2024-04-26 08:46Financial Performance - Total revenue for 2023 reached RMB 4,198.9 million, an increase of 16.5% compared to RMB 3,604.9 million in 2022[8] - Gross profit for 2023 was RMB 2,295.8 million, representing a gross margin of approximately 54.7%[8] - Operating loss for 2023 was RMB 1,072.2 million, a decrease from RMB 1,603.8 million in 2022, indicating improved operational efficiency[8] - Net loss attributable to shareholders for 2023 was RMB 843.6 million, down from RMB 1,581.2 million in 2022[8] - Adjusted net loss for 2023 was RMB 659.1 million, compared to RMB 1,195.9 million in 2022, reflecting a significant reduction in losses[8] - Operating expenses totaled RMB 3,368.1 million in 2023, slightly down from RMB 3,411.8 million in 2022[27] - The net loss for 2023 was RMB 839.5 million, an improvement from a net loss of RMB 1,578.4 million in 2022[27] - Revenue cost increased by 5.9% from RMB 1.8 billion in 2022 to RMB 1.9 billion in 2023, primarily due to increased content and operational costs[33] User Engagement - Average monthly active users (MAUs) increased by 4.0% to 105.3 million in 2023 from 101.3 million in 2022[11] - Average monthly subscription members rose by 47.5% to 14.5 million in 2023, up from 9.8 million in 2022[11] - Approximately 74.1% of active users are under 30 years old, with female users making up 60.5% of the total active user base[21] Content and Product Development - The company launched its first large language model, "Zhihai Map AI," with over 100 billion parameters, enhancing user experience and content recommendation[18] - The total number of content pieces reached 774.7 million, covering over 1,000 verticals as of December 31, 2023[19] - The company introduced "Salted Story," a premium short story app for subscribers, to expand its content offerings[20] - The number of content creators increased to 71.3 million by December 31, 2023, up 13.0% from 63.1 million in the previous year[22] Revenue Streams - Paid membership revenue surged by 48.4% to RMB 1,826.6 million in 2023, compared to the previous year's RMB 1,230.5 million[17] - The revenue from vocational training services surged by 127.8% to RMB 565.6 million in 2023, up from RMB 248.3 million in 2022[25] - Marketing services revenue decreased to RMB 1,652.9 million in 2023 from RMB 1,956.5 million in 2022, reflecting strategic adjustments[32] Strategic Plans and Future Outlook - The company plans to expand its market presence and invest in new product development to drive future growth[8] - The company aims to enhance community culture and high-quality content creation in 2024, focusing on professional users and content creators[26] - The company plans to leverage generative AI technology to support comprehensive business growth and improve operational efficiency[26] Corporate Governance - The company has adhered to all applicable principles and code provisions of the corporate governance code during the reporting period, except for the separation of the roles of Chairman and CEO, which are currently held by the same individual[145] - The board consists of seven members, including two executive directors, two non-executive directors, and three independent non-executive directors[147] - The company has established four committees: Audit Committee, Remuneration Committee, Nomination Committee, and Corporate Governance Committee to oversee specific areas of the company's affairs[162] Risk Management and Compliance - The company has established a comprehensive risk management policy covering various operational areas, including financial reporting, data systems, internal controls, human resources, and investment management[175] - The company has implemented internal controls to detect and remove inappropriate or illegal content on its platform, including the development of AI-driven proprietary systems[177] - The company has a whistleblowing policy in place to encourage reporting of corruption, bribery, fraud, and unethical behavior, ensuring confidentiality for whistleblowers[178] Shareholder Communication - The company maintains effective communication with shareholders through annual and extraordinary general meetings, announcements, and press releases[185] - The company has established a shareholder communication policy to ensure timely access to important information for shareholders[190] - The company encourages shareholder participation in meetings and has made arrangements to facilitate this[195] Social Responsibility and ESG - The group reported charitable and other donations of approximately RMB 450,000 during the reporting period[131] - The company’s ESG report covers the period from January 1, 2023, to December 31, 2023, providing insights into its management practices[197] - The ESG report adheres to the guidelines set by the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, ensuring transparency and accountability in its disclosures[198]