51job, Inc.

Table of Contents

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 20-F

(Mark One)

(cid:134) REGISTRATION STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OR (g) OF THE SECURITIES 

EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

(cid:95) ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES 

OR

EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016

OR

(cid:134) TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES 

EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from                    to                   

OR

(cid:134) SHELL COMPANY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES 

EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

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

Commission file number: 000-50841

51job, Inc.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
N/A
(Translation of Registrant’s name into English)

Cayman Islands
(Jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

Building 3
No. 1387, Zhang Dong Road
Shanghai 201203
People’s Republic of China
(Address of principal executive offices)

Rick Yan, Chief Executive Officer
Telephone: +86-21-6160-1888
Facsimile: +86-21-6879-6233
Building 3
No. 1387, Zhang Dong Road
Shanghai 201203
People’s Republic of China
(Name, telephone, e-mail and/or facsimile number and address of company contact person)

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

Title of Each Class
Common shares, par value US$0.0001 per 
share*

Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered
The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC
(The NASDAQ Global Select Market)

* Not for trading but only in connection with the listing of American depositary shares, or ADSs, on the NASDAQ Stock 
Market LLC. The ADSs are registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, pursuant to a registration statement on 
Form F-6. Accordingly, the ADSs are exempt from registration under Section 12(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, 
as amended, pursuant to Rule 12a-8 thereunder. Each ADS represents the right to receive one common share of the 
Registrant.

Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:  None

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Securities for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Act:  None

Indicate the number of outstanding shares of each of the issuer’s classes of capital or common stock as of the close of the period 
covered by the annual report:

60,062,385 common shares, par value US$0.0001 per share.

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

(cid:134) Yes   (cid:95) No

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

(cid:134) Yes   (cid:95) No

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

(cid:95) Yes   (cid:134) No

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

(cid:95) Yes   (cid:134) No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition 
of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

Large accelerated filer (cid:134)

(cid:130)

Accelerated filer (cid:95)

(cid:130)

Non-accelerated filer (cid:134)

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

U.S. GAAP (cid:95)

International Financial Reporting Standards as issued
by the International Accounting Standards Board (cid:134) (cid:130)

(cid:130)

Other (cid:134)

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

(cid:134) Item 17   (cid:134) Item 18

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

(cid:134) Yes   (cid:95) No

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

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

(cid:134) Yes   (cid:134) No

Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

PART I

Item 1.
Item 2.
Item 3.
Item 4.
Item 4A.
Item 5.
Item 6.
Item 7.
Item 8.
Item 9.
Item 10.
Item 11.
Item 12.

PART II

Identity of Directors, Senior Management and Advisers
Offer Statistics and Expected Timetable
Key Information
Information on the Company
Unresolved Staff Comments
Operating and Financial Review and Prospects
Directors, Senior Management and Employees
Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions
Financial Information
The Offer and Listing
Additional Information
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Description of Securities Other than Equity Securities

Item 13.
Item 14.
Item 15.
Item 16A.
Item 16B.
Item 16C.
Item 16D.
Item 16E.
Item 16F.
Item 16G.
Item 16H.

Defaults, Dividend Arrearages and Delinquencies
Material Modifications to the Rights of Security Holders and Use of Proceeds
Controls and Procedures
Audit Committee Financial Expert
Code of Ethics
Principal Accountant Fees and Services
Exemptions from the Listing Standards for Audit Committees
Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers
Change in Registrant’s Certifying Accountant
Corporate Governance
Mine Safety Disclosure

PART III

Item 17.
Item 18.
Item 19.

Financial Statements
Financial Statements
Exhibits

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1
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24
39
39
56
64
67
67
68
74
75

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77
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Unless otherwise indicated, references in this annual report to:

INTRODUCTION

(cid:120)
(cid:120)
(cid:120)

(cid:120)
(cid:120)
(cid:120)
(cid:120)

“ADRs” are to the American depositary receipts that evidence our ADSs;
“ADSs” are to our American depositary shares, each of which represents one common share;
“China” or the “PRC” are to the People’s Republic of China, excluding for the purpose of this annual report Hong Kong, 
Macau and Taiwan;
“RMB” are to Renminbi, the legal currency of the PRC;
“shares” or “common shares” are to our common shares, with par value US$0.0001 per share;
“U.S. GAAP” are to the generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America; and
“US$” are to U.S. dollars, the legal currency of the United States of America.

Unless the context indicates otherwise, “we,” “us,” “our company,” “our” and “51job” refer to 51job, Inc., its predecessor 

entities and subsidiaries, and, in the context of describing our operations, also include our affiliated entities.

In addition, unless otherwise indicated, references in this annual report to:

(cid:120)
(cid:120)
(cid:120)
(cid:120)
(cid:120)
(cid:120)
(cid:120)

“51net” are to 51net.com Inc.;
“AdCo” are to Shanghai Qianjin Advertising Co., Ltd.;
“Qian Cheng” are to Beijing Qian Cheng Si Jin Advertising Co., Ltd.;
“Run An” are to Beijing Run An Information Consultancy Co., Ltd.;
“Tech JV” are to Qianjin Network Information Technology (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.;
“WFOE” are to Qian Cheng Wu You Network Information Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd.; and
“Wuhan AdCo” are to Wuhan Mei Hao Qian Cheng Advertising Co., Ltd.

Any discrepancies in any table between the amounts identified as total amounts and the sum of the amounts listed therein are due 

to rounding.

This annual report contains translations of certain Renminbi amounts into U.S. dollar amounts at specified rates solely for your 

convenience. All translations from Renminbi to U.S. dollars were made at the noon buying rate in New York for cable transfers of 
Renminbi as certified for customs purposes by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, which was RMB6.9430 to US$1.00 on 
December 30, 2016, as set forth in the Federal Reserve Board’s H.10 Statistical Release. For further information on exchange rates, 
see “Item 3. — Key Information — Selected Financial Data — Exchange Rate Information.”

This annual report on Form 20-F includes our audited consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income data for 
the years ended December 31, 2014, 2015 and 2016, and audited consolidated balance sheets data as of December 31, 2015 and 2016.

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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This annual report on Form 20-F contains statements of a forward-looking nature. These statements are made within the meaning 

of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, and as defined in the Private Securities 
Litigation Reform Act of 1995. You can identify these forward-looking statements by terminology such as “may,” “will,” “should,”
“is/are likely to,” “expect,” “intend,” “aim,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “potential,” “continue” or the 
negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other 
factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by 
the forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements included in this annual report relate to, among others:

(cid:120)
(cid:120)
(cid:120)
(cid:120)
(cid:120)

(cid:120)
(cid:120)
(cid:120)
(cid:120)
(cid:120)
(cid:120)
(cid:120)
(cid:120)

market acceptance of our services;
our ability to expand into other recruitment and human resource services such as business process outsourcing;
our ability to control our operating costs and expenses;
our potential need for additional capital and the availability of such capital;
behavioral and operational changes of our customers in meeting their human resource needs as they respond to evolving 
social, economic, regulatory and political changes in China as well as stock market volatilities;
changes in our management team and other key personnel;
introduction by our competitors of new or enhanced products and services;
price competition in the market for the various human resource services that we provide in China;
seasonality of our business;
fluctuations in the value of the Renminbi against the U.S. dollar and other currencies;
our ability to develop or introduce new products and services outside of the human resources industry;
acquisitions or investments we have made or will make in the future; and
fluctuations in general economic conditions in China and globally.

You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. You should read these statements in conjunction with 

the risks disclosed in “Item 3. — Key Information — Risk Factors” of this annual report and other risks outlined in our other filings 
with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC. Those risks are not exhaustive. Moreover, we operate in an emerging 
and evolving environment. New risks may emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for our management to predict all risks, nor 
can we assess the impact of such risks on our business or the extent to which any risk, or combination of risks, may cause actual 
results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. Except as required by law, we undertake no 
obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or 
otherwise.

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Table of Contents

PART I

ITEM 1.

IDENTITY OF DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND ADVISERS

Not applicable.

ITEM 2.

OFFER STATISTICS AND EXPECTED TIMETABLE

Not applicable.

ITEM 3.

KEY INFORMATION

A.

Selected Financial Data

The following tables present the selected consolidated financial information for our company. The selected consolidated 
statements of operations and comprehensive income data for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2015 and 2016, and the selected 
consolidated balance sheets data as of December 31, 2015 and 2016, are derived from our audited consolidated financial statements, 
which are included in this annual report beginning on page F-1. The selected consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive 
income data for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2013, and the selected consolidated balance sheets data as of December 31, 
2012, 2013 and 2014 have been derived from our audited consolidated financial statements, which are not included in this annual 
report. You should read the following information in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the related notes 
included elsewhere in this annual report and “Item 5. — Operating and Financial Review and Prospects.” Our consolidated financial 
statements are prepared and presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The historical results presented below do not necessarily 
indicate results expected for any future period.

2012
RMB

For the year ended December 31,

2013
RMB

2014
RMB

2015
RMB

2016
RMB

(in thousands, except share and per share data)

2016
US$

Selected Consolidated Statements 

of Operations and 
Comprehensive Income Data:

Revenues:

Online recruitment services
Print advertising
Other human resource related 

revenues
Total revenues
Net revenues
Cost of services
Gross profit
(1)
Operating expenses :
Sales and marketing
General and administrative

(1)

Total operating expenses
Income from operations
Income before income tax expense
Income tax expense
Net income
Net loss attributable to non-

controlling interests
Net income attributable to 

51job, Inc.

Earnings per share:

Basic
Diluted

Weighted average number of 

common shares outstanding:
Basic
Diluted

943,432
105,309

1,084,448
51,023

1,248,101
14,247

1,356,442
5,328

1,547,143
—

463,508
1,512,249
1,447,338
(405,233)
1,042,105

(370,100)
(186,460)
(556,560)
485,545
565,685
(95,579)
470,106

541,270
1,676,741
1,608,668
(442,454)
1,166,214

(459,802)
(217,765)
(677,567)
488,647
600,948
(100,308)
500,640

634,945
1,897,293
1,832,453
(496,000)
1,336,453

(563,565)
(249,275)
(812,840)
523,613
551,945
(113,035)
438,910

740,119
2,101,889
2,055,220
(569,979)
1,485,241

(654,468)
(263,067)
(917,535)
567,706
744,098
(126,301)
617,797

825,552
2,372,695
2,338,334
(663,001)
1,675,333

(783,492)
(280,002)
(1,063,494)
611,839
699,886
(134,699)
565,187

222,835
—

118,904
341,739
336,790
(95,492)
241,298

(112,846)
(40,329)
(153,175)
88,123
100,804
(19,401)
81,403

—

—

—

260

791

114

470,106

500,640

438,910

618,057

565,978

81,517

8.17
7.92

8.55
8.33

7.51
7.35

10.71
10.41

9.74
9.68

1.40
1.39

57,510,591
59,375,123

58,551,925
60,069,197

58,475,397
59,691,993

57,714,850
62,498,651

58,132,976
58,474,068

58,132,976
58,474,068

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Selected Consolidated Balance 

Sheets Data:

Assets:
Cash
Short-term investments
Total current assets
Total non-current assets

Total assets
Liabilities:

Convertible senior notes, current
Total current liabilities
Convertible senior notes, non-

current

Other non-current liabilities

Total liabilities
Shareholders’ equity:
Common shares
Additional paid-in capital
Total 51job, Inc. shareholders’

equity
Total equity
Total liabilities and equity

2012
RMB

2013
RMB

As of December 31,

2014
RMB

2015
RMB

(in thousands)

2016
RMB

2016
US$

1,122,557
1,408,845
2,887,443
353,919
3,241,362

—
573,349

—
1,985
575,334

48
1,152,174

2,666,028
2,666,028
3,241,362

1,065,543
2,081,964
3,580,622
542,369
4,122,991

—
785,889

—
5,983
791,872

48
1,316,713

3,331,119
3,331,119
4,122,991

1,074,096
3,420,650
5,045,764
535,956
5,581,720

—
963,974

1,111,207
12,593
2,087,774

48
1,040,639

3,493,946
3,493,946
5,581,720

1,125,352
3,825,547
5,560,298
861,964
6,422,262

—
1,136,038

1,108,877
43,235
2,288,150

48
1,052,788

4,125,042
4,134,112
6,422,262

1,921,074
4,159,318
6,719,585
1,016,325
7,735,910

1,257,709
2,703,022

—
57,166
2,760,188

49
1,299,350

4,967,443
4,975,722
7,735,910

276,692
599,066
967,821
146,382
1,114,203

181,148
389,317

—
8,234
397,551

7
187,145

715,460
716,652
1,114,203

(1) Share-based compensation was included in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income data as follows:

2012
RMB

2013
RMB

For the year ended December 31,

2014
RMB

2015
RMB

(in thousands)

2016
RMB

2016
US$

(7,870)

(10,391)

(12,997)

(13,770)

(14,080)

(6,766)
(35,902)

(8,933)
(45,534)

(11,173)
(57,210)

(11,837)
(60,338)

(12,104)
(59,886)

(2,028)

(1,744)
(8,625)

Cost of services
Operating expenses:

Sales and marketing
General and administrative

Exchange Rate Information

We publish our financial statements in Renminbi. This annual report contains translations of certain Renminbi amounts into U.S. 

dollars at specified rates solely for your convenience. All translations from Renminbi to U.S. dollars were made at the noon buying 
rate in New York for cable transfers of Renminbi as certified for customs purposes by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, which 
was RMB6.9430 to US$1.00 on December 30, 2016, as set forth in the Federal Reserve Board’s H.10 Statistical Release. The noon 
buying rate on March 24, 2017 was RMB6.8803 to US$1.00. We make no representation that the Renminbi or U.S. dollar amounts 
referred to in this annual report could have been or could be converted into U.S. dollars or Renminbi, as the case may be, at any 
particular rate, the rates stated below, or at all. See “Item 3. — Key Information — Risk Factors — Risks Related to Doing Business 
in China — Governmental control of currency conversion may affect the value of your investment” and “— The fluctuation of the 
Renminbi may materially and adversely affect your investment” as well as “Item 11. — Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures 
about Market Risk — Foreign Exchange Risk” for discussions on our foreign exchange risk and the effects of currency control and 
fluctuating exchange rates on the value of our ADSs.

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The following table sets forth information regarding the noon buying rates for the periods indicated. The source of these rates is the 
Federal Reserve Board’s H.10 Statistical Release.

Period
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016

September
October
November
December

2017

January
February
March (through March 24)

Noon buying rate of Renminbi per U.S. dollar

Period-end

Average

(1)

Low

High

6.2301
6.0537
6.2046
6.4778
6.9430
6.6685
6.7735
6.8837
6.9430

6.8768
6.8665
6.8803

6.2990
6.1412
6.1704
6.2869
6.6549
6.6702
6.7303
6.8402
6.9198

6.8907
6.8694
6.8976

6.3879
6.2438
6.2591
6.4896
6.9580
6.6790
6.7819
6.9195
6.9580

6.9575
6.8821
6.9132

6.2221
6.0537
6.0402
6.1870
6.4480
6.6600
6.6685
6.7534
6.8771

6.8360
6.8517
6.8785

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

during the relevant period.

B. Capitalization and Indebtedness

Not applicable.

C. Reasons for the Offer and Use of Proceeds

Not applicable.

D. Risk Factors

Risks Related to Our Business

Because we face significant competition in all of our businesses, we may lose market share and our results of operations may 
be materially and adversely affected.

We face significant competition in our online recruitment services and our other human resource related services businesses. Our 

online recruitment services are conducted through three main websites: www.51job.com, www.yingjiesheng.com and
www.51jingying.com. These websites and their related mobile applications face intense competition from other dedicated job search 
websites such as Zhaopin.com and ChinaHR.com. In addition, local job fair organizers have developed or acquired online capabilities. 
Furthermore, there are niche recruitment services providers that focus on particular industry verticals, such as technology and finance, 
or job seeker segments, such as new college graduates and high-end, experienced professionals.

Our other human resource related services face significant competition from a variety of Chinese and foreign firms in all of our 

markets, including certain firms that compete with us in the market for online recruitment. In addition, some of the competitors we 
encounter in our business process outsourcing business are affiliated with local government agencies and have licenses to provide a 
wider range of services than we do. The competition in the training services market is currently highly fragmented and primarily made 
up of small, local training firms, but we could face increased competition should there be a consolidation of these training firms.

Many of our competitors or potential competitors have long operating histories, have international strategic partners, have local 
government sponsorship, may have greater financial, management, technological development, sales, marketing and other resources 
than we do, and may be able to adopt our business model. As a result of competition, we may experience reduced margins, loss of 
market share or less use of our services by job seekers and employers. We cannot assure you that existing or future competitors will 
not develop or offer services and products which provide significant performance, price, creative or other advantages over our 
services. If we are unable to compete effectively with current or future competitors as a result of these or other factors, our market 
share and our results of operations may be materially and adversely affected.

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New competitors face low entry barriers to our industries, and successful entry by new competitors may cause us to lose 
market share and materially and adversely affect our results of operations.

In the future, we may face competition from new entrants in the recruitment advertising industry and other human resource 
industries in which we operate. We may face greater competition from Internet portals and search engines, dedicated recruitment 
advertising websites, professional and social networking platforms, online classified websites and other human resource services 
providers who may enter the market for any or all of our services. Our businesses are characterized by relatively low start-up and fixed 
costs, modest capital requirements, short start-up lead times and an absence of significant proprietary technology that would prevent or 
significantly inhibit new competitors. As a result, potential market entrants face relatively low barriers to entry to all of our businesses 
and could acquire significant numbers of corporate customers and individual users within a relatively short period of time. Increased 
competition could result in a loss of market share and revenues, and have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition 
and results of operations.

A slowdown or adverse development in the PRC economy may have a material and adverse impact on our customers, demand 
for our services and our business.

Substantially all of our operations are conducted in China and a significant majority of our revenues are generated from 

providing recruitment advertising services for PRC businesses or affiliates of foreign firms operating in China. The Chinese economy 
has slowed down in recent years. According to the National Bureau of Statistics of China, China’s gross domestic product growth 
slowed to 7.4% in 2014, 6.9% in 2015 and 6.7% in 2016. Economic conditions in China are sensitive to global economic conditions, 
as well as changes in domestic economic and political policies and the expected or perceived overall economic growth rate in China. 
In an environment of slower economic growth or recession, employers may take actions such as hiring fewer permanent employees, 
engaging in hiring freezes, reducing the number of employees and curtailing spending on online recruitment services and other human 
resource related services. In addition, to the extent we offer credit to any customer and the customer experiences financial difficulties 
due to an economic slowdown, we could have difficulty collecting payment from the customer. If there are slowdowns or other 
adverse developments in China’s economic growth, our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flow may be 
materially and adversely affected.

If the use of online advertising to conduct recruitment does not achieve broader acceptance in China, we may be unable to 
expand our online recruitment business.

We generate a majority of our revenues from online recruitment services, which are targeted toward employers and job seekers 

who use the Internet. We believe that the use of online advertising services by employers for recruitment remains relatively low in 
China, particularly for small and medium sized enterprises. Other informal recruitment channels, such as job fairs, personal referrals 
and professional networks, are also commonly utilized by the private sector in China. We face challenges in promoting greater use of 
online advertising, which involves, among other things, significant changes in the way that employers disseminate information about 
jobs, the way that prospective employees search and apply for jobs, and the way in which hiring decisions are made. In addition, while 
China is acknowledged to possess the largest online population in the world, the use of the Internet as a commercial medium has a 
short history, and China’s Internet penetration rate is low relative to most developed countries. Moreover, telecommunications 
capacity constraints may impede further development of the Internet to the extent that users experience delays, transmission errors and 
other difficulties. Any negative perceptions as to the effectiveness of online recruitment services, or online advertising in general, or 
any significant failure of the Internet to gain acceptance as a medium for recruitment, may adversely affect our online recruitment 
services business. We cannot assure you that online recruitment advertising will achieve broader acceptance in China. Any significant 
failure of advertising to gain acceptance among employers and job seekers may adversely affect our ability to expand our online 
recruitment business.

The market for other human resource related services, including business process outsourcing, remains in the early 
development stage in China, and we may be unable to expand such existing services or successfully develop new services in 
this area.

We believe the market for other human resource related services, including business process outsourcing, is at an early stage of 
development in China. Many employers are unfamiliar with these services and may not accept the value proposition of these service 
offerings. Processing, tracking, collecting and remitting funds to the applicable regulatory agencies, employees and other third parties 
are complex operations, and many employers may not trust us with employee data or to make representations and cash payments on 
their behalf. As such, companies may not be willing to use our services for significant administrative functions and may instead 
choose to continue to perform such operations in-house.

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If we are unable to extend our nationwide capability, effectively monitor ongoing changes in PRC laws and regulations, acquire, 
develop and use up-to-date business and management technology and software, including advanced computer and technology systems 
that could require significant capital expenditures, and maintain the integrity and security of our systems and process flow, we may be 
unable to expand our business process outsourcing operations or gain wider customer acceptance for these services. In addition, we 
rely on a number of third party service providers, including couriers, agents and banks. Failure by these providers, for any reason, to 
deliver their services in a timely and accurate manner could result in significant disruptions to our business process outsourcing 
operations, impact our client relationships, harm our brand and result in significant penalties or liabilities to us.

In addition, as part of our strategy to be a “one-stop” human resource services provider, we cross-promote our other human 

resource related services among our online recruitment services customers from time to time. However, we cannot assure you that 
such cross-promotion strategy will be effective or generate revenues as we expect. Furthermore, we may decide to develop new 
services in the area of other human resource related services. We cannot assure you that we will be able to deliver new products or 
services on a commercially viable basis or in a timely manner, or at all. If any of our efforts to cross-promote, develop or operate new 
human resource related services are unsuccessful, our financial condition and results of operations may be materially and adversely 
affected.

Our business process outsourcing services may be adversely impacted by changes in PRC regulations and policies. In 
addition, new and future government regulations may significantly increase the number of labor disputes, which may result 
in higher operating costs.

The PRC Labor Contract Law, which became effective on January 1, 2008 and its amendment which became effective on July 1, 

2013, establishes restrictions and increases costs for employers, including specific provisions related to fixed-term employment 
contracts, temporary employment, probation, consultation with the labor union and employee assembly, employment without a 
contract, dismissal of employees, compensation upon termination and overtime work, and collective bargaining. The PRC Social 
Insurance Law, which became effective on July 1, 2011, specifies that the PRC establishes a social insurance system including basic 
pension insurance, basic medical insurance, work-related injury insurance, unemployment insurance and maternity insurance.

We provide business process outsourcing services for human resource administrative functions, in particular social insurance and 
benefits services, for employers. Our business process outsourcing services are designed to assist employers to be compliant with PRC 
regulations and policies that continually change. Changes in regulations could affect the extent and type of benefits employers are 
required to provide employees and the procedures, processes and documentation required by local government authorities to 
administer these benefits. Such changes could reduce or eliminate the need for some of our services. New or additional requirements 
could also increase our cost to provide our services. For example, effective March 1, 2014, the Interim Provisions on Labor Dispatch, 
which was promulgated by the PRC Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, or the MHRSS, clarified the use of the labor 
dispatch employment model, required revisions to the content in labor dispatch contracts and instituted a 10% maximum limit of labor 
dispatch employees to total workforce for companies in China. As a result of this regulation, we undertook adjustments to our 
operating systems, processes and procedures, which slowed new customer rollout of our business process outsourcing services. Any 
failure by us to be updated and knowledgeable on regulatory changes and to inform, educate and assist our clients regarding new or 
revised regulations that impact them could materially damage our brand and reputation. In addition, any failure by us to modify our 
business process outsourcing services in a timely fashion in response to regulatory changes could materially and adversely affect our 
results of operations.

In addition, since the PRC Labor Contract Law became effective, we have observed an increase in the number of labor disputes 

between employers and workers relating to its interpretation and application. The resolution of such labor disputes may require 
significant costs and resources, including the time our personnel spend dealing with increased human resource administration and 
legal issues for which we may not be compensated. If we incur higher operating costs for our business process outsourcing business, 
our results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.

We may face greater risks of doubtful receivables as our business process outsourcing operations grow.

In providing our business process outsourcing services to enterprises, due to the difference in timing between cash receipts and 
remittances, we may receive from time to time short-term deposits and advances in client funds and/or make short-term prepayments 
on behalf of our customers to be reimbursed to us. As our business process outsourcing operations have grown, our receivables have 
increased. We cannot assure you that we will be able to collect payment or reimbursement fully, or in a timely manner, on receivables 
from our business processing outsourcing services customers. As a result, we may face a greater risk of non-payment of these 
receivables, and as our business process outsourcing operations increase in scale, we may need to make increased provisions for 
doubtful accounts. If we are unable to successfully manage our receivables, our results of operations and financial condition may be 
materially and adversely affected.

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We are subject to potential legal liability from both employers and job seekers with respect to our other human resource 
related services, in particular our executive search and business process outsourcing businesses.

We are exposed to potential claims associated with the recruitment process, including claims by clients seeking to hold us liable 

for recommending a candidate who subsequently proves to be unsuitable for the position filled, claims by current or previous 
employers of our candidates alleging interference with employment contracts, claims by candidates against us alleging our failure to 
maintain the confidentiality of their employment search or alleging discrimination or other violations of employment law or other laws 
or regulations by our clients, and claims by either employers or their employees alleging the failure of our business process 
outsourcing services to comply with laws or regulations relating to employment, employee’s insurance or benefits, individual income 
taxes or other matters. Any such claims, regardless of merit, may force us to participate in time-consuming, costly litigation or 
investigation, divert significant management and staff attention, and damage our reputation and brand names. We do not maintain 
insurance coverage for liabilities arising from claims by employers, employees, candidates or third parties.

If we are not able to respond successfully to technological or industry developments, our business may be materially and 
adversely affected.

The market for online products and services is characterized by rapid technological developments, frequent launches of new 

products and services, introductions of new business models, changes in customer needs and behavior, and evolving industry 
standards. If we fail to adapt our products to these developments, our existing online recruitment services may become less 
competitive or obsolete. For example, the number of people accessing the Internet through mobile devices, including smartphones, 
tablets and other hand-held devices, has increased in recent years, and we expect this trend to continue as more advanced mobile 
communications technologies are broadly implemented. In order to respond to new developments, we may be required to undertake 
substantial efforts and incur significant costs. In the event that we do not successfully respond to such developments in a timely and 
cost-effective manner, our business may be materially and adversely affected.

Due to seasonal variations in demand for human resource services, we experience material fluctuations in our revenue 
streams which affect our ability to predict our quarterly results and which may also cause quarterly results to vary from 
period to period.

We experience material fluctuations in our revenue streams which affect our ability to predict quarterly results. For example, in 

the periods following the Chinese New Year holiday in the first quarter and the National Day holiday in October, we historically 
experience an increase in recruitment activity. During these peak periods, demand for recruitment advertising and other human 
resource related services may or may not rise significantly depending on the needs of employers as well as their perceptions of the job 
market. In addition, the Chinese New Year holiday is based on the lunar calendar, which varies from year to year and affects our first 
quarter results and their comparability to financial results of the same quarter in prior years. We have usually observed seasonal 
campus recruitment activity by employers in the fourth quarter of each year but also a general slowdown in overall recruitment 
activity at calendar year end. Due to these factors, our revenues may vary materially from quarter to quarter and quarterly results may 
not be comparable to the corresponding periods of prior years. Such uncertainty makes it difficult for us to predict revenues for a 
particular quarter. Therefore, actual results may differ significantly from our targets or estimated quarterly results, which could cause 
the price of our ADSs to fall.

We are dependent on our Internet service providers, and we are vulnerable to failures of the Internet, fixed line 
telecommunications networks in China and our technology platform.

Our online businesses, including the development of our websites and mobile applications, are heavily dependent on the 

performance and reliability of China’s Internet infrastructure, the continual accessibility of bandwidth and servers to our service 
providers’ networks, and the continuing performance, reliability and availability of our technology platform. The Internet 
infrastructure in China may not support the demands associated with continued growth in Internet use.

Almost all access to the Internet is maintained through state-owned telecommunications operators under the administrative 
control and regulatory supervision of the PRC Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, or the MIIT. In addition, the national 
networks in China connect to the Internet through a government-controlled international gateway. This international gateway is the 
only channel through which a domestic user can connect to the international Internet network.

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We rely on a limited number of telecommunications service providers to provide us with data communications capacity through 

local telecommunications lines and data centers to host our servers. We are unlikely to have any access to alternative networks or 
services in the event of disruptions, failures or other problems with China’s Internet infrastructure or the fixed line 
telecommunications networks provided by the telecommunications service providers. In addition, we have no control over the costs of 
the services provided by the telecommunications service providers. If they fail to provide these services, we would be required to seek 
other providers, and there is no assurance that we will be able to find alternative providers willing or able to provide high quality 
services and there is no assurance that such providers will not charge us higher prices for their services. If the prices that we are 
required to pay for Internet services rise significantly, our results of operations could be adversely affected.

If we are unable to protect or promote our brand names and reputation, our business may be materially and adversely 
affected.

If we fail to generate a high volume of recruitment advertisements, successfully promote and develop the perception of our 
websites and mobile applications as leading recruitment platforms, undertake effective marketing and promotional activities, and 
generally provide high quality services, we may not be successful in protecting or promoting our brand names and reputation in a cost-
effective manner or at all. In addition, if job seeker profiles or recruitment advertisements on our websites and mobile applications are 
found to contain inaccurate or false information, the value proposition of our websites and mobile applications as leading online 
recruitment platforms may be weakened. Furthermore, we may be subject to claims by individuals and customers seeking to hold us 
liable for such inaccurate or false information. Any claims, regardless of merit, may force us to participate in time-consuming, costly 
litigation or investigation, divert significant management and staff attention, and damage our reputation and brand names. We may 
dedicate significantly greater resources in the future to advertising, marketing and other promotional efforts aimed at building 
awareness of our brands. Any significant damage to our reputation, the perceived quality or awareness of our brand names or services, 
or any significant failure on our part to promote and protect our brand names and reputation could make it more difficult for us to 
successfully attract job seekers, compete for customers or retain qualified personnel, which may have a material adverse effect on our 
business.

If we are unable to prevent others from using our intellectual property, our business may be materially and adversely affected.

Our intellectual property has been, and will continue to be, subject to various forms of theft and misappropriation. Competitors 

copy and distribute content from our websites and from the training materials that we use, and utilize misleadingly similar Internet 
domain names and URLs in an effort to divert Internet traffic away from our websites. We are also susceptible to others copying our 
business model and methods. The legal protection of trademarks, trade names, copyrighted material, domain names, trade secrets, 
know-how and other forms of intellectual property in the PRC is significantly more limited than in the United States and many other 
countries and may afford us little or no effective protection. Preventing unauthorized use of our intellectual property is difficult, time 
consuming and expensive. Misappropriation of our content, trademarks and other intellectual property could divert significant 
business to our competitors, damage our brand names and reputation, and require us to initiate litigation that could be expensive and 
divert management resources from the operation of our businesses.

We rely heavily on our senior management team and key personnel, and the loss of any of their services could severely 
disrupt our business.

Our future success is highly dependent on the ongoing efforts of the members of our senior management and key personnel, in 

particular on Rick Yan, our chief executive officer. We rely heavily on his management skills and his expertise in consumer products, 
marketing and technology. We do not maintain key man life insurance on any of our senior management or key personnel. The loss of 
the services of one or more of our senior executives or key personnel, Mr. Yan in particular, may have a material adverse effect on our 
business, financial condition and results of operations. Competition for senior management and key personnel is intense, and the pool 
of suitable candidates is very limited, and we may not be able to retain the services of our senior executives or key personnel, or attract 
and retain senior executives or key personnel in the future.

In addition, if Mr. Yan, any other members of our senior management or any of our other key personnel joins a competitor or 

forms a competing company, we may not be able to replace them easily and we may lose customers, business partners, key 
professionals and staff members. Each of our senior executives has entered into an employment agreement with us, which contains 
confidentiality and non-competition provisions. In the event of a dispute between any of our senior executives and us, we cannot 
assure you as to the extent, if any, that these provisions may be enforceable in the PRC due to uncertainties involving the PRC legal 
system.

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If we are unable to attract and retain qualified personnel, our business process outsourcing, training and executive search 
businesses may be materially and adversely affected.

The success of our business process outsourcing, training and executive search services depends heavily on our ability to attract 

and retain skilled personnel. Our business of performing traditional human resource department functions such as payroll, benefits and 
compliance management and related services for customers on an outsourced basis depends on having personnel with expertise in 
local and national PRC government employment regulations, payroll management and other human resource department functions. 
The success of our training business depends on personnel with the necessary skills to conduct and support our training seminars and 
other activities and services in this business. Similarly, our ability to provide high quality executive search services depends on a 
dedicated team of consultants with expertise and relationships in the geographic markets and industries in which our clients seek 
candidates. If we are unable to attract and retain critical skilled personnel, our business process outsourcing, training and executive 
search businesses may be materially and adversely affected.

If we are unable to successfully detect and prevent criminal actions or fraud perpetrated on us, we may be subject to liability 
and financial loss.

The management of our business process outsourcing services involves the collection of payments from our customers and the 

disbursement of funds on their behalf by our employees and agents. As a result, we are exposed to theft, embezzlement and other 
criminal and fraudulent activity by our employees, our agents and third parties. If we are unable to successfully detect and prevent 
criminal or fraudulent activity, our results of operations and financial condition may be materially and adversely affected.

Our business may suffer if we do not successfully manage our current and potential future growth.

We have grown significantly since we commenced operations in 1998, and we intend to continue to expand in size and increase 

the number of services we provide. Our anticipated future growth will place demands on our management and operations. Our success 
in managing this growth will depend to a significant degree on the ability of our executive officers and other members of senior 
management to operate effectively both independently and as a group, and on our ability to improve and develop our financial and 
management information systems, controls and procedures. In addition, we will have to successfully adapt our existing systems and 
introduce new systems, expand, train and manage our workforce, and improve and expand our sales and marketing capabilities. If we 
are unable to properly manage our operations or our services in existing markets, or the quality of our services deteriorates due to 
mismanagement, we could significantly damage our brand names and reputation, which would adversely affect our ability to expand 
our customer base.

Because we operate in a new and evolving market, our operating history may not serve as an adequate basis to judge our 
future prospects and results of operations.

As we operate in a new and rapidly evolving market, we cannot assure you that we will maintain our profitability or that we will 

not incur net losses in the future. We expect that our operating expenses will increase as we expand in size and increase the scope of 
services we provide. Any significant delay or failure to realize anticipated revenue growth could result in significant operating losses. 
We may encounter risks and difficulties including our potential failure to:

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implement our business model and strategy and adapt and modify them as needed;
increase awareness of our brands, protect our reputation and develop customer loyalty;
anticipate with any degree of certainty the behavioral and operational changes of our customers that have a significant 
impact on our business from time to time as they respond to evolving social, economic, regulatory and political changes in 
China;
manage our expanding operations and service offerings, including the integration of any acquisitions;
maintain adequate control of our expenses;
adequately and efficiently operate, maintain, upgrade and develop our websites, mobile applications and the other systems 
and equipment we utilize in providing our services;
attract, retain and motivate qualified personnel; and
anticipate and adapt to changing conditions in the human resource, online and other markets in which we operate as well as 
the impact of any changes in government regulation, mergers and acquisitions involving our competitors, technological 
developments and other significant competitive and market dynamics.

If we are not successful in addressing any or all of these risks, our business may be materially and adversely affected.

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We may not be able to successfully execute future acquisitions or efficiently manage any acquired business.

As part of our business expansion strategy, we may pursue acquisitions or investments in certain complementary or new 
businesses. For example, we acquired Yingjiesheng.com, an established online recruitment website which focuses on college 
graduates and students in China, in April 2015. The success of any acquisition will depend upon several factors, including:

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our ability to identify and acquire businesses on a cost-effective basis;
our ability to integrate acquired personnel, operations, products and technologies into our organization effectively; and
our ability to retain and motivate key personnel and to retain the clients of acquired firms.

Any such acquisition may require a significant commitment of management time, capital investment and other resources. If we 

are unable to effectively integrate an acquired business or are required to incur restructuring and other charges to complete an 
acquisition, 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, we may dilute the value of your ADSs.

If we choose to develop or introduce new products and services outside of the human resource services industry in China, 
these efforts may not be successful, which could materially and adversely affect our financial condition and results of 
operations.

To leverage our large sales force, corporate customer base and brand names, we may expand the scope of services we provide 

and develop, introduce or invest in new products outside of the human resource services industry to increase our revenues. However, 
these efforts may not be successful. For example, our investment in a coupon advertising services company resulted in a loss from 
impairment of RMB15.1 million, the total amount of our investment, in 2011. In the future, if we again choose to pursue products and 
services outside of the human resource services industry in China, we cannot assure you that we will be able to do so on a 
commercially viable basis or in a timely manner, or at all. Any of our efforts to begin or operate a business outside of the human 
resource services industry that are not successful may materially and adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.

We may be subject to liability for placing advertisements with content that is deemed inappropriate.

PRC laws and regulations, such as the PRC Advertising Law which became effective on February 1, 1995 and its amendment 
which became effective on September 1, 2015 and the Interim Measures for the Administration of Online Advertising promulgated by 
the PRC State Administration for Industry and Commerce, or the SAIC, which became effective on September 1, 2016, prohibit 
advertising companies from producing, distributing or publishing any advertisement that contains any content that violates laws and 
regulations, impairs the national dignity of the PRC, infringes upon personal and property safety, discloses privacy or state secrets, 
harms the physical and mental health of minors or the disabled, involves designs of the national flag, national emblem or national 
anthem or the music of the national anthem of the PRC, is reactionary, obscene, superstitious or absurd, is fraudulent, or disparages 
similar products. Advertisers, advertising companies and advertisement publishers are also required to distinguish online 
advertisement by the mark of “AD,” obtain an user’s prior consent before sending online advertisement, verify the content of online 
advertisement and properly display online advertisement. If we are deemed to be in violation of such laws and regulations, we may be 
subject to penalties including confiscation of the illegal revenues, levying of fines and suspension or revocation of our business 
license, any of which may materially and adversely affect our business.

We may be exposed to infringement or misappropriation claims by third parties, which, if successful, could cause us to pay 
significant damage awards.

Third parties may bring claims against us alleging patent, trademark or copyright infringement, or misappropriation of their 
creative ideas or formats, or other infringement of their proprietary intellectual property rights. Any such claims, regardless of merit, 
may involve us in time-consuming, costly litigation or investigation, divert significant management and staff attention, require us to 
enter into expensive royalty or licensing arrangements, prevent us from using important technologies, business methods, content or 
other intellectual property, result in monetary liability, or otherwise disrupt our operations.

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We rely heavily on our information systems, and any failure to properly protect privacy and to maintain and secure our 
systems could seriously damage our reputation, disrupt our operations and harm our business.

The PRC Constitution states that PRC laws protect the freedom and privacy of communications of citizens and prohibit 
infringement of such basic rights, and the PRC Contract Law prohibits contracting parties from disclosing or misusing the trade 
secrets of the other party. Further, companies or their employees who illegally trade or disclose customer data may face criminal 
charges.

The Internet industry is facing significant challenges regarding information security and privacy. Certain data and services 
collected, provided or used by us in our systems or provided to and used by us, our partners, our customers or our job seekers contain 
confidential and private information, such as names, user IDs and passwords and payment or transaction related information. Our 
ability to store, retrieve, process, manage and protect substantial amounts of data and information, including our client and candidate 
databases, is an important part of our operations and a critical component of our success.

In recent years, PRC government authorities have enacted legislation on Internet use to protect personal information from 
unauthorized disclosure. In December 2012 and July 2013, the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress and the MIIT 
issued new laws and regulations to enhance the legal protection of information security and privacy on the Internet, and also require 
Internet operators to take measures to ensure confidentiality of user information. The PRC Counter-Terrorism Law, which became 
effective on January 1, 2016, requires Internet service providers to prevent the dissemination of information containing terrorist or 
extremist content and conduct identity verification of individuals. The PRC Cyber Security Law, which was promulgated on 
November 7, 2016 and will become effective on June 1, 2017, further requires Internet product and service providers to take proper 
measures to protect Internet security and the personal information of users.

While we strive to comply with all relevant data protection laws and regulations, any failure or perceived failure to comply may 

result in proceedings or actions against us by government entities or others, and could damage our reputation. Concerns about our 
practices and systems with regard to the collection, use, disclosure, or security of personal information or other privacy related 
matters, and any negative publicity on our information safety or privacy protection mechanism and policy, even if unfounded, could 
adversely affect our business. We must further develop and enhance our information systems to compete effectively and ensure our 
compliance with relevant laws and regulations, which may require significant staff and financial resources. If our online platforms, 
including our websites and mobile applications, and our other products and systems are not properly maintained and secured, our 
operations could be seriously disrupted and our business significantly harmed.

Hacking and computer viruses may cause delays or interruptions on our systems and may reduce use of our services and 
damage our reputation and brand names.

Hacking and computer viruses may cause delays or other service interruptions on our systems. Hacking involves efforts to gain 
unauthorized access to information or systems or to cause intentional malfunctions, loss or corruption of data, software, hardware or 
other computer equipment. In addition, the inadvertent transmission of computer viruses could expose us to a material risk of loss or 
litigation and possible liability. Hacking and computer viruses could result in significant damage to our hardware and software 
systems and databases, disruptions to our business activities, including to our e-mail and other communications systems, breaches of 
security and the inadvertent disclosure of confidential or sensitive information, interruptions in access to our websites through the use 
of “denial of service” or similar attacks, and other material adverse effects on our operations. Although to date we have not been 
subject to significant targeted disruptions or hacking, and our websites and mobile applications have not gone off-line or been shut 
down for any significant period of time, we may incur significant costs to continue to protect our systems and equipment against the 
threat of, and to repair any damage caused by, hacking and computer viruses. Moreover, if hacking or a computer virus affects our 
systems and is highly publicized, our reputation and brand names could be materially damaged and use of our services may decrease.

If we do not appropriately maintain effective internal control over financial reporting in accordance with Section 404 of the 
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, our business, results of operations and the market price of our ADSs may be materially and 
adversely affected.

We are subject to reporting obligations under the U.S. securities laws. The SEC, as required under Section 404 of the Sarbanes-

Oxley Act of 2002, adopted rules requiring every public company to include a management report on such company’s internal control 
over financial reporting in its annual report, which contains management’s assessment of the effectiveness of the company’s internal 
control over financial reporting. In addition, an independent registered public accounting firm must attest to and report on the 
effectiveness of the company’s internal control over financial reporting. Our management has concluded that our internal control over 
financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2016. See “Item 15. — Controls and Procedures.”

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However, if we fail to maintain effective internal control over financial reporting in the future, our management and our 

independent registered public accounting firm may not be able to conclude that we have effective internal control over financial 
reporting at a reasonable assurance level. This could in turn result in the loss of investor confidence in the reliability of our financial 
statements and negatively impact the trading price of our ADSs. Furthermore, we have incurred and may need to incur additional costs 
and use additional management and other resources in an effort to comply with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and other 
requirements going forward.

We have no business insurance coverage.

Other than insurance for some of our properties, we do not maintain any insurance. We do not have any business liability 

insurance coverage for our operations. Any business disruption, litigation or natural disaster might result in substantial costs and 
diversion of resources.

We face risks related to health epidemics and other natural disasters.

Our business could be adversely affected by the effects of avian flu, H1N1 flu, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, or SARS, or 

another epidemic or outbreak. Health or other government regulations adopted in response to an epidemic or other outbreaks may 
require temporary closure of our offices or institute restrictions on travel which could adversely affect our ability to provide services to 
our customers throughout China. In addition, our results of operations could be adversely affected to the extent that an epidemic or 
outbreak harms the Chinese economy in general. We have not adopted any written preventive measures or contingency plans to 
combat any future epidemic.

We are also vulnerable to natural disasters and other calamities. Our servers are hosted in Shanghai and Tianjin. We have backup 
systems, but we cannot assure you that such backup systems will be adequate if there are problems, or that they will adequately protect 
us from the effects of fire, floods, typhoons, earthquakes, power loss, telecommunications failures, break-ins, war, riots, terrorist acts 
or similar events. Any of the foregoing events may give rise to server interruptions, breakdowns, system failures, technology platform 
failures and Internet failures, which could cause the loss or corruption of data or malfunctions of software or hardware as well as 
adversely affect our ability to provide our services to users.

Risks Related to Our Corporate Structure

We are controlled by a small number of our existing shareholders, whose interests may differ from those of other 
shareholders, and our board of directors has the power to discourage a change of control.

As of February 28, 2017, the following shareholders beneficially owned 36.4 million common shares:

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Recruit Holdings Co., Ltd., or Recruit, a leading human resource and information services company in Japan listed on the 
Tokyo Stock Exchange, which beneficially owned 23.4 million common shares, or approximately 38.9% of our outstanding 
common shares, and which is affiliated with Kazumasa Watanabe, one of our directors; and

Rick Yan, our chief executive officer and a director, who beneficially owned 13.0 million common shares, or approximately 
21.4% of our outstanding common shares.

These shareholders, together with our other executive officers and directors, beneficially owned approximately 39.2 million 
common shares. Accordingly, Recruit or Mr. Yan individually could have significant influence in determining the outcome of any 
corporate transaction or other matter submitted to the shareholders for approval, including mergers, consolidations and the sale of all 
or substantially all of our assets, election of directors and other significant corporate actions. In cases where their interests are aligned 
and they vote together, these shareholders will also have the power to prevent or cause a change in control. Without the consent of 
some or all of these shareholders, we may be prevented from entering into transactions that could be beneficial to us. In addition, these 
parties could violate their director or employment agreements with us or otherwise violate their fiduciary duties by diverting business 
opportunities from us to themselves or others. The interests of our largest shareholders may differ from the interests of our other 
shareholders.

If the PRC authorities determine that our past ownership structure was inconsistent with the requirements for operating 
certain of our businesses, we could be subject to sanctions.

The PRC government has regulated foreign ownership in entities providing advertising and human resource related services. 

Prior to March 2004, PRC laws and regulations prohibited foreign persons from owning a controlling interest in advertising entities. 
This foreign ownership restriction has been relaxed and foreign persons are now permitted to wholly own advertising entities in China. 
Foreign ownership in entities providing human resource related services was limited to 49% beginning in November 2003, and this 
ownership limitation has been increased to 70% for human resource services companies registered in several locations in the PRC, 
such as Pudong New District in Shanghai since June 2006, Zhongguancun National Innovation Demonstration Zone in Beijing since 
September 2014, Nanjing since December 2014, and Suzhou since April 2015. For a discussion of the limitations on foreign 
ownership governing our businesses, see “Item 4. — Information on the Company — Business Overview — Regulation —
Limitations on Foreign Ownership of Our Businesses.”

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Prior to our restructuring in May 2004, 51net.com Inc., or 51net, our British Virgin Islands subsidiary and a foreign entity, 
owned 99% of Tech JV, which in turn owned, and continues to own, 80% of Shanghai Qianjin Advertising Co., Ltd., or AdCo. AdCo 
owned 90% of its principal subsidiaries. In May 2004, we restructured our operations to comply with then existing PRC laws and 
regulations governing foreign ownership in entities conducting advertising and human resource related services. We have not received 
any waiver from the PRC government with respect to this past non-compliance.

If we or any of our subsidiaries or affiliated entities were found to have been in violation of PRC laws or regulations governing 

foreign ownership of advertising or human resource services businesses and the proper operation of our businesses, the relevant 
regulatory authorities would likely have broad discretion in dealing with such violation, including but not limited to:

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levying fines;

revoking business licenses;

restricting or prohibiting our use of proceeds from any capital raisings to finance our business and operations in China;

requiring us to restructure the ownership structure or operations of our subsidiaries or affiliated entities; and/or

requiring us to discontinue all or a portion of our business.

Any of these or similar actions could cause significant disruption to our business operations or render us unable to conduct a 
substantial portion of our business operations and may materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of 
operations.

We rely on agreements with Qian Cheng, Run An and their respective shareholders to receive all of the beneficial interest of 
these entities. These contractual arrangements may not be as effective as direct ownership.

PRC laws and regulations currently limit foreign investment in entities providing human resource related services and in entities 

operating as Internet content providers. Tech JV and its subsidiaries recognize substantially all of our revenues. 50% of our equity 
interest in Tech JV is effectively held by Beijing Qian Cheng Si Jin Advertising Co., Ltd., or Qian Cheng, which is wholly owned by 
Beijing Run An Information Consultancy Co., Ltd., or Run An. Run An is jointly owned by David Weimin Jin and Tao Wang, two 
executive officers of our company. Through agreements with Qian Cheng, Run An and their respective shareholders, we have the 
substantial ability to control, bear all the economic risks of, and receive all the economic rewards from, Qian Cheng and Run An. As a 
result, we consolidate all of these interests for U.S. GAAP reporting purposes. For a description of these contractual arrangements, see 
“Item 7. — Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions — Related Party Transactions — Contractual Arrangements Among 
Our Group Entities.”

Although we have been advised by our PRC legal counsel, Jun He Law Offices, that the contractual arrangements as described in 

this annual report are valid, binding and enforceable under current PRC laws, these arrangements may not be as effective as direct 
ownership of these businesses. For example, Qian Cheng, Run An and their respective shareholders could violate their contractual 
arrangements with us by refusing to make payments or otherwise refusing to perform their obligations necessary for us to realize the 
economic rewards from Qian Cheng and Run An. In any such event, we will have to rely on the PRC legal system to enforce our 
rights, which could have uncertain results. Any legal proceeding may disrupt our business, damage our reputation, divert our resources 
and incur substantial costs. See “— Risks Related to Doing Business in China — The PRC legal system has inherent uncertainties that 
could materially and adversely affect us.”

If we are unable to enforce our rights, or if we suffer any significant delays or other obstacles in the process of enforcing these 

contractual arrangements, we may be unable to receive all of the economic rewards from Qian Cheng and Run An. If we are unable to 
consolidate Qian Cheng and Run An, and their equity interest in Tech JV, our results of operations would be materially reduced. In 
addition, a significant disruption in these contractual relationships as a result of governmental sanction or otherwise could result in our 
being required to restructure our operations which could require a significant expenditure of resources.

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The shareholders of our affiliated Chinese entities may have potential conflicts of interest with us, which may adversely affect 
our business.

The principal shareholders of our affiliated entity, Run An, are David Weimin Jin and Tao Wang, both of whom are long-time 

executive officers of our company, and our other affiliated entity, Qian Cheng, is wholly owned by Run An. Although Messrs. Jin and 
Wang are contractually obligated, or obligated as a result of their fiduciary duty to our company, to act in good faith and in our best 
interest, potential conflicts of interest between their duties to our company and our affiliated Chinese entities may arise. When 
conflicts of interest arise, Messrs. Jin and Wang may not act entirely in our interests and any such conflicts of interest may not be 
resolved in our favor. If we cannot resolve any conflict of interest or dispute between us and the shareholders of our affiliated entities, 
we would have to rely on legal proceedings, which could disrupt our business, incur significant costs, distract management and subject 
us to substantial uncertainty as to the outcome of any such legal proceedings. See “— Risks Related to Doing Business in China —
The PRC legal system has inherent uncertainties that could materially and adversely affect us.”

The PRC laws and regulations governing our business operations and contractual arrangements are uncertain, and if we are 
found to be in violation, we could be subject to sanctions. In addition, any changes in such PRC laws and regulations may 
have a material and adverse effect on our business.

There are substantial uncertainties regarding the interpretation and application of PRC laws and regulations, including but not 
limited to the laws and regulations governing our business, or the enforcement and performance of our contractual arrangements in the 
event of the imposition of statutory liens, death, bankruptcy and criminal proceedings. We and our subsidiaries are considered foreign 
persons or foreign funded enterprises under PRC laws, and, as a result, we are required to comply with PRC laws and regulations, 
including those governing foreign ownership in the human resource services and Internet content industries. These laws and 
regulations may be subject to future changes, and their official interpretation and enforcement may involve substantial uncertainty. 
The effectiveness of newly enacted laws, regulations or amendments may be delayed, resulting in detrimental reliance by foreign 
investors. New laws and regulations that affect existing and proposed future businesses may also be applied retroactively. Licenses, 
permits and beneficial treatments issued or granted to us by relevant governmental bodies may be revoked at a later time under 
contrary findings of higher regulatory bodies. We cannot predict what effect the interpretation of existing or new PRC laws or 
regulations may have on our businesses. As a result of these substantial uncertainties, we cannot assure you that we will not be found 
in violation of any existing or future PRC laws or regulations.

According to PRC laws, trademark license agreements are required to be filed with the Trademark Office of the SAIC for the 
record. Under a trademark license agreement dated as of August 15, 2000, and supplemented and amended as of August 15, 2005 and 
August 15, 2010, WFOE has granted to Tech JV the right to use certain trademarks in the PRC. The trademark license agreement has 
not been filed with the Trademark Office of the SAIC, and as such it may not be enforceable against bona fide third parties until 
completion of such registration.

In or around September 2011, various media sources reported that the China Securities Regulatory Commission, or the CSRC, 
had prepared a report proposing regulating the use of variable interest entity, or VIE, structures or contractual arrangements, such as 
ours, in industry sectors subject to foreign investment restrictions in China and overseas listings by PRC-based companies. However, 
it is unclear whether the CSRC officially issued or submitted such a report to a higher level government authority or what any such 
report provides, or whether any new PRC laws or regulations relating to variable interest entity structures will be adopted or if 
adopted, what they would provide.

On January 19, 2015, the PRC Ministry of Commerce, or the MOFCOM, published the draft Foreign Investment Law, or the 
Draft FIL, on its official website for public review and comment. Among other things, the Draft FIL expands the definition of foreign 
investment and introduces the principle of “actual control” in determining whether a domestic enterprise is considered a foreign-
invested enterprise. In addition to control through direct or indirect ownership or equity, the Draft FIL includes control through 
contractual arrangements within the definition of “actual control.” Under the Draft FIL, variable interest entities would be deemed as 
foreign-invested enterprises, if they are ultimately “controlled” by foreign investors, and may not be allowed, or may be subject to 
foreign investment restrictions and prohibitions. However, the Draft FIL has not taken a position on what actions will be taken with 
respect to the existing companies with a variable interest entity structure, whether or not these companies are controlled by PRC 
citizens/entities. The Draft FIL has no immediate legal effect and it is unclear whether, when and how the legislative progress will 
proceed. If enacted as proposed, the Draft FIL may materially impact our corporate structure and increase our compliance costs.

On September 3, 2016, the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress passed a decision in connection with the 
revision of the Wholly Foreign Owned Enterprise Law and three other laws, which were implemented on October 1, 2016. According 
to this decision, formation of a foreign-invested enterprise in a sector not subject to special entry administrative measures will be 
simplified by requiring only a government filing instead of a government approval. The special entry administrative measures will be 
separately promulgated by the PRC State Council, or the State Council. Subsequently, on October 8, 2016, the MOFCOM published 
the Provisional Administrative Measures on Record Filing for Establishment and Alteration of Foreign-Invested Enterprises, or the 
Provisional Measures, which aims to implement and elaborate upon the filing requirements, procedures, supervision and other related 
matters for foreign-invested enterprises in sectors not subject to special entry administrative measures. According to an interpretation 
of the Provisional Measures published by the MOFCOM on October 8, 2016, foreign investments that are in the prohibited, restricted 
or encouraged industries and that are subject to the equity and senior management restrictions set forth in the Foreign Investment 
Industry Guidance Catalogue (2015) will continue to be subject to government approvals regardless of the investment amount or 
method.

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Although we believe our business operations and contractual arrangements are in compliance with current PRC regulations, if we 

or any of our subsidiaries or affiliated entities or any of our contractual arrangements are found to be or to have been in violation of 
any existing or future PRC laws or regulations, the relevant regulatory authorities would likely have broad discretion in dealing with 
such violation, including but not limited to:

(cid:120)

(cid:120)

(cid:120)

(cid:120)

(cid:120)

levying fines;

revoking business licenses;

restricting or prohibiting our use of proceeds from any capital raisings to finance our business and operations in China;

requiring us to restructure the ownership structure or operations of our subsidiaries or affiliated entities; and/or

requiring us to discontinue all or a portion our business.

Any of these or similar actions could cause significant disruption to our business operations or render us unable to conduct a 
substantial portion of our business operations and may materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of 
operations.

We are unable to quantify the likelihood that any sanctions would be imposed or the magnitude of the effect of any such 

sanctions on our business, financial condition or results of operations.

Our subsidiaries face limitations on paying dividends or making other distributions to us.

We are a holding company and rely substantially on dividends, royalty payments and license fees paid under trademark license 
agreements and certain other contractual arrangements paid to us by our subsidiaries and affiliated entities in the PRC to finance our 
operations and to pay dividends to our shareholders. These royalty payments and license fees paid under trademark license agreements 
and certain other contractual arrangements do not require governmental or other third party approval. However, the payment of 
dividends in China is subject to certain restrictions and taxes. PRC regulations currently permit payment of dividends only out of 
accumulated profits as determined in accordance with PRC accounting standards and regulations.

Our subsidiaries and affiliated entities in the PRC are also required to set aside a portion of their after-tax profits according to 
PRC accounting standards and regulations to fund certain reserve funds that are not distributable as cash dividends. In addition, the 
PRC government imposes controls on the convertibility of the Renminbi into foreign currencies and, in certain cases, the remittance of 
currency out of the PRC, and such controls appear more stringent recently. We may also experience difficulties in completing the 
administrative procedures necessary to obtain and remit foreign currency. See “Item 4. — Information on the Company — Business 
Overview — Regulation — Regulations Relating to Foreign Currency Exchange” and “— Regulations Relating to Dividend 
Distribution.” If we or any of our subsidiaries are unable to receive all of the revenues from our operations through these contractual 
or dividend arrangements, we may be unable to effectively finance our operations or pay dividends on our common shares.

Risks Related to Doing Business in China

Our business could be affected by changes in China’s economic, political, regulatory or social conditions or government 
policies.

The PRC economy differs from the economies of most developed countries in many respects, including the amount of 

government involvement, level of development, growth rate, control of foreign exchange and allocation of resources. While the PRC 
economy has experienced significant growth over the past decades, growth has been uneven, both geographically and among various 
sectors of the economy. We cannot assure you that the Chinese economy will continue to grow, or that if there is growth, such growth 
will be steady and uniform, or that if there is a slowdown, such slowdown will not have a negative effect on our business. We cannot 
assure you that the various macroeconomic measures and monetary policies adopted by the PRC government to guide economic 
growth and the allocation of resources will be effective in sustaining the fast growth rate of the Chinese economy. In addition, even if 
these measures benefit the overall Chinese economy, they may impact the hiring behavior of employers and reduce the level of 
expenditures on human resource services, which would adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition. The PRC 
government could determine to develop and support government owned or controlled human resource enterprises in direct competition 
with us. The PRC government could also determine to more closely regulate the telecommunications, Internet or human resource 
industries, which could impose additional regulatory costs and burdens on us.

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PRC laws and regulations governing operators of Internet websites are unclear and the regulation of the telecommunications 
and Internet industries may become more burdensome, and if we are found to be in violation of PRC laws and regulations, we 
could be subject to sanctions.

The interpretation and application of existing and future PRC laws and regulations and the stated positions of the main governing 

authority, the MIIT, have created significant uncertainty regarding the legality of existing and future foreign investments in, and the 
businesses and activities of, companies with Internet operations, including those of our company. In particular, the MIIT has stated 
that the activities of Internet content providers are subject to regulation by various PRC government authorities, depending on the 
specific activities conducted by the Internet content provider. In addition, PRC government regulation of the telecommunications and 
Internet industries is burdensome and may become even more so. New regulations could increase our costs of doing business and 
prevent us from efficiently delivering our services. Our failure to comply with applicable PRC Internet regulations could subject us to 
severe sanctions.

In July 2006, the MIIT issued the Notice on Strengthening the Administration of Foreign Investment in the Operation of Value-

Added Telecommunications Business, or the MIIT Notice. According to the MIIT Notice, foreign investors can only operate a 
telecommunications business in China by establishing a telecommunications enterprise with a valid telecommunications business 
operation license. Domestic value-added telecommunications services license holders are prohibited from leasing, transferring or 
selling telecommunications business operation licenses to foreign investors in any form, and from providing any resource, sites or 
facilities to foreign investors to facilitate the illegal operation of a telecommunications business in China. The MIIT Notice also 
requires that value-added telecommunications services license holders (including their shareholders) directly own the domain names 
and registered trademarks used by such value-added telecommunications services license holders in their daily operations. The MIIT 
Notice further requires each value-added telecommunications services license holder to have the necessary facilities for its approved 
business operations and to maintain such facilities in the regions covered by its license. Tech JV, our operating entity which provides 
online recruitment services, has obtained a value-added telecommunications business operation license permitting it to provide 
information service via the Internet and mobile networks. However, we cannot assure you that relevant government authorities will 
not adopt new laws or regulations in the future which may be burdensome on our business or cause substantial compliance costs to us, 
nor can we assure you that we will always be able to comply with such laws and regulations.

The PRC legal system has inherent uncertainties that could materially and adversely affect us.

The PRC legal system is based upon written statutes. Prior court decisions may be cited for reference but are not binding on 
subsequent cases and have limited value as precedents. Since 1979, the PRC legislative bodies have promulgated laws and regulations 
dealing with economic matters such as foreign investment, corporate organization and governance, commerce, taxation and trade. The 
overall effect of legislation over the past three decades has significantly increased the protections afforded to various forms of foreign 
or private-sector investment in China. However, since these laws and regulations are relatively new and the PRC legal system 
continues to rapidly evolve, the interpretations of many laws, regulations and rules are not always uniform and enforcement of these 
laws, regulations and rules involve uncertainties. In addition, the PRC legal system is based in part on government policies and 
internal rules (some of which are not published in a timely manner or at all) that may have retroactive effect. As a result, we may be 
unaware of our violation of these policies and rules until some time later. Our contractual arrangements with our affiliated entities are 
governed by the laws of the PRC. The enforcement of these contracts and the interpretation of the laws governing these relationships 
is subject to uncertainty. See “— Risks Related to Our Corporate Structure — The PRC laws and regulations governing our business 
operations and contractual arrangements are uncertain, and if we are found to be in violation, we could be subject to sanctions.”

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There are significant uncertainties under the tax law in China and our results of operations could be materially and adversely 
affected if we are unable to maintain certain tax statuses. In addition, dividends we receive from our subsidiaries located in 
the PRC are subject to PRC withholding tax.

The PRC Enterprise Income Tax Law, or the EIT Law, which became effective on January 1, 2008 and was amended on 

February 24, 2017, applies a uniform 25% enterprise income tax, or EIT, rate to both foreign-invested enterprises and domestic 
enterprises. There are uncertainties on how the EIT Law and its implementation rules are enforced, and whether its future 
implementation may be consistent with its current interpretation.

In December 2009, our subsidiary, Tech JV, was designated by relevant local authorities in Shanghai as a “High and New 
Technology Enterprise,” or HNTE, under the EIT Law and became subject to a preferential tax rate of 15%. In 2015, its preferential 
tax status was renewed through 2017. Tech JV is entitled to this preferential 15% tax rate as long as it maintains the required 
qualifications, which is subject to review every three years. We cannot assure you that Tech JV will continue to qualify as a HNTE 
when it is subject to reevaluation in the future.

The PRC Ministry of Science and Technology, the PRC Ministry of Finance, or the MOF, and the PRC State Administration of 

Taxation, or the SAT, jointly issued the Revised Measure for Certification of High and New Technology Enterprise, or Circular 32, 
which replaces current rules to provide clarifications on the new assessment criteria and administrative matters as well as the 
afterwards supervision of HNTEs. Circular 32 became effective on January 1, 2016. Highlights of the new rules include: 
(1) expanding the high and new technology areas; (2) adjusting certain assessment criteria and retaining the implicit requirement for 
enterprises to manage their HNTE qualifications systematically; and (3) simplifying the assessment procedure to facilitate application 
process and establishing an administrative mechanism of selective examination and key examination. However, there has been no 
detailed working guidance so far about the administrative procedures for HNTE assessment under the new rules. If Tech JV does not 
maintain its status as a HNTE and the EIT rates of our PRC subsidiaries increase, our financial condition and results of operations 
could be materially and adversely affected.

Under the EIT Law and related regulations, dividends, interests, rent or royalties payable by a foreign-invested enterprise, such 

as our PRC subsidiaries, to any of its foreign non-resident enterprise investors shall be subject to a 10% withholding tax, and proceeds 
from the disposition of assets (after deducting the net value of such assets as determined under PRC tax laws) by such foreign 
enterprise investor shall be subject to a 10% tax, unless such foreign enterprise investor’s jurisdiction of incorporation has a tax treaty 
with China that provides for a reduced rate of tax. We are incorporated in the Cayman Islands which does not have such a tax treaty 
with China. Undistributed profits earned by foreign-invested enterprises prior to January 1, 2008 are exempted from any withholding 
tax.

In 2012, the State Council instituted a business tax to value-added tax, or VAT, transformational pilot program in Shanghai. 

Under this program, industries subject to business tax were transitioned to VAT payers. As of May 1, 2016, the VAT program was 
expanded to cover all industries in the PRC. We have incurred an increase in tax payments under the VAT regime than under the 
business tax regime, which has reduced the amount of revenues we recognize. If further changes to PRC tax laws and regulations 
result in increased taxation, our financial condition and results of operations may be negatively impacted.

We may be deemed a PRC resident enterprise under the EIT Law, which could subject us to PRC taxation on our global 

income and may have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.

Under the EIT Law and its implementation rules, enterprises incorporated under the laws of jurisdictions outside China with their 

“de facto management bodies” located within China may be considered PRC resident enterprises and therefore subject to an EIT rate 
of 25% on their worldwide income. Under the implementation regulations issued by the State Council, relating to the EIT Law, “de 
facto management bodies” is defined as the bodies that have material and overall management control over the production and 
business operations, personnel, accounts and properties of an enterprise. The Circular on Identification of China-Controlled Overseas-
Registered Enterprises as Resident Enterprises on the Basis of Actual Management Organization, or Circular 82, further provides 
certain specific criteria for determining whether the “de facto management body” of a PRC-controlled offshore incorporated enterprise 
is located in the PRC. For more details about these criteria, please refer to “Item 10. — Additional Information — Taxation —
People’s Republic of China Taxation.” Although the Circular 82 only applies to offshore enterprises controlled by enterprises or an 
enterprise group located within the PRC, the determining criteria set forth in the Circular 82 may reflect the tax authorities’ general 
position on how the “de facto management body” test may be applied in determining the tax resident status of offshore enterprises. We 
are a Cayman Islands holding company and substantially all of our operational management is based in China. As the tax resident 
status of an enterprise is subject to the determination by the PRC tax authorities and uncertainties remain with respect to the 
interpretation of the term “de facto management body” as applicable to our offshore entities, we cannot assure you that we will not be 
considered as a PRC tax resident enterprise. If we are considered to be an enterprise established outside China with “de facto 
management bodies” located in China and thus a resident enterprise, we may be subject to the uniform 25% EIT rate as to our global 
income, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.

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We face uncertainty from the PRC’s Circular on Strengthening the Management of Enterprise Income Tax Collection of 

Income Derived by Non-Resident Enterprises from Equity Transfers.

The SAT issued the Circular on Strengthening the Management of Enterprise Income Tax Collection of Income Derived by Non-

Resident Enterprises from Equity Transfers, or Circular 698, in December 2009, which addresses the transfer of equity by non-PRC 
tax resident enterprises. Circular 698 became effective retroactively on January 1, 2008. Under Circular 698, where a non-resident 
enterprise transfers the equity interests of a PRC resident enterprise indirectly by disposition of the equity interests of an overseas 
holding company, or an Indirect Transfer, is required to report such Indirect Transfer to the PRC tax authority if the overseas holding 
company is located in a tax jurisdiction that has an effective tax rate of less than 12.5% or does not levy tax on such foreign-sourced 
capital gains of its residents. If the overseas holding company mainly serves as a tax avoidance vehicle and does not have any 
reasonable business purpose, the PRC in-charge tax authority may, upon verification of the SAT, disregard the overseas holding 
company and re-characterize the Indirect Transfer by referring to its economic essence, and as a result, the overseas controlling party 
may be subject to a 10% PRC tax for the capital gains realized from the Indirect Transfer.

On February 3, 2015, the SAT issued the Bulletin on Several Issues of Enterprise Income Tax on Income Arising from Indirect 

Transfers of Property by Non-Resident Enterprises, or Bulletin 7, which supersedes the existing tax rules in relation to Indirect 
Transfers, while the other provisions of Circular 698 remain in force. Bulletin 7 introduces a new tax regime that is significantly 
different from that under Circular 698. Bulletin 7 extends its tax jurisdiction to not only include Indirect Transfers as set forth under 
Circular 698 but also transactions involving the transfer of real property in China and the assets of an establishment or place situated 
in China, through the offshore transfer of a foreign intermediate holding company. Under Bulletin 7, if an Indirect Transfer is re-
characterized as direct transfer, the transaction will be subject to (i) 25% EIT rate on the gains derived from the transfer of the 
property of an establishment or place situated in China, or (ii) 10% EIT rate on the gains derived from the transfer of real property 
situated in China or equity interests in PRC resident enterprises, unless the applicable tax treaty provides otherwise. Moreover, 
Bulletin 7 provides clearer criteria than Circular 698 on how to assess reasonable commercial purposes and has introduced safe 
harbors for internal group restructurings and the purchase and sale of equity through a public securities market. However, Bulletin 7 
also brings challenges to both the foreign transferor and transferee of the Indirect Transfer as they are required to make a self-
assessment of whether the transaction should be subject to PRC tax and to file or withhold the PRC tax accordingly. Both the 
transferor and the transferee may be subject to penalties under PRC tax laws if the transferee fails to withhold the taxes and the 
transferor fails to pay the taxes.

We face uncertainties with respect to the reporting and consequences of private equity financing transactions, share exchange or 

other transactions involving the transfer of shares in our company by investors that are non-PRC resident enterprises, or sale or 
purchase of shares in other non-PRC resident companies or other taxable assets by us. The transferors and transferees may be subject 
to the tax filing and withholding or tax payment obligation, while our PRC subsidiaries may be requested to assist in the filing. 
Furthermore, we may be required to spend valuable resources to comply with Circular 698 and Bulletin 7, or to establish that we 
should not be taxed under Circular 698 and Bulletin 7, any of which could have an adverse effect on our financial condition and 
results of operations.

The PRC tax authorities have discretion under Circular 698 and Bulletin 7 to make adjustments to the taxable capital gains based 
on the difference between the fair value of the taxable assets transferred and cost of investment. We have made acquisitions in the past 
and may conduct additional acquisitions in the future. If the PRC tax authorities make adjustments to the taxable income of 
transactions under Circular 698 and Bulletin 7, our income tax costs associated with such potential acquisitions will increase, which 
may have an adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

PRC regulation of direct investment and loans by offshore holding companies to PRC entities may delay or limit us from 
making capital contributions or loans to our PRC subsidiaries.

Any capital contributions or loans that we, as an offshore entity, make to our PRC subsidiaries are subject to PRC regulations. 

For example, none of our loans to a PRC subsidiary can exceed the difference between its total amount of investment and its 
registered capital approved under relevant PRC laws, and the loans must be registered with the local branch of the PRC State 
Administration of Foreign Exchange, or the SAFE. Our capital contributions to our PRC subsidiaries must be approved by or filed 
with the MOFCOM or its local counterpart. We cannot assure you that we will be able to complete the necessary registration or obtain 
the necessary approval on a timely basis, or at all. If we fail to complete the necessary registration or obtain the necessary approval, 
our ability to make loans or equity contributions to our PRC subsidiaries may be negatively affected, which could adversely affect our 
PRC subsidiaries’ liquidity and their ability to fund their working capital and expansion projects and meet their obligations and 
commitments.

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If the chops of our PRC subsidiaries and affiliated entities are not kept safely, are stolen, or are misused or misappropriated 
by unauthorized persons, our business and operations could be materially and adversely affected.

In the PRC, a company chop or seal serves as the legal representation of the company to third parties even when unaccompanied 

by a signature. Each legally registered company in the PRC is required to have a company chop, which must be registered with the 
local public security bureau and the local administration for industry and commerce. In addition to this mandatory chop, companies 
may have several other chops which can be used for specific purposes. The chops of our PRC subsidiaries and affiliated entities are 
held securely by personnel designated or approved by us in accordance with our internal control procedures. To the extent these chops 
are not kept safely, are stolen, or are misused or misappropriated by unauthorized persons, the corporate governance of these entities 
could be severely and adversely compromised. As a result, these corporate entities may be bound to abide by the terms of any 
documents so chopped, even if they were chopped by an individual who lacked the requisite power and authority to do so, which may 
require us to take legal action, divert resources and management attention, and could materially and adversely affect our business and 
operations.

You may experience difficulties in effecting service of legal process, enforcing foreign judgments or bringing original actions 
in China based on United States or other foreign laws against us or our management.

We conduct substantially all of our operations in China and the majority of our assets are located in China. In addition, many of 

our directors and executive officers reside within China. As a result, it may not be possible to effect service of process within the 
United States or elsewhere outside China upon these directors or executive officers, including with respect to matters arising under 
U.S. federal securities laws or applicable state securities laws. Moreover, our PRC legal counsel has advised us that the PRC does not 
have treaties with the United States or many other countries providing for the reciprocal recognition and enforcement of judgment of 
courts.

Registered public accounting firms in China, including our independent registered public accounting firm, are not inspected 
by the U.S. Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, which deprives us and our investors of the benefits of such 
inspection.

Auditors of companies whose shares are registered with the SEC and traded publicly in the United States, including our 

independent registered public accounting firm, must be registered with the U.S. Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, or the 
PCAOB, and are required by the laws of the United States to undergo regular inspections by the PCAOB to assess their compliance 
with the laws of the United States and professional standards applicable to auditors. Our independent registered public accounting firm 
is located in, and organized under the laws of, the PRC, which is a jurisdiction where the PCAOB, notwithstanding the requirements 
of U.S. law, is currently unable to conduct inspections without the approval of the Chinese authorities. In May 2013, the PCAOB 
announced that it had entered into a Memorandum of Understanding on Enforcement Cooperation with the CSRC and the MOF, 
which establishes a cooperative framework between the parties for the production and exchange of audit documents relevant to 
investigations undertaken by the PCAOB, the CSRC or the MOF in the United States and the PRC, respectively. The PCAOB 
continues to be in discussions with the CSRC and the MOF to permit joint inspections in the PRC of audit firms that are registered 
with the PCAOB and audit Chinese companies that trade on U.S. exchanges.

This lack of PCAOB inspections in China prevents the PCAOB from fully evaluating audits and quality control procedures of 

our independent registered public accounting firm. As a result, we and investors in our ADSs are deprived of the benefits of such 
PCAOB inspections. The inability of the PCAOB to conduct inspections of auditors in China makes it more difficult to evaluate the 
effectiveness of our independent registered public accounting firm’s audit procedures or quality control procedures as compared to 
auditors outside of China that are subject to PCAOB inspections, which could cause investors and potential investors in our stock to 
lose confidence in our audit procedures and reported financial information and the quality of our financial statements.

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If additional remedial measures are imposed on the Big Four PRC-based accounting firms, including our independent 
registered public accounting firm, in administrative proceedings brought by the SEC alleging the firms’ failure to meet 
specific criteria set by the SEC, we could be unable to timely file future financial statements in compliance with the 
requirements of the Exchange Act.

In December 2012, the SEC instituted administrative proceedings against the Big Four PRC-based accounting firms, including 

our independent registered public accounting firm, alleging that these firms had violated U.S. securities laws and the SEC’s rules and 
regulations thereunder by failing to provide to the SEC the firms’ audit work papers with respect to certain PRC-based companies that 
are publicly traded in the United States. On January 22, 2014, the Administrative Law Judge, or ALJ, presiding over the matter 
rendered an initial decision that each of the firms had violated the SEC’s rules of practice by failing to produce audit work papers to 
the SEC. The initial decision censured each of the firms and barred them from practicing before the SEC for a period of six months. 
The Big Four PRC-based accounting firms appealed the ALJ’s initial decision to the SEC. The ALJ’s decision does not take effect 
unless and until it is endorsed by the SEC. In February 2015, each of the Big Four PRC-based accounting firms agreed to a censure 
and to pay a fine to the SEC to settle the dispute and avoid suspension of their ability to practice before the SEC and audit U.S.-listed 
companies. The settlement required the firms to follow detailed procedures and to seek to provide the SEC with access to Chinese 
firms’ audit documents via the CSRC. If future document productions fail to meet specified criteria, the SEC retains authority to 
impose a variety of additional remedial measures on the firms depending on the nature of the failure. While we cannot predict if the 
SEC will further review the Big Four PRC-based accounting firms’ compliance with specified criteria or if the results of such a review 
would result in the SEC imposing penalties such as suspensions or restarting the administrative proceedings, if the accounting firms 
are subject to additional remedial measures, our ability to file our financial statements in compliance with SEC requirements could be 
impacted. A determination that we have not timely filed financial statements in compliance with SEC requirements could ultimately 
lead to the delisting of our ADSs from the NASDAQ Global Select Market or the termination of the registration of our ADSs under 
the Exchange Act, or both, which would substantially reduce or effectively terminate the trading of our ADSs in the United States.

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

The PRC government imposes controls on the convertibility of the Renminbi into foreign currencies and, in certain cases, the 

remittance of currency out of China, and such controls appear to be more stringent recently. We receive substantially all of our 
revenues in Renminbi, which is currently not a freely convertible currency. Under our current structure, our income will be primarily 
derived from dividend payments from our PRC subsidiaries and other payments such as royalty and licensing fees. Shortages in the 
availability of foreign currency may restrict the ability of our PRC subsidiaries and our affiliated entities to remit sufficient foreign 
currency to pay dividends, royalty payments or other fees to us, or otherwise satisfy their foreign currency dominated obligations. 
Under existing PRC foreign exchange regulations, payments of current account items, including profit distributions, interest payments 
and expenditures from the transaction, can be made in foreign currencies without prior approval from the SAFE, by complying with 
certain procedural requirements. However, approval from appropriate governmental authorities is required where Renminbi is to be 
converted into foreign currency and remitted out of China to pay capital expenses such as the repayment of bank loans denominated in 
foreign currencies. The PRC government may also at its discretion restrict access in the future to foreign currencies for current 
account transactions. If the foreign exchange control system prevents us from obtaining sufficient foreign currency to satisfy our 
currency demands, we may not be able to pay dividends in foreign currencies to our shareholders, including holders of our ADSs.

The fluctuation of the Renminbi may materially and adversely affect your investment.

The value of the Renminbi against the U.S. dollar and other currencies may fluctuate and is affected by, among other things, 
changes in the PRC’s political and economic conditions. In July 2005, the PRC government changed its policy of pegging the value of 
the Renminbi to the U.S. dollar and permitted the Renminbi to fluctuate within a managed band against a basket of certain foreign 
currencies. The value of the Renminbi against the U.S. dollar decreased 2.5% in 2014, 4.4% in 2015 and 7.2% in 2016. Due to the 
U.S. dollar cash deposits we hold and our U.S. dollar-denominated convertible senior notes issued in 2014, we are exposed to foreign 
currency risks, and we recognized a gain from foreign currency translation of RMB10.0 million in 2014, a loss of RMB55.9 million in 
2015 and a gain of RMB0.2 million (US$0.03 million) in 2016. It is possible that the Chinese government could adopt a more flexible 
currency policy in the future, which could result in further and more significant revaluations of the Renminbi against the U.S. dollar or 
any other foreign currency. As a material portion of our assets and liabilities are denominated in U.S. dollars, any future revaluations 
of the Renminbi may result in charges to our consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income and significant changes 
in the values of these U.S. dollar-denominated assets and liabilities when translated into Renminbi.

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In addition, as we rely substantially on dividends, royalty payments and other fees paid to us in Renminbi by our subsidiaries and 

affiliated entities in the PRC, any significant downward revaluation of the Renminbi may materially and adversely affect our cash 
flows, revenues and financial condition, and the value of, and any dividends payable on, our ADSs in foreign currency terms. 
Conversely, if we decide to convert our Renminbi into U.S. dollars for the purpose of making payments for dividends on our common 
shares or for other business purposes and the U.S. dollar appreciates against the Renminbi, the U.S. dollar equivalent of the Renminbi 
we convert would be reduced. For further information on our foreign exchange risks and certain exchange rates, see “Item 3. — Key 
Information — Selected Financial Data — Exchange Rate Information” and “Item 11. — Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures 
about Market Risk — Foreign Exchange Risk.”

PRC regulations relating to offshore investment activities by PRC residents may increase our administrative burden and 
adversely impact our business and prospects. If our shareholders who are PRC residents fail to make any required 
registrations or filings under such regulations, we may be unable to distribute profits and may become subject to liability 
under PRC laws.

The SAFE promulgated the Notice on Issues Relating to the Administration of Foreign Exchange in Fund-Raising and Round-

Trip Investment Activities of Domestic Residents Conducted via Offshore Special Purpose Companies, or Circular 75, which became 
effective on November 1, 2005, requiring PRC residents to register with local branches of the SAFE before establishing or controlling 
any company outside of China for the purpose of raising funds from overseas to acquire or exchange the assets of, or acquiring equity 
interests in, PRC entities held by such PRC residents. On July 4, 2014, the SAFE promulgated the Circular on Relevant Issues 
Concerning Foreign Exchange Control on Domestic Residents’ Offshore Investment and Financing and Round-Trip Investment 
through Special Purpose Vehicles, or Circular 37, which superseded Circular 75. Circular 37 requires PRC residents to register with 
local branches of the SAFE in connection with their direct establishment or indirect control of an offshore entity, for the purpose of 
overseas investment and financing, with such PRC residents’ legally owned assets or equity interests in domestic enterprises or 
offshore assets or interests, referred to in Circular 37 as a “special purpose vehicle.” Circular 37 further requires amendment to the 
registration in the event of any significant changes with respect to the special purpose vehicle, such as increase or decrease of capital 
contributed by PRC individuals, share transfer or exchange, merger, division or other material event. In the event that a PRC 
shareholder holding interests in a special purpose vehicle fails to fulfill the required SAFE registration, the PRC subsidiaries of that 
special purpose vehicle may be prohibited from making profit distributions to the offshore parent and from carrying out subsequent 
cross-border foreign exchange activities, and the special purpose vehicle may be restricted in its ability to contribute additional capital 
into its PRC subsidiary. Moreover, failure to comply with the various SAFE registration requirements described above could result in 
liability under PRC law for evasion of foreign exchange controls. On February 13, 2015, the SAFE promulgated the Notice on Further 
Simplifying and Improving Foreign Exchange Administration Policy on Direct Investment, or Circular 13, which became effective on 
June 1, 2015. Pursuant to Circular 13, entities and individuals are required to apply for foreign exchange registration of foreign direct 
investment and overseas direct investment, including those required under the Circular 37, with qualified banks, instead of the SAFE. 
The qualified banks, under the supervision of the SAFE, will directly review the applications and process the registration.

We have notified beneficial owners of common shares of our company who we know are PRC residents of their filing obligation. 

However, we may not be aware of the identities of all of our beneficial owners who are PRC residents. We do not have control over 
our beneficial owners and cannot assure you that all of our PRC-resident beneficial owners have fully complied or will fully comply 
with Circular 37 and subsequent implementation rules. For example, we are not aware of available registration procedures for PRC 
residents that are non-PRC passport holders, which makes our beneficial owners who are foreign citizens residing in China currently 
unable to comply with these regulations. The failure or inability of our PRC-resident beneficial owners to comply with the registration 
procedures set forth therein may subject them to fines and legal sanctions and may also limit our ability to contribute additional capital 
into our PRC subsidiaries, limit our PRC subsidiaries’ ability to distribute profits to our company or otherwise adversely affect our 
business, financial condition and results of operations.

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Any failure to comply with PRC regulations regarding the registration requirements for employee stock incentive plans may 
subject the PRC plan participants or us to fines and other legal or administrative sanctions.

In March 2007, the 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, to 
regulate foreign exchange procedures for PRC individuals participating in employee stock holding and stock option plans of overseas 
companies. On February 15, 2012, the SAFE promulgated the Circular on Certain Foreign Exchange Issues Relating to Domestic 
Individuals’ Participation in Stock Incentive Plan of Overseas-Listed Company, or the New Stock Option Rule. Upon the 
effectiveness of the New Stock Option Rule on February 15, 2012, the Stock Option Rule became void, although the basic 
requirements and procedures provided under the Stock Option Rule are kept unchanged in the New Stock Option Rule. Directors, 
supervisors, the senior management and other employees of the domestic subsidiary of an overseas-listed company (which shall 
include companies and other subsidiaries directly or indirectly established or controlled by such overseas-listed company in China) 
participating in any stock incentive plan of the overseas-listed company who are PRC citizens or who are non-PRC citizens residing in 
China for a continuous period of not less than one year, subject to a few exceptions, are required to register with the SAFE through a 
domestic qualified agent, which could be a PRC subsidiary of such overseas-listed company, and complete certain other procedures. 
We and our PRC employees, directors and executive officers are subject to these regulations.

In addition, the SAT has issued circulars concerning employee share options. Under these circulars, individuals working in China 

who exercise share options will be subject to PRC individual income tax. We have obligations to file documents related to employee 
share options with relevant tax authorities and withhold the individual income taxes of employees who exercise their share options. If 
we or our PRC optionees fail to comply with these regulations, we or our PRC optionees may be subject to fines and other legal and 
administrative sanctions.

Risks Related to Our Common Shares and Our ADSs

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

The trading price of our ADSs has been and may continue to be subject to wide fluctuations in response to factors including the 

following:

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(cid:120)

(cid:120)

(cid:120)

(cid:120)

(cid:120)

actual or anticipated fluctuations in our quarterly operating results;

changes or revisions by us to previously released operating and financial targets;

announcements by us or our competitors of new services, significant acquisitions, strategic partnerships, joint ventures or 
capital commitments;

changes in financial estimates or recommendations by securities analysts;

conditions in our industry, which is the market for recruitment advertising services and other human resource related 
services in China;

additions or departures of key personnel;

fluctuations of exchanges rates between the Renminbi and U.S. dollar; and

pending or potential litigation or regulatory investigations.

In addition, the stock market in general, and the market prices for Internet-related companies and companies with operations in 
China in particular, have experienced volatility that often has been unrelated to the operating performance of such companies. These 
market fluctuations may also materially and adversely affect the market price of our ADSs. The securities of some PRC-based 
companies that have listed their securities in the United States have experienced significant volatility since their initial public offerings 
in recent years, including, in some cases, substantial declines in the trading prices of their securities. The trading performances of 
these companies’ securities after their offerings may affect the attitudes of investors towards Chinese companies listed in the United 
States in general, which consequently may impact the trading performance of our ADSs, regardless of our actual operating 
performance. Any negative news or perceptions about inadequate corporate governance practices or fraudulent accounting, corporate 
structure or other matters of other Chinese companies may also negatively affect the attitudes of investors towards Chinese companies 
in general, including us, regardless of whether we have engaged in any inappropriate activities. Furthermore, volatility or a lack of 
positive performance in our ADS price may adversely affect our ability to retain key employees, most of whom have been granted 
stock options.

The future sales, or perceived potential sales, of a substantial number of our ADSs in the public market could adversely affect 
the price of our ADSs.

Sales of substantial amounts of our ADSs in the public market, or the perception that these sales could occur, could adversely 
affect the market price of our ADSs. Such sales might make it more difficult for us to sell equity or equity-related securities in the 
future at a time and price that we deem appropriate. Common shares held by our existing shareholders may also be sold in the public 
market under, and subject to the restrictions contained in, Rule 144 under the Securities Act. We cannot predict what effect, if any, 
market sales of securities held by our shareholders will have on the market price of our ADSs.

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Your right to participate in any future rights offerings may be limited, which may cause dilution of your holdings.

We may from time to time distribute rights to our shareholders, including rights to acquire our securities. Under the deposit 
agreement, the depositary bank will not offer you those rights unless the distribution to ADS holders of both the rights and any related 
securities is either registered under the Securities Act, or exempt from registration under the Securities Act. We are under no 
obligation to file a registration statement with respect to any such rights or securities or to endeavor to cause such a registration 
statement to be declared effective. Moreover, we may not be able to establish an exemption from registration under the Securities Act. 
Accordingly, you may be unable to participate in our rights offerings and may experience dilution in your holdings.

You may not be able to exercise your right to vote.

As a holder of ADSs, you may only exercise the voting rights with respect to the underlying common shares in accordance with 
the provisions of the deposit agreement. Under the deposit agreement, you must vote by giving voting instructions to the depositary. 
Upon receipt of your voting instructions, the depositary will vote the underlying common shares in accordance with these instructions. 
Otherwise, you will not be able to exercise your right to vote unless you withdraw the shares. Under our memorandum and articles of 
association, the minimum notice period required for convening either an annual general meeting or an extraordinary general meeting 
called to vote on matters requiring the approval by special resolution is 20 days. The minimum notice period for other extraordinary 
general meetings is 14 days. When a general meeting is convened, you may not receive sufficient advance notice to withdraw the 
shares to allow you to vote with respect to any specific matter. If we ask for your instructions, the depositary will notify you of the 
upcoming vote and will arrange to deliver our voting materials to you. We cannot assure you that you will receive the voting materials 
in time to ensure that you can instruct the depositary to vote your shares. In addition, the depositary and its agents are not responsible 
for failing to carry out voting instructions or for the manner of carrying out voting instructions. This means that you may not be able to 
exercise your right to vote and there may be nothing you can do if the shares underlying your ADSs are not voted as you requested.

You may not receive distributions on common shares or any value for them if it is illegal or impractical to make them 
available to you.

The depositary of our ADSs has agreed to pay to you the cash dividends or other distributions it or the custodian receives on 
common shares or other deposited securities after deducting its fees and expenses. You will receive these distributions in proportion to 
the number of common shares your ADSs represent. However, the depositary is not responsible if it decides that it is inequitable or 
impractical to make a distribution available to any holders of ADSs. For example, the depositary may determine that it is not feasible 
to distribute certain property through the mail. Additionally, the value of certain distributions may be less than the cost of mailing 
them. In these cases, the depositary may determine not to distribute such property. We have no obligation to register under U.S. 
securities laws any ADSs, common shares, rights or other securities received through such distributions. We also have no obligation to 
take any other action to permit the distribution of ADSs, common shares, rights or anything else to holders of ADSs. This means that 
you may not receive the distribution we make on our common shares or any value for them if it is illegal or impractical for us to make 
them available to you. These restrictions may have a material adverse effect on the value of your ADSs.

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

Your ADSs represented by the ADRs are transferable on the books of the depositary. However, the depositary may close its 
transfer books at any time or from time to time when it deems expedient in connection with the performance of its duties. In addition, 
the depositary may refuse to deliver, transfer or register transfers of ADSs generally when our books or the books of the depositary are 
closed, or at any time if we or the depositary thinks it advisable to do so because of any requirement of law or of any government or 
governmental body, or under any provision of the deposit agreement, or for any other reason.

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

We are an exempted company incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands, and the majority of our assets are located 
outside the United States. In addition, many of our directors and executive officers are nationals or residents of jurisdictions other than 
the United States and all or a substantial portion of their assets are located outside the United States. As a result, it may be difficult for 
investors to effect service of process within the United States upon our directors or executive officers, or enforce judgments obtained 
in the United States courts against our directors or executive officers.

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

There are uncertainties as to whether Cayman Islands courts would:

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

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

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

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

If we are considered a PRC resident under the EIT Law, dividends we pay to non-resident holders may be subject to PRC 
withholding tax and gains realized by non-resident holders on sale of ADSs or common shares may be subject to PRC income 
tax.

If we are considered to be a PRC resident enterprise under the EIT Law, any dividends payable to non-resident enterprise holders 

of our common shares or ADSs may be treated as income derived from sources within PRC and therefore subject to a 10% 
withholding tax (or 20% in the case of non-resident individual holders) unless an applicable income tax treaty provides otherwise. In 
addition, capital gains realized by non-resident enterprise holders upon the disposition of our common shares or ADSs may be treated 
as income derived from sources within PRC and therefore subject to 10% income tax (or 20% in the case of non-resident individual 
holders) unless an applicable income tax treaty provides otherwise. If we are required under the EIT Law to withhold PRC income tax 
on dividends payable to our non-PRC investors or if you are required to pay PRC income tax on any gains realized from the transfer of 
our common shares or ADSs, the value of your investment in our common shares or ADSs may be materially and adversely affected.

We believe that we were not a passive foreign investment company, or a PFIC, for our taxable year ending on December 31, 
2016, although there can be no assurance in this regard. However, we believe there is a material risk that we may become one 
in the future, which could result in adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences to U.S. investors.

Based on the past composition of our income and valuation of our assets, including goodwill, we believe that we were not a PFIC 
for our taxable year ending on December 31, 2016, although there can be no assurance in this regard. However, due to the volatility of 
the market price of our common shares, as represented by our ADSs, we believe there is a material risk that we may become one in the 
future. Under the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, the determination of whether we are a PFIC is made annually and 
our PFIC status for any particular year will depend upon the character of our income and assets and the value of our assets at such 
time. Accordingly, our PFIC status for any particular taxable year cannot be determined with certainty until after the close of that 
taxable year. In particular, our PFIC status may be determined in large part based on the market price of our common shares, as 
represented by our ADSs, which is likely to fluctuate and may fluctuate considerably given that the global capital markets have been 
experiencing extreme volatility. Accordingly, fluctuations in the market price of our common shares, as represented by our ADSs, 
may result in our being a PFIC in any future taxable year.

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Further, if it is determined that we do not own the stock of our affiliated PRC entities, which is held through contractual 
arrangements, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, we may be treated as a PFIC for our current taxable year and any taxable year 
thereafter. There exist substantial uncertainties regarding the application, interpretation and enforcement of relevant current and future 
PRC laws and regulations and their potential effect on our corporate structure and contractual arrangements with certain of our 
affiliated PRC entities. There can be no assurance that the PRC regulatory authorities will not take a view different from those of our 
PRC legal counsel. Further, even if the uncertainties as to PRC laws and regulations did not exist, there are also substantial 
uncertainties as to the treatment of our corporate structure and ownership of these affiliated PRC entities for U.S. federal income tax 
purposes.

If we are a PFIC for any taxable year during which you hold our ADSs or common shares, such characterization could result in 

adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences to you if you are a U.S. investor. For example, if we are or become a PFIC, our U.S. 
investors may become subject to increased tax liabilities under U.S. federal income tax laws and regulations, and will become subject 
to burdensome reporting requirements. Moreover, non-corporate U.S. investors will not be eligible for reduced rates on taxation on 
any dividends received from us, if we are a PFIC in the taxable year in which such dividends are paid or in the preceding taxable year. 
See “Item 10. — Additional Information — Taxation — Certain United States Federal Income Tax Considerations — Passive Foreign 
Investment Company Rules.”

ITEM 4.

INFORMATION ON THE COMPANY

A. History and Development of the Company

We commenced our business in 1998. In March 2000, our founders incorporated a new holding company, now called 51job, Inc., 
as an exempted limited liability company in the Cayman Islands under the Cayman Islands Companies Law. Subsequently, 51job, Inc. 
acquired 51net.com Inc., or 51net, a British Virgin Islands company, and other subsidiaries to become the holding company of our 
corporate group. We operate as a foreign-invested enterprise in China through our wholly owned subsidiaries, 51net, which is the 
registered owner of our www.51job.com domain name, 51net Beijing and 51net HR, which are both Cayman Islands companies, as 
well as our PRC subsidiaries and affiliated Chinese entities, the primary ones being:

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Qianjin Network Information Technology (Shanghai) Co., Ltd., or Tech JV, which is owned by 51net, Qian Cheng and 
Wuhan AdCo, and holds licenses which allow it to provide online advertising, human resource related and value-added 
telecommunications services;

Beijing Qian Cheng Si Jin Advertising Co., Ltd., or Qian Cheng, which is wholly owned by Run An, is our joint venture 
partner in Tech JV and has an equity interest in Shanghai Qianjin Advertising Co., Ltd., or AdCo;

Beijing Run An Information Consultancy Co., Ltd., or Run An, which is jointly owned by David Weimin Jin and Tao 
Wang, two executive officers of our company;

Qian Cheng Wu You Network Information Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd., or WFOE, which is wholly owned by 51net 
Beijing and owns our trademarks and registered copyrights; and

(cid:120) Wuhan Mei Hao Qian Cheng Advertising Co., Ltd., or Wuhan AdCo, which is wholly owned by Qian Cheng and has an 

equity interest in Tech JV.

Substantially all of our business and operations are conducted through Tech JV and its subsidiaries.

In May 2004, we restructured our operations to comply with then existing PRC laws and regulations governing foreign 

ownership in entities conducting advertising and human resource related services. For a discussion on our group structure, see “Item 4. 
— Information on the Company — Organizational Structure.”

In 2015, we acquired 100% of the equity interest in Yingjiesheng.com for RMB250.0 million, acquired 60% of the equity 
interest in Beijing Zhiding Youyuan Management Consulting Co., Ltd., a provider of professional assessment services, for RMB18.7 
million, and made several long-term, non-controlling investments totaling RMB22.8 million in companies that provide services related 
to our operations and business strategy. In 2016, we made several long-term, non-controlling investments totaling RMB127.7 million 
(US$18.4 million), primarily in a provider of accounting and finance training courses as well as in companies that provide business 
process outsourcing services in China. We have utilized our existing cash resources for payments related to these acquisitions and 
investments in 2015 and 2016. In addition to organic growth, we expect to selectively pursue acquisitions and investments in 
businesses that complement our existing operations and further our strategic objectives in the future.

Our principal executive offices are located at Building 3, No. 1387, Zhang Dong Road, Shanghai 201203, People’s Republic of 

China. Our telephone number at this address is +86-21-6160-1888. Our registered office in the Cayman Islands is located at the offices 
of Maples Corporate Services Limited, PO Box 309, Ugland House, Grand Cayman, KY1-1104, Cayman Islands. Our agent for 
service of process in the United States is CCS Global Solutions, Inc., located at 530 Seventh Avenue, Suite 909, New York, New York 
10018.

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Our Offerings and Securities Repurchases

We completed our initial public offering of 6,037,500 ADSs, and on September 29, 2004, the trading of our ADSs commenced 

on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol “JOBS.”

In April 2014, we completed an offering of US$172.5 million in aggregate principal amount of convertible senior notes due 

2019. The notes were offered to qualified institutional buyers pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act, and certain non-U.S. 
persons in compliance with Regulation S under the Securities Act. The notes bear interest at a rate of 3.25% per year, payable 
semiannually in arrears on April 15 and October 15 of each year. The notes will mature on April 15, 2019, but holders of the notes 
have the right to require us to repurchase the notes on April 15, 2017. The notes may be converted based on an initial conversion rate 
of 11.6976 ADSs per US$1,000 principal amount of the notes (which represents an initial conversion price of US$85.49 per ADS). 
The conversion rate is subject to adjustment in some events. Following the change in the ratio of our common shares to ADSs from 
2:1 to 1:1 effective August 8, 2014, the initial conversion rate was adjusted to 23.3952 ADSs per US$1,000 principal amount of the 
notes (which represents an adjusted initial conversion price of approximately US$42.74 per ADS).

In September 2008, we announced a share repurchase program, which provided authorization to purchase up to US$25 million 

worth of our outstanding ADSs. Under this program, from 2008 to 2011, we purchased 2,030,658 ADSs, through open-market 
transactions for an aggregate consideration of approximately US$11.0 million, including transaction fees. In June 2014, our 
shareholders approved an increase to the size of the share repurchase program from US$25 million to US$75 million. Under this 
increased program and through open-market transactions, we purchased 799,293 and 898,950 ADSs for an aggregate consideration of 
approximately US$25 million and US$24 million in the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2015, respectively, including transaction 
fees. We did not make any repurchase of our ADSs in 2016.

In addition to the share repurchase program, we may from time to time make repurchases of our other securities, including our 

convertible senior notes due 2019, in open-market transactions, privately negotiated transactions or otherwise, subject to market 
conditions and other factors. The amounts involved may be material. We did not make any repurchase of our convertible senior notes 
in 2015 and 2016.

B. Business Overview

We believe that we are a leading nationwide provider of integrated human resource services in China. With a strong focus on 
online recruitment advertising, we operate three main websites: www.51job.com, www.yingjiesheng.com and www.51jingying.com. 
These websites and their related mobile applications are utilized by a broad base of corporate employers, reach a wide and diverse 
audience of job seekers and aggregate job information from over 100 cities across China. We also historically operated local 
recruitment advertising publications but had ceased all such print advertising services in 2015.

In addition to recruitment advertising services, we also provide other complementary human resource related services, consisting 
primarily of business process outsourcing, training, campus recruitment and executive search services. We aim to be a comprehensive, 
“one-stop” solution to human resource departments by providing recruitment and other human resource related services to employers 
through 25 local sales offices and a national sales and customer service call center in Wuhan.

Although we provide services to both employers and job seekers, we derive substantially all of our revenues from employers. We 
receive a majority of our revenues in the form of fees from employers for placing job advertisements on our websites. We also receive 
fees from employers for accessing our online resumé database, using our eHire product and engaging our other human resource 
related services.

Our Product and Services

We provide a range of human resource services in the following categories:

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recruitment advertising services, mainly online recruitment and, historically, print advertising services; and

other human resource related services, such as business process outsourcing, training, campus recruitment and executive 
search services.

We generate a significant majority of our revenues from our recruitment advertising services. Our online recruitment services 

business generated 65.8% of our revenues in 2014, 64.5% of our revenues in 2015 and 65.2% of our revenues in 2016. Our print 
advertising business generated 0.7% of our revenues in 2014, 0.3% of our revenues in 2015 and nil in 2016. Other human resource 
related services generated 33.5% of our revenues in 2014, 35.2% of our revenues in 2015 and 34.8% of our revenues in 2016.

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Recruitment Advertising Services — Online Recruitment Services

www.51job.com. We established our flagship online recruitment website, www.51job.com, in 1999. Online recruitment 
advertisements appear in both Chinese and English on www.51job.com. These advertisements cover many different job categories 
ranging from professional and middle management positions to clerical, industrial and hourly jobs. Job seekers may search for 
positions using keywords or based on a number of criteria, including city of employment, industry, job function, company type, and 
salary level. We regularly maintain and update our www.51job.com with job search, training and general career management content.

We believe that www.51job.com is one of the largest dedicated national recruitment websites in China in terms of the number of 

recruitment advertisements. We also believe that www.51job.com is among the largest in terms of the number of registered job user 
accounts and posted job seeker resumés, with approximately 109 million user accounts established since the launch of this website in 
1999 and approximately 103 million resumés posted online as of December 31, 2016. We believe that www.51job.com is perceived as 
a “destination site” by job seekers because of its large volume of advertisements and the job search, training, and general career 
management content available on the website.

We believe that www.51job.com provides employers with a cost-effective means of reaching their target audience. As the website 

contains nationwide recruitment advertisements, employers can access a large pool of potential candidates from a wide geographic 
area. Certain employers also post advertisements online when they consider the demographics and behavior of their target audience to 
favor the use of the Internet for recruitment advertising. As a result, www.51job.com includes a large number of recruitment 
advertisements targeted at white-collar job seekers between the ages of 20 to 35 that are more likely to be familiar with the Internet 
and utilize this medium for their job search. We generally update the advertisements on the website several times each hour, which 
provides job seekers with new opportunities constantly and allows employers to receive responses more rapidly. Employers also 
attract online job seekers by placing advertising banners, trademarks, logos, website hyperlinks and other forms of advertising on the 
website to promote their corporate image for a fee that varies depending on the size, graphics, placement and duration. In addition, we 
offer enhanced marketing tools, such as priority placement of their job postings in keyword search results and direct e-mail marketing 
campaigns to a targeted group of job seekers, to employers for a fee.

Employers can use our eHire web-based platform to post recruitment advertisements, search our job candidate database and 
download resumés for a fee. In addition, eHire contains other tools that enable employers to manage, organize and streamline the 
recruitment and hiring process. We also offer website design as an additional value-added service and marketing tool for corporate 
customers. We can build customized “private label” recruitment websites with the “look and feel” of a dedicated website. We design 
these sites in-house to client specifications and operate these sites for our clients.

www.51job.com provides job seekers with online tools which allow them to:

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search and review all current recruitment advertisements;

submit resumés directly to prospective employers to apply for a desired position;

organize job applications and track submission status;

obtain career development advice and other job-related information;

receive updates and notifications on specific companies of their choice; and

receive recommendations of job opportunities matching the job seeker’s profile and preferences.

We operate a mobile Internet website and have also developed a mobile application that enable job seekers to access their 
accounts through mobile devices and utilize most functions available on www.51job.com. We believe that these mobile offerings help 
job seekers receive information anywhere and anytime, allowing them to more quickly apply to desired job positions and respond to 
employers when they do not have convenient access to a personal computer. We believe these mobile offerings increase job seeker 
engagement, provide important real-time benefits and enhance the job search experience for our users.

www.yingjiesheng.com. In April 2015, we acquired Yingjiesheng.com, or YJS, an established online recruitment website which 

focuses on college graduates and students in China. YJS enables employers to place recruitment advertisements and allows job seekers 
to apply to full-time, part-time and internship job opportunities. YJS also disseminates information about application deadlines, on-
campus talks, corporate visits and recruitment fairs. In addition, YJS moderates hundreds of online career advice and job seeker 
counseling forums that facilitate information sharing and engagement among its users.

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We believe YJS is an important complement to www.51job.com as it attracts new highly educated, first-time workers that may be 

migrated to www.51job.com for further job opportunities as they mature and gain experience. YJS also leverages our sales resources 
and customer relationships as it extends our scope of online recruitment services and provides access to a younger audience that is 
particularly valuable to employers who seek to build a long-term talent pipeline. In addition, we believe the collaboration of the online 
presence of YJS and our existing offline campus recruitment services increase and strengthen our overall service effectiveness to 
employers.

www.51jingying.com. In February 2015, we launched www.51jingying.com, which targets the higher end, headhunting segment 
of the recruitment market. www.51jingying.com provides a platform to connect recruiters with primarily passive job seekers who are 
usually currently employed, older, more experienced and highly skilled. Through www.51jingying.com, headhunters may post 
employment opportunities and search job candidate profiles. Conversely, job seekers can apply to these listings and access recruiter 
profiles that provide background details on industry of expertise, previous job placements and verification of professional credentials. 
However, to complete a connection, recruiters and job seekers are required to exchange and accept each other’s electronic business 
cards through the www.51jingying.com platform, after which, they can build a professional network of contacts and establish long-
term relationships. The features of www.51jingying.com also include more powerful search capabilities that better prioritize relevant 
positions and candidates, and a mobile application with a private communication channel and name card scanning function.

We believe that www.51jingying.com addresses an emerging segment of the labor market in China that has been traditionally 
served by a highly fragmented, offline community of local, small headhunting firms. We intend to utilize our existing sales force to 
introduce www.51jingying.com to these recruiters. We also plan to promote www.51jingying.com to a select portion of registered users 
at www.51job.com whose demographics identify them as experienced workers. We will be focused on developing and enhancing the 
functions and features of www.51jingying.com and to build engagement between headhunters and job seekers.

The following table sets forth the estimated number of unique employers who used our online recruitment services for the 

periods indicated.

Estimated unique employers using online recruitment services

For the year ended December 31,
2015

2014

388,158

406,880

2016

460,811

We provide job seekers access to our websites and mobile applications free of charge.

Recruitment Advertising Services — Print Advertising

51job Weekly. 51job Weekly was a city-specific recruitment advertising publication which was published once a week and was 

distributed as an insert in a local newspaper and/or on a stand-alone basis.

Considering the emerging trend of online recruitment, we had decided to gradually discontinue the publication of 51job Weekly

in local cities since 2010 and had completely ceased all print advertising operations in 2015.

Other Human Resource Related Services

Business Process Outsourcing. We perform business process outsourcing services by managing human resource administrative 

functions for employers on an outsourced basis. Our services to corporate clients mainly consist of social insurance and benefits 
processing, regulatory compliance with local governmental employment regulations and payroll processing. While the market for 
business process outsourcing services in China is currently limited compared to developed economies like the United States, we 
believe that there is significant future potential for these services as companies in China grow and become more sophisticated, thereby 
increasing the need and demand for using third parties to perform human resource administrative functions. In providing our business 
process outsourcing services, we benefit from the close operational integration with our recruitment advertising services, which 
enables us to share staff resources and leverage our sales and marketing investments. We continue to build our outsourcing capability 
and aim to increase the number of companies and individuals we serve as well as to expand the type of services we provide.

Training. We conduct training seminars in business management, leadership, sales and marketing, human resource, negotiation 
skills, financial planning and analysis, public administration, manufacturing, secretarial and other skills. We provide our seminars to 
the general public and on a customized, in-house basis for corporate clients. We license content and materials from third parties for 
some of the training courses we provide. We also enter into arrangements with certain trainers and lecturers that meet our knowledge, 
expertise and experience requirements. In addition to classroom-style seminars, we provide outdoor-based training exercises and 
programs for corporate clients to promote personal development, team building and communication. We believe that our training 
services build our brand awareness as a provider of comprehensive, integrated human resource services.

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Campus Recruitment. We provide campus recruitment services to corporations seeking to recruit college and university students. 
We assist corporations with recruitment strategy, selection of schools, schedule of campus visits, promotion of their image to students 
and on-campus logistical arrangements.

Executive Search. We provide our eSearch executive search and placement services to employers seeking to fill mid-level 

professional, managerial and junior executive positions. We generally charge corporate clients a total assignment fee, including in 
some cases a minimum upfront retainer, based on a percentage of the successful candidate’s annual or monthly compensation. We 
maintain a team of specialized consultants who can access our extensive candidate resumé database that other search firms are 
restricted from using.

Professional Assessment Tools. We provide assessment tools to assist human resource departments in evaluating capabilities and 

dispositions of job candidates and existing employees. In addition, in June 2015, we completed an acquisition of Beijing Zhiding 
Youyuan Management Consulting Co., Ltd., or Zhiding Youyuan. Zhiding Youyuan provides talent assessment services, including a 
system of in-house developed, proprietary psychometric tests, which help employers to identify ideal job candidates and better 
allocate talent resources in their organizations in China.

Salary and Other Human Resource Related Surveys. We conduct general and customized salary survey studies with analyses of 

compensation and benefits packages across various cities, industries and job positions. Human resource departments utilize this data to 
understand the market for compensation levels and to assist in their determination of compensation and benefits packages. We also 
conduct surveys on employee retention and other human resource related topics.

Human Resource Conferences. We organize and host annual human resource conferences and events in some of our cities. These 

conferences and events include lectures, seminars, workshops and networking opportunities for human resource professionals. 
Although we do not generate significant revenues from hosting these conferences and events, this service provides us with exposure 
to, and interaction with, existing and prospective clients.

Other Products. We also perform hiring and support services for employers on select recruitment projects.

Technology

We design and update our websites and mobile applications as well as develop our proprietary software entirely in-house. We 
own the copyrights, software, trademarks and other intellectual property with respect to the design and content of our websites and 
mobile applications, other than the advertisements and trademarks provided by our advertisers. Our websites are hosted by the major 
state-owned telecommunications service providers in China.

We employ a large staff of website designers and technicians to update and enhance our websites as well as to design, build and 
provide assistance to customers whose recruitment websites we are maintaining. We update the advertisements on our websites from 
our customer service center in Wuhan and our principal executive offices in Shanghai. New recruitment advertisements provided to us 
by employers who have purchased and registered online accounts generally appear on our websites within a few hours.

From time to time we experience slower Internet service from our Internet service providers as a result of technical difficulties 
associated with high traffic volumes, computer viruses, the proliferation of “spam” e-mail traffic and other difficulties that generally 
affect Internet traffic. To date, we have not been subject to significant targeted disruptions or hacking and we believe that difficulties 
we have experienced relating to the speed of the Internet service and web-hosting provided by the telecommunications service 
providers are consistent with the difficulties that affect Internet service in China generally. To date, our websites and mobile 
applications have not gone off-line or been shut down for any significant period of time. We do not believe that our business has been 
materially disrupted or negatively affected by technical difficulties with respect to our websites and mobile applications. However, we 
cannot assure you that our business will not face material disruptions or damage from spam, viruses, hacking or other technical 
difficulties. See “Item 3. — Key Information — Risk Factors — Risks Related to Our Business — Hacking and computer viruses may 
cause delays or interruptions on our systems and may reduce use of our services and damage our reputation and brand names;” “—
We face risks related to health epidemics and other natural disasters;” and “— We are dependent on our Internet service providers, and 
we are vulnerable to failures of the Internet, fixed line telecommunications networks in China and our technology platform.”

Competition

We face significant competition in all of our business lines. See “Item 3. — Key Information — Risk Factors — Risks Related to 

Our Business — Because we face significant competition in all of our businesses, we may lose market share and our results of 
operations may be materially and adversely affected.”

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Online Recruitment Services

We experience competition in our online recruitment services business from dedicated online recruitment websites, websites 
affiliated with local job fair operators and market niche players that focus on particular industry verticals, such as technology and 
finance, or job seeker segments. We view our principal existing online competitors to be Zhaopin.com and ChinaHR.com, which are 
primarily dedicated online recruitment websites.

None of the well-established nationwide Internet portals, search engines and online classified websites, such as 58.com, 

Baidu.com, QQ.com and Sina.com, are dedicated providers of recruitment advertising or other human resource products in China, and 
each offers a wide variety of other online services. However, any or all of our online competitors may decide to allocate significant 
additional resources to providing recruitment advertising or other human resource services. We may also face competition from 
professional and social networking websites as well as other large Internet companies who may enter the market for any or all of our 
services in China. As a result of these events, we could encounter significantly increased competition in some or all of our markets.

Other Services

We believe the market for business process outsourcing services is in an early stage of development and the competition is 
generally localized. Our key competitors are typically service agencies affiliated with or sponsored by local government and human 
resources and social security bureaus. In the training services market, we face competition primarily from small, local training firms or 
individual trainers who specialize in specific areas of expertise. The competition in the executive search services market in China is 
largely fragmented.

Customers

Our customers consist of large multinational corporations, large national Chinese corporations and local Chinese enterprises of 

all sizes.

Sales and Marketing

Our sales and marketing strategy is focused on promoting our brand names and further establishing our reputation as an 
integrated provider of high quality human resource services. We utilize various marketing channels to target these key groups:

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job seekers;

employers with hiring and/or training needs;

executive recruiters and headhunting firms; and

human resource departments with actual or potential outsourcing needs.

Direct Marketing. We target employers principally through direct marketing, which we believe has been highly effective in 
attracting new customers and serving existing customers. As of December 31, 2016, we employed approximately 3,900 sales and 
account management representatives that identify and directly contact customers via the Internet, telephone and personal sales visits. 
We maintain 25 local sales offices and have also established a national sales and customer service call center in Wuhan. We train our 
sales staff to cross-sell all of our services and to design comprehensive packages of human resource services for clients to meet their 
specific requirements. In addition, we believe that the personal nature of direct marketing has enabled us to better understand the 
needs of our existing and prospective customers and helped us to develop new products and services.

Event Marketing. We organize customer events, such as recruiting workshops, product information seminars, industry 
roundtables and networking events, to provide our sales team an opportunity to personally interact with employers and understand 
their recruitment needs.

Online and Mobile Marketing. We utilize advertising, such as banner advertisements, keyword and hyperlink purchases, paid 

listings and video, to promote our brand names on the Internet and mobile marketplaces. We also conduct and sponsor online 
promotion campaigns such as drawings, giveaways and contests to attract traffic and enhance the loyalty of job seekers to our 
websites. In addition, we have developed mobile applications which can be downloaded by users for free.

Mass Media Advertising. We use traditional mass media advertising on a selective basis to increase our brand visibility and 
corporate image. We advertise through various media, including outdoor advertising on digital displays, billboards, bus stops and 
public transportation. In addition, we advertise on print media such as newspapers, magazines, industry publications and telephone 
directories.

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Cross-Marketing. We have established cross-marketing relationships between our websites and a variety of partners. In addition, 

we believe that we benefit from recommendations and referrals by the large base of job seekers and employers who use our websites 
and mobile applications.

Media Promotions. We produce surveys and analyses on job market trends and developments that are regularly featured and 

published in magazines, newspapers and on the Internet. We believe this exposure heightens our corporate image among both 
employers and job seekers and attracts interest and sales inquiries for our services.

Intellectual Property and Proprietary Rights

We regard our copyrights, trademarks, trade secrets and other intellectual property rights as critical to our business. We rely on 

trademark and copyright law, trade secret protection, non-competition and confidentiality and/or licensing agreements with our 
executive officers, clients, contractors and others to protect our intellectual property rights. We have registered our www.51job.com, 
www.yingjiesheng.com and www.51jingying.com Internet domain names as well as a number of similar and other domain names in an 
effort to prevent entities from diverting online traffic away from our websites.

We have registered trademarks, including前程无忧, 前程, 51job.com, 无忧工作网, 网才 and eSearch, with the Trademark 

Office of the SAIC in the PRC. In January 2010, 前程无忧 was designated a “Well-Known Trademark,” which is the highest 
recognition for consumer brands granted by the SAIC.

Under a trademark license agreement between WFOE, as licensor, and Tech JV, as licensee, Tech JV has the right to use certain 
trademarks in the PRC, with no right of assignment or sublicense. Under a domain name license agreement between 51net, as licensor, 
and Tech JV, as licensee, Tech JV has the right to use the www.51job.com domain name in connection with the operation of this 
website. See “Item 7. — Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions — Related Party Transactions — Contractual 
Arrangements Among Our Group Entities.”

Our intellectual property is subject to theft and other unauthorized use, and our ability to protect our intellectual property from 

unauthorized use is limited. In addition, we may in the future be subject to claims that we have infringed the intellectual property 
rights of others. See “Item 3. — Key Information — Risk Factors — Risks Related to Our Business — If we are unable to prevent 
others from using our intellectual property, our business may be materially and adversely affected” and “— We may be exposed to 
infringement or misappropriation claims by third parties, which, if successful, could cause us to pay significant damage awards.”

Regulation

Advertising agencies, human resource services firms and Internet content providers are subject to substantial regulation by the 

Chinese government. An “Internet content provider” is a commercial operator providing the delivery of Internet content. This section 
sets forth a summary of the most significant PRC regulations that affect the businesses and the industries in which we operate.

In addition to laws and regulations that apply generally to advertising agencies, human resource firms and Internet content 
providers, special limitations apply to foreign ownership of businesses engaged in human resource and Internet content provider 
services in China.

Limitations on Foreign Ownership of Our Businesses

Advertising

The principal regulation governing foreign ownership of advertising companies in China, the Administrative Regulations 
Concerning Foreign-Invested Advertising Enterprises (2008 Revision), was repealed on June 29, 2015. Foreign investors are allowed 
to own 100% of an advertising agency in China subject to certain qualification requirements. However, for those advertising agencies 
that provide online advertising service, foreign ownership restrictions on the value-added telecommunications business are still 
applicable.

Human Resource Services Companies

The principal regulation governing foreign ownership in human resource services companies in China is the Interim Regulations 

on the Administration of Sino-Foreign Equity Joint Venture as Human Resource Agencies (2003), as amended in 2005 and 2015, 
jointly promulgated by the MHRSS, the MOFCOM and the SAIC. Under this regulation, the percentage of foreign ownership in the 
equity interest of a human resource services company cannot be less than 25% or more than 49%. This ownership limitation has been 
increased to 70% for Hong Kong service providers and Macau service providers since June 2005 and for human resource services 
companies registered in several locations, such as Pudong New District in Shanghai since June 2006, Zhongguancun National 
Innovation Demonstration Zone in Beijing since September 2014, Nanjing since December 2014, and Suzhou since April 2015. 
Starting from January 2008, the PRC government no longer implemented any foreign ownership percentage limitation for Hong Kong 
service providers and Macau service providers.

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Value-Added Telecommunications Services and Internet Content Providers

In the PRC, entities that coordinate with Internet service providers (such as telecommunications companies) to effect the online 

placement of content provided by either themselves or third parties are defined as “Internet content providers” and require a special 
license. Internet content providers are classified as value-added telecommunications businesses.

The principal regulations governing foreign ownership in Internet content providers in China include:

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Administrative Rules for Foreign Investments in Telecommunications Enterprises (2016 Revision), effective on February 6, 
2016; and

Foreign Investment Industry Guidance Catalogue (2015), effective on April 10, 2015.

Under these regulations, foreign investors, individually or in the aggregate, are prohibited from owning more than 50% of a PRC 
entity that provides value-added telecommunications services (except for a few businesses such as e-commerce and application store), 
which include the service of providing Internet content.

According to the Opinion on Further Opening Value-Added Telecommunications Services to Foreigners in China (Shanghai) 

Pilot Free Trade Zone, foreign ownership in certain value-added telecommunications services providers (e.g., Internet content 
providers providing application store services) may exceed 50% in China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone; however, service 
providers providing online advertising and human resource services are not included.

In addition, according to the MIIT Notice, value-added telecommunications services license holders (including their 

shareholders) shall directly own the domain names and registered trademarks used by such value-added telecommunications services 
license holders in their daily operations and is prohibited from leasing, transferring or selling the license to foreign investors in any 
form, and from providing any assistance in forms of resources, sites or facilities to foreign investors that conduct value-added 
telecommunications business illegally in China. For those who are not in compliance with the above requirements and fail to rectify 
the non-compliance, the relevant PRC government authorities may revoke their operating licenses. See “Item 3. — Key Information 
— Risk Factors — Risks Related to Doing Business in China — PRC laws and regulations governing operators of Internet websites 
are unclear and the regulation of the telecommunications and Internet industries may become more burdensome, and if we are found 
to be in violation of PRC laws and regulations, we could be subject to sanctions.”

General Regulation of Our Businesses

Advertising

The SAIC is responsible for regulating advertising activities in the PRC. The principal regulations governing advertising 

(including online advertising) in China include:

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Advertising Law (2015 Revision);

Interim Measures for the Administration of Online Advertising (2016);

Administration of Advertising Regulations (1987);

Implementation Rules on Administration of Advertising Regulations (2004); and

(cid:120) Measures for the Administration of Advertising Business Licenses (2005).

All enterprises, except for broadcast stations, television stations, newspapers, magazines, non-corporate entities and other entities 

specified in laws or administrative regulations, are no longer required to obtain a separate advertising license although they are 
required to apply for inclusion of “advertising services” in their business licenses.

Human Resource Services

Human resource services firms in China are mainly regulated by the MHRSS. The principal regulation applicable to human 
resource services firms is the Regulations on Administration of Human Resource Markets (2001, as amended in 2005 and 2015), 
jointly promulgated by the MHRSS and the SAIC. Under this regulation, any entity providing human resource services in China must 
obtain a human resource services license from the local administration of human resources and social security at the county level and 
above, while any foreign-invested entity providing human resource services in China must obtain such license from the administration 
at the provincial level. Each of these administrations may adopt rules, with some degrees of variation among provinces, to regulate 
human resource services operations conducted within the province.

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Value-Added Telecommunications Services and Online Commerce

The delivery of content on our websites is subject to PRC laws and regulations applicable to telecommunications and Internet 
service providers. We are also within the regulatory jurisdiction of various governmental bodies, including the MIIT and the SAIC. 
The principal regulations applicable to the telecommunications industry and Internet include:

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Telecommunications Regulations (2016 Revision);

The Administrative Measures for Telecommunications Business Operating Licenses (2009); and

The Internet Information Services Administrative Measures (2011 Revision).

Under these regulations, the delivery of Internet content provision services is classified as a value-added telecommunications 

business, and a commercial operator of such services must obtain an Internet content provider license from the appropriate 
telecommunications authorities.

With respect to our online business, the Administrative Measure on Online Commerce promulgated by the SAIC on January 26, 
2014 applies to all online commerce businesses in general, which requires all online commerce operators to register with the SAIC or 
its local offices. There are no PRC laws that have national applicability to online commerce specifically relating to advertising and 
human resource services. However, local authorities may impose requirements on online business activities conducted within its 
jurisdiction, such as registration or filing requirements.

With respect to our mobile applications, the Cyberspace Administration of China, or the CAC, issued the Provisions on the 
Administration of Mobile Internet Applications Information Services on June 28, 2016, which became effective on August 1, 2016. 
Such regulation requires the filing of mobile applications with the CAC or its competent local counterpart and the protection of 
information security.

Labor and Social Insurance

Under the PRC Labor Law effective in 1995 and the PRC Labor Contract Law effective in 2008 and its amendment which 

became effective on July 1, 2013, a written labor contract must be executed between an employer and an employee. Labor-related 
regulations and rules of the PRC also stipulate the maximum number of working hours per day and per week as well as the minimum 
wage standards. In addition, an employer is required to establish occupational safety and sanitation systems, implement the national 
occupational safety and sanitation rules and standards, and provide employees with workplace safety training.

In the PRC, workers dispatched by an employment agency are normally engaged in temporary, auxiliary or substitute work. 

Under the PRC Labor Contract Law, an employment agency is the employer for workers dispatched by it and shall perform an 
employer’s obligations toward them. The employment contract between the employment agency and the dispatched workers, and the 
placement agreement between the employment agency and the company that receives the dispatched workers shall be in writing. 
Furthermore, the company that accepts the dispatched workers shall bear joint and several liability for any violation of the PRC Labor 
Contract Law by the employment agencies arising from their contracts with dispatched workers. The MHRSS promulgated the Interim 
Provisions on Labor Dispatch, effective March 1, 2014, which clarified the use of the labor dispatch employment model, required 
revisions to the content in labor dispatch contracts and instituted a 10% maximum limit of dispatched workers to total workforce for 
companies in China while providing a two-year transition period for compliance.

An employer is obligated to sign an indefinite term labor contract with an employee if the employer continues to employ the 

employee after two consecutive fixed-term labor contracts and under some other circumstances. The employer also has to pay 
compensation to the employee if the employer terminates an indefinite term labor contract except where such employee makes certain 
serious faults. Except where the employer proposes to renew a labor contract by maintaining or raising the conditions of the labor 
contract and the employee is not agreeable to the renewal, an employer is required to compensate the employee when a definite term 
labor contract expires. Furthermore, under the Regulations on Paid Annual Leave for Employees issued in December 2007 and 
effective as of January 2008 and its implementation measures, an employee who has served an employer for more than one year and 
less than ten years is entitled to a 5-day paid vacation, those whose service period ranges from 10 to 20 years is entitled to a 10-day 
paid vacation, and those who has served for more than 20 years is entitled to a 15-day paid vacation. An employee who does not use 
such vacation time at the request of the employer shall be compensated at three times their normal salaries for each waived vacation 
day.

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Under the Regulations on Work-Related Injury Insurance effective in 2004 and the Interim Measures Concerning the Maternity 

Insurance for Enterprise Employees effective in 1995, PRC companies must pay work-related injury insurance premiums and 
maternity insurance premiums for their employees. On December 20, 2010, the State Council promulgated the amended Regulation on 
Work-Related Injury Insurance that became effective on January 1, 2011. The amendments to this regulation expand the scope of 
work-related injury to include the injury of employees caused by traffic accidents en route to or from the office not primarily 
attributable to the employees. Employees are entitled to certain treatments under work-related injury insurance that are calculated 
based on the circumstances of the work-related injury. Under the Interim Regulations on the Collection and Payment of Social 
Insurance Premiums effective in 1999 and the Interim Measures concerning the Administration of the Registration of Social Insurance 
effective in 1999, basic pension insurance, medical insurance and unemployment insurance are collectively referred to as social 
insurance. Both PRC companies and their employees are required to contribute to the social insurance plans. Under the Regulations on 
the Administration of Housing Fund effective in 1999, as amended in 2002, PRC companies must register with applicable housing 
fund management centers and establish a special housing fund account in an entrusted bank. Both PRC companies and their 
employees are required to contribute to the housing funds. On October 28, 2010, the National People’s Congress promulgated the PRC 
Social Insurance Law, which became effective on July 1, 2011. The PRC Social Insurance Law specifies that the PRC establishes a 
social insurance system including basic pension insurance, basic medical insurance, work-related injury insurance, unemployment 
insurance and maternity insurance. An employer shall pay the social insurance for its employees in accordance with the rates provided 
under relevant regulations and shall withhold the social insurance that should be assumed by the employees. The authorities in charge 
of social insurance may request an employer’s compliance and impose sanctions if such employer fails to pay and withhold social 
insurance in a timely manner.

Regulations Relating to Intellectual Property Rights

China has adopted comprehensive legislation governing intellectual property rights, including trademarks, patents and 
copyrights. China has adhered to the main international conventions on intellectual property rights and became a member of the 
Agreement on Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights upon its accession to the WTO in December 2001, the 
amendment of which was approved by the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress in October 2007.

The PRC Copyright Law was adopted in 1990 and amended in 2001 and 2010 to widen the scope of works that are eligible for 

copyright protection. The amended PRC Copyright Law extends copyright protection to cover Internet activities and products 
disseminated over the Internet. Copyrighted software is protected under the PRC Copyright Law and other regulations. In addition, 
there is a voluntary registration system administered by the China Copyright Protection Center.

Registered trademarks are protected under the PRC Trademark Law adopted in 1982, revised in 2001 and further revised in 

2013. Trademarks can be registered with the Trademark Office of the SAIC for renewable ten-year periods. Trademark license 
agreements are required to be filed with the Trademark Office of the SAIC for the record, and the failure to complete such filings may 
cause the trademark license agreements to be unenforceable against bona fide third parties.

Domain name disputes are governed by the Measures of China Internet Network Information Center for Resolving Disputes 
Regarding Domain Names promulgated by the Chinese Internet Network Infrastructure Center, or the CNNIC, on May 28, 2012 and 
effective on June 28, 2012, under which the CNNIC can authorize domain name dispute resolution institutions to decide disputes.

Regulations Relating to Internet Privacy and Information Security

The PRC Constitution provides that PRC law protects the freedom and privacy of communications of citizens and that 
infringement of such rights is not permitted. While PRC laws do not prohibit Internet content providers from collecting and using 
personal information of their users, such collection and use is subject to the users’ prior consent. Also, the relevant government 
authorities have enacted legislation on the use of the Internet that recognizes the protection of personal information from unauthorized 
disclosure. Under the Regulation on Internet Information Service, Internet information service providers are prohibited from 
producing, copying, publishing or distributing information that is humiliating or slanderous to others or that trespasses the lawful 
rights and interests of others. Depending on the nature of their violation, Internet content providers that violate this provision may face 
criminal charges or be sanctioned by security authorities. In addition, they may be ordered to temporarily suspend their service, or 
their licenses may be revoked.

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Under the Several Provisions on Regulating the Market Order of Internet Information Services effective in March 2012, without 
the consent of users, Internet information service providers shall not collect personal information of users or provide such information 
to others. Where the Internet information service providers obtain the consent of users, it shall clearly inform users of the methods, 
contents and purposes for collecting and processing the personal information of users, and it shall not collect the information 
unnecessary for providing services, and nor use the personal information of users for purposes other than providing services.

Under the Decision of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress on Strengthening Information Protection on 
Networks effective in December 2012, Internet service providers and other enterprises and institutions shall, when gathering and using 
electronic personal information of citizens in business activities, adhere to the principles of legality and rationality to necessarily, 
explicitly state the purposes, manners and scopes of collecting and using information, and obtain the consent of those from whom 
information is collected, and shall not collect and use information in violation of laws, regulations or the agreement between both 
sides. Internet service providers and other enterprises and institutions shall, when gathering and using electronic personal information 
of citizens, publish their collection and use rules.

Under the Provisions on Protecting the Personal Information of Telecommunications and Internet Users effective in 
September 2013, telecommunications services operators and Internet information services providers shall formulate the rules for 
collection and use of users’ personal information and publish such rules in their business or service premises or on their websites. 
Without the consent of users, no telecommunications services operator or Internet information services provider may collect and use 
users’ personal information. When collecting and using users’ personal information, telecommunications services operators and 
Internet information services providers shall clearly inform users of the purpose, manner and scope for collection and use of 
information, the channels for inquiry and correction of information, the consequences from refusal to provide information and other 
relevant matters. Telecommunications services operators and Internet information services providers shall not collect users’ personal 
information other than that necessary for providing services, or use information for purposes other than the provision of services; and 
shall not collect and use information by fraud, misleading, coercion or any other means or in violation of laws, administrative 
regulations or agreements between both sides.

Under the Provisions on the Administration of Account Names of Internet Users effective in February 2015, Internet information 

service providers shall protect the users’ information and privacy of citizens and conduct identity verification of individuals before 
account registration. Under the Provisions on the Administration of Communications Short Message Services effective in June 2015, 
short message service providers and short message content providers shall not send commercial short messages to users without the 
users’ consent or request, or shall stop sending such short messages to users when the latter clearly present their refusal after their 
consent.

Under the PRC Advertising Law, the amendment of which became effective in September 2015, without the consent or request 

of the recipient, no entity or individual may send advertisements to the recipient’s residence or vehicle, among others, or send 
advertisements in the form of electronic information. Where an advertisement is sent in the form of electronic information, the 
sender’s true identity and contact information shall be explicitly indicated, and the sender shall provide the recipient with a method for 
the recipient to discontinue receiving such advertisements. Under the PRC Counter-Terrorism Law, which became effective in 
January 2016, Internet service providers shall conduct identity verification of individuals.

Under the PRC Cyber Security Law, which will become effective on June 1, 2017, Internet product and service providers shall 
explicitly notify their users and obtain their consent for collection and use of personal information. If any user’s personal information 
is involved, the provider shall also comply with the provisions of relevant laws and administrative regulations on the protection of 
personal information. Personal information and important data collected and produced by critical information infrastructure operators 
during their operations within the territory of China shall be stored within China. However, the PRC Cyber Security Law does not 
provide a detailed standard to classify “critical information infrastructure operators.”

To comply with these regulations, we provide users of our websites and mobile applications with a range of confidentiality, 
communications and information sharing options. They may choose to authorize us to disclose their personal information to third 
parties, or to instruct us to keep this information strictly confidential. Our systems are designed to maintain information received from 
these users in accordance with their instructions.

However, the PRC government retains the power and authority to order Internet content providers to turn over personal 

information of Internet users if the users post any prohibited content or engage in illegal activities on the Internet.

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Regulations Relating to Internet Publishing

The Administrative Provisions on Online Publishing Services, or the Online Publishing Provisions, was jointly issued by the 

MIIT and the PRC State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television, or the SAPPRFT, in 2016, and came into 
effect on March 10, 2016. The Online Publishing Provisions define “online publishing services” as providing online publications to 
the public through information networks. Any online publishing services provided in the territory of the PRC are subject to these 
provisions. The Online Publishing Provisions require any Internet publishing services provider to obtain an online publishing service 
license to engage in online publishing services. Under the Online Publishing Provisions, online publications refer to digital works 
which have publishing features, such as digital works that have been edited, produced or processed and which are made available to 
the public through information networks, including written works, pictures, maps, games, cartoons, audio/video reading materials and 
other methods. Any online game shall obtain approval from the SAPPRFT before it is launched online. Furthermore, Sino-foreign 
equity joint ventures, Sino-foreign cooperative joint ventures and wholly foreign owned enterprises cannot engage in providing web 
publishing services.

We do not believe the activities we engage in on our websites constitute “Internet publishing activities” as such term is used in 
the Online Publishing Provisions. As a result, we have not applied or obtained an Internet publishing license. However, in the event 
that our activities are deemed to be “Internet publishing,” we may be required to obtain approval from the relevant PRC authorities. If 
we are deemed to be in breach of the Internet publishing regulations, the relevant PRC authorities may seize the related equipment and 
servers used primarily for such activities and confiscate any revenues generated from such activities. In addition, the relevant PRC 
authorities may also impose fines.

Regulations Relating to Foreign Currency Exchange

The principal regulations governing foreign currency exchange in the PRC are the Foreign Exchange Administration 

Regulations, as amended in August 2008, and the Administration Rules of the Settlement, Sale and Payment of Foreign Exchange. 
Under these regulations, the Renminbi is freely convertible for payments of current account items, such as trade and service related 
foreign exchange transactions and dividend payments, but not for expenses of capital, such as direct investment, loan or investment in 
securities, outside the PRC unless the prior approval of the SAFE is obtained and prior registration with the SAFE is made.

Under the Foreign Exchange Administration Regulations, foreign-invested enterprises in the PRC may purchase or remit foreign 

exchange without the approval of the SAFE for trade and service related foreign exchange transactions by providing commercial 
documents evidencing these transactions. They may also retain foreign exchange (subject to a cap approved by the SAFE) to satisfy 
foreign exchange liabilities or to pay dividends. However, the relevant PRC government authorities, which have significant 
administrative discretion in implementing the laws, may restrict or eliminate the ability of foreign-invested enterprises to purchase and 
retain foreign currencies in the future. In addition, foreign exchange transactions involving direct investment, loan and investment in 
securities outside the PRC are subject to limitations and require approvals from the SAFE.

Under the Administration Rules of the Settlement, Sale and Payment of Foreign Exchange effective in 1996, foreign-invested 

enterprises may only buy, sell and/or remit foreign currencies at banks authorized to conduct foreign exchange business after 
providing valid supporting documents and, in the case of capital account item transactions, obtaining approval from the SAFE or its 
competent local counterpart.

The SAFE promulgated the Circular on the Relevant Operating Issues Regarding Administration Improvement of Payment and 

Settlement of Foreign Currency Capital of Foreign-Invested Enterprises, or Circular 142, on August 29, 2008. Under Circular 142, 
registered capital of a foreign-invested enterprise settled in Renminbi converted from foreign currencies may only be used within the 
business scope approved by the applicable governmental authority and may not be used for equity investments in the PRC. In addition, 
foreign-invested enterprises may not change how they use such capital without the SAFE’s approval, and may not in any case use such 
capital to repay Renminbi loans if they have not used the proceeds of such loans.

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The SAFE promulgated the Notice of the SAFE on Reforming the Administrative Approach Regarding the Settlement of the 

Foreign Exchange Capitals of Foreign-Invested Enterprises, or Circular 19, on June 1, 2015, which superseded Circular 142. Under 
Circular 19, foreign-invested enterprises are allowed to settle 100% of their capital in foreign currencies in Renminbi on a 
discretionary basis. The Renminbi obtained by foreign-invested enterprises from the discretionary settlement of their capital in foreign 
currencies shall be managed under the accounts for foreign exchange settlement pending payment, and foreign-invested enterprises 
shall make various payments from such account for the following scope of use: expenditure within the business scope, payment for 
domestic equity investment and Renminbi deposits, transfers to the special centralized fund management account and the Account for 
Foreign Exchange Settlement Pending Payment under the same name, repayment of the Renminbi loans that have been fully used, 
repayment of external debts directly or by foreign exchange purchase and payment, external payment of funds to foreign investors due 
to capital reduction or divestment directly or by foreign exchange purchase and payment, external payment of current account 
expenditure directly or by foreign exchange purchase and payment, and other capital account expenditure registered by the relevant 
foreign exchange bureau (bank) or approved by the relevant foreign exchange bureau. Foreign-invested enterprises shall not use their 
capital and the Renminbi obtained from foreign exchange settlement for any of the following purposes: direct or indirect use for 
expenditure beyond its business scope or expenditure prohibited by the PRC laws and regulations; directly or indirect use for 
investment in securities, unless otherwise prescribed by laws and regulations; directly or indirect use for granting entrusted loans 
(unless permitted under its business scope), repaying inter-company loans (including third party advances) and repaying Renminbi 
bank loans that have been transferred to a third party; or use for the expenses related to the purchase of real estate not for self-use, 
unless it is a foreign-invested real estate enterprise. Circular 19 may adversely affect our liquidity and our ability to fund and expand 
our business in the PRC.

The SAFE promulgated the Notice of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange on Reforming and Standardizing the 

Administrative Provisions on Capital Account Foreign Exchange Settlement, or Circular 16, on June 9, 2016. Under Circular 16, 
onshore enterprises (including Chinese-funded enterprises and foreign-invested enterprises, excluding financial institutions) may all 
settle their external debts in foreign currencies according to the method of voluntary foreign exchange settlement. The banks shall, in 
handling each transaction of foreign exchange settlement for an onshore enterprise according to the principle of payment-based 
foreign exchange settlement, review the authenticity and compliance of the use by the domestic institution of the foreign exchange 
funds settled in the previous transaction (including voluntary settlement and payment-based settlement). The earnings and 
expenditures of the account for foreign exchange settlement pending payment are limited to certain scope. The use of foreign 
exchange earnings under capital account shall be within the enterprise’s business scope and in a truthful manner for proprietary 
purposes.

Regulations Relating to Foreign Exchange Registration of Offshore Investment by PRC Residents

Under Circular 75 issued on October 21, 2005, (i) a PRC resident, including a PRC resident natural person (e.g., a PRC citizen or 

a foreign citizen who resides primarily in China), shall register with the local branch of the SAFE before it establishes or controls an 
overseas special purpose vehicle for the purpose of overseas equity financing (including convertible debt financing); (ii) when a PRC 
resident contributes the assets of or its equity interests in a domestic enterprise to an overseas special purpose vehicle, or engages in 
overseas financing after contributing assets or equity interests to an overseas special purpose vehicle, such PRC resident shall register 
his or her interest in the overseas special purpose vehicle and the change thereof with the local SAFE branch; and (iii) when the 
overseas special purpose vehicle undergoes a material event outside of China, such as a change in share capital, or merger or 
acquisition, the PRC resident shall, within 30 days of the occurrence of such event, register such change with the local SAFE branch. 
PRC residents who are shareholders of overseas special purpose vehicles established before November 1, 2005 were required to 
register with the local SAFE branch before March 31, 2006.

The SAFE promulgated Circular 37 on July 4, 2014, which superseded Circular 75. Circular 37 requires PRC residents to register
with local branches of the SAFE in connection with their direct establishment or indirect control of an offshore entity, for the purpose 
of overseas investment and financing, with such PRC residents’ legally owned assets or equity interests in domestic enterprises or 
offshore assets or interests, referred to in Circular 37 as a “special purpose vehicle.” Circular 37 further requires amendment to the 
registration in the event of any significant changes with respect to the special purpose vehicle, such as increase or decrease of capital 
contributed by PRC individuals, share transfer or exchange, merger, division or other material event. According to Circular 13 issued 
by the SAFE on February 13, 2015, starting from June 1, 2015, all new such registrations required under Circular 37 (other than make-
up registrations) will be handled by qualified banks instead of the local SAFE branches. The qualified banks, under the supervision of 
the SAFE, will directly review the applications and process the registration.

Under Circular 37, in the event that a PRC shareholder holding interests in a special purpose vehicle fails to fulfill the required 

SAFE registration, the PRC subsidiaries of that special purpose vehicle may be prohibited from making profit distributions to the 
offshore parent and from carrying out subsequent cross-border foreign exchange activities, and the special purpose vehicle may be 
restricted in its ability to contribute additional capital into its PRC subsidiary. Moreover, failure to comply with the various SAFE 
registration requirements described above could result in liability under PRC law for evasion of foreign exchange controls. See “Item 
3. — Key Information — Risk Factors — Risks Related to Doing Business in China — PRC regulations relating to offshore 
investment activities by PRC residents may increase our administrative burden and adversely impact our business and prospects.”

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Regulations Relating to Employee Stock Option Plans

On December 25, 2006, the People’s Bank of China promulgated the Measures for the Administration of Individual Foreign 
Exchange, and on January 5, 2007, the SAFE further promulgated the implementation rules on those measures. Both became effective 
on February 1, 2007. According to the implementation rules, if individuals in the PRC participate in any employee stock ownership 
plan or stock option plan of an overseas-listed company, those individuals must apply as a group through the company or a domestic 
agency to the SAFE or the appropriate local branch for approval for any foreign exchange-related transactions concerning that plan.

On March 28, 2007, the SAFE promulgated the Stock Option Rule. Under the Stock Option Rule, PRC citizens who are granted 

stock options by an overseas-listed company are required, through a PRC agent or PRC subsidiary of such overseas-listed company, to 
register with the SAFE and complete certain other procedures.

On February 15, 2012, the SAFE promulgated the New Stock Option Rule. Upon the effectiveness of the New Stock Option 

Rule on February 15, 2012, the Stock Option Rule became void, although the basic requirements and procedures provided under the 
Stock Option Rule are kept unchanged in the New Stock Option Rule, i.e., the domestic employees participating in stock incentive 
plan of an overseas-listed company shall appoint the PRC subsidiary of the overseas-listed company or a domestic qualified agent to 
make the registration of the stock incentive plan with the SAFE and handle all foreign exchange-related matters of the stock incentive 
plan through the special bank account approved by the SAFE. The New Stock Option Rule clarifies that the domestic subsidiary of an 
overseas-listed company shall include the limited liability company, partnership and the representative office directly or indirectly 
established by such overseas-listed company in China and the domestic employees shall include the directors, supervisors, the senior 
management and other employees of the domestic subsidiary, including the foreign employees of the domestic subsidiary who 
continuously reside in China for no less than one year.

Similar to the Stock Option Rule, the New Stock Option Rule requires that the annual allowance with respect to the purchase of 

foreign exchange in connection with stock holding or stock option exercises shall be subject to the approval of the SAFE. The New 
Stock Option Rule further requires that the material amendments of the stock incentive plan shall be filed with the SAFE within three 
months following the occurrence of the material amendments. The domestic agent shall also make a quarterly update to the SAFE to 
disclose the information with respect to the stock option exercises, the stock holding and foreign exchange matters. If the domestic 
employees or the domestic agent fails to comply with the requirements of the New Stock Option Rule, the SAFE may require the 
remedy and even impose administrative penalties that the SAFE deems appropriate.

In addition, the SAT has issued circulars concerning employee share options. Under these circulars, individuals working in China 

who exercise share options will be subject to PRC individual income tax. We have obligations to file documents related to employee 
share options with relevant tax authorities and withhold the individual income taxes of employees who exercise their share options.

Regulations Relating to Dividend Distribution

The principal regulations governing distribution of dividends paid by wholly foreign owned enterprises and Sino-foreign equity 

joint ventures include:

(cid:120) Wholly Foreign Owned Enterprise Law (1986), as amended;

(cid:120) Wholly Foreign Owned Enterprise Law Implementing Rules (1990), as amended;

(cid:120)

(cid:120)

(cid:120)

Sino-Foreign Equity Joint Venture Enterprise Law (1979), as amended;

Sino-Foreign Equity Joint Venture Enterprise Law Implementing Rules (1983), as amended; and

PRC Enterprise Income Tax Law and its Implementation Rules (2007), amended in 2017.

Under these regulations, foreign-invested enterprises in the PRC may pay dividends only out of their accumulated profits, if any, 

determined in accordance with PRC accounting standards and regulations. In addition, foreign-invested enterprises in the PRC are 
required to set aside certain amounts out of their accumulated profits each year, if any, to fund certain reserve funds. These reserves 
are not distributable as cash dividends.

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C. Organizational Structure

The following chart illustrates our corporate structure, including our principal operating subsidiaries and consolidated affiliated 

entities as of the date of this annual report.

(1)

(2)

(3)

Includes Shanghai Wang Ju Human Resource Consulting Co., Ltd., incorporated in the PRC, which conducts human resource 
services and is 70% owned by 51net HR and 30% owned by Run An.

In addition, 51net directly or indirectly wholly owns three PRC subsidiaries which have no current operations: Shanghai Wang 
Ju Advertising Co., Ltd.; Wang Jin Information Technology (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.; and Wuhan Wang Cai Information 
Technology Co., Ltd.

Includes six PRC subsidiaries of Tech JV: Shanghai Qianjin Zhong Cheng Human Resources Co., Ltd., a wholly owned 
subsidiary which conducts human resource services; Shanghai Yishu Information Technology Co., Ltd., a wholly owned 
subsidiary which conducts online recruitment services; Shanghai Pinyi Information Technology Co., Ltd., a wholly owned 
subsidiary which conducts online recruitment services; Shanghai Qianjin Advertising Co., Ltd., an 80% owned subsidiary which 
conducts advertising services; Shanghai Wang Cai Advertising Co., Ltd., a subsidiary jointly owned by Shanghai Qianjin 
Advertising Co., Ltd. and Tech JV which conducts advertising services; and Beijing Zhiding Youyuan Management Consulting 
Co., Ltd., a 60% owned subsidiary which conducts human resource services.

Our subsidiary, 51net, directly holds 50% of the outstanding shares of Tech JV, Qian Cheng directly holds 1% of the outstanding 

shares of Tech JV, and Wuhan AdCo directly holds the remaining 49% of the outstanding shares of Tech JV. As a result of Qian 
Cheng’s ownership of Wuhan AdCo, each of 51net and Qian Cheng effectively holds 50% of the equity interest in Tech JV.

Our services are principally provided through Tech JV and its subsidiaries, which hold licenses to provide online advertising 

services, human resource related services and information services via the Internet and mobile networks.

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Tech JV and its subsidiaries recognize substantially all of our revenues and receive substantially all of the cash payments from 

our clients. Our relationships with Qian Cheng and Run An, our affiliated entities, have been governed by a series of agreements, 
under which we have borne all of the economic risks and received all of the economic rewards in these affiliated entities. In addition, 
through a call option agreement between 51net and Qian Cheng, 51net or its designee is able to purchase the equity interests in Tech 
JV that are held by Qian Cheng and Wuhan AdCo as well as the equity interest in AdCo that is held by Qian Cheng. As a result, the 
historical financial results of these entities have been consolidated in our financial statements. For a discussion on the contractual 
arrangements among our entities, see “Item 7. — Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions — Related Party Transactions 
— Contractual Arrangements Among Our Group Entities.”

We have been advised by Jun He Law Offices, our PRC legal counsel, that:

(cid:120)

(cid:120)

(cid:120)

our current ownership structure is in compliance with existing PRC laws and regulations;

the agreements among our subsidiaries, affiliated entities and their respective shareholders are valid and binding, and are 
enforceable under, and will not result in any violation of, existing PRC laws or regulations, with exception to the trademark 
license agreement, which may not be enforceable against bona fide third parties until registration with the relevant 
trademark administration authorities; and

except as otherwise disclosed herein, our current business operations as described in this annual report are not in violation 
of existing PRC laws, rules and regulations in all material aspects.

There are, however, substantial uncertainties regarding the interpretation and application of PRC laws and regulations, including 

but not limited to the laws and regulations governing our business or the enforcement and performance of our contractual 
arrangements in the event of the imposition of statutory liens, death, bankruptcy and criminal proceedings. Accordingly, we cannot 
assure you that PRC regulatory authorities will not take a view contrary to that of our PRC legal counsel. See “Item 3. — Key 
Information — Risk Factors — Risks Related to Our Corporate Structure — The PRC laws and regulations governing our business 
operations and contractual arrangements are uncertain, and if we are found to be in violation, we could be subject to sanctions” and 
“— Risks Related to Doing Business in China — The PRC legal system has inherent uncertainties that could materially and adversely 
affect us.”

We intend to continue to evaluate from time to time the PRC regulatory environment with respect to the foreign ownership of 
human resource related services and value-added communications services, and plan to continue to streamline our ownership structure 
and operations as and when permitted by PRC laws and regulations.

D. Property, Plants and Equipment

Our executive offices as well as our principal marketing and development facilities, comprising approximately 12,600 square 
meters, are currently located at No. 1387, Zhang Dong Road, Shanghai 201203, People’s Republic of China. We operate a national 
sales and customer service call center with a total floor area of approximately 18,840 square meters across two locations in Wuhan. 
We also maintain a large sales office in downtown Shanghai comprising approximately 3,230 square meters. In addition, we lease 
space for our network of sales offices in Changchun, Changsha, Chengdu, Chongqing, Dalian, Dongguan, Foshan, Fuzhou, Guiyang, 
Hangzhou, Harbin, Hefei, Jinan, Kunming, Nanjing, Ningbo, Qingdao, Shanghai, Shenyang, Shenzhen, Suzhou, Tianjin, Wuhan, Xian 
and Zhengzhou. As of the date of this annual report, we have leases for office space totaling approximately 31,700 square meters. We 
believe that we will be able to obtain adequate facilities to accommodate our expansion plans in the near future.

In April 2015, we completed the acquisition of office space in Shanghai to accommodate our growing business operations. The 

purchase price was RMB43.8 million and was funded from our existing cash resources.

ITEM 4A.

UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

None.

ITEM 5.

OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS

The following discussion of our financial condition and results of operations is based upon and should be read in conjunction 

with our consolidated financial statements and their related notes included elsewhere in this annual report on Form 20-F. This 
discussion may contain forward-looking statements based upon current expectations that involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual 
results may differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including those 
set forth under “Item 3. — Key Information — Risk Factors” or in other parts of this annual report.

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A. Operating Results

Overview

We believe that we are a leading nationwide provider of integrated human resource services in China. We offer recruitment 

advertising services which include online recruitment and, historically, print advertising services. We also provide other 
complementary human resource related services, consisting primarily of business process outsourcing, training, campus recruitment 
and executive search services. We aim to be a “one-stop” solution to human resource departments by providing recruitment and other 
human resource related services to employers.

For the year ended December 31, 2016, our online recruitment services generated approximately 65.2% of our revenues with the 

remaining 34.8% from our other human resource related services.

Factors Affecting Our Results of Operations

The major factors affecting our results of operations and financial condition include:

(cid:120)

(cid:120)

(cid:120)

(cid:120)

(cid:120)

Growth of the Chinese Economy and Demand for Human Resource Services in China. China’s rapid economic growth has 
served as an important catalyst for the development of the human resource services industry. In addition, the proliferation of 
new enterprises has led to increased market liberalization and competition. As a result, companies in China are increasingly 
recognizing the need for improved recruitment processes and talent management, which has driven the demand for human 
resource services.

We expect that our financial results will continue to be affected by the overall growth of the Chinese economy and market 
demand for human resource services, in particular recruitment services. Impacted by the global economic and financial 
market crisis in 2008 and 2009, the Chinese economy experienced a slowdown in economic activity, and we experienced a 
period of negative or lower revenue growth rates, decrease in customer spending and contraction in operating margins. 
Recently, there have been increasing concerns about the Chinese economy as the growth rate of China’s gross domestic 
product has slowed in 2014, 2015 and 2016. If there are further slowdowns or other adverse developments in China’s 
economic growth, we may experience material changes in market demand and customer spending, each of which would 
adversely affect our financial condition and operating results, such as negative or lower revenue growth rates, margin 
contraction and decreased profitability.

Changes in the Composition of the Chinese Labor Market. As the Chinese economy grows, we believe that China is 
developing a large skilled and educated labor force. This growing skilled and educated work force is a key segment targeted 
by employers who use our human resource services as they seek to attract and retain talent to build a competitive advantage. 
In addition, China’s large labor force is increasingly migrating toward urban centers due to continuing economic 
development and employer demand. As a result, major metropolitan areas have become the foundation for the growing 
human resource services industry in China. For this reason, we have established sales offices in 25 cities across China and 
cover 79 additional geographies through a national sales and customer service call center. We believe these changes in the 
composition of the Chinese labor market toward a larger, better skilled and urbanized work force will increase the number 
of job seekers and employers who utilize our human resource services.

Seasonality in the Human Resource Services Market. The human resource services industry is characterized by seasonal 
fluctuations. Accordingly, these fluctuations, particularly in the seasonal peak recruitment periods following the Chinese 
New Year holiday in the first quarter and the National Day holiday in October, may cause our results to vary from quarter 
to quarter. During seasonal peak periods, demand for recruitment advertising and other human resource related services 
may or may not rise significantly depending on the needs of employers as well as their perceptions of the job market. In 
addition, the Chinese New Year holiday is based on the lunar calendar, which varies from year to year and affects our first 
quarter results and their comparability to financial results of the same quarter in prior years. We have usually observed 
seasonal campus recruitment activity by employers in the fourth quarter of each year but also a general slowdown in overall 
recruitment activity at calendar year end.

Increasing Acceptance of New Recruitment Channels and Human Resource Services. Many employers in China have 
traditionally relied on job fairs and/or referrals to recruit employees. While we have experienced growth in our recruitment 
advertising services, the use of advertising services to recruit employees has a limited history in China. In addition, we 
believe that the concept and use of business process outsourcing services is relatively new in China. Therefore, our ability 
to successfully increase employer acceptance and adoption of our services materially affects our results of operations.

Growing Use of the Internet as a Platform for Providing Human Resource Services. Our results of operations from our 
online recruitment services in particular will depend substantially upon an increase in Internet penetration and use. 
According to the CNNIC, the number of Internet users in China has increased from approximately 79 million in 2003 to 
approximately 731 million in 2016, ranking China as the largest market of Internet users in the world. We believe that 
continued development of China’s technology infrastructure, more affordable and diversified means of Internet access, and 
expanding ownership of personal computers, mobile phones and other devices with Internet capabilities will connect an 
increasingly larger group of job seekers and employers across a wider geographical area as well as facilitate the use of a 
web-based platform for the delivery of human resource services.

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Revenues

A significant majority of our revenues come from employers who purchase our recruitment advertising services, primarily our 
online recruitment services. We also provide other complementary human resource related services, consisting primarily of business 
process outsourcing, training, campus recruitment and executive search services.

The following table sets forth the revenues from our principal lines of business as a percentage of our total revenues for the 

periods indicated.

Revenues:

Online recruitment services
Print advertising
Other human resource related revenues

Total revenues

For the year ended December 31,
2015

2016

2014

65.8%
0.7
33.5
100.0%

64.5%
0.3
35.2
100.0%

65.2%
—
34.8
100.0%

The following table sets forth our revenue growth rates by business line for the periods indicated.

Online recruitment services
Print advertising
Other human resource related revenues
Total revenues

Recruitment Advertising Revenues

2014
compared to
2013

2015
compared to
2014

2016
compared to
2015

15.1%
(72.1)
17.3
13.2%

8.7%
(62.6)
16.6
10.8%

14.1%
—
11.5
12.9%

We receive recruitment advertising revenues from the fees that employers pay us for our online recruitment services and, 

historically, our print advertising services.

Online Recruitment Services Revenues. We generate our online recruitment services revenues from fees we charge employers for 

placing recruitment and related advertisements on our websites and for access to eHire through which our resumé download services 
and recruitment management tools are available. In addition, we generate online revenues for website design and hosting services that 
we provide to corporations that wish to maintain their own dedicated recruitment website within our platforms. While we do not 
charge job seekers for accessing our websites and using basic functions, including the ability to register and maintain a user account, 
search and browse job postings and submit job applications, certain enhanced services are available to job seekers for a fee.

We believe that the increase of our online recruitment services revenues has been characterized by a combination of greater 

acceptance of the Internet as a recruitment medium in China and our effectiveness in increasing the number of employers using our 
online recruitment services.

For the future, we expect the growth of our online recruitment services revenues will continue to be driven by an increase in the 
number of unique employers using these services as well as higher average revenue per unique employer due to our up-selling efforts 
and potential price increases over time. In addition, two opposing trends affect our average revenue per unique employer. Because 
new customers tend to use basic, lower priced online recruitment services, significant increases in the number of these customers 
generally result in higher aggregate online recruitment services revenues but lower average revenue per unique employer, which 
occurred in 2014. Also, we may choose to offer introductory packages at reduced prices or provide complimentary trials from time to 
time, which decrease average revenue per unique employer. However, our ability to retain customers and migrate them over time to 
higher priced products has historically mitigated or offset these factors that reduce our average revenue per unique employer. As more 
customers become increasingly familiar with our online platform and we build customer loyalty, we may be able to sell them a 
package of multiple online recruitment services or extend the length of their membership period, both of which increase our average 
revenue per unique employer and occurred in 2015 and 2016. Our ability to retain customers and migrate them to higher priced 
products or multiple purchases may be adversely affected by, among other things, economic growth and policies in China, market 
demand for online recruitment services, difficulties we may encounter in developing or launching higher priced services and price 
competition in the online recruitment services market in China.

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We define a unique employer as a customer that purchases our online recruitment services during a specified period. An 
employer who purchases online services multiple times or in multiple quarters throughout the fiscal year is counted as one unique 
employer for the annual total. We make adjustments for multiple purchases by the same customer within a city to avoid double 
counting. Each employer is assigned a unique identification number in our management information system. Affiliates and branches 
of a given employer may, under certain circumstances, be counted as separate unique employers. Our calculation of the number of 
unique employers is subject to misidentification and other forms of error, including errors in judgment as to appropriate adjustments to 
be made to the data. We cannot assure you that our methodology, employer identification, calculations and analyses are accurate, or 
that they yield results that are comparable between periods or give a correct approximation of actual numbers of customers.

We generally require that all advertising fees be paid in advance of posting an advertisement on our websites, although we may 

offer credit terms to select clients on a case-by-case basis.

Print Advertising Revenues. We generated our print advertising revenues from fees that we charged employers for placing 
recruitment and related advertisements in 51job Weekly. We did not receive revenues from the sale of 51job Weekly. Our print 
advertising revenues were primarily affected by the number of print advertising pages and the fees that we charged. The advertising 
rates that we charged varied and depended on a number of factors including the size, placement, format and use of color and graphics 
in the advertisement and the length of time the advertisement was to appear.

We believe the growing acceptance of online recruitment services by employers had limited the demand and future use of print 
advertising services for recruitment purposes. As a result, we had decided to gradually discontinue the publication of 51job Weekly in 
local cities since 2010 and had completely ceased all print advertising operations in 2015.

Other Human Resource Related Revenues

We generate revenues from employers and enterprises for using our other human resource related services. For our business 
processing outsourcing services, we receive a monthly fee, which is based on such factors as the scope and complexity of services 
provided, the cities where services will be delivered and the number of employees under contract to us, per each individual we serve 
on behalf of our corporate clients. For our training services, we receive a registration fee per each participant who attends our seminars 
and workshops. For our campus recruitment services, we charge employers fees for preparing a customized campus recruitment 
strategic plan, promoting their image to students and schools, and handling on-campus logistics and administrative tasks. For engaging 
our executive search and placement services, we charge a total assignment fee, which may include a minimum upfront retainer, based 
on a percentage of the successful candidate’s annual or monthly compensation. In addition, we also charge enterprises for utilizing our 
assessment services, purchasing our studies and reports on compensation and other human resource topics, and for participating in our 
industry conferences. We expect to continue to expand our outsourcing and training businesses and aim to develop additional human 
resource related services and products for our corporate clients. We believe that these services are an important component of our 
“one-stop” human resource solutions strategy and enhance our reputation and image as an industry innovator. In addition, we believe 
our business process outsourcing business may experience less seasonal and cyclical variations in revenues than our recruitment 
advertising services over time.

Growth of our other human resource related services will be dependent on our ability to successfully develop, introduce and 

increase adoption of these types of products and services as well as a relaxation of government regulations in China. We believe the 
increase in our other human resource related revenues has been primarily driven by growing customer acceptance of these products 
and services, particularly our business process outsourcing and training services, as well as our sales and marketing efforts. We expect 
that as we continue to expand the scale and scope of these services and meet growing market demand, revenues generated from these 
services may increase as a percentage of our overall revenues in the future.

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Net Revenues and Business Taxes

Our net revenues reflect the impact of VAT, as well as historically PRC business tax, and other related surcharges which are 

levied on revenues generated from services we provide in China.

Effective January 1, 2012, the State Council instituted a business tax to VAT transformational pilot program in Shanghai. Under 
this program, industries subject to business tax were transitioned to VAT payers. As of May 1, 2016, the VAT program was expanded 
to cover all industries in the PRC, and the VAT chain for all industries was completed.

Generally, our PRC subsidiaries and affiliated entities are subject to VAT rates of 5% or 6%, and are permitted to offset input 

VAT supported by valid VAT invoices received from vendors against their VAT liability. VAT on the invoiced amount collected by 
the PRC subsidiaries and affiliated entities on behalf of tax authorities in respect of services provided, net of VAT paid for purchases, 
is recorded as taxes payable until it is paid to the tax authorities.

Our PRC subsidiaries and affiliated entities are also subject to certain government surcharges on the VAT payable in the PRC. In 

our consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income, these surcharges are included under the account of “business 
tax and surcharges,” which is deducted from gross revenues to arrive at net revenues.

Costs

We operate and manage our various businesses as a single segment. In addition, we share operating costs and management 
resources amongst these businesses. As a result, we do not account for our results of operations on a geographical or other basis, and 
we are unable to allocate costs among our various businesses.

The following table sets forth our cost of services and total operating expenses as a percentage of our net revenues for the periods 

indicated.

Cost of services
Total operating expenses

For the year ended December 31,
2015

2014

2016

(27.1)%
(44.3)%

(27.7)%
(44.7)%

(28.4)%
(45.4)%

Our cost of services as a percentage of our net revenues is affected by our ability to achieve economies of scale and operating 
efficiencies. We believe that as we grow our operations and infrastructure, we can attract new employers and increase cross-selling 
opportunities with existing customers across multiple markets and services, thereby allowing us to achieve economies of scale as we 
may be able to realize a higher level of revenues relative to our direct costs. In addition, the expansion of our online recruitment 
services business requires limited additional fixed costs.

Although we expect to increase spending on sales and marketing activities and product development in order to strengthen our 
brand and enhance our service offerings, we aim to decrease our cost of services and total operating expenses as a percentage of our 
net revenues in the longer term through greater economies of scale and improved operating efficiencies. However, our ability to 
achieve these objectives is subject to significant uncertainties, and we cannot assure you that we will be able to decrease these costs as 
a percentage of our net revenues.

Cost of Services

Our cost of services primarily consists of salary and employee compensation, subcontracting expenses, costs related to training 

materials and contracted instructors, and data storage and bandwidth costs. The majority of our employee compensation and other 
costs of services are largely shared across our various business lines. We pay subcontracting fees to third parties to provide services to 
us in connection with the operations of our business process outsourcing business. For our online recruitment services business, we 
have been able to leverage our existing infrastructure to grow our revenues, allowing us to incur limited additional costs relative to the 
higher revenues we have generated. While we expect that our cost of services in absolute amount will increase as we expand our 
business operations, we aim to lower this cost as a percentage of net revenues over time through greater economies of scale and scope 
as well as improved efficiency and productivity. However, cost of services as a percentage of net revenues increased due to softer 
recruitment demand amid a slower economic growth environment in 2015 and also increased in 2016 due to the implementation of the 
VAT policy change in 2016 on other human resource related revenues which reduced the amount of net revenues recognized.

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Operating Expenses

Our operating expenses include sales and marketing expenses and general and administrative expenses.

The following table sets forth our operating expenses as a percentage of our net revenues for the periods indicated.

Operating expenses:

Sales and marketing
General and administrative

Total operating expenses

For the year ended December 31,
2015

2014

2016

(30.7)%
(13.6)
(44.3)%

(31.9)%
(12.8)
(44.7)%

(33.5)%
(11.9)
(45.4)%

Our sales and marketing expenses primarily consist of salaries, commissions and share-based compensation for our sales and 
marketing staff, advertising and promotion expenses, and expenses for our management and staff related to our daily operations in 
local markets. The level of sales and marketing expenditures varies in each city annually and is impacted by a number of factors, 
including customer demand, competition and our strategic objectives in each market. In addition, the sales and marketing strategies we 
employ in each city varies depending on our determination of the most effective means to promote our brand and services. We expect 
to continue to invest resources to strengthen our market position and brand, to expand our sales force and to promote new products 
and services. Although we expect that our sales and marketing expenses in absolute amount will increase as we grow our businesses, 
we aim to maintain these expenses as a percentage of net revenues at a stable or lower level over time by focusing on operational 
scalability and efficiency improvements. However, sales and marketing expenses as a percentage of net revenues increased in 2015 
and 2016 due to higher employee compensation expenses, expansion of our sales team and greater spending on marketing and 
promotional activities.

Our general and administrative expenses primarily consist of employee salaries, bonuses and share-based compensation, building 

depreciation, office rent and property management fees, administrative office expenses and professional services fees. While we 
expect that our general and administrative expenses in absolute amount will increase as we grow our businesses, we aim to lower our 
general and administrative expenses as a percentage of net revenues in the longer term by capitalizing on operational and management 
efficiencies.

Income Taxation

We file income tax returns in multiple jurisdictions because we, our subsidiaries and our affiliated entities are tax residents of 

different jurisdictions.

Cayman Islands

Under the current laws of the Cayman Islands, we are not subject to income or capital gain taxes. In addition, upon payments of 

dividends by us to our shareholders, no Cayman Islands withholding tax will be imposed.

British Virgin Islands

51net, our subsidiary incorporated in the British Virgin Islands, or BVI, is a business company subject to the provisions of the 
BVI Business Companies Act 2004 (as amended). Under current BVI laws, 51net is exempt from all provisions of the Income Tax 
Ordinance of the BVI (including with respect to all dividends, interests, rents, royalties, compensation and other amounts payable by 
51net to persons who are not persons resident in the BVI). Capital gains realized with respect to any shares, debt obligations or other 
securities of a company by persons who are not persons resident in the BVI are also exempt from all provisions of the Income Tax 
Ordinance of the BVI. In addition, there are no withholding taxes in the BVI.

Hong Kong

51net is registered in Hong Kong as a non-Hong Kong company and is subject to Hong Kong profits tax at a rate of 16.5% on its 

assessable profit.

PRC

In March 2007, the National People’s Congress enacted the EIT Law (as amended in February 2017), which applies a uniform 
25% EIT rate to both foreign-invested enterprises and domestic enterprises effective January 1, 2008. In December 2009, Tech JV was 
designated by relevant local authorities in Shanghai as a “High and New Technology Enterprise,” or HNTE, under the EIT Law and 
became subject to a preferential tax rate of 15%. In 2015, its preferential tax status was renewed by local tax authorities through 2017. 
Tech JV is entitled to this preferential 15% tax rate as long as it maintains the required qualifications, which is subject to review every 
three years. We cannot assure you that Tech JV will continue to qualify as a HNTE when it is subject to reevaluation in the future.

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The amount of income tax payable by our PRC subsidiaries and affiliated entities in the future will depend on various factors, 

including, among other things, the results of operations and taxable income of, and the EIT rate applicable to, each of the subsidiaries 
and affiliated entities, and our effective tax rate depends in part on the extent of each of our subsidiaries’ and affiliated entities’
relative contribution to our consolidated taxable income. As our overseas entities recognize share-based compensation expense and 
may recognize losses from foreign currency translation which are not deductible for PRC tax purposes, our effective tax rate has at 
times exceeded the EIT rate in our history.

Moreover, under the EIT Law, dividends payable by a foreign-invested enterprise to its foreign investors from profits earned 

after January 1, 2008 are subject to a 10% withholding tax, unless any such foreign investor’s jurisdiction of incorporation has a tax 
treaty with China that provides for a different withholding arrangement. The Cayman Islands, where we are incorporated, does not 
have such a tax treaty with China. Since we intend to permanently reinvest earnings to further expand our businesses in China, we do 
not intend to declare dividends from our foreign-invested enterprises in China to its immediate foreign holding entities in the 
foreseeable future. Accordingly, as of December 31, 2016, we have not recorded any withholding tax on the retained earnings of our 
foreign-invested enterprises in China.

In addition, under the EIT Law, enterprises organized under the laws of jurisdictions outside China with their “de facto 

management bodies” located within China may be considered PRC resident enterprises and therefore subject to an EIT rate of 25% on 
their worldwide income. See “Item 3. — Key Information — Risk Factors — Risks Related to Doing Business in China — We may 
be deemed a PRC resident enterprise under the EIT Law, which could subject us to PRC taxation on our global income and may have 
a material adverse effect on our results of operations.”

Critical Accounting Policies

We prepare financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP, which requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect 
the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities on the date of the financial statements, and 
the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the financial reporting period. Our significant estimates include those related to 
allowances for accounts receivable, allowances for prepayments and other current assets, estimated useful lives of property and 
equipment and intangible assets, fair values of options to purchase our common shares, fair values of financial instruments, 
impairment of long-lived assets, long-term investments and goodwill, the purchase price allocation and fair value of non-controlling 
interests with respect to business combinations, and deferred tax valuation allowance. We continually evaluate these estimates and 
assumptions based on the most recently available information, our own historical experience and various other assumptions that we 
believe are reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of 
assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Since the use of estimates is an integral component of the 
financial reporting process, actual results could differ from those estimates. We consider the policies discussed below to be critical to 
an understanding of our financial statements as their application assists our management in making business decisions.

We operate and manage our various businesses as a single segment. In addition, since our revenues are primarily generated from 

customers in the PRC, we do not account for our results of operations on a geographical or other basis. Since many of our 
management and staff provide services with respect to many or all of our businesses, and since our infrastructure and operations are 
designed to facilitate all of our businesses as an integrated unit, we are unable to allocate costs among our various businesses or 
present our financial results in terms of multiple business segments.

Income Taxes

We account for income taxes using the liability method. Under this method, deferred income taxes are recognized for the 
differences between the financial statement carrying amounts and the tax bases of existing assets and liabilities by applying enacted 
statutory rates applicable to future years in which the differences are expected to reverse. The effect on deferred taxes of a change in 
tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.

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We provide a valuation allowance on our deferred tax assets to the extent we consider it to be more likely than not that we will 

be unable to realize all or part of such assets. Our future realization of our deferred tax assets is dependent on many factors, including 
our ability to generate taxable income within the period during which temporary differences reverse or before our tax loss 
carryforwards expire, the outlook for the Chinese economy and overall outlook for our industry. We consider these factors at each 
balance sheet date and determine whether valuation allowances are necessary.

All deferred tax assets and liabilities within a single tax jurisdiction are offset and presented as a single amount. We have adopted 

the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s Accounting Standard Update No. 2015-17, “Income Taxes (Topic 740): Balance Sheet 
Classification of Deferred Taxes” prospectively and classified all deferred tax assets and liabilities as non-current items on our 
consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2016.

We had deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowance, of RMB10.3 million, RMB2.4 million and RMB0.8 million (US$0.1 
million) as of December 31, 2014, 2015 and 2016, respectively. We had deferred tax liabilities of RMB12.6 million, RMB34/8 million 
and RMB57.2 million (US$8.2 million) as of December 31, 2014, 2015 and 2016, respectively.

As of December 31, 2014, 2015 and 2016, we recognized aggregate valuation allowances of RMB0.5 million, RMB1.9 million 

and RMB2.4 million (US$0.4 million), respectively. As a result of our current expectations as to our ability to generate taxable 
income, we currently do not expect to provide significant further valuation allowances with respect to our net deferred tax assets. In 
the event that unexpected developments prevent us from realizing some or all of our deferred tax assets, we will be required to take a 
charge against our net income for the period in which such events occur.

We account for uncertainties in income taxes under Accounting Standards Codification, or ASC, 740-10-25 “Income Taxes —

Overall — Recognition.” We have elected to classify interest and penalties related to an uncertain tax position, if any and when 
required, as general and administrative expenses. In the years ended December 31, 2014, 2015 and 2016, we did not record any 
interest and penalties associated with uncertain tax positions as there were no uncertain tax positions.

Revenue Recognition

We recognize fees received from providing online recruitment services as revenue ratably over the display period of the contract 

or when services are provided, collectibility is reasonably assured, and other criteria in accordance with ASC 605 “Revenue 
Recognition,” or ASC 605, are met. For a transaction involving multiple services, we recognize revenue at relative fair value which is 
determined based on our regular selling prices charged in unbundled arrangements. Cash received in advance of services are 
recognized as advance from customers.

We recognized fees received from providing print recruitment advertising services as revenue when collectibility was reasonably 

assured, upon the publication of the advertisements and when other criteria in accordance with ASC 605 were met. Cash received in 
advance of services was recognized as advance from customers. We ceased all print advertising operations in 2015.

We recognize fees received from providing other human resource related services as revenue when (i) persuasive evidence of an 

agreement exists; (ii) services are rendered; (iii) the sales price and terms are fixed or determinable; and (iv) the collection of the 
receivable is reasonably assured, as prescribed by ASC 605.

Share-Based Compensation

We account for share-based compensation arrangements under ASC 718 “Compensation — Stock Compensation,” or ASC 718, 

which requires companies to expense the value of employee stock options and similar awards. Under ASC 718, share-based 
compensation is measured at the grant date based on the fair value of the award and is recognized as an expense on a straight-line 
basis, net of estimated forfeitures, over the vesting period. We recognized share-based compensation expense of RMB81.4 million in 
2014, RMB85.9 million in 2015 and RMB86.1 million (US$12.4 million) in 2016 in connection with the grant of options to our 
employees, executives and directors.

Under ASC 718, we applied the Black-Scholes valuation model in determining the fair value of options granted, which requires 

the input of highly subjective assumptions, including the expected life of the stock option, stock price volatility, dividend rate and 
risk-free interest rate. Our assumption for expected life takes into account vesting and contractual terms, employee demographics and 
historical exercise behavior, which we believe are useful reference points. We estimate expected volatility at the date of grant based on 
historical volatilities of the market price of our ADSs. The assumption for expected dividend yield is consistent with our current 
policy of no dividend payout. Risk-free interest rates are based on U.S. Treasury yield for the terms consistent with the expected life 
of award at the time of grant. The assumptions used in calculating the fair value of stock options represent our best estimates, but these 
estimates involve inherent uncertainties and the application of management judgment. As a result, if factors change and we use 
different assumptions, our share-based compensation expense could be materially different in the future. In addition, we are required 
to estimate the expected forfeiture rate and only recognize expense for those shares expected to vest.

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We estimate the forfeiture rate based on historical experience of our stock options that are granted, exercised and forfeited. If our 

actual forfeiture rate is materially different from our estimate, the share-based compensation expense could be significantly different 
from what we have recorded in the current period.

See Note 2(n) to our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this annual report for further discussion of share-

based compensation under ASC 718. The guidance provided in ASC 718 may be subject to further interpretation and refinement over 
time.

Basis for Consolidation and Our Relationships with Our Affiliated Variable Interest Entities

We consolidate 100% of the interests of all of our subsidiaries and affiliated variable interest entities.

We have entered into contractual arrangements with Qian Cheng and Run An under which we bear all of their economic risks 

and received all of their economic rewards. In our consolidated financial statements, we have consolidated all of the interests of Qian 
Cheng and Run An under ASC 810 “Consolidation,” or ASC 810. Qian Cheng is wholly owned by Run An. Run An is jointly owned 
by David Weimin Jin and Tao Wang, PRC nationals and executive officers of our company.

ASC 810 requires a “variable interest entity” to be consolidated by the primary beneficiary of such entity. An entity is considered 

to be a variable interest entity if certain conditions are present, such as if the equity investors in the entity do not have the 
characteristics of a controlling financial interest or the entity does not have sufficient equity at risk for the entity to finance its 
activities without additional subordinated financial support from other parties. Under various agreements with Qian Cheng and Run 
An, we are considered the primary beneficiary of Qian Cheng and Run An, and all of their interests have been consolidated in our 
financial statements. All significant transactions and balances between us, our subsidiaries, Qian Cheng and Run An have been 
eliminated upon consolidation.

We have been advised by Jun He Law Offices, our PRC legal counsel, except as otherwise disclosed in this annual report, that 
these contractual arrangements are enforceable and our current business operations are not in violation of existing PRC laws, rules and 
regulations in all material aspects. There are, however, substantial uncertainties regarding the interpretation and application of PRC 
laws and regulations, including but not limited to the laws and regulations governing our business or the enforcement and performance 
of our contractual arrangements in the event of the imposition of statutory liens, death, bankruptcy and criminal proceedings. 
Accordingly, we cannot assure you that PRC regulatory authorities will not take a view contrary to that of our PRC legal counsel. See 
“Item 3. — Key Information — Risk Factors — Risks Related to Our Corporate Structure —The PRC laws and regulations governing 
our business operations and contractual arrangements are uncertain, and if we are found to be in violation, we could be subject to 
sanctions” and “— Risks Related to Doing Business in China — The PRC legal system has inherent uncertainties that could materially 
and adversely affect us.”

For additional information with respect to our contractual arrangements with Qian Cheng and Run An, see “Item 7. — Major 

Shareholders and Related Party Transactions — Related Party Transactions — Contractual Arrangements Among Our Group 
Entities.”

Allowances for Doubtful Accounts and Other Receivables

We provide general and specific provisions for bad debts when facts and circumstances indicate that the receivable is unlikely to 

be collected. If the financial condition of our customers were to deteriorate, resulting in an impairment of their ability to make 
payments, additional allowances may be required.

Long-Term Investments

Our long-term investments include cost method investments in privately-held companies and available-for-sale investments. For 
investees over which we do not have significant influence and a controlling interest, we account for these investments under the cost 
method. We review our cost method investments for other-than-temporary impairment by considering available quantitative and 
qualitative factors, such as current market conditions and the operating performance of the investees. No other-than-temporary 
impairment charge was incurred in the years ended December 31, 2014, 2015 and 2016. Available-for-sale investments are carried at 
their fair value at each balance sheet date and changes in fair value are reflected in the consolidated statements of operations and 
comprehensive income.

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Long-Lived Assets

Our accounting for long-lived assets, including property and equipment, goodwill and intangible assets, is described in Notes 2
(g) and 2(i) to our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this annual report. The recorded value of long-lived assets 
is affected by a number of management estimates, including estimated useful lives, residual values and impairment charges.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets Other Than Goodwill

We assess long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value of an asset 
may not be recoverable. We assess the recoverability of an asset group based on the undiscounted future cash flows the asset group is 
expected to generate and recognize an impairment loss when the estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to result from the 
use of the asset group plus net proceeds expected from the disposition of the asset group, if any, are less than the carrying value of the 
asset group. If we identify an impairment, we reduce the carrying amount of the asset group to its estimated fair value based on a 
discounted cash flow approach or, when available and appropriate, to comparable market values. We did not record any impairment 
charges for long-lived assets for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2015 and 2016. If different judgments or estimates had been 
utilized, material differences could have resulted in the amount and timing of the impairment charge and the related depreciation and 
amortization charges.

Impairment of Goodwill

We assess goodwill for impairment on an annual basis, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that it 
might be impaired. Our annual testing date is December 31. We first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is necessary to 
perform the two-step quantitative goodwill impairment test. In the qualitative assessment, we consider primary factors such as 
industry and market considerations, overall financial performance of the reporting unit, and other specific information related to the 
operations. Based on the qualitative assessment, if it is more likely than not that the fair value of each reporting unit is less than the 
carrying amount, the quantitative impairment test is performed.

In performing the two-step quantitative impairment test, we first compare the book value of net assets to the fair value of the 
reporting units. If the fair value is determined to be less than the book value, a second step is performed to compute the amount of 
impairment as the difference between the estimated fair value of goodwill and the carrying value.

Application of a goodwill impairment test requires significant management judgment, including the identification of reporting 
units, assigning assets, liabilities and goodwill to reporting units, and determining the fair value of each reporting unit. We estimate 
the fair value of the reporting unit using a discounted cash flow model. This valuation approach considers various assumptions 
including projections of future cash flows, perpetual growth rates and discount rates. The assumptions about future cash flows and 
growth rates are based on management’s assessment of a number of factors, including the reporting unit’s recent performance against 
budget, performance in the market that the reporting unit serves, as well as industry and general economic data from third party 
sources. Discount rate assumptions reflect an assessment of the risk inherent in those future cash flows. Changes to the underlying 
businesses could affect the future cash flows, which in turn could affect the fair value of the reporting unit.

We had no goodwill impairment for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2015 and 2016.

Business Combinations

We apply ASC 805 “Business Combinations,” which requires that all business combinations be accounted for under the purchase 
method. The cost of an acquisition is measured as the aggregate of the fair values at the date of exchange of the assets given, liabilities 
incurred and equity instruments issued. The transaction costs directly attributable to the acquisition are expensed as incurred. 
Identifiable assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities acquired or assumed are measured separately at their fair value as of the 
acquisition date, irrespective of the extent of any non-controlling interests. The excess of the (i) the total of cost of acquisition, fair 
value of the non-controlling interests and acquisition date fair value of any previously held equity interest in the acquiree over (ii) the 
fair value of the identifiable net assets of the acquiree is recorded as goodwill. If the cost of acquisition is less than the fair value of the 
net assets of the subsidiary acquired, the difference is recognized directly in the consolidated statements of operations and 
comprehensive income.

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Government Subsidies

We have received government subsidies which represent discretionary cash subsidies granted by the local government to 
encourage the development of certain enterprises that are established in the local special economic region. Cash subsidies have no 
defined rules and regulations to govern the criteria necessary for companies to enjoy the benefits and are recognized as other income 
when received and when all conditions for their receipt have been satisfied. We recognized government subsidies of RMB58.3 
million, RMB70.6 million and RMB97.1 million (US$14.0 million) for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2015 and 2016, 
respectively. We cannot assure you if or when we will receive such government subsidies in the future.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

See Note 2(y) to our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this annual report for discussion on recent 

accounting pronouncements.

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Results of Operations

The following table sets forth a summary of our consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income for the periods 

indicated both in Renminbi and as a percentage of net revenues:

2014

For the year ended December 31,
2015

2016

RMB

%

RMB

%

RMB

%

(in thousands, except percentages)

Revenues:

Online recruitment services
Print advertising
Other human resource related revenues

1,248,101
14,247
634,945

68.1
0.7
34.7

1,356,442
5,328
740,119

66.0
0.3
36.0

1,547,143
—
825,552

66.2
—
35.3

Total revenues

1,897,293

103.5

2,101,889

102.3

2,372,695

101.5

Less: Business tax and surcharges

(64,840)

(3.5)

(46,669)

(2.3)

(34,361)

(1.5)

Net revenues

Cost of services

(1)

Gross profit

(1)
Operating expenses :
Sales and marketing
General and administrative

1,832,453

100.0

2,055,220

100.0

2,338,334

100.0

(496,000)

(27.1)

(569,979)

(27.7)

(663,001)

(28.4)

1,336,453

72.9

1,485,241

72.3

1,675,333

71.6

(563,565)
(249,275)

(30.7)
(13.6)

(654,468)
(263,067)

(31.9)
(12.8)

(783,492)
(280,002)

(33.5)
(11.9)

Total operating expenses

(812,840)

(44.3)

(917,535)

(44.7)

(1,063,494)

(45.4)

Income from operations

523,613

28.6

567,706

27.6

611,839

26.2

Gain (Loss) from foreign currency 

translation

Interest and investment income, net
Convertible senior notes issuance costs
Change in fair value of convertible senior 

notes

Change in fair value of zero-strike call 

options

Other income, net

10,039
88,739
(47,522)

(55,355)

(24,874)
57,305

0.5
4.8
(2.6)

(3.0)

(1.3)
3.1

(55,857)
93,548
—

67,168

—
71,533

(2.7)
4.5
—

3.3

—
3.5

238
58,933
—

0.0
2.5
—

(69,439)

(3.0)

—
98,315

Income before income tax expense

551,945

30.1

744,098

36.2

699,886

Income tax expense

(113,035)

(6.1)

(126,301)

(6.1)

(134,699)

Net income

438,910

24.0

617,797

30.1

565,187

Net loss attributable to non-controlling 

interests

—

Net income attributable to 51job, Inc.

438,910

(1) Share-based compensation:
Included in cost of services
Included in operating expenses:

Sales and marketing
General and administrative

2016 Compared to 2015

(12,997)

(11,173)
(57,210)

—

24.0

(0.7)

(0.6)
(3.1)

260

618,057

(13,770)

(11,837)
(60,338)

0.0

30.1

(0.7)

(0.6)
(2.9)

791

565,978

(14,080)

(12,104)
(59,886)

Total Revenues. Our total revenues increased 12.9% to RMB2,372.7 million (US$341.7 million) in 2016 from RMB2,101.9 
million in 2015. This increase was driven by growth in revenues from our online recruitment services and other human resource 
related services. We derived our total revenues from:

(cid:120)

Online Recruitment Services. Our online recruitment services revenues increased 14.1% to RMB1,547.1 million (US$222.8 
million) in 2016 from RMB1,356.4 million in 2015. The growth was primarily due to an increase in the number of unique 
employers utilizing our online recruitment services as well as an increase in the average revenue per unique employer. We 
estimate that the number of unique employers increased 13.3% to 460,811 in 2016 from 406,880 in 2015 mainly due to 
successful new customer acquisition. Although the pricing of like-for-like services has been generally unchanged in recent 
years, our average revenue per unique employer grew 0.7% in 2016 as a result of the efforts of our sales force to increase 
spending with the purchase of multiple and/or higher value online services by existing customers, which was partially offset 
by new customer growth.

50

—
4.2

29.9

(5.7)

24.2

0.0

24.2

(0.6)

(0.5)
(2.6)

Table of Contents

(cid:120)

(cid:120)

Print Advertising. We had no print advertising revenues in 2016 compared with RMB5.3 million in 2015 as we had ceased 
all print advertising operations as of December 31, 2015.

Other Human Resource Related Revenues. Our revenues from other human resource related services increased 11.5% to 
RMB825.6 million (US$118.9 million) in 2016 from RMB740.1 million in 2015. This growth was primarily driven by 
increased usage of our business process outsourcing and seasonal campus recruitment services, which was partially offset 
by the impact of a government policy change from business tax to VAT during 2016 that increased taxation and reduced the 
amount of revenues we recognize from our other human resource related services.

Net Revenues. Our net revenues increased 13.8% to RMB2,338.3 million (US$336.8 million) in 2016 from RMB2,055.2 million 

in 2015. Effective May 1, 2016, we ceased paying business tax and all of our PRC subsidiaries and affiliated entities became subject 
to VAT. VAT is excluded in the recognition of revenues and recorded as taxes payable, while business tax is deducted from gross 
revenues to arrive at net revenues. The amount of business tax, incurred prior to the full adoption of VAT, and government surcharges 
totaled RMB34.4 million (US$4.9 million) in 2016 compared with business tax and surcharges of RMB46.7 million in 2015.

Cost of Services. Our cost of services increased 16.3% to RMB663.0 million (US$95.5 million) in 2016 from RMB570.0 million 
in 2015. This increase was mainly driven by higher employee compensation, headcount additions and greater subcontracting expenses 
in 2016. Our cost of services as a percentage of net revenues increased in 2016 mainly due to these higher expenses outpacing revenue 
growth, which was affected by the reduction in revenue recognition from the VAT policy change on other human resource related 
revenues. Our cost of services in 2016 also included an increase in share-based compensation expense to RMB14.1 million (US$2.0 
million) compared with RMB13.8 million in 2015.

Gross Profit. As a result of the above factors, our gross profit increased 12.8% to RMB1,675.3 million (US$241.3 million) in 
2016 from RMB1,485.2 million in 2015. Our gross profit margin, which is our gross profit as a percentage of net revenues, was 71.6% 
in 2016 compared with 72.3% in 2015.

Operating Expenses. Our total operating expenses increased 15.9% to RMB1,063.5 million (US$153.2 million) in 2016 from 
RMB917.5 million in 2015. The increase in our operating expenses was primarily due to greater sales and marketing expenses as well 
as higher general and administrative expenses. Our operating expenses consisted of:

(cid:120)

(cid:120)

Sales and Marketing Expenses. Our sales and marketing expenses increased 19.7% to RMB783.5 million (US$112.8 
million) in 2016 from RMB654.5 million in 2015. This increase was primarily due to higher employee salaries, 
commissions and bonuses, the net addition of approximately 430 salespeople and greater spending on brand advertising and 
new product marketing activities. Our advertising and promotion expenses increased 2.0% to RMB126.2 million (US$18.2 
million) in 2016 from RMB123.7 million in 2015. Our sales and marketing expenses in 2016 included an increase in share-
based compensation expense to RMB12.1 million (US$1.7 million) compared with RMB11.8 million in 2015.

General and Administrative Expenses. Our general and administrative expenses increased 6.4% to RMB280.0 million 
(US$40.3 million) in 2016 from RMB263.1 million in 2015. This increase was mainly due to higher employee 
compensation and office expenses. Our general and administrative expenses in 2016 included an increase in share-based 
compensation expense to RMB59.9 million (US$8.6 million) compared with RMB60.3 million in 2015.

Income from Operations. As a result of the above factors, our income from operations increased 7.8% to RMB611.8 million 

(US$88.1 million) in 2016 from RMB567.7 million in 2015. Our operating margin, which is our income from operations as a 
percentage of net revenues, was 26.2% in 2016 compared with 27.6% in 2015.

Gain (Loss) from Foreign Currency Translation. We recognized a gain from foreign currency translation of RMB0.2 million 

(US$0.03 million) in 2016 compared with a loss of RMB55.9 million in 2015. Due to the change in exchange rate between the 
Renminbi and the U.S. dollar in 2016, we realized a gain of RMB79.6 million on our U.S. dollar cash deposits, which was largely 
offset by a loss of RMB79.4 million on our U.S. dollar-denominated convertible senior notes issued in 2014. For more information 
about China’s foreign exchange policy, see “Item 4. — Information on the Company — Business Overview — Regulation —
Regulations Relating to Foreign Currency Exchange.”

Interest and Investment Income, Net. Our interest and investment income decreased 37.0% to RMB58.9 million (US$8.5 million) 
in 2016 from RMB93.5 million in 2015. The decrease was primarily due to lower interest rates and less income earned on our interest 
bearing bank deposits as well as higher interest expense associated with our U.S. dollar-denominated convertible senior notes, which 
increased to RMB37.3 million (US$5.4 million) in 2016 from RMB35.0 million in 2015 due to the depreciation of the Renminbi 
against the U.S. dollar in 2016.

51

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Change in Fair Value of Convertible Senior Notes. We recorded a loss of RMB69.4 million (US$10.0 million) in 2016 compared 

with a gain of RMB67.2 million in 2015 associated with the change in fair value of our convertible senior notes, primarily as a result 
of the change in the market price of the notes during the period.

Other Income, Net. Other income increased 37.4% to RMB98.3 million (US$14.2 million) in 2016 compared to RMB71.5 
million in 2015 primarily due to an increase in financial incentives received from local tax authorities, which totaled RMB97.1 million 
(US$14.0 million) in 2016 compared with RMB70.6 million in 2015.

Income Tax Expense. Our income tax expense increased 6.6% to RMB134.7 million (US$19.4 million) in 2016 compared with 

RMB126.3 million in 2015. Our effective tax rate increased to 19.2% in 2016 compared with 17.0% in 2015 primarily due to an 
increase in non-tax deductible items, such as the change in the fair value of convertible senior notes, which comprised a material 
portion of the income before income tax expense.

Net Income Attributable to 51job, Inc. As a result of the above factors, our net income decreased 8.4% to RMB566.0 million 

(US$81.5 million) in 2016 from RMB618.1 million in 2015.

2015 Compared to 2014

Total Revenues. Our total revenues increased 10.8% to RMB2,101.9 million in 2015 from RMB1,897.3 million in 2014. This 

increase was primarily driven by growth in revenues from our online recruitment services and other human resource related services, 
which was partially offset by a decline in our print advertising revenues. We derived our total revenues from:

(cid:120)

(cid:120)

(cid:120)

Online Recruitment Services. Our online recruitment services revenues increased 8.7% to RMB1,356.4 million in 2015 
from RMB1,248.1 million in 2014. The growth was driven by the combination of a greater number of unique employers 
utilizing our online recruitment services and the realization of higher average revenue per unique employer. We estimate 
that the number of unique employers increased 4.8% to 406,880 in 2015 from 388,158 in 2014 mainly due to new customer 
acquisitions by our direct sales force. Although the prices we charged for our online services were relatively unchanged in 
2015, our average revenue per unique employer increased 3.7% in 2015, primarily due to improved up-selling efforts which 
resulted in the purchase of higher value and/or multiple services by customers.

Print Advertising. Our print advertising revenues decreased 62.6% to RMB5.3 million in 2015 from RMB14.2 million in 
2014. We estimate that the number of print advertising pages decreased 82.5% to 48 in 2015 from 275 in 2014.

Other Human Resource Related Revenues. Our revenues from other human resource related services increased 16.6% to 
RMB740.1 million in 2015 from RMB634.9 million in 2014. This growth was primarily due to greater customer acceptance 
and demand for our business process outsourcing and seasonal campus recruitment services.

Net Revenues. Our net revenues increased 12.2% to RMB2,055.2 million in 2015 from RMB1,832.5 million in 2014. Our net 

revenues were less amounts paid as business tax and surcharges of RMB46.7 million in 2015 and RMB64.8 million in 2014.

Cost of Services. Our cost of services increased 14.9% to RMB570.0 million in 2015 from RMB496.0 million in 2014. This 

increase was primarily due to higher employee wages, staff additions and greater subcontracting expenses in 2015. Our cost of 
services as a percentage of net revenues increased in 2015 mainly due to these higher expenses outpacing revenue growth, which was 
impacted by softer demand for online recruitment services amid a slower economic growth environment in China. Our cost of services 
in 2015 also included an increase in share-based compensation expense to RMB13.8 million compared with RMB13.0 million in 
2014.

Gross Profit. As a result of the above factors, our gross profit increased 11.1% to RMB1,485.2 million in 2015 from 

RMB1,336.5 million in 2014. Our gross profit margin was 72.3% in 2015 compared with 72.9% in 2014.

Operating Expenses. Our total operating expenses increased 12.9% to RMB917.5 million in 2015 from RMB812.8 million in 
2014. The increase in our operating expenses was primarily due to greater sales and marketing expenses as well as higher general and 
administrative expenses. Our operating expenses consisted of:

(cid:120)

Sales and Marketing Expenses. Our sales and marketing expenses increased 16.1% to RMB654.5 million in 2015 from 
RMB563.6 million in 2014. This increase was principally driven by higher employee compensation expenses, the net 
addition of approximately 80 salespeople and greater spending on advertising and promotion activities. Our advertising and 
promotion expenses increased 15.5% to RMB123.7 million in 2015 from RMB107.1 million in 2014. Our sales and 
marketing expenses in 2015 included an increase in share-based compensation expense to RMB11.8 million compared with 
RMB11.2 million in 2014.

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(cid:120)

General and Administrative Expenses. Our general and administrative expenses increased 5.5% to RMB263.1 million in 
2015 from RMB249.3 million in 2014. This increase was primarily due to higher employee compensation and office 
expenses, which was partially offset by lower professional services fees. Our general and administrative expenses in 2015 
included an increase in share-based compensation expense to RMB60.3 million compared with RMB57.2 million in 2014.

Income from Operations. As a result of the above factors, our income from operations increased 8.4% to RMB567.7 million in 

2015 from RMB523.6 million in 2014. Our operating margin was 27.6% in 2015 compared with 28.6% in 2014.

Gain (Loss) from Foreign Currency Translation. We recognized a loss from foreign currency translation of RMB55.9 million in 

2015 compared with a gain of RMB10.0 million in 2014. The loss was primarily due to a material depreciation of the Renminbi 
against the U.S. dollar in 2015. The depreciation increased the liability of our U.S. dollar-denominated convertible senior notes when 
translated into Renminbi, which was partially offset by higher value of our U.S. dollar balance when translated into Renminbi.

Interest and Investment Income, Net. Our interest and investment income increased 5.4% to RMB93.5 million in 2015 from 
RMB88.7 million in 2014 mainly due to higher average balances in our interest bearing bank deposits, which was partially offset by 
RMB35.0 million in interest expenses associated with the convertible senior notes in 2015 and a decline in interest rates in China.

Change in Fair Value of Convertible Senior Notes. We recorded a gain of RMB67.2 million in 2015 compared with a loss of 

RMB55.4 million in 2014 associated with the change in fair value of our convertible senior notes, primarily as a result of the change 
in the market price of the notes during the period.

Other Income, Net. Other income increased 24.8% to RMB71.5 million in 2015 compared to RMB57.3 million in 2014 primarily 

due to an increase in financial incentives received from local tax authorities, which totaled RMB70.6 million in 2015 compared with 
RMB58.3 million in 2014.

Income Tax Expense. Our income tax expense increased 11.7% to RMB126.3 million in 2015 compared with RMB113.0 million 

in 2014. Our effective tax rate decreased to 17.0% in 2015 compared with 20.5% in 2014 primarily due to a decrease in non-tax 
deductible items.

Net Income Attributable to 51job, Inc. As a result of the above factors, our net income increased 40.8% to RMB618.1 million in 

2015 from RMB438.9 million in 2014.

Inflation

According to the National Bureau of Statistics of China, the annual average percent changes in the consumer price index in 
China for 2014, 2015 and 2016 were increases of 2.0%, 1.4% and 2.0%, respectively. The year-over-year percent changes in the 
consumer price index for February 2015, 2016 and 2017 were an increase of 1.4%, 2.3% and 0.8%, respectively. Although we have 
not been materially and adversely affected by inflation in the past, we can provide no assurance that we will not be affected in the 
future by higher rates of inflation in China. For example, certain operating costs and expenses, such as employee compensation and 
office operating expenses, may increase as a result of higher inflation. Additionally, because a substantial portion of our assets consists 
of cash and short-term investments, high inflation could significantly reduce the value and purchasing power of these assets. We are 
unable to hedge our exposures to higher inflation in China.

B. Liquidity and Capital Resources

Liquidity

Our liquidity from 2014 to 2016 has been principally affected by net cash generated from operating activities, our purchases of 

investments, property and equipment, the repurchase of our ADSs and the issuance of our convertible senior notes.

The following table sets forth a summary of our cash flows for the periods indicated.

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For the year ended December 31,

2014
RMB

2015
RMB

2016
RMB

(in thousands)

2016
US$

Net cash provided by operating activities
Net cash used in investing activities
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
Net increase in cash

755,614
(1,378,142)
631,220
8,553

864,450
(743,682)
(73,796)
51,256

1,086,877
(489,328)
160,493
795,722

156,543
(70,478)
23,116
114,608

Cash Flows from Operating Activities. Our net cash provided by operating activities in 2016 was RMB1,086.9 million 

(US$156.5 million) compared with RMB864.5 million in 2015. The increase was principally driven by growth in our revenues and net 
income, as adjusted for an add-back of RMB255.1 million (US$36.7 million) in non-cash items, relating primarily to share-based 
compensation expenses, depreciation expenses, loss from foreign currency translation, change in fair value of convertible senior notes 
and deferred tax expense; an increase in other payables and accruals of RMB156.2 million (US$22.5 million), primarily due to an 
increase in receipts from our customers that will be remitted to third parties; an increase in advance from customers of RMB91.8 
million (US$13.2 million), primarily due to sales growth of our online recruitment services which usually requires payment at the time 
of purchase; and an increase of taxes payable of RMB46.2 million (US$6.7 million). The increase in net cash provided by operating 
activities in 2016 was partially offset by an increase in prepayments and other current assets of RMB31.7 million (US$4.6 million), 
primarily due to an increase in payments we made on behalf of our customers to be reimbursed to us.

Our net cash provided by operating activities in 2015 was RMB864.5 million compared with RMB755.6 million in 2014. The 
increase was principally driven by growth in our revenues and net income, as adjusted for an add-back of RMB154.1 million in non-
cash items, relating primarily to share-based compensation expenses, depreciation expenses, loss from foreign currency translation, 
change in fair value of convertible senior notes and deferred tax expense; an increase in other payables and accruals of RMB81.3 
million, primarily due to an increase in receipts from our customers that will be remitted to third parties; and an increase in advance 
from customers of RMB72.7 million, primarily due to sales growth of our online recruitment services which usually requires payment 
at the time of purchase. The increase in net cash provided by operating activities in 2015 was partially offset by an increase in 
prepayments and other current assets of RMB68.2 million, primarily due to an increase in payments we made on behalf of our 
customers to be reimbursed to us.

Cash Flows from Investing Activities. Our net cash used in investing activities was RMB489.3 million (US$70.5 million) in 2016 

compared with RMB743.7 million in 2015. The decrease was primarily due to fewer purchases of short-term investments, consisting 
of certificates of deposit with original maturities between three months and one year, and property and equipment, which was offset by 
RMB126.7 million (US$18.3 million) in the purchase of available-for-sale securities, which consisted of an investment in a company 
that provides online and offline accounting and finance training courses in China.

Our net cash used in investing activities was RMB743.7 million in 2015 compared with RMB1,378.1 million in 2014. The 
decrease was primarily due to fewer purchases of short-term investments, consisting of certificates of deposit with original maturities 
between three months and one year, which was offset by RMB22.8 million in long-term investments and RMB231.5 million in 
acquisitions, net of cash acquired, consisting principally of the Yingjiesheng.com transaction.

Cash Flows from Financing Activities. Our net cash provided by financing activities was RMB160.5 million (US$23.1 million) 

in 2016, which consisted of proceeds from the exercise of stock options, compared with net cash used in financing activities of 
RMB73.8 million in 2015.

Our net cash used in financing activities was RMB73.8 million in 2015 compared with net cash provided by financing activities 

of RMB631.2 million in 2014. In 2015, we repurchased 898,950 ADSs in the open market for an aggregate consideration of 
RMB157.3 million, including transaction fees. As an offset, we also received RMB83.5 million in proceeds from the exercise of stock 
options in 2015.

Capital Resources

To date, we have primarily financed our operations through cash flows from operating activities, our initial public offering in 
2004 and the issuance of our convertible senior notes in 2014. As of December 31, 2016, we had RMB6,080.8 million (US$875.8 
million) in cash, restricted cash and short-term investments held substantially in Renminbi, U.S. dollars and Hong Kong dollars. Cash 
consists of cash on hand and in banks. Restricted cash consists of cash proceeds from the exercise of share options by our employees, 
executives and directors held in a bank account which have yet to be transmitted to them. Short-term investments consist of 
certificates of deposit with original maturities between three months and one year.

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As of December 31, 2016, we had RMB1,257.7 million (US$181.1 million) in debt, which consists of the outstanding principal 

amount of our convertible senior notes. In April 2014, we completed an offering of US$172.5 million in aggregate principal amount of 
convertible senior notes. The notes bear interest at a rate of 3.25% per year, payable semiannually in arrears on April 15 and 
October 15 of each year. The notes will mature on April 15, 2019, but holders of the notes have the right to require us to repurchase 
the notes on April 15, 2017. The notes may be converted into our ADSs at the option of the holders if the conversion criteria are met. 
In connection with the notes offering, we entered into zero-strike call option transactions with affiliates of the initial purchasers of the 
notes. The call options are intended to facilitate privately negotiated transactions by which investors in the notes are able to hedge 
their investment. We used approximately US$50 million in net proceeds from the notes offering to pay for the call option premium. 
The remainder of the net proceeds was for general corporate purposes.

Our operations are conducted primarily through Tech JV and its subsidiaries. As a result, our ability to finance our operations 

and any debt that we, or our subsidiaries, may incur is dependent, in part, upon the flow of dividends from, and the payment of 
royalties and other fees by, our subsidiaries. The payment of dividends in China is subject to restrictions. PRC regulations currently 
permit payment of dividends only out of accumulated profits as determined in accordance with PRC accounting standards and 
regulations. Our subsidiaries and affiliated entities in the PRC are also required to set aside a portion of their after-tax profits 
according to PRC accounting standards and regulations to fund certain reserve funds that are not distributable as cash dividends. 
Through certain contractual arrangements, we are able to require Qian Cheng to transfer to us its equity interests in Tech JV and its 
subsidiaries. Our ability to obtain cash or other assets under these contracts depends on their effectiveness and enforceability. For a 
description of these agreements and our PRC legal counsel’s advice as to their enforceability, see “Item 7. — Major Shareholders and 
Related Party Transactions — Related Party Transactions — Contractual Arrangements Among Our Group Entities.”

We believe that our current cash and cash flow from operations will be sufficient to meet our anticipated cash needs, including 

our cash needs for working capital and capital expenditures, for the foreseeable future. We may, however, require additional cash 
resources due to changing business conditions or other future developments, including any investments or acquisitions we may decide 
to pursue.

Our capital expenditures totaled RMB39.9 million, RMB92.6 million and RMB47.3 million (US$6.8 million) in 2014, 2015 and 

2016, respectively. These capital expenditures were primarily for the purchases of computers, office equipment, furnishings and 
software as well as the purchases of office space from time to time. In 2015, we paid RMB43.8 million for office space in Shanghai. 
As of December 31, 2016, our primary capital commitment was RMB4.5 million (US$0.6 million) in connection with capital 
expenditures of electronic equipment and furniture.

C. Research and Development, Patents and Licenses, Etc.

We employ a staff of over 800 website designers and software developers to design and update our websites, mobile applications 
and create our proprietary software. We did not incur material expenditures with respect to our research and development activities in 
any year from 2014 to 2016. We intend to continue to upgrade our proprietary management systems, search engine methodology and 
information technology as we grow our business operations and keep up with evolving user needs and behavior. For more information 
on our technology operations, see “Item 4. — Information on the Company — Business Overview — Technology.”

D. Trend Information

Other than as disclosed elsewhere in this annual report, we are not aware of any trends, uncertainties, demands, commitments or 

events for the period since January 1, 2016 that are reasonably likely to have a material effect on our net revenues, income, 
profitability, liquidity or capital resources, or that caused the disclosed financial information to be not necessarily indicative of future 
operating results or financial conditions.

E. Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We have not entered into any financial guarantees or other commitments to guarantee the payment obligations of any third 
parties. In addition, other than the zero-strike call options, we have not entered into any derivative contracts that are indexed to our 
own shares and classified as shareholder’s equity, or that are not reflected in our consolidated financial statements. Furthermore, we 
do not have any retained or contingent interest in assets transferred to an unconsolidated entity that serves as credit, liquidity or market 
risk support to such entity. Moreover, we do not have any variable interest in any unconsolidated entity that provides financing, 
liquidity, market risk or credit support to us or engages in leasing, hedging or research and development services with us.

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F. Tabular Disclosure of Contractual Obligations

The following table sets forth our contractual obligations as of December 31, 2016:

Total
RMB

Less than
1 year
RMB

Payments due by period
1-3
Years
RMB
(in thousands)

3-5
years
RMB

More than
5 years
RMB

Convertible senior notes with principal and 

interest

Operating lease obligations
Purchase obligations
Total

1,217,130
86,324
6,826
1,310,280

1,217,130
41,852
6,826
1,265,808

—
34,450
—
34,450

—
10,022
—
10,022

—
—
—
—

Our convertible senior notes is in the aggregate principal amount of US$172.5 million and will mature in April 2019, unless 
earlier repurchased or converted into our ADSs. As of December 31, 2016, the notes were reclassified as short-term debt to reflect the 
fact that holders of the notes may require us to repurchase the notes on April 15, 2017.

Our operating lease obligations consist largely of property lease and management agreements for office premises, with terms 

ranging from one to six years at the time of signing, and office equipment lease agreements. Our purchase obligations consist 
primarily of agreements to purchase advertising services from media companies and to purchase office furnishings.

Rental expenses incurred under operating leases were RMB46.1 million in 2014, RMB48.8 million in 2015 and RMB50.9 

million (US$7.3 million) in 2016.

WFOE, our wholly owned PRC subsidiary, has entered into an exclusive purchase option agreement with the shareholders of 
Run An. Under this agreement, WFOE has an irrevocable option to purchase all or a portion of the shareholder’s equity interests in 
Run An at any time by issuing a written notice to the shareholders, subject to compliance with applicable PRC laws and regulations. In 
addition, through a call option agreement between 51net and Qian Cheng, 51net or its designee is able to purchase the equity interests 
in Tech JV that are held by Qian Cheng and Wuhan AdCo as well as the equity interest in AdCo that is held by Qian Cheng. For a 
detailed description of the exclusive purchase option agreement and the call option agreement, see “Item 7. — Major Shareholders and 
Related Party Transactions — Related Party Transactions — Contractual Arrangements Among Our Group Entities.”

We do not have material contractual obligations in currencies other than U.S. dollars and Renminbi.

G.

Safe Harbor

See “Forward-Looking Statements.”

ITEM 6.

DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND EMPLOYEES

A. Directors and Senior Management

The names of our directors and executive officers, their ages as of the date of this annual report and the principal positions with 

51job, Inc. held by them are as follows:

(1) (2) (3)

(1) (2)

Name
David K. Chao
Rick Yan
Li-Lan Cheng
(1) (3)
Eric He
Kazumasa Watanabe
Kathleen Chien
David Weimin Jin
Tao Wang

Age
50
54
52
57
48
47
46
54

Position / Title

Chairman of the board and independent director
Director, chief executive officer, president and secretary
Independent director
Independent director
Non-executive director
Chief operating officer and acting chief financial officer
Senior vice president
Vice president

(1) Member of audit committee.
(2) Member of compensation committee.
(3) Member of nominating and corporate governance committee.

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There are no family relationships among any of the directors or executive officers of our company.

Biographical Information

David K. Chao is the chairman of the board of directors of our company. Mr. Chao is an independent director who has been a 
member of our board since 2000. Mr. Chao is a co-founder and general partner of DCM, an early stage technology venture capital 
firm that manages over US$3.0 billion. DCM has offices in Menlo Park, USA, Beijing, China and Tokyo, Japan. Prior to joining 
DCM, Mr. Chao was a co-founder of Japan Communications, Inc., a publicly traded provider of mobile data and voice 
communications services in Japan. Prior to that, he also worked at McKinsey & Company, Apple Computer and Recruit Co., Ltd. 
Mr. Chao serves on the boards of directors of Renren Inc., a social networking Internet platform in China listed on the New York 
Stock Exchange, and numerous DCM portfolio companies. Mr. Chao received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics and East 
Asian Studies (Anthropology) from Brown University and his Master of Business Administration degree from Stanford University.

Rick Yan is a director, chief executive officer and president of our company. Mr. Yan has been a director and chief executive 
officer of our company since 2000. Mr. Yan is responsible for our overall strategy and management. Mr. Yan was an investor and 
advisor of our company from its inception and prior to his appointment as chief executive officer. Prior to joining our company, he 
was a Director and the Head of China Practice at Bain & Company, an international strategy consulting company. Mr. Yan joined the 
firm in London in 1989, returned to Asia and set up Bain & Company’s Hong Kong and Beijing offices in 1991 and 1993, 
respectively. In his 11-year tenure with Bain & Company, he was widely acknowledged as an expert in the consumer products and 
technology sectors. Prior to his affiliation with Bain & Company, Mr. Yan worked at Hewlett-Packard in Hong Kong for four years 
and was awarded Marketing Executive of the Year. Mr. Yan received his Bachelor of Engineering degree and Master of Philosophy 
degree from the University of Hong Kong and his Master of Business Administration degree with distinction from INSEAD in France.

Li-Lan Cheng is a director of our company. Mr. Cheng has been an independent director of our company since March 2013. 

Mr. Cheng is the chief operating officer of E-House (China) Holdings Limited, a real estate services company in China, since 
April 2012 and served as its chief financial officer from November 2006 to April 2012. Prior to joining E-House, Mr. Cheng served 
from 2005 to 2006 as the chief financial officer of SouFun Holdings Limited, a leading real estate Internet portal and a leading home 
furnishing website in China. From 2002 to 2004, Mr. Cheng served as an executive director and the chief financial officer of SOHO 
China Limited, a real estate developer in Beijing. From 1997 to 2002, he was an assistant director and the head of Asian transportation 
sector investment banking group of ABN AMRO Asia. Mr. Cheng received his Bachelors degree in Economics from Swarthmore 
College and his Ph.D. degree in Economics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Mr. Cheng is a chartered financial 
analyst.

Eric He is a director of our company. Mr. He has been an independent director of our company since July 2014. Mr. He currently 

serves as the chief financial officer of YY Inc., a live streaming platform company in China listed on the NASDAQ Stock Market. 
From March 2007 to August 2011, Mr. He served as the chief financial officer of Giant Interactive Group Inc. From 2004 to 2007, he 
served as the chief strategy officer of Ninetowns Internet Technology Group Company Limited. From 2002 to 2004, Mr. He served as 
a private equity investment director of AIG Global Investment Corporation (Asia) Ltd. Mr. He is also an independent director of MOL 
Global Inc., a leading e-payment enabler for online goods and services in emerging and developed markets listed on the NASDAQ 
Stock Market. Mr. He received his Bachelor degree in Accounting from National Taipei University and his Master of Business 
Administration degree from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. Mr. He is a chartered financial analyst and 
certified public accountant in the United States.

Kazumasa Watanabe is a director of our company. Mr. Watanabe has been a director of our company since October 2012. 
Mr. Watanabe is a corporate executive officer of Recruit Holdings Co., Ltd. and is head of the global sales promotion business. Since 
joining Recruit in 1991, he has been primarily involved in the growth and expansion of Recruit’s HR company and the online 
recruiting business. Starting his career as a sales representative, Mr. Watanabe became head of product in 1999 and then an editor-in-
chief. In 2004, he assumed the role of division officer and has since held many senior positions throughout Recruit’s HR company 
responsible for new product and business development. Since 2015, Mr. Watanabe has served as the chairman of Hotspring Ventures 
Limited, which operates an online beauty reservation service in Europe, and Quadoo GmbH, which operates an online restaurant 
reservation service in Europe. Mr. Watanabe received his Bachelor degree in Commerce from Nagoya University in 1991.

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Kathleen Chien is chief operating officer and acting chief financial officer of our company. Ms. Chien joined our company in 

1999 and served as our chief financial officer from 2004 to March 2009. Prior to joining our company, Ms. Chien worked in the 
financial services and management consulting industries, including three years with Bain & Company in Hong Kong and two years 
with Capital Securities Corp., a leading investment bank in Taiwan. During her tenure at Bain & Company, she was a consultant to a 
number of companies on strategic and marketing issues, including entry into the Chinese market and achieving cost and operational 
efficiencies. While at Capital Securities Corp., she completed a number of equity and equity-linked transactions, including the first 
ever Swiss-franc convertible bond issuance out of Taiwan, enabling client companies to raise significant capital from the European 
and U.S. investment community. Ms. Chien currently serves as a board member of ChinaCache International Holdings Ltd., an 
Internet content and application delivery services provider in China listed on the NASDAQ Stock Market, and Vipshop Holdings Ltd., 
a leading online discount retailer for brands in China listed on the New York Stock Exchange. Ms. Chien received her Bachelor of 
Science degree in Economics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and her Master of Business Administration degree from 
the Haas School of Business at the University of California, Berkeley.

David Weimin Jin is a senior vice president of our company. Mr. Jin joined our company in 2000. Prior to joining our company, 
Mr. Jin held sales management positions in large multinational companies in Xian, including three years at Shell (China) Limited and 
one year with Colgate-Palmolive Co., Ltd. Mr. Jin received a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering from Xidian University.

Tao Wang is a vice president of our company. Mr. Wang joined our company in 2000. Prior to joining our company, Mr. Wang 

spent four years as a senior consultant at Bain & Company. Also, he served as a representative and the general manager of a joint 
venture company in Wuhan for TI Group Asia Pacific. Earlier in his career, Mr. Wang held engineering and project management 
positions at the Ministry of Aerospace Industry in China. Mr. Wang received a Bachelor of Science degree in Math from Shandong 
University and a Master of Engineering degree from the Second Academy under the PRC Ministry of Aerospace Industry. Mr. Wang 
also holds a Master of Business Administration degree from the Business School at University of Warwick in the United Kingdom.

B. Compensation

Compensation of Directors and Executive Officers

We pay our chairman an annual fee of US$20,000 and each of our other non-executive directors an annual fee of US$15,000. In 

addition, our non-executive directors receive a fee of US$2,000 for each board meeting attended in person and US$1,000 for each 
committee meeting attended in person, or US$1,000 for each board meeting attended by conference call and US$500 for each 
committee meeting attended by conference call. Our directors are also reimbursed for reasonable travel expenses incurred in attending 
board meetings in person. There are no arrangements between us and our directors providing for special benefits upon our directors’
termination of service. For the year ended December 31, 2016, the aggregate cash compensation to our non-executive directors as a 
group was approximately US$74,000.

For the year ended December 31, 2016, the aggregate cash compensation to our executive officers as a group was approximately 
RMB12.5 million (US$1.8 million). We granted options to acquire an aggregate of 372,000 common shares to our executive officers 
in 2016. See “— Stock-Based Compensation Plans” below.

Directors’ and Officers’ Liability Insurance

We maintain directors’ and officers’ liability insurance for our directors and officers.

Employment Agreements

We have entered into employment agreements with each of our executive officers. The terms of these agreements are 

substantially similar to each other. Under these agreements, each of our executive officers is employed at will, and their employment 
may be terminated, with or without cause, by either party. These agreements do not provide for any special termination benefits, nor 
do we have other arrangements with these executive officers for special termination benefits. Each executive officer has agreed to hold 
in strict confidence and not to use, except for the benefit of our company, any proprietary information, technical data, trade secrets and 
know-how of our company or the confidential or proprietary information of any third party, including our affiliated entities and our 
subsidiaries, received by our company. Each of these executive officers has also agreed not to engage in any other employment, 
occupation, consulting or other business activity directly related to the business in which we are involved, or engage in any other 
activities that conflict with his or her obligations to us during the term of his or her employment. For the 12-month period after any of 
these executive officers’ termination of employment with us for any reason, such officer is prohibited from recruiting any of our 
employees or soliciting or inducing our employees to leave their employment with us.

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Stock-Based Compensation Plans

In 2000, our board of directors and shareholders adopted our 2000 stock option plan, or our 2000 Option Plan. In April 2009, our 
board of directors adopted our 2009 share option plan, or our 2009 Option Plan, which received shareholder approval in August 2009. 
In November 2015, our board of directors adopted our 2015 share incentive plan, or our 2015 Plan, which received shareholder 
approval in December 2015. The purposes of these plans are to attract and retain the best available personnel for positions of 
substantial responsibility, to provide additional incentive to employees, directors and consultants and to promote the success of our 
business.

Under our 2000 Option Plan, 4,010,666 common shares were reserved for issuance at the time of adoption. In February 2004, our 
board of directors and shareholders approved an increase in the number of authorized shares reserved to 5,530,578 common shares. In 
July 2006, our board of directors and shareholders approved a further increase of 2,000,000 common shares, increasing the total 
number of authorized shares under our 2000 Option Plan to 7,530,578 common shares. Our 2000 Option Plan had a term of ten years.

Under our 2009 Option Plan, we are authorized to issue up to 5,000,000 common shares. In October 2011, our board of directors 

proposed an increase in the number of authorized shares reserved to 10,000,000 common shares, which was approved by our 
shareholders in December 2011. Our 2009 Option Plan has a term of ten years but may be terminated earlier by our board of directors. 
Our 2009 Option Plan was replaced by our 2015 Plan, and upon the adoption of our 2015 Plan, we ceased issuances from the 2009 
Option Plan.

Under our 2015 Plan, the maximum aggregate number of common shares which may be issued pursuant to all share-based 
awards is (i) 10,000,000, and (ii) an automatic increase on January 1, 2019, January 1, 2022 and January 1, 2025 by that number of 
common shares representing 5% of our then total issued and outstanding common shares on an as-converted fully diluted basis as of 
December 31 of the respective preceding year.

The following paragraphs summarize the key terms of our 2015 Plan.

Plan Administration. Our 2015 Plan is administered by the compensation committee of the board of directors, or such other 
committee of the board to which the board has delegated power to act; provided, that in the absence of any such committee, our 2015 
Plan will be administered by the board. The plan administrator has sole discretion in determining the terms and conditions of any 
award, any vesting acceleration or waiver of forfeiture restrictions, and any restrictions regarding any award or the common shares 
relating thereto.

Types of Awards. Our 2015 Plan provides for the granting of share-based awards such as incentive and non-statutory options, 
restricted shares, restricted share units, dividend equivalent rights, share appreciation rights, share payments or any other types of 
share-based award as determined and approved from time to time by the plan administrator.

Eligibility. Any employee, director or consultant of our company or affiliated companies is eligible to receive grants under our 

2015 Plan.

Award Agreements. Awards granted under our 2015 Plan shall be evidenced by an award agreement, which include details on the 

number of common shares subject to the award, and the terms, conditions and limitations of the award, such as the exercise price, 
vesting schedule and provisions applicable in the event the participant’s employment or service ends.

Term of Awards. The term of awards granted under our 2015 Plan shall not exceed ten years from the date of grant.

Change in Control. If a change in control of our company occurs, the plan administrator may, in its sole discretion without 

consent of the plan participant, take any of the following actions:

(cid:120)

(cid:120)

(cid:120)

accelerate the vesting, in whole or in part of any award;

purchase any award for an amount of cash or common shares of our company equal to the value that could have been 
attained upon the exercise of the award or the realization of the plan participant’s rights had such award been currently 
exercisable or payable or fully vested; or

provide for the assumption, conversion or replacement of any award by the successor corporation, or a parent or subsidiary 
of the successor corporation, with other rights or property selected by the plan administrator in its sole discretion, or the 
assumption or substitution of the award by the successor or surviving corporation, or a parent or subsidiary of the surviving 
or successor corporation, with such appropriate adjustments as to the number and kind of common shares and prices as the 
plan administrator deems, in its sole discretion, reasonable, equitable and appropriate.

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Amendment and Termination. Unless earlier terminated, our 2015 Plan is effective for a term of ten years. The board may at any 

time terminate or amend our 2015 Plan in any respect, but to the extent required by applicable laws or stock exchange rules, 
shareholder approval of any amendments shall be obtained.

The following table summarizes the options granted to our directors, executive officers and other employees and individuals 

under our option plans during the periods indicated.

Common shares
underlying
options granted

Exercise
price
US$

100,032
100,032
79,200
60,000
60,000
904,800
1,304,064

150,000
144,000
144,000
72,000
64,800
841,200
26,400
1,442,400

144,000
144,000
48,000
36,000
750,600
34,800
1,157,400

30.69
30.69
30.69
32.98
30.69
30.69

34.48
31.04
31.04
31.04
31.04
31.04
30.97

34.28
34.28
34.28
34.28
34.28
33.80

Grant date

Expiration date

May 20, 2014
May 20, 2014
May 20, 2014
July 1, 2014
May 20, 2014
May 20, 2014

May 19, 2020
May 19, 2020
May 19, 2020
June 30, 2020
May 19, 2020
May 19, 2020

November 12, 2015
May 29, 2015
May 29, 2015
May 29, 2015
May 29, 2015
May 29, 2015
October 16, 2015

November 11, 2021
May 28, 2021
May 28, 2021
May 28, 2021
May 28, 2021
May 28, 2021
October 15, 2021

September 28, 2016
September 28, 2016
September 28, 2016
September 28, 2016
September 28, 2016
December 30, 2016

September 27, 2022
September 27, 2022
September 27, 2022
September 27, 2022
September 27, 2022
December 29, 2022

Granted in 2014
Rick Yan
Kathleen Chien
David Weimin Jin
Eric He
Tao Wang
Other employees and individuals

Granted in 2015
David K. Chao
Rick Yan
Kathleen Chien
David Weimin Jin
Tao Wang
Other employees and individuals
Other employees and individuals

Granted in 2016
Rick Yan
Kathleen Chien
Tao Wang
David Weimin Jin
Other employees and individuals
Other employees and individuals

C. Board Practices

The directors will hold office until the next annual general meeting of shareholders and until such director’s successor is duly 

elected and qualified, or until such director’s death, resignation or removal. We have no specific policy with respect to director 
attendance at our board meetings, committee meetings or annual general meetings of shareholders.

Board Committees

To enhance our corporate governance, we have established three committees under the board of directors: the audit committee, 
the compensation committee and the nominating and corporate governance committee. We have adopted a charter for each of these 
committees. The committees have the following functions and members.

Audit Committee

The members of our audit committee are David K. Chao, who acts as the chairman of our audit committee, Li-Lan Cheng and 

Eric He. Our board of directors has determined that all members of our audit committee are “independent directors” within the 
meaning of NASDAQ Stock Market Rule 5605(a)(2) and meet the criteria for independence set forth in Section 10A(m)(3)(B)(i) of 
the Exchange Act.

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Our audit committee will be responsible for, among other things:

(cid:120)

(cid:120)

(cid:120)

(cid:120)

(cid:120)

(cid:120)

(cid:120)

(cid:120)

the appointment, evaluation, compensation, oversight and termination of the work of our independent auditor (including 
resolution of disagreements between management and the independent auditor regarding financial reporting);

ensuring that it receives from our independent auditor a formal written statement attesting to the auditor’s independence and 
describing all relationships between the auditor and us;

pre-approving any audit and non-audit services, including tax services, to be provided by our independent auditor in 
accordance with NASDAQ Stock Market rules;

reviewing our annual audited financial statements and quarterly financial statements with management and our independent 
auditor;

reviewing with our independent auditor all critical accounting policies and practices to be used by us in preparing our 
financial statements, all alternative treatments of financial information within U.S. GAAP, and other material 
communications between our independent auditor and management;

reviewing our policies with respect to risk assessment and risk management;

reviewing, with management and counsel, any legal matters that may have a material impact on us and any material reports 
or inquiries from regulatory or governmental agencies; and

establishing procedures for the receipt, retention and treatment of complaints regarding accounting, internal accounting 
controls, auditing matters or potential violations of law, and the confidential, anonymous submission by our employees of 
concerns regarding questionable accounting or auditing matters or potential violations of law.

Compensation Committee

The current members of our compensation committee are Li-Lan Cheng, who acts as the chairman of the committee, and David 
K. Chao. Our board of directors has determined that all members of our compensation committee are “independent directors” within 
the meaning of NASDAQ Stock Market Rule 5605(a)(2) and meet the criteria for independence set forth in Section 10A(m)(3)(B)
(i) of the Exchange Act.

Members of the compensation committee are not prohibited from direct involvement in determining their own compensation. 

Our chief executive officer may not be present at any committee meeting during which his or her compensation is deliberated.

Our compensation committee will be responsible for, among other things:

(cid:120)

(cid:120)

(cid:120)

(cid:120)

(cid:120)

(cid:120)

(cid:120)

(cid:120)

approving and overseeing the total compensation package for our executives;

reviewing and making recommendations to the board with respect to the compensation of our directors;

reviewing and approving corporate goals and objectives relevant to the compensation of our chief executive officer, 
evaluating the performance of our chief executive officer in light of those goals and objectives, and setting the 
compensation level of our chief executive officer based on this evaluation;

reviewing the results of, and procedures for, the evaluation of the performance of other executive officers;

reviewing periodically and making recommendations to the board regarding any long-term incentive compensation or 
equity plans, programs or similar arrangements, and administering these plans;

reviewing and administering our stock-based compensation plans in accordance with the terms thereof;

reviewing and making recommendations to the board regarding all new employment, consulting, retirement and severance 
agreements and arrangements proposed for our executives; and

selecting peer groups of companies to be used for purposes of determining competitive compensation packages.

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee

The current members of our nominating and corporate governance committee are Eric He, who acts as the chairman of our 
nominating and corporate governance committee, and David K. Chao. Our board of directors has determined that all members of our 
nominating and corporate governance committee are “independent directors” within the meaning of NASDAQ Stock Market 
Rule 5605(a)(2) and meets the criteria for independence set forth in Section 10A(m)(3)(B)(i) of the Exchange Act.

Our nominating and corporate governance committee will be responsible for, among other things:

(cid:120)

identifying and recommending to the board nominees for election or re-election to the board, or for appointment to fill any 
vacancy;

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(cid:120)

(cid:120)

(cid:120)

(cid:120)

(cid:120)

(cid:120)

(cid:120)

reviewing annually with the board the current composition of the board in light of the characteristics of independence, age, 
skills, experience and availability of service to us;

reviewing the continued board membership of a director upon a significant change in such director’s principal occupation;

identifying and recommending to the board the names of directors to serve as members of the audit committee and the 
compensation committee, as well as the nominating and corporate governance committee itself;

advising the board periodically with respect to significant developments in the law and practice of corporate governance as 
well as our compliance with applicable laws and regulations, and making recommendations to the board on all matters of 
corporate governance and on any corrective action to be taken;

establishing criteria and processes for, and leading the board and each committee of the board in, its annual performance 
self-evaluation;

reviewing and approving policies and procedures with respect to proposed transactions between us and our related parties, 
and approving in advance all such related-party transactions; and

monitoring compliance with our code of business conduct and ethics, including reviewing the adequacy and effectiveness of 
our procedures to ensure proper compliance.

Duties of Directors

Under Cayman Islands law, our directors have a fiduciary duty to act honestly, in good faith and with a view to our best interests. 
Our directors also owe to our company a duty to act with skill and care. It was previously considered that a director need not exhibit in 
the performance of his duties a greater degree of skill than may reasonably be expected from a person of his knowledge and 
experience. However, English and commonwealth courts have moved towards an objective standard with regard to the required skill 
and care and these authorities are likely to be followed in the Cayman Islands. In fulfilling their duty of care to us, our directors must 
ensure compliance with our memorandum and articles of association, as amended and restated from time to time.

The functions and powers of our board of directors include, among others:

(cid:120)

(cid:120)

(cid:120)

(cid:120)

(cid:120)

convening shareholders’ annual general meetings and reporting its work to shareholders at such meetings;

declaring dividends and distributions;

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

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

approving the transfer of shares in our company, including the registering of such shares in our register of members.

Interested Transactions

A director may vote in respect of any contract or transaction in which he is interested, provided that the nature of the interest of 

any director in such contract or transaction shall be disclosed by him at or prior to its consideration and any vote on that matter. A 
general notice or disclosure to the directors or otherwise contained in the minutes of a meeting or a written resolution of the directors 
or any committee of directors that a director is a shareholder of any specified firm or company and is to be regarded as interested in 
any transaction with such firm or company will be sufficient disclosure, and, after such general notice, it will not be necessary to give 
special notice relating to any particular transaction.

Remuneration and Borrowing

The directors may determine remuneration to be paid to the directors. The compensation committee will assist the directors in 
reviewing and approving the compensation structure for the directors. We do not provide for any termination benefits for the directors, 
nor do we have other arrangements with the directors for special termination benefits. The directors may exercise all the powers of our 
company to borrow money and to mortgage or charge its undertaking, property and uncalled capital or any part thereof and to issue 
debentures, debenture stock and other securities whether outright or as security for any debt, liability or obligation of our company or 
of any third party.

Qualification

There is no shareholding qualification for directors. Further, shareholding qualification for directors may not be fixed by our 

company in a general meeting.

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Terms of Directors and Executive Officers

At each annual general meeting of the shareholders of our company, all of our directors at such time are required to retire from 

office and are eligible for re-election. All of these directors will retain office until the close of such general meeting.

Limitation on Liability and Other Indemnification Matters

Cayman Islands law allows us to indemnify our directors, officers, auditors and trustee acting in relation to any of our affairs 

against actions, costs, charges, losses, damages and expenses incurred by reason of any act done or omitted in the execution of their 
duties as our directors, officers, auditors and trustee, except to the extent that it may be held by the Cayman Islands courts to be 
contrary to public policy such as to provide indemnification against civil fraud or the consequences of committing a crime.

Under our memorandum and articles of association, we may indemnify our directors, officers, employees and agents against 

expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by such 
persons in connection with actions, suits or proceedings to which they are party or are threatened to be made a party by reason of their 
acting as our directors, officers, employees or agents. To be entitled to indemnification, these persons must have acted in good faith 
and in the best interest or not opposed to the interest of our company and must not have acted in a manner willfully or grossly 
negligent, and, with respect to any criminal action, they must have had no reasonable cause to believe their conduct was unlawful. Our 
memorandum and articles of association also provides for indemnification of such person in the case of a suit initiated by our 
company or in the right of our company. Such indemnification covers expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably 
incurred in connection with the defense or settlement of such suit. There are good faith and other similar conduct requirements for 
such indemnification rights as those imposed on other types of suits described above. However, if such persons are successful in the 
merits of the actions, suits or proceedings described above, including suits initiated by or in the right of our company, then they may 
be indemnified for actual and reasonable expenses without having to meet the conduct requirements.

We have entered into indemnification agreements with each of our directors under which we agree to indemnify each of them to 

the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and our articles of association, from and against all costs, charges, expenses, liabilities 
and losses (including attorney’s fees) incurred in connection with any litigation, suit or proceeding to which such director is or is 
threatened to be made a party, witness or other participant. Within 20 days after our receipt of a written demand of such director, we 
will advance funds for the payment of indemnification of these expenses.

D. Employees

We had 6,123 employees 6,567 employees and 7,373 employees as of December 31, 2014, 2015 and 2016, respectively. The 

following table sets forth the number of our employees categorized by function as of December 31, 2016.

Sales and account management
Customer service and production
Technology and online operations
Search and training consultants
Marketing and merchandising
General and administrative
Total

3,868
1,864
871
182
132
456
7,373*

*

Includes 643 temporary, part-time and contract employees.

We believe that we maintain a good working relationship with our employees and we have not experienced any significant labor 

disputes or any difficulty in recruiting staff for our operations. Our employees are not represented by any collective bargaining 
agreements or labor unions.

E.

Share Ownership

There are no different voting rights among our shareholders. We are not aware of any arrangement that may, at a subsequent 
date, result in a change of control of our company. For information regarding the share ownership of our directors and officers, see 
“Item 7. — Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions — Major Shareholders.” For information as to stock options granted 
to our directors, executive officers and other employees, see “— Compensation — Stock-Based Compensation Plans.”

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ITEM 7.

MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

A. Major Shareholders

The following table sets forth information with respect to the beneficial ownership of our common shares as of February 28, 

2017, unless otherwise stated:

(cid:120)

(cid:120)

by each of our directors and executive officers; and

each person known to us to own beneficially more than 5% of our common shares.

Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the SEC and includes voting or investment power a person 
has with respect to the common shares. A person is also deemed to be a beneficial owner of any securities of which that person has a 
right to acquire beneficial ownership within 60 days. The percentage of beneficial ownership of each person is based on 60,107,784 
common shares outstanding as of February 28, 2017 and the number of common shares underlying options that have vested or will 
vest within 60 days after February 28, 2017. Except as otherwise noted, the address of each person listed in the table is c/o 51job, Inc., 
Building 3, No. 1387, Zhang Dong Road, Shanghai 201203, People’s Republic of China.

(1)

Directors and executive officers:
Rick Yan
Kathleen Chien
David K. Chao
David Weimin Jin
Tao Wang
Kazumasa Watanabe
Li-Lan Cheng
Eric He
All directors and executive officers as a group

(2)

Principal shareholders:
Recruit Holdings Co., Ltd.
Rick Yan
Harding Loevner LP

(3)

(2)

Common shares beneficially owned

Number

%

12,965,499
1,851,178
*
*
*
*
*
*
15,777,677

23,385,231
12,965,499
3,707,760

21.4
3.1
*
*
*
*
*
*
25.6

38.9
21.4
6.2

Less than 1% of our total outstanding common shares.

*
(1) The address of David K. Chao is 2420 Sand Hill Road, Suite 200, Menlo Park, CA 94025.
(2) The address of Kazumasa Watanabe and Recruit Holdings Co., Ltd. is GranTokyo South Tower, 1-9-2 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, 

Tokyo 100-6640, Japan.

(3) Represents 3,707,760 common shares in the form of ADSs held by Harding Loevner LP. The information regarding beneficial 

ownership is as of December 31, 2015, based on the information contained in the Schedule 13G filed by Harding Loevner LP on 
January 25, 2016. The address of Harding Loevner LP is 400 Crossing Blvd., Bridgewater, NJ 08807.

To our knowledge, as of February 28, 2017, 25,466,735 common shares were held by six record holders with addresses in the 

United States, representing approximately 45% of our common shares outstanding. Of this total, 24,030,875 common shares 
(excluding 2,762,496 common shares that we have reserved for issuance upon exercise of our outstanding options) were held by 
JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., the depositary of our ADS program. The number of beneficial owners of our ADSs in the United States 
is likely to be much larger than the number of record holders of our common shares in the United States.

B. Related Party Transactions

Contractual Arrangements Among Our Group Entities

The PRC government has regulated foreign ownership of advertising, human resource related services and Internet content 

provision businesses. As a result, relationships and economic arrangements among our subsidiaries, affiliated entities and their 
respective shareholders are governed by a series of agreements. The material agreements which govern the relationships and economic 
arrangements among our group entities are described in greater detail below.

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Technical and Consulting Service Agreements

Qian Cheng Technical and Consulting Service Agreement. WFOE and Qian Cheng have entered into a technical and consulting 

service agreement dated as of May 3, 2004, and supplemented and amended as of July 2, 2004 and January 27, 2014, under which 
WFOE has the exclusive right to provide advertising, software design and web related technical and consulting services to Qian 
Cheng. Qian Cheng will pay service fees to WFOE based on the extent and nature of the services provided by WFOE, as set forth in 
invoices issued by WFOE to Qian Cheng from time to time. WFOE did not issue any invoices to Qian Cheng and Qian Cheng did not 
pay any fees to WFOE for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2015 and 2016. The technical and consulting service agreement is 
valid through May 2, 2034 and may be extended with the consent of the parties. Although the renewal is upon mutual consent, WFOE 
may, through its power of attorney, direct Run An to cause Qian Cheng to renew the technical and consulting service agreement upon 
expiration. The technical and consulting service agreement is not subject to early termination, other than by WFOE solely upon a 
default by Qian Cheng. Qian Cheng has no early termination rights with respect to this agreement. Qian Cheng is wholly owned by 
Run An.

Run An Technical and Consulting Service Agreement. WFOE and Run An have entered into a technical and consulting service 
agreement dated as of September 11, 2007 and valid to September 11, 2017, under which WFOE has the exclusive right to provide 
human resources, software design and web related technical and consulting services to Run An. Run An will pay service fees to 
WFOE based on the extent and nature of the services provided by WFOE, as set forth in invoices issued by WFOE to Run An from 
time to time. WFOE did not issue any invoices to Run An and Run An did not pay any fees to WFOE for the years ended 
December 31, 2014, 2015 and 2016. The technical and consulting service agreement may be extended with the consent of the parties. 
Although the renewal is upon mutual consent, WFOE may, through its power of attorney, direct Run An to renew the technical and 
consulting service agreement upon expiration. The technical and consulting service agreement is not subject to early termination, other 
than by WFOE solely upon a default by Run An. Run An has no early termination rights with respect to this agreement.

Equity Pledge Agreement

As security for the obligations of Run An under the technical and consulting service agreement and the obligations of Run An 

and its shareholders under the exclusive purchase option agreement described below, the shareholders of Run An have pledged all of 
their equity interest in Run An to WFOE under an equity pledge agreement. According to the pledge agreement, WFOE has the right 
to dispose of the pledged equity pursuant to PRC law in the event of default by Run An or its shareholders as provided in the pledge 
agreement. The shareholders of Run An have agreed that they will not dispose of the pledged equity interest or take any actions that 
will prejudice WFOE’s interest under the Run An equity pledge agreement. The equity pledge agreement was entered into on 
January 27, 2014 and shall expire two years after the fulfillment of all obligations under the Run An technical and consulting service 
agreement and the exclusive purchase option agreement. This pledge agreement, in combination with the exclusive purchase option 
agreement, contains content that is substantially the same as the pledge agreements entered into between WFOE and Run An’s 
shareholders in September 2007 and between WFOE and Qian Cheng’s shareholders in May 2004. This pledge agreement was 
registered with the relevant bureau of the SAIC in Beijing in March 2014.

Exclusive Purchase Option Agreement

WFOE has entered into an exclusive purchase option agreement with the shareholders of Run An, dated as of January 27, 2014, 
under which WFOE or its designee is granted an irrevocable option to purchase all or a portion of their equity interests in Run An at 
any time by issuing a written notice to the shareholders, subject to compliance with applicable PRC laws and regulations. The 
purchase price shall be equal to the contribution actually made by the shareholder for his equity interest in Run An. If the lowest price 
permitted under PRC law is above the contribution actually made by the shareholder, the premium shall be paid to Tech JV in 
accordance with the terms of the loan agreements described below. The exclusive purchase option agreement has the same term as the 
Run An technical and consulting service agreement. WFOE also has the exclusive right to terminate the agreement at any time by 
delivering a written notice to the shareholders of Run An.

Powers of Attorney

In conjunction with the signing of the equity pledge agreement and the exclusive purchase option agreement, David Weimin Jin 
and Tao Wang, the shareholders of Run An, has each signed an irrevocable power of attorney to appoint WFOE, as attorney-in-fact to 
vote, by itself or any other person to be designated at its discretion, on all matters of Run An that need to be decided by its 
shareholders. Because Qian Cheng is a wholly owned subsidiary of Run An and Wuhan AdCo is a wholly owned subsidiary of Qian 
Cheng, through controlling all material matters of Run An (including but not limited to all material operational matters and the 
appointment and removal of directors and senior management), WFOE also has indirect control on all material matters of Qian Cheng 
and Wuhan AdCo. Each power of attorney was entered into on January 27, 2014 and will remain effective for as long as Run An 
exists. The shareholders of Run An are not entitled to terminate or amend the terms of the power of attorney without prior written 
consent from WFOE.

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Other Agreements

Loan Agreements. Tech JV has entered into loan agreements dated as of September 11, 2007 and valid to September 11, 2017 
with David Weimin Jin and Tao Wang with the sole and exclusive purpose to fund the capitalization of Run An. A loan amount of 
RMB3.0 million was provided to each individual to acquire a 50% equity interest in Run An. The loans can be repaid only with the 
proceeds received from the transfer of the shareholders’ equity interest in Run An to Tech JV or its designee. The term of the interest-
free loan agreements may be extended upon written consent of the parties.

Call Option Agreement. 51net has entered into a call option agreement with Qian Cheng dated as of August 1, 2002, and 

supplemented and amended as of May 3, 2004 and August 1, 2012, under which 51net or its designee is granted an irrevocable option 
to purchase all of Qian Cheng’s equity interest in Tech JV and AdCo for RMB1.2 million or, if such purchase price is not permissible 
under the applicable PRC laws, the lowest price permitted under then applicable PRC laws. In addition, Qian Cheng granted 51net an 
irrevocable option to purchase any and all of its equity interests in AdCo’s subsidiaries at the lowest price permitted under PRC laws. 
The call option agreement is valid to July 31, 2022, and the term may be extended upon written consent of the parties.

Domain Name License Agreement. 51net has entered into a domain name license agreement with Tech JV dated as of August 15, 

2000, and supplemented and amended as of August 15, 2010, under which 51net has granted to Tech JV the right to use the 
www.51job.com domain name in the PRC in connection with Tech JV’s operation of this website. Tech JV is not permitted to assign 
its right under this agreement to any third party. The license fee to be paid under the domain name license agreement will be agreed to 
by both parties. The domain name license agreement is effective until August 14, 2018 and is renewable upon the written consent of 
51net.

Trademark License Agreement. WFOE has entered into a trademark license agreement with Tech JV dated as of August 15, 

2000, and supplemented and amended as of August 15, 2005 and August 15, 2010, under which WFOE has granted to Tech JV the 
right to use certain trademarks in the PRC, with no right of assignment or sublicense. The license fee to be paid under the trademark 
license agreement will be agreed to by both parties. The trademark license agreement is effective until August 14, 2018 and is 
renewable upon the written consent of both parties.

We have been advised by Jun He Law Offices, our PRC legal counsel, that the agreements among our subsidiaries, affiliated 

entities and their respective shareholders are valid and binding, and are enforceable under, and will not result in any violation of, 
existing PRC laws or regulations, with exception to the trademark license agreement, which may not be enforceable against bona fide 
third parties until registration with the relevant trademark administration authorities. However, there are substantial uncertainties 
regarding the interpretation and application of PRC laws and regulations, including but not limited to the laws and regulations 
governing our business or the enforcement and performance of our contractual arrangements in the event of the imposition of statutory 
liens, death, bankruptcy and criminal proceedings. Accordingly, we cannot assure you that PRC regulatory authorities will not take a 
view contrary to that of our PRC legal counsel. See “Item 3. — Key Information — Risk Factors — Risks Related to Doing Business 
in China — The PRC legal system has inherent uncertainties that could materially and adversely affect us.”

Stock Option Grants

We have granted options to purchase common shares in our company to certain of our employees, directors and officers under 

our share option plans. As of December 31, 2016, there were outstanding options to purchase an aggregate of 5,794,831 common 
shares in our company. For a description of our share option plans and these option grants, see “Item 6. — Directors, Senior 
Management and Employees — Compensation — Stock-Based Compensation Plans.”

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Related Party Transactions with Recruit

We have entered into royalty agreements with Recruit Management Solutions Co., Ltd., or RMS, and Recruit Career Co., Ltd., or 

RCC, which are wholly owned subsidiaries of Recruit, for the use of training and online assessment materials. The royalty fees 
charged by RMS were RMB0.1 million, RMB0.1 million and RMB0.2 million (US$0.02 million) during the years ended 
December 31, 2014, 2015 and 2016, respectively. The royalty fees charged by RCC were RMB0.3 million, RMB0.2 million and 
RMB0.06 million (US$8,600) during the years ended December 31, 2014, 2015 and 2016, respectively.

C.

Interests of Experts and Counsel

Not applicable.

ITEM 8.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

A. Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information

See “Item 18. — Financial Statements” for our audited consolidated financial statements filed as part of this annual report.

Legal Proceedings

From time to time, we undertake legal action against entities that misappropriate the content of our websites, including 

recruitment advertisements and the design of our websites, our brands and trademarks, materials from our training courses and other 
proprietary intellectual property. Our intellectual property is subject to theft and other unauthorized use, and our ability to protect our 
intellectual property is limited. In addition, we may in the future be subject to claims that we have infringed the intellectual property 
rights of others. See “Item 3. — Key Information — Risk Factors — Risks Related to Our Business — We may be exposed to 
infringement or misappropriation claims by third parties, which, if successful, could cause us to pay significant damage awards.”

Dividend Policy

Since the incorporation of our company in 2000, we have never declared or paid any cash dividends on our common shares. We 

have historically retained earnings to finance operations and the expansion of our business. The timing, amount and form of future 
dividends, if any, will depend, among other things, on our future results of operations and cash flow, our future prospects, our capital 
requirements and surplus, the amount of distributions, if any, received by us from our subsidiaries and our affiliated entities, and other 
factors deemed relevant by our board of directors. Any future dividends on our common shares would be declared by and subject to 
the discretion of our board of directors.

Holders of ADSs will be entitled to receive dividends, if any, subject to the terms of the deposit agreement, to the same extent as 

holders of common shares, less the fees and expenses payable under the deposit agreement, and after deduction of any applicable 
taxes.

B.

Significant Changes

We have not experienced any significant changes since the date of our audited consolidated financial statements included in this 

annual report.

ITEM 9.

THE OFFER AND LISTING

A. Offer and Listing Details

Our ADSs have been trading on the NASDAQ Global Select Market since September 29, 2004 under the symbol “JOBS.”

The following table provides the high and low trading prices for our ADSs on the NASDAQ Global Select Market for the 

periods presented. We effected a change in the ratio of our common shares to ADSs from 2:1 to 1:1 effective August 8, 2014. All 
prices have been retroactively adjusted to reflect the current ADS to common share ratio of one ADS to one common share for all 
periods presented.

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Annual highs and lows
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016

Quarterly highs and lows
First quarter 2015
Second quarter 2015
Third quarter 2015
Fourth quarter 2015
First quarter 2016
Second quarter 2016
Third quarter 2016
Fourth quarter 2016

Monthly highs and lows
September 2016
October 2016
November 2016
December 2016
January 2017
February 2017
March 2017 (through March 24)

B.

Plan of Distribution

Not applicable.

C. Markets

Trading price

High
US$

Low
US$

31.98
40.00
43.00
38.12
35.87

38.12
37.77
35.61
35.49
33.49
32.78
35.26
35.87

35.19
34.08
35.87
35.81
36.69
37.93
37.69

17.00
23.64
29.24
22.32
25.33

30.80
29.80
22.32
27.00
25.33
27.56
28.02
31.58

32.28
31.58
32.00
32.08
33.18
34.01
31.25

Our ADSs have been trading on the NASDAQ Global Select Market since September 29, 2004 under the symbol “JOBS.”

D.

Selling Shareholders

Not applicable.

E. Dilution

Not applicable.

F.

Expenses of the Issue

Not applicable.

ITEM 10.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

A.

Share Capital

Not applicable.

B. Memorandum and Articles of Association

Our shareholders adopted our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association at an extraordinary shareholder 

meeting on April 26, 2004 and approved an amendment by special resolution passed at an extraordinary shareholder meeting on 
June 20, 2014.

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C. Material Contracts

We have not entered into any material contracts other than in the ordinary course of business and other than those described in 

“Item 4. — Information on the Company” or elsewhere in this annual report on Form 20-F.

D. Exchange Controls

See “Item 4. — Information on the Company — Business Overview — Regulation — Regulations Relating to Foreign Currency 

Exchange.”

E. Taxation

The following summary of the material Cayman Islands, People’s Republic of China and United States federal income tax 
consequences of an investment in our ADSs or common shares is based upon laws and relevant interpretations thereof in effect as of 
the date of this annual report, all of which are subject to change. This summary does not deal with all possible tax consequences 
relating to an investment in our ADSs or common shares, such as the tax consequences under state, local and other tax laws.

Cayman Islands Taxation

According to Maples and Calder (Hong Kong) LLP, our counsel as to Cayman Islands law, the Cayman Islands currently levies 

no taxes on individuals or corporations based upon profits, income, gains or appreciation and there is no taxation in the nature of 
inheritance tax or estate duty. There are no other taxes likely to be material to our company levied by the Government of the Cayman 
Islands except for stamp duties that may be applicable on instruments executed in, or after execution brought within the jurisdiction of, 
the Cayman Islands. The Cayman Islands are not party to any double taxation treaties that are applicable to any payments made to or 
by our company. There are no exchange control regulations or currency restrictions in the Cayman Islands.

People’s Republic of China Taxation

Under the EIT Law and its implementation rules, enterprises incorporated under the laws of jurisdictions outside China with their 

“de facto management bodies” located within China may be considered PRC resident enterprises and therefore subject to an EIT rate 
of 25% on their worldwide income. Under the implementation regulations issued by the State Council relating to the EIT Law, “de 
facto management bodies” is defined as the bodies that have material and overall management control over the production and 
business operations, personnel, accounts and properties of an enterprise. Circular 82 further provides certain specific criteria for 
determining whether the “de facto management body” of a PRC-controlled offshore incorporated enterprise is located in the PRC. The 
criteria include whether: (i) the premises where the senior management and the senior management bodies responsible for the routine 
production and business management of the enterprise perform their functions are mainly located within the PRC; (ii) decisions 
relating to the enterprise’s financial and human resource matters are made or subject to approval by organizations or personnel in the 
PRC; (iii) the enterprise’s primary assets, accounting books and records, company seals, and board and shareholders’ meeting minutes 
are located or maintained in the PRC; and (iv) 50% or more of voting board members or senior executives of the enterprise habitually 
reside in the PRC. Although the Circular 82 only applies to offshore enterprises controlled by enterprises or enterprise groups located 
within the PRC, the determining criteria set forth in the Circular 82 may reflect the tax authorities’ general position on how the “de 
facto management body” test may be applied in determining the tax resident status of other offshore enterprises as well. We are a 
Cayman Islands holding company and substantially all of our operational management is currently based in China. As the tax resident 
status of an enterprise is subject to the determination by the PRC tax authorities and uncertainties remain with respect to the 
interpretation of the term “de facto management body” as applicable to us, we cannot assure you that we will not be considered as a 
PRC tax resident enterprise. If we are considered a PRC resident enterprise under the EIT Law, we may be subject to the uniform 25% 
EIT rate as to our global income.

Moreover, under the EIT Law and related regulations, dividends payable by a foreign-invested enterprise, such as our PRC 
subsidiaries, to any of its foreign non-resident enterprise investors shall be subject to a 10% withholding tax unless such foreign 
enterprise investor’s jurisdiction of incorporation has a tax treaty with China that provides for a reduced rate of withholding tax. We 
are incorporated in the Cayman Islands which does not have such a tax treaty with China.

In addition, if we were treated as a PRC resident enterprise, any dividends payable to non-resident enterprise holders of our 
common shares or ADSs may be treated as income derived from sources within PRC and therefore subject to a 10% withholding tax 
(or 20% in the case of non-resident individual holders) unless an applicable income tax treaty provides otherwise. In addition, capital 
gains realized by non-resident enterprise holders upon the disposition of our common shares or ADSs may be treated as income 
derived from sources within PRC and therefore subject to 10% income tax (or 20% in the case of non-resident individual holders) 
unless an applicable income tax treaty provides otherwise.

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Certain United States Federal Income Tax Considerations

The following summarizes certain U.S. federal income tax consequences to a U.S. Holder, as defined below, of the ownership 

and disposition of our ADSs or common shares as of the date of this annual report.

Except where noted, this summary deals only with ADSs and common shares that are held as capital assets by U.S. Holders. This 

summary does not describe all of the U.S. federal income tax consequences applicable to U.S. Holders that are subject to special 
treatment under the U.S. federal income tax laws, including:

(cid:120)

(cid:120)

(cid:120)

(cid:120)

(cid:120)

(cid:120)

(cid:120)

(cid:120)

(cid:120)

(cid:120)

(cid:120)

(cid:120)

(cid:120)

(cid:120)

dealers in securities or currencies;

regulated investment companies;

certain financial institutions;

real estate investment trusts;

insurance companies;

U.S. expatriates;

tax-exempt organizations;

persons holding ADSs or common shares as part of a hedging, integrated or conversion transaction, constructive sale or 
straddle;

traders in securities that have elected the mark-to-market method of accounting;

persons liable for alternative minimum tax;

partnerships or other pass-through entities for U.S. federal income tax purposes;

persons who own or are deemed to own 10% or more of our voting shares;

persons who acquired common shares or ADSs pursuant to the exercise of any employee share option or otherwise as 
compensation; or

persons whose “functional currency” is not the U.S. dollar.

This summary is based in part on representations by the depositary and assumes that each obligation under the deposit agreement 

will be performed in accordance with its terms. Furthermore, the discussion below is based upon the provisions of the Internal 
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the Code, and U.S. Treasury regulations, rulings and judicial decisions thereunder as of the 
date hereof, and such authorities may be replaced, revoked or modified, possibly on a retroactive basis, so as to result in U.S. federal 
income tax consequences different from those discussed below.

A U.S. Holder that holds or is considering the disposition of ADSs or common shares should consult its own tax advisor 

concerning the U.S. federal income tax consequences and any other U.S. federal tax consequences (such as the effects of the Medicare 
contribution tax), as well as any consequences arising under the laws of any other taxing jurisdiction in light of the particular 
circumstances of the U.S. Holder.

As used herein, the term “U.S. Holder” means a beneficial owner of ADSs or common shares that is a U.S. person. A U.S. 

person is a person who is, for U.S. federal income tax purposes:

(cid:120)

(cid:120)

(cid:120)

(cid:120)

an individual citizen or resident of the United States;

a corporation (or other entity taxable as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes) created or organized in or under 
the laws of the United States, any state thereof, or the District of Columbia;

an estate the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation, regardless of its source; or

a trust if it is subject to the primary supervision of a court within the United States and one or more U.S. persons have the 
authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust or if the trust has a valid election in effect under applicable U.S. 
Treasury regulations to be treated as a U.S. person.

If a partnership holds ADSs or common shares, the tax treatment of a partner will generally depend on the status of the partner 
and the activities of the partnership. A partner of a partnership holding ADSs or common shares should consult its own tax advisors.

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ADSs

In general, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, a U.S. Holder of ADSs will be treated as the owner of the underlying common 

shares that are represented by such ADSs. Deposits and withdrawals of common shares in exchange for ADSs will not be subject to 
U.S. federal income taxation.

Distributions on ADSs or Common Shares

Subject to the discussion under “Passive Foreign Investment Company Rules” below, the gross amount of the distributions on the 

ADSs or common shares (including amounts withheld to reflect PRC withholding taxes, if any) will be taxable to a U.S. Holder as 
dividends to the extent of our current or accumulated earnings and profits, as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles. 
Such income will be includable in a U.S. Holder’s gross income as ordinary income on the day actually or constructively received by a 
U.S. Holder, in the case of common shares, or by the depositary, in the case of ADSs. Such dividends will not be eligible for the 
dividends received deduction allowed to corporations under U.S. federal income tax law. Subject to certain limitations, dividends paid 
to certain non-corporate U.S. Holders, including individuals, will be eligible for a reduced rate of taxation if we are deemed to be a 
“qualified foreign corporation” for U.S. federal income tax purposes. A qualified foreign corporation includes:

(cid:120)

(cid:120)

a foreign corporation that is eligible for the benefits of a comprehensive income tax treaty with the United States which the 
U.S. Treasury determines to be satisfactory for these purposes and which includes an exchange of information program; and

a foreign corporation if its shares with respect to which a dividend is paid or its ADSs backed by such shares are readily 
tradable on an established securities market within the United States,

but does not include an otherwise qualified corporation that is a passive foreign investment company, or a PFIC, in the taxable year in 
which the dividends are paid or the preceding taxable year. We believe that we will be a qualified foreign corporation with respect to 
dividends paid on our ADSs for so long as (i) we are not a PFIC and (ii) the ADSs are listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market or 
a national securities exchange in the United States, and thus are considered to be readily tradable on an established securities market. 
However, our status as a qualified foreign corporation may change. In addition, subject to the following sentence, we do not believe 
that dividends that we pay on our common shares that are not represented by ADSs currently meet the conditions required for these 
reduced tax rates. In the event that we are deemed to be a PRC resident enterprise under the PRC tax law, we may be eligible for the 
benefits of the income tax treaty between the United States and the PRC, and if we are eligible for such benefits, dividends we pay on 
our common shares, regardless of whether such shares are represented by ADSs, would be subject to the reduced rates of taxation. 
Non-corporate U.S. Holders that do not meet at minimum holding period requirement during which they are not protected from the 
risk of loss or that elect to treat the dividend income as “investment income” pursuant to section 163(d)(4) of the Code will not be 
eligible for the reduced rates of taxation regardless of our status as a qualified foreign corporation. In addition, the rate reduction will 
not apply to dividends if the recipient of a dividend is obligated to make related payments with respect to positions in substantially 
similar or related property. This disallowance applies even if the minimum holding period requirement has been met. U.S. Holders 
should consult their own tax advisors regarding the application of these rules to their particular circumstances.

Under the PRC tax law, if the dividends paid by us are deemed to be derived from sources within the PRC, a U.S. Holder may be 
subject to PRC withholding taxes on dividends paid with respect to the ADSs or common shares. See “— People’s Republic of China 
Taxation.” Subject to certain conditions and limitations, PRC withholding taxes on dividends, if any, may be treated as foreign taxes 
eligible for credit against a U.S. Holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability. Dividends paid on the ADSs or common shares will be 
treated as income from sources outside the United States and generally will constitute “passive category income” for U.S. foreign tax 
credit limitation purposes. Furthermore, in certain circumstances, if a U.S. Holder has held the ADSs or common shares for less than a 
specified minimum period during which it is not protected from risk of loss, or is obligated to make payments related to the dividends, 
the U.S. Holder will not be allowed a foreign tax credit for any PRC withholding taxes imposed on dividends paid on the ADSs or 
common shares. The rules governing the foreign tax credit are complex. U.S. Holders are urged to consult their own tax advisors 
regarding the availability of the foreign tax credit under their particular circumstances.

To the extent that the amount of any distribution exceeds our current or accumulated earnings and profits for a taxable year, as 

determined under U.S. federal income tax principles, the distribution will first be treated as a tax-free return of capital, causing a 
reduction in the adjusted basis of the ADSs or common shares (thereby increasing the amount of gain, or decreasing the amount of 
loss, a U.S. Holder would recognize on a subsequent disposition of the ADSs or common shares), and the balance in excess of 
adjusted basis will be taxed as capital gain. However, we do not expect to provide U.S. Holders of common shares or ADSs with 
information regarding the amount of our current or accumulated earnings and profits, as determined under U.S. federal income tax 
principles. Therefore, U.S. Holders should generally expect distributions to be treated as dividends for U.S. federal income tax 
purposes (as discussed above).

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Distributions of ADSs or common shares that are received as part of a pro rata distribution to all of our common shareholders 
(including ADS holders) generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax. The basis of the new ADSs or common shares so 
received will be determined by allocating a U.S. Holder’s basis in the old ADSs or common shares between the old ADSs or common 
shares and the new ADSs or common shares received, based on their relative fair market values on the date of distribution.

Sale, Exchange or Other Disposition of ADSs or Common Shares

Subject to the discussion under “Passive Foreign Investment Company Rules” below, upon the sale, exchange or other 

disposition of ADSs or common shares, a U.S. Holder generally will recognize capital gain or loss equal to the difference between the 
amount realized upon the sale, exchange or other disposition and the adjusted tax basis of the U.S. Holder in the ADSs or common 
shares. A U.S. Holder’s tax basis in an ADS or a common share will be, in general, the price it paid for that ADS or common share. 
The capital gain or loss generally will be long-term capital gain or loss if, at the time of sale, exchange or other disposition, the U.S. 
Holder has held the ADS or common share for more than one year. Net long-term capital gains of non-corporate U.S. Holders, 
including individuals, are eligible for reduced rates of taxation. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations. Any gain or 
loss that a U.S. Holder recognizes generally will be treated as gain or loss from sources within the United States for U.S. foreign tax 
credit limitation purposes. However, in the event that we are deemed to be a PRC resident enterprise under the PRC tax law and PRC 
tax is imposed on any gain from the sale, exchange or other disposition of the ADSs or common shares, a U.S. Holder eligible for the 
benefits of the income tax treaty between the United States and the PRC may be able to elect to treat such gain as PRC-source income. 
U.S. Holders are urged to consult their own tax advisors regarding the tax consequences if a foreign withholding tax is imposed on a 
disposition of ADSs or common shares, including the availability of the foreign tax credit under their particular circumstances.

Passive Foreign Investment Company Rules

Based on the past composition of our income and valuation of our assets, including goodwill, we believe that we were not a PFIC 
for our taxable year ending on December 31, 2016, although there can be no assurance in this regard. However, due to the volatility of 
the market price of our common shares, as represented by our ADSs, we believe there is a material risk that we may become a PFIC in 
the future. Under the Code, the determination of whether we are a PFIC is made annually and PFIC status will depend upon the 
character of our income and assets and the value of our assets at such time. Accordingly, our PFIC status for any particular taxable 
year cannot be determined with certainty until after the close of that taxable year. In particular, our PFIC status may be determined in 
large part based on the market price of our common shares, as represented by our ADSs, which is likely to fluctuate (and may 
fluctuate considerably given that the global capital markets have been experiencing extreme volatility). Accordingly, fluctuations in 
the market price of our common shares, as represented by our ADSs, may result in our being a PFIC in the current or any future 
taxable year.

In addition, as described under “Item 3. — Key Information — Risk Factors — Risks Related to Our Corporate Structure,” there 

exist substantial uncertainties regarding the application, interpretation and enforcement of relevant current and future PRC laws and 
regulations and their potential effect on our corporate structure and contractual arrangements with certain of our affiliated PRC 
entities. There can be no assurance that the PRC regulatory authorities will not take a view different from that of our PRC legal 
counsel. Further, even if the uncertainties as to PRC laws and regulations did not exist, there are also substantial uncertainties as to the 
treatment of our corporate structure and ownership of these affiliated PRC entities for U.S. federal income tax purposes. If it is 
determined that we do not own the stock of the affiliated PRC entities, which is held through contractual arrangements, for U.S. 
federal income tax purposes, we may be treated as a PFIC for our taxable year ending on December 31, 2016 and any taxable year 
thereafter. If we are a PFIC for any taxable year during which a U.S. Holder holds our ADSs or common shares, the U.S. Holder will 
be subject to special tax rules discussed below.

In general, we will be a PFIC for any taxable year in which either (i) at least 75% of our gross income for the taxable year is 

passive income or (ii) at least 50% of the value (determined on the basis of a quarterly average) of our assets held during the taxable 
year is attributable to assets that produce or are held for the production of passive income. For this purpose, passive income generally 
includes dividends, interest, royalties and rents (other than rents and royalties derived in the active conduct of a trade or business and 
not derived from a related person). If we own at least 25% by value of the equity shares of another corporation, we will be treated for 
purposes of the PFIC tests as owning a proportionate share of the assets of the other corporation, and as receiving directly a 
proportionate share of the other corporation’s income.

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If we are a PFIC for any taxable year during which a U.S. Holder holds our ADSs or common shares, unless the U.S. Holder 
makes a mark-to-market election or a qualified electing fund election, as discussed below, such U.S. Holder will be subject to the 
following special tax rules even if we subsequently ceased to be a PFIC.

Gain realized upon the sale or disposition of ADSs or common shares and distributions made to a U.S. Holder by us during a 
taxable year with respect to the ADSs or common shares that are “excess distributions” (defined generally as the excess of the amount 
received with respect to the ADSs or common shares in the taxable year over 125% of the average amount received in the shorter of 
either the three preceding years or a U.S. Holder’s holding period before the taxable year) must be allocated ratably to each day of the 
U.S. Holder’s holding period. The amount allocated to the current taxable year or any year before we became a PFIC will be included 
as ordinary income in a U.S. Holder’s gross income for that year. The amount allocated to other prior taxable years will be taxed as 
ordinary income at the highest rate in effect for the class of U.S. Holder, corporate or non-corporate, in that prior year and the tax is 
subject to an interest charge at the rate applicable to deficiencies in income taxes.

If we are a PFIC for any taxable year and any of our subsidiaries or affiliated entities is also a PFIC (a “lower-tier PFIC”), a U.S. 

Holder would be treated as owning a proportionate amount (by value) of the shares of the lower-tier PFIC for purposes of the 
application of these rules. U.S. Holders are urged to consult their own tax advisors about the application of the PFIC rules to any of 
our subsidiaries or affiliated entities.

In addition, non-corporate U.S. Holders will not be eligible for reduced rates of taxation on any dividends received from us if we 

are a PFIC in the taxable year in which such dividends are paid or in the preceding taxable year.

In certain circumstances, instead of being subject to the excess distribution rules discussed above, a U.S. Holder may make an 

election to include gain on the ADSs or common shares of a PFIC as ordinary income under a mark-to-market method, provided that 
the ADSs or common shares are regularly traded on a qualified exchange. Under current law, the mark-to-market election is only 
available for ADSs or common shares that are regularly traded within the meaning of U.S. Treasury regulations on certain designated 
U.S. exchanges and foreign exchanges that meet trading, listing, financial disclosure and other requirements to be treated as a 
qualified exchange under applicable U.S. Treasury regulations. The NASDAQ Global Select Market is a qualified exchange but no 
assurance can be given that the ADSs will be regularly traded for the purposes of the mark-to-market election.

If a U.S. Holder makes an effective mark-to-market election, the U.S. Holder will include each year as ordinary income, rather 

than capital gain, the excess, if any, of the fair market value of the U.S. Holder’s ADSs or common shares at the end of the taxable 
year over such U.S. Holder’s adjusted basis in the ADSs or common shares, and will be permitted an ordinary loss in respect of the 
excess, if any, of the adjusted basis of these ADSs or common shares over their fair market value at the end of the taxable year, but 
only to the extent of the net amount previously included in income as a result of the mark-to-market election. A U.S. Holder’s basis in 
the ADSs or common shares will be adjusted to reflect any such income or loss amounts. Any gain or loss on the sale of the ADSs or 
common shares will be ordinary income or loss, except that this loss will be ordinary loss only to the extent of the previously included 
net mark-to-market gain. If a U.S. Holder makes a mark-to-market election, it will be effective for the taxable year for which the 
election is made and all subsequent taxable years unless the ADSs or common shares are no longer regularly traded on a qualified 
exchange or the Internal Revenue Service consents to the revocation of the election. U.S. Holders should consider carefully the impact 
of a mark-to-market election with respect to their common shares or ADSs given that we may have lower-tier PFICs for which a 
mark-to-market election may not be available.

Instead of being subject to the excess distribution rules discussed above, a U.S. Holder of shares in a PFIC alternatively may 

elect to have the company treated as a qualified electing fund, provided that the company provides certain information to make such 
an election effective. However, this option will not be available to U.S. Holders because we do not intend to provide such information 
to U.S. Holders.

If a U.S. Holder owns ADSs or common shares during any year that we are a PFIC, the U.S. Holder generally must file an annual 

report.

A U.S. Holder should consult its own tax advisors concerning the availability and the making of a mark-to-market election and 
the U.S. federal income tax consequences of holding the ADSs or common shares if we are deemed to be a PFIC in any taxable year.

Information Reporting and Backup Withholding

In general, unless a U.S. Holder belongs to a category of certain exempt recipients, information reporting requirements will apply 

to distributions on ADSs or common shares made within the United States and to the proceeds of sales of ADSs or common shares 
that are effected through the U.S. office of a broker or the non-U.S. office of a broker that has certain connections with the United 
States. Backup withholding may apply to these payments if a U.S. Holder fails to provide a correct taxpayer identification number or 
certification of exempt status, fails to report in full dividend and interest income or, in certain circumstances, fails to comply with 
applicable certification requirements.

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Backup withholding is not an additional tax and any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules will be allowed as a 
refund or a credit against a U.S. Holder’s U.S. federal income tax, provided the U.S. Holder furnishes the required information to the 
Internal Revenue Service in a timely manner.

F. Dividends and Paying Agents

Not applicable.

G.

Statements by Experts

Not applicable.

H. Documents on Display

We have previously filed with the SEC our registration statement on Form F-1 and prospectus under the Securities Act with 

respect to our ADSs.

We are subject to the periodic reporting and other informational requirements of the Exchange Act. Under the Exchange Act, we 
are required to file reports, including annual reports on Form 20-F, and other information with the SEC. As a foreign private issuer, we 
are exempt from the rules under the Exchange Act prescribing the furnishing and content of quarterly reports and proxy statements, 
and officers, directors and principal shareholders are exempt from the reporting and short-swing profit recovery provisions contained 
in Section 16 of the Exchange Act.

The registration statements, reports and other information so filed can be inspected and copied at the public reference facilities 

maintained by the SEC at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. You can request copies of these documents upon payment of a 
duplicating fee, by writing to the SEC. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the operation of the public 
reference rooms. The SEC also maintains a website at www.sec.gov that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other 
information regarding registrants that make electronic filings with the SEC using its EDGAR system.

Our financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

Each year, we furnish our shareholders with an annual report containing a review of operations and annual audited consolidated 

financial statements prepared in conformity with U.S. GAAP.

I.

Subsidiary Information

Not applicable.

ITEM 11.

QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Interest Rate Risk

Our exposure to interest rate risk for changes in interest rates relates primarily to the interest income generated by excess cash 
deposited in banks. As of December 31, 2016, we had cash, restricted cash and short-term investments totaling RMB6,080.8 million 
(US$875.8 million). Cash consists of cash on hand and in banks. Restricted cash consists of cash proceeds from the exercise of share 
options by our employees, executives and directors held in a bank account which have yet to be transmitted to them. Short-term 
investments consist of certificates of deposit with original maturities between three months and one year.

We have not used any derivative financial instruments to hedge interest rate risk. We have not been exposed nor do we anticipate 
being exposed to material risks due to changes in interest rates, although our future interest income may fluctuate in line with changes 
in interest rates. The risk associated with fluctuating interest rates is principally confined to our cash deposits in banks, and, therefore, 
our exposure to interest rate risk is minimal.

A hypothetical 10% increase in the average applicable interest rate for our demand deposits would result in an increase of 
approximately RMB9.6 million (US$1.4 million) in interest income from the assumed average cash, restricted cash and short-term 
investments balance in 2016.

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Credit Risk

The carrying amounts of cash, restricted cash, short-term investments, accounts receivable and other receivables represent our 

principal exposure to credit risk in relation to our financial assets. As of December 31, 2016, substantially all of our cash were held in 
uninsured accounts located in China and Hong Kong that we believe are of acceptable credit quality.

Foreign Exchange Risk

Substantially all of our revenue-generating operations are transacted in the Renminbi, which is not fully convertible into foreign 

currencies, and a significant portion of our liabilities are denominated in Renminbi. As a result, the conversion of our revenues is 
subject to PRC regulatory restrictions on currency conversion and we are exposed to risks posed by fluctuations in the foreign 
exchange market. The value of the Renminbi against the U.S. dollar and other currencies may fluctuate and is affected by, among 
other things, changes in the PRC’s political and economic conditions. In July 2005, the PRC government changed its policy of 
pegging the value of the Renminbi to the U.S. dollar, and the Renminbi is permitted to fluctuate within a narrow and managed band 
against a basket of certain foreign currencies. The value of the Renminbi against the U.S. dollar decreased 2.5% in 2014, 4.4% in 2015 
and 7.2% in 2016. Due to the U.S. dollar cash deposits we hold and our U.S. dollar-denominated convertible senior notes issued in 
2014, we are exposed to foreign currency risks, and we recognized a gain from foreign currency translation of RMB10.0 million in 
2014, a loss of RMB55.9 million in 2015 and a gain of RMB0.2 million (US$0.03 million) in 2016. It is possible that the Chinese 
government could adopt a more flexible currency policy in the future. As a material portion of our assets and liabilities are 
denominated in U.S. dollars, future revaluations of the Renminbi could result in charges to our consolidated statements of operations 
and comprehensive income and reductions in the value of these assets. In addition, as we rely entirely on dividends, royalty payments 
and other fees paid to us in Renminbi by our subsidiaries and affiliated entities in the PRC, future downward revaluations of the 
Renminbi may materially and adversely affect our cash flows, revenues and financial condition, and the value of, and any dividends 
payable on, our ADSs in foreign currency terms.

Based on the amount of our cash, restricted cash and short-term investments denominated in U.S. dollars as of December 31, 

2016, a 10% change in the exchange rates between the Renminbi and the U.S. dollar would result in an increase or decrease of 
RMB134.2 million (US$19.3 million) in our cash, restricted cash and short-term investments. Based on the amount of convertible 
senior notes denominated in U.S. dollars as of December 31, 2016, a 10% change in the exchange rates between the Renminbi and the 
U.S. dollar would result in an increase or decrease of RMB119.8 million (US$17.3 million) in our convertible senior notes.

We have not used any forward contracts or currency borrowings to hedge our exposure to foreign currency risk. See “Item 3. —

Key Information — Risk Factors — Risks Related to Doing Business in China — The fluctuation of the Renminbi may materially and 
adversely affect your investment.”

ITEM 12.

DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES OTHER THAN EQUITY SECURITIES

A. Debt Securities

Not applicable.

B. Warrants and Rights

Not applicable.

C. Other Securities

Not applicable.

D. American Depositary Shares

Fees Paid by Our ADS Holders

ADS holders will be charged a fee for each issuance of ADSs, including issuances resulting from distributions of shares, rights 

and other property, and for each surrender of ADSs in exchange for deposited securities. The fee in each case is US$5.00 for each 100 
ADSs (or any portion thereof) issued or surrendered.

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The following additional charges will be incurred by the ADS holders, by any party depositing or withdrawing shares or by any 

party surrendering ADSs or to whom ADSs are issued (including, without limitation, issuance pursuant to a stock dividend or stock 
split declared by us or an exchange of stock regarding the ADSs or the deposited securities or a distribution of ADRs), whichever is 
applicable:

(cid:120)

(cid:120)

(cid:120)

(cid:120)

(cid:120)

(cid:120)

(cid:120)

(cid:120)

(cid:120)

(cid:120)

a fee of US$1.50 per ADR or ADRs for transfers of certificated or direct registration ADRs, in each case, on the books of 
the depositary;

a fee of US$0.02 or less per ADS (or portion thereof) for any cash distribution made pursuant to the deposit agreement;

a fee of US$0.02 per ADS (or portion thereof) per year to cover such expenses as are incurred by the depositary in 
administering our ADS program (which fee shall be assessed against holders of ADSs as of the record date set by the 
depositary not more than once each calendar year and is payable in the manner described in the next succeeding provision);

any other charge payable by any of the depositary, any of the depositary’s agents, including, without limitation, the 
custodian, or the agents of the depositary’s agents in connection with the servicing of our shares or other deposited 
securities (which charge will be assessed against registered holders of our ADSs as of the record date or dates set by the 
depositary and will be payable at the sole discretion of the depositary by billing such registered holders or by deducting 
such charge from one or more cash dividends or other cash distributions);

a fee for the distribution of securities, such fee being in an amount equal to the fee for the execution and delivery of ADSs 
which would have been charged as a result of the deposit of such securities (treating all such securities as if they were 
shares) but which securities or the net cash proceeds from the sale thereof are instead distributed by the depositary to those 
holders entitled thereto;

stock transfer or other taxes and other governmental charges;

cable, telex and facsimile transmission and delivery charges incurred at the request of the ADS holders;

transfer or registration fees for the registration of transfer of deposited securities on any applicable register in connection 
with the deposit or withdrawal of deposited securities;

expenses of the depositary in connection with the conversion of foreign currency into U.S. dollars; and

such fees and expenses as are incurred by the depositary (including without limitation expenses incurred in connection with 
compliance with foreign exchange control regulations or any law or regulation relating to foreign investment) in delivery of 
deposited securities or otherwise in connection with the depositary’s or its custodian’s compliance with applicable law, 
rule or regulation.

We will pay all other charges and expenses of the depositary and any agent of the depositary (except the custodian) pursuant to 

agreements from time to time between us and the depositary. The fees described above may be amended from time to time.

Fees and Payments from the Depositary to Us

In 2016, we received from our depositary, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., a reimbursement of approximately US$286,000, net of 

U.S. withholding tax, for our expenses incurred in connection with the advancement of our ADR and investor relations programs, 
including legal fees, investor relations expenses, and other expenses related to our ongoing compliance with NASDAQ Stock Market 
and SEC rules and regulations.

The depositary has agreed to reimburse us for our expenses incurred in connection with our ADR and investor relations programs 

in the future. The amount of such reimbursements is subject to certain limits.

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ITEM 13.

DEFAULTS, DIVIDEND ARREARAGES AND DELINQUENCIES

None.

PART II

ITEM 14.

MATERIAL MODIFICATIONS TO THE RIGHTS OF SECURITY HOLDERS AND USE OF PROCEEDS

Not applicable.

ITEM 15.

CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

As required by Rule 13a-15(b) of the Exchange Act, our management, with the participation of our chief executive officer and 
chief financial officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) of the 
Exchange Act, as of the end of the period covered by this annual report. Based on that evaluation, our management has concluded that, 
as of the end of the period covered by this annual report, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective.

Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as defined in 

Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act, for our company. Our internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to 
provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of our financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external 
purposes in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Included in our internal control over financial reporting are policies and procedures that 
(i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of our 
assets; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in 
accordance with U.S. GAAP, and that our receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorizations from our 
management and directors; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized 
acquisition, use, or disposition of our assets that could have a material effect on our financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, a system of internal control over financial reporting can provide only reasonable assurance 
with respect to consolidated financial statement preparation and presentation and may not prevent or detect misstatements. In addition, 
projections of any evaluation of effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting to future periods are subject to the risk 
that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or 
procedures may deteriorate.

As required by Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and related rules as promulgated by the SEC, our management 

has assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2016 based on criteria established in 
Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. 
Based on this assessment, our management has concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of 
December 31, 2016.

Our independent registered public accounting firm, PricewaterhouseCoopers Zhong Tian LLP, has audited the effectiveness of 

our company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2016, as stated in its report, which appears on page F-2 of 
this Form 20-F.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

There were no significant changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the period covered by this annual report 

on Form 20-F that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

ITEM 16A.

AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT

Our board of directors has concluded that Messrs. David K. Chao, Li-Lan Cheng and Eric He, the three independent directors of 
our company, each meet the criteria of “audit committee financial expert” as established by the SEC. See “Item 6. — Directors, Senior 
Management and Employees — Board Practices.”

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ITEM 16B.

CODE OF ETHICS

Our board of directors has adopted a code of ethics that applies to our directors, officers and employees, including our principal 

executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller and any other persons who perform similar 
functions for us. We have posted our code of business conduct and ethics at ir.51job.com.

ITEM 16C.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES

The following table sets forth the audit fees and audit-related fees in connection with the professional services rendered by 
PricewaterhouseCoopers Zhong Tian LLP, our principal external auditors, for the periods indicated. Audit fees relate to aggregate fees 
billed for the audit of our annual financial statements and the review of our quarterly financial results. Audit-related fees are 
associated with assurance and related services provided by our auditors. We did not pay any tax related or other fees to our auditors 
during the periods indicated below.

Audit fees
Audit-related fees

Pre-Approved Policies and Procedures

2015
RMB

2016
RMB
(in thousands)

2016
US$

4,669
223

4,840
—

697
—

Our audit committee pre-approves audit engagement terms and fees prior to the commencement of any audit work, other than 

that which may be necessary for the independent auditors to prepare the proposed audit approach, scope and fee estimates. The 
independent auditors annually submit to us a written proposal that details all audit and audit-related services. Audit and audit-related 
fees are fixed and contained in the proposal, and the audit committee reviews the nature and dollar value of services to be provided 
under such proposal. Any revisions to such proposal after the engagement has begun are reviewed and pre-approved by the audit 
committee.

ITEM 16D. EXEMPTIONS FROM THE LISTING STANDARDS FOR AUDIT COMMITTEES

Not applicable.

ITEM 16E. PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY THE ISSUER AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS

In September 2008, our board of directors and shareholders approved a share repurchase program, which provided authorization 

to purchase up to US$25 million worth of our outstanding ADSs. Under this program, from 2008 to 2011, we purchased 2,030,658 
ADSs, through open-market transactions for an aggregate consideration of approximately US$11.0 million, including transaction fees.

In June 2014, our board of directors and shareholders authorized an increase to the size of the share repurchase program 

originally approved in 2008 from US$25 million to US$75 million. In 2014, we purchased 799,293 ADSs through open-market 
transactions for an aggregate consideration of approximately US$25 million, including transaction fees. In 2015, we purchased 
898,950 ADSs through open-market transactions for an aggregate consideration of approximately US$24 million, including 
transaction fees. We did not make any repurchase of ADSs in 2016.

In addition to the share repurchase program, we may from time to time make repurchases of our other securities, including our 

convertible senior notes due 2019, in open-market transactions, privately negotiated transactions or otherwise, subject to market 
conditions and other factors. The amounts involved may be material. We did not make any repurchase of our convertible senior notes 
in 2016.

ITEM 16F. CHANGE IN REGISTRANT’S CERTIFYING ACCOUNTANT

Not applicable.

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ITEM 16G. CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

NASDAQ Stock Market Rule 5615(a)(3) permits foreign private issuers like us to follow “home country practice” with respect to 

certain corporate governance matters. We are committed to a high standard of corporate governance and we do not believe that there 
are any significant differences between our corporate governance practices and those of U.S. domestic companies under the NASDAQ 
Stock Market rules.

ITEM 16H. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURE

Not applicable.

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PART III

ITEM 17.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

We have elected to provide financial statements pursuant to Item 18.

ITEM 18.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The consolidated financial statements for 51job, Inc. and its subsidiaries are included at the end of this annual report.

ITEM 19.

EXHIBITS

Exhibit
number

1.1

2.1

2.2

2.3

2.4

4.1

4.2

4.3

4.4

4.5

4.6

4.7

Description of document
Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association, as amended as of June 20, 2014 (incorporated by 
reference to Exhibit 1.1 from our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2014 filed with the 
Securities and Exchange Commission on March 31, 2015)
Specimen of Share Certificate (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 from our Registration Statement on Form F-
1 (File No. 333-117194) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 7, 2004)
Specimen of American Depositary Receipt (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 from our Registration Statement 
on Form F-1 (File No. 333-117194) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 2, 2004)
Form of Deposit Agreement among 51job, Inc., JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Depositary, and Holders and 
Beneficial Holders from time to time of American Depositary Shares evidenced by American Depositary Receipts 
issued thereunder, including the form of American Depositary Receipt (incorporated by reference to the Post-
Effective Amendment No. 1 to Form F-6 (File No. 333-117254) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission 
with respect to American Depositary Shares representing common shares on July 18, 2014)
Indenture dated as of April 9, 2014 between 51job, Inc. and The Bank of New York Mellon, constituting US$172.5 
million 3.25% Convertible Senior Notes due 2019 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.4 from our Amendment 
No. 1 to Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2014 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on 
April 17, 2015)
2000 Stock Option Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 from our Registration Statement on Form F-1 
(File No. 333-117194) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 7, 2004)
2009 Share Option Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.2 from our Form 6-K (File No. 000-50841) filed 
with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 30, 2009)
2015 Share Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.3 from our Form 6-K (File No. 000-50841) filed 
with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 23, 2015)
Form of Employment, Confidential Information and Invention Assignment Agreement (incorporated by reference to 
Exhibit 10.2 from our Registration Statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-117194) filed with the Securities and 
Exchange Commission on July 7, 2004)
Form of Indemnification Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 from our Registration Statement on 
Form F-1 (File No. 333-117194) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 7, 2004)
Form of Investor Rights Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 from our Registration Statement on 
Form F-1 (File No. 333-117194) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 7, 2004)
Loan Agreements dated as of September 11, 2007 between Qianjin Network Information Technology (Shanghai) 
Co., Ltd. and the shareholders of Beijing Run An Information Consultancy Co., Ltd. (incorporated by reference to 
Exhibit 4.5 from our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2007 filed with the Securities 
and Exchange Commission on June 28, 2008)

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Exhibit
number

Description of document

4.8

4.9

4.10

4.11

4.12

4.13

4.14

4.15

4.16

4.17

4.18

English Translation of Technical and Consulting Service Agreement dated as of May 3, 2004, as amended as of 
July 2, 2004, between Beijing Qian Cheng Si Jin Advertising Co., Ltd. and Qian Cheng Wu You Network 
Information Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 from our Registration 
Statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-117194) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 7, 2004)
English Translation of Supplement Agreement to Technical and Consulting Service Agreement dated as of 
January 27, 2014 between Beijing Qian Cheng Si Jin Advertising Co., Ltd. and Qian Cheng Wu You Network 
Information Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.8 from our Annual Report on 
Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2013 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 28, 
2014)
English Translation of Technical and Consulting Service Agreement dated as of September 11, 2007 between 
Beijing Run An Information Consultancy Co. Ltd. and Qian Cheng Wu You Network Information Technology 
(Beijing) Co., Ltd. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.8 from our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year 
ended December 31, 2007 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 28, 2008)
English Translation of Equity Pledge Agreement dated as of January 27, 2014 between Qian Cheng Wu You 
Network Information Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd. and the shareholders of Beijing Run An Information 
Consultancy Co., Ltd. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.10 from our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year 
ended December 31, 2013 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 28, 2014)
English Translation of Investment Capital Transfer Agreement dated as of September 11, 2007 among the 
shareholders of Beijing Run An Information Consultancy Co., Ltd. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.12 from 
our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2007 filed with the Securities and Exchange 
Commission on June 28, 2008)
English Translation of Share Transfer Agreement dated as of November 12, 2007 between the shareholders of 
Beijing Qian Cheng Si Jin Advertising Co., Ltd. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.14 from our Annual Report 
on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2007 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 28, 
2008)
English Translation of Domain Name License Agreement dated as of August 15, 2000, and as supplemented and 
amended as of August 15, 2010 between 51net.com Inc. and Qianjin Network Information Technology (Shanghai) 
Co., Ltd. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.13 from our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended 
December 31, 2011 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 12, 2012)
English Translation of Call Option Agreement dated as of August 1, 2002, as supplemented and amended as of 
May 3, 2004, between Beijing Qian Cheng Si Jin Advertising Co., Ltd. and 51net.com Inc. (incorporated by 
reference to Exhibit 10.13 from our Registration Statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-117194) filed with the 
Securities and Exchange Commission on July 7, 2004)
English Translation of Supplement Agreement II to Call Option Agreement dated as of August 1, 2012, between 
Beijing Qian Cheng Si Jin Advertising Co., Ltd. and 51net.com Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.15 from 
our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2012 filed with the Securities and Exchange 
Commission on April 12, 2013)
English Translation of Share Transfer Agreement dated as of April 26, 2009 between 51net.com Inc. and Wuhan 
Mei Hao Qian Cheng Advertising Co., Ltd. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.20 from our Annual Report on 
Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2009 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 16, 
2010)
English Translation of Share Transfer Agreement dated as of June 19, 2009 between Shanghai Qianjin Advertising 
Co., Ltd. and Beijing Qian Cheng Si Jin Advertising Co., Ltd. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.21 from our 
Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2009 filed with the Securities and Exchange 
Commission on April 16, 2010)

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Exhibit
number

Description of document

4.19

4.20

4.21

8.1*
11.1

12.1*
12.2*
13.1**
13.2**
15.1*
15.2*
15.3*
101.INS*
101.SCH*
101.CAL*
101.DEF*
101.LAB*
101.PRE*

English Translation of Power of Attorney issued by David Weimin Jin on January 27, 2014 (incorporated by 
reference to Exhibit 4.18 from our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2013 filed with the 
Securities and Exchange Commission on March 28, 2014)
English Translation of Power of Attorney issued by Tao Wang on January 27, 2014 (incorporated by reference to 
Exhibit 4.19 from our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2013 filed with the Securities 
and Exchange Commission on March 28, 2014)
English Translation of Exclusive Purchase Option Agreement dated as of January 27, 2014 between Qian Cheng Wu 
You Network Information Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd. and the shareholders of Beijing Run An Information 
Consultancy Co., Ltd. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.20 from our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year 
ended December 31, 2013 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 28, 2014)
List of subsidiaries and affiliated entities of 51job, Inc.
Code of Business Conduct and Ethics (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 from our Registration Statement on 
Form F-1 (File No. 333-117194) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 7, 2004)
CEO Certification pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
CFO Certification pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
CEO Certification pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
CFO Certification pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
Consent of Maples and Calder (Hong Kong) LLP
Consent of Jun He Law Offices
Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers Zhong Tian LLP
XBRL Instance Document
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

*
Filed with this annual report on Form 20-F.
** Furnished with this annual report on Form 20-F.

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SIGNATURES

The registrant hereby certifies that it meets all of the requirements for filing its annual report on Form 20-F and that it has duly 

caused and authorized the undersigned to sign this annual report on its behalf.

51job, Inc.

/s/ Rick Yan

By:
Name:Rick Yan
Title: President and Chief Executive Officer

Date: March 31, 2017

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51JOB, INC.

INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2015 and 2016
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2015 and 2016
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2015 and 2016
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2015 and 2016
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2015 and 2016

Page

F-2
F-3
F-4
F-5
F-6
F-7

F-1

Table of Contents

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of 51job, Inc.:

In our opinion, the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and the related consolidated statements of operations and 
comprehensive income, of changes in shareholders’ equity and of cash flows present fairly, in all material respects, the financial 
position of 51job, Inc. and its subsidiaries at December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, and the results of their operations and their 
cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2016 in conformity with accounting principles generally 
accepted in the United States of America. Also in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal 
control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2016, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework
(2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). The Company’s management is 
responsible for these financial statements, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of 
the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over 
Financial Reporting appearing in Item 15 of this Form 20-F. Our responsibility is to express opinions on these financial statements and 
on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our integrated audits. We conducted our audits in accordance with 
the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform 
the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement and whether 
effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audits of the financial statements 
included examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the 
accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. 
Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, 
assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control 
based on the assessed risk. Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the 
circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of 
financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting 
principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the 
maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the 
company; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in 
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in 
accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding 
prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect 
on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections 
of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in 
conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers Zhong Tian LLP

PricewaterhouseCoopers Zhong Tian LLP
Shanghai, the People’s Republic of China
March 31, 2017

F-2

Table of Contents

51JOB, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2014, 2015 AND 2016

Note

2014
RMB

2015
RMB

2016
RMB

2016
US$ (Note 2(c))

(in thousands, except share and per share data)

Revenues:

Online recruitment services
Print advertising
Other human resource related revenues

Total revenues
Less: Business tax and surcharges
Net revenues
Cost of services
Gross profit
(1)
Operating expenses :
Sales and marketing
General and administrative

(1)

Total operating expenses
Income from operations
Gain (Loss) from foreign currency translation
Interest and investment income, net
Convertible senior notes issuance costs
Change in fair value of convertible senior 

notes

Change in fair value of zero-strike call options
Other income, net
Income before income tax expense
Income tax expense
Net income
Net loss attributable to non-controlling 

interests

Net income attributable to 51job, Inc.

Net income
Other comprehensive income:

Foreign currency translation adjustments
Unrealized gain on available-for-sale 

securities, net of tax effect of nil, nil and 
RMB9,625 in 2014, 2015 and 2016, 
respectively

Total comprehensive income
Comprehensive loss attributable to non-

controlling interests

Comprehensive income attributable to 

51job, Inc.

Earnings per share:

— Basic
— Diluted

Weighted average number of common shares 

outstanding:
— Basic
— Diluted

(1) Share-based compensation:
Included in cost of services
Included in operating expenses
— Sales and marketing
— General and administrative

2(k)

2(l)

2(m)

13

13
13
2(x)

10

16

15

1,248,101
14,247
634,945
1,897,293
(64,840)
1,832,453
(496,000)
1,336,453

(563,565)
(249,275)
(812,840)
523,613
10,039
88,739
(47,522)

(55,355)
(24,874)
57,305
551,945
(113,035)
438,910

—
438,910

1,356,442
5,328
740,119
2,101,889
(46,669)
2,055,220
(569,979)
1,485,241

(654,468)
(263,067)
(917,535)
567,706
(55,857)
93,548
—

67,168
—
71,533
744,098
(126,301)
617,797

260
618,057

1,547,143
—
825,552
2,372,695
(34,361)
2,338,334
(663,001)
1,675,333

(783,492)
(280,002)
(1,063,494)
611,839
238
58,933
—

(69,439)
—
98,315
699,886
(134,699)
565,187

791
565,978

438,910

617,797

565,187

(9)

890

984

—
438,901

—
618,687

28,876
595,047

—

260

791

438,901

618,947

595,838

7.51
7.35

10.71
10.41

9.74
9.68

222,835
—
118,904
341,739
(4,949)
336,790
(95,492)
241,298

(112,846)
(40,329)
(153,175)
88,123
34
8,488
—

(10,001)
—
14,160
100,804
(19,401)
81,403

114
81,517

81,403

142

4,159
85,704

114

85,818

1.40
1.39

58,475,397
59,691,993

57,714,850
62,498,651

58,132,976
58,474,068

58,132,976
58,474,068

(12,997)

(13,770)

(14,080)

(11,173)
(57,210)

(11,837)
(60,338)

(12,104)
(59,886)

(2,028)

(1,744)
(8,625)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

F-3

Table of Contents

51JOB, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2015 AND 2016

ASSETS
Current assets:

Cash
Restricted cash
Short-term investments
Accounts receivable (net of allowance for doubtful 
accounts of RMB3,290 and RMB6,144 as of 
December 31, 2015 and 2016, respectively)

Prepayments and other current assets
Deferred tax assets, current

Total current assets
Non-current assets:

Long-term investments
Property and equipment, net
Goodwill
Intangible assets, net
Other long-term assets
Deferred tax assets, non-current

Total non-current assets
Total assets
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Current liabilities (including amounts of the 

consolidated VIEs and VIEs’ subsidiaries without 
recourse to the primary beneficiaries of RMB270 and 
RMB327 as of December 31, 2015 and 2016, 
respectively):
Accounts payable
Salary and employee related accrual
Taxes payable
Advance from customers
Convertible senior notes, current
Other payables and accruals

Total current liabilities
Non-current liabilities (including amounts of the 

consolidated VIEs and VIEs’ subsidiaries without 
recourse to the primary beneficiaries of nil and 
RMB9,625 as of December 31, 2015 and 2016, 
respectively):
Deferred tax liabilities, non-current
Convertible senior notes, non-current
Other long-term payables
Total non-current liabilities
Total liabilities
Commitments and contingencies
Shareholders’ equity:

Common shares (US$0.0001 par value per share; 
500,000,000 shares authorized, 58,944,631 and 
60,062,385 shares issued and outstanding as of 
December 31, 2015 and 2016, respectively)

Additional paid-in capital
Statutory reserves
Accumulated other comprehensive income
Retained earnings

Total 51job, Inc. shareholders’ equity
Non-controlling interests
Total equity
Total liabilities and equity

Note

2(d)
2(d)
2(f)

4
5
10

2(f)
6
7
8

10

2(b)

13
9

10
13

17

2(q)

2015
RMB

2016
RMB
(in thousands, except share and per share data)

2016
US$ (Note 2(c))

1,125,352
13,059
3,825,547

97,880
496,715
1,745
5,560,298

22,800
559,404
217,394
56,105
5,578
683
861,964
6,422,262

24,096
84,185
114,162
563,621
—
349,974
1,136,038

34,785
1,108,877
8,450
1,152,112
2,288,150
—

48
1,052,788
13,232
2,422
3,056,552
4,125,042
9,070
4,134,112
6,422,262

1,921,074
389
4,159,318

111,246
527,558
—
6,719,585

189,017
526,541
217,394
73,620
8,988
765
1,016,325
7,735,910

32,516
103,559
155,786
655,416
1,257,709
498,036
2,703,022

57,166
—
—
57,166
2,760,188
—

49
1,299,350
13,360
32,282
3,622,402
4,967,443
8,279
4,975,722
7,735,910

276,692
56
599,066

16,023
75,984
—
967,821

27,224
75,838
31,311
10,603
1,295
111
146,382
1,114,203

4,683
14,916
22,438
94,400
181,148
71,732
389,317

8,234
—
—
8,234
397,551
—

7
187,145
1,924
4,650
521,734
715,460
1,192
716,652
1,114,203

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

F-4

Table of Contents

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2014, 2015 AND 2016

51JOB, INC.

Common shares

Number
of shares

Par value
RMB

Additional
paid-in
capital
RMB

Statutory
reserves
RMB

Accumulated
other
comprehensive
income
RMB
(in thousands, except share data)

Retained
earnings
RMB

Total
51job, Inc.
shareholders’
equity
RMB

Non-controlling
interests
RMB

Total
equity
RMB

Balance as of December 31, 2013

Exercise of share options
Share-based compensation
Repurchase and retirement of common shares
Zero-strike call options in connection with issuance of 

convertible senior notes

Appropriation of statutory reserves
Foreign currency translation adjustments
Net income

59,144,055

736,010
—
(875,293)

—
—
—
—

Balance as of December 31, 2014

59,004,772

Exercise of share options
Share-based compensation
Repurchase and retirement of common shares
Appropriation of statutory reserves
Foreign currency translation adjustments
Net income (loss)
Acquisition of a subsidiary

Balance as of December 31, 2015

Exercise of share options
Share-based compensation
Appropriation of statutory reserves
Foreign currency translation adjustments
Unrealized gain on available-for-sale securities, net of 

tax effect of RMB9,625

Net income (loss)

838,809
—
(898,950)
—
—
—
—

58,944,631

1,117,754
—
—
—

—
—

Balance as of December 31, 2016

60,062,385

Balance as of December 31, 2016 (US$ Note 2(c))

60,062,385

48

0
—
(0)

—
—
—
—

48

0
—
(0)
—
—
—
—

48

1
—
—
—

—
—

49

7

1,316,713

8,456

1,541

2,004,361

3,331,119

64,549
81,380
(153,684)

(268,319)
—
—
—

—
—
—

—
2,329
—
—

—
—
—

—
—
(9)
—

—
—
—

—
(2,329)
—
438,910

64,549
81,380
(153,684)

(268,319)
—
(9)
438,910

1,040,639

10,785

1,532

2,440,942

3,493,946

83,476
85,945
(157,272)
—
—
—
—

—
—
—
2,447
—
—
—

—
—
—
—
890
—
—

—
—
—
(2,447)
—
618,057
—

83,476
85,945
(157,272)
—
890
618,057
—

1,052,788

13,232

2,422

3,056,552

4,125,042

160,492
86,070
—
—

—
—

1,299,350

187,145

—
—
128
—

—
—

13,360

1,924

—
—
—
984

28,876
—

32,282

4,650

—
—
(128)
—

—
565,978

160,493
86,070
—
984

28,876
565,978

3,622,402

4,967,443

521,734

715,460

—

—
—
—

—
—
—
—

—

—
—
—
—
—
(260)
9,330

9,070

—
—
—
—

—
(791)

8,279

1,192

3,331,119

64,549
81,380
(153,684)

(268,319)
—
(9)
438,910

3,493,946

83,476
85,945
(157,272)
—
890
617,797
9,330

4,134,112

160,493
86,070
—
984

28,876
565,187

4,975,722

716,652

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

F-5

Table of Contents

51JOB, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2014, 2015 AND 2016

Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income for the year

Adjustments for:

Share-based compensation
Depreciation
Amortization of intangible assets
Allowance for doubtful accounts
Loss due to disposal of fixed assets
(Gain) Loss from foreign currency translation
Convertible senior notes issuance costs
Change in fair value of convertible senior notes
Change in fair value of zero-strike call options
Deferred tax expense

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

Increase in accounts receivable
Increase in prepayments and other current assets
(Decrease) Increase in accounts payable
Increase in salary and employee related accrual
Increase in taxes payable
Increase in advance from customers
Increase in other payables and accruals
(Increase) Decrease in other long-term assets

2014
RMB

2015
RMB

2016
RMB

2016
US$ (Note 2(c))

(in thousands)

438,910

617,797

565,187

81,403

81,380
45,660
2,567
1,128
359
(5,810)
47,522
55,355
24,874
6,667

(13,666)
(82,695)
(522)
9,304
22,355
77,189
47,292
(2,255)

85,945
49,781
6,167
5,515
109
55,617
—
(67,168)
—
18,129

(25,030)
(68,165)
750
14,805
14,897
72,716
81,254
1,331

86,070
53,754
9,022
7,548
122
14,749
—
69,439
—
14,419

(20,071)
(31,686)
7,474
19,374
46,200
91,795
156,156
(2,675)

12,397
7,742
1,299
1,087
18
2,124
—
10,001
—
2,077

(2,891)
(4,564)
1,077
2,791
6,654
13,221
22,492
(385)

Net cash provided by operating activities

755,614

864,450

1,086,877

156,543

Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchase of short-term investments
Cash paid for long-term investments
Cash paid for acquisitions, net of cash acquired
Cash paid for available-for-sale securities
Purchase of property and equipment
Purchase of intangible assets
Purchase of other long-term assets

(1,338,244)
—
—
—
(33,287)
(6,611)
—

(396,789)
(22,800)
(231,531)
—
(86,434)
(6,128)
—

(305,823)
(1,000)
(8,450)
(126,716)
(20,328)
(26,276)
(735)

Net cash used in investing activities

(1,378,142)

(743,682)

(489,328)

Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of convertible senior notes
Payment for zero-strike call options
Repurchase and retirement of common shares
Proceeds from the exercise of share options

1,027,955
(307,600)
(153,684)
64,549

—
—
(157,272)
83,476

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

631,220

(73,796)

Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash

(139)

4,284

—
—
—
160,493

160,493

37,680

Net increase in cash
Cash, beginning of year

Cash, end of year

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Cash paid during the years for income taxes
Cash paid for interest, net of amounts capitalized

Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing 

activities:

Accrual related to purchase of property, equipment and 

software

Unpaid cash consideration for business combinations

Supplemental disclosure of non-cash financing 

activities:

Restricted cash and payables related to the exercise of 

share options, end of year

8,553
1,065,543

51,256
1,074,096

795,722
1,125,352

1,074,096

1,125,352

1,921,074

102,722
17,931

113,066
34,445

107,239
36,773

(745)
—

(1,459)
(16,900)

(2,405)
(8,450)

(346)
(1,217)

37,660

13,059

389

56

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

F-6

(44,048)
(144)
(1,217)
(18,251)
(2,927)
(3,785)
(106)

(70,478)

—
—
—
23,116

23,116

5,427

114,608
162,084

276,692

15,446
5,296

Table of Contents

51JOB, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2014, 2015 AND 2016
(Amounts expressed in thousands of RMB and US$, except share and per share data)

1. ORGANIZATION AND NATURE OF OPERATIONS

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the financial statements of 51job, Inc. (the “Company”), which was 

incorporated in the Cayman Islands in March 2000, its subsidiaries and certain variable interest entities (“VIEs”).

The Company, its subsidiaries and VIEs are hereinafter collectively referred to as the “Group.” The Group is an integrated 
human resource services provider in the People’s Republic of China (the “PRC” or “China”) and is principally engaged in recruitment 
related advertising services, including Internet recruitment services and, historically, print advertising services. The Group also 
provides other human resource related services, such as business process outsourcing, training, campus recruitment and executive 
search.

2.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

(a) Basis of Presentation and Use of Estimates

The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally 

accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”).

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions 

that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the balance sheet dates 
and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reported years. Management’s significant estimates include those 
related to allowances for accounts receivable, allowances for prepayments and other current assets, estimated useful lives of property 
and equipment and intangible assets, fair values of options to purchase the Company’s common shares, fair values of financial 
instruments, impairment of long-lived assets, long-term investments and goodwill, the purchase price allocation and fair value of non-
controlling interests with respect to business combinations, and deferred tax valuation allowance. Management bases the estimates on 
historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable, the results of which form the basis for 
making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities. Actual results may materially differ from those estimates.

(b) Basis of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the financial statements of the Company, its subsidiaries and the VIEs of which the 

Company is the primary beneficiary. All significant transactions and balances between the Company, its subsidiaries and VIEs have 
been eliminated upon consolidation.

A subsidiary is an entity in which the Company, directly or indirectly, controls more than one half of the voting power; has the 

power to appoint or remove the majority of the members of the board of directors; to cast majority of votes at the meeting of the board 
of directors; or to govern the financial and operating policies of the investee under a statute or agreement among the shareholders or 
equity holders.

The Company has adopted Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 810 “Consolidation” for all periods presented. It requires 

a VIE to be consolidated by the reporting entity that has a controlling financial interest in the VIE, and thus is the VIE’s primary 
beneficiary. An entity is considered to be a VIE if certain conditions are present, such as if the equity investors in the entity do not 
have the characteristics of a controlling financial interest or the entity does not have sufficient equity at risk for the entity to finance its 
activities without additional subordinated financial support from other parties. In determining whether the Company or its subsidiary 
has a controlling financial interest in a VIE, the Company considered whether the Company or its subsidiaries have the power to direct 
activities that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance, including the power to appoint senior management, right to 
direct company strategy, power to approve capital expenditure budgets, power to establish and manage ordinary business operation 
procedures and internal regulations and systems, and the right to receive benefits from the VIE that could potentially be significant to 
the VIE or the obligation to absorb losses of the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE.

F-7

Table of Contents

51JOB, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2014, 2015 AND 2016
(Amounts expressed in thousands of RMB and US$, except share and per share data)

2.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)

The Company’s wholly owned subsidiaries include the following:

(cid:120)
(cid:120)

(cid:120)

51net.com Inc. (“51net”), incorporated in the British Virgin Islands in August 1999;
51net Beijing, incorporated in the Cayman Islands in April 2000, which wholly owns Qian Cheng Wu You Network 
Information Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd. (“WFOE”), incorporated in the PRC in July 2000; and
51net HR, incorporated in the Cayman Islands in April 2000, which owns 70% of Shanghai Wang Ju Human Resource 
Consulting Co., Ltd. (“Wang Ju”), incorporated in the PRC in October 2006.

51net’s principal subsidiaries include the following:

(cid:120)

Qianjin Network Information Technology (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. (“Tech JV”), incorporated in the PRC in January 2000, 
which is 50% owned by 51net;

(cid:120) Wang Jin Information Technology (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. (“Wang Jin”), incorporated in the PRC in June 2004, which is 

wholly owned by 51net;
Shanghai Wang Ju Advertising Co., Ltd., incorporated in the PRC in June 2007, which is wholly owned by 51net; and
(cid:120)
(cid:120) Wuhan Wang Cai Information Technology Co., Ltd., incorporated in the PRC in December 2009, which is wholly owned 

by Wang Jin.

Tech JV’s principal subsidiaries include the following:

(cid:120)
(cid:120)

(cid:120)

(cid:120)

(cid:120)

(cid:120)

Shanghai Qianjin Advertising Co., Ltd. (“AdCo”), incorporated in the PRC in June 2001, which is 80% owned by Tech JV;
Shanghai Wang Cai Advertising Co., Ltd., incorporated in the PRC in April 2005, which is jointly owned by Tech JV and 
AdCo;
Shanghai Qianjin Zhong Cheng Human Resources Co., Ltd., incorporated in the PRC in December 2010; which is wholly 
owned by Tech JV;
Shanghai Yishu Information Technology Co., Ltd., incorporated in the PRC in May 2007; which was acquired and became 
wholly owned by Tech JV in April 2015;
Beijing Zhiding Youyuan Management Consulting Co., Ltd., incorporated in the PRC in September 2010, which was 
acquired and became 60% owned by Tech JV in June 2015; and
Shanghai Pinyi Information Technology Co., Ltd., incorporated in the PRC in November 2010; which was acquired and 
became wholly owned by Tech JV in April 2015.

The Group’s VIEs include the following:

(cid:120)

(cid:120)

Beijing Run An Information Consultancy Co., Ltd. (“Run An”), incorporated in the PRC in January 1997, which wholly 
owns Beijing Qian Cheng Si Jin Advertising Co., Ltd. (“Qian Cheng”) and owns 30% of Wang Ju; and
Qian Cheng, incorporated in the PRC in February 1999, which owns 20% of AdCo and effectively owns 50% of Tech JV 
by direct and indirect ownership through Qian Cheng’s wholly owned subsidiary Wuhan Mei Hao Qian Cheng Advertising 
Co., Ltd. (“Wuhan AdCo”), incorporated in the PRC in August 2001.

As of December 31, 2016 and for all years presented, the Company is the primary beneficiary of two VIEs, Run An and Qian 

Cheng, which were in existence prior to the establishment of the Company and are considered predecessors of the Group. The 
Company does not have any direct equity ownership in the VIEs, but through certain arrangements as described below, the Company 
receives all of the economic benefits, absorbs all of the expected losses and has the power to direct activities that are significant to the 
VIEs. In addition, through a call option agreement between 51net and Qian Cheng, 51net is able to purchase the equity interests in 
Tech JV that are held by Qian Cheng and Wuhan AdCo as well as the equity interests in AdCo and its subsidiaries that are held by 
Qian Cheng. As a result, Run An, Qian Cheng and all of Tech JV and AdCo are included in the consolidated financial statements, and 
the Company effectively holds all of the equity interests in its subsidiaries including the VIEs.

F-8

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51JOB, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2014, 2015 AND 2016
(Amounts expressed in thousands of RMB and US$, except share and per share data)

2.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)

Run An holds a human resource service permit issued by the Beijing human resources and social security bureau which allows it 

to provide recruitment, training and human resource consulting services. Run An is jointly owned by David Weimin Jin and Tao 
Wang, both of whom are executive officers of the Company. As of December 31, 2016, the registered capital of Run An was 
RMB6,000 and its accumulated loss was RMB925.

Qian Cheng holds an advertisement license. Qian Cheng is wholly owned by Run An. As of December 31, 2016, the registered 

capital of Qian Cheng was RMB1,500 and its retained earnings were RMB6,682.

As the consolidated VIEs are incorporated as limited liability companies under the PRC Company Law, creditors of the VIEs do 
not have recourse to the general credit of the Company. Currently, there is no contractual arrangement that could require the Company 
to provide additional financial support to the consolidated VIEs, but the Company may provide such support on a discretionary basis 
in the future, which could expose the Company to loss.

The Group has entered into various agreements as related to its VIEs. The key provisions of the agreements with the Company or 

its subsidiaries and the VIEs or its shareholders are as follows:

Technical and Consulting Service Agreements. WFOE has entered into technical and consulting service agreements with Run An 
and Qian Cheng, respectively, under which WFOE has the exclusive right, subject to certain exceptions, to provide technical services 
to Run An and Qian Cheng for service fees. WFOE did not issue any invoices to either Run An or Qian Cheng, and neither Run An 
nor Qian Cheng paid any fees to WFOE for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2015 and 2016. The technical and consulting service 
agreements with WFOE are valid to September 11, 2017 under the Run An agreement and valid to May 2, 2034 under the Qian Cheng 
agreement, and can only be terminated by WFOE during the term. Such term is renewable upon written consent of the parties. 
Although the renewal is upon mutual consent, WFOE may, through its power of attorney, direct Run An and, through Run An, cause 
Qian Cheng to renew the technical and consulting service agreements upon expiration.

Equity Pledge Agreement. As security for the obligations of Run An under the technical and consulting service agreement and 
the obligations of Run An and its shareholders under the exclusive purchase option agreement described below, the shareholders of 
Run An have pledged all of their equity interest in Run An to WFOE. According to the pledge agreement, WFOE has the right to 
dispose of the pledged equity pursuant to PRC law in the event of default by Run An or its shareholders as provided in the pledge 
agreement. Additionally, the shareholders of Run An have agreed that they will not dispose of the pledged equity or take any actions 
that will prejudice WFOE’s interest under the equity pledge agreement. The equity pledge agreement among WFOE, Run An and its 
shareholders was entered into on January 27, 2014 and shall expire two years after the fulfillment of all obligations under the Run An 
technical and consulting service agreement and the exclusive purchase option agreement. This pledge agreement, in combination with 
the exclusive purchase option agreement, contains content that is substantially the same as the pledge agreements entered into between 
WFOE and Run An’s shareholders in September 2007 and between WFOE and Qian Cheng’s shareholders in May 2004. This pledge 
agreement has been registered with the relevant bureau of the PRC State Administration for Industry and Commerce.

Exclusive Purchase Option Agreement. WFOE has entered into an exclusive purchase option agreement with the shareholders of 
Run An, dated as of January 27, 2014, under which WFOE or its designee is granted an irrevocable option to purchase all or a portion 
of the equity interests in Run An at any time by issuing a written notice to the shareholders, subject to compliance with applicable 
PRC laws and regulations. The purchase price shall be equal to the contribution actually made by the shareholder for his equity 
interest in Run An. If the lowest price permitted under PRC law is above the contribution actually made by the shareholder, the 
premium shall be paid to Tech JV in accordance with the terms of the loan agreements described below. The exclusive purchase 
option agreement has the same term as the Run An technical and consulting service agreement. WFOE also has the exclusive right to 
terminate the agreement at any time by delivering a written notice to the shareholders of Run An.

F-9

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51JOB, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2014, 2015 AND 2016
(Amounts expressed in thousands of RMB and US$, except share and per share data)

2.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)

Powers of Attorney. In conjunction with the signing of the equity pledge agreement and the exclusive purchase option agreement, 
each of the shareholders of Run An has signed an irrevocable power of attorney to appoint WFOE, as attorney-in-fact to vote, by itself 
or any other person to be designated at its discretion, on all matters of Run An that need to be decided by its shareholders. Because 
Qian Cheng is a wholly owned subsidiary of Run An and Wuhan AdCo is a wholly owned subsidiary of Qian Cheng, through 
controlling all material matters of Run An (including but not limited to all material operational matters and the appointment and 
removal of directors and senior management), WFOE also has indirect control on all material matters of Qian Cheng and Wuhan 
AdCo. Each power of attorney was entered into on January 27, 2014 and will remain effective for as long as Run An exists. The 
shareholders of Run An are not entitled to terminate or amend the terms of the power of attorney without prior written consent from 
WFOE.

Loan Agreements. Tech JV has entered into loan agreements dated as of September 11, 2007 for an aggregate amount of 
RMB6,000 with the shareholders of Run An, with the sole and exclusive purpose to fund the capitalization of Run An. The loans can 
be repaid only with the proceeds received from the transfer of the shareholders’ equity interest in Run An to Tech JV or its designee. 
The interest-free loan agreements are valid to September 11, 2017, and the term may be extended upon written consent of the parties.

Call Option Agreement. 51net has entered into a call option agreement with Qian Cheng dated as of August 1, 2002, and 

supplemented and amended as of May 3, 2004 and August 1, 2012, under which 51net or its designee is granted an irrevocable option 
to purchase all of Qian Cheng’s equity interest in Tech JV and AdCo for RMB1,200 or, if such purchase price is not permissible under 
the applicable PRC laws, the lowest price permitted under then applicable PRC laws. In addition, Qian Cheng granted 51net an 
irrevocable option to purchase any and all of its equity interests in the subsidiaries of AdCo at the lowest price permitted under PRC 
laws. The call option agreement is valid to July 31, 2022, and the term may be extended upon written consent of the parties.

Management monitors the regulatory risk associated with these contractual arrangements. The Company’s PRC legal counsel has 
advised management that these contractual arrangements are not in violation of existing PRC laws, rules and regulations in all material 
aspects. Based on such advice and management’s knowledge and experience, the Company believes that its contractual arrangements 
with its consolidated VIEs and their shareholders are valid, legally binding and in compliance with current PRC laws. However, there 
are substantial uncertainties regarding the interpretation and application of current or future PRC laws, rules and regulations that could 
limit the Company’s ability to enforce these contractual arrangements. Management monitors the regulatory risk associated with these 
contractual arrangements. See Note 18 for further discussion.

Summary financial information of the Group’s VIEs included in the consolidated financial statements is as follows:

Total assets
Total liabilities

Total revenues
Net income (loss)

As of December 31,

2015
RMB

8,468
270

2016
RMB

195,289
9,952

2014
RMB

For the year ended December 31,
2015
RMB

2016
RMB

2,913
2,344

592
(1,167)

—
(2,300)

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51JOB, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2014, 2015 AND 2016
(Amounts expressed in thousands of RMB and US$, except share and per share data)

2.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
Net cash used in investing activities
Net cash provided by financing activities

Net increase (decrease) in cash
Cash, beginning of year

Cash, end of year

(c) Foreign Currencies

2014
RMB

For the year ended December 31,
2015
RMB

2016
RMB

132
—
—

132
6,677

6,809

(568)
—
—

(568)
6,809

6,241

1,257
(126,716)
126,745

1,286
6,241

7,527

The Group’s functional and reporting currency is the Renminbi (“RMB”). Transactions denominated in currencies other than 

RMB are translated into RMB at the exchange rates quoted by the People’s Bank of China prevailing at the dates of the transactions. 
Gains and losses resulting from foreign currency transactions are included in the consolidated statements of operations and 
comprehensive income. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into RMB using the applicable 
exchange rates quoted by the People’s Bank of China at the balance sheet dates. All such exchange gains and losses are included in the 
consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income. The exchange differences for translation of group companies’
balances where RMB is not their functional currency are included in cumulative translation adjustments, which is a separate 
component of shareholders’ equity in the consolidated financial statements.

The unaudited United States dollar (“US$”) amounts disclosed in the accompanying financial statements are presented solely for 
the convenience of the readers. Translations of amounts from RMB into US$ for the convenience of the reader were calculated at the 
rate of US$1.00 = RMB6.9430 on December 30, 2016, representing the noon buying rate in The City of New York for cable transfers 
of RMB as certified for customs purposes by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. No representation is made that the RMB 
amounts could have been, or could be, converted into US$ at that rate on December 30, 2016, or at any other rate.

(d) Cash and Restricted Cash

Cash represents cash on hand and demand deposits placed with banks or other financial institutions. Restricted cash represents 

cash proceeds from the exercise of share options by the Company’s employees, executives and directors held in a bank account which 
have yet to be transmitted to them. Included in the cash and restricted cash balances as of December 31, 2015 and 2016 are amounts 
denominated in United States dollars totaling US$22,405 and US$193,254, respectively (equivalent to approximately RMB145,489 
and RMB1,340,603, based on the RMB to US$ exchange rate quoted by the People’s Bank of China on December 31, 2015 and 
December 30, 2016, respectively). The Group receives substantially all of its revenues in RMB, which currently is neither a freely 
convertible currency nor can it be freely remitted out of China.

(e) Accounts Receivable

Accounts receivable is presented net of allowance for doubtful accounts. The Company provides general and specific provisions 

for bad debts when facts and circumstances indicate that the receivable is unlikely to be collected. If the financial condition of its 
customers were to deteriorate, resulting in an impairment of their ability to make payments, additional allowances may be required.

F-11

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51JOB, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2014, 2015 AND 2016
(Amounts expressed in thousands of RMB and US$, except share and per share data)

2.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)

(f)

Investments

The Group’s short-term investments consist of certificates of deposit with original maturities between three months and one year.

The Group’s long-term investments consist of cost method and available-for-sale investments.

Cost Method Investments

For investees over which the Group does not have significant influence and a controlling interest, the Group accounts for these 

investments under the cost method. The Group reviews its cost method investments for other-than-temporary impairment by 
considering available quantitative and qualitative factors, such as current market conditions and the operating performance of the 
investees. No other-than-temporary impairment charge was incurred in the years ended December 31, 2014, 2015 and 2016.

The Group’s cost method long-term investments consist of a number of small, non-controlling equity investments in companies 
that provide services related to the Group’s operations or the overall human resources industry. In the year ended December 31, 2015, 
the Group made long-term investments including RMB18,000 for a 3% equity interest in a credit management company, RMB1,000 
for a 10% equity interest in a human resources management consulting company and a total of RMB3,800 for a 5% equity interest in 
each of 38 companies that provide business process outsourcing services in China. In the year ended December 31, 2016, the Group 
made cost method long-term investments totaling RMB1,000 for a 5% equity interest in each of 10 companies that provide business 
process outsourcing services in China.

Available-for-Sale Investments

Available-for-sale investments are carried at their fair value at each balance sheet date and changes in fair value are reflected in 

the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income.

In September 2016, the Group completed an investment of RMB126,716 for a 15% equity interest in Shanghai Gaodun 

Education & Training Co., Ltd. (“Golden Finance”), a provider of online and offline accounting and finance training courses in China. 
The Group’s shares in Golden Finance have liquidation preference, and the Group has a right to demand redemption of its investment. 
Accordingly, due to the redemption option available to the Group, the Golden Finance investment was determined to be a debt, which 
was classified as available-for-sale security measured at fair value. Unrealized gain net of tax of RMB28,876 associated with the 
Golden Finance investment was included in other comprehensive income in the year ended December 31, 2016.

(g) Property and Equipment

Property and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is calculated on a straight-line basis to 

allocate the cost of the assets to their estimated residual value over the following estimated useful lives:

Land use rights
Building
Leasehold improvements
Electronic equipment
Furniture and fixtures
Motor vehicles
Other assets

Estimated useful lives

32.42 to 50 years
20 years
Lesser of the lease period or the estimated useful life
3 to 5 years
5 years
5 years
5 years

F-12

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51JOB, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2014, 2015 AND 2016
(Amounts expressed in thousands of RMB and US$, except share and per share data)

2.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)

(h) Business Combinations

U.S. GAAP requires that all business combinations not involving entities or businesses under common control be accounted for 
under the purchase method. The Group has adopted ASC 805 “Business Combinations,” and the cost of an acquisition is measured as 
the aggregate of the fair values at the date of exchange of the assets given, liabilities incurred and equity instruments issued. The 
transaction costs directly attributable to the acquisition are expensed as incurred. Identifiable assets, liabilities and contingent 
liabilities acquired or assumed are measured separately at their fair value as of the acquisition date, irrespective of the extent of any 
non-controlling interests. The excess of the (i) the total of cost of acquisition, fair value of the non-controlling interests and acquisition 
date fair value of any previously held equity interest in the acquiree over (ii) the fair value of the identifiable net assets of the acquiree 
is recorded as goodwill. If the cost of acquisition is less than the fair value of the net assets of the subsidiary acquired, the difference is 
recognized directly in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income.

The determination and allocation of fair values to the identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed is based on various 
assumptions and valuation methodologies requiring considerable management judgment. The most significant variables in these 
valuations are discount rates, the number of years on which to base the cash flow projections, as well as the assumptions and estimates 
used to forecast the future cash inflows and outflows. Management determines discount rates to be used based on the risk inherent in 
the related activity’s current business model and industry comparisons. Although management believes that the assumptions applied in 
the determination are reasonable based on information available at the date of acquisition, actual results may differ from the forecasted 
amounts and the difference could be material.

A non-controlling interest is recognized to reflect the portion of a subsidiary’s equity which is not attributable, directly or 

indirectly, to the Company. Consolidated net income on the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income includes 
the net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests when applicable. The cumulative results of operations attributable to 
non-controlling interests are also recorded as non-controlling interests in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. Cash flows 
related to transactions with non-controlling interests are presented under financing activities in the consolidated statements of cash 
flows when applicable.

(i) Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Goodwill

Goodwill represents the excess of the total cost of the acquisition, the fair value of any non-controlling interests and the 
acquisition date fair value of any previously held equity interest in the acquiree over the fair value of the identifiable tangible and 
intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed of the acquired entity as a result of the Company’s acquisitions of interests in its 
subsidiaries and VIEs. Goodwill is not amortized but is tested for impairment on an annual basis, or more frequently if events or 
changes in circumstances indicate that it might be impaired. The Company first assesses qualitative factors to determine whether it is 
necessary to perform the two-step quantitative goodwill impairment test. In the qualitative assessment, the Company considers 
primary factors such as industry and market considerations, overall financial performance of the reporting unit and other specific 
information related to the operations. Based on the qualitative assessment, if it is more likely than not that the fair value of each 
reporting unit is less than the carrying amount, the quantitative impairment test is performed.

In performing the two-step quantitative impairment test, the first step compares the fair values of each reporting unit to its 
carrying amount, including goodwill. If the fair value of each reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount, goodwill is not considered to 
be impaired and the second step will not be required. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, the second step 
compares the implied fair value of goodwill to the carrying value of a reporting unit’s goodwill. The implied fair value of goodwill is 
determined in a manner similar to accounting for a business combination with the allocation of the assessed fair value determined in 
the first step to the assets and liabilities of the reporting unit. The excess of the fair value of the reporting unit over the amounts 
assigned to the assets and liabilities is the implied fair value of goodwill. This allocation process is only performed for the purposes of 
evaluating goodwill impairment and does not result in an entry to adjust the value of any assets or liabilities.

F-13

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51JOB, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2014, 2015 AND 2016
(Amounts expressed in thousands of RMB and US$, except share and per share data)

2.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)

Application of a goodwill impairment test requires significant management judgment, including the identification of reporting 

units, assigning assets, liabilities and goodwill to reporting units, and determining the fair value of each reporting unit. The Company 
estimates the fair value of the reporting unit using a discounted cash flow model. This valuation approach considers various 
assumptions including projections of future cash flows, perpetual growth rates and discount rates. The assumptions about future cash 
flows and growth rates are based on management’s assessment of a number of factors, including the reporting unit’s recent 
performance against budget, performance in the market that the reporting unit serves, as well as industry and general economic data 
from third party sources. Discount rate assumptions reflect an assessment of the risk inherent in those future cash flows. Changes to 
the underlying businesses could affect the future cash flows, which in turn could affect the fair value of the reporting unit. 
Management performs its annual goodwill impairment test on December 31. No impairment of goodwill was recognized in the years 
ended December 31, 2014, 2015 and 2016.

Intangible Assets

Intangible assets purchased and intangible assets arising from acquisitions of subsidiaries are recognized and measured at fair 
value upon acquisition. The Company’s purchased intangible assets include computer software, acquired technology and licenses, 
which are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives, ranging from 3 to 10 years. Separately identifiable 
intangible assets arising from acquisitions consist of trade names and customer relationships, which are amortized on a straight-line 
basis over their estimated useful lives of 5 to 20 years. The estimated life of intangible assets subject to amortization is reassessed if 
circumstances occur that indicate the life has changed. Intangible assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in 
circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of such assets may not be recoverable. No impairment of intangible assets was 
recognized in the years ended December 31, 2014, 2015 and 2016.

(j)

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets Other Than Goodwill

Long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that carrying amount of an 

asset group may not be recoverable. The recoverability of an asset group is based on the undiscounted future cash flows the asset 
group is expected to generate and recognize an impairment loss when the estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to result 
from the use of the asset group plus net proceeds expected from the disposition of the asset group, if any, are less than the carrying 
value of the asset group. If the Group identifies an impairment, the Group reduces the carrying amount of the asset group to its 
estimated fair value based on a discounted cash flow approach or, when available and appropriate, to comparable market values. No 
impairment of long-lived assets was recognized in the years ended December 31, 2014, 2015 and 2016.

(k) Revenue Recognition

Online Recruitment Services Revenues

The Group provides online recruitment advertising and other technical services through its three websites: www.51job.com,
www.yingjiesheng.com and www.51jingying.com. The average display period of online recruitment services normally ranges from one 
week to one year. Fees for its online recruitment advertisement and other technical services are recognized as revenue ratably over the 
display period of the contract or when services are provided, collectibility is reasonably assured, and other criteria in accordance with 
ASC 605 “Revenue Recognition” (“ASC 605”) are met. For a transaction involving multiple services, the Company recognizes 
revenue at relative fair value which is determined based on the Company’s regular selling prices charged in unbundled arrangements. 
Cash received in advance of services are recognized as advance from customers.

Print Advertising Revenues

The Group provided recruitment advertising services through a weekly newspaper in the PRC. Arrangements for recruitment 

advertisement on the weekly newspaper were generally short-term in nature. Fees for these types of print recruitment advertising 
services were recognized as revenue when collectibility was reasonably assured, upon the publication of the advertisements and when 
other criteria in accordance with ASC 605 were met. Cash received in advance of services were recognized as advance from 
customers. As of December 31, 2015, the Group had ceased all print advertising operations.

F-14

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51JOB, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2014, 2015 AND 2016
(Amounts expressed in thousands of RMB and US$, except share and per share data)

2.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)

Other Human Resource Related Revenues

The Group also provides other value-added human resource services, such as business process outsourcing, training, campus 

recruitment, executive search and other services. Revenue is recognized when (i) persuasive evidence of an agreement exists; 
(ii) services are rendered; (iii) the sales price and terms are fixed or determinable; and (iv) the collection of the receivable is 
reasonably assured, as prescribed by ASC 605.

Value-Added Tax, Business Tax and Surcharges

Effective January 1, 2012, the PRC State Council instituted a business tax to value-added tax (“VAT”) transformational pilot 
program in Shanghai. Under this program, industries subject to business tax were transitioned to VAT payers. As of May 1, 2016, the 
VAT program was expanded to cover all industries in the PRC, and the VAT chain for all industries was completed.

Generally, the main businesses of the Group’s PRC subsidiaries and VIEs are subject to VAT rates of 5% or 6%, and are 
permitted to offset input VAT supported by valid VAT invoices received from vendors against their VAT liability. VAT on the 
invoiced amount collected by the PRC subsidiaries and VIEs on behalf of tax authorities in respect of services provided, net of VAT 
paid for purchases, is recorded as taxes payable until it is paid to the tax authorities.

The Group’s PRC subsidiaries and VIEs are also subject to certain government surcharges on the VAT payable in the PRC. In 
the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income, these surcharges are included under the account of “business tax 
and surcharges,” which is deducted from gross revenues to arrive at net revenues.

(l) Cost of Services

Cost of services consist primarily of payroll compensation and related employee costs, subcontracting fees and other expenses 
incurred by the Group which are directly attributable to the rendering of the Group’s recruitment advertising and other human resource 
services.

(m) Sales and Marketing Expenses

Sales and marketing expenses consist primarily of the Group’s sales and marketing personnel payroll compensation and related 

employee costs and advertising and promotion expenses. Advertising and promotion expenses generally represent the cost of 
promotions to create or stimulate a positive image of the Group or a desire for the Group’s services. Advertising and promotion 
expenses are charged to the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income when incurred and totaled 
RMB107,119, RMB123,745 and RMB126,205 for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2015 and 2016, respectively.

(n) Share-Based Compensation

The Company accounts for share-based compensation arrangements with employees in accordance with ASC 718 

“Compensation — Stock Compensation.” It requires the Company to measure at the grant date the fair value of the stock-based award 
and recognize compensation costs, net of estimated forfeitures, on a straight-line basis, over the requisite service period. The Company 
uses the Black-Scholes option pricing model to determine the fair value of stock options. Risk-free interest rates are based on U.S. 
Treasury yield for the terms consistent with the expected life of award at the time of grant. Expected life takes into account vesting 
and contractual terms, employee demographics and historical exercise behavior, which the Company believes are useful reference 
points. The assumption for expected dividend yield is consistent with the Company’s current policy of no dividend payout. The 
Company estimates expected volatility at the date of grant based on historical volatilities of the market price of its American 
depositary shares (“ADSs”). Forfeiture rate is estimated based on historical forfeiture patterns and adjusted to reflect future change in 
circumstances and facts, if any. If actual forfeitures differ from those estimates, the Company may need to revise those estimates used 
in subsequent periods. The weighted average fair value per stock option on grant date is RMB71.93, RMB68.90 and RMB66.87 for 
the years ended December 31, 2014, 2015 and 2016, respectively.

F-15

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51JOB, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2014, 2015 AND 2016
(Amounts expressed in thousands of RMB and US$, except share and per share data)

2.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)

For the years ended December 31, 2014, 2015 and 2016, the fair value of options granted was estimated with the following 

assumptions:

Risk-free interest rate
Expected life (years)
Expected dividend yield
Volatility
Weighted average fair value per common share on date of option grant

2014
1.15%-1.28%
4
0%
47%
US$30.80

2015
1.14%-1.49%
4
0%
38%-42%
US$31.40

2016
1.00%-1.70%
4
0%
33%-34%
US$34.27

(o) Operating Leases

Leases where substantially all the rewards and risks of ownership of assets remain with the leasing company are accounted for as 

operating leases. Payments made under operating leases, net of any incentives received by the Group from the leasing company, are 
charged to the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income on a straight-line basis over the lease periods.

(p) Taxation

The Company accounts for income taxes using the liability method. Under this method, deferred income taxes are recognized for 

the differences between the financial statement carrying amounts and the tax bases of existing assets and liabilities by applying 
enacted statutory rates applicable to future years in which the differences are expected to reverse. The tax base of an asset or liability 
is the amount attributed to that asset or liability for tax purposes. The effect on deferred taxes of a change in tax rates is recognized in 
income in the period that includes the enactment date. A valuation allowance is provided to reduce the amount of deferred tax assets if 
it is considered more likely than not that some portion of, or all of, the deferred tax assets will not be realized.

The Company accounts for uncertainties in accordance with ASC 740-10-25 “Income Taxes — Overall — Recognition.” The 
Company recognizes a tax benefit associated with an uncertain tax position when, in management’s judgment, it is more likely than 
not that the position will be sustained upon examination by a taxing authority. The Company has elected to classify interest and 
penalties related to an uncertain tax position, if any and when required, as general and administrative expenses. In the years ended 
December 31, 2014, 2015 and 2016, the Company did not record any interest and penalties associated with uncertain tax positions as 
there were no uncertain tax positions.

(q) Statutory Reserves

With the exception of Tech JV which is 50% owned by 51net, a British Virgin Islands company, and Wang Ju which is majority 

owned by 51net HR, a Cayman Islands company, the Group’s subsidiaries and VIEs incorporated in the PRC are required on an 
annual basis to allocate at least 10% of their after-tax profit, after the recovery of accumulated deficit to the statutory common reserve. 
The amount of allocation is calculated based on an entity’s after-tax profit shown in its statutory financial statements which are 
prepared in accordance with PRC accounting standards and regulations until the reserve has reached 50% of the registered capital of 
each company. Once the total statutory common reserve fund reaches 50% of the registered capital of the respective companies, 
further appropriations are discretionary. The statutory common reserve fund is not distributable to shareholders except in the event of 
liquidation. Since 2008, the statutory common reserve fund for more than half of the Group’s subsidiaries and VIEs incorporated in 
the PRC had reached 50% of the registered capital of the respective companies. As a result, no appropriations were made by these 
entities to their respective statutory reserve funds in the years ended December 31, 2014, 2015 and 2016. With the exception of a few 
entities, all remaining subsidiaries whose total statutory common reserve fund had not reached 50% of its respective registered capital 
had accumulative losses as of December 31, 2014, 2015 and 2016. As a result, these entities did not make appropriations to their 
statutory reserve funds in the years ended December 31, 2014, 2015 and 2016. During the years ended December 31, 2014, 2015 and 
2016, the Group’s subsidiaries made total appropriations to their statutory common reserve fund in the amount of RMB2,329, 
RMB2,447 and RMB128, respectively.

F-16

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51JOB, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2014, 2015 AND 2016
(Amounts expressed in thousands of RMB and US$, except share and per share data)

2.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)

In addition, the Group’s subsidiaries and VIEs incorporated in the PRC may, at the discretion of its board of directors, on an 
annual basis set aside the statutory common welfare fund, which can be used for staff welfare of the Group. No appropriations to the 
statutory common welfare fund were made for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2015 and 2016.

Appropriations to the statutory common reserve fund and the statutory common welfare fund are accounted for as a transfer from 

retained earnings to the statutory reserves.

There are no legal requirements in the PRC to fund these reserves by transfer of cash to any restricted accounts, and the Group 

does not do so. These reserves are not distributable as cash dividends.

(r) Dividend

Dividends are recognized when declared. PRC regulations currently permit payment of dividends only out of accumulated profits 

as determined in accordance with PRC accounting standards and regulations. Additionally, the Group’s PRC subsidiaries and VIEs 
can only distribute dividends after they have met the PRC requirements for appropriation to statutory reserves. See Note 2(q). In 
addition, the net assets of the Group’s subsidiaries and VIEs associated with their paid-in capital are not distributable in the form of 
dividends. Aggregate net assets of the Group’s PRC subsidiaries and VIEs not distributable in the form of dividends to the parent as a 
result of the aforesaid PRC regulations and related to the paid-in capital and statutory reserves were approximately RMB521,951 and 
RMB522,078, or 12.7% and 10.5% of total consolidated net assets as of December 31, 2015 and 2016, respectively. However, the 
PRC subsidiaries may transfer such net assets to the Company by other means, including through royalty and trademark license 
agreements or certain other contractual agreements, at the discretion of the Company without third party consent.

(s) Earnings Per Share

In accordance with ASC 260 “Earnings Per Share,” basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net income attributable to 
common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the year. Diluted earnings per share is 
calculated by dividing net income attributable to common shareholders, as adjusted for the change in income resulting from the 
assumed conversion of securities or other contracts (i.e., zero-strike call option contracts) to common shares, by the weighted average 
number of common and dilutive common equivalent shares outstanding during the period. Common equivalent shares consist of the 
common shares issuable upon the conversion of the convertible senior notes (using the if-converted method) and common shares 
issuable upon the exercise of outstanding share options (using the treasury stock method).

The common shares underlying the zero-strike call option contracts are excluded from both the basic and diluted earnings per 

share calculation as they are considered as deemed repurchased for the purpose of calculating both basic and diluted earnings per 
share. See Note 13.

(t) Fair Value Measurement of Financial Instruments

Fair value reflects the price that would be received from selling an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction 
between market participates at the measurement date in accordance with ASC 820 “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures” (“ASC 
820”). When determining the fair value measurements for assets and liabilities required or permitted to be recorded at fair value, the 
Group considers the principal or most advantageous market in which it would transact and considers assumptions that market 
participants would use when pricing the asset or liability. ASC 820 clarifies the definition of fair value, prescribes methods for 
measuring fair value, establishes a fair value hierarchy based on the inputs used to measure fair value and expands disclosures about 
fair value measurements.

F-17

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51JOB, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2014, 2015 AND 2016
(Amounts expressed in thousands of RMB and US$, except share and per share data)

2.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)

ASC 820 establishes a three-tier fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value as follows:

Level 1 – Observable inputs that reflect unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities

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

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

ASC 820 describes three main approaches to measuring the fair value of assets and liabilities: (i) market approach; (ii) income 

approach; and (iii) cost approach. The market approach uses prices and other relevant information generated from market transactions 
involving identical or comparable assets or liabilities. The income approach uses valuation techniques to convert future amounts to a 
single present value amount. The measurement is based on the value indicated by current market expectations about those future 
amounts. The cost approach is based on the amount that would currently be required to replace an asset.

Financial instruments of the Group are primarily comprised of cash, restricted cash, short-term investments, available-for-sale 

investments, receivables, payables, convertible senior notes and zero-strike call options.

As of December 31, 2015 and 2016, the carrying values of cash, restricted cash, accounts receivable and payables approximated 
their estimated fair values due to the short-term maturities of these instruments. Short-term investments, which consist of certificates 
of deposits, are categorized as Level 1 under the fair value hierarchy and the carrying values approximated their estimated fair values 
because such deposits bear market interest rates.

The Group reports available-for-sale investments at fair value at each balance sheet date and changes in fair value are reflected in 

the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income. Fair value of the available-for-sale investments is measured 
using Level 3 inputs within the fair value hierarchy. In determining the fair value, the Group utilizes an income approach of a 
discounted cash flow model, which includes unobservable inputs such as future cash flows, growth rates and discount rates. These 
assumptions are inherently uncertain and subjective, and changes in any unobservable inputs may have a significant impact on the fair 
value. See Note 16 for the change in fair value of available-for-sale investments.

In accordance with ASC 820, the Company measures the convertible senior notes at fair value on a recurring basis. The 
Company reports the convertible senior notes at fair value at each balance sheet date and changes in fair value are reflected in the 
consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income. Fair value of the convertible senior notes is measured using Level 1 
inputs within the fair value hierarchy as they are based on quoted market prices that are currently available on a dealer market. See 
Note 13.

Fair value of the zero-strike call options is measured using Level 2 inputs within the fair value hierarchy as they are based on 
market prices of the Company’s publicly traded ADSs underlying the options. A change in fair value of the zero-strike call options 
was recognized in the year ended December 31, 2014 and reflected the difference in the closing stock price of the Company’s ADSs 
as quoted on the NASDAQ Global Select Market between when the zero-strike call options were initially entered into in April 2014 
and their inclusion in equity in June 2014. See Note 13.

In determining the debt issuance costs related to the convertible senior notes and zero-strike call options, the Company applied 
the accounting for the fair value of a share lending arrangement using Level 3 inputs. The fair value of a share lending arrangement 
represents the economic loss from the share lending arrangement over the expected term of the underlying zero-strike call option 
contract. The inputs used in calculating fair value of the share lending arrangement include the contract value of the zero-strike call 
options, the estimated long-term share lending commission rate and the expected term of the zero-strike call option contract. See 
Note 13.

F-18

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51JOB, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2014, 2015 AND 2016
(Amounts expressed in thousands of RMB and US$, except share and per share data)

2.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)

(u) Segment Reporting

Based on the criteria established by ASC 280 “Segment Reporting,” the Group currently operates and manages its business as a 
single operating and single reportable segment. The Group’s chief operating decision-maker (“CODM”) is the chief executive officer. 
The CODM reviews operating results to make decisions about allocating resources and assessing performance for the entire Group. 
The Group primarily generates its revenues from customers in the PRC, and assets of the Group are also located in PRC. Accordingly, 
no geographical segments are presented.

(v) Stock Repurchase

When the Company’s common shares are repurchased for retirement, the excess of cost over par value is charged entirely to 

additional paid-in capital, limited to additional paid-in capital of the same issue being retired.

(w) Comprehensive Income

The Company has adopted ASC 220 “Comprehensive Income.” Other comprehensive income/loss is defined as the change in 
equity of a company during the period from transactions and other events and circumstances excluding transactions resulting from 
investments from owners and distributions to owners. Accumulated other comprehensive income mainly consists of cumulative 
foreign currency translation adjustments and unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities.

(x) Government Subsidies

Government subsidies represent discretionary cash subsidies granted by the local government to encourage the development of 
certain enterprises that are established in the local special economic region. Cash subsidies have no defined rules and regulations to 
govern the criteria necessary for companies to enjoy the benefits and are recognized as other income when received and when all 
conditions for their receipt have been satisfied.

The Group recognized government subsidies of RMB58,345, RMB70,625 and RMB97,092 which was included in other income 

for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2015 and 2016, respectively.

(y) Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with 
Customers (Topic 606),” a new standard on revenue which will supersede the revenue recognition requirements in ASC 605. In 2016, 
the FASB issued five amendments to the new standard. The new standard, as amended, sets forth a single comprehensive model for 
recognizing and reporting revenues. The new guidance requires the Company to recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised 
goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for 
those goods or services. The new guidance requires the Company to apply the following steps: (1) identify the contract with a 
customer; (2) identify the performance obligations in the contract; (3) determine the transaction price; (4) allocate the transaction price 
to the performance obligations in the contract; and (5) recognize revenue when, or as, the Company satisfies a performance obligation. 
The standard also requires additional financial statement disclosures that will enable users to understand the nature, amount, timing 
and uncertainty of revenues and cash flows relating to customer contracts. The standard is effective for fiscal years, and interim 
periods within those years, beginning on or after January 1, 2018. Early adoption is permitted but not before periods beginning on or 
after January 1, 2017. The Company expects to adopt the standard starting January 1, 2018. The standard allows for two methods of 
adoption: the full retrospective adoption, which requires the standard to be applied to each prior period presented, or the modified 
retrospective adoption, which requires the cumulative effect of adoption to be recognized as an adjustment to opening retained 
earnings in the period of adoption. While the Company continues to assess all potential impact of the standard, based upon the initial 
assessment, the Company currently does not expect significant impact to its revenue recognition as a result of adopting the standard.

F-19

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51JOB, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2014, 2015 AND 2016
(Amounts expressed in thousands of RMB and US$, except share and per share data)

2.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)

In September 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-16, “Business Combinations (Topic 805): Simplifying the Accounting for 

Measurement-Period Adjustments” (“ASU 2015-16”). Under this ASU, an acquirer must recognize adjustments to provisional 
amounts that are identified during the measurement period in the reporting period in which the adjustment amounts are determined. 
The effect on earnings of changes in depreciation or amortization, or other income effects, if any, as a result of the change to the 
provisional amounts, calculated as if the accounting had been completed as of the acquisition date, must be recorded in the reporting 
period in which the adjustment amounts are determined rather than retrospectively. The ASU has become effective for annual 
reporting periods, including interim reporting periods within those periods, beginning after December 15, 2016. Early adoption is 
permitted as of annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015, including interim reporting periods within those annual 
periods. The Company has adopted ASU 2015-16 in the current year and the adoption had no material impact on the Company’s 
consolidated financial statements.

In November 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-17, “Income Taxes (Topic 740): Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred 

Taxes” (“ASU 2015-17”). This guidance was issued to simplify the presentation of deferred income taxes. The amendments in this 
ASU require that deferred tax liabilities and assets to be classified as non-current in a classified statement of financial position. The 
ASU will be effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2016. The Company has prospectively adopted 
ASU 2015-17 in the current year and the adoption had no material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-01, “Financial Instruments — Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and 
Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities” (“ASU 2016-01”). The main objective of this update is to enhance the 
reporting model for financial instruments to provide users of financial statements with more decision-useful information. The new 
guidance addresses certain aspects of recognition, measurement, presentation, and disclosure of financial instruments. ASU 2016-01 is 
effective for annual reporting periods, and interim periods within those years beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption by 
public entities is permitted only for certain provisions. The Company is in the process of evaluating the impact of ASU 2016-01 on its 
consolidated financial statements.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, “Leases” (“ASU 2016-02”). Under the new guidance, lessees will be 
required to recognize a lease liability and a lease asset for all leases, including operating leases, with a term greater than 12 months on 
its balance sheet. The update also expands the required quantitative and qualitative disclosures surrounding leases. This update is 
effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018 and interim periods within those fiscal years, with earlier application 
permitted. The Company is in the process of evaluating the impact of ASU 2016-02 on its consolidated financial statements.

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-09, “Compensation — Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to 
Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting” (“ASU 2016-09”), which is intended to improve the accounting for employee share-
based payments and affect all organizations that issue share-based payment awards to their employees. Several aspects of the 
accounting for share-based payment award transactions are simplified, including: (a) income tax consequences; (b) classification of 
awards as either equity or liabilities; (c) accruals of compensation costs based on the forfeitures; and (d) classification on the statement 
of cash flows. For public companies, the amendments are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim 
periods within those annual periods. Early adoption is permitted. The Company has adopted ASU 2016-09 in the current year and the 
adoption had no material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, “Financial Instruments — Credit Losses” (“ASU 2016-13”), which introduces 
new guidance for credit losses on instruments within its scope. The new guidance introduces an approach based on expected losses to 
estimate credit losses on certain types of financial instruments, including, but not limited to, trade and other receivables, held-to-
maturity debt securities, loans and net investments in leases. The new guidance also modifies the impairment model for available-for-
sale debt securities and requires the entities to determine whether all or a portion of the unrealized loss on an available-for-sale debt 
security is a credit loss. The standard also indicates that entities may not use the length of time a security has been in an unrealized 
loss position as a factor in concluding whether a credit loss exists. The ASU is effective for public companies for fiscal years 
beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted for all entities for fiscal 
years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company is in the process of 
evaluating the impact of ASU 2016-13 on its consolidated financial statements.

F-20

Table of Contents

51JOB, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2014, 2015 AND 2016
(Amounts expressed in thousands of RMB and US$, except share and per share data)

2.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-15, “Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230), a consensus of the FASB’s 
Emerging Issues Task Force” (“ASU 2016-15”). The new guidance is intended to reduce the diversity in practice in how certain cash 
receipts and cash payments are presented and classified in the statement of cash flows. The ASU is effective for public companies for 
fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted, including 
interim periods within those fiscal years. An entity that elects early adoption must adopt all of the amendments in the same period. The 
guidance requires application using a retrospective transition method. The Company is in the process of evaluating the impact of ASU 
2016-15 on its consolidated statement of cash flows.

In October 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-17, “Consolidation (Topic 810): Interests held through Related Parties that are 

under Common Control” (“ASU 2016-17”), which alters how a decision maker considers indirect interests in a VIE held through an 
entity under common control and simplifies that analysis to require consideration of only an entity’s proportionate indirect interest in a 
VIE held through a common control party. The ASU is effective for public business entities for fiscal years beginning after 
December 15, 2016, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in an interim 
period. If an entity early adopts the amendments in an interim period, any adjustments should be reflected as of the beginning of the 
fiscal year that includes that interim period. The Group is in the process of evaluating the impact of ASU 2016-17 on its consolidated 
financial statements.

In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-18, “Statement of Cash Flows” (“ASU 2016-18”), which amends ASC 230 
to add or clarify guidance on the classification and presentation of restricted cash in the statement of cash flows. The ASU is effective 
for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2017 and early adoption is permitted. The Company is in the process of 
evaluating the impact of ASU 2016-18 on its consolidated statement of cash flows.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-01, “Business Combinations (Topic 805): Clarifying the Definition of a 
Business” (“ASU 2017-01”), which clarifies the definition of a business to assist entities with evaluating whether transactions should 
be accounted for as acquisitions or disposals of assets or businesses. The standard introduces a screen for determining when assets 
acquired are not a business and clarifies that a business must include, at a minimum, an input and a substantive process that contribute 
to an output to be considered a business. The ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim 
periods within those fiscal years. The Company is in the process of evaluating the impact of ASU 2017-01 on its consolidated 
financial statements.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-04, “Simplifies Goodwill Impairment Test” (“ASU 2017-04”), which removes 

the requirement to compare the implied fair value of goodwill with its carrying amount as part of the second step of the goodwill 
impairment test. As a result, under the ASU, “an entity should perform its annual, or interim, goodwill impairment test by comparing 
the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount and should recognize an impairment charge for the amount by which the 
carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value; however, the loss recognized should not exceed the total amount of goodwill 
allocated to that reporting unit.” The ASU is effective prospectively for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. The Company 
is in the process of evaluating the impact of ASU 2017-04 on its consolidated financial statements.

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3. ACQUISITIONS

Yingjiesheng.com

51JOB, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2014, 2015 AND 2016
(Amounts expressed in thousands of RMB and US$, except share and per share data)

In April 2015, to expand its online operations, the Company acquired 100% of the equity interests in Shanghai Yishu 
Information Technology Co., Ltd. and Shanghai Pinyi Information Technology Co., Ltd. These two companies wholly own and 
operate Yingjiesheng.com (“YJS”), an established online recruitment website which focuses on college graduates and students in 
China. The total purchase price for the transaction was RMB250,000 and was funded from the Company’s existing cash resources. As 
of December 31, 2016, the total unpaid consideration amounted to RMB8,450, which will be paid in 2017. Beginning April 3, 2015, 
the date of acquisition, YJS has been fully consolidated into the Group’s financial statements. The allocation of the purchase price at 
the date of acquisition is summarized as follows:

Net assets
Identifiable intangible assets — trade names and customer relationships
Goodwill
Deferred tax liabilities

Total

Beijing Zhiding Youyuan Management Consulting Co., Ltd.

RMB

10,524
47,870
203,574
(11,968)

250,000

In June 2015, to expand the scope of its training services, the Company completed an acquisition of a 60% equity interest in 
Beijing Zhiding Youyuan Management Consulting Co., Ltd. (“Zhiding Youyuan”), a provider of talent assessment and psychometric 
testing services. The total purchase price was RMB18,660 and was fully paid from the Company’s existing cash resources. Beginning 
June 23, 2015, the date of acquisition, Zhiding Youyuan has been fully consolidated into the Group’s financial statements. The 
allocation of the purchase price at the date of acquisition is summarized as follows:

Net assets
Goodwill
Non-controlling interests

Total

RMB

14,170
13,820
(9,330)

18,660

Based on the Company’s assessment, the revenues and net earnings of YJS and Zhiding Youyuan were not considered material 

to the Group. Pro forma results of operations for the acquisitions described above have not been presented because they are not 
material to the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income, either individually or in aggregate.

4. ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE

Accounts receivable
Less: Allowance for doubtful accounts

2015
RMB

101,170
(3,290)

2016
RMB

117,390
(6,144)

97,880

111,246

The movement of allowance for doubtful accounts is analyzed as follows:

Balance at beginning of period
Additions
Write-offs

Balance at end of period

2014
RMB

2015
RMB

2016
RMB

3,347
1,804
(4,048)

1,103

1,103
3,792
(1,605)

3,290

3,290
6,705
(3,851)

6,144

F-22

Table of Contents

51JOB, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2014, 2015 AND 2016
(Amounts expressed in thousands of RMB and US$, except share and per share data)

5.

PREPAYMENTS AND OTHER CURRENT ASSETS

Rental and other deposits
Prepayments for rental and others
Employee advances
Payments made on behalf of customers
Prepaid insurance premium
Interest income receivable
Others

Total

2015
RMB

2016
RMB

1,411
14,455
4,059
421,415
1,093
52,725
1,557

677
19,725
4,082
462,841
958
37,344
1,931

496,715

527,558

Payments made on behalf of customers are associated with the operations of the Company’s business process outsourcing 
services. The Company has remitted funds in advance on behalf of its customers for purposes such as monthly customers’ employee 
benefits, social insurance and payroll payments, which will be reimbursed to the Company in the near term. The Company provides an 
allowance for payments made on behalf of customers when facts and circumstances indicate that the receivable is unlikely to be 
collected. The movement of allowance for payments made on behalf of customers is analyzed as follows:

Balance at beginning of period
Additions
Reversals
Write-offs

Balance at end of period

6.

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

Land and building
Leasehold improvements
Electronic equipment
Furniture and fixtures
Motor vehicles
Other assets
Less: Accumulated depreciation

Net book value

2014
RMB

2015
RMB

2016
RMB

3,632
—
(676)
(1,998)

958

958
1,723
—
(1,825)

856

2015
RMB

575,443
29,999
132,990
11,900
6,910
43,360
(241,198)

856
843
—
(1,240)

459

2016
RMB

575,443
30,841
137,236
11,837
6,910
48,583
(284,309)

559,404

526,541

Depreciation expense was RMB45,660, RMB49,781 and RMB53,754 for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2015 and 2016, 

respectively. Loss due to disposal of fixed assets was RMB359, RMB109 and RMB122 for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2015 
and 2016, respectively.

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Table of Contents

7. GOODWILL

51JOB, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2014, 2015 AND 2016
(Amounts expressed in thousands of RMB and US$, except share and per share data)

The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2016 are as follows:

Balance at beginning of period
Additions

Balance at end of period

8.

INTANGIBLE ASSETS

Computer software
Acquired technology
Trade names
Customer relationships
Acquired training licenses
Less: Accumulated amortization

Net book value

2015
RMB

—
217,394

217,394

2016
RMB

217,394
—

217,394

2015
RMB

2016
RMB

30,553
—
35,600
12,270
6,623
(28,941)

30,521
24,272
35,600
12,270
3,101
(32,144)

56,105

73,620

Acquired technology consists of software and technology assets of a mobile application for business card digitalization and 
contact management that enhances the Company’s online services to its users. The purchase price was RMB25,000, including related 
taxes, in the year ended December 31, 2016.

Amortization expense was RMB2,567, RMB6,167 and RMB9,022 for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2015 and 2016, 

respectively.

The Company will record estimated amortization expenses of RMB10,010, RMB9,658, RMB8,380, RMB5,779 and RMB4,706 

for the years ending December 31, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021, respectively.

9. OTHER PAYABLES AND ACCRUALS

Receipts from customers
Professional service fees
Office expenses
Payables to employees related to net proceeds from share options exercised
Accrued interest expense related to convertible senior notes
Payable for acquisition
Others

Total

2015
RMB

2016
RMB

314,381
2,716
6,828
8,358
7,685
8,450
1,556

349,974

469,471
2,271
5,240
264
8,210
8,450
4,130

498,036

Receipts from customers are associated with the operations of the Company’s business process outsourcing services. The 
Company has received funds in advance from its customers for purposes such as monthly customers’ employee benefits, social 
insurance and payroll payments, which will be disbursed by the Company to other parties on behalf of its customers in the near term.

F-24

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10. TAXATION

Cayman Islands

51JOB, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2014, 2015 AND 2016
(Amounts expressed in thousands of RMB and US$, except share and per share data)

Under the current laws of the Cayman Islands, the Company and its subsidiaries that are incorporated in the Cayman Islands are 

not subject to tax on income or capital gain. In addition, upon payments of dividends by those companies to their shareholders, no 
Cayman Islands withholding tax will be imposed.

British Virgin Islands

Under the current laws of the British Virgin Islands, the Company’s subsidiary that is incorporated in the British Virgin Islands is 

not subject to tax on income or capital gain. In addition, upon payments of dividends by that company to its shareholders, no British 
Virgin Islands withholding tax will be imposed.

Hong Kong

51net is registered in Hong Kong as a non-Hong Kong company and is subject to Hong Kong profits tax at a rate of 16.5% on its 

assessable profit.

China

The PRC Enterprise Income Tax Law (“EIT Law”), which became effective January 1, 2008, applies a uniform enterprise 

income tax (“EIT”) rate of 25% to both foreign-invested enterprises (“FIEs”) and domestic enterprises.

In December 2009, Tech JV was designated by relevant local authorities in Shanghai as a “High and New Technology 

Enterprise” under the EIT Law. Tech JV became subject to a preferential tax rate of 15%. Tech JV is entitled to this preferential 15% 
tax rate as long as it maintains the required qualifications, which is subject to review every three years. In 2015, its preferential tax 
status has been renewed by local tax authorities through 2017.

The EIT Law also imposes a 10% withholding income tax (“WHT”) for dividends declared out of the profits earned after 
January 1, 2008 by a FIE to its immediate holding company outside China. For certain treaty jurisdictions such as Hong Kong which 
has signed tax treaties with the PRC, the WHT rate is 5%. Since the Company intends to permanently reinvest earnings to further 
expand its businesses in mainland China, its FIEs do not intend to declare dividends to its immediate foreign holding entities in the 
foreseeable future. Accordingly, as of December 31, 2016, the Company has not recorded any withholding tax on the retained 
earnings of its FIEs in China. Cumulative undistributed earnings of the Company’s PRC subsidiaries intended to be permanently 
reinvested totaled RMB3,821,585 and RMB4,355,109, and the amount of the unrecognized deferred tax liability on the permanently 
reinvested earnings was RMB382,159 and RMB435,511 as of December 31, 2015 and 2016, respectively.

Composition of Income Tax Expense

Income (loss) before income tax expense for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2015 and 2016 were taxed within the following

jurisdictions:

PRC entities
Non-PRC entities

Total

2014
RMB

745,639
(193,694)

2015
RMB

823,007
(78,909)

2016
RMB

875,175
(175,289)

551,945

744,098

699,886

F-25

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51JOB, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2014, 2015 AND 2016
(Amounts expressed in thousands of RMB and US$, except share and per share data)

10. TAXATION (Continued)

The current and deferred portion of income tax expense included in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive 

income for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2015 and 2016 are as follows:

Current income tax expense
PRC entities
Non-PRC entities

Total

Deferred income tax expense
PRC entities
Non-PRC entities

Total

Income tax expense
PRC entities
Non-PRC entities

Total

2014
RMB

2015
RMB

2016
RMB

106,368
—

106,368

6,667
—

6,667

113,035
—

113,035

108,172
—

108,172

18,129
—

18,129

126,301
—

126,301

120,280
—

120,280

14,419
—

14,419

134,699
—

134,699

Reconciliation of the Differences Between Statutory Tax Rate and the Effective Tax Rate

Reconciliation between the statutory EIT rate in the PRC and the Group’s effective tax rate for the years ended December 31, 

2014, 2015 and 2016 are as follows:

EIT statutory rate
Difference in EIT rates of certain subsidiaries
Non-deductibility of expenses incurred outside the PRC
Other permanent differences

Effective EIT rate of the Group

2014

2015

2016

25%
(13)%
9%
(1)%

20%

25%
(10)%
3%
(1)%

17%

25%
(11)%
6%
(1)%

19%

Income tax expense for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2015 and 2016 differs from the amounts computed by applying the 

EIT rate primarily due to the preferential tax rate enjoyed by Tech JV in the PRC. The aggregate amount and per share effect of the 
preferential tax rate are as follows:

Aggregate effect
Basic net income per share effect
Diluted net income per share effect

F-26

2014
RMB

2015
RMB
(in thousands, except per share data)

2016
RMB

69,818
1.19
1.17

75,864
1.31
1.21

81,300
1.40
1.39

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51JOB, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2014, 2015 AND 2016
(Amounts expressed in thousands of RMB and US$, except share and per share data)

10. TAXATION (Continued)

Significant components of deferred tax assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2015 and 2016 are as follows:

Deductible temporary differences related to other payables and accruals
Deductible temporary differences related to provision for doubtful accounts

Total current deferred tax assets
Less: Valuation allowance

Net current deferred tax assets

Deductible temporary differences related to other payables and accruals
Deductible temporary differences related to provision for doubtful accounts
Tax loss carryforwards

Amount offset by non-current deferred tax liabilities

Total non-current deferred tax assets
Less: Valuation allowance

Net non-current deferred tax assets

Total deferred tax assets

Taxable temporary differences related to depreciation period
Taxable temporary differences related to available-for-sale securities
Taxable temporary differences related to government subsidy income
Taxable temporary differences related to trade names and customer relationships
Amount offset by non-current deferred tax assets

2015
RMB

2016
RMB

1,098
696

1,794
(49)

1,745

—
—
8,761

(6,276)

2,485
(1,802)

683

2,428

(4,283)
—
(25,605)
(11,173)
6,276

—
—

—
—

—

860
992
9,843

(8,487)

3,208
(2,443)

765

765

(5,218)
(9,625)
(40,695)
(10,115)
8,487

Total non-current deferred tax liabilities

Total deferred tax liabilities

(34,785)

(57,166)

(34,785)

(57,166)

All deferred tax assets and liabilities within a single tax jurisdiction are offset and presented as a single amount in accordance 

with ASC 740-10-45-6 “Income Taxes — Overall — Other Presentation Matters.” The Group has adopted ASU 2015-17 
prospectively and classified all deferred tax assets and liabilities as non-current items on its consolidated balance sheet as of 
December 31, 2016.

As of December 31, 2015 and 2016, valuation allowances were provided on the deferred tax assets to the extent that management 
believed it was more likely than not that such deferred tax assets would not be realized in the foreseeable future. Valuation allowances 
were also provided because it was more likely than not that the Group will not be able to utilize certain tax loss carryforwards 
generated by certain subsidiaries or VIEs. As those entities continue to generate tax losses and tax planning strategies are not available 
to utilize those tax losses in other group companies, management believes it is more likely than not that such losses will not be utilized 
before they expire. However, certain valuation allowance was reversed in 2014, 2015 and 2016 when certain entities generated 
sufficient taxable income to utilize the deferred tax assets. If events occur in the future that prevent these entities from realizing some 
or all of its deferred tax assets, an adjustment to the valuation allowances will be recognized when such events occur. As of 
December 31, 2016, the Group had net operating loss carryforwards in PRC entities of RMB38,410, which can be carried forward to 
offset taxable income. The carryforward period for net operating losses under the EIT Law is five years. The net operating loss 
carryforwards of the Group will expire in varying amounts from 2018 to 2021. Other than the expiration, there are no other limitations 
or restrictions upon the Group’s ability to use these operating loss carryforwards.

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51JOB, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2014, 2015 AND 2016
(Amounts expressed in thousands of RMB and US$, except share and per share data)

10. TAXATION (Continued)

The following represents a roll-forward of the valuation allowance for each of the years:

Balance at beginning of period
Additions
Reversals

Balance at end of period

11. SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION

2014
RMB

2015
RMB

2016
RMB

543
36
(115)

464

464
1,443
(56)

1,851

1,851
1,019
(427)

2,443

In September 2000, the Company adopted a share option plan (“2000 Option Plan”), which provided for the issuance of up to 
4,010,666 common shares. The total number of common shares reserved under the 2000 Option Plan was increased to 5,530,578 in 
February 2004 and to 7,530,578 in July 2006. The 2000 Option Plan expired in 2010 and issuances from this plan ceased in 2009.

In April 2009, the Company adopted a share option plan (“2009 Option Plan”), which provided for the issuance of up to 
5,000,000 common shares. The total number of common shares reserved under the 2009 Option Plan was increased to 10,000,000 in 
December 2011. Issuances from this plan ceased in 2015.

In November 2015, the Company adopted a share incentive plan (“2015 Plan”). Under the 2015 Plan, share-based awards such as 
share options, restricted shares, restricted share units, dividend equivalent rights, share appreciation rights and share payments may be 
granted. The 2015 Plan has a term of ten years. The maximum aggregate number of common shares which may be issued pursuant to 
all share-based awards under the 2015 Plan is (i) 10,000,000, and (ii) an automatic increase on January 1, 2019, January 1, 2022 and 
January 1, 2025 by that number of common shares representing 5% of the then total issued and outstanding common shares of the 
Company on an as-converted fully diluted basis as of December 31 of the respective preceding year.

Under the share option and incentive plans, the directors may, at their discretion, grant share-based awards to any senior 
executives, directors, employees or consultants of the Group. As of December 31, 2016, the only share-based awards that have been 
granted under the plans are share options to purchase the Company’s common shares. The share options are granted at the fair market 
value of the common shares at the date of grant, vest over a period of four years and expire six years from the date of grant.

The following table summarizes the Company’s share option activity for the year ended December 31, 2016:

Weighted
average
exercise
price

Weighted
average
remaining
contractual
life (years)

Aggregate
intrinsic value
(thousands)

Number
of shares

Outstanding at January 1, 2016

6,089,905 US$

28.19

Granted
Exercised
Forfeited

1,157,400 US$
(1,117,754) US$
(334,720) US$

34.27
21.54
29.86

Outstanding at December 31, 2016

5,794,831 US$

30.58

3.36 US$

19,272

Vested and expected to vest at December 31, 2016

5,561,729 US$

30.50

3.29 US$

18,926

Exercisable at December 31, 2016

3,299,485 US$

29.05

2.26 US$

15,696

The aggregate intrinsic value in the table above represents the difference between the Company’s closing stock price on the last 

trading day in 2016 and the exercise price for in-the-money options.

The total intrinsic value of options exercised for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2015 and 2016 was RMB102,575, 

RMB92,723 and RMB83,976 (US$12,095), respectively.

F-28

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51JOB, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2014, 2015 AND 2016
(Amounts expressed in thousands of RMB and US$, except share and per share data)

11. SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION (Continued)

As of December 31, 2016, there was RMB179,622 (US$25,871) of unrecognized share-based compensation cost related to non-

vested share options. That deferred cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted average vesting period of 2.73 years. To the 
extent the actual forfeiture rate is different from the original estimate, actual share-based compensation related to these awards may be 
different from the expectation. For the year ended December 31, 2016, total cash received from the exercise of share options 
amounted to RMB160,493 (US$23,116).

A summary of non-vested share option activity for the year ended December 31, 2016 is presented below:

Non-vested at January 1, 2016

Granted
Vested
Forfeited

Non-vested at December 31, 2016

Expected to vest at December 31, 2016

Weighted
average
grant-date
fair value
(per share)

Number
of shares

2,708,243 US$

11.02

1,157,400 US$
(1,035,577) US$
(334,720) US$

9.63
11.01
11.09

2,495,346 US$

10.37

2,262,244 US$

10.37

There were no capitalized share-based compensation costs for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2015 and 2016. Share-based 

compensation expense with respect to the share option plans recognized during the years ended December 31, 2014, 2015 and 2016,
totaled RMB81,380, RMB85,945 and RMB86,070 (US$12,397), respectively. The total fair value of share options vested during the 
years ended December 31, 2014, 2015 and 2016 was RMB82,267, RMB84,594 and RMB79,139 (US$11,398), respectively.

12. EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

The full-time employees of the Group’s subsidiaries and VIEs that are incorporated in the PRC are entitled to staff welfare 
benefits including medical care, welfare subsidies, unemployment insurance, pension benefits and housing fund. These companies are 
required to contribute to these benefits based on certain percentages of the employees’ salaries in accordance with the relevant 
regulations and charge the amount contributed to these benefits to the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive 
income. The total amounts charged to the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income for such employee 
benefits amounted to RMB144,122, RMB169,572 and RMB198,272 for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2015 and 2016, 
respectively. The PRC government is responsible for the welfare and medical benefits and ultimate pension liability to these 
employees.

13. CONVERTIBLE SENIOR NOTES

On April 3, 2014, the Company issued US$172,500 of convertible senior notes due April 15, 2019 (the “Notes”). The Notes bear 

interest at a rate of 3.25% per year, payable semiannually in arrears. The interest expense incurred associated with the Notes was 
RMB25,078, RMB34,983 and RMB37,298 for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2015 and 2016, respectively.

The Notes may be converted to the Company’s ADSs based on an initial conversion rate of 11.6976 ADSs per US$1,000 
principal amount of the Notes (which represents an initial conversion price of US$85.49 per ADS). The conversion rate is subject to 
certain anti-dilutive adjustments. Following the change in the ratio of the Company’s common shares to ADSs from 2:1 to 1:1 
effective August 8, 2014, the initial conversion rate was adjusted to 23.3952 ADSs per US$1,000 principal amount of the Notes 
(which represents an adjusted initial conversion price of approximately US$42.74 per ADS).

F-29

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51JOB, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2014, 2015 AND 2016
(Amounts expressed in thousands of RMB and US$, except share and per share data)

13. CONVERTIBLE SENIOR NOTES (Continued)

Holders may convert their Notes on or after October 15, 2018 until the close of business on the second scheduled trading day 
immediately preceding the maturity date, or at their option prior to the close of business on the business day immediately preceding 
October 15, 2018 only under the following circumstances: (i) during any calendar quarter commencing after the calendar quarter 
ending on June 30, 2014 (and only during such calendar quarter), if the last reported sale price of ADSs for at least 20 trading days 
(whether or not consecutive) during a period of 30 consecutive trading days ending on the last trading day of the immediately 
preceding calendar quarter is greater than or equal to 130% of the conversion price on each applicable trading day; (ii) during the five 
business day period after any ten consecutive trading day period (the “measurement period”) in which the trading price (as defined in 
the indenture agreement) per US$1,000 principal amount of the Notes for each trading day of the measurement period was less than 
98% of the product of the last reported sale price of the ADSs and the conversion rate on each such trading day; (iii) if the Company 
call the Notes for redemption; or (iv) upon the occurrence of specified corporate events (as defined in the indenture agreement). Upon 
conversion, the Company will pay or deliver, as the case may be, cash, ADSs, or a combination of cash and ADSs, at its election.

Holders have the right to require the Company to repurchase for cash all or part of the Notes on April 15, 2017 at a repurchase 

price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes to be repurchased, plus any accrued and unpaid interest to, but not including, 
the repurchase date. In addition, if the Company undergoes a fundamental change (as defined in the indenture agreement), holders 
may require the Company to repurchase for cash all or part of the Notes at a repurchase price equal to 100% of the principal amount of 
the Notes to be repurchased, plus any accrued and unpaid interest to, but not including, the fundamental change repurchase date. The 
Company does not have the option to redeem the Notes prior to their maturity.

The Notes are senior unsecured obligations. The Notes (i) rank senior in right of payment to any of the Company’s indebtedness 
that is expressly subordinated in right of payment to the Notes; (ii) rank equally in right of payment with any unsecured indebtedness 
that is not so subordinated; (iii) be effectively junior in right of payment to any secured indebtedness to the extent of the value of the 
assets securing such indebtedness; and (iv) be structurally subordinated to all indebtedness and other liabilities (including trade 
payables) of the Company’s subsidiaries and consolidated VIEs.

The Group’s functional currency is the RMB, and the Notes are denominated in US$. As a result, the conversion feature of the 

Notes is indexed to the Company’s stock as well as the RMB and US$ exchange rate. Therefore, it is considered an embedded 
derivative which is required to be bifurcated from the host instrument in accordance with ASC 815 “Derivatives and Hedging.”

Under ASC 815-15-25, if an entity has a hybrid financial instrument that would require bifurcation of embedded derivatives, the 

entity may irrevocably elect to initially and subsequently measure a hybrid financial instrument in its entirety at fair value with 
changes in fair value recognized in earnings. The Company has elected to measure the Notes in their entirety at fair value with 
changes in fair value recognized as non-operating income or loss at each balance sheet date in accordance with ASC 815-15-25. 
Furthermore, the fair value of the Notes is translated into RMB, the Group’s functional currency, at each balance sheet date with the 
difference being reported as foreign currency translation gain or loss. In addition, issuance costs of RMB33,093 associated with the 
Notes offering has been fully expensed as incurred in the year ended December 31, 2014 in accordance with ASC 825-10-25-3, which 
states that upfront costs and fees related to items for which the fair value option is elected shall be recognized in the consolidated 
statements of operations and comprehensive as incurred and not deferred.

As of December 31, 2016, the estimated fair value of the Notes amounted to approximately RMB1,257,709. The Company 

recorded a foreign currency translation gain of RMB5,507, a loss of RMB64,838 and a loss of RMB79,393 for the years ended 
December 31, 2014, 2015 and 2016, respectively, associated with the Notes. The change in fair value of the Notes was a loss of 
RMB55,355, a gain of RMB67,168 and a loss of RMB69,439 for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2015 and 2016, respectively. 
See Note 2(t). The Notes were reclassified from non-current to current on the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2016 due 
to the right of holders to require the Company to repurchase the Notes on April 15, 2017.

As of December 31, 2016, none of the Notes had been converted yet.

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51JOB, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2014, 2015 AND 2016
(Amounts expressed in thousands of RMB and US$, except share and per share data)

13. CONVERTIBLE SENIOR NOTES (Continued)

Zero-Strike Call Options

On April 3, 2014 and in connection with the issuance of the Notes, the Company used approximately US$50,000 of the net 
proceeds from the offering to enter into zero-strike call option transactions (“Call Options”), covering 1,462,204 ADSs, with affiliates 
of the initial purchasers of the Notes (“Dealers”). The Call Options are intended to facilitate privately negotiated transactions by which 
investors in the Notes are able to hedge their investment. The Call Options expire soon after the maturity date of the Notes or when the 
Dealers request early settlement. The Company will receive the fixed number of ADSs determined at the commencement date of the 
transaction, which is based on the market price per ADS at the commencement date. 76,000 ADSs were early settled in 2014. There 
was no early settlement in 2015 and 2016.

The economic substance of the Call Options is the same as a traditional forward repurchase contract. Because the Call Options 

permitted net cash settlement prior to shareholder approval of an increase in the Company’s share repurchase program, they were 
classified as a derivative instrument measured initially and subsequently at fair value with changes in fair value recorded in earnings. 
The Company accounted for the Call Options as a free-standing derivative asset on its consolidated balance sheet when the Call 
Options were entered into in April 2014. The derivative asset was initially recorded at its fair value of US$50,000 on the 
commencement date which represented the amount of cash transferred to the Dealers. The derivative asset was subsequently recorded 
at fair value with the change in fair value through June 20, 2014, the date on which shareholder approval was received, recorded in the 
consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income in the amount of RMB24,874. Upon shareholder approval of an 
increase to the Company’s share repurchase program in June 2014, the asset was reclassified and recorded as a reduction to equity to 
reflect the Company’s repurchase of its own shares.

A prepaid forward contract is considered a form of a stock borrowing facility, and economically, the contract is construed as a 

share lending arrangement between the Company and the Dealers. Therefore, the accounting for a share lending arrangement was 
applied by analogy in accordance with ASC 470-20-25-20A. In the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company recorded a debt 
issuance cost of RMB14,429 with the offset to additional paid-in capital for the fair value of the arrangement. Given that the Company 
has elected to fair value the Notes entirely, the debt issuance costs in connection with the Notes were recognized in earnings as 
incurred in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income in accordance with ASC 825-10-25-3. See Note 2(t).

14. REPURCHASE OF SHARES

On June 20, 2014, the Company’s shareholders resolved to increase the size of a share repurchase program originally approved 
by shareholders on September 30, 2008 from US$25,000 to US$75,000. The share repurchases may be made on the open market, in 
block trades or otherwise and is subject to the Company’s memorandum and articles of association, the relevant rules under United 
States securities laws and regulations, and the relevant stock exchange rules. The program does not have an expiration date and may 
be suspended or discontinued at any time.

For the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2015, the Company repurchased 799,293 ADSs and 898,950 ADSs, respectively, for 
a total consideration of RMB153,684 and RMB157,272, respectively, including transaction fees, from the open market. The Company 
did not repurchase ADSs in 2016. In addition, the Company received 76,000 ADSs from the early settlement of some shares related to 
the zero-strike call options in the year ended December 31, 2014. All of the shares repurchased and received from early settlement 
were retired. See Note 2(v).

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51JOB, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2014, 2015 AND 2016
(Amounts expressed in thousands of RMB and US$, except share and per share data)

15. EARNINGS PER SHARE

Basic earnings per share and diluted earnings per share have been calculated for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2015 and 

2016 as follows:

Numerator:

2014
RMB

2015
RMB
(in thousands, except share and per share data)

2016
RMB

Net income attributable to 51job, Inc.
Eliminate the dilutive effect of interest expense, change in fair value and 

foreign exchange translation related to convertible senior notes

Numerator for diluted earnings per share

438,910

—
438,910

618,057

32,653
650,710

565,978

—
565,978

Denominator:

Denominator for basic earnings per share — weighted average common 

shares outstanding

Dilutive effect of convertible senior notes
Dilutive effect of share options

58,475,397
—
1,216,596

57,714,850
4,035,672
748,129

58,132,976
—
341,092

Denominator for diluted earnings per share

59,691,993

62,498,651

58,474,068

Basic earnings per share

Diluted earnings per share

7.51

7.35

10.71

10.41

9.74

9.68

The convertible senior notes were not included in the calculation of diluted earnings per share in 2014 and 2016 because their 

inclusion would have been anti-dilutive.

The Company excluded outstanding share options of 2,196,406 in 2014, 3,312,749 in 2015 and 3,881,628 in 2016 from the 

calculation of diluted earnings per share because their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive.

The Company excluded 1,462,204 common shares underlying the zero-strike call option contracts from both the basic and 

diluted earnings per share calculation as they are considered as deemed repurchased for the purpose of calculating both basic and 
diluted earnings per share.

16. RECURRING CHANGE IN FAIR VALUE

The following table provides information about the reconciliation of the Level 3 fair value measurements of available-for-sale 

investments using significant unobservable inputs for the year ended December 31, 2016:

Balance at January 1, 2016
Initial recognition
Unrealized gain

Balance at December 31, 2016

RMB

—
126,716
38,501

165,217

The unrealized gain on available-for-sale investments of RMB28,876, representing the unrealized fair value gain netting relevant 

income tax of RMB9,625, was recognized in other comprehensive income for the year ended December 31, 2016.

In determining the fair value, the Group utilizes an income approach of a discounted cash flow model with unobservable inputs 
including future cash flows, a terminal growth rate of 3%, a discount rate of 21% and a risk-free rate of 1.47%. The determination of 
the fair value was assisted by an independent appraisal, based on estimates, judgments and information of other comparable 
companies.

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51JOB, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2014, 2015 AND 2016
(Amounts expressed in thousands of RMB and US$, except share and per share data)

17. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Operating Lease Commitments

The Group has entered into non-cancelable agreements with initial or remaining terms in excess of one year for the rental and 

property management of office premises and for the lease of office equipment. Future minimum payments with respect to these 
agreements for the twelve months ending December 31 of the coming years are as follows:

2017
2018
2019
2020
2021 and thereafter

Office
Premises
RMB

Office
equipment
RMB

Total
RMB

36,013
25,696
8,184
6,486
3,466

79,845

5,839
354
216
40
30

6,479

41,852
26,050
8,400
6,526
3,496

86,324

Rental expenses for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2015 and 2016 were RMB46,066, RMB48,760 and RMB50,946, 

respectively.

Contractual Purchase Obligations

The Group’s contractual purchase obligations consist of agreements to purchase advertising services from media companies and 

to purchase office furnishings. Future minimum payments with respect to these agreements for the twelve months ending 
December 31 of the coming year are as follows:

2017

Contingencies

Advertising
Services
RMB

Office
furnishings
RMB

Total
RMB

2,334

4,492

6,826

As of the filing date of this Form 20-F, the Group is not currently a party to, nor is aware of, any legal proceeding, investigation 
or claim which is likely to have a material adverse effect on the Group’s business, financial condition, results of operations and cash 
flows.

Tech JV obtained an advertising license in May 2000, when Tech JV was a 98% foreign owned entity, and a license to conduct 

human resource services in September 2002, when Tech JV was a 99% foreign owned entity. During the period from the date Tech JV 
acquired these licenses to the Group’s restructuring in May 2004, Tech JV and its licensed PRC subsidiaries conducted all of the 
advertising and human resource related services. Following the acquisition of these licenses and commencing these operations, the 
PRC government enacted laws limiting foreign ownership in entities conducting advertising and human resource related services. The 
PRC government has permitted 100% foreign ownership of advertising businesses since December 2005. For the foreign ownership of 
human resource services companies, the limitation was 70% for Hong Kong service providers and Macau service providers since 
June 2005 and for human resource services companies registered in several locations in the PRC, such as Pudong New District, 
Shanghai since June 2006. Starting from January 2008, the PRC government no longer implemented any foreign ownership 
percentage limitation for Hong Kong service providers and Macau service providers.

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51JOB, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2014, 2015 AND 2016
(Amounts expressed in thousands of RMB and US$, except share and per share data)

17. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Continued)

Prior to the restructuring in May 2004, the ownership percentage of Tech JV was above the maximum foreign ownership 
permitted for an entity conducting advertising and human resource operations. The PRC government has not published an official 
ruling with respect to the status of foreign ownership arrangements that were established prior to the enactment of these limitations 
and the Group has not received any waiver from the PRC government with respect to this past non-compliance. The PRC government 
may determine that the Group’s ownership structure was inconsistent with or insufficient for the proper operation of the Group’s 
businesses, or that the Group’s business licenses or other approvals were not properly issued or not sufficient. In the opinion of 
management, the likelihood of loss with respect to the Group’s past ownership structure is remote.

18. CERTAIN RISKS AND CONCENTRATION

Concentration of Credit Risk

Financial instruments that potentially subject the Group to significant concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of cash, 
restricted cash, short-term investments and receivables. As of December 31, 2015 and 2016, the Group’s cash, restricted cash and 
short-term investments were held in major financial institutions located in the PRC, Hong Kong and the United States which 
management believes are of high credit quality. As of December 31, 2016, the Company had approximately RMB4,731,819 
(US$681,524) in cash and certificates of deposit, which constitute about 78% of total cash, restricted cash and short-term investments, 
held at reputable financial institutions in the PRC. The Company believes that it is not exposed to unusual risks as these PRC financial 
institutions have high credit quality. However, in the event of bankruptcy of a financial institution in which the Company has deposits 
or investments, it may be unlikely to claim its deposits or investments back in full.

Receivables are typically unsecured and denominated in RMB, and are derived from revenues earned from operations or from 

payments made on behalf of certain customers arising in the PRC. Management believes credit risk on receivables is moderate due to 
the diversity of its services and customers.

No individual customer accounted for more than 10% of net revenues during the years ended December 31, 2014, 2015 and 

2016. No individual customer accounted for more than 10% of accounts receivable as of December 31, 2015 and 2016.

Currency Risk

The Group’s sales and purchase and expense transactions are generally denominated in RMB and a significant portion of the 

Group’s liabilities are denominated in RMB. RMB is not freely convertible into foreign currencies.

In the PRC, foreign exchange transactions are required by law to be transacted only by authorized financial institutions at 
exchange rates set by the People’s Bank of China. In addition, the Group’s cash and convertible senior notes denominated in US$ 
subject the Group to risks associated with changes in the exchange rate of RMB against US$ and may affect the Group’s results of 
operations going forward.

PRC Regulatory Risk

The Group is subject to regulatory risks, which include the interpretation of current laws, the legality of its corporate structure 

and the scope of its operations in the PRC, which may result in limitations on the Group’s ability to conduct business in the PRC.

The Group conducts some of its operations in the PRC through VIEs and consolidates them pursuant to a series of contractual 
arrangements. If the contractual arrangements establishing the VIE structure are found to be in violation of any existing or future PRC 
laws, rules or regulations, the Group may be subject to penalties, which may include but not be limited to, the cancellation or 
revocation of the Group’s business and operating licenses, being required to restructure the Group’s operations or discontinue the 
Group’s operating activities. The imposition of any of these or other penalties may result in a material and adverse effect on the 
Group’s ability to conduct its operations. In such case, the Group may lose its rights to direct the activities of and receive economic 
benefits from its VIEs, which may result in deconsolidation of the VIEs.

F-34

Table of Contents

51JOB, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2014, 2015 AND 2016
(Amounts expressed in thousands of RMB and US$, except share and per share data)

18. CERTAIN RISKS AND CONCENTRATION (Continued)

In addition, any change in interpretation of current laws or any future laws affecting the determination of whether a VIE is a 

domestic or foreign-invested company may materially impact the viability of the Group’s current corporate structure, corporate 
governance and business operations in many aspects. For example, the draft Foreign Investment Law published by the PRC Ministry 
of Commerce (“MOFCOM”) on January 19, 2015, if enacted as proposed, may cause the VIEs to be deemed as entities with foreign 
investment, and as a result, the Group’s VIEs and subsidiaries in which these VIEs have direct or indirect equity ownership could be 
subject to the current restrictions on foreign investment in an industry within the catalogue of special management measures (“the 
negative list”) to be issued by the PRC State Council. If the enacted version of the Foreign Investment Law and the final negative list 
mandate further actions, such as MOFCOM market entry clearance or certain restructuring of the corporate structure and operations to 
be completed by companies with existing VIE structure like the Group’s, the Group will face substantial uncertainties as to whether 
these actions can be timely completed, or at all. As a result, the Group’s business, operating results and financial condition may be 
adversely affected.

19. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTION AND BALANCES

The Company has entered into royalty agreements with Recruit Management Solutions Co., Ltd. (“RMS”) and Recruit Career 

Co., Ltd. (“RCC”), which are wholly owned subsidiaries of Recruit Holdings Co., Ltd. (“Recruit”), for the use of training and online 
assessment materials. Recruit is a shareholder of the Company. The royalty fees charged by RMS were RMB146, RMB133 and 
RMB152 during the years ended December 31, 2014, 2015 and 2016, respectively. The royalty fees charged by RCC were RMB273, 
RMB169 and RMB60 during the years ended December 31, 2014, 2015 and 2016, respectively. As of December 31, 2015 and 2016, 
the royalty payables due to RMS were RMB31 and RMB74, respectively. As of December 31, 2015 and 2016, the royalty payables 
due to RCC were RMB25 and RMB8, respectively.

20. SUBSEQUENT EVENT

In January 2017, the Company completed an investment of US$14,000 for a 9.5% equity interest in a mobile-based platform 

focused on short-term, on-demand work opportunities.

F-35

List of Subsidiaries and Affiliated Entities of 51job, Inc.

Exhibit 8.1

Name
51net Beijing
51net HR
51net.com Inc.
Beijing Qian Cheng Si Jin Advertising Co., Ltd.
Beijing Run An Information Consultancy Co., Ltd.
Beijing Zhiding Youyuan Management Consulting Co., Ltd.
Qian Cheng Wu You Network Information Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd.
Qianjin Network Information Technology (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.
Shanghai Pinyi Information Technology Co., Ltd.
Shanghai Qianjin Advertising Co., Ltd.
Shanghai Qianjin Zhong Cheng Human Resources Co., Ltd.
Shanghai Wang Cai Advertising Co., Ltd.
Shanghai Wang Ju Advertising Co., Ltd.
Shanghai Wang Ju Human Resource Consulting Co., Ltd.
Shanghai Yishu Information Technology Co., Ltd.
Wang Jin Information Technology (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.
Wuhan Mei Hao Qian Cheng Advertising Co., Ltd.
Wuhan Wang Cai Information Technology Co., Ltd.

Jurisdiction of
Incorporation

Cayman Islands
Cayman Islands
British Virgin Islands
PRC
PRC
PRC
PRC
PRC
PRC
PRC
PRC
PRC
PRC
PRC
PRC
PRC
PRC
PRC

CERTIFICATION BY THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

Exhibit 12.1

I, Rick Yan, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this annual report on Form 20-F of 51job, Inc.;

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact 
necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with 
respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all 
material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the company as of, and for, the periods presented in 
this report;

4. The company’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and 
procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in 
Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the company and have:

(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed 
under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the company, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is 
made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be 

designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the 
preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the company’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our 
conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report 
based on such evaluation; and

(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the 

period covered by the annual report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the company’s 
internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The company’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over 
financial reporting, to the company’s auditors and the audit committee of the company’s board of directors (or persons performing the 
equivalent functions):

(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial 

reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the company’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial 
information; and

(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the 

company’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date: March 31, 2017

/s/ Rick Yan

By:
Name: Rick Yan
Title: President and Chief Executive Officer

CERTIFICATION BY THE CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

Exhibit 12.2

I, Kathleen Chien, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this annual report on Form 20-F of 51job, Inc.;

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact 
necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with 
respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all 
material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the company as of, and for, the periods presented in 
this report;

4. The company’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and 
procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in 
Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the company and have:

(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed 
under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the company, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is 
made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be 

designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the 
preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the company’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our 
conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report 
based on such evaluation; and

(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the 

period covered by the annual report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the company’s 
internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The company’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over 
financial reporting, to the company’s auditors and the audit committee of the company’s board of directors (or persons performing the 
equivalent functions):

(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial 

reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the company’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial 
information; and

(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the 

company’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date: March 31, 2017

/s/ Kathleen Chien

By:
Name: Kathleen Chien
Title: Chief Operating Officer and Acting Chief

Financial Officer

CERTIFICATION BY THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with the Annual Report of 51job, Inc. (the “Company”) on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2016 as 

filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Rick Yan, Chief Executive Officer of the 
Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that to 
my knowledge:

(1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

(2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material aspects, the financial condition and results of 

Exhibit 13.1

operations of the Company.

Date: March 31, 2017

/s/ Rick Yan

By:
Name: Rick Yan
Title: President and Chief Executive Officer

CERTIFICATION BY THE CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with the Annual Report of 51job, Inc. (the “Company”) on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2016 as 
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Kathleen Chien, Chief Financial Officer of 
the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that 
to my knowledge:

(1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

(2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material aspects, the financial condition and results of 

Exhibit 13.2

operations of the Company.

Date: March 31, 2017

/s/ Kathleen Chien

By:
Name: Kathleen Chien
Title: Chief Operating Officer and Acting Chief

Financial Officer

Exhibit 15.1

[Maples and Calder (Hong Kong) LLP letterhead]

Our ref

MJL/303788-000002/10881514v1

51job, Inc.
Building 3, No. 1387, Zhang Dong Road
Shanghai 201203
People’s Republic of China

31 March 2017

Dear Sir

Re: 51job, Inc.

We have acted as legal advisors as to the laws of the Cayman Islands to 51job, Inc., an exempted limited liability company 
incorporated in the Cayman Islands (the “Company”), in connection with the filing by the Company with the United States Securities 
and Exchange Commission of an annual report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2016.

We hereby consent to the reference of our name under the heading “Additional Information —Taxation” in the Form 20-F.

Yours faithfully

/s/ Maples and Calder (Hong Kong) LLP

Maples and Calder (Hong Kong) LLP

[Jun He Law Offices letterhead]

51job, Inc.

Building 3

No. 1387, Zhang Dong Road
Shanghai 201203, People’s Republic of China

Dear Sirs,

Exhibit 15.2

March 31, 2017

We consent to the reference to our firm under the headings “Key Information - Risk Factors,” “Information on the Company -

Organizational Structure,” “Operating and Financial Review and Prospects - Operating Results - Critical Accounting Policies” and 

“Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions - Related Party Transactions” in 51job’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the 

year ended December 31, 2016, which will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission in the month of March 2017.

Yours faithfully,

/s/ Jun He Law Offices

Jun He Law Offices

[PricewaterhouseCoopers Zhong Tian LLP letterhead]

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in these Registration Statements on Form S-8 (No. 333-162976, No. 333-139596, 
No. 333-124838, No. 333-179526 and No. 333-210736) of 51job, Inc. of our report dated March 31, 2017 relating to the consolidated 
financial statements and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, which appears in this Annual Report on 
Form 20-F.

Exhibit 15.3

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers Zhong Tian LLP

PricewaterhouseCoopers Zhong Tian LLP
Shanghai, the People’s Republic of China
March 31, 2017

jobs-20161231.xml

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