Fanhua Inc.
Annual Report 2019

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UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 FORM 20-F (Mark One) REGISTRATION STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OR 12(g) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 OR ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019. OR TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 OR SHELL COMPANY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 Date of event requiring this shell company report. . . . . . . . . . . . . . For the transition period from to Commission file number: 001-33768 FANHUA 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) 27/F, Pearl River Tower No. 15 West Zhujiang Road Guangzhou, Guangdong 510623 People’s Republic of China (Address of principal executive offices) Peng Ge, Chief Financial Officer Tel: +86 20 83883033 E-mail: gepeng@fanhuaholdings.com Fax: +86 20 83883181 27/F, Pearl River Tower No. 15 West Zhujiang Road Guangzhou, Guangdong 510623 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 Ticker Symbol(s) Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered Ordinary shares, par value US$0.001 per share* American depositary shares, each representing 20 ordinary shares FANH The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC (The NASDAQ Global Select Market) *Not for trading, but only in connection with the listing on The NASDAQ Global Select Market of American depositary shares, each representing 20 ordinary shares. Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None (Title of Class) Securities for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Act: None (Title of Class) 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. 1,353,891,784 ordinary shares, par value US$0.001 per share as of December 31, 2019 Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes No If this report is an annual or transition report, indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Yes No Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes No Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes No Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non- accelerated filer, or an emerging growth company. See definition of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one): Large accelerated filer Non-accelerated filer Accelerated filer Emerging growth company If an emerging growth company that prepares its financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards † provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. † The term “new or revised financial accounting standard” refers to any update issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board to its Accounting Standards Codification after April 5, 2012. Indicate by check mark which basis of accounting the registrant has used to prepare the financial statements included in this filing: U.S. GAAP by the International Accounting Standards Board International Financial Reporting Standards as issued Other If “Other” has been checked in response to the previous question, indicate by check mark which financial statement item the registrant has elected to follow. Item 17 Item 18 If this is an annual report, indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes No (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. Yes No TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................ 1 PART I 2 Item 1. Identity of Directors, Senior Management and Advisers .................................. 2 Item 2. Offer Statistics and Expected Timetable ........................................................... 2 Item 3. Key Information ................................................................................................ 2 Information on the Company .......................................................................... 37 Item 4. Item 4A. Unresolved Staff Comments ............................................................................ 64 Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects ............................................. 64 Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employees .............................................. 87 Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions .................................... 98 Item 8. Financial Information .....................................................................................100 Item 9. The Offer and Listing .....................................................................................102 Item 10. Additional Information...................................................................................102 Item 11. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk .......................113 Item 12. Description of Securities Other than Equity Securities .................................114 PART II .........................................................................................................................................116 Item 13. Defaults, Dividend Arrearages and Delinquencies .........................................116 Item 14. Material Modifications to the Rights of Security Holders and Use of Proceeds ..........................................................................................................116 Item 15. Controls and Procedures ................................................................................116 Item 16A. Audit Committee Financial Expert ................................................................119 Item 16B. Code of Ethics .................................................................................................119 Item 16C. Principal Accountant Fees and Services.........................................................119 Item 16D. Exemptions from the Listing Standards for Audit Committees ....................120 Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer ...................................................................120 Item 16G. Corporate Governance ...................................................................................121 Item 16H. Mine Safety Disclosure ...................................................................................122 PART III ........................................................................................................................................122 Item 17. Financial Statements.......................................................................................122 Item 18. Financial Statements.......................................................................................122 Item 19. Exhibits ...........................................................................................................123 In this annual report, unless the context otherwise requires: INTRODUCTION        “we,” “us,” “our company,” “our” or “Fanhua” refer to Fanhua Inc., formerly known as CNinsure Inc., its subsidiaries and consolidated affiliated entities, if applicable; “China” or “PRC” refers to the People’s Republic of China, excluding, solely for the purpose of this annual report, Taiwan, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and Macau Special Administrative Region; “provinces” of China refers to the 22 provinces, the four municipalities directly administered by the central government (Beijing, Shanghai, Tianjin and Chongqing), the five autonomous regions (Xinjiang, Tibet, Inner Mongolia, Ningxia and Guangxi), excluding, solely for the purpose of this annual report, Taiwan, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and Macau Special Administrative Region; “shares” or “ordinary shares” refers to our ordinary shares, par value US$0.001 per share; “ADSs” refers to our American depositary shares, each of which represents 20 ordinary shares; all references to “RMB” or “Renminbi” are to the legal currency of China, all references to “US$” and “U.S. dollars” are to the legal currency of the United States and all references to “HK$” and “HK dollars” are to the legal currency of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; and all discrepancies in any table between the amounts identified as total amounts and the sum of the amounts listed therein are due to rounding. -1- 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 selected consolidated statements of income data for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2018 and 2019 and the consolidated balance sheets data as of December 31, 2018 and 2019 have been derived from our audited consolidated financial statements, which are included in this annual report beginning on page F-1. The selected consolidated statements of income data for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2016 and the selected consolidated balance sheets data as of December 31, 2015, 2016 and 2017 have been derived from our consolidated financial statements, which are not included in this annual report. Our historical results do not necessarily indicate results expected for any future periods. The selected consolidated financial data should be read in conjunction with, and are qualified in their entirety by reference to, our audited consolidated financial statements and related notes and “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects” below. Our audited consolidated financial statements are prepared and presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. In November 2017, we disposed of Fanhua Bocheng Insurance Brokerage Co., Ltd., or Bocheng, which was the primary operating entity of our insurance brokerage segment. Accordingly, the insurance brokerage segment was accounted as discontinued operations. Consolidated statements of operations for the years ended 2015 and 2016 as presented below have been restated to conform to the current presentation. -2- 2015 RMB For the Year Ended December 31, 2016 2017 2018 2019 RMB (in thousands, except shares, per share and per ADS data) RMB RMB RMB US$ (in thousands, except shares, per share and per ADS data) Consolidated Statements of Income Data Net revenues: Agency ............................................................... Life insurance business ................................... P&C insurance business ................................. Claims adjusting ................................................ 2,155,264 319,916 1,835,348 303,846 3,746,471 990,541 2,755,930 336,413 3,780,217 2,424,444 1,355,773 308,256 3,143,873 2,870,776 273,097 327,390 3,335,397 3,193,625 141,772 370,606 479,100 458,736 20,364 53,234 Total net revenues ........................................... 2,459,110 4,082,884 4,088,473 3,471,263 3,706,003 532,334 Operating costs and expenses: Agency ............................................................... Life insurance business ................................... P&C insurance business ................................. Claims adjusting ................................................ (181,370) (199,810) (194,525) (1,675,262) (2,906,791) (2,864,882) (2,151,856) (205,313) (673,230) (1,636,340) (1,469,949) (2,233,561) (1,228,542) (1,943,053) (208,803) (194,159) (2,263,952) (2,166,126) (97,826) (219,496) (325,196) (311,144) (14,052) (31,529) Total operating costs ....................................... (1,856,632) (3,106,601) (3,059,407) (2,346,015) (2,483,448) (356,725) Selling expenses(1) ............................................. General and administrative expenses(1) ............ (125,041) (387,362) (502,802) (221,785) (448,989) (481,947) (231,075) (534,145) (278,085) (475,107) (39,944) (68,245) Total operating costs and expenses .................. (2,430,662) (4,091,350) (3,815,337) (3,045,520) (3,236,640) (464,914) Income (loss) from continuing operations ...... 28,448 (8,466) 273,136 425,743 469,363 67,420 Other income, net: Investment income ............................................ Interest income................................................... Others, net .......................................................... Income from continuing operations before income income and share of impairment of affiliates, net and discontinued operations ............................................................. taxes, Income tax expense .............................................. Share of income of affiliates ................................ Net income from continuing operations .......... Net income from discontinued operations, net of tax ...................................................................... 65,624 57,206 20,964 115,275 6,901 10,341 191,784 25,891 14,284 195,456 34,207 11,807 79,070 2,828 9,664 11,358 406 1,388 172,242 124,051 505,095 667,213 (25,553) (27,249) (167,803) (224,586) 26,924 173,613 48,293 145,095 108,944 446,236 174,468 617,095 560,925 80,572 (143,816) (20,658) (224,555) (32,255) 192,554 27,659 41,868 22,543 5,480 — — — Net income ........................................................... 215,481 167,638 451,716 617,095 Less: Net income attributable to the noncontrolling interests ........................................ Net income attributable to the Company’s shareholders......................................................... Net income per share: Basic: .................................................................. Net income from continuing operation ............ Net income from discontinued operation ......... Net income ........................................................ Diluted: ............................................................... Net income from continuing operation ............ Net income from discontinued operation ......... Net income ........................................................ Net income per ADS: Basic: .................................................................. Net income from continuing operation ............ Net income from discontinued operation ......... 5,395 10,591 2,488 7,180 210,086 157,047 449,228 609,915 0.14 0.04 0.18 0.14 0.03 0.17 2.92 0.73 0.12 0.02 0.14 0.11 0.02 0.13 2.32 0.39 -3- 0.36 0.00 0.36 0.36 0.00 0.36 7.20 0.09 0.49 0.00 0.49 0.49 0.00 0.49 9.84 0.00 192,554 27,659 3,622 520 188,932 27,139 0.17 0.00 0.17 0.17 0.00 0.17 3.46 0.00 0.02 0.00 0.02 0.02 0.00 0.02 0.50 0.00 Net income ........................................................ Diluted: ............................................................... Net income from continuing operation ............ Net income from discontinued operation Net income ........................................................ Shares used in calculating net income per share: 2015 RMB 3.65 2.79 0.70 3.49 For the Year Ended December 31, 2016 2017 2018 2019 RMB (in thousands, except shares, per share and per ADS data) RMB RMB RMB 2.71 2.23 0.37 2.60 7.29 7.20 0.09 7.29 9.84 9.83 0.00 9.83 3.46 3.46 0.00 3.46 US$ 0.50 0.50 0.00 0.50 (in thousands, except shares, per share and per ADS data) Basic .............................................................. 1,151,705,374 1,160,592,325 1,231,698,725 1,239,264,464 1,092,601,338 1,092,601,338 Diluted ........................................................... 1,203,323,521 1,208,821,796 1,261,223,049 1,240,854,034 1,093,229,436 1,093,229,436 (1) Including share-based compensation expenses of RMB17.7 million, RMB4.9 million, nil, nil and RMB0.4 million in aggregate for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019, respectively. As of December 31, 2015 RMB 2016 RMB 2017 RMB 2018 RMB 2019 RMB US$ (in thousands) 1,115,172 3,513,061 4,014,428 488,448 580,859 116,139 3,433,569 4,014,428 236,952 3,694,564 4,238,568 747,119 834,474 117,242 3,404,094 4,238,568 363,746 4,132,527 4,737,742 661,860 749,349 111,342 3,988,393 4,737,742 772,823 3,061,107 3,866,611 905,583 1,119,885 113,543 2,746,726 3,866,611 169,653 2,681,751 3,440,843 947,974 1,396,375 113,182 2,044,468 3,440,843 24,369 385,210 494,246 136,168 200,576 16,258 293,670 494,246 Consolidated Balance Sheet Data: Cash and cash equivalents .................................... Total current assets................................................ Total assets ............................................................ Total current liabilities .......................................... Total liabilities....................................................... Noncontrolling interests........................................ Total equity ............................................................ Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity............. Exchange Rate Information Our business is primarily conducted in China and all of our revenues are denominated in RMB. This annual report contains translations of RMB amounts into U.S. dollars at specific rates solely for the convenience of the readers. Unless otherwise noted, all translations from RMB to U.S. dollars in this annual report were made at a rate of RMB6.9618 to US$1.00, the noon buying rate in effect as of December 31, 2019 in The City of New York for cable transfers of RMB, as set forth in H.10 weekly statistical release of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. We make no representation that any RMB or U.S. dollar amounts could have been, or could be, converted into U.S. dollars or RMB, as the case may be, at any particular rate, or at all. The PRC government imposes control over its foreign currency reserves in part through direct regulation of the conversion of RMB into foreign exchange and through restrictions on foreign trade. On April 24, 2020, the noon buying rate was RMB7.0813 to US$1.00. B. Capitalization and Indebtedness Not Applicable. C. Reasons for the Offer and Use of Proceeds Not Applicable. -4- D. Risk Factors Risks Related to Our Business and Industry If and when our contracts with insurance companies are suspended or changed, our business and operating results will be materially and adversely affected. We primarily act as agents for insurance companies in distributing their products to retail customers. We also provide claims adjusting services principally to insurance companies. Our relationships with the insurance companies are governed by agreements between us and the insurance companies. We have entered into strategic partnership agreements with most of our major insurance company partners for the distribution of life, property and casualty insurance products and the provision of claims adjusting services at the corporate headquarters level. While this approach allows us to obtain more favorable terms from insurance companies by combining the sales volumes and service fees of all of our subsidiaries operating insurance agency and claims adjusting businesses, it also means that the termination of a major contract could have a material adverse effect on our business. Under the framework of the headquarter-to- headquarter agreements, our subsidiaries operating insurance agency and claims adjusting businesses generally also enter into contracts at a local level with the respective provincial, city and district branches of the insurance companies. Generally, each branch of these insurance companies has independent authority to enter into contracts with our relevant subsidiaries, and the termination of a contract with one branch has no significant effect on our contracts with the other branches. See “Item 4. Information on the Company — B. Business Overview — Insurance Company Partners.” These contracts establish, among other things, the scope of our authority, the pricing of the insurance products we distribute and our fee rates. These contracts typically have a term of one year and certain contracts can be terminated by the insurance companies with little advance notice. Moreover, before or upon expiration of a contract, the insurance company that is a party to that contract may agree to renew it only with changes in material terms, including the amount of commissions and fees we receive, which could reduce our revenues to be generated from that contract. For the year ended December 31, 2019, our top five insurance company partners were Huaxia Life Insurance Co., Ltd., or Huaxia, Aeon Life Insurance Co., Ltd., or Aeon, Sinatay Life Insurance Co., Ltd., or Sinatay, Tian'an Life Insurance Co., Ltd., or Tian'an, and Evergrande Life Insurance Co., Ltd., or Evergrande. Among these top five partners, each of Huaxia, Aeon, Sinatay, Tian'an accounted for more than 10% of our total net revenues individually in 2019, with Huaxia accounting for 23.8%, Aeon accounting for 18.3%, Sinatay accounting for 16.1% and Tian'an accounting for 12.1%, respectively. If we fail to attract and retain productive agents, especially entrepreneurial agents, and qualified claims adjustors, our business and operating results could be materially and adversely affected. All of our sales of life insurance products and a substantial portion of our sales of property and casualty insurance products are conducted through our individual sales agents, who are not our employees. Some of these sales agents are significantly more productive than others in generating sales. In recent years, some entrepreneurial management staff or senior sales agents of major insurance companies in China have chosen to leave their employers or principals and become independent agents. We refer to these individuals as entrepreneurial agents. An entrepreneurial agent is usually able to assemble and lead a team of sales agents. We have been actively recruiting and will continue to recruit entrepreneurial agents to join our distribution and service network as our sales agents. Entrepreneurial agents have been instrumental to the development of our life insurance business. In addition, we rely entirely on our in-house claims adjustors to provide claims adjusting services. Because claims adjustment requires technical skills, the technical competence of claims adjustors is essential to establishing and maintaining our brand image and relationships with our customers. As of December 31, 2019, we had 670,104 sales agents and 1,627 claim adjustors. Out of the 670,104 sales agents, 394,327 were performing agents, who have sold at least one insurance policy in 2019. The number of performing agents who have sold at least one life insurance policy in 2019 was 131,326. If we -5- are unable to attract and retain the core group of highly productive sales agents, particularly entrepreneurial agents, and qualified claims adjustors, our business could be materially and adversely affected. Competition for sales personnel and claims adjustors from insurance companies and other insurance intermediaries may also force us to increase the compensation of our sales agents, in-house sales representatives and claims adjustors, which would increase operating costs and reduce our profitability. If our stock price is below certain levels after five years, the structure of our 521 plan may adversely affect our business and results of operations. On June 14, 2018, we obtained approval from our board of directors, or the Board, to implement a plan, or the 521 Plan, which enables eligible participants to invest in the Company by purchasing a total of 14 million of the Company’s ADSs at a price of US$27.38 per ADS. Eligible participants in the 521 Plan include certain entrepreneurial team leaders, general managers of our provincial branches or subsidiaries, and key managerial personnel, excluding senior management, or collectively, the Participants. 10% of the total subscription cost of the shares under the 521 Plan was contributed by the Participants and the remaining portion was funded by loans granted to the Participants by the Company, which bears an interest at a rate of 8% per annum. Dividends distributed by the Company to which the Participants are entitled to receive will be used to pay back interest on the loans when the loans are outstanding. Shares beneficially owned by the Participants under the 521 Plan are pledged to the Company by the Participants to secure the payment of the loans. These Participants must fulfill certain performance goals within the five-year period from 2019 to 2023 in order to enjoy the full increase in the value of the ADSs, and their ADSs will be subject to a five-year lock-up period. Since we announced the 521 Plan on June 14, 2018, the price of our ADSs has dropped from US$36.8 to US$19.580 on April 28, 2020, and fluctuated in between, largely affected by, among other things, impact from the Covid-19 outbreak, uncertainty around the Sino-US trade tension and concerns about a softening macroeconomic environment in China and abroad. If our stock price continues to fall or otherwise remains below the subscription cost of US$27.38 per ADS over the next several years, it may dampen the morale of the Participants and thereby adversely affect our business and results of operations. In addition, the Participants may default on the loans we provide to them under the 521 Plan. Although the stocks held by the Participants under the 521 Plan are pledged to secure the payment of the loans which will mature at the end of the five-year lock-up period, with a continued drop in stock price, some Participants may choose not to repay the loans and interests at the end of the lock-up period or upon termination of their employment or agent arrangement with us. The Company may have to collect the loans by selling the pledged shares, and there is no guarantee that the proceeds from the sales of the shares would be adequate to pay back the principal and interest due under the loans and therefore may cause losses to the Company. If our investments in our mobile and online platforms are not successful, our business and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected. We have devoted significant efforts to developing and managing our mobile and online platforms. On January 1, 2012, we launched Baowang (www.baoxian.com), an online insurance platform which allows customers to search for and purchase a wide range of commoditized insurance products, including accident insurance, short-term medical insurance, travel insurance and homeowner insurance from various insurance carriers. In October 2012, we launched CNpad Auto, the mobile workstation of our proprietary sales support system, which enables sales agents to help their clients place auto insurance underwritten by multiple different insurance carriers on their mobile devices., and to apply for and complete the purchase of the policy that best suits their clients’ needs anywhere and anytime. In August 2014, we unveiled eHuzhu (www.ehuzhu.com), an online mutual aid platform that provides risk-protection programs on a mutual commitment basis among program members. In August 2014, we also rolled out Chetong.net (www.chetong.net), an online-to-offline public service platform that integrates claims services and auto service resources from around the country including services such as damage assessment and loss estimations. In September 2017, we launched Lan Zhanggui, an internet-based all-in-one platform which integrates several of our existing online platforms and allows our agents to access and purchase a wide variety of insurance products, including life insurance, auto insurance, accident insurance, travel insurance -6- and standard health insurance products from multiple insurance companies on their mobile devices. In the next few years, we intend to continue to devote resources to maintaining and improving the technology and content of our existing online and mobile initiatives. However, our efforts to develop our mobile and online platforms may not be successful or yield the benefits that we anticipate. In addition, our expansion may depend on a number of factors, many of which are beyond our control, including but not limited to:   the effectiveness of our marketing campaigns to build brand recognition among consumers and our ability to attract and retain customers; the acceptance of third-party e-commerce platforms as an effective channel for underwriters to distribute their insurance products;  the acceptance of Lan Zhanggui and CNpad Auto as effective tools by sales agents;  public concerns over security of e-commerce transactions and confidentiality of information;    increased competition from insurance companies which directly sell insurance products through their own websites, call centers, portal websites which provide insurance product information and links to insurance companies’ websites, and other professional insurance intermediary companies which may launch independent websites in the future; further improvement in our information technology system designed to facilitate smoother online transactions; and further development and changes in applicable rules and regulations which may increase our operating costs and expenses, impede the execution of our business plan or change the competitive landscape. On July 22, 2015, the China Insurance Regulatory Commission, or CIRC, promulgated the Interim Measures for the Supervision of Internet Insurance Business, or Interim Measures, which became effective on November 1, 2015, and sets forth the qualifications and procedures for insurance intermediaries to operate internet insurance businesses in China. As advised by our PRC counsel, we have obtained the necessary approvals and licenses and our operations meet the qualification requirements of the Interim Measures. Since online insurance distribution has emerged only recently in China and is evolving rapidly, the Chinese Banking and Insurance Regulatory Committee, or CBIRC may promulgate and implement new rules and regulations to govern this sector from time to time. On December 13, 2019, the CBIRC published a Draft Measures on the Supervision of Internet Insurance Business to seek public opinions, or the Draft Measures, which intends to replace the Interim Measures. The Draft Measures provides clarity on the qualifications of entities which are allowed to operate online insurance business and sets higher requirements on entities which intend to engage in online insurance business. For example, the Draft Measures requires that both insurance institutions and their self-operated online platforms shall obtain ICP licenses or make ICP filing. According to the Draft Measures, “self-operated online platform” refers to the information system established by an insurance institution for the purpose of engaging in internet insurance business and does not include any online platform established by the branch or affiliate of an insurance institution We operate part of our online insurance distribution business through www.baoxian.com. Currently, our wholly-owned subsidiary Shenzhen Baowang E-Commerce Co., Ltd., or Shenzhen Baowang, owns the domain name of www.baoxian.com and holds an ICP license, which may be deemed non-compliant with new regulatory requirements once the Draft Measures is enacted since Shenzhen Baowang does not hold any insurance operating license although it is directly owned by Fanhua Century which holds a national insurance agency operating license. In addition, insurance institutions engaged in online insurance business shall have IT systems that are certified as Safety Level III Computer Information Systems, or Safety Level III. We are currently in the process of making rectification. Net revenues from Baowang (www.baoxian.com) accounted for 3.3% of our total net revenues in 2019. If we are not able to rectify non-compliance incidents on a timely basis and remain fully compliant, the business operation of Baowang could be suspended which may adversely impact our business results of operation. -7- In addition, the Draft Measures, if enacted, will also apply to insurance consultation and sales activities conducted by insurance institutions and their sales agents in the manners of offline face-to-face meetings, online communication, voice calls, telemarketing and/or media advertisement, with web links provided to potential insurance customers to complete the purchase and any other sales activities conducted through a combination of online and offline methods. The sales activities of our sales agents heavily rely on our mobile sales support applications, Lan Zhanggui and CNpad Auto, to engage with customers both online and offline and complete transaction processing online. If such sales activities are deemed internet insurance business, our operating entities of Lan Zhanggui and CNpad Atuo would be subject to the same regulatory requirements under the Draft Measures as imposed on Shenzhen Baowang. Specifically, the operating entities of Lan Zhanggui and CNpad APP may be required to hold both an insurance intermediary license, and an ICP license or make ICP filing, and their information systems would be required to obtain Safty Level III Certification. If we cannot obtain all necessary licenses and approval on a timely basis, our results of operation would be materially and adversely affected. There are uncertainties with regard to how the changing laws, regulations and regulatory requirements would apply to our business. We cannot assure you that our operations will remain fully compliant with the changes in and further development of regulations applicable to us or we will be able to obtain the necessary approvals and licenses as required in a timely manner. Any failure to successfully identify the risks as part of our expansion into the online and mobile insurance distribution business may have a material adverse impact on our growth, business prospects and results of operations, which could lead to a decline in the price of our ADSs. All of our personnel engaging in insurance agency, or claims adjusting activities are required under relevant PRC regulations to register with the CBIRC’s Insurance Intermediaries Regulatory Information System and obtain a Practice Certificate issued by the insurance company or insurance intermediary to which he or she belongs. If our sales personnel fail to register or obtain a Practice Certificate, our business may be materially and adversely affected. All of our personnel who engage in insurance agency and claims adjusting activities are required under relevant PRC regulations to be registered with the CBIRC’s Insurance Intermediary Regulatory Information System, or the IIRIS, and obtain a “Practice Certificate” issued by the insurance company or insurance intermediary company to which he or she belongs. See “Item 4. Information on the Company — B. Business Overview — Regulation.” In addition, we understand that the CBIRC requires that every sales agent or claims adjustor to carry the Practice Certificate and other credentials showing specified information when conducting agency and claims adjusting activities. Under the relevant PRC regulations, such as the Measures for the Supervision and Administration of Insurance Sales Personnel issued in January 2013 and Provisions on the Supervision of Insurance Claims Adjusting Firms issued by the CIRC in February 2018, an insurance agency or claims adjusting firm that retains a personnel who has not obtained its Practice Certificate to engage in insurance intermediary activities may be subject to warning and fines ranging from RMB10,000 to RMB30,000 per intermediary by the CBIRC (formerly CIRC). On March 12, 2019, the CBIRC issued a Notice for Professional Insurance Intermediaries to Conduct the Verification of Sales Personnel’s Practice Registration, requiring all insurance intermediary institutions to properly register the information of their newly recruited sales personnel with the IIRIS and complete self-check and verification of the IIRIS registration of all existing sales personnel affiliated with them, by July 31, 2019. Certain of our subsidiaries have received fines for failure to register some of our sales personnel’s information with the IIRIS, which were not material to us. If the CBIRC continues to strictly enforce these regulations and the notice, and if a substantial portion of our sales force were found to have not obtained practice certificates, our business may be adversely affected. Moreover, we may be subject to fines and other administrative proceedings for the failure by our sales agents or sales representatives to register with the CBIRC and obtain the necessary practice certificates. Such fines or administrative proceedings could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. -8- Material changes in the regulatory environment could change the competitive landscape of our industry or require us to change the way we do business. The administration, interpretation and enforcement of the laws and regulations currently applicable to us could change rapidly. If we fail to comply with applicable laws and regulations, we may be subject to civil and criminal penalties or lose the ability to conduct our business. We operate in a highly regulated industry. The laws and regulations applicable to us are evolving and may change rapidly, which could change the competitive environment of our industry significantly and cause us to lose some or all of our competitive advantages. For example, the PRC Insurance Law and related regulations were amended in 2002, 2009, 2014 and 2015. The 2015 amendments involved a number of significant changes to the regulatory regime, including eliminating the requirement for any insurance agent, broker or claims adjusting practitioners to obtain a qualification certificate issued by the CIRC. The elimination of the certificate requirement may result in an increase in competition for our business and in misconduct by sales or service personnel, in particularly sales misrepresentation. In addition, the general increase misconduct in the industry could potentially harm the reputation of the industry and have an adverse impact on our business. In recent years, the CBIRC and its predecessor has increasingly tightened regulations and supervision of the Chinese insurance market. For example, on April 2, 2019, the CBIRC issued a Notice to Rectify the Irregularities in the Insurance Intermediary Market in 2019, requiring all insurance companies and insurance intermediaries to conduct self-check on various practices in violation of relevant regulations. Although we believe we have not had any material violations to date, we could be required to spend significant time and resources in complying with the requirement and the attention of our management team and key employees could be diverted to these efforts, which may adversely affect our business operations. On July 10, 2017, the CIRC, the predecessor of CBIRC, promulgated the Interim Measures on Retrospective Management of Insurance Sales Behaviors, effective November 1, 2017 which required ancillary insurance agencies to take video and audio-recording, or double-recording for the sales of all insurance products that they facilitate and other insurance distribution channels to take double-recording for the sales of investment linked insurance products and for sale of life insurance products with a payment period of more than one year to the elderly of over 60 years old. On June 11, 2019, Jiangsu Branch of the CBIRC published the Notice on Deepening the Implementation of the Retrospective Management of Personal Insurance Sales Behaviors or the Notice, requiring all insurance companies and insurance intermediary companies to start double-recording process for all long-term personal insurance products in Jiangsu Province starting from October 1, 2019. Ningbo Branch of the CBIRC implemented similar rule in Ningbo, Zhejiang Province starting from January 1, 2020. Since the implementation of the rules, as substantially all of the life and health insurance products we distribute are long-term personal insurance products, our sales in these two regions have dropped substantially. Although the implementation of these rules have been temporarily suspended due to the COVID-19 outbreak, the resumption in the implementation of these rules will adversely impact our sales activities in these two regions and if similar rules are implemented nationwide, our compliance cost may be increased and our business and results of operations may be adversely affected. On March 13, 2018, the CIRC and CBRC merged to form the CBIRC. The CBIRC has extensive authority to supervise and regulate the insurance industry in China. In exercising its authority, the CBIRC is given wide discretion, and the administration, interpretation and enforcement of the laws and regulations applicable to us involve uncertainties that could materially and adversely affect our business and results of operations. The People’s Bank of China and other government agencies may promulgate new rules governing online financial services. In July 2015, ten government agencies including the People’s Bank of China, the Ministry of Finance and CIRC promulgated a guidance letter on how to promote the healthy growth of internet financial services, which set forth the principles of supervision based on the rule of law, appropriate level of regulation, proper categorization, cooperation among different government agencies and promoting innovation. Not only may the laws and regulations applicable to us change rapidly, but also -9- it may sometimes be unclear how they apply to our business. For example, the laws and regulations applicable to our online and mobile platforms may be unclear. Our products or services may be determined or alleged to be in violation of the applicable laws and regulations. Any failure of our products or services to comply with these laws and regulations could result in substantial civil or criminal liability, adversely affect demand for our services, invalidate all or a portion of our customer contracts, require us to change or terminate some of our businesses, require us to refund a portion of our services fees, or cause us to be disqualified from serving customers, and therefore could have a material and adverse effect on our business. Although we have not had any material violations to date, we cannot assure you that our operations will always comply with the interpretation and enforcement of the laws and regulations implemented by the CBIRC. Any determination by a provincial or national government authority that our activities or those of our vendors or customers violate any of these laws could subject us to civil or criminal penalties, could require us to change or terminate some of our operations or business, or could disqualify us from providing services to insurance companies or other customers; and, thus could have an adverse effect on our business. Our business could be negatively impacted if we are unable to adapt our services to regulatory changes in China. China’s insurance regulatory regime is undergoing significant changes. Some of these changes and the further development of regulations applicable to us may result in additional restrictions on our activities or more intensive competition in this industry. For example, the CIRC, the predecessor of CBIRC, issued notices in September 2016 and May 2017 to further reinforce the regulation of life insurance products by requiring insurance companies to revise or improve the design of a number of insurance products. For instance, insurance companies are required to (i) increase the death benefit coverage for insurance products including individual term life insurance, individual endowment insurance and individual whole life insurance products, and (ii) seek CIRC approval for universal insurance products with a guaranteed interest rate of above 3%. CIRC also required that (i) whole life insurance, annuity insurance and care insurance products must not be designed as short-to-medium term products, (ii) the first payment of survival insurance benefits for endowment products and annuity products must only occur after five years since the policy has become effective, and the annual payment or partial payment must not exceed 20% of the paid premiums, and (iii) insurance companies must not design universal insurance products or investment-linked insurance products in the form of riders. These new requirements apply to a number of annuity products sold by us. As a result, sales of annuity products dropped significantly in 2018. Pursuant to a notice issued by the CBIRC in August 2019, insurance companies must seek approval for annuity insurance products with the assumed valuation interest rate of above 3.5%. In November 2019, the CBIRC requested 13 insurance companies to terminate the sales of their annuity insurance products with 4.025% interest rate by December 31, 2019. Several of our major insurance company partners have subsequently terminated their high-interest rate annuity products. While the cessation of higher interest-rate annuity products boosted the sales prior to the cessation, the sales of annuity products dropped substantially afterwards. Any change in regulatory requirements that make our products less attractive to consumers or disrupt product supply, our business results of operations could fluctuated significantly and be adversely affected. Our financial results could be negatively impacted if we are unable to maintain the business volume of our insurance agency business after shifting our focus from property and casualty insurance products to life insurance products. We have gradually shifted the focus of our insurance agency business from property and casualty insurance products to life insurance products since 2016. This shift was reflected in our financial results. Net revenues generated from our property and casualty insurance agency business decreased from RMB2,755.9 million in 2016, representing 67.5% of total net revenues, to RMB141.8 million (US$20.4 million) in 2019, representing 3.8% of total net revenues. Net revenues generated from our life insurance business increased from RMB990.5 million in 2016, representing 24.3% of total net revenues, to RMB3,193.6 million (US$458.7 million) in 2019, representing 86.2% of total net revenues. -10- The markets for our insurance agency business are rapidly evolving and are subject to significant challenges. Our business plan relies heavily upon a stable existing customer base and our ability to expand such customer base. While we continue to adjust our business to adapt to market trends and satisfy the needs of our customers, it may be difficult to evaluate our business and growth prospects, and we may not succeed in any of these efforts. In addition, we face intense competition from other insurance intermediaries that distribute life insurance products, as well as other insurance companies and financial institutions that sell life insurance products directly to customers in China. If we are not able to adapt to and respond to these increasingly competitive pressures after shifting the focus of our insurance agency segment to life insurance products, our growth may slow down, which could materially and adversely affect our earnings. We may be unsuccessful in identifying and acquiring suitable acquisition targets, which could adversely affect our growth. We may pursue acquisition of companies that can complement our existing business, diversify our product offerings and improve our customers’ experience in the future. However, there is no assurance that we can successfully identify suitable acquisition candidates. Even if we identify suitable candidates, we may not be able to complete an acquisition on terms that are commercially acceptable to us. Our competitors may be able to outbid us for these acquisition targets. If we are unable to complete acquisitions, our growth strategy may be impeded and our earnings or revenue growth may be negatively affected. Competition in our industry is intense and, if we are unable to compete effectively with both existing and new market participants, we may lose customers and our financial results may be negatively affected. The insurance intermediary industry in China is highly competitive, and we expect competition to persist and intensify as more technology companies and other online insurance intermediaries enter the market. In insurance product distribution, we face competition from insurance companies that use their in- house sales force, exclusive sales agents, telemarketing and internet channels to distribute their products, from business entities that distribute insurance products on an ancillary basis, such as commercial banks, postal offices and automobile dealerships, as well as from other traditional or online insurance intermediaries. In our claims adjusting business, we primarily compete with other independent claims adjusting firms. We compete for customers on the basis of product offerings, customer services and reputation. Many of our competitors, both existing and newly emerging, have greater financial and marketing resources than we do and may be able to offer products and services that we do not currently offer and may not offer in the future. If we are unable to compete effectively against those competitors, we may lose customers and our financial results may be negatively affected. Because the commission and fee we earn on the sale of insurance products is based on premiums, commission and fee rates set by insurance companies, any decrease in these premiums, commission or fee rates may have an adverse effect on our results of operations. We are engaged in the life insurance, property and casualty insurance and claims adjusting businesses and derive revenues primarily from commissions and fees paid by the insurance companies whose policies our customers purchase and to whom we provide claims adjusting services. Our commission and fee rates are set by insurance companies and are based on the premiums that the insurance companies charge or the amount recovered by insurance companies. Commission and fee rates and premiums can change based on the prevailing economic, regulatory, taxation-related and competitive factors that affect insurance companies. These factors, which are not within our control, include the ability of insurance companies to place new business, underwriting and non-underwriting profits of insurance companies, consumer demand for insurance products, the availability of comparable products from other insurance companies at a lower cost, the availability of alternative insurance products such as government benefits and self-insurance plans, as well as the tax deductibility of commissions and fees and the consumers themselves. In addition, premium rates for certain insurance products, such as the mandatory automobile liability insurance that each automobile owner in the PRC is legally required to purchase, are tightly regulated by CBIRC. -11- Because we do not determine, and cannot predict, the timing or extent of premium or commission and fee rate changes, we cannot predict the effect any of these changes may have on our operations. Any decrease in premiums or commission and fee rates may significantly affect our profitability. In addition, our budget for future acquisitions, capital expenditures and other expenditures may be disrupted by unexpected decreases in revenues caused by decreases in premiums or commission and fee rates, thereby adversely affecting our operations. Quarterly and annual variations in our commission and fee revenue may unexpectedly impact our results of operations. Our commission and fee revenue is subject to both quarterly and annual fluctuations as a result of the seasonality of our business, the timing of policy renewals and the net effect of new and lost business. During any given year, our commission and fee revenue derived from distribution of property and casualty insurance products is highest during the fourth quarter and is lowest during the first quarter. Life insurance commission revenue is usually the highest in the first quarter and lowest in the fourth quarter of any given year as much of the jumpstart sales activities of life insurance companies occurs in January and February during which life insurance companies would increase their sales efforts by offering more incentives for insurance agents and insurance intermediaries to increase sales, while the preparation for the jumpstart sales starts in the fourth quarter of each year. This general seasonality trend is expected to be affected by the recent COVID-19 outbreak, which is expected to reduce our first year life insurance commission revenue during the first quarter of 2020. The factors that cause the quarterly and annual variations are not within our control. Specifically, regulatory changes to product design may result in cessation of products from time to time and cause quarterly fluctuation in the results of our operations. In addition, consumer demand for insurance products can influence the timing of renewals, new business and lost business, which generally includes policies that are not renewed, and cancellations. As a result, you may not be able to rely on quarterly or annual comparisons of our operating results as an indication of our future performance. Our operating structure may make it difficult to respond quickly to operational or financial problems, which could negatively affect our financial results. We currently operate through our wholly-owned or majority-owned insurance agencies and claims adjusting firms and their branches located in 31 provinces in China. These companies report their results to our corporate headquarters monthly. If these companies delay either reporting results or informing corporate headquarters of negative business developments such as losses of relationships with insurance companies, regulatory inquiries or any other negative events, we may not be able to take action to remedy the situation in a timely fashion. This in turn could have a negative effect on our financial results. In addition, if one of these companies were to report inaccurate financial information, we might not learn of the inaccuracies on a timely basis and be able to take corrective measures promptly, which could negatively affect our ability to report our financial results. Our future success depends on the continuing efforts of our senior management team and other key personnel, and our business may be harmed if we lose their services. Our future success depends heavily upon the continuing services of the members of our senior management team and other key personnel, in particular, Mr. Chunlin Wang, or Mr. Wang, our chairman of the board of directors and chief executive officer, and Mr. Peng Ge, or, Mr. Ge, our chief financial officer. If one or more of our senior executives or other key personnel, are unable or unwilling to continue in their present positions, we may not be able to replace them easily, or at all. As such, our business may be disrupted and our financial condition and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected. Competition for senior management and key personnel in our industry is intense because of a number of factors including the limited pool of qualified candidates. We may not be able to retain the services of our senior executives or key personnel, or attract and retain high-quality senior executives or key personnel in the future. As is customary in the PRC, we do not have insurance coverage for the loss of our senior management team or other key personnel. -12- In addition, if any member of our senior management team or any of our other key personnel joins a competitor or forms a competing company, we may lose customers, sensitive trade information, key professionals and staff members. Each of our executive officers and key employees has entered into an employment agreement with us which contains confidentiality and non-competition provisions. These agreements generally have an initial term of three years, and are automatically extended for successive one- year terms unless terminated earlier pursuant to the terms of the agreement. See “Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employees — A. Directors and Senior Management — Employment Agreements” for a more detailed description of the key terms of these employment agreements. If any disputes arise between any of our senior executives or key personnel and us, we cannot assure you of the extent to which any of these agreements may be enforced. Salesperson and employee misconduct is difficult to detect and deter and could harm our reputation or lead to regulatory sanctions or litigation costs. Salesperson and employee misconduct could result in violations of law by us, regulatory sanctions, litigation or serious reputational or financial harm. Misconduct could include:  making misrepresentations when marketing or selling insurance to customers;        hindering insurance applicants from making full and accurate mandatory disclosures or inducing applicants to make misrepresentations; hiding or falsifying material information in relation to insurance contracts; fabricating or altering insurance contracts without authorization from relevant parties, selling false policies, or providing false documents on behalf of the applicants; falsifying insurance agency business or fraudulently returning insurance policies to obtain commissions; colluding with applicants, insureds, or beneficiaries to obtain insurance benefits; engaging in false claims; or otherwise not complying with laws and regulations or our control policies or procedures. On April 24, 2015, the PRC Insurance Law was amended and consequently on December 3, 2015, the CIRC amended the Provisions on the Supervision of Professional Insurance Agencies, the Provisions on the Supervision of Insurance Brokerages and the Provisions on the Supervision of Insurance Claims Adjusting Firms. These amendments have made a number of significant changes to the regulatory regime, including eliminating the requirement for an insurance agent, broker or claims adjusting practitioner to obtain a qualification certificate issued by the CIRC. The elimination of the certificate requirement may result in an increase in misconduct by sales or service persons, in particularly sales misrepresentation. We have internal policies and procedures to deter salesperson or employee misconduct. However, the measures and precautions we take to prevent and detect these activities may not be effective in all cases. Therefore, salesperson or employee misconduct could lead to a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations or financial condition. In addition, the general increase in misconduct in the industry could potentially harm the reputation of the industry and have an adverse impact on our business. Our investments in certain financial products may not yield the benefits we anticipate or incur financial loss, which could adversely affect our cash position. In order to improve our return on capital, we may from time to time, upon board approval, invest certain portion of our cash in financial products, such as trust products, with terms of half a year to two years. These products may involve various risks, including default risks, interest risks, and other risks. We -13- cannot guarantee these investments will yield the returns we anticipate and we could suffer financial loss resulting from the purchase of these financial products. If we fail to maintain an effective system of internal control over financial reporting, we may not be able to accurately report our financial results or prevent fraud. We are subject to reporting obligations under U.S. securities laws. Pursuant to Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the related rules adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, every public company is required to include a management report on the company’s internal controls over financial reporting in its annual report, which contains management’s assessment of the effectiveness of the company’s internal controls over financial reporting. In addition, an independent registered public accounting firm must attest to and report on the effectiveness of the company’s internal controls over financial reporting. As required by Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and related rules as promulgated by the SEC, our management assessed the effectiveness of the internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2019 using criteria established in “Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013)” issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2019. Previously, our management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was not effective as of December 31, 2018 due to the identification of a material weakness, which was that management review controls designed to address risks associated with complex accounting matters that arise from significant nonroutine transactions to ensure that those transactions are properly accounted for in accordance with U.S. GAAP did not operate effectively. Management took corrective actions for the weakness and implemented procedures to address such weakness during the fiscal year of 2019, concluding that these measures were fully implemented and the material weakness were fully remedied during 2019. See “Item 15. Controls and Procedures.” “Management’s Remediation Plans and Actions” for measures that we have implemented to address this material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting. Although the material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting as described above has been fully remedied during 2019 and our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2019 was concluded to be effective, there is no assurance that we will be able to maintain effective internal control over financial reporting in the future. If we fail to do so, we may not be able to produce reliable financial reports and prevent fraud. Failure to correct a material weakness or failure to discover and address any other control deficiencies could result in inaccuracies in our consolidated financial statements and could also impair our ability to comply with applicable financial reporting requirements and make related regulatory filings on a timely basis. As a result, our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects, as well as the trading price of our ADSs, may be materially and adversely affected. Moreover, if we are not able to conclude that we have effective internal control over financial reporting, investors may lose confidence in the reliability of our financial statements, which would negatively impact the trading price of our ADSs. Our reporting obligations as a public company, including our efforts to comply with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, will continue to place a significant strain on our management, operational and financial resources and systems for the foreseeable future. We may face legal action by former employers or principals of entrepreneurial agents who join our distribution and service network. Competition for productive sales agents is intense within the Chinese insurance industry. When an entrepreneurial agent leaves his or her employer or principal to join our distribution and service network as our sales agent, we may face legal action by his or her former employer or principal of the entrepreneurial agent on the ground of unfair competition or breach of contract. As of the date of this annual report, there has been no such action filed or threatened against us. We cannot assure you that this will not happen in the future. Any such legal actions, regardless of merit, could be expensive and time-consuming and could divert resources and management’s attention from the operation of our business. If we were found liable in such a legal action, we might be required to pay substantial damages to the former employer or principal -14- of the entrepreneurial agent, and our business reputation might be harmed. Moreover, the filing of such a legal action may discourage potential entrepreneurial agents from leaving their employers or principals, thus reducing the number of entrepreneurial agents we can recruit and potentially harming our growth prospects. If we are required to write down goodwill and other intangible assets, our financial condition and results may be materially and adversely affected. When we acquire a business, the amount of the purchase price that is allocated to goodwill and other intangible assets is determined by the excess of the fair value of purchase price and any controlling interest over the net identifiable tangible assets acquired. As of December 31, 2019, goodwill represented RMB109.9 million (US$15.8 million), or 5.7% of our total shareholders’ equity, while other net intangible assets represented less than 0.1% of our total shareholders’ equity. Our management performs impairment assessment annually and we did not recognize any impairment loss between 2015 and 2019. Under current accounting standards, if we determine that goodwill or intangible assets are impaired, we will be required to write down the value of such assets and recognize corresponding impairment charges. As we implement our growth strategy through acquisitions, goodwill and intangible assets may comprise an increasingly larger percentage of our shareholders’ equity. As such, any write-down related to such goodwill and intangible assets may adversely and materially affect our shareholders’ equity and financial results. Any significant failure in our information technology systems could have a material adverse effect on our business and profitability. Our business is highly dependent on the ability of our information technology systems to timely process a large number of transactions across different markets and products at a time when transaction processes have become increasingly complex and the volume of such transactions is growing rapidly. The proper functioning of our financial control, accounting, customer database, customer service and other data processing systems, together with the communication systems of our various subsidiaries and our main offices in Guangzhou, is critical to our business and our ability to compete effectively. Our business activities could be materially disrupted in the event of a partial or complete failure of any of these primary information technology or communication systems, which could be caused by, among other things, software malfunction, computer virus attacks or conversion errors due to system upgrading. In addition, a prolonged failure of our information technology system could damage our reputation and materially and adversely affect our future prospects and profitability. We may face potential liability, loss of customers and damage to our reputation for any failure to protect the confidential information of our customers. Our customer database holds confidential information concerning our customers. We may be unable to prevent third parties, such as hackers or criminal organizations, from stealing information provided by our customers to us. Confidential information of our customers may also be misappropriated or inadvertently disclosed through employee misconduct or mistake. We may also in the future be required to disclose to government authorities certain confidential information concerning our customers. In addition, many of our customers pay for our insurance services through third-party online payment services. In such transactions, maintaining complete security during the transmission of confidential information, such as personal information, is essential to maintaining consumer confidence. We have limited influence over the security measures of third-party online payment service providers. In addition, our third-party merchants may violate their confidentiality obligations and disclose information about our customers. Any compromise of our security or third-party service providers' security could have a material adverse effect on our reputation, business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations. Though we have not experienced any material cybersecurity incidents in the past, if our database were compromised by outside sources or if we are accused of failing to protect the confidential information of -15- our customers, we may be forced to expend significant financial and managerial resources in remedying the situation, defending against these accusations and we may face potential liability. Any negative publicity, especially concerning breaches in our cybersecurity systems, may adversely affect our public image and reputation. Though we take proactive measures to protect against these risks and we believe that our efforts in this area are sufficient for our business, we cannot be certain that such measures will prove effective against all cybersecurity risks. In addition, any perception by the public that online commerce is becoming increasingly unsafe or that the privacy of customer information is vulnerable to attack could inhibit the growth of online services generally, which in turn may reduce the number of our customers. Our business is subject to supplier concentration risks arising from dependence on a single or limited number of suppliers. We derive a significant portion of net revenues from distributing insurance products supplied by our important insurance company partners. Among the top five of our insurance company partners, each of Huaxia, Aeon, Sinatay and Tian’an contributed more than 10% of our total net revenues from continuing operations in 2019, with Huaxia accounting for 23.8%, Aeon accounting for 18.3%, Sinatay accounting for 16.1% and Tian’an accounting for 12.1%. Because of this concentration in the supply of the insurance products we distribute, our business and operations would be negatively affected if we experience a partial or complete loss of any of these suppliers. In addition, any significant adverse change in our relationship with any of these suppliers could result in loss of revenue, increased costs and distribution delays that could harm our business and customer relationships. In addition, this concentration can exacerbate our exposure to risks associated with the termination by key insurance company partners of our agreements or any adverse change in the terms of such agreements, which could have an adverse impact on our revenues and profitability. If we are unable to respond in a timely and cost-effective manner to rapid technological change in the insurance intermediary industry, it may result in a material adverse effect. The insurance industry is increasingly influenced by rapid technological change, frequent new product and service introductions and evolving industry standards. For example, the insurance intermediary industry has increased the use of the Internet to communicate benefits and related information to consumers and to facilitate information exchange, transactions and training. We believe that our future success will depend on our ability to anticipate and adapt to technological changes and to offer additional products and services that meet evolving standards on a timely and cost-effective manner. We may not be able to successfully identify new product and service opportunities or develop and introduce these opportunities in a timely and cost-effective manner. In addition, new products and services that our competitors develop or introduce may render our products and services uncompetitive. As a result, if we are not able to respond or adapt to technological changes that may affect our industry in the future, our business and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected. We face risks related to health epidemics, including the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak, severe weather conditions and other catastrophes, which could materially and adversely affect our business. Our business could be materially and adversely affected by the outbreak of novel coronavirus, avian flu, severe acute respiratory syndrome, or SARS, another health epidemic, severe weather conditions or other catastrophes. In January and February 2008, a series of severe winter storms afflicted extensive damages and significantly disrupted people’s lives in large portions of southern and central China. In May 2008, an earthquake measuring 8.0 on the Richter scale hit Sichuan Province in southwestern China, causing huge casualties and property damages. In April 2009, influenza A (H1N1) commonly referred to as “swine flu” was first discovered in North America and quickly spread to other parts of the world, including China. In February 2013, H7N9 Avian influenza was first discovered in Shanghai, China and quickly widened its geographical spread in China. -16- In December 2019, a novel strain of coronavirus, referred to as Coronavirus Disease 2019, or COVID- 19, first surfaced in China and quickly spread to other countries. The PRC government has taken various precautionary measures to contain the spread of the COVID-19, including extending the Chinese New Year Holiday into February 2020, restricting travel, suspending transportation and banning gatherings. Our business operations rely heavily on the efforts of individual sales agents and claims adjustors. Although we have moved all training and marketing activities online to mitigate the impact, the limited ability of our sales personnel to interact with customers face-to-face as result of the social distance measures has hindered the sales activities of our sales force, which has had an adverse impact on our operating results of the first quarter of 2020 and the operating income for the first quarter of 2020 is expected to significantly decrease on a year-over-year basis. Such social distance measures to contain the spread of the COVID-19 is expected to continue to have an adverse effect on our operating results in the near-to-medium-term. The COVID-19 outbreak has adversely impacted business operation of companies in a variety of industries. The business operation of our non-consolidated affiliated investees has also been adversely impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak which will affect the fair value of our investment in affiliates. The extent to which the COVID- 19 outbreak will continue to impact our results will depend on its future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted, including new information which may emerge concerning the severity of this disease and the actions to contain the disease or treat its impact, among others. In addition, any occurrence of other adverse public health developments or recurrence of avian flu or SARS, H1N1 and Zika Virus, severe weather conditions such as the massive snow storms in January and February 2008 and other catastrophes such as the Sichuan earthquake may also significantly disrupt our staffing and otherwise reduce the activity level of our work force, thus causing a material and adverse effect on our business operations. We may be at risk of securities class action litigation. Historically, securities class action litigation has often been brought against a company following periods of instability in the market price of its securities. If we face such litigation, it could result in substantial costs and a diversion of management’s attention and resources, which could harm our business. Between August 2018 and February 2019, three short-selling focused firm issued short-sell thesis reports which we believe contain false and misleading information about our strategy, business model and financials and caused the trading price of our ADSs to fluctuate significantly. Following the issuance of one of the reports, a shareholder class action lawsuit was filed against the Company in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, or the Court. In March 2020, the Court granted in its entirety our motion to dismiss the class action lawsuit and closed the case. Recently, U.S. public companies that have substantially all of their operations in China, have been the subject of intense scrutiny, criticism and negative publicity by some investors, financial commentators and regulatory agencies. Much of the scrutiny, criticism and negative publicity has centered around financial and accounting irregularities, a lack of effective internal controls over financial accounting, inadequate corporate governance policies or a lack of adherence thereto and, in some cases, allegations of fraud. As a result of the scrutiny, criticism and negative publicity, the publicly traded stocks of many U.S.-listed Chinese companies has sharply decreased in value and, in some cases, has become virtually worthless. Some of these companies are now subject to shareholder lawsuits and SEC enforcement actions and are conducting or subject to internal and external investigations into the allegations. Shortselling firms or others may in the future publish additional short seller reports with respect to our business, officers, directors and shareholders, and we may become subject to other unfavorable allegations, which might cause further fluctuations in the trading price of our ADSs. Such volatility in our share price could subject us to increased risk of securities class action lawsuits or derivative actions. Any future class action lawsuit against us, whether or not successful, could harm our reputation and restrict our ability to raise capital. In addition, if a claim is successfully made against us, we may be required to pay significant damages, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and -17- results of operations. Even if such allegations are ultimately proven to be groundless, the allegations or the process of dealing with them could severely impact our business operations and stockholder’s equity, and any investment in our ADSs could be greatly reduced. We may be subject, from time to time, to adverse actions taken by other parties, including lawsuits and negative reports and regulatory proceedings, which may divert resources and the time and attention of our management and may otherwise adversely affect us. From time to time, we may become a party to litigations incidental to the operation of our business, including class action lawsuits and disputes with other third parties. Litigation usually requires a significant amount of management time and effort, which may adversely affect our business by diverting management’s focus from the needs of our business and the development of strategic opportunities. We cannot predict the outcome of these lawsuits. Regardless of the outcome, these lawsuits, and any other litigation that may be brought against us or our current or former directors and officers, could be time- consuming, result in significant expenses and divert the attention and resources of our management and other key employees. An unfavorable outcome in any of these matters could also exceed coverage provided under applicable insurance policies, which is limited. Any such unfavorable outcome could have a material effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. Further, we could be required to pay damages or additional penalties or have other remedies imposed against us, or our current or former directors or officers, which could harm our reputation, business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. In addition, the CBIRC may from time to time make inquiries and conduct examinations concerning our compliance with PRC laws and regulations. These administrative proceedings have in the past resulted in administrative sanctions, including fines, which have not been material to us. While we cannot predict the outcome of any pending or future examination, we do not believe that any pending legal matter will have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations. However, we cannot assure you that any future regulatory proceeding will not have an adverse outcome, which could have a material adverse effect on our operating results or cash flows. Risks Related to Our Corporate Structure If the PRC government finds that the structure for operating part of our China business does not comply with applicable PRC laws and regulations, we could be subject to severe penalties. Historically, PRC laws and regulations have restricted foreign investment in and ownership of insurance intermediary companies. As a result, we conducted our insurance intermediary business through contractual arrangements among our PRC subsidiaries, consolidated affiliated entities including Meidiya Investment, Yihe Investment, Xinbao Investment and Dianliang Information and their individual shareholders between December 2005 and May 2016. In recent years, some rules and regulations governing the insurance intermediary sector in China have begun to encourage foreign investment. For instance, under the Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement, or CEPA, Supplement IV signed in June 29, 2007 and CEPA Supplement VIII signed on December 13, 2011, between the PRC Ministry of Commerce and the governments of Hong Kong and Macao Special Administrative Region, local insurance agencies in Hong Kong and Macao are allowed to set up wholly- owned insurance agency companies in Guangdong Province if they meet certain threshold requirements. On December 26, 2007, the CIRC issued an Announcement on the Establishment of Wholly-owned Insurance Agencies in Mainland China by Hong Kong and Macao Insurance Agencies, which sets forth specific qualification criteria for implementation purposes. On August 26, 2010, the CIRC released a Circular on the Cancellation of the Fifth Batch of Administrative Approval Items, pursuant to which foreign ownership in a professional insurance intermediary in excess of 25% only requires a filing to be made with the relevant authorities and no longer requires prior approval. On March 1, 2015, the National Development -18- and Reform Commission and Ministry of Commerce jointly issued the Catalogue for the Guidance of Foreign Investment Industries (Revision 2015), or the CGFII 2015 Revision, pursuant to which insurance brokerage firms are removed from the list of industries subject to foreign investment restriction. We operate our online insurance distribution business through Baoxian.com which was subject to foreign investment restrictions. Foreign investors are not allowed to own more than 50% of the equity interests in a value-added telecommunications service provider (except for e-commerce, domestic multi- party communication, storage and forwarding classes and call centers) under the Special Administrative Measures for Access of Foreign Investment (Negative List) (2019 Edition), which was promulgated on June 30, 2019 and implemented on July 30, 2019. However, on June 19, 2015, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology published a Notice on Removing the Foreign Ownership Restriction in Online Data Processing and Transaction Processing Business (Operating E-commerce), or the No. 196 Notice. Foreign ownership in online data processing and transaction process business is allowed to increase to 100% as long as the foreign-invested entities obtain necessary licenses to conduct the business. However, there remains uncertainty with regards to the implementation of the No. 196 Notice and the administrative procedures with regards to the application of the data processing and transaction process business licenses. Following the changes in applicable foreign investment regulations, we commenced a restructuring of our company in October 2011 and subsequently terminated all the contractual arrangements among our PRC subsidiaries and consolidated entities such as Meidiya Investment and Yihe Investment, which became our wholly-owned subsidiaries in 2015 and Xinbao Investment and Dianliang Information, which became our wholly-owned subsidiaries in 2016. As a result, we obtained direct controlling or significant equity ownership in each of our insurance intermediary companies and our online platforms in 2016. See “Item 4. Information on the Company — C. Organizational Structure.” If our online insurance business operated through Baoxian.com is treated as value-added telecommunication service other than e-commerce business by relevant authorities, our direct ownership of our online platforms may be in violation of any existing or future PRC laws or regulations, or if our online platforms fail to obtain or maintain any of the required permits or approvals, the relevant PRC regulatory authorities, including the CBIRC (formerly CIRC), will have broad discretion in dealing with such violations, including:      revoking the business and operating licenses of our PRC subsidiaries; restricting or prohibiting any related-party transactions among our PRC subsidiaries; imposing fines or other requirements with which we, our PRC subsidiaries may not be able to comply; requiring us, our PRC subsidiaries to restructure the relevant ownership structure or operations; or restricting or prohibiting us from providing additional funding for our business and operations in China. Any of these or similar actions could cause disruptions to our business, as well as reduce our revenues, profitability and cash flows. -19- PRC regulation of loans and direct investment by offshore holding companies to PRC entities may delay or prevent us from making loans to our PRC subsidiaries or making additional capital contributions to our PRC subsidiaries, which could materially and adversely affect our liquidity and our ability to fund and expand our business. We are an offshore holding company conducting our operations in China through PRC subsidiaries in order to provide additional funding to our PRC subsidiaries, we may make loans to our PRC subsidiaries, or we may make additional capital contributions to our PRC subsidiaries. Any loans we make to any of our directly-held PRC subsidiaries (which are treated as foreign-invested enterprises under PRC law), namely, Fanhua Zhonglian Enterprise Image Planning (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd., or Zhonglian Enterprise, and Fanhua Xinlian Information Technology Consulting (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd., or Xinlian Information, cannot exceed statutory limits and must be registered with the State Administration of Foreign Exchange, or the SAFE, or its local counterparts. Under applicable PRC law, the Chinese regulators must approve the amount of a foreign-invested enterprise’s registered capital, which represents shareholders’ equity investments over a defined period of time, and the foreign-invested enterprise’s total investment, which represents the total of the company’s registered capital plus permitted loans. The registered capital/total investment ratio cannot be lower than the minimum statutory requirement and the excess of the total investment over the registered capital represents the maximum amount of borrowings that a foreign-invested enterprise is permitted to have under PRC law. Our directly-held PRC subsidiaries were allowed to incur a total of HK$300 million (US$38.7 million) in foreign debts as of March 31, 2020. If we were to provide loans to our directly-held PRC subsidiaries in excess of the above amount, we would have to apply to the relevant government authorities for an increase in their permitted total investment amounts. The various applications could be time-consuming and their outcomes would be uncertain. Concurrently with the loans, we might have to make capital contributions to these subsidiaries in order to maintain the statutory minimum registered capital/total investment ratio, and such capital contributions involve uncertainties of their own, as discussed below. Furthermore, even if we make loans to our directly- held PRC subsidiaries that do not exceed their current maximum amount of borrowings, we will have to register each loan with the SAFE or its local counterpart within 15 days after the signing of the relevant loan agreement. Subject to the conditions stipulated by the SAFE, the SAFE or its local counterpart will issue a registration certificate of foreign debts to us within 20 days after reviewing and accepting our application. In practice, it may take longer to complete such SAFE registration process. Any loans we make to any of our indirectly-held PRC subsidiaries (those PRC subsidiaries which we hold indirectly through Zhonglian Enterprise and Xinlian Information), all of which are treated as PRC domestic companies rather than foreign-invested enterprises under PRC law, are also subject to various PRC regulations and approvals. Under applicable PRC regulations, medium- and long-term international commercial loans to PRC domestic companies are subject to approval by the National Development and Reform Commission. Short-term international commercial loans to PRC domestic companies are subject to the balance control system effected by the SAFE. Due to the above restrictions, we are not likely to make loans to any of our indirectly-held PRC subsidiaries. Any capital contributions we make to our PRC subsidiaries, including directly-held and indirectly- held PRC subsidiaries, must be approved by the PRC Ministry of Commerce or its local counterparts, and registered with the SAFE or its local counterparts. Such applications and registrations could be time consuming and their outcomes would be uncertain. We cannot assure you that we will be able to complete the necessary government registrations or obtain the necessary government approvals on a timely basis, if at all, with respect to future loans by us to our PRC subsidiaries, or with respect to future capital contributions by us to our PRC subsidiaries. If we fail to complete such registrations or obtain such approvals, our ability to capitalize or otherwise fund our PRC operations may be negatively affected, which could adversely and materially affect our liquidity and our ability to fund and expand our business. -20- On August 29, 2008, SAFE promulgated Circular 142, a notice regulating the conversion by a foreign- invested company of its capital contribution in foreign currency into RMB. The notice requires that the capital of a foreign-invested company settled in RMB converted from foreign currencies shall be used only for purposes within the business scope as approved by the authorities in charge of foreign investment or by other government authorities and as registered with the State Administration for Industry and Commerce and, unless set forth in the business scope or in other regulations, may not be used for equity investments within the PRC. In addition, SAFE strengthened its oversight of the flow and use of the capital of a foreign- invested company settled in RMB converted from foreign currencies. The use of such RMB capital may not be changed without SAFE’s approval, and may not in any case be used to repay RMB loans if the proceeds of such loans have not been used. Violations of Circular 142 will result in severe penalties, including heavy fines. As a result, Circular 142 may significantly limit our ability to provide additional funding to our PRC subsidiaries through our directly-held PRC subsidiaries in the PRC, which may adversely affect our ability to expand our business. However, on March 30, 2015, SAFE promulgated Circular 19, a notice on reforming the administrative approach regarding the settlement of the foreign exchange capitals of foreign-invested enterprises, which became effective on June 1, 2015. The new notice states that foreign-invested enterprises shall be allowed to settle their foreign exchange capitals on a discretionary basis. The discretionary settlement by a foreign-invested enterprise of its foreign exchange capital shall mean that the foreign-invested enterprise may, according to its actual business needs, settle with a bank the portion of the foreign exchange capital in its capital account for which the relevant foreign exchange bureau has confirmed monetary contribution rights and interests (or for which the bank has registered the account- crediting of monetary contribution). For the time being, foreign-invested enterprises are allowed to settle 100% of their foreign exchange capitals on a discretionary basis. The SAFE may adjust the foregoing percentage as appropriate according to balance of payments situations. As a result, Circular 19 will relax the limitation of our ability to provide additional funding to our PRC subsidiaries through our directly-held PRC subsidiaries in the PRC. interpretation and Substantial uncertainties exist with respect implementation of the PRC Foreign Investment Law and how it may impact the viability of our corporate structure, corporate governance, business operations and financial results. to the enactment timetable, On March 15, 2019, the National People’s Congress approved the Foreign Investment Law, which will come into effect on January 1, 2020 and replace the trio of existing laws regulating foreign investment in China, namely, the Sino-foreign Equity Joint Venture Enterprise Law, the Sino-foreign Cooperative Joint Venture Enterprise Law and the Wholly Foreign-invested Enterprise Law, together with their implementation rules and ancillary regulations. The Foreign Investment Law embodies an expected PRC regulatory trend to rationalize its foreign investment regulatory regime in line with prevailing international practice and the legislative efforts to unify the corporate legal requirements for both foreign and domestic investments. However, since it is relatively new, uncertainties still exist in relation to its interpretation and implementation. For instance, under the Foreign Investment Law, “foreign investment” refers to the investment activities directly or indirectly conducted by foreign individuals, enterprises or other entities in China. Though it does not explicitly classify contractual arrangements as a form of foreign investment, foreign investment via contractual arrangements could be interpreted as a type of indirect foreign investment activities under the definition. In addition, the definition contains a catch-all provision which includes investments made by foreign investors through means stipulated in laws or administrative regulations or other methods prescribed by the State Council. Therefore, it still leaves leeway for future laws, administrative regulations or provisions promulgated by the State Council to provide for contractual arrangements as a form of foreign investment. In any of these cases, it will be uncertain whether our contractual arrangements will be deemed to be in violation of the requirements for foreign investment under PRC laws and regulations. If our control over our variable interest entities, or VIEs, through contractual arrangements are deemed as foreign investment in the future, and any business of our VIEs is restricted or prohibited from foreign investment at the time, we may be deemed to be in violation of the Foreign Investment Law, the contractual -21- arrangements that allow us to have control over our VIEs may be deemed invalid and illegal, and we may be required to unwind such contractual arrangements and/or restructure our business operations. In addition, if future laws, administrative regulations or provisions prescribed by the State Council mandate further actions to be taken by companies with respect to existing contractual arrangements, we may face substantial uncertainties as to whether we can complete such actions in a timely manner, or at all. Failure to take timely and appropriate measures to cope with any of these or similar regulatory compliance challenges could materially and adversely affect our corporate structure, corporate governance, business operations and financial results. Our variable interest entities or their respective shareholders and directors may fail to perform their obligations under our contractual arrangements with them. Pursuant to the 521 Plan, we set up three companies, or the 521 Plan Employee Companies, which are Fanhua Employees Holdings Limited, Step Tall Limited and Treasure Chariot Limited, to hold the shares on behalf of the Participants. Each of the 521 Plan Employee Companies is a legal entity formed in the British Virgin Islands with a sole shareholder appointed by the Company. Mr. Yinan Hu and two other employees of the Company are the respective sole shareholder and director of the 521 Plan Employee Companies. Our ordinary shares are the only significant assets held by the 521 Plan Employee Companies, which serve as collateral to the loans issued by the Company to the Participants. Given the only substantial recourse to the loans issued by the Company are the ordinary shares of the Company, changes (principally decreases) in the value of the ordinary shares held by the 521 Plan Employee Companies will be indirectly absorbed by the Company and we have potential exposure to the economics of the 521 Plan Employee Companies. Therefore, we have variable interests in the 521 Plan Employee Companies. Since none of the 521 Plan Employee Companies' equity investors have the obligation to absorb the expected losses or the right to receive the expected residual returns as (i) the depreciation of the ADS will be indirectly absorbed by the Company as discussed above and (ii) and the appreciation of the ADS will be absorbed by the Company or the Participants, as any residual proceeds from the sale of the ADS will revert to the Company or the Participants and not the shareholders of the 521 Plan Employee Companies. Therefore, the 521 Plan Employee Companies are deemed to be our consolidated variable interest entities, or VIEs. Through loan agreements, entrusted share purchase agreements and letters of undertaking, we have the right to the 280,000,000 ordinary shares held by the 521 Plan Employee Companies as collateral to the loans issued to the Participants, and we have potential exposure to the economics of the 521 Plan Employee Companies resulting from the fluctuation in the value of the Company’s ADSs, which is more than insignificant. Therefore, we are deemed the primary beneficiary of the 521 Plan Employee Companies and consolidate them into our financial statements accordingly. If the 521 Plan Employee Companies or their shareholders and directors fail to perform their respective obligations under the contractual arrangements, we may have to incur substantial costs and expend additional resources to enforce such arrangements. We may also have to rely on legal remedies under various legal jurisdictions, including seeking specific performance or injunctive relief, and claiming damages, which we cannot assure you will be effective under the relevant laws and regulations. For example, if the shareholders of the 521 Plan Employee Companies act in bad faith toward us, we may have to take legal action to compel them to perform their contractual obligations. In addition, if any third parties claim any interest in the equity interests of the 521 Plan Employee Companies, our ability to exercise shareholders’ rights or foreclose the shares pledged under the loan agreements with the Participants may be impaired. If these or other disputes between the shareholders and directors of the 521 Plan Employee Companies and third parties were to impair our control over the 521 Plan Employee Companies, our ability to consolidate the financial results of the 521 Plan Employee Companies would be affected, which would in turn materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. If we make equity compensation grants to persons who are PRC citizens, they may be required to register with SAFE. We may also face regulatory uncertainties that could restrict our ability to adopt additional equity compensation plans for our directors and employees and other parties under PRC law. -22- On February 15, 2012, the SAFE issued the “Notice of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange on Issues Related to Foreign Exchange Administration in Domestic Individuals' Participation in Equity Incentive Plans of Companies Listed Abroad”, also known as “Circular 7”. Circular 7 covers all forms of equity compensation plans including employee stock ownership plans, employee stock option plans and other equity compensation plans permitted by relevant laws and regulations. For any plans that are so covered and are adopted by a non-PRC listed company after February 15, 2012, Circular 7 requires all participants of such plans who are PRC citizens to register with and obtain approvals from SAFE prior to their participation in the plan. Our 521 Plan, which enables eligible participants to invest in the Company by purchasing up to 14 million of the Company’s ADSs at a price of US$27.38 per ADS, could potentially be covered by Circular 7, and the participants of the 521 Plan might be required to abide by the registration and approval requirements contemplated in Circular 7. We believe that ensuring all of the 521 Plan participants comply with the Circular 7 requirements will be a burdensome and time-consuming process, and the required registrations and approvals might not be obtained on a timely basis, or at all. Global Law Office has advised us that pursuant to Circular 7, the SAFE may take regulatory measures and impose administrative sanctions on individuals and companies who might be regarded as violating the provisions of Circular 7, which will depend on how the SAFE interprets, applies and enforces Circular 7. Risks Related to Doing Business in China Adverse economic, political and legal developments in China could have a material adverse effect on our business. Substantially all of our business operations are conducted in China. Accordingly, our results of operations, financial condition and prospects are subject to a significant degree to economic, political and legal developments in China. China’s economy differs from the economies of most developed countries in many respects, including with respect to the amount of government involvement, level of development, growth rate, control of foreign exchange and allocation of resources. While the PRC economy has experienced significant growth in the past 30 years or so, growth has been uneven across different regions and among various economic sectors of China. Economic growth in China has been slowing in the past few years and dropped to 6.1% for 2019, according to data released by the PRC government in January 2020. Furthermore, China's GDP growth turned negative in the first quarter of 2020 due to the COVID-19 outbreak. The PRC government has implemented various measures to encourage economic development and guide the allocation of resources. However, these measures may not be successful in transforming the Chinese economy or spurring growth. While some of these measures benefit the overall PRC economy, they may also have a negative effect on us. For example, our financial condition and results of operations may be adversely affected by government control over capital investments or changes in tax regulations that are applicable to us. Although the PRC government has implemented measures since the late 1970s emphasizing the utilization of market forces for economic reform, the reduction of state ownership of productive assets and the establishment of improved corporate governance in business enterprises, the PRC government still owns a substantial portion of productive assets in China. In addition, the PRC government continues to play a significant role in regulating industry development by imposing industrial policies. The PRC government also exercises significant control over China’s economic growth through the allocation of resources, controlling payment of foreign currency-denominated obligations, setting monetary policy and providing preferential treatment to particular industries or companies. Actions and policies of the PRC government could materially affect our ability to operate our business. Uncertainties with respect to the PRC legal system could adversely affect us. We conduct our business primarily through our subsidiaries in China. Our operations in China are governed by PRC laws and regulations. Our subsidiaries are generally subject to laws and regulations applicable to foreign investments in China and, in particular, laws applicable to wholly foreign-owned -23- enterprises. The PRC legal system is based on written statutes. Prior court decisions may be cited for reference but have limited precedential value. Although since 1979, PRC legislation and regulations have significantly enhanced the protections afforded to various forms of foreign investments in China, China has not developed a fully integrated legal system, and recently enacted laws and regulations may not sufficiently cover all aspects of economic activities in China. In particular, because these laws and regulations are relatively new, and because of the limited volume of published decisions and their nonbinding nature, the interpretation and enforcement of these laws and regulations involve uncertainties. In addition, the PRC legal system is based in part on government policies and internal rules (some of which are not published on a timely basis or at all) that may have a retroactive effect. As a result, we may not be aware of our violation of these policies and rules until sometime after the violation. In addition, any litigation in China may be protracted and result in substantial costs and diversion of resources and management attention. Governmental control of currency conversion may affect the value of your investment. The PRC government imposes controls on the convertibility of the RMB into foreign currencies and the remittance of currency out of China. Under existing PRC foreign exchange regulations, payments of current account items, including profit distributions, interest payments and expenditures from trade-related transactions, can be made in foreign currencies without prior approval from the SAFE by complying with certain procedural requirements. However, approval from appropriate government authorities is required where RMB is to be converted into foreign currency and remitted out of China to pay capital expenses such as the repayment of loans denominated in foreign currencies. The PRC government may also at its discretion restrict access in the future to foreign currencies for current account transactions. Under our current corporate structure, the primary source of our income at the holding company level is dividend payments from our PRC subsidiaries. Shortages in the availability of foreign currency may restrict the ability of our PRC subsidiaries to remit sufficient foreign currency to pay dividends or other payments to us, or otherwise satisfy their foreign currency denominated obligations. If the foreign exchange control system prevents us from obtaining sufficient foreign currency to satisfy our currency needs, we may not be able to pay dividends in foreign currencies to our shareholders, including holders of our ADSs. The PRC Enterprise Income Tax Law may increase the enterprise income tax rate applicable to some of our PRC subsidiaries, which could have a material adverse effect on our result of operations. According to the PRC Enterprise Income Tax Law, or the EIT Law, which became effective on January 1, 2008, as further clarified by subsequent tax regulations implementing the EIT Law, foreign- invested enterprises and domestic enterprises are subject to enterprise income tax, or EIT, at a uniform rate of 25%, unless otherwise provided. Enterprises that were established and enjoyed preferential tax treatments before March 16, 2007 will continue to enjoy such preferential tax treatments in the following manners: (1) in the case of preferential tax rates, for a five-year transition period starting from January 1, 2008, during which the EIT rate of such enterprises will gradually increase to the uniform 25% EIT rate by January 1, 2012; or (2) in the case of preferential tax exemption or reduction with a specified term, until the expiration of such term. However, if such an enterprise has not enjoyed the preferential treatments yet because of its failure to make a profit, its term for preferential treatments will be deemed to start from 2008. As a result of the implementation of the EIT Law, certain preferential tax treatments enjoyed by some of our subsidiaries expired on January 1, 2008. According to the EIT Law and related regulations, such as the Circular on Issues Regarding Tax-related Preferential Policies for Further Implementation of Western Development Strategy jointly issued by the State Ministry of Finance, General Administration of Customs, China and State Administration for Taxation, enterprises located in the western China regions that fall into the encouraged industries are entitled to 15% EIT preferential tax treatment from January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2020. The preferential tax rates enjoyed by some of our PRC subsidiaries incorporated in such regions, will increase to the uniform 25% EIT rate after 2020. An increase in the EIT rates for those entities pursuant to the EIT Law could result in an increase in our effective tax rate, which could materially and adversely affect our results of operations. -24- Our global income or the dividends we receive from our PRC subsidiaries may be subject to PRC tax under the EIT Law, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations. Under the EIT Law, an enterprise established outside of the PRC with “de facto management bodies” within the PRC is considered a resident enterprise and will be subject to the EIT at the rate of 25% on its worldwide income. The Implementation Rules of the EIT Law, or the Implementation Rules, define the term “de facto management bodies” as “establishments that carry out substantial and overall management and control over the manufacturing and business operations, personnel, accounting, properties, etc. of an enterprise.” If we are deemed a resident enterprise, we may be subject to the EIT at 25% on our global income, except that the dividends we receive from our PRC subsidiary will be exempt from the EIT. If we are considered a resident enterprise and earn income other than dividends from our PRC subsidiaries, a 25% EIT on our global income could significantly increase our tax burden and materially and adversely affect our cash flow and profitability. We have been advised by our PRC counsel, Global Law Office, that pursuant to the EIT Law and the Implementation Rules, dividends payable by a foreign-invested enterprise in China to its foreign investors will be 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. However, pursuant to the Arrangement between the PRC and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region on the Avoidance of Double Taxation and Prevention of Fiscal Evasion, or the Double Taxation Arrangement, which became effective on January 1, 2007, dividends from our PRC subsidiaries paid to us through our Hong Kong wholly-owned subsidiary CNinsure Holdings Ltd. are subject to a withholding tax at a rate of 5% since CNinsure Holdings Ltd. is treated as a Hong Kong resident enterprise for taxation purpose. Under the EIT Law and the Implementation Rules, if we are regarded as a resident enterprise, the dividends we receive from our PRC subsidiaries will be exempt from the EIT. If, however, we are not regarded as a resident enterprise, our PRC subsidiaries will be required to pay a 5% or 10% withholding tax, as the case may be, for any dividends they pay to us. As a result, the amount of fund available to us to meet our cash requirements, including the payment of dividends to our shareholders and ADS holders, could be materially reduced. We rely principally on dividends and other distributions on equity paid by our subsidiaries to fund any cash and financing requirements we may have, and any limitation on the ability of our subsidiaries to make payments to us could have a material adverse effect on our ability to conduct our business. We are a holding company, and we rely principally on dividends from our subsidiaries in China for our cash requirements, including any debt we may incur. Current PRC regulations permit our PRC subsidiaries to pay dividends to us only out of their accumulated profits, if any, determined in accordance with PRC accounting standards and regulations. In addition, according to the PRC Company Law, each of our PRC subsidiaries is required to set aside at least 10% of its after-tax profits each year as reported in its PRC statutory financial statements, if any, to fund a statutory reserve until such reserve reaches 50% of its registered capital. In addition, each of our PRC subsidiaries that are considered foreign-invested enterprises is required to further set aside a portion of its after-tax profits as reported in its PRC statutory financial statements to fund the employee welfare fund at the discretion of its board. These reserves are not distributable as cash dividends. As of December 31, 2019, the total retained earnings of our PRC subsidiaries available for dividend distributions were RMB1.3 billion (US$187.3 million). Furthermore, if our subsidiaries in China incur debt on their own behalf in the future, the instruments governing the debt may restrict their ability to pay dividends or make other payments to us. Any limitation on the ability of our subsidiaries to distribute dividends or other payments to us could materially and adversely limit our ability to grow, make investments or acquisitions that could be beneficial to our businesses, pay dividends, or otherwise fund and conduct our business. -25- PRC regulations relating to the establishment of offshore special purpose companies by PRC residents and employee stock options granted by overseas-listed companies may increase our administrative burden, restrict our overseas and cross-border investment activity, or otherwise adversely affect us. If our shareholders who are PRC residents, or our PRC employees who are granted or exercise stock options, 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. On October 21, 2005, the SAFE issued a Notice on Relevant Issues Concerning Foreign Exchange Administration for PRC Residents to Engage in Financing and Inbound Investment via Overseas Special Purpose Vehicles, generally known in China as SAFE Circular 75, requiring PRC residents to register with the local SAFE branch before establishing or controlling any company outside of China, referred to in the notice as an “offshore special purpose company,” for the purpose of raising capital backed by assets or equities of PRC companies. PRC residents that are shareholders of offshore special purpose companies established before November 1, 2005 were required to register with the local SAFE branch before March 31, 2006. On July 4, 2014, the SAFE issued the Notice on the Administration of Foreign Exchange Involved in Overseas Investment, Financing and Return on Investment Conducted by PRC Residents via Special- Purpose Companies, or SAFE Circular 37, simultaneously repealing SAFE Circular 75. SAFE Circular 37 also requires PRC residents to register with relevant Foreign Exchange Bureau for foreign exchange registration of overseas investment before making contribution to a special purpose company, or SPC, with legitimate holdings of domestic or overseas assets or interests. See “Item 4. Information on the Company — B. Business Overview — Regulation — Regulations on Foreign Exchange — Foreign Exchange Registration of Offshore Investment by PRC Residents.” We have requested our beneficial owners who to our knowledge are PRC residents to make the necessary applications, filings and amendments as required under SAFE Circular 37 and other related rules. We attempt to comply, and attempt to ensure that our beneficial owners who are subject to these rules comply with the relevant requirements. However, we cannot assure you that all of our beneficial owners who are PRC residents will comply with our request to make or obtain any applicable registrations or comply with other requirements under SAFE Circular 37 or other related rules. The failure of these beneficial owners to timely amend their SAFE registrations pursuant to SAFE Circular 37 or the failure of future beneficial owners of our company who are PRC residents to comply with the registration procedures set forth in SAFE Circular 37 may subject such beneficial owners to fines and legal sanctions and may also limit our ability to contribute capital into our PRC subsidiaries, limit our PRC subsidiaries’ ability to distribute dividends to our company or otherwise adversely affect our business. On December 25, 2006, the People’s Bank of China, or the PBOC, promulgated the Measures for the Administration of Individual Foreign Exchange, and on January 5, 2007, the SAFE further promulgated implementation rules for those measures. We refer to these regulations collectively as the Individual Foreign Exchange Rules. The Individual Foreign Exchange Rules became effective on February 1, 2007. According to these regulations, PRC citizens who are granted shares or share options by a company listed on an overseas stock market according to its employee share option or share incentive plan are required, through the PRC subsidiary of such overseas listed company or any other qualified PRC agent, to register with the SAFE and to complete certain other procedures related to the share option or other share incentive plan. Foreign exchange income received from the sale of shares or dividends distributed by the overseas listed company may be remitted into a foreign currency account of such PRC citizen or be exchanged into Renminbi. Our PRC citizen employees who have been granted share options became subject to the Individual Foreign Exchange Rules upon the listing of our ADSs on the NASDAQ. On February 15, 2012, SAFE promulgated the Notice of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange on Issues Related to Foreign Exchange Administration in Domestic Individuals’ Participation in Equity Incentive Plans of Companies Listed Abroad, or the No. 7 Notice, which supersedes the Operation Rules on 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, in its entirety and immediately became effective upon circulation. According to the No. 7 Notice, domestic individuals, which include any directors, supervisors, senior managerial personnel or other employees of a domestic company -26- who are Chinese citizens (including citizens of Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan) or foreign individuals who consecutively reside in the territory of PRC for one year, who participate in the same equity incentive plan of an overseas listed company shall, through the domestic companies they serve, collectively entrust a domestic agency to handle issues like foreign exchange registration, account opening, funds transfer and remittance, and entrust an overseas institution to handle issues like exercise of options, purchasing and sale of related stocks or equity, and funds transfer. As an overseas publicly listed company, we and our employees who have been granted stock options or any type of equity awards may be subject to the No. 7 Notice. If we or our employees who are subject to the No. 7 Notice fail to comply with these regulations, we may be subject to fines and legal sanctions. See “Item 4. Information on the Company — B. Business Overview — Regulation — Regulations on Foreign Exchange — SAFE Regulations on Employee Share Options.” Fluctuation in the value of the RMB may have a material adverse effect on your investment. The value of the RMB against the U.S. dollar and other currencies may fluctuate and is affected by, among other things, changes in political and economic conditions. On July 21, 2005, the PRC government changed its decade-old policy of pegging the value of the RMB to the U.S. dollar. Under the new policy, the PRC government allowed the RMB to appreciate by more than 20% against the U.S. dollar between July 2005 and July 2008. Between July 2008 and June 2010, this appreciation halted and the exchange rate between the RMB and the U.S. dollar remained within a narrow band. Since June 2010, the PRC government has allowed the RMB to appreciate slowly against the U.S. dollar again, though there have been periods when the U.S. dollar has appreciated against the Renminbi as well. In April 2012, the trading band was widened to 1%, and in March 2014 it was further widened to 2%, which allows the Renminbi to fluctuate against the U.S. dollar by up to 2% above or below the central parity rate published by the PBOC. In August 2015, the PBOC changed the way it calculates the mid-point price of Renminbi against U.S. dollar, requiring the market-makers who submit for the PBOC’s reference rates to consider the previous day’s closing spot rate, foreign-exchange demand and supply as well as changes in major currency rates. This change, and other changes such as widening the trading band that may be implemented, may increase volatility in the value of the Renminbi against foreign currencies. It is difficult to predict how market forces or PRC or United States government policy may impact the exchange rate between the RMB and the U.S. dollar in the future. Our revenues and costs are mostly denominated in the RMB, and a significant portion of our financial assets are also denominated in RMB. We rely on dividends and other fees paid to us by our subsidiaries in China. Any significant appreciation or depreciation of the RMB against the U.S. dollar may affect our cash flows, revenues, earnings and financial position, and the value of, and any dividends payable on, our ADSs in U.S. dollars. For example, a further appreciation of the RMB against the U.S. dollar would make any new RMB-denominated investments or expenditures more costly to us, to the extent that we need to convert U.S. dollars into RMB for such purposes. An appreciation of the RMB against the U.S. dollar would also result in foreign currency translation losses for financial reporting purposes when we translate our U.S. dollar denominated financial assets into the RMB, as the RMB is our reporting currency. Conversely, a significant depreciation of the RMB against the U.S. dollar may significantly reduce the U.S. dollar equivalent of our reported earnings, and may adversely affect the price of our ADSs. Certain PRC regulations could also make it more difficult for us to pursue growth through acquisitions. Among other things, the Mergers and Acquisitions of Domestic Enterprises by Foreign Investor, or the M&A Rule, also established additional procedures and requirements that could make merger and acquisition activities by foreign investors more time-consuming and complex, including requirements in some instances that the Ministry of Commerce be notified in advance of any change-of-control transaction in which a foreign investor takes control of a PRC domestic enterprise. To date, we have conducted our acquisitions in China exclusively through subsidiaries that used to be our PRC consolidated affiliated entities. In the future, we may grow our business in part by directly acquiring complementary businesses. Complying with the requirements of the new regulations to complete such transactions could be time consuming, and any required approval processes, including obtaining approval from the Ministry of -27- Commerce, may prevent us from completing such transactions on a timely basis, or at all, which could affect our ability to expand our business or maintain our market share. Risks Related to Our ADSs The trading price of our ADSs may be volatile. The trading price of our ADSs may be volatile and could fluctuate widely due to factors beyond our control. This may happen because of broad market and industry factors, like the performance and fluctuation in the market prices or the underperformance or deteriorating financial results of other listed companies based in China. The securities of some of these companies have experienced significant volatility since their initial public offerings, including, in some cases, substantial price declines in the trading prices of their securities. The trading performances of other Chinese companies’ securities after their offerings, including internet and e-commerce companies, may affect the attitudes of investors toward Chinese companies listed in the United States, which consequently may impact the trading performance of our ADSs, regardless of our actual operating performance. In addition, any negative news or perceptions about inadequate corporate governance practices or fraudulent accounting, corporate structure or 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 conducted any inappropriate activities. In addition, securities markets may from time to time experience significant price and volume fluctuations that are not related to our operating performance, which may have a material and adverse effect on the trading price of our ADSs. In addition to the above factors, the price and trading volume of our ADSs may be highly volatile due to multiple factors, including the following:        changes in the economic performance or market valuations of other insurance intermediaries; actual or anticipated fluctuations in our quarterly results of operations and changes or revisions of our expected results; changes in financial estimates by securities research analysts; conditions in the Chinese insurance industry; announcements by us or our competitors of acquisitions, strategic relationships, joint ventures, capital raisings or capital commitments; additions to or departures of our senior management; fluctuations of exchange rates between the RMB and the U.S. dollar or other foreign currencies;  potential litigation or administrative investigations;  sales or perceived potential sales of additional ordinary shares or ADSs; and  general economic or political conditions in China and abroad. Any of these factors may result in large and sudden changes in the volume and trading price of our ADSs. In addition, the stock market has from time to time experienced significant price and volume fluctuations that are unrelated to the operating performance of particular companies and industries. The volatility resulting from any of the above factors may affect the price at which you could sell the ADSs. We may need additional capital, and the sale of additional ADSs or other equity securities could result in additional dilution to our shareholders. We believe that our current cash and cash equivalents and anticipated cash flow from operations will be sufficient to meet our anticipated cash needs for the foreseeable future. We may, however, require additional cash resources due to changed business conditions or other future developments, including any -28- investments or acquisitions we may decide to pursue. If these resources are insufficient to satisfy our cash requirements, we may seek to sell additional equity or debt securities or obtain a credit facility. The sale of additional equity securities could result in additional dilution to our shareholders. The incurrence of indebtedness would result in increased debt service obligations and could result in operating and financing covenants that would restrict our operations. We cannot assure you that financing will be available in amounts or on terms acceptable to us, if at all. Substantial future sales or perceived potential sales of our ordinary shares, ADSs or other equity securities in the public market could cause the price of our ADSs to decline. Additional sales of our ADSs in the public market, or the perception that these sales could occur, could cause the market price of our ADSs to decline. If any existing shareholder or shareholders sell a substantial amount of ordinary shares in the form of ADSs, the market price of our ADSs could decline. In addition, we may issue additional ordinary shares as considerations for future acquisitions. If we do so, your ownership interests in our company would be diluted and this in turn could have an adverse effect on the price of our ADSs. Our corporate actions are substantially controlled by our officers, directors and principal shareholders. As of March 31, 2020, our executive officers and directors beneficially owned approximately 21.4% of our outstanding shares. These shareholders could exert substantial influence over matters requiring approval by our shareholders, including electing directors and approving mergers or other business combination transactions, and they may not act in the best interests of other noncontrolling shareholders. In addition, as of March 31, 2020, companies established to hold ordinary shares of the Company on behalf of the Participants in the 521 Plan, or 521 Plan Employee Companies, collectively held 280,000,000 ordinary shares. Through loan agreements and entrusted share purchase agreement, as these shares are pledged to the Company as collateral to secure the loans provided to the Participants, we have the right to dispose of part or all of the shares held by the 521 Plan Employee Companies on behalf of the Participant if the Participant’s employment or agent contracts with the Company or its subsidiaries were terminated within five years, or if the Participant failed to achieve at least 70% of his or her committed performance targets. The 521 Plan Employee Companies have either established an employee committee or appointed employee representatives for the Participants, each with the power to make voting and disposition decisions with respect to the shares. Although the committee or employee representatives have promised to vote the shares they control in a manner that is in the best interest of the Participants, we could exert substantial influence over the members of the employee committee or the employee representatives, who are our employees, or they may not act in a manner that protects the interests of other noncontrolling shareholders. This concentration of our share ownership also may discourage, delay or prevent a change in control of our company, which could deprive our shareholders of an opportunity to receive a premium for their shares as part of a sale of our company and might reduce the price of our ADSs. These actions may be taken even if they are opposed by our other shareholders. Holders of our ADSs may have fewer rights than holders of our ordinary shares and must act through the depositary to exercise those rights. Holders of ADSs do not have the same rights as our registered shareholders. The holders of our ADSs will not have any direct right to attend general meetings of our shareholders or to directly cast any votes at such meetings. The holders of our ADSs will only be able to exercise the voting rights which are carried by the underlying ordinary shares represented by their ADSs indirectly by giving voting instructions to the depositary in accordance with the provisions of the deposit agreement (“unrestricted deposit agreement”), and the deposit agreement for restricted securities (as defined below) (each also referred to as a “deposit agreement”, and together the “deposit agreements”). Under the deposit agreements, the holders of our ADSs may vote only by giving voting instructions to the depositary. Upon receipt of the voting instructions from the holders of our ADSs, the depositary will vote the underlying ordinary shares represented by their ADSs in accordance with these instructions. The holders of our ADSs will not be able to directly exercise their right to vote with respect to the underlying ordinary shares unless they withdraw such shares and -29- become the registered holder of such shares prior to the record date for the general meeting. Under our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, the minimum notice period required to be given by our company to our registered shareholders to convene a general meeting is fourteen calendar days. When a general meeting is convened, the holders of our ADSs may not receive sufficient advance notice of the meeting to permit the holders of our ADSs to withdraw the underlying ordinary shares represented by their ADSs and become the registered holder of such shares to allow the holders of our ADSs to attend the general meeting and to cast their vote directly with respect to any specific matter or resolution to be considered and voted upon at the general meeting. Furthermore, under our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, for the purposes of determining those shareholders who are entitled to attend and vote at any general meeting, our directors may close our register of members and/or fix in advance a record date for such meeting, and such closure of our register of members or the setting of such a record date may prevent the holders of our ADSs from withdrawing the underlying ordinary shares represented by their ADSs and becoming the registered holder of such shares prior to the record date, so that they would not be able to attend the general meeting or to vote directly. If we ask for their instructions, the depositary will notify the holders of our ADSs of the upcoming vote and will arrange to deliver our voting materials to them. We cannot assure the holders of our ADSs that they will receive the voting materials in time to ensure that they can instruct the depositary to vote the ordinary shares underlying their ADSs. In addition, the depositary and its agents are not responsible for failing to carry out voting instructions or for their manner of carrying out the voting instructions of the holders of our ADSs. This means that the holders of our ADSs may not be able to exercise their right to direct how the underlying ordinary shares represented by their ADSs are voted and they may have no legal remedy if the underlying ordinary shares represented by their ADSs are not voted as they requested. In addition, in their capacity as an ADS holder, the holders of our ADSs will not be able to call a shareholders’ meeting. Furthermore, you may not receive voting materials in time to instruct the depositary to vote, and it is possible that you, or persons who hold their ADSs through brokers, dealers or other third parties, will not have the opportunity to exercise a right to vote. Except as described in this annual report and in the deposit agreement, holders of our ADSs will not be able to exercise voting rights attaching to the shares evidenced by our ADSs on an individual basis. Holders of ADSs may instruct the depositary to exercise the voting rights attaching to the shares represented by the ADSs. If no instructions are received by the depositary on or before a date established by the depositary, the depositary shall deem the holders to have instructed it to give a discretionary proxy to a person designated by us to exercise their voting rights. You may not receive voting materials in time to instruct the depositary to vote, and it is possible that you, or persons who hold their ADSs through brokers, dealers or other third parties, will not have the opportunity to exercise a right to vote. Right of holders of our ADSs to participate in any future rights offerings may be limited, which may cause dilution to their holdings. We may from time to time distribute rights to our shareholders, including rights to acquire our securities. However, we cannot make rights available to holders of our ADSs in the United States unless we register both the rights and the securities to which the rights relate under the Securities Act or an exemption from the registration requirements is available. Under the deposit agreements, the depositary will not make rights available to holders of our ADSs unless both the rights and the underlying securities to be distributed to ADS holders are 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 and we may not be able to establish a necessary exemption from registration under the Securities Act. Accordingly, holders of our ADSs may be unable to participate in our rights offerings and may experience dilution in their holdings. Holders of our restricted ADSs may be subject to limitations on transfer of their ADSs. Restricted ADSs 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 -30- performance of its duties. In addition, the depositary may refuse to deliver, transfer or register transfers of restricted ADSs generally when our books or the books of the depositary are closed, or at any time if we or the depositary deems 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 agreements, or for any other reason. Certain judgments obtained against us by our shareholders may not be enforceable. We are an exempted company incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands. We conduct our operations outside the United States and substantially all of our assets are located outside the United States. In addition, substantially all of our directors and officers are nationals or residents of jurisdictions other than the United States and a substantial portion of their assets are located outside the United States. As a result, it may be difficult or impossible for our shareholders to bring an action against us or against them in the United States in the event that our shareholders believe that their rights have been infringed under the U.S. federal securities laws or otherwise. Even if our shareholders are successful in bringing an action of this kind, the laws of the Cayman Islands, the PRC or other relevant jurisdiction may render our shareholders unable to enforce a judgment against our assets or the assets of our directors and officers. Since we are a Cayman Islands company, the rights of our shareholders may be more limited than those of shareholders of a company organized in the United States. Under the laws of some jurisdictions in the United States, majority and controlling shareholders generally have certain fiduciary responsibilities to the minority shareholders. Shareholder action must be taken in good faith, and actions by controlling shareholders which are obviously unreasonable may be declared null and void. Cayman Island law protecting the interests of minority shareholders may not be as protective in all circumstances as the law protecting minority shareholders in some U.S. jurisdictions. In addition, the circumstances in which a shareholder of a Cayman Islands company may sue the company derivatively, and the procedures and defenses that may be available to the company, may result in the rights of shareholders of a Cayman Islands company being more limited than those of shareholders of a company organized in the United States. Furthermore, our directors have the power to take certain actions without shareholder approval which would require shareholder approval under the laws of most U.S. jurisdictions. The directors of a Cayman Islands company, without shareholder approval, may implement a sale of any assets, property, part of the business, or securities of the company. Our ability to create and issue new classes or series of shares without shareholder approval could have the effect of delaying, deterring or preventing a change in control of our Company without any further action by our shareholders, including a tender offer to purchase our ordinary shares at a premium over prevailing market prices. The audit reports included in this annual report have been prepared by our independent registered public accounting firm whose work may not be inspected fully by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board and, as such, you may be deprived of the benefits of such inspection. Our independent registered public accounting firm that issues the audit reports included in our annual reports filed with the U.S. SEC, as auditors of companies that are traded publicly in the United States and a firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), or the PCAOB, is required by the laws of the United States to undergo regular inspections by the PCAOB to assess its compliance with the laws of the United States and professional standards. Because we have substantial operations within the PRC and the PCAOB is currently unable to conduct inspections of the work of our independent registered public accounting firm as it relates to those operations without the approval of the Chinese authorities, our independent registered public accounting firm is not currently inspected fully by the PCAOB. This lack of PCAOB inspections in the PRC prevents the PCAOB from regularly evaluating our independent registered public accounting firm’s audits and its quality control procedures. As a result, investors may be deprived of the benefits of PCAOB inspections. -31- On May 24, 2013, PCAOB announced that it had entered into a Memorandum of Understanding on Enforcement Cooperation with the China Securities Regulatory Commission, or the CSRC, and the Ministry of Finance which establishes a cooperative framework between the parties for the production and exchange of audit documents relevant to investigations in the United States and China. On inspection, it appears that the PCAOB continues to be in discussions with the Mainland China regulators to permit inspections of audit firms that are registered with PCAOB in relation to the audit of Chinese companies that trade on U.S. exchanges. On December 7, 2018, the SEC and the PCAOB issued a joint statement highlighting continued challenges faced by the U.S. regulators in their oversight of financial statement audits of U.S.-listed companies with significant operations in China. The joint statement reflects a heightened interest in this issue. However, it remains unclear what further actions the SEC and PCAOB will take and its impact on Chinese companies listed in the U.S. Inspections of other firms that the PCAOB has conducted outside the PRC have identified deficiencies in those firms’ audit procedures and quality control procedures, which may be addressed as part of the inspection process to improve future audit quality. The inability of the PCAOB to conduct full inspections of auditors in the PRC 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 the PRC that are subject to PCAOB inspections. Investors may lose confidence in our reported financial information and procedures and the quality of our financial statements. If the settlement reached between the SEC and the Big Four PRC-based accounting firms (including the Chinese affiliate of our independent registered public accounting firm), concerning the manner in which the SEC may seek access to audit working papers from audits in China of U.S.-listed companies, is not or cannot be performed in a manner acceptable to authorities in China and the United States, we could be unable to timely file future financial statements in compliance with the requirements of the Exchange Act. In late 2012, the SEC commenced administrative proceedings under Rule 102(e) of its Rules of Practice and also under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 against the mainland Chinese affiliates of the “Big Four” accounting firms (including the mainland Chinese affiliate of our independent registered public accounting firm). A first instance trial of the proceedings in July 2013 in the SEC’s internal administrative court resulted in an adverse judgment against the firms. The administrative law judge proposed penalties on the Chinese accounting firms including a temporary suspension of their right to practice before the SEC, although that proposed penalty did not take effect pending review by the Commissioners of the SEC. On February 6, 2015, before a review by the Commissioner had taken place, the Chinese accounting firms reached a settlement with the SEC whereby the proceedings were stayed. Under the settlement, the SEC accepted that future requests by the SEC for the production of documents would normally be made to the CSRC. The Chinese accounting firms would receive requests matching those under Section 106 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, and would be required to abide by a detailed set of procedures with respect to such requests, which in substance would require them to facilitate production via the CSRC. The CSRC for its part initiated a procedure whereby, under its supervision and subject to its approval, requested classes of documents held by the accounting firms could be sanitized of problematic and sensitive content so as to render them capable of being made available by the CSRC to US regulators. Under the terms of the settlement, the underlying proceeding against the four PRC-based accounting firms was deemed dismissed with prejudice at the end of four years starting from the settlement date, which was on February 6, 2019. Despite the final ending of the proceedings, the presumption is that all parties will continue to apply the same procedures: i.e. the SEC will continue to make its requests for the production of documents to the CSRC, and the CSRC will normally process those requests applying the sanitization procedure. We cannot predict whether, in cases where the CSRC does not authorize production of requested documents to the SEC, the SEC will further challenge the four PRC-based accounting firms’ compliance with U.S. law. If additional challenges are imposed on the Chinese affiliates of the “big four” accounting firms, we could be unable to timely file future financial statements in compliance with the requirements of the Exchange Act. -32- In the event that the SEC restarts the administrative proceedings, depending upon the final outcome listed companies in the United States with major PRC operations may find it difficult or impossible to retain auditors in respect of their operations in the PRC, which could result in financial statements being determined to not be in compliance with the requirements of the Exchange Act, including possible delisting. Moreover, any negative news about any such future proceedings against these accounting firms may cause investor uncertainty regarding China-based, United States-listed companies and the market price of our ADSs may be adversely affected. As part of a continued regulatory focus in the United States on access to audit and other information currently protected by foreign law, in particular China’s, in June 2019, a bipartisan group of lawmakers in the United States introduced bills in both houses of Congress that would require the SEC to maintain a list of issuers for which the PCAOB is not able to inspect or investigate an auditor report issued by a foreign public accounting firm. The Ensuring Quality Information and Transparency for Abroad-Based Listings on our Exchanges (EQUITABLE) Act prescribes increased disclosure requirements for such issuers and, beginning in 2025, the delisting from national securities exchanges such as Nasdaq of issuers included for three consecutive years on the SEC’s list. Enactment of this legislation or other efforts to increase U.S. regulatory access to audit information could cause investors uncertainty for affected issuers, including us, and the market price of our ADSs could be adversely affected. It is unclear if this proposed legislation will be enacted. If the Chinese affiliate of our independent registered public accounting firm were denied, even temporarily, the ability to practice before the SEC and we were unable to timely find another registered public accounting firm to audit and issue an opinion on our financial statements, our financial statements could be determined not to be in compliance with the requirements of the Exchange Act. Such a determination could ultimately lead to the delisting of our ordinary shares from the NYSE or deregistration from the SEC, or both, which would substantially reduce or effectively terminate the trading of our ADSs in the United States. Our articles of association contain anti-takeover provisions that could discourage a third party from acquiring us, which could limit our shareholders’ opportunity to sell their shares, including ordinary shares represented by our ADSs, at a premium. Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association contain provisions which have the potential to limit the ability of others to acquire control of our company or cause us to engage in change- of-control transactions. These provisions have the effect of depriving our shareholders of an opportunity to sell their shares at a premium over prevailing market prices by discouraging third parties from seeking to obtain control of our company in a tender offer or similar transaction. For example, our board of directors has the authority, without further action by our shareholders, to issue preferred shares in one or more series and to fix their designations, powers, preferences, privileges and other rights, including dividend rights, conversion rights, voting rights, terms of redemption and liquidation preferences, any or all of which may be greater than the rights associated with our ordinary shares, in the form of ADS or otherwise, at such time and on such terms as they may think appropriate. In the event these preferred shares have better voting rights than our ordinary shares, in the form of ADSs or otherwise, they could be issued quickly with terms calculated to delay or prevent a change in control of our company or make removal of management more difficult. If our board of directors decides to issue preferred shares, the price of our ADSs may fall and the voting and other rights of the holders of our ordinary shares and ADSs may be materially and adversely affected. You may have to rely primarily on price appreciation of our ADSs for any return on your investment. Our board of directors has discretion as to whether to distribute dividends, subject to applicable laws. Although our board of directors has announced a policy to declare and pay dividends on a quarterly basis, the amount and form of future dividends will depend on, among other things, our future results of operations and cash flow, our capital requirements and surplus, the amount of distributions, if any, received by us from our subsidiaries, our financial condition, contractual restrictions and other factors deemed relevant by our -33- board of directors. Accordingly, the return on your investment in our ADSs will likely depend primarily upon any future price appreciation of our ADSs. There is no guarantee that our ADSs will appreciate in value or even maintain the price at which you purchased the ADSs. You may not realize a return on your investment in our ADSs and you may even lose your entire investment in our ADSs. As a foreign private issuer, we are exempt from certain disclosure requirements under the Exchange Act, which may afford less protection to our shareholders than they would enjoy if we were a domestic U.S. company. As a foreign private issuer, we are exempt from, among other things, the rules prescribing the furnishing and content of proxy statements under the Exchange Act. In addition, our executive officers, directors and principal shareholders are exempt from the reporting and short-swing profit and recovery provisions contained in Section 16 of the Exchange Act. We are also not required under the Exchange Act to file periodic reports and financial statements with the SEC as frequently or as promptly as domestic U.S. companies with securities registered under the Exchange Act. As a result, our shareholders may be afforded less protection than they would under the Exchange Act rules applicable to domestic U.S. companies. 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, conduct substantially all of our operations in China and the majority of our officers reside outside the United States We are incorporated in the Cayman Islands, and conduct substantially all of our operations in China through our subsidiaries in China. Most of our officers reside outside the United States and some or all of the assets of those persons are located outside of the United States. The legal system in Cayman, the PRC or other relevant jurisdictions may not afford our shareholders the same level of protection as the legal system in the United States would. For instance, the Securities Laws of the PRC regulates only security issuances and trading outside of the PRC to the extent that such issuance and trading disrupts domestic markets and negatively affects the interest of domestic investors in the PRC. As such, investors in the United States may not be able to file a lawsuit under the Securities Law in the PRC. Even if you are successful in bringing an action in the PRC, shareholder claims that are common in the United States, including class action suits securities law and fraud claims, may be difficult or impossible to pursue as a matter of law or practicality in the PRC. As a result, it may be difficult or impossible for you to bring an action against us or against these individuals in the Cayman Islands or in China in the event that you believe that your rights have been infringed under the securities laws or otherwise. Even if you are successful in bringing an action of this kind outside the Cayman Islands or China, the laws of the Cayman Islands and of China may render you unable to effect service of process upon, or to enforce a judgment against our assets or the assets of our directors and officers. The SEC, U.S. Department of Justice, or the DOJ, and other relevant regulatory authorities in the United States play vital roles in enforcing laws and regulations that protect securities investors. These U.S. authorities may face significant legal and other obstacles to obtaining information needed for investigations or litigation. Further, these U.S. authorities may have substantial difficulties in bringing and enforcing actions against non-U.S. companies and non-U.S. persons, including company directors and officers, which will further limit protections available to our shareholders. According to the Securities Laws of the PRC, without the approval of securities regulator and other actors within the Chinese government, no entity or individual in China may provide documents and information relating to securities business activities to overseas regulators. In addition, local authorities in Cayman, the PRC or other relevant jurisdicitions often are constrained in their ability to assist U.S. authorities and overseas investors more generally. There are also legal or other obstacles to seeking access to funds in a foreign country. There is no statutory enforcement in the Cayman Islands of judgments obtained in the United States, although a judgment obtained in the federal or state courts of the United States courts will be recognized and enforced in the courts of the Cayman Islands at common law, without any re-examination of the merits of the underlying dispute, by an action commenced on the foreign judgment debt in the Grand Court -34- of the Cayman Islands, provided such judgment: (a) is given by a foreign court of competent jurisdiction, (b) imposes on the judgment debtor a liability to pay a liquidated sum for which the judgment has been given, (c) is final, (d) is not in respect of taxes, a fine, or a penalty, and (d) was not obtained in a manner and is not of a kind the enforcement of which is contrary to natural justice or the public policy of the Cayman Islands. However, the Cayman Islands courts are unlikely to enforce a judgment obtained from the U.S. courts under civil liability provisions of the U.S. federal securities law if such judgment is determined by the courts of the Cayman Islands to give rise to obligations to make payments that are penal or punitive in nature. A Cayman Islands court may stay enforcement proceedings if concurrent proceedings are being brought elsewhere. A judgment of a court of another jurisdiction may be reciprocally recognized or enforced if the jurisdiction has a treaty with China or if judgments of the PRC courts have been recognized before in that jurisdiction, subject to the satisfaction of other requirements. However, China does not have treaties providing for the reciprocal enforcement of judgments of courts with Japan, the United Kingdom, the United States and most other Western countries. Our corporate affairs are governed by our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association and by the Companies Law (2020 Revision) (the “Company Law”) and the common law of the Cayman Islands. The rights of shareholders to take legal action against our directors and us, actions by minority shareholders and the fiduciary responsibilities 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, which has persuasive, but not binding, authority on a court in the Cayman Islands. The rights of our shareholders and the fiduciary responsibilities of our directors under Cayman Islands law are not as clearly established as they would be under statutes or judicial precedents in the United States. In particular, the Cayman Islands has a less developed body of securities laws as compared to the United States, and provides significantly less protection to investors. In addition, Cayman Islands companies may not have standing to initiate a shareholder derivative action before the federal courts of the United States. As a result of all of the above, our investors may have more difficulty in protecting their interests through actions against our management, directors or major shareholders than would shareholders of a corporation incorporated in a jurisdiction in the United States. We may be a passive foreign investment company for United States federal income tax purposes, which could result in adverse United States federal income tax consequences to United States Holders of our ADSs or ordinary shares. We will be a passive foreign investment company, or PFIC. for United States federal income tax purposes for any taxable year if, applying applicable look-through rules, either (1) at least 75% of our gross income for such year is passive income or (2) at least 50% of the value of our assets (generally determined based on an average of the quarterly values of the assets) during such year is attributable to assets that produce passive income or are held for the production of passive income. We must make a separate determination after the close of each taxable year as to whether we were a PFIC for that year. Based on the market price of our ADSs, the value of our assets, and the composition of our income and assets, we do not believe that we were a PFIC for United States federal income tax purposes for our taxable year ended December 31, 2019. However, we believe we were a PFIC for 2017 and prior years. In addition, we believe that it is likely that one or more of our subsidiaries were also PFICs for such prior years. Because the value of our assets for purposes of the PFIC test will generally be determined by reference to the market price of our ADSs or ordinary shares, our PFIC status will depend in large part on the market price of the ADSs or ordinary shares, which may fluctuate significantly. If our market capitalization declines, we may be or become a PFIC because our liquid assets and cash (which are for this purpose considered assets that produce passive income) may then represent a greater percentage of our overall assets. In addition, the application of the PFIC rules is subject to uncertainty in several respects, and we cannot assure you that the United States Internal Revenue Service, or the IRS, will agree with any positions that we ultimately take. Accordingly, we cannot assure you that we will not be treated as a PFIC for any taxable year or that the IRS will not take a contrary position to any determination we make. -35- If we are a PFIC for any taxable year (as we believe we were for 2017 and prior years) during which a United States Holder (as defined in “Item 10. Additional Information — E. Taxation — United States Federal Income Taxation”) holds our ADSs or ordinary shares, certain adverse United States federal income tax consequences could apply to such United States Holder. See “Item 10. Additional Information — E. Taxation — United States Federal Income Taxation — Passive Foreign Investment Company.” -36- Item 4. Information on the Company A. History and Development of the Company History of Our Corporate Structure We started our operation in 1999 through Guangzhou Nanyun Car Rental Services Co., Ltd. and Guangdong Nanfeng Automobile Association Co., Ltd. In 2001, we formed China United Financial Services Holdings Limited, or China United Financial Services, a British Virgin Islands company, as the offshore holding company of our PRC subsidiaries. In June 2004, CISG Holdings Ltd., or CISG Holdings was incorporated in British Virgin Islands. CISG Holdings became our holding company through share exchanges with China United Financial Services. In anticipation of our initial public offering, we incorporated CNinsure Inc. in the Cayman Islands in April 2007. After a series of restructuring transactions, CNinsure Inc. became the ultimate holding company of our group. On October 31, 2007, we listed our ADSs on the Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol “CISG.” We and certain selling shareholders of our company, completed the initial public offering of 13,526,773 ADSs, each representing 20 ordinary shares, on November 5, 2007. In October 2012, we obtained license approval from the then CIRC to establish an insurance sales service group company and renamed Shenzhen Nanfeng Investment, our wholly-owned subsidiary in the PRC, as “Fanhua Insurance Sales Service Group Company Limited”, or Fanhua Group Company, to serve as the onshore holding company of our PRC operating entities. On December 6, 2016, our shareholders approved the change of our company name from CNinsure Inc. to Fanhua Inc. Our ticker symbol was changed to “FANH” subsequently. History of Our Business Operation We began our insurance intermediary business in 1999 by distributing auto insurance products and auto loans on an ancillary basis and expanded our product offerings to other property and casualty insurance products in 2002. We commenced life insurance products distribution by acquiring three life insurance agencies in 2006 and began to offer claims adjusting services by acquiring four claims adjusting firms in 2008. In June 2010, we established an insurance brokerage business unit to expand our product offerings from retail to commercial lines. We have grown both organically and through acquisitions. Since 2002, we expanded our operations nationwide by establishing 21 insurance agencies and two insurance brokerage firms and acquiring majority interests in 21 insurance agencies and five claims adjusting firms. In October 2017, as part of our transition towards the fee-based platform model, we sold Fanhua Times Sales & Service Co., Ltd., and all of its subsidiaries, including 18 P&C insurance agencies and one insurance brokerage firm, to Beijing Cheche Technology Co., Ltd. and divested our insurance brokerage segment in November 2017. In recent years, we have devoted significant efforts to developing and managing our mobile and online platforms. In 2010, we started to build an e-commerce insurance platform. In April 2014, we established Dianliang Information, as the holding company for eHuzhu (www.ehuzhu.com), an online mutual aid platform that we launched in July 2014. In October 2012, we launched CNpad application, a mobile sales support system, which was later divided into CNpad Auto and Lan Zhanggui. Chetong. Net, an online claims services resource aggregating platform, was launched in 2014. -37- We have also made investments in complementary business areas, such as consumer finance and wealth management since 2009. We currently own an 18.5% equity interest in CNFinance (NYSE: CNF), a leading home equity loan service provider in China, and a 4.5% equity interest in Puyi Inc. (NASDAQ: PUYI), a leading third-party wealth management service provider in China which beneficially owns 100% in Fanhua Puyi Fund Distribution Co., Ltd., or Fanhua Puyi. Our principal executive offices are located at 27/F, Pearl River Tower, No. 15 West Zhujiang Road, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510623, People’s Republic of China. Our telephone number at this address is +86- 20-8388-6888. Our registered office is 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 CT Corporation System, located at 111 Eighth Avenue, New York, New York 10011. Capital Expenditure Our capital expenditures have been used primarily to construct, upgrade and maintain our online platforms. See “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects – B. Liquidity and Capital Resources.” B. Business Overview Overview Driven by our cutting-edge technologies and insurance industry expertise, we are the leading independent insurance intermediary group in China. We connect millions of individual customers to our 103 insurance company partners as of March 31, 2020. As an independent insurance agency, we possess unique advantages over the exclusive distribution channels of insurance companies. We offer not only a broad range of insurance products underwritten by multiple insurance companies to address the needs of increasingly sophisticated customers with diverse needs and preferences but also quality services backed by our nationwide network. We focus on offering long-term life and health insurance products including critical illness, endowment life, annuity, whole life and term life insurance and distribute property and casualty insurance products including auto insurance, individual accident insurance, homeowner insurance, liability insurance and travel insurance. We also provide insurance claims adjusting services such as damage assessment and loss estimations. With strategic focus on long-term life and health insurance products and services, we were one of the first independent insurance agencies to enter China’s life insurance agency market. We began distributing long-term life and health insurance products in 2006 and have become an industry leader after accumulating valuable industry experience for over 10 years. We have adopted an integrated offline-to-online (“O2O”) operating model. We use our technology platforms to boost efficiency and improve user experience, and rely on our extensive offline distribution and service network to facilitate sales of complex insurance products and offer reliable after-sales services. We began building online platforms to sell insurance products as early as 2010 and pioneered the adoption of digital technologies in China’s insurance agency industry. To meet demand for different insurance products and services, we have established industry-leading online platforms including Lan Zhanggui, CNpad Auto, Baowang (www.baoxian.com), eHuzhu (www.ehuzhu.com) and Chetong.net. Our technology platforms enable intelligent deal management and streamline and expedite transaction processes, while our offline distribution and service network provides an effective channel for us to engage with and serve our clients. This O2O model significantly enhances our operational efficiency and scalability. We have an extensive independent insurance product distribution network and comprehensive insurance service network in China. With 670,104 sales agents, 758 sales outlets which include our -38- branches and sub-branches in 22 provinces as of December 31, 2019, our distribution network was the largest among independent insurance agencies in China. With 1,627 claims adjusters in 159 service outlets as of December 31, 2019, our claims adjustment service network covered 31 provinces in China. Our extensive distribution and service network and sizable sales and service work force allow us to engage and serve customers nationwide and serve as a substantial entry barrier to China’s insurance agency industry. We operate in a fast-growing industry with abundant opportunities. The separation of insurance underwriting and distribution is a significant trend in China’s insurance industry. Historically dominated by in-house sales forces and exclusive agents, insurance distribution channels in China have gradually shifted towards independent insurance agencies, as demand for insurance products and services has diversified in recent years. With strong brand recognition, established relationships with major insurance companies, an extensive distribution and sales network and cutting-edge technology, we intend to take advantage of the opportunities resulting from the growth and transformation of the insurance agency industry in China to increase our market share by aggressively expanding our sales force and offline distribution and service network, broadening our product portfolio and developing our online platforms. Our Platforms Technological developments and the growth of mobile internet access have significantly changed the way we operate our business. We operate several online platforms, which we define as websites and Internet-enabled applications that aggregate insurance product offerings from various insurance companies:  Lan Zhanggui - an internet-based all-in-one platform which integrates our existing online platforms and allows our agents to access and purchase a wide variety of insurance products, including long term life and health insurance, auto insurance, accident insurance, travel insurance, and standard medical insurance products from multiple insurance companies, through one integrated account on their mobile devices. The platform is available in mobile application and WeChat official account versions. As of March 31, 2020, Lan Zhanggui had approximately 1.2 million registered users.  CNpad Auto – an internet-based auto insurance portal for our sales agents available in mobile application and WeChat official account versions, through which they can access, compare and purchase auto insurance products from multiple insurance companies on their mobile devices for their clients. CNpad Auto had 632,566 activated accounts as of March 31, 2020.  Baowang (www.baoxian.com) - an online insurance platform that allows customers to directly compare and shop for hundreds of accident, standard short term health, travel and homeowner insurance products from dozens of insurance companies online. The platform is available in PC- based website, mobile application and WeChat official account versions. As of March 31, 2020, Baowang had over 2.8 million registered members.  eHuzhu (www.ehuzhu.com) - an online non-profit mutual aid platform that provides low-cost alternative risk-protection programs on a mutual aid basis among program members. eHuzhu primarily offers programs that provide mutual aid for cancer in three different age groups and accidental death. The platform is accessible primarily through its WeChat official account. When a member signs up for a program offered by eHuzhu, he or she agrees to evenly contribute to and is entitled to receive payout from other program members in case of any claims covered under such program. The amount of fund that each member can claim is up to RMB500,000, with the maximum contribution from each member limited to RMB3 for each valid claim. As of March 31, 2020, eHuzhu had attracted approximately 3.4 million paying members. As of March 31, 2020, we, through Fanhua Group Company, operated one e-commerce insurance platform and one online mutual aid platform, and controlled twelve insurance intermediary companies in the PRC, of which nine were insurance agencies including two with national operating licenses and three were insurance claims adjusting firms. As of March 31, 2020, we also owned (i) 18.5% of the equity interests in CNFinance Holdings Ltd. (NYSE:CNF), a leading home equity loan service provider, (ii) 4.5% -39- of the equity interests in Puyi Inc. (NASDAQ:PUYI), a leading third party wealth management services provider focusing on mass affluent and emerging middle class population, and (iii) 14.9% of the equity interests in Shenzhen Chetong Network Co., Ltd., an online insurance claims services provider. Recent Development On April 3, 2020, we entered into a framework strategic partnership agreement, or the Agreement, with Fanhua Puyi. Pursuant to the Agreement, both parties, on the basis of full compliance with relevant regulatory and legal requirements , will share customer and channel resources and explore collaboration opportunities on the provision of value-added asset management services to Chinese households, by leveraging both parties’ respective strength in insurance and financial services. Segment Information As of December 31, 2019, we operated two segments: (1) the insurance agency segment, which mainly consists of providing agency services for P&C insurance products and life insurance products to individual clients, and (2) the claims adjusting segment, which consists of providing pre-underwriting survey services, claim adjusting services, disposal of residual value services, loading and unloading supervision services, and consulting services. Insurance Agency Segment Our insurance agency segment accounted for 90.6% and 90.0% of our net revenues from continuing operations in 2018 and 2019, respectively. Revenue from this segment is derived from two broad categories of insurance products: (i) property and casualty insurance products, and (ii) life and health insurance products, both primarily focused on meeting the insurance needs of individuals. Life and health Insurance Products Our life and health insurance business accounted for 86.2% of our net revenues from continuing operations in 2019. We expect the sale of life insurance products to be the major source of our revenue in the next several years. The life and health insurance products we distribute can be broadly classified into the categories set forth below. Due to constant product innovation by insurance companies, some of the insurance products we distribute combine features of one or more of the categories listed below:    Individual Health Insurance. The individual health insurance products we distribute primarily consist of critical illness insurance products, which provide guaranteed benefits when the insured is diagnosed with specified serious illnesses, and medical insurance products, which provide conditional reimbursement for medical expenses during the coverage period. In return, the insured makes periodic payment of premiums over a pre-determined period. Individual Annuity. The individual annuity products we distribute generally provide annual benefit payments after the insured attains a certain age, or for a fixed time period, and provide a lump sum payment at the end of the coverage period. In addition, the beneficiary designated in the annuity contract will receive guaranteed benefits upon the death of the insured during the coverage period. In return, the purchaser of the annuity products makes periodic payments of premiums during a pre-determined accumulation period. Individual Whole Life Insurance. The individual whole life insurance products we distribute provide insurance for the insured person’s entire life in exchange for the periodic payment of fixed premiums over a pre-determined period, generally ranging from five to 20 years, or until the insured reaches a certain age. The face amount of the policy or, for some policies, the face amount plus accumulated interest is paid upon the death of the insured. -40-    Individual Term Life Insurance. The individual term life insurance products we distribute provide insurance coverage for the insured for a specified time period or until the attainment of a certain age, in return for the periodic payment of fixed premiums over a pre-determined period, generally ranging from five to 20 years. Term life insurance policies generally expire without value if the insured survives the coverage period. Individual Endowment Life Insurance. The individual endowment products we distribute generally provide insurance coverage for the insured for a specified time period and maturity benefits if the insured reaches a specified age. The individual endowment products we distribute also provide to a beneficiary designated by the insured guaranteed benefits upon the death of the insured within the coverage period. In return, the insured makes periodic payment of premiums over a pre-determined period, generally ranging from five to 25 years. Participating Insurance. The participating insurance products we distribute not only provide insurance coverage but also pay dividends generated from the profits of the insurance company providing the policy. The dividends are typically paid on an annual basis over the life of the policy. In return, the insured makes periodic payments of premiums over a pre-determined period, generally ranging from five to 25 years. The life insurance products we distributed in 2019 were primarily underwritten by Huaxia, Aeon, Sinatay, Tian'an and Evergrande. Property and Casualty Insurance Products Our property and casualty insurance business accounted for 3.8% of our net revenues from continuing operations in 2019, primarily representing insurance products we distributed through Baowang, and CNpad Auto to a lesser degree. Our main property and casualty insurance product in terms of net revenues contribution in 2019 is individual accident insurance which we distribute through Baowang. In addition, we also offer travel insurance, homeowner insurance and other property and casualty products on Baowang and facilitate the sale of individual auto insurance through CNpad Auto. The major property and casualty insurance products we offer or facilitate to individual customers can be further classified into the following categories:   Individual Accident Insurance. The individual accident insurance products we distribute generally provide a guaranteed benefit during the coverage period, which is usually one year or a shorter period, in the event of death or disability of the insured as a result of an accident, or a reimbursement of medical expenses to the insured in connection with an accident. These products typically require only a single premium payment for each coverage period. Because most of the individual accident insurance products we distribute are underwritten by property and casualty insurance companies, we classify individual accident insurance products as property and casualty insurance products. Travel Insurance. The travel insurance products we distribute are short-term insurance providing guaranteed benefit in the event of death or disability and covering travel-related emergencies and losses, either within one's own country, or internationally. These products typically require only a single premium payment for each coverage period.  Homeowner Insurance. The homeowner insurance products we distribute primarily cover damages to the insured house, along with furniture and household electrical appliance in the house caused by a number of incidents such as fire, flood and explosion.  Short term health insurance. The short term health insurance products we facilitate typically have a one-year term and provide conditional reimbursement for medical and surgical expenses incurred for treating illnesses during the coverage period. These products typically require only a single premium payment for each coverage period. Because most of these short-term health -41- insurance products we distribute are underwritten by property and casualty insurance companies, we classify short-term health products as property and casualty insurance products.  Auto Insurance. We facilitate both standard auto insurance policies and supplemental policies, which we refer to as riders. The standard auto insurance policies we facilitate generally have a term of one year and cover damages caused to the insured vehicle by collision and other traffic accidents, falling or flying objects, fire, explosion and natural disasters. We also facilitate standard third-party liability insurance policies, which cover bodily injury and property damage caused by an accident involving an insured vehicle to a person not in the insured vehicle. The riders we facilitate cover additional losses, such as liability to passengers, losses arising from vehicle theft and robbery, broken glass and vehicle body scratches. We primarily partnered with Alliance Property and Casualty Insurance Company Limited, Ping An Property and Casualty Insurance Company Limited, or Ping An, Taikang Online Property and Casualty Insurance Company Limited, Zhong An Online Property and Casualty Insurance Company Limited, and Asia Pacific Property and Casualty Insurance Co., Ltd., or Asia Pacific P&C for the distribution of property and casualty insurance products in 2019. Claims Adjusting Segment Total net revenues derived from our claims adjusting segment accounted for 9.4% and 10.0% of our total net revenues in 2018 and 2019, respectively. We offer the following insurance claims adjusting services:   Pre-underwriting Survey. Before an insurance policy is sold, we conduct a survey of the item to be insured to assess its current value and help our clients determine the insurable value and the amount to be insured. We also help our clients assess the underwriting risk with respect to the item to be insured through surveys, appraisals and analysis. Claims Adjusting. When an accident involving the insured subject matter has occurred, we conduct an onsite survey to determine the cause of the accident and assess damage. We then determine the extent of the loss to the insured subject matter and prepare and submit a report to the insurance company summarizing our preliminary findings. Upon final conclusion of the case, we prepare and submit a detailed report to the insurance company setting forth details of the accident, cause of the loss, details of the loss, adjustment and determination of loss, an indemnity proposal and, where appropriate, a request for payment.  Disposal of Residual Value. In the course of providing claims adjusting services, we also can appraise the residual value of the insured property and offer suggestions on the disposal of such property. Upon appointment by the insurance company, we handle the actual disposal of the insured property through auction, discounted sale, lease or other means.   Loading and Unloading Supervision. Upon appointment by ship owners, shippers, consignees or insurance companies, we can monitor and record the loading and unloading processes of specific cargos. Consulting Services. We provide consulting services to both the insured and the insurance companies on risk assessment and management, disaster and damage prevention, investigation, and loss assessment. We primarily provided claims adjusting services to Ping An, China Pacific Property and Casualty Insurance Company Limited, China Life Property and Casualty Insurance Company Limited, Dinghe Property and Casualty Insurance Company Limited and Asia Pacific P&C in 2019. As competition intensifies and the insurance market becomes more mature in China, we believe there will be a further division of labor in the insurance intermediary sector. We expect that more insurance companies will choose to outsource claims adjusting functions to professional service providers while they -42- focus on the core aspects of their business, including product development and asset and risk management. We believe we are well-positioned to capture such outsourcing opportunities. Seasonality See “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects — A. Operating Results — Factors Affecting Our Results of Operations — Seasonality.” Distribution and Service Network and Marketing We have an offline distribution and service network that, as of March 31, 2020, consisted of one insurance sales and service group, nines insurance agencies including two with national operating licenses, and three claims adjusting firms, with 922 sales and service branches and outlets, 650,065 registered independent sales agents and 1,668 in-house claims adjustors. Our distribution and service network consisted of 763 sales outlets in 22 provinces and 159 claims services outlets in 31 provinces. The following table sets forth additional information concerning our distribution and service network as of March 31, 2020, broken down by provinces: -43- Province Shandong ........................ Guangdong ...................... Hebei .............................. Anhui .............................. Sichuan ........................... Jiangsu ............................ Guangxi .......................... Zhejiang .......................... Hunan ............................. Henan ............................. Inner Mongolia ............... Liaoning ......................... Yunnan ........................... Fujian .............................. Shaanxi ........................... Chongqing ..................... Shanxi ............................. Tianjin ............................ Jiangxi ............................ Hubei .............................. Beijing ............................ Shanghai ......................... Guizhou .......................... Ningxia ........................... Jilin ................................. Qinghai ........................... Hainan ............................ Gansu .............................. Xinjiang .......................... Tibet ............................... Heilongjiang ................... Total ............................. Number of Sales and Service Outlets 187 75 84 49 95 50 23 61 70 14 17 25 20 37 16 17 10 11 7 16 7 9 4 2 2 2 4 2 1 2 3 922 Number of Sales Agents 168,930 78,136 69,873 41,660 35,402 32,658 31,150 28,831 24,971 20,537 18,993 16,535 15,872 15,286 11,943 9,586 9,223 7,721 5,823 5,435 1,500 — — — — — — — — — — 650,065 Number of In- house Adjustors 179 216 31 22 63 160 26 176 34 45 8 69 17 22 59 21 17 20 48 93 135 106 27 20 22 3 9 6 7 1 6 1,668 -44- We market and sell long-term personal lines of life and health insurance products and property and casualty insurance products to customers through mainly independent sales agents, who are not our employees. We also market and sell accident, short-term health, travel and homeowner insurance products directly to customers through our online platform Baowang (www.baoxian.com). We market and sell insurance claims adjusting services primarily to insurance companies through our in-house professional claims adjustors and to non-affiliated service representatives through Chetong.net, an online service platform, by bidding for claims adjusting business contracts. Customers We sell life and health insurance products including critical illness, endowment insurance, annuity insurance, whole life insurance and term life insurance primarily to individual customers as well as property and casualty insurance products including automobile insurance, individual accident insurance, homeowner insurance products, liability insurance and travel insurance. Customers for the life insurance products we distribute are primarily individuals under 50 years of age. For the year ended December 31, 2019, no single individual customer who has purchased insurance products through us accounted for more than 1% of our net revenues. Our customers for the claims adjusting services are primarily insurance companies and online mutual-aid platforms. As of December 31, 2019, we had accumulated approximately 11 million individual customers, of which 1.1 million have purchased at least one regular long term life and health insurance policy. By providing certain value-added services to these customers at no additional charge, we seek to build a loyal customer base that generates referrals and cross-selling opportunities. Insurance Company Partners As of March 31, 2020, we had established business relationships with 103 insurance companies in the PRC. In the Chinese insurance market, local branches of insurance companies generally have the authority to enter into contracts in their own names with insurance intermediaries. Since 2007, we have sought to establish business relationships with insurance companies at the corporate headquarters level in order to leverage the combined sales volumes of all our subsidiaries located in different parts of China. For the distribution of insurance products, we had outstanding contracts with 35 life insurance companies, four health insurance companies and 19 property and casualty insurance companies, which were all signed at the corporate headquarter level as of March 31, 2020. For the provision of claims adjusting services, we also had outstanding contracts with 58 insurance companies, and 5 insurance brokerage firms and 10 other institutions as of March 31, 2020. Insurance Aggregator Site Partners In October 2017, we shifted to a platform business model for our auto insurance business. Under the new business model, we no longer enter into contracts with property and casualty insurance companies for the distribution of auto insurance products through our individual sales agents to earn profits from the commission spread. Rather, we operate CNpad Auto as an auto insurance transaction portal which connects insurance distributors with our sales agents and received technology service fees from distributors which provide auto insurance products on CNpad Auto based on the volume of insurance premiums they transact through CNpad Auto. A technology service fee is typically much smaller than the commission we previously received from insurance companies, though our costs are generally minimal. From 2018, we started partnering with third party online auto insurance platforms, for the facilitation of auto insurance products, by introducing agent traffic to these platforms. In 2019, net revenues derived from our cooperation with these platforms accounting less than 1% of our total property and casualty insurance net revenues. We stopped charging this technology service fee starting from the fourth quarter of 2019. -45- Competition A number of industry players are involved in the distribution of insurance products in the PRC. We compete for customers on the basis of product offerings, customer services and reputation. Because we primarily distribute individual insurance products, our principal competitors include:    Professional insurance intermediaries. The professional insurance intermediary sector in China is highly fragmented, accounting for only 12.7% of the total insurance premiums generated in China in 2018, according to statistics released by the CBIRC at the 2019 Insurance Intermediary Supervision and Administration Work Conference. Several insurance intermediary companies have received private equity or venture capital funding in recent years and are actively pursuing expansion. We believe that we can compete effectively with these insurance intermediary companies with our long operating history, strong brand recognition, a strong and stable team of managers and sales professionals, leading online platforms and diversified product offerings. With increasing consolidation expected in the insurance intermediary sector in the coming years, we expect competition within this sector to intensify. Insurance companies. The distribution of individual life insurance products in China historically has been dominated by insurance companies, which usually use both in-house sales forces and exclusive sales agents to distribute their own products. In addition, in recent years several major insurance companies have increasingly used telemarketing and the Internet to distribute insurance. We believe that we can compete effectively with insurance companies because we focus only on distribution and offer our customers a broad range of insurance products underwritten by multiple insurance companies. Entities that offer insurance products online. In recent years, domestic insurance companies, Internet companies and professional insurance intermediaries have begun to engage in the Internet insurance business. However, each of their insurance e-commerce operations has its own limitations. The insurance products offered on an insurance company’s website are usually confined to those under its own brand. Most Internet companies have limited experience in insurance operation with limited or no offline sales and service support. Our better brand recognition, larger sales scale and broader sales and service network also differentiate us from other professional insurance intermediaries. We believe that we can compete effectively with these business entities because our online insurance platforms offer users access to a broad range of insurance products underwritten by multiple insurance companies’ good after-sale services that are backed by our nation-wide service network and better user experience.  Other business entities. In recent years, business entities that distribute insurance products as an ancillary business, primarily commercial banks and postal offices, have been playing an increasingly important role in the distribution of insurance products, especially life insurance products. However, the insurance products distributed by these entities are mostly confined to those related to their main lines of business, such as investment-related life insurance products. We believe that we can compete effectively with these business entities because we offer our customers a broader variety of products. We compete primarily with the other major claims adjusting firms in China, particularly Min Tai’an Insurance Surveyors & Loss Adjusters Co., Ltd., or Min Tai’an. We believe that we can compete effectively with Min Tai’an and other major insurance claims adjusting firms because we offer our customers a diversified range of claims adjusting services covering property insurance, auto insurance marine and cargo insurance, and personal injury and accident and are able to leverage the business relationships we have developed with insurance companies through the distribution of property and casualty insurance products. -46- Intellectual Property Our brand, trade names, trademarks, trade secrets and other intellectual property rights distinguish our business platform, services and products from those of our competitors and contribute to our competitive advantage in the professional insurance intermediary sector. To protect our intellectual property, we rely on a combination of trademark, copyright and trade secret laws as well as confidentiality agreements with our employees, sales agents, contractors and others. As of March 31, 2020, we had 33 registered trademarks in China, including our corporate logo. Our main website is www.fanhuaholdings.com. Regulation Regulations of the Insurance Industry The insurance industry in the PRC is highly regulated. Between 1998 and March 2018, CIRC was the regulatory authority responsible for the supervision of the Chinese insurance industry. In March 2018, the CBIRC, was established as the result of the merger between CIRC and CBRC, replacing CIRC as the regulatory authority for the supervision of the Chinese insurance industry. Insurance activities undertaken within the PRC are primarily governed by the Insurance Law and the related rules and regulations. Initial Development of Regulatory Framework The Chinese Insurance Law was enacted in 1995. The original insurance law, which we refer to as the 1995 Insurance Law, provided the initial framework for regulating the domestic insurance industry. Among the steps taken under the 1995 Insurance Law were the following:       Licensing of insurance companies and insurance intermediaries, such as agencies and brokerages. The 1995 Insurance Law established requirements for minimum registered capital levels, form of organization, qualification of senior management and adequacy of the information systems for insurance companies and insurance agencies and brokerages. Separation of property and casualty insurance businesses and life insurance businesses. The 1995 Insurance Law classified insurance between property, casualty, liability and credit insurance businesses, on the one hand, and life, accident and health insurance businesses on the other, and prohibited insurance companies from engaging in both types of businesses. Regulation of market conduct by participants. The 1995 Insurance Law prohibited fraudulent and other unlawful conduct by insurance companies, agencies and brokerages. Substantive regulation of insurance products. The 1995 Insurance Law gave insurance regulators the authority to approve the basic policy terms and premium rates for major insurance products. Financial condition and performance of insurance companies. The 1995 Insurance Law established reserve and solvency standards for insurance companies, imposed restrictions on investment powers and established mandatory reinsurance requirements, and put in place a reporting regime to facilitate monitoring by insurance regulators. Supervisory and enforcement powers of the principal regulatory authority. The principal regulatory authority, then the PBOC, was given broad powers under the 1995 Insurance Law to regulate the insurance industry. Establishment of the CIRC and 2002 Amendments to the Insurance Law China’s insurance regulatory regime was further strengthened with the establishment of the CIRC in 1998. The CIRC was given the mandate to implement reform in the insurance industry, minimize insolvency risk for Chinese insurers and promote the development of the insurance market. -47- The 1995 Insurance Law was amended in 2002 and the amended insurance law, which we refer to as the 2002 Insurance Law, became effective on January 1, 2003. The major amendments to the 1995 Insurance Law include:  Authorizing the CIRC to be the insurance supervisory and regulatory body nationwide. The 2002 Insurance Law expressly grants the CIRC the authority to supervise and administer the insurance industry nationwide.    Expanding the permitted scope of business of property and casualty insurers. Under the 2002 Insurance Law, property and casualty insurance companies may engage in the short-term health insurance and accident insurance businesses upon the CIRC’s approval. Providing additional guidelines for the relationship between insurance companies and insurance agents. The 2002 Insurance Law requires an insurance company to enter into an agent agreement with each insurance agent that will act as an agent for that insurance company. The agent agreement sets forth the rights and obligations of the parties to the agreement as well as other matters pursuant to law. An insurance company is responsible for the acts of its agents when the acts are within the scope authorized by the insurance company. Relaxing restrictions on the use of funds by insurance companies. Under the 2002 Insurance Law, an insurance company may use its funds to make equity investments in insurance-related enterprises, such as asset management companies.  Allowing greater freedom for insurance companies to develop insurance products. The 2002 Insurance Law allowed insurance companies to set their own policy terms and premium rates, subject to the approval of, or a filing with, the CIRC. 2009 Amendments to the Insurance Law The 2002 Insurance Law was amended again in 2009 and the amended insurance law, which we refer to as the 2009 Insurance Law, became effective on October 1, 2009. The major amendments to the 2009 Insurance Law include:      Strengthening protection of the insured’s interests. The 2009 Insurance Law added a variety of clauses such as incontestable clause, abstained and estoppels clause, common disaster clause and amending immunity clause, claims-settlement prescription clause, reasons for claims rejection and contract modification clause. Strengthening supervision on the qualification of the shareholders of the insurance companies and setting forth specific qualification requirements for the major shareholders, directors, supervisors and senior managers of insurance companies. Expanding the business scope of insurers and further relaxing restriction on the use of fund by insurers. Strengthening supervision on solvency of insurers with stricter measures. Tightening regulations governing the administration of insurance intermediary companies, especially those relating to behaviors of insurance agents. According to the 2009 Insurance Law, the minimum registered capital required to establish an insurance agency or insurance brokerage as a company must comply with the PRC Company Law. The registered capital or the capital contribution of insurance agencies or insurance brokerages must be paid- up capital in cash. The 2009 Insurance Law also sets forth some specific qualification requirements for insurance agency and brokerage practitioners. The senior managers of insurance agencies or insurance -48- brokerages must meet specific qualification requirements, and their appointments are subject to approval of the CIRC. Personnel of an insurance agency or insurance brokerage engaging in the sales of insurance products must meet the qualification requirements set by the CIRC and obtain a qualification certificate issued by the CIRC. Under the 2009 Insurance Law, the parties to an insurance transaction may engage insurance adjusting firms or other independent appraisal firms that are established in accordance with applicable laws, or persons who possess the requisite professional expertise, to conduct assessment and adjustment of the insured subject matters. Additionally, the 2009 Insurance Law specifies additional legal obligations for insurance agencies and brokerages. 2014 Amendments to the Insurance Law The 2002 Insurance Law was amended again in 2014 and the amended insurance law, which we refer to as the 2014 Insurance Law, became effective on August 31, 2014. The major amendments of the 2014 Insurance Law include:  Relaxing restrictions on actuaries. The 2014 Insurance Law no longer requires Insurance companies shall employ actuaries recognized by the insurance regulatory authority under the State Council. However, an insurance company shall also engage professionals, and establish an actuarial reporting system and a compliance reporting system as before. 2015 Amendments to the Insurance Law The 2014 Insurance Law was amended again in 2015 and the amended insurance law, which we refer to as the 2015 Insurance Law, became effective on April 24, 2015. The major amendments of the 2015 Insurance Law include:   Eliminating the requirement for an insurance agent or broker to obtain a qualification certificate issued by the CIRC before providing any insurance agency or brokerage services. Relaxing the requirement for the establishment or other significant corporate events of an insurance agency or brokerage firm. For example, an insurance agency or brokerage firm is allowed to apply for a business permit from the CIRC and a business license from the local AIC simultaneously under the 2015 Insurance Law, while an insurance agency or brokerage firm had to apply for and receive a business permit issued by the CIRC before it could apply for a business license from and register with the relevant local AIC under the 2014 Insurance Law. Prior approval by the CIRC is no longer required for the divesture or mergers of insurance agencies or brokerage firms, the change of their organizational form, or the establishment or winding-up of a branch by an insurance agency or brokerage firm. The CIRC and the CBIRC The CBIRC, which was formed by the merger of China Banking Regulatory Commission (“CBRC”) and CIRC in March, 2018, inherits the authority of CIRC, has extensive authority to supervise insurance companies and insurance intermediaries operating in the PRC, including the power to:      promulgate regulations applicable to the Chinese insurance industry; investigate insurance companies and insurance intermediaries; establish investment regulations; approve policy terms and premium rates for certain insurance products; set the standards for measuring the financial soundness of insurance companies and insurance intermediaries; -49-      require insurance companies and insurance intermediaries to submit reports concerning their business operations and condition of assets; order the suspension of all or part of an insurance company or an insurance intermediary’s business; approve the establishment, change and dissolution of an insurance company, an insurance intermediary or their branches; review and approve the appointment of senior managers of an insurance company, an insurance intermediary or their branches; and punish insurance companies or intermediaries for improper behaviors or misconducts. Regulation of Insurance Agencies The principal regulation governing insurance agencies in China is the Provisions on the Supervision and Administration of Professional Insurance Agencies, or the POSAPIA, promulgated by the CIRC on September 25, 2009 and effective on October 1, 2009, which has been amended by (i) the Decision on Revising the POSAPIA issued by the CIRC and effective on April 27, 2013, and (ii) the second amendment to the POSAPIA issued by the CIRC and effective on October 19, 2015. According to the POSPIA, the establishment of an insurance agency is subject to minimum registered capital requirement and other requirements and to the approval of the CIRC. The term “insurance agency” refers to an entity that meets the qualification requirements specified by the CIRC, has obtained the license to conduct an insurance agency business with the approval of the CIRC, engages in the insurance business by and within the authorization of, and which collects commissions from, insurance companies. An insurance agency may take any of the following forms: (i) a limited liability company; or (ii) a joint stock limited company. According to the CIRC’s Decision on Revising the Regulatory Provisions on Professional Insurance Agencies, or the Insurance Agency Decision, promulgated on April 27, 2013, unless otherwise stipulated by the CIRC, the minimum registered capital for establishing a new insurance agency is RMB50 million instead of RMB2 million for a regional insurance agency and RMB10 million for a nationwide insurance agency as previously required. An additional increase of registered capital is no longer required to establish a branch or sales office. Pursuant to the Notice of the CIRC on Further Clarifying Certain Issues Relating to the Access to the Professional Insurance Intermediary Market, a professional insurance agency that was established prior to the promulgation of the Insurance Agency Decision and has a registered capital of no more than RMB50 million may apply to establish branches only in the province in which it is registered. A professional insurance agency company that was established prior to the promulgation of the Insurance Agency Decision, has a registered capital of not more than RMB50 million and has already established branches in provinces other than its place of registration may apply to establish additional branches in those provinces. An insurance agency may engage in the following insurance agency businesses:     selling insurance products on behalf of the insurance companies; collecting insurance premiums on behalf of the insurance companies; conducting loss surveys and handling claims of insurance businesses on behalf of the insurer principal; and other business activities approved by the CIRC. The name of an insurance agency must contain the words “insurance agency” or “insurance sales.” The license of an insurance agency is valid for a period of three years. An insurance agency shall submit a written report to the CIRC within five days from the date of occurrence of any of the following matters:(i) change of name or a branch’s name;(ii) change of domicile or a branch's business premises;(iii) change of names of sponsors or major shareholders;(iv) change of major shareholders;(v) change of registered -50- capital;(vi) major changes to equity structure;(vii) amendment to the articles of association; (viii) divestment of a branch; (ix) establishment of a branch; (x) spin-off of or merger with an insurance agency or (xi) changes of organizational form. According to the Measures on the Supervision and Administration of Insurance Brokers and Insurance Claims Adjustors issued by the CIRC in January 2013, personnel of an insurance agency and its branches engaging in the sales of insurance products or relevant loss survey and claim settlement shall comply with the conditions prescribed by the CIRC. The senior managers of an insurance agency or its branches must meet specific qualification requirements set forth in the revised Regulatory Provisions on Professional Insurance Agencies. The appointment of the senior managers of an insurance agency or its branches is subject to review and approval of the CIRC. Regulation of Insurance Brokerages The principal regulation governing insurance brokerages is the Provisions on the Supervision and Administration of Insurance Brokers, or the POSAIB, promulgated by the CIRC on February 1, 2018 and effective May 1, 2018, replacing the Provisions on the Supervision of Insurance Brokerages issued on September 18, 2009, as amended on April 27, 2013, and the Measures on the Supervision and Administration of Insurance Brokers and Insurance Claims Adjustors issued by the CIRC on January 6, 2013. The term of “insurance broker” refers to an entity which, representing the interests of insurance applicants, acts as an intermediary between insurance applicants and insurance companies for entering into insurance contracts, and collects commissions for the provision of such brokering services. The term of “insurance brokerage practitioner” refers to a person affiliated with an insurance broker who drafts insurance application proposals or handle the insurance application formalities for insurance applicants or the insured or assists insurance applicants or the insured in claiming compensation or who provides clients with disaster or loss prevention or risk assessment or management consulting services or engages in reinsurance brokerage, among others. To engage in insurance brokerage business within the territory of the PRC, an insurance brokerage shall satisfy the requirements prescribed by the CIRC and obtain an insurance brokerage business permit issued by the CIRC, after obtaining a business license. An insurance brokerage may take any of the following forms: (i) a limited liability company; or (ii) a joint stock limited company. The minimum registered capital of an insurance brokerage company whose business area is not limited to the province in which it is registered is RMB50 million while the minimum registered capital of an insurance brokerage company whose business area is limited to its place of registration is RMB10 million. The name of an insurance broker shall include the words “insurance brokerage.” An insurance brokerage must register the information of its affiliated insurance brokerage practitioners with the IISIS. One person can only be registered with the IISIS through one insurance brokerage. An insurance brokerage may conduct the following insurance brokering businesses:  making insurance proposals, selecting insurance companies and handling the insurance application procedures for the insurance applicants;     assisting the insured or the beneficiary to claim compensation; reinsurance brokering business; providing consulting services to clients with respect to disaster and damage prevention, risk assessment and risk management; and other business activities approved by the CIRC. -51- An insurance brokerage shall submit a written report to the CIRC through the IISIS and make public disclosure within five days from the date of occurrence of any of the following matters: (i) change of name, domicile or business premises; (ii) change of shareholders, registered capital or form of organization; (iii) change of names of shareholders or capital contributions; (iv) amendment to the articles of association; (v) equity investment, establishment of offshore insurance related entities or non-operational organizations; (vi) division, merger and dissolution or termination of insurance brokering business activities of its branches; (vii) change of the primary person in charge of its branches other than provincial branches; (viii) being a subject of administrative or criminal penalties, or under investigation for suspected involvement in any violation of law or a crime; and (x) other reportable events prescribed by the CIRC. Insurance brokerage and its practitioners are not allowed to sell non-insurance financial products, except for those products approved by relevant financial regulatory institutions and the insurance brokerage and its practitioners shall obtain relevant qualification in order to sell non-insurance related financial products that meets regulatory requirements. Personnel of an insurance brokerage and its branches who engage in any of the insurance brokering businesses described above must comply with the qualification requirements prescribed by the CIRC. The senior managers of an insurance brokerage must meet specific qualification requirements set forth in the POSAIB. Regulation of Insurance Claims Adjusting Firms The principal regulation governing insurance adjusting firms is the Provisions on the Supervision and Administration of Insurance Claims Adjustors, or the POSAICA, issued by the CIRC on February 1, 2018 and effective on May 1, 2018, replacing the Provisions on the Supervision of Insurance Claims Adjusting Firms effective on October 1, 2009, as amended on September 29, 2013 and 2015, and the Regulation of Insurance Brokers and Insurance Adjustors effective on July 1, 2013. According to the POSAICA, the term “insurance adjustment” refers to the assessment, survey, authentication, loss estimation and relevant risk assessment of the insured subject matters or the insurance incidents conducted by an appraisal firm and its professional appraisers upon the entrustment of the parties concerned. The term of “insurance adjusting firm” refers to an entity and any of its branches which engages in the aforementioned businesses. The term “insurance adjustment practitioner” refers to a person retained by an insurance claims adjusting firm to conduct the following activities on behalf of an entruster: i) inspecting, appraising the value of and assessing the risks of the subject matter before and after it is insured; ii) surveying, inspecting, estimating the loss of, adjusting and disposing of the residual value of the insured subject matter after loss has been incurred; and iii) risk management consulting. Insurance adjustment practitioners include claims adjustors and assessment practitioners with claims adjustment knowledge and practical experience. A claims adjustor refers to an individual who has passed the qualification examination for the insurance claims adjustors organized by the CIRC. An insurance claims adjusting firm must meet the requirements prescribed by the China Asset Appraisal Law and applicable regulations issued by the CIRC and must file its business records with the CIRC and its local offices. According to the regulation, an insurance adjusting firm should take the form of a company or a partnership in accordance with applicable law and retains claims adjustment practitioners to engage in insurance claims adjusting businesses. A claims adjusting firm in the form of a partnership must have at least two claims adjustors and two third of its partners should be claims adjustors who have least three years’ working experience in claims adjustment and have no record of administrative penalties in relations to claims adjustment activities in the past three years. A claims adjusting firm in the form of a company -52- must have at least eight claims adjustors and two shareholders among which at least two third are claims adjustors who have least three years’ working experience in claims adjustment and have no record of administrative penalties in relations to claims adjustment activities in the past three years. The establishment of an insurance claims adjusting firm only requires the application for a business license from and registration with the AIC, instead of both applying for business license and obtaining approval by the CIRC as previously required. A claims adjusting firm may include a nationwide claims adjusting firm and regional claims adjusting firm. A nationwide claims adjusting firm can conduct business within the territory of the PRC and can establish branches in provinces other than its place of registration while a regional one can only conduct business and establish branches in the province where it is registered. A claims adjusting firm in the form of a company must file its business record with the CIRC if it is a nationwide claims adjusting firm or file with the local offices of the CIRC in the region where it is registered if it is a regional claims adjusting firm. A partnership firm must file its business record with the CIRC. An insurance claims adjusting firm must meet certain requirements in order to engage in claims adjustment business which include, among others, i) its shareholders or its partners must meet the requirements mentioned above and its capital contribution must be self-owned, actual and lawful and must not be non-self-owned capital in various forms such as bank loan; and ii) it must have adequate working capital to support its day-to-day operation and risk undertaking in accordance with its business development plan. A nationwide entity must have at least RMB2 million working capital while a regional one must have at least RMB1 million. An insurance adjusting firm may engage in the following businesses: Upon approval of the CIRC, an insurance adjusting firm may engage in the following businesses:     inspecting, appraising the value of and assessing the risks of the subject matter before and after it is insured; surveying, inspecting, estimating the loss of, adjusting and disposing of the insured subject matter after loss has been incurred; risk management consulting; and other business activities approved by the CIRC. The name of an insurance adjusting firm must contain the words “insurance adjusting” and must avoid duplicating names of existing insurance claims adjusting firms. In any of the following situations, an insurance adjusting firm shall submit a written report to the CIRC when it within five days from the date the resolution for change has been passed: (i) change of name, domicile or business premises; (ii) change of shareholders or partners; (iii) change of registered capital or form of organization; (iv) change of names of shareholders or partners or capital contributions; (v) amendment to the articles of association or the partnership agreement; (vi) equity investment, establishment of offshore insurance related entities or non- operational organization; (vii) division, merger and dissolution or termination of insurance claims adjustment business of its branches; (viii) change of chairman of its board of directors, executive directors or senior management; (ix) being a subject of administrative or criminal penalties, or under investigation for suspected involvement in a crime; and (x) other reportable events specified by the CIRC. Personnel of an insurance adjusting firm or its branches engaged in any of the insurance adjusting businesses described above must comply with the qualification requirements prescribed by the CIRC. The senior managers of an insurance adjusting firm must meet specific qualification requirements set forth in the PSICA. -53- An insurance claims adjustment practitioner must join an insurance claims adjusting firm in order to conduct insurance claims adjustment activities. The insurance claims adjusting firm to which he or she belongs must register his or her information with the CIRC’s Insurance Intermediary Supervision Information System or IISIS. One person can only conduct insurance adjustment activities for one insurance claims adjusting firm and can only be registered with the IISIS through one insurance claims adjusting firm. At least two insurance claims adjustment practitioners must be appointed to undertake each case of insurance claims adjustment businesses and the claims adjustment report shall be signed by at least two insurance claims adjustment practitioners engaged in the claims adjustment activities and chopped by the claims adjusting firm to which he or she belongs. Regulation of Ancillary-Business Insurance Agencies The principal regulation governing ancillary-business insurance agencies is the Interim Measures on the Administration of Ancillary-Business Insurance Agency issued by the CIRC on and effective as of August 4, 2000. The term “ancillary-business insurance agencies” refer to entities that are engaged by insurers to handle insurance business on behalf of insurers while concurrently engaging in another non- insurance-related business. Ancillary-business the qualifications requirements set forth in this regulation. Upon reviewing and approving the qualifications of an entity applying to become an ancillary-business insurance agency, the CIRC will issue a “License for Ancillary- Business Insurance Agency,” which will be valid for three years. An ancillary-business insurance agency may only undertake insurance business on behalf of one insurance company, and the scope of the undertaken business is limited to the scope specified in the License for Ancillary- Business Insurance Agency. insurance agencies must meet Regulation of Insurance Salespersons The principal regulation governing individual insurance salespersons is the Measures on the Supervision and Administration of Insurance Salespersons issued by the CIRC on January 6, 2013 and effective on July 1, 2013, which replaced the Provisions on the Administration of Insurance Salespersons promulgated on April 6, 2006 and effective on July 1, 2006. Under this regulation, the term “insurance salesperson” refers to an individual who sells insurance products for an insurance company, including those who are engaged by insurance companies or by insurance agencies. A person must be registered with the CIRC’s Insurance Intermediaries Regulatory Information System and obtain a “Practice Certificate of Insurance Salespersons” issued by the insurance company or insurance agency to which he or she belongs in order to conduct insurance sales activities. Pursuant to the 2015 Insurance Law and the amended POSPIA, a sales person is no longer required to pass the qualification examination organized by the CIRC or insurance industry committees to obtain a Qualification Certificate. Regulation of Insurance Intermediary Service Group Companies The principal regulation governing insurance intermediary groups is the Provisional Measures for Supervision and Administration of the Insurance Intermediary Service Group Companies (for Trial Implementation) issued by the CIRC on September 22, 2011 with immediate effect. According to the regulation, the term “insurance intermediary service group company” refers to a professional insurance intermediary company that is established in accordance with applicable laws and regulations and with the approval of the CIRC that exercises sole or shared control of, or is able to exert major influence over, at least two subsidiaries that are professional insurance intermediary companies primarily engaged in the insurance intermediary business. An insurance intermediary service group company must have: -54-       a registered capital of at least RMB100 million; no record of material violation by investors of applicable laws and regulations in the previous three years; at least five subsidiaries, among which at least two are professional insurance intermediary companies which contribute at least 50% of the total revenues of the group; chairman (Executive director) and the senior management with qualifications stipulated by the CIRC; perfect governance structure, sound organization, effective risk management and internal control management system; and business premises and office equipment which are suitable for the development of the businesses. The name of an insurance intermediary service group must contain the words “Group” or “Holding.” Its principal business must be equity investment, management and provision of supporting services. An insurance intermediary service group company shall, submit a written report to the CIRC and its local counterparts at the place of registration within five working days after the date of occurrence of the following: (i) changing its registered name or address; (ii) changing its registered capital; (iii) changing its equity structure by more than 5% or shareholders holding more than 5% of shares; (iv) changing its articles of association; (v) establishing, acquiring, merging or closing its subsidiary; (vi) engaging in related party transactions between member companies; (vii) disincorporating; (viii) significantly changing its business scope; or (ix) making a major strategic investment, suffering a significant investment loss or experiencing other material events or emergencies that affect or may affect the business management, financial status or risk control of the group. Senior managers of an insurance intermediary service group company must meet specific qualification requirements and appointment of the senior managers of an insurance intermediary service group company is subject to review and approval by the CIRC. Content Related to Insurance Industry in the Legal Documents of China’s Accession to the WTO According to the Circular of the CIRC on Distributing the Content Related to Insurance Industry in the Legal Documents of China’s Accession to the World Trade Organization, or WTO, for the life insurance sector, within three years of China’s accession to the WTO on December 11, 2001, geographical restrictions were to be lifted, equity joint venture companies allowed to provide health insurance, group insurance, and pension/annuity services to Chinese citizens and foreign citizens, and for there to be no other restrictions except those on the proportion of foreign investment (no more than 50%) and establishment conditions. For the non-life insurance sector, within three years of China’s accession, the geographical restrictions were to be lifted and no restrictions allowed other than establishment conditions. For the insurance brokerage sector, within five years of China’s accession, the establishment of wholly foreign-funded subsidiary companies was to be allowed, and no restriction other than establishment conditions and restrictions on business scope. Content Related to Insurance Industry in the Closer Economic Partnership Arrangements Under CEPA Supplement IV signed in July 2007 and CEPA Supplement VIII signed in December 2011, local insurance agencies in Hong Kong and Macao are allowed to set up wholly-owned insurance agency companies and conduct insurance intermediary businesses in Guangdong Province (including Shenzhen) on a pilot basis if they fulfill the following criteria:  The applicant must have operated an insurance brokerage businesses in Hong Kong and Macao for over 10 years; -55-  The applicant's average annual revenue of insurance brokerage business for the past three years before application must not be less than HKD500,000 and the total assets as at the end of the year before application must not be less than HKD500,000;  Within the years before application, there has been no serious misconduct or record of disciplinary action; and  The applicant must have set up a representative office in mainland China for over one year Regulations on Internet Insurance The principal regulation governing the operation of internet insurance business is the Interim Measures for the Supervision of the Internet Insurance Business, or Interim Measures, promulgated by the CIRC on July 22, 2015 and effective on October 1, 2015. Under the Interim Measures, the term of “internet insurance business” refers to the business of concluding insurance contracts and providing insurance services by insurance institutions through self-operated internet platforms, third-party internet platforms or other methods using the internet and mobile communication and other technologies. Insurance institutions include insurance companies and professional insurance intermediary companies that are established and registered in accordance with applicable laws and regulations and with the approval of the CIRC. Professional insurance intermediaries refer to professional insurance agencies, insurance brokerage firms and insurance claims adjusting firms that can operate in the areas not limited to the provinces where they are registered. Third party internet platforms refer to internet platforms other than those self-operated by insurance institutions which provide auxiliary services related to internet technology support to insurance institutions for their internet insurance business activities. Any third party internet platform that intends to directly engage in the internet insurance business such as underwriting of insurance policies, settlement of claims, cancellation of insurance policies, handling customers’ complaints and providing other customer services shall apply and obtain relevant qualifications from the CIRC before engaging in internet insurance business. Both self-operated internet platforms and third party internet platforms, through which insurance institutions conduct internet insurance business, shall meet certain requirements such as obtaining ICP licenses or making ICP filing and maintaining sound internet operation system and information security system. Insurance institutions shall carefully evaluate their own risk management and control capacity and customer service capacity, and rationally determine and choose insurance products and the scope of sales activities suitable for internet operations. The Interim Measures permit insurance companies to sell certain type of products online in regions outside their registered business areas, which include: (i) personal accident insurance, term life insurance and general whole life insurance; (ii) individual homeowner insurance, liability insurance, credit insurance and guarantee insurance; (iii) property insurance business for which the whole service process services from sales and underwriting of insurance policies to the settlement of claims can be performed independently and completely through the internet; and (iv) other insurance products specified by the CBIRC. The Interim Measures also specifies requirements on disclosure of information regarding insurance products sold on the internet and provides guidelines for the operations of the insurance institutions that engage in internet insurance business. Regulations on Online Financial Services On July 18, 2015, ten PRC regulatory agencies, including the PBOC, the CIRC and the CBRC, jointly issued the Guidelines on Promoting the Healthy Development of Internet Finance, or the Guidelines. The Guidelines encourage insurance companies to leverage Internet technology to transform and upgrade traditional financial services. The Guidelines also support financial institutions to build innovative international platforms that could conduct internet insurance business. -56- The Guidelines set out the basic principles for promoting the development and the administration of the online insurance sector. The respective regulatory agencies will adopt new rules and regulations to implement and enforce the principles set out in the Guidelines. As the implementing rules and regulations of the Guidelines have not been published, there is uncertainty as to how the requirements in the Guidelines will be interpreted and implemented. Regulations on Foreign Exchange Foreign Currency Exchange Foreign exchange regulation in China is primarily governed by the following rules:  Foreign Currency Administration Rules (1996), as amended pursuant to the Decision on Revising the Foreign Currency Administration Rules promulgated by the State Council on January 14, 1997 and the Foreign Currency Administration Rules promulgated by the State Council on August 5, 2008; and  Administration Rules of the Settlement, Sale and Payment of Foreign Exchange. Under the Foreign Currency Administration Rules, the RMB is convertible for current account items, including the distribution of dividends, interest payments, trade and service-related foreign exchange transactions. Conversion of RMB for capital account items, such as direct investment, loan, security investment and repatriation of investment, however, is still subject to the approval of the SAFE. Under the Administration Rules of the Settlement, Sale and Payment of Foreign Exchange, foreign- invested enterprises may only buy, sell or remit foreign currencies at those banks authorized to conduct foreign exchange business after providing valid commercial documents and, in the case of capital account item transactions, obtaining approval from the SAFE. Capital investments by foreign-invested enterprises outside of China are also subject to limitations, which include approvals by the Ministry of Commerce, the SAFE and the State Development and Reform Commission. Foreign Exchange Registration of Offshore Investment by PRC Residents Pursuant to the SAFE Circular 37, issued on July 4, 2014, prior to making contribution to a SPC with legitimate holdings of domestic or overseas assets or interests, a PRC resident (including PRC institutions and resident individuals) shall apply to the relevant Foreign Exchange Bureau for foreign exchange registration of overseas investment. A PRC resident who makes contribution with legitimate holdings of domestic assets or interests shall apply for registration to the Foreign Exchange Bureau at its place of registration or the Foreign Exchange Bureau at the locus of the assets or interests of the relevant PRC enterprise. A PRC resident who makes contribution with legitimate holdings of overseas assets or interests shall apply for registration to the Foreign Exchange Bureau at its place of registration or household register. Where a registered overseas SPC experiences changes of its PRC resident individual shareholder, its name, operating period or other basic information, or experiences changes of material matters, such as the increase or reduction of contribution by the PRC resident individual, the transfer or replacement of equity, or merger or division, the PRC resident shall promptly change the foreign exchange registration of overseas investment with the Foreign Exchange Bureau concerned. Under SAFE Circular 37, failure to comply with the registration procedures set forth above may result in the penalties, including imposition of restrictions on a PRC subsidiary’s foreign exchange activities and its ability to distribute dividends to the SPV. See “Item 3. Key Information — D. Risk Factors — Risks Related to Doing Business in China — PRC regulations relating to the establishment of offshore special purpose companies by PRC residents and employee stock options granted by overseas-listed companies may increase our administrative burden, restrict our overseas and cross-border investment activity, or otherwise adversely affect us. If our shareholders who are PRC residents, or our PRC employees who are granted or exercise stock options, 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 and regulations, such as the Circular 19 promulgated -57- by SAFE in March, 2015. The Circular 19 is designed with the view to further deepening the reform of the foreign exchange administration system, and better satisfying and facilitating the needs of foreign-invested enterprises for business and fund operations. It states the management of the payment of the amount of foreign exchanges settled shall be further standardized, and also the penalties of the foreign-invested enterprises and banks that violates this notice in handling the settlement, use and other business of the foreign exchange capitals of foreign-invested enterprises. The irregularities shall be investigated and punished by foreign exchange bureaus pursuant to the Regulations of the People's Republic of China on Foreign Exchange Administration and other relevant provisions. SAFE Regulations on Employee Share Options On December 25, 2006, the PBOC 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, PRC citizens who are granted shares or share options by a company listed on an overseas stock market according to its employee share option or share incentive plan are required, through the PRC subsidiary of such overseas listed company or any other qualified PRC agent, to register with the SAFE and to complete certain other procedures related to the share option or other share incentive plan. Foreign exchange income received from the sale of shares or dividends distributed by the overseas listed company may be remitted into a foreign currency account of such PRC citizen or be exchanged into Renminbi. Our PRC citizen employees who have been granted share options are subject to the Individual Foreign Exchange Rules. On March 28, 2007, SAFE promulgated the Operating Rules for Administration of Foreign Exchange in Domestic Individuals’ Participation in Employee Stock Ownership Plans and Stock Option plans of Companies Listed Abroad, or the Operating Rules, or the Operating Rules. Stock Option Rule. On February 15, 2012, SAFE promulgated the No. 7 Notice, which supersedes the Stock Option Rule in its entirety and immediately became effective upon circulation. According to the No. 7 Notice, domestic individuals, which include any directors, supervisors, senior managerial personnel or other employees of a domestic company who are Chinese citizens (including citizens of Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan) or foreign individuals who consecutively reside in the territory of PRC for one year, who participate in the same equity incentive plan of an overseas listed company shall, through the domestic companies they serve, collectively entrust a domestic agency to handle issues such as foreign exchange registration, account opening, funds transfer and remittance, and entrust an overseas institution to handle issues such as exercise of options, purchasing and sale of related stocks or equity, and funds transfer. Where a domestic agency needs to remit funds out of China as required for individuals’ participation in an equity incentive plan, the domestic agency shall apply with the local office of the SAFE for a foreign exchange payment quota on a yearly basis. A domestic agency shall open a domestic special foreign exchange account in the bank. After repatriation of foreign currency income earned by individuals from participation in an equity incentive plan, the domestic agency shall request the bank to transfer the funds from its special foreign currency account to respective personal foreign currency deposit accounts. In the case of any significant change to the equity incentive plan of a company listed abroad (such as amendment to any major terms of the original plan, addition of a new plan, or other changes to the original plan due to merger, acquisition or reorganization of the overseas listed company or the domestic company or other major events), the domestic agency or the overseas trustee, the domestic agency shall, within three months of the occurrence of such changes, go through procedures for change of foreign exchange registration with the local office of the SAFE. The SAFE and its branches shall supervise, administer and inspect foreign exchange operations related to individuals’ participation in equity incentive plans of companies listed abroad, and may take regulatory measures and impose administrative sanctions on individuals, domestic companies, domestic agencies and banks violating the provisions of the No. 7 Notice. We and our employees who have been granted applicable equity awards shall be subject to the No. 7 Notice. If we fail to comply with the No. 7 Notice, we and/or our employees who are subject to the No. 7 Notice may face sanctions imposed by foreign exchange authority or any other PRC government authorities. -58- Regulations on Dividend Distribution The principal regulations governing dividend distributions of wholly foreign-owned companies include:  Wholly Foreign-Owned Enterprise Law (1986), as amended pursuant to the Decision of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress on Revising the Wholly Foreign-Owned Enterprise Law promulgated on October 31, 2000 and The Decision of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress on Revising the "Law of the People's Republic of China on Foreign-invested Enterprises" which promulgated on September 3,2016 and took effect on October 1, 2016; and  Wholly Foreign-Owned Enterprise Law Implementing Rules (1990), as amended pursuant to the Decision of the State Council on Amending the Rules for the Implementation of the Law on Foreign-Owned Enterprises promulgated by the State Council on April 12, 2001 and the Decision of the State Council on Amending the Rules for the Implementation of the Law of the People's Republic of China on Foreign-capital Enterprises which took effect as of the promulgation date of March 1, 2014. Under these regulations, wholly foreign-owned companies in the PRC may pay dividends only out of their accumulated profits as determined in accordance with PRC accounting standards. In addition, these wholly foreign-owned companies are required to set aside at least 10% of their respective accumulated profits each year, if any, to fund certain reserve funds, until the accumulative amount of such fund reaches 50% of its registered capital. These reserve funds are not distributable as cash dividends. Regulation on Overseas Listing On August 8, 2006, six PRC regulatory agencies, namely, the PRC Ministry of Commerce, the State Assets Supervision and Administration Commission, the State Administration for Taxation, the State Administration for Industry and Commerce, the CSRC and the SAFE, jointly adopted the Provisions on Foreign Investors' Merger with and Acquisition of Domestic Enterprises, or the Order No. 10 (2006) which became effective on September 8, 2006. The Order No. 10 (2006) purports, among other things, to require offshore SPVs, formed for overseas listing purposes and controlled by PRC companies or individuals, to obtain the approval of the CSRC prior to publicly listing their securities on an overseas stock exchange. On September 21, 2006, the CSRC published a notice on its official website specifying documents and materials required to be submitted to it by SPVs seeking CSRC approval of their overseas listings. At the time of our initial public offering in October 2007, while the application of the M&A Rule remained unclear, our then PRC counsel at the time, Commerce & Finance Law Offices, had advised us that, based on their understanding of the then PRC laws and regulations as well as the procedures announced on September 21, 2006:    the CSRC had jurisdiction over our initial public offering; the CSRC had not issued any definitive rule or interpretation concerning whether offerings like our initial public offering are subject to the M&A Rule; and despite the above, given that we had completed our inbound investment before September 8, 2006, the effective date of the M&A Rule, an application was not required under the M&A Rule to be submitted to the CSRC for its approval of the listing and trading of our ADSs on the Nasdaq Global Market, unless we are clearly required to do so by subsequent rules of the CSRC. See "Item 3. Key Information — D. Risk Factors — Risks Related to Doing Business in China" — The approval of the China Securities Regulatory Commission, or the CSRC, may have been required in connection with our initial public offering in October 2007 under a PRC regulation adopted in August 2006. -59- Based on the advice of our PRC counsel, we did not seek CSRC’s approval for our initial public offering. Any requirement to obtain prior CSRC approval and a failure to obtain this approval, if required, could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results, reputation and trading price of our ADSs. Regulations on Tax PRC Enterprise Income Tax The PRC EIT is calculated based on the taxable income determined under the PRC accounting standards and regulations, as well as the EIT law. On March 16, 2007, the National People’s Congress of China enacted the EIT Law, a new EIT law which became effective on January 1, 2008. On December 6, 2007, the State Council promulgated the Implementation Rules which also became effective on January 1, 2008. On December 26, 2007, the State Council issued the Notice on Implementation of Enterprise Income Tax Transition Preferential Policy under the EIT Law, or the Transition Preferential Policy Circular, which became effective simultaneously with the EIT Law. The EIT Law imposes a uniform EIT rate of 25% on all domestic enterprises and foreign-invested enterprises unless they qualify under certain exceptions. Under the EIT Law, as further clarified by the Implementation Rules, the Transition Preferential Policy Circular and other related regulations, enterprises that were established and already enjoyed preferential tax treatments before March 16, 2007 will continue to enjoy them in the following manners: (i) in the case of preferential tax rates, for a five-year period starting from January 1, 2008, during which the tax rate will gradually increase to 25%; or (ii) in the case of preferential tax exemption or reduction for a specified term, until the expiration of such term. However, if such an enterprise has not enjoyed the preferential treatments yet because of its failure to make a profit, its term for preferential treatment will be deemed to start from 2008. See “Item 3. Key Information — D. Risk Factors — Risks Related to Doing Business in China — The PRC Enterprise Income Tax Law may increase the enterprise income tax rate applicable to some of our PRC subsidiaries which could have a material adverse effect on our result of operations.” Under the New Income Tax law, enterprises are classified as either resident or non-resident. A resident enterprise refers to one that is incorporated under the PRC law or under the law of a jurisdiction outside the PRC with its "de facto management organization" located within the PRC. Non-resident enterprise refers to one that is incorporated under the law of a jurisdiction outside the PRC with its "de facto management organization" located also outside the PRC, but which has either set up institutions or establishments in the PRC or has income originating from the PRC without setting up any institution or establishment in the PRC. Under the New Enterprise Income Tax, Implementation Regulation, or the New EIT Implementation Regulations, "de facto management organization" is defined as the organization of an enterprise through which substantial and comprehensive management and control over the business, operations, personnel, accounting and properties of the enterprise are exercised. Under the New Income Tax Law and the New EIT Implementation Regulation, a resident enterprise’s global net income will be subject to a 25% EIT rate. On April 22, 2009, the State Administration of Taxation, or the SAT, issued SAT Circular 82, which provides certain specific criteria for determining whether the "de facto management body" of a PRC-controlled enterprise that is incorporated offshore is located in China. In addition, the SAT issued a bulletin on July 27, 2011 providing more guidance on the implementation of Circular 82 and clarifies matters such as resident status determination. Due to the present uncertainties resulting from the limited PRC tax guidance on this issue and because substantially all of our operations and all of our senior management are located within China, we may be considered a PRC resident enterprise for EIT purposes, in which case: (i) we would be subject to the PRC EIT at the rate of 25% on our worldwide income; and (ii) dividends income received by us from our PRC subsidiaries, however, would be exempt from the PRC withholding tax since such income is exempted under the EIT Law for a PRC resident enterprise recipient. See “Item 3. Key Information — D.Risk Factors — Risks Related to Doing Business in China — Our global income or the dividends we receive from our PRC subsidiaries may be subject to PRC tax under the EIT Law, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.” -60- PRC Business Tax and VAT Taxpayers providing taxable services in China are required to pay a business tax at a normal tax rate of 5% of their revenues, unless otherwise provided. According to the Announcement on the VAT Reform Pilot Program of the Transportation and Selected Modern Service Sectors issued by the State Tax Bureau in July 2012, the transportation and some selected modern service sectors, including research and development and technical services, information technology services, cultural creative services, logistics support services, tangible personal property leasing services, and assurance and consulting service sectors, should pay value-added tax instead of business tax based on a predetermined timetable (hereinafter referred to as the “VAT Reform”), effective September 1, 2012 for entities in Beijing and November 1, 2012 for entities in Guangdong. The VAT Reform expanded nation-wide from August 1, 2013. In March 2016, during the fourth session of the 12th National People’s Congress, it was announced that the VAT reform will be fully rolled out and extended to all industries including construction, real estate, financial services and lifestyle services. Subsequently, the SAT and Ministry of Finance jointly issued a Notice on Preparing for the Full Implementation of the VAT Reform (Cai Shui [2016] No. 36). Accordingly, we started to pay value-added tax instead of business tax from May 1, 2016. Dividend Withholding Tax Under the PRC tax laws effective prior to January 1, 2008, dividends paid to foreign investors by foreign-invested enterprises are exempt from PRC withholding tax. Pursuant to the EIT Law and the Implementation Rules, dividends generated after January 1, 2008 and distributed to us by our PRC subsidiaries through our BVI subsidiary are subject to a 10% withholding tax, provided that we are determined by the relevant PRC tax authorities to be a “non-resident enterprise” under the EIT Law. Pursuant to the Double Taxation Arrangement, which became effective on January 1, 2007, dividends from our PRC subsidiaries paid to us through our Hong Kong wholly-owned subsidiary CNinsure Holdings Ltd. are subject to a withholding tax at a rate of 5%. However, as described above, we may be considered a PRC resident enterprise for EIT purposes, in which case dividends received by us from our PRC subsidiary would be exempt from the PRC withholding tax because such income is exempted under the EIT Law for a PRC resident enterprise recipient. In July 2018, CNinsure Holdings Ltd. was determined by Hong Kong Taxation Bureau to be a Hong Kong resident enterprise and completed the application and filing process for enjoying the tax treaty in PRC Taxation Bureau therefore we have applied 5% withholding tax rate for the dividends paid by our PRC subsidiaries since then. As there remains uncertainty regarding the interpretation and implementation of the EIT Law and the Implementation Rules, it is uncertain whether any dividends to be distributed by us, if we are deemed a PRC resident enterprise, to our non-PRC shareholders and ADS holders would be subject to any PRC withholding tax. See “Item 3. Key Information — D. Risk Factors — Risks Related to Doing Business in China — Under the EIT Law, dividends payable by us and gains on the disposition of our shares or ADSs could be subject to PRC taxation.” C. Organizational Structure Corporate Structure Historically, PRC laws and regulations restricted foreign investment in and ownership of insurance intermediary companies and internet companies. Accordingly, from December 2005 to May 2016, we conducted all or part of our business in China through contractual arrangements among our PRC subsidiaries, then-existing consolidated affiliated entities and their shareholders. We relied on contractual arrangements to control and receive economic benefits from our then-existing consolidated affiliated entities, which became our wholly-owned subsidiaries in 2016. In October 2011, we commenced a restructuring of our company. Through a series of equity transfers, we had obtained direct controlling equity ownership in all of our insurance intermediary companies and our online operations by May 2016. The contractual arrangements were terminated between January 2015 and May 2016. -61- We currently conduct our business in China primarily through our wholly-owned subsidiary Fanhua Insurance Sales Service Group Company Limited, or Fanhua Group Company, and its subsidiaries. As of March 31, 2020, we, through Fanhua Group Company, have a controlling equity ownership in two insurance sales services companies with national operating licenses, 7 regional insurance agencies, and three insurance claims adjusting firms. We also own 18.5%% equity interest of CNFinance, 4.5% equity interest of Puyi Inc. and 14.9% equity interest of one online claim adjusting service company. Fanhua Group Company and its direct and indirect subsidiaries hold the licenses and permits necessary to conduct our insurance intermediary business and internet insurance distribution business in China. The following diagram illustrates our corporate structure, including our principal subsidiaries, as of March 31, 2020: -62- -63- The diagram above omits the names of subsidiaries that are immaterial individually and in the aggregate. For a complete list of our subsidiaries as of March 31, 2020, see Exhibit 8.1 to this annual report. We have obtained direct controlling equity ownership in all of our insurance intermediary companies and our online operations and terminated all of the contractual arrangements. In the opinion of Global Law Office, our PRC legal counsel, the ownership structures of our consolidated affiliated entities and our subsidiaries in China have complied with all existing PRC laws and regulations and the business operations of our PRC subsidiaries comply in all material respects with existing PRC laws and regulations. We have been advised by our PRC legal counsel, however, that there are uncertainties regarding the interpretation and application of PRC laws and regulations. Accordingly, the PRC regulatory authorities may in the future take a view that is contrary to the above opinion of our PRC legal counsel. We have been further advised by our PRC counsel that if the PRC government finds that the structure for operating our online operations does not comply with PRC government restrictions on foreign investment in the internet industry, we could be subject to severe penalties including being prohibited from continuing operations. See “Item 3. Key Information — D. Risk Factors — Risks Related to Our Corporate Structure — If the PRC government finds that the structure for operating part of our China business does not comply with applicable PRC laws and regulations, we could be subject to severe penalties” and “Item 3. Key Information — D. Risk Factors — Risks Related to Doing Business in China — Uncertainties with respect to the PRC legal system could adversely affect us.” To date we have not encountered any interference or encumbrance from the PRC government on account of operating our business through these agreements. D. Property, Plants and Equipment Our headquarters are located in Guangzhou, China, where we leased approximately 2,599 square meters of office space as of December 31, 2019. Office space leased by our subsidiaries and consolidated affiliated entities, including certain space used and paid by sales teams, was approximately 190,301 square meters as of December 31, 2019. In 2019, our total rental expenses were RMB92.6 million (US$13.3 million). Item 4A. Unresolved Staff Comments None. Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and the related notes included in this annual report. This discussion and analysis contains 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 — D. Risk Factors” or in other parts of this annual report. For discussion of 2017 items and year-over-year comparisons between 2018 and 2017 that are not included in this annual report on Form 20- F, refer to “Item 5. – Operating and Financial Review and Prospects” found in our Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2018, that was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 30, 2019. A. Operating Results Factors Affecting Our Results of Operations As an insurance intermediary in China, our financial condition and results of operations are affected by a variety of factors, including:   business relationship with important insurance company partners; total premium payments to Chinese insurance companies; -64-        the extent to which insurance companies in the PRC outsource the distribution of their products and claims adjusting functions; premium rate levels and commission and fee rates; the size and productivity of our sales force; commission rates for individual sales agents; product and service mix; share-based compensation expenses; and seasonality. Business Relationship with Important Insurance Company Partners We derive significant revenue from our important insurance company partners. Among the top five of our insurance company partners, each of Huaxia, Aeon, Sinatay and Tian'an accounted for more than 10% of our total net revenues from continuing operations individually in 2019, with Huaxia accounting for 23.8%, Aeon accounting for 18.3%, Sinatay accounting for 16.1% and Tian'an accounting for 12.1%. As a result, any significant changes to our business relationship with the important insurance company partners could have a material impact on our revenue and profit. Total Premium Payments to Chinese Insurance Companies The Chinese insurance industry has grown substantially in the past decade. Between 2009 and 2019, total insurance premiums increased from RMB1.1 trillion to RMB4.3 trillion, representing a compound annual growth rate, or CAGR, of 14.6%, according to the CBIRC. We believe that certain macroeconomic and demographic factors, such as increasing per capita GDP and an aging population, have contributed to and will continue to drive the growth of the Chinese insurance industry in the long term. We derive our revenue primarily from commissions and fees paid by insurance companies, typically calculated as a percentage of premiums paid by our customers to the insurance companies. Accordingly, industry-wide premium growth will have a positive impact on us. Any downturn in the Chinese insurance industry, whether caused by a general slowdown of the PRC economy or otherwise, may adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations. The Extent to Which Insurance Companies in the PRC Outsource the Distribution of their Products and Claims Adjusting Functions Historically, insurance companies in the PRC have relied primarily on their exclusive individual sales agents and direct sales force to sell their products. However, in recent years, as a result of increased competition, consumers' demand for more choices and regulatory focus on long term protection-oriented life insurance products, more and more insurance companies gradually expanded their distribution channels to include insurance intermediaries such as commercial banks, postal offices, insurance agencies and insurance brokerages. In addition, because of the increasingly high cost for establishing and maintaining distribution networks of their own, more and more medium-size insurance companies have chosen to rely primarily on insurance intermediaries to distribute their products while they focus on other aspects of their business. As insurance companies in the PRC become more accustomed to outsourcing the distribution of their products to insurance intermediaries, they may allow insurance intermediaries to distribute a wider variety of insurance products and may provide more monetary incentives to more productive and effective insurance intermediaries. These and other similar measures designed to boost sales through insurance -65- intermediaries can have a positive impact on our financial condition and results of operations. Similarly, as competition intensifies and the insurance market becomes more mature in China, we expect that more insurance companies will choose to outsource claims adjusting functions to professional service providers such as our affiliated claims adjusting firms while they focus on the core aspects of their business, including product development and asset and risk management. Premium Rate Levels and Commission and Fee Rates Because the commissions and fees we receive from insurance companies for the distribution of insurance products or from third-party internet companies for using our auto insurance transaction system are generally calculated as a percentage of premiums paid by our customers to the insurance companies, our revenue and results of operations are affected by premium rate levels and commission and fee rates. Premium rate levels and commission and fee rates can change based on the prevailing economic conditions, competitive and regulatory landscape, and other factors that affect insurance companies and third-party internet companies. These other factors include the ability of insurance companies to place new business, underwriting and non-underwriting profits of insurance companies, consumer demand for insurance products, the availability of comparable products from other insurance companies at a lower cost, and the tax deductibility of commissions and fees. In general, we can negotiate for better rates as an incentive for generating a larger volume of business. Since China’s entry into the WTO in December 2001, competition among insurance companies has intensified as a result of a significant increase in the number of insurance companies and the existing insurance companies’ expansion into new geographic markets. This competition has led to a gradual increase in the commission and fee rates offered to insurance intermediaries, and such increase has had a positive impact on our results of operations. The Size and Productivity of Our Sales Force As a distributor of insurance products, we generate revenue primarily through our sales force who are individual sales agents in our distribution and service network. The size of our sales force and its productivity, as measured by the average number of insurance products sold per performing sales agent,, the average premium per product sold and the average premiums generated per performing sales agent during any specified period, directly affect our revenue and results of operations. Performing sales agents refer to sales agents who have sold at least one insurance policy. In recent years, some entrepreneurial management staff or senior sales agents of major insurance companies in China have chosen to leave their employers or principals and become independent agents. We refer to these independent agents as “entrepreneurial agents.” An entrepreneurial agent is usually able to assemble and lead a team of sales agents. We have been actively recruiting and will continue to recruit entrepreneurial agents to join our distribution and service network as our sales agents. Entrepreneurial agents have been instrumental to the development of our life insurance business. Commission Rates for Individual Sales Agents A large component of our operating costs is commissions paid to our individual sales agents. In order to retain sales agents, we must pay commissions at a level comparable to the commissions paid by our competitors. Intensified competition for productive sales agents within the Chinese insurance industry and rising salaries in China may lead to a significant increase in commission rates which could have a negative impact on our results of operations. Product and Service Mix We began distributing auto insurance products in 1999, expanded our product offerings to other property and casualty insurance products in 2002, and started distributing long term individual life and health insurance products in 2006, primarily to individual customers. We further broadened our service offering to cover insurance claims adjusting services in 2008. In 2010, we started to offer insurance -66- brokerage services for commercial line insurance to corporate clients and reinsurance brokerage services, which were subsequently disposed of in November 2017. Insurance Agency Segment Our largest segment by revenue, the insurance agency segment, provides a broad range of life and health and property and casualty insurance products to individual customers. Most individual life and health insurance policies we distribute require periodic payment of premiums, typically annually, during a pre-determined payment period, generally ranging from 5 to 25 years. For each such policy that we distribute, insurance companies will pay us a first-year commission and fee based on a percentage of the first-year premiums, and subsequent commissions and fees based on smaller percentages of the renewal premiums paid by the insured throughout the payment period of the policy. Therefore, once we distribute a life insurance policy with a periodic payment schedule, it can bring us a steady flow of commission and fee revenue throughout the payment period as long as the insured fulfills his or her premium payment commitment. Because of the recurring nature of commissions derived from long term life insurance business, and the higher gross margin of our life insurance business than that of our property and casualty insurance business, we intend to focus our efforts on distributing more life insurance products, which we believe will have a positive impact on our revenue and gross margin in the long term. The property and casualty insurance policies we distribute primarily consist of individual accident insurance, short-term health insurance, travel insurance, and homeowner insurance we distribute through Baoxian.com and auto insurance we facilitate through CNpad Auto. Because the insurance products that we distribute through Baoxian.com are mostly underwritten by property and casualty insurance companies, we classify them as property and casualty insurance products. These property and casualty insurance policies we distribute are typically for a one-year term, with a single premium payable at the beginning of the term. Accordingly, we receive a single commission or fee for each property and casualty policy we distribute. In order for us to have recurring commission and fee revenue from property and casualty insurance products, our customers have to renew their policies or purchase new policies through us every year. We started to distribute certain long-term critical illness, whole life and term life insurance products on Baoxian.com in 2019, which contributed less than 1% of our total net revenues for the year ended December 31, 2019 and therefore we included the revenues derived from these products in the total net revenues generated by the property and casualty insurance segment. For auto insurance that we distribute through CNpad Auto, the fees we receive from insurance distributors are calculated based on the volume of insurance premiums they transact through CNpad Auto, which are typically much lower than the commissions we previously received from insurance companies, though our costs are generally minimal. Claims Adjusting Segment The fees we receive for our claims adjusting services are calculated based on the types of insurance products involved. For services provided in connection with property and casualty insurance (other than marine cargo insurance and automobile insurance), our fees are calculated as a percentage of the recovered amount from insurance companies plus travel expenses. For services provided in connection with marine cargo insurance, our fees are charged primarily on an hourly basis and, in some cases, as a percentage of the amount recovered from insurance companies. For services provided in connection with auto insurance, individual accident insurance and health insurance, our fees are generally fixed and the amounts collected are based on the types of services provided. In some cases, our fees are charged based on the number of claims adjustors involved in providing the services. We pay our in-house claims adjustors a base salary plus a commission calculated based on a small percentage of the service fees we receive from insurance companies or the insured. The claims adjusting business has become and likely will continue to be a steady source of our net revenues. The gross margin and operating margin of our claims adjusting segment are -67- generally higher than those of our insurance agency segment. We expect that revenues from our claims adjusting business as a percentage of our total net revenues to remain stable over the next few years. Share- based Compensation Expenses Our historical results of operations have been affected by the share-based compensation expenses incurred. In 2018 and 2019, we incurred share-based compensation expenses of nil and RMB 0.4 million, respectively. See “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects — A. Operating Results — Key Performance Indicators — Operating Costs and Expenses — Share-based Compensation Expenses” for a more detailed discussion of our historical share-based compensation expenses. In order to attract and retain the best personnel for positions of substantial responsibility, provide additional incentive to employees, directors and consultants and promote the success of our business, we adopted a share incentive plan in October 2007. Under our 2007 Share Incentive Plan, as amended and restated in December 2008, we issued an aggregate number of 136,874,658 ordinary shares which equaled to 15% of our total number of shares outstanding immediately after the closing of our initial public offering, to cover awards granted under the plan. See “Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employees — B. Compensation — Share Incentives — 2007 Share Incentive Plan.” All of the share-based compensation expenses related to the options granted under the 2007 Share Incentive Plan have been amortized as of December 31, 2016. On June 14, 2018, we announced the 521 Plan, which enabled the Participants, consisting of certain key employees and independent sales agent team leaders, to invest in the Company by purchasing a total of 280,000,000 ordinary shares of the Company, representing 14 million of the Company’s ADSs at the subscription price of US$27.38 per ADS. Accordingly, we started to recognize share-based compensation expenses in 2019 and we expect that share-based compensation expenses will not be a significant component of our operation expenses. Seasonality Our quarterly results of operations are affected by seasonal variations caused by business mix, insurance companies’ business practices and consumer demand. For property and casualty insurance business, property and casualty insurance companies, under pressure to meet their annual sales targets, would increase their sales efforts during the fourth quarter of a year by, for example, offering more incentives for insurance intermediaries to increase sales. As a result, our commission and fee revenue derived from property and casualty insurance products in the fourth quarter of a year has generally been the highest among all four quarters. Business activities, including buying and selling insurance, usually slow down during the Chinese New Year Holiday, which occur during the first quarter of each year. As a result, our commission and fee revenue derived from property and casualty insurance products in the first quarter of a year has generally been the lowest among all four quarters. For life insurance business, much of the jumpstart sales activities of life insurance companies occur during the first quarter of a year, while business activities slow down in the fourth quarter of a year as life insurance companies focus on the preparation for the jumpstart sales season of the coming year by preparing to launch new products, making marketing plans and organizing training. During the jumpstart sales season, life insurance companies will offer incentives that are more attractive to insurance intermediaries and sales agents to boost sales. Accordingly, our commission and fee revenue derived from life insurance business is generally the highest in the first quarter of a year and the lowest in the fourth quarter of a year. Key Performance Indicators As of December 31, 2019, we operated two segments: (1) the insurance agency segment, which mainly consists of providing agency services for P&C insurance products and life insurance products to individual clients, and (2) the claims adjusting segment, which consists of providing pre-underwriting survey services, claim adjusting services, disposal of residual value services, loading and unloading supervision services, and consulting services. -68- Operating segments are defined as components of an enterprise about which separate financial information is available and evaluated regularly by our chief operating decision maker in deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing performance. Net Revenues Our revenues are net of PRC sales taxes. In 2018 and 2019, we generated net revenues of RMB3.5 billion and RMB3.7 billion (US$ 532.3 million), respectively. We derive net revenues from the following sources:   Insurance agency segment: commissions paid by insurance companies for the distribution of (i) life and health insurance products, and (ii) commoditized property and casualty products sold through Baoxian.com and (iii) technology service fee generated from CNpad Auto for the transaction of auto insurance products, which accounted for 90.6% and 90.0% of our net revenues for 2018 and 2019, respectively; Claims adjusting segment: commissions and fees primarily paid by insurance companies,mutual aid platforms and, to a lesser degree, by the insureds for the provision of claims adjusting services, which accounted for 9.4% and 10.0% of our net revenues for 2018 and 2019, respectively; the The following table sets forth our total net revenues earned from each of our reporting segments both in absolute amounts and as percentages of total net revenues, for the periods indicated: Year Ended December 31, 2018 RMB % RMB 2019 US$ % Agency............................................................ Life insurance business ............................ P&C insurance business ........................... Claims adjusting ............................................ Total net revenues ....................................... 3,143,873 2,870,776 273,097 327,390 3,471,263 (in thousands except percentages) 90.6 82.7 7.9 9.4 3,335,397 3,193,625 141,772 370,606 100.0 3,706,003 479,100 458,736 20,364 53,234 532,334 90.0 86.2 3.8 10.0 100.0 Insurance agency segment primarily covers distribution of life and health insurance products and property and casualty insurance products to individuals. Net revenues from the insurance agency segment decreased from 2018 to 2019 in both absolute amount and as a percentage of our total net revenues. Net revenues generated from distribution of life and health insurance products have become our primary source of revenue. We began distributing individual life and health insurance products in 2006. Net revenues generated from distribution of life and health insurance products increased from 2018 to 2019, both in absolute amounts and as a percentage of our net revenues. We expect our life insurance business to grow rapidly and bring in significant revenue that will continue to represent a high percentage of our total net revenues in the next several years. We believe this growth will be driven by a number of factors including stronger demand for traditional life and health insurance products as a result of the aging population and the Chinese consumers’ increasing awareness of the benefits of insurance. Net revenues generated from distribution of property and casualty insurance products decreased significantly from 2018 to 2019, in both absolute amounts and as a percentage of our net revenues, primarily due to cessation of underwriting by one insurance company for certain insurance product which was the key product that Baoxian.com placed for one of its major channel partners since June 2018. We expect our net revenues to be derived from distribution of property and casualty insurance products will remain stable in 2020. -69- We began providing claims adjusting services in 2008. Net revenues from our claims adjusting segment increased from 2018 to 2019, reflecting our increased efforts to expand individual accident and health insurance-related claims adjusting services. We expect that net revenues from claims adjusting services as a percentage of our total net revenues will be stable in the next few years. The commissions and fees we receive from the distribution of insurance products are based on a percentage of the premiums paid by the insured. Commission and fee rates generally depend on the type of insurance products, the particular insurance company and the region in which the insurance products are sold. We typically receive payment of the commissions and fees from insurance companies for insurance products on a monthly basis. Some of the fees are paid to us annually or semi-annually in the form of performance bonuses after we achieve specified premium volume or policy renewal goals as agreed upon between the insurance companies and us. The fees we received from third party online insurance platforms were based on a percentage of the premiums transacted over CNpad Auto. We typically received payment of such fees on a quarterly basis. We stop charging technology service fees starting from the fourth quarter of 2019. We are compensated primarily by insurance companies for our claims adjusting services. The fees we receive for our claims adjusting services depend on the types of insurance products involved. For services provided in connection with marine cargo insurance, our fees are charged primarily on an hourly basis and, in some cases, as a percentage of the amount recovered from insurance companies. For claims adjusting services related to auto insurance, individual accident insurance and health insurance, our fees are generally fixed on a per claim basis, or in some cases, on a per head basis. These fees are typically paid to us on a quarterly basis. For services provided in connection with other property and casualty insurance, our fees are calculated as a percentage of the recovered amount from insurance companies plus travel expenses. We typically receive payment for these fees on a semi-annual or annual basis. Operating Costs and Expenses Our operating costs and expenses consist of costs incurred in connection with the distribution of insurance products and the provision of claims adjusting services, selling expenses and general and administrative expenses. The following table sets forth the components of our operating costs and expenses, both in absolute amounts and as percentages of our net revenues, for the periods indicated. Year Ended December 31, 2018 RMB % RMB 2019 US$ % Total net revenues ....................................... Operating costs ............................................. Selling expenses ............................................ General and administrative expenses .......... 3,471,263 (2,346,015) (231,075) (468,430) (in thousands except percentages) 100.0 (67.6) (6.7) (13.5) 3,706,003 532,334 (2,483,448) (278,085) (475,107) (356,725) (39,944) (68,245) Total operating costs and expenses .......... (3,045,520) (87.8) (3,236,640) (464,914) 100.0 (67.0) (7.5) (12.8) (87.3) Operating Costs We incur costs primarily in connection with the distributions of insurance products and the provision of claims adjusting services. Our operating costs increased from 2018 to 2019, which was in line with the increase in revenue during the same period. We rely mainly on individual sales agents and to a much lesser degree, on Baoxian.com for the distributions of insurance products. For claims adjusting services, we rely mainly on our in-house claims adjustors and non-affiliated claims adjustors through Chetong.net. Operating costs incurred as a percentage of net revenues decreased from 2018 to 2019, primarily due to the growth of our renewal life insurance business which has higher operating margin than our property and casualty insurance business and new life insurance business. We anticipate that our operating costs will increase in absolute amounts as we further grow our business. -70- Selling Expenses Our selling expenses primarily consist of:    salaries and employment benefits for employees who work in back office below the provincial management level; office rental, telecommunications and office supply expenses incurred in connection with sales activities; and advertising and marketing expenses. We expect that our selling expenses will increase as we expand our distribution and service network in both existing markets and new geographic regions. As we grow in size, we also intend to spend more on marketing and advertising to enhance our brand recognition and promote our online platforms. Selling expenses in 2019 remained stable as compared to 2018. General and Administrative Expenses Our general and administrative expenses principally comprise:             salaries and benefits for our administrative staff; share-based compensation expenses for managerial and administrative staff; research and development expenses in relation to our mobile and online programs; professional fees paid for valuation, market research, legal and auditing services; bad debt expenses for doubtful receivables; compliance-related expenses, including expenses for professional services; depreciations and amortizations; office rental expenses; travel and telecommunications expenses; entertainment expenses; office supply expenses for our administrative staff; and foreign exchange loss. We expect that our general and administrative expenses will increase as we hire additional administrative personnel, pay higher labor costs and incur additional costs in connection with the expansion of our business, and our efforts to develop our online insurance platforms. Share-based compensation expenses. As share options granted under the 2012 Share Incentive Plan have all vested by 2016, there was no share-based compensation expenses incurred in 2017 and 2018. We recognized share-based compensation expenses of RMB0.4 million in 2019 as a result of the 521 Plan. The 521 Plan was initially recognized as a liability award, pursuant to the original Loan Agreement related to the 521 Plan and accordingly, share-based compensation expense related to the 521 Plan was variable based on the change of the fair value at the reporting date for each of the first, second and third quarter of 2019. Pursuant to the Second Supplement to the Loan Agreement entered into in November 2019, the 521 Plan -71- was modified which resulted in a change of the award's classification from liability to equity. RMB1.6 million of share-based compensation expenses in connection with the 521 Plan will be amortized on a straight-line basis over the remaining vesting period from 2020 to 2023. For more information about our share-based compensation expenses, please see Note 19 to our audited consolidated financial statements included in this annual report. The following table sets forth our share-based compensation expenses, both in absolute amounts and as percentages of our selling expenses and general and administrative expenses, for the periods indicated. For the Year Ended December 31, 2018 RMB % RMB 2019 US$ % (in thousands except percentages) Share-based compensation expenses ........... Others ............................................................. Selling expenses ............................................ Share-based compensation expenses ........... Others ............................................................. General and administrative expenses ...... — 231,075 231,075 — 100.0 100.0 — — 468,430 468,430 100.0 100.0 281 277,804 278,085 113 468,317 468,430 40 39,904 39,944 16 68,114 68,130 0.1 99.9 100.0 * 100.0 100.0 Taxation We and each of our subsidiaries file separate income tax returns. The Cayman Islands, the British Virgin Islands and Hong Kong Under the current laws of the Cayman Islands and the British Virgin Islands, we and our subsidiaries incorporated in the British Virgin Islands are not subject to income or capital gains taxes. In addition, dividend payments are not subject to withholding tax in those jurisdictions. On March 21, 2018, the Hong Kong Legislative Council passed The Inland Revenue (Amendment) (No. 7) Bill 2017 (the “Bill”) which introduces the two-tiered profits tax rates regime. The Bill was signed into law on March 28, 2018 and was gazetted on the following day. Under the two-tiered profits tax rates regime, the first 2 million Hong Kong Dollar of profits of the qualifying group entity will be taxed at 8.25%, and profits above HK$2 million will be taxed at 16.5%. The provision for current income taxes of the subsidiaries operating in Hong Kong has been calculated by applying the current rate of taxation of 8.25% for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2019. Payment of dividends is not subject to withholding tax in Hong Kong. PRC EIT According to the PRC Enterprise Income Tax Law, which became effective on January 1, 2008, as further clarified by subsequent tax regulations implementing the EIT law, foreign invested enterprises and domestic enterprises are subject to enterprise income tax, or EIT, at a uniform rate of 25%. The provision for current income taxes of the subsidiaries operating in Hong Kong has been calculated by applying the current rate of taxation of 8.25% for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2019. Pursuant to the relevant laws and regulations in the PRC, each of Ying Si Kang Information Technology (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd., or Ying Si Kang, and Shenzhen Huazhong United Technology Co., Ltd., or Shenzhen Huazhong, both our wholly-owned subsidiaries, was recognized as a software company and thus exempted from PRC Income Tax for two years starting from its first profit-making year, followed by -72- a 50% reduction for the next three years. For Ying Si Kang, year 2014 was the first profit-making year and accordingly it has made a 12.5% tax provision for its profits for the year ended December 31, 2018. For Shenzhen Huazhong, 2017 was the first profit-making year and accordingly it has made a 12.5% tax provision for its profits for the year ended December 31, 2019. Pursuant to the Circular on Issues Regarding Tax-related Preferential Policies for Further Implementation of Western Development Strategy jointly issued by the State Ministry of Finance, General Administration of Customs, China and State Administration for Taxation, enterprises located in the western China regions that fall into the encouraged industries are entitled to 15% EIT preferential tax treatment from January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2020. In September 2018, our wholly-owned subsidiary, Fanhua Lianxin Insurance Sales Co., Ltd., which is the holding vehicle of our life insurance operations, was relocated to Tianfu New Area, Sichuan province, PRC. Subsequently, Lianxin will enjoy 15% EIT tax rate instead of unified 25% from September 1, 2018 to December 31, 2020. Tibet Zhuli Investment Co. Ltd. ("Tibet Zhuli"), our wholly-owned subsidiary, was entitled to a preferential tax rate of 9% for the period from January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2017 and 15% for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2019, as it was established with approval in Tibet, PRC, before January 1, 2018. Business Tax and VAT In November 2011, the Ministry of Finance and the State Administration of Taxation jointly issued two circulars setting out the details of the pilot VAT reform program, which change the charge of sales tax from business tax to VAT for certain pilot industries. The VAT reform program initially applied only to the pilot industries in Shanghai, and was expanded to eight additional regions, including, among others, Beijing and Guangdong province, in 2012. In August 2013, the program was further expanded nationwide. With respect to all of our PRC entities for the period immediately prior to the implementation of the VAT reform program, revenues from our services are subject to a 5% PRC business tax. Revenues from our online advertising services are subject to an additional 3% cultural business construction fee. In March 2016, during the fourth session of the 12th National People’s Congress, it was announced that the VAT reform will be fully rolled out and extended to all industries including construction, real estate, financial services and lifestyle services. Subsequently, the State Administration of Taxation and Ministry of Finance jointly issued a Notice on Preparing for the Full Implementation of the VAT Reform (Cai Shui [2016] No. 36). Accordingly, revenues from our services are subject to value-added tax instead of business tax starting from May 1, 2016. PRC Urban Maintenance and Construction Tax and Education Surcharge Any entity, foreign-invested or purely domestic, or individual that is subject to consumption tax, VAT and business tax is also required to pay PRC urban maintenance and construction tax. The rates of urban maintenance and construction tax are 7%, 5% or 1% of the amount of consumption tax, VAT and business tax actually paid depending on where the taxpayer is located. All entities and individuals who pay consumption tax, VAT and business tax are also required to pay education surcharge at a rate of 3%, and local education surcharges at a rate of 2%, of the amount of VAT, business tax and consumption tax actually paid. Critical Accounting Policies We prepare financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP, which requires us to make judgments, estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of our assets and liabilities and the disclosure of our contingent assets and liabilities at the end of each fiscal period, as well as the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during each fiscal period. We continually evaluate these judgments and estimates based on our own historical experience, knowledge and assessment of current business and other conditions, our expectations regarding the future based on available information and assumptions that we believe to be reasonable. This forms our basis for making judgments about matters that are not readily apparent from -73- other sources. Since the use of estimates is an integral component of the financial reporting process, our actual results could differ from those estimates. Some of our accounting policies require a higher degree of judgment than others in their application. The selection of critical accounting policies, the judgments and other uncertainties affecting application of those policies and the sensitivity of reported results to changes in conditions and assumptions are factors that should be considered when reviewing our financial statements. We believe the following accounting policies involve the most significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of our financial statements. Revenue Recognition Our revenue from contracts with insurance companies is derived principally from the provision of agency and claims adjusting services. According to ASC 606, revenue is recognized at a point in time upon the effective date of the insurance policy, as no performance obligation exists after the insurance policy was signed. If there are other services within the contract, we estimate the stand-alone selling price for each separate performance obligation, and the corresponding apportioned revenue is recognized over the period of time in which the customer receives the service, and as the performance obligations are fulfilled and we are entitled to that portion of revenue using the output method for the services. In situations where multiple performance obligations exist within a contract, the use of estimates is required to allocate the transaction price on a relative stand-alone selling price basis to each separate performance obligation. We determine revenue recognition through the following steps:   Identification of the contract, or contracts, with a customer; Identification of the performance obligation in the contract;  Determination of the transaction price, including the constraint on variable consideration;  Allocation of the transaction price to the performance obligation in the contracts; and  Recognition of revenue when (or as) the Company satisfies a performance obligation. We disaggregates our revenue from different types of service contracts with customers by principal service categories, as we believe it best depicts the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of our revenue and cash flows. The following is a description of the accounting policy for our principal revenue streams. Insurance agency services revenue For Insurance agency services, performance obligations are considered met and revenue is recognized when the services are rendered and completed, at the time an insurance policy becomes effective, that is, when the signed insurance policy is in place and the premium is collected from the insured. We have met all the criteria of revenue recognition when the premiums are collected or the respective insurance companies and not before, because collectability is not ensured until receipt of the premium. Accordingly, we do not accrue any commission and fees prior to the receipt of the related premiums. No allowance for cancellation has been recognized for agency as the management of our estimates, based on our past experience that the cancellation of policies rarely occurs. Any subsequent commission adjustments in connection with policy cancellations which have been de minimis to date are recognized upon notification from the insurance carriers. Actual commission and fee adjustments in connection with the cancellation of policies were 0.1% and 0.1% of the total commission and fee revenues during years ended December 31, 2018 and 2019, respectively. For life insurance agency, we may receive a performance bonus from insurance companies as agreed and per contract provisions. Once an agency achieves its performance obligation, typically a certain sales volume, the bonus will become due. The bonus amount is computed based on the insurance premium amount multiplied by an agreed-upon percentage. The contingent commissions are recorded when a performance obligation is being achieved. Performance bonus represent a form of variable consideration -74- associated with certain sales volume, for which we earn commissions. The contingent commissions are recorded when a performance obligation is being achieved. We estimate the amount of consideration with a constraint applied that will be received in the coming year such that a significant reversal of revenue is not probable and accrue performance bonus relative to the recognition of the corresponding core commissions. For the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2019, we recognized contingent performance bonus of RMB23.2 million and RMB58.1 million (US$8.3 million), respectively. Insurance claims adjusting services revenue For Insurance claims adjusting services, performance obligations are considered met and revenue is recognized when the services are rendered and completed, at the time loss adjusting reports are confirmed being received by insurance companies. We do not accrue any service fee before the receipt of an insurance company’s acknowledgement of receiving the adjusting reports. Any subsequent adjustments in connection with discounts which have been de minims to date are recognized in revenue upon notification from the insurance companies. Contract balances Our contract balances include accounts receivable and contract asset. The balances of account receivable as of December 31, 2018 and 2019 are all derived from contracts with customers. The timing between the recognition of revenue for effective insurance policy and the receipt of payment is not significant. The estimated accounts receivable in relation to cancellation of insurance policies within hesitation period is a contract asset included in accounts receivable. The balances of contract asset are RMB84.9 million and RMB131.1 million (US$18.8 million) as of December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2019, respectively. We have no advance from customers in advance of revenue recognition, or contract liability and, therefore, none of revenue recognized in the current period that was previously recognized as a contract liability. Practical Expedients and Exemptions We generally expense sales commissions when incurred because the amortization period would have been one year or less. These costs are recorded within sales and marketing expenses in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income, as the amortization period is less than one year and we have elected the practical expedient included in ASC 606. We have applied the optional exemption provided by ASC 606 to not disclose the value of remaining performance obligations not yet satisfied as of period end for contracts with original expected duration of one year or less. Investment in Affiliates We use the equity method of accounting for investments in which we have the ability to exercise significant influence, but do not have a controlling interest. We continually review our investment in equity investees to determine whether a decline in fair value to an amount below the carrying value is other-than temporary. The primary factors we consider in our determination are the duration and severity of the decline in fair value; the financial condition, operating performance and the prospects of the equity investee; and other company specific information such as the stock price of the investee and its corresponding volatility, if publically traded, our intent and ability to hold the investment until recovery, and changes in the macro-economic, competitive and operational environment of the investee. If the decline in fair value is deemed to be other-than-temporary, the carrying value of the equity investee is written down to fair value. -75- The fair values of the investments in equity investees are determined based on valuation techniques using the best information available, including but not limited to such as quoted prices for the investments or similar investments in active markets, the investees' current and expected future performance, industry trend and projected revenue growth rates and profit margin, forecasted cash flows based on discounted rates and terminal growth rates, etc. Share-based Compensation All forms of share-based payments to employees and nonemployees, including stock options and stock purchase plans, are treated the same as any other form of compensation by recognizing the related cost in the consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income. We recognize compensation cost for an award with only service conditions that has a graded vesting schedule on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period for the entire award, provided that the amount of compensation cost recognized at any date must at least equal to the portion of the grant-date value of the award that is vested at that date. For awards with both service and performance conditions, if each tranche has an independent performance condition for a specified period of service, we recognize the compensation cost of each tranche as a separate award on a straight-line basis; if each tranche has performance conditions that are dependent of activities that occur in the prior service periods, we recognize the compensation cost on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period for each separately vesting portion of the award as if the award was, in-substance, multiple awards. No compensation cost is recognized for instruments that employees and nonemployees forfeit because a service condition or a performance condition is not satisfied. Employee share-based compensation Compensation cost related to employee stock options or similar equity instruments is measured at the grant date based on the fair value of the award and is recognized over the service period, which is usually the vesting period. If an award requires satisfaction of one or more performance or service conditions (or any combination thereof), compensation cost is recognized if the requisite service is rendered, while no compensation cost is recognized if the requisite service is not rendered. Nonemployee share-based compensation We early adopted the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s Accounting Standard Update ("ASU") No. 2018-07, “Compensation — Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Nonemployee Share- Based Payment Accounting” prospectively starting from 2018. Consistent with the accounting requirement for employee share-based compensation, nonemployee share-based compensation within the scope of Topic 718 are measured at grant-date fair value of the equity instruments, which we are obligated to issue when the service has been rendered and any other conditions necessary to earn the right to benefit from the instruments have been satisfied. Classification of award Options or similar instruments on shares shall be classified as liabilities if either of the following conditions is met:  The underlying shares are classified as liabilities;  We can be required under any circumstances to settle the option or similar instrument by transferring cash or other assets. We measure a liability award under a share-based payment arrangement based on the award’s fair value remeasured at each reporting date until the date of settlement. Compensation cost for each period until settlement shall be based on the change (or a portion of the change, depending on the percentage of the requisite service that has been rendered at the reporting date) in the fair value of the instrument for each reporting date. -76- We measure an equity award based on the awards’ fair value on grant date and recognize the compensation cost over the vesting periods, with the corresponding credit recorded as paid-in capital. Modification of an award A modification of the terms or conditions of an equity award is treated as an exchange of the original award for a new award. We measure the effects of a modification as follows: i) incremental compensation cost shall be measured as the excess, if any, of the fair value of the modified award determined over the fair value of the original award immediately before its terms are modified, measured based on the share price and other pertinent factors at that date; and ii) the total recognized compensation cost for an equity award shall at least equal the fair value of the award at the grant date unless at the date of the modification the performance or service conditions of the original award are not expected to be satisfied. We recorded the incremental fair-value-based measure, if any, of the modified award, as compensation cost on the date of modification (for vested awards) or over the remaining service (vesting) period (for unvested awards). Share-based compensation expenses of nil, nil and RMB0.4 million (US$56,290.8) for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2018 and 2019, respectively, were included in the selling, general and administrative expenses. Variable Interest Entities ("VIEs") The 521 Plan On June 14, 2018, we announced that our board of directors has approved a 521 Share Incentive Plan (the “521 plan”). The 521 Plan is designed to incentivize the Company's employees and independent sales agents (collectively the “Participants”) by purchasing a total of 280,000,000 ordinary shares of the Company. 10% of the subscription price is paid by the Participant on or around the grant date, while the remaining 90% of the subscription prices is financed through interest-bearing loans from the Company. Pursuant to the 521 Plan, we set up three companies which are Fanhua Employees Holdings Limited, Step Tall Limited and Treasure Chariot Limited (collectively the “521 Plan Employee Companies”) to hold the Company's ordinary shares on behalf of the Participants of the 521 Plan. Each of the 521 Plan Employee Companies is a legal entity formed in the British Virgin Islands with a sole shareholder appointed by the Company. Each shareholder is either an employee, or a founder who is also a shareholder and director of the Company. In determining whether we are the primary beneficiary of the 521 Plan Employee Companies, we applied the following critical judgements: 1) our ordinary shares are the only significant assets held by the 521 Plan Employee Companies, which serve as collaterals to the loans issued by the Company to the Participants during the vesting period; 2) the activities most significantly impacting the 521 Plan Employee Companies' economic performance are the decision making related to managing the shares in the 521 Plan Employee Companies. Given the only substantial recourse to the loans issued by the Company are the ordinary shares, changes (principally decreases) in the value of the ordinary shares held by the 521 Plan Employee Companies will be indirectly absorbed by the Company and the Company has potential exposure to the economics of the 521 Plan Employee Companies. In addition to that, we control the decision-making rights of the 521 Plan Employee Companies with respect to the shares held by the 521 Plan Employee Companies as collateral to the loans issued to the Participants, and we have potential exposure to the economics of the VIEs resulting from the fluctuation in value of the ADS, which is more than insignificant. Further, we will also participate in the variability and absorb the economic benefits of the 521 Plan Employee Companies, through an increase in value of the shares held by the 521 Plan Employee Companies, if the performance conditions are not met or partially met based on the profit distribution arrangements.Therefore, the Company has variable interests in the 521 Plan Employee Companies during the vesting period. Since we have the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the 521 Plan Employee Companies’ economic performance and none of the 521 Plan Employee Companies’ equity investors have the obligation to absorb the expected losses or the right to receive the expected residual returns of the ADS which will be indirectly absorbed by the Company or the Participants as described in -77- the various vesting scenarios in “Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employees — B. Compensation — 521 Plan”, we are the primary beneficiary of the 521 Plan Employee Companies and the 521 Plan Employee Companies are deemed to be VIEs of the Company and are consolidated by the Company. As all the contractual arrangements with the 521 Plan Employee Companies are subject to PRC law, and, based on the advice of our PRC counsel, we believe that our contractual arrangements with the 521 Plan Employee Companies are in compliance with PRC law and are legally enforceable according to our PRC counsel. However, uncertainties in the PRC legal system could limit our ability to enforce these contractual arrangements. The interests of the shareholders of the 521 Plan Employee Companies may diverge from that of our company, which may potentially increase the risk that they would seek to act contrary to the contractual terms. See “Item 3. Key Information — D. Risk Factors — Risks Related to Our Corporate Structure — Our variable interest entities or their respective shareholders and directors may fail to perform their obligations under our contractual arrangements with them. Recent Accounting Pronouncements For a summary of recently issued accounting pronouncements not yet adopted that may potentially impact our financial position and results of operations, see Note 2(ac) to the consolidated financial statements of Fanhua Inc. pursuant to Item 18 of Part III of this annual report. Results of Operations The following table sets forth our net revenues, operating costs and expenses and income from operations by reportable segments for the periods indicated. We are currently operating under two reporting operating segments: (1) insurance agency, and (2) claims adjusting. 2018 RMB For the Year Ended December 31, 2018 to 2019 Percentage Change 2019 % RMB US$ (in thousands except percentages) Consolidated Statement of Income Data Net revenues: Agency ............................................................ Life insurance business .................................. P&C insurance business ................................ Claims adjusting ............................................. Total net revenues Operating costs and expenses: Operating costs: Agency ............................................................ Life insurance business .................................. P&C insurance business ................................ Claims adjusting ............................................. Total operating costs Selling expenses ............................................. General and administrative expenses ............ Total operating costs and expenses Income (loss) from continuing operations Insurance agency ............................................ Claims adjusting ............................................. Other ............................................................... Income from continuing operations Other income, net: Investment income ......................................... 3,143,873 2,870,776 273,097 327,390 3,471,263 (2,151,856) (1,943,053) (208,803) (194,159) (2,346,015) (231,075) (468,430) (3,045,520) 529,280 10,491 (114,028) 425,743 195,456 -78- 6.1 11.2 (48.1) 13.2 6.8 5.2 11.5 (53.1) 13.0 5.9 20.3 1.4 6.3 1.6 (13.2) (32.0) 10.2 (59.5) 3,335,397 3,193,625 141,772 370,606 3,706,003 (2,263,952) (2,166,126) (97,826) (219,496) (2,483,448) (278,085) (475,107) (3,236,640) 537,746 9,132 (77,515) 469,363 479,100 458,736 20,364 53,234 532,334 (325,196) (311,144) (14,052) (31,529) (356,725) (39,944) (68,245) (464,914) 77,243 1,311 (11,134) 67,420 79,070 11,358 Interest income ............................................... Others, net ....................................................... Income from continuing operations before income taxes and share of income and impairment of affiliates, net ....................... Income tax expense ........................................ Share of income and impairment of affiliates, net ................................................................ Net income from continuing operations ... Net income from discontinued operations, net of tax ........................................................ Net income ..................................................... Less: Net attributable income the to noncontrolling interests .............................. Net income attributable to the Company’s shareholders .............................................. 2018 RMB For the Year Ended December 31, 2018 to 2019 Percentage Change % RMB (in thousands except percentages) 34,207 11,807 667,213 (224,586) 174,468 617,095 — 617,095 7,180 (91.8) (18.2) (15.9) (36.0) * (68.8) * (68.8) (49.6) 2019 2,828 9,664 560,925 (143,816) (224,555) 192,554 — 192,554 3,622 US$ 406 1,388 80,572 (20,658) (32,255) 27,659 — 27,659 520 609,915 (69.0) 188,932 27,139 * Not meaningful for analysis because the percentage change is mathematically undeterminable or involves a change from income or benefit to loss or expense, or vice versa. -79- Year ended December 31, 2019 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2018 Net Revenues Our total net revenues increased by 6.8% from RMB3,471.3 million in 2018 to RMB3,706.0 million (US$532.3 million) in 2019.  Net revenues from our insurance agency segment increased by 6.1% from RMB3,143.9 million in 2018 to RMB3,335.4 million (US$479.1 million) in 2019. The increase was primarily due to growth in life insurance business, from RMB2,870.8 million in 2018 to RMB3,193.6 million (US$458.7 million) in 2019, partially offset by a decrease in net revenues derived from P&C insurance business. The increase in net revenues generated from the life insurance agency business was primarily driven by the establishment of new branches in more regions. The increase was mainly driven by (i) a 3.1% year-over-year growth in first year commissions to RMB2,390.8 million and (ii) a 45.4% year-over-year growth in renewal commissions to RMB802.8 million. Revenues generated from our life insurance business accounted for 86.2% of our total net revenues in 2019. The decline of the property and casualty insurance agency business was primarily due to (i) the decline of sales on Baowang (www.baoxian.com) mainly resulting from the decision by certain insurance companies to cease underwriting certain popular insurance products and (ii) the decline in platform fees received for the auto insurance business. Revenues for the P&C insurance business were mainly derived from commissions generated from Baowang and the technology service fees we charged based on the volume of insurance premiums transacted through CNpad Auto.  Net revenues from our claims adjusting segment increased by 13.2% from RMB327.4 million in 2018 to RMB370.6 million (US$53.2 million) for 2019. The increase was mainly due to the strong growth of our medical insurance-related claims adjusting business in 2019. Operating Costs and Expenses Operating costs and expenses increased by 6.3% from RMB3,045.5 million in 2018 to RMB3,236.6 million (US$464.9 million) for 2019. Operating Costs. Our operating costs increased by 5.9% from RMB2,346.0 million in 2018 to RMB2,483.4 million (US$356.7 million) in 2019, primarily because of an increase in operating cost in life insurance business.  Operating costs for our insurance agency segment increased by 5.2% from RMB2,151.9 million in 2018 to RMB2,264.0 million (US$325.2 million) in 2019, primarily due to an increase of 11.5% in costs for the life insurance agency business from RMB1,943.1 million in 2018 to RMB2,166.1 million (US$311.1 million) in 2019, which was mainly due to growth in revenue generated from the life business, partially offset by a decrease in costs for the property and casualty insurance agency business from RMB208.8 million in 2018 to RMB97.8 million (US$14.1 million) in 2019, which is in line with the decrease in revenue generated from the property and casualty insurance agency business.  Operating costs for our claims adjusting segment increased by 13.0% from RMB194.2 million in 2018 to RMB219.5 million (US$31.5 million) in 2019, primarily due to business expansion of medical insurance-related claims adjusting service. Selling Expenses. Our selling expenses increased by 20.3% from RMB231.1 million in 2018 to RMB278.1 million (US$39.9 million) in 2019, primarily attributable to the opening of new sales outlets. -80- General and Administrative Expenses. Our general and administrative expenses increased by 1.4% from RMB468.4 million in 2018 to RMB475.1 million (US$68.2 million) in 2019, primarily due to the increase in payroll and rental expenses, partially offset by the decrease in depreciation and amortization and other disbursements. Income from Operations As a result of the foregoing factors, income from operations increased by 10.2% from RMB425.7 million in 2018 to RMB469.4 million (US$67.4 million) in 2019.   Income from operations for our agency insurance segment increased by 1.6% from RMB529.3 million in 2018 to RMB537.7 million (US$77.2 million) in 2019, which was primarily due to the growth of life insurance business contribution, partially offset by the decline in the property and casualty insurance agency business. Income from operations for our claims adjusting segment decrease by 13.2% from RMB10.5 million in 2018 to RMB9.1 million (US$1.3 million) in 2019, which was primarily due to new business in 2019 which has lower margin.  Other loss from operations represented operating loss incurred by the headquarters, which was not allocated to each business segment. Operating loss incurred by the headquarters decreased by 32.0% from RMB114.0 million in 2018 to RMB77.5 million (US$11.1 million) in 2019, primarily due to decrease in depreciation and disbursements at the headquarters. Other Income Investment Income. Investment income represents income received from short-term investments in collective trust products and interbank deposits. Our investment income decreased by 59.5% from RMB195.5 million in 2018 to RMB79.1 million (US$11.4 million) in 2019. The decrease in yields from short-term investments in financial products was mainly due to (i) change in composition of our short-term investment portfolio, with increased allocation to wealth management products issued by banks which offer relatively lower yields as compared to other financial products in the portfolio; (ii) a year-over-year decrease in yields from wealth management products issued by banks; and (iii) a decrease in cash available for investment in short-term investment products due to the share buyback program, declaration of cash dividends and the implementation of the Company’s 521 Plan since the second half of 2018. Interest Income. Our interest income decreased by 91.8% from RMB34.2 million in 2018 to RMB2.8 million (US$0.4 million) in 2019, primarily due to (i) the settlement of certain one-year term interest- bearing receivables in August 2018; (ii) the decrease in cash available for investment; and (iii) the decrease in bank interest rates in 2019. Income Tax Expense Our income tax expense decreased by 36.0% from RMB224.6 million in 2018 to RMB143.8 million (US$20.7 million) in 2019. The effective tax rate for 2019 was 25.6% compared with 33.7% in 2018. The decrease in effective tax rate was primarily due to (i) the start of a tax holiday from the fourth quarter of 2018 enjoyed by Fanhua Lianxing Insurance Sales Service Co., Ltd., our wholly-owned subsidiary which is the holding company of our life insurance operation; and (ii) the decrease in withholding tax paid in connection with dividend distribution in 2019. Share of Income and Impairment of Affiliates, net Our share of income and impairment of affiliates was negative RMB224.6 million (US$32.3 million) for 2019, as compared to share of income of affiliates of RMB174.5 million in 2018. The share of income -81- of affiliates mainly represented share of income from CNFinance in which we own 18.5% of the equity interest. The share of income and impairment from CNFinance included a RMB322.7 million (US$46.3 million) impairment on investment in CNFinance, to reflect a write-down to the fair value of the investment as measured by the closing market price of CNFinance on December 31, 2019, offsetting the share of income of CNFinance of RMB98.7 million (US$14.2 million) from CNFinance in 2019. Net Income Attributable to the Non-controlling Interests The net income attributable to the non-controlling interests decreased by 49.6% from RMB7.2 million in 2018 to RMB3.6 million (US$0.5 million) in 2019, primarily due to the decrease in profits from our subsidiaries operating claims adjusting business in which we currently own 44.7% equity interests. Net Income Attributable to the Company’s Shareholders As a result of the foregoing factors, our net income attributable to our shareholders decreased by 69.0% from RMB609.9 million in 2018 to RMB188.9 million (US$27.1 million) for 2019. The decrease was mainly due to the decreases in investment income and share of income from CNFinance. Inflation Inflation in China has impacted our results of operations. According to the National Bureau of Statistics of China, the consumer price index in China increased by 1.4%, 2.0%, 1.6%, 2.1% and 2.9% in 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019, respectively. Our operating costs and expenses, such as sales agent and employee compensation and office operating expenses, increased significantly partly as a result of inflation in 2018 and 2019. Additionally, because a substantial portion of our assets consists of cash and cash equivalents, high inflation significantly reduced the value and purchasing power of these assets. We are not able to hedge our exposures to higher inflation in China. If high inflation persists in China in the future, our operational results may continue to be significantly affected. Foreign Currency The exchange rate between U.S. dollar and RMB has declined from an average of RMB8.2264 per U.S. dollar in July 2005 to RMB7.0137 per U.S. dollar in December 2019. The fluctuation of the exchange rate between the RMB and U.S. dollar and HK dollar resulted in foreign currency translation gain of RMB 10.2 million (US$1.5 million) in 2019, when we translated our financial assets from U.S. dollar and HK dollar into RMB. We have not hedged exposures to exchange fluctuations using any hedging instruments. See “Item 3. Key Information — D.Risk Factors — Risks Related to Doing Business in China — Fluctuation in the value of the RMB may have a material adverse effect on your investment.” and “Item 11. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk — Foreign Exchange Risk.” B. Liquidity and Capital Resources Cash Flows and Working Capital Our principal sources of liquidity have been cash generated from our operating activities. As of December 31, 2019, we had RMB169.7 million (US$24.4 million) in cash and cash equivalents, and RMB1.6 billion (US$231.6 million) in short-term investments. Our cash and cash equivalents consist of cash on hand and bank deposits and our short term investments consist of short-term, highly liquid investments that are readily convertible to known amounts of cash, and have insignificant risk of changes in value related to changes in interest rates. Our principal uses of cash have been to fund dividend distribution and share buyback, maintenance and developments of online platforms including Lan Zhanggui, CNpad Auto, Baoxian.com, and eHuzhu, establishment of new branches and sales outlets, working capital requirements, automobiles and office equipment purchases, office renovation and rental deposits. -82- We expect to require cash to fund our ongoing business needs, particularly the further expansion of our distribution and service network, expansion into the financial services business and development of online platforms. We believe that our current cash and cash equivalents and anticipated cash flow from operations will be sufficient to meet our anticipated cash needs, including our cash needs for working capital and capital expenditures, for at least the next 12 months. We may, however, require additional cash due to changing business conditions or other future developments, including any investments or acquisitions we may decide to pursue. If our existing cash is insufficient to meet our requirements, we may seek to sell additional equity securities, debt securities or borrow from lending institutions. Financing may be unavailable in the amounts we need or on terms acceptable to us, if at all. The sale of additional equity securities, including convertible debt securities, would dilute our earnings per share. The incurrence of debt would divert cash for working capital and capital expenditures to service debt obligations and could result in operating and financial covenants that restrict our operations and our ability to pay dividends to our shareholders. If we are unable to obtain additional equity or debt financing as required, our business operations and prospects may suffer. The following table sets forth a summary of our cash flows for the periods indicated: Net cash generated from operating activities Net cash (used in) generated from investing activities 2018 RMB Year Ended December 31, 2019 RMB US$ (in thousands) 523,827 1,567,585 178,324 11,959 25,615 1,717 Net cash generated (used in) from financing activities (1,664,506) (792,106) (113,778) Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash 426,906 (601,823) Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash at the beginning of the year Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash at the end of the year 439,033 848,166 848,166 265,605 (86,446) 121,831 38,152 Operating Activities Net cash generated from operating activities amounted to RMB178.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2019, primarily attributable to (i) a net income of RMB192.6 million, (ii) adjustments of depreciation expense of RMB16.3 million, non-cash operating lease expense of RMB69.5 million, investment income of RMB65.6 million and share of income and impairment of affiliates, net of RMB224.6 million representing share of net income generated by CNFinance offset by an impairment of the investment in CNFinance, which were non-cash items and, and (iii) an increase of accounts payable of RMB50.2 million offset by (i) an increase of accounts receivable of RMB180.2 million contributed by our major customers, Huaxia and Sinatay, which in aggregate accounted for 39.9% of our revenue and 44.8% of account receivable as of year end of 2019 as certain amount of sales bonus from Huaxia and Sinatary was settled quarterly and annually, among which the receivable from Sinatay has been fully settled in March 2020, (ii) decrease of other payable of RMB25.5 million, (iii) decrease of income tax payable of RMB50.0 million and (iv) decrease of lease liability of RMB76.6 million. Net cash generated from operating activities amounted to RMB523.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2018, primarily attributable to (i) a net income of RMB617.1 million, (ii) adjustments of depreciation of RMB10.8 million, amortization of acquired intangible assets of RMB15.9 million and share of income of affiliates of RMB174.5 million, which were non-cash items, and (iii) an increase of accounts payable of RMB129.7 million and other payable of RMB21.5 million due to an increase in operational cost and expenses that had been accrued but unsettled in the fourth quarter of 2018, partially offset by RMB156.0 million in investment adjustment income from collective trust funds and inter-bank deposit. -83- Investing Activities Net cash from investing activities for the year ended December 31, 2019 was RMB12.0 million, primarily attributable to proceeds from disposal of short term investments of RMB7,523.3 million that matured offset by cash used to purchase short term investment products including collective trust funds and inter-bank deposits of RMB7,498.7 million and purchase of property, plant and equipment of RMB19.7 million. Net cash generated from investing activities for the year ended December 31, 2018 was RMB1, 567.6 million, primarily attributable to (i) proceeds from short term investments of RMB12.5 billion that had matured, (ii) loan repayment from third party of RMB500.0 million and (iii) purchase of property, plant and equipment of RMB22.8 million partially offset by cash used to purchase short term investment products including collective trust funds and inter-bank deposits of RMB11.4 billion. Financing Activities Net cash used in financing activities was RMB792.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2019, attributable to (i) cash used for share repurchase program in 2019 of RMB484.0 million and (ii) dividend payments of totaling RMB435.1 million, partially offset by proceeds from employees and agents’ share subscriptions of RMB111.3 million. Net cash used in financing activities was RMB1,664.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2018 attributable to (i) cash used for the purchase of ordinary shares pursuant to the Company’s 521 Plan and its share repurchase program in 2018 of RMB1.6 billion and (ii) dividend payments of totaling RMB331.7 million, partially offset by proceeds from employees and agents’ share subscription of RMB211.1 million and proceeds related to disposal of Fanhua Times Sales & Services Co., Ltd and its subsidiaries of RMB22.7 million. Capital Expenditures We incurred capital expenditures of RMB20.9 million, RMB22.8 million and RMB19.7 million (US$2.8 million) for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2018 and 2019, respectively. Our capital expenditures have been used primarily to construct our IT infrastructure and online platforms, and to purchase automobiles and office equipment for newly established insurance intermediary companies. We estimate that our capital expenditures will increase moderately in the following two or three years as we further expand our distribution and service network in China, and maintain and upgrade our IT infrastructure and online platforms. We anticipate funding our future capital expenditures primarily with net cash flows from financing and operating activities. Borrowings As of each of December 31, 2018 and 2019, we had no short-term or long-term bank borrowings. Holding Company Structure We are a holding company with no material operations of our own. We conduct our operations through our subsidiaries in China. As a result, our ability to pay dividends and to finance any debt we may incur depends upon dividends paid by our subsidiaries. If our subsidiaries incur debt on their own behalf in the future, the instruments governing their debt may restrict their ability to pay dividends to us. Our wholly owned subsidiaries are permitted to pay dividends to us only out of their retained earnings, if any, as determined in accordance with PRC accounting standards and regulations. Under PRC law, each of our subsidiaries in China is required to set aside at least 10% of its after-tax profits as reported in the PRC statutory financial statements each year, if any, to fund a statutory reserve until such reserve reach 50% of its registered capital, and to further set aside a portion of its after-tax profits to fund the employee welfare fund at the discretion of its board. Although the statutory reserves can be used, among other ways, to -84- increase the registered capital and eliminate future losses in excess of retained earnings of the respective companies, the reserve funds are not distributable as cash dividends except in the event of liquidation of the companies. Furthermore, the EIT Law that took effect on January 1, 2008 has eliminated the exemption of EIT on dividend derived by foreign investors from foreign-invested enterprises and imposes on foreign- invested enterprises an obligation to withhold tax on dividend distributed by such foreign-invested enterprises. As of December 31, 2019, our restricted net asset was RMB1.4 billion (US$202.6 million). This amount is composed of the registered equity of our PRC subsidiaries and the statutory reserves described above. Our ability to pay dividends primarily depends upon dividends paid by our subsidiaries. As of December 31, 2019, we had aggregate undistributed earnings of approximately RMB1.3 billion (US$ 187.3 million) that were available for distribution. These undistributed earnings are considered to be indefinitely reinvested, and will be subject to PRC dividend withholding taxes upon distribution. C. Research and Development, Patents and Licenses, etc. See “Item 4. Information on the Company—B. Business Overview—Intellectual Property.” 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 from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019 that are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on our net revenues, income, profitability, liquidity or capital resources, or that would cause the disclosed financial information to be not necessarily indicative of future operating results or financial conditions. E. Off-Balance Sheet Commitments and Arrangements We have not entered into any financial guarantees or other commitments to guarantee the payment obligations of third parties. We have not entered into any derivative contracts that are indexed to our shares and classified as shareholders’ 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. We do not have any variable interest in any unconsolidated entity that provides financing, liquidity, market risk or credit support to us or that engages in leasing, hedging or research and development services with us. As a result, as of December 31, 2019, we did not have any off-balance sheet arrangements that had or were reasonably likely to have a current or future effect on our financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources. F. Tabular Disclosure of Contractual Obligations The following table sets forth our contractual obligations and commercial commitments as of December 31, 2019: Payment Due by Period Total Less than 1 year 1-3 years (in thousands of RMB) 3-5 years More than 5 years Undiscounted minimum lease payment included in the measurement of operating lease liabilities ........ 204,530 Total ...................................................................... 204,530 87,333 87,333 89,996 89,996 24,728 24,728 2,473 2,473 Not included in the table above are uncertain tax liabilities of RMB70.4 million (US$10.1 million). As we are unable to make reasonably reliable estimates of the period of cash settlement with the respective taxing authority, such liabilities are excluded from the contractual obligations table above. -85- Other than the contractual obligations and commercial commitments set forth above, we did not have any other material long-term debt obligations, operating lease obligations, purchase obligations or other material long-term liabilities as of December 31, 2019. G. Safe Harbor This annual report on Form 20-F contains statements of a forward-looking nature. These statements are made under the “safe harbor” provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. You can identify some of these forward-looking statements by words or phrases such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “aim,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “is/are likely to” or other similar expressions. We have based these forward-looking statements largely on our current expectations and projections about future events and financial trends that we believe may affect our financial condition, results of operations, business strategy and financial needs. These forward-looking statements include statements relating to:         our anticipated growth strategies; the anticipated growth of our life insurance business; the anticipated growth of our e-commerce business; our future business development, results of operations and financial condition; factors that affect our future revenues and expenses; the future growth of the Chinese insurance industry as a whole and the professional insurance intermediary sector in particular; trends and competition in the Chinese insurance industry; and economic and demographic trends in the PRC. You should thoroughly read this annual report and the documents that we refer to with the understanding that our actual future results may be materially different from and worse than what we expect. We qualify all of our forward-looking statements by these cautionary statements. We would like to caution you not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and you should read these statements in conjunction with the risk factors disclosed in “Item 3. Key Information — D. Risk Factors” of this annual report. Those risks are not exhaustive. We operate in an emerging and evolving environment. New risk factors emerge from time to time and it is impossible for our management to predict all risk factors, nor can we assess the impact of all factors on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement. You should not rely upon forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. We undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required under applicable law. -86- Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employees A. Directors and Senior Management The following table sets forth information regarding our directors and executive officers as of the date of this annual report. Directors and Executive Officers Age Chunlin Wang ..................................... Peng Ge ............................................... Yinan Hu ............................................. Yunxiang Tang .................................... Stephen Markscheid. ........................... Allen Warren Lueth ............................. Mengbo Yin ........................................ 50 48 54 74 66 51 64 Position/Title Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors Chief Financial Officer and Director Director Independent Director Independent Director Independent Director Independent Director Mr. Chunlin Wang has been our chairman of the board of directors since September 2017 and has been our chief executive officer since October 2011. He has been our director since March 2016. From April 2011 to October 2011, he was our chief operating officer. From January 2007 to October 2011, he was vice president and head of the property and casualty insurance unit of our company. From 2003 to January 2007, he served as assistant to our chairman. From 2002 to 2005, he served as the general manager of Guangdong Nanfeng, one of our first affiliated insurance intermediaries in the PRC. From 1998 to 2002, Mr. Wang served as a branch manager at Guangzhou Nanyun Car Rental Services Co., Ltd. and later Guangdong Nanfeng Automobile Association Co., Ltd., our predecessors. Mr. Wang received his bachelor’s degree in law from Central-Southern University of Politics and Law in China. Mr. Peng Ge has been our chief financial officer since April 2008 and has been our director since December 2016. He is currently a member of the board of directors of CNFinance, which is a public company listed in the U.S. From 2005 to April 2008, he served as the general manager of the finance and accounting department and vice president of our company. From August 2007 to September 2008, he was also a director of our company. From 1999 to 2005, Mr. Ge headed our Beijing operations. From 1994 to 1999, Mr. Ge was a financial manager at a subsidiary of China National Native Produce and Animal By- Products Import & Export Corporation. Mr. Ge received his bachelor’s degree in international accounting and his MBA degree from the University of International Business and Economics in China. Mr. Yinan Hu is our co-founder and has been our director since our inception in 1998. He is currently a member of the board of directors of Puyi Inc., which is a public company listed in the U.S. From 1998 to September 2017, he was the chairman of our board of directors. From 1998 to October 2011, Mr. Hu served as our chief executive officer. From 1993 to 1998, Mr. Hu served as chairman of the board of directors of Guangdong Nanfeng Enterprises Co., Ltd., a company he co-founded that engaged in import and export, manufacturing of wooden doors and construction. From 1991 to 1995, Mr. Hu was an instructor of money and banking at Guangdong Institute for Managers in Finance and Trade. Mr. Hu received a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in economics from Southwestern University of Finance and Economics in China. Mr. Yunxiang Tang, a senior economist, has been our independent director since May 2012. Mr. Tang served as general manager of the People's Insurance Company (Group) of China Limited, or the PICC and chairman of the Board of Directors of PICC P&C, PICC Asset Management Company Limited, PICC Life Insurance Company Limited and PICC Health Insurance Company Limited from 2000 to 2007. He was the president of Insurance Association of China from 2001 to 2003 and vice chairman of the CIRC from 1998 to 2000. Prior to that, he served in different senior leadership roles in the financial regulatory authorities, including head of the PBOC Guangdong Branch and chief of State Administration of Foreign Exchange, Guangdong Branch and assistant governor of the PBOC. -87- Mr. Stephen Markscheid has been our independent director since August 2007. Mr. Markscheid is chairman of Still Waters Greent Technology, a United Kingdom based renewable energy developer, and chief financial officer of Childwise, an early childhood education and training provider in the U.S. and China. He is a member of the board of directors of Jinko Solar, Inc. and Hexindai Inc., which are public companies listed in U.S. and ZZ Capital International Limited, a public company listed in Hong Kong. He is also a trustee of Princeton-in-Asia, a nonprofit social service organization affiliated with Princeton University. He was a member of the board of directors of a number of other listed companies, including TKK Symphony Acquisition Corporation (currently named Glory Star New Media Group Holdings Limited), Ener-Core, Inc., China Ming Yang Wind Power Group and ChinaCast Education Corporation. He acted as a director and interim chief executive officer and chief financial officer of Fellazo Inc. in 2020. From 2014 to 2017, he was a partner of Wilton Partners, a Shanghai-based boutique investment bank. From 2007 to 2011, he was the chief executive officer of Synergenz BioScience, Inc., a genomics company based in Hong Kong. Prior to that, Mr. Markscheid was the chief executive officer of HuaMei Capital Company, Inc., a Sino-U.S. investment advisory firm from 2006 to 2007. From 1998 to 2006, Mr. Markscheid worked for GE Capital. During his time with GE Capital, Steve led GE Capital's business development activities in China and Asia Pacific, primarily acquisitions and direct investments. Prior to joining GE, Mr. Markscheid worked with the Boston Consulting Group throughout Asia from 1994 to 1997. Prior to that, Mr. Markscheid had been a commercial banker for ten years in London, Chicago, New York, Hong Kong and Beijing with Chase Manhattan Bank and First National Bank of Chicago. Prior to that, he worked with the US-China Business Council in Washington D.C. and Beijing. Mr. Markscheid received his bachelor’s degree in East Asian studies from Princeton University, a master’s degree in international affairs and economics from the School of Advanced International Studies at Johns Hopkins University, and an MBA degree from Columbia University. Mr. Allen Lueth has been our independent director since August 2007. Mr. Lueth is currently a member of the board of directors of Greatview Aseptic Packaging Company Limited, a company listed in Hong Kong. Since September 2019, Mr. Lueth has served as a president and chief financial officer of International Institute of Education Group, a company mainly engaged in language education in the PRC. From 2017 to 2019 and 2010 to 2017, Mr. Lueth served as a chief financial officer for Asia-Pacific region and a vice president of finance for the PRC region for Cardinal Health, Inc., a Fortune 500 company engaged in the healthcare industry respectively. From 2005 to 2010, Mr. Lueth served as a vice president of finance and strategy formation for the PRC region for Zuellig Pharma China, which was then acquired by Cardinal Health, Inc. in 2010. Mr. Lueth worked for GE Capital from 1998 to 2004 in a variety of roles, including chief financial officer and chief executive officer for the Taiwan operations, and the representative for China. Earlier, he served with Coopers & Lybrand as an auditor. Mr. Lueth obtained his certificate as a certified public accountant in 1991 and a certified management accountant in 1994. Mr. Lueth received his bachelor of science in accounting degree from the University of Minnesota and an MBA degree from the J.L. Kellogg School of Management. Dr. Mengbo Yin has been our independent director since September 2008. He is currently a PhD advisor at Southwestern University of Finance and Economics in China, where he also serves as head of the university’s postgraduate department. Previously, he was the dean of the university’s school of finance from 1996 to 2007. Professor Yin received his master’s and PhD degrees in finance from Southwestern University of Finance and Economics in China. Employment Agreements Each of our executive officers has entered into an employment agreement with us. Under these agreements, each of our executive officers is employed for a specified time period. We may terminate the employment for cause, at any time, without notice or remuneration, for certain acts of the employee, including but not limited to a conviction or plea of guilty to a felony, negligence or dishonesty to our detriment, failure to perform the agreed-to duties after a reasonable opportunity to cure the failure and failure to achieve the performance measures specified in the employment agreement. An executive officer may terminate his employment at any time with one-month prior written notice if there is a material reduction in his authority, duties and responsibilities or in his annual salary before the next annual salary -88- review. Furthermore, we may terminate an executive officer’s employment at any time without cause upon two-month advance written notice. In the event of a termination without cause by us, we will provide the executive officer a lump-sum severance payment in the amount of RMB0.5 million, unless otherwise specifically required by applicable law. Each executive officer has agreed to hold, both during and after the employment agreement expires or is earlier terminated, in strict confidence and not to use, except as required in the performance of his duties in connection with the employment, any confidential information, trade secrets and know-how of our company or the confidential information of any third-party, including our consolidated affiliated entities and our subsidiaries, received by us. In addition, each executive officer has agreed to be bound by non-competition restrictions set forth in his employment agreement. Specifically, each executive officer has agreed not to, while employed by us and for one year following the termination or expiration of the employment agreement, (i) approach our clients, customers or contacts or other persons or entities introduced to the executive officer for the purpose of doing business with such person or entities, and will not interfere with the business relationship between us and such persons and/or entities; (ii) assume employment with or provide services as a director for any of our competitors, or engage, whether as principal, partner or otherwise, in any business which is in direct or indirect competition with our business; or (iii) seek directly or indirectly, to solicit the services of any of our employees who is employed by us at the date of the executive officer’s termination, or in the year preceding such termination. B. Compensation In 2019, the aggregate cash compensation, including reimbursement of expenses, to our executive officers was approximately RMB2.5 million (US$0.4 million), and the aggregate cash compensation to our non-executive directors was approximately RMB3.3 million (US$0.5 million). We did not set aside or accrue any amounts to provide pension, retirement or similar benefits for our executive officers and directors except for statutory social security payment. Share Incentives 2007 Share Incentive Plan Our 2007 Share Incentive Plan is intended to attract and retain the best available personnel for positions of substantial responsibility, provide additional incentive to employees, directors and consultants and promote the success of our business. We have reserved 136,874,658 ordinary shares for issuance under our 2007 Share Incentive Plan, which was approximately 15% of our outstanding ordinary shares at the time we authorized the number of ordinary shares reserved for issuance. The 2007 Share Incentive Plan expired upon the tenth anniversary of the shareholder approval of the 2007 Share Incentive Plan. On November 21, 2008, our board of directors approved the grant of options to purchase an aggregate of 32,000,000 ordinary shares to various directors, officers and employees pursuant to the 2007 Share Incentive Plan (the “2008 Option”). The exercise price of these options is US$0.28 per ordinary share, equal to the closing price of our ADS on the Nasdaq Global Market at the grant date (after adjusting for the 20 ordinary shares to 1 ADS ratio). The options are scheduled to vest over a four-year period starting from March 31, 2010, subject to the achievement of certain key performance indicators by the option holders and their continued employment with us. As of March 31, 2018, all of the 2008 Option had been exercised or forfeited. On March 9, 2009, our board of directors voted to grant options to purchase an aggregate of 10,000,000 ordinary shares to employees under the amended and restated 2007 Share Incentive Plan (the “2009 Option”). The exercise price of these options is US$0.34 per ordinary share, equal to the closing price of our ADS on the Nasdaq Global Select Market at the grant date (after adjusting for the 20 ordinary shares to 1 ADS ratio). These options are scheduled to vest over a four-year period starting from March 31, 2010, subject to the achievement of certain key performance indicators by the option holders and their -89- continued employment with us. As of March 31, 2018, all of the 2009 Option had been exercised or forfeited. On March 12, 2012, pursuant to the amended and restated 2007 Share Incentive Plan, our board of directors approved the grant of options to certain directors, officers, key employees and sales agents to purchase an aggregate of 93,445,000 ordinary shares at an exercise price of US$0.30 per ordinary share and approved the grant of options to two independent directors who are residents of the United States in an aggregate of 3,200,000 ordinary shares at an exercise price of US$0.31 per ordinary share (the “2012 Options”). These options are scheduled to vest over a five-year period starting from May 31, 2012, subject to the achievement of certain key performance indicators by certain option holders and all option holders' continued employment with us. In November 2014, the board and compensation committee passed a resolution to modify the exercise price of the 2012 Options. Except for the 2012 Options granted to one of the independent directors who is a US resident, the exercise price of the rest of the 2012 Options was reduced from US$0.30 per ordinary share (for certain directors, officers, key employees and sales agents) and US$0.31 per ordinary share (for the other independent director who is a US resident) to US$0.001 per ordinary share while the maximum aggregate award of 96,645,000 ordinary shares was reduced to 46,722,500 ordinary shares. The options are subject to the same service period. As of December 31, 2014, except for the options granted to one of the independent directors, outstanding options to purchase 91,327,722 ordinary shares were modified into 45,663,861 shares options. There was no incremental cost as a result of such option modification. As of March 31, 2020, except for the options to purchase 400,000 ordinary shares granted to one of the independent directors, all of the 2012 Options had been exercised or forfeited. The following paragraphs describe the principal terms of our amended and restated 2007 Share Incentive Plan as currently in effect. Types of Awards. The types of awards we may grant under our 2007 Share Incentive Plan include the following:    options to purchase our ordinary shares; restricted shares, which represent non-transferable ordinary shares, that may be subject to forfeiture, restrictions on transferability and other restrictions; and restricted share units, which represent the right to receive our ordinary shares at a specified date in the future, which may be subject to forfeiture. Awards may be designated in the form of ADSs instead of ordinary shares. If we designate an award in the form of ADSs, the number of shares issuable under the 2007 Share Incentive Plan will be adjusted to reflect the ratio of ADSs to ordinary shares. Eligibility. We may grant awards to employees, directors and consultants of our company or any of our related entities, which include our subsidiaries or any entities in which we hold a substantial ownership interest. However, we may grant options that are intended to qualify as incentive share options, or ISOs, only to our employees and employees of our majority-owned subsidiaries. Plan Administration. The compensation committee of our board of directors, or a committee designated by the compensation committee, will administer the 2007 Share Incentive Plan. However, awards made to our independent directors must be approved by the entire board of directors. The compensation committee or the full board of directors, as appropriate, will determine the individuals who will receive grants, the types of awards to be granted and terms and conditions of each award grant, including any vesting or forfeiture restrictions. Award Agreement. Awards granted under our 2007 Share Incentive Plan will be evidenced by an award agreement that will set forth the terms, conditions and limitations for each award. In addition, in the -90- case of options, the award agreement may also specify whether the option constitutes an ISO or a non- qualifying share option. Acceleration of Awards upon Corporate Transactions. The outstanding awards will accelerate upon occurrence of a change-of-control corporate transaction where the successor entity does not assume our outstanding awards under the 2007 Share Incentive Plan. In such event, each outstanding award will become fully vested and immediately exercisable, and the transfer restrictions on the awards will be released and any forfeiture provisions will terminate immediately before the date of the change-of-control transaction. If the successor entity assumes our outstanding awards and later terminates the grantee’s service without cause within 12 months of the change-of-control transaction, the outstanding awards will automatically become fully vested and exercisable. Exercise Price and Term of Awards. The exercise price per share subject to an option will be determined by the plan administrator and set forth in the award agreement which may be a fixed or variable price related to the fair market value of our ordinary shares; provided, however, that no options may be granted to an individual subject to taxation in the United States at less than the fair market value on the date of grant. To the extent not prohibited by applicable laws or any exchange rule, a downward adjustment of the exercise prices of any outstanding options may be made in the absolute discretion of the plan administrator and will be effective without the approval of our shareholders or the approval of the affected participants. If we grant an ISO to an employee who, at the time of that grant, owns shares representing more than 10% of the voting power of all classes of our share capital, the exercise price cannot be less than 110% of the fair market value of our ordinary shares on the date of that grant. The term of each award will be stated in the award agreement. The term of an award shall not exceed 10 years from the date of the grant, except that five years is maximum term of an ISO granted to an employee who holds more than 10% of the voting power of our share capital. Amendment and Termination. Our board of directors may at any time amend, suspend or terminate the 2007 Share Incentive Plan. Amendments to the 2007 Share Incentive Plan are subject to shareholder approval to the extent required by law, or stock exchange rules or regulations. Additionally, shareholder approval will be specifically required to increase the number of shares available for issuance under the 2007 Share Incentive Plan or to extend the term of an option beyond ten years. Unless terminated earlier, the 2007 Share Incentive Plan will expire and no further awards may be granted after the tenth anniversary of the shareholder approval of the 2007 Share Incentive Plan. As of March 31, 2020, options to purchase 400,000 ordinary shares were outstanding. The following table summarizes the outstanding options as of March 31, 2020. Name(1) Options Outstanding Exercise Price (Per Ordinary Share)( US$) Grant Date Expiration Date Mengbo Yin ......................... 400,000 0.001 March 12, 2012 March 12, 2022 (1) Upon cash exercise of all of the share options beneficially owned by Mr. Chunlin Wang, Mr. Peng Ge and Mr. Yinan Hu in November 2017, 4,050,000, 5,350,000 and 6,500,000 ordinary shares have been issued to Kingsford Resources, Green Ease and Sea Synergy which were respectively 100% beneficially owned by Mr. Wang, Mr. Ge and Mr. Hu. 2014 Share Issuance to Employees In November 2014, we entered into share purchase agreements with companies established on behalf of our employees, or the 2014 Employee Companies, for the issuance of up to 100,000,000 ordinary shares of our company. In December 2014, we increased the new shares issued to the employees to 150,000,000 ordinary shares, representing approximately 13.0% of our then enlarged total share capital upon completion of the transaction. The purchase price for the 100,000,000 ordinary shares was US$0.27 per ordinary share -91- or US$5.40 per ADS, while the purchase price for the additional 50,000,000 ordinary shares was US$0.29 per ordinary share or US$5.80 per ADS, both of which are the average closing prices for the 20 trading days prior to the board approvals. As of March 31, 2020, there were 92,646,780 ordinary shares outstanding held by the 2014 Employee Companies. 521 Plan On June 14, 2018, we obtained approval from our board of directors to implement the 521 Plan, which enabled eligible Participants to participate in the growth of the Company by purchasing a total of 14 million of the Company’s ADSs at a price of US$27.38 per ADS. The Participants in the 521 Plan include entrepreneurial team leaders, general managers of our provincial branches or subsidiaries, and key managerial personnel, excluding senior management. In order to facilitate the purchase of the shares by the Participants, 90% of the total subscription cost of the shares under the 521 Plan is funded by loans granted to the individual Participants by the Company, while the remaining 10% is contributed directly by the individual Participants. The loans each bear interest at a rate of 8% per annum and is repayable by December 31, 2023 or upon the termination of employment or agent agreement, whichever is earlier. The repayment of the loan and interests can be extended with mutual agreements upon maturity of the loan. The Participants are entitled to receive dividends, but during the period when the loans are outstanding any dividends distributed to them will be used to repay interest on the loan before their loans are repaid in full while any residual dividends will be settled at maturity. When the loans are due, the shares and settlement of the loans will be handled as follows, based on whether the Participant achieved certain performance targets detailed in the loan agreement:   If the Participant fails to meet the performance targets or if the Participant is an employee and the sales team(s) of the agency or platform to which the Participant provide services collectively fail to meet the performance targets, or if the Participant ends his or her employment or agent arrangement with the Company prior to the maturity date of the loan, which is December 31, 2023, the relevant 521 Plan Employee Company will sell the shares and the proceeds from the sale will be used to repay the principal and interest owed under the loans from the Company. If the proceeds from the sale are more than sufficient to repay the amount owed, then any remaining amount will be used to (i) repay the Participant’s capital contribution in purchasing the shares and (ii) pay the Participant an interest on his or her capital contribution at a rate of up to 8% per annum. Any remaining proceeds will be paid to the Company. If the Participant partially meets the performance targets or if the Participant is an employee of the Company and the sales team(s) of the agency or platform to which the Participant provide services collectively partially meet the performance targets, part of the Participant’s shares will vest, or the Vested Shares, in proportion to the percentage of the performance targets achieved (total number of shares * 50%* percentage of the the performance targets achieved). Upon vesting, the Company will settle the Vested Shares with ADS at a value equal to the excess of the settlement date fair value of the ADS over the loan balance (principal plus interest) (net share settlement). The settlement of the outstanding loan balance (if any) shall be otherwise negotiated and determined by the Company and the Participants. The remaining shares not vested will be sold by the relevant 521 Plan Employee Company and the proceeds will be used to repay the principal and interest owed under the loans. If the proceeds from the sale are more than sufficient to repay the amount owed, then any remaining amount will be used to (i) repay the Participant’s capital contribution in purchasing the shares, and (ii) pay the Participant an interest on his or her capital contribution at a rate of up to 8% per annum. Any remaining proceeds will be paid to the Company.  If the Participant meets the performance target or if the Participant is an employee of the Company and the sales team(s) of the agency or platform to which the Participant provides services collectively meet the performance target, all of the Participant’s shares will vest. Upon vesting, the Company will settle the Vested Shares with ADS at a value equal to the excess of the settlement -92- date fair value of the ADS over the loan balance (principal plus interest) (net share settlement). The settlement of the outstanding loan balance (if any) shall be otherwise negotiated and determined by the Company and the Participants. Three stock holding vehicle companies, or the 521 Plan Employee Companies, have been established to hold the shares on behalf of the Participants, namely Fanhua Employee Holdings Limited, Treasury Chariot Limited and Step Tall Limited, which hold 200,000,000 ordinary shares, 40,000,000 ordinary shares and 40,000,000 ordinary shares related to the 521 Plan, respectively. Mr. Yinan Hu, our co-founder and director and two employees are the respective sole shareholder and director of each of the 521 Plan Employee Companies. Fanhua Employee Holdings Limited, of which Mr. Hu is the sole shareholder and director, has established an employee committee to make voting and disposition decisions with regards to the shares that it holds while the other two 521 Plan Employee Companies have appointed their respective sole shareholder and director to exercise such right during the loan period. Each Participant enters into an entrusted share purchase agreement with a 521 Plan Employee Company, pursuant to which each of the 521 Plan Employee Companies purchased the shares of the Company from either a former principal shareholder or from the Company and holds the shares on behalf of the Participant until the loan has been repaid. The following is a summary of the contractual agreements that we entered into relating to the 521 Plan: • Loan Agreements and Entrusted Share Purchase Agreements The nature and structure of the 521 Plan Employee Companies is that they are investment vehicle companies holding the Company’s shares on behalf of the Participants for the purpose of the 521 Plan. Loan agreements and entrusted share purchase agreements were signed among our wholly-owned subsidiary CISG Holdings Ltd., the 521 Plan Employee Companies and each of the Participants. To effect the 521 Plan, Participants agreed to pay 10% of the subscription price and executed a loan agreement with the Company for a loan representing 90% of the subscription price of the ordinary shares under the 521 Plan. Participants executed an entrusted share purchase agreement with one of the 521 Employee Companies whereby the 521 Plan Employee Company will legally hold the ordinary shares on behalf of the Participants. As of December 31, 2018 and 2019, the loan agreements provided a total of US$184.8 million and US$345.0 million, respectively, of loans to the VIEs and Participants of the 521 Plan with the sole purpose of providing funds necessary for the purchase of the our ordinary shares under the 521 Plan. All the ordinary shares are pledged as collateral to the Company for the loans and are not yet vested, the Participants cannot direct the sale of the ordinary shares without the consent of the Company until the ordinary shares are fully vested in accordance with the 521 Plan’s agreed target performance. The loan agreement and the entrusted share purchase agreement shall terminate after five year or upon termination of agency relationship and employment relationship or the settlement of the loan, whichever comes first. • Letters of Undertaking Each of the sole directors and sole shareholders of the 521 Plan Employee Companies, each of whom is either a significant shareholder and director or an employee of the Company, has executed a letter of undertaking with the Company. Under the letter of under taking, each individual agrees to follow, without any conditions, our instructions as to the management of all activities of each of the 521 Plan Employee Companies, as well as any directions from us concerning transferring the shares or changing directors. C. Board Practices Board of Directors Our board of directors consists of seven directors. Under our currently effective amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, a director is not required to hold any shares in our company by way of qualification. A director may vote with respect to any contract, proposed contract or arrangement -93- in which he is materially interested. The directors may exercise all the powers of our company to borrow money, mortgage its undertaking, property and uncalled capital, and issue debentures or other securities whenever money is borrowed or as security for any obligation of our company or of any third-party. The directors may receive such remuneration as our board of directors may determine from time to time. There is no age limit requirement for directors. In compliance with Rule 5605 of the Nasdaq Listing Rules, a majority of our directors and all of the committee members of our board of directors are independent directors. During 2019, our board of directors met in person or passed resolutions by unanimous written consent eight times. In addition, our independent directors held executive sessions without the presence of non-independent directors or members of management twice during 2019. We have no specific policy with respect to director attendance at our annual general meetings of shareholders. Committees of the Board of Directors We have established three committees under the board of directors: the audit committee, the compensation committee and the corporate governance and nominating committee, and have adopted a charter for each of the committees. Each committee’s members and functions are described below. Audit Committee. Our audit committee consists of Allen Lueth (chairman), Stephen Markscheid and Mengbo Yin, all of whom satisfy the “independence” requirements of Rule 5605 of the Nasdaq Listing Rules and Rule 10A-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The audit committee oversees our accounting and financial reporting processes and the audits of the financial statements of our company. The audit committee is responsible for, among other things:       selecting the independent auditors and pre-approving all auditing and non-auditing services permitted to be performed by the independent auditors; reviewing with the independent auditors any audit problems or difficulties and management’s response; reviewing and approving all proposed related-party transactions; discussing the annual audited financial statements with management and the independent auditors; reviewing major issues as to the adequacy of our internal controls and any special audit steps adopted in light of material control deficiencies; annually reviewing and reassessing the adequacy of our audit committee charter;  meeting separately and periodically with management, the independent auditors and the internal auditor; and  reporting regularly to the full board of directors. In 2019, our audit committee held meetings or passed resolutions by unanimous written consent six times. Compensation Committee. Our compensation committee consists of Stephen Markscheid (chairman), Allen Lueth and Yunxiang Tang, all of whom satisfy the “independence” requirements of Rule 5605 of the Nasdaq Listing Rules. Our compensation committee assists the board of directors in reviewing and approving the compensation structure of our directors and executive officers, including all forms of compensation to be provided to our directors and executive officers. Our chief executive officer may not be present at any committee meeting during which his compensation is deliberated. The compensation committee is responsible for, among other things: -94-     reviewing and recommending to the board with respect to the total compensation package for our chief executive officer; approving and overseeing the total compensation package for our executives other than the chief executive officer; reviewing and making recommendations to the board with respect to the compensation of our directors; and reviewing periodically and approving any long-term incentive compensation or equity plans, programs or similar arrangements, annual bonuses, employee pension and welfare benefit plans. In 2019, our compensation committee held meetings or passed resolutions by unanimous written consent twice. Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee. Our corporate governance and nominating committee consists of Mengbo Yin(chairman), Allen Lueth and Stephen Markscheid, all of whom satisfy the “independence” requirements of Rule 5605 of the Nasdaq Listing Rules. The corporate governance and nominating committee assists our board of directors in identifying individuals qualified to become our directors and in determining the composition of the board and its committees. The corporate governance and nominating committee is responsible for, among other things:     identifying and recommending to the board nominees for election or re-election to the board, or for appointment to fill any vacancy; reviewing annually with the board the current composition of the board in light of the characteristics of independence, skills, experience and availability of service to us; 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 corporate governance and nominating 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; and  monitoring compliance with our code of business conduct and ethics, including reviewing the adequacy and effectiveness of our procedures to ensure proper compliance. In 2019, our corporate governance and nominating committee held meetings or passed resolutions by unanimous written consent three times. 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 have a duty to exercise the skill they actually possess and such care and diligence that a reasonably prudent person would exercise in comparable circumstances. In fulfilling their duty of care to us, our directors must ensure compliance with our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association as amended and restated from time to time. In certain limited circumstances, it may be possible for our shareholders to bring a derivative action on behalf of our company if a duty owed by our directors to our company is breached. -95- Terms of Directors and Executive Officers All directors hold office until their successors have been duly elected and qualified. Outside of certain specified circumstances, including resigning, becoming bankrupt or being of unsound mind or being absent from board meetings without special leave of absence for six consecutive months and the board of directors resolves that his office be vacated, a director may only be removed by a special resolution of the shareholders. Officers are elected by and serve at the discretion of the board of directors. We do not have contracts in place with any of our directors providing for benefits upon termination of employment. For the period during which the directors and executives have served in the office, please see “Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employees — A. Directors and Senior Management.” D. Employees Employees, Sales Agents and Training We had 3,344, 3,863 and 4,746 employees as of December 31, 2017, 2018 and 2019, respectively. We consider our relations with our employees to be good. The following table sets forth the number of our employees by function as of December 31, 2019: Management and administrative staff ..................................... Financial and accounting staff ............................................... Professional claims adjustors .................................................. Information technology staff ................................................... Total ...................................................................................... Number of Employees % of Total 2,818 211 1,627 90 4,746 59.4 4.4 33.3 1.9 100.0 As of December 31, 2017, 2018 and 2019, we had 506,231, 807,858 and 670,104 registered sales representatives, respectively. All of these sales representatives are independent sales agents who are not our employees and are only compensated by commissions. We have contractual relationships with these sales agents. We primarily distribute life insurance policy with a periodic premium payment schedule. For the sale of each of such life insurance policy, we pay the sales agent who has generated the sale periodic commissions based on a percentage of the commissions and fees we receive from the insurance companies for the sale and renewal of that policy, up to the first five years of the premium payment period, and retain all commissions and fees we continue to receive from insurance companies for the rest of the premium payment period. For the sale of each life insurance policy with a single premium payment schedule or non- auto insurance property and casualty insurance policy, we pay the sales agent who has generated the sale a single commission based on a percentage of the commission and fee we receive from insurance companies for the sale of that policy. For the sale of each auto insurance policy through CNpad Auto, the sales agent who has generated the sale will be paid a single commission based on a percentage of the insurance premiums he or she generated by our third party auto insurance aggregator site partners. Our life insurance sales agents are typically organized into sales teams with a multilevel hierarchy, typically with five layers. A life insurance sales agent not only receives a commission for the insurance policies that he or she sells, but also a commission for insurance policies sold by agents under his or her management. Our sales agents, in-house sales representatives and claims adjustors are valuable to us and are instrumental in helping us build and maintain long-term relationships with our customers. Therefore, we place a strong emphasis on training our sales force. We provide trainings to both new sales agents and existing sales agents, on a monthly or quarterly basis, both offline and online. For new sales agents, we offer orientation courses that are designed to familiarize them with corporate culture, insurance products, and sales skills. For the existing sales agents, we offer on-the-job training courses that aim to enhance their sales skills and knowledge of different insurance products and develop skills to build and manage their own -96- sales teams. Online training courses are also available on Lan Zhangui, which enable sales agents to attend the courses anytime anywhere. E. Share Ownership The following table sets forth information with respect to the beneficial ownership of our shares, as of March 31, 2020, by:   each of our current directors and executive officers; and each person known to us to own beneficially more than 5% of our shares. As of March 31, 2020, there were 1,353,891,784 ordinary shares outstanding, including 280,000,000 ordinary shares under the Company’s 521 plan which are subject to five-year lock-up period and will be deducted from the total ordinary shares used for calculating earnings per share as these shares are treated as treasury shares. Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC. In computing the number of shares beneficially owned by a person and the percentage ownership of that person, we include shares that the person has the right to acquire within 60 days, including through the exercise of any option, warrant or other right or the conversion of any other security. These shares, however, are not included in the computation of the percentage ownership of any other person. Ordinary Shares Beneficially Owned(1) (2) Number % Directors and Executive Officers: Chunlin Wang(3) .............................................................................. Peng Ge(4) ........................................................................................ Yinan Hu(5) ...................................................................................... Stephen Markscheid ........................................................................ Allen Warren Lueth ......................................................................... Mengbo Yin All Directors and Executive Officers as a Group .............................. 39,252,100 48,562,260 199,739,310 * * * 290,373,670 2.9% 3.6% 14.8% * * * 21.4% Principal Shareholders: Sea Synergy Limited(6) ..................................................................... Fanhua Employees Holdings Limited(7) 189,689,110 200,000,000 14.0% 14.8% * Less than 0.5% of our total outstanding ordinary shares. † Except for our independent directors, the business address of our directors and executive officers is c/o 27/F, Pearl River Tower, No. 15 West Zhujiang Road, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510623, People’s Republic of China. (1) The number of shares beneficially owned by each director and executive officer includes the shares beneficially owned by such person, the shares underlying all options held by such person that have vested. (2) Percentage of beneficial ownership of each director and executive officer is based on 1,353,891,784 ordinary shares outstanding as of March 31, 2020, and the number of ordinary shares underlying options held by such person that have vested. (3) Includes 39,252,100 ordinary shares held by Kingsford Resources Limited, or Kingsford Resources, which is 100% held by Better Rise Investments. Better Rise is 100% held by a family trust, of which Mr. Wang is the settlor and co-beneficiary. Pursuant to Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and the rules -97- promulgated thereunder, Better Rise Investments and Mr. Wang may be deemed to beneficially own all of the Ordinary Shares of the Issuer held by Kingsford Resources. (4) Includes 48,562,260 ordinary share held by Green Ease, which is 100% held by High Rank Investments Limited, or High Rank. High Rank was 100% held by a family trust, of which Mr. Ge is the settlor and co-beneficiary. Pursuant to Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and the rules promulgated thereunder, High Rank Investments and Mr. Ge may be deemed to beneficially own all of the Ordinary Shares of the Issuer held by Green Ease. (5) Includes (i) 10,041,200 ordinary shares in the form of ADSs directly held by Mr. Hu, and (ii) 189,698,110 ordinary shares of our company directly held by Sea Synergy Limited, or Sea Synergy. Sea Synergy is 100% held by a family trust, of which Mr. Hu is the settlor and co-beneficiary. Pursuant to Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and the rules promulgated thereunder, Mr. Hu may be deemed to beneficially own all of the Ordinary Shares of the Issuer held by Sea Synergy. (6) Includes 189,698,110 ordinary shares of the Company directly held by Sea Synergy. The registered address of Sea Synergy is P.O. Box 957, Offshore Incorporations Centre, Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands. (7) Includes 200,000,000 ordinary shares of our company held by Fanhua Employees Holdings Limited which holds the ordinary shares on behalf of the Participants of the Company’s 521 Plan. An Employee Committee has been established for these Participants with respect to the voting and disposition of the ordinary shares so held. The Employee Committee has the power to direct vote of the ordinary shares held by Fanhua Employees Holdings Limited, in a manner that is in the best interest of the Participants and for the disposition of such ordinary shares as directed by Participants. The registered address of Fanhua Employees Holdings Limited is Vistra Corporate Services Centre, Wickhams Cay Ⅱ, Road Town, Tortola, VG1110, British Virgin Islands, British Virgin Islands. None of our existing shareholders have different voting rights from other shareholders. We are not aware of any arrangement that may, at a subsequent date, result in a change of control of our company. As of March 31, 2020, J.P. Morgan Chase Bank, N.A., or J.P. Morgan, the depositary for our ADS program, is our only record holder in the United States, holding approximately 49.0% of our total outstanding ordinary shares. The number of beneficial owners of our ADSs in the United States is likely much larger than the number of record holders of our ordinary shares in the United States. Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions A. Major Shareholders Please refer to “Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employees  E. Share Ownership.” B. Related Party Transactions Purchase of Shares from a Principal Shareholder by Employee and Agent Stock Holding Companies and Subscription Receivables from Employees and Sales Agents Pursuant to the Company’s 521 Plan, 14 million ADSs had been purchased by 521 Plan Employee Companies at the weighted average price of US$27.38 per ADS. 14 million ADSs had been pledged to the Company and restricted from trading, hence these 14 million ADSs were recorded as treasury shares for accounting purpose. The 521 Plan Employee Companies have been established to hold the shares and conduct share administration on behalf of the Participants. Of the 14 million ADSs, 7.5 million ADSs were purchased from Master Trend Limited on June 14, 2018, at US$29.0 per ADS, which was the average closing price of the 30 trading days prior to the approval by our Board on June 14, 2018. Master Trend Limited is an investment company controlled by Mr. Qiuping Lai, co-founder and former president of the Company who has retired from the Company in March 2016. -98- The remaining 6.5 million ADSs were purchased from the Company at $25.52 per ADS, which consisted of 1,423,774 ADSs of treasury shares previously repurchased by the Company on the open market under the 2018 Share Repurchase Program and new issuance of 101,524,520 ordinary shares (representing 5,076,226 ADSs) of the Company. The purchase and issuance prices were equivalent to the weighted average of the closing prices of the share repurchases under the 2018 Share Repurchase Program. In order to facilitate the purchase of shares by the Participants, we have granted loans in the aggregate amount of RMB2.4 billion (US$345.0 million) to the Participants. As of March 31, 2020, RMB2.4 billion (US$345.0 million) of the principal of the loan was outstanding. The loan bears interest at a rate of 8% per annum and is repayable by December 31, 2023 or upon the termination of employment or agent agreement, whichever is earlier. The repayment of the loan and interests can be extended with mutual agreements upon maturity of the loan. Shares beneficially owned by the Participants under the 521 Development Plan will be pledged to the Company to secure the payment of loans by the Participants. See “Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employees — A. Directors and Senior Management — Share Incentives — 521 Plan” for additional information about the 521 Plan. Investment in Financial Products Offered by a Related Party In 2019, one of subsidiaries purchased certain wealth management products offered by an online peer- to-peer (“P2P”) lending platform which is considered to be a related party as the legal representative of the company which operates the P2P platform is a relative to Mr. Yinan Hu, our co-founder and director. The wealth management products purchased on the platform by the subsidiary bear interests at 7.3% with a term of 90 days. As of December 31, 2019, the wealth management products have matured and the principal and interest of the wealth management products have been received. Investment income of RMB0.4 million (US$0.1 million) has been recognized during the year of 2019. Revenues and Other Incomes from Affiliates In 2018 and 2019, we purchased certain wealth management products offered by an online peer-to- peer (“P2P”) lending platform, which is considered to be a related party as the legal representative of the company that operates the P2P platform is a relative to Mr. Yinan Hu, the Company's co-founder and director. The wealth management products purchased on the platform by the subsidiary bear interests at 7.3% with terms of 90 days. Principal and interests are payable upon maturity of those products or on a quarterly basis. As of December 31, 2018, the value of the outstanding wealth management products recorded as short term investments in the consolidated statements of financial position was RMB15.0 million and no investment income has been recognized before maturity. As of December 31, 2019, these wealth management products were matured. The principal of RMB15.0 million and interests of RMB0.4 million recorded as investment income in the consolidated statements of income have been received in 2019. There was no balance outstanding as of December 31, 2019 with regard to such products. Employment Agreements See “Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employees — A. Directors and Senior Management — Employment Agreements” for a description of the employment agreements we have entered into with our senior executive officers. Share Options Please refer to “Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employees — B. Compensation.” C. Interests of Experts and Counsel Not applicable. -99- Item 8. Financial Information A. Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information See “Item 18. Financial Statements.” Legal and Regulatory Proceedings On September 7, 2018, Miao Long, individually and on behalf of an alleged class of similarly situated holders of our ADSs, filed a class action lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York against us and two of our executive officers. The complaint alleges that we made false and misleading statements regarding our business, operational and compliance policies. The complaint principally alleges that we engaged in improper business practices including irregular accounting, which were intended to benefit our insiders and overstated our financial assets and performance metrics. The complaint asserts claims under Section 10(b) of the Security Exchange Act of 1934, or the Exchange Act, and Rule 10b-5 thereunder and under Section 20(a) of the Exchange Act. On January 2, 2019, the Court ordered a briefing schedule, providing that after the court’s entry of an order appointing a lead plaintiff under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act, the lead plaintiff must either file a consolidated complaint or give notice of its intent not to do so (and therefore proceed on its initial complaint) by February 20, 2019. Our response to the operative complaint was due by April 1, 2019; the lead plaintiff’s opposition was due by May 1, 2019; and our reply was due by May 15, 2019. In an order dated December 13, 2018, the Court appointed Miao Long as lead plaintiff and approved the selection of Pomerantz LLP as lead counsel. On February 20, 2019, the lead plaintiff filed an amended complaint. We filed a motion to dismiss the amended compliant on April 1, 2019. On March 2, 2020, the Court granted in its entirety our motion to dismiss the class action lawsuit. The dismissal was with prejudice to all claims save one relating to purported improper business practices, on which the Court gave Plaintiff until March 20, 2020 to submit any amended complaint. Absent an amended complaint by that date, the Court’s dismissal was to be with prejudice as to all claims. On March 12, 2020, Plaintiff submitted a letter to the Court stating that it would not be amending its complaint, after which the Court closed the case. Except as disclosed above, we are currently not a party to any other material litigation or other legal proceeding that may have a material adverse impact on our business or operations. However, we are and may continue to be subject to various claims and legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business. In addition, the CBIRC may make inquiries and conduct examinations concerning our compliance with PRC laws and regulations from time to time. These administrative proceedings have resulted in administrative sanctions, including fines of RMB750,000 in aggregate in 2019, which were not material to us. While we cannot predict the outcome of any pending or future examination, we do not believe that any pending legal matter will have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations. However, we cannot assure you that any future regulatory proceeding will not have an adverse outcome, which could have a material adverse effect on our operating results or cash flows. Dividend Policy Our board of directors has discretion as to whether to distribute dividends, subject to certain restrictions under Cayman Islands law, namely that our company may only pay dividends out of profits or share premium account, and provided always that in no circumstances may a dividend be paid unless, immediately following the date on which it is to be paid, our company will be able to pay its debts as they fall due in the ordinary course of business. In addition, our shareholders may by ordinary resolution declare a dividend, but no dividend may exceed the amount recommended by our directors. The timing, amount -100- and form of dividends, if any, will depend on, among other things, our future results of operations and cash flow, our capital requirements and surplus, the amount of distributions, if any, received by us from our subsidiaries, our financial condition, contractual restrictions and other factors deemed relevant by our board of directors. On February 28, 2017, our board of directors approved a cash dividend policy, which provided for an annual cash dividend to shareholders of no less than 30% of our net income attributable to shareholders in the previous fiscal year. On April 20, 2017, our board of directors declared an annual cash dividend of US$0.006 per ordinary share, or US$0.12 per ADS, payable on or around May 18, 2017 to shareholders of record on May 8, 2017. On September 18, 2017, our board of directors modified the dividend policy to adopt a quarterly payment schedule in lieu of an annual dividend, with the dividend payout ratio of no less than 50% of net operating income attributable to the Company's shareholders instead of no less than 30% under the annual dividend policy previously announced on April 20, 2017. The following table summarizes the quarterly dividend payments since the announcement of the quarterly dividend policy. Declaration Date November 20, 2017 March 9, 2018 May 12, 2018 August 18, 2018 November 17, 2018 March 18, 2019 May 22, 2019 August 20, 2019 November 20, 2019 March 18, 2020 Quarterly Dividend (Per Ordinary Share)( US$) Quarterly Dividend (Per ADS)( US$) 0.01 0.01 0.0125 0.0125 0.0125 0.0125 0.0150 0.0150 0.0150 0.0150 0.20 0.20 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.30 0.30 0.30 0.30 Record Date Payable Date December 8, 2017 December 22, 2017 March 26, 2018 June 4, 2018 April 10, 2018 June 11, 2018 September 5, 2018 September 19, 2018 December 5, 2018 December 20, 2018 March 21, 2019 June 6, 2019 April 3, 2019 June 20, 2019 September 4, 2019 September 19, 2019 December 5, 2019 December 19, 2019 April 2, 2020 April 16, 2020 When we pay dividends, we pay our ADS holders to the same extent as holders of our ordinary shares, subject to the terms of the deposit agreement, including the fees and expenses payable thereunder. Any dividend we declare will be distributed by the depositary bank to the holders of our ADSs. Cash dividends on our ordinary shares, will be paid in U.S. dollars. Currently, we have no plan to repatriate the remaining undistributed earnings from our subsidiaries in China and we intend to retain all of our available funds held by subsidiaries in China and their future earnings to operate and expand our business. We are a holding company incorporated in the Cayman Islands. We rely on dividends from our subsidiaries in China or share premium to fund our payment of dividends, if any, to our shareholders. Current PRC regulations permit our subsidiaries to pay dividends to us only out of their accumulated profits, if any, determined in accordance with PRC accounting standards and regulations. In addition, each of our subsidiaries in China is required to set aside a certain amount of its accumulated after-tax profits each year, if any, to fund certain statutory reserves. These reserves may not be distributed as cash dividends. Further, if our subsidiaries in China incur debt on their own behalf, the instruments governing the debt may restrict their ability to pay dividends or make other payments to us. Furthermore, there are still uncertainties under the new PRC EIT law and the related regulations regarding whether the dividends we receive from our PRC subsidiaries or dividends paid to our shareholders will be subject to PRC withholding tax. See “Item 3. Key Information — D. Risk Factors — Risks Related to Doing Business in China — Our global income or the dividends we receive from our PRC subsidiaries may be subject to PRC tax under the EIT Law, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.” and “Item 3. Key Information — D. Risk Factors — Risks Related to Doing Business in China — Under the EIT Law, dividends payable by us and gains on the disposition of our shares or ADSs could be subject to PRC taxation.” -101- 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 Not applicable B. Plan of Distribution Not applicable. C. Markets Our ADSs, each representing 20 ordinary shares, is listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol “FANH.” From October 31, 2007 until December 6, 2016, our ticker symbol was “CISG.” From October 31, 2007 until January 1, 2009, our ADSs were listed on the Nasdaq Global Market. 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 The following are summaries of material provisions of our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, as adopted by our shareholders by special resolution at the extraordinary general meeting held on December 6, 2016, as well as the Cayman Companies Law insofar as they relate to the material terms of our ordinary shares. Registered Office and Objects The registered office of our company is at the offices of Maples Corporate Services Limited, PO Box 309, Ugland House, Grand Cayman, KY1-1104, Cayman Islands, or at such other place within the Cayman Islands as our board of directors may decide. The objects for which our company is established are unrestricted and we have full power and authority to carry out any object not prohibited by the Companies Law or as the same may be revised from time to time, or any other law of the Cayman Islands. -102- Board of Directors See “Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employees — C. Board Practices — Board of Directors.” Ordinary Shares General. Our authorized share capital consists of 10,000,000,000 ordinary shares, with a par value of US$0.001 each. All of our issued and outstanding ordinary shares are fully paid and non-assessable. Certificates representing the ordinary shares are issued in registered form. Our shareholders who are nonresidents of the Cayman Islands may freely hold and vote their shares. Dividend Rights. The holders of our ordinary shares are entitled to such dividends as may be declared by our board of directors subject to the Companies Law. Voting Rights. On a show of hands, each shareholder present in person or by proxy (or, for a corporation or other non-natural person, present by its duly authorized representative or proxy) at general meeting shall have one vote and on a poll, shall have one vote for each share registered in his name in the register of members of our company. Voting at any meeting of shareholders is by show of hands unless a poll is demanded. A poll may be demanded by the chairman of the meeting or by any one or more shareholders together holding at least ten percent of our paid up voting share capital, present in person or by proxy. A quorum required for a meeting of shareholders consists of shareholders holding in aggregate not less than one-third of our issued voting share capital present in person or by proxy or, if a corporation or other non-natural person, by its duly authorized representative. We may, but are not obliged, to hold an annual general meeting of shareholders. General meetings may be convened by our board of directors on its own initiative or upon a request to the directors by shareholders holding in aggregate not less than one- third of our voting share capital. Advance notice of at least 14 calendar days is required for the convening of our annual general meeting and other shareholders meetings. An ordinary resolution to be passed by the shareholders requires the affirmative vote of a simple majority of the votes attaching to the ordinary shares cast in a general meeting or may be approved in writing by all of the shareholders entitled to vote at a general meeting, while a special resolution requires the affirmative vote of no less than two-thirds of the votes attaching to the ordinary shares cast in a general meeting or may be passed as a unanimous written resolution. A special resolution is required for important matters such as a change of name. Holders of the ordinary shares may effect certain changes by ordinary resolution, including consolidating and dividing all or any of our share capital into shares of larger amount than our existing shares, and canceling any shares which have not been taken or agreed to be taken. Transfer of Shares. Subject to the restrictions of our articles of association, as applicable, any of our shareholders may transfer all or any of his or her ordinary shares by an instrument of transfer in the usual or common form or any other form approved by our board. Liquidation. On a return of capital on winding up or otherwise (other than on conversion, redemption or purchase of shares), assets available for distribution among the holders of ordinary shares may be distributed among the holders of the ordinary shares as determined by the liquidator, subject to sanction of an ordinary resolution of our company. Calls on Shares and Forfeiture of Shares. Our board of directors may from time to time make calls upon shareholders for any amounts unpaid on their shares in a notice served to such shareholders at least 14 days prior to the specified time of payment. The shares that have been called upon and remain unpaid on the specified time are subject to forfeiture. -103- Redemption, Repurchase and Surrender of Shares. Subject to the provisions of the Companies Law and our articles of association, we may issue shares on terms that they are subject to redemption, at our option or at the option of the holders, on such terms and in such manner as our board of directors may determine before the issue of such shares. We also may purchase our own shares, provided that our shareholders have approved the manner of purchase by ordinary resolution or the manner of purchase is in accordance with that specified in our articles of association. The manner of purchase specified in our articles of association, which cover purchases of shares listed on an internationally recognized stock exchange and shares not so listed, is in accordance with Section 37(2) of the Companies Law or any modification or reenactment thereof for the time being in force. In addition, our company may accept the surrender of any fully paid share for no consideration. Pursuant to the Companies Law, upon the repurchase, redemption or surrender of shares, the board of directors can determine whether or not to cancel those shares or hold them as treasury shares pending cancellation, transfer or sale. The company must obtain authorization to hold such shares as treasury shares either in accordance with the procedures set out in the company’s articles of association or (if there are none) by a board resolution before being repurchased, redeemed or surrendered in accordance with the usual rules and articles. Variations of Rights of Shares. All or any of the special rights attached to any class of shares may, subject to the provisions of the Companies Law, be varied either with the written consent of the holders of a majority of the issued shares of that class or with the sanction of a special resolution passed at a general meeting of the holders of the shares of that class. Inspection of Books and Records. Holders of our ordinary shares have no general right under Cayman Islands law to inspect or obtain copies of our list of shareholders or our corporate records. However, we make our annual reports, which contain our audited financial statements, available to our shareholders. See “Item 10. Additional Information — H. Documents on Display.” 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. D. Exchange Controls See “Item 4. Information on the Company — B. Business Overview — Regulation — Regulations on Foreign Exchange.” E. Taxation The following summary of the material Cayman Islands, PRC and United States federal income tax consequences of an investment in our ADSs or ordinary 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 prospective and retroactive change and is included here for information purposes only. This summary is not intended to be, and should not be construed as, legal or tax advice, does not consider any investor’s particular circumstances, and does not deal with all possible tax consequences relating to an investment in our ADSs or ordinary 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 Cayman Islands counsel, 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 ,estate duty or gift tax. No Cayman Islands stamp duty will be payable unless an instrument is executed in, or after execution brought within the jurisdiction of the Cayman Islands, or produced before a court of the Cayman Islands. The Cayman Islands is a party to a double tax treaty with the United Kingdom but otherwise is not a party to any double tax treaties. There are no exchange control regulations or currency restrictions in the Cayman Islands. -104- PRC Taxation Under the former PRC Income Tax Law for Enterprises with Foreign Investment and Foreign Enterprises, any dividends payable by foreign-invested enterprises to non-PRC investors were exempt from any PRC withholding tax. In addition, any interest or dividends payable, or distributions made, by us to holders or beneficial owners of our ADSs or ordinary shares would not have been subject to any PRC tax, provided that such holders or beneficial owners, including individuals and enterprises, were not deemed to be PRC residents under the PRC tax law and had not become subject to PRC tax. Under the EIT Law, which took effect as of January 1, 2008, enterprises established under the laws of non-PRC jurisdictions but whose “de facto management body” is located in China are considered “resident enterprises” for PRC tax purposes. Under the implementation regulations issued by the State Council relating to the new law, “de facto management bodies” are defined as the bodies that have material and overall management control over the business, personnel, accounts and properties of an enterprise. On April 22, 2009, SAT, issued SAT Circular 82, which provides certain specific criteria for determining whether the “de facto management body” of a PRC-controlled enterprise that is incorporated offshore is located in China. In addition, the SAT issued a bulletin on July 27, 2011 providing more guidance on the implementation of Circular 82 and clarifies matters such as resident status determination. Substantially all of our management are currently based in China, and may remain in China in the future. If we were treated as a “resident enterprise” for PRC tax purposes, we would be subject to PRC income tax on our worldwide income at a uniform tax rate of 25%, but dividends received by us from our PRC subsidiaries may be exempt from the income tax. Under the new law and its implementation regulations, dividends paid to a non-PRC investor are generally subject to a 10% or 5% PRC withholding tax, if such dividends are derived from sources within China and the non-PRC investor is considered to be a non-resident enterprise without any establishment or place of business within China or if the dividends paid have no connection with the non-PRC investor’s establishment or place of business within China, unless such tax is eliminated or reduced under an applicable tax treaty. Similarly, any gain realized on the transfer of ADSs or shares by such investor is also subject to a 10% or 5% PRC withholding tax if such gain is regarded as income derived from sources within China, unless such tax is eliminated or reduced under an applicable tax treaty. If we were considered a PRC “resident enterprise,” it is possible that the dividends we pay with respect to our ADSs or ordinary shares, or the gain you may realize from the transfer of our ADSs or ordinary shares, would be treated as income derived from sources within China and be subject to the 10% or 5% PRC withholding tax. Income Tax and Withholding Tax The EIT Law, applies a uniform 25% enterprise income tax rate to both foreign-invested enterprises and domestic enterprises. The EIT Law imposes a withholding tax of 10% on dividends distributed by a PRC foreign-invested enterprise to its immediate holding company outside of China, if such immediate holding company is considered a “non-resident enterprise” without any establishment or place within China or if the received dividends have no connection with the establishment or place of such immediate holding company within China, unless such immediate holding company’s jurisdiction of incorporation has a tax treaty with China that provides for a different withholding arrangement. Holding companies in Hong Kong, for example, are subject to a 5% withholding tax rate. The Cayman Islands, where we are incorporated, does not have such a tax treaty with China. Thus, dividends paid to us by our subsidiaries in China may be subject to the 10% withholding tax if we are considered a “non-resident enterprise” under the EIT Law. Under the EIT Law and its implementation rules, any interest or premium with respect to the notes and any gains realized on the transfer of the notes by holders who are deemed under the EIT Law as non- resident enterprise may be subject to PRC enterprise income tax if such interest, premium or gains are regarded as income derived from sources within the PRC. Under the EIT Law, a “non-resident enterprise” means an enterprise established under the laws of a jurisdiction other than the PRC and whose actual -105- administrative organization is not in the PRC but has established offices or premises in the PRC, or which has not established any offices or premises in the PRC but has obtained incomes derived from sources within the PRC. The EIT Law provides that enterprises established outside of China whose “de facto management bodies” are located in China are considered “resident enterprises” and are therefore subject to PRC enterprise income tax at the rate of 25% with respect to their income sourced from both within and outside of China. The Implementing Regulation defines the term “de facto management body” as a management body that exercises substantial and overall control and management over the production and operations, personnel, accounting and properties of an enterprise. Circular 82 provides certain specific criteria for determining whether the “de facto management body” of a Chinese-controlled offshore-incorporated enterprise is located in China. The Resident Enterprise Administrative Measures provide clarification for resident status determination and competent tax authorities. However, Circular 82 and the Resident Enterprise Administrative Measures apply only to offshore enterprises controlled by PRC enterprises, not those invested in or controlled by PRC individuals, like our company. Currently there are no further detailed rules or precedents applicable to us regarding the procedures and specific criteria for determining “de facto management body” for the company of our type. It is still unclear if the PRC tax authorities would determine that we should be classified as a PRC “resident enterprise.” Although we have not been notified that we are treated as a PRC resident enterprise, we cannot assure you that we will not be treated as a “resident enterprise” under the EIT Law, any aforesaid circulars or any amended regulations in the future. If we are treated as a PRC resident enterprise for PRC enterprise income tax purposes, among other things, we would be subject to the PRC enterprise income tax at the rate of 25% on our worldwide taxable income. Furthermore, if we are treated as a PRC resident enterprise, payments of dividends and/or other expenses of similar nature by us may be regarded as derived from sources within the PRC and therefore we may be obligated to withhold PRC income tax at 10% on payments of dividends on the ADSs or shares and/or interest or other expenses of similar nature on the notes to non-PRC resident enterprise investors. In the case of non-PRC resident individual investors, the tax may be withheld at a rate of 20%. In addition, if we are treated as a PRC resident enterprise, any gain realized on the transfer of the ADSs and/or ordinary shares by non-PRC resident investors may be regarded as derived from sources within the PRC and accordingly may be subject to a 10% PRC income tax in the case of non-PRC resident enterprises or 20% in the case of non-PRC resident individuals. The PRC tax on interest or gains may be reduced or exempted under applicable tax treaties between the PRC and the ADS holder’s home country. For example, according to an arrangement between the PRC and Hong Kong, for the avoidance of double taxation, ADS holders who are Hong Kong residents, including both enterprise holders and individual holders, may be exempted from PRC income tax on capital gains derived from a sale or exchange of the notes. United States Federal Income Taxation The following discussion describes the material United States federal income tax consequences to a United States Holder (as defined below), under current law, of an investment in our ADSs or ordinary shares. This discussion is based on the federal income tax laws of the United States as of the date of this annual report on Form 20-F, including the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), existing and proposed Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder, judicial authority, published administrative positions of the United States Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) and other applicable authorities, all as of the date of this annual report on Form 20-F. All of the foregoing authorities are subject to change, which change could apply retroactively and could significantly affect the tax consequences described below. We have not sought any ruling from the IRS with respect to the statements made and the conclusions reached in the following discussion and there can be no assurance that the IRS or a court will agree with our statements and conclusions. This summary does not discuss the so-called Medicare tax on net investment income, any United States federal non-income tax laws, including the United States federal estate and gift tax laws, or the laws of any state, local or non-United States jurisdiction. -106- This discussion applies only to a United States Holder (as defined below) that holds ADSs or ordinary shares as capital assets for United States federal income tax purposes (generally, property held for investment). The discussion neither addresses the tax consequences to any particular investor nor describes all of the tax consequences applicable to persons in special tax situations, such as:                   banks and certain other financial institutions; insurance companies; regulated investment companies; real estate investment trusts; brokers or dealers in stocks and securities, or currencies; persons who use or are required to use a mark-to-market method of accounting; certain former citizens or residents of the United States subject to Section 877 of the Code; entities subject to the United States anti-inversion rules; tax-exempt organizations and entities; persons subject to the alternative minimum tax provisions of the Code; persons whose functional currency is other than the United States dollar; persons holding ADSs or ordinary shares as part of a straddle, hedging, conversion or integrated transaction; persons holding ADSs or ordinary shares through a bank, financial institution or other entity, or a branch thereof, located, organized or resident outside the United States; persons that actually or constructively own ADSs or ordinary shares representing 10% or more of our voting power or value; persons who acquired ADSs or ordinary shares pursuant to the exercise of an employee stock option or otherwise as compensation; partnerships or other pass-through entities, or persons holding ADSs or ordinary shares through such entities; persons required to accelerate the recognition of any item of gross income with respect to our ADSs or ordinary shares as a result of such income being recognized on an applicable financial statement; or persons that hold, directly, indirectly or by attribution, ADSs, ordinary shares or other ownership interests in us prior to our initial public offering. If a partnership (including an entity or arrangement treated as a partnership for United States federal income tax purposes) holds our ADSs or ordinary shares, the tax treatment of a partner in the partnership generally will depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. A partnership or a partner in a partnership holding our ADSs or ordinary shares should consult its tax advisors regarding the tax consequences of investing in and holding our ADSs or ordinary shares. -107- The following discussion is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for careful tax planning and advice. Investors should consult their tax advisors with respect to the application of the United States federal income tax laws to their particular situations, as well as any tax consequences arising under the federal estate or gift tax laws or the laws of any state, local or non- United States taxing jurisdiction and under any applicable tax treaty. For purposes of the discussion below, a “United States Holder” is a beneficial owner of our ADSs or ordinary shares that is, for United States federal income tax purposes:     an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States; a corporation (or other entity treated as a corporation for United States 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 United States federal income taxation regardless of its source; or a trust, if (i) a court within the United States is able to exercise primary jurisdiction over its administration and one or more United States persons have the authority to control all of its substantial decisions or (ii) in the case of a trust that was treated as a domestic trust under the law in effect before 1997, a valid election is in place under applicable Treasury Regulations to treat such trust as a domestic trust. The discussion below assumes that the representations contained in the deposit agreement and any related agreement are true and that the obligations in such agreements will be complied with in accordance with their terms. ADSs If you own our ADSs, then you should be treated as the owner of the underlying ordinary shares represented by those ADSs for United States federal income tax purposes. Accordingly, deposits or withdrawals of ordinary shares for ADSs should not be subject to United States federal income tax. Passive Foreign Investment Company Based on the market price of our ADSs, the value of our assets and the composition of our income and assets, we do not believe we were a passive foreign investment company (“PFIC”) for United States federal income tax purposes for our taxable year ended December 31, 2019. However, we believe we were a PFIC for 2017 and prior years. In addition, we believe that it is likely that one or more of our subsidiaries were also PFICs for such prior years. The determination of PFIC status is based on an annual determination that cannot be made until the close of a taxable year, involves extensive factual investigation, including ascertaining the fair market value of all of our assets on a quarterly basis and the character of each item of income that we earn, and is subject to uncertainty in several respects. Accordingly, we cannot assure you that we will not be a PFIC for any taxable year or that the IRS will not take a contrary position to any determination we make. We will be a PFIC for United States federal income tax purposes for any taxable year if, applying applicable look-through rules, either:   at least 75% of our gross income for such year is passive income; or at least 50% of the value of our assets (generally determined based on a quarterly average) during such year is attributable to assets that produce or are held for the production of passive income. -108- For this purpose, passive income generally includes dividends, interest, royalties and rents (other than certain royalties and rents derived in the active conduct of a trade or business and not derived from a related person). We will be treated as owning a proportionate share of the assets and earning a proportionate share of the income of any other corporation in which we own, directly or indirectly, at least 25% by value of the stock. Although the law in this regard is unclear, we treat our VIEs as being owned by us for United States federal income tax purposes, because we exercise effective control over the operation of such entities and because we are entitled to substantially all of their economic benefits, and, as a result, we consolidate their results of operations in our consolidated United States GAAP financial statements. Changes in the composition of our income and assets may cause us to be or become a PFIC. The determination of whether we will be a PFIC for any taxable year may depend in part upon the value of our goodwill and other unbooked intangibles not reflected on our balance sheet (which may depend upon the market price of our ADSs or ordinary shares from time to time, which may fluctuate significantly) and also may be affected by how, and how quickly, we spend our liquid assets and the cash we generate from our operations and raise in any offering. Among other matters, if our market capitalization declines, we may be or become a PFIC because our liquid assets and cash (which are for this purpose considered assets that produce passive income) may then represent a greater percentage of our overall assets. Further, while we believe our classification methodology and valuation approach is reasonable, it is possible that the IRS may challenge our classification or valuation of our goodwill and other unbooked intangibles, which may result in our being or becoming a PFIC for the current or one or more future taxable years. If we are a PFIC for any taxable year (as we believe we were for 2017 and prior years) during which you hold ADSs or ordinary shares, we will continue to be treated as a PFIC with respect to you for all succeeding years during which you hold ADSs or ordinary shares, unless we cease to be a PFIC (as we believe we did in 2018) and you make a “deemed sale” election with respect to the ADSs or ordinary shares, as applicable. If such election is made, you will be deemed to have sold the ADSs or ordinary shares you hold at their fair market value and any gain from such deemed sale would be subject to the rules described in the following two paragraphs. After the deemed sale election, so long as we do not become a PFIC in a subsequent taxable year, the ADSs or ordinary shares with respect to which such election was made will not be treated as shares in a PFIC and, as a result, you will not be subject to the rules described below with respect to any “excess distribution” you receive from us or any gain from an actual sale or other disposition of the ADSs or ordinary shares. You are strongly urged to consult your tax advisors as to the possibility and consequences of making a deemed sale election as we believe we ceased to be a PFIC in 2018. If we are a PFIC for any taxable year (as we believe we were for 2017 and prior years) during which you hold ADSs or ordinary shares, then, unless you make a “mark-to-market” election (as discussed below), you generally will be subject to special and adverse tax rules with respect to any “excess distribution” that you receive from us and any gain that you recognize from a sale or other disposition, including a pledge, of the ADSs or ordinary shares. For this purpose, distributions that you receive in a taxable year that are greater than 125% of the average annual distributions that you received during the shorter of the three preceding taxable years or your holding period for the ADSs or ordinary shares will be treated as an excess distribution. Under these rules:    the excess distribution or recognized gain will be allocated ratably over your holding period for the ADSs or ordinary shares; the amount of the excess distribution or recognized gain allocated to the taxable year of distribution or gain, and to any taxable years in your holding period prior to the first taxable year in which we were treated as a PFIC, will be treated as ordinary income; and the amount of the excess distribution or recognized gain allocated to each other taxable year will be subject to the highest tax rate in effect for individuals or corporations, as applicable, for each such year and the resulting tax will be subject to the interest charge generally applicable to underpayments of tax. -109- If we are a PFIC for any taxable year (as we believe we were for 2017 and prior years) during which you hold our ADSs or ordinary shares and any of our non-United States subsidiaries that are corporations (or other corporations in which we own equity interests) is also a PFIC, you would be treated as owning a proportionate amount (by value) of the shares of each such non-United States entity classified as a PFIC (each such entity, “a lower tier PFIC”) for purposes of the application of these rules. You should consult your tax advisors regarding the application of the PFIC rules to any of our lower tier PFICs. If we are a PFIC for any taxable year (as we believe we were for 2017 and prior years) during which you hold ADSs or ordinary shares, then in lieu of being subject to the tax and interest-charge rules discussed above, you may make an election to include gain on our ADSs or ordinary shares as ordinary income under a mark-to-market method, provided that our ADSs or ordinary shares constitute “marketable stock” (as defined below). If you make a mark-to-market election for our ADSs or ordinary shares, you will include in gross income for each year that we are a PFIC an amount equal to the excess, if any, of the fair market value of the ADSs or ordinary shares you hold as of the close of your taxable year over your adjusted basis in such ADSs or ordinary shares. You will be allowed a deduction for the excess, if any, of the adjusted basis of the ADSs or ordinary shares over their fair market value as of the close of the taxable year. However, deductions will be allowable only to the extent of any net mark-to-market gains on the ADSs or ordinary shares included in your income for prior taxable years. Amounts included in your income under a mark-to- market election, as well as any gain from the actual sale or other disposition of the ADSs or ordinary shares, will be treated as ordinary income. Ordinary loss treatment will apply to the deductible portion of any mark- to-market loss on the ADSs or ordinary shares, as well as to any loss from the actual sale or other disposition of the ADSs or ordinary shares, to the extent that the amount of such loss does not exceed the net mark-to- market gains previously included for such ADSs or ordinary shares. Your basis in the ADSs or ordinary shares will be adjusted to reflect any such income or loss amounts. If you make a valid mark-to-market election, any distributions we make would generally be subject to the tax rules discussed below under “— Dividends and Other Distributions on the ADSs or Ordinary Shares,” except the lower capital gains rate applicable to qualified dividend income generally would not apply. The mark-to-market election is available only for “marketable stock.” Marketable stock is stock that is regularly traded on a qualified exchange or other market, as defined in applicable Treasury Regulations. Our ADSs, but not our ordinary shares, are listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market, which is a qualified exchange or other market for these purposes. Consequently, if the ADSs remain listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market and are regularly traded, and you are a holder of ADSs, we expect that the mark-to-market election will be available to you, but no assurances are given in this regard. If you make 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 are no longer regularly traded on a qualified exchange or other market, or the IRS consents to the revocation of the election. You are urged to consult your tax advisors regarding the availability of mark-to-market election, and whether making the election would be advisable in your particular circumstances. Because a mark-to-market election cannot be made for any lower tier PFICs that we may own, if we were a PFIC for any taxable year (as we believe we were for 2017 and prior years), a United States Holder that makes the mark-to-market election may continue to be subject to the tax and interest charges under the general PFIC rules with respect to such United States Holder’s indirect interest in any investments held by us that are treated as an equity interest in a PFIC for United States federal income tax purposes. In certain circumstances, a United States shareholder in a PFIC may avoid the adverse tax and interest- charge regime described above by making a “qualified electing fund” election to include in income its share of the corporation’s income on a current basis. However, you may make a qualified electing fund election with respect to your ADSs or ordinary shares only if we agree to furnish you annually with a PFIC annual information statement as specified in the applicable Treasury Regulations. We do not intend to prepare or provide the information that would enable you to make a qualified electing fund election. -110- A United States Holder that holds our ADSs or ordinary shares in any year in which we are a PFIC (as we believe we were for 2017 and prior years) will be required to file an annual report containing such information as the United States Treasury Department may require. You are strongly urged to consult your tax advisors regarding the impact of our ceasing to be a PFIC in 2018 on your investment in our ADSs or ordinary shares, as well as the application of the PFIC rules to your investment in our ADSs or ordinary shares and the availability, application and consequences of the elections discussed above. Dividends and Other Distributions on the ADSs or Ordinary Shares Subject to the passive foreign investment company rules discussed above, the gross amount of any distribution that we make to you with respect to our ADSs or ordinary shares (including any amounts withheld to reflect PRC or other withholding taxes) will be taxable as a dividend, to the extent paid out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits, as determined under United States federal income tax principles. Such income (including any withheld taxes) will be includable in your gross income on the day actually or constructively received by you, if you own the ordinary shares, or by the depositary, if you own ADSs. Because we do not intend to determine our earnings and profits on the basis of United States federal income tax principles, any distribution paid will generally be reported as a “dividend” for United States federal income tax purposes. Such dividends will not be eligible for the dividends-received deduction allowed to qualifying corporations under the Code. Dividends received by a non-corporate United States Holder may qualify for the lower rates of tax applicable to “qualified dividend income,” if the dividends are paid by a “qualified foreign corporation” and other conditions discussed below are met. A non-United States corporation is treated as a qualified foreign corporation (i) with respect to dividends paid by that corporation on shares (or American depositary shares backed by such shares) that are readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States or (ii) if such non-United States corporation is eligible for the benefits of a qualifying income tax treaty with the United States that includes an exchange of information program. However, a non-United States corporation will not be treated as a qualified foreign corporation if it is a passive foreign investment company in the taxable year in which the dividend is paid or the preceding taxable year. Under a published IRS Notice, common or ordinary shares, or American depositary shares representing such shares, are considered to be readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States if they are listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market, as are our ADSs (but not our ordinary shares). Based on existing guidance, it is unclear whether the ordinary shares will be considered to be readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States, because only the ADSs, and not the underlying ordinary shares, are listed on a securities market in the United States. We believe, but we cannot assure you, that dividends we pay, if any, on the ordinary shares that are represented by ADSs, but not on the ordinary shares that are not so represented, will, subject to applicable limitations, be eligible for the reduced rates of taxation. In addition, if we are treated as a PRC resident enterprise under the PRC tax law (see “Item 10. Additional Information — Taxation — PRC Taxation”), then we may be eligible for the benefits of the income tax treaty between the United States and the PRC. If we are eligible for such benefits, then dividends that we pay on our ordinary shares, regardless of whether such shares are represented by ADSs, would, subject to applicable limitations, be eligible for the reduced rates of taxation. Even if dividends would be treated as paid by a qualified foreign corporation, a non-corporate United States Holder will not be eligible for reduced rates of taxation if it does not hold our ADSs or ordinary shares for more than 60 days during the 121-day period beginning 60 days before the ex-dividend date or if the United States Holder elects to treat the dividend income as "investment income" pursuant to Section 163(d)(4) of the Code. In addition, the rate reduction will not apply to dividends of a qualified foreign corporation if the non-corporate United States Holder receiving the dividend is obligated to make related payments with respect to positions in substantially similar or related property. -111- You should consult your tax advisors regarding the availability of the lower tax rates applicable to qualified dividend income for any dividends that we pay with respect to the ADSs or ordinary shares, as well as the effect of any change in applicable law after the date of this annual report on Form 20-F. Any PRC or other non-United States withholding taxes imposed on dividends paid to you with respect to the ADSs or ordinary shares generally will be treated as foreign taxes eligible for credit against your United States federal income tax liability, subject to the various limitations and disallowance rules that apply to foreign tax credits generally. For purposes of calculating the foreign tax credit, dividends paid to you with respect to the ADSs or ordinary shares will be treated as income from sources outside the United States and generally will constitute passive category income. The rules relating to the determination of the foreign tax credit are complex, and you should consult your tax advisors regarding the availability of a foreign tax credit in your particular circumstances. Disposition of the ADSs or Ordinary Shares You will recognize gain or loss on a sale or exchange of the ADSs or ordinary shares in an amount equal to the difference between the amount realized on the sale or exchange and your tax basis in the ADSs or ordinary shares. Subject to the discussion under “E. Taxation — Passive Foreign Investment Company,” above, such gain or loss generally will be capital gain or loss. Capital gains of a non-corporate United States Holder, including an individual that has held the ADSs or ordinary shares for more than one year currently are eligible for reduced tax rates. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations. Any gain or loss that you recognize on a disposition of the ADSs or ordinary shares generally will be treated as United States-source income or loss for foreign tax credit limitation purposes. However, if we are treated as a PRC resident enterprise for PRC tax purposes and PRC tax is imposed on gain from the disposition of the ADSs or ordinary shares (see “Item 10. Additional Information — Taxation — PRC Taxation”), then a United States Holder that is eligible for the benefits of the income tax treaty between the United States and the PRC may elect to treat the gain as PRC-source income for foreign tax credit purposes. If such an election is made, the gain so treated will be treated as a separate class or “basket” of income for foreign tax credit purposes. You should consult your tax advisors regarding the proper treatment of gain or loss, as well as the availability of a foreign tax credit, in your particular circumstances. Information Reporting and Backup Withholding Information reporting to the IRS and backup withholding generally will apply to dividends in respect of our ADSs or ordinary shares, and the proceeds from the sale or exchange of our ADSs or ordinary shares, that are paid to you within the United States (and in certain cases, outside the United States), unless you furnish a correct taxpayer identification number and make any other required certification, generally on IRS Form W-9 or you otherwise establish an exemption from information reporting and backup withholding. Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Amounts withheld as backup withholding generally are allowed as a credit against your United States federal income tax liability, and you may be entitled to obtain a refund of any excess amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules if you file an appropriate claim for refund with the IRS and furnish any required information in a timely manner. United States Holders who are individuals (and certain entities closely held by individuals) generally will be required to report our name, address and such information relating to an interest in the ADSs or ordinary shares as is necessary to identify the class or issue of which the ADSs or ordinary shares are a part. These requirements are subject to exceptions, including an exception for ADSs or ordinary shares held in accounts maintained by certain financial institutions and an exception applicable if the aggregate value of all “specified foreign financial assets” (as defined in the Code) does not exceed US$50,000. United States Holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the application of the information reporting and backup withholding rules. -112- F. Dividends and Paying Agents Not applicable. G. Statement by Experts Not applicable. H. Documents on Display We previously filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-146605) and a prospectus under the Securities Act with respect to the ordinary shares represented by the ADSs. We also filed with the SEC a related registration statement on Form F-6 (File Number 333-146765) with respect to the ADSs. We are subject to periodic reporting and other informational requirements of the Exchange Act as applicable to foreign private issuers. Accordingly, we are required to file reports, including annual reports on Form 20-F, and other information with the SEC. All documents filed by us with the SEC 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 web site 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. As a foreign private issuer, we are exempt from the rules of the Exchange Act prescribing the furnishing and content of quarterly reports and proxy statements, and our executive officers, directors and principal shareholders are exempt from the reporting and short-swing profit recovery provisions contained in Section 16 of the Exchange Act. In addition, we are not required under the Exchange Act to file periodic reports and financial statements with the SEC as frequently or as promptly as U.S. companies whose securities are registered under the Exchange Act. We intend to furnish J.P. Morgan, the depositary of our ADSs, with all notices of shareholders’ meeting and other reports and communications that are made generally available to our shareholders. The depositary will make such notices, reports and communications available to holders of ADSs and, upon our written request, will mail to all record holders of ADSs the information contained in any notice of a shareholders’ meeting received by the depositary from us. In accordance with Rule 5250(d) of the Nasdaq Listing Rules, we will post this annual report on Form 20-F on our website at http://ir.fanhuaholdings.com/sec.cfm. In addition, we will provide hard copies of our annual report free of charge to shareholders and ADS holders upon request. I. Subsidiary Information For a list of our subsidiaries as of March 31, 2020, see Exhibit 8.1 to this annual report. Item 11. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk Interest Rate Risk Our exposure to interest rate risk primarily relates to the interest income generated by bank deposits and short-term, highly-liquid investments with original maturities of 90 days or less. Interest-earning instruments carry a degree of interest rate risk, and our future interest income may be lower than expected. We have not been exposed nor do we anticipate being exposed to material risks due to changes in interest rates. We have not used any derivative financial instruments to manage our interest risk exposure. As of -113- December 31, 2019, we had no short-term or long-term bank borrowings. If we borrow money in future periods, we may be exposed to additional interest rate risk. Foreign Exchange Risk Substantially all of our revenues and expenses are denominated in RMB. Our exposure to foreign exchange risk primarily relates to the cash and cash equivalent denominated in U.S. dollars that we keep offshore for dividend payments. We have not hedged exposures denominated in foreign currencies using any derivative financial instruments. Although in general, our exposure to foreign exchange risks should be limited, the value of your investment in our ADSs will be affected by the foreign exchange rate between U.S. dollars and RMB because the value of our business is effectively denominated in RMB, while the ADSs will be traded in U.S. dollars. The value of the RMB against the U.S. dollar and other currencies may fluctuate and is affected by, among other things, changes in China’s political and economic conditions. The conversion of RMB into foreign currencies, including U.S. dollars, has been based on rates set by the PBOC. On July 21, 2005, the PRC government changed its decade-old policy of pegging the value of the RMB to the U.S. dollar. Under such policy, the RMB is permitted to fluctuate within a narrow and managed band against a basket of certain foreign currencies. Removal of the U.S. dollar peg has resulted in an approximately more than 25.0% appreciation of the RMB against the U.S. dollar over the following eight years. In April 2012, the trading band has been widened to 1%, and in March 2014 it was further widened to 2%, which allows the Renminbi to fluctuate against the U.S. dollar by up to 2% above or below the central parity rate published by the PBOC. In August 2015, the PBOC changed the way it calculates the mid-point price of Renminbi against U.S. dollar, requiring the market-makers who submit for the PBOC’s reference rates to consider the previous day’s closing spot rate, foreign-exchange demand and supply as well as changes in major currency rates. This change, and other changes such as widening the trading band that may be implemented, may increase volatility in the value of the Renminbi against foreign currencies. The PRC government may from time to time make further adjustments to the exchange rate system in the future. To the extent that we need to convert our U.S. dollar or other currencies-denominated assets into RMB for our operations, appreciation of the RMB against the U.S. dollar or other currencies would have an adverse effect on the RMB amount we receive from the conversion. We had U.S. dollar-denominated financial assets amounting to US$6.0 million and HK dollar-denominated financial assets amounting to HK$3.2 million as of December 31, 2019. A 10% appreciation of the RMB against the U.S. dollar and HK dollar would have resulted in a decrease of RMB4.5 million (US$0.6 million) in the value of our U.S. dollar-denominated and HK dollar- denominated financial assets. Conversely, if we decide to convert our RMB denominated cash amounts into U.S. dollars amounts or other currencies amounts for the purpose of making payments for dividends on our ordinary shares or ADSs or for other business purposes, appreciation of the U.S. dollar or other currencies against the RMB would have a negative effect on the U.S. dollar or other currencies amount available to us. 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. -114- D. American Depositary Shares Fees Payable by ADS Holders We have appointed J.P. Morgan as our depositary. A copy of our Form of Deposit Agreement with J.P. Morgan was filed with the SEC as an exhibit to our Form F-6 registration statement initially filed on October 17, 2007 and amended on December 7, 2016 and November 28, 2017, or the Deposit Agreement. Pursuant to the Deposit Agreement, holders of our ADSs may have to pay to J.P. Morgan, either directly or indirectly, fees or charges up to the amounts set forth in the table below. Category Depositary Actions Associated Fees Each person to whom ADRs are issued against deposits of shares, including deposits and issuances in respect of: • Share distributions, stock split, rights, merger • Exchange of securities or any other transaction or event or other distribution affecting the ADSs or the Deposited Securities US$5.00 for each 100 ADSs (or portion thereof) evidenced by the new ADRs delivered Distribution of dividends US$0.02 or less per ADS (a) Depositing or substituting the underlying shares (b) Receiving or distributing dividends (c) Selling or exercising rights (d) Withdrawing an underlying security Distribution or sale of securities, the 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 Acceptance of ADRs surrendered for withdrawal of deposited securities (e) Transferring, Transfers, combining or grouping of depositary receipts splitting or grouping receipts (f) General depositary services, particularly those charged on an annual basis. • Other services performed by the depositary in administering the ADRs • Provide information about the depositary’s right, if any, to collect fees and charges by offsetting them against dividends received and deposited securities (g) Expenses of the depositary Expenses incurred on behalf of Holders in connection with • Compliance with foreign exchange control regulations or any law or regulation relating to foreign investment • The depositary's or its custodian's compliance with applicable law, rule or regulation • Stock transfer or other taxes and other governmental charges • Cable, telex, facsimile transmission/delivery • Expenses of the conversion of foreign currency into U.S. dollars (which are paid out of such foreign currency) in connection with the depositary • Any other charge payable by depositary or its agents -115- US$5.00 for each 100 ADSs (or portion thereof) US$5.00 for each 100 ADSs (or portion thereof) evidenced by the ADRs surrendered US$1.50 per ADS US$0.02 per ADS (or portion thereof) not more than once each calendar year and payable at the sole discretion of the depositary by billing Holders or by deducting such charge from one or more cash dividends or other cash distributions Expenses payable at the sole discretion of the depositary by billing Holders or by deducting charges from one or more cash dividends or other cash distributions Payment from the Depositary Direct Payments J.P. Morgan, as depositary, has agreed to reimburse certain reasonable company expenses related to our ADR program and incurred by us in connection with the program. For the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2019, the depositary reimbursed US$1.7 million and US$1.7 million, respectively. For the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2019, 30% of the depositary reimbursement has been deducted as withholding income tax, respectively. The amounts the depositary reimbursed are not perforce related to the fees collected by the depositary from ADR holders. PART II Item 13. Defaults, Dividend Arrearages and Delinquencies None. Item 14. Material Modifications to the Rights of Security Holders and Use of Proceeds A. – D. Material Modifications to the Rights of Security Holders None. E. Use of Proceeds None. Item 15. Controls and Procedures Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures Our management, with the participation of our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, has performed an evaluation of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Exchange Act) as of the end of the period covered by this report, as required by Rule 13a-15(b) under the Exchange Act. Based upon this evaluation, our management, with the participation of our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, has concluded that, as of December 31, 2019, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective in ensuring that the information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in by the SEC’s rules and forms, and that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. 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 such item is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act, for our company. Internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of consolidated financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and 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 a company’s assets, (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of consolidated financial statements in accordance with generally accepted -116- accounting principles, and that a company’s receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorizations of a company’s management and directors, and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of a company’s assets that could have a material effect on the consolidated 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. As required by Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and related rules as promulgated by the SEC, our management assessed the effectiveness of the internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2019 using criteria established in “Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013)” issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on this assessment, management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2019, based on the criteria established in “Internal Control—Integrated Framework (2013)” issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Management’s Implementation of Remediation Plans and Actions As required by Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and related rules as promulgated by the SEC, our management assessed the effectiveness of the internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018 using criteria established in “Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013)” issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Our management concluded that there was a material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018 due to the ineffective management review over complex accounting matters that arise from significant nonroutine transactions to ensure those transactions are properly accounted for in accordance with U.S. GAAP. To remediate the material weakness described above, we implemented the following remediation measures during the fiscal year 2019: ● We increased the level of relevant training in accounting and disclosure under the requirements of U.S. GAAP to our financial reporting department personnel ● We implemented robust financial reporting and management reviews controls over complex accounting matters that arise from significant non-routine transactions during the planning stage of these transactions, including the requirement for the reviewers to complete deep dive research of the relevant subject matters related to these transactions, and consult with competent external accounting specialists as needed ● We set up a Financial Reporting & Disclosure Committee with regular meetings of no less than quarterly, which committee is in charge of ensuring all operational, legal and financial information are timely collected for the purpose of accounting analysis, and also oversees the effectiveness of management's reviews of the accounting analysis on significant non-routine transactions Our management has concluded that these measures have been fully implemented and the material weakness has been fully remedied during 2019. -117- Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm To the Shareholders and the Board of Directors of Fanhua Inc. Opinion on Internal Control over Financial Reporting We have audited the internal control over financial reporting of Fanhua Inc. and its subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2019, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2019, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013) issued by COSO. We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”), the consolidated financial statements and related financial statement schedule as of and for the year ended December 31, 2019, of the Company and our report dated April 29, 2020, expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements and included explanatory paragraphs relating to the translation of Renminbi amounts into United States dollars amounts on those financial statements, the financial statements of the Company's equity investment that were audited by other auditors, and the Company's adoption of Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) and related ASUs using a modified-retrospective approach. Basis for Opinion The Company's management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company's internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB. We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion. Definition and Limitations of Internal Control over Financial Reporting 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 (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) 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 (3) 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. -118- 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/Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Hong Kong April 29, 2020 Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting Management has evaluated, with the participation of our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, whether any changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during our last fiscal year have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting. Based on the evaluation we conducted, management has concluded that only those changes implemented by management and described under “—Management’s Implementation of Remediation Plans and Actions” above and the change due to adoption of the new accounting standards related to leases occurred during the period covered by this annual report on Form 20-F. Management believes the measures that have been implemented to remediate the material weakness have had a material impact on our internal control over financial reporting, and anticipates that these measures and other ongoing enhancements will continue to have a material impact on our internal control over financial reporting in future periods. Item 16A. Audit Committee Financial Expert Our board of directors has determined that Allen Lueth, an independent director (under the standards set forth in Rule 5605 of the Nasdaq Listing Rules and Rule 10A-3 under the Exchange Act) and member of our audit committee, is an audit committee financial expert. Item 16B. Code of Ethics Our board of directors adopted a code of business conduct and ethics that applies to our directors, officers and employees. We have posted a copy of our code of business conduct and ethics on our investor relations website at http://ir.fanhuaholdings.com/governance.cfm. Item 16C. Principal Accountant Fees and Services The following table sets forth the aggregate fees by categories specified below in connection with certain professional services rendered by Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu, our independent registered public accounting firm, for the periods indicated. -119- Audit fees(1) ................................................................................................................ Audit-related fees(2) ................................................................................................... Tax fees(3) ................................................................................................................... All other fees(4) .......................................................................................................... For the Year Ended December 31, 2018 1,656.0 120.0 — — 2019 (in thousands of US$) 1,693.3 250.8 — 0.4 (1) “Audit fees” meant the aggregate fees billed and expected to be billed in each of the fiscal years listed for professional services rendered by our independent registered public accounting firm for the audit of our annual financial statements and review of quarterly financial statements included in our reports on Form 6-K, services that are normally provided in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements for those fiscal years. (2) “Audit-related fees” meant the aggregate fees billed in each of the fiscal years listed for assurance and related services by our independent registered public accounting firm that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of our financial statements and are not reported under “Audit fees.” (3) “Tax fees” meant the aggregate fees billed in each of the fiscal years listed for professional services rendered by our independent registered public accounting firm for tax compliance, tax advice, and tax planning. (4) “All other fees” means the aggregate fees billed in each of the fiscal years listed for products and services provided by our principal accountant, other than the services reported in the other categories. The policy of our audit committee is to pre-approve all audit and non-audit services provided by our independent registered public accounting firm, including audit services, audit-related services, tax services and other services as described above, which are approved by the Audit Committee prior to the completion of the audit. Item 16D. Exemptions from the Listing Standards for Audit Committees Not applicable. Item 16E. Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer On August 28, 2018, our board of directors approved a share repurchase program, pursuant to which we were authorized to repurchase up to US$20 million of our ordinary shares represented by ADSs at a price of no more than US$29.0 per ADS by September 30, 2018 (“2018 Share Repurchase Program”). On August 29, 2018, our board of directors approved to expand the share repurchase program, pursuant to which we were authorized to repurchase up to 6.5 million ADSs at a price of US$29.0 per ADS by December 31, 2018. As of December 31, 2018, we had repurchased 1,423,774 ADSs, representing 28,475,480 ordinary shares, for an aggregate price of approximately US$36.3 million on the open market, under the 2018 Share Repurchase Program. The 2018 Share Purchase Program has expired on December 31, 2018. The table below details ADSs repurchased pursuant to this program. Total Number of ADSs Purchased(1) Average Price Paid per ADSs Total Number of ADSs Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Programs Maximum Number of ADSs that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Programs Period August 2018 September 2018 October 2018 November 2018 149,760 356,652 498,268 419,094 Total 1,423,774 US$23.4961 US$25.5573 US$26.7835 US$24.7382 US$25.5285 149,760 506,412 1,004,680 1,423774 1,423774 6,350,240 5,993,588 5,495,320 5,076,226 - -120- On March 11, 2019, our board of directors approved a share repurchase program, pursuant to which we were authorized to repurchase up to US$200 million of our ordinary shares represented by ADSs by December 31, 2019. (“2019 Share Repurchase Program”). As of December 31, 2019, we had repurchased 2,511,191 ADSs, representing 50,223,820 ordinary shares, for an aggregate price of approximately US$70.7 million on the open market, under the 2019 Share Repurchase Program. The table below details ADSs repurchased pursuant to this program. The 2019 Share Purchase Program has expired on December 31, 2019. Total Number of ADSs Purchased(1) Average Price Paid per ADSs Total Number of ADSs Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Programs Maximum Dollar Value of ADSs that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Programs Period March 2019 April 2019 May 2019 June 2019 July 2019 August 2019 554,226 496,564 615,236 405,566 114,670 324,929 Total 2,511,191 US$25.7582 US$25.9009 US$27.4309 US31.5995 US$32.8101 US$31.2336 US$28.1701 554,226 1,050,790 1,666,026 2,071,592 2,186,262 2,511,191 2,511,191 US$185,724,136 US$172,862,681 US$155,986,204 US$143,170,521 US$139,408,187 US$129,259,485 - Purchases of Equity Securities by Affiliated Purchasers  On June 14, 2018, the Participants in our 521 plan agreed to purchase 7.5 million ADSs from Master Trend Limited, in a privately negotiated transaction, at a price of US$29.0 per ADS, which was the average closing price of the 30 trading days prior to the approval by the Board on June 14, 2018. The purchases were completed on October 10, 2018.  On January 20, 2019, the Participants purchased an additional of 6.5 million ADSs from the Company at $25.52 per ADS, which consisted of 1,423,774 ADSs of treasury shares previously repurchased by the Company on the open market under the 2018 Share Repurchase Program and new issuance of 101,524,520 ordinary shares (representing 5,076,226 ADSs) of the Company. The purchase and issuance prices were equivalent to the weighted average of the closing prices of the share repurchases under the 2018 Share Repurchase Program.  On October 10, 2018, Mr. Chunlin Wang, chief executive officer and chairman of our board of directors, and Mr. Peng Ge, our chief financial officer of Fanhua, completed the purchase of 800,000 ADSs and 200,000 ADSs, respectively, from Master Trend at US$29.0 per ADS, the average closing price of the 30 trading days prior to the approval by the Board on June 14, 2018. The purchases were funded with their personal funds. Item 16F. Change in Registrant’s Certifying Accountant Not applicable. Item 16G. Corporate Governance NASDAQ Stock Market Rule 5620(a) requires each issuer to hold an annual meeting of shareholders no later than one year after the end of the issuer’s fiscal year-end. However, NASDAQ Stock Market Rule 5615(a)(3) permits foreign private issuers like us to follow “home country practice” in certain corporate governance matters. Maples and Calder (Hong Kong) LLP, our Cayman Islands counsel, has provided a letter to the NASDAQ Stock Market certifying that under Cayman Islands law, we are not required to hold annual shareholder meetings every year. We followed home country practice with respect to annual meetings and did not hold an annual meeting of shareholders from 2009 to 2015 and from 2017 to 2019. -121- However, we held an extraordinary general meeting on December 6, 2016 and obtained requisite shareholders' approval to change the Company name from “CNinsure Inc.” to “Fanhua Inc.”. We may hold annual or extraordinary shareholder meetings in the future if there are significant issues that require shareholders’ approvals. We obtained approvals from the board of directors on November 27, 2014 and December 12, 2014 to issue up to 150,000,000 ordinary shares of the Company (the “Shares”) to our employees, excluding directors and officers. The purchase prices for the Shares are based on the average closing prices for the then 20 trading days prior to the board approvals. See “Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions — B. Related Party Transactions — Shares Sold to Employee Companies and Subscription Receivables from Employee Companies.” On August 29, 2018, we obtained approvals from the board of directors to resell 28,475,480 ordinary shares, in the form of 1,423,774 ADS of treasury stocks and newly issue and sell 101,524,520 ordinary shares in the form of 5,076,226 ADSs to participants in our 521 plan consisting of our key employees and entrepreneurial team leaders, at $25.52 per ADS, or the weighted average of the closing prices of the share repurchases under the 2018 Share Repurchase Program. The transactions were completed on January 24, 2019. Pursuant to the NASDAQ Stock Market Rule 5635(c), shareholder approval is required prior to the issuance of securities when a stock option or purchase plan is to be established or materially amended or other equity compensation arrangement made or materially amended, pursuant to which stock may be acquired by officers, directors, employees, or consultants, except for a few situations stated thereunder. Maples and Calder (Hong Kong) LLP, our Cayman Island counsel, has provided a letter to the NASDAQ Stock Market certifying that under Cayman Islands law, we are not required to obtain shareholder approval in respect of the issuance of securities in the circumstances set out in NASDAQ Stock Market Rule 5635(c). We follow home country practice accordingly. Other than the annual meeting and share purchase plan to employees practices described above, there are no significant differences between our corporate governance practices and those followed by U.S. domestic companies under NASDAQ Stock Market Rules. Item 16H. Mine Safety Disclosure Not applicable 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 of Fanhua Inc. and its subsidiaries are included at the end of this annual report. -122- Item 19. Exhibits Exhibit Number Description of Document 1.1 1.2 1.3 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4* 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association of the Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 of our F-1 registration statement (File No. 333- 146605), as adopted by special resolution dated December 6, 2016, initially filed with the Commission on October 10, 2007) Amendments to the Articles of Association adopted by the shareholders of the Registrant on December 18, 2008 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.2 of our report on Form 6- K furnished to the Commission on December 22, 2008) Amendments to the Articles of Association adopted by the shareholders of the Registrant on December 6, 2016 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1.3 of our annual report on Form 20-F initially filed with the Commission on April 19, 2017) Registrant’s Specimen American Depositary Receipt (included in Exhibit 2.3) Registrant’s Specimen Certificate for Ordinary Shares (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 of our F-1 registration statement (File No. 333-146605), as amended, initially filed with the Commission on October 10, 2007) Form of Deposit Agreement among the Registrant, the depositary and holder of the American Depositary Receipts, as amended and restated (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.(a) of our F-6 registration statement (File No. 333-146765), filed with the Commission on November 28, 2017 Description of securities 2007 Share Incentive Plan (as amended and restated effective December 18, 2008) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.3 of our report on Form 6-K furnished to the Commission on December 22, 2008) Form of Indemnification Agreement with the Registrant’s directors and officers (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of our F-1 registration statement (File No. 333- 146605), as amended, initially filed with the Commission on October 10, 2007) Form of Director Agreement with Independent Directors of the Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 of our F-1 registration statement (File No. 333-146605), as amended, initially filed with the Commission on October 10, 2007) Form of Employment Agreement between the Registrant and an Executive Officer of the Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 of our annual report on Form 20-F filed with the Commission on May 15, 2009) -123- Exhibit Number Description of Document 4.5 4.6 4.7 4.8 4.9 4.10 4.11 4.12 4.13 4.14 4.15 Share Purchase Agreement dated June 14, 2018, between Joy Magnificent Limited (later renamed as Fanhua Employee Holdings Limited) and Master Trend Limited (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.11 of our annual report on Form 20-F filed with the Commission on April 30, 2019) Share Purchase Agreement dated January 20, 2019, between Fanhua Inc. and Fanhua Employees Holding Limited (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.12 of our annual report on Form 20-F filed with the Commission on April 30, 2019) Share Purchase Agreement dated January 20, 2019, between Fanhua Inc. and Treasure Chariot Limited (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.13 of our annual report on Form 20-F filed with the Commission on April 30, 2019) Share Purchase Agreement dated January 20, 2019, between Fanhua Inc. and Step Tall Limited (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.14 of our annual report on Form 20-F filed with the Commission on April 30, 2019) English Translation of Form of Loan Agreement among various employees of the Company, CISG Holdings Ltd., and Fanhua Employees Holdings Limited signed on various dates from July 1, 2018 to January 10, 2019 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.15 of our annual report on Form 20-F filed with the Commission on April 30, 2019) English Translation of Form of Loan Agreement among various entrepreneurial agent team leaders, CISG Holdings Ltd, and Fanhua Employees Holdings Limited, Treasure Chariot Limited, or Step Tall Limited. signed on various dates from July 1, 2018 to January 10, 2019 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.16 of our annual report on Form 20-F filed with the Commission on April 30, 2019) English Translation of Form of Entrusted Share Purchase Agreement between various employees of the Company and Fanhua Employees Holdings Limited signed on various dates from July 12018 and January 10, 2019 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.17 of our annual report on Form 20-F filed with the Commission on April 30, 2019) English Translation of Form of Entrusted Share Purchase Agreement between various entrepreneurial agent team leaders of the Company and Fanhua Employees Holdings Limited, Treasure Chariot Limited, or Step Tall Limited signed on various dates from July 1, 2018 to January 10, 2019 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.18 of our annual report on Form 20-F filed with the Commission on April 30, 2019) English Translation of Form of Supplementary Loan Agreement, dated January 10, 2019, between various entrepreneurial team leaders and Fanhua Employees Holdings Limited, Treasure Chariot Limited, or Step Tall Limited (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.19 of our annual report on Form 20-F filed with the Commission on April 30, 2019) English Translation of Form of Supplementary Entrusted Share Purchase Agreement, dated January 10, 2019, between various entrepreneurial team leaders and Fanhua Employees Holdings Limited, Treasure Chariot Limited, or Step Tall Limited (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.20 of our annual report on Form 20-F filed with the Commission on April 30, 2019) English Translation of Form of Supplementary Loan Agreement, dated January 10, 2019, between various employees of the Company and Fanhua Employees Holdings Limited (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.21 of our annual report on Form 20-F filed with the Commission on April 30, 2019) -124- Exhibit Number Description of Document 4.16 4.17 4.18* 4.19* 8.1* 11.1 12.1* 12.2* 13.1** 13.2** 15.1* 15.2* 15.3* 15.4* 15.5* English Translation of Form of Supplementary Entrusted Share Purchase Agreement, dated January 10, 2019, between various employees of the Company and Fanhua Employees Holdings Limited (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.22 of our annual report on Form 20-F filed with the Commission on April 30, 2019) English Translation of Letter of Undertaking, dated December 12, 2018, issued by each sole shareholder and director of 521 Plan Employee Companies (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.23 of our annual report on Form 20-F filed with the Commission on April 30, 2019) English Translation of Form of Second Supplement to Loan Agreement, dated November 2019, between various employees of the Company, CISG Holdings Ltd. and Fanhua Employees Holdings Limited, Treasure Chariot Limited, or Step Tall Limited English Translation of Form of Second Supplement to Loan Agreement, dated November 2019, between various entrepreneurial team leaders of the Company, CISG Holdings Ltd. and Fanhua Employees Holdings Limited, Treasure Chariot Limited, or Step Tall Limited Subsidiaries and Affiliated Entities of the Registrant Code of Business Conduct and Ethics of the Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 of our F-1 registration statement (File No. 333-146605), as amended, initially filed with the Commission on October 10, 2007) 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 Global Law Office Consent of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Consent of KPMG Huazhen LLP, independent Registered Public Accounting Firm of CNFinance Holdings Limited Financial information from CNFinance Holdings Limited for the year ended December 31, 2019, prepared in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles: (i) (ii) Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2018 and 2019; Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the Years Ended December 31, 2017, 2018 and 2019; (iii) Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity for the Years Ended (i) December 31, 2017, 2018 and 2019; Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 2017, 2018 and 2019; and (iv) Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements. (incorporated by reference to the end of the annual report on Form 20-F of CNFinance filed with the Commission on April 27, 2020) -125- Exhibit Number Description of Document 101* Financial information from Registrant for the year ended December 31, 2019 formatted in Inline eXtensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL): (i) (ii) Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2018 and 2019; Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income for the Years Ended December 31, 2017, 2018 and 2019; (iii) Consolidated Statements of Shareholder’s Equity for the Years Ended December 31, 2017, 2018 and 2019; (iv) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 2017, 2018 and 2019; (v) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements; and Schedule 1 — Condensed Financial Statements of Fanhua Inc. 104 (vi) Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document) * ** Filed with this Annual Report on Form 20-F. Furnished with this Annual Report on Form 20-F. -126- 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. FANHUA INC. By: /s/ Chunlin Wang Name: Chunlin Wang Title: Chief Executive Officer Date: April 29, 2020 -127- EXHIBIT 8.1 List of Subsidiaries and Affiliated Entities (As of March 31, 2020) Subsidiaries and Affiliated Entities(1) 1. CISG Holdings Ltd. (2) 2. Minkfair Insurance Management Limited (3) 3. CNinsure Holdings Ltd. (4) 4. Fanhua Zhonglian Enterprise Image Planning (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd. (5) 5. Fanhua Xinlian Information Technology Consulting (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd. (5) 6. Fanhua Insurance Sales Service Group Company Limited (6) 7. Guangdong Meidiya Investment Co., Ltd. (7) 8. Litian Zhuoyue Software (Beijing) Co., Ltd. (7) 9. Beijing Fanlian Investment Co., Ltd. (8) 10. Guangzhou Zhongqi Enterprise Management Consulting Co., Ltd. (9) 11. Tibet Zhuli Investment Co. Ltd.(9) 12. Fanjin Investment Co., Ltd. (9) 13. Ying Si Kang Information Technology (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd. (10) 14. Sichuan Yihe Investment Co., Ltd.(11) 15. Shenzhen Xinbao Investment Management Co., Ltd. (7) 16. Fanhua Century Insurance Co., Ltd. (12) 17. Shenzhen Baowang E-commerce Co., Ltd. (13) 18. Shenzhen Dianlian Information Technology Co., Ltd. (14) 19. Shenzhen Qunabao Information Technology Co., Ltd. (7) 20. Shenzhen Bangbang Auto Services Co., Ltd. (7) 21. Guangdong Fanhua Bluecross Health Management Co., Ltd (15) Insurance Agencies Percentage Attributable to Our Company 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% Place of Incorporation BVI Hong Kong BVI& Hong Kong PRC PRC PRC PRC PRC PRC PRC PRC PRC PRC PRC PRC PRC PRC PRC PRC PRC PRC 22. Fanhua Lianxing Insurance Sales Co., Ltd. (16) 100% PRC Subsidiaries and Affiliated Entities(1) 23. Jiangsu Fanhua Lianchuang Insurance Agency Co., Ltd. (15) 24. Zhejiang Fanhua Tongchuang Insurance Agency Co., Ltd. (15) 25. Liaoning Fanhua Gena Insurance Agency Co., Ltd. (15) 26. Shanghai Fanhua Guosheng Insurance Agency Co., Ltd. (15) 27. Jiangxi Fanhua Insurance Agency Co., Ltd. (15) 28. Hunan Fanhua Insurance Agency Co., Ltd. (17) 29. Fujian Fanhua Guoxin Insurance Agency Co., Ltd. (18) Insurance Claims Adjusting Segment 30. Fanhua Insurance Surveyors & Loss Adjustors Co., Ltd. (19) 31. Shanghai Fanhua Teamhead Insurance Surveyors & Loss Adjustors Co., Ltd. (20) 32. Shenzhen Fanhua Training Co., Ltd. (21) 33. Shenzhen Fanhua Software Technology Co., Ltd. (21) 34. Shenzhen Huazhong United Technology Co., Ltd. (22) 35. Guangzhou Suiyuan Insurance Surveyors & Loss Adjustors Co., Ltd. (23) Consolidated Variable Interest Entities 1. Fanhua Employee Holdings Limited 2. Step Tall Limited 3. Treasure Chariot Limited Affiliated Entities 4. Puyi Inc.(24) 5. CNFinance Holdings Limited(25) 6. Shanghai Teamhead Automobile Surveyors Co., Ltd. (26) Percentage Attributable to Our Company Place of Incorporation 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 55% 100% 44.7% 44.2% 44.7% 44.7% 44.7% 100% 100% 100% 100% 4.5% 18.5% 17.7% PRC PRC PRC PRC PRC PRC PRC PRC PRC PRC PRC PRC PRC BVI BVI BVI PRC CI PRC (1) The official names of those companies registered in PRC are in Chinese. The English translation is for reference only. (2) 100% of the equity interests in this company are held directly by Fanhua Inc. (3) 100% of the equity interests in this company are held directly by CISG holdings Ltd. (4) 100% of the equity interests in this company are held directly by Minkfair Insurance Management Limited. (5) 100% of the equity interests in this company are held directly by CNinsure Holdings Ltd. (6) We beneficially own 100% equity interests in this Company, of which 7.2%, 10.8% and 82% of the equity interests in this company are held by Fanhua Zhonglian Enterprise Image Planning (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd., Fanhua Xinlian Information Technology Consulting (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd and Tibet Zhuli Investment Co. Ltd., respectively. (7) 100% of the equity interests in these companies are held directly by Fanhua Insurance Sales Service Group Company Limited. (8) 100% of the equity interests in this company are held directly by Fanhua Xinlian Information Technology Consulting (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd. (9) 100% of the equity interests in this company are held directly by Beijing Fanlian Investment Co., Ltd. (10) 100% of the equity interests in this company are held directly by Litian Zhuoyue Software (Beijing) Co., Ltd. (11) We beneficially own 100% equity interests in this company, of which 39.14%, 40.86% and 20% of the equity interests in this company are held by Fanhua Zhonglian Enterprise Image Planning (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd., Fanhua Xinlian Information Technology Consulting (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd. and Fanhua Insurance Sales Group Company Limited, respectively. (12) 100% of the equity interests in this company are held directly by Shenzhen Xinbao Investment Management Co., Ltd. (13) 100% of the equity interests in this company are held directly by Fanhua Century Insurance Sales & Service Co., Ltd. (14) 100% of the equity interests in this company are held directly by Tibet Zhuli Investment Co., Ltd. (15) 100% of the equity interests in each of these companies are held directly by Fanhua Lianxing Insurance Sales Co., Ltd. (16) We beneficially owned 100% of the equity interests in this company, of which 99% of the equity interests in this company are held directly by Fanhua Insurance Sales Service Group Company Limited., Ltd. and the remaining 1% by Fanhua Xinlian Information Technology Consulting (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd. (17) 55% of the equity interests in this company are held directly by Fanhua Lianxing Insurance Sales Co., Ltd. (18) 100% of the equity interests in this company are held directly by Fanhua Insurance Sales Service Group Company Limited. It is in the process of cancelling its business license upon completion of transferring its business operations to the Fujian branch of Fanhua Lianxing Insurance Sales Co., Ltd. (19) 44.7% of the equity interests in the company are held directly by Guangdong Meidiya Investment Co., Ltd. (20) 99% of the equity interests in this company are held directly by Fanhua Insurance Surveyors & Loss Adjustors Co., Ltd. (21) 100% of the equity interests in each of these companies are held directly by Fanhua Insurance Surveyors & Loss Adjustors Co., Ltd., in which we beneficially own 44.7% of the equity interests. (22) 100% of the equity interests in the company are held directly by Shenzhen Fanhua Software Technology Co., Ltd., in which we beneficially own 44.7% of the equity interests. (23) 99.99% of the equity interests in this company are held directly by Fanhua Insurance Sales Service Group Company Limited, and the remaining 0.01% are held by an individual on behalf of the Company. (24) We directly own 4.5% of the equity interests in this company. (25) We directly own 18.5% of the equity interests in this company. (26) 40% of the equity interests in this company are held directly by Shanghai Fanhua Teamhead Surveyors & Loss Adjustors Co., Ltd., in which we beneficially own 44.2% of the equity interests. Certification by the Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 EXHIBIT 12.1 I, Chunlin Wang, certify that: 1. I have reviewed this annual report on Form 20-F of Fanhua Inc. (the “Company”); 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 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 this 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 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: April 29, 2020 By: /s/ Chunlin Wang Name: Chunlin Wang Title: Chairman 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, Peng Ge, certify that: 1. I have reviewed this annual report on Form 20-F of Fanhua Inc. (the “Company”); 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 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 this 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 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: April 29, 2020 By: /s/Peng Ge Name: Peng Ge Title: Chief Financial Officer Certification by the Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 EXHIBIT 13.1 In connection with the Annual Report of Fanhua Inc. (the “Company”) on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2019 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Chunlin Wang, 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 respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company. Date: April 29, 2020 By: /s/ Chunlin Wang Name: Chunlin Wang Title: Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Certification by the Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 EXHIBIT 13.2 In connection with the Annual Report of Fanhua Inc. (the “Company”) on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2019 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Peng Ge, 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 respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company. Date: April 29, 2020 By: /s/ Peng Ge Name: Peng Ge Title: Chief Financial Officer [Letterhead of Maples and Calder] EXHIBIT 15.1 Our ref Direct tel Email RHT/628018-000001/16446973V1 +852 3690 7537 ray.tso@maples.com Fanhua Inc. 27/F, Pearl River Tower No. 15 West Zhujiang Road Guangzhou, Guangdong 510623 People’s Republic of China April 29, 2020 Dear Sirs Re: Fanhua Inc. (the “Company”) We consent to the reference to our firm under the headings “Item 10. Additional Information—E. Taxation— Cayman Islands Taxation” and “Item 16G. Corporate Governance” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20- F for the year ended December 31, 2019 , which will be filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission in the month of April 2020. Yours faithfully /s/ Maples and Calder (Hong Kong) LLP Maples and Calder (Hong Kong) LLP [Letterhead of Global Law Office] EXHIBIT 15.2 April 29, 2020 To: Fanhua Inc. 27/F, Pearl River Tower No. 15 West Zhujiang Road Guangzhou, Guangdong 510623 People’s Republic of China Dear Sirs, We hereby consent to the reference to our firm under the headings “Risk Factors”, “Regulation” and “Organizational Structure” in Fanhua Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2019 , which will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission in April 2020. Yours faithfully, /s/ Global Law Office Global Law Office CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM We consent to the incorporation by reference in Registration Statement (No. 333-151271) on Form S-8 of our reports dated April 29, 2020, relating to the financial statements of Fanhua Inc. and its subsidiaries (the “Company”) and the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting, appearing in this Annual Report on Form 20-F of Fanhua Inc. for the year ended December 31, 2019 . EXHIBIT 15.3 /s/Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Hong Kong April 29, 2020 Exhibit 15.4 Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm The Board of Directors We consent to the incorporation by reference on Form 20-F of Fanhua, Inc. of our report dated April 27, 2020, with respect to the consolidated balance sheets of CNFinance Holdings Limited as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, and the related consolidated statements of comprehensive income, changes in shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2019, and the related notes, which report appears in the December 31, 2019 annual report on Form 20-F of CNFinance Holdings Limited. Our report dated April 27, 2020 contains an explanatory paragraph that states that CNFinance Holdings Limited completed a reorganization through which it became the parent company of Sincere Fame International Limited on March 27, 2018. /s/ KPMG Huazhen LLP Guangzhou, China April 29, 2020 INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FANHUA INC. Page Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm ................................................................... F-2 Consolidated Statements of Financial Position as of December 31, 2018 and 2019 ................................ F-5 Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income for the Years Ended December 31, 2017, 2018 and 2019.................................................................................................................... F-7 Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity for the Years Ended December 31, 2017, 2018 and 2019 ........................................................................................................................................... F-9 Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 2017, 2018 and 2019 ...... F-11 Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements .................................................................................. F-14 Schedule 1—Condensed Financial Statements of Fanhua Inc. ............................................................. F-58 F-1 REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM To the Shareholders and the Board of Directors of Fanhua Inc. Opinion on the Financial Statements We have audited the accompanying consolidated statements of financial position of Fanhua Inc. and its subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2018 and 2019, the related consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income, shareholders’ equity, and cash flows, for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2019, and the related notes and schedule 1 (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, based on our audits and the report of the other auditor, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2018 and 2019, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2019, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Change in Accounting Principle As discussed in Note 2(aa) to the financial statements, the Company has changed its method of accounting for leases on January 1, 2019 due to the adoption of Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) and related ASUs using a modified-retrospective approach. Convenience Translation Our audits also comprehended the translation of Renminbi amounts into United States dollar amounts and, in our opinion, such translation has been made in conformity with the basis stated in Note 2(v) to the consolidated financial statements. Such United States dollar amounts are presented solely for the convenience of readers outside of People's Republic of China. Other Matter We did not audit the financial statements of CNFinance Holdings Limited, or CNFinance, the Company’s investment in which is accounted for by use of the equity method. The accompanying financial statements of the Company include its equity investment in CNFinance of RMB576 million and RMB353 million as of December 31, 2018 and 2019, respectively, and its equity earnings in CNFinance of RMB109 million, RMB171 million, and RMB99 million for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2018, and 2019, respectively. Those statements were audited by other auditors whose report (which included an explanatory paragraph concerning completion of a reorganization) has been furnished to us, and our opinion, insofar as it relates to the amounts included for CNFinance, is based solely on the report of the other auditors. We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2019, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated April 29, 2020, expressed an unqualified opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Basis for Opinion These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB. We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing F-2 procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits and the report of the other auditors provide a reasonable basis for our opinion. Critical Audit Matter The critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current-period audit of the financial statements that was communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that (1) relates to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below, providing a separate opinion on the critical audit matter or on the accounts or disclosures to which it relates. Investment in Affiliates - Other-than-temporary Impairment ("OTTI") assessment of the equity method investment in CNFinance Holdings Limited ("CNFinance") — Refer to Notes 2(i) and 7 to the consolidated financial statements Critical Audit Matter Description The Company accounts for its 18.5% of equity interests in CNFinance using the equity method (the "EMI in CNFinance" or the "investment"). The Company reviews its equity method investment periodically to determine whether an other-than-temporary exist. The factors used by management to make this determination include the duration and severity of the fair value decline, the financial condition and near-term prospects of CNFinance, and the Company's intent and ability to hold its EMI in CNFinance until recovery. As of December 31, 2019, the fair value of the EMI in CNFinance was below the carrying value although the EMI in CNFinance generated positive equity income. Based on management’s evaluation, it was concluded that the decline in fair value of its investment in CNFinance below its carrying value is deemed to be other-than-temporary. Given the significant judgment required to determine whether the decline in fair value of the EMI in CNFinance represents a temporary or other-than-temporary impairment, performing audit procedures to evaluate the reasonableness of management’s assessment required a high degree of auditor judgement and an increased extent of effort. How the Critical Audit Matter Was Addressed in the Audit Our audit procedures related to the evaluation of the reasonableness of the Company's impairment assessment discussed above included the following, among others:  We tested the design and operating effectiveness of the controls relating to management’s impairment assessment for the EMI in CNFinance.  We evaluated the appropriateness of management's OTTI assessment that the loss in value was other- than-temporary in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, including 1) whether relevant positive and negative factors have been appropriately identified; 2) considerations around the severity and/or duration of the decline in the market value of CNFinance represents an other-than-temporary loss; and 3) the Company's expectation of likelihood of recovery to occur in the near term and its intent and ability to hold the impaired equity investment until recovery.  We evaluated the appropriateness and accuracy of information used in the OTTI assessment by inspecting evidence used in management’s assessment and corroborating the information to appropriate independent data. The data and key assumptions include the following: ‐ ‐ Historical and expected financial condition and near-term prospects of CNFinance The publicly traded stock price of CNFinance and corresponding volatility F-3 ‐ Changes to the macro-economic, competitive and operational environment /s/ Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Hong Kong April 29, 2020 We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2007. F-4 FANHUA INC. Consolidated Statements of Financial Position (In thousands, except for shares and per share data) 2018 RMB As of December 31, 2019 RMB 2019 US$ Note 2(v) ASSETS: Current assets: 772,823 Cash and cash equivalents ............................................. Restricted cash .............................................................. 75,343 Short term investments (Note 2(d)) ................................ 1,554,060 Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of RMB21,241 and RMB20,495 of as December 31, 2018 and 2019, respectively (Note 2(e)) .............................................. Insurance premium receivables (Note 2(e)) .................... Other receivables, net (Note 4) ...................................... 508,474 5,267 86,150 58,990 Other current assets ....................................................... Total current assets ..................................................... 3,061,107 (US$2,944) Non-current assets: 37,934 Property, plant, and equipment, net (Note 5) .................. 109,869 Goodwill, net (Note 6) ................................................... 1,264 Intangible assets, net (Note 2(g)).................................... 9,320 Deferred tax assets (Note 12) ......................................... 587,517 Investments in affiliates (Note 7) ................................... 59,600 Other non-current assets (Note 2(j)) ............................... Right of use assets (Note 8) ........................................... — 805,504 Total non-current assets .............................................. Total assets .................................................................. 3,866,611 LIABILITIES AND EQUITY: Current liabilities: Accounts payable ........................................................... Insurance premium payables ........................................... Other payables and accrued expenses (Including rights refundable deposits of the consolidated VIE of RMB8,184 and nil as of December 31, 2018 and 2019, respectively) (Note 10) ....................... Accrued payroll .............................................................. Income taxes payable ..................................................... 332,685 15,248 share Current operating lease liability (Note 8)......................... Total current liabilities ................................................. 254,824 97,637 205,189 — 905,583 169,653 95,952 1,612,351 682,171 5,067 61,570 54,987 2,681,751 40,806 109,869 322 7,327 363,414 46,917 190,437 759,092 3,440,843 24,369 13,783 231,600 97,988 728 8,844 7,898 385,210 5,862 15,782 46 1,052 52,201 6,739 27,354 109,036 494,246 382,882 7,901 54,998 1,135 220,290 101,664 155,251 79,986 947,974 31,643 14,603 22,300 11,489 136,168 The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements. F-5 FANHUA INC. Consolidated Statements of Financial Position—(Continued) (In thousands, except for shares and per share data) Non-current liabilities: Other tax liabilities (Note 12)......................................... Deferred tax liabilities (Note 12) .................................... Refundable share rights deposits (Including refundable share rights deposits of the consolidated VIE of RMB138,328 and RMB266,901 as of December 31, 2018 and 2019, respectively) (Note 9(b)) .................... Non-current operating lease liability (Note 8) ................. Total non-current liabilities......................................... As of December 31, 2018 RMB 2019 RMB 2019 US$ Note 2(v) 70,350 5,624 70,350 7,898 10,105 1,134 138,328 — 214,302 266,901 103,252 448,401 Total liabilities ............................................................. 1,119,885 1,396,375 Commitments and contingencies (Note 17) each; 1,301,915,084 Equity: Ordinary shares (Authorized shares:10,000,000,000 at US$0.001 and issued 1,252,367,264 shares, of which 1,123,475,604 and 1,073,891,784 shares were outstanding as of December 31, 2018 and 2019, respectively) (Note 13) ............................................................................. Treasury stock (Note 20) ............................................... Additional paid-in capital .............................................. Statutory reserves (Note 15)........................................... Retained earnings .......................................................... Accumulated other comprehensive loss .......................... Total shareholders’ equity ........................................... Noncontrolling interests .............................................. Total equity .................................................................. Total liabilities and shareholders' equity .................... 9,583 (1,156) 437,176 480,881 1,799,989 (93,290) 2,633,183 113,543 2,746,726 3,866,611 9,235 (1,146) 393 508,739 1,479,494 (65,429) 1,931,286 113,182 2,044,468 3,440,843 The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements. F-6 38,338 14,831 64,408 200,576 1,327 (165) 56 73,076 212,516 (9,398) 277,412 16,258 293,670 494,246 FANHUA INC. Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income (In thousands, except for shares and per share data) Net revenues: Agency .......................................................... Life insurance business ................................ P&C insurance business ............................... Claims adjusting ............................................. Total net revenues ........................................ Operating costs and expenses: Agency .......................................................... Life insurance business ................................ P&C insurance business ............................... Claims adjusting ............................................. Total operating costs .................................... Selling expenses ............................................. General and administrative expenses ............... Total operating costs and expenses .............. Income from operations ............................... Other income, net: Investment income ......................................... Interest income ............................................... Others, net ...................................................... Income from continuing operations before income taxes, share of income and impairment of affiliates, net and discontinued operations ............................ Income tax expense ........................................ Share of impairment of income and affiliates, net ............................................... Net income from continuing operations........... Net income from discontinued operations, net of tax (Note 2(w) & Note 3) ................... Net income .................................................... income attributable Less: net the to noncontrolling interests ............................... Net income attributable to the Company’s shareholders .............................................. Year Ended December 31, 2017 RMB 2018 RMB 2019 RMB 3,780,217 2,424,444 1,355,773 308,256 4,088,473 (2,864,882) (1,636,340) (1,228,542) (194,525) (3,059,407) (221,785) (534,145) 3,143,873 2,870,776 273,097 327,390 3,471,263 (2,151,856) (1,943,053) (208,803) (194,159) (2,346,015) (231,075) (468,430) 3,335,397 3,193,625 141,772 370,606 3,706,003 (2,263,952) (2,166,126) (97,826) (219,496) (2,483,448) (278,085) (475,107) (3,815,337) (3,045,520) (3,236,640) 2019 US$ Note 2(v) 479,100 458,736 20,364 53,234 532,334 (325,196) (311,144) (14,052) (31,529) (356,725) (39,944) (68,245) (464,914) 273,136 425,743 469,363 67,420 191,784 25,891 14,284 195,456 34,207 11,807 79,070 2,828 9,664 11,358 406 1,388 505,095 (167,803) 108,944 446,236 5,480 451,716 667,213 (224,586) 174,468 617,095 560,925 (143,816) (224,555) 192,554 80,572 (20,658) (32,255) 27,659 — — — 617,095 192,554 27,659 2,488 7,180 3,622 520 449,228 609,915 188,932 27,139 The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements. F-7 FANHUA INC. Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income - Continued (In thousands, except for shares and per share data) 2017 RMB Year Ended December 31, 2018 RMB 2019 RMB 2019 US$ Note 2(v) Net income per share: Basic: Net income from continuing operations Net income from discontinued operations Net income Diluted: Net income from continuing operations Net income from discontinued operations Net income Net income per American Depositary Shares ("ADS"): Basic: Net income from continuing operations Net income from discontinued operations Net income Diluted: Net income from continuing operations Net income from discontinued operations Net income Shares used in calculating net income per share: Basic: Diluted Net income Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax: 0.36 0.00 0.36 0.36 0.00 0.36 7.20 0.09 7.29 7.20 0.09 7.29 0.49 0.00 0.49 0.49 0.00 0.49 9.84 0.00 9.84 9.83 0.00 9.83 0.17 0.00 0.17 0.17 0.00 0.17 3.46 0.00 3.46 3.46 0.00 3.46 0.02 0.00 0.02 0.02 0.00 0.02 0.50 0.00 0.50 0.50 0.00 0.50 1,231,698,725 1,261,223,049 1,239,264,464 1,240,854,034 1,092,601,338 1,093,229,436 1,092,601,338 1,093,229,436 451,716 617,095 192,554 27,659 Foreign currency translation adjustments (10,664) (10,194) 10,178 1,462 Unrealized net gains (loss) on available-for- sale investments Share of other comprehensive gain (loss) of affiliates Total Comprehensive income Less: Comprehensive income attributable to the noncontrolling interests Comprehensive income attributable to the Company’s shareholders (632) 1,263 441,683 — 17,231 2,475 (1,763) 605,138 452 220,415 65 31,661 2,488 7,180 3,622 520 439,195 597,958 216,793 31,141 The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements. F-8 FANHUA INC. Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity (In thousands, except for shares and per share data) Share Capital Treasury Stock Number of Share Amounts RMB Number of Share Balance as of January 1, 2017 Net income ............................................. 1,165,072,926 — Foreign currency translation.................. Exercise of share options ....................... Provision for statutory reserves ......... Private placement ................................... Subscription receipt ............................... Distribution of dividend......................... Disposal of subsidiaries ......................... Unrealized net gains (loss) on available-for-sale investments ............ Share of other comprehensive gain of affiliates................................... — 69,118,158 — 66,000,000 — — — — — Balance as of December 31, 2017 ..................................................... 1,300,191,084 — — 1,760,000 Net income ............................................. Foreign currency translation Exercise of share options ................... Repurchase of ordinary shares from Amounts RMB 8,658 Additional Paid-in Capital RMB 2,301,655 — — 458 — 455 — — — — — — — 64,488 — 200,632 — (137,216) — — — 9,571 — — 12 2,429,559 — — 3,274 shareholder (Note 13) Repurchase of ordinary shares from open market (Note 20) Provision for statutory reserves ............. Subscription receipt ............................... Distribution of dividend......................... Share of other comprehensive loss of affiliates ................................... — — — — — — — — — — — — (1,464,163) 150,000,000 (251,024) — — (280,470) 28,475,480 — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — Statutory Reserves RMB 311,590 Retained Earnings RMB 1,018,928 — 449,228 — — 30,658 — — — (31,210) — — — — (30,658) — — — 31,210 — — 311,038 — — — 1,468,708 609,915 — — — — — 169,843 — — — (169,843) — (108,791) Accumulated Other Comprehensiv e loss RMB (65,844) — (27,895) — — — — — — (632) 1,263 (93,108) — 1,581 — — — — — — — — (1,763) — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — (960) (196) — — — — Subscription Receivables RMB (288,135) — 17,231 — — — 22,187 — — — — (248,717) — (11,775) — — — — 260,492 — — — Noncontrolling Interests RMB 117,242 2,488 — — — — — — (8,388) — — 111,342 7,180 — — Total RMB 3,404,094 451,716 (10,664) 64,946 — 201,087 22,187 (137,216) (8,388) (632) 1,263 3,988,393 617,095 (10,194) 3,286 — (1,465,123) — — — (4,979) (251,220) — 260,492 (394,240) — (1,763) 113,543 2,746,726 Balance as of December 31, 2018 ..................................................... 1,301,951,084 9,583 437,176 178,475,480 (1,156) 480,881 1,799,989 (93,290) The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements. F-9 FANHUA INC. Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity — (Continued) (In thousands, except for shares and per share data) Share Capital Treasury Stock Number of Share Amounts RMB Additional Paid-in Capital RMB Number of Share Amounts RMB — Statutory Reserves RMB — — — — — — Net income .............................................. — Foreign currency translation ............................................. — Exercise of share options ....................... 640,000 Repurchase of ordinary open shares market (Note 20).................................. from — — 4 — (437,176) 50,223,820 (342) Cancellation of treasury shares ................................................... (50,223,820) (352) — (50,223,820) 352 Share-based compensation ....................................... Provision for statutory reserves ................................................. Distribution of dividend ......................... Disposal of subsidiaries.......................... Unrealized net gains on available-for-sale investments .......................................... Share other of comprehensive gain of affiliates .......................................... Balance as of December — — — — — — — — — — — — 393 — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — Retained Earnings RMB 188,932 — (46,497) — — (38,814) (435,072) 10,956 — — — — — — 38,814 — (10,956) — — Accumulated Other Comprehensive loss RMB Subscription Receivables RMB Noncontrolling Interests RMB Total RMB — 10,178 — — — — — — 17,231 452 — — — — — — — — — — — 3,622 192,554 10,178 4 (484,015) — 393 — — — — (3,790) (193) — (438,862) (193) — — 17,231 452 113,182 2,044,468 31, 2019 .......................................... 1,252,367,264 9,235 393 178,475,480 (1,146) 508,739 1,479,494 (65,429) Balance as of December 31, 2019 in US$ ............................. 1,252,367,264 1,327 56 178,475,480 (165) 73,076 212,516 (9,398) 16,258 293,670 The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements. F-10 FANHUA INC. Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (In thousands) OPERATING ACTIVITIES Net income ........................................................ Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash generated from operating activities: Depreciation expense ......................................... Amortization of intangible assets ........................ Non-cash operating lease expense ...................... Allowance for doubtful accounts ........................ Compensation expenses associated with stock options ........................................................... Loss (gain) on disposal of property, plant and equipment ....................................................... Fair value change of non-current assets .............. Investment income ............................................. Loss (gain) on disposal of subsidiaries ................ Share of income and impairment of affiliates, net .................................................................. Deferred taxes ......................................................... Changes in operating assets and liabilities: Accounts receivable ........................................... Insurance premium receivables........................... Other receivables ............................................... Amounts due from related parties ....................... Other current assets ............................................ Other non-current assets ..................................... Accounts payable ............................................... Insurance premium payables .............................. Other payables and accrued expenses ................. Accrued payroll ................................................. Income taxes payable ......................................... Dividend received .............................................. Lease liability .................................................... Other tax liabilities ............................................. Net cash generated from operating activities .. Cash flows used in investing activities: Purchase of short term investments ..................... Proceeds from disposal of short term investments..................................................... Purchase of property, plant and equipment.......... Proceeds from disposal of property and equipment ....................................................... Disposal of subsidiaries, net of cash disposed of RMB94,677, RMB576 and RMB1,517 (US$218) in 2017, 2018 and 2019, respectively .................................................... Increase in other receivables ............................... 2017 RMB Year Ended December 31, 2018 RMB RMB 2019 2019 US$ Note 2(v) 451,716 617,095 192,554 27,659 14,099 33,177 — 11,328 — (104) — (177,862) (2,009) (108,944) 9,512 (140,712) (4,603) (207,162) (8,714) (5,962) — 139,528 7,165 22,901 41,472 69,729 10,000 — (2,428) 152,127 10,833 15,946 — 6,791 — (133) — (156,047) — (174,468) (18,744) (70) (942) (7,272) — (15,126) (6,291) 129,661 5,695 21,462 20,213 75,224 — — — 523,827 16,280 942 69,482 6,533 393 2,339 135 9,981 938 56 25 4,241 (65,616) 58 4 609 (9,425) 8 224,555 4,475 (180,230) 200 3,973 — 4,003 1,612 50,205 (7,347) (25,533) 4,052 (49,969) — (76,564) — 178,324 32,255 643 (25,888) 29 571 — 575 232 7,211 (1,055) (3,668) 582 (7,178) — (10,998) — 25,615 (11,055,424) (11,380,198) (7,498,701) (1,077,121) 11,531,556 (20,899) 12,488,495 (22,765) 7,523,257 (19,686) 1,080,648 (2,829) 156 203 47 7 (20,564) (500,000) F-11 — — 7,042 — 1,012 — FANHUA INC. Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows— (Continued) (In thousands) 2017 RMB Year Ended December 31, 2018 RMB 2019 RMB — — 41,452 500,000 (18,150) (50,000) 50,000 — — — — 2019 US$ Note 2(v) — — — — (23,723) 1,567,585 11,959 1,717 Decrease in other receivables ............................. Additions in investments in non-current assets .... Increase in amounts due from related parties Decrease in amounts due from related parties ..... Net cash (used in) generated from investing activities ........................................................ Cash flows from financing activities: Repayment of advances from a disposed subsidiary....................................................... (103,446) — — — Proceeds of employee and grantee subscriptions .................................................. Proceeds of issuance of ordinary shares upon private placement ........................................... Dividends paid ................................................... Dividend distributed to noncontrolling interest ... Proceeds on exercise of stock options ................. Repurchase of ordinary shares from open market ............................................................. Repurchase of ordinary shares from a shareholder ..................................................... Proceed related to disposal of Fanhua Times its Sales & Services Co., Ltd and subsidiaries Net cash generated (used in) from financing activities ........................................................ Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents, and restricted cash .................... Cash and cash equivalents and restricted 22,187 211,054 111,304 15,988 201,087 (137,216) — 64,946 — (326,725) (4,979) 3,286 — (435,072) (3,790) 4 — (62,494) (544) 1 — — — (251,220) (484,015) (69,525) (1,318,611) — — 22,689 19,463 2,796 47,558 (1,664,506) (792,106) (113,778) 175,962 426,906 (601,823) (86,446) cash at beginning of year .............................. 273,979 439,033 848,166 121,831 Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents .............................................. Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of year ........................................ (10,908) (17,773) 19,262 2,767 439,033 848,166 265,605 38,152 in Reconciliation amounts consolidated Financial position: Cash and cash equivalents at end of year, excluding held for sale ....................................... the on Restricted cash at end of year, excluding held for sale .................................................... Total of cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash at the end of the year ............ Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information: Income taxes paid ................................... 363,746 772,823 169,653 75,287 75,343 95,952 24,369 13,783 439,033 848,166 265,605 38,152 103,155 109,863 189,487 27,218 F-12 FANHUA INC. Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows— (Continued) (In thousands) Supplemental disclosure of non-cash operating activity: Interest repayment (Note 2(m)) ................ Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing activities: Disposal of subsidiaries ........................... Other receivable and other non-current asset related to disposal of entities ......... assets Right-of-use obligations exchange (Note 8) ................................................ obtained lease for in loan Conversion of receivables interest (Note 3 (e))........................................... the convertible equity into Supplemental disclosure of non-cash financing activities: Dividends offset against proceeds of employee subscriptions (Note 2(m)) ...... Dividends payment offset ........................ 10% consideration related to repurchase of ordinary shares from a shareholder (Note 9) ................................................ 2017 RMB Year Ended December 31, 2018 RMB 2019 RMB 2019 US$ Note 2(v) — 5,557 — — 46,582 10,638 61,372 8,816 — — — — — 78,344 11,253 10,929 1,570 49,438 (62,536) — — — — 146,512 (8,184) (1,176) 64,152 — — — — — F-13 FANHUA INC. Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (In thousands, except for shares and per share data) (1) Organization and Description of Business Fanhua Inc. (the "Company") (formally known as "CNinsure Inc.") was incorporated in the Cayman Islands on April 10, 2007 and listed on the Nasdaq on October 31, 2007. The Company, its subsidiaries and its variable interest entities (the "VIEs") are collectively referred to as the "Group". The Group is principally engaged in the provision of agency services and insurance claims adjusting services in the People’s Republic of China (the "PRC"). (2) Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (a) Basis of Presentation and Consolidation The consolidated financial statements of the Group have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("US GAAP"). The consolidated financial statements include the financial statements of the Company, all its subsidiaries and those VIEs of which the Company is the primary beneficiary from the dates they were acquired or incorporated. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. In addition, the Group consolidates VIEs of which it is deemed to be the primary beneficiary and absorbs all of the expected losses and residual returns of the entity. See Note 9 for detail. (b) Use of Estimates The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with US GAAP requires management of the Group to make a number of estimates and assumptions relating to the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reported period. The Company's management base their estimates on historical experience and various other factors believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying value of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Significant accounting estimates reflected in the Group's consolidated financial statements included estimates of allowance for doubtful receivables, estimates made in assumptions related to the valuation of the convertible loan receivable, estimates associated with equity-method investment impairment assessments. Actual results could differ from those estimates. (c) Cash and Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash on hand, bank deposits and short-term, highly liquid investments that are readily convertible to known amounts of cash, and have insignificant risk of changes in value related to changes in interest rates. In its capacity as an insurance agent, the Group collects premiums from certain insureds and remits the premiums to the appropriate insurance companies. Accordingly, as reported in the consolidated statements of financial position, "premiums" are receivables from the insureds of RMB3,823 and RMB4,646 as of December 31, 2018 and 2019, respectively. Unremitted net insurance premiums are held in a fiduciary capacity until disbursed by the Group. The Group invests these unremitted funds only in cash accounts held for a short term, and reports such amounts as restricted cash in the consolidated statements of financial position. Also, restricted cash balance includes guarantee deposits required by China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission ("CBIRC") in order to protect insurance premium appropriation by insurance agency and the entrustment deposit received from the members of eHuzhu, an online mutual aid platform operated by the Group. The balance for guarantee and entrustment deposits were RMB71,520 and RMB91,306 as of December 31, 2018 and 2019, respectively. F-14 FANHUA INC. Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (In thousands, except for shares and per share data) (2) Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued) (d) Short Term Investments Short term investments are mainly available-for-sale investments in debt securities that do not have a quoted market price in an active market. Available-for-sale investments are carried at fair values and the unrealized gains or losses from the changes in fair values are included in accumulated other comprehensive income or loss. The Group benchmarks the values of its other investments against fair values of comparable investments and reference to product valuation reports as of the balance sheet date, and categorizes all fair value measures of short term investments as level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. The short term investments balance were RMB1,554,060 and RMB1,612,351 as of December 31, 2018 and 2019, respectively. No impairment loss on short term investments was identified for each of the years ended December 31, 2017, 2018 and 2019. (e) Accounts Receivable and Insurance Premium Receivables Accounts receivable are recorded at the invoiced amount and do not bear interest. Accounts receivable represent fees receivable on agency and claims adjusting services primarily from insurance companies. Amounts collected on accounts receivable are included in net cash provided by operating activities in the consolidated statements of cash flows. The allowance for doubtful accounts is the Group's best estimate of the amount of probable credit losses in the Group's existing accounts receivable balance. The Group determines the allowance based on historical write-off experience. The Group reviews its allowance for doubtful accounts regularly. Past due balances over 90 days and over a specified amount are reviewed individually for collectability. Accounts receivable, net is analyzed as follows: Accounts receivable .................................................................................... Allowance for doubtful accounts ................................................................. Accounts receivable, net.............................................................................. As of December 31, 2018 RMB 529,715 (21,241) 508,474 2019 RMB 702,666 (20,495) 682,171 The following table summarizes the movement of the Group's allowance for doubtful accounts for accounts receivables: Balance at the beginning of the year .............................................................................. 16,792 Provision for doubtful accounts ..................................................................................... 14,052 (10,646) Write-offs ..................................................................................................................... 20,198 Balance at the end of the year ........................................................................................ 20,198 6,791 (5,748) 21,241 2017 RMB 2018 RMB 2019 RMB 21,241 6,533 (7,279) 20,495 Insurance premium receivables consist of insurance premiums to be collected from the insured, and are recorded at the invoiced amount and do not bear interest. Amounts collected on insurance premium receivables are included in net cash provided by operating activities in the consolidated statements of cash flows. F-15 FANHUA INC. Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (In thousands, except for shares and per share data) (2) Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued) (f) Property, Plant and Equipment Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation and amortization are calculated using the straight-line method over the following estimated useful lives, taking into account residual value: Building ............................................................................. Office equipment, furniture and fixtures .............................. Motor vehicles .................................................................... Leasehold improvements .................................................... Estimated useful life (Years) 20-36 3-5 5-10 5 Estimated residual value 0% 0%-3% 0%-3% 0% The depreciation methods and estimated useful lives are reviewed regularly. The following table summarizes the depreciation expense recognized in the consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income: Operating costs .............................................................................................................. 43 Selling expenses ............................................................................................................ 2,775 11,281 General and administrative expenses .............................................................................. 14,099 Depreciation expense ..................................................................................................... 232 4,769 5,832 10,833 216 7,144 8,920 16,280 2017 RMB 2018 RMB 2019 RMB (g) Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets Goodwill and amortization of intangible assets Goodwill represents the excess of costs over fair value of net assets of businesses acquired in a business combination. Goodwill is not amortized, but is tested for impairment at the reporting unit level at least on an annual basis at the balance sheet date or more frequently if certain indicators arise. The Group operated in two reporting units for the year ended December 31, 2019. The goodwill impairment review is a two-step process. Step 1 consists of a comparison of the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount. An impairment loss may be recognized if the review indicates that the carrying value of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value. Estimates of fair value are primarily determined by using discounted cash flows. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, step 2 requires the fair value of the reporting unit to be allocated to the underlying assets and liabilities of that reporting unit, resulting in an implied fair value of goodwill. If the carrying amount of the goodwill of the reporting unit exceeds the implied fair value, an impairment charge is recorded equal to the excess of the carrying amount over the implied fair value. The impairment review is highly judgmental and involves the use of significant estimates and assumptions. These estimates and assumptions have a significant impact on the amount of any impairment charge recorded. Discounted cash flow methods are dependent upon assumptions of future sales trends, market conditions and cash flows of each reporting unit over several years. Actual cash flows in the future may differ significantly from those previously forecasted. Other significant assumptions include growth rates and the discount rate applicable to future cash flows. F-16 FANHUA INC. Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (In thousands, except for shares and per share data) (2) Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued) (g) Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Continued) Goodwill and amortization of intangible assets (Continued) In 2018 and 2019, management compared the carrying value of each reporting unit, inclusive of assigned goodwill, to its respective fair value which is the step one of the two-step impairment test. The fair value of all reporting units was estimated by using the income approach. Based on this quantitative test, it was determined that the fair value of each reporting unit tested exceeded its carrying amount and, therefore, step 2 of the two-step goodwill impairment test was unnecessary. The management concluded that goodwill was not impaired as of December 31, 2018 and 2019. Identifiable intangibles assets are required to be determined separately from goodwill based on their fair values. In particular, an intangible asset acquired in a business combination should be recognized as an asset separate from goodwill if it satisfies either the “contractual-legal” or “separability” criterion. Intangible assets with a finite economic life are carried at cost less accumulated amortization. Amortization for identifiable intangible assets categorized as customer relationships are computed using the accelerated method, while amortization for other identifiable intangible assets are computed using the straight-line method over the intangible assets' economic lives. Intangible assets with indefinite economic lives are not amortized but carried at cost less any subsequent accumulated impairment losses. If an intangible asset that is not being amortized is subsequently determined to have a finite economic life, it will be tested for impairment and then amortized prospectively over its estimated remaining economic life and accounted for in the same manner as other intangible assets that are subject to amortization. Intangible assets with indefinite economic lives are tested for impairment annually or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that they might be impaired. Separately identifiable intangible assets consist of brand names, trade names, customer relationships, non- compete agreements, agency agreement and licenses, and software and systems. The intangible assets, net consisted of trade names with cost of RMB8,898. The trade names have an estimated useful life of 9.4 to 10 years and accumulated amortization of RMB7,634 and RMB8,576 as of December 31, 2018 and 2019. Aggregate amortization expenses for intangible assets were RMB33,177, RMB15,946 and RMB942 for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2018 and 2019, respectively. Impairment of intangible assets with definite lives The Group evaluates the recoverability of identifiable intangible assets with determinable useful lives whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that these assets' carrying amounts may not be recoverable. The Group measures the carrying amount of identifiable intangible assets with determinable useful lives against the estimated undiscounted future cash flows associated with each asset. Impairment exists when the sum of the expected future net cash flows is less than the carrying value of the asset being evaluated. Impairment loss is calculated as the amount by which the carrying value of the asset exceeds its fair value. Fair value is estimated based on various valuation techniques, including the discounted value of estimated future cash flows. The evaluation of asset impairment requires the Group to make assumptions about future cash flows over the life of the asset being evaluated. These assumptions require significant judgment and actual results may differ from assumed and estimated amounts. During the years ended December 31, 2017, 2018 and 2019, the Group recognized no impairment losses on identifiable intangible assets with determinable useful lives. F-17 FANHUA INC. Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (In thousands, except for shares and per share data) (2) Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued) (g) Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Continued) Impairment of indefinite-lived intangible assets An intangible asset that is not subject to amortization is tested for impairment at least annually or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired. Such impairment test is to compare the fair values of assets with their carrying amounts and an impairment loss is recognized if and when the carrying amounts exceed the fair values. The estimates of fair values of intangible assets not subject to amortization are determined using various discounted cash flow valuation methodologies. Significant assumptions are inherent in this process, including estimates of discount rates or market price. Discount rate assumptions are based on an assessment of the risk inherent in the respective intangible assets. Market prices are based on potential purchase quote from a third party, if any. During the years ended December 31, 2017, 2018 and 2019, the Group recognized no impairment losses on its indefinite-lived intangible assets. The estimated amortization expenses for the next five years are: RMB322 in 2020 and nil in years after 2020. (h) Other Receivables and Other Current Assets Other receivables and other current assets mainly consist of loans and amounts due from third parties, advances, deposits, interest receivables and prepaid expenses. See Note 4 for details. (i) Investment in Affiliates The Group uses the equity method of accounting for investments in which the Group has the ability to exercise significant influence, but does not have a controlling interest. The Group continually reviews its investment in equity investees to determine whether a decline in fair value to an amount below the carrying value is other-than temporary. The primary factors the Group considers in its determination are the duration and severity of the decline in fair value; the financial condition, operating performance and the prospects of the equity investee; and other company specific information such as the stock price of the investee and its corresponding volatility, if publically traded, the Group's intent and ability to hold the investment until recovery, and changes in the macro-economic, competitive and operational environment of the investee. If the decline in fair value is deemed to be other-than-temporary, the carrying value of the equity investee is written down to fair value. (j) Other Non-current Assets Other non-current assets mainly represent long-term equity investments accounted for under the measurement alternative method and the convertible loan receivable. Equity securities without readily determinable fair value The Group has long-term investments in equity security of certain privately held companies which the Group exerts no significant influence or a controlling interest. As a result of adoption of "Financial Instruments- Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities" ("ASU 2016-01") in January 1, 2018, equity securities without readily determinable fair values that do not qualify for the practical expedient in ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements and Dislcosure to estimate fair value using the net asset value per share (or its equivalent) of the investment, are measured and recorded using a measurement alternative that measures the securities at cost less impairment, if any, plus or minus changes resulting from qualifying observable price changes. F-18 FANHUA INC. Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (In thousands, except for shares and per share data) (2) Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued) (j) Other Non-current Assets (Continued) Equity securities without readily determinable fair value (Continued) The Group reviews its equity securities without readily determinable fair value for impairment at each reporting period by considering factors including, but not limited to, current economic and market conditions, the operating performance of the companies including current earning trends and other company specific information. The Group assessed that there has been no impairment or qualifying observable price changes related to its investments in privately held companies in the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2019. Investments in privately held companies are reported in other non-current assets. Convertible loan receivable The Group has elected the fair value option for the convertible loan receivable, which permits the irrevocable fair value option election on an instrument-by-instrument basis at initial recognition of an asset or liability or upon an event that gives rise to a new basis of accounting for that instrument. The convertible loan receivable accounted for under the fair value option are carried at fair value with realized or unrealized gains and losses recorded in the consolidated income statements. See Note 3(e) for details. (k) Impairment of Long-Lived Assets Property, plant, and equipment are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If the carrying amount of an asset exceeds its estimated future cash flows, an impairment charge is recognized for the amount by which the carrying value of the asset exceeds the fair value of the asset. (l) Insurance Premium Payables Insurance premium payables are insurance premiums collected on behalf of insurance companies but not yet remitted as of the balance sheet dates. (m) Subscription Receivables The Group entered into share purchase agreements with companies established on behalf of its employees (the "Employee Company") for the issuance of 100,000,000 ordinary shares at US$0.27 per ordinary share and 50,000,000 ordinary shares at US$0.29 per ordinary share in 2014. The issue prices are the average closing prices for the 20 trading days prior to the board approval dates of such subscriptions. The sale of shares to the Employee Company was completed on December 17, 2014. In order to facilitate the purchase of shares by employees as described above, the Group has granted a loan to the Employee Company. The loan bears interest at a rate of 3.0% per annum and is repayable upon the sale of the shares by employees, termination of employment or within two years, whichever comes first. The interest rate was determined with reference to fair market prices and therefore no interest-related compensation expense was recorded. Upon the expiry of the loan agreement on December 17, 2016, the repayment maturity of the loan was further extended to June 2018 and the loan continues to bear interest at a rate of 3.0% per annum. According to FASB ASC 505-10-45, the loan is recorded as a separate line of deduction from equity in the Group’s consolidated statements of financial position. Interest income accruing from the loan is recognized as non- operating income. During the year 2018, the principal in the amount of RMB260,492 and interests in the amount of RMB29,224 had been settled of while RMB49,438 of principal and RMB5,557 of interest were offset by the Company's dividend distributions. As of December 31, 2018, the principal and interest of the loans have been fully collected. F-19 FANHUA INC. Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (In thousands, except for shares and per share data) (2) Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued) (n) Treasury shares Treasury shares represent ordinary shares repurchased by the Group that are no longer outstanding and are held by the Group. The repurchased ordinary shares are recorded whereby the total par value of shares acquired is recorded as treasury stock and the difference between the par value and the amount of cash paid is recorded in additional paid-in capital. If additional paid-in capital is not available or is not sufficient, the remaining amount is to reduce retained earnings. See Note 20 for details. (o) Income Taxes Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred income taxes are recognized for temporary differences between the tax basis of assets and liabilities and their reported amounts in the consolidated financial statements, net operating loss carryforwards and credits by applying enacted statutory tax rates applicable to future years. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance when, in the opinion of management, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The Group presents an unrecognized tax benefit, or a portion of an unrecognized tax benefit, in the statements of financial position as a reduction to a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward, except to the extent a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward is not available at the reporting date under the tax law of the applicable jurisdiction to settle any additional income taxes that would result from the disallowance of a tax position or the tax law of the applicable jurisdiction does not require the Group to use, and the Group does not intend to use, the deferred tax asset for such purpose, the unrecognized tax benefit is presented in the statements of financial position as a liability. (p) Share-based Compensation All forms of share-based payments to employees and nonemployees, including stock options and stock purchase plans, are treated the same as any other form of compensation by recognizing the related cost in the consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income. The Group recognizes compensation cost for an award with only service conditions that has a graded vesting schedule on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period for the entire award, provided that the amount of compensation cost recognized at any date must at least equal to the portion of the grant-date value of the award that is vested at that date. For awards with both service and performance conditions, if each tranche has an independent performance condition for a specified period of service, the Group recognizes the compensation cost of each tranche as a separate award on a straight- line basis; if each tranche has performance conditions that are dependent of activities that occur in the prior service periods, the Group recognizes the compensation cost on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period for each separately vesting portion of the award as if the award was, in-substance, multiple awards. No compensation cost is recognized for instruments that employees and nonemployees forfeit because a service condition or a performance condition is not satisfied. Employee share-based compensation Compensation cost related to employee stock options or similar equity instruments is measured at the grant date based on the fair value of the award and is recognized over the service period, which is usually the vesting period. If an award requires satisfaction of one or more performance or service conditions (or any combination thereof), compensation cost is recognized if the requisite service is rendered, while no compensation cost is recognized if the requisite service is not rendered. F-20 FANHUA INC. Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (In thousands, except for shares and per share data) (2) Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued) (p) Share-based Compensation (Continued) Nonemployee share-based compensation The Group early adopted the ASU 2018-07, "Compensation — Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Nonemployee Share-Based Payment Accounting", prospectively starting from 2018. Consistent with the accounting requirement for employee share-based compensation, nonemployee share-based compensation within the scope of Topic 718 are measured at grant-date fair value of the equity instruments, which the Group is obligated to issue when the service has been rendered and any other conditions necessary to earn the right to benefit from the instruments have been satisfied. Classification of award Options or similar instruments on shares shall be classified as liabilities instead of equity if either of the following conditions is met:  The underlying shares are classified as liabilities;  The Group can be required under any circumstances to settle the option or similar instrument by transferring cash or other assets. The Group measures a liability award under a share-based payment arrangement based on the award’s fair value remeasured at each reporting date until the date of settlement. The corresponding credit is recorded as a share-based liability. Compensation cost for each period until settlement shall be based on the change (or a portion of the change, depending on the percentage of the requisite service that has been rendered at the reporting date) in the fair value of the instrument for each reporting date. The Group measures an equity award based on the awards' fair value on grant date and recognizes the compensation cost over the vesting periods, with the corresponding credit recorded as paid-in capital. Modification of an Award A change in any of the terms or conditions of the awards is accounted for as a modification of the award. Incremental compensation cost is measured as the excess, if any, of the fair value of the modified award over the fair value of the original award immediately before its terms are modified, measured based on the fair value of the awards and other pertinent factors at the modification date. For vested awards, the Group recognizes incremental compensation cost in the period the modification occurs. For unvested awards, the Group recognizes over the remaining requisite service period, the sum of the incremental compensation cost and the remaining unrecognized compensation cost for the original award on the modification date. If the fair value of the modified award is lower than the fair value of the original award immediately before modification, the minimum compensation cost the Group recognizes is the cost of the original award. Share-based compensation expenses of nil, nil and RMB393 for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2018 and 2019, respectively, were included in the selling, general and administrative expenses. F-21 FANHUA INC. Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (In thousands, except for shares and per share data) (2) Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued) (q) Employee Benefit Plans As stipulated by the regulations of the PRC, the Group’s subsidiaries in the PRC participate in various defined contribution plans organized by municipal and provincial governments for its employees. The Group is required to make contributions to these plans at a percentage of the salaries, bonuses and certain allowances of the employees. Under these plans, certain pension, medical and other welfare benefits are provided to employees. The Group has no other material obligation for the payment of employee benefits associated with these plans other than the annual contributions described above. The contributions are charged to the consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income as they become payable in accordance with the rules of the above mentioned defined contribution plans. (r) Revenue Recognition On January 1, 2018, the Group adopted ASC 606 “Revenue from Contracts with Customers” (“ASC 606”) and applied the modified retrospective method to all contracts that were not completed as of January 1, 2018. Results for reporting periods beginning after January 1, 2018 are presented under ASC 606, while prior period amounts were not adjusted and reported under the accounting standards in effect for the periods presented. The Group’s revenue from contracts with insurance companies is derived principally from the provision of agency and claims adjusting services. According to ASC 606, revenue is recognized at a point in time upon the effective date of the insurance policy, as no performance obligation exists after the insurance policy was signed. If there are other services within the contract, the Company estimates the stand-alone selling price for each separate performance obligation, and the corresponding apportioned revenue is recognized over the period of time in which the customer receives the service, and as the performance obligations are fulfilled and the Company is entitled to that portion of revenue using the output method for the services. In situations where multiple performance obligations exist within a contract, the use of estimates is required to allocate the transaction price on a relative stand-alone selling price basis to each separate performance obligation. The Group determines revenue recognition through the following steps: Identification of the contract, or contracts, with a customer; Identification of the performance obligation in the contract;    Determination of the transaction price, including the constraint on variable consideration;  Allocation of the transaction price to the performance obligation in the contracts; and  Recognition of revenue when (or as) the Group satisfies a performance obligation. The Group disaggregates its revenue from different types of service contracts with customers by principal service categories, as the Group believes it best depicts the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of its revenue and cash flows. See Note 22 for detailed disaggregated revenue information that is disclosed for each reportable segment. The following is a description of the accounting policy for the principal revenue streams of the Group. Insurance agency services revenue For Insurance agency services, performance obligations are considered met and revenue is recognized when the services are rendered and completed, at the time an insurance policy becomes effective, that is, when the signed insurance policy is in place and the premium is collected from the insured. The Group has met all the criteria of revenue recognition when the premiums are collected by the Group or the respective insurance companies and not before, because collectability is not ensured until receipt of the premium. Accordingly, the Group does not accrue any commission and fees prior to the receipt of the related premiums. F-22 FANHUA INC. Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (In thousands, except for shares and per share data) (2) Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued) (r) Revenue Recognition (Continued) Insurance agency services revenue (Continued) No allowance for cancellation has been recognized for agency as the management of the Group estimates, based on its past experience that the cancellation of policies rarely occurs. Any subsequent commission adjustments in connection with policy cancellations, which have been de minims to date, are recognized upon notification from the insurance carriers. Actual commission and fee adjustments in connection with the cancellation of policies were 0.2%, 0.1% and 0.1% of the total commission and fee revenues during years ended December 31, 2017, 2018 and 2019, respectively. For life insurance agency, the Group may receive a performance bonus from insurance companies as agreed and per contract provisions. Once an agency achieves its performance obligation, typically a certain sales volume, the bonus will become due. The bonus amount is computed based on the insurance premium amount multiplied by an agreed-upon percentage. Performance bonus represent a form of variable consideration associated with certain sales volume, for which the Group earn commissions. The contingent commissions are recorded when a performance obligation is being achieved. The Group estimates the amount of consideration with a constraint applied that will be received in the coming year such that a significant reversal of revenue is not probable and accrues performance bonus relative to the recognition of the corresponding core commissions. For the year ended December 31, 2018 and 2019, the Group recognized contingent performance bonus of RMB23,166 and RMB58,124, respectively. Insurance claims adjusting services revenue For Insurance claims adjusting services, performance obligations are considered met and revenue is recognized when the services are rendered and completed, at the time loss adjusting reports are confirmed being received by insurance companies. The Group does not accrue any service fee before the receipt of an insurance company’s acknowledgement of receiving the adjusting reports. Any subsequent adjustments in connection with discounts which have been de minims to date are recognized in revenue upon notification from the insurance companies. Contract balances The Group’s contract balances include accounts receivable and contract asset. The balances of accounts receivable as of December 31, 2018 and 2019 are all derived from contracts with customers. See Note 2(e) for details. The timing between the recognition of revenue for effective insurance policy and the receipt of payment is not significant. The estimated accounts receivable in relation to cancellation of insurance policies within hesitation period is a contract asset included in accounts receivable. The balances of contract asset are RMB84,907 and RMB131,063 as of December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2019, respectively. The Group has no advance from customers in advance of revenue recognition, or contract liability and, therefore, none of revenue recognized in the current period that was previously recognized as a contract liability. F-23 FANHUA INC. Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (In thousands, except for shares and per share data) (2) Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued) (r) Revenue Recognition (Continued) Practical Expedients and Exemptions The Group generally expenses sales commissions when incurred because the amortization period would have been one year or less. These costs are recorded within sales and marketing expenses in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income, as the amortization period is less than one year and the Group has elected the practical expedient included in ASC 606. The Group has applied the optional exemption provided by ASC 606 to not disclose the value of remaining performance obligations not yet satisfied as of period end for contracts with original expected duration of one year or less. Value-Added Tax and Surcharges The Group presents revenue net of sales and value-added taxes incurred. The sales taxes amounted to RMB25,239, RMB21,508 and RMB21,916 for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2018 and 2019, respectively. The State Administration of Taxation and Ministry of Finance jointly issued a Notice on Preparing for the Full Implementation of the VAT Reform (Cai Shui [2016] No. 36). Accordingly, the Group started to pay value-added tax instead of business tax from May 1, 2016. Total value-added taxes paid by the Group during the years ended December 31, 2017, 2018 and 2019 amounted to RMB157,607, RMB179,317 and RMB197,067 respectively. (s) Fair Value of Financial Instruments Fair value is considered to be the price that would be received from selling an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. When determining the fair value 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. The established fair value hierarchy requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. A financial instrument’s categorization within the fair value hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The three levels of inputs may be used to measure fair value include: Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Applies to assets or liabilities for which there are quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. Applies to assets or liabilities for which there are inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in markets with insufficient volume or infrequent transactions (less active markets); or model-derived valuations in which significant inputs are observable or can be derived principally from, or corroborated by, observable market data. Applies to assets or liabilities for which there are unobservable inputs to the valuation methodology that are significant to the measurement of the fair value of the assets or liabilities. The carrying values of the Group’s financial instruments, including cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, accounts receivable, insurance premium receivables and payables, other receivables, accounts payable and other payables, approximate their fair values due to the short-term nature of these instruments. F-24 FANHUA INC. Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (In thousands, except for shares and per share data) (2) Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued) (s) Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Continued) Measured at fair value on a recurring basis As of December 31, 2018 and 2019, information about inputs into the fair value measurements of the Group’s assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis in periods subsequent to their initial recognition is as follows. Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) RMB As of December 31, 2018 RMB Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) RMB Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) RMB 1,554,060 — 1,554,060 — Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) RMB As of December 31, 2019 RMB Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) RMB Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) RMB 1,612,351 — 1,612,351 — Description Short-term investments - debt security Description Short-term investments - debt security The majority of debt security consists of investments in trust products and asset management plans that normally pay a prospective fixed rate of return. These investments are recorded at fair values on a recurring basis. The Group measured these investments at fair values and the unrealized gains or losses from the changes in fair values are included in accumulated other comprehensive income or loss, at the balance sheet date. It is classified as Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy since fair value measurement at reporting date is benchmarked against fair value of comparable investments. Measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis The Group measures certain assets, including equity securities without readily determinable fair values, equity method investments and intangible assets, at fair value on a nonrecurring basis when they are deemed to be impaired. The fair values of these investments and intangible assets are determined based on valuation techniques using the best information available, and may include management judgments, future performance projections, etc. An impairment charge to these investments is recorded when the cost of the investment exceeds its fair value and this condition is determined to be other-than-temporary. Impairment charge to the intangible assets is recorded when their carrying amounts may not be recoverable. F-25 FANHUA INC. Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (In thousands, except for shares and per share data) (2) Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued) (s) Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Continued) Measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis (Continued) On January 1, 2018, the Group adopted ASU 2016-01, "Financial Instruments-Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities" ("ASU 2016-01"), which requires that equity investments, except for those accounted for under the equity method or those that result in consolidation of the investee, be measured at fair value, with subsequent changes in fair value recognized in net income. However, an entity may choose to measure equity investments that do not have readily determinable fair values at cost minus impairment, if any, plus or minus changes resulting from observable price changes in orderly transactions for the identical or a similar investment of the same issuer Goodwill (Note 6) and intangible assets (Note 2(g)) with indefinite lives are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis, and they are recorded at fair value only when impairment is recognized by applying unobservable inputs such as forecasted financial performance of the acquired business, discount rate, etc. to the discounted cash flow valuation methodology that are significant to the measurement of the fair value of these assets (Level 3). Investments in affiliates (Note 7) are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis, and they are recorded at fair value only when there is other-than-temporary-impairment. The fair value of investment in an affiliate that is publicly listed is determined based on the market value of its share (Level 1) on the date such impairment is recorded. (t) Foreign Currencies The functional currency of the Company is the United States dollar ("USD"). Assets and liabilities are translated at the exchange rates at the balance sheet date, equity accounts are translated at historical exchange rates and revenues, expenses, gains and losses are translated using the average rate for the year. Translation adjustments are reported as cumulative translation adjustments and are shown as a separate component of other comprehensive income or loss in the consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income. The Group has chosen the Renminbi ("RMB") as their reporting currency. The functional currency of most of the Company’s subsidiaries and VIEs is RMB. Transactions in other currencies are recorded in RMB at the rates of exchange prevailing when the transactions occur. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in other currencies are translated into RMB at rates of exchange in effect at the balance sheet dates. Exchange gains and losses are recorded in the consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income. (u) Foreign Currency Risk The RMB is not a freely convertible currency. The State Administration for Foreign Exchange, under the authority of the People's Bank of China, controls the conversion of RMB into foreign currencies. The value of RMB is subject to changes in central government policies and international economic and political developments that affect supply and demand in the China Foreign Exchange Trading System market of cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash. The Group had aggregate amounts of RMB216,457 and RMB220,895 of cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash denominated in RMB as of December 31, 2018 and 2019, respectively. F-26 FANHUA INC. Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (In thousands, except for shares and per share data) (2) Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued) (v) Translation into USD The consolidated financial statements of the Group are stated in RMB. Translations of amounts from RMB into USD are solely for the convenience of the readers in the United States and were calculated at the rate of US$1.00 = RMB6.9618, representing the noon buying rate in the City of New York for cable transfers of RMB on December 31, 2019, the last business day in fiscal year 2019, as set forth in H.10 statistical release of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. The translation is not intended to imply that the RMB amounts could have been, or could be, converted, realized or settled into USD at such rate. (w) Discontinued Operations Under ASC 205-20 "Presentation of Financial Statements - Discontinued Operation", when a component of an entity, as defined in ASC 205, has been disposed of or is classified as held-for-sale, the results of its operations, including the gain or loss on its disposal are classified as discontinued operations and the assets and liabilities of such component are classified as assets and liabilities attributed to discontinued operations, provided that the operations, assets and liabilities and cash flows of the component have been eliminated from the entity’s consolidated operations and the entity will no longer have any significant continuing involvement in the operations of the component. In November 2017, the Group completed the sale of its brokerage business. Please see Note (3) for more information. The Group's results of operations related to discontinued operations have been restated as discontinued operations for the year ended December 31, 2017. (x) Segment Reporting As of December 31, 2019, the Group operated two segments: (1) the insurance agency segment, which mainly consists of providing agency services for P&C insurance products and life insurance products to individual clients, and (2) the claims adjusting segment, which consists of providing pre-underwriting survey services, claim adjusting services, disposal of residual value services, loading and unloading supervision services, and consulting services. Details of operating segments are further described in Note 22. Operating segments are defined as components of an enterprise for which separate financial information is available and evaluated regularly by the Group’s chief operating decision maker in deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing performance. Substantially all revenues of the Group are derived in the PRC and all long-lived assets are located in the PRC. (y) Earnings per Share ("EPS") or ADS Basic EPS is calculated by dividing the net income available to common shareholders by the weighted average number of ordinary shares /ADS outstanding during the year. Diluted EPS is calculated by using the weighted average number of ordinary shares /ADS outstanding adjusted to include the potentially dilutive effect of outstanding share-based awards, unless their inclusion in the calculation is anti-dilutive. The contingently issuable shares /ADS related to the 521 Plan (see Note 19(b) for details), are subject to fulfillment of the performance conditions as stipulated under the 521 Plan. Therefore, these shares are excluded from basic earnings per share until the shares are fully vested upon the achievement of performance conditions under the 521 Plan by the Participants. F-27 FANHUA INC. Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (In thousands, except for shares and per share data) (2) Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued) (z) Advertising Costs Advertising costs are expensed as incurred. Advertising costs amounted to RMB35,741, RMB34,663 and RMB44,387 for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2018 and 2019, respectively. (aa) Leases In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842). The Group adopted this new standard on January 1, 2019 and used the effective date as the date of initial application on a modified retrospective basis. The Group elected to apply the transition requirements as the effective date rather than at the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented with a cumulative effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings in the period of adoption, and prior periods were not restated. Upon adoption, the Group elected to use the package of three practical expedients in transition under ASC 842, exempting the Group from reassessing the lease identification, lease classification and initial direct costs associated with any expired or existing contracts as of the date of adoption. However, the Group determined not to elect to adopt the hindsight practical expedient and therefore maintained the lease terms previously determined under ASC 840. The Group leases office space, vehicles and certain equipment under operating leases for terms ranging from short term (under 12 months) to 7 years. The Group does not have options to extend or terminate leases, as the renewal or termination of relevant lease is on negotiation basis. As a lessee, the Group does not have any financing leases and none of the leases contain material residual value guarantees or material restrictive covenants. The Group's office space leases typically have initial lease terms of 2 to 7 years, and vehicles and equipment leases typically have an initial term of 12 months or less. The Group's office space leases include fixed rental payments. The lease payments for the Group's office space leases do not consist of variable lease payments that depend on an index or a rate. The Group determines whether a contract contains a lease at contract inception. A contract contains a lease if there is an identified asset and the Group has the right to control the use of the identified asset. At the commencement of each lease, management determines its classification as an operating or finance lease. For leases that qualify as operating leases, the Group recognizes a right-of-use (“ROU”) asset and a lease liability based on the present value of the lease payments over the lease term in the consolidated statements of financial position at commencement date. As all of the leases do not have implicit rates available, the Group uses incremental borrowing rates based on the information available at lease commencement date in determining the present value of future payments. The incremental borrowing rates are estimated to approximate the interest rate on a collateralized basis with similar terms and payments, and in economic environments where the leased assets are located. Upon adoption of ASU 2016-02 on January 1, 2019, the Group elected to use the remaining lease term as of January 1, 2019 in the estimation of the applicable discount for rate for leases that were in place at adoption. For the initial measurement of the lease liabilities for leases commencing after January 1, 2019, the Group uses the discount rate as of the commencing date of the lease, incorporating the entire lease term. Current maturities and long-term portions of operating lease liabilities are classified as current operating lease liability and non-current operating lease liability, respectively, in the consolidated statements of financial position. As a result of the adoption, the Group recognized approximately RMB181,576 of ROU assets recorded in right-of-use assets and a lease liability of approximately RMB181,457 in operating lease liability in the consolidated statements of financial position as of January 1, 2019. The adoption had no material impact on the Group’s consolidated statements of income and consolidated statements of cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2019. F-28 FANHUA INC. Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (In thousands, except for shares and per share data) (2) Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued) (aa) Leases (Continued) The ROU asset is measured at the amount of the lease liabilities with adjustments, if applicable, for lease prepayments made prior to or at lease commencement, initial direct costs incurred and lease incentives. For office space leases beginning in 2019 and later, the Group identifies the lease and non-lease components (e.g., common- area maintenance costs) and accounts for non-lease components separately from lease component. The Group's office space lease contracts have only one separate lease component and have no non-components (e.g., property tax or insurance). Most of the office space lease contracts have no non-lease components. For the office space lease contracts include non-lease components, the fixed lease payment is typically itemized in the office space lease contract for separate lease component and non-lease component. Therefore, the Group does not allocate the consideration in the contract to the separate lease component and the non-lease component. Lease expense for minimum lease payments is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. The Group has made an accounting policy election to exempt leases with an initial term of 12 months or less without a purchase option that is likely to be exercised from being recognized on the balance sheet. Payments related to those leases continue to be recognized in the consolidated statement of income and comprehensive income on a straight-line basis over the lease term. In addition, we do not have any related-party leases or sublease transactions. Please see Note 8. (ab) Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income The Group presents comprehensive income in the consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income with net income in a continuous statement. Accumulated other comprehensive income mainly represents foreign currency translation adjustments, changes in fair value of short term investments and share of other comprehensive income of the affiliates for the period. (ac) Recently Issued Accounting Standards New accounting standards not yet adopted that could affect the Group's consolidated financial statements in the future are summarized as follows: In June 2016, FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. This standard requires entities to measure all expected credit losses of financial assets held at a reporting date based on historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts in order to record credit losses in a timelier manner. ASU 2016-13 also amends the accounting for credit losses on available-for-sale debt securities and purchased financial assets with credit deterioration. In April 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-04, clarify a variety of topics previously covered in Update 2016-13. The standard and the amendments in this ASU are effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019, although early adoption is permitted for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018. In May 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-05, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Targeted Transition Relief, to provide an option to irrevocably elect the fair value option for certain financial assets previously measured at amortized cost basis. ASU 2019-05 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019. F-29 FANHUA INC. Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (In thousands, except for shares and per share data) (2) Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued) (ac) Recently Issued Accounting Standards (Continued) In November 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-11, Codification Improvements to Topic 326, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses. Among other narrow-scope improvements, the new ASU clarifies guidance around how to report expected recoveries. “Expected recoveries” describes a situation in which an organization recognizes a full or partial write-off of the amortized cost basis of a financial asset, but then later determines that the amount written off, or a portion of that amount, will in fact be recovered. While applying the credit losses standard, stakeholders questioned whether expected recoveries were permitted on assets that had already shown credit deterioration at the time of purchase (also known as PCD assets). In response to this question, the ASU permits organizations to record expected recoveries on PCD assets. In addition to other narrow technical improvements, the ASU also reinforces existing guidance that prohibits organizations from recording negative allowance for available-for-sale debt securities. For entities that have not yet adopted the amendments in ASU 2016-13 as of the issuance date of this ASU, the effective dates and transition requirements for the amendments are the same as the effective dates and transition requirements in ASU 2016-13. The Group is in the process of completing its evaluation of the impact of the ASUs. In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment. The update simplifies the subsequent measurement of goodwill by eliminating Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test. The annual, or interim, goodwill impairment test is performed by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount. An impairment charge should be recognized for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value. The update also eliminates the requirements for any reporting unit with a zero or negative carrying amount to perform a qualitative assessment and, if it fails that qualitative test, to perform Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test. An entity still has the option to perform the qualitative assessment for a reporting unit to determine if the quantitative impairment test is necessary. The update should be applied on a prospective basis. The nature of and reason for the change in accounting principle should be disclosed upon transition. For public companies, the update is effective for any annual or interim goodwill impairment tests in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted for interim or annual goodwill impairment tests performed on testing dates after January 1, 2018. The Group expects there is no material impact upon adoption of this guidance on the Group's consolidated financial statements. In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement: Disclosure Framework – Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement, which modifies disclosure requirements for fair value measurements. While some disclosures have been removed or modified, new disclosures have been added. ASU 2018-13 is effective for all entities for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted, where the entity is permitted to early adopt the portion of the guidance regarding the removal or modification of the fair value measurement disclosures while waiting to adopt the requirement regarding additional disclosures until the effective date. The Group expects there will be changes in relevant disclosures upon adoption of this guidance on the Group's consolidated financial statements. In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes. The amendments in this update simplify the accounting for income taxes by removing exceptions related to the incremental approach for intra-period tax allocation, certain deferred tax liabilities, and the general methodology for calculating income taxes in an interim period. The amendment also provides simplification related to accounting for franchise (or similar) tax, evaluating the tax basis step up of goodwill, allocation of consolidated current and deferred tax expense, reflection of the impact of enacted tax law or rate changes in annual effective tax rate calculations in the interim period that includes enactment date, and other minor codification improvements. For public business entities, the amendments are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2020. Early adoption of the amendments is permitted, including adoption in any interim period for public business entities for periods in which financial statements have not yet been issued. The Group is currently in the process of evaluating the impact of adoption of this standard on the Group's consolidated financial statements. F-30 FANHUA INC. Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (In thousands, except for shares and per share data) (3) Acquisitions, disposals and reorganization Disposal of subsidiaries in 2019 a. Disposal of Guangdong Fanhua Fangzhong Investment Management Co., Ltd. In July 2019, the Group disposed of Guangdong Fanhua Fangzhong Investment Management Co., Ltd. to its minority shareholder, for a total consideration of RMB61,372, which has been offset against the Group's other payables due to the disposed subsidiary as of December 31, 2019. As the sales consideration equals to the net book value of the subsidiary at the time of disposal, no gain or loss on disposal of the subsidiary was recognized by the Group. Guangdong Fanhua Fangzhong Investment Management Co., Ltd. is an investment holding company with no actual business operation after year 2010. b. Disposal of Hubei Fanhua Insurance Agency Co., Ltd. In November 2019, the Group disposed of Hubei Fanhua Insurance Agency Co., Ltd. to three independent third party individuals, for a total consideration of RMB300, which has been settled as of December 31, 2019. The Group recognized a loss of RMB58 on disposal of this subsidiary, which was determined by the excess of the net book value of the subsidiary over the sales consideration at the time of disposal. Disposal of subsidiaries in 2018 c. Disposal of InsCom service Limited and InsCom Holding Limited In October 2018, the Group disposed of InsCom service Limited, InsCom Holding Limited and their subsidiaries (collectively "InsCom") to an independent third party, for a total consideration of RMB11,214, which were settled as of December 31, 2018. No gain or loss on disposal of InsCom was recognized by the Group, which was determined by the sales consideration equaling to the net book value of the subsidiaries at the time of disposal. InsCom Service Limited, InsCom Holdings Limited and their subsidiaries are investment holding companies with no actual business operation after the Group's restructuring in 2016. Disposal of subsidiaries in 2017 d. Disposal of Beijing Ruisike Management Consulting Co., Ltd. In January 2017, the Group disposed Beijing Ruisike Management Consulting Co., Ltd to a third party, for a total cash consideration of RMB20,867, which was settled as of December 31, 2017. The Group recognized a gain of RMB2,029 on disposal of this subsidiary, which was determined by the excess of the sales consideration over the net book value of the subsidiary at the time of disposal. e. Disposal of Fanhua Times Sales & Service Co., Ltd. and its subsidiaries In October 2017, the Group entered into a share transfer agreement with Beijing Cheche Technology Co. Ltd., or Cheche. Under this agreement, the Group disposed of the equity interests in Fanhua Times Sales & Service Co. Ltd., and its subsidiaries that conducts mainly P&C insurance business (collectively, the "P&C Insurance Division"), to Cheche for a total consideration of RMB225,398, including RMB95,398 cash consideration and RMB130,000 in the value of a convertible loan receivable, which is convertible or collectible in three years and recognized as other non-current assets. As of December 31, 2018 and 2019, the Group has RMB19,463 and nil other receivable outstanding related to the cash consideration, respectively. The Group evaluated the convertible loan receivable’s settlement provisions and elected the fair value option afforded in ASC 825, Financial Instruments, to value this instrument. F-31 FANHUA INC. Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (In thousands, except for shares and per share data) (3) Acquisitions, disposals and reorganization (Continued) Disposal of subsidiaries in 2017 (Continued) e. Disposal of Fanhua Times Sales & Service Co., Ltd. and its subsidiaries (Continued) Under such election, the convertible loan receivable is measured initially and subsequently at fair value, with any changes in the fair value of the instrument being recorded in the consolidated financial statements as a change in fair value of derivative instruments. The Group estimates the fair value of this instrument by first estimating the fair value of the straight debt portion. The Group then estimates the fair value of the embedded conversion option based on the recent development of Cheche. The sum of these two valuations is the fair value of the convertible loan receivable included in other non-current assets. On October 31, 2017, the Group used the discounted cash flow method to value the debt portion of the convertible loan receivable and determined the fair value to be RMB22,000, and based on Cheche’s current and expected financial performance, industry trend and expected revenue and margin, management considered the conversion option to be deeply out of the money and determined the fair value of the option to be immaterial. As a result, the carrying amount of the convertible loan receivable was adjusted by RMB108,000. The total fair value of RMB22,000 was initially recognized and the balance remained the same and retained in other non-current assets as of December 31, 2017. The convertible loan receivable also carries a 10% interest return per annum which could be satisfied by cash or converted equity interest in Cheche. The related interest income in 2017 is about RMB367. When the convertible loan receivable expires, the Group has the right to convert to the equity interests of Cheche, or recover the principal and interests of the convertible loan receivable according to the agreement. The Group recognized RMB884 gain on disposal of these subsidiaries in 2017, which was determined by the excess of the cash consideration and fair value of the convertible loan receivable over the net book value of the subsidiaries, which was calculated to be RMB116,514 at the time of disposal. The net book value of the subsidiaries at the time of disposal also included goodwill allocated to this disposal in the amount of RMB12,208. Based on Cheche’s current and expected financial performance, industry trend and expected revenue and margin, management determined the fair value of the option to be approximately RMB4,500 as of December 31, 2018 according to the analysis under the Black-Scholes option pricing model with detailed assumptions disclosed as below. The Group further considered the fair value of the straight debt portion of this financial instrument at year ended December 31, 2018. The sum of these two valuations is considered to be similar with the amount which was initially recognized and retained in other non-current assets. The fair value of convertible debt was RMB22,000 as of December 31, 2017 and 2018, and there has been no impairment recorded for the convertible loan receivable during 2018. On October 10, 2019, the Group exercised the conversion option to partially convert RMB80,000，a portion of original RMB130,000 convertible loan receivable, into 28,684,255 ordinary shares of Cheche Cayman, representing 3.3% equity interest. As stipulated in the original agreement, the unconverted balance of RMB50,000 remains outstanding with the original maturity date of October 31, 2020 and interest rate of 10% per annum, and is no longer convertible. The fair value of the convertible loan receivable on the day of the conversion, amounted to RMB17,759. Upon conversion, the Group uses the relative carrying amount approach to record RMB10,929 as the initial cost of the equity investments of Cheche Cayman as other non-current assets, and RMB6,830 as other receivables, net (see Note 4) in the consolidated statements of financial position. Accordingly, no gain or loss has been recognized upon conversion of this convertible loan receivable. After the conversion, the Group meansured the investment using the measurement alternative as Cheche Cayman is a privately-held company without readily detrerminable fair value. The Group assess that the carrying amount of investments of Cheche Cayman to approximate its fair value at initial recognition, and there has been no impairment for the year ended December 31, 2019. F-32 FANHUA INC. Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (In thousands, except for shares and per share data) (3) Acquisitions, disposals and reorganization (Continued) Disposal of subsidiaries in 2017 (Continued) e. Disposal of Fanhua Times Sales & Service Co., Ltd. and its subsidiaries (Continued) The Company used the Black-Scholes valuation model in determining the fair value of embedded conversion option, which requires the input of highly subjective assumptions, including the expected life of the conversion option, stock price volatility, dividend yield rate and risk-free interest rate. The assumption used in determining the fair value of the embedded conversion option on December 31, 2018 and the conversion date, or October 10, 2019, were as follows: Assumptions December 31, 2018 October 10, 2019 Expected dividend yield (Note i) ....................................................... Risk-free interest rate (Note ii) .......................................................... Expected volatility (Note iii) ............................................................. Expected life (Note iv) ...................................................................... Share price per ordinary share on valuation date ................................ 0.00% 2.48% 58.20% 1.8 years RMB1.00 0.00% 1.91% 47.19% 0.03 years RMB0.36 (i) Expected dividend yield: The expected dividend yield was estimated by the Company based on Cheche’s historical dividend policy. (ii) Risk-free interest rate: Risk-free interest rate was estimated based on the 2-year and 1-year U.S. Government Bond yield as of each of the valuation date. (iii) Expected volatility: As Cheche is a non-listed company, the Company adopted corresponding volatility with reference to its annualized standard deviation of the continuously compounded rate of return on the daily average adjusted share price as of the valuation date. (iv) Expected life: The expected life was the contractual life of the option based on the agreement with Cheche. f. Disposal of Fanhua Bocheng Brokerage Limited ("Bocheng") In November 2017, the Group disposed of Bocheng to a third party for a total consideration of RMB46,582 and the consideration receivable was offset by the other payables to Bocheng. See supplemental disclosure of cash flow information for details. Prior to the disposal, the Group had a liability due to Bocheng in the amount of RMB103,446, which was settled in December 2017. The Group recognized loss of RMB904 on the disposal of this subsidiary, which was determined by the excess of the net book value of the subsidiary at the time of disposal over the sales consideration. As a result of this disposal, brokerage's result of operations should be reclassified to discontinued operations. Brokerage segment is no longer valid as of December 31, 2017. And accordingly, the segment note disclosure to the prior year consolidated financial statements have been restated. F-33 FANHUA INC. Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (In thousands, except for shares and per share data) (3) Acquisitions, disposals and reorganization (Continued) Disposal of subsidiaries in 2017 (Continued) f. Disposal of Fanhua Bocheng Brokerage Limited ("Bocheng") (Continued) The activities of the brokerage business were segregated and reported as discontinued operations in the consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income for 2017. The following table presents a reconciliation of the major classes of line items constituting pretax from discontinued operations to after-tax profit reported in discontinued operations for the years ended December 31, 2017: Results of discontinued operations: Total net revenues .............................................. Total operating costs .......................................... Selling expenses................................................. General and administrative expenses .................. Other income, net ............................................... Loss on disposal of discontinued operations........ Income from discontinued operations before income taxes Income taxes expense ......................................... Net income from discontinued operations, net of tax Cash flow from discontinued operations: Net cash generated from (used in) operating activities* Net cash used in investing activities.................... Net cash generated from financing activities ....... Net cash increase (decrease) in cash and, cash equivalents, and restricted cash Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of year Cash and cash equivalents, and restricted cash at the disposal date Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of year Year ended December 31, 2017 RMB 172,993 (163,079) (190) (3,380) 40 (904) 5,480 — 5,480 Year ended December 31, 2017 RMB 8,992 — — 8,992 5,031 14,023 — *Including adjustment for the loss on disposal of discontinued operations in the amount of RMB904 in 2017. As of respective closing date of each of these disposals in 2017, the Group has completed the closing procedures of all the above transactions and has effectively transferred its control of Bocheng to the respective buyers. F-34 FANHUA INC. Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (In thousands, except for shares and per share data) (4) Other Receivables, net Other receivables, net are analyzed as follows: Advances to staff (i) .................................................................................... Advances to entrepreneurial agents (ii) ........................................................ Advances to a third party channel vendor (iii) ............................................. Rental deposits ............................................................................................ Amount due from a third party (iv) .............................................................. Amount due from payment platform ............................................................ Other (v) ..................................................................................................... As of December 31, 2018 RMB 2019 RMB 10,036 1,362 8,400 12,580 19,463 7,082 27,227 86,150 9,578 3,523 13,575 14,333 6,830 9,926 3,805 61,570 (i) This represented advances to staff of the Group for daily business operations which are unsecured, interest- free and repayable on demand. (ii) This represented advances to entrepreneurial agents who provide services to the Group. The advances are used by agents to develop business. The advances were unsecured, interest-free and repayable on demand. (iii) This represented advances to a third-party channel vendor, which are unsecured, interest-free and repayable on demand. (iv) This represented the residual balance of uncollected cash consideration related to the disposal of P&C business. In 2019, the Group collected the full amount of the cash consideration. The balance of RMB6,830 as of December 31, 2019 represents the amount receivable from Cheche as a result of conversion of loan receivable, which is due in October 2020. See Note 3(e) for details. (v) This represented other miscellaneous receivables, receivable related to disposal of a subsidiary, advance payments to designated governmental authorities on behalf of our employees regarding statutory employee benefits and other deposits, etc. In August 2017, the Group disposed of the equity interests in Baosikang Information Technology (shenzhen) Co., Ltd. to a third party for a total cash consideration of RMB7,557 (US$1,099), of which nil and RMB7,557 was collected as of December 31, 2018 and 2019, respectively. F-35 FANHUA INC. Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (In thousands, except for shares and per share data) (5) Property, Plant and Equipment Property, plant and equipment, net, is comprised of the following: Building ...................................................................................................... Office equipment, furniture and fixtures ...................................................... Motor vehicles ............................................................................................ Leasehold improvements ............................................................................. Total ........................................................................................................... Less: Accumulated depreciation .................................................................. Property, plant and equipment, net............................................................... As of December 31, 2018 RMB 12,317 129,848 10,292 14,284 166,741 (128,807) 37,934 2019 RMB 12,317 131,878 11,228 24,386 179,809 (139,003) 40,806 No impairment for property, plant and equipment was recorded for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2018 and 2019. (6) Goodwill The gross amount of goodwill and accumulated impairment losses by segment as of December 31, 2018 and 2019 are as follows: Agency segment RMB Gross as of December 31, 2018 and 2019 .................................................... 131,977 Accumulated impairment loss as of December 31, 2018 (22,108) and 2019 .................................................................................................. Net as of December 31, 2018....................................................................... 109,869 Net as of December 31, 2019....................................................................... 109,869 Claims Adjusting segment RMB 21,137 (21,137) — — Total RMB 153,114 (43,245) 109,869 109,869 The Group performed the annual impairment analysis as of the balance sheet date. There has been no impairment loss recognized in goodwill for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2018 and 2019. (7) Investments in Affiliates As of December 31, 2019, the Group’s investments accounted for under the equity method totaled RMB363,414 (as of December 31, 2018: RMB587,517). Investment in CNFinance Holdings Limited ("CNFinance") In March 2018, in connection with the reorganization of Sincere Fame International Limited (“Sincere Fame”), the shareholders of Sincere Fame transferred all of their equity interests in Sincere Fame in exchange for the ordinary shares of CNFinance. As a result, CNFinance became the parent company of Sincere Fame and the Company owned 20.6% equity interests in CNFinance. The Company’s equity interest of CNFinance was diluted from 20.6% to 18.5% after CNFinance’s listing in New York Stock Exchange “NYSE” (symbol: CNF) on November 7, 2018. CNFinance is a leading home equity loan service provider incorporated in the Cayman Islands and based in Guangzhou, PRC. Investment in CNFinance is accounted for using the equity method as the Group has significant influence by the right to nominate one board members out of seven. F-36 FANHUA INC. Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (In thousands, except for shares and per share data) (7) Investments in Affiliates (Continued) Investment in CNFinance Holdings Limited ("CNFinance") (Continued) As of December 31, 2019, due to the continued decline in the share price of CNFinance, the Group recognized an other-than-temporary impairment of RMB322,655 to reduce the carrying value of the investment to RMB352,541. Investment in Puyi Inc. The Group accounted for the initial investment under the cost method before August 2018. In August of 2018, Puyi Inc. or Puyi, an exempted company incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands, which is also the ultimate holding company of Fanhua Puyi Fund Distribution Co., Ltd., or Fanhua Puyi” and Chengdu Puyi Bohui Information Technology Co., Ltd., or Puyi Bohui, started its process of an initial public offering (“IPO”) in the U.S. capital market. For the IPO purpose, Puyi and its subsidiaries have conducted certain equity reorganization transactions with the Group. As part of Puyi Inc’s reorganization, in September 2018, the Group transferred its shares in Fanhua Puyi to Puyi Bohui with the carrying amount of RMB10,028 in exchange for 4,033,600 Ordinary Shares of Puyi (“Puyi’s shares”), representing 4.8% of Puyi’s equity interest. No gain or loss on above transactions was recognized by the Group as management considered that the substance of this transaction is an exchange of shares as part of Puyi Inc’s reorganization, and the fair value of Puyi’s share is equivalent to the fair value of the Group’s original equity interests on Fanhua Puyi given up. Puyi was subsequently listed on NASDAQ on March 29, 2019, and the Group’s equity was then diluted to 4.5% after its IPO. Puyi provides wealth management, corporate finance and asset management services in China. Since September 5, 2018, investment in Puyi has been accounted for using the equity method as the Group has obtained significant influence through the right to nominate one out of five board directors of Puyi. As of December 31, 2019, the fair value of Group's equity interest determined based on Puyi's ordinary shares market price was RMB117,005. Investment in Teamhead Automobile The Group holds 40% equity interest in Shanghai Teamhead Automobile through one of the Group's claim adjusting subsidiaries. The affiliate is a PRC registered company that provides insurance surveyor and loss adjustors services. During the years ended December 31, 2017, 2018 and 2019, the Group recognized its share of income of affiliates in the amount of RMB108,944 and RMB174,468 and RMB98,100 respectively. During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Group recognized an impairment of RMB322,655 on investment in CNFinance, to reflect a write-down to the fair value of the investment as measured by the closing market price of CNFinance's ordinary share. During the years ended December 31, 2017, 2018 and 2019, the Group recognized its share of other comprehensive income of RMB1,263, and other comprehensive loss of RMB1,763, and RMB452, respectively. Investments as of December 31, 2018 and 2019 were as follows: Teamhead Automobile ................................................................................ Puyi. ........................................................................................................... CNFinance .................................................................................................. Total ........................................................................................................... F-37 As of December 31, 2018 RMB 119 11,350 576,048 587,517 2019 RMB 204 10,670 352,540 363,414 FANHUA INC. Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (In thousands, except for shares and per share data) (7) Investments in Affiliates (Continued) The summarized financial information of equity method investees is illustrated as below: Statements of Financial Position Non-current assets ....................................................................................... Non-current liabilities ................................................................................. 19,630,092 16,339,829 3,114,616 9,510,013 As of December 31, 2018 RMB 2019 RMB Results of operation Income from operations............................................................................... Net profit .................................................................................................... (8) Leases 2017 RMB Year Ended December 31, 2018 RMB 1,210,690 907,724 804,163 529,524 2019 RMB 689,259 520,539 The Group's lease payments for office space leases include fixed rental payments and do not consist of any variable lease payments that depend on an index or a rate. As of December 31, 2019, there was no leases that have not yet commenced. The following represents the aggregate ROU assets and related lease liabilities as of December 31, 2019: Operating lease ROU assets......................................................................... Current operating lease liability ................................................................... Non-current operating lease liability ............................................................ Total operating leased liabilities .................................................................. As of December 31, 2019 RMB 190,437 79,986 103,252 183,238 The weighted average lease term and weighted average discount rate as of December 31, 2019 were as follows: Weighted average lease term: Operating leases .......................................................................................... Weighted average discount rate: Operating leases .......................................................................................... As of December 31, 2019 RMB 2.99 4.78% F-38 FANHUA INC. Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (In thousands, except for shares and per share data) (8) Leases (Continued) The components of lease expenses for the year 2019 were as follows: Operating lease cost ....................................................... Short term lease cost ...................................................... Total .............................................................................. As of December 31, 2019 RMB 77,406 15,148 92,554 Supplemental cash flow information related to leases for the years ended December 31, 2019 were as follows: Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities: Operating cash flows for operating leases .................................................... Supplemental noncash information: Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for lease obligations ..................... Maturities of lease liabilities at December 31, 2019: Year ending December 31: 2020......................................................................................................................... 2021......................................................................................................................... 2022......................................................................................................................... 2023......................................................................................................................... 2024......................................................................................................................... Thereafter ................................................................................................................ Total remaining undiscounted lease payments .............................................................. Less: Interest .................................................................................................................... Total present value of lease liabilities ............................................................................ Less: Current operating lease liability ............................................................................... Non-current operating lease liability ............................................................................. (9) Variable Interest Entities ("VIE") (a) VIEs related to operations As of December 31, 2019 RMB 74,265 78,344 Minimum Lease Payment RMB 87,333 57,638 32,358 17,458 7,270 2,473 204,530 (21,292) 183,238 (79,986) 103,252 PRC laws and regulations place certain restrictions on foreign investment in and ownership of insurance agencies, brokerages and on-line business. Accordingly, the Group conducted some of its operations in China through contractual arrangements among its PRC subsidiaries, two PRC affiliated entities and the equity shareholders of these PRC affiliated entities, who are PRC nationals. In recent years, some rules and regulations governing the insurance intermediary sector in China have begun to encourage foreign investment. The Group commenced a restructuring which resulted in obtaining controlling equity ownership in a majority of its affiliated insurance intermediary companies. The Group conducts all of its operations in China through its directly owned subsidiaries. F-39 FANHUA INC. Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (In thousands, except for shares and per share data) (9) Variable Interest Entities ("VIE") (Continued) (b) VIEs related to the 521 Plan On June 14, 2018, the Group announced that its board of directors has approved a 521 Share Incentive Plan (the “521 plan”). The 521 Plan is designed to incentivize the Group’s employees and independent sales agents (collectively the “Participants”). The 521 Plan provides Participants an opportunity to benefit from appreciation of the Company’s ordinary shares by purchasing the Company’s ordinary shares at a stated subscription price of US$27.38 per ADS, in exchange for employee and non-employee services, if service and performance conditions are achieved. US$27.38 per ADS, is the weighted average of the closing prices of the repurchase and new share issuance transactions listed below. 10% of the subscription price is paid by the Participant on or around the grant date, while the remaining 90% of the subscription prices is financed through interest-bearing loans from the Group. The vesting of the awards is contingent on performance conditions being met during the requisite service periods. The 521 Plan established a pool of 280 million ordinary shares (14 million ADS) available to benefit Participants. In establishing the ADS pool, the Group has:    through one of the 521 Plan Employee Companies, purchased 7.5 million ADS from Master Trend Limited (“Master Trend”) at US$29 per ADS from June to October 2018 with consideration amounted to RMB1,465,123. Master Trend is a company controlled by a principal shareholder, who is also one of the founders of the Group. The Group funded 90% of the purchase price with the remaining 10% funded by Participants; repurchased 1,423,774 ADS from the open market from August to December 2018 at the average purchase price is US$25.52 per ADS, which have been transferred to Fanhua Employees Holdings Limited on January 10, 2019; issued 101,524,520 ordinary shares (5,076,226 ADSs) at US$25.52 per ADS in January 2019 to the 521 Plan Employee Companies. The Group set the 521 Plan subscription price at US$27.38 per ADS, which is the weighted average of the closing prices of the above mentioned repurchase and new share issuance transactions, but Participants initially deposited at 10% contribution of US$29 per share. The 10% subscription price contributed by Participants amounted to RMB8,184 and RMB138,328 as of December 31, 2018 and is recorded as current and non-current refundable share right deposits on the statement of financial position, respectively. Please see Note 16. The RMB8,184 represents excess contribution received from Participants, which have been fully refunded in April, 2019. As of December 31, 2019, the Group had already transferred all the 280 million ordinary shares to the 521 Plan Employee Companies with an average price at US$27.38 per ADS. The 10% subscription price contributed by Participants amounted to RMB266,901 and is recorded as non-current refundable share right deposits on the statement of financial position. Pursuant to the 521 Plan, the Group set up three companies which are Fanhua Employees Holdings Limited, Step Tall Limited and Treasure Chariot Limited (collectively the “521 Plan Employee Companies”) to hold the Group’s ordinary shares on behalf of the Participants of the 521 Plan. Each of the 521 Plan Employee Companies is a legal entity formed in the British Virgin Islands with a sole shareholder appointed by the Group. Each shareholder is either an employee, or a founder who is also a shareholder and director of the Group. F-40 FANHUA INC. Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (In thousands, except for shares and per share data) (9) Variable Interest Entities ("VIE") (Continued) (b) VIEs related to the 521 Plan (Continued) The 521 Plan Employee Companies were established by the Group to facilitate the adoption of its 521 Plan. The Group’s ordinary shares are the only significant assets held by the 521 Plan Employee Companies, which serve as collaterals to the loans issued by the Group to the Participants during the vesting period. Given the only substantial recourse to the loans issued by the Group are the ordinary shares, changes (principally decreases) in the value of the ordinary shares held by the 521 Plan Employee Companies will be indirectly absorbed by the Group and the Group has potential exposure to the economics of the 521 Plan Employee Companies. Therefore, the Group has variable interests in the 521 Plan Employee Companies during the vesting period. Since none of the 521 Plan Employee Companies’ equity investors have the obligation to absorb the expected losses or the right to receive the expected residual returns of the ADS which will be indirectly absorbed by the Group or the Participants as described in the various vesting scenarios in Note 19(b), the 521 Plan Employee Companies are deemed to be VIEs of the Group. Through the loan agreements, entrusted share purchase agreements and letters of undertaking described below, the Group controls the decision-making rights of the 521 Plan Employee Companies with respect to the shares held by the 521 Plan Employee Companies as collateral to the loans issued to the Participants, and the Group has potential exposure to the economics of the VIEs resulting from the fluctuation in value of the ADS, which is more than insignificant. The ordinary shares are the only significant assets held by the 521 Plan Employee Companies. The ordinary shares held by 521 Plan Employee Companies serve as collateral to the loans issued by the Group to the Participants. Given the only substantial recourse to the loans issued by the Group are the ordinary shares, decreases in the value of the ordinary shares held by the 521 Plan Employee Companies will be indirectly absorbed by the Group. Further, the Group will also participate in the variability and absorb the economic benefits of the 521 Plan Employee Companies, through an increase in value of the shares held by the 521 Plan Employee Companies, if the performance conditions are not met or partially met based on the profit distribution arrangements. Based on above, the Group is the primary beneficiary of the 521 Plan Employee Companies and consolidates them because it has the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the 521 Plan Employee Companies’ economic performance, and the obligation to absorb losses of the 521 Plan Employee Companies that could potentially be significant to them and the right to receive benefits from the 521 Plan Employee Companies that could potentially be significant to the 521 Plan Employee Companies. The following is a summary of the contractual agreements that the Group entered into relating to the 521 Plan:  Loan, trust and shares pledge agreements The nature and structure of the 521 Plan Employee Companies is that they are investment vehicle companies holding the Company’s shares on behalf of the Participants for the purpose of the 521 Plan. Loan agreements and entrusted share purchase agreements were signed among our wholly-owned subsidiary CISG Holdings Ltd., the 521 Plan Employee Companies and each of the Participants. To effect the 521 Plan, Participants agreed to pay 10% of the subscription price and executed a loan agreement with the Group for a loan representing 90% of the subscription price of the ordinary shares under the 521 Plan. Participants executed an entrusted share purchase agreement with one of the 521 Employee Companies whereby the 521 Plan Employee Company will legally hold the ordinary shares on behalf of the Participants. As of December 31, 2018 and 2019, the loan agreements provide a total of US$184,815 and US$344,988, respectively, in loans to the VIEs and Participants of the 521 Plan with the sole purpose of providing funds necessary for the purchase of the Group’s ordinary shares under the 521 Plan. All the ordinary shares are pledged as collateral to the Group for the loans and are not yet vested, the Participants cannot direct the sale of the ordinary shares without the consent of the Group until the ordinary shares are fully vested in accordance with the 521 Plan’s agreed target performance. The loan agreement and the entrusted share purchase agreement shall terminate after five year or upon termination of agency relationship and employment relationship or the settlement of the loan, whichever comes first. F-41 FANHUA INC. Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (In thousands, except for shares and per share data) (9) Variable Interest Entities ("VIE") (Continued) (b) VIEs related to the 521 Plan (Continued)  Letter of Undertaking The sole director and sole shareholder of each of the 521 Plan Employee Companies is either a significant shareholder and director, or an employee of the Group, who have executed powers of attorney on behalf of the Group. Under the power of attorney, they will follow, without any conditions, the Group's instructions to manage all the activities of each of the 521 Plan Employee Companies. In addition, the Group can replace the sole director and shareholder of each of the 521 Plan Employee Companies to another designated party at it discretion. Risks in relation to the 521 Plan’s VIE structure The variable interest entities or their respective shareholders and directors may fail to perform their obligations under our contractual arrangements with them. The 521 Plan Employee Companies hold the shares on behalf of the Participants. Each of the 521 Plan Employee Companies is a legal entity formed in the British Virgin Islands with a sole shareholder appointed by the Group. Mr. Yinan Hu, the Group’s director, and two other employees of the Group are the respective sole shareholder and director of the 521 Plan Employee Companies. The Group’s ordinary shares are the only significant assets held by the 521 Plan Employee Companies, which serve as collateral to the loans issued by the Group to the Participants. Given the only substantial recourse to the loans issued by the Group are the ordinary shares of the Group, changes (principally decreases) in the value of the ordinary shares held by the 521 Plan Employee Companies will be indirectly absorbed by the Group and the Group has potential exposure to the economics of the 521 Plan Employee Companies. If the Group’s VIEs or their shareholders and directors fail to perform their respective obligations under the contractual arrangements, the Group may have to incur substantial costs and expend additional resources to enforce such arrangements. The Group may also have to rely on legal remedies under various legal jurisdictions, including seeking specific performance or injunctive relief, and claiming damages, which the Group cannot assure that it will be effective under the relevant laws and regulations. For example, if the shareholders of the Group’s VIEs act in bad faith toward the Group, the Group may have to take legal action to compel them to perform their contractual obligations. In addition, if any third parties claim any interest in the equity interests of the Group’s VIEs, the Group’s ability to exercise shareholders’ rights or foreclose the shares pledged under the loan agreements with the Participants may be impaired. If these or other disputes between the shareholders and directors of the Group’s VIEs and third parties were to impair our control over the Group’s VIEs, its ability to consolidate the financial results of the VIEs would be affected, which would in turn materially and adversely affect the Group business, financial condition and results of operations. Summarized below is the information related to the VIE’s assets and liabilities reported in the Company’s consolidated financial position after inter group elimination as of December 31, 2018 and 2019, respectively: Total assets ................................................................................. Total liabilities .............................................................................. — 146,512 — 266,901 The VIEs are related to the 521 Plan as explained above, which did not have any operation or cash flows activities during 2018 and 2019. 2018 RMB As of December 31, 2019 RMB F-42 FANHUA INC. Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (In thousands, except for shares and per share data) (10) Other Payables and Accrued Expenses Components of other payables and accrued expenses are as follows: As of December 31, 2018 RMB 2019 RMB Business and other tax payables…………………………………………… Refundable deposits from employees and agents…………………………… Refundable share rights deposits (Note 9(b)) .............................................. Professional fees ........................................................................................ Accrued expenses to third parties ................................................................ Payables for addition of office equipment, furniture and fixtures .................. Contributions from members of eHuzhu mutual aid program ....................... Others ........................................................................................................ 70,237 26,790 8,184 17,105 42,324 8,618 62,459 19,107 254,824 72,998 23,478 — 13,958 22,610 — 76,765 10,481 220,290 (11) Employee Benefit Plans Employees of the Group located in the PRC are covered by the retirement schemes defined by local practice and regulations, which are essentially defined contribution plans. In addition, the Group is required by law to contribute certain percentage of applicable salaries for medical insurance benefits, unemployment and other statutory benefits. The contribution percentages may be different from district to district which is subject to the specific requirement of local regime government. The PRC government is directly responsible for the payments of the benefits to these employees. For the years ended December 31, 2017, 2018 and 2019, the Group contributed and accrued RMB66,370, RMB74,179 and RMB90,438, respectively. (12) Income Taxes The Company is a tax exempted company incorporated in the Cayman Islands. Under the current laws of the Cayman Islands, the Company is not subject to tax on their income or capital gains. In addition, upon any payments of dividends by the Company to its shareholders, no Cayman Islands withholding tax is imposed. The Group’s subsidiaries and VIEs incorporated in the PRC are subject to Income Tax in the PRC. On March 21, 2018, the Hong Kong Legislative Council passed The Inland Revenue (Amendment) (No. 7) Bill 2017 (the “Bill”) which introduces the two-tiered profits tax rates regime. The Bill was signed into law on March 28, 2018 and was gazetted on the following day. Under the two-tiered profits tax rates regime, the first 2,000 Hong Kong Dollar ("HKD") of profits of the qualifying group entity will be taxed at 8.25%, and profits above HKD 2,000 will be taxed at 16.5%. The provision for current income taxes of the subsidiaries operating in Hong Kong has been calculated by applying the current rate of taxation of 16.5% for the years ended December 31, 2017, and 8.25% for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2019. F-43 FANHUA INC. Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (In thousands, except for shares and per share data) (12) Income Taxes (Continued) Pursuant to the relevant laws and regulations in the PRC, Ying Si Kang Information Technology (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd. ("Ying Si Kang") and Shenzhen Huazhong United Technology Co., Ltd. ("Shenzhen Huazhong"), subsidiaries of the Group, was regarded as a software company and thus exempted from PRC Income Tax for two years starting from its first profit-making year, followed by a 50% reduction for the next three years. For Ying Si Kang, year 2014 was the first profit-making year and accordingly it has made a 12.5% tax provision for its profits for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2017 and 2018. For Shenzhen Huazhong, year 2017 was the first profit-making year and accordingly it has made a 12.5% tax provision for its profits for the year ended December 31, 2019. Pursuant to the Circular on Issues Regarding Tax-related Preferential Policies for Further Implementation of Western Development Strategy jointly issued by the State Ministry of Finance, General Administration of Customs, China and State Administration for Taxation, enterprises located in the western China regions that fall into the encouraged industries are entitled to 15% EIT preferential tax treatment from January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2020. In September 2018, Fanhua Lianxing Insurance Sales Co., Ltd. ("Lianxing"), the Group's wholly-owned subsidiary, which is the holding entity of our life insurance operations, were relocated to Tianfu New Area, Sichuan province. Lianxing was entitled to a preferential tax rate of 15% from September 1, 2018 to December 31, 2020 as it was classified as encouraged enterprises in the western region in an industry sector encouraged by the PRC government. Tibet Zhuli Investment Co. Ltd. ("Tibet Zhuli"), our wholly-owned subsidiary, was entitled to a preferential tax rate of 9% for the period from January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2017 and 15% for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2019, as it was established with approval in an economy development zone in the PRC before January 1, 2018. The Group’s subsidiaries that are the PRC tax resident are required to withhold the PRC withholding tax of 10% on dividend payment to their non-PRC resident immediate holding company, unless such dividend payment is qualified for the 5% reduced tax rate under the Arrangement between Mainland China and Hong Kong for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with respect to Taxes on Income (the “PRC-HK DTA”). One of the Group's wholly owned subsidiaries, CNinsure Holdings Limited, was determined by Hong Kong Taxation Bureau to be a Hong Kong resident enterprise in July 2018. The Hong Kong resident certificate was valid for the each of the 3 years in the period ended December 31, 2019, which was issued by the Hong Kong Inland Revenue Department. CNinsure Holdings Limited qualified a Hong Kong resident certificate and was entitled to enjoy a reduced tax rate of 5% for the dividends paid by PRC subsidiaries for the year ended December 31, 2019 under Bulletin [2018] No. 9 (e.g. beneficial ownership, shareholding percentage and holding period). The Group accounts for uncertain income tax positions by prescribing a minimum recognition threshold in the financial statements. The movements of unrecognized tax benefits are as follows: Balance as of January 1, 2017 .............................................................................. Change in unrecognized tax benefits ..................................................................... Gross increase in tax positions .............................................................................. Balance as of December 31, 2017 ......................................................................... Change in unrecognized tax benefits ..................................................................... Gross increase in tax positions .............................................................................. Balance as of December 31, 2018 ......................................................................... Change in unrecognized tax benefits ..................................................................... Gross decrease in tax positions ............................................................................. Balance as of December 31, 2019 ........................................................................... F-44 RMB 72,778 — (2,428) 70,350 — — 70,350 — — 70,350 FANHUA INC. Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (In thousands, except for shares and per share data) (12) Income Taxes (Continued) The uncertain tax positions are related to tax years that remain subject to examination by the relevant tax authorities. Based on the outcome of any future examinations, or as a result of the expiration of statute of limitations for specific jurisdictions, it is reasonably possible that the related unrecognized tax benefits for tax positions taken regarding previously filed tax returns, might materially change from those recorded as liabilities for uncertain tax positions in the Group’s consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2018 and 2019. In addition, the outcome of these examinations may impact the valuation of certain deferred tax assets (such as net operating losses) in future periods. The Group’s policy is to recognize interest and penalties accrued on any unrecognized tax benefits, if any, as a component of income tax expense. The Company does not anticipate any significant increases or decreases to its liability for unrecognized tax benefit within the next twelve months. According to the PRC Tax Administration and Collection Law, the statute of limitations is three years if the underpayment of income taxes is due to computational errors made by the taxpayer. The statute of limitations will be extended to five years under special circumstances, which are not clearly defined, but an underpayment of income tax liability exceeding RMB100 is specifically listed as a special circumstance. In the case of a transfer pricing related adjustment, the statute of limitations is ten years. There is no statute of limitations in the case of tax evasion. Income tax expenses are comprised of the following: Current tax expense ........................................................ Deferred tax (income) expense ....................................... Income tax expense ........................................................ 2017 RMB Year Ended December 31, 2018 RMB 2019 RMB 158,291 9,512 167,803 243,330 (18,744) 224,586 139,549 4,267 143,816 The principal components of the deferred income tax assets and liabilities are as follows: Non-current deferred tax assets: Operating loss carryforward ..................................................................... Intangible assets, net ................................................................................ Less: valuation allowances ....................................................................... Total ........................................................................................................... Non-current deferred tax liabilities: Intangible assets, net ................................................................................... Dividend withholding taxes ......................................................................... Total ........................................................................................................... As of December 31, 2018 RMB 2019 RMB 35,686 6,129 (32,495) 9,320 122 5,502 5,624 40,498 5,311 (38,482) 7,327 — 7,898 7,898 The Group considers positive and negative evidence to determine whether some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will more likely than not be realized. This assessment considers, among other matters, the nature, frequency and severity of recent losses, forecasts of future profitability, the duration of statutory carry forward periods, the Group’s experience with tax attributes expiring unused and tax planning alternatives. Valuation allowances have been established for deferred tax assets based on a more-likely-than-not threshold. The Group’s ability to realize deferred tax assets depends on its ability to generate sufficient taxable income within the carry forward periods provided for in the tax law. The Group has provided RMB32,495 and RMB38,482 valuation allowance for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2019, respectively. F-45 FANHUA INC. Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (In thousands, except for shares and per share data) (12) Income Taxes (Continued) The Group had total operating loss carry-forwards of RMB142,745 and RMB162,704 as of December 31, 2018 and 2019, respectively. As of December 31, 2019, the operating loss carry-forwards of RMB9,576, RMB15,323, RMB41,224, RMB55,890 and RMB40,691, are to expire during the years ending December 31, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024, respectively. During the years ended December 31, 2017, 2018 and 2019, RMB13,284, RMB16,288 and RMB6,060, respectively, of tax loss carried forward has been expired and canceled. Reconciliation between the provision for income taxes computed by applying the PRC enterprise income rate of 25% to net income before income taxes and income of affiliates, and the actual provision for income taxes is as follows: Income from continuing operations before income taxes, share of income of affiliates and discontinued operations ................................................................... PRC statutory tax rate .................................................... Income tax at statutory tax rate ....................................... Expenses not deductible for tax purposes: Entertainment .......................................................... Effect of tax holidays on concessionary rates granted to PRC subsidiaries .................................. Other ...................................................................... Tax exemption and tax relief: Change in valuation allowance ....................................... Uncertain tax provisions ................................................. Deferred income tax for dividend distribution ................. Other ............................................................................. Income tax expense ........................................................ 2017 RMB Year Ended December 31, 2018 RMB 2019 RMB 505,095 25% 126,274 1,411 (826) 19,689 578 (2,428) 16,800 6,305 167,803 667,213 25% 166,803 1,358 (8,307) 1,079 6,583 — 53,702 3,368 224,586 560,925 25% 140,231 2,516 (36,527) 730 5,987 — 49,267 (18,388) 143,816 Additional PRC income taxes that would have been payable without the tax exemption amounted to approximately RMB826, RMB8,307 and RMB36,527 for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2018 and 2019, respectively. Without such exemption, the Group’s basic net profit per share for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2018 and 2019 would have been decreased by RMB0.00, RMB0.01 and RMB0.03, and diluted net profit per share for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2018 and 2019 would have been decreased by RMB0.00, RMB0.01 and RMB0.03, respectively. If the entities were to be non-resident for PRC tax purposes, dividends paid to it out of profits earned after January 1, 2008 would be subject to a withholding tax. In the case of dividends paid by PRC subsidiaries, the withholding tax would be 10%, whereas in the case of dividends paid by PRC subsidiaries which are 25% or more directly owned by tax residents in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the withholding tax would be 5%. The Group’s subsidiary, CNinsure Holdings Limited qualified as Hong Kong resident for the each of the 3 years in the period ended December 31, 2019 and was entitled to enjoy 5% reduced tax rate under Bulletin [2018] No. 9 for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2018 and 2019, respectively. Aggregate undistributed earnings of the Group’s subsidiaries and VIEs in the PRC that are available for distribution to the Group of approximately RMB1,441,628 and RMB1,303,923 as of December 31, 2018 and 2019 respectively, are considered to be indefinitely reinvested. If those earnings were to be distributed or they were determined to be no longer permanently reinvested, the Group would have to record a deferred tax liability in respect of those undistributed earnings of approximately RMB66,580 and RMB65,196, respectively. F-46 FANHUA INC. Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (In thousands, except for shares and per share data) (12) Income Taxes (Continued) During the years ended 2018 and 2019, the Group has provided RMB53,702 and RMB49,267, respectively, deferred income tax for the declared dividend distribution based on a 5% withholding tax rate. Under applicable accounting principles, a deferred tax liability should be recorded for taxable temporary differences attributable to the excess of financial reporting over tax basis, including those differences attributable to a more-than-50-percent-owned domestic subsidiary. However, recognition is not required in situations where the tax law provides a means by which the reported amount of that investment can be recovered tax-free and the enterprise expects that it will ultimately use that means. (13) Capital Structure On January 10, 2019, the Company had granted an additional 6.5 million ADS (equivalent of 130,000,000 ordinary shares) at US$25.6 per ADS (equivalent of US$1.28 per ordinary share) to the Participants, of which the 1,423,774 ADS was repurchased from open market during 2018 and was held by the Company as treasury shares as of December 31, 2018. Pursuant to the Company’s 521 Plan, 280,000,000 ordinary shares had been purchased by 521 Plan Employee Companies at the weighted average price of US$1.37 per ordinary share and 178,475,480 shares of which were recorded as treasury shares as of December 31, 2018 and 2019. During 2019, the Company has purchased and cancelled an aggregate of 2,511,191 ADSs (equivalent of 50,223,820 ordinary shares), representing 4.7% of the total shares outstanding as of December 31, 2019, at an average price of approximately US$28.2 per ADS for a total amount of approximately RMB484,015 (US$69,525), under its share buyback program to repurchase up to US$200 million ADSs by December 31, 2019, as previously announced by its board of directors in March 2019. During 2019, the Company issued 640,000 new shares for the exercise of options, representing 0.1% of the total shares outstanding as of December 31, 2019. During 2018, the Company repurchased 1,423,774 ADS (equivalent of 28,475,480 ordinary shares) on the open market and 7.5 million ADS (equivalent of 150,000,000 shares) from Master Trend Limited to execute the 521 Plan in 2018, for an accumulated cash consideration of RMB1,716,343, representing 2.19% and 11.52% of the total shares outstanding as of December 31, 2018 respectively. Master Trend Limited is an investment vehicle company beneficially owned by Mr. Qiuping Lai, co-founder and former president of the Group who has retired from the Company in March 2016. During 2018, the Company issued 1,760,000 new shares for the exercise of options, representing 0.16% of the total shares outstanding as of December 31, 2018. During 2017, the Company issued 69,118,158 new shares for the exercise of options, representing 5.32% of the total shares outstanding as of December 31, 2017. On April 6, 2017, the Company announced that it entered into a share purchase agreement with Fosun Industrial Holdings Limited (“Fosun”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Fosun International Limited (00656.HK) for a private placement of 66,000,000 ordinary shares (equivalent to 3,300,000 ADS) of the Company, at purchase price of US$0.44185 per ordinary share equivalent to US$8.837 per ADS, for a total investment of US$29,162. The purchase price represented the average closing price of the past 20 trading days prior to the signing of the share purchase agreement between Fosun and the Company on March 29, 2017. Fosun held 5.08% of the total shares outstanding of the Company as of December 31, 2017 and its purchased shares were subject to a contractual one-year lock-up. F-47 FANHUA INC. Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (In thousands, except for shares and per share data) (14) Net Income per Share The computation of basic and diluted net income per ordinary share is as follows: Basic: Net income from continuing operations .......................... Net income from discontinued operations ....................... Net income .................................................................... Less: Net income attributable to the noncontrolling interests ...................................................................... Net income attributable to the Company’s shareholders .. shares Weighted average number of ordinary outstanding ................................................................. income from continuing operations per ordinary share............................................................. Basic net income from discontinued operations per ordinary share............................................................. Basic net income per ordinary share ............................... Basic net income from continuing operations per ADS ... Basic net income from discontinued operations per ADS Basic net income per ADS ............................................. Basic net Diluted: Net income from continuing operations .......................... Net income from discontinued operations ....................... Net income .................................................................... Less: Net income attributable to the noncontrolling interests ...................................................................... Net income attributable to the Company’s shareholders .. shares Weighted average number of ordinary outstanding ................................................................. Weighted average number of dilutive potential ordinary shares from share options ........................................... Total.............................................................................. Diluted net income from continuing operations per ordinary share............................................................. Diluted net income from discontinued operations per ordinary share............................................................. Diluted net income per ordinary share ............................ Diluted net income from continuing operations per ADS Diluted net income from discontinued operations per ADS ........................................................................... Diluted net income per ADS .......................................... Year Ended December 31, 2018 RMB 2017 RMB 2019 RMB 446,236 5,480 451,716 2,488 449,228 617,095 — 617,095 7,180 609,915 192,554 — 192,554 3,622 188,932 1,231,698,725 1,239,264,464 1,092,601,338 0.36 0.00 0.36 7.20 0.09 7.29 446,236 5,480 451,716 2,488 449,228 0.49 0.00 0.49 9.84 0.00 9.84 617,095 — 617,095 7,180 609,915 0.17 0.00 0.17 3.46 0.00 3.46 192,554 — 192,554 3,622 188,932 1,231,698,725 1,239,264,464 1,092,601,338 29,524,324 1,261,223,049 1,589,570 1,240,854,034 628,098 1,093,229,436 0.36 0.00 0.36 7.20 0.09 7.29 0.49 0.00 0.49 9.83 0.00 9.83 0.17 0.00 0.17 3.46 0.00 3.46 The shares subscribed by Participants under the 521 Plan is record as treasury shares and excluded from the computation of basic and diluted income per ordinary share during the year ended December 31, 2018 and 2019. Further, the contingently issuable shares subject to the 521 Plan will be excluded from basic income per ordinary share and diluted earnings per share until all the performance conditions have been satisfied. F-48 FANHUA INC. Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (In thousands, except for shares and per share data) (15) Distribution of Profits As stipulated by the relevant PRC laws and regulations applicable to China’s foreign investment enterprise, the Group’s subsidiaries and VIEs in the PRC are required to maintain non-distributable reserves which include a statutory surplus reserve as of December 31, 2018 and 2019. Appropriations to the statutory surplus reserve are required to be made at not less than 10% of individual company’s net profit as reported in the PRC statutory financial statements of the Company’s subsidiaries and VIEs. The appropriations to statutory surplus reserve are required until the balance reaches 50% of the registered capital of respective subsidiaries and VIEs. The statutory surplus reserve is used to offset future losses. These reserves represent appropriations of retained earnings determined according to PRC law and may not be distributed. There are no appropriations to reserves by the Company other than the Group’s subsidiaries and VIEs in the PRC during the periods presented. The accumulated amounts contributed to the statutory reserves were RMB480,881 and RMB508,739 as of December 31, 2018 and 2019, respectively. (16) Related-party Balances and Transactions The principal related-party balances as of December 31, 2018 and 2019, and transactions for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2018 and 2019 are as follows: (i) The Group advanced a short-term loan with a principal amount of RMB50,000 to Shenzhen Baoying Factoring Co., Ltd. (“Shenzhen Baoying”) in August 2018, which was controlled by Puyi, the Group's affiliate. The amounts is unsecured, bearing interest at 8.5% per annum and are repayable after 6 months from the date of the agreement. The principal and interest of the loan have been received on November 2018. Interest income from loan receivable from Shenzhen Baoying for 2018 is RMB989. The Group charged CNFinance interest income of RMB8,714, nil and nil for loans receivable for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2018 and 2019, respectively. The Group invested in senior units of structure fund issued by CNFinance with a principal amount of RMB138,000 and recognized investment income of RMB610 during the year 2018. The principal and investment income have been received before July 2018. In 2018 and 2019, one of the Group's subsidiaries purchased certain wealth management products offered by an online peer-to-peer (“P2P”) lending platform, which is considered to be a related party as the legal representative of the company that operates the P2P platform is a relative to Mr. Yinan Hu, the Group's co-founder and director. The wealth management products purchased on the platform by the subsidiary bear interests at 7.3% with terms of 90 days. Principal and interests are payable upon maturity of those products or on a quarterly basis. As of December 31, 2018, the value of the outstanding wealth management products recorded as short term investments in the consolidated statements of financial position was RMB15,000 and no investment income has been recognized before maturity. As of December 31, 2019, these wealth management products were matured. The principal of RMB15,000 and interests of RMB360 recorded as investment income in the consolidated statements of income have been received in 2019. There was no balance outstanding as of December 31, 2019 with regard to such products. (ii) During 2018, the Group has repurchased a total of 7.5 million of the Company's outstanding ADS (equivalent of 150,000,000 ordinary shares) from Master Trend at US$29.0 per ADS (equivalent to US$1.45 per ordinary share), representing the average closing price of the 30 trading days prior to the Group’s Board approval on June 14, 2018. In form of loan to the 521 plan’s participants, the Group had paid RMB1,318,611 as 90% of shares purchase consideration to Master Trend during 2018. The remaining 10% in the amount of RMB146,512 was paid by the 521 Plan’s Participants directly to Master Trend, in which the Group recorded RMB8,184 and RMB138,328 as current and non-current refundable share right deposits on the statement of financial position as of December 31, 2018, respectively. Master Trend is beneficially owned by Mr. Qiuping Lai and Master Trend was then a related party because it was a principal owners of the Group at the time of the repurchase. Master Trend still held 4.3% ordinary shares of the Group as of October 10, 2018, upon the Group's completion of its repurchase transactions of 7.5 million ADS. F-49 FANHUA INC. Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (In thousands, except for shares and per share data) (17) Commitments and Contingencies (i) See Note 8 for the Company’s commitments for future minimum lease payments under operating leases. (ii) On March 2, 2020, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York has granted in its entirety the Company’s motion to dismiss the class action lawsuit originally filed on September 7, 2018 against the Group and three of its current or former executive officers and closed the case on March 12, 2020. Given the class action lawsuit has been closed with the court’s dismissal of the plaintiff’s complaints, the uncertainty about management’s assessment of financial reporting impact has been resolved and the management determined that no contingent liability is to be incurred. (18) Concentrations of Credit Risk Concentration risks Details of the customers accounting for 10% or more of total net revenues are as follows: 2017 RMB % of sales Year ended December 31, % of sales 2018 RMB 2019 RMB % of sales Huaxia Life Insurance Company Limited ("Huaxia") ................. AEON Life Insurance Company, Ltd ("AEON"). ....................... Sinatay Life Insurance Company, Ltd ("Sinatay") ........................... Tianan Life Insurance Company Limited ("Tianan")................ 990,865 24.2% 1,100,027 31.7% 882,539 23.8% * * * * 453,120 13.1% 677,707 18.3% * * 595,600 16.1% 913,456 1,904,321 22.3% 46.5% 704,933 2,258,080 20.3% 65.1% 447,430 2,603,276 12.1% 70.3% * represented less than 10% of total net revenues as of the year. Details of the customers which accounted for 10% or more of gross accounts receivable are as follows: Huaxia ........................................................... Sinatay........................................................... Tianan ........................................................... AEON ........................................................... 2018 RMB 161,908 * 75,777 74,538 312,223 As of December 31, 2019 % RMB 31.8% * 14.9% 14.7% 61.4% 213,851 100,872 * * 314,723 % 30.4% 14.4% * * 44.8% * represented less than 10% of accounts receivable as of the year end. The Group performs ongoing credit evaluations of its customers and generally does not require collateral on accounts receivable. The Group places its cash and cash equivalents and short investments with financial institutions with high- credit ratings and quality. F-50 FANHUA INC. Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (In thousands, except for shares and per share data) (19) Share-based Compensation (a) 2012 Option G On March 12, 2012, the Company granted options ("2012 Options G") to its directors and employees to purchase up to 92,845,000 ordinary shares of the Company. Pursuant to the option agreements entered into between the Company and the option grantees, the options shall vest over a five-year service period from 2012 to 2016. The expiration date of the 2012 Options is March 12, 2022. The 2012 Options G had an exercise price of US$0.30 (RMB1.90) and an intrinsic value of US$0.04 (RMB0.26) per ordinary share, except for the 3,200,000 options granted to the two independent directors which had an exercise price of US$0.31 (RMB1.98) and an intrinsic value of US$0.03(RMB0.17) per ordinary share. The exercise price for Option G was later modified to US$0.001 (RMB0.006) and the number of shares are reduced by half with no incremental cost as a result of such option modification in November 2014. The fair value of the options was determined by using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. For the years ended December 31, 2017, 2018 and 2019, share-based compensation expenses of nil were recognized in connection with the 2012 Options G, respectively. During the year ended December 31, 2019, 640,000 shares of 2012 Options G had been exercised. During the years ended December 31, 2017, 2018 and 2019, 400,000, nil and nil shares of 2012 Options G, respectively, were forfeited due to employee resignations. No share- based compensation expense related to the forfeited options was recognized. For each of the three years ended December 31, 2017, 2018 and 2019, changes in the status of total outstanding options, were as follows: Outstanding as of January 1, 2017 .................................. Exercised ....................................................................... Forfeited ........................................................................ Outstanding as of December 31, 2017 ............................ Exercised ....................................................................... Forfeited ........................................................................ Outstanding as of December 31, 2018 ............................ Exercised ....................................................................... Forfeited ........................................................................ Outstanding as of December 31, 2019 ............................ Exercisable as of December 31, 2019 ............................. Weighted average exercise price in RMB 0.92 0.96 0.01 1.17 0.01 — 0.01 0.01 — 0.01 0.01 Aggregate Intrinsic Value RMB 141,274 16,422 7,841 3,613 3,613 Number of options 72,318,158 (69,118,158) (400,000) 2,800,000 (1,760,000) — 1,040,000 (640,000) — 400,000 400,000 As of December 31, 2019, all of the above options were fully vested. The following table summarizes information about the Company’s share option plans for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2018 and 2019: Weighted-average grant-date fair value per share of options granted ........................................................... Total intrinsic value of options exercised ........................ Total fair value of share options vested ........................... Year ended December 31, 2018 RMB 2019 RMB 2017 RMB — 270,419 — — 16,884 — — 5,703 — F-51 FANHUA INC. Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (In thousands, except for shares and per share data) (19) Share-based Compensation (Continued) (a) 2012 Option G (Continued) The following table summarizes information about the Company’s stock option plans as of December 31, 2019: Weighted average remaining contractual life (Years) Weighted average exercise price in RMB Options Exercisable Options outstanding 2012 Options G .................................. 400,000 2.25 0.01 400,000 (b) The 521 Plan In-substance recourse loans and option grants As disclosed in Note 9, the 521 Plan was designed to incentivize the Participants, 90% of the subscription price of the shares under the 521 Plan shall be settled by the Group through in-substance nonrecourse loans with interest at a rate of 8% to the Participants. While the remaining 10% is contributed by the Participants. The loan is repayable by the Participants upon the earlier of the expiry date of the 521 Plan, termination of employment or the agency contract or within five years. Given the consideration received from the employee consists of an in-substance nonrecourse loans, the award is, accounted for as an option until the note is repaid. In addition to the underlying shares which are collaterals to the loans, the Group also has legal recourse to the Participants’ personal assets until the loans and interests are paid in full. However, the Group considers these loans to be in-substance nonrecourse loans due to the uncertainty of the Group’s ability to recover sufficient assets from the Participants to justify the recourse nature of the loan. In accordance of ASC 718, the rights and obligations embodied in a transfer of equity shares to Participants for loans that provides no recourse, other than the shares, to other assets of the employee are substantially the same as those embodied in a grant of share options. Accordingly, the 521 Plan is accounted for as grant of share options. The principal and interest are included as part of the exercise price of the “option” (therefore, no interest income is recognized). Substantively, each share under the 521 Plan is an option to purchase a fixed number of share at a strike price per ADS equal to the subscription price (i.e., the exercise price) of US$27.38 per ADS increasing over time as interest accrues on the loan, offset by any dividends declared on the share. Further, because the shares sold on a nonrecourse basis are accounted for as options, the note and the shares are not recorded. Rather, compensation cost is recognized over any requisite service period, with an offsetting credit to additional paid-in capital (“APIC”). Periodic principal and interest payments, if any, are treated as deposits. Refundable share right deposits are recorded as a liability until the note is paid off, at which time the deposit balance is transferred to APIC. Nonrefundable deposits are immediately recorded as a credit to APIC as payments are received. F-52 FANHUA INC. Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (In thousands, except for shares and per share data) (19) Share-based Compensation (Continued) (b) The 521 Plan (Continued) Vesting conditions: Vesting, Forfeiture, and Settlement Terms: The Participants’ rights to ownership benefits of the shares are subject to the Participants’ achievement of service and performance vesting conditions. Each award agreement contains a condition for service from January 1, 2019 through December 31, 2023 (which coincides with loan maturity date) as well as individually determined performance conditions based on cumulative sales over the service period. Participants must achieve both the service and performance conditions for their shares to fully vest at the end of the loan maturity date, otherwise the share appreciation profits at the end of the vesting period, if any, after principals and accrued interests of the loans are fully repaid to the Group, will be either fully retained or partially retained by the Group. On November 15, 2019, the Board of Directors of the Company approved an exemption of the first-year performance condition for all Participants under the 521 Plan. Under these vesting and profit distribution arrangements, the Group can be required to settle the option or similar instrument by transferring cash, representing a noncontingent cash settlement feature which requires the 521 awards to be liability classified. Option modification In November 2019, the Board of Directors and Compensation Committee approved a modification of the settlement terms of the 521 Plan from cash settlement to net share settlement of vested ADS options. Under the amended award agreement, the Group will settle the vested ADS option with shares of the Group at a value equal to the excess of the settlement date fair value of the ADS over the loan principal plus interest. If the ADS depreciated or have not appreciated sufficiently to repay the loan principal and interest, the outstanding loan balance (if any) shall be otherwise negotiated and determined by the Group and the Participants. The modification result in a change of awards' classification from liability to equity. Other terms of the options grants remain unchanged. The modified award was accounted for as an equity award going forward from the date of modification with a fair value measured on the modification date on a straight-line basis over the remaining requisite service period. The Group compared the fair value of the options granted immediately before the modification to the fair value of the modified award and there is no change in the fair value at the modification date. Therefore, at the modification date, the Company reclassified the amounts previously recorded as a share-based compensation liability as a component of equity in the form of a credit to additional paid-in capital. At the modification date on November 18, 2019, the Company used the Black-Scholes valuation model in determining the fair value of the options granted, which requires the input of certain assumptions, including the expected life of the stock option, stock price volatility, dividend rate and risk-free interest rate. The assumption used in determining the fair value of the options on the modification date were as follows: Assumptions Expected dividend yield (Note i) ...................................................................................... Risk-free interest rate (Note ii) ......................................................................................... Expected volatility (Note iii) ............................................................................................ Expected life (Note iv) ..................................................................................................... Share price per ordinary share on valuation date ............................................................... November 18, 2019 3.00% 1.61% 50.25% 4.12 years US$26.64 F-53 FANHUA INC. Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (In thousands, except for shares and per share data) (19) Share-based Compensation (Continued) (b) The 521 Plan (Continued) Option modification (Continued) (i) Expected dividend yield: The expected dividend yield was estimated by the Company based on its historical dividend policy. (ii) Risk-free interest rate: Risk-free interest rate was estimated based on the 5-year US Government Bond yield as of the valuation date. (iii) Expected volatility: The volatility of the underlying ordinary shares was estimated based on the annualized standard deviation of the continuously compounded rate of return on the daily average adjusted share price of the Group as of the Valuation Date. (iv) Expected life: The expected life was the contractual life of the 521 plan. As of December 31, 2019, the Group had reserved 280,000,000 ordinary shares available to be granted as share-based awards under the 521 Plan. The 521 Plan is generally scheduled to be vested over five years. 150,000,000 ordinary shares were granted on December 31, 2019 and the rest has been granted on January 10, 2019 subsequently. The Group estimates the forfeiture rate for both independent agents and employees to be nil for 2019. For the years ended December 31, 2019, changes in the status of total outstanding options under 521 Plan, was as follows: Number of options — Outstanding as of January 1, 2018 .................................. Granted .......................................................................... 150,000,000 — Exercised ....................................................................... — Forfeited ........................................................................ Outstanding as of December 31, 2018 ............................. 150,000,000 Granted .......................................................................... 130,000,000 — Exercised ....................................................................... — Forfeited ........................................................................ Outstanding as of December 31, 2019 ............................. 280,000,000 Weighted average exercise price in US$ — 1.5 — — 1.5 1.3 — — 1.4 Weighted average remaining contractual life (Years) — 5.00 — — 5.00 5.00 — — 4.00 Aggregate Intrinsic Value RMB — — — — — — — — — For the year ended December 31, 2018 and 2019, the Company recognized nil and RMB393 share-based compensation expense related to the 521 plan, respectively. As of December 31, 2019, there was RMB1,573 unrecognized share-based compensation expense related to unvested share options granted to the 521 plan's participants. F-54 FANHUA INC. Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (In thousands, except for shares and per share data) (20) Treasury Stock During the year 2019, a total of 50,223,820 ordinary shares (2,511,191 ADSs) have been repurchased from the open market under the Company's share buyback program at an average price of approximately US$28.2 per ADS and cancelled during the year. The Company was entitled to repurchase up to US$200,000 by December 31, 2019 under this program, and an aggregate of 2,511,191 ADSs for a total amount of approximately US$69,525 has been repurchased under the program as of December 31, 2019. During the year 2018, a total of 178,475,480 ordinary shares, comprising 28,475,480 ordinary shares has been repurchased from the open market and 150,000,000 ordinary shares has been purchased from Master Trend, a related party of the Group at the time of the transaction. The shares were repurchased from Master Trend at US$29 per ADS, representing the average closing price of the 30 trading days prior to the Board approval date of June 14, 2018. The Company accounts for repurchased ordinary shares under the par value method and includes such treasury stock as a component of the shareholders’ equity. The ordinary shares subject to the 521 Plan are considered contingently issuable. Refer to Note 9 for details of the 521 Plan. There was no repurchase of ordinary shares by the Group during the years ended December 31, 2017. (21) Restricted Net Assets Relevant PRC statutory laws and regulations permit payments of dividends by the Group’s PRC subsidiaries only out of their retained earnings, if any, as determined in accordance with PRC accounting standards and regulations. As a result of these PRC laws and regulations, the Group’s PRC subsidiaries are restricted in their ability to transfer a portion of their net assets either in the form of dividends, loans or advances. As of December 31, 2018 and 2019, the Company had restricted net assets of RMB1,382,574 and RMB1,410,432 (including nil and nil restricted share capital and statutory reserves of the VIEs), respectively, which were not eligible to be distributed. These amounts were comprised of the registered capital of the Company’s PRC subsidiaries and the statutory reserves disclosed in Note 15. (22) Segment Reporting As of December 31, 2019, the Group operated two segments: (1) the insurance agency segment, which mainly consists of providing agency services for P&C insurance products and life insurance products to individual clients, and (2) the claims adjusting segment, which consists of providing pre-underwriting survey services, claim adjusting services, disposal of residual value services, loading and unloading supervision services, and consulting services. Operating segments are defined as components of an enterprise about which separate financial information is available and evaluated regularly by the Group’s chief operating decision maker in deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing performance. The following table shows the Group’s operations by business segment for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2018 and 2019. Other includes revenue and expenses that are not allocated to reportable segments and corporate related items. F-55 FANHUA INC. Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (In thousands, except for shares and per share data) (22) Segment Reporting (Continued) Net revenues Agency .............................................................. Claims Adjusting ............................................... Total net revenues ............................................ Operating costs and expenses Year ended December 31, 2017 RMB 2018 RMB 2019 RMB 2019 US$ 3,780,217 308,256 4,088,473 3,143,873 327,390 3,471,263 3,335,397 370,606 3,706,003 479,100 53,234 532,334 Agency .............................................................. (3,408,499) Claims Adjusting ............................................... Other ................................................................. (308,321) (98,517) (2,614,593) (316,899) (2,797,651) (361,474) (114,028) (77,515) (401,857) (51,923) (11,134) Total operating costs and expenses .................. (3,815,337) (3,045,520) (3,236,640) (464,914) Income (loss) from operations Agency .............................................................. Claims Adjusting ............................................... Other ................................................................. Income (loss) from operations .......................... 371,718 (65) (98,517) 273,136 529,280 10,491 537,746 9,132 77,243 1,311 (114,028) (77,515) (11,134) 425,743 469,363 67,420 As of December 31, 2018 RMB 2019 RMB 2019 US$ Segment assets Agency ........................................................................................ Claims Adjusting ......................................................................... Other ........................................................................................... Total assets ................................................................................. 816,596 1,133,121 266,077 276,885 2,783,938 3,866,611 2,030,837 3,440,843 162,763 39,772 291,711 494,246 Substantially all of the Group’s revenues for the three years ended December 31, 2017, 2018 and 2019 were generated from the PRC. A substantial portion of the identifiable assets of the Group is located in the PRC. Accordingly, no geographical segments are presented. F-56 FANHUA INC. Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (In thousands, except for shares and per share data) (23) Subsequent events (i) On March 18, 2020, the Group's Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of US$0.015 per ordinary share, or US$0.30 per ADS for the fourth quarter of 2019. The dividend will be paid to shareholders of record on April 2, 2020. Based on our expectation on operating income for 2020, on March 18, 2020, the Group announced that its Board of Directors has approved the management’s proposal for annual dividend of US$1.0 per ADS, or US$0.05 per ordinary share for the fiscal year of 2020. The dividend will be paid on a quarterly basis, with US$0.25 per ADS, or US$0.0125 per ordinary share, payable in each of the next four quarters. (ii) Along with the outbreak of the recent coronavirus disease 2019 (“COVID-19”) in late January 2020, the Chinese government has implemented various precautionary measures to contain the spread of the COVID-19, such as extending the Chinese New Year Holiday into February 2020, quarantines, travel restrictions, suspending transportation and banning gatherings. Our business operations rely heavily on the efforts of individual sales agents and claims adjustors in a way of face-to-face interactions with the general public or policy holders. Although we have moved all training and marketing activities online to mitigate the impact, we have seen disruption in our sales activities to a certain extent, which is expected to have an adverse effect on our operation results of 2020. Given the pandemic of COVID-19 has the potential to cause significant operational disruptions on China’s macroeconomy and is expected to adversely affect a varity of industries, including the financial markets, the value of the Group's short term investments are susceptible to the potential adverse impact related to COVID- 19. The extent to which COVID-19 will impact the Group's financial position, results of operations and cash flows will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be reasonably predicted, including, among others, the duration of the outbreak, new information which may emerge concerning the severity of COVID-19 and the actions, especially those taken by governmental authorities, to contain or treat its impact. Accordingly, an estimate of the impact cannot be made at this time. F-57 SCHEDULE 1—CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF THE COMPANY FANHUA INC. Statements of Financial Position (In thousands, except for shares and per share data) As of December 31, 2018 RMB 2019 RMB 2019 US$ ASSETS: Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents .............................................. Short term investments ................................................... Other receivables and amounts due from subsidiaries and affiliates ............................................ Total current assets ...................................................... Non-current assets: Investment in subsidiaries .............................................. Investment in an affiliate ................................................ 1,119,686 1,486,548 2,638,621 11,350 366,862 — 32,314 36,416 4,642 5,231 1,378,556 198,017 1,447,286 207,890 2,855,907 10,670 410,225 1,533 Total assets ................................................................... 4,136,519 4,313,863 619,648 LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY: 1,337,039 27,969 1,330,068 785,608 191,052 112,846 Current liabilities: Other payables and accrued expenses ............................. Amounts due to subsidiaries ........................................... Non-current liabilities: Refundable share rights deposits (Including refundable share rights deposits of the consolidated VIE of RMB138,328 and RMB266,901 as of December 31, 2018 and 2019, respectively) ............................................... shares Total liabilities .............................................................. Ordinary (Authorized shares:10,000,000,000 at US$0.001 each; issued 1,301,915,084 and 1,252,367,264 shares, of which 1,123,475,604 and 1,073,891,784 shares were outstanding as of December 31, 2018 and 2019, respectively) .............................................................. Treasury stock................................................................ Additional paid-in capital ............................................... Retained earnings ........................................................... Accumulated other comprehensive loss .......................... 9,583 (1,156) 437,176 2,280,870 (93,290) 138,328 266,901 38,338 1,503,336 2,382,577 342,236 9,235 (1,146) 393 1,988,233 (65,429) 1,327 (165) 56 285,592 (9,398) Total equity .................................................................. 2,633,183 1,931,286 277,412 Total liabilities and shareholders' equity ..................... 4,136,519 4,313,863 619,648 F-58 SCHEDULE 1—CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF THE COMPANY—(Continued) FANHUA INC. Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income (In thousands) General and administrative expenses .............. Selling expenses............................................. Interest income .............................................. Equity in earnings of subsidiaries and an affiliate ....................................................... attributable Company's shareholders........................... Income the to Net Other comprehensive (loss) income: Foreign currency translation adjustments ........ Unrealized net gains (loss) on available- for-sale investments .................................... Share of other comprehensive gain (loss) of affiliates ................................................. Comprehensive income attributable to the Company's shareholders............................... 2017 RMB (4,435) — 2,229 Year Ended December 31, 2018 RMB (6,973) — 10,624 2019 RMB (6,480) (281) 1,767 2019 US$ (931) (40) 254 451,434 606,264 193,926 27,856 449,228 609,915 188,932 27,139 (10,664) (10,194) 10,178 1,462 (632) 1,263 — 17,231 2,475 (1,763) 452 65 439,195 597,958 216,793 31,141 F-59 SCHEDULE 1—CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF THE COMPANY — (Continued) FANHUA INC. Statements of Shareholders’ Equity (In thousands, except for shares) Number of Share Balance as of January 1, 2017 1,165,072,926 Net income ....................................................... — Foreign currency — translation ..................................................... Exercise of share options ................................ 69,118,158 Share-based compensation .............................. — Private placement ............................................ 66,000,000 Subscription receipt ......................................... — Distribution of dividend .................................. — Unrealized net loss on available-for-sale investments ................................................... — Share other of comprehensive loss in affiliates ........................................................ — Balance as of December 1,300,191,084 31, 2017 ........................................................ Net income ....................................................... — Foreign currency translation ..................................................... Exercise of share options ................................ Repurchase of ordinary — 1,760,000 shares from shareholder ............................... — Repurchase of ordinary shares from open market .............................. — Subscription receipt ......................................... — Distribution of dividend .................................. — other Share income of comprehensive of affiliates — Balance as of December 1,301,951,084 31, 2018 ........................................................ Net income ....................................................... — Foreign currency translation ..................................................... Exercise of share options ................................ Cancellation of ordinary — 640,000 — 12 — — — — — 9,583 — — 4 shares............................................................. (50,223,820) (352) Repurchase of ordinary shares from open market .............................. — Share-based compensation .............................. — Distribution of dividend .................................. — Unrealized net gains on available-for-sale investments .............................................. — other income of Share comprehensive of affiliates — — — — — — Share Capital Treasury Stock Additional Paid-in Capital RMB Amounts RMB 8,658 — 2,301,655 — — 458 — 455 — — — — — 64,488 — 200,632 — (137,216) — — 9,571 — 2,429,559 — — 3,274 Number of Share Amounts RMB — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — (1,464,163) 150,000,000 (251,024) — (280,470) 28,475,480 — — (960) (196) — — Accumulated Other Comprehensiv e Loss RMB (65,844) — (27,895) — — — — — (632) 1,263 (93,108) — 1,581 — — — — — Retained Earnings RMB 1,330,518 449,228 — — — — — — — — 1,779,746 609,915 — — — — — (108,791) Subscription Receivables RMB Total RMB (288,135) — 3,286,852 449,228 17,231 — — — 22,187 — — — (248,717) — (11,775) — (10,664) 64,946 — 201,087 22,187 (137,216) (632) 1,263 3,877,051 609,915 (10,194) 3,286 — (1,465,123) — 260,492 — (251,220) 260,492 (389,261) — — — — (1,763) 437,176 — 178,475,480 — (1,156) — 2,280,870 188,932 — — — — — (50,223,820) (437,176) 393 — 50,223,820 — — — — — — — — 352 (342) — — — — — — — (46,497) — (435,072) — — (93,290) — 10,178 — — — — — 17,231 452 — — — — — — — — — — — — — (1,763) 2,633,183 188,932 10,178 4 — (484,015) 393 (435,072) 17,231 452 1,931,286 277,412 Balance as of December 31, 2019 ........................................................ 1,252,367,264 9,235 393 178,475,480 (1,146) 1,988,233 (65,429) Balance as of December 31, 2019 in US$ ..................................... 1,252,367,264 1,327 56 178,475,480 (165) 285,592 (9,398) F-60 SCHEDULE 1—CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF THE COMPANY — (Continued) FANHUA INC. Statements of Cash Flows (In thousands) Year Ended December 31, 2017 RMB 2018 RMB 2019 RMB 2019 US$ OPERATING ACTIVITIES Net income ............................................................... Adjustments to income to net cash used operating activities: reconcile net in 449,228 609,915 188,932 27,139 Equity in earnings of subsidiaries and an affiliate .............................................................. (451,434) (606,264) (193,926) (27,856) Compensation expenses associated with stock options .................................................. — — 393 Changes in operating assets and liabilities: Other receivables ....................................................... Other payables ........................................................... (6,489) (5,693) 10,644 1,326,440 (4) 1,214 56 (1) 174 Net cash (used in) from operating activities ................................................... Cash flows (used in) generated from investing activities Purchase of short-term investments............................. Changes in investment in subsidiaries (14,388) 1,340,735 (3,391) (488) — — (178,371) (25,620) and an affiliate ....................................................... 98,399 Advances to subsidiaries and affiliates ................................................................. (38,609) Proceeds from disposal of short-term investments ............................................................ — Decrease in advances to subsidiaries and affiliates .......................................................... Net cash generated from investing activities ................................................................ 174,012 233,802 Cash flows generated from (used in ) financing activities: Proceeds on exercise of stock options ......................... Proceeds of employee and grantee 64,946 subscriptions .......................................................... 22,187 Dividends paid ........................................................... (137,216) Repurchase of ordinary shares from open market ........................................................... Repurchase of ordinary shares from shareholder ............................................................ Net cash generated used in financing activities ................................................ Net increase (decrease) in cash and — — 81,129 467,995 — — (6,623) 498,774 143,581 — 549,124 457,361 (952) 71,644 20,625 — 65,697 3,286 211,054 (326,725) 4 1 111,304 (435,072) 15,988 (62,494) (251,220) (484,015) (69,525) (1,318,611) — — (50,083) (1,682,216) (807,779) (116,030) cash equivalents .................................................... 169,331 207,643 (353,809) (50,821) Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of year ....................................................................... Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents ....................................... Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of year ................................ 10,746 (10,664) 169,413 169,413 (10,194) 366,862 366,862 19,261 32,314 52,696 2,767 4,642 F-61 FANHUA INC. Note to Schedule 1 (In thousands, except for shares) Schedule 1 has been provided pursuant to the requirements of Rule 12-04(a), 5-04(c) and 4-08(e)(3) of Regulation S- X, which require condensed financial statements as to the financial position, changes in financial position and results of operations of a parent company as of the same dates and for the same periods for which audited consolidated financial statements have been presented when the restricted net assets of the consolidated and unconsolidated subsidiaries (including variable interest entities) together exceed 25 percent of consolidated net assets as of the end of the most recently completed fiscal year. As of December 31, 2019, RMB1,410,432 of the restricted capital and reserves are not available for distribution, and as such, the condensed financial statements of the Company have been presented for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2018 and 2019. F-62

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