f10q_111513.htm
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

[x] QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2013

or

[  ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from ____ to _____
 
Commission File Number:  001-34647

ChinaNet Online Holdings, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
 Nevada
 20-4672080
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or
organization)
 (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)   

No. 3 Min Zhuang Road, Building 6,
Yu Quan Hui Gu Tuspark, Haidian District, Beijing, PRC 100195
 (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

+86-10-5160-0828
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

N/A
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

Indicate by check 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 [x] No [  ]

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes [x] No [  ]

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

Large accelerated filer [  ] Accelerated filer [  ] Non-accelerated filer (Do not check if a smaller reporting company) [  ] Smaller reporting company [x]

 
 

 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).  Yes [  ] No [x]

As of November 19, 2013 the registrant had 22,376,540 shares of common stock outstanding.


                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
 
 

 
TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
PAGE
     
Item 1. Interim Financial Statements  
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
     
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
     
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
     
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION  
     
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
     
Item 1A. Risk Factors
     
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
     
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities
     
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
     
Item 5. Other Information
     
Item 6. Exhibits
     
Signatures
 
 
 

 
FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Interim Financial Statements

CHINANET ONLINE HOLDINGS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands)
 
   
September 30,
2013
   
December 31,
2012
 
   
(US $)
   
(US $)
 
   
(Unaudited)
       
Assets
           
Current assets:
           
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 4,933     $ 5,483  
Term deposit
    3,446       3,357  
Accounts receivable, net
    10,772       8,486  
Other receivables, net
    2,285       3,103  
Prepayment and deposit to suppliers
    15,115       14,596  
Due from related parties
    443       210  
Other current assets
    47       136  
Deferred tax assets-current
    35       50  
Total current assets
    37,076       35,421  
                 
Investment in and advance to equity investment affiliates
    845       959  
Property and equipment, net
    1,280       1,636  
Intangible assets, net
    6,559       7,167  
Deposit for purchasing of software technology
    2,438       -  
Goodwill
    11,380       11,083  
Deferred tax assets-non current
    1,220       652  
Total Assets
  $ 60,798     $ 56,918  
                 
Liabilities and Equity
               
Current liabilities:
               
Short-term bank loan *
  $ 813     $ -  
Accounts payable *
    402       110  
Advances from customers *
    1,485       1,065  
Accrued payroll and other accruals *
    833       904  
Payable for acquisition *
    488       1,266  
Taxes payable *
    8,190       6,683  
Other payables *
    263       217  
Total current liabilities
    12,474       10,245  
 
 
F-1

 
CHINANET ONLINE HOLDINGS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (CONTINUED)
(In thousands, except for number of shares and per share data)
 
   
September 30,
2013
   
December 31,
2012
 
   
(US $)
   
(US $)
 
   
(Unaudited)
       
Long-term liabilities:
           
Deferred tax liability-non current *
    1,566       1,689  
Long-term borrowing from director
    142       139  
Total Liabilities
    14,182       12,073  
                 
Commitments and contingencies
               
                 
Equity:
               
ChinaNet Online Holdings, Inc.’s stockholders’ equity
               
Common stock (US$0.001 par value; authorized 50,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 22,376,540 shares and 22,186,540 shares at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively)
    22       22  
Additional paid-in capital
    19,860       20,008  
Statutory reserves
    2,296       2,296  
Retained earnings
    21,128       19,505  
Accumulated other comprehensive income
    3,462       2,393  
Total ChinaNet Online Holdings, Inc.’s stockholders’ equity
    46,768       44,224  
                 
Noncontrolling interests
    (152 )     621  
Total equity
    46,616       44,845  
                 
Total Liabilities and Equity
  $ 60,798     $ 56,918  
 

*All of the VIEs' assets can be used to settle obligations of their primary beneficiary. Liabilities recognized as a result of consolidating these VIEs do not represent additional claims on the Company’s general assets (Note 2).
 

 

 
See notes to consolidated financial statements
 
 
F-2

 
CHINANET ONLINE HOLDINGS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(In thousands)
 
   
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
   
Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
   
2013
   
2012
   
2013
   
2012
 
   
(US $)
   
(US $)
   
(US $)
   
(US $)
 
   
(Unaudited)
   
(Unaudited)
   
(Unaudited)
   
(Unaudited)
 
Sales
                       
From unrelated parties
  $ 23,108     $ 38,232     $ 7,341     $ 10,236  
From related parties
    314       117       140       51  
      23,422       38,349       7,481       10,287  
Cost of sales
    13,123       28,065       3,366       6,163  
Gross margin
    10,299       10,284       4,115       4,124  
                                 
Operating expenses
                               
Selling expenses
    2,007       2,042       617       640  
General and administrative expenses
    4,690       4,320       1,544       1,260  
Research and development expenses
    1,490       1,112       578       356  
      8,187       7,474       2,739       2,256  
                                 
Income from operations
    2,112       2,810       1,376       1,868  
                                 
Other income (expenses)
                               
Interest income
    94       123       30       2  
Interest expense
    (10 )     -       (10 )     -  
Other expenses
    (12 )     (148 )     (10 )     (148 )
      72       (25 )     10       (146 )
Income before income tax expense, equity method investments and noncontrolling interests
      2,184         2,785         1,386       1,722  
Income tax expense
    (469 )     (196 )     (201 )     (182 )
Income before equity method investments and noncontrolling interests
    1,715       2,589       1,185       1,540  
Share of losses in equity investment affiliates
    (170 )     (394 )     (45 )     (97 )
Net income
    1,545       2,195       1,140       1,443  
 Net loss / (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests
    78       (446 )     19       (223 )
Net income attributable to ChinaNet Online Holdings, Inc.
  $ 1,623     $ 1,749     $ 1,159     $ 1,220  
 
 
F-3

 
CHINANET ONLINE HOLDINGS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (CONTINUED)
(In thousands, except for number of shares and per share data)
 
   
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
   
Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
   
2013
   
2012
   
2013
   
2012
 
   
(US $)
   
(US $)
   
(US $)
   
(US $)
 
   
(Unaudited)
   
(Unaudited)
   
(Unaudited)
   
(Unaudited)
 
                         
                         
Net income
    1,545       2,195       1,140       1,443  
Foreign currency translation gain
    1,076       159       248       (139 )
Comprehensive Income
  $ 2,621     $ 2,354     $ 1,388     $ 1,304  
Comprehensive loss/ (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests
    71       (450 )     24       (184 )
Comprehensive income attributable to ChinaNet Online Holdings, Inc.
  $ 2,692     $ 1,904     $ 1,412     $ 1,120  
 
                               
Earnings per share
                               
Earnings per common share
                               
Basic
  $ 0.07     $ 0.08     $ 0.05     $ 0.05  
Diluted
  $ 0.07     $ 0.08     $ 0.05     $ 0.05  
                                 
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:
                               
Basic
    22,253,463       22,185,226       22,371,649       22,186,540  
Diluted
    22,253,463       22,185,226       22,371,649       22,186,540  
 

 

 
See notes to consolidated financial statements
 
 
F-4

 
CHINANET ONLINE HOLDINGS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In thousands)
 
   
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
   
2013
   
2012
 
   
(US $)
   
(US $)
 
   
(Unaudited)
   
(Unaudited)
 
Cash flows from operating activities
           
Net income
  $ 1,545     $ 2,195  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities
               
Depreciation and amortization
    1,252       1,223  
Share-based compensation expenses
    114       38  
Allowances for doubtful debts
    1,024       561  
Share of losses in equity investment affiliates
    170       394  
Loss on disposal of property and equipment
    -       2  
Deferred taxes
    (696 )     (749 )
Changes in operating assets and liabilities
               
Accounts receivable
    (2,269 )     (5,712 )
Other receivables
    101       198  
Prepayment and deposit to suppliers
    (127 )     3,401  
Due from related parties
    (225 )     4  
Other current assets
    89       34  
Accounts payable
    284       (172 )
Advances from customers
    388       111  
Accrued payroll and other accruals
    (84 )     (134 )
Due to related parties
    -       (162 )
Other payables
    (67 )     25  
Taxes payable
    1,313       1,210  
Net cash provided by operating activities
    2,812       2,467  
                 
Cash flows from investing activities
               
Purchases of vehicles and office equipment
    (65 )     (185 )
Deposit for purchasing of software technology
    (2,411 )     -  
Long-term investment in and advance to equity investment affiliates
    (32 )     -  
Project development deposit to a third party
    -       (2,450 )
Cash effect on deconsolidation of VIEs
    -       (15 )
Payment for acquisition of VIEs
    (1,768 )     (1,817 )
Net cash used in investing activities
    (4,276 )     (4,467 )
 
 
F-5

 
CHINANET ONLINE HOLDINGS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (CONTINUED)
(In thousands)
 
   
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
   
2013
   
2012
 
   
(US $)
   
(US $)
 
   
(Unaudited)
   
(Unaudited)
 
Cash flows from financing activities
           
Proceeds from short-term bank loan
    804       -  
Dividend paid to convertible preferred stockholders
    -       (5 )
Short-term loan borrowed from an equity investment affiliate
    -       316  
Short-term loan repaid to an equity investment affiliate
    -       (537 )
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
    804       (226 )
                 
Effect of exchange rate fluctuation on cash and cash equivalents
    110       44  
                 
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents
    (550 )     (2,182 )
                 
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period
    5,483       10,695  
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period
  $ 4,933     $ 8,513  
                 
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information
               
                 
Income taxes paid
  $ 39     $ 74  
                 
Non-cash transactions:
               
Restricted stock and options granted for future service
  $ 11     $ 53  
 

 
See notes to consolidated financial statements
 
F-6

 
CHINANET ONLINE HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
 
1.
Organization and nature of operations

ChinaNet Online Holdings, Inc. (formerly known as Emazing Interactive, Inc.) (the “Company”) was incorporated in the State of Texas in April 2006 and re-domiciled to become a Nevada corporation in October 2006. From the date of the Company’s incorporation until June 26, 2009, when the Company consummated the Share Exchange (discussed below), the Company’s activities were primarily concentrated in web server access and company branding in hosting web based e-games.

On June 26, 2009, the Company entered into a Share Exchange Agreement (the “Exchange Agreement”), with (i) China Net Online Media Group Limited, a company organized under the laws of British Virgin Islands (“China Net BVI”), (ii) China Net BVI’s shareholders, Allglad Limited, a British Virgin Islands company (“Allglad”), Growgain Limited, a British Virgin Islands company ("Growgain"), Rise King Investments Limited, a British Virgin Islands company (“Rise King BVI”), Star (China) Holdings Limited, a British Virgin Islands company (“Star”), Surplus Elegant Investment Limited, a British Virgin Islands company (“Surplus”), Clear Jolly Holdings Limited, a British Virgin Islands company (“Clear” and together with Allglad, Growgain, Rise King BVI, Star and Surplus, the “China Net BVI Shareholders”), who together owned shares constituting 100% of the issued and outstanding ordinary shares of China Net BVI (the “China Net BVI Shares”) and (iii) G. Edward Hancock, the principal stockholder of the Company at that time. Pursuant to the terms of the Exchange Agreement, the China Net BVI Shareholders transferred to the Company all of the China Net BVI Shares in exchange for the issuance of 13,790,800  shares (the “Exchange Shares”) in the aggregate of the Company’s common stock (the “Share Exchange”). As a result of the Share Exchange, China Net BVI became a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company and the Company is now a holding company, which, through certain contractual arrangements with operating companies in the People’s Republic of China (the “PRC”), is engaged in providing advertising, marketing, communication and brand management and sales channel building services to small and medium companies in China.

The Company’s wholly owned subsidiary, China Net BVI was incorporated in the British Virgin Islands on August 13, 2007. On April 11, 2008, China Net BVI became the parent holding company of a group of companies comprised of CNET Online Technology Limited, a Hong Kong company (“China Net HK”), which established and is the parent company of Rise King Century Technology Development (Beijing) Co., Ltd., a wholly foreign-owned enterprise (“WFOE”) established in the PRC (“Rise King WFOE”). The Company refers to the transactions that resulted in China Net BVI becoming an indirect parent company of Rise King WFOE as the “Offshore Restructuring.”

PRC regulations prohibit direct foreign ownership of business entities providing internet content, or ICP services in the PRC, and restrict foreign ownership of business entities engaging in the advertising business. In October 2008, a series of contractual arrangements (the “Contractual Agreements” or “VIE Agreements”) were entered into among Rise King WFOE and Business Opportunity Online (Beijing) Network Technology Co., Ltd. (“Business Opportunity Online”), Beijing CNET Online Advertising Co., Ltd. (“Beijing CNET Online”) (collectively the “PRC Operating Entities”) and its common individual owners (the “PRC Shareholders” or the “Control Group”). The Contractual Agreements allowed China Net BVI, through Rise King WFOE, to, among other things, secure significant rights to influence the PRC Operating Entities’ business operations, policies and management, approve all matters requiring shareholder approval, and receive 100% of the income earned by the PRC Operating Entities.  In return, Rise King WFOE provides consulting services to the PRC Operating Entities.  In addition, to ensure that the PRC Operating Entities and the PRC Shareholders perform their obligations under the Contractual Arrangements, the PRC Shareholders have pledged all of their equity interests in the PRC Operating Entities to Rise King WFOE.  They also entered into an option agreement with Rise King WFOE which provides that at such time as when the current restrictions under PRC law on foreign ownership of Chinese companies engaging in the Internet content, information services or advertising business in China are lifted, Rise King WFOE may exercise its option to purchase the equity interests in the PRC Operating Entities, directly.

Pursuant to the Contractual Agreements, all of the equity owners' rights and obligations of the VIEs were assigned to Rise King WFOE, which resulted in the equity owners lacking the ability to make decisions that have a significant effect on the VIEs, Rise King WFOE's ability to extract the profits from the operation of the VIEs and assume the residual benefits of the VIEs. Due to the fact that Rise King WFOE and its indirect parent are the sole interest holders of the VIEs, the Company included the assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses of the VIEs in its consolidated financial statements, which is consistent with the provisions of FASB Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") Topic 810 “Consolidation”, subtopic 10.

As of the date of the Share Exchange, through the Contractual Agreements, the Company operates its business in China primarily through Business Opportunity Online and Beijing CNET Online. Beijing CNET Online owns 51% of Shanghai Borongdingsi Computer Technology Co., Ltd. (“Shanghai Borongdingsi”). Business Opportunity Online, Beijing CNET Online and Shanghai Borongdingsi, were incorporated on December 8, 2004, January 27, 2003 and August 3, 2005, respectively.

 
F-7

 
CHINANET ONLINE HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
 
Shanghai Borongdingsi is 51% owned by Beijing CNET Online. Beijing CNET Online and Shanghai Borongdingsi entered into a cooperation agreement in June 2008, followed up with a supplementary agreement in December 2008, to conduct a bank kiosk advertisement business. The business is based on a bank kiosk cooperation agreement between Shanghai Borongdingsi and Henan provincial branch of China Construction Bank which allows Shanghai Borongdingsi or its designated party to conduct in-door advertisement business within the business outlets throughout Henan Province. The bank kiosk cooperation agreement has a term of eight years beginning in August 2008. However, Shanghai Borongdingsi was not able to conduct the advertisement business as a stand-alone business due to the lack of an advertisement business license and supporting financial resources. Pursuant to the aforementioned cooperation agreements, Beijing CNET Online committed to purchase equipment and to provide working capital, technical and other related support to Shanghai Borongdingsi. Beijing CNET Online owns the equipment used in the kiosk business, is entitled to sign contracts in its name on behalf of the business, and holds the right to collect the advertisement revenue generated from the bank kiosk business exclusively until it recovers the cost of purchasing the equipment. Thereafter, Beijing CNET Online has agreed to distribute 49% of the net profit generated from the bank kiosk advertising business, if any, to the minority shareholders of Shanghai Borongdingsi.

On June 24, 2010, one of the Company’s VIEs, Business Opportunity Online, together with three other individuals, who were not affiliated with the Company, formed a new company, Shenzhen City Mingshan Network Technology Co., Ltd. (“Shenzhen Mingshan”). Shenzhen Mingshan is 51% owned by Business Opportunity Online and 49% owned collectively by the other three individuals. Shenzhen Mingshan is primarily engaged in developing and designing internet based software, online games and the related operating websites and providing related internet and information technology services necessary to operate such games and websites. On January 6, 2011, as approved by the shareholders of Shenzhen Mingshan, an unaffiliated third party invested RMB15,000,000 (approximately US$2,438,469) into Shenzhen Mingshan in exchange for a 60% equity interest in Shenzhen Mingshan. Therefore, beginning on January 6, 2011, the new investor became the majority shareholder of Shenzhen Mingshan. The Company’s share of the equity interest in Shenzhen Mingshan decreased from 51% to 20.4% and the Company ceased to have a controlling financial interest in Shenzhen Mingshan, but still retains an investment in, and significant influence over, Shenzhen Mingshan. On December 19, 2012, as approved by the shareholders of Shenzhen Mingshan, Shenzhen Mingshan reduced its registered and paid-in capital from RMB25,000,000 (approximately US$4,064,115) to RMB22,000,000 (approximately US$3,576,422), resulted from a decrease in paid-in capital from three other noncontrolling shareholders, except Business Opportunity Online. As a result, the Company’s share of the equity interest in Shenzhen Mingshan increased from 20.4% to 23.18% and the Company continued to retain significant influence over Shenzhen Mingshan.

On December 6, 2010, Rise King WFOE entered into a series of exclusive contractual arrangements, which were similar to the Contractual Agreements discussed above, with Rise King (Shanghai) Advertisement Media Co., Ltd. (“Shanghai Jing Yang”), a company incorporated under the PRC laws in December 2009 and primarily engaged in the advertising business, pursuant to which the Company, through its wholly owned subsidiary, Rise King WFOE obtained all of the equity owners' rights and obligations of Shanghai Jing Yang, and the ability to extract the profits from the operation and assume the residual benefits of Shanghai Jing Yang, and hence became the sole interest holder of Shanghai Jing Yang.  As of the date these contractual agreements were entered into, Shanghai Jing Yang did not have the resources necessary to conduct any business activities by itself and the carrying amount of the net assets of Shanghai Jing Yang which was all cash and cash equivalents approximate its fair value due to their short maturities. Therefore, Shanghai Jing Yang’s accounts were included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements with no goodwill recognized in accordance with ASC Topic 810 “Consolidation”.

The Company, through one of its VIEs, Beijing CNET Online, acquired a 100% equity interest in Quanzhou Zhi Yuan Marketing Planning Co., Ltd. (“Quanzhou Zhi Yuan”) and a 51% equity interest in Quanzhou Tian Xi Shun He Advertisement Co., Ltd. (“Quanzhou Tian Xi Shun He”) on January 4, 2011 and February 23, 2011, respectively.  Quanzhou Zhi Yuan and Quanzhou Tian Xi Shun He are both independent advertising companies based in Fujian province of the PRC, which provide comprehensive branding and marketing services to over fifty small to medium sized companies focused primarily in the sportswear and clothing industry. In June 2011, Beijing CNET Online acquired the remaining 49% equity interest in Quanzhou Tian Xi Shun He. Quanzhou Tian Xi Shun He became a wholly owned subsidiary of Beijing CNET Online accordingly.
 
 
F-8

 
CHINANET ONLINE HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
 
On January 28, 2011, one of the Company’s VIEs, Business Opportunity Online, formed a new wholly owned subsidiary, Business Opportunity Online (Hubei) Network Technology Co., Ltd. (“Business Opportunity Online Hubei”).  Business Opportunity Online Hubei is primarily engaged in internet advertisement design, production and promulgation.

On March 1, 2011, one of the Company’s VIEs, Business Opportunity Online, together with an individual, who was not affiliated with the Company, formed a new company, Beijing Chuang Fu Tian Xia Network Technology Co., Ltd. (“Beijing Chuang Fu Tian Xia”). Beijing Chuang Fu Tian Xia is 51% owned by Business Opportunity Online and 49% owned by the co-founding individual. In addition to capital investment, the co-founding individual is required to provide the controlled domain names, www.liansuo.com and www.chuangye.com to be registered under the established company. Beijing Chuang Fu Tian Xia is primarily engaged in providing and operating internet advertising, marketing and communication services to small and medium companies through the websites associated the above mentioned domain names.

On April 18, 2011, the Company, through one of its VIEs, Business Opportunity Online Hubei formed a new wholly owned company, Hubei CNET Advertising Media Co., Ltd. (“Hubei CNET”).  Hubei CNET is primarily engaged in advertisement design, production, promulgation and providing the related advertising and marketing consultancy services.

On April 18, 2011, one of the Company’s VIEs, Business Opportunity Online Hubei, together with an individual, who was not affiliated with the Company, formed a new company, Zhao Shang Ke Network Technology (Hubei) Co., Ltd. (“Zhao Shang Ke Hubei”). Zhao Shang Ke Hubei is 51% owned by Business Opportunity Online Hubei and 49% owned by the co-founding individual. Zhao Shang Ke Hubei is primarily engaged in providing advertisement design, production, promulgation and brand management and sales channels building services. On December 29, 2011, as approved by the shareholders of Zhao Shang Ke Hubei, two unaffiliated third party investors invested RMB10,000,000 (approximately US$1,625,646) into Zhao Shang Ke Hubei in exchange for an aggregate 50% equity interest in Zhao Shang Ke Hubei. Therefore, beginning on December 29, 2011, the Company’s share of the equity interest in Zhao Shang Ke Hubei decreased from 51% to 25.5%. As such, the Company ceased to have a controlling financial interest in Zhao Shang Ke Hubei, but still retained an investment in, and significant influence over, Zhao Shang Ke Hubei.

On July 1, 2011, Quanzhou Zhi Yuan formed a new wholly owned company, Xin Qi Yuan Advertisement Planning (Hubei) Co., Ltd. (“Xin Qi Yuan Hubei”) and Quanzhou Tian Xi Shun He formed a new wholly owned company, Mu Lin Sen Advertisement (Hubei) Co., Ltd. (“Mu Lin Sen Hubei”). These companies were primarily engaged in advertisement design, production, promulgation and provided the related advertising and marketing consultancy services. In October 2013, the Company unregistered these two companies as their business activities were dormant since incorporation.

On July 1, 2011, one of the Company’s VIEs, Business Opportunity Online Hubei, together with an individual who is not affiliated with the Company, formed a new company, Sheng Tian Network Technology (Hubei) Co., Ltd. (“Sheng Tian Hubei”). Sheng Tian Hubei was 51% owned by Business Opportunity Online Hubei and 49% owned by the co-founding individual until September 3, 2013 when Business Opportunity Online Hubei acquired the remaining 49% equity interest in Sheng Tian Hubei. As a result of the acquisition, Sheng Tian Hubei became a wholly owned subsidiary of Business Opportunity Online Hubei. Sheng Tian Hubei is primarily engaged in computer system design, development and promotion, software development and promotion, and providing the related technical consultancy services.

On December 20, 2011, Business Opportunity Online Hubei acquired a 51% equity interest in Sou Yi Lian Mei Network Technology (Beijing) Co. Ltd., (“Sou Yi Lian Mei”).  In September 2012, Business Opportunity Online Hubei acquired the remaining 49% equity interest in Sou Yi Lian Mei. Sou Yi Lian Mei became a wholly owned subsidiary of Business Opportunity Online Hubei accordingly. Sou Yi Lian Mei has a wholly-owned subsidiary, which is Jin Du Ya He (Beijing) Network Technology Co., Ltd (“Jin Du Ya He”). Sou Yi Lian Mei and its subsidiary are primary engaged in providing online advertising and marketing services.

On April 11, 2013, one of the Company’s VIEs, Business Opportunity Online, formed a new wholly-owned company, Quanzhou City Zhi Lang Network Technology Co., Ltd. (“Quanzhou Zhi Lang”). Quanzhou Zhi Lang is primarily engaged in marketing planning, advertisement design, production and promulgation and network technology development.

As of September 30, 2013, the Company operated its business primarily in China through its PRC subsidiary and PRC operating entities, or VIEs as described above.
 
 
F-9

 
CHINANET ONLINE HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
 
2.
Variable Interest Entities

To satisfy PRC laws and regulations, the Company conducts certain business in the PRC through its Variable Interest Entities (“VIEs”). Summarized below is the information related to the consolidated VIEs’ assets and liabilities as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively:

   
September 30,
2013
   
December 31,
2012
 
   
US$(’000)
   
US$(’000)
 
   
(Unaudited)
       
Assets
           
Current assets:
           
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 3,931     $ 4,275  
Term deposit
    3,446       3,357  
Accounts receivable, net
    10,621       8,392  
Other receivables, net
    2,171       2,921  
Prepayment and deposit to suppliers
    15,113       14,587  
Due from related parties
    143       49  
Other current assets
    27       35  
Deferred tax assets-current
    35       50  
Total current assets
    35,487       33,666  
                 
Investment in and advance to equity investment affiliates
    801       916  
Property and equipment, net
    1,123       1,389  
Intangible assets, net
    6,556       7,152  
Deposit for purchasing of software technology
    2,438       -  
Goodwill
    11,380       11,083  
Deferred tax assets-non current
    949       511  
Total Assets
  $ 58,734     $ 54,717  
                 
Liabilities
               
Current liabilities:
               
Short-term bank loan
  $ 813     $ -  
Accounts payable
    402       110  
Advances from customers
    1,485       1,065  
Accrued payroll and other accruals
    366       455  
Due to Control Group
    11       11  
Payable for acquisition
    488       1,266  
Taxes payable
    7,694       6,136  
Other payables
    151       196  
Total current liabilities
    11,410       9,239  
                 
Deferred tax Liabilities-non current
    1,566       1,689  
Total Liabilities
  $ 12,976     $ 10,928  

All of the VIEs' assets can be used to settle obligations of their primary beneficiary. Liabilities recognized as a result of consolidating these VIEs do not represent additional claims on the Company’s general assets.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2013, the financial performance of the VIEs reported in the Company’s consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income includes sales of approximately US$23,120,000, cost of sales of approximately US$13,121,000, operating expenses of approximately US$6,482,000 and net income before allocation to noncontrolling interests of approximately US$2,824,000.
 
F-10

 
CHINANET ONLINE HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
 
For the three months ended September 30, 2013, the financial performance of the VIEs reported in the Company’s consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income includes sales of approximately US$7,380,000, cost of sales of approximately US$3,365,000, operating expenses of approximately US$2,160,000 and net income before allocation to noncontrolling interests of approximately US$1,579,000.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2012, the financial performance of the VIEs reported in the Company’s consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income includes sales of approximately US$38,201,000, cost of sales of approximately US$28,057,000, operating expenses of approximately US$5,475,000 and net income before allocation to noncontrolling interests of approximately US$3,943,000.

For the three months ended September 30, 2012, the financial performance of the VIEs reported in the Company’s consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income includes sales of approximately US$10,222,000, cost of sales of approximately US$6,160,000, operating expenses of approximately US$1,764,000 and net income before allocation to noncontrolling interests of approximately US$1,845,000.
 
3.
Summary of significant accounting policies
 
 
a)
Basis of presentation
 
The interim consolidated financial statements are prepared and presented in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”).
 
The interim consolidated financial information as of September 30, 2013 and for the nine and three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 have been prepared without audit, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Certain information and footnote disclosures, which are normally included in annual consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP, have been omitted pursuant to those rules and regulations. The interim consolidated financial information should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and the notes thereto, included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012, previously filed with the SEC.
 
In the opinion of management, all adjustments (which include normal recurring adjustments) necessary to present a fair statement of the Company’s consolidated financial position as of September 30, 2013, its consolidated results of operations for the nine and three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, and its consolidated cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, as applicable, have been made. The interim results of operations are not necessarily indicative of the operating results for the full fiscal year or any future periods.
 
 
b)
Principles of consolidation
 
The interim consolidated financial statements include the financial statements of all the subsidiaries and VIEs of the Company. All transactions and balances between the Company and its subsidiaries and VIEs have been eliminated upon consolidation. According to the agreements between Beijing CNET Online and Shanghai Borongdingsi, although Beijing CNET Online legally owns 51% of Shanghai Borongdingsi’s interests, Beijing CNET Online only controls the assets and liabilities related to the bank kiosks business, which has been included in the financial statements of Beijing CNET Online, but does not control other assets of Shanghai Borongdingsi, thus, Shanghai Borongdingsi’s financial statements were not consolidated by the Company.
 
 
c)
Use of estimates
 
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of these consolidated financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. The Company continually evaluates these estimates and assumptions based on the most recently available information, historical experience and various other assumptions that the Company believes to be reasonable under the circumstances. Since the use of estimates is an integral component of the financial reporting process, actual results could differ from those estimates.
 
 
d)
Foreign currency translation and transactions
 
 
F-11

 
CHINANET ONLINE HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
 
The functional currency of the Company is United States dollars (“US$”), and the functional currency of China Net HK is Hong Kong dollars (“HK$”).  The functional currency of the Company’s PRC operating subsidiary and VIEs is Renminbi (“RMB”), and PRC is the primary economic environment in which the Company operates.
 
For financial reporting purposes, the financial statements of the Company’s PRC operating subsidiary and VIEs, which are prepared using the RMB, are translated into the Company’s reporting currency, the United States Dollar (“U.S. dollar”). Assets and liabilities are translated using the exchange rate at each balance sheet date.  Revenue and expenses are translated using average rates prevailing during each reporting period, and stockholders’ equity is translated at historical exchange rates. Adjustments resulting from the translation are recorded as a separate component of accumulated other comprehensive income in stockholders’ equity.
 
Transactions denominated in currencies other than the functional currency are translated into the functional currency at the exchange rates prevailing at the dates of the transactions.  The resulting exchange differences are included in the determination of net income of the consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income for the respective periods.
 
The exchange rates used to translate amounts in RMB into US$ for the purposes of preparing the consolidated financial statements are as follows:
 
   
September 30, 2013
   
December 31, 2012
 
             
Balance sheet items, except for equity accounts
   6.1514      6.3161  
 
   
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
    2013     2012  
Items in the statements of income and comprehensive income, and statements of cash flows
   6.2215      6.3275  
 
   
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
    2013     2012  
Items in the statements of income and comprehensive income, and statements of cash flows
  6.1695     6.3313  
 
No representation is made that the RMB amounts could have been, or could be converted into US$ at the above rates.
 
 
e)
Advertising costs
 
Advertising costs for the Company’s own brand building are not includable in cost of sales, they are expensed when incurred or amortized over the estimated beneficial period and are included in “selling expenses” in the statement of income and comprehensive income. For the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, advertising expenses for the Company’s own brand building were approximately US$292,000 and US$224,000, respectively. For the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, advertising expenses for the Company’s own brand building were approximately US$148,000 and US$56,000, respectively.
 
 
f)
Research and development expenses
 
The Company accounts for the cost of developing and upgrading technologies and platforms and intellectual property that are used in its daily operations in research and development cost. Research and development costs are charged to expense when incurred. Expenses for research and development for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 were approximately US$1,490,000 and US$1,112,000, respectively. Expenses for research and development for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 were approximately US$578,000 and US$356,000, respectively.
 
 
F-12

 
CHINANET ONLINE HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
 
 
g)
Income taxes
 
The Company follows the guidance of ASC Topic 740 “Income taxes” and uses liability method to account for income taxes.  Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the difference between the financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates that will be in effect in the period in which the differences are expected to reverse. The Company records a valuation allowance to offset deferred tax assets, if based on the weight of available evidence, it is more-likely-than-not that some portion, or all, of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The effect on deferred taxes of a change in tax rates is recognized in statement of income and comprehensive income in the period that includes the enactment date.
 
 
h)
Uncertain tax positions
 
The Company follows the guidance of ASC Topic 740 “Income taxes”, which prescribes a more likely than not threshold for financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. This Interpretation also provides guidance on recognition of income tax assets and liabilities, classification of current and deferred income tax assets and liabilities, accounting for interest and penalties associated with tax positions, accounting for income taxes in interim periods, and income tax disclosures.
 
The Company recognizes interest on non-payment of income taxes under requirement by tax law and penalties associated with tax positions when a tax position does not meet the minimum statutory threshold to avoid payment of penalties. According to the PRC Tax Administration and Collection Law, the statute of limitations is three years if the underpayment of taxes is due to computational errors made by the taxpayer or the withholding agent. The statute of limitations is extended to five years under special circumstances, where the underpayment of taxes is more than RMB100,000. In the case of transfer pricing issues, the statute of limitation is ten years. There is no statute of limitation in the case of tax evasion. The tax returns of the Company’s PRC subsidiary and VIEs are subject to examination by the relevant tax authorities. The Company did not have any material interest or penalties associated with tax positions for the nine and three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, and did not have any significant unrecognized uncertain tax positions as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively.
 
 
i)
Recent accounting standards
 
In February 2013, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2013-02, “Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income”. The ASU does not change the current requirements for reporting net income or other comprehensive income in financial statements. However, this ASU requires an entity to provide information about the amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income by component. In addition, an entity is required to present, either on the face of the statement where net income is presented or in the notes, significant amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income by the respective line items of net income but only if the amount reclassified is required under U.S. GAAP to be reclassified to net income in its entirety in the same reporting period. For other amounts that are not required under U.S. GAAP to be reclassified in their entirety to net income, an entity is required to cross-reference to other disclosures required under U.S. GAAP that provide additional detail about those amounts. The guidance is effective prospectively for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2012 for public entities. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations.
 
In March 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-05, “Foreign Currency Matters, (Topic 830): Parent's Accounting for the Cumulative Translation Adjustment upon Derecognition of Certain Subsidiaries or Groups of Assets within a Foreign Entity or of an Investment in a Foreign Entity”, to resolve a diversity in accounting for the cumulative translation adjustment of foreign currency upon derecognition of a foreign subsidiary or group of assets. This ASU requires the parent to apply the guidance in Subtopic 830-30 to release any related cumulative translation adjustment into net income when a reporting entity (parent) ceases to have a controlling financial interest in a subsidiary or group of assets within a foreign entity. Accordingly, the cumulative translation adjustment should be released into net income only if the sale or transfer results in the complete or substantially complete liquidation of the foreign entity in which the subsidiary or group of assets had resided. Further, this ASU clarified that the parent should apply the guidance in subtopic 810-10 if there is a sale of an investment in a foreign entity, including both (1) events that result in the loss of a controlling financial interest in a foreign entity and (2) events that result in an acquirer obtaining control of an acquiree in which it held an equity interest immediately before the acquisition date. Accordingly, the cumulative translation adjustment should be released into net income upon the occurrence of those events. The provisions in this update are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2013. Early adoption is permitted. The adoption of this standard is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations.
 
 
F-13

 
CHINANET ONLINE HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
 
In July 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-11, “Income Taxes, (Topic 740): Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists. The provisions in this update provide guidance on the financial statement presentation of an unrecognized tax benefit when a net operating loss carryforward, similar tax loss, or tax credit carryforward exists. These provisions provide that an unrecognized tax benefit, or a portion thereof, should be presented in the financial statements 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 that a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward is not available at the reporting date to settle any additional income taxes that would result from disallowance of a tax position, or the tax law does not require the entity to use, and the entity does not intend to use, the deferred tax asset for such purpose, then the unrecognized tax benefit should be presented as a liability. The provisions in this update are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2013. Early adoption is permitted. The adoption of this standard is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations.
 
Other accounting standards that have been issued or proposed by the FASB or other standards-setting bodies that do not require adoption until a future date are not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements upon adoption.
 
4.
Term deposit

Term deposit as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 represents the amount of cash placed as a term deposit by one of the Company’s operating VIEs in a major financial institution of China, which management believes is of high credit quality. The term deposit that matured on July 5, 2013 was extended to July 5, 2014 with an interest rate of 3.3% per annual.
 
5.
Accounts receivable, net

   
September 30,
2013
   
December 31,
2012
 
   
US$(’000)
   
US$(’000)
 
   
(Unaudited)
       
             
Accounts receivable
    14,735       12,116  
Allowance for doubtful debts
    (3,963 )     (3,630 )
Accounts receivable, net
    10,772       8,486  

All of the accounts receivable are non-interest bearing. Based on the assessment of the collectability of the accounts receivable as of September 30, 2013, the Company provided approximately US$3,963,000 allowance for doubtful debts, which were related to the accounts receivable of the Company’s internet advertising and TV advertising business segment with an aging over six months. For the nine and three months ended September 30, 2013, approximately US$233,000 allowance for doubtful debts was provided. For the nine and three months ended September 30, 2012, approximately US$350,000 and US$nil allowance for doubtful debts was provided.
 
6.
Other receivables, net

   
September 30,
2013
   
December 31,
2012
 
   
US$(’000)
   
US$(’000)
 
   
(Unaudited)
       
             
Short-term loan made for marketing campaign
    1,626       2,375  
Short-term loans to unrelated entities
    488       475  
Term deposit interest receivable
    28       59  
Staff advances for normal business purpose
    143       194  
Overdue contract guarantee deposits
    962       158  
Allowance for doubtful debts
    (962 )     (158 )
Other receivables, net
    2,285       3,103  

 
F-14

 
CHINANET ONLINE HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
 
Short-term loan made for marketing campaign: for one of the major marketing campaigns, the Company made a marketing-related loan of RMB25,000,000 (approximately US$4,064,115) to a TV series of 36 episodes, called “Xiao Zhang Feng Yun.” This TV series was produced in commemoration of “The Republican Revolution of 1911” (the Chinese bourgeois democratic revolution led by Dr. Sun Yat-sen which overthrew the Qing Dynasty). By participating in this TV series, the Company’s logo is shown during the credits at the end of each episode and also shown as a separate card during the closing before the credit screen. This TV series has been broadcasted on CCTV 8 and www.sina.com.cn since September 2011 and continues to sell its broadcasting rights to other provincial TV channels for additional exposure. As of September 30, 2013, the Company has collected an aggregate of RMB15,000,000 (approximately US$2,438,469) from the borrower. In accordance with an agreement between the Company and the borrower, the Company extended the term of this loan from December 31, 2012 to December 31, 2013, as this TV series is still selling its broadcasting rights to TV stations and other media. The Company will continue to assess the collectability of this loan. If an event occurs or circumstances change that could indicate that the collectability of this loan is remote, a full allowance of bad debts provision will be provided for the remaining outstanding balance of this loan.

For all advertising resources purchasing contracts signed by the Company with its resource providers, the Company is required to make contract guarantee deposits, which are either used to pay the actual contract amount of resources used in the last month of each contract period or to be refunded to the Company of the remaining balance upon expiration of the contract. Overdue contract guarantee deposits represented the portion of the contract guarantee deposits, which related advertising resources purchasing contracts had been completed as of each of the reporting dates. Based on the assessment of the collectability of these overdue contract guarantee deposits as of September 30, 2013, the Company provided approximately US$962,000 allowance for doubtful debts, which was related to the contract guarantee deposits of its TV advertising business segment. For the nine and three months ended September 30, 2013, approximately US$791,000 and US$nil allowance for doubtful debts was provided, respectively. For the nine and three months ended September 30, 2012, approximately US$211,000 and US$nil allowance for doubtful debts was provided, respectively.
 
7.
Prepayments and deposit to suppliers

   
September 30,
2013
   
December 31,
2012
 
   
US$(’000)
   
US$(’000)
 
   
(Unaudited)
       
             
Contract execution guarantees to TV advertisement and internet resources providers
    8,168       9,463  
Prepayments to TV advertisement and internet resources providers
    6,845       5,069  
Other deposits and prepayments
    102       64  
      15,115       14,596  
 
Contract execution guarantees to TV advertisement and internet resource providers are paid as contractual deposits to the Company’s resources and services providers. These amounts will be either applied to the contract amounts and service fees that are needed to be paid for the resources and services provided in the last month of each contract period or refunded to the Company upon expiration of the purchase contracts.
 
 
F-15

 
CHINANET ONLINE HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
 
According to the contracts signed between the Company and its suppliers, the Company is normally required to pay the contract amounts in advance. These prepayments will be transferred to cost of sales when the related services are provided.
 
8.
Due from related parties

   
September 30,
2013
   
December 31,
2012
 
   
US$(’000)
   
US$(’000)
 
   
(Unaudited)
       
             
Beijing Fengshangyinli Technology Co., Ltd.
    36       53  
Beijing Saimeiwei Food Equipment Technology Co., Ltd.
    260       87  
Beijing Telijie Century Environmental Technology Co., Ltd.
    147       70  
      443       210  
 
These related parties are directly or indirectly owned by Mr. Handong Cheng, Mr. Xuanfu Liu or Ms. Li Sun (acting as nominee for Mr. Zhige Zhang), the owners of the Company’s PRC VIEs, Business Opportunities Online and Beijing CNET Online before the Offshore Restructuring. The Company provides advertising services to these related parties in its normal course of business on the same terms as those provided to its unrelated advertising clients. Due from related parties represented the outstanding receivables for the advertising services that the Company provided to these related parties as of each reporting date.
 
9.
Investment in and advance to equity investment affiliates

   
September 30,
2013
   
December 31,
2012
 
   
US$(’000)
   
US$(’000)
 
   
(Unaudited)
       
             
Investment in equity investment affiliates
    768       916  
Advance to equity investment affiliates
    77       43  
      845       959  
 
The following table summarizes the movement of the investment in and advance to equity investment affiliates for the nine months ended September 30, 2013:
 
   
Shenzhen
Mingshan
   
Zhao Shang
Ke Hubei
   
Total
 
   
US$(’000)
   
US$(’000)
   
US$(’000)
 
                   
Balance as of December 31, 2012 (audited)
    492       467       959  
Share of losses in equity investment affiliates
    (41 )     (129 )     (170 )
Advance to equity investment affiliates
    -       32       32  
Exchange translation adjustment
    12       12       24  
Balance as of September 30, 2013 (unaudited)
    463       382       845  
 
F-16

 
CHINANET ONLINE HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
 
Shenzhen Mingshan:
 
Shenzhen Mingshan was incorporated on June 24, 2010 by one of the Company’s VIEs, Business Opportunities Online and three other individuals who were not affiliated with the Company. Shenzhen Mingshan was 51% owned by the Company and was a consolidated VIE of the Company from the date of incorporation through January 6, 2011. On January 6, 2011, an unaffiliated third party invested RMB15,000,000 (approximately US$2,438,469) into Shenzhen Mingshan in exchange for a 60% equity interest in Shenzhen Mingshan. The Company’s share of equity interest decreased from 51% to 20.4% accordingly. On December 19, 2012, as approved by the shareholders of Shenzhen Mingshan, Shenzhen Mingshan reduced its registered and paid-in capital from RMB25,000,000 (approximately US$4,064,115) to RMB22,000,000 (approximately US$3,576,422), resulted from a decrease of paid-in capital from three other noncontrolling shareholders, except Business Opportunity Online. As a result, the Company’s share of the equity interest in Shenzhen Mingshan increased from 20.4% to 23.18% and the Company continued to retain significant influence over Shenzhen Mingshan.
 
For the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, the Company recognized its pro-rata shares of losses in Shenzhen Mingshan of approximately US$41,000 and US$120,000, respectively. For the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, the Company recognized its pro-rata shares of losses in Shenzhen Mingshan of approximately US$6,000 and US$27,000, respectively. These losses recognized were reflected in the caption of “Share of losses in equity investment affiliates” in the Company’s consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income with a corresponding decrease to the carrying value of the investment in Shenzhen Mingshan in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.

Zhao Shang Ke Hubei:
 
Zhao Shang Ke Hubei was incorporated on April 18, 2011 by one of the Company’s VIEs, Business Opportunities Online Hubei and a co-founding individual who was not affiliated with the Company. Zhao Shang Ke Hubei was 51% owned by the Company and was a consolidated subsidiary of the Company from the date of incorporation through December 29, 2011. On December 29, 2011, two unaffiliated third party investors invested RMB10,000,000 (approximately US$1,625,646) in cash into Zhao Shang Ke Hubei in exchange for an aggregate 50% equity interest in Zhao Shang Ke Hubei. The Company’s share of equity interest decreased from 51% to 25.5% accordingly.
 
For the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, the Company recognized its pro-rata share of losses in Zhao Shang Ke Hubei of approximately US$129,000 and US$274,000, respectively. For the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, the Company recognized its pro-rata share of losses in Zhao Shang Ke Hubei of approximately US$39,000 and US$70,000, respectively. These losses recognized was reflected in the caption of “Share of losses in equity investment affiliates” in the Company’s consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income with a corresponding decrease to the carrying value of the investment in Zhao Shang Ke Hubei in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.
 
10.
Property and equipment, net

   
September 30,
2013
   
December 31,
2012
 
   
US$(’000)
   
US$(’000)
 
   
(Unaudited)
       
             
Vehicles
    992       925  
Office equipment
    1,544       1,481  
Electronic devices
    1,237       1,205  
Property and equipment, cost
    3,773       3,611  
Less: accumulated depreciation
    (2,493 )     (1,975 )
Property and equipment, net
    1,280       1,636  
 
Depreciation expenses in the aggregate for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 were approximately US$461,000 and US$440,000, respectively.
 
 
F-17

 
CHINANET ONLINE HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
 
Depreciation expenses in the aggregate for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 were approximately US$150,000 and US$145,000, respectively.
 
11.
Intangible assets, net
 
   
September 30,
2013
   
December 31,
2012
 
   
US$(’000)
   
US$(’000)
 
   
(Unaudited)
       
Intangible assets not subject to amortization:
           
Trade name
    317       309  
Domain name
    1,570       1,529  
Intangible assets subject to amortization:
               
Contract backlog
    202       196  
Customer relationship
    3,526       3,434  
Non-compete agreements
    1,395       1,358  
Software technologies
    333       325  
Cloud-computing based software platforms
    1,509       1,470  
Other computer software
    78       76  
Intangible assets, cost
    8,930       8,697  
Less: accumulated amortization
    (2,371 )     (1,530 )
Intangible assets, net
    6,559       7,167  
 
Amortization expenses in aggregate for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 were approximately US$791,000 and US$783,000, respectively.
 
Amortization expenses in aggregate for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 were approximately US$262,000 and US$260,000, respectively.
 
Based on the carrying value of the finite-lived intangible assets recorded as of September 30, 2013, and assuming no subsequent impairment of the underlying intangible assets, the estimated future amortization expenses is approximately US$262,000 for the three months ended December 31, 2013, approximately US$1,049,000 per year through December 31, 2015, approximately US$1,009,000 for the year ended December 31, 2016 and approximately US$509,000 for the year ended December 31, 2017.
 
12.
Deposit for purchasing of software technology

Deposit for purchasing of software technology: the Company made a deposit to an unrelated technical consulting entity of RMB15,000,000 (approximately US$2,438,000) for the purchasing of software technology that related to cloud-computing based applications and mobile based applications. As of September 30, 2013, the Company reviewed the draft valuation results of these target software applications, and was in the process of negotiations and determination of the transaction details.
 
13.
Goodwill

   
Amount
 
   
US$(’000)
 
       
Balance as of December 31, 2012 (audited)
    11,083  
Exchange translation adjustment
    297  
Balance as of September 30, 2013 (unaudited)
    11,380  
 
 
F-18

 
CHINANET ONLINE HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
 
14.
Short-term bank loan

Short-term bank loan as of September 30, 2013 represented a short-term bank loan of approximately RMB5.0 million (approximately US$0.81 million) borrowed by one of the Company’s VIEs from a major financial institution of China. The interest rate of the short-term bank loan is a floating lending rate, which is 30% over the benchmark rate of the People’s Bank of China (the “PBOC”). As of September 30, 2013, the interest rate of the short-term loan is 7.8%. The short-term bank loan will mature on July 31, 2014.
 
15.
Accrued payroll and other accruals

   
September 30,
2013
   
December 31,
2012
 
   
US$(’000)
   
US$(’000)
 
   
(Unaudited)
       
             
Accrued payroll and staff welfare
    456       538  
Accrued operating expenses
    377       366  
      833       904  
 
16.
Payable for acquisition

Payable for acquisition as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 represented the outstanding balance payment of approximately RMB3.0 million and RMB8.0 million for the acquisitions of the 49% equity interest in Sheng Tian Hubei and Sou Yi Lian Mei that were consummated in September 2013 and September 2012, respectively. The outstanding balances were paid to the former shareholder of Sheng Tian Hubei and Sou Yi Lian Mei in October 2013 and January 2013, respectively.
 
17.
Taxation
 
 
1)
Income tax
 
The entities within the Company file separate tax returns in the respective tax jurisdictions in which they operate.
 
i). The Company is incorporated in the state of Nevada. Under the current law of Nevada, the Company is not subject to state corporate income tax. Following the Share Exchange, the Company became a holding company and does not conduct any substantial operations of its own. No provision for federal corporate income tax has been made in the financial statements as the Company has no assessable profits for the nine and three months ended September 30, 2013, or any prior periods. The Company does not provide for U.S. taxes or foreign withholding taxes on undistributed earnings from its non-U.S. subsidiaries because such earnings are intended to be reinvested indefinitely. If undistributed earnings were distributed, foreign tax credits could become available under current law to reduce the resulting U.S. income tax liability.
 
ii). China Net BVI was incorporated in the British Virgin Islands (“BVI”).  Under the current law of the BVI, China Net BVI is not subject to tax on income or capital gains. Additionally, upon payments of dividends by China Net BVI to its shareholders, no BVI withholding tax will be imposed.
 
iii). China Net HK was incorporated in Hong Kong and does not conduct any substantial operations of its own. No provision for Hong Kong profits tax has been made in the financial statements as China Net HK has no assessable profits for the nine and three months ended September 30, 2013 or any prior periods. Additionally, upon payments of dividends by China Net HK to its shareholders, no Hong Kong withholding tax will be imposed.
 
iv).  The Company’s PRC operating subsidiary and VIEs, being incorporated in the PRC, are governed by the income tax law of the PRC and is subject to PRC enterprise income tax (“EIT”). The EIT rate of PRC is 25%, which applies to both domestic and foreign invested enterprises.
 
 
F-19

 
CHINANET ONLINE HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
 
l
Rise King WFOE is a software company qualified by the related PRC governmental authorities and was approved by the local tax authorities of Beijing, the PRC, to be entitled to a two-year EIT exemption from its first profitable year and a 50% reduction of its applicable EIT rate, which is 25% to 12.5% of its taxable income for the succeeding three years. Rise King WFOE had a net loss for the year ended December 31, 2008 and its first profitable year was fiscal year 2009 which has been verified by the local tax bureau by accepting the application filed by the Company. Therefore, it was approved to be entitled to a two-year EIT exemption for fiscal year 2009 through fiscal year 2010 and a 50% reduction of its applicable EIT rate which is 25% to 12.5% for fiscal year 2011 through fiscal year 2013. Therefore, for the nine and three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, the applicable income tax rate for Rise King WFOE was 12.5%. After fiscal year 2013, the applicable income tax rate for Rise King WFOE will be 25% under the current EIT law of PRC.
 
l
Business Opportunity Online was approved by the related PRC governmental authorities as a High and New Technology Enterprise under the current EIT law, and was approved by the local tax authorities of Beijing, the PRC, to be entitled to a favorable statutory tax rate of 15%.  Therefore, for the nine and three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, the applicable income tax rate of Business Opportunity Online was 15%.
 
l
Business Opportunity Online Hubei was incorporated in Xiaotian Industrial Park of Xiaogan Economic Development Zone in Xiaogan City, Hubei province of the PRC in 2011. On June 15, 2012, Business Opportunity Online Hubei was approved by the related PRC governmental authorities to be qualified as a software company and was approved by the local tax authorities of Xiaogan City, Hubei province, the PRC, to be entitled to a two-year EIT exemption from its first profitable year, and a 50% reduction of its applicable EIT rate which is 25% to 12.5% of its taxable income for the succeeding three years. Based on the previous communication between the entity and the local tax authorities of Xiaogan Economic Development Zone, the entity is entitled to a two-year EIT exemption for fiscal 2012 and 2013, and a 50% reduction of its applicable EIT rate which is 25% to 12.5% of its taxable income for the succeeding three years until December 31, 2016. However, during the periodic administrative review conducted by local tax authorities of Xiaogan Economic Development Zone in early August 2013, the local tax authorities determined that the first profitable year of the entity was fiscal 2011 instead of fiscal 2012, despite the fact that a deemed income tax computation method was adopted by the entity as approved by the local tax authorities previously. The deemed income tax computation method is considered as a special tax computation and collection method as compared to the regular actual income/loss method. Although there is no definite guidance set forth in the current EIT law regard this issue, the Company believes it may have a favorable impact of the determination of the entity’s first profitable year. Based on the current circumstances, the Company believes that more likely than not the local tax authorities will determine the first profitable year of Business Opportunity Online Hubei as fiscal 2011, which may result in the increase of the entity’s applicable income tax rate for its fiscal year 2013 to 12.5%. Therefore, the entity accrued its income tax expense based on a 12.5% income tax rate for the nine and three months ended September 30, 2013. For the nine and three months ended September 30, 2012, the applicable income tax rate of Business Opportunity Online Hubei was nil%.
 
l
The applicable income tax rate for other PRC operating entities of the Company is 25% for the nine and three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012.
 
l
The current EIT law also imposed a 10% withholding income tax for dividends distributed by a foreign invested enterprise to its immediate holding company outside China. A lower withholding tax rate will be applied if there is a tax treaty arrangement between mainland China and the jurisdiction of the foreign holding company. Holding companies in Hong Kong, for example, will be subject to a 5% withholding tax rate. Rise King WFOE is invested by immediate holding company in Hong Kong and will be entitled to the 5% preferential withholding tax rate upon distribution of the dividends to its immediate holding company.
 
For the nine and three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, all of the preferential income tax treatments enjoyed by the Company’s PRC subsidiary and VIEs were based on the current applicable laws and regulations of the PRC and approved by the related government regulatory authorities and local tax authorities where the Company’s respective PRC subsidiary and VIEs operate in. Rise King WFOE, Business Opportunity Online and Business Opportunity Online Hubei were most affected by these preferential income tax treatments within the structure of the Company. The preferential income tax treatments are subject to change in accordance with the PRC government economic development policies and regulations. These preferential income tax treatments are primarily determined by the regulation and policies of the PRC government in the context of the overall economic policy and strategy. As a result, the uncertainty of theses preferential income tax treatments are subject to, but not limited to, the PRC government policy on supporting any specific industry’s development under the outlook and strategy of overall macroeconomic development.
 
 
F-20

 
CHINANET ONLINE HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
 
 
2)
Turnover taxes and the relevant surcharges
 
From January 1, 2012 through August 31, 2012 (for the Company’s PRC operating entities incorporated in Beijing) or October 31, 2012 (for the Company’s PRC operating entities incorporated in Fujian province) or November 30, 2012 (for the Company’s PRC operating entities incorporated in Hubei province), revenue from advertising services is subject to 5.6%-5.7% business tax (including surcharges), depending on which tax jurisdiction the Company’s PRC operating subsidiary and VIE operate in, and 3% cultural industry development surcharge of the net service income after deducting amount paid to ending media promulgators. Revenue from internet technical services was subjected to 5.6%-5.7% business tax (including surcharges), depending on which tax jurisdiction the Company’s PRC operating subsidiary and VIE operate in.
 
On July 31, 2012, the Ministry of Finance (the “MOF”) and the State Administration of Taxation (the “SAT”) of the PRC jointly promulgated a “Circular on Launching the Pilot Collection of Value Added Tax in lieu of Business Tax in Transportation and Certain Areas of Modern Services Industries in Eight Provinces and Municipalities Including Beijing” (“Circular Cai Shui [2012] No. 71”), pursuant to which a business tax to value added tax (the “VAT”) transformation pilot program was launched. The implementation date for Beijing is September 1, 2012, for Fujian province, November 1, 2012, and for Hubei province, December 1, 2012. Other circulars such as “Circular on Carrying out the Pilot Collection of Value Added Tax in Lieu of Business Tax to be imposed on Transportation Industry and Part of Modern Services Industry in Shanghai” (“Circular Cai Shui [2011] No. 111”) jointly promulgated by the MOF and the SAT on November 16, 2011 which contains detailed implementation measures for such VAT pilot program apply to the locations including Beijing, Fujian province and Hubei province. In accordance with the Circular Cai Shui [2011] No. 111, the VAT rate for provision of modern services (other than lease of corporeal movables) is 6% and for small scale taxpayer, 3%. Therefore, beginning on September 1, 2012, for the Company’s PRC operating subsidiary and VIEs incorporated in Beijing, November 1, 2012, for the Company’s PRC operating VIEs incorporated in Fujian province, and December 1, 2012, for the Company’s PRC operating VIEs incorporated in Hubei province, service revenues are subject to VAT at a rate of 6%, after deducting the VAT paid for the services purchased from suppliers, or at a rate of 3% without any deduction of VAT paid for the services purchased from suppliers. The surcharges of the VAT is 12%-14% of the VAT, depending on which tax jurisdiction the Company’s PRC operating subsidiary and VIE operate in.
 
Business tax is a price including tax in the PRC turnover tax system, which is calculated based on the revenue inclusive of turnover tax. Therefore, revenues achieved by the Company which are subject to business tax are presented on a gross basis inclusive of business tax, and on the other hand, business tax was included in cost of revenues upon recognition of services revenues. Contrastively, VAT is a price excluding tax in the PRC turnover tax system, which is calculated based on the revenue exclusive of turnover tax. Therefore, revenues achieved by the Company which are subject to VAT are presented on a net basis exclusive of VAT.
 
As of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, taxes payable consists of:
 
   
September 30,
2013
   
December 31,
2012
 
   
US$(’000)
   
US$(’000)
 
   
(Unaudited)
       
             
Turnover tax and surcharge payable
    2,868       2,609  
Enterprise income tax payable
    5,322       4,074  
      8,190       6,683  
 
 
F-21

 
CHINANET ONLINE HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
 
 
For the nine and three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, the Company’s income tax benefit / (expense) consisted of:
 
   
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
   
2013
   
2012
 
   
US$(’000)
   
US$(’000)
 
   
(Unaudited)
   
(Unaudited)
 
             
Current-PRC
    (1,165 )     (945 )
Deferred-PRC
    696       749  
      (469 )     (196 )
 
   
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
   
2013
   
2012
 
   
US$(’000)
   
US$(’000)
 
   
(Unaudited)
   
(Unaudited)
 
             
Current-PRC
    (460 )     (373 )
Deferred-PRC
    259       191  
      (201 )     (182 )
 
The Company’s deferred tax liabilities at September 30, 2013 and changes for the nine months then ended were as follows:
 
   
Amount
 
   
US$(’000)
 
       
Balance as of December 31, 2012 (audited)
    1,689  
Reversal during the period
    (168 )
Exchange  translation adjustment
    45  
Balance as of September 30, 2013 (unaudited)
    1,566  
 
Deferred tax liabilities arose on the recognition of the identifiable intangible assets acquired from acquisition transactions and deconsolidation of subsidiaries consummated in 2011. Reversal for the nine and three months ended September 30, 2013 of approximately US$168,000 and US$56,000, respectively, was due to amortization of the acquired intangible assets.
 
The Company’s deferred tax assets at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 were as follows:
 
   
September 30,
2013
   
December 31,
2012
 
   
US$(’000)
   
US$(’000)
 
   
(Unaudited)
       
             
Tax effect of net operating losses carried forward
    3,625       2,929  
Bad debts provision
    1,103       824  
Valuation allowance
    (3,473 )     (3,051 )
      1,255       702  
 
F-22

 
CHINANET ONLINE HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
 
   
September 30,
2013
   
December 31,
2012
 
   
US$(’000)
   
US$(’000)
 
   
(Unaudited)
       
             
Deferred tax assets reclassified as current asset
    35       50  
Deferred tax assets reclassified as non-current asset
    1,220       652  
      1,255       702  

The net operating losses carried forward incurred by the Company (excluding its PRC operating subsidiary and VIEs) were approximately US$6,770,000 and US$6,363,000 at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively, which loss carry forwards gradually expire over time, the last of which expires in 2033. A full valuation allowance has been recorded because it is considered more likely than not that the deferred tax assets will not be realized through sufficient future earnings of the entity to which the operating losses relate.

The net operating losses carried forward (excluding bad debts provision and non-deductible expenses) incurred by the Company’s PRC subsidiary and VIEs were approximately US$7,674,000 and US$4,093,000 at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively, which loss carry forwards gradually expire over time, the last of which expires in 2018. The related deferred tax assets was calculated based on the respective net operating losses incurred by each of the PRC subsidiary and VIEs and the respective corresponding enacted tax rate that will be in effect in the period in which the differences are expected to reverse. No valuation allowance has been recorded because it is considered more likely than not that the deferred tax assets will be realized through sufficient future earnings of the entities to which the operating losses relate.

Valuation allowance to bad debts provision related deferred tax assets were recorded because it is considered more likely than not that this portion of deferred tax assets will not be realized through bad debts verification by the local tax authorities where the PRC subsidiary and VIEs operate in.

The Company’s non-current portion of deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities were attributable to different tax-paying components of the entity, which were under different tax jurisdictions. Therefore, in accordance with ASC Topic 740 “Income taxes”, the non-current portion of deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities were presented separately in the Company’s balance sheets.

The tax authority of the PRC government conducts periodic and ad hoc tax filing reviews on business enterprises operating in the PRC after those enterprises had completed their relevant tax filings, hence the Company’s tax filings may not be finalized. It is therefore uncertain as to whether the PRC tax authority may take different views about the Company’s tax filings which may lead to additional tax liabilities.
 
18.
Long-term borrowing from director


   
September 30,
2013
   
December 31,
2012
 
   
US$(’000)
   
US$(’000)
 
   
(Unaudited)
       
             
Long-term borrowing from director
    142       139  
 
Long-term borrowing from director is a non-interest bearing loan from a director of the Company relating to the original paid-in capital contribution in the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary Rise King WFOE.
 
19.
Warrants
 
The Company issued warrants in its August 2009 Financing. Warrants issued and outstanding at September 30, 2013 and changes during the nine months then ended are as follows:

 
F-23

 
CHINANET ONLINE HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
 
   
Warrants Outstanding
   
Warrants Exercisable
 
   
Number of
underlying
shares
   
Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
   
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Life (years)
   
Number of
underlying
shares
   
Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
   
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Life (years)
 
Balance, December 31, 2012 (audited)
    2,363,456     $ 3.52       1.63       2,363,456     $ 3.52       1.63  
Granted / Vested
    -                       -                  
Forfeited
    -                       -                  
Exercised
    -                       -                  
Balance, September 30, 2013 (unaudited)
    2,363,456     $ 3.52       0.88       2,363,456     $ 3.52       0.88  
 
20.
Restricted Net Assets

As most of the Company’s operations are conducted through its PRC subsidiary and VIEs, the Company’s ability to pay dividends is primarily dependent on receiving distributions of funds from its PRC subsidiary and VIEs. Relevant PRC statutory laws and regulations permit payments of dividends by its PRC subsidiary and VIEs only out of their retained earnings, if any, as determined in accordance with PRC accounting standards and regulations and after it has met the PRC requirements for appropriation to statutory reserves. Paid in capital of the PRC subsidiary and VIEs included in the Company’s consolidated net assets are also non-distributable for dividend purposes.

In accordance with the PRC regulations on Enterprises with Foreign Investment, a WFOE established in the PRC is required to provide certain statutory reserves, namely general reserve fund, the enterprise expansion fund and staff welfare and bonus fund which are appropriated from net profit as reported in the enterprise’s PRC statutory accounts. A WFOE is required to allocate at least 10% of its annual after-tax profit to the general reserve until such reserve has reached 50% of its registered capital based on the enterprise’s PRC statutory accounts. Appropriations to the enterprise expansion fund and staff welfare and bonus fund are at the discretion of the board of directors. The aforementioned reserves can only be used for specific purposes and are not distributable as cash dividends. Rise King WFOE is subject to the above mandated restrictions on distributable profits. Additionally, in accordance with the Company Law of the PRC, a domestic enterprise is required to provide a statutory common reserve of at least 10% of its annual after-tax profit until such reserve has reached 50% of its registered capital based on the enterprise’s PRC statutory accounts. A domestic enterprise is also required to provide for a discretionary surplus reserve, at the discretion of the board of directors. The aforementioned reserves can only be used for specific purposes and are not distributable as cash dividends. All of the Company’s PRC VIEs are subject to the above mandated restrictions on distributable profits.

As a result of these PRC laws and regulations, the Company’s PRC subsidiary and VIEs are restricted in their ability to transfer a portion of their net assets to the Company. As of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, net assets restricted in the aggregate, which include paid-in capital and statutory reserve funds of the Company’s PRC subsidiary and VIEs that are included in the Company’s consolidated net assets, was approximately US$5.8 million and US$5.5 million, respectively.

The current PRC Enterprise Income Tax (“EIT”) Law also imposed a 10% withholding income tax for dividends distributed by a foreign invested enterprise to its immediate holding company outside China. A lower withholding tax rate will be applied if there is a tax treaty arrangement between mainland China and the jurisdiction of the foreign holding company. Holding companies in Hong Kong, for example, will be subject to a 5% withholding tax rate. Rise King WFOE is invested by its immediate holding company in Hong Kong and will be entitled to the 5% preferential withholding tax rate upon distribution of the dividends to its immediate holding company.

The ability of the Company’s PRC subsidiary and VIEs to make dividends and other payments to the Company may also be restricted by changes in applicable foreign exchange and other laws and regulations.

Foreign currency exchange regulation in China is primarily governed by the following rules:

 
l
Foreign Exchange Administration Rules (1996), as amended in August 2008, or the Exchange Rules;
 
l
Administration Rules of the Settlement, Sale and Payment of Foreign Exchange (1996), or the Administration Rules.

 
F-24

 
CHINANET ONLINE HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
 
Currently, under the Administration Rules, Renminbi is freely convertible for current account items, including the distribution of dividends, interest payments, trade and service related foreign exchange transactions, but not for capital account items, such as direct investments, loans, repatriation of investments and investments in securities outside of China, unless the prior approval of the State Administration of Foerign Exchange (the “SAFE”) is obtained and prior registration with the SAFE is made. Foreign-invested enterprises like Rise King WFOE that need foreign exchange for the distribution of profits to its shareholders may effect payment from their foreign exchange accounts or purchase and pay foreign exchange rates at the designated foreign exchange banks to their foreign shareholders by producing board resolutions for such profit distribution. Based on their needs, foreign-invested enterprises are permitted to open foreign exchange settlement accounts for current account receipts and payments of foreign exchange along with specialized accounts for capital account receipts and payments of foreign exchange at certain designated foreign exchange banks.

Although the current Exchange Rules allow the convertibility of Chinese Renminbi into foreign currency for current account items, conversion of Chinese Renminbi into foreign exchange for capital items, such as foreign direct investment, loans or securities, requires the approval of SAFE, which is under the authority of the People’s Bank of China. These approvals, however, do not guarantee the availability of foreign currency conversion. The Company cannot be sure that it will be able to obtain all required conversion approvals for its operations or the Chinese regulatory authorities will not impose greater restrictions on the convertibility of Chinese Renminbi in the future. Currently, most of the Company’s retained earnings are generated in Renminbi. Any future restrictions on currency exchanges may limit the Company’s ability to use its retained earnings generated in Renminbi to make dividends or other payments in U.S. dollars or fund possible business activities outside China.

As of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, there was approximately US$41.2 million and US$38.1 million retained earnings in the aggregate, respectively, which was generated by the Company’s PRC subsidiary and VIEs in Renminbi included in the Company’s consolidated net assets, aside from US$2.5 million and US$2.4 million statutory reserve funds as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively, that may be affected by increased restrictions on currency exchanges in the future and accordingly may further limit the Company’s PRC subsidiary’s and VIEs’ ability to make dividends or other payments in U.S. dollars to the Company, in addition to the approximately US$5.8 million and US$5.5 million restricted net assets as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively, as discussed above.
 
21.
Related party transactions
 
Revenue from related parties:
   
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
   
2013
   
2012
 
   
US$(’000)
   
US$(’000)
 
   
(Unaudited)
   
(Unaudited)
 
             
-Beijing Saimeiwei Food Equipment Technology Co., Ltd,
    213       73  
-Beijing Fengshangyinli Technology Co., Ltd.
    7       2  
-Beijing Telijie Century Environmental Technology Co., Ltd.
    94       42  
      314       117  
 
   
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
   
2013
   
2012
 
   
US$(’000)
   
US$(’000)
 
   
(Unaudited)
   
(Unaudited)
 
             
-Beijing Saimeiwei Food Equipment Technology Co., Ltd,
    91       18  
-Beijing Fengshangyinli Technology Co., Ltd.
    1       1  
-Beijing Telijie Century Environmental Technology Co., Ltd.
    48       32  
      140       51  
 
 
F-25

 
CHINANET ONLINE HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
 
22.
Employee defined contribution plan
 
Full time employees of the Company in the PRC participate in a government mandated defined contribution plan, pursuant to which certain pension benefits, medical care, employee housing fund and other welfare benefits are provided to employees. Chinese labor regulations require that the PRC subsidiaries of the Company make contributions to the government for these benefits based on certain percentages of the employees’ salaries. The employee benefits were expensed as incurred. The Company has no legal obligation for the benefits beyond the contributions made. The total amounts for such employee benefits were approximately US$352,000 and US$288,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The total amounts for such employee benefits were approximately US$121,000 and US$93,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
 
23.
Concentration of risk
 
Credit risk
 
Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to significant concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, other receivables and prepayments and deposits to suppliers. As of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, substantially all of the Company’s cash and cash equivalents were held by major financial institutions located in Mainland China and Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the PRC, which management believes are of high credit quality.
 
Risk arising from operations in foreign countries
 
All of the Company’s operations are conducted within the PRC. The Company’s operations in the PRC are subject to various political, economic, and other risks and uncertainties inherent in the PRC. Among other risks, the Company’s operations in the PRC are subject to the risks of restrictions on transfer of funds, changing taxation policies, foreign exchange restrictions; and political conditions and governmental regulations.
 
Currency convertibility risk
 
Significant part of the Company’s businesses is transacted in RMB, which is not freely convertible into foreign currencies. All foreign exchange transactions take place either through the People’s Bank of China or other banks authorized to buy and sell foreign currencies at the exchange rates quoted by the People’s Bank of China. Approval of foreign currency payments by the People’s Bank of China or other regulatory institutions requires submitting a payment application form together with suppliers’ invoices and signed contracts. These exchange control measures imposed by the PRC government authorities may restrict the ability of the Company’s PRC subsidiary and VIEs to transfer its net assets, which to the Company through loans, advances or cash dividends.
 
Concentration of customers
 
For the nine months ended September 30, 2012, one customer accounted for 12% of the Company’s sales. Except for the aforementioned, there was no other single customer who accounted for more than 10% of the Company’s sales for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
 
There was no single customer who accounted for more than 10% of the Company’s sales for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
 
As of December 31, 2012, one customer accounted for 10% of the Company’s accounts receivables. Except for the aforementioned, there was no other single customer who accounted for more than 10% of the Company’s accounts receivable as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively.
 
Concentration of suppliers
 
For the nine months ended September 30, 2013, three suppliers individually accounted for 34%, 26% and 14% of the Company’s cost of sales, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2012, two suppliers accounted for 58% and 11% of the Company’s cost of sales, respectively. Except for the afore-mentioned, there was no other single supplier who accounted for more than 10% of the Company’s cost of sales for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
 
 
F-26

 
CHINANET ONLINE HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
 
For the three months ended September 30, 2013, two suppliers individually accounted for 47% and 14% of the Company’s cost of sales, respectively. For the three months ended September 30, 2012, one supplier accounted for 45% of the Company’s cost of sales. Except for the afore-mentioned, there was no other single supplier who accounted for more than 10% of the Company’s cost of sales for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
 
24.
Commitments
 
The following table sets forth the Company’s operating lease commitment as of September 30, 2013:
 
   
Office Rental
 
   
US$(’000)
 
   
(Unaudited)
 
Three months ending December 31,
     
-2013
    83  
Year ending December 31,
       
-2014
    301  
-2015
    301  
-2016
    75  
Total
    760  
 
For the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, rental expenses under operating leases were approximately US$379,000 and US$355,000, respectively. For the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, rental expenses under operating leases were approximately US$130,000 and US$122,000, respectively.
 
25.
Segment reporting
 
The Company follows ASC Topic 280 “Segment Reporting”, which requires that companies disclose segment data based on how management makes decisions about allocating resources to segments and evaluating their performance. Reportable operating segments include components of an entity about which separate financial information is available and which operating results are regularly reviewed by the chief operating decision maker (“CODM”) to make decisions about resources to be allocated to the segment and assess each operating segment’s performance.
 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013 (Unaudited)
 
   
 
 
Internet
Ad.
   
 
 
TV
Ad.
   
 
 
Bank
kiosk
   
Brand
management
and sales
channel
building
   
 
 
 
Others
   
Inter-
segment and
reconciling
item
   
 
 
 
Total
 
   
US$
(‘000)
   
US$
(‘000)
   
US$
(‘000)
   
US$
(‘000)
   
US$
(‘000)
   
US$
(‘000)
   
US$
(‘000)
 
                                           
Revenue
    15,318       5,687       211       2,206       -       -       23,422  
Cost of sales
    6,670       5,246       1       1,206       -       -       13,123  
Total operating expenses
    5,003       1,012       161       880       1,131 *     -       8,187  
Depreciation and amortization expense included in total operating expenses
    777       32       161       163       119       -       1,252  
Operating income (loss)
    3,645       (571 )     49       120       (1,131 )     -       2,112  
                                                         
Share of  losses  in equity investment affiliates
    -       -       -       (129 )     (41 )     -       (170 )
Expenditure for long-term assets
    2,464       -       -       2       10       -       2,476  
Net income (loss)
    3,204       (616 )     49       (44 )     (1,048 )     -       1,545  
Total assets – September 30, 2013
    43,197       15,836       449       8,609       14,398       (21,691 )     60,798  

*Including approximately US$114,000 share-based compensation expenses.
 
 
F-27

 
CHINANET ONLINE HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
 
Three Months Ended September 30, 2013 (Unaudited)

   
 
 
Internet
Ad.
   
 
 
TV
Ad.
   
 
 
Bank
kiosk
   
Brand
management
and sales
channel
building
   
 
 
 
Others
   
Inter-
segment and
reconciling
item
   
 
 
 
Total
 
   
US$
(‘000)
   
US$
(‘000)
   
US$
(‘000)
   
US$
(‘000)
   
US$
(‘000)
   
US$
(‘000)
   
US$
(‘000)
 
                                           
Revenue
    6,071       560       71       779       -       -       7,481  
Cost of sales
    2,406       503       1       456       -       -       3,366  
Total operating expenses
    1,729       257       56       329       368 *     -       2,739  
Depreciation and amortization expense included in total operating expenses
    261       7       56       54       34       -       412  
Operating income (loss)
    1,936       (200 )     14       (6 )     (368 )     -       1,376  
                                                         
Share of  losses  in equity investment affiliates
    -       -       -       (39 )     (6 )     -       (45 )
Expenditure for long-term assets
    1,611       -       -       2       3       -       1,616  
Net income (loss)
    1,694       (185 )     14       (49 )     (334 )     -       1,140  
Total assets – September 30, 2013
    43,197       15,836       449       8,609       14,398       (21,691 )     60,798  

*Including approximately US$94,000 share-based compensation expenses.
 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012 (Unaudited)

   
 
 
Internet
Ad.
   
 
 
TV
Ad.
   
 
 
Bank
kiosk
   
Brand
management
and sales
channel
building
   
 
 
 
Others
   
Inter-
segment and
reconciling
item
   
 
 
 
Total
 
   
US$
(‘000)
   
US$
(‘000)
   
US$
(‘000)
   
US$
(‘000)
   
US$
(‘000)
   
US$
(‘000)
   
US$
(‘000)
 
                                           
Revenue
    15,393       19,751       214       3,031       -       (40 )     38,349  
Cost of sales
    7,447       19,519       19       1,080       -       -       28,065  
Total operating expenses
    4,666       675       155       813       1,165 *     -       7,474  
Depreciation and amortization expense included in total operating expenses
    782       51       155       161       74       -       1,223  
Operating income (loss)
    3,280       (443 )     40       1,138       (1,165 )     (40 )     2,810  
                                                         
Share of  losses  in equity investment affiliates
    -       -       -       (274 )     (120 )     -       (394 )
Expenditure for long-term assets
    179       6       -       -       -       -       185  
Net income (loss)
    3,208       (417 )     40       579       (1,175 )     (40 )     2,195  
Total assets September 30,2012
    41,547       15,607       649       8,207       15,012       (22,570 )     58,452  

*Including approximately US$38,000 share-based compensation expenses.
 
 
F-28

 
CHINANET ONLINE HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
 
Three Months Ended September 30, 2012 (Unaudited)

   
 
 
Internet
Ad.
   
 
 
TV
Ad.
   
 
 
Bank
kiosk
   
Brand
management
and sales
channel
building
   
 
 
 
Others
   
Inter-
segment and
reconciling
item
   
 
 
 
Total
 
   
US$
(‘000)
   
US$
(‘000)
   
US$
(‘000)
   
US$
(‘000)
   
US$
(‘000)
   
US$
(‘000)
   
US$
(‘000)
 
                                           
Revenue
    5,690       3,238       72       1,327       -       (40 )     10,287  
Cost of sales
    2,522       3,162       7       472       -       -       6,163  
Total operating expenses
    1,313       208       52       339       344 *     -       2,256  
Depreciation and amortization expense included in total operating expenses
    261       16       52       54       22       -       405  
Operating income (loss)
    1,855       (132 )     13       516       (344 )     (40 )     1,868  
                                                         
Share of  losses  in equity investment affiliates
    -       -       -       (70 )     (27 )     -       (97 )
Expenditure for long-term assets
    133       6       -       -       -       -       139  
Net income (loss)
    1,622       (124 )     13       317       (345 )     (40 )     1,443  
Total assets September 30,2012
    41,547       15,607       649       8,207       15,012       (22,570 )     58,452  

*Including approximately US$11,000 share-based compensation expenses.
 
26.
Earnings per share
 
Basic and diluted earnings per share for each of the periods presented are calculated as follows (All amounts, except number of shares and per share data, are presented in thousands of US dollars):

   
Nine months ended
September 30,
   
Three months ended
September 30,
 
   
2013
   
2012
   
2013
   
2012
 
   
US$(’000)
   
US$(’000)
   
US$(’000)
   
US$(’000)
 
   
(Unaudited)
   
(Unaudited)
   
(Unaudited)
   
(Unaudited)
 
                         
Net income attributable to ChinaNet Online Holdings, Inc.  (numerator for basic and diluted earnings per share)
  $ 1,623     $ 1,749     $ 1,159     $ 1,220  
                                 
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding – Basic
    22,253,463       22,185,226       22,371,649       22,186,540  
 Effect of diluted securities:
                               
Warrants and options
    -       -       -       -  
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding – Diluted
    22,253,463       22,185,226       22,371,649       22,186,540  
                                 
Earnings per share-Basic
  $ 0.07     $ 0.08     $ 0.05     $ 0.05  
Earnings per share-Diluted
  $ 0.07     $ 0.08     $ 0.05     $ 0.05  
 
 
F-29

 
CHINANET ONLINE HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
 
For the nine months ended September 30, 2013, the diluted earnings per share calculation did not include the warrants and options to purchase up to 2,363,456 and 939,440 shares of common stock, respectively, because these warrants and options were out-of-the-money, that if included would be anti-dilutive.
 
For the three months ended September 30, 2013, the diluted earnings per share calculation did not include the warrants and options to purchase up to 2,363,456 and 939,440 shares of common stock, respectively, because these warrants and options were out-of-the-money, that if included would be anti-dilutive.
 
For the nine months ended September 30, 2012, the diluted earnings per share calculation did not include the warrants and options to purchase up to 2,909,390 and 939,440 shares of common stock, respectively, because these warrants and options were out-of-the-money, that if included would be anti-dilutive.
 
For the three months ended September 30, 2012, the diluted earnings per share calculation did not include the warrants and options to purchase up to 2,719,347 and 939,440 shares of common stock, respectively, because these warrants and options were out-of-the-money, that if included would be anti-dilutive.
 
27.
Share-based compensation expenses

On July 5, 2013, the Company granted 150,000 shares of the Company’s restricted common stock to a technical service provider, in relation to its service provided to the Company. These shares were valued at US$0.55 per share, the closing bid price of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant. Total compensation expenses recognized for the nine and three months ended September 30, 2013 was US$82,500.
 
On January 1, 2012, the Company granted 80,000 shares of the Company’s restricted common stock to an investor relations service provider, in relation to its service provided to the Company for a 24-month period. These shares were valued at US$1.05 per share, the closing bid price of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant. The related compensation expenses were amortized over the requisite service period. Total compensation expenses recognized for the nine and three months ended September 30, 2013 was US$31,500 and US$10,500, respectively.
 
On November 30, 2009, the Company granted 5-year options to each of its three independent directors, Mr. Douglas MacLellan, Mr. Mototaka Watanabe and Mr. Zhiqing Chen, to purchase in the aggregate 54,000 shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of US$5.00 per share, in consideration of their services to the Company. These options vest quarterly at the end of each 3-month period, in equal installments over the 24-month period from the date of grant. Unexercised options will expire on November 29, 2014.

On November 30, 2011, under the Company’s 2011 Omnibus Securities and Incentive Plan, the Company issued its management, employees and directors in the aggregate of 885,440 options to purchase up the same number of the company’s common stock at an exercise price of US$1.20 per share. These options were fully vested and exercisable upon issuance and subject to forfeiture upon an employee's cessation of employment at the discretion of the Company. Unexercised options will expire on November 29, 2021.
 
F-30

 
CHINANET ONLINE HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
 
Options issued and outstanding at September 30, 2013 and their movements during the nine months then ended are as follows:
 
   
Option Outstanding
   
Option Exercisable
 
   
Number of
underlying
shares
   
Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Life (Years)
   
Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
   
Number of
underlying
shares
   
Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Life (Years)
   
Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
 
                                     
Balance, December 31, 2012 (audited)
    939,440       8.51     $ 1.42       939,440       8.51     $ 1.42  
Granted/Vested
    -                       -                  
Forfeited
    -                       -                  
Exercised
    -                       -                  
Balance, September 30, 2013 (unaudited)
    939,440       7.76     $ 1.42       939,440       7.76     $ 1.42  
 
The aggregate unrecognized share-based compensation expenses as of September 30, 2013 and 2012 is approximately US$11,000 and US$53,000, respectively.
 
28. 
Subsequent event
 
Business Opportunity Online, one of the indirect wholly owned VIEs of the Company, Handong Cheng, Chairman and CEO of the Company, and Jinbo Yao, Legal Representative of Beijing 58 Information Technology Co., Ltd. (the “Beijing 58”) have been named as defendants in a civil lawsuit filed in the PRC. The action was filed by Xuanfu Liu, an approximate 34% shareholder of the Company, on October 19, 2013, in the Xiaogan City Xiaonan District People’s Court in Hubei Province, China. The complaint alleges that Mr. Cheng abused operation and management rights and that Mr. Cheng’s disposition of equity interests that Business Opportunity Online held in Beijing 58 (the “Equity Interests”), without the consent of the plaintiff, was an act of infringement and in violation of the articles of association of Business Opportunity Online and Chinese corporate law. The complaint seeks a court order to declare the contract allegedly entered into by and between Mr. Cheng, on behalf of Business Opportunity Online, and Mr. Yao, null and void. The Company denies all of the allegations against it and intends to defend vigorously against the lawsuit. The Company currently cannot estimate the amount or range of possible losses from this litigation.
 
F-31

 
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
 
Forward-Looking Statements
 
You should read the following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and the related notes included elsewhere in this interim report. Our consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The following discussion and analysis contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, including, without limitation, statements regarding our expectations, beliefs, intentions or future strategies that are signified by the words “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “believe,” or similar language. All forward-looking statements included in this document are based on information available to us on the date hereof, and we assume no obligation to update any such forward-looking statements. Our business and financial performance are subject to substantial risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. In evaluating our business, you should carefully consider the information set forth under the heading “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements.
 
Overview
 
Our company (formerly known as Emazing Interactive, Inc.) was incorporated in the State of Texas in April 2006 and re-domiciled to become a Nevada corporation in October 2006. From the date of our company’s incorporation until June 26, 2009, when our company consummated the Share Exchange (as defined below), our company’s activities were primarily concentrated in web server access and company branding in hosting web based e-games.
 
On June 26, 2009, our company entered into a Share Exchange Agreement (the “Exchange Agreement”), with (i) China Net Online Media Group Limited, a company organized under the laws of British Virgin Islands (“China Net BVI”), (ii) China Net BVI’s shareholders, Allglad Limited, a British Virgin Islands company (“Allglad”), Growgain Limited, a British Virgin Islands company (“Growgain”), Rise King Investments Limited, a British Virgin Islands company (“Rise King BVI”), Star (China) Holdings Limited, a British Virgin Islands company (“Star”), Surplus Elegant Investment Limited, a British Virgin Islands company (“Surplus”), Clear Jolly Holdings Limited, a British Virgin Islands company (“Clear” and together with Allglad, Growgain, Rise King BVI, Star and Surplus, the “China Net BVI Shareholders”), who together owned shares constituting 100% of the issued and outstanding ordinary shares of China Net BVI (the “China Net BVI Shares”) and (iii) G. Edward Hancock, our principal stockholder at such time. Pursuant to the terms of the Exchange Agreement, the China Net BVI Shareholders transferred to us all of the China Net BVI Shares in exchange for the issuance of 13,790,800 shares (the “Exchange Shares”) in the aggregate of our common stock (the “Share Exchange”). As a result of the Share Exchange, China Net BVI became our wholly owned subsidiary and we are now a holding company which, through certain contractual arrangements with operating companies in the People’s Republic of China (the “PRC”), is engaged in providing advertising, marketing, communication and brand management and sales channel building services to small and medium companies in China.
 
Our wholly owned subsidiary, China Net BVI, was incorporated in the British Virgin Islands on August 13, 2007. On April 11, 2008, China Net BVI became the parent holding company of a group of companies comprised of CNET Online Technology Limited, a Hong Kong company (“China Net HK”), which established, and is the parent company of, Rise King Century Technology Development (Beijing) Co., Ltd., a wholly foreign-owned enterprise (“WFOE”) established in the PRC (“Rise King WFOE”). We refer to the transactions that resulted in China Net BVI becoming an indirect parent company of Rise King WFOE as the “Offshore Restructuring.”
 
PRC regulations prohibit direct foreign ownership of business entities providing internet content, or ICP services in the PRC, and restrict foreign ownership of business entities engaging in the advertising business. In October 2008, a series of contractual arrangements (the “Contractual Agreements” or the “VIE Agreements”) were entered between Rise King WFOE and Business Opportunity Online (Beijing) Network Technology Co., Ltd. (“Business Opportunity Online”), Beijing CNET Online Advertising Co., Ltd. (“Beijing CNET Online”) (collectively the “PRC Operating Entities”) and its common individual owners (the “PRC Shareholders” or the “Control Group”). The Contractual Agreements allowed China Net BVI through Rise King WFOE to, among other things, secure significant rights to influence the PRC Operating Entities’ business operations, policies and management, approve all matters requiring shareholder approval, and receive 100% of the income earned by the PRC Operating Entities. In return, Rise King WFOE provides consulting services to the PRC Operating Entities. In addition, to ensure that the PRC Operating Entities and the PRC Shareholders perform their obligations under the Contractual Arrangements, the PRC Shareholders have pledged all of their equity interests in the PRC Operating Entities to Rise King WFOE. They have also entered into an option agreement with Rise King WFOE which provides that at such time as when the current restrictions under PRC law on foreign ownership of Chinese companies engaging in the Internet content, information services or advertising business in China are lifted, Rise King WFOE may exercise its option to purchase the equity interests in the PRC Operating Entities directly.
 
 
32

 
Pursuant to the Contractual Agreements, all of the equity owners’ rights and obligations of the VIEs were assigned to Rise King WFOE, which resulted in the equity owners lacking the ability to make decisions that have a significant effect on the VIEs, Rise King WFOE’s ability to extract the profits from the operation of the VIEs and assume the residual benefits of the VIEs. Due to the fact that Rise King WFOE and its indirect parent are the sole interest holders of the VIEs, we included the assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses of the VIEs in our consolidated financial statements, which is consistent with the provisions of FASB Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 810, “Consolidation” subtopic 10.
 
As of the date of the Share Exchange, through a series of contractual agreements, we operate our business in China primarily through Business Opportunity Online and Beijing CNET Online. Beijing CNET Online owns 51% of Shanghai Borongdingsi Computer Technology Co., Ltd. (“Shanghai Borongdingsi”). Business Opportunity Online, Beijing CNET Online and Shanghai Borongdingsi, were incorporated on December 8, 2004, January 27, 2003 and August 3, 2005, respectively.
 
Shanghai Borongdingsi is 51% owned by Beijing CNET Online. Beijing CNET Online and Shanghai Borongdingsi entered into a cooperation agreement in June 2008, followed up with a supplementary agreement in December 2008, to conduct a bank kiosk advertisement business. The business is based on a bank kiosk cooperation agreement between Shanghai Borongdingsi and Henan provincial branch of China Construction Bank which allows Shanghai Borongdingsi or its designated party to conduct in-door advertisement business within the business outlets throughout Henan Province. The bank kiosk cooperation agreement has a term of eight years beginning in August 2008. However, Shanghai Borongdingsi was not able to conduct the advertisement business as a stand-alone business due to the lack of an advertisement business license and supporting financial resources. Pursuant to the aforementioned cooperation agreements, Beijing CNET Online committed to purchase equipment and to provide working capital, technical and other related support to Shanghai Borongdingsi. Beijing CNET Online owns the equipment used in the kiosk business, is entitled to sign contracts in its name on behalf of the business, and holds the right to collect the advertisement revenue generated from the bank kiosk business exclusively until it recovers the cost of purchasing the equipment. Thereafter, Beijing CNET Online has agreed to distribute 49% of the net profit generated from the bank kiosk advertising business, if any, to the minority shareholders of Shanghai Borongdingsi.
 
On June 24, 2010, one of our VIEs, Business Opportunity Online, together with three other individuals, who were not affiliated with the Company, formed a new company, Shenzhen City Mingshan Network Technology Co., Ltd. (“Shenzhen Mingshan”). Shenzhen Mingshan is 51% owned by Business Opportunity Online and 49% owned collectively by the other three individuals. Shenzhen Mingshan is primarily engaged in developing and designing internet based software, online games and the related operating websites and providing related internet and information technology services necessary to operate such games and websites. On January 6, 2011, as approved by the shareholders of Shenzhen Mingshan, an unaffiliated third party invested RMB15,000,000 (approximately US$2,438,469) into Shenzhen Mingshan in exchange for a 60% equity interest in Shenzhen Mingshan. As a result of this transaction, our share of the equity interest in Shenzhen Mingshan decreased from 51% to 20.4% and we ceased to have a controlling financial interest in Shenzhen Mingshan, but still retained an investment in, and significant influence over, Shenzhen Mingshan. On December 19, 2012, as approved by the shareholders of Shenzhen Mingshan, Shenzhen Mingshan reduced its registered and paid-in capital from RMB25,000,000 (approximately US$4,064,115) to RMB22,000,000 (approximately US$3,576,422), resulted from a decrease of paid-in capital from three other noncontrolling shareholders, except Business Opportunity Online. As a result, our share of the equity interest in Shenzhen Mingshan increased from 20.4% to 23.18% and we continued to retain significant influence over Shenzhen Mingshan. Therefore, as of September 30, 2013, Shenzhen Mingshan was an equity investment affiliate of ours.
 
On December 6, 2010, through our wholly-owned subsidiary, Rise King WFOE, we entered into a series of exclusive contractual arrangements, which were similar to the Contractual Agreements discussed above, with Rise King (Shanghai) Advertisement Media Co., Ltd. (“Shanghai Jing Yang”), a company incorporated under PRC laws in December 2009. The contractual arrangements that we entered into with Shanghai Jing Yang allow us, through Rise King WFOE, to, among other things, secure significant rights to influence Shanghai Jing Yang’s business operations, policies and management, approve all matters requiring shareholder approval, and receive 100% of the income earned by Shanghai Jing Yang. From the date of incorporation until December 6, 2010, Shanghai Jing Yang did not conduct any business activities. Therefore, Shanghai Jing Yang’s accounts were included in our consolidated financial statements with no goodwill recognized in accordance with ASC Topic 810 “Consolidation”.
 
 
33

 
We, through one of our VIEs, Beijing CNET Online, acquired a 100% equity interest in Quanzhou Zhi Yuan Marketing Planning Co., Ltd. (“Quanzhou Zhi Yuan”) and a 51% equity interest in Quanzhou Tian Xi Shun He Advertisement Co., Ltd. (“Quanzhou Tian Xi Shun He”) on January 4, 2011 and February 23, 2011, respectively. Quanzhou Zhi Yuan and Quanzhou Tian Xi Shun He are both independent advertising companies based in Fujian province of the PRC, which provide comprehensive branding and marketing services to over fifty SMEs focused primarily in the sportswear and clothing industry. In June 2011, Beijing CNET Online acquired the remaining 49% equity interest in Quanzhou Tian Xi Shun He. Quanzhou Tian Xi Shun He became a wholly owned subsidiary of Beijing CNET Online.
 
On January 28, 2011, one of our VIEs, Business Opportunity Online, formed a new wholly-owned subsidiary, Business Opportunity Online (Hubei) Network Technology Co., Ltd. (“Business Opportunity Online Hubei”). Business Opportunity Online Hubei is primarily engaged in internet advertisement design, production and promulgation.
 
On March 1, 2011, one of our VIEs, Business Opportunity Online, together with an individual, who was not affiliated with us, formed a new company, Beijing Chuang Fu Tian Xia Network Technology Co., Ltd. (“Beijing Chuang Fu Tian Xia”). Business Opportunity Online and the co-founding individual owned 51% and 49% of the equity interests of Beijing Chuang Fu Tian Xia, respectively. In addition to capital investment, the co-founding individual is required to provide the controlled domain names, www.liansuo.com and www.chuangye.com to be registered under the established company. Beijing Chuang Fu Tian Xia is primarily engaged in providing and operating internet advertising, marketing and communication services to SMEs through the websites associated the above mentioned domain names.
 
On April 18, 2011, Business Opportunity Online Hubei formed a new wholly owned company, Hubei CNET Advertising Media Co., Ltd. (“Hubei CNET”). Hubei CNET is primarily engaged in advertisement design, production, promulgation and providing the related advertising and marketing consultancy services.
 
On April 18, 2011, Business Opportunity Online Hubei, together with an individual, who was not affiliated with us, formed a new company, Zhao Shang Ke Network Technology (Hubei) Co., Ltd. (“Zhao Shang Ke Hubei”). Business Opportunity Online Hubei and the co-founding individual owned 51% and 49% of the equity interests of Zhao Shang Ke Hubei, respectively. Zhao Shang Ke Hubei is primarily engaged in providing advertisement design, production, promulgation and brand management and sales channels building services. On December 29, 2011, as approved by the shareholders of Zhao Shang Ke Hubei, two unaffiliated third party investors invested RMB10,000,000 (approximately US$1,625,646) into Zhao Shang Ke Hubei in exchange for an aggregate 50% equity interests in Zhao Shang Ke Hubei. As a result of this transaction, our share of the equity interests in Zhao Shang Ke Hubei decreased from 51% to 25.5%. As such, we ceased to have a controlling financial interest in Zhao Shang Ke Hubei, but still retained an investment in, and significant influence over, Zhao Shang Ke Hubei. Therefore, as of September 30, 2013, Zhao Shang Ke Hubei was an equity investment affiliate of ours.
 
On July 1, 2011, Quanzhou Zhi Yuan formed a new wholly owned company, Xin Qi Yuan Advertisement Planning (Hubei) Co., Ltd. (“Xin Qi Yuan Hubei”) and Quanzhou Tian Xi Shun He formed a new wholly owned company, Mu Lin Sen Advertisement (Hubei) Co., Ltd. (“Mu Lin Sen Hubei”). These companies were primarily engaged in advertisement design, production, promulgation and provided the related advertising and marketing consultancy services. In October 2013, we unregistered these two companies as their business activities were dormant since incorporation.
 
On July 1, 2011, Business Opportunity Online Hubei, together with an individual who is not affiliated with us, formed a new company, Sheng Tian Network Technology (Hubei) Co., Ltd. (“Sheng Tian Hubei”). Sheng Tian Hubei was 51% owned by Business Opportunity Online Hubei and 49% owned by the co-founding individual until September 3, 2013 when Business Opportunity Online Hubei acquired the remaining 49% equity interest in Sheng Tian Hubei. As a result of the acquisition, Sheng Tian Hubei became a wholly owned subsidiary of Business Opportunity Online Hubei. Sheng Tian Hubei is primarily engaged in computer system design, development and promotion, software development and promotion, and providing the related technical consultancy services.
 
On December 20, 2011, Business Opportunity Online Hubei acquired a 51% equity interest in Sou Yi Lian Mei Network Technology (Beijing) Co. Ltd., (“Sou Yi Lian Mei”). In September 2012, Business Opportunity Online Hubei acquired the remaining 49% equity interest in Sou Yi Lian Mei. Sou Yi Lian Mei became a wholly owned subsidiary of Business Opportunity Online Hubei accordingly. Sou Yi Lian Mei has a wholly-owned subsidiary, which is Jin Du Ya He (Beijing) Network Technology Co., Ltd (“Jin Du Ya He”). Sou Yi Lian Mei and its subsidiary are primary engaged in providing online advertising and marketing services.
 
 
34

 
On April 11, 2013, one of the Company’s VIEs, Business Opportunity Online, formed a new wholly owned company, Quanzhou City Zhi Lang Network Technology Co., Ltd. (“Quanzhou Zhi Lang”). Quanzhou Zhi Lang is primarily engaged in brand management and sales channel building, advertisement design, production and promulgation.
 
Through our PRC operating subsidiary and VIEs, we primarily operate an one-stop services for our clients on four major service platforms, including social networking service information platform, multi-channel advertising and promotion platform, brand management and sales channel building platform and management tools platform. Our social networking service information platform primarily consists of www. chuangye.com, an information and service portal for entrepreneurs or any individual who plans to start their own business. Our multi-channel advertising and promotion platform primarily consists of internet advertising and marketing portals, including www.28.com (“28.com”), www.liansuo.com (“liansuo.com”) and www.sooe.cn (“sooe.cn”), ChinaNet TV as our TV production and advertising unit and the bank kiosk advertising unit. We provide varieties of marketing campaigns through this platform by the combination of the Internet, mobile, television, bank kiosks and printed-medias to maximize market exposure and effectiveness for our clients. Our band management and sales channel expansion platform consists of our brand consulting and management service and offline sales channel expansion service, which is to physically help small businesses to recruit dealers, wholesalers, partners or franchisees based on their business needs. Management tools platform consists of a mobile-based sales and administrative management tools specifically designed for small business in China to match their simplicity.
 
Basis of presentation, management estimates and critical accounting policies
 
Our unaudited interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X, as promulgated by the SEC, and include the accounts of our Company, and all of our subsidiaries and VIEs. We prepare financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP, which requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities on the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the financial reporting period. We continually evaluate these estimates and assumptions based on the most recently available information, our own historical experience and various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. Since the use of estimates is an integral component of the financial reporting process, actual results could differ from those estimates. Some of our accounting policies require higher degrees of judgment than others in their application. In order to understand the significant accounting policies that we adopted for the preparation of our interim consolidated financial statements, you should refer to the information set forth in Note 3 “Summary of significant accounting policies” to our audited financial statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012.
 
Recent Accounting Standards
 
In February 2013, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2013-02, “Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income”. The ASU does not change the current requirements for reporting net income or other comprehensive income in financial statements. However, this ASU requires an entity to provide information about the amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income by component. In addition, an entity is required to present, either on the face of the statement where net income is presented or in the notes, significant amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income by the respective line items of net income but only if the amount reclassified is required under U.S. GAAP to be reclassified to net income in its entirety in the same reporting period. For other amounts that are not required under U.S. GAAP to be reclassified in their entirety to net income, an entity is required to cross-reference to other disclosures required under U.S. GAAP that provide additional detail about those amounts. The guidance is effective prospectively for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2012 for public entities. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial position or results of operations.
 
In March 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-05, “Foreign Currency Matters, (Topic 830): Parent's Accounting for the Cumulative Translation Adjustment upon Derecognition of Certain Subsidiaries or Groups of Assets within a Foreign Entity or of an Investment in a Foreign Entity”, to resolve a diversity in accounting for the cumulative translation adjustment of foreign currency upon derecognition of a foreign subsidiary or group of assets. This ASU requires the parent to apply the guidance in Subtopic 830-30 to release any related cumulative translation adjustment into net income when a reporting entity (parent) ceases to have a controlling financial interest in a subsidiary or group of assets within a foreign entity. Accordingly, the cumulative translation adjustment should be released into net income only if the sale or transfer results in the complete or substantially complete liquidation of the foreign entity in which the subsidiary or group of assets had resided. Further, this ASU clarified that the parent should apply the guidance in subtopic 810-10 if there is a sale of an investment in a foreign entity, including both (1) events that result in the loss of a controlling financial interest in a foreign entity and (2) events that result in an acquirer obtaining control of an acquiree in which it held an equity interest immediately before the acquisition date. Accordingly, the cumulative translation adjustment should be released into net income upon the occurrence of those events. The provisions in ASU are effective prospectively for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2013 for public entities, with early adoption permitted. The adoption of this standard is not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial position or results of operations.
 
 
35

 
In July 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-11, “Income Taxes, (Topic 740): Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists. The provisions in this update provide guidance on the financial statement presentation of an unrecognized tax benefit when a net operating loss carryforward, similar tax loss, or tax credit carryforward exists. These provisions provide that an unrecognized tax benefit, or a portion thereof, should be presented in the financial statements 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 that a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward is not available at the reporting date to settle any additional income taxes that would result from disallowance of a tax position, or the tax law does not require the entity to use, and the entity does not intend to use, the deferred tax asset for such purpose, then the unrecognized tax benefit should be presented as a liability. The provisions in this update are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2013. Early adoption is permitted. The adoption of this standard is not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial position or results of operations.
 
Other accounting standards that have been issued or proposed by the FASB or other standards-setting bodies that do not require adoption until a future date are not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements upon adoption.
 
A.       RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE NINE AND THREE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2013 AND 2012
 
The following table sets forth a summary, for the periods indicated, of our consolidated results of operations. Our historical results presented below are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for any future period. All amounts, except number of shares and per share data, are presented in thousands of US dollars.
 
   
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
   
Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
   
2013
   
2012
   
2013
   
2012
 
   
US$
   
US$
   
US$
   
US$
 
   
(Unaudited)
   
(Unaudited)
   
(Unaudited)
   
(Unaudited)
 
                         
Sales
                       
From unrelated parties
  $ 23,108     $ 38,232     $ 7,341     $ 10,236  
From related parties
    314       117       140       51  
      23,422       38,349       7,481       10,287  
Cost of sales
    13,123       28,065       3,366       6,163  
Gross margin
    10,299       10,284       4,115       4,124  
                                 
Operating expenses
                               
Selling expenses
    2,007       2,042       617       640  
General and administrative expenses
    4,690       4,320       1,544       1,260  
Research and development expenses
    1,490       1,112       578       356  
      8,187       7,474       2,739       2,256  
                                 
Income from operations
    2,112       2,810       1,376       1,868  
                                 
Other income (expenses)
                               
Interest income
    94       123       30       2  
Interest expense
    (10 )     -       (10 )     -  
Other expenses
    (12 )     (148 )     (10 )     (148 )
      72       (25 )     10       (146 )
Income before income tax expense, equity method investments and noncontrolling interests
    2,184       2,785       1,386       1,722  
Income tax expense
    (469 )     (196 )     (201 )     (182 )
Income before equity method investments and noncontrolling interests
    1,715       2,589       1,185       1,540  
Share of losses in equity investment affiliates
    (170 )     (394 )     (45 )     (97 )
Net income
    1,545       2,195       1,140       1,443  
Net loss / (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests
    78       (446 )     19       (223 )
Net income attributable to ChinaNet Online Holdings, Inc.
  $ 1,623     $ 1,749     $ 1,159     $ 1,220  
                                 
Earnings per share
                               
Earnings per common share
                               
Basic
  $ 0.07     $ 0.08     $ 0.05     $ 0.05  
Diluted
  $ 0.07     $ 0.08     $ 0.05     $ 0.05  
                                 
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:
                               
Basic
    22,253,463       22,185,226       22,371,649       22,186,540  
Diluted
    22,253,463       22,185,226       22,371,649       22,186,540  
 
 
36

 
Revenue
 
The following tables set forth a breakdown of our total revenue, divided into five segments for the periods indicated, with inter-segment transactions eliminated:
 
   
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
   
2013
   
2012
 
   
(Amounts expressed in thousands of US dollars, except percentages)
 
Revenue type
 
 
 
                         
Internet advertisement
  $ 15,015       64.1 %   $ 15,204       39.6 %
Technical services
    303       1.3 %     149       0.4 %
TV advertisement
    5,687       24.3 %     19,751       51.5 %
Bank kiosks
    211       0.9 %     214       0.5 %
Brand management and sales channel building
    2,206       9.4 %     3,031       8.0 %
Total
  $ 23,422       100 %   $ 38,349       100 %
 
   
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
   
2013
   
2012
 
   
(Amounts expressed in thousands of US dollars, except percentages)
 
Revenue type
 
 
 
                         
Internet advertisement
  $ 5,969       79.8 %   $ 5,585       54.3 %
Technical services
    102       1.4 %     65       0.6 %
TV advertisement
    560       7.5 %     3,238       31.5 %
Bank kiosks
    71       0.9 %     72       0.7 %
Brand management and sales channel building
    779       10.4 %     1,327       12.9 %
Total
  $ 7,481       100 %   $ 10,287       100 %
 
Total Revenues: Our total revenues decreased to US$23.42 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 from US$38.35 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012, representing a 38.9% decrease. For the three months ended September 30, 2013, our total revenues decreased to US$7.48 million from US$10.29 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012, representing a 27.3% decrease. These decreases were primarily due to the significant decrease in low margin TV advertising revenue for the nine and three months ended September 30, 2013 as compared to the same periods of last year.
 
 
37

 
We derive the majority of our advertising service revenues from the sale of advertising space on our internet portals and from providing the related technical support and services, internet marketing service and content management services to unrelated third parties and to certain related parties. We also derive revenue from the sale of advertising time purchased from different TV programs. Our advertising services to related parties were provided in the ordinary course of business on the same terms as those provided to our unrelated advertising clients. For the nine and three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, our service revenue from related parties in the aggregate was less than 2% of the total revenue we achieved for each respective reporting period.
 
Our advertising service revenues are recorded net of any sales discounts. Sales discounts include volume discounts and other customary incentives offered to our small and medium-sized franchise and merchant clients, including providing them with additional advertising time for their advertisements if we have unused space available on our websites and represent the difference between our official list price and the amount we actually charge our clients. We typically sign service contracts with our small and medium-sized franchisor and other clients that require us to place the advertisements on our portal websites in specified locations on the sites and for agreed periods; and/or place the advertisements onto our purchased advertisement time during specific TV programs for agreed periods. We recognize revenues as the advertisement airs over the contractual term based on the schedule agreed upon with our clients.
 
As a result of the research and development activities conducted and managed by Rise King WFOE, beginning in December 2009, our WFOE began providing a number of value added technical services and management systems to our internet advertisement customers, which services enhance the quality and performance of the internet advertising services provided by Business Opportunity Online. These value added technical services are primarily online technical management systems and platforms. Customers use these technical services to analyze, monitor and manage their advertisements on our key advertising portal, 28.com, their other traffic generating activities and their online marketing campaign activities. Revenues generated by Rise King WFOE are from the provision of technical and management systems including tools, databases and services developed and managed by Rise King WFOE to analyze, monitor and manage a customer’s advertisements on our key advertising portal, 28.com, their traffic generating activities, and their online marketing campaign activities. Most of these services are based on fixed price terms; revenues are then generated and recognized from the use of the online management system and tools on a periodic basis, together with the satisfaction of other applicable performance thresholds, if specified. Rise King WFOE’s customers are similar to our internet advertising customers, with approximately 70% of the WFOE’s customers also being customers of our internet advertisement services. The other 30% of Rise King WFOE’s customers do not directly advertise on our web portal but use Rise King WFOE’s management systems and the internet information collected from our key advertising web portal to monitor and manage their traffic generating activities and online marketing campaign activities. These value added technical services, operated and managed by Rise King WFOE, are primarily developed and offered as additions to the internet advertisement services provided by Business Opportunity Online. The revenue generating activities conducted by Rise King WFOE are not prohibited under the known and existing PRC laws and regulations, as our WFOE is providing value-added technical services to our clients, and is not engaged in the internet advertising business or any other business that is subject to obtaining an Internet Content Provider License. For the internet advertisement services conducted by our VIE, Business Opportunity Online, customers use our internet advertising portal, www. 28.com, to place internet advertisements in different formats, such as: banners, links, logos, buttons, as well as mini-sites. Customers get internet visits and messages from their advertisements placed on our portal. For the value added technical services provided by our WFOE, customers primarily use the technical and management systems offered by it to analyze, monitor and manage their advertisements and traffic generating activities on our advertising portal. For example, Rise King WFOE’s customers can use our management tools to obtain analysis of messages and sales leads received from their internet advertising.
 
The tables below summarize the revenues, cost of sales, gross margin and net income/(loss) generated from each of our VIEs and subsidiaries for the nine and three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
 
For the nine months ended September 30, 2013:
 
Name of subsidiary or VIE
 
Revenue from
unrelated
parties
   
Revenue
from related
parties
   
Revenue
from inter-
company
   
Total
 
    ($’000)     ($’000)     ($’000)     ($’000)  
                                 
Rise King WFOE
    160       143       -       303  
Business Opportunity Online and subsidiaries
    17,262       171       -       17,433  
Beijing CNET Online and subsidiaries
    5,686       -       -       5,686  
Total revenue
    23,108       314       -       23,422  
 
 
38

 
For the three months ended September 30, 2013:
 
Name of subsidiary or VIE
 
Revenue from
unrelated
parties
   
Revenue
from related
parties
   
Revenue
from inter-
company
   
Total
 
    ($’000)     ($’000)     ($’000)     ($’000)  
                                 
Rise King WFOE
    54       48       -       102  
Business Opportunity Online and subsidiaries
    6,722       92       -       6,814  
Beijing CNET Online and subsidiaries
    565       -       -       565  
Total revenue
    7,341       140       -       7,481  
 
For the nine months ended September 30, 2013:
 
Name of subsidiary or VIE
 
Cost of Sales
   
Gross Margin
 
    ($’000)     ($’000)  
                 
Rise King WFOE
    2       301  
Business Opportunity Online and subsidiaries
    8,713       8,720  
Beijing CNET Online and subsidiaries
    4,408       1,278  
Total
    13,123       10,299  
 
For the three months ended September 30, 2013:
 
Name of subsidiary or VIE
 
Cost of Sales
   
Gross Margin
 
    ($’000)     ($’000)  
                 
Rise King WFOE
    2       100  
Business Opportunity Online and subsidiaries
    3,071       3,743  
Beijing CNET Online and subsidiaries
    293       272  
Total
    3,366       4,115  
 
For the nine months ended September 30, 2013:

Name of subsidiary or VIE
 
Net (Loss)/Income
 
    ($’000)  
         
Rise King WFOE
    (873 )
Business Opportunity Online and subsidiaries
    3,091  
Beijing CNET Online and subsidiaries
    (262 )
Shanghai Jing Yang
    (4 )
ChinaNet Online Holdings, Inc.
    (407 )
Total net loss before allocation to the noncontrolling interest
    1,545  
 
For the three months ended September 30, 2013:

Name of subsidiary or VIE
 
Net (Loss)/Income
 
    ($’000)  
         
Rise King WFOE
    (280 )
Business Opportunity Online and subsidiaries
    1,750  
Beijing CNET Online and subsidiaries
    (169 )
Shanghai Jing Yang
    (2 )
ChinaNet Online Holdings, Inc.
    (159 )
Total net loss before allocation to the noncontrolling interest
    1,140  
 
 
39

 
For the nine months ended September 30, 2012:
 
Name of subsidiary or VIE
 
Revenue from
unrelated
parties
   
Revenue
from related
parties
   
Revenue
from inter-
company
   
Total
 
    ($’000)     ($’000)     ($’000)     ($’000)  
                                 
Rise King WFOE
    107       42       40       189  
Business Opportunity Online and subsidiaries
    31,800       75       -       31,875  
Beijing CNET Online and subsidiaries
    6,325       -       -       6,325  
Inter-co., elimination
    -       -       (40 )     (40 )
Total revenue
    38,232       117       -       38,349  
 
For the three months ended September 30, 2012:

Name of subsidiary or VIE
 
Revenue from
unrelated
parties
   
Revenue
from related
parties
   
Revenue
from inter-
company
   
Total
 
    ($’000)     ($’000)     ($’000)     ($’000)  
                                 
Rise King WFOE
    40       25       40       105  
Business Opportunity Online and subsidiaries
    8,387       26       -       8,413  
Beijing CNET Online and subsidiaries
    1,809       -       -       1,809  
Inter-co., elimination
    -       -       (40 )     (40 )
Total revenue
    10,236       51       -       10,287  
 
For the nine months ended September 30, 2012:

Name of subsidiary or VIE
 
Cost of Sales
   
Gross Margin
 
    ($’000)     ($’000)  
                 
Rise King WFOE
    8       181  
Business Opportunity Online and subsidiaries
    23,795       8,080  
Beijing CNET Online and subsidiaries
    4,262       2,063  
Inter-co., elimination
    -       (40 )
Total
    28,065       10,284  
 
 
40

 
For the three months ended September 30, 2012:
 
Name of subsidiary or VIE
 
Cost of Sales
   
Gross Margin
 
    ($’000)     ($’000)  
                 
Rise King WFOE
    3       102  
Business Opportunity Online and subsidiaries
    5,289       3,124  
Beijing CNET Online and subsidiaries
    877       932  
Shanghai Jing Yang
    (6 )     6  
Inter-co., elimination
    -       (40 )
Total
    6,163       4,124  
 
For the nine months ended September 30, 2012:
 
Name of subsidiary or VIE
 
Net (Loss)/Income
 
   
($’000)
 
       
Rise King WFOE
    (1,172 )
Business Opportunity Online and subsidiaries
    3,585  
Beijing CNET Online and subsidiaries
    367  
Shanghai Jing Yang
    (9 )
ChinaNet Online Holdings, Inc.
    (576 )
Total net income before allocation to the noncontrolling interest
    2,195  
 
For the three months ended September 30, 2012:
 
Name of subsidiary or VIE
 
Net (Loss)/Income
 
   
($’000)
 
       
Rise King WFOE
    (251 )
Business Opportunity Online and subsidiaries
    1,514  
Beijing CNET Online and subsidiaries
    332  
Shanghai Jing Yang
    (1 )
ChinaNet Online Holdings, Inc.
    (151 )
Total net income before allocation to the noncontrolling interest
    1,443  
 
Management considers revenues generated from internet advertising and the related technical services as one aggregate business operation and relies upon the consolidated results of all the operations in this business unit to make decisions about allocating resources and evaluating performance.
 
l
Internet advertising revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 were approximately US$15.02 million as compared to approximately US$15.20 million for the same period in 2012. For the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, internet advertising revenues was approximately US$5.97 million and US$5.59 million, respectively. Excluding the business tax expenses of approximately US$0.70 million and US$0.23 million for the nine and three months ended September 30, 2012, respectively, which was included in revenue before the launching of the Pilot Collection of Value Added Tax in lieu of Business Tax commencing on September 1, 2012 in Beijing, November 1, 2012 in Fujian province and December 1, 2012 in Hubei province, our internet advertising revenue increased by approximately 4% and 11% for the nine and three months ended September 30, 2013, respectively, as compared to the same periods of last year. The increase in our internet advertising revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 was partially offset by the approximately 9% decrease in revenues of this segment incurred during the three months ended March 31, 2013 as compared to the same period of last year, which resulted from a decrease in the average internet advertising spending per customer due to the general decline of China’s economy which continues during fiscal 2013. This situation was improved during the second and third quarters of fiscal 2013, along with the gradual increase in the number of customers of this segment, although there is no significant improvement in the per customer spending. As a result, excluding the business tax effect as discussed above, our internet advertising revenues increased by approximately 6% and 11% for the second and third fiscal quarter of 2013 as compared to the same periods of last year, respectively.
 
 
41

 
l
Revenues generated from technical services provided by Rise King WFOE were US$0.30 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 as compared to US$0.15 million for the same period in 2012. For the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, revenues generated from technical services were approximately US$0.10 million and US$0.07 million, respectively. Due to the slowdown in economic growth that began from the second quarter of 2011, and slightly improved in fiscal 2012 and the first nine months of 2013, many of our clients, including our branded clients, who are mostly SMEs, reduced their advertising spending significantly. In response to the overall economic downturn in China, from the second half of 2011, the majority of our clients cancelled the subscription of these services and only continued their basic internet advertising service, which was recorded in as our internet advertising revenue discussed above. Therefore, for the nine and three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, our technical services revenues generated by Rise King WFOE were insignificant.
 
l
Our TV advertising revenue decreased significantly to US$5.69 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 from US$19.75 million for the same period in 2012. For the three months ended September 30, 2013, our TV advertising revenue decreased significantly to US$0.56 million from US$3.24 million for the same period in 2012. For the nine months ended September 30, 2013, we sold approximately 4,012 minutes of advertising time that we purchased from different provincial TV stations as compared to approximately 17,950 minutes we sold in the same period of 2012. For the three months ended September 30, 2013, we sold approximately 480 minutes of TV advertising time as compared to approximately 2,650 minutes we sold in the same period of last year. For the nine and three months ended September 30, 2012, we had significantly increased the quantity of time slots purchased from TV stations as compared with previous years with the purpose to strategically bind the cooperation with the TV stations for the launching of our entrepreneurial reality show, and consecutively to facilitate more general public visits to our entrepreneurial website, Chuanye.com, create additional traffic on our advertising portals, 28.com and Liansuo.com, and monetize more branded larger size small and medium enterprises for our services and secure our competitive advantage and resources in the TV business segment against our competitors in concordance. However, due to the Chinese New Year holiday effect in the first quarter of each fiscal year, which is correspondingly considered to be the slowest time for our TV advertising segment, and due to the relatively decreased demands of TV advertising due to increased time cost, we achieved only 1% and 2% gross margin for this segment for the nine and three months ended September 30, 2012, respectively. For the nine and three months ended September 30, 2013, we sold limited TV time slots at an affordable cost to the needed customers at an agreed profitable price, which enabled us to improve the gross margin for this business segment to 8% and 10%, respectively. We will continue to monitor our customers’ needs of the TV advertising services and improve the profitability of this business segment in the rest of fiscal 2013.
 
l
For the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, we earned both US$0.21 million of revenue from the bank kiosk business segment. For the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, we earned both approximately US$0.07 million of revenue from the bank kiosk business segment. The bank kiosk advertising business is not intended to expand at the moment as management’s primary focus is on expanding internet business. The kiosk business’ many details still need to be further analyzed and confirmed before allocating more capital to this business unit. Therefore, this segment was not significant contributor to our revenue for the nine and three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012. Management currently maintains this business without any expansion plans. Some of the technology used in this business unit will be fully integrated into the overall advertising and marketing platform.
 
l
For the nine months ended September 30, 2013, we achieved approximately US$2.21 million service revenue from our brand management and sales channel building segment as compared to US$3.03 million service revenue generated in the same period of 2012. For the three months ended September 30, 2013, we achieved approximately US$0.78 million service revenue from this segment as compared to US$1.33 million service revenue generated in the same period of 2012. The decrease in revenues generated from this business segment for the nine and three months ended September 30, 2013 as compared with the same periods of last year was primarily due to a decrease in the average spending per customer caused by the cautiously tighten of advertising budget by our customers to respond the uncertainty of the China’s economy.
 
Cost of revenues
 
Our cost of revenue consisted of costs directly related to the offering of our advertising services, technical services, marketing services and brand management and sales channel building services. The following table sets forth our cost of revenues, divided into five segments, by amount and gross profit ratio for the periods indicated, with inter-segment transactions eliminated:
 
42

 
   
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
   
2013
   
2012
 
   
(Amounts expressed in thousands of US dollars, except percentages)
 
   
Revenue
   
Cost
   
GP ratio
   
Revenue
   
Cost
   
GP ratio
 
                                     
Internet advertisement
  $ 15,015     $ 6,668       56 %   $ 15,204     $ 7,439       51 %
Technical service
    303       2       99 %     149       8       95 %
TV advertisement
    5,687       5,246       8 %     19,751       19,519       1 %
Bank kiosk
    211       1       100 %     214       19       91 %
Brand management and sales channel building
    2,206       1,206       45 %     3,031       1,080       64 %
Total
  $ 23,422     $ 13,123       44 %   $ 38,349     $ 28,065       27 %
 
   
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
   
2013
   
2012
 
   
(Amounts expressed in thousands of US dollars, except percentages)
 
   
Revenue
   
Cost
   
GP ratio
   
Revenue
   
Cost
   
GP ratio
 
                                     
Internet advertisement
  $ 5,969     $ 2,404       60 %   $ 5,585     $ 2,519       55 %
Technical service
    102       2       98 %     65       3       95 %
TV advertisement
    560       503       10 %     3,238       3,162       2 %
Bank kiosk
    71       1       99 %     72       7       90 %
Brand management and sales channel building
    779       456       41 %     1,327       472       64 %
Total
  $ 7,481     $ 3,366       55 %   $ 10,287     $ 6,163       40 %
 
Cost of revenues: Our total cost of revenues decreased to US$13.12 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 from US$28.07 million for the same period in 2012. For the three months ended September 30, 2013, our total cost of revenues decreased to US$3.37 million from US$6.16 million for the same period in 2012. These changes were primarily due to the significant decrease in costs associated with our TV advertisement business segment, which was in line with the decrease in our TV advertisement revenue as discussed above. Our cost of revenues related to our advertising and marketing services primarily consists of internet resources purchased from other portal websites and technical services providers related to lead generation, sponsored search, TV advertisement time costs purchased from TV stations, direct labor cost associated with providing services.
 
l
Cost associated with obtaining internet resources was the largest component of our cost of revenue for internet advertisement, accounting for over 80% of our total internet advertisement cost of sales. We purchased the internet resources from other well-known portal websites in China, such as Baidu, Sogou and Tecent (QQ). We were able to secure discounts from our suppliers for purchasing these internet resources in large volumes. The majority of the resources purchased were used by the internet advertising unit to attract more internet traffic to our advertising portals, assist our internet advertisement clients to obtain more diversified exposure and to generate more visits to their advertisements and mini-sites placed on our portal websites. For the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, our total cost of sales for internet advertising was US$6.67 million and US$7.44 million, respectively. For the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, our total cost of sales for internet advertising was US$2.40 million and US$2.52 million, respectively. Excluding the business tax expenses of approximately US$0.70 million and US$0.23 million for the nine and three months ended September 30, 2012, respectively, which were included in cost of sales before the launching of the Pilot Collection of Value Added Tax in lieu of Business Tax commencing on September 1, 2012 in Beijing, November 1, 2012 in Fujian province and December 1, 2012 in Hubei province, our internet advertising cost decreased by approximately 1% for the nine months ended September 30, 2013, and increased by approximately 5% for the three months ended September 30, 2013, as compared to the same periods of last year. Our gross margin ratios of this segment improved to 56% and 60% for the nine and three months ended September 30, 2013 as compared to 51% and 55% for the same periods of last year, respectively. This was partially benefited from our efforts in, first, actively engaging in mobile marketing tools, such as Weibo and WeChat; second, actively participating in various franchise exhibitions and other related events, which indirectly promoted our brand recognition, and in return created additional traffic to our advertising portals and enabled us to save certain of our internet resources cost.
 
 
43

 
l
TV advertisement time cost is the largest component of cost of revenue for TV advertisement revenue. We purchase TV advertisement time from different provincial TV stations and resell it to our TV advertisement clients. Our TV advertisement time cost was approximately US$5.25 million and US$19.52 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. For the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, our TV advertisement time cost was approximately US$0.50 million and US$3.16 million, respectively. The significant decrease in our total TV advertisement time cost was in line with the significant decrease in our TV advertising revenue for the nine and three months ended September 30, 2013 as compared to the same periods of 2012, as discussed above.
 
l
Cost recognized for Brand management and sales channel building business segment primarily consisted of director labor cost for providing these services to our customers.
 
Gross Profit
 
As a result of the foregoing, our gross profit was US$10.30 million and US$10.28 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. For the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, our gross profit was both US$4.12 million. Our overall gross margin increased to 44% and 55% for the nine and three months ended September 30, 2013, respectively, as compared to 27% and 40% for the same periods in 2012, respectively. These increases were direct results of the significant decrease in the low margin TV advertising revenue, which accounted for approximately 24% and 7% of our total revenue for the nine and three months ended June 30, 2013, respectively, as compared to 52% and 31% in the same periods of 2012, respectively.
 
Operating Expenses and Net Income
 
Our operating expenses consist of selling expenses, general and administrative expenses and research and development expenses. The following tables set forth our operating expenses, divided into their major categories by amount and as a percentage of our total revenues for the periods indicated.
 
   
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
   
2013
   
2012
 
   
(Amounts expressed in thousands of US dollars, except percentages)
 
   
Amount
   
% of total
revenue
   
Amount
   
% of total
revenue
 
                         
Total Revenue
  $ 23,422       100 %   $ 38,349       100 %
Gross Profit
    10,299       44 %     10,284       27 %
Selling expenses
    2,007       9 %     2,042       5 %
General and administrative expenses
    4,690       20 %     4,320       11 %
Research and development expenses
    1,490       6 %     1,112       3 %
Total operating expenses
  $ 8,187       35 %   $ 7,474       19 %
 
   
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
   
2013
   
2012
 
   
(Amounts expressed in thousands of US dollars, except percentages)
 
   
Amount
   
% of total
revenue
   
Amount
   
% of total
revenue
 
                         
Total Revenue
  $ 7,481       100 %   $ 10,287       100 %
Gross Profit
    4,115       55 %     4,124       40 %
Selling expenses
    617       8 %     640       6 %
General and administrative expenses
    1,544       21 %     1,260       12 %
Research and development expenses
    578       8 %     356       4 %
Total operating expenses
  $ 2,739       37 %   $ 2,256       22 %
 
 
44

 
Operating Expenses:  Our operating expenses increased to US$8.19 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 from US$7.47 million for the same period of 2012. For the three months ended September 30, 2013, our operating expenses increased to US$2.74 million from US$2.26 million for the same period of 2012.
 
l
Selling expenses: Selling expenses decreased to US$2.01 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 from US$2.04 million for the same period of 2012. For the three months ended September 30, 2013, selling expense decreased to US$0.62 million, as compared to US$0.64 million for the same period of last year. Our selling expenses primarily consist of advertising expenses for brand development that we pay to TV stations and other media outlets for the promotion and marketing of our advertising web portals, other advertising and promotional expenses, website server hosting and broadband leasing expenses, staff salaries, staff benefits, performance bonuses, travelling expenses, communication expenses and other general office expenses of our sales department. For the nine months ended September 30, 2013, the change in our selling expenses was primarily due to the following reasons: (1) the decrease in staff salary, bonus, employee related benefit expenses and other general selling expenses, such as travelling expenses, business and entertainment expenses and communication expenses of approximately US$0.15 million, primarily due to decrease in sales performance achieved during the period as compared to that achieved in the same period of last year; (2) the increase in website server hosting and broadband leasing expense of approximately US$0.05 million to enhance the safety of our network platforms; and (3) the increase in our brand development advertising expenses for our advertising web portals of approximately US$0.07 million. Due to the current economic downturn and the increase of TV advertising cost, in 2013, we will continue to actively participate in both domestic and international franchise exhibitions and in government supported employment promotion programs, which are considered as more cost-effective ways for our consistent brand building efforts. For the three months ended September 30, 2013, the decrease in selling expenses was primarily due to the decrease in sales performance based salary and bonus expenses of our sales department.
 
l
General and administrative expenses: General and administrative expenses increased to US$4.69 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 from US$4.32 million for the same period in 2012. For the three months ended September 30, 2013, our general and administrative expenses increased to US$1.54 million from US$1.26 million for the same period of last year. Our general and administrative expenses primarily consist of salaries and benefits for management, accounting and administrative personnel, office rentals, depreciation of office equipment, professional service fees, maintenance, utilities and other office expenses. For the nine months ended September 30, 2013, the change in our general and administrative expenses was primarily due to the following reasons: (1) the increase in general administrative expenses, such as: office supplies, travelling expenses and entertainment expenses of approximately US$0.09 million, primarily due to the additional expenses incurred for the “10-year Anniversary and Customer Sharing Conference” hosted by us in August 2013; (2) the decrease in staff salaries and the related benefits of approximately US$0.08 million, primarily due to decrease in number of general administrative staff as compared to the same period of last year; (3) the increased in allowance for doubtful debts provided of approximately US$0.46 million and (4) the decrease in professional service (such as: investor relations, legal, etc.) charges of approximately US$0.10 million, primarily due to decrease in the related services required from these parties as compared to the same period of last year. For the three months ended September 30, 2013, the increase in our general and administrative expenses was primarily due to the increase in allowance for doubtful debts of approximately US$0.23 million provided during the period as compared to the same period of last year.
 
l
Research and development expenses: Research and development expenses increased to US$1.49 million and US$0.58 million for the nine and three months ended September 30, 2013 as compared to US$1.11 million and US$0.36 million for the same periods of 2012, respectively. Our research and development expenses primarily consist of salaries and benefits for the research and development staff, equipment depreciation expenses, and office utilities and supplies allocated to our research and development department. The increase in research and development expenses for the nine and three months ended September 30, 2013 was primarily due to the increase in the research and development activities related to the cloud-based application software and the new mobile platform for internet advertising during these periods.
 
Income from operations: As a result of the foregoing, our income from operations was approximately US$2.11 million and US$2.81 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. For the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, our income from operations was approximately US$1.38 million and US$1.87 million, respectively.
 
Interest income: Interests income earned for the reporting periods presented were primarily contributed from the approximately US$3.4 million term deposit we placed in one of the major financial institutions in the PRC during these periods.
 
Income before income tax expense, equity method investments and noncontrolling interests: As a result of the foregoing, our income before income tax expense, equity method investments and noncontrolling interests was approximately US$2.18 million and US$2.79 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. For the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, our income before income tax expense, equity method investments and noncontrolling interests was approximately US$1.39 million and US$1.72 million, respectively.
 
 
45

 
Income Tax expenses: We recognized a net income tax expense of approximately US$0.47 million and US$0.20 million for the nine and three months ended September 30, 2013, respectively. For the nine and three months ended September 30, 2013, current income tax expense was approximately US$1.17 million and US$0.46 million, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2013, our net income tax expense also included an approximately US$0.70 million deferred income tax benefit, of which approximately US$0.17 million was in relation to the amortization expenses of the intangible assets identified in the acquisition transactions consummated in 2011 and approximately US$0.53 million was in relation to the net operating loss incurred by our PRC operating VIEs, which we consider likely to be able to be utilized with respect to future earnings of the entities to which the operating losses relate, after net of reversals resulted from net income generated during the period. For the three months ended September 30, 2013, our net income tax benefit also included an approximately US$0.26 million deferred income tax benefit, of which approximately US$0.06 million was in relation to the amortization expenses of the intangible assets identified in the acquisition transactions consummated in 2011 and approximately US$0.20 million was in relation to the net operating loss incurred by our PRC operating VIEs, which we consider likely to be able to be utilized with respect to future earnings of the entities to which the operating losses relate.
 
For the nine and three months ended September 30, 2012, we recognized a net income tax expense of approximately US$0.20 million and US$0.18 million, respectively. Current income tax expenses for the nine and three months ended September 30, 2012 was approximately US$0.95 million and approximately US$0.37 million, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2012, our net income tax expense also included an approximately US$0.75 million deferred income tax benefit, of which approximately US$0.16 million was in relation to the amortization expenses of the intangible assets identified in the acquisition transactions consummated in 2011 and approximately US$0.59 million was in relation to the net operating loss incurred by our PRC operating VIEs, which we consider likely to be able to be utilized with respect to future earnings of the entities to which the operating losses relate. For the three months ended September 30, 2012, our net income tax benefit also included an approximately US$0.19 million deferred income tax benefit, of which approximately US$0.06 million was in relation to the amortization expenses of the intangible assets identified in the acquisition transactions consummated in 2011 and approximately US$0.13 million was in relation to the net operating loss incurred by our PRC operating VIEs, which we consider likely to be able to be utilized with respect to future earnings of the entities to which the operating losses relate.
 
Income before equity method investments and noncontrolling interests: As a result of the foregoing, our income before equity method investments and noncontrolling interests was approximately US$1.72 million and US$2.59 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. For the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, our income before equity method investments and noncontrolling interests was approximately US$1.19 million and US$1.54 million, respectively.
 
Share of losses in equity investment affiliates: For the nine and three months ended September 30, 2013, we beneficially own 23.18% and 25.5% equity interest in Shenzhen Mingshan and Zhao Shang Ke Hubei, respectively. Accordingly, for the nine months ended September 30, 2013, we recognized our pro-rata share of losses in Shenzhen Mingshan and Zhao Shang Ke Hubei of approximately US$0.04 million and US$0.13 million, respectively. For the three months ended September 30, 2013, we recognized our pro-rata share of losses in Shenzhen Mingshan and Zhao Shang Ke Hubei of approximately US$0.006 million and US$0.04 million, respectively. For the nine and three months ended September 30, 2012, we beneficially own 20.4% and 25.5% equity interest in Shenzhen Mingshan and Zhao Shang Ke Hubei, respectively. Accordingly, for the nine months ended September 30, 2012, we recognized our pro-rata share of losses in Shenzhen Mingshan and Zhao Shang Ke Hubei of approximately US$0.12 million and US$0.27 million, respectively. For the three months ended September 30, 2012, we recognized our pro-rata share of losses in Shenzhen Mingshan and Zhao Shang Ke Hubei of approximately US$0.03 million and US$0.07 million, respectively.
 
Net income: As a result of the foregoing, our net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 was approximately US$1.55 million and US$2.20 million, respectively. For the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, our net income was approximately US$1.14 million and US$1.44 million, respectively.
 
Loss/(inome) attributable to noncontrolling interest: Beijing Chuang Fu Tian Xia was 51% owned by Business Opportunity Online upon incorporation. Sheng Tian Hubei was 51% owned by Business Opportunity Online Hubei upon incorporation until early September 2013 when we acquired the remaining 49% equity interest in it. In December 2011, we, through one of our operating VIEs, acquired a 51% equity interest in Sou Yi Lian Mei and Sou Yi Lian Mei became a majority-owned VIE of ours until September 2012, when we acquired the remaining 49% equity interest in it. For the nine and three months ended September 30, 2013, the aggregate net losses allocated to the noncontrolling interests of Beijing Chuang Fu Tian Xia and Sheng Tian Hubei was approximately US$0.08 million and US$0.02 million, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2012, the aggregate net losses allocated to the noncontrolling interest of Beijing Chuang Fu Tian Xia and Sheng Tian Hubei was approximately US$0.18 million, and net income allocated to the noncontrolling interest of Sou Yi Lian Mei was approximately US$0.62 million. For the three months ended September 30, 2012, the aggregate net losses allocated to the noncontrolling interest of Beijing Chuang Fu Tian Xia and Sheng Tian Hubei was approximately US$0.04 million, and net income allocated to the noncontrolling interest of Sou Yi Lian Mei was approximately US$0.26 million. Given the foregoing, net amount recognized as net income attributable to noncontrolling interests for the nine and three months ended September 30, 2012 was approximately US$0.45 million and US$0.22 million, respectively.
 
 
46

 
Net income attributable to ChinaNet Online Holdings, Inc.: Total net income as adjusted by the net loss/(income) attributable to the noncontrolling interest shareholders as discussed above yields the net income attributable to ChinaNet Online Holdings, Inc. Our net income attributable to ChinaNet Online Holdigs, Inc. was approximately US$1.62 million and US$1.75 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. For the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, our net income attributable to ChinaNet Online Holdigs, Inc. was approximately US$1.16 million and US$1.22 million, respectively.
 
B.      LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
 
Cash and cash equivalents represent cash on hand and deposits held at call with banks. We consider all highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less at the time of purchase to be cash equivalents. As of September 30, 2013, we had cash and cash equivalents of approximately US$4.9 million and we also have approximately US$3.4 million of term deposit placed in one of the major financial institutions in China which will expire in July 2014.
 
Our liquidity needs include (i) net cash used in operating activities that consists of (a) cash required to fund the initial build-out and continued expansion of our network and (b) our working capital needs, which include deposits and advance payment to TV advertising slots and internet resource providers, payment of our operating expenses and financing of our accounts receivable; and (ii) net cash used in investing activities that consist of the payment for acquisitions to further expand our business and client base, investment in software technologies to enhance the functionality of the management tools provided by our advertising portals and investment in other general office equipment. To date, we have financed our liquidity need primarily through proceeds from operating activities we generated in prior years. Our existing cash is adequate to fund operations for the next 12 months.
 
The following table provides detailed information about our net cash flow for the periods indicated:
 
   
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
   
2013
   
2012
 
   
Amounts in thousands of US dollars
 
             
Net cash provided by operating activities
  $ 2,812     $ 2,467  
Net cash used in investing activities
    (4,276 )     (4,467 )
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
    804       (226 )
Effect of foreign currency exchange rate changes on cash
    110       44  
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents
  $ (550 )   $ (2,182 )
 
Net cash provided by operating activities:
 
For the nine months ended September 30, 2013, our net cash provided by operating activities of approximately US$2.81 million were primarily attributable to:
 
(1)
 net income excluding an approximately US$0.70 million net deferred income tax benefit, a US$1.54 million non-cash expenses of depreciation, amortizations, share-based compensation and our share of losses in equity investment affiliates, and a US$1.02 million of allowances for doubtful debts of approximately US$3.41 million;
 
(2)
the receipt of cash from operations from changes in operating assets and liabilities such as:
 
 
47

 
-
other receivables decreased by approximately US$0.10 million primarily due to the collection of loan made to “Xiao Zhan Feng Yun” project;
 
-
other current assets decreased by approximately US$0.09 million
 
-
accounts payable increased by approximately US$0.28 million;
 
-
advances from customers increased by approximately US$0.39 million; and
 
-
taxes payable increased by approximately US$1.31 million.
 
(3)
offset by the use from operations from changes in operating assets and liabilities such as:
 
-
accounts receivable and due from related parties for the advertising services provided increased by approximately US$2.49 million;
 
-
prepayment to suppliers increased by approximately US$0.13 million; and
 
-
accrued expense and other payables decreased by approximately US$0.15 million.
 
For the nine months ended September 30, 2012, our net cash provided by operating activities of approximate US$2.47 million was primarily attributable to:
 
(1)
net income excluding an approximately US$0.75 million net deferred income tax benefit, an approximately US$0.56 million of allowance for doubtful debts and a US$1.66 million non-cash expenses of depreciation, amortizations, share-based compensation and our share of losses in equity investment affiliates of approximately US$3.66 million;
 
(2)
the receipt of cash from operations from changes in operating assets and liabilities such as:
 
-
other receivables decreased by approximately US$0.20 million, which was primarily due to the collection of overdue contact deposit for TV advertising resources purchased;
 
-
prepayment and deposit to suppliers decreased by approximately US$3.40 million, which was primarily due to the transferring of prepayment to suppliers to cost of sales when the related services had been provided by the suppliers;
 
-
other current assets decreased by approximately US$0.03 million;
 
-
advances from customers increased by approximately US$0.11 million;
 
-
other payable increased by approximately $0.03 million; and
 
-
taxes payable increased by approximately US$1.21 million.
 
(3)
offset by the use from operations from changes in operating assets and liabilities such as:
 
-
accounts receivable and due from related parties for the advertising services provided increased by approximately US$5.71 million;
 
-
accounts payable and accruals decreased by approximately US$0.31 million; and
 
-
due to related parties decreased by approximately US$0.16 million, due to returning the nominal shareholders of Shanghai Jing Yang for their original paid-in capital contribution.
 
Net cash used in investing activities:
 
For the nine months ended September 30, 2013, our cash used in investing activities included the following transactions: (1) we spent approximately US$0.01 million for purchasing of general office equipment; (2) we made a deposit to an unrelated technical consulting entity of approximately US$2.41 million for the purchasing of software technology that related to cloud-computing based applications and mobile based applications. As of September 30, 2013, we reviewed the draft valuation results of these target software applications, and in the process of negotiations and determination of the transaction details; and (3) we paid approximately US$1.29 million to settle the outstanding payment for the acquisition of the 49% equity interest in Sou Yi Lian Mei and approximately US$0.48 million for the acquisition of the 49% equity interest in Sheng Tian Hubei. In the aggregate, these transactions resulted in a net cash outflow from investing activities of approximately US$4.28 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013.
 
48

 
For the nine months ended September 30, 2012, our net cash used in investing activities included the following transactions: (1) we spent approximately US$0.19 million for purchasing of general office equipment; (2) we made an approximately US$2.45 million project development deposit to a third party project development and management company for the participation in the Xiaogan TMT Zone development and management. The Xiaogan TMT zone is intended to become the headquarters for SMEs, particularly those SMEs engaged in the small and medium sized franchising business. The deposit is refundable subject to upcoming planning and further evaluation of the development of the Xiaogan TMT Zone. If after evaluation, further involvement in the development is not economical or efficient for us and we decide to exit, the deposit will be refunded within the calendar year of 2012; (3) the cash effect on disposal of Business Opportunity Online Chong Qing, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Business Opportunity Online Hubei incorporated in September 2011 in China, which was approximately US$0.01 million, representing the cash and cash equivalent balance of Business Opportunity Online Chong Qing as of the date of disposal; and (4) we paid the remaining balance of consideration of approximately US$0.55 million for the 51% equity interest acquisition of Sou Yi Lian Mei consummated in December 2011 and paid approximately US$1.27 million for the remaining 49% equity interest acquisition of Sou Yi Lian Mei consummated in September 2012. In the aggregate, these transactions resulted in a net cash outflow from investing activities of approximately US$4.47 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012.
 
Net cash provided by financing activities:
 
For the nine months ended September 30, 2013, our cash provided by financing activities of approximately US$0.80 million represented the proceeds from short-term bank loan borrowed by one of our operating VIEs from a major financial institution of China during the three months ended September 30, 2013.
 
For the nine months ended September 30, 2012, our net cash used in financing activities was approximately US$0.23 million, which primarily consisted of the following transactions: (1) cash dividends paid to our preferred stockholders of approximately US$0.01 million; (2) one of our VIEs borrowed an approximately US$0.32 million working capital loan from Zhao Shang Ke Hubei, our equity investment affiliate during the three months ended March 31, 2012; and (3) our VIEs repaid all previously borrowed outstanding working capital loan of approximately US$0.54 million to Zhao Shang Ke Hubei during the three months ended June 30, 2012.
 
Restricted Net Assets
 
As most of our operations are conducted through our PRC subsidiary and VIEs, our ability to pay dividends is primarily dependent on receiving distributions of funds from our PRC subsidiary and VIEs. Relevant PRC statutory laws and regulations permit payments of dividends by our PRC subsidiary and VIEs only out of their retained earnings, if any, as determined in accordance with PRC accounting standards and regulations and after it has met the PRC requirements for appropriation to statutory reserves. Paid in capital of the PRC subsidiary and VIEs included in our consolidated net assets are also not distributable for dividend purposes.
 
In accordance with the PRC regulations on Enterprises with Foreign Investment, a WFOE established in the PRC is required to provide certain statutory reserves, namely general reserve fund, the enterprise expansion fund and staff welfare and bonus fund which are appropriated from net profit as reported in the enterprise’s PRC statutory accounts. A WFOE is required to allocate at least 10% of its annual after-tax profit to the general reserve until such reserve has reached 50% of its registered capital based on the enterprise’s PRC statutory accounts. Appropriations to the enterprise expansion fund and staff welfare and bonus fund are at the discretion of the board of directors. The aforementioned reserves can only be used for specific purposes and are not distributable as cash dividends. Rise King WFOE is subject to the above mandated restrictions on distributable profits. Additionally, in accordance with the Company Law of the PRC, a domestic enterprise is required to provide a statutory common reserve of at least 10% of its annual after-tax profit until such reserve has reached 50% of its registered capital based on the enterprise’s PRC statutory accounts. A domestic enterprise is also required to provide for a discretionary surplus reserve, at the discretion of the board of directors. The aforementioned reserves can only be used for specific purposes and are not distributable as cash dividends. All of our PRC VIEs are subject to the above mandated restrictions on distributable profits.
 
 
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As a result of these PRC laws and regulations, our PRC subsidiary and VIEs are restricted in their ability to transfer a portion of their net assets to us. As of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012,  net assets restricted in the aggregate, which includes paid-in capital and statutory reserve funds of our PRC subsidiary and VIEs that are included in our consolidated net assets, was approximately US$5.8 million and US$5.5 million, respectively.
 
The current PRC Enterprise Income Tax (“EIT”) Law also imposed a 10% withholding income tax for dividends distributed by a foreign invested enterprise to its immediate holding company outside China. A lower withholding tax rate will be applied if there is a tax treaty arrangement between mainland China and the jurisdiction of the foreign holding company. Holding companies in Hong Kong, for example, will be subject to a 5% withholding tax rate. Rise King WFOE is invested by its immediate holding company in Hong Kong and will be entitled to the 5% preferential withholding tax rate upon distribution of the dividends to its immediate holding company.
 
The ability of our PRC subsidiaries to make dividends and other payments to us may also be restricted by changes in applicable foreign exchange and other laws and regulations.
 
Foreign currency exchange regulation in China is primarily governed by the following rules:
 
 
l
Foreign Exchange Administration Rules (1996), as amended in August 2008, or the Exchange Rules;
 
 
l
Administration Rules of the Settlement, Sale and Payment of Foreign Exchange (1996), or the Administration Rules.
 
Currently, under the Administration Rules, Renminbi is freely convertible for current account items, including the distribution of dividends, interest payments, trade and service related foreign exchange transactions, but not for capital account items, such as direct investments, loans, repatriation of investments and investments in securities outside of China, unless the prior approval of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange (the “SAFE”) is obtained and prior registration with the SAFE is made. Foreign-invested enterprises like Rise King WFOE that need foreign exchange for the distribution of profits to its shareholders may effect payment from their foreign exchange accounts or purchase and pay foreign exchange rates at the designated foreign exchange banks to their foreign shareholders by producing board resolutions for such profit distribution. Based on their needs, foreign-invested enterprises are permitted to open foreign exchange settlement accounts for current account receipts and payments of foreign exchange along with specialized accounts for capital account receipts and payments of foreign exchange at certain designated foreign exchange banks.
 
Although the current Exchange Rules allow the convertibility of Chinese Renminbi into foreign currency for current account items, conversion of Chinese Renminbi into foreign exchange for capital items, such as foreign direct investment, loans or securities, requires the approval of SAFE, which is under the authority of the People’s Bank of China. These approvals, however, do not guarantee the availability of foreign currency conversion. We cannot be sure that it will be able to obtain all required conversion approvals for our operations or the Chinese regulatory authorities will not impose greater restrictions on the convertibility of Chinese Renminbi in the future. Currently, most of our retained earnings are generated in Renminbi. Any future restrictions on currency exchanges may limit our ability to use retained earnings generated in Renminbi to make dividends or other payments in U.S. dollars or fund possible business activities outside China.
 
As of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, there were approximately US$41.2 million and US$38.1 million retained earnings in the aggregate, respectively, which were generated by our PRC subsidiary and VIEs in Renminbi included in our consolidated net assets, aside from US$2.5 million and US$2.4 million statutory reserve funds as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively, that may be affected by increased restrictions on currency exchanges in the future and accordingly may further limit our PRC subsidiary’s or VIEs’ ability to make dividends or other payments in U.S. dollars to us, in addition to the approximately US$5.8 million US$5.5 million restricted net assets as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively, as discussed above.
 
C.       OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS
 
None.
 
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
 
Not applicable to smaller reporting companies.
 
 
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Controls and Procedures
 
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
 
Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our principal executive officer and principal accounting and financial officer, we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2013, as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act. Based on this evaluation, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that during the period covered by this report, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of such date to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in our Exchange Act reports is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
 
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
 
There was no change in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the third fiscal quarter of 2013 covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
 
OTHER INFORMATION
 
Legal Proceedings
 
During the quarter ended September 30, 2013, we were not a party to any legal or administrative proceedings and were not aware of any pending or threatened legal or administrative proceedings against us in all material aspects. We may from time to time become a party to various legal or administrative proceedings arising in the ordinary course of our business.
 
Risk Factors
 
This information has been omitted based on the Company’s status as a smaller reporting company.
 
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
 
None.
 
Defaults Upon Senior Securities
 
None.
 
Mine Safety Disclosures
 
None.
 
Other Information
 
None.
 
 
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Exhibits
 
The exhibits listed on the Exhibit Index below are provided as part of this report.
 
Exhibit No.
 
Document Description
31.1
 
Certification of the Principal Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13A-14(A)/15D-14(A) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
     
31.2
 
Certification of the Principal Accounting and Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13A-14(A)/15D-14(A) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
     
32.1
 
Certification of the Principal Executive Officer and of the Principal Accounting and Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350 (Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002).
     
101
 
Interactive Data Files

 
 
52

 
SIGNATURES
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
 
 
 
CHINANET ONLINE HOLDINGS, INC.
     
     
Date: November 19, 2013
By:
/s/ Handong Cheng
   
Name: Handong Cheng
   
Title: Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)
     
 
By:
/s/ Zhige Zhang
   
Name: Zhige Zhang
   
Title: Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Accounting and Financial Officer)
 
 
 
 
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