SFUN Fang Holdings Limited

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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 20-F

(Mark One)

For the transition period from ___________________________ to ___________________________

Date of event requiring this shell company report:

Commission file number: 001-34862

Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

* Not for trading, but only in connection with the listing on the New York Stock Exchange of American depositary shares

Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

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Securities for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Act:

Indicate the number of outstanding shares of each of the issuer’s classes of capital or common stock as of the close of the period covered by the annual report:

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act

If this report is an annual or transition report, indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports) and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 229.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or non-accelerated filer. See definition of “large accelerated filer, “accelerated filer” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

If an emerging growth company that prepares its financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards † provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. o

† 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.

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report. x

Indicate by check mark which basis of accounting the registrant has used to prepare the financial statements included in this filing:

If “Other” has been checked in response to the previous question, indicate by check mark which financial statement item the registrant has elected to follow:

If this is an annual report, indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

(APPLICABLE ONLY TO ISSUERS INVOLVED IN BANKRUPTCY PROCEEDINGS DURING THE PAST FIVE YEARS)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed all documents and reports required to be filed by Sections 12, 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 subsequent to the distribution of securities under a plan confirmed by a court.

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INTRODUCTION

Except where the context otherwise requires and for purposes of this annual report on Form 20-F only:

·                                          “we,” “us,” “our company,” “our,” “SouFun” or “Fang” refers to Fang Holdings Limited (formerly known as SouFun.com Limited and SouFun Holdings Limited), its subsidiaries, and, in the context of describing our operations and consolidated financial information, our consolidated controlled entities in China;

·                                          “ADSs” refers to our American depositary shares, with each ADS representing one Class A ordinary share, and “ADRs” refers to American depositary receipts, which, if issued, evidence our ADSs;

·                                          “CIH” refers to China Index Holdings Limited a company listed on the NASDAQ Stock Market under the ticker symbol ‘‘CIH,’’ which was separated from our company, via a stock distribution on June 11, 2019, and its subsidiaries and variable interest entity, Beijing Zhong Zhi Hong Yuan Data Information Technology Co., Ltd.;

·                                          “CSRC” refers to the China Securities Regulatory Commission;

·                                          “China” or “PRC” or “Chinese” refers to the People’s Republic of China, excluding, for the purpose of this annual report only, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the Macau Special Administrative Region and Taiwan;

·              “Exchange Act” refers to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended;

·              “Hong Kong dollars” or “HK$” refers to the legal currency of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region;

·              “MIIT” refers to the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and its compete local branches;

·              “MOFCOM” refers to the Ministry of Commerce and its competent local branches;

·              “MOHURD” refers to the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development and its competent local branches;

·                                          ‘‘monthly unique visitors’’ in a given month, refers to the aggregate number of daily unique visitors to our websites, mobile apps or mobile WAP websites in such month. Once a visitor has visited a website, mobile app or mobile WAP website in a given day, all subsequent visits from the same IP address or device to a specific channel during such day do not count towards the daily unique visitor number for such specific channel. The combined number of monthly unique visitors to our websites, mobile apps and mobile WAP websites is the sum of the monthly unique visitors for each website, mobile app and mobile WAP website. The average number of monthly unique visitors for a given year is the average of the monthly unique visitors in each month in such year;

·              “PBOC” refers to People’s Bank of China;

·              “RMB” or “Renminbi” refers to the legal currency of China;

·              “SAFE” refers to the State Administration of Foreign Exchange and its competent local branches;

·              “SAIC” refers to the State Administration for Industry and Commerce and its competent local branches;

·              “SAT” refers to the State Administration of Taxation and its competent local branches;

·              “SEC” refers to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission;

·              “Securities Act” refers to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended;

·                                          “shares” or “ordinary shares” refers to our ordinary shares, including both Class A ordinary shares and Class B ordinary shares;

·              “sq.m.” refers to square meter(s); and

·              “U.S. dollars,” “US$” or “$” refers to the legal currency of the United States of America.

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This annual report includes our audited consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss) for 2017, 2018 and 2019, our audited consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2018 and 2019, our audited consolidated statements of shareholders’ equity and our audited consolidated statements of cash flows for 2017, 2018 and 2019.

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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This annual report contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. All statements other than statements of historical facts are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made under the “safe harbor” provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that 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 these forward-looking statements by words or phrases such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “is expected to,” “anticipate,” “aim,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “are likely to” or other similar expressions. We have based these forward-looking statements largely on our current expectations and projections about future events and financial trends that we believe may affect our financial condition, results of operations, business strategy and financial needs. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to:

·                  our anticipated business activities and the expected impact of these actions on our results of operations and financial condition;

·                  expected changes in our revenues and certain cost or expense items;

·                  our ability to attract clients and further enhance our brand recognition;

·                  trends and competition in the real estate, home furnishings and improvement sites and online advertising industries;

·                  PRC laws, regulations and policies relating to the real estate, home furnishings and improvement sites and advertising and financing industries and the use of the Internet to conduct these activities; and

·                  the length and severity of the recent COVID-19 outbreak and its impact on our business and industry.

You should read this annual report and the documents that we refer to in this annual report thoroughly and 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. Other sections of this annual report, including the section titled “Risk Factors”, include additional factors which could adversely impact our business and financial performance. Moreover, we operate in an evolving environment. New risk factors and uncertainties emerge from time to time and it is not possible for our management to predict all risk factors and uncertainties, nor can we assess the impact of all factors on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements.

You should not rely upon forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

MARKET AND INDUSTRY DATA

Market data and certain industry forecasts used in this annual report were obtained from internal surveys, market research, publicly available information and industry publications. Industry publications generally state that the information contained therein has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but that the accuracy and completeness of such information is not guaranteed. Similarly, internal surveys, industry forecasts and market research, while believed to be reliable, have not been independently verified, and we make no representation as to the accuracy of such information.

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(1)         Financial data for 2016, 2017 and 2018 has been recast to present the results of the separation of CIH as discontinued operations.

(2)         We launched our leads generation services in late 2017 and began to recognize revenue from our leads generation services in 2018.

(3)         Earnings (loss) per share for Class A and Class B ordinary shares (diluted) and earnings (loss) per ADS (diluted) for each year from 2016 to 2019 have been computed, after considering the potential dilutive effect of the shares underlying employees’ share options, restricted shares and convertible senior notes. We changed our ADS share ratio from five ADSs representing one Class A ordinary share to one ADS representing one Class A ordinary share effective from July 8, 2019, and such ADS share ratio change has been retrospectively applied for each year indicated in this table.

B. Capitalization and Indebtedness

Not applicable.

C. Reasons for the Offer and Use of Proceeds

Not applicable.

D. Risk Factors

An investment in our ADSs or notes involves risks. You should carefully consider the risks described below, as well as the other information included or incorporated by reference in this annual report, before making an investment decision. Our business, financial condition or results of operations could be materially adversely affected by any of these risks. The market or trading price of our ADSs or notes could decline due to any of these risks, and you may lose all or part of your investment. In addition, the risks discussed below also include forward-looking statements and our actual results may differ substantially from those discussed in these forward-looking statements. You should also review the section of this annual report captioned “Forward-Looking Statements.” Please note that additional risks not presently known to us, that we currently deem immaterial or that we have not anticipated may also impair our business and operations.

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Risks related to our business

We may continue to incur losses in the future, and may not be able to return to profitability, which may cause the market price of our ADSs to decline.

We incurred net loss from continuing operations of US$23.4 million in 2019, primarily due to the combined effect of the decrease in our revenues and the change in fair value of securities. Our ability to achieve profitability in the future depends on our ability to control costs and to provide products and services to meet the market demands and attract new customers, the competitiveness of our products and services, and the regulatory environment in China’s real estate market. Due to the numerous risks and uncertainties associated with the development of our business and the regulatory environment, we cannot guarantee that we may be able to return to profitability in the short-term or long-term, which may cause the market price of our ADSs to decline.

Our business could be materially and adversely affected by fluctuations in, and government measures influencing, China’s real estate industry.

We conduct our real estate services business primarily in China, and our business depends substantially on conditions of the PRC real estate market. In particular, our new home business, which accounted for 40.0%, 50.8% and 59.5% of our total revenues in 2017, 2018 and 2019, respectively, depends upon growth in the real estate-related industry nationwide and in specific regions in China. Demand for private residential property in China has grown rapidly in recent years, but such growth is often coupled with volatility in market conditions and fluctuation in property prices. Fluctuations of supply and demand in China’s real estate market are caused by economic, social, political and other factors. To the extent fluctuations in the real estate market adversely affect the demand for real estate and home-related products and services and for real estate- and home-related advertising and financing, demand for our products and services, as well as the level of our growth and profitability, may be materially reduced.

The real estate market in China is typically affected by changes in government policies affecting the real estate and financial markets and related areas. In the past, the PRC government has adopted various administrative measures to curb what it perceived as unsustainable growth in the real estate market, particularly when the real estate market in China experienced rapid and significant increases in home sales as well as prices. In February 2013, for example, the State Council announced certain plans to address the rapid increase in property prices in certain cities since late 2012, including raising minimum down-payments and loan rates for second home buyers in cities where prices experienced a rapid increase and enforcing a 20% capital gains tax on the sale of existing homes. In part due to these policies, the real estate market in China experienced a slowdown and real estate development declined in 2014. In March 2015, the PRC government issued a new policy to reduce the down-payment requirements and exempt certain home owners from paying sales taxes if they sell after owning the property for two years. Beginning in September 2016, certain cities, such as Beijing and Shanghai, increased the down-payment requirements again and tightened the determination of first home buyers who are often eligible for relaxed regulations. Relevant government authorities have recently also promulgated legislations to ban financings to home buyers for down-payment and ceased granting or renewing real estate broker licenses in certain cities. Beginning in March 2017, certain cities, such as Beijing and Guangzhou, further increased the minimum down-payments for second home buyers. In April 2019, Housing Fund Management Center of the Central Government Organs issued Circular on Matters relating to Adjusting the Policy for Individual Housing Loans via the Housing Provident Fund to Further Upgrade Services, which adjusts the proportion of down-payment. Under the circular, if the first house that a loan applicant purchases is not an economically affordable house, the down-payment shall not be lower than 30% of the total purchase price. The circular also adjusts the maximum limit of loan for the second house purchase. The maximum limit of loan for the first house purchase shall be RMB1.2 million, and the benchmark interest rate of loan shall apply; the maximum limit of loan for the second house purchase shall be RMB600,000, and the loan interest rate shall be 1.1 times of the benchmark interest rate of loan for the same period.

In addition to government policies aimed specifically at controlling growth in real estate markets in China, our business, financial condition and results of operations may also be negatively affected by other macroeconomic and regulatory measures. Any future policies in the following areas could cause a decline in home sales and prices, which in turn could affect the demand for our services and negatively impact our business, financial condition and results of operation:

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Our business depends substantially on revenues from our marketing services, and participants in the real estate and home-related sectors may choose other advertising media over online advertising or other online advertisers, which could lead to a decline in our revenues.

All of our marketing service revenues are generated through our websites and mobile apps, and we expect to continue to derive a significant portion of our revenues from marketing services. Marketing services accounted for 37.8%, 41.0% and 43.1% of our revenues in 2017, 2018 and 2019, respectively, constituting our largest source of revenues in 2019. In particular, our new home business accounted for 81.4%, 99.7% and 100.0% of our marketing service revenues in 2017, 2018 and 2019, respectively. Our new home business primarily consists of sales of marketing services to residential property developers and their sales agents who are promoting newly developed properties for sale.

Although the online marketing industry in China has been growing, advertisers in the real estate sector in China have typically relied on traditional forms of advertising media, such as newspapers, magazines and outdoor advertising. If we are unable to retain and develop our base of advertising customers, including real estate developers, our business may not grow as quickly as we expect. Moreover, advertisers may not continue to do business with us if they do not perceive our marketing services to be effective or our user demographics to be desirable.

Our ability to continue to generate and maintain marketing service revenues depends on a number of factors, many of which are beyond our control, including:

If we are unable to remain competitive and provide value to our advertisers, they may stop placing advertisements with us, which would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

If we are unable to continue to obtain listings from our key customer groups, including real estate developers, agents, brokers and property owners and managers, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.

We derive a significant portion of our revenues from our listing services. In 2017, 2018 and 2019, listing service revenues represented approximately 35.8%, 34.1% and 28.9% of our total revenues, respectively. The success of the listing service business depends on our ability to persuade real estate developers, real estate agents, brokers, developers and property owners and managers to list their properties on our websites and mobile apps. We believe having large numbers of high-quality listings from such real estate professionals attracts users to our websites and mobile apps, thereby enhancing our attractiveness to advertisers and other real estate market participants. However, substantially all of our listing agreements are nonexclusive. Our listing customers may stop using our listing services and may choose to use the services of one or more of our competitors or seek alternative means of listing, such as real estate magazines or newspapers. If owners of large numbers of property listings, such as major developers or large brokers or property owners in key real estate markets, choose not to renew their existing agreements with us, our websites and mobile apps could become less attractive to users. If we experience reduced user traffic on our websites and mobile apps, advertisers and other real estate market participants may discontinue the use of or be unwilling to pay for our services. In such an event, our competitive position could be significantly weakened and our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.

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Our future growth depends in part on our ability to continue to operate the retained business after the separation of CIH.

On June 11, 2019, we completed a spin-off of our wholly-owned subsidiary, CIH, via a dividend distribution of all the CIH’s ordinary shares owned by us to our equity holders, and the associated business comprising (1) certain information and analytics services, initially operated as part of our value-added services, and (2) certain marketplace services, initially operated as part of our listing services. Following the spin-off of CIH, we have retained our business operating a real estate Internet portal focusing primarily on serving the residential property sector, while CIH strategically focuses on serving the commercial property sector in China, allowing each company to more effectively pursue its own distinct operating priorities and strategies. See “Item 7.B. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions—Related Party Transactions—Separation and Distribution Related Agreements in connection with the Separation of CIH.”

Whether we can continue to grow the retained business depends on our ability to manage and develop these services effectively. If we are not successful in assuring our employees of our prospects after the separation and distribution, our employees may seek other employment, which could materially and adversely affect our business operation. If we fail to retain our qualified personnel or replace them when they leave, we may be unable to continue our development, which may cause the price of our ADSs to fall.

We derive a substantial portion of our revenues from several major urban centers in China, in particular, Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, Chongqing, Tianjin and Shenzhen and we face market risks due to concentration of our revenues in these major urban areas.

We derive a substantial portion of our revenues from several major urban centers in China, including Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, Chongqing, Tianjin and Shenzhen. In 2019, we generated revenues of US$68.6 million from these six urban centers, representing 31.2% of our total revenues. We expect these six urban centers to continue to be important regional sources of revenues in all of our revenue categories. If any of these major urban centers experience events which negatively impact the real estate industry or online advertising, such as a serious economic downturn or contraction, a natural disaster, or slower growth due to adverse governmental policies or otherwise, demand for our services could decline significantly and our business and revenue growth prospects could be materially and adversely impacted.

We may fail to compete successfully against current or future competitors, which could significantly reduce our market share and materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We face competition from other companies in each of our primary business activities. In particular, the online real estate Internet service market in China is becoming increasingly competitive. For example, in March 2015, 58.com, an online marketplace, acquired Anjuke.com, an online real estate sales and rental service provider in China, which will likely increase competition in our market. The barriers of entry for establishing Internet-based businesses are low, thereby allowing new entrants to emerge rapidly. As the online real estate Internet service industry in China is relatively new and constantly evolving, our current or future competitors may be able to better position themselves to compete as the industry matures. We also face competition from companies in other media that offer online advertising, online listing and similar services. Any of these competitors may offer products and services that provide significant advantages over those offered by us in terms of performance, price, scope, creativity or other advantages. These products and services may achieve greater market acceptance than our service offerings, and thus weaken our brand. Increased competition in the online real estate Internet service industry in China could make it difficult for us to retain existing customers and attract new customers, and could lead to a reduction in our fees. Furthermore, our current competitors include major Internet portals in China that provide real estate Internet services, such as Sina.com, 58.com, ke.com and Tencent’s house.qq.com, which may have more established brand names, larger visitor numbers and more extensive Internet distribution channels than we do.

In addition, we have faced and may continue to face strong competition from regionally focused websites and mobile apps providing regional real estate listings together with localized services, as well as other emerging channels, including social network platforms and “We Media.” Any of our current or future competitors may also receive investments from or enter into other commercial or strategic relationships with larger, well-established and well-financed companies and obtain significantly greater financial, marketing and content licensing and development resources than us. Furthermore, some of our competitors receive support from local governments, which may place us at a disadvantage when competing with them in their local markets. We cannot assure you that we will be able to compete successfully against our current or future competitors. Any failure to compete effectively in the real estate Internet services market in China would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Failure to maintain and enhance brand awareness for our websites and mobile apps could lead to loss of existing customers and qualified personnel.

We believe maintaining and enhancing our brand name as a leading real estate Internet company in China is a critical part of our strategy. In July 2014, we changed the address of our principal website from www.soufun.com to www.fang.com. “Fang” means “home” in Chinese. In conjunction with our change of web address, we also launched our new “Fang Tian Xia” brand (“房天下” in Chinese, which can be approximately translated as “world of homes” in English). In September 2016, we changed our name to Fang Holdings Limited. We believe that this new and simplified address will be much easier for Chinese users to remember and access, thereby improving our brand recognition. In addition to promoting our websites and brand through our direct sales force, we also intend to continue to pursue other means to enhance brand awareness, including publication of real estate research reports, event sponsorships, portal collaboration arrangements, and advertising and marketing activities. We cannot assure you that our efforts will be successful in maintaining or enhancing our brand awareness. If our brand enhancement strategy is unsuccessful, or if other brands surpass our brand in market recognition in one or more cities in which we operate, we may fail to attract new or retain existing users, customers or qualified personnel, which could materially decrease our revenues and profitability.

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Our business, financial condition and results of operations may be adversely affected by the COVID-19 outbreak.

The recent outbreak of COVID-19 has and is continuing to spread rapidly throughout the world. The epidemic has resulted in quarantines, travel restrictions, and the temporary closure of facilities in China and many other countries for the past few months. On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a global pandemic. Government efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19 through city lockdowns or “stay-at-home” orders, widespread business closures, restrictions on travel and emergency quarantines, among others, have caused significant and unprecedented disruptions to the global economy and normal business operations across sectors and countries. Many businesses and social activities in China and other countries and regions were severely disrupted.

Such disruption and the potential slowdown of China’s economy in 2020 and beyond could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. In particular, potential impacts include, but are not limited to, the following:

·                  The outbreak of COVID-19 may result in a general slowdown in China’s real estate industry, adversely affecting the demand for our services.

·                  Our customers may not have sufficient budget or cashflow to pay for the services provided by us, or may fail to make the payment in a timely manner, or at all.

·                  Some of our customers may not be well capitalized and may be vulnerable to the COVID-19 outbreak and the slowdown of the macroeconomic conditions, and if they cannot resume their business for a prolonged virus outbreak, the demand for our services may be negatively affected.

·                  We may experience lower work efficiency and productivity, which may adversely affect its service quality.

We have adopted business contingency plans, which include, among others, telecommuting and daily monitoring of employees’ health condition and travel activities, to reduce the risk of infection and continuously develop our business. We have experienced business disruptions due to quarantine measures to contain the spread of COVID-19, and has experienced a delay in the collection of accounts receivables from our customers, especially those in Wuhan, where the strictest quarantine measures were implemented in China. We may experience similar delay or even default from our customers in the near future, which could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. In addition, our investment portfolio has experienced significant decrease in fair value as a result of the market volatility due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Moreover, if the outbreak persists or escalates, we may be subject to further negative impact on our business operations.

Unauthorized use of our intellectual property by third parties, and the expenses incurred in protecting our intellectual property rights, may materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, reputation and competitive advantage.

Our copyrights, trademarks, trade secrets, domain names and other intellectual property are important to our business. Unauthorized use of such intellectual property, whether owned by us or licensed to us, may materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, reputation and competitive advantages. We rely on intellectual property laws and contractual arrangements with our key employees and certain of our customers, collaborators and others to protect our intellectual property rights. The measures we take to protect our intellectual property rights may not be adequate and policing the unauthorized use of our intellectual property is difficult and expensive.

In addition, the validity, enforceability and scope of protection of intellectual property in Internet-related industries in China are uncertain and still evolving, and could involve substantial risks. The laws and enforcement procedures in China are not yet well developed, and do not protect intellectual property rights to the same extent as laws and enforcement procedures in the United States and other jurisdictions. Furthermore, litigation may be necessary in the future to enforce our intellectual property rights, which could result in substantial costs and diversion of our resources and have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. If we are unable to adequately protect the intellectual property rights that we own or use, we may lose these rights and our business, growth prospects and profitability may suffer.

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Regulation of the Internet industry in China, including censorship of information distributed over the Internet, may materially and adversely affect our business.

China has enacted laws, rules and regulations governing Internet access and the distribution of news, information or other content, as well as products and services, through the Internet. In the past, the PRC government has prohibited the distribution of information through the Internet that it deems to be in violation of applicable PRC laws, rules and regulations. In particular, under regulations promulgated by the State Council, the MIIT, the General Administration of Press, Publication , Radio, Film and Television (formerly the State Press and Publications Administration) and the Ministry of Culture, Internet content providers and Internet publishers are prohibited from posting or displaying content over the Internet that, among other things: (1) opposes the fundamental principles of the PRC constitution, (2) compromises state security, divulges state secrets, subverts state power or damages national unity, (3) disseminates rumors, disturbs social order or disrupts social stability, (4) propagates obscenity, pornography, gambling, violence, murder or fear or incites the commission of crimes, or (5) insults or slanders a third party or infringes upon the lawful right of a third party.

If any Internet content we offer through our consolidated controlled entities were deemed by the PRC government to violate any of such content restrictions, we would not be able to continue such offerings and could be subject to penalties, including confiscation of illegal revenues, fines, suspension of business and revocation of required licenses, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. We may also be subject to potential liability for any unlawful actions of our customers or affiliates or for content we distribute that is deemed inappropriate. It may be difficult to determine the type of content that may result in liability to us, and if we are found to be liable, we may be forced to cease operation of our websites and mobile apps in China.

If we fail to maintain the applicable licenses and approvals under the complex regulatory environment for Internet-based businesses and online advertising businesses in China, or fail to pass annual government inspection or obtain renewal of the business license, our business, financial condition and results of operations would be materially and adversely affected.

The Internet and online advertising industries in China are still at a relatively early stage of development and are highly regulated by the PRC government. Various regulatory authorities of the PRC government, such as the State Council, the MIIT, the SAIC, the National Radio and Television Administration (or the NRTA, formerly known as the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television, or the SARFT), and the Ministry of Public Security, are empowered to issue and implement regulations governing various aspects of the Internet and advertising industries. Moreover, new laws, rules and regulations may be adopted, or new interpretations of existing laws, rules and regulations may be released, to address issues that arise from time to time. As a result, substantial uncertainties exist regarding the interpretation and implementation of any current and future PRC laws, rules and regulations applicable to the Internet and online advertising industries.

We are required to obtain applicable licenses or approvals from various regulatory authorities in order to provide advertising and value-added services and products. These licenses or approvals are essential to the operation of our business and are generally subject to annual review by the relevant PRC governmental authorities. For example, both Beijing SouFun Science and Technology Development Co., Ltd. (“Beijing Technology”) and Beijing Century Jia Tian Xia Technology Development Co., Ltd. (“Beijing JTX Technology”) hold the ICP license, as required under the applicable PRC laws, rules and regulations; and both Beijing Technology and Beijing JTX Technology hold the approval for operating electronic bulletin board services as required under the applicable PRC laws, rules and regulations. Beijing Advertising, Shanghai Century JTX Network and certain other consolidated controlled entities are allowed to provide marketing services in accordance with the business scope indicated in each of their respective business licenses.

Pursuant to the relevant regulations promulgated by the NRTA, any company engaged in Internet broadcasting activities must obtain an Internet Audio/Video Program Transmission License issued by the NRTA and operate in accordance with the scope as stipulated in such license. Some of our consolidated controlled entities provide certain Internet live-streaming services. We have obtained for such consolidated controlled entities Internet Culture Operation License for exhibitions and competitions of online cultural products, Internet Audio/Video Program Transmission License for professional (real estate information) audio program production (excluding interviews) and broadcasting services, and Operating Permit for producing radio and television program. However, due to the uncertainties of interpretation and implementation of existing and future laws and regulations, the licenses we held may be deemed insufficient by governmental authorities, which may subject us to fines or other regulatory actions by relevant regulators if our practice is deemed as violating relevant laws and regulations.

Some of our consolidated controlled entities, however, may be required to obtain additional licenses. For example, since our websites and mobile apps include online residential communities that allow visitors to post information, including graphics or weblinks to videos, other websites and mobile apps or data in microblogs or online discussion forums, on our websites and mobile apps for discussion with other users, the release of such information on our websites and mobile apps may be deemed as providing Internet publication services and therefore require Internet publication licenses. Similarly, if we or third parties post information that may be viewed as news information, the release of such information on our websites and mobile apps may be deemed as Internet news information services and therefore require Internet news information licenses. We, like many other similarly situated business operators, have been operating our businesses without such licenses. Certain of our relevant consolidated controlled entities have applied to the relevant government authorities for Internet publication licenses again in accordance with applicable PRC laws, rules and regulations, and pursuant to the request by the relevant governmental authorities, we are now preparing the relevant supplementary materials for such application. In addition, we are still in discussions with the relevant government authorities on our application for, and the authorities’ issuance of, Internet news information service licenses.

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Moreover, certain services licenses, including, for example, the financing guarantee license, the online video recording and broadcasting license and real estate service licenses, held by certain of our subsidiaries, have expired, and the holders have applied for renewals, which are currently awaiting approval from the relevant regulators.

Under the applicable PRC laws, rules and regulations, the failure to obtain and/or maintain business licenses, an Internet publication licenses and/or Internet news information service licenses may subject the entity to various penalties, including confiscation of revenues, imposition of fines and/or restrictions on the entity conducting such activities’ business operations, or the discontinuation of their operations. Although our relevant consolidated controlled entities have not received any revenues directly from Internet publication services or Internet news information services, we cannot assure you that the PRC regulatory authorities will not impose any such penalties. Any such disruption in the business operations of our consolidated controlled entities could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Unexpected network interruptions or security breaches, including “hacking” or computer virus attacks, may cause delays or interruptions of service, resulting in reduced use and performance of our websites and mobile apps and damage our reputation and brands.

Our business depends heavily on the performance and reliability of China’s Internet infrastructure, the continued accessibility of bandwidth and servers on our service providers’ networks and the continuing performance, reliability and availability of our technology platform. Any failure to maintain the satisfactory performance, reliability, security and availability of our computer and hardware systems may cause significant harm to our reputation and our ability to attract and maintain customers and visitor traffic. Major risks related to our network infrastructure include:

Computer viruses and hackings may cause delays or other service interruptions and could result in significant damage to our hardware, software systems and databases, disruptions to our business activities, such as to our e-mail and other communication systems, breaches of security and inadvertent disclosure of confidential or sensitive information, inadvertent transmissions of computer viruses and interruptions of access to our websites and mobile apps through the use of denial-of-service or similar attacks. In addition, the inadvertent transmission of computer viruses could expose us to a material risk of loss or litigation and possible liability. All of our servers and routers, including back-up servers, are currently hosted by third-party service providers in Beijing and all information on our websites and mobile apps is backed up periodically. Any hacking, security breach or other system disruption or failure which occurs in between our backups could disrupt our business or cause us to lose, and be unable to recover, data such as real estate listings, contact information and other important customer information.

We also do not maintain insurance policies covering losses relating to our systems and do not have business interruption insurance. Moreover, the low coverage limits of our property insurance policies may not be adequate to compensate us for all losses, particularly with respect to any loss of business and reputation that may occur. To improve our performance and to prevent disruption of our services, we may have to make substantial investments to deploy additional servers or create one or more copies of our websites and mobile apps to mirror our online resources, either of which could increase our expenses and reduce our net income.

Breaches of security in connection with our websites could expose us to potential liability and harm our reputation.

Ensuring secured transmission of confidential information through public networks is essential to maintaining the confidence of our customers and users. Our existing security measures may not be adequate to protect such confidential information. In addition, computer and network systems are susceptible to breaches by computer hackers. Security breaches could expose us to litigation and potential liability for failing to secure confidential customer information, and could harm our reputation and reduce our ability to attract customers and users. Any future security breaches, if any, may result in a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

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The successful operation of our business depends upon the performance and reliability of the Internet infrastructure and telecommunications networks in China.

Our business depends on the performance and reliability of the Internet infrastructure in China. Substantially all access to the Internet is maintained through state-controlled telecommunication operators under the administrative control and regulatory supervision of MIIT. In addition, the national networks in China are connected to the Internet through international gateways controlled by the PRC government. These international gateways are generally the only channels through which a domestic user can connect to the Internet. We cannot assure you that more sophisticated Internet infrastructure will be developed in China. We may not have access to alternative networks in the event of disruptions, failures or other problems with China’s Internet infrastructure. In addition, the Internet infrastructure in China may not support the demands associated with the continued growth in Internet usage.

We also rely on China Telecommunications Corporation (“China Telecom”) and China United Network Communications Group Co., Ltd. (“China Unicom”) to provide us with data communications capacity primarily through local telecommunications lines and Internet data centers to host our servers. We do not have access to alternative services in the event of disruptions, failures or other problems with the fixed telecommunications networks of China Telecom and China Unicom, or if China Telecom or China Unicom otherwise fails to provide such services. Any unscheduled service interruption could disrupt our operations, damage our reputation and result in a decrease in our revenues. Furthermore, we have no control over the costs of the services provided by China Telecom and China Unicom. If the prices that we pay for telecommunications and Internet services rise significantly, our gross margins could be significantly reduced. In addition, if Internet access fees or other charges to Internet users increase, our user traffic may decrease, which in turn may cause our revenues to decline.

You should not rely on our quarterly operating results as an indication of our future performance because our quarterly financial results are subject to fluctuations.

The real estate sector in China is characterized by seasonal fluctuations, which may cause our revenues to fluctuate significantly from quarter to quarter. The first quarter of each year generally contributes the smallest portion of our annual revenues due to reduced advertising and marketing activity of our customers in the PRC real estate industry during and around the Chinese Lunar New Year holiday, which generally occurs in January or February of each year. Furthermore, as we are substantially dependent on sales of listing and marketing, our quarterly revenues and results of operations are likely to be affected by:

As a result, you should not rely on our quarter-to-quarter comparisons of our results of operations as indicators of likely future performance.

Failure to continue to develop and expand our content, service offerings and features, and to develop or incorporate the technologies that support them, could jeopardize our competitive position.

As an Internet portal company, we participate in an industry characterized by rapidly changing technology and new products and services. To remain competitive, we must continue to develop and expand our content and service offerings. We must also continue to enhance and improve the user interface, functionality and features of our websites and mobile apps. These efforts may require us to develop internally, or to license, increasingly complex technologies. In addition, many of our competitors are continually introducing new Internet-related products, services and technologies, which will require us to update or modify our own technology to keep pace. Developing and integrating new products, services and technologies into our existing businesses could be expensive and time-consuming. Furthermore, such new features, functions and services may not achieve market acceptance or serve to enhance our brand loyalty. We may not succeed in incorporating new Internet technologies, or, in order to do so, we may incur substantial expenses. If we fail to develop and introduce or acquire new features, functions, services or technologies effectively and on a timely basis, we may not continue to attract new users and may be unable to retain our existing users, which could affect our marketability as a popular advertising and listing media. If we are not successful in incorporating new Internet technologies, our future profitability and revenue growth could be materially and adversely affected.

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Our revenues and profitability could suffer if we are unable to successfully implement our growth strategies or manage our growth effectively.

We intend to grow our business by rolling out our full suite of services to more cities across China. We also plan to expand into new sectors. We intend to improve our open platform business by introducing a number of cloud products empowered by our big data capabilities. However, some of our growth strategies relate to new services and technologies for which there are no established markets in China or relate to services, technologies, new geographic markets or new businesses in which we have limited or no experience. We do not have experience providing these services and may not select the right third parties to partner with or establish or maintain some business relationship with them at commercially reasonable terms. Moreover, due to the breadth and diversity of the PRC real estate market and the PRC microfinance market as well as other industries and sectors we plan to expand into, our business model may not be successful in new and untested markets as demand and preferences may vary significantly by region. As a result, we may not be able to leverage our experience to expand into other parts of China or to enter into businesses with respect to new products or services. We cannot assure you that we will be able to successfully grow our business in our existing cities. There can be no assurance that we will be able to enter new geographic markets or deliver new services and technologies on a commercially viable basis or in a timely manner, or at all. If we are unable to successfully implement our growth strategies, our revenues and profitability may not grow as we expect, and our competitiveness may be materially and adversely affected.

Increases in the volume of our website traffic as a result of our expansion into new geographic regions could also strain the capacity of our existing computer systems, which could lead to slower response times or system failures. This would cause the number of real estate search inquiries, advertising impressions, other revenue producing offerings and our informational offerings to decline, any of which could significantly reduce our revenue growth and our brand loyalty. We may need to incur additional costs to upgrade our computer systems in order to accommodate increased demand if our systems cannot handle current or higher volumes of traffic. Mismanagement of any of our services in new or existing markets or the deterioration of the quality of our services could significantly damage our brand names and reputation and adversely impact our ability to attract and retain customers and visitor traffic.

Our growth plans place a significant demand on our management, systems and other resources. In addition to training and managing a growing workforce, we will need to continue to develop and improve our financial and management controls and our reporting systems and procedures. We cannot assure you that we will be able to efficiently or effectively manage the growth of our operations, and any failure to do so may limit our future growth and have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We rely on the creditworthiness of our borrowers, which may limit our ability to recover from a defaulting borrower.

We launched our financial services focusing on the provision of loans to home buyers and other borrowers in 2015. A significant portion of our loan portfolio consists of secured loans. As of December 31, 2019, 7.3% of our outstanding loans receivable were unsecured. We have implemented credit evaluation procedures to enable us to select borrowers based on their creditworthiness. However, we do not have significant experience with assessing creditworthiness and loan underwriting and, as a result, our evaluation may not be reliable. We also do not have experience in collecting loans in default or working with borrowers to resolve payment difficulties with their loans. Our ability to recover payments from defaulting borrowers of unsecured loans may be more limited than those secured by collateral or mortgage. For our secured loans, the value of collateral securing our loans is subject to change, and may fall below the outstanding amount of the loans and thus be insufficient to cover our loss in the event of a customer default.

Our borrowers’ ability to repay our loans is affected by a number of factors, including economic development in the regions where these borrowers reside or operate, market conditions in the industries where these borrowers conduct business, development of these borrowers’ businesses, borrowers’ employment situations and, in particular, as well as the conditions of the real estate market in China. If our borrowers default, we may apply to enforce our claims against the defaulting borrowers and their assets, including the collateral pledged to us, through court proceedings. However, the procedures for enforcing the assets and liquidating or otherwise realizing the value of the assets may be protracted or ultimately unsuccessful, and the enforcement process may be difficult for various reasons. As a result, if our borrowers default for any reason, our business, results of operations and financial condition may be materially and adversely affected.

Our financial services are subject to various regulatory restrictions.

We obtained approvals to engage in the microfinancing business from government authorities of four cities, including Beihai, Shanghai, Chongqing and Tianjin. Pursuant to Notice on Regulating the “Cash Loan” Business, issued by Office of the Leading Group for the Special Campaign against Internet Financial Risks and the Office of the Leading Group for the Special Campaign against Peer-to-peer Lending Risks on December 1, 2017, or Notice on Regulating Cash Loan, internet microfinance businesses is strictly regulated. According to the Notice on Regulating Cash Loan, among other requirements, microfinance companies are required to suspend distribution of internet microloans that are not supported by specific scenarios and no specific purpose, gradually reduce the outstanding loan balance within the prescribed time limit and complete rectifications within the prescribed time limit. Our subsidiaries with microfinancing approvals in Shanghai provide a small amount of unsecured loans for our employees, which may be deemed as “cash loans” and be prohibited under the Notice on Regulating Cash Loan.

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According to the Guiding Opinions on the Pilot Operation of Microfinance Companies, or the Guiding Opinions jointly issued by the China Banking Regulatory Commission and the PBOC on May 4, 2008, microfinance companies are limited liability companies or joint stock companies established with the capital contribution from natural persons, legal persons and other organizations, which do not accept public deposits and engage in the microfinance business. To set up a microfinance company, an applicant shall submit a formal application to the competent administrative departments at the provincial level. Upon approval, the applicant shall apply to the local branch of the SAIC to obtain a business license for the microfinance company. In addition, the applicant shall complete certain filings with the local police department, the local office of the China Banking Regulatory Commission and the local branch of the PBOC. According to the Guiding Opinions, a provincial government may launch pilot programs for microfinance companies within prefectural regions of the province only after it designates a department (finance office or other relevant institutions) to be in charge of supervision and administration of microfinance companies and is willing to be responsible for risk management and disposals with respect to microfinance companies. Consequently, microfinance companies are primarily regulated locally by provincial governments under rules and regulations promulgated by the provincial governments.

In November 2009, the provincial government of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region issued the Management Measures of Microfinance Companies in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. In 2014, we obtained approvals to engage in the microfinancing business from government authorities of Beihai city, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. Pursuant to the Management Measures of Microfinance Companies in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Beihai Tian Xia Dai Microfinance Co., Ltd. (“Beihai Tian Xia Dai Microfinance”) with microfinancing approvals cannot conduct microfinancing business outside Beihai city. However, Beihai Tian Xia Dai Microfinance provided loans outside Beihai city, and as a result, it may face the risk of being rectified by the relevant authorities.

Changes in the interest rates and spread could negatively affect the revenue generated from our financial services.

Our financial services generate revenue primarily from interest income. The interest rates we charge the borrowers are linked to the PBOC benchmark rate, which may fluctuate significantly due to changes in the PRC government’s monetary policies. If we are required to lower the interest rates we charge our borrowers to reflect the decrease in the PBOC benchmark interest, the interest earned from our loans will decline. Furthermore, we may face fierce price competition, and as a result we may also lower our interest rates. Either case could negatively affect the revenue generated from our financial services.

The members of our senior management team, in particular, Mr. Vincent Tianquan Mo (“Mr. Mo”), our founding shareholder, director and executive chairman, have played an important role in the growth and development of our business, and if we are unable to continue to retain their services, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.

Our future success is significantly dependent upon the continued services of our senior management. In particular, Mr. Mo has played an important role in the growth and development of our business. To date, we have relied heavily on the expertise and experience of Mr. Mo and other senior management personnel in our business operations, including their extensive knowledge of the PRC real estate market, their strong reputation in the PRC real estate industry, and their relationships with our employees, relevant regulatory authorities and many of our customers. If Mr. Mo or other senior management personnel are unable or unwilling to continue in their present positions, we may not be able to locate suitable or qualified replacements and may incur additional expenses to identify their successors. In addition, if Mr. Mo or other senior management personnel joins a competitor or forms a competing company, we may lose our customers, and our collaboration arrangements may be disrupted, which would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. We do not maintain key-man insurance for Mr. Mo or other senior management personnel.

Failure to attract and retain qualified personnel could jeopardize our competitive position.

As 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 attract and retain quality sales, technical and other operational personnel in the future. We have from time to time in the past experienced, and we expect in the future to continue to experience, difficulty in hiring and retaining highly skilled employees with appropriate qualifications. We cannot assure you we will be able to attract or retain the quality personnel that we need to achieve our business objectives. If we fail to successfully attract new personnel or retain and motivate our current personnel, we may lose competitiveness and our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.

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We may be subject to intellectual property infringement or misappropriation claims by third parties, which may force us to incur substantial legal expenses and, if determined adversely against us, could materially disrupt our business.

We cannot be certain that our services and information provided on our websites and mobile apps do not or will not infringe patents, copyrights or other intellectual property rights held by third parties. From time to time, we may be subject to legal proceedings and claims alleging infringement of patents, trademarks or copyrights, or misappropriation of creative ideas or formats, or other infringement of proprietary intellectual property rights.

We have applied to register in China the Chinese and English dual-language “SouFun” trademark as well as “SouFun” in English and “搜房” (“SouFun” in Chinese) individually, and have successfully registered such trademarks in some industry categories, but our applications for certain other industry categories conflict with existing registrations or applications for similar trademarks by another PRC company in such industry categories, which have resulted in litigations. In April 2014, the Higher People’s Court of Beijing Municipality reversed a lower court’s judgment in favor of us and ordered the PRC Trademark Review and Adjudication Board of SAIC to reconsider another PRC company’s trademark application for “SOFANG” that it had previously rejected. In April 2015, the Supreme People’s Court of the PRC accepted our application for retrial over the judgment of the Higher People’s Court of Beijing Municipality but ultimately denied our application. Nevertheless, in 2015, we obtained new trademarks “Fang.com” in English and “房天下” (“Fang Tian Xia” in Chinese) and began to market our services under these new brands in connection with the transformation of our business model. We therefore do not currently expect our business would be materially and adversely affected even if we lose the right to use the trademark relating to “SouFun” in certain limited industry categories.

Moreover, we have previously been involved in disputes arising from alleged infringement of third parties’ copyrights on our websites and mobile apps, such as the use of photos or articles to which we did not have the rights, which led to judgments against us. We could be subject to similar claims, suits or judgments in the future if we post information to which we do not have the rights. Any such claims, regardless of merits, may involve us in time-consuming and costly litigation or investigation and divert significant management and staff resources. If we are found to have violated the intellectual property rights of others, we may be enjoined from using such intellectual property and may also be ordered to pay fines or monetary damages. As a result, we would be required to enter into expensive royalty or licensing arrangements or to develop alternative technologies, business methods, content or other intellectual property. We expect that the likelihood of such claims may increase as the number of competitors in our markets grows and as related patents and trademarks are registered and copyrights are obtained by such competitors. In addition, as we have expanded, and may continue to expand, our business into new geographical markets, we may be exposed to such claims in jurisdictions other than China and the scope of intellectual property protection in these overseas jurisdictions may be different from or greater than that in China. The intellectual property laws in overseas jurisdictions may also impose more stringent compliance requirements and cause more potential damages or penalties than those in China. Such claims in overseas jurisdictions, if successful, could require us to pay significant compensatory and punitive damage awards as well as expose us to costly and time-consuming litigation or investigations, all of which could materially disrupt our business and have a material adverse effect on our growth and profitability.

We are exposed to potential liability for information on our websites and mobile apps and for products and services sold through our websites and mobile apps and we may incur significant costs and damage to our reputation as a result of defending against such potential liability.

We provide third-party content on our websites and mobile apps such as real estate listings, links to third-party websites, advertisements and content provided by customers and users of our community-oriented services. We could be exposed to liability with respect to such third-party information. Among other things, we may face assertions that, by directly or indirectly providing such third-party content or links to other websites, we should be liable for defamation, negligence, copyright or trademark infringement, or other actions by parties providing such content or operating those websites. We may also face assertions that content on our websites, including statistics or other data we compile internally, or information contained in websites linked to our websites and mobile apps contains false information, errors or omissions, and users and our customers could seek damages for losses incurred as a result of their reliance upon or otherwise relating to incorrect information. We may also be subject to fines and other sanctions by the government for such incorrect information, misleading information and other information prohibited by the PRC laws and regulations. Moreover, our relevant consolidated controlled entities, as Internet advertising service providers, are obligated under PRC laws and regulations to monitor the advertising content shown on our websites and mobile apps for compliance with applicable law. Violation of applicable law may result in penalties, including fines, confiscation of advertising fees, orders to cease dissemination of the offending advertisements and orders to publish advertisements correcting the misleading information. In case of serious violations, the PRC authorities may revoke the offending entities’ advertising licenses and/or business licenses. In addition, our websites and mobile apps could be used as a platform for fraudulent transactions and third-party products and services sold through our websites and mobile apps may be defective. The measures we take to guard against liability for third-party content, information, products and services may not be adequate to exonerate us from relevant civil and other liabilities.

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Any such claims, with or without merit, could be time-consuming to defend and result in litigation and significant diversion of management’s attention and resources. Even if these claims do not result in liability to us, we could incur significant costs in investigating and defending against these claims and suffer damage to our reputation.

Potential acquisitions and office, training facility and land purchases, which form part of our strategy, may disrupt our ability to manage our business effectively, including our ability to successfully integrate acquired businesses into our existing operations.

Potential acquisitions form part of our strategy to further expand and operate our business. Acquisitions and the subsequent integration of new companies or businesses will require significant attention from our management, in particular to ensure that the acquisition does not disrupt any existing collaborations, or affect our users’ opinion and perception of our services and customer support. In addition, our management will need to ensure that the acquired business is effectively integrated into our existing operations.

The diversion of our management’s attention and any difficulties encountered in integration could have a material adverse effect on our ability to manage our business. In addition, acquisitions could expose us to potential risks, including:

In addition, in connection with our business expansion, we have acquired office space and training facilities as well as commercial land and may continue to do so in the future if suitable opportunities arise. For more details on our recent office, training facility and land acquisitions, see “Item 5.A. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects—Operating Results” and “Item 4.B. Information on the Company—Business Overview—Facilities” in this annual report. Acquisition of property has inherent risks, including the fluctuation of property value, which could potentially lead to potential asset write-off if the value of such properties were to substantially decrease.

If we fail to achieve and maintain an effective system of internal control over financial reporting, we may be unable to accurately report our financial results or prevent fraud, which could result in harm to our business, loss of investor confidence in our financial reporting and a lower trading price of our ADSs or notes.

Effective internal controls are necessary for us to provide accurate and timely financial reports and effectively prevent fraud. We discovered in 2019 and in the past, and may in the future discover, areas of our internal controls involving deficiencies, significant deficiencies or material weaknesses that have required or will require improvements in our procedures on the preparation, review, approval and disclosure of financial reports.

In the course of preparing and auditing our consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2019, we and our independent registered public accounting firm, respectively, identified one material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2019. A “material weakness” is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of our company’s annual or interim consolidated financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. The material weakness identified is that we did not have sufficient financial reporting and accounting personnel to formalize, design, implement and operate key controls over financial reporting process in order to report financial information in accordance with U.S. GAAP and SEC reporting requirements. To remedy our identified material weakness subsequent to December 31, 2019, we plan to undertake steps to strengthen our internal control over financial reporting, including: (1) hiring more qualified resources including financial director and financial controller, equipped with relevant U.S. GAAP and SEC reporting experience and qualifications to strengthen the financial reporting function and to set up a financial and system control framework, (2) implementing regular and continuous U.S. GAAP accounting and financial reporting training programs for our accounting and financial reporting personnel, (3) establishing effective oversight and clarifying reporting requirements for non-recurring and complex transactions to ensure consolidated financial statements and related disclosures are accurate, complete and in compliance with SEC reporting requirements, and (4) upgrading our operating and accounting systems to prevent systematic errors.

Our internal control over financial reporting will not prevent or detect all errors and all fraud. A control system, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the control system’s objectives will be met. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that misstatements due to error or fraud will not occur or that all control issues and instances of fraud will be detected.

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A lack of effective internal control over financial reporting could result in the loss of investor confidence in the reliability of our financial statements and negatively impact the trading price of our ADSs. In addition, if we fail to achieve and maintain the adequacy of our internal controls, as such standards are modified, supplemented or amended from time to time or as necessary to correct deficiencies or weaknesses in our controls, we may not be able to provide accurate financial statements, which could cause us to fail to meet our reporting obligations or provide accurate financial statements, and cause investors to lose confidence in our reported financial information and have a negative effect on the trading price of our ADSs.

Certain of our leased property interests may be defective and we may be forced to relocate operations affected by such defects, which could cause significant disruption to our business.

As of December 31, 2019, we had leased properties in approximately 60 cities in China in addition to our principal executive offices in Beijing, China. A number of these leased properties, all of which were used as offices, contained defects in the leasehold interests. Such defects included the lack of proper title or right to lease and the landlords’ failure to duly register the leases with the relevant PRC government authority. A number of lease agreements were not renewed timely.

In situations where a tenant lacks evidence of the landlord’s title or right to lease, the relevant lease agreement may not be valid or enforceable under PRC laws, rules and regulations, and may also be subject to challenge by third parties. In addition, under PRC laws, rules and regulations, the failure to register the lease agreement will not affect its effectiveness between the tenant and the landlord, however, such lease agreement may be subject to challenge by and unenforceable against a third party who leases the same property from the landlord and has duly registered the lease with the competent PRC government authority. Furthermore, the landlord and the tenant may be subject to administrative fines for such failure to register the lease.

We have taken steps to renew lease agreements and cause our landlords to procure valid evidence as to the title or right to lease, as well as to complete the lease registration procedures. However, we cannot assure you that such defects will be cured in a timely manner or at all. Our business may be interrupted and additional relocation costs may be incurred if we are required to relocate operations affected by such defects. Moreover, if our lease agreements are challenged by third parties, it could result in diversion of management attention and cause us to incur costs associated with defending such actions, even if such challenges are ultimately determined in our favor.

We have limited business insurance coverage in China.

The insurance industry in China is still at an early stage of development and PRC insurance companies offer only limited business insurance products. As a result, we do not have any business disruption insurance or litigation insurance coverage for our operations in China. Any business disruption, litigation or natural disaster may cause us to incur substantial costs and result in the diversion of our resources, as well as significantly disrupt our operations, and have a material adverse effect on our business, financial position and results of operations.

Certain of our loans may be declared immediately repayable.

Certain of our consolidated controlled entities obtained from a PRC commercial bank loans in the aggregated principal amount of approximately RMB422.3 million (US$60.5 million) as of December 31, 2019. According to loan agreement, if the borrowers fail to maintain certain financial indicators, the bank will be entitled to declare the loans immediately repayable. Even though we obtained a waiver from the lender indicating that the lender permanently gave up its right to demand payment as a result of the violation as of December 31, 2019, we would be in default at the December 31, 2019 balance sheet date and it is probable that we will be unable to comply with all provisions of the debt agreement for a period of one year from the balance sheet date. As of the date of this annual report, the bank has not indicated its intention for us to immediately repay such loans; however, we cannot assure you that the bank would not change its position and declare such loans immediately repayable in the future, which may adversely affect our liquidity position.

We may be subject to liabilities as a result of the separation and distribution.

We have entered into various business, financing and other contracts in the ordinary course of business. Some of the contracts require us to notify or seek prior consent from the counterparties in connection with material changes to our business operations or corporate structure. We believe that we have carried out our contractual obligations and are not otherwise in material default or violation of those contracts. However, if any contractual counterparties find us in default or violation due to failure to notify them or seek their prior consent in connection with the separation of CIH or otherwise, they may terminate their business relationship with us, declare any repayment obligations immediately due and/or pursue legal actions against us, which may materially and adversely affect our business operations, financial condition and results of operations.

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CIH and we may fail to perform under certain transaction agreements that are executed as part of the separation and distribution, and we may not have necessary systems and services in place when these transaction agreements expire.

In connection with the separation and distribution, CIH and we have entered into several agreements, including separation and distribution agreement and related ancillary agreements. The separation and distribution agreement and related ancillary agreements determine, among other things, the allocation of business, assets and liabilities between us and CIH following the separation and distribution for those respective areas and include any necessary indemnifications related to liabilities and obligations. CIH and we have also entered into a business cooperation agreement, which establishes a business cooperation between us and CIH in connection with the listing service business for an initial term of ten years commencing from its signing date. See “Item 4.B. Information on the Company—Business Overview—Separation of CIH” and “Item 7.B. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions—Related Party Transactions—Separation and Distribution Related Agreements in connection with the Separation of CIH—Separation and Distribution Agreement” for details of the agreements between CIH and us in connection with the separation and distribution. If CIH is unable to satisfy its obligations under these agreements, we could incur operational difficulties or losses that could have a material and adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Potential indemnification liabilities owing to CIH pursuant to the separation and distribution agreement could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

The separation and distribution agreement provides for, among other things, indemnification obligations generally designed to make us financially responsible for, among others, certain liabilities associated with our business, certain guarantee, indemnification and tax liabilities, as well as any breach by us of the separation and distribution agreement and related ancillary agreements as well as any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, with respect to all information contained in any disclosure document that describes the separation or the distribution or us and our subsidiaries or primarily relates to the transactions contemplated by the separation and distribution agreement, subject to certain exceptions. If we are required to indemnify CIH under the circumstances set forth in the separation and distribution agreement, we may be subject to substantial liabilities. See “Item 7.B. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions—Related Party Transactions—Separation and Distribution Related Agreements in connection with the Separation of CIH—Separation and Distribution Agreement.”

Third party claims, litigation or government investigations to which we may be subject or in which we may be involved may significantly increase our expenses and adversely affect our stock price.

We may be or may be expected to be a party to various third-party claims, lawsuits, or government investigations from time to time. For example, in February 2019, we were served with a subpoena from a court in Beijing, in which a third party claimed that a contract we entered into was invalid. Pursuant to such contract, we received certain assets from a debtor’s nominee to discharge its indebtedness. The debtor subsequently alleged that such contract was invalid because the transfer price of such assets was below the fair market value. We vigorously contested the allegation and the received a judgment in our favor. Such third party appealed to a higher court, and the case is still under review as of the date of this annual report. Any lawsuits or government investigations, whether actual or threatened, in which we may be involved, whether as plaintiff or defendant, could cost us a significant amount of time and money, could distract management’s attention away from operating our business, could result in negative publicity and could adversely affect our stock price. In addition, if any claims are determined against us or if a settlement requires us to pay a large monetary amount or take other action that materially restricts or impedes our operations, our profitability could be significantly reduced and our financial position could be adversely affected. Our insurance may not be sufficient to cover any losses we incur in connection with litigation claims.

Our leads generation business has a limited operating history, which makes it difficult to evaluate its value.

In late 2017, we launched our real estate consumer mining services, or our leads generation services, which, we believe, has enjoyed a rapid growth since its launch. However, the historical growth of our leads generation business may not be indicative of its future performance, and we cannot assure you that any significant growth of the past will be sustainable or achievable at all in the future. The growth prospects of our leads generation business involve risks and uncertainties that fast-growing businesses with a limited operating history in our industry may encounter. We cannot assure you that we will be able to effectively manage the growth of our leads generation. If the market for such services does not develop as we expect or if we fail to address the needs of this dynamic market, the growth prospects of our leads generation business will be materially and adversely affected.

We may not be able to ensure the conversion rate of the leads we generate from our leads generation services.

The acceptance and popularity of our leads generation services is premised on the conversion rate of the leads we generate into deal successes. We strive to provide the best content and services to attract potential consumers and secure quality leads for our customers. However, the successful conversion of a business lead into a paying customer also implicates many other factors, such as the sales capacity and product quality of our customers, the macro economy downturn, and a shift in policy affecting the real estate related sectors, most of which are beyond our control. If the conversion rate of the leads we generate is not to the satisfaction of our customers, the need for such services may diminish or vanish, which would harm our business, financial condition and results of operations.

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Any catastrophe, including natural catastrophes and outbreaks of health pandemics, such as the recent outbreak of COVID-19, and other extraordinary events, could disrupt our business operation.

The occurrence of unforeseen or catastrophic events, including extreme weather events and other natural disasters, man-made disasters, or the emergence of epidemics or pandemics, depending on their scale, may cause different degrees of damage to the national and local economies and could cause a disruption in our operations and have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. Natural disaster, health pandemic, or other event beyond our control may give rise to server interruptions, breakdowns, system failures or Internet failures, which could cause the loss or corruption of data or malfunctions of software or hardware as well as adversely affect our ability to provide products or services.

Our business operations could also be disrupted if any of our employees has contracted or is suspected of contracting any contagious disease or condition, such as COVID-19, Ebola virus disease, H1N1 flu, H7N9 flu, avian flu, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, or SARS, or other epidemics, since it could require our employees to be quarantined and/or our offices to be closed down and disinfected. In addition, our business, results of operations and financial condition could be adversely affected to the extent that any of these epidemics harms the Chinese economy, China’s real estate industry and business operations of our customers in general.

Risks related to our corporate structure

If the PRC government determines that the structure contracts that establish the structure for our business operations do not comply with applicable PRC laws, rules and regulations, we could be subject to severe penalties or be forced to restructure our ownership structure.

As we are a Cayman Islands company and our PRC subsidiaries and their branch companies in China are treated as foreign-invested enterprises under applicable PRC laws, we are subject to ownership limitations as well as special approval requirements on foreign investment. We used to operate under a tighter regulatory regime which was restrictive of foreign investment in advertising and Internet content distribution businesses, except for the further lifting up of value-added telecommunication services by foreign enterprises in China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Zone as otherwise provided. Under the current regulatory regime, Internet content distribution is permitted to operators with less than 50.0% foreign investment and advertising is permitted to all qualified operators. We may consider further optimizing our corporate structure in light of the evolving regulatory environment.

To comply with applicable PRC laws, rules and regulations, we conduct our operations in China primarily through our wholly-owned PRC subsidiaries and our consolidated controlled entities. Our wholly-owned PRC subsidiaries, our consolidated controlled entities (excluding their subsidiaries) and their respective shareholders have entered into a series of contractual arrangements, which consist of exclusive technical consultancy and service agreements, equity pledge agreements, operating agreements, shareholders’ proxy agreements, loan agreements and exclusive call option agreements (collectively, the “Structure Contracts”). See “Item 7.B. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions—Related Party Transactions—Structure Contracts” of this annual report. As a result of these contractual arrangements, we exercise the ability to control the consolidated controlled entities through our power to direct the activities of consolidated controlled entities that most significantly impact their economic performance, and the obligation to absorb losses of or the right to all the residual benefits of the consolidated controlled entities that could potentially be significant to these entities. Accordingly, we consolidate their results in our financial statements. Our consolidated controlled entities hold the licenses and approvals that are essential to the operation of our Internet content distribution business. As certain agreements with our customers for Internet content distribution were entered into directly with our PRC subsidiaries and not our consolidated controlled entities, there can be no assurance that the PRC government will not deem our Internet content distribution to be in violation of applicable PRC laws, rules and regulations.

On July 13, 2006, MIIT publicly released the Notice on Strengthening the Administration of Foreign Investment in Operating Value-Added Telecommunications Business (the “MIIT Notice”), which reiterates certain provisions under China’s Administrative Rules on Foreign-Invested Telecommunications Enterprises prohibiting, among others, the renting, transferring or sale of a telecommunications license to foreign investors in any form. Under the MIIT Notice, holders of valued-added telecommunications business operating licenses, or their shareholders, must also directly own the domain names and trademarks used by such license holders in their daily operations. To comply with this requirement under the MIIT Notice, we have assigned all registered trademarks, trademark applications and domain names relating to “SouFun,” “Jia Tian Xia,” “Fang.com” and “Fang Tian Xia” to the relevant majority-owned subsidiary or consolidated controlled entities in order to maintain their respective ICP licenses to operate as value-added telecommunication service providers. Due to a lack of interpretative materials from the authorities, we cannot assure you that MIIT will not consider our corporate structure and the contractual arrangements as a kind of foreign investment in telecommunication services, in which case we may be found in violation of the MIIT Notice.

In 2011, various media sources reported that the CSRC prepared a report proposing pre-approval by a competent central government authority of offshore listings by China-based companies with variable interest entity structures, such as ours, that operate in industry sectors subject to foreign investment restrictions. However, it is unclear whether the CSRC officially issued or submitted such a report to a higher level government authority or what any such report provides, or whether any new PRC laws or regulations relating to variable interest entity structures will be adopted or what they would provide.

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On March 15, 2019, the Foreign Investment Law was formally passed by the thirteenth National People’s Congress and it took effect on January 1, 2020. For further details of the Foreign Investment Law, please see “—Substantial uncertainties exist with respect to the adoption of new or revised PRC laws relating to our corporate structure, corporate governance and business operations.”

If the past or current ownership structures, Structure Contracts and businesses of our company, our PRC subsidiaries and our consolidated controlled entities are found to be in violation of any existing or future PRC laws, rules or regulations, MIIT and other relevant PRC regulatory authorities would have broad discretion in dealing with such violations, including:

We cannot assure you that the relevant PRC regulatory authorities will not require that we amend our Structure Contracts to comply with the MIIT Notice or that we can restructure our ownership structure without material disruption to our business. In addition, new PRC laws, rules and regulations may be introduced to impose additional requirements that may be applicable to our corporate structure and contractual arrangements. The imposition of any of these penalties and the effect of any new PRC laws, rules and regulations applicable to our corporate structure and contractual arrangements could materially disrupt our ability to conduct our business and have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

We cannot assure you that we will be able to enforce the Structure Contracts. Although we believe we are in compliance with current PRC regulations, we cannot assure you that the PRC government would agree that these contractual arrangements comply with PRC licensing, registration or other regulatory requirements, with existing policies or with requirements or policies that may be adopted in the future. PRC laws and regulations governing the validity of these contractual arrangements are open to varying interpretations and the relevant government authorities have broad discretion in interpreting these laws and regulations.

Substantial uncertainties exist with respect to the adoption of new or revised PRC laws relating to our corporate structure, corporate governance and business operations.

On March 15, 2019, the National People’s Congress promulgated the Foreign Investment Law, which became effective on January 1, 2020 and replaced the trio of existing laws regulating foreign investment in China, namely, the Sino-foreign Equity Joint Venture Enterprise Law, the Sino-foreign Cooperative Joint Venture Enterprise Law and the Wholly Foreign-invested Enterprise Law. The Foreign Investment Law embodies an expected PRC regulatory trend to rationalize its foreign investment regulatory regime in line with prevailing international practice and the legislative efforts to unify the corporate legal requirements for both foreign and domestic investments. However, since it is relatively new, uncertainties still exist in relation to its interpretation and implementation, and failure to take timely and appropriate measures to cope with the regulatory-compliance challenges could result in material and adverse effect on us. For instance, though the Foreign Investment Law does not explicitly classify contractual arrangements as a form of foreign investment, it contains a catch-all provision under the definition of “foreign investment”, which includes investments made by foreign investors in China through means stipulated in laws or administrative regulations or other methods prescribed by the State Council. Therefore, it still leaves leeway for future laws, administrative regulations or provisions promulgated by the Stale Council to provide for contractual arrangements as a form of foreign investment, at which time it will be uncertain whether our contractual arrangements will be deemed to be in violation of the market access requirements for foreign investment in the PRC and if yes, how our contractual arrangements should be dealt with. In addition, if future laws, administrative regulations or provisions prescribed by the State Council mandate further actions to be taken by companies with respect to existing contractual arrangements, we may face substantial uncertainties as to whether we can complete such actions in a timely manner, or at all. In the worst-case scenario, we may be required to unwind our existing contractual arrangements and/or dispose of the relevant business operations, which could have a material adverse effect on our current corporate structure, our listing service business and results of operations.

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We may lose the ability to utilize assets held by our consolidated controlled entities that are important to the operation of our business if any of these entities goes bankrupt or becomes subject to a dissolution or liquidation proceeding.

Our wholly-owned PRC subsidiaries are considered foreign-invested enterprises in China and are, therefore, not permitted under PRC law to hold the ICP licenses and to operate the online advertising businesses that are critical to our operations. As a result, our consolidated controlled entities are the holders of the ICP licenses required for operating our websites and our advertising business in China. We do not have any direct or indirect shareholding interests in these consolidated controlled entities. They are instead held directly or indirectly by Mr. Mo, our founder and executive chairman, together with Mr. Jiangong Dai, our former director and former chief executive officer, or Mr. Jianning Dai, our general manager for asset management. Mr. Jiangong Dai and Mr. Jianning Dai are nephews of Mr. Mo. Each of Mr. Mo, Mr. Jiangong Dai and Mr. Jianning Dai is a PRC citizen. Through the Structure Contracts, we exercise management, financial and voting control over these consolidated controlled entities through our rights to all the residual benefits of the consolidated controlled entities and our obligation to fund losses of the consolidated controlled entities and also have a contractual right, to the extent permitted by PRC laws, rules and regulations, to acquire the equity interests in these entities. Consequently, if any of these consolidated controlled entities goes bankrupt and all or part of its assets become subject to liens or rights of third-party creditors, we may be unable to continue some or all of our business activities, which could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. If any of our consolidated controlled entities undergoes a voluntary or involuntary liquidation proceeding, the shareholders or unrelated third-party creditors may claim rights to some or all of these assets, thereby hindering our ability to operate our business, which could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Contractual or other arrangements among our affiliates may be subject to scrutiny by PRC tax authorities, and a finding that we or our affiliates owe additional taxes could substantially reduce our profitability and the value of your investment.

As a result of the Structure Contracts, we are entitled to substantially all of the economic benefits of ownership of the consolidated controlled entities and also bear substantially all of the economic risks associated with consolidated controlled entities. If the PRC tax authorities determine that the economic terms, including pricing, of our arrangements with our consolidated controlled entities were not determined on an arm’s length basis, we could be subject to significant additional tax liabilities. In particular, the PRC tax authorities may perform a transfer pricing adjustment, which could result in a reduction, for PRC tax purposes, of deductions recorded by our consolidated controlled entities. Such a reduction could increase the tax liabilities of our consolidated controlled entities without reducing the tax liabilities of our PRC subsidiaries. This increased tax liability could further result in late payment fees and other penalties to our consolidated controlled entities for underpaid taxes. Any of these events could materially reduce our net income.

Contractual arrangements, including voting proxies, with our consolidated controlled entities for our Internet content distribution and marketing businesses may not be as effective in providing operational control as direct or indirect ownership.

Since the applicable PRC laws, rules and regulations restrict foreign ownership in the Internet content distribution and marketing businesses, we conduct our Internet content distribution and advertising businesses and derive related revenues through the Structure Contracts with our consolidated controlled entities. As we have no direct or indirect ownership interest in our consolidated controlled entities, these Structure Contracts, including the voting proxies granted to us, may not be as effective in providing us with control over these companies as direct or indirect ownership. If we were the controlling shareholders of these companies with direct or indirect ownership, we would be able to exercise our rights as shareholders to effect changes in the board of directors, which in turn could effect change, subject to any applicable fiduciary obligations, at the management level. However, if any of our consolidated controlled entities or their shareholders fail to perform their obligations under these contractual arrangements, or if they were otherwise to act in bad faith towards us, we may be forced to (1) incur substantial costs and resources to enforce such arrangements, including the voting proxies, and (2) rely on legal remedies available under PRC law, including exercising our call option right over the equity interests in our consolidated controlled entities, seeking specific performance or injunctive relief, and claiming monetary damages.

Furthermore, pursuant to the equity interest pledge agreements between certain of our PRC subsidiaries and the individual shareholders of our consolidated controlled entities, each individual shareholder of our consolidated controlled entity agrees to pledge his equity interests in the consolidated controlled entities to our subsidiaries to secure the relevant consolidated controlled entities’ performance of their obligations under the exclusive technical consultancy and service agreements of the Structure Contracts. The equity interest pledges of shareholders of consolidated controlled entities under these equity pledge agreements have been registered with the relevant local branch of SAIC. The equity interest pledge agreements with the consolidated controlled entities’ individual shareholders provide that the pledged equity interest shall constitute security for consulting and service fees under the exclusive technical consultancy and service agreements. The scope of pledge is not limited by the amount of the registered capital of that consolidated controlled entity. 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 in the equity interest 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. Such a decision could materially and adversely affect our liquidity and our ability to fund and expand our business.

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In anticipation of our originally proposed acquisition of a controlling stake in Chongqing Wanli New Energy Co., Ltd., a PRC company listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange (stock code: 600847) (“Wanli”) and the sale of a portion of our equity interest in five wholly-owned subsidiaries that operate as our service platforms for online advertising business to Wanli (which was terminated in February 2017), in December 2015, we underwent an internal restructuring, whereby we terminated all of our previous structure contracts and caused Beijing Zhong Zhi Shi Zheng and Jia Tian Xia Network, our wholly-owned PRC subsidiaries, to enter into a series of structure contracts in 2016, or the 2016 Structure Contracts, with our consolidated controlled entities, with terms and conditions substantially similar to those of our previous structure contracts. In February 2017, we terminated the transaction with Wanli in light of substantial regulatory uncertainties in China. Among the 2016 Structure Contracts, Beijing Zhong Zhi Shi Zheng entered into a series of contractual arrangements with certain of our consolidated controlled entities and their nominee shareholders. In anticipation of the separation and distribution in relation to CIH, which is the parent company of Beijing Zhong Zhi Shi Zheng, we terminated the foregoing contractual arrangements between our group and these entities on May 15, 2018, and subsequently caused Beijing Tuo Shi Huan Yu Network Technology Co., Ltd. (“Beijing TuoShi”), our wholly-owned PRC subsidiary, to enter into a new series of contractual arrangements with these consolidated controlled entities in 2018, with terms and conditions substantially similar to the 2016 Structure Contracts. In 2019, we entered into a supplemental agreement with Beijing TuoShi, Beijing Technology, Mr. Mo, Mr. Jiangong Dai and Mr. Jianning Dai to transfer all the rights, obligations and responsibilities of Mr. Jiangong Dai under certain Structure Contracts to Mr. Jianning Dai. See “Item 7.B. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions—Related Party Transactions—Structure Contracts” of this annual report. We believe that our contractual arrangements with our consolidated controlled entities for our Internet content distribution and marketing businesses are not materially affected by our internal restructuring. We cannot assure you, however, that our current Structure Contracts are as effective as the previous ones in terms of controlling our Internet content distribution and marketing businesses, nor can we assure you that these contractual arrangements will not be further modified. Any modification could potentially adversely affect our control, or result in our loss of control, over the Internet content distribution and marketing businesses. In the event that we are unable to enforce these contractual arrangements, or if we experience significant delays or other obstacles in the process of enforcing these contractual arrangements, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.

Our business may suffer if we fail to carry out our business arrangements related to online video broadcasting related business with certain consolidated controlled entities of our company.

Beijing Technology, which holds licenses of online video recording and broadcasting, entered into a cooperation agreement with certain of our wholly-owned subsidiaries, under which Beijing Technology is responsible for the operation of online video broadcasting, while those subsidiaries are responsible for relevant technical support. During its possession of the domain name “fang.com,” Beijing Technology published online videos by embedding videos on webpages or placing video links on “fang.com.”

Although such business cooperation agreement does not violate current PRC laws and regulations regarding online broadcasting and recording, we cannot assure you that due to any change of laws and regulatory policies, the abovementioned business cooperation agreement will not be deemed void, revocable or unenforceable under then applicable PRC laws amended from time to time or by regulatory authorities in the future. Should any of the above occur, the relevant business of the relevant subsidiaries will be impaired, which would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Moreover, under the applicable PRC laws, rules and regulations, the failure to maintain licenses of online video recording and broadcasting may subject the entity to various penalties, including confiscation of revenues, imposition of fines and/or restrictions on the entity conducting such activities’ business operations, or the discontinuation of their operations.

The shareholders of our consolidated controlled entities may have potential conflicts of interest with us, and if any such conflicts of interest are not resolved in our favor, our business may be materially and adversely affected.

We operate through a number of consolidated controlled entities in China. Mr. Mo, Mr. Jiangong Dai and Mr. Jianning Dai together hold 100.0% of the equity interest in these consolidated controlled entities. The interests of Mr. Mo, Mr. Jiangong Dai and Mr. Jianning Dai as the nominee shareholders of the consolidated controlled entities may differ from the interests of our company as a whole, as what is in the best interests of our consolidated controlled entities may not be in the best interests of us and our other shareholders. We cannot assure you that when conflicts of interest arise, Mr. Mo, Mr. Jiangong Dai or Mr. Jianning Dai will act in the best interests of our company or that conflicts of interest will be resolved in our favor. In addition, Mr. Mo, Mr. Jiangong Dai and Mr. Jianning Dai may breach or cause our consolidated controlled entities and their respective subsidiaries to breach or refuse to renew the existing contractual arrangements with us. We rely on Mr. Mo, Mr. Jiangong Dai and Mr. Jianning Dai to comply with the laws of China, which protect contracts and provide that directors and executive officers owe a duty of loyalty to our company and require them to avoid conflicts of interest and not to take advantage of their positions for personal gains. We also rely on Mr. Mo to abide by the laws of the Cayman Islands, which provide that directors have a duty of care and a duty of loyalty to act honestly in good faith with a view to our best interests. However, the legal frameworks of China and the Cayman Islands do not provide guidance on resolving conflicts in the event of a conflict between the laws of China and the Cayman Islands regarding which corporate governance regime controls. If we cannot resolve any conflicts of interest or disputes between us and Mr. Mo, Mr. Jiangong Dai or Mr. Jianning Dai, we would have to rely on legal proceedings, which could result in disruption of our business and subject us to substantial uncertainty as to the outcome of any such legal proceedings.

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In addition, Mr. Jiangong Dai continued to be a nominee shareholder of our certain consolidated controlled entities following his resignation from our board of directors in February 2016. We did not exercise, nor did we designate any third party to exercise, the call option under the Structure Contracts to acquire from Mr. Jiangong Dai the equity interests he holds in our consolidated controlled entities. Although the relevant Structure Contracts to which Mr. Jiangong Dai is a party remain to be effective and binding, we cannot assure you that we will be able to fully exercise our contractual rights against Mr. Jiangong Dai (e.g., to request him to sell his equity interests in our consolidated controlled entities to us when permitted by applicable PRC laws). Nor can we assure you that Mr. Jiangong Dai will not act against the best interests of us and our other shareholders in the future since he no longer owes any fiduciary duties to our company. Should we encounter any difficulties in exercising our contractual rights under the Structure Contracts against Mr. Jiangong Dai to retain our control over such consolidated controlled entities, our business, financial condition and results of operations will be materially and adversely affected.

We are controlled by our significant shareholders and their affiliated entities, whose interests may differ from our other shareholders.

As of April 30, 2020, Mr. Mo may be deemed to have voting and dispositive power with respect to: (1) 510,994 Class A ordinary shares represented by ADSs and 11,355,645 Class B ordinary shares owned by Media Partner Technology Limited (“Media Partner”), with respect to Mr. Mo and his family members, (2) 1,138,132 Class A ordinary shares, including 14,177 Class A ordinary shares represented by ADSs, and 10,230,645 Class B ordinary shares owned by Next Decade Investments Limited (“Next Decade”), with respect to Mr. Mo and his family members, (3) 957,265 Class A ordinary shares owned by Safari Group Holdings Limited (“Safari”), (4) 1,472,298 Class A ordinary shares owned by Deanhale Limited, (5) 926,461 Class A ordinary shares owned by Karistone Limited, and (6) 441,656 Class A ordinary shares represented by ADSs owned by Open Land Holdings Limited, collectively presenting approximately 30.1% of our outstanding share capital and approximately 71.7% of our voting power under our dual-class ordinary share structure. The shares in Media Partner and Next Decade are held in irrevocable discretionary trusts, for which Mr. Mo acts as a protector. Media Partner and Next Decade could exert substantial influence over the outcome of any corporate transaction or other matters submitted to the shareholders for approval, including mergers, consolidations, the sale of all or substantially all of our assets, election of directors and other significant corporate actions. This concentration of ownership may also discourage, delay or prevent a change in control of our company, which could deprive our shareholders of an opportunity to receive a premium for their shares as part of a sale of our company and might reduce the price of our ADSs or notes. These actions may be taken even if they are opposed by our other shareholders, including the investors in the ADSs.

The continuing cooperation of our significant shareholders on an on-going basis, including Media Partner and Next Decade, is important to our businesses. Without their consent or cooperation, we could be prevented from entering into transactions or conducting business that could be beneficial to us. We cannot assure you, however, that the interests of our significant shareholders would not differ from the interests of our other shareholders, including investors in the ADSs.

Risks related to doing business in China

China’s economic, political and social conditions, as well as government policies, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Our business and operations are primarily conducted in China. Accordingly, our financial condition and results of operations have been, and are expected to continue to be, affected by the economic, political and social developments in relation to the Internet, online marketing and real estate industries in China. A slowdown of economic growth in China could reduce the sale of real estate and related products and services, which in turn could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

The PRC economy differs from the economies of most developed countries in many respects, including: a higher level of government involvement; the on-going development of a market-oriented economy; a rapid growth rate; a higher level of control over foreign exchange; and a less efficient allocation of resources.

While the PRC economy has experienced significant growth since the late 1970s, growth has been uneven, both geographically and among various sectors of the economy. Growth rates in China have lowered in recent years. The PRC government has implemented various measures to encourage economic growth and guide the allocation of resources. These measures are intended to benefit the overall PRC economy, but may also have a negative effect on us. For example, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected by PRC government control over capital investments or changes in tax regulations that are applicable to us.

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The PRC economy has been transitioning from a centrally-planned economy to a more market-oriented economy. Although the PRC government has implemented measures since the late 1970s which emphasize the utilization of market forces for economic reform, 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.

According to the Guiding Opinions on the Pilot Operation of Microfinance Companies (the “Guiding Opinions”) jointly issued by the China Banking Regulatory Commission and the PBOC on May 4, 2008, microfinance companies are limited liability companies or joint stock companies established with the capital contribution from natural persons, legal persons and other organizations, which do not accept public deposits and engage in the microfinance business. To set up a microfinance company, an applicant shall submit a formal application to the competent administrative departments at the provincial level. Upon approval, the applicant shall apply to the local branch of the SAIC to obtain a business license for the microfinance company. In addition, the applicant shall complete certain filings with the local police department, the local office of the China Banking Regulatory Commission and the local branch of the PBOC.

According to the Guiding Opinions, a provincial government may launch pilot programs for microfinance companies within prefectural regions of the province only after it designates a department (finance office or other relevant institutions) to be in charge of supervision and administration of microfinance companies and is willing to be responsible for risk management and disposals with respect to microfinance companies. Consequently, microfinance companies are primarily regulated locally by provincial governments under rules and regulations promulgated by the provincial governments.

In November 2009, the provincial government of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region issued the Management Measures of Microfinance Companies in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. In 2014, we obtained approvals to engage in the microfinancing business from government authorities of Beihai city, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. Pursuant to the Management Measures of Microfinance Companies in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Beihai Tian Xia Dai Microfinance Co., Ltd. (“Beihai Tian Xia Dai Microfinance”) with microfinancing approvals cannot conduct microfinancing business outside Beihai city. However, Beihai Tian Xia Dai Microfinance has provided loans outside Beihai city. Beihai Tian Xia Dai Microfinance may face the risk of being rectified by relevant authorities.

The discontinuation of any of the preferential tax treatments currently available to us in China could materially and adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.

In March 2007, the National People’s Congress of China enacted the PRC Enterprise Income Tax Law (the “New EIT Law”), which became effective on January 1, 2008 and was amended in February 2017 and December 2018. In April 2008, the relevant PRC governmental authorities issued the Administrative Measures for Certification of High and New Technology Enterprises which was amended in January 2016. “High and new technology enterprises” would be entitled to a statutory tax rate of 15.0%. Currently, eight of our PRC subsidiaries or consolidated controlled entities are qualified as “high and new technology enterprises.” We cannot assure you that our PRC subsidiaries or consolidated controlled entities will continue to be entitled to preferential tax rates as qualified “high and new technology enterprises” under the New EIT Law. We also cannot assure you that the tax authorities will not, in the future, discontinue any of our preferential tax treatments, potentially with retroactive effect. In the event that preferential tax treatment for any of our subsidiaries or consolidated controlled entities is discontinued, the affected entity will become subject to a 25.0% standard enterprise income tax rate, which would increase our income tax expenses and could materially reduce our net income and profitability. See also “Item 5.A. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects—Operating Results—Components of our Results of Operations—Taxation—China” of this annual report.

We may be treated as a resident enterprise for PRC tax purposes under the New EIT Law and therefore be subject to PRC taxation on our worldwide income.

We are incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands. Under the New EIT Law and its implementation rules, an enterprise incorporated in a foreign country or region may be classified as either a “non-resident enterprise” or a “resident enterprise.” If any enterprise incorporated in a foreign country or region has its “de facto management bodies” located within the PRC territory, such enterprise will be considered a PRC tax resident enterprise and thus will normally be subject to enterprise income tax at the rate of 25.0% on its worldwide income. The relevant implementing rules provide that “de facto management bodies” means the bodies which exercise substantial and overall management and control over the manufacturing and business operations, personnel, accounting, properties and other factors of an enterprise. In April 2009, the SAT issued the Notice Regarding the Determination of Chinese-Controlled Offshore-Incorporated Enterprises as PRC Tax Resident Enterprises on the Basis of De Facto Management Bodies (“Circular 82”), which sets forth certain specific criteria for determining whether the “de facto management body” of a Chinese-controlled offshore-incorporated enterprise is located in China. However, Circular 82 only applies to offshore enterprises controlled by PRC enterprises and not those controlled by PRC individuals or foreigners in China, such as our company. See “Item 10.D. Additional Information—Exchange Controls—Regulations relating to Foreign Exchange, Taxation and Dividend Distribution—Taxation and Dividend Distribution” of this annual report. Substantially all of the members of our management are currently located in China and we expect them to continue to be located in China. Due to the lack of clear guidance on the criteria pursuant to which the PRC tax authorities will determine our tax residency under the New EIT Law, it remains unclear whether the PRC tax authorities will treat us as a PRC resident enterprise. As a result, our PRC legal counsel is unable to express an opinion as to the likelihood that we will be subject to the tax applicable to resident enterprises or non-resident enterprises under the New EIT Law. If we are deemed to be a PRC tax resident enterprise, we will be subject to an enterprise income tax rate of 25.0% on our worldwide income, which would have an impact on our effective tax rate and an adverse effect on our net income and results of operations. The New EIT Law provides that dividend income between qualified resident enterprises is exempt income, which the implementing rules have clarified to mean a dividend derived by a resident enterprise on an equity interest it directly owns in another resident enterprise. It is possible, therefore, that dividends we receive through our offshore subsidiaries from our PRC subsidiaries, would be exempt income under the New EIT Law and its implementing rules if our offshore subsidiaries are deemed to be a “resident enterprise.” If we are deemed to be a PRC tax resident enterprise, we would then be obliged to withhold PRC withholding income tax on the gross amount of dividends we pay to shareholders who are non-PRC tax residents. The withholding income tax rate is 10.0% for non-resident enterprises and 20.0% for non-resident individuals, unless otherwise provided under the applicable double tax treaties between China and the governments of other jurisdictions.

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We rely primarily on dividends and other distributions on equity paid by our subsidiaries, 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 as well as our liquidity.

As a holding company, we rely primarily on dividends and other distributions on equity paid by our subsidiaries for our cash and financing requirements, which include funds necessary to pay dividends and other cash distributions to our shareholders, service any debt we may incur and to pay our operating expenses. If our subsidiaries incur debt in the future, the instruments governing the debt may restrict their ability to pay dividends or make other distributions to us.

Our subsidiaries are primarily entities incorporated and established in China and therefore, are subject to certain limitations with respect to dividend payments. PRC regulations currently allow payment of dividends only out of accumulated profits determined in accordance with accounting standards and regulations in China. Each year, our subsidiaries in China and our consolidated controlled entities are required to allocate a portion of their after-tax profits to their respective reserve funds, until the reserves reach 50.0% of their respective registered capital. Allocations to these reserves and funds can only be used for specific purposes and are not transferable to us in the form of loans, advances or cash dividends. Such restrictions on the ability of our subsidiaries and consolidated controlled entities to transfer funds to us could adversely limit our ability to grow, pay dividends, make investments or acquisitions that could benefit our businesses or otherwise fund and conduct our businesses.

Under the relevant PRC tax law applicable to us prior to January 1, 2008, dividend payments to foreign investors made by foreign-invested enterprises were exempted from PRC withholding tax. However, under the New EIT Law and its implementing rules, non-resident enterprises without an establishment in China, or whose income has no connection with their institutions and establishment inside China, are subject to withholding tax at the rate of 10.0% with respect to their PRC-sourced dividend income, subject to applicable tax agreements or treaties between the PRC and other tax jurisdictions. Similarly, any gains realized on the transfer of shares by such investors are also subject to a 10.0% PRC income tax if such gains are regarded as income from sources within China.

According to the Mainland and Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Arrangement on the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with Respect to Taxes on Income (the “Avoidance of Double Taxation Arrangement”), dividends derived by a Hong Kong resident enterprise from a PRC resident enterprise are subject to withholding tax at the rate of 5.0%, provided that such Hong Kong resident enterprise directly owns at least 25.0% of the equity interest in the PRC resident enterprise. However, under the New EIT Law and its implementation rules, as well as Circular No. 9 issued by SAT in February 2018 (“Circular 9”), dividends from our PRC subsidiaries paid to us through our Hong Kong subsidiaries may be subject to withholding tax at a rate of 10.0% if our Hong Kong subsidiaries cannot be considered as a “beneficial owner” or the main purpose test clause of Avoidance of Double Taxation Arrangement may apply to us.

We hold equity interests in several of our major PRC subsidiaries indirectly through subsidiaries incorporated in Hong Kong. Neither we nor our PRC legal counsel is certain as to whether it is more likely than not that PRC tax authorities would require or permit our Hong Kong-incorporated subsidiaries to be treated as PRC resident enterprises. To the extent that such Hong Kong-incorporated subsidiaries are each considered a “non-resident enterprise” under the Avoidance of Double Taxation Arrangement, dividends derived by such Hong Kong-incorporated subsidiaries from our PRC subsidiaries may be subject to a maximum withholding tax rate of 10.0%. See “Item 10.D. Additional Information—Exchange Controls—Regulation relating to Foreign Exchange, Taxation and Dividend Distribution—Taxation and Dividend Distribution” of this annual report.

The discontinuation of the previously available exemption from withholding tax as a result of the New EIT Law and its implementing rules have and will increase our income tax expenses and reduce our net income, and may materially reduce our profitability.

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PRC regulations on loans to PRC entities by offshore holding companies may affect our ability to capitalize or otherwise fund our PRC operations.

On August 29, 2008, SAFE promulgated the Circular on the Relevant Operating Issues Concerning the Improvement of the Administration of the Payment and Settlement of Foreign Currency Capital of Foreign Invested Enterprises (“SAFE Circular 142”), regulating the conversion by a foreign-invested enterprise of foreign currency registered capital into RMB by restricting how the converted RMB may be used. SAFE Circular 142 provides that the RMB capital converted from foreign currency registered capital of a foreign-invested enterprise may only be used for purposes within the business scope approved by the applicable governmental authority and may not be used for equity investments within China. In addition, SAFE strengthened its oversight of the flow and use of the RMB capital converted from foreign currency registered capital of a foreign-invested company. The use of such RMB capital may not be altered without SAFE approval, and such RMB capital may not in any case be used to repay RMB loans if the proceeds of such loans have not been used. Violations of SAFE Circular 142 could result in severe monetary or other penalties.

On March 30, 2015, SAFE promulgated the Circular on the Reform of Administration of the Payment and Settlement of Foreign Currency Capital of Foreign Invested Enterprises (“SAFE Circular 19”), which became effective on June 1, 2015. SAFE Circular 19 abolishes the SAFE Circular 142, providing that the RMB capital converted from foreign currency registered capital of a foreign-invested enterprise shall be used for purposes within its approved business scope, and allows a foreign-invested enterprise to use the RMB capital converted from its foreign currency registered capital for equity investments within China. However, such converted RMB capital still cannot be used to repay RMB loans between enterprises under SAFE Circular 19. However, the Circular of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange on Reforming and Regulating Policies on the Control over Foreign Exchange Settlement of Capital Accounts (“SAFE Circular 16”) implemented in June 2016 removes the prohibition of using the RMB capital converted from foreign currency registered capital to repay RMB loans between enterprises.

On October 23, 2019, SAFE promulgated the Circular of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange on Further Promoting Cross-border Trade and Investment Facilitation, regulating the reforming measures on the registration management of corporate foreign loans, including (1) canceling the management requirement for a non-bank debtor to conduct foreign debt deregistration with a local foreign exchange bureau and replacing with a bank within the jurisdiction of the foreign exchange management department, (2) canceling the time limit for a non-bank debtor conducting foreign debt deregistration, and (3) conducting the pilot cancelation of foreign debt registration of non-financial enterprises.

In light of the various requirements imposed by PRC regulations on loans to PRC entities by offshore holding companies, we may not be able to obtain the necessary government approvals with respect to future loans by us to our wholly-owned subsidiaries or consolidated controlled entities or with respect to future capital contributions by us to our PRC subsidiaries. If we fail to complete such registrations or obtain such approvals, our ability to capitalize or otherwise fund our PRC operations may be negatively affected, which could adversely affect our liquidity and our ability to fund and expand our business.

We may be subject to fines and legal or administrative sanctions in connection with certain historical intra-group funding transactions.

We have occasionally engaged in intra-group funding transactions, including dividend distributions from our consolidated controlled entities and payment advances made by one subsidiary on behalf of another. These transactions are typically deemed as non-interest-bearing loans and receivables from the relevant “debtors.”

Pursuant to the General Lending Code implemented in August 1996 by the PBOC, the central bank of China, commercial lending in China must be made by or through a PRC-qualified financial institution as defined under the General Lending Code. As none of the payors in our intra-group transactions is or was at the relevant time a PRC qualified financial institution as defined under the General Lending Code, the PBOC may impose a fine for non-compliance on each of the payors in an amount equal to one to five times the value of any income received from its non-compliance, and the payors may be required to terminate such loans. On August 6, 2015, the Supreme People’s Court issued the Provisions of the Supreme People’s Court on Several Issues concerning the Application of Law in the Trial of Private Lending Cases (the “Provisions”), which provide that if the purpose of a lending contract concluded between two enterprises is for their business operation, and the lending contract does not contain the circumstances as stipulated in Article 52 of the PRC Contract Law and Article 14 of the Provisions, i.e., those that will result in contracts being null and void, the people’s court shall consider such lending contract to be effective. As the General Lending Code has not been repealed and the Provisions were issued by the Supreme People’s Court as guidance for courts’ trial in private lending cases, it remains uncertain how the General Lending Code will be interpreted and implemented. If the PBOC and/or other governmental authorities decide to apply the General Lending Code and thereby instruct the payors to terminate such transactions, we have to fully repay the funds advanced in such transactions.

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Moreover, pursuant to the PRC Foreign Currency Administration Regulations promulgated by the State Council in January 1996, and amended in August 2008, a PRC entity is required to apply for SAFE approval prior to extending commercial loans to offshore entities such as our company. As there is no specific definition of “commercial loans” under the Foreign Currency Administration Regulations and PRC governmental authorities have not issued any implementation rules with respect to the provision of commercial loans to offshore entities, it is not clear whether such provision will be applied to the non-interest bearing loans described above. Under the Foreign Currency Administration Regulations, an entity may be required to correct the violation and be subject to a warning and/or a fine for the violation of the foreign registration administrative regulations. If SAFE determines that the PRC Foreign Currency Administration Regulations do apply to us, it may require us to register the deemed overseas loans and rectify any prior non-compliance by properly obtaining SAFE approval. SAFE may also impose a warning and/or fine based on the PRC Foreign Currency Administration Regulations. We cannot assure you that we will be able to complete the necessary registration and filing procedures required by the PRC Foreign Currency Administration Regulations. In addition, it is not clear whether SAFE may consider the making of payments in Renminbi which should have been made in foreign currency to be foreign currency arbitrage, which may be deemed a violation and may subject a violator to warnings, penalties or other sanctions. Due to a general uncertainty over the interpretation and implementation of the PRC Foreign Currency Administration Regulations as well as the broad enforcement discretion granted to SAFE, we cannot assure you that we will not be subject to such warnings, penalties or other administrative penalties resulting from our intra-group transactions that may be deemed as overseas loans.

According to the New EIT Law, loan arrangements between related parties without interest are not considered arms-length transactions. Therefore, the PRC taxation authorities could impose enterprise income and VAT on the payors for the deemed interest income that would have been derived from our intra-group transactions. The deemed interest rate would be determined by reference to the lending rate over the relevant period published by the PBOC. We cannot assure you that we will not be subject to fines, or legal or administrative sanctions as a result of non-compliance with the General Lending Code and the Foreign Currency Administration Regulations. Further, we cannot assure you that the PRC taxation authorities will not impose enterprise income and VAT taxes on the payors for any deemed interest income with respect to our intra-group transactions. Because the applicable PRC laws, rules and regulations do not provide clear definitions for several key terms and because the relevant PRC regulatory authorities have significant discretion on the interpretation of such matters, we cannot predict the likelihood that the risks described here will materialize.

The PRC legal system embodies uncertainties, which could limit the legal protections available to you and us.

In 1979, the PRC government began to promulgate a comprehensive system of laws and regulations governing economic matters in general. The overall effect of such legislation has significantly enhanced the protections afforded to various forms of foreign investment in China. Our PRC operating subsidiaries are subject to laws and regulations applicable to foreign-invested enterprises in China. In particular, they are subject to PRC laws, rules and regulations governing foreign companies’ ownership and operation of Internet content distribution and advertising businesses as well as of the real estate and microfinancing sectors. Such laws and regulations are subject to change, and their interpretation and enforcement involve uncertainties, which could limit the legal protections available to us and our investors. In addition, we cannot predict the effect of future developments in the PRC legal system, including the promulgation of new laws, changes to existing laws or the interpretation or enforcement of such laws, or the preemption of local regulations by PRC laws, rules and regulations.

Moreover, China has a civil law system based on written statutes, which, unlike common law systems, is a system in which decided judicial cases have little precedential value. Furthermore, interpretation of statutes and regulations may be subject to government policies reflecting domestic political changes. The relative inexperience of China’s judiciary in many cases creates additional uncertainty as to the outcome of litigation. In addition, enforcement of existing laws or contracts based on existing laws may be uncertain and sporadic, and it may be difficult to obtain swift and equitable enforcement within China. All such uncertainties could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Government control of currency conversion may limit our ability to utilize our revenues effectively.

Substantially all of our revenues and operating expenses are denominated in Renminbi. Under applicable PRC law, the Renminbi is freely convertible to foreign currencies with respect to “current account” transactions, but not with respect to “capital account” transactions. Current account transactions include ordinary course import or export transactions, payments for services rendered and payments of license fees, royalties, interest on loans and dividends. Capital account transactions include cross-border investments and repayments of the principal of loans.

Accordingly, our PRC subsidiaries currently may purchase foreign currencies for settlement of current account transactions, including payment of dividends to us, without prior SAFE approval by complying with certain procedural requirements. However, we cannot assure you that the relevant PRC governmental authorities will not limit or eliminate the ability of our PRC subsidiaries to purchase and retain foreign currencies in the future. Foreign exchange transactions under the capital account are still subject to limitations and require approvals from or registration with relevant government authorities or pilot banks. This could affect our PRC subsidiaries’ ability to obtain debt or equity financing from outside China, including by means of loans or capital contributions from us.

Since substantially all of our revenues are denominated in Renminbi, including fees and payments from our PRC consolidated controlled entities pursuant to the Structure Contracts, existing and future restrictions on currency exchange may limit our ability to utilize revenues generated in Renminbi to fund expenditures denominated in foreign currencies, including any dividends that our PRC subsidiaries may pay to us in the future.

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

SAFE promulgated the Circular on Relevant Issues Concerning Foreign Exchange Control on Domestic Residents’ Offshore Investment and Financing and Roundtrip Investment through Special Purpose Vehicles (“SAFE Circular 37”) on July 4, 2014, which replaced the former circular commonly known as Circular 75 promulgated by SAFE on October 21, 2005. SAFE Circular 37 requires PRC residents to register with local branches of SAFE in connection with their direct establishment or indirect control of an offshore entity, for the purpose of overseas investment and financing, with such PRC residents’ legally owned assets or equity interests in domestic enterprises or offshore assets or interests, referred to in SAFE Circular 37 as a “special purpose vehicle.” Pursuant to SAFE Circular 37, “control” refers to the act through which a PRC resident obtains the right to carry out business operation of, to gain proceeds from or to make decisions on a special purpose vehicle by means of, among others, shareholding entrustment arrangement. SAFE Circular 37 further requires amendment to the registration in the event of any significant changes with respect to the special purpose vehicle, such as increase or decrease of capital contributed by PRC individuals, share transfer or exchange, merger, division or other material event. In the event that a PRC shareholder holding interests in a special purpose vehicle fails to fulfill the required SAFE registration, the PRC subsidiaries of that special purpose vehicle may be prohibited from making profit distributions to the offshore parent and from carrying out subsequent cross-border foreign exchange activities, and the special purpose vehicle may be restricted in its ability to contribute additional capital into its PRC subsidiaries. Moreover, failure to comply with the various SAFE registration requirements described above could result in liability under PRC law for evasion of foreign exchange controls. According to the Notice on Further Simplifying and Improving Policies for the Foreign Exchange Administration of Direct Investment released on February 13, 2015 by SAFE, local banks will examine and handle foreign exchange registration for overseas direct investment, including the initial foreign exchange registration and amendment registration, under SAFE Circular 37 from June 1, 2015.

We are aware that Mr. Vincent Tianquan Mo, controlling shareholder of Fang and a PRC resident, has not completed the registration as of the date of this annual report. We have notified all PRC residents or entities who directly or indirectly hold shares in our Cayman Islands holding company and who are known to us as being PRC residents to complete the foreign exchange registrations. However, we may not be informed of the identities of all the PRC residents or entities holding direct or indirect interest in our company, nor can we compel our beneficial owners to comply with SAFE registration requirements. As a result, we cannot assure you that all of our shareholders or beneficial owners who are PRC residents or entities have complied with, and will in the future make, obtain or update any applicable registrations or approvals required by, SAFE regulations. Failure by such shareholders or beneficial owners to comply with SAFE regulations, or failure by us to amend the foreign exchange registrations of our PRC subsidiaries, could subject us to fines or legal sanctions, restrict our overseas or cross-border investment activities, limit our PRC subsidiaries’ ability to make distributions or pay dividends to us or affect our ownership structure, which could adversely affect our business and prospects.

Regulations in China may make it more difficult for us to pursue growth through acquisitions.

On August 8, 2006, six PRC regulatory agencies jointly promulgated the Regulations on Mergers and Acquisitions of Domestic Companies by Foreign Investors (the “M&A Rules”), which became effective on September 8, 2006 and was amended on June 22, 2009. The M&A Rules and other regulations and rules concerning mergers and acquisitions established additional procedures and requirements that could make merger and acquisition activities by foreign investors more time-consuming and complex. For example, the M&A Rules require that MOFCOM be notified in advance of any change-of-control transaction in which a foreign investor takes control of a PRC domestic enterprise or a foreign company with substantial PRC operations, if certain thresholds under the Provisions on Thresholds for Prior Notification of Concentrations of Undertakings, issued by the State Council on August 3, 2008 and was amended on September 18, 2018, are triggered. According to the Notice regarding the Establishment of the Security Review System for Mergers and Acquisitions of Domestic Enterprises by Foreign Investors issued by the General Office of the State Council in February 2011 and the Implementing Rules Concerning Security Review on the Mergers and Acquisitions by Foreign Investors of Domestic Enterprises issued by MOFCOM in August 2011, mergers and acquisitions by foreign investors involved in an industry related to national security are subject to strict review by MOFCOM. These rules also prohibit any transactions attempting to bypass such security review, including by controlling entities through contractual arrangements. We believe that our business is not in an industry related to national security. However, we cannot preclude the possibility that MOFCOM or other government agencies may publish interpretations contrary to our understanding or broaden the scope of such security review in the future. Although we have no current plans to make any acquisitions, we may elect to grow our business in the future in part by directly acquiring complementary businesses in China. Complying with the requirements of these regulations to complete such transactions could be time-consuming, and any required approval processes, including obtaining any required MOFCOM approvals, may delay or inhibit our ability to complete such transactions.

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We may be subject to fines and legal or administrative sanctions if we or our PRC citizen employees fail to comply with PRC regulations with respect to the registration of such employees’ share options and restricted share units.

In February 2012, SAFE promulgated the Notices on Issues concerning the Foreign Exchange Administration for Domestic Individuals Participating in Stock Incentive Plan of Overseas Publicly-Listed Company (the “Stock Option Rule”). Under the Stock Option Rule, a Chinese entity’s directors, supervisors, senior management officers, other staff, or individuals who have an employment or labor relationship with such Chinese entity and who are granted stock options by an overseas publicly listed company are required, through a PRC agent or PRC subsidiary of such overseas publicly listed company, to register with SAFE and complete certain other procedures. Our local employees who have been granted stock options are subject to these regulations. We have designated our relevant PRC subsidiaries to handle the registration and other procedures required by the Stock Option Rule. If we or our PRC option holders fail to comply with these rules, we and our PRC option holders may be subject to fines and other legal or administrative sanctions. See “Item 4.B. Information on the Company—Business Overview—Regulation—Regulations relating to Employee Share Options” of this annual report.

We face uncertainties with respect to indirect transfers of equity interests in PRC resident enterprises by their non-PRC holding companies. Enhanced scrutiny over acquisition transactions by the PRC tax authorities may have a negative impact on potential acquisitions we may pursue in the future.

On February 3, 2015, the SAT issued the Public Notice Regarding Certain Corporate Income Tax Matters on Indirect Transfer of Properties by Non-Tax Resident Enterprises (“Public Notice 7”). According to Public Notice 7, where a non-resident enterprise investor transfers taxable assets through the offshore transfer of a foreign intermediate holding company, the non-resident enterprise investor, being the transfer, may be subject to PRC enterprise income tax, if the indirect transfer is considered to be an abusive use of company structure without reasonable commercial purposes. As a result, gains derived from such indirect transfer may be subject to PRC withholding tax at the rate of up to 10.0%. In addition, Public Notice 7 provides clearer criteria than Circular 698 on how to assess reasonable commercial purposes and has introduced safe harbors for internal group restructurings and the purchase and sale of equity through a public securities market. Public Notice 7 also brings challenges to both the foreign transferor and transferee (or other person who is obligated to pay for the transfer) of the taxable assets. Where a non-resident enterprise conducts an “indirect transfer” by transferring the taxable assets indirectly by disposing of the equity interests of an overseas holding company, the non-resident enterprise being the transferor, or the transferee, or the PRC entity which directly owned the taxable assets may report to the relevant tax authority such indirect transfer. Using a “substance over form” principle, the PRC tax authority may re-characterize such indirect transfer as a direct transfer of the equity interests in the PRC tax resident enterprise and other properties in China. As a result, gains derived from such indirect transfer may be subject to PRC enterprise income tax, and the transferee or other person who is obligated to pay for the transfer is obligated to withhold the applicable taxes, currently at a rate of up to 10.0% for the transfer of equity interests in a PRC resident enterprise. Both the transferor and the transferee may be subject to penalties under PRC tax laws if the transferee fails to withhold the taxes and the transferor fails to pay the taxes.

Pursuant to the Notice on Issues Relevant to Withholding of Non-PRC Resident Enterprises Income Tax at Source (“SAT Circular 37”) issued by the SAT, which became effective as of December 1, 2017, transferees are subject to filing obligations and withholding obligations. Both the transferor and the transferee may be subject to penalties under PRC tax laws if the transferee fails to withhold the taxes and the transferor fails to pay the taxes.

We face uncertainties with respect to the reporting and consequences of private equity financing transactions, share exchange or other transactions involving the transfer of shares in our company by investors that are non-PRC resident enterprises, or sale or purchase of shares in other non-PRC resident companies or other taxable assets by us. Our company and other non-resident enterprises in our group may be subject to filing obligations or being taxed if our company and other non-resident enterprises in our group are transferors in such transactions, and may be subject to filling obligations and withholding obligations if our company and other non-resident enterprises in our group are transferees in such transactions, under SAT Circular 37 and Public Notice 7. For the transfer of shares in our company by investors that are non-PRC resident enterprises, our PRC subsidiaries may be subject to filing obligations and withholding obligations under SAT Circular 37 and Public Notice 7. As a result, we may be required to expend valuable resources to comply with SAT Circular 37 and Public Notice 7 or to request the relevant transferors from whom we purchase taxable assets to comply with these circulars, or to establish that our company and other non-resident enterprises in our group should not be taxed under these circulars. The PRC tax authorities have the discretion under SAT Circular 37 and Public Notice 7 to make adjustments to the taxable capital gains based on the difference between the fair value of the taxable assets transferred and the cost of investment. If the PRC tax authorities make adjustments to the taxable income of the transactions under SAT Circular 37 and Public Notice 7, our income tax costs associated with such transactions will be increased, which may have an adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. We have made acquisitions in the past and may conduct additional acquisitions in the future. We cannot assure you that the PRC tax authorities will not, at their discretion, adjust any capital gains and impose tax return filing obligations on us or require us to provide assistance to them for the investigation of any transactions we were involved in. Heightened scrutiny over acquisition transactions by the PRC tax authorities may have a negative impact on potential acquisitions we may pursue in the future.

Our independent registered public accounting firm is located in China, a jurisdiction where PCAOB is currently unable to conduct inspections without the approval of the PRC authorities, and as such, investors may be deprived of the benefits of such inspection.

Our independent registered public accounting firm that issues the audit reports included in our annual reports filed with the SEC, as an auditor of companies that are traded publicly in the United States and a firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), or PCAOB, is required by the laws of the United States to undergo regular inspections by PCAOB to assess its compliance with the laws of the United States and professional standards. Our auditor is located in China, a jurisdiction where PCAOB is currently unable to conduct inspections without the approval of the PRC authorities, our auditor is not currently inspected by the PCAOB.

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On December 7, 2018, the SEC and the PCAOB issued a joint statement highlighting continued challenges faced by the U.S. regulators in their oversight of financial statement audits of U.S.-listed companies with significant operations in China. On April 21, 2020, the SEC and the PCAOB issued another joint statement highlighting the significant disclosure, financial reporting and other risks associated with emerging market investments, including the PCAOB’s continued inability to inspect audit work papers in China. These joint statements reflect 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 the PCAOB will take to address the problem and its impact on Chinese companies listed in the United States.

Inspections of other firms that PCAOB has conducted outside of China have identified deficiencies in those firms’ audit procedures and quality control procedures, which may be addressed as part of the inspection process to improve future audit quality. This lack of PCAOB inspections in China prevents the PCAOB from regularly evaluating our auditor’s audits and its quality control procedures. As a result, investors may be deprived of the benefits of PCAOB inspections. The inability of the PCAOB to conduct inspections of auditors 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 lose confidence in our reported financial information and procedures and the quality of our financial statements.

In June 2019, a bipartisan group of lawmakers introduced bills in both houses of the U.S. Congress, which if passed, would require the SEC to maintain a list of issuers for which the PCAOB is not able to inspect or investigate an auditor report issued by a foreign public accounting firm. The proposed Ensuring Quality Information and Transparency for Abroad-Based Listings on our Exchanges (EQUITABLE) Act prescribes increased disclosure requirements for these issuers and, beginning in 2025, the delisting from U.S. national securities exchanges of issuers included on the SEC’s list for three consecutive years. On May 20, 2020, the U.S. Senate passed the Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act, which in effect would prohibit securities of any registrant from being listed on any of the U.S. securities exchanges or traded “over-the-counter” if registrant’s financial statements have, for a period of three years, been audited by an accounting firm branch or office that is not subject to PCAOB inspection. Enactment of any of such legislations or other efforts to increase U.S. regulatory access to audit information could cause investor uncertainty for affected issuers, including us, and the market price of the ADSs could be adversely affected. There is uncertainty as to whether and when these bills or legislations will be enacted in the proposed form, or at all.

Proceedings instituted by the SEC against certain China-based accounting firms, including our independent registered public accounting firm, could result in financial statements being determined to not be in compliance with the requirements of the Exchange Act.

In January 2014, Judge Cameron Elliot, a SEC administrative law judge, issued an initial decision suspending the Chinese member firms of the “Big Four” accounting firms, including our independent registered public accounting firm, from, among other things, practicing before the SEC for six months. In February 2014, the initial decision was appealed. While under appeal and in February 2015, the Chinese member firms of “Big Four” accounting firms reached a settlement with the SEC. As part of the settlement, each of the Chinese member firms of “Big Four” accounting firms agreed to settlement terms that include a censure; undertakings to make a payment to the SEC; procedures and undertakings as to future requests for documents by the SEC; and possible additional proceedings and remedies should those undertakings not be adhered to.

Had the settlement terms not been adhered to, Chinese member firms of “Big Four” accounting firms could have been suspended from practicing before the SEC which could in turn delay the timely filing of our financial statements with the SEC. In addition, it could be difficult for us to timely identify and engage another registered public accounting firm to audit and issue an opinion on our financial statements. A delinquency in our filings with the SEC may result in the delisting of our shares from The New York Stock Exchange or deregistration from the SEC, or both, which would substantially reduce or effectively terminate the trading of our shares in the United States and could adversely harm our reputation and adversely affect our business and prospects.

Fluctuations in the exchange rates of the Renminbi could materially and adversely affect the value of our shares, ADSs or notes and result in foreign currency exchange losses.

Substantially all of our revenues, costs and expenses, are denominated in Renminbi, and the functional currency of our principal operating subsidiaries and consolidated controlled entities is the Renminbi. On the other hand, a portion of our expenditures are denominated in foreign currencies, primarily the U.S. dollar, and we use the U.S. dollar as our reporting currency. The ADSs and our convertible senior notes are also denominated in U.S. dollars. As a result, the value of your investment in our ADSs or notes will be affected by fluctuations in exchange rates, particularly appreciation or depreciation in the value of the Renminbi relative to the U.S. dollar and other foreign currencies, without giving effect to any underlying change in our business or results of operations.

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The exchange rates between the Renminbi and the U.S. dollar and other foreign currencies are affected by, among other things, changes in China’s political and economic conditions. In July 2005, the PRC government discontinued pegging the Renminbi to the U.S. dollar. However, the PBOC regularly intervenes in the foreign exchange market to prevent significant short-term fluctuations in the exchange rate. Between July 2008 and June 2010, the exchange rate between the Renminbi and the U.S. dollar had been stable and traded within a narrow range. However, the Renminbi fluctuated significantly during that period against other freely traded currencies, in tandem with the U.S. dollar. Since June 2010, the Renminbi had started to slowly appreciate against the U.S. dollar, though there have been periods when the U.S. dollar has appreciated against the Renminbi. On August 11, 2015, the PBOC allowed the Renminbi to depreciate by approximately 2% against the U.S. dollar. Since October 1, 2016, the Renminbi has joined the International Monetary Fund (IMF)’s basket of currencies that make up the Special Drawing Right (SDR), along with the U.S. dollar, the Euro, the Japanese yen and the British pound. In the fourth quarter of 2016, the Renminbi has depreciated significantly in the backdrop of a surging U.S. dollar and persistent capital outflows of China. While appreciating approximately by 7% against the U.S. dollar in 2017, the Renminbi in 2018 depreciated approximately by 5% against the U.S. dollar. With the development of the foreign exchange market and progress towards interest rate liberalization and Renminbi internationalization, the PRC government may in the future announce further changes to the exchange rate system and we cannot assure you that the Renminbi will not appreciate or depreciate significantly in value against the U.S. dollar in the future. It is difficult to predict how market forces or PRC or U.S. government policy may impact the exchange rate between the Renminbi and the U.S. dollar in the future.

There remains significant international pressure on the PRC government to adopt a flexible currency policy. Any significant appreciation or depreciation of the Renminbi may materially and adversely affect our revenues, earnings and financial position, and the value of, and any dividends payable on, our ADSs in U.S. dollars. For example, to the extent that we need to convert U.S. dollars we receive from offshore financing transactions into Renminbi to pay our operating expenses, appreciation of the Renminbi against the U.S. dollar would have an adverse effect on the Renminbi amount we would receive from the conversion. Conversely, a significant depreciation of the Renminbi 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. Fluctuations in the exchange rate will also affect the relative value of any dividend we declare and distribute that will be exchanged into U.S. dollars and earnings from and the value of any U.S. dollar-denominated investments we make in the future. To the extent that we need to convert future financing proceeds into Renminbi for our operations, any appreciation of the Renminbi against the relevant foreign currencies would materially reduce the Renminbi amounts we would receive from the conversion. On the other hand, if we decide to convert our Renminbi into U.S. dollars for the purpose of making payments of dividends on our shares or for other business purposes when the U.S. dollar appreciates against the Renminbi, the amounts of U.S. dollars we would receive from such conversion would be reduced. In addition, any depreciation of our U.S. dollar-denominated monetary assets could result in a charge to our income statement and a reduction in the value of our assets.

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

You may experience difficulties in effecting service of legal process, enforcing foreign judgments or bringing original actions in China based on United States or other foreign laws against us or our management.

We are an exempted company incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands. We conduct our operations in China and substantially all of our assets are located in China. In addition, certain of our directors and executive officers reside in China, and most of the assets of these persons are located within China. As a result, it may not be possible to effect service of process within the United States or elsewhere outside China upon these directors and executive officers, including with respect to matters arising under U.S. federal securities laws or applicable state securities laws. Our PRC legal counsel has advised us that the recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments are provided for under the PRC Civil Procedure Law. PRC courts may recognize and enforce foreign judgments in accordance with the requirements of the PRC Civil Procedure Law based either on treaties between China and the country where the judgment is made or on reciprocity between jurisdictions. Currently, there are no treaties between the United States and China for the recognition or enforcement of U.S. court judgments in China. As a result, recognition and enforcement in China of judgments of a court in the United States or any other jurisdiction in relation to any matter not subject to a binding arbitration agreement may be difficult. Pursuant to the PRC Civil Procedure Law, any matter, including matters arising under U.S. federal securities laws, in relation to assets or personal relationships may be brought as an original action in China, only if the institution of such action satisfies the conditions specified in the PRC Civil Procedure Law. As a result of the conditions set forth in the PRC Civil Procedure Law and the discretion of the PRC courts to determine whether the conditions are satisfied and whether to accept the action for adjudication, there remains uncertainty as to whether an investor will be able to bring an original action in a PRC court based on U.S. federal securities laws. In addition, in the event that foreign judgments contravene the basic principles of laws of China, endanger PRC state sovereignty or security, or are in conflict with the public interest of China, PRC courts will not recognize and enforce such foreign judgments.

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

We are an exempted company with limited liability incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands. Our corporate affairs are governed by our memorandum and articles of association, the Companies Law (2020 Revision) of the Cayman Islands and the common law of the Cayman Islands. The rights of shareholders to take action against the directors, actions by minority shareholders and the fiduciary duties of our directors to us under Cayman Islands law are to a large extent governed by the common law of the Cayman Islands. The common law of the Cayman Islands is derived in part from comparatively limited judicial precedent in the Cayman Islands as well as from the common law of England, the decisions of whose courts are of persuasive authority, but are not binding, on a court in the Cayman Islands. The rights of our shareholders and the fiduciary duties of our directors under Cayman Islands law are not as clearly established as they would be under statutes or judicial precedent in some jurisdictions in the United States. In particular, the Cayman Islands have a less developed body of securities laws than the United States. Some states in the United States, such as Delaware, have more fully developed and judicially interpreted bodies of corporate law than the Cayman Islands. In addition, Cayman Islands companies may not have standing to initiate a shareholder derivative action in a federal court of the United States.

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Shareholders of Cayman Islands exempted companies like us have no general rights under Cayman Islands law to inspect corporate records (other than our memorandum and articles of association) or to obtain copies of lists of shareholders of these companies. Our directors have discretion to determine whether or not, and under what conditions, our corporate records may be inspected by our shareholders, but are not obliged to make them available to our shareholders. This may make it more difficult for you to obtain the information needed to establish any facts necessary for a shareholder resolution or to solicit proxies from other shareholders in connection with a proxy contest.

Certain corporate governance practices in the Cayman Islands, which is our home country, differ significantly from requirements for companies incorporated in other jurisdictions such as the United States. If we choose to follow home country practice in the future, our shareholders may be afforded less protection than they otherwise would under rules and regulations applicable to U.S. domestic issuers.

In addition, we conduct substantially all of our business operations in China, and substantially all of our directors and senior management are based in China. The SEC, U.S. Department of Justice and other authorities often have substantial difficulties in bringing and enforcing actions against non-U.S. companies and non-U.S. persons, including company directors and officers, in certain emerging markets, including China. Additionally, our public shareholders may have limited rights and few practical remedies in emerging markets where we operate, as shareholder claims that are common in the United States, including class action securities law and fraud claims, generally are difficult or impossible to pursue as a matter of law or practicality in many emerging markets, including China.

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

Risks related to our ADSs, ordinary shares and notes

The market price movement of our ADSs and notes may be volatile.

The market prices of our ADSs and/or notes may be volatile and subject to wide fluctuations. Among the factors that could affect the prices of our ADSs and/or notes are risk factors described in this section and other factors, including:

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In addition, the securities markets have from time to time experienced significant price and volume fluctuations that are not related to the operating performance of particular industries or companies. For example, the capital and credit markets have experienced significant volatility and disruption in recent years. In September 2008, such volatility and disruption reached extreme levels and developed into a global crisis. As a result, stock prices of a broad range of companies worldwide, whether or not they were related to financial services, declined significantly. Future market fluctuations may also have a material adverse effect on the market prices of our ADSs and/or notes.

We may need additional capital, and the sale of additional ADSs, convertible notes or other equity securities could result in additional dilution to our shareholders, while the incurrence of debt may impose restrictions on our operations.

We believe that our current cash and cash equivalents and anticipated cash flow from operations will be sufficient to meet our anticipated cash needs for the foreseeable future. We may, however, require additional cash resources due to changed business conditions or other future developments, including any investments or acquisitions we may decide to pursue and the expansion of our financial services. If these resources are insufficient to satisfy our cash requirements, we may seek to sell equity or debt securities or obtain a credit facility. The sale of equity securities would result in dilution to our shareholders. The incurrence of indebtedness would result in increased debt service obligations and could require us to agree to operating and financing covenants that would restrict our operations.

As a foreign private issuer, we are permitted to, and we rely on exemptions from certain corporate governance standards of The New York Stock Exchange applicable to U.S. issuers, including the requirement that a majority of an issuer’s directors consist of independent directors. This may afford less protection to holders of our ordinary shares, ADSs and notes.

We are a “foreign private issuer” under the securities laws of the United States and the rules of The New York Stock Exchange. Under the securities laws of the United States, “foreign private issuers” are subject to different disclosure requirements than U.S. domiciled registrants, as well as different financial reporting requirements. Under the rules of The New York Stock Exchange, a “foreign private issuer” is subject to less stringent corporate governance requirements. Subject to certain exceptions, the rules of The New York Stock Exchange permit a “foreign private issuer” to follow its home country practice in lieu of the listing requirements of The New York Stock Exchange. The corporate governance practice in our home country, the Cayman Islands, does not require a majority of our board to consist of independent directors or that we have annual meetings to elect directors. We currently rely on the exemptions provided by The New York Stock Exchange to a foreign private issuer and have an audit committee comprised of independent directors, a compensation committee with one non-independent director and a nominating and corporate governance committee with one non-independent director. As a result, you may not have the same protections afforded to stockholders of companies that are subject to all of the corporate governance requirements of The New York Stock Exchange.

As a foreign private issuer, we are exempt from certain disclosure requirements under the Exchange Act, which may afford less protection to our shareholders than they would enjoy if we were a U.S. company.

As a foreign private issuer, we are exempt from, among other things, the rules prescribing the furnishing and content of proxy statements under the Exchange Act. In addition, our executive officers, directors and principal shareholders are exempt from the reporting and short-swing profit and recovery provisions contained in Section 16 of the Exchange Act. We are also 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. As a result, our shareholders may be afforded less protection than they would under the Exchange Act rules applicable to U.S. companies.

The voting rights of holders of ADSs are limited by the terms of the deposit agreement.

A holder of our ADSs may only exercise the voting rights with respect to the underlying Class A ordinary shares in accordance with the provisions of the deposit agreement. Upon receipt of voting instructions of a holder of ADSs in the manner set forth in the deposit agreement and the restricted deposit agreement pursuant to which ADSs are issuable upon conversion of the notes, the depositary will endeavor to vote the underlying ordinary shares in accordance with these instructions. Under our amended and restated articles of association and Cayman Islands law, the minimum notice period required for convening a general meeting is 10 clear days. When a general meeting is convened, you may not receive sufficient notice to permit you to withdraw the underlying Class A ordinary shares represented by your ADSs and allow you to cast your vote as a direct shareholder with respect to any specific matter. In addition, the depositary and its agents may not be able to send voting instructions to you or carry out your voting instructions in a timely manner. We will make all reasonable efforts to cause the depositary to extend voting rights to you in a timely manner, but 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. Furthermore, the depositary and its agents will not be responsible for any failure to carry out any instructions to vote, for the manner in which any vote is cast or for the effect of any such vote. As a result, you may not be able to exercise your right to vote and you may lack recourse if the underlying Class A ordinary shares represented by your ADSs are not voted as you requested.

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You may not be able to participate in rights offerings and may experience dilution of your holdings.

We may, from time to time, distribute rights to our shareholders, including rights to acquire securities. We cannot offer or sell securities in the United States unless we register those securities under the Securities Act or unless an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act is available. Under the deposit agreement, the depositary will not distribute rights to holders of ADSs unless the distribution and sale of rights and the securities to which these rights relate are either exempt from registration under the Securities Act with respect to all holders of ADSs, or are registered under the Securities Act. The depositary may, but is not required to, attempt to sell such undistributed rights to third parties in this situation. We can give no assurances that we will be able to establish an exemption from registration under the Securities Act, and we are under no obligation to file a registration statement with respect to these rights or underlying securities or to endeavor to have a registration statement declared effective. Accordingly, holders of ADSs may be unable to participate in any rights offerings and may experience dilution of their holdings as a result.

If the depositary is unable to sell rights that are not exercised or not distributed or if the sale is not lawful or reasonably practicable, it will allow the rights to lapse, in which case you will receive no value for these rights.

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 for our ADSs has agreed to pay to you the cash dividends or other distributions it or its 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. For example, as of the date of this annual report, each ADS represents one Class A ordinary share. However, the depositary is not required to make such distributions if it decides that it is unlawful or impractical to make a distribution available to any holder of ADSs. For example, it would be unlawful to make a distribution to holders of ADSs if it consisted of securities that required registration under the Securities Act, but were not properly registered or distributed pursuant to an applicable exemption from registration. It could also be impracticable to make a distribution if doing so would entail fees and expenses that would exceed the value of the distribution or the distribution consisted of property that could not be transported or transferred. We have not undertaken any obligation to register under U.S. securities laws any ADSs, ordinary shares, rights or other securities that may be distributed to our shareholders. We also have not undertaken any 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 any distribution we make on our ordinary shares or any value for it if it is illegal or impractical for us to make such distribution available to you, such as if an exemption from registration under the U.S. securities laws is not available. These restrictions may decrease the value of your ADSs.

We may be required to withhold PRC income tax on any dividend we pay you, and any gain you realize on the transfer of our ordinary shares and/or ADSs may also be subject to PRC withholding tax.

Pursuant to the New EIT Law, we and our offshore subsidiaries may be treated as a PRC resident enterprise for PRC tax purposes. See “—Risks related to doing business in China—We may be treated as a resident enterprise for PRC tax purposes under the New EIT Law and therefore be subject to PRC taxation on our worldwide income.” If we and our offshore subsidiaries are so treated by the PRC tax authorities, we would be obligated to withhold a 10.0% PRC withholding tax for non-resident enterprises or a 20.0% PRC withholding tax for non-resident individuals, or a withholding tax at a reduced rate as provided under the applicable double tax treaty between China and the governments of other jurisdictions on any dividend we pay to you, subject to completion of the record-filing procedures and approval from the relevant tax authorities, pursuant to a Circular No. 124 issued by SAT in August 2009 (“Circular 124”).

On November 1, 2015, Circular 124 was repealed by the Administrative Measures for Tax Convention Treatment for Non-resident Taxpayers issued by SAT (“Circular 60”). Circular 60 provides that non-resident taxpayers are not required to obtain pre-approval from the relevant tax authority in order to enjoy the reduced withholding tax rate. Instead, they may, upon self-assessment that the prescribed criteria are met, submit the relevant statements and materials directly to the competent tax authorities for the tax return filing, which will be subject to post-filing examinations by the relevant tax authorities.

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In addition, any gain realized by any investors who are non-resident enterprises or non-resident individuals of China from the transfer of our ordinary shares, ADSs and/or notes could be regarded as being derived from sources within China and be subject to a 10.0% or 20.0% PRC withholding tax, respectively. Such PRC withholding tax would reduce your investment return on our ordinary shares, ADSs and/or notes and may also materially and adversely affect the prices of our ADSs and/or notes.

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

Our ordinary shares are divided into Class A ordinary shares and Class B ordinary shares. Holders of Class A ordinary shares are entitled to one vote per share, while holders of Class B ordinary shares are entitled to 10 votes per share. Each ADS represents one Class A ordinary share and the number of votes to which each ADS would be entitled to is the number of Class A ordinary shares it represents. A number of our shareholders, including primarily Media Partner and Next Decade, whose shares are held in irrevocable discretionary trusts established by Mr. Mo, hold Class B ordinary shares. We intend to maintain the dual-class ordinary share structure. Each Class B ordinary share is convertible into one Class A ordinary share at any time by its holder and Class A ordinary shares are not convertible into Class B ordinary shares under any circumstances. Upon any sale, transfer or disposition of Class B ordinary shares by a Class B ordinary shareholder to any person or entity which is not a majority-owned and majority-controlled subsidiary of certain of our shareholders as set forth in our amended and restated articles of association, such Class B ordinary shares will be automatically and immediately converted into the equal number of Class A ordinary shares.

Due to the disparate voting powers attached to these classes of shares, our shareholders holding Class B ordinary shares have significant voting power over matters requiring shareholder approval, including election of directors and significant corporate transactions, such as a merger or sale of our company or our assets. This concentrated control 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.

Our articles of association contain anti-takeover provisions that could adversely affect the rights of holders of our ordinary shares and ADSs

We have included certain provisions in our current articles of association that would limit the ability of others to acquire control of our company. These provisions could deprive our shareholders of the opportunity to sell their ordinary shares at a premium over the prevailing market price by discouraging third parties from seeking to obtain control of our company in a tender offer or similar transactions. These provisions include the following:

Servicing our debt requires a significant amount of cash, and we may not have sufficient cash flow from our business to pay our substantial debt.

Our ability to make scheduled payments of the principal of, to pay interest on or to refinance our indebtedness, including the notes, depends on our future performance, which is subject to economic, financial, competitive and other factors beyond our control. Our business may not continue to 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 on terms that may be onerous or highly dilutive. Our ability to refinance our indebtedness will depend on the capital markets and our financial condition at such time. 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.

We may incur more debt or take other actions which would intensify the risks discussed above.

We and our subsidiaries and consolidated controlled entities may incur substantial additional debt in the future, some of which may be secured debt. We will not be restricted under the terms of the indenture governing the notes from incurring additional debt, securing existing or future debt, recapitalizing our debt or taking a number of other actions that are not limited by the terms of the indenture governing the notes that could have the effect of diminishing our ability to make payments on the notes when due.

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We may not have the ability to raise the funds necessary to repurchase the 2022 Notes upon a fundamental change (as defined in the relevant note documents), and our future debt may contain limitations on our ability to repurchase the notes.

Holders of certain of our outstanding notes will have the right to require us to repurchase their notes upon the occurrence of a fundamental change (as defined in the relevant note documents) at a repurchase price equal to 100.0% of the principal amount of the notes to be repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest under certain circumstances. However, we may not have enough available cash or be able to obtain financing at the time we are required to make repurchases of notes surrendered therefor. In addition, our ability to repurchase the notes may be limited by law, by regulatory authority or by agreements governing our future indebtedness. Our failure to repurchase notes at a time when the repurchase is required by the relevant note documents would constitute a default under such documents. A default under the relevant note documents or the fundamental change itself could also lead to a default under agreements governing any future indebtedness. If the repayment of any future indebtedness were to be accelerated after any applicable notice or grace periods, we may not have sufficient funds to repay the indebtedness and repurchase the notes.

The future sale of substantial amounts of ADSs and/or convertible notes could lower the market price for the ADSs and/or our outstanding notes, as the case may be.

Sales of substantial amounts of ADSs and/or notes that may be converted or exchanged into ADSs or ordinary shares in the public market, or the perception that these sales could occur, could adversely affect the market price of our ADSs, could materially impair our ability to raise capital through equity offerings in the future and could adversely impact the trading price of the ADSs and/or the notes. The ADSs outstanding not held by our affiliates are freely tradable without restriction or further registration under the Securities Act, and shares held by our affiliates may also be sold in the public market in the future subject to the restrictions in Rule 144 under the Securities Act. We may also issue additional options in the future which may be exercised for additional ordinary shares and additional restricted shares and restricted share units. 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 the ADSs or the trading price of the notes.

We may be or become a passive foreign investment company (“PFIC”), which could result in adverse U.S. tax consequences to U.S. investors.

A non-U.S. corporation is deemed a PFIC for any taxable year if either (1) at least 75% of its gross income for such year is passive income, or (2) at least 50% of the value of its assets (based on an average of the quarterly values of the assets) during such year is attributable to assets that produce passive income or are held for the production of passive income. We operate an active real estate Internet portal in China. Based on the market price of our ADSs, the value of our assets, and the composition of our income and assets, we may have been a PFIC for the taxable year ended December 31, 2019. The determination of whether a non-U.S. corporation is a PFIC is made on an annual basis after the close of each tax year. There can be no assurance that we will not be a PFIC for our current taxable year or any future tax year. One consequential factor affecting the outcome of annual PFIC determination in current and future tax years will be our market capitalization. Because items of working capital are generally treated as passive assets for PFIC purposes, accumulating cash, cash equivalents and other assets such as short-term and long-term investments that are readily convertible into cash increases the risk that we will be classified as a PFIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes. A determination that we are a PFIC could result in adverse U.S. tax consequences to you if you are a U.S. taxpayer and own our ADSs or ordinary shares, in the form of increased tax liabilities and burdensome reporting requirements. For example, if we were a PFIC, you would generally be taxed at the higher ordinary income rates, rather than the lower capital gain rates, if you dispose of ADSs or ordinary shares at a gain in a later year, even if we are not a PFIC in that year. In addition, a portion of the tax imposed on your gain would be increased by an interest charge. Certain elections may be available to certain of our holders, however, that would mitigate these adverse tax consequences to varying degrees. Also, if we were classified as a PFIC in any taxable year, you would not be able to benefit from any preferential tax rate (if any) with respect to any dividend distribution that you may receive from us in that year or in the following year. Since our business and assets may evolve over time in ways that are different from what we currently anticipate, we cannot assure you that we will not be a PFIC for our current taxable year or any future taxable year. For more information on the tax consequences to you if we were treated as a PFIC, see “Item 10.E. Additional Information—Taxation—U.S. Federal Income Taxation” of this annual report.

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On February 18, 2011, we changed our ADS share ratio from one ADS representing four Class A ordinary shares to one ADS representing one Class A ordinary share.

On April 7, 2014, we changed our ADS share ratio from one ADS representing one Class A ordinary share to five ADSs representing one Class A ordinary share.

On July 19, 2018, we entered into definitive agreements to acquire a 10% equity interest in Wanli from a shareholder of Wanli for a cash consideration of RMB500 million, of which RMB200 million will compensate the seller in connection with the Business Disposal (defined below). In connection with the acquisition, the seller agrees agreed (1) to enter into an irrevocable voting proxy agreement with a term of three years to adhere to our action in Wanli’s future meetings of shareholders and board of directors and (2) to purchase from Wanli its battery business for a price of no less than RMB680 million within three years after the consummation of the acquisition (the “Business Disposal”). Following the completion of the acquisition on August 10, 2018, we have become the largest shareholder of Wanli.

On June 11, 2019, we completed the separation of CIH from us into an independent publicly traded company via a dividend distribution of all the CIH’s ordinary shares owned by us to our equity holders. The business of CIH comprises (1) certain information and analytics services, initially operated as part of our value-added services, and (2) certain marketplace services, initially operated as part of our listing services. Following the spin-off of CIH, we have retained our business operating a real estate Internet portal focusing primarily on serving the residential property sector, while CIH strategically focuses on serving the commercial property sector in China, allowing each company to more effectively pursue its own distinct operating priorities and strategies.

On July 8, 2019, we changed our ADS share ratio from five ADSs representing one Class A ordinary share to one ADS representing one Class A ordinary share.

Our principal executive offices are located Tower A, No. 20 Guogongzhuang Middle Street, Fengtai District, Beijing 100070, the People’s Republic of China. Our telephone number at this address is +8610 5631 8000. Our website address is www.fang.com. We do not incorporate the information on our website into this annual report.

B. Business Overview

Overview

We believe we operate a leading real estate Internet portal in China in terms of the number of page views and visitors to our websites in 2019. Our user-friendly websites and mobile apps support active online communities and networks of users seeking information on, and services for, the real estate and home-related sectors in China. Our service offerings include:

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We have built a large and active community of users, who are attracted by the comprehensive real estate and home related content available on our portal that forms the foundation of our service offerings. We currently maintain approximately 74 offices across China to focus on local market needs. Our user base has also attracted numerous customers, which include real estate developers, real estate agents and brokers, property owners, property managers, mortgage brokers, lenders and suppliers of home furnishing and improvement and other home-related products and services. Our diverse offerings and broad geographic coverage have resulted in an active and dynamic online community that provides an effective and targeted channel for advertisers to market their products and services, and serves as a centralized source of information, products and services for consumers in the real estate and home furnishing and improvement and other home-related markets. With our leading Internet portal, we believe that we are well positioned to develop integrated media and financing platforms, increase synergy and capture additional growth opportunities in the real estate market in China.

On June 11, 2019, we completed the separation of CIH from us to form two independent, publicly traded companies with differing business objectives and opportunities, via a dividend distribution of all the CIH’s ordinary shares owned by us to our equity holders. Following the completion of the separation of CIH from us, CIH has the exclusive right to operate the spun-off business comprising certain portions of our listing and value-added services, and we have the exclusive right to operate the retained business. In particular, the spun-off business comprises (1) certain information and analytics services, initially operated as part of our value-added services, and (2) certain marketplace services, initially operated as part of our listing services. Following the separation and distribution, CIH strategically focuses on serving the commercial property sector in China to capture the enormous market opportunity from its rapid development, while we retain our business operating a real estate Internet portal focusing primarily on serving the residential property sector.

Our Services

We provide (1) marketing services, (2) listing services, (3) leads generation services, (4) financial services, (5) e-commerce services and (6) value-added services to participants in the PRC real estate and home-related sectors primarily through our websites and our mobile apps.

Marketing Services

We target our marketing services toward participants in China’s real estate and home-related sectors. Marketing is one of our most important businesses. Our revenues generated from marketing services were US$149.3 million, US$98.4 million and US$94.6 million in 2017, 2018 and 2019, respectively, representing 37.8%, 41.0% and 43.1% of our revenues, respectively. Our marketing services are delivered through our website www.fang.com and our mobile apps, which can be downloaded for both iOS- and Android-based operating systems, and include traditional Internet advertisements such as banners, links, logos and floating signs, as well as featured promotions, which are specially-tailored packages of traditional online advertising tools. Customers of our marketing services include a broad range of participants in the PRC real estate and home-related sectors, such as:

We also combine traditional online advertising tools with new marketing strategies to create featured promotion packages for our customers. Using the inherent flexibility of website advertising, we create customized marketing and promotional packages with additional features at the request of our customers to meet the different needs of various customers operating in diverse geographic markets in China. We believe that we have the opportunity to provide additional features to generate additional revenues without incurring significant additional costs. Marketing services have been and will continue to be a growth area for us, as we believe that participants in China’s real estate and home-related sectors are increasingly looking to the Internet and mobile apps as an additional vehicle through which to attract customers.

We generally enter into two main types of marketing contracts with our customers. The first type is a framework contract prescribing the total payment amount and price of products. The second type is an order contract with payment due within 90 days of the execution of the contract. Our marketing framework contracts generally have a one-year term.

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Listing Services

Prior to the separation of CIH, our listing services included basic listing services and special listing services on our websites and mobile apps. Following the spin-off of CIH, we retained our basic listing services, while the special listing services, namely the specialized marketing campaigns provided primarily to developers through online channels and offline themed events, are operated by CIH. Revenue from special listing services have been classified and reported under discontinued operations for all the periods presented. Our revenues generated from listing services were US$141.5 million, US$81.7 million and US$63.5 million in 2017, 2018 and 2019, respectively, representing 35.8%, 34.1% and 28.9% of our revenues, respectively.

Real estate agents, brokers, managers, developers, owners and suppliers of home furnishing and improvement products and services subscribe to our basic listing services for a fee, which allow them to post listings for properties or home furnishing and improvement products and services over the subscription periods. All visitors to our websites and mobile apps have access to listing information free of charge.

Most of our basic listing subscription contracts are one to three months in duration. We typically collect payments for such subscriptions for our basic listing services before the signing of a subscription contract. We also offer longer arrangements, such as to certain large real estate agencies. For subscription contracts with longer terms, the contract prices are generally payable in installments every one to three months until the end of the contract term.

We offer free trials of our basic listing services. These free trials allow users to experience our basic listing services and high user traffic. While there is no time restriction on our free trials, there are incentives for free trial users to upgrade their free trial accounts to paid subscriptions for our basic listing services because listings posted through free trial accounts are featured in less prominent positions and rankings than those of subscribers. The average number of paying subscribers to our basic listing services was approximately 265,650, 206,250 and 160,050 in 2017, 2018 and 2019, respectively.

In addition, we allow individual property owners to list their own properties for sale or rent on our property listing sections without charge. Such free listings do not enjoy prime positioning and are strictly limited to individual, non-real estate professional home owners. To help prevent real estate professionals from abusing the individual property owner basic listing service, we have created a customer hotline for our users to report any abuse.

Our basic listing services help us build our comprehensive database of information regarding new, secondary and rental properties as well as home furnishing and improvement products and services in major urban centers across China. The large amount of our basic listings attracts significant user traffic on our websites and mobile apps, which we believe can be leveraged to yield more marketing customers and higher marketing fees from our institutional customers.

We update the listing data on our websites and mobile apps on a daily basis through our proprietary content management process and software. This proprietary content management process is monitored by our listing monitoring team and allows our customers to submit listing information in a specific format. Our listing monitoring team periodically checks all listing information uploaded to our websites and mobile apps to identify common anomalies in posted information in order to limit unreliable data. Once we discover false information in a listing, we liaise with the real estate agent or broker to rectify the listing immediately. If such listing information is not revised on a timely basis, we will move it into a database that cannot be accessed by our users.

Leads Generation Services

We launched our leads generation services in late 2017 and began to recognize revenue in 2018. Our revenues generated from leads generation services were US$21.3 million and US$43.3 million in 2018 and 2019, respectively, representing 8.9% and 19.7% of our revenues, respectively. We provide leads generation services to real estate developers, real estate brokers and, to a lesser extent, suppliers of home furnishing and improvement-related products and services by connecting our customers with scattered demand for real estate and home furnishing and improvement-related services. We charge the service fee based on the number of sales leads we delivered during a certain period of time. We recognize revenues upon our delivery of the sales leads to our customers.

Financial Services

Our revenues generated from financial services were US$12.1 million, US$18.1 million and US$9.6 million in 2017, 2018 and 2019, respectively, representing 3.0%, 7.5% and 4.3% of our revenues, respectively.

We primarily provide secured consumer loans to individuals that meet our credit assessment requirements. We generally charge borrowers both interest and service fees. We assess each individual loan receivable for impairment on a quarterly basis. As part of our impairment assessment, we consider the timeliness of collection to date, changes in the value of collateral provided by the borrowers and expected default rates.

We obtained approvals to engage in the microfinancing business from government authorities of four cities, including Beihai, Shanghai, Chongqing and Tianjin.

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E-commerce Services

Our e-commerce services, first launched in 2011, primarily include Fang membership services and direct sales services for new homes. Our revenues generated from e-commerce services were US$87.8 million, US$15.4 million and US$2.8 million in 2017, 2018 and 2019, respectively, representing 22.2%, 6.4% and 1.3% of our revenues, respectively. We ceased entering into new contracts for our direct sales services for new homes, online home-decorating services and online real estate brokerage services in early 2018 due to the change in our business development strategies.

Fang Membership Services. We provide both free and paid membership services to the registered members of our Fang cards on our websites and mobile apps. Our free services include primarily regular updates regarding local property developments, tours to visit property developments and other services relating to properties purchases. Our paid services primarily include offers to home buyers to purchase properties with discounts from our partner developers and dedicated information and related services to facilitate property purchases, which we began to offer in 2011. Our membership fees for paid services generally range from RMB500 to RMB50,000. The discount is reflected as a fixed amount off, or a percentage discount to, the total purchase price paid by a home buyer for a specified property, or a combination of both, which is determined by us and our partner developers. The discounts are significantly higher than our membership fees, resulting in net savings for our members. Membership fees are refundable until our members use the discounts to purchase properties or pursuant to our refund policy. Our members pay a specified fee each time in order to be eligible for the discount provided for a particular property. To promote our services and reach additional customers, we may promote the property developments through other advertising channels and pay real estate agents for customer referrals. In 2019, we offered paid Fang membership services covering approximately 143 property developments in 34 cities in China. Our revenues from Fang membership services totaled US$10.3 million, US$2.8 million and US$0.6 million in 2017, 2018 and 2019, respectively, or 11.7%, 17.9% and 22.3%, respectively, of our total revenues generated from e-commerce for the same periods.

Direct Sales Services. We launched our direct sales services in August 2014. We promote property developments of our developer clients primarily through our websites and mobile apps. Different from our Fang membership services, potential individual buyers can register with us free of charge if they are interested in any real estate properties covered by our direct sales services. In addition, individual buyers can enjoy discounted prices for properties that we offer from our developer clients. We charge our developer clients a fee for each property they sold through our direct sales services. Our fee generally is a predetermined percentage of the value of the individual transaction and is refundable pursuant to our refund policy. Our revenues from direct sales services totaled US$26.9 million, US$5.3 million and US$0.9 million in 2017, 2018 and 2019, respectively, or 30.6%, 34.4% and 30.5%, respectively, of our total revenues generated from e-commerce for the same periods.

Online Sublease Services. We launched our online sublease services in the second quarter of 2015. We promote and market real properties leased from third parties on our websites and mobile apps, and sublease such properties to our customers for rental fees. We suspended our online sublease services in 2019 due to our transformation back to a technology-driven open platform and our business development strategies.

Value-added Services

In addition to listing, marketing, e-commerce and financial services, we also provide value-added services which primarily include portal collaboration. Prior to the separation of CIH, our value-added services also included data and analytics services, which has been operated by CIH following the spin-off of CIH. Revenue from data and analytics services have been classified and reported under discontinued operations for all the periods presented.

Our Websites

Our principal website, www.fang.com, is the leading real estate Internet portal and one of the leading home furnishing and improvement websites in China in terms of visitor traffic. As part of our effort to promote our brand recognition, we changed the address of our principal website from www.soufun.com to www.fang.com in July 2014. “Fang” means “home” in Chinese. We believe that this new and simplified address will be much easier for Chinese users to remember and access, thereby improving our brand recognition. According to our own records, our websites, including www.fang.com received a monthly average of approximately 100 million unique visitors in the fourth quarter of 2019. In addition, we had approximately 110 million registered members of our www.fang.com website and had about 25 million registered members of our free and paid Fang membership services as of December 31, 2019.

As of December 31, 2019, our www.fang.com website contained contents covering 665 cities across China, as well as Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Japan, United States, Canada, Australia, United Kingdom and Spain. This website also contains links to other specialized real estate and home furnishing and improvement websites, including our www.jiatx.com website, our e-commerce transaction and payment platform.

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We believe user satisfaction ultimately rests on the appeal, attraction and functionality of our websites. Our Internet technology and sales and marketing teams spend considerable time and resources upgrading and enhancing our websites based on market trends and feedback from users and our marketing and listing customers. We distinguish ourselves from other websites focused on real estate and home-related products and services through the quality and breadth of our content. We also maintain a centralized customer service hotline and e-mail reporting system through which users can obtain assistance or otherwise contact us.

Our www.fang.com website covers a wide spectrum of PRC real estate and home furnishing and improvement and other home-related information and constitutes the foundation and gateway for our primary business activities. We aim at providing a central forum of reliable information regarding China’s real estate and home-related markets that is helpful to market participants in the transaction process. Our content, which is generally free to our website users, is designed to assist users with each step of the real estate and home furnishing and improvement and other home-related transaction process. Our extensive home-related content and information is organized into the following sections and categories on our website, which are intended to address the individual needs of our users.

Online Property Listings and Search Engines for New Home and Secondary and Rental Properties

Our www.fang.com website contains databases for new home, secondary and rental properties, and provides search engines on such properties in our databases.

With our on-the-ground capabilities in approximately 74 offices in China, we devote significant resources to collect first-hand real estate market intelligence and listing information in such markets and to update such information on a regular basis. Our user-friendly search engines and website interfaces allow users to tailor their searches to specific types of properties by using search criteria. Users seeking information on properties in specific geographic locations can narrow their searches to a specific city and often to specific districts or areas in the vicinity of a particular subway line within that city by using pull-down menus. Users can further refine their searches using selection criteria, including price range, type of property, number of rooms and size. After selecting search parameters, users are directed to a page listing available properties as well as basic information about each individual property, including location, price, number of rooms and the source of the listing.

Information on Home Related Products and Services

Our www.fang.com website contains information regarding design firms, contractors, do-it-yourself projects, building materials and a wide range of products and services relevant to home decoration and re-modeling, furniture and other home furnishing and services. We provide an efficient platform for companies in the home-related sector, which primarily include suppliers of furnishing and improvement products and services and are usually small in size, to promote their brands and establish their presence on the Internet. We also provide search tools enabling visitors to search for specific businesses by area of expertise, product or service category. For example, a visitor interested in searching for suppliers and installers of window products in Beijing can use our pull-down search tools to focus their search for businesses providing such products and services.

Other pull-down menus allow visitors to view numerous design concepts, model interior decoration plans or other home improvement ideas. After selecting search parameters, users are directed to a page listing applicable home furnishing and improvement products and services as well as basic information about each home furnishing and improvement product or service, including price, product and service information and the source of the information. Much of the content, pictures and graphics are provided by other users of the website, which allows people interested in home decoration and furnishing to share ideas and information online. Users can also use this section to find and compare the work and experience of architects and interior designers.

Online Residential Communities

We offer online residential community services through our website, www.fang.com. Such online residential community services provide a forum for visitors to share personal views, anecdotes and other information regarding different aspects of the PRC real estate market, specific property developments and residential communities and other subjects. They also provide a platform for conducting real estate and home furnishing and improvement and other home-related transactions online. We believe our electronic bulletin board forums, blogs and other online community-oriented services are valuable means for enhancing loyalty and brand awareness among our users by creating virtual communities sharing a common interest in PRC real estate and home-related topics. In addition to using such forums to increase website traffic, we are also exploring ways to generate new revenue streams from our online forums and community-oriented services.

Our Mobile Channels

We have developed a comprehensive real-estate mobile platform comprising our own mobile app, ‘‘Fang Tian Xia,’’ our mobile WAP websites and New Media Matrix, primarily to provide content to and attracts consumers in China’s real estate and home furnishing and improvement-related sectors.

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Mobile apps and WAP websites

We have developed a series of mobile apps to meet the diverse needs of home buyers, renters and real estate agents. As of April 30, 2020, we had approximately 17 iOS and 17 Android-based mobile apps, respectively. These mobile apps are downloadable through our websites and major app stores in China.

New Media Matrix

We also actively explore and develop new types of mobile channels to expand our mobile access points and user base. Launched in November 2017, our New Media Matrix is a flexible and dynamic communication channel, which includes various self-owned or self-operated programs and media accounts on popular third-party mobile platforms in China, such as Tencent, Baidu, Weibo, Alibaba and Toutiao, to provide frequent, up-to-date property and home furnishing and improvement-related information to home buyers, renters, and real estate agents.

Our National Coverage

As of December 31, 2019, we provided advertisement, property listing, search services, and other real estate-related content in 665 cities in China. We believe this extensive nationwide coverage enhances our national brand image, which enables us to deliver consistent, high-quality services to customers. The real estate industry is inherently a local business, and online marketing and listing services targeted at the real estate industry are most effective when delivered by personnel familiar with and experienced in the relevant local markets. Our network of branch offices enables us to tailor our services to local conditions and the needs of local property developers and real estate professionals. Our local personnel also provide our headquarters with valuable data insights regarding these local real estate markets, which contributes to our collective knowledge and expertise about real estate markets throughout China.

We derive a substantial portion of our revenues from several major urban centers in China, including Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, Chongqing, Tianjin and Shenzhen. We also offer limited listing and other information relating to the real estate markets in Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Japan, United States, Canada, Australia, United Kingdom and Spain, but these markets do not constitute a material part of our business.

Brand Awareness and Marketing

We employ a variety of marketing and branding promotion methods to promote our online platform and brands recognition and attract our customers, including our directed selling efforts and other methods, such as cooperation with affiliated or third-party partners in the areas of research, academic organizations and the publication of various research reports, event sponsorships, portal collaboration arrangements and marketing alliances. We believe we have become commonly associated with China’s growing real estate and home furnishing and improvement-related sectors.

Real estate knowledge base. Our knowledge of China’s real estate and home furnishing and improvement-related sectors provides a valuable competitive advantage and helps promote our brand names in China’s real estate and furnishing and improvement-related markets. We promote our brand and marketing our service offerings by enhancing the comprehensiveness of our listing data and real estate information on our online platform. We strategically cooperate with our affiliates, including CIH, to improve both the quality and quantity of content and information on our online platform. We also seek to recruit and retain employees well-versed in China’s real estate and home furnishing and improvement-related sectors through a variety of incentive measures, including share-based compensation plans.

Collaboration arrangements with third-parties. We cooperate with well-known third-party online platforms in China to effectively promote our brand and marketing our service offerings by providing valuable real estate and home furnishing and improvement-related data and information to the consumers on these platforms. We operate various mini programs and media accounts on WeChat and Weibo to promote our brand and market our services. Our collaboration arrangements with these online platforms through our New Media Matrix have contributed the rapidest growth of our user base.

Advertising and marketing. We also conduct both online and offline marketing and advertising activities to promote awareness of our online platform and service offerings, “Fang Tian Xia” and “Fang.com” brands, such as advertisements on billboards or online channels with high traffic.

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Our Sales Force

We have built a sales and marketing team experienced in the online advertising, Internet and real estate industries. As of December 31, 2019, our sales and marketing team consisted of over 2,000 members. We also occasionally engage sales agents to collect information on local markets or for specific business lines within local markets. Our sales and marketing team, together with these sales agents, work closely with our customers in local markets and help us gain insight into developments in these local markets, the competitive landscape and new market opportunities, which assists us in setting our prices and strategies for each locality.

Our sales and marketing personnel are divided into the new home group, secondary and rental properties group, home furnishing and improvement group. This structure allows our sales and marketing personnel to gain expertise with a specific subset of customers within the market sectors that we target, and effectively design market-tailored services to customers within each subset.

To motivate our sales and marketing personnel, a majority of their compensation consists of performance incentives such as commissions and bonuses. Sales quotas are assigned to all sales personnel according to monthly, quarterly and annual sales plans. We also apply a merit-based promotion system to motivate our sales personnel.

We are focused on training programs designed to improve the sales and marketing skills of our staff. We provide three types of training to our sales and marketing personnel: (1) mandatory onboarding training for each new sales and marketing employee during a three-month probationary period, (2) rotation training that places every sales and marketing employee in different posts for a certain period of time, and (3) regular training in which weekly seminars and case studies are conducted for sales and marketing personnel. The combination of our training, performance-based compensation, and merit-based promotion system have been effective in identifying, motivating and retaining strong performers.

Our Technology

The key components of our technology platform include:

Large-scale system infrastructure. We have designed our system to handle large amounts of data flow with a high degree of scalability and reliability. Our distributed architecture uses parallel computing technology and clusters of low-cost computers to handle high-volume visitor traffic and process large amounts of information.

Anti-fraud and anti-spam technology. We have also developed a proprietary anti-fraud and anti-spam system through which we are able to detect and monitor fraudulent activities and identify and filter spam messages. We seek to continuously improve the accuracy and effectiveness of this technology through machine-learning capability and customizable rules.

Data mining technology. Our big data storage and distribution system stores and processes a large amount of multi-dimensional user data, including time and location, user behavior, consumption and social data, which serve as the foundation of our big data technology. Synthesizing a wide variety of data from our users, we have built our recommendation model through machine learning. The model can predict a user’s preference for types of properties or home furnishing and improvements-related services and products, such as location, price range and room size, which allows us to make accurate and personalized recommendations of real estate agents, brokers, properties, services and products to our users.

Seasonality

The real estate sector in China is characterized by seasonal fluctuations, which may cause our revenues to fluctuate significantly from quarter to quarter. The first quarter of each year generally contributes the smallest portion of our annual revenues due to reduced advertising and marketing activity of our customers in the PRC real estate industry during and around the Chinese Lunar New Year holiday, which generally occurs in January or February of each year. In contrast, the third quarter of each year generally contributes the largest portion of our annual revenues due to increased advertising and marketing activity of our customers in the PRC real estate industry as most property purchases take place in September and October of each year in terms of monthly transaction volumes. See “Item 3.D. Key Information—Risk Factors—Risks related to our business—You should not rely on our quarterly operating results as an indication of our future performance because our quarterly financial results are subject to fluctuations.”

Competition

We face competition from other companies in each of our primary business activities. We compete with these companies primarily on our ability to attract users to our online platform and attract customers using our service offerings and on the basis of the quality and quantity of real estate listings and other content and services. We compete for developers’ business on the basis on online traffic volume, customer loyalty, geographic coverage and service offerings. We also compete for qualified employees with skills and experience related to sales, real estate services, advertising, technology and the Internet industry.

Our competitors may have more established brand names, larger visitor numbers and more extensive distribution channels than we do, either overall, or in specific regions in which we operate. Some of our competitors may have greater access to capital markets, more financial and other resources and a longer operating history than us.

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Other existing and potential competitors primarily include:

·                  real estate and home furnishing and improvement websites and mobile apps offering listing and marketing services in China including real estate websites and mobile apps sponsored or supported by local governments in China, which may be able to use such government connections to develop relationships with locally-active real estate developers;

·                  traditional advertising media such as general-purpose and real estate-focused newspapers, magazines, television and outdoor advertising that compete for overall advertising spending; and

·                  online listing service providers, including general-purpose Internet portals and regional websites and mobile apps dedicated to online listing. We believe the key players in the markets for online real estate marketing and listing services in China include 58.com and Anjuke.com. We also compete with general-purpose advertising media, such as Toutiao and WeChat.

Intellectual Property

Our copyrights, trademarks, trade secrets, domain names and other intellectual property are important to our business. We rely on intellectual property laws and contractual arrangements with our key employees and certain of our customers, collaborators and others to protect our intellectual property rights. Despite these measures, we cannot assure you that we will be able to prevent unauthorized use of our intellectual property, which would adversely affect our business.

Our applications for the “SouFun” trademark for certain industry categories in China conflict with existing registrations of or applications for similar trademarks, which have resulted in litigations. In April 2014, the Higher People’s Court of Beijing Municipality reversed a lower court’s judgment in favor of us and ordered the PRC Trademark Review and Adjudication Board of SAIC to reconsider another PRC company’s trademark application for “SOFANG” that it had previously rejected. In April 2015, the Supreme People’s Court of the PRC accepted our application for retrial over the judgment of the Higher People’s Court of Beijing Municipality but ultimately denied our application. See “Item 3.D. Key Information—Risk Factors—Risks related to our business—Unauthorized use of our intellectual property by third parties, and the expenses incurred in protecting our intellectual property rights, may materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, reputation and competitive advantage” and “—We may be subject to intellectual property infringement or misappropriation claims by third parties, which may force us to incur substantial legal expenses and, if determined adversely against us, could materially disrupt our business.” In 2015, we obtained new trademarks “Fang.com” in English and “房天下” (“Fang Tian Xia” in Chinese) and began to market our services under these new brands in connection with the transformation of our business model. We therefore do not currently expect our business would be materially and adversely affected even if we lose the right to use the trademark relating to “SouFun” in certain limited industry categories.

As of December 31, 2019, we held 351 registered copyrights and owned or licensed 801 registered trademarks in China. As of the same date, we had 235 trademark applications in various industry categories, pending with the PRC Trademark Office.

We have also filed applications to register certain trademarks in a number of other jurisdictions, including Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan, Canada, Australia, France, Japan, Singapore, Spain, the United Kingdom and the United States.

As of December 31, 2019, we owned or licensed 1,066 registered domain names, including our official website, www.fang.com, and domain names registered in connection with www.jiatx.com and www.fangtx.com.

As of December 31, 2019, we had four registered patents and six patent applications relating to database maintenance and computer data backup under review by the State Intellectual Property Office of the PRC.

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Facilities

Our principal executive offices are located at Tower A, No. 20 Guogongzhuang Middle Street, Fengtai District, Beijing 100070, the People’s Republic of China, with approximately 69,313 sq.m. of office space. As of December 31, 2019, we leased or owned properties with an aggregate gross floor area of approximately 49,674 sq.m. for our local offices across China in addition to our principal executive offices in Beijing. Our leased properties mainly consist of office premises, all of which are leased from independent third parties. We believe our existing leased and owned premises are adequate for our current business operations and that additional space can be obtained on commercially reasonable terms to meet our future requirements. See “Item 3.D. Key Information—Risk Factors—Risks related to our business—Certain of our leased property interests may be defective and we may be forced to relocate operations affected by such defects, which could cause significant disruption to our business.”

We own an office building with a total usable office space of approximately 69,313 sq.m. in Beijing as our headquarters.

We own an office building with a gross floor area of 325,000 square feet at 72 Wall Street, New York. It is currently under major refurnishment work.

We own certain commercial properties of approximately 3,111 sq.m and 22,064.8 sq.m, in Sanya, Hainan province and Wuhan, Hubei province, China, respectively. We also own office space of 46,681 sq.m, together with 373 parking spaces, in an office building in Chengdu, Sichuan province, 1264.67 sq.m, in an office building in Changzhou, Jiangsu province, as well as office space of 30,843 sq.m in an office building in Chongqing. We primarily use these properties as our local offices.

We own certain Meilin lake villa properties of 10,308 sq.m. in Changzhou, Jiangsu province, China.

In addition, we own a portion of a building known as the BaoAn Building located at 800 Dongfang Road, Pudong, Shanghai. The property has usable space of approximately 42,000 sq.m. and is currently used for offices, retail space and a hotel. We acquired the property to support our expansion in Shanghai and the East China region, which consists of 15 cities including Jiangsu provincial capital Nanjing and Zhejiang provincial capital Hangzhou.

We own a building in Hangzhou with usable space of approximately 27,030 sq.m. as our branch office in Hangzhou.

We also purchased a total net rentable area of 264,964 square feet in an office building in San Francisco. Our San Francisco office is primarily used as our technology and research center in the US.

Insurance

We maintain property insurance to cover potential damages to a portion of our property. In addition, we provide medical, unemployment and other insurance to our employees in compliance with applicable PRC laws, rules and regulations. We do not maintain insurance policies covering losses relating to our systems and do not have business interruption insurance.

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Regulation

Our business is subject to substantial regulation by the PRC government. This section sets forth a summary of certain significant PRC regulations that affect our business and the industries within which we operate. See “Item 3.D. Key Information—Risk Factors” which discusses risks related to regulation of our business and industry.

General

The telecommunications industry, including Internet information services and Internet access services, is highly regulated by the PRC government. Regulations issued or implemented by the State Council, MIIT and other relevant government authorities cover virtually every aspect of telecommunications network operations, including entry into the telecommunications industry, the scope of permissible business activities, interconnection and transmission line arrangements, tariff policy and foreign investment.

MIIT, under the leadership of the State Council, is responsible for, among other things:

·      formulating and enforcing telecommunications industry policy, standards and regulations;

·      granting licenses to provide telecommunications and Internet services;

·      formulating tariff and service charge policies for telecommunications and Internet services;

·      supervising the operations of telecommunications and Internet service providers; and

·      maintaining fair and orderly market competition among telecommunications and Internet service providers.

In addition to the regulations promulgated by the central PRC government, some local governments have also promulgated local rules applicable to Internet companies operating within their respective jurisdictions.

In 1994, the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress promulgated the PRC Advertising Law. In addition, SAIC and other ministries and agencies have issued regulations that further regulate our advertising business, as discussed below.

Restrictions on Foreign Ownership in the Online Advertising Industry

Internet Content Provision and Wireless Value-Added Services

In September 2000, the State Council promulgated the Telecommunications Regulations, amended in July 2014 and February 2016, which categorize all telecommunications businesses in China as either basic telecommunications businesses or value-added telecommunications businesses. In February 2003, MIIT amended the original classification of telecommunications business with Internet content provision services and wireless value-added services being classified as value-added telecommunications businesses. In December 2015, MIIT further amended the classification of telecommunications business, which sets out in details of the information service business classification under the category of value-added telecommunications businesses. In June 2019, MIIT further amended the classification of basic telecommunications businesses. The Telecommunications Regulations also set forth extensive guidelines with respect to different aspects of telecommunications operations in China.

In order to comply with China’s commitments with respect to its entry into the World Trade Organization, the State Council promulgated the Administrative Rules on Foreign-invested Telecommunications Enterprises in December 2001, as amended in September 2008 and February 2016. The Administrative Rules on Foreign-invested Telecommunications Enterprises set forth detailed requirements with respect to capitalization, investor qualifications and application procedures in connection with the establishment of a foreign-invested telecommunications enterprise. Pursuant to these administrative rules, the ultimate capital contribution ratio of the foreign investor or investors in a foreign-invested telecommunications enterprise that aims to provide value-added telecommunications services may not exceed 50.0%. In addition, pursuant to the Foreign Investment Industrial Guidance Catalog issued by the PRC government, the permitted foreign investment in value-added telecommunications service providers may not be more than 50.0%. However, for a foreign investor to acquire any equity interest in a value-added telecommunications business in China, it must satisfy a number of stringent performance and operational experience requirements, including demonstrating a track record and experience in operating a value-added telecommunications business overseas. Moreover, foreign investors that meet these requirements must obtain approvals from MIIT and MOFCOM or their authorized local counterparts, which retain considerable discretion in granting approvals.

In July 2006, MIIT publicly released the Circular on Strengthening the Administration of Foreign Investment in Value-Added Telecommunications Services, or the MIIT Notice. According to the MIIT Notice, if any foreign investor intends to invest in a PRC telecommunications business, a foreign-invested telecommunications enterprise must be established and such enterprise must apply for the relevant telecommunications business licenses. Under the MIIT Notice, domestic telecommunications enterprises may not rent, transfer or sell a telecommunications license to foreign investors in any form, nor may they provide any resources, premises, facilities and other assistance in any form to foreign investors for their illegal operation of any telecommunications business in China.

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As a result of current PRC laws, rules and regulations that impose substantial restrictions on foreign investment in the Internet business in China, we conduct this portion of our operations through a series of contractual arrangements among our PRC subsidiaries and our consolidated controlled entities.

In the opinion of our PRC legal counsel:

·      each of the Structure Contracts is legal, valid and binding on the contracting parties under applicable PRC laws, rules and regulations;

·      the execution, delivery, effectiveness, enforceability and performance of each of the Structure Contracts do not violate any published PRC laws, rules and regulations currently in force and effect;

·      none of our Structure Contracts contravenes any published PRC laws, rules and regulations currently in force and effect; and

·      no filings, registrations, consents, approvals, permits, authorizations, certificates and licenses of any PRC government authorities are currently required in connection with the execution, delivery, effectiveness, performance and enforceability of each Structure Contract, provided that the pledges of equity interests under the Structure Contracts should be registered with competent PRC government authorities, and provided further that the exercise of the call option in the future must be approved and registered by competent PRC government authorities.

However, there are substantial uncertainties regarding the interpretation and application of current or future PRC laws, rules and regulations, including the laws and regulations governing the enforcement and performance of our Structure Contracts in the event of any imposition of statutory liens, bankruptcy and criminal proceedings. Accordingly, we cannot assure you that the PRC regulatory authorities will not ultimately take a contrary view from that of our PRC legal counsel. See “Item 3.D. Key Information—Risk Factors—Risks related to our corporate structure—If the PRC government determines that the structure contracts that establish the structure for our business operations do not comply with applicable PRC laws, rules and regulations, we could be subject to severe penalties or be forced to restructure our ownership structure” and “Item 3.D. Key Information—Risk Factors—Risks related to our corporate structure—Substantial uncertainties exist with respect to the adoption of new or revised PRC laws relating to our corporate structure, corporate governance and business operations.”

Regulations relating to Our Business

Internet Content Provision Services

The provision of real estate and home-related and other content on Internet websites is subject to applicable PRC laws, rules and regulations relating to the telecommunications industry and the Internet, and regulated by various government authorities, including MIIT and SAIC. The principal regulations governing the telecommunications industry and the Internet include:

·      The Telecommunications Regulations (Revised in 2016);

·      The Catalog of Classes of Telecommunications Business (Revised in 2019);

·      The Administrative Measures for Telecommunications Business Operating Licenses (2017); and

·      The Internet Information Services Administrative Measures (2011).

Under these regulations, Internet content provision services are classified as value-added telecommunications businesses, and a commercial operator must obtain a telecommunications and information services operating license, or ICP license, from the appropriate telecommunications authority in order to carry out commercial Internet content provision operations in China. If an Internet content provider is not engaged in commercial Internet content operations, it is only required to file a record with the appropriate telecommunications authority. In addition, the regulations also provide that operators involved in Internet content provision in sensitive and strategic sectors, including news, publishing, education, health care, medicine and medical devices, must obtain additional approvals from the relevant authorities in relation to those sectors.

Two of our consolidated controlled entities, Beijing Technology and Beijing JTX Technology, each hold an ICP license issued by the Beijing Telecommunications Administration Bureau, a municipal branch of MIIT.

On December 21, 2013, the State Council promulgated the Decision of the State Council on Temporary Adjustments to the Administrative Approval Items or Special Administrative Measures on Access Prescribed in the Relevant Administrative Regulations or State Council’s Documents in China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone, which provides that temporary adjustments shall be made to special administrative measures on access in respect of qualification requirements and restrictions on shareholding proportion under the Administrative Rules on Foreign-invested Telecommunications Enterprises.

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Pursuant to the Opinions of the MIIT and the People’s Government of Shanghai Municipality on Further Opening Up Value-added Telecommunications Business in China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone (“Pilot Opinions”), which were jointly issued by the MIIT and People’s Government of Shanghai Municipality on January 6, 2014, foreign ownership in telecommunications service business (only include apps stores), which China has committed to opening-up after its WTO entry, may exceed 50% on a pilot basis. Foreign ownership in online data processing and transaction processing (operational electronic commerce) shall not exceed 55%. Except for the Internet connection service business (provision of internet connection service for online users), the scope for other businesses services specified by the Pilot Opinions can be nationwide. On April 15, 2014, MIIT promulgated the Circular on Printing and Distributing the Administrative Measures of China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone for the Pilot Operation of Value-added Telecommunications Business by Foreign Investment, which further provides the requirements and procedures for foreign-invested enterprises to apply for and obtain the approval to conduct value-added telecommunications business based in the China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone.

On May 29, 2015, MIIT promulgated the Circular on Relaxing the Geographical Restrictions Imposed on Certain Service Facilities Providing Value-added Telecommunication Services in the China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone, which extends the geographical scope of establishing an agent of call center business and edge routers for domestic Internet virtual private network business from the China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone to Shanghai Municipality. On June 19, 2015, MIIT further issued the Circular of the MIIT on Removing the Restrictions on Shareholding Ratio Held by Foreign Investors in Online Data Processing and Transaction Processing (Operational E-commerce) Business, which liberalizes the foreign ownership restrictions in online data processing and transaction processing (operational electronic commerce) business by expanding the business areas from the China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone to nationwide, and the foreign ownership may be up to 100%.

The MIIT Notice requires that a value-added telecommunications business operator (or its shareholders) must own domain names and trademarks used by it in the value-added telecommunications business, and have premises and facilities appropriate for such business. To comply with the MIIT Notice, all of our related trademarks and domain names are owned directly by Beijing Technology and Beijing JTX Technology.

Furthermore, according to the Administrative Provisions on Online Publishing Services, jointly issued by the MIIT and the SARFT in February 2016, all entities that are engaged in Internet publication services in China must be approved by competent publication administrative department and acquire an Online Publishing Service License. The online publishing services defined in the Administrative Provisions on Online Publishing Services refer to the provision of online publications to the public through information networks while the Online Publications refer to digitized works with characteristics of publishing, such as editing, production or processing provided to the public through information networks.

Advertising Services

SAIC is responsible for regulating advertising activities in China. The principal regulations governing advertising in China, including online advertising, include:

·      the Advertising Law (Revised in 2018); and

·      the Administration of Advertising Regulations (1987).

These regulations stipulate that companies that engage in advertising activities in China must obtain from SAIC or its local branches a business license which specifically includes operating an advertising business within its business scope. Companies conducting advertising activities without such a license may be subject to penalties, including fines, confiscation of illegal revenues and orders to cease advertising operations. The business license of an advertising company is valid for the duration of its existence, unless the license is suspended or revoked due to a violation of any relevant law or regulation.

The business scope of each of Beijing Advertising, Beijing Technology, Beijing JTX Technology, Shanghai Century JTX Network and Beijing Yi Ran Ju Ke includes operating an advertising business, which allows them to engage in the advertising business.

Electronic Bulletin Board Services

In November 2000, MIIT adopted the Administrative Regulations on Internet Electronic Bulletin Board Services, which required that an Internet content service provider providing online bulletin board service register with, and obtain approval from, local telecommunications authorities. The Administrative Regulations on Internet Electronic Bulletin Board Services was abolished by MIIT on September 23, 2014, and the management of Internet electronic bulletin board services is currently governed by the Telecommunications Regulations, the Internet Information Services Administrative Measures and the Administrative Measures for Telecommunications Business Operating Licenses, which provide that an Internet content provider that intends to provide online bulletin board services shall fulfill the approval formalities.

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On November 6, 2006, the Beijing Telecommunications Administration Bureau issued to Beijing Technology, respectively, an approval for operating electronic bulletin board services on www.fang.com, respectively. Beijing JTX Technology also obtained approval for operating electronic bulletin board services on www.jiatx.com on June 15, 2007. These approvals each have an original validity which is keyed to the corresponding ICP license and their continued validity is subject to the fulfillment of certain conditions and qualifications.

Internet Live-Streaming Services

On July 6, 2004, the SARFT promulgated the Rules for the Administration of Broadcasting of Audio/Video Programs through the Internet and Other Information Networks, or the A/V Broadcasting Rules, which were replaced by Provisions on the Administration of Private Network and Targeted Communication Audiovisual Program Services which took effect on June 1, 2016. For an entity that engages in content delivery, integrated broadcast control, transmission distribution and other private network and targeted communication to send audio-visual program service, an Internet Audio/Video Program Transmission License is required.

On April 13, 2005, the State Council announced Several Decisions on Investment by Non-state-owned Companies in Culture-related Business in China. These decisions encourage and support non-state-owned companies to enter certain culture-related business in China, subject to restrictions and prohibitions for investment in audio/video broadcasting, website news and certain other businesses by non-state-owned companies. These decisions authorize the SARFT, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the GAPP to adopt detailed implementation rules according to these decisions.

On December 20, 2007, the SARFT and the MIIT jointly issued the Rules for the Administration of Internet Audio and Video Program Services, commonly known as Circular 56, which came into effect as of January 31, 2008 and was amended in August 2015. Circular 56 reiterates the requirement set forth in the A/V Broadcasting Rules that online audio/video service providers must obtain an Internet Audio/Video Program Transmission License from the SARFT. Furthermore, Circular 56 requires all online audio/video service providers to be either wholly state-owned or state-controlled companies. According to relevant official answers to press questions published on the SARFT’s website dated February 3, 2008, officials from the SARFT and the MIIT clarified that online audio/video service providers that already had been operating lawfully prior to the issuance of Circular 56 may re-register and continue to operate without becoming state-owned or controlled, provided that such providers have not engaged in any unlawful activities. This exemption will not be granted to online audio/video service providers established after Circular 56 was issued. These policies have been reflected in the Application Procedure for Audio/Video Program Transmission License. Failure to obtain the Internet Audio/Video Program Transmission License may subject an online audio/video service provider to various penalties, including fines of up to RMB30,000, seizure of related equipment and servers used primarily for such activities and even suspension of its online audio/video services.

In addition, the Cyberspace Administration promulgated the Administrative Provisions on Internet Live-Streaming Services, or Internet Live-Streaming Services Provisions, on November 4, 2016, which came into effect on December 1, 2016. According to the Internet Live-Streaming Services Provisions, an Internet live-streaming service provider shall (1) establish a live-streaming content review platform, (2) conduct authentication registration of Internet live-streaming issuers based on their identity certificates, business licenses and organization code certificates, (3) follow the principle of “background real name, foreground voluntary”, conduct verification of online live-streaming users based on valid identity information such as mobile phone number, and validate registration of online live-streaming publishers based on their identity documents, business licenses, organization code certificates, and so forth, and (4) enter into a service agreement with Internet live-streaming services user to specify both parties’ rights and obligations.

In March 2018, the Office for SARFT issued the Notice on Further Regulating the Transmission Order of Internet Audio-Visual Programs, which requires that, among others, audio-visual platforms shall (1) not to produce or transmit programs intended to parody or denigrate classic works, (2) not to re-edit, re-dub, re-caption or otherwise ridicule classic works, radio and television programs, or original Internet audio-visual programs without authorization, (3) not to transmit re-edited programs which unfairly distort the original content, (4) strictly monitor the adapted content uploaded by platform users and not provide transmission channels for illicit content, (5) immediately take down unauthorized content upon receipt of complaints from copyright owners, radio and television stations, or film and television production institutions, (6) strengthen the administration of movie trailers and prevent improper broadcasting of movie clips and trailers prior to authorized release, and (7) strengthen the administration of sponsorship and endorsement for Internet audio-visual programs. Pursuant to this notice, the provincial branches of SAPPRFT shall have the authority to supervise radio and television stations and websites that offer audio-visual programs within its jurisdiction and require them to further improve their content management systems and implement relevant management requirements.

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Regulations on the Real Estate Service Industry

The principal regulations governing the real estate service industry in China include the Law on the Administration of the Urban Real Estate, as amended in August 2019, the Real Estate Brokerage Administration Measures issued by the MOHURD, the NDRC, and the PRC Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security on January 20, 2011, which became effective on April 1, 2011, and was further amended on March 1, 2016 and became effective on April 1, 2016.

Real Estate Service Companies

In accordance with the Law on the Administration of the Urban Real Estate and the Real Estate Brokerage Administration Measures, real estate services refer to services of real estate consultation, appraisal and brokerage. A real estate service company is required to meet certain financial and personnel requirements and register with the SAIC or its local counterpart. To be qualified to engage in real estate services, a company is required to file with the relevant local branch of SAIC. Pursuant to the Real Estate Brokerage Administration Measures, a real estate brokerage company must have a certain number of real estate brokers and real estate broker assistants, and shall file with the local real estate regulatory authority within thirty days following the issuance of its business license. Local authorities have specific requirements on employing such brokers and the registration formalities.

On May 11, 2011, the MOHURD and the NDRC jointly issued the Notice of Strengthening the Real Estate Brokerage Administration and Further Standardizing the Order of Real Estate Transactions. On June 13, 2013, the MOHURD and the SAIC jointly issued the Notice of Focusing on Special Administration on Market of Real Estate Agencies. According to these notices, a real estate brokerage company is forbidden to display any false or unverified information. The real estate brokerage company and its brokers shall not conceal transaction price and other transaction information from the transacting parties. Such entities are also prohibited from obtaining any gains by purchasing or renting a property at a lower price and then selling or leasing such property at a higher price. The real estate brokerage company is also required to establish a separate account for transaction settlement if the real estate brokerage company is responsible to collect and pay the transaction amount on behalf of the transaction parties.

Real Estate Service Brokers

In accordance with the Real Estate Brokerage Administration Measures, the PRC government implemented the occupational qualification system for real estate broker personnel.

Pursuant to the Interim Regulations on Professional Qualification for Real Estate Brokerage Professionals and the Implementation Rules on the Examinations of Real Estate Brokerage Professional Qualification issued by the PRC Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security and the MOHURD on December 18, 2001 and the relevant circulars, to practice as a qualified real estate broker, an individual was required to pass an exam and obtain a qualification certificate for real estate brokers, However, the State Council issued the Decision of the State Council on Canceling and Adjusting a Batch of Administrative Examination and Approval Items on July 22, 2014, which eliminated the qualification certificate requirement for real estate brokers. On June 25, 2015, the PRC Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security and the MOHURD further jointly issued Interim Provisions on the Occupational Qualification System of Professional Real Estate Brokers and the Implementing Measures for Occupational Qualification Exams of Professional Real Estate Brokers, which provide that real estate brokerage professional qualifications are divided into three levels, namely associate real estate broker, real estate broker and senior real estate broker. The associate real estate broker and real estate broker shall pass the examination as a method to evaluate their professional skills.

Real Estate Service Charges

According to the Notice on Release of Management of Real Estate Consultant and Brokerage Charges jointly issued by the NDRC and the MOHURD which became effective on July 1, 2014, a real estate service company must display its service charges, or commissions. The commissions for the real estate brokerage services are subject to the regulation of the local branch of the MOHURD and the competent pricing department of people’s government at the provincial level, the local authorities may decide to apply “government-guided” prices or “market-adjusted” prices according to the local situation. The commissions for the real estate consulting services shall be based on “market-adjusted” prices, and the real estate consulting service providers may negotiate and determine their commission rates with clients.

Regulations on Microfinance Companies

According to the Guiding Opinions on the Pilot Operation of Microfinance Companies (the “Guiding Opinions”) jointly issued by the China Banking Regulatory Commission and the PBOC on May 4, 2008, microfinance companies are limited liability companies or joint stock companies established with the capital contribution from natural persons, legal persons and other organizations, which do not accept public deposits and engage in the microfinance business. To set up a microfinance company, an applicant shall submit a formal application to the competent administrative departments at the provincial level. Upon approval, the applicant shall apply to the local branch of the SAIC to obtain a business license for the microfinance company. In addition, the applicant shall complete certain filings with the local police department, the local office of the China Banking Regulatory Commission and the local branch of the PBOC. According to the Guiding Opinions, the aggregate balance of the loans granted to any single borrower may not exceed 5% of the net capital of the microfinance company. The PBOC is responsible for monitoring the interest rates and fund flows of microfinance companies and record the relevant information into the PBOC’s credit information system. Microfinance companies are required to provide information regarding their borrowers, loan amounts, guarantees for loans and loan repayment to the credit information system.

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According to the Guiding Opinions, a provincial government may launch pilot programs for microfinance companies within prefectural regions of the province only after it designates a department (finance office or other relevant institutions) to be in charge of supervision and administration of microfinance companies and is willing to be responsible for risk management and disposals with respect to microfinance companies. Consequently, microfinance companies are primarily regulated locally by provincial governments under rules and regulations promulgated by the provincial governments.

Pursuant to Notice on Regulating the “Cash Loan” Business, issued by Office of the Leading Group for the Special Campaign against Internet Financial Risks and the Office of the Leading Group for the Special Campaign against Peer-to-peer Lending Risks on December 1st, 2017 (“Notice on Regulating Cash Loan”), internet microfinance businesses are strictly regulated. According to the Notice on Regulating Cash Loan, among other requirements, microfinance companies are required to suspend distribution of internet microloans that are not supported by specific scenarios and no specific purpose, gradually reduce the inventory business within a time limit and rectification shall be completed within the prescribed time limit. Issuing “campus loans” and “down payment loans” are also prohibited.

According to Notice on Regulating Cash Loan, microfinance companies may not sell, transfer, and disguise the company’s credit assets through Internet platforms or local trading venues. Providing real property financing and other debt financing matchmaking services in relation to the purchase of real properties are also prohibited. Violation of these requirements may subject the relevant authorities to various penalties, including restrictions on the entity conducting such activities’ business operations, or canceling business qualifications and/or closing the entity.

Regulations on Entrusted Loans

The General Lending Code was promulgated by the PBOC on June 28, 1996 and came into effect on August 1, 1996. The General Lending Code defines a “loan provider” as a PRC owned financial institution established in China that engages in the provision of interest bearing loans. One type of loan defined in and regulated in accordance with the General Lending Code is the entrusted loan. Entrusted loans are arrangements whereby the capital for a loan is supplied by a government department, an enterprise or a natural person (the “capital provider”) and entrusted to a financial institution as the loan provider. Entrusted loans are made by the loan provider to a specified borrower for a particular purpose and in an amount, for a term and at an interest rate determined by the capital provider. The term “specified borrower” describes the party specified by the capital provider as the person who will receive the amount of an entrusted loan (the “loan recipient”). While the loan provider exercises supervision over and receives repayment from the loan recipient, the loan provider does not assume any risk of default in repayment by the loan recipient. In accordance with the General Lending Code and the relevant judicial interpretation from the Supreme People’s Court of the PRC, in an entrusted loan arrangement, the relationship between the loan provider and the capital provider is that of trustee and trustor; and the relationship between the loan provider and the loan recipient is that of lender and borrower. No creditor/debtor relationship exists between the capital provider and the loan recipient. The General Lending Code requires that loan providers must be authorized by and have been granted a financial institution license or a financial institution operation license from the PBOC; and must have registered with the SAIC. The General Lending Code further stipulates that enterprises which are not authorized and registered as loan providers must not breach the laws of the PRC by engaging in intercompany loan transactions or the provision of loans through unauthorized means. An intercompany loan is a loan provided directly from one company to another where the loan provider is not authorized and registered as a loan provider.

According to the Opinions of the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development and other Authorities on Strengthening the Administration Over the Real Estate Agencies to Promote the Healthy Development of the Industry issued by the MOHURD, the MIIT, the SAT, the SAIC, the PRC National Development and Reform Commission, the CSRC and the PBOC on July 29, 2016, real estate service companies, which prepare the housing loan applications on behalf of clients, shall not compel clients to choose financial institutions designated by them, nor shall they associate the loan application services with other services. A real estate service company shall not, by itself or cooperating with other entities, offer illegal financial products and services, or receive any commissions from financial institutions. In addition, financial institutions are strictly prohibited from cooperating with real estate service companies which have not gone through the filing formalities with competent real estate authorities.

Regulations relating to Information Security and Confidentiality of User Identity and Information

Internet content in China is also regulated and restricted from a state security standpoint. Based on the Decision of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress on Internet Security Protection enacted by the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, any effort to undertake the following actions may be subject to criminal punishment in China:

·      gain improper entry into a computer or system of national strategic importance;

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·                  disseminate politically disruptive information;

·                  leak government secrets;

·                  spread false commercial information; or

·                  infringe intellectual property rights.

The Ministry of Public Security has also promulgated measures that prohibit the use of the Internet in ways that, among other things, result in the leakage of government secrets or the spread of socially destabilizing content. The Ministry of Public Security has supervision and inspection powers in this regard, and we may be subject to the jurisdiction of the local security bureaus. If an ICP license holder violates these measures, the PRC government may revoke its license and shut down its website.

The security and confidentiality of information on the identity of Internet users are also regulated in China. The Administrative Measures on Internet Information Service promulgated by the PRC State Council in September 2000 and revised in January 2011 require Internet content service providers to maintain an adequate system that protects the security of user information. In January 2006, the Ministry of Public Security promulgated the Regulations on Technical Measures of Internet Security Protection, requiring Internet service providers to utilize standard technical measures for Internet security protection.

On December 29, 2011, the MIIT promulgated the Several Provisions on Regulating the Market Order of Internet Information Services, effective on March 15, 2012. It stipulates that ICP operators may not, without a user’s consent, collect the user’s information that can be used alone or in combination with other information to identify the user and may not provide any such information to third parties without the user’s prior consent. ICP operators may only collect users’ personal information that is necessary to provide their services and must expressly inform the users of the method, content and purpose of the collection and use of such personal information. In addition, an ICP operator may only use users’ personal information for the stated purposes under the ICP operator’s scope of service. ICP operators are also required to ensure the proper security of users’ personal information, and take immediate remedial measures if users’ personal information is suspected to have been inappropriately disclosed. If the consequences of any such disclosure are expected to be serious, ICP operators must immediately report the incident to the telecommunications regulatory authority and cooperate with the authorities in their investigations.

On December 28, 2012, the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of the PRC issued the Decision on Strengthening the Protection of Online Information. Most requirements under this decision relevant to ICP operators are consistent with the requirements already established under the MIIT provisions discussed above, but are often stricter and broader. Under this decision, ICP operators are required to take such technical and other measures necessary to safeguard information against inappropriate disclosure. To further implement this decision and relevant rules, the MIIT issued the Regulation of Protection of Telecommunication and Internet User Information on July 16, 2013, effective on September 1, 2013, which contains detailed requirements on the use and collection of personal information as well as security measures required to be taken by telecommunications business operators and Internet information service providers.

In addition, the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress promulgated the Cyber Security Law of the People’s Republic of China, or the Cyber Security Law, effective June 2017, to protect cyberspace security and order. Pursuant to the Cyber Security Law, any individual or organization using the network must comply with the constitution and the applicable laws, follow the public order and respect social moralities, and must not endanger cyber security, or engage in activities by making use of the network that endanger the national security, honor and interests, or infringe on the fame, privacy, intellectual property and other legitimate rights and interests of others. The Cyber Security Law sets forth various security protection obligations for network operators, which are defined as ‘‘owners and administrators of networks and network service providers,’’ including, among others, complying with a series of requirements of tiered cyber protection systems, verifying users’ real identity, localizing the personal information and important data gathered and produced by key information infrastructure operators during operations within the PRC, and providing assistance and support to government authorities where necessary for protecting national security and investigating crimes. Furthermore, on October 1, 2019, Cyberspace Administration of China issued Provisions on the Cyber Protection of Personal Information of Children to protect the security of personal information of children and promote the healthy growth of children.

Regulations relating to Trademarks

Both the PRC Trademark Law, last amended on November 1, 2019, and the Implementation Regulation of the PRC Trademark Law, effective on May 1, 2014, provide protection to the holders of registered trademarks and trade names. The PRC Trademark Office handles trademark registrations and grants a renewable term of rights of 10 years to registered trademarks. In addition, trademark license agreements must be filed with the Trademark Office.

After receiving a trademark registration application, the PRC Trademark Office will make a public announcement with respect to the proposed trademark registration application if the relevant trademark passes the preliminary examination. Any person may, within three months after such public announcement, object to such trademark application. The PRC Trademark Office will then decide who is entitled to the trademark registration, and its decisions may be appealed to the PRC Trademark Review and Adjudication Board, whose decision may be further appealed through judicial proceedings. If no objection is filed within three months after the public announcement period or if the objection has been overruled, the PRC Trademark Office will approve the registration and issue a registration certificate, upon which the trademark is registered and will be effective for a renewable 10-year period, unless otherwise revoked.

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Regulations relating to Patents

According to the Patent Law of the PRC promulgated by the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress on March 12, 1984, as last amended on December 27, 2008, and effective from October 1, 2009, and the Implementation Rules of the Patent Law of the PRC, promulgated by the State Council on June 15, 2001 and as last amended on January 9, 2010, there are three types of patents in the PRC, including invention patents, utility model patents and design patents. The protection period is 20 years for an invention patent and 10 years for a utility model patent and a design patent, commencing from their respective application dates. Any individual or entity that utilizes a patent or conducts any other activity in infringement of a patent without prior authorization of the patent holder shall pay compensation to the patent holder and is subject to a fine imposed by relevant administrative authorities, and, if constituting a crime, shall be held criminally liable in accordance with the law. According to the PRC Patent Law, for public health purposes, the State Intellectual Property Office of the PRC may grant a compulsory license for manufacturing patented drugs and exporting them to countries or regions covered under relevant international treaties to which PRC has acceded. In addition, according to the Patent Law, any organization or individual that applies for a patent in a foreign country for an invention or utility model patent established in China is required to report to the State Intellectual Property Office for confidentiality examination.

Regulations relating to Copyrights

According to the Copyright Law of the PRC, which took effect on June 1, 1991, and was last amended February 26, 2010 and subsequently enforced on April 1, 2010, copyright includes computer software, and the Copyright Protection Centre of China provides a voluntary register system for copyright.

According to the Regulation on Computer Software Protection, which took effect on October 1, 1991 and was last amended on January 30, 2013 and subsequently enforced on March 1, 2013, the software copyright shall exist from the date on which its development has been completed, and software copyright owner may register with the software registration institution recognized by the copyright administration department of the State Council. On February 20, 2002, the National Copyright Administration of the PRC issued the Measures on Computer Software Copyright Registration, which outlines the operational procedures for registration of software copyright, as well as registration of the license for the software copyright and software copyright transfer contracts. The Copyright Protection Center of the PRC is mandated as the software registration agency under the regulations.

Regulations relating to Domain Names

Domain names are protected under the Administrative Measures on the Internet Domain Names issued by the MIIT, on August 24, 2017 and effective from November 1, 2017, and the Implementing Rules on Registration of Country Code Top Level Domain issued by China Internet Network Information Center on June 18, 2019. The MIIT is the main regulatory body responsible for the administration of PRC internet domain names. Domain name registrations are handled through domain name service agencies established under the relevant regulations, and the applicants become domain name holders upon successful registration.

Regulations relating to Employee Share Options

Under the Stock Option Rule promulgated by SAFE in February 2012, a PRC entity’s directors, supervisors, senior management officers, other staff or individuals who have an employment or labor relationship with a Chinese entity and are granted stock options by an overseas publicly listed company are required, through a PRC agent or PRC subsidiary of such overseas publicly listed company, to register with SAFE and complete certain other procedures. We and our PRC resident employees who have been granted stock options are subject to these regulations. We have designated our PRC relevant subsidiaries to handle the registration and other procedures required by the Stock Option Rule. If we or our PRC option holders fail to comply with these regulations in the future, we or our PRC option holders may be subject to fines and legal sanctions.

Regulations relating to Employees

The principal PRC laws and regulations that govern employment include:

·                                          the PRC Labor Law which became effective on January 1, 1995 and was amended on August 27, 2009 and December 29, 2018; and

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·                                          the PRC Labor Contract Law which became effective on January 1, 2008, and its amendments which became effective on July 1, 2013.

Pursuant to the PRC Labor Law and the PRC Labor Contract Law, employers must execute written labor contracts with full-time employees. All employers must compensate their employees with wages equal to at least the local minimum wage standards. All employers are required to establish a system for labor safety and sanitation, strictly abide by state rules and standards and provide employees with workplace safety training. Violations of the PRC Labor Contract Law and the PRC Labor Law may result in the imposition of fines and other administrative liabilities. Criminal liability may arise for serious violations.

In addition, employers in China are obliged to provide employees with welfare schemes covering pension insurance, unemployment insurance, maternity insurance, work-related injury insurance, medical insurance and housing funds.

Regulations relating to Foreign Investment

On March 15, 2019, the National People’s Congress promulgated the Foreign Investment Law, which came into effect on January 1, 2020 and replaced the trio of existing laws regulating foreign investment in China, namely, the Sino-foreign Equity Joint Venture Enterprise Law, the Sino-foreign Cooperative Joint Venture Enterprise Law and the Wholly Foreign-invested Enterprise Law. The existing foreign-invested enterprises established prior to the effective of the Foreign Investment Law may keep their corporate forms within five years. The implementing rules of the Foreign Investment Law will be stipulated separately by State Council. Pursuant to the Foreign Investment Law, ‘‘foreign investors’’ means natural person, enterprise, or other organization of a foreign country; ‘‘foreign-invested enterprises’’ means any enterprise established under PRC law that is wholly or partially invested by foreign investors and ‘‘foreign investment’’ means any foreign investor’s direct or indirect investment in mainland China, including: (1) establishing FIEs in mainland China either individually or jointly with other investors; (2) obtaining stock shares, stock equity, property shares, other similar interests in Chinese domestic enterprises; (3) investing in new projects in mainland China either individually or jointly with other investors; and (4) making investment through other means provided by laws, administrative regulations, or State Council provisions.

The Foreign Investment Law stipulates that China implements the management system of pre-establishment national treatment plus a negative list to foreign investment and the government generally will not expropriate foreign investment, except under special circumstances, in which case it will provide fair and reasonable compensation to foreign investors. Foreign investors are barred from investing in prohibited industries on the negative list and must comply with the specified requirements when investing in restricted industries on that list. When a license is required to enter a certain industry, the foreign investor must apply for one, and the government must treat the application the same as one by a domestic enterprise, except where laws or regulations provide otherwise. In addition, foreign investors or foreign-invested enterprises are required to file information reports and foreign investment which affects or is likely to have effect on the national security shall be subject to the national security review.

The Implementing Regulations of the Foreign Investment Law of the PRC was promulgated on December 26, 2019 by the State Council and became effective on 1 January 2020, which replaced the Regulations on Implementing the Sino-Foreign Equity Joint Venture Enterprise Law, the Provisional Regulations on the Duration of Sino-Foreign Equity Joint Venture Enterprises, the Regulations on Implementing the Wholly Foreign-Owned Enterprise Law and the Regulations on Implementing the Sino-Foreign Cooperative Joint Venture Enterprise Law. The Implementing Regulation of the Foreign Investment Law specifies that no foreign investor may invest in any industry forbidden by the negative list and foreign investors making investments the restricted industry shall comply with the special administrative measures for restricted access as requirements on shareholding and senior executives as stipulated in the negative list. In addition, foreign investors or foreign-invested enterprises are required to file information reports and foreign investment which affects or is likely to have effect on the national security shall be subject to the national security review. Pursuant to the Implementing Regulation of the Foreign Investment Law, foreign investors or foreign-invested enterprises shall submit the investment information to the competent department of commerce through the enterprise registration system and the National Enterprise Credit Information Publicity System. The competent department of commerce and the department for market regulation under the State Council shall effectively ensure the linkage of relevant business systems, and provide guidance for foreign investors or foreign-invested enterprises on submission of investment information. On December 26, 2019, the Supreme People’s Court issued the Interpretations of the Foreign Investment Law. Both the Implementing Regulations of the Foreign Investment Law and the Interpretations of the Foreign Investment Law came into effect since January 1, 2020.

Regulations relating to Foreign Investment in Value-Added Telecommunications Industry

According to the Administrative Rules on Foreign-invested Telecommunications Enterprises issued by the State Council effective in January 2002, as amended in September 2008 and February 2016, a foreign investor may hold no more than a 50% equity interest in a value-added telecommunications services provider in China and such foreign investor must have experience operating in such industry.

Pursuant to the Opinions of the MIIT and the People’s Government of Shanghai Municipality on Further Opening Up Value-added Telecommunications Business in China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone (“Pilot Opinions”), which were jointly issued by the MIIT and People’s Government of Shanghai Municipality on January 6, 2014, foreign ownership in telecommunications service business (only include apps stores), which China has committed to opening-up after its WTO entry, may exceed 50% on a pilot basis. Foreign ownership in online data processing and transaction processing (operational electronic commerce) shall not exceed 55%. Except for the Internet connection service business (provision of internet connection service for online users), the scope for other businesses services specified by the Pilot Opinions can be nationwide. On April 15, 2014, MIIT promulgated the Circular on Printing and Distributing the Administrative Measures of China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone for the Pilot Operation of Value-added Telecommunications Business by Foreign Investment, which further provides the requirements and procedures for foreign-invested enterprises to apply for and obtain the approval to conduct value-added telecommunications business based in the China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone.

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On May 29, 2015, MIIT promulgated the Circular on Relaxing the Geographical Restrictions Imposed on Certain Service Facilities Providing Value-added Telecommunication Services in the China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone, which extends the geographical scope of establishing an agent of call center business and edge routers for domestic Internet virtual private network business from the China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone to Shanghai Municipality. On June 19, 2015, MIIT further issued the Circular of the MIIT on Removing the Restrictions on Shareholding Ratio Held by Foreign Investors in Online Data Processing and Transaction Processing (Operational E-commerce) Business, which liberalizes the foreign ownership restrictions in online data processing and transaction processing (operational electronic commerce) business by expanding the business areas from the China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone to nationwide, and the foreign ownership may be up to 100%.

The MIIT Notice requires that a value-added telecommunications business operator (or its shareholders) must own domain names and trademarks used by it in the value-added telecommunications business, and have premises and facilities appropriate for such business. To comply with the MIIT Notice, all of our related trademarks and domain names are owned directly by Beijing Technology and Beijing JTX Technology.

Regulations relating to the Establishment of Offshore Special Vehicle by PRC Residents

Pursuant to the Circular 37 promulgated by SAFE, which became effective on July 4, 2014, a PRC resident, including a PRC resident natural person or a PRC company, shall register with the local SAFE branch before it contributes assets or its equity interests into an overseas SPV established or controlled by the PRC resident for the purpose of investment and financing. When the overseas SPV that fulfilled the initial registration formalities undergoes certain major changes, including but not limited to, the change in the PRC-resident shareholder of the overseas SPV, name of the overseas SPV, term of operation, or any increase or reduction of the registered capital of the overseas SPV, share transfer or swap, and merger or division, the PRC resident shall timely register such change with the local SAFE branch.

We have requested our beneficial owners who are PRC residents to make the necessary applications, filings and amendments required by SAFE. However, we cannot provide any assurances that all of our beneficial owners who are PRC residents will continue to make, obtain or amend any applicable registrations or approvals required by these SAFE regulations. The failure or inability of our PRC resident beneficial owners to comply with the registration procedures set forth therein may subject us to fines and legal sanctions, restrict our cross-border investment activities, or limit our ability to contribute additional capital into our PRC subsidiaries, or limit our PRC subsidiaries’ ability to pay dividends or make other distributions to our company or otherwise adversely affect our business. Moreover, failure to comply with the SAFE registration requirements could result in liability under PRC laws for evasion of foreign exchange restrictions.

C. Organizational Structure

We conduct substantially all of our operations in China through our PRC subsidiaries and consolidated controlled entities. For more information regarding the contractual arrangements among our PRC subsidiaries and consolidated controlled entities, see “Item 7.B. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions—Related Party Transactions—Structure Contracts.”

The following is a list of our principal subsidiaries and consolidated controlled entities as of the date of this annual report:

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