F-1 1 ea0208403-f1_hitek.htm REGISTRATION STATEMENT

As filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on September 3, 2024

Registration No. 333-________

 

 

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM F-1
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

HITEK GLOBAL INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Cayman Islands   7372   98-1551601
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
  (Primary Standard Industrial
Classification Code Number)
  (I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)

 

Unit 304, No. 30 Guanri Road, Siming District,

Xiamen City, Fujian Province, People’s Republic of China
+86 592-5395967

(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)

 

Puglisi & Associates

850 Library Avenue

Suite 204

Newark, Delaware 19711

(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

  

With a Copy to:

 

Bradley A. Haneberg, Esq.

Haneberg Hurlbert PLC

1111 East Main Street, Suite 2010

Richmond, VA 23219

(804) 814-2209

Mengyi “Jason” Ye, Esq.

Ortoli | Rosenstadt LLP

366 Madison Avenue, 3rd Floor

New York, NY 10022-5616

(212) 588-0022

 

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: Promptly after the effective date of this registration statement.

 

If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933 check the following box:

 

If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.

 

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.

 

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933. Emerging growth company

 

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 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We will not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.

 

PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS

SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED SEPTEMBER 3, 2024

 

 

Hitek Global Inc.

 

Minimum Offering:   $8,000,000

Maximum Offering:   $20,000,000

 

We are offering a minimum of $8,000,000 of Class A ordinary shares, par value $0.0001 per share (each a “Class A Ordinary Share” and, collectively, the “Class A Ordinary Shares”) and a maximum of $20,000,000 of Class A Ordinary Shares of Hitek Global Inc. (the “Company,” “we,” “our,” or “us”) at an offering price of US$_____ per Class A Ordinary Share.

 

Our Class A Ordinary Shares are listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “HKIT”. On August 30, 2024, the last reported sales price of our Class A Ordinary Shares on the Nasdaq Capital Market was $1.63 per share.

 

The securities will be offered at a fixed price and are expected to be issued in a single closing. We have engaged AC Sunshine Securities LLC as our exclusive placement agent (the “Placement Agent”) to use its reasonable best efforts to solicit offers to purchase our securities in this offering. The Placement Agent must sell the Minimum Offering and up to the Maximum Offering, if any securities are sold. We expect this offering to be completed not later than two business days following the commencement of sales in this offering (the effective date of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part).

 

Because this is a best-efforts offering, the placement agent has no obligation to purchase any of the securities from us or to arrange for the purchase or sale of any specific number or dollar amount of the securities, and, as a result, there is a possibility that we may not be able to sell the minimum offering amount. If we do not receive a minimum of $8,000,000 by ____, 2024, unless mutually extended by us and the Placement Agent for up to an additional ____ days, all funds will be returned to the investors in this offering promptly after the termination of the offering, without charge, deduction or interest. Prior to ____, 2024, in no event will funds be returned to the investors unless the offering is terminated.

 

The proceeds from the sale of securities in this offering will be deposited in a separate (limited to funds received on behalf of us) non-interest bearing bank account at ____ established by our escrow agent (the “Escrow Account”) until the minimum offering amount is raised. If we complete this offering, net proceeds will be delivered to us on the closing date (such closing date being the above mutually acceptable date, provided the minimum offering amount has been sold).

 

The offering may close or terminate, as the case may be, because there is a Minimum Offering required as a condition to closing in this offering. The actual public offering amount, placement agent’s fee and proceeds to us, if any, are not presently determinable and may be substantially less than the total maximum offering amounts set forth above and throughout this prospectus. We have agreed to pay the Placement Agent the placement agent fees set forth in the table below. See “Plan of Distribution” in this prospectus for more information.

   

We are an offshore holding company incorporated in the Cayman Islands as an exempted company. As a holding company with no material operations, our operations are conducted in China by our subsidiaries and through contractual arrangements, also known as VIE Agreements, with a variable interest entity (“VIE”), Xiamen Hengda Hitek Computer Network Co., Ltd., and its subsidiaries. Neither we nor our subsidiaries own any equity interests in VIE. The VIE Agreements enable us to consolidate the financial results of the VIE in our consolidated financial statements under generally accepted accounting principles in the U.S. (“U.S. GAAP”), and the structure involves unique risks to investors. The VIE structure provides contractual exposure to foreign investment in China-based companies.

 

 

 

 

This is an offering of the Class A Ordinary Shares of the offshore holding company in Cayman Islands, instead of shares of the VIE in China. Therefore, you are not investing in and may never hold equity interests in the VIE. The VIE Agreements by and among Tian Dahai (Xiamen) Information Technology Co. Ltd. (the “WFOE”), Hitek, and Hitek’s shareholders include (i) power of attorney agreements and an equity interest pledge agreement, pursuant to which shareholders of Hitek pledged all of their equity interests in Hitek to WFOE to guarantee the performance of Hitek’s obligations under the exclusive technical consulting and service agreement; (ii) an exclusive technical consulting and service agreement which allows WFOE to receive substantially all of the economic benefits from Hitek; and (iii) exclusive equity interest purchase agreements which provide WFOE with an exclusive option to purchase all or part of the equity interests in and/or assets of Hitek when and to the extent permitted by PRC laws. Through the VIE Agreements among WFOE, Hitek and Hitek’s shareholders, we are deemed to have a controlling financial interest in, and be the primary beneficiary of, the VIE for accounting purposes only and must consolidate the VIE because it meets the conditions under U.S. GAAP to consolidate the VIE.

 

However, the VIE structure cannot completely replicate a foreign investment in China-based companies, as the investors will not and may never hold equity interests in the Chinese operating entities. Instead, the VIE structure provides contractual exposure to foreign investment in us. Because we do not hold equity interests in the VIE, we are subject to risks due to uncertainty of the interpretation and the application of the PRC laws and regulations, including but not limited to limitation on foreign ownership of internet technology companies, regulatory review of oversea listing of PRC companies through a special purpose vehicle, and the validity and enforcement of the VIE Agreements as they have not been tested in a court of law. We are also subject to the risks of uncertainty about any future actions of the PRC government in this regard that could disallow the VIE structure, which would likely result in a material change in our operations and the value of Class A Ordinary Shares may depreciate significantly or become worthless.

 

The VIE Agreements may not be effective in providing control over Hitek. We may also subject to sanctions imposed by PRC regulatory agencies including Chinese Securities Regulatory Commission (the “CSRC”) if we fail to comply with their rules and regulations. See “Risk Factors — Risks Relating to Our Corporate Structure”, “Risk Factors — Risks Relating to Doing Business in the PRC” and “Risk Factors — Risks Relating to This Offering and Our Class A Ordinary Shares” for more information.

 

We are subject to certain legal and operational risks associated with the VIE’s operations in China. PRC laws and regulations governing our current business operations are sometimes vague and uncertain, and therefore, these risks may result in a material change in the VIE’s operations, significant depreciation of the value of our Class A Ordinary Shares, or a complete hindrance of our ability to offer or continue to offer our securities to investors. Recently, the PRC government initiated a series of regulatory actions and statements to regulate business operations in China with little advance notice, including cracking down on illegal activities in the securities market, enhancing supervision over China-based companies listed overseas using variable interest entity structure, adopting new measures to extend the scope of cybersecurity reviews, and expanding the efforts in anti-monopoly enforcement.

 

 

 

 

Pursuant to the PRC Cybersecurity Law, which was promulgated by the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress on November 7, 2016 and took effect on June 1, 2017, personal information and Important Data collected and generated by a critical information infrastructure operator in the course of its operations in China must be stored in China, and if a critical information infrastructure operator purchases internet products and services that affects or may affect national security, it should be subject to cybersecurity review by the Cyberspace Administration of China (“CAC”). Due to the lack of further interpretations, the exact scope of “critical information infrastructure operator” remains unclear. On December 28, 2021, the CAC and other relevant PRC governmental authorities jointly promulgated the Cybersecurity Review Measures (the “CAC Revised Measures”) to replace the original Cybersecurity Review Measures. The CAC Revised Measures took effect on February 15, 2022. Pursuant to the CAC Revised Measures, if critical information infrastructure operators purchase network products and services, or network platform operators conduct data processing activities that affect or may affect national security, they will be subject to cybersecurity review. On November 14, 2021, CAC published the Administration Measures for Cyber Data Security (Draft for Public Comments), or the “Cyber Data Security Measure (Draft)”, which requires cyberspace operators with personal information of more than 1 million users who want to list abroad to file a cybersecurity review with the Office of Cybersecurity Review. The cybersecurity review will evaluate, among others, the risk of critical information infrastructure, core data, Important Data, or a large amount of personal information being influenced, controlled or maliciously used by foreign governments and risk of network data security after going public overseas. The CAC solicited comments on this draft and the deadline for feedback was December 31, 2021, but there is no timetable as to when it will be enacted. Pursuant to the Measures for Security Assessment for Outbound Data Transfer, which was promulgated on July 1, 2022 and took effect on September 1, 2022, where a data handler transfers data abroad under any of the following circumstances, it shall, through the local Cyberspace Administration at the provincial level, apply to the State Cyberspace Administration for security assessment for the outbound data transfer: (i) a data handler who transfers Important Data abroad; (ii) a critical information infrastructure operator, or a data handler processing the personal information of more than 1 million individuals, who, in either case, transfers personal information abroad; (iii) a data handler who has, since January 1 of the previous year cumulatively transferred abroad the personal information of more than 100,000 individuals, or the sensitive personal information of more than 10,000 individuals, or (iv) other circumstances where the security assessment for the outbound data transfer is required by the State Cyberspace Administration.

 

As confirmed by our PRC counsel, Jingtian & Gongcheng, we are not subject to cybersecurity review with the CAC in accordance with the CAC Revised Measures and security assessment for outbound data, because (i) we are not in possession of or otherwise holding any Important Data, (ii) we are not in possession of or otherwise holding personal information of over one million users and it is also very unlikely that it will reach such threshold in the near future; and (iii) as of the date of this prospectus, we have not received any notice or determination from applicable PRC governmental authorities identifying it as a critical information infrastructure operator. However, since these statements and regulatory actions are new, it is highly uncertain how soon legislative or administrative regulation making bodies will respond and what existing or new laws or regulations or detailed implementations and interpretations will be modified or promulgated, if any, and the potential impact such modified or new laws and regulations will have on our daily business operation, the ability to accept foreign investments and list on an U.S. exchange. On February 17, 2023, the CSRC promulgated the Trial Administrative Measures of Overseas Securities Offering and Listing by Domestic Companies, or the Trial Measures, and five supporting guidelines, which came into effect on March 31, 2023. Pursuant to the Trial Measures, domestic companies that seek to offer or list securities overseas, both directly and indirectly, shall complete filing procedures with the CSRC pursuant to the requirements of the Trial Measures within three working days following its submission of initial public offerings or listing application. If a PRC company fails to complete required filing procedures or conceals any material fact or falsifies any major content in its filing documents, such PRC company may be subject to administrative penalties, such as order to rectify, warnings, fines, and its controlling shareholders, actual controllers, the person directly in charge and other directly liable persons may also be subject to administrative penalties, such as warnings and fines. In addition, on February 24, 2023, the CSRC, together with Ministry of Finance of the PRC, National Administration of State Secrets Protection and National Archives Administration of China, revised the Provisions on Strengthening Confidentiality and Archives Administration for Overseas Securities Offering and Listing which was issued by the CSRC, National Administration of State Secrets Protection and National Archives Administration of China in 2009, or the Provisions. The revised Provisions is issued under the title the Provisions on Strengthening Confidentiality and Archives Administration of Overseas Securities Offering and Listing by Domestic Companies, and came into effect on March 31, 2023 together with the Trial Measures. One of the major revisions to the revised Provisions is expanding its application to cover indirect overseas offering and listing, as is consistent with the Trial Measures. The revised Provisions require that, including but not limited to (a) a domestic company that plans to, either directly or indirectly through its overseas listed entity, publicly disclose or provide to relevant individuals or entities including securities companies, securities service providers and overseas regulators, any documents and materials that contain state secrets or working secrets of government agencies, shall first obtain approval from competent authorities according to law, and file with the secrecy administrative department at the same level; and (b) domestic company that plans to, either directly or indirectly through its overseas listed entity, publicly disclose or provide to relevant individuals and entities including securities companies, securities service providers and overseas regulators, any other documents and materials that, if leaked, will be detrimental to national security or public interest, shall strictly fulfill relevant procedures stipulated by applicable national regulations. As of the date of this prospectus, as advised by Jingtian & Gongcheng, our PRC counsel, we have not received any formal inquiry, notice, warning, sanction, or objection from the CSRC with respect to the initial offering. However, there remains significant uncertainty as to the enactment, interpretation and implementation of regulatory requirements related to overseas securities offerings and other capital markets activities. If it is determined that we are subject to the Trial Measures for the listing of the Class A Ordinary Shares on the Nasdaq, we may fail to obtain required approval, complete required filing or meet such requirements in a timely manner or at all, or completion could be rescinded. Any failure or perceived failure of us to fully comply with such new regulatory requirements could significantly limit or completely hinder our ability to offer or continue to offer securities to investors, cause significant disruption to our business operations, and severely damage our reputation, which could materially and adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations and could cause the value of our securities to significantly decline or be worthless. 

 

 

 

 

Furthermore, as auditors of companies that are registered with the SEC and publicly traded in the United States and firms registered with the PCAOB, our auditors, Wei, Wei & Co., LLP and UHY LLP are headquartered in the United States and are required under the laws of the United States to undergo regular inspections by the U.S. Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (“PCAOB”) to assess their compliance with the laws of the United States and professional standards. Although we operate through Hitek in mainland China, a jurisdiction where the PCAOB is currently unable to conduct inspections without the approval of the Chinese government authorities, our auditor is currently inspected fully by the PCAOB. Inspections of other auditors conducted by the PCAOB outside mainland China have at times identified deficiencies in those auditors’ audit procedures and quality control procedures, which may be addressed as part of the inspection process to improve future audit quality.

  

Even though our auditors are based in United States and under full inspection by the PCAOB and we believe that they are not currently subject to the determinations announced by the PCAOB on December 16, 2021, if  any PRC law relating to the access of the PCAOB to auditor files were to apply to a company such as Hitek or its auditor, the PCAOB may be unable to fully inspect our auditor, which may result in our securities being delisted or prohibited from being traded “over-the-counter” pursuant to the Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act and materially and adversely affect the value and/or liquidity of your investment. On June 22, 2021, the U.S. Senate passed the Accelerating Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act (the “AHFCAA”), and if it were enacted, would require foreign companies to comply with the PCAOB audits within two consecutive years instead of three consecutive years, which would reduce the time before our securities may be prohibited from trading or be delisted. On December 29, 2022, a legislation entitled “Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023” (the “Consolidated Appropriations Act”), was signed into law by President Biden. The Consolidated Appropriations Act contained, among other things, an identical provision to AHFCAA, which reduces the number of consecutive non-inspection years required for triggering the prohibitions under the HFCA Act from three years to two. Furthermore, UHY LLP and Wei, Wei & Co., LLP are not among the auditor firms listed on a Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act (“HFCA Act”) Determination List, which includes all of the auditor firms that the PCAOB is not able to inspect. There are risks and uncertainties which we cannot foresee for the time being, and rules and regulations in the PRC can change quickly with little or no advance notice. The PRC government may intervene or influence Hitek’s future operations in the PRC at any time, or may exert more control over offerings conducted overseas and/or foreign investment in companies like us. The PRC government may intervene or influence Hitek’s future operations in the PRC at any time, or may exert more control over offerings conducted overseas and/or foreign investment in companies like us. In the event it is later determined that the PCAOB is unable to inspect or investigate completely our auditor, then such lack of inspection could cause trading in our securities to be prohibited under the HFCA Act, and ultimately result in a determination by a securities exchange to delist our securities.

 

On August 26, 2022, the China Securities Regulatory Commission, the Ministry of Finance of the PRC (the “MOF”), and the PCAOB signed a Statement of Protocol (the “Protocol”), governing inspections and investigations of audit firms based in mainland China and Hong Kong, taking the first step toward opening access for the PCAOB to inspect and investigate registered public accounting firms headquartered in mainland China and Hong Kong. Pursuant to the fact sheet with respect to the Protocol disclosed by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), the PCAOB shall have independent discretion to select any issuer audits for inspection or investigation and has the unfettered ability to transfer information to the SEC. On December 15, 2022, the PCAOB Board determined the PCAOB was able to secure complete access to inspect and investigate registered public accounting firms headquartered in mainland China and Hong Kong and voted to vacate its previous determinations to the contrary. However, should PRC authorities obstruct or otherwise fail to facilitate the PCAOB’s access in the future, the PCAOB Board will consider the need to issue a new determination.  See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Doing Business in the PRC” for a detailed description of risks related to the PRC.

 

Our management monitors the cash position of each entity within our organization regularly and prepare budgets on a monthly basis  to ensure each entity has the necessary funds to fulfill its obligation for the foreseeable future and to ensure adequate liquidity. As a holding company, we may rely on dividends and other distributions on equity paid by our subsidiary in Hong Kong, Hitek HK, and the consolidated VIE in mainland China, Hitek, for our cash and financing requirements. According to the Companies Ordinance of Hong Kong, a Hong Kong company may only make a distribution out of profits available for distribution. In order for us to pay dividends to our shareholders, we will rely on payments made from Hitek to WFOE, pursuant to VIE Agreements between them, and the distribution of such payments to Hitek HK as dividends from WFOE. Certain payments from our Hitek to WFOE are subject to PRC taxes, including business taxes and VAT. We intend to keep any future earnings to re-invest in and finance the expansion of our business, and we do not anticipate that any cash dividends will be paid or any assets will be transferred in the foreseeable future. As of the date of this prospectus, there has been no distribution of dividends or assets among the holding company, the subsidiary or the consolidated VIE.  In the future, cash proceeds raised from overseas financing activities, including this offering, may be transferred by us to the consolidated VIE via capital contribution or shareholder loans, as the case may be. Other than the above, we did not adopt or maintain any cash management policies and procedures as of the date of this prospectus. For more information, please see “Prospectus Summary - Dividend Distributions or Assets Transfer among the Holding Company, its Subsidiaries and the Consolidated VIE”, “Selected Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements of Parent, Subsidiaries, VIE and its Subsidiaries”, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Conditions and Results of Operations - Consolidation”, and our consolidated financial statements starting on page F-1 of this prospectus for more information.

 

 

 

  

We are an “emerging growth company” and a “foreign private issuer” under applicable U.S. federal securities laws and, as such, are eligible for reduced public company reporting requirements. Please see “Prospectus Summary - Implications of Being an Emerging Growth Company and Implications of Being a Foreign Private Issuer.”

 

We have a dual-class voting structure consisting of Class A Ordinary Shares and Class B Ordinary Shares. Under this structure, holders of Class A Ordinary Shares are entitled to one vote per one Class A Ordinary Share, and holders of Class B Ordinary Shares are entitled to 15 votes per one Class B Ordinary Share. As of the date of this prospectus, we had 21,107,000 Class A Ordinary Shares and 8,192,000 Class B Ordinary Shares issued and outstanding. Mr. Shenping Yin, our Chairman of the Board, and his wife, Ms. Xiaoyang Huang, our chief executive officer, beneficially all of our issued Class B Ordinary Shares, representing approximately 85.3% of the voting rights in our company.

 

Furthermore, we are, and following the completion of this offering, will continue to be a “controlled company” as defined under the Nasdaq Stock Market Rules because Mr. Shenping Yin and Ms. Xiaoyang Huang will be able to exercise _____% of our total voting power assuming a minimum offering and ____% of our total voting power assuming a maximum offering. Therefore, we may elect not to comply with certain corporate governance requirements of Nasdaq. Currently, we have not and do not plan to utilize the “controlled company” exemptions with respect to our corporate governance practice.

 

Investing in our Class A Ordinary Shares involves a high degree of risk, including the risk of losing your entire investment. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page 23 to read about factors you should consider before buying our Class A Ordinary Shares.

 

   Per Class A
Ordinary
Share (2)
   Total
(Minimum
Offering)
   Total
(Maximum
Offering)
 
             
Public offering price                                
Placement Agent fee (1)               
Proceeds to us, before expenses               

 

(1)

Under the Placement Agreement, the Placement Agent will receive a commission equal to $320,000 in the case of a minimum offering and $800,000 in the case of a maximum offering, representing 4% of the gross proceeds. See “Plan of Distribution” for additional information regarding Placement Agent compensation.

(2) Based on an assumed offering price of $_____ per Class A Ordinary Share. The final offering price per share will be determined by the Company, the Placement Agent and the investors in this offering and may be a discount to the market price of the Class A Ordinary Shares

 

We expect our total cash expenses for this offering (including cash expenses payable to our Placement Agent for its out-of-pocket expenses) to be approximately $_______, exclusive of the above the Placement Agent fee. The Placement Agent must sell the minimum number of securities offered ($8,000,000 of Class A Ordinary Shares) if any are sold. The Placement Agent is only required to use its best efforts to sell the maximum number of securities offered ($20,000,000 of Class A Ordinary Shares). The offering will terminate upon the earlier of: (i) a date mutually acceptable to us and our Placement Agent after which at least the minimum number of our Class A Ordinary Shares are sold (the minimum offering); or (ii) __________. If we complete this offering, net proceeds will be delivered to our Company on the closing date.

    

Neither the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission nor any other regulatory body has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

We anticipate delivery of the Class A Ordinary Shares against payment therefor will be made on or before _____, 2024.

 

 

 

Prospectus dated ________, 2024

 

 

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

  Page
About this Prospectus ii
Presentation of Financial Information Market and Industry Data ii
Introductory Notes Prospectus Summary iii
Risk Factors 23
Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements 53
Use of Proceeds 54
Dividend Policy 55
Capitalization 56
Dilution 57
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations 59
Industry 75
Business 77
Regulations 92
Management 100
Related Party Transactions 105
Principal Shareholders 106
Description of Share Capital 108
Shares Eligible for Future Sale 119
Taxation 120
Enforceability of Civil Liabilities 127
Plan of Distribution 128
Expenses Relating to this Offering 132
Legal Matters 132
Experts 132
Where You Can Find Additional Information 133
Index to Consolidated Financial Statements F-1

 

i

 

 

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

 

Neither we nor the Placement Agent has authorized anyone to provide you with any information or to make any representations other than as contained in this prospectus or any related free writing prospectus. Neither we nor the Placement Agent takes responsibility for, and provide no assurance about the reliability of, any information that others may give you. This prospectus is an offer to sell only the securities offered hereby, but only under circumstances and in jurisdictions where it is lawful to do so. The information contained in this prospectus is accurate only as of the date of this prospectus, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus or any sale of the securities. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since that date.

 

We are incorporated under Cayman Island law. Under the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), we are currently eligible for treatment as a “foreign private issuer.” As a foreign private issuer, we are not required to file periodic reports and financial statements with the SEC as frequently or as promptly as domestic registrants whose securities are registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or Exchange Act. We are exempt from certain rules under the Exchange Act that impose certain disclosure obligations and procedural requirements for proxy solicitations under Section 14 of the Exchange Act. In addition, our officers, directors and principal shareholders are exempt from the reporting and “short-swing” profit recovery provisions under Section 16 of the Exchange Act.

 

For investors outside the United States: Neither we nor the Placement Agent has done anything that would permit this offering or possession or distribution of this prospectus in any jurisdiction, other than the United States, where action for that purpose is required. Persons outside the United States who come into possession of this prospectus must inform themselves about, and observe any restrictions relating to, the offering of the Class A Ordinary Shares and the distribution of this prospectus outside the United States.

 

PRESENTATION OF FINANCIAL INFORMATION

  

Unless otherwise indicated, all financial information contained in this prospectus is prepared and presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP” or “GAAP”).

 

Certain amounts, percentages and other figures included in this prospectus have been subject to rounding adjustments. Accordingly, amounts, percentages and other figures shown as totals in certain tables or charts may not be the arithmetic aggregation of those that precede them, and amounts and figures expressed as percentages in the text may not total 100% or, when aggregated may not be the arithmetic aggregation of the percentages that precede them.

 

Our financial year ends on December 31 of each year. References in this prospectus to a financial year, such as “financial year 2023”, relate to our financial year ended December 31 or that calendar year.

 

MARKET AND INDUSTRY DATA

 

Certain market data and forecasts used throughout this prospectus were obtained from internal company surveys, market research, consultant surveys, reports of governmental and international agencies and industry publications and surveys. Industry publications and third-party research, surveys and reports generally indicate that their information has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable. This information involves a number of assumptions and limitations, and you are cautioned not to give undue weight to such estimates. Our estimates involve risks and uncertainties and are subject to change based on various factors, including those discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” in this prospectus.

 

ii

 

 

INTRODUCTORY NOTES

 

Except as otherwise indicated by the context and for the purposes of this prospectus only, references in this prospectus to:

 

“affiliated entities” are to our subsidiaries and variable interest entities;

 

  “China” or the “PRC” are to the People’s Republic of China, excluding Taiwan for the purposes of this prospectus only;
     
  “Class A Ordinary Shares” are to the Class A Ordinary Shares of Hitek Global Inc., par value $0.0001 per share.
     
  “Class B Ordinary Shares” are to the Class B Ordinary Shares of Hitek Global Inc., par value $0.0001 per share.

 

  “Haitian Weilai” are to Xiamen Haitian Weilai Technology Co., Ltd., a limited liability company organized under the laws of the PRC that is wholly-owned by Tian Dahai;

 

  “Hitek HK” are to the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Hitek Hong Kong Ltd., a Hong Kong corporation;

 

  “Hitek”, or “VIE entity”, are to Xiamen Hengda Hitek Computer Network Co., Ltd., a limited liability company organized under the laws of the PRC, that we control via a series of contractual arrangements between WFOE and Hitek;

 

  “Huasheng” are to Xiamen Huasheng Hitek Computer Network Co., Ltd., a limited liability company organized under the laws of the PRC that functions as Hitek’s operating subsidiary;

 

  “Huoerguosi” are to Huoerguosi Hengda Information Technology Co., Ltd., a limited liability company organized under the laws of the PRC that functions as Hitek’s operating subsidiary;

  

  “we”, “us” or the “Company” are to Hitek Global Inc.; and

 

  “WFOE” are to Tian Dahai (Xiamen) Information Technology Co. Ltd. (“Tian Dahai”), a limited liability company organized under the laws of the People’s Republic of China (the “PRC”), which is wholly-owned by us through Hitek HK.

 

Our business is conducted via Hitek, a VIE entity in the PRC, using RMB, the currency of China. Our consolidated financial statements are presented in United States dollars (“USD”). In this prospectus, we refer to assets, obligations, commitments and liabilities in our consolidated financial statements (“CFS”) in USD. These dollar references are based on the exchange rate of RMB to USD, determined as of a specific date or for a specific period. Changes in the exchange rate will affect the amount of our obligations and the value of our assets in terms of USD which may result in an increase or decrease in the amount of our obligations (expressed in dollars) and the value of our assets.

 

iii

 

 

PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

 

The following summary is qualified in its entirety by, and should be read in conjunction with, the more detailed information and financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. In addition to this summary, we urge you to read the entire prospectus carefully, especially the risks of investing in our Class A Ordinary Shares, discussed under “Risk Factors,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” “Business,” and our financial statements and related notes, included elsewhere in this prospectus before deciding whether to buy our Class A Ordinary Shares.

 

We are an offshore holding company incorporated in the Cayman Islands as an exempted company. As a holding company with no material operations, our operations were conducted in China by our subsidiaries and through contractual arrangements (the “VIE Agreements”) with Xiamen Hengda Hitek Computer Network Co., Ltd., a variable interest entity (“VIE”) and its subsidiaries. The VIE Agreements enable us to consolidate the financial results of the VIE in our consolidated financial statements. The VIE Agreements are designed so that the operations of the VIE are solely for the benefit of the Company. As such, under U.S. GAAP, the Company is deemed to have a controlling financial interest in, and be the primary beneficiary of, the VIE for accounting purposes only and must consolidate the VIE because it met the conditions under U.S. GAAP to consolidate the VIE. This is an offering of the Class A Ordinary Shares of the offshore holding company in Cayman Islands. You are not investing in securities of the VIE. Neither we nor our subsidiaries own any share in Hitek.

 

Our corporate structure as of the date of this prospectus is as follows:

 

 

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Business Overview

 

We are an information technology (“IT”) consulting and solutions service provider focusing on delivering services to business in various industry sectors in China. As of the date of this prospectus, we have two lines of businesses— 1) services to small and medium businesses (“SMEs”), which consists of Anti-Counterfeiting Tax Control System (“ACTCS”) tax devices, including Golden Tax Disk (“GTD”) and printers, ACTCS services, and IT services, and 2) services to large businesses, which consists of hardware sales and software sales. We expect to actively develop our system integration services and online service platform in the near future. Our vision is to become a one-stop consulting destination for holistic IT and other business consulting services in China. 

 

Value added tax (“VAT”) reporting is mandatory for all business companies in China. The ACTCS is one of the two major VAT control systems that a business entity may choose to comply with the VAT reporting requirements. Developed by the PRC government, ACTCS was intended to effectively eliminate counterfeit invoices, providing accurate and complete tax information for the regional and national audit system. We provide our customers with the necessary ACTCS for their VAT reporting, collection and processing. The VIE entity, Hitek, is authorized to carry out the sales of GTD. We are authorized by the State Taxation Bureau, Xiamen Branch, as one of the first ACTCS service providers in the Xiamen metropolitan area. GTD is an ACTCS device necessary for normal operation of ACTCS software. The purchase of GTD is allowed only in conjunction with the use of the ACTCS software and its supporting services. Currently, there are three ACTCS service providers for Xiamen businesses, including us.

 

While we are confident that our competitive strengths will continue improving our business, we are aware of the challenges that our business faces, especially the challenges in our services to SMEs which are exempted from the ACTCS services. The services provided to the SMEs are restricted in the Xiamen metropolitan areas since authorization by the State Taxation Bureau, Xiamen Branch to provide ACTCS services is required. Prices of GTD and ACTCS annual service fees are regulated and subject to the State Tax Administration’s pricing mandates. We are not able to adjust such pricing and as such our profit margin is limited. The Chinese tax regulators have been rolling out electronic invoicing starting from 2018. The electronic invoices enable companies to apply for, issue, transfer and check the invoices through the unified online electronic invoice management system of the Chinese Tax authority. Electronic invoices are very useful in helping business entities reduce operating costs and streamline service process, since they do not involve printing, storage and postage procedures. From January 21, 2021, new taxpayers can receive an electronic tax control key for free from the Tax authority. Increased use of electronic invoices and the free distribution of GTD will reduce our annual service fee revenue and thus negatively affect our total revenue. Our client base growth may be limited in spite of our marketing efforts, since it is beyond our control how many new SMEs will open each year in the Xiamen metropolitan area.

 

Complementing our physical service center, we started developing our online service platform in 2018 to enable businesses in the Xiamen metropolitan area to securely process VAT reporting and payment from their desktop virtually anytime and anywhere. Currently, our customers range from small, medium to large companies across industries in the Xiamen metropolitan area. We plan to offer business management service, such as agent accounting services and online IT outsourcing services, to the SME clients using our ACTCS services. We also plan to expand our service to large businesses to other geographic regions.

 

In April 2021, WFOE established a wholly-owned subsidiary, Haitian Weilai under the laws of the PRC to integrate tax invoicing management services from Hitek to Haitian Weilai.

 

As part of the services provided to large businesses, Hitek currently sells Communication Interface System (“CIS”), its self-developed software which provides embedded system interface solutions for large businesses. CIS is a universal embedded interface system used in petrochemical and coal businesses to collect industrial, electricity, facility pressure and temperature statistics and convert to readable format for analytical purposes.

 

As part of our services to large businesses, Huasheng sold hardware such as laptops, printers, desktop computers and associated accessories, together with certain internet servers, cameras and monitors. After we launched CIS sales, we also introduced our hardware products to our CIS users. Our major business strategy is to connect and source, through exclusive relationships with manufacturers, so that Huasheng can offer competitively priced hardware. From the beginning of 2022, Huasheng transferred the above business to the VIE. We plan to market large scale hardware integration systems such as router for commercial use, industrial switch, server, large internet firewall etc. in the future. We established our online support system in the beginning of 2018. The online system further enhances our customer experience, which is complemented by our highly trained professionals and attractive physical store environment.

   

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Contractual Arrangements between WFOE and Hitek

 

Due to PRC legal restrictions on foreign ownership in the telecommunications sector, neither we nor our subsidiaries own any equity interest in Hitek. As a result, neither we nor our subsidiaries own any share in Hitek. This is an offering of the Class A Ordinary Shares of the offshore holding company in Cayman Islands. You are not investing in Hitek, the VIE.

 

WFOE, Hitek and its shareholders entered into a series of contractual arrangements, also known as VIE Agreements, on March 31, 2018, which have not been tested in a court of law. The VIE Agreements are designed so that the operations of the VIE are solely for the benefit of the Company. As such, through the VIE Agreements among WFOE, Hitek and Hitek’s shareholders, we are deemed to have a controlling financial interest in, and be the primary beneficiary of, the VIE for accounting purposes only and must consolidate the VIE because it met the conditions under U.S. GAAP to consolidate the VIE. However, the VIE structure cannot completely replicate a foreign investment in China-based companies, as the investors will not and may never hold equity interests in the Chinese operating entities. Instead, the VIE structure provides contractual exposure to foreign investment in us. The VIE structure has its inherent risks that may affect your investment, including less effectiveness and certainties than direct ownership and potential substantial costs to enforce the terms of the VIE Agreements. We, as a Cayman Islands exempted company, may have difficulty in enforcing any rights we may have under the VIE Agreements with the VIE, its founders and owners, in PRC because all of the VIE Agreements are governed by the PRC laws and provide for the resolution of disputes through arbitration in the PRC, where legal environment in the PRC is not as developed as in the United States. Furthermore, these VIE Agreements may not be enforceable in China if PRC government authorities or courts take a view that such VIE Agreements contravene PRC laws and regulations or are otherwise not enforceable for public policy reasons. We may face challenges to enforce the VIE Agreements due to legal uncertainties and jurisdictional limits. Investors may experience difficulties in effecting service of legal process, enforcing foreign judgments, or bringing actions in China against us or our management named in the prospectus. It may also be difficult for the investor or overseas regulators to conduct investigations or collect evidence within China.

 

Each of the VIE Agreements is described in detail below:

 

Exclusive Technical Consulting and Service Agreement

 

Pursuant to the Exclusive Technical Consulting and Service Agreement between Hitek and WFOE, WFOE provides Hitek with technical support, consulting services and other management services relating to its day-to-day business operations and management, on an exclusive basis, utilizing its advantages in technology, business management and information. For services rendered to Hitek by WFOE under this agreement, WFOE is entitled to collect a service fee that shall be paid per quarter in accordance with the consulting and service actually provided by WFOE. WFOE has the right, solely at its discretion, to determine the amount of the fees to be paid, and both parties agree to, at WFOE’s discretion, amend or enter into supplementary agreement in respect of the provisions under this agreement regarding consulting fees. The consulting fees could be 100% of Hitek’s quarterly profit.

 

The Exclusive Technical Consulting and Service Agreement shall remain in effect for ten years unless earlier terminated upon written confirmation from both WFOE and Hitek before expiration. Otherwise, this agreement shall be extended by another ten years. Hitek does not have the right to terminate the agreement unilaterally.

 

The legal representative of WFOE, Mr. Shenping Yin, is currently managing Hitek pursuant to the terms of the Exclusive Technical Consulting and Service Agreement. WFOE has absolute authority relating to the management of Hitek, including but not limited to decisions with regard to expenses, salary raises and bonuses, hiring, firing and other operational functions. The Exclusive Technical Consulting and Service Agreement does not prohibit related party transactions. Upon establishment of the audit committee at the consummation of this offering, the audit committee of the registrant will be required to review and approve in advance any related party transactions, including transactions involving WFOE or Hitek.

 

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Equity Interest Pledge Agreement

 

Under the Equity Interest Pledge Agreement between WFOE and Xiaoyang Huang, Shenping Yin, Bo Shi, Zhishuang Wang, Liuqing Huang, Jingru Li, Mian Tang, Ce Tian, Xianfeng Lin, Inner Mongolia Guangxin Investment Co., Ltd. and Baotou Zhongzhe Hengtong Technology Co., Ltd., together holding 100% shares of Hitek (“Hitek Shareholders”), the Hitek Shareholders pledged all of their equity interests in Hitek to WFOE to guarantee the performance of Hitek’s obligations under the Exclusive Technical Consulting and Service Agreement. Under the terms of the agreement, in the event that Hitek breaches its contractual obligations under the Exclusive Technical Consulting and Service Agreement, WFOE, as pledgee, will be entitled to certain rights, including, but not limited to, the right to collect dividends generated by the pledged equity interests. The Hitek Shareholders also agreed that upon occurrence of any event of default, as set forth in the Equity Interest Pledge Agreement, WFOE is entitled to dispose of the pledged equity interest in accordance with applicable PRC laws. The Hitek Shareholders further agree not to dispose of the pledged equity interests or take any actions that would prejudice WFOE’s interest.

 

The Equity Interest Pledge Agreement shall be effective until all payments due under the Exclusive Technical Consulting and Service Agreement have been paid by Hitek. WFOE shall cancel or terminate the Equity Interest Pledge Agreement upon Hitek’s full payment of fees payable under the Exclusive Technical Consulting and Service Agreement.

 

The purposes of the Equity Interest Pledge Agreement are to (1) guarantee the performance of Hitek’s obligations under the Exclusive Technical Consulting and Service Agreement, (2) ensure the Hitek Shareholders do not transfer or assign the pledged equity interests, or create or allow any encumbrance that would prejudice WFOE’s interests without WFOE’s prior written consent and (3) provide WFOE control over Hitek. Under the Equity Interests Purchase Agreement, WFOE may be able to acquire the equity interests in Hitek any time to the extent permitted by the PRC Law. In the event Hitek breaches its contractual obligations under the Exclusive Technical Consulting and Service Agreement, WFOE will be entitled to foreclose on the Hitek Shareholders’ equity interests in Hitek and may (1) exercise its option to purchase or designate third parties to purchase part or all of their equity interests in Hitek and in this situation, WFOE may terminate the Exclusive Technical Consulting and Service Agreement, Equity Interest Pledge Agreement and Exclusive Equity Interests Purchase Agreement after acquisition of all equity interests in Hitek or form new VIE structure with the third parties designated by WFOE; or (2) dispose the pledged equity interests and be paid in priority out of proceed from the disposal in which case the VIE structure will be terminated.

 

Exclusive Equity Interests Purchase Agreement

 

Under the Exclusive Equity Interests Purchase Agreement, the Hitek Shareholders irrevocably granted WFOE (or its designee) an exclusive right to purchase, to the extent permitted under PRC law, once or at multiple times, at any time, a portion or whole of the equity interests in Hitek held by the Hitek Shareholders. The purchase price is equal to the capital paid in by the Hitek Shareholders subject to any appraisal or restrictions required by applicable PRC laws and regulations. As of the date of this prospectus, if WFOE exercised such exclusive right, the total purchase price that would be paid to all of the Hitek Shareholders would be approximately $990,069, which is the aggregate registered capital of Hitek.

 

Under the Exclusive Equity Interests Purchase Agreement, WFOE may at any time under any circumstances, purchase, or have its designated person to purchase, at its discretion, to the extent permitted under PRC law, all or part of the shareholders’ equity interests in Hitek. of Hitek’s obligations under the exclusive technical consulting and service agreement.

 

The agreement remains effective for a term of ten years and may be extended by another ten years at WFOE’s election.

 

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Powers of Attorney

 

Under each Power of Attorney, each Hitek Shareholder authorizes WFOE to act on their behalf as their exclusive agent and attorney with respect to all rights as shareholders, including but not limited to: (a) the attendance of the shareholder’s meeting and the execution of relative Shareholder Resolution(s) of Hitek; (b) exercising all the shareholder’s rights, including voting, that shareholders are entitled to under the laws of China and the Articles of Association, including but not limited to the sale or transfer or pledge or disposition of shares in part or in whole; and (c) designating and appointing on behalf of shareholders the legal representative, the executive director, supervisor, the chief executive officer and other senior management members of Hitek.

 

Although it is not explicitly stipulated in the Powers of Attorney, the term of the Powers of Attorney shall be the same as the term of that of the Exclusive Equity Interests Purchase Agreement.

 

The Powers of Attorney are coupled with an interest and shall be irrevocable and continuously valid from the date of their execution, so long as the relevant Hitek Shareholder is a shareholder of Company.

 

Permission or Approval Required from the PRC Authorities for The VIE’s Operation and this Offering

 

To operate our general business activities currently conducted in China, the consolidated VIE is required to obtain a business license from the State Administration for Market Regulation (“SAMR”). Hitek has a valid business license from the SAMR, and no application for any such license has been denied.

 

We are aware, however, recently, the PRC government initiated a series of regulatory actions and statements to regulate business operations in China with little advance notice, including cracking down on illegal activities in the securities market, enhancing supervision over China-based companies listed overseas using variable interest entity structure, adopting new measures to extend the scope of cybersecurity reviews, and expanding the efforts in anti-monopoly enforcement.

 

On July 6, 2021, the General Office of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the General Office of the State Council jointly issued the “Opinions on Severely Cracking Down on Illegal Securities Activities According to Law,” or the Opinions. The Opinions emphasized the need to strengthen the administration over illegal securities activities, and the need to strengthen the supervision over overseas listings by Chinese companies. Effective measures, such as promoting the construction of relevant regulatory systems will be taken to deal with the risks and incidents of China-concept overseas listed companies, and cybersecurity and data privacy protection requirements and similar matters. The Opinions and any related implementing rules to be enacted may subject us to compliance requirement in the future. Given the current regulatory environment in the PRC, we are still subject to the uncertainty of different interpretation and enforcement of the rules and regulations in the PRC adverse to us, which may take place quickly with little advance notice.

 

On December 28, 2021, the CAC published the CAC Revised Measures, which further restates and expands the applicable scope of the cybersecurity review. The CAC Revised Measures took effect on February 15, 2022. Pursuant to the CAC Revised Measures, if a network platform operator holding personal information of over one million users seeks for “foreign” listing, it must apply for the cybersecurity review. In addition, operators of critical information infrastructure purchasing network products and services are also obligated to apply for the cybersecurity review for such purchasing activities. In July 2022, the CAC promulgated the Measures on Security Assessment of Cross-border Data Transfer, which became effective on September 1, 2022. These measures outline the requirements and procedures for security assessments on export of Important Data or personal information collected or generated within the territory of mainland China. Furthermore, these measures provide that the security assessment shall combine pre-assessment and continuous supervision, and risk self-assessment and security assessment to prevent data export security risks. Specifically, security assessment is required before any cross-border data can be transferred out of mainland China if: (i) the data transferred out of mainland China is Important Data; (ii) the data processor is a critical information infrastructure operator or data processor that processes personal information of more than one million individuals; (iii) cross-border data transfer of personal information by a data processor who has made cross-border transfer of aggregately more than 100,000 individuals’ personal information or more than 10,000 individuals’ sensitive personal information since January 1st of the previous year; or (iv) otherwise required by the CAC.

 

Although the CAC Revised Measures provides no further explanation on the extent of “network platform operator” and “foreign” listing, we do not believe we are obligated to apply for a cybersecurity review pursuant to the CAC Revised Measures and security assessment for outbound data, considering that (i) we are not in possession of or otherwise holding any Important Data; (ii) we are not in possession of or otherwise holding personal information of over one million users and it is also very unlikely that we will reach such threshold in the near future; (iii) as of the date of this this prospectus, we have not received any notice or determination from applicable PRC governmental authorities identifying it as a critical information infrastructure operator.

 

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That said, the CAC Revised Measures empowers the cybersecurity review office to initiate cybersecurity review when it believes any particular data processing activities “affect or may affect national security”. In addition, on November 14, 2021, the CAC promulgated the Regulations on the Administration of Cyber Data Security (Draft for Comments) (the “Draft CAC Regulations”). The CAC solicited comments on this draft and the deadline for feedback was December 13, 2021, but there is no timetable as to when it will be enacted. According to the Draft CAC Regulations, any data processors shall, in accordance with relevant state provisions, apply for a cybersecurity review when carrying out, among other things, “other data processing activities that affect or may affect national security”. However, neither the CAC Revised Measures nor the Draft CAC Regulations provides for any further explanation or interpretation over what constitutes activities that “affect or may affect national security”. Therefore, if any competent government authorities deem that Hitek’s data processing activities may affect national security, we may be subject cybersecurity review, and in that scenario, failure to pass such cybersecurity review and/or to comply with the data privacy and data security requirements raised during such cybersecurity review could subject Hitek to penalties, damage its reputation and brand, and harm its business and results of operations. See risk factor titled “in light of recent events indicating greater oversight by the CAC over data security, particularly for companies seeking to list on a foreign exchange, we are subject to a variety of laws and other obligations regarding cybersecurity and data protection, and any failure to comply with applicable laws and obligations could have a material and adverse effect on our business, our listing on Nasdaq, financial condition, results of operations, and the offering” for more information.

 

In summary, we, our subsidiaries, and the VIE are not required to obtain permission or approval from the PRC authorities including CSRC or CAC for the VIE’s operation, nor have we, our subsidiaries, or VIE received any denial for the VIE’s operation. We are subject to the risks of uncertainty of any future actions of the PRC government in this regard including the risk that we inadvertently conclude that the permission or approvals discussed here are not required, that applicable laws, regulations or interpretations change such that we or Hitek is required to obtain approvals in the future, or that the PRC government could disallow our holding company structure, which would likely result in a material change in our operations, including our ability to continue our existing holding company structure, carry on our current business, accept foreign investments, and continue to offer securities to our investors. These adverse actions could cause the value of our Class A Ordinary Shares to significantly decline or become worthless. We may also be subject to penalties and sanctions imposed by the PRC regulatory agencies, including the CSRC, if we fail to comply with such rules and regulations, which would likely adversely affect the ability of our securities to be listed on the U.S. exchange, which would likely cause the value of our securities to significantly decline or become worthless.

 

On February 17, 2023, the CSRC promulgated the Trial Administrative Measures of Overseas Securities Offering and Listing by Domestic Companies, or the Trial Measures, and five supporting guidelines, which came into effect on March 31, 2023. Pursuant to the Trial Measures, domestic companies that seek to offer or list securities overseas, both directly and indirectly, shall complete filing procedures with the CSRC pursuant to the requirements of the Trial Measures within three working days following its submission of initial public offerings or listing application. If a domestic company fails to complete required filing procedures or conceals any material fact or falsifies any major content in its filing documents, such domestic company may be subject to administrative penalties, such as order to rectify, warnings, fines, and its controlling shareholders, actual controllers, the person directly in charge and other directly liable persons may also be subject to administrative penalties, such as warnings and fines. See “Regulations—M&A Rules and Overseas Listings.”

 

On February 24, 2023, the CSRC, together with Ministry of Finance of the PRC, National Administration of State Secrets Protection and National Archives Administration of China, revised the Provisions on Strengthening Confidentiality and Archives Administration for Overseas Securities Offering and Listing which was issued by the CSRC, National Administration of State Secrets Protection and National Archives Administration of China in 2009, or the Provisions. The revised Provisions is issued under the title the Provisions on Strengthening Confidentiality and Archives Administration of Overseas Securities Offering and Listing by Domestic Companies, and came into effect on March 31, 2023 together with the Trial Measures. One of the major revisions to the revised Provisions is expanding its application to cover indirect overseas offering and listing, as is consistent with the Trial Measures. The revised Provisions require that, including but not limited to (a) a domestic company that plans to, either directly or indirectly through its overseas listed entity, publicly disclose or provide to relevant individuals or entities including securities companies, securities service providers and overseas regulators, any documents and materials that contain state secrets or working secrets of government agencies, shall first obtain approval from competent authorities according to law, and file with the secrecy administrative department at the same level; and (b) domestic company that plans to, either directly or indirectly through its overseas listed entity, publicly disclose or provide to relevant individuals and entities including securities companies, securities service providers and overseas regulators, any other documents and materials that, if leaked, will be detrimental to national security or public interest, shall strictly fulfill relevant procedures stipulated by applicable national regulations.

 

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Any failure or perceived failure by the Company, the Company’s subsidiaries in China or the VIE to comply with the above confidentiality and archives administration requirements under the revised Provisions and other PRC laws and regulations may result in that the relevant entities would be held legally liable by competent authorities, and referred to the judicial organ to be investigated for criminal liability if suspected of committing a crime. As there are still uncertainties regarding the interpretation and implementation of such regulatory guidance, we cannot assure you that we will be able to comply with new regulatory requirements relating to our future overseas capital-raising activities. Notwithstanding the foregoing, as of the date of this prospectus, we are not aware of any Chinese laws or regulations in effect requiring that we obtain permission from any Chinese authority to issue securities to foreign investors, and we have not received any inquiry, notice, warning, sanction or any regulatory objection to our initial public offering from the CSRC. 

 

As advised by Jingtian & Gongcheng, our PRC counsel, as we completed our initial public offering and listing prior to September 30, 2023, we were not required to complete the filing procedures pursuant to the Trial Measures for our initial public offering. However, as we are planning to conduct further public offerings in the U.S., we are now required to complete the filing procedures with the CSRC pursuant to the requirements of the Trial Measures. If in the future we are going to conduct any offering or financing in the U.S., we will complete filing procedures with the CSRC pursuant to the requirements of the Trial Measures. Based on the above and our understanding of the Chinese laws and regulations currently in effect as of the date of this prospectus, we are not aware of any PRC laws or regulations in effect requiring that we obtain permission or approval from any PRC authorities for our subsidiaries or the VIE’s operations, and we have not received any inquiry, notice, warning, sanction, or any regulatory objection to our offerings from the CSRC, the CAC, or any other PRC authorities that have jurisdiction over our operations.  However, there remains uncertainty as to the enactment, interpretation and implementation of regulatory requirements related to overseas securities offerings and other capital markets activities. Any failure to obtain or delay in obtaining such approval, complete required filing or procedures, or a rescission of any such approval or filing obtained by us, would subject us to sanctions by the CSRC or other PRC regulatory authorities. These regulatory agencies may impose fines and penalties on our operations in mainland China, limit our ability to pay dividends outside of China, limit our operations in China, delay or restrict the repatriation of the proceeds from our initial public offering into mainland China or take other actions that could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects, as well as the trading price of the Class A Ordinary Shares. In addition, if the CSRC, or other regulatory agencies later promulgate new rules requiring that we obtain their approvals for our initial public offering, we may be unable to obtain a waiver of such approval requirements, if and when procedures are established to obtain such a waiver. Any uncertainties and/or negative publicity regarding such an approval requirement could have a material adverse effect on the trading price of the Class A Ordinary Shares.

 

Dividend Distributions or Assets Transfer among the Holding Company, its Subsidiaries and the Consolidated VIE

 

We intend to keep any future earnings to re-invest in and finance the expansion of our business, and we do not anticipate that any cash dividends will be paid or any assets will be transferred in the foreseeable future. As of the date of this prospectus, there has been no distribution of dividends or assets among the holding company, the subsidiary or the consolidated VIE.  Under Cayman Islands law, a Cayman Islands company may pay a dividend on its shares out of either profit or share premium amount, provided that in no circumstances may a dividend be paid if this would result in the company being unable to pay its debts due in the ordinary course of business. If we determine to pay dividends on any of our Class A Ordinary Shares in the future, as a holding company, we will be dependent on receipt of funds from our Hong Kong subsidiary, Hitek HK.

 

Current PRC regulations permit our indirect PRC subsidiaries to pay dividends to the Company only out of their accumulated profits, if any, determined in accordance with Chinese accounting standards and regulations. In addition, each of our subsidiaries in China is required to set aside at least 10% of its after-tax profits each year, if any, to fund a statutory reserve until such reserve reaches 50% of its registered capital. Each of such entity in China is also required to further set aside a portion of its after-tax profits to fund the employee welfare fund, although the amount to be set aside, if any, is determined at the discretion of its board of directors. Although the statutory reserves can be used, among other ways, to increase the registered capital and eliminate future losses in excess of retained earnings of the respective companies, the reserve funds are not distributable as cash dividends except in the event of liquidation.

 

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The PRC government also imposes controls on the conversion of RMB into foreign currencies and the remittance of currencies out of the PRC. Therefore, we may experience difficulties in completing the administrative procedures necessary to obtain and remit foreign currency for the payment of dividends from our profits, if any. Furthermore, if our subsidiaries in the PRC incur debt on their own in the future, the instruments governing the debt may restrict their ability to pay dividends or make other payments. If we or our subsidiaries are unable to receive all of the revenues from our operations through the current VIE Agreements, we may be unable to pay dividends on our Class A Ordinary Shares.

 

Cash dividends, if any, on our Class A Ordinary Shares will be paid in U.S. dollars. If we are considered a PRC tax resident enterprise for tax purposes, any dividends we pay to our overseas shareholders may be regarded as China-sourced income and as a result may be subject to PRC withholding tax at a rate of up to 10.0%.

 

In order for us to pay dividends to our shareholders, we will rely on payments made from Hitek to WFOE, pursuant to VIE Agreements between them, and the distribution of such payments to Hitek HK as dividends from WFOE. Certain payments from our Hitek to WFOE are subject to PRC taxes, including business taxes and VAT.

 

Pursuant to the Arrangement between Mainland China and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and Tax Evasion on Income, or the Double Tax Avoidance Arrangement, the 10% withholding tax rate may be lowered to 5% if a Hong Kong resident enterprise owns no less than 25% of a PRC project. However, the 5% withholding tax rate does not automatically apply and certain requirements must be satisfied, including without limitation that (a) the Hong Kong project must be the beneficial owner of the relevant dividends; and (b) the Hong Kong project must directly hold no less than 25% share ownership in the PRC project during the 12 consecutive months preceding its receipt of the dividends. In current practice, a Hong Kong project must obtain a tax resident certificate from the Hong Kong tax authority to apply for the 5% lower PRC withholding tax rate. As the Hong Kong tax authority will issue such a tax resident certificate on a case-by-case basis, we cannot assure you that we will be able to obtain the tax resident certificate from the relevant Hong Kong tax authority and enjoy the preferential withholding tax rate of 5% under the Double Taxation Arrangement with respect to dividends to be paid by our PRC subsidiary to its immediate holding company, Hitek HK. As of the date of this prospectus, we have not applied for the tax resident certificate from the relevant Hong Kong tax authority. Hitek HK intends to apply for the tax resident certificate when WFOE plans to declare and pay dividends to Hitek HK. See “Risk Factors- There are significant uncertainties under the EIT Law relating to the withholding tax liabilities of our PRC subsidiary, and dividends payable by our PRC subsidiary to our offshore subsidiaries may not qualify to enjoy certain treaty benefits.”

 

Our Competitive Strengths

 

We believe we have significant advantages that will enable us to continue our market leadership in ACTCS tax device services and continue our business prosperity:

 

First Mover Advantage. We are one of the first ACTCS service providers in the Xiamen metropolitan area. We have accumulated our client base and maintained our business edge since 1996. Since inception, Hitek has invested approximately $300,000 in research and development to build our ACTCS supporting software, which are free and complement our ACTCS services. Over the past 28 years, we have built a strong reputation amongst tax/finance professionals in the Xiamen metropolitan area. According to the Xiamen Province Taxation Bureau’s statistics, we had approximately 23.6% of Xiamen’s tax device service market shares as of June 30, 2024. We have relied upon referrals from tax or accounting professionals that we have worked with or served, leveraging our client base to expand our business.

 

  Sufficient practical experience. We have a full understanding of tax control software and network equipment to provide customers with better tax invoicing management services

 

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  Visionary Management Team. We have a sophisticated and long-serving management team who has led us through multiple business breakthroughs. Most of our senior management team has served us for around 20 years and possesses significant experience in many influential engineering and IT projects in China.

 

  Highly Capable Employees. As of June 30, 2024, we had 45 full-time research and development professionals; 76% of our employees held bachelor’s degrees and 22% of our employees held master’s or doctorate degrees.

 

  Carefully Planned Referral Network. Our carefully planned and implemented marketing efforts have led to a strong referral base, better networking opportunities, increased customer volume, and improved client satisfaction through frequent in-person shop visits near governmental tax agencies by our loyal customers and local tax officials.

 

While we are confident that our competitive strengths will continue improving our business, we are keenly aware of the challenges that our business faces, especially the challenges in our services to SMEs, which are dependent on our ACTCS services. The services provided to the SMEs are restricted in the Xiamen metropolitan areas since we are only authorized by the State Taxation Bureau, Xiamen Branch to provide ACTCS services that is the cornerstone of our services to the SMEs. Prices of GTD and ACTCS annual service fees are regulated and subject to the State Tax Administration’s pricing mandates. We are not able to adjust such pricing and as such our profit margin is limited. In recent years, the Chinese tax regulators have been rolling out its own electronic invoicing system. Increasing use of electronic invoices will reduce our SME client base by around 5% per year in the future since electronic invoicing system will enable some of our existing clients to apply for, issue, transfer and check the invoices through the unified online electronic invoice management system of Chinese Tax authority. Our client base growth may be limited despite our diligent marketing efforts since it is beyond our control how many new SMEs will open each year in the Xiamen metropolitan area. 

 

Our Business Strategies

 

We intend to drive the growth of our business by executing on the following strategies:

 

  Leveraging our existing ACTCS client base to deepen our relationship with our ACTCS clients and expanding our service and hardware sales offerings. As an ACTCS devices and service provider, we currently work with approximately 53,000 ACTCS clients based in Xiamen that we believe have a wide range of organizational service needs and needs for various hardware products and systems to support their organizations. We expect such service needs to include, without limitation, technology- and finance-related organization needs. Leveraging our existing well-recognized service reputation in the ACTCS industry, we believe that we can deepen our relationship with existing ACTCS clients to provide expanded service offerings to respond to their business, finance, technology and organizational needs.

 

  Broadening our geographic coverage with our online service platform to become a full-service platform with national coverage. In May 2018, we launched our online service platform capable of servicing the needs of our ACTCS customers primarily through online customer and technical support, and covering various aspects of the VAT filing process, we intend to support more service offerings for our customers. We are having various software programs in progress and setting up online customer support processes, which combined together are expected to provide full-service support with respect to tax, finance and IT services. We intend to offer our clients connection to other local, third-party service providers through our online platform, so that they are able to seek business, technology and operational support via our online service platform. We believe this will enable our expansion beyond the Xiamen market to reach national service coverage.

 

  Completion of our full-service platform.  In the next few years, we plan to complete our full-service platform and aim to transfer 60% of our clients onto the platform. We plan to offer business management service, such as agent accounting services and online IT outsourcing services to the SME clients using our ACTCS services. We also plan to expand our service to large businesses to other geographic regions.

 

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Summary of Risk Factors

 

Risks Related to Our Business Operations

 

Risks and uncertainties related to our business include, but are not limited to, the following:

 

  We face risks related to health epidemics such as the COVID-19, and other outbreaks, which could significantly disrupt our operations and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

  Increased use of electronic invoice will reduce the number of customers using our ACTCS services.

 

  Our IT services and hardware and software sales rely on evolving information technologies to maintain our competitiveness.

 

  A significant portion of our revenue is concentrated on a few large customers, and we do not have long-term service agreements with our key customers but we rely upon our longstanding relationship with them.

 

  Extended payment terms may cause deferred payments or bad debts, which could negatively affect our business operations.

 

  We source our retail hardware primarily from a limited number of suppliers.

 

  We may not be able to adequately protect our intellectual property rights, and our competitors may be able to offer similar products and services.

 

  We have engaged in transactions with related parties, and such transactions present possible conflicts of interest that could have an adverse effect on our business and results of operations.

 

  Our future revenues and growth prospects depend on the ACTCS pricing model mandated by the PRC government.

 

  There may be changes in the regulations of PRC government bodies and agencies relating to VAT collection procedure and ACTCS business.

 

Risks Relating to Our Corporate Structure

 

We are also subject to risks and uncertainties related to our corporate structure, including, but are not limited to, the following:

 

  We do not have direct ownership of our operating entities in China, but have the control rights and the rights to the assets, property, and revenue of Hitek and its subsidiaries in China through VIE Agreements, which may not be effective in providing us with control over Hitek.

 

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  Because we are an offshore holding company and our business was conducted through VIE Agreements with Hitek, the VIE in China, if we fail to comply with applicable PRC laws, we could be subject to severe penalties and our business could be adversely affected.

 

  We may have difficulty in enforcing any rights we may have under the VIE Agreements in PRC.

 

  PRC laws and regulations governing our current business operations are sometimes vague and uncertain.

 

  Regulations relating to offshore investment activities by PRC residents may limit our ability to acquire PRC companies and could adversely affect our business.

 

  Uncertainties exist with respect to the interpretation and implementation of the Foreign Investment Law and how it may impact the viability of our current corporate structure, corporate governance and business operations.
     
  Any actions by Chinese government, including any decision to intervene or influence our operations or to exert control over any offering of securities conducted overseas and/or foreign investment in China-based issuers, which could significantly limit or completely hinder our ability to offer or continue to offer securities to investors and cause the value of our securities to significantly decline or be worthless.

 

Risks Relating to Doing Business in the PRC

 

We are based in China and having the majority of our operations in China, and therefore, we face risks and uncertainties relating to doing business in the PRC in general, including, but not limited to, the following:

 

  Although our auditors are currently inspected by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (the “PCAOB”), there is no guarantee that future audit reports will be prepared by auditors inspected by the PCAOB and, as such, in the future investors may be deprived of the benefits of such inspection. Furthermore, trading in our securities may be prohibited under the HFCA Act if the SEC subsequently determines our audit work is performed by auditors that the PCAOB is unable to inspect or investigate completely, and as a result, U.S. national securities exchanges, such as the Nasdaq, may determine to delist our securities. Furthermore, on December 29, 2022, the Consolidated Appropriations Act was signed into law by President Biden. The Consolidated Appropriations Act contained, among other things, an identical provision to AHFCAA, which reduces the number of consecutive non-inspection years required for triggering the prohibitions under the HFCA Act from three years to two. Furthermore, Wei, Wei & Co., LLP and UHY LLP, our auditors, are not among the auditor firms listed on an HFCA Act Determination List, which includes all of the auditor firms that the PCAOB is not able to inspect.
     
  On December 16, 2021, SEC announced the PCAOB designated China and Hong Kong as the jurisdictions where the PCAOB is not allowed to conduct full and complete audit inspections as mandated under the HFCA Act. The Company’s auditors, Wei, Wei & Co., LLP and UHY LLP, are headquartered in United States, and therefore are not currently subject to the determinations announced by the PCAOB on December 16, 2021.  Furthermore, although we operate through Hitek in mainland China, a jurisdiction where the PCAOB is currently unable to conduct inspections without the approval of the Chinese government authorities, our auditor is currently inspected fully by the PCAOB. While the our auditor is based in the U.S. and is registered with PCAOB and subject to PCAOB inspection, in the event it is later determined that the PCAOB is unable to inspect or investigate completely our auditor because of a position taken by an authority in a foreign jurisdiction, then such lack of inspection could cause trading in the Company’s securities to be prohibited under the Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act, and ultimately result in a determination by a securities exchange to delist the our securities.

 

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  The recent joint statement by the SEC, proposed rule changes submitted by Nasdaq, and an act passed by the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives, all call for additional and more stringent criteria to be applied to emerging market companies. These developments could add uncertainties to our offering, business operations, share price and reputation.
     
  Because we are a Cayman Islands exempted company and all of our business is conducted in the PRC, you may be unable to bring an action against us or our officers and directors or to enforce any judgment you may obtain.
     
  Nasdaq may apply additional and more stringent criteria for our continued listing because our insiders hold a large portion of our listed securities.
     
  It may be difficult for overseas shareholders and/or regulators to conduct investigation or collect evidence within China.
     
  Changes in the policies, regulations, rules, and the enforcement of laws of the PRC government may be quick with little advance notice and could have a significant impact upon our ability to operate profitably in the PRC.
     
  China’s economic, political and social conditions, as well as interventions and influences of any government policies, laws and regulations, are uncertain could have a material adverse effect on our business and the value of our Class A Ordinary Shares.
     
  Because our business is conducted in RMB and the price of our Class A Ordinary Shares is quoted in United States dollars, changes in currency conversion rates may affect the value of your investments.
     
  Under the PRC Enterprise Income Tax Law, or the EIT Law, we may be classified as a “resident enterprise” of China, which could result in unfavorable tax consequences to us and our non-PRC shareholders.
     
  We are subject to a variety of laws and other obligations regarding cybersecurity and data protection, and any failure to comply with applicable laws and obligations could have a material and adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
     
  In light of recent events indicating greater oversight by the CAC over data security, particularly for companies seeking to list on a foreign exchange, we are subject to a variety of laws and other obligations regarding cybersecurity and data protection, and any failure to comply with applicable laws and obligations could have a material and adverse effect on our business, our listing on Nasdaq, financial condition, results of operations, and the offering.
     
  The Chinese government exerts substantial influence over the manner in which we must conduct our business activities.

 

  We face exposure to foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations.

 

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Risks Relating to this Offering and Our Class A Ordinary Shares

 

In addition to the risks described above, we are subject to general risks and uncertainties relating to this offering and our Class A Ordinary Shares, including, but not limited to, the following:

  

  We may experience similar volatility, which may make it difficult for prospective investors to assess the value of our Class A Ordinary Shares.

 

  You will experience immediate and substantial dilution in the net tangible book value of Class A Ordinary Shares purchased.

 

  We do not intend to pay dividends for the foreseeable future.
     
  We cannot assure you that our plans to rase capital will be successful.

 

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

 

  Our management has broad discretion to determine how to use the funds raised in the offering and may use them in ways that may not enhance our results of operations or the price of our Class A Ordinary Shares.

 

  Our lack of effective internal controls over financial reporting may affect our ability to accurately report our financial results or prevent fraud which may affect the market for and price of our Class A Ordinary Shares.

 

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

 

  Since Mr. Shenping Yin, our Chairman, and his wife, Ms. Xiaoyang Huang, chief executive office of the Board will be able to exercise more than ___% of the total voting power of our issued and outstanding share capital following the offering. Mr. Yin will have the ability to elect directors and approve matters requiring shareholder approval.

 

  Following this offering, we will be a “controlled company” within the meaning of the NASDAQ Stock Market Rules and, as a result, may rely on exemptions from certain corporate governance requirements that provide protection to shareholders of other companies.

 

Our History and Corporate Structure

 

We were incorporated in the Cayman Islands as an exempted company on November 3, 2017. Hitek Hong Kong Limited (“Hitek HK”), our wholly-owned subsidiary, was incorporated in Hong Kong on November 20, 2017. Tian Dahai (Xiamen) Information Technology Co. Ltd. (“WFOE”), Hitek HK’s wholly owned subsidiary, was organized pursuant to PRC laws on March 15, 2018. In April 2021, Xiamen Haitian Weilai Technology Co., Ltd. (“Haitian Weilai”), a fully owned subsidiary of WFOE was incorporated under the laws of the PRC. The variable interest entity, Xiamen Hengda Hitek Computer Network Co., Ltd., which we refer to as Hitek, was established on January 18, 1996 in Xiamen, Fujian Province, PRC pursuant to PRC laws. Hitek’s shareholders include certain PRC residents and corporate entities controlled by PRC residents.

 

On March 31, 2018, the Company consummated a reorganization pursuant to which, WFOE, Hitek and Hitek’s shareholders entered into a series of contractual arrangements. Such agreements are described under “Prospectus Summary — Contractual Arrangements between WFOE and Hitek. Hitek Global Inc. is a holding company with no business operation other than holding the shares in Hitek HK and Hitek HK is a pass-through entity with no business operation. WFOE is exclusively engaged in the business of managing the operation of Hitek.

 

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Corporate Information

 

Our principal executive offices are located at Unit 304, No. 30 Guanri Road, Siming District, Xiamen City, Fujian Province, People’s Republic of China, and our phone number is +86 592-5395967. We maintain a corporate website at http://www.xmHitek.com/. The information contained in or accessible from, our website or any other website does not constitute a part of this prospectus.

 

We are and, following the closing of this offering, will be a “controlled company” as defined under the NASDAQ Stock Market Rules because Shenping Yin and Xiaoyang Huang, who are husband and wife, will beneficially own more than 50% of voting power for the election of directors.

 

Implications of Being an Emerging Growth Company, a Foreign Private Issuer, a Controlled Company, and a China-based company.

 

We qualify as an “emerging growth company” as defined in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012 (the “JOBS Act”). An emerging growth company may take advantage of specified reduced reporting and other burdens that are otherwise applicable generally to public companies. These provisions include:

 

  a requirement to have only two years of audited financial statements and only two years of related selected financial data and management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations disclosure;

 

  an exemption from the auditor attestation requirement in the assessment of our internal control over financial reporting pursuant to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002;

 

  an exemption from implementation of new or revised accounting standards until they would apply to private companies and from compliance with any new requirements adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board requiring mandatory audit firm rotation;

 

  reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation arrangements; and

 

  no requirement to seek nonbinding advisory votes on executive compensation or golden parachute arrangements.

 

We elected to avail ourselves of the extended transition period for implementing new or revised financial accounting standards. We may take advantage of some or all of the other provisions described above until we are no longer an emerging growth company. We will remain an emerging growth company until the earlier to occur of (1) (a) the last day of the fiscal year following the fifth anniversary of the closing of this offering, (b) the last day of the fiscal year in which our annual gross revenue is $1.235  billion or more, or (c) the date on which we are deemed to be a “large accelerated filer,” under the rules of the SEC, which means the market value of our equity securities that is held by non-affiliates exceeds $700 million as of the prior July 1st, and (2) the date on which we have issued more than $1.0 billion in non-convertible debt during the prior three-year period.

 

We are a foreign private issuer within the meaning of the rules under the Exchange Act, and as such we are exempt from certain provisions of the securities rules and regulations in the United States that are applicable to U.S. domestic issuers. Moreover, the information we are required to file with or furnish to the SEC will be less extensive and less timely compared to that required to be filed with the SEC by U.S. domestic issuers. In addition, as a company incorporated in the Cayman Islands as an exempted company, we are permitted to adopt certain home country practices in relation to corporate governance matters that differ significantly from the Nasdaq listing standards. Following this offering, we intend to rely on home country practice to be exempted from corporate governance requirements that we:

 

have a majority of independent directors on our board of directors;

 

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the audit committee of our board of directors has a minimum of three members;

 

obtain shareholder approval prior to an issuance of our securities in connection with certain acquisitions of the stock or assets of another company;

 

obtain shareholder approval prior to an issuance of our securities in connection with equity-based compensation of our officers, directors, employees or consultants; and

 

obtain shareholder approval prior to an issuance of our securities, other than in a public offering, equal to 20% or more of our voting power outstanding at a price less than the lower of: (a) the Nasdaq Official Closing Price immediately preceding the signing of the binding agreement; or (b) the average Nasdaq Official Closing Price for the five trading days immediately preceding the signing of the binding agreement.

 

As a result, we will not have a majority of independent directors and our audit committee will consist of two independent directors instead of three members. These practices may afford less protection to shareholders than they would enjoy if we complied fully with the Nasdaq listing standards.

 

We are, and after this offering will continue to be, a “controlled company” as defined under the Nasdaq Stock Market Rules because Mr. Shenping Yin, our founder, the chairman of our board of directors and his wife, Ms. Xiaoyang Huang, our chief executive officer, will be able to exercise ____% of our total voting power. Under the Nasdaq Stock Market Rules, a “controlled company” may elect not to comply with certain corporate governance requirements. Currently, we do not plan to utilize the “controlled company” exemptions with respect to our corporate governance practice after we complete this offering.

 

In addition, we are an offshore holding company incorporated in the Cayman Islands as an exempted company. As a holding company with no material operations, our operations are conducted in China by our subsidiaries and through VIE Agreements, with Hitek and its subsidiaries. This is an offering of the Class A Ordinary Shares of the offshore holding company in Cayman Islands. You are not investing in Hitek, the VIE. Neither we nor our subsidiaries own any share in Hitek. Through the VIE Agreements among WFOE, Hitek and Hitek’s shareholders, we are deemed to have a controlling financial interest in, and be the primary beneficiary of, the VIE for accounting purposes only and must consolidate the VIE because it met the conditions under U.S. GAAP to consolidate the VIE. However, the VIE structure cannot completely replicate a foreign investment in China-based companies, as the investors will not and may never hold equity interests in the Chinese operating entities. Instead, the VIE structure provides contractual exposure to foreign investment in us. Because of our corporate structure, we are subject to risks due to uncertainty of the interpretation and the application of the PRC laws and regulations, including but not limited to limitation on foreign ownership of internet technology companies, and regulatory review of oversea listing of PRC companies through a special purpose vehicle, and the validity and enforcement of the VIE Agreements. We are also subject to the risks of uncertainty about any future actions of the PRC government in this regard. The VIE Agreements may not be effective in providing control over Hitek. We may also subject to sanctions imposed by PRC regulatory agencies including Chinese Securities Regulatory Commission if we fail to comply with their rules and regulations.

 

Furthermore, our Class A Ordinary Shares may be prohibited to trade on a national exchange under the Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act if the PCAOB is unable to inspect our auditors for three consecutive years beginning in 2021. The AFCAA was passed by the U.S. Senate and if enacted, would require foreign companies to comply with the PCAOB audits within two consecutive years instead of three consecutive years, which would reduce the time before our securities may be prohibited from trading or be delisted. On December 29, 2022, the Consolidated Appropriations Act was signed into law by President Biden. The Consolidated Appropriations Act contained, among other things, an identical provision to AHFCAA, which reduces the number of consecutive non-inspection years required for triggering the prohibitions under the HFCA Act from three years to two. Therefore, if our auditor cannot be inspected by PCAOB, for two consecutive years, the trading of our securities on any U.S. national securities exchanges, as well as any over-the-counter trading in the U.S., will be prohibited.

 

On September 22, 2021, the PCAOB adopted a final rule implementing the HFCA Act, which provides a framework for the PCAOB to use when determining, as contemplated under the HFCA Act, whether the PCAOB is unable to inspect or investigate completely registered public accounting firms located in a foreign jurisdiction because of a position taken by one or more authorities in that jurisdiction. On December 2, 2021, the SEC issued amendments to finalize rules implementing the submission and disclosure requirements in the HFCA Act. The rules apply to registrants that the SEC identifies as having filed an annual report with an audit report issued by a registered public accounting firm that is located in a foreign jurisdiction and that the PCAOB is unable to inspect or investigate completely because of a position taken by an authority in foreign jurisdictions. On December 16, 2021, the PCAOB issued a report on its determinations that it is unable to inspect or investigate completely PCAOB-registered public accounting firms headquartered in mainland China and in Hong Kong, because of positions taken by PRC authorities in those jurisdictions. On August 26, 2022, the China Securities Regulatory Commission, the MOF, and the PCAOB signed the Protocol, governing inspections and investigations of audit firms based in mainland China and Hong Kong, taking the first step toward opening access for the PCAOB to inspect and investigate registered public accounting firms headquartered in mainland China and Hong Kong. Pursuant to the fact sheet with respect to the Protocol disclosed by the SEC the PCAOB shall have independent discretion to select any issuer audits for inspection or investigation and has the unfettered ability to transfer information to the SEC. On December 15, 2022, the PCAOB Board determined the PCAOB was able to secure complete access to inspect and investigate registered public accounting firms headquartered in mainland China and Hong Kong and voted to vacate its previous determinations to the contrary. However, should PRC authorities obstruct or otherwise fail to facilitate the PCAOB’s access in the future, the PCAOB Board will consider the need to issue a new determination. 

 

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Our auditor is not subject to the determinations as to the inability to inspect or investigate registered firms completely announced by the PCAOB on December 16, 2021. Our auditor is currently subject to PCAOB inspections and PCAOB is able to inspect our auditor.

 

However, these recent developments could add uncertainties to this offering, and we cannot assure you whether Nasdaq or regulatory authorities would apply additional and more stringent criteria to us after considering the effectiveness of our auditor’s audit procedures and quality control procedures, adequacy of personnel and training, or the sufficiency of resources, geographic reach or experience as it relates to the audit of our financial statements. In the event it is later determined that the PCAOB is unable to inspect or investigate completely our auditor because of a position taken by an authority in a foreign jurisdiction, then such lack of inspection could cause trading in our securities to be prohibited under the HFCA Act, and ultimately result in a determination by a securities exchange to delist our securities.

 

Transfers of Cash to and from Our Subsidiaries and VIE

 

Hitek Global Inc. is permitted under the laws of the Cayman Islands to provide funding to Hitek HK through loans or capital contributions without restrictions on the amount of the funds. Hitek HK is permitted under the respective laws of Hong Kong to provide funding to Hitek Global Inc. through dividend distribution without restrictions on the amount of the funds. There are no restrictions on dividends transfers from Hong Kong to the Cayman Islands.

 

To transfer cash from Hitek HK to WFOE, Hitek HK can increase the WFOE’s registered capital, which requires reporting to the local commerce department, or through a shareholder loan, which requires a registration with the PRC State Administration of Foreign Exchange or its local bureau. Aside from the registration with the State Administration of Foreign Exchange, there is no restriction or limitations on such cash transfer or earnings distribution. In practice, under the condition that WFOE is prepared with complete materials, the local AMR will generally approve the application within several business days, and the local bank’s approval for the inward remittances of registered capital can be also completed within a few business days.

 

To make loans to WFOE or the VIE, according to Matters relating to the Macro-prudential Management of Comprehensive Cross-border Financing, or PBOC 379 promulgated by the People’s Bank of China (“PBOC”), the total cross-border financing of a company shall be calculated using a risk-weighted approach and shall not exceed an upper limit. The upper limit shall be calculated as capital or assets (for enterprises, net assets shall apply) multiplied by a cross-border financing leverage ratio and multiplied by a macro-prudential regulation parameter. The macro-prudential regulation parameter of companies is currently 1, which may be adjusted by the People’s Bank of China and the State Administration of Foreign Exchange in the future, and the cross-border financing leverage ratio is 2 for enterprises. Therefore, the upper limit of the loans that a PRC company can borrow from foreign companies shall be calculated at 2 times the borrower’s net assets. With regards to our WFOE, the upper limit of borrowing from foreign companies shall be 2 times of its net assets, or, as an alternative, the difference between its total investment amount and registered capital, subject to its choice and acceptance by the competent governmental authority.

 

As a result of PRC laws and regulations (noted below) that require annual appropriations of 10% of after-tax income to be set aside in a general reserve fund prior to payment of dividends, WFOE is restricted in that respect, as well as in other respects noted below, in their ability to transfer a portion of their net assets to Hitek HK as a dividend. We note the following:

 

  1. PRC regulations currently permit the payment of dividends only out of accumulated profits, as determined in accordance with accounting standards and PRC regulations;

 

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  2. WFOE is required to set aside at a minimum, 10% of their net income after taxes, based on PRC accounting standards, each year as statutory surplus reserves until the cumulative amount of such reserves reaches 50% of their registered capital; in addition, it may, subject to a resolution of its shareholder, draw a discretionary common reserve from its after-tax profits;

 

  3. Those reserves may not be distributed as cash dividends and may be used to cover losses made in past years, to enhance the company’s productivity and expand its business or to increase its registered capital; and

 

  4. The incurrence of debt, specifically the instruments governing such debt, may restrict a subsidiary’s ability to pay shareholder dividends or make other cash distributions.

 

We intend to keep any future earnings to re-invest in and finance the expansion of our business, and we do not anticipate that any cash dividends will be paid or any assets will be transferred in the foreseeable future. As of the date of this prospectus, the VIE has not remitted any consulting fee to WFOE. However, the VIE is obligated to pay a consulting fee equivalent to 100% of VIE’s net income after deduction of certain tax and operational expenses. As of the date of this prospectus, none of our subsidiaries or VIE have made any dividends or distributions to us and we have not made any dividends or distributions to our shareholders.

 

Subject to the Companies Act (As Revised) of Cayman Islands, which we refer to as the “Companies Act” below, and our memorandum and articles of association, as amended and restated from time to time, our board of directors has discretion as to whether to declare and pay dividends. Under Cayman Islands law, a Cayman Islands company may pay a dividend out of either profit or share premium account, provided that in no circumstances may a dividend be paid if this would result in the company being unable to pay its debts as they fall due in the ordinary course of business.

 

Under the current practice of the Inland Revenue Department of Hong Kong, no tax is payable in Hong Kong in respect of dividends paid by us. The laws and regulations of the PRC do not currently have any material impact on transfer of cash from Hitek Global Inc. to Hitek HK or from Hitek HK to Hitek Global Inc. There are no restrictions or limitation under the laws of Hong Kong imposed on the conversion of HK dollar into foreign currencies and the remittance of currencies out of Hong Kong or across borders and to U.S. investors.

 

Current PRC regulations permit WFOE to pay dividends to Hitek HK only out of their accumulated profits, if any, determined in accordance with Chinese accounting standards and regulations. In addition, each of our subsidiaries in China is required to set aside at least 10% of its after-tax profits each year, if any, to fund a statutory reserve until such reserve reaches 50% of its registered capital. Each of such entity in China is also required to further set aside a portion of its after-tax profits to fund the employee welfare fund, although the amount to be set aside, if any, is determined at the discretion of its board of shareholders. Although the statutory reserves can be used, among other ways, to increase the registered capital and eliminate future losses in excess of retained earnings of the respective companies, the reserve funds are not distributable as cash dividends except in the event of liquidation.

 

The PRC government also imposes controls on the conversion of RMB into foreign currencies and the remittance of currencies out of the PRC. Therefore, we may experience difficulties in completing the administrative procedures necessary to obtain and remit foreign currency for the payment of dividends from our profits, if any. Furthermore, if our subsidiaries in the PRC incur debt on their own in the future, the instruments governing the debt may restrict their ability to pay dividends or make other payments. If we or our subsidiaries are unable to receive all of the revenues from our operations, we may be unable to pay dividends on our securities.

 

Cash dividends, if any, on our Class A Ordinary Shares will be paid in U.S. dollars. If we are considered a PRC tax resident enterprise for tax purposes, any dividends we pay to our overseas shareholders may be regarded as China-sourced income and as a result may be subject to PRC withholding tax at a rate of up to 10.0%. In order for us to pay dividends to our shareholders, we will rely on payments made from WFOE and Hitek HK. Certain payments from WFOE to Hitek HK are subject to PRC taxes, including income taxes and VAT. As of the date of this prospectus, our PRC subsidiary, VIE and its subsidiaries have not made any transfers or distributions.

 

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Pursuant to the Arrangement between Mainland China and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and Tax Evasion on Income, or the Double Tax Avoidance Arrangement, the 10% withholding tax rate may be lowered to 5% if a Hong Kong resident enterprise owns no less than 25% of a PRC entity. However, the 5% withholding tax rate does not automatically apply and certain requirements must be satisfied, including, without limitation, that (a) the Hong Kong entity must be the beneficial owner of the relevant dividends; and (b) the Hong Kong entity must directly hold no less than 25% share ownership in the PRC entity during the 12 consecutive months preceding its receipt of the dividends. In current practice, a Hong Kong entity must obtain a tax resident certificate from the Hong Kong tax authority to apply for the 5% lower PRC withholding tax rate. As the Hong Kong tax authority will issue such a tax resident certificate on a case-by-case basis, we cannot assure you that we will be able to obtain the tax resident certificate from the relevant Hong Kong tax authority and enjoy the preferential withholding tax rate of 5% under the Double Taxation Arrangement with respect to dividends to be paid by WFOE to its immediate holding company, Hitek HK. 

 

As of the date of this prospectus, WFOE does not have plan to declare and pay dividends to Hitek HK and we have not applied for the tax resident certificate from the relevant Hong Kong tax authority. Hitek HK intends to apply for the tax resident certificate when WFOE plans to declare and pay dividends to Hitek HK.

 

Dividend Policy

 

We anticipate that we will retain any earnings to support operations and to finance the growth and development of our business. Therefore, we do not expect to pay cash dividends again in the foreseeable future. Any future determination relating to our dividend policy will be made at the discretion of our Board of Directors and will depend on a number of factors, including future earnings, capital requirements, financial conditions and future prospects and other factors the Board of Directors may deem relevant. As of the date of this prospectus, we have not paid any dividends or distributions to our shareholders, there have not been any such dividends, transfers or other distributions among Hitek Global Inc., Hitek HK, WFOE or their respective shareholders.

 

Selected Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements of Hitek Global, Subsidiaries, VIE and its Subsidiaries

 

The following tables present Selected condensed consolidating financial data of the Hitek Global Inc., Hitek HK (Hitek Hong Kong Limited), WFOE and its subsidiaries (Tian Dahai (Xiamen) Information Technology Co. Ltd. and Xiamen Haitian Weilai Technology Co., Ltd.), the VIE (Xiamen Hengda Hitek Computer Network Co., Ltd.) and its subsidiaries (Xiamen Huasheng Hitek Computer Network Co., Ltd and Huoerguosi Hengda Information Technology Co., Ltd). Such financial data include condensed consolidating balance sheets data as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 and the related condensed consolidating statements of operations and cash flows data for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021. We record our investments in our subsidiaries under the equity method of accounting. Such investments are presented in our selected condensed consolidating balance sheets as “investments in non-VIE subsidiaries” and net assets of the VIE and its subsidiaries through the VIE agreements” and the profit of the subsidiaries is presented as “Income for Non-VIE subsidiaries” and “Income for VIE and its subsidiaries” in the selected condensed consolidating statements of operations.

 

18

 

 

SELECTED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

 

   For the Year Ended December 31, 2023 
   Parent   Hitek HK   WFOE
and its
Subsidiaries
   VIE and its
Subsidiaries
   Eliminations   Consolidated 
                         
Revenues  $36,402   $-   $191,738   $4,335,591   $-   $4,563,731 
Cost of revenues  $-   $-   $(46,768)  $(2,595,723)  $-   $(2,642,491)
Income from Non-VIE subsidiaries  $1,222,415   $1,224,590   $-   $-   $(2,447,005)  $- 
Income from VIE and its subsidiaries (1)  $-   $-   $1,098,946   $-   $(1,098,946)  $- 
Net income  $1,047,641   $1,222,415   $1,224,590   $1,098,946   $(3,545,951)  $1,047,641 
Comprehensive income  $1,047,641   $1,222,415   $1,222,759   $770,661   $(3,545,951)  $717,525 

 

   For the Year Ended December 31, 2022 
   Parent   Hitek HK   WFOE
 and its Subsidiaries
   VIE
and its
Subsidiaries
   Eliminations   Consolidated 
                         
Revenues  $-   $-   $353,836   $6,228,595   $(153,823)  $6,428,608 
Cost of revenues  $-   $-   $(212,995)  $(2,832,393)  $153,823   $(2,891,565)
Income from Non-VIE subsidiaries  $1,798,894   $1,801,042   $-   $-   $(3,599,936)  $- 
Income from VIE and its subsidiaries (1)  $-   $-   $1,684,992   $-   $(1,684,992)  $- 
Net income  $1,415,745   $1,798,894   $1,801,042   $1,684,992   $(5,284,928)  $1,415,745 
Comprehensive income  $1,415,745   $1,798,894   $1,803,198   $667,389   $(5,284,928)  $400,298 

 

   For the Year Ended December 31, 2021 
   Parent   Hitek HK   WFOE
and its Subsidiaries
   VIE
and its
Subsidiaries
   Eliminations  

 

Consolidated

 
                         
Revenues  $-   $-   $53,344   $6,473,638   $(65,819)  $6,461,163 
Cost of revenues  $-   $-   $(104,115)  $(2,542,922)  $65,819   $(2,581,218)
Income from Non-VIE subsidiaries  $1,994,595   $1,997,821   $-   $-   $(3,992,416)  $- 
Income from VIE and its subsidiaries (1)  $-   $-   $2,061,517   $-   $(2,061,517)  $- 
Net income  $1,669,357   $1,994,595   $1,997,821   $2,061,517   $(6,053,933)  $1,669,357 
Comprehensive income  $1,669,357   $1,994,595   $1,996,896   $2,352,849   $(6,053,933)  $1,959,764 

 

Note:

 

(1)It represents the technical consultation and service (“Consulting Fees”) income received from the VIE and its subsidiaries pursuant to the Exclusive Technical Consulting and Service (the “Agreement”).

 

19

 

 

SELECTED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEETS

 

   As of December 31, 2023 
   Parent   Hitek HK   WFOE
and its
Subsidiaries
   VIE
and its
Subsidiaries
   Eliminations  

 

Consolidated

 
                         
Cash and cash equivalents  $8,236,065   $4,282   $29,281   $1,041,909   $-   $9,311,537 
Due from inter companies (1)   -    -    10,846,775    -    (10,846,775)   - 
Total current assets  $14,077,640   $4,282   $147,902   $11,941,416   $(1,384,641)  $24,786,599 
Investments in non-VIE subsidiaries  $14,621,943   $14,686,108   $-   $-   $(29,308,051)  $- 
Net assets of the VIE and its subsidiaries through the VIE Agreements  $-   $-   $14,509,197   $-   $(14,509,197)  $- 
Total non-current assets  $15,621,943   $14,686,108   $14,509,493   $9,641,441   $(43,817,544)  $10,641,441 
Total Assets  $29,699,583   $14,690,390   $14,657,395   $21,582,857   $(45,202,185)  $35,428,040 
Due to inter companies (1)   -    -    -    10,846,775    (10,846,775)   - 
Total Liabilities  $1,361,997   $20,000   $(28,713)  $7,073,660   $(1,336,490)  $7,090,454 
Total Shareholders’ Equity  $28,337,586   $14,670,390   $14,686,108   $14,509,197   $(43,865,695)  $28,337,586 
Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity  $29,699,583   $14,690,390   $14,657,395   $21,582,857   $(45,202,185)  $35,428,040 

 

   As of December 31, 2022 
   Parent   Hitek HK   WFOE 
and its
Subsidiaries
   VIE
and its
Subsidiaries
   Eliminations  

 

Consolidated

 
                         
Cash and cash equivalents  $226,578   $6,457   $126,420   $843,705   $-   $1,203,160 
Due from inter companies (1)   10,000    -    9,747,829    1,383,988    (11,141,817)   - 
Total current assets  $586,420   $6,457   $242,429   $12,747,913   $(1,481,061)  $12,102,158 
Investments in non-VIE subsidiaries  $14,299,036   $14,399,652   $-   $-   $(28,698,688)  $- 
Net assets of the VIE and its subsidiaries through the VIE Agreements  $-   $-   $14,346,554   $-   $(14,346,554)  $- 
Total non-current assets  $14,299,036   $14,399,652   $14,350,741   $9,102,933   $(43,049,429)  $9,102,933 
Total Assets  $14,885,456   $14,406,109   $14,593,170   $21,850,846   $(44,530,490)  $21,205,091 
Due to inter companies (1)   1,358,930    20,000    15,058    9,747,829    (11,141,817)   - 
Total Liabilities  $1,358,930   $20,000   $193,518   $7,504,292   $(1,398,175)  $7,678,565 
Total Shareholders’ Equity  $13,526,526   $14,386,109   $14,399,652   $14,346,554   $(43,132,315)  $13,526,526 
Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity  $14,885,456   $14,406,109   $14,593,170   $21,850,846   $(44,530,490)  $21,205,091 

 

Note:

 

(1)As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, VIE and its subsidiaries owed WFOE and its subsidiaries technical consulting and service fees of $10,846,775 and $9,747,829, respectively. For the fiscal years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, VIE and its subsidiaries owed WFOE and its subsidiaries Consulting Fees of $1,098,946, $1,684,992 and $2,061,517 million, respectively. The Consulting Fees have not been paid since 2018, and are planned to be paid in fiscal 2024.

 

20

 

 

SELECTED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

 

   For the Year Ended December 31, 2023 
   Parent   Hitek
HK
   WFOE
and its
Subsidiaries
   VIE
and its
Subsidiaries
   Eliminations   Consolidated 
                         
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities  $(862,825)  $(2,175)  $(94,106)  $897,257   $        (63)  $(61,912)
Net cash used in investing activities  $(6,270,591)  $-   $-   $(675,964)  $-   $(6,946,555)
Net cash provided by financing activities  $15,142,902   $-   $-   $-   $-   $15,142,902 

 

   For the Year Ended December 31, 2022 
   Parent   Hitek
HK
   WFOE 
and its
Subsidiaries
   VIE
and its
Subsidiaries
   Eliminations   Consolidated 
                         
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities  $(283,149)  $(2,148)  $    47,909   $4,061,438   $              -   $3,824,050 
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities  $-   $-   $-   $(7,349,231)  $-   $(7,349,231)
Net cash provided by financing activities  $-   $-   $-   $2,749,498   $-   $2,749,498 

 

   For the Year Ended December 31, 2021 
   Parent   Hitek
HK
   WFOE 
and its
Subsidiaries
   VIE
and its
Subsidiaries
   Eliminations   Consolidated 
                         
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities  $(276,777)  $(3,226)  $69,801   $(278,773)  $274,400   $(214,575)
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities  $(10,000)  $-   $-   $392,254   $17,752   $400,006 
Net cash provided by financing activities  $280,300   $10,000   $7,752   $-   $(298,052)  $- 

 

For the year ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, net cash provided by financing activities of Hitek Global Inc., or the “parent”, was $15,142,902 and $nil, which was mainly because that parent received fund from issuance of ordinary shares and sales collection dominated in USD on behalf of the VIE and its subsidiaries. 

 

LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS ROLL-FORWARD

 

   Investments
in Non-VIE
subsidiaries and
VIE and its
subsidiaries
 
As of December 31, 2021  $13,515,589 
Equity pick-up during the year   1,798,894 
Foreign currency translation adjustment   (1,015,447)
As of December 31, 2022   14,299,036 
Equity pick-up during the year   1,222,415 
Deferred offering cost   (569,392)
Foreign currency translation adjustment   (330,116)
As of December 31, 2023  $14,621,943 

 

21

 

 

THE OFFERING

 

Issuer   Hitek Global Inc.
     
Class A Ordinary Shares offered by us  

A minimum of $8,000,000 of Class A Ordinary Shares at an offering price of US $___ per Class A Ordinary Share

 

A maximum of $20,000,000 of Class A Ordinary Shares at an offering price of US $___ per Class A Ordinary Share

     
Class A Ordinary Shares outstanding prior to completion of this offering   21,107,364 Class A Ordinary Shares
     
Class A Ordinary Shares outstanding immediately after this offering   _________ Class A Ordinary Shares (assuming a minimum offering) and _________ Class A Ordinary Shares (assuming a maximum offering)
     
Listing   Our Class A Ordinary Shares are listed on the NASDAQ Capital Market under the symbol “HKIT”
     
Transfer Agent   Vstock Transfer, LLC
     
Use of proceeds   We plan to devote the net proceeds of this offering to (i) potential acquisitions, (ii) research and development, (iii) recruitment of additional employees and (iv) general working capital.  See “Use of Proceeds.”
     
Risk factors   The Class A Ordinary Shares offered hereby involve a high degree of risk. You should read “Risk Factors,” for a discussion of factors to consider before deciding to invest in our Class A Ordinary Shares.
     
Lock-Up   We, each of our directors, officers and certain holders of our outstanding Class A Ordinary Shares as of the effective date of the registration statement related to this offering, agreed, for 180 days after the date of this prospectus, not to, except in connection with this offering, offer, pledge, sell, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase, lend or otherwise transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, any Class A Ordinary Shares or any other securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Class A Ordinary Shares, or enter into any swap or other arrangement that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of Class A Ordinary Shares. See “Shares Eligible for Future Sale” and “Plan of Distribution—Lock-Up Agreements”.
     
Reasonable Best Efforts   We have agreed to offer and sell the securities offered hereby to the purchasers through the Placement Agent. The Placement Agent is not required to buy or sell any specific number or dollar amount of the securities offered hereby, but it will use its reasonable best efforts to solicit offers to purchase the securities offered by this prospectus.  See “Plan of Distribution”.
     

Escrow Account

 

The proceeds from the sale of the securities in this offering will be payable to “______” and will be deposited in an escrow account (limited to funds received on our behalf) until the minimum offering amount is raised. No interest will be available for payment to either us or the investors (since the funds are being held in a non-interest-bearing account). All subscription funds will be held in escrow pending the raising of the minimum offering amount and no funds will be released to us until the completion of the offering. We have appointed ____, an independent third party, as our escrow agent (the “Escrow Agent”). See “Plan of Distribution.”

  

22

 

 

RISK FACTORS

 

An investment in our Class A Ordinary Shares involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider the risks and uncertainties described below together with all other information contained in this prospectus, including the matters discussed under the headings “Forward-Looking Statements” and “Operating and Financial Review and Prospects” before you decide to invest in our Class A Ordinary Shares. We are a holding company with substantial operations in China and are subject to a legal and regulatory environment that in many respects differs from the United States. If any of the following risks, or any other risks and uncertainties that are not presently foreseeable to us, actually occur, our business, financial condition, results of operations, liquidity and our future growth prospects could be materially and adversely affected.

 

Risks Related to Our Business Operations

 

We face risks related to health epidemics such as the COVID-19, and other outbreaks, which could significantly disrupt our operations and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

Our business could be materially and adversely affected by health epidemics such as the COVID-19 and other outbreaks affecting the PRC. Health epidemics may give rise to severe interruptions to public transportation and usual business operations, which could severely disrupt our operations. Our business operations depend on overall economy and demand for IT consulting and solutions service in Xiamen area, which could be disrupted by health epidemics. For example, our office had to shut down from February 3, 2020 to February 23, 2020. Public transportation services in Xiamen city were curtailed over COVID-19 concerns. For our tax devices and Services sector, we have to collect the service fee on-site from those customers who have not used our online payment platform, which may lead to a delay in collection. The number of our new customers decreased in February 2020. The COVID-19 outbreak may have the same impact on our IT services sector. As of the date of this prospectus, there is no clear sign of slow-down in our hardware and software sales.  In early December 2022, China announced a nationwide loosening of its zero-COVID policy, and the country may face a wave in infections after the lifting of these restrictions. The impact of COVID-19 pandemic still depends on the future developments of the pandemic, including new information concerning the global severity of and actions taken to contain the pandemic, or the appearance of new or more severe strains of the virus, which are highly uncertain and unpredictable. Therefore, while we do not expect the COVID-19 pandemic to negatively impacting our business, results of operations, and financial position, the related financial impact cannot be reasonably estimated at this time.

 

Our future revenues and growth prospects depend on the ACTCS pricing model mandated by the PRC government. If the PRC government continues to reduce the annual fee per user we are allowed to charge, our operations and revenues may be negatively impacted.

 

We sell ACTCS tax devices and provide ACTCS supporting services to our clients. The prices of GTD and annual service fees are regulated and subject to the State Tax Administration’s pricing mandates. In the past 20 years, the annual service fee has undergone three major adjustments -- from RMB 450 per year per user to RMB 370 per year per user, and then further reduced to RMB 330 per year per user. Most recently, the ACTCS annual service fee was again reduced to RMB 280 per year per user, according to the “Notice of the National Development and Reform Commission on Relevant Issues Concerning the Reduction of ACTCS Products and Maintenance Service Fee” (Development and Reform Commission Case [2017] No. 1243). According to relevant notice, the small-scale taxpayers for which sales amount did not exceed RMB 100,000 ($14,000) for each month are exempt from ACTCS or GTD technical service fee since 2019. Besides, the Company provides tax invoicing management services and charges service fee on an annual basis. The tax invoicing management service period is usually one year for RMB299. Tax invoicing management services is to host customers’ tax devices, provide training service on using Nuonuo, complete tax declaration automatically and back up data online. Since we do not control the pricing of the ACTCS services, we cannot guarantee our profit margin will be stable or we will make a profit on such services at all. We cannot guarantee that the annual service fee will not be further reduced, and therefore our revenues to be derived from ACTCS supporting services may be subject to significant fluctuation.

 

23

 

 

Our future revenues and growth prospects depend on the growth of new business entities in the Xiamen metropolitan areas, which is not within our control and the growth rate may decrease. As such, our operations and revenues may be negatively impacted.

 

The willingness of people to establish business entities in the Xiamen metropolitan areas is beyond our control. There are multiple reasons people may find appealing to establish a particular business in the Xiamen metropolitan areas, such as personal belief and volatility in the Chinese capital markets. To the extent that people are unwilling to establish new businesses in the Xiamen metropolitan area either due to political or economic climate, we will not be able to acquire new customers to our ACTCS services. Thus, our ability to generate revenue or operate profitably may be negatively impacted.

 

Increased use of electronic invoice will reduce the number of customers using our ACTCS services.

 

From 2018, the Chinese tax regulators have been rolling out the electronic invoicing system. Currently, electronic invoices are mostly used by businesses in the Fast Moving Consumer Goods (“FMCG”) industry such as fast food restaurants and coffee shops. The electronic invoices enable FMCG companies to apply for, issue, transfer and check the invoices through the unified online electronic invoice management system of Chinese tax authorities. Electronic invoices are very useful in helping business entities reduce operating costs and streamline service process, since they do not involve printing, storage and postage procedures. Businesses who use electronic invoices still need to purchase tax reporting devices such as GTD. But they will not need maintenance services. Currently, approximately 1.5% of our SME clients are FMCG business entities. According to relevant notice, small-scale taxpayers with sales amount not in excess of RMB 100,000 for each month are exempt from ACTCS or GTD technical service fee since 2019. From January 2021, new taxpayers in Xiamen could receive free tax Ukeys from the Tax authorities. The increased use of electronic invoices, the exemption of ACTCS technical service fee for small-scale taxpayers and free tax Ukeys for new taxpayers will reduce our annual service fee revenue and thus negatively affect our total revenue.

 

Future inflation in China may inhibit our ability to conduct business in China. 

 

During the past ten years, the Chinese economy has experienced periods of rapid expansion and highly fluctuating rates of inflation. During the past ten years, the rate of inflation in China has been as high as 3.3% and as low as 1.1%. These factors have led to the adoption by the Chinese government, from time to time, of various corrective measures designed to restrict the availability of credit or regulate growth and contain inflation. High inflation may in the future cause the Chinese government to impose controls on credit and/or prices, or to take other action, which could inhibit economic activity in China, and thereby harm the market for our products and our company.

 

The war in Ukraine and the Israel-Hamas war could materially and adversely affect our business and results of operations.

 

The war in Ukraine and the Israel-Hamas war have already affected global economic markets, including a dramatic increase in the price of oil and gas, and the uncertain resolution of this conflict could result in protracted and/or severe damage to the global economy. Russia’s war in Ukraine and the Israel-Hamas war have led to, and may lead to, additional sanctions being levied by the United States, European Union and other countries against Russia and the Hamas-aligned fundraising network. Russia’s military incursion, the escalation of the Israel-Hamas war and the resulting sanctions could adversely affect global energy and financial markets and thus could affect our customers’ businesses and our business, even though we do not have any direct exposure to Russia, Israel, Palestine or the adjoining geographic regions. The extent and duration of the wars, sanctions and resulting market disruptions are impossible to predict, but could be substantial. Any such disruptions caused by these wars or resulting sanctions may magnify the impact of other risks described herein. We cannot predict the progress or outcome of the situation in Ukraine, Israel, Palestine or the adjoining geographic regions, as the conflicts and governmental reactions are rapidly developing and beyond their control. Prolonged unrest, intensified military activities or more extensive sanctions impacting these regions could have a material adverse effect on the global economy, and such effect could in turn have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.

 

24

 

 

Increasing competition within our industry could have an impact on our business prospects.

 

While the VAT reporting service industry in China is a heavily regulated industry where new players must obtain approval by the relevant PRC government agencies before entering this industry, it is still highly possible that new competitors will enter into the market and have significantly greater financial and other resources than we have and may offer services that is more attractive and more advanced that we can provide for large business companies and SMEs. Thus, we anticipate increasing competition, which may have a negative impact on both our revenues and our profit margins.

 

Our IT services and hardware and software sales rely on evolving information technologies to maintain our competitiveness, and any failure to adapt to technological developments or industry trends could harm our business.

 

We depend upon the use of sophisticated information technologies and systems, including technologies and systems utilized for communications, procurement and administrative systems. As our operations grow in both size and scope, we continuously need to improve and upgrade our systems and infrastructure to offer an increasing number of clients enhanced products, services, features and functionality, while maintaining the reliability and integrity of our systems and infrastructure. Our future success in IT services and hardware and software sales also depends on our ability to adapt to rapidly changing technologies, particularly the increasing use of internet-based products and services, to change our services and infrastructure so they address evolving industry standards and to improve the performance, features and reliability of our services in response to competitive service and product offerings in the Chinese software markets and the evolving demands of the IT service markets. If there are technological impediments to introducing new technological products or maintaining current technologies or other products and services, or if these products and services do not meet the requirements of our clients’ evolving needs, our business, financial condition or results of operations may be adversely affected.

 

In addition, the emergence of competitors which may be able to optimize products, services or strategies that use advanced computing such as cloud computing, as well as other technological changes and developing technologies, such as machine learning and artificial intelligence, have, and will mandate us to make new and costly investments. Transitioning to new technologies may be disruptive to our resources and the services we provide, and may increase our reliance on third party service providers. We may not be successful or may be less successful than our current or new competitors, in developing technology that operates effectively across multiple devices and platforms and that is appealing to our customers, either of which would negatively affect our business and financial performance.

 

It is possible that, if we are not able to maintain existing systems, obtain new technologies and systems, or replace or introduce new technologies and systems as quickly as our competitors or in a cost-effective manner, our business and operations could be materially adversely affected. Also, we may not achieve the benefits anticipated or required from any new technology or system or be able to devote financial resources to new technologies and systems in the future.

 

We are dependent upon software, equipment and services provided by third parties.

 

We are dependent upon software, equipment and services provided and/or managed by third parties in the operation of our business. In the event that the performance of such software, equipment or services provided and/or managed by third parties deteriorates or our arrangements with any of these third parties related to the provision and/or management of software, equipment or services are terminated, we may not be able to find alternative services, equipment or software on a timely basis or on commercially reasonable terms, or at all, or be able to do so without significant cost or disruptions to our business, and our relationships with our customers may be adversely impacted.

  

25

 

 

A significant portion of our revenue is concentrated on a few large customers, and we do not have long-term service agreements with our key customers and rely upon our longstanding relationship with them. If we lose one or more of our customers, our results of operations may be adversely and materially impacted.

 

For the year ended December 31, 2023, one customer accounted for 18% of total Hitek’s revenues. For the year ended December 31, 2022, two customers accounted for 49% of total Hitek’s revenues, the larger of which accounted for 36%. Since we do not have long-term customer supply agreements with large customers and rely primarily upon our goodwill and reputation to sustain the business relationship, our results of operations may be adversely and materially impacted if one or more of these customers stop purchasing from us.

 

Extended payment terms may cause deferred payments or bad debts, which could negatively affect our business operations.

 

The Company gave a two-year credit period to large customers such as large-scale oil and coal mining groups. Their collection period is usually longer than other medium or small-sized companies. An extended credit period will have a potential risk of causing deferred payments or bad debts, which could negatively affect our business operations.

 

We source our retail hardware primarily from a limited number of suppliers. If we lose one or more of the suppliers, our operation may be disrupted, and our results of operations may be adversely and materially impacted.

 

For the year ended December 31, 2023, one supplier accounted for 12% of our total purchases. For the year ended December 31, 2022, four suppliers accounted for 16%, 15%, 13% and 11% of our total purchases, respectively. If we lose suppliers and are unable to swiftly engage new suppliers, our operations may be disrupted or suspended, and we may not be able to deliver hardware products to our customers on time. We may also have to pay a higher price to source from a different supplier on short notice. While we are actively searching for and negotiating with new suppliers, there is no guarantee that we will be able to locate appropriate new suppliers or supplier merger targets in our desired timeline. As such, our results of operations may be adversely and materially impacted.

  

We face the risk that a third party borrower may not repay the loans we made to it. An event of default could have a material adverse effect on our cash flow, results of operations and financial condition.

 

On January 21, 2022, March 28, 2022, and June 14, 2022, Hitek and Hitek, Beijing Baihengda Petroleum Technology Co., Ltd. (“Beijing Baihengda,” together with Hitek, the “Lenders”) and Guangxi Beihengda Mining Co., Ltd. (“Guangxi Beihengda,” or the “Borrower”) entered into three loan agreements with similar terms, pursuant to which the Lenders loaned RMB 40 million (approximately US$5.98 million with an exchange rate of 0.1494 as of June 30, 2022) (collectively, the “Loans”) to the Borrower at monthly interest of 1%. Each of Hitek and Baihengda funded RMB 20 million of the Loans (approximately US$2.99 million with an exchange rate of 0.1494 as of June 30, 2022).  As of the date of this prospectus, the aggregate outstanding principal amount of the Loans is RMB 37 million (approximately US $5.2 million with an exchange rate of 0.1409 as of December 31, 2023). All of the Loans have a two-year term. The Borrower can pre-pay the outstanding loan amount after 12 months without penalty. Pursuant to a mining right pledge agreement dated August 5, 2022 between Hitek, as representative of the Lenders, and the Borrower, the Loans are secured by the Borrower’s coal mining permit, issued by Bobai County Natural Resources Bureau, which grants the Borrower a 20-year mining rights for certain building granite mine in Daguang Village, Shuiming Town, Bobai County, Guangxi Province, for a production of 1.306 million cubic meters per year.

 

In the event the Borrower is unable to make full and timely payments of interest and principal on the Loans when due, our cash flow, results of operations and financial conditions may be adversely affected. In addition, there is risk that the mining property may decrease in value during the term of the Loans. In the event the underlying collateral value is less than the loan amount at the time of default, we will suffer a loss.

 

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We may need additional capital to fund our future operations and, if it is not available when needed, we may need to reduce our planned expansion and marketing efforts, which may reduce our revenue.

 

We believe our existing working capital and cash available from operations will enable us to meet our working capital requirements for at least the next 12 months. However, if cash from future operations is insufficient, or if cash is used for acquisitions or other currently unanticipated uses, we may need additional capital. As a result, we could be required to raise additional capital. To the extent we raise additional capital through the sale of equity or convertible debt securities, the issuance of such securities could result in dilution of the shares held by existing shareholders. If additional funds are raised through the issuance of debt or equity securities, such securities may provide the holders certain rights, preferences, and privileges senior to those of shareholders holding Class A Ordinary Shares, and the terms of any such debt securities could impose restrictions on our operations. We cannot assure you that additional capital, if required, will be available on acceptable terms, or at all. If we are unable to obtain sufficient amounts of additional capital, we may be required to reduce the scope of our planned product development and marketing efforts, which could harm our business, financial condition and operating results.

 

If we are unable to manage our anticipated growth effectively, our business could be adversely affected.

 

To develop our business, we need to hire and retain key managers and executives in all areas of our operations. Our future operating results depend largely on our ability to develop and manage expansion and growth successfully. For us to manage such growth, we must put in place legal and accounting systems, and implement human resource management and other tools. We have taken preliminary steps to put this structure in place. However, there is no assurance that we will be able to expand our business or successfully manage any growth that may result. Failure to expand our operations or manage our growth effectively could materially and adversely affect our ability to market our services in multiple venues.

 

Because we rely upon a third party to perform the payment processing for our clients, the failure or inability of the third party to provide these services could impair our ability to operate.

 

Because we do not possess an internal payment method, all payments by participants or customers are processed by third parties such as Alipay and WeChat Pay. The payment processing business is highly regulated, and subject to a number of risks that could materially and adversely affect their abilities to provide payment processing and escrow services to us, including:

 

  increased regulatory focus and the requirement that it comply with numerous complex and evolving laws, rules and regulations;
     
  increases in the costs to the third party, including fees charged by banks to process funds through the third parties, which could result in increased costs to us and to our participants;
     
  dissatisfaction with the third parties’ services;
     
  a decline in the use of the third parties’ services generally which could result in increases in costs to users such as us and our participants;
     
  the ability of the third parties to maintain adequate security procedures to prevent the hacking or other unauthorized access to account and other information provided by us and the participants who use the system;
     
  system failures or failure to effectively scale the system to handle large and growing transaction volumes;
     
  the failure or inability of the third parties to manage funds accurately or the loss of funds by the third parties, whether due to employee fraud, security breaches, technical errors or otherwise; and
     
  the failure or inability of these third parties to adequately manage business and regulatory risks.

 

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We rely on the convenience and ease of use that third party’s payment methods provide to our users. If the quality, utility, convenience or attractiveness of these payment services declines for any reason, the attractiveness of our services could be materially impaired. If we need to migrate to other third-party payment services for any reason, the transition could require considerable time and management resources, and the third-party payment services may not be as effective, efficient or well-received by our clients. Further, our clients may be reluctant to use a different payment system.

 

Our success depends substantially on the continued retention of certain key personnel and our ability to hire and retain qualified personnel in the future to support our growth and execute our business strategy.

 

If one or more of our senior executives or other key personnel are unable or unwilling to continue in their present positions, our business may be disrupted and our financial condition and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected. While we depend on the abilities and participation of our current management team generally, we rely particularly upon Mr. Shenping Yin, Chairman of the Board and Ms. Xiaoyang Huang, our Chief Executive Officer who is responsible for the development and implementation of our business plan. The loss of the services of Mr. Yin for any reason could significantly adversely impact our business and results of operations. Competition for senior management and senior technology personnel in the PRC is intense and the pool of qualified candidates is very limited. We cannot assure you that the services of our senior executives and other key personnel will continue to be available to us, or that we will be able to find a suitable replacement for them if they were to leave.

 

We may not be able to adequately protect our intellectual property rights, and our competitors may be able to offer similar products and services, which would harm our competitive position.

 

Our success depends in part upon our intellectual property rights. We rely primarily on copyright, trade secret laws, confidentiality procedures, license agreements and contractual provisions to establish and protect our proprietary rights over our products, procedures and services. Other persons could copy or otherwise obtain and use our technology without authorization or develop similar IP independently. We may also pursue the registration of our domain names, trademarks, and service marks in other jurisdictions, including the United States. However, the intellectual property laws in China are not considered as strong as comparable laws in the United States or the European Union. We cannot assure you that we will be able to protect our proprietary rights. Further, our competitors may be able to independently develop similar or more advanced technology, duplicate our products and services or design around any intellectual property rights we hold. Further, our intellectual property rights may be subject to termination or expirations. The loss of intellectual property protections or the inability to timely regain intellectual property protections could harm our business and ability to compete.

 

We have engaged in transactions with related parties, and such transactions present possible conflicts of interest that could have an adverse effect on our business and results of operations.

 

We entered into a number of transactions with related parties, including our significant shareholder and director. For example, we entered into several transactions with Beijing Zhongzhe Yuantong Technology Co., Ltd. which is under common control with one minority shareholder of Hitek or business entities affiliated with or owned by Chairman, Shenping Yin, where we have sales revenues or have advances from these entities. See “Related Party Transactions”. We may in the future enter into additional transactions with entities in which members of our board of directors and other related parties hold ownership interests.

 

Transactions with related parties present potential for conflicts of interest, as the interests of related party may not align with the interests of our shareholders. Although we believe these transactions were in our best interests, we cannot assure you that these transactions were entered into on terms as favorable to us as those that could have been obtained in an arms-length transaction. We may also engage in transactions with related parties in the future. Conflicts of interests arise when we transact business with related parties. These transactions, individually or in the aggregate, may have an adverse effect on our business and results of operations or may result in government enforcement actions or other litigation.

 

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Risks Relating to Our Corporate Structure

 

We do not have direct ownership of our operating entities in China, but have control rights and the rights to the assets, property, and revenue of Hitek and its subsidiaries through VIE Agreements, which may not be effective in providing control over Hitek.

 

We do not have direct ownership of our operating entities in China but have control rights and the rights to the assets, property, and revenue of Hitek and its subsidiaries through VIE Agreements. All of our current revenue and net income is derived from Hitek, the VIE in China. Foreign ownership of internet technology businesses, such as distribution of online information, is subject to restrictions under current PRC laws and regulations. For example, foreign investors are not allowed to own more than 50% of the equity interests in a value-added telecommunication service provider (except e-commerce) and any such foreign investor must have experience in providing value-added telecommunications services overseas and maintain a good track record in accordance with the Special Administrative Measures for Entrance of Foreign Investment (Negative List) (2020 Version) promulgated on June 23, 2020 and effective on July 23, 2020, respectively, and other applicable laws and regulations.

 

To comply with PRC laws and regulations, we do not intend to have an equity ownership interest in Hitek but rely on VIE Agreements with Hitek to control and operate its business. However, as discussed above, these VIE Agreements may not be effective under PRC laws in providing us with the necessary control over Hitek and its operations. Any deficiency in these VIE Agreements may result in our loss of control over the management and operations of Hitek, which will result in a significant loss in the value of an investment in our company. Because of the practical restrictions on direct foreign equity ownership imposed by the Fujian provincial government authorities, we must rely on contractual rights through the VIE structure to effect control over and management of Hitek, which exposes us to the risk of potential breach of contract by the shareholders of Hitek. In addition, as our Chairman of the Board Mr. Yin and his wife Ms. Xiaoyang Huang, our Chief Executive Officer, holds 29.83% and 44.74% of Hitek’s outstanding equity, it may be difficult for us to change our corporate structure if such shareholders refuse to cooperate with us.

 

Because we are an offshore holding company and our business was conducted through VIE Agreements with Hitek, the VIE in China, if we fail to comply with applicable PRC law, we could be subject to severe penalties and our business could be adversely affected.

 

We are an offshore holding company incorporated in the Cayman Islands. As a holding company with no material operations, our operations were conducted in China by our subsidiaries and through VIE Agreements with Hitek, the VIE in China, the equity of which is owned by Xiaoyang Huang, Shenping Yin, Bo Shi, Zhishuang Wang, Liuqing Huang, Jingru Li, Mian Tang, Ce Tian, Xianfeng Lin, Inner Mongolia Guangxin Investment Co., Ltd. and Baotou Zhongzhe Hengtong Technology Co., Ltd. through VIE Agreements, as a result of which, under United States generally accepted accounting principles, the assets and liabilities of Hitek are treated as our assets and liabilities and the results of operations of Hitek are treated in all respects as if they were the results of our operations. There are uncertainties regarding the interpretation and application of PRC laws, rules and regulations, including but not limited to the laws, rules and regulations governing the validity and enforcement of the VIE Agreements between WFOE and Hitek.

 

The Provisions Regarding Mergers and Acquisitions of Domestic Projects by Foreign Investors (the “M&A Rules”) requires an overseas special purpose vehicle that are controlled by PRC companies or individuals formed for the purpose of seeking a public listing on an overseas stock exchange through acquisitions of PRC domestic companies using shares of such special purpose vehicle or held by its shareholders as considerations to obtain the approval of the China Securities Regulatory Commission, or the CSRC, prior to the listing and trading of such special purpose vehicle’s securities on an overseas stock exchange. However, the application of the M&A Rules remains unclear. If CSRC approval is required for future public offerings in the U.S., it is uncertain whether it would be possible for us to obtain such approval. Any failure to obtain or delay in obtaining CSRC approval for future public offerings in the U.S. would subject us to sanctions imposed by the CSRC and other PRC regulatory agencies.

 

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Furthermore, regulatory requirements on cybersecurity, data security and data privacy in China are evolving and are subject to varying interpretations or significant changes, resulting in uncertainties about the scope of Hitek’s responsibilities in that regard. On June 10, 2021, the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress promulgated the PRC Data Security Law, which took effect September 1, 2021. The Data Security Law provides for a security review procedure for the data activities that may affect national security. Furthermore, Measures for Cybersecurity Review, which became effective on June 1, 2020, set forth the cybersecurity review mechanism for critical information infrastructure operators, and provided that critical information infrastructure operators who intend to purchase internet products and services that affect or may affect national security shall be subject to a cybersecurity review. On December 28, 2021, the CAC published the CAC Revised Measures which further restates and expands the applicable scope of the cybersecurity review. The CAC Revised Measures took effect on February 15, 2022. Pursuant to the CAC Revised Measures, if a network platform operator holding personal information of over one million users seeks for “foreign” listing, it must apply for the cybersecurity review, and operators of critical information infrastructure purchasing network products and services are also obligated to apply for the cybersecurity review for such purchasing activities. In July 2022, the CAC promulgated the Measures on Security Assessment of Cross-border Data Transfer, which became effective on September 1, 2022. These measures outline the requirements and procedures for security assessments on export of Important Data or personal information collected or generated within the territory of mainland China. Furthermore, these measures provide that the security assessment shall combine pre-assessment and continuous supervision, and risk self-assessment and security assessment to prevent data export security risks. Specifically, security assessment is required before any cross-border data can be transferred out of mainland China if: (i) the data transferred out of mainland China is Important Data; (ii) the data processor is a critical information infrastructure operator or data processor that processes personal information of more than one million individuals; (iii) cross-border data transfer of personal information by a data processor who has made cross-border transfer of aggregately more than 100,000 individuals’ personal information or more than 10,000 individuals’ sensitive personal information since January 1st of the previous year; or (iv) otherwise required by the CAC.

 

Although the CAC Revised Measures provides no further explanation on the extent of “network platform operator” and “foreign” listing, we do not believe we are obligated to apply for a cybersecurity review pursuant to the CAC Revised Measures and security assessment for outbound data, considering that (i) we are not in possession of or otherwise holding any Important Data; (ii) we are not in possession of or otherwise holding personal information of over one million users and it is also very unlikely that we will reach such threshold in the near future; and (iii) as of the date of this prospectus, we have not received any notice or determination from applicable PRC governmental authorities identifying it as a critical information infrastructure operator. That being said, considering that the CAC Revised Measures empowers the cybersecurity review office to initiate cybersecurity review when they believe any particular data processing activities “affect or may affect national security”, and it is uncertain whether the competent government authorities will deem that Hitek’s data processing activities may affect national security and thus initiating the cybersecurity review against Hitek’s businesses. Failure of cybersecurity, data privacy and data security compliance could subject Hitek to penalties, damage its reputation and brand, and harm its business and results of operations.

 

If WFOE, Hitek or their ownership structure or the VIE Agreements are determined to be in violation of any existing or future PRC laws, rules or regulations, or WFOE or Hitek fails to obtain or maintain any of the required governmental permits or approvals, the relevant PRC regulatory authorities would have broad discretion in dealing with such violations, including:

 

revoking the business and operating licenses of WFOE or Hitek;

 

discontinuing or restricting the operations of WFOE or Hitek;

 

imposing conditions or requirements with which we, WFOE, or Hitek may not be able to comply;

 

requiring us, WFOE, or Hitek to restructure the relevant ownership structure or operations which may significantly impair the rights of the holders of our Class A Ordinary Shares in the equity of Hitek;

 

restricting or prohibiting our use of the proceeds from our initial public offering to finance our business and operations in China; and

 

imposing fines.

 

We cannot assure you that the PRC courts or regulatory authorities may not determine that our corporate structure and VIE Agreements violate PRC laws, rules or regulations. If the PRC courts or regulatory authorities determine that our contractual arrangements are in violation of applicable PRC laws, rules or regulations, the VIE Agreements will become invalid or unenforceable, and Hitek will not be treated as a VIE entity and we will not be entitled to treat Hitek’s assets, liabilities and results of operations as our assets, liabilities and results of operations, which could effectively eliminate the assets, revenue and net income of Hitek from our balance sheet, which would most likely require us to cease conducting our business and would result in the delisting of our Class A Ordinary Shares from Nasdaq Capital Market and a significant impairment in the market value of our Class A Ordinary Shares.

 

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We may have difficulty in enforcing any rights we may have under the VIE Agreements in PRC.

 

As all of the VIE Agreements with Hitek are governed by the PRC laws and provide for the resolution of disputes through arbitration in the PRC, they would be interpreted in accordance with PRC law and any disputes would be resolved in accordance with PRC legal procedures. The legal environment in the PRC is not as developed as in the United States. As a result, uncertainties in the PRC legal system could further limit our ability to enforce these VIE Agreements. Furthermore, these VIE Agreements may not be enforceable in China if PRC government authorities or courts take a view that such VIE Agreements contravene PRC laws and regulations or are otherwise not enforceable for public policy reasons. In the event we are unable to enforce these VIE Agreements, we may not be able to exert effective control over Hitek, and our ability to conduct our business may be materially and adversely affected.

 

The approval of the China Securities Regulatory Commission and other compliance procedures may be required in connection with the offering of our securities in the U.S., and, if required, we cannot predict whether we will be able to obtain such approval. As a result, both you and we face uncertainty about future actions by PRC regulatory authorities that could significantly affect the operating company’s financial performance and the enforceability of the VIE Agreements. 

 

The Provisions Regarding Mergers and Acquisitions of Domestic Projects by Foreign Investors (the “M&A Rules”) require an overseas special purpose vehicle that are controlled by PRC companies or individuals formed for the purpose of seeking a public listing on an overseas stock exchange through acquisitions of PRC domestic companies using shares of such special purpose vehicle or held by its shareholders as considerations to obtain the approval of the China Securities Regulatory Commission, or the CSRC, prior to the listing and trading of such special purpose vehicle’s securities on an overseas stock exchange. However, the application of the M&A Rules remains unclear. If CSRC approval is required for any of our future offerings in the U.S., it is uncertain whether it would be possible for us to obtain the approval. Any failure to obtain or delay in obtaining CSRC approval for our future offerings in the U.S. would subject us to sanctions imposed by the CSRC and other PRC regulatory agencies.

 

The General Office of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the General Office of the State Council jointly issued the Opinions on Severe and Lawful Crackdown on Illegal Securities Activities, which was available to the public on July 6, 2021. These opinions emphasized the need to strengthen the administration over illegal securities activities and the supervision on overseas listings by China-based companies. These opinions proposed to take effective measures, such as promoting the construction of relevant regulatory systems, to deal with the risks and incidents facing China-based overseas-listed companies and the demand for cybersecurity and data privacy protection. The aforementioned policies and any related implementation rules to be enacted may subject us to additional compliance requirement in the future. As of the date of this prospectus, we have not received or denied any permission from the PRC authorities regarding our listing on the Nasdaq Capital Market.  As these opinions were recently issued, official guidance and interpretation of the opinions remain unclear in several respects at this time. Therefore, we cannot assure you that we will remain fully compliant with all new regulatory requirements of these opinions or any future implementation rules on a timely basis, or at all. We face uncertainty about future actions by the PRC government that could significantly affect the operating company’s financial performance and the enforceability of the VIE Agreements.

 

On February 17, 2023, the CSRC promulgated the Trial Administrative Measures of Overseas Securities Offering and Listing by Domestic Companies, or the Trial Measures, and five supporting guidelines, which came into effect on March 31, 2023. Pursuant to the Trial Measures, domestic companies that seek to offer or list securities overseas, both directly and indirectly, shall complete filing procedures with the CSRC pursuant to the requirements of the Trial Measures within three working days following its submission of initial public offerings or listing application. If a domestic company fails to complete required filing procedures or conceals any material fact or falsifies any major content in its filing documents, such domestic company may be subject to administrative penalties, such as order to rectify, warnings, fines, and its controlling shareholders, actual controllers, the person directly in charge and other directly liable persons may also be subject to administrative penalties, such as warnings and fines. See “Regulations—M&A Rules and Overseas Listings.”

 

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On February 24, 2023, the CSRC, together with Ministry of Finance of the PRC, National Administration of State Secrets Protection and National Archives Administration of China, revised the Provisions on Strengthening Confidentiality and Archives Administration for Overseas Securities Offering and Listing which was issued by the CSRC, National Administration of State Secrets Protection and National Archives Administration of China in 2009, or the Provisions. The revised Provisions is issued under the title the Provisions on Strengthening Confidentiality and Archives Administration of Overseas Securities Offering and Listing by Domestic Companies, and came into effect on March 31, 2023 together with the Trial Measures. One of the major revisions to the revised Provisions is expanding its application to cover indirect overseas offering and listing, as is consistent with the Trial Measures. The revised Provisions require that, including but not limited to (a) a domestic company that plans to, either directly or indirectly through its overseas listed entity, publicly disclose or provide to relevant individuals or entities including securities companies, securities service providers and overseas regulators, any documents and materials that contain state secrets or working secrets of government agencies, shall first obtain approval from competent authorities according to law, and file with the secrecy administrative department at the same level; and (b) domestic company that plans to, either directly or indirectly through its overseas listed entity, publicly disclose or provide to relevant individuals and entities including securities companies, securities service providers and overseas regulators, any other documents and materials that, if leaked, will be detrimental to national security or public interest, shall strictly fulfill relevant procedures stipulated by applicable national regulations. 

 

Any failure or perceived failure by the Company, the Company’s subsidiaries in China or the VIE to comply with the above confidentiality and archives administration requirements under the revised Provisions and other PRC laws and regulations may result in that the relevant entities would be held legally liable by competent authorities, and referred to the judicial organ to be investigated for criminal liability if suspected of committing a crime. As there are still uncertainties regarding the interpretation and implementation of such regulatory guidance, we cannot assure you that we will be able to comply with new regulatory requirements relating to our future overseas capital-raising activities. Notwithstanding the foregoing, as of the date of this prospectus, we are not aware of any Chinese laws or regulations in effect requiring that we obtain permission from any Chinese authority to issue securities to foreign investors, and we have not received any inquiry, notice, warning, sanction or any regulatory objection to our initial public offering from the CSRC. 

 

As advised by Jingtian & Gongcheng, our PRC counsel, as our post-effective amendment to the registration statement on Form F-1 for our IPO was declared effective on March 30, 2023 and we completed our IPO and listing prior to September 30, 2023, we were not required to complete the filing procedures pursuant to the Trial Measures for our initial public offering. However, as we are planning to conduct further public offerings in the U.S., we are now required to complete the filing procedures with the CSRC pursuant to the requirements of the Trial Measures. Based on the above and our understanding of the Chinese laws and regulations currently in effect as of the date of this prospectus, we are not aware of any PRC laws or regulations in effect requiring that we obtain permission or approval from any PRC authorities for our subsidiaries or the VIE’s operations and to issue securities to foreign investors, and we have not received any inquiry, notice, warning, sanction, or any regulatory objection to our initial offerings from the CSRC, the CAC, or any other PRC authorities that have jurisdiction over our operations.  However, there remains uncertainty as to the enactment, interpretation and implementation of regulatory requirements related to overseas securities offerings and other capital markets activities. Any failure to obtain or delay in obtaining such approval, complete required filing or procedures, or a rescission of any such approval or filing obtained by us, would subject us to sanctions by the CSRC or other PRC regulatory authorities. These regulatory agencies may impose fines and penalties on our operations in mainland China, limit our ability to pay dividends outside of China, limit our operations in China, delay or restrict the repatriation of the proceeds from our initial public offering into mainland China or take other actions that could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects, as well as the trading price of the Class A Ordinary Shares. In addition, if the CSRC, or other regulatory agencies later promulgate new rules requiring that we obtain their approvals for our initial public offering, we may be unable to obtain a waiver of such approval requirements, if and when procedures are established to obtain such a waiver. Any uncertainties and/or negative publicity regarding such an approval requirement could have a material adverse effect on the trading price of the Class A Ordinary Shares.

 

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PRC laws and regulations governing our current business operations are sometimes vague and uncertain and any changes in such laws and regulations may impair our ability to operate profitable.

 

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

 

On July 6, 2021, the General Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the General Office of the State Council jointly issued a document to crack down on illegal activities in the securities market and promote the high-quality development of the capital market, which, among other things, requires the relevant governmental authorities to strengthen cross-border oversight of law-enforcement and judicial cooperation, to enhance supervision over China-based companies listed overseas, and to establish and improve the system of extraterritorial application of the PRC securities laws. Since this document is relatively new, uncertainties still exist in relation to how soon legislative or administrative regulation making bodies will respond and what existing or new laws or regulations or detailed implementations and interpretations will be modified or promulgated, if any, and the potential impact such modified or new laws and regulations will have on companies like us.

 

Regulations relating to offshore investment activities by PRC residents may limit our ability to acquire PRC companies and could adversely affect our business.

 

In July 2014, State Administration of Foreign Exchange, or SAFE, promulgated the Circular on Issues Concerning Foreign Exchange Administration Over the Overseas Investment and Financing and Roundtrip Investment by Domestic Residents Via Special Purpose Vehicles, or Circular 37, which replaced Relevant Issues Concerning Foreign Exchange Control on Domestic Residents’ Corporate Financing and Roundtrip Investment through Offshore Special Purpose Vehicles, or Circular 75. Circular 37 requires PRC residents to register with local branches of SAFE in connection with their direct establishment or indirect control of an offshore entity, referred to in Circular 37 as a “special purpose vehicle” for the purpose of holding domestic or offshore assets or interests. Circular 37 further requires amendment to a PRC resident’s registration in the event of any significant changes with respect to the special purpose vehicle, such as an increase or decrease in the capital contributed by PRC individuals, share transfer or exchange, merger, division or other material event. Under these regulations, PRC residents’ failure to comply with specified registration procedures may result in restrictions being imposed on the foreign exchange activities of the relevant PRC entity, including the payment of dividends and other distributions to its offshore parent, as well as restrictions on capital inflows from the offshore entity to the PRC entity, including restrictions on its ability to contribute additional capital to Company’s subsidiaries in China or the VIE. Further, failure to comply with the SAFE registration requirements could result in penalties under PRC law for evasion of foreign exchange regulations.

 

Mr. Shenping Yin and Ms. Xiaoyang Huang, together with ten other PRC residents, who are our beneficial owners, filed applications for Circular 37 registration, and our PRC counsel believes there is no substantial legal impediment to the registration of the aforementioned beneficial owners’ Circular 37 registration. As the promulgation of Circular 37 is relatively recent, it is unclear how these regulations will be interpreted and implemented. We cannot assure you that our ultimate shareholders who are PRC residents will in the future provide sufficient supporting documents required by the SAFE or complete the required registration with the SAFE in a timely manner, or at all. Any failure by any of our shareholders who is a PRC resident, or is controlled by a PRC resident, to comply with relevant requirements under these regulations could subject us to fines or sanctions imposed by the PRC government, including restrictions on our overseas or cross-border investment activities, restrictions on WFOE’s ability to pay dividends or make distributions to us and on our ability to increase our investment in WFOE.

 

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Although we believe that our agreements relating to our structure are in compliance with current PRC regulations, we cannot assure you that the PRC government would agree that these VIE Agreements comply with PRC licensing, registration or other regulatory requirements, with existing policies or with requirements or policies that may be adopted in the future.

 

Uncertainties exist with respect to the interpretation and implementation of the Foreign Investment Law and how it may impact the viability of our current corporate structure, corporate governance and business operations.

 

On March 15, 2019, the National People’s Congress approved the Foreign Investment Law (“FIL”), which came into effect on January 1, 2020 and replaced the trio of existing laws regulating foreign investment in China, namely, the Sino-foreign Equity Joint Venture Enterprise Law, the Sino-foreign Cooperative Joint Venture Enterprise Law and the Wholly Foreign-invested Enterprise Law, together with their implementation rules and ancillary regulations. The FIL embodies an expected PRC regulatory trend to rationalize its foreign investment regulatory regime in line with prevailing international practice and the legislative efforts to unify the corporate legal requirements for both foreign and domestic investments. However, since it is relatively new, uncertainties exist in relation to its interpretation and implementation. For instance, under the FIL, “foreign investment’’ refers to the investment activities directly or indirectly conducted by foreign individuals, companies or other entities in China. Though it does not explicitly classify VIE Agreements as a form of foreign investment, there is no assurance that operations conducted by foreign investors or foreign-invested companies via contractual arrangement would not be interpreted as a type of indirect foreign investment activities under the definition in the future. In addition, the definition contains a catch-all provision which includes investments made by foreign investors through means stipulated in laws or administrative regulations or other methods prescribed by the State Council. Therefore, it still leaves leeway for future laws, administrative regulations or provisions promulgated by the Stale Council to provide for VIE Agreements as a form of foreign investment. In any of these cases, it will be uncertain whether the VIE Agreements will be deemed to be in violation of the market access requirements for foreign investment under the PRC laws and regulations. Furthermore, if future laws, administrative regulations or provisions prescribed by the State Council mandate further actions to be taken by companies with respect to existing VIE Agreements, we may face substantial uncertainties as to whether we can complete such actions in a timely manner, or at all. Failure to take timely and appropriate measures to cope with any of these or similar regulatory compliance challenges could materially and adversely affect our current corporate structure, corporate governance and business operations

 

Risks Relating to Doing Business in the PRC

 

Although the audit report included in this prospectus is prepared by U.S. auditors which are currently inspected by the PCAOB, there is no guarantee that future audit reports will be prepared by auditors inspected by the PCAOB and, as such, in the future investors may be deprived of the benefits of such inspection. Furthermore, trading in our securities may be prohibited under the HFCA Act, as Amended, if the SEC subsequently determines our audit work is performed by auditors that the PCAOB is unable to inspect or investigate completely for two consecutive years, and as a result, U.S. national securities exchanges, such as the Nasdaq, may determine to delist our securities.

 

As an auditor of companies that are registered with the SEC and publicly traded in the U.S. and a firm registered with the PCAOB, our auditor is required under the laws of the U.S. to undergo regular inspections by the PCAOB to assess their compliance with the laws of the U.S. and professional standards.

 

Our auditor, the independent registered public accounting firm that issues the audit report included elsewhere in this prospectus, as an auditor of companies that are traded publicly in the U.S. and a firm registered with the PCAOB, is subject to laws in the U.S. pursuant to which the PCAOB conducts regular inspections to assess its compliance with the applicable professional standards. Our auditor is currently subject to PCAOB inspections and PCAOB is able to inspect our auditor. However, we cannot assure you whether Nasdaq or regulatory authorities would apply additional and more stringent criteria to us after considering the effectiveness of our auditor’s audit procedures and quality control procedures, adequacy of personnel and training, or sufficiency of resources, geographic reach or experience as it relates to the audit of our financial statements

 

On May 20, 2020, the U.S. Senate passed the HFCA Act, which includes requirements for the SEC to identify issuers whose audit work is performed by auditors that the PCAOB is unable to inspect or investigate completely because of a restriction imposed by a non-U.S. authority in the auditor’s local jurisdiction. The U.S. House of Representatives passed the HFCA Act on December 2, 2020, and the HFCA Act was signed into law on December 18, 2020.

 

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On March 24, 2021, the SEC adopted interim final rules relating to the implementation of certain disclosure and documentation requirements of the HFCA Act. We would be required to comply with these rules if the SEC identifies us as having a “non-inspection” year (as defined in the interim final rules) under a process to be subsequently established by the SEC. The SEC was assessing how to implement other requirements of the HFCA Act, including the listing and trading prohibition requirements described above.

 

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

 

On December 2, 2021, the SEC issued amendments to finalize rules implementing the submission and disclosure requirements in the HFCA Act. The rules apply to registrants that the SEC identifies as having filed a prospectus with an audit report issued by a registered public accounting firm located in a foreign jurisdiction and that PCAOB is unable to inspect or investigate completely because of a position taken by an authority in foreign jurisdictions.

 

On December 16, 2021, SEC announced that the PCAOB designated China and Hong Kong as the jurisdictions where the PCAOB is not allowed to conduct full and complete audit inspections as mandated under the HFCA Act.

 

On August 26, 2022, the CSRC, the MOF, and the PCAOB signed the Protocol, governing inspections and investigations of audit firms based in mainland China and Hong Kong, taking the first step toward opening access for the PCAOB to inspect and investigate registered public accounting firms headquartered in mainland China and Hong Kong. Pursuant to the fact sheet with respect to the Protocol disclosed by the SEC the PCAOB shall have independent discretion to select any issuer audits for inspection or investigation and has the unfettered ability to transfer information to the SEC.

 

On December 15, 2022, the PCAOB Board determined the PCAOB was able to secure complete access to inspect and investigate registered public accounting firms headquartered in mainland China and Hong Kong and voted to vacate its previous determinations to the contrary.

 

On December 29, 2022, the Consolidated Appropriations Act was signed into law by President Biden, which amended the HFCA Act by requiring the SEC to prohibit an issuer’s securities from trading on any U.S. stock exchanges if its auditor is not subject to PCAOB inspections for two consecutive years instead of three, thus reducing the time period for triggering the prohibition on trading. 

 

However, should PRC authorities obstruct or otherwise fail to facilitate the PCAOB’s access in the future, the PCAOB Board will consider the need to issue a new determination. Delisting of our Class A Ordinary Shares would force holders of our Class A Ordinary Shares to sell their Class A Ordinary Shares. The market price of our Class A Ordinary Shares could be adversely affected as a result of anticipated negative impacts of these executive or legislative actions upon, as well as negative investor sentiment towards, companies with significant operations in China that are listed in the U.S., regardless of whether these executive or legislative actions are implemented and regardless of our actual operating performance.

 

The recent joint statement by the SEC, proposed rule changes submitted by Nasdaq, and an act passed by the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives, all call for additional and more stringent criteria to be applied to emerging market companies. These developments could add uncertainties to our offering, business operations, share price and reputation.

 

U.S. public companies that have substantially all of their operations in China have been the subject of intense scrutiny, criticism and negative publicity by investors, financial commentators and regulatory agencies, such as the SEC. Much of the scrutiny, criticism and negative publicity has centered on financial and accounting irregularities and mistakes, a lack of effective internal controls over financial reporting, inadequate corporate governance policies or a lack of adherence thereto and, in many cases, allegations of fraud.

 

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On December 7, 2018, the SEC and the PCAOB issued a joint statement highlighting continued challenges faced by the U.S. regulators in their oversight of financial statement audits of U.S.-listed companies with significant operations in China. On April 21, 2020, SEC Chairman Jay Clayton and PCAOB Chairman William D. Duhnke III, along with other senior SEC staff, released a joint statement highlighting the risks associated with investing in companies based in or have substantial operations in emerging markets including China, reiterating past SEC and PCAOB statements on matters including the difficulty associated with inspecting accounting firms and audit work papers in China and higher risks of fraud in emerging markets and the difficulty of bringing and enforcing SEC, Department of Justice and other U.S. regulatory actions, including in instances of fraud, in emerging markets generally.

 

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

 

On May 21, 2021, Nasdaq filed three proposals with the SEC to (i) apply minimum offering size requirement for companies primarily operating in a “Restrictive Market”, (ii) prohibit Restrictive Market companies from directly listing on Nasdaq Capital Market, and only permit them to list on Nasdaq Global Select or Nasdaq Global Market in connection with a direct listing and (iii) apply additional and more stringent criteria to an applicant or listed company based on the qualifications of the company’s auditors.

 

As discussed in the previous risk factor, our Class A Ordinary Shares are subject to the risk of being delisted under the HFCA Act and the Consolidated Appropriations Act, in the event that PCAOB determines it is unable to inspect or investigate completely our auditor because of a position taken by an authority in a foreign jurisdiction for two consecutive years. The PCAOB Board determined, on December 15, 2022, that it was able to secure complete access to inspect and investigate registered public accounting firms headquartered in mainland China and Hong Kong and voted to vacate its previous determinations to the contrary. However, should PRC authorities obstruct or otherwise fail to facilitate the PCAOB’s access in the future, the PCAOB Board will consider the need to issue a new determination. 

 

As a result of this scrutiny, criticism and negative publicity, the publicly traded stock of many U.S. listed Chinese companies sharply decreased in value and, in some cases, became virtually worthless. Many of these companies are now subject to shareholder lawsuits and SEC enforcement actions and are conducting internal and external investigations into the allegations. It is not clear what effect this sector-wide scrutiny, criticism and negative publicity will have on us, our offering, business and our share price. If we become the subject of any unfavorable allegations, whether such allegations are proven to be true or untrue, we will have to expend significant resources to investigate such allegations and/or defend our company. This situation will be costly and time consuming and distract our management from developing our growth. If such allegations are not proven to be groundless, we and our business operations will be severely affected and you could sustain a significant decline in the value of our share.

 

Nasdaq may apply additional and more stringent criteria for our continued listing because we plan to have a small public offering and our insiders will hold a large portion of our listed securities.

 

Nasdaq Listing Rule 5101 provides Nasdaq with broad discretionary authority over the initial and continued listing of securities in Nasdaq and Nasdaq may use such discretion to deny initial listing, apply additional or more stringent criteria for the initial or continued listing of particular securities, or suspend or delist particular securities based on any event, condition, or circumstance that exists or occurs that makes initial or continued listing of the securities on Nasdaq inadvisable or unwarranted in the opinion of Nasdaq, even though the securities meet all enumerated criteria for initial or continued listing on Nasdaq. In addition, Nasdaq has used its discretion to deny initial or continued listing or to apply additional and more stringent criteria in the instances, including but not limited to: (i) where the company engaged an auditor that has not been subject to an inspection by PCAOB, an auditor that PCAOB cannot inspect, or an auditor that has not demonstrated sufficient resources, geographic reach, or experience to adequately perform the company’s audit; (ii) where the company planned a small public offering, which would result in insiders holding a large portion of the company’s listed securities. Nasdaq was concerned that the offering size was insufficient to establish the company’s initial valuation, and there would not be sufficient liquidity to support a public market for the company; and (iii) where the company did not demonstrate sufficient nexus to the U.S. capital market, including having no U.S. shareholders, operations, or members of the board of directors or management. Our public float is relatively small and the insiders of our Company hold a large portion of the company’s listed securities. Therefore, we may be subject to the additional and more stringent criteria of Nasdaq for our continued listing.

 

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It may be difficult for overseas shareholders and/or regulators to conduct investigation or collect evidence within China.

 

Shareholder claims or regulatory investigation that are common in the U.S. generally are difficult to pursue as a matter of law or practicality in China. For example, in China, there are significant legal and other obstacles to providing information needed for regulatory investigations or litigation initiated outside China. Although the authorities in China may establish a regulatory cooperation mechanism with the securities regulatory authorities of another country or region to implement cross-border supervision and administration, such cooperation with the securities regulatory authorities in the U.S. may not be efficient in the absence of mutual and practical cooperation mechanism. Furthermore, according to Article 177 of the PRC Securities Law, or Article 177, which became effective in March 2020, no overseas securities regulator is allowed to directly conduct investigation or evidence collection activities within the territory of the PRC. While detailed interpretation of or implementation rules under Article 177 have yet to be promulgated, the inability for an overseas securities regulator to directly conduct investigation or evidence collection activities within China may further increase difficulties faced by you in protecting your interests. 

 

Our principal business operation is conducted in the PRC. If U.S. regulators carry out an investigation of us and there is a need to conduct investigation or collect evidence within the territory of the PRC, the U.S. regulators may not be able to carry out such investigation or evidence collection directly in the PRC under the PRC laws. The U.S. regulators may consider cross-border cooperation with securities regulatory authority of the PRC by way of judicial assistance, diplomatic channels or regulatory cooperation mechanism established with the securities regulatory authority of the PRC.

 

Because we are a Cayman Islands exempted company and all of our business is conducted in the PRC, you may be unable to bring an action against us or our officers and directors or to enforce any judgment you may obtain.

 

We are a company incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands, we conduct substantially all of our operations in China, and substantially all of our assets are located in China. In addition, all our senior executive officers reside within China for a significant portion of the time and are all PRC nationals. As a result, it may be difficult for our shareholders to effect service of process upon us or those persons in the Cayman Islands or in China. In addition, China does not have treaties providing for the reciprocal recognition and enforcement of judgments of courts with the Cayman Islands and many other countries and regions. Therefore, recognition and enforcement in China of judgments of a court in any of these non-PRC jurisdictions in relation to any matter not subject to a binding arbitration provision may be difficult or impossible. See “Enforceability of Civil Liabilities.”

 

Shareholder claims that are common in the U.S. including securities law class actions and fraud claims, generally are difficult to pursue as a matter of law or practicality in China. For example, in China, there are significant legal and other obstacles to obtaining information needed for shareholder investigations or litigation outside China or otherwise with respect to foreign entities. Although the local authorities in China may establish a regulatory cooperation mechanism with the securities regulatory authorities of another country or region to implement cross-border supervision and administration, such regulatory cooperation with the securities regulatory authorities in the Unities States have not been efficient in the absence of mutual and practical cooperation mechanism. According to Article 177 of the PRC Securities Law which became effective in March 2020, no overseas securities regulator is allowed to directly conduct investigation or evidence collection activities within the territory of the PRC.

 

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In addition, our corporate affairs are governed by our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, the Companies Act or the common law of the Cayman Islands. The rights of shareholders to take action against the directors, actions by minority shareholders and the fiduciary responsibilities of our directors to us under Cayman Islands law are to a large extent governed by the common law of the Cayman Islands. The common law of the Cayman Islands is derived in part from comparatively limited judicial precedent in the Cayman Islands as well as from English common law, the decisions of whose courts are of persuasive authority, but are not binding on a court in the Cayman Islands. The rights of our shareholders and the fiduciary responsibilities of our directors under Cayman Islands law are different from statutes or judicial precedent in some jurisdictions in the U.S.. In particular, the Cayman Islands has a different body of securities laws as compared to the U.S.. In addition, Cayman Islands companies may not have standing to initiate a shareholder derivative action in a Federal court of the U.S..

 

We have been advised by our Cayman Islands legal counsel, Maples and Calder (Cayman) LLP, that the courts of the Cayman Islands are unlikely (i) to recognize or enforce against us judgments of courts of the U.S. predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the federal securities laws of the U.S. or any state; and (ii) in original actions brought in the Cayman Islands, to impose liabilities against us predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the federal securities laws of the U.S. or any state, so far as the liabilities imposed by those provisions are penal in nature. In those circumstances, although there is no statutory enforcement in the Cayman Islands of judgments obtained in the U.S., the courts of the Cayman Islands will recognize and enforce a foreign money judgment of a foreign court of competent jurisdiction without retrial on the merits based on the principle that a judgment of a competent foreign court imposes upon the judgment debtor an obligation to pay the sum for which judgment has been given provided certain conditions are met. For a foreign judgment to be enforced in the Cayman Islands, such judgment must be final and conclusive and for a liquidated sum, and must not be in respect of taxes or a fine or penalty, inconsistent with a Cayman Islands judgment in respect of the same matter, impeachable on the grounds of fraud or obtained in a manner, and or be of a kind the enforcement of which is, contrary to natural justice or the public policy of the Cayman Islands (awards of punitive or multiple damages may well be held to be contrary to public policy). A Cayman Islands Court may stay enforcement proceedings if concurrent proceedings are being brought elsewhere.

 

As a result of all of the above, public shareholders may have more difficulty in protecting their interests in the face of actions taken by management, members of the board of directors or controlling shareholders than they would as public shareholders of a U.S. company.

  

Economic conditions in China could impact our business and results of operations in both lines of our business

 

The VIE entity and its subsidiaries’ business and operating results are impacted by Chinese economic conditions, such as a potential general reduction in net disposable income as a result of fiscal measures adopted by Chinese government to address high levels of budgetary indebtedness, which may adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition. The most recent global financial crisis and recession resulted in large-scale business failures and tightened credit markets in China, which directly impacts the Chinese IT service market and VAT reporting service industry. Future adverse economic developments in areas such as employment levels, business conditions, interest rates, tax rates, fuel and energy costs and other matters could reduce discretionary spending and cause the industries where we operate to contract.

 

There may be changes in the regulations of PRC government bodies and agencies relating to VAT collection procedure and ACTCS business

 

PRC laws, regulations and policies concerning VAT collection procedures and ACTCS business are evolving and the PRC government authorities may promulgate new laws, regulations and policies in the future. We cannot assure you that our practices would not be deemed to violate any PRC laws, regulations or policies either now or in the future.

 

Moreover, developments in the ACTCS service industry may lead to changes in PRC laws, regulations and policies or in the interpretation and application of existing laws, regulations and policies, which may limit or restrict the ACTCS hardware and services we offer. Furthermore, we cannot rule out the possibility that the PRC government will institute a new licensing regime covering services we provide in the future. If such a licensing regime were introduced, we cannot assure you that we would be able to obtain any newly required license in a timely manner, or at all, which could materially and adversely affect our business and impede our ability to continue our operations.

 

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Changes in the policies of the PRC government could have a significant impact upon our ability to operate profitably in the PRC.

 

We conduct all of our operations and all of our revenue is generated in the PRC. Accordingly, economic, political and legal developments in the PRC will significantly affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects. Policies of the PRC government can have significant effects on economic conditions in the PRC and the ability of businesses to operate profitably. Our ability to operate profitably in the PRC may be adversely affected by changes in policies by the PRC government, including changes in laws, regulations or their interpretation, particularly those dealing with the Internet, including censorship and other restriction on material which can be transmitted over the Internet, security, intellectual property, money laundering, taxation and other laws that affect our ability to operate our website.

 

China’s economic, political and social conditions, laws and regulations, as well as possible interventions and influences of any government policies and actions are uncertain and could have a material adverse effect on our business and the value of our Class A Ordinary Shares.

 

China’s economy differs from the economies of most developed countries in many respects, including the amount of government involvement, level of development, growth rate, control of foreign exchange and allocation of resources. While the PRC economy has experienced significant growth in the past two to three decades, growth has been uneven, both geographically and among various sectors of the economy. Although China’s economy has been transitioning from a planned economy to a more market oriented economy since the late 1970s, the PRC government continues to play a significant role in regulating industry development by imposing industrial policies. The PRC government also exercises significant control over China’s economic growth through allocating resources, controlling the incurrence and payment of foreign currency-denominated obligations, setting monetary policy and providing preferential treatment to particular industries or companies. Changes in any of these policies, laws and regulations could adversely affect the economy in China and could have a material adverse effect on our business.

 

The PRC government has implemented various measures to encourage foreign investment and sustainable economic growth and to guide the allocation of financial and other resources. However, we cannot assure you that the PRC government will not repeal or alter these measures or introduce new measures that will have a negative effect on us, or more specifically, we cannot assure you that the PRC government will not initiate possible governmental actions or scrutiny to us, which could substantially affect our operation and the value of our Class A Ordinary Shares may depreciate quickly. China’s economic, political and social conditions, as well as interventions and influences of any government policies, laws and regulations are uncertain and could have a material adverse effect on our business.

 

Because our business is dependent upon government policies that encourage a market-based economy, change in the political or economic climate in the PRC may impair our ability to operate profitably, if at all.

 

Although the PRC government has been pursuing a number of economic reform policies for more than two decades, the PRC government continues to exercise significant control over economic growth in the PRC. Because of the nature of our business, we are dependent upon the PRC government pursuing policies that encourage private ownership of businesses. Restrictions on private ownership of businesses would affect the VAT filing and collection in general and businesses using ACTCS in particular. We cannot assure you that the PRC government will pursue policies favoring a market-oriented economy or that existing policies will not be significantly altered, especially in the event of a change in leadership, social or political disruption, or other circumstances affecting political, economic and social life in the PRC.

 

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Because our business is conducted in RMB and the price of our Class A Ordinary Shares is quoted in United States dollars, changes in currency conversion rates may affect the value of your investments.

 

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

 

Under the PRC Enterprise Income Tax Law, or the EIT Law, we may be classified as a “resident enterprise” of China, which could result in unfavorable tax consequences to us and our non-PRC shareholders.

 

The EIT Law and its implementing rules provide that enterprises established outside of China whose “de facto management bodies” are located in China are considered “resident enterprises” under PRC tax laws. The implementing rules promulgated under the EIT Law define the term “de facto management bodies” as a management body which substantially manages, or has control over the business, personnel, finance and assets of an enterprise. In April 2009, the State Administration of Taxation, or SAT, issued a circular, known as Circular 82, which provides certain specific criteria for determining whether the “de facto management bodies” of a PRC-controlled enterprise that is incorporated offshore is located in China. However, there are no further detailed rules or precedents governing the procedures and specific criteria for determining “de facto management body.” Although our board of directors and management are located in the PRC, it is unclear if the PRC tax authorities would determine that we should be classified as a PRC “resident enterprise.”

 

If we are deemed a PRC “resident enterprise,” we will be subject to PRC enterprise income tax on our worldwide income at a uniform tax rate of 25%, although dividends distributed to us from our existing subsidiaries in China or the VIE and any other subsidiaries in China or the VIE which we may establish from time to time could be exempt from the PRC dividend withholding tax due to our PRC “resident recipient” status. This could have a material and adverse effect on our overall effective tax rate, our income tax expenses and our net income. Furthermore, dividends, if any, paid to our shareholders may be decreased as a result of the decrease in distributable profits. In addition, if we were considered a PRC “resident enterprise”, any dividends we pay to our non-PRC investors, and the gains realized from the transfer of our Class A Ordinary Shares may be considered income derived from sources within the PRC and be subject to PRC tax, at a rate of 10% in the case of non-PRC enterprises or 20% in the case of non-PRC individuals (in each case, subject to the provisions of any applicable tax treaty). It is unclear whether holders of our Class A Ordinary Shares would be able to claim the benefits of any tax treaties between their country of tax residence and the PRC in the event that we are treated as a PRC resident enterprise. This could have a material and adverse effect on the value of your investment in us and the price of our Class A Ordinary Shares.

 

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

 

Under the PRC EIT Law and its implementation rules, the profits of a foreign invested enterprise generated through operations, which are distributed to its immediate holding company outside the PRC, will be subject to a withholding tax rate of 10%. Pursuant to a special arrangement between Hong Kong and the PRC, such rate may be reduced to 5% if a Hong Kong resident enterprise owns more than 25% of the equity interest in the PRC company. Our PRC subsidiary is wholly-owned by our Hong Kong subsidiary. Moreover, under the Notice of the State Administration of Taxation on Issues regarding the Administration of the Dividend Provision in Tax Treaties promulgated on February 20, 2009, the taxpayer needs to satisfy certain conditions to enjoy the benefits under a tax treaty. These conditions include: (1) the taxpayer must be the beneficial owner of the relevant dividends, and (2) the corporate shareholder to receive dividends from the PRC subsidiary must have continuously met the direct ownership thresholds during the 12 consecutive months preceding the receipt of the dividends. Further, the State Administration of Taxation promulgated the Notice on How to Understand and Recognize the “Beneficial Owner” in Tax Treaties on October 27, 2009, which limits the “beneficial owner” to individuals, projects or other organizations normally engaged in substantive operations, and sets forth certain detailed factors in determining the “beneficial owner” status. In current practice, a Hong Kong enterprise must obtain a tax resident certificate from the relevant Hong Kong tax authority to apply for the 5% lower PRC withholding tax rate. As the Hong Kong tax authority will issue such a tax resident certificate on a case-by-case basis, we cannot assure you that we will be able to obtain the tax resident certificate from the relevant Hong Kong tax authority. As of the date of this prospectus, we have not commenced the application process for a Hong Kong tax resident certificate from the relevant Hong Kong tax authority, and there is no assurance that we will be granted such a Hong Kong tax resident certificate.

 

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Even after we obtain the Hong Kong tax resident certificate, we are required by applicable tax laws and regulations to file required forms and materials with relevant PRC tax authorities to prove we can enjoy the 5% lower PRC withholding tax rate. Hitek HK intends to obtain the required materials and file with the relevant tax authorities when it plans to declare and pay dividends, but there is no assurance that the PRC tax authorities will approve the 5% withholding tax rate on dividends received from Hitek HK.

 

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

 

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

 

We operate in an emerging and evolving market. If our market does not grow as we expect, or if we fail to adapt and respond effectively to rapidly changing technology, evolving industry standards, changing regulations, and changing customer needs, requirements or preferences, our products and solutions may become less competitive.

 

There are uncertainties over the size and rate at which the IT service market will grow, as well as whether our solutions and products will be widely adopted. Moreover, the ACTCS industry is subject to rapid technological change, evolving industry standards, changing regulations, as well as changing customer needs, requirements and preferences. The success of our business will depend, in part, on our ability to adapt and respond effectively to these changes on a timely basis. If we are unable to develop new solutions and products that satisfy our customers and provide enhancements and new features for our existing products that keep pace with rapid technological and industry change, our business, results of operations and financial condition could be adversely affected. If new technologies emerge that are able to deliver competitive products and services at lower prices, more efficiently, more conveniently or more securely, such technologies could adversely impact our ability to compete effectively.

 

Our platform must also integrate with a variety of network, hardware, software platforms and technologies, and we need to continuously modify and enhance our products and platform to adapt to changes and innovation. For example, if customers adopt new software platforms or infrastructure, we may be required to develop new versions of our products to be compatible with those new software platforms or infrastructure. This development effort may require significant resources, which would adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition. Any failure of our products and platform to operate effectively with evolving or new software platforms and technologies could reduce the demand for our products. If we are unable to respond to these changes in a cost-effective manner, our products may become less marketable and less competitive or obsolete, and our business, results of operations and financial condition could be adversely affected.

 

In light of recent events indicating greater oversight by the Cyberspace Administration of China, or CAC, over data security, particularly for companies seeking to list on a foreign exchange, we are subject to a variety of laws and other obligations regarding cybersecurity and data protection, and any failure to comply with applicable laws and obligations could have a material and adverse effect on our business, our listing on Nasdaq, financial condition, results of operations, and the offering. 

 

We are subject to various risks and costs associated with to the collection, use, sharing, retention, security, and transfer of confidential and private information, such as personal information and other data. This data is wide ranging and relates to our investors, employees, contractors and other counterparties and third parties. Our compliance obligations include those relating to the Data Protection Act (As Revised) of the Cayman Islands and the relevant PRC laws in this regard. These PRC laws apply not only to third-party transactions, but also to transfers of information between us, our WFOE, the VIE, and the VIE’s subsidiaries, and among us, our WFOE, the VIE, and the VIE’s subsidiaries, and other parties with which we have commercial relations. These laws continue to develop, and the PRC government may adopt other rules and restrictions in the future. Non-compliance could result in penalties or other significant legal liabilities.

 

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Pursuant to the PRC Cybersecurity Law, promulgated by the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress on November 7, 2016 and took effect on June 1, 2017, personal information and Important DataImportant Data collected and generated by a critical information infrastructure operator in the course of its operations in China must be stored in China, and if a critical information infrastructure operator purchases internet products and services that affects or may affect national security, it should be subject to cybersecurity review by the CAC. On July 30, 2021, the State Council issued Regulation on Protecting the Security of Critical Information Infrastructure, clarifying the definition of critical information infrastructure as “any of network facilities and information systems in important industries and fields—such as public communication and information services, energy, transportation, water conservancy, finance, public services, e-government, and science, technology and industry for national defense—that may seriously endanger national security, national economy and people’s livelihood, and public interests in the event that they are damaged or lose their functions or their data are leaked.” On December 28, 2021, the CAC published the CAC Revised Measures which further restates and expands the applicable scope of the cybersecurity review. The CAC Revised Measures took effect on February 15, 2022. Pursuant to the CAC Revised Measures, if a network platform operator holding personal information of over one million users seeks for “foreign” listing, it must apply for the cybersecurity review. In addition, operators of critical information infrastructure purchasing network products and services are also obligated to apply for the cybersecurity review for such purchasing activities. Although the CAC Revised Measures provide no further explanation on the extent of “network platform operator” and “foreign” listing, in July 2022, the CAC promulgated the Measures on Security Assessment of Cross-border Data Transfer, which became effective on September 1, 2022. These measures outline the requirements and procedures for security assessments on export of Important Data or personal information collected or generated within the territory of mainland China. Furthermore, these measures provide that the security assessment shall combine pre-assessment and continuous supervision, and risk self-assessment and security assessment to prevent data export security risks. Specifically, security assessment is required before any cross-border data can be transferred out of mainland China if: (i) the data transferred out of mainland China is Important Data; (ii) the data processor is a critical information infrastructure operator or data processor that processes personal information of more than one million individuals; (iii) cross-border data transfer of personal information by a data processor who has made cross-border transfer of aggregately more than 100,000 individuals’ personal information or more than 10,000 individuals’ sensitive personal information since January 1st of the previous year; or (iv) otherwise required by the CAC.

 

As confirmed by our PRC counsel, Jingtian & Gongcheng, we are not subject to cybersecurity review with the CAC and security assessment for outbound data, because (i) we are not in possession of or otherwise holding any Important Data , (ii) we are not in possession of or otherwise holding personal information of over one million users and it is also very unlikely that it will reach such threshold in the near future; and (iii) as of the date of this prospectus, we have not received any notice or determination from applicable PRC governmental authorities identifying it as a critical information infrastructure operator. However, we cannot guarantee that we will not be subject to cybersecurity review in the future as we offer IT services and sell hardware and software in China. During such review, we may be required to suspend our operation experience other disruptions to our operations. Cybersecurity review could also result in negative publicity with respect to our company and diversion of our managerial and financial resources.

 

Furthermore, if we were found to be in violation of applicable laws and regulations in China during such review, we could be subject to administrative penalties, such as warnings, fines, or service suspension. Therefore, cybersecurity review could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

 

In addition, the PRC Data Security Law, promulgated by the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress on June 10, 2021 and took effect on September 1, 2021, requires data collection to be conducted in a legitimate and proper manner, and stipulates that, for the purpose of data protection, data processing activities must be conducted based on data classification and hierarchical protection system for data security. As the Data Security Law was recently promulgated, we may be required to make further adjustments to our business practices to comply with this law. If our data processing activities were found to be not in compliance with this law, we could be ordered to make corrections, and under certain serious circumstances, such as severe data divulgence, we could be subject to penalties, including the revocation of our business licenses or other permits. Furthermore, the recently issued Opinions on Strictly Cracking Down Illegal Securities Activities in Accordance with the Law require (i) speeding up the revision of the provisions on strengthening the confidentiality and archives management relating to overseas issuance and listing of securities and (ii) improving the laws and regulations relating to data security, cross-border data flow, and management of confidential information. As there remain uncertainties regarding the further interpretation and implementation of those laws and regulations, we cannot assure you that we will be compliant such new regulations in all respects, and we may be ordered to rectify and terminate any actions that are deemed illegal by the regulatory authorities and become subject to fines and other sanctions. As a result, we may be required to suspend our relevant businesses, shut down our website, take down our operating applications, or face other penalties, which may materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations. 

 

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On August 20, 2021, the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of China promulgated the Personal Information Protection Law of the PRC, or the PIPL, which took effect in November 2021. As the first systematic and comprehensive law specifically for the protection of personal information in the PRC, the PIPL provides, among others, that (i) an individual’s consent shall be obtained to use sensitive personal information, such as biometric characteristics and individual location tracking, (ii) personal information operators using sensitive personal information shall notify individuals of the necessity of such use and impact on the individual’s rights, and (iii) where personal information operators reject an individual’s request to exercise his or her rights, the individual may file a lawsuit with a People’s Court. As uncertainties remain regarding the interpretation and implementation of the PIPL, we cannot assure you that we will comply with the PIPL in all respects, we may become subject to fines and/or other penalties which may have material adverse effect on our business, operations and financial condition.

 

While we take measures to comply with all applicable data privacy and protection laws and regulations, we cannot guarantee the effectiveness of the measures undertaken by us and our business partners. However, compliance with any additional laws could be expensive, and may place restrictions on our business operations and the manner in which we interact with our users. In addition, any failure to comply with applicable cybersecurity, privacy, and data protection laws and regulations could result in proceedings against us by government authorities or others, including notification for rectification, confiscation of illegal earnings, fines, or other penalties and legal liabilities against us, which could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and the value of our Class A Ordinary Shares. In addition, any negative publicity on our website or platform’s safety or privacy protection mechanism and policy could harm our public image and reputation and materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

 

We are subject to anti-corruption, anti-bribery, and similar laws, and noncompliance with such laws can subject us to criminal penalties or significant fines and harm our business and reputation.

 

We are subject to the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, and other anti-corruption, anti-bribery, anti-money laundering, and similar laws in China and the U.S.. Anti-corruption and anti-bribery laws, which have been enforced aggressively and are interpreted broadly, prohibit companies and their employees and agents from promising, authorizing, making, or offering improper payments or other benefits to government officials and others in the public sector. We leverage our business partners, including channel partners, to sell our products and solutions and host many of our facilities for our network. We may also rely on our business partners to conduct our business abroad. We and our business partners may have direct or indirect interactions with officials and employees of government agencies or state-owned or affiliated entities and we may be held liable for the corrupt or other illegal activities of our business partners and intermediaries, our employees, representatives, contractors, channel partners and agents, even if we do not explicitly authorize such activities.

 

We cannot assure you that all of our employees and agents have complied with, or in the future will comply with, our policies and applicable law. The investigation of possible violations of these laws, including internal investigations and compliance reviews that we may conduct from time to time, could have a material adverse effect on our business. Noncompliance with these laws could subject us to investigations, severe criminal or civil sanctions, settlements, prosecution, loss of export privileges, suspension or debarment from Chinese government contracts and other contracts, other enforcement actions, the appointment of a monitor, disgorgement of profits, significant fines, damages, other civil and criminal penalties or injunctions, whistleblower complaints, adverse media coverage and other consequences. Other internal and government investigations, regulatory proceedings, or litigation, including private litigation filed by our shareholders, may also follow as a consequence. Any investigations, actions, or sanctions could materially harm our reputation, business, results of operations, and financial condition. Further, the promulgation of new laws, rules or regulations or new interpretations of current laws, rules or regulations could impact the way we do business in other countries, including requiring us to change certain aspects of our business to ensure compliance, which could reduce revenues, increase costs, or subject us to additional liabilities.

 

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

 

Our business is subject to regulation by various governmental agencies in China, including agencies responsible for monitoring and enforcing compliance with various legal obligations, such as value-added telecommunication laws and regulations, privacy and data protection-related laws and regulations, intellectual property laws, employment and labor laws, workplace safety, environmental laws, consumer protection laws, governmental trade laws, import and export controls, anti-corruption and anti-bribery laws, and tax laws and regulations. In certain jurisdictions, these regulatory requirements may be more stringent than in China. These laws and regulations impose added costs on our business. Noncompliance with applicable regulations or requirements could subject us to:

 

investigations, enforcement actions, and sanctions;

 

mandatory changes to our network and products;

  

disgorgement of profits, fines, and damages;

 

  civil and criminal penalties or injunctions;

 

claims for damages by our customers or channel partners;

 

termination of contracts;

 

  loss of intellectual property rights;

 

failure to obtain, maintain or renew certain licenses, approvals, permits, registrations or filings necessary to conduct our operations; and

 

temporary or permanent debarment from sales to public service organizations.

 

If any governmental sanctions are imposed, or if we do not prevail in any possible civil or criminal litigation, our business, results of operations, and financial condition could be adversely affected. In addition, responding to any action will likely result in a significant diversion of our management’s attention and resources and an increase in professional fees. Enforcement actions and sanctions could materially harm our business, results of operations, and financial condition.

 

Additionally, companies in the technology industry have recently experienced increased regulatory scrutiny. Any reviews by regulatory agencies or legislatures may result in substantial regulatory fines, changes to our business practices, and other penalties, which could negatively affect our business and results of operations. Changes in social, political, and regulatory conditions or in laws and policies governing a wide range of topics may cause us to change our business practices. Further, our expansion into a variety of new fields also could raise a number of new regulatory issues. These factors could negatively affect our business and results of operations in material ways.

 

Moreover, we are exposed to the risk of misconduct, errors and failure to functions by our management, employees and parties that we collaborate with, who may from time to time be subject to litigation and regulatory investigations and proceedings or otherwise face potential liability and penalties in relation to noncompliance with applicable laws and regulations, which could harm our reputation and business.

 

We face exposure to foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations, and such fluctuations could adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.

 

The conversion of Renminbi into foreign currencies, including the USD, is based on rates set by the People’s Bank of China. The Renminbi has fluctuated against the USD and other currencies, at times significantly and unpredictably. The value of Renminbi against the USD and other currencies is affected by changes in China’s political and economic conditions and by China’s foreign exchange policies, among other things. We cannot assure you that Renminbi will not appreciate or depreciate significantly in value against the USD and other currencies in the future. It is difficult to predict how market forces or PRC or U.S. government policy may impact the exchange rate between Renminbi and USD in the future.

 

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Significant revaluation of the Renminbi may have a material and adverse effect on your investment. For example, to the extent we need to convert USD we received from our IPO into Renminbi for our operations, appreciation of the Renminbi against the USD would have an adverse effect on the Renminbi amount we would receive from the conversion. Conversely, if we decide to convert our Renminbi into USD for the purpose of making payments for dividends on our Class A Ordinary Shares or for other business purposes, appreciation of the USD against the Renminbi would have a negative effect on the USD amount available to us.

 

Very limited hedging options are available in China to reduce our exposure to exchange rate fluctuations. As of the date of this prospectus, we have not entered into any hedging transactions in an effort to reduce our exposure to foreign currency exchange risk.  While we may decide to enter into hedging transactions in the future, the availability and effectiveness of these hedges may be limited and we may not be able to adequately hedge our exposure, or at all. In addition, our currency exchange losses may be magnified by PRC exchange control regulations that restrict our ability to convert Renminbi into foreign currency.

 

Substantially all of our revenues and costs are denominated in Renminbi. We are a holding company and we rely on dividends paid by our operating subsidiaries in China for our cash needs. Any significant revaluation of Renminbi may materially and adversely affect our results of operations and financial position reported in Renminbi when translated into USD. To the extent that we need to convert USD we received from our IPO into Renminbi for our operations, appreciation of the Renminbi against the USD would have an adverse effect on the Renminbi amount we would receive. Conversely, if we decide to convert our Renminbi into USD for the purpose of making payments for dividends on our Class A Ordinary Shares or for other business purposes, appreciation of the USD against the Renminbi would have a negative effect on the USD amount.

 

Increases in labor costs in the PRC may adversely affect our business and results of operations.

 

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

 

In addition, we have been subject to stricter regulatory requirements in terms of entering into labor contracts with our employees and paying various statutory employee benefits, including housing, pension, medical insurance and unemployment insurance programs to designated government agencies for the benefit of our employees. Compared with its predecessors, the current Labor Contract Law of the PRC imposes stricter requirements on employers in terms of signing labor contracts, minimum wages, paying remuneration, determining the term of employees’ probation and unilaterally terminating labor contracts, further increasing our labor-related costs such as by limiting our ability to terminate some of our employees or otherwise change our employment or labor practices in a cost-effective manner. In addition, as the interpretation and implementation of labor-related laws and regulations are still developing, we cannot assure you that our employment practices have been or will at all times be deemed in compliance with the labor-related laws and regulations in China. If we are subject to severe penalties in connection with labor disputes or government investigations, our business, financial condition and results of operations will be adversely affected.

 

The Chinese government exerts substantial influence over the manner in which we must conduct our business activities. Any actions by Chinese government, including any decision to intervene or influence our operations or to exert control over any offering of securities conducted overseas and/or foreign investment in China-based issuers, may cause us to make material changes to our operation, may limit or completely hinder our ability to offer or continue to offer securities to investors, and may cause the value of such securities to significantly decline or be worthless.

 

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

 

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As such, our business may be subject to various government and regulatory interference in the provinces in which we operate. We could be subject to regulation by various political and regulatory entities, including various local and municipal agencies and government sub-divisions. We may incur increased costs necessary to comply with existing and newly adopted laws and regulations or penalties for any failure to comply.

 

Furthermore, it is uncertain when and whether we will be required to obtain permission from the PRC government to offering securities in the U.S. in the future, and even when such permission is obtained, whether we will be denied or rescinded. Although we are currently not required to obtain permission from any of the PRC regulatory authorities to obtain such permission and has not received any denial regarding our listing on the Nasdaq Capital Market and the entry into the VIE Agreements, our operations could be adversely affected, directly or indirectly, by existing or future laws and regulations relating to our business or industry.

  

PRC laws and regulations governing our current business operations are sometimes vague and uncertain and any changes in such laws and regulations may impair our ability to operate profitably.

 

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

 

The PRC legal system is a civil law system based on written statutes. Unlike the common law system, prior court decisions under the civil law system may be cited for reference but have limited precedential value. Since these laws and regulations are relatively new and the PRC legal system continues to rapidly evolve, the interpretations of many laws, regulations and rules are not always uniform and the enforcement of these laws, regulations and rules involves uncertainties.

 

In 1979, the PRC government began to promulgate a comprehensive system of laws and regulations governing economic matters in general. The overall effect of legislation over the past three decades has significantly enhanced the protections afforded to various forms of foreign investments in China. However, China has not developed a fully integrated legal system, and recently enacted laws and regulations may not sufficiently cover all aspects of economic activities in China. In particular, the interpretation and enforcement of these laws and regulations involve uncertainties. Since PRC administrative and court authorities have significant discretion in interpreting and implementing statutory provisions and contractual terms, it may be difficult to evaluate the outcome of administrative and court proceedings and the level of legal protection we enjoy. These uncertainties may affect our judgment on the relevance of legal requirements and our ability to enforce our contractual rights or tort claims. In addition, the regulatory uncertainties may be exploited through unmerited or frivolous legal actions or threats in attempts to extract payments or benefits from us.

 

Furthermore, the PRC legal system is based in part on government policies and internal rules, some of which are not published on a timely basis or at all and may have retroactive effect. As a result, we may not be aware of our violation of any of these policies and rules until sometime after the violation. In addition, any administrative and court proceedings in China may be protracted, resulting in substantial costs and diversion of resources and management attention.

 

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

 

Recently, the General Office of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the General Office of the State Council jointly issued the “Opinions on Severely Cracking Down on Illegal Securities Activities According to Law,” or the Opinions, which was made available to the public on July 6, 2021. The Opinions emphasized the need to strengthen the administration over illegal securities activities, and the need to strengthen the supervision over overseas listings by Chinese companies. Effective measures, such as promoting the construction of relevant regulatory systems will be taken to deal with the risks and incidents of China-concept overseas listed companies, and cybersecurity and data privacy protection requirements and similar matters. The Opinions and any related implementing rules to be enacted may subject us to compliance requirement in the future.

 

Risks Relating to this Offering and Our Class A Ordinary Shares

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

The estimates of market opportunity, forecasts of market growth included in this prospectus may prove to be inaccurate, and any real or perceived inaccuracies may harm our reputation and negatively affect our business. Even if the market in which we compete achieves the forecasted growth, our business could fail to grow at similar rates, if at all.

 

Market opportunity estimates and growth forecasts included in this prospectus are subject to significant uncertainty and are based on assumptions and estimates that may not prove to be accurate. The variables that go into the calculation of our market opportunities are subject to change over time, and there is no guarantee that any particular number or percentage of addressable companies covered by our market opportunities estimates will purchase our products and solutions at all or generate any particular level of revenues for us. Even if the market in which we compete meets the size estimates and growth forecasted in this prospectus, our business could fail to grow for a variety of reasons, including reasons outside of our control, such as competition in our industry.

 

We cannot assure you that our plans to raise capital will be successful.

 

The offering may close or terminate, as the case may be, because there is a minimum offering amount of $8,000,000 required as a condition to closing in this offering As of December 31, 2023, we had working capital of approximately $21,413,847 million. While we currently have sufficient working capital, if we are not successful in raising capital, it could have an adverse effect on our continued and future growth. Management’s plans to address this need for capital are discussed in the section of this prospectus titled “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.” We cannot assure you that our plans to raise capital will be successful. 

 

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

 

The price for our Class A Ordinary Shares may vary from the market price of our Class A Ordinary Shares in this offering. If you purchase our Class A Ordinary Shares in this offering, you may not be able to resell those shares at or above the offering price. The market price of our Class A Ordinary Shares may fluctuate significantly in response to numerous factors, many of which are beyond our control, including:

 

  actual or anticipated fluctuations in our revenue and other operating results;
     
  the financial projections we may provide to the public, any changes in these projections or our failure to meet these projections;
     
  actions of securities analysts who initiate or maintain coverage of us, changes in financial estimates by any securities analysts who follow our company, or our failure to meet these estimates or the expectations of investors;
     
  announcements by us or our competitors of significant products or features, technical innovations, acquisitions, strategic partnerships, joint ventures, or capital commitments;
     
  price and volume fluctuations in the overall stock market, including as a result of trends in the economy as a whole;
     
  lawsuits threatened or filed against us; and
     
  other events or factors, including those resulting from war or incidents of terrorism, or responses to these events.

 

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

 

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

 

We have a dual-class voting structure consisting of Class A Ordinary Shares and Class B Ordinary Shares. Under this structure, holders of Class A Ordinary Shares are entitled to one vote per one Class A Ordinary Share, and holders of Class B Ordinary Shares are entitled to 15 votes per one Class B Ordinary Share, which may cause the holders of Class B Ordinary Shares to have an unbalanced, higher concentration of voting power. As of the date of this prospectus, Mr. Shenping Yin, our Chairman of the Board, and his wife, Ms. Xiaoyang Huang, our chief executive officer, beneficially owns 8,192,000, or 100%, of our issued Class B Ordinary Shares, representing approximately ____% of the voting rights in our Company assuming a minimum offering and ___% of the voting rights in our company assuming a maximum offering. As a result, until such time as Mr. Shenping Yin’s and Ms. Xiaoyang Huang’s voting power is below 50%, Mr. Shenping Yin and Ms. Xiaoyang Huang as the controlling shareholders have substantial influence over our business, including decisions regarding mergers, consolidations and the sale of all or substantially all of our assets, election of directors, and other significant corporate actions. They may take actions that are not in the best interests of us or our other shareholders. These corporate actions may be taken even if they are opposed by our other shareholders. Further, such concentration of voting power may discourage, prevent, or delay the consummation of change of control transactions that shareholders may consider favorable, including transactions in which shareholders might otherwise receive a premium for their shares. Future issuances of Class B Ordinary Shares may also be dilutive to the holders of Class A Ordinary Shares. As a result, the market price of our Class A Ordinary Shares could be adversely affected.

 

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

 

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

 

Our management has broad discretion to determine how to use the funds raised in the offering and may use them in ways that may not enhance our results of operations or the price of our Class A Ordinary Shares.

 

We anticipate we will use the net proceeds from the offering for working capital and other corporate purposes. Our management will have significant discretion as to the use of the net proceeds to us from the IPO and could spend the proceeds in ways that do not improve our results of operations or enhance the market price of our Class A Ordinary Shares. 

 

Our lack of effective internal controls over financial reporting may affect our ability to accurately report our financial results or prevent fraud which may affect the market for and price of our Class A Ordinary Share.

 

To implement Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the SEC adopted rules requiring public companies to include a report of management on the company’s internal control over financial reporting (“ICFR”). We are subject to the requirement that we maintain internal controls and that management perform periodic evaluation of the effectiveness of the internal controls. Effective ICFR is important to prevent fraud. As a result, our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects, as well as the market for and trading price of our Class A Ordinary Shares, may be materially and adversely affected if we do not have effective internal controls. We do not presently have the financial resources or personnel to develop or implement systems that would provide us with the necessary information on a timely basis so as to be able to implement financial controls. As a result, we may not discover any problems in a timely manner and current and potential shareholders could lose confidence in our financial reporting, which would harm our business and the trading price of our Class A Ordinary Shares. The absence of internal controls over financial reporting may inhibit investors from purchasing our shares and may make it more difficult for us to raise funds in a debt or equity financing.

 

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

 

As we are an “emerging growth company,” we may not be subject to requirements that other public companies are subject to, which could other requirements applicable to other public companies that are not emerging growth companies including, most significantly, not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act for so long as we are an emerging growth company and a smaller reporting company. As a result, if we elect not to comply with such auditor attestation requirements, our investors may not have access to certain information they may deem important.

 

We will incur increased costs as a result of being a public company, particularly after we cease to qualify as an “emerging growth company.”

 

We became a public company after completion of our IPO and expect to incur significant legal, accounting and other expenses that we did not incur as a private company. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as well as rules subsequently implemented by the SEC and the Nasdaq Capital Market, impose various requirements on the corporate governance practices of public companies. As an “emerging growth company” pursuant to the JOBS Act, we may take advantage of specified reduced reporting and other requirements that are otherwise applicable generally to public companies. We expect these rules and regulations to increase our legal and financial compliance costs and to make some corporate activities more time-consuming and costlier. After we are no longer an “emerging growth company,” we expect to incur significant additional expenses and devote substantial management effort toward ensuring compliance increased disclosure requirements.

 

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Upon the closing of this offering, Mr. Shenping Yin, Chairman of the Board, and his wife, Ms. Xiaoyang Huang, chief executive officer, will be able to exercise more than 50% of the total voting power of our issued and outstanding share capital, Mr. Yin will have the ability to elect directors and approve matters requiring shareholder approval.

 

Mr. Shenping Yin, our Chairman of the Board, and his wife, Ms. Xiaoyang Huang, the chief executive officer, are currently the beneficial owners of 8,192,000 Class B Ordinary Shares, approximately 85.3% of the voting rights in our company, which are directly held by Fortune Enterprise Holdings Limited, an entity 100% owned by Mr. Yin and Ms. Huang. Following this offering and assuming a minimum offering, Mr. Yin and Ms. Huang will control approximately ___% of the voting rights in our company. Following this offering and assuming a minimum offering, Mr. Yin and Ms. Huang will control approximately ___% of the voting rights in our company. As a result, Mr. Yin and Ms. Huang are able to exert significant voting influence over fundamental and significant corporate matters and transactions. Depending on the percentage, they may have the power to elect all directors and approve all matters requiring shareholder approval without the votes of any other shareholder. They have significant influence over a decision to enter into any corporate transaction and have the ability to prevent any transaction that requires the approval of shareholders, regardless of whether or not our other shareholders believe that such transaction is in our best interests. Such concentration of voting power could have the effect of delaying, deterring, or preventing a change of control or other business combination, which could, in turn, have an adverse effect on the market price of our Class A Ordinary Shares or prevent our shareholders from realizing a premium over the then-prevailing market price for their Class A Ordinary Shares.

 

We are a “controlled company” within the meaning of the NASDAQ Stock Market Rules and, as a result, may rely on exemptions from certain corporate governance requirements that provide protection to shareholders of other companies.

 

We are a “controlled company” as defined under the NASDAQ Stock Market Rules because two of our principal shareholders, Shenping Yin, our Chairman of the Board, and Xiaoyang Huang our CEO, who are husband and wife, beneficially own more than 50% of voting power for the election of directors. For so long as we are a controlled company under that definition, we are permitted to elect to rely, and may rely, on certain exemptions from corporate governance rules, including:

 

an exemption from the rule that a majority of our board of directors must be independent directors;

 

an exemption from the rule that the compensation of our chief executive officer must be determined or recommended solely by independent directors; and

 

an exemption from the rule that our director nominees must be selected or recommended solely by independent directors.

 

As a result, you will not have the same protection afforded to shareholders of companies that are subject to these corporate governance requirements.

 

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

 

As a foreign private issuer, we are exempt from the rules under the Exchange Act prescribing the furnishing and content of proxy statements, and our officers, directors and principal shareholders are exempt from the reporting and short-swing profit recovery provisions contained in Section 16 of the Exchange Act. In addition, we are not required under the Exchange Act to file periodic reports and financial statements with the SEC as frequently or as promptly as U.S. domestic issuers, and we are not required to disclose in our periodic reports all of the information that U.S. domestic issuers are required to disclose. While we currently expect to qualify as a foreign private issuer, we may cease to qualify as a foreign private issuer in the future.

 

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

 

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

 

provisions that authorize our board of directors (“BOD”) to issue shares with preferred, deferred or other special rights or restrictions without any further vote or action by our shareholders; and

 

provisions that restrict the ability of our shareholders to call meetings and to propose special matters for consideration at shareholder meetings

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Cayman Islands law provides shareholders with only limited rights to requisition a general meeting, and does not provide shareholders with any right to put any proposal before a general meeting. However, these rights may be provided in a company’s articles of association. Our articles of association allow sour shareholders holding shares representing in aggregate not less than ten per cent in par value of the issued Shares which as at that date carry the right to vote at general meetings, to requisition an extraordinary general meeting of our shareholders, in which case our directors are obliged to call such meeting and to put the resolutions so requisitioned to a vote at such meeting. Although our articles of association does not provide our shareholders with any right to put any proposals before annual general meetings or extraordinary general meetings not called by such shareholders, any shareholder may submit a proposal to our BOD for consideration of inclusion in a proxy statement. Advance notice of at least fifteen calendar days is required for the convening of our annual general shareholders’ meeting and any other general meeting of our shareholders. A quorum required for a meeting of shareholders consists of at least one shareholder present or by proxy, representing not less than one-third in nominal value of the total issued voting shares in our company.

 

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

 

A non-U.S. corporation such as us will be classified as a passive foreign investment company, which is known as a PFIC, for any taxable year if, for such year, either

 

At least 75% of our gross income for the year is passive income; or

 

The average percentage of our assets (determined at the end of each quarter) during the taxable year which produce passive income or which are held for the production of passive income is at least 50%.

 

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

 

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

 

Based on our operations and the composition of our assets we do not expect to be treated as a PFIC under the current PFIC rules. We must make a separate determination each year as to whether we are a PFIC, however, and there can be no assurance with respect to our status as a PFIC for our current taxable year or any future taxable year. Although the law in this regard is unclear, we are treating Hitek as being owned by us for U.S. federal income tax purposes, not only because we control their management decisions, but also because we are entitled to the economic benefits associated with Hitek, and as a result, we are treating Hitek as our wholly-owned subsidiary for U.S. federal income tax purposes. For purposes of the PFIC analysis, in general, a non-U.S. corporation is deemed to own its pro rata share of the gross income and assets of any entity in which it is considered to own at least 25% of the equity by value. Therefore, the income and assets of Hitek should be included in the determination of whether or not we are a PFIC in any taxable year.

 

For a more detailed discussion of the application of the PFIC rules to us and the consequences to U.S. taxpayers if we were determined to be a PFIC, see “Taxation — U.S. Federal Income Taxation — Passive Foreign Investment Company.”

 

Our Class A Ordinary Shares may trade under $5.00 per share and thus will be a penny stock. Trading in penny stocks has certain restrictions and these restrictions could negatively affect the price and liquidity of our shares.

 

Our Class A Ordinary Shares may trade below $5.00 per share after listing. As a result, our Class A Ordinary Shares would be known as a “penny stock”, which is subject to various regulations involving disclosures to be given to you prior to the purchase of any penny stock. The SEC has regulations which generally define a “penny stock” to be any equity security that has a market price of less than $5.00 per share, subject to certain exceptions. Depending on market fluctuations, our Class A Ordinary Shares could be considered to be a “penny stock”. A penny stock is subject to rules that impose additional sales practice requirements on broker/dealers who sell these securities to persons other than established Members and accredited investors. For transactions covered by these rules, the broker/dealer must make a special suitability determination for the purchase of these securities. In addition, the broker/dealer must receive the purchaser’s written consent to the transaction prior to the purchase. The broker/dealer must also provide certain written disclosures to the purchaser. Consequently, the “penny stock” rules may restrict the ability of broker/dealers to sell our securities and may negatively affect the ability of holders of our Class A Ordinary Shares to resell them. These disclosures require you to acknowledge that you understand the risks associated with buying penny stocks and that you can absorb the loss of your entire investment. Penny stocks generally do not have a very high trading volume. Consequently, the price of the stock is often volatile, and you may not be able to buy or sell the stock when you want to.

 

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SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

This prospectus contains “forward-looking statements,” all of which are subject to risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements give our current expectations or forecasts of future events. You can identify these statements by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. You can find many (but not all) of these statements by the use of words such as “approximates,” “believes,” “hopes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “projects,” “intends,” “plans,” “will,” “would,” “should,” “could,” “may” or other similar expressions in this prospectus. These statements are likely to address our growth strategy, financial results and product and development programs. You must carefully consider any such statements and should understand that many factors could cause actual results to differ from our forward-looking statements. These factors may include inaccurate assumptions and a broad variety of other risks and uncertainties, including some that are known and some that are not. No forward looking statement can be guaranteed and actual future results may vary materially. Factors that could cause actual results to differ from those discussed in the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to:

  

  future financial and operating results, including revenues, income, expenditures, cash balances and other financial items;
     
  impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows;
     
  our ability to execute our growth, expansion and acquisition strategies, including our ability to meet our goals;
     
  current and future economic and political conditions;
     
  the response of participants using ACTCS tax device or its supporting services to any difficulties encountered by companies filing VAT through these systems;
     
  changes in the regulations of PRC government bodies and agencies relating to VAT collection procedure and ACTCS business;
     
  our ability to provide participants in projects using our services with a secure and acceptable payment method;
     
  our ability to continue to operate through the VIE structure;
     
  our capital requirements and our ability to raise any additional financing which we may require;
     
  our ability to protect our intellectual property rights and secure the right to use other intellectual property that we deem to be essential or desirable to the conduct of our business;
     
  our ability to hire and retain qualified management personnel and key employees in order to enable us to develop our business;
     
  our ability to retain the services of Ms. Xiaoyang Huang, our Chief Executive Officer;
     
  overall industry and market performance; and
     
  other assumptions described in this prospectus underlying or relating to any forward-looking statements.

 

We describe material risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could affect our business, including our financial condition and results of operations, under “Risk Factors.” We base our forward-looking statements on our management’s beliefs and assumptions based on information available to our management at the time the statements are made. We caution you that actual outcomes and results may, and are likely to, differ materially from what is expressed, implied or forecast by our forward-looking statements. Accordingly, you should be careful about relying on any forward-looking statements. Except as required under the federal securities laws, we do not have any intention or obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements after the distribution of this prospectus, whether as a result of new information, future events, changes in assumptions, or otherwise.

 

Industry Data and Forecasts

 

This prospectus contains data related to the VAT collection and filing procedures, tax service industry, software industry, hardware retail industry and IT service industry in China. These data include projections that are based on a number of assumptions which have been derived from industry and government sources which we believe to be reasonable. The tax service industry, software industry, hardware retail industry and IT service industry may not grow at the rate projected by industry data, or at all. The failure of these industries to grow as anticipated is likely to have a material adverse effect on our business and the market price of our Class A Ordinary Shares. In addition, the rapidly changing nature of these industries subjects any projections or estimates relating to the growth prospects or future condition of our industry to significant uncertainties. Furthermore, if any one or more of the assumptions underlying the industry data turns out to be incorrect, actual results may, and are likely to, differ from the projections based on these assumptions. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements.

 

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USE OF PROCEEDS

 

After deducting the estimated Placement Agent fee and offering expenses payable by us, we expect to receive net proceeds of approximately $___ million from this offering if we complete the minimum offering, or approximately $___ million if we complete the maximum offering. We intend to use the net proceeds of this offering as follows (as to such uses in China, after we complete the remittance process), and we have listed the specific uses of proceeds below. We do not expect that our priorities for fund allocation would change if the amount we raise in this offering exceeds the size of the minimum offering but is less than the maximum offering.

 

Description of Use  Minimum
Offering
(%)
  

Maximum
Offering

(%)

 
Potential acquisitions   62.5    50 
Research and development   12.5    17.5 
Recruitment of additional employees   6.25    7.5 
General working capital   18.75    25 
Total   100    100 

 

The foregoing represents our current intentions based upon our present plans and business conditions to use and allocate the net proceeds of this offering. Our management, however, will have significant flexibility and discretion to apply the net proceeds of this offering. If an unforeseen event occurs or business conditions change, we may use the proceeds of this offering differently than as described in this prospectus. To the extent that the net proceeds we receive from this offering are not immediately used for the above purposes, we intend to invest our net proceeds in short-term, interest-bearing bank deposits or debt instruments.

  

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DIVIDEND POLICY

 

We intend to keep any future earnings to finance the expansion of our business, and we do not anticipate that any cash dividends will be paid in the foreseeable future.

 

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

 

If we determine to pay dividends on any of our Class A Ordinary Shares in the future, as a holding company, we will be dependent on receipt of funds from our Hong Kong subsidiary, Hitek HK.

 

Current PRC regulations permit our indirect PRC subsidiaries to pay dividends to the Company only out of their accumulated profits, if any, determined in accordance with Chinese accounting standards and regulations. In addition, each of our subsidiaries in China is required to set aside at least 10% of its after-tax profits each year, if any, to fund a statutory reserve until such reserve reaches 50% of its registered capital. Each of such entity in China is also required to further set aside a portion of its after-tax profits to fund the employee welfare fund, although the amount to be set aside, if any, is determined at the discretion of its board of directors. Although the statutory reserves can be used, among other ways, to increase the registered capital and eliminate future losses in excess of retained earnings of the respective companies, the reserve funds are not distributable as cash dividends except in the event of liquidation.

 

The PRC government also imposes controls on the conversion of RMB into foreign currencies and the remittance of currencies out of the PRC. Therefore, we may experience difficulties in completing the administrative procedures necessary to obtain and remit foreign currency for the payment of dividends from our profits, if any. Furthermore, if our subsidiaries and affiliates in the PRC incur debt on their own in the future, the instruments governing the debt may restrict their ability to pay dividends or make other payments. If we or our subsidiaries are unable to receive all of the revenues from our operations through the current VIE Agreements, we may be unable to pay dividends on our Class A Ordinary Shares.

 

Cash dividends, if any, on our Class A Ordinary Shares will be paid in U.S. dollars. If we are considered a PRC tax resident enterprise for tax purposes, any dividends we pay to our overseas shareholders may be regarded as China-sourced income and as a result may be subject to PRC withholding tax at a rate of up to 10.0%. See “Taxation — PRC Taxation.”

 

In order for us to pay dividends to our shareholders, we will rely on payments made from Hitek to WFOE, pursuant to VIE Agreements between them, and the distribution of such payments to Hitek HK as dividends from our PRC subsidiaries. Certain payments from our Hitek to WFOE are subject to PRC taxes, including business taxes and VAT. In addition, if Hitek or our PRC subsidiary incurs debt on its own behalf in the future, the instruments governing the debt may restrict its ability to pay dividends or make other distributions to us.

 

Pursuant to the Arrangement between Mainland China and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and Tax Evasion on Income, or the Double Tax Avoidance Arrangement, the 10% withholding tax rate may be lowered to 5% if a Hong Kong resident enterprise owns no less than 25% of a PRC project. However, the 5% withholding tax rate does not automatically apply and certain requirements must be satisfied, including without limitation that (a) the Hong Kong project must be the beneficial owner of the relevant dividends; and (b) the Hong Kong project must directly hold no less than 25% share ownership in the PRC project during the 12 consecutive months preceding its receipt of the dividends. In current practice, a Hong Kong project must obtain a tax resident certificate from the Hong Kong tax authority to apply for the 5% lower PRC withholding tax rate. As the Hong Kong tax authority will issue such a tax resident certificate on a case-by-case basis, we cannot assure you that we will be able to obtain the tax resident certificate from the relevant Hong Kong tax authority and enjoy the preferential withholding tax rate of 5% under the Double Taxation Arrangement with respect to dividends to be paid by our PRC subsidiary to its immediate holding company, Hitek HK. As of the date of this prospectus, we have not applied for the tax resident certificate from the relevant Hong Kong tax authority. Hitek HK intends to apply for the tax resident certificate when WFOE plans to declare and pay dividends to Hitek HK. See “Risk Factors- There are significant uncertainties under the EIT Law relating to the withholding tax liabilities of our PRC subsidiary, and dividends payable by our PRC subsidiary to our offshore subsidiaries may not qualify to enjoy certain treaty benefits.”

   

55

 

 

CAPITALIZATION

 

The following table sets forth our capitalization as of December 31, 2023:

 

  on an actual basis; and
     
  on a pro forma as adjusted basis to reflect the issuance and sale of a minimum of $8,000,000 and a maximum of $20,000,000 of Class A Ordinary Shares by us in this offering at the offering price of US$_____ per Class A Ordinary Share, after deducting the Placement Agent fees and the estimated offering expenses payable by us.

 

You should read this capitalization table in conjunction with “Use of Proceeds,” “Selected Consolidated Financial and Operating Data,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and the consolidated financial statements and the related notes appearing elsewhere in this prospectus.

 

   As of December 31, 2023 
Shareholders’ Equity  Actual*   As adjusted 
       (Maximum)   (Minimum) 
       (Unaudited) 
Class A Ordinary Shares, par value $0.0001 per share, 490,000,000 shares authorized; 14,392,364 shares and 10,987,679 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.   1,439    4,113    3,403 
Additional paid-in capital   16,721,551    43,830,877    32,431,587 
Statutory reserves   836,215    836,215    836,215 
Retained earnings   11,387,748    11,387,748    11,387,748 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss   (609,367)   (609,367)   (609,367)
Total Shareholders’ Equity   28,337,586    55,449,586    44,049,586 
Total Capitalization  $28,337,586    55,449,586    44,049,586 

 

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DILUTION

 

If you invest in our Class A Ordinary Shares, your interest will be diluted for each Class A Ordinary Share you purchase to the extent of the difference between the public offering price per Class A Ordinary Share and our net tangible book value per Class A Ordinary Share after this offering. Dilution results from the fact that the offering price per Class A Ordinary Share is substantially in excess of the net tangible book value per Class A Ordinary Share attributable to the existing shareholders for our presently outstanding Class A Ordinary Shares.

 

Our net tangible book value as of December 31, 2023 was US$28,337,586, or US$1.97 per Class A Ordinary Share. Net tangible book value our total consolidated tangible assets, less the amount of our total consolidated liabilities and offering cost. Dilution is determined by subtracting the as adjusted net tangible book value per Class A Ordinary Share from the public offering price per Class A Ordinary Share and after deducting Placement Agent fees and the estimated offering expenses payable by us.

 

Dilution results from the fact that the per Class A Ordinary Share offering price is substantially in excess of the book value per Class A Ordinary Share attributable to the existing shareholders for our presently outstanding Class A Ordinary Shares. We used the closing price on August 28, 2024, $1.69, to estimate the number of shares to be offered. After giving effect to our estimated maximum issuance and sale of 11,834,320 shares in this offering at an offering price of $1.69 per share after deducting the estimated underwriting discounts and offering expenses payable by us and sale of 14,907,000 Class A Ordinary Shares in the Private Placement at price of $0.55 per share on July 29, 2024, the pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value as of December 31, 2023 would have been $55,449,586 or $1.35 per share. This represents an immediate decrease in net tangible book value to existing shareholders of $0.62 per share. The offering price per share will be significantly lower than the net tangible book value per share. Accordingly, new investors who purchase shares in this offering will suffer an immediate dilution of their investment of $0.34 per share. After giving effect to our estimated minimum issuance and sale of 4,733,728 shares in this offering at an offering price of $1.69 per share after deducting the estimated underwriting discounts and offering expenses payable by us and sale of 14,907,000 Class A Ordinary Shares in the Private Placement at price of $0.55 per share on July 29, 2024, the pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value as of December 31, 2023 would have been $44,049,586 or $1.29 per share. This represents an immediate decrease in net tangible book value to existing shareholders of $0.68 per share. The offering price per share will be significantly lower than the net tangible book value per share. Accordingly, new investors who purchase shares in this offering will suffer an immediate dilution of their investment of $0.40 per share. The following table illustrates this per share dilution to the new investors purchasing shares in this offering:

 

   Post-Offering(1) 
   (Maximum)   (Minimum) 
Offering price per Class A Ordinary Share  US$         1.69   US$         1.69 
Net tangible book value per Class A Ordinary Share as of December 31, 2023  US$1.97   US$1.97 
Decrease in pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value per Class A Ordinary Share attributable to new investors purchasing Class A Ordinary Shares in this offering and closing of private placement  US$(0.62)  US$(0.68)
Pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value per Class A Ordinary Share attributable to payments by new investors  US$1.35   US$1.29 
Amount of dilution in net tangible book value per Class A Ordinary Share to new investors in the offering and closing of private placement  US$(0.34)  US$(0.40)

 

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Post-Offering Ownership

 

The following charts illustrate our pro forma proportionate ownership, upon completion of this offering by present shareholders and investors in this offering, compared to the relative amounts paid by each. The charts reflect payment by present shareholders as of the date the consideration was received and by investors in this Offering at the offering price without deduction of commissions or expenses. The charts further assume no changes in net tangible book value other than those resulting from the offering.

 

   Class A Ordinary
Shares
purchased
   Total consideration   Average
price per
Class A
Ordinary
 
   Number   Percent   Amount   Percent   Share 
           (US$ in
thousands)
         
   (Maximum)       (Maximum)         
Existing shareholders   14,392,364    34.99%  US$16,723    37.23%  US$1.16 
New investors   26,741,320    65.01%  US$28,200    62.77%  US$1.05 
Total   41,133,684    100%  US$44,923    100%  US$1.09 

 

   Class A Ordinary
Shares
purchased
   Total consideration   Average
price per
Class A
Ordinary
 
   Number   Percent   Amount   Percent   Share 
           (US$ in
thousands)
         
   (Minimum)       (Minimum)         
Existing shareholders   14,392,364    42.29%  US$16,723    50.79%  US$1.16 
New investors   19,640,728    57.71%  US$16,200    49.21%  US$0.82 
Total   34,033,092    100%  US$32,923    100%  US$0.97 

 

The as adjusted information as discussed above is illustrative only.

 

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MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITIONS AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus. This discussion and analysis and other parts of this prospectus contain forward-looking statements based upon current beliefs, plans and expectations that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Our actual results and the timing of selected events could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of several factors, including those set forth under “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this prospectus. You should carefully read the “Risk Factors” section of this prospectus to gain an understanding of the important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from our forward-looking statements.

 

Overview

 

We are an offshore holding company incorporated in the Cayman Islands as an exempted company. As a holding company with no material operations, our operations were conducted in China by our subsidiaries and through VIE Agreements, with Hitek and its subsidiaries. Neither we nor our subsidiaries own any equity interests in the VIE. The VIE Agreements are designed so that the operations of the VIE are solely for the benefit of the Company. As such, through the VIE Agreements among WFOE, Hitek and Hitek’s shareholders, we are deemed to have a controlling financial interest in, and be the primary beneficiary of, the VIE for accounting purposes only and must consolidate the VIE because it met the conditions under U.S. GAAP to consolidate the VIE. However, the VIE agreements have not been tested in a court of law, and the VIE structure cannot completely replicate a foreign investment in China-based companies, as the investors will not and may never hold equity interests in the Chinese operating entities. Instead, the VIE structure provides contractual exposure to foreign investment in us. See “Business — Contractual Arrangements between WFOE and Hitek” for a summary of these VIE Agreements.

 

We are an IT consulting and solutions service provider focusing on delivering services to business in various industry sectors in China. As of the date of this prospectus, we have two lines of businesses— 1) services to small and medium businesses (“SMEs”), which consists of Anti-Counterfeiting Tax Control System (“ACTCS”) tax devices, ACTCS services, and 2) services to large businesses, which consists of hardware sales and software sales. We expect to actively develop our system integration services and online service platform in the near future. Our vision is to become a one-stop consulting destination for holistic IT and other business consulting services in China.

 

VAT reporting is mandatory for all business companies in China. The ACTCS is one of the two major VAT control systems that a business entity may choose to comply with the VAT reporting requirements. Developed by the government-owned entity China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (“CASTC”), ACTCS was intended to effectively eliminate counterfeit invoices, providing accurate and complete tax information for the regional and national audit system. The VIE entity, Hitek, is authorized to carry out the sales of GTD. We provide our customers with the necessary ACTCS for their VAT reporting, collection and processing. We are authorized by the State Taxation Bureau, Xiamen Branch, as one of the first ACTCS service providers in the Xiamen metropolitan area. GTD is an ACTCS hardware necessary for normal operation of ACTCS software. The purchase of GTD is allowed only in conjunction with the use of the ACTCS software and its supporting services. Currently, there are three ACTCS services providers for Xiamen businesses, including us.

 

While we are confident our competitive strengths will continue improving our business, we are keenly aware of the challenges that our business faces, especially the challenges in our services to SMEs which are stemmed from the ACTCS services. The services provided to the SMEs are restricted in the Xiamen metropolitan areas since authorization by the State Taxation Bureau, Xiamen Branch to provide ACTCS services is required which is the cornerstone of our services to the SMEs. Prices of GTD and ACTCS annual service fees are regulated and subject to the State Tax Administration’s pricing mandates. We are not able to adjust such pricing and as such our profit margin is limited. The Chinese tax regulators have been rolling out the electronic invoicing system starting from 2018. The electronic invoices enable companies to apply for, issue, transfer and check the invoices through the unified online electronic invoice management system of Chinese Tax authority. Electronic invoices are very useful in helping business entities reduce operating costs and streamline service process, since they do not involve printing, storage and postage procedures. From January 21, 2021, new taxpayers can receive an electronic tax control Ukey for free from the Tax authority. Increased use of electronic invoices and the free distribution of GTD will reduce our annual service fee revenue and thus negatively affect our total revenue. Our client base growth may be limited in spite of our diligent marketing efforts, since it is beyond our control how many new SMEs will open each year in the Xiamen metropolitan area.

 

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Complementing our physical service center, we started developing online service platform in 2018. As of January 2019, the online service platform enables tens of thousands of businesses in the Xiamen metropolitan area to securely process. We plan to offer business management service, such as agent accounting services and online IT outsourcing services, to the SME clients using our ACTCS services. We also plan to expand our service to large businesses to other geographic regions.

 

In April 2021, WFOE established a wholly-owned subsidiary, Haitian Weilai under the laws of the PRC.  The strategy purpose of establishing the new subsidiary is for the integration of tax invoicing management services from Hitek to Haitian Weilai.

 

As part of the services to large businesses, Hitek currently sells Communication Interface System (“CIS”), its self-developed software which provides embedded system interface solutions for large businesses. CIS is a universal embedded interface system used in petrochemical and coal businesses to collect industrial, electricity, facility pressure and temperature statistics and convert to readable format for analytical purposes.

 

As part of our services provided to large businesses, Huasheng sold hardware such as laptops, printers, desktop computers and associated accessories, together with certain internet servers, cameras and monitors. After we launched CIS sales, we also introduced our hardware products to our CIS users. Our major business strategy in the market is to connect and source through exclusive relationships with manufacturers so that Huasheng can offer competitively priced hardware. From the beginning of 2022, Huasheng transferred the above business to the VIE. We plan to market large scale hardware integration systems such as router for commercial use, industrial switch, server, large internet firewall etc. in the future. We have established the online support system in the beginning of 2018. The online system further enhances our customer experience, which is complemented by highly trained professionals and attractive physical store environment.

 

For the year ended December 31, 2023, Hitek’s two business lines had three revenue streams. The first business line, services to large businesses, including hardware sales, representing 53% of total revenue, and the software sales, representing 17% of total revenue; and the second business line, ACTCS devices and services, represented 30% of total revenue. For the year ended December 31, 2022, Hitek’s two business lines had three revenue streams. The first business line, services to large businesses, including hardware sales, represented 39% of total revenue, and the software sales, represented 33% of total revenue, and the second business line, ACTCS devices and services, represented 28% of total revenue. In recent years, the Chinese tax regulators have been rolling out the electronic invoicing system.

 

Holding Company Structure

 

Overview

 

We are a holding company with no material operations of our own. We conduct substantially all of our business in China through contractual arrangements with Xiamen Hengda Hitek Computer Network Co., Ltd., the VIE, and its subsidiaries. See “Business — Contractual Agreements between WFOE and Hitek” for a summary of these VIE arrangements. As of December 31, 2023, the VIE and its subsidiaries (the “VIEs”) accounted for 57% and 100% of the Company’s total assets and total liabilities, respectively. As of December 31, 2022, the VIEs accounted for 96% and 98% of our total assets and total liabilities, respectively. As of December 31, 2021, the VIEs accounted for 93% and 100% of our total assets and total liabilities, respectively. As of December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021, $1,041,909, $843,705 and $1,486,311 of cash was denominated in RMB, respectively.

 

Conducting our operations through contractual arrangements with the variable interest entities entails a risk that we may lose the power to direct the activities that most significantly affect the economic performance of the variable interest entities, which may result in our being unable to consolidate their financial results with our results and may impair our access to their cash flow from operations and thereby reduce our liquidity. See “Risk Factors — Risks Relating to Doing Business in the PRC” for more information, including the risk factors titled “Our contractual arrangements with Hitek and its shareholders may not be effective in providing control over Hitek” and “Because we conduct our business through Hitek, a VIE, if we fail to comply with applicable law, we could be subject to severe penalties and our business could be adversely affected.”

 

In addition, any transfer of funds from us to any of our subsidiaries in China or VIEs, either as a shareholder loan or as an increase in registered capital, is subject to certain statutory limit requirements and registration or approval of the relevant PRC governmental authorities, including the relevant administration of foreign exchange and/or the relevant examining and approval authority. Our subsidiaries in China and VIEs are not permitted under PRC law to directly lend money to one another.

 

Therefore, it is difficult to change our capital expenditure plans once the relevant funds are remitted from our company to our subsidiaries in China or VIEs. These limitations on the free flow of funds between us and our subsidiaries in China and VIEs could restrict our ability to act in response to changing market conditions and reallocate funds internally in a timely manner.

 

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Dividend Distributions

 

We intend to keep any future earnings to re-invest in and finance the expansion of our business, and we do not anticipate that any cash dividends will be paid in the foreseeable future. Under Cayman Islands law, a Cayman Islands company may pay a dividend on its shares out of either profit or share premium amount, provided that in no circumstances may a dividend be paid if this would result in the company being unable to pay its debts due in the ordinary course of business. If we determine to pay dividends on any of our Class A Ordinary Shares or Class B Ordinary Shares in the future, as a holding company, we will be dependent on receipt of funds from our Hong Kong subsidiary, Hitek HK.

 

Current PRC regulations permit our indirect subsidiaries in China to pay dividends to the Company only out of their accumulated profits, if any, determined in accordance with Chinese accounting standards and regulations. In addition, each of our subsidiaries in China is required to set aside at least 10% of its after-tax profits each year, if any, to fund a statutory reserve until such reserve reaches 50% of its registered capital. Each of such entity in China is also required to further set aside a portion of its after-tax profits to fund the employee welfare fund, although the amount to be set aside, if any, is determined at the discretion of its board of directors. Although the statutory reserves can be used, among other ways, to increase the registered capital and eliminate future losses in excess of retained earnings of the respective companies, the reserve funds are not distributable as cash dividends except in the event of liquidation.

 

The PRC government also imposes controls on the conversion of RMB into foreign currencies and the remittance of currencies out of the PRC. Therefore, we may experience difficulties in completing the administrative procedures necessary to obtain and remit foreign currency for the payment of dividends from our profits, if any. Furthermore, if our subsidiaries in the PRC incur debt on their own in the future, the instruments governing the debt may restrict their ability to pay dividends or make other payments. If we or our subsidiaries are unable to receive all of the revenues from our operations through the current VIE Agreements, we may be unable to pay dividends on our Class A Ordinary Shares or Class B Ordinary Shares.

 

Cash dividends, if any, on our Class A Ordinary Shares or Class B Ordinary Shares will be paid in U.S. dollars. If we are considered a PRC tax resident enterprise for tax purposes, any dividends we pay to our overseas shareholders may be regarded as China-sourced income and as a result may be subject to PRC withholding tax at a rate of up to 10.0%.

 

For us to pay dividends to our shareholders, we will rely on payments made from Hitek to WFOE, pursuant to VIE Agreements between them, and the distribution of such payments to Hitek HK as dividends from WFOE. Certain payments from our Hitek to WFOE are subject to PRC taxes, including business taxes and VAT.

 

Pursuant to the Arrangement between Mainland China and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and Tax Evasion on Income, or the Double Tax Avoidance Arrangement, the 10% withholding tax rate may be lowered to 5% if a Hong Kong resident enterprise owns no less than 25% of a PRC project. However, the 5% withholding tax rate does not automatically apply and certain requirements must be satisfied, including without limitation that (a) the Hong Kong project must be the beneficial owner of the relevant dividends; and (b) the Hong Kong project must directly hold no less than 25% share ownership in the PRC project during the 12 consecutive months preceding its receipt of the dividends. In current practice, a Hong Kong project must obtain a tax resident certificate from the Hong Kong tax authority to apply for the 5% lower PRC withholding tax rate. As the Hong Kong tax authority will issue such a tax resident certificate on a case-by-case basis, we cannot assure you that we will be able to obtain the tax resident certificate from the relevant Hong Kong tax authority and enjoy the preferential withholding tax rate of 5% under the Double Taxation Arrangement with respect to dividends to be paid by our PRC subsidiary to its immediate holding company, Hitek HK. As of the date of this prospectus, we have not applied for the tax resident certificate from the relevant Hong Kong tax authority. Hitek HK intends to apply for the tax resident certificate when WFOE plans to declare and pay dividends to Hitek HK. See “Risk Factors - There are significant uncertainties under the EIT Law relating to the withholding tax liabilities of our PRC subsidiary, and dividends payable by our PRC subsidiary to our offshore subsidiaries may not qualify to enjoy certain treaty benefits.”

 

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Risks in relation to the VIE structure

 

The VIE structure through contractual arrangements has been adopted by many PRC-based companies, including us, to obtain necessary licenses and permits in the industries that are currently subject to foreign investment restrictions in China. The MOFCOM published a discussion draft of the proposed PRC Foreign Investment Law (“FIL”) in January 2015, or the 2015 Draft FIL, according to which, variable interest entities that are controlled via contractual arrangements would also be deemed as foreign-invested entities, if they are ultimately “controlled” by foreign investors. In March 2019, the PRC National People’s Congress promulgated the PRC FIL, and in December 2019, the State Council promulgated the Implementing Rules of PRC FIL, or the Implementing Rules, to further clarify and elaborate the relevant provisions of the PRC FIL. The PRC FIL and the Implementing Rules both became effective from January 1, 2020 and replaced the major previous laws and regulations governing foreign investments in the PRC. Pursuant to the PRC FIL, “foreign investments” refer to investment activities conducted by foreign investors (including foreign natural persons, foreign companies or other foreign organizations) directly or indirectly in the PRC, which include any of the following circumstances: (i) foreign investors setting up foreign-invested companies in the PRC solely or jointly with other investors, (ii) foreign investors obtaining shares, equity interests, property portions or other similar rights and interests of companies within the PRC, (iii) foreign investors investing in new projects in the PRC solely or jointly with other investors, and (iv) investment in other methods as specified in laws, administrative regulations, or as stipulated by the State Council. The PRC FIL and the Implementing Rules do not introduce the concept of “control” in determining whether a company would be considered as a foreign-invested enterprise, nor do they explicitly provide whether the VIE structure would be deemed as a method of foreign investment. However, the PRC FIL has a catch-all provision that includes into the definition of “foreign investments” made by foreign investors in China in other methods as specified in laws, administrative regulations, or as stipulated by the State Council, and as the PRC FIL and the Implementing Rules are newly adopted and relevant government authorities may promulgate more laws, regulations or rules on the interpretation and implementation of the PRC FIL, the possibility cannot be ruled out that the concept of “control” as stated in the 2015 Draft FIL may be embodied in, or the VIE structure adopted by us may be deemed as a method of foreign investment by, any of such future laws, regulations and rules. If our consolidated VIE was deemed as a foreign-invested enterprise under any of such future laws, regulations and rules, and any of the businesses that we operate would be in any “negative list” for foreign investment and therefore be subject to any foreign investment restrictions or prohibitions, further actions required to be taken by us under such laws, regulations and rules may materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. Furthermore, if future laws, administrative regulations or provisions mandate further actions to be taken by companies with respect to existing contractual arrangements, we may face substantial uncertainties as to whether we can complete such actions in a timely manner, or at all. Failure to take timely and appropriate measures to cope with any of these or similar regulatory compliance challenges could materially and adversely affect our current corporate structure, business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

Tabular Disclosure of Contractual Obligations

 

Below is a table setting forth all of our contractual obligations as of December 31, 2023:

 

Payment Due by Period
       Less than           More than 
Contractual Obligations  Total   1 year   1 – 3 years   3 – 5 years   5 years 
Operating lease obligations  $3,382   $3,382   $-   $    -   $     - 
Loan Obligations                         
Principal   2,606,698    493,159    2,113,539    -    - 
Interest   278,283    278,283    -    -    - 
Total  $2,888,363   $774,824   $2,113,539   $-   $- 

 

Below is a table setting forth all of our contractual obligations as of December 31, 2022:

 

Payment Due by Period
       Less than           More than 
Contractual Obligations  Total   1 year   1 – 3 years   3 – 5 years   5 years 
Operating lease obligations  $6,948   $3,474   $3,474   $     -   $       - 
Loan Obligations                         
Principal   2,677,628    506,578    2,171,050    -    - 
Interest   285,855    285,855    -    -    - 
Total  $2,970,431   $795,907   $2,174,524   $-   $- 

 

Consolidation

 

The Company provides substantially all of its services to large businesses and SMEs in China via the VIE and its subsidiaries, due to PRC legal restrictions of foreign ownership in certain sectors. Substantially all of the Company’s revenues, costs and net income in China are directly or indirectly generated through the VIE and its subsidiaries. The Company has signed various agreements with the VIE and legal shareholders of the VIE to allow the transfer of economic benefits from the VIE to the Company and to direct the activities of the VIE.

 

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Total assets and liabilities presented on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets and revenue, expense, net income presented on consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income as well as the cash flow from operating, investing and financing activities presented on the consolidated statement of cash flows are substantially the financial position, operation and cash flow of the Company’s VIE and VIE’s subsidiaries. The Company has not provided any financial support to the VIE and the VIE’s subsidiaries for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021. As of December 31, 2023, the VIEs accounted for 57% and 100% of the Company’s total assets and total liabilities, respectively. As of December 31, 2022, the VIE and its subsidiaries accounted for 96% and 98% of our total assets and total liabilities, respectively. As of December 31, 2021, the VIE and its subsidiaries accounted for 93% and 100% of our total assets and total liabilities, respectively. As of December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021, $1,041,909, $843,705 and $1,486,311 of cash was denominated in RMB, respectively. The following table sets forth the assets, liabilities, results of operations and changes in cash, cash equivalents the VIE and its subsidiaries taken as a whole, which were included in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets and statements of comprehensive income and statements of cash flows with intercompany transactions eliminated:

 

    As of December 31,  
    2023     2022  
Current assets   $ 10,571,775     $ 11,276,852  
Total non-current assets   $ 9,641,441     $ 9,102,933  
Total Assets   $ 20,213,216     $ 20,379,785  
Total liabilities   $ 7,073,660     $ 5,329,843  

 

    Years Ended December 31,  
    2023     2022     2021  
Revenues   $ 4,335,591     $ 6,228,595     $ 6,473,638  
Net income   $ 1,098,947     $ 1,684,991     $ 2,061,517  

 

    Years Ended December 31,  
    2023     2022     2021  
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities   $ 834,596     $ 4,016,852     $ (757,861 )
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities   $ (675,964 )   $ (7,349,231 )   $ 400,006  
Net cash provided by financing activities   $ -     $ 2,749,498     $ -  

 

Revenue Recognition

 

The Company follows ASU 2014-09, Topic 606, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers” and its related amendments (collectively referred to as “ASC 606”) for its revenue recognition accounting policy that depicts the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the Company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. In accordance with ASC 606, revenue is recognized when all of the following five steps are met: (i) identify the contract(s) with the customer; (ii) identify the performance obligations in the contract; (iii) determine the transaction price; (iv) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations; (v) recognize revenue when (or as) each performance obligation is satisfied.

 

The Company generates its revenues primarily from three sources: (1) hardware sales, (2) software sales, and (3) tax devices and services. The Company recognizes revenue when performance obligations under the terms of a contract with its customers are satisfied. This occurs when the control of the goods and services have been transferred to the customer.

 

Hardware sales

 

Hardware revenues are primarily from the sale of computer and network hardware to end users. The products include computers, printers, internet cables, certain internet servers, cameras and monitors. Sales of hardware have a single performance obligation. The Company usually recognizes the revenue when ownership is transferred to end customers. The Company’s revenue from sales of hardware is reported on a gross basis since the Company is primarily obligated in the transaction, bears inventory and credit risk and has discretion to establish the prices. Hardware sales are classified as “Revenue” in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations.

 

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Software sales

 

Hitek also does business in software sales and focuses on the perpetual license sales for one of the self-developed software Communication Interface System (“CIS”). CIS is based on LINUX, which is a general embedded interface system used in petrochemical and coal companies. The system is used to communicate the RCTX-X module, collect the work diagram, the electricity diagram, the pressure temperature and other measures, and can extract the data and import it to the software of the windows platform to display analysis.

 

Performance Obligations - Software contracts with customers include multiple performance obligations such as sale of software license, installation of software, operation training service and warranty. The installation and operation training are essential to the functionality of the software which are provided to the clients prior to the acceptance of the software. The Company provides one-year warranty which mainly telephone supports. The Company estimates that costs associated with warranty are de minimis to the overall contract. Therefore, the Company does not further allocate transaction price.

 

The Company recognizes revenue when the software is accepted by the customer. Revenues from software sales contracts are classified as “Revenue” on the Company’s consolidated statements of operations.

 

Tax Devices and Services

 

Before January 21, 2021, all VAT general taxpayer businesses in China were required to purchase the Anti-Counterfeiting Tax Control System (“ACTCS” or Golden Tax Disk or GTD) tax devices to issue the VAT Invoice and for quarterly VAT filing. Hitek is authorized to carry out the implementation of ACTCS specialty hardware retailing. The price of GTD and related supporting services are determined by the National Development and Reform Commission. From January 21, 2021, new taxpayers can receive electronic tax control Ukey for free from the Tax authority. Hitek could provide supporting services to the new taxpayers.

 

Performance Obligations - Tax devices and services contracts with customers include multiple performance obligations such as delivery of products, installation and after-sales supporting services, tax control system risk investigation service, and tax invoicing management service, such as training service on issuing electronic invoice, complete tax declaration automatically and back up data online. 

 

Revenue from the sales of GTD devices is recognized when ownership is transferred to end customers. The Company provides the tax device after-sales supporting services and tax invoicing management service, charging the service fee on an annual basis because the service period is usually one year. Revenue from its service is recognized as the services are performed and amounts are earned, using the straight-line method over the term of the related services agreement. The Company also charges a one-time service charge for each investigation request. Revenue from tax control system risk investigation service is recognized when the services are performed. Revenue is recognized based on each performance obligation’s standalone selling price that is sold separately and charged to customers at contract inception.

 

The Company’s revenue from its gross billings is reported on a gross basis since the Company is primarily obligated in the transaction, is subject to inventory and credit risk and has several but not all of the indications that revenue should be recorded on the gross basis.

 

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Revenue was comprised of the following.

 

   Years Ended December 31, 
   2023   2022   2021 
Revenues            
Hardware  $2,428,592   $2,504,426   $2,434,694 
Tax devices and service   1,376,323    1,803,650    1,970,363 
Software   758,816    2,120,532    2,056,106 
Total revenues  $4,563,731   $6,428,608   $6,461,163 

 

Contract balances

 

Prepayments received from customers before the services are performed are recorded as deferred revenue. Deferred revenue consists of the annual service fees for Golden Tax Disk and tax invoicing management service received from customers while the services have not yet been performed. The Company recognizes service fees as revenue on a straight-line basis in accordance with the service periods.

 

Practical expedients and exemptions

 

The Company generally expenses sales commissions as incurred because the amortization period would have been one year or less.

 

Expected Credit Losses

 

On January 1, 2023, the Company adopted ASC 326, Credit Losses (“ASC 326”), which replaced previously issued guidance regarding the impairment of financial instruments with an expected loss methodology that will result in more timely recognition of credit losses. The Company used a modified retrospective approach and did not restate the comparable prior periods. The adoption did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements (“CFS”).

 

Upon adoption of ASC 326, the Company maintains an allowance for credit losses in accordance with ASC 326 and records the allowance for credit losses as an offset to assets such as accounts receivable, etc., and the estimated credit losses charged to the allowance are classified as general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss). The Company assesses collectability by reviewing receivables on a collective basis where similar characteristics exist, primarily based on the size and nature of specific customers’ receivables. In determining the amount of the allowance for credit losses, the Company considers historical collectability based on past due status, the age of the receivable balances, credit quality of the Company’s customers based on ongoing credit evaluations, current economic conditions, reasonable and supportable forecasts of future economic conditions, and other factors that may affect the Company’s ability to collect from customers. Bad debts are written off as incurred.

 

Inventories

 

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost (weighted average basis) or net realizable value. The methods of determining inventory costs are used consistently from year to year. Allowance for inventory obsolescence is provided when the market value of certain inventory items is lower than the cost.

 

Leases

 

On December 31, 2022, the Company adopted Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-02, Leases (as amended by ASU 2018-01, 2018-10, 2018-11, 2018-20, and 2019-01, collectively “ASC 842”), using the modified retrospective method. The Company elected the transition method which allows entities to initially apply the requirements by recognizing a cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings in the period of adoption. As a result of electing this transition method, previously reported financial information has not been restated to reflect the application of the new standard to the comparative periods presented. The Company elected the package of practical expedients permitted under the transition guidance within ASC 842, which among other things, allows the Company to carry forward certain historical conclusions reached under ASC Topic 840 regarding lease identification, classification, and the accounting treatment of initial direct costs. The Company elected not to record assets and liabilities on its consolidated balance sheet for new or existing lease arrangements with terms of 12 months or less. The Company recognizes lease expenses for such lease on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

 

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The most significant impact upon adoption relates to the recognition of Right-of-use (“ROU”) assets and lease liabilities on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets for office and warehouse space leases. At the commencement date of a lease, the Company recognizes a lease liability for future fixed lease payments and a right-of-use (“ROU”) asset representing the right to use the underlying asset during the lease term. The lease liability is initially measured as the present value of the future fixed lease payments that will be made over the lease term. The lease term includes periods for which it is reasonably certain that the renewal options will be exercised and periods for which it’s reasonably certain that the termination options will not be exercised. The future fixed lease payments are discounted using the rate implicit in the lease, if available, or the incremental borrowing rate (“IBR”). The Company will evaluate the carrying value of ROU assets if there are indicators of impairment and review the recoverability of the related asset group. If the carrying value of the asset group is determined to not be recoverable and is in excess of the estimated fair value, the Company will record an impairment loss in other expenses in the consolidated statements of operations.

 

Recently issued accounting pronouncements

 

In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures, which requires disaggregated information about an entity’s effective tax rate reconciliation and additional discloses on income taxes paid. The new requirements are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2024. The guidance is to be applied prospectively, with an option for retrospective application. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this new guidance on disclosures within its CFS.

 

The Company does not believe other recently issued but not yet effective accounting standards, if currently adopted, would have a material effect on our CFS.

 

Results of Operations

 

The following consolidated results of operations include the results of operations of the Company, its wholly owned subsidiary and consolidated VIEs.

 

Our historical reporting results are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for any future period.

 

Year Ended December 31, 2023 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2022

 

Revenue

 

           Increase /   Percentage 
   2023   2022   (Decrease)   Change 
Hardware  $2,428,592   $2,504,426   $(75,834)   (3.0)%
CIS software   758,816    2,120,532    (1,361,716)   (64.2)%
Tax devices and service   1,376,323    1,803,650    (427,327)   (23.7)%
Total revenues  $4,563,731   $6,428,608   $(1,864,877)   (29.0)%

 

We have the following three revenue streams – hardware sales, CIS software sales, and tax devices and services sales. The hardware sales decrease was mainly due to the decrease in sales to large customers due to these large customers reducing their procurement and slowing down their repayment. CIS software sales consist of software sales and services. CIS software sales decreased mainly due to the decrease of software sales to large customers, for these large customers reduced their procurement and slowed down their repayment. Tax devices and service sales decreased due to new policies from January 2021 that new taxpayers in Xiamen could get free tax Ukeys from the Tax authorization. We expect the tax devices and service sales will be affected in the future. Our total revenues for the year ended December 31, 2023 were $4,563,731, a decrease of $1,864,877 or 29.0% from $6,428,608 for the year ended December 31, 2022. The Company expects to expand tax control system risk investigation service for SMEs and also increase orders for software and hardware sales from major customers in 2024. 

 

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Cost and Margin

 

           Increase /   Percentage 
   2023   2022   (Decrease)   Change 
Total revenues  $4,563,731   $6,428,608   $(1,864,877)   (29.0)%
Cost of revenues   2,642,491    2,891,565    (249,074)   (8.6)%
Gross profit  $1,921,240   $3,537,043   $(1,615,803)   (45.7)%
Margin %   42.1%   55.0%   (12.9)%     

 

Cost of revenue is comprised of (i) the direct cost of our hardware products purchased from third parties; (ii) logistics-related costs, which primarily include product packaging and freight-in charges; (iii) third-party royalties paid related to the Golden Tax Disk (“GTD”), an Anti-Counterfeiting Tax Control System (“ACTCS”) tax device; (iv) compensation for the employees who handle the products and perform Tax invoicing management services and other costs that are necessary for us to provide the services to our customers; and (v) outsourcing costs, which primarily include software outsourcing service cost to the third parties.

 

Cost of revenues decreased to $2,642,491 for the year ended December 31, 2023 from $2,891,565 for 2022, a decrease of $249,074 or 8.6%. This decrease was mainly due to the change in revenue mix, with less revenues generated in 2023 from software sales that have a higher gross profit, which resulted in the decrease of cost of sales as a percentage of sales in 2023 compared to 2022.

 

Gross Profit. Our gross profit decreased to $1,921,240 for the year ended December 31, 2023 from $3,537,043 for 2022. Our gross profit as a percentage of revenue decreased to 42.1% for the year ended December 31, 2023 from 55.0% for 2022. This was mainly due to the change in revenue mix, with fewer revenues being generated in 2023 from CIS software sales that have a higher profit margin. The Company expects to continue to focus on projects with high gross profit, such as services for SMEs, and at the same time, increase the hardware and software sales of large customers.

 

Operating Expenses

 

           Increase /   Percentage 
   2023   2022   (Decrease)   Change 
Selling expenses  $648   $437,185   $(436,537)   (99.9)%
% of revenue   0.0%   6.8%   (6.8)%   - 
General and administrative expenses   1,819,531    1,472,648    346,883    23.6%
% of revenue   39.9%   22.9%   17%   - 
Operating expenses  $1,820,179   $1,909,833   $(89,654)   (4.7)%

 

Selling Expenses. Selling expenses consist primarily of shipping and handling costs for products sold and advertising and marketing expenses for the promotion of our products. Selling expenses decreased by 99.9% or $436,537 to $648 for the year ended December 31, 2023 from $437,185 in 2022. The decrease was mainly attributable to the decrease in the Company’s sales commissions to obtain new orders in 2023. Selling expenses were 0.01% of total revenue for the year ended December 31, 2023 and 6.8% of total revenue in 2022.

 

General and Administrative Expenses. General and administrative expenses consist primarily of salary and welfare for our general administrative and management staff, facilities costs, depreciation expenses, professional fees, accounting fees, directors and officers liability insurance, and other miscellaneous expenses incurred in connection with general operations. General and administrative expenses increased by 23.6% or $346,883 to $1,819,531 for the year ended December 31, 2023 from $1,472,648 in 2022. The increase was mainly due to (1) the increase of professional service fee of $233,458 resulting from financial and legal consulting in 2023, (2) other fees of $36,728 related to the Company’s initial public offering in March 2023, and (3) rent of $78,246. The increase was offset by a decrease in salary expense of $133,492 resulting from the reduction of employees for cost-effectiveness consideration. General and administrative expenses were 39.9% of total revenue for the year ended December 31, 2023 and 22.9% of total revenue in 2022.

 

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Net Income

 

           Increase /   Percentage 
   2023   2022   (Decrease)   Change 
Operating income  $101,061   $1,627,210   $(1,526,149)   (93.8)%
Total other income   1,493,465    241,753    1,251,712    517.8%
Income before income taxes   1,594,526    1,868,963    (274,437)   (14.7)%
Income tax expense   (546,885)   (453,218)   (93,667)   20.7%
Net income  $1,047,641   $1,415,745   $(368,104)   (26.0)%
Effective tax rate   34.3%   24.2%        (10.1)%

 

Operating income. Operating income was $101,061 for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to $1,627,210 for 2022. The decrease in operating income in 2022 was primarily due to the decrease in CIS software sales.

 

Other income. Other income includes government subsidy income, net investment income (loss), and interest income and expenses. Other income was $1,493,465 and $241,753 for years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The increase was primarily due to the increase in investment income of $349,915, government subsidies of $560,090 and interest income of $366,320.

 

Income tax expense. Income tax expense was $546,885 for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to $453,218 for 2022. The increase in income tax expense was due primarily to the increase in deferred tax liability resulting from the increased unbilled revenue from large customers.

 

Effective tax rate. Effective tax rate was 34.3% for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to 24.2% for 2022. The increase was due primarily to one PRC subsidiary with a preferential tax policy recording a loss in 2023, whereas it recorded a profit in 2022.

 

Net income. As a result of the factors described above, net income was $1,047,641 for the year ended December 31, 2023, a decrease of $368,104 from $1,415,745 for 2022.

 

Year Ended December 31, 2022 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2021

 

Revenue

 

           Increase /   Percentage 
   2022   2021   (Decrease)   Change 
Hardware  $2,504,426   $2,434,694   $69,732    2.9%
CIS Software   2,120,532    2,056,106    64,426    3.1%
Tax devices and service   1,803,650    1,970,363    (166,713)   (8.5)%
Total revenues  $6,428,608   $6,461,163   $(32,555)   (0.5)%

 

We have the following three streams - hardware retail and wholesale, software sales, and ACTCS sales and services. The hardware sales increase was mainly from small retail sales. The software sales consist of software sales and software services. The sales of software increase was due to increase of maintenance service revenue. Tax devices and service sales were decreased due to the new policies carried from January 2021 that the new taxpayers in Xiamen could get free tax Ukeys from the tax authorization. We expect the tax devices and service sales will be affected in the future. Our total revenues for the year ended December 31, 2022 were $6,428,608, a decrease of $32,555 or 0.5% from $6,461,163 for the year ended December 31, 2021. The overall decrease in revenue mainly resulted from the decrease of tax device and service due to the new policy carried from January 2021.

 

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The Company expects to expand tax control system risk investigation service for SMEs and also increase orders for software and hardware sales from major customers in 2023.

 

Cost and Margin

 

           Increase /   Percentage 
   2022   2021   (Decrease)   Change 
Total revenues  $6,428,608   $6,461,163   $(32,555)   (0.5)%
Cost of revenues   2,891,565    2,581,218    310,347    12.0%
Gross profit   3,537,043    3,879,945    (342,902)   (8.8)%
Margin %   55.0%   60.1%   (5.1)%     

 

Cost of revenue is comprised of (i) the direct cost of our hardware products purchased from third parties; (ii) logistics-related costs, which primarily include product packaging and freight-in charges; (iii) third-party royalties paid related to the GTD (iv) compensation for the employees who handle the products and perform Tax invoicing management services and other costs that are necessary for us to provide the services to our customers; and (v) outsourcing costs, which primarily include software outsourcing service cost to the third parties.

 

Cost of revenues increased to $2,891,565 for the year ended December 31, 2022 from $2,581,218 for 2021. An increase of $310,347 or 12.0%. This increase was mainly due to cost of sales of software increased in 2022 compared to 2021.

 

Gross Profit. Our gross profit decreased to $3,537,043 for the year ended December 31, 2022 from $3,879.945 for 2021. Our gross profit as a percentage of revenue decreased to 55.0% for the year ended December 31, 2022 from 60.1% for 2021. This was mainly due to the increase of cost of software, for the software maintenance service from March 20, 2021 to July 31, 2021 is provided by Huoerguosi itself, which resulting in a reduction in costs and a higher GP% in 2021. The Company expects to continue to focus on projects with high gross profit such as services for SMEs, and at the same time, increase the hardware and software sales of large customers.

 

Operating Expenses

 

           Increase /   Percentage 
   2022   2021   (Decrease)   Change 
Selling expenses  $437,185   $76,477   $360,708    471.7%
% of revenue   6.8%   1.2%   5.6%   - 
General and administrative expenses   1,472,648    1,699,934    (227,286)   (13.4)%
% of revenue   22.9%   26.3%   (3.4)%   - 
Operating expenses  $1,909,833   $1,776,411   $133,422    7.5%

 

Selling Expenses. Selling expenses consist primarily of shipping and handling costs for products sold and advertisement and marketing expenses for promotion of our products. Selling expenses increased by 471.7% or $360,708 to $437,185 in the year ended December 31, 2022 from $76,477 in 2021. The increase was mainly because of the increase of the Company’s sales commission in connection with obtaining new orders. Selling expenses were 6.8% of total revenue for the year ended December 31, 2022 and 1.2% of total revenue in 2021. The Company expects to maintain the current ratio of selling expenses to revenue in 2023.

 

General and Administrative Expenses. General and administrative expenses consist primarily of costs in salary and welfare expenses for our general administrative and management staff, facilities costs, depreciation expenses, professional fees, accounting fees, and other miscellaneous expenses incurred in connection with general operations. General and administrative expenses decreased by 13.4% or $227,286 to $1,472,648 for the year ended December 31, 2022 from $1,699,934 in 2021. The decrease was mainly due to the decrease of bad debt recovery of $124,847, and offset with the decrease of depreciation expense of $333,857. General and administrative expenses were 22.9% of total revenue for the year ended December 31, 2022 and 26.3% of total revenue in 2021. The Company expected to maintain the current ratio of general and administrative expenses to revenue in 2023.

 

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Net Income

 

           Increase /   Percentage 
   2022   2021   (Decrease)   Change 
Operating income  $1,627,210   $2,103,534   $(476,324)   (22.6)%
Total other income   241,753    108,676    133,077    122.5%
Income before income taxes   1,868,963    2,212,210    (343,247)   (15.5)%
Income tax expense   (453,218)   (542,853)   89,635    (16.5)%
Net income  $1,415,745   $1,669,357   $(253,612)   (15.2)%
Effective tax rate   24.2%   24.5%        0.3%

 

Operating income. Operating income was $1,627,210 for the year ended December 31, 2022, compared to $2,103,534 for 2021. The decrease in operating income in 2022 was primary due to the decrease in gross profit.

 

Other income. Other income includes government subsidy income, net investment income (loss), and interest income and expenses. Other income was $241,753 and $108,676 for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. The increase was primarily due to the increase of interest income related to the loan receivables in the amount of $570,707 offset by the increase of interest expense for the borrowings of $285,353.

 

Income tax expense. Income tax expense was $453,218 for the year ended December 31, 2022, compared to $542,853 for 2021. The decrease in income tax expense was due primarily to the decrease in gross profit.

 

Effective tax rate. Effective tax rate was 24.2% for the year ended December 31, 2022, compared to 24.5% for 2021.

 

Net income. As a result of the factors described above, net income was $1,415,745 for the year ended December 31, 2022, a decrease of $253,612 from net income $1,669,357 for 2021.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

Year Ended December 31, 2023 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2022

 

Our principal sources of liquidity come from cash generated from operating activities, equity financing and loans. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, we had cash of $9,311,537 and $1,203,160, respectively.

 

Working Capital. Working capital as of December 31, 2023 was $21,413,847 compared to $6,981,017 as of December 31, 2022. The increase was mainly due to an increase in the current portion of short-term investments of $4,547,097, loan receivable of $2,595,132, and prepaid expenses and other current assets of $257,994, which was offset by a decrease in accounts receivable of $1,551,945, inventories of $211,165 and advance to suppliers of $143,603. Current liabilities were $3,372,752 as of December 31, 2023, compared to $4,203,695 as of December 31, 2022. This increase in liabilities was attributable mainly to an increase in deferred revenue of $810,294. In addition, in April 2023, the Company received approximately $15.1 million from the public offering. We believe our current cash and anticipated cash flow from operations will be sufficient to meet our anticipated cash needs, including our cash needs for working capital and capital expenditures, for at least the next 12 months.

 

Capital Resources and Capital Needs. To date, we have financed our operations primarily through cash flows from operations, third-party loans and stock offering. With the uncertainty of the current market, our management believes it is necessary to enhance the collection of outstanding accounts receivable and other receivables, and to be cautious on operational decisions and project selection. Our management believes our current operations can satisfy our daily working capital needs. We expect to incur additional capital expenditures for research and development of software, recruiting additional employees, and enhancing our information technology system. We intend to fund these planned expenditures with our operating cash flow and our cash balance, as well as net proceeds received from our initial public offering in April 2023.

 

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The Company engages an external vendor to develop software APP. As of December 31, 2023, the Company paid product development costs of $410,509 and the total contract amount was $422,708. In March 2021, the Company signed a supplementary agreement to postpone the official launch of the software APP after the closing of the Company’s initial public offering. In August 2023, the Company signed a supplementary agreement with another external vendor who took over the unfulfilled contractual obligations from previous external vendor who was deregistered in May 2023. This software development project was restarted after August 2023. And the Company plans to conduct close beta in 2024.  In 2023, the Company signed a software upgrade and development contract (for internal use) (Interface System), which obligated the software company to perform certain specific software upgrade and development activities from May to September 2023. The development is finished and will be accepted by the Company in April 2024. As of December 31, 2023, the Company paid the software upgrade and development costs of $338,166 and the total contract amount was $676,333.

 

On January 21, 2022, March 28, 2022 and June 14, 2022, the Company made three loans of RMB30,000,000 ($4,272,079), RMB3,000,000 ($422,708) and RMB7,000,000 ($986,318) to a third party, which were restricted for its operating activities, carrying interest at 12%. The RMB30,000,000 loan was extended for one year and will mature on January 21, 2025. The RMB7,000,00 was extended for one year and will mature on June 14, 2025. The RMB3,000,000 loan was repaid in August 2022 with an interest of RMB120,000 ($17,368).

 

In 2023, the Company provided loans with interest of 1.5% per month to another third party for its operating activities. The loans are secured by their respective pledge contracts using their underlying assets. Such loans will mature within nine months from the date of issue, with loan principal, interest and handling fees to be settled immediately after the maturity date. From April to December 2023, total loans to such a third party were $9.8 million, of which $7.3 million of the principal was repaid prior to December 31, 2023.

 

The Company reviews accounts receivable on a periodic basis and records credit losses when there is doubt as to the collectability of balances. Our management is confident in collecting account receivables and other receivables. The accounts receivable, net and the accounts receivable from related party, net balance was $2,118,738 and nil as of December 31, 2023, respectively.

 

The Company gives customers different credit periods, depending on the scale of the customer and past credit experience. For large customers such as large-scale oil and coal mine customers, the Company gives a two-year credit period from March 2019 because of these customers’ long repayment cycle. Net balance of the accounts receivable was $6,451,813 as of December 31, 2023, of which $1,902,185 was collected as of the date of this prospectus.

 

For IT outsourcing customers, the Company gives an 18 months credit period. The accounts receivable, net balance was $nil as of December 31, 2023.

 

For small and medium customers, the Company gives a six months credit period. The accounts receivable, net balance was $264,139 as of December 31, 2023.

 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements.

 

We have not entered into any financial guarantees or other commitments to guarantee the payment obligations of any third parties. In addition, we have not entered into any derivative contracts that are indexed to our own shares and classified as shareholders’ equity, or that are not reflected in our financial statements. Furthermore, we do not have any retained or contingent interest in assets transferred to an unconsolidated entity that serves as credit, liquidity or market risk support to such entity. Moreover, we do not have any variable interest in an unconsolidated entity that provides financing, liquidity, market risk or credit support to us or engages in leasing, hedging or research and development services with us.

 

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Cash Flows Analysis 

 

(a)Operating Activities

 

(1)Net cash used in operating activities was $61,912 for the year ended December 31, 2023, while net cash provided by operating activities was $3,824,050 for the year ended December 31, 2022. The increase of $3,885,962 in net cash used in operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2023 was mainly due to (1) an increase of $4,115,220 in cash used in short-term investments in 2023; (2) an increase of $1,048,918 in cash used in deferred revenue, for the tax devices and service sales decreased due to the new policies carried from January 2021 that the new taxpayers in Xiamen could get free tax Ukeys from the Tax authorization. The deferred revenue from after-sales supporting services and tax invoicing management service decreased correspondingly; (3) an increase of $504,017 in cash used in accrued expenses and other liabilities, for the Company paid annual bonus of previous years; (4) an increase of $371,840 in cash used in accounts payable, for the Company paid to our vendors timely; (5) an increase of $190,134 in cash used in deferred offering cost, for the Company paid offering expenses in 2023; and (6) an increase of $102,611 in cash used in prepaid expenses and other current assets. These were partially offset by (1) an increase of $3,058,205 in cash provided by accounts receivable; (2) an increase of $252,771 in cash provided by inventory; (3) a decrease of $196,841 in cash provided by taxes payable; and (4) a decrease of $109,736 in cash provided by accounts receivable from related parties.

 

(b)Investing Activities

 

  (2)

Net cash used in investing activities was $6,946,555 and $7,349,231 for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The increase of $402,676 in net cash used in investing activities for the year ended December 31, 2023 was mainly due to (1) an increase of $9,067,920 in purchase of held-to-maturity investments; (2) an increase of $5,761,545 in loans lent to third parties; (3) an increase of $221,692 in advance payment for software development, (4) an increase of $186,499 for purchases of property, plant and equipment, and (5) an increase of $150,156 for office renovation. These were partially offset by an increase of $8,631,470 in repayment from third-party loans.

 

On January 21, 2022, March 28, 2022 and June 14, 2022, the Company made three loans of RMB30,000,000 ($4,272,079), RMB3,000,000 ($422,708) and RMB7,000,000 ($986,318) to a third party, which were restricted for its operating activities, carrying interest at 12%. The RMB30,000,000 loan was extended for one year and will mature on January 21, 2025. The RMB7,000,000 was extended for one year and will mature on June 14, 2025. The RMB3,000,000 loan was repaid in August 2022 with an interest of RMB120,000 ($17,368). The change in the carrying value of these outstanding loans from $5,355,257 in 2022 to $5,213,397 in 2023 was due mainly to currency translation. Pursuant to a mining right pledge agreement dated August 5, 2022 between Hitek, as representative of the Lenders, and the Borrower, these three loans are secured by the Borrower’s coal mining permit issued by Bobai County Natural Resources Bureau, which grants the Borrower a 20-year mining right for certain building granite mine in Daguang Village, Shuiming Town, Bobai County, Guangxi Province, for production of 1.306 million cubic meters per year.

 

In 2023, the Company provided loans with interest of 1.5% per month to another third party for its operating activities. The loans are secured by their respective pledge contracts using their underlying assets. Such loans will mature within nine months from the date of issue, with loan principal, interest, and handling fees to be settled immediately after the maturity date. From April to December 2023, total loans to such a third party were $9.8 million, of which $7.3 million of the principal was repaid prior to December 31, 2023.

 

(c)Financing Activities

 

Net cash provided by financing activities was $15,142,902 and $2,749,498 for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. For the year ended December 31, 2023, we had $15,142,902 cash inflow from the issuance of ordinary shares. For the year ended December 31, 2022, we had $2,749,498 cash inflow from borrowing from third parties.

 

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Year Ended December 31, 2022 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2021

 

As of December 31, 2022 and 2021, we had cash of $1,203,160 and $2,091,308 respectively.

 

Working Capital. Working capital as of December 31, 2022 was $7,898,463 compared to $10,178,635 as of December 31, 2021. The decrease was mainly due to a decrease in short-term investments of $906,667, advances to suppliers of $629,154 and deferred offering cost of $109,121 which offset by an increase in accounts receivable of $914,104, loan receivable of $808,716 and inventory of $21,649. Current liabilities were $4,203,695 as of December 31, 2022, compared to $2,788,504 as of December 31, 2021. This increase of liabilities was attributable mainly to an increase in accounts payable of $177,995, deferred revenue of $192,524, loan payable of $506,578 and tax payable of $372,175.

 

Capital Resources and Capital Needs. To date, we have financed our operations primarily through cash flows from operations and third-party loans. With the uncertainty of the current market, our management believes it is necessary to enhance collection of outstanding accounts receivable and other receivables, and to be cautious on operational decisions and project selection. Our management believes that our current operations can satisfy our daily working capital needs.

 

During 2020, the Company engaged an external vendor to develop software APP. As of December 31, 2022, the Company paid product development costs of $421,679 and the total contract amount was $434,210. In March 2021, the Company signed a supplementary agreement to postpone the official launch after closing of the Company’s initial public offering. The Company had made a payment of $119,405 (VAT included) in January 2022 for the development costs and will make the final payment of $12,531 in 2023.

 

On January 21, 2022, March 28, 2022 and June 14, 2022, the Company made three loans of RMB 30,000,000 ($4,342,100), RMB 3,000,000 ($434,000) and RMB 7,000,000 ($1,013,157) to a third party, which were restricted for its operating activities, carrying interest at 12% per annum. The RMB 3,000,000 loan was extended for one year and will mature on June 14, 2025. The RMB 3,000,000 loan was repaid in August 2022 with interest of RMB 120,000 ($17,368).

 

The Company reviews the accounts receivable on a periodic basis and makes general and specific allowances when there is doubt as to the collectability of individual balances. Our management is confident in collecting account receivables and other receivables. The accounts receivable, net and the accounts receivable of related party, net balance was $7,480,764 and $399,465 as of December 31, 2022, respectively. Subsequent to the filling of the annual report on Form 20-F with the SEC on April 27, 2023, the Company collected receivables of $1,145,325.

 

The Company gives customers different credit periods considering the scale of the customer and past credit experience. For large customers such as large-scale oil and coal mine customers, the Company gives a two-year credit period starting from March 2019 because of these customers’ long repayment cycle. Net balance of the accounts receivable was $6,802,306 and $6,171,410 as of December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Subsequent to the filling of the annual report on Form 20-F with the SEC on April 27, 2023, the Company has collected receivables of $978,411.

 

For IT outsourcing customers, the Company gives 18 months credit period. The accounts receivable, net balance was $nil and $64,478 as of December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

 

For small and medium customers, the Company gives six months credit period. The accounts receivable, net balance was $1,077,923 and $218,621 as of December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements.

 

We have not entered into any financial guarantees or other commitments to guarantee the payment obligations of any third parties. In addition, we have not entered into any derivative contracts that are indexed to our own shares and classified as shareholders’ equity, or that are not reflected in our financial statements. Furthermore, we do not have any retained or contingent interest in assets transferred to an unconsolidated entity that serves as credit, liquidity or market risk support to such entity. Moreover, we do not have any variable interest in an unconsolidated entity that provides financing, liquidity, market risk or credit support to us or engages in leasing, hedging or research and development services with us.

 

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Cash Flows Analysis

 

(a) Operating Activities

 

  (1) Net cash provided by operating activities was $3,824,050 for the year ended December 31, 2022, while, net cash used in operating activities was $214,575 for the year ended December 31, 2021. The increase of $4,038,625 in net cash provided by operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2022 was mainly due to (1) an increase of $5,043,891 in short-term investments, (2) an increase of $744,721 in advances to suppliers, (3) an increase of $218,773 in inventory, (4) an increase of $97,776 in accounts payable, (5) an increase of $249,767 in deferred revenue, and (6) an increase of $160,612 in taxes payable. These were partially offset by a decrease of $1,390,669 in account receivable, $680,330 in prepaid expenses and other current assets.

 

(b) Investing Activities

 

  (2)

Net cash used in investing activities was $7,349,231 for the year ended December 31, 2022, while, net cash provided by investing activities was $400,006 for the year ended December 31, 2021. The increase of $7,749,237 in net cash used in investing activities for the year ended December 31, 2022 was mainly due to (1) an increase of $5,142,402 in loans lent to third parties, (2) an increase of $1,705,453 in redemption of held-to-maturity investments, (3) an increase of $691,751 in purchase of held-to-maturity investments, (4) an increase of $117,596 in recovery of third-party loans and (5) an increase of $92,035 in advance payment for software development.

 

On January 21, 2022, March 28, 2022, and June 14, 2022, Hitek, Beijing Baihengda Petroleum Technology Co., Ltd. (“Beijing Baihengda,” together with Hitek, the Lenders) and Guangxi Beihengda Mining Co., Ltd. (“Guangxi Beihengda,” or the Borrower) entered into three loan agreements with similar terms, pursuant to which the Lenders loaned of RMB 40 million ($5.79 million with an exchange rate of 0.1447 as of December 31, 2022) (collectively, the “Loans”) to the Borrower at a monthly interest rate of 1%. Each of Hitek and Baihengda funded RMB 20 million of the Loans ($2.89 million with an exchange rate of 0.1447 as of December 31, 2022). As of the date of this prospectus, the outstanding principal of the Loans is RMB37 million ($5.36 million with an exchange rate of 0.1447 as of December 31, 2022). The RMB30 million ($4.34 million with an exchange rate of 0.1447 as of December 31, 2022) loan was extended for one year and matures on January 21, 2025. The RMB7 million ($1.02 million with an exchange rate of 0.1447 as of December 31, 2022) was extended one year and matures on June 14, 2025. The Borrower can pre-pay the outstanding loan amount after twelve months without penalty.

 

(c) Financing Activities

 

Net cash provided by financing activities was $2,749,498 and $nil for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021. For the year ended December 31, 2022, we had $2,749,498 cash inflow from borrowing from third parties.

 

Research and Development, Patents and Licenses, etc.

 

We have a dedicated team of three highly skilled in-house IT specialists, which includes three full-time IT professionals responsible for controlling the direction of outsourced R&D projects. Among all the software we have developed, CIS is the only software product we are currently marketing and generated revenue.

 

Trend information.

 

Other than as disclosed elsewhere in this prospectus, we are not aware of any material recent trends in production, sales and inventory, the state of the order book and costs and selling prices since our last fiscal year. We are also unaware of any known trends, uncertainties, demands, commitments or events for the year ended December 31, 2023 that are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on our revenues, net income, profitability, liquidity or capital resources, or that would cause reported financial information not necessarily to be indicative of future operating results or financial conditions.

 

Critical Accounting Estimates

 

Our CFS are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S., which require us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities. On an ongoing basis, we evaluate our estimates, including those estimates that may have a significant effect on our financial condition and results of operations. Our significant accounting policies are disclosed in Note 2 to our CFS. The following discussion of critical accounting policies addresses those policies that are both important to the portrayal of our financial condition and results of operations and require significant judgment and estimates. We base our estimates and judgment on historical experience and on various other factors that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

 

Subsequent Events

 

On February 5, 2024, at our annual meeting of shareholders, our shareholders approved the re-designation and re-classification of our company’s then-existing 14,392,364 ordinary shares, par value of US$0.0001 per share, into 6,200,364 Class A Ordinary Shares and 8,192,000 Class B Ordinary Shares. In addition, our shareholders approved the adoption of our Second Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association reflecting our dual-class share structure and the rights and privileges of the Class A Ordinary Shares and the Class B Ordinary Shares.

 

As of July 29, 2024, we closed a private placement of (a) 14,907,000 Class A ordinary shares, par value $0.0001 per share, and (b) warrants to purchase up to an aggregate of 14,907,000 Class A ordinary shares (the “Private Placement”) pursuant to the Securities Purchase Agreement dated July 29, 2024, by and between our company and the purchasers named therein. The warrants are exercisable immediately upon issuance with a term of two years and an exercise price of $0.55 per share. The warrants also contain a cashless exercise provision. We issued the Class A ordinary shares at a price of $0.55 per share and the warrants for nominal consideration.

 

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INDUSTRY

 

The ACTCS Industry

 

History and Technology of ACTCS.

 

According to State Administration of Taxation, in 1994 China implemented its VAT scheme as part of its national tax reform agenda. To strengthen the administration of VAT special invoices, the State Administration of Taxation (“SAT”) launched a pilot program to employ the ACTCS and computerized cross-checking system in some regions. This started the Golden Tax Project Phase I, which has played an active part in improving VAT administration. Based on the experience and lessons learned from the Golden Tax Project Phase I, the SAT started the Golden Tax Project Phase II in 1998. Four sub-systems under the ACTCS came into operation in the process for invoicing, e-certificate, cross-checking and investigation in 2001. By July 2003 all of the general VAT taxpayers (above a specified turnover threshold) across China were covered by the anti-counterfeiting tax control system. With the systematization and standardization of VAT administration, the crimes with respect to counterfeited VAT invoices have decreased and VAT administration has become more effective and efficient. Based on the Golden Tax Project Phase II, the SAT has exerted further efforts to develop an IT-based VAT administration. At present, the VAT Administration

 

ACTCS Information System, which is developed by the government, is a circular system composed of six sub-systems, which control invoicing, e-certificate, filing, cross-checking, verification and referral investigation, respectively. The system has helped enhancing the efficiency of VAT administration, improved the quality of the taxpayer service, reduced the cost of collection, and prevented tax loss. It has also contributed a lot to the goals of maintaining a steady stream of VAT revenues, building a level playing field and maintaining a stable growth of tax revenues in China.

 

The ACTCS that relates directly to our business is a patented national security product developed by China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation. Our company reached an agreement with China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation to distribute the product in Xiamen and provide supporting services to ACTCS.

 

There are two core technologies that support ACTCS: “Secure Cryptography Algorithm and Decryption Technology” and “Black Box” storage technology. ACTCS provides complete value-added tax security and control solutions through a closed-loop process of tax invoice issuance, tax invoice sales, and tax deduction. This closed-loop process eliminates the problems of invoice counterfeits, providing accurate and complete tax information for the regional and national audit system.

 

Secure Cryptography Algorithm and Decryption Technology: This Chinese national security technology coordinates with the encryption function provided by the anti-counterfeiting tax control system. Together, they can encrypt data on an invoice (such as invoice date, invoice number and tax registration number) into anti-counterfeit codes (also known as ciphertext), printed on a special invoice. A Black Box of an ACTCS records all the ciphertext information. To identify the authenticity of an invoice, customers can decrypt the ciphertext on the invoice through an authentication system, and then compare the decrypted information with the information on the invoice. If the decrypted information does not match the information presented on the invoice, then the invoice is a counterfeit.

 

Golden Tax Disk: This special-purpose hardware works in combination with the ACTCS software, and can only be purchased by retailers authorized by China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation. With a USB interface, Golden Tax Disk is essential for ACTCS functions such as invoice data encryption and decryption and invoice management.

 

Black Box: Large-capacity invoice data storage device.

 

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Xiamen’s ACTCS Market

 

The PRC government requires each ACTCS service provider that offers ACTCS supporting service, ACTCS supporting software and ACTCS related hardware services (the “ACTCS Service Providers”) to obtain permission from the State Taxation Bureau. The ACTCS market has been growing steadily since the adoption of the ACTCS system in early 1996. According to Xiamen city government’s official economic report issued in 2021, there were 201,110 business enterprises. All these business enterprises are mandated by the Chinese government to use ACTCS for their VAT reporting, collection and processing.   In recent years, the Chinese tax regulators have been rolling out the electronic invoicing system. Currently, electronic invoices can be used by all businesses. The electronic invoices enable enterprises to apply for, issue, transfer and check the invoices through the unified online electronic invoice management system of Chinese Tax authority. Electronic invoices are very useful in helping business entities reduce operating costs and streamline service process, since they do not involve printing, storage and postage procedures. From January 21, 2021, the new taxpayers can receive electronic tax control Ukey for free from the Tax authority.

  

The Chinese IT Industry

 

The PRC market of IT services is growing very fast since around 2006. According to the Investment analysis and prospect forecast report of China’s IT outsourcing market from 2022 to 2026, published by China Investment Industry Research Institute, Macroscopically, IT outsourcing occupies 46% of the market share in China’s service outsourcing market and occupies a leading position. Microscopically, IT operation and maintenance outsourcing services have increased significantly, and its growth rate in recent years has always maintained an advantage in the overall ITO service outsourcing field.

 

The PRC market of IT services is mainly comprised of four main sub-markets: IT Service Market, Market of Operations Services for IT Data Centers, Market of Third-party Operations Services for IT Data Centers, and IT Operations & Analytics Market. According to the Investment analysis and prospect forecast report of China’s IT outsourcing market from 2022 to 2026, the IT operation and maintenance sector, the proportion of third-party operation and maintenance has increased year by year, and its market share has nearly accounted for more than half from less than 40% in 2013 to more than half in 2019   Benefiting from the digital transformation of enterprises and the development of industrial Internet, IT services will continue to grow. The scale of China’s IT service market will be 858.3 billion yuan in 2020 and about 969.7 billion yuan in 2021. It is expected that China’s IT service market will maintain a growth rate of about 13%, and the market scale is expected to reach 1.2 trillion yuan by 2023. 

 

Third-party operations services for IT data centers have been widely adopted in many different industries, including finance, telecommunications, electricity, transportations, etc. As such, the demand for third-party operations services are projected to increase in the future, and the market size is predicted to grow accordingly. In the process of transformation and upgrading for Chinese Enterprises, traditional industries have released a large number of IT service outsourcing needs, and there is broad growth space in the outsourcing market.

 

The Chinese Computer Hardware Sales Industry

 

According to Euromonitor International Limited, retail volume sales of computers and computer hardware has been declining since 2017, hit by the economic slowdown and the strong competition from smartphones. Most consumers use their own computers for recreation purposes rather than work when staying at home or travelling. With the growing penetration rate for smartphones and the popularity of large-screen smartphones (screen size> = 5.5”), a growing number of consumers do not feel the need to own or replace their computer with a new one, as they can browse websites, interact via social media and purchase online with their smartphones.

 

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BUSINESS

 

Overview

 

We are an information technology (“IT”) consulting and solutions service provider focusing on delivering services to business in various industry sectors in China. As of the date of this prospectus, we have two lines of businesses— 1) services to small and medium businesses (“SMEs”), which consists of Anti-Counterfeiting Tax Control System (“ACTCS”) tax devices, including Golden Tax Disk (“GTD”) and printers, ACTCS services, and IT services, and 2) services to large businesses, which consists of hardware sales and software sales. We expect to actively develop our system integration services and online service platform in the near future. Our vision is to become a one-stop consulting destination for holistic IT and other business consulting services in China. 

 

Value added tax (“VAT”) reporting is mandatory for all business companies in China. The ACTCS is one of the two major VAT control systems that a business entity may choose to comply with the VAT reporting requirements. Developed by the PRC government, ACTCS was intended to effectively eliminate counterfeit invoices, providing accurate and complete tax information for the regional and national audit system. We provide our customers with the necessary ACTCS for their value added tax (“VAT”) reporting, collection and processing. The VIE entity, Hitek, is authorized to carry out the sales of GTD. We are authorized by the State Taxation Bureau, Xiamen Branch, as one of the first ACTCS service providers in the Xiamen metropolitan area. GTD is an ACTCS device necessary for normal operation of ACTCS software. The purchase of GTD is allowed only in conjunction with the use of the ACTCS software and its supporting services. Currently, there are three ACTCS services providers for Xiamen business companies, and we are one of them.

 

While we are confident our competitive strengths will continue improving our business, we are aware of the challenges that our business faces, especially the challenges in our services to SMEs which are exempted from the ACTCS services. The services provided to the SMEs are restricted in the Xiamen metropolitan areas since authorization by the State Taxation Bureau, Xiamen Branch to provide ACTCS services is required. Prices of GTD and ACTCS annual service fees are regulated and subject to the State Tax Administration’s pricing mandates. We are not able to adjust such pricing and as such our profit margin is limited. The Chinese tax regulators have been rolling out electronic invoicing from 2018. The electronic invoices enable companies to apply for, issue, transfer and check the invoices through the unified online electronic invoice management system of the Chinese Tax authority. Electronic invoices are very useful in helping business entities reduce operating costs and streamline service process, since they do not involve printing, storage and postage procedures. From January 21, 2021, new taxpayers can receive electronic tax control Ukey for free from the Tax authority. Increased use of electronic invoices and the free distribution of GTD will reduce our annual service fee revenue and thus negatively affect our total revenue. Our client base growth may be limited in spite of our marketing efforts, since it is beyond our control how many new SMEs will open each year in the Xiamen metropolitan area.

 

Complementing our physical service center, we started our developing online service platform in 2018 to enable businesses in the Xiamen metropolitan area to securely process VAT reporting and payment from their desktop virtually anytime and anywhere. Currently, our customers range from small, medium to large companies across industries in the Xiamen metropolitan area. We plan to offer business management service, such as agent accounting services and online IT outsourcing services, to the SME clients using our ACTCS services. We also plan to expand our service to large businesses to other geographic regions.

 

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In April 2021, WFOE established a wholly-owned subsidiary, Haitian Weilai under the laws of the PRC to integrate tax invoicing management services from Hitek to Haitian Weilai.

 

As part of the services provided to large businesses, Hitek currently sells Communication Interface System (“CIS”), its self-developed software which provides embedded system interface solutions for large businesses. CIS is a universal embedded interface system used in petrochemical and coal businesses to collect industrial, electricity, facility pressure and temperature statistics and convert to readable format for analytical purposes.

 

As part of our services to large businesses, Huasheng sold hardware such as laptops, printers, desktop computers and associated accessories, together with certain internet servers, cameras and monitors. After we launched CIS sales, we also introduced our hardware products to our CIS users. Our major business strategy in the market is to connect and source through exclusive relationships with manufacturers so that Huasheng can offer competitively priced hardware. From the beginning of 2022, Huasheng transferred the above business to the VIE. We plan to market large scale hardware integration systems such as router for commercial use, industrial switch, server, large internet firewall etc. in the future. We established the online support system in the beginning of 2018. The online system further enhances our customer experience, which is complemented by highly trained professionals and attractive physical store environment.

 

Services

 

For the year ended December 31, 2023, Hitek’s two business lines had three revenue streams. The first business line, services to large businesses, including hardware sales, was 53% of total revenue, and software sales was 17% of total revenue; and the second business line, ACTCS devices and services, was 30% of total revenue.

 

For the year ended December 31, 2022, Hitek’s two business lines operated three revenue streams. Within the first business line, the services to large businesses, including the hardware sales, represented 39% of the total revenue, and the software sales represented 33% of total revenue. The second business line, ACTCS devices and services, represented 28% of total revenue.

 

In recent years, the Chinese tax regulators have been rolling out an electronic invoicing system. Electronic invoices enable companies to apply for, issue, transfer and check invoices through the unified online electronic invoice management system of Chinese Tax authority. Electronic invoices are very useful in helping business entities reduce operating costs and streamline service process, since they do not involve printing, storage and postage procedures. From January 21, 2021, new taxpayers can receive electronic tax control Ukey for free from the Tax authority. Increased use of electronic invoices and the free distribution of GTD will reduce our annual service fee revenue and thus negatively affect our total revenue. Our client base growth may be limited in spite of our diligent marketing efforts, since it is beyond our control how many new SMEs will open each year in the Xiamen metropolitan area.

 

ACTCS Device and Services

 

For ACTCS supporting services, we charge fees on a yearly basis. This service guarantees smooth functions of ACTCS software covers any technical breakdowns related to the ACTCS software. For tax control system risk investigation service, we charge a one-time service charge for each investigation request.

 

Our ACTCS device consist primarily of selling GTD. For ACTCS devices sales, we charge one a piece-by-piece basis.

 

Revenue from our ACTCS device and services was 28.0% and 30.2%, respectively, of the total revenue derived from our businesses for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2022 and 2023. 

 

In January 2019, we began to operate new service areas such as online agent accounting platforms and online IT outsourcing platforms. We intend to actively grow such general business management services.

 

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Software Sales

 

For our software sales, we sell our self-developed Communication Interface System (“CIS”). This software provides embedded system interface solutions for large businesses. CIS is a universal embedded interface system used in petrochemical and coal businesses to collect industrial, electricity, facility pressure and temperature statistics and convert to readable format for analytical purposes. Currently, almost all of the software sales revenue comes from sales of CIS. We do not resell any software developed by any third party.

 

Revenue from our software sales was 33% and 17%, respectively, of total revenue derived from our businesses for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2023.

 

Hardware Sales

 

We also generate revenue from hardware sales, which includes sales of computer hardware such as laptops, printers, desktop computers and associated accessories, together with certain internet servers, cameras and monitors. We have established a carefully designed sales network in the Xiamen metropolitan area that combines online platforms developed in the beginning of 2018 and our retail storefront. We have developed our hardware sale client base over time via our marketing from our physical store. After we launched CIS sales, we also introduced our hardware products to our CIS users. We plan to market large scale hardware integration systems such as router for commercial use, industrial switch, server, large internet firewall etc. to large businesses in the future.

 

Revenue from our hardware sales was 39% and 53%, respectively, of total revenue derived from our businesses for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2023. 

 

Our Technology

 

We provide effective information technology services and secured tax solutions to business companies across a variety of monetization models. We have a dedicated team of three highly skilled in-house IT specialists, which includes three full-time IT professionals responsible for research and development. The following is a list of our self-developed software.

 

We provide effective information technology services and secured tax solutions to business companies across a variety of monetization models. We have a dedicated team of three highly skilled in-house IT specialists, which includes three full-time IT professionals responsible for research and development. The following is a list of our self-developed software.

 

Technology   Cert..
Number
  Completion
Date
  Certificate
Date
  Expiration
Date
  General Functions
Mobile Invoice System (“MIS”)   0993272   October 15, 2013   June 15, 2015   June 15, 2065   MIS enables our clients to generate invoices anywhere, anytime.
                     
Micro Service System (“MSS”)   0994937   July 30, 2014   June 16, 2015   June 16, 2065   MSS resolves service issues between service providers and our customers.
                     
Secured Coordination System (“SCS”)   0994516   April 10, 2013   June 16, 2015  

June 16, 2065

 

  SCS provides real-time backup for the invoicing information generated by the users.
                     
Communication Interface System (“CIS”)   0993277   April 17, 2014   June 15, 2015   June 15, 2065   CIS is based on LINUX, which is a general embedded interface system used in petrochemical and coal companies. The system can be used to communicate the RCTX-X module and collect data from work diagrams, electricity diagrams, pressure diagrams and temperature diagrams. It can generate the data from the txt, and then copy and import it to the software of the windows platform to display analysis.
                     
Universal Invoice System (“UIS”)   0994532   February 13, 2014   June 16, 2015     June 16, 2065   AIS facilitates data transmission between users’ management and financial systems and ACTCS software.

 

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Technology   Completion
Date
  Certificate
Date
   

Expiration

Date

  General Functions
Invoice Query Management System (“IQMS”)   October 30, 2013   June 15, 2015     June 15, 2065   IQMS facilitates users’ invoice inquiries and verification process.
                   
Micro-App System (“MAS”)   August 10, 2017   December 1, 2017     December 1, 2067   MAS diagnoses and resolves user-end application issues.
                   
WeChat Cloud Business System (“WCBS”)   May 10, 2017   December 1, 2017     December 1, 2067   WCBS facilitates online transactions between the Company and its clients.
                   
Collaborative Management System (“CMS”)   October 10, 2017   December 1, 2017     December 1, 2067   CMS facilitates our clients’ business and data management process amongst multiple operating systems.
                   
Hitek APP application software   November 25, 2018   December 10, 2018     December 10, 2068   It is another name of “enterprise service platform”. It worked as Hitek’s online service platform, including IT services, sales and financial and tax services, etc.
                   
Hitek network background management system   November 25, 2018   December 10, 2018     December 10, 2068   It is used for backstage unified management of Hitek’s app and Hitek online service platform.
                   
Remote monitoring system   October 19, 2018   October 19, 2018     October 19, 2068   It is used for remote monitoring, debugging and early warning of the App.

 

Customers

 

We rely upon several of our large customers from whom we generated substantial revenue each year, and the composition of our largest customers has changed from year to year. For the year ended December 31, 2023, one customer accounted for 18% of total Hitek’s revenues. For the year ended December 31, 2022, two customers accounted for 49% of total Hitek’s revenues, the largest of which was 36%. While we believe that one or more of our major customers could account for a significant portion of our sales for at least the year 2022, we anticipate that our customer base will continue to expand and that in the future we will be less dependent on major customers.

 

Suppliers

 

Aside from a set number of suppliers from whom we purchase general hardware for our resale business, we are required by the government to purchase our ACTCS devices from specific suppliers. For the year ended December 31, 2023, one supplier accounted for 12% of total purchases. For  the year ended December 31, 2022, four suppliers accounted for 55% of total purchases.

 

We enter into procurement agreements in the ordinary course of business with our suppliers, pursuant to a form of supply order typically on a “deal by deal” basis.

 

Marketing and Sales

 

Since inception, our user base in both the services to large businesses and service to SMEs has grown primarily through word of mouth recommendations, digital advertising, and social media advertising. We accumulated a loyal customer base to our hardware sales via our physical store. In general, we focus on delivering a superior user experience through better products and services, which we believe can expand our user base and enhance our brand. We do not have a specific budget for advertising since we have built our brand with very low marketing costs.

 

While we have benefited from the effects of word of mouth recommendation, digital advertising, and social media advertising, we are considering cooperating with professional advertising companies to initiate campaigns designed to further promote our brand and services.

 

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With respect to the services to SMEs, given the geographic limitation of our ACTCS services, we plan to focus on marketing and promotion of the business management service, which will include agent accounting services, online IT outsourcing services, IT internet operation and maintenance service and equipment purchasing and delivery Door-to-Door service to the SMEs. On the services to large business side, we plan to focus on marketing and promotion of hardware integration system going forward.

 

Intellectual Property

 

Protection of our intellectual property is a strategic priority for our business. We rely on a combination of copyright, trademark and trade secret laws, as well as confidentiality agreements, to establish and protect our proprietary rights. Except for Chinese government developed ACTCS software used in connection with our day-to-day operations, we generally do not rely on third-party licenses of intellectual property for use in our business.

 

Our research and development activities (“R&D”) are project based and the number of projects we work on varies annually. As of December 31, 2023, we had three full-time R&D professionals. We were successful in developing 12 software products and had 6 Registration of Computer Software Copyright Certificates (the “Certificates”) in 2015, 3 Certificates in 2017 and 3 Certificates in 2018. Our Certificates last indefinitely. In the beginning of 2018, we establisheds 3 joint IT research collaborative syndicates with other Internet technology companies for innovative Internet service projects such as the Tax Service Mobile APP, WeChat Cloud Charging System and Remote monitoring system. In addition to the foregoing protections, we generally control access to and use of our proprietary and other confidential information through the use of internal and external controls, such as use of confidentiality agreements with our employees and outside consultants.

 

The Internet domains owned by our company are as follows:

 

Domain Name   Registration Date   Expiration Date
5080796.com   May 25, 2016   May 25, 2027
5080791.cn   October 25, 2017   October 25, 2025
xmhitek.com   March 26, 2007   March 26, 2025

 

Our History and Corporate Structure

 

We were incorporated in the Cayman Islands as an exempted company on November 3, 2017. Hitek Hong Kong Limited (“Hitek HK”), our wholly-owned subsidiary, was incorporated in Hong Kong on November 20, 2017. Tian Dahai (Xiamen) Information Technology Co. Ltd. (“WFOE”), Hitek HK’s wholly owned subsidiary, was organized pursuant to PRC laws on March 15, 2018. The variable interest entity, Xiamen Hengda Hitek Computer Network Co., Ltd., which we refer to as Hitek, was established on January 18, 1996 in Xiamen, Fujian Province, PRC pursuant to PRC laws. In April 2021, WFOE established a wholly-owned subsidiary, Xiamen Haitian Weilai Technology Co., Ltd. (“Haitian Weilai”) under the laws of the PRC.  The strategy purpose of establishing the new subsidiary is for the integration of tax invoicing management services from Hitek to Haitian Weilai. Hitek’s shareholders include certain PRC residents and corporate entities controlled by PRC residents.

 

On March 31, 2018, the Company consummated a reorganization pursuant to which, WFOE, Hitek and Hitek’s shareholders entered into a series of contractual arrangements. Such agreements are described under “Business — Contractual Arrangements between WFOE and Hitek. Hitek Global Inc. is a holding company with no business operation other than holding the shares in Hitek HK and Hitek HK is a pass-through entity with no business operation. WFOE is exclusively engaged in the business of managing the operation of Hitek.

 

Pursuant to PRC laws, each entity formed under PRC law shall have certain business scope approved by the Administration of Industry and Commerce or its local counterpart. As such, WFOE’s business scope is to primarily engage in business development, technology service, technology consulting, intellectual property service and business management consulting. Since the sole business of WFOE is to provide Hitek with technical support, consulting services and other management services relating to its day-to-day business operations and management in exchange for a consulting fee solely at WFOE’s discretion and can be the net income of Hitek, such business scope is necessary and appropriate under the PRC laws. Hitek, on the other hand, has been granted a business scope different from WFOE to enable it to provide ACTCS tax device and services, hardware sales, software sales and IT services.

  

We control Hitek through contractual agreements, which are described under “Business — Contractual Arrangements between WFOE and Hitek. Hitek Global Inc. is a holding company with no business operation other than holding the shares in Hitek HK and Hitek HK is a pass-through entity with no business operation. WFOE is exclusively engaged in the business of managing the operation of Hitek.

  

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Our corporate structure as of the date of this prospectus is as follows:

 

 

Contractual Arrangements between WFOE and Hitek

 

Due to PRC legal restrictions on foreign ownership in the telecommunications sector, neither we nor our subsidiaries own any equity interest in Hitek. WFOE, Hitek and its shareholders entered into a series of contractual arrangements, also known as VIE Agreements, on March 31, 2018. The VIE Agreements are designed so that the operations of the VIE are solely for the benefit of the Company. As such, through the VIE Agreements among WFOE, Hitek and Hitek’s shareholders, which have not been tested in a court of law, we are deemed to have a controlling financial interest in, and be the primary beneficiary of, the VIE for accounting purposes only and must consolidate the VIE because it met the conditions under U.S. GAAP to consolidate the VIE. However, the VIE structure cannot completely replicate a foreign investment in China-based companies, as the investors will not and may never hold equity interests in the Chinese operating entities. Instead, the VIE structure provides contractual exposure to foreign investment in us.

        

Each of the VIE Agreements is described in detail below:

 

Exclusive Technical Consulting and Service Agreement

 

Pursuant to the Exclusive Technical Consulting and Service Agreement between Hitek and WFOE, WFOE provides Hitek with technical support, consulting services and other management services relating to its day-to-day business operations and management, on an exclusive basis, utilizing its advantages in technology, business management and information. For services rendered to Hitek by WFOE under this agreement, WFOE is entitled to collect a service fee that shall be paid per quarter in accordance with the consulting and service actually provided by WFOE. WFOE has the right, solely at its discretion, to determine the amount of the fees to be paid, and both parties agree to, at WFOE’s discretion, amend or enter into supplementary agreement in respect of the provisions under this agreement regarding consulting fees. The consulting fees could be 100% of Hitek’s quarterly profit.

 

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The Exclusive Technical Consulting and Service Agreement shall remain in effect for ten years unless earlier terminated upon written confirmation from both WFOE and Hitek before expiration. Otherwise, this agreement shall be extended by another ten years. Hitek does not have the right to terminate the agreement unilaterally.

 

The legal representative of WFOE, Mr. Shenping Yin, is currently managing Hitek pursuant to the terms of the Exclusive Technical Consulting and Service Agreement. WFOE has absolute authority relating to the management of Hitek, including but not limited to decisions with regard to expenses, salary raises and bonuses, hiring, firing and other operational functions. The Exclusive Technical Consulting and Service Agreement does not prohibit related party transactions. Upon establishment of the audit committee at the consummation of this offering, the audit committee of the registrant will be required to review and approve in advance any related party transactions, including transactions involving WFOE or Hitek.

 

Equity Interest Pledge Agreement

 

Under the Equity Interest Pledge Agreement between WFOE and Xiaoyang Huang, Shenping Yin, Bo Shi, Zhishuang Wang, Liuqing Huang, Jingru Li, Mian Tang, Ce Tian, Xianfeng Lin, Inner Mongolia Guangxin Investment Co., Ltd. and Baotou Zhongzhe Hengtong Technology Co., Ltd., together holding 100% shares of Hitek (“Hitek Shareholders”), the Hitek Shareholders pledged all of their equity interests in Hitek to WFOE to guarantee the performance of Hitek’s obligations under the Exclusive Technical Consulting and Service Agreement. Under the terms of the agreement, in the event that Hitek breaches its contractual obligations under the Exclusive Technical Consulting and Service Agreement, WFOE, as pledgee, will be entitled to certain rights, including, but not limited to, the right to collect dividends generated by the pledged equity interests. The Hitek Shareholders also agreed that upon occurrence of any event of default, as set forth in the Equity Interest Pledge Agreement, WFOE is entitled to dispose of the pledged equity interest in accordance with applicable PRC laws. The Hitek Shareholders further agree not to dispose of the pledged equity interests or take any actions that would prejudice WFOE’s interest.

 

The Equity Interest Pledge Agreement shall be effective until all payments due under the Exclusive Technical Consulting and Service Agreement have been paid by Hitek. WFOE shall cancel or terminate the Equity Interest Pledge Agreement upon Hitek’s full payment of fees payable under the Exclusive Technical Consulting and Service Agreement.

  

The purposes of the Equity Interest Pledge Agreement are to (1) guarantee the performance of Hitek’s obligations under the Exclusive Technical Consulting and Service Agreement, (2) ensure the Hitek Shareholders do not transfer or assign the pledged equity interests, or create or allow any encumbrance that would prejudice WFOE’s interests without WFOE’s prior written consent and (3) provide WFOE control over Hitek. Under the Equity Interests Purchase Agreement, WFOE may be able to acquire the equity interests in Hitek any time to the extent permitted by the PRC Law. In the event Hitek breaches its contractual obligations under the Exclusive Technical Consulting and Service Agreement, WFOE will be entitled to foreclose on the Hitek Shareholders’ equity interests in Hitek and may (1) exercise its option to purchase or designate third parties to purchase part or all of their equity interests in Hitek and in this situation, WFOE may terminate the Exclusive Technical Consulting and Service Agreement, Equity Interest Pledge Agreement and Exclusive Equity Interests Purchase Agreement after acquisition of all equity interests in Hitek or form new VIE structure with the third parties designated by WFOE; or (2) dispose the pledged equity interests and be paid in priority out of proceed from the disposal in which case the VIE structure will be terminated.

 

Exclusive Equity Interests Purchase Agreement

 

Under the Exclusive Equity Interests Purchase Agreement, the Hitek Shareholders irrevocably granted WFOE (or its designee) an exclusive right to purchase, to the extent permitted under PRC law, once or at multiple times, at any time, a portion or whole of the equity interests in Hitek held by the Hitek Shareholders. The purchase price is equal to the capital paid in by the Hitek Shareholders subject to any appraisal or restrictions required by applicable PRC laws and regulations. As of the date of this prospectus, if WFOE exercised such exclusive right, the total purchase price that would be paid to all of the Hitek Shareholders would be approximately $990,069, which is the aggregate registered capital of Hitek.

 

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Under the Exclusive Equity Interests Purchase Agreement, WFOE may at any time under any circumstances, purchase, or have its designated person to purchase, at its discretion, to the extent permitted under PRC law, all or part of the shareholders’ equity interests in Hitek.

 

The agreement remains effective for a term of ten years and may be extended by another ten years at WFOE’s election.

 

Powers of Attorney

 

Under each Power of Attorney, each Hitek Shareholder authorizes WFOE to act on their behalf as their exclusive agent and attorney with respect to all rights as shareholders, including but not limited to: (a) the attendance of the shareholder’s meeting and the execution of relative Shareholder Resolution(s) of Hitek; (b) exercising all the shareholder’s rights, including voting, that shareholders are entitled to under the laws of China and the Articles of Association, including but not limited to the sale or transfer or pledge or disposition of shares in part or in whole; and (c) designating and appointing on behalf of shareholders the legal representative, the executive director, supervisor, the chief executive officer and other senior management members of Hitek.

 

Although it is not explicitly stipulated in the Powers of Attorney, the term of the Powers of Attorney shall be the same as the term of that of the Exclusive Equity Interests Purchase Agreement.

 

The Powers of Attorney are coupled with an interest and shall be irrevocable and continuously valid from the date of their execution, so long as the relevant Hitek Shareholder is a shareholder of Company.

   

Our Business Strategies

 

We intend to drive the growth of our business by executing on the following strategies:

 

  Leveraging our existing ACTCS client base to deepen our relationship with our ACTCS clients and expanding our service and hardware sales offerings. As an ACTCS service and hardware sales provider, we currently work with approximately 55,993 ACTCS clients based in Xiamen that we believe have a wide range of organizational service needs and needs for various hardware products and systems to support their organizations. We expect such service needs to include, without limitation, technology- and finance-related organization needs. Leveraging our existing well-recognized service reputation in the ACTCS industry, we believe that we can deepen our relationship with existing ACTCS clients to provide expanded service offerings to respond to their business, finance, technology and organizational needs.

 

  Broadening our geographic coverage with our online service platform to become a full-service platform with national coverage. With the recent launch of our online service platform capable of servicing the needs of our ACTCS customers primarily through online customer and technical support, and covering various aspects of the VAT filing process, we intend to support more service offerings for our customers. We have various software programs and online customer support processes in progress, which combined together are expected to provide full-service support with respect to tax, finance and IT services. We intend to offer our clients connection to other local, third-party service providers through our online platform, so that they are able to seek business, technology and operational support via our online service platform. We believe this will enable our expansion beyond the Xiamen market to reach national service coverage.

 

  In the next few years, we plan to complete our full-service platform and aim to transfer 85% of our clients onto the platform. We plan to offer business management service, such as agent accounting services, online IT outsourcing services, IT internet operation and maintenance service and equipment purchasing and delivery Door-to-Door service to the SME clients using our ACTCS services. We also plan to expand our service to large businesses to other geographic regions.

 

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Market Opportunities

 

From January 21, 2021, new taxpayers can receive electronic tax control Ukey for free from the Tax authority. We believe that companies of all sizes and across all industries in the Xiamen metropolitan area will continue to use ACTCS software and ACTCS tax device to process their VAT filing, as well as supporting services to help them automate, facilitate and accelerate the filing process. We estimate the ACTCS service industry in the Xiamen metropolitan area will generate approximately equal business for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2024. We calculated this number by estimating the total number of competitors in our immediate core markets in the Xiamen metropolitan area across big business entities and SMEs. We then apply a government assigned contract value as well as our supporting service value (“collected value”) for ACTCS services in Xiamen area to each respective company based on its size, industry, and location in accordance with PRC tax regulation. We then utilized data collected from our current and past clients based on investment spend for ACTCS related services by size and industry. For example, we have applied the average collected value of our clients with top 100 revenue-generating capabilities, which we believe have applied for a relatively broader implementation of our ACTCS services. For medium-sized business entities, we have applied an average collected value on current commercial customer spend by size and industry. For small business enterprises, we have simply applied the annual price for our most basic plan.   

 

We believe that Chinese IT Market will continue its growth. Application software will still be the major source of growth. Various factors together will provide good external environment for the rapid development of China’s software industry, including the informationization of enterprises and social production, governmental and policy support, as well as the market demand growth of multimedia market-based education, video, games and other software, etc. In addition, China’s IT services market is very promising. By estimation, the growth rate of the IT services market in 2024 will be higher than that in 2023, which is about 1.5%, and the proportion of the IT services sector in the entire IT market will continue increasing.

 

We believe that Chinese Computer Hardware market will continue its growth, even though the speed of its growth has been slowed down in the past years. We estimate that the desire for ultra-thin, gaming and convertible products will help to stimulate total volume sales of laptops over the forecast period.

 

Our Competitive Strengths

 

The ACTCS business market in which we compete has a high entry barrier and newcomers are strictly scrutinized by the Chinese government. Although the market is continuously growing and evolving, we do not believe any single competitor in the Xiamen metropolitan area currently has a directly comparable client base and customer goodwill as well as end-to-end ACTCS service as ours. In addition, newcomers who want to enter this highly regulated market face increasingly rigorous scrutiny from a variety of government agencies before they can be authorized to operate ACTCS related businesses. We believe that we will maintain our first-mover advantage in the Xiamen ACTCS service market for years to come.

   

Visionary Management Team

 

We have a talented and long-serving management team who have led us through multiple business breakthroughs. Most of our senior management team has been with us for around 20 years. Our Chief Executive Officer, Shenping Yin, is a leader in the Chinese IT industry with more than 20 years of experience. He is very well connected and has been involved in many large influential projects in China, managing client relations and serving as business counsel for the Chinese upstream heavy industries. The major projects he has engaged in include North Santai automation project for Xinjiang Zhundong Company, Luliang oilfield automation project for SINOPEC’s Xinjiang Subsidiary, automation engineering project Jidong oilfield, building automation project for the Fujian Quanzhou State Taxation Bureau Building and household registration management system project for the Ministry of Public Security. He was instrumental in building our company’s business and our success today.

 

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Technology-Driven Experts

 

Our innovative IT talent and technology-focused business culture have enabled us to become a leader in Xiamen’s ACTCS devices and services industry. As of December 31, 2023, we had 3 full-time research and development professionals and focusing on various technology breakthroughs. 76% of our employees held bachelor’s degrees and 26% of our employees held master’s degrees or Ph.Ds. In the early 2018, we have established joint IT research collaborative syndicates with other Internet technology companies for innovative Internet service projects such as the Tax Service Mobile APP and WeChat Cloud Charging System. As of December 31, 2023, we had 12 Registration of Computer Software Copyright Certificates (the “Certificate”) in China covering VAT tax areas and internet technology areas. Six Certificates were issued in 2015, three Certificates were issued in 2017 and three Certificates were issued in 2018.

 

Robust client base with established brand recognition

 

We are one of the earliest companies authorized by the Chinese government to undertake ACTCS business in the Xiamen metropolitan area. Over the past 26 years, we have built a strong reputation amongst tax/finance professionals in the Xiamen metropolitan area. This level of brand recognition has gradually become one of our major marketing strategies. We also organize tax and finance related seminars regularly, developing client loyalty and enhancing the relationship between our customers and specialists.

 

We also established our good brand recognition upon a solid client base, consisting of small, medium and large business enterprises in the Xiamen metropolitan area. The ACTCS software is compatible with most types of businesses, offering service for clients from small business owners to large business enterprises. According to Xiamen Tax Bureau’s statistics, as of June 30, 2023, there are 200,008 ACTCS users in Xiamen; amongst these, 52,997 of them are our clients. Such solid client base and brand recognition enable us to utilize client resources for new monetization models. For example, we have offered IT outsourcing services for selective qualifying clients, providing significant support for the sustainable growth of our business. Our robust client base has also been critical to our planned future business development—we believe that we will be able to solicit substantial system integration clients and IT service clients directly from our large business entities and SMEs client base in the future, providing us with opportunities to work on innovative projects that brings technology breakthroughs.

 

Carefully Planned Marketing Efforts

 

We believe our business goodwill is not just built through our quality service, but also through our effective marketing strategy that maximizes the availability as well as the prestige of our service. For example, the relationships and trust with referring Hitek’s specialists are developed through in-person shop visits near governmental tax agencies by our loyal customers and local tax officials. Our carefully planned and implemented marketing efforts lead to a stronger service referral base, better networking opportunities, increased customer volume, and improved client satisfaction. In addition, we help our service teams maintain productivity during effective deployment and adjust deployment schedules to support our physical store front’s capacity requirements.

 

While we are confident that our competitive strengths will continue improving our business, we are keenly aware of the challenges that our business faces, especially the challenges in our services to SMEs which are stemmed from the ACTCS services. The services provided to the SMEs are restricted in the Xiamen metropolitan areas since we are only authorized by the State Taxation Bureau, Xiamen Branch to provide ACTCS services which is the cornerstone of our services to the SMEs. Prices of GTD and ACTCS annual service fees are regulated and subject to the State Tax Administration’s pricing mandates. We are not able to adjust such pricing and as such our profit margin is limited. In recent years, the Chinese tax regulators have been rolling out he electronic invoicing. Increased use of electronic invoices will reduce our SME client base substantially in the future. Our client base growth may be limited in spite of our diligent marketing efforts since it is beyond our control how many new SMEs will open each year in the Xiamen metropolitan area.

   

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Services

 

For the year ended December 31, 2023, Hitek’s two business lines had three revenue streams. The first business line, services to large businesses, including hardware sales, accounted for 53.2% of the total revenue, and the software sales, accounted for 16.6% of the total revenue, and the second business line, ACTCS devices and services, accounted for 30.2% of the total revenue. For the year ended December 31, 2022, Hitek’s two business lines had three revenue streams. The first business line, services to large businesses, including hardware sales, accounted for 39.0% of total revenue, and software sales, accounted for 33.0% of total revenue, and the second business line, ACTCS devices and services accounted for 28.0% of the total revenue. For the year ended December 31, 2021, Hitek’s two business lines had three revenue streams. The first business line, services to large businesses, including hardware sales, accounted for 37.7% of the total revenue, and the software sales, accounted for 31.8% of the total revenue, and the second business line, ACTCS devices and services, accounted for 30.5% of the total revenue.

 

We generate substantial revenue from our ACTCS related services. Our SMEs client base and excellent customer support allow us to enhance the effectiveness of each of our targeted ACTCS service link, thereby strengthening our overall monetization capabilities.

 

We started to generate revenue by offering IT services, primarily contracted to resolve our clients’ IT issues in 2017. We also generate revenue from selling CIS software that we developed in 2014. In addition, we generate substantial revenue from hardware sales, which consist of selling laptops, printers, desktop computers and associated accessories, together with certain internet servers, cameras and monitors.

 

ACTCS Device and Services

 

For ACTCS supporting services, we charge fees on a yearly basis. This service guarantees smooth functions of ACTCS software covers any technical breakdowns related to the ACTCS software. From January 21, 2021, the new taxpayers can receive electronic tax control Ukey for free from the Tax authority. For tax control system risk investigation service, we charge a one-time service charge for each investigation request. Hitek could provide   tax invoicing management services to the new taxpayers.

 

Our ACTCS device consist primarily of selling GTD. For ACTCS devices sales, we charge one a piece-by-piece basis. For the year ended December 31, 2023, revenue generated from our ACTCS device and services accounted for 30.2% of the total revenue derived from our businesses. Revenue generated from our ACTCS device and services accounted for 28.0% and 30.5%, respectively, of the total revenue derived from our businesses in 2022 and 2021.

 

In January 2019, we began to operate new service areas such as online agent accounting platforms and online IT outsourcing platforms. We intend to actively grow such general business management services.

 

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Software Sales

 

For our software sales, we sell our self-developed Communication Interface System (“CIS”). This software provides embedded system interface solutions for large businesses. CIS is a universal embedded interface system used in petrochemical and coal businesses to collect industrial, electricity, facility pressure and temperature statistics and convert to readable format for analytical purposes. Currently, almost all of the software sales revenue comes from sales of CIS. We do not resell any software developed by any third party.

 

Revenue generated from our software sales was 33.0% and 16.6%, respectively, of total revenue derived from our business for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2023. Revenue generated from our software sales accounted for 31.8% and 18.1%, respectively, of the total revenue derived from our businesses in 2021 and 2020.

 

Hardware Sales

 

We also generate revenue from hardware sales, which includes sales of computer hardware such as laptops, printers, desktop computers and associated accessories, together with certain internet servers, cameras and monitors. We established a carefully designed sales network in the Xiamen metropolitan area that combines online platforms developed in early 2018 and our retail storefront. We developed our hardware sale client base over time via our marketing from our physical store. After we launched CIS sales, we also introduced our hardware products to our CIS users.  We plan to market large scale hardware integration systems such as router for commercial use, industrial switch, server, large internet firewall etc. to large businesses in the future.

 

Revenue generated from our hardware sales was 53.2% and 39.0%, respectively, of total revenue derived from our business for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022. Revenue generated from our hardware sales accounted for 37.7% of the total revenue derived from our businesses in 2021.

 

Our Technology

 

We provide effective information technology services and secured tax solutions to business enterprises across a variety of monetization models. We have a dedicated team of nine highly skilled in-house IT specialists, which includes three full-time IT professionals responsible for research and development. The following is a list of our self-developed software.  

  

Technology   Completion Date   Certificate Date   General Functions
Mobile Invoice System (“MIS”)   October 15, 2013   June 15, 2015   MIS enables our clients to generate invoices anywhere, anytime.
Micro Service System (“MSS”)   July 30, 2014   June 16, 2015   MSS resolves service issues between service providers and our customers.  
Secured Coordination System (“SCS”)   April 10, 2013   June 16, 2015   SCS provides real-time backup for the invoicing information generated by the users.
Communication Interface System (“CIS”)   April 17, 2014   June 15, 2015   CIS is based on LINUX, which is a general embedded interface system used in petrochemical and coal enterprises. The system can be used to communicate the RCTX-X module and collect data from work diagrams, electricity diagrams, pressure diagrams and temperature diagrams. It can generate the data from the txt, and then copy and import it to the software of the windows platform to display analysis.
Universal Invoice System (“UIS”)   February 13, 2014   June 16, 2015   AIS facilitates data transmission between users’ management and financial systems and ACTCS software.  

 

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Technology   Completion Date   Certificate Date   General Functions
Invoice Query Management System (“IQMS”)   October 30, 2013   June 15, 2015   IQMS facilitates users’ invoice inquiries and verification process.    
Micro-App System (“MAS”)   August 10, 2017   December 1, 2017   MAS diagnoses and resolves user-end application issues.
WeChat Cloud Business System (“WCBS”)   May 10, 2017   December 1, 2017   WCBS facilitates online transactions between the Company and its clients.  
Collaborative Management System (“CMS”)   October 10, 2017   December 1, 2017   CMS facilitates our clients’ business and data management process amongst multiple operating systems.
Hitek APP application software   November 25, 2018   December 10, 2018   It is another name of “enterprise service platform”. It worked as Hitek’s online service platform, including IT services, sales and financial and tax services, etc.
Hitek network background management system   November 25, 2018   December 10, 2018   It is used for backstage unified management of Hitek’s app and Hitek online service platform.
Remote monitoring system   October 19, 2018   October 19, 2018   It is used for remote monitoring, debugging and early warning of the App.

 

Customers

 

We rely upon several of our large customers from whom we generated substantial revenue each year, and the composition of our largest customers has changed from year to year. For the year ended December 31, 2023, two customers accounted for 27% of total Hitek’s revenues, the largest of which represented 19%. For the year ended December 31, 2022 two customers accounted for 49% of total Hitek’s revenues, the largest of which represented 36%. While two major customers could account for a significant portion of our sales for at least the year 2023, we anticipate that our customer base will continue to expand and that in the future we will be less dependent on major customers.

 

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Suppliers

 

Aside from a set number of suppliers from whom we purchase general hardware for our resale business, we are required by the government to purchase our ACTCS devices from specific suppliers. For the year ended December 31, 2023, four suppliers accounted for 21% of the total purchases. For the year ended December 31, 2022, six suppliers accounted for 58% of the total purchases.

 

We enter into procurement agreements in the ordinary course of business with our suppliers, pursuant to a form of supply order typically on a “deal by deal” basis.

 

Marketing and Sales

 

Since inception, our user base in both the services to large businesses and service to SMEs has grown primarily through word of mouth recommendations, digital advertising, and social media advertising. We accumulated a loyal customer base to our hardware sales via our physical store. In general, we focus on delivering a superior user experience through better products and services, which we believe can expand our user base and enhance our brand. We do not have a specific budget for advertising since we have built our brand with very low marketing costs.

 

While we have benefited from the effects of word of mouth recommendation, digital advertising, and social media advertising, we are considering cooperating with professional advertising companies to initiate campaigns designed to further promote our brand and services.

 

With respect to the services to SMEs, given the geographic limitation of our ACTCS services, we plan to focus on marketing and promotion of the business management service, which will include agent accounting services, online IT outsourcing services, IT internet operation and maintenance service and equipment purchasing and delivery Door-to-Door service to the SMEs. On the services to large business side, we plan to focus on marketing and promotion of hardware integration system going forward.

 

Intellectual Property

 

Protection of our intellectual property is a strategic priority for our business. We rely on a combination of copyright, trademark and trade secret laws, as well as confidentiality agreements, to establish and protect our proprietary rights. Except for Chinese government developed ACTCS software used in connection with our day-to-day operations, we generally do not rely on third-party licenses of intellectual property for use in our business.

   

Our research and development activities are project based and the number of projects we work on varies annually. As of December 31, 2023, we had 45 full-time research and development professionals. From 2022 to 2023, we had 11 full-time research and development professionals focused on various software development projects. We were successful in developing 12 software products and had obtained 6 Registration of Computer Software Copyright Certificates (the “Certificates”) in 2015, 3 Certificates in 2017 and 3 Certificates in 2018. Our Certificates last indefinitely. In the beginning of 2018, we established 3 joint IT research collaborative syndicates with other Internet technology companies for innovative Internet service projects such as the Tax Service Mobile APP, WeChat Cloud Charging System and Remote monitoring system. In addition to the foregoing protections, we generally control access to and use of our proprietary and other confidential information through the use of internal and external controls, such as use of confidentiality agreement with our employees and outside consultants.

 

Research and Development

 

From 2014 to 2015, our R&D team mainly focused on developing two categories of software-- data collection software and ACTCS ancillary software. Among all the software we have developed, CIS is the only software product we are currently marketing and generated revenue. Our R&D team established joint research syndicates with other Internet technology companies in early 2018.

 

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Facilities

 

Our headquarters are at Unit 304, No. 30 Guanri Road, Siming District, Xiamen City, Fujian Province, PRC, where we own the office building with a floor area of approximately 495 square meters. This includes our sales and marketing, communication and business development personnel and our management and operations facilities and customer services.

 

Employees

 

We had 48, 60 and 66 employees as of December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. The following table sets forth the numbers of our employees categorized by function as of December 31, 2023:

 

Function:    
Management Department (Hitek)   7 
Financial Department (Hitek)   5 
Technical Service Department (Hitek)   9 
Sales Training Department (Hitek)   4 
Hotline Service Department (Hitek)   5 
Research and Development Department (Hitek)   4 
Operation and Maintenance Department (Hitek)   1 
Financial Department (Huasheng)   1 
Technical Service Department (Huasheng)   1 
Management Department (Huoerguosi)   3 
Operation and Maintenance Department (Huoerguosi)   1 
Technical Service Department (weilai)   5 
Financial Department (weilai)   2 
Total   48 

 

As of December 31, 2023, our employees were in Xiamen, Fujian province and Huoerguosi, Xinjiang, China. 

 

As required by PRC laws and regulations, we participate in various employee social security plans organized by municipal and provincial governments, including housing, pension, medical insurance and unemployment insurance programs. We are required under Chinese law to make contributions to employee benefit plans at specified percentages of the salaries, bonuses and certain allowances of our employees, up to a maximum amount specified by the local government from time to time.

 

We believe we maintain a good working relationship with our employees, and we have not experienced any labor disputes.

 

Legal Proceedings

 

We are currently not a party to any material legal or administrative proceedings. We may from time to time be subject to various legal or administrative claims and proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business. Litigation or any other legal or administrative proceeding, regardless of the outcome, is likely to result in substantial cost and diversion of our resources, including our management’s time and attention.

  

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REGULATIONS

 

We operate our business in China under a legal regime consisting of the National People’s Congress, which is the country’s highest legislative body, the State Council, which is the highest authority of the executive branch of the PRC central government, and several ministries and agencies under its authority, including the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, State Administration for Industry & Commerce, State Administration of Taxation and their respective local offices. This section summarizes the principal PRC regulations related to our business.

 

Regulation Related to Foreign Investment

 

The establishment, operation and management of companies in China are mainly governed by the PRC Company Law, as most recently amended in 2018, which applies to both PRC domestic companies and foreign-invested companies. On March 15, 2019, the National People’s Congress approved the Foreign Investment Law, and on December 26, 2019, the State Council promulgated the Implementing Rules of the Foreign Investment Law, or the Implementing Rules, to further clarify and elaborate the relevant provisions of the Foreign Investment Law. The Foreign Investment Law and the Implementing Rules both took effect on January 1, 2020 and replaced three previous major laws on foreign investments in China, namely, the Sino-foreign Equity Joint Venture Law, the Sino-foreign Cooperative Joint Venture Law and the Wholly Foreign-owned Enterprise Law, together with their respective implementing rules. Pursuant to the Foreign Investment Law, “foreign investments” refer to investment activities conducted by foreign investors (including foreign natural persons, foreign enterprises or other foreign organizations) directly or indirectly in the PRC, which include any of the following circumstances: (i) foreign investors setting up foreign-invested enterprises in the PRC solely or jointly with other investors, (ii) foreign investors obtaining shares, equity interests, property portions or other similar rights and interests of enterprises within the PRC, (iii) foreign investors investing in new projects in the PRC solely or jointly with other investors, and (iv) investment in other methods as specified in laws, administrative regulations, or as stipulated by the State Council. The Implementing Rules introduce a see-through principle and further provide that foreign-invested enterprises that invest in the PRC shall also be governed by the Foreign Investment Law and the Implementing Rules.

 

The Foreign Investment Law and the Implementing Rules provide that a system of pre-entry national treatment and negative list shall be applied for the administration of foreign investment, where “pre-entry national treatment” means that the treatment given to foreign investors and their investments at market entry stage is no less favorable than that given to domestic investors and their investments, and “negative list” means the special administrative measures for foreign investment’s entry to specific fields or industries. Foreign investments beyond the negative list will be granted national treatment. Foreign investors shall not invest in the prohibited fields as specified in the negative list, and foreign investors who invest in the restricted fields shall comply with certain special requirements on shareholding and senior management personnel, etc. In the meantime, relevant competent government departments will formulate a catalogue of the specific industries, fields and regions in which foreign investors are encouraged and guided to invest according to the national economic and social development needs. The current industry entry clearance requirements governing investment activities in the PRC by foreign investors are set out in two categories, namely The Special Management Measures for the Entry of Foreign Investment (Negative List) (2020 version), or the 2020 Negative List, as promulgated on June 23, 2020 by the National Development and Reform Commission, or the NDRC, and the Ministry of Commerce, or the MOFCOM, and taking effect on July 23, 2020, and the Encouraged Industry Catalogue for Foreign Investment (2019 version), as promulgated by the NDRC and the MOFCOM on June 30, 2019 and taking effect on July 30, 2019. Industries not listed in these two catalogues are generally deemed “permitted” for foreign investment unless specifically restricted by other PRC laws.

 

According to the Implementing Rules, the registration of foreign-invested enterprises shall be handled by the State Administration for Market Regulation, or the SAMR, or its authorized local counterparts. Where a foreign investor invests in an industry or field subject to licensing in accordance with laws, the relevant competent government department responsible for granting such license shall review the license application of the foreign investor in accordance with the same conditions and procedures applicable to PRC domestic investors unless it is stipulated otherwise by the laws and administrative regulations, and the competent government department shall not impose discriminatory requirements on the foreign investor in terms of licensing conditions, application materials, reviewing steps and deadlines, etc.

 

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Law and the Implementing Rules, and the Information Reporting Measures for Foreign Investment jointly promulgated by the MOFCOM and the SAMR, which took effect on January 1, 2020, a foreign investment information reporting system has been established and foreign investors or foreign-invested enterprises shall report investment information to competent commerce departments of the government through the enterprise registration system and the national enterprise credit information publicity system, and the administration for market regulation shall forward the above investment information to the competent commerce departments in a timely manner.

 

Regulations on Value-added Tax Tax-control System Service Providers

 

The Circular on Issuing the Measures for the Supervision and Administration of Value-added Tax (VAT) Tax-control System Service Providers, or the SAT Circular 118, issued by the State Administration of Taxation (the “SAT”), or the SAT on October 9, 2015 and which became effective on November 1, 2015, regulates that the establishment and replacement of enterprises which engage in the sale of Value-added Tax tax-control system dedicated equipment (ACTCS tax device) and the provision of Value-added Tax tax-control system maintenance services to Value-added Tax payers using Value-added Tax tax-control system (the “Service Provider”) below the provincial level shall require the consent of the provincial authorities of the SAT. The service providers shall, pursuant to the SAT Circular 118, provide high-quality services to users, and guarantee their proper use of Value-added Tax tax-control system. The competent Tax authority are responsible for the supervision and administration of the service providers, and shall admonish the service providers, request them to make immediate correction, rectification or even cancel their service qualifications when service providers fail to meet the requirements of the SAT Circular 118.

 

As published on the official website of Xiamen Municipal office of SAT which is the provincial authority of the SAT at http://xiamen.chinatax.gov.cn/content/300662.html, the VIE entity, Hitek is one of the four recognized and qualified Service Providers in Xiamen.

 

Regulations on Value-added Telecommunication Services

 

On September 25, 2000, the State Council promulgated the Telecommunications Regulations of the PRC, or the Telecom Regulations, which was amended on July 29, 2014 and February 6, 2016. The Telecom Regulations is the primary PRC law governing telecommunication services and sets out the general regulatory framework for telecommunication services provided by PRC companies. The Telecom Regulations distinguishes between “basic telecommunication services” and “value-added telecommunication services.” The Telecom Regulations defines value-added telecommunications services as telecommunications and information services provided through public networks. Pursuant to the Telecom Regulations, commercial operators of value-added telecommunications services must first obtain an operating license from the MIIT, or its provincial level counterparts.

 

The Catalog of Telecommunications Business, or the Catalog, which was issued as an attachment to the Telecom Regulations and updated in February 21, 2003, December 28, 2015, and June 6,2019, further categorizes value-added telecommunication services into two classes: Class 1 value-added telecommunication services and Class 2 value-added telecommunication services. Information services provided via cable networks, mobile networks or internet fall within Class 2 value-added telecommunications services.

 

On July 3, 2017, the MIIT issued the Measures on the Administration of Telecommunications Business Operating Permits, or the Telecom License Measures, which became effective on September 1, 2017, to supplement the Telecom Regulations. The Telecom License Measures sets forth the types of licenses required to operate value-added telecommunications services and the qualifications and procedures for obtaining such licenses. Any telecommunication services operator must conduct its business in accordance with the specifications in its license.

 

To comply with the foregoing laws and regulations, the VIE entity, Hitek, obtained a Value-Added Telecommunications Services Operating License in 2018 for providing information services via internet, or the ICP License, which remained effective until March 19, 2023 and was not renewed after then.

   

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Regulations on Foreign Direct Investment in Value-Added Telecommunications Companies

 

Foreign direct investment in telecommunications companies in China is governed by the Provisions on the Administration of Foreign-Invested Telecommunications Enterprises, which was promulgated by the State Council on December 11, 2001 and amended on September 10, 2008 and February 6, 2016. These regulations require that foreign-invested value-added telecommunications enterprises in China must be established as Sino-foreign equity joint ventures and that the foreign investors may acquire up to 50% equity interests in such joint ventures. In addition, a major foreign investor in a value-added telecommunications business in China must demonstrate a good track record and experience in operating value-added telecommunications businesses. Moreover, foreign investors that meet these requirements must obtain approvals from the MIIT and the MOFCOM, to provide value-added telecommunication services in China and the MIIT and the MOFCOM retain considerable discretion in granting such approvals.

 

On July 13, 2006, the Ministry of Information Industry, or the MII, released the Notice on Strengthening the Administration of Foreign Investment in the Operation of Value-added Telecommunications Business, or the MII Notice, pursuant to which, for any foreign investor to invest in telecommunications businesses in China, a foreign-invested telecommunications enterprise must be established and such enterprise must apply for the relevant telecommunications business operation licenses. Furthermore, under the MII Notice, domestic telecommunications enterprises may not rent, transfer or sell a telecommunications business operation license to foreign investors in any form, and they may not provide any resources, premises, facilities and other assistance in any form to foreign investors for their illegal operation of any telecommunications business in China. In addition, under the MII Notice, the internet domain names and registered trademarks used by a value-added telecommunication service operator shall be legally owned by such operator or its shareholders.

 

Regulations on Internet Content Providers

 

The Administrative Measures on Internet Information Services, or the Internet Content Measures, which was promulgated by the State Council on September 25, 2000 and amended on January 8, 2011, classifies internet information services into commercial internet information services and non-commercial internet information services. Commercial internet information services refer to services that provide information or services to internet users with charge. A provider of commercial internet information services must obtain an ICP License. The VIE entity, Hitek, obtained the ICP License, which will remained effective until March 19, 2023 and was not renewed after then.

 

Regulations on Intellectual Property Rights

 

Regulations on copyright

 

The Copyright Law of the PRC, or the Copyright Law, which took effect on June 1, 1991 and was amended in 2001, in 2010 and in 2020 (which will take effect on June 1, 2021), provides that Chinese citizens, legal persons, or unincorporated organizations shall, whether published or not, own copyright in their copyrightable works, which include, among others, works of literature, art, natural science, social science, engineering technology and computer software. Copyright owners enjoy certain legal rights, including right of publication, right of authorship and right of reproduction. The Copyright Law as revised in 2010 extends copyright protection to Internet activities, products disseminated over the Internet and software products. In addition, Copyright Law provides for a voluntary registration system administered by the China Copyright Protection Center, or the CPCC. According to the Copyright Law, an infringer of the copyrights shall be subject to various civil liabilities, which include ceasing infringement activities, apologizing to the copyright owners and compensating the loss of copyright owner. Infringers of copyright may also subject to fines and/or administrative or criminal liabilities in severe situations.

   

The Computer Software Copyright Registration Measures, or the Software Copyright Measures, promulgated on February 20, 2002, regulates registrations of software copyright, exclusive licensing contracts for software copyright and assignment agreements. The National Copyright Administration, or the NCA administers software copyright registration and the CPCC, is designated as the software registration authority. The CPCC shall grant registration certificates to the Computer Software Copyrights applicants which meet the requirements of both the Software Copyright Measures and the Computer Software Protection Regulations (Revised in 2013).

 

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The Provisions of the Supreme People’s Court on Certain Issues Related to the Application of Law in the Trial of Civil Cases Involving Disputes on Infringement of the Information Network Dissemination Rights specifies that disseminating works, performances or audio-video products by the internet users or the internet service providers via the internet without the permission of the copyright owners shall be deemed to have infringed the right of dissemination of the copyright owner.

 

The Measures for Administrative Protection of Copyright Related to Internet, which was jointly promulgated by the NCA and the MIIT on April 29, 2005 and became effective on May 30, 2005, provides that upon receipt of an infringement notice from a legitimate copyright holder, an ICP operator must take remedial actions immediately by removing or disabling access to the infringing content. If an ICP operator knowingly transmits infringing content or fails to take remedial actions after receipt of a notice of infringement that harms public interest, the ICP operator could be subject to administrative penalties, including an order to cease infringing activities, confiscation by the authorities of all income derived from the infringement activities, or payment of fines.

 

On May 18, 2006, the State Council promulgated the Regulations on the Protection of the Right to Network Dissemination of Information (as amended in 2013). Under these regulations, an owner of the network dissemination rights with respect to written works or audio or video recordings who believes that information storage, search or link services provided by an Internet service provider infringe his or her rights may require that the Internet service provider delete, or disconnect the links to, such works or recordings.

 

Regulations on domain names

 

The MIIT promulgated the Measures on Administration of Internet Domain Names, or the Domain Name Measures, on August 24, 2017, which took effect on November 1, 2017 and replaced the Administrative Measures on China Internet Domain Name promulgated by MII on November 5, 2004. According to the Domain Name Measures, the MIIT is in charge of the administration of PRC internet domain names. The domain name registration follows a first-to-file principle. Applicants for registration of domain names shall provide the true, accurate and complete information of their identities to domain name registration service institutions. The applicants will become the holder of such domain names upon the completion of the registration procedure. We registered the domain name of xmHitek.com in the PRC.

 

Regulations on Foreign Exchange

 

General administration of foreign exchange

 

Under the PRC Foreign Currency Administration Rules promulgated on January 29, 1996 and most recently amended on August 5, 2008 and various regulations issued by the SAFE and other relevant PRC government authorities, Renminbi is convertible into other currencies for current account items, such as trade-related receipts and payments and payment of interest and dividends. The conversion of Renminbi into other currencies and remittance of the converted foreign currency outside the PRC for of capital account items, such as direct equity investments, loans and repatriation of investment, requires the prior approval from the SAFE or its local office. Payments for transactions that take place within the PRC must be made in Renminbi. Unless otherwise approved, PRC companies may not repatriate foreign currency payments received from abroad or retain the same abroad. Foreign-invested enterprises may retain foreign exchange in accounts with designated foreign exchange banks under the current account items subject to a cap set by the SAFE or its local office. Foreign exchange proceeds under the current accounts may be either retained or sold to a financial institution engaged in settlement and sale of foreign exchange pursuant to relevant SAFE rules and regulations. For foreign exchange proceeds under the capital accounts, approval from the SAFE is generally required for the retention or sale of such proceeds to a financial institution engaged in settlement and sale of foreign exchange.

 

Pursuant to the Circular of the SAFE on Further Improving and Adjusting Foreign Exchange Administration Policies for Direct Investment, or the SAFE Circular No. 59 promulgated by SAFE on November 19, 2012, which became effective on December 17, 2012 and was amended on May 4, 2015, approval is not required for opening a foreign exchange account and depositing foreign exchange into the accounts relating to the direct investments. SAFE Circular No. 59 also simplified foreign exchange-related registration required for the foreign investors to acquire the equity interests of Chinese companies and further improve the administration on foreign exchange settlement for foreign-invested enterprises.

 

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Pursuant to the Circular on Further Simplifying and Improving the Foreign Currency Management Policy on Direct Investment, or the SAFE Circular No. 13, effective from June 1, 2015, which cancels the administrative approvals of foreign exchange registration of direct domestic investment and direct overseas investment and simplifies the procedure of foreign exchange-related registration, the investors shall register with banks for direct domestic investment and direct overseas investment.

 

The Circular on Reforming the Management Approach regarding the Settlement of Foreign Capital of Foreign-invested Enterprise, or the SAFE Circular No. 19, which was promulgated by the SAFE on March 30, 2015 and became effective on June 1, 2015, provides that a foreign-invested enterprise may, according to its actual business needs, settle with a bank the portion of the foreign exchange capital in its capital account for which the relevant foreign exchange administration has confirmed monetary capital contribution rights and interests (or for which the bank has registered the injection of the monetary capital contribution into the account). Pursuant to the SAFE Circular No.19, for the time being, foreign-invested enterprises are allowed to settle 100% of their foreign exchange capitals on a discretionary basis; a foreign-invested enterprise shall truthfully use its capital for its own operational purposes within the scope of business; where an ordinary foreign-invested enterprise makes domestic equity investment with the amount of foreign exchanges settled, the invested enterprise shall first go through domestic re-investment registration and open a corresponding account for foreign exchange settlement pending payment with the foreign exchange administration or the bank at the place where it is registered.

 

The Circular on Reforming and Regulating Policies on the Control over Foreign Exchange Settlement of Capital Accounts, or the SAFE Circular No. 16, which was promulgated by the SAFE and became effective on June 9, 2016, provides that enterprises registered in the PRC may also convert their foreign debts from foreign currency into Renminbi on self-discretionary basis. The SAFE Circular No. 16 also provides an integrated standard for conversion of foreign exchange under capital account items (including but not limited to foreign currency capital and foreign debts) on self-discretionary basis, which applies to all enterprises registered in the PRC.

 

Offshore investment

 

Under the Circular of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange on Issues Concerning the Foreign Exchange Administration over the Overseas Investment and Financing and Round-trip Investment by Domestic Residents via Special Purpose Vehicles, or the SAFE Circular 37, issued by the SAFE and effective on July 4, 2014, PRC residents are required to register with the local SAFE branch prior to the establishment or control of an offshore special purpose vehicle, or SPV, which is defined as offshore enterprises directly established or indirectly controlled by PRC residents for offshore equity financing of the enterprise assets or interests they hold in China. An amendment to registration or subsequent filing with the local SAFE branch by such PRC resident is also required if there is any change in basic information of the offshore company or any material change with respect to the capital of the offshore company. At the same time, the SAFE has issued the Operation Guidance for the Issues Concerning Foreign Exchange Administration over Round-trip Investment regarding the procedures for SAFE registration under the SAFE Circular 37, which became effective on July 4, 2014 as an attachment of Circular 37.

  

Regulations on dividend distribution

 

The principal laws and regulations regulating the dividend distribution of dividends by foreign-invested enterprises in the PRC is the Company Law of the PRC, as amended in 2004, 2005, 2013 and 2018. Under the current regulatory regime in the PRC, foreign-invested enterprises in the PRC may pay dividends only out of their retained earnings, if any, determined in accordance with PRC accounting standards and regulations. A PRC company is required to set aside as statutory reserve funds at least 10% of its after-tax profit, until the cumulative amount of such reserve funds reaches 50% of its registered capital unless laws regarding foreign investment provide otherwise. A PRC company shall not distribute any profits until any losses from prior fiscal years have been offset. Profits retained from prior fiscal years may be distributed together with distributable profits from the current fiscal year.

 

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Regulations on Taxation

 

Enterprise Income Tax

 

On March 16, 2007, the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress promulgated the Law of the PRC on Enterprise Income Tax which was amended on February 24, 2017, and December 29, 2018, and on December 6, 2007, the State Council enacted the Regulations for the Implementation of the Law on Enterprise Income Tax, or collectively, the EIT Law. The EIT Law came into effect on January 1, 2008. Under the EIT Law, both resident enterprises and non-resident enterprises are subject to tax in the PRC. Resident enterprises are defined as enterprises that are established in China in accordance with PRC laws, or that are established in accordance with the laws of foreign countries but are actually or in effect controlled from within the PRC. Non-resident enterprises are defined as enterprises that are organized under the laws of foreign countries and whose actual management is conducted outside the PRC, but have established institutions or premises in the PRC, or have no such established institutions or premises but have income generated from inside the PRC. Under the EIT Law and relevant implementing regulations, a uniform corporate income tax rate of 25% is applied. However, if non-resident enterprises have not formed permanent establishments or premises in the PRC, or if they have formed permanent establishment or premises in the PRC but there is no actual relationship between the relevant income derived in the PRC and the established institutions or premises set up by them, enterprise income tax is set at the rate of 10% with respect to their income sourced from inside the PRC.

Value-added Tax

 

The Provisional Regulations of the PRC on Value-added Tax were promulgated by the State Council on December 13, 1993 and came into effect on January 1, 1994 which were subsequently amended on November 10, 2008, February 6, 2016, and November19, 2017. The Detailed Rules for the Implementation of the Provisional Regulations of the PRC on Value-added Tax (Revised in 2011) was promulgated by the Ministry of Finance on December 25, 1993 and subsequently amended on December 15, 2008 and October 28, 2011, or collectively, VAT Law. On November 19, 2017, the State Council promulgated The Decisions on Abolishing the Provisional Regulations of the PRC on Business Tax and Amending the Provisional Regulations of the PRC on Value-added Tax, or Order 691. According to the VAT Law and Order 691, all enterprises and individuals engaged in the sale of goods, the provision of processing, repair and replacement services, sales of services, intangible assets, real property and the importation of goods within the territory of the PRC are the taxpayers of VAT. The VAT tax rates generally applicable are simplified as 17%, 11%, 6% and 0%, and the VAT tax rate applicable to the small-scale taxpayers is 3%. The new VAT tax rates generally applicable from May 1, 2018 are simplified as 16%, 10%, 6% and 0%, and the VAT tax rate applicable to the small-scale taxpayers is still 3%. Starting from April 1, 2019, the VAT rate for revenue generated from providing products was changed from 16% into 13%.

 

Dividend Withholding Tax

 

The EIT Law provides that since January 1, 2008, an income tax rate of 10% will normally be applicable to dividends declared to non-PRC resident investors which do not have an establishment or place of business in the PRC, or which have such establishment or place of business but the relevant income is not effectively connected with the establishment or place of business, to the extent such dividends are derived from sources within the PRC.

 

Pursuant to an Arrangement Between the Mainland of China and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with Respect to Taxes on Incomes, or the Double Tax Avoidance Arrangement, and other applicable PRC laws, if a Hong Kong resident enterprise is determined by the competent PRC tax authority to have satisfied the relevant conditions and requirements under such Double Tax Avoidance Arrangement and other applicable laws, the 10% withholding tax on the dividends the Hong Kong resident enterprise receives from a PRC resident enterprise may be reduced to 5%. However, based on the Circular on Certain Issues with Respect to the Enforcement of Dividend Provisions in Tax Treaties, or the SAT Circular 81, issued on February 20, 2009 by the s, if the relevant PRC Tax authority determine, in their discretion, that a company benefits from such reduced income tax rate due to a structure or arrangement that is primarily tax-driven, such PRC Tax authority may adjust the preferential tax treatment. According to the Circular on Several Questions regarding the “Beneficial Owner” in Tax Treaties, which was issued on February 3, 2018 by the SAT and became effect on April 1, 2018, when determining the applicant’s status of the “beneficial owner” regarding tax treatments in connection with dividends, interests or royalties in the tax treaties, several factors, including without limitation, whether the applicant is obligated to pay more than 50% of his or her income in twelve months to residents in third country or region, whether the business operated by the applicant constitutes the actual business activities, and whether the counterparty country or region to the tax treaties does not levy any tax or grant tax exemption on relevant incomes or levy tax at an extremely low rate, will be taken into account, and it will be analyzed according to the actual circumstances of the specific cases. This circular further provides that applicants who intend to prove his or her status of the “beneficial owner” shall submit the relevant documents to the relevant tax bureau according to the Announcement on Issuing the Measures for the Administration of Non-Resident Taxpayers’ Enjoyment of the Treatment under Tax Agreements.

  

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Tax on Indirect Transfer

 

On February 3, 2015, the SAT issued the Circular on Issues of Enterprise Income Tax on Indirect Transfers of Assets by Non-PRC Resident Enterprises, or Circular 7. Pursuant to Circular 7, an “indirect transfer” of assets, including equity interests in a PRC resident enterprise, by non-PRC resident enterprises, may be recharacterized and treated as a direct transfer of PRC taxable assets, if such arrangement does not have a reasonable commercial purpose and was established for the purpose of avoiding payment of PRC enterprise income tax. As a result, gains derived from such indirect transfer may be subject to PRC enterprise income tax. When determining whether there is a “reasonable commercial purpose” of the transaction arrangement, features to be taken into consideration include, inter alia, whether the main value of the equity interest of the relevant offshore enterprise derives directly or indirectly from PRC taxable assets; whether the assets of the relevant offshore enterprise mainly consists of direct or indirect investment in China or if its income is mainly derived from China; and whether the offshore enterprise and its subsidiaries directly or indirectly holding PRC taxable assets have real commercial nature which is evidenced by their actual function and risk exposure. According to Circular 7, where the payor fails to withhold any or sufficient tax, the transferor shall declare and pay such tax to the tax authority by itself within the statutory time limit. Late payment of applicable tax will subject the transferor to default interest. Circular 7 does not apply to transactions of sale of shares by investors through a public stock exchange where such shares were acquired on a public stock exchange. On October 17, 2017, the SAT issued the Circular on Issues of Tax Withholding regarding Non-PRC Resident Enterprise Income Tax, or SAT Circular 37, which further elaborates the relevant implemental rules regarding the calculation, reporting and payment obligations of the withholding tax by the non-resident enterprises.

 

Regulations on Employment and Social Welfare

 

Labor Contract Law

 

The Labor Contract Law of the PRC, or the Labor Contract Law, which was promulgated on January 1, 2008 and amended on December 28, 2012, is primarily aimed at regulating rights and obligations of employer and employee relationships, including the establishment, performance and termination of labor contracts. Pursuant to the Labor Contract Law, labor contracts shall be concluded in writing if labor relationships are to be or have been established between employers and the employees. Employers are prohibited from forcing employees to work above certain time limit and employers shall pay employees for overtime work in accordance to national regulations. In addition, employee wages shall be no lower than local standards on minimum wages and shall be paid to employees timely.

 

Social Insurance and Housing Fund

 

As required under the Regulation of Insurance for Labor Injury implemented on January 1, 2004 and amended in 2010, the Provisional Measures for Maternity Insurance of Employees of Corporations implemented on January 1, 1995, the Decisions on the Establishment of a Unified Program for Old-Aged Pension Insurance of the State Council issued on July 16, 1997, the Decisions on the Establishment of the Medical Insurance Program for Urban Workers of the State Council promulgated on December 14, 1998, the Unemployment Insurance Measures promulgated on January 22, 1999 and the Social Insurance Law of the PRC implemented on July 1, 2011, amended on December 29, 2018, employers are required to provide their employees in the PRC with welfare benefits covering pension insurance, unemployment insurance, maternity insurance, labor injury insurance and medical insurance.

 

In accordance with the Regulations on the Management of Housing Fund which was promulgated by the State Council on April 3, 1999, amended on March 24, 2002 and March 24, 2019, employers must register at the designated administrative centers and open bank accounts for depositing employees’ housing funds. Employer and employee are also required to pay and deposit housing funds, with an amount no less than 5% of the monthly average salary of the employee in the preceding year in full and on time.

 

M&A Rules and Overseas Listing

 

On August 8, 2006, six PRC governmental and regulatory agencies, including MOFCOM and the China Securities Regulatory Commission, or the CSRC, promulgated the Rules on Acquisition of Domestic Enterprises by Foreign Investors, or the M&A Rules, governing the mergers and acquisitions of domestic enterprises by foreign investors that became effective on September 8, 2006 and was revised on June 22, 2009. The M&A Rules, among other things, requires that if an overseas company established or controlled by PRC companies or individuals, or PRC Citizens, intends to acquire equity interests or assets of any other PRC domestic company affiliated with the PRC Citizens, such acquisition must be submitted to the MOFCOM for approval. The M&A Rules also requires that an offshore special purpose vehicle formed for overseas listing purposes and controlled directly or indirectly by the PRC Citizens shall obtain the approval of the CSRC prior to overseas listing and trading of such special purpose vehicle’s securities on an overseas stock exchange.

  

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On July 6, 2021,  the State Council and General Office of the of the Communist Party China Central Committee issued Opinions on Strictly Cracking Down Illegal Securities Activities in Accordance with the Law, which steps-up scrutiny of overseas listings by companies and calls for strengthening cooperation in cross-border regulation, improving relevant laws and regulations on cyber security, cross-border data transmission and confidential information management, including the confidentiality requirement and file management related to the issuance and listing of securities overseas, enforcing the primary responsibility of the enterprises for information security of China based overseas listed companies and promoting the construction of relevant regulatory systems to deal with the risks and incidents faced by China-based overseas-listed companies. Furthermore, establishing and improving a system of extraterritorial application of laws in the capital market are also mentioned, judicial interpretations and supporting rules for extraterritorial application provisions of the Securities Law shall be formulated as soon as possible.

 

On February 17, 2023, with the approval of the State Council, the CSRC promulgated the Trial Administrative Measures of Overseas Securities Offering and Listing by Domestic Companies, or the Trial Measures, and five supporting guidelines, which came into effect on March 31, 2023. Pursuant to the Trial Measures, (1) domestic companies that seek to offer or list securities overseas, both directly and indirectly, shall complete filing procedures with the CSRC pursuant to the requirements of the Trial Measures within three working days following its submission of initial public offerings or listing application. If a domestic company fails to complete required filing procedures or conceals any material fact or falsifies any major content in its filing documents, such domestic company may be subject to administrative penalties, such as order to rectify, warnings, fines, and its controlling shareholders, actual controllers, the person directly in charge and other directly liable persons may also be subject to administrative penalties, such as warnings and fines; (2) if the issuer meets both of the following criteria, the overseas offering and listing conducted by such issuer shall be deemed as indirect overseas offering and listing by a PRC domestic company: (i) 50% or more of any of the issuer’s operating revenue, total profit, total assets or net assets as documented in its audited consolidated financial statements for the most recent fiscal year were derived from PRC domestic companies; and (ii) the majority of the issuer’s business activities are carried out in mainland China, or its main place(s) of business are located in mainland China, or the majority of senior management team in charge of its business operations and management are PRC citizens or have their usual place(s) of residence located in mainland China; and (3) where PRC domestic companies seeking indirect overseas offering and listing in an overseas market, the issuer shall designate a major domestic operating entity responsible for all filing procedures with the CSRC, and where an issuer makes an application for initial public offerings or listings in an overseas market, the issuer shall submit filings with the CSRC within three business days after such application is submitted.

 

On the same day, the CSRC also held a press conference for the release of the Trial Measures and issued the Notice on Administration for the Filing of Overseas Offering and Listing by Domestic Companies, which, among others, clarified that (1) domestic companies that have submitted valid applications for their indirect overseas offering and listing prior to the effective date of the Trial Measures, March 31, 2023, but have not yet obtained approval from overseas regulatory authorities or stock exchanges, are allowed to reasonably arrange the timing for submitting their filing applications with the CSRC, and must complete the filing before the completion of their overseas offering and listing; (2) domestic companies that have obtained approval from overseas regulatory authorities or stock exchanges for their indirect overseas offering and listing prior to the effective date of the Trial Measures but have not yet completed their indirect overseas listing, are granted a six-month transition period from March 31, 2023. If these domestic companies fail to complete their indirect overseas offering and listing within such six-month transition period, they will be required to make filings with the CSRC pursuant to the Trial Measures; and (3) the CSRC will solicit opinions from relevant regulatory authorities and complete the filing of the overseas listing of companies seeking listing with contractual arrangements if they duly meet the compliance requirements, and support the development and growth of these companies by enabling them to utilize two markets and two kinds of resources.

 

On February 24, 2023, the CSRC, together with Ministry of Finance of the PRC, National Administration of State Secrets Protection and National Archives Administration of China, revised the Provisions on Strengthening Confidentiality and Archives Administration for Overseas Securities Offering and Listing which was issued by the CSRC, National Administration of State Secrets Protection and National Archives Administration of China in 2009, or the Provisions. The revised Provisions is issued under the title the Provisions on Strengthening Confidentiality and Archives Administration of Overseas Securities Offering and Listing by Domestic Companies, and will come into effect on March 31, 2023 together with the Trial Measures. One of the major revisions to the revised Provisions is expanding its application to cover indirect overseas offering and listing, as is consistent with the Trial Measures. The revised Provisions require that, including but not limited to (a) a domestic company that plans to, either directly or indirectly through its overseas listed entity, publicly disclose or provide to relevant individuals or entities including sec