tm2331532-2_f3asr - none - 4.6406386s
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 29, 2023
REGISTRATION NO. 333-
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM F-3
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
WEIBO CORPORATION
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
Not Applicable
(Translation of Registrant’s name into English)
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Cayman Islands
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
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Not Applicable
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)
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8/F, QIHAO Plaza, No. 8 Xinyuan S. Road
Chaoyang District, Beijing 100027
People’s Republic of China
+86 (10) 5898-3336
(Address and telephone number of Registrant’s principal executive offices)
Cogency Global Inc.
122 East 42nd Street, 18th Floor
New York, NY 10168
+1 800-221-0102
(Name, address, and telephone number of agent for service)
Copies to:
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Fei Cao
Chief Financial Officer
8/F, QIHAO Plaza, No. 8 Xinyuan S. Road
Chaoyang District, Beijing 100027
People’s Republic of China +86 (10) 5898-3095
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Yuting Wu, Esq.
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP
46/F, Tower 2, Jing An Kerry Center
1539 Nanjing West Road, Shanghai
People’s Republic of China
+86 (21) 6193-8200
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Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: from time to time after the effective date of this registration statement.
If only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box. ☐
If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, check the following box. ☒
If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐
If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.C. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box. ☒
If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.C. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933.
Emerging growth company ☐
If an emerging growth company that prepares its financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards† provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act. ☐
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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.
PROSPECTUS
WEIBO CORPORATION
Class A Ordinary Shares
Preferred Shares
Warrants
Subscription Rights
Units
We may from time to time in one or more offerings offer and sell our Class A ordinary shares, including Class A ordinary shares represented by American depositary shares, or ADSs, preferred shares, warrants to purchase Class A ordinary shares and preferred shares, subscription rights and a combination of such securities, separately or as units. We refer to our ADSs, Class A ordinary shares, preferred shares, warrants, subscription rights and units collectively as “securities” in this prospectus. This prospectus provides a general description of offerings of these securities that we may undertake.
In addition, from time to time, the selling shareholders (if any) to be named in a prospectus supplement may offer and sell our Class A ordinary shares or ADSs held by them. The selling shareholders (if any) may sell our Class A ordinary shares or ADSs through public or private transactions at prevailing market prices or at privately negotiated prices. We will not receive any proceeds from the sale of ordinary shares by selling shareholders.
We will provide the specific terms of any offering in one or more supplements to this prospectus. Any prospectus supplement may also add, update, or change information contained in this prospectus. You should carefully read this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement as well as the documents incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference in this prospectus before you purchase any of the securities offered hereby.
These securities may be offered and sold in the same offering or in separate offerings; to or through underwriters, dealers, and agents; or directly to purchasers. The names of any underwriters, dealers, or agents involved in the sale of our securities, their compensation and any options to purchase additional securities held by them will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement. For a more complete description of the plan of distribution of these securities, see the section entitled “Plan of Distribution” beginning on page 47 of this prospectus.
The ADSs are listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol “WB.”
Investing in these securities involves a high degree of risk. Furthermore, investors should be aware that there are various other risks relating to the securities, the issuer and its subsidiaries, their business and their jurisdictions of operations which investors should familiarize themselves with before making an investment in the securities. Please carefully consider the risks discussed under “Risk Factors” in this prospectus beginning on page 12, in any accompanying prospectus supplement or in our reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission that are incorporated by reference in this prospectus before making a decision to invest in our securities.
Weibo Corporation is not an operating company in China, but a Cayman Islands holding company with no equity ownership in the consolidated variable interest entities (“VIEs”). We conduct our operations in China through our PRC subsidiaries and the VIEs, with which we have maintained contractual arrangements, and their subsidiaries in China. PRC laws and regulations impose certain restrictions or prohibitions on foreign ownership of companies that engage in internet and other related businesses, including the provision of internet content and online game operations. Accordingly, we operate these businesses in China through the VIEs, and rely on contractual arrangements among our PRC subsidiaries, the VIEs and their shareholders to control the business operations of the VIEs. As used in this prospectus, “we,” “us,” “our company,” “the Company” or “our” refers to Weibo Corporation, a Cayman Islands company, its subsidiaries, and, in the context of describing its operations and consolidated financial information, the VIEs and the VIEs’ direct and indirect subsidiaries, i.e., the Consolidated Affiliated Entities, including, but not limited to, Beijing Weimeng Technology Co., Ltd (“Weimeng”), Beijing Weimeng Chuangke Investment Management Co., Ltd. (“Weimeng Chuangke”) and their direct and indirect subsidiaries.
Our corporate structure is subject to risks associated with our contractual arrangements with the VIEs. Our contractual arrangements with the VIEs have not been tested in court to date. Investors may never directly hold equity interests in the VIEs. If the PRC government determines that the contractual arrangements constituting part of the VIE structure do not comply with PRC laws and regulations, or if these regulations or their interpretations change in the future, we could be subject to severe penalties or be forced to relinquish our interests in those operations. The PRC regulatory authorities could disallow the VIE structure, which would likely result in a material adverse change in our operations, and our ADSs and/or Class A ordinary shares may decline significantly in value or become worthless. Our holding company, our PRC subsidiaries, the VIEs, and investors of our company face uncertainty about potential future actions by the PRC government that could affect the enforceability of the contractual arrangements with the VIEs and, consequently, significantly affect the financial performance of the VIEs and our company as a whole. Weibo Corporation may not be able to repay the notes and other indebtedness, and our Class A ordinary
shares or our ADSs may decline in value or become worthless, if we are unable to assert our contractual control rights over the assets of our PRC subsidiaries and VIEs that conduct all or substantially all of our operations. For a detailed description of the risks associated with our corporate structure, please refer to risks disclosed under “Item 3. Key Information — D. Risk Factors — Risks Relating to Our Corporate Structure” in our annual report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 (the “2022 Form 20-F”), which is incorporated by reference in this prospectus.
We face various legal and operational risks and uncertainties associated with being based in or having our operations primarily in China and the complex and evolving PRC laws and regulations. For example, we face risks associated with regulatory approvals on offerings conducted overseas by and foreign investment in China-based issuers, the use of the VIEs, anti-monopoly regulatory actions, and oversight on cybersecurity and data privacy, which may impact our ability to conduct certain businesses, accept foreign investments, or list on or remain listed on United States or other foreign exchanges outside of China. These risks could result in a material adverse change in our operations and the value of our ADSs, significantly limit or completely hinder our ability to offer or continue to offer securities to investors, or cause the value of such securities to significantly decline or become worthless. For a detailed description of risks related to doing business in China, “Item 3. Key Information — D. Risk Factors — Risks Relating to Doing Business in China” in our 2022 Form 20-F.
Pursuant to the Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act, as amended by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 (“the HFCAA”), if the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) determines that we have filed audit reports issued by a registered public accounting firm that has not been subject to inspections by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board of the United States (the “PCAOB”) for two consecutive years, the SEC will prohibit our shares or ADSs from being traded on a national securities exchange or in the over-the-counter trading market in the United States. On December 16, 2021, the PCAOB issued a report to notify the SEC of its determination that the PCAOB was unable to inspect or investigate completely registered public accounting firms headquartered in mainland China and Hong Kong and our auditor was subject to that determination. In March 2022, the SEC conclusively listed Weibo Corporation as a Commission-Identified Issuer under the HFCAA following the filing of the annual report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021. On December 15, 2022, the PCAOB removed mainland China and Hong Kong from the list of jurisdictions where it is unable to inspect or investigate completely registered public accounting firms. For this reason, we have not been, and do not expect to be, identified as a Commission-Identified Issuer under the HFCAA after we filed the 2022 Form 20-F. Each year, the PCAOB will determine whether it can inspect and investigate completely audit firms in mainland China and Hong Kong, among other jurisdictions. If the PCAOB determines in the future that it no longer has full access to inspect and investigate completely accounting firms in mainland China and Hong Kong and we use an accounting firm headquartered in one of these jurisdictions to issue an audit report on our financial statements filed with the SEC, we would be identified as a Commission-Identified Issuer following the filing of the annual report on Form 20-F for the relevant fiscal year. In accordance with the HFCAA, our securities would be prohibited from being traded on a national securities exchange or in the over-the-counter trading market in the United States if we are identified as a Commission-Identified Issuer for two consecutive years in the future. Although our Class A ordinary shares have been listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange and the ADSs and Class A ordinary shares are fully fungible, we cannot assure you that an active trading market for our Class A ordinary shares on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange will be sustained or that the ADSs can be converted and traded with sufficient market recognition and liquidity, if our shares and ADSs are prohibited from trading in the United States. For more details, see “Item 3. Key Information — D. Risk Factors — Risks Relating to Doing Business in China — The PCAOB had historically been unable to inspect our auditor in relation to their audit work performed for our financial statements and the inability of the PCAOB to conduct inspections of our auditor in the past has deprived our investors with the benefits of such inspections” and “Item 3. Key Information — D. Risk Factors — Risks Relating to Doing Business in China — Our ADSs may be prohibited from trading in the United States under the HFCAA in the future if the PCAOB is unable to inspect or investigate completely auditors located in China. The delisting of the ADSs, or the threat of their being delisted, may materially and adversely affect the value of your investment” in our 2022 Form 20-F.
Weibo Corporation’s ability to pay dividends to the shareholders and to service any debt it may incur may depend upon dividends paid by our PRC subsidiaries. If any of our subsidiaries incurs debt on its own behalf in the future, the instruments governing such debt may restrict its ability to pay dividends to Weibo Corporation. Under PRC laws and regulations, our PRC subsidiaries are subject to certain restrictions with respect to payment of dividends or other transfers of any of their net assets to us. Our PRC subsidiaries are permitted to pay dividends only out of their retained earnings, if any, as determined in accordance with PRC accounting standards and regulations. PRC laws also require a foreign-invested enterprise to set aside at least 10% of its after-tax profits as the statutory common reserve fund until the cumulative amount of the statutory common reserve fund reaches 50% or more of such enterprise’s registered capital, if any, to fund its statutory common reserves, which are not available for distribution as cash dividends. Remittance of dividends by a wholly foreign-owned enterprise out of mainland China is also subject to examination by the banks designated by the PRC State Administration of Foreign Exchange. These restrictions are benchmarked against the paid-up capital and the statutory reserve funds of our PRC subsidiaries. To the extent cash in our business is in China or in an entity in mainland China, the funds may not be available to fund operations or for other use outside of mainland China due to interventions in or the imposition of restrictions and limitations by the PRC government on our ability to transfer cash. As a result, our ability to grow, make investments or acquisitions that could be beneficial to our business, pay dividends, or otherwise fund and conduct our business may be materially and adversely affected. For a detailed description of how cash is transferred through our organization, see “Our Company — Cash and Asset Flows through Our Organization.”
Neither the United States Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
The date of this prospectus is November 29, 2023
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference into this prospectus, in the applicable prospectus supplement or in any free writing prospectus filed by us with the SEC. We have not authorized any other person to provide you with different information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. You should not assume that the information contained or incorporated by reference into this prospectus and any prospectus supplement or in any free writing prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the respective dates thereof. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates.
We are not making an offer to sell the securities or soliciting an offer to buy the securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS
We are a “well-known seasoned issuer” as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act. This prospectus is part of an automatic shelf registration statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC. By using an automatic shelf registration statement, we or any selling shareholder may, at any time and from time to time, sell the securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities offered. We may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus by means of a prospectus supplement or by incorporating by reference information that we file or furnish to the SEC. As allowed by the SEC rules, this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement do not contain all of the information included in the registration statement. For further information, we refer you to the registration statement, including its exhibits. Statements contained in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement about the provisions or contents of any agreement or other document are not necessarily complete. If the SEC’s rules and regulations require that an agreement or document be filed as an exhibit to the registration statement, please see that agreement or document for a complete description of these matters.
You should carefully read this document and any applicable prospectus supplement. You should also read the documents we have referred you to under “Where You Can Find More Information About Us” and “Incorporation of Documents by Reference” below for information on our company, the risks we face and our financial statements. The registration statement and exhibits can be read on the SEC’s website as described under “Where You Can Find More Information About Us.”
In this prospectus, unless otherwise indicated or unless the context otherwise requires:
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“we,” “us,” “our company,” “the Company” or “our” refers to Weibo Corporation, a Cayman Islands company, its subsidiaries, and, in the context of describing its operations and consolidated financial information, the Consolidated Affiliated Entities;
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“Weibo” refers to our social media platform and the products and services that we provide to users, customers and platform partners through that platform;
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“China” or “PRC” refers to the People’s Republic of China;
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“Consolidated Affiliated Entities” refers to the VIEs and the VIEs’ direct and indirect subsidiaries;
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“shares” or “ordinary shares” refers to our Class A and Class B ordinary shares, par value $0.00025 per share;
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“ADSs” refers to our American depositary shares. Each ADS represents one Class A ordinary share;
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“U.S. GAAP” refers to generally accepted accounting principles in the United States; and
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all references to “RMB” or “renminbi” are to the legal currency of China, and all references to “$,” “dollars,” “US$” and “U.S. dollars” are to the legal currency of the United States.
References in any prospectus supplement to “the accompanying prospectus” are to this prospectus and to “the prospectus” are to this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement taken together.
All discrepancies in any table between the amounts identified as total amounts and the sum of the amounts listed therein are due to rounding.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein contain forward-looking statements that reflect our current or then current expectations and views of future events. 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 some of these forward-looking statements by words or phrases such as “may,” “could,” “will,” “should,” “would,” “expect,” “plan,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “potential,” “future,” “is/are likely to,” “project” or “continue” 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, statements about:
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our goals and strategies;
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our future business development, financial conditions and results of operations;
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our proposed use of proceeds from the sale of securities;
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our continued investments in our businesses;
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our ability to attract and retain users and customers and generate revenue and profit from our customers;
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our ability to retain key personnel and attract new talent;
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competition in social media, social networking, online marketing, and other businesses in which we engage;
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the outcome of our annual passive foreign investment company evaluations;
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the outcome of ongoing or any future litigation or arbitration, including those relating to intellectual property rights;
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the growth of social media, internet and mobile users and internet and mobile advertising in China;
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PRC governmental policies relating to media, the internet, internet content providers and online advertising, and the implementation of a corporate structure involving VIEs in China; and
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other factors described under “Item 3. Key Information — D. Risk Factors” of our 2022 Form 20-F.
The forward-looking statements included in this prospectus, in the documents incorporated by reference herein and in any prospectus supplement are subject to risks, uncertainties, and assumptions about our company. Our actual results of operations may differ materially from the forward-looking statements as a result of the risk factors disclosed in this prospectus, in the documents incorporated by reference herein or in any applicable prospectus supplement. Moreover, we operate in an evolving environment. New risk factors emerge from time to time and it is not possible for our management to predict all risk factors, 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.
We would like to caution you not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements and you should read these statements in conjunction with the risk factors disclosed herein, in the documents incorporated by reference herein or in any applicable prospectus supplement for a more complete discussion of the risks of an investment in our securities and other risks outlined in our other filings with the SEC. The forward-looking statements included in this prospectus or incorporated by reference into this prospectus are made only as of the date of this prospectus or the date of the incorporated document, and we do not undertake any obligation to update or revise the forward-looking statements except as required under applicable law.
OUR COMPANY
Overview
Weibo is a leading social media platform in China for people to create, discover and distribute content. By providing a simple and inspirational way for people and organizations in China and the global Chinese communities to publicly express themselves in real time, interact with others on a platform with vast scale and stay connected with the world, Weibo has had a profound social impact in China. Launched in 2009, Weibo has been committed to enabling faster, easier, and richer connection among people and has become an integral part of many of Weibo users’ daily lives.
Leveraging the early-mover advantage and the accumulated know-hows and insights in the social media industry, Weibo has amassed a large user base in China and in Chinese communities in more than 190 countries around the world.
Weibo has transformed the way people express themselves and interact with others in the public internet space. Any user can create and post a feed and attach multimedia or long-form content. User relationships on Weibo may be asymmetric, and any user can follow any other user and add comments to a feed while reposting. This simple, asymmetric, and distributed nature of Weibo allows an original feed to become a live viral conversation stream.
Weibo serves a wide range of users including ordinary people, celebrities, key opinion leaders (“KOLs”), and other public figures or influencers, as well as media outlets, businesses, government agencies, charities, and other organizations, making it a microcosm of Chinese society. As a leading social media, Weibo allows people in China and the global Chinese communities to be heard publicly and exposed to the rich ideas, cultures, and experiences in a broader world.
Weibo offers comprehensive content formats as a social media platform. Weibo users can create, discover, consume and share various formats of content, including text, photo, video, live streaming, and audio on Weibo platform. By aggregating various media formats, Weibo platform allows content creators to have more diverse choices to create content in their most desirable ways, so that more enriched content could be generated and distributed across the platform. Weibo is also well positioned to capture the market trends in media formats transformation. To capitalize on the trend of video, Weibo has launched a series of innovative initiatives to improve its video product offerings and to empower and attract more video content creators to its platform.
To support the diverse content offerings, Weibo also has comprehensive coverage of content categories and content creators. The diversified content offerings on Weibo platform cater to the evolving and broad interests of Weibo users and cultivate a more vibrant ecosystem on Weibo platform.
We began monetization on our platform in 2012, and have since experienced solid and healthy revenue growth and margin expansion, except that our revenues and business were adversely impacted by the outbreaks of COVID-19 in 2020 and subsequent surges driven by various variants of COVID-19 in 2022. We had total net revenues of US$1,836.3 million in 2022, compared to US$2,257.1 million in 2021, mostly due to disrupted economic activities and volatile macro economy caused by COVID-19 outbreaks, which negatively impacted the overall advertising demand. We had total net revenues of US$1,388.3 million and US$1,296.2 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2023, respectively, mostly due to the unfavorable impact from the overall depreciation of RMB against the U.S. dollar in the nine months ended September 30, 2023, compared to the same period last year.
We generate revenues primarily from customers who purchase advertising and marketing services and, to a lesser extent, from fee-based revenues, such as membership. Revenues generated from advertising and marketing services accounted for 88% of our total revenues in both 2020 and 2021, 87% of our total revenues in 2022, and 87% of our total revenues in both the nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2023. We had income from operations of US$506.8 million in 2020, US$697.4 million in 2021 and US$480.5 million in 2022; and US$320.0 million and US$353.9 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2023, respectively. Our operating margin, being the ratio of income from operations to total revenues, reached 30% in 2020, 31% in 2021 and 26% in 2022; and 23% and 27% in the nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2023, respectively.
For more information about our company, please see “Item 4. Information on the Company” in our 2022 Form 20-F, which is incorporated in this prospectus by reference, and any accompanying prospectus supplement before investing in any securities that may be offered pursuant to this prospectus.
Our Holding Company Structure and Contractual Arrangements with the VIEs and Their Respective Individual Shareholders
Weibo Corporation is not an operating company in China, but a Cayman Islands holding company with no equity ownership in the VIEs. We conduct our operations in China through our PRC subsidiaries and the VIEs with which we have maintained contractual arrangements and their subsidiaries in China. PRC laws and regulations impose certain restrictions or prohibitions on foreign ownership of companies that engage in internet and other related businesses, including the provision of internet content and online game operations. Accordingly, we operate these businesses in China through the VIEs, and rely on contractual arrangements among our PRC subsidiaries, the VIEs and their shareholders to control the business operations of the VIEs. Revenues contributed by the VIEs and their subsidiaries accounted for 78.1%, 80.7% and 83.9% of our total revenues for the years of 2020, 2021 and 2022, respectively. As used in this prospectus, “we,” “us,” “our company,” “the Company” or “our” refers to Weibo Corporation, a Cayman Islands company, its subsidiaries, and, in the context of describing its operations and consolidated financial information, the Consolidated Affiliated Entities, including, but not limited to, Weimeng, Weimeng Chuangke and their direct and indirect subsidiaries. Investors of our ADSs are not purchasing equity interest in our operating entities in China but instead are purchasing equity interest in a Cayman Islands holding company.
A series of contractual agreements, including loan agreements, share transfer agreements, loan repayment agreements, agreement on authorization to exercise shareholder’s voting power, share pledge agreements, exclusive technical services agreement, exclusive sales agency agreement, trademark license agreement, and spousal consent letters, have been entered into by and among our PRC subsidiaries, the VIEs and their respective shareholders. Terms contained in each set of contractual arrangements with our PRC subsidiaries, the VIEs and their respective shareholders are substantially similar. For more details of these contractual arrangements, see “Item 4. Information on the Company — C. Organizational Structure — Contractual Arrangements with the VIEs and Their Respective Individual Shareholders” in our 2022 Form 20-F.
The contractual arrangements may not be as effective as direct ownership in providing us with control over the VIEs. If any of these VIEs or their shareholders fail to perform their respective obligations under the contractual arrangements, we may incur substantial costs to enforce the terms of the arrangements. All of these contractual arrangements are governed by and interpreted in accordance with PRC law, and disputes arising from these contractual arrangements will be resolved through arbitration in China. There remain significant uncertainties regarding the ultimate outcome of arbitration should legal action become necessary. These uncertainties could limit our ability to enforce these contractual arrangements. Furthermore, the shareholders of the VIEs may not act in the best interests of our company or may not perform their obligations under these contracts. See “Item 3. Key Information — D. Risk Factors — Risks Relating to Our Corporate Structure — We rely on contractual arrangements with the VIEs and their respective shareholders for our operations in China, which may not be as effective in providing operational control as direct ownership” and “Item 3. Key Information — D. Risk Factors — Risks Relating to Our Corporate Structure — Shareholders of the VIEs may have potential conflicts of interest with us, which may affect the performance of the contractual arrangements with the VIEs and their respective shareholders, which may in turn materially and adversely affect our business and financial condition” in our 2022 Form 20-F.
Our corporate structure is subject to risks associated with our contractual arrangements with the VIEs. Our contractual arrangements with the VIEs have not been tested in court to date. Investors may never directly hold equity interests in the VIEs. If the PRC government determines that the contractual arrangements constituting part of the VIE structure do not comply with PRC laws and regulations, or if these regulations or their interpretations change in the future, we could be subject to severe penalties or be forced to relinquish our interests in those operations. The PRC regulatory authorities could disallow the VIE structure, which would likely result in a material adverse change in our operations, and our ADSs and/or Class A ordinary shares may decline significantly in value or become worthless. Our holding company, our PRC subsidiaries, the VIEs, and investors of our company face uncertainty about potential future actions by the PRC government that could affect the enforceability of the contractual arrangements with the VIEs and, consequently, significantly affect the financial performance of the VIEs and our company as a whole.
There are also substantial uncertainties regarding the interpretation and application of current and future PRC laws, regulations and rules regarding the status of the rights of our Cayman Islands holding company with respect to its contractual arrangements with the VIEs and their respective shareholders. It is uncertain whether any new PRC laws or regulations relating to variable interest entity structures will be adopted or if adopted, what they would provide. If we or any of the VIEs is found to be in violation of any existing or future PRC laws or regulations, or fail to obtain or maintain any of the required permits or approvals, the relevant PRC regulatory authorities would have broad discretion to take action in dealing with such violations or failures. See “Item 3. Key Information — D. Risk Factors — Risks Relating to Our Corporate Structure — If the PRC government determines that the contractual arrangements constituting part of the VIE structure do not comply with PRC regulations on foreign investment in internet and other related businesses, or if these regulations or their interpretation change in the future, we could be subject to severe penalties or be forced to relinquish our interests in those operations” and “— Uncertainties exist with respect to the interpretation and implementation of the PRC Foreign Investment Law and how it may impact the viability of our current corporate structure, corporate governance and business operations” in our 2022 Form 20-F.
We face various legal and operational risks and uncertainties associated with being based in or having our operations primarily in China and the complex and evolving PRC laws and regulations. For example, we face risks associated with regulatory approvals on offerings conducted overseas by and foreign investment in China-based issuers, the use of the VIEs, anti-monopoly regulatory actions, and oversight on cybersecurity and data privacy, which may impact our ability to conduct certain businesses, accept foreign investments, or list on or remain listed on United States or other foreign exchanges outside of China. These risks could result in a material adverse change in our operations and the value of our ADSs, significantly limit or completely hinder our ability to offer or continue to offer securities to investors, or cause the value of such securities to significantly decline or become worthless. For a detailed description of risks related to doing business in China, see “Item 3. Key Information — D. Risk Factors — Risks Relating to Doing Business in China” in our 2022 Form 20-F.
PRC government’s significant authority in regulating our operations and its oversight and control over offerings conducted overseas by, and foreign investment in, China-based issuers could significantly limit or completely hinder our ability to offer or continue to offer securities to investors. Implementation of industry-wide regulations in this nature may cause the value of such securities to significantly decline or be of little or no value. For more details, see “Item 3. Key Information — D. Risk Factors — Risks Relating to Doing Business in China — The PRC government’s significant oversight and discretion over our business operation could result in a material adverse change in our operations and the value of our listed securities” in our 2022 Form 20-F.
The PRC regulatory and enforcement regime with regard to data security and privacy is evolving rapidly and may be subject to different interpretations or significant changes with very short notice. In the event that any new development requires us to change our business operations relevant to data security, data privacy or cybersecurity in general, we cannot assure you that we can comply with such new requirements in a timely manner or at all. For examples, the PRC Data Security Law and the Personal Information Protection Law released in 2021 posed additional challenges to our cybersecurity and data privacy compliance. The Measures for Cybersecurity Review promulgated in December 2021 and the draft Administrative Measures for Internet Data Security published for public comments in November 2021 imposed potential additional restrictions on China-based overseas-listed companies like us. If the Measures for Cybersecurity Review and the enacted version of the draft Administrative Measures for Internet Data Security mandate clearance of cybersecurity review and other specific actions to be taken by issuers like us, we may fail to complete these additional procedures, which may subject us to government enforcement actions and investigations, fines, penalties, or suspension of our non-compliant operations, and materially and adversely affect our business and results of operations and the price of our ADSs and/or Class A ordinary shares. The Outbound Data Transfer Security Assessment Measures, with effect from September 1, 2022, require a data processor to apply for security assessment with the CAC before providing important data or personal information to overseas recipients under certain circumstances and the Personal Information Outbound Transfer Standard Contract Measures, with effect from June 1, 2023, provide that a personal information processor who provides personal information to overseas recipients through execution of standard contract with such overseas recipient shall meet certain criteria, conduct a personal information protection impact assessment before providing any personal information to an overseas recipient, and complete the filing with local cybersecurity authority within
ten working days from the effective date of the standard contract. See “Item 3. Key Information — D. Risk Factors — Risks Relating to Our Business — Privacy concerns relating to our products and services and the use of user information could damage our reputation, deter current and potential users and customers from using Weibo and negatively impact our business” in our 2022 Form 20-F.
On February 17, 2023, the CSRC issued Trial Administrative Measures of Overseas Securities Offerings and Listings by Domestic Companies, or the Trial Measures, with effect from March 31, 2023, and the No.1 to No. 5 Supporting Guidance Rules, collectively, the Guidance Rules. The Trial Measures, together with the Guidance Rules, establish a new regime to regulate overseas offerings and listings by domestic companies. Any future securities offerings and listings outside of mainland China by our company, including but not limited to follow-on offerings, issuance of convertible corporate bonds and exchangeable bonds, and other equivalent offering activities, either directly or indirectly, will be subject to the filing requirements with CSRC under the Trial Measures. Therefore, we will be required to file with the CSRC for our overseas offerings of equity and equity linked securities in the future within the applicable scope of the Filing Measures.
Furthermore, the PRC anti-monopoly regulators have promulgated new anti-monopoly and competition laws and regulations, including PRC Anti-Monopoly Law, with effect from August 1, 2022, four implementing rules for the new Anti-Monopoly Law, with effect from April 15, 2023, and the Supreme People’s Court’s s Interpretation on Several Issues Concerning the Application of the PRC Anti-Unfair Competition Law, with effect from March 20, 2022, and strengthened the enforcement under these laws and regulations. There remain uncertainties as to how the laws, regulations and guidelines recently promulgated will be implemented and whether these laws, regulations and guidelines will have a material impact on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects. We cannot assure you that our business operations comply with such regulations and authorities’ requirements in all respects. If any non-compliance is raised by relevant authorities and determined against us, we may be subject to fines and other penalties. See “Item 3. Key Information — Risk Factors — Risks Relating to Doing Business in China — Any failure or perceived failure by us to comply with the Anti-Monopoly Guidelines for Internet Platforms Economy Sector and other PRC anti-monopoly laws and regulations may result in governmental investigations or enforcement actions, litigation or claims against us and could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations” in our 2022 Form 20-F.
These risks could result in a material adverse change in our operations and the value of our ADSs and/or Class A ordinary shares, significantly limit or completely hinder our ability to continue to offer securities to investors, or cause the value of such securities to significantly decline or be worthless. For a detailed description of risks related to doing business in China, see “Item 3. Key Information — D. Risk Factors — Risks Relating to Doing Business in China” in our 2022 Form 20-F.
Risks and uncertainties arising from the legal system in China, including risks and uncertainties regarding the enforcement of laws and quickly evolving rules and regulations in China, could result in a material adverse change in our operations and the value of our ADSs. For more details, see “Item 3. Key Information — D. Risk Factors — Risks Relating to Doing Business in China — Uncertainties in the interpretation and enforcement of PRC laws and regulations could limit the legal protections available to you and us” in our 2022 Form 20-F.
Permissions Required from the PRC Authorities for Our Operations
We conduct our business primarily through our subsidiaries, the VIEs and their subsidiaries in China. Our operations in China are governed by PRC laws and regulations. As of the date of this prospectus, our Consolidated Affiliated Entities have obtained the requisite licenses and permits from the PRC government authorities that are material for the business operations of our holding company, our subsidiaries and the VIEs in China, including, among others, the Internet Content Provision License, and the Online Culture Operating Permit held by Weimeng. However, given the uncertainties of interpretation and implementation of relevant laws and regulations and the enforcement practice by government authorities, we cannot assure you that we have obtained all the permits or licenses required for conducting our business in China. For example, Weimeng is not qualified to obtain the internet audio/video program transmission license under the current legal regime as it is not a wholly state-owned or state-controlled company and it was not operating prior to the issuance of the Rules for the Administration of Internet Audio and Video Program Services, commonly known as Circular 56. Weimeng plans to apply for an internet audio/ video program transmission license when feasible
to do so. In addition, an internet publishing permit might be necessary for our provisions of online game related services and the contents generated by our users on our platform. Weimeng has been actively communicating with the relevant regulator for the application of an internet publishing permit. Furthermore, although most of the games on our website have obtained approval from the National Press and Publication Administration, or the NPPA, certain games may not be able to obtain such approval due to the narrow interpretation of the scope of “game” adopted by NPPA in practice. We may be required to obtain additional licenses, permits, filings or approvals for the functions and services of our platform in the future. If we, our subsidiaries or the VIEs do not receive or maintain any necessary permissions or approvals, inadvertently conclude that such permissions or approvals are not required, or if applicable laws, regulations, or interpretations change and we are required to obtain such permissions or approvals in the future, we cannot assure you that we will be able to obtain the necessary permissions or approvals in a timely manner, or at all, and such approvals may be rescinded even if obtained. Any such circumstance could subject us to penalties, including fines, suspension of business and revocation of required licenses, significantly limit or completely hinder our ability to continue to offer securities to investors and cause the value of such securities to significantly decline or be worthless. For more detailed information, see “Item 3. Key Information — D. Risk Factors — Risks Relating to Doing Business in China — We may be adversely affected by the complexity, uncertainties and changes in PRC licensing and regulation of internet businesses” in our 2022 Form 20-F.
Cash and Asset Flows through Our Organization
Weibo Corporation transfers cash to its wholly-owned Hong Kong subsidiaries, by making capital contributions or providing loans, and the Hong Kong subsidiaries transfer cash to the subsidiaries in China by making capital contributions or providing loans to them. Because Weibo Corporation and its subsidiaries control the VIEs through contractual arrangements, they are not able to make direct capital contribution to the VIEs and their subsidiaries. However, they may transfer cash to the VIEs by loans or by making payment to the VIEs for inter-group transactions.
Under the currently effective PRC laws and regulations, Weibo Corporation may provide funding to our PRC subsidiaries only through capital contributions or loans, and to the Consolidated Affiliated Entities only through loans, subject to satisfaction of applicable government registration and approval requirements. We currently do not have cash management policies in place that dictate how funds are transferred between Weibo Corporation, our subsidiaries, and the Consolidated Affiliated Entities. Rather, the funds can be transferred in accordance with the applicable PRC laws and regulations.
For the years ended December 31, 2020, 2021 and 2022 and the nine months ended September 30, 2023, no assets other than cash were transferred through our organization.
For the years ended December 31, 2020, 2021 and 2022, the VIEs received debt financing of US$285.9 million, US$157.0 million, and US$232.3 million from WFOEs, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2023, the VIEs made net repayment of US$303.1 million to the WFOEs.
In addition, for the year ended December 31, 2022, the VIEs also received US$377.0 million from WFOEs as a repayment of cash advances that the VIEs historically provided to the WFOEs when service fees could not be settled in time.
For the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2021 and the nine months ended September 30, 2023, Weibo Corporation loaned an aggregate amount of US$144.3 million, US$287.3 million and US$580.7 million to its subsidiaries, respectively. For the year ended December 31, 2022, Weibo Corporation received net cash of US$0.2 million from its subsidiaries.
For the years ended December 31, 2020, 2021 and 2022, there were no cash flows between Weibo Hong Kong Limited, the intermediate holding company, and Weibo Technology, the WFOE. For the nine months ended September 30, 2023, the WFOE loaned an aggregate amount of US$103.1 million to Weibo Hong Kong Limited.
The VIEs may transfer cash to the relevant WFOE by paying service fees according to the exclusive technical services agreement, exclusive sales agency agreement and trademark license agreement. For the years ended December 31, 2020, 2021 and 2022 and the nine months ended September 30, 2023, the total amount of service fees that VIEs paid to the relevant WFOE under the exclusive technical services agreement, exclusive
sales agency agreement and trademark license agreement was US$812.8 million, US$780.3 million, US$1,076.4 million and US$560.8 million, respectively.
For the years ended December 31, 2020, 2021 and 2022 and the nine months ended September 30, 2023, no dividends or distributions were made to Weibo Corporation by our subsidiaries. Under PRC laws and regulations, our PRC subsidiaries and VIEs are subject to certain restrictions with respect to paying dividends or otherwise transferring any of their net assets to us. Remittance of dividends by a wholly foreign-owned enterprise out of China is also subject to examination by the banks designated by SAFE. The amounts restricted include the paid-up capital and the statutory reserve funds of our PRC subsidiaries and VIEs, totaling US$451.7 million, US$480.7 million, US$566.9 million and US$568.5 million, as of December 31, 2020, 2021 and 2022 and September 30, 2023, respectively. Furthermore, cash transfers from our PRC subsidiaries to entities outside of China are subject to PRC government control of currency conversion. Shortages in the availability of foreign currency may temporarily delay the ability of our PRC subsidiaries and VIEs to remit sufficient foreign currency to pay dividends or other payments to us, or otherwise satisfy their foreign currency denominated obligations. For risks relating to the fund flows of our operations in China, see “Item 3. Key Information — D. Risk Factors — Risks Relating to Doing Business in China — Any limitation on the ability of our PRC subsidiaries to make payments to us, or the tax implications of making payments to us, could have a material adverse effect on our ability to conduct our business or our financial condition” in our 2022 Form 20-F.
In May 2023, the board of directors of Weibo Corporation approved a special cash dividend of US$0.85 per ordinary share and ADS to holders of our ordinary shares and ADSs. The aggregate amount of the special dividend was approximately US$200 million and was paid to holders of our ordinary shares and ADSs in July 2023. See “Item 8. Financial Information — A. Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information — Dividend Policy” in our 2022 Form 20-F. For the Cayman Islands, PRC and U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to an investment in our ADSs or Class A ordinary shares, see “Taxation” and “Item 10. Additional Information — E. Taxation” in our 2022 Form 20-F.
For purposes of illustration, the following discussion reflects the hypothetical taxes that might be required to be paid within mainland China, assuming that: (i) we have taxable earnings, and (ii) we determine to pay a dividend in the future:
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Tax
calculation(1)
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Hypothetical pre-tax earnings(2)
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100% |
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Tax on earnings at statutory rate of 25%(3)
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(25)% |
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Net earnings available for distribution
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75% |
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Withholding tax at standard rate of 10%(4)
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(7.5)% |
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Net distribution to Parent/Shareholders
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67.5% |
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Notes:
(1)
For purposes of this example, the tax calculation has been simplified. The hypothetical book pre-tax earnings amount, not considering timing differences, is assumed to equal taxable income in China.
(2)
Under the terms of VIE agreements, our PRC subsidiaries may charge the VIEs for services provided to VIEs. These service fees shall be recognized as expenses of the VIEs, with a corresponding amount as service income by our PRC subsidiaries and eliminate in consolidation. For income tax purposes, our PRC subsidiaries and VIEs file income tax returns on a separate company basis. The service fees paid are recognized as a tax deduction by the VIEs and as income by our PRC subsidiaries and are tax neutral.
(3)
Certain of our subsidiaries and VIEs qualifies for a 15% preferential income tax rate in China. However, such rate is subject to qualification, is temporary in nature, and may not be available in a future period when distributions are paid. For purposes of this hypothetical example, the table above reflects a maximum tax scenario under which the full statutory rate would be effective.
(4)
The PRC Enterprise Income Tax Law imposes a withholding income tax of 10% on dividends distributed by a foreign invested enterprise, or FIE, to its immediate holding company outside of China. A lower withholding income tax rate of 5% is applied if the FIE’s immediate holding company is registered in Hong Kong or other jurisdictions that have a tax treaty arrangement with China and is not considered a PRC resident enterprise, subject to a qualification review at the time of the distribution. For purposes of this hypothetical example, the table above assumes a maximum tax scenario under which the full withholding tax would be applied.
The table above has been prepared under the assumption that all profits of the VIEs will be distributed as fees to our PRC subsidiaries under tax neutral contractual arrangements. If, in the future, the accumulated earnings
of the VIEs exceed the service fees paid to our PRC subsidiaries (or if the current and contemplated fee structure between the intercompany entities is determined to be non-substantive and disallowed by Chinese tax authorities), the VIEs could make a non-deductible transfer to our PRC subsidiaries for the amounts of the stranded cash in the VIEs. This would result in such transfer being non-deductible expenses for the VIEs but still taxable income for the PRC subsidiaries. Such a transfer and the related tax burdens would reduce our after-tax income to approximately 50.6% of the pre-tax income. Our management believes that there is only a remote possibility that this scenario would happen.
Summary of Risk Factors
Investing in our Class A ordinary shares involves significant risks. You should carefully consider all of the information in this prospectus before making an investment in our Class A ordinary shares. Below please find a summary of the principal risks we face, organized under relevant headings. These risks are discussed more fully in the section titled “Risk Factors” in this prospectus and in our 2022 Form 20-F as well as other documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus and the accompanying prospectus.
Risks Relating to Our Business
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If we fail to grow our active user base, or if user engagement on our platform declines, our business, financial condition and operating results may be materially and adversely affected.
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If our users and platform partners do not continue to contribute content or their contributions are not valuable to other users, we may experience a decline in user traffic and user engagement.
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We rely on our partnership program with channel partners, which mainly include application pre-install partners, programmatic buying partners and application marketplaces, to drive traffic to our platform, and if our partnership program becomes less effective or if the smartphone market and shipment in China slow down compared to the prior years, traffic to our platform could decline and our business and operating results could be adversely affected.
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If we are unable to compete effectively for user traffic or user engagement, our business and operating results may be materially and adversely affected.
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We may not be able to maintain or grow our revenues or our business.
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We generate a substantial majority of our revenues from online advertising and marketing services. If we fail to generate sustainable revenue and profit through our advertising and marketing services, our result of operations could be materially and adversely affected.
Risks Relating to Our Corporate Structure
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We are a Cayman Islands holding company with no equity ownership in the VIEs. We conduct our operations in China through our PRC subsidiaries, the VIEs with which we have maintained contractual arrangements and their subsidiaries in China. Investors thus are not purchasing the right to convert shares into direct equity interest in our operating entities in China but instead are purchasing the right to convert shares into equity interest in a Cayman Islands holding company. If the PRC government determines that the contractual arrangements constituting part of the VIE structure do not comply with PRC laws and regulations, or if these regulations or their interpretations change in the future, we could be subject to severe penalties or be forced to relinquish our interests in those operations. If the determinations, changes, or interpretations result in our inability to assert contractual control over the VIEs, our ADSs and/or Class A ordinary shares may decline in value or become worthless. Our holding company, our PRC subsidiaries, the VIEs, and investors of our company face uncertainty about potential future actions by the PRC government that could affect the enforceability of the contractual arrangements with the VIEs and, consequently, significantly affect the financial performance of the VIEs and our company as a whole. For a detailed description of the risks associated with our corporate structure, please refer to risks disclosed under “Risk Factors — Risks Relating to Our Corporate Structure” in our 2022 Form 20-F.
Risks Relating to Doing Business in China
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The PRC government’s significant authority in regulating our operations and its oversight and control over offerings conducted overseas by, and foreign investment in, China-based issuers could significantly
limit or completely hinder our ability to offer or continue to offer securities to investors. Implementation of industry-wide regulations in this nature may cause the value of such securities to significantly decline or become worthless. For more details, see “Risk Factors — Risks Relating to Doing Business in China — The PRC government’s significant oversight and discretion over our business operation could result in a material adverse change in our operations and the value of our listed securities” in our 2022 Form 20-F.
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Risks and uncertainties arising from the legal system in China, including risks and uncertainties regarding the enforcement of laws and quickly evolving rules and regulations in China, could result in a material adverse change in our operations and the value of our ADSs and Class A ordinary shares. For more details, see “Risk Factors — Risks Relating to Doing Business in China — Uncertainties in the interpretation and enforcement of PRC laws and regulations could limit the legal protections available to you and us” in our 2022 Form 20-F.
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Regulation and censorship of information disseminated over the internet in China may adversely affect our business and subject us to liability for information displayed on Weibo. For more detailed information, see “Risk Factors — Risks Relating to Doing Business in China — Regulation and censorship of information disseminated over the internet in China may adversely affect our business and subject us to liability for information displayed on Weibo” in our 2022 Form 20-F.
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Our ADSs may be prohibited from trading in the United States under the HFCAA in the future if the PCAOB is unable to inspect or investigate completely auditors located in China. The delisting of the ADSs, or the threat of their being delisted, may materially and adversely affect the value of your investment. For more details, see “Risk Factors — Risks Relating to Doing Business in China — Our ADSs may be prohibited from trading in the United States under the HFCAA in the future if the PCAOB is unable to inspect or investigate completely auditors located in China. The delisting of the ADSs, or the threat of their being delisted, may materially and adversely affect the value of your investment” in our 2022 Form 20-F.
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The approval of and the filing with the CSRC or other PRC government authorities may be required in connection with our future offshore offerings under PRC law, and, if required, we cannot predict whether or for how long we will be able to obtain such approval or complete such filing. For more details, see “Item 3. Key Information — D. Risk Factors — Risks Relating to Doing Business in China — The approval of and the filing with the CSRC or other PRC government authorities may be required in connection with our future offshore offerings under PRC law, and, if required, we cannot predict whether or for how long we will be able to obtain such approval or complete such filing” in our 2022 Form 20-F.
Risks Relating to Our ADSs and Class A Ordinary Shares
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The trading prices for our listed securities have been and are likely to continue to be, volatile, regardless of our operating performance, which could result in substantial losses to our investors.
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We adopt different practices as to certain matters as compared with many other companies listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.
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Substantial future sales or perceived potential sales of our Class A ordinary shares, ADSs, or other equity or equity-linked securities in the public market could cause the price of our Class A ordinary shares and/or ADSs to decline significantly.
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Our dual-class voting structure will limit your ability to influence corporate matters and could discourage others from pursuing any change of control transactions that holders of our Class A ordinary shares and ADSs may view as beneficial.
CORPORATE INFORMATION
Our principal executive offices are located at 8/F, QIHAO Plaza, No. 8 Xinyuan S. Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100027, People’s Republic of China. Our telephone number at this address is +86 (10) 5898-3336. Our registered office in the Cayman Islands is located at the offices of Vistra (Cayman) Limited, P.O. Box 31119, Grand Pavilion, Hibiscus Way, 802 West Bay Road, Grand Cayman KY1-1205, Cayman Islands. We have appointed Cogency Global Inc., located at 122 East 42nd Street, 18th Floor, New York, NY 10168, as our agent upon whom process may be served in any action brought against us under the securities laws of the United States in connection with offerings of securities registered by the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.
The SEC maintains an internet site that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC at www.sec.gov. You can also find information on our website at http://ir.weibo.com. The information contained on our website is not a part of this prospectus.
RISK FACTORS
Investing in our securities involves risk. Before you decide to buy our securities, you should carefully consider the risks described under “Item 3. Key Information — D. Risk Factors” in our most recent annual report on Form 20-F, which is incorporated by reference herein, as updated by our subsequent filings under the Exchange Act, as well as the risks that are described in the applicable prospectus supplement and in other documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus. If any of these risks actually occurs, our business, financial condition and results of operations could suffer, and you may lose all or part of your investment.
Please see “Where You Can Find More Information About Us” and “Incorporation of Documents by Reference” for information on where you can find the documents we have filed with or furnished to the SEC and which are incorporated into this prospectus by reference.
USE OF PROCEEDS
We intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of the securities we offer as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement(s).
DESCRIPTION OF SHARE CAPITAL
We are an exempted company incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands and our affairs are governed by our current fourth amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, the Companies Act (As Revised) of the Cayman Islands, which we refer to as the Companies Act below, and the common law of the Cayman Islands.
As of September 30, 2023, our authorized share capital consists of (i) 1,800,000,000 Class A ordinary shares of a par value of US$0.00025 each, (ii) 200,000,000 Class B ordinary shares of a par value of US$0.00025 each, and (iii) 400,000,000 shares of a par value of US$0.00025 each, of such class or classes (however designated) as our board of directors may determine in accordance with our fourth amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, none of which is issued and outstanding.
Ordinary Shares
General. Certificates representing the ordinary shares are issued in registered form. Our shareholders who are non-residents of the Cayman Islands may freely hold and vote their ordinary shares. Our company will issue only non-negotiable shares, and will not issue bearer or negotiable shares.
Register of Members. Under Cayman Islands law, we must keep a register of members and there should be entered therein:
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the names and addresses of the members, together with a statement of the shares held by each member, and such statement shall confirm (i) of the amount paid or agreed to be considered as paid, on the shares of each member, (ii) the number and category of shares held by each member, and (iii) whether each relevant category of shares held by a member carries voting rights under the articles of association of the company, and if so, whether such voting rights are conditional;
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the date on which the name of any person was entered on the register as a member; and
•
the date on which any person ceased to be a member.
Under Cayman Islands law, the register of members of our company is prima facie evidence of the matters set out therein (i.e. the register of members will raise a presumption of fact on the matters referred to above unless rebutted) and a member registered in the register of members is deemed as a matter of Cayman Islands law to have legal title to the shares as set against its name in the register of members. Upon the completion of our initial public offering, our company’s register of members was updated to record and give effect to the issue of shares by us to the Depositary (or its nominee) as the depositary, and the shareholders recorded in the register of members are deemed to have legal title to the shares set against their name.
If the name of any person is incorrectly entered in or omitted from our register of members, or if there is any default or unnecessary delay in entering on the register the fact of any person having ceased to be a member of our company, the person or member aggrieved (or any member of our company or our company itself) may apply to the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands for an order that the register be rectified, and the Court may either refuse such application or it may, if satisfied of the justice of the case, make an order for the rectification of the register.
Dividends. The holders of our ordinary shares are entitled to such dividends as may be declared by our board of directors or shareholders in general meeting (provided always no dividend may exceed the amount recommended by our directors, and provided further that dividends may be declared and paid only out of funds legally available therefor, namely out of either profit or our share premium account, and provided further that a dividend may not be paid if this would result in our company being unable to pay its debts as they fall due in the ordinary course of business).
Classes of Ordinary Shares. Our ordinary shares are divided into Class A ordinary shares and Class B ordinary shares. Except for conversion rights and voting rights, the Class A ordinary shares and Class B
ordinary shares shall carry equal rights and rank pari passu with one another, including but not limited to the rights to dividends and other capital distributions.
Each Class B ordinary share is convertible into one Class A ordinary share at any time by the holder thereof. In addition, (i) each Class B ordinary share shall automatically and immediately be converted into one Class A ordinary share if at any time SINA Corporation and its Affiliates (as defined in our memorandum and articles of association) in the aggregate hold less than five percent (5%) of the issued Class B ordinary shares in our company, and no Class B ordinary shares shall be issued by our company thereafter, and (ii) upon (a) any sale, transfer, assignment or disposition of Class B ordinary shares by a holder thereof to any person or entity which is not Mr. Charles Chao (the “Founder”) or a Founder’s Affiliate (as defined in our memorandum and articles of association); or (b) a change of control of any direct or indirect holder of any Class B ordinary shares, including but not limited to, any person other than the Founder or a Founder’s Affiliate gaining “Control” over any of SINA Parent Companies (e.g. by entering into an agreement with the Founder to jointly control the SINA Parent Companies), and even if the Founder or a Founder’s Affiliate remains to have joint “Control” of the SINA Parent Companies, all of the Class B ordinary shares to be held by such person or entity that is not the Founder or Founder’s Affiliate shall be automatically and immediately converted (by way of being re-designated) into an equal number of Class A ordinary shares. Class A ordinary shares are not convertible into Class B ordinary shares under any circumstances.
“Control” shall mean having (A) the power to control the management or elect a majority of members to the board of directors or equivalent decision-making body of, or (B) the power to exercise or control the exercise of 50% or more of the voting power (through power of attorney, voting proxies, shareholders’ agreements or otherwise) at the general meetings or other equivalent decision-making body of, such corporation, partnership or other entity. “SINA Parent Companies” shall mean the holding companies of Weibo Corporation, including New Wave MMXV Limited, Sina Group Holding Company Limited, SINA Corporation and any other intermediate holding company(ies) of Sina Corporation that may be established in the future.
Voting Rights. Holders of ordinary shares have the right to receive notice of, attend, speak and vote at general meetings of our company except were a shareholder is required, by the rules of the stock exchange on which the Company’s ADSs or shares are listed for trading, to abstain from voting to approve the matter under consideration. Holders of Class A ordinary shares and Class B ordinary shares shall, at all times, vote together as one class on all matters submitted to a vote by the members at any such general meeting. Each Class A ordinary share shall be entitled to one vote on all matters subject to the vote at general meetings of our company, and each Class B ordinary share shall be entitled to three votes on all matters subject to the vote at general meetings of our company. Voting at any meeting of shareholders is by show of hands unless a poll is demanded. A poll may be demanded by the chairman of such meeting or any one shareholder present in person or by proxy.
Maples and Calder (Hong Kong) LLP, our counsel as to Cayman Islands law, has advised that such voting structure is in compliance with current Cayman Islands law as in general terms, a company and its shareholders are free to provide in the articles of association for such rights as they consider appropriate, subject to such rights not being contrary to any provision of the Companies Act and not inconsistent with common law. Maples and Calder (Hong Kong) LLP has confirmed that the inclusion in our memorandum and articles of association of provisions giving weighted voting rights to specific shareholders generally or on specific resolutions is not prohibited by the Companies Act. Further, weighted voting provisions have been held to be valid as a matter of English common law and therefore it is expected that such would be upheld by a Cayman Islands court.
An ordinary resolution to be passed by the shareholders requires the affirmative vote of a simple majority of the votes attached to the ordinary shares cast by those shareholders who are present in person or by proxy at a general meeting, while a special resolution requires the affirmative vote of no less than two-thirds of the votes attached to the ordinary shares cast by those shareholders who are present in person or by proxy at a general meeting. Both ordinary resolutions and special resolutions may also be passed by a unanimous written resolution signed by all the shareholders of our company, as permitted by the Companies Act and our memorandum and articles of association. A special resolution will be required for important matters such as a change of name or making changes to our memorandum and articles of association.
Transfer of Ordinary Shares. Any of our shareholders may transfer all or any of his or her ordinary shares by an instrument of transfer in the usual or common form or any other form approved by our board of directors.
However, our board of directors may, in its absolute discretion, decline to register any transfer of any ordinary share which is not fully paid up or on which our company has a lien. Our board of directors may also decline to register any transfer of any ordinary share unless:
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the instrument of transfer is lodged with us, accompanied by the certificate for the ordinary shares to which it relates and such other evidence as our board of directors may reasonably require to show the right of the transferor to make the transfer;
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the instrument of transfer is in respect of only one class ordinary of shares;
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the instrument of transfer is properly stamped (in circumstances where stamping is required);
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the ordinary shares transferred are free of any lien in favor of us;
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any fee related to the transfer has been paid to us; and
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in the case of a transfer to joint holders, the number of joint holders to which the share is to be transferred does not exceed four.
If our directors refuse to register a transfer they are required, within two months after the date on which the instrument of transfer was lodged, to send to each of the transferor and the transferee notice of such refusal.
Liquidation. On a return of capital on winding up or otherwise (other than on conversion, redemption or purchase of ordinary shares), assets available for distribution among the holders of ordinary shares will be distributed among the holders of the ordinary shares on a pro rata basis. If our assets available for distribution are insufficient to repay all of the paid-up capital, the assets will be distributed so that the losses are borne by our shareholders proportionately. We are a “limited liability” company registered under the Companies Act, and under the Companies Act, the liability of our members is limited to the amount, if any, unpaid on the shares respectively held by them. Our memorandum of association contains a declaration that the liability of our members is so limited.
Calls on Ordinary Shares and Forfeiture of Ordinary Shares. Our board of directors may from time to time make calls upon shareholders for any amounts unpaid on their ordinary shares. The ordinary shares that have been called upon and remain unpaid are subject to forfeiture.
Redemption, Repurchase and Surrender of Ordinary Shares. We may issue shares on terms that such shares are subject to redemption, at our option or at the option of the holders thereof, on such terms and in such manner as may be determined, before the issue of such shares, by our board of directors or by a special resolution of our shareholders. Our company may also repurchase any of our shares provided that the manner and terms of such purchase have been approved by our board of directors or are otherwise authorized by our memorandum and articles of association. Under the Companies Act, the redemption or repurchase of any share may be paid out of our company’s profits or out of the proceeds of a fresh issue of shares made for the purpose of such redemption or repurchase, or out of capital (including share premium account and capital redemption reserve) if our company can, immediately following such payment, pay its debts as they fall due in the ordinary course of business. In addition, under the Companies Act no such share may be redeemed or repurchased (a) unless it is fully paid up, (b) if such redemption or repurchase would result in there being no shares outstanding, or (c) if the company has commenced liquidation. In addition, our company may accept the surrender of any fully paid share for no consideration.
Variations of Rights of Shares. If at any time, our share capital is divided into different classes of shares, all or any of the rights attached to any class of shares may be varied or abrogated with the consent in writing of the holders of not less than two-thirds in nominal value of the issued shares of that class or with the sanction of a special resolution passed at a separate meeting of the holders of shares of that class. The rights conferred upon the holders of the shares of any class issued with preferred or other rights will not, unless otherwise expressly provided in the rights attaching to or the terms of issue of the shares of that class, be deemed to be varied or abrogated by the creation or issue of further shares ranking pari passu with such existing class of shares.
General Meetings of Shareholders and Shareholder Proposals. As a Cayman Islands exempted company, we are not obliged by the Companies Act to call shareholders’ annual general meetings. Our memorandum and articles of association provide that we shall in each financial year hold a general meeting as our annual general meeting in which case we shall specify the meeting as such in the notices calling it, and the annual general meeting shall be held at such time and place as may be determined by our directors.
Shareholders’ annual general meetings and any other general meetings of our shareholders may be convened by a majority of our board of directors. Advance notice of at least 21 calendar days is required for the convening of our annual general shareholders’ meeting and advance notice of at least 14 calendar days is required for the convening of any other general meeting of our shareholders. A quorum required for a general meeting of shareholders consists of one or more shareholders together holding at the date of the relevant meeting not less than 10% of all votes attaching to all shares present in person or by proxy, which carry the right to vote at general meetings.
Cayman Islands law provides shareholders with only limited rights to requisition a general meeting, and does not provide shareholders with any right to put any proposal before a general meeting. However, these rights may be provided in a company’s articles of association. Our memorandum and articles of association allow one or more shareholders holding shares representing in aggregate not less than 10% of all votes attaching to all shares present in person or by proxy, on a one vote per share basis, which carry the right to vote at general meetings to requisition an extraordinary general meeting of the shareholders, in which case our directors are obliged to call such meeting and to put the resolutions so requisitioned to a vote at such meeting; however, our memorandum and articles of association do not provide our shareholders with any right to put any proposals before annual general meetings or extraordinary general meetings not called by such shareholders.
Election and Removal of Directors. Unless otherwise determined by our company in general meeting, our memorandum and articles of association provide that our board of directors will consist of not less than two directors. There are no provisions relating to retirement of directors upon reaching any age limit.
The directors have the power to appoint any person as a director either to fill a casual vacancy on the board or as an addition to the existing board. Any director so appointed shall hold office only until the first annual general meeting of our company after his appointment and shall then be eligible for re-election at that meeting. At each annual general meeting, one-third of the directors for the time being, or, if their number is not three or a multiple of three, then the number nearest to, but not less than, one-third, shall retire from office by rotation. The directors to retire in every year shall be those who have been longest in office since their last election but as between persons who became directors on the same day those to retire shall (unless they otherwise agree between themselves) be determined by lot. A retiring director shall retain office until the close of the meeting at which he retires, and shall be eligible for re-election thereat.
Our shareholders may also appoint any person to be a director by way of ordinary resolution.
A director may be removed with or without cause by an ordinary resolution of our shareholders. The office of a director shall also be vacated automatically if, among other things, the director (1) becomes bankrupt or has a receiving order made against him or suspends payment or compounds with his creditors generally; or (2) an order is made by any competent court or official on the grounds that he is or may be suffering from mental disorder or is otherwise incapable of managing his affairs and the board of directors resolves that his office be vacated; or (3) without leave, is absent from meetings of the board for a continuous period of 12 months, and the board resolves that his office be vacated; or (4) ceases to be or is prohibited from being a director by law or by virtue of any provisions in our articles of association; or (5) is removed from office by notice in writing served upon him signed by not less than three-fourths in number (or, if that is not a round number, the nearest lower round number) of our directors (including himself) then in office.
Proceedings of Board of Directors. Our memorandum and articles of association provide that our business is to be managed and conducted by our board of directors. The quorum necessary for board meetings may be fixed by the board and, unless so fixed at another number, will be a majority of the directors then in office.
Our memorandum and articles of association provide that our board of directors may from time to time at its discretion exercise all powers of our company to raise or borrow or to secure the payment of any sum or sums of money for the purposes of our company and to mortgage or charge the undertaking, property and assets
(present and future) and uncalled capital of our company and issue debentures, bonds and other securities of our company, whether outright or as collateral security for any debt, liability or obligation of our company or of any third party.
Inspection of Books and Records. Holders of our ordinary shares have no general right under Cayman Islands law to inspect or obtain copies of our list of shareholders or our corporate records (other than the memorandum and articles of association, the register of mortgages and charges, and copies of any special resolutions passed by our shareholders). However, we intend to provide our shareholders with annual audited financial statements.
Changes in Capital. Our shareholders may from time to time by ordinary resolution:
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increase our share capital by such sum, to be divided into shares of such amount, as the resolution shall prescribe;
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consolidate and divide all or any of our share capital into shares of a larger amount than our existing shares;
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sub-divide our existing shares, or any of them into shares of a smaller amount, provided that in the subdivision the proportion between the amount paid and the amount, if any, unpaid on each reduced share shall be the same as it was in case of the share from which the reduced share is derived; or
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cancel any shares which, at the date of the passing of the resolution, have not been taken or agreed to be taken by any person and diminish the amount of our share capital by the amount of the shares so cancelled.
Our shareholders may by special resolution, subject to confirmation by the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands on an application by our company for an order confirming such reduction, reduce our share capital or any capital redemption reserve in any manner permitted by law.
Exempted Company. We are an exempted company with limited liability under the Companies Acts. The Companies Act distinguishes between ordinary resident companies and exempted companies. Any company that is registered in the Cayman Islands but conducts business mainly outside of the Cayman Islands may apply to be registered as an exempted company. The requirements for an exempted company are essentially the same as for an ordinary company except for the exemptions and privileges listed below:
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an exempted company does not have to file an annual return of its shareholders with the Registrar of Companies;
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an exempted company’s register of members is not required to be open to inspection;
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an exempted company does not have to hold an annual general meeting;
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an exempted company may issue no par value shares;
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an exempted company may obtain an undertaking against the imposition of any future taxation (such undertakings are usually given for 20 years in the first instance);
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an exempted company may register by way of continuation in another jurisdiction and be deregistered in the Cayman Islands;
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an exempted company may register as a limited duration company; and
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an exempted company may register as a segregated portfolio company.
“Limited liability” means that the liability of each shareholder is limited to the amount unpaid by the shareholder on that shareholder’s shares of the company (except in exceptional circumstances, such as involving fraud, the establishment of an agency relationship or an illegal or improper purpose or other circumstances in which a court may be prepared to pierce or lift the corporate veil). We are subject to reporting and other informational requirements of the Exchange Act, as applicable to foreign private issuers. Except as otherwise disclosed in this prospectus, we currently intend to comply with the Nasdaq rules in lieu of following home country practice.
Differences in Corporate Law
The Companies Act is derived, to a large extent, from the older Companies Acts of England but does not follow recent United Kingdom statutory enactments, and accordingly there are significant differences between the Companies Act and the current Companies Act of England. In addition, the Companies Act differs from laws applicable to United States corporations and their shareholders. Set forth below is a summary of the significant differences between the provisions of the Companies Act applicable to us and the laws applicable to companies incorporated in the United States and their shareholders.
Mergers and Similar Arrangements. The Companies Act permits mergers and consolidations between Cayman Islands companies and between Cayman Islands companies and non-Cayman Islands companies. For these purposes, (a) “merger” means the merging of two or more constituent companies and the vesting of their undertaking, property and liabilities in one of such companies as the surviving company and (b) a “consolidation” means the combination of two or more constituent companies into a combined company and the vesting of the undertaking, property and liabilities of such companies to the consolidated company. In order to effect such a merger or consolidation, the directors of each constituent company must approve a written plan of merger or consolidation, which must then be authorized by (a) a special resolution of the shareholders of each constituent company, and (b) such other authorization, if any, as may be specified in such constituent company’s articles of association. The written plan of merger or consolidation must be filed with the Registrar of Companies together with a declaration as to the solvency of the consolidated or surviving company, a list of the assets and liabilities of each constituent company and an undertaking that a copy of the certificate of merger or consolidation will be given to the members and creditors of each constituent company and that notification of the merger or consolidation will be published in the Cayman Islands Gazette. Dissenting shareholders have the right to be paid the fair value of their shares (which, if not agreed between the parties, will be determined by the Cayman Islands court) if they follow the required procedures, subject to certain exceptions. Court approval is not required for a merger or consolidation which is effected in compliance with these statutory procedures.
In addition, there are statutory provisions that facilitate the reconstruction and amalgamation of companies, provided that the arrangement is approved by (a) 75% in value of shareholders; or (b) a majority representing 75% in value of creditors with whom the arrangement is to be made, , as the case may be, that are present and voting either in person or by proxy at a meeting, or meetings, convened for that purpose. The convening of the meetings and subsequently the arrangement must be sanctioned by the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands. While a dissenting shareholder has the right to express to the court the view that the transaction ought not to be approved, the court can be expected to approve the arrangement if it determines that:
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the statutory provisions as to the required majority vote have been met;
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the shareholders have been fairly represented at the meeting in question and the statutory majority are acting bona fide without coercion of the minority to promote interests adverse to those of the class;
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the arrangement is such that may be reasonably approved by an intelligent and honest man of that class acting in respect of his interest; and
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the arrangement is not one that would more properly be sanctioned under some other provision of the Companies Act.
When a takeover offer is made and accepted by holders of 90% of the shares affected within four months, the offeror may, within a two-month period commencing on the expiration of such four-month period, require the holders of the remaining shares to transfer such shares on the terms of the offer. An objection can be made to the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands but this is unlikely to succeed in the case of an offer which has been so approved unless there is evidence of fraud, bad faith or collusion.
If an arrangement and reconstruction is thus approved, the dissenting shareholder would have no rights comparable to appraisal rights, which would otherwise ordinarily be available to dissenting shareholders of Delaware corporations, providing rights to receive payment in cash for the judicially determined value of the shares.
Shareholders’ Suits. In principle, we will normally be the proper plaintiff and as a general rule a derivative action may not be brought by a minority shareholder. However, based on English authorities, which would in
all likelihood be of persuasive authority in the Cayman Islands, the Cayman Islands court can be expected to apply and follow the common law principles (namely the rule in Foss v. Harbottle and the exceptions thereto) which permit a minority shareholder to commence a class action against, or derivative actions in the name of, a company to challenge the following:
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an acts which is illegal or ultra vires;
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an act which, although not ultra vires, could only be effected duly if authorized by a special or qualified majority vote that has not been obtained; and
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an act which constitutes a fraud on the minority where the wrongdoers are themselves in control of the company.
Indemnification of Directors and Executive Officers and Limitation of Liability. Cayman Islands law does not limit the extent to which a company’s articles of association may provide for indemnification of officers and directors, except to the extent any such provision may be held by the Cayman Islands courts to be contrary to public policy, such as to provide indemnification against civil fraud or the consequences of committing a crime. Our memorandum and articles of association provide that our directors and officers shall be indemnified out of the assets and profits of our company from and against all actions, costs, charges, losses, damages and expenses which they shall or may incur or sustain by or by reason of any act done, concurred in or omitted in or about the execution of their duty, or supposed duty, in their respective offices or trusts, provided that this indemnity shall not extend to any matter in respect of any fraud or dishonesty which may attach to any of said persons. This standard of conduct is generally the same as permitted under the Delaware General Corporation Law for a Delaware corporation. In addition, we have entered into indemnification agreements with our directors and senior executive officers that provide such persons with additional indemnification beyond that provided in our memorandum and articles of association.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to our directors, officers or persons controlling us under the foregoing provisions, we have been informed that, in the opinion of the SEC, such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable.
Anti-Takeover Provisions in the Memorandum and Articles of Association. Some provisions of our memorandum and articles of association may discourage, delay or prevent a change in control of our company or management that shareholders may consider favorable, including provisions that authorize our board of directors to issue preferred shares in one or more series and to designate the price, rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions of such preferred shares without any further vote or action by our shareholders.
However, under Cayman Islands law, our directors may only exercise the rights and powers granted to them under our memorandum and articles of association, as amended and restated from time to time, for a proper purpose and for what they believe in good faith to be in the best interests of our company.
Directors’ Fiduciary Duties. Under Delaware corporate law, a director of a Delaware corporation has a fiduciary duty to the corporation and its shareholders. This duty has two components: the duty of care and the duty of loyalty. The duty of care requires that a director act in good faith, with the care that an ordinarily prudent person would exercise under similar circumstances. Under this duty, a director must inform himself of and disclose to shareholders, all material information reasonably available regarding a significant transaction. The duty of loyalty requires that a director act in a manner he or she reasonably believes to be in the best interests of the corporation. He or she must not use his or her corporate position for personal gain or advantage. This duty prohibits self-dealing by a director and mandates that the best interest of the corporation and its shareholders take precedence over any interest possessed by a director, officer or controlling shareholder and not shared by the shareholders generally. In general, actions of a director are presumed to have been made on an informed basis, in good faith and in the honest belief that the action taken was in the best interests of the corporation. However, this presumption may be rebutted by evidence of a breach of one of the fiduciary duties. Should such evidence be presented concerning a transaction by a director, a director must prove the procedural fairness of the transaction and that the transaction was of fair value to the corporation.
As a matter of Cayman Islands law, a director of a Cayman Islands company is in the position of a fiduciary with respect to the company and therefore he owes the following duties to the company — a duty to act in
good faith in the best interests of the company, a duty not to make a personal profit based on his or her position as director (unless the company permits him to do so), a duty not to put himself in a position where the interests of the company conflict with his or her personal interest or his or her duty to a third party and a duty to exercise powers for the purpose for which such powers were intended. A director of a Cayman Islands company owes to the company a duty to act with skill and care. It was previously considered that a director need not exhibit in the performance of his or her duties a greater degree of skill than may reasonably be expected from a person of his or her knowledge and experience. However, English and Commonwealth courts have moved towards an objective standard with regard to the required skill and care and these authorities are likely to be followed in the Cayman Islands.
Shareholder Proposals. Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, a shareholder has the right to put any proposal before the annual meeting of shareholders, provided it complies with the notice provisions in the governing documents. The Delaware General Corporation Law does not provide shareholders an express right to put any proposal before the annual meeting of shareholders, but in keeping with common law, Delaware corporations generally afford shareholders an opportunity to make proposals and nominations provided that they comply with the notice provisions in the certificate of incorporation or bylaws. A special meeting may be called by the board of directors or any other person authorized to do so in the governing documents, but shareholders may be precluded from calling special meetings.
Cayman Islands law provides shareholders with only limited rights to requisition a general meeting, and does not provide shareholders with any right to put any proposal before a general meeting. However, these rights may be provided in a company’s articles of association. Our memorandum and articles of association provides that, on the requisition of any one or more shareholders holding shares representing in aggregate not less than 10% of all votes attaching to all shares present in person or by proxy, on a one vote per share basis, which carry the right to vote at general meetings, the board shall convene an extraordinary general meeting. However, our memorandum and articles of association do not provide our shareholders with any right to put any proposals before annual general meetings or extraordinary general meetings not called by such shareholders. As a Cayman Islands exempted company, we are not obliged by law to call shareholders’ annual general meetings, but our memorandum and articles of association obliges our company in each year to hold a general meeting as our annual general meeting in addition to any other meeting in that year. The annual general meeting may be held at such time and place as our board of directors shall appoint.
Cumulative Voting. Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, cumulative voting for elections of directors is not permitted unless the corporation’s certificate of incorporation specifically provides for it. Cumulative voting potentially facilitates the representation of minority shareholders on a board of directors since it permits the minority shareholder to cast all the votes to which the shareholder is entitled on a single director, which increases the shareholder’s voting power with respect to electing such director. Cayman Islands law does not prohibit cumulative voting, but our memorandum and articles of association do not provide for cumulative voting. As a result, our shareholders are not afforded any less protections or rights on this issue than shareholders of a Delaware corporation.
Removal of Directors. Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, a director of a corporation with a classified board may be removed only for cause with the approval of a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote, unless the certificate of incorporation provides otherwise. Under our memorandum and articles of association, directors may be removed with or without cause by ordinary resolution of our shareholders. The office of a director shall also be vacated automatically if, among other things, the director (1) becomes bankrupt or has a receiving order made against him or suspends payment or compounds with his creditors generally; or (2) an order is made by any competent court or official on the grounds that he is or may be suffering from mental disorder or is otherwise incapable of managing his affairs and our board of directors resolves that his office be vacated; or (3) without leave, is absent from meetings of the board for a continuous period of 12 months, and our board of directors resolves that his office be vacated; or (4) ceases to be or is prohibited from being a director by law or by virtue of any provisions in our memorandum and articles of association; or (5) is removed from office by notice in writing served upon him signed by not less than three-fourths in number (or, if that is not a round number, the nearest lower round number) of our directors (including himself) then in office.
Transactions with Interested Shareholders. The Delaware General Corporation Law contains a business combination statute applicable to Delaware public corporations whereby, unless the corporation has
specifically elected not to be governed by such statute by amendment to its certificate of incorporation or bylaws that is approved by its shareholders, it is prohibited from engaging in certain business combinations with an “interested shareholder” for three years following the date that such person becomes an interested shareholder. An interested shareholder generally is a person or a group who or which owns or owned 15% or more of the target’s outstanding voting stock or who or which is an affiliate or associate of the corporation and owned 15% or more of the corporation’s outstanding voting stock within the past three years. This has the effect of limiting the ability of a potential acquirer to make a two-tiered bid for the target in which all shareholders would not be treated equally. The statute does not apply if, among other things, prior to the date on which such shareholder becomes an interested shareholder, the board of directors approves either the business combination or the transaction which resulted in the person becoming an interested shareholder. This encourages any potential acquirer of a Delaware corporation to negotiate the terms of any acquisition transaction with the target’s board of directors.
Cayman Islands law has no comparable statute. As a result, we cannot avail ourselves of the types of protections afforded by the Delaware business combination statute. However, although Cayman Islands law does not regulate transactions between a company and its significant shareholders, the directors of the Company are required to comply with fiduciary duties which they owe to the Company under Cayman Islands laws, including the duty to ensure that, in their opinion, any such transactions must be entered into bona fide in the best interests of the company and for a proper corporate purpose and not with the effect of constituting a fraud on the minority shareholders.
Dissolution; Winding up. Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, unless the board of directors approves the proposal to dissolve, dissolution must be approved by shareholders holding 100% of the total voting power of the corporation. Only if the dissolution is initiated by the board of directors may it be approved by a simple majority of the corporation’s outstanding shares. Delaware law allows a Delaware corporation to include in its certificate of incorporation a supermajority voting requirement in connection with dissolutions initiated by the board. Under Cayman Islands law, a company may be wound up by either an order of the courts of the Cayman Islands or by a special resolution of its members or, if the company is unable to pay its debts as they fall due, by an ordinary resolution of its members. The court has authority to order winding up in a number of specified circumstances including where it is, in the opinion of the court, just and equitable to do so.
Variation of Rights of Shares. Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, a corporation may vary the rights of a class of shares with the approval of a majority of the outstanding shares of such class, unless the certificate of incorporation provides otherwise. Under Cayman Islands law and our memorandum and articles of association, if our share capital is divided into more than one class of shares, we may vary the rights attached to any class only with the written consent of the holders of not less than two-thirds in nominal value of the issued shares of that class or with the sanction of a special resolution passed at a separate meeting of the holders of shares of that class.
Amendment of Governing Documents. Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, a corporation’s certificate of incorporation may be amended only if adopted and declared advisable by the board of directors and approved by a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote and the bylaws may be amended with the approval of a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote and may, if so provided in the certificate of incorporation, also be amended by the board of directors. Under the Companies Act and our memorandum and articles of association, our memorandum and articles of association may only be amended by special resolution of our shareholders.
Rights of Non-resident or Foreign Shareholders. There are no limitations imposed by our memorandum and articles of association on the rights of non-resident or foreign shareholders to hold or exercise voting rights on our shares. In addition, there are no provisions in our memorandum and articles of association governing the ownership threshold above which shareholder ownership must be disclosed.
Directors’ Power to Issue Shares. Under our memorandum and articles of association, our board of directors is empowered to issue or allot shares or grant options and warrants with or without preferred, deferred, qualified or other special rights or restrictions.
History of Securities Issuances
The following is a summary of our securities issuances in the past three years.
Ordinary Shares
In December 2021, in connection with our Hong Kong secondary listing, we issued and sold 5,500,000 Class A ordinary shares and raised approximately US$178.4 million in net proceeds from the global offering, after deducting estimated underwriting fees and other offering expenses.
Option Grants
We have granted options to purchase our ordinary shares to certain of our directors, executive officers and employees. See “Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employees — B. Compensation — Share Incentive Plans.” in our annual report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2022, which is incorporated in this prospectus by reference.
Shareholders’ Agreement and Registration Rights Agreement
Concurrently with Alibaba’s purchase of our ordinary and preferred shares in April 2013, we entered into a shareholders’ agreement with Ali WB and SINA which regulates our shareholders’ rights and obligations after Ali WB became our shareholder, which agreement was amended and restated in March 2014. We also entered into a registration rights agreement with SINA and Ali WB. See “Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions — B. Related Party Transactions — Our Relationship with Alibaba.” in our annual report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2022, which is incorporated in this prospectus by reference.
DESCRIPTION OF AMERICAN DEPOSITARY SHARES
American Depositary Receipts
JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as depositary, will issue the ADSs which you will be entitled to receive in this offering. Each ADS will represent an ownership interest in a designated number or percentage of shares which we will deposit with the custodian, as agent of the depositary, under the deposit agreement among ourselves, the depositary, yourself as an ADR holder and all other ADR holders, and all beneficial owners of an interest in the ADSs evidenced by ADRs from time to time.
The depositary’s office is located at 383 Madison Avenue, Floor 11, New York, NY 10179.
The ADS to share ratio is subject to amendment as provided in the form of ADR (which may give rise to fees contemplated by the form of ADR). In the future, each ADS will also represent any securities, cash or other property deposited with the depositary but which they have not distributed directly to you.
A beneficial owner is any person or entity having a beneficial ownership interest ADSs. A beneficial owner need not be the holder of the ADR evidencing such ADS. If a beneficial owner of ADSs is not an ADR holder, it must rely on the holder of the ADR(s) evidencing such ADSs in order to assert any rights or receive any benefits under the deposit agreement. While a beneficial owner is bound by all of the provisions of the deposit agreement, it shall only be able to exercise any right or receive any benefit under the deposit agreement solely through the holder of the ADR(s) evidencing the ADSs owned by such beneficial owner. The arrangements between a beneficial owner of ADSs and the holder of the corresponding ADRs may affect the beneficial owner’s ability to exercise any rights it may have.
An ADR holder shall be deemed to have all requisite authority to act on behalf of any and all beneficial owners of the ADSs evidenced by the ADRs registered in such ADR holder’s name for all purposes under the deposit agreement and ADRs. The depositary’s only notification obligations under the deposit agreement and the ADRs is to registered ADR holders. Notice to an ADR holder shall be deemed, for all purposes of the deposit agreement and the ADRs, to constitute notice to any and all beneficial owners of the ADSs evidenced by such ADR holder’s ADRs.
Unless certificated ADRs are specifically requested, all ADSs will be issued on the books of our depositary in book-entry form and periodic statements will be mailed to you which reflect your ownership interest in such ADSs. In our description, references to American depositary receipts or ADRs shall include the statements you will receive which reflect your ownership of ADSs.
You may hold ADSs either directly or indirectly through your broker or other financial institution. If you hold ADSs directly, by having an ADS registered in your name on the books of the depositary, you are an ADR holder. This description assumes you hold your ADSs directly. If you hold the ADSs through your broker or financial institution nominee, you must rely on the procedures of such broker or financial institution to assert the rights of an ADR holder described in this section. You should consult with your broker or financial institution to find out what those procedures are.
As an ADR holder or beneficial owner, we will not treat you as a shareholder of ours and you will not have any shareholder rights. The laws of the Cayman Islands govern shareholder rights. Because the depositary or its nominee will be the shareholder of record for the shares represented by all outstanding ADSs, shareholder rights rest with such record holder. Your rights are those of an ADR holder or of a beneficial owner. Such rights derive from the terms of the deposit agreement to be entered into among us, the depositary and all holders and beneficial owners from time to time of ADRs issued under the deposit agreement and, in the case of a beneficial owner, from the arrangements between the beneficial owner and the holder of the corresponding ADRs. The obligations of the depositary and its agents are also set out in the deposit agreement. Because the depositary or its nominee will actually be the registered owner of the shares, you must rely on it to exercise the rights of a shareholder on your behalf. The deposit agreement, the ADRs and the ADSs are governed by the internal laws of the State of New York law without giving effect to the application of the conflict of law principles of New York. Under the deposit agreement, as an ADR holder or a beneficial owner of ADSs, you agree that any legal suit, action or proceeding against or involving us or the depositary, arising out of or based upon the deposit agreement, the ADSs or the transactions contemplated thereby, may only be instituted in a state or federal court in New York, New York, and you irrevocably waive any objection which you may have to
the laying of venue of any such proceeding and irrevocably submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of such courts in any such suit, action or proceeding.
The following is a summary of what we believe to be the material terms of the deposit agreement. Notwithstanding this, because it is a summary, it may not contain all the information that you may otherwise deem important. For more complete information, you should read the entire deposit agreement and the form of ADR which contains the terms of your ADSs. You can read a copy of the deposit agreement which is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement (or any amendment thereto) filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) of which this prospectus forms a part. You may also obtain a copy of the deposit agreement at the SEC’s Public Reference Room which is currently located at 100 F Street, NE, Washington, DC 20549. You may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-732-0330. You may also find the registration statement and the attached deposit agreement through the EDGAR system on the SEC’s internet website at http://www.sec.gov.
Share Dividends and Other Distributions
How will I receive dividends and other distributions on the shares underlying my ADSs?
We may make various types of distributions with respect to our securities. The depositary has agreed that, to the extent practicable, it will pay to you the cash dividends or other distributions it or the custodian receives on shares or other deposited securities, after converting any cash received into U.S. dollars (if it determines such conversion may be made on a reasonable basis) and, in all cases, making any necessary deductions provided for in the deposit agreement. The depositary may utilize a division, branch or affiliate of JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. to direct, manage and/or execute any public and/or private sale of securities under the deposit agreement. Such division, branch and/or affiliate may charge the depositary a fee in connection with such sales, which fee is considered an expense of the depositary. You will receive these distributions in proportion to the number of underlying securities that your ADSs represent.
Except as stated below, the depositary will deliver such distributions to ADR holders in proportion to their interests in the following manner:
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Cash. The depositary will distribute any U.S. dollars available to it resulting from a cash dividend or other cash distribution or the net proceeds of sales of any other distribution or portion thereof (to the extent applicable), on an averaged or other practicable basis, subject to (i) appropriate adjustments for taxes withheld, (ii) such distribution being impermissible or impracticable with respect to certain registered ADR holders, and (iii) deduction of the depositary’s and/or its agents’ expenses in (1) converting any foreign currency to U.S. dollars to the extent that it determines that such conversion may be made on a reasonable basis, (2) transferring foreign currency or U.S. dollars to the United States by such means as the depositary may determine to the extent that it determines that such transfer may be made on a reasonable basis, (3) obtaining any approval or license of any governmental authority required for such conversion or transfer, which is obtainable at a reasonable cost and within a reasonable time and (4) making any sale by public or private means in any commercially reasonable manner. If exchange rates fluctuate during a time when the depositary cannot convert a foreign currency, you may lose some or all of the value of the distribution.
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Shares. In the case of a distribution in shares, the depositary will issue additional ADRs to evidence the number of ADSs representing such shares. Only whole ADSs will be issued. Any shares which would result in fractional ADSs will be sold and the net proceeds will be distributed in the same manner as cash to the ADR holders entitled thereto.
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Rights to receive additional shares. In the case of a distribution of rights to subscribe for additional shares or other rights, if we timely provide evidence satisfactory to the depositary that it may lawfully distribute such rights, the depositary will distribute warrants or other instruments in the discretion of the depositary representing such rights. However, if we do not timely furnish such evidence, the depositary may:
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(i) sell such rights if practicable and distribute the net proceeds in the same manner as cash to the ADR holders entitled thereto; or
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(ii) if it is not practicable to sell such rights by reason of the non-transferability of the rights, limited markets therefor, their short duration or otherwise, do nothing and allow such rights to lapse, in which case ADR holders will receive nothing and the rights may lapse. We have no obligation to file a registration statement under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), in order to make any rights available to ADR holders.
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Other Distributions. In the case of a distribution of securities or property other than those described above, the depositary may either (i) distribute such securities or property in any manner it deems equitable and practicable or (ii) to the extent the depositary deems distribution of such securities or property not to be equitable and practicable, sell such securities or property and distribute any net proceeds in the same way it distributes cash.
If the depositary determines in its discretion that any distribution described above is not practicable with respect to any specific registered ADR holder, the depositary may choose any method of distribution that it deems practicable for such ADR holder, including the distribution of foreign currency, securities or property, or it may retain such items, without paying interest on or investing them, on behalf of the ADR holder as deposited securities, in which case the ADSs will also represent the retained items.
The depositary reserves the right to utilize a division, branch or affiliate of JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. to direct, manage and/or execute any public and/or private sale of securities hereunder. Such division, branch and/or affiliate may charge the Depositary a fee in connection with such sales, which fee is considered an expense of the Depositary as contemplated in the deposit agreement and reimbursable to the depositary. Any U.S. dollars will be distributed by checks drawn on a bank in the United States for whole dollars and cents. Fractional cents will be withheld without liability and dealt with by the depositary in accordance with its then current practices. We agree that we will not make cash distributions (including, without limitation, cash dividends) to shareholders in a currency other than U.S. dollars.
The depositary is not responsible if it fails to determine that any distribution or action is lawful or reasonably practicable.
There can be no assurance that the depositary will be able to convert any currency at a specified exchange rate or sell any property, rights, shares or other securities at a specified price, nor that any of such transactions can be completed within a specified time period. All purchases and sales of securities will be handled by the depositary in accordance with its then current policies, which are currently set forth in the “Depositary Receipt Sale and Purchase of Security” section of https://www.adr.com/Investors/FindOutAboutDRs.
Deposit, Withdrawal and Cancellation
How does the depositary issue ADSs?
The depositary will issue ADSs if you or your broker deposit shares or evidence of rights to receive shares with the custodian and pay the fees and expenses owing to the depositary in connection with such issuance. In the case of the ADSs to be issued under this prospectus, we will arrange with the underwriters named herein to deposit such shares.
Shares deposited in the future with the custodian must be accompanied by certain delivery documentation and shall, at the time of such deposit, be registered in the name of JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as depositary for the benefit of holders of ADRs or in such other name as the depositary shall direct.
The custodian will hold all deposited shares (including those being deposited by or on our behalf in connection with the offering to which this prospectus relates) for the account and to the order of the depositary, in each case for the benefit of ADR holders, to the extent not prohibited by law. ADR holders and beneficial owners thus have no direct ownership interest in the shares and only have such rights as are contained in the deposit agreement. The custodian will also hold any additional securities, property and cash received on or in substitution for the deposited shares. The deposited shares and any such additional items are referred to as “deposited securities”.
Deposited securities are not intended to, and shall not, constitute proprietary assets of the depositary, the custodian or their nominees. Beneficial ownership in deposited securities is intended to be, and shall at all
times during the term of the deposit agreement continue to be, vested in the beneficial owners of the ADSs representing such deposited securities. Notwithstanding anything else contained herein, in the deposit agreement, in the form of ADR and/or in any outstanding ADSs, the depositary, the custodian and their respective nominees are intended to be, and shall at all times during the term of the deposit agreement be, the record holder(s) only of the deposited securities represented by the ADSs for the benefit of the ADR holders. The depositary, on its own behalf and on behalf of the custodian and their respective nominees, disclaims any beneficial ownership interest in the deposited securities held on behalf of the ADR holders.
Upon each deposit of shares, receipt of related delivery documentation and compliance with the other provisions of the deposit agreement, including the payment of the fees and charges of the depositary and any taxes or other fees or charges owing, the depositary will issue an ADR or ADRs in the name or upon the order of the person entitled thereto evidencing the number of ADSs to which such person is entitled. All of the ADSs issued will, unless specifically requested to the contrary, be part of the depositary’s direct registration system, and a registered holder will receive periodic statements from the depositary which will show the number of ADSs registered in such holder’s name. An ADR holder can request that the ADSs not be held through the depositary’s direct registration system and that a certificated ADR be issued.
How do ADR holders cancel an ADS and obtain deposited securities?
When you turn in your ADR certificate at the depositary’s office, or when you provide proper instructions and documentation in the case of direct registration ADSs, the depositary will, upon payment of certain applicable fees, charges and taxes, deliver the underlying shares to you or upon your written order. Delivery of deposited securities in certificated form will be made at the custodian’s office. At your risk, expense and request, the depositary may deliver deposited securities at such other place as you may request.
The depositary may only restrict the withdrawal of deposited securities in connection with:
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temporary delays caused by closing our transfer books or those of the depositary or the deposit of shares in connection with voting at a shareholders’ meeting, or the payment of dividends;
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the payment of fees, taxes and similar charges; or
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compliance with any U.S. or foreign laws or governmental regulations relating to the ADRs or to the withdrawal of deposited securities.
This right of withdrawal may not be limited by any other provision of the deposit agreement.
We have agreed in the deposit agreement that at all times during the term of the deposit agreement and thereafter until all ADSs issued by the depositary have been cancelled, to the extent any instructions, input, consent, notice and/or other actions are required from us in order for us or our share registrar and/or transfer agent to processes share delivery instructions with respect to our shares, we shall not unreasonably withhold the provision of such instructions, input, consent, or notice or the taking of any such other action. If our share registrar and/or transfer agent refuses to process any such share delivery instruction, we will provide all reasonable cooperation to the depositary in its efforts to cause such instructions to be processed.
Record Dates
The depositary may, after consultation with us if practicable, fix record dates (which, to the extent applicable, shall be as near as practicable to any corresponding record dates set by us) for the determination of the registered ADR holders who will be entitled (or obligated, as the case may be):
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to receive any distribution on or in respect of deposited securities,
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to give instructions for the exercise of voting rights at a meeting of holders of shares,
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to pay any fees, expenses or charges assessed by, or owing to, the depositary for administration of the ADR program as provided for in the ADR, or
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to receive any notice or to act or be obligated in respect of other matters,
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all subject to the provisions of the deposit agreement.
Voting Rights
How do I vote?
If you are an ADR holder and the depositary asks you to provide it with voting instructions, you may instruct the depositary how to exercise the voting rights for the shares which underlie your ADSs. As soon as practicable after receipt from us of notice of any meeting at which the holders of shares are entitled to vote, or of our solicitation of consents or proxies from holders of shares, the depositary shall fix the ADS record date in accordance with the provisions of the deposit agreement, provided that if the depositary receives a written request from us in a timely manner and at least 30 days prior to the date of such vote or meeting, the depositary shall, at our expense and provided no legal prohibitions exist, distribute to the registered ADR holders a “voting notice” stating (i) final information particular to such vote and meeting and any solicitation materials, (ii) that each ADR holder on the record date set by the depositary will, subject to any applicable provisions of the laws of the Cayman Islands, be entitled to instruct the depositary as to the exercise of the voting rights, if any, pertaining to the deposited securities represented by the ADSs evidenced by such ADR holder’s ADRs and (iii) the manner in which such instructions may be given, including instructions for giving a discretionary proxy to a person designated by us. Each ADR holder shall be solely responsible for the forwarding of voting notices to the beneficial owners of ADSs registered in such ADR holder’s name. There is no guarantee that ADR holders and beneficial owners generally or any holder or beneficial owner in particular will receive the notice described above with sufficient time to enable such ADR holder or beneficial owner to return any voting instructions to the depositary in a timely manner.
Following actual receipt by the ADR department responsible for proxies and voting of ADR holders’ instructions (including, without limitation, instructions of any entity or entities acting on behalf of the nominee for DTC), the depositary shall, in the manner and on or before the time established by the depositary for such purpose, endeavor to vote or cause to be voted the deposited securities represented by the ADSs evidenced by such ADR holders’ ADRs in accordance with such instructions insofar as practicable and permitted under the provisions of or governing deposited securities.
ADR holders are strongly encouraged to forward their voting instructions to the depositary as soon as possible. For instructions to be valid, the ADR department of the depositary that is responsible for proxies and voting must receive them in the manner and on or before the time specified, notwithstanding that such instructions may have been physically received by the depositary prior to such time. The depositary will not itself exercise any voting discretion in respect of deposited securities. The depositary and its agents will not be responsible for any failure to carry out any instructions to vote any of the deposited securities, for the manner in which any voting instructions are given, including instructions to give a discretionary proxy to a person designated by us, for the manner in which any vote is cast, including, without limitation, any vote cast by a person to whom the depositary is instructed to grant a discretionary proxy, or for the effect of any such vote. Notwithstanding anything contained in the deposit agreement or any ADR, the depositary may, to the extent not prohibited by any law, rule, or regulation, or the rules and/or requirements of any stock exchange on which the ADSs are listed, in lieu of distribution of the materials provided to the depositary in connection with any meeting of or solicitation of consents or proxies from holders of deposited securities, distribute to the registered holders of ADRs a notice that provides such ADR holders with or otherwise publicizes to such ADR holders instructions on how to retrieve such materials or receive such materials upon request (i.e., by reference to a website containing the materials for retrieval or a contact for requesting copies of the materials).
We have advised the depositary that under the Cayman Islands law and our constituent documents, each as in effect as of the date of the deposit agreement, voting at any meeting of shareholders is by show of hands unless a poll is (before or on the declaration of the results of the show of hands) demanded. In the event that voting on any resolution or matter is conducted on a show of hands basis in accordance with our constituent documents, the depositary will refrain from voting and the voting instructions received by the depositary from ADR holders shall lapse. The depositary will not demand a poll or join in demanding a poll, whether or not requested to do so by ADR holders or beneficial owners.
There is no guarantee that you will receive voting materials in time to instruct the depositary to vote and it is possible that you, or persons who hold their ADSs through brokers, dealers or other third parties, will not have the opportunity to exercise a right to vote.
Reports and Other Communications
Will ADR holders be able to view our reports?
The depositary will make available for inspection by ADR holders at the offices of the depositary and the custodian the deposit agreement, the provisions of or governing deposited securities, and any written communications from us which are both received by the custodian or its nominee as a holder of deposited securities and made generally available to the holders of deposited securities.
Additionally, if we make any written communications generally available to holders of our shares, and we furnish copies thereof (or English translations or summaries) to the depositary, it will distribute the same to registered ADR holders.
Fees and Expenses
What fees and expenses will I be responsible for paying?
The depositary may charge each person to whom ADSs are issued, including, without limitation, issuances against deposits of shares, issuances in respect of share distributions, rights and other distributions, issuances pursuant to a stock dividend or stock split declared by us or issuances pursuant to a merger, exchange of securities or any other transaction or event affecting the ADSs or deposited securities, and each person surrendering ADSs for withdrawal of deposited securities or whose ADRs are cancelled or reduced for any other reason, US$5.00 for each 100 ADSs (or any portion thereof) issued, delivered, reduced, cancelled or surrendered, as the case may be. The depositary may sell (by public or private sale) sufficient securities and property received in respect of a share distribution, rights and/or other distribution prior to such deposit to pay such charge.
The following additional charges shall also be incurred by the ADR holders, the beneficial owners, by any party depositing or withdrawing shares or by any party surrendering ADSs and/or to whom ADSs are issued (including, without limitation, issuance pursuant to a stock dividend or stock split declared by us or an exchange of stock regarding the ADSs or the deposited securities or a distribution of ADSs), whichever is applicable:
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a fee of US$0.05 or less per ADS upon which any cash distribution is made, pursuant to the deposit agreement;
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an aggregate fee of US$0.05 or less per ADS per calendar year (or portion thereof) for services performed by the depositary in administering the ADRs (which fee may be charged on a periodic basis during each calendar year and shall be assessed against holders of ADRs as of the record date or record dates set by the depositary during each calendar year and shall be payable in the manner described in the next succeeding provision);
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a fee for the reimbursement of such fees, charges and expenses as are incurred by the depositary and/or any of its agents (including, without limitation, the custodian and expenses incurred on behalf of ADR holders in connection with compliance with foreign exchange control regulations or any law or regulation relating to foreign investment) in connection with the servicing of the shares or other deposited securities, the sale of securities (including, without limitation, deposited securities), the delivery of deposited securities or otherwise in connection with the depositary’s or its custodian’s compliance with applicable law, rule or regulation (which fees and charges shall be assessed on a proportionate basis against ADR holders as of the record date or dates set by the depositary and shall be payable at the sole discretion of the depositary by billing such ADR holders or by deducting such charge from one or more cash dividends or other cash distributions);
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a fee for the distribution of securities (or the sale of securities in connection with a distribution), such fee being in an amount equal to the US$0.05 per ADS issuance fee for the execution and delivery of ADSs which would have been charged as a result of the deposit of such securities (treating all such securities as if they were shares) but which securities or the net cash proceeds from the sale thereof are instead distributed by the depositary to those ADR holders entitled thereto;
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stock transfer or other taxes and other governmental charges;
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cable, telex and facsimile transmission and delivery charges incurred at your request in connection with the deposit or delivery of shares, ADRs or deposited securities;
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transfer or registration fees for the registration of transfer of deposited securities on any applicable register in connection with the deposit or withdrawal of deposited securities; and
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fees of any division, branch or affiliate of the depositary utilized by the depositary to direct, manage and/or execute any public and/or private sale of securities under the deposit agreement.
To facilitate the administration of various depositary receipt transactions, including disbursement of dividends or other cash distributions and other corporate actions, the depositary may engage the foreign exchange desk within JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (the “Bank”) and/or its affiliates in order to enter into spot foreign exchange transactions to convert foreign currency into U.S. dollars. For certain currencies, foreign exchange transactions are entered into with the Bank or an affiliate, as the case may be, acting in a principal capacity. For other currencies, foreign exchange transactions are routed directly to and managed by an unaffiliated local custodian (or other third party local liquidity provider), and neither the Bank nor any of its affiliates is a party to such foreign exchange transactions.
The foreign exchange rate applied to an foreign exchange transaction will be either (a) a published benchmark rate, or (b) a rate determined by a third party local liquidity provider, in each case plus or minus a spread, as applicable. The depositary will disclose which foreign exchange rate and spread, if any, apply to such currency on the “Disclosure” page (or successor page) of www.adr.com (as updated by the depositary from time to time, “ADR.com”). Such applicable foreign exchange rate and spread may (and neither the depositary, the Bank nor any of their affiliates is under any obligation to ensure that such rate does not) differ from rates and spreads at which comparable transactions are entered into with other customers or the range of foreign exchange rates and spreads at which the Bank or any of its affiliates enters into foreign exchange transactions in the relevant currency pair on the date of the foreign exchange transaction. Additionally, the timing of execution of an foreign exchange transaction varies according to local market dynamics, which may include regulatory requirements, market hours and liquidity in the foreign exchange market or other factors. Furthermore, the Bank and its affiliates may manage the associated risks of their position in the market in a manner they deem appropriate without regard to the impact of such activities on the depositary, us, holders or beneficial owners. The spread applied does not reflect any gains or losses that may be earned or incurred by the Bank and its affiliates as a result of risk management or other hedging related activity.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent we provide U.S. dollars to the depositary, neither the Bank nor any of its affiliates will execute a foreign exchange transaction as set forth herein. In such case, the depositary will distribute the U.S. dollars received from us.
Further details relating to the applicable foreign exchange rate, the applicable spread and the execution of foreign exchange transactions will be provided by the depositary on ADR.com. Each holder and beneficial owner by holding or owning an ADR or ADS or an interest therein, and we, each acknowledge and agree that the terms applicable to foreign exchange transactions disclosed from time to time on ADR.com will apply to any foreign exchange transaction executed pursuant to the deposit agreement.
We will pay all other charges and expenses of the depositary and any agent of the depositary (except the custodian) pursuant to agreements from time to time between us and the depositary.
The right of the depositary to charge and receive payment of fees, charges and expenses survives the termination of the deposit agreement, and shall extend for those fees, charges and expenses incurred prior to the effectiveness of any resignation or removal of the depositary.
The fees and charges described above may be amended from time to time by agreement between us and the depositary.
The depositary may make available to us a set amount or a portion of the depositary fees charged in respect of the ADR program or otherwise upon such terms and conditions as we and the depositary may agree from time to time. The depositary collects its fees for issuance and cancellation of ADSs directly from investors depositing shares or surrendering ADSs for the purpose of withdrawal or from intermediaries acting for them. The depositary collects fees for making distributions to investors by deducting those fees from the
amounts distributed or by selling a portion of distributable property to pay the fees. The depositary may collect its annual fee for depositary services by deduction from cash distributions, or by directly billing investors, or by charging the book-entry system accounts of participants acting for them. The depositary will generally set off the amounts owing from distributions made to holders of ADSs. If, however, no distribution exists and payment owing is not timely received by the depositary, the depositary may refuse to provide any further services to ADR holders that have not paid those fees and expenses owing until such fees and expenses have been paid. At the discretion of the depositary, all fees and charges owing under the deposit agreement are due in advance and/or when declared owing by the depositary.
Payment of Taxes
ADR holders or beneficial owners must pay any tax or other governmental charge payable by the custodian or the depositary on any ADS or ADR, deposited security or distribution. If any taxes or other governmental charges (including any penalties and/or interest) shall become payable by or on behalf of the custodian or the depositary with respect to any ADR, any deposited securities represented by the ADSs evidenced thereby or any distribution thereon, including, without limitation, any Chinese Enterprise Income Tax owing if the Circular Guoshuifa [2009] No. 82 issued by the Chinese State Administration of Taxation (SAT) or any other circular, edict, order or ruling, as issued and as from time to time amended, is applied or otherwise, such tax or other governmental charge shall be paid by the ADR holder thereof to the depositary and by holding or having held, an ADR or any ADSs evidenced thereby, the ADR holder and all beneficial owners thereof, and all prior ADR holders and beneficial owners thereof, jointly and severally, agree to indemnify, defend and save harmless each of the depositary and its agents in respect of such tax or governmental charge. Each ADR holder and beneficial owner of ADSs, and each prior ADR holder and beneficial owner of ADSs, by holding or having held an ADR or an interest in ADSs acknowledges and agrees that the depositary shall have the right to seek payment of any taxes or governmental charges owing with respect to their relevant ADRs from any one or more such current or prior ADR holder or beneficial owner of ADSs, as determined by the depositary in its sole discretion, without any obligation to seek payment of amounts owing from any other current or prior ADR holder or beneficial owner of ADSs. If an ADR holder owes any tax or other governmental charge, the depositary may (i) deduct the amount thereof from any cash distributions, or (ii) sell deposited securities (by public or private sale) and deduct the amount owing from the net proceeds of such sale. In either case the ADR holder remains liable for any shortfall. If any tax or governmental charge is unpaid, the depositary may also refuse to effect any registration, registration of transfer, split-up or combination of deposited securities or withdrawal of deposited securities until such payment is made. If any tax or governmental charge is required to be withheld on any cash distribution, the depositary may deduct the amount required to be withheld from any cash distribution or, in the case of a non-cash distribution, sell the distributed property or securities (by public or private sale) in such amounts and in such manner as the depositary deems necessary and practicable to pay such taxes and distribute any remaining net proceeds or the balance of any such property after deduction of such taxes to the ADR holders entitled thereto.
As an ADR holder or beneficial owner, you will be agreeing to indemnify us, the depositary, its custodian and any of our or their respective officers, directors, employees, agents and affiliates against, and hold each of them harmless from, any claims by any governmental authority with respect to taxes, additions to tax, penalties or interest arising out of any refund of taxes, reduced rate of withholding at source or other tax benefit obtained.
Reclassifications, Recapitalizations and Mergers
If we take certain actions that affect the deposited securities, including (i) any change in par value, split-up, consolidation, cancellation or other reclassification of deposited securities or (ii) any distributions of shares or other property not made to holders of ADRs or (iii) any recapitalization, reorganization, merger, consolidation, liquidation, receivership, bankruptcy or sale of all or substantially all of our assets, then the depositary may choose to, and shall if reasonably requested by us:
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amend the form of ADR;
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distribute additional or amended ADRs;
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distribute cash, securities or other property it has received in connection with such actions;
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sell any securities or property received and distribute the proceeds as cash; or
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none of the above.
If the depositary does not choose any of the above options, any of the cash, securities or other property it receives will constitute part of the deposited securities and each ADS will then represent a proportionate interest in such property.
Amendment and Termination
How may the deposit agreement be amended?
We may agree with the depositary to amend the deposit agreement and the ADSs without your consent for any reason. ADR holders must be given at least 30 days’ notice of any amendment that imposes or increases any fees or charges on a per ADS basis (other than stock transfer or other taxes and other governmental charges, transfer or registration fees, SWIFT, cable, telex or facsimile transmission costs, delivery costs or other such expenses), or otherwise prejudices any substantial existing right of ADR holders or beneficial owners. Such notice need not describe in detail the specific amendments effectuated thereby, but must identify to ADR holders and beneficial owners a means to access the text of such amendment. If an ADR holder continues to hold an ADR or ADRs after being so notified, such ADR holder and any beneficial owner are deemed to agree to such amendment and to be bound by the deposit agreement as so amended. No amendment, however, will impair your right to surrender your ADSs and receive the underlying securities, except in order to comply with mandatory provisions of applicable law.
Any amendments or supplements which (i) are reasonably necessary (as agreed by us and the depositary) in order for (a) the ADSs to be registered on Form F-6 under the Securities Act or (b) the ADSs or shares to be traded solely in electronic book-entry form and (ii) do not in either such case impose or increase any fees or charges to be borne by ADR holders, shall be deemed not to prejudice any substantial rights of ADR holders or beneficial owners. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any governmental body or regulatory body should adopt new laws, rules or regulations which would require amendment or supplement of the deposit agreement or the form of ADR to ensure compliance therewith, we and the depositary may amend or supplement the deposit agreement and the ADR at any time in accordance with such changed laws, rules or regulations. Such amendment or supplement to the deposit agreement in such circumstances may become effective before a notice of such amendment or supplement is given to ADR holders or within any other period of time as required for compliance.
Notice of any amendment to the deposit agreement or form of ADRs shall not need to describe in detail the specific amendments effectuated thereby, and failure to describe the specific amendments in any such notice shall not render such notice invalid, provided, however, that, in each such case, the notice given to the ADR holders identifies a means for ADR holders and beneficial owners to retrieve or receive the text of such amendment (i.e., upon retrieval from the SEC’s, the depositary’s or our website or upon request from the depositary).
How may the deposit agreement be terminated?
The depositary may, and shall at our written direction, terminate the deposit agreement and the ADRs by mailing notice of such termination to the registered holders of ADRs at least 30 days prior to the date fixed in such notice for such termination; provided, however, if the depositary shall have (i) resigned as depositary under the deposit agreement, notice of such termination by the depositary shall not be provided to registered ADR holders unless a successor depositary shall not be operating under the deposit agreement within 60 days of the date of such resignation, and (ii) been removed as depositary under the deposit agreement, notice of such termination by the depositary shall not be provided to registered holders of ADRs unless a successor depositary shall not be operating under the deposit agreement on the 60th day after our notice of removal was first provided to the depositary. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the depositary may terminate the deposit agreement without notifying us, but subject to giving 30 days’ notice to the ADR holders, under the following circumstances: (i) in the event of our bankruptcy or insolvency, (ii) if we effect (or will effect) a redemption of all or substantially all of the deposited securities, or a cash or share distribution representing a return of all or substantially all of the value of the deposited securities, or (iii) there occurs a
merger, consolidation, sale of assets or other transaction as a result of which securities or other property are delivered in exchange for or in lieu of deposited securities.
After the date so fixed for termination, (a) all direct registration ADRs shall cease to be eligible for the direct registration system and shall be considered ADRs issued on the ADR register maintained by the depositary and (b) the depositary shall use its reasonable efforts to ensure that the ADSs cease to be DTC eligible so that neither DTC nor any of its nominees shall thereafter be a holder of ADRs. At such time as the ADSs cease to be DTC eligible and/or neither DTC nor any of its nominees is a holder of ADRs, the depositary shall (a) instruct its custodian to deliver all shares and/or deposited securities to us along with a general stock power that refers to the names set forth on the ADR register maintained by the depositary and (b) provide us with a copy of the ADR register maintained by the depositary. Upon receipt of such shares and/or deposited securities and the ADR register maintained by the depositary, we have agreed to use our best efforts to issue to each register ADR holder a share certificate representing the shares represented by the ADSs reflected on the ADR register maintained by the depositary in such registered ADR holder’s name and to deliver such share certificate to the registered ADR holder at the address set forth on the ADR register maintained by the depositary. After providing such instruction to the custodian and delivering a copy of the ADR register to us, the depositary and its agents will perform no further acts under the deposit agreement or the ADRs and shall cease to have any obligations under the deposit agreement and/or the ADRs. After we receive the copy of the ADR register and the shares and/or deposited securities from the depositary, we shall be discharged from all obligations under the deposit agreement except (i) to distribute the shares to the registered ADR holders entitled thereto and (ii) for its obligations to the depositary and its agents.
Limitations on Obligations and Liability to ADR holders
Limits on our obligations and the obligations of the depositary; limits on liability to ADR holders and holders of ADSs
Prior to the issue, registration, registration of transfer, split-up, combination, or cancellation of any ADRs, or the delivery of any distribution in respect thereof, and from time to time in the case of the production of proofs as described below, we or the depositary or its custodian may require:
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payment with respect thereto of (i) any stock transfer or other tax or other governmental charge, (ii) any stock transfer or registration fees in effect for the registration of transfers of shares or other deposited securities upon any applicable register and (iii) any applicable fees and expenses described in the deposit agreement;
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the production of proof satisfactory to it of (i) the identity of any signatory and genuineness of any signature and (ii) such other information, including without limitation, information as to citizenship, residence, exchange control approval, beneficial or other ownership of, or interest in, any securities, compliance with applicable law, regulations, provisions of or governing deposited securities and terms of the deposit agreement and the ADRs, as it may deem necessary or proper; and
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compliance with such regulations as the depositary may establish consistent with the deposit agreement.
The issuance of ADRs, the acceptance of deposits of shares, the registration, registration of transfer, split-up or combination of ADRs or the withdrawal of shares, may be suspended, generally or in particular instances, when the ADR register or any register for deposited securities is closed or when any such action is deemed advisable by the depositary; provided that the ability to withdraw shares may only be limited under the following circumstances: (i) temporary delays caused by closing transfer books of the depositary or our transfer books or the deposit of shares in connection with voting at a shareholders’ meeting, or the payment of dividends, (ii) the payment of fees, taxes, and similar charges, and (iii) compliance with any laws or governmental regulations relating to ADRs or to the withdrawal of deposited securities.
The deposit agreement expressly limits the obligations and liability of the depositary, the depositary’s custodian or ourselves and each of our and their respective agents, provided, however, that no provision of the deposit agreement is intended to constitute a waiver or limitation of any rights which ADR holders or beneficial owners of ADSs may have under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, to the extent applicable. The deposit agreement provides that each of us, the depositary and our respective agents will:
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incur no liability to holders or beneficial owners if any present or future law, rule, regulation, fiat, order or decree of the United Sates, the Cayman Islands, Hong Kong, the People’s Republic of China (including the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the People’s Republic of China) or any other country or jurisdiction, or of any governmental or regulatory authority or securities exchange or market or automated quotation system, the provisions of or governing any deposited securities, any present or future provision of our charter, any act of God, war, terrorism, naturalization, expropriation, currency restrictions, work stoppage, strike, civil unrest, revolutions, rebellions, explosions, computer failure or circumstance beyond our, the depositary’s or our respective agents’ direct and immediate control shall prevent or delay, or shall cause any of them to be subject to any civil or criminal penalty in connection with, any act which the deposit agreement or the ADRs provide shall be done or performed by us, the depositary or our respective agents (including, without limitation, voting);
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incur or assume no liability to holders or beneficial owners by reason of any non-performance or delay, caused as aforesaid, in the performance of any act or things which by the terms of the deposit agreement it is provided shall or may be done or performed or any exercise or failure to exercise discretion under the deposit agreement or the ADRs including, without limitation, any failure to determine that any distribution or action may be lawful or reasonably practicable;
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incur or assume no liability to holders or beneficial owners if it performs its obligations under the deposit agreement and ADRs without gross negligence or willful misconduct;
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in the case of the depositary and its agents, be under no obligation to appear in, prosecute or defend any action, suit or other proceeding in respect of any deposited securities the ADSs or the ADRs;
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in the case of us and our agents, be under no obligation to appear in, prosecute or defend any action, suit or other proceeding in respect of any deposited securities the ADSs or the ADRs, which in our or our agents’ opinion, as the case may be, may involve it in expense or liability, unless indemnity satisfactory to us or our agent, as the case may be against all expense (including fees and disbursements of counsel) and liability be furnished as often as may be requested;
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not be liable to holders or beneficial owners for any action or inaction by it in reliance upon the advice of or information from legal counsel, accountants, any person presenting shares for deposit, any registered holder of ADRs, or any other person believed by it to be competent to give such advice or information, or in the case of the depositary only, us; or
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may rely and shall be protected in acting upon any written notice, request, direction, instruction or document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed, presented or given by the proper party or parties.
Neither the depositary nor its agents have any obligation to appear in, prosecute or defend any action, suit or other proceeding in respect of any deposited securities, the ADSs or the ADRs. We and our agents shall only be obligated to appear in, prosecute or defend any action, suit or other proceeding in respect of any deposited securities, the ADSs or the ADRs, which in our opinion may involve us in expense or liability, if indemnity satisfactory to us against all expense (including fees and disbursements of counsel) and liability is furnished as often as may be required. The depositary and its agents may fully respond to any and all demands or requests for information maintained by or on its behalf in connection with the deposit agreement, any registered holder or holders of ADRs, any ADRs or otherwise related to the deposit agreement or ADRs to the extent such information is requested or required by or pursuant to any lawful authority, including without limitation laws, rules, regulations, administrative or judicial process, banking, securities or other regulators. The depositary shall not be liable for the acts or omissions made by, or the insolvency of, any share registrar, share transfer agent, securities depository, clearing agency or settlement system. Furthermore, the depositary shall not be responsible for, and shall incur no liability in connection with or arising from, the insolvency of any custodian that is not a branch or affiliate of JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in the deposit agreement or any ADRs, the depositary shall not be responsible for, and shall incur no liability in connection with or arising from, any act or omission to act on the part of the custodian except to the extent that any registered ADR holder has incurred liability directly as a result of the custodian having (i) committed fraud or willful misconduct in the provision of custodial services to the depositary or (ii) failed to use reasonable care in the provision of custodial services to the depositary as determined in accordance with the standards prevailing in the jurisdiction in which the custodian is located. The depositary and the
custodian(s) may use third party delivery services and providers of information regarding matters such as, pricing, proxy voting, corporate actions, class action litigation and other services in connection with the ADRs and the deposit agreement, and use local agents to provide services such as, but not limited to, attendance at any meetings of security holders. Although the depositary and the custodian will use reasonable care (and cause their agents to use reasonable care) in the selection and retention of such third party providers and local agents, they will not be responsible for any errors or omissions made by them in providing the relevant information or services. The depositary shall not have any liability for the price received in connection with any sale of securities, the timing thereof or any delay in action or omission to act nor shall it be responsible for any error or delay in action, omission to act, default or negligence on the part of the party so retained in connection with any such sale or proposed sale.
The depositary has no obligation to inform ADR holders or beneficial owners about the requirements of the laws, rules or regulations or any changes therein or thereto of any other country or jurisdiction or of any governmental or regulatory authority or any securities exchange or market or automated quotation system.
Additionally, none of the depositary, the custodian or us shall be liable for the failure by any registered holder of ADRs or beneficial owner therein to obtain the benefits of credits or refunds of non-U.S. tax paid against such ADR holder’s or beneficial owner’s income tax liability. The depositary is under no obligation to provide the ADR holders and beneficial owners, or any of them, with any information about our tax status. Neither the depositary or us shall incur any liability for any tax or tax consequences that may be incurred by registered ADR holders or beneficial owners on account of their ownership or disposition of ADRs or ADSs.
Neither the depositary nor its agents will be responsible for any failure to carry out any instructions to vote any of the deposited securities, for the manner in which any such vote is castor for the effect of any such vote. The depositary may rely upon instructions from us or our counsel in respect of any approval or license required for any currency conversion, transfer or distribution. The depositary shall not incur any liability for the content of any information submitted to it by us or on our behalf for distribution to ADR holders or for any inaccuracy of any translation thereof, for any investment risk associated with acquiring an interest in the deposited securities, for the validity or worth of the deposited securities, for the credit-worthiness of any third party, for allowing any rights to lapse upon the terms of the deposit agreement or for the failure or timeliness of any notice from us. The depositary shall not be liable for any acts or omissions made by a successor depositary whether in connection with a previous act or omission of the depositary or in connection with any matter arising wholly after the removal or resignation of the depositary. Neither the depositary nor any of its agents shall be liable to holders or beneficial owners, for any indirect, special, punitive or consequential damages (including, without limitation, legal fees and expenses) or lost profits, in each case of any form incurred by any person or entity (including, without limitation, holders or beneficial owners of ADRs and ADSs), whether or not foreseeable and regardless of the type of action in which such a claim may be brought.
In the deposit agreement each party thereto (including, for avoidance of doubt, each ADR holder and beneficial owner) irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any right it may have to a trial by jury in any suit, action or proceeding against the depositary and/or us directly or indirectly arising out of or relating to the shares or other deposited securities, the ADSs or the ADRs, the deposit agreement or any transaction contemplated therein, or the breach thereof (whether based on contract, tort, common law or any other theory). No provision of the deposit agreement or the ADRs is intended to constitute a waiver or limitation of any rights which an ADR holder or any beneficial owner may have under the Securities Act or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, to the extent applicable.
The depositary and its agents may own and deal in any class of securities of our company and our affiliates and in ADRs.
Disclosure of Interest in ADSs
To the extent that the provisions of or governing any deposited securities may require disclosure of or impose limits on beneficial or other ownership of, or interests in, deposited securities, other shares and other securities and may provide for blocking transfer, voting or other rights to enforce such disclosure or limits, you as ADR holders or beneficial owners agree to comply with all such disclosure requirements and ownership limitations and to comply with any reasonable instructions we may provide in respect thereof. We reserve the right to instruct you (and through you or the beneficial owner of the ADSs evidenced by your ADRs) to deliver your
ADSs for cancellation and withdrawal of the deposited securities so as to permit us to deal with you directly as a holder of shares and, by holding an ADS or an interest therein, you and beneficial owners will be agreeing to comply with such instructions.
Books of Depositary
The depositary or its agent will maintain a register for the registration, registration of transfer, combination and split-up of ADRs, which register shall include the depositary’s direct registration system. Registered holders of ADRs may inspect such records at the depositary’s office at all reasonable times, but solely for the purpose of communicating with other ADR holders in the interest of the business of our company or a matter relating to the deposit agreement. Such register (and/or any portion thereof) may be closed at any time or from time to time, when deemed expedient by the depositary. Additionally, at our reasonable request in order to enable us to comply with applicable laws, the depositary may close the issuance book portion of such ADR register.
The depositary will maintain facilities for the delivery and receipt of ADRs.
Appointment
In the deposit agreement, each registered holder of ADRs and each beneficial owner, upon acceptance of any ADSs or ADRs (or any interest in any of them) issued in accordance with the terms and conditions of the deposit agreement will be deemed for all purposes to:
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be a party to and bound by the terms of the deposit agreement and the applicable ADR or ADRs,
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appoint the depositary its attorney-in-fact, with full power to delegate, to act on its behalf and to take any and all actions contemplated in the deposit agreement and the applicable ADR or ADRs, to adopt any and all procedures necessary to comply with applicable laws and to take such action as the depositary in its sole discretion may deem necessary or appropriate to carry out the purposes of the deposit agreement and the applicable ADR and ADRs, the taking of such actions to be the conclusive determinant of the necessity and appropriateness thereof; and
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acknowledge and agree that (i) nothing in the deposit agreement or any ADR shall give rise to a partnership or joint venture among the parties thereto, nor establish a fiduciary or similar relationship among such parties, (ii) the depositary, its divisions, branches and affiliates, and their respective agents, may from time to time be in the possession of non-public information about us, ADR holders, beneficial owners and/or their respective affiliates, (iii) the depositary and its divisions, branches and affiliates may at any time have multiple banking relationships with us, ADR holders, beneficial owners and/or the affiliates of any of them, (iv) the depositary and its divisions, branches and affiliates may, from time to time, be engaged in transactions in which parties adverse to us or ADR holders or beneficial owners may have interests, (v) nothing contained in the deposit agreement or any ADR(s) shall (A) preclude the depositary or any of its divisions, branches or affiliates from engaging in such transactions or establishing or maintaining such relationships, or (B) obligate the depositary or any of its divisions, branches or affiliates to disclose such transactions or relationships or to account for any profit made or payment received in such transactions or relationships, (vi) the depositary shall not be deemed to have knowledge of any information held by any branch, division or affiliate of the depositary and (vii) notice to an ADR holder shall be deemed, for all purposes of the deposit agreement and the ADRs, to constitute notice to any and all beneficial owners of the ADSs evidenced by such ADR holder’s ADRs. For all purposes under the deposit agreement and the ADRs, the ADR holders thereof shall be deemed to have all requisite authority to act on behalf of any and all beneficial owners of the ADSs evidenced by such ADRs.
Governing Law
The deposit agreement, the ADSs and the ADRs are governed by and construed in accordance with the internal laws of the State of New York law without giving effect to the application of the conflict of law principles of New York. In the deposit agreement, we have submitted to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the State of New York and appointed an agent for service of process on our behalf. Any action based on the deposit agreement, the ADSs, the ADRs or the transactions contemplated therein or thereby may also
be instituted by the depositary against us in any competent court in the Cayman Islands, Hong Kong, the People’s Republic of China and/or the United States and/or any other court of competent jurisdiction.
Under the deposit agreement, by holding an ADS or an interest therein, ADR holders and beneficial owners each irrevocably agree that, subject to the Depositary’s arbitration rights described in the paragraph below, any legal suit, action or proceeding against or involving ADR holders or beneficial owners brought by us or the depositary, arising out of or based upon the deposit agreement, the ADSs or the ADRs or the transactions contemplated thereby, may be instituted in a state or federal court in New York, New York, irrevocably waive any objection which you may have to the laying of venue of any such proceeding, and irrevocably submit to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of such courts in any such suit, action or proceeding. By holding an ADS or an interest therein, ADR holders and beneficial owners each also irrevocably agrees that any legal suit, action or proceeding against or involving us or the depositary brought by ADR holders or beneficial owners, arising out of or based upon the deposit agreement, the ADSs or the ADRs or the transactions contemplated thereby, may only be instituted in a state or federal court in New York, New York, and by holding an ADS or an interest therein each irrevocably waives any objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any such proceeding, and irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of such courts in any such suit, action or proceeding.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) the depositary may, in its sole discretion, elect to institute any dispute, suit, action, controversy, claim or proceeding directly or indirectly based on, arising out of or relating to the deposit agreement, the ADSs or the ADRs or the transactions contemplated thereby, including without limitation any question regarding its or their existence, validity, interpretation, performance or termination, against any other party or parties to the deposit agreement (including, without limitation, against ADR holders and beneficial owners of interests in ADSs), by having the matter referred to and finally resolved by an arbitration conducted under the terms described below, and (ii) the depositary may in its sole discretion require, by written notice to the relevant party or parties, that any dispute, suit, action, controversy, claim or proceeding against the depositary by any party or parties to the deposit agreement (including, without limitation, by ADR holders and beneficial owners of interests in ADSs) shall be referred to and finally settled by an arbitration conducted under the terms described in the deposit agreement. Any such arbitration shall be conducted in the English language either in New York, New York in accordance with the Commercial Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association or in Hong Kong following the arbitration rules of the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL).
Jury Trial Waiver
In the deposit agreement, each party thereto (including, for the avoidance of doubt, each holder and beneficial owner of, and/or holder of interests in, ADSs or ADRs) irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any right it may have to a trial by jury in any suit, action or proceeding against the depositary and/or us directly or indirectly arising out of or relating to the shares or other deposited securities, the ADSs or the ADRs, the deposit agreement or any transaction contemplated therein, or the breach thereof (whether based on contract, tort, common law or any other theory), including any suit, action or proceeding under the U.S. federal securities laws.
If we or the depositary were to oppose a jury trial demand based on such waiver, the court would determine whether the waiver was enforceable in the facts and circumstances of that case in accordance with applicable state and federal law, including whether a party knowingly, intelligently and voluntarily waived the right to a jury trial. The waiver to right to a jury trial in the deposit agreement is not intended to be deemed a waiver by any holder or beneficial owner of ADSs of our or the depositary’s compliance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED SHARES
The particular terms of each issue or series of preferred shares will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement. This description will include, where applicable, a description of:
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the title and nominal value of the preferred shares;
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the number of preferred shares we are offering;
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the liquidation preference per preferred share, if any;
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the issue price per preferred share (or if applicable, the calculation formula of the issue price per preferred share);
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whether preferential subscription rights will be issued to existing shareholders;
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the dividend rate per preferred share, dividend period and payment dates and method of calculation for dividends;
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whether dividends will be cumulative or non-cumulative and, if cumulative, the date from which dividends will accumulate;
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our right, if any, to defer payment of dividends and the maximum length of any such deferral period;
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the relative ranking and preferences of the preferred shares as to dividend rights (preferred dividend if any) and rights if we liquidate, dissolve or wind up the company;
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the procedures for any auction and remarketing, if any;
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the provisions for redemption or repurchase, if applicable, and any restrictions on our ability to exercise those redemption and repurchase rights;
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any listing of the preferred shares on any securities exchange or market;
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whether the preferred shares will be convertible into our Class A ordinary shares (including in the form of ADSs) or preferred shares of another category, and, if applicable, conditions of an automatic conversion into Class A ordinary shares (including in the form of ADSs), if any, the conversion period, the conversion price, or how such price will be calculated, and under what circumstances it may be adjusted;
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voting rights, if any, of the preferred shares;
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preemption rights, if any;
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other restrictions on transfer, sale or assignment, if any;
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a discussion of any material or special Cayman Islands or United States federal income tax considerations applicable to the preferred shares;
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any limitations on issuances of any class or series of preferred shares ranking senior to or on a parity with the series of preferred shares being issued as to dividend rights and rights if we liquidate, dissolve or wind up our affairs;
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any rights attached to the preferred shares regarding the corporate governance of our company, which may include, for example representation rights to the board of directors; and
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any other specific terms, rights, preferences, privileges, qualifications or restrictions of the preferred shares.
Our board of directors may cause us to issue from time to time, out of our authorized share capital (other than the authorized but unissued ordinary shares), series of preferred shares in their absolute discretion and without approval of the shareholders; provided, however, before any preferred shares of any such series are issued, our board of directors shall by resolution of directors determine, with respect to any series of preferred shares, the terms and rights of that series.
When we issue preferred shares under this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, the shares will be fully paid and non-assessable and will not have, or be subject to, any pre-emptive or similar rights.
The issuance of preferred shares could adversely affect the voting power of holders of ordinary shares and ADSs and reduce the likelihood that holders of ordinary shares and ADSs will receive dividend payments and payments upon liquidation. The issuance could have the effect of decreasing the market price of our ADSs. The issuance of preferred shares also could have the effect of delaying, deterring or preventing a change in control of our company.
DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS
The following summary of certain provisions of the warrants does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by reference to, the provisions of the warrant agreement that will be filed with the SEC in connection with the offering of such warrants.
General
We may issue warrants to purchase Class A ordinary shares and preferred shares. Warrants may be issued independently or together with any other securities and may be attached to, or separate from, such securities. Each series of warrants will be issued under a separate warrant agreement to be entered into between us and a warrant agent. The warrant agent will act solely as our agent and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency for or with holders or beneficial owners of warrants. The terms of any warrants to be issued and a description of the material provisions of the applicable warrant agreement will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.
The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the following terms of any warrants in respect of which this prospectus is being delivered:
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the title of such warrants;
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the aggregate number of such warrants;
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the price or prices at which such warrants will be issued and exercised;
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the currency or currencies in which the price of such warrants will be payable;
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the securities purchasable upon exercise of such warrants;
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the date on which the right to exercise such warrants shall commence and the date on which such right shall expire;
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if applicable, the minimum or maximum amount of such warrants which may be exercised at any one time;
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if applicable, the designation and terms of the securities with which such warrants are issued and the number of such warrants issued with each such security;
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if applicable, the date on and after which such warrants and the related securities will be separately transferable;
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information with respect to book-entry procedures, if any;
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any material Cayman Islands or United States federal income tax consequences;
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the antidilution provisions of the warrants, if any; and
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any other terms of such warrants, including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of such warrants.
Amendments and Supplements to Warrant Agreement
We and the warrant agent may amend or supplement the warrant agreement for a series of warrants without the consent of the holders of the warrants issued thereunder to effect changes that are not inconsistent with the provisions of the warrants and that do not materially and adversely affect the interests of the holders of the warrants.
DESCRIPTION OF SUBSCRIPTION RIGHTS
The following summary of certain provisions of the subscription rights does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by reference to, the provisions of the certificate evidencing the subscription rights that will be filed with the SEC in connection with the offering of such subscription rights.
General
We may issue subscription rights to purchase Class A ordinary shares, including Class A ordinary shares represented by ADSs. Subscription rights may be issued independently or together with any other offered security and may or may not be transferable by the person purchasing or receiving the subscription rights. In connection with any subscription rights offering to our shareholders, we may enter into a standby underwriting arrangement with one or more underwriters pursuant to which such underwriters will purchase any offered securities remaining unsubscribed for after such subscription rights offering. In connection with a subscription rights offering to our shareholders, we will distribute certificates evidencing the subscription rights and a prospectus supplement to our shareholders on the record date that we set for receiving subscription rights in such subscription rights offering.
The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the following terms of subscription rights in respect of which this prospectus is being delivered:
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the title of such subscription rights;
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the securities for which such subscription rights are exercisable;
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the exercise price for such subscription rights;
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the number of such subscription rights issued to each shareholder;
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the extent to which such subscription rights are transferable;
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if applicable, a discussion of the material Cayman Islands or United States federal income tax considerations applicable to the issuance or exercise of such subscription rights;
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the date on which the right to exercise such subscription rights shall commence, and the date on which such rights shall expire (subject to any extension);
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the extent to which such subscription rights include an over-subscription privilege with respect to unsubscribed securities;
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if applicable, the material terms of any standby underwriting or other purchase arrangement that we may enter into in connection with the subscription rights offering; and
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any other terms of such subscription rights, including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of such subscription rights.
Exercise of Subscription Rights
Each subscription right will entitle the holder of the subscription right to purchase for cash such amount of securities at such exercise price as shall be set forth in, or be determinable as set forth in, the prospectus supplement relating to the subscription rights offered thereby. Subscription rights may be exercised at any time up to the close of business on the expiration date for such subscription rights set forth in the prospectus supplement. After the close of business on the expiration date, all unexercised subscription rights will become void.
Subscription rights may be exercised as set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to the subscription rights offered thereby. Upon receipt of payment and the subscription rights certificate properly completed and duly executed at the corporate trust office of the subscription rights agent or any other office indicated in the prospectus supplement, we will forward, as soon as practicable, the Class A ordinary shares purchasable upon such exercise. We may determine to offer any unsubscribed offered securities directly to persons other than shareholders, to or through agents, underwriters or dealers or through a combination of such methods, including pursuant to standby underwriting arrangements, as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.
DESCRIPTION OF UNITS
The following summary of certain provisions of the units does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by reference to, the provisions of the certificate evidencing the units that will be filed with the SEC in connection with the offering of such units.
We may issue units comprised of one or more of the other securities described in this prospectus in any combination. Each unit will be issued so that the holder of the unit is also the holder, with the rights and obligations of a holder, of each security included in the unit. The unit agreement under which a unit is issued may provide that the securities included in the unit may not be held or transferred separately, at any time or at any time before a specified date or upon the occurrence of a specified event or occurrence.
The applicable prospectus supplement will describe:
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the designation and terms of the units and of the securities comprising the units, including whether and under what circumstances those securities may be held or transferred separately;
•
any unit agreement under which the units will be issued;
•
any provisions for the issuance, payment, settlement, transfer or exchange of the units or of the securities comprising the units; and
•
whether the units will be issued in fully registered or global form.
ENFORCEABILITY OF CIVIL LIABILITIES
We are incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands as an exempted company with limited liability. We are incorporated in the Cayman Islands because of certain benefits associated with being a Cayman Islands company, such as political and economic stability, an effective judicial system, a favorable tax system, the absence of foreign exchange control or currency restrictions and the availability of professional and support services. However, the Cayman Islands has a less developed body of securities laws as compared to the United States and provides significantly less protection to investors. In addition, Cayman Islands companies may not have standing to sue before the federal courts of the United States.
Substantially all of our operations are conducted in China, and substantially all of our assets are located outside the United States. In addition, a majority of our directors and executive officers are nationals or residents of jurisdictions other than the United States and all or a substantial portion of their assets are located outside the United States. As a result, it may be difficult for a shareholder to effect service of process within the United States upon us or these persons, or to enforce against us or them judgments obtained in United States courts, including judgments predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the securities laws of the United States or any state in the United States.
We have appointed Cogency Global Inc., located at 122 East 42nd Street, 18th Floor, New York, NY 10168 as our agent upon whom process may be served in any action brought against us under the securities laws of the United States.
Maples and Calder (Hong Kong) LLP, our counsel as to Cayman Islands law, has advised us that the courts of the Cayman Islands are unlikely (i) to recognise or enforce against us judgments of courts of the United States predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the securities laws of the United States or any State; and (ii) in original actions brought in the Cayman Islands, to impose liabilities against us predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the securities laws of the United States or any State, so far as the liabilities imposed by those provisions are penal in nature. In those circumstances, although there is no statutory enforcement in the Cayman Islands of judgments obtained in the United States, the courts of the Cayman Islands will recognise and enforce a foreign money judgment of a foreign court of competent jurisdiction without retrial on the merits based on the principle that a judgment of a competent foreign court imposes upon the judgment debtor an obligation to pay the sum for which judgment has been given provided certain conditions are met. For such a foreign judgment to be enforced in the Cayman Islands, such judgment must be final and conclusive and for a liquidated sum, and must not be in respect of taxes or a fine or penalty, inconsistent with a Cayman Islands judgment in respect of the same matter, impeachable on the grounds of fraud or obtained in a manner, and or be of a kind the enforcement of which is, contrary to natural justice or the public policy of the Cayman Islands (awards of punitive or multiple damages may well be held to be contrary to public policy). A Cayman Islands Court may stay enforcement proceedings if concurrent proceedings are being brought elsewhere.
Kewei Law Firm, our counsel as to PRC law, has advised us that there is uncertainty as to whether PRC courts would:
•
recognize or enforce judgments of United States courts obtained against us or our directors or officers predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the securities laws of the United States or any state in the United States; or
•
entertain original actions brought in each respective jurisdiction against us or our directors or officers predicated upon the securities laws of the United States or any state in the United States.
Kewei Law Firm has further advised us that the recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments are provided for under the PRC Civil Procedures Law. PRC courts may recognize and enforce foreign judgments in accordance with the requirements of the PRC Civil Procedures Law based either on treaties between China and the country where the judgment is made or on principles of reciprocity between jurisdictions. The PRC does not have any treaties or other form of reciprocity with the United States or the Cayman Islands that provide for the reciprocal recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments. In addition, according to the PRC Civil Procedures Law, courts in the PRC will not enforce a foreign judgment against us or our directors and officers if they decide that the judgment violates the basic principles of PRC law or national sovereignty, security or public interest. As a result, it is uncertain whether and on what basis a PRC court would enforce a judgment rendered by a court in the United States or in the Cayman Islands. Under the PRC Civil Procedures
Law, foreign shareholders may originate actions based on PRC law against a company in the PRC for disputes relating to contracts or other property interests, the PRC court may accept a course of action based on the laws or the parties’ express mutual agreement in contracts choosing PRC courts for dispute resolution if (a) the contract is signed and/or performed within the PRC, (b) the subject of the action is located within the PRC, (c) the company (as defendant) has seizable properties within the PRC, (d) the company has a representative organization within the PRC, or (e) other circumstances prescribed under the PRC law. The action may be initiated by a shareholder through filing a complaint with the PRC court. The PRC court will determine whether to accept the complaint in accordance with the PRC Civil Procedures Law. The shareholder may participate in the action by itself or entrust any other person or PRC legal counsel to participate on behalf of such shareholder. Foreign citizens and companies will have the same rights as PRC citizens and companies in an action unless the home jurisdiction of such foreign citizens or companies restricts the rights of PRC citizens and companies.
In addition, it will be difficult for U.S. shareholders to originate actions against us in the PRC in accordance with PRC laws because we are incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands and it will be difficult for U.S. shareholders, by virtue only of holding our ADSs or Class A ordinary shares, to establish a connection to the PRC for a PRC court to have jurisdiction as required under the PRC Civil Procedures Law.
TAXATION
Material income tax consequences relating to the purchase, ownership and disposition of any of the securities offered by this prospectus will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement(s) relating to the offering of those securities.
SELLING SHAREHOLDERS
Selling shareholders (if any) to be named in a prospectus supplement may, from time to time, offer, sell and lend some or all of the Class A ordinary shares of our company or ADSs held by them pursuant to this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement. Such selling shareholders (if any) may sell the Class A ordinary shares or ADSs held by them to or through underwriters, dealers or agents or directly to purchasers or as otherwise set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. See “Plan of Distribution.” Such selling shareholders may also sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of some or all of the Class A ordinary shares or ADSs held by them in transactions exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act.
If any selling shareholder is to offer and sell Class A ordinary shares or ADSs pursuant to this prospectus, we will provide you with a prospectus supplement, which will set forth the name of each such selling shareholder (if any), the number of ordinary shares beneficially owned by such selling shareholder and the number of the Class A ordinary shares or ADSs they are offering. The prospectus supplement also will disclose whether any of the selling shareholders (if any) have held any position or office with, have been employed by or otherwise have had a material relationship with us during the three years prior to the date of the prospectus supplement.
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
We and/or the selling shareholders named in the applicable prospectus supplement may sell the securities described in this prospectus from time to time in one or more transactions, including without limitation:
•
to or through underwriters, brokers or dealers;
•
through agents;
•
on any national exchange on which the securities offered by this prospectus are listed or any automatic quotation system through which the securities may be quoted;
•
through a block trade in which the broker or dealer engaged to handle the block trade will attempt to sell the securities as agent, but may position and resell a portion of the block as principal to facilitate the transaction;
•
directly to one or more purchasers in negotiated sales or competitively bid transactions;
•
through a combination of any of these methods; or
•
through any other method permitted by applicable law and described in the applicable prospectus supplement.
In addition, we may enter into derivative or hedging transactions with third parties, or sell securities not covered by this prospectus to third parties in privately negotiated transactions. In connection with such a transaction, the third parties may sell securities covered by and pursuant to this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement. If so, the third party may use securities borrowed from us or others to settle such sales and may use securities received from us to close out any related short positions. We may also loan or pledge securities covered by this prospectus and an applicable prospectus supplement to third parties, who may sell the loaned securities or, in an event of default in the case of a pledge, sell the pledged securities pursuant to this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement.
We may issue the securities as a dividend or distribution or in a subscription rights offering to our existing security holders. In some cases, we or dealers acting for us or on our behalf may also repurchase securities and reoffer them to the public by one or more of the methods described above. This prospectus may be used in connection with any offering of our securities through any of these methods or other methods described in the applicable prospectus supplement.
We and/or the selling shareholders named in the applicable prospectus supplement may sell the securities offered by this prospectus at:
•
a fixed price or prices, which may be changed;
•
market prices prevailing at the time of sale;
•
prices related to such prevailing market prices;
•
negotiated prices; or
•
for no consideration.
We or the selling shareholders named in the applicable prospectus supplement may solicit offers to purchase the securities directly from the public from time to time. We or the selling shareholders named in the applicable prospectus supplement may also designate agents from time to time to solicit offers to purchase securities from the public on our or their behalf. The prospectus supplement relating to any particular offering of securities will name any agents designated to solicit offers, and will include information about any commissions to be paid to the agents, in that offering. Agents may be deemed to be “underwriters” as that term is defined in the Securities Act. From time to time, we or the selling shareholders named in the applicable prospectus supplement may sell securities to one or more dealers as principals. The dealers, who may be deemed to be “underwriters” as that term is defined in the Securities Act, may then resell those securities to the public. We or the selling shareholders named in the applicable prospectus supplement may sell securities from time to time to one or more underwriters, who would purchase the securities as principal for resale to the public, either on a firm-commitment or best-efforts basis. If we or the selling shareholders named in the applicable prospectus supplement sell securities to underwriters, we or the selling shareholders named in the applicable
prospectus supplement will execute an underwriting agreement with them at the time of sale and will name them in the applicable prospectus supplement. In connection with those sales, underwriters may be deemed to have received compensation from us or the selling shareholders named in the applicable prospectus supplement in the form of underwriting discounts or commissions and may also receive commissions from purchasers of the securities for whom they may act as agents. Underwriters may resell the securities to or through dealers, and those dealers may receive compensation in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions from the underwriters and/or commissions from purchasers for whom they may act as agents. Underwriters, dealers, agents and other persons may be entitled, under agreements that they may enter into with us or the selling shareholders named in the applicable prospectus supplement, to indemnification by us or the selling shareholders named in the applicable prospectus supplement against civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribution with respect to payments which they may be required to make.
The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the terms of the offering of the securities, including the following:
•
the name of the agent or any underwriters;
•
the public offering or purchase price;
•
any discounts and commissions to be allowed or paid to the agent or underwriters;
•
all other items constituting underwriting compensation;
•
any discounts and commissions to be allowed or paid to dealers; and
•
any exchanges on which the securities will be listed.
If we offer securities in a subscription rights offering to our existing security holders, we may enter into a standby underwriting agreement with dealers, acting as standby underwriters. We may pay the standby underwriters a commitment fee for the securities they commit to purchase on a standby basis. If we do not enter into a standby underwriting arrangement, we may retain a dealer-manager to manage a subscription rights offering for us.
We may pay expenses incurred with respect to the registration of shares owned by any selling shareholders.
The underwriters, dealers and agents, as well as their associates, may be customers of or lenders to, and may engage in transactions with and perform services for, Weibo Corporation and its subsidiaries. In addition, we may offer securities to or through our affiliates, as underwriters, dealers or agents. Our affiliates may also offer the securities in other markets through one or more selling agents, including one another. If so indicated in an applicable prospectus supplement, we will authorize dealers or other persons acting as our agent to solicit offers by some institutions to purchase securities from us pursuant to contracts providing for payment and delivery on a future date. Institutions with which these contracts may be made include commercial and savings banks, insurance companies, pension funds, investment companies, educational and charitable institutions and others.
In order to facilitate the offering of the securities, any underwriters may engage in transactions that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the price of the securities or any other securities the prices of which may be used to determine payments on such securities. Specifically, any underwriters may over-allot in connection with the offering, creating a short position for their own accounts. In addition, to cover overallotments or to stabilize the price of the securities or of any such other securities, the underwriters may bid for, and purchase, the securities or any such other securities in the open market. Finally, in any offering of the securities through a syndicate of underwriters, the underwriting syndicate may reclaim selling concessions allowed to an underwriter or a dealer for distributing the securities in the offering if the syndicate repurchases previously distributed securities in transactions to cover syndicate short positions, in stabilization transactions or otherwise. Any of these activities may stabilize or maintain the market price of the securities above independent market levels. Any such underwriters are not required to engage in these activities and may end any of these activities at any time.
Unless otherwise indicated in an applicable prospectus supplement or confirmation of sale, the purchase price of the securities will be required to be paid in immediately available funds in New York City.
The securities may be new issues of securities and may have no established trading market. The securities may or may not be listed on a national securities exchange. We can make no assurance as to the liquidity of or the existence of trading markets for any of the securities.
LEGAL MATTERS
We are being represented by Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP with respect to certain legal matters as to United States federal securities and New York State law. Certain legal matters in connection with any offering made pursuant to this prospectus will be passed upon for the underwriters by a law firm named in the applicable prospectus supplement. The validity of the Class A ordinary shares offered in any offering and legal matters as to Cayman Islands law will be passed upon for us by Maples and Calder (Hong Kong) LLP. Certain legal matters as to PRC law will be passed upon for us by Kewei Law Firm. Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP may rely upon Maples and Calder (Hong Kong) LLP with respect to matters governed by Cayman Islands law and Kewei Law Firm with respect to matters governed by PRC law.
EXPERTS
The financial statements and management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting (which is included in Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting) incorporated in this prospectus by reference to the Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2022 have been so incorporated in reliance on the report of PricewaterhouseCoopers Zhong Tian LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.
The registered business address of PricewaterhouseCoopers Zhong Tian LLP is 6/F, DBS Bank Tower, 1318 Lu Jia Zui Ring Road, Pudong New Area, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION ABOUT US
We are subject to the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act, and in accordance with the Exchange Act, we file annual reports and other information with the SEC. Information we file with the SEC can be obtained over the internet on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. You can also find information on our website http://ir.weibo.com. The information contained on our website is not a part of this prospectus.
This prospectus is part of a registration statement we have filed with the SEC. This prospectus omits some information contained in the registration statement in accordance with SEC rules and regulations. You should review the information and exhibits in the registration statement for further information on us and the securities being offered. Statements in this prospectus concerning any document that we filed as an exhibit to the registration statement or that we otherwise filed with the SEC are not intended to be comprehensive and are qualified by reference to these filings. You should review the complete document to evaluate these statements.
INCORPORATION OF DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” the information we file with them. This means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. Each document incorporated by reference is current only as of the date of such document, and the incorporation by reference of such documents shall not create any implication that there has been no change in our affairs since the date thereof or that the information contained therein is current as of any time subsequent to its date. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be a part of this prospectus and should be read with the same care. When we update the information contained in documents that have been incorporated by reference by making future filings with the SEC, the information incorporated by reference in this prospectus is considered to be automatically updated and superseded. In other words, in the case of a conflict or inconsistency between information contained in this prospectus and information incorporated by reference into this prospectus, or between information incorporated by reference into this prospectus from different documents, you should rely on the information contained in the document that was filed later.
We incorporate by reference the following documents:
•
•
any future annual reports on Form 20-F filed with the SEC after the date of this prospectus and prior to the termination of the offering of the securities offered by this prospectus;
•
•
Unaudited Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations attached as exhibits to our current report on Form 6-K furnished with the SEC on November 29, 2023 (File No. 001-36397); and
•
any future reports on Form 6-K that we furnish to the SEC after the date of this prospectus that are identified in such reports as being incorporated by reference in this prospectus.
Copies of all documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus, other than exhibits to those documents unless such exhibits are specially incorporated by reference in this prospectus, will be provided at no cost to each person, including any beneficial owner, who receives a copy of this prospectus on the written or oral request of that person made to:
Weibo Corporation
8/F, QIHAO Plaza, No. 8 Xinyuan S. Road
Chaoyang District, Beijing 100027
People’s Republic of China
+86 (10) 5898-3336
Attention: Investor Relations
You should rely only on the information that we incorporate by reference or provide in this prospectus or in any applicable prospectus supplement. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different information. We are not making any offer of these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer is not permitted. You should not assume that the information in this prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front of those documents.
PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
Item 8. Indemnification of Directors and Officers
Cayman Islands law does not limit the extent to which a company’s memorandum and articles of association may provide for indemnification of officers and directors, except to the extent any such provision may be held by the Cayman Islands courts to be contrary to public policy, such as to provide indemnification against conduct amounting to willful default, willful neglect, fraud or dishonesty, for example, civil fraud or the consequences of committing a crime. Our articles of association provide for indemnification of officers and directors for losses, damages, costs and expenses incurred in their capacities as such, except through their own dishonesty, willful default or fraud.
Pursuant to the indemnification agreements, the form of which has been filed as Exhibit 10.3 to our registration statement on F-1 (Registration No. 333-194589), filed on March 14, 2014, as amended, we agreed to indemnify our directors and officers against certain liabilities and expenses incurred by such persons in connection with claims made by reason of their being such a director or officer.
The underwriting agreement, the form of which will be filed as Exhibit 1.1 to this registration statement, will also provide for indemnification of us and our officers and directors.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) may be permitted to directors, officers or persons controlling us pursuant to the foregoing provisions, we have been informed that in the opinion of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable.
Item 9. Exhibits
The exhibits to this registration statement are listed in the Index to Exhibits below.
Item 10. Undertakings.
(a)
The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
(1)
To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:
(i)
To include any prospectus required by section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act;
(ii)
To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the SEC pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement; and
(iii)
To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement;
provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i), (a)(1)(ii) and (a)(1)(iii) of this item do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the SEC by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of the registration statement.
(2)
That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(3)
To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.
(4)
To file a post-effective amendment to the registration statement to include any financial statements required by Item 8.A. of Form 20-F at the start of any delayed offering or throughout a continuous offering. Financial statements and information otherwise required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act need not be furnished; provided that the registrant includes in the prospectus, by means of a post-effective amendment, financial statements required pursuant to this paragraph (a)(4) and other information necessary to ensure that all other information in the prospectus is at least as current as the date of those financial statements. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a post-effective amendment need not be filed to include financial statements and information required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act or Item 8.A of Form 20-F if such financial statements and information are contained in periodic reports filed with or furnished to the SEC by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference in this registration statement.
(5)
That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act to any purchaser:
(i)
Each prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and
(ii)
Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5) or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii) or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by Section 10(a) of the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which that prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof; provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date.
(6)
That, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under the Securities Act to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities:
The undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:
(i)
Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;
(ii)
Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned registrant;
(iii)
The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant; and
(iv)
Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser.
(b)
The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(c)
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
Exhibit Index
Exhibit
Number
|
|
|
Description
|
|
1.1*
|
|
|
Form of Underwriting Agreement
|
|
3.1
|
|
|
|
|
4.1
|
|
|
|
|
4.2
|
|
|
|
|
4.3
|
|
|
|
|
4.4*
|
|
|
Registrant’s Specimen Certificate for Preferred Shares
|
|
4.5*
|
|
|
Form of Warrant Agreement (including Warrant Certificate)
|
|
4.6*
|
|
|
Form of Subscription Right Agreement (including form of Right Certificate)
|
|
4.7*
|
|
|
Form of Unit Agreement (including form of Unit Certificate)
|
|
5.1**
|
|
|
|
|
8.1**
|
|
|
|
|
8.2**
|
|
|
|
|
23.1**
|
|
|
|
|
23.2**
|
|
|
|
|
23.3**
|
|
|
|
|
24.1**
|
|
|
|
|
107**
|
|
|
|
|
*
To be filed as an exhibit to a post-effective amendment to this registration statement or as an exhibit to a report filed under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and incorporated herein by reference.
**
Filed with this registration statement on Form F-3.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form F-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in Beijing, People’s Republic of China, on November 29, 2023.
Weibo Corporation
By:
/s/ Gaofei Wang
Name: Gaofei Wang
Title: Chief Executive Officer
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints, severally and not jointly, each of Gaofei Wang and Fei Cao as his or her true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any or all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement and any and all related registration statements pursuant to Rule 462(b) of the Securities Act, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the SEC, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorney-in-fact and agent, or its substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities set forth below on November 29, 2023.
|
Signature
|
|
|
Title(s)
|
|
|
/s/ Charles Guowei Chao
Charles Guowei Chao
|
|
|
Chairman of the Board
|
|
|
/s/ Hong Du
Hong Du
|
|
|
Director
|
|
|
/s/ Bo Liu
Bo Liu
|
|
|
Director
|
|
|
/s/ Gaofei Wang
Gaofei Wang
|
|
|
Director and Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)
|
|
|
/s/ Pehong Chen
Pehong Chen
|
|
|
Director
|
|
|
/s/ Pochin Christopher Lu
Pochin Christopher Lu
|
|
|
Director
|
|
|
/s/ Yan Wang
Yan Wang
|
|
|
Director
|
|
|
/s/ Fei Cao
Fei Cao
|
|
|
Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
|
|
SIGNATURE OF AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE REGISTRANT
Pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, the undersigned, the duly authorized representative in the United States of Weibo Corporation has signed this registration statement or amendment thereto in New York, New York on November 29, 2023.
Authorized U.S. Representative
Cogency Global Inc.
By:
/s/ Colleen A. De Vries
Name: Colleen A. De Vries
Title: Senior Vice President
Exhibit 5.1
Our ref |
YCU/688185-000005/28090757v4 |
Direct tel |
+852 3690 7529 |
Email |
charmaine.chow@maples.com |
Weibo
Corporation
P.O. Box 31119 Grand Pavilion Hibiscus Way
802 West Bay Road
Grand Cayman, KY1-1205
Cayman Islands
29 November 2023
Dear Sirs
Weibo Corporation
We have acted as Cayman Islands legal advisers
to Weibo Corporation (the "Company") in connection with the Company’s registration statement on Form F-3, including
all amendments or supplements thereto (the "Registration Statement"), filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended to date, relating to (i) future issuance and sale by the Company, on a delayed or continuous
basis, from time to time in one or more offerings, the following securities:
| a) | Class A ordinary shares of the Company of a par value of US$0.00025 each (the “Shares”),
including Shares represented by American depositary shares (the "ADSs"); |
| b) | certain preferred shares of the Company with a par value of US$0.00025 each (the “Preferred Shares”); |
| c) | warrants to subscribe for Shares and Preferred Shares of the Company (the “Warrants”)
to be issued under warrant agreements to be entered into between the Company and the warrant agent for such Warrants thereunder (the “Warrant
Agreements”); |
| d) | subscription rights to purchase Shares of the Company, including Shares represented by ADSs (the “Subscription
Rights”) to be issued under standby underwriting agreements to be entered into among the Company and one or more underwriters
for such Subscription Rights thereunder (the “Subscription Rights Agreements”); |
| e) | units comprising of one or more of the ADSs, Shares, Preferred Shares, Warrants, or Subscription Rights
in any combination (the “Units”) to be issued under unit agreements to be entered into between the Company and the
unitholder for such Units thereunder (the “Unit Agreements”); |
and (ii) future resale by certain selling shareholders,
on a delayed or continuous basis, from time to time in one or more offerings, certain Shares held by them, including in the form of ADSs.
We are furnishing this opinion as Exhibits 5.1,
8.1 and 23.2 to the Registration Statement.
For the purposes of this opinion, we have reviewed
only originals, copies or final drafts of the following documents:
| 1.1 | The certificate of incorporation of the Company dated 7 June 2010 issued by the Registrar of Companies
in the Cayman Islands and the certificate of incorporation on change of name dated 6 July 2012 issued by the Registrar of Companies in
the Cayman Islands. |
| 1.2 | The fourth amended and restated memorandum and articles of association of the Company as adopted by special
resolution passed on 24 May 2023 (the "Memorandum and Articles"). |
| 1.3 | The written resolutions of the directors of the Company dated 27 November 2023 (the
"Directors' Resolutions"). |
| 1.4 | A certificate from a director of the Company, a copy of which is attached hereto (the "Director's
Certificate"). |
| 1.5 | A certificate of good standing with respect to the Company issued by the Registrar of Companies in the
Cayman Islands dated 7 November 2023 (the "Certificate of Good Standing"). |
| 1.6 | The Registration Statement. |
The following opinions are given only as to, and
based on, circumstances and matters of fact existing and known to us on the date of this opinion letter. These opinions only relate to
the laws of the Cayman Islands which are in force on the date of this opinion letter. In giving these opinions we have relied (without
further verification) upon the completeness and accuracy, as of the date of this opinion letter, of the Director's Certificate and the
Certificate of Good Standing. We have also relied upon the following assumptions, which we have not independently verified:
| 2.1 | Copies of documents, conformed copies or drafts of documents provided to us are true and complete copies
of, or in the final forms of, the originals. |
| 2.2 | All signatures, initials and seals are genuine. |
| 2.3 | There is no contractual or other prohibition or restriction (other than as arising under Cayman Islands
law) binding on the Company prohibiting or restricting it from entering into and performing its obligations under the Registration Statement
and a duly authorised, executed and delivered Warrant Agreement, Subscription Rights Agreement or Unit Agreement, as applicable. |
| 2.4 | The Company will have sufficient Shares and Preferred Shares authorised for issue under the Memorandum
and Articles at the time of issuance. |
| 2.5 | The Warrant Agreements and the Warrants, the Subscription Rights Agreements and the Subscription Rights,
and the Unit Agreements and the Units are, or will be, legal, valid, binding and enforceable against all relevant parties in accordance
with their terms under the laws of the State of New York and all other relevant laws (other than, with respect to the Company, the laws
of the Cayman Islands). |
| 2.6 | The choice of the laws of the State of New York as the governing law of the Warrant Agreements and the
Warrants, the Subscription Rights and the Subscription Rights Agreements and the Units and the Unit Agreements, will be made in good faith
and would be regarded as a valid and binding selection which will be upheld by the courts of the State of New York and any other relevant
jurisdiction (other than the Cayman Islands) as a matter of the laws of the State of New York and all other relevant laws (other than
the laws of the Cayman Islands). |
| 2.7 | The capacity, power, authority and legal right of all parties under all relevant laws and regulations
(other than, with respect to the Company, the laws and regulations of the Cayman Islands) to enter into, execute, unconditionally deliver
and perform their respective obligations under the Warrants and the Warrant Agreements, the Subscription Rights Agreements and the Subscription
Rights, and the Units and the Unit Agreements. |
| 2.8 | No monies paid to or for the account of the Company in respect of the Shares, the Preferred Shares, the
Warrants, the Subscription Rights or the Units represent or will represent proceeds of criminal conduct or criminal property or terrorist
property (as defined in the Proceeds of Crime Act (As Revised) and the Terrorism Act (As Revised) respectively). |
| 2.9 | There is nothing contained in the minute book or corporate records of the Company (which we have not inspected)
which would or might affect the opinions set out below. |
| 2.10 | There is nothing under any law (other than the law of the Cayman Islands) which would or might affect
the opinions set out below. |
Based upon the foregoing and subject to the qualifications
set out below and having regard to such legal considerations as we deem relevant, we are of the opinion that:
| 3.1 | The Company has been duly incorporated as an exempted company with limited liability and is validly existing
and in good standing with the Registrar of Companies under the laws of the Cayman Islands. |
| 3.2 | The authorised share capital of the Company is US$600,000 divided into (i) 1,800,000,000 Class A ordinary
shares of a par value of US$0.00025 each; (ii) 200,000,000 Class B ordinary shares of a par value of US$0.00025 each; and (iii) 400,000,000
shares of a par value of US$0.00025 each of such class or classes (however designated) as the board of directors of the Company (the "Board")
may determine in accordance with the articles of association of the Company. |
| 3.3 | With respect to the Shares, including those represented by ADSs, and the Preferred Shares, when (i) the
Board has taken all necessary corporate action to approve the issue thereof, the terms of the offering thereof and related matters; (ii)
the issue of such Shares or Preferred Shares has been recorded in the Company’s register of members (shareholders); and (iii) the
subscription price of such Shares or Preferred Shares, (being not less than the par value of the Shares or Preferred Shares, as the case
may be) has been fully paid in cash or other consideration approved by the Board, the Shares or Preferred Shares will be duly authorised,
validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable. |
| 3.4 | With respect to each issue of Warrants, when (i) the Board has taken all necessary corporate action to
approve the creation and terms of the Warrants and to approve the issue thereof, the terms of the offering thereof and related matters;
(ii) a Warrant Agreement relating to the Warrants shall have been duly authorised and validly executed and delivered by the Company and
the warrant agent thereunder; and (iii) the certificates representing the Warrants have been duly executed, countersigned, registered
and delivered in accordance with the Warrant Agreement relating to the Warrants and the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting or
similar agreement approved by the Board upon payment of the consideration therefor provided therein, the Warrants will be duly authorised,
legal and binding obligations of the Company. |
| 3.5 | With respect to each issue of the Subscription Rights, when (i) the Board has taken all necessary corporate
action to approve the creation and terms of the Subscription Rights and to approve the issue thereof, the terms of the offering thereof
and related matters; (ii) a Subscription Rights Agreement relating to the Subscription Rights and the Subscription Rights shall have been
authorised and duly executed and delivered by and on behalf of the Company and all the relevant parties thereunder in accordance with
all relevant laws; and (iii) when such Subscription Rights issued thereunder have been duly executed and delivered on behalf of the Company
and authenticated in the manner set forth in the Subscription Rights Agreement relating to such issue of Subscription Rights and delivered
against due payment therefor pursuant to, and in accordance with, the terms of the Registration Statement and any relevant prospectus
supplement, such Subscription Rights issued pursuant to the Subscription Rights Agreement will have been duly executed, issued and delivered. |
| 3.6 | With respect to each issue of the Units, when (i) the Board has taken all necessary corporate action to
approve the creation and terms of the Units and to approve the issue thereof, the terms of the offering thereof and related matters; (ii)
a Unit Agreement relating to the Units and the Units shall have been authorised and duly executed and delivered by and on behalf of the
Company and all the relevant parties thereunder in accordance with all relevant laws; and (iii) when such Units issued thereunder have
been duly executed and delivered on behalf of the Company and authenticated in the manner set forth in the Unit Agreement relating to
such issue of Units and delivered against due payment therefor pursuant to, and in accordance with, the terms of the Registration Statement
and any relevant prospectus supplement, such Units issued pursuant to the Unit Agreement will have been duly executed, issued and delivered. |
| 3.7 | The statements under the caption “Taxation” in the prospectus forming part of the Registration
Statement are accurate in so far as such statements are summaries of or relate to Cayman Islands law, and such statements constitute our
opinion. |
The opinions expressed above are subject to the
following qualifications:
| 4.1 | To maintain the Company in good standing under the laws of the Cayman Islands, annual filing fees must
be paid and returns made to the Registrar of Companies within the time frame prescribed by law. |
| 4.2 | The obligations assumed by the Company under the Warrant Agreements, the Subscription Rights Agreements,
the Unit Agreements or the Warrants, Subscription Rights, and Units issued thereunder will not necessarily be enforceable in all circumstances
in accordance with their terms. In particular: |
| (a) | enforcement may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, liquidation, reorganisation, readjustment of debts
or moratorium or other laws of general application relating to, protecting or affecting the rights of creditors and/or contributories; |
| (b) | enforcement may be limited by general principles of equity. For example, equitable remedies such as specific
performance may not be available, inter alia, where damages are considered to be an adequate remedy; |
| (c) | some claims may become barred under relevant statutes of limitation or may be or become subject to defences
of set off, counterclaim, estoppel and similar defences; |
| (d) | where obligations are to be performed in a jurisdiction outside the Cayman Islands, they may not be enforceable
in the Cayman Islands to the extent that performance would be illegal under the laws of that jurisdiction; |
| (e) | the courts of the Cayman Islands have jurisdiction to give judgment in the currency of the relevant obligation
and statutory rates of interest payable upon judgments will vary according to the currency of the judgment. If the Company becomes insolvent
and is made subject to a liquidation proceeding, the courts of the Cayman Islands will require all debts to be proved in a common currency,
which is likely to be the "functional currency" of the Company determined in accordance with applicable accounting principles.
Currency indemnity provisions have not been tested, so far as we are aware, in the courts of the Cayman Islands; |
| (f) | arrangements that constitute penalties will not be enforceable; |
| (g) | enforcement may be prevented by reason of fraud, coercion, duress, undue influence, misrepresentation,
public policy or mistake or limited by the doctrine of frustration of contracts; |
| (h) | provisions imposing confidentiality obligations may be overridden by compulsion of applicable law or the
requirements of legal and/or regulatory process; |
| (i) | the courts of the Cayman Islands may decline to exercise jurisdiction in relation to substantive proceedings
brought in matters where they determine that such proceedings may be tried in a more appropriate forum; |
| (j) | we reserve our opinion as to the enforceability of the relevant provisions of the documents to the extent
that they purport to grant exclusive jurisdiction as there may be circumstances in which the courts of the Cayman Islands would accept
jurisdiction notwithstanding such provisions; and |
| (k) | a company cannot, by agreement or in its articles of association, restrict the exercise of a statutory
power and there is doubt as to the enforceability of any provision in the Warrant Agreements, the Subscription Rights Agreements and the
Unit Agreements whereby the Company covenants to restrict the exercise of powers specifically given to it under the Companies Act (As
Revised) of the Cayman Islands (the "Companies Act"), including, without limitation, the power to increase its authorised
share capital, amend its memorandum and articles of association or present a petition to a Cayman Islands court for an order to wind up
the Company. |
| 4.3 | We express no opinion as to the meaning, validity or effect of any references to foreign (i.e. non-Cayman
Islands) statutes, rules, regulations, codes, judicial authority or any other promulgations and any references to them in the Warrant
Agreements or the Warrants, the Subscription Rights Agreements or the Subscription Rights, and the Unit Agreements or the Units. |
| 4.4 | We have not reviewed the final form of any of the Warrant Agreements, the Subscription Rights Agreements,
the Unit Agreements or the Warrants, Subscription Rights, and Units to be issued thereunder, and our opinions are qualified accordingly. |
| 4.5 | We reserve our opinion as to the extent to which the courts of the Cayman Islands would, in the event
of any relevant illegality or invalidity, sever the relevant provisions of the Warrant Agreements or the Warrants, the Subscription Rights
Agreements or the Subscription Rights, and the Unit Agreements or the Units and enforce the remainder or the transaction of which such
provisions form a part, notwithstanding any express provisions in this regard. |
| 4.6 | Under the Companies Act, the register of members of a Cayman Islands company is by statute regarded as
prima facie evidence of any matters which the Companies Act directs or authorises to be inserted therein. A third party interest in the
shares in question would not appear. An entry in the register of members may yield to a court order for rectification (for example, in
the event of fraud or manifest error). |
| 4.7 | In this opinion the phrase "non-assessable" means, with respect to shares in the Company, that
a shareholder shall not, solely by virtue of its status as a shareholder and in absence of a contractual arrangement, or an obligation
pursuant to the memorandum and articles of association, to the contrary, be liable for additional assessments or calls on the shares by
the Company or its creditors (except in exceptional circumstances, such as involving fraud, the establishment of an agency relationship
or an illegal or improper purpose or other circumstances in which a court may be prepared to pierce or lift the corporate veil). |
Except as specifically stated herein, we make
no comment with respect to any representations and warranties which may be made by or with respect to the Company in any of the documents
or instruments cited in this opinion or otherwise with respect to the commercial terms of the transactions the subject of this opinion.
We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion
as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and to the reference to our name under the headings "Enforceability of Civil Liabilities",
"Taxation" and "Legal Matters" and elsewhere included in the Registration Statement. In giving such consent, we do
not thereby admit that we come within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the U.S. Securities Act of
1933, as amended, or the Rules and Regulations of the Commission thereunder.
Yours faithfully
/s/ Maples and Calder (Hong Kong) LLP
Exhibit 8.2
November 29, 2023
Weibo Corporation
8/F QIHAO Plaza,
No. 8 Xinyuan S. Road
Chaoyang District,
Beijing 100027
People’s Republic of China
Dear Sirs:
We are qualified lawyers
of the People’s Republic of China (“PRC”, for the purpose of this legal opinion, the PRC does not include the
Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the Macau Special Administrative Region and Taiwan) and are qualified to issue an opinion on
the laws and regulations of the PRC.
We
are acting as PRC legal counsel for Weibo Corporation, a company incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands (the “Company”)
in connection with the proposed offering of a certain number of Class A ordinary shares of par value US$0.00025 per share of the Company,
including in the form of ADSs, preferred shares, warrants to purchase Class A ordinary shares and preferred shares, subscription rights
and a combination of such securities, separately or as units, in one or more offerings, in accordance with the Company’s registration
statement on Form F-3, including the base prospectus, and all amendments or supplements thereto, and documents incorporated
by reference therein (the “Registration Statement”), filed by the Company with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
(the “SEC”) on the date hereof.
We have been requested to
give this opinion in connection with the Section “Taxation” in the Registration Statement regarding PRC taxation.
We hereby confirm our opinion
as set forth under the caption “Taxation — People’s Republic of China Taxation” in the Prospectus Supplement.
We hereby consent to the
use of our name under the caption “Enforceability of Civil Liabilities”, “Taxation” and “Legal Matters”
in the Prospectus Supplement and to the filing of this letter as an exhibit to the Registration Statement with the SEC. In giving such
consent, we do not admit that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act of
1933, as amended, or the regulations promulgated thereunder.
|
Yours faithfully, |
|
|
|
/s/ Kewei Law Firm |
|
|
Exhibit 23.1
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING
FIRM
We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference
in this Registration Statement on Form F-3 of Weibo Corporation of our report dated April 27, 2023 relating to the financial statements
and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, which appears in Weibo Corporation's Annual Report on Form 20-F for
the year ended December 31, 2022. We also consent to the reference to us under the heading “Experts” in such Registration
Statement.
/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers Zhong Tian LLP
Beijing, the People’s Republic of China
November 29, 2023
Exhibit 107
Calculation of Filing
Fee Table
Form F-3
(Form Type)
Weibo Corporation
(Exact Name of Registrant
as Specified in its Charter)
Newly Registered and
Carry Forward Securities
|
|
Security
Type |
|
Security Class Title |
|
Fee Calculation
or Carry
Forward Rule |
|
Amount
Registered |
|
Proposed
Maximum
Offering
Price Per
Unit |
|
Maximum
Aggregate
Offering
Price |
|
Fee Rate |
|
Amount of
Registration
Fee |
|
Carry
Forward
Form
Type |
|
Carry
Forward
File
Number |
|
Carry
Forward
Initial
Effective
Date |
|
Filing Fee
Previously
Paid In
Connection
with
Unsold
Securities
to be
Carried
Forward |
Newly Registered Securities |
Fees to Be Paid |
|
Equity |
|
Ordinary shares, par value US$0.00025 per share(1)(3) |
|
Rule 457(r) |
|
(2) |
|
(2) |
|
(2) |
|
(2) |
|
(2) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fees Previously Paid |
|
— |
|
— |
|
— |
|
— |
|
— |
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Carry Forward Securities |
Carry Forward Securities |
|
— |
|
— |
|
— |
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
— |
|
— |
|
— |
|
— |
|
|
Total Offering Amounts |
|
|
|
(2) |
|
|
|
(2) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Fees Previously Paid |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Fee Offsets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net Fee Due |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(2) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
Includes securities initially offered and sold outside the United States that may be resold from time to time in the United States either as part of their distribution or within 40 days after the later of the effective date of this registration statement and the date the securities are first bona fide offered to the public. These securities are not being registered for the purposes of sales outside of the United States. |
(2) |
An indeterminate aggregate number of securities is being registered as may from time to time be sold at indeterminate prices. In accordance with Rules 456(b) and 457(r), the Registrant is deferring payment of all of the registration fee. |
(3) |
American depositary shares issuable upon deposit of the ordinary shares registered hereby have been registered under separate registration statement on Form F-6, as amended (File No.: 333-195072). Each American depositary share represents one Class A ordinary share. |