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Filed
Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3)
Registration
No. 333-166669
6,031,556
Shares of Common Stock
This
prospectus relates to the resale of up to 6,031,556 of our shares (the “Shares”)
of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, for sale by the selling
stockholders set forth herein (the “Selling Stockholders”).
The
Selling Stockholders or their pledgees, donees, transferees or other
successors-in-interest, may offer the shares from time to time through public or
private transactions at prevailing market prices, at prices related to
prevailing market prices or at privately negotiated prices. We will not receive
any proceeds from the sale of the shares. The Selling Stockholders will sell the
Shares in accordance with the “Plan of Distribution” set forth in this
prospectus. The Selling Stockholders will bear all commissions and
discounts, if any, attributable to the sales of Shares. We will bear all costs,
expenses and fees in connection with the registration of the
Shares.
Our
common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol “CAST.” On
May 28, 2010 the last reported market price of our common stock was
$6.61
The
Selling Stockholders and any broker-dealer executing sell orders on behalf of
the Selling Stockholders, may be deemed to be ‘‘underwriters’’ within the
meaning of the Securities Act of 1933. Commissions received by any broker-dealer
may be deemed to be underwriting commissions under the Securities Act of 1933.
See ‘‘Plan of Distribution.’’
Investing
in our common stock involves significant risks. You should invest in our common
stock only if you can afford to lose your entire investment. For a discussion of
some of the risks involved, see “Risk Factors” beginning on page 5 of this
prospectus.
Neither
the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has
approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is
truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal
offense.
The date
of this prospectus is June 7, 2010
This
prospectus is not an offer to sell any securities other than the shares of
common stock offered hereby. This prospectus is not an offer to sell securities
in any circumstances in which such an offer is unlawful.
You
should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus. We have not
authorized anyone to provide you with different information. We are not making
an offer of these securities in any state where the offer is not permitted. You
should not assume that the information contained in this prospectus is accurate
as of any date other than the date on the front of this prospectus.
This
prospectus does not contain all the information provided in the registration
statement we filed with the SEC. For further information about us or our
securities offered hereby, you should refer to that registration statement,
which you can obtain from the SEC as described below under “Where You Can Find
More Information.”
TABLE
OF CONTENTS
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Page
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PROSPECTUS
SUMMARY
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1 |
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THE
OFFERING
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4 |
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RISK
FACTORS
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5 |
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SPECIAL
NOTE REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS
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USE
OF PROCEEDS
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SELLING
STOCKHOLDERS
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PLAN
OF DISTRIBUTION
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LEGAL
MATTERS
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EXPERTS
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INCORPORATION
OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
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23 |
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WHERE
YOU CAN FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT US
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PROSPECTUS
SUMMARY
Unless
we have indicated otherwise, or the context otherwise requires, references in
this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus to “CEC” refer to
ChinaCast Education Corporation, a Delaware corporation, and to “ChinaCast,”
“the Company,” “we,” “us” and “our” or similar terms refer to CEC and its
consolidated subsidiaries and variable interest entities. We make these
documents publicly available, free of charge, on our website at
www.chinacastcomm.com as soon as reasonably practicable after filing such
documents with the SEC or you may request a copy of these filings, excluding the
exhibits to such filings which we have not specifically incorporated by
reference in such filings, at no cost, by writing us at the following address:
Suite 08, 20F, One International Financial Centre, 1 Harbour View Street,
Central, Hong Kong, and our telephone number is (852) 3960 6506.
Overview
We are a
leading for-profit, post-secondary education and e-Learning services provider in
the People’s Republic of China (“PRC”). We provide post-secondary degree and
diploma programs through our wholly-owned universities, the Foreign Trade and
Business College of Chongqing Normal University (“FTBC”) and the Lijiang College
of Guangxi Normal University (“Lijiang College”). Our career-oriented four-year
bachelor’s degree and three-year diploma programs are fully accredited by the
PRC Ministry of Education (the “Ministry”) in disciplines such as business,
economics, law, information technology, computer engineering, hospitality and
tourism management, advertising, language studies, art and music. Our
universities currently serve over 21,000 students. In addition, we provide
e-Learning services to post-secondary institutions, K-12 schools, government
agencies and corporate enterprises via our nationwide satellite broadband
network. Our e-Learning services serve over 141,000 university students
throughout the PRC and include interactive distance learning applications,
multimedia education content delivery, English language training and vocational
training courses.
Market
Opportunity
The PRC
has the world’s largest education and training market. Government statistics
suggest that Chinese consumers recognize education to be crucial to a better
life. Consequently, according to the China State Bureau of Statistics, the
average family plans to spend approximately 10% of its disposable income on
education. According to a study published by the World Bank in 2007,
approximately 260 million students of China’s 1.3 billion people are enrolled in
basic, secondary and higher education programs. Educational spending and
participation rates are growing due to favorable demographic trends, increased
demand for skilled labor, growth in per capita disposable income, government
initiatives, and an increasing emphasis on higher education as a means to
increase China’s international competitiveness. According to a study by the
Ministry, the Chinese government plans to increase spending on public education
to 4% (approximately US$400 billion) of gross domestic product (“GDP”) by 2010.
Even after this increase, the target level will still be less than in developed
countries, which typically spend an average of over 5% of GDP on education. In
addition, our e-Learning services are well positioned to address the Ministry’s
“All Schools Connected” project to equip all of the PRC’s 550,000 primary,
middle and high schools with e-Learning systems by 2010. The Ministry has also
issued distance learning licenses to 68 of the country’s over 1,500 colleges and
universities, allowing them to offer degrees programs off-campus.
Competitive
Strengths
We
believe that the following are the key strengths of our business:
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Highly
scalable, recurring revenue business model. Our business model is
capital efficient, profit driven and highly scalable. Our revenue streams from
student tuition and school subscriptions provide predictability and visibility.
We closely monitor market forces and profit trends, adhering to a strict
financial plan that precludes unnecessary capacity or technology not required by
our students and customers.
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Diversified career-oriented degree
and diploma offerings with attractive student value proposition.
Our universities offer programs in areas of study that we believe offer
attractive career opportunities. The diversity of our degree and diploma
programs allows us to target a large addressable market, enhance our overall
revenue stability and increase the efficiency of our marketing and recruiting
efforts. Furthermore, our programs offer students a quality education that
provides the skills needed to enhance students’ career prospects in their areas
of study. We supplement our curriculum with student support and career placement
services to enhance our students’ probability of success during and after their
studies.
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Strong
brand recognition in our markets. We believe that our universities
have established brand recognition in their respective local markets with both
students and employers. We believe affiliations with large public universities
in the PRC create significant brand awareness among prospective students. In
particular, we have acquired FTBC, an independent for-profit, private
residential university affiliated with Chongqing Normal University and Lijiang
College, an independent, accredited college affiliated with Guangxi Normal
University.
·
Unique
proprietary e-Learning services platform. We believe that we are
one of the first distance learning providers in the PRC using satellite
broadband services and consequently we are the market leader in this segment.
Currently, many broadband operators rely mainly on terrestrial networks that do
not have extensive coverage, especially in less-developed areas of rural China.
We believe our programs provide an attractive alternative for schools,
government entities and businesses that require nationwide broadband coverage
and wish to engage only a single company to provide all necessary satellite
services, hardware, software and content.
·
Experienced and proven management
team. Our executive officers and directors have an average of
approximately fifteen years of relevant experience. They have established
business relationships in the PRC; extensive experience in leading public
companies in China, Hong Kong, Singapore and the United States; government
regulatory expertise; access to a robust acquisition pipeline and capital
sources; and long-term personal relationships in the education and
communications industries.
Growth
Strategy
We intend
to grow our business by pursuing the following:
·
Expand
course offerings. We intend to complement our accredited degree
programs by adding international, career/vocational and online course offerings
which will further expand our addressable market while creating incremental
revenue opportunities. We aim to offer new courses in disciplines which we
believe are in high demand in the PRC, including courses in tourism,
hospitality, language studies, computer engineering, finance, economics, trade,
advertising, law, music and art. Through international business ventures, we
intend to expand international course offerings. For example, in August 2009
FTBC established its first summer exchange program with a university based in
California, US.
·
Maximize
existing campus utilization. We expect to improve the management,
operational efficiency and capacity utilization of our existing campuses. We
intend to improve capacity utilization through increased enrollments and
continued investment in marketing, recruiting and student retention. In
particular, our campuses offer only day time classes in the fall and spring
terms. We intend to introduce new course offerings in summer and evening
sessions to further utilize our facilities.
·
Pursue
strategic acquisitions. During recent years, we have made strategic
acquisitions to expand into additional segments of the Chinese post-secondary
educational market. We plan to continue to seek acquisition opportunities that
expand our network of post-secondary universities. We intend to target private
universities with clear title to their real estate, a career-oriented curriculum
and sound financial controls.
·
Leverage our leading e-Learning services
platform. We believe we have established the first nationwide
e-Learning distribution platform in the PRC designed to meet the requirements of
prominent universities, K-12 schools, corporations and government agencies. Our
goal is to be the standard for distance learning by maintaining advanced
technology, a professional learning environment and a national presence
throughout the PRC. We believe our e-Learning services combine the best elements
of the traditional classroom with the convenience of distance learning. We
intend to continue to grow enrollments in our e-Learning and training service
group by increasing investment in marketing and technology. In October 2009, we
established a nationwide distance learning business venture with China
University of Petroleum (“China Petroleum”). Through this new business venture,
we will offer adult continuing education, vocational training and international
education distance learning classes at remote locations throughout China
beginning in early 2010. In particular, we intend to migrate China Petroleum’s
40,000 students to our e-Learning platform.
Corporate
Information
We are a
Delaware corporation. Our executive offices are located at Suite 08, 20F, One
International Financial Centre, 1 Harbour View Street, Central, Hong Kong,
telephone number (852) 3960 6506. Our group also has offices located at Unit
1002, Golden Tower B2, No. 82 Dongsihuanzhong Road, Chaoyang, Beijing 100124,
telephone number (8610) 8751 0988.
We
maintain an internet website at www.chinacasteducation.com.
The information on our website or any other website is not incorporated by
reference into this prospectus and does not constitute a part of this
prospectus.
THE
OFFERING
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Common
stock offered by Selling Stockholders:
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6,031,556
Shares
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Use
of proceeds:
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We
will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of the Shares by the
Selling Stockholders.
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NASDAQ
Global Market symbol
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CAST
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Risk
factors:
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The
securities offered by this prospectus are speculative and involve a high
degree of risk and investors purchasing securities should not purchase the
securities unless they can afford the loss of their entire investment. See
“Risk Factors” beginning on page
5.
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RISK
FACTORS
Investing
in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. Before purchasing our common
stock, you should carefully consider the following risk factors as well as all
other information contained in this prospectus and incorporated by reference,
including our consolidated financial statements and the related notes. The risks
and uncertainties described below are not the only ones facing us. Additional
risks and uncertainties that we are unaware of, or that we currently deem
immaterial, also may become important factors that affect us. If any of the
following risks occur, our business, financial condition or results of
operations could be materially and adversely affected. In that case, the trading
price of our common stock could decline, and you may lose some or all of your
investment.
Risks
Relating to our Business
The
education sector, in which all of our businesses are conducted, and the
telecommunication sector, upon which we are heavily reliant, each are subject to
extensive regulation in China, and our ability to conduct business is highly
dependent on our compliance with these regulatory frameworks.
The
Chinese government regulates all aspects of the education sector, including
licensing of parties to perform various services, pricing of tuition and other
fees, curriculum content, standards for the operations of schools and learning
centers associated with online degree programs and foreign participation. The
Chinese laws and regulations applicable to the education and telecommunication
sectors are in some aspects vague and uncertain, and often lack detailed
implementing regulations. These laws and regulations also are subject to change,
and new laws and regulations may be adopted, some of which may have retroactive
application or have a negative effect on our business. Moreover, there is
considerable ongoing scrutiny of the education sector and its
participants.
We must
comply with China’s extensive regulations on private and foreign participation
in the education and telecommunication sectors, and compliance with such
restrictions has caused us to adopt complex structural arrangements with our
Chinese subsidiaries and Chinese affiliated entities. If the relevant Chinese
authorities decide that our structural arrangements do not comply with these
restrictions, we would be precluded from conducting some or all of our current
business and our financial condition, results of operations and business
strategy may be materially and adversely affected.
There are
substantial uncertainties regarding the interpretation and application of
Chinese laws and regulations, particularly as they relate to the education and
telecommunications sectors. We cannot assure you that we will not be found to be
in violation of any current or future Chinese laws and regulations. PRC laws and
regulations currently require any foreign entity that invests in the education
business in China to be an educational institution with relevant experience in
providing educational services outside of China. We have acquired the holding
companies of FTBC and Lijiang College through our wholly owned subsidiaries in
China. However, our Delaware holding company and our subsidiaries out of China
are not educational institutions and do not provide educational services, in
addition, our wholly owned subsidiaries in China, which are considered
foreign-invested, may be considered ineligible to acquire the holding companies
of FTBC and Lijiang College to indirectly obtain education licenses and permits
in China. Even if a Delaware holding company were to become an educational
institution in the future, there is no assurance that the PRC Ministry of
Education or any other regulator in China would retrospectively approve of an
ownership of FTBC or Lijiang College. If we or any of our Chinese subsidiaries
or Chinese affiliated entities are found to be or to have been in violation of
Chinese laws or regulations requiring foreign ownership or participation in the
education sector to be by an established foreign educational institution or
limiting foreign ownership or participation in the education or
telecommunication sectors, the relevant regulatory authorities have broad
discretion in dealing with such violation, including but not limited
to:
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levying
fines and confiscating illegal
income;
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restricting
or prohibiting our use of the proceeds to finance our business and
operations in China;
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requiring
us to restructure the ownership structure or operations of our Chinese
subsidiaries or Chinese affiliated
entities;
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requiring
us to discontinue all or a portion of our business;
and/or
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revoking
our business licenses.
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Any of
these or similar actions could cause significant disruption to our business
operations or render us unable to conduct all or a substantial portion of our
business operations, and may materially and adversely affect our business,
financial condition and results of operations.
The
tuition charged by the Satellite Operating Entity for certain programs, and the
post-secondary and diploma programs that we provide curriculum programs to are
all subject to price controls administered by the Chinese government, and our
revenue is highly dependent on the level of these tuition charges.
Our
revenue from e-Learning services comes primarily from service fees that are paid
by customers or students and calculated as a percentage of the tuition revenue
of ChinaCast Li Xiang Co. Ltd. (“CCLX” or “Satellite Operating
Entity”). We
provide services to this entity and the tuition charges for these programs are
subject to price controls administered by various price control offices under
China’s National Development and Reform Commission, or NDRC. Similarly, our
revenue from the curriculum programs that we offer to post-secondary and diploma
programs is also directly dependent on the tuition revenue of those schools, and
those tuition charges are subject to administrative price controls. In light of
the substantial increase in tuitions and other education-related fees in China
in recent years, China’s price control authorities may impose stricter price
control on tuition charges in the future. If the tuition charges upon which our
revenue depends, particularly the tuition charges for Satellite Operating
Entity, were to be decreased or if they were not to increase in line with
increases in our costs because of the actions of China’s administrative price
controls, our revenue and profitability would be adversely
affected.
We
and the Satellite Operating Entity have a relatively short operating history and
are subject to the risks of a new enterprise, any one of which could limit
growth, content and services, or market development.
Our short
operating history makes it difficult to predict how our businesses will develop.
In addition, while we have historically provided distance learning services, we
have only recently started our for-profit, post-secondary education business.
Accordingly, we face all of the risks and uncertainties encountered by
early-stage companies, such as:
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uncertain
growth in the market for, and uncertain market acceptance of, products,
services and technologies;
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the
evolving nature of for-profit education and e-Learning services and
content; and
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competition,
technological change or evolving customer preferences that could harm
sales of services, content or
solutions.
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If we and
the Satellite Operating Entity are not able to meet the challenges of building
businesses and managing growth, the likely result will be slowed growth, lower
margins, additional operational costs and lower income.
We
may not be able to successfully execute future acquisitions or efficiently
manage the businesses we have acquired to date or may acquire in the
future.
In
October 2009, we acquired 100% of the equity of East Archive Limited, the
holding company which owns 100% of Lijiang College. Our recent acquisitions and
any future acquisitions expose us to potential risks, including risks associated
with the diversion of resources from our existing businesses and the inability
to generate sufficient revenue to offset the costs and expenses of acquisitions.
In addition, the revenue and cost synergies that we expect to achieve from our
acquisitions may not materialize. Any of these events could have an adverse
effect on our business and operating results. We expect to continue to expand,
in part, by acquiring complementary businesses. The success of our past
acquisitions and any future acquisitions will depend upon several factors,
including:
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our
ability to identify and acquire businesses on a cost-effective
basis;
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our
ability to integrate acquired personnel, operations, products and
technologies into our organization
effectively;
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our
ability to retain and motivate key personnel and to retain the students of
the acquired businesses;
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unanticipated
problems or legal liabilities of the acquired businesses;
and
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tax
or accounting issues relating to the acquired
businesses.
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If we are
presented with appropriate opportunities, we may acquire additional
complementary companies. The integration of acquired companies diverts a great
deal of management attention and dedicated staff efforts from other areas of our
business. A successful integration process is important to realizing the
benefits of an acquisition. If we encounter difficulty integrating our recent
and future acquisitions, our business may be adversely affected. The
acquisitions may not result in the expected growth or development, which may
have an adverse effect on our business. We plan to continue to make strategic
acquisitions, and identifying acquisition opportunities could demand substantial
management time and resources. Negotiating and financing the potential
acquisitions could involve significant cost and uncertainties. If we fail to
continue to execute advantageous acquisitions in the future, our overall growth
strategy could be impaired, and our operating results could be adversely
affected. If we are unable to effectively execute our acquisition strategy or
integrate any acquired business, our business, financial condition and results
of operations may be materially and adversely affected. In addition, if we use
our equity securities as consideration for acquisitions, the value of your
common stock may be diluted.
Failure
to effectively and efficiently manage the expansion of our school network may
materially and adversely affect our ability to capitalize on new business
opportunities.
We plan
to continue to expand our operations in different geographic locations in China.
This expansion has resulted, and will continue to result, in substantial demands
on our management, faculty, operational, technological and other resources. Our
planned expansion will also place significant demands on us to maintain the
consistency of our teaching quality and our culture to ensure that our brand
does not suffer as a result of any decreases, whether actual or perceived, in
our teaching quality. To manage and support our growth, we must improve our
existing operational, administrative and technological systems and our financial
and management controls, and recruit, train and retain additional qualified
teachers and management personnel as well as other administrative and sales and
marketing personnel, particularly as we expand into new markets. We cannot
assure you that we will be able to effectively and efficiently manage the growth
of our operations, recruit and retain qualified teachers and management
personnel and integrate new schools and learning centers into our operations.
Any failure to effectively and efficiently manage our expansion may materially
and adversely affect our ability to capitalize on new business opportunities,
which in turn may have a material adverse impact on our financial condition and
results of operations.
If
we are unable to achieve or maintain economies of scale with respect to our
various lines of business, our results of operations from these businesses may
be materially and adversely affected.
Each of
our lines of business involves a degree of upfront investment in the development
of programs or the acquisition of contract rights to provide services to
programs, and our revenue and profitability depend on the number of students in
these programs. The Satellite Operating Entity to which we provide support and
services, and from which we derive a significant portion of our revenue and
profits, requires considerable investments of time and resources to develop. In
many cases, Satellite Operating Entity also requires that we make substantial
investments in collaborative alliances. The profitability of these programs for
us depends on the ability of the programs to attract students. If the programs
or schools are unable to recruit enough students to offset the development and
operating costs, our results of operations will be adversely
affected.
Because
we face significant competition in several of our lines of business, we could
lose market share and may need to respond by lowering our prices, which could
materially and adversely affect our results of operations.
The
private education sector in China is rapidly evolving, highly fragmented and
competitive, and we expect competition in this sector to persist and intensify.
We face competition in each major program we offer and each geographic market in
which we operate. Our student enrollments may decrease due to intense
competition. While we are trying to enter into agreements with additional
post-secondary and diploma programs with respect to their degree programs, we
face competition from other service providers and may not succeed in our
efforts.
There are
also many new entrants seeking to participate in the education sector in China,
including for-profit and not-for-profit educational institutions from overseas
that are attracted by the education market in China. Although restrictive
regulation of the education sector in China may have limited our competition in
the past, any deregulation of this industry, or easing of restrictions on
foreign participants, could increase the competition we face in one or more
lines of business.
We
may not compete successfully with large, well-funded state-owned and private
enterprises in our e-Learning industry, which could result in reduced
revenue.
Competition
in providing education/training and enterprise data networking service is
becoming more intense in the PRC. Large, well-funded state-owned enterprises,
such as China Telecom, China Netcom, China Unicom, China Railcom, China Sat,
China Orient, Guangdong Satellite Telecom and China Educational TV, as well as
private enterprises like chinaedu.net, Beida Online, Ambow, and Tengtu, may
offer services that are comparable or superior to ours. As there are no
independent market surveys of our business segments, we are unable to ascertain
our market share accurately. Failure to compete successfully with these
state-owned enterprises will adversely affect our business and operating
results.
If
we and the Satellite Operating Entity fail to keep pace with rapid technological
changes, especially in the satellite and distance learning and education and
post-secondary education industries, our competitive position will
suffer.
Our
market and the enabling technologies (including satellite and distance learning
technology) used in our education/training business are characterized by rapid
technological change. As our services are primarily based on satellite broadband
infrastructure, we rely on the Satellite Operating Entity. As such, CEC also
relies on the Satellite Operating Entity to keep pace with technological
changes. Prior to our acquisition of CCH, CCH’s stockholders provided it the
funding it required to expand and to provide the Satellite Operating Entity with
the financial support to acquire required technology. Failure to respond to
technological advances could make our business less efficient, or cause our
services to be of a lesser quality than our competitors. These advances could
also allow competitors to provide higher quality services at lower costs than we
can provide. Thus, if we are unable to adopt or incorporate technological
advances, our services will become uncompetitive.
Our
ability to attract and retain customers and students is heavily dependent on our
reputation, which in turn relies on our maintaining a high level of service
quality.
We need
to continue to provide high quality services to our existing customers and
students to maintain and enhance our reputation, and we also need to attract and
retain customers and students for our various lines of business. All of our
business lines are highly dependent on existing and potential students
perceiving our programs as high quality and worth the investment of time and
money that they require of students. If any of the programs we operate or
support experience service quality problems, our reputation could be harmed and
our results of operations and prospects could be materially and adversely
affected.
We
depend on our dedicated and capable faculty, and if we are not able to continue
to hire, train and retain qualified teachers, we may not be able to maintain
consistent teaching quality throughout our school network and our brand,
business and operating results may be materially and adversely
affected.
Our
teachers are critical to maintaining the quality of our programs, services and
products and maintaining our brand and reputation, as they interact with our
students on a daily basis. We must continue to attract qualified teachers who
have a strong command of the subject areas to be taught and meet our
qualification. We also seek to hire teachers who are capable of delivering
innovative and inspirational instruction. There are a limited number of teachers
in China with the necessary experience to teach our courses and we must provide
competitive compensation packages to attract and retain qualified teachers. In
addition, criteria such as commitment and dedication are difficult to ascertain
during the recruitment process, in particular as we continue to expand and add
teachers at a faster pace to meet rising student enrollments. We must also
provide continuous training to our teachers so that they can stay abreast of
changes in student demands, admissions and assessment tests, admissions
standards and other key trends necessary to effectively teach their respective
courses. We may not be able to hire, train and retain enough qualified teachers
to keep pace with our anticipated growth while maintaining consistent teaching
quality across many different schools, learning centers and programs in
different geographic locations. Shortages of qualified teachers or decreases in
the quality of our instruction, whether actual or perceived in one or more of
our markets, may have a material and adverse effect on our
business.
We
may not succeed in attracting additional customers or students and our growth
prospects could suffer.
Although
our strategy is to increase the number of customers and students using our
services, we may not be able to attract additional customers or students.
Developing and entering into a relationship with a customer requires
considerable effort on our part, and we may spend considerable time and still
may not be successful in developing a new customer. Our ability to expand our
services to additional customers and students is dependent on our ability to
identify potential partners who can provide course offerings that will be
attractive to the target market and to develop a mutually acceptable arrangement
with the university for the development of a program. Some of the universities
offering online degree programs that do not utilize our services have developed
their own technology platforms, and others have entered into service agreements
with other service providers. Some of the universities we would like to partner
with may not have goals and objectives that are compatible with ours, may be
subject to long-term contracts with other service providers, or may have
cumbersome decision-making procedures that may delay or prohibit our entering
into a service relationship with them. In addition, some of these universities
are also being pursued by our competitors. As a result, we cannot predict
whether we will be successful in attracting additional universities to which we
can provide services. If we are unsuccessful in establishing new service
relationships, our strategic growth objectives may not be achieved, thereby
adversely impacting our prospects and results of operations.
Our
business may be harmed if the Satellite Operating Entity upon which we rely fail
to perform their obligations.
We
provide services over broadband satellite. Pursuant to the technical services
agreement between them, CEC provides technical services to CCLX, which is
licensed to provide value-added satellite broadband services in the PRC. CEC
provides its technical services to customers or students of the Satellite
Operating Entity, whom it considers to be its own customers or students. CEC
also engages the Satellite Operating Entity to provide the required satellite
broadband service when a customer in China engages CEC directly.
CEC has
management control over, but does not own directly or indirectly, CCLX or its
parent, CCL. It has no management control over CCL. CCL owns 90% of CCLX.
Although the technical services agreement and the pledge agreements executed by
the stockholders of CCL and CCLX in CEC’s favor contains contractual safeguards
to protect CEC’s interests, these safeguards may not be enforceable or effective
due to lack of conducting share pledge registation with competent governmental
authorities or some other reasons. We have no other legal control over the
Satellite Operating Entity.
As such,
we are dependent on the due performance by the Satellite Operating Entity of
their obligations, and if they fail to perform their obligations under or
terminate the technical services agreement between them, we will be unable to
provide our services.
If
we and the Satellite Operating Entity do not manage growth successfully, our
growth and chances for continued profitability may slow or stop.
We and
the Satellite Operating Entity have expanded operations rapidly during the last
several years, and we plan to continue to expand with additional solutions
tailored to meet the different needs of end customers and students in specific
market segments. This expansion has created significant demands on
administrative, operational and financial personnel and other resources,
particularly the need for working capital. Additional expansion in existing or
new markets and new lines of business could strain these resources and increase
the need for capital, which may result in cash flow shortages. We or the
Satellite Operating Entity’s personnel, systems, procedures, and controls may
not be adequate to support further expansion.
Our
business is subject to seasonal fluctuations, which may cause our operating
results to fluctuate from quarter to quarter. This may result in volatility and
adversely affect the price of our common stock.
We have
experienced, and expect to continue to experience, seasonal fluctuations in our
revenue and results of operations, primarily due to seasonal changes in the
number of students who are enrolled in, or served by, our businesses.
Historically, our largest revenue student enrollments occur in the fall, and we
generally recognize revenue over the twelve-month period following these
enrollments. As a result, our revenue in the third quarter and fourth quarter of
each year, representing the fall semester, have been higher than the other two
quarters, which represent the spring semester. Our expenses and costs, however,
do not necessarily correspond with changes in our revenue or the number of
students who are enrolled in, or served by, our businesses. We expect quarterly
fluctuations in our revenue and results of operations to continue. These
fluctuations could result in volatility and adversely affect the price of our
common stock. As our revenue grows, these seasonal fluctuations may become more
pronounced.
Unexpected
network interruptions caused by system failures, natural disasters, or
unauthorized tamperings with systems could disrupt our operations.
The
continual accessibility of our web sites and the performance and reliability of
CCLX’s satellite network infrastructure are critical to our reputation and our
ability to attract and retain users, customers, students and merchants. Any
system failure or performance inadequacy that causes interruptions in the
availability of our services, or increases response time, could reduce our
appeal to users, customers and students. Factors that could significantly
disrupt our operations include:
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system
failures and outages caused by fire, floods, earthquakes or power
loss;
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telecommunications
failures and similar events;
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computer
viruses, break-ins and similar disruptions from unauthorized tampering
with our computer systems; and
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security
breaches related to the storage and transmission of proprietary
information, such as credit card numbers or other personal
information.
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We and
CCLX have limited backup systems and redundancy. Future disruptions or any of
the foregoing events could damage our reputation, require us to expend
significant capital and other resources and expose us to a risk of loss or
litigation and possible liability. Furthermore, as we rely on CCLX to provide
the satellite network infrastructure, if CCLX suffers such disruptions or
failure, we may have to provide CCLX with substantial financial support. Neither
we nor CCLX carries any business interruption insurance to compensate for losses
that may occur as a result of any of these events. Accordingly, our revenues and
results of operations may be adversely affected if any of the above disruptions
should occur.
If
we and the Satellite Operating Entity lose key management personnel, our
business may suffer.
Our
continued success is largely dependent on the continued services of our key
management personnel, as well as those of the Satellite Operating Entity, and on
our ability to identify, recruit, hire, train and retain qualified employees for
technical, marketing and managerial positions. The loss of the services of
certain of our or the Satellite Operating Entity’s key personnel, including Li
Wei, our COO, without adequate replacement, could have an adverse effect on us.
Each of these individuals played significant roles in developing and executing
our overall business plan and maintaining customer relationships and proprietary
technology systems. While none is irreplaceable, the loss of the services of any
would be disruptive to our business. Competition for qualified personnel in
Chinese telecommunications and Internet-related markets is intense. As a result,
we may have difficulty attracting and retaining them.
If
we fail to maintain an effective system of internal control over financial
reporting, we may not be able to accurately report our financial results or
prevent fraud.
We are
subject to the reporting obligations under the U.S. federal securities laws. The
SEC, as required by Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, or the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act, adopted rules that now require every public reporting
company to include in its annual report management’s report on internal control
over financial reporting, which contains management’s assessment of the
effectiveness of such company’s internal control over financial reporting. In
addition, certain registrants are required to include an attestation report from
an independent registered public accounting firm on the effectiveness of such
registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
We have
made and may, in the future make, acquisitions of entities whose financial
controls are not up to the standards required by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. As part
of our integration of these entities, we will need to bring their internal
controls up to required standards. We cannot assure you that we will be able to
successfully establish in a timely manner all required internal controls with
respect to entities that we acquire. If we fail to establish and maintain the
adequacy of the internal controls of entities that we acquire, we may not be
able to conclude that we have effective internal control over financial
reporting of our company as a whole. Any failure to achieve and maintain
effective internal control over financial reporting could result in a loss of
investor confidence in the reliability of our financial statements, which in
turn could harm our business and negatively impact the trading price of our
common stock.
Our
stockholders may have securities law claims against us for rescission or damages
that are not extinguished by consummation of the acquisition of
CCH.
On March
21, 2006, after obtaining the approval of our stockholders, we amended our
certificate of incorporation, the effect of which was, among other things, to
eliminate the provision of our certificate of incorporation that purported to
prohibit amendment of the “business combination” provisions contained therein
and to extend the date before which we must complete a business combination, to
avoid being required to liquidate, from March 23, 2006 to December 31, 2006.
Because extending the period during which we could consummate a business
combination was not contemplated by our IPO prospectus, our stockholders may
have securities law claims against us for rescission (under which a successful
claimant would have the right to receive the total amount paid for his or her
shares, plus interest and less any income earned on the shares, in exchange for
surrender of the shares) or damages (compensation for loss on an investment
caused by alleged material misrepresentations or omissions in the sale of the
security). Such claims might entitle stockholders asserting them to up to
US$6.00 per share of common stock, based on the initial offering price of the
public units comprised of stock and warrants, less any amount received from sale
of the original warrants purchased with them and plus interest from the date of
our IPO. A successful claimant for damages under federal or state law could be
awarded an amount to compensate for the decrease in value of his or her shares
caused by the alleged violation (including, possibly, punitive damages),
together with interest, while retaining the shares.
We
may be subject to securities laws claims regarding past
disclosures.
We may be
subject to claims for rescission or other securities law claims resulting from
our failure to disclose that our charter provision purporting to prohibit
certain amendments was possibly inconsistent with Delaware’s General Corporation
Law. We may also be subject to such claims as a result of inaccuracies in other
disclosures, as follows: It may be argued that our IPO prospectus misstated the
vote required by its charter to approve a business combination by providing that
“[w]e will proceed with a business combination only if the public stockholders
who own at least a majority of the shares of common stock sold in [that]
offering vote in favor [of it]...,” and that our Exchange Act reports have been
inaccurate in describing CCH as a leading provider of e-Learning content (as
opposed to being primarily a content carrier). On November 13, 2006, we filed a
Current Report on Form 8-K with the SEC regarding this last item. We are unable
to predict the likelihood that claims might be made with regard to the foregoing
or estimate any amounts for which it might be liable if any such claim was
made.
We
may be subject to fines and other potential penalties as a result of filings
made in connection with acquisitions of PRC companies.
Under
applicable PRC law and regulations, a corporate legal entity must apply to the
PRC government for a change in registration when a shareholder transfers its
equity interest in the company. We have made such filings in connection with the
acquisition of our ownership interest in the holding company of FTBC and in
connection with the acquisition of our ownership interest in Lijiang College and
would be required to make such filings in connection with other acquisitions we
may make in the future. If such filings are not made in compliance with
regulatory requirements or contain erroneous information, we may be subject to
administrative fines and/or the suspension of the business licenses of the
acquired business in the event that we fail to remedy the situation within such
time limit as may be permitted by law. Although we believe the filings we made
in connection with our acquisition of the holding company of FTBC and Lijiang
complied with applicable law, we intend to amend the filing made in connection
with our acquisition of FTBC, and may amend our filing for Lijiang, to more
fully disclose the terms of the acquisition, consistent with our disclosures in
our public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. No assurance can
be given that we will not be subject to a fine or that such holding company
would not be subject to a possible suspension as a result of such
amendment.
Foreign
Exchange Risk
Changes
in the conversion rate between the RMB and foreign currencies, such as Hong Kong
or United States dollars, may adversely affect our profits.
CEC bills
its customers or students in Chinese RMB, but 13.6%, 3.0% and 0% of its revenues
in fiscal years 2007, 2008 and 2009, respectively, were collected in Hong Kong
dollars. In addition, 24.3%, 14.9% and 13.5% of its purchases/expenses in those
fiscal periods, respectively, were in United States dollars; 1.3%, 0% and 0%
were in Singapore dollars; and 8.5%, 3.1% and 2.9% were in Hong Kong dollars
during these same periods. The remainder of its revenues and expenses/purchases
were in Chinese RMB. As such, we may be subject to fluctuations in the foreign
exchange rates between these currencies.
The RMB
is not a freely convertible currency. The State Administration for Foreign
Exchange, under the authority of the People’s Bank of China, controls the
conversion of Renminbi into foreign currencies. The value of the RMB is subject
to changes in central government policies and to international economic and
political developments affecting supply and demand in the China Foreign Exchange
Trading System market.
Neither
we nor our subsidiaries have a formal hedging policy with respect to foreign
exchange exposure. In the future, we may hedge exchange transactions after
considering the foreign currency amount, exposure period and transaction
costs.
Fluctuations
in the value of the Renminbi relative to foreign currencies could affect our
operating results.
We
prepare our financial statements in Renminbi. The translation of RMB amounts
into U.S. dollars is included for the convenience of readers, but payroll and
other costs of non-U.S. operations will be payable in foreign currencies,
primarily Renminbi. To the extent future revenue is denominated in non-U.S.
currencies, we would be subject to increased risks relating to foreign currency
exchange rate fluctuations that could have a material adverse affect on our
business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations. The value of
Renminbi against the U.S. dollar and other currencies may fluctuate and is
affected by, among other things, changes in China’s political and economic
conditions. As our operations will be primarily in China, any significant
revaluation of the Renminbi may materially and adversely affect our cash flows,
revenues and financial condition. For example, to the extent that we need to
convert U.S. dollars into Chinese Renminbi for our operations, appreciation of
this currency against the U.S. dollar could have a material adverse effect on
our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations.
Conversely, if we decide to convert our Renminbi into U.S. dollars for other
business purposes and the U.S. dollar appreciates against this currency, the
U.S. dollar equivalent of the Renminbi we convert would be
reduced.
Chinese
foreign exchange controls may limit our ability to utilize CEC’s revenues
effectively and receive dividends and other payments from our Chinese
subsidiaries.
CEC’s
98.5% owned subsidiary, ChinaCast Technology (Shanghai) Limited (“CCT
Shanghai”), is subject to Chinese rules and regulations on currency conversion.
The Chinese government regulates the conversion of the Chinese RMB into foreign
currencies. Currently, foreign investment enterprises, of which CCT Shanghai is
one, are required to apply for authority (renewed annually) to open foreign
currency accounts governing conversion for payment of dividends limited capital
items such as direct investments, loans, and issuances of securities, some of
which may be effected with governmental approval, while others require
authorization.
The
ability of CCT Shanghai to remit funds to us may be limited by these
restrictions. There can be no assurance that the relevant regulations in China
will not be amended so as to adversely affect CCT Shanghai’s ability to remit
funds to us.
Risks
Relating to Doing Business in China
Introduction
of new laws or changes to existing laws by the Chinese government may adversely
affect our business.
Our
business and operations in China and those of our operating subsidiary, and the
Satellite Operating Entity’s business and
operations in China are governed by the Chinese legal system, which is codified
in written laws, regulations, circulars, administrative directives and internal
guidelines. The Chinese government is in the process of developing its
commercial legal system to meet the needs of foreign investors and encourage
foreign investment. As the Chinese economy is developing and growing generally
at a faster pace than its legal system, uncertainty exists regarding the
application of existing laws and regulations to novel events or circumstances.
Relevant Chinese laws, regulations and legal requirements may change frequently,
and their requirements, interpretation and enforcement involve uncertainties and
potential inconsistencies. In addition, Chinese administrative and court
authorities have significant discretion in interpreting and implementing
statutory and regulatory requirements. Uncertainties and inconsistencies in the
requirements, interpretation and enforcement of these laws, regulations and
legal requirements could materially and adversely affect our business and
operations and could expose us to potential liabilities, including potential
fines and other penalties, if it is determined that we have failed to comply
with the requirements of such laws, regulations and legal
requirements
Moreover,
precedents of interpretation, implementation and enforcement of Chinese laws and
regulations are limited, and Chinese court decisions are not binding on lower
courts. Accordingly, the outcome of dispute resolutions may not be as consistent
or predictable as in other more mercantilely advanced jurisdictions. It may be
difficult to obtain timely and equitable enforcement of Chinese laws, or to
obtain enforcement in China of a judgment by a foreign court or
jurisdiction.
Chinese
law will govern CEC’s material operating agreements, some of which may be with
Chinese governmental agencies. There is no assurance that CEC will be able to
enforce those material agreements or that remedies will be available outside
China. The Chinese judiciary is relatively inexperienced in enforcing corporate
and commercial law, leading to a substantial degree of uncertainty as to the
outcome of litigation. The inability to enforce or obtain a remedy under our
future agreements may have a material adverse impact on our
operations.
Our
business will be adversely affected if Chinese regulatory authorities view CEC’s
and the Satellite Operating Entity’s corporate activities as not complying with
applicable Chinese laws and regulations, including restrictions on foreign
investments, change applicable laws and regulations, or impose additional
requirements and conditions with which they are unable to comply.
The
Chinese government restricts foreign investment in businesses engaged in
telecommunications and education services, Internet access, education content
and distribution of news and information, but permits foreign investment in
businesses providing technical services in these areas. CCL and CCLX are
licensed to provide value-added satellite broadband services, Internet services
and Internet content in China. We have not sought confirmation from Chinese
regulatory governmental authorities whether our structure and business
arrangement with the Satellite Operating Entity comply with applicable Chinese
laws and regulations, including regulation of value-added telecommunication
business in China.
Chinese
legal advisers have opined that CEC’s performance under the technical services
agreement with CCLX complies with applicable Chinese laws and regulations, and
CEC complies with PRC laws and regulations to the extent that its services are
technical services. However, they do not rule out the possibility that the PRC
regulatory authorities will view CEC as not being in compliance with applicable
PRC laws and regulations, including but not limited to restrictions on foreign
investments in the value-added telecommunication business. If:
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Chinese
authorities deem CEC’s corporate activities as violating applicable
Chinese laws and regulations (including restrictions on foreign
investments);
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Chinese
regulatory authorities change applicable laws and regulations or impose
additional requirements and conditions with which CEC is unable to comply;
or
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CEC
is found to violate any existing or future Chinese laws or
regulations;
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the
relevant Chinese authorities would have broad discretion to deal with such a
violation by levying fines, revoking business license(s), requiring us to
restructure CEC’s ownership or operations, and requiring CEC’s and/or CCLX to
discontinue some or all of their businesses. Any of these actions will adversely
affect our business.
We
may be unable to enforce CEC’s agreements with the Satellite Operating Entity
and CCL.
Chinese
law currently prohibits foreign investors from owning greater than 50% equity
interests in companies engaged in telecommunication value-added businesses in
the PRC. Although we have been advised by counsel that the pledge agreements
between CEC and the Satellite Operating Entity are valid under PRC law, unless
the equity interest restriction is amended or repealed, and subject to the
approval of the relevant government authorities, CEC will only be entitled to
enforce its right to take possession and ownership of up to a 50% interest in
the Satellite Operating Entity in accordance with applicable PRC law and
regulations.
We
currently have noncurrent advances to CCL representing money spent on assets and
expenses to build up the satellite business of CCL over the years. CCL has
undertaken that when regulation allows, the entire ownership of CCLX and all the
relevant assets attributable to the satellite business operations in the books
of CCL and CCLBJ will be transferred to the Company, the consideration of which
will be settled against the above advances to CCL in the books of the Company at
the sole discretion of the Company. Accordingly, we consider the advances are of
the nature of a deemed investment. In addition, we have obtained an undertaking
from CCL that, at the time of such transfer, CCL will make a payment to the
Company for any shortfall if the valuation of the deemed investment is lower
than the outstanding amount of the advances, and therefore believe that the
advances are recoverable. However, we can't predict when the PRC law will allow
for such a transfer. Also, we are dependent on the due performance of CCL of
their obligation, and the recoverability of the advances will be impacted, if
they fail to perform their obligation under the undertaking.
We
are exposed to certain tax risks with respect to tax benefits enjoyed by certain
of our subsidiaries in China under the new Enterprise Income Tax Law of the PRC,
or the EIT Law.
Our
subsidiaries and affiliated entities in China are subject to tax in China.
Historically, as foreign-invested enterprises, or FIEs, most of those
subsidiaries enjoyed various tax holidays and other preferential tax treatments,
which reduced their effective income tax rates to 15% or lower. The EIT Law,
which took effect on January 1, 2008, has applied a uniform 25% enterprise
income tax rate to all “resident enterprises” in China, including FIEs.
Moreover, the EIT Law applies to enterprises established outside of China with
“de facto management bodies” located in China. Under the implementation
regulations to the EIT Law issued by the PRC State Council, “de facto management
body” is defined as a body that has material and overall management and control
over the manufacturing and business operations, personnel and human resources,
finances and treasury, and acquisition and disposition of properties and other
assets of an enterprise. While we do not believe we are a “resident enterprise,”
because ambiguities exist with the interpretation and application of the EIT Law
and the implementation regulations, we may be considered a PRC resident
enterprise and therefore may be subject to the China enterprise income tax at
the rate of 25% on certain of our income.
Our
success depends on stable political, economic and social environments, which are
subject to disruption in the PRC.
Economic
conditions in China are subject to uncertainties that may arise from changes in
government policies and social conditions. Since 1978, the Chinese government
has promulgated various reforms of its economic systems, resulting in economic
growth over the last three decades. However, many of the reforms are
unprecedented or experimental and expected to be refined and modified from time
to time. Other political, economic and social factors may also lead to changes,
which may have a material impact on our operations and our financial
performance. For instance, less governmental emphasis on education and distance
learning services or on retraining out-of-work persons in the Chinese work force
would harm our business, prospects, results and financial
condition.
Because
our executive officers and directors reside outside of the U.S., it may be
difficult for you to enforce your rights against them or enforce U.S. court
judgments against them in the PRC.
Our
executive officers and directors reside outside of the U.S. and substantially
all of our assets are located outside of the U.S. It may therefore be difficult
for you to enforce your legal rights, to effect service of process upon our
officers and directors or to enforce judgments of U.S. courts predicated upon
civil liabilities and criminal penalties of our directors and executive officer
under U.S. federal securities laws. Moreover, we have been advised that the PRC
does not have treaties providing for the reciprocal recognition and enforcement
of judgments of courts with the U.S. Further, it is unclear if extradition
treaties now in effect between the U.S. and the PRC would permit effective
enforcement of criminal penalties of the U.S. federal securities
laws.
Weakened
political relations between the U.S. and China could make us less
attractive.
The
relationship between the United States and China is subject to sudden
fluctuation and periodic tension. Changes in political conditions in China and
changes in the state of Sino-U.S. relations are difficult to predict and could
adversely affect our operations, and its future business plans and
profitability.
Our
operations may not develop in the same way or at the same rate as might be
expected if the PRC economy were similar to the market-oriented economies of
OECD member countries.
The
economy of the PRC has historically been a nationalistic, “planned economy,”
meaning it functions and produces according to governmental plans and pre-set
targets or quotas. In certain aspects, the PRC’s economy has been transitioning
to a more market-oriented economy. However, there can be no assurance of the
future direction of these economic reforms or the effects these measures may
have. The PRC economy also differs from the economies of most countries
belonging to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, an
international group of member countries sharing a commitment to democratic
government and market economy. For instance:
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the
number and importance of state-owned enterprises in the PRC is greater
than in most OECD countries;
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the
level of capital reinvestment is lower in the PRC than in most OECD
countries; and
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Chinese
policies make it more difficult for foreign firms to obtain local currency
in China than in OECD
jurisdictions.
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As a
result of these differences, our operations may not develop in the same way or
at the same rate as might be expected if the PRC economy were similar to those
of OECD member countries.
The
Chinese economic slow-down may negatively impact our operating
results.
The
Chinese economy has recently experienced a slowing of its growth rate. A number
of factors have contributed to this slow-down, including appreciation of the
RMB, which has adversely affected China’s exports. In addition, the slow-down
has been exacerbated by the recent global crisis in the financial services and
credit markets, which has resulted in significant volatility and dislocation in
the global capital markets. It is uncertain how long the global crisis in the
financial services and credit markets will continue and how much adverse impact
it will have on the global economy in general or the Chinese economy in
particular. Slowing economic growth in China could result in slowing growth for
China’s education market and might have adverse effects on the demand for our
services and therefore reduce our revenues.
The
economy of China had been experiencing unprecedented growth before 2008, which
could be curtailed if the government tries to control inflation by traditional
means of monetary policy or its return to planned-economy policies, any of which
would have an adverse effect on the combined company.
The rapid
growth of the Chinese economy before 2008 had led to higher levels of inflation.
Government attempts to control inflation may adversely affect the business
climate and growth of private enterprise, and the demand for higher education
and e-Learning, in China. In addition, our profitability may be adversely
affected if prices for our products and services rise at a rate that is
insufficient to compensate for the rise in its costs and expenses.
We
are required to deduct Chinese corporate withholding taxes from dividend we may
pay to our stockholders.
On March
16, 2007, the National People’s Congress (NPC), approved and promulgated the PRC
Enterprise Income Tax Law (the “New EIT Law”). This New EIT Law has taken effect
on January 1, 2008. Under the New EIT Law, FIEs and domestic companies are
subject to a uniform tax rate of 25%.
On
December 26, 2007, the State Council issued a Notice on Implementing
Transitional Measures for Enterprise Income Tax (the “Notice”), providing that
the enterprises that have been approved to enjoy a low tax rate prior to the
promulgation of the New EIT Law will be eligible for a five-year transition
period starting January 1, 2008, during which time the tax rate will be
increased step by step to the 25% unified tax rate set out in the New EIT Law.
From January 1, 2008, for the enterprises whose applicable tax rate was 15%
before the promulgation of the New EIT Law, the tax rate was increased to 18%
for year 2008 and 20% for year 2009, and will be increased to 22% for year 2010,
24% for year 2011, 25% for year 2012. For the enterprises whose applicable tax
rate was 24%, the tax rate was changed to 25% from January 1, 2008. All of our
subsidiaries operating in China will be required to deduct Chinese withholding
taxes from dividends distributed to us as the parent entity, meaning we would
have less funds to use in connection with our operations as the parent entity or
for distribution to our stockholders.
Under the
New EIT Law and the Implementation Rules, both of which became effective on
January 1, 2008, an enterprise established outside of the PRC with “de facto
management bodies” within the PRC is considered a resident enterprise and is
subject to enterprise income tax at the rate of 25% on its global income. The
Implementation Rules define the term “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 State Administration of Taxation issued
the Notice Regarding the Determination of Chinese-Controlled Offshore
Incorporated Enterprises as PRC Tax Resident Enterprises on the Basis of De
Facto Management Bodies, or Circular 82, on April 22, 2009. Circular 82 provides
certain specific criteria for determining whether the “de facto management body”
of a Chinese-controlled offshore incorporated enterprise is located in China.
Although Circular 82 only applies to offshore enterprises controlled by PRC
enterprises, not those invested in by PRC individuals, like our company, the
determining criteria set forth in Circular 82 may reflect the State
Administration of Taxation’s general position on how the “de facto management
body” test should be applied in determining the tax resident status of offshore
enterprises, regardless of whether they are controlled by PRC enterprises or
controlled by or invested in by PRC individuals. We do not believe our foreign
subsidiaries should be considered as a resident enterprise.
In
addition, because there remains uncertainty regarding the interpretation and
implementation of the New EIT Law and the Implementation Rules, it is uncertain
whether, if we are regarded as a PRC resident enterprise, any dividends to be
distributed by us to our non-PRC shareholders would be subject to any PRC
withholding tax. If we are required under the New EIT Law to withhold PRC income
tax on our dividends payable to our non-PRC corporate shareholders, your
investment in our common shares may be materially and adversely
affected.
Recent
regulations relating to offshore investment activities by PRC residents may
limit our ability to acquire PRC companies and could adversely affect our
business.
In
October 2005, the State Administration of Foreign Exchange, or SAFE, promulgated
Relevant Issues Concerning Foreign Exchange Control on Domestic Residents’
Corporate Financing and Roundtrip Investment Through Offshore Special Purpose
Vehicles, or Circular 75, that states that if PRC residents use assets or equity
interests in their PRC entities as capital contributions to directly establish
or indirectly control offshore companies or inject assets or equity interests of
their PRC entities into offshore companies to raise capital overseas, they must
register with local SAFE branches with respect to their overseas investments in
offshore companies. They must also file amendments to their registrations if
their offshore companies experience material events involving capital variation,
such as changes in share capital, share transfers, mergers and acquisitions,
spin-off transactions, long-term equity or debt investments or uses of assets in
China to guarantee offshore obligations. Under this regulation, their failure to
comply with the registration procedures set forth in such regulation may result
in restrictions being imposed on the foreign exchange activities of the relevant
PRC entity, including the payment of dividends and other distributions to its
offshore parent, as well as restrictions on the capital inflow from the offshore
entity to the PRC entity.
We have
requested our shareholders who are PRC residents to make the necessary
applications, filings and amendments as required under Circular 75 and other
related rules. We attempt to comply, and attempt to ensure that our shareholders
who are subject to these rules comply, with the relevant requirements. However,
we cannot provide any assurances that all of our shareholders who are PRC
residents will comply with our request to make or obtain any applicable
registrations or comply with other requirements required by Circular 75 or other
related rules. Any future failure by any of our shareholders who is a PRC
resident, or controlled by a PRC resident, to comply with relevant requirements
under this regulation could subject us to fines or sanctions imposed by the PRC
government.
SAFE
rules and regulations may limit our ability to transfer the net proceeds from
this offering to the Satellite Operating Entity, which may adversely affect the
business expansion of the Satellite Operating Entity, and we may not be able to
convert the net proceeds from this offering into Renminbi to invest in or
acquire any other PRC companies.
On August
29, 2008, SAFE promulgated Circular 142, a notice regulating the conversion by a
foreign- invested company of foreign currency into Renminbi by restricting how
the converted Renminbi may be used. The notice requires that the registered
capital of a foreign-invested company settled in Renminbi converted from foreign
currencies 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, SAFE strengthened its oversight of the flow and use
of the registered capital of a foreign-invested company settled in Renminbi
converted from foreign currencies. The use of such Renminbi capital may not be
changed without SAFE’s approval, and may not in any case be used to repay
Renminbi loans if the proceeds of such loans have not been used. Violations of
Circular 142 will result in severe penalties, such as heavy fines. As a result,
Circular 142 may significantly limit our ability to transfer the net proceeds
from this offering, and we may not be able to convert the net proceeds from this
offering into Renminbi to invest in or acquire any other PRC
companies.
We
may be subject to fines and legal sanctions if we or our employees who are PRC
citizens fail to comply with recent PRC regulations relating to employee stock
options granted by overseas listed companies to PRC citizens.
On
December 25, 2006, the People’s Bank of China issued the Administration Measures
on Individual Foreign Exchange Control, and its Implementation Rules were issued
by SAFE on January 5, 2007, which both have taken effect on February 1, 2007.
Under these regulations, all foreign exchange matters involved in an employee
stock holding plan, stock option plan or similar plan in which PRC citizens
participate require approval from the SAFE or its authorized branch. On March
28, 2007, SAFE promulgated the Application Procedure of Foreign Exchange
Administration for Domestic Individuals Participating in Employee Stock Holding
Plan or Stock Option Plan of Overseas-Listed Company, or the Stock Option Rule.
Under the Stock Option Rule, PRC citizens who are granted stock options or
restricted share units, or issued restricted shares by an overseas publicly
listed company are required, through a PRC agent or PRC subsidiary of such
overseas publicly-listed company, to complete certain other procedures and
transactional foreign exchange matters upon the examination by, and approval of,
SAFE. We and our employees who are PRC citizens who have been granted stock
options or restricted share units, or issued restricted shares are subject to
the Stock Option Rule. If the relevant PRC regulatory authority determines that
our PRC employees who hold such options, restricted share units or restricted
shares or their PRC employer fail to comply with these regulations, such
employees and their PRC employer may be subject to fines and legal
sanctions.
Risks
Associated with Common Stock
Our
common stock may be affected by limited trading volume and may fluctuate
significantly.
Our
common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Market. Although an active trading
market has developed for our common stock, there can be no assurance that an
active trading market for our common stock will be sustained. Failure to
maintain an active trading market for our common stock may adversely affect our
shareholders’ ability to sell our common stock in short time periods, or at all.
Our common stock has experienced, and may experience in the future, significant
price and volume fluctuations, which could adversely affect the market price of
our common stock.
We
do not intend to pay dividends on our common stock.
We have
never declared or paid any cash dividend on our capital stock. We currently
intend to retain any future earnings and do not expect to pay any dividends for
the foreseeable future.
The
public market price of our common stock may be adversely impacted by the
addition of the shares eligible for trading.
The
registration of the shares owned by the Selling Stockholders increases the
number of shares of our common stock eligible for trading in the public
market. The presence of an additional number of shares eligible for
trading in the public market may substantially reduce the market price of our
common stock.
SPECIAL
NOTE REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS
This
prospectus, including the documents that we incorporate by reference, may
contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”).
Forward-looking statements include those that express plans, anticipation,
intent, contingency, goals, targets or future development and/or otherwise are
not statements of historical fact. Any forward-looking statements are based on
our current expectations and projections about future events and are subject to
risks and uncertainties known and unknown that could cause actual results and
developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied in such
statements.
In some
cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology, such as
“expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “estimates,” “plans,” “believes,” “seeks,”
“may,” “should”, “could” or the negative of such terms or other similar
expressions. Accordingly, these statements involve estimates, assumptions and
uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those
expressed in them. Any forward-looking statements are qualified in their
entirety by reference to the risk factors described herein and those included in
any accompanying prospectus supplement or in any document incorporated by
reference into this prospectus.
You
should read this prospectus and the documents that we reference herein and have
filed as exhibits to the registration statement, of which this prospectus is
part, completely and with the understanding that our actual future results may
be materially different from what we concurrently expect. You should assume that
the information appearing in this prospectus and any document incorporated
herein by reference is accurate as of its date only. Because the risk factors in
this prospectus could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from
those expressed in any forward-looking statements made by us or on our behalf,
you should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. Further,
any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made,
and we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to
reflect events or circumstances after the date on which the statement is made or
to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. New factors emerge from time
to time, and it is not possible for us to predict which factors will arise. In
addition, we cannot assess the impact of each factor on our business or the
extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results
to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. We
qualify all of the information presented in this prospectus and any document
incorporated herein by reference, and particularly our forward-looking
statements, by these cautionary statements.
USE
OF PROCEEDS
We will
not receive any proceeds from the sale of the Shares by the Selling
Stockholders.
SELLING
STOCKHOLDERS
We are
registering for resale shares of our common stock that are currently issued and
outstanding. We are registering the shares to permit the Selling Stockholders
and their pledgees, donees, transferees and other successors-in-interest that
receive their shares from a Selling Stockholder as a gift, partnership
distribution or other non-sale related transfer after the date of this
prospectus to resell the shares when and as they deem appropriate in the manner
described in the “Plan of Distribution.”
Agreement
with Fir Tree Investors
On
November 23, 2009, we entered into a Registration Rights Agreement (the
“Registration Rights Agreement”) with Fir Tree Value Master Fund L.P. and Fir
Tree Capital Opportunity Master Fund, L.P. (collectively, “Fir Tree”) pursuant
to which we granted Fir Tree a one time demand registration right and unlimited
“piggy-back” registration rights with respect to the 6,031,556 shares of our
common stock now owned by Fir Tree and any additional shares of our common stock
which may be acquired by Fir Tree (collectively, “Registrable Securities”). The
Registration Rights Agreement was entered into in connection with a letter
agreement dated June 27, 2008 by and between us and Fir Tree (the
“Letter Agreement”) pursuant to which we had agreed to grant certain
registration rights to Fir Tree. The demand right was exercisable by Fir Tree at
any time on or after March 1, 2010. The piggy-back registration rights are
exercisable by Fir Tree at any time on or after April 1, 2010, provided that the
number of shares which may be registered by Fir Tree in any piggyback
registration shall not exceed such number of shares as would constitute (i)
fifteen percent (15%) of the proposed underwritten offering and (ii) fifty
percent (50%) of any over-allotment with respect to such underwritten offering
unless otherwise agreed by us and the managing underwriter of the
offering. Pursuant to the Letter Agreement, Fir Tree has also
nominated one person to our board, Ned Sherwood, who was elected to our board at
the 2009 annual meeting of stockholders.
On March
4, 2010, Fir Tree exercised its right to demand that the Company register for
resale all 6,031,556 shares of common stock owned by Fir Tree. This
Registration Statement on Form S-3 is being filed in connection with the demand
made by Fir Tree and satisfies our current obligation relating to demand
registration under the Registration Rights Agreement.
The
following table sets forth:
|
|
·
|
the
name of the Selling Stockholders,
|
|
|
·
|
the
number of shares of our common stock that the Selling Stockholders
beneficially owned prior to the offering for resale of the Shares under
this prospectus,
|
|
|
·
|
the
maximum number of shares of our common stock that may be offered for
resale for the account of the Selling Stockholders under this prospectus,
and
|
|
|
·
|
the
number and percentage of shares of our common stock to be beneficially
owned by the Selling Stockholders after the offering of the shares
(assuming all of the offered shares are sold by the Selling
Stockholders).
|
Name
of Selling Stockholder
|
|
Shares of
Common Stock
Beneficially
Owned Prior to
Offering(1)
|
|
Percentage
Ownership
Before Offering
|
|
|
Maximum
Number of
Shares Before
Offering
|
|
Shares of
Common Stock
Beneficially
Owned After
Offering
|
|
Percentage
Ownership
After Offering
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fir
Tree Value Master Fund L.P. (2)
|
|
5,001,374 |
|
10.9 |
% |
|
5,001,374 |
|
0 |
|
* |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fir
Tree Capital Opportunity Master Fund, L.P. (2)
|
|
1,030,182 |
|
2.2 |
% |
|
1,030,182 |
|
0 |
|
* |
|
|
|
(1)
|
Beneficial
ownership is determined in accordance with the rules and regulations of
the SEC. In computing the number of shares beneficially owned by a person
and the percentage ownership of that person, securities that are currently
convertible or exercisable into shares of our common stock, or convertible
or exercisable into shares of our common stock within 60 days of the date
hereof are deemed outstanding. Such shares, however, are not deemed
outstanding for the purposes of computing the percentage ownership of any
other person. Except as indicated in the footnotes to the following table,
each stockholder named in the table has sole voting and investment power
with respect to the shares set forth opposite such stockholder’s name. The
percentage of beneficial ownership is based on 46,043,218 shares of common
stock outstanding as of May 28,
2010.
|
|
|
(2)
|
Fir
Tree, Inc., a New York corporation, is the investment manager of such
Selling Stockholder, and may be deemed to beneficially own the shares of
Common Stock held by such Selling
Stockholder.
|
To our
knowledge, neither the Selling Stockholders nor any of their affiliates has
held any position or office, been employed by, or otherwise had any other
material relationship with us or any of our affiliates during the three years
prior to the date of this prospectus, other than as a result of the ownership of
our securities or as a result of the Letter Agreement. To our knowledge, the
Selling Stockholders are not a broker-dealer or an affiliate of a broker-dealer.
Each Selling Stockholder may offer for sale all or part of the shares of common
stock from time to time. The table above assumes that the Selling Stockholders
will sell all of the shares of common stock offered for sale. A Selling
Stockholder is under no obligation, however, to sell any shares of common stock
pursuant to this prospectus.
PLAN
OF DISTRIBUTION
We are
registering 6,031,556 shares of our common stock on behalf of the Selling
Stockholders. We are required to pay certain fees and expenses that
we incur incident to the registration of the shares of the common stock. As used
in this prospectus, “Selling Stockholders” includes the Selling Stockholders
named in the table above and pledgees, donees, transferees or other
successors-in-interest selling shares received from a named selling stockholder
as a gift, partnership distribution or other non-sale-related transfer after the
date of this prospectus. The Selling Stockholders may, from time to time, sell
any or all of their shares of common stock on the NASDAQ Global Market or any
other stock exchange, market or trading facility on which the shares are traded
or in private transactions. These sales may be at fixed or negotiated prices.
The Selling Stockholders will act independently of us in making decisions with
respect to the timing, manner and size of each sale. A Selling Stockholder may
use any one or more of the following methods when selling shares:
|
|
·
|
ordinary
brokerage transactions and transactions in which the broker-dealer
solicits purchasers;
|
|
|
·
|
block
trades in which the broker-dealer will attempt to sell the shares as agent
but may position and resell a portion of the block as principal to
facilitate the transaction;
|
|
|
·
|
purchases
by a broker-dealer as principal and resale by the broker-dealer for its
account;
|
|
|
·
|
an
exchange distribution in accordance with the rules of the applicable
exchange;
|
|
|
·
|
privately
negotiated transactions;
|
|
|
·
|
settlement
of short sales entered into after the effective date of the registration
statement of which this prospectus is a
part;
|
|
|
·
|
broker-dealers
may agree with the Selling Stockholders to sell a specified number of such
shares at a stipulated price per
share;
|
|
|
·
|
a
combination of any such methods of
sale;
|
|
|
·
|
through
the writing or settlement of options or other hedging transactions,
whether through an options exchange or otherwise;
or
|
|
|
·
|
any
other method permitted pursuant to applicable
law.
|
Broker-dealers
engaged by the Selling Stockholders may arrange for other brokers-dealers to
participate in sales. Broker-dealers may receive commissions or
discounts from the Selling Stockholders (or, if any broker-dealer acts as agent
for the purchaser of shares, from the purchaser) in amounts to be negotiated,
but, except as set forth in a supplement to this prospectus, in the case of an
agency transaction not in excess of a customary brokerage commission in
compliance with FINRA Rule 2440; and in the case of a principal transaction a
markup or markdown in compliance with FINRA IM-2440.
In
connection with the sale of the common stock or interests therein, the Selling
Stockholders may enter into hedging transactions with broker-dealers or other
financial institutions, which may in turn engage in short sales of the common
stock in the course of hedging the positions they assume. The Selling
Stockholders may also sell shares of the common stock short and deliver these
securities to close out their short positions, or loan or pledge the common
stock to broker-dealers that in turn may sell these securities. The Selling
Stockholders may also enter into option or other transactions with
broker-dealers or other financial institutions or the creation of one or more
derivative securities which require the delivery to such broker-dealer or other
financial institution of shares offered by this prospectus, which shares such
broker-dealer or other financial institution may resell pursuant to this
prospectus (as supplemented or amended to reflect such
transaction).
The
Selling Stockholders and any broker dealers or agents that are involved in
selling the shares may be deemed to be “underwriters” within the meaning of the
Securities Act, in connection with such sales. In such event, any commissions
received by such broker dealers or agents and any profit on the resale of the
shares purchased by them may be deemed to be underwriting commissions or
discounts under the Securities Act. Each Selling Stockholder has informed the
Company that it does not have any written or oral agreement or understanding,
directly or indirectly, with any person to distribute the common
stock. In no event shall any broker-dealer receive fees, commissions
and markups which, in the aggregate, would exceed eight percent
(8.0%).
Because
Selling Stockholders may be deemed to be “underwriters” within the meaning of
the Securities Act, they will be subject to the prospectus delivery requirements
of the Securities Act. In addition, any securities covered by this prospectus
which qualify for sale pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act may be sold
under Rule 144 rather than under this prospectus. There is no underwriter or
coordinating broker acting in connection with the proposed sale of the resale
shares by the Selling Stockholders.
The
shares of common stock will be sold only through registered or licensed brokers
or dealers if required under applicable state securities laws. In addition, in
certain states, the resale shares may not be sold unless they have been
registered or qualified for sale in the applicable state or an exemption from
the registration or qualification requirement is available and is complied
with.
Under
applicable rules and regulations under the Exchange Act, any person engaged in
the distribution of the resale shares may not simultaneously engage in market
making activities with respect to the common stock for the applicable restricted
period, as defined in Regulation M, prior to the commencement of the
distribution. In addition, the Selling Stockholders will be subject
to applicable provisions of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations
thereunder, including Regulation M, which may limit the timing of purchases and
sales of shares of the common stock by the Selling Stockholders or any other
person. We will make copies of this prospectus available to the Selling
Stockholders and have informed them of the need to deliver a copy of this
prospectus to each purchaser at or prior to the time of the sale (including by
compliance with Rule 172 under the Securities Act).
We have
agreed to indemnify the Selling Stockholders against certain losses, claims,
damages and liabilities, including any violations by us of the Securities Act.
We agreed with the Selling Stockholders to keep this prospectus effective until
the earlier of (i) the date on which the shares may be resold by the Selling
Stockholders without registration and without regard to any volume limitations
by reason of Rule 144(e) under the Securities Act or any other rule of similar
effect or (ii) all of the shares have been sold pursuant to the prospectus or
Rule 144 under the Securities Act or any other rule of similar
effect.
LEGAL
MATTERS
The
validity of the securities offered in this prospectus will be passed upon for us
by Loeb & Loeb LLP, New York, New York.
EXPERTS
The
consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule of the
Company, incorporated by reference in this prospectus or elsewhere in the
registration statement, and the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control
over financial reporting have been audited by Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu CPA Ltd.,
an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their reports,
which are incorporated herein by reference. Such financial statements and
financial statement schedule have been so incorporated in reliance upon the
reports of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and
auditing.
The
consolidated financial statements of East Achieve Limited and Lijiang College of
Guangxi Normal University as of and for the year ended December 31, 2008
incorporated in this prospectus by reference from the Current Report on Form
8-K/A filed on December 18, 2009 have been audited by Jimmy C.H. Cheung &
Co., an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their
report, which is incorporated herein by reference, and have been so incorporated
in reliance upon the report of such firm given upon their authority as experts
in accounting and auditing.
INCORPORATION
OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
The
following documents filed by us with the Securities and Exchange Commission are
incorporated by reference in this prospectus:
|
|
·
|
Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009, filed on
March 29, 2010;
|
|
|
·
|
Quarterly Report
on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2010, filed on May
10, 2010;
|
|
|
·
|
Current
Report on Form 8-K/A, filed on December 18,
2009;
|
|
|
·
|
Current
Report on Form 8-K, filed on January 7,
2010;
|
|
|
·
|
Current
Report on Form 8-K, filed on April 2,
2010;
|
|
|
·
|
Current
Report on Form 8-K, filed on May 5, 2010;
|
|
|
·
|
Current
Report on Form 8-K, filed on May 12, 2010;
|
|
|
·
|
Current
Report on Form 8-K, filed on June 2, 2010;
and
|
|
|
·
|
The
description of our Common Stock set forth in our Registration Statement on
Form 8-A (Registration No. 001-33771) filed with the SEC on
October 25, 2007, including any amendments thereto or reports filed for
the purpose of updating such
description.
|
We also
incorporate by reference all documents we file under Sections 13(a), 13(c),
14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act (a) after the initial filing date of the
registration statement of which this prospectus is a part and before the
effectiveness of the registration statement and (b) after the effectiveness
of the registration statement and before the filing of a post-effective
amendment that indicates that the securities offered by this prospectus have
been sold or that deregisters the securities covered by this prospectus then
remaining unsold. Any statement contained herein or in a document
incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to
be modified or superseded for purposes hereof to the extent that a
statement in any other subsequently filed document which is also
incorporated or deemed to be incorporated herein modifies or supersedes such
statement. Any such statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed,
except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this
prospectus.
WHERE
YOU CAN FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT US
We have
filed a registration statement on Form S-3 with the SEC for the securities we
are offering by this prospectus. This prospectus does not include all of the
information contained in the registration statement. You should refer to the
registration statement and its exhibits for additional information. We will
provide to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom a prospectus is
delivered, a copy of any or all of the information that has been incorporated by
reference in the prospectus but not delivered with the
prospectus. Please address your written or oral requests for
information to the Secretary of the Company, Antonio Sena, c/o ChinaCast
Education Corporation, at the Company’s office located at Suite 08, 20F, One
International Financial Centre, 1 Harbour View Street, Central, Hong
Kong. The Company’s telephone number is (852)
3960-6506. We make these documents publicly available, free of
charge, on our website at www.chinacastcomm.com as soon as reasonably
practicable after filing such documents with the SEC. You can read our SEC
filings, including the registration statement, on the SEC’s website at
http://www.sec.gov. You also may read and copy any document we file with the SEC
at its public reference facility at Public Reference Room, 100 F Street N.E.,
Washington, DC 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further
information on the operation of the public reference facilities.
We are
required to file annual and quarterly reports, current reports, proxy
statements, and other information with the SEC. We make these documents publicly
available, free of charge, on our website at www.bioaobo.com as soon as
reasonably practicable after filing such documents with the SEC. You can read
our SEC filings, including the registration statement, on the SEC’s website at
http://www.sec.gov. You also may read and copy any document we file with the SEC
at its public reference facility at:
Public
Reference Room
100 F
Street N.E.
Washington,
DC 20549.
Please
call the SEC at 1-800-732-0330 for further information on the operation of the
public reference facilities.
UNAUDITED
PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION
On
October 5, 2009, ChinaCast Communication Holdings Limited (the “Purchaser”), a
subsidiary of Company, completed the acquisition (the “Acquisition”) of East
Achieve Limited (“East Achieve”), the holding company which owns 100% of Lijiang
College, from Xie Jiqing who holds 100% of the equity interest in East Achieve
for a total purchase price of RMB365,000,000 (or approximately $53.7 million).
RMB295,000,000 (or approximately $43.4 million) of the purchase price has been
paid and the remaining consideration
was recorded as a liability at fair value of RMB30,482,000 (or approximately
$4.5 million). The source of the cash used for the Acquisition is from
working capital of the Company.
East
Achieve owns 100% of the equity interest in Shanghai Xijiu Information
Technology Co., Ltd. (“Xijiu”), which in turn owns 100% of the equity interest
in China Lianhe Biotechnology Co., Ltd. (“Lianhe”). As a result of the
consummation of the acquisition, the Purchaser now holds 100% of the equity
interest in Lianhe. Lijiang College is jointly sponsored by Lianhe and Guangxi
Normal University. Lijiang College was founded in 2001 as an independent,
accredited college affiliated with Guangxi Normal University, which is located
in the city of Guilin in Southwestern China. The university has 415 full-time
and part-time instructors and offers fully accredited bachelor degree and
diploma courses in tourism, hospitality, language studies, computer engineering,
economics, law, music, art and physical education. After the Acquisition, East
Achieve, Xijiu and Lianhe are holding companies with no other business. Before
the Acquisition, as part of a reorganization (the “Reorganization”), Xijiu and
Lianhe has disposed of all assets and liabilities not related to the operations
of Lijiang College and Xijiu purchased the entire interest in Lianhe, which was
accounted for using the purchase method of accounting.
The
following unaudited pro forma combined condensed statement of operations reflect
the Acquisition using the purchase method of accounting. The pro forma
adjustments are based upon available information and assumptions that the
Company believes are reasonable. The pro forma adjustments are preliminary and
have been prepared to illustrate the estimated effect of the Acquisition.
Consequently, the amounts reflected in the unaudited pro forma combined
condensed financial statement are subject to change, and the final amounts may
differ substantially.
The
unaudited pro forma combined condensed statement of operations for the year
ended December 31, 2009 illustrates the effect of the acquisition of East
Achieve as if the Acquisition and the Reorganization had occurred on January 1,
2009, and was derived from the historical audited statement of operations for
East Achieve for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, combined with
ChinaCast’s historical audited statement of operations for the year ended
December 31, 2009.
The pro
forma combined condensed financial statement should be read in conjunction with
the historical audited financial statement and notes thereto of ChinaCast
contained in its 2009 Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission on March 29, 2010 and the historical audited financial
statements and notes thereto of East Achieve which are included as Exhibit 99.1
to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K/A dated October 5, 2009 and filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 18, 2009. The unaudited
pro forma combined condensed financial statement do not include any pro forma
adjustments relating to costs of integration that the combined company may incur
as such adjustments.
The pro
forma information is presented for illustrative purposes only and is not
necessarily indicative of the operating results or financial position that would
have occurred if the acquisition had occurred as of the date or during the
period presented nor is it necessarily indicative of future operating results or
financial position.
UNAUDITED
PRO FORMA COMBINED CONDENSED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
FOR
THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009
|
|
|
Historical
|
|
|
Historical
|
|
|
Pro
Forma
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pro
Forma
|
|
|
|
|
ChinaCast
|
|
|
East
Achieve Group
|
|
|
Adjustments
|
|
|
|
|
|
Combined
|
|
|
|
|
RMB
|
|
|
RMB
|
|
|
RMB
|
|
|
Note |
|
|
RMB
|
|
|
|
|
(In
thousands, except share-related data)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenue
|
|
|
346,547 |
|
|
|
80,936 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
427,483 |
|
|
Cost
of sales
|
|
|
(147,501 |
) |
|
|
(56,863 |
) |
|
|
(16,322 |
) |
|
a
|
|
|
|
(220,686 |
) |
|
Gross
profit
|
|
|
199,046 |
|
|
|
24,073 |
|
|
|
(16,322 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
206,797 |
|
|
Operating
(expenses) income:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Selling
and marketing expenses expeneses
|
|
|
(4,649 |
) |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(4,649 |
) |
|
General
and administrative expenses
|
|
|
(69,641 |
) |
|
|
(13 |
) |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(69,654 |
) |
|
Foreign
exchange loss
|
|
|
(87 |
) |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(87 |
) |
|
Management
service fee
|
|
|
5,128 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,128 |
|
|
Other
operating income
|
|
|
210 |
|
|
|
(67 |
) |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
143 |
|
|
Total
operating expenses, net
|
|
|
(69,039 |
) |
|
|
(80 |
) |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(69,119 |
) |
|
Income
from operations
|
|
|
130,007 |
|
|
|
23,993 |
|
|
|
(16,322 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
137,678 |
|
|
Impairment
loss on cost method investment
|
|
|
(436 |
) |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(436 |
) |
|
Gain
on disposal of consolidated entity
|
|
|
1,228 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,228 |
|
|
Interest
income
|
|
|
8,317 |
|
|
|
69 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
8,386 |
|
|
Interest
expenses
|
|
|
(7,988 |
) |
|
|
(5,845 |
) |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(13,833 |
) |
|
Income
before provision for incomes taxes, earnings in equity
investment
|
|
|
131,128 |
|
|
|
18,217 |
|
|
|
(16,322 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
133,023 |
|
|
Provision
for income tax
|
|
|
(29,949 |
) |
|
|
(2,572 |
) |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(32,521 |
) |
|
Net
income before earnings in equity investments
|
|
|
101,179 |
|
|
|
15,645 |
|
|
|
(16,322 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
100,502 |
|
|
Earnings
of equity investments
|
|
|
(1,687 |
) |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1,687 |
) |
|
Income
from continuing operating, net of tax
|
|
|
99,492 |
|
|
|
15,645 |
|
|
|
(16,322 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
98,815 |
|
|
Discontinued
operations
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loss
from discontinued operations, net of taxes
|
|
|
(74 |
) |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(74 |
) |
|
Net
income
|
|
|
99,418 |
|
|
|
15,645 |
|
|
|
(16,322 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
98,741 |
|
|
Less:
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest
|
|
|
(7,339 |
) |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(7,339.00 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
income attibutable to the Company
|
|
|
92,079 |
|
|
|
15,645 |
|
|
|
(16,322 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
91,402 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
income attibutable to the Company per share - basic
|
|
|
2.49 |
|
|
|
0.42 |
|
|
|
(0.44 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
2.47 |
|
|
Net
income attibutable to the Company per share - diluted
|
|
|
2.48 |
|
|
|
0.42 |
|
|
|
(0.44 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
2.46 |
|
Note: (a)
to record the amortization of intangibles for the 9 months ended September 30,
2009
6,031,556
Shares of Common Stock
PROSPECTUS
We
have not authorized any dealer, salesperson or other person to give any
information or represent anything not contained in or incorporated by reference
into this prospectus. You must not rely on any unauthorized information. If
anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not
rely on it. This prospectus does not offer to sell any shares in any
jurisdiction where it is unlawful. Neither the delivery of this prospectus, nor
any sale made hereunder, shall create any implication that the information in
this prospectus is correct after the date hereof.