Company: ZLAB
Filing Date: 2025-02-27
Form Type: 10-K
Source: 0001628280-25-008409
Chunk: 144

Company: Zai Lab Ltd
Filing Date: 2025-02-27
Form: 10-K
Item: Item 1A
Chunk 144
---
 registration with, the SAFE and other relevant Chinese governmental authorities. This could affect our ability to obtain foreign currency through debt or equity financing for our subsidiaries. 

Chinese regulations relating to the establishment of offshore special purpose companies by residents in mainland China may subject our China resident beneficial owners or our wholly foreign-owned subsidiaries in mainland China to liability or penalties, limit our ability to inject capital into these subsidiaries, limit the ability of these subsidiaries to increase their registered capital or distribute profits to us, or otherwise adversely affect us.

Our shareholders that are residents of mainland China are required to register with local branches of the SAFE or competent banks designated by the SAFE in connection with their direct establishment or indirect control of an offshore entity, for the purpose of overseas investment and financing, with such residents’ legally owned assets or equity interests in domestic enterprises or offshore assets or interests, being considered a “special purpose company.” If such shareholders do not complete their registration with the local SAFE branches or otherwise fail to comply with the SAFE registration requirements, the Chinese subsidiaries may be prohibited from distributing their profits and proceeds from any reduction in capital, share transfer, or liquidation to the offshore company, and the offshore company may be restricted in its ability to contribute additional capital to its Chinese subsidiaries. Moreover, failure to comply with SAFE registration requirements could result in liability under Chinese law for circumventing applicable foreign exchange restrictions. As a result, our business operations and ability to distribute profits could be materially and adversely affected. 

Chinese regulations establish complex procedures for certain acquisitions of mainland China based companies by foreign investors, which could make it more difficult for us to pursue growth through acquisitions in mainland China.

Chinese regulations establish certain additional procedures and requirements that could make merger and acquisition activities by foreign investors more time consuming and complex. For example, companies must notify the MOFCOM in advance of any change-of-control transaction in which a foreign investor takes control of a Chinese domestic enterprise, if (i) any important industry is concerned, (ii) such transaction involves factors that have or may have impact on the national security, (iii) such transaction will lead to a change in control of a domestic enterprise which holds a famous trademark or Chinese time-honored brand, or (iv) such transaction involves the concentration of business undertakings by way of mergers, acquisitions, or contractual arrangements that allow one market player to take control of or to exert decisive impact on another market player. In the future, we may grow our business by acquiring complementary businesses. Complying with the necessary notification and review requirements to complete such transactions may be