Form F-3ASR
Table of Contents

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 4, 2013

 

Registration No. 333-            

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

Form F-3

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

Giant Interactive Group Inc.

 

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

Not Applicable

(Translation of Registrant’s name into English)

 

Cayman Islands   7389   N/A
(jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
 

(Primary Standard Industrial

Classification Code Number)

  (I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)

 

12/F, No.3 Building, 700 Yishan Road

Shanghai 200233

People’s Republic of China

(86-21) 3397-9999

(Address and telephone number of Registrant’s principal executive offices)

 

CT Corporation System

111 Eighth Avenue

New York, NY 10011

Telephone: (212) 894-8940

(Name, address, and telephone number of agent for service)

 

With copies to:

Portia Ku, Esq.

O’Melveny & Myers LLP

Plaza 66, 37th Floor

1266 Nanjing Road West

Shanghai 200040

People’s Republic of China

(86-21) 2307-7000

Fax (86-21) 2307-7300

 

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From time to time after the effective date of this registration statement.

If the only securities being registered on this form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box.  ¨

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

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

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

If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.C. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box.  x

If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.C. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box.  ¨

 

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

 

Title of each Class of
Securities to be Registered
  Amount
To Be Registered
 

Proposed Maximum

Offering Price

Per Unit

  Proposed Maximum
Aggregate
Offering Price
 

Amount of

Registration Fee

Ordinary Shares, par value US$0.0000002 per share

              (1)(2)               (1)(2)               (1)(2)               (3)

 

 

(1)   Not applicable pursuant to Form S-3 General Instruction II(F).
(2)   An indeterminate aggregate initial offering price or number or amount of Ordinary Shares is being registered as may from time to time be sold at indeterminate prices.
(3)   In accordance with Rule 456(b) and Rule 457(r), the registrant is deferring payment of all registration fees.

 

 

 


Table of Contents

Giant Interactive Group Inc.

 

Ordinary Shares

American Depositary Shares

 

 

 

This prospectus relates to the proposed sale from time to time by us or any selling shareholder of the ordinary shares or American Depositary Shares, or ADSs, of Giant Interactive Group Inc., at prices and on terms described in one or more supplements to this prospectus. We will not receive any proceeds from the ordinary shares or ADSs sold by any selling shareholder.

 

Our ADSs are listed on the New York Stock Exchange, or NYSE, under the symbol “GA.” Each ADS represents one ordinary shares, par value $0.0000002 per share. On June 3, 2013, the last reported sale price of our ordinary shares was $8.34 per share.

 

Each time we sell or any selling shareholder sells the securities, we will provide a supplement to this prospectus that contains specific information about the offering and the terms of the securities. The supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. We may also authorize one or more free writing prospectuses to be provided in connection with a specific offering. You should carefully read this prospectus, the applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectuses, as well as any documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement, before you invest in our securities.

 

We or any selling shareholder may offer the securities, through one or more underwriters, dealers and agents, or directly to one or more purchasers, or through a combination of these methods, on a continuous or delayed basis. The names of any underwriters will be included in the applicable prospectus supplement. See “Plan of Distribution.” If any underwriters, dealers or agents are involved in the sale of any of the securities, their names, and any applicable purchase price, fee, commission or discount arrangements between or among them, will be set forth, or will be calculable from the information set forth, in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

The securities covered by this prospectus may be sold at fixed prices, variable prices, market prices prevailing at the time of sale, prices related to those prevailing market prices or negotiated prices that may vary.

 

Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page 6.

 

 

 

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

The date of this prospectus is June 4, 2013.


Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

     Page

About this prospectus

   1

Our company

   2

Forward-looking statements

   5

Risk factors

   6

Use of proceeds

   7

Enforceability of civil liabilities

   8

Description of share capital

   9
     Page

Description of American Depositary Shares

   16

Plan of distribution

   26

Where you can find more information about us

   29

Incorporation of documents by reference

   30

Legal matters

   31

Experts

   31
 

 

 

 

You should rely only on the information contained in or incorporated by reference in this prospectus. Neither we nor the selling shareholders have authorized anyone to provide you with any other information. This prospectus may be used only where it is legal to sell securities. This document is not an offer to sell, or solicitation of an offer to buy, in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is prohibited. You should not assume that the information contained in this prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the date of this prospectus, or that information contained in any document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference is accurate as of any date other than the date of that document. Furthermore, you may not imply from the delivery of this prospectus, nor from a sale made under this prospectus, that our affairs are unchanged since the date of this prospectus.

 

i


Table of Contents

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

 

This prospectus is part of an “automatic shelf” registration statement that we filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, as a “well-known seasoned issuer” as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, using a “shelf” registration process. By using a shelf registration statement, we or any selling shareholder may offer and sell securities from time to time and in one or more offerings. Each time we or any selling shareholder sells securities, we will provide a supplement to this prospectus that contains specific information about the securities being offered and the specific terms of that offering. The supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. If there is any inconsistency between the information in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement, you should rely on the prospectus supplement. Before purchasing any securities, you should carefully read both this prospectus and any prospectus supplement, together with the additional information described under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information About Us” and “Incorporation of Documents by Reference.”

 

You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus and in any prospectus supplement. We have not authorized any other person to provide you with different information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. We will not make an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement is accurate as of the date on its respective cover, and that any information incorporated by reference is accurate only as of the date of the document incorporated by reference, unless we indicate otherwise. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates.

 

In this prospectus, unless the context requires otherwise, references to:

 

   

quarterly “average concurrent users,” or “ACU,” of any of our games is the average of monthly average concurrent users of such game during the quarterly period. For calculation of monthly average concurrent users, we first determine the number of users logged onto the game at five-minute intervals, and average that data over the course of a day to derive the daily average. The daily average data are then averaged over the monthly period to derive the monthly average concurrent users;

 

   

“ADRs” refers to American depositary receipts, which, if issued, evidence our ADSs;

 

   

“ADSs” refers to our American depositary shares, each of which represents one ordinary share;

 

   

“China” or “PRC” refers to the People’s Republic of China, excluding, for purposes of this prospectus only, Taiwan and the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau;

 

   

“ordinary shares” refers to our ordinary shares, par value $0.0000002 per share;

 

   

quarterly “peak concurrent users,” or “PCU,” of any of our games is the peak concurrent users of such game during the quarterly period;

 

   

all references to “Renminbi,” or “RMB,” are to the legal currency of China; all references to “U.S. dollars,” “dollars,” or “$” are to the legal currency of the United States;

 

   

“Selling shareholder” refers to one or more persons named in the section “Selling Shareholders” that currently hold(s) our ordinary shares or ADSs;

 

   

“US GAAP” refers to generally accepted accounting principles in the United States; and

 

   

“we,” “us,” “our company” and “our” refer to Giant Interactive Group Inc., and, unless the context requires otherwise, its predecessor entities and subsidiaries, and its consolidated affiliated entities.

 

1


Table of Contents

OUR COMPANY

 

We are a leading online game developer and operator in China. We focus on massively multiplayer online role playing games, or MMORPGs, which are played through networked game servers on which tens of thousands of players are able to simultaneously connect and interact. We commercially launched our first self-developed MMORPG, ZT Online, in January 2006. We now operate thirteen MMORPGs or other online games. Of these MMORPGs and other online games, ten are self-developed, including four games in the ZT Online franchise, which contributed to a substantial majority of our net revenues for the year ended December 31, 2012.

 

We believe that our success is largely attributable to our ability to internally develop, operate and market MMORPGs tailored to China’s “hardcore” game player audience, which we generally view as including players between the ages of 18 and 40. As of December 31, 2012, our game development team, including dedicated product development and enhancement teams for each of our games, consisted of a total of 914 members. Based on the R&D conducted by our development and enhancement team, we currently have three games in our game pipeline, which are anticipated to be launched in the second half of 2013.

 

In the second quarter of 2013, we conducted closed beta testing of our self-developed 3D MMORPG, World of Xianxia, after receiving positive results during the initial testing stages, which was also accompanied by a large scale marketing campaign. For the second half of 2013, we plan to conduct open beta testing for World of Xianxia and commence additional marketing campaigns. We anticipate that the game will generate additional net revenues in future periods.

 

In addition to MMORPG games which we believe will continue to account for a majority of our net revenues for the foreseeable future, we have expanded into developing webgames and mobile games. This is part of our strategy to diversify our game offerings as well as to capture the expected growth opportunities on games designed for mobile/tablet devices. While our webgames and mobile games currently do not account for a substantial portion of our net revenues, we believe these game segments are important to providing diversification and future growth potential. We launched one self-developed webgame on our business partner Qihoo 360’s webgame platform in the second quarter of 2013, and expect to distribute it through multiple webgame platforms in the coming quarters. We anticipate that we will launch another self-developed webgame in the third quarter of 2013. We also have built an in-house development team for mobile games and anticipate that we will launch one to two mobile games in the second half of 2013.

 

In addition to revenues generated through our own game operations in China, we also derive revenues from licensing our games to third party operators in other geographies, including Southeast Asia, South Korea, North America, Europe, Russia and other Russian speaking territories. In China, we licensed our ZT Online Green Edition to Tencent, Inc. for distribution within China, and licensed our micro-client version of ZT Online 2 to Qihoo 360 for operation on Qihoo 360’s game platform in China. We anticipate that we will continue to expand our game licensing channels in China as well as overseas markets through our relationships with third party operators in those geographies.

 

We have built nationwide distribution and marketing networks to sell and market our prepaid game cards and game points. As of December 31, 2012, our distribution network consisted of more than 100 non-exclusive regional distributors and reached over 99,000 retail outlets, including internet cafés, software stores, supermarkets, bookstores, newspaper stands and convenience stores located throughout China. We also sell game points through our official game website. In 2012, approximately 55% of our net revenues were derived from prepaid game cards sold through our distributors, with the remaining net revenues having been derived from direct sales through our official website. We expect direct sales through our website to continue to grow in 2013 due to increasing acceptance of online payment system by players.

 

In 2010, 2011, 2012 and the three months ended March 31, 2013, our net revenues were RMB1,332.8 million, RMB1,792.2 million, RMB2,152.0 million (US$346.5 million) and RMB572.8 million (US$92.2 million), respectively. Our net income for the same periods was RMB807.6 million,

 

2


Table of Contents

RMB906.4 million, RMB1,072.0 million (US$172.6 million) and RMB349.3 million (US$56.2 million) respectively. In each of 2010, 2011, 2012 and the three months ended March 31, 2013, the highest number of quarterly peak concurrent users we recorded for all of the games we operate in China were approximately 1,713,000, 2,339,000, 2,370,000 and 2,281,000, respectively, and the highest number of quarterly average concurrent users we recorded for all of the games we operate in China for the same periods were approximately 595,000, 642,000, 691,000 and 690,000, respectively.

 

We are currently in the process of licensing one to two MMORPG games from certain foreign game developers, which we anticipate will take approximately one year to localize and adjust before commercial launch. In addition, in May 2013, we entered into an investment commitment of US$20 million in Yunfeng Fund II, L.P., or Yunfeng Fund, a Cayman Islands exempted limited partnership, as part of our cash management measure. Yunfeng Fund will make equity and equity-related investments in companies with substantially all of their current and/or future businesses in Greater China, with a primary focus on companies in the telecommunications, technology and media, consumer products and healthcare industries. The initial term of the investment is 10 years after the final closing.

 

Our principal executive offices are located at 12/F No. 3 Building, 700 Yishan Road, Shanghai, 200233, People’s Republic of China. Our telephone number at this address is +86 21 3397-9999 and our fax number is +86 21 3397-9948.

 

3


Table of Contents

The following diagram illustrates our current corporate structure as of the date of this prospectus:

 

LOGO

 

4


Table of Contents

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

This prospectus, any accompanying prospectus supplement and the information incorporated herein and therein by reference may contain “forward-looking” statements that involve risks and uncertainties. All statements other than statements of historical facts are forward-looking statements based on our current expectations, assumptions, estimates and projections about us and our industry. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. In some cases, these forward-looking statements can be identified by words or phrases such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “aim,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “potential,” “continue,” “is/are likely to” or other similar expressions. The forward-looking statements included in this prospectus, any accompanying prospectus supplement and the information incorporated herein and therein by reference relate to, among other things:

 

   

our anticipated growth and marketing strategies;

 

   

our future business development, results of operations and financial condition;

 

   

our ability to develop and commercialize new online games, including our ability to manage our development expenses;

 

   

market acceptance of our online games;

 

   

our ability to introduce expansion packs and updates to our existing online games;

 

   

our ability to license our online games to third party operators;

 

   

our ability to manage our existing licensing arrangements, including our ability to anticipate and manage licensing fees;

 

   

competition from other online game developers and operators;

 

   

our ability to anticipate and manage internet access fees and server maintenance costs;

 

   

our intentions regarding management of our employees;

 

   

our ability to comply with regulation applying to online games;

 

   

our ability to effectively protect our existing and future intellectual property and not to infringe on the intellectual property of others;

 

   

our ability to expand our business through organic growth and strategic acquisitions;

 

   

fluctuations in general economic and business conditions in China; and

 

   

impact of the current worldwide economic crisis on our business.

 

These forward-looking statements involve various risks, assumptions and uncertainties. Although we believe that our expectations expressed in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot be certain that our expectations will materialize. Our actual results could be materially different from and worse than our expectations. Important risks and factors that could cause our actual results to be materially different from our expectations are generally set forth in the “Risk Factors” section and elsewhere in this prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus. The forward-looking statements made in this prospectus relate only to events or information as of the date on which the statements are made in this prospectus. Readers should read these statements in conjunction with the “Risk Factors” section of this prospectus.

 

All forward-looking statements included in this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement attributable to us or other parties or any person acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements contained or referred to in this section. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which the statements are made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

 

5


Table of Contents

RISK FACTORS

 

Please see the factors set forth under the heading “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors” in our most recently filed annual report on Form 20-F, which is incorporated in this prospectus by reference, as updated by our subsequent filings under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, and, if applicable, in any accompanying prospectus supplement before investing in any securities that may be offered pursuant to this prospectus.

 

6


Table of Contents

USE OF PROCEEDS

 

We intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of the securities as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. We will not receive proceeds from sales of securities by persons other than us except as may otherwise be stated in any applicable prospectus supplement.

 

7


Table of Contents

ENFORCEABILITY OF CIVIL LIABILITIES

 

We are a Cayman Islands company, and the majority of our assets and a large part of our operations are located outside of the United States. Substantially all of our current operations are conducted, and our operating assets are located, in the PRC. In addition, many of our directors and officers are nationals and/or residents of countries other than the United States. A substantial portion of the assets of these persons are located outside the United States. As a result, it may be difficult for you to effect service of process within the United States upon these persons. Even if you are successful in bringing an action of this kind, it may also be difficult for you to enforce in U.S. courts judgments obtained in U.S. courts based on the civil-liability provisions of the U.S. federal securities laws against us and our officers and directors, most of whom are not resident in the United States and the substantial majority of whose assets are located outside of the United States.

 

We have appointed CT Corporation System as our agent to receive service of process with respect to any action brought against us in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York under the federal securities laws of the United States or of any State of the United States or any action brought against us in the Supreme Court of the State of New York in the County of New York under the securities laws of the State of New York.

 

Conyers Dill & Pearman (Cayman) Limited, our counsel as to Cayman Islands law, and Grandall Law Firm (Shanghai), our counsel as to PRC law, have advised us, respectively, that there is uncertainty as to whether the courts of the Cayman Islands and China, respectively, would:

 

   

recognize or enforce judgments of United States courts obtained against us or our directors or officers predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the securities laws of the United States or any state in the United States; or

 

   

entertain original actions brought in each respective jurisdiction against us or our directors or officers predicated upon the securities laws of the United States or any state in the United States.

 

Conyers Dill & Pearman (Cayman) Limited has further advised us that a final and conclusive judgment in the federal or state court of the United States under which a sum of money is payable, other than a sum payable in respect of taxes, fines, penalties or similar charges, may be subject to enforcement proceedings as a debt in the courts of the Cayman Islands under the common law doctrine of obligation provided that (a) such federal or state court of the United States had proper jurisdiction over the parties subject to such judgment; (b) such federal or state court of the United States did not contravene the rules of natural justice of the Cayman Islands; (c) such judgment was not obtained by fraud; (d) the enforcement of the judgment would not be contrary to the public policy of the Cayman Islands; (e) no new admissible evidence relevant to the action is submitted prior to the rendering of the judgment by the courts of the Cayman Islands; and (f) there is due compliance with the correct procedures under the laws of the Cayman Islands.

 

Grandall Law Firm (Shanghai) has advised us that the recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments are provided for under the PRC Civil Procedure Law. PRC courts may recognize and enforce foreign judgments in accordance with the requirements of the PRC Civil Procedure Law based either on treaties between China and the country where the judgment is made or on principle of reciprocity between jurisdictions. Grandall Law Firm (Shanghai) has further advised us that under PRC law, a foreign judgment, which does not otherwise violate basic legal principles, state sovereignty, safety or social public interest, may be recognized and enforced by a PRC court, based either on treaties between China and the country where the judgment is made or on reciprocity between jurisdictions. As there currently exists no treaty or other form of reciprocity between China and the United States governing the recognition of judgments, including those predicated upon the liability provisions of the U.S. federal securities laws, there is uncertainty whether and on what basis a PRC court would enforce judgments rendered by U.S. courts.

 

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

 

8


Table of Contents

DESCRIPTION OF SHARE CAPITAL

 

We were incorporated as Giant Interactive Group Inc. in the Cayman Islands on July 26, 2006, an exempted company with limited liability under the Companies Law, or the Companies Law, of the Cayman Islands. Our shareholders who are non-residents of the Cayman Islands may freely hold and vote their shares. A Cayman Islands exempted company:

 

   

is a company that conducts its business outside of the Cayman Islands;

 

   

is exempted from certain requirements of the Companies Law, including a filing of an annual return of its shareholders with the Registrar of Companies or the Immigration Board;

 

   

does not have to make its register of shareholders open to inspection; and

 

   

may obtain an undertaking against the imposition of any future taxation.

 

Our authorized share capital consists of 500,000,000 ordinary shares with a par value of $0.0000002 each. As of March 31, 2013, we had 239,393,572 ordinary shares outstanding.

 

The following summarizes the terms and provisions of our share capital, as well as the material applicable laws of the Cayman Islands. This summary is incomplete, and you should read the form of our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association which was filed as an exhibit to our F-1 registration statement (File No. 333-146681) on October 26, 2007. The following discussion primarily concerns ordinary shares and the rights of holders of ordinary shares. ADSs holders are not treated as our shareholders and are required to surrender their ADSs for cancellation and withdrawal from the depositary facility in which the ordinary shares are held in order to exercise shareholders’ rights in respect of the ordinary shares. The depositary agrees, so far as it is practical, to vote or cause to be voted the amount of ordinary shares represented by ADSs in accordance with the non-discretionary written instructions of the holders of such ADSs.

 

Meetings

 

Subject to our regulatory requirements, an annual general meeting and any extraordinary general meeting is called by not less than 10 clear days’ notice in writing. Notice of every general meeting is given to all of our shareholders other than that, under the provisions of our amended and restated articles of association or the terms of issue of the shares they hold, are not entitled to receive such notices from us, and also to all persons entitled to a share in consequence of the death or bankruptcy or winding-up of a shareholder and to each of the directors and the our principal external auditors. Extraordinary general meetings are called only by the chairman of our board of directors or a majority of our board of directors, and may not be called by any other person. All business is deemed special that is transacted at an extraordinary general meeting, and also all business that is transacted at an annual general meeting other than with respect to (i) the declaration and sanctioning of dividends, (ii) consideration and adoption of the accounts and balance sheet and the reports of the directors and auditors and other documents required to be annexed to the balance sheet, (iii) the election of directors, (iv) appointment of auditors (where special notice of the intention for such appointment is not required by the Companies Law) and other officers, (v) the fixing of the remuneration of the auditors, and the voting of remuneration or extra remuneration to the directors, (vi) the granting of any mandate or authority to the directors to offer, allot, grant options over or otherwise dispose of the unissued shares in the capital of our company representing not more than 20% in nominal value of its existing issued share capital, and (vii) the granting of any mandate or authority to the directors to repurchase our securities.

 

Subject to applicable regulatory requirements, a meeting called by shorter notice is deemed to have been duly called, if it is so agreed (i) in the case of a meeting called as an annual general meeting, by all of our shareholders entitled to attend and vote at the meeting, or (ii) in the case of any other meeting, by a majority in number of our shareholders having a right to attend and vote at the meeting, being a majority together holding not less than 95% in nominal value of the ordinary shares giving that right.

 

9


Table of Contents

At any general meeting, two shareholders entitled to vote and present in person or by proxy, or in the case of a shareholder being a corporation by its duly authorized representative, collectively that represent not less than one-third of our issued and outstanding voting shares constitutes a quorum. No business other than the appointment of a chairman may be transacted at any general meeting unless a quorum is present at the commencement of business. However, the absence of a quorum does not preclude the appointment of a chairman. If present, the chairman of our board of directors is the chairman presiding at any shareholders meetings.

 

A corporation being a shareholder is deemed to be present in person if represented by its duly authorized representative being the person appointed by resolution of the directors or other governing body of such corporation to act as its representative at the relevant general meeting or at any relevant general meeting of any class of our shareholders. Such duly authorized representative is entitled to exercise the same powers on behalf of the corporation which he represents as that corporation could exercise if it were our individual shareholder.

 

The quorum for a separate general meeting of the holders of a separate class of shares is described in “—Modification of Rights.”

 

Voting Rights Attaching to the Shares

 

All of our shareholders have the right to receive notice of shareholders’ meetings and to attend, speak and vote at such meetings. In respect of matters requiring shareholders’ vote, each ordinary share is entitled to one vote. A shareholder may participate at a shareholders’ meeting in person or by proxy. A resolution put to the vote of a meeting is decided on a show of hands unless voting by way of a poll that is required by the rules of the NYSE or (before or on the declaration of the result of the show of hands or on the withdrawal of any other demand for a poll) a poll is demanded (i) by the chairman of such meeting, (ii) by at least three shareholders present in person or in the case of a shareholder being a corporation by its duly authorized representative or by proxy for the time being entitled to vote at the meeting, (iii) by a shareholder or shareholders present in person or in the case of a shareholder being a corporation by its duly authorized representative or by proxy and representing not less than one-tenth of the total voting rights of all shareholders having the right to vote at the meeting, (iv) by a shareholder or shareholders present in person or in the case of a shareholder being a corporation by its duly authorized representative or by proxy and holding shares in our company conferring a right to vote at the meeting being shares on which an aggregate sum has been paid up equal to not less than one-tenth of the total sum paid up on all shares conferring that right, or (v) if required by the rules of NYSE, by any director or directors who, individually or collectively, hold proxies in respect of shares representing five per cent (5%) or more of the total voting rights at such meeting.

 

No shareholder is entitled to vote or be counted in a quorum, in respect of any share, unless such shareholder is registered as our shareholder at the applicable record date for that meeting and all calls or installments due by such shareholder to us have been paid.

 

If a clearing house (or its nominee(s)), being a corporation, is our shareholder, it may authorize such person or persons as it thinks fit to act as its representative(s) at any meeting or at any meeting of any class of shareholders, provided that the authorization shall specify the number and class of shares in respect of which each such person is so authorized. Each person so authorized pursuant to this provision is deemed to have been duly authorized without further evidence of the facts and is entitled to exercise the same rights and powers on behalf of the recognized clearing house (or its nominee(s)) as if such person was the registered holder of our shares held by that clearing house (or its nominee(s)) including the right to vote individually on a show of hands.

 

While there is nothing under the laws of the Cayman Islands specifically prohibiting or restricting the creation of cumulative voting rights for the election of our directors, unlike the requirement under Delaware General Corporation Law where cumulative voting for the election of directors is permitted only if expressly authorized in the certificate of incorporation, it is not a concept that is accepted as a common practice in the Cayman Islands, and we have made no provisions in our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association to allow cumulative voting for such elections.

 

10


Table of Contents

Protection of Minority Shareholders

 

The Grand Court of the Cayman Islands may, on the application of shareholders holding not less than one fifth of our shares in issue, appoint an inspector to examine our affairs and report thereon in a manner as the Grand Court shall direct. Any shareholder may petition the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands which may make a winding up order, if the court is of the opinion that it is just and equitable that we should be wound up. Claims against us by our shareholders must, as a general rule, be based on the general laws of contract or tort applicable in the Cayman Islands or their individual rights as shareholders as established by our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association.

 

The Cayman Islands courts ordinarily would be expected to follow English case law precedents which permit a minority shareholder to commence a representative action against, or derivative actions in our name to challenge (i) an act which is ultra vires or illegal, (ii) an act which constitutes a fraud against the minority and the wrongdoers are themselves in control of us, and (iii) an irregularity in the passing of a resolution which requires a qualified (or special) majority.

 

Pre-emption Rights

 

There are no pre-emption rights applicable to the issue of new shares under either Cayman Islands law or our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association.

 

Liquidation Rights

 

Subject to any special rights, privileges or restrictions as to the distribution of available surplus assets on liquidation for the time being attached to any class or classes of shares (i) if we are wound up and the assets available for distribution among our shareholders are more than sufficient to repay the whole of the capital paid up at the commencement of the winding up, the excess shall be distributed pari passu among those shareholders in proportion to the amount paid up at the commencement of the winding up on the shares held by them, respectively, and (ii) if we are wound up and the assets available for distribution among the shareholders as such are insufficient to repay the whole of the paid-up capital, those assets shall be distributed so that, as nearly as may be, the losses shall be borne by the shareholders in proportion to the capital paid up at the commencement of the winding up on the shares held by them, respectively.

 

If we are wound up, the liquidator may with the sanction of our special resolution and any other sanction required by the Companies Law, divide among our shareholders in specie or kind the whole or any part of our assets (whether they shall consist of property of the same kind or not) and may, for such purpose, set such value as the liquidator deems fair upon any property to be divided and may determine how such division shall be carried out as between the shareholders or different classes of shareholders. The liquidator may also vest any part of these assets in trustees upon such trusts for the benefit of the shareholders as the liquidator shall think fit, but so that no shareholder will be compelled to accept any assets, shares or other securities upon which there is a liability.

 

Modification of Rights

 

Except with respect to share capital (as described below), alterations or amendments to our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association may only be made by special resolution of no less than two-thirds of votes cast at a meeting of the shareholders. Subject to the Companies Law of the Cayman Islands, all or any of the special rights attached to shares of any class (unless otherwise provided for by the terms of issue of the shares of that class) may be varied, modified or abrogated with the sanction of a special resolution passed at a separate general meeting of the holders of the shares of that class. The provisions of our amended and restated articles of association relating to general meetings shall apply similarly to every such separate general meeting, but so that the quorum for the purposes of any such separate general meeting or at its adjourned meeting shall be one person holding (or represented by proxy) at least one-third of the issued shares of that class. Any holder of shares of the class shall be entitled to demand a poll.

 

11


Table of Contents

The rights conferred upon the holders of the shares of any class issued with preferred or other rights shall not, unless otherwise expressly provided by the terms of issue of such shares, be deemed to be varied by the creation or issue of further shares ranking in priority to or pari passu therewith.

 

Alteration of Capital

 

Pursuant to our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, we may from time to time by ordinary resolution:

 

   

increase our capital by such sum, to be divided into shares of such amounts, as the resolution shall prescribe;

 

   

consolidate and divide all or any of our capital into shares of larger amount than our existing shares;

 

   

without prejudice to the powers of the board, divide its shares into several classes and without prejudice to any special rights previously conferred on the holders of existing shares attach thereto respectively any preferential, deferred, qualified or special rights, privileges, conditions or such restrictions which in the absence of any such determination by us in general meeting, as the directors may determine provided always that, for the avoidance of doubt, where a class of shares has been authorized by us no resolution in general meeting is required for the issuance of shares of that class and the directors may issue shares of that class and determine such rights, privileges, conditions or restrictions attaching thereto as aforesaid, and further provided that where we issue shares which do not carry voting rights, the words “non-voting” shall appear in the designation of such shares and where the equity capital includes shares with different voting rights, the designation of each class of shares, other than those with the most favorable voting rights, must include the words “restricted voting” or “limited voting”;

 

   

sub-divide its existing shares, or any of them into shares of a smaller amount; and

 

   

cancel any shares which, at the date of the passing of the resolution, have not been taken or agreed to be taken by any person and diminish the amount of its share capital by the amount of the shares so cancelled.

 

We may, by special resolution, reduce our share capital and any capital redemption reserve in any manner authorized by law.

 

Transfer of Shares

 

Subject to any applicable restrictions set forth in our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, our shareholders may transfer all or any of their shares by an instrument of transfer in the usual or common form or in a form prescribed by the NYSE or in any other form which our directors may approve.

 

The board may, in its absolute discretion, and without giving any reason therefor, refuse to register a transfer of any share (not being a fully paid up share) to a person of whom it does not approve, or any share issued under any share incentive scheme for employees upon which a restriction on transfer imposed thereby still subsists, and it may also, without prejudice to the foregoing generality, refuse to register a transfer of any share to more than four joint holders or a transfer of any share (not being a fully paid up share) on which we have a lien. If the board refuses to register a transfer of any share, it shall, within two months after the date on which the transfer was lodged with us, send to each of the transferor and transferee notice of the refusal.

 

The instrument of transfer of any share shall be in writing and executed by or on behalf of the transferor and shall be accompanied by the certificate of the shares to which it relates and such other evidence as our directors may reasonably require to show the right of the transferor to make the transfer. The transferor shall be deemed to remain a holder of the share until the name of the transferee is entered in our register of members in respect thereof. All instruments of transfer that shall be registered shall be retained by us.

 

Share Repurchase

 

We are empowered by the Companies Law and our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association to purchase our own shares, subject to certain restrictions. Our directors may only exercise this power

 

12


Table of Contents

on our behalf, subject to the Companies Law, our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association and to any applicable requirements imposed from time to time by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, the NYSE, or by any recognized stock exchange on which our securities are listed.

 

Dividends

 

Subject to any rights and restrictions for the time being attached to any class or classes of shares and our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, our directors may from time to time declare dividends (including interim dividends) and other distributions on shares in issue and authorize payment of the same out of our funds lawfully available therefor.

 

Subject to any rights and restrictions for the time being attached to any class or classes of shares and our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, our shareholders by ordinary resolution may declare dividends, but no dividend may exceed the amount recommended by our directors.

 

Our directors may, before recommending or declaring any dividend, set aside out of the funds legally available for distribution such sums as they think proper as a reserve or reserves which shall, at the discretion of our directors be applicable for meeting contingencies, or for equalizing dividends or for any other purpose to which those funds be properly applied and pending such application may, at the like discretion, either be employed in our business or be invested in such investments as our directors may from time to time think fit.

 

Any dividend may be paid by check or warrant sent through the post to the registered address of the shareholder or person entitled thereto, or in the case of joint holders, to any one of such joint holders at his registered address or to such person and such address as the shareholder or person entitled, or such joint holders as the case may be, may direct. Every such check or warrant is made payable to the order of the person to whom it is sent or to the order of such other person as the shareholder or person entitled, or such joint holders as the case may be, may direct.

 

Our directors when paying dividends to the shareholders in accordance with the foregoing may make such payment either in cash or in specie. No dividend may be paid otherwise than out of profits or, subject to the restrictions of the Companies Law, the share premium account. Subject to the rights of persons, if any, entitled to shares with special rights as to dividends, all dividends are declared and paid according to the amounts paid or credited as fully paid on the shares, but if and so long as nothing is paid up on any of our shares dividends can be declared and paid according to the amounts of the shares. No amount paid on a share in advance of calls shall, while carrying interest, be treated as paid on the share. If several persons are registered as joint holders of any share, any of them may give effectual receipts for any dividend or other moneys payable on or in respect of the share. No dividend shall bear interest against us.

 

Untraceable Shareholders

 

We are entitled to sell any shares of a shareholder who is untraceable, provided that:

 

(i) all checks or warrants in respect of dividends of such shares, not being less than three in total number, for any sum payable in cash to the holder of such shares in respect of them sent during the relevant period in the manner authorized by our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association have remained uncashed;

 

(ii) we have not during that time received any indication of the whereabouts or existence of the shareholder or person entitled to such shares by death, bankruptcy or operation of law; and

 

(iii) we have caused an advertisement to be published in newspapers in the manner stipulated by our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, giving notice of our intention to sell these shares, and a period of three months has elapsed since such advertisement.

 

The net proceeds of any such sale shall belong to us, and when we receive these net proceeds we shall become indebted to the former shareholder for an amount equal to such net proceeds.

 

13


Table of Contents

Differences in Corporate Law

 

The Companies Law is modeled after similar laws in the United Kingdom but does not follow recent changes in English law. In addition, the Companies Law differs from laws applicable to U.S. corporations and their shareholders. Set forth below is a summary of the significant differences between the provisions of the Companies Law applicable to us and the laws applicable to companies incorporated in the State of Delaware.

 

Mergers and Similar Arrangements. The Companies Law permits mergers and consolidations between Cayman Islands companies and between Cayman Islands companies and non-Cayman Islands companies. In order to effect a merger or consolidation, the directors of each constituent company must approve a written plan of merger or consolidation, which must then be authorized by a special resolution of the shareholders of each constituent company voting together as one class if the shares to be issued to each shareholder in the consolidated or surviving company will have the same rights and economic value as the shares held in the relevant constituent company. The plan of merger or consolidation must be filed with the Registrar of Companies together with a declaration as to the solvency of the consolidated or surviving company, a list of the assets and liabilities of each constituent company and an undertaking that a copy of the certificate of merger or consolidation will be given to the members and creditors of each constituent company and published in the Cayman Islands Gazette. Dissenting shareholders have the right to be paid the fair value of their shares (which, if not agreed between the parties, will be determined by the Cayman Islands court) if they follow the required procedures, subject to certain exceptions. Court approval is not required for a merger or consolidation which is effected in compliance with these statutory procedures.

 

In addition, there are statutory provisions that facilitate the reconstruction and amalgamation of companies, provided that the arrangement is approved by a majority in number of each class of shareholders and creditors with whom the arrangement is to be made, and who must in addition represent three-fourths in value of each such class of shareholders or creditors, as the case may be, that are present and voting either in person or by proxy at a meeting, or meetings, convened for that purpose. The convening of the meetings and subsequently the arrangement must be sanctioned by the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands. While a dissenting shareholder has the right to express to the court the view that the transaction ought not to be approved, the court can be expected to approve the arrangement if it determines that:

 

   

the company is not proposing to act illegally or beyond the scope of its authority and the statutory provisions as to majority vote have been complied with;

 

   

the shareholders have been fairly represented at the meeting in question;

 

   

the arrangement is such that a businessman would reasonably approve; and

 

   

the arrangement is not one that would more properly be sanctioned under some other provision of the Companies Law or that would amount to a “fraud on the minority.”

 

When a take-over offer is made and accepted by holders of 90% of the shares within four months, the offeror may, within a two month period, require the holders of the remaining shares to transfer such shares on the terms of the offer. An objection can be made to the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands but this is unlikely to succeed unless there is evidence of fraud, bad faith or collusion.

 

If the arrangement and reconstruction is thus approved, the dissenting shareholder would have no rights comparable to appraisal rights, which would otherwise ordinarily be available to dissenting shareholders of United States corporations, providing rights to receive payment in cash for the judicially determined value of the shares.

 

Shareholders’ Suits. We are not aware of any reported class action or derivative action having been brought in a Cayman Islands court. In principle, we will normally be the proper plaintiff and a derivative action may not

 

14


Table of Contents

be brought by a minority shareholder. However, based on English authorities, which would in all likelihood be of persuasive authority in the Cayman Islands, exceptions to the foregoing principle apply in circumstances in which:

 

   

a company is acting or proposing to act illegally or beyond the scope of its authority;

 

   

the act complained of, although not beyond the scope of its authority, could be effected duly if authorized by more than a simple majority vote which has not been obtained; and

 

   

those who control the company are perpetrating a “fraud on the minority.”

 

Corporate Governance. Cayman Islands laws do not restrict transactions with directors, requiring only that directors exercise a duty of care and owe a fiduciary duty to the companies for which they serve. Under our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, subject to any separate requirement for audit committee approval under the applicable rules of NYSE or unless disqualified by the chairman of the relevant board meeting, so long as a director discloses the nature of his interest in any contract or arrangement which he is interested in, such a director may vote in respect of any contract or proposed contract or arrangement in which such director is interested and may be counted in the quorum at such meeting.

 

Board of Directors

 

We are managed by our board of directors. Under our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, we shall have no less than two (2) directors. Our board of directors currently consists of six directors. Any change in the number of directors may be made from time to time by an ordinary resolution of our shareholders. The directors are elected or appointed in accordance with our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association and hold office until their successors are elected or appointed. At any time prior to the expiration of their term, our directors may be removed only by way of an ordinary resolution of our shareholders. Subject to our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association and the Companies Law, we may by ordinary resolution, elect any person to be a director either to fill a casual vacancy or as an addition to the existing board. The directors by the affirmative vote of a simple majority of the remaining directors present and voting at a board meeting, even though less than a quorum, or the sole remaining director, have the power from time to time and at any time to appoint any person as a director to fill a casual vacancy on the board or as an addition to the existing board. Any director so appointed by the board shall hold office only until the next following annual general meeting and shall then be eligible for re-election. A vacancy on the board created by the removal of a director may only be filled by an ordinary resolution at a meeting of our shareholders at which such director is removed or by the remaining directors present and voting at a board meeting.

 

Meetings of our board of directors may be convened at any time deemed necessary by our secretary on request of a director or by any director. A meeting of our board of directors is competent to make lawful and binding decisions if at least two of the members of our board of directors are present or represented unless the board has fixed any other number. At any meeting of our directors, each director is entitled to one vote. Questions arising at a meeting of our board of directors are required to be decided by simple majority votes of the members of our board of directors present or represented at the meeting. In the case of a tie vote, the chairman of the meeting has a second or deciding vote. Our board of directors may also pass resolutions without a meeting by unanimous written consent.

 

Committees of Board of Directors

 

Pursuant to our amended and restated articles of association, our board of directors has established an audit committee, a compensation committee, corporate governance and a nominations committee.

 

Issuance of Additional Ordinary Shares or Preference Shares

 

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

 

15


Table of Contents

DESCRIPTION OF AMERICAN DEPOSITARY SHARES

 

American Depositary Shares

 

Citibank, N.A. is the depositary bank for the American Depositary Shares. Citibank, N.A.’s depositary offices are located at 388 Greenwich Street, 14th Floor, New York, New York 10013, U.S.A. American Depositary Shares are frequently referred to as “ADSs” and represent rights and interests in securities that are on deposit with the depositary bank. ADSs may be represented by certificates that are commonly known as “American Depositary Receipts” or “ADRs.” The depositary bank typically appoints a custodian to safekeep the securities on deposit. In this case, the custodian is Citibank Hong Kong, located at 10/F, Harbour Front (II), 22, Tak Fung Street, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong.

 

We appointed Citibank, N.A. as depositary bank pursuant to a deposit agreement. A copy of the deposit agreement is on file with the SEC under cover of a Registration Statement on Form F-6. You may obtain a copy of the deposit agreement from the SEC’s Public Reference Room at Headquarters Office, 100 F Street, N.E., Room 1580, Washington, D.C. 20549 and from the SEC’s website (http://www.sec.gov). Please refer to Registration Number 333-146776 when retrieving such copy.

 

We are providing you with a summary description of the material terms of the ADSs and of your material rights as an owner of ADSs. Please remember that summaries by their nature lack the precision of the information summarized and that a holder’s rights and obligations as an owner of ADSs will be determined by reference to the terms of the deposit agreement and not by this summary. We urge you to review the deposit agreement in its entirety.

 

Each ADS represents the right to receive one ordinary share on deposit with the custodian. An ADS will also represent the right to receive any other property, securities or cash received by the depositary bank or the custodian on behalf of the owner of the ADS but that has not been distributed to the owners of ADSs.

 

If you become an owner of ADSs, you will become a party to the deposit agreement and therefore will be bound to its terms and to the terms of the ADR that represents your ADSs. The deposit agreement and the ADR specify our rights and obligations as well as your rights and obligations as owner of ADSs and those of the depositary bank. As an ADS holder you appoint the depositary bank to act on your behalf in certain circumstances. The deposit agreement and the ADRs are governed by New York law. However, our obligations to the holders of ordinary shares will continue to be governed by the laws of the Cayman Islands which may be different from the laws of the United States.

 

As an owner of ADSs, you may hold your ADSs either by means of an ADR registered in your name, through a brokerage or safekeeping account, or through an account established by the depositary bank in your name reflecting the registration of uncertificated ADSs directly on the books of the depositary bank (commonly referred to as the “direct registration system” or “DRS”). The direct registration system reflects the uncertificated (book-entry) registration of ownership of ADSs by the depositary bank. Under the direct registration system, ownership of ADSs is evidenced by periodic statements issued by the depositary bank to the holders of the ADSs. The direct registration system includes automated transfers between the depositary bank and The Depository Trust Company, or DTC, the central book-entry clearing and settlement system for equity securities in the United States. If you decide to hold your ADSs through your brokerage or safekeeping account, you must rely on the procedures of your broker or bank to assert your rights as an ADS owner. Banks and brokers typically hold securities such as ADSs through clearing and settlement systems such as DTC. The procedures of such clearing and settlement systems may limit your ability to exercise your rights as an owner of ADSs. Please consult with your broker or bank if you have any questions concerning these limitations and procedures. This summary description assumes you have opted to own the ADSs directly by means of an ADS registered in your name and, as such, we will refer to you as the “holder.” When we refer to “you,” we assume the reader owns ADSs and will own ADSs at the relevant time.

 

16


Table of Contents

Dividends and Distributions

 

As a holder, you generally have the right to receive the distributions we make on the securities deposited with the custodian bank. Your receipt of these distributions may be limited, however, by practical considerations and legal limitations. Holders will receive such distributions under the terms of the deposit agreement in proportion to the number of ADSs held as of a specified record date.

 

Distributions of Cash

 

Whenever we make a cash distribution for the securities on deposit with the custodian, we will deposit the funds with the custodian. Upon receipt of confirmation of the deposit of the requisite funds, the depositary bank will arrange for the funds to be converted into U.S. dollars and for the distribution of the U.S. dollars to the holders, subject to the laws of the Cayman Islands and regulations.

 

The conversion into U.S. dollars will take place only if practicable and if the U.S. dollars are transferable to the United States. The amounts distributed to holders will be net of the taxes, duties and governmental charges payable by holders under the terms of the deposit agreement. The depositary will apply the same method for distributing the proceeds of the sale of any property (such as undistributed rights) held by the custodian in respect of securities on deposit.

 

Distributions of Shares

 

Whenever we make a free distribution of ordinary shares for the securities on deposit with the custodian, we will deposit the applicable number of shares with the custodian. Upon receipt of confirmation of such deposit, the depositary bank will either distribute to holders new ADSs representing the ordinary shares deposited or modify the ADS-to-ordinary shares ratio, in which case each ADS you hold will represent rights and interests in the additional shares so deposited. Only whole new ADSs will be distributed. Fractional entitlements will be sold and the proceeds of such sale will be distributed as in the case of a cash distribution.

 

The distribution of new ADSs or the modification of the ADS-to-ordinary shares ratio upon a distribution of shares will be made net of the fees, expenses, taxes and charges payable by holders under the terms of the deposit agreement. In order to pay such taxes or charges, the depositary bank may sell all or a portion of the new shares so distributed.

 

No such distribution of new ADSs will be made if it would violate a law (i.e., the U.S. securities laws) or if it is not operationally practicable. If the depositary bank does not distribute new ADSs as described above, it may sell the ordinary shares received upon the terms described in the deposit agreement and will distribute the proceeds of the sale as in the case of a distribution of cash.

 

Distributions of Rights

 

Whenever we intend to distribute rights to purchase additional ordinary shares, we will give prior notice to the depositary bank and we will assist the depositary bank in determining whether it is lawful and reasonably practicable to distribute rights to purchase additional ADSs to holders.

 

The depositary bank will establish procedures to distribute rights to purchase additional ADSs to holders and to enable such holders to exercise such rights if it is lawful and reasonably practicable to make the rights available to holders of ADSs, and if we provide all of the documentation contemplated in the deposit agreement (such as opinions to address the lawfulness of the transaction). You may have to pay fees, expenses, taxes and other governmental charges to subscribe for the new ADSs upon the exercise of your rights. The depositary bank is not obligated to establish procedures to facilitate the distribution and exercise by holders of rights to purchase new ordinary shares other than in the form of ADSs.

 

17


Table of Contents

The depositary bank will not distribute the rights to you if:

 

   

We do not timely request that the rights be distributed to you or we request that the rights not be distributed to you; or

 

   

We fail to deliver satisfactory documents to the depositary bank; or

 

   

It is not reasonably practicable to distribute the rights.

 

The depositary bank will sell the rights that are not exercised or not distributed if such sale is lawful and reasonably practicable. The proceeds of such sale will be distributed to holders as in the case of a cash distribution. If the depositary bank is unable to sell the rights, it will allow the rights to lapse.

 

Elective Distributions

 

Whenever we intend to distribute a dividend payable at the election of shareholders either in cash or in additional shares, we will give prior notice thereof to the depositary bank and will indicate whether we wish the elective distribution to be made available to you. In such case, we will assist the depositary bank in determining whether such distribution is lawful and reasonably practicable.

 

The depositary bank will make the election available to you only if it is reasonably practical and if we have provided all of the documentation contemplated in the deposit agreement. In such case, the depositary bank will establish procedures to enable you to elect to receive either cash or additional ADSs, in each case as described in the deposit agreement.

 

If the election is not made available to you, you will receive either cash or additional ADSs, depending on what a shareholder would receive upon failing to make an election, as more fully described in the deposit agreement.

 

Other Distributions

 

Whenever we intend to distribute property other than cash, ordinary shares or rights to purchase additional ordinary shares, we will notify the depositary bank in advance and will indicate whether we wish such distribution to be made to you. If so, we will assist the depositary bank in determining whether such distribution to holders is lawful and reasonably practicable.

 

If it is reasonably practicable to distribute such property to you and if we provide all of the documentation contemplated in the deposit agreement, the depositary bank will distribute the property to the holders in a manner it deems practicable.

 

The distribution will be made net of fees, expenses, taxes and charges payable by holders under the terms of the deposit agreement. In order to pay such taxes and charges, the depositary bank may sell all or a portion of the property received.

 

The depositary bank will not distribute the property to you and will sell the property if:

 

   

We do not request that the property be distributed to you or if we ask that the property not be distributed to you; or

 

   

We do not deliver satisfactory documents to the depositary bank; or

 

   

The depositary bank determines that all or a portion of the distribution to you is not reasonably practicable.

 

The proceeds of such a sale will be distributed to holders as in the case of a cash distribution.

 

18


Table of Contents

Whenever we decide to redeem any of the securities on deposit with the custodian, we will notify the depositary bank. If it is reasonably practicable and if we provide all of the documentation contemplated in the deposit agreement, the depositary bank will mail notice of the redemption to the holders.

 

The custodian will be instructed to surrender the shares being redeemed against payment of the applicable redemption price. The depositary bank will convert the redemption funds received into U.S. dollars upon the terms of the deposit agreement and will establish procedures to enable holders to receive the net proceeds from the redemption upon surrender of their ADSs to the depositary bank. You may have to pay fees, expenses, taxes and other charges upon the redemption of your ADSs. If less than all ADSs are being redeemed, the ADSs to be retired will be selected by lot or on a pro rata basis, as the depositary bank may determine.

 

Changes Affecting Shares

 

The ordinary shares held on deposit for your ADSs may change from time to time. For example, there may be a change in nominal or par value, a split-up, cancellation, consolidation or reclassification of such shares or a recapitalization, reorganization, merger, consolidation or sale of assets.

 

If any such change were to occur, your ADSs would, to the extent permitted by law, represent the right to receive the property received or exchanged in respect of the ordinary shares held on deposit. The depositary bank may in such circumstances deliver new ADSs to you or call for the exchange of your existing ADSs for new ADSs. If the depositary bank may not lawfully distribute such property to you, the depositary bank may sell such property and distribute the net proceeds to you as in the case of a cash distribution.

 

Issuance of ADSs upon Deposit of Ordinary Shares

 

The depositary bank may create ADSs on your behalf if you or your broker deposit ordinary shares with the custodian. The depositary bank will deliver these ADSs to the person you indicate only after you pay any applicable issuance fees and any charges and taxes payable for the transfer of the ordinary shares to the custodian. Your ability to deposit ordinary shares and receive ADSs may be limited by U.S. and Cayman Islands legal considerations applicable at the time of deposit.

 

The issuance of ADSs may be delayed until the depositary bank or the custodian receives confirmation that all required approvals have been given and that the ordinary shares have been duly transferred to the custodian. The depositary bank will only issue ADSs in whole numbers.

 

When you make a deposit of ordinary shares, you will be responsible for transferring good and valid title to the depositary bank. As such, you will be deemed to represent and warrant that:

 

   

The ordinary shares are duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid, non-assessable and legally obtained.

 

   

All preemptive (and similar) rights, if any, with respect to such ordinary shares have been validly waived or exercised.

 

   

You are duly authorized to deposit the ordinary shares.

 

   

The ordinary shares presented for deposit are free and clear of any lien, encumbrance, security interest, charge, mortgage or adverse claim, and are not, and the ADSs issuable upon such deposit will not be, “restricted securities” (as defined in the deposit agreement).

 

   

The shares presented for deposit have not been stripped of any rights or entitlements.

 

If any of the representations or warranties are incorrect in any way, we and the depositary bank may, at your cost and expense, take any and all actions necessary to correct the consequences of the misrepresentations.

 

19


Table of Contents

Transfer, Combination and Split Up of ADRs

 

As an ADR holder, you will be entitled to transfer, combine or split up your ADRs and the ADSs evidenced thereby. For transfers of ADRs, you will have to surrender the ADRs to be transferred to the depositary bank and also must:

 

   

Ensure that the surrendered ADR certificate is properly endorsed or otherwise in proper form for transfer;

 

   

Provide such proof of identity and genuineness of signatures as the depositary bank deems appropriate;

 

   

Provide any transfer stamps required by the State of New York or the United States; and

 

   

Pay all applicable fees, charges, expenses, taxes and other government charges payable by ADR holders pursuant to the terms of the deposit agreement, upon the transfer of ADRs.

 

To have your ADRs either combined or split up, you must surrender the ADRs in question to the depositary bank with your request to have them combined or split up, and you must pay all applicable fees, charges and expenses payable by ADR holders, pursuant to the terms of the deposit agreement, upon a combination or split up of ADRs.

 

Withdrawal of Shares Upon Cancellation of ADSs

 

As a holder, you will be entitled to present your ADSs to the depositary bank for cancellation and then receive the corresponding number of underlying ordinary shares at the custodian’s offices. Your ability to withdraw the ordinary shares may be limited by U.S. and Cayman Islands legal considerations applicable at the time of withdrawal. In order to withdraw the ordinary shares represented by your ADSs, you will be required to pay to the depositary the fees for cancellation of ADSs and any charges and taxes payable upon the transfer of the ordinary shares being withdrawn. You assume the risk for delivery of all funds and securities upon withdrawal. Once canceled, the ADSs will not have any rights under the deposit agreement.

 

If you hold ADSs registered in your name, the depositary bank may ask you to provide proof of identity and genuineness of any signature and such other documents as the depositary bank may deem appropriate before it will cancel your ADSs. The withdrawal of the shares represented by your ADSs may be delayed until the depositary bank receives satisfactory evidence of compliance with all applicable laws and regulations. Please keep in mind that the depositary bank will only accept ADSs for cancellation that represent a whole number of securities on deposit.

 

You will have the right to withdraw the securities represented by your ADSs at any time except for:

 

   

Temporary delays that may arise because (i) the transfer books for the ordinary shares or ADSs are closed, or (ii) ordinary shares are immobilized on account of a shareholders’ meeting or a payment of dividends.

 

   

Obligations to pay fees, taxes and similar charges.

 

   

Restrictions imposed because of laws or regulations applicable to ADSs or the withdrawal of securities on deposit.

 

The deposit agreement may not be modified to impair your right to withdraw the securities represented by your ADSs except to comply with mandatory provisions of law.

 

As a holder, you generally have the right under the deposit agreement to instruct the depositary bank to exercise the voting rights for the ordinary shares represented by your ADSs. The voting rights of holders of ordinary shares are described in “Description of Share Capital—Voting Rights Attaching to the Shares” above.

 

20


Table of Contents

At our request, the depositary bank will distribute to you any notice of shareholders’ meeting received from us together with information explaining how to instruct the depositary bank to exercise the voting rights of the securities represented by ADSs.

 

If the depositary bank timely receives voting instructions from a holder of ADSs, it will endeavor to vote the securities represented by the holder’s ADSs in accordance with such voting instructions.

 

In the event of voting by a show of hands, each shareholder has one vote irrespective of the number of shares held by such person and the depositary shall vote or cause the custodian to vote all the shares then on deposit in accordance with instructions received from a majority of holders giving voting instructions. In the event of poll voting, each shareholder has an amount of votes equal to the number of shares held as of record date for the meeting and the depositary shall vote or cause the custodian to vote the shares on deposit in respect of ADSs for which holder of ADSs have timely given voting instructions to the depositary.

 

If the depositary timely receives voting instructions from a holder of ADSs that fail to specify the manner in which the depositary is to vote the shares represented by that holder’s ADSs, the depositary will deem the holder to have voted in favor of the items set forth in the voting instructions. If the depositary does not timely receive voting instructions from a holder of ADSs and we have timely provided the depositary with our notice of meeting and related materials, that holder will be deemed, and the depositary will deem that holder to have instructed the depositary to give a discretionary proxy to a person designated by us to vote the shares represented by the ADSs at our discretion, unless:

 

   

we have failed to timely provide the depositary with our notice of meeting and related voting materials;

 

   

we have instructed the depositary that we do not wish a discretionary proxy to be given;

 

   

we have informed the depositary that there is substantial opposition as to a matter to be voted on at the meeting;

 

   

a matter to be voted on at the meeting would have a material adverse impact on shareholders; or

 

   

voting at the meeting is made on a show of hands.

 

Please note that the ability of the depositary bank to carry out voting instructions may be limited by practical and legal limitations and the terms of the securities on deposit. We cannot assure you that you will receive voting materials in time to enable you to return voting instructions to the depositary bank in a timely manner. Securities for which no voting instructions have been received will not be voted.

 

Fees and Charges

 

As an ADS holder, you will be required to pay the following service fees to the depositary bank:

 

Services

  

Fees

•   Issuance of ADSs

   Up to U.S. 5¢ per ADS issued

•   Cancellation of ADSs

   Up to U.S. 5¢ per ADS canceled

•   Distribution of cash dividends or other cash distributions

   Up to U.S. 5¢ per ADS held

•   Distribution of ADSs pursuant to share dividends, free share distributions or exercise of rights

   Up to U.S. 5¢ per ADS held

•   Distribution of securities other than ADSs or rights to purchase additional ADSs

   Up to U.S. 5¢ per share (or share equivalent) held

•   Depositary Services Fee

   Up to U.S. 5¢ per ADS held on the applicable record date(s) established by the depositary

•   Transfer of ADRs

   U.S. $1.50 per certificate presented for transfer

 

21


Table of Contents

As an ADS holder you will also be responsible to pay certain fees and expenses incurred by the depositary bank and certain taxes and governmental charges such as:

 

   

Fees for the transfer and registration of ordinary shares charged by the registrar and transfer agent for the ordinary shares in the Cayman Islands (i.e., upon deposit and withdrawal of ordinary shares).

 

   

Expenses incurred for converting foreign currency into U.S. dollars.

 

   

Expenses for cable, telex and fax transmissions and for delivery of securities.

 

   

Taxes and duties upon the transfer of securities (i.e., when ordinary shares are deposited or withdrawn from deposit).

 

   

Fees and expenses incurred in connection with the delivery or servicing of ordinary shares on deposit.

 

We have agreed to pay certain other charges and expenses of the depositary bank. Note that the fees and charges you may be required to pay may vary over time and may be changed by us and by the depositary bank. You will receive prior notice of such changes.

 

Citibank, N.A., as depositary bank, has separately agreed to make available to us a portion of the net fees (after deduction of custody fees for the shares on deposit) it collects from ADS holders. These amounts will be available to cover certain expenses related to the establishment and maintenance of the ADR program, including:

 

   

legal fees and expenses;

 

   

ADS listing fees;

 

   

investor relations fees and expenses including training and travel expenses for our investor relations staff;

 

   

mailing and printing fees (i.e. for annual reports and proxy statements); and

 

   

website and web casting expenses.

 

Neither the depositary bank nor we can determine the exact amount to be made available to us because (i) the number of ADSs that will be issued and outstanding, (ii) the level of fees to be charged to holders of ADSs and (iii) our reimbursable expenses related to the ADR program are not known at this time.

 

Depositary fees payable upon the issuance and cancellation of ADSs are generally paid to the depositary bank by the brokers receiving the newly issued ADSs from the depositary bank and by the brokers delivering the ADSs to the depositary bank for cancellation. Depositary fees payable in connection with distributions of cash or securities to ADS holders and the depositary service fee are charged by the depositary bank to the holders of record of ADSs as of the applicable ADS record date.

 

In the case of cash distributions, the depositary fees are generally deducted from the cash being distributed. In the case of distributions other than cash (e.g., stock dividends, rights, etc.), the depositary bank charges the applicable fee to the ADS record date holders concurrent with the distribution. In the case of ADSs registered in the name of the investor (whether certificated or in DRS), the depositary bank sends invoices to the applicable record date ADS holders. In the case of ADSs held in brokerage and custodian accounts (via DTC), the depositary bank generally collects its fees through the settlement systems provided by DTC (whose nominee is the registered holder of the ADSs held in DTC) from the brokers and custodians holding ADSs in their DTC accounts. The brokers and custodians who hold their clients’ ADSs in DTC accounts in turn charge their clients’ accounts the amount of the fees paid to the depositary banks.

 

In the event of refusal to pay the depositary fees the depositary bank may, under the terms of the deposit agreement, refuse the requested service until payment is received or may set off the amount of the depositary fees from any distribution to be made to the ADS holder.

 

22


Table of Contents

Amendments and Termination

 

We may agree with the depositary bank to modify the deposit agreement at any time without your consent. We undertake to give holders 30 days’ prior notice of any modifications that would materially prejudice any of their substantial rights under the deposit agreement. We will not consider to be materially prejudicial to your substantial rights any modifications or supplements that are reasonably necessary for the ADSs to be registered under the Securities Act or to be eligible for book-entry settlement, in each case without imposing or increasing the fees and charges you are required to pay. In addition, we may not be able to provide you with prior notice of any modifications or supplements that are required to accommodate compliance with applicable provisions of law.

 

You will be bound by the modifications to the deposit agreement if you continue to hold your ADSs after the modifications to the deposit agreement become effective. The deposit agreement cannot be amended to prevent you from withdrawing the ordinary shares represented by your ADSs (except to comply with mandatory provisions of law).

 

We have the right to direct the depositary bank to terminate the deposit agreement. Similarly, the depositary bank may in certain circumstances on its own initiative terminate the deposit agreement. In either case, the depositary bank must give notice to the holders at least 30 days before termination, which notice shall fix a date for termination of the deposit agreement.

 

After the termination and prior to any sale of the securities held on deposit (as described below), you will be able to request the cancellation of your ADSs and the withdrawal of the ordinary shares represented by your ADSs and the delivery of all other property held by the depositary bank in respect of those ordinary shares on the same terms as prior to the termination. During such period, the depositary bank will continue to collect all distributions received on the ordinary shares on deposit (e.g., dividends) but will not distribute any such property to you until you request the cancellation of your ADSs.

 

At any time after the date fixed for termination of the deposit agreement, the depositary bank may sell the securities held on deposit. The depositary bank will hold the proceeds from such sale and any other funds then held for the holders of ADSs in a non-interest bearing account. At that point, the depositary bank will have no further obligations to holders other than to account for the funds then held for the holders of ADSs still outstanding (after deduction of applicable fees, expenses and taxes).

 

After termination, your obligations under the deposit agreement as an ADS holder will continue until your ADSs are presented to the depositary bank for cancellation.

 

Books of Depositary

 

The depositary bank will maintain ADS holder records at its depositary office. You may inspect such records at such office during regular business hours but solely for the purpose of communicating with other holders in the interest of business matters relating to the ADSs and the deposit agreement.

 

The depositary bank will maintain in New York facilities to record and process the issuance, cancellation, combination, split-up and transfer of ADRs. These facilities may be closed from time to time, to the extent not prohibited by law.

 

Limitations on Obligations and Liabilities

 

The deposit agreement limits our obligations and the depositary bank’s obligations to you. Please note the following:

 

   

We and the depositary bank are obligated only to take the actions specifically stated in the deposit agreement without negligence or bad faith.

 

23


Table of Contents
   

The depositary bank disclaims any liability for any failure to carry out voting instructions, for any manner in which a vote is cast or for the effect of any vote, provided that it acts in good faith and in accordance with the terms of the deposit agreement.

 

   

The depositary bank disclaims any liability for any failure to determine the lawfulness or practicality of any action, for the content of any document forwarded to you on our behalf or for the accuracy of any translation of such a document, for the investment risks associated with investing in ordinary shares, for the validity or worth of the ordinary shares, for any tax consequences that result from the ownership of ADSs, for the credit-worthiness of any third party, for allowing any rights to lapse under the terms of the deposit agreement, for the timeliness of any of our notices or for our failure to give notice.

 

   

We and the depositary bank will not be obligated to perform any act that is inconsistent with the terms of the deposit agreement.

 

   

We and the depositary bank disclaim any liability if we are prevented or forbidden from acting on account of any law or regulation, any provision of our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, any provision of any securities on deposit or by reason of any act of God or war or other circumstances beyond our control.

 

   

We and the depositary bank disclaim any liability by reason of any exercise of, or failure to exercise, any discretion provided for the deposit agreement or in our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association or in any provisions of securities on deposit.

 

   

We and the depositary bank further disclaim any liability for any action or inaction in reliance on the advice or information received from legal counsel, accountants, any person presenting shares for deposit, any holder of ADSs or authorized representatives thereof, or any other person believed by either of us in good faith to be competent to give such advice or information.

 

   

We and the depositary bank also disclaim liability for the inability by a holder to benefit from any distribution, offering, right or other benefit which is made available to holders of ordinary shares but is not, under the terms of the deposit agreement, made available to you.

 

   

We and the depositary bank may rely without any liability upon any written notice, request or other document believed to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper parties.

 

   

We and the depositary bank also disclaim liability for any consequential or punitive damages for any breach of the terms of the deposit agreement.

 

Pre-Release Transactions

 

The depositary bank may, in certain circumstances, issue ADSs before receiving a deposit of ordinary shares or release ordinary shares before receiving ADSs for cancellation. These transactions are commonly referred to as “pre-release transactions.” The deposit agreement limits the aggregate size of pre-release transactions and imposes a number of conditions on such transactions (e.g., the need to fully collateralize, the type of collateral required, the representations required from brokers, etc.). The depositary bank may retain the compensation received from the pre-release transactions.

 

Taxes

 

You will be responsible for the taxes and other governmental charges payable on the ADSs and the securities represented by the ADSs. We, the depositary bank and the custodian may deduct from any distribution the taxes and governmental charges payable by holders and may sell any and all property on deposit to pay the taxes and governmental charges payable by holders. You will be liable for any deficiency if the sale proceeds do not cover the taxes that are due.

 

The depositary bank may refuse to issue ADSs, to deliver, transfer, split and combine ADRs or to release securities on deposit until all taxes and charges are paid by the applicable holder. The depositary bank and the

 

24


Table of Contents

custodian may take reasonable administrative actions to obtain tax refunds and reduced tax withholding for any distributions on your behalf. However, you may be required to provide to the depositary bank and to the custodian proof of taxpayer status and residence and such other information as the depositary bank and the custodian may require to fulfill legal obligations. You are required to indemnify us, the depositary bank and the custodian for any claims with respect to taxes based on any tax benefit obtained for you.

 

Foreign Currency Conversion

 

The depositary bank will arrange for the conversion of all foreign currency received into U.S. dollars if such conversion is practical, and it will distribute the U.S. dollars in accordance with the terms of the deposit agreement. You may have to pay fees and expenses incurred in converting foreign currency, such as fees and expenses incurred in complying with currency exchange controls and other governmental requirements.

 

If the conversion of foreign currency is not practical or lawful, or if any required approvals are denied or not obtainable at a reasonable cost or within a reasonable period, the depositary bank may take the following actions in its discretion:

 

   

Convert the foreign currency to the extent practical and lawful and distribute the U.S. dollars to the holders for whom the conversion and distribution is lawful and practical.

 

   

Distribute the foreign currency to holders for whom the distribution is lawful and practical.

 

   

Hold the foreign currency (without liability for interest) for the applicable holders.

 

25


Table of Contents

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

 

We or any selling shareholder may offer the securities through one or more underwriters, dealers and agents, or directly to one or more purchasers, or through a combination of these methods on a delayed or continuous basis. We, or any selling shareholders, may distribute the securities from time to time in one or more transactions at a fixed price or prices (which may be changed from time to time), at market prices prevailing at the times of sale, at prices related to these prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices that may vary. We may offer securities in the same offering, or we may offer securities in separate offerings. We, or any selling shareholders, may offer and sell a portion of the offered securities outside the United States at an offering price and on terms specified in the prospectus supplement relating to a particular issue of the offered securities. The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the terms of the offering of the securities, including:

 

   

the offeror(s) of the securities;

 

   

the terms of the securities to which the prospectus supplement relates;

 

   

the name or names of any underwriters;

 

   

the purchase price of the securities and the proceeds to be received from the sale;

 

   

any overallotment options under which underwriters may purchase additional securities;

 

   

any public offering price;

 

   

any underwriting discounts and other items constituting underwriters’ compensation; and

 

   

any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers.

 

If underwriters are used in the sale of any of the securities in connection with this prospectus, those securities will be acquired by the underwriters for their own account and may be resold from time to time in one or more transactions, including negotiated transactions, at fixed public offering prices or at varying prices determined by the underwriters and the applicable selling shareholder at the time of sale. The securities may be either offered to the public through underwriting syndicates represented by managing underwriters or by underwriters without a syndicate. The obligations of the underwriters to purchase securities will be subject to the conditions precedent agreed to by the parties and the underwriters will be obligated to purchase all the securities of a class or series if any are purchased. Any initial public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers may be changed from time to time.

 

Underwriters or agents may make sales in privately negotiated transactions and/or any other method permitted by law, including sales deemed to be an “at-the-market” offering as defined in Rule 415 promulgated under the Securities Act, which includes sales made directly on an existing trading market for our Ordinary Shares or ADSs, or sales made to or through a market maker other than on an exchange.

 

Securities may be sold directly by our company or any selling shareholder or through agents designated by our company from time to time. Any agent involved in the offer or sale of the securities in respect of which this prospectus is delivered will be named, and any commissions payable by our company to any agent will be set forth, in the prospectus supplement. Unless otherwise indicated in the prospectus supplement, any agent will be acting on a best efforts basis for the period of its appointment.

 

We or any selling shareholder may authorize agents or underwriters to solicit offers by eligible institutions to purchase securities from our company at the public offering price set forth in the prospectus supplement under delayed delivery contracts providing for payment and delivery on a specified date in the future. The conditions to these contracts and the commissions payable for solicitation of these contracts will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

26


Table of Contents

Agents and underwriters may be entitled to indemnification by our company against some civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribution with respect to payments which the agents or underwriters may be required to make relating to these liabilities. Agents and underwriters may be customers of, engage in transactions with, or perform services for, our company in the ordinary course of business.

 

If any selling shareholder offers and sells the securities through an underwriter or underwriters, we and/or the selling shareholder will execute an underwriting agreement with the underwriter or underwriters. The names of the specific managing underwriter or underwriters, as well as any other underwriters, and the terms of the transactions, including compensation of the underwriters and dealers, which may be in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions, if any, may be described in a prospectus supplement, if any, that, along with this prospectus, may be used by the underwriters to make resales of the securities. The securities may be offered to the public either through underwriting syndicates represented by managing underwriters or directly by one or more underwriters. If any underwriters are used in the sale of the securities, unless otherwise indicated in a related prospectus supplement, the underwriting agreement may provide that the obligations of the underwriters will be subject to some conditions precedent and that, with respect to a sale of the securities, the underwriters may be obligated to purchase all such securities if any are purchased.

 

If any underwriters are involved in the offer and sale of the securities, they will be permitted to engage in transactions that maintain or otherwise affect the price of the securities. These transactions may include over-allotment transactions, purchases to cover short positions created by an underwriter in connection with the offering and the imposition of penalty bids. If an underwriter creates a short position in the securities in connection with the offering by selling more of the securities than set forth on the cover page of the applicable prospectus supplement, if any, the underwriter may reduce that short position by purchasing our securities in the open market. In general, purchases of our securities to reduce a short position could cause the price of the securities to be higher than it might be in the absence of such purchases. As noted above, underwriters may also choose to impose penalty bids on other underwriters and/or selling group members. This means that if underwriters purchase any of the securities on the open market to reduce their short position or to stabilize the price of the securities, they may reclaim the amount of the selling concession from those underwriters and/or selling group members who sold such securities as part of the offering. The selling shareholder may also loan or pledge securities to broker-dealers that in turn may sell such securities.

 

Broker-dealers engaged by any selling shareholder may arrange for other broker-dealers to participate in sales. Broker-dealers may receive commissions or discounts from the selling shareholder (or, if any broker-dealer acts as agent for the purchaser of shares, from the purchaser) in amounts to be negotiated, which commissions as to a particular broker or dealer may be in excess of customary commissions to the extent permitted by applicable law.

 

Any selling shareholders and any broker-dealer participating in the distribution of the securities may be deemed to be “underwriters” within the meaning of the Securities Act, and any commission paid, or any discounts or concessions allowed to, any such broker-dealer may be deemed to be underwriting commissions or discounts under the Securities Act. At the time a particular offering of the securities is made, a prospectus supplement, if required, will be distributed which will set forth the aggregate amount of securities being offered and the terms of the offering, including the name or names of any selling shareholders or broker-dealers or agents, any discounts, commissions and other terms constituting compensation from the selling shareholders and any discounts, commissions or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to broker-dealers.

 

Under the securities laws of some states, the securities may be sold in such states only through registered or licensed brokers or dealers. In addition, in some states the securities may not be sold unless such securities have been registered or qualified for sale in such state or an exemption from registration or qualification is available and is complied with.

 

Any selling security holders and any other person participating in such distribution will be subject to applicable provisions of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations

 

27


Table of Contents

thereunder, including, without limitation, Regulation M of the Exchange Act, which may limit the timing of purchases and sales of any of the securities by the selling shareholder and any other participating person. Regulation M may also restrict the ability of any person engaged in the distribution of the securities to engage in market-making activities with respect to the securities. All of the foregoing may affect the marketability of the securities and the ability of any person or entity to engage in market-making activities with respect to the securities.

 

28


Table of Contents

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION ABOUT US

 

We file reports and other information with the SEC. You may read and copy any document that we file at the Public Reference Room of the SEC at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. You may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. In addition, the SEC maintains an Internet site at http://www.sec.gov, from which interested persons can electronically access our SEC filings, including the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, and the exhibits and schedules thereto.

 

29


Table of Contents

INCORPORATION OF DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE

 

The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” the information we file with the SEC. This means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be a part of this prospectus and should be read with the same care.

 

Any reports filed by us with the SEC after the date of this prospectus and before the date that the offering of securities by means of this prospectus is terminated will automatically update and, where applicable, supersede any information contained in this prospectus or incorporated by reference in this prospectus. This means that you must look at all of the SEC filings that we incorporate by reference to determine if any of the statements in this prospectus or in any documents previously incorporated by reference have been modified or superseded. We incorporate by reference into this prospectus the following documents or, sections of documents, as noted, filed with the SEC:

 

   

Our annual report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012, filed with the SEC on April 18, 2013 (File No. 001-33759);

 

   

Our report on Form 6-K furnished to the SEC on June 4, 2013 (File No. 001-33759); and

 

   

All subsequent reports on Form 20-F and any report on Form 6-K that so indicates it (or any applicable portions thereof) is being incorporated by reference that we file with the SEC on or after the date hereof and until the termination or completion of the offering by means of this prospectus.

 

Our annual report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012 filed on April 18, 2013, contains a description of our business and audited consolidated financial statements with a report by our independent auditors. These financial statements are prepared in accordance with US GAAP.

 

Unless expressly incorporated by reference, nothing in this prospectus shall be deemed to incorporate by reference information furnished to, but not filed with, the SEC. We will provide at no cost to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom this prospectus is delivered, upon oral or written request of such person, a copy of any or all of the reports or documents that have been incorporated by reference in this prospectus, but not delivered with the prospectus. Requests for such copies should be directed to:

 

12/F, No. 3 Building, 700 Yishan Road

 

Shanghai, 200233

People’s Republic of China

(86-21) 3397-9999

Attention: Rich Chiang, IR Director

 

Exhibits to the filings will not be sent, however, unless those exhibits have specifically been incorporated by reference into this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement. These documents may also be accessed through our website at www.ga-me.com or as described under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information About Us” above. The information contained in, or that can be accessed through, our website is not a part of this prospectus or any accompanying prospectus supplement.

 

You should rely only on the information that we incorporate by reference or provide in this prospectus. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different information. We are not making any offer of these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer is not permitted. You should not assume that the information in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front of those documents.

 

30


Table of Contents

LEGAL MATTERS

 

We are being represented by O’Melveny & Myers LLP with respect to legal matters of U.S. federal securities and New York State law. The validity of the ordinary shares represented by the ADSs and certain legal matters as to Cayman law will be passed upon for us by Conyers Dills & Pearman (Cayman) Limited. Certain legal matters as to PRC law will be passed upon for us by Grandall Law Firm (Shanghai).

 

EXPERTS

 

The consolidated financial statements of Giant Interactive Group Inc. appearing in Giant Interactive Group Inc.’s annual report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2012 and the effectiveness of Giant Interactive Group Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2012 have been audited by Ernst & Young Hua Ming LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their reports thereon, included therein, and incorporated herein by reference. Such consolidated financial statements and Giant Interactive Group Inc. management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2012 are incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon such reports given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing. The offices of Ernst & Young Hua Ming LLP are located at 50th Floor, Shanghai World Financial Center, 100 Century Avenue, Pudong New Area, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China, 200120.

 

31


Table of Contents

PART II

 

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

 

Item 8.    Indemnification of Directors and Officers.

 

Cayman Islands law does not limit the extent to which a company’s articles of association may provide for indemnification of its offers and directors, except to the extent such provision may be held by the Cayman Islands courts to be contrary to public policy, such as to provide for indemnification against civil fraud or the consequences of committing a crime. Our Articles of Association provide for indemnification of our officers and directors for all actions, costs, charges, losses, damages and expenses incurred in their capacities as such, except through their own fraud or dishonesty.

 

Pursuant to the form of Indemnification Agreement filed as Exhibit 10.5 to our initial public offering registration statement, we agree to indemnify our directors and officers, to the extent permitted by Cayman law, against certain liabilities and expenses incurred by such persons in connection with claims by reason of their being such a director or officer.

 

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to our directors, officers or persons controlling us under the foregoing provisions, we have been informed that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and is therefore unenforceable as a matter of United States law.

 

Item 9.    Exhibits.

 

Number

   

Description

    1.1  

Form of Underwriting Agreement

    4.1 **   

Specimen American Depositary Receipt

    4.2 **   

Specimen Certificate for Ordinary Shares

    4.3 **   

Deposit Agreement among the Registrant, Citi bank, N.A., and holders of the American Depositary Receipts dated November 6, 2007

    5.1     

Opinion of Conyers, Dill & Pearman (Cayman) Limited

    8.1     

U.S. Tax Opinion of O’Melveny & Myers LLP

    8.2     

PRC Tax Opinion of Grandall Law Firm (Shanghai)

  23.1     

Consent of Ernst & Young Hua Ming LLP

  23.2     

Consent of O’Melveny & Myers LLP (included in Exhibit 8.1)

  23.3     

Consent of Conyers, Dill & Pearman (Cayman) Limited (included in Exhibit 5.1)

  23.4     

Consent of Grandall Law Firm (Shanghai) (included as Exhibit 8.2)

  24.1     

Power of Attorney (included on signature page of Part II of this Registration Statement)

 

  *   To be filed as an exhibit to a post-effective amendment to this registration statement or as an exhibit to a report filed under the Exchange Act and incorporated herein by reference.
  **   Previously filed as an exhibit to the Registrant’s registration statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-146681), as amended, initially filed with the SEC on October 12, 2007.

 

Item 10. Undertakings.

 

(a) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:

 

(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:

 

(i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;


Table of Contents

(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement;

 

(iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement;

 

provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i), (a)(1)(ii) and (a)(1)(iii) of this section do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of the registration statement.

 

(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

 

(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.

 

(4) To file a post-effective amendment to the registration statement to include any financial statements required by Item 8.A. of Form 20-F at the start of any delayed offering or throughout a continuous offering. Financial statements and information otherwise required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Act need not be furnished, provided that the registrant includes in the prospectus, by means of a post-effective amendment, financial statements required pursuant to this paragraph (a)(4) and other information necessary to ensure that all other information in the prospectus is at least as current as the date of those financial statements. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a post-effective amendment need not be filed to include financial statements and information required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Act or Rule 3-19 of Regulation S-X if such financial statements and information are contained in periodic reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement.

 

(5) That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser:

 

(i) Each prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and

 

(ii) Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5), or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii), or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by Section 10(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which that prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering


Table of Contents

thereof. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date.

 

(6) That, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities, the undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:

 

(i) Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;

 

(ii) Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned registrant;

 

(iii) The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant; and

 

(iv) Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser.

 

(b) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the registrant’s annual report pursuant to section 13(a) or section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

 

(c) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers, and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.


Table of Contents

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form F-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in Shanghai, the People’s Republic of China on June 4, 2013.

 

Giant Interactive Group Inc.

By:

 

/s/ Yuzhu Shi

Name:

 

Yuzhu Shi

Title:

 

Chairman of the Board of Directors

 

POWER OF ATTORNEY

 

Each of the undersigned officers and directors of Giant Interactive Group Inc. hereby severally constitutes and appoints Yuzhu Shi and Jazy Zhang as the true and lawful attorneys with full power to them to sign for the undersigned and in their name in the capacities indicated below, any and all amendments, including the post-effective amendments, to this registration statement, and generally to do all such things in the undersigned’s name and behalf in such capacities to enable Giant Interactive Group Inc. to comply with the applicable provisions of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and all rules and regulation thereunder, and all requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission, and each of the undersigned hereby ratifies and confirms all that said attorneys shall lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities indicated on June 4, 2013.

 

Signature

  

Capacity

/s/ Yuzhu Shi

Name: Yuzhu Shi

  

Chairman of the Board of Directors

/s/ Wei Liu

Name: Wei Liu

  

Director and Chief Executive Officer

/s/ Lu Zhang

Name: Lu Zhang

  

Director

/s/ Andrew Y. Yan

Name: Andrew Y. Yan

  

Independent Director

/s/ Jason Nanchun Jiang

Name: Jason Nanchun Jiang

  

Independent Director

/s/ Peter Andrew Schloss

Name: Peter Andrew Schloss

  

Independent Director

 

Signature of authorized representative in the United States

 

Pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the undersigned, the duly authorized representative in the United States of Giant Interactive Group Inc., has signed this registration statement or amendment thereto in Newark, Delaware, on June 4, 2013.

 

Puglisi & Associates

By:

 

/s/ Donald J. Puglisi

Name:

 

Donald J. Puglisi

Title:

 

Managing Director