UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION


Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 20-F

 

(Mark one)

REGISTRATION STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OR (g) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

OR

 

ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017.2023

 

OR

 

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

OR

 

SHELL COMPANY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

for the transition period from ____________to____________ to ____________

 

Commission file number 001-38206

 

TDH Holdings, Inc.

(Exact name of the Registrant as specified in its charter)

 

British Virgin Islands

(Jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

 

c/o Qingdao Tiandihui FoodstuffsBeijing Wenxin Co., Ltd.,

Room 1809,

Financial Square, 197 Shuangzhu1104, Full Tower, 9 East Third Ring Middle Road, HuangdaoChaoyang District, Qingdao, Shandong ProvinceBeijing

People’s Republic of China

Tel: +86-532-8591-9267+86-166-7863-6230

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

Cui Rongfeng,Dandan Liu, Chief Executive Officer

c/o Qingdao Tiandihui FoodstuffsBeijing Wenxin Co., Ltd.,

Room 1809,

Financial Square, 197 Shuangzhu1104, Full Tower, 9 East Third Ring Middle Road, HuangdaoChaoyang District, Qingdao, Shandong ProvinceBeijing

People’s Republic of China

Tel: +86-532-8591-9267+86-166-7863-6230

(Name, Telephone, E-mail and/or Facsimile Number and Address of Company Contact Person)

 

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

 

Title of each class Trading SymbolName of each exchange on which registered
SHARES, PAR VALUE $0.001$0.02 PETZThe NASDAQ Stock Market LLC

    

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

None.

 

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

None.

 

On April 30, 2018,

As of the close of the period covered by this annual report the issuer had 9,423,75010,323,268 shares outstanding.

  

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

 

Yes ☐  No ☒

 

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

 

Yes ☐  No ☒

 

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

 

Yes ☒  No ☐

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).

 

Yes   No ☐

 

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

 

Large Accelerated filerAccelerated filerNon-accelerated filer
☐ Emerging growth company

 

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 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

 

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

If securities are registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act, indicate by check mark whether the financial statement of the registrant included in the filing reflect the correction of an error to previously issued financial statements. ☐

Indicate by check mark whether any of those error corrections are restatements that required a recovery analysis of incentive based compensation received by any of the registrant’s executive officers during the relevant recovery period pursuant to §240.10D-1(b). ☐

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

 

US GAAPInternational Financial Reporting Standards as issued by
the International Accounting Standards Board
Other

 

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

 

Item 17 ☐  Item 18

 

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

 

Yes ☐  No ☒

 

 

 

 

 

Table of Contents

 

  Page
PART I  
   
ITEM 1.IDENTITY OF DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND ADVISERS1
ITEM 2.OFFER STATISTICS AND EXPECTED TIMETABLE1
ITEM 3.KEY INFORMATIONKEY INFORMATION1
ITEM 4.INFORMATION ON THE COMPANY1722
ITEM 4A.UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS3332
ITEM 5.OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECT3432
ITEM 6.DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND EMPLOYEES5055
ITEM 7.MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS5762
ITEM 8.FINANCIAL INFORMATIONFINANCIAL INFORMATION6065
ITEM 9.THE OFFER AND LISTING6166
ITEM 10.ADDITIONAL INFORMATIONADDITIONAL INFORMATION6266
ITEM 11.QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURE ABOUT MARKET RISK6873
ITEM 12.DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES OTHER THAN EQUITY SECURITIES6873
   
PART II  
   
ITEM 13.DEFAULTS, DIVIDEND ARREARAGES AND DELINQUENCIES6974
ITEM 14.MATERIAL MODIFICATIONS TO THE RIGHTS OF SECURITY HOLDERS AND USE OF PROCEEDS6974
ITEM 15.CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES6974
ITEM 16.RESERVEDRESERVED6975
ITEM 16A.AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT.6975
ITEM 16B.CODE OF ETHICS.7075
ITEM 16C.PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES.7075
ITEM 16D.EXEMPTIONS FROM THE LISTING STANDARDS FOR AUDIT COMMITTEES.7075
ITEM 16E.PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY THE ISSUER AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS.7075
ITEM 16F.CHANGES IN REGISTRANT’S CERTIFYING ACCOUNTANT.7076
ITEM 16G.CORPORATE GOVERNANCECORPORATE GOVERNANCE7076
ITEM 16H.MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURE76
ITEM 16I.DISCLOSURE REGARDING FOREIGN JURISDICTIONS THAT PREVENT INSPECTIONS.76
ITEM 16J.INSIDER TRADING POLICY76
ITEM 16K.CYBERSECURITY76
   
PART III  
   
ITEM 17.FINANCIAL STATEMENTS77
ITEM 17.18.FINANCIAL STATEMENTSFINANCIAL STATEMENTS7177
ITEM 18.19.EXHIBITSFINANCIAL STATEMENTS71
ITEM 19.EXHIBITS7177

 

i

Table of Contents

 

CERTAIN INFORMATION

 

In this Annual Report on Form 20-F (the “Annual Report”), unless otherwise indicated, numerical figures included in this Annual Report have been subject to rounding adjustments. Accordingly, numerical figures shown as totals in various tables may not be arithmetic aggregations of the figures that precede them.

 

For the sake of clarity, this Annual Report follows the English naming convention of first name followed by last name, regardless of whether an individual’s name is Chinese or English.

 

Except where the context otherwise requires and for purposes of this Annual Report only:

 

Depending on the context, the terms “we,” “us,” “our company,” and “our” refer to TDH Holdings, Inc., a British Virgin Islands company;

TDH HK Limited, a Hong Kong company wholly-owned by TDH HOLDINGS, INC.;

TDH Foods Limited, a Hong Kong company wholly-owned by TDH HOLDINGS, INC.;

TDH Group BVA, a Belgium company wholly-owned by TDH Holdings, Inc;

TDH Income Corporation, a Nevada corporation;

Ruby21Noland LLC, a Missouri corporation;

Far Ling’s Inc.; , a Missouri corporation;

Bo Ling’s Chinese Restaurant, Inc., a Missouri corporation;

Qingdao Tiandihui Foodstuffs Co., Ltd. (“Tiandihui”), a Chinese limited liability company, disposed in December 2023 as a result of the completion of bankruptcy proceedings;

Qingdao Tiandihui Pet Foodstuffs Co., Ltd., a Chinese limited liability company;TDH Petfood LLC,

Qingdao Tiandihui Foodstuffs Sales Co., Ltd., a Chinese limited liability company;

Beijing Chongai Jiujiu Cultural Communication Co., Ltd., a Chinese limited liability company, disposed in December 2023;

Beijing Wenxin Company., Ltd., a Chinese limited liability company;

Qingdao Kangkang DevelopmentChihong Information Consulting Co., Ltd., Qingdao Lingchong Information Technology Co., Ltd. and Yichong Technology (Qingdao) Co., Ltd.a Chinese limited liability company;

“shares” and “common shares” refer to our shares, $0.001$0.02 par value per share;

“China” and “PRC” refer to the People’s Republic of China, excluding, for the purposes of this Annual Report only, Macau, Taiwan and Hong Kong; and

all references to “RMB,” and “Renminbi” are to the legal currency of China, and all references to “USD,” and “U.S. Dollars” are to the legal currency of the United States., and all references to “Euro” and “€” are to the legal currency of Belgium.

 

ii

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

This Report contains “forward-looking statements” that represent our beliefs, projections and predictions about future events. All statements other than statements of historical fact are “forward-looking statements” including any projections of earnings, revenue or other financial items, any statements of the plans, strategies and objectives of management for future operations, any statements concerning proposed new projects or other developments, any statements regarding future economic conditions or performance, any statements of management’s beliefs, goals, strategies, intentions and objectives, and any statements of assumptions underlying any of the foregoing. Words such as “may”, “will”, “should”, “could”, “would”, “predicts”, “potential”, “continue”, “expects”, “anticipates”, “future”, “intends”, “plans”, “believes”, “estimates” and similar expressions, as well as statements in the future tense, identify forward-looking statements.

 

These statements are necessarily subjective and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that could cause our actual results, performance or achievements, or industry results, to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements described in or implied by such statements. Actual results may differ materially from expected results described in our forward-looking statements, including with respect to correct measurement and identification of factors affecting our business or the extent of their likely impact, the accuracy and completeness of the publicly available information with respect to the factors upon which our business strategy is based on the success of our business.

 

Forward-looking statements should not be read as a guarantee of future performance or results, and will not necessarily be accurate indications of whether, or the times by which, our performance or results may be achieved. Forward-looking statements are based on information available at the time those statements are made and management’s belief as of that time with respect to future events and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual performance or results to differ materially from those expressed in or suggested by the forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause such differences include, but are not limited to, those factors discussed under the headings “Risk Factors”, “Operating and Financial Review and Prospects,” “Information on the Company” and elsewhere in this Annual Report.

 

This Annual Report should be read in conjunction with our audited financial statements and the accompanying notes thereto, which are included in Item 18 of this Annual Report.

 

Summary of Risk Factors

Investing in our Common Shares involves significant risks. You should carefully consider all of the information in this annual report before making an investment in our Common Shares. Below please find a summary of the principal risks we face, organized under the relevant headings. These risks are discussed more fully in the section titled “Risk Factors”

Risks related to our business. See “Risk Factors – Risks Related to Our Business”

Risk and uncertainties related to our business include, but are not limited to, the following:

We may be subject to claims that were not discharged in Tiandihui’s bankruptcy proceedings, which could have a material adverse effect on our operating results and profitability.

The report of our independent registered public accounting firm on our financial statements includes an explanatory paragraph that expresses substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern.

We have historically incurred recurring losses and it is uncertain whether we may continue to incur losses in the future.

We discontinued our petfood manufacturing segment and the turnaround of our business currently depends, in part, on our ability to successfully generate revenue in the restaurant segment.

We depend on our key personnel, and our business and growth prospects may be severely disrupted if we lose their services.

While we are not aware of any data breach in the past, cyber-attacks, computer viruses or any future failure to adequately maintain security and prevent unauthorized access to electronic and other confidential information could result in a data breach which could materially adversely affect our reputation, financial condition and operating results.

iii

Table of Contents

 

Risks related to our restaurant segment business. See “Risk Factors – Risks Related to the Restaurant Segment”

Risk and uncertainties related to our restaurant segment business include, but are not limited to, the following:

Our restaurant base is geographically concentrated in Missouri, and we could be negatively affected by conditions specific to this state.

Failure to preserve the value and relevance of our brand could have an adverse impact on our financial results.

If we do not anticipate and address evolving consumer preferences and effectively execute our pricing, promotional and marketing plans, our business could suffer.

We face intense competition in our market, which could hurt our business.

Food safety and foodborne illness concerns may have an adverse effect on our reputation and business.

Risks related to Doing Business in China. See “Risk Factors – Risks Related to Doing Business in China”

Risk and uncertainties related to doing business in China include, but are not limited to, the following:

Because of our corporate structure, we as well as the investors are subject to unique risks due to uncertainty of the interpretation and the application of the PRC laws and regulations.

Uncertainties with respect to the PRC legal system could have a material adverse effect on us.

The Chinese government exerts substantial influence over the manner in which we must conduct our business activities and may intervene or influence our operations at any time, which could result in a material change in our operations and the value of our Common Shares.

Draft rules for China-based companies seeking for securities offerings in foreign stock markets was released by the CSRC for public consultation. While such rules have not yet come into effect, the Chinese government may exert more oversight and control over overseas public offerings conducted by China-based issuers, which could significantly limit or completely hinder our ability to offer or continue to offer our Common Shares to investors and could cause the value of our Common Shares to significantly decline or become worthless.

CSRC and other Chinese government agencies may exert more oversight and control over offerings that are conducted overseas and foreign investment in China-based issuers. Additional compliance procedures may be required in connection offerings, and, if required, we cannot predict whether we will be able to obtain such approval. As a result, we face uncertainty about future actions by the PRC government that could significantly affect our ability to offer or continue to offer securities to investors and cause the value of our securities to significantly decline or be worthless.

We may be liable for improper use or appropriation of personal information provided by our customers.

Since our operations and some of our assets are located in the PRC, shareholders may find it difficult to enforce a U.S. judgment against the assets of our company, our directors and executive officers.

We hold certain of our cash balances in RMB in uninsured bank accounts in China.

iv

We may be subject to PRC regulatory limitations on merger and acquisition (M&A) activities.

Fluctuation of the Renminbi may indirectly affect our financial condition by affecting the volume of cross-border money flow.

We may become a passive foreign investment company, which could result in adverse U.S. tax consequences to U.S. investors.

Introduction of new laws or changes to existing laws by the PRC government may adversely affect our business.

Governmental control of currency conversion may affect the value of your investment.

PRC’s labor law restricts our ability to reduce our workforce in the PRC in the event of an economic downturn and may increase our production costs.

Changes in PRC’s political and economic policies could harm our business.

If relations between the United States and China worsen, our share price may decrease and we may have difficulty accessing U.S. capital markets.

Because our operations are located in the PRC, information about our operations is not readily available from independent third-party sources.
Failure to comply with PRC laws and regulations related to labor and employee benefits may subject us to penalties or additional cost.
We may be exposed to liabilities under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and Chinese anti-corruption law.
Our PRC subsidiaries are subject to restrictions on paying dividends or making other payments to us, which may restrict our ability to satisfy our liquidity requirements.

Risks related to the Ownership of our Common Shares. See “Risk Factors – Risks Related to the Ownership of our Common Shares”

Risk and uncertainties related to ownership of our Commons Shares include, but are not limited to, the following:

We are a holding company incorporated in the British Virgin Islands. As a holding company with no material operations of our own, we conduct a substantial majority of our operations through our subsidiaries established in the PRC.

Recent joint statement by the SEC and PCAOB, proposed rule changes submitted by Nasdaq, and an act passed by the U.S. Senate all call for additional and more stringent criteria to be applied to emerging market companies upon assessing the qualification of their auditors, especially the non-U.S. auditors who are not inspected by the PCAOB. These developments could add uncertainties to our listing.

The Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act all call for additional and more stringent criteria to be applied to emerging market companies upon assessing the qualification of their auditors, especially the non-U.S. auditors who are not inspected by the PCAOB. These developments could add uncertainties to our continued listing.

If our financial condition deteriorates as a NASDAQ listed company, we may not meet continued listing standards on the NASDAQ Capital Market.

We are a “foreign private issuer,” and our disclosure obligations differ from those of U.S. domestic reporting companies. As a result, we may not provide you the same information as U.S. domestic reporting companies or we may provide information at different times, which may make it more difficult for you to evaluate our performance and prospects.

The market price of shares may be volatile, which could cause the value of your investment to decline.

As the rights of shareholders under British Virgin Islands law differ from those under U.S. law, you may have fewer protections as a shareholder.

v

PART I

 

ITEM 1.IDENTITY OF DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND ADVISERS

ITEM 1. IDENTITY OF DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND ADVISERS

 

Not required.

 

ITEM 2.OFFER STATISTICS AND EXPECTED TIMETABLE

ITEM 2. OFFER STATISTICS AND EXPECTED TIMETABLE

 

Not required.

 

ITEM 3.KEY INFORMATION

ITEM 3. KEY INFORMATION

  

 A.Selected financial data[Reserved]

In the table below, we provide you with summary financial data of our company. The selected consolidated statement of income and other comprehensive income data for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2016 and 2017 and the selected consolidated balance sheet data as of December 31, 2015, 2016 and 2017 are derived from our audited consolidated financial statements, which are included elsewhere in this annual report. Historical results are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for any future period. When you read this historical selected financial data, it is important that you read it along with the historical statements and notes included elsewhere in this annual report.

Selected Consolidated Financial Data

Selected Consolidated Statement of Income and Other Comprehensive Income Data

  For The Years Ended December 31, 
  2017  2016  2015 
(In U.S. dollars)         
Total revenues $28,979,511  $24,443,736  $16,312,274 
Cost of revenues  20,682,498   17,368,249   12,289,773 
Gross profit  8,297,013   7,075,487   4,022,501 
Total operating expenses  8,029,708   5,924,198   3,345,769 
Income from operations  267,305   1,151,289   676,732 
Other income (expenses)            
Government subsidies  414   21,912   22,116 
Other income  19,305   51,535   156,908 
Other expenses  (144,069)  (23,490)  (2,056)
Interest expenses  (82,946)  (102,274)  (117,366)
Total other income (expenses)  (207,296)  (52,317)  59,602 
Income before income taxes provision  60,009   1,098,972   736,334 
Income tax provision (benefit)  (55,102)  89,801   269,581 
Net income  115,111   1,009,171   466,753 
Earnings per common share attributable to TDH Holdings, Inc. – basic and fully diluted $0.01  $0.13  $0.06 

Selected Balance Sheet Data

  As of December 31, 
  2017  2016  2015 
(In U.S. dollars)         
Cash and cash equivalents $2,346,109  $1,145,103  $651,680 
Total current assets  15,579,344   9,822,363   6,647,263 
Total non-current assets  4,231,396   3,417,556   3,592,356 
Total assets  19,810,740   13,239,919   10,239,619 
Total current liabilities  8,656,648   8,973,372   7,562,217 
Total non-current liabilities  5,810   13,795   - 
Total liabilities  8,662,458   8,987,167   7,562,217 
Total equity  11,148,282   4,252,752   2,677,402 
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity $19,810,740  $13,239,919  $10,239,619 

  

1

Table of Contents

The following table sets forth information concerning exchange rates between the RMB and the U.S. dollar for the periods indicated. On April 20, 2018, the buying rate announced by the Federal Reserve Statistical Release was RMB 6.2945 to $1.00.

  Spot Exchange Rate 
Period Period
Ended
  Average
(1)
  Low  High 
  (RMB per US$1.00) 
2017            
January  6.8767   6.9008   6.8360   6.9575 
February  6.8665   6.8727   6.8517   6.8821 
March  6.8821   6.8940   6.8700   6.9132 
April  6.8937   6.888   6.8944   6.9060 
May  6.8098   6.8843   6.8098   6.9060 
June  6.7793   6.8066   6.7793   6.8382 
July  6.7240   6.7694   6.7240   6.8039 
August  6.5888   6.6670   6.5918   6.7272 
September  6.6533   6.5690   6.4773   6.6591 
October  6.6328   6.6254   6.5712   6.6498 
November  6.6090   6.6200   6.5967   6.6385 
December  6.5063   6.5932   6.5063   6.6210 
2018                
January  6.2841   6.4233   6.2841   6.5263 
February  6.3280   6.3183   6.2649   6.3471 
March  6.2726   6.3174   6.2685   6.3565 
April  6.2945   6.2859   6.2722   6.3045 

Source: Federal Reserve Statistical Release.

(1)Monthly averages, lows, and highs are calculated using the average of the daily rates during the relevant period.

 B.Capitalization and Indebtedness

 

Not required.

 

 C.Reasons for the Offer and Use of Proceeds

 

Not required.

 

 D.Risk factors

 

You should carefully consider the following risk factors, together with all of the other information included in this Annual Report.

 

RiskRisks Related to Our Business

 

We may be subject to claims that were not discharged in Tiandihui’s bankruptcy proceedings, which could have a material adverse effect on our operating results and profitability.

From time to time, the Company is a party to various legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business. The growthCompany accrues costs associated with these matters when they become probable and the amount can be reasonably estimated. Legal costs incurred in connection with loss contingencies are expensed as incurred. Since November 2019, the Company has been a subject of 57 lawsuits by its raw material supplies, printing and packaging supplies, transportation companies and other vendors. The claims raised in these lawsuits pertain to the Company’s non-payment of various invoices for supplier and vendor services rendered, with related interest and costs. In 44 cases, the creditors have reached civil conciliation letters with our company, and in 9 cases, the court has issued civil judgments. With respect to the remaining 4 cases, the plaintiffs withdrew the lawsuits because of lack of evidence. The settlement and judgments involved total claims of RMB13.86 million (USD $2.12 million). Such liabilities have been accrued and reflected in the consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2020. On March 13, 2021, a land use right and a factory building on the land owned by Tiandihui were auctioned by the court for $5,098,461 (RMB33.14 million). On March 16, 2022, the People’s Court of Huangdao District, Qingdao City, Shandong Province made a civil ruling and announced the acceptance of creditors’ application of bankruptcy liquidation of Tiandihui, and it entered into bankruptcy proceedings. On November 3, 2023, another land use right and a factory building on the land owned by Tiandihui were auctioned by the court for $875,321 (RMB 6.28 million). On December 27, 2023, the court announced that the bankruptcy property distribution plan of Tiandihui had been implemented and the bankruptcy proceedings were complete. As a result, Tiandihui has been fully disposed as of December 31, 2023, and substantially all the material claims against Tiandihui that arose prior to the date of the bankruptcy completion were addressed. However, we may be subject to claims that were not discharged in the bankruptcy proceedings, if any. To the extent any pre-bankruptcy liability still remains, the ultimate resolution of such claims and other obligations may have a material adverse effect on our future operating results, profitability and financial condition.


The report of our business dependsindependent registered public accounting firm on our financial statements includes an explanatory paragraph that expresses substantial doubt about our ability to accurately predict consumer trendscontinue as a going concern, and demandif our business is unable to continue it is likely investors will lose all of their investment.

As discussed in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements to this Annual Report, the Company fully discontinued its petfood business during 2023 because the Tiandihui bankruptcy process was concluded and all claims against Tiandihui were processed by December 27, 2023. Currently the Company’s revenue is substantially generated from the restaurant business segment. The Company’s business turnaround currently depends, in part, on its ability to successfully introduce, manage and acquire new productsrestaurants. If the Company is not able to effectively manage and product line extensionsacquire new restaurants that successfully generate revenue, it may not be able to grow and improve existing products.maintain its business as anticipated, and its sales may decline and its future business, financial condition and results of operations may be materially adversely affected.

 

There can be no assurances that future revenue or capital infusion will be sufficient to enable the Company to develop its business to a level where it will be profitable or continuously to generate positive cash flows. Our growthauditor, YCM CPA Inc., has indicated in their report on the Company’s financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 that there is “substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern”. A “going concern” opinion could impair our ability to finance our operations through the sale of equity, incurring debt, or other financing alternatives.

Management’s plan to alleviate the substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern include working to improve the Company’s liquidity and capital sources mainly through cash flow from its operations and raise sufficient capital through equity or debt financing, strategic alliances or otherwise. If we are unable to achieve these goals, our business will be jeopardized and we may not be able to continue. If we ceased operations, it is likely that all of our investors will lose their investment. 

In the absence of an additional liquidity, our ability to continue to operate will be impaired, and we may not be able to continue as a going concern. Additionally, even if we raise sufficient capital through equity or debt financing, strategic alliances or otherwise or generate additional revenue there can be no assurances that future revenue or capital infusion will be sufficient to enable us to develop our business to a level where it will be profitable or to generate positive cash flows.

We have historically incurred recurring losses and it is uncertain whether we may continue to incur losses in the future.

Due to the sharp rise in market price of raw materials, the lack of operational efficiency of our production facilities and our inability to make bank loan repayment to financial institutions upon maturity, we temporarily suspended our production and normal business operations and we were involved in certain legal proceedings beginning in November 2019. The COVID-19 outbreak and spread further disrupted our business activities during the period from the beginning of 2020 up to May 2020 when we resumed our business operations. Historically, we reported recurring losses of approximately $23.63 million and $0.86 million for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. On October 31, 2021, we acquired 51% equity interests of Far Ling’s Inc. and 100% equity interests of Bo Ling’s Chinese Restaurant, Inc. This resulted in an increase of $3.1 million and $3.2 million in food service revenue for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2023, respectively. However, we fully discontinued our petfood manufacturing segment in 2023 and currently our revenue is substantially generated from the restaurant business segment. Our business turnaround currently depends, in part, on our ability to successfully introduce, manage and acquire new productsrestaurants. If we are not able to effectively manage and product line extensionsacquire new restaurants that successfully generate revenue, we may not be able to grow and improvemaintain our business as anticipated. In order to achieve profitability, among other factors, management must successfully execute our growth and repositionrestaurant operations in the markets on which we are focused. If we are unable to successfully take necessary steps, we may be unable to sustain or increase our existing products to meetprofitability in the requirements of pet ownersfuture.


We discontinued our petfood manufacturing segment and the dietary needsturnaround of their pets.our business depends, in part, on our ability to successfully generate revenue in the restaurant segment.

Due to the sharp rise in market price of raw materials, the lack of operational efficiency of our production facilities and our inability to make bank loan repayments upon maturity, we suspended our production and normal petfood business operations and we were involved in certain legal proceedings beginning in November 2019. The COVID-19 outbreak and spread further disrupted our business activities from the beginning of 2020 up to May 2020 when we resumed our petfood business operations. These factors led to significant decrease in our petfood sales. On October 31, 2021, we acquired 51% equity interests of Far Ling’s Inc and 100% equity interests of Bo Ling’s Chinese Restaurant, Inc. This resulted in an increase of $3.1 million and $3.2 million in food service revenue for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2023, respectively.

We discontinued our petfood business during the first quarter of 2023 and we fully disposed of Tiandihui because its bankruptcy process concluded and all claims against it were processed by December 27, 2023. Our decision to discontinue our petfood business was driven largely by the following factors: the increase in cost of raw materials required for production; accepting less orders in an attempt to avoid unprofitable orders and customers; decreased demand for sales of petfood; its historical performance and expected business forecasts in the absence of further capital investments and opportunity costs; and lawsuits and the closing of our manufacturing facilities.

Our turnaround depends, in part, on our ability to successfully introduce manage and acquire new restaurants. This, in turn, depends on our ability to predict and respond to evolving consumer trends, demands and preferences. The developmentmanagement and introductionacquisition of innovative new products and product line extensions involverestaurants involves considerable costs. In addition, it may be difficult to establish new supplier relationships and determine appropriate product selection when developing a new product or product line extension. Any new product or product line extension may not generate sufficient customer interest and sales to become a profitable product or to cover the costs of its development and promotion and may reduce our operating income. In addition, any such unsuccessful effort may adversely affect our brand. If we are not able to anticipate, identify or developeffectively manage and market productsacquire new restaurants that respond to changes in requirements and preferences of pet parents and their pets or if our new product introductions or repositioned products fail to gain consumer acceptance,successfully generate revenue, we may not be able to grow and maintain our business as anticipated, and our sales may decline and our business, financial condition and results of operations may be materially adversely affected.

 

We depend on our key personnel, and our business and growth prospects may be severely disrupted if we lose their services.

Our future success depends heavily upon the continued service of our key executives. We rely on their business, industry, financial and capital markets knowledge and experience. If our CEO or CFO became unable or unwilling to continue in their present positions, we may not be able to successfully implementreplace them easily, our growth strategy on a timely basis or at all.

Our future success depends, in large part, onbusiness may be significantly disrupted and our ability to implement our growth strategy, including expanding distribution and improving placement of our products in the stores of our retail partners, attracting new consumers to our brands, introducing new products and product line extensions and expanding into new markets. Our ability to implement this growth strategy depends, among other things, on our ability to:

enter into distribution and other strategic arrangements with retailers and other potential distributors of our products;
continue to effectively compete in our distribution channels;
increase our brand recognition by effectively implementing our marketing strategy and advertising initiatives;
expand and maintain brand loyalty;
develop new products and product line extensions that appeal to consumers;
maintain and, to the extent necessary, improve our high standards for product quality, safety and integrity;
maintain sources for the required supply of quality raw ingredients to meet our growing demand; and
identify and successfully enter and market our products in new geographic markets and market segments.

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We may not be able to successfully implement our growth strategy and may need to change our strategy. If we fail to implement our growth strategy or if we invest resources in a growth strategy that ultimately proves unsuccessful, our business, financial condition and results of operations may be materially adversely affected.

 

Any damage to our reputation or our brand may materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Maintaining our strong reputation with consumers, our retail partners and our suppliers is critical to our success. Our brands may suffer if our marketing plans or product initiatives areWe do not successful. The importance of our brands may increase if competitors offer more products with formulations similar to ours. Further, our brands may be negatively impacted due to real or perceived quality issues or if consumers perceive us as being untruthful in our marketing and advertising, even if such perceptions are not accurate. Product contamination, the failure to maintain high standards for product quality, safety and integrity, including raw materials and ingredients obtained from suppliers, or allegations of product quality issues, mislabeling or contamination, even if untrue or caused by our third-party contract manufacturers or raw material suppliers, may reduce demand for our products or cause production and delivery disruptions. We maintain guidelines and procedures to ensure the quality, safety and integrity of our products. However, we may be unable to detect or prevent product and/or ingredient quality issues, mislabeling or contamination, particularly in instances of fraud or attempts to cover up or obscure deviations from our guidelines and procedures. Ifkey man life insurance on any of our products become unfit for consumption, cause injurysenior management or are mislabeled, we may have to engage in a product recall and/or be subject to liability. Damage to our reputation or our brands or loss of consumer confidence in our products for any of these or other reasons could result in decreased demand for our products and our business, financial condition and results of operations may be materially adversely affected.

Our growth and business are dependent on trends that may change or not continue, and our historical growth may not be indicative of our future growth.

The growth of the global pet food industry and the market in China, in particular, depends primarily on the continuance of current trends in humanization of pets and premiumization of pet foods as well as on general economic conditions, the size of the pet population and average dog size. These trends may not continue or may change. In the event of a decline in the overall number or average size of pets, a change in the humanization, premiumization or health and wellness trends or during challenging economic times, we may be unable to persuade our customers and consumers to purchase our branded products instead of lower-priced products, and our business, financial condition and results of operations may be materially adversely affected and our growth rate may slow or stop. In addition, while we expect that our net sales will continue to increase, we believe that our growth rate will decline in the future as our scale increases.

There may be decreased spending on pets in a challenging economic climate.

Our business, financial condition and results of operations may be materially adversely affected by a challenging economic climate, including adverse changes in interest rates, volatile commodity markets and inflation, contraction in the availability of credit in the market and reductions in consumer spending. In addition, a slow-down in the general economy and/or PRC economy or a shift in consumer preferences for economic reasons or otherwise to less expensive products may result in reduced demand for our products which may affect our profitability. The keeping of pets and the purchase of pet-related products may constitute discretionary spending for some of our consumers and any material decline in the amount of consumer discretionary spending may reduce overall levels of pet ownership or spending on pets. As a result, a challenging economic climate may cause a decline in demand for our products which could be disproportionate as compared to competing pet food brands since our products command a price premium. In addition, we cannot predict how current or worsening economic conditions in the PRC and globally will affect our partners, suppliers and distributors. If economic conditions result in decreased spending on pets and have a negative impact on our retail partners, suppliers or distributors, our business, financial condition and results of operations may be materially adversely affected.

Our business depends, in part, on the sufficiency and effectiveness of our marketing and trade promotion programs.

Due to the competitive nature of our industry, we must effectively and efficiently promote and market our products through advertisements as well as trade promotions and incentives to sustain our competitive position in our market. Marketing investments may be costly. In addition, we may, from time to time, change our marketing strategies and spending, including the timing or nature of our trade promotions and incentives. We may also change our marketing strategies and spending in response to actions by our competitors and other pet food companies. The sufficiency and effectiveness of our marketing and trade promotions and incentives are important to our ability to retain and/or improve our market share and margins. If our marketing and trade promotions and incentives are not successful or if we fail to implement sufficient and effective marketing and trade promotions and incentives or adequately respond to changes in our competitors’ marketing strategies, our business, financial condition and results of operations may be adversely affected.

key personnel.

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If we are unable to maintain or increase prices, our margins may decrease.

We rely in part on price increases to offset cost increases and improve the profitability of our business. Our ability to maintain prices or effectively implement price increases may be affected by a number of factors, including competition, effectiveness of our marketing programs, the continuing strength of our brands, market demand and general economic conditions, including inflationary pressures. In particular, in response to increased promotional activity by other pet food companies, we have increased our promotional spending, which has resulted in a lower average price per pound for our products and has adversely impacted our gross margins. During challenging economic times, consumers may be less willing or able to pay a price premium for our branded products and may shift purchases to lower-priced or other value offerings, making it more difficult for us to maintain prices and/or effectively implement price increases. In addition, our retail partners and distributors may pressure us to rescind price increases that we have announced or already implemented, whether through a change in list price or increased promotional activity. If we are unable to maintain or increase prices for our products or must increase promotional activity, our margins may be adversely affected. Furthermore, price increases generally result in volume losses, as consumers purchase fewer units. If such losses are greater than expected or if we lose distribution due to a price increase, our business, financial condition and results of operations may be materially adversely affected.

If our products are alleged to cause injury or illness or fail to comply with PRC or other applicable governmental regulations, we may need to recall our products and may experience product liability claims.

Our products may be exposed to product recalls, including voluntary recalls or withdrawals, if they are alleged to pose a risk of injury or illness, or if they are alleged to have been mislabeled, misbranded or adulterated or to otherwise be in violation of governmental regulations. We may also voluntarily recall or withdraw products in order to protect our brand or reputation if we determine that they do not meet our standards, whether for palatability, appearance or otherwise. If there is any future product recall or withdrawal, it could result in substantial and unexpected expenditures, destruction of product inventory, damage to our reputation and lost sales due to the unavailability of the product for a period of time, and our business, financial condition and results of operations may be materially adversely affected. We also may be subject to claims if the consumption or use of our products is alleged to cause injury or illness. If there is a judgment against us or a settlement agreement related to a claim, our business, financial condition and results of operations may be materially adversely affected.

We are dependent on a limited number of retailer customers for a significant portion of our sales.

We sell our products to retail partners and distributors in specialty channels. Our ten largest retail partners, accounted for 68% of our net sales for the year ended December 31, 2015, 69% of our net sales for the year ended December 31, 2016, and 56% of our net sales for the year ended December 31, 2017, respectively. If we were to lose any of our key customers, if any of our retail partners reduce the amount of their orders or if any of our key customers consolidate, reduce their store footprint and/or gain greater market power, our business, financial condition and results of operations may be materially adversely affected. In addition, we may be similarly adversely impacted if any of our key customers experience any operational difficulties or generate less traffic.

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Failure to make adequate contributions to Housing Provident Fund for some of the employees could adversely affect our financial condition and we may be subject to labor dispute or complaint.

Pursuant to the Regulations on Management of Housing Provident Fund (HPF) which was promulgated by the State Council on April 3, 1999 and was amended on March 24, 2002, PRC enterprises must register with relevant HPF management center, open special HPF accounts at a designated bank and make timely HPF contributions for their employees. In accordance with Regulations on Management of Housing Provident Fund and Implementation Measures for the Administration of Housing Provident Fund in Qingdao, if an enterprise fails to pay in full or in part its HPF contributions, such enterprise will be ordered by the HPF enforcement authorities to make such contributions, and may be compelled by the people’s court that has jurisdiction over the matter to make such contributions. Furthermore, if the Company fails to make adequate contributions to HPF for some of its employees, such failure may give rise to a private cause of action by such individual(s) against the Company. There is a certain discrepancy between interpretation and enforcement of such regulations on the national and local level such that local and national enforcement practices at times vary significantly. HPF contributions are only required for employees with urban housing registration; for employees with rural registration contributions are voluntary and are not required. The Company has registered with relevant HPF authority in the PRC, but has not made adequate contributions to the fund for some of its employees. The Company’s failure to make such contributions were due to the inadvertent oversight of the Company’s staff. The Company estimates such amounts for the last three years would not to exceed US$104,000. As of the date of this Annual Report, the Company has not received any demand or order from the competent authorities with respect to settling the balance of the fund contributions. Mr. Cui and Ms. Wang have executed a deed of indemnity in favor of the Company’s subsidiaries in the PRC on July 7, 2017 pursuant to which they agreed to indemnify the Company’s subsidiaries in the PRC in full against any losses and penalties which they may suffer as a result of the Company’s non-payment of the fund contributions. To the extent the Company is required to make such payments in full, such payments may have adverse financial or operational impact on the Company. The Company may also be subject to labor dispute or complaint from its employees.

We rely upon a limited number of contract manufacturers to provide a significant portion of our supply of products.

There is limited available manufacturing capacity that meets our quality standards. We have agreements with a network of contract manufacturers that require them to provide us with specific finished products. Most of our agreements with our contract manufacturers are up to three years. During the years ended December 31, 2015, 2016 and 2017 approximately 23%, 29% and 31% of our cost of sales, respectively, was derived from products purchased from contract manufacturers. The manufacture of our products may not be easily transferable to other sites in the event that any of our contract manufacturers experience breakdown, failure or substandard performance of equipment, disruption of supply or shortages of raw materials and other supplies, labor problems, power outages, adverse weather conditions and natural disasters or the need to comply with environmental and other directives of governmental agencies. From time to time, a contract manufacturer may experience financial difficulties or other business disruptions, which could disrupt our supply of finished goods or require that we incur additional expense by providing financial accommodations to the contract manufacturer or taking other steps to seek to minimize or avoid supply disruption, such as establishing a new contract manufacturing arrangement with another provider. The loss of any one of these contract manufacturers or the failure for any reason of any of these contract manufacturers to fulfill their obligations under their agreements with us, including a failure to meet our quality controls and standards, may result in disruptions to our supply of finished goods. We may be unable to locate an additional or alternate contract manufacturing arrangement that meets our quality controls and standards in a timely manner or on commercially reasonable terms, if at all.

To the extent our retailer customers purchase products in excess of consumer consumption in any period, our sales in a subsequent period may be adversely affected as our customers seek to reduce their inventory levels.

From time to time, our retailer customers may purchase more product than they expect to sell to consumers during a particular time period. Our retailer customers may grow their inventory in anticipation of, or during, our promotional events, which typically provide for reduced prices during a specified time or other customer or consumer incentives. Our retailer customers may also grow inventory in anticipation of a price increase for our products, or otherwise over-order our products as a result of overestimating demand for our products. If a retailer customer increases its inventory during a particular reporting period as a result of a promotional event, anticipated price increase or otherwise, then sales during the subsequent reporting period may be adversely impacted as our customers seek to reduce their inventory to customary levels. This effect may be particularly pronounced when the promotional event, price increase or other event occurs near the end or beginning of a reporting period or when there are changes in the timing of a promotional event, price increase or similar event, as compared to the prior year. To the extent our retailer customers seek to reduce their usual or customary inventory levels or change their practices regarding purchases in excess of consumer consumption, our net sales and results of operations may be materially adversely affected in that period.

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We operate in a highly competitive industry and may lose market share or experience margin erosion if we are unable to compete effectively.

We compete on the basis of product quality and palatability, brand awareness and loyalty, product variety and ingredients, interesting product names, product packaging and package design, reputation, price and promotional efforts. We compete with a significant number of companies of varying sizes, including divisions or subsidiaries of larger companies who may have greater financial resources and larger customer bases than we have. As a result, these competitors may be able to identify and adapt to changes in consumer preferences more quickly than us due to their resources and scale. They may also be more successful in marketing and selling their products, better able to increase prices to reflect cost pressures and better able to increase their promotional activity, which may impact us and the entire pet food industry. If these competitive pressures cause our products to lose market share or experience margin erosion, our business, financial conditions and results of operations may be materially adversely affected.

We may face issues with respect to raw materials and other supplies, including increased costs, disruptions of supply, shortages, contaminations, adulterations or mislabeling.

The Company’s key raw material ingredients include meat and fish. We and our contract manufacturers use various raw materials and other supplies in our business, including ingredients, packaging materials and fuel. We maintain one raw material procurement center which provides a single-source supply for all our manufacturing facilities to maintain quality control throughout the production facilities. The prices of our raw materials and other supplies are subject to fluctuations attributable to, among other things, changes in supply and demand of crops or other commodities, weather conditions, agricultural uncertainty or governmental incentives and controls. We generally do not have long-term supply contracts with our ingredient suppliers. The length of the contracts is fixed for a period of time, typically up to a year or for a season and/or a crop year. In addition, some of our raw materials are sourced from a limited number of suppliers. We may not be able to renew or enter into new contracts with our existing suppliers following the expiration of such contracts on commercially reasonable terms, or at all. If commodity prices increase, we may not be able to increase our prices to offset these increased costs. Moreover, our competitors may be better able than we are to implement productivity initiatives or effect price increases or to otherwise pass along cost increases to their customers. Some of the raw materials we use are vulnerable to adverse weather conditions and natural disasters, such as floods, droughts, frosts, earthquakes and pestilences and may be impacted by climate change and other factors. Adverse weather conditions and natural disasters can reduce crop size and crop quality, which in turn could reduce supplies of raw materials, increase the prices of raw materials, increase costs of storing raw materials and interrupt or delay our production schedules if harvests are delayed. Our competitors may not be impacted by such weather conditions and natural disasters depending on the location of their suppliers and operations. If any of our raw materials or supplies are alleged or proven to include contaminants affecting the safety or quality of our products, we may need to find alternate materials or supplies, delay production of our products, discard or otherwise dispose of our products, or engage in a product recall, all of which may have a materially adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. We may be unable to detect or prevent the use of ingredients which do not meet our quality standards if our ingredient suppliers engage in fraud or attempt to cover up or obscure deviations from our guidelines and procedures. Any such conduct by any of our suppliers may result in a loss of consumer confidence in our brand and products and a reduction in our sales if consumers perceive us as being untruthful in our marketing and advertising and may materially adversely affect our brand, reputation, business, financial condition and results of operations. If our sources of raw materials and supplies are terminated or affected by adverse prices, weather conditions or quality concerns, we may not be able to identify alternate sources of raw materials or other supplies that meet our quality controls and standards to sustain our sales volumes or on commercially reasonable terms, or at all.

We may not be able to manage our manufacturing and supply chain effectively which may adversely affect our results of operations.

We must accurately forecast demand for our products in order to ensure we have adequate available manufacturing capacity. Our forecasts are based on multiple assumptions which may cause our estimates to be inaccurate and affect our ability to obtain adequate manufacturing capacity (whether our own manufacturing capacity or contract manufacturing capacity) in order to meet the demand for our products, which could prevent us from meeting increased customer or consumer demand and harm our brand and our business. However, if we overestimate our demand and overbuild our capacity, we may have significantly underutilized assets and may experience reduced margins. If we do not accurately align our manufacturing capabilities with demand, our business, financial condition and results of operations may be materially adversely affected. In addition, we must continuously monitor our inventory and product mix against forecasted demand. If we underestimate demand, we risk having inadequate supplies. We also face the risk of having too much inventory on hand that may reach its expiration date and become unsaleable, and we may be forced to rely on markdowns or promotional sales to dispose of excess or slow-moving inventory. If we are unable to manage our supply chain effectively, our operating costs could increase and our profit margins could decrease.

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If we continue to grow rapidly, we may not be able to manage our growth effectively.

Our sales have grown from $24.4 million in 2016 to $29.0 million in 2017. Our historical rapid growth has placed and, if continued, may continue to place significant demands on our management and our operational and financial resources. Our organizational structure may become more complex as we add additional staff, and we may require valuable resources to grow and continue to improve our operational, management and financial controls without undermining our strong corporate culture of entrepreneurship and collaboration that has been a strong contributor to our growth so far. If we are not able to manage our growth effectively, our business, financial condition and results of operations may be materially adversely affected.

Our market size estimate may prove to be inaccurate.

Data for the PRC and global pet food retail sales is collected for most, but not all channels, and as a result, it is difficult to estimate the size of the market and predict the rate at which the market for our products will grow, if at all. While our market size estimate was made in good faith and is based on assumptions and estimates we believe to be reasonable, this estimate may not be accurate.

Relocating some of our production facilities may adversely affected our results of operations.

The Company’s Canning Facility and Pude Facility are located in the old city of Huangdao District, Qingdao. It has come to the Company’s attention that the local governmental authorities proposed plans to redevelop certain portions of the old city to allow for more residential dwellings in the area. These redevelopment plans are in the proposal stage and presently there is no specific timeline for effecting such proposals. If and to the extent, the Company’s facilities are subject to the redevelopment plans, it may be entitled to certain compensation, the extent and timing of which are not known at this juncture. While there are no present adverse material effect on the Company’s operations in light of these redevelopment plans, the Company is in the process of taking some preliminary preparatory steps to anticipate possible future relocation, including improving its production capacities of other facilities (Haiqing and Zhangjialou facilities, respectively), as well as on increasing outsourcing facilities with export qualifications, which can maintain the Company’s production capacities in the event of relocation. In March, 2018, we ceased to lease Canning facility. In September, 2017, we leased another facility from our related party Qingdao Saike with a 10-year lease term. Fortunately, the Company’s operations was not adversely affected.

We may face difficulties as we expand into countries in which we have no prior operating experience.

We intend to continue to expand our domestic and global footprint by entering into new markets. As we expand our business in China and into new countries we may encounter foreign economic, political, regulatory, personnel, technological, language barriers and other risks that increase our expenses or delay our ability to become profitable in such countries. These risks include:

fluctuations in currency exchange rates;
the difficulty of enforcing agreements and collecting receivables through some foreign legal systems;
customers in some foreign countries potentially having longer payment cycles;
changes in local tax laws, tax rates in some countries that may exceed those of the United States or Canada and lower earnings due to withholding requirements or the imposition of tariffs, exchange controls or other restrictions;

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seasonal reductions in business activity;
the credit risk of local customers and distributors;
general economic and political conditions;
unexpected changes in legal, regulatory or tax requirements;
differences in language, culture and trends in foreign countries with respect to pets and pet care;
the risk that certain governments may adopt regulations or take other actions that would have a direct or indirect adverse impact on our business and market opportunities, including nationalization of private enterprise; and
non-compliance with applicable currency exchange control regulations, transfer pricing regulations or other similar regulations.

In addition, our expansion into new countries may require significant resources and the efforts and attention of our management and other personnel, which will divert resources from our existing business operations. We may seek to grow our business through acquisitions of or investments in new or complementary businesses, facilities, technologies or products, or through strategic alliances, and the failure to manage acquisitions, investments or strategic alliances, or the failure to integrate them with our existing business, could have a material adverse effect on us. From time to time we may consider opportunities to acquire or make investments in new or complementary businesses, facilities, technologies or products, or enter into strategic alliances, that may enhance our capabilities, expand our manufacturing network, complement our current products or expand the breadth of our markets.

Potential and completed acquisitions and investments and other strategic alliances involve numerous risks, including:

problems assimilating the purchased business, facilities, technologies or products;
issues maintaining uniform standards, procedures, controls and policies;
unanticipated costs associated with acquisitions, investments or strategic alliances;
diversion of management’s attention from our existing business;
adverse effects on existing business relationships with suppliers, contract manufacturers, retail partners and distribution customers;
risks associated with entering new markets in which we have limited or no experience;
potential loss of key employees of acquired businesses; and
increased legal and accounting compliance costs.

We do not know if we will be able to identify acquisitions or strategic relationships we deem suitable, whether we will be able to successfully complete any such transactions on favorable terms or at all or whether we will be able to successfully integrate any acquired business, facilities, technologies or products into our business or retain any key personnel, suppliers or customers. Our ability to successfully grow through strategic transactions depends upon our ability to identify, negotiate, complete and integrate suitable target businesses, facilities, technologies and products and to obtain any necessary financing. These efforts could be expensive and time-consuming and may disrupt our ongoing business and prevent management from focusing on our operations. If we are unable to integrate any acquired businesses, facilities, technologies and products effectively, our business, results of operations and financial condition could be materially adversely affected.

Our online activities are dependent on our ability to access the Internet and operate online in a fast, secure and reliable manner.

We utilize online sale and multi-brand, multi-store brand sale strategies which use Tmall.com, jd.com, 1688.com, alibaba.com, yhd.com, and Amazon as our marketing platforms. Our PRC marketing group has established a comprehensive network of various brand shops. In addition, our cross-border marketing/sales group mainly relies on the Tiandihui Amazon and eBay platforms as well as direct sale websites in Europe and the U.S. to operate its marketing and sales efforts. Our online activities are dependent on our ability to operate online in a fast, secure and reliable manner which may be adversely affected as a result of PRC governmental regulations of e-commerce and other services, electronic devices, and competition and restrictive governmental actions. In addition, we may face risks relating to the governmental laws and regulations regarding consumer and data protection, privacy, network security, payments, and restrictions on pricing or discounts, as well as lower levels of consumer access, use of and spending on the Internet. Occurrence of any of the foregoing events (or a combination thereof) could have a material adverse effect on our ability to conduct online business, our financial condition and results of operations.

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Failure to protect our intellectual property could harm our competitive position or require us to incur significant expenses to enforce our rights.

Our trademarks are valuable assets that support our brand and consumers’ perception of our products. We rely on trademark, copyright, trade secret, patent and other intellectual property laws, as well as nondisclosure and confidentiality agreements and other methods, to protect our trademarks, trade names, proprietary information, technologies and processes. Our non-disclosure agreements and confidentiality agreements may not effectively prevent disclosure of our proprietary information, technologies and processes and may not provide an adequate remedy in the event of unauthorized disclosure of such information, which could harm our competitive position. In addition, effective patent, copyright, trademark and trade secret protection may be unavailable or limited for some of our trademarks and patents in some foreign countries. We may need to engage in litigation or similar activities to enforce our intellectual property rights, to protect our trade secrets or to determine the validity and scope of proprietary rights of others. Any such litigation could require us to expend significant resources and divert the efforts and attention of our management and other personnel from our business operations. If we fail to protect our intellectual property, our business, financial condition and results of operations may be materially adversely affected.

We may be subject to intellectual property infringement claims or other allegations, which could result in substantial damages and diversion of management’s efforts and attention.

While we believe that our products do not infringe in any material respect upon proprietary rights of other parties and/or that meritorious defenses would exist with respect to any assertions to the contrary, we may from time to time be found to infringe on the proprietary rights of others. If patents later issue on these applications, we may be found liable for subsequent infringement. Any claims that our products or processes infringe these rights, regardless of their merit or resolution, could be costly and may divert the efforts and attention of our management and technical personnel. We may not prevail in such proceedings given the complex technical issues and inherent uncertainties in intellectual property litigation. If such proceedings result in an adverse outcome, we could, among other things, be required to:

pay substantial damages;
cease the manufacture, use or sale of the infringing products;
discontinue the use of the infringing processes;
expend significant resources to develop non-infringing processes; and
enter into licensing arrangements from the third party claiming infringement, which may not be available on commercially reasonable terms, or may not be available at all.

If any of the foregoing occurs, our ability to compete could be affected or our business, financial condition and results of operations may be materially adversely affected.

Our success depends on our ability to attract and retain key employees and the succession of senior management.

Our continued growth and success requires us to hire, retain and develop our leadership bench. If we are unable to attract and retain talented, highly qualified senior management and other key executives, as well as provide for the succession of senior management, our growth and results of operations may be adversely impacted.

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We are dependent on the state of the PRC’s economy and a general economic downturn, a recession or a sudden disruption in business conditions in the PRC would have a material adverse effect on our business and operations. Competition for senior management and our other key personnel is intense and the pool of suitable candidates is limited. We may be unable to locate a suitable replacement for any senior management or key personnel that we lose. In addition, if any member of our senior management or key personnel joins a competitor or forms a competing company, they may compete with us for customers, business partners and other key professionals and staff members of our Company. In addition, we compete for qualified personnel with other companies, and we face competition in attracting skilled personnel and retaining the members of our senior management team. These personnel possess technical and business capabilities which are difficult to replace. There is intense competition for experienced senior management with technical and industry expertise in our industry, and we may not be able to retain our key personnel. Intense competition for these personnel could cause our compensation costs to increase, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations. Our future success and ability to grow our business will depend in part on the continued service of these individuals and our ability to identify, hire and retain additional qualified personnel. If we are unable to attract and retain qualified employees, we may be unable to meet our business and financial goals.

While we are not aware of any data breach in the past, cyber-attacks, computer viruses or any future failure to adequately maintain security and prevent unauthorized access to electronic and other confidential information could result in a data breach which could materially adversely affect our reputation, financial condition and operating results.

As part of business operations, we collect, process, store and transmit our employees, business partners and other third party data. Our customers, business partners and employees expect we adequately safeguard and protect their sensitive personal and business information. We may experience cyber-attacks and other security incidents of varying degrees from time to time, and we may incur significant costs in protecting against or remediating such incidents. In addition, we are subject to a variety of laws and regulations in the PRC and other countries relating to cybersecurity and data protection. Security breaches or unauthorized access to confidential information could also expose us to liability related to the loss of the information, time-consuming and expensive litigation and negative publicity. If security measures are breached because of third-party action, employee error, malfeasance or otherwise, or if design flaws in our technology infrastructure are exposed and exploited, our relationships with customers and cooperation partners could be severely damaged. Affected third parties or government authorities could initiate legal or regulatory actions against us in connection with any actual or perceived security breaches or improper access to or disclosure of data, which could cause us to incur significant expense and liability, and our business and operations could be materially and adversely affected.


Risks Related to the Restaurant Segment

Our restaurant base is geographically concentrated in Missouri, and we could be negatively affected by conditions specific to this state.

Bo Lings is located in Missouri. Adverse changes in demographic, unemployment, economic, regulatory or weather conditions in Missouri have had, and may continue to have, material adverse effects on our business, financial condition or results of operations. As a result of our concentration in this market, we have been, and in the future may be, disproportionately affected by adverse conditions in this market compared to other chain restaurants with a broader national footprint.

Failure to preserve the value and relevance of our brand could have an adverse impact on our financial results.

To be successful in the future, we believe we must preserve, enhance and leverage the value of our brand, including corporate purpose, mission and values. Brand value is based in part on consumer perceptions, which are affected by a variety of factors, including the nutritional content and preparation of our food, the ingredients we use, the manner in which we source commodities and our general business practices, including the people practices at Bo Lings. Consumer acceptance of our offerings is subject to change for a variety of reasons, and some changes can occur rapidly. For example, nutritional, health, environmental and other scientific studies and conclusions, which constantly evolve and may have contradictory implications, drive popular opinion, litigation and regulation (including initiatives intended to drive consumer behavior) in ways that affect the “informal eating out” (“IEO”) segment or perceptions of our brand, generally or relative to available alternatives. Our business could also be impacted by business incidents or practices, whether actual or perceived, particularly if they receive considerable publicity or result in litigation, as well as by our position or perceived lack of position on environmental, social responsibility, public policy, geopolitical and similar matters. Consumer perceptions may also be affected by adverse commentary from third parties, including through social media or conventional media outlets, regarding the IEO segment or our brand, culture, operations, suppliers or franchisees. If we are unsuccessful in addressing adverse commentary or perceptions, whether or not accurate, our brand and financial results may suffer.

If we do not anticipate and address evolving consumer preferences and effectively execute our pricing, promotional and marketing plans, our business could suffer.

Our continued success depends on our ability to build upon our historic strengths and competitive advantages. In order to do so, we need to anticipate and respond effectively to continuously shifting consumer demographics and trends in food sourcing, food preparation, food offerings, and consumer behavior and preferences, including with respect to environmental and social responsibility matters, in the IEO segment. If we are not able to predict, or quickly and effectively respond to, these changes, or if our competitors predict or respond more effectively, our financial results could be adversely impacted.

Our ability to build upon our strengths and advantages also depends on the impact of our pricing, promotional and marketing plans, and the ability to adjust these plans to respond quickly and effectively to evolving customer behavior and preferences, as well as shifting economic and competitive conditions. Existing or future pricing strategies and marketing plans, as well as the value proposition they represent, are expected to continue to be important components of our business strategy. However, they may not be successful, or may not be as successful as the efforts of our competitors, which could negatively impact sales, guest counts and market share.

We face intense competition in our market, which could hurt our business.

We compete primarily in the IEO segment, which is highly competitive. We also face sustained, intense competition from traditional, fast casual and other competitors, which may include many non-traditional market participants such as convenience stores, grocery stores, coffee shops and online retailers. We expect our environment to continue to be highly competitive, and our results in any particular reporting period may be impacted by a contracting IEO segment or by new or continuing actions, product offerings or consolidation of our competitors and third-party partners, which may have a short- or long-term impact on our results.

We compete on the basis of product choice, quality, affordability, service and location. In particular, we believe our ability to compete successfully in the current market environment depends on our ability to improve existing products, successfully develop and introduce new products, price our products appropriately, deliver a relevant customer experience, manage the complexity of our restaurant operations, manage our investments in technology and modernization, and respond effectively to our competitors’ actions or offerings or to unforeseen disruptive actions. There can be no assurance these strategies will be effective, and some strategies may be effective at improving some metrics while adversely affecting other metrics, which could have the overall effect of harming our business.

Food safety and foodborne illness concerns may have an adverse effect on our reputation and business.

Foodborne illnesses, such as E. coli, hepatitis A and salmonella, may occur within our system from time to time. In addition, food safety issues such as food tampering, contamination and adulteration occur or may occur within our system from time to time. Any report or publicity linking us, our competitors, our restaurant, to instances of foodborne illness or food safety issues could adversely affect our brand and reputation as well as our revenues and profits and possibly lead to product liability claims, litigation and damages. If a customer of our restaurant becomes ill from foodborne illnesses or as a result of food safety issues, it may be temporarily closed, which would decrease our revenues.


Risks Related to Doing Business in China

Because of our corporate structure, we as well as the investors are subject to unique risks due to uncertainty of the interpretation and the application of the PRC laws and regulations, including but not limited to limitation regulatory review of overseas listing of PRC companies through a special purpose vehicle. We are also subject to the risks of uncertainty about any future actions of the PRC government in this regard. We may also be subject to sanctions imposed by PRC regulatory agencies including Chinese Securities Regulatory Commission (“CSRC”) if we fail to comply with their rules and regulations. Adverse changes in political, economic and other policies of the Chinese government could have a material adverse effect on the overall economic growth of China, which could materially and adversely affect the growth of our business and our competitive position.

Our PRC subsidiaries are located in China. Accordingly, our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects are affected significantly by economic, political and legal developments in China. China’s economy differs from the economies of most developed countries in many respects, including with respect to the amount of government involvement, level of development, growth rate, control of foreign exchange, and allocation of resources. The PRC government exercises significant control over China’s economic growth through strategical allocation of resources, controlling the payment of foreign currency-denominated obligations, setting monetary policy, and providing preferential treatment to particular industries or companies. While the Chinese economy has experienced significant growth in the past decades, growth has been uneven, both geographically and among various sectors of the economy. The growth of the Chinese economy may not continue at a rate experienced in the past, and the impact of COVID-19 on the Chinese economy may continue. Any prolonged slowdown in the Chinese economy may reduce the demand for our services and materially and adversely affect our business and results of operations. Furthermore, any adverse change in the economic conditions in China, in policies of the PRC government or in laws and regulations in China could have a material adverse effect on the overall economic growth of China and market demand for our products and services. Such developments could adversely affect our businesses, lead to reduction in demand for our products and services and adversely affect our competitive position.

Uncertainties with respect to the PRC legal system could have a material adverse effect on us.

The PRC legal system is based on written statutes. Prior court decisions may be cited for reference but have limited precedential value. We conduct some of our business through our PRC Subsidiaries, and therefore these subsidiaries are generally subject to laws and regulations applicable to foreign investment in China. However, since these laws and regulations are relatively new and the PRC legal system continues to rapidly evolve, the interpretations of many laws, regulations and rules are not always uniform and enforcement of these laws, regulations and rules involves uncertainties, which may limit legal protections available to us. Recently, the General Office of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the General Office of the State Council jointly issued the “Opinions on Severely Cracking Down on Illegal Securities Activities According to Law,” or the Opinions, which was made available to the public on July 6, 2021. The Opinions emphasized the need to strengthen the administration over illegal securities activities, and the need to strengthen the supervision over overseas listings by Chinese companies. Effective measures, such as promoting the construction of relevant regulatory systems will be taken to deal with the risks and incidents of China-concept overseas listed companies, and cybersecurity and data privacy protection requirements, etc. The Opinions and any related implementing rules to be enacted may subject us to compliance requirement in the future. In addition, some regulatory requirements issued by certain PRC government authorities may not be consistently applied by other government authorities (including local government authorities), thus making strict compliance with all regulatory requirements impractical, or in some circumstances impossible. For example, we may have to resort to administrative and court proceedings to enforce the legal protection that we enjoy either by law or contract. However, since PRC administrative and court authorities have discretion in interpreting and implementing statutory and contractual terms, it may be more difficult to predict the outcome of administrative and court proceedings and the level of legal protection we enjoy than in more developed legal systems. These uncertainties may impede our ability to enforce the contracts we have entered into with our business partners, customers and suppliers. In addition, such uncertainties, including any inability to enforce our contracts, together with any development or interpretation of PRC law that is adverse to us, could materially and adversely affect our business and operations. Furthermore, intellectual property rights and confidentiality protections in China may not be as effective as in the United States or other more developed countries. We cannot predict the effect of future developments in the PRC legal system, including the promulgation of new laws, changes to existing laws or the interpretation or enforcement thereof, or the preemption of local regulations by national laws. These uncertainties could limit the legal protections available to us and other foreign investors, including you. In addition, any litigation in China may be protracted and result in substantial costs and diversion of our resources and management attention.


The Chinese government exerts substantial influence over the manner in which we must conduct our business activities and may intervene or influence our operations at any time, which could result in a material change in our operations and the value of our Common Shares.

The Chinese government has exercised and continues to exercise substantial control over virtually every sector of the Chinese economy through regulation and state ownership. Our ability to operate in China may be harmed by changes in its laws and regulations, including those relating to securities regulation, data protection, cybersecurity and mergers and acquisitions and other matters. The central or local governments of these jurisdictions may impose new, stricter regulations or interpretations of existing regulations that would require additional expenditures and efforts on our part to ensure our compliance with such regulations or interpretations.

Government actions in the future could significantly affect economic conditions in China or particular regions thereof and could require us to materially change our operating activities or divest ourselves of any interests we hold in Chinese assets. Our business may be subject to various government and regulatory interference in the provinces in which we operate. We may incur increased costs necessary to comply with existing and newly adopted laws and regulations or penalties for any failure to comply. Our operations could be adversely affected, directly or indirectly, by existing or future laws and regulations relating to our business or industry.

Given recent statements by the Chinese government indicating an intent to exert more oversight and control over offerings that are conducted overseas and/or foreign investment in China-based issuers, any such action could significantly limit or completely hinder our ability to offer or continue to offer securities to investors and cause the value of such securities to significantly decline or become worthless.

Recently, the General Office of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the General Office of the State Council jointly issued the Opinions on Severely Cracking Down on Illegal Securities Activities According to Law, or the Opinions, which was made available to the public on July 6, 2021. The Opinions emphasized the need to strengthen the administration over illegal securities activities, and the need to strengthen the supervision over overseas listings by Chinese companies. Effective measures, such as promoting the construction of relevant regulatory systems, will be taken to deal with the risks and incidents of China-concept overseas listed companies. As of the date of this annual report, we have not received any inquiry, notice, warning, or sanctions from PRC government authorities in connection with the Opinions.

On June 10, 2021, the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of China, or the SCNPC, promulgated the PRC Data Security Law, which took effect in September 2021. The PRC Data Security Law imposes data security and privacy obligations on entities and individuals carrying out data activities, and introduces a data classification and hierarchical protection system based on the importance of data in economic and social development, and the degree of harm it will cause to national security, public interests, or legitimate rights and interests of individuals or organizations when such data is tampered with, destroyed, leaked, illegally acquired or used. The PRC Data Security Law also provides for a national security review procedure for data activities that may affect national security and imposes export restrictions on certain data an information.


In early July 2021, regulatory authorities in China launched cybersecurity investigations with regard to several China-based companies that are listed in the United States. The Chinese cybersecurity regulator announced on July 2 that it had begun an investigation of Didi Global Inc. (NYSE: DIDI) and two days later ordered that the company’s app be removed from smartphone app stores. On July 5, 2021, the Chinese cybersecurity regulator launched the same investigation on two other Internet platforms, China’s Full Truck Alliance of Full Truck Alliance Co. Ltd. (NYSE: YMM) and Boss of KANZHUN LIMITED (Nasdaq: BZ). On July 24, 2021, the General Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the General Office of the State Council jointly released the Guidelines for Further Easing the Burden of Excessive Homework and Off-campus Tutoring for Students at the Stage of Compulsory Education, pursuant to which foreign investment in such firms via mergers and acquisitions, franchise development, and variable interest entities are banned from this sector.

On November 14, 2021, the Cyberspace Administration of China (“CAC”) released the Regulations on the Network Data Security Management (Draft for Comments), or the Data Security Management Regulations Draft, to solicit public opinion and comments. Pursuant to the Data Security Management Regulations Draft, data processor holding more than one million users/users’ individual information shall be subject to cybersecurity review before listing abroad. Data processing activities refers to activities such as the collection, retention, use, processing, transmission, provision, disclosure, or deletion of data. According to the latest amended Cybersecurity Review Measures, which was promulgated on December 28, 2021, and became effective on February 15, 2022 and replace the Cybersecurity Review Measures promulgated on April 13, 2020, an online platform operator holding more than one million users/users’ individual information shall be subject to cybersecurity review before listing abroad. Since the Cybersecurity Review Measures is new, the implementation and interpretation thereof is not yet clear. As of the date of this annual report, we have not been informed by any PRC governmental authority of any requirement that we file for approval.

On August 17, 2021, the State Council promulgated the Regulations on the Protection of the Security of Critical Information Infrastructure, or the Regulations, which took effect on September 1, 2021. The Regulations supplement and specify the provisions on the security of critical information infrastructure as stated in the Cybersecurity Review Measures. The Regulations provide, among others, that protection department of certain industry or sector shall notify the operator of the critical information infrastructure in time after the identification of certain critical information infrastructure.

On August 20, 2021, the SCNPC promulgated the Personal Information Protection Law of the PRC, or the Personal Information Protection Law, which took effect in November 2021. As the first systematic and comprehensive law specifically for the protection of personal information in the PRC, the Personal Information Protection Law provides, among others, that (i) an individual’s consent shall be obtained to use sensitive personal information, such as biometric characteristics and individual location tracking, (ii) personal information operators using sensitive personal information shall notify individuals of the necessity of such use and impact on the individual’s rights, and (iii) where personal information operators reject an individual’s request to exercise his or her rights, the individual may file a lawsuit with a People’s Court. Given that the above mentioned newly promulgated laws, regulations and policies were recently promulgated or issued, and have not yet taken effect (as applicable), their interpretation, application and enforcement are subject to substantial uncertainties.

Draft rules for China-based companies seeking for securities offerings in foreign stock markets was released by the CSRC for public consultation. While such rules have not yet come into effect, the Chinese government may exert more oversight and control over overseas public offerings conducted by China-based issuers, which could significantly limit or completely hinder our ability to offer or continue to offer our Common Shares to investors and could cause the value of our Common Shares to significantly decline or become worthless.

On December 24, 2021, the CSRC and relevant departments of the State Council published the Draft Rules Regarding Overseas Listings, which aim to regulate overseas securities offerings and listings by China-based companies, are available for public consultation. The Draft Rules Regarding Overseas Listing aim to lay out the filing regulation arrangement for both direct and indirect overseas listing and clarify the determination criteria for indirect overseas listing in overseas markers.


The Draft Rules Regarding Overseas Listing, among other things, stipulate that, after making initial applications with overseas stock markets for initial public offerings or listings, all China-based companies shall file with the CSRC within three working days. The required filing materials with the CSRC include (without limitation): (i) record-filing reports and related undertakings, (ii) compliance certificates, filing or approval documents from the primary regulator of the applicants’ businesses (if applicable), (iii) security assessment opinions issued by related departments (if applicable), (iv) PRC legal opinions, and (v) prospectus. In addition, overseas offerings and listings may be prohibited for such China-based companies when any of the following applies: (1) if the intended securities offerings and listings are specifically prohibited by the laws, regulations or provision of the PRC; (2) if the intended securities offerings and listings may constitute a threat to, or endanger national security as reviewed and determined by competent authorities under the State Council in accordance with laws; (3) if there are material ownership disputes over applicants’ equity interests, major assets, core technologies, etc.; (4) if, in the past three years, applicants’ domestic enterprises, controlling shareholders or de facto controllers have committed corruption, bribery, embezzlement, misappropriation of property, or other criminal offenses disruptive to the order of the socialist market economy, or are currently under judicial investigation for suspicion of criminal offenses, or are under investigation for suspicion of major violations; (5) if, in the past three years, any directors, supervisors, or senior executives of applicants have been subject to administrative punishments for severe violations, or are currently under judicial investigation for suspicion of criminal offenses, or are under investigation for suspicion of major violations; (6) other circumstances as prescribed by the State Council. The Draft Administrative Provisions further stipulate that a fine between RMB 1 million and RMB 10 million may be imposed if an applicant fails to fulfill the filing requirements with the CSRC or conducts an overseas offering or listing in violation of the Draft Rules Regarding Overseas Listings, and in cases of severe violations, a parallel order to suspend relevant businesses or halt operations for rectification may be issued, and relevant business permits or operational license revoked.

The Draft Rules Regarding Overseas Listings, if enacted, may subject us to additional compliance requirements in the future, and though we believe that none of the situations that would clearly prohibit overseas listing and offering applies to us, we cannot assure you that we will be able to receive clearance of such filing requirements in a timely manner, or at all. There is also the possibility that we may not be able to obtain or maintain such approval or that we inadvertently concluded that such approval was not required. If prior CSRC approval was required while we inadvertently concluded that such approval was not required or if applicable laws and regulations or the interpretation of such were modified to require us to obtain the CSRC approval in the future, we may face regulatory actions or other sanctions from the CSRC or other Chinese regulatory authorities. These authorities may impose fines and penalties upon our operations in China, limit our operating privileges in China, delay or restrict the repatriation of the proceeds from offerings into China, or take other actions that could have a material adverse effect upon our business, financial condition, results of operations, reputation and prospects, as well as the trading price of our Common Shares. Any failure of us to fully comply with new regulatory requirements may significantly limit or completely hinder our ability to offer or continue to offer the Common Shares, cause significant disruption to our business operations, severely damage our reputation, materially and adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.operations, and cause the Common Shares to significantly decline in value or become worthless.

 

Significant slowdownsCSRC and other Chinese government agencies may exert more oversight and control over offerings that are conducted overseas and foreign investment in China-based issuers, especially those in the technology field. Additional compliance procedures may be required in connection offerings, and, if required, we cannot predict whether we will be able to obtain such approval. If we are required to obtain PRC governmental permissions to commence the sale of securities, we will not commence offerings until we obtain such permissions. As a result, we face uncertainty about future actions by the PRC government that could significantly affect our ability to offer or continue to offer securities to investors and cause the value of our securities to significantly decline or be worthless.

On July 6, 2021, the General Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the General Office of the State Council jointly issued a document to crack down on illegal activities in the securities market and promote the high-quality development of the capital market, which, among other things, requires the relevant governmental authorities to strengthen cross-border oversight of law-enforcement and judicial cooperation, to enhance supervision over China-based companies listed overseas, and to establish and improve the system of extraterritorial application of the PRC securities laws. Since this document is relatively new, uncertainties still exist in relation to how soon legislative or administrative regulation making bodies will respond and what existing or new laws or regulations or detailed implementations and interpretations will be modified or promulgated, if any, and the potential impact such modified or new laws and regulations will have on our future business, results of operations, and the value of our securities.


Further, Chinese government continues to exert more oversight and control over Chinese technology firms. On July 2, 2021, Chinese cybersecurity regulator announced, that it had begun an investigation of Didi Global Inc. (NYSE: DIDI) and two days later ordered that the company’s application be removed from smartphone application stores. On July 5, 2021, the Chinese cybersecurity regulator launched the same investigation on two other Internet platforms, China’s Full Truck Alliance of Full Truck Alliance Co. Ltd. (NYSE: YMM) and Boss of KANZHUN LIMITED (Nasdaq: BZ).

Therefore, CSRC and other Chinese government agencies may exert more oversight and control over offerings that are conducted overseas and foreign investment in China-based issuers, especially those in the technology field. As of the date of this annual report, we have not received any requirement to obtain approval of CSRC to list on U.S. exchanges. Further, however, given the current regulatory environment in the PRC, economywe and our PRC subsidiaries are still subject to the uncertainty of interpretation and enforcement of the rules and regulations in the PRC, which can change quickly with little advance notice, and any future actions of the PRC authorities, additional compliance procedures may be required in connection with this offering and our business operations. As a result, we face uncertainty about future actions by the PRC government that could significantly affect our ability to offer or continue to offer securities to investors and cause the value of our Common Shares to significantly decline or be worthless.

We or our PRC subsidiaries may be subject to PRC laws relating to the use, sharing, retention, security and transfer of confidential and private information, such as personal information and other data. These laws continue to develop, and the PRC government may adopt other rules and restrictions in the future. Non-compliance could result in penalties or other significant legal liabilities.

The Cybersecurity Law, which was adopted by the National People’s Congress on November 7, 2016 and came into force on June 1, 2017, and the Cybersecurity Review Measures, or the “Review Measures,” which were promulgated on April 13, 2020, amended on December 28, 2021 and became effective on February 15, 2022, provide that personal information and important data collected and generated by a critical information infrastructure operator in the course of its operations in China must be stored in China, and if a critical information infrastructure operator purchases internet products and services that affect or may affect national security, it should be subject to cybersecurity review by the CAC. In addition, a cybersecurity review is required where critical information infrastructure operators, or the “CIIOs,” purchase network-related products and services, which products and services affect or may affect national security. Due to the lack of further interpretations, the exact scope of what constitute a “CIIO” remains unclear. Further, the PRC government authorities may have wide discretion in the interpretation and enforcement of these laws. In addition, Review Measures stipulates that an online platform operator holding more than one million users/users’ individual information shall be subject to cybersecurity review before listing abroad. Cybersecurity Review Measures does not provide a definition of “online platform operator”, therefore, we cannot assure you that we will not be deemed as an “online platform operator”. As of the date of this annual report, we or our PRC subsidiaries have not received any notice from any authorities identifying us as a CIIO or requiring us to undertake a cybersecurity review by the CAC. Further, as of the date of this annual report, we or our PRC subsidiaries have not been subject to any penalties, fines, suspensions, investigations from any competent authorities for violation of the regulations or policies that have been issued by the CAC. On June 10, 2021, the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress promulgated the Data Security Law which took effect on September 1, 2021. The Data Security Law requires that data shall not be collected by theft or other illegal means, and it also provides that a data classification and hierarchical protection system shall be established. The data classification and hierarchical protection system protects data according to its importance in economic and social development, and the damages it may cause our customers to reduce expenditures on our products. This may in turn leadnational security, public interests, or the legitimate rights and interests of individuals and organizations if the data is falsified, damaged, disclosed, illegally obtained or illegally used, which protection system is expected to a declinebe built by the state for data security in the demandnear future. On November 14, 2021, CAC published the Regulations on the Network Data Security Management (Draft for Comments), or the Data Security Management Regulations Draft to solicit public opinion and comments. Under the Data Security Management Regulations Draft, which provides that an overseas initial public offering to be conducted by a data processor processing the personal information of more than one million individuals shall apply for a cybersecurity review. Data processor means an individual or organization that independently makes decisions on the purpose and manner of processing in data processing activities, and data processing activities refers to activities such as the collection, retention, use, processing, transmission, provision, disclosure, or deletion of data. We may be deemed as a data processor under the Data Security Management Regulations Draft. However, the Data Security Management Regulations Draft has not been formally adopted. It is uncertain when the final regulation will be issued and take effect, how it will be enacted, interpreted or implemented, and whether it will affect us. There remains uncertainty as to how the Review Measures and the Data Security Management Regulations Draft will be interpreted or implemented and whether the PRC regulatory agencies, including the CAC, may adopt new laws, regulations, rules, or detailed implementation and interpretation related to the Review Measures and the Data Security Regulations Draft. If any such new laws, regulations, rules, or implementation and interpretation come into effect, we and our PRC subsidiaries expect to take all reasonable measures and actions to comply. We cannot assure you that PRC regulatory agencies, including the CAC, would take the same view as we do, and there is no assurance that we and our PRC subsidiaries can fully or timely comply with such laws should they be deemed applicable to our operations. Any cybersecurity review could also result in negative publicity with respect to our company and diversion of our managerial and financial resources. There is no certainty as to how such review or prescribed actions would impact our operations and we cannot guarantee that any clearance can be obtained or any actions that may be required for our continued listing on the Nasdaq capital market and the offering as well can be taken in a timely manner, or at all.


In addition, according to the Personal Information Protection Law, where the purpose of the activity is to provide a product or service to that natural person located within China, such activity shall comply with the Personal Information Protection Law. Further, the Data Security Law provides that where any data handling activity carried out outside of the territory of China harms the national security, public interests, or the legitimate rights and interests of citizens or organizations of China, legal liability shall be investigated in accordance with such law. However, the Personal Information Protection Law and the Data Security Law are relatively new, there remains uncertainty as to how the laws will be interpreted or implemented and whether the PRC regulatory agencies, including the CAC, may adopt new laws, regulations, rules, or detailed implementation and interpretation related to the two laws.

The regulatory requirements with respect to cybersecurity and data privacy are constantly evolving and can be subject to varying interpretations, and significant changes, resulting in uncertainties about the scope of our responsibilities in that regard. Failure to comply with the cybersecurity and data privacy requirements in a timely manner, or at all, may subject us to government enforcement actions and investigations, fines, penalties, suspension, or disruption of our PRC subsidiaries’ operations, among other things.

We may be liable for improper use or appropriation of personal information provided by our customers.

Our business can potentially involve collecting and retaining certain internal and customer data. We also maintain information about various aspects of our operations as well as regarding our employees. The integrity and protection of our customer, employee and company data is critical to our business. Our customers and employees expect that we will adequately protect their personal information. We are required by applicable laws to keep strictly confidential the personal information that we collect, and to take adequate security measures to safeguard such information.

The PRC Criminal Law, as amended by its Amendment 7 (effective on February 28, 2009) and Amendment 9 (effective on November 1, 2015), prohibits institutions, companies, and their employees from selling or otherwise illegally disclosing a citizen’s personal information obtained in performing duties or providing services or obtaining such information through theft or other illegal ways. On November 7, 2016, the SCNPC issued the Cyber Security Law of the PRC, or Cyber Security Law, which became effective on June 1, 2017. Pursuant to the Cyber Security Law, network operators must not, without users’ consent, collect their personal information, and may only collect users’ personal information necessary to provide their services. Providers are also obliged to provide security maintenance for their products and services and shall comply with provisions regarding the protection of personal information as stipulated under the relevant laws and regulations.

The Civil Code of the PRC (issued by the PRC National People’s Congress on May 28, 2020 and effective from January 1, 2021) provides legal basis for privacy and personal information infringement claims under the Chinese civil laws. PRC regulators, including the CAC, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, or MIIT, and the Ministry of Public Security, have been increasingly focused on regulation in data security and data protection.

The PRC regulatory requirements regarding cybersecurity are evolving. For instance, various regulatory bodies in China, including the CAC, the Ministry of Public Security and the State Administration for Market Regulation, or the SAMR (formerly known as State Administration for Industry and Commerce, or the SAIC), have enforced data privacy and protection laws and regulations with varying and evolving standards and interpretations. In April 2020, the Chinese government promulgated Cybersecurity Review Measures, which came into effect on June 1, 2020, was amended on December 28, 2021, and became effective on February 15, 2022. According to the Cybersecurity Review Measures, (i) operators of critical information infrastructure must pass a cybersecurity review when purchasing network products and services which do or may affect national security; (ii) online platform operators who are engaged in data processing are also subject to the regulatory scope; (iii) the CSRC is included as one of the regulatory authorities for purposes of jointly establishing the state cybersecurity review working mechanism; (iv) online platform operators holding more than one million users/users’ individual information and seeking a listing outside China shall file for cybersecurity review; and (v) the risks of core data, material data or large amounts of personal information being stolen, leaked, destroyed, damaged, illegally used or illegally transmitted to overseas parties and the risks of critical information infrastructure, core data, material data or large amounts of personal information being influenced, controlled or used maliciously shall be collectively taken into consideration during the cybersecurity review process.

Certain internet platforms in China have been reportedly subject to heightened regulatory scrutiny in relation to cybersecurity matters. As of the date of this prospectus supplement, we provide.and our PRC subsidiaries have not been informed by any PRC governmental authority of any requirement that we file for a cybersecurity review. However, if any of us is deemed to be a critical information infrastructure operator or a company that is engaged in data processing and holds personal information of more than one million users, we could be subject to PRC cybersecurity review.


As of the date hereof, we are of the view that we and our PRC subsidiaries are in compliance with the applicable PRC laws and regulations governing the data privacy and personal information in all material respects, including the data privacy and personal information requirements of the CAC, and we and our PRC subsidiaries have not received any complaints from any third party, or been investigated or punished by any PRC competent authority in relation to data privacy and personal information protection. However, as there remains significant uncertainty in the interpretation and enforcement of relevant PRC cybersecurity laws and regulations, we or our PRC subsidiaries could be subject to cybersecurity review, and if so, we may not be able to pass such review. In addition, we or our PRC subsidiaries could become subject to enhanced cybersecurity review or investigations launched by PRC regulators in the future. Any such decline wouldfailure or delay in the completion of the cybersecurity review procedures or any other non-compliance with the related laws and regulations may result in fines or other penalties, including suspension of business, website closure, removal of our app from the relevant app stores, and revocation of prerequisite licenses, as well as reputational damage or legal proceedings or actions against us, which may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.

On June 10, 2021, the SCNPC promulgated the PRC Data Security Law, which took effect in September 2021. The PRC Data Security Law imposes data security and privacy obligations on entities and individuals carrying out data activities, and introduces a data classification and hierarchical protection system based on the importance of data in economic and social development, and the degree of harm it will cause to national security, public interests, or legitimate rights and interests of individuals or organizations when such data is tampered with, destroyed, leaked, illegally acquired or used. The PRC Data Security Law also provides for a national security review procedure for data activities that may affect national security and imposes export restrictions on certain data an information.

As uncertainties remain regarding the interpretation and implementation of these laws and regulations, we cannot assure you that we and our PRC subsidiaries will comply with such regulations in all respects and we or our PRC subsidiaries may be ordered to rectify or terminate any actions that are deemed illegal by regulatory authorities. We or our PRC subsidiaries may also become subject to fines and/or other sanctions which may have material adverse effect on our business, operations and financial condition.

While we and our PRC subsidiaries take various measures to comply with all applicable data privacy and protection laws and regulations, the current security measures and those of our third-party service providers may not always be adequate for the protection of our customer, employee or company data. We or our PRC subsidiaries may be a target for computer hackers, foreign governments or cyber terrorists in the future.

Unauthorized access to our proprietary internal and customer data may be obtained through break-ins, sabotage, breach of our secure network by an unauthorized party, computer viruses, computer denial-of-service attacks, employee theft or misuse, breach of the security of the networks of our third-party service providers, or other misconduct. Because the techniques used by computer programmers who may attempt to penetrate and sabotage our proprietary internal and customer data change frequently and may not be recognized until launched against a target, we may be unable to anticipate these techniques.

Unauthorized access to our proprietary internal and customer data may also be obtained through inadequate use of security controls. Any of such incidents may harm our reputation and adversely affect our business and results of operations. Consumer spending is generally affected by a number of factors, including general economic conditions, the level of unemployment, inflation, interest rates, energy costs, gasoline pricesIn addition, we may be subject to negative publicity about our security and consumer confidence generally, all of which are beyondprivacy policies, systems, or measurements. Any failure to prevent or mitigate security breaches, cyber-attacks or other unauthorized access to our control. Consumer purchases of discretionary items tend to decline during recessionary periods, when disposable income is lower, and may impact salessystems or disclosure of our services. In addition, sudden disruptioncustomers’ data, including their personal information, could result in loss or misuse of such data, interruptions to our service system, diminished customer experience, loss of customer confidence and trust, impairment of our technology infrastructure, and harm our reputation and business, conditions as a result of a terrorist attack, retaliationresulting in significant legal and the threat of further attacks or retaliation, war, adverse weather conditionsfinancial exposure and climate changes or other natural disasters, pandemic situations or large scale power outages can have a short or, sometimes, long-term impact on consumer spending. A downturn in the economy in the PRC, including any recession or a sudden disruption of business conditions in the PRC, could adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operation.potential lawsuits.

 

Since our operations and some of our assets are located in the PRC, shareholders may find it difficult to enforce a U.S. judgment against the assets of our company, our directors and executive officers.

 

Our operations and some assets are located in the PRC. In addition, most of our executive officers and directors are non-residents of the U.S., and substantially all the assets of such persons are located outside the U.S. As a result, it could be difficult for investors to effect service of process in the U.S., or to enforce a judgment obtained in the U.S. against us or any of these persons.

 

We hold the majority of our cash balances in RMB in Uninsured bank accounts in China


 

We maintain the majority of our 2017 and 2016 cash and deposit balances in bank accounts at financial institutions in China which accounts which are not insured. While we have not experienced any losses in uninsured bank deposits and do not believe that we are exposed to significant risks on cash held in bank accounts, if and to the extent we do experience such losses in the future, our access to financial liquidity and working capital couldmay be adversely affected.

We may subject to PRC regulatory limitations on merger and acquisition (M&A) activitiesactivities.

 

Foreign enterprises that engage in M&A activities inside and outside China are subject to different regulatory limitations under Chinese laws and regulations. The key regulations governing such activities within PRC are Wholly Foreign-Owned Enterprise Law, the Interim Provisions on the Domestic Investment of Foreign-Funded Enterprise, the Catalogue for the Guidance of Foreign Investment Industries (amended in 2017) and other relevant Chinese laws and regulations. Under these laws and regulations, conducting M&A in China requires that our WFOETiandihui and Qingdao Tiandihui Pet Foodstuffs Co., Ltd are wholly foreign-owned enterprises “WFOE” be profitable, and a timely application with and approval by of local regulatory agencies of any proposed M&A transaction. The M&A activities outside the PRC are governed by several rules and regulations, including PRC Administrative Measures on Offshore Investment, the Regulation on Foreign Exchange Administration of the PRC, the Notice of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange on Issuing the Provisions on the Foreign Exchange Administration of the Overseas Direct Investment of Domestic Institutions, the Circular on Relevant Issues Concerning Foreign Exchange Control on Domestic Resident’s Financing and Round-trip Investment Through Offshore Special Purpose Vehicles. Under these laws and regulations, our WFOE must get approval from the PRC Ministry of Commerce or its branch offices for any proposed offshore M&A transaction, and complete its foreign exchange registration. We cannot offer any assurance that in the event we seek such approvals or registrations we will be able to secure them in a timely fashion or will be able to receive them at all; negative feedback from the regulatory agencies or our failure to register such proposed transactions may have material adverse impact on our business expansion and could materially affect our business operation and finance condition. In addition, since approval and/or registration procedures required time to complete, these processes may cause additional delays to our onshore or offshore M&A projects, which, in turn, may have adverse impact on our business and operations.

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Fluctuation of the Renminbi may indirectly affect our financial condition by affecting the volume of cross-border money flow.

 

The value of the RMB fluctuates and is subject to changes in the PRC’s political and economic conditions. We do not currently engage in hedging activities to protect against foreign currency risks. Even if we choose to engage in such hedging activities, we may not be able to do so effectively. Future movements in the exchange rate of the RMB could adversely affect our financial condition as we may suffer financial losses when transferring money raised outside of China into the country or paying vendors for services performed outside of China. The value of the Renminbi against the U.S. dollar and other currencies may fluctuate and is affected by, among other things, changes in political and economic conditions. On July 21, 2005, the PRC government changed its decade-old policy of pegging the value of the Renminbi to the U.S. dollar. Under the new policy, the Renminbi is permitted to fluctuate within a narrow and managed band against a basket of certain foreign currencies. This change in policy has resulted in an appreciation of the Renminbi against the U.S. dollar. While the international reaction to the Renminbi revaluation has generally been positive, there remains international pressure on the PRC government to adopt an even more flexible currency policy, which could result in a further and more rapid appreciation of the Renminbi against the U.S. dollar. Any material revaluation of Renminbi may materially and adversely affect our cash flows, revenues, earnings and financial position, and the value of, and any dividends payable on, our common shares in U.S. dollars. For example, an appreciation of Renminbi against the U.S. dollar would make any new Renminbi denominated investments or expenditures more costly to us, to the extent that we need to convert U.S. dollars into Renminbi for such purposes.

 

If any dividend is declared in the future and paid in a foreign currency, you may be taxed on a larger amount in U.S. dollars than the U.S. dollar amount that you will actually ultimately receive.

 

If you are a United States holder, you will be taxed on the U.S. dollar value of your dividends, if any, at the time you receive them, even if you actually receive a smaller amount of U.S. dollars when the payment is in fact converted into U.S. dollars. Specifically, if a dividend is declared and paid in a foreign currency, the amount of the dividend distribution that you must include in your income as a U.S. holder will be the U.S. dollar value of the payments made in the foreign currency, determined at the spot rate of the foreign currency to the U.S. dollar on the date the dividend distribution is includible in your income, regardless of whether the payment is in fact converted into U.S. dollars. Thus, if the value of the foreign currency decreases before you actually convert the currency into U.S. dollars, you will be taxed on a larger amount in U.S. dollars than the U.S. dollar amount that you will actually ultimately receive.

 


We may become a passive foreign investment company, which could result in adverse U.S. tax consequences to U.S. investors.

 

Based on the nature of our business activities, we may be classified as a passive foreign investment company (“PFIC”), by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”), for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Such characterization could result in adverse U.S. tax consequences to you if you are a U.S. investor. For example, if we are a PFIC, a U.S. investor will become subject to burdensome reporting requirements. The determination of whether or not we are a PFIC is made on an annual basis and will depend on the composition of our income and assets from time to time. Specifically, we will be classified as a PFIC for U.S. tax purposes if either:

 

75% or more of our gross income in a taxable year is passive income; or

the average percentage of our assets by value in a taxable year that produce or are held for the production of passive income (which includes cash) is at least 50%.

 

The calculation of the value of our assets is based, in part, on the then market value of our common shares, which is subject to change. We cannot assure that we will not be a PFIC for any taxable year.

 

Introduction of new laws or changes to existing laws by the PRC government may adversely affect our business.

 

The PRC legal system is a codified legal system made up of written laws, regulations, circulars, administrative directives and internal guidelines. Unlike common law jurisdictions such as the U.S., decided cases (which may be taken as reference) do not form part of the legal structure of the PRC and thus have no binding effect. Furthermore, in line with its transformation from a centrally planned economy to a more market-oriented economy, the PRC government is still in the process of developing a comprehensive set of laws and regulations. As the legal system in the PRC is still evolving, laws and regulations or their interpretation may be subject to further changes. Such uncertainty and prospective changes to the PRC legal system could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.

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Governmental control of currency conversion may affect the value of your investment.

 

The PRC government imposes controls on the convertibility of the Renminbi into foreign currencies and, in certain cases, the remittance of currency out of the PRC, which may take as long as six months in the ordinary course. We receive the majority of our revenues in Renminbi. Under our current corporate structure, our income is derived from payments from WFOE. The October 8, 2016 Provisional Measures for Filling Administration of Establishment and Changes of Foreign-Investment Enterprise (the “Establishment and Changes Provision”) promulgated by the PRC Ministry of Commerce and was amended on July 30, 2017, regulates the recordation procedures with respect to the establishment and changes of a foreign-invested enterprise which do not fall within the scope of special administration measures for foreign investment admission as stipulated by the state; for those entities that do fall within the regulatory reach of special administration measures must go through approval procedures according to relevant laws and regulations governing foreign investment. We do not believe that such measures will have any impact on our income derived from payment from our WFOE because:

 

As a pet food producer and seller, weWe do not fall within the scope of special access administrative measures for foreign investment admission as stipulated by the state, and therefore are not required to go through approval procedures.


The Establishment and Changes Provision regulates the recordation procedures relating to the establishment and changes of a foreign-invested enterprise, which including but not limited to: (i) the changes of company name, registered address, duration of operation, business scope, registered capital, total investment, shareholders, merger, division and termination of the enterprise; and (ii) the corporate name change, domicile or place of incorporation, subscribed capital, investment period. Based on the foregoing and our current corporate structure, our income is derived from payment from our WFOE, but the Establishment and Changes Provisions do not regulate our origin of income or dividend policy, and therefore will not have any impact on our dividend distribution.

 

Shortages in the availability of foreign currency may restrict the ability of WFOE to remit sufficient foreign currency to pay dividends or other payments to us, or otherwise satisfy their foreign currency denominated obligations. Under existing PRC foreign exchange regulations, payments of current account items, including profit distributions, interest payments and expenditures from trade-related transactions, can be made in foreign currencies without prior approval from the PRC SAFE by complying with certain procedural requirements. However, approval from appropriate PRC government authorities is required where Renminbi is to be converted into foreign currency and remitted out of China to pay capital expenses such as the repayment of bank loans denominated in foreign currencies. The PRC government may also at its discretion restrict access in the future to foreign currencies for current account transactions. If the foreign exchange control system prevents us from obtaining sufficient foreign currency to satisfy our currency demands, we may not be able to pay dividends in foreign currencies to our shareholders.

 

PRC’s labor law restricts our ability to reduce our workforce in the PRC in the event of an economic downturn and may increase our production costs.

 

In June 2007, the National People’s Congress of the PRC enacted new labor law legislation called the Labor Contract Law, which became effective on January 1, 2008 and was amended on December 28, 2012, to clarify certain details in connection with the implementation of the Labor Contract Law, the PRC State Council promulgated the Implementing Rules for the Labor Contract Law on September 18, 2008, which came into effect immediately (collectively as “new laws”). The legislation formalized workers’ rights concerning overtime hours, pensions, layoffs, employment contracts and the role of trade unions. Considered one of the strictest labor laws in the world, among other things, thisthese new laws provide for specific standards and procedures for the termination of an employment contract and places the burden of proof on the employer. In addition, the new laws require the payment of a statutory severance pay upon the termination of an employment contract in most cases, including the case of the expiration of a fixed-term employment contract. Further, the new laws require an employer to conclude an “employment contract without a fixed-term” with any employee who either has worked for the same employer for 10 consecutive years or more or has had two consecutive fixed-term contracts with the same employer. An “employment contract without a fixed term” can no longer be terminated on the ground of the expiration of the contract, although it can still be terminated pursuant to the standards and procedures set forth under the new laws. Because of the lack of precedent for the enforcement of such a law, the standards and procedures set forth under the new laws in relation to the termination of an employment contract have raised concerns among foreign investment enterprises in the PRC that such an “employment contract without a fixed term” might in fact become a “lifetime, permanent employment contract.” Finally, under the new laws, downsizing of either more than 20 people or more than 10% of the workforce may occur only under specified circumstances, such as a restructuring undertaken pursuant to the PRC’s Enterprise Bankruptcy Law, or where a company suffers serious difficulties in production and/or business operations, or where there has been a material change in the objective economic circumstances relied upon by the parties at the time of the conclusion of the employment contract, thereby making the performance of such employment contract not possible. To date, there has been very little guidance or precedent as to how such specified circumstances for downsizing will be interpreted and enforced by the relevant PRC authorities. All of our employees working for us exclusively within the PRC are covered by the new laws and thus, our ability to adjust the size of our operations when necessary in periods of recession or less severe economic downturns may be curtailed. Accordingly, if we face future periods of decline in business activity generally or adverse economic periods specific to our business, thisthese new laws can be expected to exacerbate the adverse effect of the economic environment on our results of operations and financial condition.

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We may be subject to fines and legal sanctions by SAFE or other PRC government authorities if we or our employees who are PRC citizens fail to comply with PRC regulations relating to employee stock options granted by offshore listed companies to PRC citizens.


 

On February 15, 2012, SAFE promulgated the Circular of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange on Issues Concerning the Administration of Foreign Exchange Used for Domestic Individuals’ Participation in Equity Incentive Plans of Companies Listed Overseas, or Circular 7. Under Circular 7, Chinese citizens who are granted share options by an offshore listed company are required, through a Chinese agent or Chinese subsidiary of the offshore listed company, to register with SAFE and complete certain other procedures, including applications for foreign exchange purchase quotas and opening special bank accounts. We and our Chinese employees who have been granted share options are subject to Circular 7. Failure to comply with these regulations may subject us or our Chinese employees to fines and legal sanctions imposed by SAFE or other PRC government authorities and may prevent us from further granting options under our share incentive plans to our employees. Such events could adversely affect our business operations.

 

Changes in PRC’s political and economic policies could harm our business.

 

Our results of operations, financial condition and prospects are subject to economic, political and legal developments in the PRC. China’s economy differs from the economies of most developed countries in many respects, including with respect to the amount of government involvement, level of development, growth rate, and control of foreign exchange and allocation of resources. The PRC economy has historically been a planned economy subject to governmental plans and quotas and has, in certain aspects, been transitioning to a more market-oriented economy. Although we believe that the economic reform and the macroeconomic measures adopted by the PRC government have had a positive effect on the economic development of PRC, we cannot predict the future direction of these economic reforms or the effects these measures may have on our business, financial position or results of operations. In addition, the PRC economy differs from the economies of most countries belonging to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (“OECD”). These differences include, without limitation:

 

economic structure;

level of government involvement in the economy;

level of development;

level of capital reinvestment;

control of foreign exchange;

methods of allocating resources; and

balance of payments position.

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As a result of these differences, our business may not develop in the same way or at the same rate as might be expected if the PRC economy were similar to those of the OECD member countries. Since 1979, the Chinese government has promulgated many new laws and regulations covering general economic matters. Despite these efforts to develop a legal system, the PRC’s system of laws is not yet complete. Even where adequate law exists in the PRC, enforcement of existing laws or contracts based on existing law may be uncertain or sporadic, and it may be difficult to obtain swift and equitable enforcement or to obtain enforcement of a judgment by a court of another jurisdiction. The relative inexperience of the PRC’s judiciary, in many cases, creates additional uncertainty as to the outcome of any lawsuit. In addition, interpretation of statutes and regulations may be subject to government policies reflecting domestic political changes. Our activities in the PRC will also be subject to administration review and approval by various national and local agencies of the PRC’s government. Because of the changes occurring in the PRC’s legal and regulatory structure, we may not be able to secure the requisite governmental approval for our activities. Although we have obtained all required governmental approvals to operate our business as currently conducted, to the extent we are unable to obtain or maintain required governmental approvals, the PRC government may, in its sole discretion, prohibit us from conducting our business.

 

If relations between the United States and China worsen, our share price may decrease and we may have difficulty accessing U.S. capital markets.

 

At various times during recent years, the United States and China have had disagreements over political and economic issues. Controversies may arise in the future between these two countries. Any political or trade controversy between the United States and China could adversely affect the market price of our common shares and our ability to access U.S. capital markets.

 

The Chinese government could change its policies toward private enterprise or even nationalize or expropriate private enterprises, which could result in the total loss of our investment in that country.

 

Our business is subject to political and economic uncertainties and may be adversely affected by political, economic and social developments in the PRC. Over the past several years, the PRC government has pursued economic reform policies including the encouragement of private economic activity and greater economic decentralization. The PRC government may not continue to pursue these policies or may alter them to our detriment from time to time with little, if any, prior notice. Changes in policies, laws and regulations or in their interpretation or the imposition of confiscatory taxation, restrictions on currency conversion, restrictions or prohibitions on dividend payments to shareholders, devaluations of currency or the nationalization or other expropriation of private enterprises could have a material adverse effect on our business. Nationalization or expropriation could even result in the total loss of our investment in the PRC and in the total loss of any investment in us.

 

Because our operations are located in the PRC, information about our operations is not readily available from independent third-party sources.

 

Our shareholders may have greater difficulty in obtaining information about them on a timely basis than would shareholders of a U.S.-based company. Their operations will continue to be conducted in the PRC and shareholders may have difficulty in obtaining information about them from sources other than the companies themselves. Information available from newspapers, trade journals, or local, regional or national regulatory agencies such as issuance of construction permits and contract awards for development projects will not be readily available to shareholders and, where available, will likely be available only in Chinese. Shareholders will be dependent upon management for reports of their progress, development, activities and expenditure of proceeds.

 


Failure to comply with PRC laws and regulations related to labor and employee benefits may subject us to penalties or additional cost.

Companies operating in China are required to comply with various laws and regulations related to labor and employment benefits. For example, companies are required to participate in various government-sponsored employee benefit plans, including certain social insurance, housing provident funds and other welfare-oriented payment obligations, and contribute to the plans in amounts equal to certain percentages of salaries, including bonuses and allowances, of employees up to a maximum amount specified by the local government from time to time at locations where our employees are based. The requirement of employee benefit plans has not been implemented consistently by the local governments in China given the different levels of economic development in different locations. Apart from that, if a company intends adopt flexible working hour arrangement and comprehensive working hour scheme, it shall fulfill the requirements in relevant regulations, and make filings with labor authorities, or the company will be subject to penalties and may be required to pay extra fees to its employees. As confirmed by the relevant local authorities and our directors, in no records of violation were found on PRC subsidiaries for social insurance and/or housing fund during 2023.

However, we cannot assure you that we have complied or will be able to comply with all labor-related law and regulations, including those relating to obligations to make social insurance payments, contribute to the housing provident funds, as well as make all filing for comprehensive working hour scheme. Our failure to make contributions to various employee benefit plans and in complying with applicable PRC labor-related laws may subject us to fines, penalties, government investigations or labor disputes and we could be required to make up the contributions for these plans as well as to pay late fees and fines, which may adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.

We may be exposed to liabilities under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and Chinese anti-corruption law.

We are subject to the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (“FCPA”), and other laws that prohibit improper payments or offers of payments to foreign governments and their officials and political parties by U.S. persons and issuers as defined by the statute for the purpose of obtaining or retaining business. We are also subject to Chinese anti-corruption laws, which strictly prohibit the payment of bribes to government officials. We have operations, agreements with third parties, and make sales in China, which may experience corruption. Our activities in China create the risk of unauthorized payments or offers of payments by one of the employees, consultants or distributors of our company, because these parties are not always subject to our control. We implemented an anticorruption program, which prohibits the offering or giving of anything of value to foreign officials, directly or indirectly, for the purpose of obtaining or retaining business. We believe to date we have complied in all material respects with the provisions of the FCPA and Chinese anti-corruption law. However, our existing safeguards and any future improvements may prove to be less than effective, and the employees, consultants or distributors of our Company may engage in conduct for which we might be held responsible. Violations of the FCPA or Chinese anti-corruption law may result in severe criminal or civil sanctions, and we may be subject to other liabilities, which could negatively affect our business, operating results and financial condition. In addition, the government may seek to hold our Company liable for successor liability FCPA violations committed by companies in which we invest or that we acquire.

Our PRC subsidiaries are subject to restrictions on paying dividends or making other payments to us, which may restrict our ability to satisfy our liquidity requirements.

We are a holding company incorporated in the British Virgin Islands. We may need dividends and other distributions on equity from our PRC subsidiaries to satisfy our liquidity requirements. Current PRC regulations permit our PRC subsidiaries to pay dividends to us only out of their accumulated profits, if any, determined in accordance with PRC accounting standards and regulations. In addition, Our PRC subsidiaries are required to set aside at least 10% of their respective accumulated profits each year, if any, to fund certain reserve funds until the total amount set aside reaches 50% of their respective registered capital. Our PRC subsidiaries may also allocate a portion of its after-tax profits based on PRC accounting standards to employee welfare and bonus funds at their discretion. These reserves are not distributable as cash dividends. Furthermore, if our PRC subsidiaries incur debt on their own behalf in the future, the instruments governing the debt may restrict their ability to pay dividends or make other payments to us.

In addition, the PRC tax authorities may require us to adjust our taxable income under the contractual arrangements we currently have in place in a manner that would materially and adversely affect our PRC subsidiaries’ ability to pay dividends and other distributions to us. Any limitation on the ability of our PRC subsidiaries to distribute dividends to us may restrict our ability to satisfy our liquidity requirements.

In addition, the Enterprise Income Tax Law of PRC, and its implementation rules provide that a withholding tax rate of up to 10% will be applicable to dividends payable by Chinese companies to non-PRC-resident enterprises unless otherwise exempted or reduced according to treaties or arrangements between the PRC central government and governments of other countries or regions where the non-PRC-resident enterprises are incorporated.


Risks Related to the Ownership of Our Common Shares

We are a holding company incorporated in the British Virgin Islands. As a holding company with no material operations of our own, we conduct a substantial majority of our operations through our subsidiaries.

Investors in our common shares should be aware that they may never directly hold equity interests in our subsidiaries, but rather purchasing equity solely in TDH Holdings, Inc. our British Virgin Islands holding company, which does not directly own substantially all of our business in China and the United States and conducted by our subsidiaries. Our Common shares are shares in TDH Holdings, Inc., a BVI holding company instead of shares of our subsidiaries in China and the United States. This structure is subject to certain legal and operational risks, including risks associated with our subsidiaries’ operations in China, including changes in the legal, political and economic policies of the Chinese government, the relations between China and the United States, Chinese or United States regulations, all of which may materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations and/or the value of our Common Shares or could significantly decline or become worthless.

Recent joint statement by the SEC and PCAOB, proposed rule changes submitted by Nasdaq, and an act passed by the U.S. Senate all call for additional and more stringent criteria to be applied to emerging market companies upon assessing the qualification of their auditors, especially the non-U.S. auditors who are not inspected by the PCAOB. These developments could add uncertainties to our listing.

In May 2013, the PCAOB announced that it had entered into a Memorandum of Understanding on Enforcement Cooperation with the CSRC, and the PRC Ministry of Finance, which establishes a cooperative framework between the parties for the production and exchange of audit documents relevant to investigations undertaken by the PCAOB, the CSRC or the PRC Ministry of Finance in the United States and the PRC, respectively. The PCAOB continues to be in discussions with the CSRC, and the PRC Ministry of Finance to permit joint inspections in the PRC of audit firms that are registered with PCAOB and audit Chinese companies that trade on U.S. exchanges.

On December 7, 2018, the SEC and the PCAOB issued a joint statement highlighting continued challenges faced by the U.S. regulators in their oversight of financial statement audits of U.S.-listed companies with significant operations in China. The joint statement reflects a heightened interest in an issue that has vexed U.S. regulators in recent years.

On April 21, 2020, SEC Chairman Jay Clayton and PCAOB Chairman William D. Duhnke III, along with other senior SEC staff, released a joint statement highlighting the risks associated with investing in companies based in or have substantial operations in emerging markets including China. The joint statement emphasized the risks associated with lack of access for the PCAOB to inspect auditors and audit work papers in China and higher risks of fraud in emerging markets.

On June 4, 2020, the U.S. President issued a memorandum ordering the President’s Working Group on Financial Markets, or the PWG, to submit a report to the President within 60 days of the memorandum that includes recommendations for actions that can be taken by the executive branch and by the SEC or PCAOB on Chinese companies listed on U.S. stock exchanges and their audit firms, in an effort to protect investors in the U.S.

On August 6, 2020, the PWG released a report recommending that the SEC take steps to implement the five recommendations outlined in the report. In particular, to address companies from jurisdictions that do not provide the PCAOB with sufficient access to fulfill its statutory mandate, or NCJs, the PWG recommends enhanced listing standards on U.S. stock exchanges. This would require, as a condition to initial and continued exchange listing, PCAOB access to work papers of the principal audit firm for the audit of the listed company. Companies unable to satisfy this standard as a result of governmental restrictions on access to audit work papers and practices in NCJs may satisfy this standard by providing a co-audit from an audit firm with comparable resources and experience where the PCAOB determines it has sufficient access to audit work papers and practices to conduct an appropriate inspection of the co-audit firm. There is currently no legal process under which such a co-audit may be performed in China. The report permits the new listing standards to provide for a transition period until January 1, 2022 for listed companies, but would apply immediately to new listings once the necessary rulemakings and/or standard-setting are effective. The measures in the PWG Report are presumably subject to the standard SEC rulemaking process before becoming effective. On August 10, 2020, the SEC announced that SEC Chairman had directed the SEC staff to prepare proposals in response to the PWG Report, and that the SEC was soliciting public comments and information with respect to these proposals.


On March 24, 2021, the SEC announced that it had adopted interim final amendments to implement congressionally mandated submission and disclosure requirements of the Act. The interim final amendments will apply to registrants that the SEC identifies as having filed an annual report on Forms 10-K, 20-F, 40-F or N-CSR with an audit report issued by a registered public accounting firm that is located in a foreign jurisdiction and that the PCAOB has determined it is unable to inspect or investigate completely because of a position taken by an authority in that jurisdiction. The SEC will implement a process for identifying such a registrant and any such identified registrant will be required to submit documentation to the SEC establishing that it is not owned or controlled by a governmental entity in that foreign jurisdiction, and will also require disclosure in the registrant’s annual report regarding the audit arrangements of, and governmental influence on, such a registrant.

Furthermore, the Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act (“HFCA Act”), which requires that the PCAOB be permitted to inspect the issuer’s public accounting firm within three years, may result in the delisting of our Company in the future if the PCAOB is unable to inspect our accounting firm at such future time.

In addition, on June 22, 2021, the U.S. Senate passed the Accelerating Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act (“AHFCAA”), which, if signed into law, would amend the HFCA Act and require the SEC to prohibit an issuer’s securities from trading on any U.S. stock exchanges if its auditor is not subject to PCAOB inspections for two consecutive years instead of three consecutive years.

On November 5, 2021, the SEC approved the PCAOB’s Rule 6100, Board Determinations Under the Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act. Rule 6100 provides a framework for the PCAOB to use when determining, as contemplated under the HFCA Act, whether it is unable to inspect or investigate completely registered public accounting firms located in a foreign jurisdiction because of a position taken by one or more authorities in that jurisdiction. On December 16, 2021, the PCAOB issued a Determination Report which found that the PCAOB is unable to inspect or investigate completely registered public accounting firms headquartered in: (1) mainland China, and (2) Hong Kong. The lack of access to the PCAOB inspection in China prevents the PCAOB from fully evaluating audits and quality control procedures of the auditors based in China. As a result, the investors may be deprived of the benefits of such PCAOB inspections. The inability of the PCAOB to conduct inspections of auditors in China makes it more difficult to evaluate the effectiveness of these accounting firms’ audit procedures or quality control procedures as compared to auditors outside of China that are subject to the PCAOB inspections, which could cause existing and potential investors in our stock to lose confidence in our audit procedures and reported financial information and the quality of our financial statements. Our auditor is headquartered in California and is not subject to this determination announced by the PCAOB.

On August 26, 2022, the PCAOB signed a SOP with the CSRC and the MOF of the PRC regarding cooperation in the oversight of PCAOB-registered public accounting firms in the PRC and Hong Kong which establishes a method for the PCAOB to conduct inspections of PCAOB-registered public accounting firms in the PRC and Hong Kong, as contemplated by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. Under the agreement, (a) the PCAOB has sole discretion to select the firms, audit engagements and potential violations it inspects and investigates without consultation with, or input from, PRC authorities; (b) procedures are in place for PCAOB inspectors and investigators to view complete audit work papers with all information included and for the PCAOB to retain information as needed; (c) the PCAOB has direct access to interview and take testimony from all personnel associated with the audits the PCAOB inspects or investigates; and (d) the PCAOB shall have the unfettered ability to transfer information to the SEC in accordance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, and the SEC can use the information for all regulatory purposes, including administrative or civil enforcement actions. The PCAOB was required to reassess its determinations as to whether it is able to carry out inspections and investigations completely and without obstruction by the end of 2022. On December 15, 2022, the PCAOB determined that the PCAOB was able to secure complete access to inspect and investigate registered public accounting firms headquartered in mainland China and Hong Kong and vacated its previous determinations. However, should PRC authorities obstruct or otherwise fail to facilitate the PCAOB’s access in the future, the PCAOB will consider the need to issue a new determination.

Congress passed fiscal year 2023 Omnibus spending legislation in December 2022, which contained provisions to accelerate the HFCAA timeline for implementation of trading prohibitions from three years to two years. As a result, the SEC is required to prohibit an issuer’s securities from trading on any U.S. stock exchanges if its auditor is not subject to PCAOB inspections or complete investigations for two consecutive years.

Our auditor, the independent registered public accounting firm that issues the audit report for the year ended December 31, 2022 included elsewhere in this annual report, as an auditor of companies that are traded publicly in the United States and a firm registered with the PCAOB, is subject to laws in the United States pursuant to which the PCAOB conducts regular inspections to assess its compliance with the applicable professional standards. Our auditor is headquartered in California and was last inspected by the PCAOB in March 2023. According to our auditor, the PCAOB will conduct regular inspections. In the event that, in the future, either there is any regulatory change or step taken by PRC regulators that does not permit YCM CPA Inc. to provide audit documentations located in China or Hong Kong to the PCAOB for inspection or investigation, or the PCAOB expands the scope of the determinations so that we will be subject to the HFCA Act, as the same may be amended, you may be deprived of the benefits of such inspection which could result in limitation or restriction to our access to the U.S. capital markets and trading of our securities, including “over-the-counter” trading, may be prohibited, under the HFCA Act. The recent developments would add uncertainties to our listing and we cannot assure you whether Nasdaq Capital Market or regulatory authorities would apply additional and more stringent criteria to us after considering the effectiveness of our auditor’s audit procedures and quality control procedures, adequacy of personnel and training, or sufficiency of resources, geographic reach, or experience as it relates to our audit.


The HFCA Act all call for additional and more stringent criteria to be applied to emerging market companies upon assessing the qualification of their auditors, especially the non-U.S. auditors who are not inspected by the PCAOB. These developments could add uncertainties to our continued listing.

On May 20, 2020, the U.S. Senate passed the HFCA Act requiring a foreign company to certify it is not owned or controlled by a foreign government if the PCAOB is unable to audit specified reports because the company uses a foreign auditor not subject to PCAOB inspection. If the PCAOB is unable to inspect the company’s auditors for three consecutive years, the issuer’s securities are prohibited to trade on a national exchange. On December 2, 2020, the U.S. House of Representatives approved the HFCA Act. On December 18, 2020, the HFCA Act was signed into law. On March 24, 2021, the SEC adopted interim final rules relating to the implementation of certain disclosure and documentation requirements of the HFCA Act. A company will be required to comply with these rules if the SEC identifies it as having a “non-inspection” year under a process to be subsequently established by the SEC. The SEC is assessing how to implement other requirements of the HFCA Act, including the listing and trading prohibition requirements described above. Furthermore, on June 22, 2021, the U.S. Senate passed the AHFCAA, which, if signed into law, would amend the HFCA Act and require the SEC to prohibit an issuer’s securities from trading on any U.S. stock exchanges if its auditor is not subject to PCAOB inspections for two consecutive years instead of three consecutive years. On September 22, 2021, the PCAOB adopted a final rule implementing the HFCAA, which provides a framework for the PCAOB to use when determining, as contemplated under the HFCA Act, whether the PCAOB is unable to inspect or investigate completely registered public accounting firms located in a foreign jurisdiction because of a position taken by one or more authorities in that jurisdiction. Furthermore, on June 22, 2021, the U.S. Senate passed the AHFCAA, which, if signed into law, would amend the HFCA Act and require the SEC to prohibit an issuer’s securities from trading on any U.S. stock exchanges if its auditor is not subject to PCAOB inspections for two consecutive years instead of three consecutive years. On December 16, 2021, the PCAOB issued a Determination Report which found that the PCAOB is unable to inspect or investigate completely registered public accounting firms headquartered in: (1) mainland China and (2) Hong Kong. Our auditor is headquartered in California and is not subject to this determination announced by the PCAOB.

Our auditor, the independent registered public accounting firm that issues the audit report for the year ended December 31, 2023 included elsewhere in this annual report, as an auditor of companies that are traded publicly in the United States and a firm registered with the PCAOB, is subject to laws in the United States pursuant to which the PCAOB conducts regular inspections to assess its compliance with the applicable professional standards. Our auditor is headquartered in California and was last inspected by the PCAOB in March 2023. According to our auditor, the PCAOB will conduct regular inspections.

The recent developments would add uncertainties to our listing and we cannot assure you whether the Nasdaq Capital Market or regulatory authorities would apply additional and more stringent criteria to us after considering the effectiveness of our auditor’s audit procedures and quality control procedures, adequacy of personnel and training, or sufficiency of resources, geographic reach, or experience as it relates to our audit. Furthermore, the HFCA Act, which requires that the PCAOB be permitted to inspect the issuer’s public accounting firm within three years, may result in the delisting of our Company in the future if the PCAOB is unable to inspect our accounting firm at such future time.

Our management team has limited experience in managing a U.S. public company and complying with laws applicable to such company, the failure of which may adversely affect our business, financial conditions and results of operations.

Our current management team has limited experience in managing a U.S. publicly traded company, interacting with public company investors and complying with the increasingly complex laws pertaining to U.S. public companies. Prior to the completion of our initial public offering, we mainly operated our businesses as a private company in the PRC. As a result of our IPO, our company became subject to significant regulatory oversight and reporting obligations under the federal securities laws and the scrutiny of securities analysts and investors, and our management currently has no experience in complying with such laws, regulations and obligations. Our management team may not successfully or efficiently manage our transition to becoming a U.S. public company. These new obligations and constituents will require significant attention from our senior management and could divert their attention away from the day-to-day management of our business, which could adversely affect our business, financial conditions and results of operations.


If our financial condition deteriorates as a NASDAQ listed company, we may not meet continued listing standards on the NASDAQ Capital Market.

 

On August 30, 2017, we received a listing approval letter approving our initial listing application to list our common shares on the NASDAQ Capital Market. The NASDAQ Capital Market also requires companies to fulfill specific requirements in order for their shares to continue to be listed. If our shares are listed on the NASDAQ Capital Market but are delisted from the NASDAQ Capital Market at some later date, our shareholders could find it difficult to sell our shares. In addition, if our common shares are delisted from the NASDAQ Capital Market at some later date, we may apply to have our common shares quoted on the Bulletin Board or in the “pink sheets” maintained by the National Quotation Bureau, Inc. The Bulletin Board and the “pink sheets” are generally considered to be less efficient markets than the NASDAQ Capital Market. In addition, if our common shares are not so listed or are delisted at some later date, our common shares may be subject to the “penny stock” regulations. These rules impose additional sales practice requirements on broker-dealers that sell low-priced securities to persons other than established customers and institutional accredited investors and require the delivery of a disclosure schedule explaining the nature and risks of the penny stock market. As a result, the ability or willingness of broker-dealers to sell or make a market in our common shares might decline. If our common shares are delisted from the NASDAQ Capital Market at some later date or become subject to the penny stock regulations, it is likely that the price of our shares would decline and that our shareholders would find it difficult to sell their shares.

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We are a “foreign private issuer,” and our disclosure obligations differ from those of U.S. domestic reporting companies. As a result, we may not provide you the same information as U.S. domestic reporting companies or we may provide information at different times, which may make it more difficult for you to evaluate our performance and prospects.

 

We are a foreign private issuer and, as a result, we are not subject to the same requirements as U.S. domestic issuers. Under the Exchange Act, we will be subject to reporting obligations that, to some extent, are more lenient and less frequent than those of U.S. domestic reporting companies. For example, we will not be required to issue quarterly reports or proxy statements. We will not be required to disclose detailed individual executive compensation information. Furthermore, our directors and executive officers will not be required to report equity holdings under Section 16 of the Exchange Act and will not be subject to the insider short-swing profit disclosure and recovery regime. As a foreign private issuer, we will also be exempt from the requirements of Regulation FD (Fair Disclosure) which, generally, are meant to ensure that select groups of investors are not privy to specific information about an issuer before other investors. However, we will still be subject to the anti-fraud and anti-manipulation rules of the SEC, such as Rule 10b-5 under the Exchange Act. Since many of the disclosure obligations imposed on us as a foreign private issuer differ from those imposed on U.S. domestic reporting companies, you should not expect to receive the same information about us and at the same time as the information provided by U.S. domestic reporting companies.

 

As a new public company, we incur increased costs and are subject to additional regulations and requirements, and our management is required to devote substantial time to new compliance matters, which could lower our profits or make it more difficult to run our business.

As a newly public company, we incur significant legal, accounting and other expenses that we have not incurred as a private company, including costs associated with public company reporting requirements and costs of recruiting and retaining non-executive directors. We also have incurred and will incur costs associated with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and related rules implemented by the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, and NASDAQ. The expenses incurred by public companies generally for reporting and corporate governance purposes have been increasing. We expect these rules and regulations to increase our legal and financial compliance costs and to make some activities more time-consuming and costly, although we are currently unable to estimate these costs with any degree of certainty. Our management will need to devote a substantial amount of time to ensure that we comply with all of these requirements. These laws and regulations also could make it more difficult or costly for us to obtain certain types of insurance, including director and officer liability insurance, and we may be forced to accept reduced policy limits and coverage or incur substantially higher costs to obtain the same or similar coverage. These laws and regulations could also make it more difficult for us to attract and retain qualified persons to serve on our Board of Directors, our board committees or as our executive officers. Furthermore, if we are unable to satisfy our obligations as a public company, we could be subject to delisting of our common shares, fines, sanctions and other regulatory action and potentially civil litigation.

The market price of shares may be volatile, which could cause the value of your investment to decline.

 

Securities markets worldwide experience significant price and volume fluctuations. ThisWorldwide market volatility, as well as general economic, market or political conditions, could reduce the market price of shares of our stock in spite of our operating performance. In addition, our results of operations could be below the expectations of public market analysts and investors due to a number of potential factors, including variations in our quarterly results of operations, additions or departures of key management personnel, failure to meet analysts’ earnings estimates, publication of research reports about our industry, litigation and government investigations, changes or proposed changes in laws or regulations or differing interpretations or enforcement thereof affecting our business, adverse market reaction to any indebtedness we may incur or securities we may issue in the future, changes in market valuations of similar companies or speculation in the press or investment community, announcements by our competitors of significant contracts, acquisitions, dispositions, strategic partnerships, joint ventures or capital commitments, adverse publicity about our industry in or individual scandals, and in response the market price of our common shares could decrease significantly. In the past few years, stock markets have experienced extreme price and volume fluctuations. In the past, following periods of volatility in the overall market and the market price of a company’s securities, securities class action litigation has often been instituted against these companies. This litigation, if instituted against us, could result in substantial costs and a diversion of our management’s attention and resources, or at all.

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If we are unable to implement and maintain effective internal control over financial reporting in the future, investors may lose confidence in the accuracy and completeness of our financial reports and the market price of our Common Shares may decline.

As a public company, we are required to maintain internal control over financial reporting and to report any material weaknesses in such internal control. In addition, we are required to furnish a report by management on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting pursuant to Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. Currently we have not established and maintained effective disclosure controls and procedures. In addition, there are material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting. Specifically, the material weakness identified by our management include (i) a lack of sufficient accounting staff and resources with appropriate knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”) and SEC reporting and compliance requirements; and (ii) a lack of an effective review process which may lead to material audit adjustments to the financial statements. In order to address the foregoing material weakness, we have put in place additional controls, including, among others, hiring and replacing certain management team members. Our CEO has established a new management team to deal with operation management challenges of the Company, and our CFO has been working on improving the Company’s financial and reporting functions. We also plan to hire more qualified accounting personnel with relevant U.S. GAAP and SEC reporting experience and qualifications to strengthen the financial reporting function and implement regular and continuous U.S. GAAP accounting and financial reporting training programs for our accounting and financial reporting personnel. Overall, the Company is working through and standardizing its business processes, instituting business procedures and adding controls and additional supervision, particularly, in the areas of control duties and data sharing and supervision so as to provide effective means of linking various functions and departments within the Company. If we are unable to resolve material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting, if we are unable to comply with the requirements of Section 404 in a timely manner or assert that our internal control over financial reporting is effective, or if our independent registered public accounting firm is unable to express an opinion as to the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting when required, investors may lose confidence in the accuracy and completeness of our financial reports and the market price of our Common Shares could be negatively affected, and we could become subject to investigations by the stock exchange on which our securities are listed, the SEC, or other regulatory authorities, which could require additional financial and management resources.

As the rights of shareholders under British Virgin Islands law differ from those under U.S. law, you may have fewer protections as a shareholder.

 

Our corporate affairs will be governed by our memorandum and articles of association, the BVI Business Companies Act, 2004 (as amended), referred to below as the “BVI Act”, and the common law of the British Virgin Islands. The rights of shareholders to take legal action against our directors, actions by minority shareholders and the fiduciary responsibilities of our directors under British Virgin Islands law are governed by the BVI Act and the common law of the British Virgin Islands. The common law of the British Virgin Islands is derived in part from comparatively limited judicial precedent in the British Virgin Islands as well as from the common law of England and the wider Commonwealth, which has persuasive, but not binding, authority on a court in the British Virgin Islands. The rights of our shareholders and the fiduciary responsibilities of our directors under British Virgin Islands law are largely codified in the BVI Act, but are potentially not as clearly established as they would be under statutes or judicial precedents in some jurisdictions in the United States. In particular, the British Virgin Islands has a less developed body of securities laws as compared to the United States, and some states (such as Delaware) have more fully developed and judicially interpreted bodies of corporate law. As a result of all of the above, holders of our shares may have more difficulty in protecting their interests through actions against our management, directors or major shareholders than they would as shareholders of a U.S. company.

 

British Virgin Islands companies may not be able to initiate shareholder derivative actions, thereby depriving shareholders of the ability to protect their interests.

 

Shareholders of British Virgin Islands companies may not have standing to initiate a shareholder derivative action in a federal court of the United States Shareholders of a British Virgin Islands company could, however, bring a derivative action in the British Virgin Islands courts, and there is a clear statutory right to commence such derivative claims under Section 184C of the BVI Act. The circumstances in which any such action may be brought, and the procedures and defenses that may be available in respect to any such action, may result in the rights of shareholders of a British Virgin Islands company being more limited than those of shareholders of a company organized in the United States. Accordingly, shareholders may have fewer alternatives available to them if they believe that corporate wrongdoing has occurred. The British Virgin Islands courts are also unlikely to recognize or enforce against us judgments of courts in the United States based on certain liability provisions of U.S. securities law; and to impose liabilities against us, in original actions brought in the British Virgin Islands, based on certain liability provisions of U.S. securities laws that are penal in nature. There is no statutory recognition in the British Virgin Islands of judgments obtained in the United States, although the courts of the British Virgin Islands will generally recognize and enforce the non-penal judgment of a foreign court of competent jurisdiction without retrial on the merits. This means that even if shareholders were to sue us successfully, they may not be able to recover anything to make up for the losses suffered.

  

The laws of the British Virgin Islands may provide less protection for minority shareholders than those under U.S. law, so minority shareholders may have less recourse than they would under U.S. law if the shareholders are dissatisfied with the conduct of our affairs.

 

Under the laws of the British Virgin Islands, the rights of minority shareholders are protected by provisions of the BVI Act dealing with shareholder remedies and other remedies available under common law (in tort or contractual remedies). The principal protection under statutory law is that shareholders may bring an action to enforce the constitutional documents of the company (i.e. the memorandum and articles of association) as shareholders are entitled to have the affairs of the company conducted in accordance with the BVI Act and the memorandum and articles of association of the company. A shareholder may also bring an action under statute if he feels that the affairs of the company have been or will be carried out in a manner that is unfairly prejudicial or discriminating or oppressive to him. The BVI Act also provides for certain other protections for minority shareholders, including in respect of investigation of the company and inspection of the company books and records. There are also common law rights for the protection of shareholders that may be invoked, largely dependent on English common law, since the common law of the British Virgin Islands for business companies is limited.

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We may not be able to pay any dividends on our shares in the future due to British Virgin Islands law.

 

Under British Virgin Islands law, we may only pay dividends to our shareholders if the value of our assets exceeds our liabilities and we are able to pay our debts as they become due. We cannot give any assurance that we will declare dividends of any amounts, at any rate or at all in the future. Future dividends, if any, will be at the discretion of our board of directors, and will depend upon our results of operations, cash flows, financial condition, payment to us of cash dividends by our subsidiaries, capital needs, future prospects and other factors that our directors may deem appropriate.

 

We are an “emerging growth company” and we cannot be certain if the reduced disclosure requirements applicable to “emerging growth companies” will make our shares less attractive to investors.

We are an “emerging growth company,” as defined in the JOBS Act, and we may take advantage of certain exemptions and relief from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not “emerging growth companies.” In particular, while we are an “emerging growth company” (1) we will not be required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, (2) we will be exempt from any rules that may be adopted by the PCAOB requiring mandatory audit firm rotations or a supplement to the auditor’s report on financial statements, (3) we will be subject to reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our periodic reports and proxy statements and (4) we will not be required to hold nonbinding advisory votes on executive compensation or stockholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved. We currently intend to take advantage of the reduced disclosure requirements regarding executive compensation. If we remain an “emerging growth company” after fiscal 2017, we may take advantage of other exemptions, including the exemptions from the advisory vote requirements and executive compensation disclosures under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Customer Protection Act, or the Dodd-Frank Act, and the exemption from the provisions of Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. In addition, Section 107 of the JOBS Act provides that an emerging growth company can take advantage of the extended transition period provided in Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act for complying with new or revised accounting standards, meaning that the company can delay the adoption of certain accounting standards until those standards would otherwise apply to private companies. We have irrevocably elected not to avail ourselves of this exemption from new or revised accounting standards and, therefore, will be subject to the same new or revised accounting standards as other public companies that are not emerging growth companies. We may remain an “emerging growth company” until the fiscal year-end following the fifth anniversary of the completion of our initial public offering, though we may cease to be an “emerging growth company” earlier under certain circumstances, including (1) if we become a large accelerated filer, (2) if our gross revenue exceeds $1.07 billion in any fiscal year or (3) if we issue more than $1.0 billion in non-convertible notes in any three year period. The exact implications of the JOBS Act are still subject to interpretations and guidance by the SEC and other regulatory agencies, and we cannot assure you that we will be able to take advantage of all of the benefits of the JOBS Act. In addition, investors may find our shares less attractive if we rely on the exemptions and relief granted by the JOBS Act. If some investors find our shares less attractive as a result, there may be a less active trading market for our shares and our stock price may decline and/or become more volatile.

ITEM 4.INFORMATION ON THE COMPANY

ITEM 4. INFORMATION ON THE COMPANY

 

A.History and Development of the Company

History and Development of the Company

 

We started our company in 2002 in Qingdao, Shandong Province, PRC. Our growthPRC as a petfood company.

The following chart reflects our organizational structure as of the filling date:

On September 20, 2018, the Board has approved acquisitions by the Company of TDH Group BVBA, a company established under the laws of Belgium and TDH JAPAN, a company established under the laws of Japan. In connection with the foregoing transactions the Company executed Share Sale and Purchase Agreements (together, the “Agreements”) pursuant to which the Company agreed to pay approximately USD$ 936,782 and USD $156,130 (RMB 6 million and RMB 1 million), respectively, to acquire all of outstanding securities of TDH Group BVBA and TDH JAPAN, respectively, from the sole shareholder of each entity, Rongfeng Cui, the Company’s former CEO. The purchase consideration under the Agreements was paid by issuance of 936,782 and 156,130 restricted common shares of the Company, respectively. Rongfeng Cui incorporated TDH Group BVBA in 2012 and TDH JAPAN in 2017 to develop and maintain all the clients in Europe and Japan, and to distribute and expand product sales in European and Japanese markets. Effective August 2, 2019, Rongfeng Cui ceased to be Company’s CEO and Dandan Liu was appointed as the CEO in his stead. TDH Japan has been deregistered and dissolved in February 2021. As of the date of this filing, TDH Group BVBA is currently under bankruptcy proceeding.


On April 22, 2002 Tiandihui was incorporated in Qingdao City, PRC. On March 16, 2022, the People’s Court of Huangdao District, Qingdao City, Shandong Province made a civil ruling and announced the acceptance of creditors’ application of bankruptcy liquidation of Tiandihui and it entered into bankruptcy proceedings. On December 27, 2023, the Court announced that the bankruptcy property distribution plan of Tiandihui was implemented and the bankruptcy proceedings were completed. As a result, Tiandihui has been fully disposed as of December 31, 2023.

On July 19, 2016, Tiandihui acquired 100% shares of Chongai Jiujiu from Rongfeng Cui and Yanjuan Wang for $87,849 (RMB 610,000). The acquisition of Chongai Jiujiu was a transaction between entities under common control. Chongai Jiujiu had immaterial operations and suffered recurring operating losses since its inception. In December 2023, the Company transferred all its ownership interests in Chongai Jiujiu to a third party. The disposition of Chongai Jiujiu did not represent a strategic shift of the Company’s business due to immateriality, accordingly, the discontinued operations of Chongai Jiujiu are not presented and disclosed in this Annual Report.

On January 22, 2020, Qingdao Tiandihui Pet Foodstuffs Co., Ltd. (“Tiandihui Pet Foodstuffs”) was incorporated in Qingdao City, PRC.

On January 21, 2020, Qingdao Tiandihui Foodstuffs Sales Co., Ltd. (“Tiandihui Foodstuffs Sales”) was incorporated in Qingdao City, PRC. Tiandihui Foodstuffs Sales is a wholly owned subsidiary of Tiandihui Pet Foodstuffs.

On February 27, 2020, TDH Foods Limited was incorporated in Hong Kong, with the purpose of being a holding company for equity interests in Tiandihui Pet Foodstuffs. TDH Foods Limited does conduct any operations or own any material assets or liabilities.

On August 24, 2020, TDH Holdings, Inc. acquired 100% equity interests of TDH Foods Limited.

In December 2020, TDH Holdings Inc. acquired remaining 1% equity interest of TDH Petfood LLC. As a result, TDH Petfood LLC became a wholly-owned subsidiary of TDH Holdings, Inc. TDH Petfood LLC had no active business operations since its incorporation, and it has been deregistered and dissolved in 2021.

On June 4, 2021, TDH Income Corporation (“TDH Income”) was incorporated in Nevada. TDH Holdings, Inc. owns a 99.99% interest in TDH Income, and in December 2021, TDH Holdings, Inc. acquired the remaining 0.01% interest in TDH Income. As a result, TDH Income became a wholly-owned subsidiary of TDH Holdings, Inc.

On June 9, 2021, Ruby21Noland LLC (“Ruby21Noland”) was incorporated in Missouri. Ruby21Noland is a wholly owned subsidiary of TDH Income.

On October 31, 2021, TDH Income Corporation acquired 51% equity interests of Far Ling’s Inc.

On October 31, 2021, TDH Income Corporation acquired 100% equity interests of Bo Ling’s Chinese Restaurant, Inc.

On January 22, 2022, Beijing Wenxin Co., Ltd. (“Beijing Wenxin”) was incorporated in Beijing City, PRC.

On March 27, 2023, Qingdao Chihong Information Consulting Co., Ltd. (“Qingdao Chihong”) was incorporated in Qingdao City, PRC.

Recent Developments

Discontinued operations

We discontinued our petfood manufacturing segment during the first quarter of 2023. Our decision to discontinue our petfood business was driven largely by the following factors: the increase in cost of raw materials required for production; accepting less orders in an attempt to avoid unprofitable orders and customers; decreased demand for sales of petfood; its historical performance and expected business forecasts in the absence of further capital investments and opportunity costs; lawsuits and the closing of our manufacturing facilities and them being subject to bankruptcy proceedings. We believe the discontinuation of our petfood manufacturing business will provide us with the opportunity to redirect our focus and resources towards expanding and improving our restaurant segment.


On December 27, 2023, the court announced that the bankruptcy property distribution plan of Tiandihui was implemented and the bankruptcy proceedings were completed. Due to the completion of Tiandihui’s bankruptcy proceedings, all the claims against it were concluded. As a result, Tiandihui has been fully disposed as of December 31, 2023, and all the material claims against Tiandihui that arose prior to the date of the bankruptcy completion were addressed.

Business Overview

Special Considerations

Implications of the HFCA Act

We are not a Chinese operating company but a British Virgin Islands holding company with operations conducted by our subsidiaries established in Missouri, Nevada, PRC, Belgium, and Hong Kong.

PRC laws and regulations governing business operations are sometimes vague and uncertain, and therefore, these risks may result in a material change in the operations of our PRC subsidiaries and Hong Kong subsidiaries, significant depreciation of the value of our Common Shares, or a complete hindrance of our ability to offer or continue to offer our securities to investors and cause the value of such securities to significantly decline or be worthless. The Chinese government may intervene or influence the operations of our PRC operating entities at any time and may exert more control over offerings conducted overseas and/or foreign investment in China-based issuers, which could result in a material change in the operations of our PRC operating entities and/or the value of our Common Shares. Further, any actions by the Chinese government to exert more oversight and control over offerings that are conducted overseas and/or foreign investment in China-based issuers could significantly limit or completely hinder our ability to offer or continue to offer securities to investors and cause the value of such securities to significantly decline or be worthless. Recently, the PRC government initiated a series of regulatory actions and statements to regulate business operations in China with little advance notice, including cracking down on illegal activities in the securities market, adopting new measures to extend the scope of cybersecurity reviews, and expanding the efforts in anti-monopoly enforcement.

Trading in our Common Shares may be prohibited on national exchanges or “over-the-counter” markets under the HFCA Act if the PCAOB is unable to inspect our auditors for three consecutive years beginning in 2021, and as a result, an exchange may determine to delist our securities. Furthermore, on June 22, 2021, the U.S. Senate passed the AHFCAA, which, if signed into law, would amend the HFCA Act and require the SEC to prohibit an issuer’s securities from trading on any U.S. stock exchanges if its auditor is not subject to PCAOB inspections for two consecutive years instead of three consecutive years. Pursuant to the HFCA Act, the PCAOB issued a Determination Report on December 16, 2021 which found that the PCAOB is unable to inspect or investigate completely registered public accounting firms headquartered in: (1) mainland China of the PRC, and (2) Hong Kong. In addition, the PCAOB’s report identified the specific registered public accounting firms which are subject to these determinations.

Our auditor is currently subject to PCAOB inspections and the PCAOB is thus able to inspect our auditor. Our auditor is headquartered in California and was last inspected by the PCAOB in March 2023. According to our auditor, the PCAOB will conduct regular inspections. Our auditor is not headquartered in mainland China or Hong Kong and was not identified in this report as a firm subject to the PCAOB’s determination. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the future, if there is any regulatory change or step taken by PRC regulators that does not permit YCM CPA Inc., to provide audit documentations located in China or Hong Kong to the PCAOB for inspection or investigation, or the PACOB expands the scope of its determination so that we are subject to the HFCA, as the same may be amended, you may be deprived of the benefits of such inspection which could result in limitation or restriction to our access to the U.S. capital markets and trading of our securities, including trading on the national exchange and trading on “over-the-counter” markets, may be prohibited under the HFCA Act.

Cash Flows through Our Organization

We are a holding company with no operations of its own. We conduct our operations principally in the United States and China through our subsidiaries. As a result, we may rely upon dividends paid to us by our subsidiaries in the PRC to pay dividends and to finance any debt we may incur. As of the date of this report, none of our subsidiaries has issued any dividends or distributions to us and we have not made any dividends or distributions to our shareholders. Our subsidiaries in the PRC generate and retain cash generated from operating activities and re-invest it in our business.

Current PRC regulations permit our subsidiaries in mainland China to pay dividends to the Company only out of its accumulated profits, if any, determined in accordance with Chinese accounting standards and regulations. Under our current corporate structure, we rely on dividend payments or other distributions from our subsidiaries to fund any cash and financing requirements we may have, including the funds necessary to pay dividends and other cash distributions to our shareholders or to service any debt we may incur. If any subsidiary incurs debt on its own behalf in the future, the instruments governing such debt may restrict its ability to pay dividends to us. In addition, under PRC laws and regulations, each of our Chinese subsidiaries is required to set aside a portion of their net income each year to fund a statutory surplus reserve until such reserve reaches 50% of its registered capital. This reserve is not distributable as dividends. As a result, our PRC subsidiaries are restricted in their ability to transfer a portion of their net assets to us in the form of dividends, loans or advances. Further, the PRC government also imposes controls on the conversion of RMB into foreign currencies and the remittance of currencies out of the PRC. Therefore, we may experience difficulties in completing the administrative procedures necessary to obtain and remit foreign currency for the payment of dividends from our profits, if any. If we are unable to receive funds from our subsidiaries, we may be unable to pay cash dividends on our common shares.


Cash dividends, if any, on our common shares will be paid in U.S. dollars. If we are considered a PRC tax resident enterprise for tax purposes, any dividends we pay to our overseas shareholders may be regarded as China-sourced income and as a result may be subject to PRC withholding tax at a rate of up to 10%. A 10% PRC withholding tax is applicable to dividends payable to investors that are non-resident enterprises. Any gain realized on the transfer of common shares by such investors is also subject to PRC tax at a current rate of 10% which in the case of dividends will be withheld at source if such gain is regarded as income derived from sources within the PRC.

Pursuant to the Arrangement between Mainland China and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and Tax Evasion on Income, or the Double Tax Avoidance Arrangement, the 10% withholding tax rate may be lowered to 5% if a Hong Kong resident enterprise owns no less than 25% of a PRC resident enterprise. However, the 5% withholding tax rate does not automatically apply and certain requirements must be satisfied, including without limitation that (a) the Hong Kong resident enterprise must be the beneficial owner of the relevant dividends; and (b) the Hong Kong resident enterprise must directly hold no less than 25% share ownership in a PRC entity during the 12 consecutive months preceding its receipt of the dividends. In current practice, a Hong Kong entity must obtain a tax resident certificate from the Hong Kong tax authority to apply for the 5% lower PRC withholding tax rate. As the Hong Kong tax authority will issue such a tax resident certificate on a case-by-case basis, we cannot be certain that we will be able to obtain the tax resident certificate from the relevant Hong Kong tax authority and enjoy the preferential withholding tax rate of 5% under the Double Taxation Arrangement with respect to dividends to be paid by our PRC subsidiaries to our Hong Kong subsidiaries. As of the date of this report, we have not applied for the tax resident certificate from the relevant Hong Kong tax authority. Our Hong Kong subsidiaries intend to apply for the tax resident certificate when our subsidiaries in mainland China plan to declare and pay dividends to their Hong Kong parent companies.

As an offshore holding company, we will be permitted under PRC laws and regulations to provide funding from the proceeds of our offshore fund-raising activities to our subsidiaries in China only through loans or capital contributions, subject to the satisfaction of the applicable government registration and approval requirements. Before providing loans to our PRC subsidiaries, we will be required to make filings about details of the loans with the State Administration of Foreign Exchange of the PRC (the “SAFE”) in accordance with relevant PRC laws and regulations. Our PRC subsidiaries that receive the loans are only allowed to use the loans for the purposes set forth in these laws and regulations. Under regulations of the SAFE, Renminbi is not convertible into foreign currencies for capital account items, such as loans, repatriation of investments and investments outside of China, unless the prior approval of the SAFE is obtained and prior registration with the SAFE is made.

Under PRC law, we may provide funding to our PRC subsidiaries only through capital contributions or loans, and prior to the dismantling of our PRC consolidated affiliated entities only through loans to our former consolidated affiliated entities, subject to satisfaction of applicable government registration and approval requirements.

For the year ended December 31, 2023, we provided working capital loans of $0 million in aggregate to our subsidiaries.

We have not declared or paid any cash dividends, nor do we have any present plan to pay any cash dividends on our common shares in the foreseeable future. We currently intend to retain most, if not all, of our available funds and any future earnings to operate and expand our business.

As of the date of this report, we do not anticipate any difficulties on our ability to transfer cash between subsidiaries. We have not installed any cash management policies that dictate the amount of such funds and how such funds are transferred.

Overview

Petfood Manufacturing

We started our company in 2002 in Qingdao, Shandong Province, PRC with a single mission of becoming a producer of high-quality petfood for pet owners in China and worldwide. Historically, we anticipated our growth would be driven by two key factors: (i) ana significant increase in the number of pet owners and in the size of the pet foodpetfood market in China which translatedwould translate into expansion opportunities for us, and (ii) a fundamental change in Chinese society towards pets, pet ownership and care, such that the trends of pet humanization and consumer concerns for pet health and wellness have createdwould in turn would create a dynamically growing industry for pet foodpetfood and products. We pricepriced our products to be accessible to the average consumer, providing us with broad demographic appealconsumer.


Due to the sharp rise in market price of raw materials, the lack of operational efficiency of our production facilities and allowing usour inability to penetrate multiple market segments. Founded on these building blocks, as well as onmake bank loan repayments upon maturity, we suspended our in-depth research and development, production and normal business operations and we were involved in certain legal proceedings beginning in November 2019. Although we resumed our operations in May 2020 factors including the Covid-19 pandemic, the increase in cost of raw materials required for production; accepting less orders in an attempt to avoid unprofitable orders and customers; and decreased demand for sales capabilities,of petfood, led to a continuous decrease in our petfood revenue from $0.02 million in 2022 to $0 million in 2023. Accordingly, we believesought strategic alternatives to the petfood industry and entered the restaurant segment on October 31, 2021, when we are well prepared to be oneacquired 51% equity interests of the leading producersFar Ling’s Inc and 100% equity interests of petBo Ling’s Chinese Restaurant, Inc. This resulted in an increase of $3.1 million and $3.2 million in restaurant food in the PRC and beyond.

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Overseas sales include overseas wholesale and e-commerce sales. Our overseas sales have increased from approximately $19.4 million to $22.6 million (of which $21.2 million was attributable to overseas wholesales and $1.4 to overseas e-commerce sales), or by approximately 17%, from the year ended December 31, 2016 to 2017. Domestic sales include domestic wholesale and e-commerce sales. Our domestic sales overall and domestic e-commerce sales in particular have increased significantly in recent years. Our domestic sales were approximately $6.4 million (of which approximately $2.1 million was attributable to domestic wholesale, and $4.3 million to domestic e-commerce sales) and $5.1 million (of which $1.1 were attributable to domestic wholesale and $4.0 million to domestic e-commerce sales)service revenue for the years ended December 31, 20172022 and 2016, respectively, which account for approximately 22% and 21% of2023, respectively. In addition, we decided to discontinue our total revenues in 2017 and 2016. We expect our domestic sales growth to continuepetfood manufacturing business segment in the future.

Asfirst quarter of 2023 due to the PRCabove operational challenges and to focus on our restaurant segment. On March 16, 2022, the People’s Court of Huangdao District, Qingdao City, Shandong Province made a civil ruling and announced the acceptance of creditors’ application of bankruptcy liquidation of Tiandihui, and it entered into bankruptcy proceedings. On November 3, 2023, our remaining pet food consumption continuesmanufacturing facility was auctioned by the court for $875,321 (RMB 6.28 million) to grow,pay off bankruptcy debts. On December 27, 2023, the Court announced that the bankruptcy property distribution plan of Tiandihui was implemented and the bankruptcy proceedings were completed. As a result, Tiandihui has been fully disposed as of December 31, 2023.

Restaurant Segment

On October 31, 2021, the Company completed the acquisition of 51% equity interests of Far Ling’s Inc. and 100% equity interests of Bo Ling’s Chinese Restaurant, Inc. The acquisition brought a new revenue source for the Company.

Bo Lings Chinese Restaurant, which was founded by Richard (Bo) and Far Ling (Ling) Ng, husband and wife, in 1981. Today there are 5 Bo Lings Chinese Restaurants in the Kansas City area, as well as a warehouse for distribution of supplies. All Bo Lings restaurants are full service that include a dining area, bar, carry out menu and offer catering services. The location we see significant opportunitiespurchased is in Kansas City and offers a full Cantonese Dim Sum menu and space for future growthbanquets. Most of the menu items are prepared onsite in the kitchen and cooked to order. Business is managed by leveragingRichard and Far Ling with a team of employees in each restaurant, including bookkeepers, a marketing manager and a purchasing director. Over the years, we believe Bo Lings has built a reputation as one of the best Chinese restaurants in the Kansas City area.  Currently, no other Chinese Restaurant has 2 or more restaurants in our area.

Business Strategy

Our Growth agenda is based on four key elements of our business:drivers:

 

Strength and variety of our brands – we offer in excess of 200 products, including dry meat treats, pet biscuits, canned food and other products (including non-food items like dog leashes, pet toys, etc.) under multiple brands that are well-established and recognizable by consumers in the PRC, Asia and Europe.

Product research & development– we believe our products are differentiated from those of our competitors in the PRC markets due to our in-depth research and development effort, our proprietary recipes, cooking and packing techniques developed over the last decade. Currently, we have been granted 20 invention and utility model patents, and have applied for 5 more patents.

Sales and marketing distribution – our domestic and overseas multi-platform sales approach connects our production output to customers in the PRC, Asia, Europe and North America. In addition to the traditional sales approach, we utilize cross-border e-commerce platforms that contribute to the expansion of our business, including, among others, Amazon (US, UK, France, Germany), Ebay (US and UK) and Aliexpress.

Experienced and committed management team – our workforce is highly skilled in animal nutrition, sales and marketing. Led by Cui Rongfeng, our founder, chairman and chief executive officer, our management team is comprised of an experienced group of executives, with have many years of operating experience in their respective departments.

Our product line in excess of 200 products, including dry meat treats, pet biscuits, canned food and other products (including non-food items, e.g., dog leashes, etc.) under multiple brands in various geographical markets. Our products are available in multiple forms, including slice and serve rolls, strips, tubs, etc. All of our products are sold under several different brand names, including, among others, Pet Cuisine, Hum & Cheer, Like, TDH, Tiandihui and Dog Zone Sasami.

Currently, we offer 6 product lines:

Pet chews represent approximately 33.18% of our production and include various bones, rawhide and similar products,
Dried pet snacks represent approximately 51.25% of our production and include various fillets, strips and jerkies (chicken, duck, pork, lamb, etc.),
Wet canned pet foods represent approximately 10.47% of our production and include various fillets, strips and jerkies (chicken, duck, pork, lamb, etc.),
Dental health snacks foods account for approximately 2.96% of our production, and
Baked pet biscuits account for 0.03% of our overall production.

 Others account for 2.11%Culture and Talent: Leverage our culture and people capability to fuel brand performance and franchise success;

Operating Capability: Recruit and equip high-quality restaurant operators to deliver great customer experiences;

Strategically optimize our restaurant portfolio and pursue high quality assets and acquisitions: We aim to prudently pursue investments in high-quality assets. Our investment strategy primarily focuses on, restaurant brands with excellent growth potential and synergy, and related business such as catering and events. We continue to identify and evaluate investment opportunities in high-quality brands to capture growth opportunities. We will prudently assess investment targets based on each candidate’s strategic value, brand equity, business scale and financial performance, among other factors; and

Menu Innovations: Offering appealing, tasty and convenient food at great prices is our value proposition. We focus on the development and innovation of new recipes and improvement of existing products.


Operating Strategy

Our operating strategy is built on the following key components:

Offering high quality, freshly prepared food: We place a great deal of emphasis on providing our guests with high quality, freshly prepared food. As part of our overall production.process, we have developed proprietary recipes to provide consistency in quality and taste. We expect our employees to inspect every entrée before it leaves the kitchen to confirm it matches the guest’s order and meets our standards for quality, portion size, appearance and presentation;

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Creating a comfortable atmosphere with a focus on high quality service: We believe the service quality and atmosphere we establish is a key component for fostering repeat business. We focus on keeping our table-to-server ratios low to allow our servers to truly focus on their guests and serve their needs in a personal, individualized manner. In addition, Bo Lings features a modern design; and

Offering attractive price points: When we evaluate menu pricing, we focus on remaining disciplined as we balance short-term pressures with long-term growth while always keeping our guest top of mind. Prices are reviewed and are offered at moderate price points that we believe are as low as or lower than those offered by our competitors without sacrificing food quality. Within each menu category, we offer a choice of several price points with the goal of fulfilling each guest’s budget and value expectations. Based on the results of our pricing evaluations, we will continue to take pricing actions as we feel are needed.

These

Marketing

Our marketing strategy aims to promote our brands while retaining a localized focus. We strive to increase restaurant sales by increasing the frequency of visits by our current guests and attracting new guests at Bo Lings and also by communicating and promoting our food quality, the guest experience and value. We accomplish these objectives through three major initiatives.

Local Restaurant Marketing. Given our strategy to be a neighborhood destination, local restaurant marketing is integral in developing brand awareness in each market.

In-restaurant Marketing. A significant portion of our marketing is spent communicating with our guests inside our restaurants through point of purchase materials.

Advertising. We do not rely on national television or print advertising to promote our brands. Earned local media is a critical part of our strategy that features our products vary from those consistingand people. We use mailing lists, social media and digital marketing, to promote the brand and engage with our guests. Additionally, we continue to look for ways through various strategic initiatives to drive awareness and guest engagement with our brands.

Supply and Distribution

Bo Lings purchases a number of a single protein ingredient (e.g., duck jerky) to those consisting of a combination of proteinfood and paper products, equipment and other ingredients (e.g., twisted codrestaurant supplies. The principal items purchased include chicken, cheese, beef and chicken sandwich rollpork products, paper and packaging materials. Prices paid for these supplies fluctuate. When prices increase, Bo Lings may attempt to pass on such increases to its customers, although there is no assurance that includes chicken, codthis can be done in practice. Bo Lings does not typically experience significant continuous shortages of supplies, and Vitamin E).alternative sources for most of these supplies are generally available.  


Seasonal Operations

Bo Lings does not consider its operations to be seasonal to any material degree.

Competition

Competition in the restaurant industry is intense. We compete with well-established food service companies on the basis of taste, quality and price of the food offered, service, atmosphere, location, take-out and delivery options as well as the overall dining experience. Our proprietary recipescompetitors include fresh meat (beef, chicken, fish, ducka large and lamb)diverse group of restaurant chains and varying combinationsindividual restaurants that range from independent local operators that have opened restaurants in various markets to well-capitalized national restaurant chains. We also face competition from meal kit delivery services as well as the supermarket industry. In addition, improving product offerings of vitamin-rich vegetablesfast casual and anti-oxidant rich fruits. Wequick-service restaurants and better execution of to-go sales, together with negative economic conditions could cause consumers to choose less expensive alternatives. Although we believe our products appealthat we compete favorably with respect to diverse consumer needs and resonate across a broad cross-section of pet owner demographics.

We manufacture these products at 8 production lines: 4 at the Canning facility (dried meat, chews, wet canned and dentifrice products), 2 at the Pude facility (dried meat and biscuits), 1 at each of the Haiqingabove channels, other restaurants and Zhangjialou facility (dried meat at both facilities), respectively. In March, 2018,retail establishments compete for the same casual dining guests, quality site locations and restaurant-level employees as we ceaseddo. We expect intense competition to lease Canning facility. In September, 2017, we leased another facility fromcontinue across all aspects of the restaurant industry.

Environmental Matters

The Company is not aware of any federal, state or local environmental laws or regulations that will materially affect our related party Qingdao Saike with a 10-year lease term. We planearnings or competitive position or result in material capital expenditures.  However, the Company cannot predict the effect on our operations due to outsource more productspossible future environmental legislation or regulations.  During 2023, there were no material capital expenditures for manufacturing,environmental control facilities and set up joint-venture factories during the year ended December 31, 2018.no such material expenditures are anticipated.

 

In addition, we strategically partner with a select groupHuman Capital Management

Due to the discontinuation of contract manufacturers to supplement and enhance our production capabilities, as needed. Currently,out petfood manufacturing segment we have outsourcing agreements with 11 pet food manufacturers forreduced our number of employees in response to those challenges. As of the durationdate of up to 3 years, to secure additional production capabilities to address peak or high demand for our products. Under the terms of these agreements, our suppliers must meet all of our manufacturing requirements, including, among others, those relating to quality control, staffing, training and equipment. All manufacturing under these agreements is made in accordance with our demands, timing and specifications. These facilities are, at all times, staffed and supervised by our personnel.

Wethis filing, we employ approximately 213around 56 full-time employees at our facilities.employees. With the exception of Bo Lings’ employees, all of our subsidiary’s officesemployees are located in Beijing all of our production, executive, sales/marketing and customer service facilities covering the PRC and overseas markets are located in Shandong Province, PRC. Our daily production capacity for all of our production facilities is approximately 16 tons. The following is a summary description of our production facilities (not including any of the outsourcing facilities used to support our production needs):

The Canning facility has a production area of 50,590 sq. feet, and 20 years of export processing history. We maintain ISO9001, Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP), British Retail Consortium (BRC) and International Featured Standards (IFS) certifications, as well as EU registration for this facility. Our daily production capacity at this facility is approximately 6.3 tons.

The Pude facility maintains a production area of 30,558 sq. feet and was formerly registered as a Japanese agriculture, forestry and fishing production facility. This facility makes products specifically for the Japanese market. Our daily production capacity at this facility is approximately 5.8 tons.

The Haiqing facility has a production area of 100,233 sq. feet and maintains an export commodity inspection registration from Shandong Huangdao Bureau of Inspection and Quarantine. Our daily production capacity at this facility is approximately 1.6 tons.

The Zhangjialou facility has a usage area of 21,528 sq. feet. Our daily production capacity at this facility is approximately 1.2 tons.

In addition to our production facilities, we maintain a non-exclusive one year agreement with Kangkang Family Farm in Jiaonan city, Shandong province, an organic food farm and a raw materials supplier to the Company. This farm is owned by Cui Runrang, our CEO’s father. During the year ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, the Company purchased from Kangkang Family Farm in the amount of $30,191 and $13,818, respectively. While the Company has a non-exclusive supply arrangement with this farm, the Company does not own title to the land or maintain the food farm.

We also maintain a call service center in Qingdao with approximately 10 trained, multilingual personnel to address customer service matters arising from our sales in the PRC and abroad.

Our sales and marketing team consists of 2 integral groups – an original design manufacturer (ODM) domestic (PRC) marketing group, and an ODM overseas marketing group. We operate a B2F (business-2-factory) business model which is focused on the needs of the business market. Our model relies on our R&D strength to devise product lines to cater to this market, providing our customers with personalized and customized products. Our marketing team works in tandem with our brand promotion team which focuses on brand promotion. As a part of our ODM production process, we continuously accumulate a large amount of market information about our customers, in the PRC and abroad, which assists us in making appropriate selection of products. We utilize online sale and multi-brand, multi-store brand sale strategies. Using Tmall.com, jd.com, 1688.com, alibaba.com, yhd.com, and Amazon as our marketing platforms, our PRC marketing group has established a comprehensive network of various brand shops. In addition, our cross-border marketing/sales group mainly relies on the Tiandihui Amazon and eBay platforms as well as direct sale websites in Europe and the U.S. to operate its marketing and sales efforts.

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The following chart reflects our organizational structure as of the filling date:

  

The Initial Public Offering

On September 25, 2017, we completed our initial public offering of 1,325,000 common shares at $4.25 per share, for total gross proceeds of approximately $5.63 million. In addition, on September 28, 2017, we announced that ViewTrade Securities, Inc., who acted as the managing underwriter and sole book-runner of our IPO, had exercised the full over-allotment option to purchase an additional 198,750 shares at the IPO price per share. As a result, the Company has raised gross proceeds of approximately $844,688, in addition to the previously announced IPO gross proceeds of approximately $5.63 million, before underwriting discounts and commissions and offering expenses. Our common shares began trading on the NASDAQ Capital Market on September 21, 2017 under the ticker symbol “PETZ”.

B.Business Overview

Overview

We started our company in 2002 in Qingdao, Shandong Province, PRC with a single mission of becoming a premier producer of high quality pet food for pet owners in China and worldwide. Our growth has been driven by two key factors: (i) a significant increase in the number of pet owners and in the size of the pet food market in China which translated into expansion opportunities for us, and (ii) a fundamental change in Chinese society towards pets, pet ownership and care, such that the trends of pet humanization and consumer concerns for pet health and wellness have created a dynamically growing industry for pet food and products. We price our products to be accessible to the average consumer, providing us with broad demographic appeal and allowing us to penetrate multiple market segments. Founded on these building blocks, as well as on our in-depth research and development, production, and sales capabilities, we believe we are well prepared to be one of the leading producers of pet food in the PRC and beyond.

We employ approximately 213 full-time employees at our facilities. With the exception of our subsidiary’s offices located in Beijing, all of our production, executive, sales/marketing and customer service facilities covering the PRC and overseas markets are located in Shandong Province, PRC.

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As we grow, we continue expanding our national presence and product offerings. Our growth to date as well as the strength of our success are reflected in the following results:

From 2016 to 2017, our net revenues increased from $24.4 million to $29.0 million;
From 2016 to 2017, our net income decreased from $1,009,171 to $115,111.
Our E-commerce business contributed approximately 18.3% and 19.8% of our 2016 and 2017 total revenue, respectively. The amount reached $5,734,121 for the year ended December 31, 2017 from $4,461,504 for the year ended December 31, 2016, representing an increase of 29%.

Over the years, we have received a number of industry, trade association and governmental awards relating to our business, operations, customer support/satisfaction and personnel management, including, among others, the following:

Consumer Satisfaction Company in Shandong Province by the Shandong Provincial Government’s the Committee of Economy and Trade of Shangdong Province and the Industrial and Commercial Bureau of Shangdong Province (2006)
Top 10 Most Influential Company in China’s Pet Food Industry by China Market Brand Building Committee (2008)
Leading Company in China’s Pet Industry by China Pets Economic Association (2009)
A Star Business Venture in Qingdao City by Steering Committee for Promoting Employment in Qingdao City (2011)
Outstanding Company for Promoting Business and Employment in Qingdao City and Star Business Venture in Qingdao City by Qingdao Municipal Government (both in 2012)
Famous Brand in Shandong Province by Shandong Administration for Industry & Commerce (2012 and 2013)
Model Company with Excellence in Credibility and Efficiency by China General Chamber of Commerce (2015 and 2016)
High and New Technology Enterprises by Qingdao Municipal Bureau for Science and Technology, Finance Bureau of Qingdao, Qingdao Provincial Office of State Administration of Taxation and Qingdao Local Taxation Bureau (2016).

All of these awards and acknowledgements were made by independent industry, trade associations and/or governmental agencies in open competitions with others in the industry.

Our Industry and Market

China Pet Food Industry

The global pet food sales reached $70 billion in 2015, an increase of 4% over 2014; the European sales reached $20 billion, and the US market - $24 billion; it is expected that the global pet food market sales will reach $95.7 billion by 2017. Currently, North America, Western Europe, and Asia constitute the main force of consumption in the world pet food market, with emerging markets (such as South America, South Africa, and India) poised to be the regions that exhibit accelerating growth of pet food consumption. While the global pet food market is well-established worldwide, in China it is a relatively new industry. China’s economy has shown steady growth over the last decade, from a GDP per capita of $1,509 in 2004 to $8,069 in 2015. According to the National Bureau of Statistics of China (NBS China) and GfK, in 2015, China ranked (i) 3rdin the world in the number of registered pet dogs (27.4 million dogs), following the U.S. and Brazil, and (ii) 2ndin the number of registered pet cats (58.1 million cats), following the U.S. With an increase in the number of pets in most households in China, the pet food industry in China has been and remains poised for significant growth. Pet food consumption in China increased from approximately RMB 5.26 billion in 2010 to RMB 8.58 billion in 2015, representing a growth rate of 63.3%. In 2016, it is expected that the pet food consumption will exceed RMB 9.74 billion. The average price per kilogram of pet food and treats rose to about RMB45 (US$6.77) in April 2016, a 12.5% increase since 2013, reflecting the nascent yet increasingpremiumizationof the market, projected to reach approximately RMB 11.82 billion (US$1.77 billion) by the end of 2016, representing approximately 19% growth, year over year. At this rate, we expect for the industry consumption rates to increase to approximately RMB 238 billion. On the production side, production volume reached 700,000 metric tons in 2015 and is expected to reach 1 million metric tons in 2016.

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The growth in this industry is largely a function of consumer education and increased awareness of pet food products, product ingredients, quality, brand awareness and loyalty. We consider pethumanization to be another driving factor behind the growth trend, i.e., where pet owners view their pets as members of the family. As pets are increasingly viewed as companions, friends, and family members, pet owners spare no expense for their pets, drivingpremiumization across pet categories. This trend is reflected in food purchasing decisions such that pet owners are as concerned about the quality of their pet’s food as they are about their own. The PRC consumers are becoming more discerning when it comes to quality of pet food for their pets, especially when it comes to food specific to particular breed needs, etc. In addition, (i) an increase in living standards of urban population which resulted from the growth of the PRC economy at large and the corresponding accelerated rates of urban development and expansion, and (ii) higher rates of aging population in major urban areas in the PRC which tend to encourage more independent lifestyles (e.g. the proportion of the PRC population over 65 has continued to grow, with the rate reaching over 10% in 2014), cause more people to view and treat their pets as their close companions. In China, most people who have pet dogs or cats in China are, in fact, elderly. According to the NBS China, approximately 61% of the 65+ age group live with a pet, as compared with the national average of 44%; only the 25-29 age group exhibits similar levels of pet ownership. We anticipate that these trends will continue in the foreseeable future.

While the multinational brands still dominate the Chinese pet food market, the market growth is being driven by local brands, especially in pet shops, with 81% growth for domestic cat food brands overall and 85% in pet shops (though cat food represents just 31% of the market). With dog food, sales increases for domestic brands are more modest—about 9% overall and nearly 10% in pet shops—but the average price per kilogram of domestic dog foods brands is growing much closer to that of multinational brands.

Aside from rapid growth, the China pet food market is also characterized by increasing online sales as the share of overall sales, with 62% of all sales in 2017 to be projected to be made online. In 2016, online pet food sales in China have reached RMB 4.2 billion. In addition, China’s sales skew heavily toward specialized retailers (80%) as contrasted with mass merchants in the rest of the world (e.g. in Western Europe, the breakdown is almost exactly the reverse).

Our Competitive Strengths

We believe the following strengths differentiate us from our competitors in our market in China:

Strength and variety of our brands – we offer in excess of 200 products, including dry meat treats, pet biscuits, canned food and other non-food products (e.g. dog leashes, pet toys etc.) under multiple brands that are well-established and recognizable by consumers in the PRC, Asia and Europe.
Product research & development – we believe that our products are differentiated from those of our competitors in the PRC markets due to our in-depth research and development effort and our proprietary recipes and cooking techniques developed over the last decade.
Sales and marketing distribution – our multi-platform sales approach connects our production output to customers in the PRC, Asia, Europe and North America.
Experienced and committed management team - Tiandihui’s workforce is a highly skilled with specialized training designed to address complex customer care engagements; our entrepreneurial management team includes employees who have significant experience in animal nutrition, sales and marketing, among others. Led by Cui Rongfeng, our founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, our management team is comprised of an experienced group of executives, many of whom have many years of operating experience.

We intend to continue capitalizing on our strengths and growing net sales and profitability.

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Our History and Corporate Structure

 

We are a holding company incorporated in the British Virgin Islands (incorporated on September 30, 2015) that owns all of the outstanding capital stock of TDH HK Limited, our wholly-owned Hong Kong subsidiary (TDH HK),. We also own all of the outstanding capital stock of TDH Foods Limited, another wholly-owned Hong Kong subsidiary, and holds a 99%100% interest in TDH Petfood LLC,Income Corporation, a Nevada limited liability company. TDH HK, in turn, owns all of the outstanding capital stock of Qingdao Tiandihui, Foodstuffs Co., Ltd., our operating subsidiary based in Qingdao City, Shandong Province, China, incorporated in April 2002 as a PRC limited liability company (Tiandihui).Tiandihui. TDH Foods Limited owns 100% of the outstanding capital stock of Qingdao Pet Foodstuffs, with its wholly-owned subsidiary of Tiandihui Foodstuffs Sales. TDH HK Limited owns 100% of the outstanding capital stock of Tiandihui Pet Foodstuffs, with its wholly-owned subsidiary of Beijing Chongai Jiujiu Cultural Communication Co., Ltd. On December 27, 2023, the court announced that the bankruptcy property distribution plan of Tiandihui was implemented and the bankruptcy proceedings were completed, and we fully disposed Tiandihui. In December 2023, the Company transferred all its ownership interests in Chongai Jiujiu to a third party. TDH Income Corporation owns 100% of the outstanding capital stock of Ruby21Noland LLC. Ruby21Noland LLC was incorporated in the State of Missouri on June 9, 2021. On October 31, 2021, TDH Income Corporation acquired 51% equity interests of Far Ling’s Inc. On October 31, 2021, TDH Income Corporation acquired 100% equity interests of Bo Ling’s Chinese Restaurant, Inc. On January 22, 2022, Beijing Wenxin was incorporated in Beijing City, PRC. On March 27, 2023, Qingdao Chihong was incorporated in Qingdao City, PRC.

On September 20, 2018, the Board approved acquisitions by the Company of TDH Group BVBA, a company established under the laws of Belgium and TDH JAPAN, a company established under the laws of Japan. In connection with the foregoing transactions the Company executed Share Sale and Purchase Agreements (together, the “Agreements”) pursuant to which the Company agreed to pay approximately USD$ 936,782 and USD $156,130 (RMB 6 million and RMB 1 million), respectively, to acquire all of outstanding securities of TDH Group BVBA and TDH JAPAN, respectively, from the sole shareholder of each entity, Rongfeng Cui, the Company’s former CEO. The purchase consideration under the Agreements was paid by issuance of 936,782 and 156,130 restricted common shares of the Company, respectively. Rongfeng Cui incorporated TDH Group BVBA in 2012 and TDH JAPAN in 2017 to develop and maintain all the clients in Europe and Japan, and to distribute and expand product sales in European and Japanese markets. TDH Japan has been deregistered and dissolved in February 2021. As of the date of this Annual Report, Tiandihui has the following subsidiaries:

Beijing Chongai Jiujiu Cultural Communication Co., Ltd. (incorporated on March 3, 2011),
Qingdao Kangkang Development Co., Ltd. (incorporated on August 9, 2016),

Yichong (Qingdao) Technology Co., Ltd. (incorporated onNovember 14, 2017),

Qingdao Lingchong Information Technology Co., Ltd. (incorporated onNovember 29, 2017),

Qingdao Lile Pet Foodstuffs Co., Ltd (incorporated onJanuary 3, 2018), and
Shandong Tide Food Co., Ltd. (incorporated on January 13, 2018).

Our current corporate structurefiling, TDH Group BVBA is as follows:

Our Products

The pet food market consists of dog food and cat food sales. Food sales are further categorized as dry food, wet food and treats:

Dry food is the primary food form for both dogs and cats, with the same formula typically purchased regularly. Veterinarians recommend dry food for healthy pets as the main meal, which is better for pets’ teeth, has better economic value and is more convenient to handle and store
Wet food has higher penetration among cats as compared to dogs, as it helps to ensure that cats meet their required water intake. Most cat owners feed their cats a combination of dry and wet foods as main meals, while most dog owners feed their dogs wet foods as a treat or topper to provide variety
Treatsare typically impulse purchases by pet owners made alongside staple, main meal dry and wet food purchases. Many treats have dental and training benefits and also serve as nutritional supplements. Dog and cat treats have been growing rapidly over the last decade driven by the humanization trend with pet owners indulging their pets more, including by purchasing treats as gifts.

Product research and innovation is pivotal to our growth strategy. Our experienced team of marketing and R&D professionals is in constant contact with our outside collaborators and experts. The success of our approach is evidenced by our broad product portfolio today. For the year ended 2016, new product introductions represented 42% of our net sales; those numbers were to 74% in 2017. We strive to maintain a strong innovation pipeline that expands the breadth of our current product offerings. We expect for the innovation trend to continue.

currently under bankruptcy proceeding.

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Table of Contents

 

We offer in excess of 200 products, including dry meat treats, pet biscuits, canned food and other products (including non-food items like dog leashes and pet toys) under multiple brands in various geographical markets. Currently, we offer 6 product lines including the following:


 

Pet chews represent approximately 33.18% of our output and include various bones, rawhide and similar products
Dried pet snacks represent approximately 51.25% of our output and include various fillets, strips and jerkies (chicken, duck, pork, lamb, etc.)
Wet canned pet foods represent approximately 10.47% of our output and include various fillets, strips and jerkies (chicken, duck, pork, lamb, etc.)
Dental health snack foods account for approximately 2.96% of our output
Baked pet biscuits account for only 0.03% of our overall production output. 

The other account for 2.11% of the total products.

We manufacture these products at 8 production lines: 4 – at the Canning facility, 2 – at the Pude facility, 1 at each of the Haiqing and Zhangjialou facilities, respectively. In March, 2018, we ceased to lease Canning facility. In September, 2017, we leased another facility from our related party Qingdao Saike with a 10-year lease term. We plan to outsource more products for manufacturing, and set up joint-venture factories during the year ended December 31, 2018.

These food products vary from those consisting of a single protein ingredient (e.g., duck jerky) to those consisting of a combination of protein and other ingredients (e.g., twisted cod and chicken sandwich roll that includes chicken, cod and Vitamin E). Our proprietary recipes include fresh meat (beef, chicken, lamb, and fish) and varying combinations of vitamin-rich vegetables, and anti-oxidant rich fruits. We believe our products appeal to diverse consumer needs and resonate across a broad cross-section of pet owner demographics. Our products are available in multiple forms, including slice and serve rolls, strips, tubs, etc. All of our products are sold under several different brand names, including, among others, Pet Cuisine, Hum & Cheer, Like, TDH, Tiandihui and Dog Zone Sasami.

Supply Chain

Manufacturing

All of our products are manufactured in the PRC. We own and operate several facilities in the Shandong province for a total production area of approximately 250,000 square feet built to high quality food production standards. In 2017, 2016 and 2015, 69%, 71% and 77%, respectively, of our product volume was manufactured by us. We also strategically partner with a select group of contract manufacturers that manufacturing facilities to supplement our production needs. Namely, as of the date of this Annual Report, we have executed outsourcing agreements (up to 3 years) with seven provincial pet food manufacturers for the purposes of securing additional production capabilities to address peak or high demand for our products. Under the terms of these agreements, our suppliers must meet all of our manufacturing requirements, including, among others, those relating to quality control, staffing, training and equipment. All manufacturing under these agreements is made in accordance with our demands, timing and specifications. These facilities are, at all times, staffed and supervised by our personnel. These agreements have no automatic renewal provisions. In our review and engagement of such third-party manufacturers, we apply rigorous review of manufacturing and quality control practices at the facilities of such manufacturers to ensure compliance of such practices with those employed by our company at various stages of production at all of our production facilities. Any loss of these supplemental production arrangements could significantly impact our revenue and profits.

Ingredients and Packaging

Our products are made with fresh ingredients including meat (chicken, beef, lamb, fish, etc.), vegetables, fruits, vitamins and minerals. We use quality food grade plastic packaging materials and maintain rigorous overall standards for ingredient quality and safety. In addition, we maintain one raw material procurement center which provides a single-source supply for all our manufacturing facilities to maintain quality control throughout the production facilities. Also, in order to retain operating flexibility and negotiating leverage, we do not enter into exclusivity agreements or long term commitments with any of our suppliers. All of our suppliers are established PRC companies that have the scale to support our growth. For every ingredient, we have sources of supply that meet our quality and safety standards. In addition to our production facilities, we maintain a non-exclusive one year agreement with Kangkang Family Farm in Jiaonan city, Shandong province, an organic food farm and a raw materials supplier to the Company. This farm is owned by Cui Runrang, the CEO’s father. In 2017, the Company’s purchases from this entity were $30,191. While the Company has maintained this non-exclusive supply arrangement with this farm, the Company does not own title to the land or maintain the food farm. Under the terms of this one-year agreement dated June 6, 2016, we source sweet potatoes and organic vegetable produced by KFF by purchasing specific quality and quantity of such products at the purchase price offset by the loans extended to KFF and payable on a 30-day basis. We intent to renew this agreement for another period.

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Table of Contents

 

Distribution

Our facilities are located in the coastal city of Qingdao, near Qingdao International Airport and the international Qingdao harbor, which proximity ensures efficient international transportation by sea/air. Outbound transportation from our facility is primarily handled through transportation by sea, which deliver our products to our customers. As our volumes grow, we expect to be able to leverage our distribution costs.

Quality Control

We are committed to the highest quality of products that leave our facilities. To that end, we have implemented a rigid quality control system and devote significant attention to quality control procedures at every stage of our process, including spot testing of finished products. Our entire food processing chain, from sourcing of raw materials to the finished products, is closely monitored to ensure that all pet food products meet the highest level of global hygienic and quality standards. We monitor our manufacturing process closely and conduct performance and reliability testing to ensure our products meet our end-user customer expectations. Our quality control group as of December 2017 included 16 employees that implement various management systems to improve product quality programs, most of whom are trained in quality control and nutrition. We spot test and inspect our raw materials to ensure compliance with quality standards. We also evaluate the quality and delivery performance of each supplier periodically and adjust quantity allocations accordingly. We also monitor in-process and outgoing stages of our processes.

We have established control points throughout the entire supply chain from ingredient sourcing to finished goods to ensure compliance with our quality program. We require our contract and owned manufacturing facilities to maintain the same quality standards as those at our facilities and pass our own quality system and food safety inspections. We ensure that all of our ingredients are rigorously tested prior to being approved for use in our products. Testing certifications which confirm that the ingredient meets our specifications as to quality and safety, accompany every shipment. In addition, our food safety and quality program include strict guidelines for incoming ingredients, batching, processing, packaging and finished goods. However, despite our strict quality controls, it is possible that there may be from time to time, as there has been in the past, issues or concerns with respect to our products.

Quality Certifications and Accreditations

In a continuous effort to meet various international production and quality manufacturing standards, we have a number of certifications and accreditations. We have secured these certifications and accreditations to show evidence of high quality manufacturing standards that we apply to our production and managements processes and to access domestic and foreign markets. We believe that maintaining objectively verifiable quality standards fosters consumer confidence and loyalty and maximizes customer satisfaction and recognition.

Sales and Marketing

Our sales and marketing team consists of two integral groups – an original design manufacturer (ODM) domestic (PRC) marketing group, and an ODM overseas marketing group. We operate a B2F (business-to-factory) business model which is focused on the needs of the business market. It relies on our R&D strength to devise product line to cater to this market, providing our customers with personalized and customized products. Our marketing team works in tandem with our brand promotion team which focuses on the cross-border brand promotion domestically and overseas. As a part of our ODM production process, we continuously accumulate a large amount of market information about our customers, in the PRC and abroad, which assists us in selecting the appropriate selection of products. We utilize online sale and multi-brand, multi-store brand sale strategies. Namely, using Tmall.com, Jingdong, 1688, YHD, and Amazon as our marketing platforms, our PRC marketing group has established a comprehensive network of various brand shops. In addition, our cross-border marketing/sales group mainly relies on the Tiandihui Amazon and eBay platforms as well as direct sale websites in Europe and the U.S. to operate its marketing and sales efforts.

Intellectual Property

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We maintain a call service center in Qingdao with approximately 10 trained, multilingual personnel to address customer service matters arising from our sales in the PRC and abroad.

Domestic Platforms

For our marketing and sales efforts in the PRC market, we focus on four key markets from the first-tier cities: Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Chengdu. With a marketing strategy that features private labeling and customization, we focus on our target clientele that consists of “millennial” pet owners with middle (and higher) class disposable income with active mobile phone participation. As for the 200 second-tier cities in China, we plan to search and engage 4-5 dealers per city with the overall goal of approximately 1,000 PRC-based private label dealers. We intend to provide a full panoply of support for such dealers, including brand design, packaging, and product supplies. As of August 2016, we operate a network of approximately 81 such dealers. For pet shops and pet hospitals, we use a “1+1” sales model to increase sales coverage, i.e., the model involves pet community hospitals, on the one end and pet shops, on the other.

We utilize several professional application teams and set multiple platforms, including the Tmall Tiandihui flagship store group, the Dog Zone Sasami flagship store group, the jd.com B2C group and its name brand flagship store group, and the YHD B2C group and its brand name flagship store group.

Overseas Platforms

We divide the overseas markets into the North American, the Asian, the European, the African, the ASEAN, the Australian and the emerging markets. Based on the characteristics of each market, including, among other parameters, maturity and saturation levels of each pet food market, we use our in-house analytical tools to review consumer statistics as well as product and order data, and create detailed product classifications for each customer. Based upon these metrics, we then design and customize our products to meet the needs of customers.

We are currently one of the few Chinese pet food factories that have met the Amazon global retail qualifications for pet food. Several of our products are in the Amazon’s top 100 “hot” sale items list, including:

duck wrap pigskin chews ranked No. 66
duck jerky drumstick ranked No. 22
sweet potato biscuits ranked No. 83
cowhide wrap with chicken ranked No. 34

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With its 2015 sales reaching $107 billion, the Amazon platform offers a substantial potential for growth. As of June 2015, we have successfully established our presence on Amazon’s Canadian platform as well as various European platforms (UK, Germany, and France). The eBay UK and eBay USA Tiandihui Foods registration have been completed in July 2016. Our stocking of inventory at Amazon Britain and Amazon Germany commenced in June 2016. As of the date of this Annual Report, we maintain 9 domestic and 8 cross-border online shops, respectively.

Competition

The market for pet food and related products in the PRC is emerging and highly competitive. In prior years, Chinese pet food manufacturers were viewed in the pet food industry as suppliers of cheaper food and snack products for pets which were almost always delivered under Western brand name products. The competitive landscape is changing now as a number of PRC-based manufacturers operate and compete domestically and worldwide alongside with other major industry players. The PRC market is characterized by price competition, product quality and the presence of a number of medium to large companies, as discussed below. Relatively high barriers of entry for new participants into this industry include relatively large initial capital outlays, uncertain regulatory environment, scarcity of suitable production, raw material supply sources, and skilled management. Thus, we believe all of the foregoing fortifies our competitive positions in the industry.

Mars Foods (China) Co. Pvt. Ltd., Royal Canin Au Yu (Shanghai) Pet Food Co Ltd. and Nestle (China) are three largest players in the PRC pet food industry. In recent years, Royal Canin Au Yu (Shanghai) Pet Food Co Ltd. consolidated its leadership in the category with a market share of 28% in 2015, which represented an increase of one percentage point over 2014. Royal Canin enjoys a widespread nationwide distribution network. In addition, the company runs an official flagship store on the largest B2C online platform in China, Tmall.com, to reach out to wider range of consumers.

We compete primarily on the basis of our product range, reputation, product quality, brand loyalty, and total value delivered. We are subject to pricing pressures and may experience a decline in average selling prices for our products. We attempt to mitigate these pricing pressures by differentiating ourselves from our competition based on the value we bring to our clients through the quality and variety of our products.

Our competitors include the following PRC-based manufacturers:

Yantai China Pet Foods Co., Ltd. - Established in 1998, Yantai China Pet Foods Co., Ltd. is one of the leading manufacturers of pet snacks in China. This company offers approximately 500 products in eleven product lines with products distributed to the UK, the US, Japan, Germany, Korea, Hong Kong, Singapore, Russia, France, the Netherlands, Czech Republic, the Middle East, Australia, New Zealand, and other countries and regions.
Wenzhou Peidi Pet Products Co., Ltd. – Founded in 2002, Wenzhou Peidi is a privately held large-scale manufacturer of pet products and food in Zhejiang Province, China. It specializes in rawhide chews, leather collars and leashes, as well as nutritional pet food, treats, toys and gifts and markets these products on a worldwide basis.
Shouguang Xincheng Food Co., Ltd. – Another Shandong Province pet food producer with approximately 10 years in the industry. The Company offers approximately 200 products that are exported to USA, Canada, Germany, Japan, Korea, and Southeast Asia.

Seasonality

Overall pet food sales experience modest seasonality during the fourth quarter, which is when pet owners tend to spend more on pet treats as gifts, being approximately 22% higher than during summer months.

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Research & Development

Our research and development team works to improve our existing and develop future pet food products. Our production processes are developed based upon a number of in-house developed technologies. The primary focus of such technologies is on customer needs, which allows us to maintain an effective market-oriented research and development model. We strive to attract and retain highly educated and skilled R&D personnel. Presently, our R&D team is comprised of 29 technical personnel, including, 7 members who hold Master’s degrees, 7 Bachelor’s degrees and 15 Associate’s degrees as well as 1 member of our external advisory team who hold Doctorate degrees. Professor Sun Fucheng, who holds an Associate degree, is heading the Company’s R&D efforts. We also work with external technical experts and suppliers to help us stay at the forefront of technological developments and advancements.

In order to strengthen its R&D capabilities, Tiandihui entered into several collaboration and research sharing agreements with leading PRC universities and research institutions in joint research projects, including China Agricultural University (March 2016), Shandong Agricultural University (August 2015), Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences (March 2016), and Qingdao Agricultural University (March 2016). For instance, as a part of our collaboration project with the Shandong Agricultural University, we share the use of the University’s Laboratory and Physiochemical Property Analysis Room, as well as the Microbiological Examination Room. In addition to these collaboration arrangements, we also gather and collect data on product customization for each pet species to develop our internal research capabilities in devising scientifically balanced of pet nutrition. Research and development costs of the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2017 were $1,076,568 and $1,051,665, respectively. These expenses include personnel costs, testing costs and expenses related to outside services.

Having built a scaled research and development infrastructure with a strong go-to-market model, we believe we are well positioned to supplement our internal product development platform by incorporating new technologies or product forms through joint ventures and collaboration arrangements. We will take a thoughtful approach to our business development efforts in this area and intend to be selective in pursuing incremental opportunities aligned with our mission and strategy.

Intellectual Property

The PRC has domestic laws for the protection of rights in copyrights, patents, trademarks and trade secrets. The PRC is also a signatory to all of the world’s major intellectual property conventions, including:

 

 Convention establishing the World Intellectual Property Organization (June 3, 1980);

 Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property (March 19, 1985);

 Patent Cooperation Treaty (January 1, 1994); and

 Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (November 11, 2001).

 

The PRC Trademark Law, adopted in 1982 and revised in 2013, with its implementation rules adopted in 2014, protects registered trademarks. The Trademark Office of the State Administration of Industry and Commerce of the PRC, handles trademark registrations and grants trademark registrations for a term of ten years.

 

Our primary trademark portfolio consists of 3115 registered trademarks (with 14 trademarksrelating to petfood and manufacturing, we do not currently under review). Our trademarks are valuable assets that reinforce the distinctiveness ofhave any patents related to our brand and our consumers’ favorable perception of our products. The current registrations of these trademarks are effective for varying periods of time and may be renewed periodically, provided that we, as the registered owner, comply with all applicable renewal requirements including, where necessary, the continued use of the trademarks in connection with similar goods. In addition to trademark protection, we own 10 URL designations/domain names, including qdkangkang.com, tdhpet.cn, tdhpet.com, cnlikepet.cn, cnlikepet.com, tdhpetfood.com, chongai99.com, chongai99.net, chongai99.org and dogzonesasami.cn. We also own 1 copyright, the name of which is the Mascot of Chongai Jiujiu-Huihui, and will expire on December 31, 2064.

On September 1, 2016, we entered into an exclusive 10-year trademark using agreement with TDH Group BVBA, a limited liability company organized under the laws of Belgium (TDH BVBA), under which agreement we have secured right to the exclusive usage of “ Pet Cuisine” and “Hum & Cheer” trademarks worldwide, from September 1, 2016 to August 31, 2026 in consideration for the exclusive fee of 5% of the total sales of such products which used those two trademarks, payable every six months. Our Chairman and CEO, Mr. Cui, and his spouse, Wang Yanjuan, own TDH BVBA.

restaurant business.

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Patents in China are principally protected under the Patent Law of China. The duration of a patent right is either 10 years (utility model or design) or 20 years (invention) from the date of application, depending on the type of patent rights.

Currently, we hold the following design patents pertaining to the pet food products:

No. Name of Patent Patent Number  Types Date of authorization 
1 A chicken cartilage composite functional dog food and preparation method  201310653084.4  Invention  May 20, 2015 
2 A pet dog food and its preparation method  201310651439.6  Invention  August 5, 2015 
3 A preparation method of beef flavor nutrition canned food canned food  201310651598.6  Invention  May 20, 2015 
4 A full price nutritive semi wet pet dog food and preparation method  201310654269.7  Invention  May 20, 2015 
5 A vegetarian dog bite  2017104659172  Invention  September 26, 2017 
6 A duck meat round piece of dog food  2017104646420  Invention  September 22, 2017 
7 A kind of soft puffed pet food  2017104659191  Invention  September 15, 2017 
8 A hermaphrodite breeding device for pet dog  201520651073.7  utility model  January 6, 2016 
9 A pet dog’s molars knot  bone  201520651112.3  utility model  March 2, 2016 
10 A new kind of pet food  201520651920.X  utility model  March 2, 2016 
11 A petcat bone cleaning bone  201520649912.1  utility model  June 1, 2016 
12 A pet dog snack  201520651084.5  utility model  April 27, 2016 

Our intellectual property rights are important to our business. We rely on a combination of trade secrets, confidentiality procedures and contractual provisions to protect our intellectual property. We also rely on and protect unpatented proprietary expertise, recipes and formulations, continuing innovation and other trade secrets to develop and maintain our competitive position.

We enter into confidentiality agreements with most of our employees and consultants, and control access to and distribution of our documentation and other licensed information. Despite these precautions, it may be possible for a third party to copy or otherwise obtain and use our technology without authorization, or to develop similar technology independently. Since the Chinese legal system in general, and the intellectual property regime in particular, is relatively weak, it is often difficult to enforce intellectual property rights in China. Policing unauthorized use of our technology is difficult and the steps we take may not prevent misappropriation or infringement of our proprietary technology. In addition, litigation may be necessary in the future to enforce our intellectual property rights, to protect our trade secrets or to determine the validity and scope of the proprietary rights of others, which could result in substantial costs and diversion of our resources and could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

We require our employees to enter into non-disclosure agreements to limit access to and distribution of our proprietary and confidential information. These agreements generally provide that any confidential or proprietary information developed by us or on our behalf must be kept confidential. These agreements also provide that any confidential or proprietary information disclosed to third parties in the course of our business must be kept confidential by such third parties. In the event of trademark infringement, the State Administration for Industry and Commerce has the authority to fine the infringer and to confiscate or destroy the infringing products.

Properties

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Properties

Under Chinese law, all of the land in China is either state-owned or collectively-owned, depending on its location and the specific laws governing such land. Collectively-owned land is owned by rural collectives and generally cannot be used for non-agricultural purposes unless approved by the Chinese government. Collectively-owned land cannot be transferred, leased or mortgaged to non-collectives without first being converted into state-owned land. Individuals and entities may acquire rights to use state-owned land, or land-use-rights, for commercial, industrial or residential purposes by means of mutual agreement, tender, auction or listing for sale from local land authorities or an existing holder of a land-use-right. Land-use-rights granted for commercial, industrial and residential purposes may be granted for a period of up to 40, 50 or 70 years, respectively. This period may be renewed at the expiration of the initial and any subsequent terms, subject to compliance with relevant laws and regulations. Land-use-rights are transferable and may be used as security for borrowings and other obligations.

 

Our principal executive offices areoffice is located at Qingdao Tiandihui FoodstuffsBeijing Wenxin Co., Ltd., Room 722, Building B, World Trade Center, No. 6 Hong Kong1104, Full Tower, 9 East Third Ring Middle Road, Qingdao, Shandong Province, People’s RepublicChaoyang District, Beijing, PRC. Our telephone number is +86-166-7863-6230. Our website address is www.tiandihui.com. The information on our website is not part of China; tel: +86 532-8591-9267, fax: +86 532 -8591-9284. We lease the premise at the monthly rate of RMB 1,060; the lease term expires on December 31, 2017. We renew the lease agreement which starts from January 1, 2018 with a term of three years. The annual lease payment is RMB66,000 and will increase at 6% per annum from 2019.this Annual Report.

 

In addition, on November 3, 2023, our remaining pet food manufacturing facility was auctioned by the Company manages and operates several other facilities, including three export subsidiaries/factories and one PRC product processing factory that arecourt for $875,321 (RMB6.28 million) to pay off bankruptcy debts. Our Bo Lings restaurant is located in Qingdao. Our facilities are located in the coastal city of Qingdao, near Qingdao International Airport and the international Qingdao harbor, which proximity ensures efficient international transportation by sea/air. Our facilities are used for customer service, sales and marketing, R&D and administrative functions. We believe our facilities are adequate for our current needs.

A summary description of our facilities is as follows (this list does not include any of the outsourcing facilities that we may, from time to time, use to support our production needs):

    Capacity Ton per day  Location Total area(square meter)  rent/owned
1 Canning facility  6.3  West point, Jueshan Road, Huangdao Distric, Qingdao City  135,076  rent
2 Pude facility  5.8  West point, Jueshan Road, Huangdao Distric, Qingdao City  2,839  rent
3 Haiqing facility  1.6  Haiqing Town, Huangdao District, Qingdao City  109,145  owned
4 Zhangjialou facility  1.2  Big Cuijia Village, Zhangjialou Town, Huangdao District, Qingdao City  21,528  rent
5 Jiaozhou facility  1  Shiqian Village, Ducun Town, Jiaozhou City, Shandong Province  2,793  

rent

  Total  15.9     271,381   

Our daily production capacity for all of our production facilities is approximately 16 tons.

The Canning facilityis leased for a period of 3 years from Qingdao Huangdao Development (Group) Co., Ltd, an affiliate of the Huangdao District Government, commencing on January 1, 2017 at the annual rent of RMB 365,356.

4701 Jefferson St, Kansas City, Missouri 64112.

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Government Regulation

The facility has 17,082 square feet of office space and 67,404 square feet of storage space and 50,590 square feet of production area. The facility has 20 years of export processing history. We maintain ISO9001, Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP), British Retail Consortium (BRC) and International Featured Standards (IFS) certifications, as well as EU registration for this facility. Our daily production capacity at this facility is approximately 7.1 tons.

 

We ceased to lease this facility in March 2018. In September, 2017, we leased another facility from our related party Qingdao Saike with a 10-year lease term. We plan to outsource more products for manufacturing, and set up joint-venture factories during the year ended December 31, 2018. 

We own thePude facility which formerly was registered as a Japanese agriculture, forestry and fishing factory. This facility makes products specifically for the Japanese market. Our daily production capacity at this facility is approximately 5.8 tons.

We lease ourHaiqing facility from the government of Haiqing Town under the terms of 50-year lease agreement, which term commenced on December 31, 2011 and will expire on December 31, 2061. The lease payment of RMB700,000 was paid in lump sum in the beginning of the lease. This facility has a production area of 100,233 square feet and 8,912 square feet of office space, and maintains export commodity inspection registration from Shandong Huangdao Bureau of Inspection and Quarantine. Our daily production capacity at this facility is approximately 1.6 tons.

We lease theZhangjialou facility under the terms of 3-year lease agreement from January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2017. This facility has production area of 21,528 square feet. Our daily production capacity at this facility is approximately 1.2 tons. We lease this space from Cui Runrang, CEO’s father, at the monthly rate of RMB 3,000. We renewed the lease on January 1, 2018 with a lease term of three years.

In addition to our production facilities, we maintain a non-exclusive one year agreement with Kangkang Family Farm in Jiaonan city, Shandong province, an organic food farm and a raw materials supplier to the Company. This farm is owned by Cui Runrang, the CEO’s father. During the year ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, the Company’s purchased raw materials from Kangkang Family Farm in the amount of $30,191, and 13,818, respectively. While the Company has this non-exclusive supply arrangement with this farm, the Company does not own title to the land or maintain the food farm. Under the terms of this one-year agreement dated June 6, 2016, we source sweet potatoes and organic vegetable produced by KFF by purchasing specific quality and quantity of such products at the purchase price offset by the loans extended to KFF and payable on a 30-day basis. We intent to renew this agreement for another period.

Certain of the properties listed above are leased from our related parties.

Government Regulation

In the U.S., the Food and Drug Administration regulates both content and labeling of all animal food, China does not have a significant body of pet foodpetfood laws, rules or regulations. Various regulatory agencies (e.g., the Ministry of Agriculture, the General Administration for Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine) administer a set of standards, but there appears to be no single regulatory or administrative agency that is fulfills the comprehensive regulatory function. We are also subject to PRC labor and employment laws, laws governing advertising and other laws. We monitor changes in these laws and believe that our operations are in compliance in all material aspects with all PRC rules and regulations applicable to pet foodpetfood production. However, many such rules and regulations are subject to extensive interpretive power of governmental agencies and commissions, and there is substantial uncertainty regarding the future interpretation and application of these laws or regulations.

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U.S. Restaurant Operation. 

The Company and its U.S. operations, are subject to various federal, state and local laws affecting our business, including laws and regulations concerning information security, privacy, labor and employment, health, marketing, food labeling, competition, public accommodation, sanitation and safety.  Bo Lings and any additional restaurant we open in the U.S. must comply with licensing requirements and regulations promulgated by a number of governmental authorities, which include health, sanitation, safety, fire and zoning agencies in the state and/or municipality in which the restaurant is located.  To date, the Company has not been materially adversely affected by such licensing requirements and regulations or by any difficulty, delay or failure to obtain required licenses or approvals.

Regulation of Foreign Currency Exchange and Dividend Distribution

 

Foreign Currency Exchange. The principal regulations governing foreign currency exchange in China are the Foreign Exchange Administration Regulations (1996), as amended on August 5, 2008, the Administration Rules of the Settlement, Sale and Payment of Foreign Exchange (1996) and the Interim Measures on Administration on Foreign Debts (2003). Under these regulations, Renminbi are freely convertible for current account items, including the distribution of dividends, interest payments, trade and service-related foreign exchange transactions, but not for most capital account items, such as direct investment, loans, repatriation of investment and investment in securities outside China, unless the prior approval of State Administration of Foreign Exchange (SAFE) or its local counterparts is obtained. In addition, any loans to an operating subsidiary in China that is a foreign-invested enterprise, cannot, in the aggregate, exceed the difference between its respective approved total investment amount and its respective approved registered capital amount. Furthermore, any foreign loan must be registered with SAFE or its local counterparts for the loan to be effective. Any increase in the amount of the total investment and registered capital must be approved by the PRC Ministry of Commerce or its local counterpart. We may not be able to obtain these government approvals or registrations on a timely basis, if at all, which could result in a delay in the process of making these loans. The dividends paid by the subsidiary to its shareholder are deemed shareholder income and are taxable in China. Pursuant to the Administration Rules of the Settlement, Sale and Payment of Foreign Exchange (1996), foreign-invested enterprises in China may purchase or remit foreign exchange, subject to a cap approved by SAFE, for settlement of current account transactions without the approval of SAFE. Foreign exchange transactions under the capital account are still subject to limitations and require approvals from, or registration with, SAFE and other relevant PRC governmental authorities.

 

Dividend Distribution. The principal regulations governing the distribution of dividends by foreign holding companies include the Company Law of the PRC (1993), as amended in 2013, the Foreign Investment Enterprise Law (1986), as amended in 2000 and 2016 respectively, and the Administrative Rules under the Foreign Investment Enterprise Law (1990), as amended in 2001 and 2014 respectively. Under these regulations, wholly foreign-owned investment enterprises in China may pay dividends only out of their retained profits, if any, determined in accordance with PRC accounting standards and regulations. In addition, wholly foreign-owned investment enterprises in China are required to allocate at least 10% of their respective retained profits each year, if any, to fund certain reserve funds unless these reserves have reached 50% of the registered capital of the enterprises. These reserves are not distributable as cash dividends, and a wholly foreign-owned enterprise is not permitted to distribute any profits until losses from prior fiscal years have been offset.

 

Circular 37. On July 4, 2014, SAFE issued Circular 37, which became effective as of July 4, 2014. According to Circular 37, PRC residents shall apply to SAFE and its branches for going through the procedures for foreign exchange registration of overseas investments before contributing the domestic assets or interests to a SPV. An amendment to registration or filing with the local SAFE branch by such PRC resident is also required if the registered overseas SPV’s basic information such as domestic individual resident shareholder, name, operating period, or major events such as domestic individual resident capital increase, capital reduction, share transfer or exchange, merger or division has changed. Although the change of overseas funds raised by overseas SPV, overseas investment exercised by overseas SPV and non-cross-border capital flow are not included in Circular 37, we may be required to make foreign exchange registration if required by SAFE and its branches. Moreover, Circular 37 applies retroactively. As a result, PRC residents who have contributed domestic assets or interests to a SPV, but failed to complete foreign exchange registration of overseas investments as required prior to implementation of Circular 37, are required to send a letter to SAFE and its branches for explanation. Under the relevant rules, failure to comply with the registration procedures set forth in Circular 37 may result in receiving a warning from SAFE and its branches, and may result in a fine of up to RMB 300,000 for an organization or up to RMB 50,000 for an individual. PRC residents who control our company are required to register with SAFE in connection with their investments in us. If we use our equity interest to purchase the assets or equity interest of a PRC company owned by PRC residents in the future, such PRC residents will be subject to the registration procedures described in Circular 37.

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New M&A Regulations and Overseas Listings

 

On August 8, 2006, six PRC regulatory agencies, including the Ministry of Commerce, the State Assets Supervision and Administration Commission, the State Administration for Taxation, the State Administration for Industry and Commerce, China Security Regulation Commission (CSRC) and SAFE, jointly issued the Regulations on Mergers and Acquisitions of Domestic Enterprises by Foreign Investors, or the New M&A Rule, which became effective on September 8, 2006 and was amended on June 22, 2009. This New M&A Rule, among other things, includes provisions that purport to require that an offshore special purpose vehicle formed for purposes of overseas listing of equity interests in PRC companies and controlled directly or indirectly by PRC companies or individuals obtain the approval of CSRC prior to the listing and trading of such special purpose vehicle’s securities on an overseas stock exchange. On September 21, 2006, CSRC published on its official website procedures regarding its approval of overseas listings by special purpose vehicles. The CSRC approval procedures require the filing of a number of documents with the CSRC and it would take several months to complete the approval process. The application of this new PRC regulation remains unclear with no consensus currently existing among leading PRC law firms regarding the scope of the applicability of the CSRC approval requirement. Our PRC counsel has advised us that, based on their understanding of the current PRC laws and regulations:

 

We currently control the Operating CompaniesPRC operating companies by virtue of TDH HK HoldingFoods Limited acquiring 100% of the equity interests of Qingdao Tiandihui Pet Foodstuffs, which are regulated by the New M&A Rule. According to the New M&A Rule, when a domestic company or a domestic natural person, through an overseas company established or controlled by it, to acquire a domestic company’s equity interest which is related to or connected with it, approval from Ministry of Commerce is required. At the time of our equity interest acquisition, as the acquiree, Qingdao Tiandihui Pet Foodstuffs was not related to or connected with the foreign investor, or the acquirer, TDH HK Holding.Foods Limited. Accordingly, we did not need the approval from Ministry of Commerce. In addition, we have received all relevant approvals and certificates required for the acquisition; andacquisition.

The CSRC approval under the New M&A Rule only applies to overseas listings of SPVs that have used their existing or newly issued equity interest to acquire existing or newly issued equity interest in Chinese domestic companies, or a SPV-domestic company share swap. TDH Holdings, Inc. does not constitutesconstitute a SPV that is required to obtain approval from the CSRC for overseas listing under the New M&A Rule because there has not been any SPV-domestic company share swap in our corporate history; and

 

Notwithstanding the above analysis, the CSRC has not issued any definitive rule or interpretation regarding whether offerings like the one contemplated by this Annual Report are subject to the New M&A Rule.

 

Regulations on Offshore Parent Holding Companies’ Direct Investment in and Loans to Their PRC Subsidiaries

 

An offshore company may invest equity in a PRC company, which will become the PRC subsidiary of the offshore holding company after investment. Such equity investment is subject to a series of laws and regulations generally applicable to any foreign-invested enterprise in China, which include the Wholly Foreign-owned Enterprise Law, the Sino-foreign Equity Joint Venture Enterprise Law, the Sino-foreign Contractual Joint Venture Enterprise Law, all as amended from time to time, and their respective implementing rules; the Administrative Provisions on Foreign Exchange in Domestic Direct Investment by Foreign Investors; and the Notice of the State Administration on Foreign Exchange on Further Improving and Adjusting Foreign Exchange Administration Policies for Direct Investment.

 


Under the aforesaid laws and regulations, the increase of the registered capital of a foreign-invested enterprise is subject to the prior approval by the original approval authority of its establishment. In addition, the increase of registered capital and total investment amount shall both be registered with SAIC, MOFCOM and SAFE. Shareholder loans made by offshore parent holding companies to their PRC subsidiaries are regarded as foreign debts in China for regulatory purpose, which is subject to a number of PRC laws and regulations, including the PRC Foreign Exchange Administration Regulations, the Interim Measures on Administration on Foreign Debts, the Tentative Provisions on the Statistics Monitoring of Foreign Debts and its implementation rules, and the Administration Rules on the Settlement, Sale and Payment of Foreign Exchange. Under these regulations, the shareholder loans made by offshore parent holding companies to their PRC subsidiaries shall be registered with SAFE. Furthermore, the total amount of foreign debts that can be borrowed by such PRC subsidiaries, including any shareholder loans, shall not exceed the difference between the total investment amount and the registered capital amount of the PRC subsidiaries, both of which are subject to the governmental approval.

 

ITEM 4A.UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

ITEM 4A. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

 

Not applicable.

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ITEM 5.OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS

ITEM 5. OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS

 

Overview

 

We started our company in 2002 in Qingdao, Shandong Province, PRC with a single mission of becoming a premier producer of high quality pet foodhigh-quality petfood for pet owners in China and worldwide. Our growthDue to the sharp rise in market price of raw materials, the lack of operational efficiency of our production facilities and our inability to make bank loan repayments upon maturity, we suspended our production and normal business operations, and we were involved in certain legal proceedings beginning in November 2019. Although we resumed our operations in May 2020 factors including the Covid-19 pandemic, the increase in costs of raw materials required for production; accepting less orders in an attempt to avoid unprofitable orders and customers; decreased demand for sales of petfood, led to a dramatic decrease in our petfood sales revenue. Additionally, our remaining production facility was frozen by court order and became subject to Tiandihui’s bankruptcy proceeding in 2022. On March 16, 2022, the People’s Court of Huangdao District, Qingdao City, Shandong Province made a civil ruling and announced the acceptance of creditors’ application of bankruptcy liquidation of Qingdao Tiandihui Foodstuffs Co., Ltd., and it entered into bankruptcy proceedings. We decided to discontinue our petfood manufacturing business segment in the first quarter of 2023 due to the above operational challenges. Accordingly, we sought strategic alternatives to the petfood industry and entered the restaurant segment on October 31, 2021, when we acquired 51% equity interests of Far Ling’s Inc and 100% equity interests of Bo Ling’s Chinese Restaurant, Inc. and plan to focus on our restaurant segment. On December 27, 2023, the court announced that the bankruptcy property distribution plan of Tiandihui was been implemented and the bankruptcy proceedings were completed. As a result, Tiandihui has been driven by two key factors: (i) an significant increase in the numberfully disposed as of pet owners and in the size of the pet food market in China which translated into expansion opportunities for us, and (ii) a fundamental change in Chinese society towards pets, pet ownership and care, such that the trends of pet humanization and consumer concerns for pet health and wellness have created a dynamically growing industry for pet food and products. We price our products to be accessible to the average consumer, providing us with broad demographic appeal and allowing us to penetrate multiple market segments. Founded on these building blocks, as well as on our in-depth research and development, production, and sales capabilities, we believe we are well prepared to be one of the leading producers of pet food in the PRC and beyond.December 31, 2023.

 

We are a holding company incorporated in the British Virgin Islands in(incorporated on September 2015. We own30, 2015) that owns all of the outstanding capital stock of TDH HK Limited, our wholly ownedwholly-owned Hong Kong subsidiary which,(TDH HK). We also own all of the outstanding capital stock of TDH Foods Limited, another wholly-owned Hong Kong subsidiary, and holds a 100% interest in TDH Income Corporation, a Nevada limited liability company. TDH HK, in turn, owns all of the outstanding capital stock of Qingdao Tiandihui, Foodstuffs Co., Ltd., our operating subsidiary based in Qingdao City, Shandong Province, China, which subsidiary incorporated in April 2002 as a domestic ChinesePRC limited liability company. AsTDH Foods Limited owns 100% of the dateoutstanding capital stock of this prospectus, we hold a 99% interest in TDH Petfood LLC, a Nevada limited liability company.Tiandihui Pet Foodstuffs, with its wholly-owned subsidiary of Qingdao Foodstuff Sales Co., Ltd. We conduct allsome of our business through Tiandihui Pet Foodstuff and Tiandihui Foodstuff Sales which has twoone wholly-owned subsidiaries:subsidiary: Beijing Chongai Jiujiu Cultural Communication Co., Ltd. (incorporated on March 3, 2011). TDH Income Corporation owns 100% of the outstanding capital stock of Ruby21Noland LLC. Ruby21Noland LLC was incorporated in the State of Missouri on June 9, 2021. On October 31, 2021, TDH Income Corporation acquired 51% equity interests of Far Ling’s Inc. On October 31, 2021, TDH Income Corporation acquired 100% equity interests of Bo Ling’s Chinese Restaurant, Inc. In addition, TDH Group BVBA, a Belgium company is wholly-owned by TDH Holdings, Inc.; TDH JAPAN, a Japanese company is wholly-owned by TDH Holdings, Inc. TDH Japan has been deregistered and dissolved in February 2021. On January 22, 2022, Beijing Wenxin was incorporated in Beijing City, PRC. On March 27, 2023, Qingdao Kangkang Development Co., Ltd. (incorporated on August 9, 2016)Chihong was incorporated in Qingdao City, PRC. On December 27, 2023, the court announced that the bankruptcy property distribution plan of Tiandihui was implemented and two majority-owned subsidiaries: Yichong (Qingdao) Technology Co., Ltd. (incorporated on November 14, 2017) and Qingdao Lingchong Information Technology Co., Ltd. (incorporated on November 29, 2017). the bankruptcy proceedings were completed. In December 2023, the Company transferred all its ownership interests in Chongai Jiujiu to a third party.

 

Our principal executive office is located at c/o Qingdao Tiandihui FoodstuffsBeijing Wenxin Co., Ltd., Room 1809, Financial Square, 197 Shuangzhu1104, Full Tower, 9 East Third Ring Middle Road, HuangdaoChaoyang District, Qingdao, Shandong Province,Beijing, PRC. Our telephone number is +86 532-8591-9267.+86-166-7863-6230. Our website address is www.tdhpetfood.com.www.tiandihui.com. The information on our website is not part of this prospectus.Annual Report.


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

 

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

Recent Developments

 

OverviewDiscontinued operations

We specializediscontinued our petfood manufacturing segment during the first quarter of 2023. On December 27, 2023, the Court announced that the bankruptcy property distribution plan of Tiandihui was implemented and the bankruptcy proceedings had completed. As a result, Tiandihui has been fully disposed as of December 31, 2023. Our decision to discontinue our petfood business was driven largely by the following factors: the increase in cost of raw materials required for production; accepting less orders in an attempt to avoid unprofitable orders and customers; decreased demand for sales of petfood; its historical performance and expected business forecasts in the development, manufactureabsence of further capital investments and saleopportunity costs; lawsuits and the closing of a varietyour manufacturing facilities and them being subject to the bankruptcy proceeding. We believe the discontinuation of petour petfood manufacturing business will provide us with the opportunity to redirect our focus and resources towards expanding and improving our restaurant segment.

We have resolved the legal challenges and resumed normal business operations

In order to diversify our revenue streams, on October 31, 2021, we acquired 51% equity interests of Far Ling’s Inc. and 100% equity interests of Bo Ling’s Chinese Restaurant, Inc. This resulted in an increase of $3.2 million and $3.1 million in food products under multiple brands that are well-establishedservice revenue for the years ended December 31, 2023 and recognizable by consumers2022, respectively. We decided to discontinue our petfood manufacturing business segment in the PRC, Asia, Europefirst quarter of 2023 due to the operational challenges and North America. We offer in excesswe plan to focus on our restaurant segment. On December 27, 2023, the court announced that the bankruptcy property distribution plan of 200 products, which are classified into 6 product lines: pet chews,dried pet snacks, wet canned pet food, dental health snacks, and baked pet biscuits (as well as non-food items like dog leashes, pet toys, etc.),Tiandihui was implemented and the others.bankruptcy proceedings were completed. Our multi-platformbusiness turnaround currently depends, in part, on our ability to successfully introduce manage and acquire new restaurants. If we are not able to effectively manage and acquire new restaurants that successfully generate revenue, we may not be able to grow and maintain our business as anticipated. We reported a net loss of approximately $23.63 million in fiscal year 2023 as compared to a net income of $0.86 million in 2022 and a net loss of $6.7 million in 2021, it is uncertain whether we may be able to continue to achieve profitability in the future.

Although we are currently trying to implement our business strategies in order to manage the future growth of our business, we cannot assure our current efforts may achieve the anticipated results and we may continue to incur operating losses in the near term. We cannot guarantee that going forward we will operate profitably. In order to achieve profitability, among other factors, management must successfully execute our growth and operations in the markets on which we are focused. If we are unable to successfully take necessary steps, we may be unable to sustain or increase our profitability in the future.

We face substantial challenges in our effort to resume normal business activities. Our future growth will place a significant strain on our sales approach connectsand marketing capacities, administrative and operating infrastructure, and other resources. We need to evaluate and identify suitable strategic or acquisition opportunities, complete such transactions on commercially favorable terms, or successfully integrate business operations, infrastructure and management philosophies of acquired restaurant businesses and companies, resolve the substantial litigation and judgements to which we are subject and raise substantial capital. There may be particular complexities, regulatory or otherwise, associated with our production outputexpansion into new markets, and our strategies may not succeed beyond our current markets. If we are unable to effectively address these challenges, our ability to execute acquisitions as a component of our long-term strategy will be impaired, which could have an adverse effect on our growth or our ability to function as a going concern. We also need to expand our customer base, refine our operational, financial and management controls and reporting systems and procedures. If we fail to efficiently manage this expansion of our business, our costs and expenses may increase more than anticipated and we may not successfully attract a sufficient number of customers in a cost-effective manner, respond to competitive challenges, or otherwise execute our business plans. In addition, we may, as part of carrying out our growth strategies, adopt new initiatives to implement new pricing models and strategies. We cannot assure you that these initiatives may achieve the anticipated results.

Our ability to effectively implement our strategies and sustain and manage future growth of our business will depend on a number of factors, including our ability to: (i) effectively market our restaurants to potential customers; (ii) develop and acquire new restaurants and related businesses; (iii) effectively recruit, train and motivate a large number of new employees; (iv) improve our operational, financial and management controls and efficiencies; (v) raise substantial amounts of capital; and (vi) make sound business decisions. These activities require significant capital expenditures and investment of valuable management and financial resources, and our growth will continue to place significant demands on our management. There are no guarantees that we will be able to effectively manage any future growth in an efficient, cost-effective and timely manner, or at all. If we do not effectively manage the growth of our business and operations, our reputation, results of operations and overall business and prospects, and our ability to continue as a going concern could be negatively impacted.


Overview

We started our company in 2002 in Qingdao, Shandong Province, PRC Asia, Europe and North America. Our rapid growth businesses, especially our most promising businesswith a single mission of cross-border e-commerce and domestic e-commerce, is moving us forward to be onebecoming a a producer of the leading manufacturers ofhigh-quality petfood for pet snacksowners in China and beyond.

Products research and development play an important roleworldwide. Due to the sharp rise in our business. Our production processes are developed based upon a numbermarket price of in-house developed technologies. The primary focusraw materials, the lack of such technologies is on customer needs, which allows us to maintain an effective market-oriented research and development model. Currently, we have been granted 20 invention and utility model patents, and applied 5 more patents. Because of our in-depth research and development effort and our proprietary recipes, cooking techniques and packaging developed over the last decade, we are able to provide differentiated pet food products to consumers throughout the world.

We own one facility and lease three others, with a total production area of approximately 250,000 square feet built to high quality food production standards, all of which are located at the areas with developed transport facilities in the coastal city of Qingdao City Shandong Province, PRC. Our Canning facility has 20 years of export processing history and maintains ISO9001, Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP), British Retail Consortium (BRC) and International Featured Standards (IFS) certifications, as well as EU registration for this facility. Our total daily production capacity at these facilities is approximately 16 tons.

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We also maintain a call service center in Qingdao with approximately 10 trained, multilingual personnel to address customer service matters arising from our sales in the PRC and abroad.

We employ approximately 213 full-time employees at our facilities. With the exception of our subsidiary’s offices located in Beijing, alloperational efficiency of our production executive, sales/marketingfacilities and customerour inability to make bank loan repayments upon maturity, we suspended our production and normal business operations and we were involved in certain legal proceedings beginning in November 2019. Although we resumed our operations in May 2020 factors including the Covid-19 pandemic, the increase in cost of raw materials required for production; accepting less orders in an attempt to avoid unprofitable orders and customers; and decreased demand for sales of petfood, led to a decrease in our petfood revenue from $0.47 million in 2021, to $0.02 million in 2022 and to only $0 million in 2023. Additionally, our remaining petfood manufacturing facility was frozen by the court and became subject to Tiandihui’s bankruptcy proceeding in 2022. We discontinued our petfood manufacturing segment during the first quarter of 2023. Accordingly, we sought strategic alternatives to the petfood industry and entered the restaurant segment on October 31, 2021, when we acquired 51% equity interests of Far Ling’s Inc and 100% equity interests of Bo Ling’s Chinese Restaurant, Inc. This resulted in an increase of $3.1 million and $3.2 million in food service facilities coveringrevenue for the PRCyears ended December 31, 2022 and overseas markets are located in Shandong Province, PRC.2023, respectively. On December 27, 2023, the court announced that the bankruptcy property distribution plan of Tiandihui was implemented and the bankruptcy proceedings were completed.

Revenues from continuing operations

 

Our workforce is highly skilled in animal nutrition, sales and marketing. Led by Cui Rongfeng,Historically before 2019, our founder, chairman and chief executive officer, our management team is comprised of an experienced group of executives, with have many years of operating experience in their respective departments.

We actively pursue markets in which our products can make a substantial difference to customers. Our current capabilities allow us to develop new and innovative products and obtain new distribution channels for existing and potential markets. Startingrevenue primarily was generated from 2013, we utilize online sale and multi-brand, multi-store brand sale strategies. We use Tmall.com, JD.com, 1688, YHD, eBay, and Amazon as our marketing platforms and establish a comprehensive network of various brand shops in China, and set up direct sale website in Europe and US. Our products are available in multiple forms, including slice and serve rolls, strips, tubs, etc. Allsales of our petfood products are sold under several different brand names, including, among others, Pet Cuisine, Hum & Cheer, Like, TDH, Tiandihui and Dog Zone Sasami.

Our sales and marketing team consists of 2 integral groups – an original design manufacturer (ODM) domestic (PRC) marketing group, and ODM overseas marketing group. We operate a B2F (business-2-factory) business model. Our model relies on our R&D strength to devise product lines and provide our customers with personalized and customized products. As a part of our ODM production process, we continuously accumulate a large amount of market information about our customers, in the PRC and abroad, which assists us in making appropriate selection of products. We utilize online sale and multi-brand, multi-store brand sale strategies. Using Tmall.com, JD.com, 1688.com, Alibaba.com, YHD.com, and Amazon as our marketing platforms, our PRC marketing group has established a comprehensive network of various brand shops. In addition, our cross-border marketing/sales group mainly relies on Amazon and eBay platforms as well as direct sale websites in Europe and the U.S. to operate its marketing and sales efforts.

We believe we will maintain a continued growth and increase our net income in the coming years.

We operate our business in China through our wholly-owned and majority-owned subsidiaries, Tiandihui, Chongai Jiujiu, Kangkang Development, Yichong and Lingchong.

Revenues

We derive our revenues from wholesale and retail of pet food, mainly through our overseaoverseas and domestic distribution agents, and online sales through various electronic commerce platforms. Revenue consists of the invoiced value for the sales, net of value-added tax (“VAT”), business tax, applicable local government levies and returns. Due to the sharp rise in market price of raw materials, the lack of operational efficiency of our production facilities and our inability to make bank loan repayment upon maturity, we suspended our production and normal business operations, and we were involved in certain legal proceedings beginning in November 2019. Although we resumed our operations in May 2020 factors including the COVID-19 pandemic, the increase in cost of raw materials required for production; accepting less orders in an attempt to avoid unprofitable orders and customers; and decreased demand for sales of petfood, led to a decrease in our petfood revenue from $0.47 million in 2021, to $0.02 million in 2022 and to only $0 million in 2023. We decided to discontinue our petfood manufacturing business segment in the first quarter 2023. On December 27, 2023, the court announced that the bankruptcy property distribution plan of Tiandihui was implemented and the bankruptcy proceedings were completed, and our pet food business line has been substantially terminated.

 

On October 31, 2021 we acquired 51% equity interests of Far Ling’s Inc and 100% equity interests of Bo Ling’s Chinese Restaurant, Inc. and started our restaurant business. This resulted in an increase of $3.1 million and $3.2 million in food service revenue for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2023, respectively.


The following factors affectaffected the revenues we derivederived from our operations.operations from 2021 to 2023.

 

MaintainCOVID-19 Impact: Our operations may be further affected by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. A COVID-19 resurgence could negatively affect the execution of customer contracts and the collection of customer payments. Although the spread of COVID-19 appears to be under control currently, the extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic may impact our future financial results will depend on future developments, such as new information on the effectiveness of the mitigation strategies, the duration, spread, severity, and recurrence of COVID-19 and any COVID-19 variants, the related travel advisories and restrictions, the overall impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the global economy and capital markets, and the efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines, which may also take extended time to be widely and adequately distributed, all of which remain highly uncertain and unpredictable. Given this uncertainty, we are currently unable to quantify the expected impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on its future operations, financial condition, liquidity, and results of operations if the current situation continues.

Our ability to maintain our competitive advantages.Based We decided to discontinue our petfood manufacturing business segment in the first quarter 2023 and focus on our strength in research and development, we can provide more than 200 pet snack products which give our customers more choices and a greater sense of satisfaction. We focus on the needs of the market and provide our customers with personalized and customized products. We have formed our own unique and competitive advantages.restaurant segment. However, the market conditions and consumer preferences change rapidly. If we fail to maintain our reputation and competitiveness,competitive advantages, customers demand for our dining products and services could decline.

Competition.The In addition, competition in the restaurant industry is intense. We face sustained, intense competition from traditional, fast casual and other competitors, which may include many non-traditional market of pet food is very competitive. The number of pet food manufacturers is increasing dueparticipants such as convenience stores, grocery stores, coffee shops and online retailers. We expect our environment to the growth of actualcontinue to be highly competitive, and predicted demand for pet food products and the relatively low barriers to entry. Moreover, Our PRC market is characterized by price competition, product quality and the presence of a number of medium to large companies. We are subject to pricing pressure and may experience a declineour results in average selling prices for our products. We compete with a significant number of companies of varying sizes, including divisions or subsidiaries of larger companies who may have greater financial resources and larger customer bases than we have. As a result, these competitorsany particular reporting period may be able to identify and adapt to changes in consumer preferences more quickly than us due to their resources and scale. They may also be more successful in marketing and selling their products, better able to increase prices to reflect cost pressures and better able to increase their promotional activity, which may impact us and the entire pet food industry. In order to mitigate the pricing pressure, we have to differentiate ourselves from our competitors based on the value we bring to our customers through the quality and variety of our products. If we fail to attract and retain customers in our target markets for our current and future products, we will be unable to maintainimpacted by a contracting IEO segment or increase our revenues and market share. 

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Someby new or continuing actions, product offerings or consolidation of our competitors and third-party partners, which may have established more prominenta short-term or long-term impact on our results. We compete on the basis of product choice, quality, affordability, service and location. In particular, we believe our ability to compete successfully in the current market positions. We believe thatenvironment depends on our principal competitors includeability to improve existing products, successfully develop and introduce new products, price our products appropriately, deliver a relevant customer experience, manage the following companies: Yantai China Pet Foods Co., Ltd., Wenzhou Peidi Pet Products Co., Ltd. and Shouguang Xincheng Food Co., Ltd.

Expansion of E-commerce sales. We believe that we should continue to expand our business, especially our domestic and oversea E-commerce business. Our E-commerce business contributed approximately 19.79%, 18.25% and 10.09%complexity of our 2017, 2016restaurant operations, manage our investments in technology and 2015 total revenue, respectively. The amount reached $5,734,121 formodernization, and respond effectively to our competitors’ actions or offerings or to unforeseen disruptive actions. There can be no assurance these strategies will be effective, and some strategies may be effective at improving some metrics while adversely affecting other metrics, which could have the year ended December 31, 2017 from $4,461,504 for the year ended December 31, 2016, representing an increaseoverall effect of 28.52%. The amount increased by $2,815,739 for the year ended December 31, 2016 from $1,645,765 for the year ended December 31, 2015, representing an increase of 171.09%. If we fail to maintainharming our rapid growth in E-commerce business, our total revenue growth could slow down.business.

 

Loss of key personnel.Our rapid growth in revenue was derived from our competitive advantages in our products. We rely heavily on the expertise and leadership of our senior management to maintain our core competence. The loss of the service of any of our key personnel could adversely affect our business, especially Rongfeng Cui, our founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. We have obtained non-compete agreements and confidentiality agreements from our scientist and technique staffs in our research and development and manufacturing departments.business.

 

Potential trade protection action. Trade protectionism actions filed with the regulatory authorities in United States, European Union or elsewhere around the world could result in the imposition of additional duties and tariffs on the importation of pet food from China to each respective national market.  Any determination of duties and tariffs against importation of our modules into the United States and Europe could render us unable to sell products in these countries that could impact our sales, business operations, competitiveness, and profitability.


 

Group boycott initiated by the local pet food association.Currently we still rely on the local agents to expand our sales in oversea market. The pet food association in some country was influential in local market. It is possible that these associations may boycott our pet snack products for the reasons such as low price dumping, substandard products, etc. If this is the case, our revenue will be adversely affected.

 

Macro-economic conditions.Our business, financial condition and results of operations may be materially adversely affected by a challenging economic climate, including adverse changes in interest rates, volatile commodity markets and inflation, contraction in the availability of credit in the market and reductions in consumer spending. A macroeconomic downturn, which decreases the disposaldisposable personal income, and reduces the need for luxury goods, may contribute to decreased sales of our pet food products. Conversely, the economic growth may result in more sales ofpetfood products and our pet food products.restaurant business.

 

Costs and Expenses from continuing operations

 

We primarily incur the followingOur costs and expenses:expenses primarily include the following:

 

Costs of revenues. Cost of revenues of our petfood business consists primarily of direct raw materials, direct payroll of workshop staff, utility and supply costs consumed in the manufacturing process, manufacturing labor, depreciation expense and overhead expenses necessary to manufacture finished goods as well as distribution costs such as inbound freight charges. We expect our costCost of revenues to increase in absolute dollars as we acquire more significant amounts of raw materialsour restaurant business consist primarily of food and expand our workshop staff to support our continued growth. We expect our cost of revenue as a percentage of revenue to maintain stable.packaging costs, payroll and employee benefit costs, store lease and occupancy costs and depreciation and amortization costs.

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses. Selling, general and administrative expenses consist primarily of compensation expense for our corporate staff in supporting departments, communication costs, gasoline, shipping and handling cost, welfare expenses, education expenses, professional fees (including consulting, audit and legal fees), travel and business hospitality expenses. We anticipate that our administrative expenses, particularly those related to support personnel costs, professional fees, as well as Sarbanes-Oxley compliance, will increase when we are a publicly-traded company in the United States.

 

Income tax expense. We account for income taxes under the provisions of Section 740-10-30 of the FASB Accounting Standards Codification, which is an asset and liability approach that requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in the financial statements or tax returns.

As TDH Holdings, TDH HK, TDH Petfood LLC, Kangkang Development, Chongai Jiujiu, Yichong and Lingchong had no operating profit or tax liabilities for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, our income tax expense reflects income tax paid and provided by Tiandihui.

36

 


The following factors affect our cost of revenues and expense.

 

Price fluctuation of raw materials.The purchase ofFor our petfood business, the raw materials accounts for the majority ofpurchase costs significantly impact our cost of goods sold. TheAny significant fluctuation of the market price of raw materials is out of our control and the fluctuation of materials may significantlynegatively affect our operating results. AlthoughEven if our current materials supply is relatively stable, we could be impacted by material price fluctuation in coming years. For our restaurant business, food and beverage purchase costs and labor costs also significantly impact our costs of goods sold.

 

Prevailing salary levels. Our cost of revenues is impacted by prevailing salary levels. Although we have not been subject to significant wage inflation, in China, a significant increase in the market rate for wages could harm our operating results and our operating margin. Our ability to attract, retain, and expand our senior management and our professional and technical staff is an important factor in determining our future success. The market for qualified scientists and researchers is competitive. From time to time, it may be difficult to attract and retain qualified individuals with the required expertise at a fair wage. An increase in compensation of our scientists and researchers may increase our operating cost.

 

Depreciation. Our depreciation expenses are mainly driven by the net value of machinery equipment, motor vehicles, buildings, lease restaurant store and other items. Depreciation of property, plant and equipment is calculated based on cost, less their estimated residual value, if any, using the straight-line method over estimated useful life from 5 years to 50 years. Any change of the depreciation accounting policy or impairment of our property may affect our operating results.

 

Shipping and handling expense.Our shipping and handling expense includes domestic freight, overseaoverseas freight, domestic express fee, distribution cost in European Union and North America. Because of rapid growth of E-commerce business, our domestic express fee accounted for approximately 16.57% of the related revenue, and our distribution cost inside European Union and North America, which was outsourced to Amazon, reached 65.86% of the related revenue.shipping fee. In order to reduce shipping and handling cost, we are trying to negotiate with and establish closer cooperation with several shipping companies providing express shipping services in sales, we tryorder to decreaselock favorable fee rates and reduce the domestic express fee to 10% by larger scalefees.

Results of Operations

For the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and closer cooperation with express company,2021

  December 31  2023 vs  2022 vs 
  2023  2022  2021  2022  2021 
   $   $   $         
Net revenues from continuing operations  3,175,809   3,098,733   1,081,095   2.49%  186.63%
Cost of revenues from continuing operations  2,146,215   2,046,200   769,967   4.89%  165.75%
Gross profit  1,029,594   1,052,533   311,128   -2.18%  238.30%
Gross margin  32.42%  33.97%  28.78%  N/A   N/A 
Selling expense  90,659   91,370   74,278   -0.78%  23.01%
General and administrative expenses  4,269,092   4,002,346   3,541,872   6.66%  13.00%
Stock-based compensation expense  3,040,000   -   -   100.00%  N/A 
Impairment of goodwill  -   -   355,570   N/A   -100.00%
Loss from operations  (6,370,157)  (3,048,016)  (3,322,141)  108.99%  16.73%


Revenues from continuing operations.

Our revenue from continuing operations were $3,175,809, $3,098,733 and set up our own distribution department to replace the Amazon.

Research and Development expense.Due to the uncertainty for the result of our R&D activities, we expensed all of our R&D expenditure. The R&D expense$1,081,095 for the years ended December 31, 2017, 20162023, 2022 and 2015 was $1,051,665, $1,076,5682021, respectively. Our total revenue from continuing operations increased by $77,076 or 2.49% when comparing 2023 to 2022 and $593,962 respectively. We expected more R&D projects would be approved and implemented, in the coming yearsincreased by $2,017,638 or 186.63% when comparing 2022 to maintain our competitive advantage.2021.

Results of Operations

For the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015

  December 31       
  2017  2016  2015  2017 vs 2016  2016 vs 2015 
  $  $  $       
Net revenues  28,473,016   24,443,736   16,312,274   16.48%  49.85%
Net revenues-related party  506,495   -   -   100%  0%
Cost of revenues  20,283,321   17,368,249   12,289,773   16.78%  41.32%
Cost of revenues-related party  399,177   -   -   100%  0%
Gross profit  8,297,013   7,075,487   4,022,501   17.26%  75.90%
Gross margin  28.63%  28.95%  24.66%  N/A   N/A 
Selling expense  4,882,367   3,439,843   1,820,700   41.94%  88.93%
R&D expense  1,051,665   1,076,568   593,962   -2.31%  81.25%
General and administrative expenses  2,095,676   1,407,787   931,107   48.86%  51.19%
                     
Operating income  267,305   1,151,289   676,732   -76.78%  70.12%

 

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Revenues.

Our revenue was $28,979,511, $24,443,736 and $16,312,274 for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively, an increase of $4,535,775, and $8,131,462. Our revenue growth in amount in the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 resulted primarily from substantial growth in oversea sales and-significant growth in our E-commerce business. The following table displays our revenue from our continuing operations by different marketing channels.

 

  December 31    
  2017  2016  2015  2017 vs 2016  2016 vs 2015 
  $  $  $       
Oversea sales 21,190,063  18,882,589  13,987,822  12.22%  34.99% 
Domestic sales  2,086,462   1,129,133   701,425   84.78%  60.98%
Electronic commerce  5,734,121   4,461,504   1,645,765   28.52%  171.09%
Less: Sale tax and addition  (31,135)  (29,490)  (22,738)  5.58%  29.69%
Total revenues  28,979,511   24,443,736   16,312,274   18.56%  49.85%
  December 31  2023 vs  2022 vs 
  2023  2022  2021  2022  2021 
  $  $  $       
Pet food oversea sales  -   -   134,896   N/A   -100%
Pet food domestic sales  754   25,849   308,267   -97%  -92%
Pet food electronic commerce sales  -   -   34,590   N/A   -100%
Restaurant revenue  3,175,055   3,074,007   606,463   3%  407%
Less: Sale tax and addition  -   (1,123)  (3,121)  -100%  -64%
Total revenues from continuing operations  3,175,809   3,098,733   1,081,095   2%  187%

 

Year Ended December 31, 2023 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2022

For the year ended December 31, 2023, for revenue generated from petfood sales of our continuing operations, our domestic sales decreased by $25,095 or 97%, and there was no e-commerce sales and overseas sales of petfood products. However, revenue from our restaurant business segment in the United States increased by $101,048 or 3%. As a result, our total revenue increased by $77,076 or 2% when comparing 2023 to 2022.

The decrease of petfood sales revenue of our continuing operations in 2023 was primarily due to the discontinuation of our pet food manufacturing business segment in the first quarter of 2023.

As a result of the above, our total revenues from continuing operations for the fiscal year 2023 increased as compared with the fiscal year 2022.

Year Ended December 31, 2022 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2021

For the year ended December 31, 2022, for revenue generated from petfood sales of our continuing operations, our domestic sales decreased by $282,418 or 92%, and there was no e-commerce sales and overseas sales of petfood products. However, revenue from our restaurant business segment in the United States increased by $2,467,544 or 407%. As a result, our total revenue increased by $2,017,638 or 187% when comparing 2022 to 2021.

The decrease of petfood sales revenue of our continuing operations in 2022 was mainly due to the following factors: Due to the sharp rise in market price of raw materials, the lack of operational efficiency of our production facilities and our inability to make bank loan repayments upon maturity, we suspended our production and normal business operations and we were involved in certain legal proceedings beginning in November 2019. Although we resumed our operations in May 2020 factors including the COVID-19 pandemic, the increase in cost of raw materials required for production; accepting less orders in an attempt to avoid unprofitable orders and customers; and decreased demand for sales of petfood, led to a decrease in our petfood revenue from $0.47 million in 2021 and to only $0.02 million in 2022. Additionally, our remaining petfood production facility was frozen by the court and became subject to Tiandihui’s bankruptcy proceeding in 2022. We decided to discontinue our petfood manufacturing business segment in the first quarter 2023 due to the above operational challenges.

On the other hand, revenue from our restaurant business segment increased by $2,467,544 or 407% when comparing 2022 to 2021. On October 31, 2021, we acquired 51% equity interests of Far Ling’s Inc. and 100% equity interests of Bo Ling’s Chinese Restaurant, Inc. Revenue from our restaurant business primarily includes food and beverage sales of $606,463 for the last two months in 2021 after we acquired the business on October 31, 2021 and include 12 months of sales in 2022.

As a result of the above, our total revenues from continuing operations for the fiscal year 2022 increased as compared with the fiscal year 2021.


The revenue generated from different product lines from our continuing operations are set forth as following:

 

  December 31       
  2017  2016  2015  2017 vs 2016  2016 vs 2015 
  $  $  $       
Pet chews 9,614,426  10,316,841  6,581,597  -6.81%  56.75% 
Dried pet snacks  14,851,868   11,204,517   7,902,104   32.55%  41.79%
Wet canned pet food  3,035,196   1,926,455   1,444,143   57.55%  33.40%
Dental health snacks  856,875   606,648   321,711   41.25%  88.57%
Baked pet biscuits  8,226   123,898   85,457   -93.36%  44.98%
Others  644,055   294,867   -   118.42%  100%
Less: Sale tax and addition  (31,135)  (29,490)  (22,738)  5.58%  29.69%
Total revenues  28,979,511   24,443,736   16,312,274   18.56%  49.85%
  December 31  2023 vs  2022 vs 
  2023  2022  2021  2022  2021 
  $  $  $       
Pet chews  -   8,367   46,112   -100%  -82%
Dried pet snacks  -   8,005   293,325   -100%  -97%
Wet canned petfood  -   1,290   10,760   -100%  -88%
Dental health snacks  -   550   6,127   -100%  -91%
Restaurant revenue  3,175,055   3,074,007   606,463   3%  407%
Others  754   7,637   121,429   -90%  -94%
Less: Sale tax and addition  -   (1,123)  (3,121)  -100%  -64%
Total revenues from continuing operations  3,175,809   3,098,733   1,081,095   2%  187%

  

Year Ended December 31, 2023 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2022

Our total revenue from continuing operations increased by $77,076 or 2% when comparing 2023 to 2022, among which, revenue generated from pet chews decreased by $8,367 or 100%, revenue from dried pet snacks decreased by $8,005 or 100%, revenue generated from wet canned petfoods decreased by $1,290 or 100%, revenue generated from dental health snacks decreased by $550 or 100%, from the year ended December 31, 2022 to the year ended December 31, 2023, respectively. The decrease of petfood sales revenue of our continuing operations in 2023 was primarily due to the discontinuation of our pet food manufacturing business segment in the first quarter of 2023. On the other hand, on October 31, 2021, we acquired 51% equity interests of Far Ling’s Inc and 100% equity interests of Bo Ling’s Chinese Restaurant, Inc. This resulted in an increase of $101,048 in restaurant revenue in 2023 from food and beverage sales to customers as compared to 2022.

Year Ended December 31, 2022 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2021

Our total revenue from continuing operations increased by $2,017,638 or 187% when comparing 2022 to 2021, among which, revenue generated from pet chews decreased by $37,745 or 82%, revenue from dried pet snacks decreased by $285,320 or 97%, revenue generated from wet canned petfoods decreased by $9,470 or 88%, revenue generated from dental health snacks decreased by $5,577 or 91%, from the year ended December 31, 2021 to the year ended December 31, 2022, respectively. In addition, revenue generated from dental health snacks decreased by $6,127 or 100%, from the year ended December 31, 2021 to the year ended December 31, 2022. The decrease in petfood sales was primarily due to our inability to fulfill customer orders on a timely basis due to disruption of supply chain and logistics caused by the COVID-19, as well as decrease of sales order, and our unfavorable selling price which led to our products became less attractive to customers. In addition, our petfood manufacturing activities were suspended in 2022 because our remaining petfood production facility was frozen by the court and became subject to Tiandihui’s bankruptcy proceeding. On the other hand, on October 31, 2021, we acquired 51% equity interests of Far Ling’s Inc and 100% equity interests of Bo Ling’s Chinese Restaurant, Inc. This resulted in an increase of $2,467,544 in restaurant revenue in 2022 from food and beverage sales to customers as compared to 2021.

The revenue generated from different countries from our continuing operations are set forth as following:

 

  December 31       
  2017  2016  2015  2017 vs 2016  2016 vs 2015 
  $  $  $       
South Korea 5,397,982  5,299,721  4,689,733  1.85%  13.01% 
China  6,553,715   5,073,272   2,347,190   29.18%  116.14%
United Kingdom  3,213,303   3,227,619   289,228   -0.44%  1015.94%
Germany  3,585,535   3,204,314   3,309,266   11.90%  -3.17%
Other countries  10,260,111   7,668,300   5,699,595   33.80%  34.54%
Less: Sale tax and addition  (31,135)  (29,490)  (22,738)  5.58%  29.69%
Total revenues  28,979,511   24,443,736   16,312,274   18.56%  49.85%
  December 31  2023 vs  2022 vs 
  2023  2022  2021  2022  2021 
  $  $  $       
South Korea  -   -   37,320   N/A   -100%
China  754   25,849   342,857   -97%  -92%
U.S.  3,175,055   3,074,007   606,463   3%  407%
Other countries  -   -   97,576   N/A   -100%
Less: Sale tax and addition  -   (1,123)  (3,121)  -100%  -64%
Total revenues from continuing operations  3,175,809   3,098,733   1,081,095   2%  187%

 

“Other countries” is comprised of all countries whose revenues, individually, were less than 10% of the Company’s revenues.

 

Our domestic E-commerce sales accounted for most of the total E-commerce sales. For the year ended


Year Ended December 31, 2017,2023 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2022

Overall, in terms of revenue from our continuing operations, our petfood sales to the China domestic E-commerce salesmarket and overseas market both significantly decreased in 2023 and 2022, mainly due to the discontinuation of our pet food manufacturing business segment in the first quarter of 2023. On the other hand, revenue from United States increased by $368,710, or 9.35%, to $4,312,849. For the year ended December 31, 2016, our domestic E-commerce sales increased by $2,298,374, or 139.65%, to $3,944,139,$101,048 in 2023 as compared to $1,645,765 for2022 attributable to the year endedrestaurant business.

Year Ended December 31, 2015. We generated sales of $1,421,272 and $517,365 in oversea E-commerce for the years ended2022 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.2021

 

With regard to overseas wholesales, as our businesses involvedOverall, in more and more oversea marketplace, we reduced our dependence on certain countries’ markets. Revenue generated from South Korea and Germany accounted for 33.53% and 23.66%terms of our oversea sales for the year ended December 31, 2015, these ratios decreased to 27.32% and 16.52%, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2016, and further decreased to 24.04% and 15.97%, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2017. In addition, revenue generated from United Kingdom accounted for 2.07% of the oversea sales, for the year ended December 31, 2015, increased to 16.64% for the year ended December 31, 2016 and further decreased to 14.31% for the year ended December 31, 2017. And revenue generated from other countries increased to account for 45.69%, for the year ended December 31, 2017, from 39.53% for the year ended December 31, 2016.

Revenues generated from our major product lines - Pet chews, dried pet snacks and Wet canned pet foods, account for 94.90%, 95.93% and 97.64%, respectively, ofcontinuing operations, our totalpetfood sales for the year ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015. Revenue generated from dried pet snacks and wet canned pet foods increased by 32.55% and 57.55%, respectively, from the year ended December 31, 2016 to the year ended December 31, 2017.

OurChina domestic market and overseas market both significantly decreased in 2022 as compared to 2021, mainly due to decreased sales growth was mainly driven by the growth in sales volume. Selling pricevolume of our products remained stable foras affected by the year ended December 31, 2017.

negative impact of COVID-19 as discussed above, as well as decrease in sales orders, and our unfavorable selling price. On the other hand, revenue from United States increased by $2,467,544 in 2022 as compared to 2021 attributable to the restaurant business we acquired in October 2021 and we had 12 months operations in 2022 as compared to only 2 months operations in 2021.

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The Company made sales to Qingdao Like Pet Supplies Co., Ltd., a related party of the Company, in the amount of $506,495, and incurred corresponding cost of $399,177 for the year ended December 31, 2017. This income from related party has been collected as of December 31, 2017.

Cost of revenues.revenues from continuing operations

Our cost of revenues from our continuing operations is primarily comprised of the cost of our raw materials, labor and factory overhead in which the raw materials accounts for 86% to 88%.costs. Our cost of revenues from continuing operations, increased by $3,314,249,$100,015 or 19.08%,4.89% for the year ended December 31, 20172023 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2016. And2022, primarily due to increased by $5,078,476, or 41.32% for the year ended December 31, 2016, compared to the year ended December 31, 2015. This absolute dollar increase in costfood and beverage costs, labor costs and overhead costs associated with our restaurant business. Cost of revenues associated with our petfood sales was mainly due to the 18.56% and 49.85% increaseimmaterial in our total net revenue for the year ended December 31, 2017, and 2016.2023. Our cost of revenues as a percentage of revenue was 71.37%, 71.05%67.58% and 75.34%66.03% for the years ended December 31, 2017, 20162023, and 2015,2022, respectively.

 

Gross margin. Our gross margin was 28.63%, maintained stablecost of revenues from our continuing operations is primarily comprised of the cost of our raw materials, labor and overhead costs. Our cost of revenues from continuing operations, increased by $1,276,233 or 165.75% for the year ended December 31, 2017,2022 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2021, primarily due to increased food and increased by 4.29%,beverage costs, labor costs and overhead costs associated with our restaurant business. Cost of revenues associated with our petfood sales was immaterial in 2022. Our cost of revenues as a percentage of revenue was 66.03% and 71.21% for the years ended December 31, 2022, and 2021, respectively.

Gross margin from 24.66%continuing operations

Our gross margin from continuing operations was 32.42% for the year ended December 31, 2015, to 28.95%2023, compared with gross margin of 33.97% for the year ended December 31, 2016. This increase2022. The decrease in 2016gross margin was primarilymainly due to the fact that more products were outsourced in manufacturing process during the year ended December 31, 2016. In practice, manufacturing process was able to improve our production efficiency, and reduce unit cost of product. Our semi-finished goods from outsourcing factories accounted for 24.55%decreased gross margin of our total purchasing amountrestaurant business and changes in 2017,related sales mix of food and beverage products, labor costs and overhead costs in 2023 as compared to 39.13% in 2016 and 21.92% in 2015. The significant increase in outsourcing production contributed to our conversion cost as a percentage of revenue decreased by 6.27%,2022.

Our gross margin from 17.34%continuing operations was 33.97% for the year ended December 31, 2015, to 11.07%2022, compared with gross margin of 28.78% for the year ended December 31, 2016, while the direct materials cost as percentage of revenue increased by 8.72%, from 60.38% for the year ended December 31, 2015, to 69.10% for the year ended December 31, 2016.2021. The significant increaseimprovement in outsourcing production contributed to our conversion cost as a percentage of revenue decreased by 2.51%, from 11.07% for the year ended December 31, 2016, to 8.56% for the year ended December 31, 2017, while the direct materials cost as percentage of revenue decreased by 4.68%, from 69.10% for the year ended December 31, 2016, to 64.42% for the year ended December 31, 2017.

Our gross margin for third parties was 28.75% for the year ended December 31, 2017. And themainly due to increased gross margin forof our restaurant business and changes in related party was 21.19% for the same period.sales mix of food and beverage products in 2022 as compared to 2021.

 

Selling, generalOperating expenses from continuing operations

Operating expenses from our continuing operations were $7,399,751, and administrative expenses. Selling, general and administrative expenses were $6,978,043, $4,847,630 and $2,751,807$4,100,549 for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016,2023 and 20152022, respectively, an increase of $2,130,413,$3,299,202, or 43.95%, and $2,095,823, or 76.16%80.46%. Therefore, the scale of increase in selling, general and administrative expenses was larger than the increase in revenue. Accordingly theThe ratio of Selling, general and administrativeoperating expenses as a percentage of revenue increased year by year, from 16.87% for the year of 2015, 19.83% for the year of 2016, to 24.08%132.33% for the year ended December 31, 2017.2022 to 233.00% for the year ended December 31, 2023.

 

Selling expense from our continuing operations was $4,882,367, $3,439,843$90,659 and $1,820,700$91,370 for the years ended December 31, 2017, 20162023, and 2015,2022, respectively, a decrease of $711 or 0.78%. Our selling expenses decreased in 2023 compared to 2022, mainly due to the company’s management saving expenses.

General and administrative expenses from our continuing operations was $7,309,092, and $4,002,346 for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 respectively, representing an increase of $3,306,746, or 82.62%. The main reason for the increase was mainly due to increased payroll expenses as a result of the increase in the number of employees and stock-based compensation expense due to extension of warrants exercise date.


Operating expenses from our continuing operations were $4,100,549, and $3,971,720 for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively, an increase of $1,442,524,$128,829, or 41.94% and $1,619,143, or 88.93%3.24%. The increase in selling expense was mainly due to the increase in e-commerce promotionratio of operating expenses e-commerce platform commission, shipping and handling expenses and payroll expenses for marketing personnel. As it was the Company’s strategy to expand e-commerce businessas a percentage of revenue decreased from 367.38% for the year ended December 31, 20172021 to 132.33% for the year ended December 31, 2022.

Selling expense from our continuing operations was $91,370 and 2016.

General and administrative expenses was $2,095,676, $1,407,787 and $931,107$74,278 for the years ended December 31, 2017, 20162022, and 2015,2021, respectively, an increase of $17,092 or 23.01%. The increase in our selling expense was in line with our increased restaurant business segment revenue in 2022. As our revenue increased, our marketing campaign related costs and sales commission paid to our sales teams increased in 2022 as compared to 2021.

General and administrative expenses from our continuing operations was $4,002,346, and $3,541,872 for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 respectively, representing an increase of $687,889,$460,474, or 48.86%, and an increase of $476,680, or 51.19%13.00%. The main reason for the increase was mainly due to the additional professional feeincreased depreciation and amortization expenses related to the IPO and the increase in management’s compensation.our restaurant business.

 

The ResearchImpairment of goodwill was $0, $0 and development expense remained stable$355,570 for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. There was no such goodwill impairment in 2023 and 2022. In connection with our acquisition of restaurant business, we recognized a goodwill of $355,570 as of the acquisition date. However, due to our significant net loss in fiscal year 2021, goodwill of $355,570 has been fully impaired for the year ended December 31, 2017, after the significant increase from 2015 to 2016. However, we obtained three invention patents in 2017, and were applying for ten patents as of December 31, 2017.2021.

 

We anticipate that our administrative expenses, particularly those related to support personnel costs, professional fees, as well as Sarbanes-Oxley compliance, will increase when we are a publicly-traded company in the United States.

Income from operations. Our incomeLoss from operations from continuing operations.

Our loss from operations associated with our continuing operations was $267,305, $1,151,289, and $676,732$6,370,157 for the year ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015.2023, while our loss from operations was $3,048,016 for the year ended December 31, 2022. Our operating incomeloss as a percentage of total revenues was 0.92%negative 200.58%, 4.71% and 4.15%negative 98.36% for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The continuous loss from operation was mainly due to increased operating expenses in 2023.

Our loss from operations associated with our continuing operations was $3,048,016 for the year ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The increase in2022, while our incomeloss from operations mainly resulted from the expansion of our oversea and domestic sales and rapid growth of E-commerce businesswas $3,660,592 for the year ended December 31, 20162021. Our operating loss as a percentage of total revenues was negative 98.36%, and 2015.negative 338.60% for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. The decreasecontinuous loss from operation was mainly due to increased operating expenses in 2022.

Income taxes expense from continuing operations.

Due to our continuous operating loss for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, we reported minimal income tax benefit for those years.

Net loss from discontinued operations

On March 16, 2022, the People’s Court of Huangdao District, Qingdao City, Shandong Province made a civil ruling and announced the acceptance of creditors’ application of bankruptcy liquidation of Tiandihui, and it entered into bankruptcy proceedings. On December 27, 2023, the court announced that the bankruptcy property distribution plan of Tiandihui was implemented and the bankruptcy proceedings were completed. In the consolidated statements of operations mainly resultedand comprehensive income (loss), results from discontinued operations is reported separately from the scaleincome and expenses from continuing operations and prior periods are presented on a comparative basis. In order to present the financial effects of increase in selling, generalthe continuing operations and administrativediscontinued operations, revenues and expenses arising from intra-group transactions are eliminated except for those revenues and expenses that are considered to continue after the disposal of the discontinued operations. Our net loss from discontinued operations amounted to $15,095,547, $339,054 and $2,645,831 for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively.


Net loss.

As a result of the above, our total net loss was larger than the increase in revenue$23,631,516 for the year ended December 31, 2017 and 2016.

Income taxes. We incurred2023, compared to the net income tax benefit of $55,102$855,013 for the year ended December 31, 2017 and incurred2022. The decrease in our net income tax expensewas due to the closure of $89,801 and $269,581 for the yearsbankruptcy proceedings of Tiandihui in December 2023. 

Our total net loss was $855,013 or the year ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Due2022, compared to the additional deductionnet loss of R&D expense and less net income, we incurred income tax benefit$6,715,958 for the year ended December 31, 2017. Our income tax expense decreased significantly for the year ended December 31, 2016 was attributable to decrease2021. The increase in income tax rate from 25% to 15% due to designation of “High-tech Enterprise” for Tiandihui, and additional deduction of R&D expense. 

Net income. Ourour net income was $115,111, $ 1,009,171due to increased revenue from our restaurant business segment and $466,753 for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively, representing a decrease of $894,060, and an increase of $542,418. The decrease in netincreased investment income for the year ended December 31, 2017 was mainly due to2022.

Going Concern and Capital Resources

Our consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming we will continue as a going concern, which contemplates the 41.94% increaserealization of assets and liquidation of liabilities in selling expensethe normal course of business. We discontinued our petfood business during the first quarter of 2023 and the 48.86% increasewe fully disposed of Tiandihui in general and administrative expenses. The increase in net income wasDecember 2023 as a result of the completion of the bankruptcy proceeding. Currently our increased revenue is substantially generated from the restaurant business segment. Our business turnaround depends, in part, on our ability to successfully introduce manage and higher gross margin, offsetacquire new restaurants. If we are not able to effectively manage and acquire new restaurants that successfully generate revenue, we may not be able to grow and maintain our business as anticipated, and our sales may decline and our future business, financial condition and results of operations may be materially adversely affected. Furthermore, our business operations may be further affected by increased selling and administrative expense for the year ended December 31, 2016, comparedCOVID-19 pandemic. There can be no assurances that future revenue or capital infusion will be sufficient to the year ended December 31, 2015.

enable us to develop our business to a level where we will be profitable or continuously to generate positive cash flows.

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Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

For the year ended December 31, 2017, 20162023, our revenue from the restaurant business segment increased by approximately $0.08 million as compared to 2022 and 2015

Liquiditywe reported a net loss of approximately $23.63 million and negative cash flows from operating activities of approximately $2.49 million in 2023. We discontinued our petfood manufacturing business segment in 2023. As a result, it is the ability of a company to generate fundsuncertain our future revenue and cash flows will be sufficient to support its currentour growth. These factors raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern for the next twelve months from the date that our consolidated financial statements are issued.

In assessing our liquidity, management monitors and future operations, satisfy its obligations and otherwise operate on an ongoing basis. At December 31, 2017,analyzes our working capital was positive $6,922,696. And at December 31, 2016, our working capital was positive $848,991, compared to working capital of negative $900,069 at December 31, 2015.

Our cash and cash equivalents balance totaled $2,346,109, $1,145,103,equivalent, our ability to generate sufficient revenue sources in the future, and $651,680 atour operating and capital expenditure commitments. As of December 31, 2017, 20162023, we had cash and 2015 respectively.cash equivalent of approximately $13.66 million. We also had short-term investment of approximately $13.32 million, which are highly liquid and can be covered into cash and used in our operations if needed.

 


Based on our current financial conditions, our cash balance and revenues generated from our business operations may not be currently sufficient and cannot be projected to cover our future operating expenses and meet our obligations as they become due for the next twelve months after the date that our financial statements are issued.

Management’s plan to alleviate the substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern include attempting to improve our business profitability, generating sufficient cash flow from our operations to meet our operating needs on a timely basis, and obtaining additional working capital funds through debt and equity financings in order to meet our anticipated cash requirements. We also plan to evaluate and identify suitable strategic or acquisition opportunities, complete such transactions on commercially favorable terms, or successfully integrate business operations, infrastructure and management philosophies of acquired businesses and companies. Due to the effects discussed above, to the extent that we experience an adverse operating environment, incur unanticipated capital expenditures, or if we decide to accelerate our growth, then substantial additional financing may be required. Currently, we are working to improve our liquidity and capital sources primarily through financial support from our principal shareholder and the exploration of additional debt or equity financing possibilities. In order to fully implement our business plan and sustain continued growth, we may also need to raise capital from outside investors. Our expectation, therefore, is that we will seek to access the capital markets in both the U.S. and China to obtain additional funds as needed. At the present time, however, we do not have commitments of funds from any third party. No assurance can be given that additional financing, if required, would be available on favorable terms or at all. If we do not secure capital needed for our operations, we may have to temporarily suspend or to terminate our operations.

Based on above reasons, there is a substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern for the next 12 months from the date of this filing.

During the year ended December 31, 2017, we2023, our cash used cash in operating activities of $2,674,936,was $2,492,725, cash used cash in investing activities of $1,388,709,was $6,067,051, cash provided cash by financing activities of $5,258,773, and had positive effect of prevailing exchange rates on our cash of $5,878. During the year ended December 31, 2016, we used cash in operating activities of $1,489,118, provided cash by investing activities of $944,188, provided cash by financing activities of $1,071,764, and offset by the negative effect of prevailing exchange rates on our cash negative of $33,411. During the year ended December 31, 2015, we used cash in operating activities of $700,738, used cash in investing activities of $309,661, provided cash by financing activities of $1,501,326,was $1,921,554, and had the negative effect of prevailing exchange rates on our cash of $1,557,521. During the year ended December 31, 2022, our cash used in operating activities was $2,072,715, cash used in investing activities was $1,332,827, cash provided by financing activities was $6,055,480, and had the positive effect of prevailing exchange rates on our cash of $985,263. During the year ended December 31, 2021, our cash used in operating activities was $3,299,563, cash used in investing activities was $1,642,776, cash provided by financing activities was $17,952,057, and had the negative effect of $29,581.prevailing exchange rates on our cash of $247,807.  

 

Net cash used in operating activities for the year ended December 31, 20172023 totaled $2,674,936.$2,492,725 (including cash flows of $ 3,525,413 used in operating activities from our continuing operations and cash flows of $1,032,689 provided by operating activities from discontinued operations). The activities were mainly comprised of an increase ina net loss of $23,631,516, depreciation and amortization of $80,149, fair value change of short-term investments $2,644,576, inventory write-down of $2,658,359, an increase in net accounts receivable$42,866, stock-based compensation of $971,831, an increase in net accounts receivable – related party of $10,817,3,040,000, a decrease in advance from customersprepayment and other current net assets of $601,855,$10,418, an decrease in other current liabilities of $887,302, and offset by our net income of $115,111, depreciation and amortization expense of $364,170, an increase in account payable of $1,174,363, a decrease in advance to suppliersaccounts payable of $121,360, an increase in account payable - related parties of $32,440, an increase of advance from customers – related party of $7,241.$1,748.

 

Net cash used in operating activities for the year ended December 31, 20162022 totaled $1,489,118.$2,072,715 (including cash flows of $ 1,977,789 used in operating activities from our continuing operations and cash flows of $94,926 used in operating activities from discontinued operations). The activities were mainly comprised of a net income of $803,700, depreciation and amortization of $17,114, fair value change of short-term investments $4,161,093, inventory write-down of $11,532, an increase in prepayment and other current net inventoryassets of $3,316,762,$1,017,261, an increase in netother current liabilities of $1,054,749, and a decrease in accounts receivable of $609,099, an increase in advance to suppliers of $610,215, and offset by our net income of $1,009,171, depreciation and amortization expense of $256,104, an increase in account payable of $1,321,954, an increase in notes payable of $284,510, an increase in advance from customers of $513,456.$305,382.

 


Net cash used in operating activities for the year ended December 31, 20152021 totaled $700,738.$3,299,563 (including cash flows of $8,154,363 used in operating activities from our continuing operations and cash flows of $4,854,800 provided by operating activities from discontinued operations). The activities were mainly comprised of a net incomeloss of $466,753,$6,120,308, depreciation and amortization of $266,534,$466,720, fair value change of short-term investments $495,265, bad debt provision $2,168 a decrease in net accounts receivable of $336,193,$127,057, a decrease in advance to suppliersOperating lease liabilities of $492,800, a decrease$4,830,456, an increase in prepaymentsprepayment and other current assets of $167,519, and offset bynet asset $793,726, an increase in inventoryother current liabilities of $2,136,489, a decrease$793,726, and an increase in account payable of $482,510, a decrease in advances from customers of $92,736.$64,427.

 

The increase in cash out flows from our operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2017 compared to the year ended December 31, 2016 primarily resulted from decrease of net income in the amount of $894,060 and decrease in advance from customers in the amount of $594,614.

The increase in cash out flows from our operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2016 compared to the year ended December 31, 2015 primarily resulted from cash paid for purchase of inventory, leading to inventory increased $3,316,762 and advances to suppliers increased $610,215, partially offset by increased net income of $1,009,171 and increased accounts payable of $1,321,954.

Net cash used in investing activities for the year ended December 31, 20172023 totaled $1,388,709. The activities were$6,067,051 from our continuing operations, primarily comprisedinclude purchase of loanshort-term investments of $533,242 offered to related parties, payments to acquire property$37,066,925 and equipmentproceeds from sale of $227,900, payments to acquire intangible assetsshort-term investments of $103,596, change$31,024,365. There was no cash used in restricted cash of $541,426, and offset by repaid loan of $15,443 from related parties.

Net cash provided by investing activities forour discontinued operations during the year ended December 31, 2016 totaled $944,188. The activities were primarily comprised of loan of $2,543,946 offered to related parties, and offset by repaid loan of $3,400,799 from related parties, and change in restricted cash of $96,337.2023.

 

Net cash used in investing activities for the year ended December 31, 20152022 totaled $309,661. The activities were$1,332,827 from our continuing operations, primarily comprisedinclude purchase of $231,939 payment to purchase propertyshort-term investments of $45,418,240 and equipment, loanproceeds from sale of $5,941,665 offered to related parties, and offset by collections from related partiesshort-term investments of $5,790,092.

One of our primary uses of$41,150,967. There was no cash used in our investing activities for each period is for advances to related parties in the ordinary course of businesses. We received $3,385,356 less repayment from related parties, and deposited $637,763 more in restricted cash fordiscontinued operations during the year ended December 31, 2017. As a result, we2022.

Net cash used $2,332,897 more than the year of 2016 in our investing activities for the year ended December 31, 2017.

We spent $222,937 less than the year2021 totaled $1,642,776 from our continuing operations, primarily include cash obtained from business acquisition of 2015$171,827, payment for a business acquisition of $1,020,000, purchases of short-term investments of $4,372,809 and proceeds from sale of short-term investments of $3,578,206. There was no cash used in purchasing property and equipment (including CIP) forour discontinued operations during the year ended December 31, 2016, In addition, we collected $2,389,293 less than the year of 2015 in repayment from our related parties, paid $3,397,719 less than the year of 2015 in advance to our related parties, and deposited $22,486 less in restricted cash for the year ended December 31, 2016. As a result, we provided $1,253,849 more than the year of 2015 in our investing activities for the year ended December 31, 2016.2022.

 

For the year ended December 31, 2017,2023, net cash provided by financing activities from continuing operations was $1,921,554, of which borrowing from related parties amounted to $1,928,329 and repayments to related parties of $6,774.

For the year ended December 31, 2022, net cash provided by financing activities from continuing operations was $6,055,480, which is from the proceeds from issuance of common shares of $6,017,781.

For the year ended December 31, 2021, net cash provided by financing activities was $5,258,773. We received these funds from borrowings from related parties$17,952,057 (including cash flows of $1,073,961, borrowings from short term loan of $2,077,219, proceeds from issuing common shares of $5,542,047, proceeds from shares subscription of $827,730, offset by repayment of short term loan of $2,494,793, and repayment to related parties of $1,767,391.

For the year ended December 31, 2016, net cash$21,556,174 provided by financing activities was $1,071,764. We received these funds from borrowingscontinuing operations and cash flows of $3,604,117 used in discontinued operations), primarily include Proceeds from related parties of $3,503,190, borrowings from short term bank loan of $1,806,411, proceeds from issuing common shares of $3,759,423, offset by capital distribution in connection with acquisition of a subsidiary of $2,880,000, repayment of short term bank loan of $1,806,411, and repayment to related parties of $3,310,849.

40

For the year ended December 31, 2015, net cash provided by financing activities was $1,501,326. We received these funds from borrowing from related parties of $971,575 and short term bank loan of $3,243,000, offset by repayment of short term bank loan of $2,713,203.

We received $4,187,009 more than the year of 2016 in financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2017. We received proceeds of $270,808 more from borrowings from short term loans and received $1,782,624 more in issuance of common shares during the year ended December 31, 2017 comparing to the year ended December 31, 2016. We also repaid $1,543,458 less to related parties during the year ended December 31, 2017 comparing to the year ended December 31, 2016,of $20,222,188, Repayments of short-term loans of $1,458,040, and we did not incur any cash outflows related to acquisition of a subsidiary in the year ended December 31, 2017.

We received $429,562 less than the year of 2015 in financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2016. We received proceeds of $1,436,589 less from borrowings from short term bank loan for the year ended December 31, 2016. We received proceeds of $2,531,615 more in borrowings from related parties, paid $906,792 less in repaymentsRepayments of short term bank loan, received $3,759,413 more in issuanceloans - related parties of common shares during the year ended December 31, 2016 comparing to the year ended December 31, 2015. We also paid $2,880,000 in capital distribution in connection with acquisition of a subsidiary during the year ended December 31, 2016.$22,302.

 

For 2018, we expect our main growth will be from our E-commerce business. The demand for our products appears to be strengthening, from which we expect to generate more positive cash flow. We believe that we will be able to finance our working capital needs and planned facilities improvements and expansion for at least the next 12 months from cash generated from operations, borrowings under our revolving line of credit and the proceeds from this offering, however we can make no assurance that we will raise sufficient capital in this offering alone or at all, or if we do raise capital that it will be immediately accessible to us in light of certain Chinese regulations.

In 2015, 2016 and 2017, we entered into the following revolving lines of credit.

On January 8, 2015, we entered a line of credit of approximately $576,062 (RMB 4,000,000) from China Postal Savings Bank - Qingdao Branch. The borrowing under the line of credit was guaranteed by Rongfeng Cui and his wife, Yanjuan Wang. Under the term of the loan documentation, the loan term commenced on the date the borrowed capital was transferred to the borrower and continued until the all principal and accrued interest thereon are repaid in full. On November 28, 2016, we drew down the full amount of this loan; the term of this loan is one-year, the loan maturity date is November 27, 2017, with this loan bearing interest at approximately 125% of the prevailing PRC prime rate. The outstanding balance of this loan was $0 as of December 31, 2017.

On August 10, 2016, we obtained a line of credit of approximately $705,676 (RMB 4,900,000) from Industrial & Commercial Bank of China - Qingdao Shinan Second Branch. The loan maturity date was July 2, 2017, with this loan bearing interest at approximately 120% of the prevailing PRC prime rate. The borrowing under the line of credit was guaranteed by Rongfeng Cui and his wife, Yanjuan Wang. Under the term of the loan documentation, the loan term commenced on the date the borrowed capital was transferred to the borrower and continued until the all principal and accrued interest thereon were repaid in full. On July 6, 2017, this loan was repaid in full. On July 12, 2017, we obtained a new line of credit of approximately $412,371 (RMB 2,800,000) with the same lender. The loan maturity date is July 10, 2018 with annual interest rate of 5.22%. The outstanding balance on this loan was $430,346 as of December 31, 2017; as of the same date, the interest rate on this loan was 5.22%.

On March 25, 2017, we obtained a line of credit of approximately $290,361 (RMB 2,000,000) from China Postal Savings Bank – Qingdao Weihai Road Sub Branch. The loan maturity date is March 28, 2018, bearing interest at approximately 140% of the prevailing PRC prime rate. The borrowing under the line of credit is guaranteed by Rongfeng Cui and his wife, Yanjuan Wang. The full amount of this loan remains outstanding as of December 31, 2017; as of the same date, the interest rate on this loan was 6.09%. On December 13, 2017, we obtained a new line of credit of approximately $614,779 (RMB 4,000,000) with the same lender. The loan maturity date is December 12, 2018 with annual interest rate of 5.655%. The borrowing under the line of credit is guaranteed by Rongfeng Cui and his wife, Yanjuan Wang. The full amount of this loan remains outstanding as of December 31, 2017.

Our long-term future capital requirements will depend on many factors, including our level of revenue, the timing and extent of our spending to support the maintenance and growth of our operations, the expansion of our sales and the continued market acceptance of our products and projects. Compared to $1,848,514 short-term loans outstanding as of December 31, 2015, we had $1,402,514 and $1,728,185 short-term loans outstanding as of December 31, 2017 and 2016.

 

We expect to incur additional costs associated with becomingbeing a reporting company in the United States, primarily due to increased expenses that we will incur to comply with the requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as well as costs related to accounting and tax services, directors and officers insurance, legal expenses and investor and stockholder-related expenses. These additional long-term expenses may require us to seek other sources of financing, such as additional borrowings or public or private equity or debt capital. The availability of these other sources of financing will depend upon our financial condition and results of operations as well as prevailing market conditions, and may not be available on terms reasonably acceptable to us or at all.

 


Regulatory Restrictions on Capital Injections

 

We are usingused proceeds from our initial public offering and subsequent offerings to fund our business. Accordingly, the following regulations have to be followed, regarding capital injections to foreign-invested enterprises.

Chinese regulations relating to investments in offshore companies by Chinese residents. SAFE promulgated the Circular on Relevant Issues Concerning Foreign Exchange Control on Domestic Residents’ Financing and Round-trip Investment through Offshore Special Purpose Vehicles, or SAFE Circular 37, on July 4, 2014. SAFE Circular 37 requires Chinese residents to register and update certain investments in companies incorporated outside of China with their local SAFE branch. SAFE also subsequently issued various guidance and rules regarding the implementation of SAFE Circular 37, which imposed obligations on Chinese subsidiaries of offshore companies to coordinate with and supervise any Chinese-resident beneficial owners of offshore entities in relation to the SAFE registration process.

41

 

We may not be aware of the identities of all of our beneficial owners who are Chinese residents. We do not have control over our beneficial owners and cannot assure you that all of our Chinese -resident beneficial owners will comply with SAFE Circular 37 and subsequent implementation rules. The failure of our beneficial owners who are Chinese residents to register or amend their SAFE registrations in a timely manner pursuant to SAFE Circular 37 and subsequent implementation rules, or the failure of future beneficial owners of our Company who are Chinese residents to comply with the registration procedures set forth in SAFE Circular 37 and subsequent implementation rules, may subject such beneficial owners or our Chinese subsidiaries to fines and legal sanctions, which may be substantial. Failure to register may also limit our ability to contribute additional capital to our Chinese subsidiaries and limit our Chinese subsidiaries’ ability to distribute dividends to our Company. These risks may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

China regulates loans to and direct investment in Chinese entities by offshore holding companies and there is governmental control of currency conversion. We are an offshore holding company conducting our operations in China through our wholly owned subsidiary Tiandihui. As an offshore holding company, we may make loans and additional contributions to Tiandihui subject to approval from government authorities.

 

Any loan to Tiandihui, which is treated as a foreign-invested enterprise under Chinese law, is subject to Chinese regulations and foreign exchange loan registrations. In January 2003, the China State Development and Reform Commission, SAFE and Ministry of Finance jointly promulgated the Circular on the Interim Provisions on the Management of Foreign Debts, or the Circular 28, limiting the total amount of foreign debt a foreign-invested enterprise may incur to the difference between the amount of total investment approved by the Ministry of Commerce or its local counterpart for such enterprise and the amount of registered capital of such enterprise, and requiring registration of any such loans with SAFE. As of December 31, 2016, the amount of approved total investment of Tiandihui was $2,707,490 (RMB 18,800,000) and TDH HK have invested the same amount of $2,707,490 (RMB 18,800,000) into Tiandihui, which means Tiandihui needs to obtain additional approval for total investment amount from the local counterpart of Ministry of Commerce. During 2017, we have successfully obtained the investment approval from Ministry of Commerce for our proceeds of IPO.

 

In March 2015, SAFE issued the Circular Concerning the Reform of the Administration of the Settlement of Foreign Currency Capital of Foreign-Invested Enterprises, or SAFE Circular 19, which became effective in June 2015. SAFE Circular 19 regulates the conversion by a foreign-invested enterprise of foreign currency registered capital into RMB by restricting how the converted RMB may be used. Furthermore, SAFE promulgated a circular in June 2016, SAFE Circular 16, which further revises some clauses in the SAFE Circular 19. SAFE Circular 19 and 16 provide that the capital-account foreign exchange incomes of a domestic enterprise shall not be directly or indirectly used for expenditures that are forbidden by relevant laws and regulations, for purposes that are not included in the business scope approved by the applicable government authority, shall not be directly or indirectly used for investments in securities or for any other kind of wealth-managing investments than banks’ principal-secured products unless otherwise prescribed by other laws and regulations, shall not be directly or indirectly used for issuing RMB entrusted loans (unless expressly permitted in the business scope approved by the competent governmental authorities) or repaying inter-enterprise loans (including advances by the third party) or repaying bank loans in RMB which have been sub-lent to third parties, shall not be used for granting loans to non-affiliated enterprises unless expressly permitted in the business scope and shall not be used for the construction or purchase of real estate not for self-use (except for real estate enterprises). In addition, SAFE supervises the flow and use of the RMB capital converted from foreign currency registered capital of a foreign-invested company by further focusing on ex post facto supervision and violations. These two circulars may limit our ability to use the net proceeds from this offering to invest in or acquire any other Chinese companies in China, which may adversely affect our liquidity and our ability to fund and expand our business in China.

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Capital Resources

 

As of December 31, 20172023 and 20162022

 

The following table provides certain selected balance sheets comparisons between years ended December 31, 20172023 and 2016:2022:

 

   For years ended
December 31,
       
  2017  2016  Fluctuation  % 
             
ASSETS         
Cash and cash equivalents $2,346,109  $1,145,103   1,201,006   104.88%
Restricted cash, current  797,668   707,120   90,548   12.81%
Accounts receivable, net  1,932,924   865,491   1,067,433   123.33%
Advanced to suppliers  633,554   711,751   (78,197)  -10.99%
Inventories  9,135,332   5,973,124   3,162,208   52.94%
Due from related parties  361,961   35,842   326,119   909.88%
Prepayment and other current assets  371,796   383,932   (12,136)  -3.16%
Total current assets  15,579,344   9,822,363   5,756,981   58.61%
Restricted cash, non-current  500,000   -   500,000   100%
Property, plant and equipment, net  3,520,373   3,306,735   213,638   6.46%
Land use rights, net  211,023   110,821   100,202   90.42%
Total non-current assets  4,231,396   3,417,556   813,840   23.81%
Total assets $19,810,740  $13,239,919   6,570,821   49.63%
                 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY                
Accounts payable $4,734,110  $3,262,375   1,471,735   45.11%
Account payable - related parties  152,298   111,139   41,159   37.03%
Notes payable  1,377,106   1,414,232   (37,126)  -2.63%
Advances from customers  231,230   802,339   (571,109)  -71.18%
Advances from customers - related party  7,520   -   7,520   100%
Short term loans  1,402,514   1,728,185   (325,671)  -18.84%
Taxes payable  13,562   124,829   (111,267)  -89.14%
Due to related parties  345,873   1,120,702   (774,829)  -69.14%
Other current liabilities  392,435   409,571   (17,136)  -4.18%
Total current liabilities  8,656,648   8,973,372   (316,724)  -3.53%
Deferred tax liabilities  5,810   13,795   (7,985)  -57.88%
Total liabilities  8,662,458   8,987,167   (324,709)  -3.61%
  December 31,       
  2023  2022  Fluctuation  % 
ASSETS            
Cash and cash equivalents $13,661,382  $21,857,125   (8,195,743)  -37 
Short-term investments  13,317,882   9,922,366   3,395,516   34 
Accounts receivable, net  4,961   29,318   (24,357)  -83 
Advanced to suppliers, net  -   2,789   (2,789)  -100 
Inventories, net  -   987   (987)  -100 
Prepayment and other current assets, net  237,052   127,834   109,218   85 
Current Assets held for sale associated with discontinued operation of Tiandihui  -   1,841,335   (1,841,335)  -100 
Total current assets  27,221,277   33,781,754   6,560,477   -19 
Property, plant and equipment, net  682,636   698,044   (15,408)  -2 
Land use rights, net  426,316   481,840   (55,524)  -12 
Operating lease right-of-use assets  571,168   783,658   (212,490)  -27 
Non current assets held for sale associated with discontinued operation of Tiandihui  -   768,101   (768,101)  -100 
Total non-current assets  1,680,120   2,731,643   (1,051,523)  -38 
Total assets $28,901,397  $36,513,397   (7,612,000)  -21 
                 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY                
Accounts payable $460,776  $491,850   (31,074)  -6 
Account payable - related parties  -   1,033   (1,033)  -100 
Advances from customers  4,045   11,024   (6,979)  -63 
Bank overdrafts  77,486   74,425   3,061   4 
Short term loans - related parties  277,408   266,451   10,957   4 
Taxes payable  54,003   11,923   42,080   353 
Due to related parties  1,983,430   55,747   1,927,683   3457 
Operating lease liabilities, current  219,917   212,814   7,103   3 
Other current liabilities  311,979   1,212,420   (900,411)  -74 
Current Liabilities held for sale associated with discontinued operation of Tiandihui  -   12,337,657   (12,337,657)  -100 
Total current liabilities  3,389,044   14,675,344   (11,286,300)  -77 
Operating lease liabilities - related party, non-current  463,196   683,113   (219,917)  -32 
non-current Liabilities held for sale associated with discontinued operation of Tiandihui  -   1,037   (1,037)  -100 
Total liabilities  3,852,240   15,359,494   (11,507,254)  -75 

 


We maintain cash and cash equivalents in mainland China, Hong Kong, New Zealand and America. OnU.S. on December 31, 20172023 and 2016, bank deposits were as follows:

  December 31, 
Country 2017  2016 
China (Mainland) $2,158,590  $1,087,166 
China (Hongkong)  138,379   51,268 
America  10,960     
Total $2,307,929  $1,138,434 

2022.

43

 

  December 31, 
Country 2023  2022 
China (Mainland) $371,807  $1,777,357 
China (Hong Kong)  2,018,727   80,021 
Hong Kong (through a broker account)  107,918   189,056 
New Zealand (through a broker account)  8,477,703   16,246,621 
U.S.  2,685,227   3,564,070 
Total $13,661,382  $21,857,125 

 

The majority of our cash balances at December 31, 20172023 and December 31, 20162022 are in the form of RMBUSD and held in a broker accounts in New Zealand and Hong Kong and bank accounts at financial institutions located in China. Cash held in banks in China is not insured. In 1996, the Chinese government introduced regulations relaxing restrictions on the conversion of the RMB; however restrictions still remain, including restrictions on foreign-invested entities. Foreign-invested entities may only buy, sell or remit foreign currencies after providing valid commercial documents at only those banks authorized to conduct foreign exchanges. Furthermore, the conversion of RMB for capital account items, including direct investments and loans, is subject to China government approval. Chinese entities are required to establish and maintain separate foreign exchange accounts for capital account items. We cannot be certain Chinese regulatory authorities will not impose more stringent restrictions on the convertibility of the RMB, especially with respect to foreign exchange transactions. Accordingly, cash on deposit in banks in China is not readily deployable by us for use outside of China.

 

Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash

 

As of December 31, 2017,2023, cash and cash equivalents were $2,346,109,$13,661,382, compared to $1,145,103$21,857,125 at December 31, 2016.2022. The components of this increasedecrease of $1,201,006 are$8,195,743 reflected below.

 

  Years Ended
December 31,
 
  2017  2016 
Net cash used in operating activities $(2,674,936) $(1,489,118)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities  (1,388,709)  944,188 
Net cash provided by financing activities  5,258,773   1,071,764 
Exchange rate effect on cash  5,878   (33,411)
         
Net cash inflow $1,201,006  $493,423 

  2023  2022 
Net cash used in operating activities $(2,492,725) $(2,072,715)
Net cash provided by investing activities  (6,067,051)  (1,332,827)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities  1,921,554   6,055,480 
Exchange rate effect on cash and restricted cash  (1,557,521)  985,263
Net cash (outflow) inflow $(8,195,743) $3,635,201 

 

Restricted cash

We had current restricted cash of $797,668$0 and $707,120$1,289,051 as of December 31, 20172023 and 2016,2022, respectively. ThisAs legal proceedings have all been concluded, there are no restricted cash represents the bank deposit balance for issuing bank acceptance and bank letters of credit. The balances of notes payable were $1,377,106 and $1,414,232funds available as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 respectively. As2023.

Short-term investments

During the deposit was provided and only used by us as pledge for its bank acceptance notes and bank letters of credit, could not be used for other purposes during the term of the notes, and directly used to settle the liabilities when the bank acceptance notes and bank letters of credit became due, it was recorded as restricted cash as ofyears ended December 31, 20172023 and 2016.

We had long term restricted cash2022, the Company acquired equity securities of $500,000certain publicly listed companies through various open market transactions. The Company’s investments in marketable securities are accounted for pursuant to ASC 321 and $0reported at their readily determinable fair value as quoted by market exchanges in the consolidated balance sheets with changes in fair value recognized in earnings. Changes in fair value, including realized gain of approximately $0.44 million and unrealized loss of approximately $3.08 million for the year ended December 31, 20172023. Changes in fair value, including realized gain of approximately $4.19 million and 2016, respectively. This long-term restricted cash representsunrealized gain of approximately $0.03 million for the deposityear ended December 31, 2022, which were included in escrow account to satisfy“investment income” in the potential indemnification obligation for two years starting from September 25, 2017.accompanying consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss.

 


Accounts receivable

 

Accounts receivable, net as of December 31, 20172023 was $1,932,924, an increase$4,961, a decrease of $1,067,433$24,357 compared to $865,491$29,318 as of December 31, 2016. Most of our customers are overseas reputable agents, who have a long term good relations of cooperation. Usually, we collected our account receivable within 3 months. No2022. $6,408 and $29,421 allowance for account receivablecredit losses was providedrecorded for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

Inventories

As of December 31, 2023, our inventory balance was $0, a decrease of $987, or 100% compared to $987 as of December 31, 2017 and 2016.

Inventories

As of December 31, 2017, our inventory balance was $9,135,332, an increase of $3,162,208, or 52.94%, compared to $5,973,124, as of December 31, 2016.2022. The increase wasdecrease is due to the growthdiscontinuation of customers need during the year ended December 31, 2017.

Due from related parties

As of December 31, 2017, the balances of due from related parties were $361,961, an increase of $326,119, compared to $35,842 on December 31, 2016. 

our pet food manufacturing activities in 2023.

44

 

Due to related parties

 

As of December 31, 2017,2023, the balances of due to related parties were $345,873, a decrease$1,983,430, an increase of $774,829,$1,927,683 compared to $1,120,702$55,747 on December 31, 2016.2022. The balance of due to related parties represented expenses incurred by related parties in the ordinary course of business, expense paid by related parties on behalf of the Company as well as the loans the Company obtained from related parties for working capital purpose. The loans owed to the related parties are interest free, unsecured and repayable on demand.

 

Property, plant and equipment, net

 

Property, plant and equipment, net as of December 31, 20172023 were $3,520,373,$682,636, a slight increasedecrease of $213,638$15,408 compared to $3,306,735$698,044, as of December 31, 2016.2022. The company did not purchase or disposedecrease in balance of property, on large scale for the year ended December 31, 2017. The increase in costplant and equipment was mainly due to the appreciationprovision of RMB against USD.depreciation. Depreciation expense for the years ended December 31, 20172023 and 20162022 was $349,887$26,860 and $252, 957,$62,547, respectively.

 

Land use rights,Intangible assets, net

 

Land use rights,Intangible assets, net as of December 31, 20172023 were $211,023, an increase$426,316, a decrease of $100,202,$55,524 compared to $110,821$481,840 as of December 31, 2016.2022. During the years ended December 31, 20172023 and 2016,2022, amortization expense amounted to $14,283$55,570 and $3,147,$53,975, respectively.

 

Accounts payable and Notes payable

AccountAccounts payable represents our commercial credit offered to the suppliers. And Notessuppliers and notes payable was the bank acceptance notes to suppliers.

 

Accounts payable increaseddecreased by $1,471,735,$31,074, to $4,734,110$460,776 as of December 31, 2017,2023, from $3,262,375$491,850 as of December 31, 2016.2022, mostly due to Far Ling’s supplier payables and rent.

 

Notes payable slightly decreased by $37,126 to $1,377,106 as of December 31, 2017, from $1,414,232 as of December 31, 2016.


 

Short term loan

Balance of short term loan as of December 31, 2017 was $1,402,514, representing a decrease of $325,671, or 18.84%, compared with balance of $1,728,185 as of December 31, 2016.

 

The average balance of short term loan maintained stable for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016.

Taxes payable

Taxes payable represents the accrued enterprise income tax at the year end.

 

Balance of taxes payable as of December 31, 20172023 was $13,562,$54,003 representing aan increase decrease of $111,267,$42,080, or 89.14%353%, compared with balance of $124,829$11,923 as of December 31, 2016.

The decrease of taxes payable is mainly due to the fact that the Company incurred in income tax expense of $89,801 for the year ended December 31, 2016 while had income tax benefit of $55,102 for the year ended December 31,2017.

2022.

45

 

Tabular Disclosure of Contractual Obligations

 

We have certain potential commitments that include future estimated payments. Changes in our business needs, cancellation provisions, changing interest rates, and other factors may result in actual payments differing from the estimates. We cannot provide certainty regarding the timing and amounts of payments.

 

The following table summarizes our contractual obligations asAs of December 31, 2017, and2023, we had the effectfollowing contractual obligations:

  Payments Due by Period 
Contractual Obligations Total  Less than
1 year
  1-3 years  3-5 years  More than
5 years
 
                
 Lease Obligations $683,113   240,000   443,113        -         - 
                     
Total $683,113  $240,000  $443,113  $-  $- 

The Company has signed one lease agreement for restaurant premises. The remaining lease term of these obligations expected to have on our liquidity and cash flows in future periods:the Company’s leases ranges from approximately 3 years.

 

2018 $198,927 
2019  203,947 
2020  214,489 
2021  37,655 
2022  18,443 
Thereafter  92,217 
Total $765,678 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

Under SEC regulations, we are required to disclose off-balance sheet arrangements that have or are reasonably likely to have a current or future effect on our financial condition, such as changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources that are material to investors. An off-balance sheet arrangement means a transaction, agreement or contractual arrangement to which any entity that is not consolidated with us is a party, under which we have:

 Any obligation under certain guarantee contracts,

 Any retained or contingent interest in assets transferred to an unconsolidated entity or similar arrangement that serves as credit, liquidity or market risk support to that entity for such assets,

 Any obligation under a contract that would be accounted for as a derivative instrument, except that it is both indexed to our stock and classified in shareholder equity in our statement of financial position, and

 Any obligation arising out of a material variable interest held by us in an unconsolidated entity that provides financing, liquidity, market risk or credit risk support to us, or engages in leasing, hedging or research and development services with us.

 


We do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements that we are required to disclose pursuant to these regulations. In the ordinary course of business, we enter into operating lease commitments, and other contractual obligations. These transactions are recognized in our financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States.

 

Trend Information

 

BasedOther than as disclosed elsewhere in this annual report, we are not aware of any trends, uncertainties, demands, commitments or events that are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on our experience and observationsnet revenues, income, profitability, liquidity or capital resources, or that would cause the disclosed financial information to be not necessarily indicative of the business in which we operate, we believe the following trends are likely to affect our industry and, as a result, our Company, if they continue in the future.future operating results or financial conditions.

 

Demand for pet food has a positive relationship with the economic development level of a country. According to China Pet Market Network Information Center, from the experience of developed countries, the pet supply market would be at a rapid growth stage, if the region’s per capita GDP reached $3,000 to $5,000. Some regions in China have reached this GDP level. Currently, GDP from pet industry accounts for 6% of total GDP for USA, 4% for Europe, 2% for Japan, while for China the percentage is only 0.4%. China is our most potential market in the coming years. 

46

E-commerce sales would be as important as store sales. E-commerce sales contribute to reducing circulation chains, lower the circulation cost, collecting timely, and instant feedback of the market demand, etc. It was believed that the market demand was diverse. The E-commerce sales will grow rapidly and store sales remain an important sales channel.
It was important to constantly introduce new products in order to maintain our differentiated competitive advantages. Differentiated competitive advantages result in a higher gross margin and also incur more illegal copying of our products.
We believe that competition in the pet food market is going to become more intense, and consolidation is going to prevail in the near future. It is possible that competition in the form of new competitors or alliances, joint ventures or consolidation among existing competitors may put significant pressure on our ability to increase market share.

Critical Accounting Policies

 

The discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based upon our audited consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The preparation of these audited consolidated financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. We evaluate our estimates on an ongoing basis, including those related to revenue recognition and income taxes. We base our estimates on our historical experience and on various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making the judgments we make about the carrying values of our assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Because these estimates can vary depending on the situation, actual results may differ from the estimates.

 

The critical accounting policies summarized in this section are discussed in further detail in the notes to the audited consolidated financial statements appearing elsewhere in this Annual Report. Management believes that the application of these policies on a consistent basis enables us to provide useful and reliable financial information about our operating results and financial condition.

 

Use of Estimates

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities on the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. The Company bases its estimates and judgments on historical experience and on various other assumptions and information that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Estimates and assumptions of future events and their effects cannot be perceived with certainty and, accordingly, these estimates may change as new events occur, as more experience is acquired, as additional information is obtained and as our operating environment changes. Significant estimates and assumptions by management include, among others, useful lives and impairment of long-lived assets, allowance for doubtful accounts, valuationcredit losses, write-down in value of inventories and income taxes including the valuation allowance for deferred tax assets. While the Company believes that the estimates and assumptions used in the preparation of the financial statements are appropriate, actual results could differ from those estimates. Estimates and assumptions are periodically reviewed and the effects of revisions are reflected in the financial statements in the period they are determined to be necessary.

 

Inventories

Inventories, consisting of raw materials, work in progress, and finished goods, are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value, with cost computed on a weighted-average basis. The valuation of inventory requires us to estimate excess and slow-moving inventory. We evaluate the recoverability of our inventory based on assumption about expected demand, market conditions, forecasts prepared by its customers, sales contracts and orders in hand.


Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and Goodwill

The Company reviews long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets may not be fully recoverable, or at least annually. The Company recognizes an impairment loss when the sum of expected undiscounted future cash flows is less than the carrying amount of the asset. The amount of impairment is measured as the difference between the asset’s estimated fair value and its book value. The Company recorded impairment loss on long-lived assets other than goodwill of $1,954, $6,833 and $217,257 and for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

The Company’s goodwill is tested for impairment on an annual basis or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of these assets may not be recoverable. In testing for goodwill impairment, the Company compares the fair value of its reporting unit to its carrying value including the goodwill of that unit. If the carrying value, including goodwill, exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value, the Company will recognize an impairment loss for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value. The loss recognized cannot exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. The Company recorded impairment of goodwill of $0, $0, and $355,570 for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

Lease Commitments

On January 1, 2019, the Company adopted Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2016-02, Leases (together with all amendments subsequently issued thereto, “ASC Topic 842”), using the modified retrospective method. The Company elected the transition method which allows entities to initially apply the requirements by recognizing a cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings in the period of adoption. As a result of electing this transition method, previously reported financial information has not been restated to reflect the application of the new standard to the comparative periods presented. The Company elected the package of practical expedients permitted under the transition guidance within ASC Topic 842, which among others, allows the Company to carry forward certain historical conclusions reached under ASC Topic 840 regarding lease identification, classification, and the accounting treatment of initial direct costs. The Company elected not to record assets and liabilities on its consolidated balance sheet for new or existing lease arrangements with terms of 12 months or less. The Company recognizes lease expenses for such leases on a straight-line basis over the lease term. In addition, the Company elected the land easement transition practical expedient and did not reassess whether an existing or expired land easement is a lease or contains a lease if it has not historically been accounted for as a lease.

The initial lease liability is equal to the future fixed minimum lease payments discounted using the Company’s incremental borrowing rate, on a secured basis. The lease term includes option renewal periods and early termination payments when it is reasonably certain that the Company will exercise those rights. The initial measurement of the right-of-use asset is equal to the initial lease liability plus any initial direct costs and prepayments, less any lease incentives.

Payments made under operating leases are charged to the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss on a straight-line basis over the lease period. The Company does not have finance lease arrangements as of December 31, 2023 and 2022.

Loss Contingencies

The Company records accruals for certain of its outstanding legal proceedings or claims when it is probable that a liability will be incurred and the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated. When a loss contingency is not both probable and estimable, the Company does not record an accrued liability but discloses the nature and the amount of possible loss, if material, in the notes to the consolidated financial statements.

The Company reviews the developments in contingencies that could affect the amount of the provisions that has been previously recorded, and the matters and related possible losses disclosed. The Company makes adjustments to provisions and changes to its disclosures accordingly to reflect the impact of negotiations, settlements, rulings, advice of legal counsel, and updated information. The assessment of whether a loss is probable or reasonably possible, and whether the loss or a range of loss is estimable, often involves complex judgments about future events. Management is often unable to estimate the loss or a range of loss, particularly where (i) the damages sought are indeterminate, (ii) the proceedings are in the early stages, or (iii) there is a lack of clear or consistent interpretation of laws specific to the industry-specific complaints among different jurisdictions. In such cases, there is considerable uncertainty regarding the timing or ultimate resolution of such matters, including eventual loss, fine, penalty or business impact, if any.


Revenue Recognition

PursuantRevenue is measured according to the guidance of ASC Topic 605606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. The Company currently generated revenue from two sources: sales of petfood products and ASC Topic 360,revenue from restaurant business operation.

Revenue for sale of products is derived from contracts with customers, which primarily include the sale of petfood products. The Company recognizes revenue upon transfer of control of promised goods in a contract with a customer in an amount that reflects the consideration the Company expects to receive in exchange for those products. Transfer of control occurs once the customer has the contractual right to use the product, generally upon shipment or once delivery and risk of loss has transferred to the customer.

The Company started to generate revenue from restaurant business operation when persuasive evidencethe Company acquired Far Ling’s Inc. and Bo Ling’s Chinese Restaurant, Inc. in late 2021. Revenue from providing dining services and sales of an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred ormeals is recognized at point when services have been rendered,are rendered. The Company recognizes revenues in the purchase price is fixed or determinable and collectability is reasonably assured. Revenue consistsform of restaurant sales at the time of the invoiced value forsale when payment is made by the salescustomer, as the Company has completed its performance obligation, namely the provision of food and beverage, and the accompanying customer service, during the customer’s visit to the restaurant.

Revenue is recognized net of any taxes collected from customers that are subsequently remitted to governmental authorities, including value-added tax (“VAT”), business tax, applicable local government levieslevies. At the time revenue is recognized, allowances are recorded, with the related reduction to revenue, for estimated sales returns based upon historical experience and sales returns. related terms of customer arrangements.

The Company does not provide rebate, pricing protectionelected to account for shipping and handling fees that occur after the customer has obtained control of goods, for instance, free onboard shipping point arrangements, as a fulfillment cost and accrues for such costs.

Management has concluded that the disaggregation level is the same under both the revenue standard and the segment reporting standard. Revenue under the segment reporting standard is measured on the same basis as under the revenue standard.

Contract liabilities are recorded when consideration is received from a customer prior to transferring the control of goods to the customer or any other concessions to its customers. Forconditions under the terms of a sales contract. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company recorded contract liabilities of $4,045 and $11,024, respectively, which were presented as advances from customers on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. During the years ended December 31, 20172023, 2022 and 2016,2021, the Company had immaterial sales returnsrecognized $6,979, $6,970 and no discounts.

$163,074 of contract liabilities as revenue, respectively.

47

Foreign Currency Translation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements are presented in United States dollar (“$”), which is the reporting currency of the Company. The functional currency of TDH Holdings, TDH HK, TDH Foods, TDH Income Corporation, Ruby21Noland LLC, Far Ling’s Inc, Bo Ling’s Chinese Restaurant, Inc and TDH Petfood LLC is United States dollar. The functional currency of Tiandihui, Tiandihui Pet Foodstuffs, Tiandihui Foodstuffs Sales and Chongai Jiujiu, Kangkang Development, Lingchong and Yichong is Renminbi (“RMB”). The functional currency of TDH Group BVBA is Euro (“€”). For the subsidiaries whose functional currencies are RMB, Euro and Yen, results of operations and cash flows are translated at average exchange rates during the period, assets and liabilities are translated at the unified exchange rate at the end of the period, and equity is translated at historical exchange rates. The resulting translation adjustments are included in determining other comprehensive income or loss. Transaction gains and losses are reflected in the consolidated statements of income.operations.

The consolidated balance sheetexchange rates used to translate amounts with the exception of equity at December 31, 2017 and 2016 were translated atin RMB 6.5064 and RMB 6.9437 to $1.00, respectively. The equity accounts were stated at their historical rate. The average translation rates applied to consolidated statements of income and cash flowsinto U.S. Dollars for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016purpose of preparing the consolidated financial statements were RMB 6.7570 and RMB 6.6430as follows (USD$1=RMB):

Period Covered Balance
Sheet
Date Rates
  Average
Rates
 
Year ended December 31, 2023  7.0827   7.0467 
Year ended December 31, 2022  6.9646   6.7261 

The exchange rates used to $1.00, respectively.translate amounts in Euro into U.S. Dollars for the purpose of preparing the consolidated financial statements were as follows (USD$1=€):

Period Covered Balance
Sheet
Date Rate
  Average
Rate
 
Year ended December 31, 2023  0.9012   0.9153 
Year ended December 31, 2022  0.9383   0.9485 

 


Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Accounting guidance defines fair value as the price that would be received from selling an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. When determining the fair value measurement for assets and liabilities required or permitted to be recorded at fair value, the Company considers the principal or most advantageous market in which it would transact and it considers assumptions that market participants would use when pricing the asset or liability.

The Company measures certain financial assets, including the investment under the measurement alternative method and equity method on other-than-temporary basis, intangible assets and fixed assets at fair value when an impairment charge is recognized.

Accounting guidance establishes a fair value hierarchy that requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. A financial instrument’s categorization within the fair value hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. Accounting guidance establishes three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value:

Level 1 — Observable inputs that reflect quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets.

Level 2 — Include other inputs that are directly or indirectly observable in the marketplace.

Level 3 — Unobservable inputs which are supported by little or no market activity.

Accounting guidance also describes three main approaches to measuring the fair value of assets and liabilities: (1) market approach; (2) income approach and (3) cost approach. The market approach uses prices and other relevant information generated from market transactions involving identical or comparable assets or liabilities. The income approach uses valuation techniques to convert future amounts to a single present value amount. The measurement is based on the value indicated by current market expectations about those future amounts. The cost approach is based on the amount that would currently be required to replace an asset.

For certain of the Company’s financial instruments, including cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, short-term investment, accounts receivable, accounts receivable from related parties, notes receivables, inventories, advances to suppliers, advances to related parties, due from related parties,inventories, prepayments and other current assets, accounts payable, andnotes payables, advances from customers, taxes payable, bank acceptance notes to vendors, accounts payable to related parties, due to related parties,overdrafts, short term loans and other current liabilities, the carrying amounts approximate their fair values due to the short maturities.

48

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

In May 2014,March 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09,2020-04, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (ASC 606)”Reference Rate Reform, (Topic 848). UnderThe amendments in Topic 848 provide optional expedients and exceptions for applying GAAP to contracts, hedging relationships, and other transactions affected by reference rate reform if certain criteria are met. Topic 848 can be applied by all entities as of the beginning of the interim period that includes March 12, 2020, or any date thereafter, and entities may elect to apply the amendments prospectively through December 31, 2022. The Company did not utilize the optional expedients and exceptions provided by this standard during the year ended December 31, 2021. The Company is evaluating the impact of this standard on its consolidated financial statements and disclosures.

In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, revenue is recognized when a customer obtains control2019-12, Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes, as part of promised goods or servicesits Simplification Initiative to reduce the cost and is recognizedcomplexity in accounting for income taxes. This standard removes certain exceptions related to the approach for intra period tax allocation, the methodology for calculating income taxes in an amount that reflectsinterim period and the consideration which the entity expects to receive in exchangerecognition of deferred tax liabilities for those goods or services. In addition, the standard requires disclosureoutside basis differences. It also amends other aspects of the nature, amount, timing,guidance to help simplify and uncertaintypromote consistent application of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers. ASU 2014-09 isGAAP. The amendments in these ASUs are effective for the Company’s fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and early adoption is permitted for periods beginning after December 15, 2016. The Company elected to adopt the new standard effective January 1, 2018.

The Company has identified its revenue streams and assessed each for the impacts. The Company expects the adoption of Topic 606 will have impact on one revenue stream. Specifically, under the standard the Company expects to recognize revenue generated from products sold to certain E-commerce platforms at the time products are delivered rather than when the price is determined and mutually agreed upon between the Company and the E-commerce platforms, usually at a later time after products delivery. The Company planned to recognize the cumulative effect of initially applying the new standard as an adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings.31, 2024. The Company does not expect to early adopt this adjustment to be material.

In November 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-17, “Income Taxes (Topic 740): Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes”. The amendments in ASU 2015-17 eliminate the current requirement for organizations to present deferred tax liabilitiesguidance and assets as current and noncurrent in a classified balance sheet. Instead, organizations will be required to classify all deferred tax assets and liabilities as noncurrent. The amendments in this ASU are effective for public business entities for financial statements issued for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those annual periods. The amendments may be applied prospectively to all deferred tax liabilities and assets or retrospectively to all periods presented. The Company adopted this amendment effective January 1, 2017. The adoption did not have any impact on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures other than reclassification of current deferred tax items to non-current for all periods presented.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02,“Leases (Topic 842)”. Under ASU 2016-02, lessees will be required to recognize all leases (with the exception of short-term leases) at the commencement date including a lease liability, which is a lessee’s obligation to make lease payments arising from a lease, measured on a discounted basis; and a right-of-use (ROU) asset, which is an asset that represents the lessee’s right to use, or control the use of, a

specified asset for the lease term. Lessees (for capital and operating leases) must apply a modified retrospective transition approach for leases existing at, or entered into after, the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented in the financial statements. The modified retrospective approach would not require any transition accounting for leases that expired before the earliest comparative period presented. Lessees may not apply a full retrospective transition approach. 

The standard will be effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2019, with early adoption permitted. The Company plans to adopt the standard effective January 1, 2019. The Company anticipates this standard will have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. However, the Company does not expect adoption will have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated statementsprocess of income. While the Company is continuing to assess potential impacts of the standard, the Company currently expects the most significant impact will be the recognition of ROU assets and lease liabilities for operating leases.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-03,“Accounting Changes and Error Corrections (Topic 250) and Investments - Equity Method and Joint Ventures (Topic 323)”. This pronouncement amends the SEC’s reporting requirements for public filers in regard to new accounting pronouncements or existing pronouncements that have not yet been adopted. Companies are to provide qualitative disclosures if they have not yet implemented an accounting standards update. Companies should disclose if they are unable to estimate the impact of a specific pronouncement, and provide disclosures including a description of the effect on accounting policies that the registrant expects to apply. These provisions apply to all pronouncements that have not yet been implemented by registrants. There are additional provisions that relate to corrections to several other prior FASB pronouncements. The Company has incorporated language into other recently issued accounting pronouncement notes, where relevant for the corrections in ASU 2017-03. The Company is implementing the updated SEC requirements on not yet adopted accounting pronouncements with these consolidated financial statements.

In March 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-05,“Income Taxes (Topic 740) - Amendments to SEC Paragraphs Pursuant to SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No.118”. This ASU adds SEC paragraphs pursuant to the SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118, which expresses the view of the staff regarding application of Topic 740, Income Taxes, in the reporting period that includes December 22, 2017 - the date on which the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act was signed into law. The amendments are effective upon addition to the FASB Accounting Standards Codification. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of this guidance on the ConsolidatedCompany’s consolidated financial statements.


In October 2021, the FASB issued ASU No. 2021-08, “‘Business Combinations (Topic 805): Accounting for Contract Assets and Contract Liabilities from Contracts with Customers” (“ASU 2021-08”). This ASU requires entities to apply Topic 606 to recognize and measure contract assets and contract liabilities in a business combination. The amendments improve comparability after the business combination by providing consistent recognition and measurement guidance for revenue contracts with customers acquired in a business combination and revenue contracts with customers not acquired in a business combination. The amendments are effective for the Company beginning after December 15, 2023, and are applied prospectively to business combinations that occur after the effective date. The Company does not expect the adoption of ASU 2021-04 will have a material effect on the consolidated financial statements.

In November 2023, the Financial Statements.

Accounting Standards Board issued updated accounting guidance for Segment Reporting, effective January 1, 2024, with early adoption permitted. The updated guidance requires enhanced disclosures for significant expenses by reportable operating segment. Significant expense categories and amounts are those regularly provided to the chief operating decision maker (CODM) and included in the measure of a segment’s profit or loss. The updated guidance will also require us to disclose the title and position of our CODM, including an explanation of how our CODM uses the reported measure(s) of segment profit or loss in assessing segment performance and deciding how to allocate resources. We plan to adopt the new standard for the annual reporting period beginning April 1, 2024. The updated guidance is not expected to have a material impact to our consolidated financial statements.

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TableIn December 2023, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued updated accounting guidance on Disclosures for Income Taxes, effective January 1, 2025, with early adoption permitted. The updated guidance requires additional disclosure and disaggregated information in the Income Tax Rate reconciliation using both percentages and reporting currency amounts, with additional qualitative explanations of Contentsindividually significant reconciling items. The updated guidance also requires disclosure of the amount of income taxes paid (net of refunds received) disaggregated by jurisdictional categories (federal (national), state and foreign). We are currently assessing the updated guidance, however it is not expected to have a material impact to our consolidated financial statements.

Impact of Inflation

We do not believe the impact of inflation on our Company is material. Our operations are in China and China’s inflation rates have been relatively stable in the last three years: 7.5%2.6% in 2017, 2.0%2023, 3.7% in 2016,2022, and 1.4%1.1% in 20152021.

Impact of Foreign Currency Fluctuations

We do not believe the impact of foreign currency fluctuations on our Company is material. Regarding purchase of raw materials, we are subject to commodity price risks arising from price fluctuations in the market prices of the raw materials. We have generally been able to pass on cost increases through price adjustments. However, the ability to pass on these increases depends on market conditions influenced by the overall economic conditions in China.

Most of our oversea sales are denominated in US dollars, for which our oversea sales are exempted from the risk of foreign currency fluctuation.

We have not had any foreign currency investments hedged by currency borrowings or other hedging instruments. We manage our price risks through productivity improvements and cost-containment measures.measures


 

Contractual Obligations

Tabular Disclosure of Contractual Obligations

We have certain potential commitments that include future estimated payments. Changes in our business needs, cancellation provisions, changing interest rates, and other factors may result in actual payments differing from the estimates. We cannot provide certainty regarding the timing and amounts of payments.

The following table summarizes our contractual obligations as of December 31, 2017, and the effect of these obligations expected to have on our liquidity and cash flows in future periods:

2018 $198,927 
2019  203,947 
2020  214,489 
2021  37,655 
2022  18,443 
Thereafter  92,217 
Total $765,678 

ITEM 6. DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND EMPLOYEES

ITEM 6.DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND EMPLOYEES

A.A.Directors and senior management

The following table sets forth our executive officers and directors, their ages and the positions held by them:them as of April 29, 2024:

NameAgePosition
Dandan Liu36
Cui Rongfeng46 Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, Class A directorDirector
Cui RongbingFeng Zhang4149Chief Financial Officer, Corporate Secretary, Class A Director
Lei Wang Caifen Zou(1)(2)(3)5934Class B Director, independent
Qiu Li (1)(2)(3)6357Class B Director, independent
Qi Wang Owens Meng (1)(2)(3)4674Class C Director, independent

(1)Member of the Audit Committee.

(2)Member of the Compensation Committee.

(3)Member of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.

Cui RongfengDandan Liu iswas appointed as the founderCompany’s Chief Executive Officer effective as of August 2, 2019 and Chair on September 15, 2021. Dandan Liu has served as a Class A director of the Company since February 2019. Ms. Liu founded Beijing Houxin Investments Co., Ltd. in June 2012 and served as its Chief Executive Officer and Chairman from June 2012 to July 2020. Ms. Liu’s valuable entrepreneurial, management, and investment experience together with her in-depth knowledge of the Company provide her with the qualifications and skills to serve as a director of our Company. He has served

Feng Zhang was appointed as our Chairman of the Board of Directors, President and Chief Executive Officer since July 2006. From May 2004 to June 2006, he served in the capacity of the Company’s General Manager. From 1994 to 2004, he held several managerial positions at various Qingdao based companies. Mr. Cui holds an undergraduate degree in International Trade from the Central Radio and Television University and an eMBA degree from Peking University. The Board of Directors determined that Mr. Cui should continue serving as our Chairman given his pivotal role in the Company’s founding, day-to-day operations and long-term vision.

Cui Rongbing is our Chief Financial Officer and Director. He has servedon February 19, 2020. From August 2018 to September 2019, Feng Zhang worked as our Chief Financial Officer since January 2015. From October 1998 to December 2014, he held the office of GeneralSenior Accounting Manager at Qingdao Yinghe Jiutian Informationfor Beijing Longguang Energy Technology Co., Ltd. From July 2017 to July 2018, Mr. Cui holds a Master’s degree in population and development from the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.Zhang worked as Accounting Manager for Hebei Yinlong Renewable Energy Co., Ltd. From March 2015 to June 2017, Mr. Cui is our Chairman’s brother. The Board of Directors determined that Cui Rongbing should serveZhang worked as our director based on his knowledge of the Company’s operations as well as his financial and accounting experience.

Lei Wang is an independent director. Ms. Wang has been manager of KPMG Advisory (China) Limited since October 2014. Between October 2008 and October 2014, Ms. Wang was senior manager of Marcum LLP. Between July 2006 and October 2008, Ms. Wang was senior auditor of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu ChinaAudit Manager for Beijing Xinghua Certified Public Accountants LLP. Ms. WangFirm (Partnership). From June 2006 to February 2015, Mr. Zhang worked as Accounting Manager for Boda Instrument Group Co., Ltd. Mr. Zhang is an American Institute ofa Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). Ms. Wang holds a Bachelor’sAccountant and received his bachelor degree in EconomicsAssets Appraisal from University of International Business and Economics. The Board of Directors determined that Ms. Wang should serve as our director based on her accounting and financial reporting experience and expertise.

Hebei Agricultural University.

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Qiu Li is an independent director.director of the company. Ms. Li has been Senior Consultant of Hangzhou Guohan Financial Holding Co., Ltd. since November 2015. Between March 2010 and October 2015, Ms. Li was director of audit of Hengfeng Bank Hangzhou Branch. Between November 1987 and March 2010, Ms. Li held several managerial positions at Hengfeng Bank headquarter. Ms. Li is a China Certified Public Accountants (CPA). Ms. Li holds a Bachelor’s degree in Management from Shandong Cadres Correspondence University. The Board of Directors determined that Ms. Li should serve as our director based on her experience in business and accounting matters.

Qi WangCaifen Zou is an independent director. Mr. Wang has been lab directorserved as Senior Advisor of the Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of SciencesShandong Renhe Guarantee Company since August 1995,2019. From December 1993 to July 2019, Ms. Zou has served in a number of senior executive roles within CITIC Bank Weihai Branch, including senior manager of Personal Credit Department, general manager of Retail Banking Department, and researcher since June 1984. Mr. Wang is directordeputy section chief of China Association for Instrumental Analysis, expert reviewer of Shandong Province Key Laboratory, and expert reviewer of Qingdao City Key Projects. Mr. Wang holds a Bachelor’sAccounting Department, etc. Ms. Zou received her Associate’s degree in chemistryAdministration Management from Jilin University.Shandong Normal University, and held Intermediate Accountant Qualification Certificate and Intermediate Economist Qualification Certificate in China. The Board of Directors determined that Mr. WangMs. Zou should serve as our director based on his scientific backgroundher experience and expertise.expertise in accounting, management and internal controls.


 

None

Owens Meng is an independent director. Since September 2013, Owens Meng has been the managing director of Beijing Songlin Xinya Financial Consultants, Ltd. From November 2007 to September 2013, he served as chief representative of Sherb Consulting LLC Beijing Representative Office, and managing director of Sherb & Co, LLP, a mid-sized accounting firm which has audited more than 25 China-based, US publicly traded companies. From July 2003 to October 2007, Mr. Meng worked as an audit manager for Grant Thornton Beijing. Mr. Meng received his CPA permit from the state of Delaware, and is a member of China Institute of Certified Public Accountants (CICPA), and a Certified Internal Auditor of the events listedInstitute of Internal Auditors. Mr. Meng holds a Bachelor’s degree in Item 401(f)accounting and economics from Beijing Technology and Business University. Mr. Meng has served as an independent director of Regulation S-K has occurred during the past ten years that is material to the evaluationChina Customer Relations Centers, Inc. (Nasdaq: CCRC) since September 2014. Mr. Meng was nominated as a director because of the ability or integrity of any of our directors, director nominees or executive officers.his experience in auditing, US GAAP and compliance issues.

Under British Virgin Islands law, our directors have a duty to act honestly, in good faith and with a view to our best interests. Our directors also have a duty to exercise the care, diligence and skills that a reasonably prudent person would exercise in comparable circumstances. In fulfilling their duty of care to us, our directors must ensure compliance with our memorandum and articles of association. We have the right to seek damages if a duty owed by our directors is breached. The functions and powers of our board of directors include, among others:

appointing officers and determining the term of office of the officers;

authorizing the payment of donations to religious, charitable, public or other bodies, clubs, funds or associations as deemed advisable;

exercising the borrowing powers of the company and mortgaging the property of the company;

executing checks, promissory notes and other negotiable instruments on behalf of the company; and maintaining or registering a register of mortgages, charges or other encumbrances of the company.

A director may vote, attend a board meeting or sign a document on our behalf with respect to any contract or transaction in which he or she is interested. A director must promptly disclose the interest to all other directors after becoming aware of the fact that he or she is interested in a transaction we have entered into or are to enter into. A general notice or disclosure to the board or otherwise contained in the minutes of a meeting or a written resolution of the board or any committee of the board that a director is a shareholder, director, officer or trustee of any specified firm or company and is to be regarded as interested in any transaction with such firm or company will be sufficient disclosure, and, after such general notice, it will not be necessary to give special notice relating to any particular transaction.

The directors may receive such remuneration as our board of directors may determine from time to time. Each director is entitled to be repaid or prepaid for all traveling, hotel and incidental expenses reasonably incurred or expected to be incurred in attending meetings of our board of directors or committees of our board of directors or shareholder meetings or otherwise in connection with the discharge of his or her duties as a director. The compensation committee will assist the directors in reviewing and approving the compensation structure for the directors. Our board of directors may exercise all the powers of the company to borrow money and to mortgage or charge our undertakings and property or any part thereof, to issue debentures, debenture stock and other securities whenever money is borrowed or as security for any debt, liability or obligation of the company or of any third party.

A director is not required to hold shares as a qualification to office.


 

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B.Compensation

The following table shows the annual compensation paid by us for the years ended December 31, 20172023 and 20162022 to Cui Rongfeng and Cui Rongbing, our principal executive officers. No officer had a salary during either of the previous two years of more than $100,000.

Name and principal position Year  Salary
($)
  Bonus
($)
  Total Paid 
($)
 
Dandan Liu 2023   95,000(1)  1,998,457(2)   2,093,457 
CEO and director 2022   95,000(1)   35,000   130,000 
                
Feng Zhang 2023   58,000(1)   -   58,000 
CFO 2022   58,000(1)   -   58,000 

Name and principal position Year  Salary
($)
  Bonus
($)
  Total Paid 
($)
 
             
Cui Rongfeng,  2017   21,311   -   14,729 
Chairman, President and CEO  2016   17,010   -   15,468 
                 
Cui Rongbing,  2017   16,164   1,924   18,847 
CFO and director  2016   14,451   -   13,370 
(1)Includes $10,000 received as compensation for serving as a director.

(2)Includes bonuses of $1,963,457 for the years 2019 to 2022.

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

None of our officers currently serves, or has served during the last completed fiscal year, on the compensation committee or board of directors of any other entity that has one or more officers serving as a member of our board of directors.

Director Compensation

Employee directors do not receive any compensation for their services. Non-employee directorsDirectors are entitled to receive compensation for their actual travel expenses for each Board meeting attended. The following table sets forth theWe paid $10,000 compensation paid to each of our directors during each of the years ended September 30, 2017December 31, 2023 and 2016.2022.

Name Year  Fees earned or paid in cash  Other compensation  Total
($)
 
             
Lei Wang  2017   0   0   0 
   2016   0   0   0 
                 
Qiu Li  2017   0   0   0 
   2016   0   0   0 
                 
Qi Wang  2017   0   0   0 
   2016   0   0   0 

Limitation of Director and Officer Liability

Under British Virgin Islands law, each of our directors and officers, in performing his or her functions, is required to act honestly and in good faith with a view to our best interests and exercise the care, diligence and skill that a reasonably prudent person would exercise in comparable circumstances. Our memorandum and articles of association provide that, to the fullest extent permitted by British Virgin Islands law or any other applicable laws, our directors will not be personally liable to us or our shareholders for any acts or omissions in the performance of their duties. Such limitation of liability does not affect the availability of equitable remedies such as injunctive relief or rescission. These provisions will not limit the liability of directors under United States federal securities laws.

We may indemnify any of our directors or anyone serving at our request as a director of another entity against all expenses, including legal fees, and against all judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement and reasonably incurred in connection with legal, administrative or investigative proceedings. We may only indemnify a director if he or she acted honestly and in good faith with the view to our best interests and, in the case of criminal proceedings, the director had no reasonable cause to believe that his or her conduct was unlawful. The decision of our board of directors as to whether the director acted honestly and in good faith with a view to our best interests and as to whether the director had no reasonable cause to believe that his or her conduct was unlawful, is in the absence of fraud sufficient for the purposes of indemnification, unless a question of law is involved. The termination of any proceedings by any judgment, order, settlement, conviction or the entry of no plea does not, by itself, create a presumption that a director did not act honestly and in good faith and with a view to our best interests or that the director had reasonable cause to believe that his or her conduct was unlawful. If a director to be indemnified has been successful in defense of any proceedings referred to above, the director is entitled to be indemnified against all expenses, including legal fees, and against all judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement and reasonably incurred by the director or officer in connection with the proceedings.

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Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted for our directors or officers 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 as a matter of United States law.


 

Retirement Benefits

As of December 31, 2017,2023, we have contributed to the government-mandated employee welfare and retirement benefit plan and provided pension, retirement or similar benefits to its employees. The PRC regulations require us to pay the local labor administration bureau a monthly contribution at a stated contribution rate based on the monthly basic compensation of qualified employees. The local labor administration bureau, which manages various investment funds, will take care of employee retirement, medical and other fringe benefits. We have no further commitments beyond our monthly contribution.

Employment Agreements

Employment agreement with Cui Rongfeng,Dandan Liu, CEO

On SeptemberAugust 1, 2016, Qingdao Tiandihui entered into an2022, TDH Holdings, Inc. renewed the employment agreement with Cui RongfengDandan Liu to serve in the role of Chief Executive Officer for the initial period of 3 years (commencing as of SeptemberAugust 1, 20162022 and terminating on AugustJuly 31, 2019)2025), which term may be extendedautomatically renewed for another 23 years unless either party to the agreement terminates the agreement at least 60 days prior to the expiration of the term. Under the terms of this agreement, Mr. Cui’sMs. Liu’s annual salary is RMB 240,000USD 120,000 payable in 12 equal monthly installments. The executiveinstallments until July 31, 2025. Ms. Liu may be eligible to receive an annual bonus in the amount of 50%10% of his annual base salary,the growth in book value as of the last fiscal year end, subject to completionreview of corporate and individual performance goals set forth by the Compensation Committee in consultation with the executive.Committee. The Compensation Committee will have the sole discretion whether the executiveMs. Liu is entitled to the bonus and the amount of the payment, if any. The employment agreement may be terminated by either party upon 60 daydays advance notice to the other party. The Company will reimburse Ms. Liu for all reasonable out of pocket expenses in connection with travel, entertainment and other expenses incurred in the performance of her duties. The agreement also contains certain confidentiality, non-disclosure and other provisions that are customary to the agreements of this nature.

Employment agreement with Feng Zhang, CFO

On January 4, 2024, TDH Holdings, Inc. renewed the employment agreement with Feng Zhang to serve in the role of Chief Financial Officer for the initial period of three years, (commencing as of January 4, 2024 and terminating on January 3, 2027). Under the terms of this agreement, Mr. Zhang’s annual salary is USD 48,000 payable in 12 equal monthly installments. The employment agreement may be terminated by either party upon 15-day advance notice to the other party. The Company will reimburse Mr. CuiZhang for all reasonable out of pocket expenses in connection with travel, entertainment and other expenses incurred in the performance of his duties. The agreement also contains certain confidentiality, non-disclosure and other provisions that are customary to the agreements of this nature.

Employment agreement with Cui Rongbing, CFO

On September 1, 2016, Qingdao Tiandihui entered into an employment agreement with Cui Rongbing to serve in the role of Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary for the initial period of 3 years, (commencing as of September 1, 2016 and terminating on August 31, 2019), which term may be extended for another 2 years unless either party to the agreement terminates the agreement at least 60 days prior to the expiration of the term. Under the terms of this agreement, Mr. Cui’s annual salary is RMB 144,000 payable in 12 equal monthly installments. The employment agreement may be terminated by either party upon 60 day advance notice to the other party. The Company will reimburse Mr. Cui for all reasonable out of pocket expenses in connection with travel, entertainment and other expenses incurred in the performance of his duties. The agreement also contains certain confidentiality, non-disclosure and other provisions that are customary to the agreements of this nature.

C.Board Practices

Composition of Board; Risk Oversight

Our Board of Directors presently consists of five directors. The Board membership is divided into three classes, Class A, B and C, respectively, as nearly equal in number as the total number of directors permits. Class A directors will face re-election at our next annual meeting of shareholders and every three years thereafter. Class B directors will face re-election at our second annual meeting of shareholders and every three years thereafter. Class C directors will face re-election at our third annual meeting of shareholders and every three years thereafter.

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Except as noted above, there are no family relationships between any of our executive officers and directors. Officers are elected by, and serve at the discretion of, the board of directors. Our board of directors shall hold meetings on at least a quarterly basis. As a smaller reporting company under the NASDAQ rules we are only required to maintain a board of directors comprised of at least 50% independent directors, and an audit committee of at least two members, comprised solely of independent directors who also meet the requirements of Rule 10A-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. There are no membership qualifications for directors. Further, there are no share ownership qualifications for directors unless so fixed by us in a general meeting. There are no other arrangements or understandings pursuant to which our directors are selected or nominated. Our board plays a significant role in our risk oversight. The board makes all relevant Company decisions. As such, it is important for us to have our Chief Executive Officer serve on the board as he plays key roles in the risk oversight or the Company. As a smaller reporting company with a small board of directors, we believe it is appropriate to have the involvement and input of all of our directors in risk oversight matters.


Director Independence

Our board has reviewed the independence of our directors, applying the NASDAQ independence standards. Based on this review, the board determined that each of Lei Wang,Caifen Zou, Qiu Li, and Qi WangOwens Meng are “independent” within the meaning of the NASDAQ rules. In making this determination, our board considered the relationships that each of these non-employee directors has with us and all other facts and circumstances our board deemed relevant in determining their independence. As required under applicable NASDAQ rules, we anticipate that our independent directors will meet on a regular basis as often as necessary to fulfill their responsibilities, including at least annually in executive session without the presence of non-independent directors and management.

Board Committees

Currently, three committees have been established under the board: the Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee and the Nominating Committee.

The Audit Committee is responsible for overseeing the accounting and financial reporting processes of our company and audits of the financial statements of our company, including the appointment, compensation and oversight of the work of our independent auditors. The Compensation Committee of the board of directors reviews and makes recommendations to the board regarding our compensation policies for our officers and all forms of compensation, and also administers our incentive compensation plans and equity-based plans (but our board retains the authority to interpret those plans). The Nominating Committee of the board is responsible for the assessment of the performance of the board, considering and making recommendations to the board with respect to the nominations or elections of directors and other governance issues. The nominating committee considers diversity of opinion and experience when nominating directors.

Audit Committee

The Audit Committee will be responsible for, among other matters:

appointing, compensating, retaining, evaluating, terminating, and overseeing our independent registered public accounting firm;

discussing with our independent registered public accounting firm the independence of its members from its management;

reviewing with our independent registered public accounting firm the scope and results of their audit;

approving all audit and permissible non-audit services to be performed by our independent registered public accounting firm;

overseeing the financial reporting process and discussing with management and our independent registered public accounting firm the interim and annual financial statements that we file with the SEC;

54

reviewing and monitoring our accounting principles, accounting policies, financial and accounting controls, and compliance with legal and regulatory requirements;

coordinating the oversight by our board of directors of our code of business conduct and our disclosure controls and proceduresprocedures;

establishing procedures for the confidential and/or anonymous submission of concerns regarding accounting, internal controls or auditing matters; and

reviewing and approving related-party transactions.

Our Audit Committee consists of Lei Wang,Caifen Zou, Qiu Li, and Qi Wang,Owens Meng, with Lei WangOwens Meng serving as chair of the Audit Committee. Our board has affirmatively determined that each of the members of the Audit Committee meets the definition of “independent director” for purposes of serving on an Audit Committee under Rule 10A-3 of the Exchange Act and NASDAQ rules. In addition, our board has determined that Lei Wang qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert” as such term is currently defined in Item 407(d)(5) of Regulation S-K and meets the financial sophistication requirements of the NASDAQ rules.


 

Compensation Committee

The Compensation Committee will be responsible for, among other matters:

reviewing and approving, or recommending to the board of directors to approve the compensation of our CEO and other executive officers and directors;

reviewing key employee compensation goals, policies, plans and programs;

administering incentive and equity-based compensation;

reviewing and approving employment agreements and other similar arrangements between us and our executive officers; and

appointing and overseeing any compensation consultants or advisors.

Our Compensation Committee consists of Lei Wang,Caifen Zou, Qiu Li, and Qi Wang,Owens Meng, with Qiu Li serving as chair of the Compensation Committee. Our board has affirmatively determined that each of the members of the Compensation Committee meets the definition of “independent director” for purposes of serving on Compensation Committee under NASDAQ rules.

Nominating Committee

The Nominating Committee will be responsible for, among other matters:

selecting or recommending for selection candidates for directorships;

evaluating the independence of directors and director nominees;

reviewing and making recommendations regarding the structure and composition of our board and the board committees;

developing and recommending to the board corporate governance principles and practices;

reviewing and monitoring the Company’s Code of Business Conduct and Ethics; and

overseeing the evaluation of the Company’s management

Our Nominating Committee consists of consists of Lei Wang,Caifen Zou, Qiu Li, and Qi Wang,Owens Meng, with Qi WangCaifen Zou serving as chair of the Nominating Committee. Our board has affirmatively determined that each of the members of the Nominating Committee meets the definition of “independent director” for purposes of serving on a Nominating Committee under NASDAQ rules.

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Duties of Directors

Under British Virgin Islands law, our directors have a duty to act honestly, in good faith and with a view to our best interests. Our directors also have a duty to exercise the care, diligence and skills that a reasonably prudent person would exercise in comparable circumstances. In fulfilling their duty of care to us, our directors must ensure compliance with our memorandum and articles of association. We have the right to seek damages if a duty owed by our directors is breached. The functions and powers of our board of directors include, among others:

appointing officers and determining the term of office of the officers;

authorizing the payment of donations to religious, charitable, public or other bodies, clubs, funds or associations as deemed advisable;


exercising the borrowing powers of the company and mortgaging the property of the company;

executing checks, promissory notes and other negotiable instruments on behalf of the company; and maintaining or registering a register of mortgages, charges or other encumbrances of the company.

A director may vote, attend a board meeting or sign a document on our behalf with respect to any contract or transaction in which he or she is interested. A director must promptly disclose the interest to all other directors after becoming aware of the fact that he or she is interested in a transaction we have entered into or are to enter into. A general notice or disclosure to the board or otherwise contained in the minutes of a meeting or a written resolution of the board or any committee of the board that a director is a shareholder, director, officer or trustee of any specified firm or company and is to be regarded as interested in any transaction with such firm or company will be sufficient disclosure, and, after such general notice, it will not be necessary to give special notice relating to any particular transaction.

The directors may receive such remuneration as our board of directors may determine from time to time. Each director is entitled to be repaid or prepaid for all traveling, hotel and incidental expenses reasonably incurred or expected to be incurred in attending meetings of our board of directors or committees of our board of directors or shareholder meetings or otherwise in connection with the discharge of his or her duties as a director. The compensation committee will assist the directors in reviewing and approving the compensation structure for the directors. Our board of directors may exercise all the powers of the company to borrow money and to mortgage or charge our undertakings and property or any part thereof, to issue debentures, debenture stock and other securities whenever money is borrowed or as security for any debt, liability or obligation of the company or of any third party.

Limitation on Liability and Other Indemnification Matters

British Virgin 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 British Virgin Islands courts to be contrary to public policy, such as to provide indemnification against civil fraud or the consequences of committing a crime. Under our memorandum and articles of association, we may indemnify our directors, officers and liquidators against all expenses, including legal fees, and against all judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement and reasonably incurred in connection with civil, criminal, administrative or investigative proceedings to which they are party or are threatened to be made a party by reason of their acting as our director, officer or liquidator. To be entitled to indemnification, these persons must have acted honestly and in good faith with a view to the best interest of the company and, in the case of criminal proceedings, they must have had no reasonable cause to believe their conduct was unlawful. Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted for our directors or officers 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 as a matter of United States law.

D.Employees

The table below provides information as to the total number of employees at the end of the last three fiscal years. We have no contracts or collective bargaining agreements with labor unions and have never experienced work stoppages due to labor dispute. We consider our relations with our employees to be good.

  2015  2016  2017 
Number of Employees  236   240   213 
  2021  2022  2023 
Number of Employees  42   51   56 

E.Share Ownership

See Item 7 below.


 

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Table of Contents

ITEM 7. MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

ITEM 7.MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONSA.Major shareholders

A.Major shareholders

The following table sets forth, as of April 26, 2024 certain information regarding beneficial ownership of our shares by each person who is known by us to beneficially own more than 5% of our shares. The table also identifies the share ownership of each of our directors, each of our named executive officers, and all directors and officers as a group. Except as otherwise indicated, the shareholders listed in the table have sole voting and investment powers with respect to the shares indicated. Our major shareholders do not have different voting rights than any other holder of our shares.

Shares which an individual or group has a right to acquire within 60 days pursuant to the exercise or conversion of options, warrants or other similar convertible or derivative securities are deemed to be outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of such individual or group, but are not deemed to be outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of any other person shown in the table.

Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission and generally includes voting and investment power. Except as otherwise indicated below, each beneficial owner holds voting and investment power directly. The percentage of ownership is based on 9,423,75010,323,268 shares issued and outstanding as of April 28, 2018.this Annual Report. Unless otherwise indicated, the address of each beneficial owner listed in the table below is c/o Qingdao Tiandihui FoodstuffsBeijing Wenxin Co., Ltd., Room 722-1, Building B, World Trade Center, 6 Hong Kong1104, Full Tower, 9 East Third Ring Middle Road, Qingdao, Shandong Province,Chaoyang District, Beijing, PRC.

 

Name of Beneficial Owner  Shares Owned   Percentage 
Dandan Liu  1,354,697   13.1%
Feng Zhang      
Caifen Zou(1)      
Qiu Li(1)      
Owens Meng(1)      
         
Directors & executive officers as a group (5 persons)  1,354,697   13.1%
         
Xiumei Lan  620,000   6.0%
Liping Gao  640,000   6.2%
Yanli Xu  580,000   5.6%
5% or Greater Shareholders as a group (2 persons)  1,840,000   17.8%

Name of Beneficial Owner Shares Owned  Percentage 
       
Cui Rongfeng  2,805,000   29.77%
Cui Rongbing  450,000   4.78%
Lei Wang (1)  0   - 
Qiu Li (1)  0   - 
Qi Wang (1)  0   - 
         
Directors & executive officersas a group (5 persons)  3,255,000   34.55%
         
Wang Yanjuan (2)  1,215,000   12.89%

(1)Independent director.
(2)CEO’s spouse.

B.Related Party Transactions

The following is a description of transactions since January 1, 2016, in which the amount involved in the transaction exceeded or will exceed the lesser of $120,000 or one percent of the average of our total assets as at the year-end for the last two completed fiscal years, and to which any of our directors, executive officers or beneficial holders of more than 5% of our capital stock, or any immediate family member of, or person sharing the household with, any of these individuals, had or will have a direct or indirect material interest.

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Due from related parties

Due fromThe related parties consisted of the following:

  December 31,  December 31, 
  2017  2016 
Tide (Shanghai) Industrial Co. Ltd. $46  $- 
TDH Group BVBA  329,237   35,842 
Rongfeng Cui  32,678   - 
Total $361,961  $35,842 

I)Operating expenses paid on behalf of related parties

During the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company paid operating expenses on behalf of Quanmin Chongai in the amount of $272, and Quanmin Chongai repaid the Company in full.

Duringhad transactions for the years ended December 31, 2017, 20162023, 2022 and 2015, the Company paid operating expenses on behalf of Tide in the amount of $44, $246,598 and $6,422, respectively, and Tide repaid the Company in the amount of $0, $252,847 and $0, respectively.

During the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company paid operating expense on behalf of TDH Group BVBA in the amount of $444.

II)Collection of accounts receivable by related parties

The balances of due from TDH Group BVBA and Rongfeng Cui represent overseas trade receivables collected by the two parties on behalf2021 consist of the Company.following:

Name of Related PartyNature of Relationship at December 31, 2023
Dandan LiuChairman of the Board, Shareholder, Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”)
Rongfeng CuiFormer Chairman of the Board and Former CEO. Rongfeng Cui ceased to be the CEO of the Company effective August 2, 2019.
Rongbing CuiFormer Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”), Rongfeng Cui’s brother
Feng ZhangCFO
Yanjuan WangRongfeng Cui’s wife
Yan FuFormer Sales Vice President
Yuxiang QiDandan Liu’s mother
Tide (Shanghai) Industrial Co. Ltd.Owned by Rongfeng Cui and Yanjuan Wang


 

During the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, TDH Group BVBA collected overseas sales receivables on behalf of the Company in the amount of $280,602 and $130,364, among which $852 and $94,552 was transferred back to the Company, respectively. In April 2018, TDH Group BVBA transferred additional $236,742 to the Company.

During the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, Rongfeng Cui collected overseas trade receivables on behalf of the Company in the amount of $194,062 and $113,774, among which $3,506 and $0 was transferred to the Company, respectively. During the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, due from Rongfeng Cui was settled with payables to Rongfeng Cui in the amount of $72,685, and $113,774, respectively. In addition, the Company, Rongfeng Cui and Yanjuan Wang agreed to settle the balance due from Rongfeng Cui with payables to Yanjuan Wang in the amount of $86,405.

Name of Related PartyIII)LoansNature of Relationship at December 31, 2021
Qingdao Like Pet Supplies Co., Ltd.Rongfeng Cui served as CEO, and Shuhua Cui, sister of Rongfeng Cui, served as the legal person. On May 26, 2016, both Rongfeng Cui and Shuhua Cui resigned from their positions, but still have significant influence on Like.
Qingdao Saike Environmental Technology Co., Ltd.Owned by Rongfeng Cui and Yanjuan Wang
Huangdao Ding Ge Zhuang Kangkang Family FarmControlled by Rongfeng Cui’s father
TDH Group BVBAA Belgium company solely owned by Rongfeng Cui prior to related partiesNovember 30, 2018; a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company since November 30, 2018
TDH JAPANA Japanese company solely owned by Rongfeng Cui prior to November 30, 2018; a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company since November 30, 2018. Dissolved in February 2021.
Qingdao Yinhe Jiutian Information Technology Co., Ltd.Solely owned by Rongbing Cui
Huangdao Hanyinhe Software Development Center Co., Ltd.Solely owned by Xiaomei Wang
Beijing Quanmin Chongai Information Technology Co., Ltd. (“Quanmin Chongai”)Rongbing Cui serves as supervisor of Quanmin Chongai
LAI LINGS LENEXARaymond Ng is the son of Richard Ng
Products Inc.Owned by Richard Ng
Bo Lings at Zona Rosa in the NorthlandOwned by Richard Ng
Richard NgRichard owns 49% control of Far Ling’s Inc.

During the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, the Company made loans to Kangkang in the amount of $3,462 and $1,207,002, respectively, and Kangkang repaid the loans to the Company in the amount of $592,752 and $1,348,414, respectively.

During the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, the Company made loans to Like in the amount of $2,157,621 and $2,446,338, respectively, and Like repaid the loans to the Company in the amount of $2,456,402 and $1,412,790, respectively.

During the year ended December 31, 2015, the Company directly made loans to Rongfeng Cui in the amount of $2,281,903, and instructed Kangkang and Like to make additional loans to Rongfeng Cui in the amount of $658,233 and $1,412,790, respectively, in lieu of repaying to the Company.

Certain loans made to Kangkang, Like, and Rongfeng Cui prior to August 2016 were lack of business purpose in nature. Per Section 402 of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, loans to certain related parties were deemed as prohibited transactions for U.S. public companies. The loans were made prior to the Company filing a registration statement with the SEC to go public in the U.S. The loans were repaid to the Company in full as of December 31, 2016.

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Due to related parties from continuing operations

Due to related parties consisted of the following:

  December 31,  December 31, 
  2023  2022 
Dandan Liu  1,963,457   - 
Rongfeng Cui  -   33,624 
Feng Zhang  -   22,123 
Products Inc.  19,973   - 
Total $1,983,430  $55,747 


 

  December 31,  December 31, 
  2017  2016 
Huangdao Ding Ge Zhuang Kangkang Family Farm $-  $387 
Qingdao Saike Environmental Technology Co., Ltd.  6,148   - 
Phillip Zou  1,000   - 
Yanjuan Wang  29,878   783,291 
Rongfeng Cui  308,847   284,602 
Xiaomei Wang  -   52,422 
Total $345,873  $1,120,702 

The balance of due to related parties represents expenses incurred by related parties in the ordinary course of business, expense paid by related parties on behalf of the Company as well as loansadvances the Company obtained from related parties for working capital purposes. The loansamounts owed to the related parties are unsecured, non-interest bearing and payable on demand.

During the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, the Company obtainedShort term loans from Yanjuan Wang in the amount of $0 and $2,694,566, respectively, and the Company repaid Yanjuan Wang in the amount of $594,939, and $1,752,220, respectively.related parties

  December 31,  December 31, 
  2023  2022 
Rongfeng Cui $277,408  $266,451 
Total $277,408  $266,451 

During the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, the Company obtained

In March 2018, TDH Group BVBA borrowed non-interest bearing, unsecured long term loans from Rongfeng Cui in the aggregate amount of $1,109,960, $443,871€250,000 (approximately $288,000), of which payments of €60,000 (approximately $69,000), €60,000 (approximately $69,000), €60,000 (approximately $69,000), €60,000 (approximately $69,000), €10,000 (approximately $11,500) and $951,906, and repaid Rongfeng Cui$0 were due in the amount of $1,092,138, $1,203,819years ended December 31, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and $0,thereafter, respectively. The Company did not make any repayment to Rongfeng Cui paid the expenses on behalf of the Company in the amount of $59,790 and $41,859 during the years ended December 31, 20172013, 2022 and 2016, respectively.

Sales2021, such failure to related partypay may lead to callable of the loan at any time by Rongfeng Cui. As a result, the corresponding loan was classified as current liability and advance from related party

The Company made sales to Like in the amount of $506,495 and incurred corresponding cost of sales of $399,177 during the year ended December 31, 2017, which was included in cost of revenuesshort term loans – related party. Account receivable in the amount of $576,520 from Like was collected, and the Company, Like and Yanjuan Wang agreed to settle balance of account receivable of $11,233 from Like with payable to Yanjuan Wang during the year ended December 31, 2017. Like also made prepayment to the Company for future purchases and the balance of advance from customer - Like was $7,520parties as of December 31, 2017.2023 and 2022. The Company is aware of the possible penalty and/or other consequence due to the default, however, no reasonable estimate can be made at this time.

PurchaseModification of Loans from related parties and accounts payable to related partiesparty

During the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company consigned Like to process raw materials. The total consignment processing cost was $490,388, which was settled with loans to Like in full.

The Company purchased financial application software from Yinhe Jiutian in the amount of $5,059 and $138,943 during the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, the payables to Yinhe Jiutian was $120,020 and $111,139, respectively.

The Company purchased raw materials from Kangkang Family Farm in the amount of $30,191 and $13,818 during the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, the balance of payables to Kangkang Family Farm was $31,354 and $0, respectively. During the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, raw materials purchased from Kangkang Family Farm in the amount of $740 and $6,616, respectively, were included in cost of revenues.

The Company purchased finished goods from Zhenyu in the amount of $163,127 during the year ended December 31, 2017. As of December 31, 2017, the balance of payables to Zhenyu was $924. During the year ended December 31, 2017, $43,762 of finished goods purchased from Zhenyu was sold and included in cost of revenues.

59

Operating lease with related parties

On December 31, 2014,In January 2018, the Company entered into a leaseloan agreement with Runrang Cui, CEO’s father,Dandan Liu. In May 2018, the agreement was amended to, lease a 2,000 square meters factory, located at Big Cuijiazhuang Village, Zhangjialou Town, Huangdao District, Qingdao City, Shandong Province, PRC. The lease startsamong others, reclassify unpaid interest payable to the principal of the loan, resulting in an increase of principal from RMB3,000,000 (approximately $466,000) to RMB3,030,000 (approximately $471,000) and increase the interest rate from 3% to 15%. Interest rate will be 24% for the period past due. In March 2019, the agreement was further amended to, among others, reclassify unpaid interest payable to the principal of the loan, resulting in an increase of principal to RMB3,484,500 (approximately $539,000) and extend the maturity date from January 1, 20152019 to May 2019. As of Dec. 31, 2022, the loan had $69,566 of interest outstanding. In connection with the bankruptcy proceedings of Tiandijhui, on December 27, 2023, the Court announced that the bankruptcy property distribution plan of Tiandihui was implemented and the bankruptcy proceedings were completed. Pursuant to the judgment and decision by the Court, loans payable plus accrued interest to be paid to Dandan Liu were not approved by the bankruptcy distribution plan. As a termresult, the loans are included in the loss from discontinued operation of three years. The lease payment is RMB36,000 (approximately $5,800)Tiandihui for the year ended December 31, 2015, RMB38,160 (approximately $5,700) for the year ended December 31, 2016 and RMB40,450 (approximately $6,000) for the year ended December 31, 2017. The Company renewed the lease on January 1,2023.

In June 2018, with a lease term of three years. The annual lease payment is RMB160,000 (approximately $23,700) for the year ended December 31, 2018, RMB169,600 (approximately $25,100) for the year ended December 31, 2019 and RMB179,776 (approximately $26,600) for the year ended December 31, 2020.

On December 31, 2014, the Company entered into a leaseloan agreement with Rongfeng Cui to lease a 136.8 square meters office space, located at Room 722, Block B, World Trade Center, Hongkong Zhong Road, Shinan District, Qingdao City, Shandong Province, PRC. The lease starts from January 1, 2015 with a term of three years. The lease payment is RMB12,000 (approximately $1,900)Yuxiang Qi. Interest rate was 15% during the loan period and 24% for the year endedperiod past due. In March 2019, the agreement was amended to, among others, reclassify unpaid interest payable to the principal of the loan, resulting in an increase of principal from RMB3,000,000 (approximately $462,000) to RMB3,405,000 (approximately $522,000) and extend the maturity date from December 31, 2015, RMB12,7202018 to May 2019. Pursuant to the judgment and decision by the Court in connection with the bankruptcy distribution plan, only RMB 94,270 (approximately $1,900)$13,284) in principal of the loan was approved by the court. The Company made the payment of RMB 94,270 (approximately $13,284) to Yuxiang Qi in December 2023.  

The interest expenses for the year ended December 31, 2016loans from related parties amounted to $0, $0 and RMB13,483 (approximately $2,000) for the year ended December 31, 2017. The Company renewed the lease on January 1, 2018 with a lease term of three years. The annual lease payment is RMB66,000 (approximately $9,800) for the year ended December 31, 2018, RMB69,960 (approximately $10,400) for the year ended December 31, 2019 and RMB74,158 (approximately $11,000) for the year ended December 31, 2020.

On December 25, 2015, the Company entered into a lease agreement with Rongfeng Cui to lease a 133.19 square meters office located at Room 07E, Floor 7, Block B, Shilibao Jia #3, Chaoyang District, Beijing City, PRC. The lease starts from January 1, 2016 with a term of two years. The lease payment is RMB144,000 (approximately $23,100) per annum$29,581 for the years ended December 31, 20162023, 2022 and 2017. The Company renewed the lease on January 1, 2018 with a lease term of three years. The annual lease payment is RMB190,000 (approximately $28,100) for the year ended December 31, 2018, RMB201,400 (approximately $29,800) for the year ended December 31, 2019 and RMB213,484 (approximately $31,600) for the year ended December 31, 2020.2021, respectively.

On December 25, 2015, the Company entered into a lease agreement with Rongfeng CuiAccounts payable to lease a 406.97 square meters office located at Room 1902 - 1903, Financial Square, 215 Zhuhai East Road, Jiaonan District, Qingdao City, PRC. The lease starts from January 1, 2016 with a term of two years. The lease payment is RMB180,000 (approximately $27,100) for the year ended December 31, 2016 and RMB190,800 (approximately $28,200) for the year ended December 31, 2017. The Company renewed the lease on January 1, 2018 with a lease term of three years. The annual lease payment is RMB190,800 (approximately $28,200) for the year ended December 31, 2018, RMB202,248 (approximately $29,900) for the year ended December 31, 2019 and RMB214,383 (approximately $31,700) for the year ended December 31, 2020.related parties

  December 31,  December 31, 
  2023  2022 
Richard Ng $           -  $1,033 
Total $-  $1,033 

On January 5, 2016, the Company entered into a lease agreement with Rongbing Cui, the CFO of the Company, to lease a 406.97 square meters office located at Room 1809, Financial Square, 215 Zhuhai East Road, Huangdao District, Qingdao City, PRC. The lease starts from January 1, 2016 with a term of three years. The lease payment is RMB140,000 (approximately $21,000) per annum.

In September 2017, the Company signed a lease agreement with Saike to lease a 2,793.05 square meters plant located at 201Shiqian Village, Ducun Town, Jiaozhou City, Shandong Province, PRC. The lease starts from September 11, 2017 to September 10, 2027. The annual rent is RMB120,000 (approximately $18,000) throughout the lease term.

C.Interests of Experts and Counsel

Not required.


 

Not required.

ITEM 8. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 8.FINANCIAL INFORMATION

A.A.Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information.

See Item 18 for our audited consolidated financial statements.

Legal Proceedings

WeFrom time to time, the Company is a party to various legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business. The Company accrues costs associated with these matters when they become probable and the amount can be reasonably estimated. Legal costs incurred in connection with loss contingencies are currently notexpensed as incurred.

Since November 2019, the Company has been involved in anya number of claims pending in various courts, in arbitration, or otherwise unresolved as of December 31, 2022. These claims were substantially related to non-payment of wage payables, non-payment of vendor payables and non-payment of loans and notes payables. These legal proceedings; nor areproceedings led to, among others, the Company’s certain bank accounts and property, plant and equipment judicially frozen by the court as of December 31, 2022 and 2021. On March 13, 2021, the property and factory buildings above the land owned by Tiandihui were auctioned by the court for $5,098,461 (RMB 33.14 million). In 2021, we awarehave paid RMB 3.73 million to substantially settle the labor arbitration cases with our former employees, and certain proceeds were used to repay the bank loans. On March 16, 2022, the People’s Court of anyHuangdao District, Qingdao City, Shandong Province made a civil ruling and announced the acceptance of creditors’ application of bankruptcy liquidation of Tiandihui., and it entered into bankruptcy proceedings. On December 27, 2023, the Court announced that the bankruptcy property distribution plan of Tiandihui was implemented and the bankruptcy proceedings were completed. As a result, Tiandihui has been fully disposed as of December 31, 2023, and substantially all the material claims against Tiandihui that arose prior to the date of the bankruptcy completion were addressed. However, we may be subject to claims that couldwere not discharged in the bankruptcy proceedings, if any. To the extent any pre-bankruptcy liability still remains, the ultimate resolution of such claims and other obligations may have a material adverse effect on our business,future operating results, profitability and financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.condition.

Dividend Policy

The holders of shares of our common shares are entitled to dividends out of funds legally available when and as declared by our board of directors. Our board of directors has never declared a dividend and does not anticipate declaring a dividend in the foreseeable future. Should we decide in the future to pay dividends, as a holding company, our ability to do so and meet other obligations depends upon the receipt of dividends or other payments from our operating subsidiary and other holdings and investments. In addition, the operating companies may, from time to time, be subject to restrictions on their ability to make distributions to us, including as a result of restrictive covenants in loan agreements, restrictions on the conversion of local currency into U.S. dollars or other hard currency and other regulatory restrictions. In the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, holders of our common shares are entitled to receive, ratably, the net assets available to shareholders after payment of all creditors.

60

TableTo date, none of Contentsthe PRC subsidiaries has made any dividends or distributions to TDH Holdings, Inc. We anticipate that we will retain any earnings to support operations and to finance the growth and development of our business. Therefore, we do not expect to pay cash dividends in the foreseeable future. Under British Virgin Islands law, we may only pay dividends from surplus (the excess, if any, at the time of the determination of the total assets of our company over the sum of our liabilities, as shown in our books of account, plus our capital), and we must be solvent before and after the dividend payment in the sense that we will be able to satisfy our liabilities as they become due in the ordinary course of business; and the realizable value of assets of our company will not be less than the sum of our total liabilities, other than deferred taxes as shown on our books of account, and our capital. If we determine to pay dividends on any of our Common Shares in the future, as a holding company, we will be dependent on receipt of funds from our Hong Kong subsidiaries, TDH HK Limited and TDH Food Limited. Current PRC regulations permit the PRC Subsidiaries to pay dividends to TDH HK Limited and TDH Food Limited only out of their accumulated profits, if any, determined in accordance with Chinese accounting standards and regulations. In addition, each of our subsidiaries in China is required to set aside at least 10% of its after-tax profits each year, if any, to fund a statutory reserve until such reserve reaches 50% of its registered capital. Each of such entity in China is also required to further set aside a portion of its after-tax profits to fund the employee welfare fund, although the amount to be set aside, if any, is determined at the discretion of its board of directors. Although the statutory reserves can be used, among other ways, to increase the registered capital and eliminate future losses in excess of retained earnings of the respective companies, the reserve funds are not distributable as cash dividends except in the event of liquidation.

B.Significant Changes

Except as disclosed elsewhere in this Annual Report, we have not experienced any significant changes since the date of our audited consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report.


 

ITEM 9. THE OFFER AND LISTING

ITEM 9.THE OFFER AND LISTING

A.A.Offer and Listing Details

The following table sets forth, forWe completed our initial public offering on September 21, 2017. Our Common Shares trade under the calendar quarters indicated and through March 31, 2018,trading symbol “PETZ” on the quarterly high and low sale prices forNASDAQ Capital Market. As of April 26, 2024, there were approximately 14 holders of record of our shares,Common Shares. This excludes our Common Shares owned by shareholders holding Common Shares under nominee security position listings. On April 26, 2024 the last sales price of our Common Shares as reported on the NASDAQ Stock Market.Capital Market was $1.17 per common share.

  Shares 
  High  Low 
       
Monthly Highs and Lows      
September 2017  16.80   6.02 
October 2017  31.75   13.00 
November 2017  28.80   5.86 
December 2017  11.11   5.10 
January 2018  6.28   4.46 
February 2018  5.06   3.86 
March 2018  5.19   4.15 

B.Plan of Distribution

Not Applicable.

C.Markets

Our shares have been listed on the NASDAQ Stock Market under the symbols PETZ, since September 21, 2018,2017, following the completion of our initial public offering.

D.Selling Shareholders

Not Applicable.

E.Dilution

Not Applicable.

F.Expenses of the Issue

Not Applicable.

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Table of Contents

ITEM 10. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

ITEM 10.ADDITIONAL INFORMATIONA.Share Capital

Not Applicable.

A.B.Share Capital

Not Applicable.

B.Memorandum and Articles of Association

The information required by Item 10.B of Form 20-F is included in the section titled “Description of Share Capital” in our Registration Statement on Form F-1 initially filed with the SEC on August 11, 2017 (File No.: 333-219896), which section is incorporated herein by reference.

C.Material Contracts

None

D.Exchange controls

Under British Virgin Islands law, there are currently no restrictions on the export or import of capital, including foreign exchange controls or restrictions that affect the remittance of dividends, interest or other payments to nonresident holders of our shares.

 


E.Taxation

PRC Enterprise Income Tax

According to the Enterprise Income Tax Law of PRC (the “EIT Law”), which was promulgated on March 16, 2007, last amended in February 2017 and became effective as of January 1, 2008, the income tax for both domestic and foreign-invested enterprises is at a uniform rate of 25%. The Regulation on the Implementation of Enterprise Income Tax Law of the PRC (the “EIT Rules”) was promulgated on December 6, 2007 and became effective on January 1, 2008. On April 14, 2008, the Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology, Ministry of Finance and State Administration of Taxation enacted the Administrative Measures for Certifying High and New Technology Enterprises (the “Certifying Measures”), which retroactively became effective on January 1, 2008 and was amended on January 29, 2016. Under the EIT Law and the Certifying Measures, certain qualified high-tech companies may benefit from a preferential tax rate of 15% if they own their core intellectual properties and are classified into certain industries strongly supported by the Chinese government and set forth by certain departments of the Chinese State Council. Tiandihui was granted the high and new technology enterprise (“HNTE”) qualification valid until the yearendyear end of December 2018. There can be no assurance, however, that Tiandihui will continueThe Company was subject to meet25% income tax rate in 2021 and 2022. On March 16, 2022, the qualifications for suchPeople’s Court of Huangdao District, Qingdao City, Shandong Province made a reduced tax rate. In addition, there can be no guaranty that relevant governmental authorities will not revoke Tiandihui’s “highcivil ruling and new technology enterprise” status inannounced the future. Uncertainties exist with respect to how the EIT Law applies to the tax residence statusacceptance of creditors’ application of bankruptcy liquidation of Tiandihui, and our offshore subsidiaries.it entered into bankruptcy proceedings. Under the EIT Law, an enterprise established outside of China with a “de facto management body” within China is considered a “resident enterprise”, which means that it is treated in a manner similar to a Chinese enterprise for enterprise income tax purposes. Although the implementation rules of the EIT Law define “de facto management body” as a managing body that exercises substantive and overall management and control over the production and business, personnel, accounting books and assets of an enterprise, the only official guidance for this definition currently available is set forth in Circular 82 issued by the State Administration of Taxation, at April 22, 2009 which provides that a foreign enterprise controlled by a PRC company or a PRC company group will be classified as a “resident enterprise” with its “de facto management bodies” located within China if the following criteria are satisfied:

the place where the senior management and core management departments that are in charge of its daily operations perform their duties is mainly located in the PRC;

its financial and human resources decisions are made by or are subject to approval by persons or bodies in the PRC;

its major assets, accounting books, company seals, and minutes and files of its board and shareholders’ meetings are located or kept in the PRC; and

more than half of the enterprise’s directors or senior management with voting rights frequently reside in the PRC.

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We do not believe that we meet the conditions outlined in the preceding paragraph since Tiandihui does not have a PRC enterprise or enterprise group as our primary controlling shareholder. In addition, we are not aware of any offshore holding companies with a corporate structure similar to the Company that has been deemed a PRC “resident enterprise” by the PRC tax authorities.

If we are deemed a China resident enterprise, we may be subject to the EIT at the rate of 25% on our global income, except that the dividends we receive from our Chinese subsidiaries may be exempt from the EIT to the extent such dividends are deemed dividends among qualified resident enterprises. If we are considered a resident enterprise and earn income other than dividends from our Chinese subsidiaries, a 25% EIT on our global income could significantly increase our tax burden and materially and adversely affect our cash flow and profitability.

PRC Business Tax and VAT

Pursuant to the Provisional Regulation of China on Business Tax last amended on November 10, 2008 and effective as of January 1, 2009 and the Detailed Rules for the Implementation of the Provisional Regulation of China on Business Tax last amended on October 28, 2011 and effective as of November 1, 2011, all entities and individuals engaged in providing taxable services, transfer of intangible assets or the sale of real estate are subject to business tax. PursuantAccording to the Provisional Regulations of the People’s Republic of China on Value-added Tax (VAT) of(2017), which were revised and came into effect on November 20, 2017, the PRC last amended on February 6, 2016 and became effective from January 1, 2009 and the Detailed Rules for the Implementation of the Provisional Regulation of China on VAT last amended on October 28, 2011 and effective as of November 1, 2011,all entities or individuals in the PRC engaging in the salesales of goods, the provision of processing, services, repairsrepair and replacement services, sales of services, intangible assets, immovable property and imported goods within the importationterritory of goods are required tothe People’s Republic of China must pay VAT. The amount of VAT payable is calculated as “output VAT” minus “input VAT”, and the raterates of VAT isare 13% or 9% for sales of our goods as determined by State Administration of Taxation.


 

People’s Republic of China Taxation

Under the EIT law and EIT Rules, both of which became effective on January 1, 2008, the income tax for both domestic and foreign-invested enterprises is at a uniform rate of 25%, unless they qualify for certain exceptions. On April 14, 2008, the Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology, Ministry of Finance and State Administration of Taxation enacted the Certifying Measures, which retroactively became effective on January 1, 2008 and was amended on January 29, 2016 provide that certain qualified high-tech companies may benefit from a preferential tax rate of 15% if they own their core intellectual properties and are classified into certain industries strongly supported by the Chinese government and set forth by certain departments of the Chinese State Council. Tiandihui was granted the HNTE qualification valid for three years commencing on December 2, 2016. There can be no assurance, however, that Tiandihui will continue to meetTiandihui’s status as a “high-tech enterprise” was automatically revoked by the qualifications for such a reduced tax rate. In addition, there can be no guaranty that relevant governmental authorities will not revoke Tiandihui’s “high and new technology enterprise” status in the future.government departments when it expired on December 2, 2019. We are a holding company incorporated in the British Virgin Islands and we gain substantial income by way of dividends from our PRC subsidiaries. The EIT Law and Rules provide that China-sourced income of foreign enterprises, such as dividends paid by a PRC Subsidiary to its equity holders that are non-resident enterprises, will normally be subject to PRC withholding tax at a rate of 10%, unless any such foreign investor’s jurisdiction of incorporation has tax treaty with China that provides for a different withholding arrangement.

British Virgin Islands Taxation

Under the BVI Act as currently in effect, a holder of common shares who is not a resident of the British Virgin Islands is exempt from British Virgin Islands income tax on dividends paid with respect to the common shares and all holders of common shares are not liable to the British Virgin Islands for income tax on gains realized during that year on sale or disposal of such shares. The British Virgin Islands does not impose a withholding tax on dividends paid by a company incorporated or re-registered under the BVI Act. There are no capital gains, gift or inheritance taxes levied by the British Virgin Islands on companies incorporated or re-registered under the BVI Act. In addition, shares of companies incorporated or re-registered under the BVI Act are not subject to transfer taxes, stamp duties or similar charges. There is no income tax treaty or convention currently in effect between the United States and the British Virgin Islands or between China and the British Virgin Islands.

63

United States Federal Income Taxation

The following does not address the tax consequences to any particular investor or to persons in special tax situations such as:

banks;

financial institutions;

insurance companies;

regulated investment companies;

real estate investment trusts;

broker-dealers;

traders that elect to mark to market;

U.S. expatriates;

tax-exempt entities;

persons liable for alternative minimum tax;

persons holding our common shares as part of a straddle, hedging, conversion or integrated transaction;

persons that actually or constructively own 10% or more of our voting shares;

persons who acquired our common shares pursuant to the exercise of any employee share option or otherwise as consideration; or

persons holding our common shares through partnerships or other pass-through entities.


 

Prospective purchasers are urged to consult their tax advisors about the application of the U.S. Federal tax rules to their particular circumstances as well as the state, local, foreign and other tax consequences to them of the purchase, ownership and disposition of our common shares.

Taxation of Dividends and Other Distributions on our Shares

Subject to the passive foreign investment company rules discussed below, the gross amount of distributions made by us to you with respect to the common shares (including the amount of any taxes withheld therefrom) will generally be includable in your gross income as dividend income on the date of receipt by you, but only to the extent that the distribution is paid out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits (as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles). With respect to corporate U.S. Holders, to the extent that the amount of the distribution exceeds our current and accumulated earnings and profits (as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles), it will be treated first as a tax-free return of your tax basis in your common shares, and to the extent the amount of the distribution exceeds your tax basis, the excess will be taxed as capital gain. We do not intend to calculate our earnings and profits under U.S. federal income tax principles. Therefore, a U.S. Holder should expect that a distribution will be treated as a dividend even if that distribution would otherwise be treated as a non-taxable return of capital or as capital gain under the rules described above. The dividends will not be eligible for the dividends-received deduction allowed in respect of dividends received from other U.S. corporations.

With respect to non-corporate U.S. Holders, including individual U.S. Holders, dividends will be taxed at the lower capital gains rate applicable to qualified dividend income, provided that (1) the common shares are readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States, or we are eligible for the benefits of an approved qualifying income tax treaty with the United States that includes an exchange of information program, (2) we are not a passive foreign investment company (as discussed below) for either our taxable year in which the dividend is paid or the preceding taxable year, and (3) certain holding period requirements are met. Under U.S. Internal Revenue Service authority, our common shares will be considered for purpose of clause (1) above to be readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States when they are listed on the NASDAQ Capital Market. You are urged to consult your tax advisors regarding the availability of the lower rate for dividends paid with respect to our common shares, including the effects of any change in law after the date of this Annual Report.

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

Taxation of Dispositions of Shares

Subject to the passive foreign investment company rules discussed below, you will recognize taxable gain or loss on any sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of shares equal to the difference between the amount realized (in U.S. dollars) for the share and your tax basis (in U.S. dollars) in the shares. The gain or loss will be capital gain or loss. If you are a non-corporate U.S. Holder, including an individual U.S. Holder, who has held the common shares for more than one year, you will be eligible for the capital gains tax rate of 20% (or lower for individuals in lower tax brackets). The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations. Any such gain or loss that you recognize will generally be treated as United States source income or loss for foreign tax credit limitation purposes.


 

Passive Foreign Investment Company

Based on our current and anticipated operations and the composition of our assets, we do not expect to be a passive foreign investment company, or PFIC, for U.S. federal income tax purposes for our current taxable year ending December 31, 2017.2022. Our actual PFIC status for the current taxable years ending December 31, 20172022 will not be determinable until after the close of such year and, accordingly, there is no guarantee that we will not be a PFIC for the current year. PFIC status is a factual determination for each taxable year which cannot be made until the close of the taxable year. A non-U.S. corporation is considered a PFIC for any taxable year if either:

at least 75% of its gross income is passive income; or

at least 50% of the value of its assets (based on an average of the quarterly values of the assets during a taxable year) is attributable to assets that produce or are held for the production of passive income (the “asset test”).

We will be treated as owning our proportionate share of the assets and earning our proportionate share of the income of any other corporation in which we own, directly or indirectly, at least 25% (by value) of the stock. We must make a separate determination each year as to whether we are a PFIC. As a result, our PFIC status may change. In particular, because the value of our assets for purposes of the asset test will generally be determined based on the market price of our common shares, our PFIC status will depend in large part on the market price of our common shares. Accordingly, fluctuations in the market price of the common shares may cause us to become a PFIC. If we are a PFIC for any year during which you hold common shares, we will continue to be treated as a PFIC for all succeeding years during which you hold common shares. However, if we cease to be a PFIC, you may avoid some of the adverse effects of the PFIC regime by making a “deemed sale” election with respect to the common shares.

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

the excess distribution or gain will be allocated ratably over your holding period for the common shares;

the amount allocated to the current taxable year, and any taxable year prior to the first taxable year in which we were a PFIC, will be treated as ordinary income, and

the amount allocated to each other year will be subject to the highest tax rate in effect for that year and the interest charge generally applicable to underpayments of tax will be imposed on the resulting tax attributable to each such year. The tax liability for amounts allocated to such years cannot be offset by any net operating losses for such years, and gains realized on the sale of the common shares cannot be treated as capital, even if you hold the common shares as capital assets.

65

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


 

The mark-to-market election is available only for “marketable stock”, which is stock that is traded in other than de minimis quantities on at least 15 days during each calendar quarter (“regularly traded”) on a qualified exchange or other market (as defined in applicable U.S. Treasury regulations), including the NASDAQ Capital Market. If the common shares are regularly traded on the NASDAQ Capital Market and if you are a holder of common shares, the mark-to-market election would be available to you were we to be or become a PFIC.

Alternatively, a U.S. Holder of stock in a PFIC may make a “qualified electing fund” election with respect to such PFIC to elect out of the tax treatment discussed above. A U.S. Holder who makes a valid qualified electing fund election with respect to a PFIC will generally include in gross income for a taxable year such holder’s pro rata share of the corporation’s earnings and profits for the taxable year. However, the qualified electing fund election is available only if such PFIC provides such U.S. Holder with certain information regarding its earnings and profits as required under applicable U.S. Treasury regulations. We do not currently intend to prepare or provide the information that would enable you to make a qualified electing fund election. If you hold common shares in any year in which we are a PFIC, you will be required to file U.S. Internal Revenue Service Form 8621 regarding distributions received on the common shares and any gain realized on the disposition of the common shares.

You are urged to consult your tax advisors regarding the application of the PFIC rules to your investment in our common shares and the elections discussed above.

Information Reporting and Backup Withholding

Dividend payments with respect to our common shares and proceeds from the sale, exchange or redemption of our common shares may be subject to information reporting to the U.S. Internal Revenue Service and possible U.S. backup withholding at a current rate of 28%. Backup withholding will not apply, however, to a U.S. Holder who furnishes a correct taxpayer identification number and makes any other required certification on U.S. Internal Revenue Service Form W-9 or who is otherwise exempt from backup withholding. U.S. Holders who are required to establish their exempt status generally must provide such certification on U.S. Internal Revenue Service Form W-9. U.S. Holders are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding the application of the U.S. information reporting and backup withholding rules. Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Amounts withheld as backup withholding may be credited against your U.S. federal income tax liability, and you may obtain a refund of any excess amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules by filing the appropriate claim for refund with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service and furnishing any required information.

66

United States Federal Income Taxation

The following sets forth the material British Virgin Islands, Chinese and U.S. federal income tax matters related to an investment in our common shares. It is directed to U.S. Holders (as defined below) of our common shares and is based on laws and relevant interpretations thereof in effect as of the date of this Annual Report, all of which are subject to change. This description does not deal with all possible tax consequences relating to an investment in our common shares, such as the tax consequences under state, local and other tax laws. The following brief description applies only to U.S. Holders (defined below) that hold common shares as capital assets and that have the U.S. dollar as their functional currency. This brief description is based on the tax laws of the United States in effect as of the date of this Annual Report and on U.S. Treasury regulations in effect or, in some cases, proposed, as of the date of this Annual Report, as well as judicial and administrative interpretations thereof available on or before such date. All of the foregoing authorities are subject to change, which change could apply retroactively and could affect the tax consequences described below. The brief description below of the U.S. federal income tax consequences to “U.S. Holders” will apply to you if you are a beneficial owner of shares and you are, for U.S. federal income tax purposes:

an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States;

a corporation (or other entity taxable as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes) organized under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia;


an estate whose income is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source; or

a trust that (1) is subject to the primary supervision of a court within the United States and the control of one or more U.S. persons for all substantial decisions or (2) has a valid election in effect under applicable U.S. Treasury regulations to be treated as a U.S. person.

Belgium taxation

The current enterprise income tax rate is approximately 34%, which includes 3% additional tax, for Belgium companies. Small and medium-sized enterprises may enjoy preferential tax rate if they meet the requirements.

Japan taxation

The enterprise income tax includes national income tax and local special tax for companies operated in Japan. The current national enterprise income tax rate is 30%. And the actual income tax burden will be around 35% - 40% given the local special tax was considered.

F.Dividends and paying agents

Not required.

G.Statement by experts

Not required.

H.Documents on display

Documents concerning us that are referred to in this document may be inspected at Junbing Industrial Zone, Anhai, Jinjiang City, Fujian Province, PRC.

In addition, weWe file annual reports and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We file annual reports on Form 20-F and submit other information under cover of Form 6-K. As a foreign private issuer, we are exempt from the proxy requirements of Section 14 of the Exchange Act and our officers, directors and principal shareholders are exempt from the insider short-swing disclosure and profit recovery rules of Section 16 of the Exchange Act. Annual reports and other information we file with the Commission may be inspected at the public reference facilities maintained by the Commission at Room 1024, 100 F. Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549, and copies of all or any part thereof may be obtained from such offices upon payment of the prescribed fees. You may call the Commission at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the operation of the public reference rooms and you can request copies of the documents upon payment of a duplicating fee, by writing to the Commission. In addition, the Commission maintains a web site that contains reports and other information regarding registrants (including us) that file electronically with the Commission which can be assessed at http://www.sec.gov.

I.Subsidiary Information

Not required.


 

I.Subsidiary Information

Not required.

67

Table of Contents

ITEM 11.QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURE ABOUT MARKET RISK

ITEM 11. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURE ABOUT MARKET RISK

Interest Rate Risk

Our main interest rate exposure relates to bank borrowings. We manage our interest rate exposure with a focus on reducing our overall cost of debt and exposure to changes in interest rates. Prior to Tiandihui’s final bankruptcy property distribution plan approved by the Court on December 27, 2023, the Company had short-term bank loans of $4,986,206 as of December 31, 20222, payable to several PRC financial institutions, which were also guaranteed corporately or personally. Tiandihui also pledged certain property and equipment as collateral to further guarantee these loans. As a result of the court approved bankruptcy property distribution plan, the Tiandihui’s liabilities addressed during the bankruptcy proceedings have been fully discharged as of December 31, 2023. As of December 31 2023, we did not carry any outstanding bank loans. In 2017,2022, we had $1.52$211.45 million weighted average outstanding bank loans, with weighted average effective interest rate of 6%9.42%. In the year 2016,2021, we had $1.65$2.69 million weightweighted average outstanding bank loans, with weighted average effective interest rate of 6%9.41%.

As of December 31, 2017,2023, if interest rates increased/decreased by 1%, with all other variables having remained constant, and assuming the amount of bank borrowings outstanding at the end of the year was outstanding for the entire year, profit attributable to equity owners of our company would have been RMB 13,200 ($2,029)$0, lower/higher, respectively, mainly as a result of higher/lower interest income from our cash and cash equivalents and loan receivables.

As of December 31, 2016,2022, if interest rates increased/decreased by 1%, with all other variables having remained constant, and assuming the amount of bank borrowings outstanding at the end of the year was outstanding for the entire year, profit attributable to equity owners of our company would have been RMB 18,000 ($2,592)$21,145, lower/higher, respectively, mainly as a result of higher/lower interest income from our cash and cash equivalents and loan receivables.receivables

Foreign Currency Risk

Our functional currency is the RMB, Euro and Yen, and our financial statements are presented in U.S. dollar. We mainly use RMB in domestic transaction, and the transaction settled with Euro and Yen are immaterial. The RMB appreciateddepreciated against the U.S. dollar by1.69% in 2023 and depreciated against the U.S. dollar by 6%9.23% in 2017 and depreciated by 7.0% in 2016.2022. The change in the value of RMB relative to the U.S. dollar may affect our financial results reported in the U.S. dollar terms without giving effect to any underlying change in our business or results of operation.

Currently, our assets, liabilities, revenues and costs are denominated in RMB and in U.S. dollars, Ourour exposure to foreign exchange risk will primarily relate to those financial assets denominated in U.S. dollars. Any significant revaluation of RMB against U.S. dollar may materially affect our earnings and financial position, and the value of, and any dividends payable on, our common shares in U.S. dollars in the future.

ITEM 12.DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES OTHER THAN EQUITY SECURITIES

Not required.

ITEM 12. DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES OTHER THAN EQUITY SECURITIES

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Table
With the exception
of Contents
Items 12.D.3 and 12.D.4, this Item 12 is not applicable for annual reports on Form 20-F. As to Items 12.D.3 and 12.D.4, this Item 12 is not applicable, as the Company does not have any American Depositary Shares.

 


PART II

ITEM 13.DEFAULTS, DIVIDEND ARREARAGES AND DELINQUENCIES

ITEM 13. DEFAULTS, DIVIDEND ARREARAGES AND DELINQUENCIES

There has been no default of any indebtedness nor is there any arrearage in the payment of dividends.

None.

ITEM 14.MATERIAL MODIFICATIONS TO THE RIGHTS OF SECURITY HOLDERS AND USE OF PROCEEDS

ITEM 14. MATERIAL MODIFICATIONS TO THE RIGHTS OF SECURITY HOLDERS AND USE OF PROCEEDS

None.

ITEM 15.CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

ITEM 15. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Our management,As of December 31, 2023 (the “Evaluation Date”), the Company carried out an evaluation, under the supervision of and with the participation of ourmanagement, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer has performed an evaluation(the “Certifying Officers”), of the effectiveness of the design and operation of ourthe Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934). Based on the foregoing, the Certifying Officers concluded that as of the Evaluation Date the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were not effective as of December 31, 2017. Based2023.

The material weakness identified by our management include (i) a lack of sufficient accounting staff and resources with appropriate knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”) and SEC reporting and compliance requirements; and (ii) a lack of an effective review process which may lead to material audit adjustments to the financial statements.

In order to address the foregoing material weakness, we have put in place additional controls, including, among others, hiring and replacing certain management team members. Our CEO has established a new management team to deal with operation management challenges of the Company, and our CFO has been working on that evaluation,improving the Company’s financial and reporting functions. We also plan to hire more qualified accounting personnel with relevant U.S. GAAP and SEC reporting experience and qualifications to strengthen the financial reporting function and implement regular and continuous U.S. GAAP accounting and financial reporting training programs for our accounting and financial reporting personnel. We also plan to set up an internal audit function to improve overall internal control. Our senior management includingwill also hold internal meetings, discussions, trainings, and seminars on a monthly basis to review our Chief Executive Officerfinancial statements and Chief Financial Officer, has concluded thatoperational performance and to identify areas to improve our disclosureinternal control procedures. Overall, the Company is working through and standardizing its business processes, instituting business procedures and adding controls and proceduresadditional supervision, particularly, in the areas of control duties and data sharing and supervision so as to provide effective means of December 31, 2017 were effective.

Disclosure controlslinking various functions and procedures are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act i) is recorded, processed, summarized and reporteddepartments within the time periods specified in SecuritiesCompany.

We intend to complete the remediation effort on or before the end of the 2024 fiscal year and Exchange Commission ruleswill conduct periodic assessments of the state of the Company’s financial reporting measures and forms and ii) is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our CEO and CFO,systems, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.a whole.

Management’s annual report on internal control over financial reporting

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934.reporting. Our internal control over financial reporting is a process designed by, or under the supervision of our Chief Executive Officerchief executive officer and Chief Financial Officer and effected by our management and other personnelchief financial officer to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of our financial reporting and the preparation of our consolidated financial statements for external reporting purposespurpose in accordance with IFRS. Internal control over financial reporting includes policies and procedures that pertain to the maintenance of records that in reasonable detail accurately reflect the transactions and dispositions of our assets; provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of our financial statements in accordance withU.S. generally accepted accounting principles, and that our receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with the authorization of our board of directors and management; and provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of our assets that could have a material effect on our financial statements.principles.


 

Because of inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatement. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with our policies and procedures may deteriorate.

Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, management conducted an evaluation ofManagement assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting based onas of December 31, 2023. In making this assessment, management used the criteria establishedframework set forth in the report Internal Control Integrated Frameworkframework issued in 2013 by the Committee of Sponsoring OrganizationsOrganization of the Treadway Commission. Management hasCommission, or COSO. The COSO framework summarizes each of the components of a company’s internal control system, including (1) the control environment, (2) risk assessment, (3) control activities, (4) information and communication and (5) monitoring.

Based on these evaluations, our management concluded that, due to the material weakness described above, our internal control over financial reporting was not effective as of December 31, 2017.2023.

Attestation report of the registered public accounting firm.

Not applicable.

Changes in Internal Controls over Financial Reporting

DuringOther than the changes described above, there were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) promulgated under the Exchange Act) during the period covered by this annual report on Form 20-F, there were no changes in the company’s internal control over financial reportingAnnual Report that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our company’s internal control over financial reporting. It should be noted that while our management believes that our disclosure controls and procedures provide a reasonable level of assurance; our management does not expect that our disclosure controls and procedures or internal financial controls will prevent all errors or fraud. A control system, no matter how well conceived or operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met.

ITEM 16.RESERVED

ITEM 16. RESERVED

ITEM 16A.AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT.

ITEM 16A. AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT.

Our Board of Directors has determined that Lei WangOwens Meng is an audit committee financial expert as that term is defined in Item 16A(b) of Form 20-F, and “independent” as that term is defined in the NASDAQ listing standards.

69

ITEM 16B. CODE OF ETHICS.

ITEM 16B.CODE OF ETHICS.

We have adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics that applies to our directors, officers and employees, including our principal executive officer, principal financial officer, and principal accounting officer. A copy of the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics is available on our website, www.tdhpetfood.com.6.tiandihui.com. The information on our corporate website is not a part of this Annual Report.

ITEM 16C.PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES.

ITEM 16C. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES.

The following table represents the approximate aggregate fees for services rendered by Malone Bailey LLPYCM CPA INC. for the periods indicated:

  December 31,
2016
  December 31,
2017
 
Audit Fees $150,000  $260,000 
Audit Related Fees  -   - 
Tax Fees  -   - 
All Other Fees  -   - 
Total Fees $150,000  $260,000 
  December 31,
2023
  December 31,
2022
 
Audit Fees $150,000  $160,000 
Audit Related Fees  -   - 
Tax Fees  -   - 
All Other Fees  -   - 
Total Fees $150,000  $160,000 

Pre-Approval of Services

Our audit committee evaluated and approved in advance the scope and cost of the engagement of an auditor before the auditor rendered its audit and non-audit services.

ITEM 16D.EXEMPTIONS FROM THE LISTING STANDARDS FOR AUDIT COMMITTEES.

ITEM 16D. EXEMPTIONS FROM THE LISTING STANDARDS FOR AUDIT COMMITTEES.

None.

ITEM 16E.PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY THE ISSUER AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS.

ITEM 16E. PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY THE ISSUER AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS.

No purchasepurchases of our securities were made by us or our affiliates in 2017.

ITEM 16F.CHANGES IN REGISTRANT’S CERTIFYING ACCOUNTANT.

None.

ITEM 16G.CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

None.

ITEM 16H.MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURE

Not applicable.

2023.

70

 


ITEM 16F. CHANGES IN REGISTRANT’S CERTIFYING ACCOUNTANT.

The information contained in our Form 6-K filed on January 4, 2022 is incorporated herein by reference pursuant to instruction 2 of Item 16F.

ITEM 16G. CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

We are incorporated in the BVI and our corporate governance practices are governed by applicable BVI law, our memorandum and articles of association. In addition, because our common shares are listed on the NASDAQ Capital Market, we are subject to NASDAQ’s corporate governance requirements.

NASDAQ Listing Rule 5615(a)(3) permits a foreign private issuer like us to follow home country practices in lieu of certain requirements of Listing Rule 5600, provided that such foreign private issuer discloses in its annual report filed with the SEC each requirement of Rule 5600 that it does not follow and describes the home country practice followed in lieu of such requirement. Our BVI counsel, Ogier, has provided a letter to NASDAQ certifying that under BVI law, we are not required to follow Nasdaq rules 5635(b) and 5635(d) to seek shareholders’ approval of any issuance of securities in connection with a transaction other than a public offering where such transaction involves the issuance of securities representing more than 20% of our total outstanding ordinary shares or results in a change of control of a company.

ITEM 16H. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURE

Not applicable.

ITEM 16I. DISCLOSURE REGARDING FOREIGN JURISDICTIONS THAT PREVENT INSPECTIONS.

Not applicable.

ITEM 16J. INSIDER TRADING POLICY

Pursuant to applicable SEC transition guidance, the disclosure required by Item 16J will become applicable to the Company beginning in the full fiscal year ending on December 31, 2024.

ITEM 16K. CYBERSECURITY

The Company’s cybersecurity risk management program consists of:

i.An overall strategy to develop, improve and maintain its cybersecurity processes, policies, and governance frameworks that have been integrated into our existing risk management framework

iiDetailed set of cybersecurity policies and procedures

iii.Investment in IT security and a cybersecurity team

iv.Engaging external cybersecurity service providers

vRobust training plan for all its employees

vi.Governance - Board and management oversight

The underlying control framework of the Company’s cybersecurity program is based on recognized best practices and standards set by the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology, which organizes cybersecurity risks into five categories: identify, protect, detect, respond and recover.

The Company has established policies and procedures for all key aspects of its cybersecurity program including an information security policy, password policy, incident management policy, third party security management policy, business continuity plans, cyber incident response plans and information security management system contingency plans. The Company has not engaged third-party experts to assist with assessing, identifying, and managing our cybersecurity risks.

As part of the Company’s cybersecurity strategy, it continues to expand its investments in IT security, including to identify and protect critical assets, strengthen, monitor and alert its information security management system and engage with cybersecurity experts. The Company holds regular cybersecurity meetings, to assess and manage cybersecurity threats and to provide cybersecurity updates to senior management and the Board of Directors.

The Board of Directors considers cybersecurity risk as part of its risk oversight function and oversees the Company’s cybersecurity risk exposures and the steps taken by management to monitor and mitigate cybersecurity risks. The Board of Directors ensures allocation and prioritization of resources and overall strategic direction for cybersecurity and ensures alignment with the Company’s overall strategy.

To-date, the Company is not aware of any material risks from cybersecurity threats, that have materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect the Company, including its business strategy, results of operations or financial condition. However, despite our efforts, we cannot eliminate all risks from cybersecurity threats, or provide assurances that we have not experienced undetected cybersecurity incidents.


PART III

ITEM 17.FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

ITEM 17. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

We have elected to provide financial statements pursuant to Item 18.

ITEM 18.FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

ITEM 18. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The financial statements are filed as part of this Annual Report beginning on page F-1.

ITEM 19. EXHIBITS

ITEM 19.

EXHIBITS

Exhibit No.Description
1.12.1FormDescription of Underwriting Agreement (5)Registrant’s Securities.
3.1Memorandum and Articles of AssociationAssociation. (1).
4.1

Specimen Share Certificate (3).Form of Amended and Restated Warrant. (2)

10.1Employment Agreement between the Registrant and its CEO (5).CEO. (3)
10.2Employment Agreement between the Registrant and its CFO (5).CFO. (4)
10.312.1Form of Indemnification Escrow Agreement (3).
10.4English Translation of Sweet Potato Purchase Agreement (2).
10.5English Translation of 2015 PSBC Facility Agreement (2).
10.6English Translation of 2017 PSBC Facility Agreement (2).
10.7English Translation of 2015 PSBC Working Capital Loan Contract (2).
10.8English Translation of 2017 PSBC Working Capital Loan Contract (2).
10.9English Translation of ICBC Online Revolving Loan Contract (2).
10.10English Translation of the Beijing Jingdong Century Trading Co., Ltd. Food Purchase Agreement (3).
10.11Form of Lockup Agreement (3).
10.12English Translation of ICBC Revolving Loan Agreement (4).
12.1Certification of the Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act, as amended.
12.2Certification of the Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer) pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act, as amended.
13.1Certification of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
14.1Code of Conduct and EthicsEthics. (3).
21.1List of Subsidiaries of the Registrant (5).Registrant.
99.1Charter of the Audit CommitteeCommittee. (3).
99.2Charter of the Compensation CommitteeCommittee. (3).
99.3Charter of the Nominating CommitteeCommittee. (3).
101.INS99.4

Press Release dated April 29, 2024.

97.1 Clawback Policy of TDH Holdings, Inc.
101.INSInline XBRL Instance DocumentDocument.
101.SCHInline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema DocumentDocument.
101.CALInline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase DocumentDocument.
101.DEFInline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase DocumentDocument.
101.LABInline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase DocumentDocument.
101.PREInline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase DocumentDocument.

(1)Incorporated by reference fromFiled as an exhibit to the previouslyRegistrant’s Current Report on Form 6-K, filed as part of the registration statement DRS F-1 filed with the SEC on March 30, 2017.
(2)Incorporated by reference from the previously filed as part of the registration statement DRS F-1 filed with the SEC on May 24, 2017.
(3)Incorporated by reference from the previously filed as part of the registration statement DRS F-1 filed with the SEC on June 23, 2017.14, 2022 and hereby incorporated by reference.

(2)Filed as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 6-K, filed on July 18, 2023 and hereby incorporated by reference.

(3)Filed as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 20-F, fled on April 25, 2023 and hereby incorporated by reference.
(4)IncorporatedFiled as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 20-F, fled on April 29, 2022 and hereby incorporated by reference from the previously filed as part of the registration statement Form F-1 (File No. 333-219896) filed with the SEC on August 11, 2017.reference.
(5)Incorporated by reference from the previously filed as part of the registration statement Form F-1 (File No. 333-219896) filed with the SEC on August 30, 2017.
(6)Incorporated by reference from the previously filed as part of the registration statement Form F-1 (File No. 333-219896) filed with the SEC on September 13, 2017.


 

71

SIGNATURES

SIGNATURES

The Registrant hereby certifies that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form 20-F and that it has duly caused and authorized the undersigned to sign this annual report on its behalf.

TDH Holdings, Inc.
April 30, 201829, 2024By:/s/ Cui RongfengDandan Liu
Name: Cui RongfengDandan Liu
Title:Chief Executive Officer

(Principal Executive Officer)

TDH Holdings, Inc.
April 30, 201829, 2024By:/s/ Cui RongbingFeng Zhang
Name: Cui RongbingFeng Zhang
Title:Chief Financial Officer

(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)


 

72

 

TDH HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (PCAOB ID 6781)F-2
  
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 20172023 and 20162022F-3
  
Consolidated Statements of IncomeOperations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the Years Ended December 31, 2017, 20162023, 2022 and 20152021F-4
  
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity (Deficit) for the Years Ended December 31, 2017, 20162023, 2022 and 20152021F-5
  
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 2017, 20162023, 2022 and 20152021F-6
  
Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsF-7 – F-23F-32

 

F-1


 

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

To the Shareholders and Board of Directors and

Shareholders of

TDH Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries

 

Opinion on the Financial Statements

 

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of TDH Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”) as of December 31, 2017,2023 and 2016, and2022, the related consolidated statements of incomeoperations and comprehensive income stockholders’(loss), changes in shareholders’ equity (deficit), and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2017,2023, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 20172023 and 2016,2022, and the results of theirits operations and theirits cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2017,2023, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

 

Going Concern Matter

The accompanying financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern. As discussed in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company records an accumulated deficit as of December 31, 2023, and reports continued net losses and negative cash flows from operations. These factors raise substantial doubt about its ability to continue as a going concern. Management’s plans in regard to these matters are also described in Note 2. The consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

 

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

 

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

Critical Audit Matters

The critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current-period audit of the financial statements that was communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that (1) relates to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. We determined that there are no critical audit matters.

/s/ MaloneBailey, LLPYCM CPA, Inc.

www.malonebailey.com

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2016.2022.

Houston, TexasPCAOB ID 6781

Irvine, California

April 30, 2018 29, 2024

 

F-2


 

TDH HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 

  December 31,  December 31, 
  2017  2016 
       
ASSETS   
CURRENT ASSETS:      
Cash and cash equivalents $2,346,109  $1,145,103 
Restricted cash, current  797,668   707,120 
Accounts receivable  1,932,924   865,491 
Advances to suppliers  633,554   711,751 
Inventories  9,135,332   5,973,124 
Due from related parties  361,961   35,842 
Prepayments and other current assets  371,796   383,932 
Total current assets  15,579,344   9,822,363 
NON-CURRENT ASSETS:        
Restricted cash, non-current  500,000   - 
Property, plant and equipment, net  3,520,373   3,306,735 
Land use rights, net  211,023   110,821 
Total non-current assets  4,231,396   3,417,556 
Total assets $19,810,740  $13,239,919 
         
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY        
CURRENT LIABILITIES:        
Accounts payable $4,734,110  $3,262,375 
Account payable - related parties  152,298   111,139 
Notes payable  1,377,106   1,414,232 
Advances from customers  231,230   802,339 
Advances from customers - related party  7,520   - 
Short term loans  1,402,514   1,728,185 
Taxes payable  13,562   124,829 
Due to related parties  345,873   1,120,702 
Other current liabilities  392,435   409,571 
Total current liabilities  8,656,648   8,973,372 
NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES:        
Deferred tax liabilities  5,810   13,795 
Total liabilities  8,662,458   8,987,167 
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY        
Common stock ($0.001 par value; 200,000,000 shares authorized; 9,423,750 and 7,900,000 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2017 and 2016)  9,424   7,900 
Additional paid-in capital  9,947,084   4,406,561 
Stock subscription receivable  (100,000)  (927,730)
Statutory reserves  160,014   140,570 
Retained earnings  823,474   727,807 
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)  308,286   (102,356)
Total stockholders’ equity  11,148,282   4,252,752 
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $19,810,740  $13,239,919 
  December 31,  December 31, 
  2023  2022 
ASSETS   
CURRENT ASSETS:      
Cash and cash equivalents $13,661,382  $21,857,125 
Short-term investments  13,317,882   9,922,366 
Accounts receivable, net  4,961   29,318 
Inventories, net  -   987 
Prepayments and other current assets, net  237,052   130,623 
Current assets held for sale associated with discontinued operation of Tiandihui  -   1,841,335 
Total current assets  27,221,277   33,781,754 
NON-CURRENT ASSETS        
Property, plant and equipment, net  682,636   698,044 
Intangible assets, net  426,316   481,840 
Operating lease right-of-use assets  571,168   783,658 
Non-current assets held for sale associated with discontinued operation of Tiandihui  -   768,101 
Total non-current assets  1,680,120   2,731,643 
Total assets $28,901,397  $36,513,397 
         
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY        
CURRENT LIABILITIES:        
Accounts payable $460,776  $491,850 
Accounts payable - related parties  -   1,033 
Advances from customers  4,045   11,024 
Bank overdrafts  77,486   74,425 
Short-term loans - related parties  277,408   266,451 
Taxes payable  54,003   11,923 
Due to related parties  1,983,430   55,747 
Operating lease liabilities, current  219,917   212,814 
Other current liabilities  311,979   1,212,420 
Current liabilities held for sale associated with discontinued operation of Tiandihui  -   12,337,657 
Total current liabilities  3,389,044   14,675,344 
NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES:        
Operating lease liabilities, non-current  463,196   683,113 
Non-current liabilities held for sale associated with discontinued operation of Tiandihui  -   1,037 
Total liabilities  3,852,240   15,359,494 
SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY :        
Common shares ($0.02 par value; 50,000,000 shares authorized; 10,323,268 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2023 and 2022)  206,465   206,465 
Additional paid-in capital  51,129,439   48,089,439 
Statutory reserves  -   160,014 
Accumulated deficit  (26,622,000)  (28,165,927)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)  (95,066)  428,249 
Total TDH Holdings, Inc. shareholders’ equity  24,618,838   20,718,240 
Non-controlling interest  430,319   435,663 
Total shareholders’ equity  25,049,157   21,153,903 
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity $28,901,397  $36,513,397 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements

 


F-3

 

TDH HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOMEOPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

 

  For The Years Ended December 31, 
  2023  2022  2021 
Net revenue $3,175,809  $3,098,733  $1,081,095 
Total revenue  3,175,809   3,098,733   1,081,095 
Cost of revenue  2,146,215   2,046,200   769,967 
Total cost of revenue  2,146,215   2,046,200   769,967 
Gross profit  1,029,594   1,052,533   311,128 
Operating expenses:            
Selling expense  90,659   91,370   74,278 
General and administrative expense  4,269,092   4,002,346   3,541,872 
Stock-based compensation expense  3,040,000         
Impairment of long-lived assets other than goodwill  -   6,833   - 
Impairment of goodwill  -   -   355,570 
Total operating expenses  7,399,751   4,100,549   3,971,720 
Loss from operations  (6,370,157)  (3,048,016)  (3,660,592)
Interest expense (income)  (14,276)  43,081   (14,518)
Other income (expense)  493,040   37,909   (670,883)
Investment (loss) income, net  (2,644,576)  4,161,093   275,866 
Total other (expenses) income  (2,165,812)  4,242,083   (409,535)
Income (loss) before income tax provision  (8,535,969)  1,194,067   (4,070,127)
Income tax provision      -   - 
Net income (loss) from continuing operations  (8,535,969)  1,194,067   (4,070,127)
Net loss from discontinued operations of Tiandihui  (15,095,547)  (339,054)  (2,645,831)
Net (loss) income  (23,631,516)  855,013   (6,715,958)
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interest  (5,344)  51,313   (595,650)
Net income (loss) attributable to TDH Holdings, Inc. $(23,626,172) $803,700  $(6,120,308)
Comprehensive income (loss)            
Net (loss) income $(23,626,172) $803,700  $(6,120,308)
Other comprehensive income (loss)            
Foreign currency translation adjustment  (523,315)  888,951   (247,807)
Total comprehensive income (loss)  (24,149,487)  1,692,651   (6,368,115)
Less: Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest  (5,344)  51,313   (595,650)
Comprehensive income ( loss) attributable to TDH Holdings, Inc. $(24,144,143) $1,641,338  $(5,772,465)
             
Earnings (loss) per common share attributable to TDH Holdings, Inc.            
Basic $(2.29) $0.10  $(1.17)
Diluted $(2.29) $0.10  $(1.17)
Weighted average common shares outstanding            
Basic  10,323,268   8,019,208   5,218,681 
Diluted  10,323,268   8,019,208   5,218,681 

  For The Years Ended December 31, 
  2017  2016  2015 
          
Net revenues $28,473,016  $24,443,736  $16,312,274 
Net revenues - related party  506,495   -   - 
Total revenues  28,979,511   24,443,736   16,312,274 
Cost of revenues  20,283,321   17,368,249   12,289,773 
Cost of revenues - related party  399,177   -   - 
Total cost of revenues  20,682,498   17,368,249   12,289,773 
Gross profit  8,297,013   7,075,487   4,022,501 
Operating expenses:            
Selling expense  4,882,367   3,439,843   1,820,700 
General and administrative expense  2,095,676   1,407,787   931,107 
Research and development expense  1,051,665   1,076,568   593,962 
Total operating expenses  8,029,708   5,924,198   3,345,769 
Income from operations  267,305   1,151,289   676,732 
Interest expense  (82,946)  (102,274)  (117,366)
Government subsidies  414   21,912   22,116 
Other income  19,305   51,535   156,908 
Other expense  (144,069)  (23,490)  (2,056)
Total other income (expenses)  (207,296)  (52,317)  59,602 
Income before income taxes provision (benefit)  60,009   1,098,972   736,334 

Income tax provision (benefit)

  (55,102)  89,801   269,581 
Net income $115,111  $1,009,171  $466,753 
Comprehensive income            
Net income $115,111  $1,009,171  $466,753 

Other comprehensive income (loss)

            
Foreign currency translation adjustment  410,642   (221,418)  (143,434)
Total comprehensive income $525,753  $787,753  $323,319 
             
Earnings per common share            
Basic $0.01  $0.13  $0.06 
Diluted $0.01  $0.13  $0.06 
Weighted average common shares outstanding            
Basic  8,303,853   7,900,000   7,900,000 
Diluted  8,303,853   7,900,000   7,900,000 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements

 


F-4

 

TDH HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT)

 

  Number of Shares  Common Shares  Additional Paid-in Capital  Stock Subscription Receivable   Statutory Reserves  Retained Earnings  Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)  Total Shareholders’ Equity 
Balance, December 31, 2014   7,900,000  $7,900  $2,691,224  $-  $-  $(607,547) $262,496  $2,354,073 
Net income                      466,753       466,753 
Issuance of common shares          10                   10 
Statutory Reserves                  39,923   (39,923)      - 
Foreign currency translation adjustment                          (143,434)  (143,434)
Balance, December 31, 2015  7,900,000   7,900   2,691,234   -   39,923   (180,717)  119,062   2,677,402 
Net income                      1,009,171       1,009,171 
Issuance of common shares          4,687,153                   4,687,153 

Stock subscription receivable

              (927,730)              (927,730)
Distribution in connection with acquisition of a subsidiary          (2,880,000)                  (2,880,000)
Liabilities assumed in connection with acquisition of a subsidiary          (91,826)                  (91,826)
Statutory Reserves                  100,647   (100,647)      - 
Foreign currency translation adjustment                          (221,418)  (221,418)
Balance, December 31, 2016  7,900,000   7,900   4,406,561   (927,730)  140,570   727,807   (102,356)  4,252,752 
Net income                      115,111       115,111 
Issuance of common shares  1,523,750   1,524   5,540,523                   5,542,047 

Collection of stock subscription receivable

              827,730               827,730 
Statutory Reserves                  19,444   (19,444)      - 
Foreign currency translation adjustment                          410,642   410,642 
Balance, December 31, 2017  9,423,750  $9,424  $9,947,084  $(100,000) $160,014  $823,474  $308,286  $11,148,282 

  Number of
Shares*
  Common
Shares
  Additional
Paid-in
Capital
  Stock
Subscription
Receivable
  Statutory
Reserves
  Accumulated
Deficit
  Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
  Noncontrolling
Interest
  Total
Stockholders’
Equity (Deficit)
 
Balance, December 31, 2020  2,292,500  $45,850  $21,963,570  $ -  $160,014  $(22,849,319) $(212,895) $-  $(892,780)
                                     
Net Loss  -   -   -   -   -   (6,120,308)  -   (595,650)  (6,715,958)
Issuance of common stock  1,705,000   34,100   20,188,088   -   -   -   -   -   20,222,188 
Warrants exercised for cashless  1,221,181   24,424   -   -   -   -   -   -   24,424 
Foreign currency translation adjustment  -   -   -   -   -   -   (247,807)  -   (247,807)
Acquisition of non-controlling interest  -   -   -   -   -   -   -   980,000   980,000 
Balance, December 31, 2021  5,218,681  $104,374  $42,151,658  $   $160,014  $(28,969,627) $(460,702) $384,350  $13,370,067 
                                     
Net income  -   -   -   -   -   803,700   -   51,313   855,013 
Issuance of common stock and warrants in private placements  4,000,000   80,000   5,937,781   -   -   -   -   -   6,017,781 
Warrants exercised for cashless  1,104,587   22,091   -   -   -   -   -   -   22,091 
Foreign currency translation adjustment  -   -   -   -   -   -   888,951   -   888,951 
Balance, December 31, 2022  10,323,268  $206,465  $48,089,439  $-  $160,014  $(28,165,927) $428,249  $435,663  $21,153,903 
                                     
Net loss  -   -       -   -   (23,626,172)  -   (5,344)  (23,631,516)
Stock-based compensation expense          3,040,000                       3,040,000 
Adjustment to reflect the effect of disposal of Tiandihui and Chongaijiujiu  -   -   -   -   (160,014)  25,170,099   -   -   25,010,085
Foreign currency translation adjustment  -   -   -   -   -   -   (523,315)  -   (523,315)
Balance, December 31, 2023  10,323,268   206,465   51,129,439   -   -   (26,622,000)  (95,066)  (430,319)  25,049,157

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements

 


F-5

TDH HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

 

  For The Years Ended December 31, 
  2017  2016  2015 
Cash flows from operating activities         
Net income $115,111  $1,009,171  $466,753 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used in operating activities:            
Depreciation and amortization expense  364,170   256,104   266,534 
Bad debt provision  18,201   -   - 
Deferred income tax liability  (8,581)  (127)  15,513 
Loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment  1,783   -   7,410 
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:            
Accounts receivable  (971,831)  (609,099)  336,193 
Accounts receivable - related party  (10,817)  -   - 
Inventories  (2,658,359)  (3,316,762)  (2,136,489)
Due to related parties  5,920         
Advances to suppliers  121,360   (610,215)  492,800 
Prepayments and other current assets  18,197   (223,632)  167,519 
Accounts payable  1,174,363   1,321,954   (482,510)
Accounts payable - related parties  32,440   -     
Notes payable  (127,275)  284,510   32,109 
Taxes payable  (115,219)  (85,139)  139,153 
Advances from customers  (601,855)  513,456   (92,736)
Advances from customers - related party  7,241   -     
Other current liabilities  (39,785)  (29,339)  87,013 
Net cash used in operating activities  (2,674,936)  (1,489,118)  (700,738)
Cash flows from investing activities            
Payments to acquire property, plant and equipment  (227,900)  (9,002)  (231,939)
Proceeds from disposal of property, plant and equipment  2,012   -   - 

Payments to acquire land use rights

  (103,596)  -   - 
Loans to related parties  (533,242)  (2,543,946)  (5,941,665)
Repayments from related parties  15,443   3,400,799   5,790,092 

Change in restricted cash

  (541,426)  96,337   73,851 
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities  (1,388,709)  944,188   (309,661)
Cash flows from financing activities            
Proceeds from issuance of common shares  5,542,047   3,759,423   10 
Collection of stock subscription receivable  827,730   -   - 
Capital distribution in connection with acquisition of a subsidiary  -   (2,880,000)  - 
Proceeds from related parties  1,073,961   3,503,190   971,575 
Repayments to related parties  (1,767,391)  (3,310,849)  (56)
Proceeds from short term loans  2,077,219   1,806,411   3,243,000 
Repayments of short term loans  (2,494,793)  (1,806,411)  (2,713,203)
Net cash provided by financing activities  5,258,773   1,071,764   1,501,326 
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents  5,878   (33,411)  (29,581)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents  1,201,006   493,423   461,346 
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of the year  1,145,103   651,680   190,334 
Cash and cash equivalents, end of the year $2,346,109  $1,145,103  $651,680 
             
Supplemental cash flow information            
Interest paid $82,234  $102,274  $117,366 
Income taxes paid $59,927  $102,036  $103,436 
             
Non-cash investing and financial activities            
Operating expenses paid by related parties $85,837  $68,679  $84,842 
Property, plant and equipment transferred from construction in progress $-  $34,721  $44,819 
Liabilities assumed in connection with purchase of property, plant and equipment $133,229  $295,280  $46,786 
Liabilities assumed in connection with acquisition of a subsidiary $-  $91,826  $- 
Accounts payable settled with loans to related parties $-  $490,388  $- 
Receivables from related parties settled with payables to related parties $169,906  $92,402  $- 
Debt paid by the related party in lieu of repayment to the Company $-  $-  $125,225 

  For The Years Ended December 31, 
  2023  2022  2021 
Cash flows from operating activities         
Net (loss) income $(23,626,172) $803,700  $(6,120,308)
Less: net (loss) income from discontinued operations  (15,095,547)  (339,054)  (2,645,831)
Net income (loss) from continuing operations  (8,530,625)  1,142,754   (3,474,477)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:            
Depreciation and amortization expense  80,149   17,114   466,720 
Fair value change of short-term investments  2,644,576   (4,161,093)  (495,265)
Impairment of goodwill  -   -   355,570 
Impairment of long-lived assets other than goodwill  1,964   6,833   217,257 
Inventory write-down  43,662   11,532   368,441 
Allowance for doubtful accounts  22,674   7,210   2,168 
Deferred income taxes  -   -   - 
Loss (gain) on disposal of property, plant and equipment  13,275   153,983   (5,905,889)
Gain from operating lease contract modification  -   (408,198)  -
Amortization of operating lease right-of-use assets  212,480   205,295  

438,063

Non-cash lease expense  -   -   

(4,786,099

)
Stock-based compensation 3,040,000  -  - 
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:  -   -   (277,310)
Accounts receivable, net  47,022   2,733   127,057 
Inventories, net  43,842   38,904   (368,246)
Operating lease liabilities  (203,739)  (195,626)  4,830,456 
Operating lease liabilities – related parties  -   -   278,472 
Advances to suppliers, net  (34,346)  8,197   (3,653)
Prepayments and other current assets, net  (10,418)  1,017,261   (1,029,552)
Accounts payable  (1,748)  (305,382)  64,427 
Accounts payable - related parties  (1,033)  (132,081)  132,192 
Interest payable  3,573   (411,112)  (12,787)
Interest payable - related parties  -   -   88,778 
Notes payable  -   -   - 
Taxes payable  (2,445)  (17,103)  15,331 
Advances from customers  (6,974)  -   - 
Advances from customer - related party  -   (13,799)  19,125 
Deferred income tax liability  -   -   1,132 
Other current liabilities  (887,302)  1,054,749   793,726 
Net cash used in operating activities from continuing operations  (3,525,413)  (1,977,789)  (8,154,363)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities from discontinued operations  1,032,689   (94,926)  4,854,800 
Net cash used in operating activities $(2,492,725) $(2,072,715) $(3,299,563)
Cash flows from investing activities          
Payments to acquire property, plant and equipment  (7,655)  -   - 
Cash obtained from business acquisition  -   -   171,827 
Payment for business acquisition  -   -   (1,020,000)
Purchase of short-term investments  (37,066,925)  (42,483,794)  (4,372,809)
Proceeds from sale of short-term investments  31,024,365   41,150,967   3,578,206 
Leasehold Improvement  (16,836)  -   - 
Net cash used in (provided by) investing activities from continuing operations  (6,067,051)  (1,332,827)  (1,642,776)
Net cash provided by investing activities from discontinued operations  -   -   - 
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities  (6,067,051)  (1,332,827)  (1,642,776)
Cash flows from financing activities            
Proceeds from issuance of common shares  -   -   20,222,188 
Purchase of noncontrolling interest  -   -   (100)
Collection of stock subscription receivable  -   6,017,781   - 
Proceeds from related parties  -   22,410   4,085,071 
Repayments to related parties  (6,774)  -   - 
Proceeds from short-term loans  -   -   - 
Repayments of short-term loans  -   -   1,458,040 
Proceeds from short-term loans - related parties  -   -   - 
Repayments of short-term loans - related parties  -   -   22,302 
Payment to related party  1,928,329   15,829   (4,231,327)
Net cash provided by financing activities from continuing operations  1,921,554   6,055,480   21,556,174 
Net cash provided by financing activities from discontinued operations  -   -   (3,604,117)
Net cash provided by financing activities $1,921,554  $6,055,480  $17,952,057 
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash  (1,557,522)  985,263   (247,807)
Net change in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash  (8,195,743)  3,635,201   12,761,911 
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, beginning of the year  21,857,125   18,025,966   6,749,064 
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, end of the year $13,661,382  $23,146,176  $19,510,975 
Less: cash and restricted cash of discontinued operations at the end of the period  -   1,289,051   1,485,009 
Cash and restricted cash of continued operations at the end of the period $13,661,382  $21,857,125  $18,025,966 
             
Supplemental cash flow information            
Interest paid $-  $-  $- 
Income taxes paid $-  $-  $- 
             
Non-cash investing and financing activities            
Liabilities assumed in connection with purchase of property, plant and equipment $-  $-  $- 
Notes payable reclassified to short-term loans $   $   $  
Short-term loans settled by transferring an equity investment to the creditor $-  $-  $- 
Cashless exercise of warrants $   $22,091 $24,424 
Right of use assets obtained in exchange for operating lease obligations $-  $-  $5,158,944 
Reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash to the consolidated balance sheets            
Cash and cash equivalents $13,661,382  $21,857,125  $18,025,966 
Restricted cash $-  $1,289,051  $1,485,009 
Total cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash $13,661,382  $23,146,176  $19,510,975 

 

The accompanying footnotes are an integral part of these financial statements


F-6

 

TDH HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Note 1 – ORGANIZATION

 

TDH Holdings, Inc. (“TDH Holdings”) was incorporated on September 30, 2015 under the laws of the British Virgin Islands. On November 4, 2015, TDH Holdings incorporated a wholly owned subsidiary, TDH HK Limited (“TDH HK”) in Hong Kong for the purpose of being a holding company for the equity interest in Qingdao Tiandihui Foodstuffs Co., Ltd. (“Tiandihui”). On September 9, 2016, TDH Holdings incorporated TDH Petfood LLC, a Nevada limited liability company, in which TDH Holdings holds 99% equity interest. In December, 2020, TDH Holdings acquired the remaining 1% equity interest of TDH Petfood LLC with a consideration of $100. TDH Petfood LLC does not own any material assets or liabilities. TDH Petfood LLC had no active business operations since its incorporation, and it has been deregistered and dissolved in 2021. Other than thecash and equity interest in TDH HK and TDH Petfood LLC, TDH Holdings doeshas not conductconducted any active business operations or own any material assets or liabilities.liabilities prior to March 1, 2020 and started to invest in marketable securities since March 2020. TDH HK does not conduct any operations or own any material assets or liabilities except for cash and the 100% of the equity interest of Tiandihui which it acquired on February 21, 2016.

 

Tiandihui was founded in Qingdao City, Shandong Province, People’s Republic of China (“PRC”) on April 22, 2002 as a limited liability company. As of December 31, 2017,2022, Tiandihui had twoone wholly owned subsidiaries:subsidiary: Beijing Chongai Jiujiu Cultural Communication Co., Ltd. (“Chongai jiujiu”Jiujiu”), which was incorporated on March 3, 2011, in Beijing City, the Capital of PRC, and Qingdao Kangkang Development Co., Ltd. (“Kangkang Development”), which was incorporated on August 9, 2016, in Qingdao City, Shandong Province, PRC. Tiandihui and its wholly owned subsidiariessubsidiary are engaged in the business of development, manufacture,manufacturing and sales of high quality pet foodpetfood products under our own formula patent.patents. Our products are produced at Tiandihui facility and sold to the pet owners in PRC and to the retailers and wholesalers throughout worldwide. On March 16, 2022, the People’s Court of Huangdao District, Qingdao City, Shandong Province made a civil ruling and announced the acceptance of creditors’ application of bankruptcy liquidation of Tiandihui, Ltd., and it entered into bankruptcy proceedings. On December 27, 2023, the Court announced that the bankruptcy property distribution plan of Tiandihui was implemented and the bankruptcy proceedings were completed. As a result, Tiandihui has been fully disposed as of December 31, 2023 (see Note 4).

 

On February 21, 2016, TDH HK entered into an equity transfer agreement with Rongfeng Cui and his wife Yanjuan Wang, the shareholders of Tiandihui at the time, to acquire 100% of the equity interests in Tiandihui (“reorganization”).

 

On July 19, 2016, Tiandihui acquired 100% shares of Chongai Jiujiu from Rongfeng Cui and Yanjuan Wang with a consideration of $87,849 (RMB610,000). The acquisition of Chongai Jiujiu is a transaction between entities under common control. Chongai Jiujiu had immaterial operations and suffered recurring operating losses since its inception. In December 2023, the Company transferred all its ownership interests in Chongai Jiujiu to a third party. The disposition of Chongai Jiujiu did not represent a strategic shift of the Company’s business due to the immateriality of its operations, accordingly, discontinued operations of Chongai Jiujiu are not included in these financial notes.

In November 2018, the Company completed business acquisitions of TDH Group BVBA, a Belgium entity and TDH JAPAN, a Japanese entity. TDH Group BVBA and TDH JAPAN had limited operation activities for the year ended December 31, 2020. TDH JAPAN was dissolved in February 2021.


On January 22, 2020, Qingdao Tiandihui Pet Foodstuffs Co., Ltd. (“Tiandihui Pet Foodstuffs”) was incorporated in Qingdao City, PRC.

 

On November 14, 2017, a 55% owned subsidiary of the Company, Yichong (Qingdao) TechnologyJanuary 21, 2020, Qingdao Tiandihui Foodstuffs Sales Co., Ltd. (“Yichong”Tiandihui Foodstuffs Sales”) was incorporated in Qingdao City, PRC. Yichong had no operation during the year ended December 31, 2017.Tiandihui Foodstuffs Sales is a wholly owned subsidiary of Tiandihui Pet Foodstuffs.

 

On November 29, 2017,February 27, 2020, TDH Foods Limited was incorporated in Hong Kong, with the purpose of being a 55%holding company for equity interests in Tiandihui Pet Foodstuffs. TDH Foods Limited does not conduct any operations or own any material assets or liabilities.

On August 24, 2020, TDH Holdings, Inc. acquired 100% equity interests of TDH Foods Limited. The acquisition of TDH Foods Limited and its subsidiaries is a transaction between entities under common control.

On June 4, 2021, TDH Income Corporation (“TDH Income”) was incorporated in Nevada. TDH Holdings, Inc. owns a 99.99% interest in TDH Income, and in December 2021, TDH Holdings, Inc. acquired the remaining 0.01% interest in TDH Income. As a result, TDH Income became a wholly-owned subsidiary of TDH Holdings, Inc.

On June 9, 2021, Ruby21Noland LLC (“Ruby21Noland”) was incorporated in Missouri. Ruby21Noland is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, Qingdao Lingchong Information TechnologyTDH Income.

On October 31, 2021, TDH Income acquired 51% equity interests of Far Ling’s Inc. and 100% equity interests of Bo Ling’s Chinese Restaurant, Inc. (see Note 3)

On January 22, 2022, Beijing Wenxin Co., Ltd. (“Lingchong”Beijing Wenxin”) was incorporated in Beijing City, PRC.

On March 27, 2023, Qingdao Chihong Information Consulting Co., Ltd. (“Qingdao Chihong”) was incorporated in Qingdao City, PRC. Lingchong had no operation during the year ended December 31, 2017.

 

As a result, TDH HK, TDH Petfood LLC, Tiandihui, Chongai Jiujiu, Kangkang Development, Yichong and Lingchong are referred to as subsidiaries. TDH Holdings and its consolidated subsidiaries are collectively referred to herein as the “Company”, “we” and “us”, unless specific reference is made to an entity.

 

Immediately before and after the reorganization, the shareholders of Tiandihui controlled Tiandihui and TDH Holdings. Therefore, for accounting purposes, the reorganization is accounted for as a transaction of entities under common control. Accordingly, the accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared as if the current corporate structure had been in existence throughout the periods presented.

Note 2 – SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation

 

The accompanying audited financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”).

 

This basis of accounting differs in certain material respects from that used for the preparation of the books of account of the Company, which are prepared in accordance with the accounting principles and the relevant financial regulations applicable to enterprises with limited liabilities established in the PRC (“PRC GAAP”), the accounting standards used in the places of their domicile. The accompanying consolidated financial statements reflect necessary adjustments not recorded in the books of account of the Company to present them in conformity with U.S. GAAP.

 

The accompanying consolidated financial statements asinclude the accounts of December 31, 2017the Company, its wholly-owned and 2016 consolidate the financial statements of TDH Holdings, its 100% owned subsidiary TDH HK, 99% owned subsidiary TDH Petfood LLC, 100% owned subsidiary Tiandihui, and Tiandihui’s 100% owned subsidiaries Chongai Jiujiu and Kangkang Development, 55% owned subsidiaries Yichong and Lingchong. No noncontrolling interest was recognized since TDH Petfood LLC, Lingchong and Yichong did not have any operations during the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, and allmajority-owned subsidiaries.

All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.eliminated upon consolidation. The results of subsidiaries acquired or disposed of during the respective periods are included in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss from the effective date of acquisition or up to the effective date of disposal, as appropriate. The portion of the income or loss applicable to noncontrolling interest in subsidiaries is reflected in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss.


Discontinued operations

 

On March 16, 2022, the People’s Court of Huangdao District, Qingdao City, Shandong Province made a civil ruling and announced the acceptance of creditors’ application of bankruptcy liquidation of Tiandihui and it entered into bankruptcy proceedings. On December 27, 2023, the court announced that the bankruptcy property distribution plan of Tiandihui was implemented and the bankruptcy proceedings werecompleted. As a result, Tiandihui has been fully disposed as of December 31, 2023.

A component of a reporting entity or a group of components of a reporting entity that are disposed or meet the criteria to be classified as held for sale, such as the management having the authority to approve the action, commits to a plan to sell the disposal group, should be reported in discontinued operations if the disposal represents a strategic shift that has (or will have) a major effect on an entity’s operations and financial results. Discontinued operations are reported when a component of an entity comprising operations and cash flows that can be clearly distinguished, operationally and for financial reporting purposes, from the rest of the entity is classified as held for disposal or has been disposed of, if the component either (1) represents a strategic shift or (2) have a major impact on an entity’s financial results and operations. In the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss, result from discontinued operations is reported separately from the income and expenses from continuing operations and prior periods are presented on a comparative basis. In order to present the financial effects of the continuing operations and discontinued operations, revenues and expenses arising from intra-group transactions are eliminated except for those revenues and expenses that are considered to continue after the disposal of the discontinued operations (see Note 4)

Reclassifications

In connection with the discontinued operations of a business, certain prior-year amounts have been reclassified for consistency with the current-year presentation. These reclassifications had no effect on the reported results of operations. The assets and liabilities related to the discontinued operations are classified as assets/liabilities held for sale as of December 31, 2022, while results of operations related to the discontinued operations, including comparatives, were reported as losses from discontinued operations for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021. Certain prior-year balance sheet accounts have been reclassified to conform to the current-year presentation.

Going Concern

Our consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming we will continue as a going concern, which contemplates the realization of assets and liquidation of liabilities in the normal course of business. For the year ended December 31, 2023, our revenue from the restaurant business segment only slightly increased by approximately $0.08 million as compared to 2022 and we reported a net loss of approximately $23.63 million and cash flows provided by operating activities of approximately $2.49 million in 2023. We discontinued our petfood business during the first quarter of 2023 and we fully disposed of Tiandihui in December 2023 as a result of the completion of the bankruptcy proceeding, and currently our revenue is substantially generated from the restaurant business segment. Our business turnaround depends, in part, on our ability to successfully introduce manage and acquire new restaurants. If we are not able to effectively manage and acquire new restaurants that successfully generate revenue, we may not be able to grow and maintain our business as anticipated, and our sales may decline and our future business, financial condition and results of operations may be materially adversely affected. These factors raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern for the next twelve months from the date that our consolidated financial statements are issued.

Management’s plan to alleviate the substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern include attempting to improve its business profitability, its ability to generate sufficient cash flow from its operations to meet its operating needs on a timely basis, obtain additional working capital funds through debt and equity financings to eliminate inefficiencies in order to meet its anticipated cash requirements. However, there can be no assurance that these plans and arrangements will be sufficient to fund the Company’s ongoing capital expenditures, working capital, and other requirements.

F-7


Table

The accompanying financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis, which contemplates the realization of Contents

assets and satisfaction of liabilities in the ordinary course of business. The financial statements do not include any adjustments relating to the recoverability and classification of recorded asset amounts or the amounts and classification of liabilities that might result from the outcome of the uncertainties described above.

 

Foreign Currency Translation

 

The accompanying consolidated financial statements are presented in United States dollar (“$”), which is the reporting currency of the Company. The functional currency of TDH Holdings, TDH HK, and TDH Petfood LLC TDH Income Corporation, Ruby21Noland LLC, Far Ling’s Inc, Bo Ling’s Chinese Restaurant, Inc and TDH Foods Limited is United States dollar. The functional currency of Beijing Wenxin, Qingdao Chihong, Tiandihui, Tiandihui Pet Foodstuffs, Tiandihui Foodstuffs Sales and Chongai Jiujiu Kangkang Development, Yichong and Lingchong is Renminbi (“RMB”). The functional currency of TDH Group BVBA is Euro (“€”). For the subsidiaries whose functional currencies are RMB, Euro and Yen, results of operations and cash flows are translated at average exchange rates during the period, assets and liabilities are translated at the unified exchange rate at the end of the period, and equity is translated at historical exchange rates. The resulting translation adjustments are included in determining other comprehensive income or loss. Transaction gains and losses are reflected in the consolidated statements of income.operations.

 

The consolidated balance sheetexchange rates used to translate amounts with the exception of equity at December 31, 2017 and 2016 were translated atin RMB 6.5064 and RMB 6.9437 to $1.00, respectively. The equity accounts were stated at their historical rate. The average translation rates applied to consolidated statements of income and cash flowsinto U.S. Dollars for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016purpose of preparing the consolidated financial statements were RMB 6.7570 and RMB 6.6430 to $1.00, respectively.as follows (USD$1=RMB):

 

Period Covered Balance
Sheet Date
Rates
  Average
Rates
 
Year ended December 31, 2023  7.0827   7.0467 
Year ended December 31, 2022  6.9646   6.7261 

Reclassification

The exchange rates used to translate amounts in Euro into U.S. Dollars for the purpose of preparing the consolidated financial statements were as follows (USD$1=€):

Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation. These reclassifications had no impact on net earnings or financial position.

Period Covered Balance
Sheet Date
Rate
  Average
Rate
 
Year ended December 31, 2023  0.9012   0.9153 
Year ended December 31, 2022  0.9383   0.9485 

Use of Estimates

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities on the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. The Company bases its estimates and judgments on historical experience and on various other assumptions and information that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Estimates and assumptions of future events and their effects cannot be perceived with certainty and, accordingly, these estimates may change as new events occur, as more experience is acquired, as additional information is obtained and as our operating environment changes. Significant estimates and assumptions by management include, among others, useful lives and impairment of long-lived assets, valuationallowance for credit losses, write-down in value of inventories and income taxes including the valuation allowance for deferred tax assets. While the Company believes that the estimates and assumptions used in the preparation of the financial statements are appropriate, actual results could differ from those estimates. Estimates and assumptions are periodically reviewed and the effects of revisions are reflected in the financial statements in the period they are determined to be necessary.


Cash and Cash Equivalents

 

Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand, cash in time deposits and highly liquid investments purchased with original maturities of three months or less. The Company has no cash equivalents balances as of December 31, 2017 and 2016.

 

Restricted Cash

Restricted cash current mainly represents bank deposits usedjudicially frozen by the court as a result of Tiandihui’s bankruptcy proceedings as of December 31, 2022. Restricted cash amounted to pledge the bank acceptance notes$1,289,051 and bank letterswas included in “current assets held for sales associated with discontinued operation of credit. The Company entered into credit agreements with commercial banks in China (“endorsing banks”) which agree to provide credit within stipulated limits. Within the stipulated credit limits, the Company can issue bank acceptance notes and lettersTiandihui” as of credit to its suppliers as payments for the purchases. In order to issue bank acceptance notes and letters of credit, the Company is generally required to make initial deposits to the endorsing banks in amounts of certain percentageDecember 31, 2022. As a result of the face amountcompletion of the bank acceptance notes or lettersTiandihui’s bankruptcy proceedings, there was no such balance as of credit to be issued by the Company. The cash in such accounts is restricted for use over the terms of the bank acceptance notes and letters of credits, which are normally three to six months.December 31, 2023 (see Note 4).

 

Restricted cash, non-current represents deposits in an escrow account pursuant to an escrow indemnification agreement in connection with the Company’s initial public offering to satisfy the potential indemnification obligations arising during an escrow period of two years following September 25, 2017.

F-8

Accounts ReceivableShort-term Investments

 

Accounts receivable consists principallyStarting March 2020 and throughout the years ended December 31, 2021, 2022 and 2023, TDH Holdings invested in equity securities of amounts duecertain publicly listed companies through various open market transactions. The investments in marketable securities are managed and operated by an asset management company. Pursuant to the asset management agreement, for the period from trade customers. CreditMarch 1, 2020 to December 31, 2023, the asset management company is extended based on an evaluationentitled to 25% of total realized gain if certain condition is met.

TDH Holdings’ investments in marketable securities are accounted for pursuant to ASC 321 and reported at their readily determinable fair value as quoted by market exchanges in the consolidated balance sheets with change in fair value recognized in earnings. Changes in fair value, including realized gain of approximately $0.44 million and unrealized loss of approximately $3.08 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. Changes in fair value, including realized gain of approximately $4.19 million and unrealized gain of approximately $0.03 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. Changes in fair value, including realized gain of approximately $0.07 million and unrealized gain of approximately $0.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2021, which were included in “investment income” in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss.

Business Combination

In October 2021, the Company acquired 51% equity interests of Far Ling’s Inc. and 100% equity interests of Bo Ling’s Chinese Restaurant, Inc. (see Note 3). Business combination is accounted for under the purchase method of accounting. Under the purchase method, assets and liabilities of the customer’s financial conditionbusiness acquired are recorded at their estimated fair values as of the date of acquisition with any excess of the cost of the acquisition over the fair value of the net tangible and collateral is not generally required.intangible assets acquired recorded as goodwill. Results of operations of the acquired business are included in the statement of operations from the date of acquisition.

 

The Company maintains allowances for doubtful accounts for estimated losses. The Company reviews the accounts receivable on a periodic basis and makes general and specific allowances when there is doubt as to the collectability of individual balances. In evaluating the collectability of individual receivable balances, the Company considers many factors, including the age of the balance, a customer’s historical payment history, its current credit-worthiness and current economic trends. Accounts are written off after exhaustive efforts at collection.Non-controlling interest

 

As of December 31, 20172023 and 2016,2022, non-controlling interest represents 49% of the equity interest in Far Ling’s Inc. owned by minority shareholder, which is not under the Company’s control.

Current Expected Credit Losses

On January 1, 2020, the Company hadadopted FASB Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2016-13 “Financial Instruments – Credit Losses: Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments,” (ASC Topic 326) and its amendments using the modified retrospective approach. Results for reporting periods beginning after January 1, 2020 are presented under ASC Topic 326, while prior amounts are not adjusted. The Company’s accounts receivablereceivables, advances to suppliers, prepayments and other current assets are within the scope of $1,932,924 and $865,491, respectively.ASC Topic 326. This ASU replaces the incurred loss impairment model with an expected credit loss impairment model for financial instruments. The amendments require entities to consider forward-looking information to estimate expected credit losses, resulting in earlier recognition of losses for receivables that are current or not yet due, which were not considered under the previous accounting guidance. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact to the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

The Company had noOur expected loss allowance for doubtful accounts asmethodology is developed using an aging method and analyses of December 31, 2017historical credit losses experience, current economic conditions, future market forecasts and 2016,any recoveries in assessing the lifetime expected credit losses. Additionally, external data and had no bad debt expenses for trading accounts receivables occurred for the years then ended.macroeconomic factors are also considered.

 


Inventories

Inventories, consisting of raw materials, low-valued consumables, work in progress, goods sold in transit and finished goods, are stated at the lower of cost or marketnet realizable value, utilizing the weighted average method.with cost computed on a weighted-average basis. The valuation of inventory requires us to estimate excess and slow-moving inventory. We evaluate the recoverability of our inventory based on assumption about expected demand, market conditions, forecasts prepared by its customers, sales contracts and market conditions.orders in hand.

 

Property, Plant and Equipment

 

Property, plant and equipment, are stated at cost less depreciation. Cost represents the purchase price of the asset and other costs incurred to bring the asset into its existing use. Maintenance, repairs and betterments, including replacement of minor items, are charged to expense; major additions to physical properties are capitalized.

 

Depreciation of property, plant and equipment is calculated based on cost, less their estimated residual value, if any, using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives. Estimated useful lives are as follows:

 

Machinery equipment 5 - 20 years
Computer software 10 years
Electronic equipment 5 - 10 years
Office equipment 5 - 10 years
Motor vehiclesLeasehold improvement 5 - 10 yearsShorter of the lease term or estimated useful life
Buildings 20 - 50 years

 

Construction in progress mainly represents expenditures with respect of the Company’s factory under construction. All direct costs relating to the acquisition or construction of the Company’s factory are capitalized as construction in progress. Construction in progress is not depreciated until the asset is placed in service.

Land Use Rights

According to the law of PRC, the government owns all the land in the PRC. Companies or individuals are authorized to possess and use the land only through land use rights granted by the Chinese government for a specified period of time. Land use rights are being amortized using the straight-line method over the periods the rights are granted.

Goodwill

Goodwill represents the excess of the consideration paid of an acquisition over the fair value of the net identifiable assets of the acquired subsidiary at the date of acquisition. Goodwill is not amortized and is tested for impairment at least annually, more often when circumstances indicate impairment may have occurred. Goodwill is carried at cost less accumulated impairment losses. If impairment exists, goodwill is immediately written off to its fair value and the loss is recognized in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss. Impairment losses on goodwill are not reversed.

 

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and Goodwill

 

In accordance with ASC Topic 360, theThe Company reviews long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets may not be fully recoverable, or at least annually. The Company recognizes an impairment loss when the sum of expected undiscounted future cash flows is less than the carrying amount of the asset. The amount of impairment is measured as the difference between the asset’s estimated fair value and its book value. ForThe Company recorded impairment loss on long-lived assets other than goodwill of $1,954, $6,833 and $217,257 for the years ended December 31, 20172023, 2022 and 2016,2021, respectively.

The Company’s goodwill is tested for impairment on an annual basis or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of these assets may not be recoverable. In testing for goodwill impairment, the Company didcompares the fair value of its reporting unit to its carrying value including the goodwill of that unit. If the carrying value, including goodwill, exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value, the Company will recognize an impairment loss for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value. The loss recognized cannot exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. Given the Company’s net loss position, the Company recorded impairment of goodwill of $0, $0 and $335,570 for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively.


In accordance with ASC 323, Investments-Equity Method and Joint Ventures, the Company applies the equity method of accounting to equity investments, over which it has significant influence but does not recordown a majority equity interests or otherwise control. Significant influence is generally considered to exist when the Company has an ownership interest in the voting stock of the investee between 20% and 50%. Under the equity method, the Company initially records its investment at cost and subsequently adjusts the carrying amount of the investment to recognize the Company’s proportionate share of each equity investee’s net income or loss into earnings after the date of investment.

The Company continually reviews its investment under equity method to determine whether a decline in fair value to below the carrying value is other-than-temporary. The primary factors in its determination are the duration and severity of the decline in fair value, the financial condition, operating performance and the prospects of the equity investee, and other company specific information such as recent financing rounds. If the decline in fair value is deemed to be other-than-temporary, the carrying value of the equity investee is written down to fair value.

For equity securities without readily determinable fair value and do not qualify for the existing practical expedient in ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures to estimate fair value using the net asset value per share (or its equivalent) of the investment, the Company elected to use the measurement alternative to measure those investments at cost, less any impairment, charges on long-lived assets.

F-9

the same issuer, if any. The Company makes assessment of whether an investment is impaired at each reporting date and recognizes an impairment loss equal to the difference between the carrying value and fair value in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss if there is any. The Company makes a qualitative assessment of whether the investments are impaired at each reporting date.

 

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

 

ASC 825Accounting guidance defines fair value as the price that would be received from selling an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. When determining the fair value measurement for assets and liabilities required or permitted to be recorded at fair value, the Company considers the principal or most advantageous market in which it would transact and it considers assumptions that market participants would use when pricing the asset or liability.

The Company measures certain financial assets, including the investment under the measurement alternative method and equity method on other-than-temporary basis, intangible assets and fixed assets at fair value when an impairment charge is recognized.

Accounting guidance establishes a fair value hierarchy that requires an entity to maximize the disclosureuse of observable inputs and minimize the estimateduse of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. A financial instrument’s categorization within the fair value hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. Accounting guidance establishes three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value:

Level 1 — Observable inputs that reflect quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets.

Level 2 — Include other inputs that are directly or indirectly observable in the marketplace.

Level 3 — Unobservable inputs which are supported by little or no market activity.

Accounting guidance also describes three main approaches to measuring the fair value of financial instruments includingassets and liabilities: (1) market approach; (2) income approach and (3) cost approach. The market approach uses prices and other relevant information generated from market transactions involving identical or comparable assets or liabilities. The income approach uses valuation techniques to convert future amounts to a single present value amount. The measurement is based on the value indicated by current market expectations about those financial instruments for which fair value option was not elected.future amounts. The cost approach is based on the amount that would currently be required to replace an asset.

 


For certain of the Company’s financial instruments, including cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, current, accounts receivable, inventories, advances to suppliers, inventories, prepayments and other current assets, accounts payable, notes payables to vendors, advances from customers, taxes payable, bank overdrafts, short-term loans and other current liabilities, and short-term loans, the carrying amounts approximate their fair values due to the short maturities. The Company did not have any non-financialfair value of the Company’s investments in the equity securities of publicly listed companies are measured using quoted market prices. 

The following table presents information about the Company’s assets or liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 20172023 and 2016.2022 and indicates the fair value hierarchy of the valuation.

  Quoted
Prices in
Active
Markets for
Identical
Assets
(Level 1)
  Significant
Other
Observation
Inputs
(Level 2)
  Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
  Total
Balance
 
Publicly listed equity securities                
As of December 31, 2023 $13,317,882        -         -   13,317,882 
As of December 31, 2022 $9,922,366   -   -   9,922,366 

 

Operating LeasesLease Commitments

 

On January 1, 2019, the Company adopted ASU 2016-02, Leases where substantially(together with all amendments subsequently issued thereto, “ASC Topic 842”), using the rewardsmodified retrospective method. The Company elected the transition method which allows entities to initially apply the requirements by recognizing a cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings in the period of adoption. As a result of electing this transition method, previously reported financial information has not been restated to reflect the application of the new standard to the comparative periods presented. The Company elected the package of practical expedients permitted under the transition guidance within ASC Topic 842, which among others, allows the Company to carry forward certain historical conclusions reached under ASC Topic 840 regarding lease identification, classification, and risksthe accounting treatment of ownershipinitial direct costs. The Company elected not to record assets and liabilities on its consolidated balance sheet for new or existing lease arrangements with terms of assets remain with12 months or less. The Company recognizes lease expenses for such leases on a straight-line basis over the leasing company arelease term. In addition, the Company elected the land easement transition practical expedient and did not reassess whether an existing or expired land easement is a lease or contains a lease if it has not historically been accounted for as operating leases. a lease.

The initial lease liability is equal to the future fixed minimum lease payments discounted using the Company’s incremental borrowing rate, on a secured basis. The lease term includes option renewal periods and early termination payments when it is reasonably certain that the Company will exercise those rights. The initial measurement of the right-of-use asset is equal to the initial lease liability plus any initial direct costs and prepayments, less any lease incentives.

Payments made under operating leases are charged to the consolidated statements of incomeoperations and comprehensive loss on a straight-line basis over the lease period. The Company does not have finance lease arrangements as of December 31, 2023 and 2022. See Note 15 for further discussion.

 


Earnings (Loss) per Share

 

Basic earnings (loss) per common share is computed by dividing net earningsincome (loss) attributable to common shareholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings (loss) per share is computed by dividing net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders by the sum of the weighted average number of common shares outstanding and dilutive potential common shares during the period. Potentially dilutive common shares consist of common shares warrants using the treasury stock method. Common equivalent shares are not included in the denominator of the diluted earnings per share calculation when inclusion of such shares would be anti-dilutive. There were no diluted shares for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021.

 

Revenue Recognition

 

PursuantRevenue is measured according to the guidance of ASC Topic 605606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. The Company currently generated revenue from two sources: sales of petfood products and ASC Topic 360,revenue from restaurant business operation.

Revenue for sale of products is derived from contracts with customers, which primarily include the sale of petfood products. The Company recognizes revenue upon transfer of control of promised goods in a contract with a customer in an amount that reflects the consideration the Company expects to receive in exchange for those products. Transfer of control occurs once the customer has the contractual right to use the product, generally upon shipment or once delivery and risk of loss has transferred to the customer.

In connection with the business acquisition as disclosed in Note 3, the Company started to generate revenue from restaurant business operation since late 2021. Revenue from providing dining services and sales of meals is recognized at point when persuasive evidenceservices are rendered. The Company recognizes revenues in the form of an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred or services have been rendered,restaurant sales at the purchase price is fixed or determinable and collectability is reasonably assured. Revenue consiststime of the invoiced value forsale when payment is made by the salescustomer, as the Company has completed its performance obligation, namely the provision of food and beverage, and the accompanying customer service, during the customer’s visit to the restaurant.

Revenue is recognized net of any taxes collected from customers that are subsequently remitted to governmental authorities, including value-added tax (“VAT”), business tax, applicable local government levieslevies. At the time revenue is recognized, allowances are recorded, with the related reduction to revenue, for estimated sales returns based upon historical experience and returns.related terms of customer arrangements.

The allowance for sales returns recorded by the Company was $0, $0 million and $0 million for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. The Company does not provide rebate, pricing protection or any other concessions to its customers. For

The Company elected to account for shipping and handling fees that occur after the customer has obtained control of goods, for instance, free onboard shipping point arrangements, as a fulfillment cost and accrues for such costs.

Management has concluded that the disaggregation level is the same under both the revenue standard and the segment reporting standard. Revenue under the segment reporting standard is measured on the same basis as under the revenue standard. See Note 14 for information regarding revenue disaggregation by product lines, marketing channels and countries.

Contract liabilities are recorded when consideration is received from a customer prior to transferring the control of goods to the customer or other conditions under the terms of a sales contract. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company recorded contract liabilities of $4,045 and $11,024, respectively, which were presented as advances from customers on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. During the years ended December 31, 2017, 20162023, 2022 and 2015,2021, the Company had immaterial sales returnsrecognized $6,979, $6,970 and no discounts.$163,074 of contract liabilities as revenue, respectively.

 

Government Grants

 

Government grants include cash subsidies as well as other subsidies received from the PRC government by the subsidiaries of the Company. Such subsidies are generally provided as incentives from the local government to encourage the expansion of local business. The government grant is recognized in the consolidated statements of incomeoperations and comprehensive incomeloss when cash is received and the relevant performance criteria specified in the grant are met.

 

Research and Development


 

Research and development costs are expensed as incurred. The costs primarily consist of raw materials used and salaries paid for the development and improvement of the Company’s products.

F-10

Selling Expenses

 

Selling expenses consist primarily of advertising, salaries and shipping and handling costs incurred during the selling activities. Advertising and transportation expenses are charged to expense as incurred.

 

Shipping and handling expenses amounted to $1,162,827, $836,561$475, $1,828 and $516,409$4,864 for the years ended December 31, 2017, 20162023, 2022 and 2015,2021, respectively.

 

Advertising costs amounted to $215,399, $84,667$90,637, $93,197 and $56,544$22,019 for the years ended December 31, 2017, 20162023, 2022 and 2015,2021, respectively.

 

Income Taxes

 

The Company accounts for income taxes under the provision of FASB ASC 740-10, which requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in the financial statements or tax returns. Under this method, deferred income taxes are recognized for the tax consequences in future years of differences between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their financial reporting amounts at each period end based on enacted tax laws and statutory tax rates applicable to the periods in which the differences are expected to affect taxable income. Valuation allowances are established, when necessary, to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized.

 

Comprehensive Income/LossIncome (Loss)

 

ASC 220 “Comprehensive Income”Comprehensive Income established standards for reporting and display of comprehensive income/loss,income (loss), its components and accumulated balances. Components of comprehensive income/lossincome (loss) include net income/lossincome (loss) and foreign currency translation adjustment. As of December 31, 20172023, 2022 and 2016,2021, the only component of accumulated other comprehensive income/lossincome (loss) was foreign currency translation adjustment.

 

Concentration of Credit RiskLoss Contingencies

 

Financial instrumentsThe Company records accruals for certain of its outstanding legal proceedings or claims when it is probable that potentially subjecta liability will be incurred and the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated. When a loss contingency is not both probable and estimable, the Company does not record an accrued liability but discloses the nature and the amount of possible loss, if material, in the notes to concentrations of credit risk are cash, restricted cash, and accounts receivable arising from its normal business activities. the consolidated financial statements.

The Company places its cashreviews the developments in what it believes to be credit-worthy financial institutions.contingencies that could affect the amount of the provisions that has been previously recorded, and the matters and related possible losses disclosed. The Company routinely assessesmakes adjustments to provisions and changes to its disclosures accordingly to reflect the financial strengthimpact of negotiations, settlements, rulings, advice of legal counsel, and updated information. The assessment of whether a loss is probable or reasonably possible, and whether the customers and, based upon factors surroundingloss or a range of loss is estimable, often involves complex judgments about future events. Management is often unable to estimate the credit risk, establishes an allowance,loss or a range of loss, particularly where (i) the damages sought are indeterminate, (ii) the proceedings are in the early stages, or (iii) there is a lack of clear or consistent interpretation of laws specific to the industry-specific complaints among different jurisdictions. In such cases, there is considerable uncertainty regarding the timing or ultimate resolution of such matters, including eventual loss, fine, penalty or business impact, if required, for uncollectible accounts and, as a consequence, believes that its accounts receivable credit risk exposure beyond such allowance is limited.any.

 

Related Parties Transactions

 

A related party is generally defined as (i) any person that holds 10% or more of the Company’s securities and their immediate families, (ii) the Company’s management, (iii) someone that directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by or is under common control with the Company, or (iv) anyone who can significantly influence the financial and operating decisions of the Company. A transaction is considered to be a related party transaction when there is a transfer of resources or obligations between related parties. Related parties may be individuals or corporate entities.

 


Transactions involving related parties cannot be presumed to be carried out on an arm’s-length basis, as the requisite conditions of competitive, free market dealings may not exist. Representations about transactions with related parties, if made, shall not imply that the related party transactions were consummated on terms equivalent to those that prevail in arm’s-length transactions unless such representations can be substantiated. It is not, however, practical to determine the fair value of amounts due from/to related parties due to their related party nature.

 

Segment Reporting

The Company uses the “management approach” in determining reportable operating segments. The management approach considers the internal organization and reporting used by the Company’s chief operating decision maker for making operating decisions and assessing performance as the source for determining the Company’s reportable segments. The Company’s chief operating decision maker has been identified as the chief executive officer of the Company who reviews financial information based on U.S. GAAP. The chief operating decision maker now reviews results analyzed by marketing channel. This analysis is only presented at the revenue level with no allocation of direct or indirect costs. Consequently, the Company has determined that it has only onetwo operating segment.segments as of December 31, 2023 (see Note 14).

 

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted

 

In May 2014,March 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09,2020-04, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (ASC 606)”. Under ASU 2014-09, revenue is recognized when a customer obtains control of promised goods or services and is recognized in an amount that reflects the consideration which the entity expects to receive in exchange for those goods or services. In addition, the standard requires disclosure of the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers. ASU 2014-09 is effective for fiscal years and interim periods within those years beginning after December 15, 2017, and early adoption is permitted for periods beginning after December 15, 2016. The Company elected to adopt the new standard effective January 1, 2018.

The guidance permits two methods of adoption: retrospectively to each prior reporting period presented (full retrospective method), or retrospectively with the cumulative effect of initially applying the guidance recognized at the date of initial application (modified retrospective method). The Company elected adopting the standard using the modified retrospective method.

F-11

The Company has identified its revenue streams and assessed each for the impacts. The Company expects the adoption of Topic 606 will have impact on one revenue stream. Specifically, under the standard the Company expects to recognize revenue generated from products sold to certain E-commerce platforms at the time products are delivered rather than when the price is determined and mutually agreed upon between the Company and the E-commerce platforms, usually at a later time after products delivery. The Company planned to recognize the cumulative effect of initially applying the new standard as an adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings. The Company does not expect this adjustment to be material.

In November 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-17, “Income TaxesReference Rate Reform, (Topic 740): Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes848). The amendments in ASU 2015-17 eliminate the current requirementTopic 848 provide optional expedients and exceptions for organizationsapplying GAAP to present deferred tax liabilitiescontracts, hedging relationships, and assets as current and noncurrent in a classified balance sheet. Instead, organizations will be required to classify all deferred tax assets and liabilities as noncurrent. The amendments in this ASUother transactions affected by reference rate reform if certain criteria are effective for public business entities for financial statements issued for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those annual periods. The amendments maymet. Topic 848 can be applied prospectively toby all deferred tax liabilities and assets or retrospectively to all periods presented. The Company adopted this amendment effective January 1, 2017. The adoption did not have any impact on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures other than reclassificationentities as of current deferred tax items to non-current for all periods presented.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02,“Leases (Topic 842)”. Under ASU 2016-02, lessees will be required to recognize all leases (with the exception of short-term leases) at the commencement date including a lease liability, which is a lessee’s obligation to make lease payments arising from a lease, measured on a discounted basis; and a right-of-use (ROU) asset, which is an asset that represents the lessee’s right to use, or control the use of, a specified asset for the lease term. Lessees (for capital and operating leases) must apply a modified retrospective transition approach for leases existing at, or entered into after, the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented in the financial statements. The modified retrospective approach would not require any transition accounting for leases that expired before the earliest comparative period presented. Lessees may not apply a full retrospective transition approach. 

The standard will be effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2019, with early adoption permitted. The Company plans to adopt the standard effective January 1, 2019. The Company anticipates this standard will have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. However, the Company does not expect adoption will have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated statements of income. While the Company is continuing to assess potential impacts of the standard, the Company currently expects the most significant impact will be the recognition of ROU assets and lease liabilities for operating leases.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-03,“Accounting Changes and Error Corrections (Topic 250) and Investments - Equity Method and Joint Ventures (Topic 323)”. This pronouncement amends the SEC’s reporting requirements for public filers in regard to new accounting pronouncements or existing pronouncements that have not yet been adopted. Companies are to provide qualitative disclosures if they have not yet implemented an accounting standards update. Companies should disclose if they are unable to estimate the impact of a specific pronouncement, and provide disclosures including a description of the effect on accounting policies that the registrant expects to apply. These provisions apply to all pronouncements that have not yet been implemented by registrants. There are additional provisions that relate to corrections to several other prior FASB pronouncements. The Company has incorporated language into other recently issued accounting pronouncement notes, where relevant for the corrections in ASU 2017-03. The Company is implementing the updated SEC requirements on not yet adopted accounting pronouncements with these consolidated financial statements.

In March 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-05,“Income Taxes (Topic 740) - Amendments to SEC Paragraphs Pursuant to SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No.118”. This ASU adds SEC paragraphs pursuant to the SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118, which expresses the view of the staff regarding application of Topic 740, Income Taxes, in the reportinginterim period that includes March 12, 2020, or any date thereafter, and entities may elect to apply the amendments prospectively through December 22, 2017 - the date on which the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act was signed into law. The amendments are effective upon addition to the FASB Accounting Standards Codification.31, 2022. The Company is currently evaluatingdid not utilize the impact of the adoption ofoptional expedients and exceptions provided by this guidance on the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Note 3 – RESTRICTED CASH

Restricted cash, current

Restricted cash, current represents the bank deposits used to pledge the bank acceptance notes and letters of credit issued by the Company.

The cash is restricted for use over the terms of the bank acceptance notes and was used directly to settle the liabilities when the bank acceptance notes or letters of credit became due.

As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, the Company had notes payable of $1,377,106 and $1,414,232, respectively.

The notes payable issuedstandard during the year ended December 31, 2017 were secured2023. The Company is evaluating the impact of this standard on its consolidated financial statements and disclosures.

Note 3 – BUSINESS COMBINATION

On October 31, 2021, the Company completed the acquisition of 51% equity interests of Far Ling’s Inc. and 100% equity interests of Bo Ling’s Chinese Restaurant, Inc.

Pursuant to the Stock Purchase Agreements executed on October 31, 2021, the Company acquired 51% equity interest of Far Ling’s Inc. for a total cash consideration of $850,000 and acquired 100% equity interest in Bo Ling’s Chinese Restaurant, Inc. for a total cash consideration of $170,000. The Company believes that the acquisition brings new revenue source for the Company going forward.

The transaction was accounted for as a business combination using the purchase method of accounting. The purchase price allocation of the transaction was determined by the land use rightCompany with the assistance of an independent appraisal firm based on the estimated fair value of the assets acquired and real propertyliabilities assumed as of the acquisition date.

In connection with the acquisition, the Company recognized the intangible assets (mainly include Bo Ling’s Chinese Restaurant, Inc.’s brand name) of $532,895 and goodwill of approximately $355,570.

There was no impairment of Bo Ling’s intangible assets during the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022.

The amounts of revenue and net income (loss) of Far Ling’s Inc. and Bo Ling’s Chinese Restaurant, Inc. as included in the Company’s consolidated statement of operations for the years ended December 31, 2023 , 2022 and 2021 are as follows:

  For the
year ended
December 31,
2023
  For the
year ended
December 31,
2022
  From
acquisition
date to
December 31,
2021
 
          
Net revenue $3,175,055  $3,074,007  $606,463 
             
Net income (loss) $-10,905  $104,720  $-1,215,613 


Note 4 – DISCONTINUED OPERATION

The Company’s subsidiary, Tiandihui, was mainly engaged in the development, manufacture and sale of petfood in China and other regions. On March 16, 2022, the People’s Court of Huangdao District, Qingdao City, Shandong Province made a civil ruling and announced the acceptance of creditors’ application of bankruptcy liquidation of Qingdao Saike Environmental TechnologyTiandihui Foodstuffs Co., Ltd., and it entered into bankruptcy proceedings. On December 27, 2023, the Court announced that the bankruptcy property distribution plan of Tiandihui was implemented and the bankruptcy proceedings were completed. As a related party,result, Tiandihui has been fully disposed as of December 31, 2023 and real property of Rongfeng Cui, Principal shareholder, Chairmanall the material claims against Tiandihui that arose prior to the date of the Boardcompletion of Tiandihui’s bankruptcy proceedingwere resolved.

The discontinued operation represents a strategic shift that has a major effect on the Company’s operations and CEOfinancial results, which trigger discontinued operations accounting in accordance with ASC 205-20-45. The assets and liabilities related to the discontinued operations are classified as assets/liabilities held for sale as of December 31, 2022, while results of operations related to the discontinued operations for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, were reported as income (loss) from discontinued operations.

Prior to the final bankruptcy property distribution plan approved by the Court on December 27, 2023, Tiandihui had short-term bank loans of $4,986,206 as of December 31, 2022, payable to several PRC financial institutions, which were also corporately or personally guaranteed.Tiandihui also pledged certain property and equipment as collateral to further guarantee these loans. As a result of the Court approved bankruptcy property distribution plan, Tiandihui’s liabilities arising from the bankruptcy proceedings were fully discharged as of December 31, 2023. The Company and Yanjuan Wang, CEO’s wife, and guaranteed by Rongfeng Cui. The notes payable issued duringrecorded a loss from the disposition of Tiandihui in the amount of $15,095,547 for the year ended December 31, 2016 were secured by the land use right and real property of Qingdao Saike Environmental Technology Co., Ltd.2023.

 

AsThe results of discontinued operations for years ended December 31, 20172023, 2022 and 2016, the Company had non-cancellable letters of credit outstanding in the amount of $97,200, and $0, respectively.2021 are as follows:

  For the Years Ended December 31, 
  2023  2022  2021 
Revenue $-  $159  $10,794 
Cost of revenues  -   (5,260)  (342,496)
Gross profit  -   (5,101)  (331,02)
Operating expenses  (138,263)  (140,073)  (621,760)
(Loss) income from discontinued operations  (138,263)  (145,174)  (953,462)
Other income (expense), net  (14,957,284)  (193,880)  (1,692,369)
(Loss) income before tax  (15,095,547)  (339,054)  (2,645,831)
Net (loss) income from discontinued operations $(15,095,547) $(339,054) $(2,645,831)

Note 5 – ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE, NET AND ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE-RELATED PARTIES, NET

 

Restricted cash, non-currentAccounts receivable, net consisted of the following:

 

  December 31,
2023
  December 31,
2022
 
Accounts receivable $11,369  $58,739 
Less: Allowance for credit losses  (6,408)  (29,421)
Accounts receivable, net $4,961  $29,318 

In connection with its initial public offering,

The changes in allowance for credit losses consisted of the Company agreed to deposit $500,000 in a non-interest bearing escrow account to satisfy the potential indemnification obligations for two years following September 25, 2017, which is presented as restricted cash, non-current. Also see Note 10.

F-12

following:

 

  For the Years Ended December 31, 
  2023  2022  2021 
Balance, beginning of the year $29,421  $19,221  $16,656 
Provision for credit losses  (22,782)  11,642   2,168 
Write-off uncollectable accounts receivable  -   -   - 
Translation adjustment  (231)  (1,442)  397 
Balance, end of the year $6,408  $29,421  $19,221 


Note 46 – INVENTORIES

 

As of December 31, 20172023 and 2016,2022, inventories consisted of the following:

 

 December 31,
2017
  December 31,
2016
  December 31,
2023
  December 31,
2022
 
Raw materials $2,392,731  $1,822,614  $26,413  $27,069 
Work in progress  4,106,837   1,911,656 
Work in process  -   - 
Finished goods  2,635,764   2,238,854   -   43,707 
Total $9,135,332  $5,973,124   26,413   70,776 
Inventory write-down  (26,413)  (69,789)
Translation adjustments  -   - 
Inventories, net $-  $987 

 

The work in progressCompany recorded write-down of potentially obsolete or slow-moving inventories of $0, $226 and finished goods held by third parties were $1,356,461 and $208,731 as of$216,325 for the years ended December 31, 2017,2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. The work in progress and finished goods held by third parties were $308,742 and $103,024 as of December 31, 2016, respectively.

Note 57 – PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, NET

 

As of December 31, 20172023 and 2016,2022, property, plant and equipment consisted of the following:

 

 December 31, December 31,  December 31, December 31, 
 2017  2016  2023  2022 
Machinery equipment $3,357,637  $3,095,665  $3,550  $7,524 
Electronic equipment  70,421   65,412       17,784 
Office equipment  229,978   201,533   16,854   6,088 
Vehicles  79,385   102,024 
Leasehold improvement  13,743     
Buildings  964,504   903,761   735,795   735,795 
Leasehold Improvement  262,648   - 
Total property, plant and equipment  4,964,573   4,368,395   769,924   767,190 
Less: accumulated depreciation  (1,444,200)  (1,061,660)  (87,288)  (62,547)
Less: impairment loss  -   (6,599)
Translation adjustments  -   - 
Property, plant and equipment, net $3,520,373  $3,306,735  $682,636  $698,044 

 

Depreciation expense for the years ended December 31, 2017, 20162023, 2022 and 20152021 was $349,887, $252,957$26.860, $62,547 and $263,177,$31,095, respectively.


Note 8 – INTANGIBLE ASSETS

 

As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, a building with net book values of $555,070, and $533,935, respectively, was pledged as collateral under certain loan arrangements (see Note 7).

  December 31,
2023
  December 31,
2022
 
Intangible assets- brand name $533,816  $535,815 
Accumulated amortization  (107,500)  (53,975)
Intangible assets, net $426,316  $481,840 

 

Note 6 – LAND USE RIGHTS

  December 31,
2017
  December 31,
2016
 
Land use rights $232,550  $117,094 
Accumulated depreciation  (21,527)  (6,273)
Land use rights, net $211,023  $110,821 

F-13

The intangible assets mainly include Bo Ling’s Chinese Restaurant, Inc.’s brand name to attract customers and bring in increased revenue to benefit the Company.

 

During the years ended December 31, 2017, 20162023, 2022 and 2015,2021, amortization expense amounted to $14,283, $3,147$55,524, $34,507 and $3,357, respectively. The Company expects to record amortization expense of $5,000, $5,000, $5,000, $5,000, $5,000 and $157,000 for 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and thereafter,$28,253, respectively.

 

As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, land use right with net book values of $115,056 and $110,821, respectively, was pledgedEstimated future amortization expense is as collateral under certain loan arrangements (see follows:

Years ended December 31, Amortization
expense
 
2024 $53,290 
2025  53,290 
2026  53,290 
2027  53,290 
2028  53,290 
Thereafter  159,866 
  $426,316 

Note 7).9 – OTHER CURRENT LIABILITIES

 

Note 7 – SHORT TERM LOANSOther current liabilities mainly consist of interest payable, wages payable and other payables. Wages payable include salaries and bonuses of employees.

 

Short term loans and related guarantees are comprised of the following:

  Guarantors December 31,
2017
  December 31,
2016
 
Industrial & Commercial Bank of China - Qingdao Shinan Second Branch Rongfeng Cui, Principal shareholder,
Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”).
Yanjuan Wang, Principal shareholder, Rongfeng Cui’s wife
 $430,345   705,676 
Bank of China, Qingdao HK Road Branch Rongfeng Cui, Principal shareholder,
Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”).
Yanjuan Wang, Principal shareholder, Rongfeng Cui’s wife
  -   158,417 
China Postal Savings Bank - Qingdao Branch Rongfeng Cui, Principal shareholder,
Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”).
Yanjuan Wang, Principal shareholder, Rongfeng Cui’s wife
  -   864,092 
China Postal Savings Bank - Weihai Rd. Sub Branch Rongfeng Cui, Principal shareholder,
Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”).
Yanjuan Wang, Principal shareholder, Rongfeng Cui’s wife
  922,169   - 
TAIJ Capital Limited None  50,000   - 
    $1,402,514,  $1,728,185 

Short-term bank loans

On January 29, 2015, the Company borrowed a one-year loan of $308,086 (RMB2,000,000) with interest rate of 7.56% from Industrial Bank – Qingdao Branch, which was repaid in full on January 18, 2016. This loan was secured by the real property of Qingdao Saike Environmental Technology Co., Ltd., a related party, and guaranteed by Rongfeng Cui and Yanjuan Wang.

During the year ended December 31, 2015, the Company borrowed short term loans for an aggregate amount of $1,401,790 (RMB9,100,000) with annual interest rates ranging from 5.75% to 7.5% from Industrial & Commercial Bank of China Qingdao Qingdao Shinan 2nd Sub Branch, and repaid them in full before August 9, 2016.

On August 15, 2016, the Company borrowed a one-year revolving loan of $705,676 (RMB4,900,000) with interest rate of 5.22% from Industrial and Commercial Bank - Qingdao Shinan 2nd Sub Branch.The Company repaid the loan on June 19, 2017. On June 20, 2017, the Company borrowed another one-year revolving loan of $719,508 (RMB4,900,000) from the same bank with interest rate of 5.22% and repaid this loan in full on July 6, 2017.

On July 14, 2017, the Company borrowed a one-year loan of $412,998 (RMB2,800,000) from the same bank with interest rate of 5.22%.

The loans from Industrial and Commercial Bank – Qingdao Shinan 2nd Sub Branch were secured by the real property and land use right of Rongfeng Cui and guaranteed by Rongfeng Cui and Yanjuan Wang.

On May 12, 2015, the Company borrowed a one-year loan of $169,447 (RMB1,100,000) with interest rate of 5.655% from Bank of China, Qingdao Hongkong Road Sub Branch. The Company repaid the loan in full on May 11, 2016. On May 16, 2016, the Company continued to borrow a one-year loan of $158,417 (RMB1,100,000) with annual interest rate of 5.655% from the same bank. The Company repaid the loan in full on April 27, 2017. The loans from Qingdao Hongkong Road Sub Branch were secured by the real property of Rongfeng Cui and Yanjuan Wang and guaranteed by Rongfeng Cui and Yanjuan Wang.

  As of December 31, 
  2023  2022 
Other Payables $196,050  $1,061,162 
Interest Payable  3,574   - 
Wages Payable  112,355   151,258 
Total $311,979  $1,212,420 

F-14

 

On March 29, 2016, the Company borrowed a one-year loan of $288,031 (RMB2,000,000) with annual interest rate of 6.09% from Postal Savings Bank – Qingdao Branch. The Company repaid the loan in full on March 24, 2017. This loan was guaranteed by Rongfeng Cui and Yanjuan Wang.


 

On January 16, 2015, the Company borrowed a one-year loan of $616,171 (RMB4,000,000) with annual interest of 7% from China Postal Savings Bank - Qingdao Branch. The Company repaid the loan on November 23, 2015. The Company continued to borrow another one-year loan of $616,171 (RMB4,000,000) with annual interest of 6.09% on November 30, 2015. The Company repaid this loan in full on November 23, 2016. On November 28, 2016, the Company borrowed another one-year loan of $576,062 (RMB4,000,000) with an interest rate 5.655% from Postal Savings Bank – Qingdao Branch. The Company repaid the loan in full on November 21, 2017. These loans were secured by land use right and real property of the Company and guaranteed by Rongfeng Cui and Yanjuan Wang.

On March 29, 2017, the Company borrowed a one-year loan of $290,255 (RMB2,000,000), with annual interest rate of $6.09% from Qingdao Weihai Road Sub Branch. The loan was guaranteed by Rongfeng Cui and Yanjuan Wang.

On December 13, 2017, the Company borrowed another one-year loan of $604,458 (RMB4,000,000) with annual interest rate 5.655% from Qingdao Weihai Road Sub Branch. The loan was secured by real property of the Company and guaranteed by Rongfeng Cui and Yanjuan Wang.

Short-term loans from unrelated party

On September 8, 2017, the Company borrowed unsecured, non-interest bearing funds from a third party in the amount of $50,000. The Company repaid this loan in full on February 1, 2018.

The total interest expenses for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 were $82,946, $102,274, and $117,366, respectively.

Note 810 – RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

 

The related parties had transactions for the years ended December 31, 2017, 20162023, 2022 and 20152021 consist of the following:

 

Name of Related Party Nature of Relationship at December 31, 2023
Rongfeng CuiDandan Liu Principal shareholder, Chairman of the Board, andShareholder, Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”)
   
RongbingRongfeng Cui Principal shareholder, Director,Former Chairman of the Board and Former CEO. Rongfeng Cui ceased to be the CEO of the Company effective August 2, 2019.
Rongbing CuiFormer Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”), Rongfeng Cui’s brother
   
Yanjuan WangFeng Zhang Principal shareholder, Rongfeng Cui’s wifeCFO
   
Runrang CuiYanjuan Wang Father of Rongfeng Cui, and owner of Huangdao Dinggezhuang Kangkang Family FarmCui’s wife
   
Xiaomei WangYan Fu Rongbing Cui’s wifeFormer Sales Vice President
   
Phillip ZouYuxiang Qi Brother of Hayden Zou, former director of TDH Holdings, Inc.Dandan Liu’s mother
   
Qingdao Kangkang Pet SuppliesTide (Shanghai) Industrial Co., Ltd. (“Kangkang”). ControlledOwned by Rongfeng Cui through owning 85% of its equity interestand Yanjuan Wang
   
Tide (Shanghai) Industrial Co. Ltd. (“Tide”).Owned by Rongfeng Cui and Yanjuan Wang
Qingdao Like Pet Supplies Co., Ltd. (“Like”). Rongfeng Cui served as CEO, and Shuhua Cui, the sister of Rongfeng Cui, served as the legal person. On May 26, 2016, both Rongfeng Cui and Shuhua Cui resigned from their positions, but still have significant influence on Like.
   
Qingdao Like Electronic Commerce Co., Ltd. (“Like E-commerce”).Rongfeng Cui was the former supervisor and shareholder, but still has significant influence on Like.
Qingdao Saike Environmental Technology Co., Ltd. (“Saike”). Owned by Rongfeng Cui and Yanjuan Wang
   
Huangdao Ding Ge Zhuang Kangkang Family Farm (“Kangkang Family Farm”) Controlled by Rongfeng Cui’s father
   
TDH Group BVBA A EuropeanBelgium company solely owned by Rongfeng Cui prior to November 30, 2018; a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company since November 30, 2018
   

Qingdao Yinhe Jiutian Information Technology Co., Ltd.

(“Yinhe Jiutian”)

TDH JAPAN
 SolelyA Japanese company solely owned by Xiaomei WangRongfeng Cui prior to November 30, 2018; a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company since November 30, 2018. Dissolved in February 2021.
   
Zhenyu Trading (Qingdao)Qingdao Yinhe Jiutian Information Technology Co., Ltd. (“Zhenyu”) Owner of 45% equity interest in Yichong Technology (Qingdao) Co., Ltd.Solely owned by Rongbing Cui
   
Huangdao Hanyinhe Software Development Center Co., Ltd.Solely owned by Xiaomei Wang
Beijing Quanmin Chongai Information Technology Co., Ltd. (“Quanmin Chongai”) ControlledRongbing Cui serves as supervisor of Quanmin Chongai
LAI LINGS LENEXARaymond Ng is the son of Richard Ng
Products Inc.Owned by Anqi Zhou, a close relativeRichard Ng
Bo Lings at Zona Rosa in the NorthlandOwned by Richard Ng
Richard NgRichard owns 49% control of Rongfeng CuiFar Ling’s Inc.

 

F-15


Due from related parties

 

Due from related parties consisted of the following:

  December 31,  December 31, 
  2017  2016 
Tide (Shanghai) Industrial Co. Ltd. $46  $- 
TDH Group BVBA  329,237   35,842 
Rongfeng Cui  32,678   - 
Total $361,961  $35,842 

I)

Operating expenses paid on behalf of related parties

During the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company paid operating expenses on behalf of Quanmin Chongai in the amount of $272, and Quanmin Chongai repaid the Company in full.

During the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, the Company paid operating expenses on behalf of Tide in the amount of $44, $246,598 and $6,422, respectively, and Tide repaid the Company in the amount of $0, $252,847 and $0, respectively.

During the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company paid operating expense on behalf of TDH Group BVBA in the amount of $444.

II)

Collection of accounts receivable by related parties

The balances of due from TDH Group BVBA and Rongfeng Cui represent overseas trade receivables collected by the two parties on behalf of the Company.

During the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, TDH Group BVBA collected overseas sales receivables on behalf of the Company in the amount of $280,602 and $130,364, among which $852 and $94,552 was transferred back to the Company, respectively. In April 2018, TDH Group BVBA transferred additional $236,742 to the Company.

During the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, Rongfeng Cui collected overseas trade receivables on behalf of the Company in the amount of $194,062 and $113,774, among which $3,506 and $0 was transferred to the Company, respectively. During the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, due from Rongfeng Cui was settled with payables to Rongfeng Cui in the amount of $72,685, and $113,774, respectively. In addition, the Company, Rongfeng Cui and Yanjuan Wang agreed to settle the balance due from Rongfeng Cui with payables to Yanjuan Wang in the amount of $86,405.

III)Loans to related parties

During the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, the Company made loans to Kangkang in the amount of $3,462 and $1,207,002, respectively, and Kangkang repaid the loans to the Company in the amount of $592,752 and $1,348,414, respectively.

During the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, the Company made loans to Like in the amount of $2,157,621 and $2,446,338, respectively, and Like repaid the loans to the Company in the amount of $2,456,402 and $1,412,790, respectively.

During the year ended December 31, 2015, the Company directly made loans to Rongfeng Cui in the amount of $2,281,903, and instructed Kangkang and Like to make additional loans to Rongfeng Cui in the amount of $658,233 and $1,412,790, respectively, in lieu of repaying to the Company.

Certain loans made to Kangkang, Like, and Rongfeng Cui prior to August 2016 were lack of business purpose in nature. Per Section 402 of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, loans to certain related parties were deemed as prohibited transactions for U.S. public companies. The loans were made prior to the Company filing a registration statement with the SEC to go public in the U.S. The loans were repaid to the Company in full as of December 31, 2016.

Due to related parties from continuing operations

 

Due to related parties consisted of the following:

 

  December 31,  December 31, 
  2017  2016 
Huangdao Ding Ge Zhuang Kangkang Family Farm $-  $387 
Qingdao Saike Environmental Technology Co., Ltd.  6,148   - 
Phillip Zou  1,000   - 
Yanjuan Wang  29,878   783,291 
Rongfeng Cui  308,847   284,602 
Xiaomei Wang  -   52,422 
Total $345,873  $1,120,702 

F-16

  December 31,  December 31, 
  2023  2022 
Dandan Liu  1,963,457   - 
Rongfeng Cui  -   33,624 
Feng Zhang  -   22,123 
Products Inc.  19,973   - 
Total $1,983,430  $55,747 

  

The balance of due to related parties represents expenses incurred by related parties in the ordinary course of business, expense paid by related parties on behalf of the Company as well as loansadvances the Company obtained from related parties for working capital purposes. The loansamounts owed to the related parties are unsecured, non-interest bearing and payable on demand.

 

During the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, the Company obtainedShort-term loans from Yanjuan Wang in the amount of $0 and $2,694,566, respectively, and the Company repaid Yanjuan Wang in the amount of $594,939, and $1,752,220, respectively.related parties

 

  December 31,  December 31, 
  2023  2022 
Rongfeng Cui $277,408  $266,451 
Total $277,408  $266,451 

During the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, the Company obtained

In March 2018, TDH Group BVBA borrowed non-interest bearing, unsecured long-term loans from Rongfeng Cui in the aggregate amount of $1,109,960, $443,871€250,000 (approximately $288,000), of which payments of €60,000 (approximately $69,000), €60,000 (approximately $69,000), €60,000 (approximately $69,000), €60,000 (approximately $69,000), €10,000 (approximately $11,500) and $951,906, and repaid Rongfeng Cui$0 were due in the amount of $1,092,138, $1,203,819years ended December 31, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and $0,thereafter, respectively. The Company did not make any repayment to Rongfeng Cui paid the expenses on behalf of the Company in the amount of $59,790 and $41,859 during the years ended December 31, 20172023, 2022 and 2016, respectively.

Sales2021, such failure to related partypay may lead to callable of the loan at any time by Rongfeng Cui. As a result, the corresponding loan was classified as current liability and advance from related party

The Company made sales to Like in the amount of $506,495 and incurred corresponding cost of sales of $399,177 during the year ended December 31, 2017, which was included in cost of revenuesshort-term loans – related party. Account receivable in the amount of $576,520 from Like was collected, and the Company, Like and Yanjuan Wang agreed to settle balance of account receivable of $11,233 from Like with payable to Yanjuan Wang during the year ended December 31, 2017. Like also made prepayment to the Company for future purchases and the balance of advance from customer - Like was $7,520parties as of December 31, 2017.2023 and 2022. The Company is aware of the possible penalty and/or other consequence due to the default, however, no reasonable estimate can be made at this time.

 

PurchaseModification of Loans from related parties and accounts payable to related partiesparty

 

During the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company consigned Like to process raw materials. The total consignment processing cost was $490,388, which was settled with loans to Like in full.

The Company purchased financial application software from Yinhe Jiutian in the amount of $5,059 and $138,943 during the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, the payables to Yinhe Jiutian was $120,020 and $111,139, respectively.

The Company purchased raw materials from Kangkang Family Farm in the amount of $30,191 and $13,818 during the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, the balance of payables to Kangkang Family Farm was $31,354 and $0, respectively. During the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, raw materials purchased from Kangkang Family Farm in the amount of $740 and $6,616, respectively, were included in cost of revenues.

The Company purchased finished goods from Zhenyu in the amount of $163,127 during the year ended December 31, 2017. As of December 31, 2017, the balance of payables to Zhenyu was $924. During the year ended December 31, 2017, $43,762 of finished goods purchased from Zhenyu was sold and included in cost of revenues.

Operating lease with related parties

On December 31, 2014,In January 2018, the Company entered into a leaseloan agreement with Runrang Cui, CEO’s father,Dandan Liu. In May 2018, the agreement was amended to, lease a 2,000 square meters factory, located at Big Cuijiazhuang Village, Zhangjialou Town, Huangdao District, Qingdao City, Shandong Province, PRC. The lease startsamong others, reclassify unpaid interest payable to the principal of the loan, resulting in an increase of principal from RMB3,000,000 (approximately $466,000) to RMB3,030,000 (approximately $471,000) and increase the interest rate from 3% to 15%. Interest rate will be 24% for the period past due. In March 2019, the agreement was further amended to, among others, reclassify unpaid interest payable to the principal of the loan, resulting in an increase of principal to RMB3,484,500 (approximately $539,000) and extend the maturity date from January 1, 20152019 to May 2019. As of Dec. 31, 2022, the loan had $69,566 of interest outstanding. In connection with the bankruptcy proceedings of Tiandijhui, on December 27, 2023, the Court announced that the bankruptcy property distribution plan of Tiandihui was implemented and the bankruptcy proceedings were completed. Pursuant to the judgment and decision by the Court, loans payable plus accrued interest to be paid to Dandan Liu were not approved by the bankruptcy distribution plan. As a termresult, the loans are included in the loss from discontinued operation of three years. The lease payment is RMB36,000 (approximately $5,800)Tiandihui for the year ended December 31, 2015, RMB38,160 (approximately $5,700) for the year ended December 31, 2016 and RMB40,450 (approximately $6,000) for the year ended December 31, 2017. The Company renewed the lease on January 1, 2018 with a lease term of three years. The annual lease payment is RMB160,000 (approximately $23,700) for the year ended December 31, 2018, RMB169,600 (approximately $25,100) for the year ended December 31, 2019 and RMB179,776 (approximately $26,600) for the year ended December 31, 2020.2023.

 

On December 31, 2014,In June 2018, the Company entered into a leaseloan agreement with Rongfeng Cui to lease a 136.8 square meters office space, located at Room 722, Block B, World Trade Center, Hongkong Zhong Road, Shinan District, Qingdao City, Shandong Province, PRC. The lease starts from January 1, 2015 with a term of three years. The lease payment is RMB12,000 (approximately $1,900)Yuxiang Qi. Interest rate was 15% during the loan period and 24% for the year endedperiod past due. In March 2019, the agreement was amended to, among others, reclassify unpaid interest payable to the principal of the loan, resulting in an increase of principal from RMB3,000,000 (approximately $462,000) to RMB3,405,000 (approximately $522,000) and extend the maturity date from December 31, 2015, RMB12,7202018 to May 2019. Pursuant to the judgment and decision by the Court in connection with the bankruptcy distribution plan, only RMB 94,270 (approximately $1,900)$13,284) in principal of the loan was approved by the court. The Company made the payment of RMB 94,270 (approximately $13,284) to Yuxiang Qi in December 2023.

The interest expenses for the year ended December 31, 2016loans from related parties amounted to $0, $0 and RMB13,483 (approximately $2,000) for the year ended December 31, 2017. The Company renewed the lease on January 1, 2018 with a lease term of three years. The annual lease payment is RMB66,000 (approximately $9,800) for the year ended December 31, 2018, RMB69,960 (approximately $10,400) for the year ended December 31, 2019 and RMB74,158 (approximately $11,000) for the year ended December 31, 2020.

On December 25, 2015, the Company entered into a lease agreement with Rongfeng Cui to lease a 133.19 square meters office located at Room 07E, Floor 7, Block B, Shilibao Jia #3, Chaoyang District, Beijing City, PRC. The lease starts from January 1, 2016 with a term of two years. The lease payment is RMB144,000 (approximately $23,100) per annum$29,581 for the years ended December 31, 20162023, 2022 and 2017. The Company renewed the lease on January 1, 2018 with a lease term of three years. The annual lease payment is RMB190,000 (approximately $28,100) for the year ended December 31, 2018, RMB201,400 (approximately $29,800) for the year ended December 31, 2019 and RMB213,484 (approximately $31,600) for the year ended December 31, 2020.2021, respectively.

 

On December 25, 2015, the Company entered into a lease agreement with Rongfeng Cui


Accounts payable to lease a 406.97 square meters office located at Room 1902 - 1903, Financial Square, 215 Zhuhai East Road, Jiaonan District, Qingdao City, PRC. The lease starts from January 1, 2016 with a term of two years. The lease payment is RMB180,000 (approximately $27,100) for the year ended December 31, 2016 and RMB190,800 (approximately $28,200) for the year ended December 31, 2017. The Company renewed the lease on January 1, 2018 with a lease term of three years. The annual lease payment is RMB190,800 (approximately $28,200) for the year ended December 31, 2018, RMB202,248 (approximately $29,900) for the year ended December 31, 2019 and RMB214,383 (approximately $31,700) for the year ended December 31, 2020.related parties

 

  December 31,  December 31, 
  2023  2022 
Richard Ng $        -  $1,033 
Total $-  $1,033 

F-17

 

On January 5, 2016, the Company entered into a lease agreement with Rongbing Cui, the CFO of the Company, to lease a 406.97 square meters office located at Room 1809, Financial Square, 215 Zhuhai East Road, Huangdao District, Qingdao City, PRC. The lease starts from January 1, 2016 with a term of three years. The lease payment is RMB140,000 (approximately $21,000) per annum.

In September 2017, the Company signed a lease agreement with Saike to lease a 2,793.05 square meters plant located at 201Shiqian Village, Ducun Town, Jiaozhou City, Shandong Province, PRC. The lease starts from September 11, 2017 to September 10, 2027. The annual rent is RMB120,000 (approximately $18,000) throughout the lease term.

Note 911 – INCOME TAXES

 

British Virgin Islands (“BVI”)

 

Under the current laws of BVI, TDH Holdings is not subject to tax on income or capital gain. In addition, payments of dividends by the Company to their shareholders are not subject to withholding tax in the BVI.

 

Hong Kong

 

The Company’s subsidiary, TDH HK isand TDH Foods were incorporated in Hong Kong and has no operating profit or tax liabilities during the period. TDH HK isand TDH Foods were subject to tax at 16.5% on the assessable profits arising in or derived from Hong Kong.

United State

 

The Company’s subsidiary, TDH Petfood LLC,Income, is incorporated in the State of Nevada and is subject to the United States Federal and state income tax at a statutory rate of 21%. NoOn October 31, 2021, TDH Income acquired 51% equity interests of Far Ling’s Inc. and 100% equity interests of Bo Ling’s Chinese Restaurant, Inc. The Company’s subsidiary, Ruby21Noland, is incorporated in the State of Missouri. For the subsidiaries and entities incorporated in the United States listed above, they are subject to the United States Federal income tax at a statutory rate of 21%. However, no provision for the U.S. Federal income tax has been made as TDH PetfoodIncome Corporation, Ruby21Noland LLC, Far Ling’s Inc. and Bo Ling’s Chinese Restaurant, Inc. had no taxable income in this jurisdiction for the reporting periods.

 

Belgium

The Company’s subsidiary, TDH Group BVBA, is incorporated in Belgium and has no operating profit or tax liabilities during the reporting period. TDH Group BVBA is subject to tax at 29.58% on the assessable profits arising in or derived from Belgium.


PRC

 

The Company’s subsidiaries Tiandihui, Chongai Jiujiu, Kangkang Development, Yichong and Lingchong were incorporated in the PRC and are subject to PRC Enterprise Income Tax (“EIT”) on the taxable income in accordance with the relevant PRC income tax laws. On March 16, 2007, the National People’s Congress enacted a new enterprise income tax law, which took effect as of January 1, 2008. The law applies a uniform 25% enterprise income tax rate to both foreign invested enterprises and domestic enterprises. According to the tax law, entities that qualify as high and new technology enterprises (“HNTE”) supported by the PRC government are allowed a 15% preferential tax rate instead of the uniform tax rate of 25%.

On December 2, 2016, Tiandihui was granted the HNTE designation jointly by Qingdao science and Technology Bureau, Qingdao Municipal Finance Bureau, Qingdao Municipal State Taxation Bureau, Qingdao Local Taxation Bureau, and is qualified for a preferential tax rate of 15% for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2017 and 2018.

The provision for income taxes consists of the following:

  For the Years Ended 
  December 31, 
  2017  2016  2015 
Current $(46,521) $89,928  $254,068 
Deferred  (8,581)  (127)  15,513 
Total $(55,102) $89,801  $269,581 

 

The reconciliations of the statutory income tax rate and the Company’s effective income tax rate are as follows:

 

  For the Years Ended 
  December 31, 
  2017  2016  2015 
HK statutory income tax rate  16.50%  16.50%  16.50%
PRC statutory income tax rate difference  -1.50%  -1.50%  8.50%
Effect of additional deduction on R&D expense and salary for disabled workers  -127.75%  -7.69%  -0.84%
Effect of expenses not deductible for tax purposes  1.10%  0.40%  0.57%
Effect of change of tax rate for temporary difference  -   -   -1.40%
Valuation allowance recognized with respect to the loss in subsidiaries  19.83%  -0.03%  13.28%
Others  -   0.49%  - 
Total  -91.82%  8.17%  36.61%

F-18

  For the Years Ended December 31, 
  2023  2022  2021 
United states income tax rate  21.00%  21.00%  21.00%
HK statutory income tax rate  16.50%  16.50%  16.50%
PRC statutory income tax rate difference  0.00%  8.50%  8.50%
Effect of additional deduction on R&D expense and salary for disabled workers  0.00%  0.00%  0.00%
Effect of expenses not deductible for tax purposes  0.00%  -17.41%  -17.38%
Valuation allowance recognized with respect to the loss in subsidiaries  -37.50%  -28.59%  -28.52%
Other  -0.00%  0.00%  -0.10%
Total  -%  -%  -%

 

Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes

 

The tax authority of the PRC Government conducts periodic and ad hoc tax filing reviews on business enterprises operating in the PRC after those enterprises complete their relevant tax filings. Therefore, the Company’s PRC entities’ tax filings results are subject to change. It is therefore uncertain as to whether the PRC tax authority may take different views about the Company’s PRC entities’ tax filings, which may lead to additional tax liabilities.

 

ASC 740 requires recognition and measurement of uncertain income tax positions using a “more-likely-than-not” approach. The management evaluated the Company’s tax positions and concluded that no provision for uncertainty in income taxes was necessary as of December 31, 20172023 and 2016.2022.

 

Deferred tax assets and liabilities as of December 31, 20172023 and 20162022 are composed of the following:

 

 As of December 31,  As of
December 31,
 
 2017  2016  2023  2022 

Deferred tax assets, non-current

          
Net operating loss carrying forward $274,073  $202,959  $     -  $6,356,742 
Total deferred tax assets                
Valuation allowance  (274,073)  (202,959)  -   (6,356,742)
Total $-  $- 
Total deferred tax assets $-  $- 

 

  As of December 31, 
  2017  2016 

Deferred tax liabilities, non-current

      
Property, plant and equipment $5,810  $13,795 
Total $5,810  $13,795 

In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which those temporary differences become deductible or are utilized.

Note 1012 – STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

On September 30, 2015, TDH Holdings was incorporated in the British Virgin Islands. On the same day, the Company issued 10,000Common shares

In April 2021, a total of 455,000 common shares at $0.001 per share(as adjusted for the Company’s June 14, 2022 1-for-20 reverse stock split) were issued to its incorporatorfour investors with cash proceeds of $10.$2,730,000. The shares were sold without registration under the Securities Act of 1933 in reliance on the exemptions provided by Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act as transactions not involving a public offering and rules promulgated under the Securities Act as sales to accredited investors. The Company’s intention was to use the proceeds of this offering for working capital and general working purposes. There were no discounts or brokerage fees associated with this offering.


On September 30, 2021, the Company and certain investors entered into a securities purchase agreement in connection with a registered direct offering, pursuant to which the Company agreed to sell to the investors an aggregate of 500,000 of its common shares (as adjusted for the Company’s June 14, 2022 1-for-20 reverse stock split) at purchase price of $17.80 per share (as adjusted for the Company’s June 14, 2022 1-for-20 reverse stock split). The registered direct Offering closed on September 30, 2021 and the Company received approximately $8.2 million net proceeds from the issuance of 500,000) common shares (as adjusted for the Company’s June 14, 2022 1-for-20 reverse stock split) to investors, after deducting placement agent fees and estimated offering expenses.

 

On August 8, 2016,November 3, 2021, the Company and certain investors entered into a totalsecurities purchase agreement in connection with a registered direct offering, pursuant to which the Company agreed to sell to the investors an aggregate of 7,518,908750,000 its common shares (as adjusted for the Company’s June 14, 2022 1-for-20 reverse stock split) at purchase price of $12.80 per share (as adjusted for the Company’s June 14, 2022 1-for-20 reverse stock split). The registered direct offering closed on November 3, 2021 and the Company received approximately $8.9 million net proceeds from the issuance of 750,000 common shares (as adjusted for the Company’s June 14, 2022 1-for-20 reverse stock split) to investors, after deducting placement agent fees and estimated offering expenses.

On June 14, 2022, our Board approved to effect a reverse stock split of our common shares at the ratio of one-for-twenty with the market effective date of June 14, 2022. The objective of the reverse stock split was to enable our Company to regain compliance with NASDAQ Marketplace Rule 5550(a)(2) and maintain its listing on Nasdaq. As a result of the reverse stock split, each twenty common shares outstanding automatically combined and converted to one issued and outstanding common share without any action on the part of the shareholder. As a result of this stock reverse split, all common stocks issued prior to June 14, 2022 have been retrospectively restated and reflected in the consolidated financial statements.

On July 26, 2022, we completed a private placement of securities, and entered into a securities purchase agreement with eight accredited investors pursuant to which we sold to the investors an aggregate 4,000,000 of our common shares, at a price of $1.50 per share and warrants at a price of $0.01 per warrant to purchase up to an aggregate 4,000,000 of our common shares, for gross proceeds of $6,040,000 and received net proceeds of $6,017,781 after deducting fees and expenses related to the transaction. The warrants have an exercise price of $2.44 per share, and a term of two years.  The warrants are immediately exercisable upon issuance and have a cashless exercise feature. The securities were sold without registration under the Securities Act of 1933 in reliance on the exemptions provided by Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act as transactions not involving a public offering and rules promulgated under the Securities Act as sales to accredited investors. The Company’s intention was to use the proceeds of this offering for working capital and general working purposes.

Investor warrants

In connection with the Company’s registered direct offering as consummated on September 30, 2021, pursuant to the securities purchase agreement, the Company also agreed to sell to the investors warrants exercisable for an aggregate of 1,000,000 of its common shares (as adjusted for the Company’s June 14, 2022 1-for-20 reverse stock split), with warrant purchase price of $0.01 per warrant. The warrants were exercisable immediately as of the date of issuance at an exercise price of $41.20 per share (as adjusted for the Company’s June 14, 2022 1-for-20 reverse stock split) and expired twenty-four (24) months from the date of issuance. The warrants were also be exercised on a cashless basis.

In addition, in connection with the Company’s registered direct offering as consummated on November 3, 2021, pursuant to the securities purchase agreement, the Company also agreed to sell to the investors warrants exercisable for an aggregate of 1,500,000 of its common shares (as adjusted for the Company’s June 14, 2022 1-for-20 reverse stock split), with warrant purchase price of $0.01 per warrant. The warrants were exercisable immediately as of the date of issuance at an exercise price of $29.40 per share (as adjusted for the Company’s June 14, 2022 1-for-20 reverse stock split) and expired twenty-four (24) months from the date of issuance. The warrants were also be exercised on a cashless basis.

As of December 31, 2021, 2,500,000 warrants (as adjusted for the Company’s June 14, 2022 1-for-20 reverse stock split) were issued and outstanding and 1,528,000 warrants (as adjusted for the Company’s June 14, 2022 1-for-20 reverse stock split) have been exercised on the cashless basis in exchange for 1,221,181 of the Company’s common shares (as adjusted for the Company’s June 14, 2022 1-for-20 reverse stock split) and the Company did not receive any proceeds from the exercise of these warrants. An, additional 972,00 warrants (as adjusted for the Company’s June 14, 2022 1-for-20 reverse stock split) were exercised on a cashless basis in January 2022 in exchange for 1,104,587 of the Company’s common shares (as adjusted for the Company’s June 14, 2022 1-for-20 reverse stock split).


For the above-mentioned investor warrants, the Company couldcompel the exercise of the warrants if the closing price of the Company’s common shares exceeded$6.00 for ten (10) consecutive trading days commencing six (6) months after issuance. The exercisability of the warrants was limited if, upon exercise, the holder or any of its affiliates would beneficially own more than 9.99% of the Company’s common shares. As of the date of this Annual Report, all investor warrants issued in the September and November 2021 registered direct offerings have been exercised and none remain outstanding.

On July 26, 2022, in connection with our private placement of securities as mentioned above, in which we sold to the investors an aggregate 4,000,000 of our common shares, at $0.5a price of $1.50 per share and warrants at a price of $0.01 per warrant to nineteen individuals and seven companies with total cashpurchase up to an aggregate 4,000,000 of our common shares, for gross proceeds of $3,759,454, among which $2,880,000 was distributed to the former owners$6,040,000. The warrants have an exercise price of Tiandihui to acquire 100% of its equity interest.

On December 31, 2016, a total of 371,092 common shares were issued at $2.5$2.44 per share, and with an original term of two years.  The warrants were immediately exercisable upon issuance and have a cashless exercise feature. On July 11, 2023, the Company and investors agreed to Fulcan Capital Partners, LLC, Xiumei Lan and Zhonghua Liu with cash proceedsextend the exercise period of $827,730 received duringthe warrants to July 26, 2027. The Company recorded additional stock compensation expense of $3,040,000 for the year ended December 31, 2017.2023 related to this modification. The Company collectedestimates the remaining subscription receivablefair value of $100,000 on April 10, 2018.the warrants issued using the Black-Scholes option pricing model and assumptions used in calculating the fair value represent management’s best estimates and involve inherent uncertainties and the application of management’s judgment.

The fair value of the warrants were estimated using the following assumptions:

  July 11,
2023
 
Exercise price $2.44 
Stock Price $1.28 
Term (in years)  4.04 
Volatility  115.59% -166.99%
Risk-free interest rate  4.52%
Dividend yield  0 

The following table summarizes the investor warrants activities for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 was as follows:

 

  Number of
warrants
  Weighted
Average
Exercise Price
  Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Term (years)
 
Outstanding, December 31, 2020  -   -   - 
Granted  50,000,000  $34.20   2.00 
Exercised  (30,560,000)  34.20   1.87 
Exercisable, December 31, 2021  19,440,000  $32.60   1.75 
Granted  4,000,000   2.44   2.00 
Exercised  (19,440,000)  32.60   0.75 
Outstanding, December 31, 2022  4,000,000  $2.44   1.68 
Outstanding, December 31, 2023  

4,000,000

  $

2.44

   

3.57

 
Exercisable, December 31, 2023  4,000,000  $2.44   3.57 


On September 25, 2017, the Company completed its initial public offering on the NASDAQ Capital Market under the symbol of “PETZ”. The Company offered 1,523,750 common shares at $4.25 per share. Net proceeds raised by the Company from the initial public offering amounted to $5,542,047 after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and other offering expenses. Out of the $5.5 million net proceeds, $500,000 was deposited into an escrow account to satisfy the initial $500,000 in potential indemnification obligations arising during an escrow period of two years following the closing date of September 25, 2017 and was presented as restricted cash, non-current.

Statutory reserve

 

As of the filing date, there is a total number of 9,423,750 common shares outstanding and 200,000,000 authorized. 

As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, the Company had statutory reserve in the amount of $160,014 and $140,570, respectively, representing Tiandihui’s statutory reserves. In accordance with the relevant laws and regulations of the PRC, Tiandihui, Chongai Jiujiu, Kangkang Development, Yichong and Lingchongthe Company’s PRC subsidiaries are required to set aside at least 10% of their respective after-tax net profits each year determined in accordance with PRC GAAP and if any, to fund the statutory reserve until the balance of the reserve reaches 50% of their respective registered capital. The statutory reserve is not distributable in the form of cash dividends and can be used to make up cumulative prior year losses. Chongai Jiujiu, Kangkang Development, Yichong and Lingchong did not make any appropriation toAs of December 31, 2022, the Company had statutory reserve in the amount of $160,014. In connection with the bankruptcy determination and disposition of Tiandihui as Chongai Jiujiu and Kangkang Development incurred losses and Yichong and Lingchong did not have any operations duringdisclosed in Note 4, the years endedprior year recorded statutory reserve of $160,014 was written off. As of December 31, 2017 and 2016.2023, the balance of statutory reserve was $0.

 

F-19Restricted net assets

Table

As a result of Contentsthe PRC laws and regulations, the PRC entities are restricted from transferring a portion of their net assets to the Company. Amounts restricted included additional paid-in capital and statutory reserves of the Company’s PRC subsidiaries.

In connection with the bankruptcy determination and disposition of Tiandihui as disclosed in Note 4, prior year restricted assets associated with Tiandihui were written off. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, total restricted net assets were $2,900,000 and $14,666,369, respectively.

Note 1113 – CONCENTRATIONS OF CREDIT RISK AND MAJOR CUSTOMERS

 

Customers

 

For the years ended December 31, 2017, 20162023, 2022 and 2015, customers accounting2021no single customer accounted for more than 10% or more of the Company’s net revenue, were as follows:

  For the Years Ended 
  December 31, 
Customer 2017  2016  2015 
          
Customer A  *%  12.00%  *%
Customer B  10.89%  12.67%  12.54%

*Less than 10%

respectively. As of December 31, 2017, Customer B,2023 and Customer F2022, no single customer accounted for 14.77% and 15.76%more than 10% of the Company’s total current outstanding accounts receivable balance, respectively.

 

As of December 31, 2016, Customer A and Customer C, accounted for 24.07% and 10.99% of the Company’s total current outstanding accounts receivable, respectively.

Suppliers

 

For the years ended December 31, 2017, 20162022, 2021 and 2015,2020, suppliers accounting for 10% or more of the Company’s purchase were as follows:

 

  For the Years Ended
December 31,
 
Supplier 2017  2016  2015 
Supplier A  10.65%  14.12%  * 
Supplier B  13.23%  13.39%  15.51%
  For the Years Ended December 31, 
Supplier 2023  2022  2021 
Supplier D  *%  *%  *%
Supplier E  *%  *%  *%
Supplier F  *%  *%  *%
Supplier G  *%  *%  35.57%
Supplier H  28.24%  28.29%  *%
Supplier I  26.58%  20.37%  *%
Supplier J  22.81%  18.61%  *%
Supplier K  15.98%  15.69%  *%

 

*Less than 10%

*Less than 10%

 

As of December 31, 2017 and 2016,2023, no supplier’s balancesingle supplier accounted for overmore than 10% of the Company’s total accounts payable and notespayable. As of December 31, 2022, Supplier G’s balance accounted for 39.87% of the Company’s total accounts payable.

 

F-20


Table of Contents

Note 1214SEGMENTALSEGMENT AND REVENUE ANALYSIS

 

The Companycompany is solelymainly engaged in the business of manufacturing and selling of pet food. Since the nature, the production processes and the marketing channelrestaurant operations.

An operating segment is a component of the productsCompany that engages in business activities from which it may earn revenues and incur expenses, and is identified on the basis of the internal financial reports that are substantially similar,provided to and regularly reviewed by the Company’s chief operating decision maker in order to allocate resources and assess performance of the segment.

In accordance with ASC 280, Segment Reporting, operating segments are defined as components of an enterprise about which separate financial information is available that is evaluated regularly by the chief operating decision maker (“CODM”), or decision making group, in deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing performance. The Company uses the “management approach” in determining reportable operating segments. The management approach considers the internal organization and reporting used by the Company’s chief operating decision maker for making operating decisions and assessing performance as the source for determining the Company’s reportable segments. Management, including the chief operating decision maker, reviews operation results by the revenue of different services. Based on management’s assessment, the Company is consideredhas determined that it has two operating segments as operating in a single reportable segment with revenues derived from multiple product lines, marketing channelsdefined by ASC 280, including petfood sales and countries. restaurant business operations.

Certain entity-wide disclosures relating to revenues for the years ended December 31, 2017, 20162023, 2022 and 20152021 are as follows:

 

  For the year ended December 31, 2023 
  Petfood
sales
  Restaurant
business
  Total 
Revenue from continuing operations $754  $3,175,055  $3,175,809 
Net (loss) income from continuing operations $(8,525,064)  (10,905) $(8,535,969)
Net loss from discontinued operations $(15,095,547)  -  $(15,095,547)
Total Net (loss) income $(23,620,611) $(10,905) $(23,631,516)
Depreciation and amortization $74,056  $4,210  $78,266 
Total assets $27,591,002  $1,310,395  $28,901,397 

  For the year ended December 31, 2022 
  Petfood
sales
  Restaurant
business
  Total 
Revenue from continuing operations $24,726  $3,074,007  $3,098,733 
Net (loss) income from continuing operations $1,089,347   104,720  $1,194,067 
Net loss from discontinued operations $(339,054)  -  $(339,054)
Total Net income $750,293  $104,720  $855,013 
Depreciation and amortization $62,164  $54,358  $116,522 
Total assets $34,480,238  $1,502,768  $36,513,397 

  For the year ended December 31, 2021 
  Petfood
sales
  Restaurant
business
  Total 
Revenue from continuing operations $474,632  $606,463  $1,081,095 
Net loss from continuing operations $(2,854,514) $(1,215,613) $(4,070,127)
Net loss from discontinued operations $(2,645,831) $-  $(2,645,831)
Total Net loss $(5,500,345) $(1,215,613) $(6,715,958)
Depreciation and amortization $395,094  $13,646  $408,740 
Total assets $26,969,867  $5,078,090  $32,047,957 


The net revenuesrevenue generated from different marketing channels consistconsists of the following:

 

 For the Years Ended 
 December 31,  For the Years Ended December 31, 
 2017  2016  2015  2023  2022  2021 
Overseas sales $21,190,063  $18,882,589  $13,987,822  $-   -   134,896 
Domestic sales  2,086,462   1,129,133   701,425   754   25,849   308,267 
Electronic commerce  5,734,121   4,461,504   1,645,765   -   -   34,590 
Restaurant revenue  3,175,055   3,074,007   606,463 
Less: Sale tax and addition  (31,135)  (29,490)  (22,738)  -   (1,123)  (3,121)
Total net revenues $28,979,511  $24,443,736  $16,312,274 
Total net revenue from continuing operations $3,175,809   3,098,733   1,081,095 

 

The net revenuesrevenue generated from different product lines areand services is set forth as following:

 

 For the Years Ended 
 December 31,  For the Years Ended December 31, 
 2017  2016  2015  2023  2022  2021 
Pet chews $9,614,426  $10,316,841  $6,581,597  $-   8,367   46,112 
Dried pet snacks  14,851,868   11,204,517   7,902,104   -   8,005   293,325 
Wet canned pet food  3,035,196   1,926,455   1,444,143 
Wet canned petfood  -   1,290   10,760 
Dental health snacks  856,875   606,648   321,711   -   550   6,127 
Baked pet biscuits  8,226   123,898   85,457   -   -   - 
Restaurant revenue  3,175,055   3,074,007   606,463 
Others  644,055   294,867   -   754   7,637   121,429 
Less: Sale tax and addition  (31,135)  (29,490)  (22,738)
Total net revenues $28,979,511  $24,443,736  $16,312,274 
Less: Sales tax and addition  -   (1,123)  (3,121)
Total net revenue from continuing operations $3,175,809   3,098,733   1,081,095 

 

The net revenuesrevenue generated from different countries areis set forth as following:

 

 For the Years Ended 
 December 31,  For the Years Ended December 31, 
 2017  2016  2015  2023  2022  2021 
South Korea $5,397,982  $5,299,721  $4,689,733  $-   -   37,320 
China  6,553,715   5,073,272   2,347,190   754   25,849   342,857 
United Kingdom  3,213,303   3,227,619   289,228   -   -   - 
Germany  3,585,535   3,204,314   3,309,266   -   -   - 
U.S.  3,175,055   3,074,007   606,463 
Other countries  10,260,111   7,668,300   5,699,595   -   -   97,576 
Less: Sale tax and addition  (31,135)  (29,490)  (22,738)
Total net revenues $28,979,511  $24,443,736  $16,312,274 
Less: Sales tax and addition  -   (1,123)  (3,121)
Total net revenue from continuing operations $3,175,809   3,098,733   1,081,095 

 

“Other countries” are comprised of all countries whose revenues,revenue, individually, werewas less than 10% of the Company’s total revenues.revenue.

 

All of theThe Company’s long-lived assets associated with restaurant business operations are located in the PRC.United States.


Note 15 – OPERATING LEASES

 

The company has signed one lease agreement for office premises and restaurant premises. On October 6, 2010, Far Ling Restaurant entered into a lease agreement with the landlord to lease the space for the restaurant for 15 years and six months, which can be renewed for 10 years.

On April 4, 2022, Far Ling signed supplemental lease agreement with the landlord to modify the lease agreement, with new lease terms expired by December 31, 2026, and monthly lease payment of $20,000 starting from Jan 2022.

As a result of this change, the lease agreement has been modified, which may have significant impact on the reported ROU assets and corresponding lease liability.

A lease modification is a change to the terms and conditions of a contract resulting in a change to either the scope or consideration for a lease. This could be a change that either adds or terminates the right to use a portion or all of the underlying asset(s) or changes the lease term. If the lease modification only partially reduces the lessee’s rights to the underlying asset(s), this is accounted for as a partial termination. In this scenario, the lease liability is remeasured based on the new payment terms, and the ROU asset is reduced based on either the proportionate change in the lease liability or the proportionate change in the asset.

As a result of the above mentioned lease modification, the remaining lease term of the Company’s leases ranges from approximately 3 years. The estimated effect of lease renewal and termination options, as applicable, was included in the consolidated financial statements in current period.

Other lease related expenses amounted to $60,975 for repair and maintenance, $4,680 for parking, and $92,686 for water utility for the year ended December 31, 2023.

The components of lease expense were as follows:

  For the Years Ended December 31, 
  2023  2022  2021 
Operating lease cost $212,480  $214,959  $85,481 
Short-term lease costs  -   -   - 
Total lease cost $212,480  $214,959  $85,481 

Supplemental cash flow information related to leases was as follows:

  For the Years Ended December 31, 
  2023  2022  2021 
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities:         
Operating cash flow from operating leases $240,000  $42,484  $10,075 
             
Weighted-average remaining lease term  3.0 years   4.0 years   14.2 years 
Weighted-average discount rate  3.50%  3.50%  3.75%


F-21

Table

Supplemental balance sheet information related to leases was as follows:

  As of December 31, 
  2023  2022 
Operating lease right-of-use assets $571,168  $783,658 
Total lease right-of-use assets  571,168   783,658 
         
Operating lease liabilities, current  219,917   212,814 
Operating lease liabilities, non-current  463,196   683,113 
Total operating lease liabilities $683,113  $895,927 

The following table summarizes the maturity of Contentsour operating lease liabilities as of December 31, 2023:

2024  240,000 
2025  240,000 
2026  240,000 
Total  720,000 
Less imputed interest  (36,887)
Total operating lease liabilities $683,113 

Note 1316 – COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

 

COMMITMENTS

The Company has entered into multiple lease agreementsprovides counter guarantee to Gaochuang including a cash deposit of RMB300,000 (approximately $43,075) and asset pledge of four invention patents and certain property, plant and equipment with net book value of $219,404 and $239,670 as of December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively, in consideration of the guarantees provided by Gaochuang for certain notes payables financed by the lease of premises for factory buildings, office spaces and warehouses. Also see Note 8 for operating leases with related parties.

Rental expense, including operating leases with related parties, forCompany during the years ended December 2017, 201631, 2019 and 20152018 (the “Counter Guarantee”). The Counter Guarantee arrangement further includes an unlimited joint liability guarantee provided by Rongfeng Cui and Yanjuan Wang, and a third party guarantee provided by Saike.

During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company did not make repayment on certain notes payables as scheduled, and Gaochuang, as one of the guarantors, paid on behalf of the Company to the holders of such notes payables. As a result, the unpaid notes payables were reclassified to loan payable to Gaochuang and the amount was $163,497, $161,136 and $95,843, respectively. The Company has future minimum lease obligationsincluded in “current liabilities held for sale associated with discontinued operation of Tiandihui” on the consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2017 as follows:2022 and 2021. The loan payable to Gaochuang was pledged and guaranteed by the aforementioned assets and guarantors, respectively, under the counter guarantee.

 

2018 $198,927 
2019  203,947 
2020  214,489 
2021  37,655 
2022  18,443 
Thereafter  92,217 
Total $765,678 

On December 27, 2023, the Court announced that the bankruptcy property distribution plan of Qingdao Tiandihui Foodstuffs Co., Ltd. had been implemented and the bankruptcy proceedings had completed. As a result, Tiandihui has been fully disposed as of December 31, 2023, and substantially all the material claims against Tiandihui that arose prior to the date of the bankruptcy completion were addressed, including the loan payable to Gaochuang.


CONTINGENCIES

 

From time to time, the Company is a party to various legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business. The Company accrues costs associated with these matters when they become probable and the amount can be reasonably estimated. Legal costs incurred in connection with loss contingencies are expensed as incurred.

Since November 2019, the Company has been involved in a number of claims pending in various courts, in arbitration, or otherwise unresolved as of December 31, 2022. These claims are substantially related to non-payment of wage payables, non-payment of vendor payables and non-payment of loans and notes payables. These legal proceedings led to, among others actions, certain of the Tianddihui’s bank accounts and property, plant and equipment judicially frozen by the court as of December 31, 2022 and 2021. On March 13, 2021, the land and factory buildings above the land owned by Tiandihui. were actioned by the court for $5,098,461 (RMB 33.14 million). In 2021, we paid RMB3.73 million to substantially settle the labor arbitration cases with our former employees, and certain proceeds were used to repay the bank loans. On March 16, 2022, the People’s Court of Huangdao District, Qingdao City, Shandong Province made a civil ruling and announced the acceptance of creditors’ application of bankruptcy liquidation of Tiandihui and it entered into bankruptcy proceedings. On December 27, 2023, the Court announced that the bankruptcy property distribution plan of Tiandihui was implemented and the bankruptcy proceedings were completed. As a result, Tiandihui has been fully disposed as of December 31, 2023, and s all the material claims against Tiandihui that arose prior to the date of the completion of it bankruptcy proceedings were resolved. However, we may be subject to claims that were not discharged in the bankruptcy proceedings, if any. To the extent any pre-bankruptcy liability still remains, the ultimate resolution of such claims and other obligations may have a material adverse effect on our future operating results, profitability and financial condition.

In addition, the Company has historically incurred losses and it is uncertain whether the Company may continue to incur losses in the future. As a result of the discontinued operations of the pet food business as disclosed above, if the Company is unable to successfully manage its restaurant business or acquire new business, the Company may be unable to sustain or increase its profitability in the future.

F-22

Note 1417SUBSEQUENT EVENTSSubsequent Events

 

Lease renewal

On January 1, 2018, the Company renewed a lease agreement with Rongfeng Cui to lease a 136.8 square meters office space, located at Room 722, Block B, World Trade Center, Hongkong Zhong Road, Shinan District, Qingdao City, Shandong Province, PRC. The lease starts from January 1, 2018 with a term of three years. The annual lease payment is RMB66,000 (approximately $10,000) and will increase at 6% each year starting from 2019.

On January 1, 2018, the Company renewed a lease agreement with Rongfeng Cui to lease a 133.19 square meters office located in Room 07E, Floor 7, Block B, Shilibao Jia #3, Chaoyang District, Beijing City, PRC. The lease starts from January 1, 2018 with a term of three years. The lease payment is RMB190,000 (approximately $28,000) and will increase at 6% each year starting from 2019.

On January 1, 2018, the Company renewed a lease agreement with Rongfeng Cui to lease a 406.97 square meters office located in Room 1902 - 1903, Financial Square, 215 Zhuhai East Road, Jiaonan District, Qingdao City, PRC. The lease starts from January 1, 2018 with a term of three years. The annual lease payment is RMB190,800 (approximately $28,000) and will increase at 6% each year starting from 2019.

On January 1, 2018, the Company renewed a lease agreement with Runrang Cui to lease a 2,000 square meters factory, located at Big Cuijiazhuang Village, Zhangjialou Town, Huangdao District, Qingdao City, Shandong Province, China. The lease starts from January 1, 2018 with a term of three years. The annual lease payment is RMB160,000 (approximately $24,000) and will increase 6% each year starting from 2019.

On March 16, 2018, the Company entered into a lease agreement to lease a 6,000 square meters warehouse in Qingdao City, PRC. The lease is valid from March 16, 2018 to March 15, 2021. The lease payment is RMB540,000 (approximately $80,000) for the year ended March 15, 2019, RMB570,000 (approximately $84,000) for the year ended March 15, 2020 and RMB600,000 (approximately $89,000) for the year ended March 15, 2021.

Investments in subsidiaries

On January 3, 2018, the Company established a wholly-owned subsidiary, Qingdao Lile Pet Foodstuffs Co., Ltd. (“Lile”) in Qingdao City, PRC.

On January 13, 2018, Shandong Tide Food Co., Ltd was established in Zhucheng City, PRC. The Company owns 37% equity interestevaluates subsequent events that have occurred after the balance sheet date but before the financial statements are issued. There are two types of subsequent events: (1) recognized, or those that provide additional evidence with respect to conditions that existed at the dates of the balance sheets, including the estimates inherent in this newly established company. Asthe process of filingpreparing financial statements, and (2) non-recognized, or those that provide evidence with respect to conditions that did not exist at the date of the register capitalbalance sheet but arose subsequent to that date. The Company has analyzed its operations subsequent to December 31, 2023 to the date these audited consolidated financial statements were issued, and has determined that it does not been paid.have any material events to disclose.

 

On February 2, 2018, the Company acquired 10% equity interest of Liujiayi Pet Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd. for a cash consideration of $79,436 (RMB500,000).

 

Subsequent borrowing and repaymentF-32

On January 15, 2018, the Company borrowed a one-year loan of $464,579 (RMB3,000,000) with annual interest rate of 3% from an individual.

On March 16, 2018, the Company repaid the loan of $307,390 (RMB2,000,000) to Postal Savings Bank - Qingdao Weihai Rd. Sub Branch. On March 21, 2018, the Company borrowed another one-year loan of $307,390 (RMB2,000,000) from the same bank with an interest rate of 6.96%. The loan was guaranteed by Rongfeng Cui and Yanjuan Wang.

F-23

 

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