Rising Dragon Acquisition Corp.
For the period ended Dec 31, 2024. Filed Mar 26, 2025.
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A company's yearly report to the SEC, with audited financial statements. It is the fullest account a company gives of its business, its finances and the risks it sees.
FY2024 · Filed Mar 26, 2025
Contents
Item 1. BUSINESS
General
We are a blank check company incorporated as a Cayman Islands exempted company with limited liability for the purpose of entering into a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, recapitalization, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses or entities, which we refer to throughout this report as our initial business combination.
On October 15, 2024, we consummated our IPO of 5,000,000 units pursuant to the Company’s registration statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-280026) with respect to the IPO. Each unit consists of one ordinary share, $0.0001 par value, and one right to receive one-tenth (1/10) of one ordinary share upon the consummation of an initial business combination. The units were sold at an offering price of $10.00 per Unit, generating gross proceeds of $50,000,000. Pursuant to that certain underwriting agreement, dated October 10, 2024, we granted Lucid Capital Markets, LLC, the representative of the underwriters, a 45-day option to purchase up to an additional 750,000 Units solely to cover over-allotments, if any (the “Over-Allotment Option”). Simultaneously with the consummation of the IPO, the underwriters exercised the Over-Allotment Option in full, generating total proceeds of $7,500,000.
Simultaneously with the closing of the IPO on October 15, 2024, we consummated the private placement (“Private Placement”) with Aurora Beacon LLC (the “Sponsor”) of 254,375 units (the “Private Units”), generating total proceeds of $2,543,750. The Private Units are identical to the Units sold in the IPO. Additionally, the Sponsor agreed not to transfer, assign, or sell any of the Private Units or underlying securities (except in limited circumstances, as described in the Registration Statement) until 30 days after the completion of our initial business combination or earlier if, subsequent to our initial business combination, we consummate a subsequent liquidation, merger, stock exchange or other similar transaction which results in all of our shareholders having the right to exchange their ordinary shares for cash, securities or other property. The Sponsor was granted certain demand and piggyback registration rights in connection with the purchase of the Private Units.
On October 15, 2024, a total of $57,787,500 of the net proceeds from the sale of the Units in the IPO and the Private Placement were deposited in a trust account established for the benefit of the Company’s public shareholders at JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. maintained by Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, acting as trustee (the “Trust Account”). Except for all interest income that may be released to us to pay taxes, and up to $50,000 to pay dissolution expenses, none of the funds held in the trust account will be released from the trust account until the earlier of: (1) the completion of our initial business combination within the required time period; (2) our redemption of 100% of the outstanding public shares if we have not completed an initial business combination in the required time period; and (3) the redemption of any public shares properly tendered in connection with a shareholder vote to amend our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association (A) to modify the substance or timing of our obligation to redeem 100% of our public shares if we do not complete our initial business combination within the required time period or (B) with respect to any other provision relating to shareholders’ rights or pre-business combination activity.
Our principal executive offices are located in the People’s Republic of China (“PRC” or “China”). The sponsor, Aurora Beacon LLC, and all members of our board of directors and management have significant business ties to or are based in China. Our efforts to identify a prospective target business will not be limited to a particular industry or geographic region. As such, although we are not targeting target companies in China, we may consider an initial business combination with a target business with a physical presence or other significant ties to China (including Hong Kong and Macau). However, given the risks and uncertainties of doing business in China discussed elsewhere in this annual report, the location and ties of the sponsor and members of our board of directors and management to China may make us a less attractive partner to a target company not based in China, which may thus increase the likelihood that we will consummate a business combination with a target company that is located in China or not consummate a business combination at all. Our ties to the PRC may make us less likely to consummate a business combination with any target company outside of the PRC, which may result in non-PRC target businesses having increased leverage over us in negotiating an initial business combination knowing that if we do not complete our initial business combination within a certain timeframe, we may be unable to complete our initial business combination with any target business. If we fail to complete an initial business combination in the prescribed timeframe, we will cease all our operations and would redeem our public shares and liquidate, in which case our public shareholders may receive only $10.05 per share, or less than such amount in certain circumstances, based on the amount available in our trust account on a per share basis, and our rights will expire worthless.
Since our principal executive offices are located in China, and all of our directors and officers have significant ties to China, the Chinese government may have significant oversight and discretion over the conduct of our directors’ and officers’ search for a target company. The Chinese government may intervene or influence our operations at any time through the directors and officers who have significant ties to China, which could result in a material change in our search for a target business and/or the value of the securities we are offering. Changes in the policies, regulations, rules, and the enforcement of laws of the PRC government may be adopted quickly with little advance notice and could have a significant impact upon our ability to operate and may limit or completely undermine our ability to search for a target company.
Further, our initial shareholders, including the sponsor, own approximately 22.56% of our issued and outstanding shares. As a result, we may be considered a “foreign person” under rules promulgated by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (“CFIUS”) and may not be able to complete an initial business combination with a U.S. target company since such initial business combination may be subject to U.S. foreign investment regulations and review by a U.S. government entity such as CFIUS, or ultimately prohibited. As a result, the pool of potential targets with which we could complete an initial business combination may be limited. However, we will not conduct an initial business combination with any target company that conducts operations through variable interest entities (“VIEs”), which are a series of contractual arrangements used to provide the economic benefits of foreign investment in Chinese-based companies where Chinese law prohibits direct foreign investment in the operating companies.
As a result, our absolute position against doing a business combination with a company that conducts operations through a VIE, may limit the pool of acquisition candidates we may acquire in the PRC, in particular, due to the relevant PRC laws and regulations against foreign ownership of and investment in certain assets and industries, known as restricted industries. Furthermore, this may also limit the pool of acquisition candidates we may acquire in the PRC relative to other special purpose acquisition companies that are not subject to such restrictions, which could make it more difficult and costly for us to consummate a business combination with a target business operating in the PRC relative to such other companies.
Our Chief Executive Officer (also the Chairman), our Chief Financial Officer and two of our independent directors are citizens of the PRC and reside in China. One executive director is a citizen and resident of Hong Kong, and one of our independent directors is a citizen and resident of Taiwan. As a result, it may be difficult for you to effect service of process upon us or those persons residing in China. Even with service of process, there is uncertainty as to whether courts in China would (i) recognize or enforce judgments of United States courts obtained against us or our directors or officers predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the securities laws of the United States or any state in the United States or (ii) entertain original actions brought in China against us or our directors or officers predicated upon the securities laws of the United States or any state in the United States.
Recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments are provided for under China’s Civil Procedure Law. China’s courts may recognize and enforce foreign judgments in accordance with the requirements of the Civil Procedures Law based either on treaties between China and the country where the judgment is made or on reciprocity between jurisdictions. There are no treaties between China and the United States for the mutual recognition and enforcement of court judgments, thus making the recognition and enforcement of a U.S. court judgment against us or our directors or officers in China difficult.
We are also subject to other risks and uncertainties about any future actions of the PRC government, which may result in a material change in operations of a target business. PRC laws and regulations are sometimes vague and uncertain, and therefore, these risks may result in a material change in operations of a target business, significant depreciation of the value of our ordinary shares, or a complete hindrance of our ability to offer or continue to offer our securities to investors. Recently, the PRC government initiated a series of regulatory actions and statements to regulate business operations in China with little advance notice, including cracking down on illegal activities in the securities market, enhancing supervision over China-based companies listed overseas that use a VIE structure, adopting new measures to extend the scope of cybersecurity reviews, and expanding efforts in anti-monopoly enforcement.
Since these statements and regulatory actions are new, it is highly uncertain how soon legislative or administrative regulation-making bodies will respond and what existing or new laws or regulations or detailed implementations and interpretations will be modified or promulgated, if any, and the potential impact such modified or new laws and regulations will have on a China-based target company’s daily business operation, the ability to accept foreign investments and list on a U.S. or other foreign exchange. Additionally, if we effect our initial business combination with a business located in the PRC, the laws applicable to such business will likely govern all of our material agreements and we may not be able to enforce our legal rights. There are uncertainties regarding the interpretation and enforcement of PRC laws, rules and regulations which may have a material adverse impact on the value of our securities. If we enter into a business combination with a target business operating in China, cash proceeds raised from overseas financing activities, including the IPO, may be transferred by us to any future PRC subsidiaries via capital contribution or shareholder loans, as the case may be. All these risks could result in a material change in our or the target company’s post-combination operations and/or the value of our ordinary shares or could significantly limit or completely hinder our ability to offer or continue to offer securities to investors and cause the value of such securities to significantly decline or become worthless.
Furthermore, the PRC government has significant authority to exert influence on the ability of a China-based company to conduct its business, make or accept foreign investments or list on a U.S. stock exchange. For example, if we enter into a business combination with a target business operating in China, the combined company may face risks associated with regulatory approvals of the proposed business combination between us and the target, offshore offerings, anti-monopoly regulatory actions, cybersecurity and data privacy. The PRC government may also intervene with or influence the combined company’s operations at any time as the government deems appropriate to further regulatory, political and societal goals.
The PRC government has recently published new policies that significantly affected certain industries such as the education and internet industries, and we cannot rule out the possibility that it will in the future release regulations or policies regarding any industry that could adversely affect our potential business combination with a PRC operating business and the business, financial condition and results of operations of the combined company. Any such action, once taken by the PRC government, could make it more difficult and costly for us to consummate a business combination with a target business operating in the PRC, result in material changes in the combined company’s post-combination operations and cause the value of the combined company’s securities to significantly decline, or become worthless or completely hinder the combined company’s ability to offer or continue to offer securities to investors.
On February 17, 2023, the China Securities Regulatory Commission (the “CSRC”) promulgated the Trial Administrative Measures of Overseas Securities Offering and Listing by Domestic Companies (the “Trial Measures”), which took effect on March 31, 2023. The Trial Measures supersede prior rules and clarified and emphasized several aspects, which include but are not limited to: (1) comprehensive determination of the “indirect overseas offering and listing by PRC domestic companies” in compliance with the principle of “substance over form” and particularly, an issuer will be required to go through the filing procedures under the Trial Measures if the following criteria are met at the same time: (a) 50% or more of the issuer’s operating revenue, total profit, total assets or net assets as documented in its audited consolidated financial statements for the most recent accounting year comes from PRC domestic companies, and (b) the main parts of the issuer’s business activities are conducted in mainland China, or its main places of business are located in mainland China, or the senior managers in charge of its business operation and management are mostly Chinese citizens or domiciled in mainland China; (2) exemptions from immediate filing requirements for issuers that (a) have already been listed or registered but not yet listed in foreign securities markets, including U.S. markets, prior to the effective date of the Trial Measures, (b) are not required to re-perform the regulatory procedures with the relevant overseas regulatory authority or the overseas stock exchange, and (c) whose such overseas securities offering or listing shall be completed before September 30, 2023, provided however that such issuers shall carry out filing procedures as required if they conduct refinancing or are involved in other circumstances that require filing with the CSRC; (3) a negative list of types of issuers banned from listing or offering overseas, such as (a) issuers whose listing or offering overseas has been recognized by the State Council of the PRC as a possible threat to national security, (b) issuers whose affiliates have been recently convicted of bribery and corruption, (c) issuers under ongoing criminal investigations, and (d) issuers under major disputes regarding equity ownership; (4) issuers’ compliance with web security, data security, and other national security laws and regulations; (5) issuers’ filing and reporting obligations, such as the obligation to file with the CSRC after it submits an application for initial public offering to overseas regulators, and the obligation after offering or listing overseas to report to the CSRC material events including a change of control or voluntary or forced delisting of the issuer; and (6) the CSRC’s authority to fine both issuers and their shareholders between 1 and 10 million RMB for failure to comply with the Trial Measures, including failure to comply with filing obligations or committing fraud and misrepresentation.
We believe we are not required to obtain approvals from any PRC government authorities, including the CSRC or the Cyberspace Administration of China, or any other government entity, to issue our securities to foreign investors and to list on a U.S. exchange or to search for a target company. As of the date of this annual report, we have not received any inquiry, notice, warning, sanctions or regulatory objection to the IPO from the CSRC or any other PRC governmental authorities. However, applicable laws, regulations, or interpretations of the PRC may change, and the relevant PRC government agencies could reach a different conclusion and may subject us to a stringent approval process from the relevant government entities in connection with the IPO, continued listing on a U.S. exchange, the potential business combination, the issuance of shares or the maintenance of our status as a publicly listed company outside China, and the post business combination entity’s PRC operations if our business combination target is a PRC Target Company. We may also be subject to registration with the CSRC following the IPO pursuant to the Trial Measures. It is uncertain when and whether we will be required to obtain permission from the PRC government to continue to list on a U.S. exchange in the future and offer our securities to foreign investors. If approval is required in the future, including pursuant to the Trial Measures, and we are denied permission from Chinese authorities to list on U.S. exchanges or offer our securities to foreign investors, we may not be able to continue listing on a U.S. exchange or be subject to other severe consequences, which would materially affect the interest of the investors. In addition, any changes in PRC law, regulations, or interpretations may severely affect our operations after the IPO. The use of the term “operate” and “operations” includes the process of searching for a target business and conducting related activities. To that extent, we may not be able to conduct the process of searching for a potential target company in China.
Subject to the considerations set forth above, if we decide to consummate our initial business combination with a China-based company, the combined company may make capital contributions or extend loans to any future PRC subsidiaries through intermediate holding companies subject to compliance with relevant PRC foreign exchange control regulations. From our inception to the date of this annual report, no dividends or distributions have been made. After an initial business combination with a China-based company, the combined company’s ability to pay dividends, if any, to the shareholders and to service any debt it may incur will depend upon dividends paid by any future PRC subsidiaries. Under PRC laws and regulations, PRC companies are subject to certain restrictions with respect to paying dividends or otherwise transferring any of their net assets to offshore entities. In particular, under the current PRC laws and regulations, dividends may be paid only out of distributable profits. Distributable profits are the net profit as determined under Chinese accounting standards and regulations, less any recovery of accumulated losses and appropriations to statutory and other reserves required to be made.
A PRC company is required to set aside at least 10% of its after-tax profits each year to fund certain statutory reserve funds (up to an aggregate amount equal to half of its registered capital). As a result, the combined company’s PRC subsidiaries may not have sufficient distributable profits to pay dividends to the combined company. Furthermore, if certain procedural requirements are satisfied, the payment in foreign currencies on current account items, including profit distributions and trade and service related foreign exchange transactions, can be made without prior approval from the State Administration of Foreign Exchange, or SAFE, or its local branches. However, where Renminbi (“RMB”), the legal currency of the PRC, is to be converted into foreign currency and remitted out of China to pay capital expenses, such as the repayment of loans denominated in foreign currencies, approval from or registration with competent government authorities or its authorized banks is required. The PRC government may take measures at its discretion from time to time to restrict access to foreign currencies for current account or capital account transactions.
If the foreign exchange control regulations prevent the PRC subsidiaries of the combined company from obtaining sufficient foreign currencies to satisfy their foreign currency demands, the PRC subsidiaries of the combined company may not be able to pay dividends or repay loans in foreign currencies to their offshore intermediary holding companies and ultimately to the combined company. We cannot assure you that new regulations or policies will not be promulgated in the future, which may further restrict the remittance of RMB into or out of the PRC. We cannot assure you, in light of the restrictions in place, or any amendment to be made from time to time, that the PRC subsidiaries of the combined company will be able to satisfy their respective payment obligations that are denominated in foreign currencies, including the remittance of dividends outside of the PRC.
To date, we have not pursued an initial business combination and there have not been any capital contribution or shareholder loans by us to any PRC entities, we do not yet have any subsidiaries, and we have not received, declared or made any dividends or distributions.
Pursuant to the Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act (“HFCA Act”), the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (the “PCAOB”) issued a Determination Report on December 16, 2021 which found that the PCAOB is unable to inspect or investigate completely registered public accounting firms headquartered in (1) mainland China of the PRC because of a position taken by one or more authorities in mainland China and (2) Hong Kong, a Special Administrative Region and dependency of the PRC, because of a position taken by one or more authorities in Hong Kong. In addition, the PCAOB’s report identified the specific registered public accounting firms which are subject to these determinations.
In December 2020, Congress enacted the HFCA Act, and the SEC released interim final amendments that begin to address the components of this Act. In November 2021, the SEC approved PCAOB Rule 6100, which establishes a process for determining which registered public accounting firms the board is unable to inspect or investigate completely. In December 2021, the SEC adopted amendments to finalize its rules under the HFCA Act that set forth submission and disclosure requirements for commission-identified issuers identified under the Act, specify the processes by which the SEC will identify and notify Commission-Identified Issuers, and implement trading prohibitions after three consecutive years of identification.
In December 2022, Congress passed the omnibus spending bill and the President signed it into law. This spending bill included the enactment of provisions to accelerate the timeline for implementation of trading prohibitions from three years to two years. Separately, on December 15, 2022, the PCAOB published its determination that in 2022, the PCAOB was able to inspect and investigate completely registered public accounting firms headquartered in mainland China and Hong Kong. This determination reset the now two-year clock for compliance with the trading prohibitions for identified issuers audited by these firms. The amendment had originally been passed by the U.S. Senate in June 2021, as the “Accelerating Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act.”
Our auditor, Adeptus Partners, LLC, is a United States accounting firm headquartered in Ocean, New Jersey and is subject to regular inspection by the PCAOB. Adeptus Partners, LLC is not headquartered in mainland China or Hong Kong and was not identified as a firm subject to the PCAOB’s Determination Report announced on December 16, 2021. As a result, we do not believe that HFCA Act and related regulations will affect us. Nevertheless, trading in our securities may be prohibited under the HFCA Act if the PCAOB determines that it cannot inspect or fully investigate our auditor, and that as a result an exchange may determine to delist our securities. Moreover, on August 26, 2022, the PCAOB signed a Statement of Protocol with the China Securities Regulatory Commission and the Ministry of Finance of the People’s Republic of China — the first step toward opening access for the PCAOB to inspect and investigate registered public accounting firms headquartered in mainland China and Hong Kong completely, consistent with U.S. law. The Statement of Protocol is intended to grant to the PCAOB complete access to the audit work papers, audit personnel, and other information it needs to inspect and investigate any firm it chooses, with no loopholes and no exceptions.
Recent Developments
Entry into the Merger Agreement
On January 27, 2025, we, Xpand Boom Technology Inc., a Cayman Islands exempted company and a wholly-owned subsidiary of RDAC (“Purchaser”), Xpand Boom Solutions Inc., a Cayman Islands exempted company and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Purchaser (“Merger Sub,” together with RDAC, Purchaser, the “Purchaser Parties”), HZJL Cayman Limited, a Cayman Islands exempted company (“HZJL”), certain shareholder of HZJL (“Principal Shareholder”), and Mr. Bin Xiong, as representative of the Principal Shareholder of HZJL, entered into a Merger Agreement (the “Merger Agreement”).
Upon consummation of the transaction contemplated by the Merger Agreement, (i) RDAC will reincorporate by merging with and into the Purchaser, and (ii) concurrently with the reincorporation merger, the Merger Sub will be merged with and into HZJL, resulting in HZJL being a wholly owned subsidiary of the Purchaser (the “Business Combination” and the transactions in connection with the Business Combination collectively, the “Transaction”). Upon the closing of the Transaction, the parties plan to remain Nasdaq-listed under a new ticker symbol.
Under the terms of the Merger Agreement, RDAC’s wholly owned subsidiary, Xpand Boom Technology, will acquire HZJL, resulting in Xpand Boom Technology being a listed company on the Nasdaq Capital Market. At the effective time of the Transaction, HZJL’s shareholders and management will receive 35 million ordinary shares of Xpand Boom Technology. In addition, certain HZJL shareholders will be entitled to receive earn-out consideration of up to an additional 20 million ordinary shares of Xpand Boom Technology, subject to HZJL meeting certain revenue targets in the two subsequent years as set forth in the Merger Agreement. The shares held by certain HZJL’s shareholders will be subject to lock-up agreements for a period of six months following the closing of the Transaction, subject to certain exceptions.
The Transaction, which has been approved by the boards of directors of both RDAC and HZJL, is subject to regulatory approvals, the approvals by the shareholders of RDAC and HZJL, respectively, and the satisfaction of certain other customary closing conditions, including, among others, a registration statement, of which the proxy statement/prospectus forms a part, being declared effective by the SEC, and the approval by Nasdaq of the listing application of the combined company.
Competitive Advantage of Our Management
We have an experienced and highly professional management team, almost all of whom have entrepreneurial experience or experience working for public companies, and we believe that this valuable experience can help us to better identify outstanding companies that are considering becoming public companies.
Our Chief Executive Officer, Lulu Xing, has extensive experience in business management, , and has a strong track record of navigating complex matters. His background in financial management and corporate governance will be especially helpful in guiding the company’s strategic decisions. We believe Mr. Xing’s unique experience and contacts will help us identify great target companies.
Our Chief Financial Officer, Wenyi Shen, has a solid background in accounting and financing as he has worked in an international accounting firm and advanced in the audit field by leading both internal and external audits, including as a senior auditor in Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu CPA Ltd., Shanghai. During his career, he provided audit services from the IPO stage to several large-scale Chinese companies located in China and traded on Hong Kong and mainland China stock markets, including Agricultural Bank of China and Haitong Securities Co, Ltd., and focused on several industries including consumer, entertainment, education, and the Internet. Mr. Shen served as the chief financial officer of Hainan Manaslu Acquisition Corp., a special acquisition purpose company, which merged with Able View Global Inc. (Nasdaq: ABLV) in a business combination in August 2023. We believe that his experience will help us to better identify the financial risks of potential investment targets and to find outstanding companies to acquire.
Additionally, we believe that our independent directors will provide public company governance, executive leadership, operational oversight, private equity investment management and capital markets experience. Our directors have experience with acquisitions, divestitures and corporate strategy and implementation, which we believe will significantly benefit us as we evaluate potential acquisition or merger candidates as well as following the completion of our initial business combination.
We believe our management team is well positioned to take advantage of the growing set of acquisition opportunities focused on the companies exhibiting substantial potential in emerging markets driven by innovative technologies or novel business models and that our contacts and relationships, ranging from owners and management teams of private and public companies, private equity funds, investment bankers, attorneys, to accountants and business brokers will allow us to generate an attractive transaction for our shareholders.
The past performance of the members of our management team, or the sponsor is not a guarantee that we will be able to identify a suitable candidate for our initial business combination or of success with respect to any business combination we may consummate. You should not rely on the historical record of the performance of our management team or any of its affiliates’ performance as indicative of our future performance.
Our Chief Executive Officer (also the Chairman), our Chief Financial Officer and two of our independent directors are citizens of the PRC and reside in China. One executive director is a citizen and resident of Hong Kong, and one of our independent directors is a citizen and resident of Taiwan. Although we are not targeting target companies in China, we may consider a business combination with an entity or business with a physical presence or other significant ties to China, including Hong Kong and Macau, which may subject the post-business combination business to the laws, regulations and policies of China. Any target for a business combination may conduct operations through subsidiaries in China. The legal and regulatory risks associated with doing business in China discussed in the IPO Prospectus may make us a less attractive partner in an initial business combination than other special purpose acquisition companies that do not have any ties to China. As such, our ties to China may make it harder for us to complete an initial business combination with a target company without any such ties. In addition, we will not conduct a business combination with any target company that conducts operations through variable interest entities (“VIEs”), which are a series of contractual arrangements used to provide the economic benefits of foreign investment in Chinese-based companies where Chinese law prohibits direct foreign investment in the operating companies. As a result, this may limit the pool of acquisition candidates we may acquire in the PRC, in particular, relative to other special purpose acquisition companies that are not subject to such restrictions, which could make it more difficult and costly for us to consummate a business combination with a target business operating in the PRC relative to such other companies.
If we were to complete a business combination with a Chinese entity, we could be subject to certain legal and operational risks associated with or having the majority of post-business combination operations in China. PRC laws and regulations governing PRC based business operations are sometimes vague and uncertain, and as a result these risks may result in material changes in the operations of any post-business combination subsidiaries, significant depreciation of the value of our ordinary shares, or a complete hindrance of our ability to offer, or continue to offer, our securities to investors, including investors in the United States. Recently, the PRC government adopted a series of regulatory actions and issued statements to regulate business operations in China with little advance notice, including cracking down on illegal activities in the securities market, adopting new measures to extend the scope of cybersecurity reviews, and expanding the efforts in anti-monopoly enforcement. These recently enacted measures, and new measures which may be implemented, could materially and adversely affect the operations of any post-business combination company which we may acquire as our initial business combination.
Since these statements and regulatory actions are new, it is highly uncertain how soon legislative or administrative regulation-making bodies will respond and what existing or new laws or regulations or detailed implementations and interpretations will be modified or promulgated, if any, and the potential impact such modified or new laws and regulations will have on a China-based target company’s daily business operation, the ability to accept foreign investments and list on a U.S. or other foreign exchange. Additionally, if we effect our initial business combination with a business located in the PRC, the laws applicable to such business will likely govern all of our material agreements and we may not be able to enforce our legal rights. There are uncertainties regarding the interpretation and enforcement of PRC laws, rules and regulations which may have a material adverse impact on the value of our securities. If we enter into a business combination with a target business operating in China, cash proceeds raised from overseas financing activities, including the IPO, may be transferred by us to any future PRC subsidiaries via capital contribution or shareholder loans, as the case may be. All these risks could result in a material change in our or the target company’s post-combination operations and/or the value of our ordinary shares or could significantly limit or completely hinder our ability to offer or continue to offer securities to investors and cause the value of such securities to significantly decline or become worthless.
Furthermore, the PRC government has significant authority to exert influence on the ability of a China-based company to conduct its business, make or accept foreign investments or list on a U.S. stock exchange. For example, if we enter into a business combination with a target business operating in China, the combined company may face risks associated with regulatory approvals of the proposed business combination between us and the target, offshore offerings, anti-monopoly regulatory actions, cybersecurity and data privacy. The PRC government may also intervene with or influence the combined company’s operations at any time as the government deems appropriate to further regulatory, political and societal goals.
The PRC government has recently published new policies that significantly affected certain industries such as the education and internet industries, and we cannot rule out the possibility that it will in the future release regulations or policies regarding any industry that could adversely affect our potential business combination with a PRC operating business and the business, financial condition and results of operations of the combined company. Any such action, once taken by the PRC government, could make it more difficult and costly for us to consummate a business combination with a target business operating in the PRC, result in material changes in the combined company’s post-combination operations and cause the value of the combined company’s securities to significantly decline, or become worthless or completely hinder the combined company’s ability to offer or continue to offer securities to investors.
On February 17, 2023, the China Securities Regulatory Commission (the “CSRC”) promulgated the Trial Administrative Measures of Overseas Securities Offering and Listing by Domestic Companies (the “Trial Measures”), which took effect on March 31, 2023. The Trial Measures supersede the prior rules and clarified and emphasized several aspects, which include but are not limited to: (1) comprehensive determination of the “indirect overseas offering and listing by PRC domestic companies” in compliance with the principle of “substance over form” and particularly, an issuer will be required to go through the filing procedures under the Trial Measures if the following criteria are met at the same time: (a) 50% or more of the issuer’s operating revenue, total profit, total assets or net assets as documented in its audited consolidated financial statements for the most recent accounting year comes from PRC domestic companies, and (b) the main parts of the issuer’s business activities are conducted in mainland China, or its main places of business are located in mainland China, or the senior managers in charge of its business operation and management are mostly Chinese citizens or domiciled in mainland China; (2) exemptions from immediate filing requirements for issuers that (a) have already been listed or registered but not yet listed in foreign securities markets, including U.S. markets, prior to the effective date of the Trial Measures, (b) are not required to re-perform the regulatory procedures with the relevant overseas regulatory authority or the overseas stock exchange, and (c) whose such overseas securities offering or listing shall be completed before September 30, 2023, provided however that such issuers shall carry out filing procedures as required if they conduct refinancing or are involved in other circumstances that require filing with the CSRC; (3) a negative list of types of issuers banned from listing or offering overseas, such as (a) issuers whose listing or offering overseas has been recognized by the State Council of the PRC as a possible threat to national security, (b) issuers whose affiliates have been recently convicted of bribery and corruption, (c) issuers under ongoing criminal investigations, and (d) issuers under major disputes regarding equity ownership; (4) issuers’ compliance with web security, data security, and other national security laws and regulations; (5) issuers’ filing and reporting obligations, such as the obligation to file with the CSRC after it submits an application for initial public offering to overseas regulators, and the obligation after offering or listing overseas to report to the CSRC material events including a change of control or voluntary or forced delisting of the issuer; and (6) the CSRC’s authority to fine both issuers and their shareholders between 1 and 10 million RMB for failure to comply with the Trial Measures, including failure to comply with filing obligations or committing fraud and misrepresentation.
Based on our understanding of the current PRC laws and regulations, as we do not have any material operations in China, given that (a) the CSRC, currently has not issued any definitive rule or interpretation concerning whether offerings like ours under the IPO Prospectus are subject to the “M&A Rules and the Trial Measures; and (b) our company is a blank check company newly incorporated in the Cayman Islands rather than in China and currently our company does not own or control any equity interest in any PRC company or operate any business in China although our principal executive offices are located in China, we believe that our company, our officers and/or directors are not required to obtain any licenses or approvals or subject to registration with the CSRC pursuant to the Trial Measures and under applicable PRC laws and regulations, for consummation of the IPO and while seeking a target for the initial business combination. We also believe that our officers and directors do not fall under or are not governed by requirements from the CSRC, and we are not required to obtain approvals from any PRC government entity, including the CSRC or the CAC, or any other government entity, to issue our securities to foreign investors and to list on a U.S. exchange or to search for a target company. As of the date of the IPO Prospectus, we had not received any inquiry, notice, warning, sanctions or regulatory objection to the IPO from the CSRC or any other PRC governmental authorities. However, applicable laws, regulations, or interpretations of the PRC may change or we could be mistaken about these rules applicability, and the relevant PRC government agencies could reach a different conclusion and may subject us to a stringent approval process from the relevant government entities in connection with the IPO, continued listing on a U.S. exchange, the potential business combination, the issuance of shares or the maintenance of our status as a publicly listed company outside China, and the post business combination entity’s PRC operations if our business combination target is a PRC Target Company. If the CSRC or the CAC, or any other governmental or regulatory body subsequently determines that its approval is needed for the IPO, a business combination, the issuance of our ordinary shares upon exercise of the rights, or maintaining our status as a publicly listed company outside China, we may face approval delays, adverse actions or sanctions by the CSRC, CAC and/or other PRC regulatory agencies. It is uncertain whether we will be required to obtain permission from the PRC government to continue to list on a U.S. exchange in the future and offer our securities to foreign investors. If approval is required in the future, including pursuant to the Trial Measures, and we are denied permission from Chinese authorities to list on U.S. exchanges or offer our securities to foreign investors, we may not be able to continue listing on a U.S. exchange or be subject to other severe consequences, which would materially affect our ability to complete a business combination in which case we may have to liquidate which would be adverse to the interests of the investors. In addition, any changes in PRC law, regulations, or interpretations may severely affect our operations after the IPO. The use of the term “operate” and “operations” includes the process of searching for a target business and conducting related activities. To that extent, we may not be able to conduct the process of searching for a potential target company in China.
There are numerous risks and uncertainties related to doing business in China including:
| ● | Adverse changes in political and economic policies or political or social conditions of the PRC government could have a material adverse effect on the overall economic growth of China; |
| ● | Uncertainties with respect to the PRC legal system could limit legal protections available to you and us; |
| ● | It may be difficult for overseas regulators to conduct investigations or collect evidence within China |
| ● | PRC companies in certain business sectors are required to undergo national security review or obtain clearance from relevant authorities if necessary before making any filings with the CSRC. |
| ● | PRC companies must comply with national secrecy and data security laws with respect to any data disclosure. |
| ● | CSRC has the authority to and may block offshore listings that: (1) are explicitly prohibited by law; (2) may endanger national security; (3) involve criminal offenses such as corruption, bribery, embezzlement, misappropriation of property by the issuer, its controlling persons (with a three-year lookback); (4) involve the issuer under investigations for suspicion of criminal offenses or major violations of laws and regulations; or (5) involve material ownership disputes. |
For a detailed description of risks associated with our significant ties to or a potential acquisition of a target business in China, see “Risk Factors —Risks Related to Acquiring or Operating Businesses in the PRC” included in the IPO Prospectus.
Each of our officers and directors may become an officer or director of another special purpose acquisition company with a class of securities intended to be registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, even before we have entered into a definitive agreement regarding our initial business combination. For more information, see the section of the IPO prospectus entitled “Management — Conflicts of Interest” and see “Risk Factors” included in the IPO Prospectus.
Investment Direction
Although there is no restriction or limitation on what industry our target operates in, it is our intention to pursue prospective targets that are focused on green and sustainable business, new energy, cutting-edge technologies, artificial intelligent applications, business software and health care products. We anticipate targeting what are traditionally known as “small cap” companies domiciled in North America, Europe and/or the Asia Pacific (“APAC”) regions that are developing assets in Asia, Europe and North America, which aligns with our management team’s experience in operating emerging start-up companies. Our efforts to identify a prospective target business will not be limited to a particular industry or geographic region. As such, although we are not targeting target companies in China, we may consider a business combination with an entity or business with a physical presence or other significant ties to China, including Hong Kong and Macau, which may subject the post-business combination business to the laws, regulations and policies of China.
Transfers of Cash to and from our Post Business Combination Subsidiaries
To date, we have not pursued an initial business combination and there have not been any capital contributions or shareholder loans by us to any PRC entities, we do not yet have any subsidiaries, and we have not received, declared or made any dividends or distributions. If we decide to consummate our initial business combination with a target business based in and primarily operating in the PRC, the combined company, whose securities will be listed on a U.S. stock exchange, may make capital contributions or extend loans to its PRC subsidiaries through intermediate holding companies subject to compliance with relevant PRC foreign exchange control regulations.
After the initial business combination, the combined company’s ability to pay dividends, if any, to the shareholders and to service any debt it may incur will depend upon dividends paid by its PRC subsidiaries. Under PRC laws and regulations, PRC companies are subject to certain restrictions with respect to paying dividends or otherwise transferring any of their net assets to offshore entities. In particular, under the current PRC laws and regulations, dividends may be paid only out of distributable profits. Distributable profits are the net profit as determined under Chinese accounting standards and regulations, less any recovery of accumulated losses and appropriations to statutory and other reserves required to be made.
Current PRC regulations permit a potential PRC target company’s indirect PRC subsidiaries to pay dividends to an overseas subsidiary, for example, a subsidiary located in Hong Kong, only out of their accumulated profits, if any, determined in accordance with Chinese accounting standards and regulations. In addition, each of the target’s subsidiaries in China is required to set aside at least 10% of its after-tax profits each year, if any, to fund a statutory reserve until such reserve reaches 50% of its registered capital. As a result, the combined company’s PRC subsidiaries may not have sufficient distributable profits to pay dividends to the combined company. Furthermore, each such entity in China is also required to further set aside a portion of its after-tax profits to fund the employee welfare fund, although the amount to be set aside, if any, is determined at the discretion of its board of directors. Although the statutory reserves can be used, among other ways, to increase the registered capital and eliminate future losses in excess of retained earnings of the respective companies, the reserve funds are not distributable as cash dividends except in the event of liquidation.
The PRC government also imposes controls on the conversion of the Renminbi (“RMB”), the legal currency of the PRC, into foreign currencies and the remittance of currencies out of the PRC. Our initial business combination target may be a PRC company with substantially all of its revenues in RMB. Shortages in the availability of foreign currency may restrict the ability of the PRC subsidiaries to remit sufficient foreign currency to pay dividends or other payments to us, or otherwise satisfy their foreign currency denominated obligations. Under existing PRC foreign exchange regulations, payments of current account items, including profit distributions, interest payments and expenditures from trade-related transactions can be made in foreign currencies without prior approval from SAFE by complying with certain procedural requirements. However, approval from appropriate government authorities is required where RMB is to be converted into foreign currency and remitted out of China to pay capital expenses such as the repayment of loans denominated in foreign currencies. The PRC government may also at its discretion restrict access in the future to foreign currencies for current account transactions. If the foreign exchange control system prevents us from obtaining sufficient foreign currency to satisfy our currency demands post business combination, we may not be able to pay dividends in foreign currencies to our security-holders. Furthermore, if our target’s subsidiaries in the PRC incur debt on their own in the future, the instruments governing the debt may restrict their ability to pay dividends or make other payments.
Cash dividends, if any, on our ordinary shares will be paid in U.S. dollars. If we are considered a PRC tax resident enterprise for tax purposes, any dividends we pay to our overseas shareholders may be regarded as China-sourced income and, as a result, may be subject to PRC withholding tax at a rate of up to 10.0%.
The PRC government may take measures at its discretion from time to time to restrict access to foreign currencies for current account or capital account transactions. If the foreign exchange control regulations prevent the PRC subsidiaries of the combined company from obtaining sufficient foreign currencies to satisfy their foreign currency demands, the PRC subsidiaries of the combined company may not be able to pay dividends or repay loans in foreign currencies to their offshore intermediary holding companies and ultimately to the combined company.
We cannot assure you that new regulations or policies will not be promulgated in the future, which may further restrict the remittance of RMB into or out of the PRC. We cannot assure you, in light of the restrictions in place, or any amendment to be made from time to time, that the PRC subsidiaries of the combined company will be able to satisfy their respective payment obligations that are denominated in foreign currencies, including the remittance of dividends outside of the PRC. See “Risk Factors —Risks Related to Acquiring or Operating Businesses in the PRC” under the subheadings “Cash-Flow Structure of a Post-Acquisition Company Based in China” and “Exchange controls that exist in the PRC may restrict or prevent us from using the proceeds of the IPO to acquire a target company in the PRC and limit our ability to utilize our cash flow effectively following our initial business combination” included in the IPO Prospectus.
Business Strategy
Our main strategy is to identify and complete a merger or acquisition with a company that complements our team’s expertise and capabilities. Using our broad network of relationships, industry knowledge, and proven ability to find deals, we focus on companies with high potential in emerging markets characterized by innovative technologies or unique business models. Our network has grown through our team’s experience in both investing in and managing businesses within our target industries. Consistent with this strategy, we identified various parameters and criteria that we think are important and relevant in evaluating prospective target businesses. We applied these parameters in evaluating prospects.
We considered prospective target businesses that were not be limited to a particular industry or geographic region. Although there is no restriction or limitation on what industry our target operates in, it was our intention to pursue prospective targets that are focused on green and sustainable business, new energy, cutting-edge technologies, artificial intelligent applications, business software and health care products. During this search process, we evaluated approximately three business combination opportunities in Asia and Europe, across a broad range of sectors including IT data center, industrial furnaces and high-end valve manufacturing, and more before deciding to move ahead with HZJL.
***Target Size:***We intended to acquire one or more companies with significant revenue growth, with values between $500,000,000 and $2000,000,000.
***High Growth Geographic Markets:***We intended to focus on companies with international operations in fast-growing markets, which can use their regional advantages effectively.
***High Growth Industries:***We intended to prioritize companies in rapidly growing sectors such as green and sustainable businesses, new energy, cutting-edge technologies, artificial intelligent applications, business software and health care products.
***Proven Financial Performance and Growth Potential:***We intended to seek businesses with recent revenue growth and potential for future expansion through new products, technological advances, unique sales strategies, cost reductions, and strategic acquisitions.
***Competitive Advantage:***We intended to target businesses with a strong industry position, innovative technologies, deep market insights, leadership status, exclusive partnerships, strong branding, or distinct cost efficiencies.
***Benefits of Going Public:***We intended to acquire companies that would benefit from the capital access and visibility of being a publicly traded company.
***Experienced and Visionary Management:***We preferred companies led by skilled and forward-thinking management teams with deep industry knowledge.
***High ESG Standards:***We intended to prioritize companies with strong commitments to environmental, social, and governance standards, highlighting sustainable and responsible business practices.
***Market Trend Alignment:***We intended to seek companies that are in line with or leading current market trends, which helps them adapt to changes in market conditions and consumer preferences.
These criteria are guidelines and not exhaustive. Our evaluation may consider these and other relevant factors as needed. If we choose a company that does not meet all these criteria, we will disclose this to our shareholders in the communications concerning the merger or acquisition, which will include documents like proxy statements or tender offer announcements filed with the SEC.
In evaluating HZJL, we conducted a due diligence review which encompassed, among other things, meetings with incumbent management and employees, document reviews, interviews of customers and suppliers, inspections of facilities, as well as reviewing financial and other information that was made available to us.
Selection of a Target Business and Structuring of a Business Combination
Subject to the requirement that our initial business combination must be with one or more target businesses or assets having an aggregate fair market value of at least 80% of the value of the trust account (less any deferred underwriting discounts and taxes payable on interest earned) at the time of the agreement to enter into such initial business combination, our management will have virtually unrestricted flexibility in identifying and selecting one or more prospective target businesses, although we will not be permitted to effectuate our initial business combination with another blank check company or a similar company with nominal operations. We have not established any specific attributes or criteria (financial or otherwise) for prospective target businesses other than the parameters described in the section titled “Business Strategy” in this annual report.
The focus of our management team will be to create shareholder value by leveraging its experience to efficiently guide an emerging high growth, start-up company towards commercialization. Consistent with our strategy, we have identified the following general criteria and guidelines that we believe are important in evaluating prospective target businesses. While we intend to use these criteria and guidelines in evaluating prospective businesses, we may deviate from these criteria and guidelines should we see fit to do so:
We believe that there are a substantial number of potential target businesses domestically and internationally with appropriate valuations that can benefit from a public listing and new capital for growth to support significant revenue and earnings growth or to advance clinical programs.
We intend to seek target companies that have significant and underexploited expansion opportunities in a niche sector. This can be accomplished through a combination of accelerating organic growth and finding attractive add-on acquisition targets. Our management team has significant experience in identifying such targets. Similarly, our management has the expertise to assess the likely synergies and a process to help a target integrate acquisitions.
We intend to seek target companies that should offer attractive risk-adjusted equity returns for our shareholders. We intend to seek to acquire a target on terms and in a manner that leverage our experience. We expect to evaluate a target based on its potential to successfully achieve regulatory approval and commercialize its product(s). We also expect to evaluate financial returns based on (i) risk-adjusted peak sales potential, (ii) the potential of pipeline products and the scientific platform, (iii) the ability to achieve the system cost savings, (iv) the ability to accelerate growth via other options, including through the opportunity for follow-on acquisitions, and (v) the prospects for creating value through other value creation initiatives. Potential upside, for example, from the growth in the target business’ earnings or an improved capital structure will be weighed against any identified downside risks.
We intend to invest in businesses that have a track record of success. We intend to look for companies with shareholder-friendly governance and low leverage, which are valued at what we think are low prices relative to their earnings potential and where we see attractive long-term return potential. We believe this investment approach constitutes a competitive advantage and can potentially offer both meaningful upside potential and a degree of downside protection in periods of financial market turbulence.
These criteria are not intended to be exhaustive. Any evaluation relating to the merits of a particular initial business combination may be based, to the extent relevant, on these general guidelines as well as other considerations, factors and criteria that our management may deem relevant.
The time and costs required to select and evaluate a target business and to structure and complete the business combination cannot presently be ascertained with any degree of certainty. Any costs incurred with respect to the identification and evaluation of a prospective target business with which a business combination is not ultimately completed will result in a loss to us and reduce the amount of capital available to otherwise complete a business combination.
Fair Market Value of Target Business
NASDAQ rules provide that our initial business combination must be with one or more target businesses that together have a fair market value equal to at least 80% of the balance in the trust account (less any deferred underwriting discounts and taxes payable on interest earned) at the time of our signing a definitive agreement in connection with our initial business combination. If our board is not able to independently determine the fair market value of the target business or businesses, we will obtain an opinion from an independent investment banking firm or another independent firm that commonly renders valuation opinions with respect to the satisfaction of such criteria. If our securities are not listed on NASDAQ after the offering, we would not be required to satisfy the 80% requirement. However, we intend to satisfy the 80% requirement even if our securities are not listed on NASDAQ at the time of our initial business combination.
We currently anticipate structuring our initial business combination to acquire 100% of the equity interest or assets of the target business or businesses. We may, however, structure our initial business combination to acquire less than 100% of such interests or assets of the target business, but we will only consummate such business combination if we will become the majority shareholder of the target (or control the target through contractual arrangements in limited circumstances for regulatory compliance purposes) or are otherwise not required to register as an “investment company” under the Investment Company Act. Even though we will own a majority interest in the target, our shareholders prior to the business combination may collectively own a minority interest in the post business combination company, depending on valuations ascribed to the target and us in the business combination transaction. For example, we could pursue a transaction in which we issue a substantial number of new shares in exchange for all of the outstanding capital stock, shares or other equity securities of a target. In this case, we would acquire a 100% controlling interest in the target. However, as a result of the issuance of a substantial number of new shares, our shareholders immediately prior to our initial business combination could own less than a majority of our issued and outstanding shares subsequent to our initial business combination.
The fair market value of a target business or businesses or assets will be determined by our board of directors based upon standards generally accepted by the financial community, such as actual and potential gross margins, the values of comparable businesses, earnings and cash flow, book value and, where appropriate, upon the advice of appraisers or other professional consultants. If our board of directors is not able to independently determine that the target business or assets has a sufficient fair market value to meet the threshold criterion, we will obtain an opinion from an unaffiliated, independent investment banking firm or an independent accounting firm with respect to the satisfaction of such criterion. Notwithstanding the foregoing, unless we consummate a business combination with an affiliated entity, we are not required to obtain an opinion from an independent investment banking firm or an independent accounting firm that the price we are paying is fair to our shareholders.
Merger Agreement
On January 27, 2025, we, Xpand Boom Technology Inc., a Cayman Islands exempted company and a wholly-owned subsidiary of RDAC (“Purchaser”), Xpand Boom Solutions Inc., a Cayman Islands exempted company and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Purchaser (“Merger Sub,” together with RDAC, Purchaser, the “Purchaser Parties”), HZJL Cayman Limited, a Cayman Islands exempted company (“HZJL”), certain shareholder of HZJL (“Principal Shareholder”), and Mr. Bin Xiong, as representative of the Principal Shareholder of HZJL, entered into a Merger Agreement (the “Merger Agreement”).
Acquisition Merger and Acquisition Consideration
Upon the closing of the transactions contemplated by the Agreement, RDAC will merge with and into Purchaser, resulting in all RDAC shareholders becoming shareholders of the Purchaser as described under the below section titled “Reincorporation Merger.” Concurrently therewith, Merger Sub will merge with and into HZJL, resulting in Purchaser acquiring 100% of the issued and outstanding equity securities of HZJL (the “Acquisition Merger”). Upon the closing of the Acquisition Merger, the ordinary shares of Purchaser issued shall be reclassified into class A ordinary shares (“Purchaser Class A Ordinary Shares”) and class B ordinary shares (“Purchaser Class B Ordinary Shares*,*” together with Purchaser Class A Ordinary Shares, “Purchaser Ordinary Shares”) where each Purchaser Class A Ordinary Share shall be entitled to one (1) vote on all matters subject to a vote at general and special meetings of the post-closing company and each Purchaser Class B Ordinary Share shall be entitled to 10 votes on all matters subject to a vote at general and special meetings of the post-closing company.
The aggregate consideration to be paid to HZJL shareholders for the Acquisition Merger is $350 million, payable in newly issued Purchaser Ordinary Shares (the “Closing Payment Shares”), valued at $10.00 per share.
Furthermore, the parties agreed that immediately following the closing the Acquisition Merger, Purchaser’s board of directors will consist of directors designated by HZJL, one (1) of which will be Mr. Bin Xiong.
Reincorporation Merger
At the Reincorporation Effective Time, RDAC will be merged with and into Purchaser, the separate corporate existence of RDAC will cease and Purchaser will continue as the surviving corporation (the “Reincorporation Merger”). In connection with the Reincorporation Merger, RDAC’s issued and outstanding units shall separate into its individual components of one ordinary share and one right, and all units shall cease to be outstanding and shall automatically be canceled, and each of RDAC’s issued and outstanding securities will be converted into an equivalent amount of Purchaser’s securities:
Each RDAC ordinary share will be converted automatically into one Purchaser Class A Ordinary Share;
Each right to acquire one-tenth (1/10) of one RDAC ordinary share will be converted automatically into one right to acquire one-tenth (1/10) of one Purchaser Class A Ordinary Share. At the Closing of the Mergers, all Purchaser Rights shall cease to be outstanding and shall automatically be canceled and retired and shall cease to exist. The holders of Purchaser Rights instead will receive one-tenth (1/10) of one Purchaser Class A Ordinary Share in exchange for the cancellation of each Purchaser Right.
Representations and Warranties
In the Agreement, HZJL and Principal Shareholder make certain representations and warranties (with certain exceptions set forth in the disclosure schedule to the Agreement) relating to, among other things: (a) proper corporate organization of HZJL and its affiliates and subsidiaries and similar corporate matters; (b) authorization, execution, delivery and enforceability of the Agreement and other transaction documents; (c) neither the execution, delivery nor performance of the Agreement need any consent, approval, license or other action of any government authority; (d) absence of conflicts; (e) capital structure; (f) accuracy of charter documents and corporate records; (g) required consents and approvals; (h) financial information; (i) absence of certain changes or events; (j) title to assets and properties; (k) material contracts; (l) ownership of real property; (m) licenses and permits; (n) compliance with laws; (o) ownership of intellectual property; (p) customers and suppliers; (q) employment and labor matters; (r) taxes matters; (s) environmental matters; (t) brokers and finders; (u) that HZJL is not an investment company; (v) no Action pending or threatened against HZJL; and (w) other customary representations and warranties.
In the Merger Agreement, Purchaser Parties make certain representations and warranties relating to, among other things: (a) proper corporate organization and similar corporate matters; (b) authorization, execution, delivery and enforceability of the Agreement and other transaction documents; (c) no governmental authorization required; (d) Non-Contravention; (e) brokers and finders; (f) capital structure; (g) validity of share issuance; (h) minimum trust fund amount; (i) validity of Nasdaq Stock Market listing; (j) SEC filing requirements and financial statements; (k) litigation; (l) compliance with laws; (m) material contracts; (n) not an investment company; and (o) other customary representations and warranties.
Conduct Prior to Closing; Covenants
The parties have made customary representations, warranties and covenants in the Agreement, including, among other things, covenants with respect to the conduct of HZJL and its affiliates/subsidiaries prior to the closing of the business combination. The parties have also agreed to customary “no shop” obligations.
The Agreement also contains covenants providing for, among other things:
| ● | Purchaser shall prepare with the assistance, cooperation and commercially reasonable efforts of HZJL, and file with the SEC the Registration Statement in connection with the registration under the Securities Act of Purchaser Ordinary Shares to be issued in the Mergers, which Registration Statement will also contain a proxy statement of RDAC; and |
| ● | all rights to exculpation, indemnification and advancement of expenses existing in favor of D&O indemnified persons shall survive the closing and continue in full force and effect in accordance with their respective terms to the extent permitted by applicable Law. |
Conditions to Closing
General Conditions
Consummation of the Agreement and the transactions is conditioned on, among other things, (i) no provisions of any applicable Law, and no Order shall prohibit or prevent the consummation of the closing; (ii) there shall not be any Action brought by a third party that is not an Affiliate of the parties hereto to enjoin or otherwise restrict the consummation of the closing; (iii) HZJL and RDAC receiving approval from their respective shareholders to the transactions; (iv) the SEC shall have declared the Registration Statement effective; (v) no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or any part thereof shall have been issued; (vi) the Additional Agreements shall have been entered into and the same shall be in full force and effect; (vii) the completion of the CSRC filing; and (viii) continued listing of Purchaser on Nasdaq and Nasdaq approval for listing the Closing Payment Shares on Nasdaq.
HZJL’s Conditions to Closing
The obligations of HZJL to consummate the transactions contemplated by the Agreement, in addition to the conditions described above, are conditioned upon each of the following, among other things:
Purchaser Parties complying with all of their obligations under the Agreement in all material respects;
subject to applicable materiality qualifiers, the representations and warranties of Purchaser Parties being true on and as of the closing date of the transactions and Purchaser Parties complying with all required covenants in the Agreement;
Purchaser Parties complying with the reporting requirements under the applicable Securities Act and Exchange Act; and
there having been no material adverse effect on Purchaser Parties.
Purchaser Parties’ Conditions to Closing
The obligations of Purchaser Parties to consummate the transactions contemplated by the Agreement, in addition to the conditions described above in the first paragraph of this section, are conditioned upon each of the following, among other things:
HZJL and its subsidiaries complying with all of the obligations under the Agreement in all material respects;
subject to applicable materiality qualifiers, the representations and warranties of HZJL and its subsidiaries being true on and as of the closing date of the transactions and HZJL and its subsidiaries complying with all required covenants in the Agreement;
all necessary governmental approvals have been received in form and substance reasonably satisfactory; there having been no material adverse effect on HZJL; and
RDAC receiving duly executed legal opinions from HZJL’s PRC counsel and Cayman Islands counsel.
Termination
The Agreement may be terminated and/or abandoned at any time prior to the closing, whether before or after approval of the proposals being presented to RDAC’s shareholders, by:
mutual written consent of RDAC and HZJL duly authorized by each of their respective boards of directors;
In the event a governmental Authority shall have issued an Order or enacted a Law having the effect of permanently restraining, enjoining or otherwise prohibiting either the Reincorporation Merger or the Acquisition Merger, which Order or Law is final and non-appealable, a Purchaser Party or HZJL shall have the right, at its sole option, to terminate the Agreement without liability to the other party; provided, however, that this right to terminate the Agreement shall not be available to HZJL or a Purchaser Party if the failure by such party or its Affiliates to comply with any provision of the Agreement has been a substantial cause of, or substantially resulted in, such action by such governmental Authority;
RDAC, if HZJL has materially breached any representations, warranties, agreements or covenants contained in the Agreement or in any Additional Agreement to be performed on or prior to the closing date or the Agreement, the plan of merger or the transactions contemplated hereby fail to be authorized or approved by the shareholders of HZJL and such breach shall not be cured within fifteen (15) days following receipt by HZJL of a notice describing in reasonable detail the nature of such breach;
HZJL, if RDAC has materially breached any of its covenants, agreements, representations, and warranties contained in the Agreement or in any Additional Agreement to be performed on or prior to the closing date and such breach has not been cured within fifteen (15) days following the receipt by RDAC a notice describing such breach.
Effecting Our Initial Business Combination
We are not presently engaged in, and we will not engage in, any operations for an indefinite period of time following the IPO. We intend to effectuate our initial business combination using cash from the proceeds of the IPO and the private placement of the private units, our shares, new debt, or a combination of these, as the consideration to be paid in our initial business combination.
In connection with any proposed business combination, we will either (1) seek shareholder approval of our initial business combination at a general meeting called for such purpose at which shareholders may seek to redeem their shares, regardless of whether they vote for or against the proposed business combination or do not vote at all, into their pro rata share of the aggregate amount on deposit in the trust account (net of taxes payable), or (2) provide our shareholders with the opportunity to sell their shares to us by means of a tender offer (and thereby avoid the need for a shareholder vote) for an amount equal to their pro rata share of the aggregate amount on deposit in the trust account (net of taxes payable), in each case calculated as of two business days prior to the consummation of the business combination and subject to the limitations described herein. We will consummate our initial business combination only if we have net tangible assets of at least $5,000,001 (after payment of deferred underwriting discounts and net of taxes payable on the income earned on the trust account and funds previously released to the company to pay our taxes or for use as working capital) either immediately prior to or upon such consummation, or otherwise we are exempt from the provisions of Rule 419 promulgated under the Securities Act (so that we are not subject to the SEC’s “penny stock” rules) and, solely if we seek shareholder approval, a majority of the issued and outstanding ordinary shares voted are voted in favor of the business combination. If we seek shareholder approval of our initial business combination, we will consummate our initial business combination only if we obtain affirmative vote of a majority of the shareholders who attend and vote at a general meeting of the company.
We chose our net tangible asset threshold of $5,000,001 to ensure that we would avoid being subject to Rule 419 promulgated under the Securities Act. However, if we seek to consummate an initial business combination with a target business that imposes any type of working capital closing condition or requires us to have a minimum amount of funds available from the trust account upon consummation of such initial business combination, our net tangible asset threshold may limit our ability to consummate such initial business combination (as we may be required to have a lesser number of shares converted or sold to us) and may force us to seek third party financing which may not be available on terms acceptable to us or at all. As a result, we may not be able to consummate such initial business combination and we may not be able to locate another suitable target within the applicable time period, if at all. Public shareholders may therefore have to wait 15 months from the closing of the IPO (or up to 21 months from the IPO if we extend the period of time to consummate a business combination by the full amount of time, as described in more detail in the Prospectus) in order to be able to receive a pro rata share of the trust account.
Our initial shareholders and our officers and directors have agreed (1) to vote any ordinary shares owned by them in favor of any proposed business combination, (2) not to redeem any ordinary shares in connection with a shareholder vote to approve a proposed initial business combination and (3) not sell any ordinary shares in any tender in connection with a proposed initial business combination.
None of our officers, directors, initial shareholders or their affiliates has indicated any intention to purchase units or ordinary shares in the IPO or from persons in the open market or in private transactions. However, if we hold a general meeting to approve a proposed business combination and a significant number of shareholders vote, or indicate an intention to vote, against such proposed business combination or to redeem their shares, our officers, directors, initial shareholders or their affiliates could make such purchases in the open market or in private transactions in order to increase the likelihood of satisfying the necessary closing conditions to such transaction. Notwithstanding the foregoing, our officers, directors, initial shareholders and their affiliates will not make purchases of ordinary shares if the purchases would violate Section 9(a)(2) or Rule 10b-5 of the Exchange Act, which are rules designed to stop potential manipulation of a company’s stock, shares or other equity securities.
Redemption Rights
We will provide our public shareholders with the opportunity to redeem all or a portion their shares upon the consummation of our initial business combination at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account, including interest (net of taxes payable), divided by the number of the then issued and outstanding public shares, subject to the limitations described herein. The amount in the trust account is initially anticipated to be $10.05 per share, whether or not the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full. The per-share amount we will distribute to investors who properly redeem their shares will not be reduced by the deferred underwriting discounts we will pay to the underwriters. Our initial shareholders have agreed to waive their right to receive liquidating distributions if we fail to consummate our initial business combination within the requisite time period. However, if our initial shareholders or any of our officers, directors or affiliates acquires public shares in or after the IPO, they will be entitled to receive liquidating distributions with respect to such public shares if we fail to consummate our initial business combination within the required time period.
At any general meeting called to approve an initial business combination, public shareholders may seek to redeem their shares, regardless of whether they vote for or against the proposed business combination or do not vote at all, into their pro rata share of the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account as of two business days prior to the consummation of the initial business combination, less any taxes then due but not yet paid. Alternatively, we may provide our public shareholders with the opportunity to sell their ordinary shares to us through a tender offer (and thereby avoid the need for a shareholder vote) for an amount equal to their pro rata share of the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account, less any taxes then due but not yet paid.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, a public shareholder, together with any affiliate of his or any other person with whom he is acting in concert or as a “group” (as defined in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act) will be restricted from seeking redemption rights with respect to 20% or more of the shares sold in the IPO. Such a public shareholder would still be entitled to vote against a proposed business combination with respect to all shares owned by him or his affiliates. We believe this restriction will prevent shareholders from accumulating large blocks of shares before the vote held to approve a proposed business combination and attempt to use the redemption right as a means to force us or our management to purchase their shares at a significant premium to the then current market price. By limiting a shareholder’s ability to redeem no more than 20% of the shares sold in the IPO, we believe we have limited the ability of a small group of shareholders to unreasonably attempt to block a transaction which is favored by our other public shareholders.
Our initial shareholders, officers and directors will not have redemption rights with respect to any ordinary shares owned by them, directly or indirectly, whether acquired prior to the IPO or purchased by them in the IPO or in the aftermarket.. Additionally, the holders of ordinary shares will not have redemption rights with respect to the 57,500 ordinary shares we issued to Lucid and its designees in the IPO (the “Representative Shares”).
We may require public shareholders, whether they are a record holder or hold their shares in “street name,” to either (i) tender their certificates (if any) to our transfer agent or (ii) deliver their shares to the transfer agent electronically using Depository Trust Company’s DWAC (Deposit/Withdrawal At Custodian) System, at the holder’s option, in each case prior to a date set forth in the proxy materials sent in connection with the proposal to approve the business combination.
There is a nominal cost associated with the above-referenced delivery process and the act of certificating the shares or delivering them through the DWAC System. The transfer agent will typically charge the tendering broker a nominal amount and it would be up to the broker whether or not to pass this cost on to the holder. However, this fee would be incurred regardless of whether or not we require holders seeking to exercise redemption rights to deliver their shares prior to a specified date. The need to deliver shares is a requirement of exercising redemption rights regardless of the timing of when such delivery must be effectuated. However, in the event we require shareholders seeking to exercise redemption rights to deliver their shares prior to the consummation of the proposed business combination and the proposed business combination is not consummated this may result in an increased cost to shareholders.
Any proxy solicitation materials we furnish to shareholders in connection with a vote for any proposed business combination will indicate whether we are requiring shareholders to satisfy such certification and delivery requirements. Accordingly, a shareholder would have from the time the shareholder received our proxy statement up until the vote on the proposal to approve the business combination to deliver his shares if he wishes to seek to exercise his redemption rights. This time period varies depending on the specific facts of each transaction. However, as the delivery process can be accomplished by the shareholder, whether or not he is a record holder or his shares are held in “street name,” in a matter of hours by simply contacting the transfer agent or his broker and requesting delivery of his shares through the DWAC System, we believe this time period is sufficient for an average investor. However, we cannot assure you of this fact. Please see the risk factor titled “In connection with any general meeting called to approve a proposed initial business combination, we may require shareholders who wish to redeem their shares in connection with a proposed business combination to comply with specific requirements for redemption that may make it more difficult for them to exercise their redemption rights prior to the deadline for exercising their rights” for further information on the risks of failing to comply with these requirements.
Any request to redeem such shares once made, may be withdrawn at any time up to the vote on the proposed business combination or the expiration of the tender offer. Furthermore, if a holder of public shares delivered his certificate in connection with an election of their redemption and subsequently decides prior to the applicable date not to elect to exercise such rights, he may simply request that the transfer agent return the certificate (physically or electronically).
If the initial business combination is not approved or completed for any reason, then our public shareholders who elected to exercise their redemption rights would not be entitled to redeem their shares for the applicable pro rata share of the trust account as of two business days prior to the consummation of the initial business combination. In such case, we will promptly return any shares delivered by public holders.
Redemption of public shares and liquidation if no initial business combination
We will have 15 months from the closing of the IPO to consummate an initial business combination. However, if we anticipate that we may not be able to consummate our initial business combination within 15 months, we may extend the period of time to consummate a business combination up to six times, each by an additional one month (for a total of up to 21 months to complete a business combination). Pursuant to the terms of our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association and the trust agreement entered into between us and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company on the date of the Prospectus, in order to extend the time available for us to consummate our initial business combination, the sponsor or its affiliates or designees, upon five days advance notice prior to the applicable deadline, must deposit into the trust account $165,000 or up to $189,750 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full ($0.033 per share in either case) on or prior to the date of the applicable deadline, for each one month extension (or up to an aggregate of $990,000 (or $1,138,500 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full), or approximately $0.20 per share if we extend for the full six months). Any such payments would be made in the form of a loan. Any such loans will be non-interest bearing and payable upon the consummation of our initial business combination. If we complete our initial business combination, we would repay such loaned amounts out of the proceeds of the trust account released to us. If we do not complete a business combination, we will not repay such loans. Furthermore, the letter agreement with our initial shareholders contains a provision pursuant to which the sponsor has agreed to waive its right to be repaid for such loans out of the funds held in the trust account in the event that we do not complete a business combination. The sponsor and its affiliates or designees are not obligated to fund the trust account to extend the time for us to complete our initial business combination. You will not be able to vote on or redeem your shares in connection with any such extension.
If we are unable to consummate our initial business combination within the allotted time period, we will, as promptly as reasonably possible but not more than ten business days thereafter, distribute the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account (net of taxes payable, and less up to $50,000 of interest to pay liquidation expenses), pro rata to our public shareholders by way of redemption and cease all operations except for the purposes of winding up of our affairs. This redemption of public shareholders from the trust account shall be effected as required by function of our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association and prior to any voluntary winding up, although at all times subject to the Companies Act.
Our initial shareholders have agreed to waive their redemption rights with respect to their founder shares if we fail to consummate our initial business combination within the applicable period from the closing of the IPO. However, if our initial shareholders, or any of our officers, directors or affiliates acquire public shares in or after the IPO, they will be entitled to redemption rights with respect to such public shares if we fail to consummate our initial business combination within the required time period. There will be no redemption rights or liquidating distributions with respect to our rights, which will expire worthless in the event we do not consummate our initial business combination within the allotted time period.
If we were to expend all of the net proceeds of the IPO, other than the proceeds deposited in the trust account, and without taking into account interest, if any, earned on the trust account, the per-share redemption amount received by shareholders upon our dissolution would be approximately $10.05 (whether or not the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full). The per-share amount we will distribute to investors who properly redeem their shares will not be reduced by the deferred underwriting discounts we will pay to the underwriters. The proceeds deposited in the trust account could, however, become subject to the claims of our creditors, which would have higher priority than the claims of our public shareholders. The actual per-share redemption amount received by shareholders may be less than $10.05, plus interest (net of any taxes payable, and less up to $50,000 of interest to pay liquidation expenses).
Although we will seek to have all vendors, service providers, prospective target businesses or other entities with which we do business execute agreements with us waiving any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to any monies held in the trust account for the benefit of our public shareholders, there is no guarantee that they will execute such agreements or even if they execute such agreements that they would be prevented from bringing claims against the trust account including but not limited to fraudulent inducement, breach of fiduciary responsibility or other similar claims, as well as claims challenging the enforceability of the waiver, in each case in order to gain an advantage with respect to a claim against our assets, including the funds held in the trust account. If any third party refuses to execute an agreement waiving such claims to the monies held in the trust account, our management will perform an analysis of the alternatives available to it and will only enter into an agreement with a third party that has not executed a waiver if management believes that such third party’s engagement would be significantly more beneficial to us than any alternative. Making such a request of potential target businesses may make our acquisition proposal less attractive to them and, to the extent prospective target businesses refuse to execute such a waiver, may limit the field of potential target businesses that we might pursue. Our independent registered public accounting firm will not execute agreements with us waiving such claims to the monies held in the trust account, nor will the underwriters of the IPO.
If any third party refuses to execute an agreement waiving such claims to the monies held in the trust account, our management will perform an analysis of the alternatives available to it and will only enter into an agreement with a third party that has not executed a waiver if management believes that such third party’s engagement would be significantly more beneficial to us than any alternative. Examples of possible instances where we may engage a third party that refuses to execute a waiver include the engagement of a third party consultant whose particular expertise or skills are believed by management to be significantly superior to those of other consultants that would agree to execute a waiver or in cases where management is unable to find a service provider willing to execute a waiver. In addition, there is no guarantee that such entities will agree to waive any claims they may have in the future as a result of, or arising out of, any negotiations, contracts or agreements with us and will not seek recourse against the trust account for any reason. In order to protect the amounts held in the trust account, the sponsor has agreed that it will be liable to us, if and to the extent any claims by a vendor for services rendered or products sold to us, or a prospective target business with which we have discussed entering into a transaction agreement, reduce the amounts in the trust account to below $10.05 per share (whether or not the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full), except as to any claims by a third party who executed a waiver of any and all rights to seek access to the trust account and except as to any claims under our indemnity of the underwriters of the IPO against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act. In the event that an executed waiver is deemed to be unenforceable against a third party, the sponsor will not be responsible to the extent of any liability for such third party claims. However, the sponsor may not be able to satisfy those obligations. Other than as described above, none of our officers or directors will indemnify us for claims by third parties including, without limitation, claims by vendors and prospective target businesses. We have not independently verified whether the sponsor has sufficient funds to satisfy its indemnity obligations. We therefore believe it is unlikely the sponsor would be able to satisfy its indemnity obligations if it was required to do so. However, we believe the likelihood of the sponsor having to indemnify the trust account is limited because we will endeavor to have all vendors and prospective target businesses as well as other entities execute agreements with us waiving any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to monies held in the trust account.
In the event that the proceeds in the trust account are reduced below $10.05 per share (whether or not the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) and the sponsor asserts that it is unable to satisfy any applicable obligations or that it has no indemnification obligations related to a particular claim, our independent directors would determine whether to take legal action to enforce such indemnification obligations. While we currently expect that our independent directors would take legal action on our behalf to enforce such indemnification obligations to us, it is possible that our independent directors in exercising their business judgment may choose not to do so in any particular instance. Accordingly, due to claims of creditors, the actual value of the per-share redemption price may be less than $10.05 per share (whether or not the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full).
If we file a bankruptcy or winding-up petition or an involuntary bankruptcy or winding-up petition is filed against us that is not dismissed, the proceeds held in the trust account could be subject to applicable bankruptcy or insolvency law, and may be included in our bankruptcy or insolvency estate and subject to the claims of third parties with priority over the claims of our shareholders. To the extent any bankruptcy or insolvency claims deplete the trust account, we cannot assure you we will be able to return $10.05 per share to our public shareholders. Additionally, if we file a bankruptcy or winding-up petition or an involuntary bankruptcy or winding-up petition is filed against us that is not dismissed, any distributions received by shareholders could be viewed under applicable debtor/creditor and/or bankruptcy or insolvency laws as either a “preferential transfer”, a “fraudulent conveyance”, a “fraud in anticipation of winding up”, a “transaction in fraud of creditors” or a “misconduct in the course of winding up”. As a result, a bankruptcy or insolvency court could seek to recover some or all amounts received by our shareholders. Furthermore, our board of directors may be viewed as having breached its fiduciary duty to our creditors and/or may have acted in bad faith, and thereby exposing itself and our company to claims of punitive damages, by paying public shareholders from the trust account prior to addressing the claims of creditors. We cannot assure you that claims will not be brought against us for these reasons.
Our public shareholders will be entitled to receive funds from the trust account only (i) in the event of a redemption of the public shares prior to any winding up in the event we do not consummate our initial business combination within the allotted time period, (ii) if they redeem their shares in connection with an initial business combination that we consummate or (iii) if they redeem their shares in connection with a shareholder vote to amend our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association (A) to modify the substance or timing of our obligation to allow redemption rights or to redeem 100% of our public shares if we do not complete our initial business combination within the allotted time period or (B) with respect to any other provision relating to shareholders’ rights or pre-business combination activity. In no other circumstances shall a shareholder have any right or interest of any kind to or in the trust account. In the event we seek shareholder approval in connection with our initial business combination, a shareholder’s voting in connection with the business combination alone will not result in a shareholder’s redeeming its shares to us for an applicable pro rata share of the trust account. Such shareholder must have also exercised its redemption rights described above.
Financial Position
With a trust account initially in the amount of $50,750,000 (or $58,287,500 if the over-allotment option is exercised in full) (which includes up to approximately $1,625,000 (or up to $1,868,750 if the over-allotment option is exercised in full), for the payment of deferred underwriting discounts), we can offer a target business a variety of options to facilitate a business combination and fund future expansion and growth of its business. This amount assumes no redemptions. Because we are able to consummate a business combination using the cash proceeds from the IPO, our share capital, debt or a combination of the foregoing, we have the flexibility to use an efficient structure allowing us to tailor the consideration to be paid to the target business to address the needs of the parties. However, we have not taken any steps to secure third party financing and there can be no assurance it will be available to us.
Employees
We have two executive officers. These individuals are not obligated to devote any specific number of hours to our matters and intend to devote only as much time as they deem necessary to our affairs. Since the selection of HZJL as the business target, management has spent more time investigating and negotiating and processing the business combination (and consequently spend more time on our affairs) than had been spent prior to locating a suitable target business. We presently expect our executive officers to devote such amount of time as they reasonably believe is necessary to our business. We do not intend to have any full-time employees prior to the consummation of a business combination.
The text of this filing, as the company filed it with the SEC, without its images or exhibits. This is not investment advice.