10-K

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

(Mark One)

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

For the fiscal year ended: December 31, 2023

or

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

For the transition period from ____________ to ____________

SMART POWERR CORP.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Nevada	90-0093373
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)	(IRS Employer Identification No.)
4/F, Tower C Rong Cheng Yun Gu Building Keji 3rd Road, Yanta District Xi An City, Shaan Xi Province China	710075
(Address of principal executive offices)	(Zip Code)

(011) 86-29-8765-1097

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

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

Title of each class	Trading Symbol(s)	Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, $0.001 par value	CREG	Nasdaq Capital Market

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

NONE

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes ☐ No ☒

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act. Yes ☐ No ☒

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

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

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

Large Accelerated Filer	☐	Accelerated Filer	☐
Non-Accelerated Filer	☐	Smaller reporting company	☒
		Emerging Growth Company	☐

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report. Yes ☐ No ☒

If securities are registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act, indicate by check mark whether the financial statements of the registrant included in the filing reflect the correction of an error to previously issued financial statements. ☐

Indicate by check mark whether any of those error corrections are restatements that required a recovery analysis of incentive-based compensation received by any of the registrant’s executive officers during the relevant recovery period pursuant to §240.10D-1(b). ☐

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

As of June 30, 2023, the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter, the aggregate market value of the common stock outstanding held by non-affiliates of the registrant, computed by reference to the closing sales price for the common stock of $1.62, as reported on the Nasdaq Capital Market, was approximately $10.7 million.

As of December 31, 2023, there were 7,963,444 shares of the registrant’s common stock outstanding.

SMART POWERR CORP.

FORM 10-K

TABLE OF CONTENTS 

PART I
Item 1.	Business	1
Item 1A.	Risk Factors	28
Item 1B.	Unresolved Staff Comments	50
Item 1C.	Cybersecurity	50
Item 2.	Properties	50
Item 3.	Legal Proceedings	50
Item 4.	Mine Safety Disclosures	50
PART II
Item 5.	Market for Common Equity, Related Shareholder Matters and Small Business Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities	51
Item 6.	[Reserved]	51
Item 7.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	52
Item 7A.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk	59
Item 8.	Financial Statements and Supplementary Data	F-1
Item 9.	Changes In and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure	60
Item 9A.	Controls and Procedures	60
Item 9B.	Other Information	61
Item 9C.	Disclosure Regarding Foreign Jurisdictions that Prevent Inspections	61
PART III
Item 10.	Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance	61
Item 11.	Executive Compensation	66
Item 12.	Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Shareholder Matters	68
Item 13.	Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, Director Independence	69
Item 14.	Principal Accountant Fees and Services	69
PART IV
Item 15.	Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules	71
Item 16.	10-K Summary	75

i

PART I

When we use the terms “we,” “us,” “our” and “the Company,” we mean Smart Powerr Corp., a Nevada corporation, and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Shanghai Yinghua Financial Leasing Co., Ltd. (“Yinghua”) and Sifang Holdings Co., Ltd. (“Sifang”), and Sifang’s wholly-owned subsidiaries, Shaanxi Huahong New Energy Technology Co., Ltd. (“Huahong”) and Shanghai TCH Energy Technology Co., Ltd. (“Shanghai TCH”), Shanghai TCH’s wholly-owned subsidiaries, Xi’an TCH Energy Technology Company, Ltd. (“Xi’an TCH”), Xi’an TCH’s wholly-owned subsidiary Erdos TCH Energy Saving Development Co., Ltd. (“Erdos TCH”), Zhongxun Energy Investment (Beijing) Co., Ltd (“Zhongxun”), and 16.6% owned subsidiary, Beijing Hongyuan Recycling Energy Investment Center (“Beijing Hongyuan”), and Xi’an TCH Energy Technology Company, Ltd. (“Xi’an TCH”), which is 90% owned by Xi’an TCH and 10% owned by Shanghai TCH’s.

ITEM 1. BUSINESS

General

Smart Powerr Corp. is a holding company incorporated in the state of Nevada. As a holding company with no material operations of our own, we conduct a substantial majority of our operations through our subsidiaries established in the PRC.

We are a pioneer in waste energy recycling and a developer of energy efficiency solutions for various energy intensive industries in China. We use Build-Operate-Transfer (“BOT”) model to provide energy saving and recovery facilities for multiple energy intensive industries in China. Our waste energy recycling projects allow customers which use substantial amounts of electricity to recapture previously wasted pressure, heat, and gas from their manufacturing processes to generate electricity. We currently offer waste energy recycling systems to companies for use in nonferrous metal plants. We construct our projects at our customer’s facility and the electricity produced is used on-site by the customer.

We develop fully customized projects across several verticals to better meet customer’s energy recovery needs. We provide a clean-technology and energy-efficient solution aimed at reducing the air pollution and energy shortage problems in China. Our projects capture industrial waste energy to produce low-cost electricity, enabling industrial manufacturers to reduce their energy costs by 5% to 20%, lower their operating costs, and in optimal circumstances, extend the life of primary manufacturing equipment, while still complying with government regulations on emissions. Specifically, our power generation systems use the waste heat and pressure of flue gas generated during customers’ daily course of energy usage, such as manufacturing, and carry out necessary dust removal and desulfurization process afterwards, before putting the renewed energy back into use. The purified flue gas can reduce the wear and corrosion of pipes, valves and fans on the original production line, so as to improve the service life of these equipment. In addition, our waste energy recycling projects allow our industrial customers to reduce their reliance on China’s centralized national power grid, which is prone to black-outs or brown-outs or is completely inaccessible from certain remote areas. Our projects generally produce lower carbon dioxide emissions and other pollutants, and are designed to be more environmentally friendly than other forms of power generation.

Since 2007, we have primarily used the BOT model to serve our customers. For each project, we design, finance, construct and install the waste energy recycling projects for our customers, operate the projects for five to 20 years, and then transfer the projects to the owners. The BOT model creates a win-win solution for both our customers and us. We provide the capital expenditure financing in exchange for attractive returns on each project; our customers can focus their capital resources on their core businesses, do not need to invest additional capitals to comply with government environmental regulations, reduce noise and emissions and reduce their energy costs. We in turn recapture our costs through the stream of lease payments.

1

We are headquartered in China. Our principal executive offices are located at 4/F, Tower C, Rong Cheng Yun Gu Building, Keji 3rd Road, Yanta District, Xi’an City, Shaanxi Province, China, and our telephone number at this location is +86-29-8765-1097.

Company Overview and History

The Company was incorporated on May 8, 1980 as Boulder Brewing Company under the laws of the State of Colorado. On September 6, 2001, the Company changed its state of incorporation to the State of Nevada. In 2004, the Company changed its name from Boulder Brewing Company to China Digital Wireless, Inc. and on March 8, 2007, again changed its name from China Digital Wireless, Inc. to China Recycling Energy Corporation, and most recently to Smart Powerr Corp. in March of 2022. The Company, through its subsidiaries, provides energy saving solutions and services, including selling and leasing energy saving systems and equipment to customers, project investment, investment management, economic information consulting, technical services, financial leasing, purchase of financial leasing assets, disposal and repair of financial leasing assets, consulting and ensuring of financial leasing transactions in the Peoples Republic of China (“PRC”).

Our business is primarily conducted through our wholly-owned subsidiaries, Yinghua and Sifeng, Sifeng’s wholly-owned subsidiaries, Huahong and Shanghai TCH, Shanghai TCH’s wholly-owned subsidiaries, Xi’an TCH, Xi’an TCH’s wholly-owned subsidiary Erdos TCH and Xi’an TCH’s 90% owned and Shanghai TCH’s 10% owned subsidiary Xi’an Zhonghong New Energy Technology Co., Ltd., and Zhongxun. Shanghai TCH was established as a foreign investment enterprise in Shanghai under the laws of the PRC on May 25, 2004, and currently has registered capital of $29.80 million. Xi’an TCH was incorporated in Xi’an, Shaanxi Province under the laws of the PRC in November 2007. Erdos TCH was incorporated in April 2009. Huahong was incorporated in February 2009. Xi’an Zhonghong New Energy Technology Co., Ltd. was incorporated in July 2013. Xi’an TCH owns 90% and Shanghai TCH owns 10% of Zhonghong. Zhonghong provides energy saving solutions and services, including constructing, selling and leasing energy saving systems and equipment to customers. Zhongxun was incorporated in March 2014 and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Xi’an TCH.

The Company is in the process of transforming and expanding into an energy storage integrated solution provider. We plan to pursue disciplined and targeted expansion strategies for market areas we currently do not serve. We actively seek and explore opportunities to apply energy storage technologies to new industries or segments with high growth potential, including industrial and commercial complexes, large scale photovoltaic (PV) and wind power stations, remote islands without electricity, and smart energy cities with multi-energy supplies.

Legal and Operational Risks of Operating in the PRC

Smart Powerr Corp., or the Company or CREG, is a holding company incorporated in the state of Nevada. As a holding company with no material operations, CREG conducts a substantial majority of its operations through its subsidiaries established in the People’s Republic of China, or the PRC or China. However, neither the holding company nor any of the Company’s Chinese subsidiaries conduct any operations through contractual arrangements with a variable interest entity based in China. Investors in our common stock should be aware that they may never directly hold equity interests in the PRC operating entities, but rather purchasing equity solely in CREG, our Nevada holding company. Furthermore, shareholders may face difficulties enforcing their legal rights under United States securities laws against our directors and officers who are located outside of the United States. See “Risk Factors - Risks Related to Doing Business in China - Uncertainties with respect to the PRC legal system could adversely affect us” on page 43 of this annual report.

Our equity structure is a direct holding structure. Within our direct holding structure, the cross-border transfer of funds within our corporate entities is legal and compliant with the laws and regulations of the PRC. After the foreign investors’ funds enter CREG, the funds can be directly transferred to the PRC operating companies through its subsidiaries. Specifically, CREG is permitted under the Nevada laws to provide funding to our subsidiary in Cayman Islands through loans or capital contributions without restrictions on the amount of the funds, subject to satisfaction of applicable government registration, approval and filing requirements. Our subsidiary in Cayman Islands is also permitted under the laws of Cayman Islands to provide funding to CREG through dividend distribution without restrictions on the amount of the funds. Current PRC regulations permit our PRC subsidiaries to pay dividends to the Company only out of their accumulated profits, if any, determined in accordance with Chinese accounting standards and regulations. As of the date hereof, there have not been any transfers, dividends or distributions made between the holding company, its subsidiaries, and to investors. Furthermore, as of the date hereof, no cash generated from one subsidiary is used to fund another subsidiary’s operations and we do not anticipate any difficulties or limitations on our ability to transfer cash between subsidiaries. We have also not installed any cash management policies that dictate the amount of such funds and how such funds are transferred. For the foreseeable future, we intend to use the earnings for our business operations and as a result, we do not intend to distribute earnings or pay any cash dividends. See “Transfers of Cash to and from Our Subsidiaries” on page 7 and 58 of this annual report.

2

Because our operations are primarily located in the PRC through our subsidiaries, we are subject to certain legal and operational risks associated with our operations in China, including changes in the legal, political and economic policies of the Chinese government, the relations between China and the U.S, or Chinese or U.S regulations may materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. PRC laws and regulations governing our current business operations are sometimes vague and uncertain, and therefore, these risks may result in a material change in our operations and the value of our common stock, or could significantly limit or completely hinder our ability to offer or continue to offer our securities to investors and cause the value of such securities to significantly decline or be worthless. 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 using a variable interest entity structure, adopting new measures to extend the scope of cybersecurity reviews, and expanding the efforts in anti-monopoly enforcement. As confirmed by our PRC counsel, Shaanxi Yan Tan Law Firm, we will not be subject to cybersecurity review with the Cyberspace Administration of China, or the “CAC,” after the Cybersecurity Review Measures became effective on February 15, 2022, since we currently do not have over one million users’ personal information and do not anticipate that we will be collecting over one million users’ personal information in the foreseeable future, which we understand might otherwise subject us to the Cybersecurity Review Measures. We do not believe that our subsidiaries are directly subject to these regulatory actions or statements, as we have not implemented any monopolistic behavior and our business does not involve the collection of user data or implicate cybersecurity. As of the date hereof, no relevant laws or regulations in the PRC explicitly require us to seek approval from the China Securities Regulatory Commission, or the CSRC, or any other PRC governmental authorities for future offerings, nor has our Nevada holding company or any of our subsidiaries received any inquiry, notice, warning or sanctions regarding previous offerings from the CSRC or any other PRC governmental authorities. However, on February 17, 2023, the CSRC promulgated Trial Administrative Measures of the Overseas Securities Offering and Listing by Domestic Companies (the “Overseas Listing Trial Measures”) and five relevant guidelines, which became effective on March 31, 2023. According to the Overseas Listing Trial Measures, PRC domestic companies that seek to offer and list securities in overseas markets, either in direct or indirect means, are required to fulfill the filing procedure with the CSRC and report relevant information. The Overseas Listing Trial Measures provides that an overseas listing or offering is explicitly prohibited, if any of the following: (1) such securities offering and listing is explicitly prohibited by provisions in laws, administrative regulations and relevant state rules; (2) the intended securities offering and listing may endanger national security as reviewed and determined by competent authorities under the State Council in accordance with law; (3) the domestic company intending to make the securities offering and listing, or its controlling shareholder(s) and the actual controller, have committed relevant crimes such as corruption, bribery, embezzlement, misappropriation of property or undermining the order of the socialist market economy during the latest three years; (4) the domestic company intending to make the securities offering and listing is currently under investigations for suspicion of criminal offenses or major violations of laws and regulations, and no conclusion has yet been made thereof; or (5) there are material ownership disputes over equity held by the domestic company’s controlling shareholder(s) or by other shareholder(s) that are controlled by the controlling shareholder(s) and/or actual controller.

The Overseas Listing Trial Measures also provides that if the issuer meets both the following criteria, the overseas securities offering and listing conducted by such issuer will be deemed as indirect overseas offering by PRC domestic companies: (1) 50% or more of any 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 fiscal year is accounted for by domestic companies; and (2) the issuer’s main business activities are conducted in China, or its main place(s) of business are located in China, or the majority of senior management staff in charge of its business operations and management are PRC citizens or have their usual place(s) of residence located in China. Where an issuer submits an application for initial public offering to competent overseas regulators, such issuer must file with the CSRC within three business days after such application is submitted. In addition, the Overseas Listing Trial Measures provide that the direct or indirect overseas listings of the assets of domestic companies through one or more acquisitions, share swaps, transfers or other transaction arrangements shall be subject to filing procedures in accordance with the Overseas Listing Trial Measures. The Overseas Listing Trial Measures also requires subsequent reports to be filed with the CSRC on material events, such as change of control or voluntary or forced delisting of the issuer(s) who have completed overseas offerings and listings.

3

At a press conference held for these new regulations (“Press Conference”), officials from the CSRC clarified that the domestic companies that have already been listed overseas on or before March 31, 2023 shall be deemed as existing issuers (the “Existing Issuers”). Existing Issuers are not required to complete the filling procedures immediately, and they shall be required to file with the CSRC upon occurrences of certain subsequent matters such as follow-on offerings of securities. According to the Overseas Listing Trial Measures and the Press Conference, the existing domestic companies that have completed overseas offering and listing before March 31, 2023, such as us, shall not be required to perform filing procedures for the completed overseas securities issuance and listing. However, from the effective date of the regulation, any of our subsequent securities offering in the same overseas market or subsequent securities offering and listing in other overseas markets shall be subject to the filing requirement with the CSRC within three working days after the offering is completed or after the relevant application is submitted to the relevant overseas authorities, respectively. If it is determined that any approval, filing or other administrative procedures from other PRC governmental authorities is required for any future offering or listing, we cannot assure you that we can obtain the required approval or accomplish the required filings or other regulatory procedures in a timely manner, or at all. If we fail to fulfill filing procedure as stipulated by the Trial Measures or offer and list securities in an overseas market in violation of the Trial Measures, the CSRC may order rectification, issue warnings to us, and impose a fine of between RMB1,000,000 and RMB10,000,000. Persons-in-charge and other persons that are directly liable for such failure shall be warned and each imposed a fine from RMB500,000 to RMB5,000,000. Controlling shareholders and actual controlling persons of us that organize or instruct such violations shall be imposed a fine from RMB1,000,000 and RMB10,000,000.

On February 24, 2023, the CSRC published the Provisions on Strengthening the Confidentiality and Archives Administration Related to the Overseas Securities Offering and Listing by Domestic Enterprises (the “Provisions on Confidentiality and Archives Administration”), which came into effect on March 31, 2023. The Provisions on Confidentiality and Archives Administration requires that, in the process of overseas issuance and listing of securities by domestic entities, the domestic entities, and securities companies and securities service institutions that provide relevant securities service shall strictly implement the provisions of relevant laws and regulations and the requirements of these provisions, establish and improve rules on confidentiality and archives administration. Where the domestic entities provide with or publicly disclose documents, materials or other items related to the state secrets and government work secrets to the relevant securities companies, securities service institutions, overseas regulatory authorities, or other entities or individuals, the companies shall apply for approval of competent departments with the authority of examination and approval in accordance with law and report the matter to the secrecy administrative departments at the same level for record filing. Where there is unclear or controversial whether or not the concerned materials are related to state secrets, the materials shall be reported to the relevant secrecy administrative departments for determination. However, there remain uncertainties regarding the further interpretation and implementation of the Provisions on Confidentiality and Archives Administration.

As of the date of this annual report, we and our PRC subsidiaries have obtain the requisite licenses and permits from the PRC government authorities that are material for the business operations of our PRC subsidiaries. In addition, as of the date of this annual report, we and our PRC subsidiaries are not required to obtain approval or permission from the CSRC or the CAC or any other entity that is required to approve our PRC subsidiaries’ operations or required for us to offer securities to foreign investors under any currently effective PRC laws, regulations, and regulatory rules. If it is determined that we are subject to filing requirements imposed by the CSRC under the Overseas Listing Regulations or approvals from other PRC regulatory authorities or other procedures, including the cybersecurity review under the revised Cybersecurity Review Measures, for our future offshore offerings, it would be uncertain whether we can or how long it will take us to complete such procedures or obtain such approval and any such approval could be rescinded. Any failure to obtain or delay in completing such procedures or obtaining such approval for our offshore offerings, or a rescission of any such approval if obtained by us, would subject us to sanctions by the CSRC or other PRC regulatory authorities for failure to file with the CSRC or failure to seek approval from other government authorization for our offshore offerings. These regulatory authorities may impose fines and penalties on our operations in China, limit our ability to pay dividends outside of China, limit our operating privileges in China, delay or restrict the repatriation of the proceeds from our offshore offerings into China or take other actions that could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, and prospects, as well as the trading price of our common stock. The CSRC or other PRC regulatory authorities also may take actions requiring us, or making it advisable for us, to halt our offshore offerings before settlement and delivery of the securities offered. Consequently, if investors engage in market trading or other activities in anticipation of and prior to settlement and delivery, they do so at the risk that settlement and delivery may not occur. In addition, if the CSRC or other regulatory authorities later promulgate new rules or explanations requiring that we obtain their approvals or accomplish the required filing or other regulatory procedures for our prior offshore offerings, we may be unable to obtain a waiver of such approval requirements, if and when procedures are established to obtain such a waiver. Any uncertainties or negative publicity regarding such approval requirement could materially and adversely affect our business, prospects, financial condition, reputation, and the trading price of our common stock.

4

Since these statements and regulatory actions by the PRC government are newly published and official guidance and related implementation rules have not been issued, it is not 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 our daily business operation, the ability to accept foreign investments and list on an U.S. or other foreign exchange. The Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, or the SCNPC, or other PRC regulatory authorities may in the future promulgate laws, regulations or implementing rules that requires our company or any of our subsidiaries to obtain regulatory approval from Chinese authorities before future offerings in the U.S. In other words, although the Company is currently not required to obtain permission from any of the PRC federal or local government to obtain such permission and has not received any denial to list on the U.S. exchange, our operations could be adversely affected, directly or indirectly; our ability to offer, or continue to offer, securities to investors would be potentially hindered and the value of our securities might significantly decline or be worthless, by existing or future laws and regulations relating to its business or industry or by intervene or interruption by PRC governmental authorities, if we or our subsidiaries (i) do not receive or maintain such permissions or approvals, (ii) inadvertently conclude that such permissions or approvals are not required, (iii) applicable laws, regulations, or interpretations change and we are required to obtain such permissions or approvals in the future, or (iv) any intervention or interruption by PRC governmental with little advance notice

Summary of Risk Factors

Investing in our common stock involves significant risks. Below please find a summary of the principal risks we face, organized under relevant headings. These risks are discussed more fully under “Item 1A. Risk Factors” beginning on page 28 of this annual report.

Risks Related to Our Business and Industry

● Our business could be materially harmed by the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic (see “Risk Factors - Risks Related to Our Business and Industry - We face risks related to natural disasters, extreme weather conditions, health epidemics and other catastrophic incidents, which could significantly disrupt our operations.” on page 33 of this annual report);

● Changes in the economic and credit environment could have an adverse effect on demand for our projects, which would in turn have a negative impact on our results of operations, our cash flows, our financial condition, our ability to borrow and our stock price (see “Risk Factors - Risks Related to Our Business and Industry - Changes in the economic and credit environment could have an adverse effect on demand for our projects, which would in turn have a negative impact on our results of operations, our cash flows, our financial condition, our ability to borrow and our stock price.” on page 29 of this annual report);

● Changes in the growth of demand for or pricing of electricity could reduce demand for our waste energy recycling projects, which could materially harm our ability to grow our business (see “Risk Factors - Risks Related to Our Business and Industry - Changes in the growth of demand for or pricing of electricity could reduce demand for our waste energy recycling projects, which could materially harm our ability to grow our business” on page 29 of this annual report);

● We operate in an emerging competitive industry and if we are unable to compete successfully our revenue and profitability will be adversely affected (see “Risk Factors - Risks Related to Our Business and Industry - We operate in an emerging competitive industry and if we are unable to compete successfully our revenue and profitability will be adversely affected” on page 31 of this annual report);

5

Risks Related to Doing Business in China (for a more detailed discussion, see “Item 1A. Risk Factors-Risks Related to Doing Business in China” on page 34 of this annual report)

● We may rely on dividends paid by our subsidiaries for our cash needs. Any limitation on the ability of our subsidiaries to make dividend payments to us, or any tax implications of making dividend payments to us, could limit our ability to pay our parent company expenses or pay dividends to holders of our common stock (see “Risk Factors - We are a holding company, and will rely on dividends paid by our subsidiaries for our cash needs. Any limitation on the ability of our subsidiaries to make dividend payments to us, or any tax implications of making dividend payments to us, could limit our ability to pay our parent company expenses or pay dividends to holders of our common stock” on page 34 of this annual report);

● The Chinese government exerts substantial influence over the manner in which we conduct our business activities and may intervene or influence our operations at any time with little advance notice, which could result in a material change in our operations and the value of our common stock (see “Risk Factors -The Chinese government exerts substantial influence over the manner in which we must conduct our business activities and may intervene or influence our operations at any time with little advance notice, which could result in a material change in our operations and the value of our common stock” on page 35 of this annual report);

● The M&A Rules and certain other PRC regulations establish complex procedures for some acquisitions of Chinese companies by foreign investors, which could make it more difficult for us to pursue growth through acquisitions in China (see “Risk Factors - The M&A Rules and certain other PRC regulations establish complex procedures for some acquisitions of Chinese companies by foreign investors, which could make it more difficult for us to pursue growth through acquisitions in China” on page 38 of this annual report);

● China’s legal system is evolving and has inherent uncertainties that could limit the legal protection available to you (see “Risk Factors - Risks Related to Doing Business in China - Uncertainties with respect to the PRC legal system could adversely affect us” on page 43 of this annual report);

● We may be exposed to liabilities under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and Chinese anti-corruption law (see “Risk Factors - Risks Related to Doing Business in China - We may be exposed to liabilities under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and Chinese anti-corruption law” on page 41 of this annual report);

● The joint statement by the SEC and the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), or the “PCAOB,” proposed rule changes submitted by Nasdaq and the Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act(“HFCAA”) all call for additional and more stringent criteria to be applied to emerging market companies upon assessing the qualification of their auditors, especially the non-U.S. auditors which are not inspected by the PCAOB. These developments could add uncertainties to the trading of our common stock (see “Risk Factors - Risks Related to Doing Business in China - The recent joint statement by the SEC and PCAOB, proposed rule changes submitted by Nasdaq, and the Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act all call for additional and more stringent criteria to be applied to emerging market companies upon assessing the qualification of their auditors, especially the non-U.S. auditors which are not inspected by the PCAOB. These developments could add uncertainties to the trading of our common stock” on page 46 of this annual report);

Risks Related to Our Common Stock (for a more detailed discussion, see “Item 1A. Risk Factors- Risks Related to Our Common Stock” on page 48 of this annual report)

● The market price of our common stock may be volatile or may decline regardless of our operating performance (see “Risk Factors - Risks Related to Our Common Stock - The market price for our common stock may be volatile” on page 48 of this annual report);

6

Transfers of Cash to and from Our Subsidiaries

Smart Powerr Corp. is a holding company with no operations of its own. We conduct our operations in China primarily through our subsidiaries in China. We may rely on dividends to be paid by our subsidiaries in China to fund our cash and financing requirements, including the funds necessary to pay dividends and other cash distributions to our shareholders, to service any debt we may incur and to pay our operating expenses. If our subsidiaries incur debt on their own behalf in the future, the instruments governing the debt may restrict its ability to pay dividends or make other distributions to us.

Our equity structure is a direct holding company structure. Within our direct holding company structure, the cross-border transfer of funds between our corporate entities is legal and compliant with the laws and regulations of the PRC. After the foreign investors’ funds enter CREG, the funds can be directly transferred to the PRC operating companies through its subsidiaries. Specifically, Smart Powerr Corp. is permitted under the Nevada laws to provide funding to our subsidiary, Sifang Holdings, in Cayman Islands through loans or capital contributions without restrictions on the amount of the funds, subject to satisfaction of applicable government registration, approval and filing requirements. Sifang Holdings is also permitted under the laws of Cayman Islands to provide funding to Smart Powerr Corp. through dividend distribution without restrictions on the amount of the funds. As of the date hereof, there have not been any transfers, dividends or distributions made between the holding company, its subsidiaries, and to investors.

We currently intend to retain all available funds and future earnings, if any, for the operation and expansion of our business and do not anticipate declaring or paying any dividends in the foreseeable future. Any future determination related to our dividend policy will be made at the discretion of our Board of Directors after considering our financial condition, results of operations, capital requirements, contractual requirements, business prospects and other factors the Board of Directors deems relevant, and subject to the restrictions contained in any future financing instruments.

Subject to the Nevada Business Corporation Act and our bylaws, our Board of Directors may authorize and declare a dividend to shareholders at such time and of such an amount as it thinks fit if they are satisfied, on reasonable grounds, that immediately following the dividend the value of our assets will exceed our liabilities and we will be able to pay our debts as they become due.

To address persistent capital outflows and the RMB’s depreciation against the U.S. dollar in the fourth quarter of 2016, the People’s Bank of China and the State Administration of Foreign Exchange, or SAFE, have implemented a series of capital control measures in the subsequent months, including stricter vetting procedures for China-based companies to remit foreign currency for overseas acquisitions, dividend payments and shareholder loan repayments. The PRC government may continue to strengthen its capital controls and our PRC subsidiaries’ dividends and other distributions may be subject to tightened scrutiny in the future. The PRC government also imposes controls on the conversion of RMB into foreign currencies and the remittance of currencies out of the PRC. Therefore, we may experience difficulties in completing the administrative procedures necessary to obtain and remit foreign currency for the payment of dividends from our profits, if any. Furthermore, if our 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. If we or our subsidiaries are unable to receive all of the revenues from our operations, we may be unable to pay dividends on our common stock.

Cash dividends, if any, on our common stock 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 up to 10%.

To pay dividends to our shareholders, we will rely on payments made from our PRC subsidiaries, i.e., Shanghai Yinghua Financial Leasing Co., Ltd, Shanghai TCH Energy Technology Co., Ltd., Huahong New Energy Technology Co., Ltd., Xi’an TCH Energy Technology Co., Ltd., Erdos TCH Energy Saving Development Co., Ltd., Xi’an Zhonghong New Energy Technology Co., Ltd., and Zhongxun Energy Investment (Beijing) Co., Ltd., to Smart Powerr Corp. As of the date hereof, our PRC subsidiaries have not made any transfers or distributions. As of the date hereof, no cash or asset transfers have occurred between the Company and its subsidiaries. We do not expect to pay any cash dividends in the foreseeable future. Furthermore, as of the date hereof, no cash generated from one subsidiary is used to fund another subsidiary’s operations and we do not anticipate any difficulties or limitations on our ability to transfer cash between subsidiaries. We have also not installed any cash management policies that dictate the amount of such funds and how such funds are transferred.

7

Implications of Holding Foreign Company Accountable Act

On March 24, 2021, the SEC adopted interim final rules relating to the implementation of certain disclosure and documentation requirements of the HFCAA. An identified issuer will be required to comply with these rules if the SEC identifies it as having a “non-inspection” year under a process to be subsequently established by the SEC. On June 22, 2021, U.S Senate passed the Accelerating Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act, which was signed into law on December 29, 2022, amending the HFCAA and requiring the SEC to prohibit an issuer’s securities from trading on any U.S. stock exchange if its auditor is not subject to PCAOB inspections for two consecutive years instead of three consecutive years. If our auditor cannot be inspected by the PCAOB, PCAOB, for two consecutive years, the trading of our securities on any U.S. national securities exchanges, as well as any over-the-counter trading in the U.S., will be prohibited. On September 22, 2021, the PCAOB adopted a final rule implementing the HFCAA, which provides a framework for the PCAOB to use when determining, as contemplated under the HFCAA, whether the PCAOB is unable to inspect or investigate completely registered public accounting firms located in a foreign jurisdiction because of a position taken by one or more authorities in that jurisdiction. On December 2, 2021, the SEC issued amendments to finalize rules implementing the submission and disclosure requirements in the HFCA Act. The rules apply to registrants that the SEC identifies as having filed an annual report with an audit report issued by a registered public accounting firm that is located in a foreign jurisdiction and that PCAOB is unable to inspect or investigate completely because of a position taken by an authority in foreign jurisdictions. On December 16, 2021, the PCAOB issued a report on its determinations that it is unable to inspect or investigate completely PCAOB-registered public accounting firms headquartered in mainland China and in Hong Kong, because of positions taken by PRC authorities in those jurisdictions.

Kreit & Chiu CPA LLP (“Kreit & Chiu,” formerly Paris Kreit & Chiu CPA LLP), the independent registered public account firm that issued the audit report for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 included elsewhere in this annual report, as an auditor of companies that are traded publicly in the U.S. and a firm registered with the PCAOB, is subject to laws in the U.S pursuant to which the PCAOB conducts regular inspections to assess such auditor’s compliance with the applicable professional standards. Kreit & Chiu is headquartered in New York, New York, and is subject to inspection by the PCAOB on a regular basis. Enrome LLP, our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, is based in Singapore and is registered with PCAOB and subject to PCAOB inspection. Therefore, we believe neither Kreit & Chiu, our previous auditor, nor Enrome LLP, our current auditor, is subject to the determinations as to the inability to inspect or investigate registered firms completely announced by the PCAOB on December 16, 2021. However, as more stringent criteria have been imposed by the SEC and the PCAOB, recently, which would add uncertainties to future offerings, and we cannot assure you whether Nasdaq or other regulatory authorities would apply additional and more stringent criteria to us after considering the effectiveness of our auditor’s audit procedures and quality control procedures, adequacy of personnel and training, or sufficiency of resources, geographic reach or experience as it relates to the audit of our financial statements. On August 26, 2022, the CSRC, the Ministry of Finance of the PRC (the “MOF”), and the PCAOB signed a Statement of Protocol (the “Protocol”), governing inspections and investigations of audit firms based in China and Hong Kong. The Protocol remains unpublished and is subject to further explanation and implementation. Pursuant to the fact sheet with respect to the Protocol disclosed by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), the PCAOB shall have independent discretion to select any issuer audits for inspection or investigation and has the unfettered ability to transfer information to the SEC. See “The recent joint statement by the SEC and PCAOB, proposed rule changes submitted by Nasdaq, and the HFCAA all call for additional and more stringent criteria to be applied to emerging market companies upon assessing the qualification of their auditors, especially the non-U.S. auditors which are not inspected by the PCAOB. These developments could add uncertainties to the trading of our common stock” on page 46 of this annual report.

8

PRC Regulatory Permissions

We and our operating subsidiaries currently have received all material permissions and approvals required for our operations in compliance with the relevant PRC laws and regulations in the PRC, including the business licenses of our operating subsidiaries.

The business license is a permit issued by Administration for Market Regulation that allows the company to conduct specific business within the government’s geographical jurisdiction. Each of our PRC subsidiaries has received its business license. As of the date hereof, except for the business licenses mentioned here, Smart Powerr Corp. and our PRC subsidiaries are not required to obtain any other permissions or approvals from any Chinese authorities to operate the business. However, applicable laws and regulations may be tightened, and new laws or regulations may be introduced to impose additional government approval, license, and permit requirements. If we or our subsidiaries fail to obtain and maintain such approvals, licenses, or permits required for our business, inadvertently conclude that such approval is not required, or respond to changes in the regulatory environment, we or our subsidiaries could be subject to liabilities, penalties, and operational disruption, which may materially and adversely affect our business, operating results, financial condition and the value of our common stock, significantly limit or completely hinder our ability to offer or continue to offer securities to investors, or cause such securities to significantly decline in value or become worthless.

On August 8, 2006, six PRC regulatory agencies jointly adopted the Regulations on Mergers and Acquisitions of Domestic Enterprises by Foreign Investors, or the M&A Rules, which came into effect on September 8, 2006 and were amended on June 22, 2009. The M&A Rules require that an offshore special purpose vehicle formed for overseas listing purposes and controlled directly or indirectly by PRC Citizens shall obtain the approval of the China Securities Regulatory Commission(“CSRC”) prior to overseas listing and trading of such special purpose vehicle’s securities on an overseas stock exchange. Based on our understanding of the Chinese laws and regulations in effect at the time of this annual report, we will not be required to submit an application to the CSRC for its approval of future offerings and the trading of common stock on the Nasdaq under the M&A Rules. However, there remains some uncertainty as to how the M&A Rules will be interpreted or implemented, and the requirement standard may change when new laws, rules and regulations or detailed implementations and interpretations in any form relating to the M&A Rules are installed. We cannot assure you that relevant Chinese government agencies, including the CSRC, would reach the same conclusion.

Recently, the General Office of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the General Office of the State Council jointly issued the Opinions on Strictly Cracking Down on Illegal Securities Activities, which were made available to the public on July 6, 2021. The Opinions on Strictly Cracking Down on Illegal Securities Activities emphasized the need to strengthen the administration over illegal securities activities, and the need to strengthen the supervision over overseas listings by Chinese companies. Pursuant to the Opinions, Chinese regulators are required to accelerate rulemaking related to the overseas issuance and listing of securities, and update the existing laws and regulations related to data security, cross-border data flow, and management of confidential information. Numerous regulations, guidelines and other measures are expected to be adopted under the umbrella of or in addition to the Cybersecurity Law and Data Security Law. As of the date hereof, no official guidance or related implementation rules have been issued. As a result, the Opinions on Strictly Cracking Down on Illegal Securities Activities remain unclear on how they will be interpreted, amended and implemented by the relevant PRC governmental authorities.

On December 28, 2021, the CAC and other relevant PRC governmental authorities jointly promulgated the Cybersecurity Review Measures (the “new Cybersecurity Review Measures”) which took effect on February 15, 2022 and replaced the original Cybersecurity Review Measures. Pursuant to the new Cybersecurity Review Measures, if critical information infrastructure operators purchase network products and services, or network platform operators conduct data processing activities that affect or may affect national security, they will be subject to cybersecurity review. A network platform operator holding more than one million users/users’ individual information also shall be subject to cybersecurity review before listing abroad. The cybersecurity review will evaluate, among others, the risk of critical information infrastructure, core data, important data, or a large amount of personal information being influenced, controlled or maliciously used by foreign governments and risk of network data security after going public overseas.

9

We believe that neither we nor our subsidiaries are currently required to obtain permission from any of the PRC authorities to operate and issue our common stock to foreign investors, or required to obtain permission or approval from the CSRC, CAC or any other governmental agency. Recently, however, the General Office of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the General Office of the State Council jointly issued the “Opinions on Severely Cracking Down on Illegal Securities Activities According to Law,” or the “Opinions,” which were made available to the public on July 6, 2021. The Opinions emphasized the need to strengthen the administration over illegal securities activities and the need to strengthen the supervision over overseas listings by Chinese companies. Effective measures, such as promoting the construction of relevant regulatory systems, will be taken to deal with the risks and incidents of China-concept overseas listed companies, cybersecurity, data privacy protection requirements, and similar matters. The Opinions and any related implementing rules to be enacted may subject us to compliance requirements in the future. Given the current regulatory environment in the PRC, we are still subject to the uncertainty of different interpretation and enforcement of the rules and regulations in the PRC adverse to us, which may take place quickly with little advance notice. See “The Opinions recently issued by the General Office of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the General Office of the State Council may subject us to additional compliance requirement in the future” on page 46 of this annual report.

We believe we will not be subject to the Cybersecurity Review Measures that became effective on February 15, 2022 under the CAC, because we currently do not have over one million users’ personal information and do not anticipate that we will be collecting over one million users’ personal information in the foreseeable future, which we understand might check subject us to the Cybersecurity Review Measures. We are also not subject to network data security review by the CAC if the Draft Regulations on the Network Data Security Administration are enacted as proposed, since we currently do not have over one million users’ personal information and do not collect data that affects or may affect national security and we do not anticipate that we will be collecting over one million users’ personal information or data that affects or may affect national security in the foreseeable future, which we understand might otherwise subject us to the Security Administration Draft.

Moreover, we believe that no relevant laws or regulations in the PRC explicitly require us to seek approval from the CSRC for our overseas listing plan. As of the date of this annual report, we and our PRC subsidiaries have not received any inquiry, notice, warning, or sanctions regarding our planned overseas listing from the CSRC or any other PRC governmental authorities. However, on February 17, 2023, the CSRC promulgated Trial Administrative Measures of the Overseas Securities Offering and Listing by Domestic Companies (the “Overseas Listing Trial Measures”) and five relevant guidelines, which became effective on March 31, 2023. According to the Overseas Listing Trial Measures, PRC domestic companies that seek to offer and list securities in overseas markets, either in direct or indirect means, are required to fulfill the filing procedure with the CSRC and report relevant information. The Overseas Listing Trial Measures provides that an overseas listing or offering is explicitly prohibited, if any of the following: (1) such securities offering and listing is explicitly prohibited by provisions in laws, administrative regulations and relevant state rules; (2) the intended securities offering and listing may endanger national security as reviewed and determined by competent authorities under the State Council in accordance with law; (3) the domestic company intending to make the securities offering and listing, or its controlling shareholder(s) and the actual controller, have committed relevant crimes such as corruption, bribery, embezzlement, misappropriation of property or undermining the order of the socialist market economy during the latest three years; (4) the domestic company intending to make the securities offering and listing is currently under investigations for suspicion of criminal offenses or major violations of laws and regulations, and no conclusion has yet been made thereof; or (5) there are material ownership disputes over equity held by the domestic company’s controlling shareholder(s) or by other shareholder(s) that are controlled by the controlling shareholder(s) and/or actual controller.

The Overseas Listing Trial Measures also provides that if the issuer meets both the following criteria, the overseas securities offering and listing conducted by such issuer will be deemed as indirect overseas offering by PRC domestic companies: (1) 50% or more of any 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 fiscal year is accounted for by domestic companies; and (2) the issuer’s main business activities are conducted in China, or its main place(s) of business are located in China, or the majority of senior management staff in charge of its business operations and management are PRC citizens or have their usual place(s) of residence located in China. Where an issuer submits an application for initial public offering to competent overseas regulators, such issuer must file with the CSRC within three business days after such application is submitted. In addition, the Overseas Listing Trial Measures provide that the direct or indirect overseas listings of the assets of domestic companies through one or more acquisitions, share swaps, transfers or other transaction arrangements shall be subject to filing procedures in accordance with the Overseas Listing Trial Measures. The Overseas Listing Trial Measures also requires subsequent reports to be filed with the CSRC on material events, such as change of control or voluntary or forced delisting of the issuer(s) who have completed overseas offerings and listings.

10

At a press conference held for these new regulations (“Press Conference”), officials from the CSRC clarified that the domestic companies that have already been listed overseas on or before March 31, 2023 shall be deemed as existing issuers (the “Existing Issuers”). Existing Issuers are not required to complete the filling procedures immediately, and they shall be required to file with the CSRC upon occurrences of certain subsequent matters such as follow-on offerings of securities. According to the Overseas Listing Trial Measures and the Press Conference, the existing domestic companies that have completed overseas offering and listing before March 31, 2023, such as us, shall not be required to perform filing procedures for the completed overseas securities issuance and listing. However, from the effective date of the regulation, any of our subsequent securities offering in the same overseas market or subsequent securities offering and listing in other overseas markets shall be subject to the filing requirement with the CSRC within three working days after the offering is completed or after the relevant application is submitted to the relevant overseas authorities, respectively. If it is determined that any approval, filing or other administrative procedures from other PRC governmental authorities is required for any future offering or listing, we cannot assure you that we can obtain the required approval or accomplish the required filings or other regulatory procedures in a timely manner, or at all. If we fail to fulfill filing procedure as stipulated by the Trial Measures or offer and list securities in an overseas market in violation of the Trial Measures, the CSRC may order rectification, issue warnings to us, and impose a fine of between RMB1,000,000 and RMB10,000,000. Persons-in-charge and other persons that are directly liable for such failure shall be warned and each imposed a fine from RMB500,000 to RMB5,000,000. Controlling shareholders and actual controlling persons of us that organize or instruct such violations shall be imposed a fine from RMB1,000,000 and RMB10,000,000.

On February 24, 2023, the CSRC published the Provisions on Strengthening the Confidentiality and Archives Administration Related to the Overseas Securities Offering and Listing by Domestic Enterprises (the “Provisions on Confidentiality and Archives Administration”), which came into effect on March 31, 2023. The Provisions on Confidentiality and Archives Administration requires that, in the process of overseas issuance and listing of securities by domestic entities, the domestic entities, and securities companies and securities service institutions that provide relevant securities service shall strictly implement the provisions of relevant laws and regulations and the requirements of these provisions, establish and improve rules on confidentiality and archives administration. Where the domestic entities provide with or publicly disclose documents, materials or other items related to the state secrets and government work secrets to the relevant securities companies, securities service institutions, overseas regulatory authorities, or other entities or individuals, the companies shall apply for approval of competent departments with the authority of examination and approval in accordance with law and report the matter to the secrecy administrative departments at the same level for record filing. Where there is unclear or controversial whether or not the concerned materials are related to state secrets, the materials shall be reported to the relevant secrecy administrative departments for determination. However, there remain uncertainties regarding the further interpretation and implementation of the Provisions on Confidentiality and Archives Administration.

As of the date of this annual report, we and our PRC subsidiaries have obtained the requisite licenses and permits from the PRC government authorities that are material for the business operations of our PRC subsidiaries. In addition, as of the date of this annual report, we and our PRC subsidiaries are not required to obtain approval or permission from the CSRC or the CAC or any other entity that is required to approve our PRC subsidiaries’ operations or required for us to offer securities to foreign investors under any currently effective PRC laws, regulations, and regulatory rules. If it is determined that we are subject to filing requirements imposed by the CSRC under the Overseas Listing Regulations or approvals from other PRC regulatory authorities or other procedures, including the cybersecurity review under the revised Cybersecurity Review Measures, for our future offshore offerings, it would be uncertain whether we can or how long it will take us to complete such procedures or obtain such approval and any such approval could be rescinded. Any failure to obtain or delay in completing such procedures or obtaining such approval for our offshore offerings, or a rescission of any such approval, if obtained by us, would subject us to sanctions by the CSRC or other PRC regulatory authorities for failure to file with the CSRC or failure to seek approval from other government authorization for our offshore offerings. These regulatory authorities may impose fines and penalties on our operations in China, limit our ability to pay dividends outside of China, limit our operating privileges in China, delay or restrict the repatriation of the proceeds from our offshore offerings into China or take other actions that could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, and prospects, as well as the trading price of our common stock. The CSRC or other PRC regulatory authorities also may take actions requiring us, or making it advisable for us, to halt our offshore offerings before settlement and delivery of the securities offered. Consequently, if investors engage in market trading or other activities in anticipation of and prior to settlement and delivery, they do so at the risk that settlement and delivery may not occur. In addition, if the CSRC or other regulatory authorities later promulgate new rules or explanations requiring that we obtain their approvals or accomplish the required filing or other regulatory procedures for our prior offshore offerings, we may be unable to obtain a waiver of such approval requirements, if and when procedures are established to obtain such a waiver. Any uncertainties or negative publicity regarding such approval requirement could materially and adversely affect our business, prospects, financial condition, reputation, and the trading price of our common stock.

11

Since these statements and regulatory actions by the PRC government are newly published and official guidance and related implementation rules have not been issued, 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 our daily business operation, the ability to accept foreign investments and list on an U.S. or other foreign exchange. The Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, or the SCNPC, or other PRC regulatory authorities may in the future promulgate laws, regulations or implementing rules that requires our company or any of our subsidiaries to obtain regulatory approval from Chinese authorities before future offerings in the U.S. In other words, although the Company is currently not required to obtain permission from any of the PRC federal or local government to obtain such permission and has not received any denial to list on the U.S. exchange, our operations could be adversely affected, directly or indirectly; our ability to offer, or continue to offer, securities to investors would be potentially hindered and the value of our securities might significantly decline or be worthless, by existing or future laws and regulations relating to its business or industry or by intervene or interruption by PRC governmental authorities, if we or our subsidiaries (i) do not receive or maintain such permissions or approvals, (ii) inadvertently conclude that such permissions or approvals are not required, (iii) applicable laws, regulations, or interpretations change and we are required to obtain such permissions or approvals in the future, or (iv) any intervention or interruption by PRC governmental with little advance notice.

For more details, see “Risk Factors - Risks Related to Doing Business in China - The Chinese government exerts substantial influence over the manner in which we must conduct our business activities. We are currently not required to obtain approval from Chinese authorities to list on U.S exchanges, however, if our subsidiaries or the holding company were required to obtain approval or filing in the future and were denied permission from Chinese authorities to list on U.S. exchanges, we will not be able to continue listing on U.S. exchange, which would materially affect the interest of the investors” on page 35 of this annual report.

As of the date hereof, we and our PRC subsidiaries have received from PRC authorities all requisite licenses, permissions or approvals needed to engage in the businesses currently conducted in China, and no permission or approval has been denied. The following table provides details on the licenses and permissions held by our PRC subsidiaries.

Approval	Recipient	Issuing body	Validity
Business License	Shanghai Yinghua Financial Leasing Co., Ltd.	China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone Market Supervision Administration	May 10, 2045
Business License	Shanghai TCH Energy Technology Co., Ltd.	China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone Market Supervision Administration	May 24, 2029
Business License	Huahong New Energy Technology Co., Ltd.	Shaanxi Provincial Industry and Commerce Administration	Indefinite
Business License	Xi’an TCH Energy Technology Co., Ltd.	Xi ‘an Market Supervision Administration	Indefinite
Business License	Erdos TCH Energy Saving Development Co., Ltd.	Market Supervision administration of Etok Banner	April 13, 2029
Business License	Xi’an Zhonghong New Energy Technology Co., Ltd.	Xi ‘an Industry and Commerce Administration	Indefinite
Business License	Zhongxun Energy Investment (Beijing) Co., Ltd	Dongcheng Branch of Beijing Industry and Commerce Administration	March 23, 2044
Business License	Beijing Hongyuan Recycling Energy Investment Center	Beijing Haidian District Market Supervision Administration	July 17, 2063

12

Our Projects

We design, finance, construct, operate and eventually transfer waste energy recycling projects to meet the energy saving and recovery needs of our customers. Our waste energy recycling projects use the pressure, heat or gas, which is generated as a byproduct of a variety of industrial processes, to create electricity. The residual energy from industrial processes, which was traditionally wasted, may be captured in a recovery process and utilized by our waste energy recycling projects to generate electricity burning additional fuel and additional emissions. Among a wide variety of waste-to-energy technologies and solutions, we primarily focus on waste pressure to energy systems, waste heat to energy systems and waste gas power generation systems. We do not manufacture the equipment and materials that are used in the construction of our waste energy recycling projects. Rather, we incorporate standard power generating equipment into a fully integrated onsite project for our customers.

Waste Heat to Energy Systems

Waste heat to energy systems utilize waste heat generated in industrial production to generate electricity. The waste heat is trapped to heat a boiler to create steam and power a steam turbine. Our waste heat to energy systems have used waste heat from cement production and from metal production.

Shanghai TCH and its Subsidiaries

Shanghai TCH was established as a foreign investment enterprise in Shanghai under the laws of the PRC on May 25, 2004 and has a registered capital of $29.80 million. Xi’an TCH was incorporated in Xi’an, Shaanxi Province under the laws of the PRC on November 8, 2007. In February 2009, Huahong was incorporated in Xi’an, Shaanxi province. Erdos TCH was incorporated in April 2009 in Erdos, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. On July 19, 2013, Xi’an TCH formed Xi’an Zhonghong New Energy Technology Co., Ltd (“Zhonghong”). Xi’an TCH owns 90% and Shanghai TCH owns 10% of Zhonghong, which provides energy saving solutions and services, including constructing, selling and leasing energy saving systems and equipment to customers.

Erdos TCH - Joint Venture

On April 14, 2009, the Company formed Erdos TCH as a joint venture (the “JV” or “Erdos TCH”) with Erdos Metallurgy Co., Ltd. (“Erdos”) to recycle waste heat from Erdos’ metal refining plants to generate power and steam to be sold back to Erdos. The JV has a term of 20 years with a total investment for the project estimated at $79 million (RMB 500 million) and an initial investment of $17.55 million (RMB 120 million). Erdos contributed 7% of the total investment for the project, and Xi’an TCH contributed 93%. According to Xi’an TCH and Erdos’ agreement on profit distribution, Xi’an TCH and Erdos will receive 80% and 20%, respectively, of the profit from the JV until Xi’an TCH receives the complete return of its investment. Xi’an TCH and Erdos will then receive 60% and 40%, respectively, of the profit from the JV. On June 15, 2013, Xi’an TCH and Erdos entered into a share transfer agreement, pursuant to which Erdos transferred and sold its 7% ownership interest in the JV to Xi’an TCH for $1.29 million (RMB 8 million), plus certain accumulated profits as described below. Xi’an TCH paid the $1.29 million in July 2013 and, as a result, became the sole stockholder of Erdos TCH. In addition, Xi’an TCH is required to pay Erdos accumulated profits from inception up to June 30, 2013 in accordance with the supplementary agreement entered on August 6, 2013. In August 2013, Xi’an TCH paid 20% of the accumulated profit (calculated under PRC GAAP) of $226,000 to Erdos. Erdos TCH currently has two power generation systems in Phase I with a total of 18 MW power capacity, and three power generation systems in Phase II with a total of 27 MW power capacity. The power generation systems were built in 2009, and it is now 13 years old. The equipment is obsolete and the efficiency of the power generation systems is declining year by year. The current power generation efficiency can only reach 30%, and the equipment needs to be upgraded. The Erdos government has requested the Erdos to carry out a comprehensive technical upgrade of its ferrosilicon production line to meet the city’s energy-saving targets. Erdos is researching the technical rectification scheme. After the scheme is determined, the Company will carry out supporting technical transformation for our waste heat power station project. Before it goes into production, the Company is still entitled to a compensation of RMB 1 million per month.

After considering the challenging economic conditions facing Erdos, and to maintain the long-term cooperative relationship between the parties, which we believe will continue to produce long-term benefits, on April 28, 2016, Erdos TCH and Erdos entered into a supplemental agreement, effective May 1, 2016. Under the supplemental agreement, Erdos TCH cancelled monthly minimum lease payments from Erdos, and agreed to charge Erdos based on actual electricity sold at RMB 0.30 / KWH, which such price will be adjusted annually based on prevailing market conditions.

13

The Company evaluated the modified terms for payments based on actual electricity sold as minimum lease payments as defined in ASC 840-10-25-4, since lease payments that depend on a factor directly related to the future use of the leased property are contingent rentals and, accordingly, are excluded from minimum lease payments in their entirety. The Company wrote off the net investment receivables of these leases at the lease modification date.

Pucheng Biomass Power Generation Projects

On June 29, 2010, Xi’an TCH entered into a Biomass Power Generation (“BMPG”) Project Lease Agreement with PuchengXinHeng Yuan Biomass Power Generation Co., Ltd. (“Pucheng”), a limited liability company incorporated in China. Under this lease agreement, Xi’an TCH leased a set of 12MW BMPG systems to Pucheng at a minimum of $279,400 (RMB 1,900,000) per month for a term of 15 years. (“Pucheng Phase I”).

On September 11, 2013, Xi’an TCH entered into a BMPG Asset Transfer Agreement (the “Pucheng Transfer Agreement”) with Pucheng Xin Heng Yuan Biomass Power Generation Corporation (“Pucheng”), a limited liability company incorporated in China. The Pucheng Transfer Agreement provided for the sale by Pucheng to Xi’an TCH of a set of 12 MW BMPG systems with the completion of system transformation for a purchase price of RMB 100 million ($16.48 million) in the form of 8,766,547 shares of common stock of the Company at $1.87 per share (the share and per share numbers were not adjusted for the Reverse Stock Split). Also on September 11, 2013, Xi’an TCH also entered into a BMPG Project Lease Agreement with Pucheng (the “Pucheng Lease”). Under the Pucheng Lease, Xi’an TCH leases this same set of 12 MW BMPG system to Pucheng, and combines this lease with the lease for the 12 MW BMPG station of Pucheng Phase I project, under a single lease to Pucheng for RMB 3.8 million ($0.63 million) per month (the “Pucheng Phase II Project”). The term for the consolidated lease is from September 2013 to June 2025. The lease agreement for the 12 MW station from Pucheng Phase I project terminated upon the effective date of the Pucheng Lease. The ownership of two 12 MW BMPG systems will transfer to Pucheng at no additional charge when the Pucheng Lease expires.

Shenqiu Yuneng Biomass Power Generation Projects

On May 25, 2011, Xi’an TCH entered into a Letter of Intent with Shenqiu YuNeng Thermal Power Co., Ltd. (“Shenqiu”) to reconstruct and transform a Thermal Power Generation System owned by Shenqiu into a 75T/H BMPG System for $3.57 million (RMB 22.5 million). The project commenced in June 2011 and was completed in the third quarter of 2011. On September 28, 2011, Xi’an TCH entered into a Biomass Power Generation Asset Transfer Agreement with Shenqiu (the “Shenqiu Transfer Agreement”). Pursuant to the Shenqiu Transfer Agreement, Shenqiu sold Xi’an TCH a set of 12 MW BMPG systems (after Xi’an TCH converted the system for BMPG purposes). As consideration for the BMPG systems, Xi’an TCH paid Shenqiu $10.94 million (RMB 70 million) in cash in three installments within six months upon the transfer of ownership of the systems. By the end of 2012, all the consideration was paid. On September 28, 2011, Xi’an TCH and Shenqiu also entered into a Biomass Power Generation Project Lease Agreement (the “2011 Shenqiu Lease”). Under the 2011 Shenqiu Lease, Xi’an TCH agreed to lease a set of 12 MW BMPG systems to Shenqiu at a monthly rental rate of $286,000 (RMB 1.8 million) for 11 years. Upon expiration of the 2011 Shenqiu Lease, ownership of this system will transfer from Xi’an TCH to Shenqiu at no additional cost. In connection with the 2011 Shenqiu Lease, Shenqiu paid one month’s rent as a security deposit to Xi’an TCH, in addition to providing personal guarantees.

On October 8, 2012, Xi’an TCH entered into a Letter of Intent for technical reformation of Shenqiu Project Phase II with Shenqiu for technical reformation to enlarge the capacity of the Shenqiu Project Phase I (the “Shenqiu Phase II Project”). The technical reformation involved the construction of another 12 MW BMPG system. After the reformation, the generation capacity of the power plant increased to 24 MW. The project commenced on October 25, 2012 and was completed during the first quarter of 2013. The total cost of the project was $11.1 million (RMB 68 million). On March 30, 2013, Xi’an TCH and Shenqiu entered into a BMPG Project Lease Agreement (the “2013 Shenqiu Lease”). Under the 2013 Shenqiu Lease, Xi’an TCH agreed to lease the second set of 12 MW BMPG systems to Shenqiu for $239,000 (RMB 1.5 million) per month for 9.5 years. When the 2013 Shenqiu Lease expires, ownership of this system will transfer from Xi’an TCH to Shenqiu at no additional cost.

14

On January 4, 2019, Xi’an Zhonghong, Xi’an TCH, and Mr. Chonggong Bai, a resident of China, entered into a Projects Transfer Agreement (the “Agreement”), pursuant to which Xi’an TCH transferred two Biomass Power Generation Projects in Shenqiu (“Shenqiu Phase I and II Projects”) to Mr. Bai for RMB 127,066,000 ($18.55 million). Mr. Bai agreed to transfer all the equity shares of his wholly owned company, Xi’an Hanneng Enterprises Management Consulting Co. Ltd. (“Xi’an Hanneng”) to Beijing Hongyuan Recycling Energy Investment Center, LLP (the “HYREF”) as repayment for the loan made by Xi’an Zhonghong to HYREE as consideration for the transfer of the Shenqiu Phase I and II Projects (See Note 10). The transfer was completed on February 15, 2019.

Yida Coke Oven Gas Power Generation Projects

On June 28, 2014, Xi’an TCH entered into an Asset Transfer Agreement (the “Transfer Agreement”) with Qitaihe City Boli Yida Coal Selection Co., Ltd. (“Yida”), a limited liability company incorporated in China. The Transfer Agreement provided for the sale to Xi’an TCH of a 15 MW coke oven WGPG station, which was converted from a 15 MW coal gangue power generation station from Yida. As consideration for the Transfer Asset, Xi’an TCH paid Yida RMB 115 million ($18.69 million) in common stock of the Company at the average closing price per share of the Stock for the 10 trading days prior to the closing date of the transaction. The exchange rate between US Dollar and Chinese RMB in connection with the stock issuance was the rate equal to the middle rate published by the PBOC on the closing date of the assets transfer.

On June 28, 2014, Xi’an TCH also entered into a Coke Oven Gas Power Generation Project Lease Agreement (the “Lease Agreement”) with Yida. Under the Lease Agreement, Xi’an TCH leased the Transfer Asset to Yida for RMB 3 million ($0.49 million) per month, from June 28, 2014 to June 27, 2029. Yida will also provide an RMB 3 million ($0.49 million) security deposit (without interest) for the lease. Xi’an TCH will transfer the Transfer Asset back to Yida at no cost at the end of the lease.

The Fund Management Company and the HYREF Fund

On June 25, 2013, Xi’an TCH and Hongyuan Huifu Venture Capital Co. Ltd (“Hongyuan Huifu”) jointly established Hongyuan Recycling Energy Investment Management Beijing Co., Ltd (the “Fund Management Company”) with registered capital of RMB 10 million ($1.45 million). With respect to the Fund Management Company, voting rights and dividend rights are allocated 80% and 20% between Hongyuan Huifu and Xi’an TCH, respectively.

The Fund Management Company is the general partner of Beijing Hongyuan Recycling Energy Investment Center, LLP (the “HYREF Fund”), a limited liability partnership established July 18, 2013 in Beijing. The Fund Management Company made an initial capital contribution of RMB 5 million ($830,000) to the HYREF Fund. An initial amount of RMB 460 million ($77 million) was fully subscribed by all partners for the HYREF Fund. The HYREF Fund has three limited partners: (1) China Orient Asset Management Co., Ltd., which made an initial capital contribution of RMB 280 million ($46.67 million) to the HYREF Fund and is a preferred limited partner; (2) Hongyuan Huifu, which made an initial capital contribution of RMB 100 million ($16.67 million) to the HYREF Fund and is an ordinary limited partner; and (3) the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Xi’an TCH, which made an initial capital contribution of RMB 75 million ($11.6 million) to the HYREF Fund and is a secondary limited partner. The term of the HYREF Fund’s partnership is six years from the date of its establishment, expiring on July 18, 2019. The term is four years from the date of contribution for the preferred limited partner, and four years from the date of contribution for the ordinary limited partner. The size of the HYREF Fund is RMB 460 million ($76.66 million). The HYREF Fund was formed for the purpose of investing in Xi’an Zhonghong New Energy Technology Co., Ltd., a then 90% owned subsidiary of Xi’an TCH, for the construction of two coke dry quenching (“CDQ”) waste heat power generation (“WHPG”) stations with Jiangsu Tianyu Energy and Chemical Group Co., Ltd. (“Tianyu”) and one CDQ WHPG station with Boxing County Chengli Gas Supply Co., Ltd. (“Chengli”). On December 2018, Xi’an TCH transferred its 40% ownership of the Fund Management Company to Hongyuan Huifu, pursuant to an equity transfer agreement signed by both sides.

15

Chengli Waste Heat Power Generation Projects

On July 19, 2013, Xi’an TCH formed a new company, “Xi’an Zhonghong New Energy Technology Co., Ltd.” (“Zhonghong”), with registered capital of RMB 30 million ($4.85 million). Xi’an TCH paid RMB 27 million ($4.37 million) and owns 90% of Zhonghong. Zhonghong is engaged to provide energy saving solution and services, including constructing, selling and leasing energy saving systems and equipment to customers. On December 29, 2018, Shanghai TCH entered into a Share Transfer Agreement with HYREF, pursuant to which HYREF transferred its 10% ownership in Xi’an Zhonghong to Shanghai TCH for RMB 3 million ($0.44 million). The transfer was completed on January 22, 2019. The Company owns 100% of Xi’an Zhonghong after the transaction.

On July 24, 2013, Zhonghong entered into a Cooperative Agreement of CDQ and CDQ WHPG Project (Coke Dry Quenching Waste Heat Power Generation Project) with Boxing County Chengli Gas Supply Co., Ltd. (“Chengli”). The parties entered into a supplement agreement on July 26, 2013. Pursuant to these agreements, Zhonghong will design, build and maintain a 25 MW CDQ system and a CDQ WHPG system to supply power to Chengli, and Chengli will pay energy saving fees (the “Chengli Project”).

On December 29, 2018, Xi’an Zhonghong, Xi’an TCH, HYREF, Guohua Ku, and Mr. Chonggong Bai entered into a CDQ WHPG Station Fixed Assets Transfer Agreement, pursuant to which Xi’an Zhonghong transferred Chengli CDQ WHPG station as the repayment for the loan of RMB 188,639,400 ($27.54 million) to HYREF. Xi’an Zhonghong, Xi’an TCH, Guohua Ku and Chonggong Bai also agreed to buy back the CDQ WHPG Station when conditions under the Buy Back Agreement are met (see Note 9). The transfer of the Station was completed January 22, 2019, the Company recorded $624,133 loss from this transfer. Since the original terms of Buy Back Agreement are still valid, and the Buy Back possibility could occur; therefore, the loan principal and interest and the corresponding asset of Chengli CDQ WHPG station cannot be derecognized due to the existence of Buy Back clauses (see Note 5 for detail).

Tianyu Waste Heat Power Generation Project

On July 19, 2013, Zhonghong entered into a Cooperative Agreement (the “Tianyu Agreement”) for Energy Management of CDQ and CDQ WHPG Projects with Jiangsu Tianyu Energy and Chemical Group Co., Ltd. (“Tianyu”). Pursuant to the Tianyu Agreement, Zhonghong will design, build, operate and maintain two sets of 25 MW CDQ systems and CDQ WHPG systems for two subsidiaries of Tianyu - Xuzhou Tian’an Chemical Co., Ltd. (“Xuzhou Tian’an”) and Xuzhou Huayu Coking Co., Ltd. (“Xuzhou Huayu”) - to be located at Xuzhou Tian’an and Xuzhou Huayu’s respective locations (the “Tianyu Project”). Upon completion of the Tianyu Project, Zhonghong will charge Tianyu an energy saving fee of RMB 0.534 ($0.087) per kilowatt hour (excluding tax). The term of the Tianyu Agreement is 20 years. The construction of the Xuzhou Tian’an Project was completed by the second quarter of 2020. The Xuzhou Huayu Project has been on hold due to a conflict between Xuzhou Huayu Coking Co., Ltd. and local residents on certain pollution-related issues.

On January 4, 2019, Xi’an Zhonghong, Xi’an TCH, and Mr. Chonggong Bai entered into a Projects Transfer Agreement (the “Agreement”), pursuant to which Xi’an Zhonghong transferred a CDQ WHPG station (under construction) located in Xuzhou City for Xuzhou Huayu Coking Co., Ltd. (“Xuzhou Huayu Project”) to Mr. Bai for RMB 120,000,000 ($17.52 million). Mr. Bai agreed that as consideration for the transfer of the Xuzhou Huayu Project to him (Note 9), he would transfer all the equity shares of his wholly owned company, Xi’an Hanneng, to HYREF as repayment for the loan made by Xi’an Zhonghong to HYREF. The transfer of the project was completed on February 15, 2019. The Company recorded $397,033 loss from this transfer during the year ended December 31, 2019. On January 10, 2019, Mr. Chonggong Bai transferred all the equity shares of his wholly owned company, Xi’an Hanneng, to HYREF as repayment for the loan. Xi’an Hanneng was expected to own 47,150,000 shares of Xi’an Huaxin New Energy Co., Ltd for the repayment of Huayu system and Shenqiu system. As of September 30, 2019, Xi’an Hanneng already owned 29,948,000 shares of Huaxin, but was not able to obtain the remaining 17,202,000 shares due to halted trading of Huaxin stock by NEEQ for not filing its 2018 annual report. On December 20, 2019, Mr. Bai and all the related parties agreed to have Mr. Bai instead pay in cash for the transfer price of Huayu (see Note 9 for detail).

16

On January 10, 2020, Zhonghong, Tianyu and Huaxin signed a transfer agreement to transfer all assets under construction and related rights and interests of Xuzhou Tian’an Project to Tianyu for RMB 170 million including VAT ($24.37 million) in three installment payments. The 1st installment payment of RMB 50 million ($7.17 million) to be paid within 20 working days after the contract is signed. The 2nd installment payment of RMB 50 million ($7.34 million) was to be paid within 20 working days after completion of the project construction but no later than July 31, 2020. The final installment payment of RMB 70 million ($10.28 million) was to be paid before December 31, 2020. In December, 2020, the Company received payment in full for Tian’an Project.

Zhongtai Waste Heat Power Generation Energy Management Cooperative Agreement

On December 6, 2013, Xi’an TCH entered into a CDQ and WHPG Energy Management Cooperative Agreement (the “Zhongtai Agreement”) with Xuzhou Zhongtai Energy Technology Co., Ltd. (“Zhongtai”), a limited liability company incorporated in Jiangsu Province, China.

Pursuant to the Zhongtai Agreement, Xi’an TCH was to design, build and maintain a 150 ton per hour CDQ system and a 25 MW CDQ WHPG system and sell the power to Zhongtai, and Xi’an TCH is also to build a furnace to generate steam from the smoke pipeline’s waste heat and sell the steam to Zhongtai.

The construction period of the Project was expected to be 18 months from the date when conditions are ready for construction to begin. Zhongtai is to start to pay an energy saving service fee from the date when the WHPG station passes the required 72-hour test run. The payment term is 20 years. For the first 10 years, Zhongtai shall pay an energy saving fee at RMB 0.534 ($0.089) per kilowatt hour (KWH) (including value added tax) for the power generated from the system. For the second 10 years, Zhongtai shall pay an energy saving fee at RMB 0.402 ($0.067) per KWH (including value added tax). During the term of the contract the energy saving fee shall be adjusted at the same percentage as the change of local grid electricity price. Zhongtai shall also pay an energy saving fee for the steam supplied by Xi’an TCH at RMB 100 ($16.67) per ton (including value added tax). Zhongtai and its parent company will provide guarantees to ensure Zhongtai will fulfill its obligations under the Agreement. Upon the completion of the term, Xi’an TCH will transfer the systems to Zhongtai for RMB 1 ($0.16). Zhongtai shall provide waste heat to the systems for no less than 8,000 hours per year and waste gas volume no less than 150,000 Normal Meter Cubed (Nm3) per hour, with a temperature no less than 950°C. If these requirements are not met, the term of the Agreement will be extended accordingly. If Zhongtai wants to terminate the Zhongtai Agreement early, it shall provide Xi’an TCH with a 60 day notice and pay the termination fee and compensation for the damages to Xi’an TCH according to the following formula: (1) if it is less than five years into the term when Zhongtai requests termination, Zhongtai shall pay: Xi’an TCH’s total investment amount plus Xi’an TCH’s annual investment return times five years minus the years in which the system has already operated; or 2) if it is more than five years into the term when Zhongtai requests the termination, Zhongtai shall pay: Xi’an TCH’s total investment amount minus total amortization cost (the amortization period is 10 years).

17

In March 2016, Xi’an TCH entered into a Transfer Agreement of CDQ and a CDQ WHPG system with Zhongtai and Xi’an Huaxin (the “Transfer Agreement”). Under the Transfer Agreement, Xi’an TCH agreed to transfer to Zhongtai all of the assets associated with the CDQ Waste Heat Power Generation Project (the “Project”), which is under construction pursuant to the Zhongtai Agreement. Additionally, Xi’an TCH agreed to transfer to Zhongtai the Engineering, Procurement and Construction (“EPC”) Contract for the CDQ Waste Heat Power Generation Project which Xi’an TCH had entered into with Xi’an Huaxin in connection with the Project. Xi’an Huaxin will continue to construct and complete the Project and Xi’an TCH agreed to transfer all its rights and obligations under the EPC Contract to Zhongtai. As consideration for the transfer of the Project, Zhongtai agreed to pay to Xi’an TCH RMB 167,360,000 ($25.77 million) including (i) RMB 152,360,000 ($23.46 million) for the construction of the Project; and (ii) RMB 15,000,000 ($2.31 million) as payment for partial loan interest accrued during the construction period. Those amounts have been, or will be, paid by Zhongtai to Xi’an TCH according to the following schedule: (a) RMB 50,000,000 ($7.70 million) was to be paid within 20 business days after the Transfer Agreement was signed; (b) RMB 30,000,000 ($4.32 million) was to be paid within 20 business days after the Project was completed, but no later than July 30, 2016; and (c) RMB 87,360,000 ($13.45 million) was to be paid no later than July 30, 2017. Xuzhou Taifa Special Steel Technology Co., Ltd. (“Xuzhou Taifa”) guaranteed the payments from Zhongtai to Xi’an TCH. The ownership of the Project was conditionally transferred to Zhongtai following the initial payment of RMB 50,000,000 ($7.70 million) by Zhongtai to Xi’an TCH and the full ownership of the Project will be officially transferred to Zhongtai after it completes all payments pursuant to the Transfer Agreement. The Company recorded a $2.82 million loss from this transaction in 2016. In 2016, Xi’an TCH had received the first payment of $7.70 million and the second payment of $4.32 million. However, the Company received a repayment commitment letter from Zhongtai on February 23, 2018, in which Zhongtai committed to pay the remaining payment of RMB 87,360,000 ($13.45 million) no later than the end of July 2018; in July 2018, Zhongtai and the Company reached a further oral agreement to extend the repayment term of RMB 87,360,000 ($13.45 million) by another two to three months. In January 2020, Zhongtai paid RMB 10 million ($1.41 million); in March 2020, Zhongtai paid RMB 20 million ($2.82 million); in June 2020, Zhongtai paid RMB 10 million ($1.41 million); and in December 2020, Zhongtai paid RMB 30 million ($4.28 million), which was payment in full. Accordingly, the Company reversed bad debt expense of $5.80 million which was recorded earlier.

Formation of Zhongxun

On March 24, 2014, Xi’an TCH incorporated a new subsidiary, Zhongxun Energy Investment (Beijing) Co., Ltd (“Zhongxun”) with registered capital of $5,695,502 (RMB 35,000,000), to be paid no later than October 1, 2028. Zhongxun is 100% owned by Xi’an TCH and is mainly engaged in project investment, investment management, economic information consulting, and technical services. Zhongxun has not yet commenced operations as of the date of this report.

Formation of Yinghua

On February 11, 2015, the Company incorporated a new subsidiary, Shanghai Yinghua Financial Leasing Co., Ltd (“Yinghua”) with registered capital of $30,000,000, to be paid within 10 years from the date the business license is issued. Yinghua is 100% owned by the Company and is mainly engaged in financial leasing, purchase of financial leasing assets, disposal and repair of financial leasing assets, consulting and ensuring of financial leasing transactions, and related factoring business. Yinghua has not yet commenced operations as of the date of this report.

18

Industry and Market Overview

Overview of Waste-to-Energy Industry

The waste energy recycling industry concentrates mostly on power-intensive manufacturing and production processes, such as iron, steel and nonferrous metal production, cement production, and coal and petrochemical plants. Our waste energy recycling projects allow customers to recapture previously wasted pressure, heat, and gas from their manufacturing and production processes and use this waste to generate electricity. Waste energy recycling projects are installed at a customer’s facility and the electricity produced can be used on-site to lower energy costs and create a more efficient production process. The industry verticals at the vanguard of this trend are metallurgical production (including iron & steel), cement, coal mining, coke production and petrochemicals.

The industry also includes the conversion of biomass to electricity. For thousands of years, biomass, biological material derived from living organisms like plants and their byproducts, was burned to produce heat so as to convert it to energy. A number of non- combustion methods are now available to convert raw biomass into a variety of gaseous, liquid, or solid fuels that can be used directly in a power plant to generate electricity.

Waste-to-Energy Industry Growth

China has experienced rapid economic growth and industrialization in recent years, increasing the demand for electricity. In the PRC, growth in energy consumption has exceeded growth in gross domestic product, causing a shortage of electricity with blackouts and brownouts over much of the country. Much of the energy demand has been due to the expansion of energy intensive industrial sectors such as steel, cement, and chemicals. China’s increasing modernization and industrialization has made it the world’s largest consumer of energy.

One result of this massive increase in electric generation capacity has been the rise of harmful emissions. China has surpassed the United States to become the world’s largest emitter of greenhouse gases, and the country faces enormous challenges from the pollution brought about by its consumption of conventional energy. On September 12, 2013, the State Council released the Action Plan for Air Pollution Prevention and Control. The action plan proposed that in five years, China will witness the overall improvement of air quality and dramatic drop of seriously polluted days. China will strive to gradually eliminate the seriously polluted weather and notably better the national air quality in another five years or longer.

19

Description of WGPG (Waste Gas Power Generation)

During the process of industrial production, some by-products, such as blast furnace gas, coke furnace gas, oil gas, and others are created with certain high intensive thermal energy. The waste gas can be collected and used as a fuel by gas turbine system to generate power energy.

Gas turbines are a set of hi-tech equipment and devices that is crucial to the energy development strategy of China. Gas turbine, which uses flammable gas as fuel and combines with recycling power generating technology, has many merits. These include high efficiency power generation, low investment, short construction periods, small land usage, water savings, environment protection and more. We believe the market prospect of the gas turbine industry is promising.

Through years of research, development and experimental applications, this gas-to-energy system has started to be applied into some high energy intensive industrial plants, such as in the course of iron-smelting in metallurgy plants. Metallurgical enterprises, as the biggest industrial energy user in China, consume 13%–15% of the nation’s electricity. Electricity consumed by the iron-smelting industry accounts for 40% of that consumed by metallurgical enterprises. If all top furnaces in the iron-smelting industry are equipped with gas recovery systems, electricity consumption may decrease by 30–45%. Furthermore, environmental pollution will be reduced while energy efficiency is improved in those heavy industries.

Stringent Environmental Standards and Increasing Government Supports

Since energy is a major strategic issue affecting the development of the Chinese economy, the Chinese government has promoted the development of recycling and encouraged enterprises to use waste energy recycling projects of the type we sell and service. Similar to previous five year periods, the China National Environment Protection Plan, for the 14th Five-Year period (2021-2025), under the goal of “carbon neutrality and carbon peak,” proposes to accelerate green and low-carbon development, continuously improve environmental quality, enhance the quality and stability of ecosystems, and comprehensively improve the efficiency of resource utilization. Given the worsening environment and insufficient energy supply in China, the Chinese government has implemented policies to curb pollution and reduce wasteful energy usage. From 2020 to 2025, China will reduce energy consumption per unit of GDP by 13.5% and carbon dioxide emission per unit of GDP by 18%. The Renewable Energy Law, strict administrative measures to restrict investment and force consolidation in energy wasting industries, and the requirement to install energy-saving and environment protecting equipment whenever possible are just some ways the government is emphasizing the need to reduce emissions and to maximize energy creation. Local government officials, who sometimes flout central government policies for the sake of local GDP growth, are now required to tie emission, energy usage and pollution to GDP growth. If local emissions of pollutants grow faster than the local GDP, these local officials face the risk of losing their jobs. Such determination and strict enforcement by the central and local governments provide a good backdrop and growth opportunity for CREG’s business activities.

In recent years, China attaches great importance to the problem of environmental pollution, and has invested a lot of manpower and capital cost in air pollution control. It is estimated that the output value of China’s energy conservation and environmental protection industry will exceed RMB 10 trillion by 2022 and reach RMB 12.3 trillion by 2023.

20

According to the “14th Five-Year Plan for Modern Energy System”, by 2025, China’s comprehensive annual energy production capacity will reach over 4.6 billion tons of standard coal, the annual output of crude oil will rise and stabilize at 200 million tons, the annual output of natural gas will reach over 230 billion cubic meters, and the total installed power generation capacity will reach about 3 billion kilowatts. By 2025, carbon dioxide emissions per unit of industrial added value will be cut by 18%. China aims to peak carbon dioxide emissions by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2060.

The scale of China’s energy conservation and environmental protection industry will continue to expand under the impetus of a series of goals and plans of “carbon neutrality and carbon peak” and the “14th Five-Year Plan.” According to forward-looking analysis, the output value of China’s energy conservation and environmental protection industry is expected to exceed RMB19 trillion by 2027.

Waste-to-Energy is a Cost-Effective Means to Meet Rising Energy Needs

According to the International Energy Agency, China will need to increase its electricity generating capacity to meet its future needs. This demand may mean price increases for electricity in China. With the need for more energy, in particular energy that does not cause additional emissions, and the relative low price of the waste-to-energy production we provide, we believe that our markets will continue to expand.

Since China has been experiencing a dramatic surge in its energy consumption as well as widespread energy shortages, recycling energy is not only an attractive alternative to other sources of energy as part of a national diversification strategy to avoid dependence on any one energy source or politically sensitive energy supplies, but also a proven solution to make the use of energy more efficient. Under current economic conditions and current tax and regulatory regimes, waste energy recycling projects generally can create price- competitive electricity compared to electricity generated from fossil fuels or other renewable sources. Our customers can reduce energy costs significantly by installing our waste energy recycling projects. Compared to electricity from the national grid, the generating cost from recycling energy is lower, which means our customers can leverage the waste-to-energy projects to generate low-cost electricity, reducing energy costs for the manufacturing process. The current national grid electricity rate ranges from RMB 0.45-0.50/kWh and our operated recycling rate ranges from 0.35-0.45/kWh subject to project type, generating scale and local situation.

21

Customers of our energy recycling projects may also qualify for credits from the Clean Development Mechanism (“CDM”). The CDM is an international arrangement under the Kyoto Protocol allowing industrialized countries with a greenhouse gas reduction commitment to invest in ventures that reduce emissions in developing countries as an alternative to more expensive emission reductions in their own countries. In 2005, China’s government promulgated “Measures for Operation and Management of Clean Development Mechanism Projects in China” (“China CDM Measures”) to facilitate the application and operation of CDM project activities in China. Our energy recycling solutions are of a kind which falls into the beneficial categories accredited by the China CDM Measures. If our customers can get approval from the Chinese government and successfully register their projects in the United Nations’ CDM Executive Board, they can receive additional revenue income through exchanging their Certified Emission Reductions (“CER”) credits with investors in industrialized countries.

Trends in Industries We Principally Service

Iron, Steel and Nonferrous Metal Industry

As the biggest iron and steel producer in the world and one of the highest CO2 emission sectors, China’s iron and steel industry is undergoing a low-carbon transition accompanied by remarkable technological progress and investment adjustment, in response to the macroeconomic climate and policy intervention.

Environmental pollution, shortage of resources and energy shortage have been identified in China as three major challenges for China’s nonferrous metal industry. China aims to save 1.7 million tons of coal and 6 billion kWh of electricity per year, as well as reduce sulfur dioxide by 850,000 tons annually as part of the industrial upgrading for the nonferrous metallurgy sector and, at the same time, to improve the utilization efficiency for resources. In China, the utilization rate for the nonferrous metal mineral resources is 60%, which is 10 to 15% lower than developed countries. The utilization rate for associated nonferrous metals is only 40%, which is 20% lower than developed nations. In addition, parts of nonferrous mines located in different cities are disorganized with random mining, causing severe wastes of resources.

Coal and Petrochemicals

Flammable waste gases emitted from industrial production processes, such as blast furnace gas, coke furnace gas, oil or gas can be used to power gas-fired generators to create energy. Two large producers of these waste gases are coal mining and petrochemical refining. The PRC is the largest coal producer and consumer in the world. Coal is the dirtiest fossil fuel and a major cause of methane gas emissions, a greenhouse gas 21 times more potent than carbon dioxide. Methane gas is found naturally in coal beds. In the 1950s, China began recovering methane to make mines safer. Now, as then, most of the captured methane is released into the air but it could be used as a clean energy source using waste energy recycling technologies.

Biomass Waste-to-Energy Industry

In China, agricultural waste and biogas are two main sources for biomass waste. China has more than 600 million tons of wasted straw produced every year. It also has 19 billion tons of forest biomass, of which 300 million tons can be utilized as an energy source. The straw burning power industry will grow faster in China with supportive policies, development of new technologies and the formation of raw material collection and storage systems, according to the National Development and Reform Commission. Electricity generated from straw has a preferential price of RMB 0.25 per kWh higher than coal-fueled power when sold to the state grid. In addition, straw power plants enjoy a series of preferential policies including tax exemption.

Biogas technology captures methane gases emitted from compostable materials and burns it to power a turbine to produce electricity. The waste that is usually disposed of in landfills is converted into liquid or gaseous fuels. By utilizing the resource from waste cellulosic or organic materials, biomass energy can be generated through the fermentation process.

22

Our Strategies

Maintain Core Verticals to Increase Market Share in China

We focus on waste-to-energy projects for specific verticals, such as steel, cement, nonferrous metal and coal mining. We plan to continue our focus on such core verticals and leverage our expertise to expand our market share. We intend to expand our waste-to-energy power generating capacity rapidly in order to meet the anticipated growth of demand in China’s energy efficiency industrial applications and to gain market share. We continually identify potential customers in our core verticals.

Expand to New Business of Energy Storage with Future High Growth Potentials

We are in the process of transforming into an energy storage integrated solution provider. We plan to pursue disciplined and targeted expansion strategies for market areas that we currently do not serve. We are actively seeking and exploring opportunities to apply energy storage technologies to new industries or segments with high growth potential, including industrial and commercial complexes, large scale photovoltaic (PV) and wind power stations, remote islands without electricity, and smart energy cities with multi-energy supplies. By supporting and motivating all kinds of the electric power market to participant in resource development and utilization of demand response, we plan to provide services including peak shaving with compensation and frequency modulation.

In recent years, electrochemical energy storage technology has maintained a rapid growth trend, the cumulative installed capacity continues to expand. In 2020, the accumulative installed capacity of electrochemical energy storage in China was 3269.2MW. During the 14th Five-Year Plan period, it is an important period for energy storage to explore and realize the “rigid demand” application of the market, to productize the system and to obtain stable commercial interests. It is expected that the electrochemical energy storage market will continue to develop rapidly in 2021, with the accumulative installed capacity reaching 5790.8MW.

In April 2021, the National Development and Reform Commission and the National Energy Administration issued Guiding Opinions on Accelerating the Development of New Type Energy Storage. This is the second national comprehensive policy document on the energy storage industry since the National Energy Administration, together with five ministries and commissions, issued the Guiding Opinions on Promoting the Development of China’s Energy Storage Technology and Industry in 2017 (the “New Energy Storage Guidance”). The New Energy Storage Guidance establishes a “double carbon” goal, providing a development goal and direction for the industry.

The New Energy Storage Guidance, for the first time, explicitly quantified the development “double carbon” goals of the energy storage industry at the national level, and it is estimated that more than 30 million kilowatts (30GW+) of new energy storage projects will be installed by 2025. From 3.28GW at the end of 2020 to 30GW in 2025, the scale of the new energy storage market is expected to expand 10 times the current level in the next five years, with an annual compound annual growth rate of more than 55%, as a consequence of the New Energy Storage Guidance.

Continually Enhance Research and Development Efforts

We plan to devote resources to research and development to enhance our waste-to-energy design and engineering capabilities. We anticipate that our in-house design and engineering team will provide additional competitive advantages, including flexibility to quickly design and evaluate new technologies or applications in response to changing market trends.

Our Business Models

We have sold our products to our customers under two models: the BOT model and the operating lease model, although we emphasize the BOT model which we believe is more economically beneficial to us and to our customers.

23

BOT Model

We primarily engage in the BOT model to provide waste-to-energy solutions to our customers:

“Build”

We work directly with customers for each of our waste-to-energy projects. Our working process starts with a team of engineers that assesses and analyzes the specific needs of the customer to establish the design layout, equipment procurement list and capital expenditure budget for the project. Our sales team works closely with our engineering staff to present and negotiate the model with the customer.

After signing a contract, we finance the entire capital expenditure budget ourselves and commence the construction and installation of the project. We do not manufacture the equipment and materials that are used in the construction of the waste-to-energy power generation facility. Rather, we incorporate standard power generating equipment into a fully integrated on-site waste energy recycling project for our customer. The construction and installation period ranges from three to 12 months subject to the project type, size and complexity.

We usually engage an EPC general contractor, which experienced in power plant and waste energy recycling project construction, to take charge of equipment procurement, project construction and installation. Our team of five engineers participates in and monitors the equipment purchase process; this team also oversees the construction and installation activities to ensure that they are completed on time and meet our rigorous standards and specifications.

“Operate”

After the project has been installed at the customer site and passed a series of stringent tests, we, currently, outsource the operation to a third-party vendor. The operation period ranges from five to 20 years subject to the terms of each contract.

During the operation period, the customer can purchase all the electricity at a below-market price. We collect energy-saving- based lease payments from the customer; the lease term is equivalent to the operation period, ranging from five to 20 years, and the payments are based on the sale by us as lessor to our customers as lessee of energy generated by the waste energy recycling project at below-market rates. The customer’s payments are based on a minimum operation schedule agreed upon by us with our customer, and are collateralized by assets of the customer and/or third party guarantees. To reduce risk, we offer leasing services across a wide variety of industries and only target larger manufacturers or state-owned enterprises. Operation in excess of the minimum schedule enables us to receive additional revenues from the excess energy generated and sold to the customer.

“Transfer”

Based on the specific terms for each project, we eventually transfer the waste energy recycling project to the customer at no cost or a nominal cost upon the completion of the operation/lease period. For example, Tongchuan Shengwei Cement Power Generation project signed a 5-year lease starting from the first quarter of 2009 to the end of 2013. After the lease term was up, we transferred the station to the owner at no cost pursuant to the contract terms, which vary based on industries and the type of power generation stations.

Why BOT

Waste-to-energy projects are capital intensive, which requires the manufacturers to invest a considerable amount of cash to purchase equipment during the construction period. As a BOT service provider, we fund all contracted projects on our own or jointly with our customers; such financing arrangements can help our customers by removing or reducing the heavy capital expenditure burden required by specific projects, thereby allowing them to concentrate on their core business. While technologically mature in advanced countries, waste-to-energy projects are still new to most of China’s industrial companies and require intensive technology or know-how with respect to energy recycling and power generation. It is time-consuming or not feasible for industrial manufacturers to equip themselves with adequate expertise and technicians. Our specific sector knowledge and rich project experience allow us to construct, operate and maintain the power plants efficiently and to respond to operational issues in a timely and cost-efficient manner.

In exchange for upfront capital investment, we require secured power generating capacity during the operation period and guaranteed attractive internal rates of return from each project. Our operation period ranges from five to 20 years, during which we are entitled to sell the recycled electricity to those customers at a predetermined rate. Such electricity sales are secured by long-term electricity production agreements with guarantees, which result in minimum annual payments. We employ a process of stringent and systematic internal scrutiny on new customer development so as to minimize operational and default risk; for some smaller or non-SOE businesses, we require property collateral, management or third party guarantees, and/or prepayment of three months. As such, our cash inflow schedule from each in-operation project is fixed and predictable providing clear financial visibility. Our payback period is generally two to three years, depending on the project size.

24

In our experience, this BOT model is well received by our existing and potential customers in China. The insufficient supply of BOT vendors to the market is wholly due to the funding limitations of most of the recycling energy solution providers. Not all of our competitors have the ability to access sufficient capital on a timely basis.

Operating Lease Model

In the past, we also recorded rental income from two separate one-year operating leases. Under the operating leases, we leased waste-energy systems and subleased the systems to a customer for a greater amount. We choose not to renew our lease agreements, and we do not generally expect any revenue in the future through such model.

Contractor and Equipment Suppliers

We generally conduct our project construction through an EPC general contractor. We select the EPC general contractor for each project through a bidding process; then we sign a contract with the selected contractor for that project. The general contractor may outsource parts of our project construction to subcontractors according to the complexity and economics of the project. The general contractor is responsible for purchasing equipment to satisfy the requirements of the project we design for our customer. We generally do not purchase equipment directly from the equipment suppliers, but our general contractors obtain our consent before selecting the equipment suppliers. Our engineering department is involved in the equipment supplier selection process together with our general contractors and makes sure our stringent standards and requirements have been appropriately applied in selection of the equipment. We currently have engaged Shaanxi Huaxin Energy Engineering Co., Ltd. for our projects under construction, and we also maintain relationships with many other quality general contractors in China, including Wuxi Guolian, CITIC Heavy Industries Co., Ltd., A-Power Energy Generation Systems, Ltd.

As mentioned above, we do not manufacture the equipment and materials that are used in the construction of our waste energy recycling projects. Rather, we incorporate standard power generating equipment into a fully integrated onsite system. The key equipment used in our projects are the boilers and turbine generators, which represent the majority of equipment cost for each project. Though we do not place the direct procurement orders, we believe we maintain good relationships with those power generation equipment suppliers, and these relationships help provide cost-effective equipment purchasing by the general contractor for our intended projects and ensure the timely completion of these projects. We have well-established business relationships with most of the suppliers from whom our general contractors procure equipment, including Hangzhou Boiler Plant, Beijing Zhongdian Electric Machinery, Chengdu Engine Group, Shanghai Electric Group, China Aviation Gas Turbine Co. Ltd and Xuji Electric. Therefore, we believe that we have a strong position and support in equipment supply and installation, which benefits us, the general contractors and our customers.

Main Customers

Our customers are mainly mid- to large-size enterprises in China involving high energy-consuming businesses. Following our selection process described in the next paragraph, we conduct stringent evaluation procedures to identify and qualify potential customers and projects. To lower our investment and operational risk, we target companies with geographic or industry competitive advantages, with strong reputations and in good financial condition. Generally, our targets include steel and nonferrous metal mills with over 3 million tons of production capacity per year, cement plants with over 2 million tons of production capacity per year that utilize new- suspension-line process, and coking plants with over 600 tons production capacity per year. Our existing customers operate in Shanxi, Shaan’xi, Shandong and Jiangsu provinces and the Inner Mongolia Autonomic Region in China.

Marketing and Sales

We market and sell our projects nationwide through our direct sales force of two employees based in Xi’an, China. Our marketing programs include industrial conferences, trade fairs, sales training, and trade publication advertising. Our sales and marketing group works closely with our research and development and engineering departments to coordinate our project development activities, project launches and ongoing demand and supply planning. We market our projects directly to the industrial manufacturers who can utilize our energy recovery projects in their manufacturing processes, including steel, cement, nonferrous metal, coal and petrochemical industries.

25

Our management team has long-standing relationships with our existing customers and those companies that we consider to be potential customers. We also maintain relationships with municipal governments, which often sponsor or subsidize potential customers that can utilize our projects.

Geographic Distribution of Sales 

Seasonality

For the most part, the Company’s business and sales are not subject to any seasonality factors.

Intellectual Property Rights

The Company does not currently possess any intellectual property rights.

Research and Development

We believe that our research and development (“R&D”) efforts are among the best in the waste heat, gas and pressure to energy industry, particularly with regards to practical usage and application.

To develop new and practical solutions for our customers, our R&D team also has the support of our on-site and project engineers who provide feedback and numerous ideas to the R&D team from their daily experiences with installation and operation of various waste gas, heat or pressure to energy projects. Our cooperative relationship with the Shanghai Electric Distributed Energy Sources Technology Co., Ltd. gives us access to the latest developments in energy and waste-to-energy technologies as well as technical support of the R&D teams of the R & D team of Distributed Energy Sources of Central Research Institute of Shanghai Electric Group.

Government and Environmental Management System

Since we do not hold the licenses that the various levels of Chinese government require for our operations, we mainly rely on third-party servicers and contractors, which possess all levels of licenses, to carry out our operations.

Competition

In the past, waste energy recycling projects have been installed mainly by industrial plants themselves. These plants hire general contractors to purchase waste energy recycling equipment manufactured by third parties and with design support from government design institutes, which usually charge a one-time design fee, construct the projects on-site. Pressure has increased on Chinese producers to become more energy-efficient, but many mid-sized companies do not have the special technical expertise or the capital to install and operate such waste energy recycling projects. Many companies have begun to outsource these functions to third- party providers, creating an opportunity in a growing market.

We use a BOT model to provide energy saving and recovery systems for various energy intensive industries, such as cement, steel and metallurgy industries. We face competition from an array of market participants.

Our main competitors as third-party providers are state owned research institutes or their wholly owned construction companies; however, smaller private companies occasionally employ a BOT model to provide waste-to-energy systems. The state-owned enterprises include Equipment and System Engineer Co., Ltd. of Hangzhou Steam Turbine & Power Group (Hangzhou Turbine) and Energy Saving Development Co., Ltd of China National Material Group, Sinoma Development Co., Ltd. The private companies include China Senyuan Electronic Co., Ltd., Dalian East New Energy Development Co. Ltd., Top Resource Conservation Engineering Co., Ltd. and Nanjing Kaisheng Kaineng Environmental Energy.

26

We believe there is a larger market in the waste-to-energy industry in China for systems constructed on the “Engineering Procurement Construction” or “EPC” model in which customers purchase the services of a contractor to construct a system for the customer at the customer’s expense. Service providers include Dalian East New Energy Development, Nanjing Kaisheng Cement Technology and Engineering Co., Ltd., Jiangxi Sifang Energy Co., Ltd., Beijing Century Benefits Co., Ltd., Beijing Shineng Zhongjin Energy Technology Co., Ltd., Kunming Sunwise Co., Ltd. and China Everbright International Ltd. We compete with EPC providers for waste-to-energy projects when potential customers are able to obtain external financing or have the necessary capital.

We believe we offer advantages over our competitors in several ways:

● Our management team has over 20 years of industry experience and expertise;

● We have the capabilities to provide TRT, CHPG and WGPG systems, while our competitors usually concentrate on one type or another;

● We have the capabilities and experience in undertaking large scale projects; and

● We provide BOT or capital lease services to the customers, while our competitors usually use an EPC (engineering, procurement and construction) or turnkey contract model.

Employees

As of December 31, 2023, we had 14 employees:

Management: 3 Employees

Administration: 3 Employees

Marketing: 2 Employees

Accounting & Finance: 4 Employees

Project Officer: 2 Employees

All of our personnel are employed full-time and none is represented under collective bargaining agreements. We consider our relations with our employees to be good.

We maintain certain insurance policies to safeguard us against risks and unexpected events as required in China and with applicable PRC laws, such as social security insurance, including pension insurance, unemployment insurance, work-related injury insurance and medical insurance for our employees. However, we do not maintain business interruption insurance or product liability insurance, which are not mandatory under PRC laws. In addition, we do not maintain key man insurance, insurance policies covering damages to our network infrastructures or information technology systems nor any insurance policies for our properties. During fiscal years 2023 and 2022, we did not make any material insurance claims in relation to our business.

Costs and Effects of Compliance with Environmental Laws

There were many new laws, regulations, rules and notices regarding the environment and energy production adopted, promulgated and put into force during past years. The Chinese government is putting more stringent requirements and urgency on reducing pollution and emissions and improving energy efficiency nationwide. Our products are designed and constructed to comply with the environmental laws and regulations of China. As our systems allow our customers to use waste heat and gases to create energy, we help reduce the overall environmental impact of our customers. Since our business focuses on recycling energy, the effect of the strengthening of environmental laws in China may be to increase demand for the products and services we offer and others like them.

27

Available Information

We file reports with the SEC, including annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and other reports from time to time. The public may read and copy any materials we file with the SEC at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, NE, Washington, DC 20549. The public may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. The Company is an electronic filer and the SEC maintains an Internet site at http://www.sec.gov that contains the reports, proxy and information statements, and other information filed electronically. Our website address is www.creg-cn.com. Please note that our website address is provided as an inactive textual reference only. The information provided on our website is not part of this report, and is therefore not incorporated by reference unless such information is otherwise specifically referenced elsewhere in this report.

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

Risks Related to Our Business and Industry

In recent years, the growth of Chinese economy has experienced slowdown, and if the growth of the economy continues to slow or if the economy contracts, our financial condition may be materially and adversely affected.

The rapid growth of the PRC economy has resulted in widespread growth opportunities in industries across China. As a result of the global financial crisis and the inability of enterprises to gain comparable access to the same amounts of capital available in past years, the business climate has changed and growth of private enterprise in the PRC have slowed down. An economic slowdown could have an adverse effect on our financial condition. Further, if economic growth slows, and if, in conjunction, inflation is allowed to proceed unchecked, our costs would likely increase, and there can be no assurance that we would be able to increase our prices to an extent that would offset the increase in our expenses.

We depend on the waste energy of our customers to generate electricity.

We acquire waste pressure, heat and gases from steelworks, cement, coking or metallurgy plants and use these to generate power. Therefore, our power generating capacity depends on the availability of an adequate supply of our “raw materials” from our customers. If we do not have enough supply, power generated for those customers will be impeded. Since our contracts are often structured so that we receive compensation based on the amount of energy we supply, a reduction in production may cause problems for our revenues and results of operations.

Our revenue depends on gaining new customers and project contracts and purchase commitments from customers.

Currently and historically, we have only had a limited number of projects in process at any time. Thus, our revenues have historically resulted, and are expected to continue in the immediate future to result, primarily from the sale and operation of our waste energy recycling projects that, once completed, typically produce ongoing revenues from energy production. Customers may change or delay orders for any number of reasons, such as force majeure or government approval factors that are unrelated to us. As a result, to maintain and expand our business, we must continue to develop and obtain new orders. However, it is difficult to predict whether and when we will receive such orders or project contracts due to the lengthy process, which may be affected by factors that we do not control, such as market and economic conditions, financing arrangements, commodity prices, environmental issues and government approvals.

We may require additional funds to run our business and may be required to raise these funds on terms which are not favorable to us or which reduce our stock price.

We may need to complete additional equity or debt financings to fund our operations. Our inability to obtain additional financing could adversely affect our business. Financings may not be available at all or on terms favorable to us. In addition, these financings, if completed, may not meet our capital needs and could result in substantial dilution to our stockholders.

28

Changes in the economic and credit environment could have an adverse effect on demand for our projects, which would in turn have a negative impact on our results of operations, our cash flows, our financial condition, our ability to borrow and our stock price.

Since late 2021 and continuing through 2023, global market and economic conditions have been disrupted and volatile. Concerns over slowdown of Chinese economy, geopolitical issues, the availability and cost of credit, to this increased volatility. These factors, combined with declining business and consumer confidence and increased unemployment, precipitated a global recession. It is difficult to predict how long the current economic conditions will persist or whether they will deteriorate further. As a result, these conditions could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.

The slow growth of global economy has also resulted in tighter credit conditions, which may lead to higher financing costs. Although poor market conditions can act as an incentive for our customers to reduce their energy costs, if the global economic slowdown persists and has material adverse effects on our customers’ business, our customers may delay or cancel their plan of installing waste energy recycling projects.

Decreases in the price of coal, oil and gas or a decline in popular support for “green” energy technologies could reduce demand for our waste energy recycling projects, which could materially harm our ability to grow our business.

Higher coal, oil and gas prices provide incentives for customers to invest in “green” energy technologies such as our waste energy recycling projects that reduce their need for fossil fuels. Conversely, lower coal, oil and gas prices would tend to reduce the incentive for customers to invest in capital equipment to produce electric power or seek out alternative energy sources. Demand for our projects and services depends in part on the current and future commodity prices of coal, oil and gas. We have no control over the current or future prices of these commodities.

In addition, popular support by governments, corporations and individuals for “green” energy technologies may change. Because of the ongoing development of, and the possible change in support for, “green” energy technologies we cannot assure you that negative changes to this industry will not occur. Changes in government or popular support for “green” energy technologies could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects and results of operations.

Changes in the growth of demand for or pricing of electricity could reduce demand for our waste energy recycling projects, which could materially harm our ability to grow our business.

Our revenues are dependent on the ability to provide savings on energy costs for our clients. In 2023, the growth rate of domestic electricity consumption rised, and the electricity consumption of emerging industries maintained its growth momentum. China's electricity consumption reached 9.22 trillion KWH in 2023, an increase of 576.4 billion KWH over 2022, up 6.7% year-on-year and 3.1 percentage points higher than the previous year. Per capita electricity consumption reached 6,539 KWH, a record high. The electricity consumption of high-tech and equipment manufacturing industry increased by 11.3% year-on-year, 3.9 percentage points higher than the overall growth level of the manufacturing industry. The growth in electricity consumption increases due to the continued development of the Chinese economy. However, such growth is unpredictable and depends on general economic conditions and consumer demand, both of which are beyond our control. Furthermore, pricing of electricity in the PRC is set in advance by the state or local electricity administration and may be artificially depressed by governmental regulation or influenced by supply and demand imbalances. If these changes reduce the cost of electricity from traditional sources of supply, the demand for our waste energy recycling projects could be reduced, and therefore, could materially harm our ability to grow our business.

Our insurance may not cover all liabilities and damages.

Our industry can be dangerous and hazardous. The insurance we carry might not be enough to cover all the liabilities and damages that may be caused by potential accidents.

Our heavy reliance on the experience and expertise of our management may cause adverse impacts on us if a management member departs.

We depend on key personnel for the success of our business. Our business may be severely disrupted if we lose the services of our key executives and employees or fail to add new senior and middle managers to our management.

29

Our future success is heavily dependent upon the continued service of our key executives. We also rely on a number of key technology staff for the operation of our company. Our future success is also dependent upon our ability to attract and retain qualified senior and middle managers to our management team. If one or more of our current or future key executives or employees are unable or unwilling to continue in their present positions, we may not be able to easily replace them, and our business may be severely disrupted. In addition, if any of these key executives or employees joins a competitor or forms a competing company, we could lose customers and suppliers and incur additional expenses to recruit and train personnel. We do not maintain key-man life insurance for any of our key executives.

We may need more capital for the operation and failure to raise capital we need may delay the development plan and reduce the profits.

If we don’t have adequate income or our capital can’t meet the requirement for expansion of operations, we will need to seek financing to continue our business development. If we fail to acquire adequate financial resources at acceptable terms, we might have to postpone our proposed business development plans and reduce projections of our future incomes.

Our use of a “Build-Operate-Transfer” model requires us to invest substantial financial and technical resources in a project before we deliver a waste energy recycling project.

We use a “Build-Operate-Transfer” model to provide our waste energy recycling projects to our customers. This process requires us to provide significant capital at the beginning of each project. The design, construction and completion of a waste energy recycling project is highly technical and the time necessary to complete a project can take three to 12 months without any delays, including delays outside our control such as from the result of customer’s operations, and we incur significant expenses as part of this process. Our initial cash outlay and the length of the delivery time makes us particularly vulnerable to the loss of a significant customer or contract because we may be unable to quickly replace the lost cash flow.

Our BOT model and the accounting for our projects as sales-type leases could result in a difference between our revenue recognition and our cash flows.

While we recognize a large portion of the revenue from each project when it goes on-line, all of the cash flow from the project is received in even monthly payments across the term of the lease. Although our revenues may be high, the initial cash outlay required for each project is substantial and even with the recovery of this cost in the early years of each lease, we may need to raise additional capital resulting in a dilution in your holdings. This discrepancy between revenue recognition and cash flow could also contribute to volatility in our stock price.

There is collection risk associated with payments to be received over the terms of agreements with customers of our waste energy recycling projects.

We are dependent in part on the viability of our customers for collections under our BOT model. Customers may experience financial difficulties that could cause them to be unable to fulfill their contractual payment obligations to us. Although our customers usually provide collateral or other guarantees to secure their obligations to provide the minimum electricity income from the waste energy recycling projects, there is no guarantee that such collateral will be sufficient to meet all obligations under the respective contract. As a result, our future revenues and cash flows could be adversely affected.

30

We may not be able to assemble and deliver our waste energy recycling projects as quickly as customers may require which could cause us to lose sales and could harm our reputation.

We may not be able to assemble our waste energy recycling projects and deliver them to our customers at the times they require.

Manufacturing delays and interruptions can occur for many reasons, including, but not limited to:

● the failure of a supplier to deliver needed components on a timely basis or of acceptable quality;

● equipment failures;

● personnel shortage;

● labor disputes; or

● transportation disruptions.

Assembly of our waste energy recycling projects is complex. If we fail to assemble and deliver our waste energy recycling projects in a timely fashion, our reputation may be harmed, we may jeopardize existing orders and lose potential future sales, and we may be forced to pay penalties to our customers.

We operate in an emerging competitive industry and if we are unable to compete successfully our revenue and profitability will be adversely affected.

Currently, the PRC waste energy recycling market is fragmented but competitive. As the industry evolves, we anticipate that competition will increase. We currently face competition primarily from companies that focus on one type of waste energy recycling project or one industry in the waste energy recycling market, some of which may have more expertise in their area of focus than we do. We also compete against companies that have substantial competitive advantage because of longer operating histories and larger marketing budgets, as well as substantially greater financial and other resources than us. Our largest potential clients may choose to build their own systems. National or global competitors could enter the market with more substantial financial and workforce resources, stronger existing customer relationships, and greater name recognition or could choose to target medium to small companies in our traditional markets. Competitors could focus their substantial resources on developing a more attractive solution set than ours or products with technologies that reduce demand for energy beyond what our solutions can provide and at cheaper prices. Competition also places downward pressure on our contract prices and profit margins, which presents us with significant challenges in our ability to maintain strong growth rates and acceptable profit margins. If we are unable to meet these competitive challenges, we could lose market share to our competitors and experience an overall reduction in our profits.

If we infringe the rights of third parties, we could be prevented from selling products, forced to pay damages and compelled to defend against litigation.

If our waste energy recycling projects, methods, processes and other technologies infringe proprietary rights of other parties, we may have to obtain licenses (which may not be available on commercially reasonable terms, if at all), redesign our waste energy recycling projects or processes, stop using the subject matter claimed in the asserted patents, pay damages, or defend litigation or administrative proceedings, which may be costly whether we win or lose. All of the above could result in a substantial diversion of valuable management resources and we could incur substantial costs.

We believe we have taken reasonable steps, including prior patent searches, to ensure we can operate under our intellectual property rights, and that our development and commercialization efforts can be carried out as planned without infringing others’ proprietary rights. However, a third-party patent may have been filed or will be filed that may contain subject matter of relevance to our development, causing a third-party patent holder to claim infringement. Resolution of such issues sometimes results in lengthy and costly legal proceedings, the outcome of which we cannot predict accurately.

We may not be able to adequately respond to changes in technology affecting the waste energy recycling industry.

Our industry could experience rapid technological changes and new product introductions. Current competitors or new market entrants could introduce new or enhanced products with features which render the systems used in our projects obsolete or less marketable. Our future success will depend, in part, on our ability to respond to changing technology and industry standards in a timely and cost-effective manner. We may not be successful in effectively using new technologies, developing new systems or enhancing our existing systems and technology on a timely basis. Our new technologies or enhancements may not achieve market acceptance. Our pursuit of new technologies may require substantial time and expense. We may need to license new technologies to respond to technological change. These licenses may not be available to us on terms that we can accept. Finally, we may not succeed in adapting our projects to new technologies as they emerge.

31

We are dependent on third parties for manufacturing key components and delays by third parties may cause delays in assembly and increased costs to us.

We rely upon third parties for the manufacture of key components. Delays and difficulties in the manufacturing of our waste energy recycling projects could substantially harm our revenues. There are limited sources of supply for some key waste energy recycling project components. Business disruptions, financial difficulties of the manufacturers or suppliers of these components, or raw material shortages could increase our costs, reduce the availability of these components or delay our delivery of projects to customers. To date, we have been able to obtain adequate supplies of these key components. If we are unable to obtain a sufficient supply of required components, we could experience significant delays in construction, which could result in the loss of orders and customers, and could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. If the cost of components increases, we may not be able to pass on price increases to our customers if we are to remain competitively priced. This would reduce profit, which in turn would reduce the value of your investment.

Increases in income tax rates, changes in income tax laws or disagreements with tax authorities could adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations.

We are subject to income taxes in the U.S and in certain foreign jurisdictions in which we operate. Increases in income tax rates or other changes in income tax laws that apply to our business could reduce our after-tax income from such jurisdiction and could adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations. Our operations outside the U.S. generate a significant portion of our income. In addition, the U.S. and many of the other countries in which our products are distributed or sold, including countries in which we have significant operations, have recently made or are actively considering changes to existing tax laws. For example, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “TCJ Act”) was recently signed into law in the U.S. The changes in the TCJ Act are broad and complex and we are continuing to examine the impact the TCJ Act may have on our business and financial results. This provisional expense is subject to change, possibly materially, due to, among other things, changes in estimates, interpretations and assumptions we have made, changes in Internal Revenue Service (IRS) interpretations, the issuance of new guidance, legislative actions, changes in accounting standards or related interpretations in response to the TCJ Act and future actions by states within the U.S that have not yet adopted state-level laws similar to the TCJ Act.

Additional changes in the U.S. tax regime or in how U.S. multinational corporations are taxed on foreign earnings, including changes in how existing tax laws are interpreted or enforced, could adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations.

We are also subject to regular reviews, examinations and audits by the IRS and other taxing authorities with respect to income and non-income based taxes both within and outside the U.S. Economic and political pressures to increase tax revenues in jurisdictions in which we operate, or the adoption of new or reformed tax legislation or regulation, may make resolving tax disputes more difficult and the final resolution of tax audits and any related litigation could differ from our historical provisions and accruals, resulting in an adverse impact on our business, financial condition or results of operations. In addition, in connection with the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development Base Erosion and Profit Shifting project, companies are required to disclose more information to tax authorities on operations around the world, which may lead to greater audit scrutiny of profits earned in various countries.

A downturn in China or global economy, and economic and political policies of China could materially and adversely affect our business and financial condition.

Our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations may be influenced to a significant degree by political, economic and social conditions in China generally. The Chinese economy differs from the economies of most developed countries in many respects, including the amount of government involvement, level of development, growth rate, control of foreign exchange and allocation of resources. While the Chinese economy has experienced significant growth over the past decades, growth has been uneven, both geographically and among various sectors of the economy. The Chinese government has implemented various measures to encourage economic growth and guide the allocation of resources. Some of these measures may benefit the overall Chinese economy, but may have a negative effect on us.

32

Economic conditions in China are sensitive to global economic conditions. Any prolonged slowdown in the global or Chinese economy may affect potential clients’ confidence in financial market as a whole and have a negative impact on our business, results of operations and financial condition. Additionally, continued turbulence in the international markets may adversely affect our ability to access the capital markets to meet liquidity needs.

The recent outbreak of war in Ukraine has already affected global economic markets, and the uncertain resolution of this conflict could result in protracted and/or severe damage to the global economy. Russia’s recent military interventions in Ukraine have led to, and may lead to, additional sanctions being levied by the U.S, European Union and other countries against Russia. Russia’s military incursion and the resulting sanctions could adversely affect global energy and financial markets and thus could affect our client’s business and our business, even though we do not have any direct exposure to Russia or the adjoining geographic regions. The extent and duration of the military action, sanctions, and resulting market disruptions are impossible to predict, but could be substantial. Any such disruptions caused by Russian military action or resulting sanctions may magnify the impact of other risks described in this section. We cannot predict the progress or outcome of the situation in Ukraine, as the conflict and governmental reactions are rapidly developing and beyond their control. Prolonged unrest, intensified military activities, or more extensive sanctions impacting the region could have a material adverse effect on the global economy, and such effect could in turn have a material adverse effect on the operations, results of operations, financial condition, liquidity and business outlook of our business.

The assault on Israel by Hamas (the Islamic terrorist group that controls the Palestinian territory of Gaza) in early October 2023 and Israel’s subsequent declaration of war against Hamas may have severe adverse effects on regional and global economic markets. The war between Hamas and Israel and the varying involvement of the United States and other countries, as well as political and civil unrest related to the foregoing, makes it difficult to predict the conflict’s impact on global economic and market conditions and, as a result, the situation presents material uncertainty and risk with respect to the Company.

We face risks related to natural disasters, extreme weather conditions, health epidemics and other catastrophic incidents, which could significantly disrupt our operations.

China has experienced natural disasters, including earthquakes, extreme weather conditions and any similar event could materially impact our business in the future. If a disaster or other disruption occurred that affects the regions where we operate our business, the resulting loss of personnel and damage to property could materially adversely affect our business. Even if we are not directly affected, such a disaster or disruption could affect the operations or financial condition of our ecosystem participants, which could harm our results of operations.

In recent months, the continued, global spread of COVID-19 has led to disruption and volatility in the global capital markets, which has increased the cost of, and adversely impacted access to, capital (including the commercial paper markets) and increased economic uncertainty. It is likely that the pandemic will cause an economic slowdown of potentially extended duration, and it is possible that it could cause a global recession. To reduce the spread of the COVID-19, the Chinese government has employed measures including city lockdowns, quarantines, travel restrictions, suspension of business activities and school closures. The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in, among other things, quarantines, travel restrictions, and the temporary closure of office buildings and facilities in China, Hong Kong and in the U.S.

33

COVID-19 is adversely affecting, and is expected to continue to adversely affect, certain elements of our business, including as a result of impacts associated with preventive and precautionary measures that we, other businesses, our communities and governments are taking. From April 2020 to the end of 2021, there were some new COVID-19 cases discovered in a few provinces of China, however, the number of new cases are not significant due to PRC government’s strict control. From January 2022 to date, COVID-19 case fluctuated and increased again in many cities of China including Xi’an Province where the Company is located, As a result of such increases, there have been periodic short-term lockdowns and restrictions on travel in Xi’an Province and other areas of China, the Company’s operations have been adversely impacted by the travel and work restrictions imposed on a temporary basis in China to limit the spread of COVID-19. Due to these impacts and measures, we have experienced and expect to continue to experience delays in our internal product development and unpredictable reductions in demand for certain of our products and services. Our employees have been required to work from home or not go into their offices. Such restrictions are slowly being lifted. If the pandemic continues and conditions worsen, we expect to experience additional adverse impacts on our operational and commercial activities and customer orders, which adverse impacts may be material, and it remains uncertain what impact these adverse impacts would have on future sales and customer orders even if conditions begin to improve. In addition to existing travel restrictions, jurisdictions may continue to close borders, impose prolonged quarantines and further restrict travel and business activity, which could significantly impact our ability to support our operations and customers. Further, such travel restrictions and slowed-down business activities may affect the operation of our customer and result in decrease of our products and services, which could adversely affect our financial results. Due to the speed with which the COVID-19 situation is developing, the global breadth of its spread and the range of governmental and community reactions thereto, there is uncertainty around its duration and ultimate impact; therefore, any negative impact on our overall financial and operating results (including without limitation our liquidity) cannot be reasonably estimated at this time, but the pandemic could lead to extended disruption of economic activity and the impact on our financial and operating results could be material.

Risks Related to Doing Business in China

We are a holding company and will rely on dividends paid by our subsidiaries for our cash needs. Any limitation on the ability of our subsidiaries to make dividend payments to us, or any tax implications of making dividend payments to us, could limit our ability to pay our parent company expenses or pay dividends to holders of our common stock.

We are a holding company and conduct substantially all of our business through our PRC subsidiaries, which are limited liability companies in China. We may rely on dividends to be paid by our PRC subsidiaries to fund our cash and financing requirements, including the funds necessary to pay dividends and other cash distributions to our shareholders, to service any debt we may incur and to pay our operating expenses. If our PRC subsidiaries incur debt on their own behalf in the future, the instruments governing the debt may restrict its ability to pay dividends or make other distributions to us.

Under PRC laws and regulations, our PRC subsidiaries, which are mostly wholly foreign-owned enterprises in China, may pay dividends only out of its accumulated profits as determined in accordance with PRC accounting standards and regulations. In addition, a wholly foreign-owned enterprise is required to set aside at least 10% of its accumulated after-tax profits each year, if any, to fund a certain statutory reserve fund, until the aggregate amount of such fund reaches 50% of its registered capital.

Our PRC subsidiaries generate primarily all of their revenue in Renminbi, which is not freely convertible into other currencies. As a result, any restriction on currency exchange may limit the ability of our PRC subsidiary to use its Renminbi revenues to pay dividends to us. The PRC government may continue to strengthen its capital controls, and more restrictions and substantial vetting process may be put forward by SAFE for cross-border transactions falling under both the current account and the capital account. Any limitation on the ability of our PRC subsidiary to pay dividends or make other kinds of payments to us could materially and adversely limit our ability to grow, make investments or acquisitions that could be beneficial to our business, pay dividends, or otherwise fund and conduct our business.

In addition, the Enterprise Income Tax Law and its implementation rules provide that a withholding tax rate of up to 10% will be applicable to dividends payable by Chinese companies to non-PRC-resident enterprises unless otherwise exempted or reduced according to treaties or arrangements between the PRC central government and governments of other countries or regions where the non-PRC resident enterprises are incorporated. Any limitation on the ability of our PRC subsidiary to pay dividends or make other distributions to us could materially and adversely limit our ability to grow, make investments or acquisitions that could be beneficial to our business, pay dividends, or otherwise fund and conduct our business.

34

The Chinese government exerts substantial influence over the manner in which we must conduct our business activities. We are currently not required to obtain approval from Chinese authorities to list on U.S exchanges, however, if our holding company or subsidiaries were required to obtain approval or filing in the future and were denied permission from Chinese authorities to list on U.S. exchanges, we will not be able to continue listing on U.S. exchange, which would materially affect the interest of the investors.

The Chinese government has exercised and can continue to exercise substantial control to intervene on virtually every sector of the Chinese economy through regulation and state ownership, and as a result, it can influence the manner in which we must conduct our business activities and effect material changes in our operations or the value of the common stock we are registering in this resale. Under the current government leadership, the government of the PRC has been pursuing reform policies which have adversely affected China-based operating companies whose securities are listed in the U.S., with significant policies changes being made from time to time without notice. There are substantial uncertainties regarding the interpretation and application of PRC laws and regulations, including, but not limited to, the laws and regulations governing our business, or the enforcement and performance of our contractual arrangements with borrowers in the event of the imposition of statutory liens, death, bankruptcy or criminal proceedings. Our ability to operate in China may be harmed by changes in its laws and regulations, including those relating to taxation, environmental regulations, land use rights, property and other matters. The central or local governments of these jurisdictions may impose new, stricter regulations or interpretations of existing regulations that would require additional expenditures and efforts on our part to ensure our compliance with such regulations or interpretations. Accordingly, government actions in the future, including any decision not to continue to support recent economic reforms and to return to a more centrally planned economy or regional or local variations in the implementation of economic policies, could have a significant effect on economic conditions in China or particular regions thereof, and could require us to divest ourselves of any interest we then hold in Chinese properties.

Given recent statements by the Chinese government indicating an intent to exert more oversight and control over offerings that are conducted overseas and/or foreign investment in China-based issuers, any such action 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.

Recently, the General Office of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the General Office of the State Council jointly issued the Opinions on Severely Cracking Down on Illegal Securities Activities According to Law, or the Opinions, which was made available to the public on July 6, 2021. The Opinions emphasized the need to strengthen the administration over illegal securities activities, and the need to strengthen the supervision over overseas listings by Chinese companies. Effective measures, such as promoting the construction of relevant regulatory systems, will be taken to deal with the risks and incidents of China-concept overseas listed companies. As of the date hereof, we have not received any inquiry, notice, warning, or sanctions from PRC government authorities in connection with the Opinions.

On June 10, 2021, the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of China, or the SCNPC, promulgated the PRC Data Security Law, which took effect in September 2021. The PRC Data Security Law imposes data security and privacy obligations on entities and individuals carrying out data activities, and introduces a data classification and hierarchical protection system based on the importance of data in economic and social development, and the degree of harm it will cause to national security, public interests, or legitimate rights and interests of individuals or organizations when such data is tampered with, destroyed, leaked, illegally acquired or used. The PRC Data Security Law also provides for a national security review procedure for data activities that may affect national security and imposes export restrictions on certain data an information.

In early July 2021, regulatory authorities in China launched cybersecurity investigations with regard to several China-based companies that are listed in the United States. The Chinese cybersecurity regulator announced on July 2 that it had begun an investigation of Didi Global Inc. (NYSE: DIDI) and two days later ordered that the company’s app be removed from smartphone app stores. On July 5, 2021, the Chinese cybersecurity regulator launched the same investigation on two other Internet platforms, China’s Full Truck Alliance of Full Truck Alliance Co. Ltd. (NYSE: YMM) and Boss of KANZHUN LIMITED (Nasdaq: BZ). On July 24, 2021, the General Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the General Office of the State Council jointly released the Guidelines for Further Easing the Burden of Excessive Homework and Off-campus Tutoring for Students at the Stage of Compulsory Education, pursuant to which foreign investment in such firms via mergers and acquisitions, franchise development, and variable interest entities are banned from this sector.

35

On August 17, 2021, the State Council promulgated the Regulations on the Protection of the Security of Critical Information Infrastructure, or the Regulations, which took effect on September 1, 2021. The Regulations supplement and specify the provisions on the security of critical information infrastructure as stated in the Cybersecurity Review Measures. The Regulations provide, among others, that protection department of certain industry or sector shall notify the operator of the critical information infrastructure in time after the identification of certain critical information infrastructure.

On August 20, 2021, the SCNPC promulgated the Personal Information Protection Law of the PRC, or the Personal Information Protection Law, which took effect in November 2021. As the first systematic and comprehensive law specifically for the protection of personal information in the PRC, the Personal Information Protection Law provides, among others, that (i) an individual’s consent shall be obtained to use sensitive personal information, such as biometric characteristics and individual location tracking, (ii) personal information operators using sensitive personal information shall notify individuals of the necessity of such use and impact on the individual’s rights, and (iii) where personal information operators reject an individual’s request to exercise his or her rights, the individual may file a lawsuit with a People’s Court.

As such, the Company’s business segments may be subject to various government and regulatory interference in the provinces in which they operate. The Company could be subject to regulation by various political and regulatory entities, including various local and municipal agencies and government sub-divisions. The Company may incur increased costs necessary to comply with existing and newly adopted laws and regulations or penalties for any failure to comply. Additionally, the governmental and regulatory interference 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 be worthless.

Furthermore, it is uncertain when and whether the Company will be required to obtain permission from the PRC government to list on U.S. exchanges in the future, and even when such permission is obtained, whether it will be denied or rescinded. Although the Company is currently not required to obtain permission from any of the PRC federal or local government to obtain such permission and has not received any denial to list on the U.S. exchange, our operations could be adversely affected, directly or indirectly, by existing or future laws and regulations relating to its business or industry.

On February 17, 2023, the CSRC promulgated Trial Administrative Measures of the Overseas Securities Offering and Listing by Domestic Companies (the “Overseas Listing Trial Measures”) and five relevant guidelines, which became effective on March 31, 2023. According to the Overseas Listing Trial Measures, PRC domestic companies that seek to offer and list securities in overseas markets, either in direct or indirect means, are required to fulfill the filing procedure with the CSRC and report relevant information. The Overseas Listing Trial Measures provides that an overseas listing or offering is explicitly prohibited, if any of the following: (1) such securities offering and listing is explicitly prohibited by provisions in laws, administrative regulations and relevant state rules; (2) the intended securities offering and listing may endanger national security as reviewed and determined by competent authorities under the State Council in accordance with law; (3) the domestic company intending to make the securities offering and listing, or its controlling shareholder(s) and the actual controller, have committed relevant crimes such as corruption, bribery, embezzlement, misappropriation of property or undermining the order of the socialist market economy during the latest three years; (4) the domestic company intending to make the securities offering and listing is currently under investigations for suspicion of criminal offenses or major violations of laws and regulations, and no conclusion has yet been made thereof; or (5) there are material ownership disputes over equity held by the domestic company’s controlling shareholder(s) or by other shareholder(s) that are controlled by the controlling shareholder(s) and/or actual controller.

The Overseas Listing Trial Measures also provides that if the issuer meets both the following criteria, the overseas securities offering and listing conducted by such issuer will be deemed as indirect overseas offering by PRC domestic companies: (1) 50% or more of any 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 fiscal year is accounted for by domestic companies; and (2) the issuer’s main business activities are conducted in China, or its main place(s) of business are located in China, or the majority of senior management staff in charge of its business operations and management are PRC citizens or have their usual place(s) of residence located in China. Where an issuer submits an application for initial public offering to competent overseas regulators, such issuer must file with the CSRC within three business days after such application is submitted. In addition, the Overseas Listing Trial Measures provide that the direct or indirect overseas listings of the assets of domestic companies through one or more acquisitions, share swaps, transfers or other transaction arrangements shall be subject to filing procedures in accordance with the Overseas Listing Trial Measures. The Overseas Listing Trial Measures also requires subsequent reports to be filed with the CSRC on material events, such as change of control or voluntary or forced delisting of the issuer(s) who have completed overseas offerings and listings.

36

At a press conference held for these new regulations (“Press Conference”), officials from the CSRC clarified that the domestic companies that have already been listed overseas on or before March 31, 2023 shall be deemed as existing issuers (the “Existing Issuers”). Existing Issuers are not required to complete the filling procedures immediately, and they shall be required to file with the CSRC upon occurrences of certain subsequent matters such as follow-on offerings of securities. According to the Overseas Listing Trial Measures and the Press Conference, the existing domestic companies that have completed overseas offering and listing before March 31, 2023, such as us, shall not be required to perform filing procedures for the completed overseas securities issuance and listing. However, from the effective date of the regulation, any of our subsequent securities offering in the same overseas market or subsequent securities offering and listing in other overseas markets shall be subject to the filing requirement with the CSRC within three working days after the offering is completed or after the relevant application is submitted to the relevant overseas authorities, respectively. If it is determined that any approval, filing or other administrative procedures from other PRC governmental authorities is required for any future offering or listing, we cannot assure you that we can obtain the required approval or accomplish the required filings or other regulatory procedures in a timely manner, or at all. If we fail to fulfill filing procedure as stipulated by the Trial Measures or offer and list securities in an overseas market in violation of the Trial Measures, the CSRC may order rectification, issue warnings to us, and impose a fine of between RMB1,000,000 and RMB10,000,000. Persons-in-charge and other persons that are directly liable for such failure shall be warned and each imposed a fine from RMB500,000 to RMB5,000,000. Controlling shareholders and actual controlling persons of us that organize or instruct such violations shall be imposed a fine from RMB1,000,000 and RMB10,000,000.

On February 24, 2023, the CSRC published the Provisions on Strengthening the Confidentiality and Archives Administration Related to the Overseas Securities Offering and Listing by Domestic Enterprises (the “Provisions on Confidentiality and Archives Administration”), which came into effect on March 31, 2023. The Provisions on Confidentiality and Archives Administration requires that, in the process of overseas issuance and listing of securities by domestic entities, the domestic entities, and securities companies and securities service institutions that provide relevant securities service shall strictly implement the provisions of relevant laws and regulations and the requirements of these provisions, establish and improve rules on confidentiality and archives administration. Where the domestic entities provide with or publicly disclose documents, materials or other items related to the state secrets and government work secrets to the relevant securities companies, securities service institutions, overseas regulatory authorities, or other entities or individuals, the companies shall apply for approval of competent departments with the authority of examination and approval in accordance with law and report the matter to the secrecy administrative departments at the same level for record filing. Where there is unclear or controversial whether or not the concerned materials are related to state secrets, the materials shall be reported to the relevant secrecy administrative departments for determination. However, there remain uncertainties regarding the further interpretation and implementation of the Provisions on Confidentiality and Archives Administration.

As of the date of this annual report, we and our PRC subsidiaries have obtain the requisite licenses and permits from the PRC government authorities that are material for the business operations of our PRC subsidiaries. In addition, as of the date of this annual report, we and our PRC subsidiaries are not required to obtain approval or permission from the CSRC or the CAC or any other entity that is required to approve our PRC subsidiaries’ operations or required for us to offer securities to foreign investors under any currently effective PRC laws, regulations, and regulatory rules. If it is determined that we are subject to filing requirements imposed by the CSRC under the Overseas Listing Regulations or approvals from other PRC regulatory authorities or other procedures, including the cybersecurity review under the revised Cybersecurity Review Measures, for our future offshore offerings, it would be uncertain whether we can or how long it will take us to complete such procedures or obtain such approval and any such approval could be rescinded. Any failure to obtain or delay in completing such procedures or obtaining such approval for our offshore offerings, or a rescission of any such approval if obtained by us, would subject us to sanctions by the CSRC or other PRC regulatory authorities for failure to file with the CSRC or failure to seek approval from other government authorization for our offshore offerings. These regulatory authorities may impose fines and penalties on our operations in China, limit our ability to pay dividends outside of China, limit our operating privileges in China, delay or restrict the repatriation of the proceeds from our offshore offerings into China or take other actions that could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, and prospects, as well as the trading price of our common stock. The CSRC or other PRC regulatory authorities also may take actions requiring us, or making it advisable for us, to halt our offshore offerings before settlement and delivery of the securities offered. Consequently, if investors engage in market trading or other activities in anticipation of and prior to settlement and delivery, they do so at the risk that settlement and delivery may not occur. In addition, if the CSRC or other regulatory authorities later promulgate new rules or explanations requiring that we obtain their approvals or accomplish the required filing or other regulatory procedures for our prior offshore offerings, we may be unable to obtain a waiver of such approval requirements, if and when procedures are established to obtain such a waiver. Any uncertainties or negative publicity regarding such approval requirement could materially and adversely affect our business, prospects, financial condition, reputation, and the trading price of our common stock.

37

In addition, on December 28, 2021, the CAC, the National Development and Reform Commission (“NDRC”), and several other administrations jointly issued the revised Measures for Cybersecurity Review, or the Revised Review Measures, which became effective and has replaced the existing Measures for Cybersecurity Review on February 15, 2022. According to the Revised Review Measures, if an “online platform operator” that is in possession of personal data of more than one million users intends to list in a foreign country, it must apply for a cybersecurity review. Based on a set of Q&A published on the official website of the State Cipher Code Administration in connection with the issuance of the Revised Review Measures, an official of the said administration indicated that an online platform operator should apply for a cybersecurity review prior to the submission of its listing application with non-PRC securities regulators. Given the recency of the issuance of the Revised Review Measures and their pending effectiveness, there is a general lack of guidance and substantial uncertainties exist with respect to their interpretation and implementation. For example, it is unclear whether the requirement of cybersecurity review applies to follow-on offerings by an “online platform operator” that is in possession of personal data of more than one million users where the offshore holding company of such operator is already listed overseas. Furthermore, the CAC released the draft of the Regulations on Network Data Security Management in November 2021 for public consultation, which among other things, stipulates that a data processor listed overseas must conduct an annual data security review by itself or by engaging a data security service provider and submit the annual data security review report for a given year to the municipal cybersecurity department before January 31 of the following year. If the draft Regulations on Network Data Security Management are enacted in the current form, we, as an overseas listed company, will be required to carry out an annual data security review and comply with the relevant reporting obligations.

The M&A Rules and certain other PRC regulations establish complex procedures for some acquisitions of Chinese companies by foreign investors, which could make it more difficult for us to pursue growth through acquisitions in China. 

The Regulations on Mergers and Acquisitions of Domestic Enterprises by Foreign Investors, or the M&A Rules, adopted by six PRC regulatory agencies in 2006 and amended in 2009, and some other regulations and rules concerning mergers and acquisitions established additional procedures and requirements that could make merger and acquisition activities by foreign investors more time-consuming and complex, including requirements in some instances that the anti-monopoly law enforcement agency be notified in advance of any change-of-control transaction in which a foreign investor takes control of a PRC domestic enterprise.

For example, the M&A Rules require MOFCOM be notified in advance of any change-of-control transaction in which a foreign investor takes control of a PRC domestic enterprise, if (i) any important industry is concerned, (ii) such transaction involves factors that impact or may impact national economic security, or (iii) such transaction will lead to a change in control of a domestic enterprise which holds a famous trademark or PRC time-honored brand. Moreover, the PRC Anti-Monopoly Law promulgated by the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress effective 2008 requires that transactions which are deemed concentrations and involve parties with specified turnover thresholds (i.e., during the previous fiscal year, (i) the total global turnover of all operators participating in the transaction exceeds RMB10 billion and at least two of these operators each had a turnover of more than RMB400 million within China, or (ii) the total turnover within China of all the operators participating in the concentration exceeded RMB2 billion, and at least two of these operators each had a turnover of more than RMB400 million within China) must be cleared by the anti-monopoly enforcement authority before they can be completed. In addition, in 2011, the General Office of the State Council promulgated a Notice on Establishing the Security Review System for Mergers and Acquisitions of Domestic Enterprises by Foreign Investors, also known as Circular 6, which officially established a security review system for mergers and acquisitions of domestic enterprises by foreign investors. Further, MOFCOM promulgated the Regulations on Implementation of Security Review System for the Merger and Acquisition of Domestic Enterprises by Foreign Investors, effective 2011, to implement Circular 6. Under Circular 6, a security review is required for mergers and acquisitions by foreign investors having “national defense and security” concerns and mergers and acquisitions by which foreign investors may acquire the “de facto control” of domestic enterprises with “national security” concerns. Under the foregoing MOFCOM regulations, MOFCOM will focus on the substance and actual impact of the transaction when deciding whether a specific merger or acquisition is subject to security review. If MOFCOM decides that a specific merger or acquisition is subject to a security review, it will submit it to the Inter-Ministerial Panel, an authority established under Circular 6 led by the National Development and Reform Commission, and MOFCOM under the leadership of the State Council, to carry out security review. The regulations prohibit foreign investors from bypassing the security review by structuring transactions through trusts, indirect investments, leases, loans, control through contractual arrangements or offshore transactions. There is no explicit provision or official interpretation stating that the merging or acquisition of a company engaged in the internet content business requires security review, and there is no requirement that acquisitions completed prior to the promulgation of the Security Review Circular are subject to MOFCOM review.

38

In the future, we may grow our business by acquiring complementary businesses. Complying with the requirements of the above-mentioned regulations and other relevant rules to complete such transactions could be time consuming, and any required approval processes, including obtaining approval from MOFCOM or its local counterparts may delay or inhibit our ability to complete such transactions. We believe that it is unlikely that our business would be deemed to be in an industry that raises “national defense and security” or “national security” concerns. However, MOFCOM or other government agencies may publish explanations in the future determining that our business is in an industry subject to the security review, in which case our future acquisitions in China, including those by way of entering into contractual control arrangements with target entities, may be closely scrutinized or prohibited.

Adverse changes in political and economic policies of the PRC government could have a material adverse effect on the overall economic growth of China, which could materially and adversely affect the demand for our projects and our business.

Currently, all of our operations are conducted in China. Accordingly, our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects are affected significantly by economic, political and legal developments in China. The PRC economy differs from the economies of most developed countries in many respects, including:

● the amount of government involvement;

● the level of development;

● the growth rate;

● the control of foreign exchange; and

● the allocation of resources.

While the PRC economy has grown significantly since the late 1970s, the growth has been uneven, both geographically and among various sectors of the economy. The PRC government has implemented various measures to encourage economic growth and guide the allocation of resources. Some of these measures benefit the overall PRC economy, but may also have a negative effect on us. For example, our financial condition and results of operations may be adversely affected by government control over capital investments or changes in tax regulations that are applicable to us.

The PRC economy has been transitioning from a planned economy to a more market-oriented economy. Although the PRC government has in recent years implemented measures emphasizing the utilization of market forces for economic reform, the reduction of state ownership of productive assets and the establishment of sound corporate governance in business enterprises, a substantial portion of the productive assets in China is still owned by the PRC government. The continued control of these assets and other aspects of the national economy by the PRC government could materially and adversely affect our business. The PRC government also exercises significant control over economic growth in China through the allocation of resources, controlling payment of foreign currency- denominated obligations, setting monetary policy and providing preferential treatment to particular industries or companies. Efforts by the PRC government to slow the pace of growth of the PRC economy could result in decreased capital expenditure by energy users, which in turn could reduce demand for our products. In addition, the PRC government, which regulates the power industry in China, has adopted laws related to renewable energy, and has adopted policies for the accelerated development of renewable energy as part of a Development Plan promulgated on August 31, 2007.

Any adverse change in the economic conditions or government policies in China could have a material adverse effect on the overall economic growth and the level of energy investments and expenditures in China, which in turn could lead to a reduction in demand for our products and consequently have a material adverse effect on our business and prospects.

39

Restrictions under PRC law on our subsidiaries’ ability to make dividends and other distributions could materially and adversely affect our ability to grow, make investments or acquisitions that could benefit our business, pay dividends to you, and otherwise fund and conduct our business.

We conduct all of our business through our consolidated subsidiaries and affiliated companies operating in the PRC. We rely on dividends paid by these consolidated subsidiaries for our cash needs, including the funds necessary to pay any dividends and other cash distributions to our stockholders, to service any debt we may incur and to pay our operating expenses. The payment of dividends by entities established in the PRC is subject to limitations imposed by government regulations. Regulations in the PRC currently permit payment of dividends only out of accumulated profits as determined in accordance with accounting standards and regulations in the PRC, subject to certain statutory procedural requirements and these may not be calculated in the same manner as US GAAP. In addition, each of our subsidiaries in China is required to set aside a certain amount of its after-tax profits each year, if any, to fund certain statutory reserves. These reserves are not distributable as cash dividends. Furthermore, if our subsidiaries in China incur debt on their own behalf in the future, the instruments governing the debt may restrict their ability to pay dividends or make other payments to us. Any limitations on the ability of our PRC subsidiaries to transfer funds to us could materially and adversely limit our ability to grow, make investments or acquisitions that could be beneficial to our business, pay dividends and otherwise fund and conduct our business.

Fluctuation in the value of the Renminbi may have a material adverse effect on your investment.

The value of the Renminbi (“RMB”) against the US Dollar and other currencies may fluctuate and is affected by, among other things, changes in China’s political and economic conditions. The conversion of RMB into foreign currencies, including US Dollars, has historically been set by the People’s Bank of China(“PBOC”). On March 17, 2014, the PRC government changed its policy of pegging the value of the RMB to the US Dollar. Under the new policy, the RMB is permitted to fluctuate within a band against a basket of certain foreign currencies, determined by the Bank of China, against which it can rise or fall by as much as 2% each day. Since the adoption of this new policy, the value of the RMB against the US Dollar has fluctuated on a daily basis within narrow ranges, but overall has strengthened against the US Dollar. There remains significant international pressure on the PRC government to further liberalize its currency policy, which could result in a further and more significant appreciation in the value of the RMB against the US Dollar. Appreciation or depreciation in the value of the RMB relative to the US Dollar would affect our financial results reported in US Dollar terms even if there is no underlying change in our business or results of operations. In addition, if we decide to convert our RMB into US Dollars for the purpose of making payments for dividends on our common stock or for other business purposes, appreciation of the US Dollar against the RMB would have a negative effect on the US Dollar amount available to us.

The PRC currency is not a freely convertible currency, which could limit our ability to obtain sufficient foreign currency to support our business operations in the future. In addition, changes in foreign exchange regulations in the PRC may affect our ability to pay dividends in foreign currency or conduct other foreign exchange business.

The PRC government imposes controls on the convertibility of RMB into foreign currencies and, in certain cases, the remittance of currency out of the PRC. We receive substantially all of our revenues in RMB, which is currently not a freely convertible currency. Shortages in the availability of foreign currency may restrict our ability to remit sufficient foreign currency to pay dividends, or otherwise satisfy foreign currency-denominated obligations. Under existing PRC foreign exchange regulations, payments of current account items, including profit distributions, interest payments and expenditures from the transaction, can be made in foreign currencies without prior approval from the PRC State Administration of Foreign Exchange, or the SAFE, by complying with certain procedural requirements. However, approval from appropriate governmental authorities is required where RMB are to be converted into foreign currency and remitted out of China to pay capital expenses such as the repayment of bank 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, we may not be able to pay certain of our expenses as they come due.

40

We may be exposed to liabilities under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and Chinese anti-corruption law.

We are subject to the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, or FCPA, and other laws that prohibit improper payments or offers of payments to foreign governments and their officials and political parties by U.S. persons and issuers as defined by the statute for the purpose of obtaining or retaining business. We are also subject to Chinese anti-corruption laws, which strictly prohibit the payment of bribes to government officials. We have operations, agreements with third parties, and make sales in China, which may experience corruption. Our activities in China create the risk of unauthorized payments or offers of payments by one of the employees, consultants or distributors of our company, because these parties are not always subject to our control. We are in process of implementing an anticorruption program, which prohibits the offering or giving of anything of value to foreign officials, directly or indirectly, for the purpose of obtaining or retaining business. The anticorruption program also requires that clauses mandating compliance with our policy be included in all contracts with foreign sales agents, sales consultants and distributors and that they certify their compliance with our policy annually. It further requires that all hospitality involving promotion of sales to foreign governments and government-owned or controlled entities be in accordance with specified guidelines. In the meantime, we believe to date we have complied in all material respects with the provisions of the FCPA and Chinese anti-corruption law.

However, our existing safeguards and any future improvements may prove to be less than effective, and the employees, consultants or distributors of our Company may engage in conduct for which we might be held responsible. Violations of the FCPA or Chinese anti-corruption law may result in severe criminal or civil sanctions, and we may be subject to other liabilities, which could negatively affect our business, operating results and financial condition. In addition, the government may seek to hold our Company liable for successor liability FCPA violations committed by companies in which we invest or that we acquire.

Substantial uncertainties exist with respect to the interpretation and implementation of PRC Foreign Investment Law and how it may impact the viability of our current corporate structure, corporate governance and business operations

The Ministry of Commerce published a discussion draft of the proposed Foreign Investment Law in January 2015, or the 2015 FIL Draft, which expands the definition of foreign investment and introduces the principle of “actual control” in determining whether a company is considered a foreign-invested enterprise, or an FIE.

On March 15, 2019, the National People’s Congress approved the Foreign Investment Law, which took effect on January 1, 2020 and replaced three existing laws on foreign investments in China, namely, the PRC Equity Joint Venture Law, the PRC Cooperative Joint Venture Law and the Wholly Foreign-owned Enterprise Law, together with their implementation rules and ancillary regulations. The Foreign Investment Law embodies an expected PRC regulatory trend to rationalize its foreign investment regulatory regime in line with prevailing international practice and the legislative efforts to unify the corporate legal requirements for both foreign and domestic invested enterprises in China. The Foreign Investment Law establishes the basic framework for the access to, and the promotion, protection and administration of foreign investments in view of investment protection and fair competition.

According to the Foreign Investment Law, “foreign investment” refers to investment activities directly or indirectly conducted by one or more natural persons, business entities, or otherwise organizations of a foreign country (collectively referred to as “foreign investor”) within China, and the investment activities include the following situations: (i) a foreign investor, individually or collectively with other investors, establishes a foreign-invested enterprise within China; (ii) a foreign investor acquires stock shares, equity shares, shares in assets, or other like rights and interests of an enterprise within China; (iii) a foreign investor, individually or collectively with other investors, invests in a new project within China; and (iv) investments in other means as provided by laws, administrative regulations, or the State Council.

41

According to the Foreign Investment Law, the State Council will publish or approve to publish the “negative list” for special administrative measures concerning foreign investment. The Foreign Investment Law grants national treatment to foreign-invested entities, or FIEs, except for those FIEs that operate in industries deemed to be either “restricted” or “prohibited” in the “negative list”. Because the “negative list” has yet to be published, it is unclear whether it will differ from the current Special Administrative Measures for Market Access of Foreign Investment (Negative List). The Foreign Investment Law provides that FIEs operating in foreign restricted or prohibited industries will require market entry clearance and other approvals from relevant PRC governmental authorities. If a foreign investor is found to invest in any prohibited industry in the “negative list”, such foreign investor may be required to, among other aspects, cease its investment activities, dispose of its equity interests or assets within a prescribed time limit and have its income confiscated. If the investment activity of a foreign investor is in breach of any special administrative measure for restrictive access provided for in the “negative list”, the relevant competent department shall order the foreign investor to make corrections and take necessary measures to meet the requirements of the special administrative measure for restrictive access.

The PRC government will establish a foreign investment information reporting system, according to which foreign investors or foreign-invested enterprises shall submit investment information to the competent department for commerce concerned through the enterprise registration system and the enterprise credit information publicity system, and a security review system under which the security review shall be conducted for foreign investment affecting or likely affecting the state security.

Furthermore, the Foreign Investment Law provides that foreign invested enterprises established according to the existing laws regulating foreign investment may maintain their structure and corporate governance within five years after the implementing of the Foreign Investment Law.

In addition, the Foreign Investment Law also provides several protective rules and principles for foreign investors and their investments in the PRC, including, among others, that a foreign investor may freely transfer into or out of China, in Renminbi or a foreign currency, its contributions, profits, capital gains, income from disposition of assets, royalties of intellectual property rights, indemnity or compensation lawfully acquired, and income from liquidation, among others, within China; local governments shall abide by their commitments to the foreign investors; governments at all levels and their departments shall enact local normative documents concerning foreign investment in compliance with laws and regulations and shall not impair legitimate rights and interests, impose additional obligations onto FIEs, set market access restrictions and exit conditions, or intervene with the normal production and operation activities of FIEs; except for special circumstances, in which case statutory procedures shall be followed and fair and reasonable compensation shall be made in a timely manner, expropriation or requisition of the investment of foreign investors is prohibited; and mandatory technology transfer is prohibited.

Under the PRC Enterprise Income Tax Law, or the EIT Law, we may be classified as a “resident enterprise” of China, which could result in unfavorable tax consequences to us and our non-PRC shareholders.

The EIT Law and its implementing rules provide that enterprises established outside of China whose “de facto management bodies” are located in China are considered “resident enterprises” under PRC tax laws. The implementing rules promulgated under the EIT Law define the term “de facto management bodies” as a management body which substantially manages, or has control over the business, personnel, finance and assets of an enterprise. In April 2009, the State Administration of Taxation, or SAT, issued the Circular on Issues Concerning the Identification of Chinese-Controlled Overseas Registered Enterprises as Resident Enterprises in Accordance With the Actual Standards of Organizational Management, known as Circular 82, which has provided certain specific criteria for determining whether the “de facto management bodies” of a PRC-controlled enterprise that is incorporated offshore is located in China. However, there are no further detailed rules or precedents governing the procedures and specific criteria for determining “de facto management body.” Although our board of directors and management are located in Hong Kong, it is unclear if the PRC tax authorities will determine that we should be classified as a PRC “resident enterprise.”

42

If we are deemed as a PRC “resident enterprise,” we will be subject to PRC enterprise income tax on our worldwide income at a uniform tax rate of 25%, although dividends distributed to us from our existing PRC subsidiary and any other PRC subsidiaries which we may establish from time to time could be exempt from the PRC dividend withholding tax due to our PRC “resident recipient” status. This could have a material and adverse effect on our overall effective tax rate, our income tax expenses and our net income. Furthermore, dividends, if any, paid to our shareholders may be decreased as a result of the decrease in distributable profits. In addition, if we were considered a PRC “resident enterprise”, any dividends we pay to our non-PRC investors, and the gains realized from the transfer of our common stock may be considered income derived from sources within the PRC and be subject to PRC tax, at a rate of 10% in the case of non-PRC enterprises or 20% in the case of non-PRC individuals (in each case, subject to the provisions of any applicable tax treaty). It is unclear whether holders of our common stock would be able to claim the benefits of any tax treaties between their country of tax residence and the PRC in the event that we are treated as a PRC resident enterprise. This could have a material and adverse effect on the value of your investment in us and the price of our common stock.

PRC regulation of loans to and direct investment by offshore holding companies in PRC entities may delay or prevent us from making loans or additional capital contributions to our PRC operating companies, which could materially and adversely affect our liquidity and ability to fund and expand our business.

As an offshore holding company of PRC operating companies, we may make loans or additional capital contributions to our PRC operating companies. Any loans to our PRC operating companies are subject to PRC regulations. For example, loans to our operating companies in China to finance their activities may not exceed statutory limits and must be registered with SAFE. If we decide to make capital contributions to our operating entities in the PRC, the PRC Ministry of Commerce, or MOFCOM, (or MOFCOM’s local counterpart, depending on the amount involved) may need to approve these capital contributions. We cannot assure you that we will be able to obtain these government approvals on a timely basis, if at all, with respect to any such capital contributions. If we fail to receive such approvals, our ability to capitalize our PRC operations may be negatively affected, which could adversely affect our ability to fund and expand our business.

We may face PRC regulatory risks relating to our equity incentive plan.

On March 28, 2007, the SAFE promulgated a notice requiring PRC individuals who are granted stock options and other types of stock-based awards by an overseas publicly-listed company to obtain approval from the local SAFE branch through an agent of the overseas publicly-listed company (generally its PRC subsidiary or a financial institution).

We urged our PRC management personnel, directors, employees and consultants who were granted stock options under our Incentive Plan to register them with the local SAFE pursuant to the said regulation. However, we cannot ensure that each of these individuals have carried out all of the required registration procedures.

If we, or any of these persons, fail to comply with the relevant rules or requirements, we may be subject to penalties, and may become subject to more stringent review and approval processes with respect to our foreign exchange activities, such as our PRC subsidiaries’ dividend payment to us or borrowing foreign currency loans, all of which may adversely affect our business and financial condition.

Uncertainties with respect to the PRC legal system could adversely affect us and we may have limited legal recourse under PRC law if disputes arise under our contracts with third parties.

Since 1979, PRC legislation and regulations have significantly enhanced the protections afforded to various forms of foreign investments in China. However, China has not developed a fully integrated legal system and recently enacted laws and regulations may not sufficiently cover all aspects of economic activities in China in particular, because these laws and regulations are relatively new, and because of the limited volume of published decisions and their non-binding nature, the interpretation and enforcement of these laws and regulations involve uncertainties. In addition, the PRC legal system is based in part on government policies and internal rules (some of which are not published on a timely basis or at all) that may have a retroactive effect. As a result, we may not be aware of our violation of these policies and rules until some time after violation.

43

The Chinese government has enacted some laws and regulations dealing with matters such as corporate organization and governance, foreign investment, commerce, taxation and trade. However, their experience in implementing, interpreting and enforcing these laws and regulations is limited, and our ability to enforce commercial claims or to resolve commercial disputes is unpredictable. The resolution of these matters may be subject to the exercise of considerable discretion by agencies of the Chinese government, and forces unrelated to the legal merits of a particular matter or dispute may influence their determination. Any rights we may have to specific performance, or to seek an injunction under PRC law, in either of these cases, are severely limited, and without a means of recourse by virtue of the Chinese legal system, we may be unable to prevent others from violating our rights. The occurrence of any such events could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We may have difficulty maintaining adequate management, legal and financial controls in the PRC.

The PRC historically has been deficient in western style management and financial reporting concepts and practices, as well as in modern banking, and other control systems. We may have difficulty in hiring and retaining a sufficient number of qualified employees to work in the PRC. As a result of these factors, and especially since we are a publicly listed company in the U.S. and subject to regulation as such, we may experience difficulty in maintaining management, legal and financial controls, collecting financial data and preparing financial statements, books of account and corporate records and instituting business practices that meet western standards. We may have difficulty establishing adequate management, legal and financial controls in the PRC. Therefore, we may, in turn, experience difficulties in implementing and maintaining adequate internal controls as required under Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, or SOX 404, and other applicable laws, rules and regulations. This may result in significant deficiencies or material weaknesses in our internal controls which could impact the reliability of our financial statements and prevent us from complying with SEC rules and regulations and the requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Any such deficiencies, weaknesses or lack of compliance could have a materially adverse effect on our business and the market price of our stock.

If we fail to maintain an effective system of internal control over financial reporting, our ability to accurately and timely report our financial results or prevent fraud may be adversely affected and investor confidence and the market price of our common stock may be adversely impacted.

As directed by SOX 404, the SEC adopted rules requiring public companies to include a report of management on the company’s internal controls over financial reporting in their annual reports. Our management may conclude that our internal controls over our financial reporting are not effective, which could result in an adverse reaction in the financial marketplace due to a loss of investor confidence in the reliability of our reporting processes, which could adversely impact the market price of our common stock.

Your ability to bring an action against us or against our directors and officers, or to enforce a judgment against us or them, will be limited because we conduct substantially all of our operations in the PRC and because the majority of our directors and officers reside outside of the United States.

We are a Nevada corporation but nearly all of our assets are located outside of the U.S. Most of our current operations are conducted in the PRC. In addition, most of our directors and officers are nationals and residents of the PRC. A substantial portion of the assets of these persons is located outside the U.S. As a result, it may be difficult for you to effect service of process within the U.S. upon these persons. It may also be difficult for you to enforce in U.S. courts judgments on the civil liability provisions of the U.S. federal securities laws against us and our officers and directors. In addition, there is uncertainty as to whether the courts of the PRC would recognize or enforce judgments of U.S. courts. The recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments are provided for under the PRC Civil Procedures Law. Courts in the PRC may recognize and enforce foreign judgments in accordance with the requirements of the PRC Civil Procedures Law based on treaties between the PRC and the country where the judgment is made or on reciprocity between jurisdictions. The PRC does not have any treaties or other arrangements that provide for the reciprocal recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments with the U.S In addition, according to the PRC Civil Procedures Law, courts in the PRC will not enforce a foreign judgment against us or our directors and officers if they decide that the judgment violates basic principles of PRC law or national sovereignty, security or the public interest. So it is uncertain whether a PRC court would enforce a judgment rendered by a court in the U.S.

44

A failure by our stockholders or beneficial owners who are PRC residents to comply with certain PRC foreign exchange regulations could restrict our ability to distribute profits, restrict our overseas and cross-border investment activities or subject us to liability under PRC laws, which could adversely affect our business and financial condition.

On October 21, 2005, SAFE issued the Notice on Relevant Issues Concerning Foreign Exchange Administration for PRC Residents Engaging in Financing and Roundtrip Investments via Offshore Special Purpose Vehicles, or SAFE Circular 75. SAFE Circular 75 states that PRC residents (including both legal persons and natural persons) must register with SAFE or its local branch in connection with their establishment or control of an offshore entity established for the purpose of overseas equity financing involving a roundtrip investment whereby the offshore entity acquires or controls onshore assets or equity interests held by the PRC residents. In addition, such PRC residents must update their SAFE registrations when the offshore SPV undergoes material events relating to increases or decreases in investment amount, transfers or exchanges of shares, mergers or divisions, long-term equity or debt investments, external guarantees, or other material events that do not involve roundtrip investments. To further clarify the implementation of SAFE Circular 75, the General Affairs Department of SAFE issued SAFE Circular 106 on May 29, 2007. Under SAFE Circular 106, PRC subsidiaries of an offshore company governed by SAFE Circular 75 are required to coordinate and supervise the filing of SAFE registrations in a timely manner by the offshore holding company’s shareholders who are PRC residents. If these shareholders fail to comply, the PRC subsidiaries are required to report to the local SAFE authorities. If our shareholders who are PRC residents do not complete their registration with the local SAFE authorities, our PRC subsidiaries will be prohibited from distributing their profits and proceeds from any reduction in capital, share transfer or liquidation to us, and we may be restricted in our ability to contribute additional capital to our PRC subsidiaries.

On July 14, 2014, SAFE promulgated the Circular Relating to Foreign Exchange Administration of Offshore Investment, Financing and Return Investment by Domestic Residents Utilizing Special Purpose Vehicles (Circular 37). Replacing an earlier circular published by SAFE in 2005 (Circular 75), Circular 37 further simplifies the registration process for Chinese residents seeking the round- trip investment transactions where Chinese companies (Domestic Entities) are re-organized to create an offshore holding company (the SPV) that will control the Domestic Entities and seek offshore financing. Also, for the first time overseas investments by Chinese individuals are formally legalized under Circular 37.

We are committed to complying, and to ensuring that our shareholders, who are PRC residents, comply with the SAFE Circular 37 requirements. We believe that all of our PRC resident shareholders and beneficial owners have completed their required registrations with SAFE, or are otherwise in the process of registering. However, we may not at all times be fully aware or informed of the identities of all our beneficial owners who are PRC residents, and we may not always be able to compel our beneficial owners to comply with the SAFE Circular 37 requirements. As a result, we cannot assure you that all of our shareholders or beneficial owners who are PRC residents will at all times comply with, or in the future make or obtain any applicable registrations or approvals required by, SAFE Circular 37 or other related regulations. Failure by any such shareholders or beneficial owners to comply with SAFE Circular 37 could subject us to fines or legal sanctions, restrict our overseas or cross-border investment activities, limit our subsidiaries’ ability to make distributions or pay dividends or affect our ownership structure, which could adversely affect our business and prospects.

Our labor costs may increase due to the implementation of the new PRC Labor Contract Law.

The PRC Labor Contract Law was adopted by the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of PRC in June 2007 and became effective on January 1, 2008. The Implementation Rules of the PRC Labor Contract Law were passed by the PRC State Council in September 2008 and became effective that same month. The implementation of the new law and its Implementation Rules, particularly the following provisions, may increase our labor costs: (a) an employer shall make monetary compensation, which shall be based on the number of an employee’s working years with the employer at the rate of one month’s wage for each year, to the employee upon termination of an employment contract with certain exceptions (for example, in circumstances where the term of a fixed-term employment contract expires and the employee does not agree to renew the contract even though the conditions offered by the employer are the same as or better than those stipulated in the current contract); (b) the wages of an employee who is on probation may not be less than the lowest wage level for the same job with the employer or less than 80% of the wage agreed upon in the employment contract, and may not be less than the local minimum wage rate; (c) if an employee has been working for the employer for a consecutive period of not less than 10 years, or if a fixed-term employment contract with an employee was entered into on two consecutive occasions, generally the employer should enter into an open-ended employment contract with such employee, unless the employee requests a fixed-term employment contract; (d) if an employer fails, in violation of the related provisions, to enter into an open-ended employment contract with an employee, it shall in each month pay to the employee twice his/her wage, starting from the date on which an open-ended employment contract should have been entered into; (e) if an employer fails to enter into a written employment contract with an employee more than one month but less than one year after the date on which it started employing him/her, it shall in each month pay to the employee twice his/her wage; and (f) if an employer hires an employee whose employment contract with another employer has not yet been terminated or ended, causing the other employer to suffer a loss, the later hiring employer shall be jointly and severally liable with the employee for the compensation for such loss. Our labor costs may increase due to the implementation of the new PRC Labor Contract Law and the Implementation Rules of the PRC Labor Contract Law and our business and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected.

45

The Opinions recently issued by the General Office of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the General Office of the State Council may subject us to additional compliance requirement in the future.

July 2021, the General Office of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the General Office of the State Council jointly issued the Opinions. The Opinions emphasized the need to strengthen the administration over illegal securities activities and the supervision on overseas listings by China-based companies. These opinions proposed to take effective measures, such as promoting the construction of relevant regulatory systems, to deal with the risks and incidents facing China-based overseas-listed companies and the demand for cybersecurity and data privacy protection. The aforementioned policies and any related implementation rules to be enacted may subject us to additional compliance requirement in the future. As the Opinions were recently issued, official guidance and interpretation of the Opinions remain unclear in several respects at this time. Therefore, we cannot assure you that we will remain fully compliant with all new regulatory requirements of the Opinions or any future implementation rules on a timely basis, or at all.

The recent joint statement by the SEC and PCAOB, proposed rule changes submitted by Nasdaq, and the Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act all call for additional and more stringent criteria to be applied to emerging market companies upon assessing the qualification of their auditors, especially the non-U.S. auditors who are not inspected by the PCAOB. These developments could add uncertainties to our offering.

On April 21, 2020, SEC Chairman Jay Clayton and PCAOB Chairman William D. Duhnke III, along with other senior SEC staff, released a joint statement highlighting the risks associated with investing in companies based in or have substantial operations in emerging markets including China. The joint statement emphasized the risks associated with lack of access for the PCAOB to inspect auditors and audit work papers in China and higher risks of fraud in emerging markets.

On May 18, 2020, Nasdaq filed three proposals with the SEC to (i) apply minimum offering size requirement for companies primarily operating in “Restrictive Market”, (ii) adopt a new requirement relating to the qualification of management or board of director for Restrictive Market companies, and (iii) apply additional and more stringent criteria to an applicant or listed company based on the qualifications of the company’s auditors.

On May 20, 2020, the U.S. Senate passed the HFCAA requiring a foreign company to certify it is not owned or controlled by a foreign government if the PCAOB is unable to audit specified reports because the company uses a foreign auditor not subject to PCAOB inspection. If the PCAOB is unable to inspect the Company’s auditors for three consecutive years, the issuer’s securities are prohibited to trade on a U.S. stock exchange. On December 2, 2020, the U.S. House of Representatives approved the HFCAA. On December 18, 2020, the HFCAA was signed into law.

On March 24, 2021, the SEC announced that it had adopted interim final amendments to implement congressionally mandated submission and disclosure requirements of the Act. The interim final amendments will apply to registrants that the SEC identifies as having filed an annual report on Forms 10-K, 20-F, 40-F or N-CSR with an audit report issued by a registered public accounting firm that is located in a foreign jurisdiction and that the PCAOB has determined it is unable to inspect or investigate completely because of a position taken by an authority in that jurisdiction. The SEC will implement a process for identifying such a registrant and any such identified registrant will be required to submit documentation to the SEC establishing that it is not owned or controlled by a governmental entity in that foreign jurisdiction, and will also require disclosure in the registrant’s annual report regarding the audit arrangements of, and governmental influence on, such a registrant.

46

On June 22, 2021, the U.S Senate passed the Accelerating Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act, which was signed into law on December 29, 2022, amending the HFCAA and requiring the SEC to prohibit an issuer’s securities from trading on any U.S. stock exchange if its auditor is not subject to PCAOB inspections for two consecutive years instead of three consecutive years. 

On September 22, 2021, the PCAOB adopted a final rule implementing the HFCAA, which provides a framework for the PCAOB to use when determining, as contemplated under the HFCAA, whether the PCAOB is unable to inspect or investigate completely registered public accounting firms located in a foreign jurisdiction because of a position taken by one or more authorities in that jurisdiction.

On December 2, 2021, the SEC issued amendments to finalize rules implementing the submission and disclosure requirements in the HFCAA. The rules apply to registrants that the SEC identifies as having filed an annual report with an audit report issued by a registered public accounting firm that is located in a foreign jurisdiction and that PCAOB is unable to inspect or investigate completely because of a position taken by an authority in foreign jurisdictions.

On December 16, 2021, SEC announced the PCAOB designated China and Hong Kong as the jurisdictions where the PCAOB was not allowed to conduct full and complete audit inspections as mandated under the HFCAA. The Company’s auditor, Kreit & Chiu, is based in New York, New York, and therefore is not affected by this mandate by the PCAOB.

On August 26, 2022, the PCAOB announced it signed a Statement of Protocol (the “Statement of Protocol”) with the CSRC and the Ministry of Finance of China. The terms of the Statement of Protocol granted the PCAOB complete access to audit work papers and other information so that it may inspect and investigate PCAOB-registered accounting firms headquartered in China and Hong Kong.

On December 15, 2022, the PCAOB announced it was able to secure complete access to inspect and investigate PCAOB-registered public accounting firms headquartered in mainland China and Hong Kong completely in 2022. The PCAOB Board vacated its previous 2021 determinations that the PCAOB was unable to inspect or investigate completely registered public accounting firms headquartered in mainland China and Hong Kong. However, whether the PCAOB will continue to be able to satisfactorily conduct inspections of PCAOB-registered public accounting firms headquartered in mainland China and Hong Kong is subject to uncertainties and depends on a number of factors out of our and our auditor’s control. The PCAOB continues to demand complete access in mainland China and Hong Kong moving forward and is making plans to resume regular inspections in early 2023 and beyond, as well as to continue pursuing ongoing investigations and initiate new investigations as needed. The PCAOB has also indicated that it will act immediately to consider the need to issue new determinations with the HFCAA if needed.

The lack of access to the PCAOB inspection in China prevents the PCAOB from fully evaluating audits and quality control procedures of the auditors based in China. As a result, the investors may be deprived of the benefits of such PCAOB inspections. The inability of the PCAOB to conduct inspections of auditors in China makes it more difficult to evaluate the effectiveness of these accounting firms’ audit procedures or quality control procedures as compared to auditors outside of China that are subject to the PCAOB inspections, which could cause existing and potential investors in our stock to lose confidence in our audit procedures and reported financial information and the quality of our financial statements.

Kreit & Chiu, the independent registered public accounting firm that issued the audit report for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 included elsewhere in this annual report. As an auditor of companies traded publicly in the U.S. and a firm registered with the PCAOB, is subject to laws in the U.S. pursuant to which the PCAOB conducts regular inspections to assess such auditor’s compliance with the applicable professional standards. Kreit & Chiu is headquartered in New York, New York, and is subject to inspection by the PCAOB on a regular basis. Enrome LLP, our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, is based in Singapore and is registered with PCAOB and subject to PCAOB inspection. Therefore, we believe neither Kreit & Chiu, our previous auditor, nor Enrome LLP, our current auditor is subject to the determinations as to the inability to inspect or investigate registered firms announced by the PCAOB on December 16, 2021.

47

However, recent developments with respect to audits of China-based companies create uncertainty about the ability of Kreit & Chiu or Enrome LLP to fully cooperate with the PCAOB’s request for audit workpapers without the approval of the Chinese authorities. We cannot assure you whether Nasdaq or regulatory authorities would apply additional and more stringent criteria to us after considering the effectiveness of our auditor’s audit procedures and quality control procedures, adequacy of personnel and training, or sufficiency of resources, geographic reach or experience as it relates to the audit of our financial statements. In the event it is later determined that the PCAOB is unable to inspect or investigate completely the Company’s auditor because of a position taken by an authority in a foreign jurisdiction, then such lack of inspection could cause trading in the Company’s securities to be prohibited under the HFCAA ultimately result in a determination by a securities exchange to delist the Company’s securities. It remains unclear what the SEC’s implementation process related to the above rules will entail or what further actions the SEC, the PCAOB or Nasdaq will take to address these issues and what impact those actions will have on U.S. companies that have significant operations in the PRC and have securities listed on a U.S. stock exchange. In addition, the above amendments and any additional actions, proceedings, or new rules resulting from these efforts to increase U.S. regulatory access to audit information could create some uncertainty for investors, the market price of our common stock could be adversely affected, and we could be delisted if we and our auditor are unable to meet the PCAOB inspection requirement or being required to engage a new audit firm, which would require significant expense and management time.

Risks Related to our Common Stock

The market price for our common stock may be volatile.

Our common stock may be subject to extreme volatility that is seemingly unrelated to the underlying performance of our business. In particular, our common stock may be subject to rapid and substantial price volatility, low volumes of trades and large spreads in bid and ask prices, given that we will have relatively small public floats after this offering. Such volatility, including any stock-run up, may be unrelated to our actual or expected operating performance, financial condition or prospects. The market price for our common stock is highly volatile and subject to wide fluctuations in response to factors including the following:

● actual or anticipated fluctuations in our quarterly operating results;

● announcements of new services by us or our competitors;

● announcements by our competitors of significant acquisitions, strategic partnerships, joint ventures or capital commitments;

● changes in financial estimates by securities analysts;

● conditions in the energy recycling market;

● changes in the economic performance or market valuations of other companies involved in the same industry;

● changes in accounting standards, policies, guidance, interpretation or principles;

● loss of external funding sources;

● failure to maintain compliance with Nasdaq listing rules;

● additions or departures of key personnel;

● potential litigation;

● conditions in the market; or

● relatively small size of shares of our common stock available for purchase.

48

In addition, the securities markets from time to time experience significant price and volume fluctuations that are not related to the operating performance of particular companies. These market fluctuations may also materially and adversely affect the market price of our common stock. Holders of our common stock may also not be able to readily liquidate their investment or may be forced to sell at depressed prices due to low volume trading. Broad market fluctuations and general economic and political conditions may also adversely affect the market price of our common stock. As a result of this volatility, investors may experience losses on their investment in our common stock. Furthermore, the potential extreme volatility may confuse the public investors of the value of our stock, distort the market perception of our stock price and our company’s financial performance and public image, negatively affect the long-term liquidity of our common stock, regardless of our actual or expected operating performance. If we encounter such volatility, including any rapid stock price increases and declines seemingly unrelated to our actual or expected operating performance and financial condition or prospects, it will likely make it difficult and confusing for prospective investors to assess the rapidly changing value of our common stock and understand the value thereof.

Shareholders could experience substantial dilution.

We may issue additional shares of our capital stock to raise additional cash for working capital. If we issue additional shares of our capital stock, our shareholders will experience dilution in their respective percentage ownership in the company.

We have no present intention to pay dividends.

We have not paid dividends or made other cash distributions on our common stock during any of the past three years, and we do not expect to declare or pay any dividends in the foreseeable future. We intend to retain any future earnings for working capital and to finance current operations and expansion of our business.

A large portion of our common stock is controlled by a small number of shareholders.

A large portion of our common stock is held by a small number of shareholders. As a result, these shareholders are able to influence the outcome of shareholder votes on various matters, including the election of directors and extraordinary corporate transactions including business combinations. In addition, the occurrence of sales of a large number of shares of our common stock, or the perception that these sales could occur, may affect our stock price and could impair our ability to obtain capital through an offering of equity securities. Furthermore, the current ratios of ownership of our common stock reduce the public float and liquidity of our common stock which can in turn affect the market price of our common stock.

We may be unable to maintain compliance with Nasdaq Marketplace Rules which could cause our common stock to be delisted from the Nasdaq Capital Market. This could result in the lack of a market for our common stock, cause a decrease in the value of our common stock, and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Under the Nasdaq Marketplace Rules our common stock must maintain a minimum price of $1.00 per share for continued inclusion on the Nasdaq Capital Market. The per share price of our common stock has fluctuated significantly. We cannot guarantee that our stock price will remain at or above $1.00 per share and if the price again drops below $1.00 per share, the stock could become subject to delisting. If our common stock is delisted, trading of the stock will most likely take place on an over-the-counter market established for unlisted securities. An investor is likely to find it less convenient to sell, or to obtain accurate quotations in seeking to buy, our common stock on an over-the-counter market, and many investors may not buy or sell our common stock due to difficulty in accessing over-the-counter markets, or due to policies preventing them from trading in securities not listed on a national exchange or other reasons. For these reasons and others, delisting would adversely affect the liquidity, trading volume and price of our common stock, causing the value of an investment in us to decrease and having an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations by limiting our ability to attract and retain qualified executives and employees and limiting our ability to raise capital.

Previously, we received letters from the Listing Qualifications Department of The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (“Nasdaq”) indicating that, because the Company has not yet filed its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021 and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Qs for the periods ended March 31, 2022 and June 30, 2022, the Company does not comply with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5250(c)(1) for continued listing. The Company had until October 12, 2022 to file all delinquent filings and regain compliance. On October 12, 2022, the Company received a notice of delinquency compliance from Nasdaq indicating that, based on the filings of its Form 10-Qs for the periods ended March 31, 2022 and June 30, 2022 on October 11, 2022, Nasdaq determined the Company complied with the Rule. 

49

On May 23, 2023, we received a letter from the Listing Qualifications Department of The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (“Nasdaq”) indicating that, because the Company has not yet filed its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2023 (the “Form 10-Q”), the Company does not comply with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5250(c)(1) for continued listing. The Company had until July 24, 2023 to cure the deficiency or to submit a plan to regain compliance. On June 21, 2023, the Company filed its quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2023. Accordingly, Nasdaq determined the Company complies with the Listing Rule and closed the matter.

ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

Not applicable.

ITEM 1C. CYBERSECURITY

Information technology systems, including our website, email system, and various other online processes and functions, are critical to our business and operations. The Company faces risks associated with cybersecurity, including operational interruptions, financial losses, personal information leakage and non-compliance risks.

We employed email correspondence anti-leakage software and firewall system to our website. In 2023, we did not identify any cybersecurity events that have materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect our business, results of operations, or financial condition. However, despite our efforts, we cannot eliminate all risks from cybersecurity threats, or provide assurances that we have not experienced undetected cybersecurity incidents. 

We will leverage internal and external resources to support our cyber risk management efforts, such as vulnerability assessments, and employee cybersecurity awareness training. We will engage the services of external information security service providers to help support our information technology environment, assist with security monitoring, and help us draft and implement information security policies when necessary and/or appropriate. Further, we will utilize third parties to help us monitor issues that are internally discovered or externally reported that may materially affect our website and email systems, and we have processes to assess the potential cybersecurity impact or risk of these issues.

ITEM 2. PROPERTIES

We currently lease one office space in Xi’an, which is located at 4/F, Block C, Rong Cheng Yun Gu Building, Keji 3rd Road, Xi’an, PRC. The average monthly rent for our office locations was $5,146 in 2023 and $5,669 in 2022.

ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS 

From time to time, we may be subject to legal proceedings and claims in the ordinary course of business. We are not currently a party to any material legal proceedings, and to our knowledge none is threatened. There can be no assurance that future legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business or otherwise will not have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

In November 2019, Beijing Hongyuan Recycling Energy Investment Center, or Hongyuan, filed a lawsuit with the Beijing Intermediate People’s Court against Xi’an TCH to compel Xi’an TCH to repurchase certain stocks pursuant to a stock repurchase option agreement. On April 9, 2021, the court rendered a judgment in favor of Hongyuan. Xi ‘an TCH filed a motion for retrial to High People’s Court of Beijing on April 13, 2022, on the basis that Xi’an TCH has already paid RMB 267 million to Hongyuan as an out-of-court settlement. On August 10, 2022, Beijing No.1 Intermediate People’s Court of Beijing issued a Certificate of Active Performance, proving that Xi’an Zhonghong New Energy Technology Co., Ltd. had fulfilled its buyback obligations. As the date of this annual report, Beijing No.1 Intermediate People’s Court of Beijing has entered the judgment enforcement procedure. There is a difference between the amount executed by the Court and the debt admitted by Xi’an TCH. Such difference is due to the valid judgement amount should be carried on until its revoked. Thus Xi’an TCH should pay judgment enforcement fees, late fees and other fees, RMB 14,204,317.3 in total.

On April 9, 2021, Xi’an TCH, Xi’an Zhonghong, Guohua Ku, Chonggong Bai and HYREF entered a Termination of Fulfillment Agreement (termination agreement). Under the termination agreement, the original buyback agreement entered on December 19, 2019 was terminated upon signing of the termination agreement. HYREF will not execute the buy-back option and will not ask for any additional payment from the buyers other than keeping the CDQ WHPG station.

On June 28, 2021, Beijing No.4 Intermediate People’s Court of Beijing entered into a judgement that Xi’an Zhonghong Technology Co., Ltd. should pay the loan principal of RMB 77 million with loan interest of RMB 2,418,230 to Beijiang Hongyuan Recycling Energy Investment Center (Limited Partnership). In the end of 2022, Beijing No.4 Intermediate People’s Court of Beijing entered into the judgment enforcement procedure, which, in addition to the loan principal with interest amount, Xi’an Zhonghong Technology Co., Ltd. was to pay judgment enforcement fee, late fee and other fees of RMB 80,288,184 in total.

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

Not applicable.

50

PART II

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR COMMON EQUITY, RELATED SHAREHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES.

Our common stock is currently traded on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “CREG.” On April 10, 2024, the last reported sales price for our common stock was $1.33 per share, and there were 8,128,525 shares of our common stock outstanding, held by approximately 2,726 shareholders of record. 

Dividend Policy

We did not pay any cash dividends on our common stock in 2023. We do not anticipate paying any cash dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future. We currently intend to retain future earnings, if any, to finance operations and the expansion of our business.

Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities

As of December 31, 2023, there are no recent sales of unregistered securities. Certain information previously disclosed in prior quarterly reports on Form 10-Q or in current reports on Form 8-K we filed has not been furnished in this annual report.

Shares Issued for Stock Compensation 

None.

Equity Compensation Plan Information 

2015 Plan

In June of 2015, the stockholders of the Company approved the China Recycling Energy Corporation Omnibus Equity Plan (the “2015 Equity Plan”) at its annual meeting. The total shares of common stock authorized for issuance during the term of the 2015 Equity Plan is 124,6,26 shares of the Company’s authorized shares of common stock, as adjusted for the Reverse Stock Split, effected on April 13, 2020. The 2015 Equity Plan will terminate on the earliest to occur of (i) the 10th anniversary of the Equity Plan’s effective date, or (ii) the date on which all shares available for issuance under the Equity Plan shall have been issued as fully-vested shares.

ITEM 6. [RESERVED].

Not applicable.

51

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

This report on Form 10-K and other reports filed by the Company from time to time with the SEC (collectively the “Filings”) contain or may contain forward-looking statements and information that are based upon beliefs of, and information currently available to, Company’s management as well as estimates and assumptions made by Company’s management. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which are only predictions and speak only as of the date hereof. When used in the filings, the words “may”, “will”, “should”, “would”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “estimate”, “expect”, “future”, “intend”, “plan”, or the negative of these terms and similar expressions as they relate to Company or Company’s management identify forward-looking statements. Such statements reflect the current view of Company with respect to future events and are subject to risks, uncertainties, assumptions, and other factors (including the statements in the section “results of operations” below), and any businesses that Company may acquire. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should the underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may differ significantly from those anticipated, believed, estimated, expected, intended, or planned.

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

Our financial statements are prepared in US Dollars and in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. See “Foreign Currency Translation and Comprehensive Income (Loss)” below for information concerning the exchange rates at which Renminbi (“RMB”) were translated into US Dollars (“USD”) at various pertinent dates and for pertinent periods.

OVERVIEW

The Company was incorporated on May 8, 1980 as Boulder Brewing Company under the laws of the State of Colorado. On September 6, 2001, the Company changed its state of incorporation to the State of Nevada. In 2004, the Company changed its name from Boulder Brewing Company to China Digital Wireless, Inc. and on March 8, 2007, again changed its name from China Digital Wireless, Inc. to its current name, China Recycling Energy Corporation. On March 3, 2022, the Company changed its name to Smart Powerr Corp. The Company, through its subsidiaries, provides energy saving solutions and services, including selling and leasing energy saving systems and equipment to customers, project investment, investment management, economic information consulting, technical services, financial leasing, purchase of financial leasing assets, disposal and repair of financial leasing assets, consulting and ensuring of financial leasing transactions in the Peoples Republic of China (“PRC”). 

The Company is in the process of transforming and expanding into an energy storage integrated solution provider business. We plan to pursue disciplined and targeted expansion strategies for market areas we currently do not serve. We actively seek and explore opportunities to apply energy storage technologies to new industries or segments with high growth potential, including industrial and commercial complexes, large scale photovoltaic (“PV”) and wind power stations, remote islands without electricity, and cities with multi-energy supplies.

For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company had a net loss of $746,786 and $4,457,327, respectively. The Company had an accumulated deficit of $60.50 million as of December 31, 2023. The Company disposed all of its systems and currently holds five power generating systems through Erdos TCH, the five power generating systems are currently not producing any electricity. The Company is in the process of transforming and expanding into an energy storage integrated solution provider business. The Company plans to pursue disciplined and targeted expansion strategies for market areas the Company currently does not serve. The Company actively seeks and explores opportunities to apply energy storage technologies to new industries or segments with high growth potential, including industrial and commercial complexes, large scale photovoltaic (PV) and wind power stations, remote islands without electricity, and smart energy cities with multi-energy supplies.  The Company’s cash flow forecast indicates it will have sufficient cash to fund its operations for the next 12 months from the date of issuance of these CFS.

Management also intends to raise additional funds by way of a private or public offering, or by obtaining loans from banks or others. While the Company believes in the viability of its strategy to generate sufficient revenue and in its ability to raise additional funds on reasonable terms and conditions, there can be no assurances to that effect. The ability of the Company to continue as a going concern depends upon the Company’s ability to further implement its business plan and generate sufficient revenue and its ability to raise additional funds by way of a public or private offering, or debt financing including bank loans.

52

Our Subsidiaries and Projects

Our business is primarily conducted through our wholly-owned subsidiaries, Yinghua and Sifang, Sifang’s wholly-owned subsidiaries, Huahong and Shanghai TCH, Shanghai TCH’s wholly-owned subsidiaries, Xi’an TCH, Xi’an TCH’s wholly-owned subsidiary Erdos TCH and Xi’an TCH’s 90% owned and Shanghai TCH’s 10% owned subsidiary Xi’an Zhonghong New Energy Technology Co., Ltd., and Zhongxun. Shanghai TCH was established as a foreign investment enterprise in Shanghai under the laws of the PRC on May 25, 2004, and currently has registered capital of $29.80 million. Xi’an TCH was incorporated in Xi’an, Shaanxi Province under the laws of the PRC in November 2007. Erdos TCH was incorporated in April 2009. Huahong was incorporated in February 2009. Xi’an Zhonghong New Energy Technology Co., Ltd. was incorporated in July 2013. Xi’an TCH owns 90% and Shanghai TCH owns 10% of Zhonghong. Zhonghong provides energy saving solutions and services, including constructing, selling and leasing energy saving systems and equipment to customers.

Zhongxun was incorporated in March 2014 and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Xi’an TCH.  Zhongxun will be mainly engaged in project investment, investment management, economic information consulting, and technical services. Zhongxun has not yet commenced operations nor has any capital contribution been made as of the date of this report. 

Yinghua was incorporated on February 11, 2015 by the U.S. parent company. Yinghua will be mainly engaged in financial leasing, purchase of financial leasing assets, disposal and repair of financial leasing assets, consulting and ensuring of financial leasing transactions, and related factoring business. Yinghua has not yet commenced operations nor has any capital contribution been made as of the date of this report. 

The Company’s organizational chart as of December 31, 2023 is as follows:

53

Erdos TCH – Joint Venture

On April 14, 2009, the Company formed a joint venture (the “JV”) with Erdos Metallurgy Co., Ltd. (“Erdos”) to recycle waste heat from Erdos’ metal refining plants to generate power and steam to be sold back to Erdos. The name of the JV was Inner Mongolia Erdos TCH Energy Saving Development Co., Ltd. (“Erdos TCH”) with a term of 20 years. Erdos contributed 7% of the total investment of the project, and Xi’an TCH Energy Technology Co., Ltd. (“Xi’an TCH”) contributed 93%. On June 15, 2013, Xi’an TCH and Erdos entered into a share transfer agreement, pursuant to which Erdos sold its 7% ownership interest in the JV to Xi’an TCH for $1.29 million (RMB 8 million), plus certain accumulated profits. Xi’an TCH paid $1.29 million in July 2013 and, as a result, became the sole stockholder of the JV. Erdos TCH currently has two power generation systems in Phase I with a total of 18 MW power capacity, and three power generation systems in Phase II with a total of 27 MW power capacity. On April 28, 2016, Erdos TCH and Erdos entered into a supplemental agreement, effective May 1, 2016, whereby Erdos TCH cancelled monthly minimum lease payments from Erdos, and started to charge Erdos based on actual electricity sold at RMB 0.30 / KWH. The selling price of each KWH is determined annually based on prevailing market conditions. In May 2019, Erdos TCH ceased its operations due to renovations and furnace safety upgrades of Erdos, and the Company initially expected the resumption of operations in July 2020, but the resumption of operations was further delayed due to government’s mandate for Erdos to significantly lower its energy consumption per unit of GDP by implementing a comprehensive technical upgrade of its ferrosilicon production line to meet the City’s energy-saving targets.  Erdos is currently researching the technical rectification scheme. Once the scheme is determined, Erdos TCH will carry out supporting technical transformation for its waste heat power station project. During this period, Erdos will compensate Erdos TCH RMB 1 million ($145,460) per month, until operations resume. The Company has not recognized any income due to the uncertainty of collection. 

In addition, Erdos TCH has 30% ownership in DaTangShiDai (BinZhou) Energy Savings Technology Co., Ltd. (“BinZhou Energy Savings”), 30% ownership in DaTangShiDai DaTong Recycling Energy Technology Co., Ltd. (“DaTong Recycling Energy”), and 40% ownership in DaTang ShiDai TianYu XuZhou Recycling Energy Technology Co, Ltd. (“TianYu XuZhou Recycling Energy”). These companies were incorporated in 2012 but have not had any operations since then nor has any registered capital contribution been made.  

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES

Our management’s discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based on our consolidated financial statements (“CFS”), which were prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“US GAAP”). The preparation of these CFS requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements as well as the reported net sales and expenses during the reporting periods. On an ongoing basis, we evaluate our estimates and assumptions. We base our estimates on historical experience and various other factors that we believe are reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying value of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

While our significant accounting policies are more fully described in Note 2 to our CFS, we believe the following accounting policies are the most critical to assist you in fully understanding and evaluating this management discussion and analysis.

Basis of Presentation

These accompanying CFS were prepared in accordance with US GAAP and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC for financial statements.

Principle of Consolidation

The CFS include the accounts of CREG and, its subsidiary, Sifang Holdings and Yinghua; Sifang Holdings’ wholly-owned subsidiaries, Huahong and Shanghai TCH; Shanghai TCH’s wholly-owned subsidiary Xi’an TCH; and Xi’an TCH’s subsidiaries, Erdos TCH, Zhonghong, and Zhongxun. Substantially all of the Company’s revenues are derived from the operations of Shanghai TCH and its subsidiaries, which represent substantially all of the Company’s consolidated assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2023. All significant inter-company accounts and transactions were eliminated in consolidation.

54

Use of Estimates

In preparing the CFS, management makes estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities in the balance sheets as well as revenues and expenses during the year reported. Actual results may differ from these estimates. 

Concentration of Credit Risk

Cash includes cash on hand and demand deposits in accounts maintained within China. Balances at financial institutions within China are not covered by insurance. The Company has not experienced any losses in such accounts. 

Certain other financial instruments, which subject the Company to concentration of credit risk, consist of accounts and other receivables. The Company does not require collateral or other security to support these receivables. The Company conducts periodic reviews of its customers’ financial condition and customer payment practices to minimize collection risk on accounts receivable.

The operations of the Company are located in the PRC. Accordingly, the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations may be influenced by the political, economic and legal environments in the PRC. 

Revenue Recognition

Sales-type Leasing and Related Revenue Recognition 

The Company follows Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 842 (See Operating lease below as relates to the Company as a lessee). The Company’s sales type lease contracts for revenue recognition fall under ASC 842.

The Company constructs and leases waste energy recycling power generating projects to its customers. The Company typically transfers ownership of the waste energy recycling power generating projects to its customers at the end of the lease.

The Company finances construction of waste energy recycling power generating projects. The sales and cost of sales are recognized at the inception of the lease, which is when the control is transferred to the lessee. The Company accounts for the transfer of control as a sales type lease in accordance with ASC 842-10-25-2. The underlying asset is derecognized, and revenue is recorded when collection of payments is probable. This is in accordance with the revenue recognition principle in ASC 606 -Revenue from contracts with customers. The investment in sales-type leases consists of the sum of the minimum lease payments receivable less unearned interest income and estimated executory cost. Minimum lease payments are part of the lease agreement between the Company (as the lessor) and the customer (as the lessee). The discount rate implicit in the lease is used to calculate the present value of minimum lease payments. The minimum lease payments consist of the gross lease payments net of executory costs and contingent rentals, if any. Unearned interest is amortized to income over the lease term to produce a constant periodic rate of return on net investment in the lease. While revenue is recognized at the inception of the lease, the cash flow from the sales-type lease occurs over the course of the lease, which results in interest income and reduction of receivables. Revenue is recognized net of value-added tax.

Contingent Rental Income

The Company records income from actual electricity generated of each project in the period the income is earned, which is when the electricity is generated. Contingent rent is not part of minimum lease payments.

Foreign Currency Translation and Comprehensive Income (Loss)

The Company’s functional currency is RMB. For financial reporting purposes, RMB figures were translated into USD as the reporting currency. Assets and liabilities are translated at the exchange rate in effect on the balance sheet date. Revenues and expenses are translated at the average rate of exchange prevailing during the reporting period. Translation adjustments arising from the use of different exchange rates from period to period are included as a component of stockholders’ equity as “Accumulated other comprehensive income.” Gains and losses from foreign currency transactions are included in income. There has been no significant fluctuation in exchange rate for the conversion of RMB to USD after the balance sheet date.

55

The Company uses “Reporting Comprehensive Income” (codified in FASB ASC Topic 220). Comprehensive income is comprised of net income and all changes to the statements of stockholders’ equity, except those due to investments by stockholders, changes in paid-in capital and distributions to stockholders.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Comparison of Results of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022

The following table sets forth the results of our operations for the periods indicated as a percentage of net sales. Certain columns may not add due to rounding.

	2023			% of Sales			2022			% of Sales
Sales	$	-			-	%	$	-			-	%
Cost of sales		-			-	%		-			-	%
Gross profit		-			-	%		-			-	%
Interest income on sales-type leases		-			-	%		-			-	%
Total operating expenses		798,473			-	%		3,880,433			-	%
Loss from operations		(798,473	)		-	%		(3,880,433	)		-	%
Total non-operating income (expenses), net		148,387			-	%		(507,242	)		-	%
Loss before income tax		(650,086	)		-	%		(4,387,675	)		-	%
Income tax expense		96,700			-	%		69,652			-	%
Net loss	$	(746,786	)		-	%	$	(4,457,327	)		-	%

SALES. Total sales for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 were $0. 

COST OF SALES. Cost of sales (“COS”) for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 were $0. 

GROSS PROFIT. Gross profit for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 were $0 with gross margin of 0%.

OPERATING EXPENSES. Operating expenses consisted of general and administrative expenses (“G&A”) totaling $798,473 for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to $3,880,433 for the year ended December 31, 2022, a decrease of $3,081,960 or 79.4%. The decrease in operating expenses was mainly due to decreased R&D expense by $850,000 and decreased litigation expense by $2,281,277, which was partly offset by increased professional service expenses by $45,806. 

NET NON-OPERATING INCOME (EXPENSES). Net non-operating expenses consisted of gain or loss on note conversion, interest income, interest expenses, and miscellaneous expenses. For the year ended December 31, 2023, net non-operating income was $148,387 compared to non-operating expenses of $507,242 for the year ended December 31, 2022. For the year ended December 31, 2023, we had $251,668 interest income, and other income of $339,251, which was offset by $435,241 interest expense on note payable and loss on note conversion of $7,291. For the year ended December 31, 2022, we had $431,489 interest income which was offset by $686,581 interest expense on note payable, loss on note conversion of $135,103, and other expenses of $117,047. 

INCOME TAX EXPENSE. Income tax expense was $96,700 for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared with $69,652 for the year ended December 31, 2022. The consolidated effective income tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 were 14.9% and 1.6%, respectively.

NET LOSS. Net loss for the year ended December 31, 2023 was $746,786 compared to $4,457,327 for the year ended December 31, 2022, a decrease of net loss of $3,710,541. This decrease in net loss was mainly due to decreased operating expenses by $3,081,960, decreased other expenses by $456,298, decreased interest expense by $251,340 and decreased loss on note conversion by $127,812, which was partly offset by decreased interest income by $179,821 as described above.

56

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Comparison of Years Ended December 31, 2023 and 2022

As of December 31, 2023, the Company had cash and equivalents of $32,370, other current assets (excluding cash and equivalents) of $136.43 million, current liabilities of $23.87 million, working capital of $112.59 million, a current ratio of 5.72:1 and a liability-to-equity ratio of 0.25:1.

The following is a summary of cash provided by or used in each of the indicated types of activities during the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022:

	2023			2022
Cash provided by (used in):
Operating Activities	$	(68,099,899	)	$	(351,880	)
Investing activities		(69,124,086	)		–
Financing activities		–			–

Net cash used in operating activities was $68,099,899 during the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to $351,880 for the year ended December 31, 2022. The increase in net cash outflow for the year ended December 31, 2023 was mainly due to increased cash outflow on advance to suppliers by $68.61 million, which was partly offset by decreased net loss and noncash adjustment to net loss totaling $3.19 million, and decreased cash inflow on accrued liabilities and other payables by $2.31 million.

On June 19, 2023, the Company entered a purchase agreement with Hubei Bangyu New Energy Technology Co., Ltd. (“Bangyu”). The total contract amount was $82.3 million (RMB 595.0 million) for purchasing the energy storage battery systems. As of December 31, 2023, the Company made a prepayment to Bangyu of $65.9 million (RMB 476.0 million). The Company is in the process of transforming and expanding into energy storage integrated solution provider business. The Company actively seeks and explores opportunities to apply energy storage technologies to new industries or segments with high growth potential, including industrial and commercial complexes, large scale photovoltaic (PV) and wind power stations, remote islands without electricity, and smart energy cities with multi-energy supplies. 

Net cash used in investing activities was $69,124,086 and $0, respectively, for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022. For the year ended December 31, 2023, investing activities mainly consisted of short-term loan receivable of $69,124,086. 

On March 31, 2023, the Company had $140,576,568 (RMB 966.0 million) short term loan to Jinan Youkai Engineering Consulting Co., Ltd (“Youkai”), an unrelated party of the Company. The short-term loan was for five days with a capital utilization fee of $43,657 (RMB 300,000) per day for total of $218,287 (RMB 1.5 million). To ensure the safety of the funds, before money was transferred to Youkai, Youkai handed over the official seal, financial seal and bank account UK to the Company for custody and management until repayment of the loan. The Company received the repayment of $140.6 million in full plus capital utilization fee on April 3, 2023.

On June 30, 2023, the Company loaned $67,120,596 (RMB 485.0 million) to Youkai again, an unrelated party of the Company. The short-term loan was for five days with a capital utilization fee of $13,839 (RMB 100,000) per day for total of $69,196 (RMB 500,000). To ensure the safety of the funds, before money was transferred to Youkai, Youkai handed over the official seal, financial seal and bank account UK to the Company for custody and management until repayment of the loan. The Company received the repayment of $67.2 million in full plus capital utilization fee on July 3, 2023.

As of December 31, 2023, the Company had $68,730,851 (RMB 486.1 million) short term loan to Jinan Youkai Engineering Consulting Co., Ltd (“Youkai”), an unrelated party of the Company. The short-term loan was for five days with a capital utilization fee of $14,119 (RMB 100,000) per day for total of $70,595 (RMB 500,000). To ensure the safety of the funds, before money was transferred to Youkai, Youkai handed over the official seal, financial seal and bank account UK to the Company for custody and management until repayment of the loan. The Company received the repayment of $68.7 million in full plus capital utilization fee in January 2024.

57

There was no cash provided by or use in financing activities during the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022.

We do not believe inflation has had or will have a significant negative impact on our results of operations in 2023.

Transfers of Cash to and from Our Subsidiaries

The PRC has currency and capital transfer regulations that require us to comply with certain requirements for the movement of capital. The Company is able to transfer cash (USD) to its PRC subsidiaries through: (i) an investment (by increasing the Company’s registered capital in a PRC subsidiary), or (ii) a stockholder loan. The Company’s subsidiaries in the PRC have not transferred any earnings or cash to the Company to date. The Company’s business is primarily conducted through its subsidiaries. The Company is a holding company and its material assets consist solely of the ownership interests held in its PRC subsidiaries. The Company relies on dividends paid by its subsidiaries for its working capital and cash needs, including the funds necessary: (i) to pay dividends or cash distributions to its stockholders, (ii) to service any debt obligations and (iii) to pay operating expenses. As a result of PRC laws and regulations (noted below) that require annual appropriations of 10% of after-tax income to be set aside in a general reserve fund prior to payment of dividends, the Company’s PRC subsidiaries are restricted in that respect, as well as in others respects noted below, in their ability to transfer a portion of their net assets to the Company as a dividend. 

With respect to transferring cash from the Company to its subsidiaries, increasing the Company’s registered capital in a PRC subsidiary requires the filing of the local commerce department, while a stockholder loan requires a filing with the state administration of foreign exchange or its local bureau.

With respect to the payment of dividends, we note the following:

1. PRC regulations currently permit the payment of dividends only out of accumulated profits, as determined in accordance with accounting standards and PRC regulations (an in-depth description of the PRC regulations is set forth below);

2.	Our PRC subsidiaries are required to set aside, at a minimum, 10% of their net income after taxes, based on PRC accounting standards, each year as statutory surplus reserves until the cumulative amount of such reserves reaches 50% of their registered capital;
3.	Such reserves may not be distributed as cash dividends;

4.	Our PRC subsidiaries may also allocate a portion of their after-tax profits to fund their staff welfare and bonus funds; except in the event of a liquidation, these funds may also not be distributed to stockholders; the Company does not participate in a Common Welfare Fund;
5.	The incurrence of debt, specifically the instruments governing such debt, may restrict a subsidiary’s ability to pay stockholder dividends or make other cash distributions; and
6.	The Company is subject to covenants and consent requirements.

If, for the reasons noted above, our subsidiaries are unable to pay stockholder dividends and/or make other cash payments to the Company when needed, the Company’s ability to conduct operations, make investments, engage in acquisitions, or undertake other activities requiring working capital may be materially and adversely affected. However, our operations and business, including investment and/or acquisitions by our subsidiaries within China, will not be affected as long as the capital is not transferred in or out of the PRC.

PRC Regulations

In accordance with PRC regulations on Enterprises with Foreign Investment and their articles of association, a foreign-invested enterprise (“FIE”) established in the PRC is required to provide statutory reserves, which are appropriated from net profit, as reported in the FIE’s PRC statutory accounts. A FIE is required to allocate at least 10% of its annual after-tax profit to the surplus reserve until such reserve has reached 50% of its respective registered capital (based on the FIE’s PRC statutory accounts). The aforementioned reserves may only be used for specific purposes and may not be distributed as cash dividends. Until such contribution of capital is satisfied, the FIE is not allowed to repatriate profits to its stockholders, unless approved by the State Administration of Foreign Exchange. After satisfaction of this requirement, the remaining funds may be appropriated at the discretion of the FIE’s board of directors. Our subsidiary, Shanghai TCH, qualifies as a FIE and is therefore subject to the above-mandated regulations on distributable profits.   

Additionally, in accordance with PRC corporate law, a domestic enterprise is required to maintain a surplus reserve of at least 10% of its annual after-tax profit until such reserve has reached 50% of its respective registered capital based on the enterprise’s PRC statutory accounts. The aforementioned reserves can only be used for specific purposes and may not be distributed as cash dividends. Xi’an TCH, Huahong, Zhonghong and Erdos TCH were established as domestic enterprises; therefore, each is subject to the above-mentioned restrictions on distributable profits.

As a result of PRC laws and regulations that require annual appropriations of 10% of after-tax income to be set aside, prior to payment of dividends, in a general reserve fund, the Company’s PRC subsidiaries are restricted in their ability to transfer a portion of their net assets to the Company as a dividend or otherwise.

58

Chart of the Company’s Statutory Reserve

Pursuant to PRC corporate law, effective January 1, 2006, the Company is required to maintain a statutory reserve by appropriating from its after-tax profit before declaration or payment of dividends. The statutory reserve is restricted retained earnings. Our restricted and unrestricted retained earnings under US GAAP are set forth below:

	As of
	December 31, 2023			December 31, 2022
Unrestricted accumulated deficit	$	(60,497,371	)	$	(59,726,943	)
Restricted retained earnings (surplus reserve fund)		15,191,645			15,168,003
Total accumulated deficit	$	(45,305,726	)	$	(44,558,940	)

OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS

We have not entered into any other financial guarantees or other commitments to guarantee the payment obligations of any third parties. We have not entered into any derivative contracts that are indexed to our shares and classified as stockholders’ equity or that are not reflected in our CFS. Furthermore, we do not have any retained or contingent interest in assets transferred to an unconsolidated entity that serves as credit, liquidity or market risk support to such entity. We do not have any variable interest in any unconsolidated entity that provides financing, liquidity, market risk or credit support to us or engages in leasing, hedging or research and development services with us. 

CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS

The Company’s contractual obligations as of December 31, 2023 are as follows:

	1 year		More than		See Note
Contractual Obligation	or less		1 year		(for details)
Notes payable including accrued interest of $2,290	$	5,225,033	$	-		10
Entrusted loan including interest payable of $341,459	$	11,213,019	$	-		9
Total	$	16,438,052	$	-

The Company believes it has sufficient cash as of December 31, 2023, and a sufficient channel to commercial institutions to obtain any loans that may be necessary to meet its working capital needs. Historically, we have been able to obtain loans or otherwise achieve our financing objectives due to the Chinese government’s support for energy-saving businesses with stable cash inflows, good credit ratings and history.

ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Not applicable.

59

ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA. 

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of

Smart Powerr Corp.

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Smart Powerr Corp. and its subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2023, and the related consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2023, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2023, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2023, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”).

Basis for Opinion

These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s consolidated financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits, we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

Critical Audit Matters

Critical audit matters (“CAM”) are matters arising from the current period audit of the consolidated financial statements that were communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relate to accounts or disclosures that are material to the consolidated financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of CAMs does not alter in any way our opinion on the consolidated financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the CAM below, providing separate opinions on the CAMs or on the accounts or disclosures to which they relate.

The Company disclosed litigation as discussed in Note 14 to the consolidated financial statements. Litigation resolution and disclosure involves judgment and uncertainty. Therefore, we considered this a CAM. We read the Company’s disclosures, obtained attorney and management’s representation on the litigation matters to conclude on the adequacy of the disclosures and need for accrual, if any. We also audited legal expenses to ensure all litigation is disclosed and accounted for as applicable.

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2023.

/s/ Enrome LLP

Singapore

April 11, 2024

PCAOB ID #6907

F-1

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Shareholders’, Audit Committee, Board of Directors and Management

Smart Powerr Corp.

Opinion on the Consolidated Financial Statements

We audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Smart Powerr Corp. (“the Company”) as of December 31, 2022 and 2021 and the related consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for years then ended and the related notes (collectively referred to as “financial statements”). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2022 and 2021, and the results of its operations and cash flows for the years then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Basis of Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

Critical Audit Matters

Critical audit matters (CAMs) are matters arising from the current period audit of the financial statements that were communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relate to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of CAMs does not alter in any way our opinion on the financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the CAM below, providing separate opinions on the CAMs or on the accounts or disclosures to which they relate.

● The Company disclosed litigation as discussed in Note 15 to the financial statements. Litigation resolution and disclosure involves judgment and uncertainty. Therefore, we considered this a CAM. We read the Company’s disclosures, obtained attorney and management’s representation on the litigation matters to conclude on the adequacy of the disclosures and need for accrual, if any. We also audited legal expenses to ensure all litigation is disclosed and accounted for as applicable.

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2021.

/s/ Kreit & Chiu, CPA LLP

Los Angeles, California

May 8, 2023

PCAOB ID #6651 

F-2

SMART POWERR CORP

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2023 AND 2022
(IN U.S. DOLLARS, EXCEPT FOR SHARE DATA 

	DECEMBER 31, 2023			DECEMBER 31, 2022
ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS
Cash	$	32,370		$	138,813,673
VAT receivable		170,694			173,589
Advance to supplier		67,440,761			31,923
Operating lease right-of-use assets, net		-			62,177
Short term loan receivables		68,773,208			-
Other receivables		48,519			49,690
Total current assets		136,465,552			139,131,052
NON-CURRENT ASSETS
Fixed asset, net		3,994			4,653
Total non-current assets		3,994			4,653
TOTAL ASSETS	$	136,469,546		$	139,135,705
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Accounts payable	$	70,083		$	71,271
Taxes payable		4,277,091			3,681,352
Accrued interest on notes		2,290			261,035
Notes payable, net of unamortized OID of $0 and $31,250, respectively		5,222,743			5,697,727
Accrued liabilities and other payables		2,664,461			2,776,414
Operating lease liability		-			62,178
Payable for purchase of 10% equity interest of Zhonghong		423,567			430,750
Interest payable on entrusted loans		341,459			347,249
Entrusted loan payable		10,871,560			11,055,911
Total current liabilities		23,873,254			24,383,887
NONCURRENT LIABILITIES
Income tax payable		3,350,625			3,958,625
Total noncurrent liabilities		3,350,625			3,958,625
Total liabilities		27,223,879			28,342,512
CONTINGENCIES AND COMMITMENTS
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Common stock, $0.001 par value; 100,000,000 shares authorized, 7,963,444 and 7,391,996 shares issued and outstanding		7,963			7,392
Additional paid in capital		164,870,025			163,663,305
Statutory reserve		15,191,645			15,168,003
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(10,326,595	)		(8,318,564	)
Accumulated deficit		(60,497,371	)		(59,726,943	)
Total stockholders’ equity		109,245,667			110,793,193
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY	$	136,469,546		$	139,135,705

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

F-3

SMART POWERR CORP

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

	YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
	2023			2022
Revenue
Contingent rental income	$	-		$	-
Interest income on sales-type leases		-			-
Total operating income		-			-
Operating expenses
General and administrative		798,473			1,599,156
Litigation expense		-			2,281,277
Total operating  expenses		798,473			3,880,433
Loss from operations		(798,473	)		(3,880,433	)
Non-operating income (expenses)
Loss on note conversion		(7,291	)		(135,103	)
Interest income		251,668			431,489
Interest expense		(435,241	)		(686,581	)
Other income (expenses), net		339,251			(117,047	)
Total non-operating income (expenses), net		148,387			(507,242	)
Loss before income tax		(650,086	)		(4,387,675	)
Income tax expense		96,700			69,652
Net loss		(746,786	)		(4,457,327	)
Other comprehensive items
Foreign currency translation loss		(2,008,031	)		(11,639,753	)
Comprehensive loss	$	(2,754,817	)	$	(16,097,080	)
Weighted average shares used for computing basic and diluted loss per share		7,784,868			7,334,971
Basic and diluted net loss per share	$	(0.10	)	$	(0.61	)

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

F-4

SMART POWERR CORP

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2023 AND 2022

	Common Stock				Paid in		Statutory			Other Comprehensive			Accumulated
	Shares		Amount		Capital		Reserves			Loss			Deficit			Total
Balance as of December 31, 2021		7,044,408	$	7,044	$	161,531,565	$	15,180,067		$	3,321,189		$	(55,281,680	)	$	124,758,185
Net loss for the year		-		-		-		-			-			(4,457,327	)		(4,457,327	)
Conversion of long-term notes into common shares		347,588		348		2,131,740		-			-			-			2,132,088
Transfer to statutory reserves		-		-		-		(12,064	)		-			12,064			-
Foreign currency translation loss		-		-		-		-			(11,639,753	)		-			(11,639,753	)
Balance as of December 31, 2022		7,391,996		7,392		163,663,305		15,168,003			(8,318,564	)		(59,726,943	)		110,793,193
Net loss for the year		-		-		-		-			-			(746,786	)		(746,786	)
Conversion of long-term notes into common shares		571,448		571		1,206,720		-			-			-			1,207,291
Transfer to statutory reserves		-		-		-		23,642			-			(23,642	)		-
Foreign currency translation loss		-		-		-		-			(2,008,031	)		-			(2,008,031	)
Balance as of December 31, 2023		7,963,444	$	7,963	$	164,870,025	$	15,191,645		$	(10,326,595	)	$	(60,497,371	)	$	109,245,667

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

F-5

SMART POWERR CORP

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

	YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
	2023			2022
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net loss	$	(746,786	)	$	(4,457,327	)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
Amortization of OID and debt issuing costs of notes		31,250			194,355
Bad debt expense		7,095			-
Depreciation and amortization		584			612
Operating lease expenses		62,218			65,185
Loss on note conversion		7,291			135,103
Interest expense		-			229,015
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Advance to supplier		(67,749,715	)		857,500
Other receivables		(5,280	)		7,822
Taxes payable		(11,774	)		1,086
Payment of lease liability		(62,218	)		(65,185	)
Accrued liabilities and other payables		367,436			2,679,954
Net cash used in operating activities		(68,099,899	)		(351,880	)
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Short term loan receivable		(69,124,086	)		-
Net cash used in investing activities		(69,124,086	)		-
EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGE ON CASH		(1,557,318	)		(12,846,334	)
NET DECREASE IN CASH		(138,781,303	)		(13,198,214	)
CASH, BEGINNING OF YEAR		138,813,673			152,011,887
CASH, END OF YEAR	$	32,370		$	138,813,673
Supplemental cash flow data:
Income tax paid	$	108,519		$	68,648
Interest paid	$	-		$	-
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash financing activities
Conversion of notes into common shares	$	1,200,000		$	1,996,986

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

F-6

SMART POWERR CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

DECEMBER 31, 2023 AND 2022

1. ORGANIZATION AND DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS

Smart Powerr Corp. (the “Company” or “SPC”) was incorporated in Nevada, and was formerly known as China Recycling Entergy Corporation. The Company, through its subsidiaries, provides energy saving solutions and services, including selling and leasing energy saving systems and equipment to customers, and project investment in the Peoples Republic of China (“PRC”).

The Company’s organizational chart as of December 31, 2023 is as follows:

 

Erdos TCH – Joint Venture

On April 14, 2009, the Company formed a joint venture (the “JV”) with Erdos Metallurgy Co., Ltd. (“Erdos”) to recycle waste heat from Erdos’ metal refining plants to generate power and steam to be sold back to Erdos. The name of the JV was Inner Mongolia Erdos TCH Energy Saving Development Co., Ltd. (“Erdos TCH”) with a term of 20 years. Erdos contributed 7% of the total investment of the project, and Xi’an TCH Energy Technology Co., Ltd. (“Xi’an TCH”) contributed 93%. On June 15, 2013, Xi’an TCH and Erdos entered into a share transfer agreement, pursuant to which Erdos sold its 7% ownership interest in the JV to Xi’an TCH for $1.29 million (RMB 8 million), plus certain accumulated profits. Xi’an TCH paid the $1.29 million in July 2013 and, as a result, became the sole stockholder of the JV. Erdos TCH currently has two power generation systems in Phase I with a total 18 MW power capacity, and three power generation systems in Phase II with a total 27 MW power capacity. On April 28, 2016, Erdos TCH and Erdos entered into a supplemental agreement, effective May 1, 2016, whereby Erdos TCH cancelled monthly minimum lease payments from Erdos, and started to charge Erdos based on actual electricity sold at RMB 0.30 / KWH. The selling price of each KWH is determined annually based on prevailing market conditions. In May 2019, Erdos TCH ceased operations due to renovations and furnace safety upgrades of Erdos, and the Company initially expected the resumption of operations in July 2020, but the resumption of operations was further delayed due to the government’s mandate for Erdos to significantly lower its energy consumption per unit of GDP by implementing a comprehensive technical upgrade of its ferrosilicon production line to meet the City’s energy-saving targets.  Erdos is currently researching the technical rectification scheme. Once the scheme is determined, Erdos TCH will carry out technical transformation for its waste heat power station project. During this period, Erdos will compensate Erdos TCH RMB 1 million ($145,524) per month, until operations resume. The Company has not recognized any income due to the uncertainty of collection. In addition, Erdos TCH has 30% ownership in DaTangShiDai (BinZhou) Energy Savings Technology Co., Ltd. (“BinZhou Energy Savings”), 30% ownership in DaTangShiDai DaTong Recycling Energy Technology Co., Ltd. (“DaTong Recycling Energy”), and 40% ownership in DaTang ShiDai TianYu XuZhou Recycling Energy Technology Co, Ltd. (“TianYu XuZhou Recycling Energy”). These companies were incorporated in 2012 but had no operations since then nor has any registered capital contribution been made.  

F-7

Formation of Zhongxun

On March 24, 2014, Xi’an TCH incorporated a subsidiary, Zhongxun Energy Investment (Beijing) Co., Ltd. (“Zhongxun”) with registered capital of $5,695,502 (RMB 35,000,000), which must be contributed before October 1, 2028. Zhongxun is 100% owned by Xi’an TCH and will be mainly engaged in project investment, investment management, economic information consulting, and technical services. Zhongxun has not commenced operations nor has any capital contribution been made as of the date of this report.

Formation of Yinghua

On February 11, 2015, the Company incorporated a subsidiary, Shanghai Yinghua Financial Leasing Co., Ltd. (“Yinghua”) with registered capital of $30,000,000, to be paid within 10 years from the date the business license is issued. Yinghua is 100% owned by the Company and will be mainly engaged in financial leasing, purchase of financial leasing assets, disposal and repair of financial leasing assets, consulting and ensuring of financial leasing transactions, and related factoring business. Yinghua has not commenced operations nor has any capital contribution been made as of the date of this report. 

Other Events 

On March 3, 2022, the Company filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Nevada a Certificate of Amendment to the Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to change our corporate name from China Recycling Energy Corporation to Smart Powerr Corp, effective March 3, 2022. 

2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements (“CFS”) are prepared in conformity with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“US GAAP”). The functional currency of the Company’s operating entities is Chinese Renminbi (“RMB”). The accompanying consolidated financial statements are translated from RMB and presented in U.S. dollars (“USD”).

Principle of Consolidation

The CFS include the accounts of SPC and its subsidiaries, Shanghai Yinghua Financial Leasing Co., Ltd. (“Yinghua”) and Sifang Holdings; Sifang Holdings’ wholly owned subsidiaries, Huahong New Energy Technology Co., Ltd. (“Huahong”) and Shanghai TCH Energy Tech Co., Ltd. (“Shanghai TCH”); Shanghai TCH’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Xi’an TCH Energy Tech Co., Ltd. (“Xi’an TCH”); and Xi’an TCH’s subsidiaries, 1) Erdos TCH Energy Saving Development Co., Ltd (“Erdos TCH”), 100% owned by Xi’an TCH, 2) Zhonghong, 90% owned by Xi’an TCH and 10% owned by Shanghai TCH, and 3) Zhongxun, 100% owned by Xi’an TCH. Substantially all the Company’s revenues are derived from the operations of Shanghai TCH and its subsidiaries, which represent substantially all the Company’s consolidated assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2023. However, there was no revenue for the Company for the years ended December 31, 2023 or 2022. All significant inter-company accounts and transactions were eliminated in consolidation.

F-8

Uses and Sources of Liquidity

For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company had a net loss of $746,786 and $4,457,327, respectively. The Company had an accumulated deficit of $60.50 million as of December 31, 2023. The Company disposed all of its systems and currently holds five power generating systems through Erdos TCH, the five power generating systems are currently not producing any electricity. The Company is in the process of transforming and expanding into an energy storage integrated solution provider business. The Company plans to pursue disciplined and targeted expansion strategies for market areas the Company currently does not serve. The Company actively seeks and explores opportunities to apply energy storage technologies to new industries or segments with high growth potential, including industrial and commercial complexes, large scale photovoltaic (PV) and wind power stations, remote islands without electricity, and smart energy cities with multi-energy supplies.  The Company’s cash flow forecast indicates it will have sufficient cash to fund its operations for the next 12 months from the date of issuance of these CFS.

Use of Estimates

In preparing these CFS in accordance with US GAAP, management makes estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities in the balance sheets as well as revenues and expenses during the period reported. Actual results may differ from these estimates. On an on-going basis, management evaluates its estimates, including those allowances for bad debt, impairment loss on fixed assets and construction in progress, income taxes, and contingencies and litigation. Management bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other resources.

Revenue Recognition

A) Sales-type Leasing and Related Revenue Recognition

The Company follows Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 842. The Company’s sales type lease contracts for revenue recognition fall under ASC 842. During the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company did not sell any new power generating projects.

The Company constructs and leases waste energy recycling power generating projects to its customers. The Company typically transfers legal ownership of the waste energy recycling power generating projects to its customers at the end of the lease.

The Company finances construction of waste energy recycling power generating projects. The sales and cost of sales are recognized at the inception of the lease, which is when control is transferred to the lessee. The Company accounts for the transfer of control as a sales type lease in accordance with ASC 842-10-25-2. The underlying asset is derecognized, and revenue is recorded when collection of payments is probable. This is in accordance with the revenue recognition principle in ASC 606 - Revenue from contracts with customers. The investment in sales-type leases consists of the sum of the minimum lease payments receivable less unearned interest income and estimated executory cost. Minimum lease payments are part of the lease agreement between the Company (as the lessor) and the customer (as the lessee). The discount rate implicit in the lease is used to calculate the present value of minimum lease payments. The minimum lease payments consist of the gross lease payments net of executory costs and contingent rentals, if any. Unearned interest is amortized to income over the lease term to produce a constant periodic rate of return on net investment in the lease. While revenue is recognized at the inception of the lease, the cash flow from the sales-type lease occurs over the course of the lease, which results in interest income and reduction of receivables. Revenue is recognized net of value-added tax.

F-9

B) Contingent Rental Income

The Company records income from actual electricity generated of each project in the period the income is earned, which is when the electricity is generated. Contingent rent is not part of minimum lease payments.

Operating Leases

The Company determines if an arrangement is a lease or contains a lease at inception. Operating lease liabilities are recognized based on the present value of the remaining lease payments, discounted using the discount rate for the lease at the commencement date. As the rate implicit in the lease is not readily determinable for an operating lease, the Company generally uses an incremental borrowing rate based on information available at the commencement date to determine the present value of future lease payments. Operating lease right-of-use (“ROU assets”) assets represent the Company’s right to control the use of an identified asset for the lease term and lease liabilities represent the Company’s obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. ROU assets are generally recognized based on the amount of the initial measurement of the lease liability. Lease expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

ROU assets are reviewed for impairment when indicators of impairment are present. ROU assets from operating and finance leases are subject to the impairment guidance in ASC 360, Property, Plant, and Equipment, as ROU assets are long-lived nonfinancial assets.

ROU assets are tested for impairment individually or as part of an asset group if the cash flows related to the ROU asset are not independent from the cash flows of other assets and liabilities. An asset group is the unit of accounting for long-lived assets to be held and used, which represents the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows are largely independent of the cash flows of other groups of assets and liabilities. The Company recognized no impairment of ROU assets as of December 31, 2023 and 2022.

Operating leases are included in operating lease ROU and operating lease liabilities (current and non-current), on the consolidated balance sheets.

Cash

Cash includes cash on hand, demand deposits placed with banks or other financial institutions and all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less as of the purchase date.

Accounts Receivable

The Company’s policy is to maintain an allowance for potential credit losses on accounts receivable. Management reviews the composition of accounts receivable and analyzes historical bad debts, customer concentrations, customer credit worthiness, current economic trends and changes in customer payment patterns to evaluate the adequacy of these reserves. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company had no accounts receivable. 

Advance to suppliers

Advance to suppliers consist of balances paid to suppliers for materials that have not been received. The Company reviews its advances to suppliers on a periodic basis and makes general and specific allowances when there is doubt as to the ability of a supplier to provide supplies to the Company or refund an advance.

Short term loan receivables

The Company provided loans to certain third parties for the purpose of making use of its cash.

F-10

The Company monitors all loans receivable for delinquency and provides for estimated losses for specific receivables that are not likely to be collected. Management periodically assesses the collectability of these loans receivable. Delinquent account balances are written-off against the allowance for doubtful accounts after management has determined that the likelihood of collection is not probable. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company did not accrue allowance against short term loan receivables.

Concentration of Credit Risk

Cash includes cash on hand and demand deposits in accounts maintained within China. Balances at financial institutions and state-owned banks within the PRC are covered by insurance up to RMB 500,000 ($71,792) per bank. Any balance over RMB 500,000 ($71,792) per bank in PRC is not covered. The Company has not experienced any losses in such accounts.

Certain other financial instruments, which subject the Company to concentration of credit risk, consist of accounts and other receivables. The Company does not require collateral or other security to support these receivables. The Company conducts periodic reviews of its customers’ financial condition and customer payment practices to minimize collection risk on accounts receivable.

The operations of the Company are in the PRC. Accordingly, the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations may be influenced by the political, economic and legal environments in the PRC.

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment are stated at cost, net of accumulated depreciation. Expenditures for maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred; additions, renewals and betterments are capitalized. When property and equipment are retired or otherwise disposed of, the related cost and accumulated depreciation are removed from the respective accounts, and any gain or loss is included in operations. Depreciation of property and equipment is provided using the straight-line method over the estimated lives as follows: 

Vehicles	2 – 5 years
Office and Other Equipment	2 – 5 years

Impairment of Long-lived Assets

In accordance with FASB ASC Topic 360, “Property, Plant, and Equipment,” the Company reviews its long-lived assets, including property and equipment, for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts of the assets may not be fully recoverable. If the total expected undiscounted future net cash flows are less than the carrying amount of the asset, a loss is recognized for the difference between the fair value (“FV”) and carrying amount of the asset. The Company did not record any impairment for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022.  

Accounts and other payables

Accounts and other payables represent liabilities for goods and services provided to the Company prior to the end of the financial year which are unpaid. They are classified as current liabilities if payment is due within one year or less (or in the normal operating cycle of the business if longer). Otherwise, they are presented as non-current liabilities.

Accounts and other payables are initially recognized as fair value, and subsequently carried at amortized cost using the effective interest method.

F-11

Borrowings

Borrowings are presented as current liabilities unless the Company has an unconditional right to defer settlement for at least 12 months after the financial year end date, in which case they are presented as non-current liabilities.

Borrowings are initially recognized at fair value (net of transaction costs) and subsequently carried at amortized cost. Any difference between the proceeds (net of transaction costs) and the redemption value is recognized in profit or loss over the period of the borrowings using an effective interest method.

Borrowing costs are recognized in profit or loss using the effective interest method.

Cost of Sales

Cost of sales consists primarily of the direct material of the power generating system and expenses incurred directly for project construction for sales-type leasing and sales tax and additions for contingent rental income.  

Income Taxes

Income taxes are accounted for using an asset and liability method. Under this method, deferred income taxes are recognized for the tax consequences in future years of differences between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their financial reporting amounts at each period end based on enacted tax laws and statutory tax rates, applicable to the periods in which the differences are expected to affect taxable income. Valuation allowances are established, when necessary, to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized. 

The Company follows FASB ASC Topic 740, which prescribes a more-likely-than-not threshold for financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. ASC Topic 740 also provides guidance on recognition of income tax assets and liabilities, classification of current and deferred income tax assets and liabilities, accounting for interest and penalties associated with tax positions, accounting for income taxes in interim periods, and income tax disclosures.

Under FASB ASC Topic 740, when tax returns are filed, it is likely that some positions taken would be sustained upon examination by the taxing authorities, while others are subject to uncertainty about the merits of the position taken or the amount of the position that would be ultimately sustained. The benefit of a tax position is recognized in the CFS in the period during which, based on all available evidence, management believes it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained upon examination, including the resolution of appeals or litigation processes, if any. Tax positions taken are not offset or aggregated with other positions. Tax positions that meet the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold are measured as the largest amount of tax benefit that is more than 50% likely of being realized upon settlement with the applicable taxing authority. The portion of the benefits associated with tax positions taken that exceeds the amount measured as described above is reflected as a liability for unrecognized tax benefits in the accompanying balance sheets along with any associated interest and penalties that would be payable to the taxing authorities upon examination. Interest associated with unrecognized tax benefits is classified as interest expense and penalties are classified in selling, general and administrative expenses in the statement of income. At December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company did not take any uncertain positions that would necessitate recording a tax related liability.  

Statement of Cash Flows

In accordance with FASB ASC Topic 230, “Statement of Cash Flows,” cash flows from the Company’s operations are calculated based upon the local currencies. As a result, amounts related to assets and liabilities reported on the statement of cash flows may not necessarily agree with changes in the corresponding balances on the balance sheet.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

For certain of the Company’s financial instruments, including cash and equivalents, restricted cash, accounts receivable, other receivables, accounts payable, accrued liabilities and short-term debts, the carrying amounts approximate their FVs due to their short maturities. Receivables on sales-type leases are based on interest rates implicit in the lease.

F-12

FASB ASC Topic 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures,” requires disclosure of the FV of financial instruments held by the Company. FASB ASC Topic 825, “Financial Instruments,” defines FV, and establishes a three-level valuation hierarchy for disclosures of FV measurement that enhances disclosure requirements for FV measures. The carrying amounts reported in the consolidated balance sheets for receivables and current liabilities each qualify as financial instruments and are a reasonable estimate of their FV because of the short period of time between the origination of such instruments and their expected realization and their current market rate of interest. The three levels of valuation hierarchy are defined as follows:

● Level 1 inputs to the valuation methodology are quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets.

● Level 2 inputs to the valuation methodology include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, and inputs that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the financial instrument.

● Level 3 inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable and significant to FV measurement.

The Company analyzes all financial instruments with features of both liabilities and equity under FASB ASC 480, “Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity,” and ASC 815, “Derivatives and Hedging.”

As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company did not have any long-term debt; and the Company did not identify any assets or liabilities that are required to be presented on the balance sheet at FV.

Stock-Based Compensation

The Company accounts for share-based compensation awards to employees in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718, “Compensation – Stock Compensation”, which requires that share-based payment transactions with employees be measured based on the grant-date FV of the equity instrument issued and recognized as compensation expense over the requisite service period.

The Company accounts for share-based compensation awards to non-employees in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718 and FASB ASC Subtopic 505-50, “Equity-Based Payments to Non-employees”. Share-based compensation associated with the issuance of equity instruments to non-employees is measured at the FV of the equity instrument issued or committed to be issued, as this is more reliable than the FV of the services received. The FV is measured at the date that the commitment for performance by the counterparty has been reached or the counterparty’s performance is complete.

The Company follows ASU 2018-07, “Compensation — Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Nonemployee Share-Based Payment Accounting,” which expands the scope of ASC 718 to include share-based payment transactions for acquiring goods and services from non-employees. An entity should apply the requirements of ASC 718 to non-employee awards except for specific guidance on inputs to an option pricing model and the attribution of cost. ASC 718 applies to all share-based payment transactions in which a grantor acquires goods or services to be used or consumed in a grantor’s own operations by issuing share-based payment awards. 

Basic and Diluted Earnings per Share

The Company presents net income (loss) per share (“EPS”) in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 260, “Earning Per Share.” Accordingly, basic income (loss) per share is computed by dividing income (loss) available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of shares outstanding, without consideration for common stock equivalents. Diluted EPS is computed by dividing the net income by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding as well as common share equivalents outstanding for the period determined using the treasury-stock method for stock options and warrants and the if-converted method for convertible notes. The Company made an accounting policy election to use the if-converted method for convertible securities that are eligible to receive common stock dividends, if declared. Diluted EPS reflect the potential dilution that could occur based on the exercise of stock options or warrants or conversion of convertible securities using the if-converted method.

F-13

For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, the basic and diluted income (loss) per share were the same due to the anti-dilutive features of the warrants and options. For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, 30,911 shares purchasable under warrants and options were excluded from the EPS calculation as these were not dilutive due to the exercise price was more than the stock market price.

Foreign Currency Translation and Comprehensive Income (Loss)

The Company’s functional currency is the Renminbi (“RMB”). For financial reporting purposes, RMB were translated into U.S. Dollars (“USD” or “$”) as the reporting currency. Assets and liabilities are translated at the exchange rate in effect at the balance sheet date. Revenues and expenses are translated at the average rate of exchange prevailing during the reporting period. Translation adjustments arising from the use of different exchange rates from period to period are included as a component of stockholders’ equity as “Accumulated other comprehensive income.” Gains and losses resulting from foreign currency transactions are included in income.

The Company follows FASB ASC Topic 220, “Comprehensive Income.” Comprehensive income is comprised of net income and all changes to the statements of stockholders’ equity, except those due to investments by stockholders, changes in paid-in capital and distributions to stockholders.  

Segment Reporting

FASB ASC Topic 280, “Segment Reporting,” requires use of the “management approach” model for segment reporting. The management approach model is based on the way a company’s management organizes segments within the company for making operating decisions and assessing performance. Reportable segments are based on products and services, geography, legal structure, management structure, or any other manner in which management disaggregates a company. FASB ASC Topic 280 has no effect on the Company’s CFS as substantially all of the Company’s operations are conducted in one industry segment. All of the Company’s assets are located in the PRC.

New Accounting Pronouncements

In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures (ASU 2023-09), which requires disclosure of incremental income tax information within the rate reconciliation and expanded disclosures of income taxes paid, among other disclosure requirements. ASU 2023-09 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. Early adoption is permitted. The Company’s management does not believe the adoption of ASU 2023-09 will have a material impact on its financial statements and disclosures.

Other recent accounting pronouncements issued by the FASB, including its Emerging Issues Task Force, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, and the SEC did not or are not believed by management to have a material impact on the Company’s present or future CFS. 

F-14

3. SHORT-TERM LOAN RECEIVABLE

As of March 31, 2023, the Company had $140,576,568 (RMB 966.0 million) short term loan to Jinan Youkai Engineering Consulting Co., Ltd (“Youkai”), an unrelated party of the Company. The short-term loan was for five days with a capital utilization fee of $43,657 (RMB 300,000) per day for total of $218,287 (RMB 1.5 million). To ensure the safety of the funds, before money was transferred to Youkai, Youkai handed over the official seal, financial seal and bank account UK to the Company for custody and management until repayment of the loan. The Company received the repayment of $140.6 million in full plus capital utilization fee on April 3, 2023.

As of June 30, 2023, the Company had $67,120,596 (RMB 485.0 million) short term loan to Jinan Youkai Engineering Consulting Co., Ltd (“Youkai”), an unrelated party of the Company. The short-term loan was for five days with a capital utilization fee of $13,839 (RMB 100,000) per day for total of $69,196 (RMB 500,000). To ensure the safety of the funds, before money was transferred to Youkai, Youkai handed over the official seal, financial seal and bank account UK to the Company for custody and management until repayment of the loan. The Company received the repayment of $67.2 million in full plus capital utilization fee on July 3, 2023.

As of December 31, 2023, the Company had $68,730,851 (RMB 486.1 million) short term loan to Jinan Youkai Engineering Consulting Co., Ltd (“Youkai”), an unrelated party of the Company. The short-term loan was for five days with a capital utilization fee of $14,119 (RMB 100,000) per day for total of $70,595 (RMB 500,000). To ensure the safety of the funds, before money was transferred to Youkai, Youkai handed over the official seal, financial seal and bank account UK to the Company for custody and management until repayment of the loan. The Company received the repayment of $68.7 million in full plus capital utilization fee in January 2024.

4. ADVANCE TO SUPPLIERS

On June 19, 2023, the Company entered a purchase agreement with Hubei Bangyu New Energy Technology Co., Ltd. (“Bangyu”). The total contract amount was $82.3 million (RMB 595.0 million) for purchasing the energy storage battery systems. As of December 31, 2023, the Company made a prepayment to Bangyu of $67.2 million (RMB 476.0 million). The Company is in the process of transforming and expanding into energy storage integrated solution provider business. The Company actively seeks and explores opportunities to apply energy storage technologies to new industries or segments with high growth potential, including industrial and commercial complexes, large scale photovoltaic (PV) and wind power stations, remote islands without electricity, and smart energy cities with multi-energy supplies. 

On August 2, 2021, the Company entered a Research and Development (“R&D”) Cooperation Agreement with a software development company to design, establish, upgrade and maintenance of Smart Energy Management Cloud Platform for energy storage and remote-site monitoring; upon completion, the Company will provide such platform to its customers at a fee. Total contracted R&D cost is $1,000,000, as of December 31, 2022, the Company paid $200,000 as R&D expense, and was committed to pay remaining $800,000 after trial operation. During the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company expensed $200,000 in R&D.

On August 23, 2021, the Company entered a Market Research and Project Development Service Agreement with a consulting company in Xi’an for a service period of 12 months. The consulting company will perform market research for new energy industry including photovoltaic and energy storage, develop potential new customers and due diligence check, assisting the Company for business cooperation negotiation and relevant agreements preparation. Total contract amount is $1,150,000, and the Company paid $650,000 at commencement of the service and recorded as R&D expense during the year ended December 31, 2022; the Company prepaid $200,000 during the year of 2023 and as of December 31, 2023, and will pay the remaining of $300,000 upon completion all the services.   

F-15

5. ACCRUED LIABILITIES AND OTHER PAYABLES

Accrued liabilities and other payables consisted of the following as of December 31, 2023 and 2022:

	2023		2022
Education and union fund and social insurance payable	$	181,394	$	270,116
Accrued payroll and welfare		263,472		251,021
Accrued litigation		2,124,087		2,203,149
Other		95,508		52,128
Total	$	2,664,461	$	2,776,414

Accrued litigation was mainly for court enforcement fee, fee to lawyer, penalty and other fees (see Note 15).

6. TAXES PAYABLE

Taxes payable consisted of the following as of December 31, 2023 and 2022:

	2023		2022
Income tax	$	7,627,529	$	7,639,832
Other		187		145
Total		7,627,716		7,639,977
Current		4,277,091		3,681,352
Noncurrent	$	3,350,625	$	3,958,625

As of December 31, 2023, income tax payable included $7.61 million from recording the estimated one-time transition tax on post-1986 foreign unremitted earnings under the Tax Cut and Jobs Act signed on December 22, 2017 ($4.28 million included in current tax payable and $3.35 million noncurrent). An election was available for the U.S. shareholders of a foreign company to pay the tax liability in installments over a period of eight years (until year 2026) with 8% of net tax liability in each of the first five years, 15% in the sixth year, 20% in the seventh year, and 25% in the eighth year. The Company made such an election. 

7. DEFERRED TAX, NET

Deferred tax assets resulted from asset impairment loss which was temporarily non-tax deductible for tax purposes but expensed in accordance with US GAAP; interest income in sales-type leases which was recognized as income for tax purposes but not for book purpose as it did not meet revenue recognition in accordance with US GAAP; accrued employee social insurance that can be deducted for tax purposes in the future, and the difference between tax and accounting basis of cost of fixed assets which was capitalized for tax purposes and expensed as part of cost of systems in accordance with US GAAP. Deferred tax liability arose from the difference between tax and accounting basis of net investment in sales-type leases.

As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, deferred tax assets consisted of the following:

	2023			2022
Accrued expenses	$	615,336		$	57,611
Write-off Erdos TCH net investment in sales-type leases *		4,063,263			4,579,725
Impairment loss of Xi’an TCH’s investment into the HYREF fund		2,647,296			2,692,186
US NOL		1,086,706			730,855
PRC NOL		8,355,472			9,118,123
Total deferred tax assets		16,768,073			17,178,500
Less: valuation allowance for deferred tax assets		(16,768,073	)		(17,178,500	)
Deferred tax assets, net	$	-		$	-

* This represents the tax basis of Erdos TCH investment in sales type leases, which was written off under US GAAP upon modification of lease terms, which made the lease payments contingent upon generation of electricity.

F-16

8. ENTRUSTED LOAN PAYABLE

Entrusted Loan Payable (HYREF Loan)

The HYREF Fund was established in July 2013 with a total fund of RMB 460 million ($77 million) invested in Xi’an Zhonghong for Zhonghong’s three new CDQ WHPG projects. The HYREF Fund invested RMB 3 million ($0.5 million) as an equity investment and RMB 457 million ($74.5 million) as a debt investment in Xi’an Zhonghong; in return for such investments, the HYREF Fund was to receive interest from Zhonghong for the HYREF Fund’s debt investment. The loan was collateralized by the accounts receivable and the fixed assets of Shenqiu Phase I and II power generation systems; the accounts receivable and fixed assets of Zhonghong’s three CDQ WHPG systems; and a 27 million RMB ($4.39 million) capital contribution made by Xi’an TCH in Zhonghong. Repayment of the loan (principal and interest) was also jointly and severally guaranteed by Xi’an TCH and the Chairman and CEO of the Company. In the fourth quarter of 2015, three power stations of Erdos TCH were pledged to Industrial Bank as an additional guarantee for the loan to Zhonghong’s three CDQ WHPG systems. In 2016, two additional power stations of Erdos TCH and Pucheng Phase I and II systems were pledged to Industrial Bank as an additional guarantee along with Xi’an TCH’s equity in Zhonghong. 

The term of this loan was for 60 months from July 31, 2013 to July 30, 2018, with interest of 12.5%. The Company paid RMB 50 million ($7.54 million) of the RMB 280 million ($42.22 million), and on August 5, 2016, the Company entered into a supplemental agreement with the lender to extend the due date of the remaining RMB 230 million ($34.68 million) of the original RMB 280 million ($45.54 million) to August 6, 2017. During the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company negotiated with the lender again to further extend the remaining loan balance of RMB 230 million ($34.68 million), RMB 100 million ($16.27 million), and RMB 77 million ($12.08 million). The lender had tentatively agreed to extend the remaining loan balance until August 2019 with interest of 9%, subject to the final approval from its headquarters. The headquarters did not approve the extension proposal with interest of 9%; however, on December 29, 2018, the Company and the lender agreed to an alternative repayment proposal as described below. 

Repayment of HYREF loan

1. Transfer of Chengli project as partial repayment

On December 29, 2018, Xi’an Zhonghong, Xi’an TCH, HYREF, Guohua Ku, and Chonggong Bai entered into a CDQ WHPG Station Fixed Assets Transfer Agreement, pursuant to which Xi’an Zhonghong transferred Chengli CDQ WHPG station as the repayment for the loan of RMB 188,639,400 ($27.54 million) to HYREF, the transfer of which was completed on January 22, 2019.

Xi’an TCH is a secondary limited partner of HYREF. The FV of the CDQ WHPG station applied in the transfer was determined by the parties based upon the appraisal report issued by Zhonglian Assets Appraisal Group (Shaanxi) Co., Ltd. as of August 15, 2018. However, per the discussion below, Xi’an Zhonghong, Xi’an TCH, Guohua Ku and Chonggong Bai (the “Buyers”) entered into a Buy Back Agreement, also agreed to buy back the Station when conditions under the Buy Back Agreement are met. Due to the Buy Back agreement, the loan was not deemed repaid, and therefore the Company recognized Chengli project as assets subject to buyback and kept the loan payable remained recognized under ASC 405-20-40-1 as of December 31, 2020. The Buy Back agreement was terminated in April 2021 (see 2 below for detail).

2. Buy Back Agreement

On December 29, 2018, Xi’an TCH, Xi’an Zhonghong, HYREF, Guohua Ku, Chonggong Bai and Xi’an Hanneng Enterprises Management Consulting Co. Ltd. (“Xi’an Hanneng”) entered into a Buy Back Agreement.  

F-17

Pursuant to the Buy Back Agreement, the Buyers jointly and severally agreed to buy back all outstanding capital equity of Xi’an Hanneng which was transferred to HYREF by Chonggong Bai (see 3 below), and a CDQ WHPG station in Boxing County which was transferred to HYREF by Xi’an Zhonghong. The buy-back price for the Xi’an Hanneng’s equity was based on the higher of (i) the market price of the equity shares at the time of buy-back; or (ii) the original transfer price of the equity shares plus bank interest. The buy-back price for the Station was based on the higher of (i) the FV of the Station on the date transferred; or (ii) the loan balance at the date of the transfer plus interest accrued through that date. HYREF could request that the Buyers buy back the equity shares of Xi’an Hanneng and/or the CDQ WHPG station if one of the following conditions is met: (i) HYREF holds the equity shares of Xi’an Hanneng until December 31, 2021; (ii) Xi’an Huaxin New Energy Co., Ltd., is delisted from The National Equities Exchange And Quotations Co., Ltd., a Chinese over-the-counter trading system (the “NEEQ”); (iii) Xi’an Huaxin New Energy, or any of the Buyers or its affiliates has a credit problem, including not being able to issue an auditor report or standard auditor report or any control person or executive of the Buyers is involved in crimes and is under prosecution or has other material credit problems, to HYREF’s reasonable belief; (iv) if Xi’an Zhonghong fails to timely make repayment on principal or interest of the loan agreement, its supplemental agreement or extension agreement; (v) the Buyers or any party to the Debt Repayment Agreement materially breaches the Debt Repayment Agreement or its related transaction documents, including but not limited to the Share Transfer Agreement, the Pledged Assets Transfer Agreement, the Entrusted Loan Agreement and their guarantee agreements and supplemental agreements. Due to halted trading of Huaxin stock by NEEQ for not filing its 2018 annual report, on December 19, 2019, Xi’an TCH, Xi’an Zhonghong, Guohua Ku and Chonggong Bai jointly and severally agreed to buy back all outstanding capital equity of Xi’an Hanneng which was transferred to HYREF by Chonggong Bai earlier. The total buy back price was RMB 261,727,506 ($37.52 million) including accrued interest of RMB 14,661,506 ($2.10 million), and was paid in full by Xi’an TCH on December 20, 2019.

On April 9, 2021, Xi’an TCH, Xi’an Zhonghong, Guohua Ku, Chonggong Bai and HYREF entered a Termination of Fulfillment Agreement (termination agreement). Under the termination agreement, the original buyback agreement entered on December 19, 2019 was terminated upon signing of the termination agreement. HYREF will not execute the buy-back option and will not ask for any additional payment from the buyers other than keeping the CDQ WHPG station from Chengli project. The Company recorded a gain of approximately $3.1 million from transferring the CDP WHPG station to HYREF as partial repayment of the entrusted loan and accrued interest of RMB 188,639,400 ($27.54 million) to HYREF resulting from the termination of the buy-back agreement. 

3. Transfer of Xuzhou Huayu Project and Shenqiu Phase I & II project to Mr. Bai for partial repayment of HYREF loan

On January 4, 2019, Xi’an Zhonghong, Xi’an TCH, and Mr. Chonggong Bai entered into a Projects Transfer Agreement, pursuant to which Xi’an Zhonghong transferred a CDQ WHPG station (under construction) located in Xuzhou City for Xuzhou Huayu Coking Co., Ltd. (“Xuzhou Huayu Project”) to Mr. Bai for RMB 120,000,000 ($17.52 million) and Xi’an TCH transferred two Biomass Power Generation Projects in Shenqiu (“Shenqiu Phase I and II Projects”) to Mr. Bai for RMB 127,066,000 ($18.55 million). Mr. Bai agreed to transfer all the equity shares of his wholly owned company, Xi’an Hanneng, to HYREF as repayment for the RMB 247,066,000 ($36.07 million) loan made by Xi’an Zhonghong to HYREF as consideration for the transfer of the Xuzhou Huayu Project and Shenqiu Phase I and II Projects.  

On February 15, 2019, Xi’an Zhonghong completed the transfer of the Xuzhou Huayu Project and Xi’an TCH completed the transfer of Shenqiu Phase I and II Projects to Mr. Bai, and on January 10, 2019, Mr. Bai transferred all the equity shares of his wholly owned company, Xi’an Hanneng, to HYREF as repayment of Xi’an Zhonghong’s loan to HYREF as consideration for the transfer of the Xuzhou Huayu Project and Shenqiu Phase I and II Projects. 

Xi’an Hanneng is a holding company and was supposed to own 47,150,000 shares of Xi’an Huaxin New Energy Co., Ltd. (“Huaxin”), so that HYREF will indirectly receive and own such shares of Xi’an Huaxin as the repayment for the loan of Zhonghong. Xi’an Hanneng already owned 29,948,000 shares of Huaxin; however, Xi’an Hanneng was not able to obtain the remaining 17,202,000 shares due to halted trading of Huaxin stock by NEEQ for not filing its 2018 annual report.

On December 19, 2019, Xi’an TCH, Xi’an Zhonghong, Guohua Ku and Chonggong Bai jointly and severally agreed to buy back all outstanding capital equity of Xi’an Hanneng which was transferred to HYREF by Chonggong Bai earlier. The total buy back price was RMB 261,727,506 ($37.52 million) including accrued interest of RMB 14,661,506 ($2.10 million), and was paid in full by Xi’an TCH on December 20, 2019. On December 20, 2019, Mr. Bai, Xi’an TCH and Xi’an Zhonghong agreed to have Mr. Bai repay the Company in cash for the transfer price of Xuzhou Huayu and Shenqiu in five installment payments. The 1^st payment of RMB 50 million ($7.17 million) was due January 5, 2020, the 2^nd payment of RMB 50 million ($7.17 million) was due February 5, 2020, the 3^rd payment of RMB 50 million ($7.17 million) was due April 5, 2020, the 4^th payment of RMB 50 million ($7.17 million) was due on June 30, 2020, and the final payment of RMB 47,066,000 ($6.75 million) was due September 30, 2020. As of December 31, 2020, the Company received the full payment of RMB 247 million ($36.28 million) from Mr. Bai.

F-18

4. The lender agreed to extend the repayment of RMB 77.00 million ($11.06 million) to July 8, 2023. However, per court’s judgement on June 28, 2021, the Company should repay principal $11.06 million and accrued interest of RMB 2,418,229 ($0.35 million) within 10 days from the judgment date to Beijiang Hongyuan Recycling Energy Investment Center (Limited Partnership). In the end of 2022, Beijing No.4 Intermediate People’s Court of Beijing entered into the judgment enforcement procedure, which, in addition to the loan principal with interest amount, Xi’an Zhonghong Technology Co., Ltd. was to pay judgment enforcement fee, late fee and other fees of RMB 80,288,184 ($11.53 million) in total, the Company recorded these additional fees in 2022. The Company has not paid it yet as of this report date.

Xi’an TCH had investment RMB 75.00 million ($11.63 million) into the HYREF fund as a secondary limited partner, and the Company recorded an impairment loss of $11.63 million for such investment during the year ended December 31, 2021 due to uncertainty of the collection of the investment. This was impaired as Hongyuan does not have the ability to pay back (see Note 15 – Litigation).

9. NOTE PAYABLE, NET 

Promissory Notes in December 2020

On December 4, 2020, the Company entered into a Note Purchase Agreement with an institutional investor, pursuant to which the Company issued the Purchaser a Promissory Note of $3,150,000. The Purchaser purchased the Note with an original issue discount (“OID”) of $150,000, which was recognized as debt discount is amortized using the interest method over the life of the note. The Note bears interest at 8% and has a term of 24 months. All outstanding principal and accrued interest on the Note was due and payable December 3, 2022. The Company’s obligations under the Note may be prepaid at any time, provided that in such circumstance the Company would pay 125% of any amounts outstanding under the Note and being prepaid. Beginning on the date that is six months from the issue date of the Note, Purchaser shall have the right to redeem any amount of this Note up to $500,000 per calendar month by providing written notice to the Company. Upon receipt of the redemption notice from the lender, the Company shall pay the applicable redemption amount in cash to lender within three trading days of receipt of such redemption notice; if the Company fails to pay, then the outstanding balance will automatically be increased by 25%.

During the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company entered into several Exchange Agreements with the lender, pursuant to the Agreements, the Company and Lender partitioned new Promissory Notes of $3,850,000 from the original Promissory Note, including adjustment of $818,914 to increase the principal of the notes during the second quarter of 2021 as a result of the Company’s failure to pay the redemption amount in cash to lender within three trading days from receipt of the redemption notice, the Company recorded $818,914 principal adjustment as interest expense. The Company and Lender exchanged these Partitioned Notes for the delivery of 576,108 shares of the Company’s common stock. The Company recorded a loss on conversion of these notes in 2021. On January 10, 2022, the Company and Lender exchanged a Partitioned Notes of $346,986 for the delivery of 58,258 shares of the Company’s common stock. The Company recorded a $26,193 loss on conversion of this note in 2022, as a result, this Promissory Notes was paid in full on January 10, 2022.  During the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company amortized OID of $69,355 and recorded $835 interest expense on this Note.

F-19

Promissory Notes in April 2021

On April 2, 2021, the Company entered into a Note Purchase Agreement with an institutional investor, pursuant to which the Company issued to the Purchaser a Promissory Note of $5,250,000. The Purchaser purchased the Note with an OID of $250,000, which was recognized as a debt discount is amortized using the interest method over the life of the note. The Note bears interest at 8% and has a term of 24 months. All outstanding principal and accrued interest on the Note was due and payable on April 1, 2023. However, as of this report date, the Company did not repay the loan, and no any further action from the lender. The Company’s obligations under the Note may be prepaid at any time, provided that in such circumstance the Company would pay 125% of any amounts outstanding under the Note and being prepaid. Beginning on the date that is six months from the issue date of the Note, Purchaser shall have the right to redeem any amount of this Note up to $825,000 per calendar month by providing written notice to the Company. Upon receipt of the redemption notice from the lender, the Company shall pay the applicable redemption amount in cash to lender within three trading days of receipt of such redemption notice; if the Company fails to pay, then the outstanding balance will automatically be increased by 25%. On October 28, 2021, the lender made an adjustment of $1,370,897 to increase the outstanding principal of the notes as a result of the Company’s failure to pay the redemption amount in cash to lender on time, the Company recorded $1,370,897 principal adjustment as interest expense in 2021. The lender made an adjustment of $229,015 to increase the outstanding principal of the notes based on a forbearance agreement entered on September 14, 2022 resulting from the Company’s default event of being delinquent on SEC filings, the Company recorded the $229,015 principal adjustment as interest expense. During the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company amortized OID of $125,000 and recorded $456,655 interest expense on this Note; and the Company and Lender exchanged these Partitioned Notes of $1,650,000 in total for the delivery of 289,330 shares of the Company’s common stock.  The Company recorded $108,910 loss on conversion of these notes in 2022. During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company amortized OID of $31,250 and recorded $435,021 interest expense on this Note; and the Company and Lender exchanged these Partitioned Notes of $1,200,000 in total for the delivery of 571,448 shares of the Company’s common stock which was issued in 2023, and 165,081 shares was issued in January 2024.  As of December 31, 2023, the outstanding principal balance of this note was $5,222,743 with accrued interest of $2,290. The Note was classified as a current liability in accordance with ASC 470-10-45 Other Presentation Matters – General Due on Demand Loan Arrangements.

10. STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Warrants

Following is a summary of the activities of warrants that were issued from equity financing for the year ended December 31, 2023:

	Number of Warrants		Average Exercise Price		Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term in Years
Outstanding at January 1, 2023		30,411	$	14.0		1.21
Exercisable at January 1, 2023		30,411	$	14.0		1.21
Granted		-		-		-
Exchanged		-		-		-
Forfeited		-		-		-
Expired		13,896		18.75		-
Outstanding at December 31, 2023		16,515	$	10.0		0.54
Exercisable at December 31, 2023		16,515	$	10.0		0.54

11. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION PLAN

Options to Employees and Directors

On June 19, 2015, the stockholders of the Company approved the China Recycling Energy Corporation Omnibus Equity Plan (the “Plan”) at its annual meeting. The total shares of Common Stock authorized for issuance during the term of the Plan is 124,626. The Plan was effective immediately upon its adoption by the Board of Directors on April 24, 2015, subject to stockholder approval, and will terminate on the earliest to occur of (i) the 10th anniversary of the Plan’s effective date, or (ii) the date on which all shares available for issuance under the Plan shall have been issued as fully-vested shares. The stockholders approved the Plan at their annual meeting on June 19, 2015.

F-20

The following table summarizes option activity with respect to employees and independent directors for the year ended December 31, 2023:

	Number of Shares		Average Exercise Price per Share		Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term in Years
Outstanding at January 1, 2023		500	$	16.1		4.32
Exercisable at January 1, 2023		500	$	16.1		4.32
Granted		-		-		-
Exercised		-		-		-
Forfeited		-		-		-
Outstanding at December 31, 2023		500	$	16.1		3.32
Exercisable at December 31, 2023		500	$	16.1		3.32

12. INCOME TAX

The Company’s Chinese subsidiaries are governed by the Income Tax Law of the PRC concerning privately-run enterprises, which are generally subject to tax at 25% on income reported in the statutory financial statements after appropriate tax adjustments. Under Chinese tax law, the tax treatment of finance and sales-type leases is similar to US GAAP. However, the local tax bureau continues to treat the Company’s sales-type leases as operating leases. Accordingly, the Company recorded deferred income taxes. 

The Company’s subsidiaries generate all of their income from their PRC operations. All of the Company’s Chinese subsidiaries’ effective income tax rate for 2023 and 2022 was 25%. Yinghua, Shanghai TCH, Xi’an TCH, Huahong, Zhonghong and Erdos TCH file separate income tax returns.

There is no income tax for companies domiciled in the Cayman Islands. Accordingly, the Company’s CFS do not present any income tax provisions related to Cayman Islands tax jurisdiction, where Sifang Holding is domiciled. 

The US parent company, SPC is taxed in the US and, as of December 31, 2023, had net operating loss (“NOL”) carry forwards for income taxes of $5.17 million; for federal income tax purposes, the NOL arising in tax years beginning after 2017 may only reduce 80% of a taxpayer’s taxable income, and may be carried forward indefinitely. However, the coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (“the CARES Act”) issued in March 2020, provides tax relief to both corporate and noncorporate taxpayers by adding a five-year carryback period and temporarily repealing the 80% limitation for NOLs arising in 2018, 2019 and 2020. Management believes the realization of benefits from these losses uncertain due to the US parent company’s continuing operating losses. Accordingly, a 100% deferred tax asset valuation allowance was provided. 

As of December 31, 2023, the Company’s PRC subsidiaries had $33.42 million NOL that can be carried forward to offset future taxable income for five years from the year the loss is incurred. The NOL was mostly from Erdos TCH and Zhonghong. Management considers the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income and tax planning strategies in making this assessment. After consideration of all the information available, management believes that significant uncertainty exists with respect to future realization of the deferred tax assets due to the recurring losses from operations of these entities, accordingly, the Company recorded a 100% deferred tax valuation allowance for the PRC NOL.

The following table reconciles the U.S. statutory rates to the Company’s effective tax rate for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022:

	2023			2022
U.S. statutory rates benefit		(21.0	)%		(21.0	)%
Tax rate difference – current provision		2.2	%		(1.9	)%
Permanent differences		1.2	%		2.7	%
Change in valuation allowance		32.5	%		21.8	%
Tax expense per financial statements		14.9	%		1.6	%

F-21

The provision for income tax expense (benefit) for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 consisted of the following:

	2023		2022
Income tax expense – current	$	96,700	$	69,652
Total income tax expense	$	96,700	$	69,652

13. STATUTORY RESERVES

Pursuant to the corporate law of the PRC effective January 1, 2006, the Company is only required to maintain one statutory reserve by appropriating from its after-tax profit before declaration or payment of dividends. The statutory reserve represents restricted retained earnings.

Surplus Reserve Fund

The Company’s Chinese subsidiaries are required to transfer 10% of their net income, as determined under PRC accounting rules and regulations, to a statutory surplus reserve fund until such reserve balance reaches 50% of the Company’s registered capital. 

The surplus reserve fund is non-distributable other than during liquidation and can be used to fund previous years’ losses, if any, and may be utilized for business expansion or converted into share capital by issuing new shares to existing shareholders in proportion to their shareholding or by increasing the par value of the shares currently held by them, provided that the remaining reserve balance after such issue is not less than 25% of the registered capital. 

The maximum statutory reserve amount has not been reached for any subsidiary. The table below discloses the statutory reserve amount in the currency type registered for each Chinese subsidiary as of December 31, 2023 and 2022:

Name of Chinese Subsidiaries	Registered Capital		Maximum Statutory Reserve Amount		Statutory reserve at December 31, 2023			Statutory reserve at December 31, 2022
Shanghai TCH	$	29,800,000	$	14,900,000	¥	6,564,303 ($1,003,859	)	¥	6,564,303 ($1,003,859	)
Xi’an TCH	¥	202,000,000	¥	101,000,000	¥	73,947,603 ($11,272,917	)	¥	73,781,005 ($11,249,275	)
Erdos TCH	¥	120,000,000	¥	60,000,000	¥	19,035,814 ($2,914,869	)	¥	19,035,814 ($2,914,869	)
Xi’an Zhonghong	¥	30,000,000	¥	15,000,000		Did not accrue yet due to accumulated deficit			Did not accrue yet due to accumulated deficit
Shaanxi Huahong	$	2,500,300	$	1,250,150		Did not accrue yet due to accumulated deficit			Did not accrue yet due to accumulated deficit
Zhongxun	¥	35,000,000	¥	17,500,000		Did not accrue yet due to accumulated deficit			Did not accrue yet due to accumulated deficit

Common Welfare Fund

The common welfare fund is a voluntary fund to which the Company can transfer 5% to 10% of its net income. This fund can only be utilized for capital items for the collective benefit of the Company’s employees, such as construction of dormitories, cafeteria facilities, and other staff welfare facilities. This fund is non-distributable other than upon liquidation. The Company does not participate in this fund.  

F-22

14. CONTINGENCIES

China maintains a “closed” capital account, meaning companies, banks, and individuals cannot move money in or out of the country except in accordance with strict rules. The People’s Bank of China (PBOC) and State Administration of Foreign Exchange (SAFE) regulate the flow of foreign exchange in and out of the country. For inward or outward foreign currency transactions, the Company needs to make a timely declaration to the bank with sufficient supporting documents to declare the nature of the business transaction. The Company’s sales, purchases and expense transactions are denominated in RMB and all of the Company’s assets and liabilities are also denominated in RMB. The RMB is not freely convertible into foreign currencies under the current law. Remittances in currencies other than RMB may require certain supporting documentation in order to make the remittance.

The Company’s operations in the PRC are subject to specific considerations and significant risks not typically associated with companies in North America and Western Europe. These include risks associated with, among others, the political, economic and legal environments and foreign currency exchange. The Company’s results may be adversely affected by changes in governmental policies with respect to laws and regulations, anti-inflationary measures, currency conversion and remittance abroad, and rates and methods of taxation, among other things.   

Litigation 

1) In November 2019, Beijing Hongyuan Recycling Energy Investment Center (“BIPC”), or Hongyuan, filed a lawsuit with the Beijing Intermediate People’s Court against Xi’an TCH to compel Xi’an TCH to repurchase certain stock pursuant to a stock repurchase option agreement. On April 9, 2021, the court rendered a judgment in favor of Hongyuan. Xi’an TCH filed a motion for retrial to High People’s Court of Beijing on April 13, 2022, because Xi’an TCH paid RMB 261 million ($37.58 million) principal and interest to Hongyuan as an out-of-court settlement. On April 11, 2022, Xi’an Zhonghong New Energy Technology Co. Ltd., filed an application for retrial and provided relevant evidence to the Beijing High People’s Court on the Civil Judgment No. 264, awaiting trial. On August 10, 2022, Beijing No. 1 Intermediate People’s Court of Beijing issued a Certificate of Active Performance, proving that Xi’an Zhonghong New Energy Technology Co., Ltd. had fulfilled its buyback obligations as disclosed in Note 9 that, on April 9, 2021, Xi’an TCH, Xi’an Zhonghong, Guohua Ku, Chonggong Bai and HYREF entered a Termination of Fulfillment Agreement (termination agreement). Under the termination agreement, the original buyback agreement entered on December 19, 2019 was terminated upon signing of the termination agreement. HYREF will not execute the buy-back option and will not ask for any additional payment from the buyers other than keeping the CDQ WHPG station.

As of this report date, Xi’an Zhonghong is waiting for Court’s decision on retrial petition that was submitted in April 2022. During this waiting period, BIPC entered the execution procedure, and there is a balance of RMB 14,204,317 ($2.20 million) between the amount executed by the court and the liability recognized by Xi ‘an TCH, which was mainly the enforcement fee, legal and penalty fee for the original judgement, and was automatically generated by the toll collection system of the People’s court. The Company accrued $2.10 million litigation expense as of December 31, 2023.

2) On June 28, 2021, Beijing No.4 Intermediate People’s Court of Beijing entered into a judgement that Xi’an Zhonghong Technology Co., Ltd. should pay the loan principal of RMB 77 million ($11.06 million) with loan interest of RMB 2,418,449 ($0.35 million) to Beijiang Hongyuan Recycling Energy Investment Center (Limited Partnership). In the end of 2022, Beijing No.4 Intermediate People’s Court of Beijing entered into the judgment enforcement procedure, which, in addition to the loan principal with interest amount, Xi’an Zhonghong Technology Co., Ltd. was to pay judgment enforcement fee, late fee and other fees of RMB 80,288,184 ($11.53 million) in total, the Company recorded these additional fees in 2022. There was no update for this case as of this report date.

F-23

15. COMMITMENTS

Lease Commitment

On November 20, 2017, Xi’an TCH entered into a lease for its office from December 1, 2017 through November 30, 2020. The monthly rent was RMB 36,536 ($5,600) with quarterly payment in advance. This lease expired in November 2020. The Company entered a new lease for the same location from January 1, 2021 through December 31, 2023 with monthly rent of RMB 36,536 ($5,600), to be paid every half year in advance. Upon expiration of the lease, the Company entered a new lease agreement for the same location from January 1, 2024 through December 31, 2026 with monthly rent of RMB 36,536 ($5,600), to be paid every half year in advance.

The components of lease costs, lease term and discount rate with respect of the office lease with an initial term of more than 12 months are as follows:

	Year Ended
	December 31, 2023
Operating lease cost – amortization of ROU	$	61,453
Operating lease cost – interest expense on lease liability	$	765
Weighted Average Remaining Lease Term - Operating leases		-
Weighted Average Discount Rate - Operating leases		5	%

	Year Ended
	December 31, 2022
Operating lease cost– amortization of ROU	$	61,262
Operating lease cost – interest expense on lease liability	$	3,923

Employment Agreement

On May 8, 2020, the Company entered an employment agreement with Yongjiang Shi, the Company’s CFO for 24 months. The monthly salary was RMB 16,000 ($2,200). The Company will grant the CFO no less than 5,000 shares of the Company’s common stock annually; however, as of this report date, the Board of Directors and Compensation Committee have not approved the number of shares to be given to the CFO, nor any stock reward agreement has been signed.

On May 6, 2022, the Company entered another employment agreement with Mr. Shi for 24 months with monthly salary of RMB 18,000 ($2,500). The Company will grant the CFO no less than 5,000 shares of the Company’s common stock annually; however, as of this report date, the Board of Directors and Compensation Committee have not approved the number of shares to be given to the CFO, nor any stock reward agreement has been signed.  

16. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

On March 29, 2024, the Company entered into an Exchange Agreement with the lender. Pursuant to the Agreement, the Company and Lender partitioned a new Promissory Notes of $300,000 from the original Promissory Note entered on April 2, 2021. The Company and Lender exchanged this Partitioned Note for the delivery of 259,067 shares of the Company’s Common Stock.

F-24

ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE.

None.

ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

As of the end of the period covered by this report, we conducted an evaluation under the supervision and with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and Rule 15d-15(f) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)). Based on this evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of December 31, 2023, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our periodic reports filed or submitted under the Securities Exchange Act is (i) recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms, and (ii) accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding disclosure.

Our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, does not expect that our disclosure controls and procedures will prevent or detect all errors and all fraud. Disclosure controls and procedures, no matter how well designed, operated and managed, can provide only reasonable assurance that the objectives of the disclosure controls and procedures are met. Because of the inherent limitations of disclosure controls and procedures, no evaluation of such disclosure controls and procedures can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, have been detected.

Internal Control over Financial Reporting

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining a system of internal control over financial reporting (“ICFR”) (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with US generally accepted accounting principles. All internal control systems, no matter how well designed, have inherent limitations.

We conducted an assessment of the effectiveness of our system of ICFR as of December 31, 2023, the last day of our fiscal year. This assessment was based on criteria established in the framework Internal Control-Integrated Framework, issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and included an evaluation of elements such as the design and operating effectiveness of key financial reporting controls, process documentation, accounting policies, and our overall control environment. Based on our assessment, management has concluded that our ICFR was effective as of the end of the fiscal year to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external reporting purposes in accordance with US GAAP. We reviewed the results of management’s assessment with the Audit Committee of our Board of Directors.

This annual report on Form 10-K does not include an attestation report of the Company’s registered public accounting firm regarding ICFR. Management’s report was not subject to attestation by the Company’s registered public accounting firm.

Changes in internal control over financial reporting

With the participation of the Company’s management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, the Company also conducted an evaluation of the Company’s ICFR to determine whether any changes occurred during the Company’s fiscal year ended as of December 31, 2023, that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s ICFR. Based on such evaluation, management concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by this report, there have not been any changes in the Company’s ICFR(as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during the fiscal quarter to which this report relates that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s ICFR.

ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION.

Not applicable.

ITEM 9C. DISCLOSURE REARDING FOREIGN JURISDICTIONS THAT PREVENT INSPECTIONS

Not applicable.

60

PART III

ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE.

The following table sets forth certain information regarding our executive officers and director nominees as of the date of this report:

Name	Age	Position
Guohua Ku	62	Chief Executive Officer, Director and Chairman of the Board
Yongjiang (Jackie) Shi	49	Chief Financial Officer and Vice President
Binfeng (Adeline) Gu	46	Secretary
Yan Zhan	50	Director
Xiaoping Guo(1)	71	Independent Director
Zhongli Liu(1)	64	Independent Director
LuLu Sun(1)	46	Independent Director

(1) Member of Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.

Mr. Guohua Ku was appointed as a director and our Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) as of December 10, 2008. He was elected Chairman of the Board as of April 1, 2009. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Ku served as a Senior Engineer for Yingfeng Technology from 2003 to 2007. From 1979 to 2003, Mr. Ku served in multiple capacities for Shaanxi Blast Air Blower (Group) Co., Ltd., with his last position serving as a Senior Engineer. Mr. Ku’s experience as our Chief Executive Officer, as well as Chairman of the Board, and extensive scientific and operational knowledge and expertise qualifies him to serve as Chairman of the Board and led the Board to conclude that he should be nominated to serve another term as a director.

Mr. Yongjiang (Jackie) Shi was appointed as our Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”) and a Vice President, effective December 20, 2019. Mr. Shi has served as the financial consultant to the Board since September 28, 2016, and was the CFO of the Company from May 16, 2015 to September 27, 2016. Mr. Shi was the Assistant CFO & Vice President in charge of finance for the Company from January 2015 to May 2015. Mr. Shi joined Xi’an TCH Energy Technology Company, Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company in 2014 as a VP of Finance and he previously worked as the Director of Investor Relations for Xilan Natural Gas Group from 2005 to 2014. Mr. Shi studied professional accounting at the University of New South Wales, Australia from 2001 to 2003, and was awarded his master’s degree of finance in 2003. He studied public administration at Northwest University of China from 1994 to 1998, and obtained his bachelor’s degree in law in 1998.

Ms. Adeline Gu was appointed as the Company’s CFO and Secretary on September 28, 2016. Ms. Gu resigned as our CFO as of December 13, 2019. Ms. Gu has been serving as the director of the office of Board of Directors of the Company from August 2012 to September 27, 2016. She was the Investor Relations Director from December 2007 to August 13, 2012, and Investor Relations Director Assistant from March 2006 to December 2007 of China Natural Gas, Inc. From October 2005 to March 2006, Ms. Gu was the Interpreter of Xi’an Equity Exchange & Shaanxi Watson Biology Gene Technology Co., Ltd. Ms. Gu studied at Northwest University of China from September 1995 to June, 1999 and received her bachelor degree, majoring in English. Ms. Gu has held a Chinese Accounting Certificate since 2000.

61

Mr. Yan Zhan was appointed a director of the Company on March 16, 2021. He worked for Xi’an TCH Energy Technology Co., Ltd., our wholly-owned subsidiary in the PRC, since May 2013 and he served as the Chief Sales Officer since June 2016. Mr. Zhan obtained his junior college diploma majored in Manufacturing Processes and Equipment from Northwestern Polytechnical University in September 1995. After his graduation, he served as the head of production department of Xi’An Kanghuamen Factory from 1995 to 1996. Mr. Zhan studied and taught at Shanxi Educational College from 1996 to 1998. From 1998 to 2004, he served as the sales manager of Xi’An Equipment Import and Export Company, after which he served as the general manager of Shanxi Wanding Yandong Technology Co., Limited from 2004 to 2013. In nominating Mr. Zhan for election as a director, our Board focused on his past marketing and sales experience and technical knowledge in the energy recycling industry and his knowledge of the operations of the Company as a member of management.

Mr. Xiaoping Guo was appointed a director on June 1, 2017. Mr. Guo has served as the assistant to the president of Datang New Energy Co., Ltd., since 2010. Mr. Guo received his bachelor degree from the Xi’an Jiaotong University in 1977, and his master’s degree in systems engineering from the same school in 2000. Mr. Guo’s extensive project engineering and development experience, as well as his management experience, qualifies him to serve on our Board and led the Board to conclude that he should be nominated as a director.

Mr Zhongli Liu was appointed a director on March 6, 2020. Mr. Liu was also appointed as the Chairman of the Audit Committee and a member of the Compensation, Nominating and Corporate Governance Committees. Mr. Liu served as the inspector to be in charge of securities inspection at Shaanxi Supervision Bureau of China Securities Regulatory Commission from 1999 to September 2019. He worked as the head of department of economics and management, professor, chief of scientific research at Xi’an Finance and Economics University from 1984 to 1998. Since July 2017, he served as the independent director of the Board at China Haiseng Fresh Fruit Juice Co., Ltd. (00359.HK). Mr. Liu studied industrial economy management at Xi’an Jiaotong University from September 1978 to July 1982 and was awarded his his bachelor’s degree of finance in 1982. He studied planning economics at Renmin University of China from 1982 to 1984 and was awarded his master’s degree of finance in 1984. Mr. Liu’s significant financial expertise qualifies him to serve on our Board and led the Board to conclude that he should be nominated as a director.

Ms. LuLu Sun was appointed a director on August 5, 2015. Ms. Sun serves as Marketing Director for Net Engine Power Tech. Ltd. Co. in China from June 2013 to present, and she was the New Media Business Development Director for Rayli Magazine in China from June 2009 to May 2013. From July 2002 to May 2009, Ms. Sun was the Business Development Project Manager for Sina Mobile in China. Ms. Sun’s extensive experience in marketing and business development in China qualifies her to serve on our Board and led the Board to conclude that she should be nominated as a director.

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Leadership Structure and Role in Risk Oversight

The Company’s current Board leadership structure separates the board chair and principal executive officer roles into two positions. Mr. Ku has served as both Chairman of the Board and CEO of the Company since April 1, 2009. Our Board continues to believe there are important advantages to Mr. Ku serving in both roles at this time. Mr. Ku is the director most familiar with our business and industry and is best situated to propose Board agendas and lead Board discussions on important matters. Mr. Ku provides a strong link between management and the Board, which promotes clear communication and enhances strategic planning and implementation of corporate strategies. Another advantage is the clarity of leadership provided by one person representing us to employees, stockholders and other stakeholders. The Board has not named a lead independent director.

62

Our Board is responsible for oversight of the Company’s risk management practices while management is responsible for the day-to-day risk management processes. In the Board’s opinion, this division of responsibilities is the most effective approach for addressing the risks facing the Company. The Board receives periodic reports from management regarding the most significant risks facing the Company. In addition, the Audit Committee assists the Board in its oversight of our risk assessment and risk management policies. Our Audit Committee is empowered to appoint and oversee our independent registered public accounting firm, monitor the integrity of our financial reporting processes and systems of internal controls and provide an avenue of communication among our independent auditors, management, our internal auditing department and our Board.

Diversity

The Board does not have a formal policy with respect to Board nominee diversity. In recommending proposed nominees to the full Board, the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee is charged with building and maintaining a board that has an ideal mix of talent and experience to achieve our business objectives in the current environment. In particular, the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee is focused on relevant subject matter expertise, depth of knowledge in key areas that are important to us, and diversity of thought, background, perspective and experience so as to facilitate robust debate and broad thinking on strategies and tactics pursued by us.

The following Board Diversity Matrix presents our Board diversity statistics in accordance with Nasdaq Rule 5606, as self-disclosed by our directors. While the Board satisfies the minimum objectives of Nasdaq Rule 5605(f)(2) by having at least one director who identifies as female and at least one director who identifies as a member of an Underrepresented Minority (as defined by Nasdaq Rules), the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will continue to consider the diversity of our Board in its selection of director nominees. The following table provides certain information regarding the diversity of our Board of Directors as of the date of this annual report.

Board Diversity Matrix (As of the date of this annual report)

Total Number of Directors	Female		Male		Non-Binary	Did Not Disclose Gender
Part I: Gender Identity
Directors		1		4
Part II: Demographic Background
African American or Black
Alaskan Native or American Indian
Asian		1		4
Hispanic or Latinx
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander
White
Two or More Races or Ethnicities
LGBTQ+
Did Not Disclose Demographic Background

Director Independence

Xiaoping Guo, LuLu Sun and Zhongli Liu are our only non-employee directors, and our Board determined that each of them is independent pursuant to the listing rules of Nasdaq. All of the members of each of the Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee are independent as defined in Nasdaq Rule 5605(a)(2). As required under applicable Nasdaq listing standards, in the 2023 fiscal year, our independent directors met once in regularly scheduled executive sessions at which only our independent directors were present.

63

Board Meetings and Committee Meeting; Annual Meeting Attendance

During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Board held 2 meetings and acted through unanimous consent on 6 different occasions. In addition, the Audit Committee held four meetings; the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee held 4 meeting; and the Compensation Committee held 1 meeting. During the year ended December 31, 2023, each of the directors attended, in person or by telephone, more than 75% of the meetings of the Board and the committees on which he or she served. We encourage our Board members to attend our Annual Meetings, but we do not have a formal policy requiring attendance.

Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee

The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee currently consists of Xiaoping Guo, Zhongli Liu and LuLu Sun. Ms. LuLu Sun is the chairman of our Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee. The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee oversees all aspects of the Company’s corporate governance functions on behalf of the Board, including identifying individuals qualified to become directors, recommending to the Board the selection of director nominees for each meeting of the stockholders at which directors are elected and overseeing the monitoring and evaluation of the Company’s corporate governance practices. The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee reviewed the performance of all of the current members of the Board and determined and recommended to the Board that all of the current directors should be nominated for re-election. No other candidates were recommended or evaluated. The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee operates under a written charter, which is available on our website at www.creg-cn.com under the links “Investor Relations - Corporate Governance.”

Selection of Board Nominees

Our Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee is responsible for identifying, selecting and evaluating Board candidates. From a general perspective, candidates are reviewed in the context of the existing Board members, our operating requirements and the long-term interests of our stockholders. In selecting candidates for appointment or re-election to the Board, the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee of the Board considers the following criteria: (i) personal and professional ethics and integrity, including a reputation for integrity and honesty in the business community; (ii) experience as an executive officer of companies or as a senior leader of complex organizations, including scientific, government, financial or technological organizations; (iii) financial knowledge, including an understanding of finance, accounting, the financial reporting process, and company measures for operating and strategic performance; (iv) ability to critically and independently evaluate business issues, contributing diverse perspectives or viewpoints, and making practical and mature judgments; (v) a genuine interest in the Company, and the ability to spend the time required to make substantial contributions as a director; and (vi) no conflict of interest or legal impediment that would interfere with the duty of loyalty to the Company and its stockholders. In addition, the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee reviews the qualifications of the directors to be appointed to serve as members of the Audit Committee to ensure that they meet the financial literacy and sophistication requirements under the Nasdaq rules and that at least one of them qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert” under the rules of the SEC.

Audit Committee

The Audit Committee currently consists of Xiaoping Guo, Zhongli Liu and LuLu Sun, each of whom is independent under Nasdaq listing standards. Zhongli Liu serves as chairman of our Audit Committee.

The Board determined Mr. Liu qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert,” as defined by Nasdaq Rule 5605(a)(2) and Item 407 of Regulation S-K. In reaching this determination, the Board made a qualitative assessment of Mr. Liu’s level of knowledge and experience based on a number of objective and subjective factors, including formal education, financial and accounting acumen, and business experience. The Audit Committee is responsible for assisting the Board in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities with respect to: (i) the financial reports and other financial information provided by us to the public or any governmental body; (ii) our compliance with legal and regulatory requirements; (iii) our systems of internal controls regarding finance, accounting and legal compliance that have been established by management and the Board; (iv) the qualifications and independence of our independent registered public accounting firm; (v) the performance of our internal audit function and the independent registered public accounting firm; and (vi) our auditing, accounting and financial reporting processes generally. The Audit Committee has been established in accordance with Section 3(a)(58)(A) of the Exchange Act. In connection with its responsibilities, the Board has delegated to the Audit Committee the authority to select and hire our independent registered public accounting firm and determine their fees and retention terms. The Audit Committee’s policy is to pre-approve all audit and non-audit services by category, including audit-related services, tax services, and other permitted non-audit services. In accordance with the policy, the Audit Committee regularly reviews and receives updates on specific services provided by our independent registered public accounting firm. All services rendered by Enrome LLP to the Company are permissible under applicable laws and regulations. During fiscal year 2023, all services requiring pre-approval and performed by the Company’s accounting firm, Enrome LLP, were approved in advance by the Audit Committee in accordance with the pre-approval policy. The Audit Committee operates under a written charter, which is available on our website at www.creg-cn.com under the links “Investor Relations - Corporate Governance.”

64

Compensation Committee

The Compensation Committee currently consists of Xiaoping Guo, Zhongli Liu and LuLu Sun. Mr. Guo is the chairman of our Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee’s purpose is (i) to oversee the Company’s efforts to attract, retain and motivate members of the Company’s senior management team, (ii) to carry out the Board’s overall responsibility relating to the determination of compensation for all executive officers, (iii) to oversee all other aspects of the Company’s compensation policies, and to oversee the Company’s management resources, succession planning and management development activities. The Compensation Committee has the authority to engage independent advisors to assist it in carrying out its duties. During fiscal year 2023, the Compensation Committee did not engage the services of any independent advisors, experts or other third parties. We believe that the functioning of our Compensation Committee complies with any applicable requirements of Nasdaq and SEC rules and regulations. The Compensation Committee operates under a written charter, which is available on our website at www.creg-cn.com under the links “Investor Relations - Corporate Governance.”

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation in Compensation Decisions

All members of the Compensation Committee are independent directors. No current member of our Compensation Committee is a current or former officer or employee of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, and no director or executive officer of the Company is a director or executive officer of any other corporation that has a director or executive officer who is also a director of the Company.

Stockholder Communication with the Board of Directors

Stockholders may communicate with the Board by writing to the attention of Ms. Adeline Gu, our Secretary, at 4/F, Tower C, Rong Cheng Yun Gu Building, Keji 3rd Road, Yanta District, Xi’an City, Shaanxi Province, 710075 China.

Code of Ethics

We adopted a “code of ethics” as defined by regulations promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the Exchange Act that applies to all of our directors and employees worldwide, including our principal executive officer, principal financial officer and principal accounting officer. A current copy of our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics is available on our website at www.creg-cn.com under the links “Investor Relations - Corporate Governance.” We intend to disclose any amendments to the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, as well as any waivers for executive officers or directors, on our website.

Delinquent Section 16(a) Reports

Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires our executive officers, directors and holders of more than 10% of our common stock to file with the SEC initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership of our common stock and other equity securities. Based solely on our review of the copies of these reports, we believe that all filing requirements of Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act were timely complied with during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023.

65

ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION.

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION 

Summary Compensation Table 

The following table summarizes the compensation earned during the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, by those individuals who served as our CEO, or CFO during any part of fiscal year 2023 and our other most highly compensated executive officer. The individuals listed in the table below are referred to as the “named executive officers.”

		Salary		Bonus		Stock Awards		Option Awards		Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation	Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Earnings		All Other Compensation	Total
Name and Principal Position Year		($)		($)		($)		($)(4)		($)	($)		($)	($)
Guohua Ku	2023		30,422		--		--		--	--		--	--		30,422
Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board	2022		32,239		--		--		--	--		--	--		32,239
Yongjiang (Jackie) Shi	2023		30,422		--		--		--	--		--	--		30,422
Chief Financial Officer	2022		32,239		--		--		--	--		--	--		32,239
Binfeng (Adeline) Gu	2023		23,662		--		--		--	--		--	--		23,662
Secretary	2022		25,075		--		--		--	--		--	--		25,075

Narrative to Summary Compensation Table

During the 2023 fiscal year, we used base salary as the exclusive executive compensation to our executive officers. We use base salary to fairly and competitively compensate our executives, including the named executive officers, for the jobs we ask them to perform. We view base salary as the most stable component of our executive compensation program, as this amount is not at risk. We believe that the base salaries of our executives should be targeted at or above the median of base salaries for executives in similar positions with similar responsibilities at comparable companies, consistent with our compensation philosophy. Because of our emphasis on performance-based compensation for executives, base salary adjustments are generally made only when we believe there is a significant deviation from the market or an increase in responsibility. Our Compensation Committee reviews the base salary levels of our executives each year to determine whether an adjustment is warranted or necessary.

Employment Contracts

Mr. Guohua Ku entered into an employment agreement with the Company to serve as its CEO on December 10, 2008. The agreement had a two-year term, starting December 10, 2008, that included a one-month probationary period. In accordance with the terms and conditions of Mr. Ku’s employment agreement, on December 10, 2010, 2014, December 10, 2016, December 10, 2018 and December 10, 2020, more recently, on December 10, 2022, the Company and Mr. Ku agreed to renew Mr. Ku’s employment agreement for an additional two-year term. Mr. Ku receives a salary of RMB 216,000 ($33,078) annually for his service as CEO. The Company may terminate the employment agreement at any time without any prior notice to the employee if Mr. Ku engages in certain conduct, including, but not limited to (i) the violation of the rules and procedures of the Company or breaches the terms of the employment agreement; (ii) neglecting his duties or engages in malpractice for personal gain that damages the Company; (iii) entering into an employment relationship with any other employer during his employment with the Company; or (iv) the commission of a crime. The Company also may terminate the employment agreement upon 30 days written notice to Mr. Ku under certain other conditions, including but not limited to (i) inability to continue position due to non-work-related sickness or injury; (ii) incompetence; and (iii) the need for mass layoffs or other restructuring. Mr. Ku has the right to resign at any time upon a 30-day written notice to the Company.

Mr. Yongjiang Shi entered into an employment agreement with the Company on December 16, 2019, effective as of December 20, 2019, in connection with his appointment to serve as the CFO and vice President of the Company. Pursuant to the terms of Mr. Shi’s employment agreement, he receives a cash compensation in the amount of RMB 16,000 (approximately $2,300) per month for his service as the CFO and Vice President and is also entitled to receive an annual equity award of at least 5,000 shares of common stock of the Company. The term of the employment agreement is for 24 months and may be renewed for an additional term by the Company upon 30-day notice prior to its termination. This employment agreement may be terminated by the Company or Mr. Shi at any time without any prior notice. On December 16, 2021, the Company and Mr. Shi agreed to renew Mr. Shi’s employment agreement for an additional two-year term. Mr. Shi receives a salary of RMB 216,000 ($32,239) annually for his service as CFO.

66

Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change of Control

Employment Agreements

Certain of our executive officers, including our CEO, have employment agreements with the Company. Under Chinese law, we may only terminate employment agreements without cause and without penalty by providing notice of non-renewal one month prior to the date on which the employment agreement is scheduled to expire. If we fail to provide this notice or if we wish to terminate an employment agreement in the absence of cause, as defined in the agreement, then we are obligated to pay the employee one month’s salary for each year we have employed the employee. We are, however, permitted to terminate an employee for cause without penalty pursuant to the employment agreement.

2015 Plan

In June of 2015, the stockholders of the Company approved the China Recycling Energy Corporation Omnibus Equity Plan (the “2015 Equity Plan”) at its annual meeting. The total aggregate shares of common stock authorized for issuance during the term of the 2015 Equity Plan is 124,626 shares of the Company’s authorized shares of Common Stock, as adjusted for the Reverse Stock Split, effected on April 13, 2020. The 2015 Equity Plan will terminate on the earliest to occur of (i) the 10th anniversary of the Equity Plan’s effective date, or (ii) the date on which all shares available for issuance under the Equity Plan shall have been issued as fully-vested shares. We have not granted any options to purchase shares of our common stock under the 2015 Equity Plan during the 2023 fiscal year.

NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTOR COMPENSATION

Non-Employee Director Compensation 

The following table sets forth certain information regarding the compensation earned by or awarded during the 2023 fiscal year to each of our non-executive directors:

	Fees Earned or Paid in Cash		Stock Awards		Option Awards		Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation		Nonqualified Deferred Compensation		All Other Compensation		Total
Name	($)		($)		($)		($)		Earnings		($)		($)
LuLu Sun	$	7,043		-		-		-		-		-	$	7,043
Xiaoping Guo	$	7,043		-		-		-		-		-	$	7,043
Zhongli Liu	$	7,043		-		-		-		-		-	$	7,043

In setting director compensation, we consider the significant amount of time that directors expend in fulfilling their duties to the Company, as well as the skill level required to serve as a director and manage the affairs of the Company. Each non-employee director receives an annual Board fee of RMB 50,000. Non-employee directors do not receive additional fees for attendance at Board or Board committee meetings or for serving on Board Committees. There were no stock options granted and exercised by non-employee directors during the 2023 fiscal year. There were no option awards outstanding as of December 31, 2023, for any of the non-employee directors.

67

ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED SHAREHOLDER MATTERS.

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

The following table sets forth certain information provided to us by each of the following as of the date of this report (unless otherwise indicated) regarding their beneficial ownership of our common stock:

● each person, entity or group (as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) known by us to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of our outstanding shares of common stock;

● each of our directors and named executive officers; and

● all of our directors and named executive officers as a group.

Information relating to beneficial ownership of common stock by our principal stockholders and management is based upon information furnished by each person using “beneficial ownership” concepts under the rules of the SEC. Under these rules, a person is deemed to be a beneficial owner of a security if that person directly or indirectly has or shares voting power, which includes the power to vote or direct the voting of the security, or investment power, which includes the power to dispose or direct the disposition of the security. The person is also deemed to be a beneficial owner of any security of which that person has a right to acquire beneficial ownership within 60 days. Under the SEC rules, more than one person may be deemed to be a beneficial owner of the same securities, and a person may be deemed to be a beneficial owner of securities as to which he or she may not have any pecuniary interest. The address for each director and executive officer is 4/F, Tower C, Rong Cheng Yun Gu Building, Keji 3rd Road, Yanta District, Xi’an City, Shaanxi Province, China 710075.

Common Stock Beneficially Owned	Number of Shares			Percent of Class
Directors and Named Executive Officers
Guohua Ku		1,154,477			15.12	%
Yongjiang (Jackie) Shi		0	(1)		*
Adeline Gu		500	(2)		*
Yan Zhan		0			*
Xiaoping Guo		0			*
Zhongli Liu		0			*
LuLu Sun		0			*
All executive officers and directors as a group (7 persons)		1,154,477			15.12	%

* Less than one percent (1%) of outstanding shares.

1. Excludes at least 5,000 shares issuable to Mr. Shi annually pursuant to the term of his employment agreement with the Company.

2. Represents 500 shares of common stock subject to currently exercisable stock options on September 28, 2016. Ms. Gu has not received further shares subject to exercisable stock options since September 28, 2016.

68

EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION

During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, we have not issued any shares of common stock under the 2015 Plan.

ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS. 

On February 23, 2021, the Company entered into securities purchase agreements with several non-U.S. investors (the “Purchasers”), pursuant to which the Company agreed to sell to the Purchasers, up to 3,320,000 shares of common stock of the Company, at $11.522 per share. One of the purchasers is the Company’s CEO (who is also the Company’s Chairman), who purchased 1,000,000 common shares of the Company. In April 2021, the Company’s CEO amended the number of shares that he would purchase from 1,000,000 shares to 940,000 shares. In April 2021 the Company returned to the Company’s CEO the $691,320 in extra proceeds that had been received earlier.

ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES.

Audit and Non-Audit Fees 

Enrome LLP is the independent registered certified public accounting firm to audit the books and accounts of our Company and subsidiaries for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023. Kreit & Chiu is the independent registered certified public accounting firm to audit the books and accounts of our Company and subsidiaries for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022. The following table presents the aggregate fees billed for professional services rendered to us for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 by Enrome LLP and Kreit & Chiu, respectively.

The aggregate fees and expenses included in the Audit category are fees and expenses billed for the fiscal years for the audit of our annual financial statements and review of our interim financial statements and statutory and regulatory filings. The aggregate fees and expenses included in each of the other categories are fees and expenses billed in the fiscal years.

Enrome LLP

		Fiscal Year 2023
Audit Fees	$	175,000
Audit-Related Fees		4,000
Tax Fees		--
All Other Fees		--
Total	$	179,000

Kreit & Chiu CPA LLP

	Fiscal Year 2022
Audit Fees	$	237,312
Audit-Related Fees		--
Tax Fees		--
All Other Fees		--
Total	$	237,312

Audit Fees for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 were for professional services rendered for the audit of our annual financial statements and of our internal control over financial reporting and quarterly review of the financial statements included in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q.

69

Audit-Related Fees are fees not included in audit fees that are billed by the independent accountant for assurance and related services that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of our financial statements, which include audits in connection with acquisitions.

Tax Fees are fees billed by the independent accountant for professional services rendered for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning.

All Other Fees are fees billed by the independent accountant for products and services not included in the foregoing categories.

The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors has determined that the provision of these services is compatible with the maintenance of the independence of Enrome LLP and Kreit & Chiu CPA LLP.

Pre-approval Policies and Procedures

The Audit Committee has adopted a policy to pre-approve all audit and permissible non-audit services provided by our previous auditor, Kreit & Chiu CPA LLP, in 2022, and our current auditor, Enrome LLP, in 2023. The pre-approval policy is detailed as to the particular service or category of services and is subject to a specific budget. The services include the engagement of the independent registered public accounting firms for audit services, audit-related services, and tax services.

If we need to engage the independent registered public accounting firm for other services, which are not considered subject to the general pre-approval as described above, then the Audit Committee must approve such specific engagement as well as the projected fees. If the timing of the project requires an expedited decision, then the Audit Committee has delegated to the Chairman of the Committee the authority to pre-approve such engagement, subject to fee limitations. The Chairman must report all such pre- approvals to the entire Audit Committee for ratification at the next Audit Committee meeting.

70

PART IV 

ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES.

Exhibit No.	Description
3.1	Articles of Incorporation (filed as Exhibit 3.05 to the Company’s Form 10-KSB for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2001).
3.2	Fifth Amended and Restated Bylaws (filed as Exhibit 3.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated March 9, 2022).
3.3	Certificate of Change (filed as Exhibit 3.6 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated May 24, 2016).
3.4	Certificate of Amendment (filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated March 9, 2022).
4.1	Common Stock Specimen (filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form SB-2 dated November 12, 2004; 1934 Act File No. 333-120431).
4.2	Description of Securities of China Recycling Energy Corporation registered under Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (filed as Exhibit 4.2 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 filed on May 14, 2020).
10.1	Supplementary Agreement by and between Inner Mongolia Erdos TCH Energy Saving Development Co., Ltd. and Inner Mongolia Erdos Metallurgy Co., Ltd., dated December 1, 2009 (filed as Exhibit 10.27 to the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009).
10.2	Joint Operation Agreement by and between Xi’an TCH Energy Technology Co., Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, and Inner Mongolia Erdos Metallurgy Co., Ltd., dated January 20, 2009 (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2009).
10.3	Form of Independent Director Agreement. (filed as Exhibit 10.28 on the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 10, filed on February 5, 2010).
10.4	English Translation of Employment Agreement between the Company and Guohua Ku, dated December 10, 2020 (filed as Exhibit 10.4 to the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022).
10.5	English Translation of Employment Agreement between the Company and Yongjiang Shi, dated December 16, 2021(filed as Exhibit 10.5 to the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022).
10.6	Biomass Power Generation Asset Transfer Agreement (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated September 16, 2013).
10.7	Biomass Power Generation Project Lease Agreement (filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated September 16, 2013).
10.8	Partnership Agreement of Beijing Hongyuan Recycling Energy Investment Center, LLP, dated July 18, 2013 (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2013).
10.9	EPC Contract for Boxing CDQ Waste Heat Power Generation Project, dated July 22, 2013, by and between Xi’an Zhonghong New Energy Technology Co., Ltd and Xi’an Huaxin New Energy Co., Ltd (filed as Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2013).
10.10	EPC Contract for CDQ Power Generation Project of Xuzhou Tianyu Group, dated July 22, 2013, by and between Xi’an Zhonghong New Energy Technology Co., Ltd and Xi’an H201uaxin New Energy Co., Ltd. (filed as Exhibit 10.4 to the Company’s Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2013).

71

10.11	Cooperation Agreement, dated July 22, 2013, by and between Xi’an Zhonghong New Energy Technology Co., Ltd. and Jiangsu Tianyu Energy and Chemical Group Co., Ltd (filed as Exhibit 10.5 to the Company’s Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2013).
10.12	Waste Heat Power Generation Energy Management Cooperative Agreement with Zhongtai (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated December 6, 2013).
10.13	CDQ Power Generation Energy Management Cooperative Agreement with Rongfeng (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated December 17, 2013).
10.14	China Recycling Energy Corporation Omnibus Equity Plan (Incorporated by reference from Appendix A to the Company’s Definitive Schedule 14A filed on April 30, 2015).
10.15	Transfer Agreement of CDQ & Waste Heat Power Generation, dated November 16, 2015, by and between Xi’an TCH Energy Technology Co., Ltd and Tangshan Rongfeng Iron & Steel Co., Ltd. and Xi’an Huaxin New Energy Co., Ltd. (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated November 20, 2015).
10.16	Xuzhou Zhongtai CDQ and Waste Heat Power Generation System Transfer Agreement, dated March 14, 2016, by Xi’an TCH Energy Technology Co., Ltd, Xuzhou Zhongtai Energy Technology Co., Ltd. and Xi’an Huaxin New Energy Co., Ltd. (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated March 18, 2016).
10.17	Repurchase Agreement for Coking Coal Gas Power Generation Project, dated June 22, 2016, by and between Xi’an TCH Energy Technology Co., Ltd., and Qitaihe City Boli Yida Coal Selection Co., Ltd. (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q dated August 15, 2016).
10.18	Securities Purchase Agreement by and between China Recycling Energy Corporation and Iliad Research and Trading, L.P., dated July 11, 2018 (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated July 17, 2018).
10.19	Convertible Promissory Note, issued by China Recycling Energy Corporation to Iliad Research and Trading, L.P., dated July 11, 2018 (filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated July 17, 2018).
10.20	Equity Purchase Agreement by and between Shanghai TCH Energy Technology Co., Ltd. and Jinhua Wang, dated September 30, 2018 (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated September 30, 2018).
10.21	Agreement of Supplementary and Amendment by and between Shanghai TCH Energy Technology Co., Ltd. and Jinhua Wang, dated November 21, 2018 (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated November 26, 2018).
10.22	CDQ WHPG Station Fixed Assets Transfer Agreement, dated December 29, 2018, by and among Xi’an Zhonghong, Xi’an TCH, the HYREF, Guohua Ku and Chonggong Bai (filed as Exhibit 10.21 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K dated for the year ended December 31, 2018 filed on March 16, 2019).
10.23	Buy-Back Agreement, dated December 29, 2018, by and among HYREF, Xi’an Zhonghong, Xi’an TCH, Guohua Ku, Chonggong Bai and Xi’an Hanneng (filed as Exhibit 10.22 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K dated for the year ended December 31, 2018 filed on March 16, 2019).
10.24	Equity Transfer Agreement, dated December 29, 2018, by and between Xi’an TCH and Hongyuan Huifu. (filed as Exhibit 10.23 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K dated for the year ended December 31, 2018 filed on March 16, 2019)†

72

10.25	Equity Transfer Agreement, dated December 29, 2018, by and between Shanghai TCH and HYREF. (filed as Exhibit 10.24 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K dated for the year ended December 31, 2018 filed on April 16, 2019)
10.26	Supplementary Agreement of Equity Transfer Agreement, dated December 29, 2018, by and among Xi’an TCH, Hongyuan Huifu, and the Fund Management Company. (filed as Exhibit 10.25 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K dated for the year ended December 31, 2018 filed on April 16, 2019)
10.27	Projects Transfer Agreement by and among Xi’an Zhonghong, Xi’an TCH, and Mr. Chonggong Bai, dated January 4, 2019 (filed as Exhibit 10.26 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K dated for the year ended December 31, 2018 filed on April 16, 2019).
10.28	Securities Purchase Agreement by and between China Recycling Energy Corporation and Great Essential Investment, Ltd, dated February 13, 2019 (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated February 19, 2019).
10.29	Termination of Equity Purchase Agreement and Supplementary Amendment Agreement by and between Shanghai TCH and Mr. Jihua Wang, dated March 29, 2019 (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated March 29, 2019).
10.30	Forebearance Agreement by and between China Recycling Energy Corporation and Iliad Research and Trading, L.P. dated September 11, 2019 (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated September 11, 2019).
10.31	Forebearance Agreement by and between China Recycling Energy Corporation and Iliad Research and Trading, L.P. dated September 19, 2019 (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated September 19, 2019).
10.32	Termination Agreement of Lease Agreement of Biomass Power Generation Project by and between Xi’an TCH Energy Technology Co., Ltd. and Pucheng Xin Heng Yuan Biomass Power Generation Co., Ltd. dated September 29, 2019 (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated September 29, 2019).
10.33	Exchange Agreement by and between China Recycling Energy Corporation and Iliad Research and Trading, L.P. dated October 16, 2019 (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated October 16, 2019).
10.34	Exchange Agreement by and between China Recycling Energy Corporation and Iliad Research and Trading, L.P. dated October 16, 2019 (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated October 16, 2019).
10.35	Amendment to Forebearance Agreement by and between China Recycling Energy Corporation and Iliad Research and Trading, L.P. dated December 16, 2019 (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated December 16, 2019).
10.36	Exchange Agreement by and between China Recycling Energy Corporation and Iliad Research and Trading, L.P. dated January 3, 2020 (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated January 3, 2020).
10.37	Exchange Agreement by and between China Recycling Energy Corporation and Iliad Research and Trading, L.P. dated January 13, 2020 (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated January 13, 2020).
10.38	Exchange Agreement by and between China Recycling Energy Corporation and Iliad Research and Trading, L.P. dated May 4, 2020 (filed as Exhibit 10.30 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, dated May 4, 2020).

73

10.39	Employment Agreement by and between China Recycling Energy Corporation and Yongjiang (Jackie) Shi, dated May 8, 2020(filed as Exhibit 10.38 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 filed on May 14, 2020).
10.40	Exchange Agreement dated as of May 15, 2020 by and between China Recycling Energy Corporation and Lliad Research and Trading, L.P. (filed as Exhibit 10.39 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, dated May 21, 2020).
10.41	Forbearance Agreement dated as of May 15, 2020 by and between China Recycling Energy Corporation and Lliad Research and Trading, L.P. (filed as Exhibit 10.40 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, dated May 21, 2020).
10.42	Exchange Agreement dated as of May 29, 2020 by and between China Recycling Energy Corporation and Lliad Research and Trading, L.P. (filed as Exhibit 10.41 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, dated June 4, 2020).
10.43	Equity Acquisition Agreement dated as of December 22, 2020 by and between China Recycling Energy Corporation and Shanghai TCH Energy Technology Co., Ltd., Zheng Feng, Yinhua Zhang, Weidong Xu and Xi’an Taiying Energy Saving Technology Co., Ltd. (filed as Exhibit 10.43 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, dated December 29, 2020).
10.44	Promissory Note dated as of December 4, 2020 by and between China Recycling Energy Corporation and Streeterville Capital, LLC. (filed as Exhibit 10.43 to the Company’s Form S-1/A dated October 6, 2021)
10.45	Exchange Agreements dated as of August 24, 2021 by and between China Recycling Energy Corporation and Streeterville Capital, LLC. (filed as Exhibit 10.44 to the Company’s Form S-1/A dated October 6, 2021)
10.46	Exchange Agreements dated as of August 31, 2021 by and between China Recycling Energy Corporation and Streeterville Capital, LLC. (filed as Exhibit 10.45 to the Company’s Form S-1/A dated October 6, 2021)
10.47	Exchange Agreements dated as of September 1, 2021 by and between China Recycling Energy Corporation and Streeterville Capital, LLC. (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q dated November 12, 2021)
10.48	Exchange Agreements dated as of October 8, 2021 by and between China Recycling Energy Corporation and Streeterville Capital, LLC. (filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q dated November 12, 2021)
10.49	Exchange Agreements dated as of October 21, 2021 by and between China Recycling Energy Corporation and Streeterville Capital, LLC. (filed as Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q dated November 12, 2021)

74

10.50	Exchange Agreements dated as of October 25, 2021 by and between China Recycling Energy Corporation and Streeterville Capital, LLC. (filed as Exhibit 10.4 to the Company’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q dated November 12, 2021)
10.51	Exchange Agreements dated as of November 9, 2021 by and between China Recycling Energy Corporation and Streeterville Capital, LLC. (filed as Exhibit 10.5 to the Company’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q dated November 12, 2021)
10.52	Exchange Agreements dated as of November 30, 2021 by and between China Recycling Energy Corporation and Streeterville Capital, LLC. (filed as Exhibit 10.51 to the Company’s Amendment to Registration Statement on Form S1/A dated December 3, 2021)
10.53	Exchange Agreements dated as of November 7, 2022 by and between China Recycling Energy Corporation and Bucktown Capital, LLC. (filed as Exhibit 10.53 to the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K dated May, 8, 2023)
10.54	Exchange Agreements dated as of January 6, 2023 by and between China Recycling Energy Corporation and Bucktown Capital, LLC. (filed as Exhibit 10.54 to the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K dated May, 8, 2023)
10.55	Exchange Agreements dated as of January 18, 2023 by and between China Recycling Energy Corporation and Bucktown Capital, LLC. (filed as Exhibit 10.55 to the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K dated May, 8, 2023)
10.56	Exchange Agreements dated as of February 13, 2023 by and between China Recycling Energy Corporation and Bucktown Capital, LLC. (filed as Exhibit 10.56 to the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K dated May, 8, 2023)
10.57*	Exchange Agreements dated as of December 29, 2023 by and between China Recycling Energy Corporation and Bucktown Capital, LLC.
14.1	Code of Ethics (filed as Exhibit 14.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated December 2, 2009).
19.1	Insider Trading Policy, dated November 25, 2009. (filed as Exhibit 19.1 to the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K dated May, 8, 2023)
21.1	Subsidiaries (filed as Exhibit 21.1 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K dated May 14, 2020).
31.1*	Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) certification of the Chief Executive Officer.
31.2*	Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) certification of the Chief Financial Officer.
32.1*	Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350.
32.2*	Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350.
97*	Compensation Recovery Policy
101.INS*	Inline XBRL Instance Document
101.CAL*	Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.SCH*	Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document.
101.DEF*	Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
101.LAB*	Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels Linkbase Document
101.PRE*	Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
104*	Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101).

* Filed herewith

ITEM 16. FORM 10-K SUMMARY.

None.

75

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

	Smart Powerr Corp.
Date: April 11, 2024	By:	/s/ Guohua Ku
		Guohua Ku
		Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)
Date: April 11, 2024	By:	/s/ Yongjiang Shi
		Yongjiang Shi
		Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

Pursuant to the requirements of the Exchange Act, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the date indicated.

Signature	Title	Date
/s/ Guohua Ku	Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer	April 11, 2024
Guohua Ku
/s/ Xiaoping Guo	Director	April 11, 2024
Xiaoping Guo
/s/ Yan Zhan	Director	April 11, 2024
Yan Zhan
/s/ LuLu Sun	Director	April 11, 2024
LuLu Sun
/s/ Zhongli Liu	Director	April 11, 2024
Zhongli Liu
/s/ Yongjiang Shi	Chief Financial Officer and Vice President	April 11, 2024
Yongjiang Shi
/s/ Binfeng Gu	Secretary	April 11, 2024
Binfeng Gu

76

EX-10.57

Exhibit 10.57

THE EXCHANGE CONTEMPLATED HEREIN IS INTENDED TO COMPORT WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF SECTION 3(a)(9) OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED.

EXCHANGE AGREEMENT

This Exchange Agreement (this “Agreement”) is entered into as of December 29, 2023 by and between Bucktown Capital, LLC, a Utah limited liability company (“Lender”), and Smart Powerr Corp. (f/k/a China Recycling Energy Corporation), a Nevada corporation (“Borrower”). Capitalized terms used in this Agreement without definition shall have the meanings given to them in the Original Note (defined below).

A. Borrower previously sold and issued to Lender that certain Promissory Note dated April 2, 2021 in the original principal amount of $5,250,000.00 (the “Original Note”) pursuant to that certain Securities Purchase Agreement dated April 2, 2021 by and between Lender and Borrower (the “Purchase Agreement,” and together with the Original Note and all other documents entered into in conjunction therewith, the “Transaction Documents”).

B. Subject to the terms of this Agreement, Borrower and Lender desire to partition a new Promissory Note in the original principal amount of $250,000.00 (the “Partitioned Note”) from the Original Note and then cause the outstanding balance of the Original Note to be reduced by an amount equal to the initial outstanding balance of the Partitioned Note.

C. Borrower and Lender further desire to exchange (such exchange is referred to as the “Note Exchange”) the Partitioned Note for the delivery of 165,081 shares of the Company’s Common Stock, par value $0.001 (the “Common Stock,” and such 165,081 shares of Common Stock, the “Exchange Shares”), according to the terms and conditions of this Agreement.

D. The Note Exchange will consist of Lender surrendering the Partitioned Note in exchange for the Exchange Shares, which will be issued free of any restrictive securities legend pursuant to Rule 144. Other than the surrender of the Partitioned Note, no consideration of any kind whatsoever shall be given by Lender to Borrower in connection with this Agreement.

E. Lender and Borrower now desire to exchange the Partitioned Note for the Exchange Shares on the terms and conditions set forth herein.

NOW, THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties agree as follows:

1. Recitals and Definitions. Each of the parties hereto acknowledges and agrees that the recitals set forth above in this Agreement are true and accurate, are contractual in nature, and are hereby incorporated into and made a part of this Agreement.

2. Partition. Effective as of the date hereof, Borrower and Lender agree that the Partitioned Note is hereby partitioned from the Original Note. Following such partition of the Original Note, Borrower and Lender agree that the Original Note shall remain in full force and effect, provided that the outstanding balance of the Original Note shall be reduced by an amount equal to the initial outstanding balance of the Partitioned Note.

3. Issuance of Shares. Pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Exchange Shares shall be delivered to Lender on or before January 3, 2024 and the Note Exchange shall occur with Lender surrendering the Partitioned Note to Borrower on the Free Trading Date (as defined below). On the Free Trading Date, the Partitioned Note shall be cancelled and all obligations of Borrower under the Partitioned Note shall be deemed fulfilled. All Exchange Shares delivered hereunder shall be delivered via DWAC to Lender’s designated brokerage account. Subject to the securities laws and regulations, Borrower agrees to provide all necessary cooperation or assistance that may be required to cause all Exchange Shares delivered hereunder to become Free Trading (the first date such occurs, the “Free Trading Date”). For purposes hereof, the term “Free Trading” means that (a) the Exchange Shares have been cleared and approved for public resale by the compliance departments of Lender’s brokerage firm and the clearing firm servicing such brokerage, and (b) such shares are held in the name of the clearing firm servicing Lender’s brokerage firm and have been deposited into such clearing firm’s account for the benefit of Lender.

4. Closing. The closing of the transaction contemplated hereby (the “Closing”) along with the delivery of the Exchange Shares to Lender shall occur on the date that is mutually agreed to by Borrower and Lender by means of the exchange by email of .pdf documents, but shall be deemed to have occurred at the offices of Hansen Black Anderson Ashcraft PLLC in Lehi, Utah.

5. Holding Period, Tacking and Legal Opinion. Lender and Borrower agree that for the purposes of Rule 144 (“Rule 144”) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), the holding period of the Partitioned Note and the Exchange Shares will include Lender’s holding period of the Original Note from April 2, 2021, which date is the date that the Original Note was originally issued. Borrower agrees not to take a position contrary to this Section 5 in any document, statement, setting, or situation. Borrower agrees to take all action necessary to issue the Exchange Shares without restriction, and not containing any restrictive legend without the need for any action by Lender; provided that the applicable holding period has been met. In furtherance thereof, prior to the Closing, counsel to Lender may, in its sole discretion, provide an opinion that: (a) the Exchange Shares may be resold pursuant to Rule 144 without volume or manner-of-sale restrictions or current public information requirements; and (b) the transactions contemplated hereby and all other documents associated with this transaction comport with the requirements of Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act. Borrower represents that it is in full compliance with the tests and standards set forth in Rule 144(i)(2) as of the date of this Agreement. The Exchange Shares are being issued in substitution of and exchange for and not in satisfaction of the Partitioned Note. The Exchange Shares shall not constitute a novation or satisfaction and accord of the Partitioned Note. Borrower acknowledges and understands that the representations and agreements of Borrower in this Section 5 are a material inducement to Lender’s decision to consummate the transactions contemplated herein.

2

6. Representations, Warranties and Agreements of Borrower. In order to induce Lender to enter into this Agreement, Borrower, for itself, and for its affiliates, successors and assigns, hereby acknowledges, represents, warrants and agrees as follows: (a) Borrower has full power and authority to enter into this Agreement and to incur and perform all obligations and covenants contained herein, all of which have been duly authorized by all proper and necessary action, (b) no consent, approval, filing or registration with or notice to any governmental authority is required as a condition to the validity of this Agreement or the performance of any of the obligations of Borrower hereunder, (c) except as specifically set forth herein, nothing herein shall in any manner release, lessen, modify or otherwise affect Borrower’s obligations under the Original Note, (d) the issuance of the Exchange Shares is duly authorized by all necessary corporate action and the Exchange Shares are validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable, free and clear of all taxes, liens, claims, pledges, mortgages, restrictions, obligations, security interests and encumbrances of any kind, nature and description, (e) Borrower has not received any consideration in any form whatsoever for entering into this Agreement, other than the surrender of the Partitioned Note, and (f) Borrower has taken no action which would give rise to any claim by any person for a brokerage commission, placement agent or finder’s fee or other similar payment by Borrower related to this Agreement.

7. Representations, Warranties and Agreements of Lender. In order to induce Borrower to enter into this Agreement, Lender, for itself, and for its affiliates, successors and assigns, hereby acknowledges, represents, warrants and agrees as follows: (a) Lender has full power and authority to enter into this Agreement and to incur and perform all obligations and covenants contained herein, all of which have been duly authorized by all proper and necessary action, and (b) no consent, approval, filing or registration with or notice to any governmental authority is required as a condition to the validity of this Agreement or the performance of any of the obligations of Lender hereunder.

8. Arbitration. By its execution of this Agreement, each party agrees to be bound by the Arbitration Provisions (as defined in the Purchase Agreement) set forth as an exhibit to the Purchase Agreement and the parties agree to submit all Claims (as defined in the Purchase Agreement) arising under this Agreement or any Transaction Document or other agreement between the parties and their affiliates to binding arbitration pursuant to the Arbitration Provisions.

9. Governing Law; Venue. This Agreement shall be construed and enforced in accordance with, and all questions concerning the construction, validity, interpretation and performance of this Agreement shall be governed by, the internal laws of the State of Utah, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law provision or rule (whether of the State of Utah or any other jurisdictions) that would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdictions other than the State of Utah. The provisions set forth in the Purchase Agreement to determine the proper venue for any disputes are incorporated herein by this reference. BORROWER HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO, AND AGREES NOT TO REQUEST, A JURY TRIAL FOR THE ADJUDICATION OF ANY DISPUTE HEREUNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH OR ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY TRANSACTION CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.

10. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts with the same effect as if all signing parties had signed the same document. All counterparts shall be construed together and constitute the same instrument. The exchange of copies of this Agreement and of signature pages by facsimile transmission or other electronic transmission (including email) shall constitute effective execution and delivery of this Agreement as to the parties and may be used in lieu of the original Agreement for all purposes. Signatures of the parties transmitted by facsimile transmission or other electronic transmission (including email) shall be deemed to be their original signatures for all purposes.

3

11. Attorneys’ Fees. In the event of any arbitration or action at law or in equity to enforce or interpret the terms of this Agreement, the prevailing party shall therefore be entitled to an additional award of the full amount of the attorneys’ fees and expenses paid by such prevailing party in connection with the arbitration, litigation and/or dispute without reduction or apportionment based upon the individual claims or defenses giving rise to the fees and expenses. Nothing herein shall restrict or impair an arbitrator’s or a court’s power to award fees and expenses for frivolous or bad faith pleading.

12. No Reliance. Each party acknowledges and agrees that neither the other party nor any of such other party’s officers, directors, members, managers, equity holders, representatives or agents has made any representations or warranties to the party or any of its agents, representatives, officers, directors, or employees except as expressly set forth in this Agreement and the Transaction Documents and, in making its decision to enter into the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, the party is not relying on any representation, warranty, covenant or promise of the other party or such other party’s officers, directors, members, managers, equity holders, agents or representatives other than as set forth in this Agreement.

13. Severability. If any part of this Agreement is construed to be in violation of any law, such part shall be modified to achieve the objective of the parties to the fullest extent permitted and the balance of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.

14. Entire Agreement. This Agreement, together with the Transaction Documents, and all other documents referred to herein, supersedes all other prior oral or written agreements between Borrower, Lender, its affiliates and persons acting on its behalf with respect to the matters discussed herein, and this Agreement and the instruments referenced herein contain the entire understanding of the parties with respect to the matters covered herein and therein and, except as specifically set forth herein or therein, neither Lender nor Borrower makes any representation, warranty, covenant or undertaking with respect to such matters.

15. Amendments. This Agreement may be amended, modified, or supplemented only by written agreement of the parties. No provision of this Agreement may be waived except in writing signed by the party against whom such waiver is sought to be enforced.

16. Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties and their respective successors and assigns. This Agreement or any of the severable rights and obligations inuring to the benefit of or to be performed by Lender hereunder may be assigned by Lender to a third party, including its financing sources, in whole or in part. Neither party shall assign this Agreement or any of its obligations herein without the prior written consent of the other party.

4

17. Continuing Enforceability; Conflict Between Documents. Except as otherwise modified by this Agreement, the Original Note and each of the other Transaction Documents shall remain in full force and effect, enforceable in accordance with all of its original terms and provisions. This Agreement shall not be effective or binding unless and until it is fully executed and delivered by Lender and Borrower. If there is any conflict between the terms of this Agreement, on the one hand, and the Original Note or any other Transaction Document, on the other hand, the terms of this Agreement shall prevail.

18. Time of Essence. Time is of the essence with respect to each and every provision of this Agreement.

19. Notices. Unless otherwise specifically provided for herein, all notices, demands or requests required or permitted under this Agreement to be given to Borrower or Lender shall be given as set forth in the “Notices” section of the Purchase Agreement.

20. Further Assurances. Each party shall do and perform or cause to be done and performed, all such further acts and things, and shall execute and deliver all such other agreements, certificates, instruments and documents, as the other party may reasonably request in order to carry out the intent and accomplish the purposes of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank]

5

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this Agreement as of the date first set forth above.

COMPANY:
SMART POWERR CORP.
By:	/s/Jackie Shi
Name:	Jackie Shi
Title:	Chief Financial Officer

LENDER:
BUCKTOWN CAPITAL, LLC
By:	/s/ John M. Fife
	John M. Fife, President

[Signature Page to Exchange Agreement]

EX-31.1

Exhibit 31.1

CERTIFICATION OF CO-CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER PURSUANT TO EXCHANGE ACT RULE 13A-14(A),

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

I, Guohua Ku, certify that:

1.	I have reviewed this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 of Smart Powerr Corp.;
2	Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3	Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4	The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
	a.	Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
	b.	Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
	c.	Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
	d.	Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and
5	The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors:
	a.	All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
	b.	Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date: April 11, 2024	By:	/s/ Guohua Ku
		Guohua Ku Chief Executive Officer, President and Co-Chairman of the Board (Principal Executive Officer)

EX-31.2

Exhibit 31.2

CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER PURSUANT TO EXCHANGE ACT RULE 13A-14(A),
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

I, Yongjiang Shi, certify that:

1.	I have reviewed this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 of Smart Powerr Corp.
2	Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3	Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4	The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
	a.	Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
	b.	Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
	c.	Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
	d.	Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and
5	The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors:
	a.	All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
	b.	Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date: April 11, 2024	By:	/s/ Yongjiang Shi
		Yongjiang Shi Chief Financial Officer and Secretary (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

EX-32.1

Exhibit 32.1

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO

18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO

SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

I, Guohua Ku, certify, pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, that:

1. The Annual Report on Form 10-K of Smart Powerr Corp. (the “Company”) for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 (the “Report”) fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (U.S.C. 78m or 78o(d)); and

2. The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

Date: April 11, 2024	By:	/s/ Guohua Ku
		Guohua Ku
		Chief Executive Officer, President and Co-Chairman of the Board (Principal Executive Officer)

The foregoing certification is being furnished solely pursuant to section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (subsections (a) and (b) of section 1350, chapter 63 of title 18, United States Code) and is not being filed as part of a separate disclosure document.

EX-32.2

Exhibit 32.2

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO

18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO

SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

I, Yongjiang Shi, certify, pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, that:

1. The Annual Report on Form 10-K of Smart Powerr Corp. (the “Company”) for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 (the “Report”) fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (U.S.C. 78m or 78o(d)); and

2. The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

Date: April 11, 2024	By:	/s/ Yongjiang Shi
		Yongjiang Shi
		Chief Financial Officer and Secretary (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

The foregoing certification is being furnished solely pursuant to section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (subsections (a) and (b) of section 1350, chapter 63 of title 18, United States Code) and is not being filed as part of a separate disclosure document.

EX-97.1

Exhibit 97

SMART POWERR CORP.

Executive Compensation Recovery Policy

This policy covers the Covered Officers of SMART POWERR CORP. (the “Company”) and explains when the Company will be required or authorized, as applicable, to seek recovery of Incentive Compensation awarded or paid to Covered Officers. Please refer to Exhibit A attached hereto (the “Definitions Exhibit”) for the definitions of capitalized terms used throughout this Policy.

1. Miscalculation of Financial Performance Measure Results. In the event of a Restatement, the Company will seek to recover, reasonably promptly, all Recoverable Incentive Compensation from a Covered Officer during the Applicable Period. Such recovery, in the case of a Restatement, will be made without regard to any individual knowledge or responsibility related to the Restatement or the Recoverable Incentive Compensation. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Company is required to undertake a Restatement, the Company will not be required to recover the Recoverable Incentive Compensation if the Compensation Committee determines it Impracticable to do so, after exercising a normal due process review of all the relevant facts and circumstances.

The Company will seek to recover all Recoverable Incentive Compensation that was awarded or paid in accordance with the definition of “Recoverable Incentive Compensation” set forth on the Definitions Exhibit. If such Recoverable Incentive Compensation was not awarded or paid on a formulaic basis, the Company will seek to recover the amount that the Compensation Committee determines in good faith should be recouped.

2. Legal and Compliance Violations. Compliance with the law and the Company’s corporate policies is a pre-condition to earning Incentive Compensation. If the Company in its sole discretion concludes that a Covered Officer (1) committed a significant legal or compliance violation in connection with the Covered Officer’s employment, including a violation of the Company’s corporate policies (each, “Misconduct”), or (2) was aware of or willfully blind to Misconduct that occurred in an area over which the Covered Officer had supervisory authority, the Company may, at the direction of the Compensation Committee, seek recovery of all or a portion of the Recoverable Incentive Compensation awarded or paid to the Covered Officer for the Applicable Period in which the violation occurred. In addition, the Company may, at the direction of the Compensation Committee, conclude that any unpaid or unvested Incentive Compensation has not been earned and must be forfeited.

In the event of Misconduct, the Company may seek recovery of Recoverable Incentive Compensation even if the Misconduct did not result in an award or payment greater than would have been awarded or paid absent the Misconduct.

In the event of Misconduct, in determining whether to seek recovery and the amount, if any, by which the payment or award should be reduced, the Compensation Committee may consider—among other things— the seriousness of the Misconduct, whether the Covered Officer was unjustly enriched, whether seeking the recovery would prejudice the Company’s interests in any way, including in a proceeding or investigation, and any other factors it deems relevant to the determination.

3. Other Actions. The Compensation Committee may, subject to applicable law, seek recovery in the manner it chooses, including by seeking reimbursement from the Covered Officer of all or part of the compensation awarded or paid, by electing to withhold unpaid compensation, by set-off, or by rescinding or canceling unvested stock.

In the reasonable exercise of its business judgment under this Policy, the Compensation Committee may in its sole discretion determine whether and to what extent additional action is appropriate to address the circumstances surrounding a Restatement or Misconduct to minimize the likelihood of any recurrence and to impose such other discipline as it deems appropriate.

4. No Indemnification or Reimbursement. Notwithstanding the terms of any other policy, program, agreement or arrangement, in no event will the Company or any of its affiliates indemnify or reimburse a Covered Officer for any loss under this Policy and in no event will the Company or any of its affiliates pay premiums on any insurance policy that would cover a Covered Officer’s potential obligations with respect to Recoverable Incentive Compensation under this Policy.

5. Administration of Policy. The Compensation Committee will have full authority to administer this Policy. Actions of the Compensation Committee pursuant to this Policy will be taken by the vote of a majority of its members. The Compensation Committee will, subject to the provisions of this Policy and Rule 10D-1 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and the Company’s applicable exchange listing standards, make such determinations and interpretations and take such actions in connection with this Policy as it deems necessary, appropriate or advisable. All determinations and interpretations made by the Compensation Committee will be final, binding and conclusive.

6. Other Claims and Rights. The remedies under this Policy are in addition to, and not in lieu of, any legal and equitable claims the Company or any of its affiliates may have or any actions that may be imposed by law enforcement agencies, regulators, administrative bodies, or other authorities. Further, the exercise by the Compensation Committee of any rights pursuant to this Policy will not impact any other rights that the Company or any of its affiliates may have with respect to any Covered Officer subject to this Policy.

7. Condition to Eligibility for Incentive Compensation. All Incentive Compensation subject to this Policy will not be earned, even if already paid, until the Policy ceases to apply to such Incentive Compensation and any other vesting conditions applicable to such Incentive Compensation are satisfied.

8. Amendment; Termination. The Board or the Compensation Committee may amend or terminate this Policy at any time.

9. Effectiveness. Except as otherwise determined in writing by the Compensation Committee, this Policy will apply to any Incentive Compensation that (a) in the case of any Restatement, is Received by Covered Officers prior to, on or following the Effective Date, and (b) in the case of Misconduct, is awarded or paid to a Covered Officer on or after the Effective Date. This Policy will survive and continue notwithstanding any termination of a Covered Officer’s employment with the Company and its affiliates.

10. Successors. This Policy shall be binding and enforceable against all Covered Officers and their successors, beneficiaries, heirs, executors, administrators, or other legal representatives.

11. Governing Law. To the extent not preempted by U.S. federal law, this Policy will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without reference to principles of conflict of laws.

2

EXHIBIT A

DEFINITIONS

“Applicable Period” means (a) in the case of any Restatement, the three completed fiscal years of the Company immediately preceding the earlier of (i) the date the Board, a committee of the Board, or the officer or officers of the Company authorized to take such action if Board action is not required, concludes (or reasonably should have concluded) that a Restatement is required or (ii) the date a regulator, court or other legally authorized entity directs the Company to undertake a Restatement, and (b) in the case of any Misconduct, such period as the Compensation Committee or Board determines to be appropriate in light of the scope and nature of the Misconduct. The “Applicable Period” also includes any transition period (that results from a change in the Company’s fiscal year) within or immediately following the three completed fiscal years identified in the preceding sentence.

“Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company.

“Compensation Committee” means the Company’s committee of independent directors responsible for executive compensation decisions, or in the absence of such a committee, a majority of the independent directors serving on the Board.

“Covered Officer” means (a) in the case of any Restatement, any person who is, or was at any time, during the Applicable Period, an Executive Officer of the Company, and (b) in the case of any Misconduct, any person who was an Executive Officer at the time of the Misconduct. For the avoidance of doubt, a Covered Officer may include a former Executive Officer that left the Company, retired, or transitioned to an employee role (including after serving as an Executive Officer in an interim capacity) during the Applicable Period.

“Effective Date” means December 1, 2023.

“Executive Officer” means the Company’s president, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer (or if there is no such accounting officer, the controller), any vice-president in charge of a principal business unit, division, or function (such as sales, administration, or finance), any other officer who performs a policy-making function, or any other person (including an officer of the Company’s parent(s) or subsidiaries) who performs similar policy-making functions for the Company.

“Financial Performance Measure” means a measure that is determined and presented in accordance with the accounting principles used in preparing the Company’s financial statements (including “non-GAAP” financial measures, such as those appearing in the Company’s earnings releases or Management Discussion and Analysis), and any measure that is derived wholly or in part from such measure. Stock price and total shareholder return (and any measures derived wholly or in part therefrom) shall be considered Financial Performance Measures.

“Impracticable.” The Compensation Committee may determine in good faith that recovery of Recoverable Incentive Compensation is “Impracticable” (a) in the case of any Restatement, if: (i) pursuing such recovery would violate home country law of the jurisdiction of incorporation of the Company where that law was adopted prior to October 2, 2023 and the Company provides an opinion of counsel to that effect acceptable to the Company’s listing exchange; (ii) the direct expense paid to a third party to assist in enforcing this Policy would exceed the Recoverable Incentive Compensation and the Company has (A) made a reasonable attempt to recover such amounts and (B) provided documentation of such attempts to recover to the Company’s applicable listing exchange; or (iii) recovery would likely cause an otherwise tax-qualified retirement plan, under which benefits are broadly available to employees of the Company, to fail to meet the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and (b) in the case of any Misconduct, in its sole discretion, in light of the scope and nature of the Misconduct.

3

“Incentive Compensation” means any compensation that is granted, earned, or vested based wholly or in part upon the attainment of a Financial Performance Measure. Incentive Compensation does not include any base salaries (except with respect to any salary increases earned wholly or in part based on the attainment of a Financial Performance Measure performance goal); bonuses paid solely at the discretion of the Compensation Committee or Board that are not paid from a “bonus pool” that is determined by satisfying a Financial Performance Measure performance goal; bonuses paid solely upon satisfying one or more subjective standards and/or completion of a specified employment period; non-equity incentive plan awards earned solely upon satisfying one or more strategic measures or operational measures; and equity awards that vest solely based on the passage of time and/or attaining one or more non-Financial Performance Measures. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of any Misconduct, Incentive Compensation will include all forms of cash and equity incentive compensation, including, without limitation, cash bonuses and equity awards that are received or vest solely based on the passage of time and/or attaining one or more non-Financial Performance Measures.

“Received.” Incentive Compensation is deemed “Received” in the Company’s fiscal period during which the Financial Performance Measure specified in the Incentive Compensation award is attained, even if the payment or grant of the Incentive Compensation occurs after the end of that period.

“Recoverable Incentive Compensation” means (a) in the case of any Restatement, the amount of any Incentive Compensation (calculated on a pre-tax basis) Received by a Covered Officer during the Applicable Period that is in excess of the amount that otherwise would have been Received if the calculation were based on the Restatement, and (b) in the case of any Misconduct, the amount of any Incentive Compensation (calculated on a pre-tax basis) awarded or paid to a Covered Officer during the Applicable Period that the Compensation Committee determines, in its sole discretion, to be appropriate in light of the scope and nature of the Misconduct. For the avoidance of doubt, in the case of any Restatement, Recoverable Incentive Compensation does not include any Incentive Compensation Received by a person (i) before such person began service as a Covered Officer and (ii) who did not serve as a Covered Officer at any time during the performance period for that Incentive Compensation. For the avoidance of doubt, in the case of any Restatement, Recoverable Incentive Compensation may include Incentive Compensation Received by a person while serving as an employee if such person previously served as a Covered Officer and then transitioned to an employee role. For Incentive Compensation based on (or derived from) stock price or total shareholder return where the amount of Recoverable Incentive Compensation is not subject to mathematical recalculation directly from the information in the applicable Restatement, the amount will be determined by the Compensation Committee based on a reasonable estimate of the effect of the Restatement on the stock price or total shareholder return upon which the Incentive Compensation was Received (in which case, the Company will maintain documentation of such determination of that reasonable estimate and provide such documentation to the Company’s applicable listing exchange).

“Restatement” means an accounting restatement of any of the Company’s financial statements filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Exchange Act, or the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, due to the Company’s material noncompliance with any financial reporting requirement under U.S. securities laws, regardless of whether the Company or Covered Officer misconduct was the cause for such restatement. “Restatement” includes any required accounting restatement to correct an error in previously issued financial statements that is material to the previously issued financial statements (commonly referred to as “Big R” restatements), or that would result in a material misstatement if the error were corrected in the current period or left uncorrected in the current period (commonly referred to as “littler” restatements).

4

XML

Cover - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2023	Jun. 30, 2023
Document Information [Line Items]
Document Type	10-K
Document Annual Report	true
Document Transition Report	false
Document Financial Statement Error Correction [Flag]	false
Entity Interactive Data Current	No
ICFR Auditor Attestation Flag	false
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2023
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2023
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Entity Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	SMART POWERR CORP.
Entity Central Index Key	0000721693
Entity File Number	000-12536
Entity Tax Identification Number	90-0093373
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	NV
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	No
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Filer Category	Non-accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	true
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Public Float		$ 10.7
Entity Contact Personnel [Line Items]
Entity Address, Address Line One	4/F, Tower C Rong Cheng Yun Gu Building Keji 3rd Road
Entity Address, Address Line Two	Yanta District
Entity Address, Address Line Three	Shaan Xi Province
Entity Address, City or Town	Xi An City
Entity Address, Country	CN
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	710075
Entity Phone Fax Numbers [Line Items]
City Area Code	(011)
Local Phone Number	86-29-8765-1097
Entity Listings [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, $0.001 par value
Trading Symbol	CREG
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	7,963,444

XML

Audit Information	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2023
Auditor [Table]
Auditor Name	Enrome LLP
Auditor Firm ID	6907
Auditor Location	Singapore

XML

Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022
CURRENT ASSETS
Cash	$ 32,370	$ 138,813,673
VAT receivable	170,694	173,589
Advance to supplier	67,440,761	31,923
Operating lease right-of-use assets, net		62,177
Short term loan receivables	68,773,208
Other receivables	48,519	49,690
Total current assets	136,465,552	139,131,052
NON-CURRENT ASSETS
Fixed asset, net	3,994	4,653
Total non-current assets	3,994	4,653
TOTAL ASSETS	136,469,546	139,135,705
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Accounts payable	70,083	71,271
Taxes payable	4,277,091	3,681,352
Accrued interest on notes	2,290	261,035
Notes payable, net of unamortized OID of $0 and $31,250, respectively	5,222,743	5,697,727
Accrued liabilities and other payables	2,664,461	2,776,414
Operating lease liability		62,178
Payable for purchase of 10% equity interest of Zhonghong	423,567	430,750
Interest payable on entrusted loans	341,459	347,249
Entrusted loan payable	10,871,560	11,055,911
Total current liabilities	23,873,254	24,383,887
NONCURRENT LIABILITIES
Income tax payable	3,350,625	3,958,625
Total noncurrent liabilities	3,350,625	3,958,625
Total liabilities	27,223,879	28,342,512
CONTINGENCIES AND COMMITMENTS
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Common stock, $0.001 par value; 100,000,000 shares authorized, 7,963,444 and 7,391,996 shares issued and outstanding	7,963	7,392
Additional paid in capital	164,870,025	163,663,305
Statutory reserve	15,191,645	15,168,003
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(10,326,595)	(8,318,564)
Accumulated deficit	(60,497,371)	(59,726,943)
Total stockholders’ equity	109,245,667	110,793,193
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY	$ 136,469,546	$ 139,135,705

XML

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parentheticals) - USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Notes payable (in Dollars)	$ 0	$ 31,250
Equity interest rate	10.00%	10.00%
Common stock, par value (in Dollars per share)	$ 0.001	$ 0.001
Common stock, shares authorized	100,000,000	100,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	7,963,444	7,391,996
Common stock, shares outstanding	7,963,444	7,391,996

XML

Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022
Revenue
Contingent rental income
Interest income on sales-type leases
Total operating income
Operating expenses
General and administrative	798,473	1,599,156
Litigation expense		2,281,277
Total operating expenses	798,473	3,880,433
Loss from operations	(798,473)	(3,880,433)
Non-operating income (expenses)
Loss on note conversion	(7,291)	(135,103)
Interest income	251,668	431,489
Interest expense	(435,241)	(686,581)
Other income (expenses), net	339,251	(117,047)
Total non-operating income (expenses), net	148,387	(507,242)
Loss before income tax	(650,086)	(4,387,675)
Income tax expense	96,700	69,652
Net loss	(746,786)	(4,457,327)
Other comprehensive items
Foreign currency translation loss	(2,008,031)	(11,639,753)
Comprehensive loss	$ (2,754,817)	$ (16,097,080)
Weighted average shares used for computing basic loss per share (in Shares)	7,784,868	7,334,971
Basic net loss per share (in Dollars per share)	$ (0.1)	$ (0.61)

XML

Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss (Parentheticals) - $ / shares	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022
Income Statement [Abstract]
Weighted average shares used for computing diluted loss per share	7,784,868	7,334,971
Diluted net loss per share	$ (0.10)	$ (0.61)

XML

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity - USD ($)	Common Stock	Paid in Capital	Statutory Reserves	Other Comprehensive Loss	Accumulated Deficit	Total
Balance at Dec. 31, 2021	$ 7,044	$ 161,531,565	$ 15,180,067	$ 3,321,189	$ (55,281,680)	$ 124,758,185
Balance (in Shares) at Dec. 31, 2021	7,044,408
Net loss for the year					(4,457,327)	(4,457,327)
Conversion of long-term notes into common shares	$ 348	2,131,740				2,132,088
Conversion of long-term notes into common shares (in Shares)	347,588
Transfer to statutory reserves			(12,064)		12,064
Foreign currency translation loss				(11,639,753)		(11,639,753)
Balance at Dec. 31, 2022	$ 7,392	163,663,305	15,168,003	(8,318,564)	(59,726,943)	$ 110,793,193
Balance (in Shares) at Dec. 31, 2022	7,391,996					7,391,996
Net loss for the year					(746,786)	$ (746,786)
Conversion of long-term notes into common shares	$ 571	1,206,720				1,207,291
Conversion of long-term notes into common shares (in Shares)	571,448
Transfer to statutory reserves			23,642		(23,642)
Foreign currency translation loss				(2,008,031)		(2,008,031)
Balance at Dec. 31, 2023	$ 7,963	$ 164,870,025	$ 15,191,645	$ (10,326,595)	$ (60,497,371)	$ 109,245,667
Balance (in Shares) at Dec. 31, 2023	7,963,444					7,963,444

XML

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net loss	$ (746,786)	$ (4,457,327)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
Amortization of OID and debt issuing costs of notes	31,250	194,355
Bad debt expense	7,095
Depreciation and amortization	584	612
Operating lease expenses	62,218	65,185
Loss on note conversion	7,291	135,103
Interest expense		229,015
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Advance to supplier	(67,749,715)	857,500
Other receivables	(5,280)	7,822
Taxes payable	(11,774)	1,086
Payment of lease liability	(62,218)	(65,185)
Accrued liabilities and other payables	367,436	2,679,954
Net cash used in operating activities	(68,099,899)	(351,880)
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Short term loan receivable	(69,124,086)
Net cash used in investing activities	(69,124,086)
EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGE ON CASH	(1,557,318)	(12,846,334)
NET DECREASE IN CASH	(138,781,303)	(13,198,214)
CASH, BEGINNING OF YEAR	138,813,673	152,011,887
CASH, END OF YEAR	32,370	138,813,673
Supplemental cash flow data:
Income tax paid	108,519	68,648
Interest paid
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash financing activities
Conversion of notes into common shares	$ 1,200,000	$ 1,996,986

XML

Organization and Description of Business

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2023

Organization and Description of Business [Abstract]

ORGANIZATION AND DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS

1. ORGANIZATION AND DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS

Smart Powerr Corp. (the “Company” or “SPC”) was incorporated in Nevada, and was formerly known as China Recycling Entergy Corporation. The Company, through its subsidiaries, provides energy saving solutions and services, including selling and leasing energy saving systems and equipment to customers, and project investment in the Peoples Republic of China (“PRC”).

The Company’s organizational chart as of December 31, 2023 is as follows:

 

Erdos TCH – Joint Venture

On April 14, 2009, the Company formed a joint venture (the “JV”) with Erdos Metallurgy Co., Ltd. (“Erdos”) to recycle waste heat from Erdos’ metal refining plants to generate power and steam to be sold back to Erdos. The name of the JV was Inner Mongolia Erdos TCH Energy Saving Development Co., Ltd. (“Erdos TCH”) with a term of 20 years. Erdos contributed 7% of the total investment of the project, and Xi’an TCH Energy Technology Co., Ltd. (“Xi’an TCH”) contributed 93%. On June 15, 2013, Xi’an TCH and Erdos entered into a share transfer agreement, pursuant to which Erdos sold its 7% ownership interest in the JV to Xi’an TCH for $1.29 million (RMB 8 million), plus certain accumulated profits. Xi’an TCH paid the $1.29 million in July 2013 and, as a result, became the sole stockholder of the JV. Erdos TCH currently has two power generation systems in Phase I with a total 18 MW power capacity, and three power generation systems in Phase II with a total 27 MW power capacity. On April 28, 2016, Erdos TCH and Erdos entered into a supplemental agreement, effective May 1, 2016, whereby Erdos TCH cancelled monthly minimum lease payments from Erdos, and started to charge Erdos based on actual electricity sold at RMB 0.30 / KWH. The selling price of each KWH is determined annually based on prevailing market conditions. In May 2019, Erdos TCH ceased operations due to renovations and furnace safety upgrades of Erdos, and the Company initially expected the resumption of operations in July 2020, but the resumption of operations was further delayed due to the government’s mandate for Erdos to significantly lower its energy consumption per unit of GDP by implementing a comprehensive technical upgrade of its ferrosilicon production line to meet the City’s energy-saving targets.  Erdos is currently researching the technical rectification scheme. Once the scheme is determined, Erdos TCH will carry out technical transformation for its waste heat power station project. During this period, Erdos will compensate Erdos TCH RMB 1 million ($145,524) per month, until operations resume. The Company has not recognized any income due to the uncertainty of collection. In addition, Erdos TCH has 30% ownership in DaTangShiDai (BinZhou) Energy Savings Technology Co., Ltd. (“BinZhou Energy Savings”), 30% ownership in DaTangShiDai DaTong Recycling Energy Technology Co., Ltd. (“DaTong Recycling Energy”), and 40% ownership in DaTang ShiDai TianYu XuZhou Recycling Energy Technology Co, Ltd. (“TianYu XuZhou Recycling Energy”). These companies were incorporated in 2012 but had no operations since then nor has any registered capital contribution been made.  

Formation of Zhongxun

On March 24, 2014, Xi’an TCH incorporated a subsidiary, Zhongxun Energy Investment (Beijing) Co., Ltd. (“Zhongxun”) with registered capital of $5,695,502 (RMB 35,000,000), which must be contributed before October 1, 2028. Zhongxun is 100% owned by Xi’an TCH and will be mainly engaged in project investment, investment management, economic information consulting, and technical services. Zhongxun has not commenced operations nor has any capital contribution been made as of the date of this report.

Formation of Yinghua

On February 11, 2015, the Company incorporated a subsidiary, Shanghai Yinghua Financial Leasing Co., Ltd. (“Yinghua”) with registered capital of $30,000,000, to be paid within 10 years from the date the business license is issued. Yinghua is 100% owned by the Company and will be mainly engaged in financial leasing, purchase of financial leasing assets, disposal and repair of financial leasing assets, consulting and ensuring of financial leasing transactions, and related factoring business. Yinghua has not commenced operations nor has any capital contribution been made as of the date of this report. 

Other Events 

On March 3, 2022, the Company filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Nevada a Certificate of Amendment to the Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to change our corporate name from China Recycling Energy Corporation to Smart Powerr Corp, effective March 3, 2022. 

XML

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2023

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements (“CFS”) are prepared in conformity with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“US GAAP”). The functional currency of the Company’s operating entities is Chinese Renminbi (“RMB”). The accompanying consolidated financial statements are translated from RMB and presented in U.S. dollars (“USD”).

Principle of Consolidation

The CFS include the accounts of SPC and its subsidiaries, Shanghai Yinghua Financial Leasing Co., Ltd. (“Yinghua”) and Sifang Holdings; Sifang Holdings’ wholly owned subsidiaries, Huahong New Energy Technology Co., Ltd. (“Huahong”) and Shanghai TCH Energy Tech Co., Ltd. (“Shanghai TCH”); Shanghai TCH’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Xi’an TCH Energy Tech Co., Ltd. (“Xi’an TCH”); and Xi’an TCH’s subsidiaries, 1) Erdos TCH Energy Saving Development Co., Ltd (“Erdos TCH”), 100% owned by Xi’an TCH, 2) Zhonghong, 90% owned by Xi’an TCH and 10% owned by Shanghai TCH, and 3) Zhongxun, 100% owned by Xi’an TCH. Substantially all the Company’s revenues are derived from the operations of Shanghai TCH and its subsidiaries, which represent substantially all the Company’s consolidated assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2023. However, there was no revenue for the Company for the years ended December 31, 2023 or 2022. All significant inter-company accounts and transactions were eliminated in consolidation.

Uses and Sources of Liquidity

For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company had a net loss of $746,786 and $4,457,327, respectively. The Company had an accumulated deficit of $60.50 million as of December 31, 2023. The Company disposed all of its systems and currently holds five power generating systems through Erdos TCH, the five power generating systems are currently not producing any electricity. The Company is in the process of transforming and expanding into an energy storage integrated solution provider business. The Company plans to pursue disciplined and targeted expansion strategies for market areas the Company currently does not serve. The Company actively seeks and explores opportunities to apply energy storage technologies to new industries or segments with high growth potential, including industrial and commercial complexes, large scale photovoltaic (PV) and wind power stations, remote islands without electricity, and smart energy cities with multi-energy supplies.  The Company’s cash flow forecast indicates it will have sufficient cash to fund its operations for the next 12 months from the date of issuance of these CFS.

Use of Estimates

In preparing these CFS in accordance with US GAAP, management makes estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities in the balance sheets as well as revenues and expenses during the period reported. Actual results may differ from these estimates. On an on-going basis, management evaluates its estimates, including those allowances for bad debt, impairment loss on fixed assets and construction in progress, income taxes, and contingencies and litigation. Management bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other resources.

Revenue Recognition

A) Sales-type Leasing and Related Revenue Recognition

The Company follows Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 842. The Company’s sales type lease contracts for revenue recognition fall under ASC 842. During the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company did not sell any new power generating projects.

The Company constructs and leases waste energy recycling power generating projects to its customers. The Company typically transfers legal ownership of the waste energy recycling power generating projects to its customers at the end of the lease.

The Company finances construction of waste energy recycling power generating projects. The sales and cost of sales are recognized at the inception of the lease, which is when control is transferred to the lessee. The Company accounts for the transfer of control as a sales type lease in accordance with ASC 842-10-25-2. The underlying asset is derecognized, and revenue is recorded when collection of payments is probable. This is in accordance with the revenue recognition principle in ASC 606 - Revenue from contracts with customers. The investment in sales-type leases consists of the sum of the minimum lease payments receivable less unearned interest income and estimated executory cost. Minimum lease payments are part of the lease agreement between the Company (as the lessor) and the customer (as the lessee). The discount rate implicit in the lease is used to calculate the present value of minimum lease payments. The minimum lease payments consist of the gross lease payments net of executory costs and contingent rentals, if any. Unearned interest is amortized to income over the lease term to produce a constant periodic rate of return on net investment in the lease. While revenue is recognized at the inception of the lease, the cash flow from the sales-type lease occurs over the course of the lease, which results in interest income and reduction of receivables. Revenue is recognized net of value-added tax.

B) Contingent Rental Income

The Company records income from actual electricity generated of each project in the period the income is earned, which is when the electricity is generated. Contingent rent is not part of minimum lease payments.

Operating Leases

The Company determines if an arrangement is a lease or contains a lease at inception. Operating lease liabilities are recognized based on the present value of the remaining lease payments, discounted using the discount rate for the lease at the commencement date. As the rate implicit in the lease is not readily determinable for an operating lease, the Company generally uses an incremental borrowing rate based on information available at the commencement date to determine the present value of future lease payments. Operating lease right-of-use (“ROU assets”) assets represent the Company’s right to control the use of an identified asset for the lease term and lease liabilities represent the Company’s obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. ROU assets are generally recognized based on the amount of the initial measurement of the lease liability. Lease expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

ROU assets are reviewed for impairment when indicators of impairment are present. ROU assets from operating and finance leases are subject to the impairment guidance in ASC 360, Property, Plant, and Equipment, as ROU assets are long-lived nonfinancial assets.

ROU assets are tested for impairment individually or as part of an asset group if the cash flows related to the ROU asset are not independent from the cash flows of other assets and liabilities. An asset group is the unit of accounting for long-lived assets to be held and used, which represents the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows are largely independent of the cash flows of other groups of assets and liabilities. The Company recognized no impairment of ROU assets as of December 31, 2023 and 2022.

Operating leases are included in operating lease ROU and operating lease liabilities (current and non-current), on the consolidated balance sheets.

Cash

Cash includes cash on hand, demand deposits placed with banks or other financial institutions and all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less as of the purchase date.

Accounts Receivable

The Company’s policy is to maintain an allowance for potential credit losses on accounts receivable. Management reviews the composition of accounts receivable and analyzes historical bad debts, customer concentrations, customer credit worthiness, current economic trends and changes in customer payment patterns to evaluate the adequacy of these reserves. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company had no accounts receivable. 

Advance to suppliers

Advance to suppliers consist of balances paid to suppliers for materials that have not been received. The Company reviews its advances to suppliers on a periodic basis and makes general and specific allowances when there is doubt as to the ability of a supplier to provide supplies to the Company or refund an advance.

Short term loan receivables

The Company provided loans to certain third parties for the purpose of making use of its cash.

The Company monitors all loans receivable for delinquency and provides for estimated losses for specific receivables that are not likely to be collected. Management periodically assesses the collectability of these loans receivable. Delinquent account balances are written-off against the allowance for doubtful accounts after management has determined that the likelihood of collection is not probable. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company did not accrue allowance against short term loan receivables.

Concentration of Credit Risk

Cash includes cash on hand and demand deposits in accounts maintained within China. Balances at financial institutions and state-owned banks within the PRC are covered by insurance up to RMB 500,000 ($71,792) per bank. Any balance over RMB 500,000 ($71,792) per bank in PRC is not covered. The Company has not experienced any losses in such accounts.

Certain other financial instruments, which subject the Company to concentration of credit risk, consist of accounts and other receivables. The Company does not require collateral or other security to support these receivables. The Company conducts periodic reviews of its customers’ financial condition and customer payment practices to minimize collection risk on accounts receivable.

The operations of the Company are in the PRC. Accordingly, the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations may be influenced by the political, economic and legal environments in the PRC.

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment are stated at cost, net of accumulated depreciation. Expenditures for maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred; additions, renewals and betterments are capitalized. When property and equipment are retired or otherwise disposed of, the related cost and accumulated depreciation are removed from the respective accounts, and any gain or loss is included in operations. Depreciation of property and equipment is provided using the straight-line method over the estimated lives as follows: 

Vehicles	2 – 5 years
Office and Other Equipment	2 – 5 years

Impairment of Long-lived Assets

In accordance with FASB ASC Topic 360, “Property, Plant, and Equipment,” the Company reviews its long-lived assets, including property and equipment, for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts of the assets may not be fully recoverable. If the total expected undiscounted future net cash flows are less than the carrying amount of the asset, a loss is recognized for the difference between the fair value (“FV”) and carrying amount of the asset. The Company did not record any impairment for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022.  

Accounts and other payables

Accounts and other payables represent liabilities for goods and services provided to the Company prior to the end of the financial year which are unpaid. They are classified as current liabilities if payment is due within one year or less (or in the normal operating cycle of the business if longer). Otherwise, they are presented as non-current liabilities.

Accounts and other payables are initially recognized as fair value, and subsequently carried at amortized cost using the effective interest method.

Borrowings

Borrowings are presented as current liabilities unless the Company has an unconditional right to defer settlement for at least 12 months after the financial year end date, in which case they are presented as non-current liabilities.

Borrowings are initially recognized at fair value (net of transaction costs) and subsequently carried at amortized cost. Any difference between the proceeds (net of transaction costs) and the redemption value is recognized in profit or loss over the period of the borrowings using an effective interest method.

Borrowing costs are recognized in profit or loss using the effective interest method.

Cost of Sales

Cost of sales consists primarily of the direct material of the power generating system and expenses incurred directly for project construction for sales-type leasing and sales tax and additions for contingent rental income.  

Income Taxes

Income taxes are accounted for using an asset and liability method. Under this method, deferred income taxes are recognized for the tax consequences in future years of differences between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their financial reporting amounts at each period end based on enacted tax laws and statutory tax rates, applicable to the periods in which the differences are expected to affect taxable income. Valuation allowances are established, when necessary, to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized. 

The Company follows FASB ASC Topic 740, which prescribes a more-likely-than-not threshold for financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. ASC Topic 740 also provides guidance on recognition of income tax assets and liabilities, classification of current and deferred income tax assets and liabilities, accounting for interest and penalties associated with tax positions, accounting for income taxes in interim periods, and income tax disclosures.

Under FASB ASC Topic 740, when tax returns are filed, it is likely that some positions taken would be sustained upon examination by the taxing authorities, while others are subject to uncertainty about the merits of the position taken or the amount of the position that would be ultimately sustained. The benefit of a tax position is recognized in the CFS in the period during which, based on all available evidence, management believes it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained upon examination, including the resolution of appeals or litigation processes, if any. Tax positions taken are not offset or aggregated with other positions. Tax positions that meet the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold are measured as the largest amount of tax benefit that is more than 50% likely of being realized upon settlement with the applicable taxing authority. The portion of the benefits associated with tax positions taken that exceeds the amount measured as described above is reflected as a liability for unrecognized tax benefits in the accompanying balance sheets along with any associated interest and penalties that would be payable to the taxing authorities upon examination. Interest associated with unrecognized tax benefits is classified as interest expense and penalties are classified in selling, general and administrative expenses in the statement of income. At December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company did not take any uncertain positions that would necessitate recording a tax related liability.  

Statement of Cash Flows

In accordance with FASB ASC Topic 230, “Statement of Cash Flows,” cash flows from the Company’s operations are calculated based upon the local currencies. As a result, amounts related to assets and liabilities reported on the statement of cash flows may not necessarily agree with changes in the corresponding balances on the balance sheet.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

For certain of the Company’s financial instruments, including cash and equivalents, restricted cash, accounts receivable, other receivables, accounts payable, accrued liabilities and short-term debts, the carrying amounts approximate their FVs due to their short maturities. Receivables on sales-type leases are based on interest rates implicit in the lease.

FASB ASC Topic 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures,” requires disclosure of the FV of financial instruments held by the Company. FASB ASC Topic 825, “Financial Instruments,” defines FV, and establishes a three-level valuation hierarchy for disclosures of FV measurement that enhances disclosure requirements for FV measures. The carrying amounts reported in the consolidated balance sheets for receivables and current liabilities each qualify as financial instruments and are a reasonable estimate of their FV because of the short period of time between the origination of such instruments and their expected realization and their current market rate of interest. The three levels of valuation hierarchy are defined as follows:

● Level 1 inputs to the valuation methodology are quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets.

● Level 2 inputs to the valuation methodology include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, and inputs that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the financial instrument.

● Level 3 inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable and significant to FV measurement.

The Company analyzes all financial instruments with features of both liabilities and equity under FASB ASC 480, “Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity,” and ASC 815, “Derivatives and Hedging.”

As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company did not have any long-term debt; and the Company did not identify any assets or liabilities that are required to be presented on the balance sheet at FV.

Stock-Based Compensation

The Company accounts for share-based compensation awards to employees in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718, “Compensation – Stock Compensation”, which requires that share-based payment transactions with employees be measured based on the grant-date FV of the equity instrument issued and recognized as compensation expense over the requisite service period.

The Company accounts for share-based compensation awards to non-employees in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718 and FASB ASC Subtopic 505-50, “Equity-Based Payments to Non-employees”. Share-based compensation associated with the issuance of equity instruments to non-employees is measured at the FV of the equity instrument issued or committed to be issued, as this is more reliable than the FV of the services received. The FV is measured at the date that the commitment for performance by the counterparty has been reached or the counterparty’s performance is complete.

The Company follows ASU 2018-07, “Compensation — Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Nonemployee Share-Based Payment Accounting,” which expands the scope of ASC 718 to include share-based payment transactions for acquiring goods and services from non-employees. An entity should apply the requirements of ASC 718 to non-employee awards except for specific guidance on inputs to an option pricing model and the attribution of cost. ASC 718 applies to all share-based payment transactions in which a grantor acquires goods or services to be used or consumed in a grantor’s own operations by issuing share-based payment awards. 

Basic and Diluted Earnings per Share

The Company presents net income (loss) per share (“EPS”) in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 260, “Earning Per Share.” Accordingly, basic income (loss) per share is computed by dividing income (loss) available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of shares outstanding, without consideration for common stock equivalents. Diluted EPS is computed by dividing the net income by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding as well as common share equivalents outstanding for the period determined using the treasury-stock method for stock options and warrants and the if-converted method for convertible notes. The Company made an accounting policy election to use the if-converted method for convertible securities that are eligible to receive common stock dividends, if declared. Diluted EPS reflect the potential dilution that could occur based on the exercise of stock options or warrants or conversion of convertible securities using the if-converted method.

For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, the basic and diluted income (loss) per share were the same due to the anti-dilutive features of the warrants and options. For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, 30,911 shares purchasable under warrants and options were excluded from the EPS calculation as these were not dilutive due to the exercise price was more than the stock market price.

Foreign Currency Translation and Comprehensive Income (Loss)

The Company’s functional currency is the Renminbi (“RMB”). For financial reporting purposes, RMB were translated into U.S. Dollars (“USD” or “$”) as the reporting currency. Assets and liabilities are translated at the exchange rate in effect at the balance sheet date. Revenues and expenses are translated at the average rate of exchange prevailing during the reporting period. Translation adjustments arising from the use of different exchange rates from period to period are included as a component of stockholders’ equity as “Accumulated other comprehensive income.” Gains and losses resulting from foreign currency transactions are included in income.

The Company follows FASB ASC Topic 220, “Comprehensive Income.” Comprehensive income is comprised of net income and all changes to the statements of stockholders’ equity, except those due to investments by stockholders, changes in paid-in capital and distributions to stockholders.  

Segment Reporting

FASB ASC Topic 280, “Segment Reporting,” requires use of the “management approach” model for segment reporting. The management approach model is based on the way a company’s management organizes segments within the company for making operating decisions and assessing performance. Reportable segments are based on products and services, geography, legal structure, management structure, or any other manner in which management disaggregates a company. FASB ASC Topic 280 has no effect on the Company’s CFS as substantially all of the Company’s operations are conducted in one industry segment. All of the Company’s assets are located in the PRC.

New Accounting Pronouncements

In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures (ASU 2023-09), which requires disclosure of incremental income tax information within the rate reconciliation and expanded disclosures of income taxes paid, among other disclosure requirements. ASU 2023-09 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. Early adoption is permitted. The Company’s management does not believe the adoption of ASU 2023-09 will have a material impact on its financial statements and disclosures.

Other recent accounting pronouncements issued by the FASB, including its Emerging Issues Task Force, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, and the SEC did not or are not believed by management to have a material impact on the Company’s present or future CFS. 

XML

Short-Term Loan Receivable

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2023

Short-Term Loan Receivable [Abstract]

SHORT-TERM LOAN RECEIVABLE

3. SHORT-TERM LOAN RECEIVABLE

As of March 31, 2023, the Company had $140,576,568 (RMB 966.0 million) short term loan to Jinan Youkai Engineering Consulting Co., Ltd (“Youkai”), an unrelated party of the Company. The short-term loan was for five days with a capital utilization fee of $43,657 (RMB 300,000) per day for total of $218,287 (RMB 1.5 million). To ensure the safety of the funds, before money was transferred to Youkai, Youkai handed over the official seal, financial seal and bank account UK to the Company for custody and management until repayment of the loan. The Company received the repayment of $140.6 million in full plus capital utilization fee on April 3, 2023.

As of June 30, 2023, the Company had $67,120,596 (RMB 485.0 million) short term loan to Jinan Youkai Engineering Consulting Co., Ltd (“Youkai”), an unrelated party of the Company. The short-term loan was for five days with a capital utilization fee of $13,839 (RMB 100,000) per day for total of $69,196 (RMB 500,000). To ensure the safety of the funds, before money was transferred to Youkai, Youkai handed over the official seal, financial seal and bank account UK to the Company for custody and management until repayment of the loan. The Company received the repayment of $67.2 million in full plus capital utilization fee on July 3, 2023.

As of December 31, 2023, the Company had $68,730,851 (RMB 486.1 million) short term loan to Jinan Youkai Engineering Consulting Co., Ltd (“Youkai”), an unrelated party of the Company. The short-term loan was for five days with a capital utilization fee of $14,119 (RMB 100,000) per day for total of $70,595 (RMB 500,000). To ensure the safety of the funds, before money was transferred to Youkai, Youkai handed over the official seal, financial seal and bank account UK to the Company for custody and management until repayment of the loan. The Company received the repayment of $68.7 million in full plus capital utilization fee in January 2024.

XML

Advance to Suppliers

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2023

Advance to Suppliers [Abstract]

ADVANCE TO SUPPLIERS

4. ADVANCE TO SUPPLIERS

On June 19, 2023, the Company entered a purchase agreement with Hubei Bangyu New Energy Technology Co., Ltd. (“Bangyu”). The total contract amount was $82.3 million (RMB 595.0 million) for purchasing the energy storage battery systems. As of December 31, 2023, the Company made a prepayment to Bangyu of $67.2 million (RMB 476.0 million). The Company is in the process of transforming and expanding into energy storage integrated solution provider business. The Company actively seeks and explores opportunities to apply energy storage technologies to new industries or segments with high growth potential, including industrial and commercial complexes, large scale photovoltaic (PV) and wind power stations, remote islands without electricity, and smart energy cities with multi-energy supplies. 

On August 2, 2021, the Company entered a Research and Development (“R&D”) Cooperation Agreement with a software development company to design, establish, upgrade and maintenance of Smart Energy Management Cloud Platform for energy storage and remote-site monitoring; upon completion, the Company will provide such platform to its customers at a fee. Total contracted R&D cost is $1,000,000, as of December 31, 2022, the Company paid $200,000 as R&D expense, and was committed to pay remaining $800,000 after trial operation. During the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company expensed $200,000 in R&D.

On August 23, 2021, the Company entered a Market Research and Project Development Service Agreement with a consulting company in Xi’an for a service period of 12 months. The consulting company will perform market research for new energy industry including photovoltaic and energy storage, develop potential new customers and due diligence check, assisting the Company for business cooperation negotiation and relevant agreements preparation. Total contract amount is $1,150,000, and the Company paid $650,000 at commencement of the service and recorded as R&D expense during the year ended December 31, 2022; the Company prepaid $200,000 during the year of 2023 and as of December 31, 2023, and will pay the remaining of $300,000 upon completion all the services.   

XML

Accrued Liabilities and Other Payables

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2023

Accrued Liabilities and Other Payables [Abstract]

ACCRUED LIABILITIES AND OTHER PAYABLES

5. ACCRUED LIABILITIES AND OTHER PAYABLES

Accrued liabilities and other payables consisted of the following as of December 31, 2023 and 2022:

	2023		2022
Education and union fund and social insurance payable	$	181,394	$	270,116
Accrued payroll and welfare		263,472		251,021
Accrued litigation		2,124,087		2,203,149
Other		95,508		52,128
Total	$	2,664,461	$	2,776,414

Accrued litigation was mainly for court enforcement fee, fee to lawyer, penalty and other fees (see Note 15).

XML

Taxes Payable

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2023

Taxes Payable [Abstract]

TAXES PAYABLE

6. TAXES PAYABLE

Taxes payable consisted of the following as of December 31, 2023 and 2022:

	2023		2022
Income tax	$	7,627,529	$	7,639,832
Other		187		145
Total		7,627,716		7,639,977
Current		4,277,091		3,681,352
Noncurrent	$	3,350,625	$	3,958,625

As of December 31, 2023, income tax payable included $7.61 million from recording the estimated one-time transition tax on post-1986 foreign unremitted earnings under the Tax Cut and Jobs Act signed on December 22, 2017 ($4.28 million included in current tax payable and $3.35 million noncurrent). An election was available for the U.S. shareholders of a foreign company to pay the tax liability in installments over a period of eight years (until year 2026) with 8% of net tax liability in each of the first five years, 15% in the sixth year, 20% in the seventh year, and 25% in the eighth year. The Company made such an election. 

XML

Deferred Tax, Net

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2023

Deferred Tax, Net [Abstract]

DEFERRED TAX, NET

7. DEFERRED TAX, NET

Deferred tax assets resulted from asset impairment loss which was temporarily non-tax deductible for tax purposes but expensed in accordance with US GAAP; interest income in sales-type leases which was recognized as income for tax purposes but not for book purpose as it did not meet revenue recognition in accordance with US GAAP; accrued employee social insurance that can be deducted for tax purposes in the future, and the difference between tax and accounting basis of cost of fixed assets which was capitalized for tax purposes and expensed as part of cost of systems in accordance with US GAAP. Deferred tax liability arose from the difference between tax and accounting basis of net investment in sales-type leases.

As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, deferred tax assets consisted of the following:

	2023			2022
Accrued expenses	$	615,336		$	57,611
Write-off Erdos TCH net investment in sales-type leases *		4,063,263			4,579,725
Impairment loss of Xi’an TCH’s investment into the HYREF fund		2,647,296			2,692,186
US NOL		1,086,706			730,855
PRC NOL		8,355,472			9,118,123
Total deferred tax assets		16,768,073			17,178,500
Less: valuation allowance for deferred tax assets		(16,768,073	)		(17,178,500	)
Deferred tax assets, net	$	-		$	-

* This represents the tax basis of Erdos TCH investment in sales type leases, which was written off under US GAAP upon modification of lease terms, which made the lease payments contingent upon generation of electricity.

XML

Entrusted Loan Payable

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2023

Entrusted Loan Payable [Abstract]

ENTRUSTED LOAN PAYABLE

8. ENTRUSTED LOAN PAYABLE

Entrusted Loan Payable (HYREF Loan)

The HYREF Fund was established in July 2013 with a total fund of RMB 460 million ($77 million) invested in Xi’an Zhonghong for Zhonghong’s three new CDQ WHPG projects. The HYREF Fund invested RMB 3 million ($0.5 million) as an equity investment and RMB 457 million ($74.5 million) as a debt investment in Xi’an Zhonghong; in return for such investments, the HYREF Fund was to receive interest from Zhonghong for the HYREF Fund’s debt investment. The loan was collateralized by the accounts receivable and the fixed assets of Shenqiu Phase I and II power generation systems; the accounts receivable and fixed assets of Zhonghong’s three CDQ WHPG systems; and a 27 million RMB ($4.39 million) capital contribution made by Xi’an TCH in Zhonghong. Repayment of the loan (principal and interest) was also jointly and severally guaranteed by Xi’an TCH and the Chairman and CEO of the Company. In the fourth quarter of 2015, three power stations of Erdos TCH were pledged to Industrial Bank as an additional guarantee for the loan to Zhonghong’s three CDQ WHPG systems. In 2016, two additional power stations of Erdos TCH and Pucheng Phase I and II systems were pledged to Industrial Bank as an additional guarantee along with Xi’an TCH’s equity in Zhonghong. 

The term of this loan was for 60 months from July 31, 2013 to July 30, 2018, with interest of 12.5%. The Company paid RMB 50 million ($7.54 million) of the RMB 280 million ($42.22 million), and on August 5, 2016, the Company entered into a supplemental agreement with the lender to extend the due date of the remaining RMB 230 million ($34.68 million) of the original RMB 280 million ($45.54 million) to August 6, 2017. During the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company negotiated with the lender again to further extend the remaining loan balance of RMB 230 million ($34.68 million), RMB 100 million ($16.27 million), and RMB 77 million ($12.08 million). The lender had tentatively agreed to extend the remaining loan balance until August 2019 with interest of 9%, subject to the final approval from its headquarters. The headquarters did not approve the extension proposal with interest of 9%; however, on December 29, 2018, the Company and the lender agreed to an alternative repayment proposal as described below. 

Repayment of HYREF loan

1. Transfer of Chengli project as partial repayment

On December 29, 2018, Xi’an Zhonghong, Xi’an TCH, HYREF, Guohua Ku, and Chonggong Bai entered into a CDQ WHPG Station Fixed Assets Transfer Agreement, pursuant to which Xi’an Zhonghong transferred Chengli CDQ WHPG station as the repayment for the loan of RMB 188,639,400 ($27.54 million) to HYREF, the transfer of which was completed on January 22, 2019.

Xi’an TCH is a secondary limited partner of HYREF. The FV of the CDQ WHPG station applied in the transfer was determined by the parties based upon the appraisal report issued by Zhonglian Assets Appraisal Group (Shaanxi) Co., Ltd. as of August 15, 2018. However, per the discussion below, Xi’an Zhonghong, Xi’an TCH, Guohua Ku and Chonggong Bai (the “Buyers”) entered into a Buy Back Agreement, also agreed to buy back the Station when conditions under the Buy Back Agreement are met. Due to the Buy Back agreement, the loan was not deemed repaid, and therefore the Company recognized Chengli project as assets subject to buyback and kept the loan payable remained recognized under ASC 405-20-40-1 as of December 31, 2020. The Buy Back agreement was terminated in April 2021 (see 2 below for detail).

2. Buy Back Agreement

On December 29, 2018, Xi’an TCH, Xi’an Zhonghong, HYREF, Guohua Ku, Chonggong Bai and Xi’an Hanneng Enterprises Management Consulting Co. Ltd. (“Xi’an Hanneng”) entered into a Buy Back Agreement.  

Pursuant to the Buy Back Agreement, the Buyers jointly and severally agreed to buy back all outstanding capital equity of Xi’an Hanneng which was transferred to HYREF by Chonggong Bai (see 3 below), and a CDQ WHPG station in Boxing County which was transferred to HYREF by Xi’an Zhonghong. The buy-back price for the Xi’an Hanneng’s equity was based on the higher of (i) the market price of the equity shares at the time of buy-back; or (ii) the original transfer price of the equity shares plus bank interest. The buy-back price for the Station was based on the higher of (i) the FV of the Station on the date transferred; or (ii) the loan balance at the date of the transfer plus interest accrued through that date. HYREF could request that the Buyers buy back the equity shares of Xi’an Hanneng and/or the CDQ WHPG station if one of the following conditions is met: (i) HYREF holds the equity shares of Xi’an Hanneng until December 31, 2021; (ii) Xi’an Huaxin New Energy Co., Ltd., is delisted from The National Equities Exchange And Quotations Co., Ltd., a Chinese over-the-counter trading system (the “NEEQ”); (iii) Xi’an Huaxin New Energy, or any of the Buyers or its affiliates has a credit problem, including not being able to issue an auditor report or standard auditor report or any control person or executive of the Buyers is involved in crimes and is under prosecution or has other material credit problems, to HYREF’s reasonable belief; (iv) if Xi’an Zhonghong fails to timely make repayment on principal or interest of the loan agreement, its supplemental agreement or extension agreement; (v) the Buyers or any party to the Debt Repayment Agreement materially breaches the Debt Repayment Agreement or its related transaction documents, including but not limited to the Share Transfer Agreement, the Pledged Assets Transfer Agreement, the Entrusted Loan Agreement and their guarantee agreements and supplemental agreements. Due to halted trading of Huaxin stock by NEEQ for not filing its 2018 annual report, on December 19, 2019, Xi’an TCH, Xi’an Zhonghong, Guohua Ku and Chonggong Bai jointly and severally agreed to buy back all outstanding capital equity of Xi’an Hanneng which was transferred to HYREF by Chonggong Bai earlier. The total buy back price was RMB 261,727,506 ($37.52 million) including accrued interest of RMB 14,661,506 ($2.10 million), and was paid in full by Xi’an TCH on December 20, 2019.

On April 9, 2021, Xi’an TCH, Xi’an Zhonghong, Guohua Ku, Chonggong Bai and HYREF entered a Termination of Fulfillment Agreement (termination agreement). Under the termination agreement, the original buyback agreement entered on December 19, 2019 was terminated upon signing of the termination agreement. HYREF will not execute the buy-back option and will not ask for any additional payment from the buyers other than keeping the CDQ WHPG station from Chengli project. The Company recorded a gain of approximately $3.1 million from transferring the CDP WHPG station to HYREF as partial repayment of the entrusted loan and accrued interest of RMB 188,639,400 ($27.54 million) to HYREF resulting from the termination of the buy-back agreement. 

3. Transfer of Xuzhou Huayu Project and Shenqiu Phase I & II project to Mr. Bai for partial repayment of HYREF loan

On January 4, 2019, Xi’an Zhonghong, Xi’an TCH, and Mr. Chonggong Bai entered into a Projects Transfer Agreement, pursuant to which Xi’an Zhonghong transferred a CDQ WHPG station (under construction) located in Xuzhou City for Xuzhou Huayu Coking Co., Ltd. (“Xuzhou Huayu Project”) to Mr. Bai for RMB 120,000,000 ($17.52 million) and Xi’an TCH transferred two Biomass Power Generation Projects in Shenqiu (“Shenqiu Phase I and II Projects”) to Mr. Bai for RMB 127,066,000 ($18.55 million). Mr. Bai agreed to transfer all the equity shares of his wholly owned company, Xi’an Hanneng, to HYREF as repayment for the RMB 247,066,000 ($36.07 million) loan made by Xi’an Zhonghong to HYREF as consideration for the transfer of the Xuzhou Huayu Project and Shenqiu Phase I and II Projects.  

On February 15, 2019, Xi’an Zhonghong completed the transfer of the Xuzhou Huayu Project and Xi’an TCH completed the transfer of Shenqiu Phase I and II Projects to Mr. Bai, and on January 10, 2019, Mr. Bai transferred all the equity shares of his wholly owned company, Xi’an Hanneng, to HYREF as repayment of Xi’an Zhonghong’s loan to HYREF as consideration for the transfer of the Xuzhou Huayu Project and Shenqiu Phase I and II Projects. 

Xi’an Hanneng is a holding company and was supposed to own 47,150,000 shares of Xi’an Huaxin New Energy Co., Ltd. (“Huaxin”), so that HYREF will indirectly receive and own such shares of Xi’an Huaxin as the repayment for the loan of Zhonghong. Xi’an Hanneng already owned 29,948,000 shares of Huaxin; however, Xi’an Hanneng was not able to obtain the remaining 17,202,000 shares due to halted trading of Huaxin stock by NEEQ for not filing its 2018 annual report.

On December 19, 2019, Xi’an TCH, Xi’an Zhonghong, Guohua Ku and Chonggong Bai jointly and severally agreed to buy back all outstanding capital equity of Xi’an Hanneng which was transferred to HYREF by Chonggong Bai earlier. The total buy back price was RMB 261,727,506 ($37.52 million) including accrued interest of RMB 14,661,506 ($2.10 million), and was paid in full by Xi’an TCH on December 20, 2019. On December 20, 2019, Mr. Bai, Xi’an TCH and Xi’an Zhonghong agreed to have Mr. Bai repay the Company in cash for the transfer price of Xuzhou Huayu and Shenqiu in five installment payments. The 1^st payment of RMB 50 million ($7.17 million) was due January 5, 2020, the 2^nd payment of RMB 50 million ($7.17 million) was due February 5, 2020, the 3^rd payment of RMB 50 million ($7.17 million) was due April 5, 2020, the 4^th payment of RMB 50 million ($7.17 million) was due on June 30, 2020, and the final payment of RMB 47,066,000 ($6.75 million) was due September 30, 2020. As of December 31, 2020, the Company received the full payment of RMB 247 million ($36.28 million) from Mr. Bai.

4. The lender agreed to extend the repayment of RMB 77.00 million ($11.06 million) to July 8, 2023. However, per court’s judgement on June 28, 2021, the Company should repay principal $11.06 million and accrued interest of RMB 2,418,229 ($0.35 million) within 10 days from the judgment date to Beijiang Hongyuan Recycling Energy Investment Center (Limited Partnership). In the end of 2022, Beijing No.4 Intermediate People’s Court of Beijing entered into the judgment enforcement procedure, which, in addition to the loan principal with interest amount, Xi’an Zhonghong Technology Co., Ltd. was to pay judgment enforcement fee, late fee and other fees of RMB 80,288,184 ($11.53 million) in total, the Company recorded these additional fees in 2022. The Company has not paid it yet as of this report date.

Xi’an TCH had investment RMB 75.00 million ($11.63 million) into the HYREF fund as a secondary limited partner, and the Company recorded an impairment loss of $11.63 million for such investment during the year ended December 31, 2021 due to uncertainty of the collection of the investment. This was impaired as Hongyuan does not have the ability to pay back (see Note 15 – Litigation).

XML

Note Payable, Net

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2023

Note Payable, Net [Abstract]

NOTE PAYABLE, NET

9. NOTE PAYABLE, NET 

Promissory Notes in December 2020

On December 4, 2020, the Company entered into a Note Purchase Agreement with an institutional investor, pursuant to which the Company issued the Purchaser a Promissory Note of $3,150,000. The Purchaser purchased the Note with an original issue discount (“OID”) of $150,000, which was recognized as debt discount is amortized using the interest method over the life of the note. The Note bears interest at 8% and has a term of 24 months. All outstanding principal and accrued interest on the Note was due and payable December 3, 2022. The Company’s obligations under the Note may be prepaid at any time, provided that in such circumstance the Company would pay 125% of any amounts outstanding under the Note and being prepaid. Beginning on the date that is six months from the issue date of the Note, Purchaser shall have the right to redeem any amount of this Note up to $500,000 per calendar month by providing written notice to the Company. Upon receipt of the redemption notice from the lender, the Company shall pay the applicable redemption amount in cash to lender within three trading days of receipt of such redemption notice; if the Company fails to pay, then the outstanding balance will automatically be increased by 25%.

During the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company entered into several Exchange Agreements with the lender, pursuant to the Agreements, the Company and Lender partitioned new Promissory Notes of $3,850,000 from the original Promissory Note, including adjustment of $818,914 to increase the principal of the notes during the second quarter of 2021 as a result of the Company’s failure to pay the redemption amount in cash to lender within three trading days from receipt of the redemption notice, the Company recorded $818,914 principal adjustment as interest expense. The Company and Lender exchanged these Partitioned Notes for the delivery of 576,108 shares of the Company’s common stock. The Company recorded a loss on conversion of these notes in 2021. On January 10, 2022, the Company and Lender exchanged a Partitioned Notes of $346,986 for the delivery of 58,258 shares of the Company’s common stock. The Company recorded a $26,193 loss on conversion of this note in 2022, as a result, this Promissory Notes was paid in full on January 10, 2022.  During the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company amortized OID of $69,355 and recorded $835 interest expense on this Note.

Promissory Notes in April 2021

On April 2, 2021, the Company entered into a Note Purchase Agreement with an institutional investor, pursuant to which the Company issued to the Purchaser a Promissory Note of $5,250,000. The Purchaser purchased the Note with an OID of $250,000, which was recognized as a debt discount is amortized using the interest method over the life of the note. The Note bears interest at 8% and has a term of 24 months. All outstanding principal and accrued interest on the Note was due and payable on April 1, 2023. However, as of this report date, the Company did not repay the loan, and no any further action from the lender. The Company’s obligations under the Note may be prepaid at any time, provided that in such circumstance the Company would pay 125% of any amounts outstanding under the Note and being prepaid. Beginning on the date that is six months from the issue date of the Note, Purchaser shall have the right to redeem any amount of this Note up to $825,000 per calendar month by providing written notice to the Company. Upon receipt of the redemption notice from the lender, the Company shall pay the applicable redemption amount in cash to lender within three trading days of receipt of such redemption notice; if the Company fails to pay, then the outstanding balance will automatically be increased by 25%. On October 28, 2021, the lender made an adjustment of $1,370,897 to increase the outstanding principal of the notes as a result of the Company’s failure to pay the redemption amount in cash to lender on time, the Company recorded $1,370,897 principal adjustment as interest expense in 2021. The lender made an adjustment of $229,015 to increase the outstanding principal of the notes based on a forbearance agreement entered on September 14, 2022 resulting from the Company’s default event of being delinquent on SEC filings, the Company recorded the $229,015 principal adjustment as interest expense. During the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company amortized OID of $125,000 and recorded $456,655 interest expense on this Note; and the Company and Lender exchanged these Partitioned Notes of $1,650,000 in total for the delivery of 289,330 shares of the Company’s common stock.  The Company recorded $108,910 loss on conversion of these notes in 2022. During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company amortized OID of $31,250 and recorded $435,021 interest expense on this Note; and the Company and Lender exchanged these Partitioned Notes of $1,200,000 in total for the delivery of 571,448 shares of the Company’s common stock which was issued in 2023, and 165,081 shares was issued in January 2024.  As of December 31, 2023, the outstanding principal balance of this note was $5,222,743 with accrued interest of $2,290. The Note was classified as a current liability in accordance with ASC 470-10-45 Other Presentation Matters – General Due on Demand Loan Arrangements.

XML

Stockholders’ Equity

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2023

Stockholders’ Equity [Abstract]

STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

10. STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Warrants

Following is a summary of the activities of warrants that were issued from equity financing for the year ended December 31, 2023:

	Number of Warrants		Average Exercise Price		Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term in Years
Outstanding at January 1, 2023		30,411	$	14.0		1.21
Exercisable at January 1, 2023		30,411	$	14.0		1.21
Granted		-		-		-
Exchanged		-		-		-
Forfeited		-		-		-
Expired		13,896		18.75		-
Outstanding at December 31, 2023		16,515	$	10.0		0.54
Exercisable at December 31, 2023		16,515	$	10.0		0.54

XML

Stock-Based Compensation Plan

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2023

Stock-Based Compensation Plan [Abstract]

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION PLAN

11. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION PLAN

Options to Employees and Directors

On June 19, 2015, the stockholders of the Company approved the China Recycling Energy Corporation Omnibus Equity Plan (the “Plan”) at its annual meeting. The total shares of Common Stock authorized for issuance during the term of the Plan is 124,626. The Plan was effective immediately upon its adoption by the Board of Directors on April 24, 2015, subject to stockholder approval, and will terminate on the earliest to occur of (i) the 10th anniversary of the Plan’s effective date, or (ii) the date on which all shares available for issuance under the Plan shall have been issued as fully-vested shares. The stockholders approved the Plan at their annual meeting on June 19, 2015.

The following table summarizes option activity with respect to employees and independent directors for the year ended December 31, 2023:

	Number of Shares		Average Exercise Price per Share		Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term in Years
Outstanding at January 1, 2023		500	$	16.1		4.32
Exercisable at January 1, 2023		500	$	16.1		4.32
Granted		-		-		-
Exercised		-		-		-
Forfeited		-		-		-
Outstanding at December 31, 2023		500	$	16.1		3.32
Exercisable at December 31, 2023		500	$	16.1		3.32

XML

Income Tax

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2023

Income Tax [Abstract]

INCOME TAX

12. INCOME TAX

The Company’s Chinese subsidiaries are governed by the Income Tax Law of the PRC concerning privately-run enterprises, which are generally subject to tax at 25% on income reported in the statutory financial statements after appropriate tax adjustments. Under Chinese tax law, the tax treatment of finance and sales-type leases is similar to US GAAP. However, the local tax bureau continues to treat the Company’s sales-type leases as operating leases. Accordingly, the Company recorded deferred income taxes. 

The Company’s subsidiaries generate all of their income from their PRC operations. All of the Company’s Chinese subsidiaries’ effective income tax rate for 2023 and 2022 was 25%. Yinghua, Shanghai TCH, Xi’an TCH, Huahong, Zhonghong and Erdos TCH file separate income tax returns.

There is no income tax for companies domiciled in the Cayman Islands. Accordingly, the Company’s CFS do not present any income tax provisions related to Cayman Islands tax jurisdiction, where Sifang Holding is domiciled. 

The US parent company, SPC is taxed in the US and, as of December 31, 2023, had net operating loss (“NOL”) carry forwards for income taxes of $5.17 million; for federal income tax purposes, the NOL arising in tax years beginning after 2017 may only reduce 80% of a taxpayer’s taxable income, and may be carried forward indefinitely. However, the coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (“the CARES Act”) issued in March 2020, provides tax relief to both corporate and noncorporate taxpayers by adding a five-year carryback period and temporarily repealing the 80% limitation for NOLs arising in 2018, 2019 and 2020. Management believes the realization of benefits from these losses uncertain due to the US parent company’s continuing operating losses. Accordingly, a 100% deferred tax asset valuation allowance was provided. 

As of December 31, 2023, the Company’s PRC subsidiaries had $33.42 million NOL that can be carried forward to offset future taxable income for five years from the year the loss is incurred. The NOL was mostly from Erdos TCH and Zhonghong. Management considers the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income and tax planning strategies in making this assessment. After consideration of all the information available, management believes that significant uncertainty exists with respect to future realization of the deferred tax assets due to the recurring losses from operations of these entities, accordingly, the Company recorded a 100% deferred tax valuation allowance for the PRC NOL.

The following table reconciles the U.S. statutory rates to the Company’s effective tax rate for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022:

	2023			2022
U.S. statutory rates benefit		(21.0	)%		(21.0	)%
Tax rate difference – current provision		2.2	%		(1.9	)%
Permanent differences		1.2	%		2.7	%
Change in valuation allowance		32.5	%		21.8	%
Tax expense per financial statements		14.9	%		1.6	%

The provision for income tax expense (benefit) for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 consisted of the following:

	2023		2022
Income tax expense – current	$	96,700	$	69,652
Total income tax expense	$	96,700	$	69,652

XML

Statutory Reserves

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2023

Statutory Reserves [Abstract]

STATUTORY RESERVES

13. STATUTORY RESERVES

Pursuant to the corporate law of the PRC effective January 1, 2006, the Company is only required to maintain one statutory reserve by appropriating from its after-tax profit before declaration or payment of dividends. The statutory reserve represents restricted retained earnings.

Surplus Reserve Fund

The Company’s Chinese subsidiaries are required to transfer 10% of their net income, as determined under PRC accounting rules and regulations, to a statutory surplus reserve fund until such reserve balance reaches 50% of the Company’s registered capital. 

The surplus reserve fund is non-distributable other than during liquidation and can be used to fund previous years’ losses, if any, and may be utilized for business expansion or converted into share capital by issuing new shares to existing shareholders in proportion to their shareholding or by increasing the par value of the shares currently held by them, provided that the remaining reserve balance after such issue is not less than 25% of the registered capital. 

The maximum statutory reserve amount has not been reached for any subsidiary. The table below discloses the statutory reserve amount in the currency type registered for each Chinese subsidiary as of December 31, 2023 and 2022:

Name of Chinese Subsidiaries	Registered Capital		Maximum Statutory Reserve Amount		Statutory reserve at December 31, 2023			Statutory reserve at December 31, 2022
Shanghai TCH	$	29,800,000	$	14,900,000	¥	6,564,303 ($1,003,859	)	¥	6,564,303 ($1,003,859	)
Xi’an TCH	¥	202,000,000	¥	101,000,000	¥	73,947,603 ($11,272,917	)	¥	73,781,005 ($11,249,275	)
Erdos TCH	¥	120,000,000	¥	60,000,000	¥	19,035,814 ($2,914,869	)	¥	19,035,814 ($2,914,869	)
Xi’an Zhonghong	¥	30,000,000	¥	15,000,000		Did not accrue yet due to accumulated deficit			Did not accrue yet due to accumulated deficit
Shaanxi Huahong	$	2,500,300	$	1,250,150		Did not accrue yet due to accumulated deficit			Did not accrue yet due to accumulated deficit
Zhongxun	¥	35,000,000	¥	17,500,000		Did not accrue yet due to accumulated deficit			Did not accrue yet due to accumulated deficit

Common Welfare Fund

The common welfare fund is a voluntary fund to which the Company can transfer 5% to 10% of its net income. This fund can only be utilized for capital items for the collective benefit of the Company’s employees, such as construction of dormitories, cafeteria facilities, and other staff welfare facilities. This fund is non-distributable other than upon liquidation. The Company does not participate in this fund.  

XML

Contingencies

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2023

Contingencies [Abstract]

CONTINGENCIES

14. CONTINGENCIES

China maintains a “closed” capital account, meaning companies, banks, and individuals cannot move money in or out of the country except in accordance with strict rules. The People’s Bank of China (PBOC) and State Administration of Foreign Exchange (SAFE) regulate the flow of foreign exchange in and out of the country. For inward or outward foreign currency transactions, the Company needs to make a timely declaration to the bank with sufficient supporting documents to declare the nature of the business transaction. The Company’s sales, purchases and expense transactions are denominated in RMB and all of the Company’s assets and liabilities are also denominated in RMB. The RMB is not freely convertible into foreign currencies under the current law. Remittances in currencies other than RMB may require certain supporting documentation in order to make the remittance.

The Company’s operations in the PRC are subject to specific considerations and significant risks not typically associated with companies in North America and Western Europe. These include risks associated with, among others, the political, economic and legal environments and foreign currency exchange. The Company’s results may be adversely affected by changes in governmental policies with respect to laws and regulations, anti-inflationary measures, currency conversion and remittance abroad, and rates and methods of taxation, among other things.   

Litigation 

1) In November 2019, Beijing Hongyuan Recycling Energy Investment Center (“BIPC”), or Hongyuan, filed a lawsuit with the Beijing Intermediate People’s Court against Xi’an TCH to compel Xi’an TCH to repurchase certain stock pursuant to a stock repurchase option agreement. On April 9, 2021, the court rendered a judgment in favor of Hongyuan. Xi’an TCH filed a motion for retrial to High People’s Court of Beijing on April 13, 2022, because Xi’an TCH paid RMB 261 million ($37.58 million) principal and interest to Hongyuan as an out-of-court settlement. On April 11, 2022, Xi’an Zhonghong New Energy Technology Co. Ltd., filed an application for retrial and provided relevant evidence to the Beijing High People’s Court on the Civil Judgment No. 264, awaiting trial. On August 10, 2022, Beijing No. 1 Intermediate People’s Court of Beijing issued a Certificate of Active Performance, proving that Xi’an Zhonghong New Energy Technology Co., Ltd. had fulfilled its buyback obligations as disclosed in Note 9 that, on April 9, 2021, Xi’an TCH, Xi’an Zhonghong, Guohua Ku, Chonggong Bai and HYREF entered a Termination of Fulfillment Agreement (termination agreement). Under the termination agreement, the original buyback agreement entered on December 19, 2019 was terminated upon signing of the termination agreement. HYREF will not execute the buy-back option and will not ask for any additional payment from the buyers other than keeping the CDQ WHPG station.

As of this report date, Xi’an Zhonghong is waiting for Court’s decision on retrial petition that was submitted in April 2022. During this waiting period, BIPC entered the execution procedure, and there is a balance of RMB 14,204,317 ($2.20 million) between the amount executed by the court and the liability recognized by Xi ‘an TCH, which was mainly the enforcement fee, legal and penalty fee for the original judgement, and was automatically generated by the toll collection system of the People’s court. The Company accrued $2.10 million litigation expense as of December 31, 2023.

2) On June 28, 2021, Beijing No.4 Intermediate People’s Court of Beijing entered into a judgement that Xi’an Zhonghong Technology Co., Ltd. should pay the loan principal of RMB 77 million ($11.06 million) with loan interest of RMB 2,418,449 ($0.35 million) to Beijiang Hongyuan Recycling Energy Investment Center (Limited Partnership). In the end of 2022, Beijing No.4 Intermediate People’s Court of Beijing entered into the judgment enforcement procedure, which, in addition to the loan principal with interest amount, Xi’an Zhonghong Technology Co., Ltd. was to pay judgment enforcement fee, late fee and other fees of RMB 80,288,184 ($11.53 million) in total, the Company recorded these additional fees in 2022. There was no update for this case as of this report date.

XML

Commitments

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2023

Commitments [Abstract]

COMMITMENTS

15. COMMITMENTS

Lease Commitment

On November 20, 2017, Xi’an TCH entered into a lease for its office from December 1, 2017 through November 30, 2020. The monthly rent was RMB 36,536 ($5,600) with quarterly payment in advance. This lease expired in November 2020. The Company entered a new lease for the same location from January 1, 2021 through December 31, 2023 with monthly rent of RMB 36,536 ($5,600), to be paid every half year in advance. Upon expiration of the lease, the Company entered a new lease agreement for the same location from January 1, 2024 through December 31, 2026 with monthly rent of RMB 36,536 ($5,600), to be paid every half year in advance.

The components of lease costs, lease term and discount rate with respect of the office lease with an initial term of more than 12 months are as follows:

	Year Ended
	December 31, 2023
Operating lease cost – amortization of ROU	$	61,453
Operating lease cost – interest expense on lease liability	$	765
Weighted Average Remaining Lease Term - Operating leases		-
Weighted Average Discount Rate - Operating leases		5	%

	Year Ended
	December 31, 2022
Operating lease cost– amortization of ROU	$	61,262
Operating lease cost – interest expense on lease liability	$	3,923

Employment Agreement

On May 8, 2020, the Company entered an employment agreement with Yongjiang Shi, the Company’s CFO for 24 months. The monthly salary was RMB 16,000 ($2,200). The Company will grant the CFO no less than 5,000 shares of the Company’s common stock annually; however, as of this report date, the Board of Directors and Compensation Committee have not approved the number of shares to be given to the CFO, nor any stock reward agreement has been signed.

On May 6, 2022, the Company entered another employment agreement with Mr. Shi for 24 months with monthly salary of RMB 18,000 ($2,500). The Company will grant the CFO no less than 5,000 shares of the Company’s common stock annually; however, as of this report date, the Board of Directors and Compensation Committee have not approved the number of shares to be given to the CFO, nor any stock reward agreement has been signed.  

XML

Subsequent Events

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2023

Subsequent Events [Abstract]

SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

16. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

On March 29, 2024, the Company entered into an Exchange Agreement with the lender. Pursuant to the Agreement, the Company and Lender partitioned a new Promissory Notes of $300,000 from the original Promissory Note entered on April 2, 2021. The Company and Lender exchanged this Partitioned Note for the delivery of 259,067 shares of the Company’s Common Stock.

XML

Pay vs Performance Disclosure - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022
Pay vs Performance Disclosure
Net Income (Loss)	$ (746,786)	$ (4,457,327)

XML

Insider Trading Arrangements	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2023
Trading Arrangements, by Individual
Rule 10b5-1 Arrangement Adopted	false
Non-Rule 10b5-1 Arrangement Adopted	false
Rule 10b5-1 Arrangement Terminated	false
Non-Rule 10b5-1 Arrangement Terminated	false

XML

Accounting Policies, by Policy (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2023

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Basis of Presentation

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements (“CFS”) are prepared in conformity with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“US GAAP”). The functional currency of the Company’s operating entities is Chinese Renminbi (“RMB”). The accompanying consolidated financial statements are translated from RMB and presented in U.S. dollars (“USD”).

Principle of Consolidation

Principle of Consolidation

The CFS include the accounts of SPC and its subsidiaries, Shanghai Yinghua Financial Leasing Co., Ltd. (“Yinghua”) and Sifang Holdings; Sifang Holdings’ wholly owned subsidiaries, Huahong New Energy Technology Co., Ltd. (“Huahong”) and Shanghai TCH Energy Tech Co., Ltd. (“Shanghai TCH”); Shanghai TCH’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Xi’an TCH Energy Tech Co., Ltd. (“Xi’an TCH”); and Xi’an TCH’s subsidiaries, 1) Erdos TCH Energy Saving Development Co., Ltd (“Erdos TCH”), 100% owned by Xi’an TCH, 2) Zhonghong, 90% owned by Xi’an TCH and 10% owned by Shanghai TCH, and 3) Zhongxun, 100% owned by Xi’an TCH. Substantially all the Company’s revenues are derived from the operations of Shanghai TCH and its subsidiaries, which represent substantially all the Company’s consolidated assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2023. However, there was no revenue for the Company for the years ended December 31, 2023 or 2022. All significant inter-company accounts and transactions were eliminated in consolidation.

Uses and Sources of Liquidity

Uses and Sources of Liquidity

For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company had a net loss of $746,786 and $4,457,327, respectively. The Company had an accumulated deficit of $60.50 million as of December 31, 2023. The Company disposed all of its systems and currently holds five power generating systems through Erdos TCH, the five power generating systems are currently not producing any electricity. The Company is in the process of transforming and expanding into an energy storage integrated solution provider business. The Company plans to pursue disciplined and targeted expansion strategies for market areas the Company currently does not serve. The Company actively seeks and explores opportunities to apply energy storage technologies to new industries or segments with high growth potential, including industrial and commercial complexes, large scale photovoltaic (PV) and wind power stations, remote islands without electricity, and smart energy cities with multi-energy supplies.  The Company’s cash flow forecast indicates it will have sufficient cash to fund its operations for the next 12 months from the date of issuance of these CFS.

Use of Estimates

Use of Estimates

In preparing these CFS in accordance with US GAAP, management makes estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities in the balance sheets as well as revenues and expenses during the period reported. Actual results may differ from these estimates. On an on-going basis, management evaluates its estimates, including those allowances for bad debt, impairment loss on fixed assets and construction in progress, income taxes, and contingencies and litigation. Management bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other resources.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue Recognition

A) Sales-type Leasing and Related Revenue Recognition

The Company follows Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 842. The Company’s sales type lease contracts for revenue recognition fall under ASC 842. During the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company did not sell any new power generating projects.

The Company constructs and leases waste energy recycling power generating projects to its customers. The Company typically transfers legal ownership of the waste energy recycling power generating projects to its customers at the end of the lease.

The Company finances construction of waste energy recycling power generating projects. The sales and cost of sales are recognized at the inception of the lease, which is when control is transferred to the lessee. The Company accounts for the transfer of control as a sales type lease in accordance with ASC 842-10-25-2. The underlying asset is derecognized, and revenue is recorded when collection of payments is probable. This is in accordance with the revenue recognition principle in ASC 606 - Revenue from contracts with customers. The investment in sales-type leases consists of the sum of the minimum lease payments receivable less unearned interest income and estimated executory cost. Minimum lease payments are part of the lease agreement between the Company (as the lessor) and the customer (as the lessee). The discount rate implicit in the lease is used to calculate the present value of minimum lease payments. The minimum lease payments consist of the gross lease payments net of executory costs and contingent rentals, if any. Unearned interest is amortized to income over the lease term to produce a constant periodic rate of return on net investment in the lease. While revenue is recognized at the inception of the lease, the cash flow from the sales-type lease occurs over the course of the lease, which results in interest income and reduction of receivables. Revenue is recognized net of value-added tax.

B) Contingent Rental Income

The Company records income from actual electricity generated of each project in the period the income is earned, which is when the electricity is generated. Contingent rent is not part of minimum lease payments.

Operating Leases

Operating Leases

The Company determines if an arrangement is a lease or contains a lease at inception. Operating lease liabilities are recognized based on the present value of the remaining lease payments, discounted using the discount rate for the lease at the commencement date. As the rate implicit in the lease is not readily determinable for an operating lease, the Company generally uses an incremental borrowing rate based on information available at the commencement date to determine the present value of future lease payments. Operating lease right-of-use (“ROU assets”) assets represent the Company’s right to control the use of an identified asset for the lease term and lease liabilities represent the Company’s obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. ROU assets are generally recognized based on the amount of the initial measurement of the lease liability. Lease expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

ROU assets are reviewed for impairment when indicators of impairment are present. ROU assets from operating and finance leases are subject to the impairment guidance in ASC 360, Property, Plant, and Equipment, as ROU assets are long-lived nonfinancial assets.

ROU assets are tested for impairment individually or as part of an asset group if the cash flows related to the ROU asset are not independent from the cash flows of other assets and liabilities. An asset group is the unit of accounting for long-lived assets to be held and used, which represents the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows are largely independent of the cash flows of other groups of assets and liabilities. The Company recognized no impairment of ROU assets as of December 31, 2023 and 2022.

Operating leases are included in operating lease ROU and operating lease liabilities (current and non-current), on the consolidated balance sheets.

Cash

Cash

Cash includes cash on hand, demand deposits placed with banks or other financial institutions and all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less as of the purchase date.

Accounts Receivable

Accounts Receivable

The Company’s policy is to maintain an allowance for potential credit losses on accounts receivable. Management reviews the composition of accounts receivable and analyzes historical bad debts, customer concentrations, customer credit worthiness, current economic trends and changes in customer payment patterns to evaluate the adequacy of these reserves. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company had no accounts receivable. 

Advance to suppliers

Advance to suppliers

Advance to suppliers consist of balances paid to suppliers for materials that have not been received. The Company reviews its advances to suppliers on a periodic basis and makes general and specific allowances when there is doubt as to the ability of a supplier to provide supplies to the Company or refund an advance.

Short term loan receivables

Short term loan receivables

The Company provided loans to certain third parties for the purpose of making use of its cash.

The Company monitors all loans receivable for delinquency and provides for estimated losses for specific receivables that are not likely to be collected. Management periodically assesses the collectability of these loans receivable. Delinquent account balances are written-off against the allowance for doubtful accounts after management has determined that the likelihood of collection is not probable. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company did not accrue allowance against short term loan receivables.

Concentration of Credit Risk

Concentration of Credit Risk

Cash includes cash on hand and demand deposits in accounts maintained within China. Balances at financial institutions and state-owned banks within the PRC are covered by insurance up to RMB 500,000 ($71,792) per bank. Any balance over RMB 500,000 ($71,792) per bank in PRC is not covered. The Company has not experienced any losses in such accounts.

Certain other financial instruments, which subject the Company to concentration of credit risk, consist of accounts and other receivables. The Company does not require collateral or other security to support these receivables. The Company conducts periodic reviews of its customers’ financial condition and customer payment practices to minimize collection risk on accounts receivable.

The operations of the Company are in the PRC. Accordingly, the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations may be influenced by the political, economic and legal environments in the PRC.

Property and Equipment

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment are stated at cost, net of accumulated depreciation. Expenditures for maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred; additions, renewals and betterments are capitalized. When property and equipment are retired or otherwise disposed of, the related cost and accumulated depreciation are removed from the respective accounts, and any gain or loss is included in operations. Depreciation of property and equipment is provided using the straight-line method over the estimated lives as follows: 

Vehicles	2 – 5 years
Office and Other Equipment	2 – 5 years

Impairment of Long-lived Assets

Impairment of Long-lived Assets

In accordance with FASB ASC Topic 360, “Property, Plant, and Equipment,” the Company reviews its long-lived assets, including property and equipment, for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts of the assets may not be fully recoverable. If the total expected undiscounted future net cash flows are less than the carrying amount of the asset, a loss is recognized for the difference between the fair value (“FV”) and carrying amount of the asset.

Accounts and other payables

Accounts and other payables

Accounts and other payables represent liabilities for goods and services provided to the Company prior to the end of the financial year which are unpaid. They are classified as current liabilities if payment is due within one year or less (or in the normal operating cycle of the business if longer). Otherwise, they are presented as non-current liabilities.

Accounts and other payables are initially recognized as fair value, and subsequently carried at amortized cost using the effective interest method.

Borrowings

Borrowings

Borrowings are presented as current liabilities unless the Company has an unconditional right to defer settlement for at least 12 months after the financial year end date, in which case they are presented as non-current liabilities.

Borrowings are initially recognized at fair value (net of transaction costs) and subsequently carried at amortized cost. Any difference between the proceeds (net of transaction costs) and the redemption value is recognized in profit or loss over the period of the borrowings using an effective interest method.

Borrowing costs are recognized in profit or loss using the effective interest method.

Cost of Sales

Cost of Sales

Cost of sales consists primarily of the direct material of the power generating system and expenses incurred directly for project construction for sales-type leasing and sales tax and additions for contingent rental income.  

Income Taxes

Income Taxes

Income taxes are accounted for using an asset and liability method. Under this method, deferred income taxes are recognized for the tax consequences in future years of differences between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their financial reporting amounts at each period end based on enacted tax laws and statutory tax rates, applicable to the periods in which the differences are expected to affect taxable income. Valuation allowances are established, when necessary, to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized. 

The Company follows FASB ASC Topic 740, which prescribes a more-likely-than-not threshold for financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. ASC Topic 740 also provides guidance on recognition of income tax assets and liabilities, classification of current and deferred income tax assets and liabilities, accounting for interest and penalties associated with tax positions, accounting for income taxes in interim periods, and income tax disclosures.

Under FASB ASC Topic 740, when tax returns are filed, it is likely that some positions taken would be sustained upon examination by the taxing authorities, while others are subject to uncertainty about the merits of the position taken or the amount of the position that would be ultimately sustained. The benefit of a tax position is recognized in the CFS in the period during which, based on all available evidence, management believes it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained upon examination, including the resolution of appeals or litigation processes, if any. Tax positions taken are not offset or aggregated with other positions. Tax positions that meet the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold are measured as the largest amount of tax benefit that is more than 50% likely of being realized upon settlement with the applicable taxing authority. The portion of the benefits associated with tax positions taken that exceeds the amount measured as described above is reflected as a liability for unrecognized tax benefits in the accompanying balance sheets along with any associated interest and penalties that would be payable to the taxing authorities upon examination. Interest associated with unrecognized tax benefits is classified as interest expense and penalties are classified in selling, general and administrative expenses in the statement of income. At December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company did not take any uncertain positions that would necessitate recording a tax related liability.  

Statement of Cash Flows

Statement of Cash Flows

In accordance with FASB ASC Topic 230, “Statement of Cash Flows,” cash flows from the Company’s operations are calculated based upon the local currencies. As a result, amounts related to assets and liabilities reported on the statement of cash flows may not necessarily agree with changes in the corresponding balances on the balance sheet.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

For certain of the Company’s financial instruments, including cash and equivalents, restricted cash, accounts receivable, other receivables, accounts payable, accrued liabilities and short-term debts, the carrying amounts approximate their FVs due to their short maturities. Receivables on sales-type leases are based on interest rates implicit in the lease.

FASB ASC Topic 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures,” requires disclosure of the FV of financial instruments held by the Company. FASB ASC Topic 825, “Financial Instruments,” defines FV, and establishes a three-level valuation hierarchy for disclosures of FV measurement that enhances disclosure requirements for FV measures. The carrying amounts reported in the consolidated balance sheets for receivables and current liabilities each qualify as financial instruments and are a reasonable estimate of their FV because of the short period of time between the origination of such instruments and their expected realization and their current market rate of interest. The three levels of valuation hierarchy are defined as follows:

● Level 1 inputs to the valuation methodology are quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets.

● Level 2 inputs to the valuation methodology include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, and inputs that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the financial instrument.

● Level 3 inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable and significant to FV measurement.

The Company analyzes all financial instruments with features of both liabilities and equity under FASB ASC 480, “Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity,” and ASC 815, “Derivatives and Hedging.”

As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company did not have any long-term debt; and the Company did not identify any assets or liabilities that are required to be presented on the balance sheet at FV.

Stock-Based Compensation

Stock-Based Compensation

The Company accounts for share-based compensation awards to employees in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718, “Compensation – Stock Compensation”, which requires that share-based payment transactions with employees be measured based on the grant-date FV of the equity instrument issued and recognized as compensation expense over the requisite service period.

The Company accounts for share-based compensation awards to non-employees in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718 and FASB ASC Subtopic 505-50, “Equity-Based Payments to Non-employees”. Share-based compensation associated with the issuance of equity instruments to non-employees is measured at the FV of the equity instrument issued or committed to be issued, as this is more reliable than the FV of the services received. The FV is measured at the date that the commitment for performance by the counterparty has been reached or the counterparty’s performance is complete.

The Company follows ASU 2018-07, “Compensation — Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Nonemployee Share-Based Payment Accounting,” which expands the scope of ASC 718 to include share-based payment transactions for acquiring goods and services from non-employees. An entity should apply the requirements of ASC 718 to non-employee awards except for specific guidance on inputs to an option pricing model and the attribution of cost. ASC 718 applies to all share-based payment transactions in which a grantor acquires goods or services to be used or consumed in a grantor’s own operations by issuing share-based payment awards. 

Basic and Diluted Earnings per Share

Basic and Diluted Earnings per Share

The Company presents net income (loss) per share (“EPS”) in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 260, “Earning Per Share.” Accordingly, basic income (loss) per share is computed by dividing income (loss) available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of shares outstanding, without consideration for common stock equivalents. Diluted EPS is computed by dividing the net income by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding as well as common share equivalents outstanding for the period determined using the treasury-stock method for stock options and warrants and the if-converted method for convertible notes. The Company made an accounting policy election to use the if-converted method for convertible securities that are eligible to receive common stock dividends, if declared. Diluted EPS reflect the potential dilution that could occur based on the exercise of stock options or warrants or conversion of convertible securities using the if-converted method.

For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, the basic and diluted income (loss) per share were the same due to the anti-dilutive features of the warrants and options. For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, 30,911 shares purchasable under warrants and options were excluded from the EPS calculation as these were not dilutive due to the exercise price was more than the stock market price.

Foreign Currency Translation and Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Foreign Currency Translation and Comprehensive Income (Loss)

The Company’s functional currency is the Renminbi (“RMB”). For financial reporting purposes, RMB were translated into U.S. Dollars (“USD” or “$”) as the reporting currency. Assets and liabilities are translated at the exchange rate in effect at the balance sheet date. Revenues and expenses are translated at the average rate of exchange prevailing during the reporting period. Translation adjustments arising from the use of different exchange rates from period to period are included as a component of stockholders’ equity as “Accumulated other comprehensive income.” Gains and losses resulting from foreign currency transactions are included in income.

The Company follows FASB ASC Topic 220, “Comprehensive Income.” Comprehensive income is comprised of net income and all changes to the statements of stockholders’ equity, except those due to investments by stockholders, changes in paid-in capital and distributions to stockholders.  

Segment Reporting

Segment Reporting

FASB ASC Topic 280, “Segment Reporting,” requires use of the “management approach” model for segment reporting. The management approach model is based on the way a company’s management organizes segments within the company for making operating decisions and assessing performance. Reportable segments are based on products and services, geography, legal structure, management structure, or any other manner in which management disaggregates a company. FASB ASC Topic 280 has no effect on the Company’s CFS as substantially all of the Company’s operations are conducted in one industry segment. All of the Company’s assets are located in the PRC.

New Accounting Pronouncements

New Accounting Pronouncements

In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures (ASU 2023-09), which requires disclosure of incremental income tax information within the rate reconciliation and expanded disclosures of income taxes paid, among other disclosure requirements. ASU 2023-09 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. Early adoption is permitted. The Company’s management does not believe the adoption of ASU 2023-09 will have a material impact on its financial statements and disclosures.

Other recent accounting pronouncements issued by the FASB, including its Emerging Issues Task Force, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, and the SEC did not or are not believed by management to have a material impact on the Company’s present or future CFS. 

XML

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2023

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Schedule of Property and Equipment Estimated Lives

Depreciation of property and equipment is provided using the straight-line method over the estimated lives as follows:

Vehicles	2 – 5 years
Office and Other Equipment	2 – 5 years

XML

Accrued Liabilities and Other Payables (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2023

Accrued Liabilities and Other Payables [Abstract]

Schedule of Accrued Liabilities and Other Payables

Accrued liabilities and other payables consisted of the following as of December 31, 2023 and 2022:

	2023		2022
Education and union fund and social insurance payable	$	181,394	$	270,116
Accrued payroll and welfare		263,472		251,021
Accrued litigation		2,124,087		2,203,149
Other		95,508		52,128
Total	$	2,664,461	$	2,776,414

XML

Taxes Payable (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2023

Taxes Payable [Abstract]

Schedule of Taxes Payable

Taxes payable consisted of the following as of December 31, 2023 and 2022:

	2023		2022
Income tax	$	7,627,529	$	7,639,832
Other		187		145
Total		7,627,716		7,639,977
Current		4,277,091		3,681,352
Noncurrent	$	3,350,625	$	3,958,625

XML

Deferred Tax, Net (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2023

Deferred Tax, Net [Abstract]

Schedule of Deferred Tax Assets

As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, deferred tax assets consisted of the following:

	2023			2022
Accrued expenses	$	615,336		$	57,611
Write-off Erdos TCH net investment in sales-type leases *		4,063,263			4,579,725
Impairment loss of Xi’an TCH’s investment into the HYREF fund		2,647,296			2,692,186
US NOL		1,086,706			730,855
PRC NOL		8,355,472			9,118,123
Total deferred tax assets		16,768,073			17,178,500
Less: valuation allowance for deferred tax assets		(16,768,073	)		(17,178,500	)
Deferred tax assets, net	$	-		$	-

* This represents the tax basis of Erdos TCH investment in sales type leases, which was written off under US GAAP upon modification of lease terms, which made the lease payments contingent upon generation of electricity.

XML

Stockholders’ Equity (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2023

Stockholders’ Equity [Abstract]

Schedule of Summary of the Activities of Warrants that were Issued from Equity Financing

Following is a summary of the activities of warrants that were issued from equity financing for the year ended December 31, 2023:

	Number of Warrants		Average Exercise Price		Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term in Years
Outstanding at January 1, 2023		30,411	$	14.0		1.21
Exercisable at January 1, 2023		30,411	$	14.0		1.21
Granted		-		-		-
Exchanged		-		-		-
Forfeited		-		-		-
Expired		13,896		18.75		-
Outstanding at December 31, 2023		16,515	$	10.0		0.54
Exercisable at December 31, 2023		16,515	$	10.0		0.54

XML

Stock-Based Compensation Plan (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2023

Stock-Based Compensation Plan [Abstract]

Schedule of Option Activity with Respect to Employees and Independent Directors

The following table summarizes option activity with respect to employees and independent directors for the year ended December 31, 2023:

	Number of Shares		Average Exercise Price per Share		Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term in Years
Outstanding at January 1, 2023		500	$	16.1		4.32
Exercisable at January 1, 2023		500	$	16.1		4.32
Granted		-		-		-
Exercised		-		-		-
Forfeited		-		-		-
Outstanding at December 31, 2023		500	$	16.1		3.32
Exercisable at December 31, 2023		500	$	16.1		3.32

XML

Income Tax (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2023

Income Tax [Abstract]

Schedule of Reconciles U.S. Statutory Rates to Effective Tax Rate

The following table reconciles the U.S. statutory rates to the Company’s effective tax rate for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022:

	2023			2022
U.S. statutory rates benefit		(21.0	)%		(21.0	)%
Tax rate difference – current provision		2.2	%		(1.9	)%
Permanent differences		1.2	%		2.7	%
Change in valuation allowance		32.5	%		21.8	%
Tax expense per financial statements		14.9	%		1.6	%

Schedule of Provision for Income Tax Expense

The provision for income tax expense (benefit) for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 consisted of the following:

	2023		2022
Income tax expense – current	$	96,700	$	69,652
Total income tax expense	$	96,700	$	69,652

XML

Statutory Reserves (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2023

Statutory Reserves [Abstract]

Schedule of Maximum Statutory Reserve Amount

The maximum statutory reserve amount has not been reached for any subsidiary. The table below discloses the statutory reserve amount in the currency type registered for each Chinese subsidiary as of December 31, 2023 and 2022:

Name of Chinese Subsidiaries	Registered Capital		Maximum Statutory Reserve Amount		Statutory reserve at December 31, 2023			Statutory reserve at December 31, 2022
Shanghai TCH	$	29,800,000	$	14,900,000	¥	6,564,303 ($1,003,859	)	¥	6,564,303 ($1,003,859	)
Xi’an TCH	¥	202,000,000	¥	101,000,000	¥	73,947,603 ($11,272,917	)	¥	73,781,005 ($11,249,275	)
Erdos TCH	¥	120,000,000	¥	60,000,000	¥	19,035,814 ($2,914,869	)	¥	19,035,814 ($2,914,869	)
Xi’an Zhonghong	¥	30,000,000	¥	15,000,000		Did not accrue yet due to accumulated deficit			Did not accrue yet due to accumulated deficit
Shaanxi Huahong	$	2,500,300	$	1,250,150		Did not accrue yet due to accumulated deficit			Did not accrue yet due to accumulated deficit
Zhongxun	¥	35,000,000	¥	17,500,000		Did not accrue yet due to accumulated deficit			Did not accrue yet due to accumulated deficit

XML

Commitments (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2023

Commitments [Abstract]

Schedule of Lease Costs, Lease Term and Discount Rate

The components of lease costs, lease term and discount rate with respect of the office lease with an initial term of more than 12 months are as follows:

	Year Ended
	December 31, 2023
Operating lease cost – amortization of ROU	$	61,453
Operating lease cost – interest expense on lease liability	$	765
Weighted Average Remaining Lease Term - Operating leases		-
Weighted Average Discount Rate - Operating leases		5	%

	Year Ended
	December 31, 2022
Operating lease cost– amortization of ROU	$	61,262
Operating lease cost – interest expense on lease liability	$	3,923

XML

Organization and Description of Business (Details)						12 Months Ended
	Feb. 11, 2015 USD ($)	Jul. 31, 2013 USD ($)	Jun. 15, 2013 USD ($)	Jun. 15, 2013 CNY (¥)	Apr. 14, 2009	Dec. 31, 2023 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2023 CNY (¥)	May 01, 2016 kWh	Mar. 24, 2014 USD ($)	Mar. 24, 2014 CNY (¥)
Organization and Descriptions of Business [Line Items]
Electricity sold (in Kilowatt-hours) | kWh								0.3
License is issued	10 years
Erdos Metallurgy Co., Ltd. [Member]
Organization and Descriptions of Business [Line Items]
Maturity term					20 years
Total investment percentage			7.00%	7.00%	7.00%
Payment for power and energy						$ 145,524	¥ 1,000,000
Xi'an TCH [Member]
Organization and Descriptions of Business [Line Items]
Total investment percentage					93.00%
Amount of ownership interest		$ 1,290,000	$ 1,290,000	¥ 8,000,000
Da Tang Shi Dai [Member]
Organization and Descriptions of Business [Line Items]
Total investment percentage						30.00%	30.00%
DaTong Recycling Energy [Member]
Organization and Descriptions of Business [Line Items]
Total investment percentage						30.00%	30.00%
TianYu XuZhou Recycling Energy [Member]
Organization and Descriptions of Business [Line Items]
Total investment percentage						40.00%	40.00%
Zhongxun [Member]
Organization and Descriptions of Business [Line Items]
Registered capital									$ 5,695,502	¥ 35,000,000
Percentage of owns						100.00%	100.00%
Yinghua [Member]
Organization and Descriptions of Business [Line Items]
Registered capital | $	$ 30,000,000
Percentage of owns	100.00%

XML

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2023 USD ($) shares	Dec. 31, 2023 CNY (¥) shares	Dec. 31, 2022 USD ($) shares
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Net loss	$ (746,786)		$ (4,457,327)
Accumulated Deficit	$ (60,497,371)		$ (59,726,943)
Tax benefit percentage	50.00%	50.00%
Shares of antidilutive securities under warrants and option | shares	30,911	30,911	30,911
Erdos TCH [Member]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Owned percentage	100.00%
Zhonghong [Member]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Owned percentage	90.00%
Shanghai TCH [Member]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Owned percentage	10.00%
Zhongxun [Member]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Owned percentage	100.00%
PRC [Member]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Insurance	$ 71,792	¥ 500,000
Balance not covered	$ 71,792	¥ 500,000

XML

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) - Schedule of Property and Equipment Estimated Lives	Dec. 31, 2023
Vehicles [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Schedule of Property and Equipment Estimated Lives [Line Items]
Property and equipment, useful life	2 years
Vehicles [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Schedule of Property and Equipment Estimated Lives [Line Items]
Property and equipment, useful life	5 years
Office and Other Equipment [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Schedule of Property and Equipment Estimated Lives [Line Items]
Property and equipment, useful life	2 years
Office and Other Equipment [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Schedule of Property and Equipment Estimated Lives [Line Items]
Property and equipment, useful life	5 years

XML

Short-Term Loan Receivable (Details)			1 Months Ended
	Jul. 03, 2023 USD ($)	Apr. 03, 2023 USD ($)	Jan. 31, 2024 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2023 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2023 CNY (¥)	Jun. 30, 2023 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2023 CNY (¥)	Mar. 31, 2023 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2023 CNY (¥)
Short-Term Loan Receivable [Line Items]
Short term loan				$ 68,730,851	¥ 486,100,000	$ 67,120,596	¥ 485,000,000	$ 140,576,568	¥ 966,000,000
Capital utilization fee				14,119	100,000	13,839	100,000	43,657	300,000
Short term loan				$ 70,595	¥ 500,000	$ 69,196	¥ 500,000	$ 218,287	¥ 1,500,000
Repayment short term loan	$ 67,200,000	$ 140,600,000
Subsequent Event [Member]
Short-Term Loan Receivable [Line Items]
Repayment short term loan			$ 68,700,000

XML

Advance to Suppliers (Details) ¥ in Millions	1 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Jun. 19, 2023 USD ($)	Jun. 19, 2023 CNY (¥)	Dec. 31, 2023 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2023 CNY (¥)	Dec. 31, 2022 USD ($)
Advance to Suppliers [Line Items]
Purchase commitment amount	$ 82,300,000	¥ 595.0			$ 1,150,000
Prepayment amount			$ 67,200,000	¥ 476.0
Research and development cost					1,000,000
Research and development expense					200,000
Committed to pay remaining					800,000
Paid expense					650,000
Prepaid supplies			200,000
Remaining amount			$ 300,000
Cooperation Agreement [Member]
Advance to Suppliers [Line Items]
Research and development expense					$ 200,000

XML

Accrued Liabilities and Other Payables (Details) - Schedule of Accrued Liabilities and Other Payables - USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022
Schedule of Accrued Liabilities and Other Payables [Abstract]
Education and union fund and social insurance payable	$ 181,394	$ 270,116
Accrued payroll and welfare	263,472	251,021
Accrued litigation	2,124,087	2,203,149
Other	95,508	52,128
Total	$ 2,664,461	$ 2,776,414

XML

Taxes Payable (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022
Taxes Payable [Abstract]
Income Tax payable	$ 7,627,716	$ 7,639,977
Current tax payable	4,277,091	3,681,352
Noncurrent tax payble	$ 3,350,625	$ 3,958,625
Income tax description	An election was available for the U.S. shareholders of a foreign company to pay the tax liability in installments over a period of eight years (until year 2026) with 8% of net tax liability in each of the first five years, 15% in the sixth year, 20% in the seventh year, and 25% in the eighth year.

XML

Taxes Payable (Details) - Schedule of Taxes Payable - USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022
Schedule of Taxes Payable [Abstract]
Income tax	$ 7,627,529	$ 7,639,832
Other	187	145
Total	7,627,716	7,639,977
Current	4,277,091	3,681,352
Noncurrent	$ 3,350,625	$ 3,958,625

XML

Deferred Tax, Net (Details) - Schedule of Deferred Tax Assets - USD ($)		Dec. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022
Schedule Of Deferred Tax Assets [Abstract]
Accrued expenses		$ 615,336	$ 57,611
Write-off Erdos TCH net investment in sales-type leases	[1]	4,063,263	4,579,725
Impairment loss of Xi’an TCH’s investment into the HYREF fund		2,647,296	2,692,186
US NOL		1,086,706	730,855
PRC NOL		8,355,472	9,118,123
Total deferred tax assets		16,768,073	17,178,500
Less: valuation allowance for deferred tax assets		(16,768,073)	(17,178,500)
Deferred tax assets, net

[1] This represents the tax basis of Erdos TCH investment in sales type leases, which was written off under US GAAP upon modification of lease terms, which made the lease payments contingent upon generation of electricity.

XML

Entrusted Loan Payable (Details) $ in Thousands											12 Months Ended
	Jul. 03, 2023 USD ($)	Apr. 03, 2023 USD ($)	Apr. 09, 2021 USD ($)	Apr. 09, 2021 CNY (¥)	Dec. 20, 2019 USD ($)	Dec. 20, 2019 CNY (¥)	Dec. 29, 2018 USD ($)	Dec. 29, 2018 CNY (¥)	Jul. 31, 2013 USD ($)	Jul. 31, 2013 CNY (¥)	Dec. 31, 2023 shares	Dec. 31, 2022 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2022 CNY (¥)	Dec. 31, 2021 USD ($)	Jul. 08, 2023 USD ($)	Jul. 08, 2023 CNY (¥)	Dec. 31, 2021 CNY (¥)	Jun. 28, 2021 USD ($)	Jun. 28, 2021 CNY (¥)	Dec. 31, 2020 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2020 CNY (¥)	Sep. 30, 2020 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2020 CNY (¥)	Jun. 30, 2020 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2020 CNY (¥)	Apr. 05, 2020 USD ($)	Apr. 05, 2020 CNY (¥)	Feb. 05, 2020 USD ($)	Feb. 05, 2020 CNY (¥)	Dec. 20, 2019 CNY (¥)	Jan. 05, 2019 USD ($)	Jan. 05, 2019 CNY (¥)	Jan. 04, 2019 USD ($)	Jan. 04, 2019 CNY (¥)
Entrusted Loan Payable [Line Items]
Loan long term interest rate											12.50%
Description of remaining loan balance											The Company paid RMB 50 million ($7.54 million) of the RMB 280 million ($42.22 million), and on August 5, 2016, the Company entered into a supplemental agreement with the lender to extend the due date of the remaining RMB 230 million ($34.68 million) of the original RMB 280 million ($45.54 million) to August 6, 2017. During the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company negotiated with the lender again to further extend the remaining loan balance of RMB 230 million ($34.68 million), RMB 100 million ($16.27 million), and RMB 77 million ($12.08 million). The lender had tentatively agreed to extend the remaining loan balance until August 2019 with interest of 9%, subject to the final approval from its headquarters. The headquarters did not approve the extension proposal with interest of 9%; however, on December 29, 2018, the Company and the lender agreed to an alternative repayment proposal as described below.
Loan repayment	$ 67,200	$ 140,600
Total buy back price					$ 37,520	¥ 261,727,506
Gain amount			$ 3,100
Repayments of accrued interest			$ 27,540	¥ 188,639,400
Loan payable					37,520										$ 11,060	¥ 77,000,000														¥ 261,727,506
Accrued interest					2,100													$ 350	¥ 2,418,229											¥ 14,661,506
Payment one																															$ 7,170	¥ 50,000,000
Payment two																												$ 7,170	¥ 50,000,000
Payment three																										$ 7,170	¥ 50,000,000
Payment four																								$ 7,170	¥ 50,000,000
Final payment																						$ 6,750	¥ 47,066,000
Full payment																				$ 36,280	¥ 247,000,000
Repayment of principal amount																		$ 11,060
Other fees												$ 11,530	¥ 80,288,184
Transfer price for Xuzhou Huayu Project [Member]
Entrusted Loan Payable [Line Items]
Loan payable																																	$ 17,520	¥ 120,000,000
Transfer price for Shenqiu Phase I and II Projects [Member]
Entrusted Loan Payable [Line Items]
Accrued interest																																	18,550	127,066,000
Transfer Agreement [Member]
Entrusted Loan Payable [Line Items]
Loan payable																																	$ 36,070	¥ 247,066,000
HYREF [Member] | Transfer Agreement [Member]
Entrusted Loan Payable [Line Items]
Loan repayment							$ 27,540	¥ 188,639,400
Xi’an TCH [Member]
Entrusted Loan Payable [Line Items]
Accrued interest					$ 2,100	¥ 14,661,506
Entrusted Loan Payable HYREF Loan [Member]
Entrusted Loan Payable [Line Items]
Total fund capital contribution									$ 77,000	¥ 460,000,000
HYREF [Member]
Entrusted Loan Payable [Line Items]
Equity investment									500	3,000,000
Zhonghong [Member]
Entrusted Loan Payable [Line Items]
Debt investment									74,500	457,000,000
Xi’an TCH [Member]
Entrusted Loan Payable [Line Items]
Total fund capital contribution									$ 4,390	¥ 27,000,000
Investments														$ 11,630			¥ 75,000,000
Impairment loss														$ 11,630
Huaxin [Member]
Entrusted Loan Payable [Line Items]
Shares owned (in Shares) | shares											47,150,000
Already owned shares (in Shares) | shares											29,948,000
Remaining shares (in Shares) | shares											17,202,000

XML

Note Payable, Net (Details) - USD ($)				12 Months Ended
	Sep. 14, 2022	Apr. 02, 2021	Dec. 04, 2020	Dec. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021	Jan. 10, 2022	Oct. 28, 2021
Note Payable, Net [Line items]
Interest expense					$ 125,000
Common stock, shares issued (in Shares)					289,330
Partitioned notes					$ 1,650,000
Amortization of original issue discount				$ 31,250	194,355
Promissory Notes in December 2020 [Member]
Note Payable, Net [Line items]
Convertible promissory note amount			$ 3,150,000
Original issue discount			$ 150,000
Interest rate			8.00%
Debt term			24 months
Increase decrease outstanding balance, percentage			125.00%
Right to redeem amount			$ 500,000
Percentage of redemption amount increased			25.00%
Promissory notes principle amount						$ 3,850,000
Promissory notes adjustment amount						818,914
Interest expense						$ 818,914
Common stock, shares issued (in Shares)						576,108	58,258
Partitioned notes							$ 346,986
Amortization of original issue discount					69,355
Interest expense					835
Loss on conversion notes					108,910
Promissory Notes in April 2021 [Member]
Note Payable, Net [Line items]
Convertible promissory note amount		$ 5,250,000
Original issue discount		$ 250,000
Interest rate		8.00%
Debt term		24 months
Increase decrease outstanding balance, percentage		125.00%
Right to redeem amount		$ 825,000
Percentage of redemption amount increased		25.00%
Promissory notes adjustment amount								$ 1,370,897
Interest expense	$ 229,015			$ 1,200,000	$ 456,655
Common stock, shares issued (in Shares)				571,448
Partitioned notes				$ 165,081
Gain on conversion				26,193
Amortization of original issue discount				435,021
Adjustment interest expense								$ 1,370,897
Outstanding principal amount	$ 229,015
Outstanding principal balance				5,222,743
Accrued interest				$ 2,290

XML

Stockholders’ Equity (Details) - Schedule of Summary of the Activities of Warrants that were Issued from Equity Financing - Warrant [Member] - $ / shares		12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2023
Schedule of Summary of the Activities of Warrants that were Issued from Equity Financing [Line Items]
Number of Warrants Exercisable Ending Balance	30,411	16,515
Average Exercise Price, Exercisable Ending Balance	$ 14	$ 10
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term in Years, Exercisable Ending Balance	1 year 2 months 15 days	6 months 14 days
Number of Warrants, Granted
Average Exercise Price, Granted
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term in Years, Granted
Number of Warrants, Exchanged
Average Exercise Price, Exchanged
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term in Years, Exchanged
Number of Warrants, Forfeited
Average Exercise Price, Forfeited
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term in Years, Forfeited
Number of Warrants, Expired		13,896
Average Exercise Price, Expired		$ 18.75
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term in Years, Expired
Number of Warrants Outstanding Ending Balance	30,411	16,515
Average Exercise Price, Outstanding Ending Balance	$ 14	$ 10
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term in Years, Outstanding Ending Balance	1 year 2 months 15 days	6 months 14 days

XML

Stock-Based Compensation Plan (Details)	Jun. 19, 2015 shares
Equity Option [Member]
Stock-Based Compensation Plan [Line Items]
Share authorized	124,626

XML

Stock-Based Compensation Plan (Details) - Schedule of Option Activity with Respect to Employees and Independent Directors - $ / shares		12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2023
Schedule Of Option Activity With Respect To Employees And Independent Directors [Abstract]
Number of Outstanding Ending Balance	500	500
Average Exercise Price, Outstanding Ending Balance	$ 16.1	$ 16.1
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term in Years, Outstanding	4 years 3 months 25 days	3 years 3 months 25 days
Number of Outstanding Ending Balance	500	500
Average Exercise Price, Exercisable Balance	$ 16.1	$ 16.1
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term in Years, Exercisable	4 years 3 months 25 days	3 years 3 months 25 days
Number of Shares, Granted
Average Exercise Price per Share, Granted
Number of Shares, Exercised
Average Exercise Price per Share, Exercised
Number of Shares, Forfeited
Average Exercise Price per Share, Forfeited

XML

Income Tax (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Income Tax [Line Items]
Tax rate	25.00%	25.00%
Income tax carry forwards (in Dollars)	$ 5,170,000
Tax percentage	80.00%		80.00%	80.00%	80.00%
Percentage of deferred tax valuation allowance	100.00%
Net operating loss carryforwards (in Dollars)	$ 8,355,472	$ 9,118,123
Income tax term year	5 years
PRC [Member]
Income Tax [Line Items]
Tax rate	25.00%
Percentage of deferred tax valuation allowance	100.00%
Net operating loss carryforwards (in Dollars)	$ 33,420,000

XML

Income Tax (Details) - Schedule of Reconciles U.S. Statutory Rates to Effective Tax Rate	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022
Schedule of Reconciles U.S. Statutory Rates to Effective Tax Rate [Abstract]
U.S. statutory rates benefit	(21.00%)	(21.00%)
Tax rate difference – current provision	2.20%	(1.90%)
Permanent differences	1.20%	2.70%
Change in valuation allowance	32.50%	21.80%
Tax expense per financial statements	14.90%	1.60%

XML

Income Tax (Details) - Schedule of Provision for Income Tax Expense - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022
Schedule of Provision for Income Tax Expense [Abstract]
Income tax expense – current	$ 96,700	$ 69,652
Total income tax expense	$ 96,700	$ 69,652

XML

Statutory Reserves (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2023
Statutory Reserve [Line Items]
Remaining reserve balance capital, percentage	25.00%
Surplus Reserve Fund [Member]
Statutory Reserve [Line Items]
Percentage of net income, percentage	10.00%
Statutory surplus reserve of registered capital, percentage	50.00%
Common Welfare Fund [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Statutory Reserve [Line Items]
Percentage of net income, percentage	5.00%
Common Welfare Fund [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Statutory Reserve [Line Items]
Percentage of net income, percentage	10.00%

XML

Schedule of Maximum Statutory Reserve Amount (Details) - Schedule of Maximum Statutory Reserve Amount	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2023 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2022 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2023 CNY (¥)	Dec. 31, 2022 CNY (¥)
Shanghai TCH [Member]
Schedule of Maximum Statutory Reserve Amount (Details) - Schedule of Maximum Statutory Reserve Amount [Line Items]
Statutory Accounting Practices, Statutory Capital and Surplus Required | $	$ 29,800,000
Maximum Statutory Reserve Amount | $	14,900,000
Statutory Reserve	1,003,859	$ 1,003,859	¥ 6,564,303	¥ 6,564,303
Xi’an TCH [Member]
Schedule of Maximum Statutory Reserve Amount (Details) - Schedule of Maximum Statutory Reserve Amount [Line Items]
Statutory Accounting Practices, Statutory Capital and Surplus Required			202,000,000
Maximum Statutory Reserve Amount			101,000,000
Statutory Reserve	11,272,917	11,249,275	73,947,603	73,781,005
Erdos TCH [Member]
Schedule of Maximum Statutory Reserve Amount (Details) - Schedule of Maximum Statutory Reserve Amount [Line Items]
Statutory Accounting Practices, Statutory Capital and Surplus Required			120,000,000
Maximum Statutory Reserve Amount			60,000,000
Statutory Reserve	$ 2,914,869	$ 2,914,869	19,035,814	¥ 19,035,814
Xi’an Zhonghong [Member]
Schedule of Maximum Statutory Reserve Amount (Details) - Schedule of Maximum Statutory Reserve Amount [Line Items]
Statutory Accounting Practices, Statutory Capital and Surplus Required			30,000,000
Maximum Statutory Reserve Amount			15,000,000
Statutory Accounting Practices, Statutory Capital and Surplus, Variations	Did not accrue yet due to accumulated deficit	Did not accrue yet due to accumulated deficit
Shaanxi Huahong [Member]
Schedule of Maximum Statutory Reserve Amount (Details) - Schedule of Maximum Statutory Reserve Amount [Line Items]
Statutory Accounting Practices, Statutory Capital and Surplus Required | $	$ 2,500,300
Maximum Statutory Reserve Amount | $	$ 1,250,150
Statutory Accounting Practices, Statutory Capital and Surplus, Variations	Did not accrue yet due to accumulated deficit	Did not accrue yet due to accumulated deficit
Zhongxun [Member]
Schedule of Maximum Statutory Reserve Amount (Details) - Schedule of Maximum Statutory Reserve Amount [Line Items]
Statutory Accounting Practices, Statutory Capital and Surplus Required			35,000,000
Maximum Statutory Reserve Amount			¥ 17,500,000
Statutory Accounting Practices, Statutory Capital and Surplus, Variations	Did not accrue yet due to accumulated deficit	Did not accrue yet due to accumulated deficit

XML

Contingencies (Details) $ in Thousands					12 Months Ended
	Apr. 13, 2022 USD ($)	Apr. 13, 2022 CNY (¥)	Jun. 28, 2021 USD ($)	Jun. 28, 2021 CNY (¥)	Dec. 31, 2023 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2023 CNY (¥)	Jun. 28, 2021 CNY (¥)
Contingencies [Line Items]
Settlement paid	$ 37,580	¥ 261
Additional loan					$ 2,200	¥ 14,204,317
Accrued litigation expense					$ 2,100
Principal loan amount			$ 11,060				¥ 77,000,000
Loan interest			350	¥ 2,418,449
Enforcement Fee [Member]
Contingencies [Line Items]
Total fee			11,530	80,288,184
Late Fee [Member]
Contingencies [Line Items]
Total fee			11,530	80,288,184
Other Fee [Member]
Contingencies [Line Items]
Total fee			$ 11,530	¥ 80,288,184

XML

Commitments (Details)					1 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	May 06, 2022 USD ($) shares	May 06, 2022 CNY (¥) shares	May 08, 2020 USD ($) shares	May 08, 2020 CNY (¥) shares	Nov. 20, 2017 USD ($)	Nov. 20, 2017 CNY (¥)	Dec. 31, 2023 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2023 CNY (¥)
Commitments [Line Items]
Monthly rental payment					$ 5,600	¥ 36,536	$ 5,600	¥ 36,536
Expiration date							November 2020	November 2020
Monthly salary	$ (2,500)	¥ 18,000
Common stock annually	5,000	5,000	5,000	5,000
Chief Financial Officer [Member]
Commitments [Line Items]
Monthly salary			$ 2,200	¥ 16,000
New Lease Contract [Member]
Commitments [Line Items]
Monthly rental payment							$ 5,600	¥ 36,536

XML

Commitments (Details) - Schedule of Lease Costs, Lease Term and Discount Rate - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022
Schedule of Lease Costs Lease Term and Discount Rate [Abstract]
Operating lease cost – amortization of ROU	$ 61,453	$ 61,262
Operating lease cost – interest expense on lease liability	$ 765	$ 3,923
Weighted Average Remaining Lease Term - Operating leases
Weighted Average Discount Rate - Operating leases	5.00%

XML

Subsequent Events (Details) - Subsequent Event [Member]	Mar. 29, 2024 USD ($) shares
Subsequent Events (Details) [Line Items]
Promissory notes | $	$ 300,000
Shares of the common stock | shares	259,067