to report under the QEF Election rules, in the event that the Company is a PFIC
and a U.S. shareholder wishes to make a QEF Election. Thus, U.S. holders may not be able to make a QEF Election with respect to the Companys common stock.
28
Distributions on the Companys Common Stock
Generally, and subject to the discussion above concerning PFICs, a U.S. holder that receives a distribution, including a constructive
distribution, with respect to the Companys common stock will be required to include the amount of such distribution in gross income as a dividend (without reduction for any foreign income tax withheld from such distribution) to the extent of
the current or accumulated earnings and profits of the Company (as determined under U.S. tax principles). To the extent that a distribution exceeds the current and accumulated earnings and profits of the Company, such
distribution will be treated (a) first, as a
tax-free
return of capital to the extent of a U.S. holders tax basis in the Companys common stock and, (b) thereafter, as gain from the sale
or exchange of such common stock. (See more detailed discussion at Disposition of the Companys Common Stock below.) However, the Company may not maintain the calculations of earnings and profits in accordance with U.S. federal
income tax principles, and each U.S. holder should therefore assume that any distribution by the Company with respect to the Companys common stock will constitute ordinary dividend income. Dividends received on the Companys common stock
generally will not be eligible for the dividends received deduction or eligible for the preferential tax rates applicable to long-term capital gains for dividends received by individuals.
Disposition of the Companys Common Stock
Subject to the discussion of the PFIC rules, above, a U.S. holder will recognize gain or loss on the sale or other taxable disposition of the
Companys common stock in an amount equal to the difference, if any, between (a) the amount of cash plus the fair market value of any property received and (b) such U.S. holders adjusted basis in the Companys common stock
sold or otherwise disposed of. Any such gain or loss generally will be capital gain or loss, which will be long-term capital gain or loss if the Companys common stock is held for more than one year.
Although preferential tax rates currently apply to long-term capital gains of a U.S. holder that is an individual, estate, or trust, such
preferential tax rates are not available if the Company is a PFIC, unless a qualified electing fund (QEF) election is timely made, as described above. Deductions for capital losses and net capital losses are subject to
limitations.
Foreign Tax Credit
A U.S. holder who pays (whether directly or through withholding) foreign income tax with respect to the Companys common stock may be
entitled, at the election of such U.S. holder, to receive either a deduction or a credit for such foreign income tax paid. This election is made on a
year-by-year
basis
and applies to all foreign taxes paid (whether directly or through withholding) by a U.S. holder during such year.
The foreign tax credit
is subject to complex limitations, including the general limitation that the credit cannot exceed the proportionate share of a U.S. holders U.S. federal income tax liability that such U.S. holders foreign source taxable
income bears to such U.S. holders worldwide taxable income. Generally, dividends paid by a foreign corporation should be treated as foreign source for this purpose, and gains recognized on the sale of stock of a foreign corporation by a U.S.
holder generally should be treated as U.S. source for this purpose.
Receipt of Foreign Currency
The amount of any distribution paid to a U.S. holder in foreign currency, or on the sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of the
Companys common stock, generally will be equal to the U.S. dollar value of such foreign currency based on the exchange rate applicable on the date of receipt (regardless of whether such foreign currency is converted into U.S. dollars at that
time). A U.S. holder will have a basis in the foreign currency equal to its U.S. dollar value on the date of receipt. Any U.S. holder who converts or otherwise disposes of the foreign currency after the date of receipt may have a foreign currency
exchange gain or loss that would be treated as ordinary income or loss, and generally will be U.S. source income or loss for foreign tax credit purposes.
Unearned Medicare Income Tax
Certain individuals, estates and trusts whose income exceeds certain thresholds will be required to pay a 3.8% Medicare surtax on net
investment income including, among other things, dividends and net gain from dispositions of property other than property held in a trade or business.
29
Legislative Uncertainty
A number of items of legislation have been proposed or are expected to soon be proposed that could significantly alter certain of the U.S.
federal income tax consequences of an investment in the Company. It is uncertain whether any such proposed legislation (or other legislation that would impact the Company or a U.S. holder) will be enacted. Prospective investors should consult
their own tax advisors regarding proposed legislation.
Information Reporting; Backup Withholding Tax
The Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) generally requires that individuals that hold certain specified foreign financial
assets worth in excess of certain thresholds of US $50,000 or more, depending on the individuals circumstances, report such ownership to the IRS using IRS Form 8938. The definition of specified foreign financial assets includes not only
financial accounts maintained in foreign financial institutions, but also, unless held in accounts maintained by a financial institution, any stock or security issued by a
non-U.S.
person, any financial
instrument or contract held for investment that has an issuer or counterparty other than a U.S. person and any interest in a foreign entity. A U.S. holder may be subject to this reporting requirement unless such holders Company common stock is
held in an account at a domestic financial institution. The penalty for failing to file Form 8938 is substantial.
Payments of
dividends made on, and proceeds arising from certain sales or other taxable dispositions of, the Companys common stock generally will be subject to information reporting and backup withholding tax, at the rate of 28%, if a U.S. holder
(a) fails to furnish such U.S. holders U.S. taxpayer identification number (generally on Form
W-9),
(b) furnishes an incorrect U.S. taxpayer identification number, (c) is notified by the
IRS that such U.S. holder has previously failed to properly report items subject to backup withholding tax, or (d) fails to certify, under penalty of perjury, that such U.S. holder has furnished its correct U.S. taxpayer identification number
and that the IRS has not notified such U.S. holder that it is subject to backup withholding tax. U.S. holders that are corporations generally are excluded from these information reporting and backup withholding tax rules. Any amounts withheld under
the U.S. backup withholding tax rules will be allowed as a credit against a U.S. holders U.S. federal income tax liability, if any, or will be refunded, if such U.S. holder furnishes required information to the IRS.
F. DIVIDENDS AND PAYING AGENTS
Not applicable.
G.
STATEMENTS BY EXPERTS
Not applicable.
H. DOCUMENTS ON DISPLAY
The Company is subject to certain of the information reporting requirements of the Exchange Act. The Company, as a foreign private
issuer, is exempt from the rules and regulations under the Exchange Act prescribing the furnishing and content of proxy statements, and the officers, directors and principal shareholders of the Company are exempt from the reporting and
short-swing profit recovery provisions contained in Section 16 of the Exchange Act, with respect to their purchase and sale of the Companys shares. In addition, the Company is not required to file reports and financial
statements with the SEC as frequently or as promptly as U.S. companies whose securities are registered under the Exchange Act. However, the Company does file with the SEC an Annual Report on Form
20-F
containing consolidated financial statements audited by an independent accounting firm.
Documents concerning us that are referred to
herein may be inspected at the Companys offices at Unit 703, 7/F, 1063 Kings Road, Quarry Bay, Hong Kong. You may read and copy any document that the Company files with the SEC at its public reference facilities at 100 F Street, N.E.,
Washington, D.C. 20549. You may also obtain copies of the documents at prescribed rates by writing to the Public Reference Section of the SEC at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. The SEC also maintains a web site that contains reports,
proxy and information statements and other information regarding registrants that file electronically with the SEC. The address of this web site is http://www.sec.gov. Please call the SEC at
1-800-SEC-0330
for further information on the operation of the public reference facilities.
30
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ITEM 11.
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QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
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The Company is exposed to
fluctuations in interest rates and currency exchange rates primarily with respect to any borrowings it may make and to our operating results. Under its current policies, the Company does not use interest rate derivative instruments to manage
exposure to interest rate changes.
Equity Price Risk
The Companys investments in equity securities expose it to changes in equity prices. The table below sets forth the Companys
exposure to equity securities as of December 31, 2016 and 2017.
Trading securities refer to equity securities that are bought and
held principally for the purpose of selling them in the near term, and are reported at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses included in earnings. The fair value of the Companys investments in trading securities is based on the
quoted market price on the last business day of the fiscal year.
Available-for-sale
securities consist of quoted equity
securities that are not designated as trading securities. They are held at fair value with unrealized gains and losses, net of tax, reported in accumulated other comprehensive gain or losses. Any unrealized losses that are deemed
other-than-temporary are included in current period earnings and removed from accumulated other comprehensive gain or losses.
Realized
gains and losses on investment securities are included in current period earnings. For purposes of computing realized gains and losses, the cost basis of each investment sold is generally based on the average cost method.
The Company regularly evaluates whether the decline in fair value of
available-for-sale
securities is other-than-temporary and objective evidence of impairment could include:
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The severity and duration of the fair value decline;
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Deterioration in the financial condition of the issuer; and
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Evaluation of the factors that could cause individual securities to have an other-than-temporary impairment.
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No such other-than-temporary decline in fair value was recognized during the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2017.
|
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2016
|
|
|
2017
|
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|
2017
|
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|
Rmb000
|
|
|
Rmb000
|
|
|
US$000
|
|
Trading securities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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Adjusted cost
|
|
|
59,017
|
|
|
|
54,688
|
|
|
|
8,405
|
|
Additions
|
|
|
6,933
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unrealized gains
|
|
|
2,463
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unrealized losses
|
|
|
(46,087
|
)
|
|
|
(46,926
|
)
|
|
|
(7,212
|
)
|
Exchange differences
|
|
|
(1,869
|
)
|
|
|
1,802
|
|
|
|
277
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
Total at fair value
|
|
|
20,457
|
|
|
|
9,564
|
|
|
|
1,470
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equity securities listed in Hong Kong
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|
20,457
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|
|
|
9,564
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|
|
|
1,470
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|
Equity securities listed in Singapore
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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Total
|
|
|
20,457
|
|
|
|
9,564
|
|
|
|
1,470
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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Available-for-sale
securities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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Equity securities listed in Hong Kong:
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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Cost
|
|
|
15,789
|
|
|
|
14,631
|
|
|
|
2,249
|
|
Impairment recognized in earnings
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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Adjusted amortized cost
|
|
|
15,789
|
|
|
|
14,631
|
|
|
|
2,249
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|
Unrealized (loss) / gains
|
|
|
(115
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)
|
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|
1,951
|
|
|
|
300
|
|
Exchange differences
|
|
|
309
|
|
|
|
216
|
|
|
|
33
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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Total at fair value
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|
|
15,983
|
|
|
|
16,798
|
|
|
|
2,582
|
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|
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|
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31
Exchange Rate Risk
The Consolidated Financial Statements are prepared in Renminbi. The financial statements of foreign subsidiaries are translated into Renminbi
in accordance with ASC Topic 830, Foreign Currency Matters.
The Hong Kong dollar is tied to and allowed to fluctuate within a narrow
range against the value of the U.S. dollar. Historically, there has been no material fluctuation in the exchange rate between the Renminbi and the U.S. dollar and restrictions were set on the flow of Renminbi between the PRC and the United States.
Starting on July 21, 2005, the PRC shifted to a managed floating exchange rate regime based on market supply and demand with reference to a basket of other currencies. The Renminbi is no longer pegged to the U.S. dollar.
Fluctuations in the value of foreign currencies cause U.S. dollar translated amounts to change in comparison with previous periods. However,
the fluctuation in exchange rates did not have material effect on the financial position of the Company in the past three years.
Foreign Currency Risk
As our major assets and liabilities are comprised of a mixture of items denominated in Renminbi, U.S. dollars and Hong Kong dollars, our
business and operating results may be materially affected in the event of a severe increase or decrease in the value of Renminbi against other currencies. If Renminbi appreciates against U.S. dollars/Hong Kong dollars, our operating expenses and net
income may be affected depending upon the then composition of our assets and liabilities.
Historically, both Hong Kong dollars and
Renminbi were pegged to U.S. dollars. As a result, the exchange rate of U.S. dollars/Hong Kong dollars to Renminbi fluctuated within a narrow range. However, on July 21, 2005, the PBOC adjusted the exchange rate of U.S. dollars to Renminbi from
1:8.27 to 1:8.11, resulting in an approximately 2% appreciation in the value of Renminbi against U.S. dollars. As Hong Kong dollars are pegged to U.S. dollars, such adjustment has effectively resulted in an approximately 2% appreciation in the value
of Renminbi against the Hong Kong dollar.
On June 19, 2010, the PBOC released a statement indicating that it would proceed
further with reform of the Renminbi exchange rate regime and increase the Renminbi exchange rate flexibility. There remains significant international pressure on the PRC government to adopt a substantial liberalization of its currency policy,
which could result in a further and more significant appreciation in the Renminbis value against the U.S. dollars. On March 17, 2014, the PBOC announced that the Renminbi exchange rate flexibility increased to 2% in order to proceed
further with reform of the Renminbi exchange rate regime. These could result in a further and more significant floatation in the Renminbis value against the U.S. dollars.
On August 11, 2015, the PBOC cut the Renminbis reference rate by 1.9 percent, sparking the sharpest fall in the currency since
the dollar peg ended in 2005. The move by the PBOC comes amid growing signs of a deepening slowdown in the mainland economy. The PBOC said that the reference rate move was a
one-time
adjustment, and it will
strengthen the markets role in the fixing of the rate and promote the convergence of the onshore and offshore rates.
Through 2016
the Renminbi continued its significant depreciation. This depreciation halted in 2017, and the Renminbi appreciated against the U.S. dollar during this
one-year
period. The exchange rate of the Renminbi
against U.S. Dollar as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 were 6.5063 and 6.9430.With the development of the foreign exchange market and progress towards interest rate liberalization and Renminbi internationalization, the PRC government may in
the future announce further changes to the exchange rate system and there is no guarantee that the Renminbi will not appreciate or depreciate significantly in value against the U.S. dollar in the future. It is difficult to predict how market forces
or PRC or U.S. government policy may impact the exchange rate between the Renminbi and the U.S. dollar in the future.
For more details,
see RISK FACTORS FLUCTUATIONS IN THE VALUE OF THE RENMINBI COULD NEGATIVELY IMPACT OUR RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.
As of
December 31, 2017, the Company had no open forward contracts or option contracts. The Companys cash and cash equivalents as of December 31, 2017 was Rmb474.0 million of which approximately Rmb468.3 million equivalents
(approximately US$72.0 million) were held in U.S. dollar deposits.
32
Interest Rate Risk
The Companys interest income is sensitive to changes in interest rates. However, the amount of interest income has been immaterial to the
Company.
The Company did not have any short-term or long-term debt which bore a floating interest rate as of December 31, 2016 or
2017.
The Company will be exposed to interest rate fluctuations on its cash on hand and any new borrowings under any new loan facility
and any change in interest rate could affect its results of operations and cash flows.
Credit Risk
As of December 31, 2016 and 2017, approximately 99.9% and 98.8%, respectively, of the Companys cash is maintained with one bank
within Taiwan. To protect the interest of depositors, Taiwan introduced deposit insurance which provides maximum compensation of NT$3 million ( approximately Rmb657,000 ) per depositor if a bank becomes bankrupt. The Company has not experienced
any losses due to the bank failure and monitors the soundness and the credit ratings of the bank on a periodic basis. Thus, the Company believes it is currently not exposed to any material risks on its bank deposits with the bank.
ITEM 12.
|
DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES OTHER THAN EQUITY SECURITIES
|
Not applicable.
PART III
ITEM 17.
|
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
|
See the Index to the Consolidated Financial Statements
accompanying this report beginning page
F-1.
ITEM 18.
|
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
|
Not applicable.
36
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
CHINA ENTERPRISES LIMITED
F - 1
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND SHAREHOLDERS OF
CHINA
ENTERPRISES LIMITED
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the
accompanying consolidated balance sheets of China Enterprises Limited (Company) and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, and the related consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss), changes in stockholders
equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2017, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the financial statements). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present
fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company at December 31, 2017 and 2016, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2017, in conformity
with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Companys management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Companys
consolidated financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company
in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We
conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to
error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits, we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial
reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Companys internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and
performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used
and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
/s/ Centurion ZD CPA Limited
Centurion ZD CPA Limited
We have served as the Companys auditor since 2016.
Hong
Kong, China
May 15, 2018
F - 2
CHINA ENTERPRISES LIMITED
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(Amounts in thousands, except number of shares and per share data)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year ended December 31,
|
|
|
|
2015
|
|
|
2016
|
|
|
2017
|
|
|
2017
|
|
|
|
Rmb
|
|
|
Rmb
|
|
|
Rmb
|
|
|
US$
|
|
Operating activities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
General and administrative expenses
|
|
|
(2,803
|
)
|
|
|
(2,732
|
)
|
|
|
(2,163
|
)
|
|
|
(332
|
)
|
Non-operating
income (expenses):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dividend income
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
97
|
|
|
|
15
|
|
Interest income
|
|
|
86
|
|
|
|
2,617
|
|
|
|
5,422
|
|
|
|
833
|
|
Interest expense
|
|
|
(563
|
)
|
|
|
(682
|
)
|
|
|
(778
|
)
|
|
|
(120
|
)
|
Gain on dissolution of subsidiaries (note 5)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6,460
|
|
|
|
993
|
|
Net realized loss on investments
|
|
|
(409
|
)
|
|
|
(1,258
|
)
|
|
|
(229
|
)
|
|
|
(35
|
)
|
Unrealized gain (loss) on trading securities still held at the balance sheet date
|
|
|
9,966
|
|
|
|
2,424
|
|
|
|
(2,264
|
)
|
|
|
(348
|
)
|
Exchange (loss) gain
|
|
|
(2,215
|
)
|
|
|
244
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Profit before income tax
|
|
|
4,062
|
|
|
|
613
|
|
|
|
6,545
|
|
|
|
1,006
|
|
Income tax expense (note 6)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income
|
|
|
4,062
|
|
|
|
613
|
|
|
|
6,545
|
|
|
|
1,006
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Foreign currency translation adjustment
|
|
|
26,046
|
|
|
|
47,437
|
|
|
|
(50,891
|
)
|
|
|
(7,822
|
)
|
Change in unrealized (losses) gain
|
|
|
(2,811
|
)
|
|
|
(2,968
|
)
|
|
|
2,066
|
|
|
|
318
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net change
|
|
|
23,235
|
|
|
|
44,469
|
|
|
|
(48,825
|
)
|
|
|
(7,504
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total comprehensive income (loss)
|
|
|
27,297
|
|
|
|
45,082
|
|
|
|
(42,280
|
)
|
|
|
(6,498
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Earnings per common share Basic and diluted
|
|
|
0.45
|
|
|
|
0.07
|
|
|
|
0.73
|
|
|
|
0.11
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average number of shares used in the calculation of earnings per common share Basic and
diluted
|
|
|
9,017,310
|
|
|
|
9,017,310
|
|
|
|
9,017,310
|
|
|
|
9,017,310
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
F - 3
CHINA ENTERPRISES LIMITED
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Amounts in thousands, except number of shares and their par values)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As of December 31,
|
|
|
|
2016
|
|
|
2017
|
|
|
2017
|
|
|
|
Rmb
|
|
|
Rmb
|
|
|
US$
|
|
ASSETS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current assets:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents
|
|
|
499,854
|
|
|
|
473,954
|
|
|
|
72,845
|
|
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
|
|
|
150
|
|
|
|
139
|
|
|
|
21
|
|
Due from related parties (note 11)
|
|
|
167
|
|
|
|
154
|
|
|
|
24
|
|
Trading securities (notes 3 and 8)
|
|
|
20,457
|
|
|
|
9,564
|
|
|
|
1,470
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total current assets
|
|
|
520,628
|
|
|
|
483,811
|
|
|
|
74,360
|
|
Long-term investment (note 4)
|
|
|
179,960
|
|
|
|
166,760
|
|
|
|
25,631
|
|
Available-for-sale
securities (notes 3 and 8)
|
|
|
15,983
|
|
|
|
16,798
|
|
|
|
2,582
|
|
Other assets
|
|
|
6
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total assets
|
|
|
716,577
|
|
|
|
667,369
|
|
|
|
102,573
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS EQUITY
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current liabilities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Payables to securities brokers (note 12)
|
|
|
6,839
|
|
|
|
7,084
|
|
|
|
1,089
|
|
Other payable
|
|
|
1,267
|
|
|
|
1,592
|
|
|
|
245
|
|
Accrued liabilities
|
|
|
1,314
|
|
|
|
1,348
|
|
|
|
207
|
|
Other taxes payable
|
|
|
2,753
|
|
|
|
2,753
|
|
|
|
423
|
|
Income taxes payable
|
|
|
24,667
|
|
|
|
17,135
|
|
|
|
2,634
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total current liabilities
|
|
|
36,840
|
|
|
|
29,912
|
|
|
|
4,598
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total liabilities
|
|
|
36,840
|
|
|
|
29,912
|
|
|
|
4,598
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Commitments and contingencies (note 9)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shareholders equity:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common stock - par value US$0.01 per share 50,000,000 shares authorized; 9,017,310 shares issued
and outstanding (note 7)
|
|
|
770
|
|
|
|
770
|
|
|
|
118
|
|
Additional
paid-in
capital
|
|
|
1,000,958
|
|
|
|
1,000,958
|
|
|
|
153,844
|
|
Accumulated other comprehensive income
|
|
|
50,486
|
|
|
|
1,661
|
|
|
|
256
|
|
Accumulated deficit
|
|
|
(372,477
|
)
|
|
|
(365,932
|
)
|
|
|
(56,243
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total shareholders equity
|
|
|
679,737
|
|
|
|
637,457
|
|
|
|
97,975
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total liabilities and shareholders equity
|
|
|
716,577
|
|
|
|
667,369
|
|
|
|
102,573
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
F - 4
CHINA ENTERPRISES LIMITED
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS EQUITY
(Amounts in thousands, except number of shares)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common
Stock
|
|
|
Common
Stock
|
|
|
Additional
paid-in
Capital
|
|
|
Accumulated
other
comprehensive
(losses) / income
|
|
|
Accumulated
deficit
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
|
Number
|
|
|
Rmb
|
|
|
Rmb
|
|
|
Rmb
|
|
|
Rmb
|
|
|
Rmb
|
|
Balance at January 1, 2015
|
|
|
9,017,310
|
|
|
|
770
|
|
|
|
1,000,958
|
|
|
|
(17,218
|
)
|
|
|
(377,152
|
)
|
|
|
607,358
|
|
Net loss
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,062
|
|
|
|
4,062
|
|
Foreign currency translation adjustment
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
26,046
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
26,046
|
|
Unrealized loss on
available-for-sale
securities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(2,811
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(2,811
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance at December 31, 2015
|
|
|
9,017,310
|
|
|
|
770
|
|
|
|
1,000,958
|
|
|
|
6,017
|
|
|
|
(373,090
|
)
|
|
|
634,655
|
|
Net income
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
613
|
|
|
|
613
|
|
Foreign currency translation adjustment
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
47,437
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
47,437
|
|
Unrealized loss on
available-for-sale
Securities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(2,968
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(2,968
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance at December 31, 2016
|
|
|
9,017,310
|
|
|
|
770
|
|
|
|
1,000,958
|
|
|
|
50,486
|
|
|
|
(372,477
|
)
|
|
|
679,737
|
|
Net income
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6,545
|
|
|
|
6,545
|
|
Foreign currency translation adjustment
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(50,891
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(50,891
|
)
|
Unrealized gain on
available-for-sale
Securities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,066
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,066
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance at December 31, 2017
|
|
|
9,017,310
|
|
|
|
770
|
|
|
|
1,000,958
|
|
|
|
1,661
|
|
|
|
(365,932
|
)
|
|
|
637,457
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance at December 31, 2017(in US$)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
118
|
|
|
|
153,844
|
|
|
|
256
|
|
|
|
(56,243
|
)
|
|
|
97,975
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
F - 5
CHINA ENTERPRISES LIMITED
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Amounts in thousands)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year ended December 31,
|
|
|
|
2015
|
|
|
2016
|
|
|
2017
|
|
|
2017
|
|
|
|
Rmb
|
|
|
Rmb
|
|
|
Rmb
|
|
|
US$
|
|
Cash flows from operating activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income
|
|
|
4,062
|
|
|
|
613
|
|
|
|
6,545
|
|
|
|
1,006
|
|
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash (used in) provided by operating
activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net gain on dissolution of subsidiaries (note 5)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(6,460
|
)
|
|
|
(993
|
)
|
Net realized loss on investments
|
|
|
409
|
|
|
|
1,258
|
|
|
|
229
|
|
|
|
35
|
|
Unrealized (gain) loss on trading securities still held at the balance sheet date
|
|
|
(9,966
|
)
|
|
|
(2,424
|
)
|
|
|
2,264
|
|
|
|
348
|
|
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
|
|
|
10
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accrued liabilities
|
|
|
(1,011
|
)
|
|
|
118
|
|
|
|
131
|
|
|
|
20
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities
|
|
|
(6,496
|
)
|
|
|
(435
|
)
|
|
|
2,709
|
|
|
|
416
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash flows (used in) provided by from investing activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Repayment from an unrelated party
|
|
|
9,139
|
|
|
|
145
|
|
|
|
417
|
|
|
|
64
|
|
(Increase) Decrease in due from related parties
|
|
|
(13
|
)
|
|
|
183
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Purchases of trading securities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(6,933
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proceeds from trading securities
|
|
|
12,568
|
|
|
|
16,079
|
|
|
|
7,273
|
|
|
|
1,118
|
|
Increase in payables to securities brokers
|
|
|
818
|
|
|
|
683
|
|
|
|
781
|
|
|
|
120
|
|
Payment for long-term investment
|
|
|
(37,164
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
|
|
|
(14,652
|
)
|
|
|
10,157
|
|
|
|
8,471
|
|
|
|
1,302
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Effect of exchange rate change
|
|
|
23,901
|
|
|
|
34,423
|
|
|
|
(37,080
|
)
|
|
|
(5,699
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
|
|
|
2,753
|
|
|
|
44,145
|
|
|
|
(25,900
|
)
|
|
|
(3,981
|
)
|
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year
|
|
|
452,956
|
|
|
|
455,709
|
|
|
|
499,854
|
|
|
|
76,826
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year
|
|
|
455,709
|
|
|
|
499,854
|
|
|
|
473,954
|
|
|
|
72,845
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Supplemental schedule of cash flow information:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income taxes paid
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest paid
|
|
|
563
|
|
|
|
682
|
|
|
|
778
|
|
|
|
120
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
F - 6
CHINA ENTERPRISES LIMITED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Amounts in thousands, except number of shares,
per share data and unless otherwise stated)
1.
|
ORGANIZATION AND PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES
|
China Enterprises Limited (the
Company) was incorporated in Bermuda on January 28, 1993. Its common stock trades on the OTC
(Over-the-Counter)
Securities Marketplace in the United
States of America (the US).
The accompanying financial statements include the financial statements of the Company and its
wholly owned subsidiaries which primarily consist of Million Good Limited (Million Good, incorporated in the British Virgin Islands, BVI, principally engaged in investment holding), Wealth Faith Limited (Wealth
Faith, incorporated in the BVI, principally engaged in investment holding), Cosmos Regent Limited (Cosmos Regent, incorporated in the BVI, principally engaged in investment holding), Cyber Generation Limited (Cyber
Generation, incorporated in the BVI, principally engaged in investment holding). The Company and all of its subsidiaries are collectively referred to as the Group.
Based in Hong Kong, the Company has historically been engaged in tire manufacturing, trading and related businesses, and actively participated
in the management of China-based companies in a variety of industries for strategic operating purposes.
As of January 1, 2010, the
Company had a 26% equity interest in Hangzhou Zhongce Rubber Co., Limited (HZ, located in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, the PRC). HZ and its consolidated subsidiaries (the PRC entities) are engaged in the manufacture of rubber
tires in the PRC.
On November 28, 2011, the Company sold all of its ownership interests in HZ to CZ Tire Holdings Limited, an
independent third party company incorporated in the British Virgin Islands.
F - 7
CHINA ENTERPRISES LIMITED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Amounts in thousands, except number of shares,
per share data and unless otherwise stated)
1.
|
ORGANIZATION AND PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES - continued
|
Following the disposal of all of its interest in the tire business in 2011, the Company had
no revenue producing businesses and began actively seeking new investment opportunities, including entering into an agreement through its wholly owned subsidiary to purchase a 40% equity interest in Million Cube Limited (Million Cube) in
2012. Million Cube has acquired a 45% equity interest and corresponding shareholder loans of Paragon Winner Company Limited (Paragon). Paragon was formed to invest in a joint venture that is developing a golf course, hotel and resort
complex at Sanya City in the PRC. On March 27, 2015, the Company closed on the acquisition of Million Cube.
The Company has continued
to seek new strategic investment opportunities in the PRC, including Hong Kong. Apart from the golf resort business, the Company is also looking at other potential investments and has a long term goal to build a platform of value-added and
productive businesses under the strategic direction of the Company whereby it can exercise significant influence over the financial and operating decisions of its investees for financial returns.
2.
|
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
|
|
(a)
|
Basis of Presentation
|
The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in
accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (U.S. GAAP).
|
(b)
|
Basis of Consolidation
|
The Company consolidates all entities in which it is the primary
beneficiary of variable interests in variable interest entities and entities in which it has a controlling financial interest. The Company did not have a variable interest in any variable interest entity during the periods presented.
The consolidated financial statements include the assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries.
All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated on consolidation.
F - 8
CHINA ENTERPRISES LIMITED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Amounts in thousands, except number of shares,
per share data and unless otherwise stated)
2.
|
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued
|
|
(c)
|
Cash and Cash Equivalents
|
The Company considers cash on hand, demand deposits with
banks, and highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less when purchased to be cash and cash equivalents.
Trading securities refer to equity securities that are bought and
held principally for the purpose of selling them in the near term, and are reported at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses included in earnings. The fair value of the Companys investments in trading securities is based on the quoted
market price on the last business day of the fiscal year.
|
(e)
|
Available-for-sale
Securities
|
Available-for-sale
securities consist of quoted equity
securities that are not designated as trading securities. They are held at fair value with unrealized gains and losses, net of tax, reported in accumulated other comprehensive gain or losses. Any unrealized losses that are deemed
other-than-temporary are included in current period earnings and removed from accumulated other comprehensive gain or losses.
Realized
gains and losses on investment securities are included in current period earnings. For purposes of computing realized gains and losses, the cost basis of each investment sold is generally based on the average cost method.
The Company regularly evaluates whether the decline in fair value of
available-for-sale
securities is other-than-temporary and objective evidence of impairment could include:
|
|
|
The severity and duration of the fair value decline;
|
|
|
|
Deterioration in the financial condition of the issuer; and
|
|
|
|
Evaluation of the factors that could cause individual securities to have an other-than-temporary impairment.
|
No such other-than-temporary decline in fair value was recognized during the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2017.
F - 9
CHINA ENTERPRISES LIMITED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Amounts in thousands, except number of shares,
per share data and unless otherwise stated)
2.
|
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued
|
In accordance with ASC
325-20,
Investments-Other: Cost Method Investments
, for investments in an investee over which the Company does not have significant influence, the Company carries the investment at cost and only adjusts
for other-than-temporary declines in fair value and distributions of earnings. The Companys management regularly evaluates the impairment of its cost method investments based on the performance and financial position of the investee as well as
other evidence of estimated market values. Such evaluation includes, but is not limited to, reviewing the investees cash position, recent financing, projected and historical financial performance, cash flow forecasts and current and future
financing needs. An impairment loss is recognized in the consolidated statements of operations equal to the excess of the investments cost over its fair value at the balance sheet date of the reporting period for which the assessment is made.
The fair value would then become the new cost basis of investment.
No impairment loss had been recorded for the years ended
December 31, 2016 and 2017.
Deferred income taxes are recognized for temporary differences between the
tax basis of assets and liabilities and their reported amounts in the consolidated financial statements and unutilized tax loss carry forwards by applying enacted statutory tax rates applicable to future years. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a
valuation allowance when, in the opinion of management, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Current income taxes are provided in accordance with the laws of the relevant taxing
authorities.
The Company adopted ASC Topic 740,
Income Taxes
, which clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes
recognized in an enterprises financial statements. The interpretation prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax
return. ASC Topic 740 also provides accounting guidance on
de-recognition,
classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure and transition.
F - 10
CHINA ENTERPRISES LIMITED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Amounts in thousands, except number of shares,
per share data and unless otherwise stated)
2.
|
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued
|
The functional currency of the Company and its Hong Kong domiciled
subsidiaries is Hong Kong dollars. The Company has elected Renminbi as its reporting currency.
Foreign currency transactions are
translated into the functional currencies of the Company and its subsidiaries at the applicable exchange rates prevailing at the dates of the transactions. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into
functional currencies using the applicable exchange rates prevailing at the respective balance sheet dates. Exchange differences are included in the consolidated statements of operations.
Assets and liabilities of the Company and its subsidiaries domiciled in Hong Kong have been translated into Renminbi at the rates of exchange
prevailing at the balance sheet dates and all income and expense items are translated into Renminbi at the average rates of exchange over the year. Exchange differences resulting from the translation have been recorded as a component of
comprehensive losses.
The translation of Renminbi amounts into US$ amounts are included solely for the convenience of readers and have
been made at US$1.00 = RMB 6.5063, the noon buying rate from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York on December 31, 2017. No representation is made that the Renminbi amounts could have been, or could be, converted into United States dollar at
that rate or at any other rate.
Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net income by the
weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the year. The Company did not have dilutive potential common share equivalents during fiscal 2015, 2016 and 2017.
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP
requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and
expenses for the years presented. Actual results may differ from those estimates. Significant estimates in these financial statements that are susceptible to change as more information becomes available are collectability of receivables, valuation
allowances for deferred tax assets and impairment with respect to i) trading securities, ii)
available-for-sale
securities, and iii) long- term investment.
F - 11
CHINA ENTERPRISES LIMITED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Amounts in thousands, except number of shares,
per share data and unless otherwise stated)
2.
|
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued
|
|
(k)
|
Financial Instruments
|
The Company recognizes all derivative instruments on the balance
sheet at fair value with changes in fair values reported in the consolidated statements of operations.
The Companys financial
instruments that are exposed to concentration of credit risk consist primarily of its cash and cash equivalents, and amounts due from related parties. The Company has reviewed the credit worthiness and financial position of its related parties for
credit risks associated with amounts due from them. These entities have good credit standing and the Company does not expect to incur significant losses on advances provided to these entities.
Comprehensive income represents changes in equity resulting from
transactions and other events and circumstances from non-owner sources. Comprehensive income consists of net income (loss) and the foreign exchange differences arising from translation to the reporting currency and unrealized gains and losses on
available-for-sale
securities.
|
(m)
|
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
|
In May 2014, the FASB issued Accounting
Standards Update (ASU)
No. 2014-09,
Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606). This guidance supersedes current guidance on revenue recognition in Topic 605,
Revenue Recognition. In addition, there are disclosure requirements related to the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue recognition. In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU
No.2015-14
to defer the effective date of ASU
No. 2014-09
for all entities by one year. For public business entities that follow U.S. GAAP, the deferral results in
the new revenue standard are being effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2017, with early adoption permitted for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15,
2016. The Company will apply the new revenue standard beginning January 1, 2018. Based on managements assessment of the application of this guidance, the Company does not expect a material impact on amounts reported and disclosures
made in the Companys consolidated financial statements.
F - 12
CHINA ENTERPRISES LIMITED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Amounts in thousands, except number of shares,
per share data and unless otherwise stated)
2.
|
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued
|
|
(m)
|
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements - continued
|
On January 5, 2016, the FASB issued ASU
No. 2016-01
(ASU
2016-01), Recognition
and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities, which amends certain aspects of
recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of financial instruments. This amendment requires all equity investments to be measured at fair value, with changes in the fair value recognized through net income (other than those
accounted for under equity method of accounting or those that result in consolidation of the investee). This standard will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal
years. The Company does not expect this standard to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.
On February 25,
2016, the FASB issued ASU
No. 2016-02
(ASU
2016-02),
Leases. ASU
2016-02
specifies the accounting for leases.
For operating leases, ASU
2016-02
requires a lessee to recognize a
right-of-use
asset and a lease liability, initially measured
at the present value of the lease payments, in its balance sheet. The standard also requires a lessee to recognize a single lease cost, calculated so that the cost of the lease is allocated over the lease term, on a generally straight-line basis. In
addition, this standard requires both lessees and lessors to disclose certain key information about lease transactions. ASU
2016-02
is effective for public companies for annual reporting periods, and interim
periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2018. Early adoption is permitted. Management is currently assessing the potential impact of adopting this standard on the Companys consolidated financial statements.
In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No.
2016-13, Financial
Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326),
which requires entities to measure all expected credit losses for financial assets held at the reporting date based on historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. This replaces the existing incurred loss
model and is applicable to the measurement of credit losses on financial assets measured at amortized cost. This guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15,
2019. Early application will be permitted for all entities for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2018. The Company does not expect this standard to have a material impact on its
consolidated financial statements.
In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU
No. 2016-15,
Statement
of Cash Flows Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments, which clarifies the presentation and classification of certain cash receipts and cash payments in the statement of cash flows. This guidance is effective for financial
statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. The Company does not expect this standard to have a material impact on its consolidated financial
statements.
F - 13
CHINA ENTERPRISES LIMITED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Amounts in thousands, except number of shares,
per share data and unless otherwise stated)
2.
|
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued
|
|
(m)
|
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements - continued
|
In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU
No. 2016-18,
Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash. The guidance requires that a statement of cash flows explain the change during the period in the total of cash, cash equivalents,
and amounts generally described as restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents. Therefore, amounts generally described as restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents should be included with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the
beginning-of-period
and
end-of-period
total amounts shown on the statement of cash flows. The
standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim period within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in an interim period. The standard should be applied using a retrospective
transition method to each period presented. The Company does not expect this standard to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.
In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU
No. 2017-01,
Business Combinations (Topic 805):
Clarifying the Definition of a Business, which clarifies the definition of a business with the objective of adding guidance to assist entities with evaluating whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions or disposals of assets or
businesses. The standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. The standard should be applied prospectively on or after the effective
date. The Company does not expect this standard to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.
In January 2017, the
FASB issued ASU
No. 2017-04,
Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment. The guidance removes Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test, which requires a hypothetical purchase price allocation. A goodwill
impairment will now be the amount by which a reporting units carrying value exceeds its fair value, not to exceed the carrying amount of goodwill. The guidance should be adopted on a prospective basis for the annual or any interim goodwill
impairment tests beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted for interim or annual goodwill impairment tests performed on testing dates after January 1, 2017. The Company does not expect this standard to have a material
impact on its consolidated financial statements.
Other accounting standards that have been issued or proposed by the FASB or other
standards-setting bodies that do not require adoption until a future date are not expected to have a material impact on the Companys consolidated financial statements upon adoption.
F - 14
CHINA ENTERPRISES LIMITED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Amounts in thousands, except number of shares,
per share data and unless otherwise stated)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2016
|
|
|
2017
|
|
|
2017
|
|
|
|
Rmb
|
|
|
Rmb
|
|
|
US$
|
|
Trading securities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Adjusted cost
|
|
|
59,017
|
|
|
|
54,688
|
|
|
|
8,405
|
|
Additions
|
|
|
6,933
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unrealized gains
|
|
|
2,463
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unrealized losses
|
|
|
(46,087
|
)
|
|
|
(46,926
|
)
|
|
|
(7,212
|
)
|
Exchange differences
|
|
|
(1,869
|
)
|
|
|
1,802
|
|
|
|
277
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total at fair value
|
|
|
20,457
|
|
|
|
9,564
|
|
|
|
1,470
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equity securities listed in Hong Kong
|
|
|
20,457
|
|
|
|
9,564
|
|
|
|
1,470
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Available-for-sale
securities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equity securities listed in Hong Kong:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost
|
|
|
15,789
|
|
|
|
14,631
|
|
|
|
2,249
|
|
Impairment recognized in earnings
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Adjusted amortized cost
|
|
|
15,789
|
|
|
|
14,631
|
|
|
|
2,249
|
|
Unrealized (loss)/ gains
|
|
|
(115
|
)
|
|
|
1,951
|
|
|
|
300
|
|
Exchange differences
|
|
|
309
|
|
|
|
216
|
|
|
|
33
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total at fair value
|
|
|
15,983
|
|
|
|
16,798
|
|
|
|
2,582
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As of the end of reporting period, the Company considers the declines in market value of its marketable
securities in its investment portfolio not to be other than temporary in nature, therefore no impairment is recorded. Fair values were determined using closing prices of each individual security in the investment portfolio. When evaluating an
investment for other-than-temporary impairment, the Company reviews factors such as the length of time and extent to which fair value has been below its cost basis, the financial condition of the issuer and any changes thereto, and the
Companys intent to sell, or whether it is more likely than not it will be required to sell, the investment before recovery of the investments cost basis. No impairment loss was recognized for the years presented.
F - 15
CHINA ENTERPRISES LIMITED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Amounts in thousands, except number of shares,
per share data and unless otherwise stated)
Cost method investment
On March 27, 2015, the Company closed on the acquisition of 40% interests in Million Cube. Million Cube is essentially an investment
vehicle and without substantive operating activities of its own. Million Cube has only one investment in 45% of the issued capital and corresponding shareholder loans of Paragon, which was acquired in 2012 from ITC Properties Group Limited, a
company incorporated in Bermuda and listed on the HKSE (ITC Properties). Paragon was incorporated in the BVI and engages in the development and operation of Sanya Sun Valley Golf Resort in Yalong Bay, Sanya China, PRC. Through the
investments, the Company has effective held approximately 18% of interests in Paragon after the completion of its purchasing of 40% interest in Million Cube.
Although Wealth Faith had appointed one director to Million Cubes board of director, as there are no other operating activities in
Million Cube, the Company has no significant influence over its investment in Million Cube and the substantive investment, which is the Companys secondary investment in Paragon. As such, the Company records the investment in Million Cube at
cost and adjusts for other-than-temporary declines in fair value and distributions of earnings. As of December 31, 2017, the carrying amount of the long-term investment was RMB 166,760 (HK$200,000).
The management of the Company considered that no impairment was required on its long-term investment because there was a significant
appreciation of the underlying asset, a piece of land in Yalong Bay, held by Paragon.
The Company appointed a third party professional
valuer to
re-assess
the current market value of that piece of land in Yalong Bay. In the opinion of the Companys management, no impairment on the investment in long-term investment was required by the
Company as of December 31, 2016 and 2017.
5.
|
DISSOLUTION OF SUBSIDIARIES
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2016
|
|
|
2017
|
|
|
2017
|
|
|
|
Rmb
|
|
|
Rmb
|
|
|
US$
|
|
Net assets disposed of:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other long term assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6
|
|
|
|
1
|
|
Income taxes payable
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(6,466
|
)
|
|
|
(994
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gain on dissolution of subsidiaries
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(6,460
|
)
|
|
|
(993
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
During 2017, Orion (B.V.I.) Tire Corporation, a 60% owned subsidiary incorporated in BVI and Whole Good
Limited, a 100% owned subsidiary incorporated in BVI, were dissolved and a gain was recorded on dissolution
F - 16
CHINA ENTERPRISES LIMITED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Amounts in thousands, except number of shares,
per share data and unless otherwise stated)
The components of profit from operations before income tax are as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year ended December 31,
|
|
|
|
2015
|
|
|
2016
|
|
|
2017
|
|
|
2017
|
|
|
|
Rmb
|
|
|
Rmb
|
|
|
Rmb
|
|
|
US$
|
|
The PRC
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
All other jurisdictions
|
|
|
4,062
|
|
|
|
613
|
|
|
|
6,545
|
|
|
|
1,006
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,062
|
|
|
|
613
|
|
|
|
6,545
|
|
|
|
1,006
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income tax expense consists of:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year ended December 31,
|
|
|
|
2015
|
|
|
2016
|
|
|
2017
|
|
|
2017
|
|
|
|
Rmb
|
|
|
Rmb
|
|
|
Rmb
|
|
|
US$
|
|
Current
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deferred
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bermuda
The Company is incorporated under the laws of Bermuda and, under current Bermuda law, is not subject to tax on income or on capital gains. The
Company has received an undertaking from the Ministry of Finance of Bermuda pursuant to the provisions of the Exempted Undertakings Tax Protection Amendment Act, 2011, as amended, that in the event that Bermuda enacts any legislation imposing tax
computed on profits or income, including any dividend or capital gains withholding tax, or computed on any capital asset, gain or appreciation, or any tax in the nature of estate duty or inheritance tax, then the imposition of any such tax shall not
be applicable to the Company or to any of its operations or the shares, debentures or other obligations of the Company until March 31, 2035. This undertaking is not to be construed so as to (i) prevent the application of any such tax or
duty on such person as an ordinary resident in Bermuda; or (ii) prevent the application of any tax payable in accordance with the provision of the Land Tax Act, 1967 or otherwise payable in relation to any land leased to the Company in Bermuda.
F - 17
CHINA ENTERPRISES LIMITED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Amounts in thousands, except number of shares,
per share data and unless otherwise stated)
6.
|
INCOME TAXES - continued
|
British Virgin Islands (BVI)
The Company has certain of its subsidiaries incorporated under the laws of the BVI. Pursuant to the rules and regulations of the BVI, these
subsidiaries are not subject to any income tax in the BVI.
Under the International Business Companies Act of the BVI as currently in
effect, a holder of common stock who is not a resident of the BVI is exempt from BVI income tax on dividends paid with respect to the common stock and all holders of common stock are not liable for BVI income tax on gains realized during that year
on sale or disposal of such shares; the BVI does not impose a withholding tax on dividends paid by a company incorporated under the International Business Companies Act.
There are no capital gains, gift or inheritance taxes levied by the BVI on companies incorporated under the International Business Companies
Act. In addition, the common stock is not subject to transfer taxes, stamp duties or similar charges.
There is no income tax treaty or
convention currently in effect between the United States and the BVI.
Hong Kong
The Company and certain of its subsidiaries are operating in Hong Kong and their income taxes have been calculated by applying a profits tax
rate of 16.5% to the estimated taxable income earned in or derived from Hong Kong.
The tax positions for the years 2010 to 2017 may be
subject to examination by the Hong Kong tax authorities.
PRC
The Company adopted the provisions of ASC Topic 740 effective January 1, 2007. The Group has made its assessment of the level of tax
authority for each tax position (including the potential application of interest and penalties) based on the technical merits, and has measured the unrecognized tax benefits associated with the tax positions. Based on the evaluation by the Company,
it is concluded that there are no significant uncertain tax positions requiring recognition in the financial statements.
The Company has
no material unrecognized tax benefit which would favorably affect the effective income tax rate in future periods and does not believe that there will be any significant increases or decreases of unrecognized tax benefits within the next twelve
months. The Company classifies interest and/or penalties related to income tax matters in income tax expense. As of December 31, 2016 and 2017, there is no interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions.
F - 18
CHINA ENTERPRISES LIMITED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Amounts in thousands, except number of shares,
per share data and unless otherwise stated)
6.
|
INCOME TAXES - continued
|
According to the PRC Tax Administration and Collection Law, the statute of limitations is
three years if the underpayment of taxes is due to computational errors made by the taxpayer or its withholding agent. The statute of limitations extends to five years under special circumstances, which are not clearly defined. In the case of a
related party transaction, the statute of limitations is ten years. There is no statute of limitations in the case of tax evasion.
The tax
impact of temporary differences gives rise to the following deferred tax asset and liability:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2016
|
|
|
2017
|
|
|
2017
|
|
|
|
Rmb
|
|
|
Rmb
|
|
|
US$
|
|
Current deferred tax asset:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tax losses
|
|
|
19,285
|
|
|
|
19,552
|
|
|
|
3,005
|
|
Valuation allowances
|
|
|
(19,285
|
)
|
|
|
(19,552
|
)
|
|
|
(3,005
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Movement in valuation allowance:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2016
|
|
|
2017
|
|
|
2017
|
|
|
|
Rmb
|
|
|
Rmb
|
|
|
US$
|
|
At the beginning of the year
|
|
|
18,484
|
|
|
|
19,285
|
|
|
|
2,964
|
|
Current year movement
|
|
|
801
|
|
|
|
267
|
|
|
|
41
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
At the end of the year
|
|
|
19,285
|
|
|
|
19,552
|
|
|
|
3,005
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Group has total tax operating loss carry forwards of RMB 118,496 and RMB 116,881 as of December 31, 2016
and 2017, respectively, which are available for offset against future profits that may be carried forward indefinitely. The valuation allowance refers to the estimated portion of the deferred tax assets that are not more likely than not
to be realized.
The reconciliation of the effective income tax rate based on profit (loss) from operations before income taxes to the
statutory income tax rates in Hong Kong is as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year ended December 31,
|
|
|
|
2015
|
|
|
2016
|
|
|
2017
|
|
Profits tax rate in Hong Kong
|
|
|
16.5
|
%
|
|
|
16.5
|
%
|
|
|
16.5
|
%
|
Permanent differences relating to
non-taxable
income and
non-deductible
expenses
|
|
|
(28.2
|
%)
|
|
|
(27.4
|
%)
|
|
|
(18
|
%)
|
Change in valuation allowance
|
|
|
11.7
|
%
|
|
|
10.9
|
%
|
|
|
1.5
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Effective tax rate
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
F - 19
CHINA ENTERPRISES LIMITED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Amounts in thousands, except number of shares,
per share data and unless otherwise stated)
Share Capital
The Company did not issue any Common Stock for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2016 and 2017.
8.
|
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
|
Effective from January 1, 2008, the Company adopted ASC
Topic 820,
Fair Value Measurement and Disclosures
, for all financial assets and liabilities and nonfinancial assets and liabilities that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the consolidated financial statements on a recurring basis
(at least annually). ASC Topic 820 defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell the asset or paid to transfer a liability (i.e. the exit price) in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement
date. When determining the fair value measurements for assets and liabilities required or permitted to be recorded at fair value, the Company considers the principal or most advantageous market in which it would transact and also considers
assumptions that market participants would use when pricing the asset or liability.
Fair Value Hierarchy
ASC Topic 820 establishes a fair value hierarchy that requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of
unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. A financial instruments categorization within the fair value hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. ASC Topic 820 establishes three
levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value:
Level 1 applies to assets or liabilities for which there are quoted prices
in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
Level 2 applies to assets or liabilities for which there are inputs other than
quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in markets with insufficient
volume or infrequent transactions (less active markets); or model-derived valuations in which significant inputs are observable or can be derived principally from, or corroborated by, observable market data.
Level 3 applies to assets or liabilities for which there are unobservable inputs to the valuation methodology that are significant to the
measurement of the fair value of the assets or liabilities.
F - 20
CHINA ENTERPRISES LIMITED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Amounts in thousands, except number of shares,
per share data and unless otherwise stated)
8.
|
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS - continued
|
The following table summarizes the Companys financial assets and liabilities measured
at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2016 and 2017:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Quoted prices
In Active
Market for
Identical Assets
(Level 1)
|
|
|
Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
|
|
|
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
|
|
|
Balance
as of
December 31,
2016
|
|
|
|
Rmb
|
|
|
Rmb
|
|
|
Rmb
|
|
|
Rmb
|
|
Current Assets:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Trading securities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
- Equity securities listed in Hong Kong
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
- Hotel operations
|
|
|
1,968
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,968
|
|
- Gaming, entertainment and tourist-related
|
|
|
8,809
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8,809
|
|
- Property development and investment
|
|
|
7,629
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7,629
|
|
- Others
|
|
|
2,051
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,051
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
20,457
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
20,457
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Available-for-sale
securities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
- Equity securities listed in Hong Kong
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
- Hotel operations
|
|
|
15,983
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
15,983
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
36,440
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
36,440
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
F - 21
CHINA ENTERPRISES LIMITED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Amounts in thousands, except number of shares,
per share data and unless otherwise stated)
8.
|
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS - continued
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Quoted prices
In Active
Market for
Identical Assets
(Level 1)
|
|
|
Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
|
|
|
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
|
|
|
Balance
as of
December 31,
2017
|
|
|
Balance
as of
December 31,
2017
|
|
|
|
Rmb
|
|
|
Rmb
|
|
|
Rmb
|
|
|
Rmb
|
|
|
US$
|
|
Current Assets:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Trading securities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
- Equity securities listed in Hong Kong
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
- Hotel operations
|
|
|
2,068
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,068
|
|
|
|
318
|
|
- Gaming, entertainment and tourist-related
|
|
|
2,948
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,948
|
|
|
|
453
|
|
- Property development and investment
|
|
|
4,548
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,548
|
|
|
|
699
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
9,564
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
9,564
|
|
|
|
1,470
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Available-for-sale
securities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
- Equity securities listed in Hong Kong
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
- Hotel operation
|
|
|
16,798
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
16,798
|
|
|
|
2,582
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
26,362
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
26,362
|
|
|
|
4,052
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
F - 22
CHINA ENTERPRISES LIMITED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Amounts in thousands, except number of shares,
per share data and unless otherwise stated)
9.
|
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
|
There were no outstanding capital commitments as of
December 31, 2016 or 2017.
10.
|
DISTRIBUTION OF PROFIT
|
The Company did not propose or pay any dividends on the outstanding Common
Stock for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2016 and 2017.
As of December 31, 2016 and 2017, the Company had no
distributable reserves.
11.
|
RELATED PARTY BALANCES, TRANSACTIONS AND ARRANGEMENTS
|
Parties are considered to be
related to the Company if the parties, directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, control, are controlled by, or are under common control with the Company. Related parties also include principal owners of the Company, its
management, members of the immediate families of principal owners of the Company and its management and other parties with which the Company may deal if one party controls or can significantly influence the management or operating policies of the
other to an extent that one of the transacting parties might be prevented from fully pursuing its own separate interests. A party which can significantly influence the management or operating policies of the transacting parties or if it has an
ownership interest in one of the transacting parties and can significantly influence the other to an extent that one or more of the transacting parties might be prevented from fully pursuing its own separate interests is also a related party.
Other than those disclosed elsewhere in the consolidated financial statements, the Company had the following related party balances:
F - 23
CHINA ENTERPRISES LIMITED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Amounts in thousands, except number of shares,
per share data and unless otherwise stated)
11.
|
RELATED PARTY BALANCES, TRANSACTIONS AND ARRANGEMENTS - continued
|
Due from Related Parties
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2016
|
|
|
2017
|
|
|
2017
|
|
|
|
Rmb
|
|
|
Rmb
|
|
|
US$
|
|
Due from:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Master Glory Group Limited and its subsidiaries (Formerly known as: Hanny Holdings
Limited)
|
|
|
167
|
|
|
|
154
|
|
|
|
24
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
167
|
|
|
|
154
|
|
|
|
24
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As of December 31, 2016 and 2017, the Company held a 6.2% equity interest in Rosedale, of which 43,325,554
shares and 5,334,870 shares were recorded as
available-for-sale
securities and trading securities, respectively. Dr. Allan Yap is the chairman and chief executive
director of Rosedale.
As of December 31, 2016 and 2017, the amounts due from related parties were unsecured,
non-interest
bearing and had no fixed repayment terms.
12.
|
PAYABLES TO SECURITIES BROKERS
|
As of December 31, 2016 and 2017, the payables to
securities brokers were bearing interest at 11% to 11.25% per annum, repayable on demand, and secured by trading and
available-for-sale
securities (note 13).
F - 24
CHINA ENTERPRISES LIMITED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Amounts in thousands, except number of shares,
per share data and unless otherwise stated)
As of December 31, 2016 and 2017, trading and
available-for-sale
securities amounting to Rmb34,558 and Rmb24,383(US$3,748) are collateralized to secure the security trading margin facilities of the Company.
14.
|
CONCENTRATION OF CREDIT RISK
|
As of December 31, 2016 and 2017, approximately 99.9%
and 98.8%, respectively, of the Companys cash is maintained with one bank in Taiwan. To protect the interest of depositors, Taiwan introduced deposit insurance which provides maximum compensation of NT$3,000 (approximately RMB657) per
depositor if a bank becomes bankrupt. The Company has historically not experienced any losses due to the bank failure and monitors the soundness and the credit ratings of the bank on a periodic basis. Thus, the Company believes it is currently not
exposed to any material risks on its bank deposits with the bank.
On August 11, 2015, the Peoples Bank of China
(PBOC) has cut the RMBs reference rate by 1.9%, sparking the sharpest fall in the currency since the dollar peg ended a decade ago. The move by the PBOC comes amid growing signs of a deepening slowdown in the mainland economy. The
PBOC said that the reference rate move was a
one-time
adjustment, and it will strengthen the markets role in the fixing of the rate and promote the convergence of the onshore and offshore rates. Through
2016 the RMB continued its significant depreciation. This depreciation halted in 2017, and the RMB appreciated against the U.S. dollar during this
one-year
period. The exchange rate of the RMB against
U.S. Dollar as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 were 6.5063 and 6.9430.With the development of the foreign exchange market and progress towards interest rate liberalization and Renminbi internationalization, the PRC government may in the
future announce further changes to the exchange rate system and there is no guarantee that the RMB will not appreciate or depreciate significantly in value against the U.S. dollar in the future. It is difficult to predict how market forces or PRC or
U.S. government policy may impact the exchange rate between the RMB and the U.S. dollar in the future.
The Company has evaluated all events or transactions that occurred
through the date the consolidated financial statements were available to be issued (May 15, 2018), and has determined that there were no material recognizable nor subsequent events or transactions which would require recognition or disclosure in the
consolidated financial statements other than those disclosed elsewhere in the consolidated financial statements.
F - 25
The following exhibits are filed as part of this Annual Report: