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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 20-F

(Mark One)

Date of event requiring this shell company report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Commission file number: 001-36427

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

*      Not for trading, but only in connection with the listing on the New York Stock Exchange of American depositary shares, each representing ten Class A ordinary shares.

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

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

Indicate the number of outstanding shares of each of the issuer’s classes of capital or common stock as of the close of the period covered by the annual report: 410,608,263 Class A ordinary shares and 1,015,128,452 Class B ordinary shares, par value US$0.000025 per share, as of December 31, 2016.

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

o Yes   x No

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

o Yes   x No

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

x Yes   o No

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

x Yes   o No

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

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

†The term “new or revised financial accounting standard” refers to any update issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board to its Accounting Standards Codification after April 5, 2012.

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

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

o Item 17   o Item 18

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

o Yes   x No

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

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

o Yes   o No

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INTRODUCTION

In this annual report, except where the context otherwise requires and for purposes of this annual report only:

·                  “Cheetah Mobile Inc.,” “we,” “us,” “our company” or “our” refers to Cheetah Mobile Inc., its subsidiaries and, in the context of describing our operations and consolidated financial data, also includes our variable interest entities and, in certain periods prior to January 2017, the subsidiaries of our variable interest entities;

·                  “ADSs” refers to American depositary shares, each of which represents ten of our Class A ordinary shares;

·                  “China” or the “PRC” refers to the People’s Republic of China, excluding, for the purposes of this annual report, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan;

·                  “Ordinary shares,” prior to the completion of our initial public offering in May 2014, refers to our ordinary shares, par value US$0.000025 per share and, upon the completion of the offering, to our Class A and Class B ordinary shares, par value US$0.000025 per share;

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

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

·                  “€,” “Euro dollars” or “Euro” refers to the legal currency of the eurozone;

·                  “¥,” “Japanese Yen” or “JPY” refers to the legal currency of Japan;

·                  “Kingsoft Corporation Limited” or “Kingsoft Corporation” refers to Kingsoft Corporation Limited, our controlling shareholder, a company listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (Stock Code: 3888);

·                  Number of “monthly active users,” in reference to all of our products, refers to the number of computers, tablets or smartphones on which one or more of our products have been installed or downloaded and that accessed the internet at least once during the relevant month; and number of “monthly active users,” in reference to an individual product, refers to the number of computers, tablets or smartphones on which such product has been installed or downloaded and that accessed the internet at least once during the relevant month. A single device with multiple applications installed is counted as one user. A single person with applications installed on multiple devices is counted as multiple users. Multiple persons using a single device are counted as one user. The number of monthly active users for our mobile products is based on our internal statistics;

·                  Number of mobile devices on which our applications have been “installed,” as of a specified date, refers to the cumulative number of mobile devices on which one or more of our applications have been installed as of the specified date;

·                  “Hong Kong Listing Rules” refers to the Rules Governing the Listing of Securities on the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited;

·                  “Overseas revenues” or “revenues from overseas markets” refers to revenues generated by our operating legal entities incorporated outside China. Such revenues are primarily attributable to customers located outside China, based on our customers’ registered addresses; and

·                  “Variable interest entities” or “VIEs” refers to those entities incorporated in PRC consolidated in our financial statements and over which our subsidiaries exercise effective control through a series of contractual arrangements.

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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This annual report on Form 20-F contains forward-looking statements that reflect our current expectations and views of future events. These statements are made under the “safe harbor” provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. You can identify these forward-looking statements by words or phrases such as “may,” “could,” “should,” “would,” “will,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “aim,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “likely to,” “project,” “continue,” “potential,” or other similar expressions. We have based these forward-looking statements largely on our current expectations and projections about future events and financial trends that we believe may affect our financial condition, results of operations, business strategy and financial needs. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements about:

·                  our business strategies, plans and priorities, including growth strategies as well as investment and acquisition plans in China and overseas;

·                  our ability to retain and attract users, customers and business partners, and increase their spendings or level of engagement with us;

·                  our ability to expand and improve our product and service offerings;

·                  our ability to monetize our platform;

·                  our future business development, results of operations and financial condition, including the seasonal trends of our results of operations;

·                  expectations regarding our user growth rate and user engagement;

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

·                  competition and changes in landscape in our industry;

·                  relevant PRC and foreign government policies and regulations relating to our industry;

·                  general economic and business condition globally and in China; and

·                  assumptions underlying or related to any of the foregoing.

You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements and you should read these statements in conjunction other sections of this annual report, in particular the risk factors disclosed in “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors.” 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. Moreover, we operate in a rapidly evolving environment. New risks emerge from time to time and it is impossible for our management to predict all risk factors, nor can we assess the impact of all factors on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ from those contained in any forward-looking statement. The forward-looking statements made in this annual report relate only to events or information as of the date on which the statements are made in this annual report. We do not undertake any obligation to update or revise the forward-looking statements except as required under applicable law.

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PART I

Item 1.                   Identity of Directors, Senior Management and Advisers

Not applicable.

Item 2.                   Offer Statistics and Expected Timetable

Not applicable.

Item 3.                   Key Information

A.            Selected Financial Data

The following table presents the selected consolidated financial information of our company. The selected consolidated statements of comprehensive income/(loss) data for each of the three years ended December 31, 2016 and the selected consolidated balance sheets data as of December 31, 2015 and 2016 have been derived from our audited consolidated financial statements, which are included in this annual report beginning on page F-1. The selected consolidated statements of comprehensive income/(loss) data for each of the two years ended December 31, 2012 and 2013 and the selected consolidated balance sheets data as of December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014, excluding the financial data of Kingsoft Japan Inc., or Kingsoft Japan, have been derived from our audited consolidated financial statements that are not included in this annual report. Our audited consolidated financial statements are prepared and presented in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, or U.S. GAAP. Our historical results do not necessarily indicate results expected for any future period. You should read the following selected financial data in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes and “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects” included elsewhere in this annual report.

On January 29, 2016, we obtained control of Kingsoft Japan. See “Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions—B. Related Party Transactions—Transactions and Agreements with Kingsoft Corporation and its Subsidiaries—Purchase of Equity Interest in Kingsoft Japan”. As we and Kingsoft Japan were under common control by Kingsoft Corporation both before and after our acquisition of control over Kingsoft Japan, the consolidated financial data presented below have been prepared as if we had owned the assets and liabilities of and operated Kingsoft Japan throughout the periods presented, and the consolidated financial data for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015 have been retrospectively adjusted accordingly. The consolidated financial data set forth below as of and for each of the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015 may not necessarily reflect the results of operations, financial position and cash flows we would have experienced with respect to Kingsoft Japan if we had owned and operated Kingsoft Japan throughout those years.

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(1)         Share-based compensation expenses were allocated in cost of revenues and operating expenses as follows:

(2)         Each ADS represents ten Class A ordinary shares.

Exchange Rate Information

Most of our revenues and costs are denominated in foreign currencies, primarily U.S. dollars, and the rest is denominated in Renminbi. This annual report contains translations of Renminbi amounts into U.S. dollars at specific rates solely for the convenience of the reader. The conversion of RMB into U.S. dollars in this annual report is based on the noon buying rate in New York City for cable transfers in RMB as certified for customs purposes by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. Unless otherwise noted, all translations from RMB to U.S. dollars and from U.S. dollars to RMB in this annual report were made at a rate of RMB6.9430 to US$1.00, the noon buying rate in effect as of December 30, 2016. We make no representation that any RMB or U.S. dollar amounts could have been, or could be, converted into U.S. dollars or RMB, as the case may be, at any particular rate, or at all. The PRC government imposes control over its foreign currency reserves in part through direct regulation of the conversion of RMB into foreign exchange and through restrictions on foreign trade. On April 21, 2017, the noon buying rate was RMB6.8845 to US$1.00.

The following table sets forth information concerning exchange rates between the RMB and the U.S. dollar for the periods indicated.

(1)         Annual averages are calculated using the average of month-end rates of the relevant year. Monthly averages are calculated using the average of the daily rates during the relevant month.

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B.            Capitalization and Indebtedness

Not applicable.

C.            Reasons for the Offer and Use of Proceeds

Not applicable.

D.            Risk Factors

Risks Relating to Our Business and Industry

We experienced a decline in our monthly active users in 2016. If we fail to retain or grow our user base, or if our users decrease their level of engagement with our mobile and PC applications, our business, financial condition and results of operations would be materially and adversely affected.

The size of our user base and our users’ level of engagement are critical to our success. Our business and financial performance have been and will continue to be significantly determined by our success in adding, retaining and engaging active users. We have been consistently anticipating user demand and developing innovative products and services in an effort to attract and retain users. However, the internet industry, including the mobile internet industry, is characterized by constant and rapid technological changes. As a result, users may switch from one set of products to others more quickly than in other sectors. To the extent our user growth rate slows, our success will become increasingly dependent on our ability to increase levels of user engagement and monetization. While our mobile monthly active users grew from 395.4 million in December 2014 to 635.5 million in December 2015, our mobile monthly active users dropped slightly to 622.9 million in December 2016. We intend to increase our user engagement level by continuing to develop our content-driven products and introduce the large amount of content on News Republic to users of our utility applications. We expect the user base for our PC applications to continue to decrease, as the overall PC usage continues to decrease in China.

Our user growth and engagement could be adversely affected if:

·                  we fail to maintain the popularity of our existing products for users in China and globally;

·                  we are unsuccessful in launching new and popular applications in a cost-effective manner to further diversify our product offerings and increase user engagement;

·                  technical or other problems prevent us from delivering our products or services in a rapid and reliable manner or otherwise affect user experience;

·                  strategic investments or acquisitions that we make to diversify or improve our products or services offerings fail to generate the favorable results or synergies that we anticipate;

·                  there are user concerns related to privacy, safety, security or other factors;

·                  our competitors may launch or develop products and services similar to ours, which may result in a loss of existing users or reduced growth in new users;

·                  our products are displaced by products adopting new technologies;

·                  there are adverse changes in our products or services that are mandated by, or that we elect to make to address, legislation, regulatory authorities or litigation, including settlements or consent decrees;

·                  we fail to provide adequate customer service to users; or

·                  we do not maintain our brand image or our reputation is damaged.

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We received in the past, and may continue to receive, complaints from users regarding our mobile applications primarily regarding privacy settings and certain third-party website promotion activities on our mobile applications. We have not incurred any material costs to address the complaints. If we are unable to address user complaints timely or at all, our reputation may be harmed and our user base may decline. Our efforts to avoid or address any of these events could require us to incur substantial expenditures to modify or adapt our products, services or infrastructure. If we fail to retain or continue to grow our user base, or if our users decrease their engagement with our products, our business, financial condition and results of operations would be materially and adversely affected.

We only began to offer and monetize our mobile applications in recent years, and there is uncertainty as to whether we can achieve continued growth in, or successful monetization of, our mobile business operations.

We only began to offer and monetize our mobile applications in recent years. In 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016, 7.9%, 25.7%, 65.6% and 77.3% of our revenues were derived from our mobile applications, respectively. Although our mobile applications have proven to be highly popular, we have a short operating history and limited experience in the mobile internet industry. We launched our first mobile application, Battery Doctor, in July 2011, and have since then launched a number of new mobile utility applications on the Android and iOS platforms. Leveraging our large user base built across our utility applications, we have started to invest in content-driven applications since 2015. We are also in the process of introducing the large amount of content on News Republic to users of our utility applications. The competition among content-driven applications has become increasingly intense both in China and globally, and our competitors may have much more experience and resources than us in developing and operating content-driven applications. We may not be able to successfully implement our content strategy in a cost-effective manner, and we may not be able to recoup the investments and expenditures involved. Our interim results may also experience more significant fluctuations while we continue to implement our content strategy.

The mobile internet industry is characterized by constant change, including but not limited to rapid technological evolution, shifting user demands, frequent introduction of new products and services, and constant emergence of new industry standards, operating systems and practices. As a result of these factors and our limited mobile internet industry experience, we may not be able to sustain the popularity of our existing mobile applications or introduce new mobile applications that meet the expectations of our users and customers. Even if we succeed in continuing to grow the user base for our mobile applications and increase revenues generated from our mobile business, we may not be able to maintain the growth trajectories. The mobile internet industry only began to experience rapid growth in recent years, and there are relatively few proven models for us to monetize our mobile traffic. We are still exploring a number of monetization models for our mobile business, such as online advertising services, game publishing services and the sale of virtual items on Live.me. If the mobile advertising industry fails to grow as we expect, or if we fail to develop or maintain effective monetization models for our mobile applications, our business, financial condition and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected.

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Because a limited number of customers contribute to a significant portion of our revenues, our revenues and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected if we were to lose a significant customer or a significant portion of its business.

Currently, a limited number of customers contribute a significant portion of our revenues. Our customers, in the case of online marketing services, primarily comprise mobile application developers, mobile game developers, mobile advertising networks, e-commerce companies and search engines to which we refer traffic and sell advertisements. In 2014, 2015 and 2016, our five largest customers in aggregate contributed approximately 52.7%, 57.7% and 47.9% of our revenues, respectively, and our largest customer, Facebook, contributed 3.9%, 28.7% and 19.9% of our revenues, respectively. We expect that a limited number of our customers will continue to contribute a significant portion of our revenues in the near future. If we lose any of these customers, or if revenues generated from a significant customer are substantially reduced due to, for example, increased competition, a significant change in the customer’s business policy or operation, any deterioration in customer relationship, or significant delays in payments for our services, our business, financial condition and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected.

We rely on online marketing for the majority of our revenues, and our profitability and financial prospects may be affected by a decline in revenue contribution from our online marketing customers.

We generated 72.1%, 87.0% and 86.6% of our revenues from online marketing services in 2014, 2015 and 2016, respectively. We generate revenues from our online marketing services primarily by providing mobile advertising services to advertisers worldwide, as well as selling advertisements and referring user traffic on our mobile and PC platforms. In the overseas markets, we derive a significant portion of our revenues from our partnering third-party mobile advertising networks, such as Facebook, Google and Yahoo. A decline in revenue contribution from one or more of these customers, such as a decline due to changes in revenue sharing and fee arrangement with these customers, may materially and adversely affect our revenues. For example, we experienced a decline in effective cost per mille (eCPM) from some of our third-party advertising platform partners in the overseas markets in the early part of the second quarter of 2016. If our online marketing customers reduce or discontinue their advertising spending with us, or if we fail to attract new online marketing customers or if the revenue sharing and fee arrangements with these customers become less favorable to us, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.

We are subject to risks and uncertainties faced by companies in a rapidly evolving industry.

We operate in the rapidly evolving internet industry, which makes it difficult to predict our future results of operations. Accordingly, our future prospects are subject to the risks and uncertainties experienced by companies in evolving industries. Some of these risks and uncertainties relate to our ability to, among others:

·                  successfully implement our plan to further develop and monetize our mobile platform both in China and globally;

·                  offer new, innovative products and services and enhance our existing products and services with innovative and advanced technology to attract and retain a larger user base;

·                  retain existing customers and attract additional customers and increase spending per customer;

·                  maintain our relationships with important suppliers, such as bandwidth suppliers, on favorable terms;

·                  respond to evolving user preferences and industry changes;

·                  respond to competitive market conditions;

·                  upgrade our technology to support increased traffic and expanded product and service offerings;

·                  maintain effective control of our costs and expenses;

·                  respond to changes in the regulatory environment in China and overseas markets and manage legal risks, including those associated with intellectual property rights; and

·                  execute our strategic investments and acquisitions and post-acquisition integrations effectively.

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If we fail to address any of the above risks and uncertainties, our business may be materially and adversely affected.

If we fail to compete effectively, our business, financial condition and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected.

We face intense competition in our businesses. In the mobile space, we compete with other mobile application developers, including those developers that offer products purported to perform similar functions as Clean Master, CM Security, Battery Doctor, News Republic, Live.me and our other products. In the internet space, we mainly compete with Qihoo 360 Technology Co., Ltd., or Qihoo, in China’s internet security and anti-virus market. In addition, we compete with all major internet companies for user attention and advertising spend.

Some of our competitors have longer operating histories and significantly greater financial, technological and marketing resources than we do and, in turn, have an advantage in attracting and retaining users and customers. If we are not able to effectively compete in any aspect of our business or if our reputation is harmed by negative publicity relating to us, our products and services or our key management, our user base may decrease, which could make us less attractive to customers, and our business, financial condition and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected.

We have a limited operating history in international markets. If we fail to meet the challenges presented by our increasingly globalized operations, our business, financial condition and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected.

Our business has continued to expand internationally since we released our Clean Master overseas version in September 2012 and established Cheetah Mobile America, Inc., one of our U.S. subsidiaries, in November 2012. In December 31, 2014, 2015 and 2016, approximately 68.8%, 78.6% and 81.0%, respectively, of our mobile monthly active users were from overseas markets, including the United States, Europe, India, Indonesia and certain emerging markets (other than China), while the remainder were from China. Revenues from overseas markets accounted for 17.2%, 51.2% and 60.2% of our total revenues in 2014, 2015 and 2016, respectively. We currently expect to continue our global expansion as a key growth strategy, which exposes us to a number of risks, including:

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·                  challenges in formulating effective local sales and marketing strategies targeting mobile internet users from various jurisdictions and cultures, who have a diverse range of preferences and demands;

·                  challenges in identifying appropriate local business partners and establishing and maintaining good working relationships with them. Our business partners primarily include third parties that promote our platform and applications, and mobile advertising networks, such as Facebook, Google, Yahoo, Baidu and Tencent, through which advertisers place their advertisements on our mobile applications. In addition, we work with game developers for our game publishing business;

·                  local competition;

·                  challenges in meeting local advertiser demands as well as online marketing practices and conventions;

·                  differences in user and advertiser reception and perception of our applications internationally;

·                  challenges in building direct sales operations, especially in developed markets;

·                  fluctuations in currency exchange rates;

·                  compliance with applicable foreign laws and regulations, including but not limited to internet content requirements, foreign exchange controls, cash repatriation restrictions, intellectual property protection rules and data privacy requirements;

·                  exposure to different tax jurisdictions that may subject us to greater fluctuations in our effective tax rate and assessments in multiple jurisdictions on various tax-related assertions, including transfer pricing adjustments and permanent establishment; and

·                  increased costs associated with doing business in foreign jurisdictions.

Our business, financial condition and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected by these and other risks associated with our increasingly globalized operations.

More people are using devices other than personal computers to access the internet. If users do not widely adopt versions of our applications developed for these devices, our business could be adversely affected.

The number of people who access the internet through devices other than personal computers, including mobile phones, smartphones, handheld computers such as iPad and other tablets, and television set-top devices, is increasing dramatically. The varying display sizes, functionality, and memory associated with alternative devices make the use of our applications on such devices more difficult and the versions of our applications developed for these devices may not be compelling to users, manufacturers or distributors of devices. Each manufacturer or distributor may establish unique technical standards for its devices, and our applications may not work or be accessible on these devices. Some manufacturers may also elect not to include our applications on their devices. As new devices and new platforms are continually being released, it is difficult to predict the problems we may encounter in developing versions of our applications for use on these alternative devices and we may need to devote significant resources to the creation, support, and maintenance of our applications tailored for such devices. If we are unable to attract and retain a substantial number of alternative device manufacturers, distributors, and users to adopt and use our applications, or if we are slow to develop products and technologies that are more compatible with alternative devices, we may fail to capture a significant share of an increasingly important portion of the market for online marketing services, which could adversely affect our business.

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If our mobile and PC applications fail to address security threats and optimize system performance or otherwise do not work properly, we may lose users, and our business, financial condition and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected.

Our users rely on our applications to optimize internet system performance of their mobile devices and PC and provide real time protection against security threats. Our applications are highly technical and complex and, when deployed, may contain defects or security vulnerabilities. Some errors in our products may only be discovered after a product has been installed and used by our users.

Our applications for users rely on our cloud-based data analytics engines to optimize system performance and protect against security threats. The data analytics engines include our most up-to-date security threats library and application behavior library in the cloud, and our applications only include a subset of these libraries on the users’ end devices. If our data analytics engines do not function properly, or if the infrastructure supporting the data analytics engine malfunctions, our applications may not achieve optimal results.

Our cloud-based data analytics engines employ a heuristic, or experience-based, approach to detect unknown security threats and behavior of unknown mobile applications. However, new malware and malicious applications are constantly appearing and evolving, and our detection technologies may not detect all forms of security threats or malicious applications encountered by our users. In addition, our applications may not work properly with the Windows, Android or iOS operating systems if we cannot promptly upgrade our applications following any changes or updates to these operating systems. We previously experienced system disruption due to compatibility issues resulting from an update to the Windows operating system.

Any of these defects, vulnerabilities or failures may cause security breaches and suboptimal system performance of the mobile and PC internet, which could result in damage to our reputation, decrease in our user base and loss of customers, and our business, financial condition and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected.

If any system failure, interruption or downtime occurs, our business, financial condition and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected.

Although we seek to reduce the possibility of disruptions and other outages, our applications may be disrupted by problems with our own cloud-based technology and system, such as malfunctions in our software or other facilities or network overload. Our systems may be vulnerable to damage or interruption caused by telecommunication failures, power loss, human error, computer attacks or viruses, earthquakes, floods, fires, terrorist attacks and similar events. While we locate our servers in multiple data centers across China, as well as in other Asian countries, the United States, Europe and Brazil, our systems are not fully redundant or backed up, and our disaster recovery planning may not be sufficient for all eventualities. Despite any precautions we may take, the occurrence of natural disasters or other unanticipated problems at our hosting facilities could result in interruptions in the availability of our products and services. In particular, as the number of our Live.me users increases and they generate more content, we may be required to expand and adapt our technology and infrastructure to continue to reliably store, process and analyze user content as well as to ensure smooth delivery of high quality content. Any interruption in the ability of our users to use our applications could damage our reputation, reduce our future revenues, harm our future profits, subject us to regulatory scrutiny and lead users to seek alternative products.

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Our servers may experience downtime from time to time, which may adversely affect our brands and user perception of the reliability of our systems. Any scheduled or unscheduled interruption in the ability of users to use our servers could result in an immediate, and possibly substantial, loss of revenues.

If major mobile application distribution channels change their standard terms and conditions in a manner that is detrimental to us, or terminate their existing relationship with us, our business, financial condition and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected.

We rely on third-party mobile application distribution channels such as Google Play and iOS App Store to distribute most of our mobile applications to users. In China, where Google Play is not available, we collaborate with similar local distribution channels to distribute our mobile applications. We expect a substantial number of downloads of our mobile applications will continue to be derived from these distribution channels. As such, the promotion, distribution and operation of our applications are subject to such distribution platforms’ standard terms and policies for application developers, which are subject to the interpretation of, and frequent changes by, these distribution channels. If Google Play, iOS App Store or any other major distribution channel changes their standard terms and conditions in a manner that is detrimental to us, or terminate their existing relationship with us, our business, financial condition and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected.

As most of our core mobile applications are created for Android devices, a decrease in the popularity of the Android ecosystem may materially and adversely affect our mobile business.

Most of our core mobile applications are created for Android devices. Any significant downturn in the overall popularity of the Android ecosystem or the use of Android devices could materially and adversely affect the demand for and revenues generated from our mobile applications. Although the Android ecosystem has grown rapidly in recent years, it is uncertain whether it will continue to grow at a similar rate in the future. In addition, due to the constantly evolving nature of the mobile industry, another operating system for mobile devices may eclipse Android and decrease its popularity. To the extent that our mobile applications continue to mainly support Android devices, our mobile business would be vulnerable to any decline in popularity of the Android operating system.

We generate a portion of our revenues from internet value-added services, or IVAS, which primarily comprise online game publishing services and sale of virtual items on Live.me. If we fail to source suitable third-party online games on reasonable terms or our users do not continue to contribute appealing content to Live.me, our IVAS revenues may be materially and adversely affected.

We derive a portion of our revenues from IVAS, which primarily include game publishing services and, increasingly, sale of virtual items on Live.me. The success of our online games depends on our ability to source suitable third-party games on reasonable terms. We have exclusive publishing or joint operating arrangements for games we publish on our platform. We may not be able to identify popular and profitable games and license such games on acceptable terms. We may incur significant expenses in exclusive game publishing arrangements with game developers if their products turn out to be unpopular. Game developers with popular games may discontinue their cooperation with us. In addition, increased competition in China’s game publishing market may negatively impact the fee sharing arrangement between game developers and us. Should any of these occur, our business, financial condition and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected.

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The success of Live.me depends on its ability to provide appealing content, which is created by our users. If such creators, including influential users, do not continue to contribute content to Live.me due to a lack of network effects or other reasons, we may lose user audience, including content creators and paying users, which may materially and adversely affect our IVAS revenues from Live.me.

We may be held liable for information or content displayed on, retrieved from or linked to our applications, which may adversely impact our brand image and materially and adversely affect our business and operating results.

Our content-driven applications, such as Live.me and News Republic, may be misused by users to engage in inappropriate, fraudulent or illegal activities. We have implemented control procedures and technologies, as well as a specialized team that monitor content uploaded by Live.me users. These procedures aim to detect and block inappropriate, fraudulent or illegal content or activities uploaded to or conducted through Live.me, particularly those that violate our user agreements, applicable laws and regulations. However, such procedures may not be able to block all such content uploads or activities in real time due to the real-time nature of content being streamed on Live.me. In addition, as the number of users and user activities on Live.me grow, it may become more difficult for the team to timely detect and block illegal or inappropriate content or activities. We may be found liable for illegal or inappropriate content uploaded by our users in different jurisdictions. Our brand image may be materially and adversely affected by the misuse of our applications and we may face governmental or regulatory actions. In response to any allegations of illegal or inappropriate activities conducted through our applications or any negative media coverage about us, government authorities may intervene and hold us liable for non-compliance with laws and regulations concerning the dissemination of information on the Internet or violation of relevant regulations on live video streaming services and subject us to administrative penalties or other sanctions, such as requiring us to restrict or discontinue certain features and services provided on our applications. If such events occur, our reputation and business may suffer and our user base and operating results may be materially and adversely affected.

We may not be able to prevent unauthorized use of our intellectual property, which could harm our business and competitive position.

We regard our trademarks, service marks, patents, domain names, trade secrets, proprietary technologies know-how and similar intellectual property as critical to our success, and we rely on trademark and patent law, trade secret protection and confidentiality and invention assignment agreements with our employees and third parties to protect our proprietary rights. See “Item 4. Information on the Company—B. Business Overview—Intellectual Property” for a description for our intellectual property. There can be no assurance that any of our pending patent, trademark or other intellectual property applications will be issued or registered. Any intellectual property rights we have obtained or may obtain in the future may not be sufficient to provide us with a competitive advantage, and could be challenged, invalidated, circumvented, infringed or misappropriated. Given the potential cost, effort, risks and disadvantages of obtaining patent protection, we have not and do not plan to apply for patents or other forms of intellectual property protection for certain of our key technologies. If some of these technologies are later proven to be important to our business and are used by third parties without our authorization, especially for commercial purposes, our business and competitive position may be harmed.

Monitoring for infringement or other unauthorized use of our intellectual property rights is difficult and costly, and we cannot be certain that we can effectively prevent such infringement or unauthorized use of our intellectual property, particularly in countries where laws may not protect our proprietary rights to the same extent as in the United States. From time to time, we may need to resort to litigation or other proceedings to enforce our intellectual property rights, which could result in substantial cost and diversion of resources. Our efforts to enforce or protect our intellectual property rights may be ineffective and could result in the invalidation or narrowing of the scope of our intellectual property or expose us to counterclaims from third parties, any of which may adversely affect our business and operating results.

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In addition, it is often difficult to create and enforce intellectual property rights in China and other countries outside of the United States. Even where adequate, relevant laws exist in China and other countries outside of the United States, it may not be possible to obtain swift and equitable enforcement of such laws, or to enforce court judgments or arbitration awards delivered in another jurisdiction. Accordingly, we may not be able to effectively protect our intellectual property rights in such countries. Additional uncertainty may result from changes to intellectual property laws enacted in the jurisdictions in which we operate, and from interpretations of intellectual property laws by applicable courts and government bodies.

Our confidentiality and invention assignment agreements with our employees and third parties, such as consultants and contractors, may not effectively prevent unauthorized use or disclosure of our confidential information, intellectual property or technology and may not provide an adequate remedy in the event of such unauthorized use or disclosure. Trade secrets and know-how are difficult to protect, and our trade secrets may be disclosed, become known or be independently discovered by others. Despite our efforts to protect our proprietary rights, unauthorized parties may attempt to copy aspects of our website features, software and functionality or obtain and use information that we consider confidential and proprietary. If we are not able to adequately protect our trade secrets, know-how and other confidential information, intellectual property or technology, our business and operating results may be adversely affected.

We may be subject to intellectual property infringement lawsuits which could result in our payment of substantial damages or license fees, disruption to our product and service offerings and reputational harm.

Third parties, including our competitors, may assert claims against us for alleged infringements of their technology patents, copyrights, trademarks, trade secrets and internet content. Our internal procedures and licensing practices may not be effective in completely preventing the unauthorized use of copyrighted materials or the infringement of other rights of third parties by us or our users. The validity, enforceability and scope of protection of intellectual property rights in internet-related industries, particularly in China, is uncertain and still evolving. If a claim of infringement brought against us in China or another jurisdiction is successful, we may be required to pay substantial penalties or other damages and fines, enter into license agreements which may not be available on commercially reasonable terms or at all or be subject to injunction or court orders. We may be subject to injunction or court orders or required to redesign our products or technology, any of which could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. Even if allegations or claims lack merit, defending against them could be both costly and time-consuming and could significantly divert the efforts and resources of our management and other personnel. In addition, regardless of the outcome of the lawsuit, we could suffer reputational harm.

For example, we changed our corporate name, company logo and trademark to reflect our new name Cheetah Mobile in the first half of 2014. Cheetah is commonly used in corporate names in China, the United States and elsewhere. Although we believe in good faith that our use of Cheetah Mobile does not infringe on any third-party intellectual property rights and we have filed trademark applications in certain categories in China, third parties may bring trademark and other intellectual property infringement claims against us, which could distract our management attention and result in us incurring significant cost to defend ourselves.

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Further, we license and use technologies from third parties in our applications. These third-party technology licenses may not continue to be available to us on acceptable terms or at all, and may expose us to liability. Any such liability, or our inability to use any of these third-party technologies, could result in disruptions to our business that could materially and adversely affect our operating and financial results.

Some of our applications contain open source software, which may pose increased risk to our proprietary software.

We use open source software in some of our applications, including our Cheetah Browser, which incorporates Chromium browser technology, and will use open source software in the future. In addition, we regularly contribute source code to open source software projects and release internal software projects under open source licenses, and anticipate doing so in the future. The terms of many open source licenses to which we are subject have not been interpreted by U.S. or foreign courts, and there is a risk that such licenses could be construed in a manner that imposes unanticipated conditions or restrictions on our ability to sell or distribute our applications. Additionally, we may from time to time face threats or claims from third parties claiming ownership of, or demanding release of, the alleged open source software or derivative works we developed using such software, which could include our proprietary source code, or otherwise seeking to enforce the terms of the applicable open source license. These threats or claims could result in litigation and could require us to make our source code freely available, purchase a costly license or cease offering the implicated applications unless and until we can re-engineer them to avoid infringement. Such a re-engineering process could require significant additional research and development resources, and we may not be able to complete it successfully. In addition to risks related to license requirements, our use of certain open source software may lead to greater risks than use of third- party commercial software, as open source licensors generally do not provide warranties or controls on the origin of the software. Additionally, because any software source code we contribute to open source projects is publicly available, our ability to protect our intellectual property rights with respect to such software source code may be limited or lost entirely, and we are unable to prevent our competitors or others from using such contributed software source code. Any of these risks could be difficult to eliminate or manage and, if not addressed, could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Our business depends substantially on the continuing efforts of our management team, key employees and skilled personnel, and our business operations may be severely disrupted if we lose their services.

Our future success depends substantially on the continued efforts of our management team and key employees, in particular, Mr. Sheng Fu, our chief executive officer, Mr. Ming Xu, our president, and Mr. Charles Chenggong Fan, our chief technology officer. The loss of Mr. Fu, Mr. Xu, Mr. Fan or any of our management team members could harm our business. In addition, if our key employees were unable or unwilling to continue their services with us, we may not be able to replace them easily, in a timely manner, or at all, which could result in significant disruptions to our business. The integration of any replacement personnel could be time-consuming, expensive and cause additional disruption to our business. If any of our management team members or key employees joins a competitor or forms a competing company, we may lose customers, know-how and staff.

Each of our executive officers and key employees has agreed to non-competition obligations. However, these agreements may not be enforceable in China, where our executives and key employees reside, in light of uncertainties relating to China’s legal system. If any of our executive officers or key employees violates the terms of their non-competition or other employment agreements with us, or their legal duties by diverting business opportunities from us, it will result in our loss of corporate opportunities. Although we have adopted a code of business conduct and ethics to help restrict conflicts of interest involving directors and officers, any violation of this code by our directors or officers may materially and adversely affect our business operations, prospects and reputation.

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Allegations or lawsuits against us or our management may harm our reputation and have a material and adverse impact on our business, results of operations and cash flows.

We have been, and may become, subject to allegations or lawsuits brought by our competitors, customers, business partners, short sellers, investment research firms or other individuals or entities, including claims of breach of contract or unfair competition. Any such allegation or lawsuit, with or without merit, or any perceived unfair, unethical, fraudulent or inappropriate business practice by us or perceived malfeasance by our management could harm our reputation and user base and distract our management from our daily operations. Allegations or lawsuits against us or our management may also generate negative publicity that significantly harms our reputation, which may materially and adversely affect our user base and our ability to attract customers. In addition to the related cost, managing and defending litigation and related indemnity obligations can significantly divert management’s attention. We may also need to pay damages or settle the litigation with a substantial amount of cash. All of these could have a material adverse impact on our business, results of operation and cash flows.

Our chief executive officer, Mr. Sheng Fu, is named in a lawsuit filed by Qihoo in Hong Kong, there is uncertainty as to the outcome of this lawsuit and its impact on us.

In September 2011, Mr. Sheng Fu, our chief executive officer, was named as a defendant in a lawsuit filed by Qihoo in the High Court of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. The complaint was subsequently amended in May 2012, July 2012 and January 2014. The amended complaint alleges that Mr. Fu has breached his contractual obligations of confidentiality, non-competition, non-solicitation and non-disparagement under the agreements Mr. Fu had entered into with a subsidiary of Qihoo prior to his resignation from the subsidiary in August 2008. The complaint asserts that Mr. Fu was a product manager of Qihoo and was responsible for, and participated in, product design and research of certain anti-virus products, including 360 Anti-virus and 360 Safe Guard, and had access to the related confidential information, trade secret, technology and know-how.

In connection with the above claims, the complaint specifically alleges that Mr. Fu: (i) used confidential information of Qihoo to develop, by himself or through Beijing Conew Technology Development Co. Ltd., or Beijing Conew, and Conew Network Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd., or Conew Network, an anti-virus product released around May 2010 that was allegedly substantially similar to Qihoo’s 360 Anti-virus and 360 Safe Guard and infringed upon the confidential information, trade secrets and other rights of Qihoo; (ii) engaged in or dealt with businesses and products that directly competed with the businesses and/or products of Qihoo within the 18-month restricted period; (iii) employed employees of Qihoo within the 18-month restricted period, including Mr. Ming Xu, our president, who was the then director of technology of 360 Safe Guard, a division of Qihoo; and (iv) publicly made certain negative statements about Qihoo.

Qihoo is seeking a court declaration that Qihoo’s repurchase of its shares previously granted to Mr. Fu under Qihoo’s share incentive plan at a nominal value was valid, a court order that Mr. Fu cease to use any confidential information or know-how of Qihoo, damages for disparagement, and a court order that Mr. Fu account to Qihoo for any profits that he earned as a result of the alleged breach.

Mr. Fu joined us in October 2010 when we acquired Conew.com Corporation for which Mr. Fu served as the chief executive officer prior to the acquisition. Our product offerings do not include, and are not derived from, the anti-virus products referenced in the complaint. Mr. Fu believes that Qihoo’s allegations are without merit and intends to contest them vigorously. However, it is inherently difficult to predict the length, process and outcome of any court proceedings. Any litigation, regardless of the merits, can be time-consuming and can divert Mr. Fu’s attention away from our business. Should Qihoo prevail in the lawsuit against Mr. Fu, Mr. Fu’s reputation may be harmed and he may be ordered to cease using such confidential information. Moreover, although neither we nor Mr. Ming Xu have been named as a defendant in the lawsuit, we cannot guarantee that Qihoo will not initiate proceedings against us or Mr. Ming Xu in the future, which could adversely affect our reputation, business and results of operations.

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We have made and intend to continue to make significant capital investment in a number of strategic investments, acquisitions and partnerships, which may not be successful and may have a material and adverse effect on our business, reputation and results of operations.

We have made and intend to continue to make significant capital investment in strategic investments, acquisitions and partnerships to complement our organic business expansion. We have also made a number of investments in securities and minority investments in companies with strategic value for us. These investments and acquisitions require a significant amount of capital, which decreases the amount of cash available for working capital or capital expenditures. In 2014, 2015 and 2016, we have paid for investments and acquisitions in an aggregate amount of RMB522.7 million, RMB756.1 million and RMB644.0 million (US$92.8 million), respectively. If these investments and acquisitions do not perform as we have expected, become less valuable to our business due to a change in our overall business strategy, or if the industry, regulatory or economic environments deteriorate, they could result in significant impairment of goodwill, intangible assets and investments. For example, in 2016, we disposed of a majority interest in a VIE’s subsidiary that operated an online lottery business using assets which we acquired in April 2014, primarily due to the suspension of our online lottery business in response to the PRC government’s regulatory measures. In addition, acquisitions of businesses and assets may increase our capital and expenses in integrating new businesses and personnel into our own, require significant management attention and result in a diversion of resources away from our existing business, which in turn could have an adverse effect on our business operations. Further, acquisitions could result in increased leverage, potentially dilutive issuances of equity securities and exposure to potential unknown liabilities of the acquired business. The costs of identifying and consummating acquisitions may also be significant. In addition to possible shareholders’ approval, we may also have to obtain approvals and licenses from relevant government authorities for the acquisitions and comply with applicable laws and regulations, which could result in increased costs and delays.

In the future, if appropriate opportunities arise, we may acquire additional assets, products, technologies or businesses that are complementary to our existing business. However, we may fail to select appropriate acquisition targets, negotiate acceptable arrangements (including arrangements to finance acquisitions) or integrate the acquired businesses and their personnel into our own. In addition, strategic partnerships could subject us to a number of risks, including risks associated with sharing proprietary information and non-performance by third parties. We may not be able to monitor or control the actions of our strategic partners and, to the extent any such strategic partner suffers negative publicity or harm to its reputation from events relating to its own business, we may also suffer negative publicity or harm to our reputation by association.

If we fail to effectively manage our growth or implement our business strategies, our business and operating results could be harmed.

We are still in the process of growing our business. In recent years, we have rapidly established our market position in China and globally, and have continued to expand our product offerings to include a wide array of mobile and PC applications. Managing our growth requires significant expenditures and allocation of valuable management time and resources. We intend to continue to make investments to promote our content-driven products and to expand our research and development efforts, including artificial intelligence and deep learning, in order to provide more personalized content for our users. In order to be able to continue to fund our investments in content-driven products, we intend to continue to control costs relating to our existing PC and mobile utility applications.  To execute our business plan and growth strategy, we need to continuously improve our operational and financial systems, procedures and controls, and expand, train, manage and maintain good relations with our employee base. In addition, we must expand and continue to engage or maintain our relationships with a growing number of users, customers and business partners. Continued growth could also strain our ability to maintain reliable service levels for our users, customers and business partners. We operate in a dynamic and rapidly evolving market and investors should not rely on our past results as an indication of our future operating performance. Any failure to effectively manage our growth or implement our business strategies may materially and adversely affect our business and results of operations.

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We rely on certain assumptions to calculate our mobile monthly active user and mobile installation figures, and real or perceived inaccuracies may harm our reputation and adversely affect our business.

We derive the number of mobile monthly active users of our applications using a combination of our internal statistics and data provided by a third-party research firm, and we derive the number of mobile devices installed with our applications using our internal statistics. Our internal statistics have not been independently verified. While we believe third-party data we use are reliable, we have not independently verified such data. Furthermore, there are inherent challenges in measuring usage across our large user base. For example, we calculate the number of active users of our mobile applications based on the number of unique devices. We count each device on which one or more of our mobile applications have been installed or downloaded as a single user. As such, a single individual using our applications on multiple devices is counted as multiple users, while multiple individuals sharing a device on which our applications are installed or downloaded is counted as a single user.

Our measures of user base and user activity may differ from estimates published by third parties or from similarly titled metrics used by our competitors due to differences in methodology. If customers or investors do not perceive our user metrics to be accurate representations of our user base or user activity, or if we discover material inaccuracies in our user metrics, our reputation may be harmed and customers may be less willing to allocate their spending or resources to us, which could negatively affect our business and operating results.

Our results of operations are subject to seasonal fluctuations due to a number of factors, any of which could adversely affect our business and operating results.

We are subject to seasonality and other fluctuations in our business. Revenues from our online marketing services, which constitute a majority of our revenues, are affected by seasonality in advertising spending in both China and overseas markets. We believe that such seasonality in advertising spending affects our quarterly results, resulting in significant growth in our online marketing services revenues between the third and the fourth quarters but a decline from the fourth quarter to the next quarter. Thus, our operating results for one or more future quarters or years may fluctuate substantially or fall below the expectations of securities analysts and investors. In such event, the trading price of the ADSs may fluctuate significantly.

If we fail to build, maintain and enhance our brands, incur excessive expenses in this effort or if there is confusion in the market between our brands and that of Kingsoft Corporation, our business, results of operations and prospects may be materially and adversely affected.

We believe that building, maintaining and enhancing our brands are critical to the success of our business and our ability to compete. Well-recognized brands are important to increasing our number of users and expanding our online marketing business.

Many factors, some of which are beyond our control, are important to maintaining and enhancing our brands and may negatively impact our brands and reputation if not properly managed, such as:

·                  our ability to provide a convenient and reliable user experience as user preferences evolve and we expand into new applications;

·                  our ability to increase brand awareness among existing and potential users and customers through various marketing and promotional activities;

·                  our ability to adopt new technologies or adapt our applications to meet user needs or the expectations of our customers;

·                  our ability to maintain and enhance our brands in the face of potential challenges from third parties;

·                  actions by third parties, through whom we collect revenues and perform other business functions, that may affect our reputation;

·                  actions by Kingsoft Corporation, from whom we license the name “Kingsoft,” that may affect the “Kingsoft” brand; and

·                  our ability to differentiate our brands and products from those of Kingsoft Corporation.

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In addition, we changed our corporate name and company logo in the first half of 2014 as part of our corporate re-branding efforts. The change of our corporate name and logo is to better align our corporate name with the products we offer, and we will continue our efforts to strengthen our key brand assets, including Clean Master, Battery Doctor and Duba Anti-virus. However, there is no assurance that we will be able to achieve the same or similar name recognition or status under our new corporate brand as that we have enjoyed. If our customers do not accept our new brand, our sales, performance and business relationships could be adversely affected.

As we expand, we may conduct various marketing and brand promotion activities. We cannot assure you, however, that these activities will be successful or that we will be able to achieve the outcomes we expect. In addition, any negative publicity in relation to our applications, regardless of its veracity, could harm our brands and reputation.

Non-compliance on the part of third parties with whom we conduct business could disrupt our business and adversely affect our results of operations.

Third parties with whom we conduct our business, including our game developers, may be subject to regulatory penalties or punishments because of their regulatory compliance failures, which may disrupt our business. Any legal liabilities of, or regulatory actions against, such third parties may affect our business activities and reputation and, in turn, our results of operations. For example, we primarily conduct our online game publishing services through joint operating arrangements, in which we cooperate with game developers to publish their games through our mobile and PC applications. The online game industry is highly regulated in China and many other jurisdictions, and online game operators like our game developers are generally required to obtain licenses and permits, to complete filing procedures for specific mobile games and to comply with various requirements when conducting business. We require our game developers to provide their licenses, permits or filing documents relating to the relevant online games before entering into cooperation arrangements with them, but we cannot assure you that our existing or future game developers will continue to maintain all applicable permits and approvals, and any non-compliance on their part may cause potential liabilities to us and disrupt our operations.

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If we fail to obtain and maintain the requisite licenses and approvals or otherwise comply with the laws and regulations under the complex regulatory environment applicable to our businesses in China, or if we are required to take actions that are time-consuming or costly, our business, financial condition and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected.

The internet industry, including the mobile internet industry, is highly regulated in China. Our VIEs are required to obtain and maintain applicable licenses and approvals from different regulatory authorities in order to provide their current services. Under the current PRC regulatory scheme, a number of regulatory agencies, including but not limited to the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television, or SARFT, the Ministry of Culture, or MOC, Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, or MIIT, the State Council Information Office, or SCIO, and the Cyberspace Administration of China, or CAC, jointly regulate all major aspects of the internet industry, including mobile and PC internet businesses. Operators must obtain various government approvals and licenses for relevant internet or mobile business.

We have obtained Internet Content Provider Licenses, or ICP Licenses, for the provision of internet information services, and Online Culture Operating Licenses for the operation of online games. We have obtained a Computer Information System Security Products Sales License for our mobile and PC security applications, which expired on November 28, 2016. We have applied to renew the Computer Information System Security Products Sales License. These licenses are essential to the operation of our business and are generally subject to regular government review or renewal. However, we cannot assure you that we can successfully renew these licenses in a timely manner or that these licenses are sufficient to conduct all of our present or future business.

The online games currently offered on our platform are primarily developed by and jointly operated with game developers. In addition to the Online Culture Operating License from the MOC, we are also required to obtain an Internet Publishing License from SARFT for the operation and distribution of games through mobile and PC internet networks. We are in the process of applying for an Internet Publishing License from SARFT for the operation and distribution of games on mobile and PC internet. Each online game is also required to be filed with SARFT prior to the commencement of its operations in China. For domestic online games, within 30 days after the commencement of operation, the operator must finish the registration process with the MOC. Furthermore, an online game operator such as our game developers is required to obtain approval from the MOC in order to distribute virtual currencies for online games such as prepaid value cards, prepaid money or game points. While we endeavor to comply with the registration requirements, a few developers of the games we publish, who have contractual obligations to file the games with SARFT, have not made such filings, and a few games that we published were not registered within 30 days of their commencement of operations. We cannot assure you that we or our game developers will be able to obtain all the required permits, approvals or licenses or complete all the required filings in a timely manner, or at all. If we or any of such game developers fails to do so, we may have to modify our online game publishing services in a manner disruptive to our business or may not be able to continue to operate the affected online games, which may adversely affect our business and results of operations.

Considerable uncertainties exist regarding the interpretation and implementation of existing and future laws and regulations governing our current business activities and new industries or businesses we may expand into. For example, we once commenced an online lottery sales business in April 2014 but suspended such business in March 2015 due to regulatory uncertainty in China. We have then disposed of and deconsolidated the online lottery business in May 2016. We cannot assure you that we will not be found in violation of any future laws and regulations or any of the laws and regulations currently in effect due to changes in the relevant authorities’ implementation or interpretation of these laws and regulations. If we fail to complete, obtain or maintain any of the required licenses or approvals or make the necessary filings, or otherwise fail to comply with the laws and regulations, we may be subject to various penalties, such as confiscation of revenues that were generated through the unlicensed internet or mobile activities, the imposition of fines and the discontinuation or restriction of our operations. Any such penalties may disrupt our business operations and materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

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Our subsidiaries Cheetah Technology Corporation Ltd., a company incorporated under the laws of Hong Kong, or Cheetah Technology, and News Republic S.A.S., a company incorporated in France, currently operate Live.me and News Republic, respectively. Although China is not the main market for Live.me and News Republic, PRC users can download those mobile applications from mobile application distribution channels such as Google Play and iOS App Store.

Live.me is a live video streaming and video sharing platform operated via the internet. Pursuant to relevant regulations on audio/video program transmission through the internet, the operations of Live.me in China may fall into the scope of internet audio/video program services, such that we may be required  to obtain an internet audio/video program transmission license issued by the SARFT and to operate Live.me within the scope as provided in such license. There is no assurance that Cheetah Technology would not be regarded as providing audio/video program services in China by virtue of operating Live.me. However, Cheetah Technology, as a company incorporated outside the PRC, is not eligible for an internet audio/video program transmission license. Therefore, Cheetah Technology may be prohibited from allowing PRC users to access Live.me if the relevant PRC authorities find it to be unqualified for providing audio/video program services in China. See “Item 4. Information on the Company—B. Business Overview—Regulations—Regulations on Broadcasting Audio/Video Programs through the Internet” for further details.

News Republic provides internet news information services on current affairs and politics in China and overseas, including relevant news reporting and commentary on politics, economy, military affairs, diplomacy, public emergencies and other public affairs. As of the date of this annual report, News Republic has not generated revenues from the provision of internet news information services within the the PRC. Pursuant to the Provisions on the Administration of Internet News Information Services, or the Internet News Provisions, which were jointly promulgated by the SCIO and the then Ministry of Information Industry (the predecessor of the MIIT) in September 2005, News Republic S.A.S. may be classified as an internet news information service provider “that is established by non-news work units and that republish news information, provide current event electronic bulletin services, and transmit to the public current event news report information”. As such, News Republic S.A.S. may be required to apply for an internet news information service license, or an INIS License, in accordance with the Internet News Provisions. However, as News Republic S.A.S. is not a company incorporated in the PRC, it is not eligible for an INIS License. If the relevant PRC authorities find that News Republic S.A.S. is unqualified to provide internet news information services on current affairs and politics in China, News Republic S.A.S. may be prohibited from allowing PRC users to access News Republic, which would restrict the ability of News Republic S.A.S. to expand the coverage of News Republic to the PRC. See “Item 4. Information on the Company—B. Business Overview—Regulations—Regulations on Telecommunications Services and Foreign Ownership Restrictions” for further details.

Actual or alleged failure to comply with data privacy and protection laws and regulations could damage our reputation, discourage current and potential users from using our applications and subject us to fines and damages, which could have material adverse effects on our business and results of operations.

Concerns about our practices with regard to the collection, use or disclosure of personal information or other privacy-related matters, even if unfounded, could damage our reputation, business and results of operations. We are subject to the data privacy and protection laws and regulations adopted by PRC and foreign governmental agencies. Data privacy laws restrict our storage, use, processing, disclosure, transfer and protection of non-public personal information provided to us by our users. In December 2012 and July 2013, new laws and regulations were issued by the standing committee of the PRC National People’s Congress and MIIT to enhance the legal protection of information security and privacy on the internet. The laws and regulations also require internet operators to take measures to ensure confidentiality of user information. We are also subject to regulations under U.S. state law regarding the publication and dissemination of our privacy policy with respect to user data. It is possible that we may become subject to additional U.S. state or federal legislation or rules and regulations of governmental authorities outside China regarding the use of personal information or privacy-related matters. Complying with any additional or new regulatory requirements could force us to incur substantial costs or require us to change our business practices.

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While we strive to protect our users’ privacy and comply with all applicable data protection laws and regulations, any failure or perceived failure to do so may result in proceedings or actions against us by government entities or others, and could damage our reputation, discourage current and potential users from using our applications and subject us to fines and damages. From time to time we may be subject to claims or allegations of infringement of users’ privacy or breach of data protections laws. Negative publicity in relation to our applications, regardless of its veracity, could seriously harm our reputation, which in turn may discourage current and potential users from using our applications, which could have material adverse effects on our business and results of operations. In addition, user and regulatory attitudes towards privacy are evolving, and future regulatory or user concerns about the extent to which personal information is used by, accessible to or shared with customers or others may adversely affect our ability to share certain data with customers, which may limit certain methods of targeted advertising and result in a decline in our online marketing revenues.

Security breaches or hacking incidents could have a material adverse effect on our reputation, business prospects and results of operations.

Any significant breach of the security of our computer systems could significantly harm our business, reputation and results of operations and expose us to lawsuits brought by our users and customers and to sanctions by governmental authorities in the jurisdictions in which we operate and may result in significant damage to our internet security brand. We cannot assure you that our IT systems will be completely secure from future security breaches or hacking incidents. Anyone who is able to circumvent our security measures could misappropriate proprietary information, including the personal information of our users, obtain users’ names and passwords and enable hackers to access users’ other online and mobile accounts, if those users use identical user names and passwords. They could also misappropriate other information, including financial information, uploaded by our users in a secure environment. These circumventions may cause interruptions in our operations or damage our brand image and reputation. Our servers may be vulnerable to computer viruses, physical or electronic break-ins and similar disruptions, which could cause system interruptions, website slowdown or unavailability, delays in communication or transactions, or loss of data. We may be required to incur significant additional costs to protect against security breaches or to alleviate problems caused by such breaches. Any significant security breach or attack on our system could result in a material adverse impact on our reputation, business prospects and results of operations.

Our business is subject to complex and evolving laws and regulations regarding privacy, data protection, and other matters both within and outside China. Many of these laws and regulations are subject to change and uncertain interpretation, and could result in claims, changes to our business practices, monetary penalties, increased cost of operations, or declines in user growth or engagement, or otherwise harm our business.

In addition to PRC laws and regulations, we face additional regulatory risks and costs outside China as our products and services are increasingly offered in overseas markets. Approximately 81.0% of our mobile monthly active users in 2016 were from overseas markets, and our overseas revenues accounted for 60.2% of our total revenues in 2016. We are subject to a variety of laws and regulations in foreign jurisdictions that involve matters central to our business, including privacy and data protection, rights of publicity, content, intellectual property, advertising, marketing, distribution, data security, data retention and deletion, personal information, national security, electronic contracts and other communications, virtual currencies, competition, protection of minors, consumer protection, telecommunications, taxation, and economic or other trade prohibitions or sanctions. The introduction of new products, services or expansion of our activities in certain jurisdictions may subject us to additional laws and regulations. In addition, foreign data protection, privacy, and other laws and regulations can be more restrictive than those in China and in the United States.

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Similar to PRC laws and regulations, these foreign laws and regulations are constantly evolving and can be subject to significant change. As a result, the application, interpretation, and enforcement of these laws and regulations are often uncertain, particularly in the new and rapidly evolving industry in which we operate, and may be interpreted and applied inconsistently from country to country and inconsistently with our current policies and practices. For example, regulatory or legislative actions affecting the manner in which we display content to our users could adversely affect user growth and engagement, and legislations implementing data protection requirements or requiring local storage and processing of data or similar requirements could increase the cost and complexity of delivering our services.

The existing and proposed laws and regulations, as well as any associated inquiries, investigations, or actions, can be costly to comply with and can delay or impede the development of new products, result in negative publicity, increase our operating costs, require significant management time and attention, and subject us to remedies that may harm our business, including fines or demands or orders that we modify or cease existing business practices.

The successful operation of our business depends upon the performance and reliability of the internet infrastructure in China and the safety of our network and infrastructure.

Our business depends on the performance and reliability of the internet infrastructure in China. Almost all access to the internet is maintained through state-owned telecommunication operators under the administrative control and regulatory supervision of the MIIT. A more sophisticated internet infrastructure may not develop in China. We may not have access to alternative networks in the event of disruptions, failures or other problems with China’s internet infrastructure. In addition, the internet infrastructure in China may not support the demands associated with continued growth in internet usage. Although we believe we have sufficient controls in place to prevent intentional disruptions, we expect our network and infrastructure may experience attacks specifically designed to impede the performance of our products and services, misappropriate proprietary information or harm our reputation. Because the techniques used by hackers to access or sabotage networks change frequently and may not be recognized until launched against a target, we may be unable to anticipate them effectively. The theft, unauthorized use or publication of our trade secrets and other confidential business information as a result of such an event could adversely affect our competitive position, brand reputation and user base, and our users and customers may assert claims against us related to resulting losses arising from security breaches. Our business could be subject to significant disruption and our results of operations may be affected.

We had a net loss for the year ended December 31, 2016 and we may not be able to return to profitability. In addition, we may not be able to obtain additional capital in a timely manner or on acceptable terms, or at all.

Although we were able to achieve net income from 2012 to 2015, we had a net loss of RMB56.7 million (US$8.2 million) in 2016. We may continue to incur net losses in the future as we continue to develop our mobile business, invest in content-driven applications, and expand our markets outside China. Our net loss attributable to Cheetah Mobile shareholders was RMB80.5 million (US$11.6 million) in 2016, compared to a net income attributable to Cheetah Mobile shareholders of RMB68.3 million in 2014 and RMB176.3 million in 2015. Our future revenue growth and profitability will depend on a variety of factors, many of which are beyond our control. These factors include our ability to successfully continue to timely anticipate and adequately address the evolving needs of our users, customers and business partners, as well as our ability to attract new users, increase user engagement, effectively design and implement monetization strategies, and compete effectively and successfully. Our ability to achieve and sustain profitability is also affected by market and regulatory development related to, among others, mobile applications, online marketing, live video streaming and mobile games in China and overseas. In addition, if we are unable to achieve profitability again, it may become more difficult for us to raise sufficient capital to satisfy our anticipated capital expenditures and other cash needs, in which case our business, results of operations and financial condition may be materially adversely affected.

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We have granted, and may continue to grant, options, restricted shares and other types of share-based incentive awards, which may result in increased share-based compensation expenses.

We adopted a share award scheme, or the 2011 Plan, in May 2011, a 2013 equity incentive plan, or the 2013 Plan, in January 2014, and a restricted shares plan, or the 2014 Plan, in April 2014, pursuant to which we are authorized to grant options, restricted shares, restricted share units and other awards to our directors, officers, other employees and consultants, as each plan may provide. In addition to our share incentive plans, we have also granted share-based incentive awards in connection with certain investments and acquisitions made by us. See “Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employees—B. Compensation—Share Incentive Awards.” In 2014, 2015 and 2016, we recorded RMB173.8 million, RMB315.7 million and RMB306.1 million (US$44.1 million), respectively, of share-based compensation expenses. The amount of these expenses is based on the fair value of the share-based incentive awards we granted, and the recognition of unrecognized share-based compensation expenses will depend on the forfeiture rate of our unvested share-based awards. Expenses associated with share-based compensation have affected our net income and may reduce our net income in the future, and any additional securities issued pursuant to share-based incentive awards will dilute the ownership interests of our shareholders, including holders of the ADSs. We believe the granting of share-based incentive awards is of significant importance to our ability to attract and retain key personnel, employees and consultants, and we will continue to grant share-based incentive awards in the future. As a result, our share-based compensation expenses may increase, which may have an adverse effect on our results of operations.

We are a “controlled company” within the meaning of the rules of NYSE Listed Company Manual as well as a foreign private issuer. As a result, we qualify for, and intend to rely on, exemptions from certain corporate governance requirements. You will not have the same protections afforded to shareholders of companies that are subject to such requirements.

As of March 31, 2017, Kingsoft Corporation owned 62.8% of the total voting rights in our company. As a result, we are a “controlled company” under Section 303A of the NYSE Listed Company Manual. As a controlled company, we rely on certain exemptions that are available to controlled companies from the NYSE corporate governance requirements, including the requirements that:

·                  a majority of our board of directors consist of independent directors;

·                  our compensation committee be composed entirely of independent directors; and

·                  our nominating and corporate governance committee be composed entirely of independent directors.

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In addition, we currently rely on the home country practice exemption available under NYSE corporate governance rules to have an audit committee consisting of two instead of three independent directors. The NYSE corporate governance rules permit a foreign private issuer like us to follow the corporate governance practices of its home country. Certain corporate governance practices in the Cayman Islands, which is our home country, may differ significantly from the NYSE corporate governance rules. As we rely on the controlled company exemptions and a home country practice exemptions as described above, our investors may not have the same protection afforded to shareholders of companies that fully comply with NYSE corporate governance requirements. We may also opt to rely on additional controlled company exemptions or home country practice exemptions in the future.

Furthermore, because we qualify as a foreign private issuer under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, we are exempt from certain provisions of the Exchange Act that are applicable to U.S. public companies, including (i) the sections of the Exchange Act regulating the solicitation of proxies, consents or authorizations in respect of a security registered under the Exchange Act, (ii) the sections of the Exchange Act requiring insiders to file public reports of their stock ownership and trading activities and liability for insiders who profit from trades made in a short period of time, and (iii) the rules under the Exchange Act requiring the filing with the SEC of quarterly reports on Form 10-Q containing unaudited financial and other specified information, or current reports on Form 8-K, upon the occurrence of specified significant events. As a result, you may not be provided with the same benefits as a shareholder of a U.S. issuer.

We may have conflicts of interest with Kingsoft Corporation and, because of Kingsoft Corporation’s controlling voting interest in our company, we may not be able to resolve such conflicts on favorable terms for us.

As of March 31, 2017, Kingsoft Corporation owned 62.8% of the total voting rights in our company, and therefore it has decisive influence in determining the outcome of any corporate transaction or other matter submitted to the shareholders for approval, including mergers, consolidations and the sale of all or substantially all of our assets, election of directors and other significant corporate actions  Without the consent of Kingsoft Corporation, we may be prevented from entering into transactions that could be beneficial to us. Conflicts of interest may arise between Kingsoft Corporation and us or our other shareholders in a number of areas relating to our past and ongoing relationships. Potential conflicts of interest that we have identified include the following:

Our board members or executive officers may have conflicts of interest. We have a number of common directors and officers with Kingsoft Corporation. Mr. Jun Lei, the chairman of our board of directors, is also the chairman and non-executive director of Kingsoft Corporation. Mr. Sheng Fu, our chief executive officer and director, also serves as a senior vice president at Kingsoft Corporation. Mr. Tao Zou, one of our directors, is also the chief executive officer and director of Kingsoft Corporation. Mr. Yuk Keung Ng, our director and principal financial officer, is also the chief financial officer and director of Kingsoft Corporation. Mr. Wei Liu, one of our directors, is also a senior vice president of Kingsoft Corporation. A number of our directors and executive officers also own shares and/or options to purchase shares in Kingsoft Corporation. Kingsoft Corporation may continue to grant incentive share compensation to our board members and executive officers from time to time. These relationships could create perceived or actual conflicts of interest when these persons are faced with decisions with potentially different implications for Kingsoft Corporation and us, including any future disputes that may arise and any decisions that may have to be made under the inter-company agreements between Kingsoft Corporation and us.

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Sale of shares in our company. Kingsoft Corporation may decide to sell all or a portion of our shares that it holds to a third party, including to our competitors, thereby giving that third party substantial influence over our business and our affairs. Such a sale could be contrary to the interests of our employees or our other shareholders.

Allocation of business opportunities. Business opportunities may arise that both Kingsoft Corporation and we find attractive, and which would complement or strengthen our respective businesses. Pursuant to the non-compete undertaking between Kingsoft Corporation and us, subject to certain exceptions, we will not compete with Kingsoft Corporation in game development business, and Kingsoft Corporation will not compete with us in businesses relating to information security software, web browsers, the provision of information security service across devices and the provision of online advertising services relating to the information security software business. As to those opportunities not governed by the non-compete undertaking, Kingsoft Corporation may decide to take up the opportunities itself to our detriment.

Developing business relationships with Kingsoft Corporation’s competitors. So long as Kingsoft Corporation remains as our controlling shareholder, we may be limited in our ability to do business with its competitors, such as other internet-based software developers, distributors and service providers in China. This may limit the effectiveness of our online advertisements and may not be in the best interests of our company and our other shareholders.

Employee recruiting and retention. Because both Kingsoft Corporation and we are engaged in internet-related businesses in China, we may compete with Kingsoft Corporation in hiring new employees, in particular employees with expertise in technology.

Although our company is a standalone entity, we expect to operate, for as long as Kingsoft Corporation is our controlling shareholder, as part of Kingsoft Corporation’s group. Kingsoft Corporation may from time to time make strategic decisions that it believes are in the best interests of its group as a whole. These decisions may be different from the decisions that we would have made on our own. Kingsoft Corporation’s decisions with respect to us or our business may be resolved in ways that favor Kingsoft Corporation and therefore Kingsoft Corporation’s own shareholders, which may not coincide with the interests of our other shareholders. We may not be able to resolve any potential conflicts, and even if we do so, the resolution may be less favorable to us than if we were dealing with an unaffiliated shareholder. Even if both parties seek to transact business on terms intended to approximate those that could have been achieved among unaffiliated parties, this may not succeed in practice.

We may be the subject of anti-competitive, harassing or other detrimental conduct that could harm our reputation and cause us to lose users and customers and adversely affect the price of the ADSs.

We may be the target of anti-competitive, harassing or other detrimental conduct by third parties. For example, in 2015, the APUS Group, an Android app developer, published certain negative statements about our company and products, for which we filed a complaint in the same year in a district court in the United States and subsequently settled the case.  Allegations, directly or indirectly against us or any of our executive officers, may be posted on the internet, including in internet chat-rooms or on blogs or websites by anyone, whether or not well-founded, on an anonymous basis. In addition, third parties may file complaints, anonymous or otherwise, to regulatory agencies. We may be subject to regulatory or internal investigation as a result of such third-party conduct and may be required to expend significant time and incur substantial costs to address such third-party conduct, and there is no assurance that we will be able to conclusively refute each of the allegations within a reasonable period of time, or at all. Additionally, our reputation could be harmed as a result of the public dissemination of anonymous allegations or malicious statements about our business, which in turn may cause us to lose users and customers and adversely affect our business and results of operations.

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If we fail to implement and maintain an effective system of internal control, we may be unable to accurately report our results of operations, meet our reporting obligations or prevent fraud.

We are subject to reporting obligations under the U.S. securities laws. The SEC, as required by Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, adopted rules requiring every public company to include a management report on the company’s internal control over financial reporting in its annual report, which contains management’s assessment of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. Our management has concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2016. See “Item 15. Controls and Procedures—Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting.” In addition, our independent registered public accounting firm has issued an attestation report, which concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective in all material aspects as of December 31, 2016.

However, if we fail to maintain effective internal control over financial reporting in the future, our management and our independent registered public accounting firm, if applicable, may not be able to conclude that we have effective internal control over financial reporting at a reasonable assurance level. Any failure to achieve and maintain effective internal control over financial reporting could result in the loss of investor confidence in the reliability of our consolidated financial statements, which in turn could harm our business and negatively impact the market price of the ADSs. Furthermore, we have incurred and anticipate that we will continue to incur considerable costs, management time and other resources in an effort to comply with Section 404 and other requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.

We have limited business insurance coverage. Any interruption of our business may result in substantial costs to us and the diversion of our resources, which could have an adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

Insurance products available in China currently are not as extensive as those offered in more developed economies. Consistent with customary industry practice in China, our business insurance is limited and we do not carry real property or business interruption insurance to cover our operations. We have determined that the costs of insuring for related risks and the difficulties associated with acquiring such insurance on commercially reasonable terms make it impractical for us to have such insurance. Any uninsured damage to our systems or disruption of our business operations could require us to incur substantial costs and divert our resources, which could have an adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

Our business, financial condition and results of operations, as well as our ability to obtain financing, may be adversely affected by a downturn in the Chinese or global economy.

In the past, we have derived substantially all of our revenue from China. As we continue to monetize our international operations, we have started to generate a significant portion of revenue from overseas markets, primarily including the United States, Europe, India, Indonesia and certain emerging markets (other than China). In addition, we may have to obtain financing to support our business operations and any expansion plans. Therefore, our business and prospect is influenced by the Chinese as well as the global economy. The global financial markets have experienced significant disruptions since 2008, and the United States, Europe and other economies have experienced recession. The recovery from the lows of 2008 and 2009 has been uneven and is facing new challenges, including the escalation of the European sovereign debt crisis since 2011 and the slowdown of the Chinese economy since 2012. It is unclear whether the Chinese economy will resume its high growth rate. There is considerable uncertainty over the long-term effects of the expansionary monetary and fiscal policies adopted by the central banks and financial authorities of some of the world’s leading economies, including China’s. There have also been concerns over unrest and terrorist activities and attacks in the Middle East, Africa, Europe, the United States and Asia, which have resulted in volatility in oil and other markets, as well as concerns over the economic effect of the tensions in Japan’s relationship with China. A prolonged slowdown in the global or Chinese economy may lead to a reduced amount of online marketing and reduced spending on online games, which could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. Moreover, a slowdown or disruption in the global or Chinese economy may have a material and adverse impact on the financing available to us.

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Any catastrophe, including natural catastrophes, outbreaks of health pandemics or other extraordinary events, could disrupt our business operations.

Our operations may be vulnerable to interruption and damage from natural or other catastrophes, including earthquakes, fire, floods, hail, windstorms, severe winter weather (including snow, freezing water, ice storms and blizzards), environmental accidents, power loss, communications failures, explosions, man-made events such as terrorist attacks and similar events. We cannot predict the incidence, timing and severity of such events. If any catastrophe or extraordinary event occurs in the future, our ability to operate our business could be seriously impaired. Such events could make it difficult or impossible for us to deliver our services and products to our users and could decrease demand for our products. Because we do not carry property insurance and significant time could be required to resume our operations, our financial position and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected in the event of any major catastrophic event.

In addition, our business could be adversely affected by the outbreak of health pandemics, including influenza A, such as H7N9, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) or other pandemics. Any occurrence of these pandemic diseases or other adverse public health developments in China and other countries where we operate or elsewhere could severely disrupt our staffing or the staffing of our customers or business partners and otherwise reduce the activity levels of our work force and the work force of our customers or business partners, causing a material and adverse effect on our business operations.

Risks Relating to Our Corporate Structure

If the PRC government finds that the structure we have adopted for our business operations does not comply with PRC governmental restrictions on foreign investment in internet businesses, or if these laws or regulations or interpretations of existing laws or regulations change in the future, we could be subject to severe penalties, including the shutting down of our platform and our business operations.

Foreign ownership of internet-based, including mobile-based, businesses is subject to significant restrictions under current PRC laws and regulations. The PRC government regulates internet access, distribution of online information, online advertising, distribution and operation of online games through strict business licensing requirements and other government regulations. These laws and regulations also limit foreign ownership of PRC companies that provide internet information services. Specifically, foreign ownership of an internet information provider, except in the case of e-commerce service providers,  may not exceed 50%. In addition, according to the Several Opinions on the Introduction of Foreign Investment in the Cultural Industry promulgated by the MOC, the SARFT, the National Development and Reform Commission, or the NDRC, and the Ministry of Commerce, or the MOFCOM, in July 2005, foreign investors are prohibited from investing in or operating, among other things, any internet cultural operating entities. Companies providing mobile internet services such as ours are governed by these rules and regulations on internet companies in China.

We are a Cayman Islands company and conduct our operations in China primarily through our VIEs. Our VIEs, together with a then subsidiary of our VIE, contributed a significant portion of our consolidated revenues in the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2015, and a small portion of our consolidated revenues in the year ended December 31, 2016. We exercise effective control over our VIEs through a series of contractual arrangements that those entities and/or their shareholders signed with two of our wholly-owned PRC subsidiaries, namely, Beijing Kingsoft Internet Security Software Co., Ltd., or Beijing Security, and Conew Network. Our contractual arrangements with our VIEs and their shareholders enable us to exercise effective control over our VIEs and give us the obligation to absorb losses and the right to receive benefits of the VIEs, enabling us to consolidate their operating results. For a detailed description of these contractual arrangements, see “Item 4. Information on the Company—C. Organizational Structure—Contractual Arrangements with Our VIEs.”

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On September 28, 2009, the General Administration of Press and Publication, or the GAPP, which later integrated with the State Administration for Radio, Film and Television to become SARFT effective from March 22, 2013, the National Copyright Administration and the Office of National Work Group for Combating Pornography and Illegal Publications jointly issued a Notice on Implementing the Provisions of the State Council on “Three Determinations” and the Relevant Explanations of the State Commission Office for Public Sector Reform and Further Strengthening the Administration of the Pre-approval of Online Games and Examination and Approval of Imported Online Games, or Circular 13. Circular 13 restates that foreign investors are not permitted to invest in online game-operating businesses in China via wholly-owned, equity joint venture or cooperative joint venture investments and expressly prohibits foreign investors from gaining control over or participating in domestic mobile game operators through indirect ways such as establishing other joint venture companies or entering into contractual or technical arrangements such as the VIE structural arrangements we adopted. As no detailed interpretation of Circular 13 has been issued to date, it is not clear how Circular 13 will be implemented. We are not aware of any companies that have adopted a corporate structure that is the same as or similar to ours having been penalized or having had their arrangements terminated under Circular 13 since the effective date of the circular. Furthermore, as some other primary government regulators, such as the MOFCOM, the MOC and the MIIT, did not join in issuing Circular 13, the scope of the implementation and enforcement of Circular 13 remains uncertain. In the event that we, our PRC subsidiaries and VIEs are found to be in violation of the prohibition under Circular 13, the SARFT, in conjunction with the relevant regulatory authorities in charge, may impose applicable penalties, which may include suspension or revocation of relevant licenses and registrations.

Based on the advice of our PRC legal counsel, Global Law Office, the contractual arrangements among our PRC subsidiaries, our VIEs, their shareholders and us, as described in this annual report, are valid, legal and binding on each of the above-mentioned parties thereto in accordance with the terms of respective contractual arrangements. However, we were further advised by Global Law Office that there are substantial uncertainties regarding the interpretation and application of current or future PRC laws and regulations, and that these laws or regulations or interpretations of these laws or regulations may change in the future. Furthermore, the relevant government authorities have broad discretion in interpreting and implementing these laws and regulations. Accordingly, we cannot assure you that PRC government authorities will not ultimately take a view contrary to that of our PRC legal counsel.

If our corporate structure, contractual arrangements and businesses of our company, or our PRC entities, including our PRC subsidiaries and VIEs are found to be in violation of any existing or future PRC laws or regulations, the relevant governmental authorities would have broad discretion in dealing with such violation, including:

·                  levying fines or confiscating our income or the income of our PRC entities;

·                  revoking or suspending the business licenses or operating licenses of our PRC entities;

·                  shutting down our servers or blocking our platform, discontinuing or placing restrictions or onerous conditions on our operations;

·                  requiring us to discontinue or restrict our operations; and

·                  taking other regulatory or enforcement actions that could be harmful to our business.

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Any of these actions could cause significant disruption to our business operations and severely damage our reputation, which would in turn materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. If the imposition of any of the above penalties were to cause us to lose the rights to direct the activities of our VIEs or our right to receive their economic benefits, we would no longer be able to consolidate such entities.

We rely on contractual arrangements with our VIEs and their shareholders for the operation of our business in China, which may not be as effective as direct ownership.

Because of PRC restrictions on foreign ownership of internet businesses in China, we depend on contractual arrangements with our VIEs, in which we have no ownership interest, to conduct our business in China. These contractual arrangements are intended to provide us with effective control over these entities and allow us to obtain economic benefits from them. Our VIEs are owned directly by Messrs. Sheng Fu, Ming Xu and Wei Liu, who are also our core management and/or director, as well as Ms. Weiqin Qiu, an affiliate of our company. For additional details on these ownership interests, see “Item 4. Information on the Company—C. Organizational Structure—Contractual Arrangements with Our VIEs.” However, these contractual arrangements may not be as effective in providing control as direct ownership. For example, our VIEs and their shareholders could breach their contractual arrangements with us by, among other things, failing to operate our business in an acceptable manner or taking other actions that are detrimental to our interests. If we were the controlling shareholder of these VIEs with direct ownership, we would be able to exercise our rights as shareholders to effect changes to their board of directors, which in turn could implement changes at the management and operational level. However, under the current contractual arrangements, as a legal matter, if our VIEs or their shareholders fail to perform their obligations under these contractual arrangements, we may have to incur substantial costs to enforce such arrangements, and rely on legal remedies under PRC law, including contract remedies, which may be time-consuming, unpredictable and expensive. If we are unable to enforce these contractual arrangements, or if we suffer significant delay or other obstacles in the process of enforcing them, our business and operations could be severely disrupted, which could materially and adversely affect our results of operations and damage our reputation. See “—Risks Relating to Doing Business in China—Uncertainties in the interpretation and enforcement of Chinese laws and regulations could limit the legal protections available to you and us.”

Substantial uncertainties exist with respect to the enactment timetable, interpretation and implementation of draft PRC Foreign Investment Law and how it may impact the viability of our current corporate structure, corporate governance and business operations.

The MOFCOM published a discussion draft of the proposed Foreign Investment Law in January 2015 aiming to, upon its enactment, replace the existing laws regulating foreign investment in China. The MOFCOM has solicited comments on this draft and substantial uncertainties exist with respect to its enactment timetable, interpretation and implementation. The draft Foreign Investment Law, if enacted as proposed, may materially impact the viability of our current corporate structure, corporate governance, business operations and financial results.

Among other things, the draft Foreign Investment Law expands the definition of foreign investment and introduces the principle of “actual control” in determining whether a company is considered a foreign-invested enterprise, or an FIE. The draft Foreign Investment Law specifically provides that entities established in China but “controlled” by foreign investors will be treated as FIEs, whereas an entity set up in a foreign jurisdiction would nonetheless be, upon market entry clearance by the MOFCOM, treated as a PRC domestic investor provided that the entity is “controlled” by PRC entities and/or citizens.  In this connection, “control” is broadly defined in the draft law to cover the following summarized categories: (i) holding 50% or more of the voting rights of the subject entity; (ii) holding less than 50% of the voting rights of the subject entity but having the power to secure at least 50% of the seats on the board or other equivalent decision making bodies, or having the voting power to exert material influence on the board, the shareholders’ meeting or other equivalent decision making bodies; or (iii) having the power to exert decisive influence, via contractual or trust arrangements, over the subject entity’s operations, financial matters or other key aspects of business operations. Once an entity is determined to be an FIE and its investment amount exceeds certain thresholds or its business operation falls within a “negative list,” which is to be separately issued by the State Council in the future, market entry clearance by the MOFCOM or its local braches would be required. Otherwise, all foreign investors may make investments on the same terms as Chinese investors without being subject to additional approval from the government authorities as mandated by the existing foreign investment legal regime.

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The “variable interest entity” structure, or VIE structure, has been adopted by many PRC-based companies, including us, to obtain necessary licenses and permits in the industries that are currently subject to foreign investment restrictions in China. See “—If the PRC government finds that the structure we have adopted for our business operations does not comply with PRC governmental restrictions on foreign investment in internet businesses, or if these laws or regulations or interpretations of existing laws or regulations change in the future, we could be subject to severe penalties, including the shutting down of our platform and our business operations” and “Item 4. Information on the Company—C. Organizational Structure—Contractual Arrangements with Our VIEs.” Under the draft Foreign Investment Law, VIEs that are controlled via contractual arrangement would also be deemed as FIEs, if they are ultimately “controlled” by foreign investors. Therefore, for any companies with a VIE structure in an industry category that is on the “negative list,” the VIE structure may be deemed legitimate only if the ultimate controlling person(s) is/are of PRC nationality (either PRC companies or PRC citizens). Conversely, if the actual controlling person(s) is/are of foreign nationalities, then the VIEs will be treated as FIEs and any operation in the industry category on the “negative list” without market entry clearance by the MOFCOM may be considered as illegal.

It remains uncertain whether the ownership by multiple Chinese persons in a foreign company would be aggregated or separately counted in determining “control” under the draft Foreign Investment Law. It is likely that we would not be considered as ultimately controlled by Chinese parties, as our controlling shareholder, Kingsoft Corporation, a Cayman Islands company, holds approximately 62.8% of our total voting power, and no single Chinese resident person may be deemed to control Kingsoft Corporation. The draft Foreign Investment Law has not taken a position on what actions will be taken with respect to the existing companies with a VIE structure, whether or not these companies are controlled by Chinese parties, although a few possible options were proposed at the comment solicitation stage. Moreover, it is uncertain whether the internet industry, in which our VIEs  operate, will be subject to the foreign investment restrictions or prohibitions set forth in the “negative list” to be issued.  If the enacted version of the Foreign Investment Law and the final “negative list” mandate further actions, if any, such as MOFCOM market entry clearance or certain restructuring of our corporate structure and operations, to be completed by companies with existing VIE structure like us, we may face substantial uncertainties as to whether these actions can be timely completed, or at all, and our business and financial condition may be materially and adversely affected.

The draft Foreign Investment Law, if enacted as proposed, may also materially impact our corporate governance practice and increase our compliance costs. For instance, the draft Foreign Investment Law imposes stringent ad hoc and periodic information reporting requirements on foreign investors and the applicable FIEs. Aside from investment implementation report and investment amendment report that are required at each investment and alteration of investment specifics, an annual report is mandatory, and large foreign investors meeting certain criteria are required to report on a quarterly basis. Any company found to be non-compliant with these information reporting obligations may potentially be subject to fines and/or administrative or criminal liabilities, and the persons directly responsible may be subject to criminal liabilities.

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Our contractual arrangements with our VIEs may result in adverse tax consequences to us.

As a result of our corporate structure and the contractual arrangements among our PRC subsidiaries, our VIEs, their shareholders and us, we are effectively subject to PRC value-added tax and related surcharges on revenues generated by our subsidiaries from our contractual arrangements with our VIEs. The PRC Enterprise Income Tax Law, or the EIT Law, requires every enterprise in China to submit its annual enterprise income tax return together with a report on transactions with its affiliates or related parties to the relevant tax authorities. These transactions may be subject to audit or challenge by the PRC tax authorities within ten years after the taxable year during which the transactions are conducted. In addition, on March 18, 2015, the State Administration of Taxation, or the SAT, issued the Bulletin Regarding the Enterprise Income Tax Matter in Relation to Enterprise’s Payment of Fees to Overseas Affiliated Parties, or the Bulletin 16, to further regulate the transfer pricing issues in relation to the fees payment to affiliated parties. Among other things, the Bulletin 16 makes it clear that the fees paid to overseas affiliated parties in the following situations cannot be deducted from the taxable income when determining a PRC company’s enterprise income tax: (a) the fees paid to an overseas affiliated party which has no substantial operating activities; (b) royalties paid for intangible properties to which the affiliated party that charges the fees only has legal title but has made no contribution to the creation of the value of such properties; and (c) the fees paid under arrangements made for listing or financing purposes. We may be subject to adverse tax consequences if the PRC tax authorities were to determine that the contracts between us and our VIEs were not on an arm’s length basis and therefore constituted improper transfer pricing arrangements. If this occurs, the PRC tax authorities could request that our VIEs and any of their respective subsidiaries adjust their taxable income upward for PRC tax purposes. Such a pricing adjustment could adversely affect us by reducing expense deductions recorded by such VIEs and thereby increasing these entities’ tax liabilities, which could subject these entities to late payment fees and other penalties for the underpayment of taxes. Our consolidated net income may be materially and adversely affected if our VIEs’ tax liabilities increase or if they become subject to late payment fees or other penalties.

The shareholders of our VIEs may have potential conflicts of interest with us, which may materially and adversely affect our business.

The shareholders of our VIEs include Messrs. Sheng Fu, Ming Xu and Wei Liu, who are also our core management and/or director. Conflicts of interest may arise between the roles of Messrs. Sheng Fu, Ming Xu and Wei Liu as shareholders, directors or officers of our company and as shareholders of our VIEs. We rely on these individuals to abide by the laws of the Cayman Islands, which provide that directors and officers owe a fiduciary duty to our company to act in good faith and in the best interest of our company and not to use their positions for personal gain. Although the shareholders of our VIEs have executed shareholder voting proxy agreements to irrevocably appoint our applicable PRC subsidiary or a person designated by such PRC subsidiary to vote on their behalf and exercise voting rights as shareholders of the VIEs, we cannot assure you that when conflicts arise under those agreements or otherwise, the shareholders of our VIEs will act in the best interest of our company or that conflicts will be resolved in our favor. If we cannot resolve any conflicts of interest or disputes between us and these shareholders, we would have to rely on legal proceedings, which may be expensive, time-consuming and disruptive to our operations. There is also substantial uncertainty as to the outcome of any such legal proceedings.

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Our controlling shareholder and founders have substantial influence over our company and their interests may not be aligned with the interests of our other shareholders, which may discourage, delay or prevent a change in control of our company and could deprive our shareholders of an opportunity to receive a premium for their securities.

As of March 31, 2017, Kingsoft Corporation, our controlling shareholder, and Messrs. Sheng Fu  and Ming Xu, directly or through their holding vehicles, together beneficially own an aggregate of 57.1% of our total outstanding Class A and Class B shares, and 72.7% of the total voting power. This concentration of ownership may discourage, delay or prevent a change in control of our company, which could deprive our shareholders of an opportunity to receive a premium for their shares as part of any contemplated sale of our company and may reduce the price of our ADSs.

We may lose the ability to use and enjoy vital assets held by our VIEs if they go bankrupt or become subject to a dissolution or liquidation proceeding.

Some of our VIEs hold certain assets that are essential to the operations of our platform and important to the operation of our business in China, such as the ICP Licenses, Online Culture Operating Licenses, patent applications and software copyrights for the proprietary technology.  If any of these entities goes bankrupt and all or part of its assets become subject to liens or rights of third-party creditors, we may be unable to continue some or all of our business activities, which could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. If any of such entities undergoes a voluntary or involuntary liquidation proceeding, the unrelated third-party creditors may claim rights to some or all of these assets, thereby hindering our ability to operate our business, which could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Risks Relating to Doing Business in China

Uncertainties in the interpretation and enforcement of Chinese laws and regulations could limit the legal protections available to you and us.

The PRC legal system is based on written statutes and prior court decisions have limited value as precedents. Since these laws and regulations are relatively new and the PRC legal system continues to rapidly evolve, the interpretations of many laws, regulations and rules are not always uniform and enforcement of these laws, regulations and rules involves uncertainties.

From time to time, we may have to resort to administrative and court proceedings to enforce our legal rights. However, since PRC administrative and court authorities have significant discretion in interpreting and implementing statutory and contractual terms, it may be more difficult to predict the outcome of administrative and court proceedings and the level of legal protection we enjoy than in more developed legal systems. Furthermore, the PRC legal system is based in part on government policies and internal rules (some of which are not published in a timely manner or at all) that may have retroactive effect. As a result, we may not be aware of any violation of these policies and rules until after such violation. Such unpredictability, including uncertainty as to the scope and effect of our contractual, property (including intellectual property) and procedural rights, could materially and adversely affect our business and impede our ability to continue our operations.

Changes in China’s economic, political or social conditions or government policies could have a material adverse effect on our business and operations.

A significant portion of our assets are located in China and a significant portion of our users, suppliers, customers and business partners are from China. Accordingly, our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may be influenced to a significant degree by political, economic and social conditions in China generally, and by continued economic growth in China as a whole.

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The Chinese economy differs from the economies of most developed countries in many respects, including the level of government involvement, level of development, growth rate, control of foreign exchange and allocation of resources. Despite the economic reforms in the past decades, the Chinese government continues to play a significant role in regulating industrial development through industrial policies. The Chinese government also exercises significant control over the Chinese economic growth through allocating resources, controlling payment of foreign currency-denominated obligations, setting monetary policy and providing preferential treatment to particular industries or companies.

While the Chinese economy has experienced significant growth in recent decades, growth has been uneven, both geographically and among various sectors of the economy. The Chinese government has implemented various measures to encourage economic growth and guide the allocation of resources. Some of these measures benefit the overall Chinese economy but may also have a negative effect on us. The Chinese government has implemented certain measures, including interest rate increases, to control the pace of economic growth. These measures may cause decreased economic activity in China and, since 2012, Chinese economic growth has slowed. Any prolonged slowdown in the Chinese economy may reduce the demand for our applications in China and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We may be adversely affected by the complexity of, and uncertainties and changes in, PRC regulation on mobile and PC internet businesses and companies.

The PRC government extensively regulates the internet industry, including foreign ownership of, and the licensing and permit requirements pertaining to, companies in the internet industry, including mobile internet companies. These internet-related laws and regulations are relatively new and evolving, and their interpretation and enforcement involve significant uncertainty. As a result, in certain circumstances it may be difficult to determine what actions or omissions may be deemed to be in violations of applicable laws and regulations. Issues, risks and uncertainties relating to PRC regulation of the internet business include, but are not limited to, the following:

·                  There is uncertainty relating to the evolving licensing practices and the requirement for real-name registrations. For example, we were previously required under the PRC law to request users to provide their real names and personal information only in regard to the bulletin board system services that we provide in support of our applications and online game operations. However, pursuant to the Administrative Measure on Usernames of Internet Users’ Accounts, which became effective in March 2015, we are required to request users to provide their real names and personal information for user registration regardless of the kind of internet information services that we provide. We cannot assure you that PRC regulators would not require us to implement compulsory real-name registration in the future. Furthermore, we may fail to obtain or renew permits or licenses that are or may be deemed necessary for our operations. See “—Risks Relating to Our Business and Industry—If we fail to obtain and maintain the requisite licenses and approvals or otherwise comply with the laws and regulations under the complex regulatory environment applicable to our businesses in China, or if we are required to take actions that are time-consuming or costly, our business, financial condition and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected” and “Item 4. Information on the Company—B. Business Overview—Regulations.”

·                  The evolving PRC regulatory system for the internet industry may lead to establishment of new regulatory agencies. For example, in August 2014, the CAC took over the administrative role to supervise internet content management in China. Further, new laws, regulations or policies may be promulgated or announced that will regulate internet activities, including internet publication and online advertising businesses, and we may not be able to fully and timely comply with such new laws, regulations or policies. If these new laws, regulations or policies are promulgated, additional licenses may be required for our operations. If our operations do not comply with these new regulations after they become effective, or if we fail to obtain any licenses required under these new laws and regulations, we could be subject to penalties.

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In July 13, 2006, the MIIT issued the Circular of the Ministry of Information Industry on Strengthening the Administration of Foreign Investment in Value-added Telecommunications Services. This circular prohibits domestic telecommunication service providers from leasing, transferring or selling telecommunication business operating licenses to any foreign investor in any form, or providing any resources, sites or facilities to any foreign investor for their illegal operation of a telecommunication business in China. According to this circular, either the holder of a value-added telecommunications business operation license or its shareholders must directly own the domain names and trademarks used by such license holders in their provision of value-added telecommunications services. The circular also requires each license holder to have the necessary facilities, including servers, for its approved business operations and to maintain such facilities in the regions covered by its license.

The interpretation and application of existing PRC laws, regulations and policies and possible new laws, regulations or policies relating to the internet industry have created substantial uncertainties regarding the legality of existing and future foreign investments in, and the businesses and activities of, mobile and PC internet businesses in China, including our business. There are also risks that we may be found to have violated existing or future laws and regulations given the uncertainty and complexity of China’s regulation of internet business.

Content posted or displayed on our mobile and PC platforms and applications such as duba.com and 9724.com, including advertisements, may be found objectionable by PRC regulatory authorities and may subject us to penalties and other severe consequences.

The PRC government has adopted regulations governing internet and wireless access and the distribution of information over the internet and wireless telecommunication networks. Under these regulations, internet content providers and internet publishers are prohibited from posting or displaying over the internet or wireless networks content that, among other things, violates PRC laws and regulations, impairs the national dignity of China or the public interest, or is obscene, superstitious, fraudulent or defamatory. Furthermore, internet content providers are also prohibited from displaying content that may be deemed by relevant government authorities as “socially destabilizing” or leaking “state secrets” of the PRC. Failure to comply with these requirements may result in the revocation of licenses to provide internet content or other licenses, the closure of the concerned platforms and reputational harm. The operator may also be held liable for any censored information displayed on or linked to their platform, and hence we may also be subject to potential liability for any unlawful actions by our users or customers on our platform. For a detailed discussion, see “Item 4. Information on the Company—B. Business Overview—Regulations.”

Since our inception, we have worked to monitor the content on our platform and applications and to make the utmost effort to comply with relevant laws and regulations. However, it may not be possible to determine in all cases the types of content that could result in our liability as a distributor of such content and, if any of the content posted or displayed on our mobile and PC platforms and applications is deemed by the PRC government to violate any content restrictions, we would not be able to continue to display such content and could become subject to penalties, including confiscation of income, fines, suspension of business and revocation of required licenses, which could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. The costs of monitoring the content on our platform and applications may also continue to increase as a result of more content being made available by an increasing number of users and customers on our mobile and PC applications.

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In addition, under PRC advertising laws and regulations, we are obligated to monitor the advertising content shown on our platform and applications to ensure that such content is true, accurate and in full compliance with applicable laws and regulations. Where a special government review is required for specific types of advertisements prior to internet posting, such as advertisements relating to pharmaceuticals, medical instruments, agrochemicals and veterinary pharmaceuticals, we are obligated to confirm that such review has been performed and approval has been obtained. Violation of these laws and regulations may subject us to penalties, including fines, confiscation of our advertising income, orders to cease dissemination of the advertisements and orders to publish an announcement correcting the misleading information. In circumstances involving serious violations by us, PRC governmental authorities may force us to terminate our advertising operations or revoke our licenses.

While we have made significant efforts to ensure that the advertisements shown on our mobile and PC platforms and applications are in full compliance with applicable PRC laws and regulations, we cannot assure you that all the content contained in such advertisements or offers is true and accurate as required by the advertising laws and regulations, especially given the uncertainty in the interpretation of these PRC laws and regulations. If we are found to be in violation of applicable PRC advertising laws and regulations, we may be subject to penalties and our reputation may be harmed, which may have a material and adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.

Under the PRC Enterprise Income Tax Law, we may be classified as a PRC “resident enterprise,” which could result in unfavorable tax consequences to us and our shareholders and have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and the value of your investment.

Under the EIT Law, which became effective on January 1, 2008, an enterprise established outside the PRC with “de facto management bodies” within the PRC is considered a “resident enterprise” for PRC enterprise income tax purposes and is generally subject to a uniform 25% enterprise income tax rate on its worldwide income. On April 22, 2009, the SAT issued the Notice Regarding the Determination of Chinese-Controlled Overseas Incorporated Enterprises as PRC Tax Resident Enterprise on the Basis of De Facto Management Bodies, or SAT Circular 82, which provides certain specific criteria for determining whether the “de facto management body” of a PRC-controlled enterprise that is incorporated offshore is located in China. Further to SAT Circular 82, on July 27, 2011, the SAT issued the Administrative Measures for Enterprise Income Tax of Chinese-Controlled Offshore Incorporated Resident Enterprises (Trial), or SAT Bulletin 45, to provide more guidance on the implementation of SAT Circular 82; the bulletin became effective on September 1, 2011. The SAT Bulletin 45 clarified certain issues in the areas of resident status determination, post-determination administration and competent tax authorities’ procedures.

According to SAT Circular 82, an offshore incorporated enterprise controlled by a PRC enterprise or a PRC enterprise group will be considered as a PRC tax resident enterprise by virtue of having its “de facto management body” in China and will be subject to PRC enterprise income tax on its worldwide income only if all of the following conditions are met: (a) the senior management and core management departments in charge of its daily operations function have their presence mainly in the PRC; (b) its financial and human resources decisions are subject to determination or approval by persons or bodies in the PRC; (c) its major assets, accounting books, company seals, and minutes and files of its board and shareholders’ meetings are located or kept in the PRC; and (d) more than half of the enterprise’s directors or senior management with voting rights habitually reside in the PRC. SAT Bulletin 45 specifies that, when provided with a copy of Chinese tax resident determination certificate from a resident Chinese controlled offshore incorporated enterprise, the payer should not withhold 10% income tax when paying the Chinese-sourced dividends, interest, royalties, etc. to the Chinese controlled offshore incorporated enterprise.

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Although SAT Circular 82 and SAT Bulletin 45 only apply to offshore incorporated enterprises controlled by PRC enterprises or PRC enterprise groups and not those controlled by PRC individuals or foreigners, the determination criteria set forth therein may reflect the SAT’s general position on how the term “de facto management body” could be applied in determining the tax resident status of offshore enterprises, regardless of whether they are controlled by PRC enterprises, individuals or foreigners.

If the PRC tax authorities determine that we or any of our non-PRC subsidiaries is a PRC resident enterprise for PRC enterprise income tax purposes, then we or any such non-PRC subsidiary could be subject to PRC tax at a rate of 25% on its worldwide income, which could materially reduce our net income. In addition, we will also be subject to PRC enterprise income tax reporting obligations.

In that case, although dividends paid by one PRC tax resident to another PRC tax resident should qualify as “tax-exempt income” under the EIT Law, we cannot assure you that dividends by our PRC subsidiaries to our non-PRC holding companies will not be subject to a 10% withholding tax, as the PRC foreign exchange control authorities and the PRC tax authorities have not yet issued guidance with respect to the processing of outbound remittances to entities that are treated as resident enterprises for PRC enterprise income tax purposes.

If the PRC tax authorities determine that our company is a PRC resident enterprise for PRC enterprise income tax purposes, dividends paid by us to non-PRC holders may be subject to PRC withholding tax, and gains realized on the sale or other disposition of ADSs or ordinary shares may be subject to PRC tax, at a rate of 10% in the case of non-PRC enterprises or 20% in the case of non-PRC individuals (in each case, subject to the provisions of any applicable tax treaty), if such dividends or gains are deemed to be from PRC sources. Any such tax may reduce the returns on your investment in the ADSs.

We face uncertainties with respect to indirect transfer of assets or equity interest in PRC resident enterprises by their non-PRC holding companies.

We face uncertainties regarding the reporting on and consequences of private equity financing transactions, share exchange or other transactions involving the transfer of shares in our company by investors that are non-PRC resident enterprises, or sale or purchase of shares in other non-PRC resident companies or other taxable assets by us. According to the Notice on Strengthening Administration of Enterprise Income Tax for Share Transfers by Non-PRC Resident Enterprises issued by the PRC State Administration of Taxation on December 10, 2009, with retroactive effect from January 1, 2008, or SAT Circular 698, where a non-resident enterprise transfers the equity interests in a PRC resident enterprise indirectly through a disposition of equity interests in an overseas holding company (other than a purchase and sale of shares issued by a PRC resident enterprise in public securities market), PRC tax reporting and payment obligations may be triggered. On February 6, 2015, SAT issued a new guidance (Bulletin [2015] No. 7), or SAT Bulletin 7, on the PRC tax treatment of an indirect transfer of assets by a non-resident enterprise. Bulletin 7 is the latest regulatory instrument on indirect transfers, extending to not only the indirect transfer of equity interests in PRC resident enterprises but also to assets attributed to an establishment in China and immovable property in China or, collectively, Chinese Taxable Assets. According to SAT Circular 698 and SAT Bulletin 7, when a non-resident enterprise engages in an indirect transfer of Chinese Taxable Assets, or Indirect Transfer, through an arrangement that does not have a bona fide commercial purpose in order to avoid paying enterprise income tax, the transaction should be re-characterized as a direct transfer of the Chinese assets and becomes taxable in China under the EIT Law, and gains derived from such indirect transfer may be subject to the PRC withholding tax at a rate of up to 10%. In addition, transferees and transferors in such indirect transfers are subject to tax withholding and reporting obligations, respectively. SAT Bulletin 7 does not replace SAT Circular 698 in its entirety. Instead, it abolishes certain provisions and provides more comprehensive guidelines on a number of issues. Among other things, SAT Bulletin 7 substantially changes the reporting requirements in SAT Circular 698, provides more detailed guidance on how to determine a bona fide commercial purpose, and also provides for a safe harbor for certain situations, including purchase and sale of shares in an offshore listed enterprise on a public market by a non-resident enterprise, which may not be subject to the PRC enterprise income tax. There is uncertainty as to the application of SAT Circular 698 and SAT Bulletin 7. SAT Circular 698 and SAT Bulletin 7 may be determined by the tax authorities to be applicable to the  transfer of shares of our company by non-PRC resident investors, or the sale or purchase of shares in other non-PRC resident companies or other taxable assets by us, if any of such transactions were determined by the tax authorities to lack any reasonable commercial purpose. As a result, depending on whether we are the transferor or transferee in such transactions, we or the non-resident investors may become at risk of being taxed under SAT Circular 698 and SAT Bulletin 7, and we may have to incur expenses to comply with SAT Circular 698 and SAT Bulletin 7, including the withholding and reporting obligations thereunder, or to establish that we should not be taxed under the general anti-avoidance rule of the EIT Law, which may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations or such non-resident investors’ investments in us.

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If our preferential tax treatments are revoked, become unavailable or if the calculation of our tax liability is successfully challenged by the PRC tax authorities, we may be required to pay tax, interest and penalties in excess of our tax provisions, and our results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.

The Chinese government has provided various tax incentives to our subsidiaries and VIEs in China. These incentives include reduced enterprise income tax rates. For example, under the EIT Law and its implementation rules, the statutory enterprise income tax rate is 25%. However, an enterprise holding a valid certificate of new software enterprise or animation enterprise is entitled to an exemption of enterprise income tax for the first two years and a 50% reduction of enterprise income tax for the subsequent three years, commencing from the first profit-making year. In addition, enterprises that are granted the high and new technology enterprises status shall enjoy a favorable income tax rate of 15%. Certain of our PRC subsidiaries and VIEs were eligible for preferential tax treatments as new software enterprises, animation enterprise and/or high and new technology enterprises. See “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects—A. Operating Results—Taxation.” Any increase in the enterprise income tax rate applicable to our PRC entities in China, or any discontinuation or retroactive or future reduction of any of the preferential tax treatments currently enjoyed by our PRC entities in China, could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. In addition, in the ordinary course of our business, we are subject to complex income tax and other tax regulations and significant judgment is required in the determination of a provision for income taxes. Although we believe our tax provisions are reasonable, if the PRC tax authorities successfully challenge our position and we are required to pay tax, interest and penalties in excess of our tax provisions, our financial condition and results of operations would be materially and adversely affected.

China’s M&A Rules and certain other PRC regulations establish complex procedures for some acquisitions of Chinese companies by foreign investors, which could make it more difficult for us to pursue growth through acquisitions in China.

The Regulations on Mergers and Acquisitions of Domestic Enterprises by Foreign Investors, or the M&A Rules, and other recently adopted regulations and rules concerning mergers and acquisitions established additional procedures and requirements that could make merger and acquisition activities by foreign investors more time-consuming and complex. For example, the M&A Rules require that the MOFCOM be notified in advance of any change-of-control transaction in which a foreign investor takes control of a PRC domestic enterprise, if (i) any important industry is concerned, (ii) such transaction involves factors that impact or may impact national economic security, or (iii) such transaction will lead to a change in control of a domestic enterprise which holds a famous trademark or PRC time-honored brand. Moreover, the Anti-Monopoly Law promulgated by the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress on August 30, 2007 and effective as of August 1, 2008 requires that transactions which are deemed concentrations and involve parties with specified turnover thresholds (i.e., during the previous fiscal year, (i) the total global turnover of all operators participating in the transaction exceeds RMB10 billion and at least two of these operators each had a turnover of more than RMB400 million within China, or (ii) the total turnover within China of all the operators participating in the concentration exceeded RMB2 billion, and at least two of these operators each had a turnover of more than RMB400 million within China) must be cleared by the MOFCOM before they can be completed. In addition, on February 3, 2011, the General Office of the State Council promulgated a Notice on Establishing the Security Review System for Mergers and Acquisitions of Domestic Enterprises by Foreign Investors, or the Circular 6, which officially established a security review system for mergers and acquisitions of domestic enterprises by foreign investors. Further, on August 25, 2011, MOFCOM promulgated the Regulations on Implementation of Security Review System for the Merger and Acquisition of Domestic Enterprises by Foreign Investors, or the MOFCOM Security Review Regulations, which became effective on September 1, 2011, to implement the Circular 6. Under Circular 6, a security review is required for mergers and acquisitions by foreign investors having “national defense and security” concerns and mergers and acquisitions by which foreign investors may acquire the “de facto control” of domestic enterprises with “national security” concerns. Under the MOFCOM Security Review Regulations, the MOFCOM will focus on the substance and actual impact of the transaction when deciding whether a specific merger or acquisition is subject to security review. If the MOFCOM decides that a specific merger or acquisition is subject to security review, it will submit it to the Inter-Ministerial Panel, an authority established under the Circular 6 led by the NDRC and the MOFCOM under the leadership of the State Council, to carry out security review. The regulations prohibit foreign investors from bypassing the security review by structuring transactions through trusts, indirect investments, leases, loans, control through contractual arrangements or offshore transactions. There is no explicit provision or official interpretation stating that the merging or acquisition of a company engaged in online marketing or mobile games business requires security review, and there is no requirement that acquisitions completed prior to the promulgation of the Security Review Circular are subject to MOFCOM review.

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We have grown and may continue to grow our business by acquiring complementary businesses. Complying with the requirements of the above-mentioned regulations and other relevant rules to complete such transactions could be time-consuming, and any required approval processes, including obtaining approval from the MOFCOM or its local counterparts may delay or inhibit our ability to complete such transactions. It is unclear whether our business would be deemed to be in an industry that raises “national defense and security” or “national security” concerns. However, the MOFCOM or other government agencies may publish explanations in the future determining that our business is in an industry subject to the security review, in which case our future acquisitions in the PRC, including those by way of entering into contractual control arrangements with target entities, may be closely scrutinized or prohibited. Our ability to expand our business or maintain or expand our market share through future acquisitions would as such be materially and adversely affected.

PRC regulations relating to offshore investment activities by PRC residents may limit our PRC subsidiaries’ ability to increase their registered capital or distribute profits to us or otherwise expose us to liability and penalties under PRC law.

The SAFE promulgated the Circular on Relevant Issues Relating to Domestic Resident’s Investment and Financing and Round-trip Investment through Special Purpose Vehicles, or SAFE Circular 37, in July 2014, which repealed SAFE Circular 75 effective from July 4, 2014. SAFE Circular 37 requires PRC residents that directly establish or indirectly control offshore special purpose vehicles, or SPVs, for the purpose of seeking offshore investment and financing and conducting round trip investment in China, to register with the SAFE or its local branch in connection with their ownership in the SPVs, and to amend the SAFE registrations to reflect any subsequent changes thereof.

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To our knowledge, Messrs. Jun Lei, Sheng Fu and Ming Xu have completed foreign exchange registration in connection with our financings and share transfer that were completed before the end of 2013, and Messrs. Fu and Xu have completed foreign exchange registration in connection with our initial public offering. However, we may not be fully informed of the identities of all our beneficial owners who are PRC citizens or residents, and we cannot compel our beneficial owners to comply with SAFE registration requirements. As a result, we cannot assure you that all of our shareholders or beneficial owners who are PRC citizens or residents have complied with, and will in the future make or obtain any applicable registrations or approvals required by, SAFE regulations. If our shareholders or beneficial owners who are PRC citizens or residents fail to complete their SAFE registration, our PRC subsidiaries may be prohibited from distributing their profits and proceeds from any reduction in capital, share transfer or liquidation to us, and we may be restricted in our ability to contribute additional capital to our PRC subsidiaries. Moreover, failure to comply with the SAFE registration and amendment requirements described above could result in liability under PRC laws for evasion of applicable foreign exchange restrictions.

Failure to comply with PRC regulations regarding the registration requirements for employee stock ownership plans or share option plans may subject the PRC plan participants or us to fines and other legal or administrative sanctions.

On February 15, 2012, the SAFE promulgated the Notices on Issues Concerning the Foreign Exchange Administration for Domestic Individuals Participating in Stock Incentive Plans of Overseas Publicly-Listed Companies, or the Stock Option Rules, which replaced the Application Procedures of Foreign Exchange Administration for Domestic Individuals Participating in Employee Stock Ownership Plans or Stock Option Plans of Overseas Publicly-Listed Companies issued by the SAFE on March 28, 2007. Under the Stock Option Rules and other relevant rules and regulations, PRC residents who participate in stock incentive plan in an overseas publicly-listed company are required to register with the SAFE or its local branches and complete certain other procedures. Participants of a stock incentive plan who are PRC residents must retain a qualified PRC agent, which could be a PRC subsidiary of such overseas publicly listed company or another qualified institution selected by such PRC subsidiary, to conduct the SAFE registration and other procedures with respect to the stock incentive plan on behalf of its participants. Such participants must also retain an overseas entrusted institution to handle matters in connection with their exercise of stock options, the purchase and sale of corresponding stocks or interests and fund transfers. In addition, the PRC agent is required to amend the SAFE registration with respect to the stock incentive plan if there is any material change to the stock incentive plan, the PRC agent or the overseas entrusted institution or other material changes. We and our PRC employees who have been granted stock options have been subject to these regulations upon the completion of the initial public offering in May 2014. Failure of our PRC stock option holders to complete their SAFE registrations may subject these PRC residents to fines and legal sanctions and may also limit our ability to contribute additional capital into our PRC subsidiaries, limit our PRC subsidiaries’ ability to distribute dividends to us, or otherwise materially adversely affect our business.

PRC regulation of loans to, and direct investment in, PRC entities by offshore holding companies and governmental control of currency conversion may restrict or prevent us from loans to our PRC entities or to make additional capital contributions to our PRC subsidiaries, which may materially and adversely affect our liquidity and our ability to fund and expand our business.

We are an offshore holding company conducting our operations in China through our PRC entities, including PRC subsidiaries and VIEs. We may make loans to our PRC entities, or we may make additional capital contributions to our PRC subsidiaries, or we may establish new PRC subsidiaries and make capital contributions to these new PRC subsidiaries, or we may acquire offshore entities with business operations in China in an offshore transaction.

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Most of these financing means are subject to PRC regulations and approvals. For example, loans by us to our wholly-owned PRC subsidiaries to finance their activities cannot exceed statutory limits and must be registered with the local counterpart of the SAFE. If we decide to finance our wholly-owned PRC subsidiaries by means of capital contributions, these capital contributions must be approved by the MOFCOM or its local counterpart. Due to the restrictions imposed on loans in foreign currencies extended to any PRC domestic companies, we are not likely to make such loans to our VIEs, which are PRC domestic companies. Further, we are not likely to finance the activities of our VIEs by means of capital contributions due to regulatory restrictions relating to foreign investment in PRC domestic enterprises engaged in mobile internet services, online advertising, online games and related businesses.

On August 29, 2008, the SAFE promulgated the Circular on the Relevant Operating Issues Concerning the Improvement of the Administration of the Payment and Settlement of Foreign Currency Capital of Foreign-Invested Enterprises, or SAFE Circular 142, regulating the conversion by a foreign-invested enterprise of foreign currency registered capital into Renminbi by restricting how the converted Renminbi may be used. SAFE Circular 142 provides that Renminbi capital converted from foreign currency registered capital of a foreign-invested enterprise may only be used for purposes within the business scope approved by the applicable governmental authority and may not be used for equity investments within the PRC. In addition, the SAFE strengthened its oversight of the flow and use of the Renminbi capital converted from the foreign currency registered capital of a foreign-invested company. The use of such Renminbi capital may not be altered without SAFE approval, and such Renminbi capital may not in any case be used to repay Renminbi loans if the proceeds of such loans have not been used. Such requirements are also known as “payment-based foreign currency settlement system” established under the SAFE Circular 142. Violations of SAFE Circular 142 could result in severe monetary or other penalties. Furthermore, the SAFE promulgated a circular on November 9, 2010, known as Circular 59, and another supplemental circular on July 18, 2011, known as Circular 88, which both tighten the examination of the authenticity of settlement of foreign currency capital or net proceeds from overseas listings. The SAFE further promulgated the Circular on Further Clarification and Regulation of the Issues Concerning the Administration of Certain Capital Account Foreign Exchange Businesses, or Circular 45, on November 9, 2011, which expressly prohibits foreign-invested enterprises from using registered capital settled in Renminbi converted from foreign currencies to grant loans through entrustment arrangements with a bank, repay inter-company loans or repay bank loans that have been transferred to a third party. Circular 142, Circular 59, Circular 88 and Circular 45 may significantly limit our ability to make loans or capital contributions to our PRC subsidiaries and to convert such proceeds into Renminbi, which may adversely affect our liquidity and our ability to fund and expand our business in the PRC.

Furthermore, on March 30, 2015, the SAFE promulgated the Circular on the Reform of the Administrative Method of the Settlement of Foreign Currency Capital of Foreign-Invested Enterprises, or Circular 19, which will become effective as of June 1, 2015. This Circular 19 is to implement the so-called “conversion-at-will” of foreign currency in capital account, which was established under a circular issued by the SAFE on August 4, 2014, or Circular 36, and was implemented in 16 designated industrial parks as a reform pilot. The Circular 19 now implements the conversion-at-will of foreign currency settlement system nationally, and it will abolish the application of Circular 142, Circular 88 and Circular 36 starting from June 1, 2015. Among other things, under Circular 19, foreign-invested enterprises may either continue to follow the payment-based foreign currency settlement system or elect to follow the conversion-at-will of foreign currency settlement system. Where a foreign-invested enterprise follows the conversion-at-will of foreign currency settlement system, it may convert any or 100% amount of the foreign currency in its capital account into RMB at any time. The converted RMB will be kept in a designated account known as “Settled but Pending Payment Account,” and if the foreign-invested enterprise needs to make further payment from such designated account, it still needs to provide supporting documents and go through the review process with its bank. If under special circumstances the foreign-invested enterprise cannot provide supporting documents in time, Circular 19 grants the banks the power to provide a grace period to the enterprise and make the payment before receiving the supporting documents. The foreign-invested enterprise will then need to submit the supporting documents within 20 working days after payment. In addition, foreign-invested enterprises are now allowed to use their converted RMB to make equity investments in China under Circular 19. However, foreign-invested enterprises are still required to use the converted RMB in the designated account within their approved business scope under the principle of authenticity and self-use. It remains unclear whether a common foreign-invested enterprise, other than such special types of enterprises as holding companies, venture capital or private equity firms, can use the converted RMB in the designated account to make equity investments if equity investment or similar activities are not within their approved business scope.

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In light of the various requirements imposed by PRC regulations on loans to and direct investment in PRC entities by offshore holding companies as discussed above, we cannot assure you that we will be able to complete the necessary government registrations or obtain the necessary government approvals on a timely basis, or at all, with respect to future loans by us to our PRC entities or with respect to future capital contributions by us to our PRC subsidiaries. If we fail to complete such registrations or obtain such approvals, our ability to capitalize or otherwise fund our PRC operations may be negatively affected, which could materially and adversely affect our liquidity and our ability to fund and expand our business.

We may rely on dividends paid by our subsidiaries, including PRC subsidiaries, to fund any cash and financing requirements we may have. Any limitation on the ability of our subsidiaries to pay dividends to us could have a material adverse effect on our ability to conduct our business and to pay dividends to holders of the ADSs and our ordinary shares.

We are a holding company, and we rely on a significant amount of dividends from our subsidiaries, including our PRC subsidiaries, for our cash requirements, including the funds necessary to pay dividends and other cash distributions to the holders of the ADSs and our ordinary shares and service any debt we may incur. If our subsidiaries incur debt on their own behalf in the future, the instruments governing the debt may restrict their ability to pay dividends or make other distributions to us.

With respect to our PRC subsidiaries, under PRC laws and regulations, wholly foreign-owned enterprises in the PRC, such as Conew Network and Zhuhai Juntian Electronic Technology Co., Ltd., or Zhuhai Juntian, may pay dividends only out of its accumulated profits as determined in accordance with PRC accounting standards and regulations. In addition, a wholly foreign-owned enterprise is required to set aside at least 10% of its after-tax profits each year, after making up previous years’ accumulated losses, if any, to fund certain statutory reserve funds, until the aggregate amount of such a fund reaches 50% of its registered capital. At the discretion of the board of directors of the wholly foreign-owned enterprise, it may allocate a portion of its after-tax profits based on PRC accounting standards to staff welfare and bonus funds. These reserve funds and staff welfare and bonus funds are not distributable as cash dividends. Any limitation on the ability of our wholly-owned PRC subsidiaries to pay dividends or make other distributions to us could materially and adversely limit our ability to grow, make investments or acquisitions that could be beneficial to our business, pay dividends, or otherwise fund and conduct our business.

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

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Fluctuations in exchange rates could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and the value of your investment.

The value of the Renminbi against the U.S. dollar and other currencies is affected by, among other things, changes in China’s political and economic conditions and China’s foreign exchange policies. In July 2005, the PRC government changed its decade-old policy of pegging the value of the Renminbi to the U.S. dollar, and the Renminbi appreciated more than 20% against the U.S. dollar over the following three years. Between July 2008 and June 2010, the exchange rate between the Renminbi and the U.S. dollar had been stable and traded within a narrow band. Since June 2010, the RMB has fluctuated against the U.S. dollar, at times significantly and unpredictably, and in recent years the RMB has depreciated significantly against the U.S. dollar. Since October 1, 2016, the RMB has joined the International Monetary Fund (IMF)’s basket of currencies that make up the Special Drawing Right (SDR), along with the U.S. dollar, the Euro, the Japanese yen and the British pound. In the fourth quarter of 2016, the RMB has depreciated significantly in the backdrop of a surging U.S. dollar and persistent capital outflows of China. With the development of the foreign exchange market and progress towards interest rate liberalization and Renminbi internationalization, the PRC government may in the future announce further changes to the exchange rate system and there is no guarantee that the RMB will not appreciate or depreciate significantly in value against the U.S. dollar in the future. It is difficult to predict how market forces or PRC or U.S. government policy may impact the exchange rate between the RMB and the U.S. dollar in the future.

Most of our revenues and costs are denominated in foreign currencies, primarily U.S. dollars, and the rest is denominated in Renminbi. Any significant revaluation of Renminbi may materially and adversely affect our revenues, earnings and financial position, and the value of, and any dividends payable on, the ADSs in U.S. dollars. To the extent that we need to convert U.S. dollars into Renminbi for capital expenditures and working capital and other business purposes, appreciation of the Renminbi against the U.S. dollar would have an adverse effect on the Renminbi amount we would receive from the conversion. Conversely, a significant depreciation of the Renminbi against the U.S. dollar may significantly reduce the U.S. dollar equivalent of our earnings, which in turn could adversely affect the price of our ADSs.

Very limited hedging options are available in China to reduce our exposure to exchange rate fluctuations. As of the date of this annual report, we have not entered into any hedging transactions in an effort to reduce our exposure to foreign currency exchange risk. While we may decide to enter into hedging transactions in the future, the availability and effectiveness of these hedges may be limited and we may not be able to adequately hedge our exposure or at all. In addition, our currency exchange losses may be magnified by PRC exchange control regulations that restrict our ability to convert Renminbi into foreign currency. As a result, fluctuations in exchange rates may have a material adverse effect on your investment.

Governmental control of currency conversion may limit our ability to utilize our cash balance effectively and affect the value of your investment.

The PRC government imposes control on the convertibility of the Renminbi into foreign currencies and, in certain cases, the remittance of currency out of China. We receive part of our revenues in Renminbi. Under existing PRC foreign exchange regulations, payments of current account items, including profit distributions, and trade and service-related foreign exchange transactions, can be made in foreign currencies without prior SAFE approval by complying with certain procedural requirements. Therefore, our PRC subsidiaries are able to pay dividends in foreign currencies to us without prior approval from the SAFE. However, approval from or registration with appropriate government authorities is required where Renminbi is to be converted into foreign currency and remitted out of China to pay capital expenses such as the repayment of loans denominated in foreign currencies. The PRC government may also at its discretion restrict access to foreign currencies for current account transactions in the future. If the foreign exchange control system prevents us from obtaining sufficient foreign currencies to satisfy our foreign currency demands, we may not be able to pay dividends in foreign currencies to our shareholders, including holders of the ADSs.

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

In December 2012, the SEC brought administrative proceedings against five accounting firms in China, including our independent registered public accounting firm, alleging that they had refused to produce audit work papers and other documents related to certain other China-based companies under investigation by the SEC. On January 22, 2014, an initial administrative law decision was issued, censuring these accounting firms and suspending four of these firms from practicing before the SEC for a period of six months. The decision is neither final nor legally effective unless and until reviewed and approved by the SEC. On February 12, 2014, four of these PRC-based accounting firms appealed to the SEC against this decision. In February 2015, each of the four PRC-based accounting firms agreed to a censure and to pay a fine to the SEC to settle the dispute and avoid suspension of their ability to practice before the SEC. The settlement requires the firms to follow detailed procedures to seek to provide the SEC with access to Chinese firms’ audit documents via the CSRC. If the firms do not follow these procedures, the SEC could impose penalties such as suspensions, or it could restart the administrative proceedings.

In the event that the SEC restarts the administrative proceedings, depending upon the final outcome, listed companies in the United States with major PRC operations may find it difficult or impossible to retain auditors in respect of their operations in the PRC, which could result in financial statements being determined to not be in compliance with the requirements of the Exchange Act, including possible delisting. Moreover, any negative news about the proceedings against these audit firms may cause investor uncertainty regarding China-based, United States-listed companies and the market price of our ADSs may be adversely affected.

If our independent registered public accounting firm were denied, even temporarily, the ability to practice before the SEC and we were unable to timely find another registered public accounting firm to audit and issue an opinion on our consolidated financial statements, our consolidated financial statements could be determined not to be in compliance with the requirements of the Exchange Act. Such a determination could ultimately lead to our delisting from the NYSE or deregistration from the SEC, or both, which would substantially reduce or effectively terminate the trading of our ADSs in the United States.

Increases in labor costs in the PRC may adversely affect our business and our profitability.

China has experienced increases in labor costs in recent years. China’s overall economy and the average wage in China are expected to continue to grow. The average wage level for our employees has also increased in recent years.

In addition, we have been subject to stricter regulatory requirements in terms of entering into labor contracts with our employees and paying various statutory employee benefits, including pensions, housing allowance, medical insurance, work-related injury insurance, unemployment insurance and maternity insurance to designated government agencies for the benefit of our employees. Pursuant to the PRC Labor Contract Law, or the Labor Contract Law, which became effective in January 2008 and its implementation rules effective as of September 2008, employers are subject to stricter requirements in terms of signing labor contracts, minimum wages, paying remuneration, determining the term of employees’ probation and unilaterally terminating labor contracts. In the event that we decide to terminate some of our employees or otherwise change our employment or labor practices, the Labor Contract Law and its implementation rules may limit our ability to effect those changes in a desirable or cost-effective manner, which could adversely affect our business and results of operations. On October 28, 2010, the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress promulgated the PRC Social Insurance Law, or the Social Insurance Law, which became effective on July 1, 2011. According to the Social Insurance Law, employees must participate in pension insurance, work-related injury insurance, medical insurance, unemployment insurance and maternity insurance and the employers must, together with their employees or separately, pay the social insurance premiums for such employees.

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We expect that our labor costs, including wages and employee benefits, will continue to increase. Unless we are able to pass on these increased labor costs to our users by increasing prices for our products or services, our profitability and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected. Also, as the interpretation and implementation of labor-related laws and regulations are still evolving, we cannot assure you that our employment practices do not and will not violate labor-related laws and regulations in China, which may subject us to labor disputes or government investigations. If we are deemed to have violated relevant labor laws and regulations, we could be required to provide additional compensation to our employees, and our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.

If the custodians or authorized users of controlling non-tangible assets of our company, including our corporate chops and seals, fail to fulfill their responsibilities, or misappropriate or misuse these assets, our business and operations could be materially and adversely affected.

Under PRC law, legal documents for corporate transactions are executed using the chops or seals of the signing entity, or with the signature of a legal representative whose designation is registered and filed with the relevant branch of the State Administration for Industry and Commerce, or the SAIC.

Although we usually utilize chops to enter into contracts, the designated legal representatives of each of our PRC entities have the apparent authority to enter into contracts on behalf of such entities without chops and bind such entities. Some designated legal representatives of our PRC entities are members of our senior management team who have signed employment undertaking letters with us or our PRC entities under which they agree to abide by various duties they owe to us. In order to maintain the physical security of our chops and the chops of our PRC entities, we generally store these items in secured locations accessible only by the authorized personnel of each of our PRC entities. Although we monitor such authorized personnel, there is no assurance such procedures will prevent all instances of abuse or negligence. Accordingly, if any of our authorized personnel misuse or misappropriate our corporate chops or seals, we could encounter difficulties in maintaining control over the relevant entities and experience significant disruption to our operations. If a designated legal representative obtains control of the chops in an effort to obtain control over any of our PRC entities, we or our PRC entities would need to pass a new shareholder or board resolution to designate a new legal representative and we would need to take legal action to seek the return of the chops, apply for new chops with the relevant authorities, or otherwise seek legal redress for the violation of the representative’s fiduciary duties to us, which could involve significant time and resources and divert management attention away from our regular business. In addition, the affected entity may not be able to recover corporate assets that are sold or transferred out of our control in the event of such a misappropriation if a transferee relies on the apparent authority of the representative and acts in good faith.

Our auditor, like other independent registered public accounting firms operating in China, is not permitted to be subject to inspection by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board and, as such, investors may be deprived of the benefits of such inspection.

Our independent registered public accounting firm that issues the audit reports included in our annual reports filed with the SEC, as an auditor of companies that are traded publicly in the United States and a firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), or PCAOB, is required by the laws of the United States to undergo regular inspections by PCAOB to assess its compliance with the laws of the United States and professional standards. Because our auditor is located in China, a jurisdiction where PCAOB is currently unable to conduct inspections without the approval of the PRC authorities, our auditor, like other independent registered public accounting firms operating in China, is currently not inspected by PCAOB. In May 2013, PCAOB announced that it had entered into a Memorandum of Understanding on Enforcement Cooperation with the CSRC and the Ministry of Finance, which establishes a cooperative framework between the parties for the production and exchange of audit documents relevant to investigations undertaken by PCAOB, the CSRC or the Ministry of Finance in the United States and the PRC, respectively. PCAOB continues to be in discussions with the CSRC and the Ministry of Finance to permit joint inspections in the PRC of audit firms that are registered with PCAOB and audit Chinese companies that trade on U.S. exchanges.

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Inspections of other firms that PCAOB has conducted outside of China have identified deficiencies in those firms’ audit procedures and quality control procedures, which may be addressed as part of the inspection process to improve future audit quality. The inability of PCAOB to conduct inspections of independent registered public accounting firms operating in China makes it more difficult to evaluate the effectiveness of our auditor’s audit procedures or quality control procedures. As a result, investors may be deprived of the benefits of PCAOB inspections.

Risks Relating to the ADSs

The trading price of our ADSs has been volatile and may continue to be volatile regardless of our operating performance.

The trading price of our ADSs has been and may continue to be subject to wide and sudden fluctuations due to factors including the following:

·                  variations in our revenues, earnings and cash flow;

·                  announcements of new investments, acquisitions, strategic partnerships, or joint ventures by us or our competitors;

·                  announcements of new services and expansions by us or our competitors;

·                  changes in financial estimates by securities analysts;

·                  fluctuations in our user or other operating metrics;

·                  fluctuations in the stock price of our parent company, Kingsoft Corporation, or news about Kingsoft Corporation that has an impact on us;

·                  failure on our part to realize monetization opportunities as expected;

·                  changes in revenues generated from our top customers;

·                  additions or departures of key personnel;

·                  detrimental negative publicity about us, our management, our competitors or our industry;

·                  short seller reports that make allegations against us or our affiliates, even if unfounded;

·                  regulatory developments affecting us or our industry; and

·                  potential litigation or regulatory investigations.

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In addition, the price of the ADSs may fluctuate due to broad market and industry factors, such as the performance and fluctuation in the market prices or the underperformance or deteriorating financial results of other similarly situated companies in China that have listed their securities in the United States in recent years. The securities of some of these companies have experienced significant volatility since their initial public offerings, including, in some cases, substantial declines in trading price. The trading performance of these Chinese companies’ securities after their offerings, including the securities of companies in the mobile and PC internet businesses, may affect the attitudes of investors toward Chinese companies listed in the United States, which consequently may impact the trading performance of the ADSs, regardless of our actual operating performance. In addition, any negative news or perceptions about inadequate corporate governance practices or fraudulent accounting or other practices at other Chinese companies may also negatively affect the attitudes of investors towards Chinese companies in general, including us, regardless of whether we have engaged in such practices. In addition, securities markets may from time to time experience significant price and volume fluctuations that are not related to our operating performance, such as the large decline in share prices in the United States, China and other jurisdictions between late 2008 and 2012, which may have a material adverse effect on the market price of the ADSs.

If securities or industry analysts cease to publish research or reports about our business, or if they adversely change their recommendations regarding the ADSs, the market price for the ADSs and trading volume could decline.

The trading market for the ADSs may be influenced by research or reports that industry or securities analysts publish about our business. If one or more analysts who cover us downgrade the ADSs, the market price for the ADSs would likely decline. If one or more of these analysts cease to cover us or fail to regularly publish reports on us, we could lose visibility in the financial markets, which, in turn, could cause the market price or trading volume for the ADSs to decline.

The sale or perceived sale of substantial amounts of our ADSs or ordinary shares could adversely affect their market price.

Sales of substantial amounts of our ADSs in the public market, sales of our ordinary shares, or the perception that these sales could occur, could adversely affect the market price of the ADSs and could materially impair our ability to raise capital through equity offerings in the future. Ordinary shares held by our pre-IPO shareholders may be sold in the public market subject to the restrictions in Rule 144 under the Securities Act. In addition, ordinary shares issued pursuant to our share incentive plans are eligible for sale in the public market subject to restrictions of Rule 144 under the Securities Act or through registration under the Securities Act, as applicable. In addition, we have granted certain shareholders Form F-3 registration rights and the piggyback registration rights. Registration of these shares under the Securities Act may result in these shares becoming freely tradable without restriction under the Securities Act immediately upon the effectiveness of the registration. Any market sales of securities held by our significant shareholders or any other shareholder may have an adverse impact on the market price of the ADSs.

Our articles of association contain anti-takeover provisions that could have a material adverse effect on the rights of holders of our ordinary shares and ADSs.

Our currently effective fourth amended and restated articles of association contain provisions to limit the ability of others to acquire control of our company or cause us to engage in change-of-control transactions. These provisions could have the effect of depriving our shareholders of an opportunity to sell their shares at a premium over prevailing market prices by discouraging third parties from seeking to obtain control of our company in a tender offer or similar transaction. For example, our board of directors has the authority, without further action by our shareholders, to issue preferred shares in one or more series and to fix their designations, powers, preferences, privileges, and relative participating, optional or special rights, and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions, including dividend rights, conversion rights, voting rights, terms of redemption and liquidation preferences, any or all of which may be greater than the rights associated with our ordinary shares, represented by ADSs or otherwise. Preferred shares could be issued quickly with terms calculated to delay or prevent a change in control of our company or make removal of management more difficult. If our board of directors decides to issue preferred shares, the price of the ADSs may fall and the voting and other rights of the holders of our ordinary shares and the ADSs may be materially and adversely affected.

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

We are an exempted company limited by shares incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands. Our corporate affairs are governed by our memorandum and articles of association, as amended from time to time, the Companies Law (2016 Revision) of the Cayman Islands and the common law of the Cayman Islands. The rights of shareholders to take action against the directors, actions by minority shareholders and the fiduciary duties of our directors to us under Cayman Islands law are to a large extent governed by the common law of the Cayman Islands. The common law of the Cayman Islands is derived in part from comparatively limited judicial precedent in the Cayman Islands as well as from the common law of England, the decisions of whose courts are of persuasive authority, but are not binding, on a court in the Cayman Islands. The rights of our shareholders and the fiduciary duties of our directors under Cayman Islands law are not as clearly established as they would be under statutes or judicial precedent in some jurisdictions in the United States. In particular, the Cayman Islands has a less developed body of securities laws than the United States. Some U.S. states, such as Delaware, have more fully developed and judicially interpreted bodies of corporate law than the Cayman Islands. In addition, Cayman Islands companies may not have standing to initiate a shareholder derivative action in a federal court of the United States.

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

Certain corporate governance practices in the Cayman Islands, which is our home country, differ significantly from requirements for companies incorporated in other jurisdictions such as the United States. Currently, we do not plan to rely on home country practice with respect to any corporate governance matter. However, if we choose to follow home country practice in the future, our shareholders may be afforded less protection than they otherwise would under rules and regulations applicable to U.S. domestic issuers.

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

Judgments obtained against us by our shareholders may not be enforceable in our home jurisdiction.

We are a Cayman Islands company and a substantial majority of our assets are located outside of the United States. A significant percentage of our current operations are conducted in China. In addition, a significant majority of our current directors and officers are nationals and residents of countries other than the United States. As a result, it may be difficult or impossible for you to bring an action against us or against these individuals in the United States in the event that you believe that your rights have been infringed under the United States federal securities laws or otherwise. Even if you are successful in bringing an action of this kind, the laws of the Cayman Islands and of China may render you unable to enforce a judgment against our assets or the assets of our directors and officers.

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There are uncertainties as to whether Cayman Islands courts would:

·                  recognize or enforce against us judgments of courts of the United States based on certain civil liability provisions of U.S. securities laws; and

·                  impose liabilities against us, in original actions brought in the Cayman Islands, based on certain civil liability provisions of U.S. securities laws that are penal in nature.

There is no statutory recognition in the Cayman Islands of judgments obtained in the United States, although the courts of the Cayman Islands will in certain circumstances recognize and enforce a non-penal judgment of a foreign court of competent jurisdiction without retrial on the merits.

The voting rights of holders of ADSs are limited by the terms of the deposit agreement, and you may not be able to exercise your right to vote your Class A ordinary shares.

As a holder of the ADSs, you will only be able to exercise the voting rights with respect to the underlying Class A ordinary shares in accordance with the provisions of the deposit agreement. Under the deposit agreement, you must vote by giving voting instructions to the depositary. Upon receipt of your voting instructions, the depositary will endeavor to vote the underlying Class A ordinary shares in accordance with those instructions. You will not be able to directly exercise your right to vote with respect to the underlying shares unless you withdraw the shares. Under the currently effective fourth amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, the minimum notice period required for convening a general meeting is 14 calendar days. When a general meeting is convened, you may not receive sufficient advance notice to withdraw the shares underlying your ADSs to allow you to vote with respect to any specific matter. If we ask for your instructions, the depositary will notify you of the upcoming vote and will arrange to deliver our voting materials to you. We cannot assure you that you will receive the voting materials in time to ensure that you can instruct the depositary to vote your shares. In addition, the depositary and its agents are not responsible for failing to carry out voting instructions or for their manner of carrying out your voting instructions. This means that you may not be able to exercise your right to vote and you may have no legal remedy if the shares underlying your ADSs are not voted as you requested.

The depositary for the ADSs will give us a discretionary proxy to vote our Class A ordinary shares underlying your ADSs if you do not vote at shareholders’ meetings, except in limited circumstances, which could adversely affect your interests.

Under the deposit agreement for the ADSs, if you do not vote, the depositary will give us a discretionary proxy to vote our Class A ordinary shares underlying your ADSs at shareholders’ meetings unless:

·                  we have failed to timely provide the depositary with 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

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

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The effect of this discretionary proxy is that if you do not vote at shareholders’ meetings, you cannot prevent our Class A ordinary shares underlying your ADSs from being voted, except under the circumstances described above. This may make it more difficult for shareholders to influence the management of our company. Holders of our Class A and Class B ordinary shares are not subject to this discretionary proxy.

Because we do not expect to pay dividends in the foreseeable future, you must rely on price appreciation of the ADSs for return on your investment.

We currently intend to retain most, if not all, of our available funds and any future earnings to fund the development and growth of our business. As a result, we do not expect to pay any cash dividends in the foreseeable future. Therefore, you should not rely on an investment in the ADSs as a source for any future dividend income.

Our board of directors has discretion as to whether to distribute dividends, subject to applicable laws. Even if our board of directors decides to declare and pay dividends, the timing, amount and form of future dividends, if any, will depend on, among other things, our future results of operations and cash flow, our capital requirements and surplus, the amount of distributions, if any, received by us from our subsidiaries, our financial condition, contractual restrictions and other factors deemed relevant by our board of directors. Accordingly, the return on your investment in the ADSs will likely depend entirely upon any future price appreciation of the ADSs. There is no guarantee that the ADSs will appreciate in value or even maintain the price at which you purchased the ADSs. You may not realize a return on your investment in the ADSs and you may even lose your entire investment in the ADSs.

You may not receive dividends or other distributions on our Class A ordinary shares and you may not receive any value for them, if it is illegal or impractical to make them available to you.

The depositary of the ADSs has agreed to pay to you the cash dividends or other distributions it or the custodian receives on Class A ordinary shares or other deposited securities underlying the ADSs, after deducting its fees and expenses. You will receive these distributions in proportion to the number of Class A ordinary shares your ADSs represent. However, the depositary is not responsible if it decides that it is unlawful or impractical to make a distribution available to any holders of ADSs. For example, it would be unlawful to make a distribution to a holder of ADSs if it consists of securities that require registration under the Securities Act but that are not properly registered or distributed under an applicable exemption from registration. The depositary may also determine that it is not feasible to distribute certain property through the mail. Additionally, the value of certain distributions may be less than the cost of mailing them. In these cases, the depositary may determine not to distribute such property. We have no obligation to register under U.S. securities laws any ADSs, ordinary shares, rights or other securities received through such distributions. We also have no obligation to take any other action to permit the distribution of ADSs, ordinary shares, rights or anything else to holders of ADSs. This means that you may not receive distributions we make on our Class A ordinary shares or any value for them if it is illegal or impractical for us to make them available to you. These restrictions may cause a material decline in the value of the ADSs.

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

We may, from time to time, distribute rights to our shareholders, including rights to acquire securities. Under the deposit agreement, the depositary will not distribute rights to holders of ADSs unless the distribution and sale of rights and the securities to which these rights relate are either exempt from registration under the Securities Act with respect to all holders of ADSs, or are registered under the provisions of the Securities Act. The depositary may, but is not required to, attempt to sell these undistributed rights to third parties, and may allow the rights to lapse. We may be unable to establish an exemption from registration under the Securities Act, and we are under no obligation to file a registration statement with respect to these rights or underlying securities or to endeavor to have a registration statement declared effective. Accordingly, holders of ADSs may be unable to participate in our rights offerings and may experience dilution of their holdings as a result.

Our dual-class voting structure will limit your ability to influence corporate matters, and could discourage others from pursuing any change of control transactions that holders of our Class A ordinary shares and the ADSs may view as beneficial.

Our ordinary shares are divided into Class A ordinary shares and Class B ordinary shares. Holders of Class A ordinary shares are entitled to one vote per share, while holders of Class B ordinary shares are entitled to ten votes per share. Each Class B ordinary share is convertible into one Class A ordinary share at any time by the holder thereof, while Class A ordinary shares are not convertible into Class B ordinary shares under any circumstances. Save for certain limited exceptions, upon any transfer of Class B ordinary shares by a holder thereof to any person or entity which is not an affiliate of such holder, such Class B ordinary shares shall be automatically and immediately converted into the equal number of Class A ordinary shares. All of the ordinary shares held by our shareholders prior to the completion of the initial public offering were redesignated as Class B ordinary shares upon completion of the offering. Kingsoft Corporation, our controlling shareholder, and our founders Mr. Sheng Fu and Mr. Ming Xu, directly or through their holding vehicles, beneficially own an aggregate of 57.1% of our total outstanding shares, representing 72.7% of our total voting power as of March 31, 2017, which give them considerable influence over matters requiring shareholders’ approval, including election of directors and significant corporate transactions, such as a merger or sale of our company or our assets. This concentrated control will limit your ability to influence corporate matters and could discourage others from pursuing any potential merger, takeover or other change of control transactions that holders of Class A ordinary shares and ADSs may view as beneficial.

You may be subject to limitations on transfer of your ADSs.

Your ADSs are transferable on the books of the depositary. However, the depositary may close its books at any time or from time to time when it deems expedient in connection with the performance of its duties. The depositary may close its books from time to time for a number of reasons, including in connection with corporate events such as a rights offering, during which time the depositary needs to maintain an exact number of ADSs on its books for a specified period. The depositary may also close its books in emergencies, and on weekends and public holidays. The depositary may refuse to deliver, transfer or register transfers of ADSs generally when our share register or the books of the depositary are closed, or at any time if we or the depositary thinks that it is advisable to do so because of any requirement of law or of any government or governmental body, or under any provision of the deposit agreement, or for any other reason in accordance with the terms of the deposit agreement. As a result, you may be unable to transfer your ADSs when you wish to.

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We have incurred increased costs as a result of being a public company, and the costs may continue to increase in the future.

As a public company, we have incurred significant legal, accounting and other expenses that we did not incur as a private company. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as well as rules subsequently implemented by the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, and the NYSE, impose various requirements on the corporate governance practices of public companies. These rules and regulations increase our legal and financial compliance costs and some corporate activities more time-consuming and costly. For example, in comparison with a private company, we need an increased number of independent directors and have to adopt policies regarding internal controls and disclosure controls and procedures. In addition, we incur additional costs associated with our public company reporting requirements. We expect to continue to incur significant expenses and devote substantial management effort toward ensuring compliance with the requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the other rules and regulations of the SEC and the NYSE.

In the past, shareholders of a public company often brought securities class action suits against the company following periods of instability in the market price of that company’s securities. If we were involved in a class action suit, it could divert a significant amount of our management’s attention and other resources from our business and operations, which could harm our results of operations and require us to incur significant expenses to defend the suit. Any such class action suit, whether or not successful, could harm our reputation and restrict our ability to raise capital in the future. In addition, if a claim is successfully made against us, we may be required to pay significant damages, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

There can be no assurance that we will not be passive foreign investment company, or PFIC, for United States federal income tax purposes for any taxable year, which could subject United States investors in the ADSs or our Class A ordinary shares to significant adverse United States income tax consequences.

We will be a “passive foreign investment company,” or “PFIC,” if, in the case of any particular taxable year, either (a) 75% or more of our gross income for such year consists of certain types of “passive” income or (b) 50% or more of the average quarterly value of our assets (as determined on the basis of fair market value) during such year produce or are held for the production of passive income (the “asset test”). Although the law in this regard is unclear, we treat our VIEs and each of their subsidiaries as being owned by us for United States federal income tax purposes, not only because we exercise effective control over the operation of such entities but also because we are entitled to substantially all of their economic benefits, and, as a result, we consolidate their results of operations in our consolidated financial statements. Assuming that we are the owner of our VIEs and each of their subsidiaries for United States federal income tax purposes, and based upon our income and assets and market price of our ADSs, we do not believe we were a PFIC for the taxable year ended December 31, 2016 and do not anticipate becoming a PFIC in the foreseeable future.

While we do not expect to become a PFIC, because the value of our assets for purposes of the asset test may be determined by reference to the market price of the ADSs, fluctuations in the market price of the ADSs may cause us to become a PFIC for the current or subsequent taxable years. The determination of whether we will be or become a PFIC will also depend, in part, on the composition of our income and assets. Under circumstances where we determine not to deploy significant amounts of cash for active purposes or if we were treated as not owning our VIEs for United States federal income tax purposes, our risk of being a PFIC may substantially increase. Because there are uncertainties in the application of the relevant rules and PFIC status is a factual determination made annually after the close of each taxable year, there can be no assurance that we will not be a PFIC for the current taxable year or any future taxable year.

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If we are a PFIC in any taxable year, a U.S. holder (as defined in “Item 10. Additional Information—E. Taxation—United States Federal Income Taxation”) may incur significantly increased United States income tax on gain recognized on the sale or other disposition of the ADSs or Class A ordinary shares and on the receipt of distributions on the ADSs or Class A ordinary shares to the extent such gain or distribution is treated as an “excess distribution” under the United States federal income tax rules and such holders may be subject to burdensome reporting requirements. Further, if we are a PFIC for any year during which a U.S. holder holds the ADSs or our Class A ordinary shares, we generally will continue to be treated as a PFIC for all succeeding years during which such U.S. holder holds the ADSs or our Class A ordinary shares. For more information see “Item 10. Additional Information—E. Taxation—United States Federal Income Taxation—Passive Foreign Investment Company Considerations.”

Item 4.                   Information on the Company

A.            History and Development of the Company

Our company is a holding company incorporated in the Cayman Islands in July 2009 as a wholly- owned subsidiary of Kingsoft Corporation, a Cayman Islands company publicly listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (Stock Code: 3888) since October 2007. We changed our name from the previous Kingsoft Internet Software Holdings Limited to Cheetah Mobile Inc. in March 2014.

In August 2009, we established our wholly-owned Hong Kong subsidiary, Cheetah Technology Corporation Limited, or Cheetah Technology. Following our incorporation in July 2009, we underwent a series of restructuring transactions in 2009 and 2010. After the restructuring, Zhuhai Juntian, which was originally a wholly-owned subsidiary of Kingsoft Corporation in China, became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Cheetah Technology in December 2009. Zhuhai Juntian incorporated Beijing Security as its wholly-owned subsidiary in China in November 2009. Through a series of VIE contractual arrangements established in January 2011, Beijing Cheetah Mobile Technology Co., Ltd., or Beijing Mobile, an entity previously consolidated in Kingsoft Corporation’s group, became our VIE. We established Cheetah Mobile America, Inc. in the United States in November 2012.

In October 2010, we acquired 100% equity interest in Conew.com Corporation, a company incorporated in the British Virgin Islands in October 2008. As part of the acquisition, we acquired 100% equity interest in Conew Network and obtained effective control over Beijing Conew through contractual arrangements among Conew Network, Beijing Conew and Beijing Conew’s shareholders.

Beijing Cheetah Network Technology Co., Ltd., or Beijing Network, was incorporated in China in July 2012 as our VIE and has been consolidated in our financial statements since its incorporation. We exercise effective control over our VIEs, such as Beijing Mobile and Beijing Network, through contractual arrangements among them, their shareholders and our applicable PRC subsidiaries, Beijing Security and Conew Network.  For a detailed description of our contractual arrangements with the VIEs, see “—C. Organizational Structure—Contractual Arrangements with Our VIEs.”

Beijing Mobile incorporated a subsidiary, Suzhou Jiangduoduo Technology Co., Ltd., or Suzhou Jiangduoduo, in China in January 2014, through which we started to conduct online lottery sales in April 2014. In March 2015, we suspended our online lottery sales in response to the PRC government’s regulatory measures. In May 2016, we sold a majority interest in, and ceased to consolidate, Suzhou Jiangduoduo.

In May 2014, we completed our initial public offering, in which we offered and sold 138,000,000 Class A ordinary shares represented by ADSs. The ADSs are listed on the NYSE under the symbol “CMCM.”

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Since September 2016, we have incorporated Live.me Inc., a Cayman Islands company, and several subsidiaries including Hong Kong Live.Me Corporation Limited, to operate our live streaming business Live.me. In December 2016, Live.me Inc. entered into an agreement to issue certain number of shares to one of its management members. As of the date of this annual report, the transaction has been closed and we directly hold approximately 89.55% equity interest in Live.me Inc.

We have grown organically and through acquisitions, partnerships and investments in recent years. For example, we acquired Hongkong Zoom Interactive Network Marketing Technology Limited, or Hongkong Zoom, a mobile advertising company, in July 2014, and MobPartner S.A.S., or MobPartner, a mobile advertising company based in San Francisco, London, Paris and Beijing, in April 2015. In May 2015, we started to consolidate Moxiu Technology, a provider of mobile launchers, upon acquisition of an aggregate 52.1% equity interest. In June 2016, we acquired News Republic S.A.S., a global mobile news service operator which operates the news application News Republic. To further expand our business and keep up with new technological developments, we have made various minority equity investments in areas such as online marketing, social and entertainment, and internet security services. For example, in January 2014, we invested in Yeahmobi, an intelligent mobile advertising platform that was later listed on China’s National Equities Exchange and Quotations, an emerging over-the-counter market in China, in February 2016 (stock code: 430270). We held 4.9% equity interest in Yeahmobi as of December 31, 2016. In April 2015, we made an early round of investment to musical.ly, which has become a popular social entertainment app in the United States. We held 17.4% equity interest in musical.ly on a fully diluted and as-converted basis as of December 31, 2016. In 2014, 2015 and 2016, we have paid for investments and acquisitions in an aggregate amount of RMB522.7 million, RMB756.1 million and RMB644.0 million (US$92.8 million), respectively.

Our principal executive offices are located at Building No. 8, Hui Tong Times Square,  Yaojiayuan South Road, Beijing 100123, People’s Republic of China. Our telephone number at this address is +86-10-6292-7779. Our registered office in the Cayman Islands is located at the offices of Maples Corporate Services Limited at PO Box 309, Ugland House, Grand Cayman, KY1-1104, Cayman Islands. Our agent for service of process in the United States is Law Debenture Corporate Services Inc., of 801 Second Avenue, Suite 403, New York, NY 10017.

Voting Proxy Agreement between Kingsoft Corporation and Mr. Fu

On February 12, 2017, Kingsoft Corporation entered into a voting proxy agreement with Mr. Sheng Fu, our chief executive officer and director, pursuant to which Kingsoft Corporation agreed to delegate voting rights pertaining to up to 399,445,025 Class B ordinary shares of our company that it owns to Mr. Fu. The effectiveness of the agreement is subject to Kingsoft Corporation’s shareholder approval and signing of a definitive agreement between Mr. Fu and our company in relation to a potential transfer of Mr. Fu’s interest in certain robotics business to our company (subject to approval of our audit committee and board of directors).

The voting proxy agreement also provides for additional rights and obligations of Kingsoft Corporation and Mr. Fu, including, among other things, (i) prohibitions on Mr. Fu from participation or investment in any businesses competing with the principal businesses of our company and Kingsoft Corporation, (ii) Mr. Fu’s obligation to use best efforts to retain our core management team, (iii) Kingsoft Corporation’s right to revoke the voting proxy in the event that Mr. Fu breaches the aforementioned undertakings, and (iv) agreement to increase the size and change the composition of our current nine-member board of directors, such that there will be 11 directors, including three directors from our management, one director designated by Kingsoft Corporation, one director designated by Tencent Holdings Limited, and six independent directors. The six independent directors shall be nominated by Mr. Fu and agreed upon by Kingsoft Corporation.

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The voting proxy agreement may be terminated upon (i) revocation by Kingsoft Corporation based on a breach of the aforementioned undertakings by Mr. Fu, (ii) mutual agreement by both parties, or (iii) disposal by Kingsoft Corporation of all of its equity interest in our company.

B.            Business Overview

We operate a platform that offers mobile and PC applications for our users and global content promotional channels for our customers, both of which are powered by our proprietary cloud-based data analytics engines. Our mission is to provide leading applications for mobile users worldwide and connect users with personalized content on the mobile platform.

We offer utility applications and content-driven applications on our platform. Our diversified suite of utility applications, which have amassed a large user base over the years, optimizes mobile and PC internet system performance and provides real time protection against known and unknown security threats. Leveraging the success of our utility applications, we recently started to offer our content-driven mobile applications, such as News Republic and Live.me. The number of monthly active users of our mobile applications increased from 395.4 million in December 2014 to 635.5 million in December 2015, which slightly decreased to 622.9 million in December 2016. Our applications had been installed on 1,089.1 million, 2,340.8 million and 3,810.0 million mobile devices as of December 31, 2014, 2015 and 2016, respectively.

For our online marketing customers, our platform provides them multiple user traffic entry points and global content promotional channels capable of delivering targeted content to hundreds of millions of people. Our online marketing customers include direct advertisers and mobile advertising networks through which advertisers place their advertisements.

Our proprietary cloud-based data analytics engines form the core of our platform. For users of our utility applications, the data analytics engines perform real time analysis of mobile applications, program files and websites on their devices for behavior that may impair system performance or impose security risks. For our customers, the data analytics engines help create user interest graphs according to a number of dimensions such as online shopping, gaming and frequently used applications, thus facilitating targeted content delivery. Artificial intelligence technology is also a key element of our content strategy, helping us present more personalized content and information to users of our content-driven applications, which help to increase user engagement.

Although substantially all of our applications are free to our users, our large user base presents monetization opportunities for us and our customers. We generate revenues from our online marketing services primarily by providing mobile advertising services to advertisers worldwide, and also by selling advertisements and referring user traffic on our mobile and PC platforms. We generated 72.1%, 87.0% and 86.6% of our revenues from online marketing services in 2014, 2015 and 2016, respectively. We also generate revenues by providing internet value-added services, or IVAS, primarily from online game publishing and initial monetization of Live.me in overseas markets.

By platform, our revenues generated from our mobile business, or mobile revenues, increased by 418.7% from RMB477.0 million in 2014 to RMB2,474.4 million in 2015, and further increased by 42.7% to RMB3,530.4 million (US$508.5 million) in 2016. Mobile revenues accounted for 25.7%, 65.6% and 77.3% of our total revenues in 2014, 2015 and 2016, respectively. Since we began our overseas monetization efforts in the second quarter of 2014, revenues from overseas markets, primarily the United States, Europe, India, Indonesia and certain emerging markets (other than China), have increased significantly. For the years ended December 31, 2014, 2015 and 2016, overseas revenues accounted for 17.2%, 51.2% and 60.2% of our total revenues, respectively. For the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2016, the majority of our overseas revenues were generated from our partnering third-party mobile advertising platforms, such as Facebook, Google and Yahoo, which primarily operate in the United States.

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Our Core Applications for Users

The table below sets forth some basic information of our core mobile and PC applications for users.

L: date of launch; A: date of acquisition.

* CM Browser was officially launched in June 2014.

Utility Applications

Clean Master

Clean Master is a junk file cleaning, memory boosting and privacy protection tool we launched in September 2012 for mobile devices. Clean Master also features application management functions.

Clean Master utilizes our cloud-based application behavior library to identify junk files associated with the applications installed on users’ end devices. Our data analytics engine can also identify junk files generated by unknown applications, which allow Clean Master to effectively clean these junk files.

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As our cloud-based data analytics engines continue to evolve, Clean Master becomes more precise in identifying and cleaning junk files.

CM Security

CM Security, which we launched in January 2014 on the Android platform, is an anti-virus and security application for mobile devices. It also features junk file cleanup and unwanted call blocking functions.

Powered by the dual-mode local and cloud-based application behavior library and our security threats library, CM Security is able to efficiently identify junk files and threats installed on users’ mobile devices. Our data analytics engines also enable CM Security to identify threats not previously indexed in our application behavior and security threats libraries.

Battery Doctor

Battery Doctor is a power optimization tool for mobile devices we launched in July 2011. Battery Doctor optimizes battery usage by utilizing our cloud-based application behavior library that contains power consumption characteristics of a number of mobile applications. Our data analytics engine can also identify power consumption characteristics of unknown applications, which allows Battery Doctor to effectively manage the power settings for these applications.

Cheetah Browser and CM Browser

Cheetah Browser is our high speed, safe web browser available for both PCs and mobile devices. We launched the PC edition in June 2012 and the mobile edition in June 2013. Cheetah Browser PC edition is a dual-core web browser, integrating the functionality of both the Chromium open-source rendering engine and the Internet Explorer rendering engine. The integrated Internet Explorer rendering engine provides maximum compatibility with pages across the internet, while the Chromium browser kernel operates at higher speeds. Cheetah Browser’s intelligent core switching engine analyzes each web page visited and selects the fastest and most compatible rendering engine for that page.

CM Browser is a light and fast mobile browser that we officially launched in June 2014, targeting overseas markets. CM Browser can protect users from malicious threats without compromising browsing speed.

CM Launcher

CM Launcher was launched in December 2014 on the Android platform, and is a secure launcher that offers acceleration, secure protection, stylish wallpapers. It also automatically organizes mobile applications based on personal behavior. It is used to increase the startup speed of phones and boost their performance. Despite its light weight, CM Launcher enables applications to load quicker. Its anti-virus engine protects users’ personal info and app data and block viruses and malware. CM Launcher automatically classifies users’ applications into intelligent folders based on their habits, and recommends applications that are popular with the people in their neighborhood. In addition, it customizes users’ unique wallpaper to fit their personal style.

Photo Grid

Photo Grid is an easy-to-use photo collage application for mobile devices that we acquired in May 2013. Photo Grid allows users to quickly create professional looking collages of photos through an intuitive interface. Photos can be selected from users’ phones or from Facebook, Instagram, Flickr, Dropbox, or Google+ and then edited and arranged according to a variety of pre-defined or self-designed layouts. Users can then apply photo enhancement tools such as filters, backgrounds, stickers and text labels, making the creation of beautiful collages a simple and enjoyable experience. Users can conveniently save and share their creations through social networks such as Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or emails.

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CM Locker

CM Locker was launched in December 2014 on the Android platform. It is a lightweight lock screen with prompt notifications and maximum security. CM Locker enables users to access essential phone functions easily and quickly.

Duba Anti-virus

Duba Anti-virus is an internet security application offered free for both PC and mobile devices. It incorporates anti-virus, anti-malware, anti-phishing, malicious website blocking and secure online shopping in a single lightweight installation package and leverages the power of our cloud-based data analytics engines to protect our users against known and unknown security threats and malicious applications.

Anti-virus and anti-malware. Duba Anti-virus can perform periodic or on-demand scan of program files and processes present on our users’ devices and test them against our cloud-based whitelisted and blacklisted security threats library. Program files that match the blacklist will be removed or quarantined automatically by Duba Anti-virus.

Program files that do not match any of the samples included in the cloud-based security threats library will be further analyzed using our cloud-based data analytics engines which can effectively identify unknown threats by employing a heuristic, or experience-based, approach to analyze the code and behavior of the unknown program files. By functioning as a sensor for our cloud-based data analytics engines, Duba Anti-virus can leverage the discovery of an unknown security threat on a single user’s device to protect the devices of our entire user community.

K+ defense. Duba Anti-virus includes a K+ defense system that integrates with our analytic engines and provides multi-layer comprehensive protection against a broad range of security threats to users’ computers.

·                  System protection. The K+ defense system protects against malicious alteration of system configurations, prevents remote intrusion by hackers, blocks malicious websites, automatically scans downloaded files for malwares and protects web browsers from unauthorized alternation.

·                  Online shopping protection. The K+ defense system blocks phishing and malicious shopping websites, prevents online shopping webpages from being altered or login information being intercepted by Trojan horses installed on users’ computers and provides security module plug-in to enhance browser security. Critical processes such as online payments can be conducted in a secure virtual environment free of interference by malware.

Vulnerability fixing. Duba Anti-virus provides a one-click solution to scan and fix vulnerabilities in computer configurations that could create an elevated risk level of system intrusions.

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Content-driven Applications

Live.me

Developed internally and launched in late 2015, Live.me is a popular live video streaming application serving overseas users especially in the developed countries. Currently most of the users on Live.me are young adults under 25 years old. We are working to build Live.me into a positive social community by making it easier and more fun for users to share their lifestyles and activities with other users via live video streaming. In the second quarter of 2016, we introduced a virtual gift feature to Live.me which enables our users to show support and appreciation to their favorite broadcasting hosts. Users can purchase virtual items using virtual currencies we sell on our platform.

News Republic

Acquired by us in June 2016, News Republic is a global mobile news service operator with more than 2,000 high-profile media partners worldwide. After the acquisition, we launched an upgraded version that uses artificial intelligence technologies to deliver personalized news content to users, which has further enhanced user experience and user engagement. We plan to continue to refine the product and attract more active users especially in developed markets.

We have been taking initiatives to introduce the large amount of content on News Republic to more users. For example, we have incorporated our personalized news delivery function into our utility applications. We have also launched a Cheetah Open Feed platform, which allows app developers and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to place news delivery services into their apps, helping them attract and engage users.

Products and Services for Our Customers

Mobile advertising publisher

Our portfolio of utility and content-driven applications attracted 622.9 million monthly actively users as of December 31, 2016, which enabled us to become one of the leading mobile advertising publishers. We aggregated ads from Facebook, Google, Yahoo, Baidu, Tencent and more than 20 global mobile advertising networks on our mobile advertising operations. Our ad serving technology helps to determine the best available ad to show to each user based on the combination of the user’s unique attributes and the real-time comparison of bids from eligible ads.

Mobile advertising platform

Cheetah ads platform is our proprietary mobile advertising platform through which customers can purchase advertisements across multiple locations in our mobile applications, and to a lesser extent, on third-party mobile applications. Ads of our customers are integrated into our mobile products in a manner designed to enhance advertising performance and optimize user experiences. We have direct sales forces in China and overseas markets to reach advertising customers for Cheetah ads platform.

Duba.com personal start page

Our duba.com personal start page provides a convenient starting point for the online experience of our users. Duba.com aggregates a large collection of popular online resources and provides users quick access to most of their online destinations such as online shopping, video, online game, travel and local information. It also incorporates search functions provided by our customers. Our large user base has turned our duba.com personal start page into a hub of third-party search traffic to e-commerce companies and search engine providers.

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Users can click on links on the duba.com start page to access our customers’ websites or search information using their selected search engine. We charge fees to our customers based on different criteria such as cost per sale, cost per click, cost over a time period and cost per installation for transactions or other activities that originate from our duba.com start page. The unit price is subject to negotiation based on the traffic we bring to the customers.

Game publishing

Through our PC game centers and mobile applications, we publish web game and mobile game categories and a wide array of genres such as MMORPGs, first person shooters, action, adventure, sports, puzzle, children’s and casual games. Substantially all of these games are free to play, and we generate revenues primarily from displaying customer’s advertisements in the mobile games and from game players’ purchase and recharge of virtual currencies used in online games through our user account management system.

We have two types of game publishing arrangements. Under a joint operating arrangement, we jointly operate games with game developers and publishers without paying license fees or incurring significant promotional expenses. We share user payments with game developers and publishers. Under an exclusive publishing arrangement, we pay royalty fees and upfront license fees to developers, share a portion of user payments with certain publishers, and promote and operate the games at our own costs. The popularity of the games has a larger impact on revenues from exclusive publishing arrangement as we bear higher risks and potentially receive higher rewards under this arrangement.

Utilizing the distribution capability of our suite of applications, we can quickly promote games to a large number of our users through multiple channels such as our duba.com start page, Cheetah Browser, Clean Master and Battery Doctor.

Our Cloud-Based Data Analytics Engines

Our cloud-based data analytics engines are critical for the development and enhancement of our mobile and PC applications serving both our users and customers. Data analytics engines powering our applications for users.

For our users, our data analytics engines enable our utility applications to access our most up-to-date security threat and application behavior libraries in the cloud to optimize system performance and to protect against both known and unknown security threats.

·                  Our security threat library contains blacklisted and whitelisted sample program files and blacklisted and whitelisted sample website addresses, which grows with time.

·                  We have developed a mobile application behavior library encompassing a number of mobile applications. A wide range of application behavior such as junk file creation, power usage and invasion of privacy is collected in the library.

·                  We can perform an automatic or on-demand scan to identify known security threats or behavior of known applications on users’ devices in a fraction of a second.

·                  We can automatically identify abnormal behavior of unknown applications or security threats with a minimal false identification rate, through performing a heuristic, or experience-based, analysis with our data analytics engines.

Our data analytics also help us present more personalized content and information to users of our content-driven applications, which help to increase user engagement.

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Data analytics engines powering our products and services for customers

Using cloud-based big data analytics, we have created our proprietary Face Mark system to graph our users’ interests according to a number of dimensions such as frequently used applications and phone models used. We have also developed “Cross-over” delivery technology that can identify audience groups across “multi-screens,” regardless of what devices or operating systems these audience groups may use, as long as they have installed any of our applications. With the Face Mark system and Cross-over delivery technology, we can more precisely help our customers promote their own brands, products and services to target audiences and achieve a higher return on investments.

Evolution of our data analytics engines

Our security threats and application behavior libraries continuously expand with new samples exchanged with other security services providers and collected by search spiders. In addition, every device with our applications installed acts as a sensor for our cloud-based data analytics engines. The behavior of every new third-party application installed on these devices is analyzed to establish a risk profile and enrich our security threats library.

Our Face Mark and Cross-over delivery technologies become more valuable with the expansion of our user base as they help populate our user interest graph to create larger audience groups for targeted content delivery. This creates a powerful network effect. The more users install and use our applications, the more information our analytics engines are able to obtain to benefit both our users and customers.

In addition, we have made significant investments in artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies to implement our content-driven strategy. We believe that these are the core technologies for connecting our users with highly personalized content. For example, after we had upgraded News Republic to an artificial intelligence-enabled, personalized news content delivery model in the third quarter of 2016, both its user base and user engagement have grown rapidly. We have also developed in-house image recognition technologies that allow us to more efficiently review tens of thousands of live video streaming content generated by our users every day on Live.me.

Our Customers

Our customers primarily comprise customers for our online marketing services. For our mobile platform, our customers comprise direct advertisers including mobile application developers, mobile game developers and e-commerce companies, and our partnering mobile advertising networks through which advertisers place advertisements on our mobile applications, such as Facebook, Google, Yahoo, Baidu and Tencent. For our PC platform, our customers primarily comprise e-commerce companies and search engines, such as Baidu, Alibaba, Sogou and Tencent, who pay us for referring user traffic to them from our platform. In 2014, 2015 and 2016, our five largest customers in aggregate contributed approximately 52.7%, 57.7% and 47.9% of our revenues, respectively, and our largest customer, Facebook, contributed 3.9%, 28.7% and 19.9% of our revenues, respectively.  See “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Our Business and Industry—Because a limited number of customers contribute to a significant portion of our revenues, our revenues and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected if we were to lose a significant customer or a significant portion of its business.”

Marketing

We remain focused on driving organic growth for our products and services by improving user experience. We use social networks, online campaigns and offline events to promote our brand, products and services. We promote our brand, products and services across major social platforms such as Facebook, Weibo and Weixin. Over the past years, our creative team has produced a number of product and branding videos for video sharing sites such as Youku and YouTube.

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We closely track user growth in key countries across the United States, Europe, Latin America, and Southeast Asia. We currently acquire users through continued online promotion and offline pre-installation. We also grow our traffic organically through cross-promotion.

We have implemented a number of marketing initiatives designed to promote our brand among potential users and customers globally. For example, we hosted several events entitled “Connect” in Beijing, Taipei and San Francisco to present our mobile content strategy to the global media. In addition, for the past five years, we have offered complimentary Cheetah Orange Bus Service, helping people make their way back from Beijing to their hometowns for the Chinese New Year holiday.

Our Live.me platform has attracted a number of American online celebrities to conduct live broadcasting and they have accumulated hundreds of thousands of fans.

Competition

We face intense competition in all lines of our business. In the mobile internet space, we generally compete with other mobile application developers, including developers that offer products claiming to perform similar functions as our utility applications, such as Clean Master, CM Security, Battery Doctor, CM Launcher and Cheetah Browser, and our content-driven applications, such as Live.me and News Republic. In the internet space, we mainly compete with Qihoo in China’s internet security and anti-virus market. In addition, we compete with all major internet companies for user attention and advertising spend.

Intellectual Property

Our trademarks, patents, copyrights, domain names, proprietary technology, know-how and other intellectual property are vital to the success of our business. We protect our intellectual property rights through patent, trademark, copyright and trade secret protection laws in the PRC, Hong Kong, Japan, the United States and other jurisdictions. In addition, we enter into confidentiality and non-disclosure agreements with our employees and customers. The agreements we enter into with our employees also provide that all software, inventions, developments, works of authorship and trade secrets created by them during the course of their employment are our property.

Patents. As of March 31, 2017, we had 927 patents in China and four patents outside China relating to our software and other proprietary technology. Of such 931 patents, 664 patents were either independently or jointly held by Zhuhai Juntian, Beijing Security, Conew Network, Beijing Antutu Technology Co., Ltd., or Beijing Antutu,  and Guangzhou Network, our wholly-owned PRC subsidiaries, 231 patents were either independently or jointly held by Beijing Mobile and Beijing Network, our VIEs, and 36 patents were jointly owned by our wholly-owned PRC subsidiaries and VIEs. The 931 patents will expire between April 2024 and September 2033. In addition, as of March 31, 2017, we had a total of 2,019 patent applications in China and 191 patents applications outside China. In relation to the proprietary technologies that are essential to the operations of our platform and important to our business, Zhuhai Juntian, Beijing Security, Conew Network, Beijing Antutu and Guangzhou Network, our wholly-owned PRC subsidiaries, had independently filed 1,972 patent applications, and Beijing Mobile, Beijing Network, our VIEs, had independently or jointly filed 176 patent applications and had jointly filed an additional 62 patent applications together with Zhuhai Juntian, Beijing Security, Conew Network, Beijing Antutu or Guangzhou Network. Once approved, depending on the type of patents, the patents that are in the process of application by our VIEs will expire 10 or 20 years after the date of application.

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Copyrights. As of March 31, 2017, we had registered 250 copyrights, including 231 software copyrights and 19 artwork copyrights. In relation to our core proprietary technologies, Beijing Mobile and Beijing Network, our VIEs, independently or jointly owned 31 software copyrights, and jointly owned an additional 54 software copyrights together with Cheetah Technology, Zhuhai Juntian, Beijing Security, Conew Network or Guangzhou Network. All the software copyrights owned by our VIEs (excluding Beijing Conew) have been published between January 2003 and December 2016. Software copyrights are protected until the end of the 50th calendar year starting from the date of first publication.

Trademarks. As of March 31, 2017, we had registered 873 trademarks in China. In addition, we had filed 672 trademark applications. We had 777 registered trademarks and had filed a total of 950 trademark applications outside China.

Domain names. As of March 31, 2017, we had registered 217 domain names, including www.cmcm.com, www.duba.com, www.ijinshan.com, liebao.cn and 9724.com.

As our VIEs hold a significant amount of patents and copyrights essential to our business operations, if we lose control over any of them or if any of them goes bankrupt, our business operations may be severely interrupted. See “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Our Corporate Structure—We may lose the ability to use and enjoy vital assets held by our VIEs if they go bankrupt or become subject to a dissolution or liquidation proceeding.”

In addition, pursuant to the intellectual property transfer and license framework agreement that we entered into with Kingsoft Corporation on April 1, 2014, Kingsoft Corporation transferred or licensed to us certain intellectual property, including software copyrights, registered and pending trademarks and approved and pending patents, including Kingsoft and 金山, which are important to the marketing of our applications. See “Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions—B. Related Party Transactions—Transactions and Agreements with Kingsoft Corporation and its Subsidiaries—Intellectual Property Licensing Arrangements.” We also license related internet security products from third parties.”

We have established policies and procedures to monitor certain key patents and trademarks for infringement or other unauthorized use, and a team of dedicated employees from the intellectual property, legal and marketing groups conduct daily searches and monitor our patents, as well as third-party patents and distribution platforms, for infringing technology and software. See “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Relating to our Business and Industry—We may not be able to prevent unauthorized use of our intellectual property, which could harm our business and competitive position” and “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Relating to our Business and Industry—We may be subject to intellectual property infringement lawsuits which could result in our payment of substantial damages or license fees, disruption to our product and service offerings and reputational harm.”

Regulations

We are subject to a number of PRC and foreign laws and regulations that affect companies conducting business on the internet. We are subject to a variety of laws and regulations in foreign jurisdictions that involve matters central to our business, including privacy and data protection, rights of publicity, content, intellectual property, advertising, marketing, distribution, data security, data retention and deletion, personal information, national security, electronic contracts and other communications, virtual currencies, competition, protection of minors, consumer protection, telecommunications, taxation, and economic or other trade prohibitions or sanctions. These foreign laws and regulations are constantly evolving and can be subject to significant change. As a result, the application, interpretation, and enforcement of these laws and regulations are often uncertain, particularly in the new and rapidly evolving industry in which we operate, and may be interpreted and applied inconsistently from country to country and inconsistently with our current policies and practices. For further details, see “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Our Business and Industry—Our business is subject to complex and evolving laws and regulations regarding privacy, data protection, and other matters both within and outside China. Many of these laws and regulations are subject to change and uncertain interpretation, and could result in claims, changes to our business practices, monetary penalties, increased cost of operations, or declines in user growth or engagement, or otherwise harm our business.”

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As a significant portion of our business operations are conducted in China, we are materially affected by the laws and regulations in China. This section summarizes the principal PRC laws and regulations relevant to our current businesses, including online marketing, online game (including online mobile and PC games) operations and advertising agency, as well as foreign currency exchange and dividend distributions.

Regulations on Telecommunications Services and Foreign Ownership Restrictions

The Telecommunications Regulations, which became effective on September 25, 2000, are the core regulations on telecommunications services in China. The Telecommunications Regulations set out basic guidelines on different types of telecommunications business activities, including the distinction between “basic telecommunications services” and “value-added telecommunications services.” According to the Catalog of Telecommunications Business (2003 Amendment), implemented on April 1, 2003 and attached to the Telecommunications Regulations, internet information services are deemed a type of value-added telecommunications services. The Telecommunications Regulations require the operators of value-added telecommunications services to obtain value-added telecommunications business operation licenses from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, or MIIT, or its provincial delegates prior to the commencement of such services.

The Regulations on the Administration of Foreign-Invested Telecommunications Enterprises, or the FITE Regulations, which took effect on January 1, 2002 and were amended on September 10, 2008, are the major rules on foreign investment in telecommunications companies in China. The FITE Regulations stipulate that the foreign investor of a telecommunications enterprise is prohibited from holding more than 50% of the equity interest in a foreign-invested enterprise that provides value-added telecommunications services, including internet information services. Moreover, such foreign investor shall demonstrate a good track record and experience in operating value-added telecommunications services when applying for the value-added telecommunications business operation license from the MIIT. In June 2015, the MIIT relaxed control over foreign ownership in certain telecommunication-related sectors, but in a very limited manner.

On July 13, 2006, the MIIT issued the Circular on Strengthening the Administration of Foreign Investment in Value-added Telecommunications Services, or the MIIT Circular 2006, which requires that (a) foreign investors can only operate a telecommunications business in China through establishing a telecommunications enterprise with a valid telecommunications business operation license; (b) domestic license holders are prohibited from leasing, transferring or selling telecommunications business operation licenses to foreign investors in any form, or providing any resources, sites or facilities to foreign investors to facilitate the unlicensed operation of telecommunications business in China; (c) value-added telecommunications service providers or their shareholders must directly own the domain names and registered trademarks they use in their daily operations; (d) each value-added telecommunications service provider must have the necessary facilities for its approved business operations and maintain such facilities in the geographic regions covered by its license; and (e) all value-added telecommunications service providers should improve network and information security, enact relevant information safety administration regulations and set up emergency plans to ensure network and information safety. The provincial communications administration bureaus, as local authorities in charge of regulating telecommunications services, (a) are required to ensure that existing qualified value-added telecommunications service providers will conduct a self-assessment of their compliance with the MIIT Circular 2006 and submit status reports to the MIIT before November 1, 2006; and (b) may revoke the value-added telecommunications business operation licenses of those that fail to comply with the above requirements or fail to rectify such non-compliance within specified time limits. Due to the lack of any additional interpretation from the regulatory authorities, it remains unclear what impact MIIT Circular 2006 will have on us or the other PRC internet companies with similar corporate and contractual structures.

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To comply with such foreign ownership restrictions, we operate our businesses in China through Beijing Mobile and Beijing Network, our VIEs. Our VIEs are owned by PRC citizens. Each of these entities is controlled by Beijing Security or Conew Network, our wholly-owned subsidiaries, through a series of contractual arrangements. See “Item 4. Information on the Company—C. Organizational Structure—Contractual Arrangements with Our VIEs.” Based on our PRC legal counsel, Global Law Office’s understanding of the current PRC laws, rules and regulations, our corporate structure complies with all applicable PRC laws, and does not violate, breach, contravene or circumvent or otherwise conflict with any applicable PRC laws. However, we were further advised by our PRC legal counsel that there are substantial uncertainties with respect to the interpretation and application of existing or future PRC laws and regulations and thus there is no assurance that Chinese governmental authorities would take a view consistent with the opinions of our PRC legal counsel.

Internet Information Services

The Administrative Measures on Internet Information Services, or the ICP Measures, issued by the State Council on September 25, 2000 and amended on January 8, 2011, regulate the provision of internet information services. According to the ICP Measures, “internet information services” refer to services that provide internet information to online users, and are categorized as either commercial services or non-commercial services. Pursuant to the ICP Measures, internet information commercial service providers shall obtain an ICP License, a sub-category of the value-added telecommunications business operation license, from the relevant local authorities before engaging in the provision of any commercial internet information services in China. In addition, if the internet information services involve provision of news, publication, education, medicine, health, pharmaceuticals, medical equipment and other services that statutorily require approvals from other additional governmental authorities, such approvals must be obtained before applying for the ICP License.

We currently, through Beijing Mobile and Beijing Network, our VIEs, hold valid ICP Licenses, covering the provision of internet information services, issued by the Beijing branch of the MIIT. Besides, the ICP Measures and other relevant measures also ban the internet activities that constitute publication of any content that propagates obscenity, pornography, gambling and violence, incite the commission of crimes or infringe upon the lawful rights and interests of third parties, among others. If an internet information service provider detects information transmitted on their system that falls within the specifically prohibited scope, such provider must terminate such transmission, delete such information immediately, keep records and report to the governmental authorities in charge. Any provider’s violation of these prescriptions will lead to the revocation of its ICP License and, in serious cases, the shutting down of its internet systems.

Internet News Information Services

Under currently effective rules and regulations in the PRC, to provide internet news information services on current affairs and politics in China, including the relevant news reporting and commentary on politics, economy, military affairs, diplomacy, public emergencies and other public affairs, the service provider is required to obtain an internet news information service license, or an INIS License. Pursuant to the Provisions on the Administration of Internet News Information Services, or the Internet News Provisions, which were jointly promulgated by the SCIO and the then Ministry of Information Industry (the predecessor of the MIIT) in September 2005, internet news information service providers which are established by “non-news work units” and which republish news information, provide current event electronic bulletin services, and transmit to the public current event news report information are required to apply for an INIS License in order to provide internet news information services on current affairs and politics. Any violation of the Internet News Provisions may result in penalties, including discontinuation of operations, warnings, orders that we modify existing operations, and imposition of fines. In addition, in January 2016, the Cyberspace Administration of China, or the CAC, published draft amendments to the Internet News Provisions for public comments. Among other things, these draft amendments are intended to strengthen the licensing requirements for internet news information service providers.

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Internet Publication and Cultural Activities

The Tentative Measures for Internet Publication Administration, or Internet Publication Measures, were jointly promulgated by the GAPP and the MIIT on June 27, 2002 and became effective on August 1, 2002. The Internet Publication Measures imposed a license requirement for any company that engages in internet publishing, which means any act by an internet information service provider to select, edit and process works (including books, newspaper, magazines, audio/video products, or edited literature, art or works on natural science, social science, engineering etc.) produced by such provider or others, and make such works publicly available on the internet or send such works to the end users through internet, so that the public can browse, read, use or download such works. The Internet Publication Measures also require the professional editorial personnel of an Internet publishing entity to examine the published content to ensure that it complies with applicable laws. Failure to do so may subject us to fines and other penalties. The provision of online games is deemed an internet publication activity; therefore, an online game operator must (i) obtain an Internet Publishing License so that it can directly offer its online games to the public in the PRC, or (ii) publish its online games through a qualified press entity by entering into an entrustment agreement.

The Rules for the Administration of Electronic Publication, or the Electronic Publication Rules, was issued by the GAPP on February 21, 2008 and became effective on April 15, 2008. Under the Electronic Publication Rules and other regulations issued by the GAPP, online games are classified as a kind of electronic publication, and publishing of online games is required to be conducted by licensed electronic publishing entities that have been issued standard publication codes.

On February 4, 2016, the SARFT and the MIIT jointly promulgated the Administrative Measures on Internet Publication, which took effect on March 10, 2016 and superseded the Internet Publication Measures. The Administrative Measures on Internet Publication further strengthened and expanded the supervision and management of internet publication activities.

In order to comply with these rules and regulations, we are in the process of applying for an Internet Publishing License from SARFT for the operation and distribution of games on mobile and PC internet.

On May 10, 2003, the Ministry of Culture, or the MOC, promulgated the Tentative Measures for the Administration of Online Culture, or the Online Cultural Measures, which became effective on July 1, 2003 and subsequently amended on July 1, 2004 and on April 1, 2011 respectively. According to the Online Cultural Measures, internet information services providers engaging in online cultural activities, which include the dissemination and operation of gaming products, shall either obtain a license from the provincial branches of the MOC if such activities are commercial, or complete a filing of records with the provincial branches of the MOC if such activities are non-commercial. Specifically, entities are required to obtain online cultural operating licenses from the provincial branches of the MOC if they intend to commercially engage in any of the following activities: (a) production, duplication, import, publishing or broadcasting of online cultural products; (b) publishing of online cultural products on the internet or transmission thereof via the internet or mobile telecommunication networks to computers, fixed-line or mobile phones, television sets, gaming consoles or Internet café for online users to browse, review, use or download such products; or (c) exhibitions or contests related to online cultural products. If internet information services providers engage in commercial online cultural activities but fail to obtain online cultural operating licenses, they may be ordered to shut down their websites and subject to fines and penalties of confiscating illegal gain. On February 15, 2007, the MOC, the People’s Bank of China and other relevant government authorities jointly issued the Notice on Internet Cafes. The Notice on Internet Cafes authorizes the People’s Bank of China to strengthen the administration of virtual currency in web games in order to avoid any adverse impact on the economy and financial system. This notice strictly limits the total amount of virtual currency that a web game operator can issue and an individual game player can purchase. It also distinguishes virtual transactions from real transactions through electronic commerce and that specifies virtual currency should only be used to purchase virtual items.

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We, through Beijing Mobile and Beijing Network, have obtained the Internet Culture Operation Licenses from the Beijing branch of the MOC, which collectively cover the business scope of operating gaming products through the internet (including the issuance of virtual currency).

Regulations on Online Games and Foreign Ownership Restrictions

On June 3, 2010, the MOC promulgated the Provisional Administration Measures of Online Games, or the Online Game Measures, which came into effect on August 1, 2010. The Online Game Measures governs the research, development and operation of online games. It specifies that the MOC is responsible for the censorship of imported online games and the filing of records of domestic online games. The procedures for the filing of records of domestic online games must be conducted with the MOC within 30 days after the commencement date of the online operation of such online games or the occurrence date of any material alteration of such online games.

All operators of online games, or Online Game Business Operators, are required by the Online Game Measures to obtain Internet Culture Operation Licenses. An Internet Culture Operation License is valid for three years and in case of renewal, the renewal application should be submitted 30 days prior to the expiry date of such license. An Online Game Business Operator should request the valid identity certificate of game users for registration, and notify the public 60 days ahead of the termination of any online game operations or the transfer of online game operational rights. Online Game Business Operators are also prohibited from (a) setting compulsory combat in the online games without game users’ consent; (b) advertising or promoting the online games in a way that contains prohibited content, such as anything that compromises state security or divulges state secrets; and (c) inducing game users to input legal currencies or virtual currencies to gain online game products or services, by way of random draw or other incidental means. Pursuant to the Online Game Measures, the service agreements between the Online Game Business Operators and users shall contain all the clauses of a standard online game service agreement, which was issued by MOC on July 29, 2010, with no conflicts with the rest of clauses in such service agreements. We, through Beijing Mobile and Beijing Network, have obtained Internet Culture Operation Licenses from the Beijing branch of the MOC, which collectively cover the business scope of operating gaming products through the internet, including the issuance of virtual currency.

On July 11, 2008, the General Office of the State Council promulgated the Regulation on Main Functions, Internal Organization and Staffing of the GAPP, or the Regulation on Three Provisions. On September 7, 2009, the Central Organization Establishment Commission issued the corresponding interpretations, or the Interpretations on Three Provisions. The Regulation on Three Provisions stipulates that the MOC is authorized to regulate the online game industry, while the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television, or SARFT, is authorized to approve the publication of online games before their launch on the internet. The Interpretation on Three Provisions further provides that once an online game is launched on the internet, it will be completely under the administration of the MOC, and that if an online game is launched on the internet without obtaining prior approval from the SARFT, the MOC, instead of the SARFT, is directly responsible for investigation and punishment. On July 11, 2013, the General Office of the State Council promulgated the Provisions on the Main Responsibilities, Internal Institutions and Staffing of GAPP, or the Three-Decision Provisions, which reiterates the restrictions stipulated in the Regulation on Three Provisions.

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On September 28, 2009, the GAPP, the National Copyright Administration, or the NCA, and the Office of the National Working Group for Combating Pornography and Illegal Publications jointly issued a Notice on Implementing the Provisions of the State Council on “Three Determinations” and the Relevant Explanations of the State Commission Office for Public Sector Reform and Further Strengthening the Administration of the Pre-approval of Online Games and Examination and Approval of Imported Online Games, or Circular 13. Circular 13 explicitly prohibits foreign investors from directly or indirectly engaging in online gaming business in China, including through variable interest entity structures, or VIE Structures. Foreign investors are not allowed to indirectly control or participate in PRC operating companies’ online games (including online mobile and PC games) operations, whether (a) by establishing other joint ventures, entering into contractual arrangements or providing technical support for such operating companies; or (b) in a disguised form such as by incorporating or directing user registration, user account management or game card consumption into online gaming platforms that are ultimately controlled or owned by foreign companies. Violations of Circular 13 will result in severe penalties. However, it is uncertain whether the above prohibitions imposed by SARFT are within its authorization as stipulated in the Regulation on Three Provisions and its interpretations. See “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Doing Business in China—We may be adversely affected by the complexity of, and uncertainties and changes in, PRC regulation on mobile and PC internet businesses and companies.”

Anti-fatigue Compliance System and Real-name Registration System

On April 15, 2007, in order to curb addictive online game-playing by minors, eight PRC government authorities, including the GAPP, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Public Security and the MIIT, jointly issued a circular requiring the implementation of an anti-fatigue compliance system and a real-name registration system by all PRC online games (including online mobile and PC games) operators. Under the anti-fatigue compliance system, three hours or less of continuous playing by minors, defined as game players under 18 years of age, is considered to be “healthy,” three to five hours is deemed “fatiguing,” and five hours or more is deemed “unhealthy.” Game operators are required to reduce the value of in-game benefits to a game player by half if it discovers that the amount of a time a game player spends online has reached the “fatiguing” level, and to zero in the case of the “unhealthy” level.

To identify whether a game player is a minor and thus subject to the anti-fatigue compliance system, a real-name registration system should be adopted to require online games (including online mobile and PC games) players to register their real identity information before playing online games. Pursuant to the Notice on the Commencement of Anti-fatigue and Real-name Registration of Online Games, issued by the relevant eight government authorities on July 1, 2011, which came into effect on October 1, 2011, online games (including online mobile and PC games) operators must submit the identity information of game players to the National Citizen Identity Information Center, a subordinate public institution of the Ministry of Public Security, for verification.

Pursuant to the Administrative Measures on Usernames of Internet Users’ Accounts promulgated by the CAC, which became effective in March 2015, users of internet information services are required to have their identity information authenticated in order to register user accounts. We cannot assure you that PRC regulators would not require us to implement much stricter real-name registration in the future. See “Item 3. Key Information—Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Doing Business in China—We may be adversely affected by the complexity of, and uncertainties and changes in, PRC regulation on mobile and PC internet businesses and companies.” In addition, we require our mobile and PC game developers to comply with the requirements under the PRC law, but we cannot assure you that such commercial partners will effectively implement the anti-fatigue rules, and any noncompliance on the part of such commercial partners may cause potential liabilities to us and in turn disrupt our operations. See “Item 3. Key Information—Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Our Business and Industry—Non-compliance on the part of third parties with whom we conduct business could disrupt our business and adversely affect our results of operations.”

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Regulations on Computer Information System Security Special Products

Pursuant to the Provisions for Security Protection of Computer Information Systems promulgated by the State Council on February 18, 1994, and the Measures for Administration of Detection and Sales Permits for Computer Information System Security Special Products promulgated by the MPS on December 12, 1997, producers of security special products, including hardware and software products, shall have such products detected and recognized by qualified institutions, and obtain a sales license. A new sales license is required if an approved security product has any functional changes. “Security special products” refers to special hardware and software that is used for protecting the security of computer information system. The valid term of each sales permit is two years and the extension application shall be submitted to the competent branches of the Ministry of Public Security 30 days prior to the expiration of such term.

We believe that we have obtained the applicable permits for offering Duba Anti-virus for download, and we are in the process of renewing those permits after their expiration. However, as the upgrades of our software become more frequent and such examination and approval by the MPS may be time-consuming, we may not be able to obtain such permits for all upgrades in a timely manner, which may subject us to various penalties and adversely affect our business and results of operations.

Regulations on Mobile Application Information Services

On June 28, 2016, the State Internet Information Office, or the SIIO, promulgated the Administrative Provisions on Information Services of Mobile Internet Application Programs, or the Mobile Application Provisions, which became effective on August 1, 2016. The Mobile Application Provisions were promulgated to strengthen the administration of information services provided by mobile applications.

Pursuant to the Mobile Application Provisions, mobile applications refer to application software obtained through pre-installation, download or other means and which operate on smart mobile devices to provide information services to users. Mobile application information service providers shall be responsible for the supervision and administration of mobile application information required by laws and regulations and implement the information security management responsibilities strictly, including but not limited to: (i) authenticating the identity information of the registered users based on mobile phone numbers and other identity information; (ii) protecting user information and using users’ personal information in a lawful and proper manner, and obtaining users’ consents for collection of personal information; (iii) establishing information content audit and management mechanism, and taking measures against any users who publish information content in violation of laws or regulations depending on circumstances, such as issuing warnings and suspension of users’ accounts; (iv) allowing users to opt out from certain functions on mobile applications, and obtaining users’ consents before accessing users’ locations, address books, cameras and recordings; (v) protecting the intellectual property rights of others and shall not develop and publish mobile applications that infringe upon the intellectual property rights of others; and (vi) recording users’ log information and keep it for 60 days.

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Regulations on Advertising Business

State Administration for Industry and Commerce, or the SAIC, is the primary governmental authority regulating advertising activities in China. Regulations that apply to advertising business and foreign ownership in advertisement business primarily include:

·                  Foreign Investment Industrial Guidance Catalog, issued by the former National Development and Reform Commission and other departments, the latest version of which went effective on April 10, 2015;

·                  Advertisement Law of the People’s Republic of China, promulgated by the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress on October 27, 1994 and effective since February 1, 1995, the latest version of which became effective on September 1, 2015;

·                  Administrative Regulations for Advertising, promulgated by the State Council on October 26, 1987 and effective since December 1, 1987;

·                  Implementation Rules for the Administrative Regulations for Advertising, promulgated by the State Council on January 9, 1988 and amended on December 3, 1998, December 1, 2000 and November 30, 2004, respectively; and

·                  Interim Measures for the Administration of Internet Advertisements, promulgated by the SAIC on July 4, 2016 and effective on September 1, 2016.

According to the above regulations, companies that engage in advertising activities including those conducted through the internet must each obtain, from the SAIC or its local branches, a business license which specifically includes operating an advertising business in its business scope. An enterprise engaging in advertising business within the specifications in its business scope does not need to apply for an advertising operation license, provided that such enterprise is not a radio station, television station, newspaper or magazine publisher or any other entity otherwise specified in the relevant laws or administrative regulations. Enterprises conducting advertising activities without such a license may be subject to penalties, including fines, confiscation of advertising income and orders to cease advertising operations. The business license of an advertising company is valid for the duration of its existence, unless the license is suspended or revoked due to a violation of any relevant laws or regulations.

PRC advertising laws and regulations set certain content requirements for advertisements in China, including, among other things, prohibitions on false or misleading content, superlative wording, socially destabilizing content or content involving obscenities, superstition, violence, discrimination or infringement of the public interest. Advertisers, advertising agencies and advertising distributors are required to ensure that the content of the advertisements they prepare or distribute is true and in complete compliance with applicable laws. In providing advertising services, advertising operators and advertising distributors must review the supporting documents provided by advertisers for advertisements and verify that the content of the advertisements complies with applicable PRC laws and regulations. Prior to distributing advertisements that are subject to government censorship and approval, advertising distributors are obligated to verify that such censorship has been performed and approval has been obtained. The Interim Measures for the Administration of Internet Advertisements provide for new requirements for internet advertising, which refers to commercial advertising that directly or indirectly promotes goods or services through websites, webpages, internet applications or other internet media in text, picture, audio, video or other forms. The Interim Measures require internet advertising publishers and advertising operators to, among other things, (i) clearly identify all internet advertising as such and distinguish paid search results from natural search results; (ii) refrain from interrupting normal internet use with advertisements, or inducing users to open an advertisement in a deceptive manner; and (iii) establish an advertising business management system and review advertisement content as required by applicable laws. The following activities are prohibited under the Interim Measures: (a) providing or using applications and hardware to block, filter, skip over, tamper with, or cover up lawful advertisements provided by others; (b) using network access, network equipment and applications to disrupt the normal transmission of lawful advertisements provided by others or adding or uploading advertisements without permission; and (c) harming the interests of others by using fake statistics or traffic data. Violation of these regulations may result in penalties, including fines, confiscation of advertising income, orders to cease dissemination of the advertisements and orders to publish an advertisement correcting the misleading information. Where serious violations occur, the SAIC or its local branches may revoke such offenders’ licenses or permits for their advertising business operations.

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Regulations on Broadcasting Audio/Video Programs through the Internet

SARFT is the primary governmental authority regulating activities involving broadcasting audio/video programs and services in China. Regulations that apply to broadcasting audio/video programs primarily include:

·                  Administrative Measures for Broadcasting Audio/Video Programs through the Internet and Other Information Networks, or the Audio/Video Broadcasting Measures, issued by SARFT on July 6, 2004, effective since October 11, 2004 and updated in August 2015 (SARFT Order [2015] No. 3);

·                  Administrative Provisions for Internet Audio/Video Program Service, commonly known as Circular 56, jointly promulgated by the SARFT and the MIIT on December 20, 2007, effective since January 31, 2008 and updated in August 2015 (SARFT Order [2015] No. 3);

·                  Notice on Issuing the “Catalogue of Classification of Internet Audio/Video Program Services (Provisional)”, or the Classification Catalogue, promulgated by the SARFT on April 4, 2010, effective since then and updated in March 2017 (SARFT Announcement [2017] No. 1); and

·                  Notice on Strengthening the Administration of Internet Audio/Video Content, or the Internet Audio/Video Content Notice, promulgated by SARFT on August 25, 2009 and  effective since then.

Pursuant to the Classification Catalogue, category I internet audio/video program services relate to internet audio/video program services operated through radio stations or television stations. Category II internet audio/video program services relate to the transmission of audio/video programs on current political news and the hosting, production, reporting and broadcasting of audio/video programs on literature and art, entertainment, science and technology, finance and economics, sports, education and other topics. Category III internet audio/video program services relate to the provision of a special channel for internet users to upload programs or information for transmission to the public in real time or on-demand. Category IV internet audio/video program services relate to the transmission of radio or television program channels, internet audio/video program channels, or live streaming of online audio/video programs.

According to the above regulations, companies that engage in services relating to internet audio/video programs, which refer to the production, editing and aggregation of audio/video programs, the supply of audio/video programs to the public via the internet, and the provision of services to third parties for upload and transmission of audio/video programs, are required to obtain an internet audio/video program transmission license issued by the SARFT and to operate the relevant business within the scope as provided in such license. Pursuant to Circular 56 and the Internet Audio/Video Content Notice, internet audio/visual program service providers shall examine and ensure that the contents that they publish comply with applicable laws. Violation of these regulations may result in penalties, including warnings, orders compelling modification of operations or imposition of fines, or even criminal liabilities.

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Intellectual Property Rights

Software Registration. The State Council and the NCA have promulgated various rules and regulations and rules relating to protection of software in China, including the Regulations on Protection of Computer Software promulgated by State Council on January 30, 2013 and effective since March 1, 2013, and the Measures for Registration of Copyright of Computer Software promulgated by SARFT on February 20, 2002 and effective since the same date. According to these rules and regulations, software owners, licensees and transferees may register their rights in software with the NCA or its local branches and obtain software copyright registration certificates. Although such registration is not mandatory under PRC law, software owners, licensees and transferees are encouraged to go through the registration process and registered software rights may be entitled to better protections.

Patent. The National People’s Congress adopted the Patent Law of the People’s Republic of China in 1984 and amended it in 1992, 2000 and 2008, respectively. A patentable invention, utility model or design must meet three conditions: novelty, inventiveness and practical applicability. Patents cannot be granted for scientific discoveries, rules and methods for intellectual activities, methods used to diagnose or treat diseases, animal and plant breeds or substances obtained by means of nuclear transformation. The Patent Office under the State Intellectual Property Office is responsible for receiving, examining and approving patent applications. A patent is valid for a twenty-year term for an invention and a ten-year term for a utility model or design, starting from the application date. Except under certain specific circumstances provided by law, any third-party user must obtain consent or a proper license from the patent owner to use the patent, or else the use will constitute an infringement of the rights of the patent holder.

Copyright. The Copyright Law of the People’s Republic of China, promulgated in 1990 and amended in 2001 and 2010, or the Copyright Law, and its related implementing regulations, promulgated in 1991 and amended in 2013 are the principal laws and regulations governing the copyright related matters. The amended Copyright Law covers internet activities, products disseminated over the internet and software products, among the subjects entitled to copyright protections. Registration of copyright is voluntary, and is administrated by the China Copyright Protection Center.

On December 20, 2001, the State Council promulgated the new Regulations on Computer Software Protection, effective from January 1, 2002, which are intended to protect the rights and interests of the computer software copyright holders and encourage the development of software industry and information economy. In the PRC, software developed by PRC citizens, legal persons or other organizations is automatically copyright protected immediately after its development, without an application or approval. Software copyright may be registered with the designated agency and if registered, the certificate of registration issued by the software registration agency will be the primary evidence of the ownership of the copyright and other registered matters. On February 20, 2002, the National Copyright Administration of the PRC introduced the Measures on Computer Software Copyright Registration, which outline the operational procedures for registration of software copyright, as well as registration of software copyright license and transfer contracts. The Copyright Protection Center of China is mandated as the software registration agency under the regulations.

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To address the problem of copyright infringement related to content posted or transmitted on the internet, the NCA and the MIIT jointly promulgated the Measures for Administrative Protection of Copyright Related to Internet on April 29, 2005. These measures, which became effective on May 30, 2005, apply to acts of automatically providing services such as uploading, storing, linking or searching works, audio or video products, or other contents through the internet based on the instructions of internet users who publish contents on the internet, or the Internet Content Providers, without editing, amending or selecting any stored or transmitted content.

On May 18, 2006, the State Council issued the Regulations on Protection of the Right of Communication through Information Network, which took effect on July 1, 2006 and was amended on January 30, 2013.

Since 2005, the NCA, together with certain other PRC governmental authorities, have jointly launched annual campaigns specifically aimed to crack down on internet copyright infringement and piracy in China; these campaigns normally last for three to four months every year. According to the Notice of 2013 Campaign to Crack Down on Internet Infringement and Piracy promulgated by the NCA, the Ministry of Public Security and the MIIT on July 19, 2013, the 2013 campaign mainly targeted key internet publications such as literature, music, movies and TV series, games, cartoons, software in key areas, to strengthen the supervision of audio and video websites and e-commerce platforms and strictly crack down all kinds of internet piracy. The campaign started from June 20 and lasted for four months.

Domain Name. In September 2002, the CNNIC issued the Implementing Rules for Domain Name Registration setting forth detailed rules for registration of domain names, which were amended on May 29, 2012. On November 5, 2004, the MIIT promulgated the Measures for Administration of Domain Names for the Chinese Internet, or the Domain Name Measures. The Domain Name Measures regulate the registration of domain names, such as the first tier domain name “.cn.” In February 2006, the CNNIC issued the Measures on Domain Name Dispute Resolution and relevant implementing rules, pursuant to which the CNNIC can authorize a domain name dispute resolution institution to decide disputes.

Trademark. The PRC Trademark Law, adopted in 1982 and amended in 1993, 2001 and 2013, with its implementation rules adopted in 2002, protects registered trademarks. The Trademark Office of the SAIC handles trademark registrations and grants a protection term of ten years to registered trademarks. Trademark license agreements must be filed with the Trademark Office for record.

Internet Infringement

On December 26, 2009, the Standing Committee of National People’s Congress promulgated the Tort Law of the People’s Republic of China, or the Tort Law, which became effective on July 1, 2010. Under the Tort Law, an internet user or an internet service provider that infringes upon the civil rights or interests of others through using the internet assumes tort liability. If an internet user infringes upon the civil rights or interests of another through using the internet, the person being infringed upon has the right to notify and request the internet service provider whose internet services are facilitating the infringement to take necessary measures including the deletion, blocking or disconnection of an internet link. If, after being notified, the internet service provider fails to take necessary measures in a timely manner to end the infringement, it will be jointly and severally liable for any additional harm caused by its failure to act. According to the Tort Law, civil rights and interests include the personal rights and rights of property, such as the right to life, right to health, right to name, right to reputation, right to honor, right of portraiture, right of privacy, right of marital autonomy, right of guardianship, right to ownership, right to usufruct, right to security interests, copyright, patent right, exclusive right to use trademarks, right to discovery, right to equity interests and right of heritage, among others.

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Regulation of Internet Content and Network Security

The PRC government has promulgated measures relating to internet content through a number of governmental agencies, including the MIIT, the MOC and the SARFT. These measures specifically prohibit internet activities, such as the operation of online games, that result in the publication of any content which is found to contain, among others, propagate obscenity, gambling or violence, instigate crimes, undermine public morality or the cultural traditions of the PRC, or compromise state security or secrets. If an ICP License holder violates these measures, its ICP License may be revoked and its websites may be shut down by the relevant government agencies.

Information Security and Censorship

Internet content in China is regulated and restricted from a state security standpoint. Internet companies in China are required to complete security filing procedures and regularly update information security and censorship systems for their websites with local public security bureau. The PRC Law on Preservation of State Secrets, which became effective on October 1, 2010 requires an internet information services providers to immediately stop disseminating any information that may be deemed to be leaked state secrets and to report such incidents in a timely manner to the state security and public security authorities. Failure to do so in a timely and adequate manner may subject the internet information services providers to liability and certain penalties given by the Ministry of State Security, the Ministry of Public Security and/or the MIIT or their respective local branches.

On December 13, 2005, the Ministry of Public Security promulgated Provisions on Technological Measures for Internet Security Protection, or the Internet Protection Measures, which took effect on March 1, 2006. The Internet Protection Measures require all internet information services operators to take proper measures including anti-virus, data back-up and other related measures, and keep records of certain information about their users (including user registration information, log-in and log-out time, IP address, content and time of posts by users) for at least 60 days and submit the above information as required by laws and regulations.

The National People’s Congress, China’s national legislative body, enacted the Decisions on the Maintenance of Internet Security on December 28, 2000, pursuant to which the following types of conduct may subject persons to criminal liabilities in China: (a) conduct that may pose a threat to security of internet, including gaining improper entry into a computer or system of strategic importance, or disseminate virus and similar destructive programs; (b) conduct that may adversely affect national security and social stability, including disseminate politically disruptive information and leaking state secrets; (c) conduct that may disrupt economic and social administrative order, including spreading false commercial information and infringing upon intellectual property rights; and (d) conduct that may violate the legal interests of any other person, including infringing upon privacy.

On December 11, 1997, the State Council approved the Measures for Administration of Security Protection of Internet and Computer Information Network, and the measures took effect on December 30, 1997. The measures require internet service providers to provide a monthly report of certain user information to the public security authority and assist the public security authority in investigating incidents involving breach of laws and regulations on the Internet security. In 1997, the Ministry of Public Security issued the Administration Measures on the Security Protection of Computer Information Network with Internationally Connections, which prohibits using the internet in ways which, among others, result in a leakage of state secrets or a spread of socially destabilizing content. The Ministry of Public Security has supervision and inspection powers in this regard, and relevant local security bureaus may also have jurisdiction. If an ICP License holder violates these measures, the PRC government may revoke its ICP License and shut down its websites.

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In February 2015, the CAC promulgated the Provisions on the Administration of Usernames of Internet Users’ Accounts, which require internet operators like us to censor usernames, icons and profiles provided by internet users and to refuse registration of non-compliant usernames or icons.

To comply with the above laws and regulations, we have implemented measures and regularly updated our information security and content-filtering systems with newly issued content restrictions as required by the relevant laws and regulations.

Privacy Protection

On July 16, 2013, the MIIT promulgated the Regulations of Protection of Personal Information of Telecommunication Users and Internet Users, which came into effect on September 1, 2013. The regulations do not prohibit internet content providers from collecting and analyzing their users’ personal information if appropriate authorizations are obtained and if in a way that is legal, reasonable and necessary. We require our users to accept a user agreement whereby they agree to provide certain personal information to us. PRC laws and regulations prohibit internet content providers from disclosing any information transmitted by users through their networks to any third parties without the users’ authorization unless otherwise permitted by law. If an internet content provider violates these regulations, the MIIT or its local bureaus may impose penalties and the internet content provider may be liable for damages caused to its users.

Network Security

On November 7, 2016, the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of China promulgated the network security law of the People’s Republic of China, or the Network Security Law, which will become effective on June 1, 2017. The Network Security Law will govern the construction, operation, maintenance and use of networks as well as the supervision and administration of network security within China. As a network operator and a provider of network products and services, we are required to take measures to assure the security of network operations. For example, we are required to (a) protect our networks from disturbance, damage or unauthorized access, and to prevent our network data from being divulged, stolen or tampered with; (b) refrain from setting up malicious programs and, in the event of identifying security defects, loopholes or other risks in our network products or services, to promptly take remedial measures, notify users and report to competent authorities; (c) formulate emergency plans for network security incidents and combat any system loopholes, computer virus, network attack, network intrusion and any other security risks in a timely manner; and (d) refrain from engaging in activities that endanger network security. In addition, we are required to take measures to ensure network security. For example, we are required to (a) keep user information strictly confidential and establish and improve user information protection system; (b) collect and use user information only if it is legal, necessary and just to do so, and only with relevant users’ consents; and (c) refrain from divulging, tampering with or damaging the user personal information that we have collected, or providing such personal information to third parties without the relevant users’ consents. Failure to comply with the Network Security Law may result in penalties, including warnings, order compelling modification of existing operations or imposition of fines, or even criminal liabilities.

Regulation of Foreign Currency Exchange and Dividend Distribution

Foreign Currency Exchange. The core regulations governing foreign currency exchange in China are the Foreign Exchange Administration Regulations, as amended in August 2008, or the FEA Regulations. Under the FEA Regulations, the Renminbi is freely convertible for current account items subject to certain rules and procedures, including the distribution of dividends, and trade- and service-related foreign exchange transactions, but not for capital account items, such as direct investments, loans, repatriation of investments and investments in securities outside of China, unless the prior approval of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange, or the SAFE, is obtained and prior registration with the SAFE is made.

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On August 29, 2008, the SAFE promulgated the Circular on the Relevant Operating Issues Concerning the Improvement of the Administration of the Payment and Settlement of Foreign Currency Capital of Foreign-Invested Enterprises, or Circular 142, to regulate the conversion of foreign currency into Renminbi by a foreign-invested enterprise by restricting the ways in which the converted Renminbi may be used. Circular 142 stipulates that the registered capital of a foreign-invested enterprise that has been settled in Renminbi converted from foreign currencies may only be used for purposes within the business scope approved by the applicable governmental authority and cannot be used for equity investments within the PRC. Meanwhile, the SAFE strengthened its oversight of the flow and use of the registered capital of a foreign-invested enterprise settled in Renminbi converted from foreign currencies. The use of such Renminbi capital may not be changed without the SAFE’s approval, and may not in any case be repayment of Renminbi loans if the proceeds of such loans have not been used. Such requirements are also known as “payment-based foreign currency settlement system” established under the SAFE Circular 142. Violations of Circular 142 may lead to severe penalties including heavy fines. On November 9, 2010, the SAFE promulgated the Circular on Relevant Issues Concerning the Strengthening the Administration of Foreign Exchange Operations, or Circular No. 59, and another supplemental circular on July 18, 2011, known as Circular 88, which both tighten the examination of the authenticity of settlement of foreign currency capital or net proceeds from overseas offerings like our initial public offering and requires that the settlement of net proceeds shall be in accordance with the description in the prospectus in connection with the offering. The SAFE further promulgated the Circular on Further Clarification and Regulation of the Issues Concerning the Administration of Certain Capital Account Foreign Exchange Businesses, or Circular 45, on November 9, 2011, which expressly prohibits foreign-invested enterprises from using registered capital settled in Renminbi converted from foreign currencies to grant loans through entrustment arrangements with a bank, to repay inter-company loans or repay bank loans that have been transferred to a third party. As a result, Circular 142, Circular 59, Circular 88 and Circular 45 may significantly limit our ability to transfer the net proceeds from our initial public offering to our other PRC subsidiaries through Beijing Security and Conew Network, our wholly-owned subsidiaries in China, and thus may adversely affect our business expansion in China. We may not be able to convert the net proceeds into Renminbi to invest in or acquire any other PRC companies, or establish other VIEs in the PRC.

Furthermore, on March 30, 2015, the SAFE promulgated the Circular on the Reform of the Administrative Method of the Settlement of Foreign Currency Capital of Foreign-Invested Enterprises, or Circular 19, which will become effective as of June 1, 2015. This Circular 19 is to implement the so-called “conversion-at-will” of foreign currency in capital account, which was established under a circular issued by the SAFE on August 4, 2014, or Circular 36, and was implemented in 16 designated industrial parks as a reform pilot. The Circular 19 now implements the conversion-at-will of foreign currency settlement system nationally, and it will abolish the application of Circular 142, Circular 88 and Circular 36 since June 1, 2015. Among other things, under Circular 19, foreign-invested enterprises may either continue to follow the payment-based foreign currency settlement system or select to follow the conversion-at-will of foreign currency settlement system. Where a foreign-invested enterprise follows the conversion-at-will of foreign currency settlement system, it may convert any or 100% amount of the foreign currency in its capital account into RMB at any time. The converted RMB will be kept in a designated account known as “Settled but Pending Payment Account”, and if the foreign-invested enterprise needs to make further payment from such designated account, it still needs to provide supporting documents and go through the review process with its bank. If under special circumstances the foreign-invested enterprise cannot provide supporting documents in time, Circular 19 grants the banks the power to provide a grace period to the enterprise and make the payment before receiving the supporting documents. The foreign-invested enterprise will then need to submit the supporting documents within 20 working days after payment. In addition, foreign-invested enterprises are now allowed to use their converted RMB to make equity investments in China under Circular 19. However, foreign-invested enterprises are still required to use the converted RMB in the designated account within their approved business scope under the principle of authenticity and self-use. It remains unclear whether a common foreign-invested enterprise, other than such special types of enterprises as holding companies, venture capital or private equity firms, can use the converted RMB in the designated account to make equity investments if equity investment or the like is not within their approved business scope.

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Dividend Distribution. The Foreign Invested Enterprise Law, promulgated in 1986 and amended in 2000 and 2016 respectively, and the Implementation Rules of the Foreign Invested Enterprise Law, promulgated in 1990 and amended in 2001 and 2014, are the key regulations governing distribution of dividends of foreign-invested enterprises.

Under these regulations, a wholly foreign-invested enterprise in China, or a WFOE, may pay dividends only out of its accumulated profits, if any, determined in accordance with PRC accounting standards and regulations. In addition, a WFOE is required to allocate at least 10% of its accumulated profits each year, if any, to statutory reserve funds unless its reserves have reached 50% of the registered capital of the enterprises. These reserves are not distributable as cash dividends. The proportional ratio for withdrawal of rewards and welfare funds for employees shall be determined at the discretion of the WFOE. Profits of a WFOE shall not be distributed before the losses thereof before the previous accounting years have been made up. Any undistributed profit for the previous accounting years may be distributed together with the distributable profit for the current accounting year.

Circular 37.  In July 2014, the SAFE promulgated the Circular on Relevant Issues Relating to Domestic Resident’s Investment and Financing and Round-trip Investment through Special Purpose Vehicles, or SAFE Circular 37, in July 2014, which repealed SAFE Circular 75 effective from July 4, 2014. SAFE Circular 37 regulates foreign exchange matters in relation to the use of special purpose vehicles, or SPVs, by PRC residents to seek offshore investment and financing and conduct round trip investment in China. Under SAFE Circular 37, an SPV refers to an offshore entity established or controlled, directly or indirectly, by PRC residents for the purpose of seeking offshore financing or making offshore investment, using legitimate domestic or offshore assets or interests, while “round trip investment” refers to the direct investment in China by PRC residents through SPVs, namely, establishing foreign-invested enterprises to obtain the ownership, control rights and management rights. SAFE Circular 37 requires that, before making contribution into an SPV, PRC residents are required to complete foreign exchange registration with the SAFE or its local branch. SAFE Circular 37 further provides that option or share-based incentive tool holders of a non-listed SPV can exercise the options or share incentive tools to become a shareholder of such non-listed SPV, subject to registration with SAFE or its local branch.

PRC residents who have contributed legitimate domestic or offshore interests or assets to SPVs but have yet to obtain SAFE registration before the implementation of the SAFE Circular 37 shall register their ownership interests or control in such SPVs with the SAFE or its local branch. An amendment to the registration is required if there is a material change in the SPV registered, such as any change of basic information (including change of such PRC residents, name and operation term), increases or decreases in investment amount, transfers or exchanges of shares, or mergers or divisions. If the PRC residents fail to complete the SAFE registration, our PRC subsidiaries may be prohibited from distributing their profits and proceeds from any reduction in capital, share transfer or liquidation to us, and we may be restricted in our ability to contribute additional capital to our PRC subsidiaries. Moreover, failure to comply with the SAFE registration and amendment requirements described above could result in liability under PRC laws for evasion of applicable foreign exchange restrictions.

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To our knowledge, Mr. Jun Lei, Mr. Sheng Fu and Mr. Ming Xu have completed foreign exchange registration in connection with our financings and share transfer that were completed before the end of 2013, and Mr. Fu and Mr. Xu have completed foreign exchange registration in connection with our initial public offering.

Stock Option Rules. The Administration Measures on Individual Foreign Exchange Control were promulgated by the People’s Bank of China on December 25, 2006, and their Implementation Rules, issued by the SAFE on January 5, 2007, became effective on February 1, 2007. Under these regulations, all foreign exchange matters involved in employee stock ownership plans and stock option plans participated in by onshore individuals, among others, require approval from the SAFE or its authorized branch. Furthermore, the Notices on Issues concerning the Foreign Exchange Administration for Domestic Individuals Participating in Stock Incentive Plans of Overseas Publicly-Listed Companies, or the Stock Option Rules, were promulgated by the SAFE on February 15, 2012, that replaced the Application Procedures of Foreign Exchange Administration for Domestic Individuals Participating in Employee Stock Ownership Plans or Stock Option Plans of Overseas Publicly-Listed Companies issued by the SAFE on March 28, 2007. Pursuant to the Stock Option Rules, PRC residents who are granted shares or stock options by companies listed on overseas stock exchanges based on the stock incentive plans are required to register with the SAFE or its local branches, and PRC residents participating in the stock incentive plans of overseas listed companies shall retain a qualified PRC agent, which could be a PRC subsidiary of such overseas publicly-listed company or another qualified institution selected by such PRC subsidiary, to conduct the SAFE registration and other procedures with respect to the stock incentive plans on behalf of these participants. Such participants must also retain an overseas entrusted institution to handle matters in connection with their exercise of stock options, purchase and sale of corresponding stocks or interests, and fund transfer. In addition, the PRC agents are required to amend the SAFE registration with respect to the stock incentive plan if there is any material change to the stock incentive plan, the PRC agents or the overseas entrusted institution or other material changes. The PRC agents shall, on behalf of the PRC residents who have the right to exercise the employee share options, apply to the SAFE or its local branches for an annual quota for the payment of foreign currencies in connection with the PRC residents’ exercise of the employee share options. The foreign exchange proceeds received by the PRC residents from the sale of shares under the stock incentive plans granted and dividends distributed by the overseas listed companies must be remitted into the bank accounts in the PRC opened by the PRC agents before distribution to such PRC residents. In addition, the PRC agents shall file each quarter the form for record-filing of information of the Domestic Individuals Participating in the Stock Incentive Plans of Overseas Listed Companies with the SAFE or its local branches.

We and our PRC citizen employees who have been granted share options, or PRC optionees, have become subject to the Stock Option Rules after we became a public company in the United States. If we or our PRC optionees fail to comply with the Individual Foreign Exchange Rule and the Stock Option Rules, we and/or our PRC optionees may be subject to fines and other legal sanctions. See “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Doing Business in China—PRC regulations relating to offshore investment activities by PRC residents may limit our PRC subsidiaries’ ability to increase their registered capital or distribute profits to us or otherwise expose us to liability and penalties under PRC law.”

In addition, the State Administration for Taxation has issued circulars concerning employee share options, under which our employees working in the PRC who exercise share options will be subject to PRC individual income tax. Our PRC subsidiaries have obligations to file documents related to employee share options with relevant tax authorities and to withhold individual income taxes of those employees who exercise their share options. If our employees fail to pay or if we fail to withhold their income taxes as required by relevant laws and regulations, we may face sanctions imposed by the PRC tax authorities or other PRC government authorities.

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Regulation on Tax

PRC Enterprise Income Tax

The PRC enterprise income tax is calculated based on the taxable income determined under the applicable Enterprise Income Tax Law, or the EIT Law and its implementation rules. On March 16, 2007, the National People’s Congress of China enacted the EIT Law, which became effective on January 1, 2008. On December 6, 2007, the State Council promulgated the implementation rules to the EIT Law, which also became effective on January 1, 2008. The EIT Law imposes a uniform enterprise income tax rate of 25% on all resident enterprises in China, including foreign-invested enterprises and domestic enterprises, unless they qualify for certain exceptions, and terminates most of the tax exemptions, reductions and preferential treatment available under the previous tax laws and regulations. According to the EIT Law and relevant regulations, subject to the approval of competent tax authorities, the income tax of an enterprise that has been determined to be a high and new technology enterprise shall be reduced to a preferential rate of 15%. An enterprise holding a valid certificate of new software enterprise is entitled to an exemption of enterprise income tax for the first two years and a 50% reduction of enterprise income tax for the subsequent three years, commencing from the first profit-making year.

Moreover, under the EIT Law, enterprises organized under the laws of jurisdictions outside China with their “de facto management bodies” located within China may be considered PRC resident enterprises and are therefore subject to PRC enterprise income tax at the rate of 25% on their worldwide income. Though the implementation rules of the EIT Law define “de facto management bodies” as “establishments that carry out substantial and overall management and control over the manufacturing and business operations, personnel, accounting, properties, etc. of an enterprise,” the only detailed guidance currently available for the definition of “de facto management body” as well as the determination of offshore incorporated PRC tax resident status and its administration are set forth in the Notice Regarding the Determination of Chinese-Controlled Overseas Incorporated Enterprises as PRC Tax Resident Enterprise on the Basis of De Facto Management Bodies, or Circular 82, and the Administrative Measures for Enterprise Income Tax of Chinese-Controlled Offshore Incorporated Resident Enterprises (Trial), or SAT Bulletin No. 45, both issued by the SAT, which provide guidance on the administration as well as determination of the tax residency status of a Chinese-controlled offshore-incorporated enterprise, defined as an enterprise that is incorporated under the law of a foreign country or territory and that has a PRC company or PRC corporate group as its primary controlling shareholder.

According to Circular 82, a Chinese-controlled offshore-incorporated enterprise will be regarded as a PRC tax resident by virtue of having its “de facto management body” in China and will be subject to PRC enterprise income tax on its global income only if all of the following conditions set forth in Circular 82 are met:

·                  the primary location of the day-to-day operational management and the places where they perform their duties are in the PRC;

·                  decisions relating to the enterprise’s financial and human resource matters are made or are subject to approval of organizations or personnel in the PRC;

·                  the enterprise’s primary assets, accounting books and records, company seals and board and shareholder resolutions are located or maintained in the PRC; and

·                  50% or more of voting board members or senior executives habitually reside in the PRC.

In addition, Bulletin No. 45 provides clarification on the resident status determination, post-determination administration, and competent tax authorities. With respect to the determination of competent tax authorities, the Announcement of the State Administration of Taxation on Revising the Administrative Measures for Income Tax Assessment and Collection for Non-Resident Enterprises and Other Documents, or Bulletin No. 22, further provides that only tax authorities located in the places of incorporation of major Chinese investors of a resident Chinese-controlled offshore-incorporated enterprises are qualified as the competent tax authorities. Bulletin No. 45 also specifies that when provided with a copy of PRC resident determination certificate from a resident Chinese-controlled offshore-incorporated enterprise, the payer should not withhold 10% income tax when paying certain PRC-sourced income such as dividends, interest and royalties to the Chinese-controlled offshore-incorporated enterprise.

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In the event that we are considered a PRC resident enterprise, we would be subject to the PRC enterprise income tax at the rate of 25% on our worldwide income.

In addition, although the EIT Law provides that dividend income between “qualified resident enterprises” is exempted income, and the implementation rules refer to “qualified resident enterprises” as enterprises with “direct equity interest,” it is unclear whether dividends we receive from our PRC subsidiaries are eligible for exemption.

According to the Notice on Strengthening Administration of Enterprise Income Tax for Share Transfers by Non-PRC Resident Enterprises issued by the PRC State Administration of Taxation on December 10, 2009, with retroactive effect from January 1, 2008, or SAT Circular 698, where a non-resident enterprise transfers the equity interests in a PRC resident enterprise indirectly through a disposition of equity interests in an overseas holding company (other than a purchase and sale of shares issued by a PRC resident enterprise in public securities market), PRC tax reporting and payment obligations may be triggered. On February 6, 2015, SAT issued a new guidance (Bulletin [2015] No. 7), or SAT Bulletin 7, on the PRC tax treatment of an indirect transfer of assets by a non-resident enterprise. SAT Bulletin 7 is the latest regulatory instrument on indirect transfers, extending to not only the indirect transfer of equity interests in PRC resident enterprises but also to assets attributed to an establishment in China and immovable property in China or, collectively, Chinese Taxable Assets. According to SAT Circular 698 and SAT Bulletin 7, when a non-resident enterprise engages in an indirect transfer of Chinese Taxable Assets, or Indirect Transfer, through an arrangement that does not have a bona fide commercial purpose in order to avoid paying enterprise income tax, the transaction should be re-characterized as a direct transfer of the Chinese assets and becomes taxable in China under the EIT Law, and gains derived from such indirect transfer may be subject to the PRC withholding tax at a rate of up to 10%. In addition, transferees and transferors in such indirect transfers are subject to tax withholding and reporting obligations, respectively. SAT Bulletin 7 does not replace SAT Circular 698 in its entirety. Instead, it abolishes certain provisions and provides more comprehensive guidelines on a number of issues. Among other things, SAT Bulletin 7 substantially changes the reporting requirements in SAT Circular 698, provides more detailed guidance on how to determine a bona fide commercial purpose, and also provides for a safe harbor for certain situations, including purchase and sale of shares in an offshore listed enterprise on a public market by a non-resident enterprise, which may not be subject to the PRC enterprise income tax. See “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Doing Business in China—We face uncertainties with respect to indirect transfer of assets or equity interests in PRC resident enterprises by their non-PRC holding companies.”

Moreover, the PRC Enterprise Income Tax Law requires every enterprise in China to submit its annual enterprise income tax return together with a report on transactions with its affiliates or related parties to the relevant tax authorities. These transactions may be subject to audit or challenge by the PRC tax authorities within ten years after the taxable year during which the transactions are conducted. In addition, on March 18, 2015, the State Administration of Taxation, or the SAT, issued the Bulletin Regarding the Enterprise Income Tax Matter in Relation to Enterprise’s Payment of Fees to Overseas Affiliated Parties, or Bulletin 16, to further regulate the transfer pricing issues in relation to the fees payment to affiliated parties. Among other things, Bulletin 16 makes it clear that the fees paid to overseas affiliated parties in the following situations cannot be deducted from the taxable income when determining a PRC company’s enterprise income tax: (a) the fees paid to an overseas affiliated party which has no substantial operating activities; (b) royalties paid for intangible properties to which the affiliated party that charges the fees only has legal title but has made no contribution to the creation of the value of such properties; and (c) the fees paid under arrangements made for listing or financing purposes. We may be subject to adverse tax consequences if the PRC tax authorities were to determine that the contracts between us and our VIEs were not on an arm’s length basis and therefore constituted improper transfer pricing arrangements. See “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Our Corporate Structure—Our contractual arrangements with our VIEs may result in adverse tax consequences to us.”

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PRC Business Tax and Value-added Tax (“VAT”)

On January 1, 2012, the Chinese State Council officially launched a pilot VAT reform program, or Pilot Program, applicable to businesses in selected industries. Businesses in the Pilot Program would pay VAT instead of business tax. The Pilot Industries in Shanghai included industries involving the leasing of tangible movable property, transportation services, research and development and technical services, information technology services, cultural and creative services, logistics and ancillary services, certification and consulting services. Revenues generated by advertising services, a type of “cultural and creative services,” are subject to the VAT tax rate of 6%. According to official announcements made by competent authorities in Beijing and Guangdong province, Beijing launched the same Pilot Program on September 1, 2012, and Guangdong province launched it on November 1, 2012. On May 24, 2013, the Ministry of Finance and the State Administration of Taxation issued the Circular on Tax Policies in the Nationwide Pilot Collection of Value Added Tax in Lieu of Business Tax in the Transportation Industry and Certain Modern Services Industries, or the Pilot Collection Circular. The scope of certain modern services industries under the Pilot Collection Circular extends to the inclusion of radio and television services. In August 2013, the Pilot Program was implemented throughout China. The Pilot Program replacing business tax with VAT was expanded to cover industries including construction, real estate, finance and consumer services in May 2016, and was later extended to all industries throughout China. With respect to all of our PRC entities for the period prior to the implementation of the Pilot Program, revenues from online marketing services, IVAS and subscription of internet security services were subject to a 5% PRC business tax. All of our PRC entities were subject to the Pilot Program as of December 31, 2016, or specifically, VAT of 6% in lieu of business tax for online marketing services, IVAS and subscription of internet security services that are deemed by the relevant tax authorities to be within the pilot industries

With respect to revenues from sales of goods, including sales of software products, licensing software without transferring its copyright and sales of other goods, they are still subject to a 17% VAT pursuant to Chinese tax law. In addition, sales of self-developed software products or license fees from self-developed software are entitled to a VAT refund with respect to the tax payment over a tax rate of 3%.

Cultural Development Fee

According to applicable PRC tax regulations or rules, advertising service providers are generally required to pay a cultural development fee at the rate of 3% on the revenues (a) which are generated from providing advertising services and (b) which are also subject to the business tax or value-added tax after the Pilot Program.

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Dividend Withholding Tax

Under the old EIT Law that was effective prior to January 1, 2008, dividends paid to foreign investors by foreign-invested enterprises, such as dividends paid to us by Zhuhai Juntian and Conew Network, our PRC subsidiaries, were exempt from PRC withholding tax. Pursuant to the EIT Law and its implementation rules, dividends from income generated after January 1, 2008 and distributed to us by our PRC subsidiaries are subject to withholding tax at a rate of 10%, unless non-resident enterprise investor’s jurisdiction of incorporation has a tax treaty or arrangements with China that provides for a reduced withholding tax rate or an exemption from withholding tax. See “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects—A. Operating Results—Taxation.”