Item 9A. Controls and Procedures
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures
Our management is
responsible for establishing and maintaining a system of disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e)) under
the Exchange Act) that is designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that we file
or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time specified in the Commission’s
rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that
information required to be disclosed by an issuer in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated
and communicated to the issuer’s management, including its principal executive officer or officers and principal financial
officer or officers, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Pursuant to Rule 13a-15(b)
under the Exchange Act, the Company carried out an evaluation with the participation of the Company’s management, including
Zhenyong Liu, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”), and Jing Hao, the Company’s Chief Financial
Officer (“CFO”), of the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined under Rule
13a-15(e) under the Exchange Act) as of December 31, 2018. Based upon that evaluation, the Company’s CEO and CFO concluded
that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed
by the Company in the reports that the Company files or submits under the Exchange Act, is recorded, processed, summarized and
reported, within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated
to the Company’s management, including the Company’s CEO and CFO, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding
required disclosure.
Management conducted
an assessment of the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018. In
making this assessment, management used the framework set forth in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued
by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on this assessment, management has determined that,
as of December 31, 2018, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was effective.
This annual report
does not include an attestation report of its registered independent public accounting firm regarding the Company’s internal
control over financial reporting because the Company is not required to include such attestation report in this annual report.
Changes in internal controls
Our management, with
the participation of our CEO and CFO, performed an evaluation as to whether any change in our internal controls over financial
reporting occurred during the year ended December 31, 2019. Based on that evaluation, our CEO and CFO concluded that
no change occurred in the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting during the quarter ended December 31, 2019
that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal controls over financial
reporting.
Item 9B. Other Information
None.
42
PART III
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers
and Corporate Governance
Set forth below is
certain information regarding our directors and executive officers. Our Board of Directors is comprised of five directors. There
are no family relationships between any of our directors or executive officers. Each of our directors is elected to serve until
the next annual meeting of our stockholders and until his successor is elected and qualified or until such director’s earlier
death, removal or termination.
The following table
sets forth certain information with respect to our directors and executive officers:
Name
Age
Position/Title
Zhenyong Liu
56
Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board
Jing Hao
36
Chief Financial Officer
Dahong Zhou
40
Secretary
Marco Ku Hon Wai
45
Director
Wenbing Christopher Wang
48
Director
Fuzeng Liu
70
Director
Lusha Niu
40
Director
We have two classes
of directors with each class elected in a different calendar year from the calendar year in which the other class of directors
are elected. All directors are elected for a two-year term. The directors elected in Class I, Marco Ku Hon Wai and Wenbing Christopher
Wang, will serve until the annual meeting of stockholders in 2021 and until their respective successors have been elected and have
qualified, or until their earlier resignation, removal or death. The directors elected in Class II, Zhenyong Liu, Fuzeng Liu and
Lusha Niu will serve until the annual meeting of stockholders in 2020 and until their respective successors have been elected and
have qualified, or until their earlier resignation, removal or death. Our officers serve at the discretion of our Board of Directors.
Set forth below is
biographical information about our current directors and executive officers:
Zhenyong Liu .
Mr. Zhenyong Liu became a member of the Board of Directors, and was appointed as Chairman of the Board of Directors on November
30, 2007. Mr. Liu has also served as the Company’s Chief Executive Officer since November 16, 2007, and serves as Chairman
of Hebei Baoding Dongfang Paper Milling Company Limited (Dongfang Paper), a position he has held since 1996. From 1990 to 1996,
he served as Plant Director of Xinxin Paper Milling Factory in Xushui District. Mr. Liu served as General Manager of the East Central
Household Appliance Purchases and Supply Station from 1980 to 1989.
Jing Hao . Ms.
Jing Hao was appointed as our Chief Financial Officer on November 3, 2014. Ms. Hao previously served as the Company’s Chief
Financial Officer between November 2007 and April 2009. In addition, Ms. Hao has served as Chief Financial Officer of Hebei Baoding
Dongfang Paper Milling Company Limited (Dongfang Paper) since 2006. Prior to that, she was Manager of Finance for Dongfang Paper
from 2005 to 2006.
Dahong Zhou . Ms.
Dahong Zhou was appointed as our Secretary on November 16, 2007. Ms. Zhou also serves as Executive Manager of Hebei Baoding Dongfang
Paper Milling Company Limited (Dongfang Paper), a position she has held since 2006.
Marco Ku Hon Wai. Mr.
Marco Ku Hon Wai has served on the Boardof Directors since November 3, 2014. Mr. Ku is the founder of Sensible Investment Company
Limited, an investment consulting firm based in Hong Kong founded in 2013. He was previously Chief Financial Officer of China Marine
Food Group Limited (OTC: CMFO) from July 2007 to October 2013. Prior to his position at China Marine Food Group Limited, Mr. Ku
co-founded KISS Catering Group, a food and beverage business in Beijing from October 2005 to April 2007. Mr. Ku worked at KPMG
LLP from 1996 to 2000, where his last held position was Assistant Manager. Mr. Ku received a bachelor’s degree in finance
from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology in 1996, and is currently a fellow member of the Hong Kong Institute of
Certified Public Accountants.
Wenbing Christopher
Wang . Mr. Wenbing Christopher Wang has served on the Board of Directors since October 28, 2009. Mr. Wang has also been
serving as President and Director of Fushi Copperweld, Inc. (“Fushi”) since January 21, 2008. Mr. Wang served
as Fushi’s Chief Financial Officer from December 13, 2005 to August 31, 2009. Prior to Fushi, Mr. Wang worked
for Redwood Capital, Inc., China Century Investment Corporation, Credit Suisse First Boston and VC China in various capacities. Fluent
in both English and Chinese, Mr. Wang holds a master’s degree in business administration and finance and corporate accounting
from Simon Business School of University of Rochester. Mr. Wang was named one of the top ten CFO’s of 2007 in China
by CFO magazine.
Fuzeng Liu . Mr.
Fuzeng Liu has been a member of the Board of Directors since November 30, 2007. Mr. Liu has also served as Vice President
of Dongfang Paper since 2002. Previously, he served as Deputy Secretary of the Traffic Bureau of Xushui District from
1992 to 2002 and as Party Secretary of Dayin Town,Xushui District from 1988 to 1992.Mr. Liu also served as Head of the Cuizhuang
Town, Xushui District from 1984 to 1988. From 1977 to 1984, Mr. Liu worked at the committee office of Xushui District.
43
Lusha Niu .
Ms. Niu has been a member of the Board of Directors since October12, 2016. Ms. Niu is a public relations veteran with strong background
in international business and finance. Since September 2013, Ms. Niu has been the Director of Corporate Communications and Public
Affairs, Asia Lead of Financial Communication at MSLGROUP, a global public communications firm. From August 2008 until August
2013, Ms. Niu was an Associate Director at APCO Worldwide, a Washington D.C. based global public affairs consulting firm. Ms.
Niu also served as a Consulting Analyst with BDA Consulting, advising global institutional investors on their China deal strategy.
Ms. Niu holds a Master’s degree in Finance from the University of Colorado.
The Board of Directors
believes that each of the Company’s directors is highly qualified to serve as a member of the Board. Each of the directors
has contributed to the mix of skills, core competencies and qualifications of the Board of Directors. When evaluating candidates
for election to the Board, the Nominating Committee seeks candidates with certain qualities that it believes are important, including
integrity, an objective perspective, good judgment, and leadership skills. Our directors are highly educated and have
diverse backgrounds and talents and extensive track records of success in what we believe are highly relevant positions. Some
of our directors have served in our operating entity, Dongfang Paper, for many years and benefit from an intimate knowledge of
our operations and corporate philosophy.
Committees
Our business, property
and affairs are managed by or under the direction of the Board of Directors. Members of the Board of Directors are kept
informed of our business through discussion with the chief executive and financial officers and other officers, by reviewing materials
provided to them and by participating at meetings of the board and its committees.
Our Board of Directors
has three committees - the Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee and the Nominating Committee. The Audit Committee
is comprised of Marco Ku Hon Wai, Wenbing Christopher Wang and Lusha Niu, with Mr. Ku serving as chairman. The Compensation
Committee is comprised of Marco Ku Hon Wai, Wenbing Christopher Wang and Lusha Niu, with Ms. Lusha Niu serving as chairwoman. The
Nominating Committee is comprised of Marco Ku Hon Wai, Wenbing Christopher Wang and Lusha Niu, with Mr. Wenbing Christopher Wang
serving as chairman.
Our Audit Committee
is involved in discussions with our independent auditor with respect to the scope and results of our year-end audit, our quarterly
results of operations, our internal accounting controls and the professional services furnished by the independent auditor. Our
Board of Directors has determined that both Mr. Marco Ku Hon Wai and Mr. Wenbing Christopher Wang qualify as audit committee financial
experts and have the accounting or financial management expertise as required under NYSE Rule 303A.07(a). Our Board of Directors
has also adopted a written charter for the audit committee which the audit committee reviews and reassesses for adequacy on an
annual basis. A copy of the audit committee’s current charter is available at the our corporate website at http://www.itpackaging.cn/uploadfile/txyxfh/file/20181029/6367640912345722139375725.pdf
The Compensation Committee
oversees the compensation of our chief executive officer and our other executive officers and reviews our overall compensation
policies for employees generally. If so authorized by the Board of Directors, the committee may also serve as the granting
and administrative committee under any option or other equity-based compensation plans which we may adopt. The Compensation
Committee does not delegate its authority to fix compensation; however, as to officers who report to the chief executive officer,
the compensation committee consults with the chief executive officer, who may make recommendations to the compensation committee. Any
recommendations by the chief executive officer are accompanied by an analysis of the basis for the recommendations. The
committee will also discuss compensation policies for employees who are not officers with the chief executive officer and other
responsible officers. A copy of the compensation committee’s current charter is available at our corporate
website at http://www.itpackaging.cn/uploadfile/txyxfh/file/20181029/6367640912355880048874958.pdf
The Nominating Committee
is involved in evaluating the desirability of and recommending to the board any changes in the size and composition of the board,
evaluation of and successor planning for the chief executive officer and other executive officers. The qualifications
of any candidate for director will be subject to the same extensive general and specific criteria applicable to director candidates
generally. A copy of the nominating committee’s current charter is available at our corporate website at http://www.itpackaging.cn/uploadfile/txyxfh/file/20181029/6367640912356661968874958.pdf
Code of Ethics
We have adopted a
code of ethics that applies to our principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer and controller,
or persons performing similar functions. The Code of Ethics is currently available at our corporate website at http://www.itpackaging.cn/uploadfile/txyxfh/file/20181029/6367640912363688526617528.pdf
Board Meetings
The Board of Directors and its committees
held the following number of meetings during 2019:
Board of Directors
6
Audit Committee
4
Compensation Committee
1
Nominating Committee
1
The above table includes
meetings held by means of a conference telephone call, but not actions taken by unanimous written consent.
44
Each director attended
at least 75% of the total number of meetings of the Board of Directors and those committees on which he served during the year.
Directors or Executive Officers involved in Bankruptcy or
Criminal Proceedings
To our knowledge,
during the last ten years, none of our directors and executive officers (including those of our subsidiaries) has:
●
had a bankruptcy petition filed by or against any business of which such person was a general partner or executive officer either at the time of the bankruptcy or within two years prior to that time;
●
been convicted in a criminal proceeding or been subject to a pending criminal proceeding, excluding traffic violations and other minor offenses;
●
been subject to any order, judgment or decree, not subsequently reversed, suspended or vacated, of any court of competent jurisdiction, permanently or temporarily enjoining, barring, suspending or otherwise limiting his involvement in any type of business, securities or banking activities;
●
been found by a court of competent jurisdiction (in a civil action), the SEC, or the Commodities Futures Trading Commission to have violated a federal or state securities or commodities law, and the judgment has not been reversed, suspended or vacated; or
●
been the subject to, or a party to, any sanction or order, not subsequently reverse, suspended or vacated, of any self-regulatory organization, any registered entity, or any equivalent exchange, association, entity or organization that has disciplinary authority over its members or persons associated with a member.
Board Leadership Structure and Role in Risk Oversight
Mr. Zhenyong Liu is
our chairman and chief executive officer. At the advice of other members of the management or the Board, Mr. Liu calls
meetings of the Board of Directors when necessary. We have three independent directors. Our Board of Directors
has three standing committees, each of which is comprised solely of independent directors with a committee chair. The
Board of Directors believes that the Company’s chief executive officer is best situated to serve as chairman of the Board
of Directors because he is the director most familiar with our business and industry and the director most capable of identifying
strategic priorities and executing our business strategy. We believe that this leadership structure has served the Company
well. Our Board of Directors has overall responsibility for risk oversight. The Board of Directors has delegated responsibility
for the oversight of specific risks to the committees as follows:
●
The Audit Committee oversees the Company’s risk policies and processes relating to the financial statements and financial reporting processes, as well as key credit risks, liquidity risks, market risks and compliance, and the guidelines, policies and processes for monitoring and mitigating those risks.
●
The Compensation Committee oversees the compensation of our chief executive officer and our other executive officers and reviews our overall compensation policies for employees.
●
The Nominating Committee oversees risks related to the Company’s governance structure and processes.
Our Board of Directors
is responsible for approving all related party transactions according to our Code of Ethics. We have not adopted written policies
and procedures specifically for related person transactions.
Compliance with Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934
Section 16(a) of the
Exchange Act, requires our executive officers and directors and persons who own more than 10% of a registered class of our equity
securities to file with the SEC initial statements of beneficial ownership, reports of changes in ownership and annual reports
concerning their ownership of our common stock and other equity securities, on Form 3, 4 and 5 respectively. Executive officers,
directors and greater than 10% shareholders are required by the SEC regulations to furnish our company with copies of all Section
16(a) reports they file.
Based solely on our
review of the copies of such reports received by us, and on written representations by our officers and directors regarding their
compliance with the applicable reporting requirements under Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act, we believe that, with respect to
the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, our officers and directors, and all of the persons known to us to own more than 10% of
our common stock, filed all required reports on a timely basis.
45
Item 11. Executive Compensation
The following compensation
table summarizes the cash and non-cash compensation earned during the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 by each person who
served as principal executive officer, principal financial officer, and secretary during 2019.
Non-Equity
Incentive
Stock
Option
Plan
Salary
Bonus
Awards(1)
Awards
Compensation
Total
Name and Principal Position
Year
($)
($)
($)
($)
($)
($)
Zhenyong Liu,
2018
$ 36,178
$ 88,000
$ 124,178
Chairman, CEO
2019
$ 34,809
-
$ -
-
-
$ 34,809
Jing Hao
2018
$ 36,178
$ 8,800
$ 44,978
CFO
2019
$ 34,809
-
$ -
-
-
$ 34,809
Dahong Zhou,
2018
$ 4,379
$
$ 4,379
Secretary
2019
$ 4,213
-
$ -
-
-
$ 4,213
(1) The value of the Stock Award is determined by multiplying
the number of restricted shares issued by the quoted closing price of the Company’s common stock on the date of the award,
which was $0.88 as of September 13, 2018.
Employment Agreements
Mr. Zhenyong Liu receives
a monthly salary of RMB 20,000 (approximately $2,900). On January 11, 2012, the Company awarded Mr. Zhenyong Liu 44,326 shares
of restricted common stock. These shares of common stock were issued under the 2011 ISP and are valued at $3.45 per share, based
on the closing price on the date of the issuance. On December 31, 2013, the Company awarded Mr. Zhenyong Liu 8,000 shares of restricted
common stock under the 2011 ISP and 2012 ISP, with a value of $2.66 per share, based on the closing price on the date of the stock
issuance. On September 13, 2018, the Company issued 100,000 shares of common stock to Mr. Zhenyong Liu under the 2015 Omnibus Equity
Incentive Plan with a value of $0.88 per share as of the date of issuance.
Ms. Hao began receiving
a monthly salary of RMB 20,000 (approximately $2,900) in January 2015. On September 13, 2018, the company issued 10,000 shares
of common stock to Ms. Jing Hao under the 2015 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan with a value of $0.88 per share as of the date of
issuance.
46
Compensation of Directors
The following table
sets forth a summary of compensation paid or entitled to our directors during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2019 and
December 31, 2018:
Non-Equity
Incentive
Stock
Option
Plan
Salary
Bonus
Awards
Awards
Compensation
Total
Name and Principal Position
Year
($)
($)
($)
($)
($)
($)
Fuzeng Liu
2018
$ 7,844
-
$ -
-
-
$ 7,844
Director
2019
$ 7,547
-
$ -
-
-
$ 7,547
Marco Ku Hon Wai
2018
$ 20,000
-
$ -
-
-
$ 20,000
Director
2019
$ 20,000
-
$ -
-
-
$ 20,000
Wenbing Christopher Wang
2018
$ 20,000
-
$ -
-
-
$ 20,000
Director
2019
$ 20,000
-
$ -
-
-
$ 20,000
Lusha Niu
2018
$ 7,537
-
-
-
-
$ 7,537
Director
2019
$ 7,252
-
-
-
-
$ 7,252
Effective November
1, 2014, Mr. Marco Ku Hon Wai began serving as our director and has received annual compensation of $20,000, payable on a monthly
basis. In addition, the Company agreed to issue Mr. Ku 7,500 shares of its common stock every year under the Company’s
stock incentive plan. On January 12, 2016, the Company issued Mr. Ku 7,500 shares restricted common stock under the 2015 ISP for
his services in 2015, with a value of $1.33 per share, based on the closing price on the date of the issuance. Mr. Ku will be reimbursed
for his out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with his service to the Company.
Effective October
28, 2009, Mr. Wenbing Christopher Wang has served as our director and has received annual compensation of $20,000, payable on a
monthly basis. Mr. Wang also received 4,000 shares of common stock, a number equal to $20,000 divided by the closing
price of the common stock on October 28, 2009, with piggyback registration rights subordinate to that held by investors in any
past or future private placement of securities. On January 11, 2012, the Company awarded its independent director Mr. Wenbing Christopher
Wang 15,820 shares of restricted common stock. These shares of common stock were issued under the 2011 ISP and are valued at $3.45
per share, based on the closing price on the date of the issuance. On December 31, 2013, the Company awarded Mr. Wang 5,000 shares
restricted common stock under the 2011 ISP and 2012 ISP for, with a value of $2.66 per share, based on the closing price on the
date of the stock issuance. On January 12, 2016, the Company issued Mr. Wang 5,000 shares restricted common stock under the 2015
ISP, with a value of $1.33 per share, based on the closing price on the date of the issuance.
On October 12, 2016,
Ms. Lusha Niu was elected as our director and receives annual compensation of RMB50,000, payable on a monthly basis.
On December 31, 2013,
Mr. Fuzeng Liu received 5,000 shares of restricted common stock from our 2011 and 2012 ISPs. The value of the stock award is determined
by the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the date of the award, which was $2.66 as of December 31, 2013.
Other than the appointments
described above, there are no understandings or arrangements between Mr. Ku, Mr. Wang, or Ms. Niu and any other person pursuant
to which Mr. Ku, Mr. Wang, or Ms. Niu was appointed as a director. Mr. Ku, Mr. Wang, and Ms. Niu do not have any family relationship
with any director, executive officer or person nominated or chosen by us to become a director or executive officer.
Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End
There were no option exercises in fiscal
year of 2019 or options outstanding as of December 31, 2019.
Pension and Retirement Plans
Currently, except
for contributions to the PRC government-mandated social security retirement endowment fund for those employees who have not waived
their coverage, we do not offer any annuity, pension or retirement benefits to be paid to any of our officers, directors or employees.
There are also no compensatory plans or arrangements with respect to any individual named above which results or will result from
the resignation, retirement or any other termination of employment with our company, or from a change in our control.
47
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain
Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
The following table
sets forth certain information with respect to the beneficial ownership of our common stock by (i) any person or group owning more
than 5% of any class of voting securities, (ii) each director, (iii) our Chief Executive Officer and President and (iv) all executive
officers and directors as a group as of December 31, 2019.
Amount and Nature of Beneficial Ownership
Amount and
Nature of
Percentage of
Beneficial
Common
Name and Address of Beneficial Owner
Ownership
Stock
Zhenyong Liu CEO and Director
5,164,841
23.42 %
Jing Hao CFO *
10,000
*
Dahong Zhou Secretary
0
*
Marco Ku Hon Wai Director*
7,500
*
Fuzeng Liu Director*
5,000
*
Wenbing Christopher Wang Director*
29,820
*
Lusha Niu Director
0
*
All Directors and Executive Officers as a Group (7 persons)
5,217,161
23.64 %
* Less than 1% of the Company’s issued and outstanding
common shares.
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related
Transactions, and Director Independence
Loans from our principal shareholder,
Chairman and CEO Mr. Zhenyong Liu
Mr Zhenyong Liu, the Company’s CEO
has loaned money to Dongfang Paper for working capital purposes over a period of time. On January 1, 2013, Dongfang Paper and Mr.
Zhenyong Liu renewed the three-year term loan previously entered on January 1, 2010, and extended the maturity date further to
December 31, 2015. On December 31, 2015, the Company paid off the loan of $2,249,279, together with interest of $391,374 for the
period from 2013 to 2015. Approximately $367,441 and $373,490 of interest were outstanding to Mr. Zhenyong Liu, which were recorded
in other payables and accrued liabilities as part of the current liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31,
2019 and 2018, respectively.
On December 10, 2014, Mr. Zhenyong Liu
provided a loan to the Company, amounted to $8,742,278 to Dongfang Paper for working capital purpose with an interest rate of 4.35%
per annum, which was based on the primary lending rate of People’s Bank of China. The unsecured loan was provided on December
10, 2014, and would be originally due on December 10, 2017. During the year of 2016, the Company repaid $6,012,416 to Mr. Zhenyong
Liu, together with interest of $288,596. In February 2018, the company paid off the remaining balance, together with interest of
$20,400. As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, approximately $43,003 and $43,711 of interest were outstanding to Mr. Zhenyong Liu,
which was recorded in other payables and accrued liabilities as part of the current liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet.
On March 1, 2015, the Company entered an
agreement with Mr. Zhenyong Liu which allows Dongfang Paper to borrow from the CEO an amount up to $17,201,342 (RMB120,000,000)
for working capital purposes. The advances or funding under the agreement are due three years from the date each amount is funded.
The loan is unsecured and carries an annual interest rate set on the basis of the primary lending rate of the People’s Bank
of China at the time of the borrowing. On July 13, 2015, an unsecured amount of $4,324,636 was drawn from the facility. On October
14, 2016 an unsecured amount of $2,883,091 was drawn from the facility. In February 2018, the company repaid $1,507,432 to Mr.
Zhenyong Liu. The loan would be originally due on July 12, 2018. Mr. Zhenyong Liu agreed to extend the loan for additional 3 years
and the remaining balance will be due on July 12, 2021. On November 23, 2018, the company repaid $3,768,579 to Mr. Zhenyong Liu,
together with interest of $158,651. In December 2019, the company paid off the remaining balance, together with interest of 94,636.
As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the outstanding loan balance were $nil and $2,185,569, respectively, and the accrued interest
was $197,009 and $200,253, respectively, which was recorded in other payables and accrued liabilities as part of the current liabilities
in the consolidated balance sheet.
48
As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, total
amount of loans due to Mr. Zhenyong Liu were $nil and $2,185,569, respectively. The interest expense incurred for such related
party loans are $94,636 and $277,411 for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. The accrued interest owe to
the CEO was approximately $607,453 and $617,454, as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively, which was recorded in other payables
and accrued liabilities.
As of December 31,
2019 and 2018, amount due to shareholder are $483,433 and $210,148, respectively, which represents funds from shareholders to pay
for various expenses incurred in the U.S. The amount is due on demand with interest free.
Sale of Headquarters
Compound Real Properties to a Related Party
On August 7, 2013, the Company’s
Audit Committee and the Board of Directors approved the sale of the land use right of the Headquarters Compound (the “LUR”),
the office building and essentially all industrial-use buildings in the Headquarters Compound (the “Industrial Buildings”),
and three employee dormitory buildings located within the Headquarters Compound (the “Dormitories”) to Hebei Fangsheng
for cash prices of approximately $2.77 million, $1.15 million, and $4.31 million respectively. Sales of the LUR and the Industrial
Buildings were completed in year 2013.
In connection with the sale of the Industrial
Buildings, Hebei Fangsheng agreed to lease the Industrial Buildings back to the Company for its original use for a term of up to
three years, with an annual rental payment of approximately $145,037 (RMB1,000,000). The lease agreement expired in August 2016.
On August 6, 2016 and August 6, 2018, the Company entered into two supplementary agreements with Hebei Fangsheng, who agreed to
extend the lease term for another four years in total, with the same rental payment as original lease agreement.
Procedures for Approval of Related
Party Transactions
Our Board of Directors
is charged with reviewing and approving all potential related party transaction whether or not such transactions exceed $120,000. We
have not adopted other procedures for review, or standards for approval, of such transactions, but instead review them on a case-by-case
basis.
Director Independence
The Company currently
has three independent directors, Marco Ku Hon Wai, Wenbing Christopher Wang, and Lusha Niu, as that term is defined under the NYSE
MKT Company Guide.
49
Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and
Services
Audit Fees
We
incurred approximately $171,600 for professional services rendered by our registered independent public accounting firm, WWC, P.C.,
for the audit and reviews of the Company’s financial statements for 2019.
We
incurred approximately $171,600 for professional services rendered by our registered independent public accounting firm, WWC, P.C.,
for the audit and reviews of the Company’s financial statements for 2018.
We incurred approximately
$128,554 (RMB840,000) for professional services rendered by our registered independent public accounting firm, BDO, for the audit
of the Company’s financial statements for 2017. Further, in 2017, we incurred approximately $91,825 for the reviews of the
Company’s quarterly reports by BDO.
We incurred approximately
$236,739 for professional services rendered by our registered independent public accounting firm, BDO, for the audit of the Company’s
financial statements for 2016. Further, in 2016, we incurred approximately $103,714 for the reviews of the Company’s quarterly
reports by BDO.
Audit-Related Fees
IT Tech Packaging did not incur any audit-related
fees to WWC in 2019.
IT Tech Packaging did not incur any audit-related
fees to BDO in 2018.
Tax Fees
IT Tech Packaging did not incur any tax
fees to WWC in 2019.
IT Tech Packaging did not incur any tax
fees to WWC in 2018.
All Other Fees
IT Tech Packaging
did not incur any fees from its registered independent public accounting firm for services rendered to IT Tech Packaging, other
than the services covered in “Audit Fees” and “Audit-Related Fees” for the fiscal years ended December
31, 2019 and 2018.
With respect to the
Company’s auditing and other non-audit related services rendered by its registered independent public accounting firm for
2019 and 2018, all engagements were entered into pursuant to the audit committee’s pre-approval policies and procedures.
50
PART IV
Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statements
Schedules
Exhibit No.
Description of Exhibit
2.1
Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated October 29, 2007, by and among Carlateral, Inc., CARZ
Merger Sub, Inc.,Dongfang Zhiye Holding Limited, and the shareholders of Dongfang Zhiye Holding Limited, incorporated byreference
from Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities andExchange Commission on November
2, 2007.
3.1
Articles of Incorporation, incorporated by reference to the exhibit to our report on form
SB-2 filed with the SEC onAugust 4, 2006
3.2
Certificate of Amendment to Articles of Incorporation, incorporated by reference to the
exhibit of the same numberto our Current Report on form 8-K filed with the SEC on December 28, 2007
3.3
Bylaws, incorporated by reference to the exhibit to our report on form SB-2 filed with the
SEC on August 4, 2006
4.1
Specimen of Common Stock certificate, incorporated by reference to the exhibit to our report
on form SB-2 filedwith the SEC on August 4, 2006
4.2
Form of Warrant, incorporated by reference to exhibit 4.1 to our Current Report on Form
8-K filed with the SECon September 3, 2014.
4.3*
Description of Securities
10.1
Land Lease Agreement, dated January 2, 2002, by and between the Company and Xushui District
Dayin Township Wuji Village Committee and Party Branch, incorporated by reference to the exhibit to our amended Annual Report
on form 10-K/A filed with the SEC on February 1, 2010
10.2
Land Use Rights Certificate, dated March 10, 2003, incorporated by reference to the exhibit
to our amended Annual Report on form 10-K/A filed with the SEC on February 1, 2010
10.3
Exclusive Technical Service and Business Consulting Agreement, dated June 24, 2009, by and
between Dongfang Paper and Baoding Shengde, incorporated by reference to the exhibit to our Current Report on form
8-K filed with the SEC on June 30, 2009
10.4
Proxy Agreement, dated June 24, 2009, by and between Dongfang Paper, Baoding Shengde, and
theshareholders of Dongfang Paper, incorporated by reference to the exhibit to our Current Report on form 8-K filedwith the
SEC on June 30, 2009
10.5
Loan Agreement, dated June 24, 2009, by and between Dongfang Paper, Baoding Shengde, and
theshareholders of Dongfang Paper, incorporated by reference to the exhibit to our Current Report on form 8-K filed with the
SEC on June 30, 2009
10.6
Call Option Agreement, dated June 24, 2009, by and between Dongfang Paper, Baoding Shengde,
and theshareholders of Dongfang Paper, incorporated by reference to the exhibit to our Current Report on form 8-K filed with
the SEC on June 30, 2009
10.7
Share Pledge Agreement, dated June 24, 2009, by and between Dongfang Paper, Baoding Shengde,
and theshareholders of Dongfang Paper, incorporated by reference to the exhibit to our Current Report on form 8-K filedwith
the SEC on June 30, 2009
10.8
Call Option Agreement Amendment, dated February 10, 2010, by and between Dongfang Paper,
Baoding Shengde, and the shareholders of Dongfang Paper, incorporated by reference to the exhibit to our Current Report on
form 8-K filed with the SEC on February 11, 2010
10.9
Share Pledge Agreement Amendment, dated February 10, 2010, by and between Dongfang Paper,
Baoding Shengde, and the shareholders of Dongfang Paper, incorporated by reference to the exhibit to our Current Report on
form 8-K filed with the SEC on February 11, 2010
10.10
Securities Purchase Agreement dated October 7, 2009 between the Company and the Access America
Fund, LP, Renaissance US Growth Investment Trust Plc, RENN Global Entrepreneurs Funds, Inc., Premier RENN Entrepreneurial
Fund Limited, Pope Investments II, LLC and Steve Mazur (collectively, the “Buyers”),incorporated by reference
to the exhibit to our Current Report on form 8-K filed with the SEC on October 8, 2009
10.11
Make Good Securities Escrow Agreement dated October 7, 2009 between the Company, the Buyers,
Zhenyong Liuand the Sichenzia Ross Friedman Ference LLP (the “Escrow Agent”)., incorporated by reference to the
exhibit to our Current Report on form 8-K filed with the SEC on October 8, 2009
10.12
Escrow Agreement dated October 7, 2009 between the Company, the Buyers, Zhenyong Liu and
the Escrow Agent,incorporated by reference to the exhibit to our Current Report on form 8-K filed with the SEC on October
8, 2009
10.13
Registration Rights Agreement between the Company and the Buyers dated October 7, 2009,
incorporated by reference to the exhibit to our Current Report on form 8-K filed with the SEC on October 8, 2009
10.14
Lock-Up Agreement between Company and Zhenyong Liu dated October 7, 2009, incorporated
by reference to theexhibit to our Current Report on form 8-K filed with the SEC on October 8, 2009
10.15
Asset Purchase Agreement, dated November 25, 2009, by and between Baoding Shengde Paper
Co., Ltd. and HebeiShuangxing Paper Co., Ltd., incorporated by reference to the exhibit to our Current Report on form 8-K
filedwith the SEC on December 10, 2009
51
Exhibit No.
Description of Exhibit
10.16
Purchase Agreement, dated March 31, 2010, for the sale of 3,000,000 shares of Common Stock, by and between IT Tech Packaging, Inc. and Roth Capital Partners, LLC, incorporated by reference to the exhibit to Current Report on form 8-K filed with the SEC on March 31, 2010
10.17
Purchase Agreement, dated April 9, 2010 by and between Henan Qinyang First Paper Machine Limited and Hebei Baoding Dongfang Paper Milling Company Limited for the purchase of a series of paper machineries and equipment, incorporated by reference to the exhibit to our Current Report on form 8-K filed with the SEC on April 12, 2010
10.18
Letter from Mr. Zhenyong Liu regarding postponement of interest payments by IT Tech Packaging, Inc., incorporated byreference to Exhibit 10.22 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 25, 2014.
10.19
Financing Limit Agreement dated as March 3, 2014 between Hebei Baoding Dongfang Paper Milling Co., Ltd. and Shanghai Pudong Development Bank Inc., Baoding Branch, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.23 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 25, 2014.
10.20
Enterprise Loan Agreement dated as of July 5, 2013 between Hebei Baoding Dongfang Paper Milling Co., Ltd. and Rural Credit Union of Xushui District, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.24 to our Annual Report on Form10-K filed on March 25, 2014.
10.21
Engagement Letter,
dated as of June 3, 2014, between the Company and H.C. Wainwright & Co., LLC and amendments dated as of July 1, 2014,
August 19, 2014 and August 25, 2014, incorporated by reference to exhibits 1.1 , 1.2 , 1.3 and 1.4 to our Current Report on
Form 8-K filed with the SEC on September 3, 2014.
10.22
Securities Purchase Agreement, dated August 25, 2014, incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on September 3, 2014.
10.23
Appointment Letter dated November 3, 2014, by and between IT Tech Packaging, Inc. and Marco Ku Hon Wai, incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on November 6,2014.
10.24
Loan Agreement dated December 2, 2014, by and between IT Tech Packaging, Inc. and Zhenyong Liu, incorporated byreference to Exhibit 10.24 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 25, 2014.
10.25
Loan Agreement dated March 1, 2015, by and between IT Tech Packaging, Inc. and Zhenyong Liu, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.25 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 25, 2015.
10.26
Agreement dated July 1, 2015, among China Orient, Hebei Baoding Dongfang Paper Milling Company Limited, Baoding Shengde Paper Co., Ltd., Zhenyong Liu, Xiaodong Liu, and Shuangxi Zhao, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on July 22, 2015
10.27
Acquisition Agreement dated June 25, 2019, by and between Hebei Baoding Dongfang Paper Milling Company Limited and Hebei Tengsheng Paper Co., Ltd, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on June 28, 2019.
10.28
Supplement Agreement dated December 16, 2019, by and between Hebei Baoding Dongfang Paper Milling Company Limited and Hebei Tengsheng Paper Co., Ltd, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on December 27, 2019
14.1
Code of Ethics and Business Conduct, incorporated by reference to the Exhibit 14.1 to our Annual Report on Form10-K filed with the SEC on March 18, 2013
21.1
Lists of Subsidiaries, incorporated by reference to the exhibit to our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with theSEC on March 15, 2011
23.1*
Consent of WWC, P.C. Certified Accountants.
31.1*
Certification Required Under Section 302 of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31.2*
Certification Required Under Section 302 of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.1*
Certification Required Under Section 906 of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.2*
Certification Required Under Section 302 of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
101.INS
XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH
XBRL Schema Document
101.CAL
XBRL Calculation Linkbase Document
101.LAB
XBRL Label Linkbase Document
101.PRE
XBRL Presentation Linkbase Document
101.DEF
XBRL Definition Linkbase Document
* Filed herewith.
Item 16 Form 10-K Summary.
Not applicable.
52
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.
Date: March 23, 2020
IT TECH PACKAGING, INC.
By:
/s/ Zhenyong Liu
Zhenyong Liu
Chief Executive Officer
Pursuant to the requirements
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant
and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Name
Title
Date
/s/ Zhenyong Liu
Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board
March 23, 2020
Zhenyong Liu
(principal executive officer)
/s/ Jing Hao
Chief Financial Officer
March 23, 2020
Jing Hao
(principal financial and accounting officer)
/s/ Fuzeng Liu
Director
March 23, 2020
Fuzeng Liu
/s/ Marco Ku Hon Wai
Director
March 23, 2020
Marco Ku Hon Wai
/s/ Wenbing Christopher Wang
Director
March 23, 2020
Wenbing Christopher Wang
/s/ Lusha Niu
Director
March 23, 2020
Lusha Niu
53
Text extracted from the filing as submitted to EDGAR. Formatting, tables and exhibits are simplified for reading; the original document is authoritative for anything you rely on.