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Meta Data Limited

Flat H3/F, Haribest Industrial Building , 45-47 Au Pui Wan Street

Sha Tin New Territories, Hong Kong

 

October 13, 2023

 

VIA EDGAR

U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission

Division of Corporation Finance

Office of Life Sciences

100 F Street, N.E.

Washington, DC 20549

 

Attn: Brian Fetterolf
  Jennifer López Molina
  Keira Nakada
  Linda Cvrkel

 

Re:

Meta Data Ltd

Annual Report on Form 20-F for the Fiscal Year Ended August 31, 2022

Filed December 30, 2022

Response dated August 16, 2023

File No. 001-38430

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

Meta Data Limited (the “Company”, “AIU,” “we”, “us” or “our”) hereby transmits its response to the letter received from the staff (the “Staff”) of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”), dated August 10, 2023 regarding our Form 20-F for fiscal year ended August 31, 2022 and our response letter dated August 16, 2023. For ease of reference, we have repeated the Commission’s comments in this response and numbered them accordingly.

 

Response Letter dated August 16, 2023

 

Transfers Between Our Company and Our Subsidiaries, page 1

 

1. We note your response to comment 1, as well as your revised disclosure Please revise to identify the particular entities that transferred and received the relevant cash transfers that you quantify.

 

Response: In response to the Staff’s comment, we propose to revise the following disclosures (revisions in italic):

 

Transfers Between Our Company and Our Subsidiaries

 

As of the date of this amendment to the annual report, our current corporate structure does not contain any variable interest entity in mainland China and we do not have intention establishing any VIEs in mainland China in the future.

 

Our management is directly supervising cash management. Our finance department is responsible for establishing the cash management policies and procedures among our departments and the operating entities. Each department or operating entity initiates a cash request by putting forward a cash demand plan, which explains the specific amount and timing of cash requested, and submitting it to designated management members of our Company, based on the amount and the use of cash requested. The designated management member examines and approves the allocation of cash based on the sources of cash and the priorities of the needs, and submit it to the cashier specialists of our finance department for a second review. Other than the above, we currently do not have other cash management policies or procedures that dictate how funds are transferred.

 

 

 

During the fiscal years ended August 31, 2022 and 2021, our Company, our subsidiaries, and the former VIEs have not distributed any earnings or settled any amounts owed under the VIE Agreements. Cash, not in the form of earnings distribution, was transferred between our Company, our subsidiaries and the former VIEs for the purpose of providing working capital between Meta Data, its subsidiaries, VIEs and its subsidiaries and WFOE. As set forth in the tables below, intercompany receivables were cash transferred from Meta Data (for example) to other entities that are consolidated, while intercompany payables were cash received by Meta Data (for example). There is no tax consequence arising from the cash transfer. Please refer to Note 2(d) to the Consolidated Financial Statements – Consolidated of variable interest entities – for a more detailed description in regard to these matters.

 

The condensed consolidating table below disaggregated the Consolidated Balance Sheets of the Company into Meta Data, the former VIEs and their subsidiaries, the former WFOE that is the primary beneficiary of the former VIEs, of which assets and liabilities are classified as discontinued operation, and an aggregation of other entities that are consolidated as of August 31, 2022 and 2021. As illustrated in the table below, Meta Data Limited transferred RMB173.6 million and RMB2.1 billion to its wholly owned subsidiary, Onesmart Edu (HK) Limited as of August 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively, while its wholly owned subsidiary, Shanghai Jingrui Education Technology Group Co., Ltd, transferred nil and RMB0.2 billion to Meta Data Limited as of August 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

 

   As of August 31, 2022 
   Other
entities
that are
   WFOE
that is the
primary
beneficiary
   VIEs and their   Meta Data   Consolidated 
   consolidated   of the VIE   subsidiaries   Ltd.   total 
   RMB   RMB   RMB   RMB   RMB 
Intercompany receivables   22,734    -    -    173,602    196,336 
Current assets excluding intercompany receivables   200,902    18,354    106,629    15,669    341,554 
Current assets   223,636    18,354    106,629    189,271    537,890 
Non-current assets excluding investment in subsidiaries   -    -    -    -      
Non-current assets   -    -    -    -    - 
Total assets   223,636    18,354    106,629    189,271    537,890 
Intercompany payables   196,336    -    -    -    196,336 
Current liabilities excluding intercompany payables   25,979    18,264    4,939,851    499,785    5,483,879 
Current liabilities   222,315    18,264    4,939,851    499,785    5,680,215 
Non-current liabilities   -    -    -    241,115    241,115 
Total liabilities   222,315    18,264    4,939,851    740,900    5,921,330 
Total shareholders’ equity (net assets)   1,321    90    (4,833,222)   (551,629)   (5,383,440)

 

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   As of August 31, 2021 
   Other
entities
that are
   WFOE
that is the
primary
beneficiary
   VIEs and their       Consolidated 
   consolidated   of the VIE   subsidiaries   Meta Data   total 
   RMB   RMB   RMB   RMB   RMB 
Intercompany receivables   3,670,240    3,608,176    6,275,233    2,081,389    - 
Current assets excluding intercompany receivables   6,239    59,187    293,021    107,771    466,218 
Current assets   3,676,479    3,667,363    6,568,254    2,189,160    466,218 
Non-current assets excluding investment in subsidiaries   191    15,038    21,726    -    36,955 
Non-current assets   191    15,038    21,726    -    36,955 
Total assets   6,430    74,225    314,747    107,771    503,173 
Intercompany payables   5,301,895    3,208,560    6,878,456    246,127    - 
Current liabilities excluding intercompany payables   3,613    4,370    4,295,643    413,951    4,717,577 
Current liabilities   5,305,508    3,212,930    11,174,099    660,078    4,717,577 
Non-current liabilities   22,643    -    158,084    226,114    406,841 
Total liabilities   26,256    4,370    4,453,727    640,065    5,124,418 
Total shareholders’ equity (net assets)   (19,826)   69,855    (4,138,980)   (532,294)   (4,621,245)

 

The condensed consolidating table below disaggregated the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) of the Company into Meta Data, the former VIEs and their subsidiaries, the WFOE that is the primary beneficiary of the former VIEs and an aggregation of other entities that are consolidated for the financial years ended August 31, 2021 and 2022.

 

   For the years ended August 31, 2022 
       WFOE             
   Other
entities
   that is the
primary
             
   that are   beneficiary   VIEs and their       Consolidated 
   consolidated   of the VIE   subsidiaries   Meta Data   total 
   RMB   RMB   RMB   RMB   RMB 
Net revenues   14,605    -    -    -    14,605 
Cost of revenues   (12,787)   -    -    -    (12,787)
Gross profit   1,818    -    -    -    1,818 
Operating expenses   (418)   -    -    (367,698)   (368,116)
Income (loss) from operations   1,400    -    -    (367,698)   (366,298)
Other expenses   (79)   -    -    (50,930)   (51,009)
Income (loss) before income taxes   1,321    -    -    (418,628)   (417,307)
Provision for income taxes   -    -    -    -    - 
Net income (loss) from continuing operations   1,321    -    -    (418,628)   (417,307)
                          
Net income (loss) from discontinuing operations   -    (470,413)   (312,272)   -    (782,685)

 

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   For the years ended August 31, 2021 
       WFOE             
   Other
entities
   that is the
primary
             
   that are   beneficiary   VIEs and their       Consolidated 
   consolidated   of the VIE   subsidiaries   Meta Data   total 
   RMB   RMB   RMB   RMB   RMB 
Net revenues   -    -    -    -    - 
Cost of revenues   -    -    -    -    - 
Gross profit   -    -    -    -    - 
Operating expenses   -    -    -    (62,602)   (62,602)
Income (loss) from operations   -    -    -    (62,602)   (62,602)
Other expenses   -    -    -    (47,312)   (47,312)
Income (loss) before income taxes   -    -    -    (109,914)   (109,914)
Provision for income taxes   -    -    -    -    - 
Net income (loss) from continuing operations   -    -    -    (109,914)   (109,914)
Net income (loss) from discontinuing operations   (2,442)   (165,383)   (4,747,755)   -    (4,915,580)

 

The condensed consolidating table below disaggregated the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows of the Company into Meta Data, the VIEs and their subsidiaries, the WFOE that is the primary beneficiary of the VIEs and an aggregation of other entities that are consolidated for the financial years ended August 30, 2021 and 2022.

 

   For the years ended August 31, 2022 
       WFOE             
   Other   that is the             
   entities   primary             
   that are   beneficiary   VIEs and their       Consolidated 
   consolidated   of the VIE   subsidiaries   Meta Data   total 
   RMB   RMB   RMB   RMB   RMB 
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities from continuing operations   200,902    -    -    (253,029)   (52,127)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities from discontinuing operations   -    (53,524)   (196,293)   -    (249,817)
Net cash used in investing activities from continuing operations             -    58,965    58,965 
Net cash used in investing activities from discontinuing operations             20,750    -    20,750 
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities from continuing operations   -    -    -    211,361    211,361 
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities from discontinuing operations   -    -    (55,110)   -    (55,110)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and restricted cash from continuing operations   -    -    -    (54,983)   (54,983)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and restricted cash from discontinuing operations   -    -    49,622    -    49,622 
Net increase (decrease) in cash and restricted cash   200,902    (53,524)   (181,031)   (37,686)   (71,339)
Cash and restricted cash from continuing and discontinued operations, beginning of year   -    57,926    287,521    39,196    384,643 
Cash and restricted cash from continuing and discontinued operations, end of year   200,902    4,402    106,490    1,510    313,304 

 

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   For the years ended August 31, 2021 
       WFOE             
   Other   that is the             
   entities   primary             
   that are   beneficiary   VIEs and their       Consolidated 
   consolidated   of the VIE   subsidiaries   Meta Data   total 
   RMB   RMB   RMB   RMB   RMB 
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities from continuing operations   -    -    -    (54,033)   (54,033)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities from discontinuing operations   (1,167)   29,266    164,277    -    192,376 
Net cash used in investing activities from continuing operations   -    -    -    219,010    219,010 
Net cash used in investing activities from discontinuing operations   -    15    (366,972)   -    (366,957)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities from continuing operations   -    -    -    (483,965)   (483,965)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities from discontinuing operations   -    -    (451,225)   -    (451,225)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and restricted cash from continuing operations   -    -    -    (15,848)   (15,848)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and restricted cash from discontinuing operations   -    -    -    -    - 
Net increase (decrease) in cash and restricted cash   (1,167)   29,281    (653,920)   (334,836)   (960,642)
Cash and restricted cash from continuing and discontinued operations, beginning of year   11,677    28,645    930,931    374,032    1,345,285 
Cash and restricted cash from continuing and discontinued operations, end of year   10,510    57,926    277,011    39,196    384,643 

 

Cash is transferred within the Company through the banking system in PRC. Under the VIE agreements, the Company intends to distribute all or part of VIEs’ earnings after eliminating VIEs’ accumulated losses and making appropriation of VIEs’ after-tax net income into the statutory surplus reserve based on at least 10% of the after-tax net income determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles of the PRC. When there are retained earnings available for distribution, the distribution of VIEs’ earnings will be through payment of service fees to Meta Data, such service fee is subject to 6% value-added sales tax, other taxes of 12% which calculation is based on 6% value-added taxes. Under the VIE agreements, when there is a change of shareholder in VIEs, amount owed by VIEs to the Company should be first settled. Cash transfers were mainly for the purpose of providing working capital between Meta Data and its subsidiaries, VIEs and its subsidiaries and WFOE that is the primary beneficiary of the VIEs.

 

Dividends, Distributions or Transfers Made to our Company and U.S. Investors and Tax Consequences

 

Under the Cayman Islands law, we are permitted to provide funding to our subsidiaries through loans or capital contributions without restrictions on the amount of the funds, and we are permitted to pay a dividend out of either profit or share premium amount, provided that in no circumstances may a dividend be paid if this would result in us being unable to pay our debts due in the ordinary course of business.

 

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Meta HK is permitted under the laws of Hong Kong to provide funding to Meta Data, the holding company incorporated in Cayman Islands through dividend distribution without restrictions on the amount of the funds. Both Meta Data and Meta HK currently intend to retain all available funds and future earnings, if any, for the operation and expansion of our business and do not anticipate declaring or paying any dividends in the foreseeable future. Any future determination related to our dividend policy will be made at the discretion of our board of directors after considering our financial condition, results of operations, capital requirements, contractual requirements, business prospects and other factors the board of directors deems relevant, and subject to the restrictions contained in any future financing instruments. See ” – D. Risk Factors – Risks Related to Our Corporate Structure – We rely on dividends and other distributions on equity paid by our subsidiaries to fund any cash and financing requirements we may have, and any limitation on the ability of our subsidiaries to make payments to us could have a material adverse effect on our ability to conduct our business.”

 

According to the Companies Ordinance of Hong Kong, a Hong Kong company may only make a distribution out of profits available for distribution or other distributable reserves. Dividends cannot be paid out from share capital. In addition, there can be no assurance that in the future the PRC government will not intervene or impose restrictions on Meta HK’s ability to transfer or distribute cash/assets to entities outside of Hong Kong, which could result in an inability or prohibition on making transfers or distributions to Meta Data and adversely affect our business. There are currently no restrictions or limitation under the laws of Hong Kong imposed on the conversion of HKD into foreign currencies and the remittance of currencies out of Hong Kong. The PRC government imposes controls on the convertibility of the Renminbi into foreign currencies and, in certain cases, the remittance of currency out of China. We do not maintain any funds in mainland China. See ” – D. Risk Factors – Risks Related to Doing Business in China – Governmental control of currency conversion may limit our ability to utilize our revenues effectively and affect the value of your investment.”

 

As of the date of this amendment to the annual report, none of our subsidiaries have made any dividends or distributions to our Company and our Company has not made any dividends or distributions to our shareholders. We intend to keep any future earnings to finance the expansion of our business, and we do not anticipate that any cash dividends will be paid in the foreseeable future. Subject to the passive foreign investment company (“PFIC”) rules, the gross amount of distributions we make to investors with respect to our Class A Ordinary Shares (including the amount of any taxes withheld therefrom) will be taxable as a dividend, to the extent that the distribution is paid out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits, as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles. Cash, not in the form of earnings distribution, was transferred between our Company, our subsidiaries and the former VIEs for the purpose of providing working capital between Meta Data, its subsidiaries, VIEs and its subsidiaries and WFOE. As of August 31, 2022 and August 31, 2021, Meta Data transferred RMB0.2 billion and RMB2.1 billion to its subsidiaries, respectively, WFOE transferred nil and RMB3.6 billion to the VIEs and its subsidiaries, respectively, the VIEs and its subsidiaries transferred nil and RMB6.3 billion to WFOE and other subsidiaries, respectively, and other subsidiaries transferred RMB22.7 million and RMB3.7 billion to other subsidiaries, respectively. Please refer to Note 2(d) to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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We thank the Staff for its review of the foregoing. If you have further comments, we ask that you forward them by electronic mail to our counsel, Joan Wu, Esq. at jwu@htflawyers.com and Charles Tan, Esq. at ctan@htflawyers.com or by telephone at (212) 530-2208.

  

  Very truly yours,
   
  /s/ Xiaoming Li
  Xiaoming Li
  Chief Executive Officer

  

cc: Joan Wu, Esq.
Charles Tan, Esq.
  Hunter Taubman Fischer & Li LLC

 

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