(Address, Including Zip
Code, and Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Registrant’s Principal Executive Offices)
(Name, Address, Including
Zip Code, and Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Agent For Service)
If the only securities being registered on this
form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box. ☐
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 number of the earlier
effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐
If this Form is a registration statement pursuant
to General Instruction I.C. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant
to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box. ☐
If this Form is a post-effective amendment to
a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.C. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of
securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant
is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933.
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. ☒
Summary of Risk Factors
Investors in the ADSs are purchasing equity
securities of CNFinance Holdings Limited, a Cayman Islands holding company, rather than equity securities of its subsidiaries that have
substantive business operations in China. CNFinance conducts its operations and operates its business in China through its PRC subsidiaries,
in particular, Shenzhen Fanhua United Investment Group Co., Ltd., Guangzhou Heze Information Technology Co., Ltd., and their subsidiaries
and consolidated affiliated entities. Such structure involves unique risks to investors in the ADSs. You should carefully consider all
of the information in this prospectus before making an investment in the ADSs. In particular, as CNFinance conducts business through
its subsidiaries that have substantive business operations in China, you should pay special attention to subsections headed “Recent
Regulatory Developments,” “Holding Company Structure,” and “Risks Related to Doing Business in China.”
The PRC government has significant
authority to exert influence on the ability of a company based in China, such as ours, to conduct its business, accept foreign
investments or list on U.S. or other foreign exchanges. We face risks associated with regulatory approvals of offshore offerings,
anti-monopoly regulatory actions, oversight on cybersecurity and data privacy. For example, recent regulatory actions undertaken by
China’s government, including the recent enactment of China’s new Data Security Law, as well as our
obligations to comply with Measures for Cybersecurity Review (Revised Draft for Comments), Personal Information Protection Law and
any other future laws and regulations may require us to incur significant expenses and could materially affect our ability to
conduct our business, accept foreign investments or list on a U.S. or foreign exchange. The PCAOB may not have free access to
inspect the work of our auditor. Trading in our securities may be prohibited under the HFCA Act if the PCAOB determines that it is
unable to inspect or fully investigate our auditor, and as a result, U.S. national securities exchanges, such as the NYSE, may
determine to delist our securities. Such risks could result in a material change in our operations and/or the value of the ADSs or
could significantly limit or completely hinder our ability to offer or continue to offer ADSs and/or other securities to investors
and cause the value of such securities to significantly decline or be worthless. The PRC government also has significant oversight
and discretion over the conduct of our business and as such may influence our operations at any time, which could result in a
material adverse effect on our operations. The PRC government has recently published new policies that significantly affected
certain industries, and we cannot rule out the possibility that it will in the future release regulations or policies regarding the
industry where we operate, which could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. For example,
the PRC anti-monopoly enforcement agencies have in recent years strengthened enforcement under the PRC Anti-monopoly law. On
February 7, 2021, the Antimonopoly Commission of the State Council officially promulgated the Anti-Monopoly Guidelines for
Internet Platforms. Although we do not believe the current anti-monopoly laws and regulations have a material adverse impact
on our business and results of operations, any failure or perceived failure by us to comply with the relevant anti-monopoly laws and
regulations may result in governmental investigations, enforcement actions or lawsuits and could have an adverse impact on our
business and results of operations. Furthermore, the PRC government has recently indicated an intent to exert more oversight and
control over overseas securities offerings and other capital markets activities and foreign investment in China-based companies like
ours. These risks could result in a material change in our operations and the value of our ordinary shares or the ADSs, or could
significantly limit or completely hinder our ability to offer or continue to offer securities to investors and cause the value of
such securities to significantly decline or become worthless. Below please find a summary of the principal risks we face, organized
under relevant headings. These risks are discussed more fully in the section titled “Risk Factors.”
Risks
Related to Our Business
Risks
and uncertainties related to our business include, but are not limited to, the following:
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we
have a limited operating history and our business practice continues to evolve, which makes
it difficult to evaluate our future prospects;
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our
historical credit enhancement arrangements to our trust company partners might be subject
to challenges relevant regulatory authorities, and we may potentially be required to obtain
licenses;
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our
trust company partners operate in a strictly regulated industry. If the practice of our trust
company partners, including the cooperation arrangements with us, is challenged under any
PRC laws and regulations, our business, financial condition and results of operations would
be materially and adversely affected;
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our
business may be adversely affected if we are unable to secure funding on terms acceptable
to us or our borrowers, or at all;
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we
face risks related to natural disasters, health epidemics and other outbreaks of contagious
diseases;
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our
new collaboration model with our sales partners might be subject to challenges by relevant
regulatory authorities;
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some
of our funding sources are highly regulated and are subject to the changing regulatory environment.
If any of the funding sources is deemed to violate the PRC laws and regulations, we may need
to secure new funding—failure of which may result in material and adverse impact on
our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects;
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our
high leverage ratio may expose us to liquidity risk and we may not have sufficient capital
reserve to manage losses;
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our
business depends on our ability to collect payment on and service the transactions we facilitate;
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the
foreclosure action and enforcement process may be time-consuming, difficult and uncertain
for legal and practicable reasons, which could adversely affect our liquidity, business,
financial condition and results of operations;
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credit
and other information that we or our trust company partners receive from prospective borrowers
and third parties about a borrower and the collateral may not accurately reflect the borrower’s
creditworthiness or the collateral’s fair/recoverable value, which may compromise the
accuracy of our and our trust company partners’ credit assessment; and
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we
primarily rely on our trust company partners to fund loans to borrowers, which may constitute
provision of intermediary service, and our agreements with these trust company partners and
borrowers may be deemed as intermediation contracts under the PRC Contract Law.
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Risks
Related to Doing Business in China
Risks
and uncertainties related to doing business in China include, but are not limited to, the following:
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changes
in China’s economic, political or social conditions or government policies could have
a material adverse effect on our business and operations;
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uncertainties
with respect to the PRC legal system, including uncertainties regarding the enforcement of
laws, and sudden or unexpected changes in laws and regulations in China with little advance
notice could adversely affect us and limit the legal protections available to you and us;
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the
PRC government has significant oversight over the conduct of our business and as such may
intervene or influence our operations at any time, which may potentially result in a material
adverse effect on our operations;
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the
oversight of the China Securities Regulatory Commission, Cybersecurity Administration of
China or other governmental authorities may adversely affect our business and their approval
may be required in connection with this offering, and, if required, we cannot predict whether
we will be able to obtain such approval;
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we
may rely on dividends and other distributions on equity paid by our PRC subsidiaries to fund
any cash and financing requirements we may have, and any limitation on the ability of our
PRC subsidiaries to make payments to us could have a material and adverse effect on our ability
to conduct our business;
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PRC
regulation of loans to and direct investment in PRC entities by offshore holding companies
and governmental control of currency conversion may delay us from using the proceeds of our
public offering to make loans or additional capital contributions to our PRC subsidiaries,
which could materially and adversely affect our liquidity and our ability to fund and expand
our business;
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the
collaboration model we have in place with our sales partners to acquire borrowers might be
regarded as financial marketing and might face compliance risks; and
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Our
auditor, like other independent registered public accounting firms operating in China, is
not permitted to be subject to inspection by the PCAOB, and consequently, investors may be
deprived of the benefits of such inspection. Trading in our securities may be prohibited
under the HFCA Act if the PCAOB determines that it is unable to inspect or fully investigate
our auditor, and as a result, U.S. national securities exchanges, such as the NYSE, may determine
to delist our securities.
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Recent
Regulatory Developments
Draft Cybersecurity Measures
On July 10, 2021, the Cyberspace Administration
of China, or the CAC, published the draft amendment to the Measures for Cybersecurity Review (Revised Draft for Comments), or the draft
measures, which will replace the current Measures for Cybersecurity Review after it is adopted and becomes effective. The draft measures,
among others, stipulate that if an issuer who is a “critical information infrastructure operator” or a “data processing
operator” as defined therein and such issuer possesses personal information of more than one million users, and intends to be listed
in a foreign country, it must complete the cybersecurity review. Alternatively, relevant governmental authorities in the PRC may initiate
cybersecurity review if such governmental authorities determine an operator’s network products or services, data processing or
potential listing in a foreign country affect or may affect national security. In addition, the operators’ purchase of network
products and services that affects or may affect national security will be subject to the cybersecurity review. As advised by our PRC
legal counsel, the period for public comments on the draft measures has ended, while its provisions and anticipated adoption or effective
date are subject to changes and therefore the interpretation and implementation of the draft measures remain substantially uncertain.
We cannot predict the impact of the draft measures, if any, at this stage, and we will closely monitor and assess any development in
the rule-making process.
Given the nature of our business and as advised
by our PRC legal counsel, we do not think our company is either a “critical information infrastructure operator” or a “data
processing operator” who possesses personal information of more than one million users, and should not file for a cybersecurity
review under the draft measures if they were adopted in the current form, although we cannot guarantee that the relevant PRC regulatory
authority will agree with such conclusion reached. Currently, the draft measures have not materially affected our business and operations,
but in anticipation of the strengthened implementation of cybersecurity laws and regulations and the continued expansion of our business,
we face potential risks if our company is deemed as a critical information infrastructure operator or data processing operator under
the PRC cybersecurity laws and regulations. In such case, we must fulfil certain obligations as required under the PRC cybersecurity
laws and regulations. We may face challenges in addressing such enhanced regulatory requirements and be required to make necessary changes
to our internal policies and practices in data privacy and cybersecurity matters. See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Doing
Business in China—The oversight of the China Securities Regulatory Commission, Cyberspace Administration of China or other governmental
authorities may adversely affect our business and their approval may be required in connection with this offering, and, if required,
we cannot predict whether we will be able to obtain such approval.”
On October 29, 2021, the CAC published the Draft
Measures on Security Assessment for the Export of Data (Draft for Comments) (“Draft Measures for Export of Data”), which
provides the scope of data that will be subject to security assessment when being exported, including (i) personal information and important
data collected and generated by a critical information infrastructure operator; (ii) any important data that is to be exported; (iii)
personal information of a data processor that processes personal information of 1,000,000 individuals or more; (iv) personal information
of a data processor that in aggregate exports personal information of over 100,000 individuals or sensitive personal information of over
10,000 individuals; and (v) such other information as designated by the CAC. The Draft Measures for Export of Data were released for
public comment with the deadline of submitting public comments being November 28, 2021. Given the nature of our business and as advised
by our PRC legal counsel, we do not believe that we are engaged in activities subject to security assessment as outlined in the Draft
Measures for Export of Data. As a result, the Draft Measures for Export of Data have not materially affected our business or results
of operations. However, as its provisions and anticipated adoption or effective date are subject to change, and the interpretation and
implementation measures remain uncertain, we cannot assure you that the final rules will be consistent with our interpretation and the
relevant regulatory authority will not further strengthen the regulatory framework.
Potential CSRC Approval Required For This
Offering
On
July 6, 2021, the relevant PRC government authorities issued the Opinions on Strictly Cracking Down on Illegal Securities Activities
in Accordance with the Law. These opinions call for strengthened regulation over illegal securities activities and supervision on overseas
securities offerings and listings by China-based companies and propose to take effective measures, such as promoting the development
of relevant regulatory systems to deal with the risks or incidents faced by China-based overseas-listed companies. As of the date of
this prospectus, no official guidance and related implementation rules have been issued in relation to these recently issued opinions
and the interpretation and implementation of these opinions remain unclear at this stage. We cannot assure you we will not be required
to obtain the pre-approval of the China Securities Regulatory Commission, or the CSRC and potentially other regulatory authorities to
pursue this offering, including a cybersecurity review potentially required under the draft measures. See “Risk
Factors—Risks Related to Doing Business in China—The oversight of the China Securities Regulatory Commission, Cyberspace
Administration of China or other governmental authorities may adversely affect our business and their approval may be required in connection
with this offering, and, if required, we cannot predict whether we will be able to obtain such approval.”
Our PRC legal counsel has advised us based
on their understanding of the currently effective PRC laws, rules and regulations, no permission is required from any Chinese authorities
(including the CSRC and the Cyberspace Administration of China, or the CAC) for the offering and listing of the ADSs on the New York
Stock Exchange in the context of this offering. However, there can be no assurance that the relevant Chinese authorities, including the
CSRC, would reach the same conclusion as our PRC legal counsel, or that the CSRC or any other Chinese authorities would not promulgate
and implement new rules or interpret or implement current rules before we complete our offering or listing, which would require us to
obtain CSRC or other governmental approvals for this offering or listing. If the CSRC or other PRC regulatory body subsequently determines
that we need to obtain the CSRC’s approval for this offering or if the CSRC or any other PRC government authorities promulgates
any interpretation or implements rules before our listing that would require us to obtain CSRC or other governmental approvals for this
offering, we may not be able to proceed with this offering and other overseas offerings, face adverse actions or sanctions by the CSRC
or other PRC regulatory agencies. In any such event, these regulatory agencies may impose fines and penalties on our operations in China,
limit our operating privileges in China, delay or restrict the repatriation of the proceeds from this offering into the PRC or take other
actions that could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, reputation and prospects,
as well as our ability to complete this offering.
As of the date of this prospectus, we have not received
any inquiry, notice, warning, or sanction regarding offshore offering from the CSRC, nor have we been involved in any investigations
on cybersecurity review initiated by the CAC based on the draft measures, or received any inquiry, notice, warning, sanction in such
respect or any regulatory objections to this offering from the CAC. Under the current effective PRC laws and regulations, our PRC subsidiaries
are required to obtain or complete the following permissions or procedures for their operations: (i) business license for each of our
PRC subsidiaries, (ii) certificate of approval for establishment of enterprises with investment of Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macao and overseas
Chinese in the People’s Republic of China for our wholly foreign owned enterprise (WFOE); and (iii) the approval of the local financial
management authorities in Beijing, Shenzhen and Chongqing to operate microfinance companies. Our PRC subsidiaries have received all requisite
permissions as listed above, and none of those permissions have been denied as of the date of this prospectus.
Holding Company Structure
CNFinance Holdings Limited is a holding company
with no operations of its own. It conducts substantially all of its operations in China primarily through its subsidiaries in China,
in particular Shenzhen Fanhua United Investment Group Co., Ltd., Guangzhou Heze Information Technology Co., Ltd., and their subsidiaries
and consolidated affiliated entities, and substantially all of its assets and operations are located in China. With a holding company
structure, we principally rely on dividends from our PRC subsidiaries for our cash requirements, including any payment of dividends to
our shareholders. If these subsidiaries or any newly formed subsidiaries incur debt on their own behalf in the future, the instruments
governing their debt may restrict their ability to pay dividends to us.
In 2019, 2020 and the nine months ended September
30, 2021, CNFinance has not transferred any cash proceeds to any of its PRC subsidiaries. For instance, cash proceeds raised from overseas
financing activities, including this offering, may be transferred by CNFinance through China Financial Services Group Limited, our Hong
Kong subsidiary, to Fanhua Chuangli Information Technology (Shenzhen) Company Limited (“Fanhua Chuangli”), a PRC subsidiary,
via capital contribution and shareholder loans, as the case may be. Fanhua Chuangli then will transfer funds to its subsidiaries to meet
the capital needs of business operations. None of our PRC subsidiaries have issued any dividends or distributions to respective holding
companies, including CNFinance, or any investors as of the date of this prospectus. Our subsidiaries in the PRC generate and retain cash
generated from operating activities and re-invest it in business operations.
In
addition, our subsidiaries in the PRC are only permitted to pay dividends only out of their retained earnings, if any, as determined
in accordance with the Accounting Standards for Business Enterprise as promulgated by the Ministry of Finance of the PRC, or PRC GAAP.
The aggregate retained earnings for our PRC subsidiaries as determined under the PRC GAAP were RMB2,662.2 million, RMB2,742.2 million
and RMB 2,911.4 million as of December 31, 2019, December 31, 2020 and September 30, 2021, respectively. Pursuant to the law applicable
to foreign investment enterprises, our subsidiaries that are foreign investment enterprises in the PRC are required to draw 10% of their
profits as the companies’ statutory common reserve, provided that companies with aggregate common reserve of more than 50% of the
companies registered capital may elect not to draw any statutory common reserve any more. The appropriation to the general reserve fund
must be at least 10% of the after-tax profits calculated in accordance with PRC GAAP. Appropriation is not required if the reserve fund
has reached 50% of the registered capital of our subsidiary. Appropriation to the other two reserve funds are at our subsidiary’s
discretion. See “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Related to Doing Business in China—We may rely
on dividends and other distributions on equity paid by our PRC subsidiaries to fund any cash and financing requirements we may have,
and any limitation on the ability of our PRC subsidiaries to make payments to us could have a material and adverse effect on our ability
to conduct our business” and “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Related to Doing Business in China—If
we are classified as a PRC resident enterprise for PRC income tax purposes, such classification could result in unfavorable tax consequences
to us and our non-PRC shareholders or ADS holders.” As of the date of this prospectus, the majority of our PRC subsidiaries are
still required to contribute to general reserve fund and these contributions are not expected to cease in the near term. Appropriation
to the other two reserve funds are at our subsidiaries’ discretion. Our PRC subsidiaries did not make any contributions to the
enterprise expansion fund or the staff and bonus welfare fund during each period presented. The restricted amounts of our PRC subsidiaries
totaled RMB405.8 million, RMB420.5 million and RMB420.5 million as of December 31, 2019, December 31, 2020 and September 30, 2021, respectively.
In addition, ADS holders may potentially be subject to PRC taxes on dividends paid by CNFinance in the event it is deemed as a PRC resident
enterprise for PRC tax purposes.
An offshore holding company is permitted under
PRC laws and regulations to provide funding from the proceeds of offshore fund raising activities to its PRC subsidiaries through loans
or capital contributions, and to its consolidated affiliated entities only through loans, in each case subject to the satisfaction of
the applicable government registration and approval requirements. As a result, there is uncertainty with respect to our ability to provide
prompt financial support to our PRC subsidiaries when needed. For details about the applicable PRC rules that limit transfer of funds
from overseas to our PRC subsidiaries, see “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Doing Business in China—PRC regulation of
loans to and direct investment in PRC entities by offshore holding companies and governmental control of currency conversion may delay
us from using the proceeds of our public offering to make loans or additional capital contributions to our PRC subsidiaries, which could
materially and adversely affect our liquidity and our ability to fund and expand our business.” Notwithstanding the foregoing,
our PRC subsidiaries may use their own retained earnings (rather than Renminbi converted from foreign currency denominated capital) to
provide financial support to our consolidated affiliated entities either through entrustment loans from our PRC subsidiaries or direct
loans to such consolidated affiliated entities’ nominee shareholders, which would be contributed to the consolidated affiliated
entities as capital injections. Such direct loans to the nominee shareholders would be eliminated in our consolidated financial statements
against the consolidated affiliated entities’ share capital.
Furthermore, if certain procedural requirements
are satisfied, the payment of current account items, including profit distributions and trade and service related foreign exchange transactions,
can be made in foreign currencies without prior approval from State Administration of Foreign Exchange (“SAFE”) or its local
branches. However, where RMB is to be converted into foreign currency and remitted out of China to pay capital expenses, such as the
repayment of loans denominated in foreign currencies, approval from or registration with competent government authorities or its authorized
banks is required. The PRC government may take measures at its discretion from time to time to restrict access to foreign currencies
for current account or capital account transactions. If the foreign exchange control system prevents us from obtaining sufficient foreign
currencies to satisfy our foreign currency demands, our PRC subsidiaries may not be able to pay dividends in foreign currencies to our
offshore intermediary holding companies or ultimate parent company, and therefore, our shareholders or investors in the ADSs. In addition,
we cannot assure you that new regulations or policies will not be promulgated in the future, which may further restrict the remittance
of RMB into or out of the PRC. We cannot assure you, in light of the restrictions in place, or any amendment to be made from time to
time, that our current or future PRC subsidiaries will be able to satisfy their respective payment obligations that are denominated in
foreign currencies, including the remittance of dividends out of the PRC.
Corporate Information
CNFinance was incorporated in the Cayman Islands
in January 2014. We conduct our operations in China principally through our wholly owned subsidiaries in China, including Shenzhen Fanhua
United Investment Group Co., Ltd., Guangzhou Heze Information Technology Co., Ltd., Guangzhou Chengze Information Technology Co., Ltd,
and our consolidated affiliated entities. The ADSs, each representing 20 ordinary shares, par value US$0.0001 per share, are currently
traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “CNF.”
Our principal executive offices of our main operations
are located at 44/F, Tower G, No. 16 Zhujiang Dong Road, Tianhe District, Guangzhou City, Guangdong Province 510620, People’s Republic
of China. Our telephone number at this address is +86 (020) 6231-6688. Our registered office in the Cayman Islands is located at the
offices of Walkers Corporate Limited, Cayman Corporate Centre, 190 Elgin Avenue, George Town, Grand Cayman KY1-9008, Cayman Islands.
We have appointed Cogency Global Inc., which is located at 122 East 42nd Street, 18th Floor, New York, NY 10168, as our agent upon whom
process may be served in any action brought against us under the securities laws of the United States with an offering of securities
registered by the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. Our corporate website is http://www.cashchina.cn/. The reference
to our website is an inactive textual reference only, and information contained therein or connected thereto is not incorporated into
this prospectus or the registration statement of which it forms a part.
Implications of Being an Emerging Growth Company
We qualify as an “emerging growth company”
as defined in the Jumpstart our Business Startups Act of 2012 (the “JOBS Act”). As an emerging growth company, we
may take advantage of specified reduced reporting and other burdens that are otherwise applicable generally to public companies. These
provisions include:
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a
requirement to have only two years of audited financial statements in addition to any required
interim financial statements and correspondingly reduced Management’s Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations disclosure;
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an
exemption from the auditor attestation requirement in the assessment of our internal control
over financial reporting pursuant to Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the “Sarbanes-Oxley
Act”); and
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to
the extent that we no longer qualify as a foreign private issuer, (i) reduced disclosure
obligations regarding executive compensation in our periodic reports and proxy statements
and (ii) exemptions from the requirements of holding a non-binding advisory vote on
executive compensation, including golden parachute compensation.
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We
may take advantage of these provisions for up to five years or such earlier time that we are no longer an emerging growth company. We
will remain an emerging growth company until the earliest of (i) the last day of the fiscal year in which we have total annual
gross revenues of $1.07 billion or more; (ii) December 31, 2025; (iii) the date on which we have issued more than $1.0 billion
in non-convertible debt during the previous three years; and (iv) 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 ordinary shares that are held by non-affiliates equals or exceeds $700.0 million
as of the prior June 30. We may choose to take advantage of some but not all of these reduced burdens. For example, Section 107 of the
JOBS Act also provides that an emerging growth company can take advantage of an extended transition period for complying with new or
revised accounting standards applicable to public companies. This provision allows an emerging growth company to delay the adoption of
certain accounting standards until those standards would otherwise apply to private companies. This transition period is only applicable
under U.S. GAAP. As a result, we will adopt new or revised accounting standards on the relevant dates on which adoption of such standards
is required or permitted by the International Accounting Standards Board.
Implications of Being a Foreign Private Issuer
We are also considered a “foreign private
issuer.” Accordingly, we report under the Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), as a non-U.S. company
with foreign private issuer status. This means that, even after we no longer qualify as an emerging growth company, as long as we qualify
as a foreign private issuer under the Exchange Act, we will be exempt from certain provisions of the Exchange Act that are applicable
to U.S. domestic public companies, including:
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the sections of the
Exchange Act regulating the solicitation of proxies, consents or authorizations in respect
of a security registered under the Exchange Act;
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the
sections of the Exchange Act requiring insiders to file public reports of their stock ownership
and trading activities and liability for insiders who profit from trades made in a short
period of time; and
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the
rules under the Exchange Act requiring the filing with the SEC of quarterly reports on Form
10-Q containing unaudited financial and other specified information, or current reports on
Form 8-K, upon the occurrence of specified significant events.
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We may take advantage of these exemptions until
such time as we are no longer a foreign private issuer. We would cease to be a foreign private issuer at such time as more than 50% of
our outstanding voting securities are held by U.S. residents and any of the following three circumstances applies: (i) the majority
of our executive officers or directors are U.S. citizens or residents, (ii) more than 50% of our assets are located in the United
States or (iii) our business is administered principally in the United States.
In this prospectus and in the documents incorporated
by reference in this prospectus, we have taken advantage of certain of the reduced reporting requirements as a result of being an emerging
growth company and a foreign private issuer. Accordingly, the information contained in this prospectus and in the documents incorporated
by reference in this prospectus may be different than the information you receive from other public companies in which you hold equity
securities.
Risk
Factors
Investors in the ADSs are purchasing equity securities
of a Cayman Islands holding company rather than equity securities of its subsidiaries that have substantive business operations in China.
CNFinance Holdings Limited is a Cayman Islands holding company that conducts its operations and operates its business in China through
its PRC subsidiaries, in particular, Shenzhen Fanhua United Investment Group Co., Ltd., Guangzhou Heze Information Technology Co., Ltd.,
and their subsidiaries and consolidated affiliated entities. Such structure involves unique risks to investors in the ADSs. You should
carefully consider all of the information in this prospectus before making an investment in the ADSs.
Accordingly, you should carefully consider:
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the information contained in or incorporated by reference into
this prospectus;
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the information contained in or incorporated by reference into
any prospectus supplement relating to specific offerings of securities;
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the risks described in our annual report on Form 20-F for
our fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, on file with the SEC, which is incorporated by reference
into this prospectus; and any updates to those risk factors in our reports on Form 6-K incorporated
by reference in this prospectus; and
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other risks and other information that may be contained in,
or incorporated by reference from, other filings we make with the SEC, including in any prospectus
supplement relating to specific offerings of securities.
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The discussion of risks contained in or incorporated
by reference into this prospectus or into any prospectus supplement comprises material risks of which we are aware. In particular, as
CNFinance is a holding company with no operations of its own, and conducts substantially all of its operations in China primarily through
its subsidiaries in China and substantially all of our assets and operations are located in China, you should pay special attention to
subsections headed “Recent Regulatory Developments,” “Holding Company Structure,” and “Risks Related to
Doing Business in China.” Our actual results could differ materially and adversely from those anticipated in this prospectus. If
any of the events or developments described actually occurs, our business, financial condition or results of operations would likely
suffer, and you may lose all or part of your investment. Although we discuss key risks in our discussion of risk factors, new risks may
emerge in the future, which may prove to be significant. We cannot predict future risks or estimate the extent to which they may affect
our business, results of operations, financial condition and prospects.
Please see “Where You Can Find More Information”
and “Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference” for information on where you can find the documents we have filed with
or furnished to the SEC and which are incorporated into this prospectus by reference.
Risks Related to Doing Business in China
Uncertainties with respect to the PRC legal system, including
uncertainties regarding the enforcement of laws, and sudden or unexpected changes in laws and regulations in China with little advance
notice could adversely affect us and limit the legal protections available to you and us.
Our operations in China are governed by the
PRC laws and regulations. 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. The overall effect of legislation
over the past four 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. Since these laws and regulations are relatively new and may be amended from time to time, and the PRC
legal system continues to rapidly evolve, the interpretations of many laws and regulations are not always uniform and enforcement of
these laws and regulations involves uncertainties. In addition, any new PRC laws or changes in PRC laws and regulations related to, among
other things, foreign investment and business activities in China could have a material adverse effect on our business and our ability
to operate our business in China.
From time to time, we may have to resort to
administrative and court proceedings to enforce our legal rights. Any administrative and court proceedings in China may be protracted,
resulting in substantial costs and diversion of resources and management attention. Since PRC administrative and court authorities have
significant discretion in interpreting and implementing statutory provisions and contractual terms, it may be more difficult to evaluate
the outcome of administrative and court proceedings and the level of legal protection we enjoy than in more developed legal systems.
These uncertainties may impede our ability to enforce contracts in China and could materially and adversely affect our business and results
of operations.
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. Such
unpredictability towards the scope and effect of our contractual, property (including intellectual property) and procedural rights and
any failure to quickly respond to changes in the regulatory environment in the PRC could adversely affect our business, and impede our
ability to continue our operations and proceed with our future business plans.
The PRC government has significant oversight over the conduct
of our business and as such may intervene or influence our operations at any time, which may potentially result in a material adverse
effect on our operations.
The PRC government has exercised and
continues to exercise substantial control over the Chinese economy through regulation and state ownership. Our ability to operate in
China may be harmed by changes in its laws and regulations, including those relating to taxation, environmental regulations, land
use rights, property and other matters. The central or local PRC governments of 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. The PRC government has recently
published new policies that significantly affected certain industries such as the education and internet industries, and we cannot
rule out the possibility that it will in the future release regulations or policies regarding our industry that could adversely
affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. For example, the PRC anti-monopoly enforcement agencies have in
recent years strengthened enforcement under the PRC Anti-monopoly law. On February 7,
2021, the Antimonopoly Commission of the State Council officially promulgated the Anti-Monopoly Guidelines for Internet
Platforms. Although we do not believe the current anti-monopoly laws and regulations have a material adverse impact on our
business and results of operations, any failure or perceived failure by us to comply with the relevant anti-monopoly laws and
regulations may result in governmental investigations, enforcement actions or lawsuits and could have an adverse impact on our
business and results of operations. Furthermore, the PRC government has recently indicated an intent to exert more oversight and
control over securities offerings and other capital markets activities that are conducted overseas and foreign investment in
China-based companies like us. Any such intervention in or influence on our business operations or action to exert more oversight
and control over securities offerings and other capital markets activities, once taken by the PRC government, could adversely affect
our business, financial condition and results of operations and the value of our ordinary shares or the ADSs, or significantly limit
or completely hinder our ability to offer or continue to offer securities to investors and cause the value of such securities to
significantly decline or in extreme cases, become worthless.
The oversight of the China Securities Regulatory Commission,
Cyberspace Administration of China or other governmental authorities may adversely affect our business and their approval may be required
in connection with this offering, and, if required, we cannot predict whether we will be able to obtain such approval.
The Regulations on Mergers and Acquisitions of
Domestic Enterprises by Foreign Investors, or the M&A Rules, require an overseas special purpose vehicle formed for listing purposes
through acquisitions of PRC domestic companies and controlled by PRC companies or individuals to obtain the approval of 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, it is uncertain whether it would be possible for us to obtain the
approval, and any failure to obtain or delay in obtaining CSRC approval for this offering would subject us to sanctions imposed by the
CSRC and other PRC regulatory agencies.
Our PRC legal counsel has advised us based on
their understanding of the current PRC laws, rules and regulations that no permission is required from any Chinese authorities (including
the CSRC and the CAC) for the offering and listing of the ADSs on the New York Stock Exchange in the context of this offering, given
that: (i) the CSRC currently has not issued any definitive rule or interpretation concerning whether any offering such as this offering
contemplated by our company is subject to the M&A Rules; and (ii) our PRC subsidiaries were either incorporated as wholly foreign-owned
enterprises by means of direct investment or by merger or acquisition of equity interest or assets of a PRC domestic company not subject
to the M&A Rules. There can be no assurance that the relevant PRC government agencies, including the CSRC, would reach the same conclusion
as our PRC legal counsel. Furthermore, the recently issued Opinions on Strictly Cracking Down on Illegal Securities Activities call for
strengthened regulation over illegal securities activities and supervision on overseas listings by China-based companies and propose
to take effective measures, such as promoting the development of relevant regulatory systems to deal with the risks and incidents faced
by China-based overseas-listed companies. There are still uncertainties regarding the interpretation and implementation of these opinions,
and further explanations or detailed rules and regulations with respect to these opinions may be issued in the future, which may impose
additional requirements on us.
In addition, the Data Security Law was promulgated
on June 10, 2021 and became effective in September 2021. The Personal Information Protection Law was promulgated on August 20, 2021 and
officially implemented on November 1, 2021. The Data Security Law, among others, provides for security review procedures for data activities
that may affect national security, and the Personal Information Protection Law stipulates that critical information infrastructure operators
and personal information processors that process personal information up to the number prescribed by the national cyberspace administration
must store personal information and important data collected and generated within the territory of the PRC. If it is necessary to provide
it overseas, the organization is required to pass the security assessment organized by the national cybersecurity and informatization
department. Furthermore, Measures for Cybersecurity Review, which became effective on June 1, 2020, set forth the cybersecurity review
mechanism for critical information infrastructure operators, and provide that critical information infrastructure operators who intend
to purchase internet products and services that affect or may affect national security will be subject to a cybersecurity review. Although
we do not believe we are a critical information infrastructure provider, the PRC authorities could interpret such term broadly. If our
company is deemed to be a critical information infrastructure operator under such rules, we could be subject to cybersecurity review
by the CAC and other relevant PRC regulatory authorities and be required to change our existing practices in data privacy and cybersecurity
matters at substantial costs. During such cybersecurity review, we may be required to stop providing services to our customers, and such
review could also result in negative publicity to us and diversion of our managerial and financial resources.
In addition, the draft amendment to the Measures
for Cyber Security Review, or draft measures, published by Cyberspace Administration of China in July 2021 provides that an application
for cyber security review should be made by an issuer who is a “critical information infrastructure operator (CIIO)” or a
“data processing operator” as defined therein before such issuer’s securities become listed in a foreign country if
the issuer possesses personal information of more than one million users, and that the relevant governmental authorities in the PRC may
initiate cyber security review if such governmental authorities determine an operator’s cyber products or services, data processing
or potential listing in a foreign country affect or may affect national security. If the CSRC or other PRC regulatory body subsequently
determines that we need to obtain the CSRC’s approval for this offering or if the CSRC or any other PRC government authorities
promulgates any interpretation or implements rules before our listing that would require us to obtain CSRC or other governmental approvals
for this offering, we may not be able to proceed with this offering and other overseas offerings, face adverse actions or sanctions by
the CSRC or other PRC regulatory agencies. In any such event, these regulatory agencies may impose fines and penalties on our operations
in China, limit our operating privileges in China, delay or restrict the repatriation of the proceeds from this offering into the PRC
or take other actions that could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, reputation
and prospects, as well as our ability to complete this offering.
As of the date of this prospectus, the exact
scope of CIIOs and important data under the current laws, regulations and regulatory regime remains unclear, and the authorities may
have wide discretion in the interpretation and enforcement of the related laws and regulations. To date, given the current nature of
our business in China and as advised by our PRC legal counsel, we do not believe we are either a “CIIO” or a “data
processing operator” holding personal information of more than one million users who is required to file for a cybersecurity review
pursuant to the draft measures, if they were adopted in the current form. However, we cannot guarantee that the relevant PRC regulatory
authority will take a view that is not contrary to or otherwise from the opinion stated above. Currently, the draft measures have not
materially affected our business and operations, but in anticipation of the strengthened implementation of cybersecurity laws
and regulations and the continued expansion of our business, if we are deemed as a CIIO, or as an operator who collects, uses and processes
important data according to the Data Security Law, Personal Information Protection Law and other relevant laws and regulations, we may
need to perform or be subject to certain prescribed obligations, and if we were found to be in violation of these applicable laws and
regulations, we may be subject to administrative penalties, including fines and service suspension. We also cannot rule out the possibility
that certain of our customers may be deemed as CIIOs, or as operators processing important data, in which case our products or services
or data processing activities, if being deemed as related to national security, will need to be submitted for cybersecurity review before
we can enter into agreements with such customers, and before the conclusion of such procedure, the customers will not be allowed to use
our products or services. If the reviewing authority considers that the use of our services by certain of our customers involves risk
of disruption, is vulnerable to external attacks, or may negatively affect, compromise, or weaken the protection of national security,
we may not be able to provide our products or services to such customers, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of
operations and prospects.
As of the date of this prospectus, we have not
been involved in any investigations on cybersecurity review initiated by the CAC, and we have not received any inquiry, notice, warning,
sanctions in such respect or any regulatory objections to this offering. As there are still uncertainties regarding the further enactment
of new laws and regulations as well as the revision, interpretation and implementation of those existing laws and regulations, we cannot
assure you that we will be able to comply with such regulations in all respects, and we may be ordered to rectify, suspend or terminate
any actions or services that are deemed illegal or incompliant by the regulatory authorities and become subject to fines and/or other
penalties. If we are unable to address such issue in a timely manner, or at all, we may be required to suspend or terminate our related
businesses or face other penalties, our business, financial condition, results of operations, and prospects could be materially harmed.
We may rely on dividends and other distributions on equity
paid by our PRC subsidiaries to fund any cash and financing requirements we may have, and any limitation on the ability of our PRC subsidiaries
to make payments to us could have a material and adverse effect on our ability to conduct our business.
With a holding company structure, we rely
principally on dividends and other distributions on equity from our PRC subsidiaries for our cash requirements, including for services
of any debt we may incur.
Our PRC subsidiary’s ability to distribute
dividends is based upon its distributable earnings. Current PRC regulations permit our PRC subsidiaries to pay dividends to its respective
shareholders only out of their accumulated profits, if any, determined in accordance with PRC accounting standards and regulations. In
addition, each of our PRC subsidiaries is required to set aside at least 10% of its after-tax profits each year, if any, to fund a statutory
reserve until such reserve reaches 50% of its registered capital. Each of our PRC subsidiaries, as a foreign invested enterprise, or
FIE, 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 its discretion. These reserves are not distributable as cash dividends. If our PRC subsidiaries
incur debt on their own behalf in the future, the instruments governing the debt may restrict their ability to pay dividends or make
other payments to us. Any limitation on the ability of our PRC subsidiaries to distribute dividends or other payments to their respective
shareholders could materially and adversely limit our ability to grow, make investments or acquisitions that could be beneficial to our
businesses, pay dividends or otherwise fund and conduct our business.
In addition, the Enterprise Income Tax Law
and its implementation rules provide that a withholding tax rate of up to 15% will be applicable to dividends payable by Chinese companies
to non-PRC-resident enterprises unless otherwise exempted or reduced according to treaties or arrangements between the PRC central government
and governments of other countries or regions where the non-PRC resident enterprises are incorporated.
PRC regulations of loans to and direct investment in PRC
entities by offshore holding companies and governmental control of currency conversion may delay us from using the proceeds of our public
offering to make loans or additional capital contributions to our PRC subsidiaries, which could materially and adversely affect our liquidity
and our ability to fund and expand our business.
Any funds we transfer to our PRC subsidiaries,
either as a shareholder loan or as an increase in registered capital, are subject to approval by or registration with relevant governmental
authorities in China. According to the relevant PRC regulations on FIEs in China, capital contributions to our PRC subsidiaries are subject
to the approval of or filing with the MOFCOM or its local branches and registration with a local bank authorized by SAFE. In addition,
(i) any foreign loan procured by our PRC subsidiaries is required to be registered with SAFE or its local branches and (ii) any of our
PRC subsidiaries may not procure loans which exceed the difference between its total investment amount and registered capital or, as
an alternative, only procure loans subject to the calculation approach and limitation as provided in the Notice of the People’s
Bank of China on Matters concerning the Macro-Prudential Management of Full-Covered Cross-Border Financing. For the restriction and limitation
on the amount of loans, please refer to “Item 4. Information on the Company—B. Business Overview—Regulation—Regulations
on Foreign Exchange—Regulations on Foreign Exchange Registration of Overseas Investment by PRC Residents” in our annual
report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2020, which is incorporated in this prospectus by reference. We may
not be able to complete such registrations on a timely basis, with respect to future capital contributions or foreign loans by us to
our PRC subsidiaries. If we fail to complete such registrations, our ability to use the proceeds of our public offerings, and our ability
to capitalize our PRC operations may be negatively affected, which could adversely affect our liquidity and our ability to fund and expand
our business.
On March 30, 2015, SAFE promulgated the Circular
on Reforming the Management Approach Regarding the Foreign Exchange Capital Settlement of Foreign-Invested Enterprises, or SAFE Circular
19, which took effect as of June 1, 2015 and was amended on December 30, 2019. SAFE Circular 19 launched a nationwide reform of the administration
of the settlement of the foreign exchange capitals of FIEs and allows FIEs to settle their foreign exchange capital at their discretion,
but continues to prohibit FIEs from using the Renminbi fund converted from their foreign exchange capital for expenditure beyond their
business scopes, providing entrusted loans or repaying loans between nonfinancial enterprises. SAFE issued the Circular on Reforming
and Regulating Policies on the Control over Foreign Exchange Settlement of Capital Accounts, or SAFE Circular 16, effective in June 2016.
Pursuant to SAFE Circular 16, enterprises registered in China may also convert their foreign debts from foreign currency to Renminbi
on a self-discretionary basis. SAFE Circular 16 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 a self-discretionary basis which applies to all enterprises
registered in China. SAFE Circular 16 reiterates the principle that Renminbi converted from foreign currency-denominated capital of a
company may not be directly or indirectly used for purposes beyond its business scope or prohibited by PRC laws or regulations, while
such converted Renminbi shall not be provided as loans to its nonaffiliated entities. As this circular is relatively new, there remains
uncertainty as to its interpretation and application and any other future foreign exchange-related rules. Violations of these circulars
could result in severe monetary or other penalties. SAFE Circular 19 and SAFE Circular 16 may significantly limit our ability to use
Renminbi converted from the net proceeds of our public offerings to fund the establishment of new entities in China or their subsidiaries,
to invest in or acquire any other PRC companies through our PRC subsidiaries, or to establish variable interest entities in China, which
may adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Our auditor, like other independent registered public accounting
firms operating in China, is not permitted to be subject to inspection by the PCAOB, and consequently, investors may be deprived of the
benefits of such inspection. Trading in our securities may be prohibited under the HFCA Act if the PCAOB determines that it is unable
to inspect or fully investigate our auditor, and as a result, U.S. national securities exchanges, such as the NYSE, may determine to
delist our securities.
Our independent registered public accounting firm
that issues the audit report included in our annual report on Form 20-F incorporated by reference in this prospectus, as an auditor of
companies that are traded publicly in the United States and a firm registered with the PCAOB, is required by the laws of the United States
to undergo regular inspections by the PCAOB to assess its compliance with the laws of the United States and professional standards. Since
our auditors are located in China, a jurisdiction where the PCAOB is currently unable to conduct inspections without the approval of
the Chinese authorities, our auditors are not currently inspected by the PCAOB.
Inspections of other firms that the PCAOB has conducted
outside of China have identified deficiencies in those firms’ audit procedures and quality control procedures, which may be addressed
as part of the inspection process to improve future audit quality. The lack of PCAOB inspections in China prevents the PCAOB from regularly
evaluating our auditors’ audits and its quality control procedures. As a result, investors may be deprived of the benefits of PCAOB
inspections and lose confidence in our reported financial information and procedures and the quality of our financial statements.
In recent years, U.S. regulatory authorities have
continued to express their concerns about challenges in their oversight of financial statement audits of U.S.-listed companies with significant
operations in China. More recently, as part of a continued regulatory focus in the United States on access to audit and other information
currently protected by national law, in particular China’s, the United States enacted the Holding Foreign Companies Accountable
Act, or the HFCA Act, in December 2020. The HFCA Act 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 HFCA Act also requires that, to the extent that the PCAOB has been unable to inspect an issuer’s
auditor for three consecutive years since 2021, the SEC shall prohibit its securities registered in the United States from being traded
on any national securities exchange or over-the-counter markets in the United States.
On September 22, 2021, the PCAOB adopted PCAOB
Rule 6100, Board Determinations Under the Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act, which was approved by the SEC on November
4, 2021. The PCAOB Rule 6100 establishes a framework for the PCAOB to making determinations as to whether PCAOB is unable to inspect
an audit firm in a foreign jurisdiction, or a PCAOB-Identified Firm, including the timing, factors, bases, publication and revocation
or modification of such determinations, and such determinations will be made on a jurisdiction-wide basis in a consistent manner applicable
to all firms headquartered in the jurisdiction.
On December 2, 2021, the SEC adopted amendments
to finalize the interim final rules adopted earlier on March 24, 2021 relating to the implementation of certain disclosure and documentation
requirements of the HFCA Act, or final amendments. Pursuant to the final amendments, promptly after filing an annual report, the SEC
will evaluate whether the annual report contains an audit report signed by a PCAOB-Identified Firm. Once a registrant has been so identified,
the SEC will provisionally identify such issuer as a Commission-Identified Issuer on its website. For a period of 15 business days after
the provisional identification, a registrant may contact the SEC if it believes it has been incorrectly identified and may provide evidence
supporting such claims. After reviewing the information, the registrant will be notified whether the SEC will conclusively identify the
registrant as a Commission-Identified Issuer.
The SEC will identify registrants pursuant
to the HFCA Act based on the PCAOB’s determination and on registrants’ annual reports for fiscal years beginning after December
18, 2020. If we are conclusively identified as a Commission-Identified Issuer for three consecutive years, the SEC will impose an initial
trading prohibition on us as soon as practicable. If the SEC ends the initial trading prohibition and, thereafter, we are again determined
to be a Commission-Identified Issuer, the SEC will impose a subsequent trading prohibition on us for a minimum of five years. To end
an initial or subsequent trading prohibition, we must certify that we have retained or will retain a registered public accounting firm
that the PCAOB has determined it is able to inspect or investigate. To make that certification, we must file financial statements that
include an audit report signed by such a registered public accounting firm.
Furthermore, on June 22, 2021, the U.S. Senate
passed the Accelerating Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act, or the AHFCA Act, which if enacted into law would amend the HFCA Act
and require 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. As a result, our securities may be prohibited from trading on the NYSE
or another U.S. stock exchange if our auditor is not inspected by the PCAOB for three consecutive years as specified in the HFCA Act
or two years if the AHFCA Act is enacted, and this ultimately could result in the ADSs being delisted from the NYSE and the ADSs will
not be permitted for trading “over-the-counter” either. While there has been dialogue among the CSRC, the SEC and the PCAOB
regarding the inspection of PCAOB-registered accounting firms in China, there can be no assurance that our auditor or us will be able
to comply with requirements imposed by U.S. regulators. Such a delisting would substantially impair your ability to sell or purchase
the ADSs when you wish to do so. The market price of the ADSs could be materially and adversely affected as a result of anticipated negative
impacts of these actions upon, as well as negative investor sentiment towards, companies with significant operations in China that are
listed in the United States, regardless of whether these actions are implemented and regardless of our actual operating performance.
Also, such a delisting would significantly affect our ability to raise capital on terms acceptable to us, or at all, which would have
a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition and prospects.
Cautionary
Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This prospectus and any applicable prospectus
supplement, including the documents incorporated by reference herein and therein, may contain forward-looking statements that are based
on our current expectations, assumptions, estimates and projections about us and our industry. All statements other than statements of
historical fact in this prospectus are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements can be identified by words or phrases
such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “plan,”
“believe,” “is/are likely to” or other similar expressions. The forward-looking statements included in this prospectus
relate to, among others:
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Anticipated trends
and challenges in our business and the markets in which we operate;
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Our ability to anticipate market needs or develop new or enhanced
services and products to meet those needs;
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Our ability to compete in our industry and innovation by our
competitors;
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Our ability to protect our confidential information and intellectual
property rights;
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Risks associated with acquiring new business targets and other
strategic plans;
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Our need to obtain additional funding and our ability to obtain
funding in the future on acceptable terms;
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The impact on our business and results of operations arising
from the global pandemic;
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Our ability to create and maintain our positive brand awareness
and brand loyalty;
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Our ability to manage growth; and
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Economic and business conditions in China.
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The forward-looking statements included in or
incorporated by reference into this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties
and assumptions about our businesses and business environments. These statements reflect our current views with respect to future events
and are not a guarantee of future performance. Actual results of our operations may differ materially from information contained in the
forward-looking statements as a result of risk factors, some of which are described under “Risk Factors” in this prospectus
and the documents incorporated by reference herein.
The forward-looking statements contained in or
incorporated into this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement speak only as of the date of hereof or thereof or of such
documents incorporated by reference or, if obtained from third-party studies or reports, the date of the corresponding study or report,
and are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements in this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement and
the documents incorporated by reference herein and therein. Since we operate in an emerging and evolving environment and new risk factors
and uncertainties emerge from time to time, you should not rely upon forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. Except
as otherwise required by the securities laws of the United States, we undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking
statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this prospectus or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
Use
of Proceeds
Unless the applicable prospectus supplement states
otherwise, the net proceeds from the sale of securities offered by our company will be used for general corporate purposes, which may
include additions to working capital, capital expenditures, financing of acquisitions and other business combinations, investments in
or extensions of credit to our subsidiaries and the repayment of indebtedness.
Capitalization
and Indebtedness
Our capitalization and indebtedness will be set
forth in a prospectus supplement to this prospectus or in a report subsequently furnished to the SEC and specifically incorporated herein
by reference.
Description
of Share Capital and Memorandum and Articles of Association
The following is a summary
of our share capital and certain provisions of our Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association. This summary does not
purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by the provisions of our Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association
and applicable provisions of the laws of the Cayman Islands.
See “Where You Can Find
More Information” elsewhere in this prospectus for information on where you can obtain copies of our articles of incorporation
and our bylaws, which have been filed with and are publicly available from the SEC.
The authorized share capital
of our company is US$380,000 divided into 3,800,000,000 ordinary shares of US$0.0001 par value each with power for our company, subject
to the provisions of the Companies Law (as revised) and the Articles of Association.
Our Memorandum and Articles of Association
General. Holders of
ordinary shares will have the same rights except for voting and conversion rights. All of our issued and outstanding ordinary shares
are fully paid and non-assessable. Certificates representing the ordinary shares are issued in registered form. We may not issue shares
to bearer. Our shareholders who are nonresidents of the Cayman Islands may freely hold and transfer their ordinary shares.
Dividends. The holders
of our ordinary shares are entitled to such dividends as may be declared by our Board of Directors subject to our post-offering amended
and restated memorandum and articles of association and the Companies Law. In addition, our shareholders may, subject to the provisions
of our articles of association, by ordinary resolution declare a dividend, but no dividend may exceed the amount recommended by our directors.
Our Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association provides that dividends may be declared and paid out of our profits,
realized or unrealized, or from any reserve set aside from profits which our Board of Directors determine is no longer needed. Dividends
may also be declared and paid out of share premium account or any other fund or account which can be authorized for this purpose in accordance
with the Companies Law. No dividend may be declared and paid unless our directors determine that, immediately after the payment, we will
be able to pay our debts as they become due in the ordinary course of business and we have funds lawfully available for such purpose.
Voting Rights. In respect
of all matters subject to a shareholders’ vote, each ordinary share is entitled to one vote for each ordinary share registered
in his or her name on our register of members. Voting at any meeting of shareholders is by show of hands unless a poll is demanded. A
poll may be demanded by the chairman of such meeting or any one shareholder.
A quorum required for a meeting
of shareholders consists of two or more shareholders holding not less than one-third of the votes attaching to the issued and outstanding
shares entitled to vote at general meetings present in person or by proxy or, if a corporation or other non-natural person, by its duly
authorized representative. As a Cayman Islands exempted company, we are not obliged by the Companies Law to call shareholders’
annual general meetings. Our Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association provides that we may (but are not obliged to)
in each year hold a general meeting as our annual general meeting, in which case we will specify the meeting as such in the notices calling
it, and the annual general meeting will be held at such time and place as may be determined by our directors. We, however, will hold
an annual shareholders’ meeting during each fiscal year, as required by the Listing Rules at the NYSE. Each general meeting, other
than an annual general meeting, shall be an extraordinary general meeting. Shareholders’ annual general meetings and any other
general meetings of our shareholders may be called by a majority of our Board of Directors or our chairman or upon a requisition of shareholders
holding at the date of deposit of the requisition not less than one-third of the votes attaching to the issued and outstanding
shares entitled to vote at general meetings, in which case the directors are obliged to call such meeting and to put the resolutions
so requisitioned to a vote at such meeting; however, our Amended and Restated Memorandum and 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. Advance notice of at least ten (10) days is required for the convening of our annual general meeting and
other general meetings unless such notice is waived in accordance with our articles of association.
An ordinary resolution to be
passed at a meeting by the shareholders requires the affirmative vote of a simple majority of the votes attaching to the ordinary shares
cast by those shareholders entitled to vote who are present in person or by proxy at a general meeting, while a special resolution also
requires the affirmative vote of no less than two-thirds of the votes attaching to the ordinary shares cast by those shareholders
entitled to vote who are present in person or by proxy at a general meeting. A special resolution will be required for important matters
such as a change of name or making changes to our Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association.
Transfer of Ordinary Shares.
Subject to the restrictions in our Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association as set out below, any of our shareholders
may transfer all or any of his or her ordinary shares by an instrument of transfer in the usual or common form or any other form approved
by our Board of Directors.
Our Board of Directors may,
in its absolute discretion, decline to register any transfer of any ordinary share which is not fully paid up or on which we have a lien.
Our Board of Directors may also decline to register any transfer of any ordinary share unless:
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the
instrument of transfer is lodged with us, accompanied by the certificate for the ordinary
shares to which it relates and such other evidence as our Board of Directors may reasonably
require to show the right of the transferor to make the transfer;
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the
instrument of transfer is in respect of only one class of shares;
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the
instrument of transfer is properly stamped, if required;
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in
the case of a transfer to joint holders, the number of joint holders to whom the ordinary
share is to be transferred does not exceed four;
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the
shares are free from any lien in favor of the Company; and
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a
fee of such maximum sum as the NYSE may determine to be payable or such lesser sum as our
directors may from time to time require is paid to us in respect thereof.
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If our directors refuse to
register a transfer they shall, within three months 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, after compliance with any notice required of the NYSE, be suspended and the register closed at such times and for such periods as
our Board of Directors may from time to time determine, provided, however, that the registration of transfers shall
not be suspended nor the register closed for 30 more than days in any year as our board may determine.
Liquidation. On a return
of capital on winding-up or otherwise (other than on conversion, redemption or purchase of ordinary shares), if the assets available
for distribution amongst our shareholders shall be more than sufficient to repay the whole of the share capital at the commencement of
the winding up, the surplus shall be distributed amongst our shareholders in proportion to the par value of the shares held by them at
the commencement of the winding up, subject to a deduction from those shares in respect of which there are monies due, of all monies
payable to our company for unpaid calls or otherwise. If our assets available for distribution are insufficient to repay all of the paid-up
capital, the assets will be distributed so that the losses are borne by our shareholders in proportion to the par value of the shares
held by them. Any distribution of assets or capital to a holder of ordinary share will be the same in any liquidation event.
Redemption, Repurchase and
Surrender of Ordinary Shares. We may issue shares on terms that such shares are subject to redemption, at our option or at the option
of the holders thereof, on such terms and in such manner as may be determined, before the issue of such shares, by our Board of Directors
or by an ordinary resolution of our shareholders. Our company may also repurchase any of our shares provided that the manner and terms
of such purchase have been approved by our Board of Directors or by ordinary resolution of our shareholders, or are otherwise authorized
by our Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association. Under the Companies Law, the redemption or repurchase of any share
may be paid out of our company’s profits or out of the proceeds of a fresh issue of shares made for the purpose of such redemption
or repurchase, or out of capital (including share premium account and capital redemption reserve) if the company can, immediately following
such payment, pay its debts as they fall due in the ordinary course of business. In addition, under the Companies Law no such share may
be redeemed or repurchased (a) unless it is fully paid up, (b) if such redemption or repurchase would result in there being
no shares outstanding, or (c) if the company has commenced liquidation. In addition, our company may accept the surrender of any
fully paid share for no consideration.
Variations of Rights of
Shares. If at any time our share capital is divided into different classes or series of shares, the rights attached to any class
or series of shares (unless otherwise provided by the terms of issue of the shares of that class or series), whether or not our company
is being wound up, may be varied with the consent in writing of the holders of not less than two-thirds of the issued shares of that
class or series or with the sanction of a resolution passed by a majority of two-thirds of the votes cast at a separate meeting of the
holders of the shares of the class or series. The rights conferred upon the holders of the shares of any class issued shall not, unless
otherwise expressly provided by the terms of issue of the shares of that class, be deemed to be varied by the creation or issue of further
shares ranking pari passu with such existing class of shares.
Inspection of Books and
Records. Holders of our ordinary shares have no general right under Cayman Islands law to inspect or obtain copies of our list of
shareholders or our corporate records. However, we will provide our shareholders with annual audited financial statements. See “Where
You Can Find Additional Information.”
Issuance of Additional Shares.
Our Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association authorizes our Board of Directors to issue additional ordinary shares
from time to time as our Board of Directors shall determine, to the extent of available authorized but unissued shares.
Our Amended and Restated Memorandum
and Articles of Association also authorizes our Board of Directors to establish from time to time one or more series of preferred shares
and to determine, with respect to any series of preferred shares, the terms and rights of that series, including:
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the designation of the series;
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the number of shares of the series;
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the dividend rights, dividend rates,
conversion rights, voting rights; and
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the rights and terms of redemption
and liquidation preferences.
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Our Board of Directors may
issue preferred shares without action by our shareholders to the extent authorized but unissued. Issuance of these shares may dilute
the voting power of holders of ordinary shares.
Anti-Takeover Provisions.
Some provisions of our Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association may discourage, delay or prevent a change of control
of our company or management that shareholders may consider favorable, including provisions that authorize our Board of Directors to
issue preferred shares in one or more series and to designate the price, rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions of such preferred
shares without any further vote or action by our shareholders.
Exempted Company. We
are an exempted company with limited liability under the Companies Law. The Companies Law distinguishes between ordinary resident companies
and exempted companies. Any company that is registered in the Cayman Islands but conducts business mainly outside the Cayman Islands
may apply to be registered as an exempted company. The requirements for an exempted company are essentially the same as for an ordinary
company except that an exempted company:
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does not have to file an annual return
of its shareholders with the Registrar of Companies;
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is not required to open its register
of members for inspection;
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does not have to hold an annual general
meeting;
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may issue shares or shares with no
par value;
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may obtain an undertaking against the
imposition of any future taxation (such undertakings are usually given for 20 years in the
first instance);
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may register by way of continuation
in another jurisdiction and be deregistered in the Cayman Islands;
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may register as a limited duration
company; and
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may register as a segregated portfolio
company.
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“Limited liability”
means that the liability of each shareholder is limited to the amount unpaid by the shareholder on that shareholder’s shares of
the company.
Register of Members
Under the Cayman Companies
Law, we must keep a register of members and there should be entered therein:
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the names and addresses of our members, a statement of the shares
held by each member, and of the amount paid or agreed to be considered as paid, on the shares
of each member;
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the date on which the name of any person was entered on the
register as a member; and
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the date on which any person ceased to be a member.
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Under
Cayman Companies Law, the register of members of our company is prima facie evidence of the matters set out therein
(that is, the register of members will raise a presumption of fact on the matters referred to above unless rebutted) and a member registered
in the register of members is deemed as a matter of Cayman Companies Law to have legal title to the shares as set against its name in
the register of members. Upon completion of this offering, we will perform the procedure necessary to immediately update the register
of members to record and give effect to the issuance of shares by us to the Depositary (or its nominee) as the depositary. Once our register
of members has been updated, the shareholders recorded in the register of members will be deemed to have legal title to the shares set
against their name.
If the
name of any person is incorrectly entered in or omitted from our register of members, or if there is any default or unnecessary delay
in entering on the register the fact of any person having ceased to be a member of our company, the person or member aggrieved (or any
member of our company or our company itself) may apply to the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands for an order that the register be rectified,
and the Court may either refuse such application or it may, if satisfied of the justice of the case, make an order for the rectification
of the register.
Differences in Corporate Law
The Companies Act is derived,
to a large extent, from the older Companies Acts of England but does not follow recent English statutory enactments and, accordingly,
there are significant differences between the Companies Act and the current Companies Act of England. In addition, the Companies Act
differs from laws applicable to U.S. corporations and their shareholders. Set forth below is a summary of certain significant differences
between the provisions of the Companies Act applicable to us and the laws applicable to companies incorporated in the United States and
their shareholders.
Mergers and Similar Arrangements.
The Companies Act permits mergers and consolidations between Cayman Islands companies and between Cayman Islands companies and non-Cayman
Islands companies. For these purposes, (i) “merger” means the merging of two or more constituent companies and the vesting
of their undertaking, property and liabilities in one of such companies as the surviving company, and (ii) a “consolidation”
means the combination of two or more constituent companies into a consolidated company and the vesting of the undertaking, property and
liabilities of such companies to the consolidated company. In order to effect such a merger or consolidation, the directors of each constituent
company must approve a written plan of merger or consolidation, which must then be authorized by (a) a special resolution of the shareholders
of each constituent company, and (b) such other authorization, if any, as may be specified in such constituent company’s articles
of association. The written plan of merger or consolidation must be filed with the Registrar of Companies of the Cayman Islands together
with a declaration as to the solvency of the surviving or consolidated company, a list of the assets and liabilities of each constituent
company and an undertaking that a copy of the certificate of merger or consolidation will be given to the members and creditors of each
constituent company and that notification of the merger or consolidation will be published in the Cayman Islands Gazette. Court approval
is not required for a merger or consolidation which is effected in compliance with these statutory procedures.
A merger between a Cayman parent
company and its Cayman subsidiary or subsidiaries does not require authorization by a resolution of shareholders of that Cayman subsidiary
if a copy of the plan of merger is given to every member of that Cayman subsidiary to be merged unless that member agrees otherwise.
For this purpose, a company is a “parent” of a subsidiary if it holds issued shares that together represent at least 90%
of the votes at a general meeting of the subsidiary.
The consent of each holder
of a fixed or floating security interest over a constituent company is required unless this requirement is waived by a court in the Cayman
Islands.
Save in certain limited circumstances,
a shareholder of a Cayman constituent company who dissents from the merger or consolidation is entitled to payment of the fair value
of his shares (which, if not agreed between the parties, will be determined by the Cayman Islands court) upon dissenting to the merger
or consolidation; provided that the dissenting shareholder complies strictly with the procedures set out in the Companies Act. The exercise
of dissenter rights will preclude the exercise by the dissenting shareholder of any other rights to which he or she might otherwise be
entitled by virtue of holding shares, save for the right to seek relief on the grounds that the merger or consolidation is void or unlawful.
Separate from the statutory
provisions relating to mergers and consolidations, the Companies Act also contains statutory provisions that facilitate the reconstruction
and amalgamation of companies by way of schemes of arrangement; provided that the arrangement is approved by a majority in number of
each class of shareholders and creditors with whom the arrangement is to be made, and who must in addition represent three-fourths in
value of each such class of shareholders or creditors, as the case may be, that are present and voting either in person or by proxy at
a meeting, or meetings, convened for that purpose. The convening of the meetings and subsequently the arrangement must be sanctioned
by the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands. While a dissenting shareholder has the right to express to the court the view that the transaction
ought not to be approved, the court can be expected to approve the arrangement if it determines that:
the statutory provisions as to
the required majority vote have been met;
the shareholders have been fairly
represented at the meeting in question and the statutory majority are acting bona fide without coercion of the minority to promote interests
adverse to those of the class;
the arrangement is such that
may be reasonably approved by an intelligent and honest man of that class acting in respect of his interest; and
the arrangement is not one that
would more properly be sanctioned under some other provision of the Companies Act.
The Companies Act also contains
a statutory power of compulsory acquisition which may facilitate the “squeeze out” of dissentient minority shareholders upon
a tender offer. When a tender offer is made and accepted by holders of 90.0% of the shares affected within four months, the offeror may,
within a two-month period commencing on the expiration of such four-month period, require the holders of the remaining shares to transfer
such shares to the offeror on the terms of the offer. An objection can be made to the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands but this is unlikely
to succeed in the case of an offer which has been so approved unless there is evidence of fraud, bad faith or collusion.
If an arrangement and reconstruction
by way of scheme of arrangement is thus approved and sanctioned, or if a tender offer is made and accepted in accordance with the foregoing
statutory procedures, a dissenting shareholder would have no rights comparable to appraisal rights, which would otherwise ordinarily
be available to dissenting shareholders of Delaware corporations, providing rights to receive payment in cash for the judicially determined
value of the shares.
Shareholders’ Suits.
In principle, we will normally be the proper plaintiff to sue for a wrong done to us as a company, and as a general rule a derivative
action may not be brought by a minority shareholder. However, based on English authorities, which would in all likelihood be of persuasive
authority in the Cayman Islands, the Cayman Islands court can be expected to follow and apply the common law principles (namely the rule
in Foss v. Harbottle and the exceptions thereto) so that a non-controlling shareholder may be permitted to commence a class action against
or derivative actions in the name of the company to challenge actions where:
a company acts or proposes
to act illegally or ultra vires (and is therefore incapable of ratification by the shareholder);
the act complained of, although
not ultra vires, could only be effected duly if authorized by more than a simple majority vote that has not been obtained; and
those who control the company
are perpetrating a “fraud on the minority.”
Indemnification of Directors
and Executive Officers and Limitation of Liability. Cayman Islands law does not limit the extent to which a company’s memorandum
and articles of association may provide for indemnification of officers and directors, except to the extent any such provision may be
held by the Cayman Islands courts to be contrary to public policy, such as to provide indemnification against civil fraud or the consequences
of committing a crime. Our Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association provides that we shall indemnify our officers
and directors against all actions, proceedings, costs, charges, expenses, losses, damages or liabilities incurred or sustained by such
directors or officers, other than by reason of such person’s dishonesty, willful default or fraud, in or about the conduct of our
company’s business or affairs (including as a result of any mistake of judgment) or in the execution or discharge of his duties,
powers, authorities or discretions, including, without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, any costs, expenses, losses or liabilities
incurred by such director or officer in defending (whether successfully or otherwise) any civil proceedings concerning our company or
its affairs in any court whether in the Cayman Islands or elsewhere. This standard of conduct is generally the same as permitted under
the Delaware General Corporation Law for a Delaware corporation.
In addition, we have entered
into indemnification agreements with our directors and executive officers that provide such persons with additional indemnification beyond
that provided in our Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association.
Insofar as indemnification
for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to our directors, officers or persons controlling us under the foregoing
provisions, we have been informed that in the opinion of the SEC, such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities
Act and is therefore unenforceable.
Directors’ Fiduciary
Duties. Under Delaware corporate law, a director of a Delaware corporation has a fiduciary duty to the corporation and its shareholders.
This duty has two components: the duty of care and the duty of loyalty. The duty of care requires that a director act in good faith,
with the care that an ordinarily prudent person would exercise under similar circumstances. Under this duty, a director must inform himself
of, and disclose to shareholders, all material information reasonably available regarding a significant transaction. The duty of loyalty
requires that a director acts in a manner he reasonably believes to be in the best interests of the corporation. He must not use his
corporate position for personal gain or advantage. This duty prohibits self-dealing by a director and mandates that the best interest
of the corporation and its shareholders take precedence over any interest possessed by a director, officer or controlling shareholder
and not shared by the shareholders generally. In general, actions of a director are presumed to have been made on an informed basis,
in good faith and in the honest belief that the action taken was in the best interests of the corporation. However, this presumption
may be rebutted by evidence of a breach of one of the fiduciary duties. Should such evidence be presented concerning a transaction by
a director, the director must prove the procedural fairness of the transaction, and that the transaction was of fair value to the corporation.
As a matter of Cayman Islands
law, a director of a Cayman Islands company is in the position of a fiduciary with respect to the company and, therefore, it is considered
that he owes the following duties to the company—a duty to act bona fide in the best interests of the company, a duty not to make
a profit based on his position as director (unless the company permits him to do so), a duty not to put himself in a position where the
interests of the company conflict with his personal interest or his duty to a third party, and a duty to exercise powers for the purpose
for which such powers were intended. A director of a Cayman Islands company owes to the company a duty to exercise the skill they actually
possess and such care and diligence that a reasonably prudent person would exercise in comparable circumstances. It was previously considered
that a director need not exhibit in the performance of his duties a greater degree of skill than may reasonably be expected from a person
of his knowledge and experience. However, English and Commonwealth courts have moved towards an objective standard with regard to the
required skill and care and these authorities are likely to be followed in the Cayman Islands.
Shareholder Action by Written
Consent. Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, a corporation may eliminate the right of shareholders to act by written consent
by amendment to its certificate of incorporation. Cayman Islands law and our Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association
provide that our shareholders may approve corporate matters by way of a unanimous written resolution signed by or on behalf of each shareholder
who would have been entitled to vote on such matter at a general meeting without a meeting being held.
Shareholder Proposals.
Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, a shareholder has the right to put any proposal before the annual meeting of shareholders;
provided that it complies with the notice provisions in the governing documents. A special meeting may be called by the board of directors
or any other person authorized to do so in the governing documents, but shareholders may be precluded from calling special meetings.
The Companies Act 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 Amended and Restated
Memorandum and Articles of Association allows any one or more of our shareholders holding shares which carry in aggregate not less than
a majority of the voting power represented by the issued shares of our company as of the date of the deposit that are entitled to vote
at general meetings to requisition an extraordinary general meeting of our shareholders, in which case our board is obliged to convene
an extraordinary general meeting and to put the resolutions so requisitioned to a vote at such meeting. Other than this right to requisition
a shareholders’ meeting, our Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association does not provide our shareholders with
any other right to put proposals before annual general meetings or extraordinary general meetings. As a Cayman Islands exempted company,
we are not obliged by law to call shareholders’ annual general meetings.
Cumulative Voting. Under
the Delaware General Corporation Law, cumulative voting for elections of directors is not permitted unless the corporation’s certificate
of incorporation specifically provides for it. Cumulative voting potentially facilitates the representation of minority shareholders
on a board of directors since it permits the minority shareholder to cast all the votes to which the shareholder is entitled on a single
director, which increases the shareholder’s voting power with respect to electing such director. There are no prohibitions in relation
to cumulative voting under the laws of the Cayman Islands, but our Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association does not
provide for cumulative voting. As a result, our shareholders are not afforded any less protections or rights on this issue than shareholders
of a Delaware corporation.
Removal of Directors.
Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, a director of a corporation with a classified board may be removed only for cause with the
approval of a majority of the issued and outstanding shares entitled to vote, unless the certificate of incorporation provides otherwise.
Under our Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association, directors may be removed from office by an ordinary resolution
of our shareholders. A director will also cease to be a director if he (i) becomes bankrupt or makes any arrangement or composition with
his creditors; (ii) dies or is found to be or becomes of unsound mind; or (iii) resigns his office by notice in writing; (iv) without
special leave of absence from our board, is absent from meetings of our board for three consecutive meetings and our board resolves that
his office be vacated.
Transactions with Interested
Shareholders. The Delaware General Corporation Law contains a business combination statute applicable to Delaware corporations whereby,
unless the corporation has specifically elected not to be governed by such statute by amendment to its certificate of incorporation,
it is prohibited from engaging in certain business combinations with an “interested shareholder” for three years following
the date that such person becomes an interested shareholder. An interested shareholder generally is a person or a group who or which
owns or owned 15% or more of the target’s outstanding voting shares within the past three years. This has the effect of limiting
the ability of a potential acquirer to make a two-tiered bid for the target in which all shareholders would not be treated equally. The
statute does not apply if, among other things, prior to the date on which such shareholder becomes an interested shareholder, the board
of directors approves either the business combination or the transaction which resulted in the person becoming an interested shareholder.
This encourages any potential acquirer of a Delaware corporation to negotiate the terms of any acquisition transaction with the target’s
board of directors.
Cayman Islands law has no comparable
statute. As a result, we cannot avail ourselves of the types of protections afforded by the Delaware business combination statute. However,
although Cayman Islands law does not regulate transactions between a company and its significant shareholders, it does provide that such
transactions must be entered into bona fide in the best interests of the company and not with the effect of constituting a fraud on the
minority shareholders.
Dissolution; Winding up.
Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, unless the board of directors approves the proposal to dissolve, dissolution must be approved
by shareholders holding 100% of the total voting power of the corporation. Only if the dissolution is initiated by the board of directors
may it be approved by a simple majority of the corporation’s outstanding shares. Delaware law allows a Delaware corporation to
include in its certificate of incorporation a supermajority voting requirement in connection with dissolutions initiated by either an
order of the courts of the Cayman Islands or by the board of directors.
Under Cayman Islands law, a
company may be wound up by either an order of the courts of the Cayman Islands or by a special resolution of its members or, if the company
is unable to pay its debts as they fall due, by an ordinary resolution of its members. The court has authority to order winding up in
a number of specified circumstances including where it is, in the opinion of the court, just and equitable to do so.
Variation of Rights of Shares.
Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, a corporation may vary the rights of a class of shares with the approval of a majority of
the outstanding shares of such class, unless the certificate of incorporation provides otherwise. Under our Amended and Restated Memorandum
and Articles of Association, if our share capital is divided into more than one class of shares, the rights attached to any such class
may only be materially adversely varied with the consent in writing of the holders of at least two-thirds of the issued shares of that
class or with the sanction of an ordinary resolution passed at a separate meeting of the holders of the shares of that class. The rights
conferred upon the holders of the shares of any class issued with preferred or other rights shall not, subject to any rights or restrictions
for the time being attached to the shares of that class, be deemed to be materially adversely varied by the creation, allotment or issue
of further shares ranking pari passu with or subsequent to them or the redemption or purchase of any shares of any class by our company.
The rights of the holders of shares shall not be deemed to be materially adversely varied by the creation or issue of shares with preferred
or other rights including, without limitation, the creation of shares with enhanced or weighted voting rights.
Amendment of Governing Documents.
Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, a corporation’s governing documents may be amended with the approval of a majority
of the outstanding shares entitled to vote, unless the certificate of incorporation provides otherwise. Under the Companies Act and our
Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association, our Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association may only
be amended by a special resolution of our shareholders.
Rights of Non-resident or
Foreign Shareholders. There are no limitations imposed by our post-offering memorandum and articles of association on the rights
of non-resident or foreign shareholders to hold or exercise voting rights on our shares. In addition, there are no provisions in our
Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association that require our company to disclose shareholder ownership above any particular
ownership threshold.
Inspection of Books and Records
Holders of our ordinary shares
have no general right under Cayman Islands law to inspect or obtain copies of our list of shareholders or our corporate records (other
than copies of our memorandum and articles of association, our register of mortgages and charges, and any special resolutions passed
by our shareholders). However, we intend to provide our shareholders with annual audited financial statements. See “Where You Can
Find More Information.”
Description
of American Depositary Shares
JPMorgan
Chase Bank, N.A. (“JPMorgan”), as depositary registers and delivers the ADSs. Each ADS represents twenty ordinary shares,
deposited with the custodian, as agent of the depositary, under the deposit agreement among ourselves, the depositary and yourself as
an ADR holder. Each ADS also represents any securities, cash or other property deposited with the depositary but which they have not
distributed directly to you.
The depositary’s
office is located at 383 Madison Avenue, Floor 11, New York, NY 10179.
As
an ADR holder, we do not treat you as a shareholder of ours and you do not have any shareholder rights. Cayman Islands law governs shareholder
rights. Because the depositary or its nominee is the shareholder of record for the shares represented by all outstanding ADSs, shareholder
rights rest with such record holder. Your rights are those of an ADR holder. Such rights derive from the terms of the deposit agreement
to be entered into among us, the depositary and all registered holders from time to time of ADSs issued under the deposit agreement.
The obligations of the depositary and its agents are also set out in the deposit agreement. Because the depositary or its nominee is
actually the registered owner of the shares, you must rely on it to exercise the rights of a shareholder on your behalf.
The
following is a summary of what we believe to be the material terms of the deposit agreement. Notwithstanding this, because it is a summary,
it may not contain all the information that you may otherwise deem important. For more complete information, you should read the entire
deposit agreement and the form of ADR which contains the terms of your ADSs. You can read a copy of the deposit agreement which has been
filed as an exhibit to a registration statement on Form F-6 (File No. 333-228089). The form of ADR has been filed with the SEC as an
exhibit to our registration statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-226126), as amended, initially filed with the SEC on July 11, 2018.
Share Dividends and Other Distributions
How will I receive
dividends and other distributions on the shares underlying my ADSs?
We
may make various types of distributions with respect to our securities. The depositary has agreed that, to the extent practicable, it
will pay to you the cash dividends or other distributions it or the custodian receives on shares or other deposited securities, after
converting any cash received into U.S. dollars (if it determines such conversion may be made on a reasonable basis) and, in all cases,
making any necessary deductions provided for in the deposit agreement. The depositary may utilize a division, branch or affiliate of
JPMorgan to direct, manage and/or execute any public and/or private sale of securities under the deposit agreement. Such division, branch
and/or affiliate may charge the depositary a fee in connection with such sales, which fee is considered an expense of the depositary.
You will receive these distributions in proportion to the number of underlying securities that your ADSs represent.
Except
as stated below, the depositary will deliver such distributions to ADR holders in proportion to their interests in the following manner:
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Cash. The
depositary will distribute any U.S. dollars available to it resulting from a cash dividend
or other cash distribution or the net proceeds of sales of any other distribution or portion
thereof (to the extent applicable), on an averaged or other practicable basis, subject to
(i) appropriate adjustments for taxes withheld, (ii) such distribution being impermissible
or impracticable with respect to certain registered ADR holders, and (iii) deduction
of the depositary’s and/or its agents’ expenses in (1) converting any foreign
currency to U.S. dollars to the extent that it determines that such conversion may be made
on a reasonable basis, (2) transferring foreign currency or U.S. dollars to the United
States by such means as the depositary may determine to the extent that it determines that
such transfer may be made on a reasonable basis, (3) obtaining any approval or license
of any governmental authority required for such conversion or transfer, which is obtainable
at a reasonable cost and within a reasonable time and (4) making any sale by public
or private means in any commercially reasonable manner. If exchange rates fluctuate
during a time when the depositary cannot convert a foreign currency, you may lose some
or all of the value of the distribution.
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Shares. In
the case of a distribution in shares, the depositary will issue additional ADRs to evidence
the number of ADSs representing such shares. Only whole ADSs will be issued. Any shares which
would result in fractional ADSs will be sold and the net proceeds will be distributed in
the same manner as cash to the ADR holders entitled thereto.
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Rights
to receive additional shares. In the case of a distribution of rights to subscribe
for additional shares or other rights, if we timely provide evidence satisfactory to the
depositary that it may lawfully distribute such rights, the depositary will distribute warrants
or other instruments in the discretion of the depositary representing such rights. However,
if we do not timely furnish such evidence, the depositary may:
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(i)
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sell such rights if practicable
and distribute the net proceeds in the same manner as cash to the ADR holders entitled thereto;
or
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(ii)
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if it is not practicable
to sell such rights by reason of the non-transferability of the rights, limited
markets therefor, their short duration or otherwise, do nothing and allow such rights to
lapse, in which case ADR holders will receive nothing and the rights may lapse. We have no
obligation to file a registration statement under the Securities Act in order to make any
rights available to ADR holders.
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Other Distributions. In
the case of a distribution of securities or property other than those described above, the
depositary may either (i) distribute such securities or property in any manner it deems
equitable and practicable or (ii) to the extent the depositary deems distribution of
such securities or property not to be equitable and practicable, sell such securities or
property and distribute any net proceeds in the same way it distributes cash.
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If
the depositary determines in its discretion that any distribution described above is not practicable with respect to any specific registered
ADR holder, the depositary may choose any method of distribution that it deems practicable for such ADR holder, including the distribution
of foreign currency, securities or property, or it may retain such items, without paying interest on or investing them, on behalf of
the ADR holder as deposited securities, in which case the ADSs will also represent the retained items.
Any
U.S. dollars will be distributed by checks drawn on a bank in the United States for whole dollars and cents. Fractional cents will be
withheld without liability and dealt with by the depositary in accordance with its then current practices.
The
depositary is not responsible if it fails to determine that any distribution or action is lawful or reasonably practicable.
There
can be no assurance that the depositary will be able to convert any currency at a specified exchange rate or sell any property, rights,
shares or other securities at a specified price, nor that any of such transactions can be completed within a specified time period. All
purchases and sales of securities will be handled by the Depositary in accordance with its then current policies, which are currently
set forth in the “Depositary Receipt Sale and Purchase of Security” section of https://www.adr.com/Investors/FindOutAboutDRs,
the location and contents of which the Depositary shall be solely responsible for.
Deposit, Withdrawal and Cancellation
How does the depositary
issue ADSs?
The
depositary will issue ADSs if you or your broker deposit shares or evidence of rights to receive shares with the custodian and pay the
fees and expenses owing to the depositary in connection with such issuance.
Shares
deposited in the future with the custodian must be accompanied by certain delivery documentation and shall, at the time of such deposit,
be registered in the name of JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as depositary for the benefit of holders of ADRs or in such other name as the
depositary shall direct.
The
custodian will hold all deposited shares for the account and to the order of the depositary. ADR holders thus have no direct ownership
interest in the shares and only have such rights as are contained in the deposit agreement. The custodian will also hold any additional
securities, property and cash received on or in substitution for the deposited shares. The deposited shares and any such additional items
are referred to as “deposited securities”.
Upon
each deposit of shares, receipt of related delivery documentation and compliance with the other provisions of the deposit agreement,
including the payment of the fees and charges of the depositary and any taxes or other fees or charges owing, the depositary will issue
an ADR or ADRs in the name or upon the order of the person entitled thereto evidencing the number of ADSs to which such person is entitled.
All of the ADSs issued will, unless specifically requested to the contrary, be part of the depositary’s direct registration system,
and a registered holder will receive periodic statements from the depositary which will show the number of ADSs registered in such holder’s
name. An ADR holder can request that the ADSs not be held through the depositary’s direct registration system and that a certificated
ADR be issued.
How do ADR holders
cancel an ADS and obtain deposited securities?
When you turn in your
ADR certificate at the depositary’s office, or when you provide proper instructions and documentation in the case of direct registration
ADSs, the depositary will, upon payment of certain applicable fees, charges and taxes, deliver the underlying shares to you or upon your
written order. Delivery of deposited securities in certificated form will be made at the custodian’s office. At your risk, expense
and request, the depositary may deliver deposited securities at such other place as you may request.
The depositary may only
restrict the withdrawal of deposited securities in connection with:
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temporary delays
caused by closing our transfer books or those of the depositary or the deposit of shares
in connection with voting at a shareholders’ meeting, or the payment of dividends;
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the payment of fees,
taxes and similar charges; or
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compliance with any
U.S. or foreign laws or governmental regulations relating to the ADRs or to the withdrawal
of deposited securities.
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This right of withdrawal
may not be limited by any other provision of the deposit agreement.
Record Dates
The
depositary may, after consultation with us if practicable, fix record dates (which, to the extent applicable, shall be as near as practicable
to any corresponding record dates set by us) for the determination of the registered ADR holders who will be entitled (or obligated,
as the case may be):
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to receive any distribution
on or in respect of deposited securities,
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to give instructions
for the exercise of voting rights at a meeting of holders of shares,
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to pay the fee assessed
by the depositary for administration of the ADR program and for any expenses as provided
for in the ADR, or
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to receive any notice
or to act in respect of other matters,
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all subject to the provisions of the deposit
agreement.
Voting Rights
How do I vote?
If
you are an ADR holder and the depositary asks you to provide it with voting instructions, you may instruct the depositary how to exercise
the voting rights for the shares which underlie your ADSs. Subject to the next sentence, as soon as practicable after receiving notice
from us of any meeting at which the holders of shares are entitled to vote, or of our solicitation of consents or proxies from holders
of shares, the depositary shall fix the ADS record date in accordance with the provisions of the deposit agreement in respect of such
meeting or solicitation of consent or proxy. The depositary shall, if we request in writing in a timely manner (the depositary having
no obligation to take any further action if our request shall not have been received by the depositary at least 30 days prior to the
date of such vote or meeting) and at our expense and provided that no legal prohibitions exist, distribute to the registered ADR holders
a notice stating such information as is contained in the voting materials received by the depositary and describing how you may instruct
or, subject to the next sentence, will be deemed to instruct, the depositary to exercise the voting rights for the shares which underlie
your ADSs, including instructions for giving a discretionary proxy to a person designated by us. To the extent we have provided the depositary
with at least 35 days’ notice of a proposed meeting and the notice will be received by all holders and beneficial owners of interests
in ADSs no less than 10 days prior to the date of the meeting and/or the cut-off date for the solicitation of consents, if voting instructions
are not timely received by the depositary from any holder, such holder shall be deemed, and in the deposit agreement the depositary is
instructed to deem such holder, to have instructed the depositary to give a discretionary proxy to a person designated by us to vote
the shares represented by their ADSs as desired, provided that no such instruction shall be deemed given and no discretionary proxy shall
be given (a) if we inform the depositary in writing (and we agree to provide the depositary with such information promptly in writing)
that (i) we do not wish such proxy to be given, (ii) substantial opposition exists with respect to any agenda item for which
the proxy would be given or (iii) the agenda item(s), if approved, would materially or adversely affect the rights of holders of
shares and (b) unless, with respect to such meeting, the depositary obtained an opinion of counsel, in form and substance satisfactory
to the depositary, confirming that (a) the granting of such discretionary proxy does not subject the depositary to any reporting
obligations in the Cayman Islands, (b) the granting of such proxy will not result in a violation of Cayman Islands laws, rules,
regulations or permits and (c) the voting arrangement and deemed instruction as contemplated under the deposit agreement will be
given effect under Cayman Islands laws, rules and regulations and (d) the granting of such discretionary proxy will not under any circumstances
result in the shares represented by the ADSs being treated as assets of the depositary under Cayman Islands laws, rules or regulations.
Holders are strongly
encouraged to forward their voting instructions to the depositary as soon as possible. For instructions to be valid, the ADR department
of the depositary that is responsible for proxies and voting must receive them in the manner and on or before the time specified, notwithstanding
that such instructions may have been physically received by the depositary prior to such time. The depositary will not itself exercise
any voting discretion. Furthermore, neither the depositary nor its agents are responsible for any failure to carry out any voting instructions,
for the manner in which any vote is cast or for the effect of any vote. Notwithstanding anything contained in the deposit agreement or
any ADR, the depositary may, to the extent not prohibited by law or regulations, or by the requirements of the stock exchange on which
the ADSs are listed, in lieu of distribution of the materials provided to the depositary in connection with any meeting of, or solicitation
of consents or proxies from, holders of deposited securities, distribute to the registered holders of ADRs a notice that provides such
holders with, or otherwise publicizes to such holders, instructions on how to retrieve such materials or receive such materials upon
request (i.e., by reference to a website containing the materials for retrieval or a contact for requesting copies of the materials).
We have advised the
depositary that under the Cayman Islands law and our constituent documents, each as in effect as of the date of the deposit agreement,
voting at any meeting of shareholders is by show of hands unless a poll is (before or on the declaration of the results of the show of
hands) demanded. In the event that voting on any resolution or matter is conducted on a show of hands basis in accordance with our constituent
documents, the depositary will refrain from voting and the voting instructions received by the depositary from holders shall lapse. The
depositary will not demand a poll or join in demanding a poll, whether or not requested to do so by holders of ADSs. There is no guarantee
that you will receive voting materials in time to instruct the depositary to vote and it is possible that you, or persons who hold their
ADSs through brokers, dealers or other third parties, will not have the opportunity to exercise a right to vote.
Reports and Other Communications
Will ADR holders be able
to view our reports?
The depositary will
make available for inspection by ADR holders at the offices of the depositary and the custodian the deposit agreement, the provisions
of or governing deposited securities, and any written communications from us which are both received by the custodian or its nominee
as a holder of deposited securities and made generally available to the holders of deposited securities.
Additionally, if we
make any written communications generally available to holders of our shares, and we furnish copies thereof (or English translations
or summaries) to the depositary, it will distribute the same to registered ADR holders.
Amendment and Termination
How may the deposit agreement
be amended?
We may agree with the
depositary to amend the deposit agreement and the ADSs without your consent for any reason. ADR holders must be given at least 30 days’
notice of any amendment that imposes or increases any fees or charges (other than stock transfer or other taxes and other governmental
charges, transfer or registration fees, SWIFT, cable, telex or facsimile transmission costs, delivery costs or other such expenses),
or otherwise prejudices any substantial existing right of ADR holders. Such notice need not describe in detail the specific amendments
effectuated thereby, but must identify to ADR holders a means to access the text of such amendment. If an ADR holder continues to hold
an ADR or ADRs after being so notified, such ADR holder is deemed to agree to such amendment and to be bound by the deposit agreement
as so amended. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any governmental body or regulatory body should adopt new laws, rules or regulations
which would require amendment or supplement of the deposit agreement or the form of ADR to ensure compliance therewith, we and the depositary
may amend or supplement the deposit agreement and the ADR at any time in accordance with such changed laws, rules or regulations, which
amendment or supplement may take effect before a notice is given or within any other period of time as required for compliance. No amendment,
however, will impair your right to surrender your ADSs and receive the underlying securities, except in order to comply with mandatory
provisions of applicable law.
How may the deposit agreement
be terminated?
The depositary may,
and shall at our written direction, terminate the deposit agreement and the ADRs by mailing notice of such termination to the registered
holders of ADRs at least 30 days prior to the date fixed in such notice for such termination; provided, however, if the depositary shall
have (i) resigned as depositary under the deposit agreement, notice of such termination by the depositary shall not be provided
to registered holders unless a successor depositary shall not be operating under the deposit agreement within 60 days of the date of
such resignation, and (ii) been removed as depositary under the deposit agreement, notice of such termination by the depositary
shall not be provided to registered holders of ADRs unless a successor depositary shall not be operating under the deposit agreement
on the 120th day after our notice of removal was first provided to the depositary. After the date so fixed for termination,
(a) all direct registration ADRs shall cease to be eligible for the direct registration system and shall be considered ADRs issued
on the ADR register maintained by the depositary and (b) the depositary shall use its reasonable efforts to ensure that the ADSs
cease to be DTC eligible so that neither DTC nor any of its nominees shall thereafter be a registered holder of ADRs. At such time as
the ADSs cease to be DTC eligible and/or neither DTC nor any of its nominees is a registered holder of ADRs, the depositary shall (a) instruct
its custodian to deliver all shares to us along with a general stock power that refers to the names set forth on the ADR register maintained
by the depositary and (b) provide us with a copy of the ADR register maintained by the depositary. Upon receipt of such shares and
the ADR register maintained by the depositary, we have agreed to use our best efforts to issue to each registered holder a Share certificate
representing the Shares represented by the ADSs reflected on the ADR register maintained by the depositary in such registered holder’s
name and to deliver such Share certificate to the registered holder at the address set forth on the ADR register maintained by the depositary.
After providing such instruction to the custodian and delivering a copy of the ADR register to us, the depositary and its agents will
perform no further acts under the deposit agreement or the ADRs and shall cease to have any obligations under the deposit agreement and/or
the ADRs.
Limitations on Obligations and Liability
to ADR holders
Limits on our obligations
and the obligations of the depositary; limits on liability to ADR holders and holders of ADSs
Prior to the issue,
registration, registration of transfer, split-up, combination, or cancellation of any ADRs, or the delivery of any distribution
in respect thereof, and from time to time in the case of the production of proofs as described below, we or the depositary or its custodian
may require:
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payment with respect
thereto of (i) any stock transfer or other tax or other governmental charge, (ii) any
stock transfer or registration fees in effect for the registration of transfers of shares
or other deposited securities upon any applicable register and (iii) any applicable
fees and expenses described in the deposit agreement;
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the production of
proof satisfactory to it of (i) the identity of any signatory and genuineness of any
signature and (ii) such other information, including without limitation, information
as to citizenship, residence, exchange control approval, beneficial ownership of any securities,
compliance with applicable law, regulations, provisions of or governing deposited securities
and terms of the deposit agreement and the ADRs, as it may deem necessary or proper; and
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compliance with such
regulations as the depositary may establish consistent with the deposit agreement.
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The issuance of ADRs,
the acceptance of deposits of shares, the registration, registration of transfer, split-up or combination of ADRs or the withdrawal
of shares, may be suspended, generally or in particular instances, when the ADR register or any register for deposited securities is
closed or when any such action is deemed advisable by the depositary; provided that the ability to withdraw shares may only be limited
under the following circumstances: (i) temporary delays caused by closing transfer books of the depositary or our transfer books
or the deposit of shares in connection with voting at a shareholders’ meeting, or the payment of dividends, (ii) the payment
of fees, taxes, and similar charges, and (iii) compliance with any laws or governmental regulations relating to ADRs or to the withdrawal
of deposited securities.
The deposit agreement
expressly limits the obligations and liability of the depositary, ourselves and our respective agents. In the deposit agreement it provides
that neither we nor the depositary nor any such agent will be liable if:
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any present or future
law, rule, regulation, fiat, order or decree of the United States, the Cayman Islands, the
People’s Republic of China (including the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region,
the People’s Republic of China) or any other country or jurisdiction, or of any governmental
or regulatory authority or securities exchange or market or automated quotation system, the
provisions of or governing any deposited securities, any present or future provision of our
charter, any act of God, war, terrorism, nationalization, expropriation, currency restrictions,
work stoppage, strike, civil unrest, revolutions, rebellions, explosions, computer failure
or circumstance beyond our, the depositary’s or our respective agents’ direct
and immediate control shall prevent or delay, or shall cause any of them to be subject to
any civil or criminal penalty in connection with, any act which the deposit agreement or
the ADRs provide shall be done or performed by us, the depositary or our respective agents
(including, without limitation, voting);
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it
exercises or fails to exercise discretion under the deposit agreement or the ADRs including,
without limitation, any failure to determine that any distribution or action may be lawful
or reasonably practicable;
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it
performs its obligations under the deposit agreement and ADRs without gross negligence or
willful misconduct;
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it
takes any action or refrains from taking any action in reliance upon the advice of or information
from legal counsel, accountants, any person presenting shares for deposit, any registered
holder of ADRs, or any other person believed by it to be competent to give such advice or
information; or
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it
relies upon any written notice, request, direction, instruction or document believed by it
to be genuine and to have been signed, presented or given by the proper party or parties.
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Neither the depositary
nor its agents have any obligation to appear in, prosecute or defend any action, suit or other proceeding in respect of any deposited
securities or the ADRs. We and our agents shall only be obligated to appear in, prosecute or defend any action, suit or other proceeding
in respect of any deposited securities or the ADRs, which in our opinion may involve us in expense or liability, if indemnity satisfactory
to us against all expense (including fees and disbursements of counsel) and liability is furnished as often as may be required. The depositary
and its agents may fully respond to any and all demands or requests for information maintained by or on its behalf in connection with
the deposit agreement, any registered holder or holders of ADRs, any ADRs or otherwise related to the deposit agreement or ADRs to the
extent such information is requested or required by or pursuant to any lawful authority, including without limitation laws, rules, regulations,
administrative or judicial process, banking, securities or other regulators. The depositary shall not be liable for the acts or omissions
made by, or the insolvency of, any securities depository, clearing agency or settlement system. Furthermore, the depositary shall not
be responsible for, and shall incur no liability in connection with or arising from, the insolvency of any custodian that is not a branch
or affiliate of JPMorgan. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in the deposit agreement or any ADRs, the depositary shall
not be responsible for, and shall incur no liability in connection with or arising from, any act or omission to act on the part of the
custodian except to the extent that the custodian has (i) committed fraud or willful misconduct in the provision of custodial services
to the depositary or (ii) failed to use reasonable care in the provision of custodial services to the depositary as determined in
accordance with the standards prevailing in the jurisdiction in which the custodian is located. The depositary and the custodian(s) may
use third party delivery services and providers of information regarding matters such as pricing, proxy voting, corporate actions, class
action litigation and other services in connection with the ADRs and the deposit agreement, and use local agents to provide extraordinary
services such as attendance at annual meetings of issuers of securities. Although the depositary and the custodian will use reasonable
care (and cause their agents to use reasonable care) in the selection and retention of such third party providers and local agents, they
will not be responsible for any errors or omissions made by them in providing the relevant information or services. The depositary shall
not have any liability for the price received in connection with any sale of securities, the timing thereof or any delay in action or
omission to act nor shall it be responsible for any error or delay in action, omission to act, default or negligence on the part of the
party so retained in connection with any such sale or proposed sale.
The
depositary has no obligation to inform ADR holders or other holders of an interest in any ADSs about the requirements of Cayman Islands
or People’s Republic of China law, rules or regulations or any changes therein or thereto.
Additionally, none of
us, the depositary or the custodian shall be liable for the failure by any registered holder of ADRs or beneficial owner therein to obtain
the benefits of credits on the basis of non-U.S. tax paid against such holder’s or beneficial owner’s income tax
liability. Neither we nor the depositary shall incur any liability for any tax consequences that may be incurred by registered holders
or beneficial owners on account of their ownership of ADRs or ADSs.
Neither the depositary
nor its agents will be responsible for any failure to carry out any instructions to vote any of the deposited securities, for the manner
in which any such vote is cast or for the effect of any such vote. The depositary may rely upon instructions from us or our counsel in
respect of any approval or license required for any currency conversion, transfer or distribution. The depositary shall not incur any
liability for the content of any information submitted to it by us or on our behalf for distribution to ADR holders or for any inaccuracy
of any translation thereof, for any investment risk associated with acquiring an interest in the deposited securities, for the validity
or worth of the deposited securities, for the credit-worthiness of any third party, for allowing any rights to lapse upon the terms of
the deposit agreement or for the failure or timeliness of any notice from us. The depositary shall not be liable for any acts or omissions
made by a successor depositary whether in connection with a previous act or omission of the depositary or in connection with any matter
arising wholly after the removal or resignation of the depositary. Neither the depositary nor any of its agents shall be liable to registered
holders or beneficial owners of interests in ADSs for any indirect, special, punitive or consequential damages (including, without limitation,
legal fees and expenses) or lost profits, in each case of any form incurred by any person or entity, whether or not foreseeable and regardless
of the type of action in which such a claim may be brought.
In the deposit agreement
each party thereto (including, for avoidance of doubt, each holder and beneficial owner and/or holder of interests in ADRs) irrevocably
waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any right it may have to a trial by jury in any suit, action or proceeding
against the depositary and/or us directly or indirectly arising out of or relating to the shares or other deposited securities, the ADSs
or the ADRs, the deposit agreement or any transaction contemplated therein, or the breach thereof (whether based on contract, tort, common
law or any other theory).
The depositary and its
agents may own and deal in any class of securities of our company and our affiliates and in ADRs.
Disclosure of Interest in ADSs
To the extent that the
provisions of or governing any deposited securities may require disclosure of or impose limits on beneficial or other ownership of deposited
securities, other shares and other securities and may provide for blocking transfer, voting or other rights to enforce such disclosure
or limits, you agree to comply with all such disclosure requirements and ownership limitations and to comply with any reasonable instructions
we may provide in respect thereof. We reserve the right to instruct you to deliver your ADSs for cancellation and withdrawal of the deposited
securities so as to permit us to deal with you directly as a holder of shares and, by holding an ADS or an interest therein, you will
be agreeing to comply with such instructions.
Books of Depositary
The depositary or its
agent will maintain a register for the registration, registration of transfer, combination and split-up of ADRs, which register
shall include the depositary’s direct registration system. Registered holders of ADRs may inspect such records at the depositary’s
office at all reasonable times, but solely for the purpose of communicating with other holders in the interest of the business of our
company or a matter relating to the deposit agreement. Such register may be closed at any time or from time to time, when deemed expedient
by the depositary or, in the case of the issuance book portion of the ADR Register, when reasonably requested by the Company solely in
order to enable the Company to comply with applicable law.
The depositary will
maintain facilities for the delivery and receipt of ADRs.
Appointment
In the deposit agreement,
each registered holder of ADRs and each person holding an interest in ADSs, upon acceptance of any ADSs (or any interest therein) issued
in accordance with the terms and conditions of the deposit agreement will be deemed for all purposes to:
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be a party to and
bound by the terms of the deposit agreement and the applicable ADR or ADRs, and
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appoint the depositary
its attorney-in-fact, with full power to delegate, to act on its behalf and to
take any and all actions contemplated in the deposit agreement and the applicable ADR or
ADRs, to adopt any and all procedures necessary to comply with applicable laws and to take
such action as the depositary in its sole discretion may deem necessary or appropriate to
carry out the purposes of the deposit agreement and the applicable ADR and ADRs, the taking
of such actions to be the conclusive determinant of the necessity and appropriateness thereof.
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Governing Law and Consent to Jurisdiction
The
deposit agreement and the ADRs are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York. In the deposit agreement,
we have submitted to the jurisdiction of the courts of the State of New York and appointed an agent for service of process on our behalf.
By holding an ADS or
an interest therein, registered holders of ADRs and owners of ADSs each irrevocably agree that any legal suit, action or proceeding against
or involving us or the depositary, arising out of or based upon the deposit agreement, the ADSs or the transactions contemplated thereby,
may only be instituted in a state or federal court in New York, New York, and each irrevocably waives any objection which it may have
to the laying of venue of any such proceeding, and irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of such courts in any such suit,
action or proceeding.
Notwithstanding the
foregoing, the depositary may, in its sole discretion, elect to institute any action, controversy, claim or dispute directly or indirectly
based on, arising out of or relating to the deposit agreement or the ADRs or the transactions contemplated thereby, including without
limitation any question regarding its or their existence, validity, interpretation, performance or termination, against any other party
or parties to the deposit agreement (including, without limitation, against ADR holders and owners of interests in ADRs) in any competent
court in the Cayman Islands, Hong Kong, the People’s Republic of China and/or the United States, or, by having such disputes referred
to and finally resolved by an arbitration either in New York, New York or in Hong Kong, subject to certain exceptions solely related
to the aspects of such claims that are related to U.S. securities law, in which case the resolution of such aspects may, at the option
of such registered holder of the ADSs, remain in state or federal court in New York, New York. Any such arbitration shall be conducted
in the English language either in New York, New York in accordance with the Commercial Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration
Association or in Hong Kong following the arbitration rules of the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL).
Jury Trial Waiver
The deposit agreement
provides that, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, ADSs holders waive the right to a jury trial of any claim they may
have against us or the depositary arising out of or relating to our shares, the ADSs or the deposit agreement, including any claim under
the U.S. federal securities laws. If we or the depositary were to oppose a jury trial demand based on such waiver, the court would determine
whether the waiver was enforceable in the facts and circumstances of that case in accordance with applicable state and federal law, including
whether a party knowingly, intelligently and voluntarily waived the right to a jury trial. The waiver to right to a jury trial of the
deposit agreement is not intended to be deemed a waiver by any holder or beneficial owner of ADSs of the Company’s or the depositary’s
compliance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
Enforceability
of Civil Liabilities
CNFinance is incorporated in the Cayman Islands
because of the following benefits found there:
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political
and economic stability;
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an
effective judicial system;
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a
favorable tax system;
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the
absence of exchange control or currency restrictions; and
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the
availability of professional and support services.
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However,
certain disadvantages accompany incorporation in the Cayman Islands. These disadvantages include:
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the
Cayman Islands has a less developed body of securities laws as compared to the United States
and these securities laws provide significantly less protection to investors; and
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Cayman
Islands companies may not have standing to sue before the federal courts of the United States.
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Our
constituent documents do not contain provisions requiring that disputes, including those arising under the securities laws of the United
States, between us, our officers, directors and shareholders, be arbitrated.
Substantially
all of our current operations are conducted in China, and substantially all of our assets are located in China. We have appointed Cogency
Global Inc., which is located at 122 East 42nd Street, 18th Floor, New York, NY 10168, as our agent upon whom process may be served in
any action brought against us under the securities laws of the United States in connection with an offering of securities registered
by the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. A majority of our directors and officers are nationals or residents
of jurisdictions other than the United States and a substantial portion of their assets are located outside the United States. As a result,
it may be difficult for an investor to effect service of process within the United States upon these persons, or to enforce against us
or them judgments obtained in United States courts, including judgments predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the securities
laws of the United States or any state in the United States.
Walkers
(Hong Kong), our counsel as to Cayman Islands law, and Merits & Tree Law Offices, our counsel as to PRC law, have advised us that
there is uncertainty as to whether the courts of the Cayman Islands and China, respectively, would:
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recognize
or enforce judgments of United States courts obtained against us or our directors or officers
predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the securities laws of the United States
or any state in the United States; or
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entertain
original actions brought in each respective jurisdiction against us or our directors or officers
predicated upon the securities laws of the United States or any state in the United States.
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Walkers
(Hong Kong) has advised us that there is no statutory recognition in the Cayman Islands of judgments obtained in the United States, although
the courts of the Cayman Islands will in the circumstances described below, recognize and enforce a non-penal judgment of a foreign court
of competent jurisdiction without retrial on the merits. While there is no binding authority on this point, this is likely to include,
in certain circumstances, a non-penal judgment of a United States court imposing a monetary award based on the civil liability provisions
of the U.S. federal securities laws.
Walkers
(Hong Kong) has further advised us that a judgment obtained in the United States will be recognized and enforced in the courts of the
Cayman Islands at common law, without any re-examination of the merits of the underlying dispute, by an action commenced on the foreign
judgment debt in the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands, provided such judgment (1) is given by a foreign court of competent jurisdiction;
(2) imposes on the judgment debtor a liability to pay a liquidated sum for which the judgment has been given; (3) is final; (4) is not
in respect of taxes, a fine or a penalty; and (5) was not obtained in a manner and is not of a kind the enforcement of which is contrary
to natural justice or the public policy of the Cayman Islands. The Grand Court of the Cayman Islands may stay proceedings if concurrent
proceedings are being brought elsewhere. Neither the United States or the PRC has a treaty with the Cayman Islands providing for reciprocal
recognition and enforcement of judgments of courts of the United States or the PRC, respectively, in civil and commercial matters.
Merits
& Tree Law Offices has further advised us that the recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments are provided for under the PRC
Civil Procedures Law. PRC courts may recognize and enforce foreign judgments in accordance with the requirements of the PRC Civil Procedures
Law based either on treaties between China and the country where the judgment is made or on principles of reciprocity between jurisdictions.
China does not have any treaties or other form of reciprocity with the United States that provide for the reciprocal recognition and
enforcement of foreign judgments. In addition, according to the PRC Civil Procedures Law, courts in the PRC will not enforce a foreign
judgment against us or our directors and officers if they decide that the judgment violates the basic principles of PRC law or national
sovereignty, security or public interest. As a result, it is uncertain whether and on what basis a PRC court would enforce a judgment
rendered by a court in the United States.
Taxation
Material
income tax consequences relating to the purchase, ownership and disposition of any of the securities offered by this prospectus will
be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement(s) relating to the offering of those securities.
Plan
of Distribution
We
may offer and sell, from time to time, some or all of the securities covered by this prospectus up to an aggregate public offering price
of $100,000,000. We have registered the securities covered by this prospectus for offer and sale by us so that those securities may be
freely sold to the public by us. Registration of the securities covered by this prospectus does not mean, however, that those securities
necessarily will be offered or sold.
Securities
covered by this prospectus may be sold from time to time, in one or more transactions, at market prices prevailing at the time of sale,
at prices related to market prices, at a fixed price or prices subject to change, at varying prices determined at the time of sale or
at negotiated prices. The securities being offered by this prospectus may be sold:
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to
or through one or more underwriters on a firm commitment or agency basis;
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through
put or call option transactions relating to the securities;
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through
broker-dealers (acting as agent or principal);
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directly
to purchasers, through a specific bidding or auction process, on a negotiated basis or otherwise;
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through
any other method permitted pursuant to applicable law; or
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through
a combination of any such methods of sale.
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At
any time a particular offer of the securities covered by this prospectus is made, a revised prospectus or prospectus supplement, if required,
will be distributed which will set forth the aggregate amount of securities covered by this prospectus being offered and the terms of
the offering, including the name or names of any underwriters, dealers, brokers or agents, any discounts, commissions, concessions and
other items constituting compensation from us and any discounts, commissions or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers.
Such prospectus supplement, and, if necessary, a post-effective amendment to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a
part, will be filed with the SEC to reflect the disclosure of additional information with respect to the distribution of the securities
covered by this prospectus. In order to comply with the securities laws of certain states, if applicable, the securities sold under this
prospectus may only be sold through registered or licensed broker-dealers. In addition, in some states the securities may not be sold
unless they have been registered or qualified for sale in the applicable state or an exemption from registration or qualification requirements
is available and is complied with.
Any
public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers may be changed from time to time.
The
distribution of securities may be effected from time to time in one or more transactions, including block transactions and transactions
on the NYSE or any other organized market where the securities may be traded. The securities may be sold at a fixed price or prices,
which may be changed, or at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices relating to the prevailing market prices or at negotiated
prices. The consideration may be cash or another form negotiated by the parties. Agents, underwriters or broker-dealers may be paid compensation
for offering and selling the securities. That compensation may be in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions to be received
from us or from the purchasers of the securities. Any dealers and agents participating in the distribution of the securities may be deemed
to be underwriters, and compensation received by them on resale of the securities may be deemed to be underwriting discounts. If any
such dealers or agents were deemed to be underwriters, they may be subject to statutory liabilities under the Securities Act.
Agents
may from time to time solicit offers to purchase the securities. If required, we will name in the applicable prospectus supplement any
agent involved in the offer or sale of the securities and set forth any compensation payable to the agent. Unless otherwise indicated
in the prospectus supplement, any agent will be acting on a best efforts basis for the period of its appointment. Any agent selling the
securities covered by this prospectus may be deemed to be an underwriter, as that term is defined in the Securities Act, of the securities.
If
underwriters are used in a sale, securities will be acquired by the underwriters for their own account and may be resold from time to
time in one or more transactions, including negotiated transactions, at a fixed public offering price or at varying prices determined
at the time of sale, or under delayed delivery contracts or other contractual commitments. Securities may be offered to the public either
through underwriting syndicates represented by one or more managing underwriters or directly by one or more firms acting as underwriters.
If an underwriter or underwriters are used in the sale of securities, an underwriting agreement will be executed with the underwriter
or underwriters, as well as any other underwriter or underwriters, with respect to a particular underwritten offering of securities,
and will set forth the terms of the transactions, including compensation of the underwriters and dealers and the public offering price,
if applicable. The prospectus and prospectus supplement will be used by the underwriters to resell the securities.
If
a dealer is used in the sale of the securities, we or an underwriter will sell the securities to the dealer, as principal. The dealer
may then resell the securities to the public at varying prices to be determined by the dealer at the time of resale. To the extent required,
we will set forth in the prospectus supplement the name of the dealer and the terms of the transactions.
We
may directly solicit offers to purchase the securities and may make sales of securities directly to institutional investors or others.
These persons may be deemed to be underwriters within the meaning of the Securities Act with respect to any resale of the securities.
To the extent required, the prospectus supplement will describe the terms of any such sales, including the terms of any bidding or auction
process, if used.
Agents,
underwriters and dealers may be entitled under agreements which may be entered into with us to indemnification by us against specified
liabilities, including liabilities incurred under the Securities Act, or to contribution by us to payments they may be required to make
in respect of such liabilities. If required, the prospectus supplement will describe the terms and conditions of the indemnification
or contribution. Some of the agents, underwriters or dealers, or their affiliates may be customers of, engage in transactions with or
perform services for us, our subsidiaries, the Selling Shareholders or their affiliates.
Under
the securities laws of some jurisdictions, the securities offered by this prospectus may be sold in those jurisdictions only through
registered or licensed brokers or dealers.
Any
person participating in the distribution of securities registered under the registration statement that includes this prospectus will
be subject to applicable provisions of the Exchange Act, and the applicable SEC rules and regulations, including, among others, Regulation
M, which may limit the timing of purchases and sales of any of our securities by that person. Furthermore, Regulation M may restrict
the ability of any person engaged in the distribution of our securities to engage in market-making activities with respect to our securities.
These restrictions may affect the marketability of our securities and the ability of any person or entity to engage in market-making
activities with respect to our securities.
Certain
persons participating in an offering may engage in over-allotment, stabilizing transactions, short-covering transactions and penalty
bids that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the price of the offered securities. These activities may maintain the price of the
offered securities at levels above those that might otherwise prevail in the open market, including by entering stabilizing bids, effecting
syndicate covering transactions or imposing penalty bids, each of which is described below.
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A
stabilizing bid means the placing of any bid, or the effecting of any purchase, for the purpose
of pegging, fixing or maintaining the price of a security.
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A
syndicate covering transaction means the placing of any bid on behalf of the underwriting
syndicate or the effecting of any purchase to reduce a short position created in connection
with the offering.
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A
penalty bid means an arrangement that permits the managing underwriter to reclaim a selling
concession from a syndicate member in connection with the offering when offered securities
originally sold by the syndicate member are purchased in syndicate covering transactions.
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These
transactions may be effected on an exchange or automated quotation system, if the securities are listed on that exchange or admitted
for trading on that automated quotation system, or in the over-the-counter market or otherwise.
If
so indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will authorize agents, underwriters or dealers to solicit offers from certain
types of institutions to purchase offered securities from us at the public offering price set forth in such prospectus supplement pursuant
to delayed delivery contracts providing for payment and delivery on a specified date in the future. Such contracts will be subject only
to those conditions set forth in the prospectus supplement and the prospectus supplement will set forth the commission payable for solicitation
of such contracts.
Each
series of offered securities, other than the ordinary shares, will be a new issue of securities and will have no established trading
market. Any underwriters to whom offered securities are sold for public offering and sale may make a market in such offered securities,
but such underwriters will not be obligated to do so and may discontinue any market making at any time without notice. The offered securities
may or may not be listed on a national securities exchange. No assurance can be given that there will be a market for the offered securities.
Any
securities that qualify for sale pursuant to Rule 144 or Regulation S under the Securities Act may be sold under Rule 144 or Regulation
S rather than pursuant to this prospectus.
To
the extent that we make sales to or through one or more underwriters or agents in at-the-market offerings, we will do so pursuant to
the terms of a distribution agreement between us, the Selling Shareholders and the underwriters or agents. If we engage in at-the-market
sales pursuant to a distribution agreement, we will offer and sell our ordinary shares to or through one or more underwriters or agents,
which may act on an agency basis or on a principal basis. During the term of any such agreement, we may sell ordinary shares on a daily
basis in exchange transactions or otherwise as we agree with the underwriters or agents. The distribution agreement will provide that
any ordinary shares sold will be sold at prices related to the then prevailing market prices for our ordinary shares. Therefore, exact
figures regarding proceeds that will be raised or commissions to be paid cannot be determined at this time and will be described in a
prospectus supplement. Pursuant to the terms of the distribution agreement, we also may agree to sell, and the relevant underwriters
or agents may agree to solicit offers to purchase, blocks of our ordinary shares or other securities. The terms of each such distribution
agreement will be set forth in more detail in a prospectus supplement to this prospectus.
In
connection with offerings made through underwriters or agents, we may enter into agreements with such underwriters or agents pursuant
to which we receive our outstanding securities in consideration for the securities being offered to the public for cash. In connection
with these arrangements, the underwriters or agents may also sell securities covered by this prospectus to hedge their positions in these
outstanding securities, including in short sale transactions. If so, the underwriters or agents may use the securities received from
us under these arrangements to close out any related open borrowings of securities.
One
or more firms, referred to as “remarketing firms,” may also offer or sell the securities, if the prospectus supplement so
indicates, in connection with a remarketing arrangement upon their purchase. Remarketing firms will act as principals for their own accounts
or as agents for us. These remarketing firms will offer or sell the securities in accordance with a redemption or repayment pursuant
to the terms of the securities. The prospectus supplement will identify any remarketing firm and the terms of its agreement, if any,
with us and will describe the remarketing firm’s compensation. Remarketing firms may be deemed to be underwriters in connection
with the securities they remarket. Remarketing firms may be entitled under agreements that may be entered into with us to indemnification
by us against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act and may be customers of, engage in transactions
with or perform services for us in the ordinary course of business.
We
may enter into derivative transactions with third parties or sell securities not covered by this prospectus to third parties in privately
negotiated transactions. If the applicable prospectus supplement indicates, in connection with those derivatives, such third parties
(or affiliates of such third parties) may sell securities covered by this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, including
in short sale transactions. If so, such third parties (or affiliates of such third parties) may use securities pledged by us or borrowed
from us or others to settle those sales or to close out any related open borrowings of shares, and may use securities received from us
in settlement of those derivatives to close out any related open borrowings of shares. The third parties (or affiliates of such third
parties) in such sale transactions will be underwriters and, if not identified in this prospectus, will be identified in the applicable
prospectus supplement (or a post-effective amendment).
We
may loan or pledge securities to a financial institution or other third party that in turn may sell the securities using this prospectus.
Such financial institution or third party may transfer its short position to investors in our securities or in connection with a simultaneous
offering of other securities offered by this prospectus or in connection with a simultaneous offering of other securities offered by
this prospectus.
Expenses
The
following table sets forth an estimate of the fees and expenses relating to the issuance and distribution of the securities being registered
hereby, all of which shall be borne by our company. All of such fees and expenses, except for the SEC registration fee, are estimated.
SEC registration fee
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$
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10,910.00
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FINRA fees
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$
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*
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Legal fees and expenses
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$
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*
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Printing fees and expenses
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$
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*
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Accounting fees and expenses
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$
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*
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Miscellaneous fees and expenses
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$
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*
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Total
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$
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*
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*
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To
be provided by a prospectus supplement or as an exhibit to a report on Form 6-K that is incorporated
by reference into this prospectus.
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Incorporation
of Certain DOCUMENTS by Reference
We
incorporate by reference the filed documents listed below, except as superseded, supplemented or modified by this prospectus:
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our annual report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31,
2020, filed with the SEC on April 28, 2021;
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the description of our ordinary shares contained in the registration
statement on Form 8-A, filed with the SEC on October 31, 2018, and any other amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating
such description;
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any future annual reports on Form 20-F filed with the SEC
after the date of this prospectus and prior to the termination of the offering of the securities offered by this prospectus; and
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any future reports on Form 6-K that we furnished to the SEC after the
date of this prospectus that are identified in such reports as being incorporated by reference in this prospectus.
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Potential
investors, including any beneficial owner, may obtain a copy of any of the documents summarized herein (subject to certain restrictions
because of the confidential nature of the subject matter) or any of our SEC filings incorporated by reference herein without charge by
written request directed to 44/F, Tower G, No. 16 Zhujiang Dong Road, Tianhe District, Guangzhou City, Guangdong Province 510620, People’s
Republic of China.
You
should rely only on the information incorporated by reference or provided in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement. We have not
authorized anyone else to provide you with different information. We are not making an offer of these securities in any state where the
offer is not permitted. You should not assume that the information in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement is accurate as of
any date other than the date on the front of those documents.
Any
statement contained in a document incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this
prospectus to the extent that a statement contained herein, or in a subsequently filed document incorporated by reference herein, modifies
or supersedes that statement. Any statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute
part of this prospectus.
Legal
Matters
We
are being represented by Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP with respect to certain legal matters as to United States federal securities
and New York State law. Certain legal matters in connection with any offering made pursuant to this prospectus will be passed upon for
the underwriters by a law firm named in the applicable prospectus supplement. The validity of the ordinary shares represented by the
ADSs will be passed upon for us by Walkers (Hong Kong). Certain legal matters as to PRC law will be passed upon for us by Merits &
Tree Law Offices and for the underwriters by a law firm named in the applicable prospectus supplement. Davis Polk & Wardwell
LLP may rely upon Walkers (Hong Kong) with respect to matters governed by Cayman Islands law and Merits & Tree Law Offices with respect
to matters governed by PRC law.
Experts
The
consolidated financial statements of CNFinance Holdings Limited as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, and for each of the years in the three-year
period ended December 31, 2020 included in the registration statement have been incorporated by reference herein and in the registration
statement in reliance upon the report of KPMG Huazhen LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, incorporated by reference herein,
and on the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
The offices of KPMG Huazhen LLP are located
at 21F, No. 6 Zhujiang Dong Road, Zhujiang Xincheng, Tianhe District, Guangzhou City, Guangdong Province, People’s Republic of
China.
Where
You Can Find More Information
We
have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form F-3 under the Securities Act with respect to the offer and sale of securities
pursuant to this prospectus. This prospectus, filed as a part of the registration statement, does not contain all of the information
set forth in the registration statement or the exhibits and schedules thereto in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC
and no reference is hereby made to such omitted information. Statements made in this prospectus concerning the contents of any contract,
agreement or other document filed as an exhibit to the registration statement are summaries of all of the material terms of such contract,
agreement or document, but do not repeat all of their terms. Reference is made to each such exhibit for a more complete description of
the matters involved and such statements shall be deemed qualified in their entirety by such reference. The registration statement and
the exhibits and schedules thereto filed with the SEC may be obtained from the SEC’s website that contains reports, proxy and information
statements and other information regarding registrants that file electronically through the SEC’s Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis
and Retrieval (“EDGAR”) system, including the Company, which can be accessed at http://www.sec.gov. For further information
pertaining to the securities offered by this prospectus and CNFinance Holdings Limited, reference is made to the registration statement.
We
furnish reports and other information to the SEC. You may read and copy any document we furnish at the SEC’s public reference facilities
and the website of the SEC referred to above. Our file number with the SEC is 001-38726.
$100,000,000
CNFinance
Holdings Limited
Ordinary
Shares
PROSPECTUS
,
2021
PART II INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
Item 8. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
Cayman Islands law does not limit the extent
to which a company’s memorandum and articles of association may provide for indemnification of officers and directors, except to
the extent any such provision may be held by the Cayman Islands courts to be contrary to public policy, such as to provide indemnification
against the consequences of committing a crime, or against the indemnified person’s own fraud or dishonesty. Our Amended and Restated
Memorandum and Articles of Association provides for indemnification of our officers and directors against all actions, proceedings, costs,
charges, expenses, losses, damages, liabilities, judgments, fines, settlements and other amounts (including reasonable attorneys’
fees and expenses and amounts paid in settlement and costs of investigation (collectively “Losses”) incurred or sustained
by him otherwise than by reason of his own dishonesty in or about the conduct of our company’s business or affairs (including as
a result of any mistake of judgment) or in the execution or discharge of his duties, powers, authorities or discretions, including without
prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, any Losses incurred by him in defending or investigating (whether successfully or otherwise)
any civil, criminal, investigative and administrative proceedings concerning or in any way related to our company or its affairs in any
court whether in the Cayman Islands or elsewhere. Such Losses incurred in defending or investigating any such proceeding shall be paid
by our company as they are incurred upon receipt, in each case, of an undertaking by or on behalf of the indemnified person to repay
such amounts if it is ultimately determined by a non-appealable order of a court of competent jurisdiction that such indemnified person
is not entitled to indemnification hereunder with respect thereto. However, our company will not indemnify our directors, officers, or
persons controlling us for liabilities arising under the Securities Act, because it is the SEC’s opinion that such indemnification
is against public policy as expressed in such act and is, therefore, unenforceable.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising
under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers or persons controlling us pursuant to the foregoing provisions, we have
been informed that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is
theretofore unenforceable.
Item 9. Exhibits
The exhibit index attached hereto is incorporated
herein by reference.
Item 10. Undertakings.
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(a)
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The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:
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(1)
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To file, during any period in which offers
or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:
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(i)
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to include any prospectus
required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act;
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(ii)
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to reflect in the prospectus
any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the
most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent
a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar
value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation
from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the
form of prospectus filed with the SEC pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes
in volume and price represent no more than a 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering
price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective
registration statement;
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(iii)
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to include any material
information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration
statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement;
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provided, however, that
paragraphs (a)(1)(i), (a)(1)(ii) and (a)(1)(iii) of this section do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective
amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the SEC by the Registrant pursuant to section 13 or
section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement, or is contained
in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of the registration statement.
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(2)
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That, for the purpose
of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment
shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein,
and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide
offering thereof.
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(3)
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To remove from registration
by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain
unsold at the termination of the offering.
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(4)
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To file a post-effective
amendment to the registration statement to include any financial statements required by Item
8.A of Form 20-F at the start of any delayed offering or throughout a continuous offering.
Financial statements and information otherwise required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities
Act need not be furnished, provided that the Registrant includes in the prospectus,
by means of a post-effective amendment, financial statements required pursuant to this paragraph
(a)(4) and other information necessary to ensure that all other information in the prospectus
is at least as current as the date of those financial statements. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
with respect to registration statements on Form F-3, a post-effective amendment need not
be filed to include financial statements and information required by Section 10(a)(3) of
the Securities Act or Item 8.A of Form 20-F if such financial statements and information
are contained in periodic reports filed with or furnished to the SEC by the Registrant pursuant
to section 13 or section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated
by reference in the Form F-3.
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(5)
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That, for the purpose
of determining liability under the Securities Act to any purchaser:
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(i)
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Each prospectus filed
by the Registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of the registration
statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration
statement; and
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(ii)
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Each prospectus required
to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5), or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement
in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii),
or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by section 10(a) of the Securities
Act shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier
of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the
first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided
in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an
underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement
relating to the securities in the registration statement to which that prospectus relates,
and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona
fide offering thereof. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration
statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document
incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus
that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract
of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in
the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made
in any such document immediately prior to such effective date; or
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(6)
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That, for the purpose
of determining liability of the Registrant under the Securities Act to any purchaser in the
initial distribution of the securities, the undersigned Registrant undertakes that in a primary
offering of securities of the undersigned Registrant pursuant to this registration statement,
regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the
securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications,
the undersigned Registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer
or sell such securities to such purchaser:
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(i)
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Any preliminary prospectus
or prospectus of the undersigned Registrant relating to the offering required to be filed
pursuant to Rule 424;
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(ii)
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Any free writing prospectus
relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned Registrant or used or
referred to by the undersigned Registrant;
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(iii)
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The portion of any other
free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the
undersigned Registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned Registrant;
and
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(iv)
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Any other communication
that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned Registrant to the purchaser.
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(b)
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The undersigned Registrant
hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act,
each filing of the Registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section
15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee
benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed
to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering
of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering
thereof.
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|
(c)
|
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities
Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant
to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion
of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act
and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such
liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director,
officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action,
suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection
with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel
the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction
the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in
the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
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EXHIBIT INDEX
The following documents are filed as part of
this registration statement:
Exhibit No.
|
|
Description
|
1.1*
|
|
Form of Underwriting Agreement
|
3.1
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|
Amended and Restated Memorandum
and Articles of Association (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 from our registration statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-226126),
as amended, initially filed publicly with the SEC on July 11, 2018)
|
4.1
|
|
Registrant’s Specimen Certificate
for Ordinary Shares (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 from our registration statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-226126),
as amended, initially filed publicly with the SEC on July 11, 2018)
|
4.2
|
|
Form of Deposit Agreement (incorporated
herein by reference to Exhibit 4.3 from our registration statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-226126), as amended, initially filed
publicly with the SEC on July 11, 2018)
|
4.3
|
|
Registrant’s Specimen American
Depositary Receipt (included in Exhibit 4.2)
|
5.1**
|
|
Opinion of Walkers
(Hong Kong) regarding the validity of the ordinary shares
|
8.1**
|
|
Opinion of Walkers
(Hong Kong) regarding certain Cayman Islands tax matters (included in Exhibit 5.1)
|
23.1†
|
|
Consent of KPMG Huazhen LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
|
23.2**
|
|
Consent of Walkers
(Hong Kong) (included in Exhibit 5.1)
|
23.3**
|
|
Consent of Merits
& Tree Law Offices
|
24.1**
|
|
Power of Attorney
(included in signature page of this registration statement)
|
|
*
|
To be filed as an exhibit to a post-effective amendment to this registration
statement or as an exhibit to a report filed or furnished pursuant to the Exchange Act of
the Registrant and incorporated herein by reference.
|
|
†
|
Filed with this registration statement on Form F-3.
|
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities
Act of 1933, the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form
F-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the
City of Guangzhou, China, on December 6, 2021.
|
CNFinance Holdings Limited
|
|
|
|
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By:
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/s/ Bin Zhai
|
|
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Name:
|
Bin Zhai
|
|
|
Title:
|
Chief Executive Officer and Chairman
|
POWER OF ATTORNEY
Each of the undersigned officers and directors
of CNFinance Holdings Limited hereby severally constitutes and appoints Bin Zhai, the true and lawful attorney with full power to him,
to sign for the undersigned and in his name in the capacities indicated below, any and all amendments, including post-effective amendments
to this registration statement and any related registration statements under Rule 462 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and
generally to do all such things in the undersigned’s name and behalf in such capacities to enable CNFinance Holdings Limited to
comply with the applicable provisions of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and all rules and regulation thereunder, and all requirements
of the Securities and Exchange Commission, and each of the undersigned hereby ratifies and confirms all that said attorneys or any of
them shall lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof. Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration
statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Signature
|
|
Title
|
|
Date
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/
Bin Zhai
|
|
Chief Executive Officer
and Director
|
|
December 6, 2021
|
Bin
Zhai
|
|
(Principal
Executive Officer)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/
Jing Li
|
|
Head of Capital Markets
|
|
December 6, 2021
|
Jing Li
|
|
(Principal
Financial and Accounting Officer)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
Director
|
|
December 6, 2021
|
Paul
Wolansky
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
Director
|
|
December 6, 2021
|
Peng
Ge
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
Director
|
|
December 6, 2021
|
Fengyong
Gao
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
Director
|
|
December 6, 2021
|
Lin
Xu
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
|
|
|
Xi
Wang
|
|
Director
|
|
December
6, 2021
|
|
|
|
|
|
*By:
|
|
/s/
Bin Zhai
|
|
|
|
Name: Bin Zhai
|
|
|
|
Attorney-in-fact
|
|
SIGNATURE OF AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE IN
THE UNITED STATES
Pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, the undersigned, the duly authorized representative in the United States of CNFinance Holdings Limited, has signed this registration
statement or amendment thereto in New York, New York on December 6, 2021.
|
Authorized U.S. Representative
|
|
|
|
Cogency Global Inc.
|
|
|
|
|
By:
|
/s/ Colleen A. De Vries
|
|
|
Name:
|
Colleen A. De Vries
|
|
|
Title:
|
Senior Vice President on behalf of Cogency Global Inc.
|
II-6
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