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

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

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

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

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

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

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

If an emerging growth company that prepares its financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards† provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act. ¨

† The term “new or revised financial accounting standard” refers to any update issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board to its Accounting Standards Codification after April 5, 2012.

The Registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this Registration Statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 or until the Registration Statement shall become effective on such date as the Securities and Exchange Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.

The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. These securities may not be sold until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell nor does it seek an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.

We are offering American depositary shares, or the ADSs. Each ADS represents three of our Class A ordinary shares, par value US$0.01 per share.

ADSs representing our Class A ordinary shares are listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market, or the Nasdaq, under the symbol “NCTY.” On , 2019, the closing trading price for our ADSs, as reported on the Nasdaq, was US$ per ADS.

We are, and following the completion of this offering will continue to be, a “controlled company” as defined under the Nasdaq Stock Market Rules because our chairman and chief executive officer, Mr. Jun Zhu, will continue to beneficially own all of our then outstanding Class B ordinary shares, representing % of our total voting power, assuming the underwriters do not exercise their over-allotment option, or % of our total voting power, if the underwriters exercise their over-allotment option in full.

Immediately upon the completion of this offering, Class A ordinary shares and Class B ordinary shares will be issued and outstanding, assuming the underwriters do not exercise their over-allotment option. Holders of Class A ordinary shares and Class B ordinary shares have the same rights except for voting and conversion rights. Each Class A ordinary share is entitled to one vote, and each Class B ordinary share is entitled to fifty votes and is convertible into one Class A ordinary share at any time by the holder thereof. Class A ordinary shares are not convertible into Class B ordinary shares under any circumstances.

Investing in these securities involves a high degree of risk. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page 11 for factors you should consider before investing in the ADSs.

(1) The per ADS calculation represents the average underwriting discounts and commissions per ADS. See “Underwriting” for additional disclosure regarding compensation to the underwriters payable by us.

The offering is being underwritten on a firm commitment basis. We have granted the underwriters an option exercisable within 45 days from the date of this prospectus to purchase up to an additional ADSs to cover over-allotments.

NEITHER THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION HAS APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED THESE SECURITIES, OR DETERMINED IF THIS PROSPECTUS IS TRUTHFUL OR COMPLETE. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE COMPANY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.

The underwriters expect to deliver the ADSs against payment in U.S. dollars to purchasers in New York, New York on or about , 2019.

No dealer, salesperson or other person is authorized to give any information or to represent anything not contained in this prospectus or in any free writing prospectus we may authorize to be delivered or made available to you. You must not rely on any unauthorized information or representations. This prospectus is an offer to sell only the ADSs offered hereby, but only under circumstances and in jurisdictions where it is lawful to do so. The information contained in this prospectus is current only as of its date.

Neither we nor any of the underwriters has done anything that would permit this offering or possession or distribution of this prospectus or any filed free writing prospectus in any jurisdiction where action for that purpose is required, other than in the United States. Persons outside the United States who come into possession of this prospectus or any filed free writing prospectus must inform themselves about, and observe any restrictions relating to, the offering of the ADSs and the distribution of this prospectus or any filed free writing prospectus outside of the United States.

PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

The following summary is qualified in its entirety by, and should be read in conjunction with, the more detailed information and financial statements appearing elsewhere in this prospectus. In addition to this summary, we urge you to read the entire prospectus carefully, especially the risks of investing in the ADSs discussed under “Risk Factors,” before deciding whether to invest in our ADSs.

Overview

Our goal is to become a diversified high-tech Internet company targeting fast growing technology sectors primarily in China. Our business segments primarily consist of online games and electric vehicles through our joint venture agreement with Faraday&Future Inc. or F&F. We have primarily operated and developed proprietary and licensed online games during the past few years of our operations. Since March 2019, we began transitioning our business focus to electric vehicles.

Electric Vehicles

In March 2019, we entered into a joint venture agreement with F&F, to establish a joint venture that aims to serve China with electric vehicles designed and developed by F&F. We will be a 50% partner in the joint venture with control over business operations. The joint venture will have the exclusive right to manufacture, market, distribute and sell FFV9 MPV, a 6-seat luxury electric multi-purpose vehicle designed and developed by F&F based on the technology and design concepts of FF 91 EV. The design of FFV9 MPV intends to provide best-in-class performance, comfort and connectivity.

F&F is a global shared intelligent mobility company established in May 2014 with headquarters in Los Angeles. F&F’s goal is to design and manufacture next-generation, zero-emission electric vehicles. F&F’s business vision is to create a shared intelligent mobility ecosystem that empowers everyone to move, connect, breathe and live freely. F&F runs production operations in the U.S. and is in the process of developing its dual-home-market and dual-brand strategy operations in China through cooperation with our company. We believe that F&F has significant in-house capabilities in the design and engineering of electric vehicles, electric vehicle components and software systems. F&F is a registered owner of proprietary patents and other intellectual property rights related to production of electric vehicles which were developed solely by its in-house team. F&F revealed the concept car of its first car model FF91, a luxury electric passenger vehicle, at Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas in 2017.

We have more than a decade of internet industry experience in China. We have developed wide range of business partners with diversified portfolios of high-tech businesses, including electric vehicle infrastructure. We will create synergies between the shared intelligent mobility business of F&F and our business contacts in the relevant market.

Pursuant to our joint venture agreement and amendment with F&F, we are obligated to make a total of US$600.0 million in total capital contribution to the joint venture which are payable in three installments as follows: (i) the first installment in the amount of US$200.0 million shall be contributed in two payments, (a) a portion of which shall be contributed by August 6, 2019, and (b) the remainder of which shall be contributed in accordance with the payment schedule of license fees to be agreed in the license agreement with F&F, (ii) the second installment in the amount of US$200.0 million shall be contributed within two months (subject to an extension for one month at our discretion) after the definitive arrangement relating to the use right in a piece of land in China, and (iii) the third installment in the amount of US$200.0 million shall be contributed within two months (subject to an extension for one month at our discretion) after the achievement of certain car model design milestone by F&F.

Pursuant to the joint venture agreement, F&F is obligated to contribute to the joint venture the use right in a piece of land in China for manufacturing of electric vehicles within forty-five days after the joint venture receives the first installment of US$200.0 million. Pursuant to the joint venture agreement, F&F will enter into a license agreement with the joint venture, under which it shall grant to the joint venture an exclusive license to manufacture, market, distribute and sell FF V9 MPV. Pursuant to the joint venture agreement, the joint venture was also granted a right of first refusal to obtain an exclusive license to manufacture, market, sell and distribute the first new model that F&F designs and develops for manufacturing, marketing and distributing in China after the date of the joint venture agreement.

In May 2019, we entered into a joint venture agreement with Shenzhen EN-plus Technologies Co., Ltd., or EN+, to establish a joint venture to engage in sales of electric vehicle charging equipment, investment, construction and operation of charging stations, and provision of operational services relating to charging equipment and platforms for electric vehicles. Pursuant to the joint venture agreement, we will make a cash investment of RMB50.0 million in the joint venture in exchange for 80% equity interest in the joint venture, and EN+ will contribute its current and future proprietary electric vehicle charging technologies to the joint venture in exchange for 20% equity interest of the joint venture.

In May 2019, we and our wholly-owned subsidiary entered into a share purchase agreement with Comtec Windpart Renewable (Holdings) Co Ltd, or Comtec, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Comtec Solar Systems Group Limited (SEHK: 00712), or Comtec Group. Pursuant to the share purchase agreement, we issued 3,444,882 Class A ordinary shares to purchase 9.9% equity interest in Zhejiang Kexin Power System Design and Research Company, or Kexin, a lithium battery management system and power storage system supplier. We believe such investment will further enhance our capability to establish an energy and internet electric vehicle ecosystem.

Online Games

We are developing several proprietary mobile games, including CrossFire New Mobile Game, Q Jiang San Guo and Audition. We generate our online game service revenues primarily through an item-based revenue model, under which players play games for free, but they are charged for in-game items, such as performance-enhancing items, clothing and accessories. Our customers typically access our online games through personal computers, mobile devices or TVs.

Recent Developments

In March 2019, we signed a joint venture agreement with F&F to establish a joint venture to manufacture, market, distribute, and sell electric vehicles in China. We subsequently amended the joint venture agreement in June 2019. For the details of the joint venture, see “Business—Products and Services—Electric Vehicles—Joint Venture Agreement.” As a result, we are in the process of transitioning our business focus to electric vehicles business.

In March 2019, we entered into a deed of settlement with Splendid Days Limited, or Splendid Days, the holder of the senior secured convertible notes issued and sold by us in December 2015, or the Convertible Notes. We later entered into an amendment to the deed of settlement in May 2019. Pursuant to such amendment, the Convertible Notes are required to be repaid by July 31, 2019 by the proceeds from planned sale of the mortgaged properties. We are currently undertaking a corporate restructuring in relation to such sale. We terminated the contractual arrangements between The9 Computer Technology Consulting (Shanghai) Co., Ltd., or The9 Computer, which holds the mortgaged building to be sold, and Shanghai IT. Hui Ling Computer Technology Consulting (Shanghai) Co., Ltd., our wholly-owned PRC subsidiary, or Shanghai Hui Ling, entered into new contractual arrangements with Shanghai IT. We are currently in the process of transferring assets and liabilities, except for the mortgaged properties, of The9 Computer to Shanghai Hui Ling, and have caused Shanghai IT to own 100% equity interest in The9 Computer. The share pledge over the equity interest in The9 Computer to secure the Convertible Notes was released and de-registered in May 2019.

On May 6, 2019, we held an extraordinary general meeting at which our shareholders approved, among other things, to adjust our authorized share capital and to adopt a dual-class share structure, consisting of Class A ordinary shares and Class B ordinary shares. Each Class A ordinary share is entitled to one vote per share on all matters subject to vote at general meetings of our company. Each Class B ordinary share is entitled to fifty (50) votes per share on all matters subject to vote at general meetings of our company. The issued and outstanding ordinary shares then held by Incsight Limited, a British Virgin Islands business company, which is wholly owned by Mr. Jun Zhu, our chairman and chief executive officer, and the issued and outstanding ordinary shares then held by Mr. Jun Zhu himself, were re-designated and re-classified as Class B ordinary shares. All other ordinary shares then issued and outstanding were re-designated and re-classified as Class A ordinary shares. On the same date, we amended and restated our then effective Amended and Restated Memorandum of Association and Articles of Association in their entirety and adopted our Second Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association which reflect, among other things, the changes to our capital structure. As a result of such changes, Mr. Jun Zhu holds the majority of our outstanding voting power and we became a “controlled company” as defined under Nasdaq Stock Market Rules.

In May 2019, we and our wholly-owned subsidiary entered into a share purchase agreement with Comtec, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Comtec Group. Pursuant to the share purchase agreement, we issued 3,444,882 Class A ordinary shares to purchase 9.9% equity interest in Kexin, a lithium battery management system and power storage system supplier. The completion of this transaction is subject to customary closing conditions. See “Business—Products and Services—Electric Vehicles—Strategic Investments in Kexin.”

The following diagram summarizes our corporate structure chart, including our subsidiaries, our affiliated PRC entities and their subsidiaries, as of the date of this prospectus.

Corporate Information

Our principal executive office is located at Building No. 3, 690 Bibo Road, Zhang Jiang Hi-Tech Park, Pudong New Area, Pudong, Shanghai 201203, People’s Republic of China, and our telephone number is +86 (21) 5172-9990. Our registered office in the Cayman Islands is located at the offices of CARD Corporate Services Ltd, c/o Collas Crill Corporate Services Limited, Floor 2, Willow House, Cricket Square, PO Box 709, Grand Cayman KY1-1107 Cayman Islands.

Investors should submit any inquiries to the address and telephone number of our principal executive offices. Our main website is www.the9.com. The information contained on our website is not a part of this prospectus. Our agent for service of process in the United States is Puglisi & Associates located at 850 Library Avenue, Suite 204, Newark, Delaware 19711.

Conventions that Apply to this Prospectus

Unless otherwise indicated or the context otherwise requires in this prospectus:

“ADSs” refers to our American depositary shares, each of which represents three Class A ordinary shares;

“affiliated entities” and “affiliated PRC entities” refer to our consolidated affiliated PRC entities, including, among others, Shanghai IT, in which we do not have direct equity interests but over which we effectively control through a series of contractual arrangements as described under “Corporate History and Structure—Arrangements with Affiliated PRC Entities;”

“China” and “PRC” refer to the People’s Republic of China, and solely for the purpose of this prospectus, excluding Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau;

“Class A ordinary shares” refers to our Class A ordinary shares of par value US$0.01 per share;

“Class B ordinary shares” refers to our Class B ordinary shares of par value US$0.01 per share;

“RMB” and “Renminbi” are to the legal currency of China;

“U.S. dollars,” “dollars,” “US$” and “$” are to the legal currency of the United States;

“we,” “us,” “our company,” “our” and “The9” refer to The9 Limited and, as the context may require, its subsidiaries and our consolidated affiliated entities;

Unless the context indicates otherwise, all information in this prospectus assumes no exercise by the underwriters of their over-allotment option.

On December 15, 2004, our ADSs commenced trading on the Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol “NCTY.” Effective May 9, 2018, we effected a change of the ratio of the ADSs to ordinary shares from one ADS representing one ordinary share to three ordinary shares. In October 2018, we transferred our listing venue to the Nasdaq Capital Market. On May 6, 2019, we adjusted our authorized share capital and adopted dual-class share structure, consisting of Class A ordinary shares and Class B ordinary shares. Currently, each ADS represents three Class A ordinary shares. Unless otherwise indicated, ADSs and per ADS amount in this prospectus have been retroactively adjusted to reflect the changes in ratio for all periods presented and the changes in our share capital.

Our reporting currency is the Renminbi. This prospectus also contains translations of certain foreign currency amounts into U.S. dollars for the convenience of the reader. Unless otherwise stated, all translations from Renminbi to U.S. dollars were made at RMB6.8755 to US$1.00, the noon buying rate set forth in the H.10 statistical release of the Federal Reserve Board on December 31, 2018. We make no representation that the Renminbi or U.S. dollar amounts referred to in this prospectus could have been or could be converted into U.S. dollars or Renminbi, as the case may be, at any particular rate or at all. The PRC government restricts or prohibits the conversion of Renminbi into foreign currency and foreign currency into Renminbi for certain types of transactions. On June 14, 2019, the noon buying rate set forth in the H.10 statistical release of the Federal Reserve Board was RMB6.9247 to US$1.00.

The Offering

Offering price		US$ per ADS.

ADSs offered by us		ADSs (or ADSs if the underwriters exercise their over-allotment option in full).

ADSs outstanding immediately after this offering		ADSs (or ADSs if the underwriters exercise their over-allotment option in full).

Ordinary shares outstanding immediately after this offering		ordinary shares, comprised of Class A ordinary shares and Class B ordinary shares (or ordinary shares if the underwriters exercise their over-allotment option in full, comprised of Class A ordinary shares and Class B ordinary shares).

The ADSs		Each ADS represents three Class A ordinary shares, par value US$0.01 per share. The depositary will hold Class A ordinary shares underlying your ADSs. You will have rights as provided in the deposit agreement among us, the depositary and holders and beneficial owners of ADSs from time to time. We do not expect to pay dividends in the foreseeable future. If, however, we declare dividends on our Class A ordinary shares, the depositary will pay you the cash dividends and other distributions it receives on our Class A ordinary shares after deducting its fees and expenses in accordance with the terms set forth in the deposit agreement. You may surrender your ADSs to the depositary in exchange for Class A ordinary shares. The depositary will charge you fees for any exchange. We may amend or terminate the deposit agreement without your consent. If you continue to hold your ADSs after an amendment to the deposit agreement, you agree to be bound by the deposit agreement as amended. To better understand the terms of the ADSs, you should carefully read the “Description of American Depositary Shares” section of this prospectus. You should also read the deposit agreement, which is an exhibit to the registration statement that includes this prospectus.

Ordinary Shares		Our ordinary shares are divided into Class A ordinary shares and Class B ordinary shares. In respect of all matters subject to a shareholder vote, each Class A ordinary share is entitled to one vote, and each Class B ordinary share is entitled to fifty votes, voting together as one class. Each Class B ordinary share is convertible into Class A ordinary share at any time by the holder thereof. Class A ordinary shares are not convertible into Class B ordinary shares under any circumstances. Upon any transfer of Class B ordinary shares by a holder to any person or entity other than holders of Class B ordinary shares or their affiliates, such Class B ordinary shares shall be automatically and immediately converted into the equivalent number of Class A ordinary shares. See “Description of Share Capital” for more information.

Over-allotment option		We have granted to the underwriters an option, exercisable within 45 days from the date of this prospectus, to purchase up to an aggregate of additional ADSs.

Use of proceeds		We expect that we will receive net proceeds of approximately US$ million from this offering, or approximately US$ million if the underwriters exercise their over-allotment option in full, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us. We plan to use the net proceeds of this offering for capital contribution to the joint venture in relation to our electric vehicles and general corporate working capital. See “Use of Proceeds” for more information.

Lock-up		We, our directors and executive officers] have agreed with the underwriters, subject to certain exceptions, not to sell, transfer or dispose of any ADSs, ordinary shares or similar securities for a period of 90 days after the date of this prospectus. See “Underwriting.”

Listing		Our ADSs representing our Class A ordinary shares are listed on the Nasdaq under the symbol “NCTY.” Our ADSs and shares will not be listed on any other stock exchange or traded on any automated quotation system.

Payment and settlement		The underwriters expect to deliver the ADSs against payment therefor through the facilities of The Depository Trust Company on , 2019.

Depositary		The Bank of New York Mellon

SUMMARY CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA

The following summary consolidated statement of operation data for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2017 and 2018, summary consolidated balance sheet data as of December 31, 2017 and 2018 and summary consolidated cash flow data for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2017 and 2018 are derived from our audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. The following summary consolidated balance sheet data as of December 31, 2016 are derived from our audited consolidated financial statements not included in this prospectus. Our audited consolidated financial statements are prepared and presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Our historical results do not necessarily indicate results expected for any future periods. You should read this Summary Consolidated Financial Data section together with our consolidated financial statements and the related notes and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” included elsewhere in this prospectus.

	For the Year Ended December 31,
	2016			2017			2018
	RMB			RMB			RMB			US$
	(in thousands, except for per share and per ADS data)
Summary Consolidated Statement of Operation Data
Revenues⁽¹⁾		56,286			73,208			17,492			2,544
Sales taxes		(86	)		(59	)		(61	)		(9	)
Net revenues		56,200			73,149			17,431			2,535
Cost of revenue		(48,519	)		(23,782	)		(16,436	)		(2,391	)
Gross profit		7,681			49,367			995			144
Operating expenses		(306,892	)		(163,027	)		(105,991	)		(15,416	)
Other operating income		3,605			350			230			33
Loss from operations		(295,606	)		(113,310	)		(104,766	)		(15,239	)
Impairment on equity investment and available-for-sale investment		(244,798	)		—			(1,386	)		(202	)
Impairment on other investments		(2,807	)		(9,109	)		(7,776	)		(1,131	)
Interest income		161			31			194			28
Interest expenses		(56,472	)		(83,922	)		(104,777	)		(15,239	)
Fair value change on warrants liability		48,057			12,615			2,251			327
(Loss)/gain on disposal of equity investee and available-for-sale investment		(1,217	)		115			—			—
Foreign exchange gain/(loss)		(13,131	)		19,206			(20,331	)		(2,957	)
Other income, net		3,179			4,670			1,599			233
Loss before income tax expense and share of loss in equity method investments		(562,634	)		(169,704	)		(234,992	)		(34,180	)
Income tax benefit		6,079			—			—			—
Recovery of equity investment in excess of cost		—			60,549			—			—
Share of loss in equity investments		(110,535	)		(2,938	)		(4,293	)		(624	)

	For the Year Ended December 31,
	2016			2017			2018
	RMB			RMB			RMB			US$
	(in thousands, except for per share and per ADS data)
Net loss		(667,090	)		(112,093	)		(239,285	)		(34,804	)
Net (loss)/gain attributable to:
Noncontrolling interest		(58,584	)		3,956			(16,333	)		(2,376	)
Redeemable noncontrolling interest		(14,724	)		2,117			(5,859	)		(852	)
The9 Limited		(593,782	)		(118,166	)		(217,093	)		(31,576	)
Change in redemption value of redeemable noncontrolling interest		82,890			57,126			40,919			5,951
Net loss attributable to holders of ordinary shares		(676,672	)		(175,292	)		(258,012	)		(37,527	)
Other comprehensive (loss); net of tax:
Currency translation adjustments		(1,755	)		(9,526	)		(1,314	)		(191	)
Total comprehensive loss		(668,845	)		(121,619	)		(240,599	)		(34,995	)
Comprehensive (loss)/gain attributable to:
Noncontrolling interest		(58,584	)		13,458			(24,888	)		(3,620	)
Redeemable noncontrolling interest		(14,724	)		2,117			(5,859	)		(852	)
The9 Limited		(595,537	)		(137,194	)		(209,852	)		(30,523	)
Change in redemption value of redeemable noncontrolling interest		82,890			57,126			40,919			5,951
Comprehensive loss attributable to holders of ordinary shares		(678,427	)		(194,320	)		(250,771	)		(36,474	)
Net loss attributable to holders of ordinary shares per share
Basic		(28.34	)		(5.24	)		(4.15	)		(0.60	)
Diluted		(28.34	)		(5.24	)		(4.15	)		(0.60	)
Net loss attributable to holders of ordinary shares per ADS⁽²⁾
Basic		(85.02	)		(15.72	)		(12.45	)		(1.80	)
Diluted		(85.02	)		(15.72	)		(12.45	)		(1.80	)

Notes:

(1) Effective from January 1, 2018, we adopted ASC topic 606 Revenue from Contracts with Customers, a new accounting standard on the recognition of revenue, and have applied such accounting standards to the year ended December 31, 2018. The financial data for the year ended December 31, 2016 and 2017 have not been recast and as such are not comparable with the financial data for the year ended December 31, 2018. The adoption of ASC 606 did not have material impact on our financial results.

(2) Each ADS represents three Class A ordinary shares where we effected a change of the ratio of the ADSs to ordinary shares from one ADS representing one ordinary share to three ordinary shares on May 9, 2018. Amounts for net loss attributable to holders of ordinary shares per ADS have been retrospectively adjusted.

The following table presents our summary consolidated balance sheet data as of December 31, 2016, 2017 and 2018.

	As of December 31,
	2016			2017			2018
	RMB			RMB			RMB			US$
	(in thousands)
Summary Consolidated Balance Sheet Data:
Cash and cash equivalents		38,878			142,624			4,256			619
Non-current assets		262,854			139,997			131,673			19,151
Total assets		350,892			323,109			164,687			23,953
Total current liabilities		573,749			819,445			908,424			132,125
Total equity		(702,054	)		(802,351	)		(1,084,812	)		(157,779	)
Redeemable noncontrolling interest		246,771			306,015			341,075			49,607
Total liabilities, redeemable noncontrolling interest and shareholders’ equity		350,892			323,109			164,687			23,953

The following table presents our summary consolidated cash flow data for the year ended December 31, 2016, 2017 and 2018.

	Year Ended December 31,
	2016			2017			2018
	RMB			RMB			RMB			US$
	(in thousands)
Summary Consolidated Cash Flow Data:
Net cash used in operating activities		(179,768	)		(86,652	)		(101,201	)		(14,719	)
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities		(9,985	)		161,923			(17,315	)		(2,518	)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		190,092			44,073			(18,357	)		(2,670	)
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash		(10,472	)		4,529			(1,495	)		(218	)
Cash reclassified as held for sale		—			(20,127	)		—			—
Net change in cash and cash equivalents		(10,133	)		103,746			(138,368	)		(20,125	)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year		49,011			38,878			142,624			20,744
Cash and cash equivalents, end of the year		38,878			142,624			4,256			619

An investment in the ADSs involves significant risks. You should consider carefully all of the information in this prospectus, including the risks and uncertainties described below, before making an investment in the ADSs. Any of the following risks could have a material and adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial may also materially and adversely affect our business, prospects, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and ability to pay dividends, and you may lose all or part of your investment.

We may continue to incur losses, negative cash flows from operating activities and net current liabilities in the future. If we are not able to return to profitability or raise sufficient capital to cover our capital needs, we may not continue as a going concern.

We incurred a net loss of RMB667.1 million, RMB112.1 million and RMB239.3 million (US$34.8 million) for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2017 and 2018, respectively, as we continue to incur product development and sales and marketing expenses for our new products and general and administrative expenses while we have not generated significant revenues from our new games or other operations in those periods and since 2009. Our product development, sales and marketing and general and administrative expenses may increase in the future as we continue to explore various opportunities of new product and services development and business expansion in order to grow our revenues. Our ability to achieve profitability depends on the competitiveness of our products and services as well as our ability to control costs and to provide new products and services to meet the market demands and attract new customers. Due to the numerous risks and uncertainties associated with our business, we may not be able to achieve profitability in the short-term or long-term.

Our cash and cash equivalents decreased from RMB142.6 million as of December 31, 2017 to RMB4.3 million (US$0.6 million) as of December 31, 2018, primarily due to the cash outflows from operating activities associated with our product development and sales and marketing efforts for our new games. We recorded negative operating cash flow of RMB179.8 million, RMB86.7 million and RMB101.2 million (US$14.7 million) for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2017 and 2018, respectively. Furthermore, as of December 31, 2017 and 2018, we recorded net current liabilities of RMB636.3 million and RMB875.4 million (US$127.3 million), respectively. Our net current liabilities positions as of December 31, 2017 and 2018 were primarily due to the continuous cash outflow in connection with our product development and sales and marketing activities. We cannot assure you that our liquidity position will improve in the future. We may continue to incur losses, negative cash flows from operating activities and net current liabilities, which may materially and adversely affect our business, prospects, liquidity, financial condition and results of operations.

We had an accumulated deficit of approximately RMB3,233.1 million (US$470.2 million) and total current liabilities exceeded total assets by approximately RMB743.7 million (US$108.2 million) as of December 31, 2018. If we are unable to achieve profitability or raise sufficient capital to cover our capital needs, we may not continue as a going concern. There can be no assurance that we can obtain additional financing. Our ability to obtain additional financing is subject to a number of factors, which may be beyond our control. See “—We may not be able to obtain additional financing to support our business and operations, and our equity or debt financings may have an adverse effect on our business operations and share price.”

Our consolidated financial statements for each of the three years ended December 31, 2018 included in this prospectus beginning on page F-1 have been prepared based on the assumption that we will continue on a going concern basis. The auditors of our consolidated financial statements have included in their audit reports an explanatory paragraph relating to substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. Our consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments relating to the recoverability and classification of recorded asset amounts or amounts of liabilities that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.

New lines of business or new products and services may subject us to additional risks.

From time to time, we may implement new lines of business or offer new products and services within our existing lines of business. In March 2019, we entered into a joint venture agreement with F&F to establish a joint venture and serve China with electric vehicles designed and developed by F&F. However, as a new entrant into the new lines of business, we face significant challenges, uncertainties and risks, including, among others, with respect to our ability to:

Moreover, there can be no assurance that the introduction and development of new lines of business or new products and services would not encounter significant difficulties or delay or would achieve the profitability as we expect. Failure to successfully manage these risks in the development and implementation of new lines of business or new products or services could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and prospects.

Our joint venture with F&F may have an adverse effect on our financial results, business prospects and reputation.

In March 2019, we entered into a joint venture agreement with F&F. The immediate objective of this joint venture is to exclusively manufacture and distribute certain electric car model designed and developed by F&F in China. We will be a 50% partner in the joint venture upon its establishment with control over business operations. We are obligated to provide substantial amount of capital contribution to the joint venture. See "—We and F&F are obligated to provide contribution to the joint venture pursuant to the joint venture agreement. If F&F or we fail to fulfill the contribution requirements, the joint venture may not succeed or we may be removed from the joint venture." As we began transitioning our business focus to electric vehicles, any failure of the joint venture with F&F would materially and adversely affect our business prospectus. Moreover, any material disputes with F&F may also require us to allocate significant corporate and other resources. If we are in dispute with F&F, legal proceedings may be initiated. The process of legal proceedings may be lengthy and costly and may divert the attention of our management. If we cannot cannot obtain a judgment in favor of us, we may incur additional costs or damages and our business, financial condition and results of operations may be adversely affected. In addition, if our relationship with F&F starts to deteriorate and we fail to identify an alternative partner with similar resources, we may no longer be able to continue to carry out electric vehicles business, and our operating results, business prospect and reputation may be materially and adversely affected. In addition, Mr. Yueting Jia, the chief executive officer and co-founder of F&F, is associated with debt problems in China and he and his affiliates are subject to various legal proceedings according to public information. In April 2019, China Securities Regulatory Committee also launched a formal investigation of Mr. Jia with allegations of violations of information disclosure regulations. Negative outcome of the investigation or legal proceedings and negative publicity of Mr. Jia may materially and adversely impact the reputation and business operations of F&F and may as a result harm the business of the joint venture and our business.

We and F&F are obligated to provide contribution to the joint venture pursuant to the joint venture agreement. If F&F or we fail to fulfill the contribution requirements, the joint venture may not succeed or we may be removed from the joint venture.

Subsequent to the entry of the joint venture agreement with F&F to establish a joint venture for conducting electric vehicle business in China, we are in the process of transitioning our business focus to electric vehicles. Pursuant to the joint venture agreement, F&F is obligated to make contributions to the joint venture including the use right in a piece of land in China for electric vehicles manufacturing and is obligated to grant the joint venture an exclusive license to manufacture, market, distribute and sell F&F’s certain car model and other potential selected car models in China. Pursuant to the joint venture agreement, we are obligated to make a capital contribution of US$600.0 million to the joint venture which is payable in three installments subject to certain pre-conditions. See “Business—Products and Services—Electric Vehicles” for more details. Pursuant to the amendment to the joint venture agreement, the first installment of US$200.0 million of the capital contribution is required to be made in two payments, (a) a portion of which shall be contributed by August 6, 2019, and (b) the remainder of which shall be contributed in accordance with the payment schedule of license fees to be agreed in the license agreement with F&F. We intend to raise a portion of the funding for the first installment of capital contribution through this offering and the remainder of the funding from other sources, such as bank facilities or private placements of our securities. However, there can be no assurance that we will raise sufficient funding to make any of the required capital contribution within the time frames set forth in the joint venture agreement, or at all. We may enter into amendments to our joint venture agreement with F&F to extend the capital contribution scheme and schedule. However, there can be no assurance that we will reach an agreement with F&F to amend the joint venture agreement on a timely basis, or at all. If we do not successfully raise the capital to contribute to the joint venture as agreed, or if F&F fails to contribute the land use right or does not enter into a license agreement with the joint venture on reasonable terms or at all the joint venture cannot proceed with its proposed objectives and the electric vehicle business will not succeed. In the event we cannot make the required capital contribution in accordance with the joint venture agreement, the total amount of capital contribution that has been made by us will automatically convert into Class B ordinary shares in Smart King Limited, or Smart King, a subsidiary of F&F at a pre-agreed conversion price set forth in the joint venture agreement, and either party would have the right to terminate the joint venture agreement.

Since the electric vehicles industry is challenging and rapidly evolving and the joint venture cooperation between F&F and us is subject to a number of conditions and uncertainties, we cannot assure you that the joint venture will be established and that we will be able to implement the development plan as set out in accordance with the current joint venture agreement. We may enter into amendments to the current joint venture agreement with F&F from time to time to reflect the fast-changing market and industry conditions. If F&F or we fail to perform our respective obligation under the joint venture agreement in a timely manner, or at all, we would experience delays in establishing and developing our electric vehicles business. In addition, the joint venture may not succeed and may be terminated due to failure to establish a sustainable business. As a result, our business prospects, financial conditions and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected.

F&F may exercise its call option to buy our shares in the joint venture pursuant to the joint venture agreement.

Pursuant to the joint venture agreement, F&F was granted a call option to buy out our shares in the joint venture at a pre-agreed premium if there is an initial public offering of Smart King or a subsidiary of Smart King within four years of the joint venture’s inception, and F&F may elect to pay the purchase price in the form of either cash or shares of Smart King or its subsidiary that is the issuer in the initial public offering. There is no assurance whether the condition to such call option will occur or whether F&F will exercise such call option, which is dependent on factors beyond our control. In the event that F&F exercises such call option, we may be removed from the joint venture as a result and may not be able to share its future profits if F&F elects to pay the purchase price in the form of cash.

We are subject to risks and may experience in the future, delays or other complications in the design and manufacture of our electric vehicles, which could harm our brand, business, prospectus, financial condition and operating results.

We are subject to risks and may experience launch, manufacturing, production and delivery risks, delays or other complications in connection with our electric vehicles. There may be unanticipated challenges, including but not limited to difficulties in the design of the vehicles and technology barriers, at the design stage.

We may enter into arrangements with certain suppliers and manufacturers to manufacture the electric vehicles designed by F&F. Such collaboration with third parties is subject to various risks with respect to operations that are outside our control. We may be subject to risks and experience delays in various aspects, including:

We may also experience delays if our partners cannot meet pre-determined timelines due to various issues such as mechanical failures, utility shortage or stoppages, fail to provide necessary supplies due to supply chain constraints or fail to provide products that meet our quality standards. We may have disputes with our partners and both our partners and us may be subject to negative publicity whether or not such publicity is related to our collaboration. There can be no assurance that we will not switch partners. We may be unable to enter into new agreements or extend existing agreements with third-party manufacturing partners on terms and conditions acceptable to us and therefore may need to contract with other third parties or significantly add to our own production capacity. There can be no assurance that in such event, we would be able to partner with other third parties, establish or expand our own production capacity to meet our needs on acceptable terms or at all. In the event that we switch to new partners, we may incur additional expenses to assure that vehicles manufactured by new partners comply with our quality standards and requirements. In addition, although we aim to be involved in each step of the supply chain and manufacturing process, given that we may also rely on our partners to meet our quality standards, there can be no assurance that we will successfully maintain quality standards.

If we encounter delays in any of the matters in relation to the design and manufacturing, we may consequently delay the launch, production and delivery of our electric vehicles, which will result in adverse effects in realizing our projected timelines and cost and volume targets. We have limited experience in developing and manufacturing electric vehicles, if we are unable to realize our plans, our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operation could be materially and adversely affected.

If we fail to obtain proper licenses or requisite approval to operate the joint venture, the joint venture may not succeed.

Pursuant to the joint venture agreement, F&F will enter into a license agreement with the joint venture, under which it grants the joint venture an exclusive license to manufacture, market, distribute and sell FF V9 MPV. We are currently negotiating with F&F regarding the entry of such license agreement. However, we cannot assure you that we will be able to enter into such license agreement with F&F in a timely manner, or at all. In the event that we fail to reach an agreement with F&F and obtain license to manufacture, market, distribute and sell F&F’s car models, our joint venture would not succeed.

In addition, the regulatory framework in China for our joint venture business is rapidly evolving. We are subject to certain approval requirements and procedures to proceed with our electric business in China. For example, our vehicles need to be added to the Announcement of Vehicle Manufacturers and Products, or the Manufacturers and Products Announcement, issued by the MIIT, which is a procedure that is required in order for our vehicles to be approved for manufacture and sale in China. In order to obtain such approval, our vehicles must meet the applicable requirements set forth in relevant laws and regulations. Such relevant laws and regulations include, among others, the Administrative Rules on the Admission of New Energy Vehicle Manufacturers and Products, or the MIIT Admission Rules, which became effective on July 1, 2017, and the Administrative Rules on the Admission of Passenger Vehicles Manufacturer and Products, which became effective on January 1, 2012, and pass the review by the MIIT. We cannot assure you that we are able to obtain such approval or other requisite approvals from applicable governmental authorities in a timely manner, or at all. If we fail to obtain such regulatory approvals, the business of our joint venture may not be in compliance with the regulatory framework and may be subject to fines, penalties or restrictions imposed by applicable governmental authorities. As a result, our business, financial condition and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected.

The unavailability, reduction or elimination of government and economic incentives or government policies which are favorable for electric vehicles and domestically produced vehicles could have a material adverse effect on our new electric vehicles business.

Our new electric vehicles business depends significantly on the availability and amounts of government subsidies, economic incentives and government policies that support the growth of new energy vehicles generally and electric vehicles specifically. For example, each qualified purchaser of the electric vehicles is entitled to receive subsidies from China’s central government. In addition, in certain cities, quotas that limit the number of internal combustion engine, or ICE, vehicles do not apply to electric vehicles, making it easier for customers to purchase electric vehicles.

China’s central government provides subsidies for purchasers of certain new energy passengers vehicles, or the NEVs, until 2020 and reviews and adjusts the subsidy standard on an annual basis. The current subsidy standard is provided for in the Circular on Further Improving the Subsidy Policies for the Promotion and Application of New Energy Vehicles, which was jointly promulgated by the Ministry of Finance, or the MOF, the Ministry of Science and Technology, or the MOST, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (which was previously known as the Ministry of Information Industry), or MIIT, and the National Development and Reform Commission, or NDRC, on March 26, 2019. The current subsidy standard reduces the amount of national subsidies and cancels local subsidies, resulting in a significant reduction in the total subsidy amount applicable to NEVs as compared to 2018. Furthermore, China’s central government provides certain local governments with funds and subsidies to support the roll-out of a charging infrastructure. See “Regulation—Favorable Government Policies Relating to New Energy Vehicles in the PRC.” These policies are subject to change and beyond our control. We cannot assure you that any changes would be favorable to our business. Furthermore, any reduction, elimination or discriminatory application of government subsidies and economic incentives because of policy changes, the reduced need for such subsidies and incentives due to the perceived success of electric vehicles, fiscal tightening or other factors may result in the diminished competitiveness of the alternative fuel vehicle industry generally or our new electric vehicles business in particular. Any of the foregoing could materially and adversely affect our new electric vehicles business.

Our success relies to a large extent on the customers’ recognition and acceptance of electric vehicles and specifically our vehicles.

Our success relies to a large extent on the customers’ recognition and acceptance of electric vehicles in general and our vehicles in particular. The general public may not recognize and accept of concept of alternative fuel vehicles or electric vehicles and may have concerns over the viability, safety, performance of our vehicles and access to charging facilities. If the public recognition and acceptance of electric vehicles in general and our vehicles in particular are negative, the demands for our vehicles will not be developed as we expect, and our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.

As our services to the customers of our electric vehicles, we may need to provide charging solutions including home chargers and publicly accessible charging infrastructure in the future. We have very limited experience in the actual provision of such charging solutions and such provision is subject to challenges, including geographic coverage, personnel capacity, safety of facilities and equipment. Moreover, the current number of charging infrastructure in China still under development and may not be able to satisfy the demands in general.

Since the electric vehicles marketing is rapidly evolving and is subject to uncertainties, as a new entrant to the market with limited proven record, we may not receive many intention orders and reservations for our vehicles. Our targeted markets may not be familiar with our vehicles and the customers may not be willing to place reservations or orders for our vehicles. There can be no assurance that we will receive many reservations or orders as we anticipated. A hesitant market for the sale of our vehicles may materially and adversely affect the monetization of our electric vehicle business and may in turn adversely affect our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations.

If we fail to recruit or retain experienced management team and qualified key personnel to operate the joint venture, the joint venture may not succeed.

As we will control the business operations of the joint venture, its success depends on the continued services of the management team and qualified key personnel. We intend to provide different incentives and attractive compensation to the management team and qualified key personnel of the joint venture. However, considering the intense market demand and competition for such qualified and skilled personnel, we may not be able to hire or retain these personnel at compensation levels consistent with our proposed compensation and salary structure. Some of the companies with which we compete for qualified and skilled personnel have greater resources than we have and may be able to offer more attractive terms of employment.

If we are unable to retain the services of the management team or qualified key personnel for the joint venture, we may not be able to find suitable replacements or may incur significant expenses in finding such replacements, thus our future growth may be constrained, our electric vehicle business may be severely disrupted and our joint venture may not succeed. In addition, in the event that any dispute arises between us, on one hand, and any of our management team and qualified key personnel, on the other hand, we may have to incur substantial costs and expenses in order to enforce such agreements in China or we may be unable to enforce them at all.

The electric vehicles market is highly competitive, and we may not be successful in competing in this industry and scaling our electric vehicles business.

The electric vehicles market is highly competitive and we expect that it will become even more competitive in the future. As a new entrant in this market, we face challenges from a growing number of established and new automobile manufactures, as well as other companies, have entered or have plans to enter the electric vehicles. Some of them have already put their electric vehicles into production and achieve good feedbacks from the market. Most of our current and potential competitors have significantly greater financial, technical, manufacturing, marketing, sales resources and networks than we do and may be able to devote greater resources to their products. Increased competition may lead to lower vehicle unit sales and increased inventory, which may result in downward price pressure and adversely affect our business, financial condition, operating results and prospects.

In addition, the technology and regulatory framework for the electric vehicles market is rapidly evolving. We may not be able to keep up with the unforeseeable changes, and as a result, the technology and car models we developed may be obsolete more quickly than expected, potentially reducing our return on investment. Therefore, our ability to compete successfully in this market in fundamental to our success. However, there can be no assurance that we will be able to do so and we may fail to scale our electric vehicles business as a result.

Our vehicles may not perform in line with customers’ expectations. For example, our vehicles may not have the durability or longevity of other vehicles in the market, and may not be as easy and convenient to repair as other vehicles on the market. Any product defects or any other failure of our vehicles to perform as expected could harm our reputation and result in adverse publicity, lost revenue, delivery delays, product recalls, product liability claims, harm to our brand and reputation, and significant warranty and other expenses, and could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition, operating results and prospects.

In addition, the range of our vehicles on a single charge declines principally as a function of usage, time and charging patterns as well as other factors. For example, a customer’s use of his or her electric vehicle as well as the frequency with which he or she charges the battery can result in additional deterioration of the battery’s ability to hold a charge.

Furthermore, our vehicles may contain defects in design and manufacture that may cause them not to perform as expected or that may require repair. Our vehicles use a substantial amount of software code to operate and software products are inherently complex and often contain defects and errors when first introduced. While we have performed extensive internal testing on our vehicles’ software and hardware systems, we have a limited frame of reference by which to evaluate the long-term performance of our systems and vehicles. There can be no assurance that we will be able to detect and fix any defects in the vehicles prior to their sale to consumers. If any of our vehicles fail to perform as expected, we may need to delay deliveries, initiate product recalls and provide servicing or updates under warranty at our expense, and the demands as well as the sales volume of our vehicles may experience significant decrease. As a result, our brand in our target markets, our business, prospects and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.

We may become subject to product liability claims, which could harm our financial condition and liquidity if we are not able to successfully defend or insure against such claims.

We may become subject to product liability claims, which could harm our business, prospects, operating results and financial condition. Generally, there are significant product liability claims in the automotive industry and we face inherent risk of exposure to claims in the event our vehicles do not perform as expected or malfunction resulting in property damage, personal injury or death. Our risks in this area are particularly pronounced given our vehicles have not been put in field comprehensively. We may be required to pay a huge amount of product liability damages under a successful claim. Moreover, a product liability claim could generate substantial negative publicity about our vehicles and business and inhibit or prevent commercialization of our future vehicle candidates which would have a material adverse effect on our brand, business, prospects and operating results. Any insurance coverage might not be sufficient to cover all potential product liability claims. Any lawsuit seeking significant monetary damages may have a material adverse effect on our reputation, business and financial condition.

We may not be able to obtain additional financing to support our business and operations, and our equity or debt financings may have an adverse effect on our business operations and share price.

We may continue to experience a material decrease in our cash and cash equivalents balance. We will require additional cash resources to fund our working capital and expenditure needs, such as product developments expenses, payment of license fees and royalties, sales and marketing activities, investment or acquisition transactions, as well as our capital contribution obligations pursuant to the joint venture agreement with F&F. See “—We and F&F are obligated to provide contribution to the joint venture pursuant to the joint venture agreement. If F&F or we fail to fulfill the contribution requirements, the joint venture may not succeed.” We expect to continue to incur product development costs to develop our proprietary online games, primarily mobile games, and license fees and royalties to obtain game licenses from third-party developers. If our internal financial resources are insufficient to satisfy our cash requirements, we may seek additional financing through the issuance of equity securities or through debt financing, such as borrowings from commercial banks or other financial institutions or lenders. However, we cannot assure you that such efforts may succeed. For example, we entered into a share purchase agreement in June 2017 with each of Ark Pacific Special Opportunities Fund I, L.P. or AP Fund, and Incsight Limited, or Incsight, which is wholly owned by Mr. Jun Zhu, our chairman and chief executive officer, to raise an aggregate of US$30.0 million through equity financing. Such transactions did not succeed and were terminated in February 2019. To meet our anticipated capital needs, we have engaged and are considering multiple alternatives, including but not limited to additional equity financings, debt financings, launch of new games, other financing transactions, and cost control. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Liquidity and Capital Resources—Cash Flows and Working Capital.” There can be no assurance that we will be able to successfully complete any such transaction or conduct any cost control measure with results favorable to us, or at all. If we are unable to obtain the necessary financing, we may need to license or sell our assets, seek to be acquired by another entity and/or cease operations.

Any equity or debt financing may result in dilution to our existing shareholders’ interests or an increase in our debt service obligations. For example, in December 2015, we issued and sold Convertible Notes in an aggregate principal amount of US$40,050,000 to Splendid Days, in three tranches at initial conversion prices of US$7.8, US$15.6 and US$23.4 per ADS, respectively. In connection with the sale of Convertible Notes, we also issued warrants, or the Warrants, in an aggregate principal amount of US$9,950,000 to Splendid Days in four tranches at initial exercise prices of US$4.5, US$7.8, US$15.6 and US$23.4 per ADS, each representing three ordinary shares, respectively. As of the date of this prospectus, only the first tranche of the Warrants in a principal amount of US$5,000,000 with the initial exercise of US$4.5 per ADS was still outstanding. In December 2015, we obtained an entrusted loan of approximately RMB31.6 million from a third party. In 2016, we obtained bank loans of approximately RMB25.0 million which was subsequently fully repaid in 2017. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Liquidity and Capital Resources—Cash Flows and Working Capital.” The Convertible Notes and the aforesaid loans significantly increased our debt obligations and any conversion or exercise, as applicable, of the Convertible Notes and Warrants by Splendid Days and any issuance of new shares may cause significant dilution to our existing shareholders’ interest in our company.

Our ability to make scheduled payments of the principal of, to pay interest on or to refinance, our indebtedness, including the Convertible Notes, depends on our future performance, which is subject to economic, financial, competitive and other factors beyond our control. For example, in June 2016, Asian Development Limited, or Asian Development, our wholly-owned subsidiary, borrowed a loan of HK$92.3 million from a financial services company, which is secured by a pledge of shares of L&A International Holding Limited, or L&A. As Asian Development is currently in default of the loan due to a sharp decline in the share price of L&A, the lender is entitled to foreclose the pledged L&A shares. If the market value of the pledged shares cannot cover the total outstanding amount owed by Asian Development to the lender, the lender may also make a claim against Asian Development for any outstanding amounts of the loan. As of the date of this prospectus, we had not received any claims from the lender against Asian Development. In addition, we entered into a deed of settlement with Splendid Days, the holder of the Convertible Notes, in March 2019, and later entered into an amendment to the deed of settlement in May 2019. Pursuant to such amendment, the Convertible Notes are required to be repaid by July 31, 2019 by the proceeds from planned sale of the mortgaged properties. Our business may not generate cash flow from operations in the future sufficient to service our debt and make necessary capital expenditures. If we are unable to generate such cash flow, we may be required to adopt one or more alternatives, such as selling assets, restructuring debt or obtaining additional equity capital. We may not be able to engage in any of these activities or engage in these activities on desirable terms, which could result in a default on our debt obligations. Incurrence of additional indebtedness could also result in operating and financing covenants restricting our business operations. In addition, we cannot assure you that any such future financing will be available to us in amounts or on terms acceptable to us, if at all. If we fail to obtain sufficient financing to fund our capital needs, our business, financial condition and results or operations could be materially and adversely affected.

The Convertible Notes are subject to redemption rights by holders upon a change of control of our company or an event of default, and they contain covenants that may restrict our ability to declare dividends and our operational and financial flexibility.

In December 2015, we completed the issuance and sale of the Convertible Notes. Pursuant to the terms of the Convertible Notes, if we undergo a change of control, holders of the Convertible Notes will be entitled to require us to redeem all or part of the Convertible Notes, at a price payable in cash equal to 100% of the outstanding principal amount of the Convertible Notes, plus all accrued and unpaid interest thereon, if any. The Convertible Notes define a “change of control” to include: (1) our company’s consolidation with, or merger with or into, any other company, and vice versa; (2) our company disposing of all or substantially all of its assets; (3) the adoption of a plan relating to the liquidation or dissolution of our company; or (4) Mr. Jun Zhu, our chairman and chief executive officer, ceasing to directly or indirectly own 20% or more of the total outstanding and issued shares of our company on a fully-diluted and as-converted basis. In May 2019, Splendid Days provided us with a waiver letter and irrevocably agreed and confirmed that the occurrence of clause (4) mentioned above should not be deemed to be a “change of control” under the Convertible Notes and further waived any rights or claims arising out of or in connection with the occurrence of “change of control” under the Convertible Notes. In addition, pursuant to the terms of the Convertible Notes, if there is a continuing event of default, the holders will be entitled to declare any of the Convertible Notes immediately due and payable, and request redemption by us at a price equal to the outstanding principal amount plus all accrued and unpaid interest thereon, if any. “Events of default” as defined in the Convertible Notes include, among other things, an event of default of any indebtedness of our company or our principal subsidiaries in the amount exceeding US$500,000. In March 2017, AP Fund provided us with a waiver agreement waiving its right to declare the Convertible Notes immediately due and payable and request redemption as a result of the default of Asian Development under the HK$92.3 million loan. We entered into a deed of settlement with Splendid Days, the holder of the Convertible Notes, in March 2019, and later entered into an amendment to the deed of settlement in May 2019. Pursuant to the amendment, the Convertible Notes are required to be paid by July 31, 2019 by the proceeds from planned sale of the mortgaged properties. If there is a change of control of our company and any event of default under the Convertible Notes, and our cash flows and capital resources are insufficient to fund our debt service obligation, we may be forced to reduce or delay investments and capital expenditures, or to sell assets, seek additional capital or restructure or refinance our indebtedness. These alternative measures may not be successful and may not permit us to meet our scheduled debt service obligations, which could cause a material and adverse impact on our operations and financial results.

In addition, the Convertible Notes contains covenants that may limit our financial and operating flexibility. The covenants restrict our ability to, among other things, (1) make dividend or other distribution to our shareholders, and (2) sell or dispose of certain assets, if such action would result in an event of default under the Convertible Notes. As a result of the covenants, our ability to pay dividends or other distributions on our ordinary shares, including those represented by ADSs, may be limited. These covenants could also restrict our ability to raise additional capital in the future through bank borrowings and debt and equity issuances and may restrict our ability to engage in some transactions that we expect to be of benefit to us.

Our gaming business is intensely competitive and “hit” driven. If we do not deliver new “hit” products to the market, or if consumers prefer our competitors’ products or services over those we provide, our operating results will suffer.

We operate in a highly competitive and dynamic market, and our future success depends not only on the popularity of our existing online games but also, in a large part, on our ability to develop and introduce new games that are attractive to our customers. To achieve this, we need to anticipate and effectively adapt to rapidly changing consumer tastes and preferences and technological advances. The development of new games and the procurement of licenses from third-party developers can be very difficult and requires high levels of innovation and significant investments. We have made significant investment in developing our own proprietary games, primarily mobile games. However, we do not have a proven track record of developing such games or other online games. While new products are regularly introduced, only a small number of “hit” titles account for a significant portion of total revenues in our industry. We may decide to cease to operate or develop any game that is no longer profitable. There is no assurance that any new game, proprietary, licensed or otherwise, to be introduced by us from time to time, could become “hit” products and widely accepted by the customers and the market. We may continue to incur losses, and experience net cash outflow from operating activities, decrease in cash and cash equivalents balance and net current liabilities if we fail to introduce “hit” games or products which gain substantial market acceptance. In addition, “hit” products offered by our competitors may take a larger share of the market than we anticipate, which could cause revenues generated by our products to fall below expectations. Our competitors may develop more successful products, or offer similar products at lower price points or pursuant to payment models viewed as offering a better value than we do. Any such negative development may materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We currently depend on a limited number of games, and we may not be able to successfully implement our growth strategies.

We currently depend on a limited number of games for substantially all of our revenues. In addition, we currently are developing a number of proprietary games and obtaining licenses to games to grow our business. We have invested significant time and resources in developing our proprietary online games, including a new mobile game that we are developing based on the intellectual property relating to CrossFire, or the CrossFire New Mobile Game. In addition, our subsidiary Asian Way Development Limited obtained a right from T3 Entertainment Co., Ltd., or T3 Entertainment, to develop a mobile game based on the intellectual property relating to a game called Audition and has sub-licensed all of its rights and obligations with respect to the development, marketing, distribution and publishing of the game to a third-party entity. However, there is no assurance that we can successfully develop the games we invest in, that we may successfully launch the games as expected on a timely basis, or at all, or if any newly launched games such as CrossFire New Mobile Game would be widely accepted by game players. In particular, the development and operation of a game usually involves significant investments and dedication of time and resources, but the resulting game product may not yield the financial return that we anticipate. Our business strategies may also involve the development and marketing of new products and services for which there are no established markets in China or in which we lack experience and expertise. If any of our games encounters any adverse development or if we are unable to develop, purchase or license additional games that are attractive to users, our business, financial condition and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected. We cannot assure you that we will be able to launch new games or continue operating existing games on a commercially viable basis or in a timely manner, or at all, or that we will be able to implement our other growth strategies. If any of these occur, our competitiveness may be harmed and our business, financial condition and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected.

Illegal game servers, unauthorized character enhancements and other infringements of our intellectual property rights, as well as theft of in-game goods, could harm our business and reputation and materially and adversely affect our results of operation.

With the increase in the number of online game players in China, we face the risks of illegal game servers, unauthorized character enhancements and other infringements of our intellectual property rights as well as the risk of theft of in-game goods purchased by our customers. Although we have adopted a number of measures to address illegal server usage, misappropriation of our game server installation software and the establishment of illegal game servers could harm our business and reputation and materially and adversely affect our results of operations.

From time to time, we have detected a number of players who have gained an unfair advantage by installing tools that fraudulently facilitate character progression. We have installed software patches designed to prevent unauthorized modifications to our execution files. However, we cannot assure you that we will be able to identify and eliminate new illegal game servers, unauthorized character enhancements or other infringements of our intellectual property rights in a timely manner, or at all. The deletion of unauthorized character enhancements requires the affected players to restart with a new character from the starting level, and this may cause some of these players to cease playing the game altogether. If we are unable to eliminate illegal servers, unauthorized character enhancements or suffer other infringement of our intellectual property rights, our players’ perception of the reliability of our games may be negatively impacted, which may reduce the number of players using our games, shorten the lifespan of our games and adversely affect our results of operations.

Our business, financial condition and results of operations may be adversely affected by the downturn in the global or Chinese economy.

Our operations are primarily conducted in China and a significant majority of our revenues are sourced from China. Accordingly, our results of operations, financial condition and prospects are influenced by economic, political and legal development in China. Although the Chinese economy has grown significantly in the past decade, its growth started to slow down since 2012. Economic conditions in China are sensitive to global economic conditions, as well as changes in domestic economic and political policies and the expected or perceived overall economic growth rate in China. Subsequent to the financial crisis in 2008, there has been considerable uncertainty over the long-term effects of the expansionary monetary and fiscal policies adopted by the central banks and financial authorities of some of the world’s leading economies, including the United States and China. There have been concerns over unrest and terrorist threats in the Middle East and Africa, which have resulted in volatility in oil and other markets, and over the conflicts involving Ukraine and Syria. Following a referendum in June 2016 in which voters in the United Kingdom approved an exit from the European Union, the U.K. government initiated a process to leave the European Union (a process often referred to as “Brexit”) and negotiations between the United Kingdom and the European Union remain ongoing and are complex. There have also been concerns on the relationship among China and other Asian countries, which may result in or intensify potential conflicts in relation to territorial disputes. In March 2018, the United States announced the imposition of tariffs on steel and aluminum entering the United States and in June 2018 announced further tariffs targeting goods imported from China. Recently both China and the U.S. have each imposed tariffs indicating the potential for further trade barriers. Tariff discussions between the U.S. and China are ongoing and fluid. Any prolonged slowdown in the global or Chinese economy or the recurrence of any financial disruptions in any jurisdiction may significantly restrict our ability to obtain financing in the capital markets or from financial institutions on commercially reasonable terms, or at all. In addition, our customers may reduce, delay or cease discretionary spending on our products and services, while we may have difficulty expanding our customer base fast enough, or at all, to offset the impact of decreased spending by our existing customers.

We face the risks of changing consumer preferences and uncertainty about market acceptance of our new products.

The online game industry is constantly evolving in China. Customer demand for and market acceptance of our online games is subject to a high degree of uncertainty. Our future operating results will depend on numerous factors beyond our control. These factors include, among others:

Our ability to plan for product development and distribution and promotional activities will be significantly affected by our ability to anticipate and adapt to relatively rapid changes in consumer tastes and preferences. We currently offer and develop online games, primarily mobile games and TV games. A decline in the popularity of the types of games we offer or develop could adversely affect our business and prospects.

We may not be able to recover our market share and profitability as we operate in a highly competitive industry with numerous competitors.

There are numerous online game operators in China. Given the relatively low entry barriers, an increasing number of companies have entered the online game industry in China and a wider range of online games have been introduced to the Chinese market, and we expect this trend to continue. Our competitors vary in size and include large companies, many of which have significantly greater financial, marketing and game development resources and name recognition than we have, such as Tencent Holdings Limited, NetEase, Inc., Happy-elements Inc., Giant Interactive Group Inc., Changyou.com Limited and Perfect World Co., Ltd. As a result, we may not be able to devote the same degree of resources as our competitors do to designing, developing, licensing or acquiring new games, undertaking extensive marketing campaigns, adopting aggressive pricing policies, paying high compensation to game developers or compensating independent game developers. Our competitors may introduce new business methods, technologies or gaming platforms from time to time. If these new business methods, technologies or gaming platforms are more attractive to customers than what we offer, our customers may switch to our competitors’ games, and we may lose market share. We cannot assure you that we will be able to compete successfully against new or existing competitors, or against new business methods, technologies or gaming platforms implemented by them. In addition, the increasing competition we experience in the online game industry may also reduce the number of our users or the growth rate of our user base or reduce the game points spending for in-game premiums. All of these competitive factors could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations and prevent us from recovering market share and profitability.

If we or our joint ventures fail to renew or acquire new online game licenses on favorable terms or at all, our future results of operations and profitability may be materially impacted.

In addition to developing and offering our own proprietary games, we and our joint ventures also seek to offer games licensed from game licensors. Historically, we have operated a number of games licensed from game licensors, most of which already expired or terminated. There is no assurance that we or our joint ventures will be able to acquire new online game licenses or favorable terms or at all, or that we or our joint ventures will be able to renew the game licenses upon their expiration.

We and our joint ventures need to renew existing licenses and may need to obtain new online game licenses, and any failure to do so on favorable terms or at all may materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. Online game developers may not grant or continue to grant licenses to us or our joint ventures due to commercial or other reasons. For example, our exclusive license from Smilegate Entertainment Inc., or Smilegate, to publish and operate CrossFire 2 in China was terminated in 2017 due to the slowdown of massively multiplayer online game market. If we or our joint ventures are unable to maintain a satisfactory relationship with the online game developers that have licensed games to us or our joint ventures, resulting in licenses not being renewed or licenses being prematurely terminated, or should any of these game developers either establish similar or more favorable relationships with our competitors in violation of their contractual arrangements with us or our joint ventures, or otherwise, our operating results and our business would be harmed. We cannot assure you that online game developers will renew their license agreements with us or our joint ventures, or grant us or our joint ventures a license for any new online games that they will develop or make available to us or our joint ventures expansion packs for existing games. Any failure to obtain or renew online game licenses from online game operators could harm our future results of operations or the growth of our business.

If we are unable to successfully launch and operate CrossFire New Mobile Game in China, our future results of operations may be materially and adversely affected.

We have invested a significant amount of financial and personnel resources in development of our proprietary CrossFire New Mobile Game and we expect to launch this game in the second half of 2019. In November 2017, we entered into an exclusive publishing agreement with a third-party company, pursuant to which this third-party company was granted with an exclusive right to publish the CrossFire New Mobile Game in China. There is no assurance that CrossFire New Mobile Game can be successfully developed, tested and launched, or that once CrossFire New Mobile Game is launched, we will be able to continue to operate the game at a profit or at all. The relevant Chinese governmental authorities may delay or deny the granting of the approvals required for the open beta test, commercial launch or operation of CrossFire New Mobile Game due to the content of the game or other factors. Furthermore, there is no assurance that CrossFire New Mobile Game will attract sufficient users and be commercially successful.

Future acquisitions may have an adverse effect on our ability to manage our business and our results of operations.

Pursuing selective acquisitions was a part of our strategy to expand our business in the past. Although we currently may not have the necessary capital to conduct future acquisitions given the significant net loss and negative operating cash flow we have been experiencing, we may opportunistically acquire or invest in assets, businesses or companies that we believe would be beneficial for our company. Any acquisition or investment that we make may divert the attention of our management away from our ordinary course of business and any difficulties encountered in the integration process could have an adverse effect on our ability to manage our business. For example, in May 2019, we and our wholly-owned subsidiary entered into a share purchase agreement with Comtec, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Comtec Group. Pursuant to the share purchase agreement, we issued 3,444,882 Class A ordinary shares to purchase 9.9% equity interest in Kexin, a lithium battery management system and power storage system supplier. The completion of this transaction is subject to customary closing conditions and there can be no assurance that such transaction will be closed in a timely manner, or at all. In addition, our ability to grow through future acquisitions, investments or organic means will also depend on the availability of suitable acquisitions and investment targets at an acceptable cost as well as our ability to compete effectively to attract these candidates. We may face significant competition in acquiring new businesses or companies, which may hinder the execution of our growth strategy. Future acquisitions or investments could result in a potential dilutive issuance of equity securities or the incurrence of debt, contingent liabilities, impairment losses or amortization expenses related to goodwill and other intangible assets, each of which could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations. The benefits of an acquisition or investment may also take considerable time to develop and we cannot be certain that any particular acquisition or investment will produce its intended benefits. Future acquisitions would also expose us to potential risks, including risks associated with the assimilation of new operations, technologies and personnel, unforeseen or hidden liabilities, the diversion of resources from our existing businesses, sites and technologies, the inability to generate sufficient revenue to offset the costs and expenses of acquisitions, and potential loss of, or harm to, our relationships with employees, customers, licensors and other suppliers as a result of the integration of new businesses.

Our equity investments or establishment of joint ventures and any material disputes with our investment or joint venture partners may have an adverse effect on our financial results, business prospects and our ability to manage our business.

From time to time, subject to the availability of the necessary financial resources, we make equity investments into selected targets, such as online game developers, operators or application platforms, or establish joint venture with business partners, to seek business growth opportunities. For example, in August 2014, we formed a joint venture company, System Link, with Qihoo 360, for publishing and operating Firefall, a massive multiplayer online first person shooting game, or MMOFPS, in China. In the same month, System Link licensed Firefall from our subsidiary Red 5 Singapore Pte. Ltd., or Red 5 Singapore, for a term of five years. In November 2015, our joint venture Oriental Shiny, which is majority-owned by System Link, obtained an exclusive license from Smilegate to publish and operate CrossFire 2 in China for an initial term of three years, subject to an extension to five years. In March 2019, we entered into a joint venture agreement with F&F. The immediate objective of this joint venture is to exclusively manufacture and distribute certain electric car model designed and developed by F&F in China. Our contribution to the joint venture is subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions, such as the establishment of the joint venture and funding arrangements. We will be a 50% partner in the joint venture upon its establishment with control over business operations. We may have limited power to direct or otherwise participate in the management of operations and strategies of the companies in which we invest or the joint venture we establish. The diversion of our management’s attention away from our business and any difficulties encountered in managing our interests in the respective investees or joint ventures could have an adverse effect on our ability to manage our business. Any material disputes with our investment or joint venture partners and existing shareholders may also require us to allocate significant corporate and other resources. For example, Red 5 and its affiliates were in dispute with Qihoo 360 and its affiliates regarding System Link and Firefall and various legal proceedings lasted from November 2016 to May 2019. We withdrew all the claims against Qihoo 360 and settled the dispute in May 2019. The licensing and distribution agreement previously in dispute was terminated at the same time. Our investments may also be subject to market conditions and therefore are uncertain whether our resources and expenses devoted are able to be converted into revenue. For example, the license to publish and operate CrossFire 2 was terminated in 2017 due to the slowdown of massively multiplayer online game market. In addition, we may not recover our equity investments if the companies in which we invest do not perform well and equity investments could result in the incurrence of impairment losses, which could materially and adversely affect our results of operations.

Undetected programming errors or flaws in our games could harm our reputation or decrease market acceptance of our games, which would materially and adversely affect our results of operations.

Our games may contain errors or flaws, which may only be discovered after their release, particularly as we launch new games or introduce new features to existing games under tight time constraints. If our games contain programming errors or other flaws, our customers may be less inclined to continue playing our games or to recommend our games to other potential customers, and may switch to our competitors’ games. Undetected programming errors and game defects can disrupt our operations, adversely affect the gaming experience of our users, harm our reputation, cause our customers to stop playing our games, divert our resources and delay market acceptance of our games, any of which could materially and adversely affect our results of operations.

We may not be able to prevent others from infringing upon our intellectual property rights, which may harm our business and expose us to litigation.

We regard our proprietary software, domain names, trade names, trademarks and similar intellectual properties as critical to our business. Intellectual property rights and confidentiality protection in China may not be as effective as in the United States or other countries. Monitoring and preventing the unauthorized use of proprietary technology is difficult and expensive. The steps we have taken may be inadequate to prevent the misappropriation of our proprietary technology. Any misappropriation could have a negative effect on our business and operating results. We may need to resort to court proceedings to enforce our intellectual property rights in the future. Litigation relating to our intellectual property might result in substantial costs and diversion of resources and management attention away from our business. See “—Risks Related to Doing Business in China—Uncertainties with respect to the PRC legal system could adversely affect us.”

Any delay or failure by the online game platforms or distributors to successfully market or sell our products and services could adversely affect our business and results of operations.

We primarily rely on game platforms and distributors to distribute, promote, market and sell our games in China. End users can purchase our virtual currencies and prepaid cards through such game platforms and distributors. A substantial portion of our sales are carried out via such game platforms and distributors. We do not have long-term agreements with any online game platforms or distributors. A delay or failure by the online game platforms or distributors to successfully market or sell our prepaid cards or products may adversely affect our business and results of operations. We cannot assure you that we will continue to maintain favorable relationships with the online game platforms and distributors, and any failure to do so could materially and adversely affect our business and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.

We rely on services and licenses from third parties to carry out our businesses, and if there is any negative development in these services or licenses, our end users may cease to use our products and services.

We rely on third parties for certain services and licenses for our business, including game platforms and distributors for the distribution of our games, and other services and licenses for our operations. For example, we rely on third-party licenses for some of the software underlying our technology platform, and on China Telecom’s Internet data centers for hosting our servers.

Any interruption or any other negative development in our ability to rely on these services and licenses, such as material deterioration of quality of the third-party services or the loss of intellectual property relating to licenses held by our licensors, could have a material and adverse impact on our business operations. In particular, our game licensors may be subject to intellectual property rights claims with respect to the games or software licensed to us. If such licensors cannot prevail on the legal proceedings brought against them, we could lose the right to use the licensed games or software. Furthermore, if our arrangements with any of these third parties are terminated or modified against our interest, we may not be able to find alternative solutions on a timely basis or on terms favorable to us. If any of these events occur, our end users may cease using our products and services, and our business, financial condition and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected.

Unexpected network interruptions caused by system failures or other internal or external factors may lead to user attrition, revenue reductions and may harm our reputation.

Any failure to maintain satisfactory performances, reliability, security and availability of our network infrastructure may cause significant harm to our reputation and our ability to attract and maintain users. The system hardware for our operations is located in several cities in China. We maintain our backup system hardware and operate our back-end infrastructure in Shanghai. Server interruptions, breakdowns or system failures in the cities where we maintain our servers and system hardware, including failures that may be attributable to sustained power shutdowns, or other events within or outside our control that could result in a sustained shutdown of all or a material portion of our services, could adversely impact our ability to service our users.

Our network systems are also vulnerable to damage from computer viruses, fire, flood, earthquake, power loss, telecommunications failures, computer hacking and similar events. We maintain property insurance policies covering our servers, but do not have business interruption insurance.

Our business may be harmed if our technology becomes obsolete or if our system infrastructure fails to operate effectively.

The online game industry is subject to rapid technological change. We need to anticipate the emergence of new technologies and games, assess their acceptance and make appropriate investments. If we are unable to do so, new technologies in online game programming or operations could render our games obsolete or unattractive. In addition, our business may be harmed if we are unable to upgrade our systems fast enough to accommodate fluctuations in future traffic levels, avoid obsolescence or successfully integrate any newly developed or acquired technology with our existing systems. Capacity constraints could cause unanticipated system disruptions and slower response times, affecting data transmission and game play. These factors could, among other things, cause us to lose existing or potential customers and existing or potential game development partners.

We have been and may be subject to future intellectual property rights claims or other claims, which could result in substantial costs and diversion of our financial and management resources away from our business.

There is no assurance that our online games, including our mobile games, or other content posted on our websites, whether proprietary or licensed from third parties, do not or will not infringe upon patents, valid copyrights or other intellectual property rights held by third parties. We may be subject to legal proceedings and claims from time to time relating to the intellectual property of others.

Some of our employees were previously employed at other companies, including our current and potential competitors. We also intend to hire additional personnel to expand our product development and technical support teams. To the extent these employees have been involved in research at our company similar to research in which they had been involved at their former employers, we may become subject to claims that such employees have used or disclosed trade secrets or other proprietary information of their former employers. In addition, our competitors may file lawsuits against us in order to gain an unfair competitive advantage over us.

If any such claim arises in the future, litigation or other dispute resolution proceedings may be necessary to retain our ability to offer our current and future games, which could result in substantial costs and diversion of our financial and management resources. Furthermore, if we are found to have violated the intellectual property rights of others, we may be enjoined from using such intellectual property, incur additional costs to license or develop alternative games and be forced to pay fines and damages, each of which may materially and adversely affect our business and results of operations.

Our operating results may fluctuate due to various factors, and therefore may not be indicative of our future results.

Our operating results have experienced fluctuations from time to time and will likely continue to fluctuate in the future. These fluctuations in operating results depend on a variety of factors, including the timing of new game launches, the expiration or termination of existing game licenses, and acquisition or disposal of subsidiaries. Other factors include the demand for our products and the products of our competitors, the level of usage of illegal game servers, the level of usage of the Internet, the size and rate of growth of the online game market and development and promotional expenses related to the introduction of new products. In addition, because our game software is susceptible to unauthorized character enhancements, we may periodically delete characters that are enhanced with unauthorized modifications. This has caused some affected customers to stop playing the respective game, which, in the aggregate, may cause our operating results to fluctuate.

To a significant degree, our operating expenses are based on planned expenditures and our expectations regarding prospective customer usage. Failure to meet our expectations could disproportionately and adversely affect our operating results in any given period. As a result, our historical operating results may not necessarily be indicative of our future results.

Our business depends substantially on the continuing efforts of our senior executives, and our business may be severely disrupted if we lose their services.

Our business and prospect depend heavily upon the continued services of our senior executives. We rely on their expertise in business operations, technology support and sales and marketing and on their relationships with our shareholders and distributors. We do not maintain key-man life insurance for any of our key executives. If one or more of our key executives are unable or unwilling to continue in their present positions, we may not be able to replace them easily or at all. As a result, our business may be severely disrupted, our financial condition and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected, and we may incur additional expense to recruit and train personnel.

Each of our executive officers has entered into an employment agreement with us, which contains confidentiality and non-competition provisions. If any disputes arise between our executive officers and us, we cannot assure you the extent to which any of these agreements could be enforced in China, where these executive officers reside and hold most of their assets, in light of uncertainties with the PRC legal system. See “—Risks Related to Doing Business in China—Uncertainties with respect to the PRC legal system could adversely affect us.”

If we are unable to attract, train and retain key individuals and highly skilled employees, our business may be adversely affected.

Our business relies on our ability to hire and retain additional qualified employees, including skilled and experienced online game developers. Since our industry is characterized by high demand and intense competition for talent, we may need to offer higher compensation and other benefits in order to retain key personnel in the future. We cannot assure you that we will be able to attract or retain the qualified game developers or other key personnel that we will need to achieve our business objectives.

PRC laws and regulations restrict foreign ownership of Internet content provision, Internet culture operation and Internet publishing licenses, and substantial uncertainties exist with respect to the application and implementation of PRC laws and regulations.

We are a Cayman Islands exempted company and, as such, we are classified as a foreign enterprise under PRC laws. Various regulations in China currently restrict foreign or foreign-owned entities from holding certain licenses required in China to provide online game operation services over the Internet, including Internet content provision, or ICP, Internet culture operation and Internet publishing licenses. In light of such restrictions, we primarily rely on Shanghai IT, one of our affiliated PRC entities, to hold and maintain the licenses necessary for the operation of our online games in China.

In July 2006, the Ministry of Information Industry (which has subsequently been reorganized as the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology), or MIIT, issued a notice entitled “Notice on Strengthening Management of Foreign Investment in Operating Value-Added Telecommunication Services,” or the MII Notice, which prohibits ICP license holders from leasing, transferring or selling a telecommunications business operating license to foreign investors in any form, or providing resources, sites or facilities to any foreign investors for their illegal operation of a telecommunications business in China. The notice also requires that ICP license holders and their shareholders directly own the domain names and trademarks used by such ICP license holders in their daily operations. The notice further requires each ICP license holder to have the necessary facilities for its approved business operations and to maintain such facilities in the regions covered by its license. In addition, all value-added telecommunication service providers are required to maintain network and information security in accordance with the standards set forth under relevant PRC regulations. The local authorities in charge of telecommunications services are required to ensure that existing ICP license holders conduct a self-assessment of their compliance with the MII Notice and submit status reports to MIIT before November 1, 2006. Since the MII Notice was issued, we have transferred to Shanghai IT all of the domain names used in our daily operations and certain trademarks used in our daily operations, as required under the MII Notice. All relevant transfers have been completed and relevant approvals have been obtained.

In September 2009, the General Administration of Press and Publication, Radio, Film and Television, or GAPPRFT (formerly known as the General Administration of Press and Publication, or GAPP), promulgated the Circular Regarding the Implementation of the Department Reorganization Regulation by State Council and Relevant Interpretation by State Commission Office for Public Sector Reform to Further Strengthen the Administration of Pre-approval on Online Games and Approval on Import Online Games, or the GAPP Circular, which provides that foreign investors shall not control or participate in PRC online game operation businesses indirectly or in a disguised manner by establishing joint venture companies or entering into relevant agreements with, or by providing technical supports to, such PRC online game operation companies, or by inputting the users’ registration, account management or game card consumption directly into the interconnected gaming platform or fighting platform controlled or owned by the foreign investor. In addition, on February 4, 2016, the GAPPRFT and the MIIT jointly issued the Administrative Measures on Network Publication, or the Network Publication Measures, which took effect in March 2016. Pursuant to the Network Publication Measures, wholly foreign-owned enterprises, Sino-foreign equity joint ventures and Sino-foreign cooperative enterprises shall not engage in the provision of web publishing services, including online game services. Project cooperation involving internet publishing services between an internet publishing service provider and a wholly foreign-owned enterprise, Sino-foreign equity joint venture, or Sino-foreign cooperative enterprise within China or an overseas organization or individual shall be subject to prior examination and approval by the GAPPRFT. It is unclear whether the authorities will deem our VIE structure as a kind of such “manners of cooperation” by foreign investors to gain control over or participate in domestic online game operators, and it is not clear whether GAPPRFT and MIIT have regulatory authority over the ownership structures of online game companies based in China and online game operation in China.

Subject to the interpretation and implementation of the GAPP Circular and the Network Publication Measures, the ownership structure and the business operation models of our PRC subsidiaries and affiliated PRC entities comply with all applicable PRC laws, rules and regulations, and no consent, approval or license is required under any of the existing laws and regulations of China for their ownership structure and business operation models except for those which we have already obtained or which would not have a material adverse effect on our business or operations as a whole. There are, however, substantial uncertainties regarding the interpretation and application of current or future PRC laws and regulations. Accordingly, we cannot assure you that PRC government authorities will ultimately take a view that is consistent with the opinion of our PRC legal counsel.

For example, the Ministry of Commerce, or MOFCOM, promulgated the Rules of Ministry of Commerce on Implementation of Security Review System of Mergers and Acquisitions of Domestic Enterprises by Foreign Investors in August 2011, or the MOFCOM Security Review Rules, to implement the Notice of the General Office of the State Council on Establishing the Security Review System for Mergers and Acquisitions of Domestic Enterprises by Foreign Investors promulgated on February 3, 2011, or Circular No. 6. According to these circulars and rules, a security review is required for mergers and acquisitions by foreign investors having “national defense and security” concerns and mergers and acquisitions by which foreign investors may acquire the “de facto control” of domestic enterprises having “national security” concerns. In addition, when deciding whether a specific merger or acquisition of a domestic enterprise by foreign investors is subject to the security review, MOFCOM will look into the substance and actual impact of the transaction. The MOFCOM Security Review Rules further prohibit foreign investors from bypassing the security review requirement by structuring transactions through proxies, trusts, indirect investments, leases, loans, control through contractual arrangements or offshore transactions. There is no explicit provision or official interpretation stating that our online game operation services falls into the scope subject to the security review, and there is no requirement for foreign investors in those merger and acquisition transactions already completed prior to the promulgation of Circular No. 6 to submit such transactions to MOFCOM for security review. As we have already obtained the “de facto control” over our affiliated PRC entities prior to the effectiveness of these circulars and rules, we do not believe we are required to submit our existing contractual arrangement to MOFCOM for security review. However, we are advised by our PRC legal counsel that, as there is a lack of clear statutory interpretation on the implementation of these circulars and rules, there is no assurance that MOFCOM will have the same view as we do when applying these national security review-related circulars and rules.

We have been further advised by our PRC counsel that if we, any of our PRC subsidiaries or affiliated PRC entities are found to be in violation of any existing or future PRC laws or regulations, including the MII Notice, the GAPP Circular and the Network Publication Measures, or fail to obtain or maintain any of the required permits or approvals, the relevant PRC regulatory authorities, would have broad discretion in dealing with such violations, including:

The imposition of any of these penalties could result in a material and adverse effect on our ability to conduct our business and on our results of operations. If any of these penalties results in our inability to direct the activities of Shanghai IT that most significantly impact its economic performance, and/or our failure to receive the economic benefits from Shanghai IT, we may not be able to consolidate Shanghai IT in our consolidated financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

We rely on contractual arrangements for our operations and operating licenses in China, which may not be as effective in providing operational control as direct ownership.

Because the PRC government restricts our ownership of ICP, Internet culture operation and Internet publishing businesses in China, we primarily depend on Shanghai IT, in which we have no ownership interest, to operate our online game business and other ICP related businesses, and hold and maintain the requisite licenses. We have relied and expect to continue to rely on contractual arrangements to obtain effective control over Shanghai IT. Such contractual arrangements may not be as effective as direct ownership in providing us with control over Shanghai IT. From the legal perspective, if Shanghai IT fails to perform its obligations under the contractual arrangements, we may have to incur substantial costs and spend other resources to enforce such arrangements, and rely on legal remedies under PRC law, including seeking specific performance or injunctive relief and claiming damages. For example, if the shareholders of Shanghai IT were to refuse to transfer their equity interests in Shanghai IT to us or our designee when we exercise the call option pursuant to the Call Option Agreement, or if such shareholders otherwise act in bad faith toward us, we may have to take legal action to compel it to fulfill their contractual obligations, which could be time consuming and costly.

These contractual arrangements are governed by PRC law and provide for the resolution of disputes through arbitration in the PRC. The legal environment in the PRC is not as developed as in some other jurisdictions, such as the United States. As a result, uncertainties in the PRC legal system could limit our ability to enforce these contractual arrangements. We have historically derived significant revenues from Shanghai IT. For the years ended December 31, 2016, 2017 and 2018, Shanghai IT contributed 60.4%, 25.8% and 92.2%, respectively, of our total revenues. In the event we are unable to enforce the contractual arrangements, we may not be able to have the power to direct the activities that most significantly affect the economic performance of Shanghai IT, and our ability to conduct our business may be negatively affected, and we may not be able to consolidate the financial results of Shanghai IT into our consolidated financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

We believe that our option to purchase all or part of the equity interests in Shanghai IT, when and to the extent permitted by PRC law, or request any existing shareholder of Shanghai IT to transfer all or part of the equity interest in Shanghai IT to another PRC person or entity designated by us at any time in our discretion, and the rights under the Shareholder Voting Proxy Agreement that the shareholders of Shanghai IT have granted to us, effectively enable us to have the ability to cause the related contractual arrangements to be renewed when needed. However, if we are not able to effectively enforce these agreements or otherwise renew the relevant agreements when they expire, our ability to receive the economic benefits of Shanghai IT may be adversely affected.

Our ability to enforce the Equity Pledge Agreements between us and the shareholders of Shanghai IT may be subject to limitations based on PRC laws and regulations.

Pursuant to the Equity Pledge Agreements with the shareholders of Shanghai IT, such shareholders agreed to pledge their equity interests in Shanghai IT to secure their performance under the relevant contractual arrangements. The equity pledges of Shanghai IT under these Equity Pledge Agreements have been registered with the relevant local administration for market regulation pursuant to the PRC Property Rights Law. According to the PRC Property Rights Law and PRC Guarantee Law, the pledgee and the pledgor are prohibited from making an agreement prior to the expiration of the debt performance period to transfer the ownership of the pledged equity to the pledgee when the obligor fails to pay the debt due. However, under the PRC Property Rights Law, when an obligor fails to pay its debt when due, the pledgee may choose to either conclude an agreement with the pledgor to obtain the pledged equity or seek payments from the proceeds of the auction or sell-off of the pledged equity. If Shanghai IT or its shareholders fail to perform their obligations secured by the pledges under the Equity Pledge Agreements, one remedy in the event of default under the agreements is to require the pledgors to sell the equity interests of Shanghai IT in an auction or private sale and remit the proceeds to our wholly-owned subsidiaries in China, net of related taxes and expenses. Such an auction or private sale may not result in our receipt of the full value of the equity interests in Shanghai IT. We consider it very unlikely that the public auction process would be undertaken since, in an event of default, our preferred approach is to ask Shanghai Hui Ling, our PRC wholly-owned subsidiary and a party to the Call Option Agreement, to replace or designate another PRC person or entity to replace the existing shareholders of Shanghai IT pursuant to the direct transfer option we have under the option agreement.

In addition, in the registration forms of the local branch of State Administration for Market Regulation (formerly known as the State Administration for Industry and Commerce) for the pledges over the equity interests under the Equity Pledge Agreements, the amount of registered equity interests in Shanghai IT pledged to us was stated as RMB23.0 million, which represent 100% of the registered capital of Shanghai IT. The Equity Pledge Agreements with the shareholders of Shanghai IT provide that the pledged equity interest shall constitute continuing security for any and all of the indebtedness, obligations and liabilities under all of the contractual arrangements and the scope of pledge shall not be limited by the amount of the registered capital of Shanghai IT. However, it is possible that a PRC court may take the position that the amount listed on the equity pledge registration forms represents the full amount of the collateral that has been registered and perfected. If this is the case, the obligations that are supposed to be secured under the Equity Pledge Agreements in excess of the amount listed on the equity pledge registration forms could be determined by the PRC court as unsecured debt, which takes last priority among creditors and often does not have to be paid back at all. We do not have agreements that pledge the assets of Shanghai IT for the benefit of us.

Our contractual arrangements with our affiliated entities may result in adverse tax consequences to us.

We could face material and adverse tax consequences if the PRC tax authorities determine that our contractual arrangements with Shanghai IT and our other affiliated entities were not made on reasonable or arm’s length commercial terms or otherwise. If this were to occur, they may adjust our income and expenses for PRC tax purposes in the form of a transfer pricing adjustment. A transfer pricing adjustment could result in a reduction, for PRC tax purposes, of costs and expenses recorded by our affiliated entities, which could adversely affect us by: (i) increasing the tax liability of our affiliated entities without reducing our other PRC subsidiaries’ tax liability, which could further result in late payment fees and other penalties to our affiliated entities for underpaid taxes; or (ii) limiting the abilities of our affiliated entities to maintain preferential tax treatments and other financial incentives.

We may not be able to get approval for renewing our current foreign games, or for licensing new foreign games, if the PRC regulatory authorities promote a policy of domestic online or mobile game development and tighten approval criteria for online or mobile game imports.

We license and operate foreign games and may continue to do so in the near future. In the past, such foreign games mainly included massively multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPGs) or casual games. With mobile social gaming being one of our new businesses, we also license foreign mobile games. Since 2004, relevant government authorities have promulgated several circulars, according to which the development of domestically developed online games, including mobile games, will be strategically supported by the PRC government. For example, in July 2005, MIIT and the Ministry of Culture issued the Opinion on Development and Management of Online Games, or the Opinion. The Opinion provided that domestic software development companies, network service providers and content providers will be encouraged, guided and supported to develop and promote self-developed and self-owned online games so that such games can take up a leading position in the domestic market and expand into the international market.

The government will also encourage the development of derivative products to domestic online games. In support of this policy, GAPPRFT may tighten approval criteria for online game imports in an effort to protect the development of domestic online game enterprises, as well as to limit the influence of foreign culture on Chinese youth. If GAPPRFT implements such rules and policies, we may not be able to get approval for renewing our current foreign game licenses or for licensing new foreign games, and our business, financial condition and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected.

Failure to obtain or renew approvals or filings for online games and mobile games we operate may adversely affect our operations or subject us to penalties.

The Ministry of Culture has promulgated laws and regulations that require, among other things, (i) the review and prior approval of all new online games licensed from foreign game developers and related license agreements, (ii) the review of patches and updates with substantial changes of games which have already been approved, and (iii) the filing of domestically developed online games. Furthermore, online games, regardless of whether imported or domestic, will be subject to content review and approval by GAPPRFT prior to the commencement of games operations in China. Failure to obtain or renew approvals or complete filings for online games, including mobile games, may materially delay or otherwise affect a game operator’s plan to launch new games, and the operator may be subject to fines, the restriction or suspension of operations of the related games or revocation of licenses in the event that the relevant governmental authority believes that the violation is severe.

We cannot assure you that we are able to obtain and maintain requisite approvals or fulfill other requisite registration or filing procedures required by the relevant PRC governmental authorities in a timely manner, or at all. From time to time, we also rely on certain third-party licensors of domestically developed online games to obtain approvals and complete filings with the PRC regulatory authorities. If we or any such third-party licensors fail to obtain the required approvals or complete the filings, we may not be able to continue the operation of such games. If any such negative event occurs, our business, financial condition and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected.

The principal shareholders of our affiliated PRC entities have potential conflicts of interest with us, which may adversely affect our business.

Zhimin Lin and Wei Ji, two of our employees, are the principal shareholders of Shanghai IT, one of our affiliated entities. Thus, there may be conflicts of interest between their respective duties to our company as employees and their respective shareholder interests in these affiliated PRC entities. We cannot assure you that when conflicts of interest arise, these persons will act in our best interests or that conflicts of interests will be resolved in our favor. These persons could violate their legal duties, including duties under their non-competition or employment agreements with us, by engaging in activities that are not in the best interest in our company, such as diverting business opportunities from us. In any such event, we would have to rely on the PRC legal system to enforce these agreements. Any legal proceeding could result in the disruption of our business, diversion of our resources and the incurrence of substantial costs. See “—Risks Related to Doing Business in China—Uncertainties with respect to the PRC legal system could adversely affect us.”

Our subsidiaries in China are subject to restrictions on paying dividends or making other payments.

From time to time, we may rely on dividends paid by our subsidiaries in China to fund our operations, such as paying dividends to our shareholders or meeting obligations under any indebtedness incurred by us or our overseas subsidiaries. Current PRC regulations restrict our subsidiaries in China from paying dividends in the following two principal aspects: (i) our subsidiaries in China are only permitted to pay dividends out of their respective after-tax profits, if any, determined in accordance with PRC accounting standards and regulations, and (ii) these entities are required to allocate at least 10% of their respective after-tax profits each year, if any, to fund statutory reserve funds until the cumulative total of the allocated reserves reaches 50% of registered capital, and a portion of their respective after-tax profits to their staff welfare and bonus reserve funds as determined by their respective boards of directors or shareholders. These reserves are not distributable as dividends. Further, if these entities incur debt on their behalf in the future, the instruments governing such debt may restrict their ability to pay dividends or make other payments. Our inability to receive dividends or other payments from our PRC subsidiaries may adversely affect our ability to continue to grow our business and make cash or other distributions to the holders of our ordinary shares and ADSs. In addition, failure to comply with relevant State Administration of Foreign Exchange, or SAFE, regulations may restrict the ability of our subsidiaries to make dividend payments to us. See “—Risks Related to Doing Business in China—PRC regulations relating to the establishment of offshore special purpose companies by PRC residents may subject our PRC resident shareholders or us to penalties and fines, and limit our ability to inject capital into our PRC subsidiaries, limit our subsidiaries’ ability to increase their registered capital, distribute profits to us, or otherwise adversely affect us.”

We could be liable for breaches of security of third-party online payment channels, which may have a material adverse effect on our reputation and business.

Currently, a portion of our online game operation revenues are generated from sales through third-party online payment platforms. In such transactions, secured transmission of confidential information, such as customers’ credit card numbers and expiration dates, personal information and billing addresses, over public networks, in some cases including our website, is essential to maintain consumer confidence. While we have not experienced any material breach of our security measures to date, we cannot assure you that our current security measures are adequate. We do not have control over the security measures of our third-party online payment vendors and we cannot assure you that these vendors’ security measures are adequate or will be adequate with the expected increased usage of online payment systems. Security breaches of the online payment systems that we use could expose us to litigation and possible liability for failing to secure confidential customer information and could harm our reputation, ability to attract customers and ability to encourage customers to purchase in-game items.

The PRC income tax laws may increase our tax burden or the tax burden on the holders of our shares or ADSs, and tax benefits available to us may be reduced or repealed, causing the value of your investment in us to decrease.

Our subsidiaries and affiliated entities in the PRC are subject to enterprise income tax, or EIT, on the taxable income as reported in their respective statutory financial statements adjusted in accordance with the Enterprise Income Tax Law of the People’s Republic of China, or EIT Law, which was approved by the National People’s Congress on March 16, 2007. The EIT Law went into effect as of January 1, 2008 and was amended on February 24, 2017 and December 29, 2018, which unified the tax rate generally applicable to both domestic and foreign-invested enterprises in the PRC. Our subsidiaries and affiliated entities in the PRC are generally subject to EIT at a statutory rate of 25%. Shanghai IT, our affiliated entity which holds a High and New Technology Enterprise, or HNTE, qualification is entitled to enjoy a 15% preferential EIT rate. However, we cannot assure you that Shanghai IT will meet these criteria and continue to be qualified as an HNTE if we apply to the tax authorities in the future.

Moreover, unlike the tax regulations effective before 2008, which specifically exempted withholding taxes on dividends payable to non-PRC investors from foreign-invested enterprises in the PRC, the EIT Law and its implementation rules provide that a withholding income tax rate of 10% 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 the governments of other countries or regions. While the Tax Agreement between the PRC and Hong Kong provides dividends paid by a foreign-invested enterprise in the PRC to its corporate shareholder, which is considered a Hong Kong tax resident, will be subject to withholding tax at the rate of 5% of total dividends, this is limited to instances where the corporate shareholder directly holds at least 25% of the shares of the company that is to pay dividends for at least twelve consecutive months immediately prior to receiving the dividends and meets certain other criteria prescribed by the relevant regulations. Furthermore, under the Administrative Measures for Non-Resident Enterprises to Enjoy Treatments under Tax Treaties, non-resident taxpayers which satisfy the criteria for entitlement to tax treaty benefits may, at the time of tax declaration or withholding declaration through a withholding agent, enjoy the tax treaty benefits, and be subject to follow-up administration by the tax authorities. If the non-resident taxpayer does not apply to the withholding agent for the tax treaty benefits, or such taxpayer do not satisfy the criteria for entitlement of tax treaty benefits, the withholding agent will withhold tax pursuant to the provisions of PRC tax laws.

In February 2018, the State Administration of Taxation, or SAT issued the Announcement of the State Administration of Taxation on Issues Relating to “Beneficial Owner” in Tax Treaties on issues relating to “beneficial owner” in tax treaties, or Circular No. 9, which took effect on April 1, 2018. Circular No. 9 provides detailed guidance to determine whether the applicant engages in substantive business activities to constitute a “beneficial owner”. When determining the applicant’s status of the “beneficial owner” regarding tax treatments in connection with dividends, interests or royalties in the tax treaties, several factors, including without limitation, whether the applicant is obligated to pay more than 50% of his or her income in the past twelve months to residents in third country or region, whether the business operated by the applicant constitutes the actual business activities, and whether the other country or region to the tax treaties does not levy any tax or grant tax exemption on relevant incomes at all or levy tax at an extremely low rate, will be taken into account, and it will be analyzed according to the actual circumstances of the specific cases. If the non-resident taxpayer does not apply to the withholding agent for the tax treaty benefits, or such taxpayer does not satisfy the criteria to be entitled to tax treaty benefits, the withholding agent should withhold tax pursuant to the provisions of PRC tax laws. We cannot assure you that any dividends to be distributed by our subsidiaries to us or by us to our non-PRC shareholders and ADS holders, whose jurisdiction of incorporation has a tax treaty with China providing a different withholding arrangement, will be entitled to the benefits under the relevant withholding arrangement.

In addition, the EIT Law deems an enterprise established offshore but having its management organ in the PRC as a “resident enterprise” that will be subject to PRC tax at the rate of 25% of its global income. Under the Implementation Rules of the EIT Law, the term “management organ” is defined as “an organ which has substantial and overall management and control over the manufacturing and business operation, personnel, accounting, properties and other factors.” On April 22, 2009, the SAT further issued a notice regarding recognizing an offshore-established enterprise controlled by PRC shareholders as a resident enterprise according to its management organ, or Circular 82. According to Circular 82, a foreign enterprise controlled by a PRC company or a PRC company group shall be deemed a PRC resident enterprise, if (i) the senior management and the core management departments in charge of its daily operations are mainly located and function in the PRC; (ii) its financial decisions and human resource decisions are subject to the determination or approval of persons or institutions located in the PRC; (iii) its major assets, accounting books, company seals, minutes and files of board meetings and shareholders’ meetings are located or kept in the PRC; and (iv) more than half of the directors or senior management with voting rights reside in the PRC. On July 27, 2011, SAT issued the Administrative Measures of Enterprise Income Tax of Chinese-Controlled Offshore Incorporated Resident Enterprises (Trial), or SAT Bulletin 45, which was amended in April 2015 and June 2016. SAT Bulletin 45 further clarified the detailed procedures for determining resident status under Circular 82, competent tax authorities in charge and post-determination administration of such resident enterprises. Although our offshore companies are not controlled by any PRC company or PRC company group, we cannot assure you that we will not be deemed to be a “resident enterprise” under the EIT Law and thus be subject to PRC EIT on our global income.

According to the EIT Law and its implementation rules, dividends are exempted from income tax if such dividends are received by a resident enterprise on equity interests it directly owns in another resident enterprise. However, foreign corporate holders of our shares or ADSs may be subject to taxation at a rate of 10% on any dividends received from us or any gains realized from the transfer of our shares or ADSs if we are deemed to be a resident enterprise or if such income is otherwise regarded as income from “sources within the PRC.” The EIT Law empowers the PRC State Council to enact appropriate implementing rules and measures and there is no guarantee that we or our subsidiaries will be entitled to any of the preferential tax treatments. Nor can we assure you that the tax authorities will not, in the future, discontinue any of our preferential tax treatments, potentially with retroactive effect. Any significant increase in the EIT rate under the EIT Law applicable to our PRC subsidiaries and affiliated entities, or the imposition of withholding taxes on dividends payable by our subsidiaries to us, or an EIT levy on us or any of our subsidiaries or affiliated entities registered outside the PRC, or dividends or capital gains received by our shareholders due to shares or ADSs held in us will have a material adverse impact on our results of operations and financial conditions and the value of investments in us.

We are required to pay value added tax as a result of tax reforms in various regions in China and we may be subject to similar tax treatments elsewhere in China.

On March 23, 2016, the Ministry of Finance and the SAT jointly issued the Circular on the Pilot Program for Overall Implementation of the Collection of Value Added Tax Instead of Business Tax, or Circular 36, which took effect on May 1, 2016. Pursuant to Circular 36, all companies operating in construction, real estate, finance, modern service or other sectors which were required to pay business tax are required to pay value added tax, or VAT, in lieu of business tax. As a result of Circular 36, the services provided by Shanghai IT, Shanghai Hui Ling, and China The9 Interactive (Shanghai) Limited, or C9I Shanghai, as general VAT payers are subject to VAT at the rate of 6%, and the services provided by our other PRC subsidiaries and affiliated PRC entities as small-scale VAT payers are subject to VAT at the rate of 3%. While as general VAT payers may reduce their VAT payable amount by the VAT which they paid in connection with their purchasing activities, or the Input VAT, those companies as small-scale VAT payers may not reduce their VAT payable amount by their Input VAT. As a result, some of our subsidiaries and affiliated PRC entities may be subject to more unfavorable tax treatment as a result of the tax reform, and our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.

Strengthened scrutiny over acquisition transactions by the PRC tax authorities may have a negative impact on our acquisition strategy.

In connection with the EIT Law, the SAT issued, on February 3, 2015, the Notice on Several Issues regarding Enterprise Income Tax for Indirect Property Transfer by Non-resident Enterprises, or SAT Circular 7, which further specifies the criteria for judging reasonable commercial purpose, and the legal requirements for the voluntary reporting procedures and filing materials in the case of indirect property transfer. SAT Circular 7 has listed several factors to be taken into consideration by tax authorities in determining whether an indirect transfer has a reasonable commercial purpose. However, despite these factors, an indirect transfer satisfying all the following criteria shall be deemed to lack reasonable commercial purpose and be taxable under the PRC laws: (i) 75% or more of the equity value of the intermediary enterprise being transferred is derived directly or indirectly from the PRC taxable properties; (ii) at any time during the one year period before the indirect transfer, 90% or more of the asset value of the intermediary enterprise (excluding cash) is comprised directly or indirectly of investments in the PRC, or 90% or more of its income is derived directly or indirectly from the PRC; (iii) the functions performed and risks assumed by the intermediary enterprise and any of its subsidiaries that directly or indirectly hold the PRC taxable properties are limited and are insufficient to prove their economic substance; and (iv) the foreign tax payable on the gains derived from the indirect transfer of the PRC taxable properties is lower than the potential PRC tax on the direct transfer of such assets. Nevertheless, the indirect transfer falling into the scope of the safe harbor under SAT Circular 7 may not be subject to PRC tax and such safe harbor includes qualified group restructuring, public market trading and tax treaty exemptions. According to SAT Circular 7, where the payer fails to withhold tax in a sufficient amount, the transferor can declare and pay such tax to the tax authority by itself within the statutory time period. Late payment of applicable tax will subject the transferor to default interest.

On October 17, 2017, the SAT released the Public Notice Regarding Issues Concerning the Withholding of Non-resident Enterprise Income Tax at Source, or SAT Public Notice 37, which further elaborates the relevant implementation rules regarding the calculation, reporting and payment obligations of the withholding tax by the non-resident enterprises.

Under SAT Circular 7 and SAT Public Notice 37, the entities or individuals obligated to pay the transfer price to the transferor shall be the withholding agent and shall withhold the PRC tax from the transfer price. If the withholding agent fails to do so, the transferor shall report to and pay the PRC tax to the PRC tax authorities. In case neither the withholding agent nor the transferor complies with the obligations under SAT Circular 7 and SAT Public Notice 37, other than imposing penalties such as late payment interest on the transferors, the tax authority may also hold the withholding agent liable and impose a penalty of 50% to 300% of the unpaid tax on the withholding agent, provided that such penalty imposed on the withholding agent may be reduced or waived if the withholding agent has submitted the relevant materials in connection with the indirect transfer to the PRC tax authorities in accordance with SAT Circular 7 and SAT Public Notice 37.

Since we may pursue acquisition as one of our growth strategies, and have conducted and may conduct acquisitions involving complex corporate structures, the PRC tax authorities may, at their discretion, adjust the capital gains and impose tax return filing obligations on us or request us to submit additional documentation for their review in connection with any of our acquisitions, thus causing us to incur additional acquisition costs.

The insurance industry in China is still at an early stage of development. Insurance companies in China offer limited business insurance products. As a result, we do not have any business liability or disruption insurance coverage for our operations in China. Any business disruption, litigation or natural disaster might result in our incurring substantial costs and the diversion of our resources.

Some of our subsidiaries, affiliated entities and joint ventures in China engaged in certain business activities beyond the authorized scope of their respective licenses, and if they are subject to administrative penalties or fines, our operating results may be adversely affected.

Some of our subsidiaries, affiliated entities and joint ventures in China engaged in business activities that were not within the authorized scope of their respective licenses in the past. The relevant PRC authorities may impose administrative fines or other penalties for the non-compliance with the authorized scope of the business licenses, which may in turn adversely affect our operating results.

Failure to achieve and maintain effective internal controls could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and the trading price of our ADSs.

We are subject to reporting obligations under the U.S. securities laws. The Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, as required by Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, has adopted rules requiring public companies to include a report of management in its annual report that contains management’s assessment of the effectiveness of such company’s internal controls over financial reporting.

Our management has concluded that our internal controls over financial reporting were effective as of December 31, 2018. We however were not subject to the requirement to provide an attestation report on our management’s assessment of our internal control over financial reporting as we were not an accelerated filer or a large accelerated filer (as defined in § 240.12b-2 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act) as of December 31, 2018.

If we fail to maintain effective internal controls over financial reporting in the future, our management and, if applicable, our independent registered public accounting firm may not be able to conclude that we have effective internal controls over financial reporting at a reasonable assurance level. This could result in a loss of investor confidence in the reliability of our financial conditions which in turn could negatively impact the trading price of our ADSs and result in lawsuits being filed against us by our shareholders or otherwise harm our reputation. Furthermore, we have incurred and anticipate that we will continue to incur considerable costs and use significant management time and other resources in an effort to comply with Section 404 and other requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.

A change in accounting standards or practices may have a significant effect on our results of operations and may affect our reporting of transactions completed before the change is effective. New accounting pronouncements and varying interpretations of accounting pronouncements have occurred and may occur in the future. Changes to existing rules or the application thereof and changes to current practices may adversely affect our reported financial results or the way we conduct our business. For example, Accounting Standards Codification 606, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers,” or ASC 606, became effective on January 1, 2018. We adopted ASC 606 on January 1, 2018. There may be other standards that become effective in the future that may have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements and will result in a significant gross up of both our assets and liabilities.

The audit report for the three fiscal years ended December 31, 2018 is prepared by auditors who are not inspected by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board and, as such, you may be deprived of the benefits of such inspection.

As an auditor of companies that are traded publicly in the United States and as an audit firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, or PCAOB, our independent registered public accounting firm is required by the laws of the United States to undergo regular inspections by the PCAOB. As our auditor is located in the PRC, a jurisdiction where the PCAOB is currently unable to conduct inspections without the approval of the PRC authorities, our auditor, like other independent registered public accounting firms operating in the PRC, is not currently inspected by the PCAOB. On May 24, 2013, the PCAOB announced that it had entered into a memorandum of understanding on enforcement and cooperation with the CSRC and the PRC Ministry of Finance, or the MOF, which establishes a cooperative framework between the parties for the production and exchange of audit documents relevant to investigations in the United States and China. However, direct PCAOB inspections of independent registered accounting firms in China are still not permitted by Chinese authorities. On December 7, 2018, the SEC and the PCAOB issued a joint statement highlighting continued challenges faced by the U.S. regulators in their oversight of financial statement audits of U.S.-listed companies with significant operations in China. The joint statement reflects a heightened interest in an issue that has vexed U.S. regulators in recent years. However, it remains unclear what further actions the SEC and PCAOB will take to address the problem.

The lack of direct PCAOB inspections in China prevents the PCAOB from regularly evaluating audit documentation located in China and its related quality control procedures. As a result, our investors may be deprived of the benefits of the PCAOB’s oversight of our auditors through such inspections. The inability of the PCAOB to conduct inspections of our auditors’ work papers in China makes it more difficult to evaluate the effectiveness of our auditor’s audit procedures or quality control procedures as compared to auditors outside of China that are subject to PCAOB inspections. Investors may consequently lose confidence in our reported financial information and procedures and the quality of our financial statements.

On December 3, 2012, the SEC issued an order instituting administrative proceedings against five of the largest global public accounting firms relating to work performed in the PRC and such firms’ failure to provide audit work papers to the SEC in this regard. Our independent registered public accounting firm is not one of the accounting firms referenced in the order. On January 22, 2014, an initial administrative law decision was issued, censuring the five accounting firms and suspending four of the five firms from practicing before the SEC for a period of six months. On February 12, 2014, four of these PRC-based accounting firms appealed to the SEC against this decision. In February 2015, each of the four PRC-based accounting firms agreed to a censure and to pay a fine to the SEC to settle the dispute and avoid suspension of their ability to practice before the SEC. The settlement requires the firms to follow detailed procedures to seek to provide the SEC with access to Chinese firms’ audit documents via the CSRC. If the firms do not follow these procedures, the SEC could impose penalties such as suspensions, or it could restart the administrative proceedings.

In the event that the SEC restarts the administrative proceedings, depending upon the final outcome, listed companies in the United States with significant PRC operations may find it difficult or impossible to retain auditors in respect of their operations in the PRC, which could result in financial statements being determined to not be in compliance with the requirements of the Exchange Act, including possible delisting. Moreover, any negative news about the proceedings against these audit firms may cause investor uncertainty regarding China-based, United States-listed companies and the market price of our shares may be adversely affected.

If our independent registered public accounting firm was denied, temporarily, the ability to practice before the SEC and we were unable to timely find another registered public accounting firm to audit and issue an opinion on our financial statements, our financial statements could be determined to not be in compliance with the requirements of the Exchange Act. Such a determination could ultimately lead to the delisting of our ordinary shares from Nasdaq or deregistration from the SEC, or both, which would substantially reduce or effectively terminate the trading of our ADSs in the United States.

Our business could be adversely affected by swine or avian influenza, severe acute respiratory syndrome, or SARS, or another epidemic or outbreak. Any prolonged recurrence of swine or avian influenza, SARS or other adverse public health developments in China may have a material adverse effect on our business operations. Our operations may be impacted by a number of health-related factors, including, among other things, quarantines or closures of our offices which could severely disrupt our operations, the sickness or death of our key officers and employees and closure of Internet cafés and other public areas where people access the Internet. Any of the foregoing events or other unforeseen consequences of public health problems could adversely affect our business and results of operations. We have not adopted any written preventive measures or contingency plans to combat any future outbreak of swine or avian influenza, SARS or any other epidemic. In addition, other major natural disasters may also adversely affect our business by, for example, causing disruptions of the Internet network or otherwise affecting access to our games, or resulting in damages to our facilities.

Our business may be adversely affected by public opinion and government policies in China.

Currently, most of our recurring users are young males, including students. Due to the recent population and higher degree of user loyalty to mobile games, easy access to personal computers and mobile devices, and lack of more appealing forms of entertainment in China, many teenagers frequently play online games. This may result in these teenagers spending less time on, or refraining from, other activities, including education and sports. In April 2007, various governmental authorities, including GAPP, MIIT, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Public Security, and other relevant authorities jointly issued a circular concerning the mandatory implementation of an “anti-fatigue system” in online games, which aims to protect the physical and psychological health of minors. This circular required all online games to incorporate an “anti-fatigue system” and an identity verification system, both of which have limited the amount of time that a minor or other user may continuously spend playing an online game. We have implemented such “anti-fatigue” and identification systems on all of our online games as required. Since March 2011, various governmental authorities, including MIIT, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Public Security, and other relevant authorities have jointly launched the “Online Game Parents Guardianship Project for Minors,” which allows parents to require online game operators to take relevant measures to limit the time spent by the minors playing online games and the minors’ access to their online game accounts. On February 5, 2013, the Ministry of Culture, MIIT, GAPP and various other governmental authorities, jointly issued the Working Plan on the Comprehensive Prevention Scheme on Online Game Addiction of Minors, which further strengthens the administration of Internet cafés, reinstates the importance of the “anti-fatigue system” and “Online Game Parents Guardianship Project for Minors” as prevention measures against the online game addiction of minors and orders all relevant governmental authorities to take all necessary actions in implementing such measures. In addition, on December 1, 2016, the Ministry of Culture (currently known as the Ministry of Culture and Tourism) issued the Circular on Regulating Online Game Operations and Strengthening Interim and Ex Post Regulation, or the MOC Online Games Regulation, which became effective on May 1, 2017. Pursuant to the MOC Online Games Regulation, an enterprise engaged in online game operations shall strictly comply with the provisions of the “Online Game Parents Guardianship Project for Minors,” and online game operators are encouraged to set upper limits on the consumption by users who are minors, limit the amount of time that such users are allowed to spend on online games, and take technical measures to block scenes and functions, among other things, that are not suitable for users who are minors. Further strengthening of these systems, or enactment by the PRC government of any additional laws to further tighten its administration over the Internet and online games may result in less time spent by customers or fewer customers playing our online games, which may materially and adversely affect our business results and prospects for future growth.

Adverse changes in economic and political policies of the PRC government could have a material adverse effect on the overall economic growth of China, which could adversely affect our business.

We conduct substantially all of our business operations in China. As the gaming industry is highly sensitive to business and personal discretionary spending, it tends to decline during general economic downturns. Accordingly, our results of operations, financial condition and prospects are subject to a significant degree to economic, political and legal developments in China. China’s economy differs from the economies of most developed countries in many respects, including the amount of government involvement, level of development, growth rate, control of foreign exchange and allocation of resources. While the PRC economy has experienced significant growth in the past twenty years, growth has slowed down since 2012 and has been uneven across different regions and among various economic sectors of China. The PRC government has implemented various measures to encourage economic development and guide the allocation of resources. While some of these measures benefit the overall PRC economy, they may also have a negative effect on us. For example, our financial condition and results of operations may be adversely affected by government control over capital investments or changes in tax regulations that are applicable to us. As the PRC economy is increasingly intricately linked to the global economy, it is affected in various respects by downturns and recessions of major economies around the world. The various economic and policy measures the PRC government enacts to forestall economic downturns or shore up the PRC economy could affect our business.

Although the PRC government has implemented measures emphasizing the utilization of market forces for economic reform, the reduction of state ownership of productive assets and the establishment of improved corporate governance in business enterprises, a substantial portion of productive assets in China are still owned by the PRC government. In addition, the PRC government continues to play a significant role in regulating industry development by imposing industrial policies. The PRC government also exercises significant control over China’s economic growth through the allocation of resources, controlling payment of foreign currency-denominated obligations, setting monetary policy and providing preferential treatment to particular industries or companies. These actions, as well as future actions and policies of the PRC government, could materially affect our liquidity and access to capital and our ability to operate our business.

The laws and regulations governing the online game industry in China are developing and subject to future changes. If we fail to obtain or maintain all applicable permits and approvals, our business and operations could be materially and adversely affected.

The online game industry in China is highly regulated by the PRC government. Various regulatory authorities of the PRC central government, such as the State Council, MIIT, GAPPRFT, the Ministry of Culture and the Tourism (formerly known as the Ministry of Culture), or MCT, the Ministry of Public Security, are empowered to issue and implement regulations governing various aspects of the online games industry.

We are required to obtain applicable permits or approvals from different regulatory authorities in order to provide online games to our customers. For example, an Internet content provider must obtain a value-added telecommunications business operating license for ICP, or ICP License, in order to engage in any commercial ICP operations within China. In addition, an online games operator must also obtain a license from the MCT and a license from GAPPRFT in order to distribute games through the Internet. Furthermore, an online game operator is required to obtain approval from the MCT in order to distribute virtual currencies for online games such as prepaid value cards, prepaid money or game points. If we fail to obtain or maintain any of the required filings, permits or approvals in the future, we may be subject to various penalties, including fines and the discontinuation or restriction of our operations. Any such disruption in our business operations would materially and adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.

As the online game industry is at an early stage of development in China, new laws and regulations may be adopted from time to time to require additional licenses and permits other than those we currently have, and may address new issues that arise from time to time. As a result, substantial uncertainties exist regarding the interpretation and implementation of current and any future PRC laws and regulations applicable to the online gaming industry. We cannot assure you that we will be able to timely obtain any new license required in the future, or at all. While we believe that we are in compliance in all material respects with all applicable PRC laws and regulations currently in effect, we cannot assure you that we will not be found in violation of any current or future PRC laws and regulations.

Regulation and censorship of information disseminated over the Internet in China may adversely affect our business, and we may be liable for information displayed on, retrieved from, or linked to our Internet websites.

The PRC government has adopted certain regulations governing Internet access and the distribution of news and other information over the Internet. Under these regulations, Internet content providers and Internet publishers are prohibited from posting or displaying over the Internet content that, among other things, violates PRC laws and regulations, impairs the national dignity of China, or is obscene, superstitious, fraudulent or defamatory. Failure to comply with these requirements could result in the revocation of ICP and other required licenses and the closure of the concerned websites. The website operator may also be held liable for such prohibited information displayed on, retrieved from or linked to such website.

MCT has promulgated laws and regulations that reiterate the government’s policies to prohibit the distribution of games with violence, cruelty or other elements that are believed to have the potential effect of instigating crimes, and to prevent the influx of harmful cultural products from overseas.

MCT has promulgated laws and regulations that require, among other things, (i) the review and prior approval of all new online games licensed from foreign game developers and related license agreements, (ii) the review of patches and updates with substantial changes of games which have already been approved, and (iii) the filing of domestically developed online games. Furthermore, online games, regardless of whether imported or domestic, will be subject to content review and approval by GAPPRFT prior to the commencement of games operations in China. Failure to obtain or renew approvals or to complete filings for online games, including mobile games, may materially delay or otherwise affect game operator’s plans to launch new games, and the operator may be subject to fines, restriction or suspension of operations of the related games or revocation of licenses in the event that the relevant governmental authority believes that the violation is severe. We obtained the necessary approvals from and completed necessary filings with the Ministry of Culture and GAPP for operations of our games as applicable. Consistent with the general practice of the mobile and TV game industry in China, we have not yet completed filings with the Ministry of Culture and GAPPRFT for our mobile and TV games before we commenced our operations. If any such negative event occurs, our business, financial condition and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected.

In addition, MIIT has published regulations that subject website operators to potential liability for content included on their websites and the actions of users and others using their websites, including liability for violations of PRC laws prohibiting the dissemination of content deemed to be socially destabilizing. The Ministry of Public Security has the authority to order any local Internet service provider to block any Internet website maintained outside China at its sole discretion. Periodically, the Ministry of Public Security has stopped the dissemination over the Internet of information which it believes to be socially destabilizing. The State Secrecy Bureau, which is directly responsible for the protection of State secrets of the PRC government, is authorized to block any website it deems to be leaking state secrets or failing to meet the relevant regulations relating to the protection of state secrets in the dissemination of online information.

As these regulations are subject to interpretation by the relevant authorities, it may not be possible for us to determine in all cases the type of content that could result in liability for us as a website operator. In addition, we may not be able to control or restrict the content of other Internet content providers linked to or accessible through our websites, or content generated or placed on our websites by our users, despite our attempt to monitor such content. To the extent that regulatory authorities find any portion of our content objectionable, they may require us to limit or eliminate the dissemination of such information or otherwise curtail the nature of such content on our websites, which may reduce our user traffic and have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. In addition, we may be subject to significant penalties for violations of those regulations arising from information displayed on, retrieved from or linked to our websites, including a suspension or shutdown of our operations.

Future movements in exchange rates between the U.S. dollar and the RMB may adversely affect the value of our ADSs.

We are exposed to foreign exchange risk arising from various currency exposures. A portion of our financial assets and liabilities, primarily the Convertible Notes, are denominated in U.S. dollars while currently a significant portion of our revenues are denominated in RMB, the legal currency in China. We have not used any forward contracts or currency borrowings to hedge our exposure to foreign currency risk. The value of the RMB against the U.S. dollar and other currencies may fluctuate and is affected by, among other things, changes in political and economic conditions and China’s foreign exchange policies. On July 21, 2005, the PRC government changed its decade-old policy of pegging the value of the Renminbi to the U.S. dollar. Under the new policy, the RMB is permitted to fluctuate within a managed band based on market supply and demand and by reference to a basket of certain foreign currencies. Since the change in policy in July 2005, the RMB appreciated more than 20% against the U.S. dollar over the following three years. Between July 2008 and June 2010, this appreciation halted and the exchange rate between the RMB and the U.S. dollar remained within a narrow band. In June 2010, the People’s Bank of China announced that the PRC government would reform the RMB exchange rate regime and increase the flexibility of the exchange rate. Between June 30, 2010 and December 30, 2011, the value of the RMB appreciated approximately 7.2% against the U.S. dollar. On April 16, 2012, the People’s Bank of China further enlarged the floating band of RMB’s trading prices against the U.S. dollar in the inter-bank spot foreign exchange market from 0.5% to 1% around the middle rate released by the China Foreign Exchange Trade System each day. There remains significant international pressure on the PRC government to adopt a more lenient RMB policy, which could result in further appreciation of RMB against other major currencies. It is difficult to predict how long the current situation may last and when and how RMB exchange rates may change going forward. Renminbi was added to its group of global reserve currencies by The International Monetary Fund on November 30, 2015, which makes Renminbi to some extent more susceptible to market forces. In recent years, Renminbi has depreciated significantly in the backdrop of a surging U.S. dollar and persistent capital outflows of China.

A significant portion of our revenues and costs are denominated in RMB, while a portion of our financial assets and liabilities are denominated in U.S. dollars. We rely substantially on dividends and other fees paid to us by our subsidiaries and affiliated entities in China. Any significant appreciation of RMB against the U.S. dollar may adversely affect our cash flows, revenues, earnings and financial position, and the value of, and any dividends payable on, our ADSs in U.S. dollars. For example, an appreciation of the RMB against the U.S. dollar would make any new RMB denominated investments or expenditures more costly to us, to the extent that we need to convert U.S. dollars into RMB for such purposes. An appreciation of RMB against the U.S. dollar would also result in foreign currency translation losses for financial reporting purposes when we translate our U.S. dollar denominated financial assets into RMB, as RMB is our reporting currency. Conversely, a significant depreciation of the RMB against the U.S. dollar may significantly reduce the U.S. dollar equivalent of our earnings, which in turn could adversely affect the price of our ADSs.

Restrictions on currency exchange in China limit our ability to utilize our revenues effectively, make dividend payments and meet our foreign currency denominated obligations.

Currently, a significant portion of our revenues are denominated in RMB. Restrictions on currency exchange in China limit our ability to utilize revenues generated in RMB to fund our business activities outside China, make dividend payments in U.S. dollars, or obtain and remit sufficient foreign currency to satisfy our foreign currency-denominated obligations, such as paying license fees and royalty payments. The principal regulation governing foreign currency exchange in China is the Foreign Exchange Administration Rules (1996), as amended. Under such rules, the RMB is generally freely convertible for trade and service-related foreign exchange transactions, but not for direct investment, loans or investment in securities outside China unless the prior approval of SAFE or designated banks is obtained. Although the PRC government regulations now allow greater convertibility of RMB for current account transactions, significant restrictions still remain. For example, foreign exchange transactions under our PRC subsidiaries’ capital account, including principal payments in respect of foreign currency-denominated obligations, remain subject to significant foreign exchange controls and the approval and filing procedures of SAFE or authorized banks, as applicable. These limitations could affect our ability to obtain foreign exchange for capital expenditures. We cannot be certain that the PRC regulatory authorities will not impose more stringent restrictions on the convertibility of the RMB, especially with respect to foreign exchange transactions.

The approval of the China Securities Regulatory Commission 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 Companies by Foreign Investors, or the M&A Rules, adopted by six PRC regulatory agencies requires 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. Currently, there is no consensus among leading PRC law firms regarding the scope and applicability of the CSRC approval requirement.

Our PRC counsel, Zhong Lun Law Firm, has advised us based on their understanding of the current PRC laws, rules and regulations that the CSRC's approval is not required for the listing and trading of our ADSs on the Nasdaq Capital Market in the context of this offering, given that: (i) our PRC subsidiaries were incorporated as wholly foreign-owned enterprises by means of direct investment rather than by merger or acquisition of equity interest or assets of a PRC domestic company owned by PRC companies or individuals as defined under the M&A Rules that are our beneficial owners; and (ii) no provision in the M&A Rules clearly classifies contractual arrangements as a type of transaction subject to the M&A Rules.

However, our PRC counsel has further advised us that there remains some uncertainty as to how the M&A Rules will be interpreted or implemented in the context of an overseas offering and its opinions summarized above are subject to any new laws, rules and regulations or detailed implementations and interpretations in any form relating to the M&A Rules. We cannot assure you that relevant PRC government agencies, including the CSRC, would reach the same conclusion as we do. If it is determined that CSRC approval is required for this offering, we may face sanctions by the CSRC or other PRC regulatory agencies for failure to seek CSRC approval for this offering. These sanctions may include fines and penalties on our operations in the PRC, limitations on our operating privileges in the PRC, delays in or restrictions on the repatriation of the proceeds from this offering into the PRC, restrictions on or prohibition of the payments or remittance of dividends by our PRC subsidiary, or other actions that could have a material and adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, reputation and prospects, as well as the trading price of our ADSs. The CSRC or other PRC regulatory agencies may also take actions requiring us, or making it advisable for us, to halt this offering before the settlement and delivery of the ADSs that we are offering. Consequently, if you engage in market trading or other activities in anticipation of and prior to the settlement and delivery of the ADSs we are offering, you would be doing so at the risk that the settlement and delivery may not occur.

PRC regulations relating to the establishment of offshore special purpose companies by PRC residents may subject our PRC resident shareholders or us to penalties and fines, and limit our ability to inject capital into our PRC subsidiaries, limit our subsidiaries’ ability to increase their registered capital, distribute profits to us, or otherwise adversely affect us.

On July 4, 2014, SAFE issued the Circular on Several Issues Concerning Foreign Exchange Administration of Domestic Residents Engaging in Overseas Investment, Financing and Round-Trip Investment via Special Purpose Vehicles, or SAFE Circular 37. SAFE Circular 37 and its detailed guidelines require PRC residents to register with the local branch of SAFE before contributing their legally owned onshore or offshore assets or equity interest into any special purpose vehicle, or SPV, directly established, or indirectly controlled, by them for the purpose of investment or financing. SAFE Circular 37 further requires that when there is (a) any change to the basic information of the SPV, such as any change relating to its individual PRC resident shareholders, name or operation period or (b) any material change, such as increase or decrease in the share capital held by its individual PRC resident shareholders, a share transfer or exchange of the shares in the SPV, or a merger or split of the SPV, the PRC resident must register such changes with the local branch of SAFE on a timely basis.

We have requested all of our shareholders who, based on our knowledge, are PRC residents or whose ultimate beneficial owners are PRC residents to comply with all applicable SAFE registration requirements. However, we have no control over our shareholders. We cannot assure you that the PRC beneficial owners of our company and our subsidiaries have completed the required SAFE registrations or complied with other related requirements. Nor can we assure you that they will be in full compliance with the SAFE registration in the future. Any non-compliance by the PRC beneficial owners of our company and our subsidiaries may subject us or such PRC resident shareholders to fines and other penalties. It may also limit our ability to contribute additional capital to our PRC subsidiaries and our subsidiaries’ ability to distribute profits or make other payments to us.

PRC regulation of direct investment and loans by offshore holding companies to PRC entities may delay or limit us from using offshore assets, including the proceeds of our initial public offering and this offering, to make additional capital contributions or loans to our PRC subsidiary.

We are an offshore holding company conducting our operations in China through our PRC subsidiary, variable interest entity and its subsidiaries. We may make loans to our PRC subsidiary, variable interest entity and its subsidiaries, subject to the approval from governmental authorities and limitation of amount, or we may make additional capital contributions to our PRC subsidiary.

Any loans to our PRC subsidiaries in China, which are treated as foreign-invested enterprises under PRC laws, are subject to foreign exchange loan registrations. In addition, a foreign-invested enterprises shall use its capital pursuant to the principle of authenticity and self-use within its business scope. The capital of an foreign invested enterprise shall not be used for the following purposes: (i) direct or indirect payment beyond the business scope of the enterprises or the payment prohibited by relevant laws and regulations; (ii) direct or indirect investment in securities or investments other than banks’ principal-secured products unless otherwise provided by relevant laws and regulations; (iii) the granting of loans to non-affiliated enterprises, except where it is expressly permitted in the business license; and (iv) paying the expenses related to the purchase of real estate that is not for self-use (except for the foreign-invested real estate enterprises).In light of the various requirements imposed by PRC regulations on loans to and direct investment in PRC entities by offshore holding companies, we cannot assure you that we will be able to complete the necessary registration or obtain the necessary approval on a timely basis, or at all. If we fail to complete the necessary registration or obtain the necessary approval, our ability to make loans or equity contributions to our PRC subsidiary may be negatively affected, which could adversely affect our PRC subsidiary’s liquidity and its ability to fund its working capital and expansion projects and meet its obligations and commitments.

Failure to comply with PRC regulations regarding the registration requirements for employee stock ownership plans or share option plans may subject the PRC plan participants or us to fines and other legal or administrative sanctions.

In February 2012, SAFE promulgated the Notice of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange on the Relevant Issues Concerning the Administration of Foreign Exchange for Domestic Individuals' Participation in Equity Incentive Programs of Overseas Listed Companies, or Circular 7. Under Circular 7, PRC residents who participate in stock incentive plan in an overseas publicly-listed company are required to register with SAFE or its local branches and complete certain other procedures. Participants of a stock incentive plan who are PRC residents must retain a qualified PRC agent, which could be a PRC subsidiary of such overseas publicly listed company or another qualified institution selected by such PRC subsidiary, to conduct the SAFE registration and other procedures with respect to the stock incentive plan on behalf of its participants. Such participants must also retain an overseas entrusted institution to handle matters in connection with their exercise of stock options, the purchase and sale of corresponding stocks or interests and fund transfers. In addition, the PRC agent is required to amend the SAFE registration with respect to the stock incentive plan if there is any material change to the stock incentive plan, the PRC agent or the overseas entrusted institution or other material changes. We and our PRC employees who have been granted stock incentive awards are be subject to these regulations. However, neither our PRC plan participants nor we have completed such requisite registration and other procedures. In addition, we cannot assure you that we will be able to complete the relevant registration for new employees who participate in such stock incentive plan in the future in a timely manner or at all. Failure of our PRC plan participants to complete their SAFE registrations may subject these PRC residents or us to fines and legal sanctions and may also limit our ability to contribute additional capital into our PRC subsidiary, limit our PRC subsidiary's ability to distribute dividends to us, or otherwise materially adversely affect our business. We also face regulatory uncertainties that could restrict our ability to adopt additional incentive plans for our directors and employees under PRC law.

We conduct our business primarily through our subsidiaries and consolidated affiliated entities incorporated in China. Our PRC subsidiaries are generally subject to laws and regulations applicable to foreign investment in China and, in particular, laws applicable to wholly-foreign-owned enterprises. We entered into a series of contractual arrangements with our consolidated affiliated entities in PRC to exercise effective control over these entities. Almost all of the agreements under those contractual arrangements are governed by PRC law and disputes arising out of these agreements are expected to be decided by arbitration in China. The PRC legal system is based on written statutes. Prior court decisions may be cited for reference but have limited precedential value. PRC legislation and regulations have significantly enhanced the protections afforded to various forms of foreign investments in China for the past decades. However, since the PRC legal system continues to rapidly evolve, the interpretations of many laws, regulations and rules are not always uniform and enforcement of these laws, regulations and rules involves uncertainties, which may limit legal protections available to us. In addition, any litigation in China may be protracted and result in substantial costs and diversion of resources and management attention.

Our current corporate structure and business operations may be affected by the newly enacted Foreign Investment Law

On March 15, 2019, the National People’s Congress promulgated the Foreign Investment Law, or the FIL, which will take effect on January 1, 2020 and replace the existing laws regulating foreign investment in China, namely, the Sino-Foreign Equity Joint Venture Law, the Sino-Foreign Cooperative Joint Venture Law and the Wholly Foreign-owned Enterprise Law, or Existing FIE Laws, together with their implementation rules and ancillary regulations. The FIL embodies an expected PRC regulatory trend to rationalize its foreign investment regulatory regime in line with prevailing international practice and the legislative efforts to unify the corporate legal requirements for both foreign and domestic investments.

Uncertainties still exist in relation to interpretation and implementation of the FIL, especially in regard to, including, among other things, the nature of variable interest entities contractual arrangements, the promulgation schedule of both the “negative list” under the FIL and specific rules regulating the organization form of foreign-invested enterprises within the five-year transition period. While FIL does not define contractual arrangements as a form of foreign investment explicitly, we cannot assure you that future laws and regulations will not provide for contractual arrangements as a form of foreign investment. Therefore, there can be no assurance that our control over our affiliated PRC entities through contractual arrangements will not be deemed as foreign investment in the future. In the event that any possible implementing regulations of the FIL, any other future laws, administrative regulations or provisions deem contractual arrangements as a way of foreign investment, or if any of our operations through contractual arrangements is classified in the “restricted” or “prohibited” industry in the future “negative list” under the FIL, our contractual arrangements may be deemed as invalid and illegal, and we may be required to unwind the variable interest entity contractual arrangements and/or dispose of any affected business. Also, if future laws, administrative regulations or provisions mandate further actions to be taken with respect to existing contractual arrangements, we may face substantial uncertainties as to whether we can complete such actions in a timely manner, or at all. Furthermore, under the FIL, foreign investors or the foreign investment enterprise should be imposed legal liabilities for failing to report investment information in accordance with the requirements. In addition, the FIL provides that foreign invested enterprises established according to the existing laws regulating foreign investment may maintain their structure and corporate governance within a five-year transition period, which means that we may be required to adjust the structure and corporate governance of certain of our PRC subsidiaries in such transition period. Failure to take timely and appropriate measures to cope with any of these or similar regulatory compliance challenges could materially and adversely affect our current corporate structure, corporate governance and business operations.

We may not be able to pursue growth through strategic acquisitions in China due to complicated procedures under PRC laws and regulations for foreign investors to acquire PRC companies.

In recent years, certain PRC laws and regulations have established procedures and requirements that are expected to make merger and acquisition activities in China by foreign investors more time-consuming and complex. These laws and regulations include, without limitation, the Rules on the Merger and Acquisition of Domestic Enterprises by Foreign Investors, or the M&A Rules, and the Anti-Monopoly Law and the MOFCOM Security Review Rules. In some instances, MOFCOM needs to be notified in advance of any change-of-control transaction in which a foreign investor takes control of a PRC domestic enterprise. The approval by MOFCOM may also need to be obtained in circumstances where overseas companies established or controlled by PRC enterprises or residents acquire affiliated domestic companies. PRC laws and regulations also require certain merger and acquisition transactions to be subject to merger control review or security review. The MOFCOM Security Review Rules, effective from September 1, 2011, provide that, when deciding whether a specific merger or acquisition of a domestic enterprise by foreign investors shall be subject to the security review by MOFCOM, the principle of substance over form shall be applied. In particular, foreign investors are prohibited from bypassing the security review requirement by structuring transactions through proxies, trusts, indirect investments, leases, loans, control through contractual arrangements or offshore transactions.

If the business of any target company that we expect to acquire becomes subject to the security review, we may not be able to successfully complete the acquisition of such company, either by equity or asset acquisition, capital contribution or through any contractual arrangement. Complying with the requirements of the PRC laws and regulations to complete acquisition transactions could become more time-consuming and complex. Any required approval, such as approval by MOFCOM, may delay or inhibit our ability to complete such transactions, which could affect our ability to grow our business or increase our market share. Furthermore, it is uncertain whether the M&A Rules, security review rules or the other PRC regulations regarding the acquisitions of PRC companies by foreign investors will be amended when the FIL becomes effective in the future.

The continued growth of China’s Internet market depends on the establishment of adequate telecommunications infrastructure.

Although private sector Internet service providers currently exist in China, almost all access to the Internet is maintained through state-owned telecommunication operators under the administrative control and regulatory supervision of China’s MIIT. In addition, the national networks in China connect to the Internet through government-controlled international gateways. These government-controlled international gateways are the only channel through which a domestic PRC user can connect to the international Internet network. We rely on this infrastructure to provide data communications capacity primarily through local telecommunications lines. Although the government has announced plans to aggressively develop the national information infrastructure, we cannot assure you that this infrastructure will be developed as planned or at all. In addition, we will have no access to alternative networks and services, on a timely basis if at all, in the event of any infrastructure disruption or failure. The Internet infrastructure in China may not support the demands necessary for the continued growth in Internet usage.

Our ADSs may be delisted from the Nasdaq Capital Market as a result of our not meeting the Nasdaq Capital Market continued listing requirements.

Our ADSs are currently listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “NCTY.” We must continue to meet the requirements set forth in Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550 to remain listing on the Nasdaq Capital Market. The listing standards of the Nasdaq Capital Market provide that a company, in order to qualify for continued listing, must maintain a minimum ADS price of US$1.00 and satisfy standards relative to minimum shareholders’ equity, minimum market value of publicly held shares (MVPHS), minimum market value of listed securities (MVLS) and various additional requirements. On October 3, 2018, we received a letter from the Listing Qualifications Department of Nasdaq, pursuant to which Nasdaq informed us that due to our failure to regain compliance with the continued listing requirement of US$50 million minimum Market Value of Listed Securities (“MVLS”) for the Nasdaq Global Market as set in the Nasdaq Listing Rule 5450(b)(2)(A), our ADSs would be delisted from the Nasdaq Global Market unless measures are taken prior to a certain timeline. We later transferred our listing venue to Nasdaq Capital Market with which we fully comply with the continued listing standards. After Nasdaq’s approval of such transfer, we have been compliant with the minimum MVLS for the Nasdaq Capital Market till the date of this prospectus. If we fail to satisfy Nasdaq Capital Market’s continued listing requirements and fail to regain compliance on a timely basis, our ADSs could be delisted from Nasdaq Capital Market.

However, there can be no assurance that our ADSs will be eligible for trading on any such alternative exchanges or markets in the United States. If Nasdaq determines to delist our ordinary shares, or if we fail to list our ADSs on other stock exchanges or find alternative trading venue for our ADSs, the market liquidity and the price of our ADSs and our ability to obtain financing for our operations could be materially and adversely affected.

As a foreign private issuer, we are exempt from a number of rules under the U.S. securities laws and are permitted to file less information with the SEC than U.S. public companies.

We are a “foreign private issuer” as defined in the SEC rules and regulations and, consequently, we are not subject to all of the disclosure requirements applicable to companies organized within the United States. For example, we are exempt from certain rules under the Exchange Act that regulate disclosure obligations and procedural requirements related to the solicitation of proxies, consents or authorizations applicable to a security registered under the Exchange Act. In addition, our officers and directors are exempt from the reporting and “short-swing” profit recovery provisions of Section 16 of the Exchange Act and related rules with respect to their purchases and sales of our securities. Further, we are not required to comply with Regulation FD, which restricts the selective disclosure of material information. Moreover, we are not required to file periodic reports and financial statements with the SEC as frequently or as promptly as U.S. public companies. Accordingly, there may be less publicly available information concerning our company than there is for U.S. public companies.

As a foreign private issuer, we file annual reports on Form 20-F within four months of the close of each fiscal year ended December 31 and reports on Form 6-K relating to certain material events promptly after we publicly announce these events. However, because of the above exemptions for foreign private issuers, our shareholders are not afforded the same protections or information generally available to investors holding shares in public companies organized in the United States.

While we are a foreign private issuer, we are not subject to certain Nasdaq corporate governance listing standards applicable to U.S. listed companies. We are entitled to rely on a provision in the Nasdaq corporate governance listing standards that allows us to elect to follow Cayman Islands “home county” corporate law with regard to certain aspects of corporate governance. This allows us to follow certain corporate governance practices that differ in significant respects from the corporate governance requirements applicable to U.S. companies listed on the Nasdaq. For example, in each of November 2015 and August 2016, our board of directors approved an increase in the total number of ordinary shares reserved for issuance under our then effective stock option plan, for which we have followed “home country practice” in lieu of obtaining a shareholder approval pursuant to Nasdaq Market Rule 5635(c). We may also rely on other exemptions available to foreign private issuers in the future, and to the extent that we choose to do so in the future, our shareholders may be afforded less protection than they otherwise would under the Nasdaq corporate governance listing standards applicable to U.S. domestic issuers.

There can be no assurance that we will not be classified as a passive foreign investment company, or PFIC, for any taxable year, which could result in adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences to U.S. Holders of our ADSs or ordinary shares.

A non-U.S. corporation will be a PFIC for any taxable year if either (1) at least 75% of its gross income for such year consists of certain types of passive income, or (2) at least 50% of the average quarterly value of its assets (as generally determined on the basis of fair market value) during such year produce or are held for the production of passive income. We must make a separate determination after the close of each taxable year as to whether we were a PFIC for that year. Because the value of our assets for purposes of the PFIC test will generally be determined by reference to the market price of our ADSs or ordinary shares, our PFIC status will depend in part on the market price of the ADSs or ordinary shares, which may fluctuate significantly, and the composition of our assets and liabilities.

Based on the market price of our ADSs and the value and composition of our assets and liabilities, we believe we were not a PFIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes for our taxable year ended December 31, 2018. However, because PFIC status is a factual determination made annually after the close of each taxable year on the basis of the composition of our income and assets, there can be no assurance that we will not be a PFIC for the current taxable year or any future taxable year. Further, as previously disclosed, although not free from doubt, we believed that we were a PFIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes for prior years. In addition, it is possible that one or more of our subsidiaries were also PFICs for such year for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

If we were treated as a PFIC for any taxable year during which a U.S. Holder holds our ADSs or ordinary shares, such U.S. Holders will generally be subject to reporting requirements and may incur significantly increased U.S. income tax on gain recognized on the sale or other disposition of the ADSs or ordinary shares and on the receipt of distributions on the ADSs or ordinary shares to the extent such gain or distribution is treated as an “excess distribution” under the U.S. federal income tax rules. Further, a U.S. Holder will generally be treated as holding an equity interest in a PFIC in the first taxable year of the U.S. Holder’s holding period in which we become classified as a PFIC and in subsequent taxable years even if we cease to be a PFIC in subsequent taxable years.

You are strongly urged to consult your tax advisors regarding the impact of our being a PFIC in any taxable year on your investment in our ADSs and ordinary shares as well as the application of the PFIC rules.

Substantial future sales or the perception of sales of our ADSs or ordinary shares could adversely affect the price of our ADSs.

Sales of substantial amounts of our ADSs in the public market after the completion of this offering, or the perception that these sales could occur, could adversely affect the market price of our ADSs and could materially impair our ability to raise capital through equity offerings in the future. The ADSs sold in this offering will be freely tradable without restriction or further registration under the Securities Act, and shares held by our existing shareholders may also be sold in the public market in the future subject to the restrictions in Rule 144 and Rule 701 under the Securities Act and the applicable lock-up agreements. There will be ADSs (representing Class A ordinary shares) outstanding immediately after this offering, or ADSs (representing Class A ordinary shares) if the underwriters exercise their over-allotment option in full. In connection with this offering, we, our directors and executive officers have agreed not to sell any ordinary shares or ADSs for 90 days after the date of this prospectus without the prior written consent of the underwriters, subject to certain exceptions. However, the underwriters may release these securities from these restrictions at any time, subject to applicable regulations of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. We cannot predict what effect, if any, market sales of securities held by our significant shareholders or any other shareholder or the availability of these securities for future sale will have on the market price of our ADSs. See "Underwriting" and "Shares Eligible for Future Sale" for a more detailed description of the restrictions on selling our securities after this offering.

In addition, if our shareholders sell or are perceived by the market to sell substantial amounts of our ADSs, including those issued upon the exercise of outstanding options, in the public market, the market price of our ADSs could fall. Such sales also might make it more difficult for us to sell equity or equity-related securities in the future at a time and price that we deem appropriate. If any existing shareholder or shareholders sell or are perceived by the market to sell a substantial amount of ordinary shares, the prevailing market price for our ADSs could be adversely affected. In December 2015, we issued and sold the Convertible Notes in an aggregate principal amount of US$40,050,000 to Splendid Days in three tranches at initial conversion prices of US$7.8, US$15.6 and US$23.4 per ADS, each representing three ordinary shares, respectively. In connection with the sale of Convertible Notes, we also issued the Warrants in an aggregate principal amount of US$9,950,000 to Splendid Days in four tranches at initial exercise prices of US$4.5, US$7.8, US$15.6 and US$23.4 per ADS, respectively. Among the four tranches Warrants, only the first tranche of the principal amount of US$5,000,000 with the initial exercise price of US$4.5 per ADS is still outstanding. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Liquidity and Capital Resources—Cash Flows and Working Capital.” Pursuant to the relevant agreement, we registered the ordinary shares into which the Convertible Notes are convertible and the Warrants are exercisable on a registration statement on F-3, which was declared effective by the SEC on June 17, 2016. Upon registration, any ordinary shares that Splendid Days would acquire by conversion of the Convertible Notes or exercise of the Warrants will become freely tradable.

The market price for our ADSs is likely to be highly volatile and subject to wide fluctuations in response to factors including the following:

In addition, the securities market has from time to time experienced significant price and volume fluctuations that are not related to the operating performance of particular companies. These market fluctuations may also materially and adversely affect the market price of our ADSs.

Our dual-class share structure with different voting rights will limit your ability to influence corporate matters and could discourage others from pursuing any change of control transactions that holders of our Class A ordinary shares and ADSs may view as beneficial.

We have a dual-class share structure such that our ordinary shares consist of Class A ordinary shares and Class B ordinary shares. Holders of our Class A ordinary shares and our Class B ordinary shares shall at all times vote together as one class on all resolutions submitted to a vote by our shareholders. Each Class A ordinary share shall entitle the holder thereof to one vote on all matters subject to vote at our general meetings, and each Class B ordinary share shall entitle the holder thereof to fifty votes on all matters subject to vote at our general meetings. Each Class B ordinary share is convertible into one Class A ordinary share at any time by the holder thereof, while Class A ordinary shares are not convertible into Class B ordinary shares under any circumstances. Upon any sale, transfer, assignment or disposition of any Class B ordinary share by the holder of such Class B ordinary shares to any person who is not an affiliate of such shareholder, such Class B ordinary share shall be automatically and immediately converted into one Class A ordinary share.

Incsight Limited, a company wholly-owned by Mr. Jun Zhu, our chairman and chief executive officer, owns all of our outstanding Class B ordinary shares. As of the date of this prospectus, Mr. Jun Zhu beneficially owned approximately 85.4% of the aggregate voting power of our company. As a result of the dual-class share structure and the concentration of ownership, holders of our Class B ordinary shares have considerable influence over matters such as decisions regarding mergers, consolidations and the sale of all or substantially all of our assets, election of directors and other significant corporate actions. They may take actions that are not in the best interest of us or our other shareholders. This concentration of ownership may discourage, delay or prevent a change in control of our company, which could have the effect of depriving our other shareholders of the opportunity to receive a premium for their shares as part of a sale of our company and may reduce the price of our ADSs. This concentrated control will limit your ability to influence corporate matters and could discourage others from pursuing any potential merger, takeover or other change of control transactions that holders of Class A ordinary shares and ADSs may view as beneficial. In addition, we may incur incremental compensation expenses to the holders of Class B ordinary share as a result of their becoming entitled to high votes on each Class B ordinary share.

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

S&P Dow Jones and FTSE Russell have changed their eligibility criteria for inclusion of shares of public companies on certain indices, including the S&P 500, to exclude companies with multiple classes of shares and companies whose public shareholders hold no more than 5% of total voting power from being added to such indices. In addition, several shareholder advisory firms have announced their opposition to the use of multiple class structures. As a result, the dual class structure of our ordinary shares may prevent the inclusion of our ADSs representing Class A ordinary shares in such indices and may cause shareholder advisory firms to publish negative commentary about our corporate governance practices or otherwise seek to cause us to change our capital structure. Any such exclusion from indices could result in a less active trading market for our ADSs. Any actions or publications by shareholder advisory firms critical of our corporate governance practices or capital structure could also adversely affect the value of our ADSs.

Our shareholders may not have the same protections generally available to stockholders of other NASDAQ-listed companies because we are currently a “controlled company” within the meaning of the NASDAQ Listing Rules.

Because Mr. Jun Zhu holds a majority of the total outstanding voting power in our company through Incsight Ltd. for the election of our board of directors, we are a “controlled company” within the meaning of Nasdaq Listing Rule 5615(c). As a controlled company, we qualify for, and our board of directors, the composition of which is controlled by Incsight Ltd. and Mr. Jun Zhu, may rely upon, exemptions from several of Nasdaq’s corporate governance requirements, including requirements that:

Accordingly, to the extent that we may choose to rely on one or more of these exemptions, our shareholders would not be afforded the same protections generally as shareholders of other Nasdaq-listed companies for so long as Mr. Zhu is able to control the composition of our board through Incsight Ltd. and our board determines to rely upon one or more of such exemptions.

The rights of our shareholders may differ from the rights typically offered to shareholders of a U.S. corporation.

We are incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands. The rights of holders of our Class A ordinary shares and, therefore, certain of the rights of holders of our ADSs, are governed by Cayman Islands law, including the provisions of the Companies Law (2018 Revision) and by our Second Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association. These rights differ in certain respects from the rights of shareholders in typical U.S. corporations. See “Description of Share Capital — Differences in Corporate Law” in this prospectus for a description of certain key differences between the provisions of the Companies Law (2018 Revision) applicable to us and, for example, the Delaware General Corporation Law relating to shareholders’ rights and protections.

Our memorandum and articles of association contain anti-takeover provisions that could have a material adverse effect on the rights of holders of our Class A ordinary shares and ADSs.

Our Second Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association contain provisions to limit the ability of others to acquire control of our company or cause us to engage in change-of-control transactions. These provisions could have the effect of depriving our shareholders of an opportunity to sell their shares at a premium over prevailing market prices by discouraging third parties from seeking to obtain control of our company in a tender offer or similar transaction. Our dual-class voting structure gives disproportionate voting power to the holders of our Class B ordinary shares. In addition, our board of directors will have the authority, without further action by our shareholders, to issue preferred shares in one or more series and to fix their designations, powers, preferences, privileges, and relative participating, optional or special rights and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions, including dividend rights, conversion rights, voting rights, terms of redemption and liquidation preferences, any or all of which may be greater than the rights associated with our Class A ordinary shares, including Class A ordinary shares represented by ADS. Preferred shares could be issued quickly with terms calculated to delay or prevent a change in control of our company or make removal of management more difficult. If our board of directors decides to issue preferred shares, the price of our ADSs may fall and the voting and other rights of the holders of our Class A ordinary shares and ADSs may be materially and adversely affected.

You may face difficulties in protecting your interests, and our ability to protect our rights through the U.S. federal courts may be limited, because we are incorporated under Cayman Islands law.

Our corporate affairs are governed by our memorandum and articles of association and by the Companies Law (2018 Revision) and common law of the Cayman Islands. The rights of our shareholders and the fiduciary duties of our directors under Cayman Islands law are not as clearly established as they would be under statutes or judicial precedents in the United States. In particular, the Cayman Islands has a less developed body of securities laws as compared to the United States, and provides significantly less protection to investors. Therefore, our public shareholders may have more difficulties protecting their interests in the face of actions by our management, directors or controlling shareholders than would shareholders of a corporation incorporated in a jurisdiction in the United States. In addition, shareholders of Cayman Islands companies may not have standing to initiate a shareholder derivative action before the federal courts of the United States. As a result, our shareholders may not be able to protect their interests if they are harmed in a manner that would otherwise enable them to sue in a United States federal court.

Your ability to bring an action against us or against our directors and officers, or to enforce a judgment against us or them, will be limited because we are incorporated in the Cayman Islands, because we conduct a substantial portion of our operations in China and because the majority of our directors and officers reside outside of the United States.

We are an exempted company incorporated in the Cayman Islands, substantially all of our assets are located in China and we conduct a substantial portion of our operations through our wholly-owned subsidiaries and affiliated entities in China. Most of our directors and officers reside outside of the United States and most of the assets of those persons are located outside of the United States. As a result, it may be difficult or impossible for you to bring an action against us or against these individuals in the United States in the event that you believe that your rights have been infringed under the securities laws or otherwise. Even if you are successful in bringing an action of this kind, the laws of the Cayman Islands and of China may render you unable to enforce a judgment against our assets or the assets of our directors and officers. See “Enforceability of Civil Liabilities.”

As a holder of ADSs, you will not have any direct right to attend general meetings of our shareholders or to cast any votes at such meetings. You may give voting instructions to the depositary of our ADSs to vote the underlying Class A ordinary shares represented by your ADSs. Otherwise, you will not be able to exercise your right to vote with respect to the underlying Class A ordinary shares represented by your ADSs unless you withdraw the shares and become the registered holder of such shares prior to the record date for the general meeting. However, you may not receive sufficient advance notice of a shareholders’ meeting to enable you to withdraw the underlying Class A ordinary shares represented by your ADSs and become the registered holder of such shares to allow you to attend the general meeting and to vote directly with respect to any specific matter or resolution to be considered and voted upon at the general meeting. Pursuant to our second amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, a shareholders’ meeting may be convened by us on seven business days’ notice. If we ask for your instructions, the depositary will notify you of the upcoming vote and arrange to deliver our voting materials to you. We cannot assure you that you will receive the voting materials in time to ensure that you can instruct the depositary to vote the underlying Class A ordinary shares represented by your ADSs. In addition, the depositary and its agents are not responsible for failing to carry out your voting instructions or for the manner of carrying out your voting instructions, if any such action or non-action is in good faith. This means that you may not be able to exercise your right to direct how the underlying Class A ordinary shares represented by your ADSs are voted and you may have no legal remedy if the underlying shares represented by your ADSs are not voted as you requested.

If securities or industry analysts do not publish research or reports about our business, or publish negative reports about our business, our share price and trading volume could decline.

The trading market for our ADSs depends, in part, on the research and reports that securities or industry analysts publish about us or our business. We do not have any control over these analysts or the content that they publish about us. If our financial performance fails to meet analyst estimates or one or more of the analysts who cover us downgrade our ADSs or change their opinion of our ADSs, our ADS price would likely decline. If one or more of these analysts cease coverage of our company or fail to regularly publish reports on us, we could lose visibility in the financial markets, which could cause our ADS price or trading volume to decline.

Because we do not expect to pay dividends in the foreseeable future after this offering, you must rely on a price appreciation of our ADSs for return on your investment.

We currently intend to retain most, if not all, of our available funds and any future earnings after this offering to fund the development and growth of our business. As a result, we do not expect to pay any cash dividends in the foreseeable future. Therefore, you should not rely on an investment in our ADSs as a source for any future dividend income.

Our board of directors has complete discretion as to whether to distribute dividends, subject to certain requirements of Cayman Islands law. In addition, our shareholders may by ordinary resolution declare a dividend, but no dividend may exceed the amount recommended by our directors. Under Cayman Islands law, a Cayman Islands company may pay a dividend out of either profit or share premium account, provided that in no circumstances may a dividend be paid if this would result in the company being unable to pay its debts as they fall due in the ordinary course of business. Even if our board of directors decides to declare and pay dividends, the timing, amount and form of future dividends, if any, will depend on our future results of operations and cash flow, our capital requirements and surplus, the amount of distributions, if any, received by us from our subsidiaries, our financial condition, contractual restrictions and other factors deemed relevant by our board of directors. Accordingly, the return on your investment in our ADSs will likely depend entirely upon any future price appreciation of our ADSs. There is no guarantee that our ADSs will appreciate in value after this offering or even maintain the price at which you purchased the ADSs. You may not realize a return on your investment in our ADSs and you may even lose your entire investment in our ADSs.

You must rely on the judgment of our management as to the use of the net proceeds from this offering, and such use may not produce income or increase our ADS price.

Our management will have considerable discretion in the application of the net proceeds received by us. You will not have the opportunity, as part of your investment decision, to assess whether proceeds are being used appropriately. The net proceeds may be used for corporate purposes that do not improve our efforts to achieve or maintain profitability or increase our ADS price. The net proceeds from this offering may be placed in investments that do not produce income or that lose value.

Your right to participate in any future rights offerings may be limited, which may cause dilution to your holdings.

We may from time to time distribute rights to our shareholders, including rights to acquire our securities. However, we cannot make rights available to you in the United States unless we register the rights and the securities to which the rights relate under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, or an exemption from the registration requirements is available. Also, under the deposit agreement, the depositary will not make rights available to you unless the distribution to ADS holders of both the rights and any related securities are either registered under the Securities Act, or exempt from registration under the Securities Act. We are under no obligation to file a registration statement with respect to any such rights or securities or to endeavor to cause such a registration statement to be declared effective. Moreover, we may not be able to establish an exemption from registration under the Securities Act. The depositary may, but is not required to, sell such undistributed rights to third parties in this situation. Accordingly, you may be unable to participate in our rights offerings and may experience dilution in your holdings.

You may not receive distributions on ordinary shares or any value for them if it is illegal or impractical to make them available to you.

The depositary of our ADSs has agreed to pay to you the cash dividends or other distributions it or the custodian receives on ordinary shares or other deposited securities after deducting its fees and expenses. You will receive these distributions in proportion to the number of ordinary shares your ADSs represent. However, the depositary is not responsible if it decides that it is unlawful or impractical to make a distribution available to any holders of ADSs. We have no obligation to register ADSs, ordinary shares, rights or other securities under U.S. securities laws. We also have no obligation to take any other action to permit the distribution of ADSs, ordinary shares, rights or anything else to holders of ADSs. This means that you may not receive the distribution we make on our ordinary shares or any value for them if it is illegal or impractical for us to make them available to you. These restrictions may have a material adverse effect on the value of your ADSs.

ADS holders may not be entitled to a jury trial with respect to claims arising under the deposit agreement, which could result in less favorable outcomes to the plaintiff(s) in any such action.

The deposit agreement governing the ADSs provides that, to the fullest extent permitted by law, ADS 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 opposed a jury trial demand based on the waiver, the court would determine whether the waiver was enforceable based on the facts and circumstances of that case in accordance with the applicable state and federal law. To our knowledge, the enforceability of a contractual pre-dispute jury trial waiver in connection with claims arising under the federal securities laws has not been finally adjudicated by the United States Supreme Court. However, we believe that a contractual pre-dispute jury trial waiver provision is generally enforceable, including under the laws of the State of New York, which govern the deposit agreement. In determining whether to enforce a contractual pre-dispute jury trial waiver provision, courts will generally consider whether a party knowingly, intelligently and voluntarily waived the right to a jury trial. We believe that this is the case with respect to the deposit agreement and the ADSs. It is advisable that you consult legal counsel regarding the jury waiver provision before investing in the ADSs.

If you or any other ADS holders bring a claim against us or the depositary in connection with matters arising under the deposit agreement or the ADSs, including claims under federal securities laws, you may not be entitled to a jury trial with respect to such claims, which may have the effect of limiting and discouraging lawsuits against us and / or the depositary. If a lawsuit is brought against us and/or the depositary under the deposit agreement, it may be heard only by a judge or justice of the applicable trial court, which would be conducted according to different civil procedures and may result in different outcomes than a trial by jury would have had, including results that could be less favorable to the plaintiffs in any such action.

Nevertheless, if this jury trial waiver provision is not permitted by applicable law, an action could proceed under the terms of the deposit agreement with a jury trial.

No provision of the deposit agreement or ADSs serves as a waiver by any ADS holder or by us or the depositary of compliance with any substantive provision of the U.S. federal securities laws and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

This prospectus contains forward-looking statements that reflect our current expectations and views of future events. The forward looking statements are contained principally in the sections entitled “Prospectus Summary,” “Risk Factors,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and “Business.” Known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, including those listed under “Risk Factors,” may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements.

You can identify some of these forward-looking statements by words or phrases such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “aim,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “is/are likely to,” “potential,” “continue” or other similar expressions. We have based these forward-looking statements largely on our current expectations and projections about future events that we believe may affect our financial condition, results of operations, business strategy and financial needs. These forward-looking statements include statements relating to:

These forward-looking statements involve various risks and uncertainties. Although we believe that our expectations expressed in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, our expectations may later be found to be incorrect. Our actual results could be materially different from our expectations. Important risks and factors that could cause our actual results to be materially different from our expectations are generally set forth in “Prospectus Summary—Our Challenges,” “Risk Factors,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” “Business,” “Regulation” and other sections in this prospectus. You should thoroughly read this prospectus and the documents that we refer to with the understanding that our actual future results may be materially different from and worse than what we expect. We qualify all of our forward-looking statements by these cautionary statements.

This prospectus contains certain data and information that we obtained from various government and private publications. Statistical data in these publications also include projections based on a number of assumptions. Our industry may not grow at the rate projected by market data, or at all. Failure of this market to grow at the projected rate may have a material and adverse effect on our business and the market price of our ADSs. In addition, the rapidly changing nature of the electric vehicles, gaming and blockchain industries results in significant uncertainties for any projections or estimates relating to the growth prospects or future condition of our market. Furthermore, if any one or more of the assumptions underlying the market data are later found to be incorrect, actual results may differ from the projections based on these assumptions. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements.

The forward-looking statements made in this prospectus relate only to events or information as of the date on which the statements are made in this prospectus. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, after the date on which the statements are made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. You should read this prospectus and the documents that we refer to in this prospectus and have filed as exhibits to the registration statement, of which this prospectus is a part, completely and with the understanding that our actual future results may be materially different from what we expect.

We estimate that we will receive net proceeds from this offering of approximately US$ million, or approximately US$ million if the underwriters exercise their over-allotment option in full, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and the estimated offering expenses payable by us.

The primary purpose of this offering is to obtain additional capital. We plan to use the net proceeds of this offering for capital contribution to the joint venture in relation to our electric vehicle business and general corporate working capital.

Although we may use a portion of the net proceeds to acquire businesses, products, services or technologies, we do not have agreements or commitments for any material acquisitions as of the date of this prospectus. The amounts and timing of any expenditures will vary depending on the amount of cash generated by our operations, and the rate of growth, if any, of our business.

The foregoing represents our current intentions based upon our present plans and business conditions to use and allocate the net proceeds of this offering. Our management, however, will have significant flexibility and discretion to apply the net proceeds of this offering. If an unforeseen event occurs or business conditions change, we may use the proceeds of this offering differently than as described in this prospectus. See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to the ADS and this Offering—You must rely on the judgment of our management as to the use of the net proceeds from this offering, and such use may not produce income or increase our ADS price.”

In using the proceeds of this offering, we are permitted under PRC laws and regulations as an offshore holding company to provide funding to our wholly foreign-owned subsidiary in China only through loans or capital contributions and to our variable interest entity only through loans, subject to the approval of government authorities and limit on the amount of capital contributions and loans, subject to satisfaction of applicable government registration and approval requirements. We cannot assure you that we will be able to obtain these government registrations or approvals on a timely basis, if at all. See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Doing Business in China—PRC regulation of direct investment and loans by offshore holding companies to PRC entities may delay or limit us from using offshore assets, including the proceeds of our initial public offering and this offering, to make additional capital contributions or loans to our PRC subsidiary.”

Our board of directors has discretion on whether to distribute dividends, subject to certain restrictions under Cayman Islands law, namely that our company may only pay dividends out of profits or share premium, and provided always that in no circumstances may a dividend be paid if this would result in our company being unable to pay its debts as they fall due in the ordinary course of business. In addition, our shareholders may by ordinary resolution declare a dividend, but no dividend may exceed the amount recommended by our board of directors. Even if our board of directors decides to pay dividends on our ordinary shares, the form, frequency and amount will depend upon our future operations and earnings, capital requirements and surplus, general financial condition, contractual restrictions and other factors that our board of directors may deem relevant.

We do not have any present plan to pay any cash dividends on our ordinary shares in the foreseeable future after this offering. We currently intend to retain most, if not all, of our available funds and any future earnings to operate and expand our business.

We are a holding company incorporated in the Cayman Islands. We may rely on dividends from our subsidiary in China for our cash requirements, including any payment of dividends to our shareholders. PRC regulations may restrict the ability of our PRC subsidiary to pay dividends to us. See “Regulation—Regulations on Foreign Currency Exchange and Dividend Distribution” and “Taxation—People’s Republic of China Taxation.”

If we pay any dividends, we will pay those dividends which are payable in respect of the Class A ordinary shares underlying our ADSs to the depositary, as the registered holder of such Class A ordinary shares, and the depositary then will pay such amounts to our ADS holders in proportion to the Class A ordinary shares underlying the ADSs held by such ADS holders, subject to the terms of the deposit agreement, including the fees and expenses payable thereunder. See “Description of American Depositary Shares.” Cash dividends on our Class A ordinary shares, if any, will be paid in U.S. dollars.

You should read this table together with our consolidated financial statements and the related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus and the information under “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”

Our net tangible book value deficit as of December 31, 2018 was approximately US$(8.22) per ordinary share and US$(24.66) per ADS. Net tangible book value per ordinary share represents the amount of total tangible assets, minus the amount of total liabilities, divided by the total number of ordinary shares outstanding. Dilution is determined by subtracting net tangible book value per ordinary share and the additional proceeds we will receive from this offering from the offering price per ordinary share, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us.

Without taking into account any other changes in such net tangible book value after December 31, 2018, other than to give effect to the estimated net proceeds we will receive from the issuance and sale of ADSs in this offering at the offering price of US$ per ADS after deduction of the underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us, our as adjusted net tangible book value as of December 31, 2018 would have been US$ per outstanding ordinary share, or US$ per ADS. This represents an immediate increase in net tangible book value of US$ or % per ordinary share, or US$ or % per ADS, to our existing shareholders and an immediate dilution in net tangible book value of US$ or % per ordinary share, or US$ or % per ADS, to investors purchasing ADSs in this offering.

The following table illustrates such dilution, assuming no exercise at the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares:

The above discussion and table are based on 146,652,558 shares of our ordinary shares outstanding as of December 31, 2018 and exclude, as of that date:

Assuming the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares is exercised in full, our as adjusted net tangible book value as of December 31, 2018 would have been US$ per outstanding ordinary share, or US$ per ADS. This represents an immediate increase in net tangible book value of US$ or % per ordinary share, or US$ or % per ADS, to our existing shareholders and an immediate dilution in net tangible book value of US$ or % per ordinary share, or US$ or % per ADS, to investors purchasing ADSs in this offering.

We are incorporated in the Cayman Islands to take advantage of certain benefits associated with being a Cayman Islands exempted company, such as:

However, certain disadvantages accompany incorporation in the Cayman Islands. These disadvantages include, but are not limited to:

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 operations are conducted in China, and substantially all of our assets are located in China. Most of our directors and executive officers are nationals or residents of jurisdictions other than the United States and most of their assets are located outside the United States. As a result, it may be difficult for a shareholder to effect service of process within the United States upon these individuals, or to bring an action against us or against these individuals in the United States, in the event that you believe that your rights have been infringed under the securities laws of the United States or any state in the United States.

We have appointed Puglisi & Associates located at 850 Library Avenue, Suite 204, Newark, Delaware 19711 as our agent upon whom process may be served in any action brought against us under the securities laws of the United States.

Maples and Calder (Hong Kong) LLP, our legal counsel as to Cayman Islands law, and Zhong Lun Law Firm, our legal counsel as to PRC law, have advised us, respectively, that there is uncertainty as to whether the courts of the Cayman Islands and China, respectively, would:

We have been advised by our Cayman Islands legal counsel, Maples and Calder (Hong Kong) LLP, that although there is no statutory enforcement in the Cayman Islands of judgments obtained in the federal or state courts of the United States and that the Cayman Islands are not a party to any treaties for the reciprocal enforcement or recognition of such judgments, the courts of the Cayman Islands will, at common law, recognize and enforce a foreign money judgment of a foreign court of competent jurisdiction without reexamination of the merits of the underlying disputes based on the principle that a judgment of a competent foreign court imposes upon the judgment debtor an obligation to pay the liquidated sum for which judgment has been given provided certain conditions are met. For such a foreign judgment to be enforced in the Cayman Islands, such judgment must be final and conclusive and for a liquidated sum, and must not be in respect of taxes or a fine or penalty and 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. A Cayman Islands court may stay enforcement proceedings if concurrent proceedings are being brought elsewhere.

Zhong Lun Law Firm 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 or the Cayman Islands 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 or the Cayman Islands. Under the PRC Civil Procedures Law, foreign shareholders may originate actions based on PRC law against us in the PRC, if they can establish sufficient nexus to the PRC for a PRC court to have jurisdiction, and meet other procedural requirements, including, among others, the plaintiff must have a direct interest in the case, and there must be a concrete claim, a factual basis and a cause for the suit. However, it would be difficult for foreign shareholders to establish sufficient nexus to the PRC by virtue only of holding our ADSs or Class A ordinary shares.

We were incorporated in the Cayman Islands on December 22, 1999 under the name GameNow.net Limited as a company limited by shares and were renamed The9 Limited in February 2004. We formed GameNow.net (Hong Kong) Limited, or GameNow, on January 17, 2000 in Hong Kong, as a wholly-owned subsidiary.

Due to the current restrictions on foreign ownership of ICP and Internet culture operation in China, currently, we primarily rely on Shanghai IT, one of our affiliated PRC entities, in holding certain licenses and approvals necessary for our business online game operations through a series of contractual arrangements with Shanghai IT and its shareholders. See “—Arrangements with Affiliated PRC Entities” for details of the contractual arrangements with Shanghai IT and its shareholders. We do not hold any equity interest in Shanghai IT.

From time to time, we have selected, acquired or invested in businesses that complement our existing business, and we intend to continue to do so in the future to expand and develop our business. See “Business— Strategic Investments and Acquisitions” for material strategic investments and acquisitions over the past two years.

In March 2019, we signed a joint venture agreement with F&F to establish a joint venture to manufacture, market, distribute, and sell electric vehicles in China. Under the terms of the joint venture agreement, we are obligated to make capital contribution of US$600.0 million to the joint venture that is payable in three equal installments, and F&F is obligated to contribute to the joint venture its use right in a piece of land in China for electric vehicles manufacturing and also to grant the joint venture an exclusive license to manufacture, market, distribute and sell certain F&F’s car model and other potential selected car models in China, in each case subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions, such as the establishment of the joint venture and funding arrangements. As a result, we are in the process of transitioning our business focus to electric vehicles business.

In March 2019, we entered into a deed of settlement with Splendid Days, the holder of the Convertible Notes. We later entered into an amendment to the deed of settlement in May 2019. Pursuant to such amendment, the Convertible Notes are required to be repaid by July 31, 2019 by the proceeds from planned sale of the mortgaged properties. We are currently undertaking a corporate restructuring in relation to such sale. We terminated the contractual arrangements between The9 Computer, which currently holds the mortgaged building to be sold, and Shanghai IT. Shanghai Hui Ling entered into new contractual arrangements with Shanghai IT. We are currently in the process of transferring assets and liabilities, except for the mortgaged properties, of The9 Computer to Shanghai Hui Ling, and have caused Shanghai IT to own 100% equity interest in The9 Computer. The share pledge over the equity interest in The9 Computer to secure the Convertible Notes was released and de-registered in May 2019.

In May 2019, we entered into a joint venture agreement with EN+, to establish a joint venture to engage in sales of electric vehicle charging equipment, investment, construction and operation of charging stations, and provision of operational services relating to charging equipment and platforms for electric vehicles. Pursuant to the joint venture agreement, we are obligated to make a cash investment of RMB50.0 million in the joint venture in exchange for 80% equity interest in the joint venture, and EN+ is obligated to contribute its current and future proprietary electric vehicle charging technologies to the joint venture in exchange for 20% equity interest of the joint venture.

The following diagram summarizes our corporate structure chart, including our subsidiaries, our variable interest entity and its subsidiaries, as of the date of this prospectus.

Current PRC laws and regulations impose substantial restrictions on foreign ownership of entities involved in ICP, Internet culture operation and Internet publishing businesses, including online game operations, in China. Therefore, we conduct part of our activities through a series of agreements with Shanghai IT, our key affiliated PRC entity. Shanghai IT holds the requisite licenses and approvals for conducting ICP, Internet culture operation and Internet publishing businesses in China. Shanghai IT is owned by our employee Wei Ji, who acquired his equity interests in Shanghai IT from Jun Zhu in November 2011, and our employee Zhimin Lin, who acquired his equity interests in Shanghai IT from Yong Wang in April 2014.

We have obtained the exclusive right to benefit from Shanghai IT’s licenses and approvals. In addition, through a series of contractual arrangements with Shanghai IT and its shareholders, we are able to direct and control the operation and management of Shanghai IT. We believe that the individual shareholders of Shanghai IT will not receive material personal benefits from these agreements except as shareholders or employees of The9 Limited.

We do not believe we could have obtained these agreements, taken as a whole, from unrelated third parties. Because of the uncertainty relating to the legal and regulatory environment in China, the terms of most of the agreements were not defined unless terminated by the parties thereto. According to our PRC counsel, Zhong Lun Law Firm, subject to the interpretation and implementation of the GAPP Circular and the Network Publication Measures, these agreements, except those that have already been terminated, are valid, binding and enforceable under the current laws and regulations of China. The principal provisions of these agreements are described below.

Exclusive Technical Service Agreement. We provide Shanghai IT with technical services for the operation of computer software and related businesses, including the provision of systematic solutions for the operation of Internet websites, the rental of computer and Internet facilities, daily maintenance of Internet servers and databases, the development and update of relevant computer software, and all other related technical and consulting services. Shanghai IT pays service fees to us on a monthly basis. We are the exclusive provider of these services to Shanghai IT. According to the relevant PRC rules and regulations, related party transactions should be negotiated at the arm’s length basis and apply reasonable transfer pricing methods. However, the determination of service fees is under the sole discretion of us. This agreement shall remain in force indefinitely unless the parties agree in writing to terminate in advance.

Shareholder Voting Proxy Agreement. Each of the shareholders of Shanghai IT has entered into a shareholder voting proxy agreement with us, under which each shareholder of Shanghai IT irrevocably grants any third parties designated by us the power to exercise all voting rights to which he/she is entitled as a shareholder of Shanghai IT, including the right to attend shareholders meetings, to exercise voting rights and to appoint directors, a general manager, and other senior management of Shanghai IT. The power of proxy is irrevocable and may only be terminated at our discretion.

Call Option Agreement. We entered into a call option agreement with each of the shareholders of Shanghai IT, under which the parties irrevocably agreed that, at our sole discretion, we and/or any third parties designated by us will be entitled to acquire all or part of the equity interests in Shanghai IT, to the extent permitted by the then-effective PRC laws and regulations. The consideration for such acquisition will be the price equal to the lower of the amount of the registered capital of Shanghai IT and the minimum amount permissible by the then-applicable PRC law. The shareholders of Shanghai IT have also agreed not to enter into any transaction, or fail to take any action, that would substantially affect the assets, liabilities, equity, operations or other legal rights of Shanghai IT without our prior written consent, including, without limitation, declaration and distribution of dividends and profits; sale, assignment, mortgage or disposition of, or encumbrances on, Shanghai IT’s equity; merger or consolidation; creation, assumption, guarantee or incurrence of any indebtedness; entering into other materials contracts. This agreement shall not expire until such time as we acquire all equity interests of Shanghai IT subject to applicable PRC laws.

Loan Agreement. From 2002 to May 2005, we provided an aggregate of RMB23.0 million in loan to the then shareholders of Shanghai IT, namely Jun Zhu and Yong Wong, for the purposes of capitalizing and increasing the registered capital of Shanghai IT. Such loan agreement was assumed by the current shareholders of Shanghai IT when Jun Zhu transferred the equity interest in Shanghai IT to Wei Ji in 2011 and Yong Wang transferred the equity interests in Shanghai IT to Zhimin Lin in 2014. In May 2019, we terminated such loan agreement and entered into a new loan agreement among the shareholders of Shanghai IT and Shanghai Hui Ling and , a subsidiary of us. Pursuant to the terms of this new loan agreement, we granted an interest-free loan to each shareholder of Shanghai IT for the explicit purpose of making a capital contribution to Shanghai IT. The loans have an unspecified term and will remain outstanding for the shorter of the duration of Shanghai Hui Ling or that of the Shanghai IT, or until such time that we elect to terminate the agreement (which is at our sole discretion) at which point the loans are payable on demand. Such loan shall only become immediately due and payable when we send a written notice to the borrowers requesting repayment. Currently, Zhimin Lin and Wei Ji have pledged all of their equity interests in Shanghai IT in favor of us under the equity pledge agreements. In the event of a breach of any term in the loan agreement or any other agreements by either Shanghai IT or its shareholders, we will be entitled to enforce our rights as a pledgee under the agreement.

Equity Pledge Agreements. To secure the full performance by Shanghai IT or its shareholders of their respective obligations under the Shareholder Voting Proxy Agreement, the Call Option Agreement and the Loan Agreement, the shareholders of Shanghai IT have pledged all of their equity interests in Shanghai IT in favor of us under two equity pledge agreements. In addition, the dividend distributions to the shareholders of Shanghai IT, if any, will be deposited in an escrow account over which we have exclusive control. The pledge shall remain effective until all obligations under such agreements have been fully performed. The shareholder has the obligation to maintain ownership and effective control over the pledged equity. Under no circumstances, without our prior written consent, may the shareholder transfer or otherwise encumber any equity interests in Shanghai IT. If any event of default as provided for therein occurs, Shanghai Hui Ling, as the pledgee, will be entitled to dispose of the pledged equity interests through transfer or assignment and use the proceeds to repay the loans or make other payments due under the above loan agreement up to the loan amounts. Each of the shareholders of Shanghai IT has registered the pledge of its equity interests with the relevant local administration for market regulation pursuant to the PRC Property Rights Law. In the event of a breach of any term in the above agreements by either Shanghai IT or its shareholders, we will be entitled to enforce our pledge rights over such pledged equity interests to compensate for any and all losses suffered from such breach.

However, there are substantial uncertainties regarding the interpretation and application of current and future PRC laws, regulations and rules. The PRC regulatory authorities may in the future take a view that is contrary to the above opinion of our PRC counsel. If the PRC government finds that the agreements that establish the structure for operating our business do not comply with PRC government restrictions on foreign investment in value-added telecommunications services business, such as the internet content provision services, we could be subject to severe penalties, including being prohibited from continuing operations. See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Corporate Structure—Our current corporate structure and business operations may be affected by the newly enacted Foreign Investment Law.”

The following selected consolidated statement of operation data for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2017 and 2018, selected consolidated balance sheet data as of December 31, 2017 and 2018 and selected consolidated cash flow data for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2017 and 2018 are derived from our audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. The following selected consolidated statement of operation data for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2015, the selected consolidated balance sheet data as of December 31, 2014, 2015 and 2016 and the selected consolidated cash flow data for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2015 and 2016 are derived from our audited consolidated financial statements not included in this prospectus. Our audited consolidated financial statements are prepared and presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Our historical results do not necessarily indicate results expected for any future periods. You should read this Selected Consolidated Financial Data section together with our consolidated financial statements and the related notes and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” included elsewhere in this prospectus.

The following table presents our selected consolidated balance sheet data as of December 31, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018.

The following table presents our selected consolidated cash flow data for the years December 31, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018.

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

You should read the following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations in conjunction with the section entitled “Selected Consolidated Financial Data” and our consolidated financial statements and the related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus. This discussion contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results and the timing of selected events could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including those set forth under “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this prospectus.

We primarily operate and develop proprietary and licensed online games. Since 2019, we began transitioning our business focus to electric vehicles.

In March 2019, we entered into a joint venture agreement with F&F to establish a joint venture that aims to serve China with electric vehicles designed and developed by F&F. We subsequently amended the joint venture agreement in June 2019. We will be a 50% partner in the joint venture with control over business operations and consolidate the financial results of the joint venture in our consolidated financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP after its incorporation.

In May 2019, we entered into a joint venture agreement with Shenzhen EN-plus Technologies Co., Ltd., or EN+, to establish a joint venture to engage in sales of new energy electric vehicle charging equipment, investment, construction and operation of charging station, and provision of operational services for urban charging equipment and platforms for electric vehicles. We will be an 80% partner in this joint venture.

The major factors affecting our results of operations and financial conditions include:

Revenue Composition and Sources of Revenue. In 2016, 2017 and 2018, we generated substantially all of our revenues from online game services, and the remaining portion of our revenues from other services. The following table sets forth our revenues generated from providing online game services and other services, both in absolute amounts and as percentages of total revenues for the periods indicated.

Online Game Services. In 2016, 2017 and 2018, revenues from our online game services amounted to RMB48.6 million, RMB71.6 million and RMB16.6 million (US$2.4 million), respectively. We primarily generate our online game service revenues through item-based revenue models. Under an item-based revenue model, players of our games play the games for free, but are charged for purchases of in-game items, such as performance-enhancing items, clothing and accessories. Thus, we generate revenues through the sale of such in-game premium features that players use game points to purchase. The distribution of points to end users is typically made through sales of prepaid online points. Fees from prepaid online points are deferred when initially received. This revenue is recognized over the life of the premium features or as the premium features are consumed. Future usage patterns may differ from the historical usage patterns on which the virtual items and services consumption model is based. We will continue to monitor the operational statistics and usage patterns affecting our recognition of these revenues.

Before August 1, 2018, we recorded our IPTV revenue on a gross basis. As we became an agent in the operation of IPTV games since August 1, 2018, we started to record our IPTV revenues net of amounts we paid to third-party operators.

Other Revenues. Other revenues mainly included revenues from the provision of technical services to customers.

Effective from January 1, 2018, we adopted ASC topic 606, a new accounting standard on the recognition of revenue, and applied the modified retrospective method to contracts that were not completed as of January 1, 2018 and we have applied such accounting standards to the year ended December 31, 2018. The adoption of ASC topic 606 did not have material impact on our financial results.

Cost of Revenue. Our cost of revenue consists of costs directly attributable to rendering our services, including online game royalties, payroll, sharing to third-party game platform, telecom carries and other suppliers, depreciation and rental of Internet data center sites, depreciation and amortization of computer equipment and software and other overhead expenses directly attributable to the services we provide.

Operating Expenses. Our operating expenses consist primarily of product development expenses, sales and marketing expenses, general and administrative expenses and gain on disposal of subsidiaries.

Product Development Expenses. Our product development expenses consist primarily of compensation to our product development personnel, outsourced research and development expenses, equipment and software depreciation charges and other overhead expenses for the development of our proprietary games. Our product development expenses amounted to RMB78.0 million, RMB45.1 million and RMB24.6 million (US$3.6 million) for the year ended December 31, 2016, 2017 and 2018, respectively. Most of our proprietary online games have entered into their final stages of development and we have the ability to control the level of discretionary spending on product development in the near future.

Sales and Marketing Expenses. Our sales and marketing expenses consist primarily of advertising and marketing expenses incurred to promote our games and compensation expenses relating to our sales and marketing personnel. Our sales and marketing expenses amounted to RMB21.3 million, RMB9.1 million and RMB2.3 million (US$0.3 million) for the year ended December 31, 2016, 2017 and 2018, respectively.

General and Administrative Expenses. Our general and administrative expenses consist primarily of compensation and travel expenses for our administrative staff, depreciation of property and equipment, entertainment expenses, administrative office expenses, as well as fees paid to professional service providers for auditing, legal services and equity transactions. General and administration expenses amounted to RMB129.0 million, RMB108.8 million and RMB89.6 million (US$13.0 million) for the year ended December 31, 2016, 2017 and 2018, respectively. General and administrative expenses continued to decrease from 2016 to 2018, which reflects our cost cutting efforts.

Impairment on Intangible Assets. We had impairment charges on certain intangible assets of RMB68.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2016. We did not have such impairment charges for the year ended December 31, 2017 and 2018.

Impairment Loss on Goodwill. We had no impairment charges of goodwill for the year ended December 31, 2017 and 2018. We had impairment charges on goodwill of RMB10.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2016, which represented the impairment of goodwill in connection with our acquisition of Red 5 in 2010. In 2016, due to the weaker-than-expected operating performance of Red 5, we concluded that the goodwill was fully impaired.

Gain on Disposal of Subsidiaries. We had gain on disposal of subsidiaries of RMB10.5 million (US$1.5 million) for the year ended December 31, 2018, including gain on disposal of The9 Education of RMB10.0 million (US$1.5 million). We had no gain on disposal of subsidiaries for the year ended December 31, 2016 and 2017.

Other Operating Income. We had other operating income of RMB0.3 million and RMB0.2 million (US$0.03 million) for the year ended December 31, 2017 and 2018, respectively, both primarily attributable to office rental income. We had other operating income of RMB3.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2016, including primarily IDC rental income and office rental income of RMB4.2 million, which were partially offset by the disposal of property, equipment and software of RMB0.6 million.

We are a holding company incorporated in the Cayman Islands and rely primarily on dividends and other distributions from our subsidiaries and our affiliated entities in China for our cash requirements. Current PRC regulations restrict our affiliated entities and subsidiaries from paying dividends in the following two principal aspects: (i) our affiliated entities and subsidiaries in China are only permitted to pay dividends out of their respective accumulated profits, if any, determined in accordance with PRC accounting standards and regulations; and (ii) these entities are required to allocate at least 10% of their respective accumulated profits each year, if any, to fund certain capital reserves until the cumulative total of the allocated reserves reach 50% of registered capital, and a portion of their respective after-tax profits to their staff welfare and bonus reserve funds as determined by their respective boards of directors. These reserves are not distributable as dividends. In addition, failure to comply with relevant SAFE regulations may restrict the ability of our subsidiaries to make dividend payments to us. See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Doing Business in China—PRC regulations relating to the establishment of offshore special purpose companies by PRC residents may subject our PRC resident shareholders or us to penalties and fines, and limit our ability to inject capital into our PRC subsidiaries, limit our subsidiaries’ ability to increase their registered capital, distribute profits to us, or otherwise adversely affect us.”

The National People’s Congress of the PRC adopted and promulgated the EIT Law on March 16, 2007. The EIT Law went into effect as of January 1, 2008 and revised on February 24, 2017 and December 29, 2018, and unified the tax rate generally applicable to both domestic and foreign-invested enterprises in the PRC. Our company’s subsidiaries and affiliated entities in the PRC are generally subject to EIT at a statutory rate of 25%. Our subsidiaries and affiliated entities in the PRC that hold a HNTE qualification are entitled to enjoy a 15% preferential EIT rate.

In addition, under the EIT Law, enterprises organized under the laws of their respective jurisdictions outside the PRC may be classified as either “non-resident enterprises” or “resident enterprises.” Non-resident enterprises are subject to withholding tax at the rate of 20% with respect to their PRC-sourced dividend income if they have no establishment or place of business in the PRC or if such income is not related to their establishment or place of business in the PRC, unless otherwise exempted or reduced according to treaties or arrangements between the PRC central government and the governments of other countries or regions. The State Council has reduced the withholding tax rate to 10% in the newly promulgated implementation rules of the EIT Law. As we are incorporated in the Cayman Islands, we may be regarded as a “non-resident enterprise.” We hold equity interests in certain PRC subsidiaries through subsidiaries in Hong Kong. According to the Tax Agreement between the PRC and Hong Kong, dividends paid by a foreign-invested enterprise in the PRC to its corporate shareholder in Hong Kong holding 25% or more of its equity interest may be subject to withholding tax at the maximum rate of 5% if certain criteria are met. Entitlement to such lower tax rate on dividends according to tax treaties or arrangements between the PRC central government and governments of other countries or regions is further subject to approval and filing procedures of relevant tax authority.

In February 2018, the SAT issued the Announcement of the State Administration of Taxation on Issues Relating to “Beneficial Owner” in Tax Treaties on issues relating to “beneficial owner” in tax treaties, or Circular No. 9, which took effect on April 1, 2018. Circular No. 9 provides a more elastic guidance to determine whether the applicant engages in substantive business activities to constitute a “beneficial owner.” When determining the applicant’s status of the “beneficial owner” regarding tax treatments in connection with dividends, interests or royalties in the tax treaties, several factors, including without limitation, whether the applicant is obligated to pay more than 50% of his or her income in the past twelve months to residents in third country or region, whether the business operated by the applicant constitutes the actual business activities, and whether the other country or region to the tax treaties does not levy any tax or grant tax exemption on relevant incomes at all or levy tax at an extremely low rate, will be taken into account, and it will be analyzed according to the actual circumstances of the specific cases. This circular further provides that applicants who intend to prove his or her status of the “beneficial owner” shall submit the relevant documents to the relevant tax bureau according to the Administrative Measures for Non-Resident Enterprises to Enjoy Treatments under Tax Treaties, pursuant to which non-resident taxpayers which satisfy the criteria to be entitled to tax treaty benefits may, at the time of tax declaration or withholding declaration through a withholding agent, enjoy the tax treaty benefits, and be subject to follow-up administration by the tax authorities. If the non-resident taxpayer does not apply to the withholding agent for the tax treaty benefits, or such taxpayer does not satisfy the criteria to be entitled to tax treaty benefits, the withholding agent should withhold tax pursuant to the provisions of PRC tax laws. We cannot assure you that any dividends to be distributed by us or by our subsidiaries to our non-PRC shareholders and ADS holders whose jurisdiction of incorporation has a tax treaty with China providing a different withholding arrangement will be entitled to the benefits under the relevant withholding arrangement.

The EIT law deems an enterprise established offshore but having its management organ in the PRC as a “resident enterprise” that will be subject to PRC tax at the rate of 25% of its global income. Under the Implementation Rules of the New Enterprise Income Tax Law, the term “management organ” is defined as “an organ which has substantial and overall management and control over the manufacturing and business operation, personnel, accounting, properties and other factors.” On April 22, 2009, the SAT further issued Circular 82. According to Circular 82, a foreign enterprise controlled by a PRC company or a PRC company group shall be deemed a PRC resident enterprise, if (i) the senior management and the core management departments in charge of its daily operations are mainly located and function in the PRC; (ii) its financial decisions and human resource decisions are subject to the determination or approval of persons or institutions located in the PRC; (iii) its major assets, accounting books, company seals, minutes and files of board meetings and shareholders’ meetings are located or kept in the PRC; and (iv) more than half of the directors or senior management with voting rights reside in the PRC. On July 27, 2011, SAT issued SAT Bulletin 45 which further clarified the detailed procedures for determination of the resident status provided in Circular 82, competent tax authorities in charge and post-determination administration of such resident enterprises. Although our offshore companies are not controlled by any PRC company or PRC company group, we cannot assure you that we will not be deemed to be a “resident enterprise” under the EIT Law and thus be subject to PRC EIT on our global income.

According to the EIT Law and its implementation rules, dividends are exempted from income tax if such dividends are received by a PRC resident enterprise on equity interests it directly owns in another PRC resident enterprise. However, foreign corporate holders of our shares or ADSs may be subject to taxation at a rate of 10% on any dividends received from us or any gains realized from the transfer of our shares or ADSs if we are deemed to be a resident enterprise or if such income is otherwise regarded as income “sourced within the PRC.” See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Company and Our Industry—The PRC income tax laws may increase our tax burden or the tax burden on the holders of our shares or ADSs, and tax benefits available to us may be reduced or repealed, causing the value of your investment in us to decrease.”

With respect to sales taxes, before December 31, 2011, all the services provided by our PRC subsidiaries were subject to business taxes at the rate of 5%. On March 23, 2016, the Ministry of Finance and the SAT jointly issued the Circular on the Pilot Program for Overall Implementation of the Collection of Value Added Tax Instead of Business Tax, or Circular 36, which took effect on May 1, 2016. Pursuant to Circular 36, all companies operating in construction, real estate, finance, modern service or other sectors which were required to pay business tax are required to pay VAT in lieu of business tax As a result of Circular 36, the services provided by Shanghai IT, The9 Computer and C9I Shanghai as general VAT payers will be subject to VAT at the rate of 6%, and the services provided by our other PRC subsidiaries or affiliated PRC entities as small-scale VAT payers will be subject to VAT at the rate of 3%.

Our subsidiaries in the United States are registered in California and are subject to U.S. federal corporate marginal income tax at a rate of 21% for the taxable year ending December 31, 2018 and subsequent taxable years and state income tax at a rate of 8.84%, respectively.

Since our inception, inflation in China has not materially affected our results of operations. According to the National Bureau of Statistics of China, the year-over-year percent changes in the consumer price index for December 2016, 2017 and 2018 increases of 2.1%, 1.8% and 1.9%, respectively. Although we have not been materially affected by inflation, we may be affected if China experiences higher rates of inflation in the future.

We prepare financial statements in conformity with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, or U.S. GAAP, which requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities on the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the financial reporting period. We continually evaluate these estimates and assumptions based on the most recently available information, our own historical experience and various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Since the use of estimates is an integral component of the financial reporting process, actual results could differ from those estimates. Some of our accounting policies require higher degrees of judgment than others in their application. We consider the policies discussed below to be critical to an understanding of our financial statements as their application assists management in making their business decisions.

PRC laws and regulations, including the GAPP Circular and the Network Publication Measures, currently prohibit or restrict foreign ownership of Internet-related businesses. We believe, consistent with the view of our PRC legal counsel, that our current structure complies with these foreign ownership restrictions, subject to the interpretation and implementation of the GAPP Circular and the Network Publication Measures. Specifically, we operate our business through Shanghai IT and have entered into a series of contractual arrangements with Shanghai IT and its equity owners. See the contractual arrangements set forth in “Corporate History and Structure — Arrangements with Affiliated PRC Entities.” As a result of these contractual arrangements, we are entitled to receive service fees for services provided to Shanghai IT for an amount determined at our discretion, up to 90% of PRC entities’ profits. In addition, the equity owners of record for these entities have pledged all their equity interests in the VIEs to us as collateral for all of their payments due to the wholly-owned foreign enterprise, or WOFE, and to secure performance of all obligations of the VIEs and their shareholders under various agreements. In addition, the agreements provide that any dividend distributions made by the VIEs, if any, are required to be deposited in an escrow account over which we have exclusive control. Moreover, through the Call Option Agreements and Shareholder Voting Proxy Agreements, each shareholder of the VIEs granted WOFE or any third parties designated by the WOFE an irrevocable power of attorney to act on all matters pertaining to the VIEs. We believe that the terms of the Call Option Agreements are currently exercisable and legally enforceable under the PRC laws and regulations. We also believe that the minimum amount of consideration permitted by the applicable PRC law to exercise the options does not represent a financial barrier or disincentive for us to exercise our rights under the Call Option Agreements. A simple majority vote of our board of directors is required to pass a resolution to exercise our rights under the Call Option Agreements, for which consent of the shareholder of the VIEs is not required. As a result of the totality of these arrangements, we have both the power to direct activities that most significantly impact the VIEs economic performance and the obligation to absorb losses of or right to receive benefits from the VIEs that are significant to Shanghai IT. As a result, we concluded we are the primary beneficiary of Shanghai IT and as such Shanghai IT is consolidated VIE of our company.

The GAPP Circular reiterates and reinforces the long-standing prohibition of foreign ownership of Internet-related publication businesses via direct, indirect or disguised methods, and the Network Publication Measures provides that the manner of project cooperation shall be subject to prior examination and approval by the GAPPRFT. However, it is not clear whether GAPPRFT and MIIT have regulatory authority over the ownership structures of online game companies based in China and online game operation in China. In addition, the GAPP Circular and the Network Publication Measures do not specifically invalidate VIE agreements, and we are not aware of any online game companies adopting similar contractual arrangements as ours having been penalized or ordered to terminate such arrangements since the GAPP Circular first became effective. Therefore, we believe that our ability to direct the activities of Shanghai IT that most significantly impact our economic performance is not affected by the GAPP Circular. Any changes in PRC laws and regulations that affect our ability to control Shanghai IT might preclude us from consolidating Shanghai IT in the future. See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Company and Our Industry—PRC laws and regulations restrict foreign ownership of Internet content provision, Internet culture operation and Internet publishing licenses, and substantial uncertainties exist with respect to the application and implementation of PRC laws and regulations.”

We recognize revenues when control of the promised goods or services is transferred to our customers, in an amount that reflects the consideration expected to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services. Depending on the terms of the contract and the laws that apply to the contract, control of the goods or services may be transferred over time or at a point in time. We do not believe that significant management judgments are involved in revenue recognition. We adopted ASC topic 606 using the modified retrospective transition approach method, reflecting the cumulative effect of initially applying the new standard to revenue recognition in 2018. We evaluated all revenue streams to assess the impact of implementing ASC topic 606 on revenue contracts. The adoption of ASC topic 606 did not change our consolidated balance sheets, consolidated statement of cash flows, or consolidated statement of changes in equity as of, or for the year ended, December 31, 2018.

We earn revenue from provision of online game operation services to players on the game servers and third-party platforms and overseas licensing of the online game to other operators. We grant operation right on authorized games, together with associated services which are rendered to the customers over time. We adopt virtual item / service consumption model for the online game services. Players can access certain games free of charge, but many of them purchase game points to acquire in-game premium features. We may act as principal or agent through the various transaction arrangements we entered into.

The determination on whether to record the revenue gross or net is based on an assessment of various factors, including but not limited to whether we (i) are the primary obligor in the arrangement; (ii) have general inventory risk; (iii) change the product or perform part of the services; (iv) have latitude in establishing the selling price; and (v) have involvement in the determination of product or service specifications. The assessment is performed for all of the licensed online games.

Revenues from online game operation operated through telecom carriers and certain online games operators are recognized upon consumption of the in-game premium features based on the gross of revenue sharing-payments to third-party operators, but net of VAT. We obtain revenue from the sale of in-game virtual items. Revenues are recognized when the virtual items are consumed or over the estimated lives of the virtual items, which are estimated by considering the average period that active players and players’ behavior patterns derived from operating data. Accordingly, commission fees paid to third-party operators are recorded as cost of revenues.

With respect to games license arrangements we entered into with third-party operators, if the terms provide that (i) third-party operators are responsible for providing game desired by the game players; (ii) the hosting and maintenance of game servers for running the games are the responsibility of third-party operators; (iii) third-party operators have the right to review and approve the pricing of in-game virtual items and the specification, modification or update of the game made by us; and (iv) publishing, providing payment solution and market promotion services are the responsibilities of third-party operators and we are responsible to provide the license of intellectual property and subsequent technical services, then we consider ourselves as an agent of the third-party operators in such arrangement with game players. Accordingly, we record the game revenues from these licensed games, net of amounts paid to the third-party operators.

We license our proprietary online games to other game operators and receive license fees and royalty income in connection with their operation of the games. License fee revenue is recognized evenly throughout the license period after commencement of the game, given that our intellectual property rights subject to the license are considered to be symbolic and the licensee has the right to access such intellectual property rights as they exist over time when the license is granted. Monthly revenue-based royalty payments are recognized when the relevant services are delivered, provided that collectability is reasonably assured. We view the third-party licensee operators as our customers and recognize revenues on a net basis, as we do not have the primary responsibility for fulfillment and acceptability of the game services.

Technical services mainly include blockchain-related consulting services where we provide services related to the designing, programming and other related services to our customers.

These revenues are recognized when delivery of the service has occurred or when services have been rendered and the collection of the related fees are reasonably assured.

Timing of revenue recognition may differ from the timing of invoicing to customers. Accounts receivable represent amounts invoiced and revenue recognized prior to invoicing, when we satisfy its performance obligations and have the unconditional right to payment.

Deferred revenue relates to unsatisfied performance obligations at the end of the period and primarily consists of fees received from game players in the online game services and technical services. For deferred revenue, due to the generally short-term duration of the contracts, the majority of the performance obligations are satisfied in the following reporting period. The amount of revenue recognized that was included in deferred revenue balance at the beginning of the period was RMB5.4 million (US$0.8 million) for the year ended December 31, 2018.

We account for income taxes under the asset and liability method. Deferred taxes are determined based upon the differences between the carrying value of assets and liabilities for financial reporting and tax purposes at currently enacted statutory tax rates for the years in which the differences are expected to reverse. The effect on deferred taxes of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period of change.

A valuation allowance is provided on deferred tax assets to the extent that it is more likely than not that such deferred tax assets will not be realized. The total income tax provision includes current tax expenses under applicable tax regulations and the change in the balance of deferred tax assets and liabilities. Realization of the future tax benefits related to the deferred tax assets is dependent on many factors, including our ability to generate taxable income within the period during which the temporary differences reverse or our tax loss carry forwards expire, the outlook for the PRC economic environment, and the overall future industry outlook. We consider these factors in reaching our conclusion on the recoverability of the deferred tax assets and determine the valuation allowances necessary at each balance sheet date.

We recognize the impact of an uncertain income tax position at the largest amount that is more-likely-than-not to be sustained upon audit by the relevant tax authority. Income tax related interest is classified as interest expenses and penalties as income tax expense. As of December 31, 2016, 2017 and 2018, we did not have any material liability for uncertain tax positions. Our policy is to recognize, if any, tax-related interest as interest expenses and penalties as income tax expenses. For the years ended December 31, 2016, 2017 and 2018, we did not have any material interest and penalties associated with tax positions.

Our intangible assets consist primarily of acquired game licenses and acquired game development costs from business combination.

Acquired game licenses are amortized on a straight-line basis over the shorter of the useful economic life of the relevant online game or license period, which range from two to seven years. Amortization of upfront licensing fees commences upon the monetization of the related online game. We recognize intangible assets acquired through business acquisitions as assets separate from goodwill. Acquired in-process research and development costs are initially considered an indefinite-lived asset. Subsequently, they are recorded as acquired game development cost upon completion of the research and development efforts and are amortized on a straight-line basis over the useful economic life of the relevant online game. Amortization of acquired game development cost commences upon the monetization of the related online game.

Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the identifiable assets and liabilities acquired as a result of our business acquisition. Goodwill is tested for impairment annually or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that it might be impaired. In September 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board, or FASB, issued an authoritative pronouncement related to testing goodwill for impairment. The guidance permits us to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is “more likely than not” that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount as a basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform the two-step goodwill impairment test. We have adopted this pronouncement since 2012. If it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, we complete a two-step goodwill impairment test in December of each year. The first step is to compare the fair value of each reporting unit to its carrying amount, including goodwill. If the fair value of a reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount, goodwill is not considered to be impaired and the second step will not be required. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, the second step is to compare the implied fair value of goodwill to the carrying value of a reporting unit’s goodwill. The implied fair value of goodwill is determined in a manner similar to accounting for a business combination with the allocation of the assessed fair value determined in the first step to the assets and liabilities of the reporting unit. The excess of the fair value of the reporting unit over the amounts assigned to the assets and liabilities is the implied fair value of goodwill. This allocation process is only performed for purposes of evaluating goodwill impairment and does not result in an entry to adjust the value of any assets or liabilities. An impairment loss is recognized for any excess in the carrying value of goodwill over the implied fair value of goodwill. After completing our annual impairment reviews during the fourth quarter of 2015, the reporting unit that was subject to the annual impairment testing had a fair value which exceeded its respective carrying value by a significant margin with no risk of failing the first step of the impairment test. In 2016, due to the weaker-than-expected operating performance of Red 5, we concluded that goodwill was fully impaired as of December 31, 2016. There was no goodwill as of December 31, 2017 or December 31, 2018.

Under the 2004 Stock Option Plan, or the Option Plan, we granted options to purchase a total of 355,000 and 10,110,000 ordinary shares of our company to our employees and directors in 2013 and 2015, respectively. We did not grant any options under the Option Plan in 2014. We granted options to purchase a total of 6,000,000, nil and 8,250,000 ordinary shares of our company in 2016, 2017 and 2018, respectively.

We measure the cost of employee services received in exchange for stock-based compensation measured at the grant date fair value of the award. For the awards that are modified, we determine the incremental cost as the excess of the fair value of the modified award over the fair value of the original award immediately before its terms are modified, measured based on the share price and other pertinent factors at that date. We recognize the compensation costs, net of the estimated forfeiture, on a straight-line basis over the vesting period of the award, which generally ranges from one to four years. Forfeiture rates are estimated based on historical forfeiture patterns and adjusted to reflect future changes in circumstances and facts, if any. If actual forfeitures differ from those estimates, the estimates may be revised in subsequent periods. We use historical data to estimate pre-vesting option forfeitures and record stock-based compensation expense only for those awards that are expected to vest.

Determining the fair value of stock options requires significant judgment. We measure the fair value of the stock options using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with assumptions made regarding expected term, volatility, risk-free interest rate, and dividend yield. The expected term represents the period of time that the awards granted are expected to be outstanding. The expected term is determined based on historical data on employee exercise and post-vesting employment termination behavior, or the “simplified” method for stock option awards with the characteristics of “plain vanilla” options for 2010 and 2011. Expected volatilities are based on historical volatilities of our ordinary shares. Risk-free interest rate is based on U.S. government bonds issued with maturity terms similar to the expected term of the stock-based awards. While we paid a discretionary cash dividend in January 2009, we do not anticipate paying any recurring cash dividends in the foreseeable future.

In addition, on December 8, 2010, we granted 1,500,000 ordinary shares to Jun Zhu, our chairman and chief executive officer, which will only be vested if our company achieves certain income targets and the shares are not entitled to receive dividends until they become vested. Of such shares, 500,000 ordinary shares were vested and issued to Incsight Limited, a company wholly-owned by Jun Zhu, on November 17, 2015. We considered the grant of ordinary shares as an incentive to retain Mr. Jun Zhu’s services with our company. The awarded non-vested shares would be valid for five years from December 8, 2010. The fair value of the granted non-vested shares is US$6.48 per share, the market price on the date of grant. We record share-based compensation expenses for these performance-based awards based upon our estimate of the probable outcome at the end of the performance period (i.e., the estimated performance against the performance targets). We periodically adjust the cumulative share-based compensation recorded when the probable outcome for these performance-based awards is updated based upon changes in actual and forecasted operating results. Our actual performance against the performance targets could differ materially from our estimates.

In May 2011, we granted 30,000 ordinary shares to each of our four non-executive directors, of which 10,000 ordinary shares vest for each director on July 1 of each year from 2011 to 2013 so long as such director continues his service as of such date. An aggregate of 40,000 ordinary shares vested in each of July 2011, July 2012 and July 2013, respectively. The fair value of the shares granted was US$6.03 per share, being the market price on the date of the grant.

In February 2006, Red 5 adopted a Stock Incentive Plan, or Red 5 Stock Incentive Plan, under which Red 5 may grant to its employees, director and consultants stock options to purchase common stocks or restricted stocks of Red 5. Red 5 granted options to purchase an aggregate of 28,963,258 shares of common stock under the Red 5 Stock Incentive Plan from April 6, 2010 to December 31, 2013. In September 2012, Red 5 granted an aggregate of 6,122,435 restricted common stocks to two directors of Red 5 including Mr. Zhu for their services to Red 5. We measure the share-based compensation based on the fair value of the award as of the grant date. We measure the fair value of the stock options using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with assumptions made regarding the fair value of the common stock, expected term, volatility, risk-free interest rate, and dividend yield.

In January 2018, we granted 8,250,000 options to directors, officers and consultants, of which 5,750,000 shares would vest based on their services period with our company and 2,500,000 shares granted would vest subject to their performance condition. We measured the fair value of the options using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. In September 2018, we canceled a total of 6,200,000 shares granted in January 2018.

Share-based compensation expenses of RMB28.1 million, RMB38.0 million and RMB3.9 million (US$0.6 million) were recognized for the year ended December 31, 2016, 2017 and 2018, respectively, for options and warrants granted to our company’s and its subsidiaries’ employees and directors, including compensation cost due to the acceleration vesting and exercise of options in June 2017.

We assess our equity investments for impairment on a periodic basis by considering factors including, but not limited to, current economic and market conditions, the operating performance of the investees including current earnings trends, the technological feasibility of the investee’s products and technologies, the general market conditions in the investee’s industry or geographic area, factors related to the investee’s ability to remain in business, such as the investee’s liquidity, debt ratios, and cash burn rate and other company-specific information including recent financing rounds. If it has been determined that the carrying amount of investment is higher than related fair value and that this decline is other-than-temporary, the carrying value of the investment is adjusted downward to reflect these declines in value. Impairment loss on investments of RMB2.8 million, RMB9.1 million and RMB9.2 million (US$1.3 million) was recognized in 2016, 2017 and 2018, respectively.

We review long-lived assets and intangible assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset or asset group may not be recoverable. We assess the recoverability of long-lived assets and intangible assets (other than goodwill) by comparing the carrying amount to the estimated future undiscounted cash flow associated with the related assets. We recognize impairment of long-lived assets and intangible assets in the event that the net book value of such assets exceeds the estimated future undiscounted cash flow attributable to such assets. We use estimates and judgment in our impairment tests, and if different estimates or judgments had been utilized, the timing or the amount of the impairment charges could be different. Impairment charges relating to intangible assets and other assets amounting to RMB68.0 million, nil and nil were recognized in 2016, 2017 and 2018, respectively.

As a result of non-renewal of WoW license on June 7, 2009, we announced a refund plan in connection with inactivated WoW game point cards. According to the plan, inactivated WoW game point card holders are eligible to receive a cash refund from us. We recorded a liability in connection with both inactivated points cards and activated but unconsumed point cards of approximately RMB200.4 million, of which RMB4.0 million was refunded in 2009. Upon the loss of the WoW license, we concluded that the nature of the obligation substantively changed from deferred revenue, for which we had the ability to satisfy the underlying performance obligation, to an obligation to refund players for their unconsumed points. Thus, we have accounted for this refund liability by applying the relevant de-recognition guidance when determining the proper accounting treatment. In accordance with this guidance, the refund liability associated with these WoW game points, to the extent not refunded, will be recorded as other operating income after we are legally released from the obligation to refund amounts under the applicable laws. As we announced the refund plan on September 7, 2009, the statute of limitations of the creditors (in this case the game players with claims for refund of inactivated WoW game point cards) to assert their claims for refund is two years from such date under applicable laws and thus our legal liability relating to the inactivated WoW game point cards was extinguished on September 7, 2011 and the associated liability amounting to RMB26.0 million was recognized as other operating income for the year ended December 31, 2011. With respect to the remaining refund liability, based on current PRC laws, to the extent not refunded, we, in consultation with legal counsel, have determined that we will be legally released from this liability in 2029, which represents 20 years from the date of discontinuation of WoW in 2009. However, if management were to publicly announce a refund policy, we would be legally released from any remaining liability for these activated, but unconsumed points, sooner than 20 years. To date, we have determined not to publicly announce any refund policy with respect to this remaining liability, and no refunds have been claimed. The remaining refund liability relating to the activated, but unconsumed WoW game points was RMB170.0 million (US$24.7 million) as of December 31, 2018.

We have issued convertible notes and warrants in December 2015. We have evaluated whether the conversion feature of the notes is considered an embedded derivative instrument subject to bifurcation in accordance with ASC 815, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities. Based on our evaluation, the conversion feature is not considered an embedded derivative instrument subject to bifurcation as conversion option does not provide the holder of the notes with means to net settle the contracts. Convertible notes, for which the embedded conversion feature does not qualify for derivative treatment, are evaluated to determine if the effective rate of conversion pursuant to the terms of the convertible note agreement is below market value. In these instances, the value of the BCF is determined as the intrinsic value of the conversion feature, which is recorded as deduction to the carrying amount of the notes and credited to additional paid-in-capital. For convertible notes issued with detachable warrants, a portion of the note’s proceeds is allocated to the warrant based on the fair value of the warrants as of the date of issuance. The allocated fair values for the warrants and BCF are both recorded in the financial statements as debt discounts from the face amount of the notes, which are then accreted to interest expense over the life of the related debt using the effective interest method.

We account for the detachable warrants issued in connection with convertible notes under the authoritative guidance on accounting for derivative financial instruments indexed to, and potentially settled in, a company’s own stock. We classify warrants in our consolidated balance sheet as a liability which is revalued at each balance sheet date subsequent to the initial issuance. We use the Black-Scholes pricing model to value the warrants. Determining the appropriate fair-value model and calculating the fair value of warrants requires considerable judgment. A small change in the estimates used may cause a relatively large change in the estimated valuation. The estimated volatility of our common stock at the date of issuance, and at each subsequent reporting period, is based on historic fluctuations in our stock price. The risk-free interest rate is based on U.S. government bonds with a maturity similar to the expected remaining life of the warrants at the valuation date. The expected life of the warrants is based on the historical pattern of exercises of warrants.

Redeemable non-controlling interests are equity interests of our consolidated subsidiary not attribute to us that have redemption features that are not solely within our control. These interests are classified as temporary equity because their redemption is considered probable. These interests are measured at the greater of estimated redemption value at the end of each reporting period or the initial carrying amount of the redeemable noncontrolling interests adjusted for cumulative earnings (loss) allocations.

A list of recent accounting pronouncements that are relevant to us is included in note 2 to our consolidated financial statements, which are included in this prospectus.

The following table sets forth a summary of our consolidated statements of operations for the periods indicated, both in absolute amounts and as percentages of our total net revenues:

Revenues. Our revenues decreased by 76.1%, from RMB73.2 million in 2017 to RMB17.5 million (US$2.5 million) in 2018, primarily due to the decreases in (i) Firefall license revenue from System Link by RMB37.9 million (US$5.5 million) as Firefall ceased operations and all revenue had been recognized in 2017, (ii) IPTV revenue by RMB5.3 million (US$0.8 million) in 2018 as we started to record revenues net of amounts we paid to third-party operators of IPTV games since August 1, 2018, and (iii) revenue from Song of Knight by RMB1.3 million (US$0.2 million) as Song of Knight ceased operations in 2018.

Online Game Services. Our revenues from our online game services decreased by 76.8%, from RMB71.6 million in 2017 to RMB16.6 million (US$2.4 million) in 2018. The decrease was primarily attributable to the decreases in (i) Firefall license revenue from System Link by RMB37.9 million (US$5.5 million) as Firefall ceased operations and all revenue had been recognized in 2017, (ii) IPTV revenue by RMB5.3 million (US$0.8 million) in 2018 as described below, and (iii) revenue generated from Song of Knight by RMB1.3 million (US$0.2 million) as Song of Knight ceased operations in 2018.

Our revenues from TV games decreased by 30.8% from RMB17.2 million in 2017 to RMB11.9 million (US$1.7 million) in 2018. The decrease was partly attributable to the change of the revenue recognition policy of the revenue from TV games. Previously, we recorded our IPTV revenue on a gross basis. As we became an agent in the operation of IPTV games since August 1, 2018, we started to record revenues net of amounts we paid to third-party operators, and such amount of fees were no longer included in our cost of revenue. As a result, we did not record any revenues from TV games after August 1, 2018.

Other Revenues. Revenues generated from other products and services decreased from RMB1.6 million in 2017 to RMB0.9 million (US$0.1 million) in 2018, primarily due to a decrease in revenue generated by our education business conducted by The9 Education as we disposed The9 Education in January 2018.

Cost of Revenue. Cost of revenue decreased by 31.1% from RMB23.8 million in 2017 to RMB16.4 million (US$2.4 million) in 2018, primarily due to (i) the decrease in payroll as a result of the optimization of our organizational structure in 2018, and (ii) the change of revenue recognition policy of IPTV revenues.

Operating Expenses. Operating expenses decreased by 35.0% from RMB163.0 million in 2017 to RMB106.0 million (US$15.4 million) in 2018.

Product Development Expenses. Product development expenses decreased by 45.5% from RMB45.1 million in 2017 to RMB24.6 million (US$3.6 million) in 2018. The decrease was primarily due to a decrease in salaries for the product development personnel as the headcount of product development personnel decreased.

Sales and Marketing Expenses. Sales and marketing expenses decreased by 74.6% from RMB9.1 million in 2017 to RMB2.3 million (US$0.3 million) in 2018. The decrease in sales and marketing expenses was primarily due to a decrease in the salaries for the sales and marketing personnel and a decrease of marketing expenses.

General and Administrative Expenses. General and administrative expenses decreased by 17.6% from RMB108.8 million in 2017 to RMB89.6 million (US$13.0 million) in 2018. The decrease was primarily due to a decrease in payroll-related expenses as a result of our cost control measures and a decrease in share-based compensation expenses.

Gain on Disposal of Subsidiaries. We recorded gain on disposal of subsidiaries of RMB10.5 million (US$1.5 million) in 2018. The increase is mainly due to a gain from disposal of The9 Education completed in January 2018.

Other Operating Income. We had an other operating income of RMB0.2 million (US$0.03 million) in 2018, including primarily office rental income. We had an other operating income of RMB0.3 million in 2017, including primarily office rental income.

Impairment on Other Investments. We recorded an impairment of other investment amounting of RMB7.8 million (US$1.1 million) in 2018, primarily due to the decrease in the market value of our investments in Shanghai Ronglei, Plutux, Smartposting and Beijing Ti Knight. We recorded an impairment of other investment amounting to RMB9.1 million in 2017, primarily due to the decrease in the market value of our investment in Smartposting and Beijing Ti Knight.

Interest Income. Interest income increased from RMB0.03 million in 2017 to RMB0.2 million (US$0.03 million) in 2018.

Interest Expenses. Interest expenses increased from RMB83.9 million in 2017 to RMB104.8 million (US$15.2 million) in 2018, primarily due to the increase in accrued interest expenses on the Convertible Notes. The interest expenses of the Convertible Notes were calculated by using effective interest rate method.

Fair Value of Change on Warrants. We had a fair value of change on convertible bonds and warrants of RMB2.3 million (US$0.3 million) in 2018, primarily due to a decrease in our share price as of December 31, 2018 compared to December 31, 2017.

Gain (Loss) on Disposal of Equity Investee and Available-for-sale Investment. We had no gain or loss on disposal of equity investee and available-for-sale investment in 2018. We recorded a gain on disposal of equity investee and available-for-sale investment of RMB0.1 million in 2017 in connection with the disposal our partial shareholding in L&A.

Foreign Exchange Gain (Loss). We recorded foreign exchange loss of RMB20.3 million (US$3.0 million) in 2018, as compared to foreign exchange gain of RMB19.2 million in 2017, primarily due to the appreciation of U.S. dollar against Renminbi in 2018.

Other Income, Net. We recorded other net income of RMB1.6 million (US$0.2 million) in 2018, as compared to other net income of RMB4.7 million in 2017, primarily due to a decrease in government subsidies received in 2018.

Recovery of Equity Investment in Excess of Cost. We did not record any recovery of equity investment in excess of cost in 2018, while we recorded recovery of equity investment in excess of cost of RMB60.5 million in 2017, which was non-recurring in nature.

Net Loss Attributable to Holders of Ordinary Shares. Primarily as a result of the cumulative effect of the above factors, net loss attributable to our holders of ordinary shares increased from RMB175.3 million in 2017 to RMB258.0 million (US$37.5 million) in 2018.

Revenues. Our revenues increased by 30.1%, from RMB56.3 million in 2016 to RMB73.2 million in 2017, primarily due to the increase in revenues from the recognition of remaining unamortized Firefall licensing fees from System Link.

Online Game Services. Our revenues from our online game services increased by 47.4%, from RMB48.6 million in 2016 to RMB71.6 million in 2017. The increase was primarily due to an increase in revenues from the recognition of remaining unamortized Firefall licensing fees from System Link of RMB33.4 million in 2017. Such increase was partially offset by the decrease in revenues due to the cease of operations of Firefall in the United States and Europe and Song of Knights in China in July 2017.

Our revenues from TV games decreased from RMB24.0 million in 2016 to RMB17.2 million in 2017. Unlike PC online games, our TV games are operated through telecommunication carriers and we do not maintain information relating to active users pursuant to our cooperation agreements with the telecom carriers.

Other Revenues. Revenues generated from other products and services decreased by 78.7% from RMB7.7 million in 2016 to RMB1.6 million in 2017, primarily due to a decrease in our revenues from providing technical training to college students on mobile application programming.

Cost of Revenue. Cost of revenue decreased by 51.0% from RMB48.5 million in 2016 to RMB23.8 million in 2017, primarily due to a decrease in amortization of intangible assets following an impairment of intangible assets and a decrease in IPTV cost in 2017.

Operating Expenses. Operating expenses decreased by 46.9% from RMB306.9 million in 2016 to RMB163.0 million in 2017.

Product Development Expenses. Product development expenses decreased by 42.2% from RMB78.0 million in 2016 to RMB45.1 million in 2017. The decrease was primarily due to a decrease in staff cost relating to research and a decrease in depreciation expenses of fixed assets and rental fees of Red 5 as Red 5 ceased the operation of Firefall in 2017 and had no business operations since then.

Sales and Marketing Expenses. Sales and marketing expenses decreased by 57.3% from RMB21.3 million in 2016 to RMB9.1 million in 2017. The decrease in sales and marketing expenses was primarily due to a decrease in expenses incurred for Firefall.

General and Administrative Expenses. General and administrative expenses decreased by 15.7% from RMB129.0 million in 2016 to RMB108.8 million in 2017 The decrease was primary due to a decrease in payroll-related expenses under our cost control measures and a decrease in agency fees and related charges for the pledge of L&A shares.

Impairment on Intangible Assets. We had impairment charges on certain intangible assets of RMB68.0 million and nil for the year ended December 31, 2016 and 2017, respectively.

Impairment Loss on Goodwill. We recorded impairment of goodwill of RMB10.6 million and nil for the year ended December 31, 2016 and 2017, respectively.

Other Operating (Expenses) Income. We had an operating income of RMB0.3 million in 2017, including primarily office rental fee. We had an operating income of RMB3.6 million in 2016, including primarily IDC rental fee and office rental fee of RMB4.2 million, which were partially offset by the disposal of property, equipment and software of RMB0.6 million.

Impairment on Available-for-sale Investment. We did not record impairment on available-for-sale investments in 2017. We recorded an impairment on available-for-sale investment of RMB244.8 million in 2016, primarily due to a decrease in the share price of L&A, which we classify as available-for-sale investment.

Impairment on Other Investments. We recorded an impairment of other investment amounting to RMB9.1 million in 2017, primarily due to the decrease in the market value of our investment in Smartposting and Beijing Ti Knight. We recognized the impairment of RMB5.1 million and RMB4.0 million for Smartposting and Beijing Ti Knight, respectively, in 2017. We recorded an impairment of other investment amounting of RMB2.8 million in 2016, primarily due to a decrease in the market value of our investment in Tandem Fund II, L.P., or the Tandem Fund.

Interest Income. Interest income decreased from RMB0.2 million in 2016 to RMB0.03 million in 2017, primarily due to a decrease in our bank cash deposits during 2017.

Interest Expenses. Interest expenses increased from RMB56.5 million in 2016 to RMB83.9 million in 2017, primarily due to the increase in accrued interest expenses on the Convertible Notes.

Fair Value of Change on Warrants. We had a fair value of change on convertible bonds and warrants of RMB12.6 million in 2017, primarily due to a decrease in our share price as of December 31, 2017 compared to December 31, 2016.

Gain (Loss) on Disposal of Equity Investee and Available-for-sale Investment. We have disposed partial shareholding in L&A and recorded a gain on disposal of equity investee and available-for-sale investment of RMB0.1 million in 2017. We recorded a loss on disposal of equity investee and available for sale investment of RMB1.2 million in November 2016 in connection with the disposal of all of our equity interest in Crowdstar Inc., our equity investee, to a third-party investor.

Foreign Exchange Gain (Loss). We recorded foreign exchange gain of RMB19.2 million in 2017, as compared to foreign exchange loss of RMB13.1 million in 2016, primarily due to the depreciation of U.S. dollars against Renminbi in 2017.

Other Income (Expenses), Net. We recorded other net income of RMB4.7 million in 2017, as compared to other net expenses of RMB3.2 million in 2016, primarily due to the government subsidies received in 2017.

Recovery of Equity Investment in Excess of Cost. We recorded recovery of equity investment in excess of cost of RMB60.5 million in 2017, primarily related to the settlement payment of US$25.0 million received due to the termination of the CrossFire 2 license agreement related to and the joint venture agreement entered into by and between Oriental Shiny and Smilegate. Oriental Shiny and Smilegate agreed to terminate the CrossFire 2 license agreement in October 2017, and a settlement agreement was entered into by and among Qihoo 360, Smilegate and us. Pursuant to the settlement agreement, the joint venture agreement between Oriental Shiny and Smilegate would be terminated subsequent to the settlement payments of an aggregate amount of US$50.0 million by Smilegate. Smilegate later made settlement payments of US$25.0 million to Qihoo 360 and us, respectively. During 2017, we offset our share of losses in System Link for 2017 against the compensation of US$25.0 million from Smilegate and reduced our investment in System Link to nil. The remaining portion of the compensation, i.e. RMB60.5 million, was recorded as a gain as we have no further funding obligation to System Link or Oriental Shiny.

Net Loss Attributable to Holders of Ordinary Shares. Primarily as a result of the cumulative effect of the above factors, net loss attributable to our holders of ordinary shares decreased from RMB676.7 million in 2016 to RMB175.3 million in 2017.

We generated the majority of our operating income (loss) from our PRC operations. The following summarize our applicable tax rate in the Cayman Islands, Hong Kong, and the PRC.

The Cayman Islands currently levies no taxes on individuals or corporations based upon profits, income, gains or appreciation and there is no taxation in the nature of inheritance tax or estate duty.

Maples and Calder (Hong Kong) LLP, our legal counsel as to Cayman Islands law, has advised us that there are no other taxes likely to be material to us levied by the government of the Cayman Islands except for stamp duties which may be applicable on instruments executed in, or brought within the jurisdiction of the Cayman Islands. In addition, the Cayman Islands does not impose withholding tax on dividend payments.

Our subsidiaries incorporated in Hong Kong, is subject to 16.5% Hong Kong profit tax on its taxable income generated from operations in Hong Kong. Under Hong Kong tax laws, we are exempted from the Hong Kong income tax on our foreign-derived income. In addition, payments of dividends from our Hong Kong subsidiary to us are not subject to any Hong Kong withholding tax.

If we are considered a PRC resident enterprise under the EIT Law, our shareholders and ADS holders who are deemed non-resident enterprises may be subject to the 10% EIT on the dividends payable by us or any gains realized from the transfer of our shares or ADSs, if such income is deemed derived from China, provided that (i) such foreign enterprise investor has no establishment or premises in China, or (ii) it has establishment or premises in China but its income derived from China has no real connection with such establishment or premises. Furthermore, if we are considered a PRC resident enterprise and relevant PRC tax authorities consider the dividends we pay with respect to our shares or ADSs and the gains realized from the transfer of our shares or ADSs to be income derived from sources within the PRC, it is also possible that such dividends and gains earned by non-resident individuals may be subject to the 20% PRC individual income tax. It is uncertain whether, if we are considered a PRC resident enterprise, holders of our shares or ADSs would be able to claim the benefit of tax treaties or arrangements entered into between China and other jurisdictions.

If we are required under the PRC tax law to withhold PRC income tax on our dividends payable to our non-PRC resident shareholders and ADS holders, or if any gains realized from the transfer of our shares or ADSs by our non-PRC resident shareholders and ADS holders are subject to the EIT or the individual income tax, your investment in our shares or ADSs could be materially and adversely affected.

We are a holding company and conduct our operations primarily through our subsidiaries and affiliated PRC entities in China. As a result, our cash requirements and our ability to pay dividends principally depend upon dividends and other distributions from our subsidiaries, which in turn are derived principally from earnings generated by our affiliated PRC entities. Specifically, The9 Computer, one of our subsidiaries in China, obtains funds from the PRC entities in the form of payments under the exclusive technical service agreements, pursuant to which The9 Computer is entitled to determine the amount of payment.

We acknowledge that the PRC government imposes controls on the convertibility of the RMB into foreign currencies, and in certain cases, the remittance of currency out of China. However, under existing PRC foreign exchange regulations, payments 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 SAFE, by complying with certain procedural requirements. Therefore, we are able to pay dividends in foreign currencies without prior approval from SAFE or designated banks. Approval from or registration with appropriate government authorities and authorized banks is required 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.

Furthermore, if our subsidiaries or any newly formed subsidiaries incur debt on their own behalf, the agreements governing their debt may restrict their ability to pay dividends to us. See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Doing Business in China— Restrictions on currency exchange in China limit our ability to utilize our revenues effectively, make dividend payments and meet our foreign currency denominated obligations.”

Current PRC regulations restrict our affiliated entities and subsidiaries from paying dividends in the following two principal aspects: (i) our affiliated entities and subsidiaries in China are only permitted to pay dividends out of their respective accumulated profits, if any, determined in accordance with PRC accounting standards and regulations; and (ii) these entities are required to allocate at least 10% of their respective accumulated profits each year, if any, to fund certain capital reserves until the cumulative total of the allocated reserves reaches 50% of registered capital, and a portion of their respective after-tax profits to their staff welfare and bonus reserve funds as determined by their respective boards of directors. Although the statutory reserves can be used, among other ways, to increase the registered capital and eliminate future losses in excess of retained earnings of the respective companies, companies may not distribute the reserve funds as cash dividends except upon a liquidation of these subsidiaries. In addition, dividend payments from our PRC subsidiaries could be delayed as we may only distribute such dividends upon completion of annual statutory audits of the subsidiaries. As of December 31, 2018, such restricted portion was RMB8.2 million (US$1.2 million). We have not directed our PRC subsidiaries or affiliated entities to distribute any dividends to-date.

The aggregate net assets as of December 31, 2016, 2017 and 2018, as reflected on our statutory accounts, including registered capital and statutory reserves, were approximately RMB76.1 million, RMB52.0 million and RMB42.4 million (US$6.2 million) higher than the amounts determined under U.S. GAAP, respectively.

We fund our operations primarily through our available cash in hand as well as cash generated from our operating, financing and investing activities. As of December 31, 2016, 2017 and 2018, we had RMB38.9 million, RMB142.6 million and RMB4.3 million (US$0.6 million), respectively, in cash and cash equivalents. The decrease in cash and cash equivalents from 2017 to 2018 was primarily due to the cash outflows from operating activities associated with our product development and sales and marketing efforts for our new games. The increase in cash and cash equivalents from 2016 to 2017 was primarily because we received US$25.0 million settlement payment from one of our investees in 2017.

We have an accumulated deficit of approximately RMB3,233.1 million (US$470.2 million) and total current liabilities exceeded total assets by approximately RMB743.7 million (US$108.2 million) as of December 31, 2018. We also had a net loss of approximately RMB239.3 million (US$34.8 million) for the year ended December 31, 2018, and have not generated significant revenues or positive cash flows from operations since 2009. We expect to continue to incur product development and sales and marketing expenses for licensed and proprietary new games in order to achieve revenue growth. To meet our capital needs, we have engaged and are considering multiple alternatives, including but not limited to debt financings, other financing transactions, launch new games and cost control, as discussed below. We may continue to incur losses, negative cash flows from operating activities and net current liabilities in the future. If we are not able to return to profitability or raise sufficient capital to cover our capital needs, we may not continue as a going concern. See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Company and Our Industry—We may continue to incur losses, negative cash flows from operating activities and net current liabilities in the future. If we are not able to return to profitability or raise sufficient capital to cover our capital needs, we may not continue as a going concern.”

We have launched and plan to launch our proprietary mobile online games, including the CrossFire New Mobile Game, Audition, Q Jiang San Guo and Pop Fashion. In November 2017, we entered into an exclusive publishing agreement with a third-party company, pursuant to which this third-party company was granted an exclusive right to publish the CrossFire New Mobile Game and Audition in China. We have invested significant financial and personnel resources in development of our proprietary CrossFire New Mobile Game and we expect to launch this game in 2019.

In 2018, we stepped into the blockchain-related service market. We invested in several blockchain-related companies to conduct related services and development of blockchain-technology-enabled products. In January 2018, we have subscribed a total of 5,297,257 tokens at a consideration of US$2.0 million from a third-party company and the tokens are expected to be issued in 2019.

Currently a significant portion of our cash requirements is attributable to payroll-related costs. We have the ability to control the level of discretionary spending on payroll by reducing our headcount within a short period of time when necessary. However, there can be no assurance that we will be able to successfully conduct the cost control measures with results favorable to us, or at all.

If we are unable to obtain the necessary capital, we will need to license or sell our assets, seek to be acquired by another entity and/or cease operations. See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Company and Our Industry—We may not be able to obtain additional financing to support our business and operations, and our equity or debt financings may have an adverse effect on our business operations and share price.”

We believe that, upon the successful implementation of the foregoing potential sources of cash flow and potential cost control measures, we may have sufficient financial resources to meet our anticipated operating cash flow requirements, to meet our obligations and to pay off liabilities as and when they fall due for the 12 months following the date of this prospectus.

Pursuant to the Convertible Note and Warrant Purchase Agreement dated November 24, 2015, on December 11, 2015, we issued and sold the Convertible Notes in the aggregate principal amount of US$40,050,000 to Splendid Days Limited, or Splendid Days. We received net proceeds of US$36,850,000 from the sale of the Convertible Notes. The Convertible Notes are divided into three tranches in principal amounts of US$22,250,000, US$13,350,000 and US$4,450,000, respectively, which will be convertible at the option of the holder at any time into our ADSs at initial conversion prices of US$7.8, US$15.6 and US$23.4 per ADS, each representing three ordinary shares, respectively, provided that at no time shall the holder convert any portion of the Convertible Notes if subsequent to such conversion such holder will hold more than 20% of the total outstanding and issued shares of our company. The Convertibles Notes bear interest at a rate of 12% per year, payable when the principal amount of the Convertible Notes becomes due, and have initial terms of three years, subject to an extension for two years at the discretion of the holder. The initial conversion prices are subject to adjustments for share splits, reverse splits, share dividends and distributions, and certain issuances (or deemed issuances) of ordinary shares or ADSs for consideration less than the conversion price then in effect. In addition, the holder of the Convertible Notes is entitled to any extraordinary cash dividend (to the extent that it exceeds the accrued interest amount per share) and dividend in kind that we distribute based on the number of shares into which the Convertible Notes are then convertible. Following a “change of control,” as such term is defined in the Convertible Notes, the holder of the Convertible Notes will be entitled to require us to redeem all or part of the Convertible Notes, at a price payable in cash equal to 100% of the outstanding principal amount of the Convertible Notes, plus all accrued and unpaid interest thereon, if any. In addition, pursuant to the terms of the Convertible Notes, if there is a continuing event of default, the holder will be entitled to declare any of the Convertible Notes immediately due and payable, and request redemption by us at a price equal to the outstanding principal amount plus all accrued and unpaid interest thereon, if any. “Events of default” as defined in the Convertible Notes include, among other things, an event of default under any indebtedness in the amount exceeding US$500,000.

Pursuant to the same agreement, on December 11, 2015, we issued to Splendid Days four tranches of warrants in an aggregate principal amount of US$9,950,000. The Warrants are divided into four tranches in principal amounts of US$5,000,000, US$2,750,000, US$1,650,000 and US$550,000, respectively, which will be exercisable for our ADSs at the option of the holder at any time at initial exercise prices of US$4.5, US$7.8, US$15.6 and US$23.4 per ADS, each representing three ordinary shares, respectively. The initial exercise prices are subject to adjustments for share splits, reverse splits, share dividends and distributions, distribution of assets, certain issuances (or deemed issuances) of ordinary shares or ADSs for consideration less than the exercise price then in effect, as applicable for each warrant. In addition, the holder of the Warrants with initial exercise prices of US$7.8, US$15.6 and US$23.4 per ADS, each representing three ordinary shares, is entitled to any cash dividend (to the extent that it exceeds the notional interest amount attributable to such Warrants) and dividend in kind that we distribute based on the number of shares into which the Warrants are then exercisable. The tranche of Warrants with an exercise price of US$4.5 per ADS, each representing three ordinary shares, has a term of five years, while the remaining three tranches have initial terms of three years, which have expired as of the date of this prospectus. We entered into a deed of settlement with Splendid Days, the holder of the Convertible Notes, in March 2019, and later entered into an amendment to the deed of settlement in May 2019. Pursuant to such amendment, the Convertible Notes are required to be repaid by July 31, 2019. As of the date of this prospectus, the Convertible Notes are secured by a mortgage over our office building in Shanghai. We expect to repay the Convertible Notes by the proceeds from planned sale of the mortgaged properties. Pursuant to the agreement, we have registered the ordinary shares into which the Convertible Notes are convertible and the Warrants are exercisable on a registration statement on F-3, which was declared effective by the SEC on June 17, 2016.

The following table sets forth the summary of our cash flows for the periods indicated:

Net cash used in operating activities was RMB101.2 million (US$14.7 million) in 2018, compared to RMB86.7 million in 2017 and RMB179.8 million in 2016. The increase of net cash used in operating activities in 2018 was mainly due to an increase in cash outflow associated with blockchain business.

The net cash used in operating activities in 2018 primarily reflected a net loss of RMB239.3 million (US$34.8 million), partially offset by the interest expense on Convertible Notes of RMB98.3 million (US$14.3 million), provision for doubtful other receivables of RMB21.0 million (US$3.1 million), impairment on equity and other investment of RMB9.2 million (US$1.3 million), depreciation and amortization of property, equipment and software and land use right of RMB5.6 million (US$0.8 million) and adjustments for share-based compensation expense of RMB3.9 million (US$0.6 million).

The net cash used in operating activities in 2017 primarily reflected a net loss of RMB112.1 million, partially offset by the interest expense on convertible note of RMB77.0 million, recovery of equity investment in excess of cost of RMB60.5 million, adjustments for share-based compensation expense of RMB38.0 million, consulting fee paid by equity of RMB13.5 million, and depreciation and amortization of property, equipment and software and land use right of RMB7.2 million.

The net cash used in operating activities in 2016 primarily reflected a net loss of RMB667.1 million, partially offset by the impairment of available-for-sales investment of RMB244.8 million, adjustments for share-based compensation expense of RMB28.1 million, impairment of intangible assets of RMB68.0 million, amortization of intangible assets of RMB10.2 million, and depreciation and amortization of property, equipment and software of RMB7.3 million.

Net cash used in investing activities was RMB17.3 million (US$2.5 million) in 2018, which primarily included (i) advance payment of US$2.0 million to subscribe tokens of a third party, (ii) purchase of other investments of RMB5.3 million (US$0.8 million), and (iii) proceeds from disposal of assets and liabilities held for sale of RMB2.8 million (US$0.4 million).

Net cash provided by investing activities was RMB161.9 million in 2017, which primarily included (i) the settlement payment of US$25.0 million from our investee in 2017, (ii) purchase of investment in Ti Knight Inc. of RMB4.0 million, (iii) loan receivable due from ZTE9 of RMB4.0 million, and (iv) proceeds from disposal of other investment in Tandem Fund of RMB1.2 million.

Net cash used in investing activities was RMB10.0 million in 2016, which primarily included (i) loan receivable due from ZTE9 of RMB2.8 million, (ii) capital expenditures including purchase of property, equipment, software and license of RMB8.3 million, partially offset by a dividend of RMB0.7 million from Tandem Fund.

Net cash used in financing activities in 2018 was RMB18.4 million (US$2.7 million), primarily attributable to the repayment of RMB29.1 million (US$4.2 million) of a loan from a related party, partially offset by a loan from a related party of RMB11.0 million (US$1.6 million).

Net cash provided by financing activities in 2017 was RMB44.1 million, primarily attributable to loans of RMB73.9 million, borrowed from related parties, contributions from noncontrolling interest of RMB20.0 million, partially offset by repayments on the bank loan of RMB25.5 million provided by Bank of Shanghai.

Net cash provided by financing activities in 2016 was RMB190.1 million, primarily attributable to a loan of RMB79.2 million borrowed from a financial services company and secured by a pledge of shares of L&A, a bank loan of RMB25.0 million provided by Bank of Shanghai and loans of RMB60.0 million borrowed from related parties, partially offset by repayments on loans of RMB34.8 million from related parties. We also obtained funding for the development of CrossFire New Mobile Game through fund-raising on Inner Mongolia Culture Assets and Equity Exchange of RMB57.5 million in 2016.

We incurred capital expenditures of RMB8.3 million, RMB0.5 million and RMB0.5 million in 2016, 2017 and 2018, respectively. The capital expenditures principally consisted of purchases of servers, computers and other items related to our network infrastructure. If we license new games or enter into strategic joint ventures or acquisitions, we may require additional funds for necessary capital expenditures.

The following table sets forth our contractual obligations and other commitments under as of December 31, 2018:

In March 2019, we obtained a loan of US5.0 million from Arc Pacific Associates Limited.

We have not entered into any financial guarantees or other commitments to guarantee the payment obligations of any third-parties. We have not entered into any off-balance sheet derivative instruments. Furthermore, we do not have any retained or contingent interest in assets transferred to an unconsolidated entity that serves as credit, liquidity or market risk support to such entity. We do not have any variable interest in any unconsolidated entity that provides financing, liquidity, market risk or credit support to us or engages in leasing, hedging or research and development services with us.

Our exposure to interest rate risk for changes in interest rates relates primarily to the interest income generated by excess cash invested in bank deposits. We have not used any derivative financial instruments in our investment portfolio or for cash management purposes. Interest-earning instruments carry a degree of interest rate risk. We have not been exposed nor do we anticipate being exposed to material risks due to changes in interest rates. However, our future interest income may fall short of expectations due to changes in interest rates.

We are exposed to foreign exchange risk arising from various currency exposures. Our payments to overseas developers, a portion of our financial assets and the Convertible Notes are denominated in U.S. dollars and other foreign currencies, while a significant portion of our revenues are denominated in RMB, the legal currency in China. We have not used any forward contracts or currency borrowings to hedge our exposure to foreign currency risk. The value of the RMB against the U.S. dollar and other currencies may fluctuate and is affected by, among other things, changes in political and economic conditions. Any significant revaluation of RMB against the U.S. dollar may materially affect our earnings and financial position, and the value of, and any dividends payable on, our ADS in U.S. dollars. See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Doing Business in China—Future movements in exchange rates between the U.S. dollar and the RMB may adversely affect the value of our ADSs.”

A hypothetical 10% increase or decrease in the exchange rate of the U.S. dollar against the RMB would have resulted in an increase or decrease of RMB27.5 million (US$4.0 million) in the aggregate principal amount of our U.S. dollar-denominated convertible notes outstanding as of December 31, 2018.

China is one of the largest passenger vehicle and electric vehicle market in the world and has cultivated a rapidly developing and evolving supply chain. From the perspective of sustainable development, China has also implemented policies, including direct subsidies and tax deductions, serving as incentives that indirectly provide monetary value to consumers. The most prevalent policies, adopted by more than ten cities in China, were new vehicle purchase subsidies, exemption or reduction of annual vehicle tax for electric vehicles, and providing adequate charging facilities. Driven by those favorable policies, electric market has developed rapidly in recent years. The sales of electric vehicles has grown from 331,092 in 2015 to 777,000 in 2017.

Despite the rapid growth of the electric vehicles sale in China, the overall penetration rate is still very low. The market share of the electric vehicles in 2017 was 2.7%, as compared to 1.3% in 2015.

Given the leadership of China in the automobile and electric vehicle markets as measured by sales volume, the low penetration rate of electric vehicles in China still represents great potentials. Supported by China’s strong regulatory push, which is an unique driver for Chinese electric market, the penetration rate of electric vehicles is expect to further increase in the future.

Moreover, due to severe traffic congestion and air pollution, seven cities in China, namely Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Tianjin, Hangzhou and Guiyang, limit the number of car plates issued to internal combustion engine vehicles, or ICE vehicles, each year through a lottery or auction process. As such, the probability of obtaining car plates in those cities is very low. Such ICE vehicles buyers could potentially be converted to electric vehicles prospective buyers given that there are either no limitations on electric vehicles car plates or a much higher probability of obtaining a car plate.

Furthermore, China is also a leader in electric vehicle fleet programs globally. Determined by China’s national strategies toward vehicle electrification, application of electric vehicles was first established in the civil service section, such as buses, taxis, city sanitation, postal trucks, then gradually spread to fleet and private users. Several cities in China, including but not limited to Shanghai, Hangzhou, Lanzhou, Shenzhen and Guangzhou, have promoted electric car deployment in the fleet and incentivized group acquisition and electric car rental. A few cities innovated a micro public transit program composed solely of electric cars.

Despite prominent growth potentials of electric vehicles in China, the charging network is still seen as generally inadequate, not providing enough convenience to potential electric vehicles users. In addition, the lack of charging power plant, plugs and other alternative charging options makes it more difficult for potential electric vehicle users, which may further frustrate potential users.

In response to such situation, relevant parties from both public and private sectors are heavily investing in building charging network across China to clear customer concerns. According to The Guidelines on EV Charging Infrastructure (2015-2020) issued by the National Energy Administration, the Chinese government targeted to construct over 12,000 charging stations and over 4.8 million charging piles by 2020.

In March 2019, we entered into a joint venture agreement with F&F, to establish a joint venture that aims to serve China with electric vehicles designed and developed by F&F. The joint venture will have the exclusive right to manufacture, market, distribute and sell FFV9 MPV, a 6-seat luxury electric multi-purpose vehicle to be designed and developed by F&F. We and F&F are in the process of incorporating a joint venture company.

F&F and us will each hold 50% in the joint venture while we controlling the business operations. F&F is a Los Angeles-based global technology startup that aims to design and manufacture next-generation, zero-emission electric vehicles with active operations in both the US and China. Through the strategic alliance with F&F, we believe we can leverage their revolutionary technology and engineering capabilities to tap the huge potential of the emerging market.

We have more than a decade of internet industry experience in China. We have developed wide range of business partners with diversified portfolios of high-tech businesses, including electric vehicle infrastructure. We will create synergies between high-tech internet mobility business of F&F and our business contacts in the relevant market.

FFV9 MPV will be a 6-seat luxury electric multi-purpose vehicle to be designed and developed by F&F based on the technology and design concepts of the FF 91 model. The design of FFV9 MPV intends to provide best-in-class performance, comfort and connectivity. Equipped with FF’s powertrains system. FFV9 MPV also intends to feature its capability to accelerate the speed and deliver a satisfactory drive range in a single charge. FFV9 will target the highest level of crash safety and will incorporate active safety features powered by artificial intelligence which are currently under development. FFV9 will comfortably seat six passengers and entertain them with luxurious and intelligent in-car ecosystem. We believe FFV9 MPV is well-positioned as a premium electric vehicle targeted corporate clients or private buyers who have chauffeurs.

It is our intent that FFV9 MPV will feature key product revolutions developed and patented by FF, such as smart vehicle platform and unique propulsion system, which we believe could optimize manufacturing process as well as maximizes space usage for end customer experience. We believe that this unique architecture is both strong for greater stability and highly adaptable to accommodate a wide range of vehicles, including FFV9 MPV and its prototype, FF91.

FFV9 MPV will feature an industry leading battery pack developed and patented by F&F. Its battery range will be able to reduce range anxiety. And batteries will have high charging capability and can be conveniently maintained by using battery diagnostics and battery control features to enhance cell life.

Furthermore, FFV9 MPV intends to offer AI powered technology which will create safer and pleasant consumer experience.

FFV9 MVP charging solution will focus on home and work place charging experience. FF JV has an open strategy to create robust charging infrastructure. We have already entered into a joint venture agreement with Shenzhen EN-plus Technologies Co., Ltd. to build charging stations in China. Please refer to “—Joint Venture with EN+” and for detailed information.

FF JV is planning to build a fully integrated production plant to carry out its manufacturing. It likewise might cooperate with third parties and use their capacity for production of its vehicles. F&F possesses strong US supplier network and F&F’s strategic presence in both, US and China, removes need for localization compromises during manufacturing. In June 2019, we entered into a non-binding memorandum of understanding on strategic cooperation with the Development Office of the Hohhot Shaerqin Industrial Zone, pursuant to which the Hohhot Shaerqin Industrial Zone will support our joint venture in various aspects.

FF JV’s strategy includes both of establishment of self-owned stores and a network of dealer partnerships for a faster expansion. FF JV plans to establish comprehensive offline-to-online cohesive sales experience. F&F online platform to be integrated with FF JV will offer personal computer and mobile touchpoint for sales, service, data, communication and user operation The offline store networks complement the shopping experience such as test rides.

Pursuant to the joint venture agreement, we are obligated to contribute up to US$600.0 million in three installments as total capital contribution: (i) the first installment in the amount of US$200.0 million shall be contributed in two payments, (a) a portion of which shall be contributed by August 6, 2019, and (b) the remaining of which shall be contributed in accordance with the payment schedule of license fee to be agreed in the license agreement with F&F, (ii) the second installment in the amount of US$200.0 million shall be contributed within two months (subject to an extension for one month at our discretion) after the definitive funding arrangement with respect to the use right in a piece of land in China, and (iii) the third installment in the amount of US$200.0 million shall be contributed within two months (subject to an extension for one month at our discretion) after the achievement of certain car model design milestone by F&F.

Pursuant to the joint venture agreement, F&F is obligated to contribute to the joint venture the use right in a piece of land in China for manufacturing of electric vehicles within forty-five days after the joint venture receives the first installment of US$200.0 million. Pursuant to the joint venture agreement, F&F will enter into a license agreement with the joint venture, under which it shall grant to the joint venture an exclusive license to manufacture, market, distribute and sell FF V9 MPV. Pursuant to the joint venture agreement, the joint venture was also granted a right of first refusal to obtain an exclusive license to manufacture, market, sell and distribute the first new model that F&F designs and develops for manufacturing, marketing and distribution in China after the date of the joint venture agreement.

If we fail to provide capital contribution in accordance with the provisions under the joint venture agreement and the applicable cure period lapses, the total amount of the capital contribution that have been made by us shall automatically be converted into consideration for the Class B ordinary shares in the holding company of F&F at the conversion price specified under the joint venture agreement. In addition, F&F may exercise its call option to buy out our shares in the joint venture at a pre-agreed premium if there is an initial public offering of F&F’s holding company within four years of the joint venture’s inception, and F&F may elect to pay the purchase price in the form of the Class B ordinary shares in its holding company.

Pursuant to the joint venture agreement, the board of the joint venture consists of five directors, of whom three should be appointed by us and remaining two should be appointed by F&F. The directors can only be removed and replace by their respective appointing party.

The joint venture agreement may be terminated (i) by the non-defaulting party if the other party commits material breach of the joint venture agreement or the license agreement (except for the failure to make capital or in-kind contributions) or other material misconducts, or (ii) by either party if we fail to make capital contributions, or either party becomes bankrupt, or both parties agree to the termination or any party no longer holds any shares in the joint venture, unless otherwise provided in the joint venture agreement.

In May 2019, we entered into a joint venture agreement with EN+, an electric vehicle charging equipment company incorporated in China, to establish a joint venture to engage in sales of electric vehicle charging equipment, investment, construction and operation of charging stations, and provision of operational services for relating to charging equipment and platforms for electric vehicles.

Pursuant to the joint venture agreement, we are obligated to make a cash investment of RMB50.0 million in the joint venture in exchange for 80% equity interest in the joint venture, and EN+ will contribute its current and future proprietary electric vehicle charging technologies to the joint venture in exchange for 20% equity interest of the joint venture.

The joint venture plans to set up 10-20 charging stations in the first year after the capital injection, and set up 30-50 charging stations in the second year after the capital injection. Our capital injection to the joint venture will depend on the progress of business development of the joint venture, subject to the mutual consent of the parties to the joint venture agreement. According to the joint venture agreement, we will be responsible for the market development of the joint venture and the construction and operation of electric vehicle charging stations owned by the joint venture, and EN+ will provide the JV with the latest product design and various technology support, free of charge, to control the quality of the joint venture’s products and support its daily operation.

In May 2019, we and our wholly-owned subsidiary entered into a share purchase agreement with Comtec, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Comtec Group. Pursuant to the share purchase agreement, we issued 3,444,882 Class A ordinary shares to purchase 9.9% equity interest in Kexin. Kexin primarily engages in the research and development, design, integration and sales of lithium battery management systems for electric vehicles (including electric cars, electric motors and electric bicycles), lithium battery systems and power storage systems.

We operate and develop proprietary or licensed online games, primarily mobile games, and TV games.

As of the date of this prospectus, we or our joint ventures own or have licenses to operate or develop the following online games in China and other countries:

IPTV Game Platform. In February 2013, we established ZTE9, a joint venture, with Shanghai Zhongxing Communication Technology Enterprise Co., Ltd. and Shanghai Ruigao Information Technology Co., Ltd. in Wuxi, Jiangsu Province of China. In February 2014, Guangdong Hongtu Guangdian Investment Limited Company made capital investment to ZTE9. The joint venture operates the business of “IPTV Game Platform,” a home entertainment online video platform built upon a TV set top box.

With respect to our online game business, we are dedicated to provide excellent customer service in order to retain our existing customers and to attract new customers. Our online games customers can access our customer service center via phone or e-mail at any time, or visit our visitor center in Shanghai during regular business hours. We have in-game game masters dedicated to each of the online games that we operate. Game masters are responsible for organizing in-game events, troubleshooting and actively and continuously monitoring the online game environment. Game masters are available to respond to players’ inquiries, to initiate the bug reporting and removal processes, as well as to identify, record and deal with players’ inappropriate behavior such as dishonesty, fraud or other conducts that violates our rules and policies. We believe that positioning game masters to monitor the gaming environment is important to us to maintain customer loyalty and to efficiently address any technical problems that may arise.

A customer can access online games free of charge and buy in-game items online by charging a payment directly to Alipay, or by credit card or debit card.

Pricing. We price our in-game virtual items near the end of the free testing period based on several factors, including the prices of other comparable games, the technological and other features of the game, and the targeted marketing position of the game. Our prepaid game cards are offered in a variety of denominations to provide users with maximum flexibility.

Distribution. We primarily rely on game platforms and distributors to distribute, promote, market and sell our games in China. End users can purchase our virtual currencies through such game platforms and distributors. A substantial portion of our sales are carried out via such game platforms and distributors. We do not have long-term agreements with any online game platforms or distributors. In addition, we also directly sell game points through our game players’ online accounts.

Marketing. Our overall marketing strategy is to rapidly attract new customers and increase revenues from recurring customers. The marketing programs and promotional activities that we employ to promote our games include:

Advertising and Online Promotion. We place advertisements in many game magazines and on online game sites, which are updated regularly.

Cross-Marketing. We have cross-marketing relationships with major consumer brands, technology companies and major telecom carriers. We believe that our cross-marketing relationships with well-known companies will increase the recognition of our online game brands.

On-Site Promotion. We distribute free game-related posters, promotional prepaid cards for beginners, game-related souvenirs such as watches, pens, mouse pads and calendars at trade shows, selected Internet cafés and computer stores.

In-Game Marketing. We conduct “in-game” marketing programs from time to time, including online adventures for grand prizes.

We believe that the online game industry in China will continue its pattern of developing increasingly sophisticated online games tailored to the local market. In order to remain competitive, we focus on continuing to develop new proprietary online games, primarily mobile games. Our product development team is responsible for game design, technical development and art design. We also plan to further enhance our game development capability and diversify our game portfolio and pipeline.

Our game licensing process begins with a preliminary screening, review and testing of a game, followed by a cost analysis, negotiations and ultimate licensing of a game, including all regulatory and approval processes. A team is then designated to conduct “closed beta testing” of the game to resolve operational matters, followed by “open beta testing” during which our registered users may play the game without removing their in-game data to ensure performance consistency and stability of our operation systems. Testing generally takes three to six months, during which time we commence other marketing activities.

We aim to build a reliable and secure technology infrastructure to fully support our operations, and we maintain separate technology networks for each of our games. Our current technology infrastructure consists of the following:

We have a network operation team responsible for the stability and security of our network. The team monitors our server and works to detect, record, analyze and solve problems that arise from out network. In addition, we frequently upgrade our game server software to ensure the stability of our operations and to reduce the risks of hacking.

In January 2018, The9 Singapore Pte. Ltd, our wholly-owned subsidiary in Singapore, reached a partnership agreement with Gingkoo Technology Company Limited, or Gingkoo Technology, to provide blockchain related services. We plan to provide the services related to the development, investment and financing of blockchain-technology-enabled products, such as cryptocurrencies, to global enterprises, while Gingkoo Technology will provide technical support for us to build up the block-chain technology capacities.

In February 2018, The9 Singapore Pte. Ltd entered into a partnership agreement with C&I Singapore Renewable and Innovative Tech Pts. Ltd., or C&I, a joint venture established by Comtec Solar Systems Group Limited (SEHK: 00712) and ISDN Holdings Limited (SEHK: 01656 and SGX:I07). Pursuant to this agreement, we will provide C&I with related blockchain technology with respect to the trading and distribution of solar energy. We are also contemplating to explore further cooperation to create a decentralized platform for the trading and distribution of solar generated energy with other solar energy companies and consumers.

We also provide technical consulting services in connection with our blockchain-related business.

With respect to our electric vehicle business, our major competitors include, but are not limited to Tesla, Nio, Weltmeister, Xiaopeng, Nevs and Byton. With respect to our online game business, our major competitors include, but are not limited to, online game operators in China. These include Tencent Holdings Limited (which operates CrossFire, League of Legends and Dungeon & Fighter), NetEase, Inc. (which operates Onmyoji, Knives Out), Happy-elements Inc. (which operates Anipop).

Our existing and potential competitors may compete with us on marketing activities, quality of online games, technology innovation for electric vehicles as well as their performance, quality, safety and pricing, and sales and distribution networks. Some of our existing and potential competitors have greater financial and marketing resources than us. For a discussion of risks relating to competition, see “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Company and Our Industry—Our gaming business is intensely competitive and “hit” driven. If we do not deliver new “hit” products to the market, or if consumers prefer our competitors’ products or services over those we provide, our operating results will suffer,” “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Company and Our Industry—We may not be able to recover our market share and profitability as we operate in a highly competitive industry with numerous competitors,” and “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Company and Our Industry—The electric vehicles market is highly competitive, and we may not be successful in competing in this industry and scaling our electric vehicles business.”

Our intellectual property rights include trademarks and domain names associated with the name “The9” in China and copyright and other rights associated with our websites, technology platform, self-developed software and other aspects of our business. We regard our intellectual property rights as critical to our business. We rely on trademark and copyright law, trade secret protection, non-competition and confidentiality agreements with our employees, and license agreements with our partners, to protect our intellectual property rights. We require our employees to enter into agreements requiring them to keep confidential all information relating to our customers, methods, business and trade secrets during and after their employment with us and assign their inventions developed during their employment to us. Our employees are required to acknowledge and recognize that all inventions, trade secrets, works of authorship, developments and other processes made by them during their employment are our property.

We have registered our domain names with third-party domain registration entities, and have legal rights over these domain names through Shanghai IT, our affiliated PRC entity. We conduct our business under the “The9 Limited” brand name and “The9” logo.

We constantly evaluate opportunities for strategic investments in, and acquisitions of, complementary businesses, assets and technologies and have made such investments and acquisitions from time to time. We have made the following material strategic investments and acquisitions over the past three years.

In June 2017, we completed a share exchange transaction with a Korean company IE Limited, or IE, whereby we exchanged approximately 12,500,000 ordinary shares newly issued by us at a per share price of US$1.2 for approximately 14.6% equity interest of Smartposting Co., Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of IE, held by IE. We do not consolidate the results of Smartposting Co., Ltd. into our results of operations and treat it as an equity investee.

In January 2018, we completed a share exchange transaction with Red Ace Limited, or Red Ace, a British Virgin Islands company, whereby we exchanged approximately 3,571,429 ordinary shares newly issued by us for approximately 29.0% equity interest of Maxline Holdings Limited, a Cayman Islands company engaged in the provision of information technology infrastructure solutions, website and mobile app design, held by Red Ace. We do not consolidate the results of Maxline Holdings Limited into our results of operations and treat it as an equity investee.

In September 2018, we completed a share exchange transaction with Leading Choice Holding Limited, or Leading Choice, a company incorporated in Hong Kong, and the shareholder of Leading Choice for the issuance and sale of 21,000,000 ordinary shares of our company to Leading Choice in exchange for 20% equity interest in Leading Choice at that time as consideration.

In September 2018, we completed a share exchange transaction with Plutux Limited, or Plutux, a company incorporated in Gibraltar, and a shareholder of Plutux for the issuance and sale of 21,000,000 ordinary shares of our company to the participating shareholder of Plutux in exchange for 8% equity interest in Plutux at that time as consideration.

See “—Products and Services—Electric Vehicles” for information relating to our joint ventures with F&F and EN+ and our strategic investments in Kexin.

As of December 31, 2018, we had 105 employees, of which 103 were based in China, including 42 in management and administration, 4 in our customer service centers, 13 in game operations, sales and marketing, and 44 in product development, including supplier management personnel and technical support personnel, and two were based in the United States. We had 354 and 236 employees as of December 31, 2016 and 2017, respectively. The decrease in the number of employees as of December 31, 2018 as compared to that of December 31, 2017 was primarily due to our business restructuring. We consider our relations with our employees to be good.

Our headquarters are located on premises comprising approximately 14,000 square meters in an office building in Shanghai, China. We purchased the office building in which our headquarters are located, and lease all of our other premises from unrelated third-parties. Our office building has been mortgaged to secure the Convertible Notes in the aggregate principal amount of US$40,050,000 issued and sold to Splendid Days and an entrusted loan of approximately RMB31.6 million that we obtained from a third party in December 2015, which may be sold to repay the Convertible Notes. We may switch to another principal executive office. In addition, we have subsidiaries located in the United States and Singapore and small branch offices in Beijing, China.

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

Investment activities in the PRC by foreign investors are principally governed by the Catalogue for the Guidance of Foreign Investment Industry, or the Catalogue, which was promulgated and is amended from time to time by the MOFCOM and NDRC, and together with Existing FIE Laws and their respective implementation rules and ancillary regulations. The Catalogue lays out the basic framework for foreign investment in China, classifying businesses into three categories with regard to foreign investment: “encourage,” “restricted” and “prohibited.” Industries not listed in the catalog are generally deemed as falling into a fourth category “permitted” unless specifically restricted by other PRC laws. In addition, on June 28, 2018, the MOFCOM and the NDRC jointly promulgated the Special Management Measures (Negative List) for the Access of Foreign Investment, or the 2018 Negative List, which became effective on July 28, 2018 to amend the Guidance Catalog and the previous negative list thereunder.

On March 15, 2019, the National People’s Congress promulgated the FIL, which will come into effect on January 1, 2020 and upon then the FIL will replace the Existing FIE Laws. The FIL embodies an expected regulatory trend in PRC to rationalize its foreign investment regulatory regime in line with prevailing international practice and the legislative efforts to unify the corporate legal requirements for both foreign and domestic investments. The FIL, by means of legislation, establishes the basic framework for the access, promotion, protection and administration of foreign investment in view of investment protection and fair competition.

According to the FIL, foreign investment shall enjoy pre-entry national treatment, except for those foreign invested entities that operate in industries deemed to be either “restricted” or “prohibited” in the “negative list.” The FIL provides that foreign invested entities operating in foreign “restricted” or “prohibited” industries will require entry clearance and other approvals. However, it is unclear whether the “negative list” will differ from the 2018 Negative List. In addition, the FIL does not comment on the concept of “de facto control” or contractual arrangements with variable interest entities, however, it has a catch-all provision under definition of “foreign investment” to include investments made by foreign investors in China through means stipulated by laws or administrative regulations or other methods prescribed by the State Council. Therefore, it still leaves leeway for future laws, administrative regulations or provisions to provide for contractual arrangements as a form of foreign investment. See “Risk Factors—Our current corporate structure and business operations may be affected by the newly enacted Foreign Investment Law.”

The FIL also provides several protective rules and principles for foreign investors and their investments in the PRC, including, among others, that local governments shall abide by their commitments to the foreign investors; foreign-invested enterprises are allowed to issue stocks and corporate bonds; except for special circumstances, in which case statutory procedures shall be followed and fair and reasonable compensation shall be made in a timely manner, expropriate or requisition the investment of foreign investors is prohibited; mandatory technology transfer is prohibited, allows foreign investors’ funds to be freely transferred out and into the territory of PRC, which run through the entire lifecycle from the entry to the exit of foreign investment, and provide an all-around and multi-angle system to guarantee fair competition of foreign-invested enterprises in the market economy. In addition, foreign investors or the foreign investment enterprise should be imposed legal liabilities for failing to report investment information in accordance with the requirements. Furthermore, the FIL provides that foreign invested enterprises established according to the existing laws regulating foreign investment may maintain their structure and corporate governance within five years after the implementing of the FIL, which means that foreign invested enterprises may be required to adjust the structure and corporate governance in accordance with the current PRC Company Law and other laws and regulations governing the corporate governance.

Regulations and Approvals Relating to the Manufacturing of Pure Electric Passenger Vehicles

The NDRC promulgated the Provisions on Administration of Investment in Automobile Industry, or the Investment Provisions, which became effective on January 10, 2019. According to the Investment Provisions, enterprises are encouraged to, through equity investment and cooperation in production capacity, enter into strategic cooperation relationship, carry out joint research and development of products, organize manufacturing activities jointly and increase industrial concentration. The advantageous resources in production, high learning, research, application and other areas shall be integrated and core enterprises in automobile industry shall be propelled to form industrial alliance and industrial consortium.

According to the Regulations on the Administration of Newly Established Pure Electric Passenger Vehicle Enterprises, or the New Electric Passenger Vehicle Enterprise Regulations, which became effective on July 10, 2015, before our vehicles can be added to the Announcement of Vehicle Manufacturers and Products, or the Manufacturers and Products Announcement, issued by the MIIT, a procedure that is required in order for our vehicles to be approved for manufacture and sale in China, our vehicles must meet the applicable requirements set forth in relevant laws and regulations. Such relevant laws and regulations include, among others, the Administrative Rules on the Admission of New Energy Vehicle Manufacturers and Products, or the MIIT Admission Rules, which became effective on July 1, 2017, and the Administrative Rules on the Admission of Passenger Vehicles Manufacturer and Products, which became effective on January 1, 2012, and pass the review by the MIIT. Pure electric passenger vehicles that have entered into the Manufacturers and Products Announcement are required to undergo regular inspection every three years by the MIIT so that the MIIT may determine whether the vehicles remain qualified to stay in the Manufacturers and Products Announcement.

According to the MIIT Admission Rules, in order for our vehicles to enter into the Manufacturers and Products Announcement, our vehicles must satisfy certain conditions, including, among others, meeting certain standards set out therein, meeting other safety and technical requirements specified by the MIIT, and passing inspections conducted by a state-recognized testing institution. Once such conditions for vehicles are met and the application has been approved by the MIIT, the qualified vehicles are published in the Manufacturers and Products Announcement by the MIIT. Where any new energy vehicle manufacturer manufactures or sells any model of a new energy vehicle without the prior approval of the competent authorities, including being published in the Manufacturers and Products Announcement by the MIIT, it may be subject to penalties, including fines, forfeiture of any illegally manufactured and sold vehicles and spare parts and revocation of its business licenses.

Under the Administrative Regulations on Compulsory Product Certification which was promulgated by the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine, or the QSIQ, on July 3, 2009 and became effective on September 1, 2009 and the List of the First Batch of Products Subject to Compulsory Product Certification which was promulgated by the QSIQ in association with the State Certification and Accreditation Administration Committee on December 3, 2001 and became effective on May 1, 2002, the QSIQ is responsible for the regulation and quality certification of automobiles. Automobiles and parts and components must not be sold, exported or used in operating activities until they are certified by designated certification authorities of the PRC as qualified products and granted certification marks.

Pursuant to the Guidance Opinions of the General Office of the State Council on Accelerating the Promotion and Application of the New Energy Vehicles, which became effective on July 14, 2014, the Guidance Opinions of the General Office of the State Council on Accelerating the Development of Charging Infrastructures of the Electric Vehicle, which became effective on September 29, 2015, and the Guidance on the Development of Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure (2015-2020), which became effective on October 9, 2015, the PRC government encourages the construction and development of charging infrastructure for electric vehicles, such as charging stations and battery swap stations, and only centralized charging and battery replacement power stations are required to obtain approvals for construction, permits from the relevant authorities. The Circular on Accelerating the Development of Electrical Vehicle Charging Infrastructures in Residential Areas promulgated on July 25, 2016 further provides that the operators of electrical vehicle charging and battery swap infrastructure are required to be covered under liability insurance policies to protect the purchasers of electric vehicles, covering the safety of electric vehicle charging infrastructure.

Pursuant to the Administrative Measures on Automobile Sales promulgated by the MOFCOM on April 5, 2017, which became effective on July 1, 2017, automobile suppliers and dealers are required to file with relevant authorities through the information system for the national automobile circulation operated by the competent commerce department within 90 days after the receipt of a business license. Where there is any change to the information concerned, automobile suppliers and dealers must update such information within 30 days after such change.

On October 22, 2012, the State Council promulgated the Administrative Provisions on Defective Automotive Product Recalls, which became effective on January 1, 2013. The product quality supervision department of the State Council is responsible for the supervision and administration of recalls of defective automotive products nationwide. Pursuant to the administrative provisions, manufacturers of automobile products are required to take measures to eliminate defects in products they sell. A manufacturer must recall all defective automobile products. Failure to recall such products may result in an order to recall the defective products from the quality supervisory authority of the State Council. If any operator conducting sales, leasing, or repair of vehicles discovers any defect in automobile products, it must cease to sell, lease or use the defective products and must assist manufacturers in the recall of those products. Manufacturers must recall their products through publicly available channels and publicly announce the defects. Manufacturers must take measures to eliminate or cure defects, including rectification, identification, modification, replacement or return of the products. Manufacturers that attempt to conceal defects or do not recall defective automobile products in accordance with relevant regulations will be subject to penalties, including fines, forfeiture of any income earned in violation of law and revocation of licenses.

Pursuant to the Implementation Rules on the Administrative Provisions on Defective Automotive Product Recalls, which was promulgated by the QSIQ on November 27, 2015 and became effective on January 1, 2016, if a manufacturer is aware of any potential defect in its automobiles, it must investigate in a timely manner and report the results of such investigation to the QSIQ. Where any defect is found during the investigations, the manufacturer must cease to manufacture, sell, or import the relevant automobile products and recall such products in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.

Pursuant to the Product Quality Law of the PRC, promulgated on February 22, 1993 and amended on July 8, 2000, August 27, 2009 and December 29, 2018, a manufacturer is prohibited from producing or selling products that do not meet applicable standards and requirements for safeguarding human health and ensuring human and property safety. Products must be free from unreasonable dangers threatening human and property safety. Where a defective product causes physical injury to a person or property damage, the aggrieved party may make a claim for compensation from the producer or the seller of the product. Producers and sellers of non-compliant products may be ordered to cease the production or sale of the products and could be subject to confiscation of the products and/or fines. Earnings from sales in contravention of such standards or requirements may also be confiscated, and in severe cases, an offender’s business license may be revoked.

On April 22, 2015, the MOF, the MOST, the MIIT and the NDRC jointly issued the Circular on the Financial Support Policies on the Promotion and Application of New Energy Vehicles in 2016-2020, or the Financial Support Circular, which took effect on the same day. The Financial Support Circular provides that those who purchase new energy vehicles specified in the Catalogue of Recommended New Energy Vehicle Models for Promotion and Application by the MIIT, or the Recommended NEV Catalogue, may obtain subsidies from the PRC national government. Pursuant to the Financial Support Circular, a purchaser may purchase a new energy vehicle from a seller by paying the original price minus the subsidy amount, and the seller may obtain the subsidy amount from the government after such new energy vehicle is sold to the purchaser. The Financial Support Circular also provided a preliminary phase-out schedule for the provision of subsidies.

On December 29, 2016, the MOF, the MOST, the MIIT and the NDRC jointly issued the Circular on Adjusting the Subsidy Policy for the Promotion and Application of New Energy Vehicles, or the Circular on Adjusting the Subsidy Policy, which took effect on January 1, 2017, to adjust the existing subsidy standard for purchasers of new energy vehicles. The Circular on Adjusting the Subsidy Policy capped the local subsidies at 50% of the national subsidy amount, and further specified that national subsidies for purchasers purchasing certain new energy vehicles (except for fuel cell vehicles) from 2019 to 2020 will be reduced by 20% as compared to 2017 subsidy standards.

The subsidy standard is reviewed and updated on an annual basis. The current subsidy standard is provided in the Circular on Further Improving the Subsidy Policies for the Promotion and Application of New Energy Vehicles, which was jointly promulgated by the MOF, the MOST, the MIIT and the NDRC on March 26, 2019.

On December 26, 2017, the MOF, the SAT, the MIIT and the MOST jointly issued the Announcement on Exemption of Vehicle Purchase Tax for New Energy Vehicle, or the Announcement on Exemption of Vehicle Purchase Tax, pursuant to which, from January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2020, the vehicle purchase tax which is applicable for ICE vehicles is not imposed on purchases of qualified new energy vehicles listed in the Catalogue of New Energy Vehicle Models Exempt from Vehicle Purchase Tax, or the NEV Catalogue, issued by the MIIT. Such announcement provides that the policy on exemption of vehicle purchase tax is also applicable to new energy vehicles added to the Catalogue prior to December 31, 2017.

The Preferential Vehicle and Vessel Tax Policies for Energy-saving and New Energy Vehicles and Vessels, which was jointly promulgated by the MOF, the Ministry of Transport, the SAT and the MIIT on July 10, 2018, clarifies that pure electric passenger vehicles are not subject to vehicle and vessel tax.

In recent years, in order to control the number of motor vehicles on the road, certain local governments have issued restrictions on the issuance of vehicle license plates. These restrictions generally do not apply to the issuance of license plates for new energy vehicles, which makes it easier for purchasers of new energy vehicles to obtain automobile license plates. For example, pursuant to the Implementation Measures on Encouraging Purchase and Use of New Energy Vehicles in Shanghai, local authorities will issue new automobile license plates to qualified purchasers of new energy vehicles without requiring such qualified purchasers to go through certain license-plate bidding processes and to pay license-plate purchase fees as compared with purchasers of ICE vehicles.

On January 11, 2016, the MOF, the MOST, the MIIT, the NDRC and the National Energy Administration, or the NEA, jointly promulgated the Circular on Incentive Policies on the Charging Infrastructures of New Energy Vehicles and Strengthening the Promotion and Application of New Energy Vehicles during the 13th Five-year Plan Period, which became effective on January 1, 2016. Pursuant to such circular, the central finance department is expected to provide certain local governments with funds and subsidies for the construction and operation of charging facilities and other relevant charging infrastructure.

Certain local governments have also implemented incentive policies for the construction and operation of charging infrastructure. For example, pursuant to the Supporting Measures on Encouraging the Development of Charging Infrastructures of the Electric Vehicles in Shanghai, which took effect on May 5, 2016, builders of certain non-self-use charging infrastructure may be eligible for subsidies for up to 30% of their investment cost, and the operator of certain non-self-use charging infrastructure may be eligible for subsidies calculated based on electricity output.

All the above incentives are expected to facilitate acceleration of development of public charging infrastructure, which will consequently offer more accessible and convenient EV charging solutions to purchasers of electric vehicles.

Under the Interim Regulations on Assignment and Transfer of the Rights to the Use of the State-owned Urban Land, promulgated by the State Council on May 19, 1990, a system of assignment and transfer of the right to use state-owned land was adopted. A land user must pay land premiums to the state as consideration for the assignment of the right to use a land site within a certain term, and the land user who obtained the right to use the land may transfer, lease out, mortgage or otherwise commercially exploit the land within the term of use. Under the Interim Regulations on Assignment and Transfer of the Rights to the Use of the State-owned Urban Land and the Law of the PRC on Urban Real Estate Administration, the local land administration authority may enter into an assignment contract with the land user for the assignment of land use rights. The land user is required to pay the land premium as provided in the assignment contract. After the full payment of the land premium, the land user must register with the land administration authority and obtain a land use rights certificate which evidences the acquisition of land use rights.

Pursuant to the Regulations on Planning Administration regarding Assignment and Transfer of the Rights to Use of the State-Owned Land in Urban Area promulgated by the Ministry of Construction in December 1992 and amended in January 2011, a construction land planning permit shall be obtained from the municipal planning authority with respect to the planning and use of land. According to the Urban and Rural Planning Law of the PRC promulgated by the SCNPC on October 28, 2007 and amended on April 24, 2015, a construction work planning permit must be obtained from the competent urban and rural planning government authority for the construction of any structure, fixture, road, pipeline or other engineering project within an urban or rural planning area.

After obtaining a construction work planning permit, subject to certain exceptions, a construction enterprise must apply for a construction work commencement permit from the construction authority under the local people’s government at the county level or above in accordance with the Administrative Provisions on Construction Permit of Construction Projects promulgated by the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, or the MOHURD, on June 25, 2014 and implemented on October 25, 2014 and amended on September 19, 2018.

Pursuant to the Administrative Measures for Reporting Details Regarding Acceptance Examination upon Completion of Buildings and Municipal Infrastructure promulgated by the Ministry of Construction on April 4, 2000 and amended on October 19, 2009 and the Provisions on Acceptance Examination upon Completion of Buildings and Municipal Infrastructure promulgated and implemented by the MOHURD on December 2, 2013, upon the completion of a construction project, the construction enterprise must submit an application to the competent department in the people’s government at or above county level where the project is located, for examination upon completion of building and for filing purpose; and to obtain the filing form for acceptance and examination upon completion of construction project.

Pursuant to the Environmental Protection Law of the PRC promulgated by the SCNPC, on December 26, 1989, amended on April 24, 2014 and effective on January 1, 2015, any entity which discharges or will discharge pollutants during the course of operations or other activities must implement effective environmental protection safeguards and procedures to control and properly treat waste gas, waste water, waste residue, dust, malodorous gases, radioactive substances, noise vibrations, electromagnetic radiation and other hazards produced during such activities.

Environmental protection authorities impose various administrative penalties on persons or enterprises in violation of the Environmental Protection Law. Such penalties include warnings, fines, orders to rectify within the prescribed period, orders to cease construction, orders to restrict or suspend production, orders to make recovery, orders to disclose relevant information or make an announcement, imposition of administrative action against relevant responsible persons, and orders to shut down enterprises. Any person or entity that pollutes the environment resulting in damage could also be held liable under the Tort Law of the PRC. In addition, environmental organizations may also bring lawsuits against any entity that discharges pollutants detrimental to the public welfare.

Under relevant construction safety laws and regulations, including the Work Safety Law of the PRC which was promulgated by the SCNPC on June 29, 2002, amended on August 27, 2009, August 31, 2014, and effective as of December 1, 2014, production and operating business entities must establish objectives and measures for work safety and improve the working environment and conditions for workers in a planned and systematic way. A work safety protection scheme must also be set up to implement the work safety job responsibility system. In addition, production and operating business entities must arrange work safety training and provide the employees with protective equipment that meets the national standards or industrial standards. Automobile and components manufacturers are subject to the above-mentioned environment protection and work safety requirements.

Pursuant to the Fire Safety Law of the PRC promulgated by the SCNPC on April 29, 1998, amended on October 28, 2008 and April 23, 2019 and the Provisions on Supervision and Administration of Fire Protection of Construction Projects promulgated by the Ministry of Public Security of the PRC on April 30, 2009, implemented on May 1, 2009 and later amended on July 17, 2012, which became effective on November 1, 2012, the construction entity of a large-scale crowded venue (including the construction of a manufacturing factory that is over 2,500 square meters) and other special construction projects must apply for fire prevention design review with fire control authorities, and complete fire assessment inspection and acceptance procedures after the construction project is completed. The construction entity of other construction projects must complete the filing for fire prevention design and the fire safety completion inspection and acceptance procedures within seven business days after obtaining the construction work permit and passing the construction completion inspection and acceptance. If the construction entity fails to pass the fire safety inspection before such venue is put into use, or fails to conform to the fire safety requirements after such inspection, it shall be subject to (i) orders to suspend the construction of projects, use of such projects or operation of relevant business; and (ii) a fine ranging between RMB30,000 and RMB300,000.

Current PRC laws and regulations impose substantial restrictions on foreign ownership of the online gaming and ICP businesses in China. As a result, we conduct our online gaming and ICP businesses in China through contractual arrangements with Shanghai IT, one of our affiliated PRC entities. Shanghai IT is owned by Zhimin Lin and Wei Ji, both of whom are PRC citizens.

In the opinion of our PRC counsel, Zhong Lun Law Firm, subject to the interpretation and implementation of the GAPP Circular and the Network Publication Measures, the ownership structure and the business operation models of our PRC subsidiaries and our affiliated PRC entities comply with all applicable PRC laws, rules and regulations, and no consent, approval or license is required under any of the existing laws and regulations of China for their ownership structure and business operation models except for those which we have already obtained or which would not have a material adverse effect on our business or operations as a whole. There are, however, substantial uncertainties regarding the interpretation and application of current or future PRC laws and regulations. Accordingly, it is uncertain that the PRC government authorities will ultimately take a view that is consistent with the opinion of our PRC counsel.

In the online game industry in China, new laws and regulations may be adopted from time to time to require additional licenses and permits other than those we currently have, and address new issues that arise from time to time. As a result, substantial uncertainties exist regarding the interpretation and implementation of current and any future PRC laws and regulations applicable to the online games industry. See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Doing Business in China—The laws and regulations governing the online game industry in China are developing and subject to future changes. If we fail to obtain or maintain all applicable permits and approvals, our business and operations could be materially and adversely affected.”

Regulations on Internet Content Provision Service, Online Gaming and Internet Publishing

Our provision of online game-related content on our websites is subject to various PRC laws and regulations relating to the telecommunications industry, Internet and online gaming, and is regulated by various government authorities, including MIIT, the MCT, GAPPRFT and the State Administration for Market Regulation. The principal PRC regulations governing the ICP industry as well as the online gaming services in China include:

In July 2006, MIIT issued the MII Notice. The MII Notice prohibits ICP license holders from leasing, transferring or selling a telecommunications business operating license to any foreign investors in any form, or providing any resource, sites or facilities to any foreign investors for their illegal operation of telecommunications businesses in China. The notice also requires that ICP license holders and their shareholders directly own the domain names and trademarks used by such ICP license holders in their daily operations. The notice further requires each ICP license holder to have the necessary facilities for its approved business operations and to maintain such facilities in the regions covered by its license. In addition, all the value-added telecommunication service providers are required to maintain network and information security in accordance with the standards set forth under relevant PRC regulations. The local authorities in charge of telecommunications services are required to ensure that existing ICP license holders conduct a self-assessment of their compliance with the MII Notice and submit status reports to MIIT before November 1, 2006. For those which are not in compliance with the above requirements and further fail to rectify the situation, the relevant governmental authorities would have broad discretion in adopting one or more measures against them, including but not limited to revoking their operating licenses. See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Company and Our Industry—PRC laws and regulations restrict foreign ownership of Internet content provision, Internet culture operation and Internet publishing licenses, and substantial uncertainties exist with respect to the application and implementation of PRC laws and regulations.”

Under these regulations, a foreign investor is currently prohibited from owning more than 50% of the equity interest in a PRC entity that provides value-added telecommunications services (except for e-commerce services). ICP services are classified as value-added telecommunications businesses, and a commercial operator of such services must obtain an ICP License from the appropriate telecommunications authorities in order to carry on any commercial ICP operations in China.

With respect to the online gaming industry in China, since online games fall into the definition of “Internet culture products” under The Tentative Measures for Administration of Internet Culture (2017), a commercial operator of online games must, in addition to obtaining the ICP License, obtain an Internet culture operation license from the appropriate culture administrative authorities for its operation of online games. Furthermore, according to The Tentative Measures for Administration of Internet Publication (2002), the provision of online games is deemed an Internet publication activity. Therefore, approval from the appropriate press and publication administrative authorities as an Internet publisher or cooperation with a licensed Internet publisher is required for an online game operator to carry on its online gaming businesses in China. In February 2016, the GAPPRFT and the MIIT jointly issued the Administrative Measures on Network Publication, which took effect in March 2016 and replaced the Tentative Administrative Measures on Internet Publication. The Administrative Measures on Network Publication further strengthen and expand the supervision and management on the network publication service, including online games service. Furthermore, online games, including mobile games, regardless of whether imported or domestic, shall be subject to a content review and approval by or a filing with the Ministry of Culture and GAPPRFT prior to commencement of operations in China.

GAPPRFT and MIIT jointly impose a license requirement for any company that intends to engage in network publishing, defined as any activity of providing network publications to the public through information networks. Network publications refer to the digitalized works with publishing features such as editing, producing and processing. Furthermore, the distribution of online game cards and CD-keys for online gaming programs is subject to a licensing requirement. Shanghai IT holds the license necessary to distribute electronic publications, which allows it to distribute prepaid cards and CD-Keys for the games we operate. We sell our prepaid cards and CD-Keys through third-party distributors, which are responsible for maintaining requisite licenses for distributing our prepaid cards and CD Keys in China.

On February 15, 2007, fourteen governmental authorities, including the Ministry of Culture, MIIT, the State Administration for Industry and Commerce, and the People’s Bank of China, or the PBOC, jointly issued a circular entitled Circular for Further Strengthening the Administration of Internet Café and Online Games. This circular gave the PBOC administrative authority over virtual currencies issued by online game operators for use by players in online games to avoid the potential impact such virtual currencies may have on the real-world financial systems. According to this circular, the volume that may be issued and the purchase of such virtual currencies must be restricted, and virtual currency must not be used for the purchase of any physical products, refunded with a premium or otherwise illegally traded. The Notice of Strengthening the Management of Virtual Currency of Online Games promulgated by the Ministry of Culture and MOFCOM on June 4, 2009 and the Tentative Measures for Administration of Online Games promulgated by the Ministry of Culture on June 3, 2010 impose more restrictions and requirements on online game operators that issue virtual currencies. According to the above regulations, an online game operator which issues virtual currency used for online game services shall apply for approval from the Ministry of Culture. An online game operator shall further report detailed rules of issuance for virtual currencies, such as distribution scope, pricing, and terms for refunds and shall make certain periodic and supplementary filings as required by the relevant regulations. In addition, under these rules, online game operators are prohibited from assigning game tools or virtual currency to users by way of drawing lots, random samplings or other arbitrary means in exchange for users’ cash or virtual currency. These rules also require that service agreements entered into between online game operators and end users contain the general terms of a standard online game service agreement issued by the Ministry of Culture.

In September 2009, GAPP further promulgated the GAPP Circular, which provides that foreign investors are prohibited from making investment and engaging in online game operation services by setting up foreign-invested enterprises in China. Further, foreign investors shall not control and participate in PRC online game operation businesses indirectly or in a disguised manner by establishing joint venture companies or entering into agreements with or providing technical support to such PRC online game operation companies, or by inputting the users’ registration, account management, game cards consumption directly into the interconnected gaming platform or fighting platform controlled or owned by the foreign investor. In addition, on February 4, 2016, the GAPPRFT and the MIIT jointly issued the Administrative Measures on Network Publication, or the Network Publication Measures, which took effect in March 2016. Pursuant to the Network Publication Measures, wholly foreign-owned enterprises, Sino-foreign equity joint ventures and Sino-foreign cooperative enterprises shall not engage in the provision of web publishing services, including online game services. Project cooperation involving internet publishing services between an internet publishing service provider and a wholly foreign-owned enterprise, Sino-foreign equity joint venture, or Sino-foreign cooperative enterprise within China or an overseas organization or individual shall be subject to prior examination and approval by the GAPPRFT. It is not clear whether GAPPRFT and MIIT have regulatory authority over the ownership structures of online game companies based in China and online game operation in China. The relevant governmental authorities have broad discretion in adopting one or more of administrative measures against companies now in compliance with these measures, including revoking relevant licenses and relevant registration. See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Company and Our Industry—PRC laws and regulations restrict foreign ownership of Internet content provision, Internet culture operation and Internet publishing licenses, and substantial uncertainties exist with respect to the application and implementation of PRC laws and regulations.”

On December 1, 2016, the MCT (formerly known as the Ministry of Culture) issued the MOC Online Games Regulation, which became effective on May 1, 2017. Pursuant to the MOC Online Games Regulation, MOC further clarified the scope of online game operations. Online game operations shall include technical testing of online games by means of, for example, making the online games available for user registration, opening the fee-charging system of the online games, and providing client-end software with direct server registration and login functions. In addition, enterprises that engage in providing user systems, fee-charging systems, program downloading, publicity and promotion and other services for online game products of other operating enterprises and that share revenue from online game operations shall be deemed as engaging in joint operations, and shall be subject to relevant obligations. In addition, this circular sets the regulatory standard for distributing virtual items, as follows:

In addition, enterprises engaged in online game operations shall require online game users to register their real names by using valid identity documents and shall limit the amount that an online game user may top up each time in each game. Such enterprises shall also send information that requires confirmation by users when they top up or engage in consumption, and shall display their contact details for handling matters relating to use rights protection in conspicuous locations within each online game.

On May 24, 2016, the GAPPRFT issued the Circular on the Administration over Mobile Game Publishing Services to further regulate the administration of mobile game publishing services. Pursuant to this circular, game publishing service entities shall be responsible for examining the contents of their games, applying for publication and applying for game publication numbers. Upgrades or new expansions of a mobile game that have been approved for publication shall be deemed as new works and the relevant publishing service entities shall go through relevant approval formalities again depending on the classification of the new works. Entities engaged in the joint operation of such new works must verify whether such games have gone through all the relevant approval formalities and whether the relevant information has been clearly displayed, or otherwise refrain from the joint operation. Mobile games without the required approval formalities shall be treated as illegal publications and the relevant entities shall be punished accordingly. The operation of SMS in China is classified as a value-added telecommunication business and SMS service providers shall obtain the relevant value-added telecommunication business permits.

The PRC government has promulgated measures relating to Internet content through a number of ministries and agencies, including MIIT, MCT and GAPPRFT. These measures specifically prohibit Internet activities, including the operation of online games that result in the publication of any content which is found to, among other things, propagate obscenity, gambling or violence, instigate crimes, undermine public morality or the cultural traditions of the PRC, or compromise State security or secrets. See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Doing Business in China—The laws and regulations governing the online game industry in China are developing and subject to future changes. If we fail to obtain or maintain all applicable permits and approvals, our business and operations could be materially and adversely affected.” If an ICP license holder violates these measures, the PRC government may revoke its ICP license and shut down its websites.

In April 2007, various governmental authorities, including GAPP, MIIT, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Public Security, and other relevant authorities jointly issued a circular concerning the mandatory implementation of an “anti-fatigue system” in online games, which was aimed at protecting the physical and psychological health of minors. This circular required all online games to incorporate an “anti-fatigue system” and an identity verification system, both of which have limited the amount of time that a minor or other user may continuously spend playing an online game. We have implemented such “anti-fatigue” and identification systems on all of our online games as required. Since March 2011, various governmental authorities, including the Ministry of Culture, MIIT, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Public Security, and other relevant authorities have jointly launched the “Online Game Parents Guardianship Project for Minors,” which allows parents to require online game operators to take relevant measures to limit the time spent by the minors on playing online games and the minors’ access to their online game accounts. On February 5, 2013, the Ministry of Culture, MIIT, GAPP and various other governmental authorities, jointly issued the Working Plan on the Comprehensive Prevention Scheme on Online Game Addiction of Minors, which further strengthened the administration of the Internet cafés, reinstated the importance of the “anti-fatigue system” and “Online Game Parents Guardianship Project for Minors” as prevention measures against the online game addiction of minors and ordered all relevant governmental authorities to take all necessary actions in implementing such measures. In addition, pursuant to the MOC Online Games Regulation, which was issued on December 1, 2016 by the MCT (formerly known as the Ministry of Culture), an enterprise engaged in online game operations shall strictly comply with the provisions of the “Online Game Parents Guardianship Project for Minors,” and online game operators are encouraged to set upper limits on the consumption by users who are minors, limit the amount of time that such users are allowed to spend on online games, and take technical measures to block scenes and functions, among other things, that are not suitable for users who are minors. Additional requirements for anti-fatigue and identification systems in our games, as well as the implementation of any other measures required by any new regulations the PRC government may enact to further tighten its administration of the Internet and online games, and its supervision of Internet cafés, may limit or slow down our prospects for growth, or may materially and adversely affect our business results. See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Doing Business in China—Our business may be adversely affected by public opinion and government policies in China.”

Internet content in China is also regulated and restricted from a state security standpoint. The National People’s Congress, China’s national legislative body, has enacted a law that may subject to criminal punishment in China any effort to: (1) gain improper entry into a computer or system of strategic importance; (2) disseminate politically disruptive information; (3) leak state secrets; (4) spread false commercial information; or (5) infringe intellectual property rights.

The Ministry of Public Security has promulgated measures that prohibit the use of the Internet in ways which, among other things, results in a leakage of state secrets or a spread of socially destabilizing content. The Ministry of Public Security has supervision and inspection rights in this regard, and we may be subject to the jurisdiction of the local security bureaus. See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Doing Business in China—Regulation and censorship of information disseminated over the Internet in China may adversely affect our business, and we may be liable for information displayed on, retrieved from, or linked to our Internet websites.” If an ICP license holder violates these measures, the PRC government may revoke its ICP license and shut down its websites.

PRC laws and regulations prohibit Internet content providers from collecting and analyzing personal information from their users without user’s prior consent. We require our users to accept a user agreement whereby they agree to provide certain personal information to us. In addition, PRC law prohibits Internet content providers from disclosing to any third parties any information transmitted by users through their networks unless otherwise permitted by law. If an Internet content provider violates these regulations, it may be liable for damages caused to its users and it may be subject to administrative penalties such as warnings, fines, confiscation of its unlawful income, revocation of licenses, cancellation of filings, shutdown of their websites or even criminal liabilities.

On November 7, 2016, the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, or the SCNPC, promulgated the Cybersecurity Law of the PRC, or the Cybersecurity Law, which came into effect on June 1, 2017. Pursuant to the Cybersecurity Law, network operators shall perform their cybersecurity obligations according to the requirements of the classified protection system for cybersecurity, including: (a) formulating internal security management systems and operating instructions, determining the persons responsible for cybersecurity, and implementing the responsibility for cybersecurity protection; (b) taking technological measures to prevent computer viruses, network attacks, network intrusions and other actions endangering cybersecurity; (c) taking technological measures to monitor and record the network operation status and cybersecurity incidents; (d) taking measures such as data classification, and back-up and encryption of important data; and (e) other obligations stipulated by laws and administrative regulations. In addition, network operators shall comply with the principles of legitimacy to collect and use personal information and disclose their rules of data collection and use, clearly express the purposes, means and scope of collecting and using the information, and obtain the consent of the persons whose data is gathered.

Our ability to obtain licenses for online games from abroad and import them into China is regulated in several ways. We are required to register with MOFCOM any license agreement with a foreign licensor that involves an import of technologies, including online game software into China. Without that registration, we may not remit licensing fees out of China to any foreign game licensor. In addition, MCT requires us to submit for its content review and/or approval any online games we want to license from overseas game developers or any patch or updates for such game if it contains substantial changes. If we license and operate games without that approval, MCT may impose penalties on us, including revoking the Internet culture operation license required for the operation of online games in China. Also, pursuant to a jointly issued notice in July 2004, GAPP and the State Copyright Bureau require us to obtain their approval for imported online game publications. Furthermore, the State Copyright Bureau requires us to register copyright license agreements relating to imported software. Without the State Copyright Bureau registration, we cannot remit licensing fees out of China to any foreign game licensor and we are not allowed to publish or reproduce the imported game software in China.

The State Council and the State Copyright Bureau have promulgated various regulations and rules relating to the protection of software in China. Under these regulations and rules, software owners, licensees and transferees may register their rights in software with the State Copyright Bureau or its local branches and obtain software copyright registration certificates. Although such registration is not mandatory under PRC law, software owners, licensees and transferees are encouraged to go through the registration process and registered software rights may receive better protection. We have registered most of our in-house developed online games with the State Copyright Bureau.

Foreign Currency Exchange. Foreign currency exchange regulation in China is primarily governed by the following rules:

Pursuant to the Foreign Exchange Administration Rules (1996), as amended in 1997 and 2008, the RMB is generally freely convertible for trade and service-related foreign exchange transactions, but not for direct investment, loans, investment in securities, or other transactions through a capital account outside China unless the prior approval of SAFE or authorized banks is obtained. Furthermore, foreign investment enterprises in China in general may purchase foreign exchange without the approval of SAFE or authorized banks for trade and service-related foreign exchange transactions by providing commercial documents evidencing these transactions. Foreign investment enterprises that need foreign exchange for the distribution of profits to their shareholders may effect payment from their foreign exchange account or purchase and pay foreign exchange at the designated foreign exchange banks to their foreign shareholders by producing board resolutions for such profit distribution. Under the Administration Rules of the Settlement, Sale and Payment of Foreign Exchange (1996), based on their needs, foreign investment enterprises are permitted to open foreign exchange settlement accounts for current account receipts and payments of foreign exchange along with specialized accounts for capital account receipts and payments of foreign exchange at certain designated foreign exchange banks.

On November 19, 2012, SAFE promulgated the Circular of Further Improving and Adjusting Foreign Exchange Administration Policies on Foreign Direct Investment, or SAFE Circular 59, which became effective on December 17, 2012. The major developments under SAFE Circular 59 were that the opening of various special purpose foreign exchange accounts (e.g. pre-establishment expenses account, foreign exchange capital account, guarantee account) no longer required the approval of SAFE. Furthermore, multiple capital accounts for the same entity may be opened in different provinces, which was not possible before the issuance of SAFE Circular 59. Reinvestment of RMB proceeds by foreign investors in the PRC no longer required SAFE approval or verification, and remittance of foreign exchange profits and dividends by a foreign-invested enterprise to its foreign shareholders no longer required SAFE approval.

On May 10, 2013, SAFE promulgated the Circular on Printing and Distributing the Provisions on Foreign Exchange Administration over Domestic Direct Investment by Foreign Investors and the Supporting Documents, which specifies that the administration by SAFE or its local branches over direct investment by foreign investors in the PRC shall be based on registration. Institutions and individuals shall register with SAFE and/or its branches for their direct investment in the PRC. Banks shall process foreign exchange business relating to the direct investment in the PRC based on the registration information provided by SAFE and its branches.

On February 13, 2015, SAFE issued the Circular on Further Simplifying and Improving the Foreign Exchange Administration Policies on Direct Investments, or SAFE Circular 13, which took effect on June 1, 2015. Pursuant to SAFE Circular 13, the administrative examination and approval procedures with SAFE or its local branches relating to the foreign exchange registration approval for domestic direct investments as well as overseas direct investments have been cancelled, and qualified banks are delegated the power to directly conduct such foreign exchange registrations under the supervision of SAFE or its local branches.

On April 26, 2016, SAFE issued the Circular of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange on Further Promoting Trade and Investment Facility and Improving the Examination and Verification of the Authenticity, pursuant to which when handling the remittance of profits exceeding the equivalent of US$50,000 abroad for a domestic institution, a bank should examine the authenticity of the transaction by reviewing related corporate approvals, tax filing record and other materials.

On June 9, 2016, SAFE promulgated the Notice of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange on Reforming and Standardizing the Foreign Exchange Settlement Management Policy of Capital Account, or SAFE Circular 16, effective on June 9, 2016, which reiterates some of the rules set forth in Circular 19, but changes the prohibition against using RMB capital converted from foreign currency-denominated registered capital of a foreign-invested company to issue RMB entrusted loans to a prohibition against using such capital to issue loans to non-affiliated enterprises.

Dividend Distribution. The principal regulations governing distribution of dividends of foreign holding companies include:

Under these regulations, foreign investment enterprises in China may pay dividends only out of their accumulated profits, if any, determined in accordance with PRC accounting standards and regulations. In addition, foreign investment enterprises in China are required to allocate at least 10% of their respective profits each year, if any, to fund certain reserve funds until the cumulative total of the allocated reserve funds reaches 50% of an enterprise’s registered capital and a portion of their respective after-tax profits to their staff welfare and bonus reserve funds as determined by their respective board of directors or shareholders. These reserves are not distributable as dividends.

On July 4, 2014, SAFE issued SAFE Circular 37, which is the Circular on Several Issues Concerning Foreign Exchange Administration of Domestic Residents Engaging in Overseas Investment, Financing and Round-Trip Investment via Special Purpose Vehicles. SAFE Circular 37 and its detailed guidelines require PRC residents to register with the local branch of SAFE before contributing their legally owned onshore or offshore assets or equity interest into any SPV directly established, or indirectly controlled, by them for the purpose of investment or financing. In addition, when there is (a) any change to the basic information of the SPV, such as any change relating to its individual PRC resident shareholders, name or operation period or (b) any material change, such as increase or decrease in the share capital held by its individual PRC resident shareholders, a share transfer or exchange of the shares in the SPV, or a merger or split of the SPV, the PRC resident must register such changes with the local branch of SAFE on a timely basis. According to the relevant SAFE rules, failure to comply with the registration procedures set forth in SAFE Circular 37 may result in restrictions being imposed on the foreign exchange activities of the relevant onshore companies of SPVs, including the payment of dividends and other distributions to its offshore parent or affiliate and the capital inflow from such offshore entity, and may also subject the relevant PRC residents and onshore companies to penalties under PRC foreign exchange administration regulations. Further, failure to comply with various SAFE registration requirements described above would result in liability for foreign exchange evasion under PRC laws. On February 13, 2015, SAFE issued SAFE Circular 13, which is the Circular on Further Simplifying and Improving the Foreign Exchange Administration Policies on Direct Investments, which took effect on June 1, 2015. Under SAFE Circular 13, qualified banks are delegated the power to register all PRC residents’ investments in SPVs pursuant to SAFE Circular 37, saving for supplementary registration application made by PRC residents who failed to comply with SAFE Circular 37, which shall still fall into the jurisdiction of the local branch of SAFE.

As a result of the uncertainties relating to the interpretation and implementation of SAFE Circular 37 and other regulations of SAFE, we cannot predict how these regulations will affect our business operations or strategies. For example, our present or future PRC subsidiaries’ ability to conduct foreign exchange activities, such as remittance of dividends and foreign-currency-denominated borrowings, may be subject to compliance with such SAFE registration requirements by relevant PRC residents, over whom we have no control. In addition, we cannot assure you that any such PRC residents will be able to complete the necessary approval and registration procedures required by the SAFE regulations. We have requested all of our shareholders who, based on our knowledge, are PRC residents or whose ultimate beneficial owners are PRC residents to comply with all applicable SAFE registration requirements, but we have no control over our shareholders. We cannot assure you that the PRC beneficial owners of our company and our subsidiaries have completed the required SAFE registrations. Nor can we assure you that they will be in full compliance with the SAFE registration in the future. Any non-compliance by the PRC beneficial owners of our company and our subsidiaries may subject us or such PRC resident shareholders to fines and other penalties. It may also limit our ability to contribute additional capitals to our PRC subsidiaries and our subsidiaries’ ability to distribute profits or make other payments to us.

The following table sets forth information regarding our directors and executive officers as of the date of this prospectus.

Jun Zhu is one of our co-founders. He has served as the chairman of our board of directors and chief executive officer since our inception. Prior to founding our company, Mr. Zhu co-founded Flagholder New Technology Co. Ltd., an information technology company based in China, in 1997, and served as its director from 1997 to 1999. From 1993 to 1997, Mr. Zhu worked at QJ (U.S.A.) Investment, Ltd., a trading company in the United States. Mr. Zhu attended an undergraduate program at Shanghai Jiaotong University.

Davin A. Mackenzie has served as our independent director since July 2005. Mr. Mackenzie is currently the General Manager of Greater China for Scape, a developer and operator of purpose-build student accommodation, and the Managing Director – Asia Pacific for the Madison Sports Group, the promoter of the Six Day series of track cycling events. Mr. Mackenzie was a consultant of Spencer Stuart Beijing Office, a renowned global executive search company, from 2012 to 2016. Currently, he serves as a director of Mountain Hazelnut Ventures, a private agricultural company. From 2009 to 2011, Mr. Mackenzie was the Beijing representative of Brocade Capital Limited, a private equity advisory firm that he founded in 2009. From 2008 to 2009, Mr. Mackenzie was the managing director and Beijing representative of Arctic Capital Limited, a pan-Asia private equity advisory firm. Between 2000 and 2008, Mr. Mackenzie held the same positions in Peak Capital LLC, another private equity investment and advisory firm that focuses on the China market. Prior to Peak Capital, Mr. Mackenzie worked with the International Finance Corporation, a private sector arm of The World Bank Group, for seven years, including four years as the resident representative for China and Mongolia. Mr. Mackenzie has also worked at Mercer Management Consultants in Washington, D.C., and at First National Bank of Boston in Taiwan. Mr. Mackenzie received a bachelor’s degree in Government from Dartmouth College. He received a master’s degree in international studies and an MBA degree from the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania. Mr. Mackenzie has also completed the World Bank Executive Development Program at Harvard Business School.

Kwok Keung Chau has served as our independent director since October 2015. Mr. Chau is an executive director, the chief financial officer and the company secretary of Comtec Solar Systems Group Limited (HKEx: 00712), responsible for corporate financial and general management. Currently, he also serves as an independent non-executive director and the chairman of the audit committee of China Xinhua Education Group Limited (HKEx: 02779). He was appointed as independent director of China Tobacco International (HK) Company Limited in December 2018 and the company was listed on HKEx in June 2019 (6055.HK). He served as an independent non-executive director of Qingdao Port International Co., Ltd. (HKEx: 06198) from May 2014 until May 2019. He was also the chairman of the audit committee of Qingdao Port International Co., Ltd. He acted as a member of supervisory board of RIB Software AG, a software company in Germany, which was listed in Frankfurt Stock Exchange, from May 2010 to June 2013. Prior to joining Comtec Solar in November 2007, Mr. Chau served in various positions at China.com Inc., a Hong Kong listed company (Stock Code: 8006) from October 2005 to October 2007, including vice president of the finance department, chief financial officer, company secretary and authorized representative. Prior to joining China.com Inc., Mr. Chau served as the deputy group financial controller of China South City Holdings Limited, a Hong Kong listed company (Stock Code: 1668) from August 2003 to April 2005. Before that, he served as the financial controller of Shanghai Hawei New Material and Technology co., Ltd. from June 2002 to August 2003. Mr. Chau has been a fellow member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants since June 2002, a member of the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants since July 2005 and a Chartered Financial Analyst of the CFA Institute since September 2003. Mr. Chau received his bachelor’s degree in business administration from the Chinese University of Hong Kong in May 1998.

Ka Keung Yeung has served as our independent director since July 2005. Mr. Yeung also serves as the director of Phoenix New Media Limited (NYSE: FENG). He is also the company secretary and qualified accountant. Mr. Yeung joined Phoenix in March 1996 and is in charge of all of Phoenix’s internal and external financial management and arrangements and also supervises administration and personnel matters. Mr. Yeung also serves as a director of Phoenix New Media, a subsidiary of Phoenix and a company listed on the NYSE. Mr. Yeung graduated from the University of Birmingham and is qualified as a chartered accountant. Upon returning to Hong Kong, he worked at Hutchison Telecommunications and STAR in the fields of finance and business development.

George Lai has served as our chief financial officer since July 2008 and our director since January 2016. Currently, he also serves as an independent non-executive director and the chairman of the compensation committee of Qingdao Port International Co., Ltd. (HKEx: 06198). Prior to joining us, Mr. Lai worked for Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu since 2000. Mr. Lai worked in several different Deloitte offices, including Hong Kong, New York and Beijing. During his eight years at Deloitte, Mr. Lai played key roles in the audit function in a number of IPO projects in the United States and China. He also assisted public companies in the United States, Hong Kong and China with a wide range of accounting matters. Mr. Lai received his bachelor of business administration, with a focus in professional accountancy, from the Chinese University of Hong Kong. Mr. Lai holds various accounting professional qualifications, including from AICPA, FCCA and HKICPA.

Arthur Lau has served as our president since January 2018. Mr. Lau is currently the co-founder and partner of Ark Pacific Capital Management, a multi-strategy alternative asset manager focusing in Greater China, and also served as the directors of multiple portfolio companies. Prior to that, he was an investment director of Elliott Advisors, the Asian office of Elliott Associates, a global hedge fund managing over US$30 billion of assets. Before that, Mr. Lau was a technology, media and telecom investment banker at Citigroup and an investment banker at JPMorgan. Mr. Lau graduated from The London School of Economics and Political Science with a Bachelor of Laws degree and holds a Master of Economics degree from The University of Hong Kong.

Chris Shen has served as our vice president since January 2006. Mr. Shen joined us in August 2005 as our senior director of marketing and is in charge of our mobile social gaming platform and marketing and public relations activities. Prior to joining us, Mr. Shen served as the group account director and account director for several renowned advertising agencies in Shanghai and Taipei, mainly serving multinational companies in various industries, such as consumer goods, financial services and retail. During the past twelve years, Mr. Shen helped numerous local and international brands plan and executed various marketing initiatives. Mr. Shen received his bachelor’s degree in management science from the National Chiao Tung University in Taiwan.

Our board of directors consists of the following five directors: Jun Zhu, Kwok Keung Chau, Davin A. Mackenzie, Ka Keung Yeung and George Lai. A director is not required to hold any shares in our company by way of qualification. Any director who is in any way, whether directly or indirectly, interested in a contract or proposed contract with our company must declare the nature of his interest at a meeting of our directors. A director may vote with respect to any contract, proposed contract or arrangement notwithstanding that he may be interested and if he does so his vote shall be counted and he may be counted in the quorum at any meeting of our directors at which any such contract or proposed contract or arrangement is considered and voted upon. Our directors may exercise all the powers of our company to borrow money, and to mortgage or charge its undertaking, property and uncalled capital or any part thereof, and issue debentures, debenture stock or other securities whenever money is borrowed, or as security for any debt, liability or obligation of our company or of any third party.

Audit Committee. Our audit committee consists of Messrs. Kwok Keung Chau, Davin A. Mackenzie and Ka Keung Yeung, all of whom satisfy the “independence” definition under Rule 5605 of the Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc. Marketplace Rules, or the Nasdaq Rules, and the audit committee independence standard under Rule 10A-3 under the Exchange Act. All the members of our audit committee meet the “financial expert” definition of the Nasdaq Rules.

The audit committee oversees our accounting and financial reporting processes and the audits of the financial statements of our company. The audit committee is responsible for, among other things:

Compensation Committee. Our compensation committee consists of Messrs. Kwok Keung Chau, Davin A. Mackenzie and Ka Keung Yeung, all of whom meet the “independence” standards for compensation committee members under the Nasdaq Rules. The compensation committee assists the board in reviewing and approving the compensation structure of our executive officers, including all forms of compensation to be provided to our executive officers. The compensation committee will be responsible for, among other things:

Under Cayman Islands law, our directors owe to our company fiduciary duties, including a duty of loyalty, a duty to act honestly and a duty to act in what they consider in good faith to be in our best interests. Our directors must also exercise their powers only for a proper purpose. Our directors also owe to our company a duty to act with care and diligence that a reasonably prudent person would exercise in comparable circumstances and a duty to exercise the skill they actually possess. 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. In fulfilling their duty of care to us, our directors must ensure compliance with our memorandum and articles of association, as amended and restated from time to time. We have the right to seek damages if a duty owed by our directors is breached.

Our board of directors is currently divided into three classes with different terms. This provision would delay the replacement of a majority of our directors and would make changes to the board of directors more difficult than if such provision were not in place. Our independent directors, namely Kwok Keung Chau, Davin A. Mackenzie and Ka Keung Yeung, were re-elected at our 2018 annual general meeting and each of them is serving a three-year term until the 2021 annual general meeting or until his successor is duly elected and qualified, whichever is earlier. Jun Zhu, our chairman and chief executive officer, was re-elected as a director at our 2016 annual general meeting and is serving a three-year term until the 2019 annual general meeting or until his successor is duly elected and qualified, whichever is earlier. George Lai, our chief financial officer and director, was re-elected as a director at our 2018 annual general meeting and is serving a three-year term until the 2021 annual general meeting or until his successor is duly elected and qualified, whichever is earlier. Upon expiration of the term of office of each class, succeeding directors in each class will be elected for a term of three years. Directors may be removed from office by ordinary resolution of shareholders at any time before the expiration of his/her term. Pursuant to the natural expiration of the directorial terms, elections for directors would be held on the date of the annual general meeting of shareholders.

We have entered into employment agreements with each of our executive officers. Under these agreements, each of our executive officers is employed for a specified time period. We may terminate employment for cause, at any time, without advance notice or remuneration, for certain acts of the executive officer, such as conviction or plea of guilty to a felony or any crime involving moral turpitude, negligent or dishonest acts to our detriment, or misconduct or a failure to perform agreed duties. We may also terminate an executive officer’s employment without cause upon three-month advance written notice. In such case of termination by us, we will provide severance payments to the executive officer as expressly required by applicable law of the jurisdiction where the executive officer is based. The executive officer may resign at any time with a three-month advance written notice.

Each executive officer has agreed to hold, both during and after the termination or expiry of his or her employment agreement, in strict confidence and not to use, except as required in the performance of his or her duties in connection with the employment or pursuant to applicable law, any of our confidential information or trade secrets, any confidential information or trade secrets of our clients or prospective clients, or the confidential or proprietary information of any third party received by us and for which we have confidential obligations. The executive officers have also agreed to disclose in confidence to us all inventions, designs and trade secrets which they conceive, develop or reduce to practice during the executive officer’s employment with us and to assign all right, title and interest in them to us, and assist us in obtaining and enforcing patents, copyrights and other legal rights for these inventions, designs and trade secrets.

In addition, each executive officer has agreed to be bound by non-competition and non-solicitation restrictions during the term of his or her employment and typically for one year following the last date of employment. Specifically, each executive officer has agreed not to (i) approach our suppliers, clients, customers or contacts or other persons or entities introduced to the executive officer in his or her capacity as a representative of us for the purpose of doing business with such persons or entities that will harm our business relationships with these persons or entities; (ii) assume employment with or provide services to any of our competitors, or engage, whether as principal, partner, licensor or otherwise, any of our competitors, without our express consent; or (iii) seek directly or indirectly, to solicit the services of, or hire or engage any of our employees who is employed by us on or after the date of the executive officer’s termination, or in the year preceding such termination, without our express consent.

We have entered into indemnification agreements with each of our directors and executive officers. Under these agreements, we may agree to indemnify our directors and executive officers against certain liabilities and expenses incurred by such persons in connection with claims made by reason of their being a director or officer of our company.

In 2018, the aggregate cash compensation paid to our executive officers was approximately RMB4.8 million (US$0.7 million). We paid a total of RMB1.0 million (US$0.1 million) in cash to our non-executive directors for their services in 2018. In addition, in September 2018, we issued 30,000,000 ordinary shares in the form of restricted shares to our directors, employees and consultant in accordance with our stock option plan. Simultaneous with the new grants, options to purchase 6,200,000 ordinary shares by certain grantees were cancelled. In January 2019, we forfeited and cancelled 15,000,000 ordinary shares in aggregate in the form of restricted shares held by relevant directors, employees and consultant. Those incentive shares are subject to a six-month lock-up period and will vest in installments upon the satisfaction of certain service period conditions of the grantees. No director or executive officer is entitled to any severance benefits upon termination of his or her employment with or appointment by our company.

Our board of directors and our shareholders have adopted and approved the 2004 Stock Option Plan, as amended and restated, or the Option Plan, in order to attract and retain the best available personnel for positions of substantial responsibility, to provide additional incentives to employees, directors and consultants and to promote the success of our business. The Option Plan was amended and restated in December 2006, November 2008, August 2010, November 2010, November 2015, August 2016, June 2017 and December 2018. By the amendment to the Option Plan in December 2018, we increased the total number of ordinary shares reserved under the Option Plan from 34,449,614 to 100,000,000. As of the date of this prospectus, options to purchase 1,050,000 ordinary shares under the Option Plan were outstanding and 15,000,000 restricted shares were issued. In September 2018 our board granted an aggregate amount of 30,000,000 restricted shares to our directors, officers and consultant. In exchange for such restricted shares grant, we forfeited and cancelled the stock options in the total amount of 6,200,000 shares previously granted to our directors in January 2018. In January 2019, our board of directors approved to forfeited and cancel 15,000,000 out of 30,000,000 restricted shares previously granted. The following table provides a summary of the options and restricted shares granted to our directors, executive officers and other individuals as a group under the Option Plan as of the date of this prospectus and that remained outstanding.

Types of Awards. The Option Plan permits the awards of options, stock purchase rights, restricted shares and restricted share units.

Administration. Our Option Plan is administered by our board of directors or an option administrative committee designated by our board of directors and constituted to comply with applicable laws. In each case, our board of directors or the committee it designates will determine the provisions, terms and conditions of each award grant, including, but not limited to, the option vesting schedule, repurchase provisions, forfeiture provisions, form of payment upon settlement of the award, payment contingencies and satisfaction of any performance criteria.

Award Agreement. Awards granted under our Option Plan are evidenced by an award agreement that contains, among other things, terms, conditions and limitations for each award, which may include the term of the award, the provisions concerning exercisability and forfeiture upon termination of employment or consulting arrangements, as determined by our board.

Eligibility. We may grant awards to our employees, directors and consultants of our company.

Vesting Schedule. In general, the plan administrator determines the vesting schedule, which is specified in the relevant award agreement.

Exercise of Options. The plan administrator determines the exercise price for each award, which is stated in the award agreement. The vested portion of option will expire if not exercised prior to the time as the plan administrator determines at the time of its grant.

Third-Party Acquisition. If a third party acquires us through the purchase of all or substantially all of our assets, a merger or other business combination, all outstanding awards will be assumed or equivalent options or share awards substituted by the successor corporation or parent or subsidiary of the successor corporation. In the event that the successor corporation refuses to assume or substitute for the options or share purchase rights, all options or share purchase rights will become fully vested and exercisable immediately prior to such transaction.

Changes in Capitalization and Other Adjustments. If we shall at any time increase or decrease the number of outstanding shares, or change in any way the rights and privileges of our outstanding shares, by means of a payment or a stock dividend or any other distribution upon such ordinary shares, or through a stock split, subdivision, consolidation, combination, reclassification or recapitalization involving such ordinary shares, then in relation to the ordinary shares that are covered by the awards granted or available under the plan and are affected by one or more of the above events, the number, rights and privileges shall be increased, decreased or changed in like manner as if such ordinary shares had been issued and outstanding, fully paid and non-assessable at the time of such occurrence.

Termination of Plan. Unless terminated earlier, our Option Plan will expire in 2038. Our board of directors has the authority to amend, alter, suspend or terminate our Option Plan. However, no such action may (i) impair the rights of any grantee unless agreed by the grantee and the stock option plan administrator, or (ii) affect the stock option plan administrator’s ability to exercise the powers granted to it under our Option Plan.

Except as specifically noted, the following table sets forth information with respect to the beneficial ownership of our Class A and Class B ordinary shares as of the date of this prospectus by:

The calculations in the table below are based on 123,492,906 Class A ordinary shares and 13,607,334 Class B ordinary shares outstanding as of the date of this prospectus and Class A ordinary shares and Class B ordinary shares outstanding immediately after the completion of this offering, assuming the underwriters do not exercise their over-allotment option.

Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC. In computing the number of shares beneficially owned by a person and the percentage ownership of that person, we have included shares that the person has the right to acquire within 60 days, subject to certain conditions. These shares, however, are not included in the computation of the percentage ownership of any other person.

To our knowledge, as of the date of this prospectus, a total of 54,116,595 Class A ordinary shares are held by one record holder in the United States, representing approximately 39.5% of our total outstanding shares on an as-converted basis. The holder is The Bank of New York Mellon, our ADS depositary. The number of beneficial owners of our ADSs in the United States is likely to be much larger than the number of record holders of our ordinary shares in the United States.

In February 2013, we established a new joint venture, namely ZTE9, in cooperation with Shanghai Zhongxing Communication Technology Enterprise Co., Ltd. and Shanghai Ruigao Information Technology Co., Ltd., in Wuxi, Jiangsu province of China, to develop and operate home entertainment set top box business. In February 2014, Guangdong Hongtu Guangdian Investment Limited Company made a capital investment of RMB12.5 million to acquire 10% equity interests in ZTE9. As of December 31, 2018, we held 26.0% equity interest in ZTE9. ZTE9 charged net royalty and other service fee related to IPTV business to us in an amount of RMB13.0 million, RMB7.1 million and RMB5.2 million (US$0.8 million) in 2016, 2017 and 2018, respectively. We provided IPTV related advertising service to ZTE9 in an amount of RMB0.5 million, nil and nil in 2016, 2017 and 2018, respectively. Total amount due to ZTE9 for IPTV business was RMB16.8 million, RMB2.7 million and RMB5.1 million (US$0.7 million) as of December 31, 2016, 2017 and 2018, respectively.

In 2016, 2017 and 2018, we lent RMB2.8 million, RMB4.0 million and RMB0.6 million (US$0.1 million) to ZTE9 to fund its operations, respectively. The loans are interest-free. As of December 31, 2016, 2017 and 2018, total outstanding amount for loan due from ZTE9 was RMB12.7 million, RMB2.1 million and RMB1.0 million (US$0.1 million), respectively.

In 2014, we entered into a license agreement with System Link, a 50% joint venture of us, for publishing and operating Firefall for a five-year term in China. Under this license agreement, System Link should pay to Red 5 and Red 5 Singapore licensing fees and royalties in an aggregate amount of at least US$160.0 million during the term of the agreement. In 2015, System Link paid US$10.0 million to us as licensing fees. We recorded the US$10.0 million as amount due to the related party and was to amortize the amount over the five-year period. System Link has become dormant since the cessation of Firefall in March 2016 and the termination of the licensing arrangement of CrossFire 2 in November 2017. As Red 5 is no longer required to render any services to System Link in relation to Firefall, Red 5 recognized the remaining unamortized licensing fees for Firefall as revenues in 2017. The balance due to System Link was nil as of December 31, 2017 and 2018, respectively. We recognized licensing revenue of RMB13.6 million and RMB51.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2017, respectively.

In 2016, we charged service fee, including IDC rental fee, office rental fee and etc., to Big Data (previously known as Jiucheng Advertisement) amounted to RMB4.5 million and the service fee was paid in 2016. In 2017, the service fee amounted to RMB0.1 million.

In 2016, Asian Way entered into a license agreement with T3, an equity investee of us, for developing a game using augmented reality (AR) technologies based on the intellectual property relating to the game Audition. Upon commercial launch, Asian Way will share certain percentages of revenues of the game to T3. The game is still under development as of December 31, 2018.

In 2017, we entered into a share purchase agreement with Incsight Limited, which is controlled by Mr. Jun Zhu, our chairman and chief executive officer. Pursuant to this agreement, Mr. Jun Zhu agreed to acquire 12,500,000 newly issued shares from us for a total cash consideration of US$15.0 million. The transaction was terminated in February 2019 and the previously issued shares were surrendered and cancelled.

In 2017, we entered into a share purchase agreement with Ark Pacific Special Opportunities Fund I, L.P., which beneficially owns more than 10% of share capital in our company. Pursuant to this agreement, Ark Pacific Special Opportunities Fund I, L.P. will acquire 12,500,000 newly issued shares of us for a total cash consideration of US$15.0 million. The transaction was terminated in February 2019 and the previously issued shares were surrendered and cancelled.

Mr. Jun Zhu, the chairman and chief executive officer, extended aggregate of RMB60.0 million, RMB73.9 million and RMB11.0 million (US$1.6 million) in loan to us in 2016, 2017 and 2018, respectively. The loans are interest-free. As of December 31, 2016, 2017 and 2018, RMB25.2 million, RMB75.2 million and RMB57.1 million (US$8.3 million) of such loan remained outstanding, respectively.

See “Corporate History and Structure—Arrangements with Affiliated PRC Entities.”

We are a Cayman Islands exempted company with limited liability and our corporate affairs are governed by our memorandum and articles of association, as amended from time to time and the Companies Law (2018 Revision) of the Cayman Islands, which we refer to as the Companies Law below, and the common law of the Cayman Islands.

Our authorized share capital is US$50,000,000 divided into 5,000,000,000 shares comprising (i) 4,300,000,000 Class A ordinary shares of par value US$0.01 each, (ii) 600,000,000 Class B ordinary shares of par value US$0.01 each, and (iii) 100,000,000 shares of par value US$0.01 each of such class or classes (however designated) as our board of directors may determine in accordance with our currently effective amended and restated memorandum and articles of association. As of the date of this prospectus, we have 123,492,906 Class A ordinary shares issued and outstanding, and 13,607,334 Class B ordinary shares issued and outstanding.

The following are summaries of material provisions of our currently effective second amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, as well as the Companies Law (2018 Revision) insofar as they relate to the material terms of our ordinary shares.

Our ordinary shares are divided into Class A ordinary shares and Class B ordinary shares. Holders of our Class A ordinary shares and Class B ordinary shares have the same rights except for voting and conversion rights. All of our outstanding ordinary shares are fully paid and non-assessable. Our ordinary shares are issued in registered form and are issued when entered in our register of members (shareholders). Every person whose name is entered in our register of members as a registered shareholder is entitled to receive a share certificate within two months of the allotment of such shares. We are not permitted to issue bearer shares.

Each Class B ordinary share is convertible into one Class A ordinary share at any time by the holder thereof. Class A ordinary shares are not convertible into Class B ordinary shares under any circumstances. Upon any sale, transfer, assignment or disposition of Class B ordinary shares by a holder thereof to any person who is not an affiliate of such holder, such Class B ordinary shares shall be automatically and immediately converted into the same number of Class A ordinary shares.

The holders of our ordinary shares are entitled to such dividends as may be declared by our board of directors. In addition, our shareholders may declare dividends by ordinary resolution, but no dividend shall exceed the amount recommended by our directors. Under the laws of the Cayman Islands, our company may pay a dividend out of either profit or share premium account, provided that in no circumstances may a dividend be paid if this would result in our company being unable to pay its debts as they fall due in the ordinary course of business.

Holders of our Class A ordinary shares and our Class B ordinary shares shall, at all times, vote together as one class on all matters submitted to a vote by our shareholders at any general meeting of our company. Each Class A ordinary share shall be entitled to one vote, and each Class B ordinary share shall be entitled to fifty votes, on all matters subject to a vote at general meetings of our company. Voting at any meeting of shareholders is by show of hands unless a poll is demanded. A poll may be demanded by one or more shareholders together holding not less than ten percent of the paid up voting share capital, present in person or by proxy.

A quorum required for a meeting of shareholders consists of holders of not less than one-third of all issued and outstanding shares entitled to vote. The Company may hold an annual general meeting but shall not (unless required by the Companies Law) be obliged to hold an annual general meeting. Annual general meetings and extraordinary general meetings may be convened by our board of directors on its own initiative. In addition, our board of directors is required to convene extraordinary general meetings upon any requisition by shareholders holding in aggregate not less than 33% of our voting share capital. Advance notice of at least seven business days is required for the convening of our annual general meeting and extraordinary general meetings.

An ordinary resolution to be passed by our shareholders requires the affirmative vote of a simple majority of the votes attaching to our ordinary shares cast in a general meeting, while a special resolution requires the affirmative vote of no less than two-thirds of the votes attaching to our ordinary shares cast in a general meeting. A special resolution is required for important matters such as a change of name, a reduction of our share capital, effecting a statutory merger, or amending our memorandum and articles of association. Holders of our ordinary shares may effect certain changes by ordinary resolution, including an increase of our authorized share capital, the consolidation and division of all or any of our share capital into shares of a larger amount than our existing share capital, and the cancellation of any authorized but unissued shares.

Subject to the restrictions of our articles of association, as applicable, 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. The transferor shall be deemed to remain the holder of the shares until the name of the transferee is entered in the register of members in respect thereof.

On the winding up of our company, 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. 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.

Our board of directors may from time to time make calls upon shareholders for any moneys unpaid on their shares in a notice served to such shareholders at least 14 days prior to the specified time of payment. The shares that have been called upon and remain unpaid on the specified time are subject to forfeiture.

We may issue shares on terms that such shares are subject to redemption, at our option or at the option of the holders of such shares, on such terms and in such manner as may be determined, before the issuance of such shares, by our board of directors. Our company may also repurchase any of our shares (including any redeemable shares) provided that the manner of such purchase has been approved by ordinary resolution of our shareholders or the manner of such purchase is in accordance with our 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.

If at any time our share capital is divided into different classes of shares, the rights attaching to any class of shares may, subject to our articles of association, be varied or abrogated either with the written consent of the holders of a majority of the issued shares of that class or with the sanction of a resolution passed by at least a majority of the holders of the shares of that class present in person or by proxy at a separate general meeting of the holders of the shares of that class.

Our second amended and restated memorandum and articles of association authorizes our board of directors to issue additional shares from time to time as our board of directors shall determine, to the extent of available authorized but unissued shares.

Our second 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 but not limited to:

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.

Holders of our ordinary shares will 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.

Some provisions of our second 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:

However, under Cayman Islands law, our directors may only exercise the rights and powers granted to them under our second amended and restated memorandum and articles of association for a proper purpose and for what they believe in good faith to be in the best interests of our company.

The Companies Law is derived, to a large extent, from the older Companies Acts of England, but does not follow recent English law statutory enactments, and accordingly there are significant differences between the Companies Law and the current Companies Act of England. In addition, the Companies Law differs from laws applicable to United States corporations and their shareholders. Set forth below is a summary of certain significant differences between the provisions of the Companies Law applicable to us and the comparable provisions of the laws applicable to companies incorporated in the State of Delaware and their shareholders.

The Companies Law permits mergers and consolidations between Cayman Islands companies and between Cayman Islands companies and non-Cayman Islands companies. For these purposes, (a) “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 (b) a “consolidation” means the combination of two or more constituent companies into a combined 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 together with a declaration as to the solvency of the consolidated or surviving company, a declaration as to 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. 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 the dissenting shareholder complies strictly with the procedures set out in the Companies Law. 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. Court approval is not required for a merger or consolidation which is effected in compliance with these statutory procedures.

In addition to the statutory provisions relating to mergers and considerations, the Companies Law 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 or 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 Grand Court of the Cayman Islands can be expected to approve the arrangement if it determines that:

The Companies Law also contains a statutory power of compulsory acquisition which may facilitate the “squeeze out” of dissentient minority shareholder upon a tender offer. When a tender offer is made and accepted by holders of 90% 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 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 provisions, 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.

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 ordinarily not be brought by a minority shareholder. However, based on English authority, which would in all likelihood be of persuasive authority in the Cayman Islands, the Cayman Islands courts can be expected (and have had occasion) to follow and apply the common law principles (namely the rule in Foss v. Harbottle and the exceptions thereto) which permit a minority shareholder to commence a class action against, or derivative actions in the name of, our company to challenge:

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 second amended and restated memorandum and articles of association provides that we shall indemnify each of our directors and officers against all actions, proceedings, costs, charges, expenses, losses, damages or liabilities incurred or sustained by such director or officer in connection with the execution or discharge of his duties, powers, authorities or discretions as a director or officer, including without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, any costs, expenses, losses or liabilities incurred by him in defending 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 second 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.

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 he owes the following duties to the company—a duty to act in good faith in the best interests of the company, a duty not to make a personal 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 act with skill and care. 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.

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. The Companies Law and our second amended and restated memorandum and articles of association provide that 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.

Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, a shareholder has the right to put any proposal before the annual meeting of shareholders, provided 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 Law provides shareholders with only limited rights to requisition a general meeting, and does not provide shareholders with any right to put any proposal before a general meeting. However, these rights may be provided in a company’s articles of association. Our second amended and restated memorandum and articles of association allow our shareholders holding not less than one-third of the issued and outstanding shares of our company entitled to vote at general meetings to requisition a shareholder’s meeting, in which case our directors are obligated 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 second amended and restated articles of association do not provide our shareholders other right to put proposal before annual general meetings or extraordinary general meetings not called by such shareholders. As a Cayman Islands exempted company, we are not obliged by law to call shareholders’ annual general meetings.

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 Companies Law but our second amended and restated memorandum and articles of association do 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.

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 outstanding shares entitled to vote, unless the certificate of incorporation provides otherwise. Under our second amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, subject to certain restrictions as contained therein, directors may be removed with or without cause, by an ordinary resolution of our shareholders. A director shall hold office until the expiration of his or her term or his or her successor shall have been elected and qualified, or until his or her office is otherwise vacated. In addition, a director’s office shall be vacated if the director (i) becomes bankrupt or makes any arrangement or composition with his creditors; (ii) is found to be or becomes of unsound mind or dies; (iii) resigns his office by notice in writing to the company; (iv) without special leave of absence from our board of directors, is absent from meetings of our board for six consecutive months and the board resolves that his office be vacated; or (v) is removed from office pursuant to any other provisions of our second amended and restated memorandum and articles of association.

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 share 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, the directors of the Company are required to comply with the fiduciary duties which they owe to the Company under Cayman Islands law, including the duty to ensure that, in their opinion, any such transactions entered into are bona fide in the best interests of the Company, and are entered into for a proper corporate purpose and not with the effect of constituting a fraud on the minority shareholders.

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 the board.

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.

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 Cayman Islands law and our second amended and restated articles of association, if our share capital is divided into more than one class of shares, we may vary the rights attached to any class with the written consent of the holders of a majority of the issued shares of that class or with the sanction of a resolution passed by at least a majority of the holders of the shares of that class present in person or by proxy at a separate general meeting of the holders of the shares of that class.

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 Cayman Islands law, our second amended and restated memorandum and articles of association may only be amended with a special resolution of our shareholders.

There are no limitations imposed by our second amended and restated 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 second amended and restated memorandum and articles of association governing the ownership threshold above which shareholder ownership must be disclosed.

In June 2017, we issued 12,500,000 ordinary shares to IE Limited, a Korean company, for approximately then 14.6% equity interest of Smartposting Co., Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of IE Limited, as consideration. Such 12,500,000 were re-designated as 12,500,000 Class A ordinary shares in May 2019.

In January 2018, we issued 3,571,429 ordinary shares to Red Ace Limited, a British Virgin Islands company, for approximately then 29.0% equity interest of Maxline Holdings Limited, a Cayman Islands company, as consideration. Such 3,571,429 ordinary shares were re-designated as 3,571,429 Class A ordinary shares in May 2019.

In September 2018, we issued 21,000,000 ordinary shares to Leading Choice Holding Limited, a Hong Kong company, for approximately then 20.0% equity interest in Leading Choice Holding Limited, as consideration. Such 21,000,000 ordinary shares were re-designated as 21,000,000 Class A ordinary shares in May 2019.

In September 2018, we issued 21,000,000 ordinary shares to Plutux Limited, a Gibraltar company, for approximately then 8.0% equity interest in Plutux Limited, as consideration. Such 21,000,000 ordinary shares were re-designated as 21,000,000 Class A ordinary shares in May 2019.

In September 2018, we issued an aggregate amount of 30,000,000 restricted shares to our directors, officers and consultant as share incentive awards. In exchange for such restricted shares grant, we forfeited and cancelled the stock options in the total amount of 6,200,000 shares previously granted to our directors. In January 2019, we forfeited and cancelled 15,000,000 out of 30,000,000 restricted shares previously granted.

In May 2019, as a result of the adoption of dual-class share structure, we re-designated and re-classified the then 13,607,334 authorized and issued ordinary shares held by Incsight Limited and Mr. Jun Zhu as 13,607,334 Class B ordinary shares, and re-designated and re-classified the then remaining 119,748,024 authorized and issued ordinary shares as 119,748,024 Class A ordinary shares.

In May 2019, we issued 300,000 Class A ordinary shares to ABMP Consultants Limited for the past services it provided to us.

In June 2019, we issued 3,444,882 Class A ordinary shares to Comtec Renewable Energy Group Limited for approximately then 9.9% equity interest in Zhejiang Kexin Power System Design and Research Company.

We have granted options to purchase our Class A ordinary shares to certain of our directors, executive officers, employees and consultants. See “Management—Share Incentive Plan.”

The Bank of New York Mellon, as depositary, will register and deliver American Depositary Shares, also referred to as ADSs. Each ADS will represent three Class A ordinary shares deposited with The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited, as custodian for the depositary in Hong Kong. Each ADS will also represent any other securities, cash or other property which may be held by the depositary. The deposited shares together with any other securities, cash or other property held by the depositary are referred to as the deposited securities. The depositary’s office at which the ADSs will be administered and its principal executive office are located at 240 Greenwich Street, New York, New York 10286.

You may hold ADSs either (A) directly (i) by having an American Depositary Receipt, also referred to as an ADR, which is a certificate evidencing a specific number of ADSs, registered in your name, or (ii) by having uncertificated ADSs registered in your name, or (B) indirectly by holding a security entitlement in ADSs through your broker or other financial institution that is a direct or indirect participant in The Depository Trust Company, also called DTC. If you hold ADSs directly, you are a registered ADS holder, also referred to as an ADS holder. This description assumes you are an ADS holder. If you hold the ADSs indirectly, you must rely on the procedures of your broker or other financial institution to assert the rights of ADS holders described in this section. You should consult with your broker or financial institution to find out what those procedures are.

Registered holders of uncertificated ADSs will receive statements from the depositary confirming their holdings.

As an ADS holder, we will not treat you as one of our shareholders and you will not have shareholder rights. The laws of Cayman Islands govern shareholder rights. The depositary will be the holder of the Class A ordinary shares underlying your ADSs. As a registered holder of ADSs, you will have ADS holder rights. A deposit agreement among us, the depositary, ADS holders and all other persons indirectly holding or beneficially owning ADSs sets out ADS holder rights as well as the rights and obligations of the depositary. The laws of the State of New York govern the deposit agreement and the ADSs.

The following is a summary of the material provisions of the deposit agreement. For more complete information, you should read the entire deposit agreement and the form of ADR. See “Where You Can Find Additional Information” for directions on how to obtain copies of those documents.

The depositary has agreed to pay or distribute to ADS holders the cash dividends or other distributions it or the custodian receives on shares or other deposited securities, upon payment or deduction of its fees and expenses. You will receive these distributions in proportion to the number of shares your ADSs represent.

Cash. The depositary will convert any cash dividend or other cash distribution we pay on the shares into U.S. dollars, if it can do so on a reasonable basis and can transfer the U.S. dollars to the United States. If that is not possible or if any government approval is needed and cannot be obtained, the deposit agreement allows the depositary to distribute the foreign currency only to those ADS holders to whom it is possible to do so. It will hold the foreign currency it cannot convert for the account of the ADS holders who have not been paid. It will not invest the foreign currency and it will not be liable for any interest.

Before making a distribution, any withholding taxes, or other governmental charges that must be paid will be deducted. See “Taxation.” The depositary will distribute only whole U.S. dollars and cents and will round fractional cents to the nearest whole cent. If the exchange rates fluctuate during a time when the depositary cannot convert the foreign currency, you may lose some of the value of the distribution.

Shares. The depositary may distribute additional ADSs representing any shares we distribute as a dividend or free distribution. The depositary will only distribute whole ADSs. It will sell shares which would require it to deliver a fraction of an ADS (or ADSs representing those shares) and distribute the net proceeds in the same way as it does with cash. If the depositary does not distribute additional ADSs, the outstanding ADSs will also represent the new shares. The depositary may sell a portion of the distributed shares (or ADSs representing those shares) sufficient to pay its fees and expenses in connection with that distribution.

Rights to purchase additional shares. If we offer holders of our securities any rights to subscribe for additional shares or any other rights, the depositary may (i) exercise those rights on behalf of ADS holders, (ii) distribute those rights to ADS holders or (iii) sell those rights and distribute the net proceeds to ADS holders, in each case after deduction or upon payment of its fees and expenses. To the extent the depositary does not do any of those things, it will allow the rights to lapse. In that case, you will receive no value for them. The depositary will exercise or distribute rights only if we ask it to and provide satisfactory assurances to the depositary that it is legal to do so. If the depositary will exercise rights, it will purchase the securities to which the rights relate and distribute those securities or, in the case of shares, new ADSs representing the new shares, to subscribing ADS holders, but only if ADS holders have paid the exercise price to the depositary. U.S. securities laws may restrict the ability of the depositary to distribute rights or ADSs or other securities issued on exercise of rights to all or certain ADS holders, and the securities distributed may be subject to restrictions on transfer.

Other Distributions. The depositary will send to ADS holders anything else we distribute on deposited securities by any means it thinks is legal, fair and practical. If it cannot make the distribution in that way, the depositary has a choice. It may decide to sell what we distributed and distribute the net proceeds, in the same way as it does with cash. Or, it may decide to hold what we distributed, in which case ADSs will also represent the newly distributed property. However, the depositary is not required to distribute any securities (other than ADSs) to ADS holders unless it receives satisfactory evidence from us that it is legal to make that distribution. The depositary may sell a portion of the distributed securities or property sufficient to pay its fees and expenses in connection with that distribution. U.S. securities laws may restrict the ability of the depositary to distribute securities to all or certain ADS holders, and the securities distributed may be subject to restrictions on transfer.

The depositary is not responsible if it decides that it is unlawful or impractical to make a distribution available to any ADS holders. We have no obligation to register ADSs, shares, rights or other securities under the Securities Act. We also have no obligation to take any other action to permit the distribution of ADSs, shares, rights or anything else to ADS holders. This means that you may not receive the distributions we make on our shares or any value for them if it is illegal or impractical for us to make them available to you.

The depositary will deliver ADSs if you or your broker deposits shares or evidence of rights to receive shares with the custodian. Upon payment of its fees and expenses and of any taxes or charges, such as stamp taxes or stock transfer taxes or fees, the depositary will register the appropriate number of ADSs in the names you request and will deliver the ADSs to or upon the order of the person or persons that made the deposit.

You may surrender your ADSs to the depositary for the purpose of withdrawal. Upon payment of its fees and expenses and of any taxes or charges, such as stamp taxes or stock transfer taxes or fees, the depositary will deliver the shares and any other deposited securities underlying the ADSs to the ADS holder or a person the ADS holder designates at the office of the custodian. Or, at your request, risk and expense, the depositary will deliver the deposited securities at its office, if feasible. However, the depositary is not required to accept surrender of ADSs to the extent it would require delivery of a fraction of a deposited share or other security. The depositary may charge you a fee and its expenses for instructing the custodian regarding delivery of deposited securities.

How do ADS holders interchange between certificated ADSs and uncertificated ADSs?

You may surrender your ADR to the depositary for the purpose of exchanging your ADR for uncertificated ADSs. The depositary will cancel that ADR and will send to the ADS holder a statement confirming that the ADS holder is the registered holder of uncertificated ADSs. Upon receipt by the depositary of a proper instruction from a registered holder of uncertificated ADSs requesting the exchange of uncertificated ADSs for certificated ADSs, the depositary will execute and deliver to the ADS holder an ADR evidencing those ADSs.

ADS holders may instruct the depositary how to vote the number of deposited shares their ADSs represent. If we request the depositary to solicit your voting instructions (and we are not required to do so), the depositary will notify you of a shareholders’ meeting and send or make voting materials available to you. Those materials will describe the matters to be voted on and explain how ADS holders may instruct the depositary how to vote. For instructions to be valid, they must reach the depositary by a date set by the depositary. The depositary will try, as far as practical, subject to the laws of the Cayman Islands and the provisions of our Second Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association, to vote or to have its agents vote the shares or other deposited securities as instructed by ADS holders. If we do not request the depositary to solicit your voting instructions, you can still send voting instructions, and, in that case, the depositary may try to vote as you instruct, but it is not required to do so.

Except by instructing the depositary as described above, you won’t be able to exercise voting rights unless you surrender your ADSs and withdraw the shares. However, you may not know about the meeting enough in advance to withdraw the shares. In any event, the depositary will not exercise any discretion in voting deposited securities and it will only vote or attempt to vote as instructed or as described in the following sentences. If we timely asked the depositary to solicit your instructions but the depositary does not receive voting instructions from you by the specified date and we confirm to the depositary that

then the depositary will consider you to have authorized and directed it to give a discretionary proxy to a person designated by us to vote the number of deposited securities represented by your ADSs as to that question.

We cannot assure you that you will receive the voting materials in time to ensure that you can instruct the depositary to vote your shares. In addition, the depositary and its agents are not responsible for failing to carry out voting instructions or for the manner of carrying out voting instructions. This means that you may not be able to exercise voting rights and there may be nothing you can do if your shares are not voted as you requested.

The depositary collects its fees for delivery and surrender of ADSs directly from investors depositing shares or surrendering ADSs for the purpose of withdrawal or from intermediaries acting for them. The depositary collects fees for making distributions to investors by deducting those fees from the amounts distributed or by selling a portion of distributable property to pay the fees. The depositary may collect its annual fee for depositary services by deduction from cash distributions or by directly billing investors or by charging the book-entry system accounts of participants acting for them. The depositary may collect any of its fees by deduction from any cash distribution payable (or by selling a portion of securities or other property distributable) to ADS holders that are obligated to pay those fees. The depositary may generally refuse to provide fee-attracting services until its fees for those services are paid.

From time to time, the depositary may make payments to us to reimburse us for costs and expenses generally arising out of establishment and maintenance of the ADS program, waive fees and expenses for services provided to us by the depositary or share revenue from the fees collected from ADS holders. In performing its duties under the deposit agreement, the depositary may use brokers, dealers, foreign currency dealers or other service providers that are owned by or affiliated with the depositary and that may earn or share fees, spreads or commissions.

The depositary may convert currency itself or through any of its affiliates and, in those cases, acts as principal for its own account and not as agent, advisor, broker or fiduciary on behalf of any other person and earns revenue, including, without limitation, transaction spreads, that it will retain for its own account. The revenue is based on, among other things, the difference between the exchange rate assigned to the currency conversion made under the deposit agreement and the rate that the depositary or its affiliate receives when buying or selling foreign currency for its own account. The depositary makes no representation that the exchange rate used or obtained in any currency conversion under the deposit agreement will be the most favorable rate that could be obtained at the time or that the method by which that rate will be determined will be the most favorable to ADS holders, subject to the depositary’s obligations under the deposit agreement. The methodology used to determine exchange rates used in currency conversions is available upon request.

You will be responsible for any taxes or other governmental charges payable on your ADSs or on the deposited securities represented by any of your ADSs. The depositary may refuse to register any transfer of your ADSs or allow you to withdraw the deposited securities represented by your ADSs until those taxes or other charges are paid. It may apply payments owed to you or sell deposited securities represented by your American Depositary Shares to pay any taxes owed and you will remain liable for any deficiency. If the depositary sells deposited securities, it will, if appropriate, reduce the number of ADSs to reflect the sale and pay to ADS holders any proceeds, or send to ADS holders any property, remaining after it has paid the taxes.

Tender and Exchange Offers; Redemption, Replacement or Cancellation of Deposited Securities

The depositary will not tender deposited securities in any voluntary tender or exchange offer unless instructed to do by an ADS holder surrendering ADSs and subject to any conditions or procedures the depositary may establish.

If deposited securities are redeemed for cash in a transaction that is mandatory for the depositary as a holder of deposited securities, the depositary will call for surrender of a corresponding number of ADSs and distribute the net redemption money to the holders of called ADSs upon surrender of those ADSs.

If there is any change in the deposited securities such as a sub-division, combination or other reclassification, or any merger, consolidation, recapitalization or reorganization affecting the issuer of deposited securities in which the depositary receives new securities in exchange for or in lieu of the old deposited securities, the depositary will hold those replacement securities as deposited securities under the deposit agreement. However, if the depositary decides it would not be lawful and practical to hold the replacement securities because those securities could not be distributed to ADS holders or for any other reason, the depositary may instead sell the replacement securities and distribute the net proceeds upon surrender of the ADSs.

If there is a replacement of the deposited securities and the depositary will continue to hold the replacement securities, the depositary may distribute new ADSs representing the new deposited securities or ask you to surrender your outstanding ADRs in exchange for new ADRs identifying the new deposited securities.

If there are no deposited securities underlying ADSs, including if the deposited securities are cancelled, or if the deposited securities underlying ADSs have become apparently worthless, the depositary may call for surrender or of those ADSs or cancel those ADSs upon notice to the ADS holders.

We may agree with the depositary to amend the deposit agreement and the ADRs without your consent for any reason. If an amendment adds or increases fees or charges, except for taxes and other governmental charges or expenses of the depositary for registration fees, facsimile costs, delivery charges or similar items, or prejudices a substantial right of ADS holders, it will not become effective for outstanding ADSs until 30 days after the depositary notifies ADS holders of the amendment. At the time an amendment becomes effective, you are considered, by continuing to hold your ADSs, to agree to the amendment and to be bound by the ADRs and the deposit agreement as amended.

The depositary will initiate termination of the deposit agreement if we instruct it to do so. The depositary may initiate termination of the deposit agreement if

If the deposit agreement will terminate, the depositary will notify ADS holders at least 90 days before the termination date. At any time after the termination date, the depositary may sell the deposited securities. After that, the depositary will hold the money it received on the sale, as well as any other cash it is holding under the deposit agreement, unsegregated and without liability for interest, for the pro rata benefit of the ADS holders that have not surrendered their ADSs. Normally, the depositary will sell as soon as practicable after the termination date.

After the termination date and before the depositary sells, ADS holders can still surrender their ADSs and receive delivery of deposited securities, except that the depositary may refuse to accept a surrender for the purpose of withdrawing deposited securities or reverse previously accepted surrenders of that kind if it would interfere with the selling process. The depositary may refuse to accept a surrender for the purpose of withdrawing sale proceeds until all the deposited securities have been sold. The depositary will continue to collect distributions on deposited securities, but, after the termination date, the depositary is not required to register any transfer of ADSs or distribute any dividends or other distributions on deposited securities to the ADSs holder (until they surrender their ADSs) or give any notices or perform any other duties under the deposit agreement except as described in this paragraph.

Limits on our Obligations and the Obligations of the Depositary; Limits on Liability to Holders of ADSs

The deposit agreement expressly limits our obligations and the obligations of the depositary. It also limits our liability and the liability of the depositary. We and the depositary:

In the deposit agreement, we and the depositary agree to indemnify each other under certain circumstances.

Before the depositary will deliver or register a transfer of ADSs, make a distribution on ADSs, or permit withdrawal of shares, the depositary may require:

The depositary may refuse to deliver ADSs or register transfers of ADSs when the transfer books of the depositary or our transfer books are closed or at any time if the depositary or we think it advisable to do so.

ADS holders have the right to cancel their ADSs and withdraw the underlying shares at any time except:

This right of withdrawal may not be limited by any other provision of the deposit agreement.

In the deposit agreement, all parties to the deposit agreement acknowledge that the Direct Registration System, also referred to as DRS, and Profile Modification System, also referred to as Profile, will apply to the ADSs. DRS is a system administered by DTC that facilitates interchange between registered holding of uncertificated ADSs and holding of security entitlements in ADSs through DTC and a DTC participant. Profile is feature of DRS that allows a DTC participant, claiming to act on behalf of a registered holder of uncertificated ADSs, to direct the depositary to register a transfer of those ADSs to DTC or its nominee and to deliver those ADSs to the DTC account of that DTC participant without receipt by the depositary of prior authorization from the ADS holder to register that transfer.

In connection with and in accordance with the arrangements and procedures relating to DRS/Profile, the parties to the deposit agreement understand that the depositary will not determine whether the DTC participant that is claiming to be acting on behalf of an ADS holder in requesting registration of transfer and delivery as described in the paragraph above has the actual authority to act on behalf of the ADS holder (notwithstanding any requirements under the Uniform Commercial Code). In the deposit agreement, the parties agree that the depositary’s reliance on and compliance with instructions received by the depositary through the DRS/Profile system and in accordance with the deposit agreement will not constitute negligence or bad faith on the part of the depositary.

The depositary will make available for your inspection at its office all communications that it receives from us as a holder of deposited securities that we make generally available to holders of deposited securities. The depositary will send you copies of those communications or otherwise make those communications available to you if we ask it to. You have a right to inspect the register of holders of ADSs, but not for the purpose of contacting those holders about a matter unrelated to our business or the ADSs.

The deposit agreement provides that, to the extent permitted by law, ADS 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 opposed a jury trial demand based on the waiver, the court would determine whether the waiver was enforceable in the facts and circumstances of that case in accordance with applicable case law.

You will not, by agreeing to the terms of the deposit agreement, be deemed to have waived our or the depositary’s compliance with U.S. federal securities laws or the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

The deposit agreement gives the depositary or an ADS holder asserting a claim against us the right to require us to submit that claim to binding arbitration in New York under the International Arbitration Rules of the International Centre for Dispute Resolution, including any securities law claim. However, a claimant could also elect not to submit its claim to arbitration and instead bring its claim in any court having jurisdiction of it. The deposit agreement does not give us the right to require anyone to submit any claim to arbitration.

The following summary of the material Cayman Islands, PRC and United States federal income tax consequences of an investment in our ADSs or ordinary shares is based upon laws and relevant interpretations thereof in effect as of the date of this registration statement, all of which are subject to change. This summary does not deal with all possible tax consequences relating to an investment in our ADSs or ordinary shares, such as the tax consequences under U.S. state and local tax laws or under the tax laws of jurisdictions other than the Cayman Islands, the People’s Republic of China and the United States.

In the opinion of our Cayman Islands counsel, Maples and Calder (Hong Kong) LLP, the Cayman Islands currently levies no taxes on individuals or corporations based upon profits, income, gains or appreciation and there is no taxation in the nature of inheritance tax or estate duty. No Cayman Islands stamp duty will be payable unless an instrument is executed in, or after execution, brought into, or produced before a court of the Cayman Islands. The Cayman Islands is not party to any double tax treaties which are applicable to payments made to or by our company. There are no exchange control regulations or currency restrictions in the Cayman Islands.

Payments of dividends and capital in respect of the shares will not be subject to taxation in the Cayman Islands and no withholding will be required on the payment of a dividend or capital to any holder of the Shares, nor will gains derived from the disposal of the shares be subject to Cayman Islands income or corporation tax.

The following discussion is a summary of U.S. federal income tax considerations to U.S. Holders (as defined below) relating to the ownership and disposition of the ADSs or ordinary shares. This discussion applies only to U.S. Holders of the ADSs or ordinary shares as “capital assets” (generally, property held for investment). This discussion is based on the tax laws of the United States in effect as of the date of this prospectus and on U.S. Treasury regulations in effect or, in some cases, proposed as of the date of this prospectus, as well as judicial and administrative interpretations thereof available on or before such date. All of the foregoing authorities are subject to change, which change could apply retroactively and could affect the tax consequences described below.

The following discussion is for general information only and does not address all of the tax considerations that may be relevant to any particular investor or to persons in special tax situations such as:

In addition, the discussion below does not address any U.S. state, local or non-U.S. tax considerations, the Medicare tax, alternative minimum tax, or any non-income tax (such as U.S. federal estate or gift tax) considerations.

U.S. HOLDERS ARE URGED TO CONSULT THEIR TAX ADVISORS REGARDING THE APPLICATION OF THE U.S. FEDERAL TAX RULES TO THEIR PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES AS WELL AS THE STATE, LOCAL, NON-U.S. AND OTHER TAX CONSEQUENCES TO THEM OF THE PURCHASE, OWNERSHIP AND DISPOSITION OF ADSs OR ORDINARY SHARES.

For the purpose of this discussion, a “U.S. Holder” is a beneficial owner of ADSs or ordinary shares that is, for U.S. federal income tax purposes:

If a partnership (or other entity taxable as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) is a beneficial owner of our ADSs or ordinary shares, the tax treatment of a partner in such partnership will depend on the status of such partner and the activities of such partnership. If you are a partner or a partnership holding our ADSs or ordinary shares, you are urged to consult your tax advisor as to the particular U.S. federal income tax considerations of an investment in the ADSs or ordinary shares that is applicable to you.

It is generally expected that a U.S. Holder of ADSs should be treated, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, as the beneficial owner of the underlying shares represented by the ADSs. The remainder of this discussion assumes that a U.S. Holder of ADSs will be treated in this manner. Predicated upon such treatment, deposits or withdrawals of our ordinary shares for our ADSs will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax.

For this purpose, cash and assets readily convertible into cash are generally classified as passive assets and goodwill and other unbooked intangibles associated with active business activities may generally be classified as non-passive assets. Passive income generally includes, among other things, dividends, interest, royalties and rents (other than certain royalties and rents derived in the active conduct of a trade or business and not derived from a related person), and gains from the disposition of passive assets.

We will be treated as owning our proportionate share of the assets and earning our proportionate share of the income of any other corporation in which we own, directly or indirectly, at least 25% (by value) of the stock.

Although the law in this regard is not clear, we treat our VIEs as being owned by us for U.S. federal income tax purposes because we exercise effective control over them and are entitled to substantially all of their economic benefits. As a result, we consolidate the VIEs’ results of operations in our consolidated U.S. GAAP financial statements. If it were determined that we are not the owner of our VIEs for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the composition of our income and assets would change and we may be more likely to be treated as a PFIC for the taxable year ended December 31, 2018 and any subsequent taxable year. Assuming that we are the owner of our VIEs and based on the market price of our ADSs and the value and composition of our assets and liabilities, we believe that we were not a PFIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes for the taxable year ended December 31, 2018 and do not anticipate becoming a PFIC in the foreseeable future. However, as previously disclosed, although not free from doubt, we believed that we were a PFIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes for prior years.

While we do not anticipate being a PFIC in the current taxable year or the foreseeable future, there can be no assurance in this regard because the determination of whether we will be or become a PFIC is a factual determination made after the close of each taxable year that will depend, in part, on the composition of our income and assets.. Fluctuations in the market price of our ADSs may cause us to become a PFIC for the current or subsequent taxable years because the value of our assets for purposes of the asset test generally will be determined by reference to the market price of our ADSs or ordinary shares from time to time (which may be volatile).

Furthermore, because there are uncertainties in the application of the relevant rules, it is possible that the Internal Revenue Service, or IRS, may challenge our classification of certain income or assets as non-passive, or our valuation of our goodwill and other unbooked intangibles, each of which may result in our company becoming classified as a PFIC for the current or subsequent taxable years. If we are a PFIC for any taxable year during which you hold ADSs or ordinary shares, we generally will continue to be treated as a PFIC with respect to you for all succeeding years during which you hold ADSs or ordinary shares. However, if we cease to be a PFIC, provided that you have not made a mark-to-market election, as described below, you may avoid some of the adverse effects of the PFIC regime by making a “deemed sale” election with respect to the ADSs or ordinary shares, as applicable. If such election is made, you will be deemed to have sold our ADSs or ordinary shares you hold at their fair market value and any gain from such deemed sale would be subject to the rules described in the following two paragraphs. After the deemed sale election, so long as we do not become a PFIC in a subsequent taxable year, your ADSs or ordinary shares with respect to which such election was made will not be treated as shares in a PFIC and you will not be subject to the rules described below with respect to any “excess distribution” you receive from us or any gain from an actual sale or other disposition of the ADSs or ordinary shares. The rules dealing with deemed sale elections are very complex. You are strongly urged to consult your tax advisors as to the possibility and consequences of making a deemed sale election if we cease to be a PFIC and such election becomes available to you.

For each taxable year that we are treated as a PFIC with respect to you, you will be subject to special tax rules with respect to any “excess distribution” you receive and any gain you recognize from a sale or other disposition (including a pledge) of the ADSs or ordinary shares, unless you make a “mark-to-market” election as discussed below. Distributions you receive in a taxable year that are greater than 125% of the average annual distributions you received during the shorter of the three preceding taxable years or your holding period for the ADSs or ordinary shares will be treated as an excess distribution. Under the PFIC rules, if you receive any excess distribution or recognize any gain from a sale or other disposition of the ADSs or ordinary shares:

The tax liability for amounts allocated to years prior to the year of disposition or excess distribution cannot be offset by any net operating losses for such years, and gains (but not losses) from the sale or other disposition of the ADSs or ordinary shares cannot be treated as capital, even if you hold the ADSs or ordinary shares as capital assets.

If we are a PFIC for any taxable year and any of non-U.S. subsidiaries is also a PFIC, a U.S. Holder would be treated as owning a proportionate amount (by value) of the shares of the lower-tier PFIC for purposes of the application of these rules, and could incur liability for the deferred tax and interest charge described below if either (1) we receive a distribution from, or dispose of all or part of our interest in, the lower-tier PFICs or (2) you dispose of all or part of your ADSs or ordinary shares. It is possible that one or more of our subsidiaries were PFICs for the taxable year ending December 31, 2018. You should consult your tax advisors regarding the application of the PFIC rules to any of our subsidiaries.

The tax liability for amounts allocated to years prior to the year of disposition of “excessive distribution” cannot be offset by any net operating losses for such years, and gains (but not losses) realized on the sale of the ADSs or ordinary shares cannot be treated as capital, even if you hold the ADSs or ordinary shares as capital assets.

Alternatively, a U.S. Holder of “marketable stock” (as defined below) of a PFIC may make a mark-to-market election for such stock to elect out of the PFIC rules described above regarding excess distributions and recognized gains. If you make a valid mark-to-market election for the ADSs or ordinary shares, you will include in income for each year that we are a PFIC an amount equal to the excess, if any, of the fair market value of the ADSs or ordinary shares as of the close of your taxable year over your adjusted basis in such ADSs or ordinary shares. You will be allowed a deduction for the excess, if any, of the adjusted basis of the ADSs or ordinary shares over their fair market value as of the close of the taxable year. However, deductions will be allowable only to the extent of any net mark-to-market gains on the ADSs or ordinary shares included in your income for prior taxable years. Amounts included in your income under a mark-to-market election, as well as gain on the actual sale or other disposition of the ADSs or ordinary shares, will be treated as ordinary income. Ordinary loss treatment will apply to the deductible portion of any mark-to-market loss on the ADSs or ordinary shares, as well as to any loss from the actual sale or other disposition of the ADSs or ordinary shares, to the extent that the amount of such loss does not exceed the net mark-to-market gains previously included for such ADSs or ordinary shares. Your basis in the ADSs or ordinary shares will be adjusted to reflect any such income or loss amounts. If you make a mark-to-market election, any distributions that we make generally would be subject to the tax rules discussed below under “—Taxation of Dividends and Other Distributions on the ADSs or Ordinary Shares,” except that the lower tax rate applicable to qualified dividend income would not apply.

The mark-to-market election is available only for “marketable stock,” which is stock that is traded in greater than de minimis quantities on at least 15 days during each calendar quarter (“regularly traded”) on a qualified exchange or other market, as defined in applicable U.S. Treasury regulations. Although our ADSs are currently listed on, and historically regularly traded on, Nasdaq, which is a qualified exchange or other market for these purposes, no assurance can be given that the ADSs will be regularly traded on an established securities market in the United States for any taxable year. Moreover, if our ADSs are delisted (as described in “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Shares and ADSs— Our ADSs may be delisted from the Nasdaq Capital Market as a result of our not meeting the Nasdaq Capital Market continued listing requirements.”), then the mark-to-market election generally would be unavailable to U.S. Holders. If any of our subsidiaries are or become PFICs, the mark-to-market election will likely not be available with respect to the shares of such subsidiaries that are treated as owned by you. Consequently, you could be subject to the PFIC rules with respect to income of the lower-tier PFICs the value of which already had been taken into account indirectly via mark-to-market adjustments. You should consult your tax advisors as to the availability and desirability of a mark-to-market election, as well as the impact of such election on interests in any lower-tier PFICs.

We do not intend to provide information necessary for U.S. Holders to make qualified electing fund elections which, if available, would result in tax treatment different from the general tax treatment for PFICs described above.

Unless otherwise provided by the U.S. Treasury, each U.S. shareholder of a PFIC is required to file an annual report containing such information as the U.S. Treasury may require. In addition, if you hold ADSs or ordinary shares in any year in which we are a PFIC, you will be required to file IRS Form 8621 regarding distributions received on the ADSs or ordinary shares and any gain realized on the disposition of the ADSs or ordinary shares. You should consult your tax advisors regarding any reporting requirements that may apply to you.

YOU ARE STRONGLY URGED TO CONSULT YOUR TAX ADVISORS REGARDING THE IMPACT OF OUR BEING A PFIC FOR PRIOR YEARS ON YOUR INVESTMENT IN OUR ADSs AND ORDINARY SHARES AS WELL AS THE APPLICATION OF THE PFIC RULES AND THE POSSIBILITY OF MAKING A MARK-TO-MARKET OR DEEMED SALE ELECTION.

Subject to the PFIC rules discussed above, the gross amount of any distribution we make to you with respect to the ADSs or ordinary shares generally will be includible in your gross income as dividend income on the date of receipt by the depositary, in the case of ADSs, or by you, in the case of ordinary shares, but only to the extent that the distribution is paid out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits (as computed under U.S. federal income tax principles). The dividends will not be eligible for the dividends-received deduction allowed to corporations in respect of dividends received from other U.S. corporations. To the extent the amount of the distribution exceeds our current and accumulated earnings and profits, (as computed under U.S. federal income tax principles) such excess amount will be treated first as a tax-free return of your tax basis in your ADSs or ordinary shares, and then, to the extent such excess amount exceeds your tax basis, as a capital gain. Because we do not intend to determine our earnings and profits on the basis of U. S. federal income tax principles, any distribution paid will generally be reported as a “dividend” for U. S. federal income tax purposes.

With respect to certain non-corporate U.S. Holders, including individual U.S. Holders, dividends will be taxed at the lower capital gains rate applicable to “qualified dividend income,” provided that (1) the ADSs or ordinary shares, as applicable, are readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States, or we are eligible for the benefits of a qualifying income tax treaty with the United States that includes an exchange of information program, (2) we are neither a PFIC nor treated as such with respect to you for the taxable year in which the dividend was paid and the preceding taxable year, and (3) certain holding period requirements are met. Under IRS authority, common or ordinary shares, or ADSs representing such shares, are considered for the purpose of clause (1) above to be readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States if they are listed on Nasdaq, as are our ADSs (but not our ordinary shares). There can be no assurance that our ADSs will be considered readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States in later years. Moreover, if our ADSs are delisted and not readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States (as described in “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Shares and ADSs— Our ADSs may be delisted from the Nasdaq Capital Market as a result of our not meeting the Nasdaq Capital Market continued listing requirements.”), clause (1) above would not be satisfied, and dividends would not qualify for the preferential rate applicable to qualified dividend income. Since we do not expect that our ordinary shares will be listed on an established securities market in the United States, it is unclear if the dividends that we pay on our ordinary shares which are not backed by ADSs currently meet the conditions required for the reduced tax rate. Furthermore, as previously disclosed, although not free from doubt, we believe that we were a PFIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes for prior years. If we are treated as a “resident enterprise” for PRC tax purposes under the EIT Law (see “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Company and Our Industry—The PRC income tax laws may increase our tax burden or the tax burden on the holders of our shares or ADSs, and tax benefits available to us may be reduced or repealed, causing the value of your investment in us to suffer”), we may be eligible for the benefits of the income tax treaty between the United States and the PRC. You should consult your tax advisors regarding the availability of the lower capital gains rate applicable to qualified dividend income for dividends paid with respect to our ADSs or ordinary shares.

Dividends will constitute foreign source income for foreign tax credit limitation purposes. If the dividends are taxed as qualified dividend income (as discussed above), the amount of the dividend taken into account for purposes of calculating the foreign tax credit limitation in general will be limited to the gross amount of the dividend, multiplied by the reduced tax rate applicable to qualified dividend income and divided by the highest tax rate normally applicable to dividends. The limitation on foreign taxes eligible for credit is calculated separately with respect to specific classes of income. For this purpose, dividends distributed by us with respect to the ADSs or ordinary shares generally will constitute “passive category income” but could, in the case of certain U.S. Holders, constitute “general category income.”

If PRC withholding taxes apply to dividends paid to you with respect to our ADSs or ordinary shares (see “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Company and Our Industry—The PRC income tax laws may increase our tax burden or the tax burden on the holders of our shares or ADSs, and tax benefits available to us may be reduced or repealed, causing the value of your investment in us to decrease”), subject to certain conditions and limitations, such PRC withholding taxes may be treated as foreign taxes eligible for credit against your U.S. federal income tax liability. The rules relating to the determination of the foreign tax credit are complex, and you should consult your tax advisors regarding the availability of a foreign tax credit in your particular circumstances, including the effects of any applicable income tax treaties.

Subject to the PFIC rules discussed above, you will recognize taxable gain or loss on any sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of an ADS or ordinary share equal to the difference between the amount realized (in U.S. dollars) for the ADS or ordinary share and your tax basis (in U.S. dollars) in the ADS or ordinary share. If the consideration you receive for the ADS or ordinary share is not paid in U.S. dollars, the amount realized will be the U.S. dollar value of the payment received. In general, the U.S. dollar value of such a payment will be determined on the date of receipt of payment if you are a cash basis taxpayer and on the date of disposition if you are an accrual basis taxpayer. However, if the ADSs or ordinary shares, as applicable, are treated as traded on an established securities market and you are either a cash basis taxpayer or an accrual basis taxpayer who has made a special election, you will determine the U.S. dollar value of the amount realized in a foreign currency by translating the amount received at the spot rate of exchange on the settlement date of the sale. The gain or loss generally will be a capital gain or loss. If you are a non-corporate U.S. Holder, including an individual U.S. Holder, that has held the ADS or ordinary share for more than one year, you generally will be eligible for reduced tax rates. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations.

Any gain or loss that you recognize on a disposition of ADSs or ordinary shares generally will be treated as U.S. source income or loss for foreign tax credit limitation purposes (in the case of loss, subject to certain limitations). However, if we are treated as a “resident enterprise” for PRC tax purposes and PRC tax were to be imposed on any gain from the disposition of the ADSs or ordinary shares (see “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Company and Our Industry—The PRC income tax laws may increase our tax burden or the tax burden on the holders of our shares or ADSs, and tax benefits available to us may be reduced or repealed, causing the value of your investment in us to decrease”), a U.S. Holder that is eligible for the benefits of the income tax treaty between the United States and the PRC may elect to treat the gain as PRC source income for foreign tax credit purposes. You should consult your tax advisors regarding the proper treatment of gain or loss in your particular circumstances, including the effect of any applicable income tax treaties.

We have entered into an underwriting agreement with Maxim Group LLC, as the sole book-running manager and the representative for the underwriters named below. Subject to the terms and conditions of the underwriting agreement, the underwriters named below have agreed to purchase, and we have agreed to sell to them, the number of ADSs at the public offering price, less the underwriting discounts and commissions, as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus and as indicated below:

The underwriting agreement provides that the obligations of the underwriters to pay for and accept delivery of the ADSs offered by us in this prospectus are subject to various conditions and representations and warranties, including the approval of certain legal matters by their counsel and other conditions specified in the underwriting agreement. The Class A ordinary shares in the form of ADSs are offered by the underwriters, subject to prior sale, when, as and if issued to and accepted by them. The underwriters reserve the right to withdraw, cancel or modify the offer to the public and to reject orders in whole or in part.

The underwriting agreement provides that the underwriters are obligated to take and pay for all of the ordinary shares in the form of ADSs offered by this prospectus if any such ADSs are taken, other than those ADSs covered by the over-allotment option described below. If an underwriter defaults, the underwriting agreement provides that the purchase commitments of the non-defaulting underwriters may be increased or the underwriting agreement may be terminated.

The obligations of the underwriters may be terminated upon the occurrence of certain events specified in the underwriting agreement.

We have granted an option to the underwriters to purchase up to 15% of the total number of ordinary shares in the form of ADSs at the initial public offering price per ADS, less the underwriting discount, set forth on the cover page of this prospectus. This option is exercisable during the 45-day period after the date of this prospectus. The underwriters may exercise this option only to cover over-allotments made in connection with this offering. If the underwriters exercise this option in whole or in part, then the underwriters will be severally committed, subject to the conditions described in the underwriting agreement, to purchase the additional ADSs in proportion to their respective commitments set forth in the prior table.

The representative has advised us that the underwriters propose to offer the Class A ordinary shares in the form of ADSs to the public at the public offering price per share set forth on the cover page of this prospectus. The underwriters may offer ADSs to securities dealers at that price less a concession of not more than $[____] per ADS. After the offering to the public, the public offering price and other selling terms may be changed by the representative. The underwriting discounts and commissions are 6% of the public offering price per ADS, except with respect to ADSs purchased by investors introduced to the underwriters by us on which the underwriting discount and commission shall be 1% of the public offering price.

The following table summarizes the underwriting discounts and commissions and proceeds, before expenses, to us assuming both no exercise and full exercise by the underwriters of their over-allotment option:

In addition, we have agreed to pay the representative’s accountable expenses, including the representative’s legal fees, as well as other fees, expenses and disbursement up to a maximum amount of $250,000 at closing of the offering. We have paid $35,000 to the representative as an advance to be applied towards reasonable out-of-pocket expenses (the “Advance”). Any portion of the Advance shall be returned back to us to the extent not actually incurred. We estimate that the total expenses of the offering, including registration, filing and listing fees, printing fees and legal and accounting expenses, but excluding underwriting discounts and commissions, will be approximately $____, all of which are payable by us.

Upon the closing of this offering, we have agreed to issue to the representative warrants, or the Representative’s Warrants, to purchase a number of ADSs equal to 5% of the ADSs sold in this public offering. The Representatives’ Warrants will be exercisable at a per share exercise price equal to 110% of the public offering price. The Representative’s Warrants are exercisable at any time and from time to time, in whole or in part, during the five year period commencing six (6) months from the effective date of the registration statement related to this offering. The Representative’s Warrants are not redeemable by us. The Representative’s Warrants also provide for unlimited “piggyback” registration rights at our expense with respect to the underlying shares during the five year period commencing from the completion of this offering and one demand registration rights at our expenses with respect to the underlying shares during the seven year period commencing from the completion of this offering.

The Representative’s Warrants and the ordinary shares underlying the Representative’s Warrants have been deemed compensation by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, or FINRA, and are therefore subject to a 180-day lock-up pursuant to Rule 5110(g)(1) of FINRA. The representative, or permitted assignees under such rule, may not sell, transfer, assign, pledge, or hypothecate the Representative’s Warrants or the securities underlying the Representative’s Warrants, nor will the representative engage in any hedging, short sale, derivative, put, or call transaction that would result in the effective economic disposition of the Representative’s Warrants or the underlying ordinary shares for a period of 180 days from the effective date of the registration statement. Additionally, the Representative’s Warrants may not be sold transferred, assigned, pledged or hypothecated for a 180-day period following the effective date of the registration statement except to any underwriter and selected dealer participating in the offering and their bona fide officers or partners. The Representative’s Warrants will provide for adjustment in the number and price of the Representative’s Warrants and the ordinary shares underlying such Representative’s Warrants in the event of recapitalization, merger, stock split or other structural transaction, or a future financing undertaken by us.

Until twelve (12) months from the effective date of this registration statement, the representative shall have an irrevocable right of first refusal to act as lead left book runner and lead left manager and/or lead left placement agent, with at least 75% of the economics for a two handed deal and 50% of the economics for a three handed deal, for any and all future public offering and private equity, convertible or debt offerings of our securities. The representative will not have more than one opportunity to waive or terminate the right of first refusal in consideration of any payment or fee.

We and each of our directors, officers and certain of our affiliates have agreed for a period of 90 days after the date of this prospectus without the prior written consent of the representative, not to directly or indirectly:

The underwriting agreement provides that we will indemnify the underwriters against certain liabilities that may be incurred in connection with this offering, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribute payments that the underwriters may be required to make in respect thereof.

The ADSs are listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbols “NCTY.” In order to meet the requirements for listing on that exchange, the underwriters have undertaken to sell a minimum number of ADSs to a minimum number of beneficial owners as required by that exchange.

In connection with this offering, the underwriters may engage in transactions that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the price of our ordinary shares, including ordinary shares in the form of ADSs. Specifically, the underwriters may over-allot in connection with this offering by selling more ADSs than they are obligated to purchase under the underwriting agreement, creating a short position in our ADSs. The short position may be either a covered short position or a naked short position. In a covered short position, the number of ADSs over-allotted by the underwriter is not greater than the number of ADSs that it may purchase in the over-allotment option. In a naked short position, the number of ADSs involved is greater than the number of ADSs in the over-allotment option. To close out a short position or to stabilize the price of our ordinary shares, the underwriters may bid for, and purchase, ordinary shares, including ordinary shares in the form of ADSs, in the open market. The underwriters may also elect to reduce any short position by exercising all or part of the over-allotment option. In determining the source of ordinary shares, including ordinary shares in the form of ADSs, to close out the short position, the underwriters will consider, among other things, the price of ordinary shares available for purchase in the open market as compared to the price at which it may purchase ADSs through the over-allotment option. If the underwriters sell more shares than could be covered by the over-allotment option, a naked short position, the position can only be closed out by buying ordinary shares, including ordinary shares in the form of ADSs, in the open market. A naked short position is more likely to be created if the underwriters are concerned that there could be downward pressure on the price of the ADSs in the open market after pricing that could adversely affect investors who purchase in the offering.

The underwriters may also impose a penalty bid. This occurs when a particular underwriter or dealer repays selling concessions allowed to it for distributing our ordinary shares in the form of ADSs in this offering because the underwriter repurchases that stock in stabilizing or short covering transactions.

Finally, the underwriters may bid for, and purchase, our ordinary shares, including ordinary shares in the form of ADSs, in market making transactions.

The foregoing transaction may stabilize or maintain the market price of our ADSs at a price that is higher than the price that might otherwise exist in the absence of these activities. The underwriters are not required to engage in these activities, and may discontinue any of these activities at any time without notice. These transactions may be effected on NASDAQ or otherwise.

A prospectus in electronic format may be made available on the websites maintained by one or more underwriters or selling group members, if any, participating in the offering. The underwriters may agree to allocate a number of shares of securities to underwriters and selling group members for sale to their online brokerage account holders. Internet distributions will be allocated by the representative to underwriters and selling group members that may make internet distributions on the same basis as other allocations. Other than the prospectus in electronic format, the information on the underwriters’ websites and any information contained in any other website maintained by the underwriters is not part of this prospectus or the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part.

Set forth below is an itemization of the total expenses, excluding underwriting discount, that we expect to incur in connection with this offering. With the exception of the SEC registration fee, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, or FINRA, filing fee, all amounts are estimates.

We are being represented by Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP with respect to certain legal matters as to United States federal securities and New York State law. The underwriters are being represented by Loeb & Loeb LLP with respect to certain legal matters as to United States federal securities and New York State law. The validity of the Class A ordinary shares represented by the ADSs offered in this offering will be passed upon for us by Maples and Calder (Hong Kong) LLP. Certain legal matters as to PRC law will be passed upon for us by Zhong Lun Law Firm. Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP may rely upon Maples and Calder (Hong Kong) LLP with respect to matters governed by Cayman Islands law and Zhong Lun Law Firm with respect to matters governed by PRC law.

The consolidated financial statements included in this prospectus and elsewhere in the registration statement have been so included in reliance on the report of Grant Thornton, an independent registered public accountants, upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

The registered business address of Grant Thornton is located at level 45, Raffles City, 268 Xizang Zhong Road, Huangpu District, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China.

We have filed a registration statement, including relevant exhibits, with the SEC on Form F-1 under the Securities Act with respect to the underlying Class A ordinary shares represented by the ADSs to be sold in this offering. This prospectus, which constitutes a part of the registration statement on Form F-1, does not contain all of the information contained in the registration statement. You should read our registration statement and its exhibits and schedules for further information with respect to us and our ADSs.

We are subject to periodic reporting and other informational requirements of the Exchange Act as applicable to foreign private issuers. Accordingly, we will be required to file reports, including annual reports on Form 20-F, and other information with the SEC. All information filed with the SEC can be obtained over the internet at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov or inspected and copied at the public reference facilities maintained by the SEC at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. You can request copies of documents, upon payment of a duplicating fee, by writing to the SEC.

As a foreign private issuer, we are exempt under the Exchange Act from, among other things, the rules prescribing the furnishing and content of proxy statements, and our executive officers, directors and principal shareholders are exempt from the reporting and short-swing profit recovery provisions contained in Section 16 of the Exchange Act. In addition, we are not required under the Exchange Act to file periodic reports and financial statements with the SEC as frequently or as promptly as U.S. companies whose securities are registered under the Exchange Act. However, we intend to furnish the depositary with our annual reports, which will include a review of operations and annual audited consolidated combined financial statements prepared in conformity with U.S. GAAP, and all notices of shareholders’ meetings and other reports and communications that are made generally available to our shareholders. The depositary will make such notices, reports and communications available to holders of ADSs and, if we so request, will mail to all record holders of ADSs the information contained in any notice of a shareholders’ meeting received by the depositary from us.

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of The9 Limited, and its subsidiaries and its variable interest entities (the “Group”) as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, the related consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss, changes in equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2018, and the related notes and the financial statement schedule (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Group as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, and the results of its operations, changes in equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2018, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Group will continue as a going concern. As discussed in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements, the Group has an accumulated deficit of approximately RMB3,233.1 million (US$470.2 million) as of December 31, 2018, and incurred a net loss of approximately RMB239.3 million (US$34.8 million) for the year ended December 31, 2018. These conditions, along with other matters set forth in Note 2, raise substantial doubt about the Group’s ability to continue as a going concern. Management’s plans in regard to these matters are also discussed in Note 2. The consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.

As discussed in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements, the Group has changed its method of accounting for revenue from contracts with customers in 2018 due to the adoption of ASC 606 “Revenue from Contracts with Customers”.

These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Group’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the consolidated financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”) and are required to be independent with respect to the Group in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Group is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Group’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the financial statements of The9 Limited, which was incorporated on December 22, 1999 in the Cayman Islands, its subsidiaries and variable interest entities (“VIE subsidiaries” or "VIEs"), collectively referred to as the “Group”.

The Group is principally engaged in the development and operation of online games and internet related businesses, including massively multiplayer online games ("MMOGs"), mobile games, web games and TV games.

The Group's principal subsidiaries and VIE subsidiaries are as follows as of December 31, 2018:

The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“US GAAP”). Significant accounting policies followed by the Group in the preparation of the accompanying consolidated financial statements are summarized below.

The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis. The Group has accumulated deficit of approximately RMB 3,233.1 million (US$470.2 million) and total current liabilities exceeded total assets by approximately RMB743.7 million (US$108.2 million) as of December 31, 2018. The Group also suffered a net loss of approximately RMB239.3 million (US$34.8 million) for the year ended December 31, 2018. The Group expects to continue to incur product development and sales and marketing expenses for licensed and proprietary new games and blockchain-technology-enabled products in order to achieve overall revenue growth. These factors raise substantial doubt about the Group’s ability to continue as a going concern. The accompanying consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments relating to the recoverability and classification of asset amounts, or amounts of liabilities that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.

To meet its capital needs, the Group is considering multiple alternatives, including, but not limited to, additional equity financing, launch of new games and new operation, other external financing, and cost controls as outlined below. There can be no assurance that the Group will be able to complete any such transaction on acceptable terms or otherwise. If the Group is unable to obtain the necessary capital, it will need to pursue a plan to license or sell its assets, seek to be acquired by another entity, or cease operations.

On November 24, 2015, the Group entered into an agreement with a third-party investor for a private placement of secured convertible notes and warrants for gross proceeds of US$40,050,000. This transaction closed on December 11, 2015. Pursuant to the terms of the agreement, the convertible notes shall mature in 2018, subject to a two-year extension at the discretion of the investor. Upon the maturity of convertible notes and warrants, if the third-party investor did not opt to extend or convert into ordinary shares, the Group may consider to sell certain assets to repay this obligation. In March 2019, the Group entered into a deed of settlement agreement relating to the settlement of convertible notes which expired in December 2018, pursuant to which the convertible notes should be repaid by May 31, 2019 through the proceeds from planned sale of the mortgaged properties.

The Group plans to launch our proprietary online mobile games on different platforms, including the CrossFire New Mobile Game, Q Jiang San Guo, Audition and Pop Fashion, on different platforms. In November 2017, the Group entered into an exclusive publishing agreement with two third-party companies, pursuant to which these third-party companies were granted an exclusive right to publish the CrossFire New Mobile Game and Audition in China. The Group has invested significant financial and personnel resources in development of our proprietary CrossFire New Mobile Game and the Group expects to launch this game in 2019.

In 2018, the Group stepped into the blockchain-related service market. The Group has invested in several blockchain-related companies to conduct related services and development of blockchain-technology-enabled products. In January 2018, the Group subscribed a total of 5,297,257 tokens to be issued by Telegram Inc. at a consideration of US$2.0 million with a third-party company and the tokens are expected to issue in 2019.

Currently, a significant portion of our cash outflows is attributable to payroll-related costs. We have the ability to control the level of discretionary spending on payroll costs by reducing our headcount within a short period of time when necessary.

The consolidated financial statements include the financial statements of The9 Limited, its subsidiaries and VIEs in which it has a controlling financial interest. A subsidiary is consolidated from the date on which the Group obtained control and continues to be consolidated until the date that such control ceases. A controlling financial interest is typically determined when a company holds a majority of the voting equity interest in an entity. If the Group demonstrates its ability to control a VIE through its rights to all the residual benefits of the VIE and its obligation to fund losses of the VIE, then the VIE is consolidated. All intercompany balances and transactions between The9 Limited, its subsidiaries and VIEs have been eliminated in consolidation.

In April 2010, the Group acquired a controlling interest in Red 5. In June 2016, the Group completed a share exchange transaction with L&A International Holding Limited (“L&A”) and certain other shareholders of Red 5 (see Note 8). After the transaction, the Group owned 34.71% shareholding in Red 5. As the Group controls a majority of Board of Director seats and has continuously funded the operation of Red 5, the Group still retained effective control over Red 5. Red 5 remained as a consolidated entity of the Group as of December 31, 2018.

PRC laws and regulations currently prohibit or restrict foreign ownership of internet-related business. In September 2009, the General Administration of Press and Publication Radio, Film and Television ("GAPPRFT") further promulgated the Circular Regarding the Implementation of the Department Reorganization Regulation by State Council and Relevant Interpretation by State Commission Office for Public Sector Reform to Further Strengthen the Administration of Pre-approval on Online Games and Approval on Import Online Games (the “GAPP Circular”). Pursuant to Administrative Measures on Network Publication (the “Network Publication Measures”) jointly issued by GAPPRFT and the Ministry of Information Industry (which has subsequently been reorganized as the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology) (“MIIT”) on February 4, 2016, effective from March 2016, wholly foreign-owned enterprises, Sino-foreign equity joint ventures and Sino-foreign cooperative enterprises shall not engage in the provision of web publishing services, including online game services. Prior examination and approval by GAPPRFT are required on project cooperation involving internet publishing services between an internet publishing services and a wholly foreign-owned enterprise, Sino-foreign equity joint venture, or Sino-foreign cooperative enterprise within China or an overseas organization or individual. It is unclear whether PRC authorities will deem our VIE structure as a kind of such "manners of cooperation" by foreign investors to gain control over or participate in domestic online game operators, and it is not clear whether GAPPRFT and MIIT have regulatory authority over the ownership structures of online game companies based in China and online game operations in China. Therefore, the Group believes that its ability to direct those activities of its VIEs that most significantly impact their economic performance is not affected by the GAPP Circular.

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with US GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements, and the reported revenues and expenses during the reported periods. Significant accounting estimates reflected in the Group's consolidated financial statements include the valuation of non-marketable equity investments and determination of other-than-temporary impairment, allowance for doubtful accounts and prepayments, revenue recognition, goodwill impairment, assessment of impairment of available-for-sale investments, assessment of impairment of other long-lived assets, fair value of redeemable noncontrolling interest, fair value of the warrants, share-based compensation expense, consolidation of VIEs, valuation allowances for deferred tax assets, and contingencies. Such accounting policies are affected significantly by judgments, assumptions and estimates used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements, and actual results could differ materially from these estimates.

The Group’s reporting currency is the Renminbi (“RMB”). The Group's functional currency, with the exception of its subsidiaries, Red 5, The9 Interactive, and Red 5 Singapore, is the RMB. The functional currency of Red 5, The9 Interactive, and Red 5 Singapore, is the United States dollar ("US$" or "U.S. dollar"), U.S. dollar, and Singapore dollar, respectively. Assets and liabilities of Red 5, The9 Interactive, and Red 5 Singapore, are translated at the current exchange rates quoted by the People’s Bank of China (the “PBOC”) in effect at the balance sheet dates. Equity accounts are translated at historical exchange rates and revenues and expenses are translated at the average exchange rates in effect during the reporting period to RMB. Gains and losses resulting from foreign currency translation to reporting currency are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in the consolidated statements of changes in equity for the years presented.

Transactions denominated in currencies other than functional currencies, are translated into functional currencies at the exchange rates prevailing at the dates of the transactions. Gains and losses resulting from foreign currency transactions are included in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into functional currencies using the applicable exchange rates at the balance sheet dates. All such exchange gains and losses are included in foreign exchange (loss) gain in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss.

Cash and cash equivalents represent cash on hand and highly-liquid investments with a maturity date when acquired of three months or less. As of December 31, 2017 and 2018, cash and cash equivalents were comprised primarily of bank deposits. Included in cash and cash equivalents as of December 31, 2017 and 2018 are amounts denominated in U.S. dollar totaling US$21.0 million and US$0.08 million, respectively.

The RMB is not a freely convertible currency. The PRC State Administration for Foreign Exchange, under the authority of the People’s Bank of China, controls the conversion of RMB into foreign currencies. The value of the RMB is subject to changes in central government policies and to international economic and political developments affecting supply and demand in China’s foreign exchange trading system market. The Group’s aggregate amount of cash and cash equivalents denominated in RMB amounted to RMB5.2 million and RMB3.6 million (US$0.5 million) as of December 31, 2017 and 2018, respectively.

Accounts receivable mainly consist of receivables from third-party game platforms, and other receivables, which are included in prepayments and other current assets, both of which are recorded net of allowance for doubtful accounts. The Group determines the allowances for doubtful accounts when facts and circumstances indicate that the receivable is unlikely to be collected. Allowances for doubtful accounts are charged to general and administrative expenses. If the financial condition of the Group’s customers were to deteriorate, resulting in an impairment of their ability to make payments, additional allowances may be required. The Company provided allowance for doubtful accounts of nil, RMB0.05 million and RMB21.2 million (US$3.1 million) for the years ended December 2016, 2017 and 2018, respectively.

<7> Investments in equity method investee and loan to equity method investee

Equity investments are comprised of investments in privately held companies. The Group uses the equity method to account for an equity investment over which it has the ability to exert significant influence but does not otherwise have control. The Group records equity method investments at the cost of acquisition, plus the Group's share in undistributed earnings and losses since acquisition. For equity investments over which the Group does not have significant influence or control, the cost method of accounting is used.

The Group has historically provided financial support to certain equity investees in the form of loans. If the Group's share of the undistributed losses exceeds the carrying amount of an investment accounted for by the equity method, the Group continues to report losses up to the investment carrying amount, including any loans balance due from the equity investees.

The Group assesses its equity investments and loans to equity investees for impairment on a periodic basis by considering factors including, but not limited to, current economic and market conditions, the operating performance of the investees including current earnings trends, the technological feasibility of the investee’s products and technologies, the general market conditions in the investee’s industry or geographic area, factors related to the investee’s ability to remain in business, such as the investee’s liquidity, debt ratios, cash burn rate, and other company-specific information including recent financing rounds. If it has been determined that the equity investment is less than its related fair value and that this decline is other-than-temporary, the carrying value of the investment and loan to equity investee is adjusted downward to reflect these declines in value.

Investments in debt and equity securities are, on initial recognition, classified into the three categories: held-to-maturity securities, trading securities and available-for-sale securities. Debt securities that the Company has the positive intent and ability to hold to maturity are classified as held-to-maturity securities and reported at amortized cost. Debt and equity securities that are bought and held principally for the purpose of selling in the near term are classified as trading securities and reported at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses included in earnings. Debt and equity securities not classified as either held-to-maturity securities or trading securities are classified as available-for-sale securities and reported at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income.

When there is objective evidence that an available-for-sale investment is impaired, the cumulative losses from declines in fair value that had been recognized directly in other comprehensive income are removed from equity and recognized in earnings. When the available-for-sale investment is sold, the cumulative fair value adjustments previously recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income are recognized in the current period operating results. When the Group determines that the impairment of an available-for-sale equity security is other-than-temporary, the Group recognizes an impairment loss in earnings equal to the difference between the investment's cost and its fair value at the balance sheet date of the reporting period for which the assessment is made. When other-than-temporary impairment has occurred for an available-for-sale debt security and the Group intends to sell the security or more likely than not will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis less any current-period credit loss, an impairment loss is recognized in earnings equal to the difference between the investment's amortized cost basis and its fair value at the balance sheet date. The new cost basis will not be changed for subsequent recoveries in fair value. To determine whether a loss is other-than-temporary, the Group reviews the cause and duration of the impairment, the extent to which fair value is less than cost, the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer, and the Group’s intent and ability to hold the security for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery of its amortized cost.

Property, equipment and software are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization are computed using the straight-line method over the following estimated useful lives:

Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the identifiable assets and liabilities acquired as a result of the Group’s business acquisition. Goodwill is tested for impairment annually or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that it might be impaired. In September 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued an authoritative pronouncement related to testing goodwill for impairment. The guidance permits us to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is “more likely than not” that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount as a basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform the two-step goodwill impairment test. The Group adopted this pronouncement since 2012. If it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, the Group completes a two-step goodwill impairment test in December of each year. The first step compares the fair value of each reporting unit to its carrying amount, including goodwill. If the fair value of a reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount, goodwill is not considered to be impaired and the second step will not be required. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, the second step compares the implied fair value of goodwill to the carrying value of a reporting unit's goodwill. The implied fair value of goodwill is determined in a manner similar to accounting for a business combination with the allocation of the assessed fair value determined in the first step to the assets and liabilities of the reporting unit. The excess of the fair value of the reporting unit over the amounts assigned to the assets and liabilities is the implied fair value of goodwill. This allocation process is only performed for purposes of evaluating goodwill impairment and does not result in an entry to adjust the value of any assets or liabilities. An impairment loss is recognized for any excess in the carrying value of goodwill over the implied fair value of goodwill.

Assets held for sale represent property, equipment and software for business operation that has met the criteria of held for sale accounting, as specified by Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 360, Property, Plant, and Equipment. The effect of suspending depreciation on the property, equipment and software held for sale is immaterial to the results of operations for both 2017 and 2018. The sales of the assets held for sale as of December 31, 2017 have been completed in 2018.

Intangible assets consist primarily of acquired game licenses and acquired game development costs from business combinations.

The Group recognizes intangible assets acquired through business acquisitions as assets separate from goodwill. Acquired in-process research and development costs are initially considered an indefinite-lived asset. Upon completion of the research and development efforts, these costs are recorded as acquired game development costs and are amortized on a straight-line basis over the useful economic life of the relevant online game. Amortization of acquired game development cost commences upon monetization of the related online game.

Land use right represents operating lease prepayments to the PRC’s land bureau for usage of the parcel of land where the Group's office building is located. Amortization is calculated using the straight-line method over the estimated land use right period of 44 years.

The Group evaluates its long-lived assets, including finite-lived intangible assets, for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable or that the useful life is shorter than the Group had originally estimated. The Group assesses the recoverability of the long-lived assets by comparing the carrying amount to the estimated future undiscounted cash flow expected to result from the use of the assets and their eventual disposition. If the sum of the expected undiscounted cash flows is less than the carrying amount of the assets, the Group would recognize an impairment loss based on the fair value of the assets.

Indefinite-lived intangible assets are tested for impairment annually or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired. The impairment test consists of a comparison of the fair value of the intangible asset to its carrying amount. If the carrying amount exceeds the fair value, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to that excess.

On January 1, 2018, the Group adopted ASC 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, applying the modified retrospective method to contracts that were not completed as of January 1, 2018. The adoption of ASC 606 did not have a material impact on the Group's accumulated deficit as of January 1, 2018. Results for reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2018 are presented under ASC 606, while prior period results are not adjusted.

The adoption of ASC 606 did not change the Group's consolidated balance sheets, consolidated statement of cash flows, or consolidated statement of changes in equity as of, or for the year ended December 31, 2018.

Revenues are recognized when control of the promised goods or services is transferred to the Group's customers, in an amount that reflects the consideration of the Group expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services. Depending on the terms of the contract and the laws that apply to the contract, control of the goods or services may be transferred over time or at a point in time.

The Group earns revenue from provision of online game operation services to players on the Group’s game servers and third-party platforms and overseas licensing of the online game to other operators. The Group grants operation right on authorized games, together with associated services which are rendered to the customers over time. The Group adopts virtual item / service consumption model for the online game services. Players can access certain games free of charge, but many purchase game points to acquire in-game premium features. The Group may act as principal or agent through the various transaction arrangements entered.

The determination on whether to record the revenue gross or net is based on an assessment of various factors, including but not limited to whether the Group (i) is the primary obligor in the arrangement; (ii) has general inventory risk; (iii) change the product or perform part of the services; (iv) has latitude in establishing the selling price; (v) has involvement in the determination of product or service specifications. The assessment is performed for all of licensed online games.

Revenues from online game operation operated through telecom carriers and certain online games operators are recognized upon consumption of the in-game premium features based on the gross of revenue sharing-payments to third-party operators, but net of value-added tax (“VAT”). The Group obtains revenue from the sale of in-game virtual items. Revenues are recognized as the virtual items are consumed or over the estimated lives of the virtual items, which are estimated by considering the average period that active players and players' behavior patterns derived from operating data. Accordingly, commission fees paid to third-party operators are recorded as cost of revenues.

With respect to games license arrangements entered into by third-party operators, if the terms provide that (i) third-party operators are responsible for providing game desired by the game players; (ii) the hosting and maintenance of game servers for running the games is the responsibility of third-party operators; (iii) third-party operators have the right to review and approve the pricing of in-game virtual items and the specification, modification or update of the game made by the Group; and (iv) publishing, providing payment solution and market promotion services are the responsibilities of third-party operators and the Group is responsible to provide intellectual property licensing and subsequent technical services, then the Group considers itself as an agent of the third-party operators in such arrangement with game players. Accordingly, the Group records the game revenues from these licensed games, net of amounts paid to the third-party operators.

The Group authorizes third parties to operate its online games where games licensed out mainly include online games developed in house. The Group receives monthly revenue-based royalty payments from the third-party licensee operators. The Group receives additional up-front license fees from certain third-party licensee operators who are entitled to an exclusive right to access the games where initial license fee is allocated solely on the license. The amount is recognized as revenue evenly throughout the license period after commencement of the game, given that the Group's intellectual property rights subject to the license are considered to be symbolic and the licensee has the right to access such intellectual property rights as they exist over time when the license is granted. Monthly revenue-based royalty payments are recognized when the relevant services are delivered, provided that collectability is reasonably assured. The Group views the third-party licensee operators as its customers and recognizes revenues on a net basis, as the Group does not have the primary responsibility for fulfillment and acceptability of the game services.

Technical services are blockchain-related consulting services where the Group is to provide designing, programming, drafting of white paper, and related services to its customers. These revenues are recognized when delivery of the services has occurred or when services have been rendered and the collection of the related fees is reasonably assured.

Timing of revenue of revenue recognition may differ from the timing of invoicing to customers. Accounts receivable represent amounts invoiced and revenue recognized prior to invoicing, when the Group has satisfied its performance obligations and has the unconditional right to payment.

Deferred revenue related to unsatisfied performance obligations at the end of the period and primarily consists of fees received from game players in the online game services and technical services. For deferred revenue, due to the generally short-term duration of the contracts, the majority of the performance obligations are satisfied in the following reporting period. The amount of revenue recognized that was included in deferred revenue balance at the beginning of the period was RMB5.4 million (US$0.8 million) for the year ended December 31, 2018.

The Group licenses proprietary games to operators in other countries and receives license fees and royalty income. License fee received in advance of the monetization of the game is recorded in advances from customers.

Online points that have been sold but not activated are recognized as advances from customers. Online points that have been activated but for which online game services will be rendered in the future are recognized as deferred revenue. Deferred revenue is recognized as income based upon the actual consumption of in-game premium features by players or when the likelihood that the Group would provide further online game service to those customers is remote.

The Group issued convertible notes and warrants in December 2015. The Group has evaluated whether the conversion feature of the notes is considered an embedded derivative instrument subject to bifurcation in accordance with ASC 815, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities. Based on the Group's evaluation, the conversion feature is not considered an embedded derivative instrument subject to bifurcation as conversion option does not provide the holder of the notes with means to net settle the contracts. Convertible notes, for which the embedded conversion feature does not qualify for derivative treatment, are evaluated to determine if the effective rate of conversion per the terms of the convertible note agreement is below market value. In these instances, the value of the BCF is determined as the intrinsic value of the conversion feature is recorded as deduction to the carrying amount of the notes and credited to additional paid-in-capital. For convertible notes issued with detachable warrants, a portion of the note's proceed is allocated to the warrant based on the fair value of the warrants at the date of issuance. The allocated fair value for the warrants and the value of the BCF are both recorded in the consolidated financial statements as a debt discount from the face amount of the notes, which is then accreted to interest expense over the life of the related debt using the effective interest method.

The Group has adopted Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2015-03, Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs, to present the occurred debt issuance costs as a direct deduction from the convertible note rather than as an asset. Amortization of the costs is reported as interest expense.

The Group accounts for the detachable warrants issued in connection with convertible notes under the authoritative guidance on accounting for derivative financial instruments indexed to, and potentially settled in, a company's own stock. The Group classifies warrants in its consolidated balance sheet as a liability which is revalued at each balance sheet date subsequent to the initial issuance. The Group uses the Black-Scholes-Merton pricing model (the “Black-Scholes Model”) to value the warrants. Determining the appropriate fair-value model and calculating the fair value of warrants requires considerable judgment. A small change in the estimates used may cause a relatively large change in the estimated valuation. The estimated volatility of the Group’s common stock at the date of issuance, and at each subsequent reporting period, is based on historical fluctuations in the Company’s stock price. The risk-free interest rate is based on United States Treasury zero-coupon issues with a maturity similar to the expected remaining life of the warrants at the valuation date. The expected life of the warrants is based on the historical pattern of exercises of warrants.

Cost of sales consists primarily of online game royalties, payroll, revenue sharing to third-party game platform, telecom carriers and other suppliers, depreciation, maintenance and rental of Internet data center sites, depreciation and amortization of computer equipment and software, and other overhead expenses directly attributable to the services provided.

For software development costs, including online games, to be sold or marketed to customers, the Group expenses software development costs incurred prior to reaching technological feasibility. Once a software product has reached technological feasibility, all subsequent software costs for that product are capitalized until that product is released for marketing. After an online game is released, the capitalized product development costs are amortized over the estimated product life. To date, the Group has essentially completed its software development concurrently with the establishment of technological feasibility, and, accordingly, no costs have been capitalized.

For website and internally used software development costs, the Group expenses all costs that are incurred in connection with the planning and implementation phases of development and costs that are associated with repair or maintenance of the existing websites and software. Costs incurred in the application and infrastructure development phase are capitalized and amortized over the estimated product life. Since the inception of the Group, the amount of internally generated costs qualifying for capitalization has been immaterial and, as a result, all website and internally used software development costs have been expensed as incurred.

Product development costs consist primarily of outsourced research and development expenses, payroll, depreciation charges and other overhead expenses for the development of the Group’s proprietary games. Other overhead product development costs include costs incurred by the Group to develop, maintain, monitor, and manage its websites.

Sales and marketing expenses consist primarily of advertising and promotional expenses, payroll and other overhead expenses incurred by the Group’s sales and marketing personnel. Advertising expenses in the amount of RMB2.5 million, RMB0.9 million and RMB0.3 million (US$0.04 million) for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2017 and 2018, respectively, were expensed as incurred.

Unrestricted government subsidies from local government agencies allowing the Group full discretion to utilize the funds were RMB1.1 million, RMB2.3 million and RMB1.6 million (US$0.2 million) for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2017 and 2018, respectively, which were recorded in other income, net in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss.

The Group has granted share-based compensation awards to certain employees under several equity plans. The Group measures the cost of employee services received in exchange for an equity award, based on the fair value of the award at the date of grant. Share-based compensation expense is recognized net of estimated forfeitures, determined based on historical experience. The Group recognizes share-based compensation expense over the requisite service period. For performance and market-based awards which also require a service period, the Group uses graded vesting over the longer of the derived service period or when the performance condition is considered probable. The Company determines the grant date fair value of stock options using a Black-Scholes Model with assumptions made regarding expected term, volatility, risk-free interest rate, and dividend yield. The fair value of the stock options containing a market condition is estimated using a Monte Carlo simulation model. For options awarded by private subsidiaries of the Group, the fair value of shares is estimated based on the equity value of the subsidiary. The Group evaluates the fair value of the subsidiary by making judgments and assumptions about the projected financial and operating results of the subsidiary. Once the equity value of the subsidiary is determined, it is allocated (as applicable) into the various classes of shares and options using the option-pricing method, which is one of the generally accepted valuation methodologies.

The expected term represents the period of time that stock-based awards granted are expected to be outstanding. The expected term of stock-based awards granted is determined based on historical data on employee exercise and post-vesting employment termination behavior. Expected volatilities are based on historical volatilities of the Company’s ordinary shares. Risk-free interest rate is based on United States government bonds issued with maturity terms similar to the expected term of the stock-based awards.

The Group recognizes compensation expense, net of estimated forfeitures, on all share-based awards on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period, which is generally a one-to-four year vesting period or in the case of market-based awards, over the greater of the vesting period or derived service period. Forfeiture rate is estimated based on historical forfeiture patterns and adjusted to reflect future changes in circumstances and facts, if any. If actual forfeitures differ from those estimates, the estimates may need to be revised in subsequent periods. The Group uses historical data to estimate pre-vesting option forfeitures and record stock-based compensation expense only for those awards that are expected to vest.

For stock option modifications, the Group compares the fair value of the original award immediately before and after the modification. For modifications, or probable-to-probable vesting conditions, the incremental fair value of fully vested awards is recognized as expense on the date of the modification, with the incremental fair value of unvested awards recognized ratably over the new service period.

On June 6, 2017, the Board of Directors of the Group approved cancellation of a portion of the options and accelerated vesting of the remaining options in addition to the repricing of the exercise price which was US$0.00. Pursuant to the option agreement entered with the optionees, options totaling 6,328,535 were exercised and options totaling 10,806,665 were canceled. An independent appraiser engaged by the Group prepared a valuation report assessing the fair value of the options. The cancellation and acceleration of the options shall be considered as an option modification. Subject to ASC 718-20-35, the remaining unrecognized compensation cost of unvested stock option measured at grant date shall be recognized at the date of modification. The incremental compensation cost which is the excess of the fair value of the replacement award over the fair value of the cancelled award shall be recognized at the date of cancelation.

Leases for which substantially all of the risks and rewards of ownership of assets remain with the leasing company are accounted for as operating leases. Payments made under operating leases net of any incentives received by the Group from the leasing company are charged to earnings on a straight-line basis over the lease periods.

Current income taxes are provided for in accordance with the laws and regulations applicable to the Group as enacted by the relevant tax authorities. Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred taxes are determined based upon differences between the financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities at currently enacted statutory tax rates for the years in which the differences are expected to reverse. The effect on deferred taxes of a change in tax rates is recognized as income in the period of change. A valuation allowance is provided on deferred tax assets to the extent that it is more likely than not that such deferred tax assets will not be realized. The total income tax provision includes current tax expenses under applicable tax regulations and the change in the balance of deferred tax assets and liabilities.

The Group recognizes the impact of an uncertain income tax position at the largest amount that is more-likely-than not to be sustained upon audit by the relevant tax authority. Income tax related interest is classified as interest expenses and penalties as income tax expense.

Redeemable noncontrolling interests are equity interests of our consolidated subsidiary not attributable to the Group that has redemption features that are not solely within the Group's control. These interests are classified as temporary equity because their redemption is considered probable. These interests are measured at the greater of estimated redemption value at the end of each reporting period or the initial carrying amount of the redeemable noncontrolling interests adjusted for cumulative earnings (loss) allocations.

A noncontrolling interest in a subsidiary or VIE of the Group represents the portion of the equity (net assets) in the subsidiary or VIE not directly or indirectly attributable to the Group. Noncontrolling interests are presented as a separate component of equity in the consolidated balance sheet and modifies the presentation of net income by requiring earnings and other comprehensive income loss to be attributed to controlling and noncontrolling interest.

Basic loss per share is computed by dividing net loss attributable to the holders of ordinary shares by the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the year. Diluted loss per share is calculated by dividing net income attributable to the holders of ordinary shares as adjusted for the effect of dilutive ordinary share equivalents, if any, by the weighted average number of ordinary shares and dilutive ordinary share equivalents outstanding during the period. Ordinary share equivalents of stock options and warrants are calculated using the treasury stock method, and are not included in the denominator of the diluted earnings per share calculation when inclusion of such shares would be anti-dilutive, such as in a period in which a net loss is recorded.

The Group has one operating segment whose business is developing and operating online games and related services. The Group’s chief operating decision maker is the chief executive officer, who reviews consolidated results when making decisions about allocating resources and assessing performance of the Group. The Group generates its revenues from customers in Greater China, North America, and other areas.

Financial instruments that potentially subject the Group to significant concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and prepayments and other current assets. As of December 31, 2017 and 2018, substantially all of the Group’s cash and cash equivalents were held by major financial institutions, which management believes are of high credit worthiness.

Fair value is the price that would be received from selling an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. When determining the fair value measurements for assets and liabilities required or permitted to be recorded at fair value, the Group considers the principal or most advantageous market in which it would transact and it considers assumptions that market participants would use when pricing the asset or liability. The fair value measurement guidance provides a fair value hierarchy that requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. A financial instrument’s categorization within the fair value hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement as follows:

Level 1 inputs are unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets that the management has the ability to access at the measurement date.

Level 2 inputs include quoted prices for similar assets in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets in markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset (i.e., interest rates, yield curves, etc.), and inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means (market corroborated inputs).

Level 3 inputs include unobservable inputs to the valuation methodology that reflect management’s assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset. Management develops these inputs based on the best information available, including their own data.

Financial instruments primarily consist of cash and cash equivalents, investments, accounts receivable, accounts payable, short-term borrowings, warrants and convertible notes. The carrying value of the Group’s cash and cash equivalents, investments, accounts receivable, accounts payable and short-term borrowings approximate their market values due to the short-term nature of these instruments. Warrants are recorded in the consolidated balance sheets based on fair value. Both carrying value and fair value of convertible notes as of December 31, 2018 were RMB375.3 million (US$54.6 million).

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) which replaces existing lease guidance. The new standard is intended to provide enhanced transparency and comparability by requiring lessees to record right-of-use assets and corresponding lease liabilities on the balance sheet. The new guidance will continue to classify leases as either finance or operating, with classification affecting the pattern of expense recognition in the statement of income. The standard is effective for the Group beginning January 1, 2019, with early application permitted. The new standard is required to be applied with a modified retrospective approach to each prior reporting period presented with various optional practical expedients. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material effect on the Group’s financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326), to provide financial statement users with more useful information about expected credit losses. ASU 2016-13 also changes how entities measure credit losses on financial instruments and the timing of when such losses are recorded. In November 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-19, Codification Improvements to Topic 326, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses. The amendment clarifies that receivables arising from operating leases are not within the scope of Subtopic 326-20. Instead, impairment of receivables arising from operating leases should be accounted for in accordance with Topic 842, Leases. ASU 2016-13 and ASU 2018-19 are effective for fiscal years and interim periods within those years beginning after December 15, 2019, and early adoption is permitted for periods beginning after December 15, 2018. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material effect on the Group’s financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820). The new guidance modifies disclosure requirements related to fair value measurement. The amendments in this ASU are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019. Implementation on a prospective or retrospective basis varies by specific disclosure requirement. Early adoption is permitted. The standard also allows for early adoption of any removed or modified disclosures upon issuance of this ASU while delaying adoption of the additional disclosures until their effective date. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material effect on the Group’s financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

In June 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-07, Improvements to Nonemployee Share-Based Payment Accounting. The amendments in this ASU are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2018. This ASU intends to reduce cost and complexity and to improve financial reporting for share-based payments issued to nonemployees. The ASU expands the scope of Topic 718, Compensation—Stock Compensation, which currently only includes share-based payments issued to employees, to also include share-based payments issued to nonemployees for goods and services. The standard is effective for the Group beginning December 15, 2018, with early application permitted. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material effect on the Group’s financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

The Group, with the exception of its subsidiaries, Red 5, The9 Interactive and Red 5 Singapore, maintains its accounting records and prepares its financial statements in RMB. The U.S. dollar amounts disclosed in the accompanying financial statements are presented solely for the convenience of the readers at the rate of US$1.00 = RMB6.8755, representing the noon buying rate in the City of New York for cable transfers of RMB, as certified for customs purposes by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, on December 31, 2018. Such translations should not be construed as representations that the RMB amounts represent, or have been or could be converted into, United States dollars at that or any other rate.

The Group is the primary beneficiary of its VIEs, including Shanghai IT which was designed by the Group to comply with PRC regulations that prohibit direct foreign ownership of businesses that operate online and TV games in the PRC.

There are certain key contractual arrangements between the Group's subsidiary, The9 Computer (wholly-owned foreign enterprise, the "WOFE") and each of the VIEs that provide the Group with control over the VIEs. As a result of these contracts, the Group concluded that it is required to consolidate the VIEs pursuant to the guidance in ASC 810.

The Group shall be deemed to have a controlling financial interest in a VIE if it has both of the following characteristics:

a. The power to direct the activities of a VIE that most significantly impact the VIE's economic performance; and

b. The obligation to absorb losses of the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE or the right to receive benefits from the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE.

In determining that the Group has "the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the VIEs' economic performance," the Group looked to the specific provisions of the call option agreement and shareholder voting proxy agreement. These agreements, as summarized above, provide the WOFE effective control over all of the corporate and operating decisions of the VIEs, and as such, the Group’s management concluded that the WOFE has the requisite power to direct the activities of the VIEs that most significantly impact the VIEs’ economic performance. In assessing the Group's obligation to absorb losses, the Group notes that it has funded through the loan agreements all of the entities' share capital and also provides financial support as necessary to the entities through intercompany transactions. The Group's rights to receive economic benefits that are significant to the VIEs are embodied firstly in the equity pledge agreements that secure the equity owners' obligations under the relevant agreements, and ascribes to the WOFE all of the economic benefits of the equity interests including rights to any dividends declared. Secondly, the exclusive technical service agreement further secures the ability of WOFE to receive substantially all of the economic benefits from each of the VIEs on behalf of the Group.

In conclusion, because the Group, through its wholly owned subsidiary The9 Computer, has (1) the power to direct the activities of the VIEs that most significantly affect the VIE's economic performance, and (2) the right to receive benefits from the VIEs that could potentially be significant to the VIEs, the Group has been deemed to be the primary beneficiary of the VIEs and has consolidated the VIEs since the date of execution of such agreements.

Shareholders of the VIEs may potentially have conflicts of interest with the Company, and they may breach their contracts with the PRC subsidiaries or cause such contracts to be amended in a manner contrary to the interests of the Group. As a result, the Group may have to initiate legal proceedings, which involve significant uncertainty. Such disputes and proceedings may significantly disrupt the Groups business operations and adversely affect the Group's ability to control the VIEs. As most of the shareholders of the VIEs are directors, officers, shareholders or employees of the Group, management is of the view that the risk that misaligned interests may lead to deconsolidation in the foreseeable future is remote and insignificant.

PRC laws and regulations currently limit foreign ownership of companies that provide Internet content services, which include operating online games. In addition, foreign invested enterprises are currently not eligible to apply for the required licenses to operate online games in the PRC. The9 Limited is incorporated in the Cayman Islands and is considered a foreign entity under PRC laws. Due to restrictions on foreign ownership of companies that provide online games, the Group has entered into contractual arrangements with Shanghai IT to conduct its online games business through its VIEs in the PRC. Shanghai IT holds the necessary licenses and approvals that are essential for the online game business in China. Shanghai IT is principally owned by certain shareholder and employee of the Company. Pursuant to certain other agreements and undertakings, The9 Limited in substance controls Shanghai IT. The Group believes that its current ownership structures and contractual arrangements with Shanghai IT and its equity owners, as well as its operations, are in compliance with all existing PRC laws and regulations. There may, however, be changes and other developments in the PRC laws and regulations or their interpretation. Specifically, following the recent promulgation of the GAPP Circular, it is unclear whether the authorities will deem our VIE structure and contractual arrangements with Shanghai IT as an “indirect or disguised” way for foreign investors to gain control over or participate in domestic online game operators, and challenge our VIE structure accordingly.

If the Group is found to be in violation of any existing or future PRC laws or regulations, or fails to obtain or maintain any of the required permits or approvals, the relevant PRC regulatory authorities would have broad discretion in dealing with such violations, including requiring the Group to undergo a costly and disruptive restructuring, such as forcing The9 Limited to transfer its equity interest in the VIEs to a domestic entity or invalidating the VIE agreements. If the PRC government authorities impose penalties which cause the Group to lose its rights to direct the activities of and receive economic benefits from the VIEs, the Group may lose the ability to consolidate and reflect in its financial statements the financial position, and results of operation of the VIEs. The Group, however, does not believe such actions would result in the liquidation or dissolution of the Group, the WOFEs or VIEs.

The aforementioned contractual arrangements with the VIEs and their respective shareholders are subject to risks and uncertainties:

Summary financial information of the VIE subsidiaries included in the accompanying consolidated financial statements with intercompany balances and transactions eliminated are as follows:

The VIEs contributed an aggregate of 68.4%, 27.3% and 95.0% of the consolidated net revenues for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2017 and 2018, respectively. As of the fiscal years ended December 31, 2017 and 2018, the VIEs accounted for an aggregate of 30.8% and 48.9%, respectively, of the consolidated total assets, and 41.0% and 37.0%, respectively, of the consolidated total liabilities.

The VIE’s assets are not used as collateral for the VIE’s obligations, and can only be used to settle the VIE's obligations.

Relevant PRC laws and regulations restrict the VIE subsidiaries from transferring a portion of their net assets, equivalent to the balance of its statutory reserve and share capital, to the Group in the form of loans and advances or cash dividends. See Note 26 for disclosure of restricted net assets.

The Group has obtained financing for the early phase development of CrossFire New Mobile Game from the Inner Mongolia Culture Assets and Equity Exchange. As of December 31, 2018, the Group had paid RMB7.5 million (US$1.1 million) as the financing fee of the total funds raised and to be raised amounting to RMB157.5 million (US$22.9 million). According to the agreement, the Group paid the total financing fee of RMB7.5 million upon receipt of the first payment in October 2016 (see Note 17). Due to unforeseen circumstances, the Group is not planning to finance the remaining RMB100.0 million (US$14.5 million) and due to non-recovery of the advance financing fee, the Group has fully impaired the advance financing fee as of December 31, 2018.

On February 6, 2018, the Group entered into an agreement with a third-party company to subscribe a total of 5,297,257 tokens at a consideration of US$2.0 million and the tokens are expected to issue in 2019.

In August 2014, the Group formed a joint venture, System Link, with Qihoo 360 Technology Co., Ltd., (“Qihoo 360”). Pursuant to the joint venture agreement, Qihoo 360 and the Group will each own 50% equity interest in the joint venture and share profits based on the equity interest each party holds. In August 2014, Red 5 Singapore entered into a license agreement with System Link for publishing and operating Firefall in the PRC under a five-year term beginning from 2015. The Group received an upfront payment of US$10.0 million related to the license in 2015 and the Group began amortizing the upfront license payment over the license term starting in 2015 at the launch of game by System Link. The licensing agreement also calls for the Group to receive a US$150.0 million minimum royalty payment. The Group did not recognize any of this amount as the amount is unlikely to be received from System Link.

In August 2015, System Link entered into an agreement with Smilegate Entertainment, Inc. (“Smilegate”) to form a joint venture company, Oriental Shiny Star Limited (“Oriental Shiny”), for the operation of CrossFire 2. In the event of a successful commercial launch of CrossFire 2, Smilegate will receive a 30% equity share of Oriental Shiny.

In November 2015, Oriental Shiny entered into a license and distribution agreement with Smilegate for publishing and operating CrossFire 2 on an exclusive basis for a five-year term in the PRC (the “License Agreement”). In consideration for the exclusive license, Oriental Shiny made an upfront payment of US$50.0 million and was to make additional payments totaling US$450.0 million based on certain development and operation milestones of CrossFire 2. The payment of license fees is guaranteed by the Group and Qihoo 360 proportional to their equity interest in System Link.

The Group made total capital contributions to System Link of US$35.0 million as of both December 31, 2016 and 2017. The Group recorded losses of RMB111.1 million (US$16.2 million) in System Link for the year ended December 31, 2016.

In October 2017, Oriental Shiny and Smilegate agreed to terminate the License Agreement. In November 2017, Smilegate made a settlement payment of US$25.0 million to both the Group and Qihoo 360, total of US$50.0 million. A settlement agreement was signed among the Group, Qihoo 360 and Smilegate whereby subsequent to the payment of US$50.0 million, the joint venture agreement signed among Oriental Shiny and Smilegate has terminated. During 2017, the Group offset its 2017 share of losses in System Link against the US$25 million recovery and reduced its investment in System Link to nil, with the remaining portion of the recovery, RMB60.5 million (US$8.8 million), recorded as gain as the Group has no future funding obligation to System Link or Oriental Shiny.

As of December 31, 2016, System Link was a significant subsidiary but not consolidated, and separate financial statements were provided in accordance with Rule 3-09 of SEC Regulation S-X. As of December 31, 2017, System Link met the criteria as a significant subsidiary but the Group has applied for and received a waiver from the SEC to not provide separate financial statements because the Group reduced its investment in System Link to nil in 2017 and the disclosure of separate financial statements of System Link does not have a material effect on the Group’s financial statements.

In June 2015, the Group granted 33.3% equity interest of Shanghai Jiucheng Advertisement Co., Ltd. (“Jiucheng Advertisement”) to two of its employees for nil consideration. The Group recorded shared based compensation of RMB2.7 million as a result of this transaction as the equity interest was considered a share-based award for their service. In October, 2015, the Group entered into an agreement with Fei Fan Information Technology Co., Ltd. (“Fei Fan”), whereby Jiucheng Advertisement acquired 100% equity interest in Fei Fan in exchange of 30% equity interest in Jiucheng Advertisement. Upon completion of the exchange, the Group's equity interest in Jiucheng Advertisement was diluted to 46.7%. The Group accounted for the exchange as a disposal of subsidiary with a gain of RMB3.3 million (US$0.5 million) recognized upon disposal and an acquisition of an equity method investment in Jiucheng Advertisement at fair value. In November 2015, the Group's equity interest in Jiucheng Advertisement was further diluted to 42.0% as a result of capital injection by other shareholders. In August 2016, Jiucheng Advertisement raised capital from the Group and a third-party, the Group's equity interest in Jiucheng Advertisement became 43.7%. In October 2016, the Group's equity interest in Jiucheng Advertisement further increased to 44.5% after the execution of certain terms under the investment agreements among certain investors of Jiucheng Advertisement.

In December 2016, the Group entered into an agreement with third-party investors of Jiucheng Advertisement. According to the agreement, the Group would repurchase an additional 19.11% equity interest in Jiucheng Advertisement for RMB18.3 million (US$2.7 million) from those third-party investors if Jiucheng Advertisement is not listed on the PRC’s National Equities Exchange and Quotations (“NEEQ”), commonly known as the New Third Board, before December 31, 2017. In March 2017, Jiucheng Advertisement was renamed as Shanghai Big Data Cultures & Media Co., Ltd. (“Big Data”). In September 2017, Big Data listed its shares on NEEQ. As Big Data has listed its shares on NEEQ and has fulfilled its obligation, hence the Group was relieved of its obligation to repurchase 19.11% equity interest in Big Data from those third-party investors. After the listings, the Group holds a 44.46% equity interest in Big Data. In 2018, there was no change in the equity interest of Big Data.

In April 2008, the Group, through China Crown Technology, invested US$38.3 million in cash to subscribe to 3,031,232 preferred shares issued by G10 Incorporation (“G10”), an established Korean online game developer and operator, which accounted for less than 20% of the equity interest in G10 on an as converted basis. The preferred shares are convertible, non-redeemable and with a liquidation preference. Considering the liquidation preference is substantive and not available to common shares, the preferred shares are not in substance common shares and equity accounting is not applicable. Further, considering the rights and obligations of these shares, they are not considered debt securities. Accordingly, the Group accounted for the investment in G10 under the cost method. The initial investment was US$39.5 million, including US$1.2 million transaction cost. Pursuant to the Series B Preferred Share Subscription Agreement entered into between G10 and the Group, the purchase price would be reduced by up to US$25.0 million if G10’s consolidated net income does not reach the predetermined target for the period from July 1, 2009 to June 30, 2010. The target was not met in the predetermined period, and both parties reached a settlement agreement in November 2010 whereby the purchase price was reduced by US$10.0 million, payable in 26 equal monthly installments beginning in February 2011. The adjustment to the purchase price was accounted for as a reduction in the carrying value of the underlying investment at the time of the settlement. The Group also performed an impairment assessment and recognized an impairment loss of RMB184.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2010. All the refund of purchase price under the settlement agreement had been received.

In December 2011, pursuant to the agreements between the shareholders of G10 and T3, a wholly-owned subsidiary of G10, G10 was spun off and the shareholders of G10 became shareholders of T3 at the same shareholding percentage. In February 2012, the changes in shareholding structures of G10 and T3 was completed and the Group owned 32,290 ordinary shares of T3, which reflects the same percentage of equity the Group owned in G10 on an as converted basis.

The Group performed an impairment assessment and determined that there is no impairment in the investment as of December 31, 2017 and 2018, respectively.

In June 2017, the Group completed a share exchange transaction with IE Limited (“IE”), which was a listed company on Korean Securities Dealers Automated Quotations of Korea Exchange (“KOSDAQ”) for issuance and sale of 12,500,000 ordinary shares of the Group with a 10 year lock-up period. In exchange, IE transferred 14.55% equity interest in Smartposting, a wholly-owned subsidiary of IE. The fair value of 14.55% equity interest in Smartposting was considered to be the value of the assets surrendered to the Group in this non-monetary exchange transaction. Due to weaker than expected operating performance of Smartposting, the Group recorded an impairment of RMB5.1 million and RMB1.1 million (US$0.2 million) for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2018.

In June 2017, the Group entered into an investment agreement with shareholders of Beijing Ti Knight where the Group will invest a total of RMB9.0 million (US$1.3 million) in Beijing Ti Knight. As of December 31, 2018, the Group has invested RMB4.9 million (US$0.7 million). Due to weaker than expected operating performance, the investment in Beijing Ti Knight was fully impaired and the impairment of RMB4.0 million and RMB0.9 million (US$0.1 million) was recorded for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2018, respectively (see Note 30).

In December 2016, the Group recorded an impairment loss on Tandem Fund of RMB2.8 million (US$0.4 million) based on the fair market value of Tandem Fund. In January 2017, the Group disposed its entire interest in Tandem Fund to a third-party for a consideration of RMB1.2 million (US$0.2 million) which was equivalent to the carrying amount of the investment. No gain or loss was recognized on the disposal in 2017.

In January 2018, the Group completed a share exchange transaction with Red Ace Limited (“Red Ace”), which was a private company incorporated under the laws of the British Virgin Islands for issuance and sale of 3,571,429 ordinary shares of the Group with a specific lock-up period. In exchange, Red Ace transferred 29% equity interest in Maxline, an associate of Red Ace. The fair value of 29% equity interest in Maxline was considered to be the value of the assets surrendered to the Group in this non-monetary exchange transaction.

In September 2018, the Group completed a share exchange transaction with Leading Choice Investment Holdings Limited (“Leading Choice Investment”), which was a private company incorporated under the laws of Hong Kong for issuance and sale of 21,000,000 ordinary shares of the Group with a specific lock-up period. In exchange, Leading Choice Investment transferred 20% equity interest in Leading Choice, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Leading Choice Investment. The fair value of 20% equity interest in Leading Choice was considered to be the nominal value of ordinary shares of the Group in the non-monetary exchange transaction. In 2018, due to weaker than expected operating performance of Leading Choice, the Group recorded an impairment of RMB1.4 million (US$0.2 million) for the year ended December 31, 2018.

In April 2018, the Group has invested RMB0.4 million (US$0.1 million) in The9 Education Technology. But due to weaker than expected operating performance, the investment in The9 Education Technology was fully impaired and the impairment of RMB0.4 million (US$0.1 million) was recorded for the year ended December 31, 2018.

In December 2017, the Group has entered into an investment agreement with shareholders of Shanghai Ronglei where the Group will invest a total of RMB5.0 million (US$0.7 million) in Shanghai Ronglei. As of December 31, 2018, the Group has invested RMB4.0 million (US$0.6 million) but due to weaker than expected operating performance, the investment in Shanghai Ronglei was fully impaired and the impairment of RMB4.0 million (US$0.6 million) was recorded for the year ended December 31, 2018.

In September 2018, the Group completed a share exchange transaction with Plutux Labs Limited (“Plutux Labs”), which was a private company incorporated under the laws of Cayman Islands for issuance and sale of 21,000,000 ordinary shares of the Group with a specific lock-up period. In exchange, Plutux Labs transferred 8% equity interest in Plutux, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Plutux Labs. The fair value of 8% equity interest in Plutux was considered to be the nominal value of ordinary shares of the Group in the non-monetary exchange transaction. In 2018, due to weaker than expected operating performance of Plutux, the Group recorded an impairment of RMB1.4 million (US$0.2 million) for the year ended December 31, 2018.

The Group recorded impairment charges relating to its investment in equity and others of RMB2.8 million, RMB9.1 million and RMB9.2 million (US$1.3 million) for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2017 and 2018, respectively.

In June 2016, the Group along with certain other shareholders of Red 5 completed a share exchange transaction with L&A, a Cayman Islands company with shares publicly listed on the Growth Enterprise Market of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (Stock Code: 8195). The Group exchanged approximately 30.6% equity interest (on a fully-diluted basis) in Red 5 for a total of 723,313,020 (after a one-to-five stock split) newly issued shares of L&A, after deducting 6% of shares received (46,168,920 shares) as payment of a service fee to a third-party consultant.

In June 2016, Asian Development, a wholly-owned subsidiary incorporated in Hong Kong, borrowed a total of HK$92.3 million from a financial services company, which was secured by a pledge of 417,440,000 shares of L&A (see Note 16). In 2016, Asian Development was in default on the loan due to a sharp decline in share price of L&A. The lender is entitled to foreclose on the pledged shares and become the legal and beneficial owner of the pledged shares (see Note 30.3). In 2016, the Group provided a full impairment allowance of RMB244.8 million (US$35.6 million) on the investment in L&A. In 2018, the loan remained in default and the lender did not make any claim against Asian Development to recover any outstanding amounts under the agreement.

In 2017, the Group sold 18,360,000 shares in L&A for a consideration of RMB0.1 million (US$0.01 million). In an extraordinary general meeting in October 2017, Board of Directors of L&A passed a resolution to consolidate every twenty issued and unissued shares into one share. After the share consolidation and as of both December 31, 2017 and 2018, the Group owned 14,375,651 shares in L&A.

Property, equipment and software and related accumulated depreciation and amortization are as follows:

Depreciation and amortization charges for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2017 and 2018 amounted to RMB7.3 million, RMB5.3 million and RMB3.7 million (US$0.5 million), respectively. The office building was mortgaged as collateral for the convertible notes and bank borrowing in 2015 (see Note 19 and Note 16).

Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2017 and 2018 are as follows:

In 2010, the Group recognized goodwill of US$1.6 million in connection with the acquisition of Red 5.The Group measures the consideration it transfers at fair value, which may be calculated as the sum of the acquisition-date fair values of the assets transferred, liabilities incurred to former owners of the acquiree, and equity instruments issued. The costs directly attributable to the acquisition are expensed as incurred. Identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed are measured separately at their fair value as of the acquisition date, irrespective of the extent of any noncontrolling interests. Contingent consideration is measured at fair value and recorded as a liability. The excess of (i) the total cost of acquisition, fair value of the noncontrolling interests and acquisition-date fair value of any previously held equity interest in the acquiree over (ii) the fair value of the identifiable net assets of the acquiree is recorded as goodwill. If the cost of acquisition is less than the fair value of the net assets of the subsidiary acquired, the difference would be recognized directly in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss.

In 2016, due to weaker than expected operating performance of Red 5, the Group determined that goodwill was fully impaired. Impairment loss of RMB10.6 million (US$1.5 million) was recorded for the year ended December 31, 2016.

Gross carrying amount, accumulated amortization and net book value of the intangible assets as of December 31, 2017 and 2018 are as follows:

In 2017 and 2018, none of acquired game licenses had expired or been written-off from cost basis and accumulated amortization.

Since its acquisition by the Group on April 6, 2010, Red 5 has been substantially devoted its operating activities to fulfill its obligations under a game development and license agreement executed in 2006 and amended in 2009 between Red 5 and a third-party game publisher to develop Firefall in exchange for cash consideration from the third-party publisher. Prior to the acquisition, Red 5 received a total of US$24.7 million cash consideration as an advance recoupable against future royalties payable to Red 5. Red 5 retained the ownership of the game and granted the third-party publisher an exclusive, non-transferable term license to market and distribute the game and host the game for customers in specified regions after Red 5 completes the game development. Red 5 continues to perform its obligations under the agreement post-acquisition, including the provision of post-contract customer support for the hosted version of the game to the third-party publisher during the term of the license. The initial term of the agreement is from February 2006 through the fifth anniversary of the first commercial release of the initial game. Thereafter, the agreement can be renewed in two-year terms.

In September 2011, Red 5 Singapore and Red 5 entered into a series of agreements with the third-party game publisher. Pursuant to the agreement, Red 5 Singapore were substituted in full for the third-party publisher as a party under the game development and license agreement between Red 5 and the third-party game publisher, including the exclusive, non-transferable term license to market and distribute the game and host the game for customers in specified regions. Under the agreements, the Group paid US$10.0 million and guaranteed an additional payment of US$12.7 million to the third-party game publisher due within four years. In addition, the Group is subject to additional contingent payments to be calculated based on certain percentages of the proceeds received from future game licensing and royalties, if any. The total consideration paid, including the US$10.0 million and the guaranteed amount of US$12.7 million, was recorded as acquired game license. The contingent payments will be recorded as cost of services when incurred. The balance of accounts payable related to this game license fee was US$3.1 million as of December 31, 2018.

The Group pledged intellectual property in relation to the game to secure the guaranteed amount. Following this license acquisition, the previously recognized backlog of US$0.4 million in relation to the game development and license agreement acquired in the Red 5 acquisition was reclassified to acquired game licenses as it was considered to be additional cost to acquire the game license.

Amortization expense related to intangible assets was RMB10.2 million, nil and nil for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2017 and 2018, respectively.

The Group has been monitoring its licensed games that have not commercially launched, including but not limited to their market acceptance and operational performance in other regions where they are commercially launched and operated by other operators. The Group incorporates these factors into its continuous evaluation of the forecasted results of the respective games and takes into account the Group’s expected commercial launch and cash flows in the evaluation of potential impairment of the carrying value of upfront licensing fees. Based on the Group’s impairment tests, impairment allowance on upfront licensing fees of RMB68.0 million, nil and nil were provided in 2016, 2017 and 2018, respectively.

Gross carrying amount, accumulated amortization and net book value of land use right are as follows:

Amortization charge for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2017 and 2018 amounted to RMB1.9 million, RMB1.9 million and RMB1.9 million (US$0.3 million), respectively. The land use right was mortgaged for the convertible notes and bank borrowing in 2015 (see Note 19 and Note 16).

Prepaid license fee represents the payment made by the Group pursuant to an IP license agreement with an online game company in January 2016 to use its IP to develop a mobile game. The mobile game is expected to be launched in 2019.

The fair values of common stock warrants were measured using the Black-Scholes Model (see Note 23). Inputs used to determine estimated fair value of the warrant liabilities include the estimated fair value of the underlying stock at the valuation date, the estimated term of the warrants, risk-free interest rates, expected dividends and the expected volatility of the underlying stock. The significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of the warrant liability are the fair value of the underlying stock at the valuation date and the estimated term of the warrants. The fair value of convertible note is based on a discounted cash flow model with an unobservable input of discount rate. (Level 3)

In 2015, the Group issued warrants in connection with its convertible notes. The warrants are recorded at fair market value at the date of issuance and subsequently at each reporting date. The following table presents the change in the warrants liability that were measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant Level 3 inputs during 2017 and 2018 (see Note 20).

Under the current tax laws of the Cayman Islands, the Group is not subject to tax on its income or capital gains. In addition, upon payment of dividends by The9 Limited to its shareholders, no Cayman Islands withholding tax will be imposed.

The Group’s subsidiaries incorporated in Hong Kong did not have assessable profits that were derived in Hong Kong during the years ended December 31, 2016, 2017 and 2018. Therefore, no Hong Kong income tax has been provided for in the years presented.

The Group’s subsidiaries incorporated in Singapore did not have assessable profits that were derived in Singapore during the years ended December 31, 2016, 2017 and 2018. Therefore, no Singapore income tax has been provided for in the years presented.

The Group’s subsidiaries and VIE subsidiaries incorporated in the PRC are subject to Enterprise Income Tax (“EIT”) on the taxable income as reported in their respective statutory financial statements adjusted in accordance with the PRC Enterprise Income Tax Law (“EIT Law”), which went into effect as of January 1, 2008. The Group’s subsidiaries and VIE subsidiaries in the PRC are generally subject to EIT at a statutory rate of 25%. The subsidiaries that hold a “High and New Technology Enterprise” (“HNTE”) qualification are subject to a 15% preferential EIT rate. The HNTE qualification is valid for three years and every qualified HNTE company is required to re-apply for it in the three years after receiving approval. In October 2017, Shanghai IT renewed its HNTE qualification and obtained approval in 2018, which entitles Shanghai IT to enjoy a preferential EIT rate of 15% during the period from 2018 to 2020. Total tax savings of Shanghai IT were nil for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2017 and 2018.

The Group’s subsidiaries incorporated in the U.S. are registered in the state of California and are subject to U.S. federal corporate marginal income tax rate of 21% and state income tax rate of 0.28%, respectively. The Group has assessed the recently enacted tax reform in the United States and concluded that there is no material effect to the financial statements.

On December 22, 2017, the U.S. government enacted the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Tax Act”). The Tax Act includes significant changes to the U.S. corporate income tax system including a federal corporate rate reduction from 34% to 21%; limitations on the deductibility of interest expense and executive compensation; creation of the base erosion anti-abuse tax (“BEAT”), a new minimum tax; and the transition of U.S. international taxation from a worldwide tax system to a modified territorial tax system. A majority of the provisions in the Tax Act are effective January 1, 2018.

The Tax Act creates a new requirement that certain income such as Global Intangible Low-Taxed Income (“GILTI”) earned by a controlled foreign corporation (“CFC”) must be included in the gross income of the CFC U.S. shareholder. The Group has evaluated these provisions of the Tax Act and whether taxes due on future U.S. inclusions related to GILTI be recorded as current-period expense when incurred, or factored into measurement of deferred taxes. The Group concluded that there is no material effect to the financial statements.

The current and deferred portions of income tax expense included in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss are as follows:

Reconciliation of the differences between statutory tax rate and the effective tax rate

Reconciliation between the statutory EIT rate and the Group’s effective tax rate is as follows:

For the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2018, the Group recorded a reversal of valuation allowance of approximately RMB208.4 million and RMB59.6 million (US$8.7 million), respectively. The Group considers positive and negative evidence to determine whether some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will more likely than not be realized. This assessment considers, among other matters, the nature, frequency and severity of recent losses, forecasts of future profitability, the duration of statutory carry forward periods, the Group’s experience with tax attributes expiring as unused and tax planning alternatives. Valuation allowances have been established for deferred tax assets based on a more-likely-than-not threshold. The Group’s ability to realize deferred tax assets depends on its ability to generate sufficient taxable income within the carry forward periods provided for in the tax law.

As of December 31, 2018, the Group’s PRC subsidiaries had net operating loss carry forwards of RMB392.1 million, of which RMB41.0 million, RMB113.6 million, RMB99.5 million, RMB71.1 million and RMB66.9 million will expire in 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023, respectively. The Group has provided a full valuation allowance as it is not more likely than not that the net operating losses can be utilized before expiry. According to Caishui [2018] No. 76, with effect from January 1, 2018, losses of qualified HNTE in the current year occurred five years before the year in which the entity qualified for HNTE and have not been made up shall be allowed to be carried forward to subsequent years to be made up, and the maximum carry-forward period shall be extended from five years to ten years.

As of December 31, 2018, Red 5 had net operating loss carry forwards for federal and state income tax purposes of approximately US$125.5 million and US$64.7 million, respectively, which will begin to expire in 2026 and 2028, respectively. Red 5 also had credits for increasing research activities available to offset future federal and state taxes payable of approximately US$0.1 million and US$0.1 million, respectively, that will begin to expire in 2026 for federal purposes and which have no expiration for state purposes. Red 5 had foreign tax credits for federal purposes of approximately US$2.5 million, which has expired in 2018. Pursuant to US tax laws and regulations, the utilization of an acquired entity’s net operating losses and credits are subject to annual limitation computed based on the fair value of the acquired entity. As a result of the limitation, the Group provided a full valuation allowance as it is not more likely than no not that the net operating losses and credits carried forward can be utilized before expiration.

In accordance with the EIT Law, dividends, which arise from profits of foreign invested enterprises (“FIEs”) earned after January 1, 2008, are subject to a 10% withholding income tax. In addition, under tax treaty between the PRC and Hong Kong, if the foreign investor is incorporated in Hong Kong and qualifies as the beneficial owner, the applicable withholding tax rate is reduced to 5%, if the investor holds at least 25% in the FIE, or 10%, if the investor holds less than 25% in the FIE. A deferred tax liability should be recognized for the undistributed profits of PRC companies unless the Group has sufficient evidence to demonstrate that the undistributed dividends will be reinvested and the remittance of the dividends will be postponed indefinitely. The Group plans to indefinitely reinvest undistributed profits earned after December 31, 2007 from its China subsidiaries in its operations in the PRC. Therefore, no withholding income taxes for undistributed profits of the Company’s subsidiaries incorporated in PRC have been provided as of December 31, 2017 and 2018.

Under applicable accounting principles, a deferred tax liability should be recorded for taxable temporary differences attributable to the excess of financial reporting basis over tax basis in a domestic subsidiary. However, recognition is not required in situations where the tax law provides a means by which the reported amount of that investment can be recovered tax-free and the enterprise expects that it will ultimately use that means. The Group has not recorded any such deferred tax liability attributable to the undistributed earnings of its financial interests in VIEs because these entities do not have any accumulated earnings as of December 31, 2017 and 2018.

The Group made its assessment of the level of authority for each tax position (including the potential application of interests and penalties) based on the tax positions’ technical merits, and measured the unrecognized benefits associated with the tax positions. The Group did not have any unrecognized tax benefits as of December 31, 2017 and 2018. The Group does not anticipate that unrecognized tax benefits will significantly increase or decrease within the next twelve months. For the years ended December 31, 2016, 2017 and 2018, the Group did not have any material interest and penalties associated with its tax positions.

According to PRC Tax Administration and Collection Law, the statute of limitations is three years if the underpayment of taxes is due to computational errors made by the taxpayer or withholding agent. The statute of limitations will be extended five years under special circumstances, which are not clearly defined (but an underpayment of tax liability exceeding RMB 0.1 million is specifically listed as a special circumstance). In the case of a related party transaction, the statute of limitations is ten years. There is no statute of limitations in the case of tax evasion. From inception to 2018, the Group is subject to examination of the PRC tax authorities. Red 5’s federal income tax returns and state income tax returns for 2006 through 2018 are open tax years, subject to examination by the relevant tax authorities.

In June 2016, the Group completed a share exchange transaction with L&A for a total of 769,481,940 (after a 1 to 5 stock split) newly issued shares of L&A. In June 2016, Asian Development borrowed a total of HK$92.3 million from a financial services company at an annual interest rate of 2% for a term of 24 months, which is secured by a pledge of 417,440,000 shares of L&A. The outstanding balance as of December 31, 2018 is RMB84.5 million (US$12.3 million), which includes RMB3.6 million (US$0.5 million) of interest payable, and the pledged loan was due in June 2018. Asian Development has defaulted the loan in June 2016 due to a sharp decline in share price of L&A (see Note 30.3)

In December 2015, the Group entered an entrusted bank borrowing agreement, amounted to RMB31.6 million (US$4.6 million), with a subsidiary of the convertible notes investor (see Note 19) and China Merchants Bank as entrustment bank. The borrowing agreement has matured in December 2018, with an annual interest rate of 12% due on maturity of the loan. The loan is secured by the Group’s office buildings. The outstanding balance as of December 31, 2018 is RMB43.3 million (US$6.3 million), including RMB11.7 million (US$1.7 million) of interest payable. The entrusted bank borrowing was due in December 2018 but has not repaid as of December 31, 2018. The Group has entered into a deed of settlement with the investor of convertible notes on March 12, 2019 where the Group will proceed to the disposal of office buildings and to repay both convertible notes and entrusted bank borrowing. Annual interest rate of the loan remained at 12% up to settlement date.

The Group has financed the early phase development of CrossFire New Mobile Game through fund raising from the Inner Mongolia Culture Assets and Equity Exchange. As of December 31, 2018, the Group had raised RMB57.5 million (US$8.4 million). Under this fund raising arrangement, the Group will share certain percentages of the revenues from CrossFire new mobile game to the investors providing funding to the Group. Due to unforeseen circumstances, the Group is not planning to finance the remaining RMB100.0 million (US$14.5 million) and due to non-recovery of the advance financing fee, the Group has fully impaired the advance financing fee as of December 31, 2018. In November 2017, the Group entered into an exclusive publishing agreement with a third-party company, pursuant to which this third-party company was granted with an exclusive right to publish the CrossFire New Mobile Game in China and the game is expected to be launched in the second half of 2019.

As a result of the loss of the World of Warcraft (“WoW”) license on June 7, 2009, the Group announced a refund plan in connection with inactivated WoW game point cards, which the Group recorded as advance from customers. According to the plan, inactivated WoW game point card holders are eligible to receive a cash refund from the Group. The Group recorded a liability in connection with both inactivated points cards and activated but unconsumed point cards of approximately RMB200.4 million.

Upon the loss of the WoW license, the Group concluded the nature of the obligation substantively changed from deferred revenue, for which the Group had the responsibility to satisfy the underlying performance obligation, to an obligation to refund players for their unconsumed points. The Group has accounted for this refund liability by applying the derecognition guidance specified in ASC 405-20. In accordance with this guidance, the refund liability associated with these WoW game points, to the extent not refunded, will be recorded as other operating income after the Group is legally released from the obligation to refund amounts under the applicable laws. In consultation with its legal counsel, the Group concluded the legal liability relating to the inactivated WoW game point cards was extinguished in September 2011 on the basis that the legal liability lapsed two years from the date the Group publicly announced the refund policy that applied to these cards. Accordingly, the associated liability amounting to RMB26.0 million (US$3.8 million) was recognized as other operating income for the year ended December 31, 2011. With respect to the remaining refund liability, based on current PRC laws, to the extent not refunded, the Company, in consultation with legal counsel has determined that it will be legally released from this liability in September 2029, which represents 20 years from the discontinuation of WoW in 2009. However, if the Group were to publicly announce a refund policy, the Group would be legally released from any remaining liability for these activated, but unconsumed points that remained two years from the date of such announcement. To date, the Group has determined not to publicly announce any refund policy with respect to this remaining liability, and no refunds have been claimed. The remaining refund liability relating to the activated, but unconsumed WoW game points is RMB170.0 million (US$24.7 million) as of both December 31, 2017 and 2018.

On November 24, 2015, the Group entered into an agreement with a third-party investor for a private placement of secured convertible notes and warrants for a gross proceeds of US$40,050,000. The transaction closed on December 11, 2015. Pursuant to the terms of the agreement, the convertible notes shall mature in December 2018, subject to an extension for two years at the discretion of the investor. The convertible notes accrue interest at a rate of 12% per annum and are payable upon maturity of the notes. The notes are secured by the equity interest of the Group's subsidiaries (The9 Computer and C9I Shanghai), and the Group’s office buildings with a total net book value of RMB16.0 million as of December 31, 2018. The third-party investor is entitled to put the convertible notes to the Group upon a change in control and upon an event of default. The Group has entered into a deed of settlement with the investor of convertible notes on March 12, 2019 where the Group will proceed to the disposal of office buildings and to repay both convertible notes and entrusted bank borrowing. Annual interest rate of the loan remained at 12% up to settlement date.

The notes are divided into three tranches and can be converted into a total of 11,695,513 shares of the Group's ADS at any time as follows:

The conversion prices are subject to anti-dilution adjustments in the event the Group issues ordinary shares at a price per share lower than the applicable conversion price in effect immediately prior to the issuance. As of December 31, 2018, no adjustments to the conversion prices had occurred.

The Group has determined that there was BCF attributable to the Tranche A convertible loan as the conversion price is lower than market value at the date of issuance of the convertible note. The value of the BCF is determined to be US$8.1 million, which is equal to the intrinsic value of the conversion feature. The convertible notes are recorded at net carrying value at the date of issuance as follows:

The fair value of warrants, BCF and issuance costs are recorded as debt discount and accreted to interest expense over three years using the effective interest method. The convertible notes should be repaid with principal and interest based on the agreement. As of December 31, 2017 and 2018, the total carrying amount of the convertible notes principal and interest payable is RMB260.6 million and RMB375.3 million (US$54.6 million), respectively. Interest expenses recognized related to the convertible notes are RMB50.4 million, RMB77.0 million and RMB98.3 million (US$14.3 million) for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2017 and 2018, respectively.

The warrants are exercisable at any time after the commitment date to purchase up to 4,778,846 shares of the Group's ADS as follows:

For the tranches A, B and C, the expiration date is the third anniversary of the issuance date or if the holder has exercised its option to extend the maturity date of all or any portion of the convertible notes in accordance with the terms and conditions thereof, the fifth anniversary of the issuance date. Tranches A, B and C expired on December 20, 2018. Tranche I will expire in December 2020.

The exercise prices of the warrants are subject to anti-dilution adjustments in the event the Company issue ordinary shares at a price per share lower than the applicable exercise price in effect immediately prior to the issuance. As of December 31, 2018, no adjustments to the exercise prices had occurred.

The Group performs valuations of the warrants using a probability weighted Black-Scholes Model. This model requires input of assumptions including the risk-free interest rates, volatility, expected life and dividend rates, and has also considered the likelihood of "down-round" financings. Selection of these inputs involves management's judgment and may affect net income.

The assumptions used in the Black-Scholes option pricing model for Tranche I was as follows:

The fair value of the warrants as of issuance date, December 31, 2017 and 2018 is RMB3.7 million and RMB1.5 million (US$0.2 million), respectively. The change in fair value of the warrants liability resulted in a loss of RMB48.1 million, RMB12.6 million and RMB2.3 million (US$0.3 million) for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2017 and 2018, respectively.

On January 8, 2009, the Company adopted a shareholder rights plan. The shareholder rights plan is designed to protect the best interests of the Company and its shareholders by discouraging third-parties from seeking to obtain control of the Company in a tender offer or similar hostile transaction. The shareholder rights plan was amended on March 9, 2009, June 8, 2017 and June 16, 2017.

Pursuant to the terms of the shareholder rights plan, as amended, one right was distributed with respect to each ordinary share of the Company outstanding at the close of business on January 22, 2009. The rights will become exercisable only if a person or group (the “Acquiring Person”) obtains ownership of 15% or more of the Company’s voting securities (including by acquisition of the Company’s ADSs representing ordinary shares) (a “Triggering Event”), subject to certain exceptions. In the case of a Triggering Event, the rights plan entitles shareholders other than the Acquiring Person to purchase, for an exercise price of US$19.50, a number of shares with a value twice that of the exercise price. The number of shares each such shareholder will be entitled to purchase is equal to the product of (i) the number of shares then owned by such shareholder and (ii) two times the exercise price divided by the then current market price per share. The rights plan will continue in effect until January 8, 2019, unless the plan is terminated by the Company or the rights are redeemed by the Company before the plan expires. The plan has not been exercisable as of December 31, 2018. As of the issuance date of financial statements, the rights plan has expired and not been extended.

Full-time employees of the Group’s subsidiaries and VIE subsidiaries registered in the PRC are entitled to staff welfare benefits, including medical care, welfare subsidies, unemployment insurance and pension benefits through a PRC government-mandated multi-employer defined contribution plan. These entities are required to accrue for these benefits based on certain percentages of the employees’ salaries in accordance with the relevant regulations, and to make contributions to the state-sponsored pension and medical plans out of the amounts accrued for medical and pension benefits. The total amounts charged to the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss for such employee benefits amounted to RMB15.4 million, RMB12.9 million and RMB7.9 million (US$1.1 million) for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2017 and 2018, respectively. The PRC government is responsible for the medical benefits and ultimate pension liability to these employees.

On December 15, 2004, in connection with its initial public offering, the Company adopted a share option plan (“2004 Option Plan”). As of December 31, 2013, the total number of ordinary shares reserved in the 2004 Option Plan was 6,449,614 shares. The maximum contractual term of the awards under this plan shall be no more than five years from the date of grant. The options granted under this plan shall be at the money on the date of grant and typically vest over a three-year period, with one third of the options to vest on the each of the anniversary after the grant date. The 2004 Option Plan was amended in November 2015 to increase the maximum aggregate number of ordinary shares to 14,449,614 shares. The 2004 Option Plan was amended in August 2016 to increase the maximum aggregate number of ordinary shares to 34,449,614 shares. In December 2018, the 2004 Option Plan was amended to increase the maximum aggregate number of ordinary shares to 100,000,000 shares. On June 6, 2017, the Group and optionees have entered into certain stock option agreements, pursuant to which the Group has granted to the optionees options to acquire the ordinary shares, par value US$0.01 each, of the Group. According to the agreements, 6,328,535 options were exercised to ordinary shares, and 10,806,665 options were canceled. As of December 31, 2018, options to purchase 2,050,000 ordinary shares are outstanding and options to purchase 89,956,594 ordinary shares are available for future grant under the 2004 Option Plan.

The following table summarizes the Group’s share option activities with its employees and directors:

The options expected to vest are estimated by applying the pre-vesting forfeiture rate assumptions to total unvested options. The total intrinsic value of options exercised during the year was nil for years ended December 31, 2016, 2017 and 2018.

On January 24, 2018, as approved by the Board of Directors, the Group granted share options totaling 5,750,000 shares to directors, officers and consultants. The remaining shares shall become vested in a series of 36 successive equal monthly installments upon grantees’ completion of each month of service to the Company over the 36-month period measured from the grant date. On September 4, 2018, the Group canceled a portion of the options totaling 4,700,000 share options granted to directors, officers and consultants. The remaining 1,000,000 share options were forfeited due to the resignation of directors.

The weighted-average grant-date fair value of options granted during 2018 was US$0.51. The fair value of the share options were measured on the respective grant dates based on the Black-Scholes option pricing model, with below assumptions made regarding expected term and volatility, risk-free interest rate and dividend yield:

On August 6, 2016, The Group granted share options totaling 6,000,000 shares to Mr. Zhu Jun, chairman and chief executive officer, and a third-party consultant as a reward for facilitating the Mongolia funding platform with total funding amount of RMB157.5 million (US$22.9 million) to the Group. According to ASC 718, the share option was applicable to the performance condition due to the share options would be vested in line with the percentage of funding received by the Group. In 2017, the options totaling 5,000,000 granted to Zhu Jun were canceled. As of December 31, 2018, options totaling 1,000,000 shares to a third-party consultant were outstanding.

On January 24, 2018, as approved by the Board of Directors, the Group granted share options totaling 2,500,000 shares to directors and consultant, subject to performance conditions, of which 1,000,000 shares granted will vest upon the success of improvement on the Group's online game business and 1,500,000 shares will vest upon the success of the Group's fund raising. On September 4, 2018, the Group canceled a portion of the options totaling 1,500,000 share options granted to director and consultant.

The following table summarizes the share option activities subject to performance condition:

The grant-date fair value of share options with performance condition during 2018 was US$0.51. The fair value of the awards that are based on the performance condition was calculated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following assumptions:

On June 6, 2017, the Group canceled a portion of the options totaling 10,806,665 and accelerated the vesting and exercise of the remaining options totaling 6,328,535 for options granted to 15 directors, officers and employees. The exercise price was modified to US$0.00, which the original exercise price of the accelerated vesting options ranged from US$1.53 to US$1.86. The incremental compensation cost recognized due to the cancelation and acceleration vesting of options was RMB33.0 million (US$4.8 million) in 2017. The fair value of the options canceled and accelerated vested under service and performance condition was measured on the modification date using Binomial Tree Pricing Model with the following assumptions:

The fair value of the options canceled and accelerated vested under market condition was measured on the modification date using the Monte Carlo Simulation model with the following assumptions:

For the years ended December 31, 2016, 2017 and 2018, the Group recorded share-based compensation of RMB28.1 million, RMB38.0 million and RMB3.9 million (US$0.6 million), respectively, for options granted to the Group’s employees and directors.

As of December 31, 2018, there was approximately RMB7.5 million (US$1.1 million) unrecognized compensation cost, adjusted for estimated forfeitures, related to nonvested options, for the options with performance condition issued to non-employee, a third-party consultant, subject to ASC 505-50. Unrecognized compensation cost would be addressed in Commitment (see Note 30). The cost related to performance condition option was recognized according to the funding schedule. Total unrecognized compensation cost may be adjusted for future changes in estimated forfeitures.

On September 4, 2018, the Group granted an aggregate amount of 30,000,000 restricted ordinary shares to directors, officers and consultants. In exchange for such restricted ordinary shares granted, the Group forfeited and canceled the stock options in the total amount of 6,200,000 shares previously granted on January 24, 2018. Half of each individual's shares will only vest if the Group meets certain target on non-GAAP profit before tax in 2019. If the Group fails to achieve this target, such half of each individual's shares will be forfeited and canceled. The remaining half of each individual’s shares is subjected to a half year lock-up period. After the half year lock-up period, such remaining shares shall become vested in 36 successive equal monthly installments upon grantees’ completion of each month of service to the Group measured from the last day of each month after the vesting commencement date.

Incsight is a company incorporated in the British Virgin Islands and wholly owned by Mr. Zhu Jun. On December 8, 2010, as approved by the Board of Directors, the Company granted 1,500,000 ordinary shares to Incsight, subject to performance conditions, of which 500,000 ordinary shares granted will vest when the Group achieves breakeven and 1,000,000 ordinary shares will vest when the Group's cumulative profit reaches US$5.0 million in a quarter subsequent to the quarter in which the Group breaks even. The ordinary shares granted are not entitled to receive dividends until vested. The Board of Directors considered the grant of ordinary shares as an incentive to retain Mr. Zhu Jun’s services with the Group. The awarded nonvested shares would be valid for five years from December 8, 2010. For the quarter ended September 30, 2014, the Group achieved breakeven. It was considered probable the performance targets will be met for the total of 1,500,000 ordinary shares. The fair value of the granted nonvested shares was US$6.48 per share, the market price on the date of grant. On December 7, 2015, 500,000 ordinary shares granted to Incsight were vested. The awarded nonvested shares were valid for additional three years and had expired on December 7, 2018. The Group recorded share-based compensation of RMB1.9 million, RMB0.5 million and nil for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2017 and 2018, respectively. The following table reflects the activity of nonvested shares for the year ended December 31, 2018:

In February 2006, Red 5 adopted a Stock Incentive Plan (“Red 5 Stock Incentive Plan”) under which Red 5 may grant to its employees, director and consultants stock options to purchase common shares or restricted shares. As of December 31, 2010, 13,626,955 shares were reserved under Red 5 Stock Incentive Plan. In September, 2011, Red 5 further increased the number of common shares reserved to 22,855,591. If an option shall expire or terminate for any reason without having been exercised in full, the reserved shares subject to such option shall again be available for subsequent option grants under the plan. From the inception of this plan to December 31, 2018, Red 5 granted a total of 38,191,879 options to its employees and directors at the exercise price ranging from US$0.0001 to US$0.2450 per share, which vest over four years commencing from grant date. Options expire within a period of not more than ten years from the grant date. An option granted to a person who is a greater than 10% shareholder on the date of grant may not be exercisable more than five years after the grant date. As of December 31, 2018, options to purchase 5,111,250 shares of common stock were outstanding and options to purchase 15,480,087 shares of common stock were available for future grant.

The following table summarizes the Red 5’s share option activities with its employees and directors for the year ended December 31, 2018:

The option’s intrinsic value was calculated by the excess of the estimated fair value of Red 5’s common shares, which was determined by the Group with the assistance of an independent valuation firm.

The options expected to vest are estimated by applying the pre-vesting forfeiture rate assumptions to total unvested options. The total intrinsic value of options exercised for the year ended December 31, 2016, 2017 and 2018 were nil.

The fair value of options granted ranged from US$0.012 to US$0.149, measured on the grant date based on the Black-Scholes option pricing model with assumptions made regarding expected term and volatility, risk-free interest rate and dividend yield:

Red 5 recorded share-based compensation of RMB0.4 million, RMB0.3 million and RMB0.04 million (US$0.01 million) for options and shares of restricted common stock granted for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2017 and 2018, respectively. The share-based payment awards were recorded as a component of noncontrolling interest in the consolidated financial statements.

As of December 31, 2018, there was approximately RMB0.04 million (US$0.01 million) of unrecognized compensation cost, adjusted for estimated forfeitures, related to nonvested share-based awards granted to Red 5 grantees. This cost is expected to be recognized over 0.2 years. Total unrecognized compensation cost may be adjusted for future changes in estimated forfeitures.

In 2013, the Group entered into an agreement with ZTE9, an equity investee of the Group, to jointly operate IPTV games in China. According to the agreement, the Group pays ZTE9 a royalty fee for providing game contents on IPTV. Net royalty and other service fees related to IPTV business charged by ZTE9 to the Group amounted to RMB7.1 million and RMB5.2 million (US$0.8 million) for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2018, respectively. The Group provided IPTV related supporting service to ZTE9 of nil and RMB0.2 million (US$0.03 million) for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2018, respectively. Total amount due to ZTE9 for IPTV business was RMB2.7 million and RMB5.1 million (US$0.7 million) as of December 31, 2017 and 2018, respectively. The Group lent RMB4.0 million and RMB0.6 million (US$0.1 million) to ZTE9 to fund its operations in 2017 and 2018, respectively. ZTE9 has repaid RMB1.7 million (US$0.3 million) in 2018. Total amount due from ZTE9 for outstanding loans was RMB2.1 million and RMB1.0 million (US$0.1 million) as of December 31, 2017 and 2018, respectively.

In 2017, the Group charged service fee to Big Data of RMB0.05 million. In 2018, the service fee charged was RMB0.05 million (US$0.01 million), and the outsourcing service fee was RMB0.4 million (US$0.06 million) of which RMB0.1 million (US$0.01 million) remained outstanding as of December 31, 2018.

In 2014, the Group entered into a license agreement with System Link, a 50% joint venture of the Group, for publishing and operating Firefall for a five-year term in the PRC. Under this license agreement, System Link is expected to pay Red 5 and Red 5 Singapore a total of no less than US$160.0 million (including license fee and royalties) during the term of the agreement. In 2015, System Link paid US$10.0 million to the Group as license fee. The Group recorded the US$10.0 million as amount due to the related party and was to amortize the amount over the five-year period. System Link has been dormant since the cessation of Firefall in March 2016 and the termination of CrossFire 2 license in November 2017. Red 5 Singapore filed a lawsuit against System Link in 2016. Due to ongoing litigation and non-operation of Firefall, Red 5 was no longer required to render any service to System Link in relation to the operation of Firefall. As such, Red 5 recognized the remaining unamortized license fee as revenue in 2017. The balance due to System Link (non-current) was nil as both of December 31, 2017 and 2018. The Group recognized licensing revenue of RMB13.6 million, RMB 51.1 million and nil for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2017 and 2018, respectively. Litigation against System Link by Red 5 Singapore is on-going as of December 31, 2018.

In 2016, Asian Way entered into a license agreement with T3, an equity investee of the Group, for developing a game using augmented reality (AR) technologies based on the intellectual property relating to the game. Upon commercial launch, Asian Way will share certain percentages of revenues of the game to T3. The game is still under development as of December 31, 2018.

Mr. Zhu Jun, the chairman and chief executive officer, provided loans of RMB73.9 million and RMB11.0 million (US$1.6 million) to the Group in 2017 and 2018, respectively. The loans were interest-free and the outstanding balance of RMB75.2 million and RMB57.1 million (US$8.3 million) remained as of December 31, 2017 and 2018, respectively.

The Company had 22,914,046, 5,778,846 and 6,828,846 stock options, warrants and nonvested shares outstanding as of December 31, 2016, 2017 and 2018, respectively, which were excluded in the computation of diluted loss per share in the periods presented, as their effect would have been anti-dilutive due to the net loss reported in such periods.

Pursuant to laws applicable to entities incorporated in the PRC, the subsidiaries and the VIEs of the Group in the PRC must make appropriations from after-tax profit to non-distributable reserved funds. These reserve funds include one or more of the following: (i) a general reserve, (ii) an enterprise expansion fund and (iii) a staff bonus and welfare fund. Subject to certain cumulative limits, the general reserve fund requires annual appropriation of 10% of after tax profit (as determined under accounting principles generally accepted in the PRC at each year-end) until the accumulative amount of such reserved fund reaches 50% of their registered capital; the other fund appropriations are at the subsidiaries' discretion. These reserved funds can only be used for specific purposes of enterprise expansion and staff bonus and welfare are not distributable as cash dividends. The appropriation to these reserves by the Group’s PRC entities was nil for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2017 and 2018. The accumulated reserves as of December 31, 2018 were RMB3.8 million (US$0.6 million). In addition, due to restrictions on the distribution of registered capital from the Company’s PRC subsidiaries, the PRC subsidiaries’ registered capital of RMB8.2 million (US$1.2 million) as of December 31, 2018, were considered restricted. As a result of these PRC laws and regulations, as of December 31, 2018, approximately RMB12.0 million (US$1.8 million), were not available for distribution to the Company by its PRC subsidiaries in the form of dividends, loans or advances.

As of December 31, 2018, the Group's noncontrolling interests mainly included equity interest in Red 5 and equity awards granted as compensation by the Group's subsidiaries. The following schedule shows the effects of changes in the ownership interest of The9 Limited in its subsidiaries on equity attributed to The9 Limited for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2017 and 2018.

In January 2014, Red 5 issued 27,438,952 SBPS to a third-party investor, Shanghai Oriental Pearl Culture Development Co., Ltd., ("Oriental Pearl"), for an aggregate consideration of RMB118.3 million (US$17.2 million). In conjunction with the issuance of SBPS, Oriental Pearl also purchased 5,948,488 common shares of Red 5 from two executives of Red 5 at the same per share price as the per share price of SBPS for an aggregate consideration of RMB25.6 million (US$3.7 million). The purchase price for these common shares was determined to be less than fair value as the transaction was contemplated in conjunction with the issuance of the SPBS. The difference between the purchase price and fair value of SBPS as determined by the Group with the assistance of an independent valuation firm, amounted to RMB131.3 million (US$19.1million), was recognized as a compensation paid to the two executives in the amount of RMB13.0 million (US$1.9 million).

Due to share exchange transaction with L&A in 2016, a 37% share of SBPS was owned by L&A. As of December 31, 2018, the holders of SBPS were as follows:

As of December 31, 2014, the Group considered the redemption of the SBPS to be probable. The Group accreted the carrying value of SBPS to redemption value using the effective interest rate method over the period from the issuance date to the redemption date.

Each SBPS may be converted at any time into common shares at the then applicable conversion price. The initial conversion ratio is 1:1, subject to adjustment in the event of (i) share splits, share combinations, share dividends or distribution, other dividends, recapitalizations and similar events, or (ii) issuance of common shares at a price per share less than the conversion price in effect on the date of or immediately prior to such issuance. In that case, the conversion price shall be reduced concurrently to the subscription price of such issuance.

The SBPS shall be automatically converted into common shares immediately prior to the consummation of a public offering of Red 5’s shares wherein gross proceeds are at least US$30,000,000, immediately following the public offering (the “Qualifying IPO”).

The conversion option can only be settled by issuance of common shares except that fractional shares may be settled in cash.

The holder of each share of SBPS shall be entitled to receive dividends at the rate per share of $0.038237 per annum if and when a dividend is declared on common shares. The preferred shares participate in dividends on an as-converted basis and must be paid prior to any payment on common shares.

Upon conversion, any declared or accrued but unpaid dividends will be converted into common shares at the same applicable conversion price.

At any time on or after April 1, 2017, if requested by at least 50% of the holders of SBPS then outstanding, Red 5 shall redeem all of the outstanding SBPS at a redemption price equal to 200% of the issuance price in three equal annual installments. The full amount of the redemption price due but not paid shall accrue interest daily at a rate of 10% per annum from the issuance date of SBPS (see Note 30).

Each SBPS has voting rights equivalent to the number of common shares to which it is convertible at the record date. The holders of SBPS shall vote together with the common shareholders, and not as a separate class or series, on all matters put before the shareholders.

The holders of SBPS have preference over holders of common shares with respect to distribution of assets upon voluntary or involuntary liquidation of Red 5. The holders of SBPS shall be entitled to receive 100% of the original issue price ("preferred liquidation"). The holders of SBPS are also entitled to distribution of remaining assets from preferred liquidation, along with other shareholders, while the total distribution entitled to the holders of SBPS should not exceed 200% of the original issue price.

On August 21, 2018, Beijing Yingke entered into a proposed acquisition agreement with Shanghai IT and Yunmei Partnership, which owned 70% and 30% equity interest in The9 Education, respectively. Beijing Yingke has proposed to acquire the entire equity interest of The9 Education for consideration of RMB12.0 million, payable to Shanghai IT and Yunmei Partnership for RMB8.6 million and RMB3.6 million, respectively.

The proposed acquisition is to sell the shell company of The9 Education, which is listed on NEEQ. Beijing Yingke will not take over the operation of educational services of The9 Education. In November 2017, The9 Education passed a resolution for issuance of additional 20,000,000 new ordinary shares with a par value of RMB1 each, and the new shares were taken and paid-up by Beijing Yingke. In 2017, Shanghai IT received an advance of RMB6.8 million from Beijing Yingke, and Shanghai IT transferred 5,600,000 ordinary shares to Beijing Yingke accordingly. As of December 31, 2017, disposal of The9 Education was yet to be completed. Shanghai IT owned an 8.75% equity interest in The9 Education and controls The9 Education through a VIE structure. In January 2018, the assets and liabilities of The9 Education have been transferred from the shell company to Shanghai IT or disposed upon completion of the transaction.

Followed the disposal of shell company, the Group has disposed of the business operation of educational services for a minimal consideration. The disposal of educational services does not have a significant effect on the Group's operations and financial results. The disposal transaction on The9 Education has completed in January 2019.

The Group has no significant outstanding operating lease arrangements as of December 31, 2018.

Total rental expenses amounted to RMB12.7 million, RMB4.8 million and RMB0.5 million (US$0.07 million) for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2017 and 2018, respectively.

In October 2016, the Group had raised RMB57.5 million (US$8.4 million), and the Group plans to raise an additional RMB100.0 million (US$15.4 million) until CrossFire New Mobile Game is launched. Under this fund raising arrangement, the Group will share certain percentages of the revenues from CrossFire New Mobile Game to investors providing funding to the Group. In August 2016, the Group granted a third-party consultant 1,000,000 options to acquire shares of the Group as payment for consulting services related to the RMB157.5 million (US$22.9 million) financing plan of CrossFire Mobile Game with Inner Mongolia Culture Assets and Equity Exchange. The options will vest in accordance with the schedule of the actual funding to be received. In October 2016, 365,079 options were vested after the Group received the first funding of RMB57.5 million (US$8.4 million). As of December 31, 2018, due to unforeseen circumstances, the Group has outsourced the development and operation of CrossFire Mobile Game to a third-party company and the Group is not planning to raise the remaining RMB100.0 million (US$14.5 million). Due to non-recovery of advance paid for financing fee, the Group has provided full impairment on the advance as of December 31, 2018. In January 2019, total 1,000,000 options granted to the third-party consultant were canceled.

In June 2017, Shanghai IT has entered into an investment agreement with the shareholders of Beijing Ti Knight where Shanghai IT will invest a total of RMB9.0 million (US$1.3 million) in Beijing Ti Knight. As of December 31, 2018, Shanghai IT has invested RMB4.9 million (US$0.7 million) and has a remaining capital contribution commitment amounting to RMB4.1 million (US$0.6 million). Shanghai IT’s purchase commitment amounting to RMB6.8 million (US$1.0 million) for the outsourcing development agreement entered on October 9, 2016 with Beijing Ti Knight will be waived if Shanghai IT’s accumulated investment in Beijing Ti Knight is more than RMB6.0 million (US$0.9 million). Hence, as of December 31, 2018, the Group has both a capital commitment and a purchase commitment amounting to RMB4.1 million (US$0.6 million) and RMB6.8 million (US$1.0 million), respectively, but the purchase commitment will be waived under the condition that accumulated investment in Beijing Ti Knight by Shanghai IT is more than RMB6.0 million (US$0.9 million). As of December 31, 2018, the agreements have not been terminated but the related outsourcing development of the related game has been transferred to a third-party company.

In June 2016, Asian Development borrowed HK$92.3 million (US$11.8 million) from a financial services company at an annual interest rate of 2% for a term of 24 months. This loan is secured by 417,440,000 shares of L&A (see Note 16). Pursuant to the financing agreement (“Agreement”), such loan is considered to be in default since the market price of the pledged shares had fallen below the collateralized stock price by more than 35% for ten consecutive trading days. Asian Development had not made any remediation pursuant to the Agreement. Upon default, the lender shall be entitled to foreclose the pledged shares and become the legal and beneficial owner of the pledged shares. If the market value of the pledged shares cannot cover the total outstanding amount owed by Asian Development to the lender under the Agreement, the lender may claim against Asian Development to recover any outstanding amounts under the Agreement, in addition to foreclosure of the pledged shares as mentioned above.

As mentioned in Note 24, Red 5 and its affiliates are currently in dispute with Qihoo 360 and its affiliates regarding System Link and Firefall and various legal proceedings have been initiated and are ongoing in connection with such dispute. The process of legal proceedings may be lengthy and costly and may divert the attention of the management. If the Group cannot settle the dispute with Qihoo 360 and cannot obtain a judgment in favor of the Group, additional costs or damages may be incurred to adversely affect the Group’s business, financial condition and results of operations. The dispute is still in process as of December 31, 2018. The Group has entered into an additional agreement with an attorney in December 2018 regarding the dispute with Qihoo 360 where the Group shall pay a total of RMB8.0 million (US$1.2 million) as the attorney fee. The Group has expensed first installment of the attorney fee amounting to RMB3.0 million (US$0.4 million) as of December 31, 2018 and will pay the remaining attorney fee of RMB5.0 million (US$0.7 million) after the court decision is issued in the future.

The Group may be subject to other legal or administrative proceedings in the ordinary course of business. The Group does not believe that any currently pending legal or administrative proceeding to which the Group is a party will have a material adverse effect on the business or financial condition.

As described in Note 28, in August 2014, Red 5 issued 27,438,952 Series B redeemable convertible preferred shares of Red 5 to a new investor, Oriental Pearl. Due to the stock exchange transaction with L&A in 2016, a 37% share of the SBPS was owned by L&A as of December 31, 2018 (see Note 28). Per Articles of Association of Red 5, major holders of SBPS, at any time on or after April 1, 2017 (the “Redemption Election”), can require Red 5 to redeem all, but not less than all, of the outstanding shares of SBPS, as applicable, in three equal annual installments. New Star, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Group, owns 39,766,589 Series A redeemable convertible preferred shares which have similar terms with the Series B redeemable convertible preferred shares. The redemption value of SBPS was US$16.5 million for the first installment, US$18.1 million for the second installment and US$19.9 million for the third installment. Since Red 5 is in a net liability position, the Group does not believe the preferred shareholders will request such redemption. As of the report date, there was no such preferred shareholder requiring Red 5 to redeem the preferred shares.

The Group operates in one segment whose business is developing and operating online games and related services. The Group’s chief operating decision maker is the chief executive officer, who reviews consolidated results when making decisions about allocating resources and assessing performance of the Group. The Group generates its revenues from customers in the Greater China (including PRC, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau), North America and other areas for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2017 and 2018.

The following geographic area information includes revenue based on location of players for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2017 and 2018:

In January 2019, the Group canceled a total of 15,000,000 ordinary shares including 7,500,000 and 4,500,000 ordinary shares in the form of restricted ordinary shares previously granted to Zhu Jun and Qin Jie on September 4, 2018.

In June 2017, the Group entered into a share purchase agreement with Incsight Limited (“Incsight”), pursuant to which the Group will issue and sell 12,500,000 ordinary shares of the Group, par value of US$0.01, at a per share price of US$1.20 to Incsight for an aggregate consideration of US$15.0 million. In February 2019, the Group and Incsight have entered into a termination agreement and Incsight ceased to hold beneficial ownership in 12,500,000 ordinary shares.

In February 2018, Ark Pacific Special Opportunities Fund I, L.P. (“AP Fund”) assigned its rights and obligations under the share purchase agreement as a whole, as well as 12,500,000 unpaid ordinary shares to a third-party, Jupiter Explorer Limited (“Jupiter”), and Jupiter assumed all the rights and obligations of AP Fund under the share purchase agreement. In February 2019, the Group and Jupiter have entered into a termination agreement and Jupiter ceased to hold beneficial ownership in 12,500,000 ordinary shares.

In March 2019, the Group entered into a deed of settlement agreement with Splendid Days Limited ("SDL") relating to the settlement of convertible notes which expired in December 2018, pursuant to which the convertible notes should be repaid by May 31, 2019 through the proceeds from planned sale of the mortgaged properties. In January 2019, the Group granted a total of 11,700,000 restricted ordinary shares to two third-party consultants as payment for consulting services related to the settlement of the convertible notes.

In March 2019, the Group entered into a joint venture agreement with Faraday & Future Inc. ("F&F") to establish a joint venture to manufacture, market, distribute and sell electric cars in China. Under the terms of joint venture agreement, the Group will make capital contribution of up to US$600.0 million in three equal installments to the joint venture, and F&F will make contributions including its use rights for a piece of land in China to manufacture electric cars and will grant the joint venture an exclusive license to manufacture, market, distribute and sell certain F&F’s car models and other potential selected car models in China, in each case subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions, such as establishment of the joint venture and funding arrangements. The Group has paid the initial deposit of US$5.0 million as of the issuance date of these financial statements. The Group is considering different ways to raise the required capital, including additional equity financing.

In April 2019, the Group announced an extraordinary general meeting (the “EGM”) of shareholders to be held on May 6, 2019. The EGM will consider and vote on the proposals of : (i) Increase of the number of authorized shares to 5,000,000,000 which will be divided into 4,300,000,000 Class A ordinary shares (“Class A Ordinary Shares”) , 600,000,000 Class B ordinary shares (“Class B Ordinary Shares”) and 100,000,000 ordinary shares to be determined in accordance with the Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association; (ii) Class A Ordinary Share shall entitle the holder thereof to one vote per share, and each Class B Ordinary Share shall entitle the holder thereof to fifty (50) votes per share on all matters subject to vote at general meetings of the Group; and (iii) the Group’s Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association.

1) Schedule I has been provided pursuant to the requirements of Rule 12-04(a) and 5-04(c) of Regulation S-X, which require condensed financial information as to the financial position, changes in financial position and results of operations of a parent company as of the same dates and for the same periods for which audited consolidated financial statements have been presented when the restricted net assets of consolidated subsidiaries exceed 25 percent of consolidated net assets as of the end of the most recently completed fiscal year.

2) As disclosed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, The9 Limited (the “Company”) was incorporated in December 22, 1999 in the Cayman Islands to be the holding company of the Group principally engaged in the development and operation of online games and internet related businesses, including massively multiplayer online games ("MMOGs"), mobile games, web games and TV games.

3) The condensed financial information has been prepared using the same accounting policies as set out in the consolidated financial statements except that the equity method has been used to account for investments in its subsidiaries and VIEs. For the parent company, the Company records its investments in subsidiaries and VIE under the equity method of accounting as prescribed in ASC 323, Investments-Equity Method and Joint Ventures . Such investments are presented on the Condensed Balance Sheets as “Investment in subsidiaries and VIEs” and the subsidiaries and VIEs’ profit or loss as “Equity in income/loss of subsidiaries and VIEs” on the Condensed Statements of Comprehensive Loss. Ordinarily under the equity, an investor in an equity method investee would cease to recognize its share of the losses of an investee once the carrying value of the investment has been reduced to nil absent an undertaking by the investor to provide continuing support and fund losses. For the purpose of this Schedule I, the parent company has continued to reflect its share, based on its proportionate interest, of the losses of subsidiaries and VIE regardless of the carrying value of the investment even though the parent company is not obligated to provide continuing support or fund losses.

4) As of December 31, 2017 and 2018, there were no material contingencies, significant provisions of long-term obligations, mandatory dividend or redemption requirements of redeemable stocks or guarantees of the Company. No dividend was paid by the Company's subsidiaries to the Company in 2016, 2017 and 2018.

5) Translations of balances in the additional financial information of The9 Limited (“Parent Company”) — Financial Statements Schedule I from RMB into US$ as of December 31, 2018 and for the year ended December 31, 2018 are solely for the convenience of the readers and were calculated at the rate of US$1.00 = RMB6.8755, representing the noon buying rate set forth in the H.10 statistical release of the U.S. Federal Reserve Board on December 31, 2018. No representation is made that the RMB amounts could have been, or could be, converted, realized or settled into US$ at that rate on December 31, 2018, or at any other rate.

Cayman Islands law does not limit the extent to which a company’s 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 second amended and restated memorandum and articles of association provide that we shall indemnify our directors and officers (each an indemnified person) against all actions, proceedings, costs, charges, expenses, losses, damages or liabilities incurred or sustained by such indemnified person, in connection with the execution or discharge of his duties, powers, authorities or discretions as a director or officer, including without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, any costs, expenses, losses or liabilities incurred by such indemnified person 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.

Pursuant to the indemnification agreements the form of which is filed as Exhibit 10.3 to this registration statement, we agree to indemnify our directors and executive officers against certain liabilities and expenses incurred by such persons in connection with claims made by reason of their being such a director or officer.

The underwriting agreement, the form of which will be filed as Exhibit 1.1 to this registration statement, will also provide for indemnification of us and our officers and directors for certain liabilities.

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 therefore unenforceable.

During the past three years, we have issued the following securities. We believe that each of the following issuances was exempt from registration under the Securities Act pursuant to Section 4(2) of the Securities Act regarding transactions not involving a public offering or in reliance on Regulation S under the Securities Act regarding sales by an issuer in offshore transactions. No underwriters were involved in these issuances of securities.

(1) Re-designated as same number of Class A ordinary shares of our company in May 2019.

(2) Re-designated as same number of class B ordinary shares of our company in May 2019.

(3) Among which, 7,500,000 ordinary shares were forfeited and cancelled in January 2019.

The agreements included as exhibits to this registration statement contain representations and warranties by each of the parties to the applicable agreement. These representations and warranties were made solely for the benefit of the other parties to the applicable agreement and (i) were not intended to be treated as categorical statements of fact, but rather as a way of allocating the risk to one of the parties if those statements prove to be inaccurate; (ii) may have been qualified in such agreement by disclosure that was made to the other party in connection with the negotiation of the applicable agreement; (iii) may apply contract standards of “materiality” that are different from “materiality” under the applicable securities laws; and (iv) were made only as of the date of the applicable agreement or such other date or dates as may be specified in the agreement.

We acknowledge that, notwithstanding the inclusion of the foregoing cautionary statements, we are responsible for considering whether additional specific disclosure of material information regarding material contractual provisions is required to make the statements in this registration statement not misleading.

Schedules have been omitted because the information required to be set forth therein is not applicable or is shown in the Consolidated Financial Statements or the Notes thereto.

The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to provide to the underwriters at the closing specified in the underwriting agreement, certificates in such denominations and registered in such names as required by the underwriters to permit prompt delivery to each purchaser.

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 provisions described in Item 6, 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.

(1) For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form of prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this registration statement as of the time it was declared effective.

(2) For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus 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.

(3) For the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act to any purchaser, each prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) as part of a registration statement relating to an offering, other than registration statements relying on Rule 430B or other than prospectuses filed in reliance on Rule 430A, shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the date it is first used after effectiveness. 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 first use, 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 date of first use.

(4) For the purpose of determining any 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:

(i) Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;

(ii) 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;

(iii) 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

(iv) Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form F-1 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in Shanghai, China, on June 24, 2019.

Each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints each of Mr. Jun Zhu and Mr. George Lai as attorneys-in-fact with full power of substitution for him or her in any and all capacities to do any and all acts and all things and to execute any and all instruments which said attorney and agent may deem necessary or desirable to enable the registrant to comply with the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and any rules, regulations and requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder, in connection with the registration under the Securities Act of ordinary shares of the registrant (the “Shares”), including, without limitation, the power and authority to sign the name of each of the undersigned in the capacities indicated below to the Registration Statement on Form F-1 (the “Registration Statement”) to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission with respect to such Shares, to any and all amendments or supplements to such Registration Statement, whether such amendments or supplements are filed before or after the effective date of such Registration Statement, to any related Registration Statement filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, and to any and all instruments or documents filed as part of or in connection with such Registration Statement or any and all amendments thereto, whether such amendments are filed before or after the effective date of such Registration Statement; and each of the undersigned hereby ratifies and confirms all that such attorney and agent shall do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

Pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, the undersigned, the duly authorized representative in the United States of The9 Limited has signed this registration statement or amendment thereto in Newark, Delaware, United States of America on June 24, 2019.

Cayman Islands	7389	Not Applicable
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)	(Primary Standard Industrial Classification Code Number)	(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)

	Building No. 3, 690 Bibo Road Zhang Jiang Hi-Tech Park Pudong New Area, Pudong Shanghai 201203 People’s Republic of China Tel Number: +86 (21) 5172-9990
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of Registrant’s principal executive offices)

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
Title of each class of securities to be registered	Proposed maximum aggregate offering price⁽²⁾⁽³⁾		Amount of registration fee
Class A Ordinary Shares, par value US$0.01 per share⁽¹⁾	$	50,000,000	$	6,060

	Page
PROSPECTUS SUMMARY	1
RISK FACTORS	11
SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS	49
USE OF PROCEEDS	51
DIVIDEND POLICY	52
CAPITALIZATION	53
DILUTION	54
ENFORCEABILITY OF CIVIL LIABILITIES	55
CORPORATE HISTORY AND STRUCTURE	57
SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA	62
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS	65
INDUSTRY	87
BUSINESS	88
REGULATION	97
MANAGEMENT	110
PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS	116
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS	118
DESCRIPTION OF SHARE CAPITAL	120
DESCRIPTION OF AMERICAN DEPOSITARY SHARES	128
TAXATION	136
UNDERWRITING	143
EXPENSES RELATED TO THIS OFFERING	147
LEGAL MATTERS	148
EXPERTS	149
WHERE YOU CAN FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION	150

	As of December 31, 2018
	Actual						As Adjusted
	RMB			US$			RMB	US$
	(in thousands, except for share and per share data)
Shareholders’ equity:
Ordinary shares (US$0.01 par value; 44,544,036 and 91,315,465 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2017 and 2018, respectively)		6,503			946
Additional paid-in capital		2,496,069			363,038
Statutory reserves		28,072			4,083
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(9,205	)		(1,339	)
Accumulated deficit		(711,622	)		(103,501	)
Total shareholders’ equity		(1,084,811	)		(157,779	)

	For the Year Ended December 31,
	2016						2017						2018
	RMB			%			RMB			%			RMB			US$			%
Consolidated Statement of Operation Data
Revenues⁽¹⁾:
Online game services		48,565,620			86.4			71,564,023			97.8			16,552,080			2,407,255			95.0
Other revenues		7,719,902			13.8			1,644,143			2.3			941,335			136,911			5.3
Sales taxes		(86,236	)		(0.2	)		(59,610	)		(0.1	)		(60,557	)		(8,808	)		(0.3	)
Net revenues		56,199,286			100.0			73,148,556			100.0			17,431,858			2,535,358			100.0
Cost of revenue		(48,518,779	)		(86.3	)		(23,782,054	)		(32.5	)		(16,435,590	)		(2,390,457	)		(94.3	)
Gross profit		7,680,507			13.7			49,366,502			67.5			996,268			144,901			5.7
Operating (expenses)/income:
Product development		(77,991,408	)		(138.8	)		(45,112,396	)		(61.7	)		(24,555,308	)		(3,571,421	)		(140.9	)
Sales and marketing		(21,286,647	)		(37.9	)		(9,089,969	)		(12.4	)		(2,325,818	)		(338,276	)		(13.3	)
General and administrative		(129,047,846	)		(229.6	)		(108,824,680	)		(148.8	)		(89,583,331	)		(13,029,355	)		(513.9	)
Impairment on intangible assets		(68,003,805	)		(121.0	)		—			—			—			—			—
Impairment loss on goodwill		(10,561,857	)		(18.8	)		—			—			—			—			—
Gain on disposal of subsidiaries		—			—			—			—			10,473,159			1,523,258			60.1
Total operating expenses		(306,891,563	)		(546.1	)		(163,027,045	)		(222.9	)		(105,991,298	)		(15,415,794	)		(608.0	)
Other operating income		3,604,749			6.4			349,954			0.5			229,538			33,385			1.3

Public offering price per ordinary share		US$
Net tangible book value per ordinary share as of December 31, 2018		US$
As adjusted net tangible book value per ordinary share as of December 31, 2018, to give effect to this offering		US$
Amount of dilution in net tangible book value per ordinary share to investors purchasing ADSs in this offering		US$
Amount of dilution in net tangible book value per ADS to investors purchasing ADSs in this offering		US$

	For the Year Ended December 31,
	2014			2015			2016			2017			2018
	RMB			RMB			RMB			RMB			RMB			US$
	(in thousands, except for per share and per ADS data)

Selected Statement of Operation Data
Revenues⁽¹⁾		64,840			46,610			56,286			73,208			17,492			2,544
Sales taxes		(563	)		(199	)		(86	)		(59	)		(61	)		(9	)
Net revenues		64,277			46,411			56,200			73,149			17,431			2,535
Cost of revenue		(85,783	)		(67,744	)		(48,519	)		(23,782	)		(16,436	)		(2,391	)
Gross (loss)/profit		(21,506	)		(21,333	)		7,681			49,367			995			144
Operating expenses		(139,404	)		(303,604	)		(306,892	)		(163,027	)		(105,991	)		(15,416	)
Other operating income/(expenses)		75			(1,563	)		3,605			350			230			33
Loss from operations		(160,835	)		(326,500	)		(295,606	)		(113,310	)		(104,766	)		(15,239	)
Impairment on equity investment and available-for-sale investment		—			—			(244,798	)		—			(1,386	)		(202	)
Impairment on other investments		—			—			(2,807	)		(9,109	)		(7,776	)		(1,131	)
Interest income		3,415			775			161			31			194			28
Interest expenses		—			(6,397	)		(56,472	)		(83,922	)		(104,777	)		(15,239	)
Fair value change on warrants liability		—			(7,129	)		48,057			12,615			2,251			327
Gain/(loss) on disposal of equity investee and available-for-sale investment		33,154			—			(1,217	)		115			—			—
Foreign exchange (loss)/gain		(3,087	)		(7,313	)		(13,131	)		19,206			(20,331	)		(2,957	)
Other income, net		2,124			5,396			3,179			4,670			1,599			233
Loss before income tax expense and share of loss in equity method investments		(125,229	)		(341,168	)		(562,634	)		(169,704	)		(234,992	)		(34,180	)
Income tax benefit		—			—			6,079			—			—			—
Recovery of equity investment in excess of cost		—			—			—			60,549			—			—

	Payments Due by Period
	Total		Less than 1 year		1-3 years		3-5 years		More than 5 years
	(in thousands of RMB)
Short-term borrowings⁽¹⁾		112,461		112,461		—		—		—
Convertible notes payable⁽²⁾		274,871		274,871		—		—		—
Interest expense on short-term borrowings		118,872		118,872		—		—		—
Total		506,204		506,204		—		—		—

2015 – 2017 Sales of EVs (electric vehicles) in China
Year	Sales of EVs		YoY Growth (%)
2015		331,092		342.86
2016		507,000		53.00
2017		777,000		53.25

2015 – 2017 EVs (electric vehicles) Penetration Rate in China
Year	Sales of EVs		YoY Growth (%)		Total Car Sales (in thousands)		YoY Growth (%)		Market Share of EVs (%)
2015		331,092		342.86		24,598		4.71		1.3
2016		507,000		53.00		28,028		13.7		1.8
2017		777,000		53.25		28,879		3.04		2.7

Game	Developer/ Licensor	Description	Status
Knight Forever	The9	Mobile game	Launched in China in June 2018, and launched in South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau in September 2018

CrossFire New Mobile Game	The9 / Smilegate	Mobile game	Under development

Q Jiang San Guo	The9	Mobile game	Under development

Audition	Asian Way Development Limited / T3 Entertainment	Mobile game	Under development

Pop Fashion	The9	Mobile game	Launched in China in December 2018, and launched in Korea in March 2019

Directors and Executive Officers	Age	Position/Title
Jun Zhu	52	Director, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer
Davin A. Mackenzie⁽¹⁾⁽²⁾	58	Independent Director
Kwok Keung Chau⁽¹⁾⁽²⁾	42	Independent Director
Ka Keung Yeung⁽¹⁾⁽²⁾	59	Independent Director
George Lai (Lai Kwok Ho)	42	Director and Chief Finance Officer
Arthur Lau	37	President
Chris Shen	50	Vice President

	Restricted Shares Outstanding		Total Number of Ordinary Shares Underlying Options		Exercise Price (in US$)		Expiration Date

Jun Zhu		7,500,000		—		—		March 4, 2021
Davin Alexander Mackenzie		*		—		—		—
Kwok Keung Chau		*		—		—		—
Ka Keung Yeung		*		—		—		—
George Lai		1,500,000		—		—		March 4, 2021
Arthur Lau		—		*		0.93		January 24, 2023
Chris Shen		—		—		—		—
All Directors and Senior Executive Officers as a Group
Restricted Shares		9,900,000		—		—		March 4, 2021
Options		—		*		0.93		January 24, 2023
Other Individuals as a Group (other than those listed above)		5,100,000		*		0.93		January 24, 2023

	Class A Ordinary Shares Beneficially Owned Prior to This Offering		Class B Ordinary Shares Beneficially Owned Prior to This Offering		Total Ordinary Shares on an As-Converted Basis				Total Voting Power Prior to This Offering⁽³⁾		Class A Ordinary Shares Beneficially Owned After This Offering		Class B Ordinary Shares Beneficially Owned After This Offering		Total Ordinary Shares on an As Converted Basis After This Offering		Total Voting Power After This Offering
	Number		Number		Number⁽¹⁾		%⁽²⁾		%		Number	%	Number	%	Number	%	%
Directors and Executive Officers**
Jun Zhu⁽⁴⁾		6,376,196		13,607,334		19,983,530		14.6		85.4
Davin A. Mackenzie⁽⁵⁾		*		—		*		*		*
Kwok Keung Chau⁽⁶⁾		*		—		*		*		*
Ka Keung Yeung⁽⁷⁾		*		—		*		*		*
George Lai (Lai Kwok Ho)⁽⁸⁾		1,500,000		—		1,500,000		1.1		*
Arthur Lau		—		—		—		—		—
Chris Shen		*		—		*		*		*
All Directors and Executive Officers as a Group		9,150,656		13,607,334		22,757,990		16.6		85.8
Principal Shareholders:
Plutux Labs Limited⁽⁹⁾		21,000,000		—		21,000,000		15.3		2.6
Leading Choice Holdings Limited⁽¹⁰⁾		21,000,000		—		21,000,000		15.3		2.6
Splendid Days Limited⁽¹¹⁾		15,028,844		—		15,028,844		9.9		1.8
IE Limited⁽¹²⁾		12,500,000		—		12,500,000		9.1		1.6
Incsight Limited⁽¹³⁾		912,094		6,107,334		7,019,428		5.1		38.1

Persons depositing or withdrawing shares or ADS holders must pay:		For:

US$5.00 (or less) per 100 ADSs (or portion of 100 ADSs)		· Issuance of ADSs, including issuances resulting from a distribution of shares or rights or other property · Cancellation of ADSs for the purpose of withdrawal, including if the deposit agreement terminates

US$0.05 (or less) per ADS		· Any cash distribution to ADS holders

A fee equivalent to the fee that would be payable if securities distributed to you had been shares and the shares had been deposited for issuance of ADSs		· Distribution of securities distributed to holders of deposited securities (including rights) that are distributed by the depositary to ADS holders

US$0.05 (or less) per ADS per calendar year		· Depositary services

Registration or transfer fees		· Transfer and registration of shares on our share register to or from the name of the depositary or its agent when you deposit or withdraw shares

Expenses of the depositary		· Cable and facsimile transmissions (when expressly provided in the deposit agreement) · Converting foreign currency to U.S. dollars

Taxes and other governmental charges the depositary or the custodian has to pay on any ADSs or shares underlying ADSs, such as stock transfer taxes, stamp duty or withholding taxes		· As necessary

Any charges incurred by the depositary or its agents for servicing the deposited securities		· As necessary

	·	in the case of us, file or cause the filing of any registration statement under the Securities Act with respect to any ordinary shares, ordinary shares in the form of ADSs or other capital stock or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for our ordinary shares, ordinary shares in the form of ADSs or other capital stock; or
	·	complete any offering of debt securities of the Company, other than entering into a line of credit with a traditional bank; or
	·	enter into any swap or other agreement, arrangement, hedge or transaction that transfers to another, in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, any of the economic consequences of ownership of our ordinary shares, ordinary shares in the form of ADSs or other capital stock or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for our ordinary shares, ordinary shares in the form of ADSs or other capital stock, whether any transaction described in any of the foregoing bullet points is to be settled by delivery of our ordinary shares, ordinary shares in the form of ADSs or other capital stock, other securities, in cash or otherwise, or publicly announce an intention to do any of the foregoing.

SEC Registration Fee	US$
FINRA filing Fee	US$
Printing and Engraving Expenses	US$
Legal Fees and Expenses	US$
Accounting Fees and Expenses	US$
Miscellaneous	US$
Total	US$

	Page
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm	F-2
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2017 and 2018	F-3
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2017 and 2018	F-5
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2017 and 2018	F-6
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2017 and 2018	F-9
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements	F-10
Schedule 1 – Additional Financial Information of Parent Company	F-84

	December 31, 2017			December 31, 2018			December 31, 2018
	RMB			RMB			US$
							(Note 3)
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents		142,624,020			4,256,449			619,075
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of RMB1,039,958 and RMB1,149,864 as of December 31, 2017 and 2018, respectively		2,607,568			592,897			86,233
Advances to suppliers		8,102,278			15,808,042			2,299,184
Prepayments and other current assets		6,616,297			6,148,787			894,304
Amounts due from related parties		2,492,842			6,207,846			902,894
Assets held for sale		20,669,377			-			-
Total current assets		183,112,382			33,014,021			4,801,690

Investments		48,243,558			45,216,118			6,576,412
Property, equipment and software, net		20,721,252			17,352,445			2,523,808
Land use right, net		64,510,566			62,589,656			9,103,288
Other long-lived assets, net		6,521,420			6,515,200			947,597
TOTAL ASSETS		323,109,178			164,687,440			23,952,795

LIABILITIES, REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTEREST AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT)
Current liabilities:
Short-term borrowings (including short-term borrowings of the consolidated VIEs without recourse to the Group of nil as of both December 31, 2017 and 2018)		108,743,369			112,461,383			16,356,830
Accounts payable (including accounts payable of the consolidated VIEs without recourse to the Group of RMB6,706,484 and RMB 5,920,126 as of December 31, 2017 and 2018, respectively)		37,129,671			38,035,661			5,532,057
Other taxes payable (including other taxes payable of the consolidated VIEs without recourse to the Group of RMB169,300 and RMB1,398,996 as of December 31, 2017 and 2018, respectively)		1,714,992			2,949,082			428,926
Advances from customers (including advances from customers of the consolidated VIEs without recourse to the Group of RMB24,558,422 and RMB23,976,676 as of December 31, 2017 and 2018, respectively)		47,558,542			39,631,950			5,764,228
Amounts due to related parties (including amounts due to related parties of the consolidated VIEs without recourse to the Group of RMB55,361,287 and RMB62,268,751 as of December 31, 2017 and 2018, respectively)		88,939,108			71,849,633			10,450,096
Deferred revenue (including deferred revenue of the consolidated VIEs without recourse to the Group of RMB4,568,595 and nil as of December 31, 2017 and 2018, respectively)		5,576,269			159,125			23,144
Refund of game points (including refund of game points of the consolidated VIEs without recourse to the Group of RMB169,998,682 as of both December 31, 2017 and 2018)		169,998,682			169,998,682			24,725,283
Warrants (including warrants of consolidated VIEs without recourse to the Group of nil as of both December 31, 2017 and 2018)		3,742,271			1,490,844			216,834
Convertible notes (including convertible notes of consolidated VIEs without recourse to the Group of nil as of both December 31, 2017 and 2018)		260,563,020			375,257,140			54,578,887
Interest payable (including interest payable of consolidated VIEs without recourse to the Group of nil as of both December 31, 2017 and 2018)		9,505,843			15,298,961			2,225,142
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities (including accrued expenses and other current liabilities of the consolidated VIEs without recourse to the Group of RMB69,543,098 and RMB67,862,435 as of December 31, 2017 and 2018, respectively)		83,700,051			81,291,306			11,823,330
Liabilities directly associated with assets held for sale		2,273,532			-			-
Total current liabilities		819,445,350			908,423,767			132,124,757
TOTAL LIABILITIES		819,445,350			908,423,767			132,124,757

Commitments and contingencies (Note 30)

Redeemable noncontrolling interest (Note 28)		306,014,668			341,074,539			49,607,234

SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT):
Ordinary shares (US$0.01 par value; 44,544,036 and 91,315,465 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2017 and 2018, respectively)		3,328,852			6,502,658			945,772
Additional paid-in capital		2,527,215,315			2,496,069,065			363,038,188
Statutory reserves		28,071,982			28,071,982			4,082,900
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(16,445,748	)		(9,204,556	)		(1,338,746	)
Accumulated deficit		(3,015,968,137	)		(3,233,061,063	)		(470,229,228	)
The9 Limited shareholders’ deficit		(473,797,736	)		(711,621,914	)		(103,501,114	)
Noncontrolling interest		(328,553,104	)		(373,188,952	)		(54,278,082	)

Total shareholders’ deficit		(802,350,840	)		(1,084,810,866	)		(157,779,196	)

TOTAL LIABILITIES, REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTEREST AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY		323,109,178			164,687,440			23,952,795

	Ordinary shares				Additional paid-in capital			Statutory reserves		Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)			Accumulated deficit			Equity (deficit) attributable to The9 Limited			Noncontrolling interest			Total shareholder equity (deficit)
	(US$0.01 par value)
	Number of shares		Par value
			RMB		RMB			RMB		RMB			RMB			RMB			RMB			RMB
Balance as of January 1, 2016		23,701,601		1,917,620		2,080,041,288			28,071,982		(3,372,588	)		(2,304,020,698	)		(197,362,396	)		(43,713,620	)		(241,076,016	)
Net loss		-		-		-			-		-			(593,781,589	)		(593,781,589	)		(58,584,204	)		(652,365,793	)
Currency translation adjustments		-		-		-			-		5,954,611			-			5,954,611			(7,709,250	)		(1,754,639	)
Minority interest change in redemption value		-		-		(82,890,188	)		-		-			-			(82,890,188	)		-			(82,890,188	)
Exercise of options		213,900		14,022		2,128,532			-		-			-			2,142,554			-			2,142,554
Partial disposal of Red 5		-		-		244,798,058			-		-			-			244,798,058			-			244,798,058
Share-based compensation		-		-		27,689,259			-		-			-			27,689,259			362,476			28,051,735
Change in equity interest attributable to noncontrolling interest		-		-		253,396,755			-		-			-			253,396,755			(253,396,755	)		-
Issuance of shares of Red 5 upon exercise of stock options		-		-		436,128			-		-			-			436,128			603,704			1,039,832
Balance as of December 31, 2016		23,915,501		1,931,642		2,525,599,832			28,071,982		2,582,023			(2,897,802,287	)		(339,616,808	)		(362,437,649	)		(702,054,457	)

	Ordinary shares				Additional paid-in capital			Statutory reserves		Accumulated other comprehensive (income) loss			Accumulated deficit			Equity (deficit) attributable to The9 Limited			Noncontrolling interest			Total shareholder equity (deficit)
	(US$0.01 par value)
	Number of shares		Par value
			RMB		RMB			RMB		RMB			RMB			RMB			RMB			RMB
Balance as of January 1, 2018		44,544,036		3,328,852		2,527,215,315			28,071,982		(16,445,748	)		(3,015,968,137	)		(473,797,736	)		(328,553,104	)		(802,350,840	)
Net loss		-		-		-			-		-			(217,092,926	)		(217,092,926	)		(16,332,968	)		(233,425,894	)
Currency translation adjustments		-		-		-			-		7,241,192			-			7,241,192			(8,555,457	)		(1,314,265	)
Derecognition of noncontrolling interests		-		-		-			-		-			-			-			(20,000,000	)		(20,000,000	)
Share-based compensation		-		-		3,645,751			-		-			-			3,645,751			252,577			3,898,328
Accretion in redemption value of redeemable noncontrolling interest		-		-		(40,918,773	)		-		-			-			(40,918,773	)		-			(40,918,773	)
Issuance of shares		46,771,429		3,173,806		6,126,772			-		-			-			9,300,578			-			9,300,578
Balance as of December 31, 2018		91,315,465		6,502,658		2,496,069,065			28,071,982		(9,204,556	)		(3,233,061,063	)		(711,621,914	)		(373,188,952	)		(1,084,810,866	)
Balance as of December 31, 2018 (US$ except share data, Note 3)		91,315,465		945,772		363,038,188			4,082,900		(1,338,746	)		(470,229,228	)		(103,501,114	)		(54,278,082	)		(157,779,196	)

Name of Entity	Date of Registration	Place of Registration	Legal Ownership
Principal subsidiaries:
GameNow.net (Hong Kong) Ltd. (“GameNow Hong Kong”)	January-2000	Hong Kong		100	%
The9 Computer Technology Consulting (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. (“The9 Computer”)	June-2000	People’s Republic of China (“PRC”)		100	%
China The9 Interactive Limited (“C9I”)	October-2003	Hong Kong		100	%
China The9 Interactive (Shanghai) Limited (“C9I Shanghai”)	February-2005	PRC		100	%
China The9 Interactive (Beijing) Ltd. (“C9I Beijing”)	March-2007	PRC		100	%
Jiu Jing Era Information Technology (Beijing) Ltd. (“Jiu Jing”)	April-2007	PRC		100	%
JiuTuo (Shanghai) Information Technology Ltd. ("Jiu Tuo")	July-2007	PRC		100	%
China Crown Technology Ltd. ("China Crown Technology")	November-2007	Hong Kong		100	%
Asian Development Ltd. (“Asian Development”)	January-2007	Hong Kong		100	%
Asian Way Development Ltd. (“Asian Way”)	November-2007	Hong Kong		100	%
New Star International Development Ltd. (“New Star”)	January-2008	Hong Kong		100	%
Red 5 Studios, Inc. (“Red 5”)	June-2005	USA		34.71% (Note 2)
Red 5 Singapore Pte. Ltd. (“Red 5 Singapore”)	April-2010	Singapore		34.71% (Note 2)
The9 Interactive, Inc. (“The9 Interactive”)	June-2010	USA		100	%
Shanghai Jiu Chang Investment Co., Ltd. (“Jiu Chang”)	December-2014	PRC		100	%
City Channel Ltd. (“City Channel”)	June-2006	Hong Kong		100	%
The9 Singapore Pte. Ltd. (“The9 Singapore”)	April-2010	Singapore		100	%
Fast Supreme Development Limited (“Fast Supreme”)	July-2017	Hong Kong		99.99	%
Ninebit Inc. (“Ninebit”)	January -2018	Cayman Islands		100	%
1111 Limited (“1111”)	January -2018	Hong Kong		100	%
Supreme Exchange Limited (“Supreme”)	December-2018	Malta		90	%
Variable interest entity:
Shanghai The9 Information Technology Co., Ltd. (“Shanghai IT”)	September-2000	PRC		N/A (Note 4)

Leasehold improvements	Shorter of respective lease term or estimated useful life

Computer and equipment	3 to 4 years

Software	5 years

Office furniture and fixtures	3 years

Motor vehicles	5 years

Office buildings	10 to 20 years

	December 31, 2017		December 31, 2018		December 31, 2018
	RMB		RMB		US$
					(Note 3)
Total assets		99,468,575		80,531,978		11,712,890
Total liabilities		335,667,587		335,980,249		48,866,300

	December 31, 2017		December 31, 2018		December 31, 2018
	RMB		RMB		US$
					(Note 3)
Employee advances		1,732,451		2,158,987		314,012
Input VAT recoverable		2,249,958		1,448,075		210,614
Prepayments and deposits		659,581		693,111		100,809
Other receivables		1,974,307		1,848,614		268,869

		6,616,297		6,148,787		894,304

	Unaudited December 31, 2017			Unaudited December 31, 2018			Unaudited December 31, 2018
	RMB			RMB			US$
							(Note 3)
Balance sheet data:
Current assets		11,472,721			6,653,280			967,679
Noncurrent assets		20,005			2,092			304
Current liabilities		(983,142,842	)		(974,039,557	)		(141,668,178	)
Noncurrent liabilities		-			-			-
Noncontrolling interest		(479	)		(94	)		(14	)

	Audited For the year ended December 31, 2016			Unaudited For the year ended December 31, 2017			Unaudited For the year ended December 31, 2018			Unaudited For the year ended December 31, 2018
	RMB			RMB			RMB			US$
										(Note 3)
Operating data:
Revenue		173,897			-			-			-
Gross loss		(150,131,075	)		(825,402,887	)		-			-
Loss from operations		(218,841,017	)		(825,746,051	)		(35,243	)		(5,126	)
Net loss		(222,102,758	)		(826,681,381	)		4,219,931			613,764
Net loss attributable to equity holders		(222,102,760	)		(826,681,380	)		4,219,931			613,764

	Gross amount		Accumulated impairment loss			Net amount
	RMB		RMB			RMB
Balance at January 1, 2016		10,342,694		-			10,342,694
Impairment allowance		-		(10,561,857	)		(10,561,857	)
Translation difference		219,163		-			219,163
Balance at December 31, 2016		10,561,857		(10,561,857	)		-
Translation difference		-		-			-
Balance at December 31, 2017 and 2018		-		-			-
Balance at December 31, 2017 and 2018 US$ (Note 3)		-		-			-

	December 31, 2017		December 31, 2018		December 31 2018
	RMB		RMB		US$
					(Note 3)
Prepaid license fee		6,515,200		6,515,200		947,597
Other		6,220		-		-

Total		6,521,420		6,515,200		947,597

	December 31, 2017			December 31, 2018			December 31, 2018
	RMB			RMB			US$
							(Note 3)
Balance at issuance date/beginning of year		16,357,737			3,742,271			544,290
Fair value change on warrants liability recognized in other comprehensive income		(12,615,466	)		(2,251,427	)		(327,456	)

Balance at the end of the year		3,742,271			1,490,844			216,834

	For the year ended December 31, 2016			For the year ended December 31, 2017			For the year ended December 31, 2018

PRC statutory EIT rate		25	%		25	%		25	%
Effect of different tax rates in other jurisdictions		(4	)%		(2	)%		2	%
Effect of future tax rate change		(1	)%		(22	)%		1	%
Change of prior year deferred tax assets		(1	)%		(8	)%		(11	)%
Change of valuation allowance		(13	)%		61	%		(2	)%
Income not subject to tax and non-deductible expenses, net		0	%		(1	)%		0	%
Effect of expired net operating loss		(6	)%		(53	)%		(15	)%
Effective EIT rate		0	%		0	%		0	%

Convertible Notes	Principal Amount		Conversion Price
Tranche A	US$	22,250,000	US$	2.60
Tranche B	US$	13,350,000	US$	5.20
Tranche C	US$	4,450,000	US$	7.80

	US$
Principal Amount		40,050,000
Less:
Fair value allocated to warrants (Note 20)		8,821,883
Beneficial conversion feature		8,112,556
Issuance cost		3,200,000
Net carrying value		19,915,561

Warrants	Principal Amount		Exercise Price
Tranche I	US$	5,000,000	US$	1.50
Tranche A	US$	2,750,000	US$	2.60
Tranche B	US$	1,650,000	US$	5.20
Tranche C	US$	550,000	US$	7.80

Warrants	Tranche I
Risk-free interest rate		2.62	%
Expected volatility of common stock		100.2	%
Dividend yield		0.00	%
Expected life of warrants		1.9 years