Future FinTech Group Inc. - Quarter Report: 2019 September (Form 10-Q)

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

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

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2019

☐  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: 001-34502

23F, China Development Bank

Tower, No. 2, Gaoxin 1st Road,

Xi’an, PRC

710075

(Address of principal executive offices including zip code)

86-29-81878277

(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 mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. ☒ Yes  ☐ No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). ☒ Yes  ☐ No

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

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

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

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

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

FUTURE FINTECH GROUP INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

FUTURE FINTECH GROUP INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

(Unaudited)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

FUTURE FINTECH GROUP INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

FUTURE FINTECH GROUP INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for interim financial information and the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. In the opinion of management, the unaudited financial statements have been prepared on the same basis as the annual financial statements and reflect all adjustments, which include only normal recurring adjustments, necessary to present fairly the financial position as of September 30, 2019 and the results of operations and cash flows for the periods ended September 30, 2019 and 2018. The financial data and other information disclosed in these notes to the interim financial statements related to these periods are unaudited. The results for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2019 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for any subsequent periods or for the entire year ending December 31, 2019. The balance sheet at December 31, 2018 has been derived from the audited financial statements at that date.

Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States have been condensed or omitted pursuant to the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and regulations. These unaudited financial statements should be read in conjunction with our audited financial statements and notes thereto for the year ended December 31, 2018 as included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K.

The principal activities of Future FinTech Group Inc. (together with our direct or indirect subsidiaries, “we,” “us,” “our” or “the Company”) consist of production and sales of fruit juice concentrates, fruit juice beverages and other fruit-related products in the People’s Republic of China (“PRC”, or “China”), and overseas markets. Due to drastically increased production cost and tightened environmental law in China, the Company is transforming its business from fruit juice manufacturing and distribution to a real-name blockchain e-commerce platform that integrates blockchain and internet technology.

On January 22, 2019, the company formally launched GlobalKey SharedMall, also known as Chain Cloud Mall (“CCM”) v1.0, the real-name blockchain shared shopping mall platform that integrates blockchain and internet technology and distinguishes itself by utilizing the automatic value distribution system of blockchain and sharing the value of the platform with all participants in the system.

On June 1, 2019, CCM v2.0 was launched. Compared to the 1.0 version, CCM v2.0 has a wider variety of product categories, easier user interface, more transparent information, more stable operation, higher security level, and faster logistics. Currently, CCM v2.0 adopts a “multi-vendor hosted stores + platform self-hosted stores” model, supported by multiple local warehouses in different regions. The platform supports various marketing methods, including point rewards programs, coupons, live webcasts, game interactions, and social media sharing. Besides the blockchain-powered features, CCM v2.0 is also fully equipped with the same functions and services that other Chinese leading traditional e-commerce platforms provide.

On July 30, 2019 the Company announced the adoption of blockchain-powered unalterable Quick Response One (“QRO”) anti-counterfeiting code to all products under the Company's Hedetang brand. On August 2, 2019, the Company announced the adoption of the QRO anti-counterfeiting code on its global shared shopping platform - Chain Cloud Mall (CCM), a blockchain-based shopping platform. By adopting the QRO anti-counterfeiting code technology, the products will be issued an unalterable anti-counterfeiting code that records every event or transaction on a distributed ledger, which makes the whole process from manufacturing to delivering traceable. The adoption of QRO anti-counterfeiting code is an important step to distinguish Chain Cloud Mall from other shopping platforms. With the QRO code, manufacturers can easily and directly build trust with consumers.

Besides the design, development, testing, deployment and maintenance of a blockchain-based CCM Shared Shopping Mall, the Company also operates a supply chain, logistics and trading business for fruit juice products, foods and other consumer and agricultural products as well as a digital payment system, “DCON,” through blockchain technology. DCON is built to be a transparent digital payment system backed by blockchain technology and its mBTC is the only currency and payment system used in Nova Realm City (“NRC”) communities. Each Bitcoin exchanges for one million mBTC and DCON provides exchange services between its mBTC and Bitcoin.

The Company’s activities are principally conducted by subsidiaries operating in the PRC. 

Organizational Structure

Our current organizational structure is set forth in the diagram below: 

On July 31, 2019, Chain Cloud Mall Network and Technology (Tianjin) Co., Ltd., (“CCM Tianjin”), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, Chain Cloud Mall E-commerce (Tianjin) Co., Ltd., a limited liability company incorporated under the laws of China (the “E-commerce Tianjin” or “WOFE”), and Mr. Zeyao Xue and Mr. Kai Xu, citizens of China and shareholders of E-commerce Tianjin, entered into the following agreements, or collectively, the “Variable Interest Entity Agreements” or “VIE Agreements,” pursuant to which CCM Tianjin has contractual rights to control and operate the business of E-commerce Tianjin (the “VIE”).

Pursuant to Chinese law and regulations, a foreign owned enterprise cannot apply for and hold a license for operation of certain e-commerce businesses, the category of business which the Company plans to expand in China. CCM Tianjin is an indirectly wholly foreign owned enterprise of the Company. In order to comply with Chinese law and regulations, CCM Tianjin agreed to provide E-commerce Tianjin an Exclusive Operation and Use Rights Authorization to operate and use the Chain Cloud Mall System owned by CCM Tianjin.

The following is a summary of the currently effective contractual arrangements relating to E-commerce Tianjin.

Contractual Arrangements with Our Consolidated Affiliated Entity and Its Respective Shareholders

Our contractual arrangements with our VIE and their respective shareholders allow us to (i) exercise effective control over our VIE, (ii) receive substantially all of the economic benefits of our VIE, and (iii) have an exclusive option to purchase all or part of the equity interests in our VIE when and to the extent permitted by PRC law.

As a result of our direct ownership in our WFOE and the contractual arrangements with our VIE, we are regarded as the primary beneficiary of our VIE, and we treat them and their subsidiaries as our consolidated affiliated entities under U.S. GAAP. We have consolidated the financial results of our VIE in our consolidated financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

Agreements that Provide us with Effective Control over our VIE

Exclusive Purchase Option Agreement.

Pursuant to the Exclusive Purchase Option Agreement, Mr. Zeyao Xue and Mr. Kai Xu granted to CCM Tianjin and any party designated by CCM Tianjin the exclusive right to purchase, at any time during the term of this agreement, all or part of the equity interests in E-commerce Tianjin, or the “Equity Interests,” at a purchase price equal to the registered capital paid by Mr. Zeyao Xue and Mr. Kai Xu for the Equity Interests, or, in the event that applicable law requires an appraisal of the Equity Interests, the lowest price permitted under applicable law. Pursuant to powers of attorney executed by Mr. Zeyao Xue and Mr. Kai Xu, they irrevocably authorized any person appointed by CCM Tianjin to exercise all shareholder rights, including but not limited to voting on their behalf on all matters requiring approval of E-commerce Tianjin’s shareholder, disposing of all or part of the shareholder’s equity interest in E-commerce Tianjin, and electing, appointing or removing directors and executive officers. The person designated by CCM Tianjin is entitled to dispose of dividends and profits on the equity interest without reliance on any oral or written instructions of Mr. Zeyao Xue and Mr. Kai Xu. The powers of attorney will remain in force for so long as Mr. Zeyao Xue and Mr. Kai Xu remain the shareholders of E-commerce Tianjin. Mr. Zeyao Xue and Mr. Kai Xu have waived all the rights which have been authorized to CCM Tianjin’s designated person under the powers of attorney.

Equity Pledge Agreement.

Pursuant to the Equity Pledge Agreements, Mr. Zeyao Xue and Mr. Kai Xu pledged all of the Equity Interests to CCM Tianjin to secure the full and complete performance of the obligations and liabilities on the part of E-commerce Tianjin and them under this and the above contractual arrangements. If E-commerce Tianjin, Mr. Zeyao Xue, or Mr. Kai Xu breaches their contractual obligations under these agreements, then CCM Tianjin, as pledgee, will have the right to dispose of the pledged equity interests. Mr. Zeyao Xue and Mr. Kai Xu agree that, during the term of the Equity Pledge Agreements, they will not dispose of the pledged equity interests or create or allow any encumbrance on the pledged equity interests, and they also agree that CCM Tianjin’s rights relating to the equity pledge should not be interfered with or impaired by the legal actions of the shareholders of E-commerce Tianjin, their successors or designees. During the term of the equity pledge, CCM Tianjin has the right to receive all of the dividends and profits distributed on the pledged equity. The Equity Pledge Agreements will terminate on the second anniversary of the date when E-commerce Tianjin, Mr. Zeyao Xue and Mr. Kai Xu have completed all their obligations under the contractual agreements described above.

Agreements that Allow us to Receive Economic Benefits from our VIE

Exclusive Technology Consulting and Service Agreement.

Pursuant to the Exclusive Technology Consulting and Service Agreement, CCM Tianjin agreed to act as the exclusive consultant of E-commerce Tianjin and provide technology consulting and services to E-commerce Tianjin. In exchange, E-commerce Tianjin agreed to pay CCM Tianjin a technology consulting and service fee, the amount of which is to be equivalent to the amount of net profit before tax of E-commerce Tianjin, payable on a quarterly basis after making up losses of previous years (if necessary) and deducting necessary costs, expenses and taxes related to the business operations of E-commerce Tianjin. Without the prior written consent of CCM Tianjin, E-commerce Tianjin may not accept the same or similar technology consulting and services provided by any third party during the term of the agreement. All the benefits and interests generated from the agreement, including but not limited to intellectual property rights, know-how and trade secrets, will be CCM Tianjin’s sole and exclusive property. This agreement has a term of 10 years and may be extended unilaterally by CCM Tianjin with CCM Tianjin’s written confirmation prior to the expiration date. E-commerce Tianjin cannot terminate the agreement early unless CCM Tianjin commits fraud, gross negligence or illegal acts, or becomes bankrupt or winds up.

Agreements that Provide us with the Option to Purchase the Equity Interests in and Assets of our VIE

See Exclusive Purchase Option Agreement above

Spousal Consent Letters. The spouse of Mr. Kai Xu (Mr. Zeyao Xue is not married) of Chain Cloud Mall E-commerce (Tianjin) Co., Ltd. has signed a spousal consent letter agreeing that the equity interests in Chain Cloud Mall E-commerce (Tianjin) Co., Ltd. held by and registered under the name of the shareholder will be disposed pursuant to the contractual agreements with our WFOE. Mr. Xu’s spouse agreed not to assert any rights over the equity interest in Chain Cloud Mall E-commerce (Tianjin) Co., Ltd. held by the shareholder

Principles of Consolidation

Our consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company, its subsidiaries and VIEs. All material intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. 

The condensed consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. This basis differs from that used in the statutory accounts of SkyPeople (China), Food Industry Yidu,, Agriculture Plantation Yidu, Yingkou, Huludao Wonder, Yichang Odd Orchard, Xi’an Cornucopia, Shaanxi Qiyiwangguo, Shaanxi Heying, Food Industry Jingyang,, Foods Industry Zhouzhi, Hedetang Holding, Hedetang Research,, SkyPeople Suizhong, Hedejiachuan Yichang, Guo Wei Mei, HeDeJiaChuan Foods Xi’an,Shenzhen Hedetang, Dcon Digipay, FinTech HK, Hedetang Foods China, Agricultural Silkroad, Agricultural Plantation Mei County Trading Market Yidu, Trading Market Mei County, Hedetang Plantations, GlobalKey Supply Chain Limited, Zhonglian Hengxin, FinTech (Xi’an), and Chain Future (Tianjin), China Future (Beijing), and Chain Cloud Mall (Tianjin), all of which were prepared in accordance with the accounting principles and relevant financial regulations applicable to enterprises in the PRC. All necessary adjustments have been made to present the financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP. All significant inter-company accounts and transactions have been eliminated.

Uses of Estimates in the Preparation of Financial Statements

The Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, which requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the condensed consolidated financial statements and reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. The significant areas requiring the use of management estimates include, but are not limited to, the allowance for doubtful accounts receivable, estimated useful life and residual value of property, plant and equipment, provision for staff benefit, recognition and measurement of deferred income taxes and valuation allowance for deferred tax assets. Although these estimates are based on management’s knowledge of current events and actions management may undertake in the future, actual results may ultimately differ from these estimates. 

Going Concern

The Company’s financial statements are prepared using accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America applicable to a going concern, which contemplates the realization of assets and liquidation of liabilities in the normal course of business for the foreseeable future.

Under the going concern assumption, an entity is ordinarily viewed as continuing in business for the foreseeable future with neither the intention nor the necessity of liquidation, ceasing trading, or seeking protection from creditors pursuant to laws or regulations. Accordingly, assets and liabilities are recorded on the basis that the entity will be able to realize its assets and discharge its liabilities in the normal course of business.

The accompanying financial statements do not include any adjustments related to the recoverability and classification of assets or the amounts and classifications of liabilities that might be necessary should the Company be unable to continue as a going concern.

The ability of the Company to continue as a going concern is dependent upon its ability to successfully execute its new business strategy and eventually attain profitable operations. The accompanying financial statements do not include any adjustments that may be necessary if the Company is unable to continue as a going concern.

The Company had advanced receipts from its customers for the new business section of blockchain based e-commerce platform since December 2018, and started to recognize those advanced receipts as revenue from January 2019. The amount of recognized revenue and advanced payments received from its customers had been increasing for the nine months ended September 30, 2019.

Shipping and Handling Costs

Shipping and handling amounts billed to customers in related sales transactions are included in sales revenues and shipping expenses incurred by the Company are reported as a component of selling expenses. The shipping and handling expenses of $5,865 and $13,523 for the three months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively; and $16,459 and $156,729 for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively; are reported in the Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income (Loss) as a component of selling expenses. The decrease in shipping and handling costs compared to the same period in year 2018 was mainly due to a decrease in sales of our fruit related products.

Leases

Leases are reviewed and classified as capital or operating at their inception in accordance with ASC Topic 840, Accounting for Leases. For leases that contain rent escalations, the Company records monthly rent expense equal to the total amount of the payments due in the reporting period over the lease term. The difference between rent expense recorded and amount paid is credited or charged to a deferred rent account.

Earnings Per Share (“EPS”)

The Company adopted ASC Topic 215, Statement of Shareholder Equity. Basic EPS are computed by dividing net income available to common shareholders (numerator) by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding (denominator) during the period. Diluted EPS give effect to all dilutive potential common shares outstanding during a period. In computing diluted EPS, the average price for the period is used in determining the number of shares assumed to be purchased from the exercise of stock options and warrants.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-15, "Intangibles - Goodwill and Other - Internal-use Software (Subtopic 350-40): Customer's Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That Is a Service Contract." The standard requires implementation costs incurred by customers in cloud computing arrangements to be capitalized and amortized under the same premises of authoritative guidance for internal-use software. Adoption of ASU 2018-15 did not have any other material effect on the results of operations, financial position or cash flows of the Company.

In June 2018, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update “ASU No. 2018-07 – Compensation – Stock Compensation”.  The ASU expands the scope of current guidance to include all share-based payment arrangements related to the acquisition of goods and services from both non-employees and employees.  The guidance in the ASU is effective for the Company in all fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018.  Adoption of ASU 2018-07 did not have any other material effect on the results of operations, financial position or cash flows of the Company.

February 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-02, Income Statement-Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220), “Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income.” ASU 2018-02 was issued to allow the reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings for the stranded tax effect resulting from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act enacted on December 22, 2017. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, among other things, reduced the corporate tax rate from 35.00% to 21.00%, which required the re-evaluation of any deferred tax assets or liabilities at the lowered tax rate which potentially could leave disproportionate tax effects in accumulated other comprehensive income. ASU 2018-02 allows for the election to reclassify these stranded tax effects to retained earnings. ASU 2018-02 is effective for all entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in any interim period for public business entities for reporting periods for which financial statements have not yet been issued. Adoption of ASU 2018-02 did not have any other material effect on the results of operations, financial position or cash flows of the Company.

There were no other recent accounting pronouncements or changes in accounting pronouncements during the three months ended September 30, 2019 compared to the recent accounting pronouncements described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 that are of significance or potential significance to us.

Inventories by major categories are summarized as follows: (in thousands)

Sales to Related Party

The Company did not have any sales to related parties for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively. The accounts receivable balances for such transactions were nil as of September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively

Sales to our five largest customers accounted for an aggregate of approximately 2.20% and 9.00% of our net sales during the three months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively. Since our new business sections mainly targets individuals, resulting in a dramatic decrease in customer concentration, there was no single customer representing over 10.00% of total sales for the three months ended September 30, 2019 and September 30, 2018, respectively.

During the three months ended September 30, 2019, no supplier accounted for over 10.00% of our purchases, and only one supplier accounted for 10.00% for the same period of year 2018, respectively. 

On April 12, 2017, the Company entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) with certain purchasers identified on the signature pages thereto (the “Purchasers”), pursuant to which the Company offered to the Purchasers, in a registered direct offering, an aggregate of 862,097 shares (the “Shares”) of common stock, par value $0.001 per share (“Common Stock”). The Shares were sold to the Purchasers at a negotiated purchase price of $3.10 per share, for aggregate gross proceeds to the Company of $2,672,500, before deducting fees to the placement agent and other estimated offering expenses payable by the Company. The Shares were offered by the Company pursuant to an effective shelf registration statement on Form S-3, which was originally filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 3, 2015, amended on February 17, 2017, and was declared effective on February 23, 2017 (File No. 333-206353) (the “Registration Statement”).

In a concurrent private placement, the Company also issued to each of the Purchasers a warrant to purchase one (1) share of the Company’s Common Stock for each share purchased under the Purchase Agreement, pursuant to that certain Common Stock Purchase Warrant, by and between the Company and each Purchaser (each, a “Warrant”, and collectively, the “Warrants”). The Warrants are exercisable beginning on the six month anniversary of the date of issuance at an initial exercise price of $5.20 per share and will expire on the five and a half year anniversary of the date of issuance.

The Warrants and the shares of the Company’s Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of the Warrants (the “Warrant Shares”) are not being registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), pursuant to the Company’s Registration Statement, and were instead offered pursuant to the exemption provided in Section 4(a)(2) under the Securities Act. Each Purchaser was either (i) an “accredited investor” as defined in Rule 501(a)(1), (a)(2), (a)(3), (a)(7) or (a)(8) under the Securities Act or (ii) a “qualified institutional buyer” as defined in Rule 144A(a) under the Securities Act.

In connection with the private placement and in accordance with the Purchase Agreement, the Company was required to file a registration statement on Form S-1 within 45 calendar days after the date of the Purchase Agreement to provide for the resale of the Warrant Shares. The Company filed a registration statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-218276) on May 26, 2017, which was declared effective on June 12, 2017.

Rodman & Renshaw, a unit of H.C. Wainwright & Co., served as our placement agent in connection with the offering under the Purchase Agreement and received warrants to purchase our Common Stock in an amount equal to 4.00% of our Shares sold to the Purchasers in the offering on substantially the same terms as the Warrants, with an initial exercise price of $5.20 per share, except that the termination date shall be April 12, 2022 and the warrants have certain transfer restrictions pursuant to FINRA Rule 5110 (the “Placement Agent Warrants”).

On November 2, 2017 (the “Agreement Date”), a wholly-owned indirect subsidiary of the Company, Hedetang Foods (China) Co., Ltd. (“Hedetang”), entered into a series of Creditor’s Rights Transfer Agreements (collectively, the “Acquisition Agreements”) with each of Shaanxi Chunlv Ecological Agriculture Co. Ltd., Shaanxi Boai Medical Technology Development Co., Ltd., and Shaanxi Fu Chen Venture Capital Management Co. Ltd. (collectively, the “Sellers”). Pursuant to the Acquisition Agreements, Hedetang agreed to purchase certain creditor’s rights associated with companies located in the PRC, for an aggregate purchase price of RMB 181,006,980 (approximately $27,344,096), of which RMB 108,604,188 (approximately $16,437,249) was paid in cash and RMB 72,402,792 (approximately $10,937,639) was paid in shares of common stock of the Company based on the average of the closing prices of Future FinTech’s common stock over the five trading days preceding the date of the Acquisition Agreements.

A summary of the Acquisition Agreements is as follows:

1) Shaanxi Chunlv Ecological Agriculture Co. Ltd. agreed to transfer all its credit rights of principal and interest owed by Xi’an Tongji Department Store Co., Ltd. to Hedetang. As of the Agreement Date, the book balance of the principal was RMB 23,625,000, the interest was RMB 38,281,900, and the total credit balance, including the principal and the interest, was RMB 61,906,900, of which the RMB 19,757,800 credit was guaranteed by a third party company.

2) Shaanxi Chunlv Ecological Agriculture Co. Ltd. agreed to transfer all its credit rights of principal and interest owed by Shaanxi Youyi Co., Ltd. to Hedetang. As of the Agreement Date, the book balance for the principal was RMB 45,345,000, the interest was RMB 71,224,300, and the total credit balance including the principal and the interest was RMB 116,569,300, all of which was guaranteed by a third party company.

3) Shaanxi Fu Chen Venture Capital Management Co., Ltd. agreed to transfer all its credit rights of principal and interest owed by State Owned Shaanxi No. 8 Cotton and Textile Mill to Hedetang. As of the Agreement Date, the book balance for the principal was RMB 72,370,000, the interest was RMB 138,037,700, the total of credit including the principal and the interest was RMB 210,407,700, and there was no effective guarantee or pledged assets to secure this debt.

4) Shaanxi Boai Medical Technology Development Co., Ltd. agreed to transfer all its credit rights of principal and interest owed by Xi’an Yanliang Economic Development Co., Ltd. to Hedetang. As of the Agreement Date, the book balance for the principal was RMB 6,350,000, the interest was RMB 9,834,300, and the total of credit including the principal and the interest was RMB 16,184,300, which is secured by certain land use rights.

In connection with the Acquisition Agreements and to provide funding for their consummation, on November 3, 2017, the Company entered into a Share Purchase Agreement (the “Share Purchase Agreement”) with Mr. Zeyao Xue (“Xue”) pursuant to which Future FinTech agreed to sell 11,362,159 shares of its common stock (the “Shares”) to Xue for an aggregate purchase price of $16,437,249. The per share price for the Shares was determined using the average closing price quoted on the NASDAQ Global Market for the common stock of the Company over the three (3) trading days prior to the date of the Share Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase Price”), subject to potential upward adjustment. The consummation of the Share Purchase Agreement was contingent on Future FinTech receiving shareholder approval at a Special Shareholders Meeting for an amendment to its articles of incorporation and the approval of Share issuance under the Share Purchase Agreement by the shareholders of the Company.

On April 6, 2018, the Company issued an aggregate 7,111,599 shares of the Company’s common stock to three individuals designated by the Sellers in the respective amounts of 3,409,466, 3,323,225 and 378,908 shares, pursuant to the Acquisition Agreements, and 11,362,159 shares of the Company’s common stock pursuant to the Share Purchase Agreement, which such issuances were approved by the Company’s shareholders at a special meeting held on March 13, 2018.

On January 23, 2018, DigiPay FinTech Limited (“DigiPay”), a limited liability company incorporated in the British Virgin Islands and a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, and Peng Youwang (“Peng”), a Chinese citizen, entered into a DCON Digital Assets Transfer Agreement (the “DCON Agreement”).

Under the terms of the Agreement, Peng transferred to DigiPay a 60.00% ownership interest in certain digital assets of DCON, a blockchain platform for cryptocurrency conversion, payment and other services (“DCON”), including but not limited to its business plan and white papers, business models, software, codes, architectures, applications, technologies, patents, copyrights, trade secrets, customer lists, business points, trading platforms, digital rights, authentication systems, agreements and contracts, intellectual property, tokens, and the DCON communities established on Nova Realm City (the “Transfer Assets”) for an aggregate purchase price of $9,600,000 (the “Purchase Price”). The Company paid the Purchase Price by issuing to Peng 1,200,000 shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Common Stock”), equaling a per share sale price of $8.00 (the “Share Payment”). Half of the shares of Common Stock subject to the Share Payment were issued within 30 days of the date of the Agreement, and the remaining Share Payment shares were issued within 90 days of the date of the Agreement. On May 3, 2018, the Company issued the remaining 600,000 shares of its common stock to Mr. Peng and his designee according to the Agreement.

The Agreement also contains customary representations and warranties regarding the Transfer Assets and the ownership thereof, and covenants regarding the parties’ cooperation. DigiPay and Peng further agreed to establish a Japanese operating company for the Transfer Assets, of which DigiPay holds a 60.00% ownership interest and Peng’s designee holds a 40.00% ownership interest.

On January 5, 2018, the Company issued 880,580 shares of its common stock to Reits (Beijing) Technology Co. Ltd., a limited liability company incorporated in China (“Reits”) pursuant to the Technology Development Service Contract (the “Service Agreement”) signed on December 18, 2017 by Reits and GlobalKey Supply Chain Ltd. (“GlobalKey”), a limited liability company incorporated in China and a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company.

Under the Service Agreement, Reits shall provide services to GlobalKey relating to the design, development, testing, deployment and maintenance of a blockchain-based Globally Shared Shopping Mall and other software systems (the “System”). Following the completion and delivery of the System by Reits, (i) GlobalKey shall provide the hardware and network requirements for the trial deployment of the System, (ii) Reits shall provide training of GlobalKey’s staff in the use and operation of the System, and (iii) for a period of one year from the System delivery date and for no additional charge, Reits shall provide ongoing System maintenance and technical support (the “Free Maintenance Period”). Following the completion of the Free Maintenance Period, GlobalKey may elect to engage Reits for ongoing maintenance and technical support. Under the Service Agreement, GlobalKey shall pay Reits aggregate consideration of RMB 13,000,000 ($2,067,397), of which RMB 9,100,000 ($1,447,178) may be paid in shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Common Stock”), at a per share price equal to the average of the Common Stock’s closing prices over the 5 trading days prior to the date of the Agreement, or $1.554 per share (the “Share Payment”). The exchange rate between US dollar and RMB for the payment is 1:6.65. The Share Payment was made within 15 business days of the date of the Service Agreement, and the remaining Service Agreement consideration shall be paid by GlobalKey in accordance with the schedule described in the Service Agreement. The Company paid RMB 876,663 ($139,416) and RMB 788,353 ($115,459) in cash to Reits in the first and second quarters of 2018, respectively.

On January 5, 2018, the Company issued 30,000 shares of the Company’s common stock to a certain warrant holder for the exercise of Warrants.

On February 28, 2017, the Company issued options to purchase 62,500 shares of the Company’s common stock with an exercise price equal to the fair market value of the Company’s Common Stock (as defined under the 2011 Stock Incentive Plan in conformity with Regulation 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended) at the date of grant to three of the Company’s employees pursuant to the 2011 Stock Incentive Plan, which was approved by the Company’s shareholders at annual stockholders meeting on August 18, 2011. These options vested immediately on the grant date with a fair market value of $223,375 based on the fair value of $3.57 per share, which was determined by using the Black Scholes option pricing model. The Company recognized stock-based compensation expense of $223,375 in the first quarter of fiscal 2017 under the 2011 Stock Incentive Plan. On January 5, 2018, the Company issued 62,500 shares of the Company’s common stock to three of its employees for the exercise of such stock options.

As of September 30, 2019, there were no shares of stock available for awards under the 2011 Stock Incentive Plan.

On March 29, 2017, the Company issued 250,000 shares of the Company’s unrestricted common stock to six of the Company’s employees pursuant to our 2015 Omnibus Equity Plan, which was approved by the Company’s shareholders at the annual stockholders meeting on November 19, 2015. The Company recorded an expense of $250 in the first quarter of fiscal 2017 under the 2015 Omnibus Equity Plan, reflecting a par value of $0.001 per share of the Company’s common stock.

The Company’s 2015 Omnibus Equity Plan permits the grant of incentive stock options (“ISOs”), nonqualified stock options (“NQSOs”), stock appreciation rights (“SARs”), restricted stock, unrestricted stock and restricted stock units (“RSUs”) to its employees of up to 250,000 shares of Common Stock. As of September 30, 2019, there were no shares of stock available for awards under the 2015 Stock Incentive Plan.

On March 13, 2018, the Company’s shareholders approved the 2017 Omnibus Equity Plan at the annual shareholders meeting, which permits the grant of incentive stock options (“ISOs”), nonqualified stock options (“NQSOs”), stock appreciation rights (“SARs”), restricted stock, unrestricted stock and restricted stock units (“RSUs”) to its employees of up to1,300,000 shares of Common Stock. On December 21, 2018, the Company granted 1,300,000 shares of the Company’s unrestricted common stock to seven of the Company’s employees pursuant to our 2017 Omnibus Equity Plan, which was approved by the Company’s shareholders at the annual shareholders meeting on December 6, 2018.

The Company recorded an expense of $13,000 in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2018 under the 2017 Omnibus Equity Plan, reflecting a par value of $0.001 per share of the Company’s common stock. As of September 30, 2019, there were no shares of stock available for awards under the 2017 Omnibus Equity Plan.

On October 19, 2018, the Company issued 5 million shares of its Common Stock to Mr. Chenliu pursuant to the InUnion Chain Ltd. Shares Transfer and IUN Digital Assets Investment Agreement entered into on June 22, 2018 between Digipay, Mr. Chenliu, an individual resident of Costa Rica, and InUnion Chain Ltd. (“InUnion”), a British Virgin Islands company wholly owned by Mr. Chenliu.

On January 23, 2018, DigiPay and Peng entered into the DCON Agreement . Under the terms of the DCON Agreement, Peng transferred to DigiPay a 60.00% ownership interest in certain digital assets of DCON, a blockchain platform for cryptocurrency conversion, payment and other services (“DCON”), including but not limited to its business plan and white papers, business models, software, codes, architectures, codes, software, applications, technologies, patents, copyrights, trade secrets, customer lists, business points, trading platforms, digital rights, authentication systems, agreements and contracts, intellectual property, token, and the DCON communities established on Nova Realm City (the “Transfer Assets”) for an aggregate purchase price of $9,600,000 (the “Purchase Price”).

DCON DigiPay Limited was incorporated in Japan and 60.00% owned by the Company. The Company has recognized this digital asset as an intangible asset at a total amount of the purchase price of $9,600,000, and amortized over 5 years, with amortization of $1,440,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2019.

In April 2016, the Company signed a letter of intent with Mei County Kiwifruits Investment and Development Corporation to purchase 833.5 mu (approximately 137 acres) of kiwifruits orchard in Mei County. The purchase price will be determined by a third party valuation company appointed by both parties. As of the date of this report, the valuation has not been completed and the purchase price has not been settled. The Company paid RMB 200 million (approximately $30 million) as a deposit in the second quarter of 2016. The purchase is subject to government approval, approval by the Company’s Board of Directors and a definitive agreement negotiated and signed by the parties. Pursuant to the letter of intent, the Deposit shall be returned to the Company within 10 working days upon the request of the Company if the kiwifruits orchard cannot be transferred to the Company according to the schedule. The Company expects to complete the purchase process in 2020.

On August 3, 2016, Shaanxi Guoweimei Kiwi Deep Processing Company, an indirectly wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, signed a lease agreement for 20,000 mu (approximately 3,292 square acres) of a kiwifruits orchard located in Mei County, Shaanxi Province, with the Di’erpo Committe of Jinqu Village, Mei County, Shaanxi for a term of 30 years, from August 5, 2016 to August 4, 2046. The annual leasing fee is RMB 1,250 (approximately $189) per mu, and payment of 10 years of leasing fees shall be made on each of September 25, 2016, 2026 and 2036. The Company made a payment of RMB 250 million (approximately $37.4 million) for the first 10 years’ leasing fees on August 15, 2016, which is recorded as deposits in the Company’s balance sheet.

On August 15, 2016, Hedetang Agricultural Plantations (Yidu) Co., Ltd., an indirectly wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, signed a lease agreement for 8,000 mu (approximately 1,317 square acres) of an orange orchard located in city of Yidu, Hubei Province, with the Yidu Sichang Farmers Association, Hubei Province, for a term of 20 years, from September 22, 2016 to September 21, 2036. The annual leasing fee is RMB 2,000 (approximately $306) per mu, and payment of 10 years of leasing fees shall be made on each of September 25, 2016 and 2026. The Company made a payment of RMB 160 million (approximately $24.0 million) for the first 10 years’ of leasing fees on September 20, 2016, which is recorded as deposits in the Company’s balance sheet.

The Company’s Huludao Wonder operation, a subsidiary which produces concentrated apple juice, has suffered continued operating losses since year 2014. In December 2016, the Company established a winding-down plan to close this operation. Based on the restructuring plan and in accordance with EITF 03-13, the Company presented the operating results from Huludao Wonder as a discontinued operation, as the Company believed that no continued cash flow would be generated by the disposed component (Huludao Wonder) and that the Company would have no significant continuing involvement in the operation of the discontinued component. Management of the Company initiated a plan to sell the property located in Huludao in December 2016, and ceased the depreciation of the property in accordance with SFAS No. 144. Huludao Wonder additionally stopped payment of interest on the loan it borrowed during year 2016. The bank sued Huludao Wonder, the result was that according to the enforcement of the court, Huludao Wonder paid off its all owed long-term debt principal and interest due at the time of the settlement with its fixed assets in year 2018.

As of September 30, 2019, Huludao Wonder no longer incurred any income or expenses, and the Company believes there will not be any future significant cash flows from the discontinued operation, as the outstanding accounts receivable and accounts payable are immaterial to the Company’s financial position and liquidity.

The Company operates in four segments starting from fiscal 2019: shared shopping mall membership fee, fruit related products, sales of goods and others. Our concentrated juice and juice beverages are primarily produced by the Company’s Jingyang factory.

In compliance with the Company’s business transformation strategy, membership fee from shared shopping mall, sales of goods through shared shopping mall platform started to generate the main revenues for the Company and became more and more important business sections of the Company since fiscal 2019, while its traditional business section of seasonal fruit related products continued to shrink in the third quarter of 2019.

For the three months ended September 30, 2019, the Company sold its fruit related products and other products still mainly to domestic customers in the PRC.

Some of these product segments might not individually meet the quantitative thresholds for determining reportable segments and we determine the reportable segments based on the discrete financial information provided to the chief operating decision maker. The chief operating decision maker evaluates the results of each segment in assessing performance and allocating resources among the segments. Since there is an overlap of services provided and products manufactured between different subsidiaries of the Company, the Company does not allocate operating expenses and assets based on the product segments. Therefore, operating expenses and asset information by segment are not presented. Segment profit represents the gross profit of each reportable segment.

For the three months ended September 30, 2019 (in thousands):

For the three months ended September 30, 2018 (in thousands):

For the nine months ended September 30, 2019 (in thousands)

For the nine months ended September 30, 2018 (in thousands)

The following table reconciles reportable segment profit to the Company’s condensed consolidated income before income tax provision for the three months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018: (in thousands)

On July 31, 2019, CCM TianjinE-commerce Tianjin, and Mr. Zeyao Xue and Mr. Kai Xu, citizens of China and shareholders of E-commerce Tianjin, entered into the following agreements, or collectively, the “Variable Interest Entity Agreements” or “VIE Agreements,” pursuant to which CCM Tianjin has contractual rights to control and operate the business of E-commerce Tianjin (the “VIE”).

Pursuant to Chinese law and regulations, a foreign owned enterprise cannot apply for and hold a license for operation of certain e-commerce businesses, the category of business which the Company plans to expand in China. CCM Tianjin is an indirectly wholly foreign owned enterprise of the Company. In order to comply with Chinese law and regulations, CCM Tianjin agreed to provide E-commerce Tianjin an Exclusive Operation and Use Rights Authorization to operate and use the Chain Cloud Mall System owned by CCM Tianjin.

E-commerce Tianjin was incorporated by Mr. Zeyao Xue and Mr. Kai Xu solely for the purpose of holding the operation license of the Chain Cloud Mall System. Mr. Zeyao Xue is a major shareholder of the Company and the son of Mr. Yongke Xue, our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Kai Xu is the Chief Operating Officer of the Company.

The VIE Agreements are as follows:

1) Exclusive Technology Consulting and Service Agreement by and between CCM Tianjin and E-commerce Tianjin. Pursuant to the Exclusive Technology Consulting and Service Agreement, CCM Tianjin agreed to act as the exclusive consultant of E-commerce Tianjin and provide technology consulting and services to E-commerce Tianjin. In exchange, E-commerce Tianjin agreed to pay CCM Tianjin a technology consulting and service fee, the amount of which is to be equivalent to the amount of net profit before tax of E-commerce Tianjin, payable on a quarterly basis after making up losses of previous years (if necessary) and deducting necessary costs, expenses and taxes related to the business operations of E-commerce Tianjin. Without the prior written consent of CCM Tianjin, E-commerce Tianjin may not accept the same or similar technology consulting and services provided by any third party during the term of the agreement. All the benefits and interests generated from the agreement, including but not limited to intellectual property rights, know-how and trade secrets, will be CCM Tianjin’s sole and exclusive property. This agreement has a term of 10 years and may be extended unilaterally by CCM Tianjin with CCM Tianjin's written confirmation prior to the expiration date. E-commerce Tianjin cannot terminate the agreement early unless CCM Tianjin commits fraud, gross negligence or illegal acts, or becomes bankrupt or winds up.

2) Exclusive Purchase Option Agreement by and among CCM Tianjin, E-commerce Tianjin, Mr. Zeyao Xue and Mr. Kai Xu. Pursuant to the Exclusive Purchase Option Agreement, Mr. Zeyao Xue and Mr. Kai Xu granted to CCM Tianjin and any party designated by CCM Tianjin the exclusive right to purchase, at any time during the term of this agreement, all or part of the equity interests in E-commerce Tianjin, or the “Equity Interests,” at a purchase price equal to the registered capital paid by Mr. Zeyao Xue and Mr. Kai Xu for the Equity Interests, or, in the event that applicable law requires an appraisal of the Equity Interests, the lowest price permitted under applicable law. Pursuant to powers of attorney executed by Mr. Zeyao Xue and Mr. Kai Xu, they irrevocably authorized any person appointed by CCM Tianjin to exercise all shareholder rights, including but not limited to voting on their behalf on all matters requiring approval of E-commerce Tianjin’s shareholder, disposing of all or part of the shareholder's equity interest in E-commerce Tianjin, and electing, appointing or removing directors and executive officers. The person designated by CCM Tianjin is entitled to dispose of dividends and profits on the equity interest without reliance on any oral or written instructions of Mr. Zeyao Xue and Mr. Kai Xu. The powers of attorney will remain in force for so long as Mr. Zeyao Xue and Mr. Kai Xu remain the shareholders of E-commerce Tianjin. Mr. Zeyao Xue and Mr. Kai Xu have waived all the rights which have been authorized to CCM Tianjin’s designated person under the powers of attorney.

3) Equity Pledge Agreements by and among CCM Tianjin, E-commerce Tianjin, Mr. Zeyao Xue and Mr. Kai Xu. Pursuant to the Equity Pledge Agreements, Mr. Zeyao Xue and Mr. Kai Xu pledged all of the Equity Interests to CCM Tianjin to secure the full and complete performance of the obligations and liabilities on the part of E-commerce Tianjin and them under this and the above contractual arrangements. If E-commerce Tianjin, Mr. Zeyao Xue, or Mr. Kai Xu breaches their contractual obligations under these agreements, then CCM Tianjin, as pledgee, will have the right to dispose of the pledged equity interests. Mr. Zeyao Xue and Mr. Kai Xu agree that, during the term of the Equity Pledge Agreements, they will not dispose of the pledged equity interests or create or allow any encumbrance on the pledged equity interests, and they also agree that CCM Tianjin’s rights relating to the equity pledge should not be interfered with or impaired by the legal actions of the shareholders of E-commerce Tianjin, their successors or designees. During the term of the equity pledge, CCM Tianjin has the right to receive all of the dividends and profits distributed on the pledged equity. The Equity Pledge Agreements will terminate on the second anniversary of the date when E-commerce Tianjin, Mr. Zeyao Xue and Mr. Kai Xu have completed all their obligations under the contractual agreements described above. 

As a result of the above contractual arrangements, CCM Tianjin has substantial control over E-commerce Tianjin’s daily operations and financial affairs, election of its senior executives and all matters requiring shareholder approval. Furthermore, as the primary beneficiary of E-commerce Tianjin, the Company, via CCM Tianjin, is entitled to consolidate the financial results of E-commerce Tianjin in its own consolidated financial statements.

On September 18, 2019, SkyPeople Foods Holdings Limited, a company incorporated in the British Virgin Islands (“SkyPeople Foods”) and a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, entered into a Share Transfer Agreement (the “Agreement”) with New Continent International Co., Ltd., a company incorporated in the British Virgin Islands (the “Buyer”).  Pursuant to the terms of the Agreement, SkyPeople Foods will sell all of the issued and outstanding shares of HeDeTang Holdings (HK) Ltd. (“HeDeTang HK”), a wholly owned subsidiary of SkyPeople Foods, to the Buyer for a total of RMB 600,000, or approximately US$85,714 (the “Purchase Price”), which value is primarily derived from HeDeTang HK’s wholly-owned subsidiary HeDeJiaChuan Holdings Co., Ltd. and 73.41% owned subsidiary SkyPeople Juice Group Co., Ltd. (“SkyPeople China”). The Purchase Price was based upon the preliminary evaluation of HeDeTang HK and its subsidiaries by Shanxi Delixin Assets Evaluation Co., Ltd.(“ Shanxi Delixin”) If the final evaluation amount of HeDeTang HK and its subsidiaries by Shanxi Delixin is lower than or no more than 10.00% higher than the Purchase Price, the Parties agree there will be no change to the Purchase Price. If the final evaluation amount of HeDeTang HK and its subsidiaries by Shanxi Delixin is more than 10.00% higher than the Purchase Price, the Parties agree the final evaluation amount shall be the final purchase price. The closing of the above mentioned share transfer is subject to the approval by the shareholders of both parties and the approval by the shareholders of the Company.

Litigation

On June 29, 2015, SkyPeople China entered into a loan agreement with Beijing Bank. Pursuant to the loan agreement, SkyPeople China borrowed RMB 30 million (approximately $4.36 million) from Beijing Bank. Hongke Xue, Yongke Xue and Xiujun Wang provided guarantees for the loan and Shaanxi Boai Medical Technology Development Co., Ltd. (“Shaanxi Boai”) provided certain real estate property as a pledge for the loan. SkyPeople China did not repay the loan on time and Beijing Bank filed an enforcement request with Xi’an Intermediate People's Court in June 2017. The Xi’an Intermediate People’s Court seized real estate properties pledged by Shaanxi Boai and Xiujun Wang. In November, 2018, the Court sold the real estate property pledged by Xiujun Wang for RMB1,170,180. Because the real estate property is Xiujun Wang’s primary home, the Court allocated RMB 117,000 to Xiujun Wang as transition home leasing fee and deducted outstanding mortgage payments, and the remaining amount was delivered to Beijing Bank as the repayment. The Court has also made inquiries to Beijing Bank as to whether it is willing to accept the pledged real estate property of Shaanxi Boai as the repayment of the outstanding loan for the amount of RMB 27,932,300 (approximately $4.06 million) but Beijing Bank has refused to take the real property as repayment of the loan and the enforcement has been terminated by the Court.

On March 8, 2016, SkyPeople China entered into a loan agreement with Ningxia Bank. Pursuant to the loan agreement, SkyPeople China borrowed RMB 25 million (approximately $3.63 million) from Ningxia Bank. Hongke Xue, Yongke Xue, Lake Chen, Shaanxi Boai Medical Technology Development Co., Ltd. and Shaanxi Qiyiwangguo provided guarantees for the loan. SkyPeople China also pledged 37 pieces of equipment and the related trademarks to Ningxia Bank for the loan. SkyPeople China has not repaid the loan and Ningxia Bank filed an enforcement action with Xi’an Intermediate people’s court in August 2017. The Court has frozen the assets of SkyPeople China that were pledged as guarantee for the loan from being transferred to any third-party, but the freeze does not limit or affect the use of these properties by SkyPeople China for its business. In July 2018, Shaanxi Qiyiwangguo filed a petition to the Court and requested the termination of the enforcement action on the basis that its guarantee of the loan was not valid because the seal used on the guarantee agreement was not authentic and the guarantee was not approved by the shareholders of Shaanxi Qiyiwangguo. On November 27, 2018 Shaanxi Qiyiwangguo withdrew its petition and the Court agreed to such withdrawal and there has been no other progress of this case.

On December 23, 2015, SkyPeople China entered into two loan agreements with China Construction Bank. Pursuant to the loan agreements, SkyPeople China borrowed RMB 13.90 million (approximately $2.13 million), and RMB 30 million (approximately $4.59 million) from China Construction Bank, respectively. Shaanxi Boai Medical Technology Development Co., Ltd. (“Boai”), Hongke Xue, Yongke Xue, Xiujun Wang and Yingkou Trusty Fruits Co., Ltd. (“Yingkou”) provided pledges for the loans. SkyPeople China has not repaid the loans and China Construction Bank filed an enforcement action with Xi’an Intermediate People's Court in March 2017. In December, 2017, SkyPeople China received the enforcement notice from the Court. The Court has seized certain parking space and land use rights pledged by Xiujun Wang and Boai and sold the land use right pledged by Boai in auction for approximately RMB 24,835,790 as repayment to China Construction Bank. The Court also seized certain land use rights pledged by Yingkou Trusty Fruits Co., Ltd., but the auction sale for those rights was not successful. SkyPeople China currently is in discussions with China Construction Bank on the payment terms and the final amount.

On May 9, 2016, SkyPeople China entered into loan agreements with China Construction Bank. Pursuant to the loan agreements, SkyPeople China borrowed RMB 22.9 million (approximately $3.50 million) from China Construction Bank. Shaanxi Province Credit Reassurance Company (“Credit Reassurance Company”) provided a guarantee to China Construction Bank for the loan, Hongke Xue and Yongke Xue provided their guarantees, and SkyPeople China provided an office space that it owned to Credit Reassurance Company as a pledge. SkyPeople China has not repaid the loan and Credit Reassurance Company repaid the loan for SkyPeople China. In June 2017, Credit Reassurance filed an enforcement action request with Xi’an Intermediate People’s Court (the “Court”) in June 2017. In December 2017, SkyPeople China received the enforcement notice from the Court. The Court issued a verdict to seize the office space of SkyPeople China for auction sale on December 26, 2017. In February 2018, the auction sale was conducted but not successful. In June 2018, the Court decided to use the pledge property as the repayment for the outstanding loan of RMB 12.21million (approximately $1.78 million).

In April 2015, China Cinda Asset Management Co., Ltd. Shaanxi Branch (“Cinda Shaanxi Branch”) filed two enforcement proceedings with Xi’an Intermediate People’s Court (the “Court”) against the Company for alleged defaults pursuant to guarantees by the Company to its suppliers for a total amount of RMB 39,596,250 or approximately $5.80 million.

In September 2014, two long term suppliers of pear, mulberry, and kiwi fruits to the Company requested that the Company provide guarantees for their loans with Cinda Shaanxi Branch. Considering the long term business relationship and to ensure the timely supply of raw materials, the Company agreed to provide guarantees on the value of the raw materials supplied to the Company. Because Cinda Shaanxi Branch is not a bank authorized to provide loans, it eventually provided financing to the two suppliers through the purchase of accounts receivables of the two suppliers with the Company. In July 2014, the parties entered into two agreements – an Accounts Receivables Purchase and Debt Restructure Agreement, and Guarantee Agreements for Accounts Receivables Purchase and Debt Restructure. Pursuant to the agreements, Cinda Shaanxi Branch agreed to provide a RMB 100 million credit line on a rolling basis to the two suppliers and the Company agreed to pay its accounts payables to the two suppliers directly to Cinda Shaanxi Branch and provided guarantees for the two suppliers. In April 2015, Cinda Shaanxi Branch stopped providing financing to the two suppliers and the two suppliers were unable to continue the supply of raw materials to the Company. Consequently, the Company stopped making any payment to Cinda Shaanxi Branch.

The Company has responded to the Court and taken the position that the financings under the agreements are essentially the loans from Cinda Shaanxi Branch to the two suppliers, and because Cinda Shaanxi Branch does not have permits to make loans in China, the agreements are invalid, void and had no legal effect from the beginning. Therefore, the Company has no obligation to repay the debts owed by the two suppliers to Cinda Shaanxi Branch.

Upon the Court’s suggestion, the parties agreed to a settlement discussion in April 2017. As a part of the settlement discussion, on April 18, 2017, the Company withdrew its non-enforcement request from the Court without prejudice. Both parties are still in the process of settlement negotiations. If the parties cannot reach a settlement agreement, the Company has the right to refile the non-enforcement request with the Court. As th e Company may still be liable for this loan, the Company recorded expenses and liability of $5.80 million as the result of these two enforcement proceedings in the third quarter of 2018. 

In August 2017, Cinda Capital Financing Co. Ltd. (“Cinda”) filed a lawsuit with Beijing 2nd Intermediate People’s Court (the “Beijing Intermediate Court”) against the Company’s indirectly wholly-owned subsidiaries Shaanxi Guoweimei Kiwi Deep Processing Company, Ltd. (“Guoweimei”) and Hedetang Farm Products Trading Market (Mei County) Co., Ltd. (“Trading Market Mei County Co”, and together with Guoweimei, “Lessees”) requested that Lessees repay RMB 50 million (approximately $7.27 million) in capital lease fees, plus interest. Cinda has purchased or paid for refrigerant warehouse and trading hall to the suppliers and vendors and agreed to lease them to the Lessees for a leasing fee of RMB 50 million in December 2016. The capital leasing fee became due on its maturity date of June 2017, with certain land use rights of Lessees in Mei County and equity of Guoweimei as a pledge. The Company has disputed that the land use rights for the refrigerant warehouse and trading hall were never sold to or transferred to Cinda, therefore it is loan agreement and not capital lease agreement among the parties. Lessees have taken the position that Cinda is not a bank and does not have government permits required to make loans in China, and the agreements including pledge agreement were invalid, void and without legal effect from the beginning. Therefore, the Company only has the obligations to repay principal but not the interest. In November 2017, Beijing Intermediate Court ruled in favor of Cinda and the Lessees appealed the case to the Beijing Supreme Court. The Beijing Supreme Court held a hearing at the end of July 2018. On December 4, 2018, the Beijing Supreme Court upheld the lower court’s decision. Currently, the case is under enforcement procedure and Cinda is in the process of evaluating the value of the land use rights. Currently, the seized properties are still owned by subsidiaries of SkyPeople China.

In August 2017, Cinda Capital Financing Co. Ltd. (“Cinda”) filed another lawsuit with Beijing Intermediate Court against the Company’s indirectly wholly-owned subsidiaries Guoweimei and SkyPeople China for repayment of leasing fee of RMB 84,970,959 (approximately $12.35 million) plus interest. In January 2014, Guoweimei and SkyPeople China (the “Equipment Lessees”) signed an Equipment Financial Lease Purchase Agreement with Cinda and an equipment supplier pursuant to which Cinda would provide funds to purchase equipment and the Equipment Lessees would lease the equipment from Cinda. Guoweimei pledged certain land use rights in Mei County to Cinda and Xi’an Hedetang and Hedetang Holding pledged their equities in Guoweimei to Cinda to secure the repayment. Mr. Hongke Xue also provided a personal guarantee for the payment of the leasing fee. Beijing Intermediate Court had two hearings of the case and on March 21, 2018 it ruled in favor of Cinda to the effect that SkyPeople China and Guoweimei shall pay leasing fees due in the amount of RMB 20,994,048 (approximately $3.05 million), as well as leasing fees not yet due in the amount of RMB 63,975,910 (approximately $9.30 million), plus attorney’s fees and expenses. Beijing Intermediate Court also ruled that Mr. Hongke Xue is jointly liable for the debt as the guarantor, and that Cinda has priority rights to the pledged land use rights in Mei County and the pledged equities of Guoweimei as well as the ownership of the leasing properties until the leasing fees are paid. SkyPeople China has appealed the decision to the Beijing Supreme Court. The Beijing Supreme Court rejected the appeal and upheld the original verdict on September 7, 2018. Currently, the case is under enforcement procedure and the seized properties are still owned by subsidiaries of SkyPeople China.

In April 2015, SkyPeople China entered into a loan agreement with Shaanxi Fangtian Decoration Co. Ltd. (“Fangtian”). Pursuant to the loan agreement, SkyPeople China borrowed RMB 3.50 million (approximately $508,780) from Fangtian. SkyPeople China has not repaid the loan and Fangtian filed a lawsuit with Xi’an Yanta District People’s Court (“Yanta District Court”). On August 10, 2017, Yanta District Court ruled against SkyPeople China and determined that SkyPeople China must repay the loan of RMB 3.50 million plus interest RMB of 402,500 (approximately $585,098). Fangtian has requested that the Yanta District Court enter into enforcement procedures for the case. 

On May 4, 2015, SkyPeople China and Xi’an Branch of Shanghai Pudong Development Bank (SPD Bank Xi’an Branch) renewed a Working Capital Loan Contract and Repayment Schedule, according to which both parties agreed that SPD Bank Xi’an Branch loaned RMB 26.90 million (approximately $3.92 million) to SkyPeople China with a term of one year. On the signing date of the Loan Contract, Hongke Xue, Yongke Xue, Xiujun Wang and SPD Bank Xi’an Branch signed a Contract of Guaranty, guaranteeing the repayment of loan and undertaking joint liability. According to a Mortgage Contract of Maximum Amount signed between SkyPeople China and SPD Bank Xi’an Branch on April 2, 2013, SkyPeople China provided one of its real properties and land use rights as the pledge. But SkyPeople China failed to repay after SPD Bank Xi’an Branch issued the loan.

In October 2015, SPD Bank Xi’an Branch filed the enforcement request with the Intermediate Court of Xi’an and the Court has seized pledge real property and land use rights and equity ownership of SkyPeople China in Wonder Fruit and SkyPeople Suizhong. During the enforcement procedure, SPD Bank Xi’an Branch has transferred its creditor’s rights to China Huarong Asset Management Co., Ltd. (“China Huarong”). The Court changed the execution applicant to China Huarong on December 12, 2018. China Huarong had applied to the Court to evaluate the seized real property and land use rights. The valuation process has not yet been completed.

Shaanxi Guoweimei Kiwi Deep Processing Co. Ltd (“Guoweimei”), entered into a construction agreement with Shaanxi Fangyuan construction co., Ltd. (“Fangyuan”) in July, 2013. On October 8, 2018, Fangyuan filed a lawsuit and requested that Guoweimei pay a project construction fee plus penalty of RMB 56,323,404 (approximately $8.22 million). On June 10, 2019, Baoji Intermediate People's Court issued a verdict that Guoweimei just pay RMB41, 576,833 (approximately $6.07 million) plus penalty to Fangyuan, and Fangyuan will enjoy preferential right for the projects in processing zone of National Wholesale and Trading Center in Mei County for Kiwi Fruits developed by Guoweimei.

In May 2015, Hedetang Farm Products Trading Markets (Mei County) Co., Ltd. (“Hedetang”) and Shaanxi Zhongkun Construction Co., Ltd. (“Zhongkun”) entered into a construction and decoration agreement. On September 5, 2018, Zhongkun filed the lawsuit with Shaanxi Provincial People’s Court (the “Court”) for repayment of construction and decoration fees. The Court issued a civil judgement in November 2018, ordering Hedetang to pay project funds of RMB 1,632,972 (approximately $238,389) to Zhongkun, plus interest. After entering into the enforcement phase, the Court found assets of Hedetang had been seized by Xi’an Yanta District People’s Court and Baoji Intermediate People's Court, and there were no other assets for enforcement, so the enforcement procedure has been terminated by the Court.

On October 31, 2017, Xi’an Shanmei Food Co. Ltd. filed a lawsuit against Shaanxi Qiyiwangguo, a majority-owned subsidiary of the Company, with Zhouzhi County People’s Court in connection with a Land Lease Agreement entered into by the parties on October 1, 2013. On March 2, 2018, Zhouzhi County People’s Court issued a verdict that: (i) the Land Lease Agreement was thereby terminated; (ii) Shaanxi Qiyiwangguo shall pay Xi’an Shanmei the outstanding leasing fee RMB 211,621 (approximately $30,762) and (iii) Shaanxi Qiyiwangguo shall return the 29.30 mu industrial use land to Xi’an Shanmei. Shaanxi Qiyiwangguo has appealed the decision to the Xi’an Intermediate People’s Court on the basis that: (x) the land use right was a capital contribution by Xi’an Shanmei for a shareholder of Shaanxi Qiyiwangguo who is also the sole shareholder of Xi’an Shanmei and the Land Lease Agreement was invalid and has no legal effect; (y) Zhouzhi Court did not schedule the hearing for the count claims filed by Shaanxi Qiyiwangguo; and (z) Zhouzhi Court violated certain civil procedures during the trial of the case. Due to the late notice to Zhouzhi Court, the case file was not timely transferred to Xi’an Intermediate Court and no appeal hearing was scheduled. Zhouzhi Court has issued verdict for enforcement procedure and Qiyiwangguo has filed petition of disagreement for the enforcement which is still under Zhouzhi Court’s review  .

In January 2016 Shaanxi Qiyiwangguo Modern Organic Agriculture Co., Ltd (“Qiyiwangguo”) and Nanjing Bailuotong Logistics Services Co., Ltd (“Bailutong”) entered into a transportation agreement to ship fruit juices. Bailutong failed to deliver the juice products and held them after their expiration date. Qiyiwangguo filed a lawsuit against Bailutong with Zhouzhi county People’s Court, and the Court issue the verdict in February 2018 that: (1) the transportation contract between Qiyiwangguo and Bailutong was terminated; and (2) Bailutong owed RMB 203, 551 (approximately $29,715) to Qiyiwangguo for the loss of Qiyiwangguo. Bailutong appealed the case to Xi’an Intermediate People's Court. Xi’an Intermediate People's Court rejected the appeal and upheld the original verdict  .

Qiyiwangguo entered into an agreement with Henan Huaxing Glass Co., Ltd. (“Huaxing”) in May 2014 for Huaxing to supply glass bottles to Qiyiwangguo. However, due to the disputes regarding the quality of products supplied by Huaxing, Qiyiwangguo did not pay the prices for certain glass bottles. In August 2017, Huaxing filed a lawsuit and the court ruled Qiyiwangguo was required to pay Huaxing RMB 203,742 (approximately $29,743) in July 2018. During the enforcement process, the parties reached a settlement agreement but Qiyiwangguo failed to pay the amount due and now the case is still in the court enforcement process  .

In September 2016, the Suizhong Branch of Huludao Banking Co. Ltd. (“Suizhong Branch”) filed a lawsuit with Huludao Intermediate People’s Court (the “Huludao Court”) against the Company’s indirectly wholly-owned subsidiary Huludao Wonder Fruit Co., Ltd. (“Wonder Fruit”) and requested that Wonder Fruit repay a RMB 40 million (approximately $5.81 million) bank loan, plus interest. The loan became due on its maturity date of December 9, 2016. On December 19, 2016, the Huludao Court accepted the case. The Company has been disputing the interest rate of the loan with Suizhong Branch, and has not repaid the loan to date. Wonder Fruit believes that the interest charged by Suizhong Branch is 100.00% higher than the base rate set by People’s Bank of China and is not consistent with the China People’s Bank’s base interest and floating rate. The Huludao Court has seized land use rights, buildings and equipment of Wonder Fruit that were pledged as guarantee for the loan and has organized two auction sales for these assets in January and February of 2018, but both auction sales have been unsuccessful in finding a buyer. On July 19, 2018, the Court issued a verdict ordering Huludao Wonder to transfer its land use rights, building, equipment, electronic and transportation assets to Zuizhong Branch as payment of the outstanding principal, auction and evaluation fees and some interest of the loan for RMB 42,639,264 (approximately $6.22 million).

In September 2017, Andrew Chien, a former consultant of SkyPeople China, brought a lawsuit against the Company and Mr. Hongke Xue in the District Court of Connecticut (the “Court”). The complaint was not properly served and the Company learned of the litigation in December 2017. In the complaint, Mr. Chien has made several claims, most of which attempt to hold the Company liable under novel legal theories that relate back to an alleged breach of a consulting agreement between SkyPeople China and Chien from August 2006. Mr. Chien claimed approximately $257,000 damages and interest plus 2.00% of the Company’s then-outstanding shares. Mr. Chien has unsuccessfully attempted to sue the Company on the breach of the same consulting agreement several times in the courts of Connecticut and New York, and these cases have been dismissed. The Company has filed a motion to dismiss (“MTD”) and all proceedings are stayed pending determination of the MTD. On August 31, 2018, the Court granted our MTD. On September 10, 2018, Mr. Chien filed a motion for reconsideration. On September 28, 2018, the Court denied Mr. Chien’s motion for reconsideration. On October 26, 2018, Mr. Chien appealed the case to the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.  The appeal is fully briefed and presently awaiting decision. The Company will vigorously defend this lawsuit and expects to obtain early dismissal of Mr. Chien’s claims.

On October 15, 2019, the Company entered into an Exchange Agreement (the “First Exchange Agreement”) with Iliad Research and Trading, L.P., a Utah limited partnership (the “Lender”).

Pursuant to the First Exchange Agreement, the Company and Lender agreed to partition a new Promissory Note in the original principal amount of $100,000 (the “First Partitioned Note”) from a Secured Convertible Promissory Note (the “Note”) issued by the Company on March 26, 2019. The outstanding balance of the Note shall be reduced by an amount equal to the outstanding balance of the First Partitioned Note. The Company and Lender further agreed to exchange the First Partitioned Note for the delivery of 133,333 shares of the Company’s Common Stock, par value $0.001, according to the terms and conditions of the First Exchange Agreement.

On October 17, 2019, the Company entered into a second Exchange Agreement (the “Second Exchange Agreement”) with the Lender.

Pursuant to the Second Exchange Agreement, the Company and Lender agreed to partition a new Promissory Note in the original principal amount of $300,000 (the “Second Partitioned Note”) from the Note. The outstanding balance of the Note shall be reduced by an amount equal to the outstanding balance of the Second Partitioned Note. The Company and Lender further agreed to exchange the Second Partitioned Note for the delivery of 400,000 shares of the Company’s Common Stock, par value $0.001, according to the terms and conditions of the Second Exchange Agreement.

On October 23, 2019, the Company entered into a Forbearance Agreement (the “Agreement”) with Iliad Research and Trading, L.P., a Utah limited partnership (the “Lender”).

Pursuant to the Agreement, Lender agreed to withdraw a Redemption Notice delivered by the Lender to the Company on September 30, 2019 which was issued pursuant to a Secured Convertible Promissory Note issued by the Company to the Lender dated March 26, 2019 (the “Note”). Lender agreed not to make any redemptions pursuant to the Note before October 25, 2019. The parties agreed, in the event Lender delivers a Redemption Notice to the Company and the redemption amount set forth therein is not paid in cash to Lender within three (3) trading days, then the applicable redemption amount shall be increased by 25.00% (the “First Adjustment,” and such increase to the redemption amount, the “First Adjusted Redemption Amount”). In the event the First Adjusted Redemption Amount is not paid within three (3) trading days after the date of First Adjustment, then the First Adjusted Redemption Amount shall be increased in accordance with the following formula: $0.75 divided by the lowest closing trade price of the Common Stock of the Company during the twenty (20) trading days prior to the date of the Second Adjustment and the resulting quotient multiplied by the First Adjusted Redemption Amount (the “Second Adjustment,” and such increase to the First Adjusted Redemption Amount, the “Second Adjusted Redemption Amount”), provided, however, that such formula shall only be applied if the resulting quotient is greater than one (1) and such formula shall in no event be used to reduce the First Adjusted Redemption Amount. Upon payment in cash of the First Adjusted Redemption Amount or Second Adjusted Redemption Amount, the outstanding balance of the Note will be reduced by the original amount set forth in the Redemption Notice. The Company also agreed that during each calendar month, beginning in the month of October 2019, it will reduce the outstanding balance of the Note by at least $100,000 and if the outstanding balance is reduced by more than $100,000 in a given month, then the portion of the balance reduction amount that exceeds $100,000 may be counted toward the minimum balance reduction requirement in the next month or months.

On October 25, 2019, the Company entered into the third Exchange Agreement (the “Third Exchange Agreement”) with Iliad Research and Trading, L.P., a Utah limited partnership (the “Lender”).

Pursuant to the Third Exchange Agreement, the Company and Lender agreed to partition a new Promissory Note in the original principal amount of $145,000 (the “Partitioned Note”) from a Secured Convertible Promissory Note (the “Note”) issued by the Company on March 26, 2019. The outstanding balance of the Note shall be reduced by an amount equal to the outstanding balance of the Partitioned Note. The Company and Lender further agreed to exchange the Partitioned Note for the delivery of 193,333 shares of the Company’s Common Stock, par value $0.001, according to the terms and conditions of the Third Exchange Agreement.

On November 1, 2019, the Company entered into the Fourth Exchange Agreement (the “Fourth Exchange Agreement”) with Iliad Research and Trading, L.P., a Utah limited partnership (the “Lender”).

Pursuant to the Fourth Exchange Agreement, the Company and Lender agreed to partition a new Promissory Note in the original principal amount of $175,000 (the “Partitioned Note”) from a Secured Convertible Promissory Note (the “Note”) issued by the Company on March 26, 2019. The outstanding balance of the Note shall be reduced by an amount equal to the outstanding balance of the Partitioned Note. The Company and Lender further agreed to exchange the Partitioned Note for the delivery of 233,333 shares of the Company’s Common Stock, par value $0.001, according to the terms and conditions of the Fourth Exchange Agreement.

On November 8, 2019, GlobalKey SharedMall Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Future FinTech Group Inc. (the “Company”), entered into a Three Party Cooperation Agreement (the “Agreement”) with Fan Zhang, a citizen of China, and Caixia Wang, a citizen of China.

Pursuant to the Agreement, the three parties agreed to make cash contributions totaling RMB 1,000,000 (approximately $142,857) to QR(HK) Limited (“QR HK”), a wholly owned subsidiary of GlobalKey SharedMall Limited (“GlobalKey”). Of this total, GlobalKey shall contribute RMB 510,000 (approximately $72,857); Fan Zhang shall contribute RMB 300,000 (approximately $42,857); and Caixia Wang shall contribute RMB 190,000 (approximately $27,143). GlobalKey agreed to loan Fan Zhang RMB 300,000 for his cash contribution obligation, which shall be repaid from dividends of QR HK in the future. If QR HK is terminated by the parties before the loan is paid off from the dividends or by liquidation of Fan Zhang’s ownership of QR HK, Fan Zhang shall repay the loan to GlobalKey in two years. Fan Zhang shall be responsible for the operations and daily management of QR HK’s cross-border e-commerce platform and shall be paid RMB 12,000 per month. GlobalKey is responsible for accounting, supervision of Fan Zhang’s management, and auditing the financials of QR HK, and additionally has the right to veto material business decisions of QR HK. 

This quarterly report on Form 10-Q and other reports filed by the Company from time to time with the SEC (collectively the “Filings”) contain or may contain forward-looking statements and information that are based upon beliefs of, and information currently available to, Company’s management as well as estimates and assumptions made by Company’s management. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which are only predictions and speak only as of the date hereof. When used in the filings, the words “may”, “will”, “should”, “would”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “estimate”, “expect”, “future”, “intend”, “plan”, or the negative of these terms and similar expressions as they relate to Company or Company’s management identify forward-looking statements. Such statements reflect the current view of Company with respect to future events and are subject to risks, uncertainties, assumptions, and other factors (including the statements in the section “results of operations” below), and any businesses that Company may acquire. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should the underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may differ significantly from those anticipated, believed, estimated, expected, intended, or planned. Factors that might cause or contribute to such a discrepancy include, but are not limited to, those listed under the heading “Risk Factors” and those listed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018 (the “2018 Form 10-K”) and in this Form 10-Q. The following discussion should be read in conjunction with our Financial Statements and related Notes thereto included elsewhere in this report and in our 2018 Form 10-K.

Although the Company believes the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, the Company cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance, or achievements. Except as required by applicable law, including the securities laws of the United States, the Company does not intend to update any of the forward-looking statements to conform these statements to actual results. Readers are urged to carefully review and consider the various disclosures made throughout the entirety of this report, which attempts to advise interested parties of the risks and factors that may affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, and prospects.

Overview of Our Business

We are an integrated producer of fruit-related products and blockchain based e-commerce company. We engage in the production and sale of fruit juice concentrates (including fruit purees and fruit juices), fruit beverages (including fruit juice beverages and fruit cider beverages) in the PRC. Due to drastically increased production cost and tightened environmental laws in China, the Company is transforming its business from fruit juice manufacturing and distribution to a real-name blockchain e-commerce platform that integrates blockchain and internet technology.

On January 22, 2019, the company formally launched GlobalKey SharedMall, also known as Chain Cloud Mall (CCM) v1.0, the real-name and membership-based blockchain shared shopping mall platform that integrates blockchain and internet technology and distinguishes itself by utilizing the automatic value distribution system of blockchain and sharing the value of the platform to all the participants in the system.

On June 1, 2019, CCM v2.0 was launched. Compared to the 1.0 version, CCM v2.0 has a wider variety of product categories, easier user interface, more transparent information, more stable operation, higher security level, and faster logistics. Currently, CCM v2.0 adopts a “multi-vendor hosted stores + platform self-hosted stores” model, supported by multiple local warehouses in different regions. The platform supports various marketing methods, including point rewards programs, coupons, live webcasts, game interaction, and social media sharing. Besides the blockchain-powered features, CCM v2.0 is also fully equipped with the same functions and services that other Chinese leading traditional e-commerce platforms provide.

CCM's blockchain-powered QRO plan enables CCM to record every event or transaction on a distributed ledger and make the whole process traceable. CCM is adopting an unalterable anti-counterfeit code to be issued by the manufacturers, which can ensure the authenticity of products and directly link manufacturers with their targeted customers as a way of precision marketing. On July 30, 2019 the Company announced the adoption of the QRO anti-counterfeiting code to all products under the Company's Hedetang brand. On August 2, 2019, the Company announced the adoption of QRO anti-counterfeiting code on its shared shopping platform CCM.

Based on blockchain technology, CCM is established to transform the relationship between companies and consumers from traditional selling and buying relationships to a value-sharing relationship. The platform will fairly distribute the benefit of the entire mall to users who engaged in the promotion, development, and consumption based on their contributions to the platform. The members of CCM are not only consumers and entrepreneurs but also participants, promoters and beneficiaries.

The CCM shared shopping mall platform is designed to be a block-chain based shopping mall for merchants and goods, not the exchange of digital currencies, and it currently only accepts payment from credit cards, Alipay and Wechat.

We offer high-quality products at attractive prices and incentivize our members to promote our platform and share our products with their social contacts. Our platform has attracted a growing base of users, including members and non-members. These users are actively purchasing products on our platform. Since our trial operation of our platform on December 26, 2018, we had approximately 164 and 6,071 users as of December 31, 2018 and September 30, 2019, respectively

Members are the key participants on our platform and drivers of our growth. Our members typically pay to gain access to a dedicated app that provides access to a curated selection of products, exclusive membership benefits, and features, including discounted prices and point rewards. Members can refer others to become members and are rewarded for doing so. Members can also promote products on various social platforms and are rewarded if those users purchase our products. We currently generate revenues primarily from fixed membership fees and selling products on our platform to users, including both members and non-members.

Currently, there are two kinds of membership programs, Diamond Elite and Silver Elite, with different membership Fees. The members are required to log onto Chain Cloud Mall (CCM) app or web portal in order to download some of their rewarding points each day. The member could download all his/her rewarding points if he/she log onto the app or web portal for at least 200 days within the membership valid period which is 365 days. Members must renew their membership before expiration to continue earning points and enjoy the discounts. A non-member user can purchase products from the platform but does not enjoy the above mentioned benefits.

Membership revenue is recognized when member registers and makes his/her first order on CCM app or web portal.

Membership benefits are as follows:

CCM-Points can be used as coupons for the member’s future purchases on our app and website.

In order to promote our membership program, we currently allow our users to join the membership program by purchasing any merchandise of the equivalent value of the membership fee through our CCM app or website as an alternative to paying the upfront fixed membership fee. 

CCM-Points can only be used as credits when making purchases on our platform, with one CCM Point representing RMB1.00. CCM-Points cannot be redeemed for cash. Members may transfer CCM Points to others.

From December 2018, the trial period when our e-commerce platform launched, until September 30, 2019, we received proceeds of RMB 9,025,880, approximately $1,276,121 from the fixed membership fees and merchandise sales with 6,071 members and 6,233 orders. For the three months ended September 30, 2019, we received RMB2,153,935, approximately $653,578 in proceeds from 2,057 members with 2,169 orders.

For our fruit juice business, core products are (1) fruit juice concentrates, mainly including concentrated apple, pear, and kiwi juices; (2) fruit beverages, including pure fruit beverages and fruit cider beverages; and (3) other fruit-related products, including, for example, fresh fruits, vegetables and fructose. Our fruit juice business is highly seasonal and can be greatly affected by weather because of the seasonal nature of growing and harvesting of fruits and vegetables. From the beginning of year 2019, we classified the above products all into one category of fruit related products.

Our production line at the Shaanxi Qiyiwangguo factory can only produce puree and concentrated puree. We use the production line that produces concentrated apple and pear juice in the facility of the Jingyang branch of SkyPeople (China) to produce concentrated clear kiwifruit juice.

For the third quarter of 2019, sales of our fruit-related products represented 4.68% of our revenue, compared to sales of 97.70%, respectively, for the same period in 2018.

Fresh fruits are the primary raw materials needed for the juice production of our products. Our raw materials mainly consist of apples, pears and kiwifruits. Other raw materials used in our business include pectic enzyme, amylase, auxiliary power fuels and other power sources such as coal, electricity and water. We purchase raw materials from local markets and fruit growers that deliver directly to our plants.

There are two general categories of fruit and vegetable juices available in the market. One is fresh juice that is canned directly upon filtering and sterilization after being squeezed out of fresh fruits or vegetables. The other general category is juice drinks made out of concentrated fruit and vegetable juices. Concentrated fruit and vegetable juices are produced through the pressing, filtering, sterilization and evaporation of fresh fruits or vegetables. Concentrated juices are not drinkable. Instead, they are used as a basic ingredient for manufacturing juice drinks and as an additive to fruit wine, fruit jam, cosmetics and medicines.

As compared to our fruit juice concentrate products, which experience seasonality, fruit juice beverages can be produced and sold year-round.

The manufacturing process for fruit juice beverages involves further processing of fruit juice concentrates. Our fruit juice beverages are divided into two categories: pure fruit juice and fruit cider beverages. Currently we produce five flavors of fruit beverages in 236 ml glass bottles, 258 ml glass bottles, 280 ml glass bottles, 418 ml glass and 500 ml glass bottles, and BIB (bag in box) packages, including kiwifruit juice, mulberry juice, peach juice, pomegranate juice and fruit and vegetable juice. We also produce two flavors of lactobacillus fruit beverages in 268 ml glass bottles, including lactobacillus kiwifruit juice and lactobacillus mulberry juice, as well as three beverages with rich dietary fiber in 330 ml glass bottles, including kumquat and grapefruit juice, kiwifruit juice and mulberry juice. Our products are sold through distributors in stores. 

Results of Operations

Comparison of Three Months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018:

Revenue

The following table presents our consolidated revenues for each of our main products for the three months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively (in thousands):

Sales for the three months ended September 30, 2019 were $0.34 million, an increase of $0.03 million, or 10.7% compared to sales for the same period of the prior year of $0.31 million.

The increase in revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2019 was primarily due to the growth of our new business section of CCM shopping mall membership and sales of goods.

In the third quarter of year 2018, the Company operated in five segments: concentrated apple juice and apple aroma, concentrated kiwifruit juice and kiwifruit puree, concentrated pear juice, fruit juice beverages, and others. Since 2019, in accordance with the Company’s new business strategy, the Company reclassified the concentrated apple juice and apple aroma, the concentrated kiwifruit juice and kiwifruit puree, and the concentrated pear juice and the fruit juice beverages all into the category of fruit related products.

For the three months ended September 30, 2019, as a result of our business transformation, there was a continuing shrinking of our previous main business section of fruit related products, a decrease of $0.29 million from $0.30 million to $0.02 million.

In the December 2018, the Company started to receive membership fees and sell products on its CCM e-commerce platform to its members or non-members, which is a brand new business section embodied in the Company’s current transformation. Therefore, revenue from segments of membership fees and sales of goods showed 100.00% change during the third quarter of 2019 compared to the same period of 2018.

There was no other revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2019, as compared to $0.07 million for the same period of last year. In the third quarter of 2018, the Company’s other revenue included healthcare products, and other byproducts, such as kiwifruit seeds, but in the third quarter of 2019, there were no such sales.

Gross Margin

The following table presents the consolidated gross profit of each of our main products and the consolidated gross profit margins for the three months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively (in thousands):

The consolidated gross profit for the three months ended September 30, 2019 was $0.25 million, an increase of $0.40 million, from negative $0.15 million for the same period of 2018, primarily due to different comparable basis as a result of our business transformation. We have shifted to the business sections of CCM shopping mall membership and sales of goods since December 2018, which contributed to the profit for the third quarter of 2019. Business sections of fruit related products and others mainly caused the loss for the same period of last year.

The gross margin of our fruit related products increased from a gross loss margin of 18.20% of last year to a gross margin of 0.00% for the third quarter of 2019, primarily due to the decrease in production, and the company no longer bearing large fixed expenses such as depreciation and amortization.

The new business sections of CCM shopping mall membership and sales of goods caused a 100.00% change in gross profit, with $0.19 million and $0.06 million, respectively, for the three months ended September 30, 2019 compared to $0 for the same period of last year.

The company did not sell any other products in the third quarter of 2019.

Operating Expenses

The following table presents our consolidated operating expenses and operating expenses as a percentage of revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively (in thousands): 

General and administrative expenses decreased by $1.30 million, or 50.17%, from $2.58 million to $1.28 million for the three months ended September 30, 2019 compared to the same period of last year, mainly due to a decrease in depreciation of fixed assets and amortization of intangible assets. The Company recorded impairment expenses of approximately $26.00 million to its fixed assets and $12.00 million related to its intangible assets in the end of year 2018, which resulted in lower depreciation expenses and amortization costs in the third quarter of 2019.

Selling expenses decreased by $14.69 million, or 98.06%, from $14.98 million to $0.29 million for the three months ended September 30, 2019 as compared to the same period in 2018 because the company recorded $14.9 million of bad debt expenses in the third quarter of 2018. Besides this extraordinary amount, selling expenses actually increased about $0.21 million for the promotion costs of the new business sections.

In the third quarter of 2019, the company incurred $0.02 million of R&D expenses for developing, testing, updating and maintaining a block-chain based CCM Shared Shopping Mall and other related software systems. There were no such expenses in the same period of 2018.

Other Income (Expense), Net

The decrease in other expenses was mainly due to a decrease in interest expense, from $0.40 million to $0.12 million, occupying 83.80% of the total decrease because of the lower loan interest expenses as a result of the settlement of a bank loan.

Income Tax

There were no provisions for income taxes, as the company suffered a loss.

Non-controlling Interests

As of September 30, 2019, SkyPeople (China) held a 91.15% interest in Shaanxi Qiyiwangguo, and Hedetang Holding (HK) held a 73.42% interest in SkyPeople (China). TSD held a 26.36% interest in SkyPeople (China). Net loss attributable to non-controlling interests decreased mainly due to the increase in the net income generated from our new business sections of CCM shopping mall membership and sales of goods.

Comparison of Nine Months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018:

Revenue

The following table presents our consolidated revenues for each of our main products for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively (in thousands):

Total sales for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 were $0.82 million, a decrease of $0.84 million, compared to $1.66 million for the same period of last year, mainly due to the sales reduction for fruit related products.

Sales from fruit related products decreased by $1.50 million from $1.56 million to $0.06 million due to the business transformation whereupon the company focused on its new business sections.

Furthermore, our business segments of CCM membership and sales of goods were brand new sections, therefore, there were 100.00% changes in these two sections during the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018.

Sales from our other products were $0.01 million and $0.10 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018 respectively. The segment of other products contains different products in year 2018 and 2019. In year 2018, the Company’s other products included health care products and other byproducts, such as kiwifruit seeds, but for the same period of 2019, revenue from others was mainly attributable to leasing out cold storage from a subsidiary.

Gross Margin

The following table presents the consolidated gross profit of each of our main products and the consolidated gross profit margin, which is gross profit as a percentage of the related revenues, for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively (in thousands):

The consolidated gross profit for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 was $0.43 million, an increase of $0.36 million, from $0.08 to 0.44 million for the same period of 2018, primarily due to the growth of the new business sections of CCM shopping mall membership and sales of goods.

High margin of products sold by our CCM shopping mall membership and sales of goods lead to the gross profit, which compensated for the decreased gross profit from fruit related products. Gross profit for fruit related products for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 was$1,000, a decrease of $61,000, or 98.30%, compared to $62,000 for the same period in 2018, primarily due to a decrease in production and sales of fruit related products.

Our new business sections of CCM membership and sales of goods together were $0.41 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2019, an increase of 100.00%, compared to the same period in 2018. For the nine months ended September 30, 2019, gross profit from others was from leasing out cold storage, while for the same period of last year, gross profit from others was from fruit related byproducts, such as kiwi fruit seeds.

Operating Expenses

The following table presents our consolidated operating expenses and operating expenses as a percentage of revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively (in thousands):

General and administrative expenses decreased by $4.79 million, from $8.96 million to $4.17 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 compared to the same period of the last year. The decrease was primarily attributable to a decrease in depreciation costs of fixed assets and amortization of land use rights for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 as compared to the same period of 2018. The Company recorded an impairment cost of approximately $26.00 million to its fixed assets and $12.00 million related to its intangible assets in the end of 2018, which resulted in lower depreciation and amortization expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2019.

Selling expenses decreased by $14.21 million, from $15.09 million to $0.88 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 as compared to the same period in 2018. In the third quarter of 2018, the company recorded bad debt expenses of $14.90 million from accounts receivable that caused the dramatic comparable results for the same period of 2019. Besides this extraordinary amount, selling expenses actually increased about $0.69 million for the promotion costs of the new business sections.

The Company incurred $0.06 million in research and development expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 compared to $0 in the same period of 2018, mainly due to developing, testing, updating and maintaining a block-chain-based CCM Shared Shopping Mall and other related software systems.

Impairment loss was negative of $0.02 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2019, and nil for the same period in 2018 because of the resale of markdown inventories. 

Other Income (Expense), Net

The decrease of other expenses was mainly due to the decrease in interest expenses. Interest expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 was $0.45 million, representing a decrease of $0.81 million, as compared to interest expense of $1.26 million in the same period of 2018 because of a significant bank loan being paid off by a subsidiary with its assets.

Income Tax

There were no provisions for income taxes, as the company suffered a loss. 

Non-controlling Interests

As of September 30, 2019, SkyPeople (China) held a 91.15% interest in Shaanxi Qiyiwangguo, and Hedetang Holding (HK) held a 73.42% interest in SkyPeople (China). TSD held a 26.36% interest in SkyPeople (China). Net loss attributable to non-controlling interests decreased mainly due to the increase in the net income generated from our new business section of CCM shopping mall membership and sales of goods.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Our working capital was negative $88.62 million as of September 30, 2019, a decrease of $4.39 million, as compared to a negative working capital of $93.01 million as of December 31, 2018, mainly due to a decrease in accrued expenses.

The accrued expenses decreased from $99.13 million as of September 30, 2018 to $88.68 million as of September 30, 2019, a decrease of $10.45 million. As we are moving towards a new business field, production of fruit related products decreased dramatically during the nine months ended September 30, 2019.

Less accrued expenses were incurred such as employee wages and other payables due to reduced and discontinued factory production.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2019, we had no investing activities as compared to capital expenditures of $1,902 in the same period of 2018. For the nine months ended September 30, 2019, the company sold and issued to the purchaser a secured convertible promissory note in the principal amount of $1.07 million, from which net financing cash inflow was $1 million, but for the same period of 2018, there were no financing activities.

Off-balance Sheet Arrangements

As of September 30, 2019, we did not have any off-balance sheet arrangements.

Not applicable.

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, our principal executive officer and principal interim financial officer, respectively, evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act, as of the end of the period covered by this report. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to provide reasonable assurance that information we are required to disclose in reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act 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 Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Based on this evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of September 30, 2019, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of such date as identified in our internal control over financial reporting. 

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There has been no change to our internal control over financial reporting that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

On June 29, 2015, SkyPeople China entered into a loan agreement with Beijing Bank. Pursuant to the loan agreement, SkyPeople China borrowed RMB 30 million (approximately $4.36 million) from Beijing Bank. Hongke Xue, Yongke Xue and Xiujun Wang provided guarantees for the loan and Shaanxi Boai Medical Technology Development Co., Ltd. (“Shaanxi Boai”) provided certain real estate property as a pledge for the loan. SkyPeople China did not repay the loan on time and Beijing Bank filed an enforcement request with Xi’an Intermediate People's Court in June 2017. The Xi’an Intermediate People’s Court seized real estate properties pledged by Shaanxi Boai and Xiujun Wang. In November, 2018, the Court sold the real estate property pledged by Xiujun Wang for RMB1,170,180. Because the real estate property is Xiujun Wang’s primary home, the Court allocated RMB 117,000 to Xiujun Wang as transition home leasing fee and deducted outstanding mortgage payments, and the remaining amount was delivered to Beijing Bank as the repayment. The Court has also made inquiries to the Beijing Bank as to whether it is willing to accept the pledged real estate property of Shaanxi Boai as the repayment of the outstanding loan for the amount of RMB 27,932,300 (approximately $4.06 million) but Beijing Bank has refused to take the real property as repayment of the loan and the enforcement has been terminated by the Court.

On March 8, 2016, SkyPeople China entered into a loan agreement with Ningxia Bank. Pursuant to the loan agreement, SkyPeople China borrowed RMB 25 million (approximately $3.63 million) from Ningxia Bank. Hongke Xue, Yongke Xue, Lake Chen, Shaanxi Boai Medical Technology Development Co., Ltd. and Shaanxi Qiyiwangguo provided guarantees for the loan. SkyPeople China also pledged 37 pieces of equipment and the related trademarks to Ningxia Bank for the loan. SkyPeople China has not repaid the loan and Ningxia Bank filed an enforcement action with Xi’an Intermediate people’s court in August 2017. The Court has frozen the assets of SkyPeople China that were pledged as guarantee for the loan from being transferred to any third-party, but the freeze does not limit or affect the use of these properties by SkyPeople China for its business. In July 2018, Shaanxi Qiyiwangguo filed a petition to the Court and requested the termination of the enforcement action on the basis that its guarantee of the loan was not valid because the seal used on the guarantee agreement was not authentic and the guarantee was not approved by the shareholders of Shaanxi Qiyiwangguo. On November 27, 2018, Shaanxi Qiyiwangguo withdrew its petition and the Court agreed to such withdrawal and there has been on other progress of this case.

On December 23, 2015, SkyPeople China entered into two loan agreements with China Construction Bank. Pursuant to the loan agreements, SkyPeople China borrowed RMB 13.90 million (approximately $2.13 million), and RMB 30 million (approximately $4.59 million) from China Construction Bank, respectively. Shaanxi Boai Medical Technology Development Co., Ltd. (“Boai”), Hongke Xue, Yongke Xue, Xiujun Wang and Yingkou Trusty Fruits Co., Ltd. (“Yingkou”) provided pledges for the loans. SkyPeople China has not repaid the loans and China Construction Bank filed an enforcement action with Xi’an Intermediate People's Court in March 2017. In December 2017, SkyPeople China received the enforcement notice from the Court. The Court has seized certain parking space and land use rights pledged by Xiujun Wang and Boai and sold the land use right pledged by Boai in auction for approximately RMB 24,835,790 as repayment to China Construction Bank. The Court also seized certain land use rights pledged by Yingkou Trusty Fruits Co., Ltd., but the auction sale for those rights was not successful. SkyPeople China currently is in discussions with China Construction Bank on the payment terms and the final amount. 

On May 9, 2016, SkyPeople China entered into loan agreements with China Construction Bank. Pursuant to the loan agreements, SkyPeople China borrowed RMB 22.9 million (approximately $3.50 million) from China Construction Bank. Shaanxi Province Credit Reassurance Company (“Credit Reassurance Company”) provided a guarantee to China Construction Bank for the loan, Hongke Xue and Yongke Xue provided their guarantees, and SkyPeople China provided an office space that it owned to Credit Reassurance Company as a pledge. SkyPeople China has not repaid the loan and Credit Reassurance Company repaid the loan for SkyPeople China. In June 2017, Credit Reassurance filed an enforcement action request with Xi’an Intermediate People’s Court (the “Court”) in June 2017. In December 2017, SkyPeople China received the enforcement notice from the Court. The Court issued a verdict to seize the office space of SkyPeople China for auction sale on December 26, 2017. In February 2018, the auction sale was conducted but not successful. In June 2018, the Court decided to use the pledge property as the repayment for the outstanding loan of RMB 12.21million (approximately $1.78 million).

In April 2015, China Cinda Asset Management Co., Ltd. Shaanxi Branch (“Cinda Shaanxi Branch”) filed two enforcement proceedings with Xi’an Intermediate People’s Court (the “Court”) against the Company for alleged defaults pursuant to guarantees by the Company to its suppliers for a total amount of RMB 39,596,250 or approximately $5.80 million.

In September 2014, two long term suppliers of pear, mulberry, and kiwi fruits to the Company requested that the Company provide guarantees for their loans with Cinda Shaanxi Branch. Considering the long term business relationship and to ensure the timely supply of raw materials, the Company agreed to provide guarantees on the value of the raw materials supplied to the Company. Because Cinda Shaanxi Branch is not a bank authorized to provide loans, it eventually provided financing to the two suppliers through the purchase of accounts receivables of the two suppliers with the Company. In July, 2014, the parties entered into two agreements – an Accounts Receivables Purchase and Debt Restructure Agreement, and Guarantee Agreements for Accounts Receivables Purchase and Debt Restructure. Pursuant to the agreements, Cinda Shaanxi Branch agreed to provide a RMB 100 million credit line on a rolling basis to the two suppliers and the Company agreed to pay its accounts payables to the two suppliers directly to Cinda Shaanxi Branch and provided guarantees for the two suppliers. In April 2015, Cinda Shaanxi Branch stopped providing financing to the two suppliers and the two suppliers were unable to continue the supply of raw materials to the Company. Consequently, the Company stopped making any payment to Cinda Shaanxi Branch.

The Company has responded to the Court and taken the position that the financings under the agreements are essentially the loans from Cinda Shaanxi Branch to the two suppliers, and because Cinda Shaanxi Branch does not have permits to make loans in China, the agreements are invalid, void and had no legal effect from the beginning. Therefore, the Company has no obligation to repay the debts owed by the two suppliers to Cinda Shaanxi Branch.

Upon the Court’s suggestion, the parties agreed to a settlement discussion in April 2017. As a part of the settlement discussion, on April 18, 2017, the Company withdrew its non-enforcement request from the Court without prejudice. Both parties are still in the process of settlement negotiations. If the parties cannot reach a settlement agreement, the Company has the right to refile the non-enforcement request with the Court. As the Company may still be liable for this loan, the Company recorded expenses and liability of $5.80 million as the result of these two enforcement proceedings in the third quarter of 2018.

In August 2017, Cinda Capital Financing Co. Ltd. (“Cinda”) filed a lawsuit with Beijing 2nd Intermediate People’s Court (the “Beijing Intermediate Court”) against the Company’s indirectly wholly-owned subsidiaries Shaanxi Guoweimei Kiwi Deep Processing Company, Ltd. (“Guoweimei”) and Hedetang Farm Products Trading Market (Mei County) Co., Ltd. (“Trading Market Mei County Co”, and together with Guoweimei, “Lessees”) requested that Lessees repay RMB 50 million (approximately $7.27 million) in capital lease fees, plus interest. Cinda has purchased or paid for refrigerant warehouse and trading hall to the suppliers and vendors and agreed to lease them to the Lessees for a leasing fee of RMB 50 million in December 2016. The capital leasing fee became due on its maturity date of June 2017, with certain land use rights of Lessees in Mei County and equity of Guoweimei as a pledge. The Company has disputed that the land use rights for the refrigerant warehouse and trading hall were never sold to or transferred to Cinda, therefore it is loan agreement and not capital lease agreement among the parties. Lessees have taken the position that Cinda is not a bank and does not have government permits required to make loans in China, and the agreements including pledge agreement were invalid, void and without legal effect from the beginning. Therefore, the Company only has the obligations to repay principal but not the interest. In November 2017, Beijing Intermediate Court ruled in favor of Cinda and the Lessees appealed the case to the Beijing Supreme Court. The Beijing Supreme Court held a hearing at the end of July 2018. On December 4, 2018, the Beijing Supreme Court upheld the lower court’s decision. Currently, the case is under enforcement procedure and Cinda is in the process of evaluating the value of the land use rights. Currently, the seized properties are still owned by subsidiaries of SkyPeople China.

In August 2017, Cinda Capital Financing Co. Ltd. (“Cinda”) filed another lawsuit with Beijing Intermediate Court against the Company’s indirectly wholly-owned subsidiaries Guoweimei and SkyPeople China for repayment of leasing fee of RMB 84,970,959 (approximately $12.35 million) plus interest. In January 2014, Guoweimei and SkyPeople China (the “Equipment Lessees”) signed an Equipment Financial Lease Purchase Agreement with Cinda and an equipment supplier pursuant to which Cinda would provide funds to purchase equipment and the Equipment Lessees would lease the equipment from Cinda. Guoweimei pledged certain land use rights in Mei County to Cinda and Xi’an Hedetang and Hedetang Holding pledged their equities in Guoweimei to Cinda to secure the repayment. Mr. Hongke Xue also provided a personal guarantee for the payment of the leasing fee. Beijing Intermediate Court had two hearings of the case and on March 21, 2018 it ruled in favor of Cinda to the effect that SkyPeople China and Guoweimei shall pay leasing fees due in the amount of RMB 20,994,048 (approximately $3.05 million), as well as leasing fees not yet due in the amount of RMB 63,975,910 (approximately $9.30 million), plus attorney’s fees and expenses. Beijing Intermediate Court also ruled that Mr. Hongke Xue is jointly liable for the debt as the guarantor, and that Cinda has priority rights to the pledged land use rights in Mei County and the pledged equities of Guoweimei as well as the ownership of the leasing properties until the leasing fees are paid. SkyPeople China has appealed the decision to the Beijing Supreme Court. The Beijing Supreme Court rejected the appeal and upheld the original verdict on September 7, 2018. Currently, the case is under enforcement procedure and the seized properties are still owned by subsidiaries of SkyPeople China.

In April 2015, SkyPeople China entered into a loan agreement with Shaanxi Fangtian Decoration Co. Ltd. (“Fangtian”). Pursuant to the loan agreement, SkyPeople China borrowed RMB 3.5 million (approximately $508,780) from Fangtian. SkyPeople China has not repaid the loan and Fangtian filed a lawsuit with Xi’an Yanta District People’s Court (“Yanta District Court”). On August 10, 2017, Yanta District Court ruled against SkyPeople China and determined that SkyPeople China must repay the loan of RMB 3.50 million plus interest RMB of 402,500 (approximately $585,098). Fangtian has requested that the Yanta District Court enter into enforcement procedures for the case.

On May 4, 2015, SkyPeople China and Xi’an Branch of Shanghai Pudong Development Bank (SPD Bank Xi’an Branch) renewed a Working Capital Loan Contract and Repayment Schedule, according to which both parties agreed that SPD Bank Xi’an Branch loaned RMB 26.9 million (approximately $3.92 million) to SkyPeople China with a term of one year. On the signing date of the Loan Contract, Hongke Xue, Yongke Xue, Xiujun Wang and SPD Bank Xi’an Branch signed a Contract of Guaranty, guaranteeing the repayment of loan and undertaking joint liability. According to a Mortgage Contract of Maximum Amount signed between SkyPeople China and SPD Bank Xi’an Branch on April 2, 2013, SkyPeople China provided one of its real properties and land use rights as the pledge. But SkyPeople China failed to repay after SPD Bank Xi’an Branch issued the loan.

In October, 2015, SPD Bank Xi’an Branch filed the enforcement request with the Intermediate Court of Xi’an and the Court has seized pledge real property and land use rights and equity ownership of SkyPeople China in Wonder Fruit and SkyPeople Suizhong. During the enforcement procedure, SPD Bank Xi’an Branch has transferred its creditor’s rights to China Huarong Asset Management Co., Ltd. (“China Huarong”). The Court changed the execution applicant to China Huarong on December 12, 2018. China Huarong had applied to the Court to evaluate the seized real property and land use rights. The valuation process has not yet been completed.

Shaanxi Guoweimei Kiwi Deep Processing Co. Ltd (“Guoweimei”), entered into a construction agreement with Shaanxi Fangyuan construction co., Ltd. (“Fangyuan”) in July, 2013. On October 8, 2018, Fangyuan filed a lawsuit and requested that Guoweimei pay a project construction fee plus penalty of RMB 56,323,404 (approximately $8.22 million). On June 10, 2019, Baoji Intermediate People's Court issued a verdict that Guoweimei just pay RMB41, 576,833 (approximately $6.07 million) plus penalty to Fangyuan, and Fangyuan will enjoy preferential right for the projects in processing zone of National Wholesale and Trading Center in Mei County for Kiwi Fruits developed by Guoweimei.

In May 2015, Hedetang Farm Products Trading Markets (Mei County) Co., Ltd. (“Hedetang”) and Shaanxi Zhongkun Construction Co., Ltd. (“Zhongkun”) entered into a construction and decoration agreement. On September 5, 2018, Zhongkun filed the lawsuit with Shaanxi Provincial People’s Court (the “Court”) for repayment of construction and decoration fees. The Court issued a civil judgement in November 2018, ordering Hedetang to pay project funds of RMB 1,632,972 (approximately $238,389) to Zhongkun, plus interest. After entering into the enforcement phase, the Court found assets of Hedetang had been seized by Xi’an Yanta District People’s Court and Baoji Intermediate People's Court, and there were no other assets for enforcement, so the enforcement procedure has been terminated by the Court.

On October 31, 2017, Xi’an Shanmei Food Co. Ltd. filed a lawsuit against Shaanxi Qiyiwangguo, a majority-owned subsidiary of the Company, with Zhouzhi County People’s Court in connection with a Land Lease Agreement entered into by the parties on October 1, 2013. On March 2, 2018, Zhouzhi County People’s Court issued a verdict that: (i) the Land Lease Agreement was thereby terminated; (ii) Shaanxi Qiyiwangguo shall pay Xi’an Shanmei the outstanding leasing fee RMB 211,621 (approximately $30,762) and (iii) Shaanxi Qiyiwangguo shall return the 29.3 mu industrial use land to Xi’an Shanmei. Shaanxi Qiyiwangguo has appealed the decision to the Xi’an Intermediate People’s Court on the basis that: (x) the land use right was a capital contribution by Xi’an Shanmei for a shareholder of Shaanxi Qiyiwangguo who is also the sole shareholder of Xi’an Shanmei and the Land Lease Agreement was invalid and has no legal effect; (y) Zhouzhi Court did not schedule the hearing for the count claims filed by Shaanxi Qiyiwangguo; and (z) Zhouzhi Court violated certain civil procedures during the trial of the case. Due to the late notice to Zhouzhi Court, the case file was not timely transferred to Xi’an Intermediate Court and no appeal hearing was scheduled. Zhouzhi Court has issued verdict for enforcement procedure and Qiyiwangguo has filed petition of disagreement for the enforcement which is still under Zhouzhi Court’s review.

In January 2016 Shaanxi Qiyiwangguo Modern Organic Agriculture Co., Ltd (“Qiyiwangguo”) and Nanjing Bailuotong Logistics Services Co., Ltd (“Bailutong”) entered into a transportation agreement to ship fruit juices. Bailutong failed to deliver the juice products and held them after their expiration date. Qiyiwangguo filed a lawsuit against Bailutong with Zhouzhi county People’s Court, and the Court issue the verdict in February 2018 that: (1) the transportation contract between Qiyiwangguo and Bailutong was terminated; and (2) Bailutong owed RMB 203, 551 (approximately $29,715) to Qiyiwangguo for the loss of Qiyiwangguo. Bailutong appealed the case to Xi’an Intermediate People's Court. Xi’an Intermediate People's Court rejected the appeal and upheld the original verdict.

Qiyiwangguo entered into an agreement with Henan Huaxing Glass Co., Ltd. (“Huaxing”) in May 2014 for Huaxing to supply glass bottles to Qiyiwangguo. However, due to the disputes regarding the quality of products supplied by Huaxing, Qiyiwangguo did not pay the prices for certain glass bottles. In August. 2017, Huaxing filed a lawsuit and the court ruled Qiyiwangguo was required to pay Huaxing RMB 203,742 (approximately $29,743) in July 2018. During the enforcement process, the parties reached a settlement agreement but Qiyiwangguo failed to pay the amount due and now the case is still in the court enforcement process. 

In September 2016, the Suizhong Branch of Huludao Banking Co. Ltd. (“Suizhong Branch”) filed a lawsuit with Huludao Intermediate People’s Court (the “Huludao Court”) against the Company’s indirectly wholly-owned subsidiary Huludao Wonder Fruit Co., Ltd. (“Wonder Fruit”) and requested that Wonder Fruit repay a RMB 40 million (approximately $5.81 million) bank loan, plus interest. The loan became due on its maturity date of December 9, 2016. On December 19, 2016, the Huludao Court accepted the case. The Company has been disputing the interest rate of the loan with Suizhong Branch, and has not repaid the loan to date. Wonder Fruit believes that the interest charged by Suizhong Branch is 100.00% higher than the base rate set by People’s Bank of China and is not consistent with the China People’s Bank’s base interest and floating rate. The Huludao Court has seized land use rights, buildings and equipment of Wonder Fruit that were pledged as guarantee for the loan and has organized two auction sales for these assets in January and February of 2018, but both auction sales have been unsuccessful in finding a buyer. On July 19, 2018, the Court issued a verdict ordering Huludao Wonder to transfer its land use rights, building, equipment, electronic and transportation assets to Zuizhong Branch as payment of the outstanding principal, auction and evaluation fees and some interest of the loan for RMB 42,639,264 (approximately $6.22 million).

 In September 2017, Andrew Chien, a former consultant of SkyPeople China, brought a lawsuit against the Company and Mr. Hongke Xue in the District Court of Connecticut (the “Court”). The complaint was not properly served and the Company learned of the litigation in December 2017. In the complaint, Mr. Chien has made several claims, most of which attempt to hold the Company liable under novel legal theories that relate back to an alleged breach of a consulting agreement between SkyPeople China and Chien from August, 2006. Mr. Chien claimed approximately $257,000 damages and interest plus 2.00% of the Company’s then-outstanding shares. Mr. Chien has unsuccessfully attempted to sue the Company on the breach of the same consulting agreement several times in the courts of Connecticut and New York, and these cases have been dismissed. The Company has filed a motion to dismiss (“MTD”) and all proceedings are stayed pending determination of the MTD. On August 31, 2018, the Court granted our MTD. On September 10, 2018, Mr. Chien filed motion for reconsideration. On September 28, 2018, the Court denied Mr. Chien’s motion for reconsideration. On October 26, 2018, Mr. Chien appealed the case to the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.  The appeal is fully briefed and presently awaiting decision. The Company will vigorously defend this lawsuit and expects to obtain early dismissal of Mr. Chien’s claims.

Not applicable.

None.

None.

Not applicable.

None.

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.

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