46267XAE8

Foreign Exchange Risk Our revenues and expenses are mainly denominated in Renminbi. As of December 31, 2025, we had U.S. dollar-denominated cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments of US$158.6 million, as compared to US$1,164.5 million of U.S. dollar-denominated convertible senior notes outstanding, of which US$522.5 million principal will mature on January 1, 2028, US$208.1 million principal will mature on March 15, 2028 and US$350.0 million principal will mature on March 15, 2030. To the extent that the holders of the convertible senior notes do not convert them and we cannot refinance or choose not to refinance our outstanding debt, we will need to change Renminbi into U.S. dollars to meet these obligations. Changes in the exchange rate between the Renminbi and the U.S. dollar could significantly impact the amount of Renminbi we would need to use. A hypothetical 10% increase in the exchange rate of the U.S. dollar against the RMB would have resulted in an increase of RMB814.3 million (US$116.5 million) in the value of our U.S. dollar-denominated convertible senior notes as of December 31, 2025. In addition, the value of your investment in our ADSs will be affected by the exchange rate between U.S. dollar and Renminbi because the value of our business is effectively denominated in RMB, while our ADSs will be traded in U.S. dollars. The conversion of Renminbi into foreign currencies, including U.S. dollars, is based on rates set by the People’s Bank of China. The Renminbi has fluctuated against the U.S. dollar, at times significantly and unpredictably. The value of the Renminbi against the U.S. dollar and other currencies is affected by changes in Chinese mainland’s political and economic conditions and by China’s foreign exchange policies, among other things. It is difficult to predict how market forces or PRC or U.S. government policy may impact the exchange rate between the Renminbi and the U.S. dollar in the future. To date, we have not entered into any material hedging transactions in an effort to reduce our exposure to foreign currency exchange risk. To the extent that we need to convert U.S. dollars into Renminbi for our operations or capital expenditures, appreciation of the Renminbi against the U.S. dollar would have an adverse effect on the Renminbi amount we would receive from the conversion. Conversely, if we decide to convert our Renminbi into U.S. dollars for the purpose of making payments for dividends on our ordinary shares or ADSs or for other business purposes, appreciation of the U.S. dollar against the Renminbi would have a negative effect on the U.S. dollar amount available to us. The RMB appreciated by 4.19% against the U.S. dollar in 2025. As of December 31, 2025, we had RMB-denominated cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, short-term investments and long-term restricted cash included in prepayments and other assets of RMB3,454.7 million, and U.S. dollar-denominated cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments of US$158.6 million. Assuming we had converted RMB3,454.7 million into U.S. dollars at the exchange rate of RMB6.9931 for US$1.00 as of the end of 2025, our U.S. dollar cash balance would have been US$652.6 million. If the RMB had depreciated by 10% against the U.S. dollar, our U.S. dollar cash balance would have been US$607.7 million instead. Assuming we had converted US$158.6 million into RMB at the exchange rate of RMB6.9931 for US$1.00 as of the end of 2025, our RMB cash balance would have been RMB4,563.8 million. If the RMB had appreciated by 10% against the U.S. dollar, our RMB cash balance would have been RMB4,452.9 million instead. Interest Rate Risk We have exposure to interest rate risk relating to the interest income generated by our excess cash, which is mostly held in interest-bearing bank deposits and interest expense of bank facilities that have a floating rate of interest. Interest-earning instruments carry a degree of interest rate risk. The costs of floating rate borrowings may be affected by the fluctuations in the interest rates. We have not been exposed to material risks due to changes in interest rates, and we have used certain derivative financial instruments to manage our interest risk exposure. However, our future interest income may fall short of expectations while interest expense may exceed expectations due to changes in market interest rates. 136

Our Holding Company Structure and Contractual Arrangements with the Variable Interest Entities iQIYI, Inc. is not a Chinese operating company, but rather a Cayman Islands holding company with no equity ownership in the variable interest entities. Our Cayman Islands holding company does not conduct business operations directly. We conduct our operations in Chinese mainland through (i) our Chinese mainland subsidiaries, which primarily include Beijing QIYI Century Science and Technology Co., Ltd., or Beijing QIYI Century, Beijing iQIYI Interactive Technology Co., Ltd., or Beijing iQIYI Interactive, Beijing iQIYI New Media Science and Technology Co., Ltd., or iQIYI New Media, and Beijing iQIYI Optical Era Technology Co., Ltd., or iQIYI Optical Era, and (ii) the variable interest entities with which we have maintained contractual arrangements, namely Beijing iQIYI Science & Technology Co., Ltd., or Beijing iQIYI, Shanghai iQIYI Culture Media Co., Ltd., or Shanghai iQIYI, Shanghai Zhong Yuan Network Co., Ltd., or Shanghai Zhong Yuan, Beijing iQIYI Intelligent Entertainment Technology Co., Ltd., or Intelligent Entertainment, and Beijing iQIYI Yinhua Media Co., Ltd., or iQIYI Yinhua, and their subsidiaries in Chinese mainland. Prior to February 2026, we also conducted our operations in Chinese mainland through iQIYI Pictures (Beijing) Co., Ltd., or iQIYI Pictures, which was a variable interest entity. In February 2026, we terminated the contractual arrangements with iQIYI Pictures and one of the VIEs acquired it as a wholly-owned subsidiary. The series of contractual agreements which we maintained with the variable interest entities, including loan agreement, share pledge agreement, exclusive purchase option agreement, business operation agreement, business cooperation agreement, commitment letter, shareholder voting rights trust agreement, exclusive technology consulting and services agreement, trademark license agreement, software usage license agreement, power of attorney and spousal consent letter, have been entered into by and among our subsidiaries, the variable interest entities and their respective shareholders. These contractual arrangements were entered by and among (i) Beijing iQIYI, Shanghai iQIYI and Shanghai Zhong Yuan, respectively, and their respective shareholders, with Beijing QIYI Century and iQIYI, Inc.; (ii) Intelligent Entertainment and its shareholders, with iQIYI New Media and iQIYI, Inc; and (iii) iQIYI Yinhua and its shareholders, with iQIYI Optical Era and iQIYI, Inc. The contractual arrangements may not be as effective as direct equity ownership in the variable interest entities, and the government authorities may challenge the enforceability of these contractual arrangements. PRC laws and regulations impose certain restrictions or prohibitions on foreign ownership of companies that engage in certain value-added telecommunication services, internet audio-video program services, production and operation of radio and television programs, and certain other businesses. Accordingly, we operate these businesses in Chinese mainland through the variable interest entities and their subsidiaries, and rely on contractual arrangements among our Chinese mainland subsidiaries, the variable interest entities and their nominee shareholders to control the business operations of the variable interest entities. The variable interest entities are consolidated for accounting purposes but are not entities in which our Cayman Islands holding company or our investors hold equity. Revenues contributed by the variable interest entities accounted for 92%, 93% and 88% of our total revenues for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2024 and 2025, respectively. As used in this annual report, “we,” “us,” “our company,” “our,” or “iQIYI” refers to iQIYI, Inc., its subsidiaries, and, in the context of describing our operations and consolidated financial information, the variable interest entities in Chinese mainland, namely Beijing iQIYI, Shanghai iQIYI, Shanghai Zhong Yuan, Intelligent Entertainment and iQIYI Yinhua, and their subsidiaries. Investors in our ADSs are not purchasing equity interest in the variable interest entities in Chinese mainland, but instead are purchasing equity interest in iQIYI, Inc., a holding company incorporated in the Cayman Islands. The following is a summary of the currently effective contractual arrangements among Beijing QIYI Century, Beijing iQIYI, Beijing iQIYI’s shareholder and iQIYI, Inc.: (i)a loan agreement, pursuant to which, our wholly-owned Chinese mainland subsidiary, Beijing QIYI Century, made loans to the shareholder of Beijing iQIYI for the acquisition and capitalization of Beijing iQIYI, with the condition that such shareholder can only repay the loans by the sale of all the equity interest in Beijing iQIYI owned by such shareholder to iQIYI, Inc. insofar as permitted under PRC law and pay all of the proceeds from sale of such equity interests to iQIYI, Inc. 3 (ii)a share pledge agreement, pursuant to which, the shareholder of Beijing iQIYI pledged all equity interest in Beijing iQIYI owned by such shareholder to Beijing QIYI Century to guarantee the shareholder’s and Beijing iQIYI’s performance of obligations under the exclusive technology consulting and services agreement and the loan agreement, and the shareholder agreed not to dispose of the pledged equity interests or create or allow any encumbrance on the pledged equity interests during the term of the share pledge agreement. (iii)an exclusive purchase option agreement, pursuant to which, the shareholder of Beijing iQIYI irrevocably granted iQIYI, Inc. or its designee an exclusive option to purchase at its discretion, to the extent permitted under PRC law, all or part of the shareholder’s equity interests in Beijing iQIYI. (iv)a business operation agreement, pursuant to which, Beijing QIYI Century agreed to provide Beijing iQIYI with performance guarantees with respect to any contracts, agreements and transactions Beijing iQIYI entered into in connection with its business, and Beijing iQIYI agreed to offer all its account receivables and assets as collateral. (v)a business cooperation agreement, pursuant to which, Beijing iQIYI agreed to provide Beijing QIYI Century with services, including internet information services, online advertising and other services reasonably necessary within the scope of Beijing QIYI Century’s business, and Beijing QIYI Century agreed to pay specified service fees to Beijing iQIYI as consideration for such services. Beijing iQIYI has the right to waive the service fees. (vi)a commitment letter, pursuant to which, under the condition that Beijing iQIYI remains as an entity of which the financial statements are consolidated by iQIYI, Inc. and Beijing QIYI Century under U.S. GAAP and the contractual arrangements remain in effect, iQIYI, Inc. and Beijing QIYI Century undertake to provide financial support to Beijing iQIYI for any financial loss that might affect its business operation occurred before and after the execution of the commitment letter as permitted by law. (vii)a shareholder voting rights trust agreement, pursuant to which, the shareholder of Beijing iQIYI agreed to irrevocably entrust a person designated by Beijing QIYI Century to represent the shareholder to exercise all the voting rights and other shareholders’ rights to which such shareholder is entitled. (viii)an exclusive technology consulting and services agreement, pursuant to which, Beijing QIYI Century has the sole and exclusive right to provide specified technology consulting and services to Beijing iQIYI, and Beijing iQIYI agreed to accept such services and pay specified service fees to Beijing QIYI Century. Beijing iQIYI also agreed not to accept the same or similar technology consulting and services provided by any third-party during the term of the agreement without the prior written consent of Beijing QIYI Century. (ix)a trademark license agreement, pursuant to which, Beijing QIYI Century exclusively granted Beijing iQIYI trademark licenses to use the trademarks held by Beijing QIYI Century in specified areas for specified usage fees. (x)a software usage license agreement, pursuant to which, Beijing QIYI Century granted Beijing iQIYI non-exclusive rights to use specified software in Chinese mainland, and Beijing iQIYI agreed to pay specified usage fees to Beijing QIYI Century and not to sublicense such software usage rights. (xi)a power of attorney, whereby Beijing QIYI Century granted iQIYI, Inc. an irrevocable power of attorney under the shareholder voting rights trust agreement, and as such, iQIYI, Inc. may exercise all shareholder rights during the term of the shareholder voting rights trust agreement and may transfer such rights to a designated third-party without written notice to Beijing QIYI Century. (xii)a spousal consent letter, whereby the signing spouse committed not to impose any adverse assertions upon the validity of the agreements described above based on the existence or termination of the marital relationship with the shareholder, or exert any impediment or adverse influence over the shareholder’s performance of any contractual arrangement or claim rights on Beijing iQIYI. The terms of the contractual arrangements by and among (i) Shanghai iQIYI and Shanghai Zhong Yuan, respectively, and their respective shareholders, with Beijing QIYI Century and iQIYI, Inc.; (ii) Intelligent Entertainment and its shareholders, with iQIYI New Media and iQIYI, Inc.; and (iii) iQIYI Yinhua and its shareholders, with iQIYI Optical Era and iQIYI, Inc. are substantially the same as the contractual arrangements discussed above. For more details of these contractual arrangements, see “Item 4. Information on the Company—C. Organizational Structure—Contractual Arrangements with the Variable Interest Entities and Their Respective Shareholders.” Terms contained in each set of contractual arrangements with the variable interest entities and their respective shareholders are substantially similar. Despite the lack of equity ownership, our Cayman Island holding company, iQIYI, Inc., is considered as the primary beneficiary of the variable interest entities and consolidates the financial results of the variable interest entities and their subsidiaries as required by Accounting Standards Codification, or ASC, topic 810, Consolidation. Accordingly, we treat the variable interest entities as our consolidated entities under U.S. GAAP and we consolidate the financial results of the variable interest entities in our consolidated financial statements in 4 accordance with U.S. GAAP. Neither iQIYI, Inc. nor its investors have an equity ownership in, direct foreign investment in, or control through such ownership or investment of, the variable interest entities, and the contractual arrangements are not equivalent to an equity ownership in the business of the variable interest entities. However, the contractual arrangements may not be as effective as direct ownership in providing us with control over the variable interest entities and we may incur substantial costs to enforce the terms of the arrangements. All of these contractual arrangements are governed by and interpreted in accordance with PRC law, and disputes arising from these contractual arrangements will be resolved through arbitration in Chinese mainland. There remain significant uncertainties regarding the ultimate outcome of arbitration should legal action become necessary. These uncertainties could limit our ability to enforce these contractual arrangements. As such, the variable interest entity structure involves unique risks to investors of our Cayman Islands holding company. In addition, the legality and enforceability of the contractual agreements among our Chinese mainland subsidiaries, the variable interest entities, and their nominee shareholders, as a whole, have not been tested in a court of law in Chinese mainland. In the event we are unable to enforce these contractual arrangements, or if we suffer significant delay or other obstacles in the process of enforcing these contractual arrangements, we may not be able to direct activities that most significantly affect the economic performance of the variable interest entities, and our ability to conduct our business may be materially adversely affected. See “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Corporate Structure—We rely on contractual arrangements with the variable interest entities and their shareholders for our business operations, which may not be as effective as direct ownership in providing operational control” and “—The shareholders of the variable interest entities may have potential conflicts of interest with us, which may materially and adversely affect our business and financial condition.” The following diagram illustrates our current corporate structure, which identifies our major subsidiaries, including our significant subsidiaries, and the variable interest entities, as of the date of this annual report: For details of contractual arrangements, see “Item 4. Information on the Company—C. Organizational Structure—Contractual Arrangements with the Variable Interest Entities and Their Respective Shareholders.” Equity interest. Notes: 5 (1)Dr. Yu Gong, our founder, chief executive officer and director, and Mr. Xiaohua Geng, our senior vice president, each holds 50% and 50% of the equity interests in Shanghai iQIYI. (2)Mr. Xiaohua Geng holds 99% of the equity interests in Beijing iQIYI and Yangshipin Integrated Media Development Co., Ltd., a third-party minority shareholder, holds 1% of the equity interests in Beijing iQIYI. (3)Dr. Yu Gong holds 100% of the equity interests in Shanghai Zhong Yuan. (4)Dr. Yu Gong and Mr. Xianghua Yang, our senior vice president, each holds 50% and 50% of the equity interests in Intelligent Entertainment. (5)Dr. Yu Gong and Mr. Xiaohui Wang, our chief content officer, each holds 50% and 50% of the equity interests in iQIYI Yinhua. There are also substantial uncertainties regarding the interpretation and application of current and future PRC laws, regulations and rules regarding the status of the rights of our Cayman Islands holding company with respect to its contractual arrangements with the variable interest entities and their nominee shareholders. Though the Foreign Investment Law does not explicitly classify contractual arrangements as a form of foreign investment, the definition of “foreign investment” thereunder is relatively wide and contains a catch-all provision which includes investments made by foreign investors through means stipulated in laws or administrative regulations or other methods prescribed by the State Council. Therefore, there is no assurance that foreign investment via contractual arrangement would not be interpreted as a type of indirect foreign investment activities in the future. If any of the variable interest entities were deemed as a foreign-invested enterprise under any such future laws, administrative regulations or provisions, we may be subject to restrictions, ratification requirements and may need to take further actions to comply with such future laws, administrative regulations or provisions. Such actions may have a material and adverse impact on our business, financial condition, result of operations and prospects. In addition, it is uncertain whether any new PRC laws or regulations relating to variable interest entity structures will be adopted or if adopted, what they would provide. If we or any of the variable interest entities is found to be in violation of any existing or future PRC laws or regulations, or fail to obtain or maintain any of the required permits or approvals, the PRC regulatory authorities would have broad discretion in accordance with the applicable laws and regulations to take action in dealing with such violations or failures. If the PRC government deems that our contractual arrangements with the variable interest entities do not comply with PRC regulatory restrictions on foreign investment in the relevant industries, or if these regulations or the interpretation of existing regulations change or are interpreted differently in the future, we could be subject to severe penalties or be forced to relinquish our interests in those operations. Our Cayman Islands holding company, our Chinese mainland subsidiaries and the variable interest entities, and investors of our company face uncertainty about potential future actions by the PRC government that could affect the enforceability of the contractual arrangements with the variable interest entities and, consequently, significantly affect the financial performance of the variable interest entities and our company as a whole. See “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Corporate Structure—If the PRC government finds that the agreements that establish the structure for operating certain of our operations in Chinese mainland do not comply with PRC regulations relating to the relevant industries, or if these regulations or the interpretation of existing regulations change in the future, we could be subject to severe penalties or be forced to relinquish our interests in those operations” and “—The interpretation and implementation of the newly enacted PRC Foreign Investment Law shall be determined in accordance with the laws and regulations in force at the time and any noncompliance thereof may impact the viability of our current corporate structure, corporate governance and business operations.” We face various risks and uncertainties related to doing business in Chinese mainland. Our business operations are primarily conducted in Chinese mainland, and we are subject to complex and evolving PRC laws and regulations. For example, we face risks associated with regulatory approvals on offshore offerings, anti-monopoly regulatory actions, and oversight on cybersecurity and data privacy, which may impact our ability to conduct certain businesses, accept foreign investments or financing, or list on a United States or other foreign exchange. For a detailed description of risks related to doing business in Chinese mainland, see “Item 3.D. Key Information—Risk Factors—Risks Related to Doing Business in Chinese Mainland.” In addition, our ADSs may be prohibited from trading in the United States under the Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act, or the HFCAA, in the future, if the SEC determines that we have filed audit reports issued by a registered public accounting firm that has not been subject to inspections by the PCAOB for two consecutive years. On December 16, 2021, the PCAOB issued a report to notify the SEC of its determination that the PCAOB was unable to inspect or investigate completely registered public accounting firms headquartered in Chinese mainland and Hong Kong, including our auditor. In April 2022, the SEC conclusively listed us as a Commission-Identified Issuer under the HFCAA following the filing of our annual report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021, which included an audit report issued by Ernst & Young Hua Ming LLP, a registered public accounting firm headquartered in Chinese mainland. On December 15, 2022, the PCAOB issued a report that vacated its December 16, 2021 determination and removed Chinese mainland and Hong Kong from the list of jurisdictions where it is unable to inspect or investigate completely registered public accounting firms. As of the date of this annual report, the PCAOB has not issued any new determination that it is unable to inspect or investigate completely registered public accounting firms headquartered in any jurisdiction. For this reason, we do not expect to be identified as a Commission-Identified Issuer under the HFCAA after we file this annual report on Form 20-F. 6 Each year, the PCAOB will determine whether it can inspect and investigate completely audit firms in Chinese mainland and Hong Kong, among other jurisdictions. If PCAOB determines in the future that it no longer has full access to inspect and investigate completely accounting firms in Chinese mainland and Hong Kong and we continue to use an accounting firm headquartered in one of these jurisdictions to issue an audit report on our financial statements filed with the SEC, we would be identified as a Commission-Identified Issuer following the filing of the annual report on Form 20-F for the relevant fiscal year. There can be no assurance that we would not be identified as a Commission-Identified Issuer for any future fiscal year, and if we were so identified for two consecutive years, we would become subject to the prohibition on trading under the HFCAA. The delisting or prohibition of trading of our ADSs, or the threat of their being delisted or prohibition from trading, may materially and adversely affect the value of your investment. Furthermore, whether the PCAOB will continue to conduct inspections and investigations completely to its satisfaction of PCAOB-registered public accounting firms headquartered in Chinese mainland and Hong Kong is subject to uncertainty and depends on a number of factors out of our, and our auditor’s, control, including positions taken by authorities of the PRC or any other foreign jurisdiction. If authorities in the PRC or another foreign jurisdiction were to take a position at any time in the future that would prevent the PCAOB from continuing to inspect or investigate completely registered public accounting firms headquartered in Chinese mainland or Hong Kong, and if such lack of inspection were to extend for the requisite period of time under the HFCAA, our securities will be prohibited from being traded on U.S. markets and this could result in a determination by Nasdaq to delist our securities. Additionally, the inability of the PCAOB to conduct inspections in the past has deprived our investors with the benefits of such inspections. These risks could result in a material adverse change in our operations and the value of our ADSs or 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. See “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors— Risks Related to Doing Business in Chinese Mainland—The PCAOB had historically been unable to inspect our auditor in relation to their audit work performed for our financial statements and the inability of the PCAOB to conduct inspections of our auditor in the past has deprived our investors with the benefits of such inspections” and “—Our ADSs may be prohibited from trading in the United States under the HFCAA in the future if the PCAOB is unable to inspect or investigate completely auditors located in China. The delisting or prohibition of trading of our ADSs, or the threat of their being delisted or prohibited from trading, may materially and adversely affect the value of your investment.” PRC government’s significant authority in regulating our operations and its oversight and control over offerings conducted overseas by, and foreign investment in, China-based issuers could result in a material adverse change in our operations and the value of our ADS or 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. Implementation of industry-wide regulations in this nature may cause the value of such securities to significantly decline or become worthless. For more details, see “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Related to Doing Business in Chinese Mainland—The PRC government’s significant oversight over our business operation could result in a material adverse change in our operations and the value of our ADSs.” Risks and uncertainties arising from the legal system in Chinese mainland, including risks and uncertainties regarding the enforcement of laws and quickly evolving rules and regulations in Chinese mainland, could result in a material adverse change in our operations and the value of our ADSs. There is no assurance that the Chinese mainland government will not intervene in or impose restrictions on the ability of iQIYI, Inc., its subsidiaries, and the variable interest entities to transfer cash or assets. To the extent cash or assets in the business is in Chinese mainland or a Chinese mainland entity, the funds or assets may not be available to fund operations or for other use outside of Chinese mainland due to interventions in or the imposition of restrictions and limitations on the ability of iQIYI, Inc., its subsidiaries, or the variable interest entities by the Chinese mainland government to transfer cash or assets. As of the date of this annual report, there is no equivalent or similar restriction or limitation in Hong Kong on cash or assets transfers in, or out of, our Hong Kong entities. However, if restrictions or limitations were to become applicable to cash or assets transfers in and out of Hong Kong entities in the future, the funds or assets in our Hong Kong entities may not be available to fund operations or for other use outside of Hong Kong. For more details, see “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Related to Doing Business in Chinese Mainland—Uncertainties with respect to the legal systems in the jurisdictions where we operate could adversely affect us.” Cash Flows through Our Organization iQIYI, Inc. is a holding company with no material operations of its own. We conduct our operations primarily through our Chinese mainland subsidiaries, the variable interest entities and their subsidiaries in Chinese mainland. As a result, iQIYI, Inc.’s ability to pay dividends to the shareholders and investors of the ADSs depends upon dividends paid by our Chinese mainland subsidiaries. If our existing Chinese mainland subsidiaries or any newly formed ones incur debt on their own behalf in the future, the instruments governing their debt may restrict their ability to pay dividends to us. In addition, our wholly foreign-owned subsidiaries in Chinese mainland are permitted to pay dividends to us only out of their retained earnings, if any, as determined in accordance with PRC accounting standards and regulations. Under PRC law, each of our subsidiaries and the variable interest entities in Chinese mainland is required to set aside at least 10% of its after-tax profits each year, if any, to fund certain statutory reserve funds until such reserve funds reach 50% of its registered capital. In addition, each of our wholly foreign-owned subsidiaries in Chinese mainland and 7 the variable interest entities may allocate a portion of their after-tax profits based on PRC accounting standards to a discretionary surplus fund at its discretion. Remittance of by a wholly foreign-owned company out of Chinese mainland is subject to examination by the banks designated by SAFE. Our Chinese mainland subsidiaries have not paid dividends and will not be able to pay dividends until they generate accumulated profits and meet the requirements for statutory reserve funds. The statutory reserve funds and the discretionary funds not distributable as cash dividends. For more details, see “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects—B. Liquidity and Capital Resources—Holding Company Structure.” Our subsidiaries’ ability to distribute dividends is based upon their distributable earnings. We have in place a centralized cash management policy and established stringent controls and procedures for cash flows within our organization. Under our cash management policy, cash is managed by the centralized treasury department of our company, and each transfer of cash between our Cayman Islands holding company and a subsidiary, the variable interest entities or the subsidiaries of the variable interest entities is subject to internal approval. All such transfers are reviewed and approved by the authorities where required, including the State Administration of Foreign Exchange, or SAFE. We only allow the treasury department personnel to have access to our funds, and we also segregate duties between personnel involved in funds management. The cash management policy is not contractual in nature. The controls and procedures on cash transfers in the policy adhere to regulatory requirements. In addition, our board of directors has complete discretion on whether to distribute dividends to the shareholders. Even if our board of directors decides to pay dividends, the form, frequency and amount will depend upon our future operations and earnings, capital requirements and surplus, general financial condition, contractual restrictions and other factors that the board of directors may deem relevant. If we pay any dividends, we will pay our ADS holders to the same extent as holders of our Class A ordinary shares, subject to the terms of the deposit agreement, including the fees and expenses payable thereunder. See “Item 8. Financial Information—A. Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information—Dividend Policy.” The cash inflows of the Cayman Islands holding company were primarily generated from the proceeds we received from our public offerings of ordinary shares, our offerings of convertible senior notes and other financing activities. For the years ended December 31, 2023, 2024 and 2025, the Cayman Islands holding company provided capital contributions of RMB235.0 million, nil and nil, respectively, to our subsidiaries. For each of the years ended December 31, 2023, 2024 and 2025, the Cayman Islands holding company provided loans to our subsidiaries, namely iQIYI HK Limited, iQIYI Media Limited, iQIYI Film Group HK Limited, and iQIYI International Singapore Pte, Ltd., the amounts of which was RMB4,955.8 million, RMB17,406.6 million and RMB6,515.1 million (US$931.6 million), respectively, and received repayments of RMB5,428.8 million, RMB20,791.1 million and RMB7,689.7 million (US$1,099.6 million), respectively, during the same period from such subsidiaries. No withholding tax was applicable on such repayments. For the years ended December 31, 2023, 2024 and 2025, the variable interest entities did not receive any loans from or repay any loans to the Cayman Islands holding company. For the years ended December 31, 2023, 2024 and 2025, our subsidiaries paid dividends of nil, RMB186.2 million and RMB164.3 million (US$23.5 million) to the holding company. For the years ended December 31, 2023, 2024 and 2025, no assets other than above cash transactions were transferred between the Cayman Islands holding company and a subsidiary, a variable interest entity or its subsidiary, and no dividends or distributions were paid or made to U.S. investors. For the years ended December 31, 2023, 2024 and 2025, our subsidiaries provided capital contributions of nil, RMB100.0 million and nil, respectively, to the variable interest entities. For the years ended December 31, 2023, 2024 and 2025, no assets were transferred between our subsidiaries and the variable interest entities. We currently intend to retain most, if not all, of our available funds and any future earnings to operate and expand our business. See “Item 8. Financial Information—A. Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information—Dividend Policy.” However, if our Chinese mainland subsidiaries declare and distribute profits to us, such payments will be subject to withholding tax, which will increase our tax liability and reduce the amount of cash available to our company. For example, iQIYI Film Group HK Limited, which directly owns our Chinese mainland subsidiary, iQIYI New Media, is incorporated in Hong Kong. For the potential distributable profits to be distributed to iQIYI Film Group HK Limited, the deferred tax liabilities will be accrued at a 10% withholding tax rate. However, if iQIYI Film Group HK Limited is considered to be the beneficial owner of the dividends paid to it by iQIYI New Media under the tax circulars promulgated in February and October 2009, such dividends would be subject to withholding tax at a rate of 5%. For more information on related risks, please see “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Related to Doing Business in Chinese Mainland—We may rely on dividends and other distributions on equity paid by our Chinese mainland subsidiaries to fund any cash and financing requirements we may have, and any limitation on the ability of our Chinese mainland subsidiaries to make payments to us and any tax we are required to pay could have a material and adverse effect on our ability to conduct our business.” For Chinese mainland and United States federal income tax considerations in connection with an investment in our ADSs, see “Item 10. Additional Information—E. Taxation.” For details of the financial position, cash flows and results of operations of the variable interest entities, see “Item 3. Key Information—Financial Information Related to the Variable Interest Entities.” We plan to continue to determine the amount of service fee and payment method with the variable interest entities and their shareholders based on the working capital needs of the variable interest entities, and settle fees under the contractual arrangements with the variable interest entities when required in the future. In addition, our Chinese mainland subsidiaries, the variable interest entities and their subsidiaries generate their revenue primarily in Renminbi, which is not freely convertible into other currencies. Under PRC laws and regulations, our Chinese mainland subsidiaries and the variable interest entities are subject to certain restrictions with respect to paying dividends or make distributions to 8 shareholders of our securities, or otherwise transferring any of their net assets to us. Remittance of dividends by a wholly foreign-owned enterprise out of Chinese mainland is also subject to examination by the banks designated by SAFE. The amounts restricted include the paid-in capital of our Chinese mainland subsidiaries and the net assets of the variable interest entities in which we have no legal ownership. Furthermore, cash transfers from our Chinese mainland subsidiaries and the variable interest entities to entities outside of Chinese mainland are subject to PRC government controls on currency conversion. To the extent cash in our business is in Chinese mainland or a Chinese mainland entity, such cash may not be available to fund operations or for other use outside of the PRC due to restrictions and limitations imposed by the governmental authorities on the ability of us, our subsidiaries, or the variable interest entities to transfer cash outside of the PRC. Shortages in the availability of foreign currency may temporarily delay the ability of our Chinese mainland subsidiaries and the variable interest entities to remit sufficient foreign currency to pay dividends or make distributions to shareholder of our securities, or other payments to us, or otherwise satisfy their foreign currency denominated obligations. In view of the foregoing, to the extent cash in our business is held in Chinese mainland or by a Chinese mainland entity, such cash may not be available to fund operations or for other use outside of the PRC. As a result, any restriction on currency exchange may limit the ability of our Chinese mainland subsidiaries to pay dividends to us. For more details, see “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Summary of Risk Factors—Risks Related to Doing Business in Chinese Mainland—Our Chinese mainland subsidiaries and the variable interest entities are subject to certain restrictions with respect to paying dividends or make distributions to shareholders of our securities, or otherwise transferring any of their net assets to us,” “—We may rely on dividends and other distributions on equity paid by our Chinese mainland subsidiaries to fund any cash and financing requirements we may have, and any limitation on the ability of our Chinese mainland subsidiaries to make payments to us and any tax we are required to pay could have a material and adverse effect on our ability to conduct our business,” “—Any funds we transfer to our Chinese mainland subsidiaries are subject to approval by or registration or filing with governmental authorities in Chinese mainland” and “—We are subject to PRC laws and regulations governing loans to and direct investment in Chinese mainland entities by offshore holding companies and currency conversion, which may delay or prevent us to make loans to or make additional capital contributions to our Chinese mainland subsidiaries and the variable interest entities, which could materially and adversely affect our liquidity and our ability to fund and expand our business.” Permissions Required from the PRC Authorities for Our Operations We conduct our business primarily through our subsidiaries and the variable interest entities in Chinese mainland. Our operations in Chinese mainland are governed by PRC laws and regulations. As advised by our PRC legal counsel, Jingtian & Gongcheng, as of the date of this annual report, our Chinese mainland subsidiaries, the variable interest entities and their subsidiaries have obtained all the requisite permissions and approvals from the PRC government authorities for the business operations of our holding company, our subsidiaries, and the variable interest entities and their subsidiaries in Chinese mainland, namely, the Value-added Telecommunications Business Operation License, or the VATS License, the Permit for Internet Audio-video Program Service, the Network Culture Business Permit, the Permit to Produce and Operate Radio and Television Programs, the Commercial Performance License, the Internet Publishing License, the Publication Trade License and the Food Trade License. Our Chinese mainland subsidiaries, the variable interest entities and their subsidiaries have not been denied for any requisite permission or approval from any PRC government authority with respect to the operation of their respective business. As advised by our PRC legal counsel, as of the date of this annual report, under current PRC laws, regulations and rules, except as disclosed in “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Business and Industry—Any lack of requisite permits for any of our internet video and other content or any of our business may expose us to regulatory sanctions,” we, our Chinese mainland subsidiaries, the variable interest entities and their subsidiaries are not required to obtain additional permission or approval from other PRC government authorities with respect to the operation of our business. In addition, as advised by our PRC legal counsel, Jingtian & Gongcheng, as of the date of this annual report, under current PRC laws, regulations and rules, we, our Chinese mainland subsidiaries, the variable interest entities and their subsidiaries are not required to obtain permissions from the China Securities Regulatory Commission, or the CSRC, or go through cybersecurity review by the Cyberspace Administration of China, or the CAC, with respect to the operation of our business. However, given the uncertainties of interpretation and implementation of the laws and regulations and enforcement practice by the government authorities, we may be required to obtain additional licenses, permits, filings or approvals for the functions and services of our platform in the future, and may not be able to maintain or renew our current licenses, permits, filings or approvals. If we, our Chinese mainland subsidiaries, variable interest entities and their subsidiaries (i) do not receive or maintain any necessary permissions or approvals from PRC authorities to operate business or offer securities, (ii) inadvertently conclude that such permissions or approvals are not required, or (iii) if applicable laws, regulations, or interpretations change and we are required to obtain such permissions or approvals in the future, we cannot assure you that we will be able to obtain the necessary permissions or approvals in a timely manner, or at all, and such approvals may be rescinded even if obtained. Any such circumstance could subject us to penalties, including fines, suspension of business and revocation of required licenses, significantly limit or completely hinder our ability to continue to offer securities to investors, and cause the value of such securities to significantly decline or be worthless. For more detailed information, see “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Business and Industry—Any lack of requisite permits for any of our internet video and other content or any of our business may expose us to regulatory sanctions.” 9 Permissions Required from the PRC Authorities for Overseas Financing Activities Under current PRC laws, regulations and regulatory rules, we, our Chinese mainland subsidiaries, the variable interest entities and their subsidiaries may be required to obtain permissions from the CSRC, and may be required to go through cybersecurity review by the CAC, in connection with any future offering and listing in an overseas market. As of the date of this annual report, we have not been subject to any cybersecurity review made by the CAC. On February 17, 2023, the CSRC published the Interim Administrative Measures on Overseas Securities Offering and Listing by the Domestic Enterprises, or the Overseas Listing Measures, which took effect on March 31, 2023. Under the Overseas Listing Measures, a filing-based regulatory system is applied to “indirect overseas offerings and listings” of PRC domestic companies, which refers to securities offerings and listings in an overseas market made under the name of an offshore entity but based on the underlying equity, assets, earnings or other similar rights of a domestic company that operates its main business domestically in Chinese mainland. The Overseas Listing Measures state that any overseas offering of securities, including issuance of shares, convertible notes and other similar securities, by a PRC domestic company, and listing by a PRC domestic company in an overseas market, shall be subject to filing requirement within three business days after the completion of such offering or listing. In connection with the Overseas Listing Measures, on February 17, 2023, the CSRC also published the Notice on the Administrative Arrangements for the Filing of Overseas Securities Offering and Listing by the Domestic Enterprises. According to this notice, issuers that have already been listed in an overseas market by March 31, 2023, the date on which the Overseas Listing Measures took effect, such as our company, are not required to make any immediate filing. However, such issuers will be required to comply with the filing requirements under Overseas Listing Measures if and when they pursue any future securities offerings and listings outside of Chinese mainland, including but not limited to follow-on offerings, secondary listings and going private transactions. While we have completed the CSRC filing for our 2030 Notes, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to complete the required filings or other regulatory procedures in the future. If we fail to obtain required approval or complete other review or filing procedures, under the Overseas Listing Measures or otherwise, for any future securities offerings and listings outside of Chinese mainland, including but not limited to follow-on offerings, secondary listings and going private transactions, we may face sanctions by the CSRC or other PRC regulatory authorities, which may include fines and penalties on our operations in Chinese mainland, limitations on our operating privileges in Chinese mainland, restrictions on or prohibition of the payments or remittance of dividends by our subsidiaries in Chinese mainland, restrictions on or delays to our future financing transactions offshore, or other actions that could have a material and adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, reputation and prospects, as well as the trading price of our ADSs. As advised by our PRC legal counsel, Jingtian & Gongcheng, as of the date of this annual report, under current PRC laws, regulations and rules, we, our Chinese mainland subsidiaries, the variable interest entities and their subsidiaries are not required to obtain permission from the CSRC, or go through cybersecurity review by the CAC, or obtain permission or approval from other PRC government authorities with respect to previous issuances of securities to foreign investors. For more detailed information, see “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Related to Doing Business in Chinese Mainland—The approval of or the filing with the CSRC or other PRC government authorities may be required in connection with our future offshore listings and capital raising activities under PRC law, and, if required, we cannot predict whether or for how long we will be able to obtain such approval or filing” and “—Risks Related to Our Business and Industry—Our business is subject to complex and evolving Chinese and international laws and regulations regarding cybersecurity, information security, privacy and data protection. Many of these laws and regulations are subject to change and evolving regulatory guidance, and any failure or perceived failure to comply with these laws and regulations could result in claims, changes to our business practices, negative publicity, legal proceedings, increased cost of operations, or declines in user growth or engagement, or otherwise harm our business.” Selected Consolidated Financial Data The following selected consolidated statements of comprehensive income/(loss) data for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2024 and 2025, selected consolidated balance sheet data as of December 31, 2024 and 2025 and selected consolidated cash flows data for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2024 and 2025 have been derived from our audited consolidated financial statements included in this annual report beginning on page F-2. The following selected consolidated statements of comprehensive income/(loss) data for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2022, selected consolidated balance sheet data as of December 31, 2021, 2022 and 2023 and selected consolidated cash flows data for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2022 have been derived from our audited consolidated financial statements not included in this annual report. Our historical results for any period are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for any future period. The selected consolidated financial data should be read in conjunction with, and are qualified in their entirety by reference to, our audited consolidated financial statements and related notes and “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects” below. Our consolidated financial statements are prepared and presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Despite the lack of equity 10 ownership, our Cayman Island holding company is considered as the primary beneficiary of the variable interest entities and consolidates the financial results of the variable interest entities and their subsidiaries as required by ASC topic 810, Consolidation. Accordingly, we treat the variable interest entities as our consolidated entities under U.S. GAAP and we consolidate the financial results of the variable interest entities in our consolidated financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP. For the year ended December 31, 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 RMB RMB RMB RMB RMB US$ (in thousands, except for share and per share data) Selected Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income/(Loss) Data: Total revenues 30,554,359 28,997,548 31,872,651 29,225,238 27,291,300 3,902,604 Operating costs and expenses Cost of revenues(2) (27,513,497 ) (22,319,315 ) (23,102,492 ) (21,953,582 ) (21,542,347 ) (3,080,515 ) Selling, general and administrative(2) (4,725,142 ) (3,466,579 ) (4,014,070 ) (3,682,050 ) (3,856,554 ) (551,480 ) Research and development(2) (2,794,927 ) (1,899,233 ) (1,766,610 ) (1,778,403 ) (1,663,084 ) (237,817 ) Total operating costs and expenses (35,033,566 ) (27,685,127 ) (28,883,172 ) (27,414,035 ) (27,061,985 ) (3,869,812 ) Operating income/(loss) (4,479,207 ) 1,312,421 2,989,479 1,811,203 229,315 32,792 Total other expense, net (1,532,781 ) (1,346,197 ) (956,878 ) (959,524 ) (288,816 ) (41,301 ) Income/(Loss) before income taxes (6,011,988 ) (33,776 ) 2,032,601 851,679 (59,501 ) (8,509 ) Income tax expense (96,545 ) (84,000 ) (80,047 ) (61,090 ) (144,542 ) (20,669 ) Net income/(loss) (6,108,533 ) (117,776 ) 1,952,554 790,589 (204,043 ) (29,178 ) Less: Net income attributed to non-controlling interests 61,051 18,436 27,085 26,530 2,268 324 Accretion of redeemable noncontrolling interests (20,336 ) — — — — — Net income/(loss) attributable to ordinary shareholders (6,189,920 ) (136,212 ) 1,925,469 764,059 (206,311 ) (29,502 ) Net income/(loss) per Class A and Class B ordinary share(1) Basic (1.11 ) (0.02 ) 0.29 0.11 (0.03 ) (0.00 ) Diluted (1.11 ) (0.02 ) 0.28 0.11 (0.03 ) (0.00 ) Net income/(loss) per ADS: Basic (7.77 ) (0.16 ) 2.02 0.79 (0.21 ) (0.03 ) Diluted (7.77 ) (0.16 ) 1.98 0.79 (0.21 ) (0.03 ) Shares used in net income/(loss) per Class A and Class B ordinary share computation Basic 5,570,736,706 5,988,021,425 6,675,522,809 6,729,974,821 6,746,355,442 6,746,355,442 Diluted 5,570,736,706 5,988,021,425 6,823,628,066 6,799,500,149 6,746,355,442 6,746,355,442 Notes: (1)Our ordinary shares are comprised of Class A ordinary shares and Class B ordinary shares. Each holder of Class A ordinary shares is entitled to one vote per share and each holder of Class B ordinary shares is entitled to ten votes per share on all matters submitted to them for a vote. Class B ordinary shares are convertible at any time by the holder thereof into Class A ordinary shares on a one-for-one basis. As holders of Class A and Class B ordinary shares have the same dividend rights and the same participation rights in our undistributed earnings, the basic and diluted income/(loss) per Class A ordinary share and Class B ordinary share are the same for all the periods presented during which there were two classes of ordinary shares. 11 (2)Share-based compensation expenses were allocated in operating costs and expenses as follows: For the year ended December 31, 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 RMB RMB RMB RMB RMB US$ (in thousands) Selected Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income/(Loss) Data: Cost of revenues 173,263 147,045 133,160 121,048 112,822 16,133 Selling, general and administrative 718,377 425,209 314,788 273,330 163,585 23,393 Research and development 327,523 239,187 188,784 150,017 127,018 18,163 Total 1,219,163 811,441 636,732 544,395 403,425 57,689 As of December 31, 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 RMB RMB RMB RMB RMB US$ (in thousands) Selected Consolidated Balance Sheet Data: Cash and cash equivalents 2,997,212 7,097,938 4,434,525 3,529,679 4,354,275 622,653 Restricted cash 77,652 13,618 6,120 — 23,123 3,307 Short-term investments 1,348,255 818,265 941,738 941,610 314,819 45,019 Total current assets 11,524,117 13,785,635 12,635,229 9,527,236 10,290,295 1,471,494 Total assets 42,472,165 46,048,349 44,594,374 45,760,525 46,681,735 6,675,401 Total current liabilities(l) 22,476,470 28,130,018 22,341,534 21,477,333 22,067,307 3,155,584 Total liabilities(1) 36,799,052 39,704,910 32,409,459 32,386,761 33,372,809 4,772,249 Total mezzanine equity 397,385 — — — — — Total shareholders’ equity(1) 5,275,728 6,343,439 12,184,915 13,373,764 13,308,926 1,903,152 Notes: (1)We adopted ASU 2020-06, Accounting for Convertible Instruments and Contracts in an Entity’s Own Equity (“ASU 2020-06”) on January 1, 2022, using a modified retrospective transition method. Following the adoption of ASU 2020-06, all of the proceeds received from the issuance of the existing notes have been recorded as a liability on the balance sheet in accordance with ASC 470-20. The difference between the principal amount of each of the existing notes and net proceeds from the issuance is considered debt discount and is amortized at their respective effective interest rates to accrete the carrying value of the existing notes to its face value (i.e., 120% or 130% of the principal amount for the PAG Notes) on the respective put dates or maturity dates of the existing notes. The following table presents our selected consolidated cash flows data for the years indicated. For the year ended December 31, 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 RMB RMB RMB RMB RMB US$ (in thousands) Selected Consolidated Cash Flows Data: Net cash provided by/(used for) operating activities (5,951,847 ) (70,569 ) 3,351,600 2,110,057 105,801 15,131 Net cash provided by/(used for) investing activities 1,262,350 265,980 (1,739,515 ) (2,444,870 ) (327,435 ) (46,822 ) Net cash provided by/(used for) financing activities (2,959,455 ) 4,468,863 (4,285,072 ) (1,370,121 ) 1,064,434 152,213 Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash (216,696 ) 122,418 92,039 14,657 (55,393 ) (7,924 ) Net increase/(decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash (7,865,648 ) 4,786,692 (2,580,948 ) (1,690,277 ) 787,407 112,598 Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at the beginning of the year 10,940,512 3,074,864 7,861,556 5,280,608 3,590,331 513,411 Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at the end of the year 3,074,864 7,861,556 5,280,608 3,590,331 4,377,738 626,009 12 Financial Information Related to the Variable Interest Entities The following tables present the condensed consolidating schedule of financial information for iQIYI, Inc., who is considered as the primary beneficiary of the variable interest entities under U.S. GAAP, the variable interest entities and other entities as of the dates presented. •“iQIYI, Inc.” is our holding company in the Cayman Islands, and is considered as the primary beneficiary of the variable interest entities including, but not limited to, Beijing iQIYI, Shanghai iQIYI and Shanghai Zhong Yuan; •“Variable interest entities and their subsidiaries” refer to the sum of Beijing iQIYI, Shanghai iQIYI, Shanghai Zhong Yuan, iQIYI Pictures (acquired as a wholly-owned subsidiary of a VIE in February 2026), Intelligent Entertainment, iQIYI Yinhua and their respective subsidiaries; •“WFOEs” refer to Beijing QIYI Century, iQIYI New Media and iQIYI Optical Era; •“Subsidiaries (other than WFOEs)” refer to the sum of our wholly-owned subsidiaries other than the WFOEs, which mainly include but not limited to Tianjin iQIYI Network & Technology Co., Ltd., Shanghai iQIYI Network & Technology Co., Ltd., Beijing iQIYI Interactive, Shanghai iQIYI New Media Science & Technology Co., Ltd., and Hainan iQIYI Information Technology Co., Ltd. 13 Selected Condensed Consolidating Statements of Comprehensive Income/(Loss) Information For the year ended December 31, 2023 2024 iQIYI,Inc. Variable interest entities and their subsidiaries WFOEs Subsidiaries (other than the WFOEs) Eliminating adjustments Consolidated totals iQIYI,Inc. Variable interest entities and their subsidiaries WFOEs Subsidiaries (other than the WFOEs) Eliminating adjustments Consolidated totals RMB RMB RMB RMB RMB RMB RMB RMB RMB RMB RMB RMB (in thousands) Total revenues — 29,783,468 6,028,092 6,014,245 (9,953,154 ) 31,872,651 — 27,576,488 5,878,288 5,961,174 (10,190,712 ) 29,225,238 Third-party revenues — 29,432,773 7,002 2,432,876 — 31,872,651 — 27,218,410 5,818 2,001,010 — 29,225,238 Inter-Group revenues — 350,695 6,021,090 3,581,369 (9,953,154 ) — — 358,078 5,872,470 3,960,164 (10,190,712 ) — Cost of revenues — (24,439,915 ) (2,865,839 ) (5,081,660 ) 9,284,922 (23,102,492 ) — (22,834,288 ) (3,778,591 ) (4,808,115 ) 9,467,412 (21,953,582 ) Third-party cost of revenues — (16,776,185 ) (2,827,757 ) (3,498,550 ) — (23,102,492 ) — (14,847,818 ) (3,738,773 ) (3,366,991 ) — (21,953,582 ) Inter-Group cost of revenues — (7,663,730 ) (38,082 ) (1,583,110 ) 9,284,922 — — (7,986,470 ) (39,818 ) (1,441,124 ) 9,467,412 — Share of income of variable interest entities and their subsidiaries 880,832 — — — (880,832 ) — 482,800 — — — (482,800 ) — Net income/(loss) 1,925,469 824,015 2,267,546 (776,119 ) (2,288,357 ) 1,952,554 764,059 492,482 1,133,373 (161,402 ) (1,437,923 ) 790,589 For the year ended December 31, 2025 iQIYI, Inc. Variable interest entities and their subsidiaries WFOEs Subsidiaries (other than the WFOEs) Eliminating adjustments Consolidated totals RMB RMB RMB RMB RMB RMB (in thousands) Total revenues — 24,357,765 5,160,984 5,721,045 (7,948,494 ) 27,291,300 Third-party revenues — 24,030,973 642 3,259,685 — 27,291,300 Inter-Group revenues — 326,792 5,160,342 2,461,360 (7,948,494 ) — Cost of revenues — (21,045,944 ) (3,879,783 ) (3,933,917 ) 7,317,297 (21,542,347 ) Third-party cost of revenues — (15,223,186 ) (3,842,248 ) (2,476,913 ) — (21,542,347 ) Inter-Group cost of revenues — (5,822,758 ) (37,535 ) (1,457,004 ) 7,317,297 — Share of income of variable interest entities and their subsidiaries (1,063,330 ) — — — 1,063,330 — Net income/(loss) (206,311 ) (1,073,271 ) 561,685 431,549 82,305 (204,043 ) 14 Selected Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets Information As of December 31, 2024 2025 iQIYI, Inc. Variable interest entities and their subsidiaries WFOEs Subsidiaries (other than the WFOEs) Eliminating adjustments Consolidated totals iQIYI, Inc. Variable interest entities and their subsidiaries WFOEs Subsidiaries (other than the WFOEs) Eliminating adjustments Consolidated totals RMB RMB RMB RMB RMB RMB RMB RMB RMB RMB RMB RMB ASSETS Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents 887,386 803,720 1,239,956 598,617 — 3,529,679 1,615,986 1,438,131 455,935 844,223 — 4,354,275 Short-term investments — 738,561 203,049 — — 941,610 — 281,692 33,127 — — 314,819 Accounts receivable, net — 2,117,491 3,189 70,498 — 2,191,178 — 2,406,133 3,157 113,378 — 2,522,668 Licensed copyrights, net — 193,365 112,455 82,898 — 388,718 — 270,434 88,828 88,245 — 447,507 Prepayments and other assets 2,543 2,138,706 34,917 299,885 — 2,476,051 19,043 1,880,948 51,968 699,067 — 2,651,026 Total current assets 889,929 5,991,843 1,593,566 1,051,898 — 9,527,236 1,635,029 6,277,338 633,015 1,744,913 — 10,290,295 Non-current assets: Fixed assets, net — 607,502 150,191 120,289 — 877,982 — 562,349 87,412 253,666 — 903,427 Long-term investments — 1,577,992 — 530,485 — 2,108,477 — 1,394,923 — 378,386 — 1,773,309 Investment in subsidiaries and contractual interests in VIEs — — — 36,497 (36,497 ) — — — — 48,908 (48,908 ) — Licensed copyrights, net — 1,656,880 3,141,940 2,131,233 — 6,930,053 — 1,407,960 2,923,020 1,631,974 — 5,962,954 Produced content, net — 13,418,428 810,581 478,860 — 14,707,869 — 13,942,621 400,950 234,466 — 14,578,037 Operating lease assets — 486,719 795 122,318 — 609,832 — 377,643 163 111,914 — 489,720 Goodwill — 2,345,466 1,475,357 — — 3,820,823 — 2,345,466 1,475,357 — — 3,820,823 Others — 1,156,455 992,676 5,029,122 — 7,178,253 — 1,975,616 1,165,153 5,722,401 — 8,863,170 Total non-current assets — 21,249,442 6,571,540 8,448,804 (36,497 ) 36,233,289 — 22,006,578 6,052,055 8,381,715 (48,908 ) 36,391,440 Amounts due from the entities within our company(1) 21,082,424 — 2,938,540 — (24,020,964 ) — 19,898,404 — 4,257,527 — (24,155,931 ) — Total assets 21,972,353 27,241,285 11,103,646 9,500,702 (24,057,461 ) 45,760,525 21,533,433 28,283,916 10,942,597 10,126,628 (24,204,839 ) 46,681,735 LIABILITIES Third-party liabilities Current liabilities: Accounts and notes payable — 3,422,348 2,059,613 1,000,248 — 6,482,209 — 3,879,760 1,787,145 985,527 — 6,652,432 Customer advances and deferred revenue — 4,212,168 681 190,837 — 4,403,686 — 3,947,934 — 212,525 — 4,160,459 Short-term loans — 1,433,031 1,671,149 682,721 — 3,786,901 — 996,608 825,217 671,275 — 2,493,100 Convertible senior notes, current portion 242,460 — — — — 242,460 1,459,151 — — — — 1,459,151 Long-term loans, current portion — 63,997 97,990 6,000 — 167,987 — 662,656 9,200 66,535 — 738,391 Operating lease liabilities, current portion — 78,079 557 18,039 — 96,675 — 66,347 — 17,827 — 84,174 Accrued expenses and other liabilities 13,897 3,226,119 2,379,155 678,244 — 6,297,415 45,808 2,890,603 2,632,684 910,505 — 6,479,600 Total current liabilities 256,357 12,435,742 6,209,145 2,576,089 — 21,477,333 1,504,959 12,443,908 5,254,246 2,864,194 — 22,067,307 Non-current liabilities: — Long-term loans — 935,455 — 101,380 — 1,036,835 — 3,070,772 130,629 167,475 — 3,368,876 Convertible senior notes 8,350,570 — — — — 8,350,570 6,711,948 — — — — 6,711,948 Operating lease liabilities — 433,549 — 28,425 — 461,974 — 319,955 — 20,301 — 340,256 Other non-current liabilities — 980,001 64,883 15,165 — 1,060,049 — 865,836 — 18,586 — 884,422 Total non-current liabilities 8,350,570 2,349,005 64,883 144,970 — 10,909,428 6,711,948 4,256,563 130,629 206,362 — 11,305,502 Amounts due to the entities within our company(1) — 19,093,453 — 15,329,046 (34,422,499 ) — — 19,244,158 — 14,809,890 (34,054,048 ) — Total liabilities 8,606,927 33,878,200 6,274,028 18,050,105 (34,422,499 ) 32,386,761 8,216,907 35,944,629 5,384,875 17,880,446 (34,054,048 ) 33,372,809 Shareholders’ equity/(deficit): Noncontrolling interests — (21,519 ) — 29,857 — 8,338 — (31,883 ) — 24,283 — (7,600 ) Total iQIYI shareholders’ equity/(deficit)(2) 13,365,426 (6,615,396 ) 4,829,618 (8,579,260 ) 10,365,038 13,365,426 13,316,526 (7,628,830 ) 5,557,722 (7,778,101 ) 9,849,209 13,316,526 Total equity/(deficit) 13,365,426 (6,636,915 ) 4,829,618 (8,549,403 ) 10,365,038 13,373,764 13,316,526 (7,660,713 ) 5,557,722 (7,753,818 ) 9,849,209 13,308,926 Total liabilities and equity/(deficit) 21,972,353 27,241,285 11,103,646 9,500,702 (24,057,461 ) 45,760,525 21,533,433 28,283,916 10,942,597 10,126,628 (24,204,839 ) 46,681,735 15 Selected Condensed Consolidating Cash Flows Information For the year ended December 31, 2023 2024 2025 iQIYI, Inc. Variable interest entities and their subsidiaries WFOEs Subsidiaries (other than the WFOEs) Eliminating adjustments Consolidated totals iQIYI, Inc. Variable interest entities and their subsidiaries WFOEs Subsidiaries (other than the WFOEs) Eliminating adjustments Consolidated totals iQIYI, Inc. Variable interest entities and their subsidiaries WFOEs Subsidiaries (other than the WFOEs) Eliminating adjustments Consolidated totals RMB RMB RMB RMB RMB RMB RMB RMB RMB RMB RMB RMB RMB RMB RMB RMB RMB RMB (in thousands) Net cash provided by/ (used for) operating activities (370,682 ) 831,956 1,139,307 1,751,019 — 3,351,600 (35,985 ) (2,024,567 ) 6,430,650 (2,073,826 ) (186,215 ) 2,110,057 (69,191 ) (732,605 ) 653,936 417,926 (164,265 ) 105,801 Net cash provided by (used for) investing activities(3) 238,001 251,794 (311,464 ) (1,679,845 ) (238,001 ) (1,739,515 ) 3,384,507 (466,579 ) 316,790 (2,395,081 ) (3,284,507 ) (2,444,870 ) 1,185,440 292,859 1,165,414 (810,551 ) (2,160,597 ) (327,435 ) Net cash provided by /(used for) financing activities(3) (3,859,442 ) (141,212 ) (277,881 ) (244,538 ) 238,001 (4,285,072 ) (2,873,166 ) 461,953 (6,114,399 ) 3,684,769 3,470,722 (1,370,121 ) (338,134 ) 1,091,160 (2,603,371 ) 589,917 2,324,862 1,064,434 Notes: (1)Represents the elimination of intercompany balances among iQIYI, Inc., WFOEs, our subsidiaries other than WFOEs, and the variable interest entities and their subsidiaries. The short-term loans provided to the variable interest entities and their subsidiaries were RMB8,459.9 million and RMB7,403.4 million (US$1,058.7 million) as of December 31, 2024 and 2025, respectively. (2)The loans provided to the nominee shareholders were RMB277.0 million and RMB277.0 million (US$39.6 million) as of December 31, 2024 and 2025, respectively, which will mature since 2027. The loans provided to the nominee shareholders were to fund the capitalization of the VIEs for which the Company does not intend to seek repayment. The term of all such loans provided to the nominee shareholders has historically been extended prior to their respective original maturity dates, and we will continue to extend the term of all outstanding loans before they become due. (3)For the years ended December 31, 2023, 2024 and 2025, the variable interest entities did not receive any loans from or repay any loans to iQIYI, Inc. For the years ended December 31, 2023, 2024 and 2025, no assets other than cash were transferred between iQIYI, Inc. and variable interest entities or their subsidiaries. For the years ended December 31, 2023, 2024 and 2025, subsidiaries provided capital contributions of nil, RMB100.0 million and nil to the variable interest entities. For the years ended December 31, 2023, 2024 and 2025, no assets other than the above cash transactions were transferred between subsidiaries and the variable interest entities. A.[RESERVED] B.CAPITALIZATION AND INDEBTEDNESS Not applicable. C.REASONS FOR THE OFFER AND USE OF PROCEEDS Not applicable. 16 D.RISK FACTORS Summary of Risk Factors An investment in our ADSs or Class A ordinary shares involves significant risks. Below is a summary of material risks we face, organized under headings. The operational risks associated with being based in and having operations in Chinese mainland also apply to operations in Hong Kong. The legal risks associated with being based in and having operations in Chinese mainland are expected to apply to Chinese mainland entities and businesses, rather than entities or businesses in Hong Kong which operate under a different set of laws from Chinese mainland. These risks are discussed more fully in “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors.” Risks Related to Our Business and Industry •We had historically incurred net losses, and may incur losses again in the future. •If we fail to anticipate user preferences and provide high-quality content, especially popular original content, we may not be able to attract and retain users to remain competitive. •If we fail to procure content from content providers upon terms acceptable to us, our business may be materially and adversely affected. •If our efforts to retain members and attract new members are not successful, our business and results of operations will be materially and adversely affected. •If we fail to retain existing or attract new advertising customers to advertise on our platform, or fail to maintain and increase our wallet share of their advertising budget or if we are unable to collect accounts receivable in a timely manner, our financial condition and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected. •Our business is subject to complex and evolving Chinese and international laws and regulations regarding cybersecurity, information security, privacy and data protection. Many of these laws and regulations are subject to change and evolving regulatory guidance, and any failure or perceived failure to comply with these laws and regulations could result in claims, changes to our business practices, negative publicity, legal proceedings, increased cost of operations, or declines in user growth or engagement, or otherwise harm our business. •We operate in a capital intensive industry and require a significant amount of cash to fund our operations, content acquisitions and technology investments. If we cannot obtain sufficient capital, our business, financial condition and prospects may be materially and adversely affected; •We have substantial indebtedness and we may continue to incur substantial additional indebtedness in the future, which could adversely affect our financial health and our ability to generate sufficient cash to satisfy our outstanding and future debt obligations on a timely manner. Deterioration of our cash flow position could materially and adversely affect our ability to service our indebtedness and continue our operations. •We have significant working capital requirements and have in the past experienced working capital deficits. If we experience such working capital deficits in the future, our business, liquidity, financial condition and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected. •We may not have the ability to raise the funds necessary to settle redemption of our existing notes, or to repurchase such notes upon a fundamental change or on certain specific dates, and our future debt may contain limitations on our ability to pay cash upon conversion or to repurchase the notes. Risks Related to Our Corporate Structure •We are a Cayman Islands holding company with no equity ownership in the variable interest entities and we conduct our operations in Chinese mainland through (i) our Chinese mainland subsidiaries, which primarily include Beijing QIYI Century, Beijing iQIYI Interactive, iQIYI New Media and iQIYI Optical Era and (ii) the variable interest entities with which we have maintained contractual arrangements, namely Beijing iQIYI, Shanghai iQIYI, Shanghai Zhong Yuan, Intelligent Entertainment and iQIYI Yinhua, and their subsidiaries. Investors in our Class A ordinary shares or the ADSs thus are not purchasing equity interest in the variable interest entities in Chinese mainland but instead are purchasing equity interest in a Cayman Islands holding company. If the PRC government finds that the agreements that establish the structure for operating certain of our operations in Chinese mainland do not comply with PRC regulations relating to the relevant industries, or if these regulations or the interpretation of existing regulations change in the future, we could be subject to severe penalties or be forced to relinquish our interests in those operations. Our holding company in the Cayman Islands, the variable interest entities, and investors of our company face uncertainty about potential future actions 17 by the PRC government that could affect the enforceability of the contractual arrangements with the variable interest entities and, consequently, significantly affect the financial performance of the variable interest entities and our company as a group. See “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Corporate Structure—If the PRC government finds that the agreements that establish the structure for operating certain of our operations in Chinese mainland do not comply with PRC regulations relating to the relevant industries, or if these regulations or the interpretation of existing regulations change in the future, we could be subject to severe penalties or be forced to relinquish our interests in those operations” on page 42. •We rely on contractual arrangements with the variable interest entities and their shareholders for our business operations, which may not be as effective as direct ownership in providing operational control. See “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Corporate Structure—We rely on contractual arrangements with the variable interest entities and their shareholders for our business operations, which may not be as effective as direct ownership in providing operational control” on page 43. •Any failure by the variable interest entities or their shareholders to perform their obligations under our contractual arrangements with them would have a material and adverse effect on our business. See “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Corporate Structure—Any failure by the variable interest entities or their shareholders to perform their obligations under our contractual arrangements with them would have a material and adverse effect on our business” on page 44. Risks Related to Our Relationship with Baidu •We may have conflicts of interest with Baidu and, because of Baidu’s controlling ownership interest in our company, we may not be able to resolve such conflicts on terms favorable to us. •Our agreements with Baidu may be less favorable to us than similar agreements negotiated with unaffiliated third parties. Risks Related to Doing Business in Chinese Mainland •Our ADSs may be prohibited from trading in the United States under the HFCAA in the future, if the SEC determines that we have filed audit reports issued by a registered public accounting firm that has not been subject to inspections by the PCAOB for two consecutive years. See “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Related to Doing Business in Chinese Mainland—The PCAOB had historically been unable to inspect our auditor in relation to their audit work performed for our financial statements and the inability of the PCAOB to conduct inspections of our auditor in the past has deprived our investors with the benefits of such inspections” and “—Our ADSs may be prohibited from trading in the United States under the HFCAA in the future if the PCAOB is unable to inspect or investigate completely auditors located in China. The delisting or prohibition of trading of our ADSs, or the threat of their being delisted or prohibited from trading, may materially and adversely affect the value of your investment” on page 46. •The filings, approval or other administration requirements of the CSRC or other PRC government authorities may be required for any future securities offerings and listings outside of Chinese mainland. See “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Related to Doing Business in Chinese Mainland—The approval of or the filing with the CSRC or other PRC government authorities may be required in connection with our future offshore listings and capital raising activities under PRC law, and, if required, we cannot predict whether or for how long we will be able to obtain such approval or filing” on page 46. •Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may be influenced to a significant degree by political, economic, social conditions and government policies in Chinese mainland generally. See “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Related to Doing Business in Chinese Mainland—Changes in Chinese mainland’s economic, political or social conditions or government policies could have a material adverse effect on our business and operations” on page 48. •Uncertainties with respect to the legal systems in the jurisdictions where we operate could adversely affect us. Substantially all of our operations are located in Chinese mainland. There is no assurance that the PRC government will not intervene in or impose restrictions on the ability of iQIYI, Inc., its subsidiaries, and the variable interest entities to transfer cash or assets. To the extent cash or assets in the business is in Chinese mainland or an entity in Chinese mainland, the funds or assets may not be available to fund operations or for other use outside of the PRC due to interventions in or the imposition of restrictions and limitations on the ability of iQIYI, Inc., its subsidiaries, or the variable interest entities by the PRC government to transfer cash or assets. As of the date of this annual report, there is not equivalent or similar restriction or limitation in Hong Kong on cash or assets transfers in, or out of, our Hong Kong entities. However, if certain restrictions or limitations were to become applicable to cash or assets transfers in and out of Hong Kong entities in the future, the funds or assets in our Hong Kong entities may not be available to fund operations or 18 for other use outside of Hong Kong. See “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Related to Doing Business in Chinese Mainland—Uncertainties with respect to the legal systems in the jurisdictions where we operate could adversely affect us” on page 48. •Due to the nature of our industry, the PRC government’s significant authority in regulating our operations and its oversight and control over offerings conducted overseas by, and foreign investment in, China-based issuers could result in a material adverse change in our operations and the value of our ADSs, or 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. See “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Related to Doing Business in Chinese Mainland—The PRC government’s significant oversight over our business operation could result in a material adverse change in our operations and the value of our ADSs” on page 49. •Our Chinese mainland subsidiaries and the variable interest entities are subject to certain restrictions with respect to paying dividends or make distributions to shareholders of our securities, or otherwise transferring any of their net assets to us. See “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Related to Doing Business in Chinese Mainland—We may rely on dividends and other distributions on equity paid by our Chinese mainland subsidiaries to fund any cash and financing requirements we may have, and any limitation on the ability of our Chinese mainland subsidiaries to make payments to us and any tax we are required to pay could have a material and adverse effect on our ability to conduct our business” on page 49. •Any funds we transfer to our Chinese mainland subsidiaries are subject to approval by or registration or filing with governmental authorities in Chinese mainland. See “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Related to Doing Business in Chinese Mainland—We are subject to PRC laws and regulations governing loans to and direct investment in Chinese mainland entities by offshore holding companies and currency conversion, which may delay or prevent us to make loans to or make additional capital contributions to our Chinese mainland subsidiaries and the variable interest entities, which could materially and adversely affect our liquidity and our ability to fund and expand our business” on page 50. Risks Related to Our ADSs •The trading price of our ADSs has been and is likely to continue to be volatile regardless of our operating performance. •If securities or industry analysts do not publish research or publish inaccurate or unfavorable research about our business, the market price for our ADSs and trading volume could decline. •Techniques employed by short sellers may drive down the market price of our ADSs. Risks Related to Our Business and Industry We had historically incurred net losses, and may incur losses again in the future. We incurred net losses from our inception until 2022, before recording a net income of RMB1,952.6 million in 2023 and a net income of RMB790.6 million in 2024. In 2025 we had a net loss of RMB204.0 million (US$29.2 million). Our ability to achieve profitability is affected by various factors, many of which are beyond our control. In addition, our users’ willingness to pay and subscribe to our content depends on the quality and breadth of our content offerings and availability of alternative entertainment content offerings. Producing high-quality, popular original content is costly and time-consuming and it will typically take a long period of time to realize returns on investment, if at all. As a result, we may not be able to recover our content costs or achieve a satisfactory return on investment, and our business and results of operations may be negatively affected. The market prices for professionally produced content, especially popular TV series and movies, have increased significantly in Chinese mainland in the past. The production and procurement of content have historically accounted for the majority of our cost of revenues. In 2023, 2024 and 2025, we incurred RMB23.1 billion, RMB22.0 billion and RMB21.5 billion (US$3.1 billion) in cost of revenues, respectively. Our cost of revenues may increase in the foreseeable future as we are committed to enhancing and diversifying our content offerings and to supporting our overseas expansion. If we cannot successfully realize satisfactory returns on our content investment and generate sufficient revenues, our financial condition and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected. We may again incur net losses in the future as a result of our continued investments in content and technology. We may also incur net losses in the future due to changes in the macroeconomic and regulatory environment, competitive dynamics and in the event of our inability to respond to these changes in a timely and effective manner. 19 If we fail to anticipate user preferences and provide high-quality content, especially popular original content, we may not be able to attract and retain users to remain competitive. Our success depends on our ability to engage users on our platform. The quality and breadth of our content offerings may not always meet our expectations. Given that we operate in a rapidly evolving industry, we need to anticipate user preferences and industry changes and respond to such changes in a timely and effective manner. If we are unable to offer popular original content that meets user tastes and preferences, we may suffer from reduced user traffic, and our business, financial condition and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected. We rely on our in-house team to generate creative ideas for original content and to supervise the original content origination and production process, and we intend to continue to invest resources in content production. We face fierce competition for qualified personnel in a limited pool of high-quality creative talents. Our competitors include well-capitalized companies that are capable of offering compensation packages more attractive to talents. If we are not able to compete effectively for talents or attract and retain top talents at reasonable costs, our original content production capabilities would be negatively impacted. Any deterioration in our in-house content production capability, inability to attract creative talents at reasonable costs or losses in personnel may materially and adversely affect our ability to create content that meet user preferences. In addition, various phases of our original content production are outsourced to our content production partners. If they fail to generate quality content satisfactory to our demands or provide services upon terms commercially acceptable to us, we may be unable to provide high-quality original content offerings to our users. If we fail to procure content from content providers upon terms acceptable to us, our business may be materially and adversely affected. Our ability to provide our users with high-quality, popular content depends in part on our ability to procure content from studios and other content providers, as well as distributors and other licensors of content. We typically enter into license and sub-license agreements with third-party content providers and other IP holders on various terms and conditions. If content providers and other rights holders are no longer willing or able to license content to us upon terms acceptable to us, or, in the case where we obtained the right to distribute content through sub-license agreements, the licensors lose their right to sub-license such content to us, our ability to offer content to our users will be adversely affected and we may have to incur additional costs. For content sub-licensed and currently being showcased on our platform, we may be forced to remove such content as a result of our licensor’s disputes with the original content provider, which may result in loss of user traffic and revenues. If we fail to remove such content in a timely manner, we may become the subject of adverse legal actions from the original content provider. As competition intensifies, we may see the cost of licensed content increase. As we seek to differentiate our service, we are increasingly focused on securing a broader range of rights other than merely distribution and online streaming rights. We also acquire other forms of copyright such as rights to adapt the original content into online games, films, drama series, animation and other entertainment formats. If we are unable to procure or maintain content from content providers, our user acquisition and retention may be adversely affected. If our efforts to retain members and attract new members are not successful, our business and results of operations will be materially and adversely affected. Our ability to continue to retain members and attract new members will depend in part on our ability to consistently provide our members with compelling content choices, user experience, and a quality experience for selecting and viewing video content. Furthermore, the relative service levels, content offerings, pricing and related features of competitors may adversely impact our ability to attract and retain members. If we introduce new or adjust existing features, adjust pricing or service offerings, or change the mix of content in a manner that is not favorably received by our members, we may not be able to attract and retain members. Many of our members originate from organic growth. If our efforts to satisfy our existing members are not successful, we may not be able to attract new members, and as a result, our ability to maintain and grow our membership revenues will be adversely affected. Members may cancel or decide not to renew our service for many reasons, including a perception that they do not use the service sufficiently, dissatisfaction with payment options, the need to cut household expenses, dissatisfaction with the content available on our platform, a perception that competitive services provide a better value or experience, and customer service issues that are not satisfactorily resolved. In addition, we use various marketing and sales strategies to attract members, including but not limited to discounts and bundled sales, and we may not be able to retain those members if our promotion strategy fails or discontinues. Our initiatives to better monetize our membership base may not be well received by our members and may have a negative impact on our reputation and results of operations. Further, if an excessive number of members cancel or opt not to renew our service, we may incur significantly higher marketing expenditures to attract new members than we currently anticipate. 20 If we fail to retain existing or attract new advertising customers to advertise on our platform, or fail to maintain and increase our wallet share of their advertising budget or if we are unable to collect accounts receivable in a timely manner, our financial condition and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected. We generate a substantial part of our revenues from online advertising. If our advertising customers find that they can generate better returns elsewhere, or if our competitors provide better online advertising services to suit our advertising customers’ goals, we may lose our advertising customers. In addition, third parties may develop and use technologies to block the display of our advertising customers’ advertisements on our platform, enabling our members to skip viewing them, which may in turn cause us to lose advertising customers and adversely affect our results of operations. If our advertising customers determine that their marketing expenditures on internet video streaming platforms do not generate expected returns, they may allocate a portion or all of their advertising budgets to other advertising channels such as television, newspapers and magazines or other internet channels such as search engines, news aggregation platforms, short-form video platforms, e-commerce platforms and social media platforms, and reduce or discontinue business with us. Since most of our advertising customers are not bound by long-term contracts, they may lessen or discontinue advertising arrangements with us easily without incurring material liabilities. Failure to retain existing advertising customers, or maintain their level of budget allocated to us, or attract new advertising customers to our platform may materially and adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations. Our online advertising revenue has fluctuated significantly, with an increase of 16.7% in 2023, a decrease of 8.2% in 2024 and a further decrease of 9.1% in 2025. Our relatively brief history in this offering introduces uncertainties. The dynamic nature of the digital advertising sector, alongside the possibility of changing advertiser demands or regulatory adjustments impacting performance advertising, could affect our growth potential in the performance-based advertising offering. We cannot assure you that our online advertising business will not experience growth deceleration or witness declines again in the future. Our brand advertising customers typically enter into online advertising agreements with us through various third-party advertising agencies. In Chinese mainland’s advertising industry, advertising agencies typically have good relationships and maintain long periods of cooperation with the brand advertising customers they represent. Therefore, even if we have direct contact with advertising customers, we typically enter into advertising contracts with third-party advertising agencies that represent advertising customers. As a result, we rely on third-party advertising agencies for sales to, and collection of payment from, our brand advertisers. In consideration for the third-party advertising agencies’ services, we offer them rebates based on the volume of business they bring to us. The financial soundness of our advertising customers and advertising agencies may affect our collection of accounts receivable. We make a credit assessment of our advertising customers and their advertising agencies to evaluate the collectability of the advertising service fees before entering into an advertising contract. However, we cannot assure you that we are or will be able to accurately assess the creditworthiness of each advertising customer or advertising agency, and any inability of advertising customers or advertising agencies to pay us in a timely manner may adversely affect our liquidity and cash flows. In addition, there has been some consolidation among Chinese mainland’s advertising agencies. If this trend continues, a small number of large advertising agencies may have stronger bargaining power to demand higher rebate for advertising agency services, which could reduce our online advertising revenue. In addition, we do not have long-term cooperation agreements or exclusive arrangements with third-party advertising agencies and they may elect to direct business opportunities to other advertising service providers, including our competitors. If we fail to retain and enhance the business relationships with third-party advertising agencies, we may suffer from a loss of advertising customers and our financial condition and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected. Our business is subject to complex and evolving Chinese and international laws and regulations regarding cybersecurity, information security, privacy and data protection. Many of these laws and regulations are subject to change and evolving regulatory guidance, and any failure or perceived failure to comply with these laws and regulations could result in claims, changes to our business practices, negative publicity, legal proceedings, increased cost of operations, or declines in user growth or engagement, or otherwise harm our business. We are subject to complex and evolving statutory and regulatory requirements relating to cybersecurity, information security, privacy and data protection. Regulatory authorities in Chinese mainland have enhanced data protection and cybersecurity regulatory requirements. These laws continue to develop, and the PRC government may adopt other rules and restrictions in the future. Non-compliance could result in penalties or other significant legal liabilities. The PRC Cybersecurity Law, which was last amended on January 1, 2026, created China’s first national-level data protection framework for “network operators.” It requires, among other things, that network operators take security measures to protect the network from unauthorized interference, damage and unauthorized access and prevent data from being divulged, stolen or tampered with. Network operators are also required to collect and use personal information in compliance with the principles of legitimacy, properness and necessity, and strictly within the scope of authorization by the subject of personal information unless otherwise prescribed by laws or regulations. Significant capital, managerial and human resources are required to comply with legal requirements, enhance information security and address any issues caused by security failures. In addition, numerous regulations, guidelines and 21 other measures have been and are expected to be adopted under the PRC Cybersecurity Law. See “Item 4. Information on the Company—B. Business Overview—Regulations—Regulations on Cybersecurity, Data Security and Personal Information Protection” for details. These laws and regulations are subject to change and interpretation, posing challenges for compliance. The Regulations on Security Protection of Critical Information Infrastructure, effective September 1, 2021, define critical information infrastructure and its operators that must adhere to specific security requirements. The Cybersecurity Review Measures, promulgated in April 2020 and revised in February 2022, provides that (i) critical information infrastructure operators that purchase network products and services or network platform operators that engage in data processing activities that affect or may affect national security shall be subject to the cybersecurity review by the Cybersecurity Review Office, the department which is responsible for the implementation of cybersecurity review under the CAC; (ii) network platform operators with personal information data of more than one million users that seek listing in a foreign country are obliged to apply for a cybersecurity review by the Cybersecurity Review Office; and (iii) the relevant regulatory authorities may initiate cybersecurity review if such regulatory authorities determine that the enterprise’s network products or services, or data processing activities affect or may affect national security. The Regulations on the Administration of Cyber Data Security, issued by the CAC and effective as of January 1, 2025, introduces several key obligations, including requiring network data handlers to specify the purpose and method of personal information processing, as well as the types of personal information involved, before any personal information is handled. It also clarifies definitions for important data, outlines the obligations of those handling important data, establishes broader contractual requirements for data sharing between data handlers, and introduces a new exemption for regulatory obligations regarding cross-border data transfers. However, as such laws, regulations and rules are relatively new, their interpretation and implementation shall be determined in accordance with the laws and regulations in force at the time, and the governmental authorities may further formulate detailed rules or explanations with respect to the interpretation and implementation of this regulation. Therefore, it is uncertain whether we would be deemed as a critical information infrastructure operator under PRC law. It also remains uncertain whether the future regulatory changes would impose additional restrictions on companies like us. If we fail to comply with the cybersecurity and data privacy requirements in a timely manner, or at all, we may be subject to government enforcement actions and investigations, fines, penalties, suspension of our non-compliant operations, or removal of our app, including mobile and smart TV apps, from app stores, among other sanctions, which could materially and adversely affect our business and results of operations. The PRC Personal Information Protection Law, effective since November 2021, sets stringent rules for processing personal and sensitive information, which significantly affects our data handling practices. Some information we collect, such as location and ID card information, may be deemed to be sensitive personal information under the PRC Personal Information Protection Law. As the interpretation and implementation of the PRC Personal Information Protection Law shall be determined in accordance with the laws and regulations in force at the time, we cannot assure you that we will be able to comply with the PRC Personal Information Protection Law in all respects, or that regulatory authorities will not order us to rectify or terminate our current practice of collecting and processing sensitive personal information. We may also become subject to fines and other penalties under the PRC Personal Information Protection Law, which may have material adverse effect on our business, operations and financial condition. As of the date of this annual report, we have not been involved in any investigations or become subject to a cybersecurity review initiated by the CAC, and we have not received any inquiry, notice, warning, sanctions in such respect or any regulatory objections to our listing status from the CAC. Based on the facts that, (i) the Cybersecurity Review Measures and the Regulations on the Administration of Cyber Data Security were newly adopted, and the implementation and interpretation of both are subject to change, and (ii) we have not been involved in any investigations on cyber security review made by the CAC on such basis, nor have we received substantive penalty from any competent PRC regulatory authorities related to cybersecurity, data security and personal data protection, we believe, as of the date of this annual report, we are in compliance with the existing PRC laws and regulations on cybersecurity, data security and personal data protection issued by the CAC in important aspects. However, as advised by our PRC counsel, as such laws, regulations and rules were still relatively new, their interpretation and implementation shall be determined in accordance with the laws and regulations in force at the time. The PRC government authorities also further enhanced the supervision and regulation of cross-border data transmission. On July 7, 2022, the CAC promulgated the Measures for the Security Assessment of Cross-border Data Transfer, effective September 1, 2022. See “Item 4. Information on the Company—B. Business Overview—Regulations—Regulations on Cybersecurity, Data Security and Personal Information Protection” for details. On September 24, 2024, the State Council released the Network Data Regulation, which came into force on January 1, 2025. The Network Data Regulation introduces several key obligations, including requiring network data handlers to specify the purpose and method of personal information processing, as well as the types of personal information involved, before any personal information is handled. It also clarifies definitions for important data, outlines the obligations of those handling important data, establishes broader contractual requirements for data sharing between data handlers, and introduces a new exemption for regulatory obligations regarding cross-border data transfers. 22 While we take measures to comply with applicable data privacy and protection laws and regulations, we cannot guarantee the effectiveness of the measures undertaken and those implemented by our business partners. The activities of third parties such as our customers and business partners are beyond our control. If our business partners violate the PRC Cybersecurity Law and related laws and regulations, or fail to fully comply with the service agreements with us, or if any of our employees fails to comply with our internal control measures and misuses the information, we may be subject to penalties. As part of the efforts by the CAC, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, or the MIIT, and other regulators to enhance data protection, a wide number of apps and companies have been notified to enhance data privacy protection as of the date of this annual report, including certain iQIYI apps. Although we have updated the apps to comply with the requirements of the regulators to the best we can, we cannot guarantee you that we will not be subject to more similar rectification requests from the governmental authorities or that we will fully comply with all applicable rules and regulations at all times. Any failure or perceived failure to comply with all applicable data privacy and protection laws and regulations, or any failure or perceived failure of our business partners to do so, or any failure or perceived failure of our employees to comply with our internal control measures, may prevent us from using or providing certain network products and services, result in fines and other penalties such as suspension of our related business, closure of our website, mobile apps and smart TV apps and suspension of new downloads of our apps, as well as subjecting us to negative publicity and legal proceedings or regulatory actions and discouraging current and potential users and customers from using our services, which could have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations. As we gradually expand into overseas markets, we may be subject to laws and regulations of other countries regarding cybersecurity, information security, privacy and data protection. We strive to comply with local laws and regulations in markets where we have operations. For example, the General Data Protection Regulation of the European Union imposes obligations on companies regarding the handling of personal data and provides certain individual privacy rights to persons whose data is being handled. The regulation also requires companies to submit personal data breach notifications to designated European privacy regulator in each country they have business operations, and includes significant penalties for non-compliance with the notification obligation as well as other requirements of the regulation. A number of countries in Asia have passed, are considering, or have strengthened their cybersecurity and data protection laws, which regulate the obtaining, processing, handling, and transferring of personal data. These regulations have increased and may continue to increase the cost and complexity of delivering our services as we enter or expand our operations in these markets. In addition, wherever we operate, we could be subject to new laws or regulations or the interpretation and application of existing consumer and data protection laws or regulations. These new laws, regulations and interpretations are often uncertain and in flux and may be inconsistent with our practices. We cannot guarantee that we will be able to maintain compliance at all times, especially in light of the fact that laws and regulations on cybersecurity and data protection are evolving. Our launch of new products or services or other actions that we may take may also subject us to additional laws, regulations, or other government scrutiny. Complying with these new or additional laws, regulations and requirements could cause us to incur substantial costs or require us to change our business practices in a manner materially adverse to our business. We operate in a capital intensive industry and require a significant amount of cash to fund our operations, content acquisitions and technology investments. If we cannot obtain sufficient capital, our business, financial condition and prospects may be materially and adversely affected. The operation of an internet video streaming platform requires significant and continuous investment in content and technology. Producing high-quality original content is costly and time-consuming and it will typically take a long period of time to realize returns on investment, if at all. To date, we have financed our operations primarily with net cash generated from financing activities such as placements of shares, convertible senior notes, bank loans, and the proceeds from our initial public offering and follow-on offering of our securities. In order to implement our growth strategies, we will require additional capital in the future to cover, among other things, costs to produce and license content. We may need to obtain additional financing, including in the form of equity offerings or debt financing, to fund the operation and expansion of our business. See “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Business and Industry—We have substantial indebtedness and we may continue to incur substantial additional indebtedness in the future, which could adversely affect our financial health and our ability to generate sufficient cash to satisfy our outstanding and future debt obligations on a timely manner. Deterioration of our cash flow position could materially and adversely affect our ability to service our indebtedness and continue our operations.” Our ability to obtain additional financing in the future, however, is subject to a number of uncertainties, including those relating to: •our future business development, financial condition and results of operations; •general market conditions for financing activities by companies in our industry; •macro-economic and other conditions in Chinese mainland and elsewhere; and our relationship with Baidu. 23 As a public company with a growing business, we expect to increasingly rely on net cash provided by operating activities, financing through capital markets and commercial banks for our liquidity needs. If we fail to diversify our funding sources and obtain sufficient capital to meet our capital needs, we may not be able to execute our growth strategies and our business, financial condition and prospects may be materially and adversely affected. We have substantial indebtedness and we may continue to incur substantial additional indebtedness in the future, which could adversely affect our financial health and our ability to generate sufficient cash to satisfy our outstanding and future debt obligations on a timely manner. Deterioration of our cash flow position could materially and adversely affect our ability to service our indebtedness and continue our operations. We maintain a considerable level of indebtedness to finance our operations and business expansion. As of December 31, 2025, our total consolidated indebtedness, including short-term and long-term loans and net carrying amount of the existing notes, was RMB14,771.5 million (US$2,112.3 million). As of December 31, 2025, our indebtedness primarily related to the following outstanding convertible senior notes: (i)US$550 million convertible senior notes due January 2028, which we refer to as the PAG Notes, to PAGAC IV-1 (Cayman) Limited, PAG Pegasus Fund LP and/or their affiliates, collectively referred to as PAG in this annual report, that we issued in December 2022 and February 2023. The PAG Notes are secured by certain collateral arrangements. The PAG Notes bear an interest rate of 6% per annum and will mature on January 1, 2028. Holders of the PAG Notes may also have the right to require us to repurchase their notes in the event of certain fundamental changes or events of default. On the maturity date, we are obligated to pay a premium at 30% of the principal amount of the PAG Notes, in addition to repaying the principal amount itself. In 2025, we entered into separate individually and privately negotiated agreements with certain holders of the PAG Notes, pursuant to which we repurchased US$27.5 million principal amount of the PAG Notes for cash. As of December 31, 2025, US$522.5 million principal amount of the PAG Notes remained outstanding. (ii)US$600 million aggregate principal amount of convertible senior notes due 2028, or the 2028 Notes, that we issued in March 2023. The 2028 Notes bear an interest rate of 6.50% per year, payable quarterly in arrears on March 15, June 15, September 15, and December 15 of each year, beginning on June 15, 2023. The 2028 Notes will mature on March 15, 2028, unless repurchased, redeemed, or converted in accordance with their terms prior to maturity. In 2024 and 2025, we entered into separate individually and privately negotiated agreements with certain holders of the 2028 Notes, pursuant to which we repurchased US$391.9 million principal amount in aggregate of the 2028 Notes for cash. As of December 31, 2025, US$208.1 million principal amount of the 2028 Notes remained outstanding. In March 2026, we completed the repurchase right offer for the 2028 Notes, pursuant to which US$207.8 million aggregate principal amount of the 2028 Notes were validly surrendered and repurchased and US$0.3 million principal amount of the 2028 Notes remained outstanding. (iii)US$350 million aggregate principal amount of convertible senior notes due 2030, or the 2030 Notes, that we issued in February 2025. The 2030 Notes bear an interest rate of 4.625% per year, payable quarterly in arrears on March 15, June 15, September 15 and December 15 of each year, beginning on June 15, 2025. The 2030 Notes will mature on March 15, 2030, unless repurchased, redeemed, or converted in accordance with their terms prior to maturity. As of December 31, 2025, US$350 million in principal amount of the 2030 Notes remained outstanding. The 2028 Notes and 2030 Notes are senior, unsecured obligations of our company. Holders of the 2030 Notes may require us to repurchase all or a portion of the 2030 Notes for cash on March 15, 2028. In addition, holders of any of the 2028 Notes and 2030 Notes may also demand repurchase in the event of certain fundamental changes, as defined in the indenture governing these notes. As a result, we are subject to refinancing risks with respect to such indebtedness. There can be no assurance that we would be able to repay and refinance the notes or other indebtedness in a timely manner on acceptable terms or at all. The agreements that govern certain of our outstanding indebtedness contain financial covenants that depend on the financial position and performance of our company and our subsidiaries, the variable interest entities and their subsidiaries, and certain agreements contain other covenants, including those relating to our solvency or listing status. If we fail to comply with these covenants, or there is an event of default under any of the agreements relating to our outstanding indebtedness, the holders of the defaulted debt could cause all amounts outstanding with respect to that debt to be due and payable immediately, which may further trigger early repayments of our other debts. In addition, we may from time to time incur additional indebtedness and other liabilities in the future. Our current and future debt may also require us to dedicate a portion of our cash flow to service interest and principal payments and may limit our ability to engage in other transactions. Our ability to generate sufficient cash from our operations or find alternative funding sources to satisfy our outstanding and future debt obligations and other liabilities will depend upon our future operating and financial performance, economic conditions and other factors, many of which are beyond our control. There is no assurance that we will be able to generate 24 sufficient cash flows or obtain additional funding to service our debt obligations. We have only been able to generate operating income since 2022, and we have only been able to generate positive operating cash flows since the second quarter of 2022. Any deterioration of our cash flow position could materially and adversely affect our ability to service our indebtedness. If we foresee we are unable to service our indebtedness, we will be forced to adopt an alternative strategy that may include actions such as significantly reducing or delaying our investment in content and technologies, selling assets, restructuring or refinancing our indebtedness, and, in the event of defaults, our lenders and other creditors could, among other things, declare outstanding amounts due and payable and take actions to enforce the repayment of our debt. We may have to renegotiate, repay or refinance these obligations, and may not have sufficient funds available to repay them. These may materially and adversely impact our liquidity, business, financial condition and results of operations. We have significant working capital requirements and have in the past experienced working capital deficits. If we experience such working capital deficits in the future, our business, liquidity, financial condition and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected. As a result of changes in our funding position and operating assets and liabilities, we had a working capital deficit (defined as total current assets less by total current liabilities) of RMB11.8 billion (US$1.7 billion) as of December 31, 2025. Under the terms of our 2030 Notes, holders may require us to repurchase all or a portion of the 2030 Notes for cash on March 15, 2028. In addition, holders of the 2028 Notes and 2030 Notes may demand repurchase in the event of certain fundamental changes, as defined in the indenture governing these notes; and if an event of default occurs, the trustee or holders of at least 25% of the aggregate principal amount of these notes may declare the entire principal amount, along with any accrued and unpaid interest, to be immediately due and payable, subject to certain exceptions and conditions outlined in the indenture. Holders of the PAG Notes may also have the right to require us to repurchase their notes in the event of certain fundamental changes or events of default. These repurchase obligations under the terms of our notes or the occurrence of any fundamental changes or event of default, as the case may be, may impact our future working capital position. For actions that we plan to take in order to manage our working capital, see “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects—B. Liquidity and Capital Resources.” There can be no assurance, however, that we will be able to prudently manage our working capital, or raise additional equity or debt financing on terms that are acceptable to us. Our failure to properly manage our working capital as planned and when necessary could materially and adversely affect our liquidity, results of operations, financial condition and ability to operate. We may not have the ability to raise the funds necessary to settle redemption of our existing notes, or to repurchase such notes upon a fundamental change or on certain specific dates, and our future debt may contain limitations on our ability to pay cash upon conversion or to repurchase the notes. Our existing notes contain protections concerning the holders’ rights to require us to repurchase their notes and to pay cash to settle redemption of their notes. See “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Business and Industry—We have significant working capital requirements and have in the past experienced working capital deficits. If we experience such working capital deficits in the future, our business, liquidity, financial condition and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected.” We cannot assure you that we will be able to generate sufficient cash flow from our operations or secure additional financing to support the repayment of our existing notes when our payments become due. Furthermore, we may not have enough available cash or be able to obtain financing at the time we are required to make repurchases of our existing notes surrendered therefor or when our existing notes are converted. Our failure to repurchase notes at the time when the repurchase is required by the indenture or to pay any cash payable on future conversions of the notes as required by the indenture would constitute a default under such indenture. A default under one of our indentures or a fundamental change itself could also lead to a default under agreements or indentures governing any outstanding future indebtedness. If the repayment of our existing notes or any outstanding future indebtedness were to be accelerated after any applicable notice or grace periods, we may not have sufficient funds to repay the indebtedness and repurchase the notes or make cash payments to the holders upon conversions of the notes. The success of our business depends on our ability to maintain and enhance our brand. We believe that maintaining and enhancing our iQIYI brand is of significant importance to the success of our business. Our well-recognized brand is critical to increasing our user base and, in turn, expanding our membership base and attractiveness to advertising customers and content providers. Since the online entertainment video service industry is highly competitive, maintaining and enhancing our brand depends largely on our ability to remain the market leader in Chinese mainland, which may be difficult and expensive. To the extent our content, in particular, our original content, is perceived as low quality or otherwise not appealing to users, our ability to maintain and enhance our brand may be adversely impacted. 25 In addition, some entities may use our brand without authorization to promote their products or services, which is ultimately beyond our direct control. If these products or services fail to meet user expectations, generate negative publicity, or encounter operational or legal issues, our brand reputation may be harmed. Our overseas operations may not be successful and may be adversely affected by legal, regulatory, political and economic risks. We began to expand our business operations outside of Chinese mainland in late 2019. We have launched our multilingual iQIYI app, which currently supports over ten languages and can be downloaded globally from major app stores. We also cooperate with local partners to promote our app and expand our user base. Our overseas expansion may not be successful and may expose us to a number of risks inherent in doing business internationally, including difficulties with managing foreign operations, challenges in formulating and executing effective local strategies, competition with local players, electing suitable geographical regions, etc. One or more of these factors could harm our overseas operations and consequently, could harm our overall business, financial condition and results of operations. In particular, we are subject to PRC law in addition to the laws of the foreign countries and regions in which we operate. If any of our overseas investments or operations violate such laws, we could become subject to sanctions or other penalties, which could negatively affect our reputation, business and operating results. In addition, the regulatory framework for online video content or other services we provide is still developing and remains uncertain in certain countries where we are exploring overseas operations. As we continue to expand our business overseas, we cannot assure you that we will be able to fully comply with the legal requirements of each foreign jurisdiction and successfully adapt our business model to local market conditions. We may be the subject of detrimental conduct by third parties, including complaints to regulatory agencies and the public dissemination of malicious assessments of our business, which could have a negative impact on our reputation and cause us to lose market share, users, advertising customers and revenues, and adversely affect the price of our ADSs. We have been, and in the future may be, the target of anti-competitive, harassing or other detrimental conduct by third parties. Such conduct may include complaints, anonymous or otherwise, to regulatory agencies regarding our operations, accounting, revenues, business relationships, business prospects and business ethics. Additionally, allegations and other negative publicity directly or indirectly concerning us may be posted online or otherwise generally disseminated by anyone, whether or not related to us. We may be subject to regulatory investigations, lawsuits or public perception backlash as a result of such third-party conduct and may be required to expend significant time and incur substantial costs to address such third-party conduct, and there is no assurance that we will be able to conclusively refute each of the allegations within a reasonable period of time, or at all. Our reputation may also be negatively affected as a result of the public dissemination of anonymous allegations or malicious statements about our business, which in turn may cause us to lose market share, users, advertising customers and revenues, and adversely affect the price of our ADSs. Increases in market price of professionally produced content may have a material and adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Professionally produced content constitutes a significant part of our content offerings. The market prices for professionally produced content, especially TV series and movies, have increased significantly in Chinese mainland in the past. Due to the improving monetization prospects, internet video streaming platforms are generating more revenues and are competing aggressively to license popular content titles, which have in turn led to increases in licensing fees of professionally produced content in general. As the market further grows, the expectations of copyright owners, distributors and industry participants may continue to rise, and as such they may demand higher licensing fees for professionally produced content. Furthermore, with the expansion of our content library, the costs for professionally produced content may continue to increase. If we are unable to generate sufficient revenues to outpace the increase in market prices for professionally produced content, we may incur more losses and our business, financial condition and results of operations may be adversely affected. We operate in a highly competitive market and we may not be able to compete effectively. We face competition for content production, content sourcing, user traffic and advertising customers from other providers of online entertainment video services primarily in Chinese mainland. We also compete with other internet media and entertainment services, such as micro drama platforms, internet social platforms and short video platforms, as well as major TV stations. Some of our competitors have a longer operating history and significantly greater financial resources than we do, and, in turn, may be able to attract and retain more users, usage time and advertising customers. In particular, most large companies in Chinese mainland allocate, and will likely continue to allocate, a significant portion of their advertising budgets to traditional media such as major TV stations. Our competitors may compete with us in a variety of ways, including by obtaining IP rights to popular content, conducting brand promotions and other marketing activities, and making investments in and acquisitions of our business partners. In addition, certain internet video streaming platforms may continue to derive their revenues from providing content that infringes third-party copyright and may not monitor their platforms for any such infringing content. As a result, we may be placed at a disadvantage to some of these companies that do not incur similar costs as we do with respect to content production, acquisition and moderation. If any of our 26 competitors achieves greater market acceptance than we do or is able to offer more attractive internet video content, our user traffic and our market share may decrease, which may result in a loss of advertising customers and members, as well as have a material and adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. The continued and collaborative efforts of our senior management and key employees are crucial to our success, and our business may be harmed if we lose their services. Our success depends on the continued and collaborative efforts of our senior management, especially our executive officers, including our founder, Dr. Yu Gong. If one or more of our executive officers or other key personnel are unable or unwilling to continue to provide services to us, we may not be able to find suitable replacements easily or at all. Competition for management and key personnel is intense and the pool of qualified candidates is limited. We may not be able to retain the services of our executives or key personnel, or attract and retain experienced executives or key personnel in the future. If any of our executive officers or key personnel joins a competitor or forms a competing business, we may lose crucial business secrets, technological know-how, advertiser customers and other valuable resources. Each of our executive officers and key personnel has entered into an employment agreement with us, which contains non-compete provisions. However, we cannot assure you that they will abide by the employment agreements or that our efforts to enforce these agreements will be effective enough to protect our interests. Our limited operating history makes it difficult to evaluate our business and prospects. We launched our platform and internet video streaming services in 2010. Due to our limited operating history, our historical growth rate may not be indicative of our future performance. We cannot assure you that our business will grow or continue to grow in the future. In addition, we may in the future introduce new services or significantly expand our existing services, including those that currently are of relatively small scale or with which we have little or no prior development or operating experience. If these new or enhanced services fail to engage users and customers, our business and operating results may suffer as a result. We cannot assure you that we will be able to recoup our investments in introducing these new services or enhancing existing smaller business lines, and we may experience significant loss and impairment of asset value due to such efforts. Furthermore, as a technology-based entertainment company, we frequently introduce innovative products and services to our users and advertising customers in order to capture new market opportunities. However, we cannot assure you that our products and services will be well received by our users and advertising customers. In addition, it is possible that our users and advertising customers may find our products and services objectionable. If our existing or new products and services are not well received by our users and customers, we may suffer damages to our brand image and may not be able to maintain or expand our user and customer base, which in turn may have a material and adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. You should consider our prospects in light of the risks and uncertainties fast-growing companies with limited operating histories in a fast-evolving industry may encounter. We may not be able to manage our growth effectively or expand our offerings successfully. To manage the further expansion of our business, products and offerings and the growth of our operations and personnel, we need to continually expand and enhance our infrastructure and technology, and improve our operational and financial systems, procedures, compliance and controls. In addition, our management will be required to maintain and expand our relationships with talents, content providers, distributors, advertising customers, advertising agencies and other third parties. We cannot assure you that our current infrastructure, systems, procedures and controls will be adequate to support our expanding operations. If we fail to manage our expansion effectively, our business, results of operations and prospects may be materially and adversely affected. We have been constantly endeavoring to develop new products and offerings that provide other content, content formats or services such as short-form videos, live streaming and comics. However, our expansion of new products and offerings may result in unseen risks, challenges and uncertainties. We may incur additional expenditure to support our expansion and it may strain our managerial, financial, operational and other resources. Any failure in managing expenditures and evaluating user demands for new products and offerings could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. In addition, as our business evolves, the metrics reflecting our performance and priorities may change. Accordingly, we have ceased or may continue to cease disclosing certain metrics, revise definitions, or introduce new ones to provide more relevant insights. While these changes aim to align our disclosures with business developments and overall performance, they may make it harder for investors to assess our performance. If investors perceive our disclosures as inconsistent or unclear, it could hinder their understanding of our business developments or overall performance and potentially increase volatility or result in decrease in the trading price of our ADSs. 27 We cannot guarantee our monetization strategies will be successfully implemented or generate sustainable revenues and profit. Our monetization model is evolving. We currently generate a substantial majority of our revenues from a combination of membership services and online advertising. We plan to strengthen revenue contribution from our other monetization methods, such as overseas business and experience business. We have no proven track record of or experience in generating substantial revenues from other monetization methods. If our strategic initiatives do not enhance our monetization ability or enable us to develop new approaches to monetization, or if we fail to retain and attract our sublicensing customers, or fail to develop and provide other entertainment formats as we expected, we may not be able to maintain or increase our revenues or recover any associated costs. In addition, we may in the future introduce new services to further diversify our revenue streams, including services with which we have little or no prior development or operating experience. If these new or enhanced services fail to engage users, customers or content partners, we may fail to attract or retain users or to generate sufficient revenues to justify our investments, and our business and operating results may suffer as a result. Our business, prospects and financial results may be impacted by our relationship with third-party platforms. In addition to our iQIYI platform, we also distribute video content through third-party platforms. We generate membership service revenue, licensing revenue and online advertising service revenue through revenue-sharing arrangements with third-party platforms. Our partnerships with third-party platforms, including licensed over-the-top operators and leading internet companies in Chinese mainland, allow us to improve our business efficiency and generate greater value. However, there can be no assurance that our arrangements with those platforms will be extended or renewed after their respective expiration dates or that we will be able to extend or renew such arrangements on terms and conditions favorable to us. In addition, if any of such third-party platforms breaches its obligations under any of the agreements entered into with us or refuses to extend or renew it when the term expires, and we cannot find a suitable replacement on a timely basis, or at all, we may suffer significant loss to the user base and revenue streams we have developed therefrom, or lose the opportunity to expand our business through such platform. We may be involved with legal or other disputes with third-party platforms that may affect our relationship with such platforms or have an adverse effect on our business. We rely upon our partner to make our service available through smart TV. In the smart TV video streaming market, only a small number of qualified license holders can provide internet audio and visual program service to the TV terminal users via smart TVs, set-top boxes and other electronic products. Most of those license holders are radio or TV stations. Private companies that wish to operate this kind of business need to cooperate with those license holders to legally provide those services. We entered into a cooperation arrangement with Galaxy Internet Television Co., Ltd., our license partner, and our license partner currently offers certain of our members the ability to receive streaming content through smart TV. If we are not successful in maintaining existing or creating new relationships, or if we encounter technological, content licensing, regulatory or other impediments to delivering our streaming content to our members via these devices, our ability to grow our business may be adversely impacted. We face risks, such as unforeseen costs and potential liability in connection with content we produce, license or distribute through our platform. As a producer, licensor and distributor of content, we face potential liability for negligence, copyright and trademark infringement, or other claims based on the content that we produce, license, provide or distribute. We also may face potential liability for content used in promoting our service, including marketing materials and features on our platform such as user reviews. We are responsible for the production costs and other expenses of our original content. We also take on risks associated with production, such as completion and key talent risk. To the extent we do not accurately anticipate costs or mitigate risks, including for content that we obtain but ultimately does not appear on our platform, or if we become liable for content we produce, license or distribute, our business may suffer. Litigation to defend these claims could be costly and the expenses and damages arising from any liability or unforeseen production risks could harm our results of operations. We may not be indemnified against claims or costs of these types and we may not have insurance coverage for these types of claims. Videos and other content displayed on our platform may be found objectionable by PRC regulatory authorities and may subject us to penalties and other administrative actions. We are subject to PRC regulations governing internet access and the distribution of videos and other forms of information over the internet. Under these regulations, internet content providers and internet publishers are prohibited from posting or displaying over the internet any content that, among other things, violates PRC laws and regulations, impairs the national dignity of China or the public interest, or is obscene, superstitious, frightening, gruesome, offensive, fraudulent or defamatory. Furthermore, as an internet video streaming platform, we are not allowed to (i) produce or disseminate programs that distort, parody or vilify classic literary works; (ii) re-edit, re-dub or re-caption the subtitles of classic literary works, radio and television programs, and network-based 28 original audio-video programs without permission, (iii) intercept program segments and splice them into new programs; or (iv) disseminate edited pieces of works that distort the originals. We shall strictly supervise content we generate ourselves and the reprogramed videos uploaded by our users and shall not facilitate the dissemination of defective audio-video programs. New laws and regulations may be adopted from time to time to prohibit or restrict internet platforms from distribution of certain types of videos and information. In addition, as we have recently focused on strategically developing more micro dramas, we have become subject to additional laws and regulations governing this content and may face new legal and regulatory requirements in the future. Failure to comply with these requirements may result in monetary penalties, revocation of licenses to provide internet content or other licenses, suspension of the concerned programs or platforms, delay of content air time and reputational harm. In addition, these laws and regulations are subject to interpretation by the government authorities, which may change in a manner that could render our current content moderation efforts insufficient. As a result, it may not be possible to determine in all cases the types of content that could cause us to be held liable as an internet content provider. Furthermore, as we continue to diversify our content offerings, we are subject to increased uncertainties and extended period of time needed for the review of our content. For a detailed discussion, see “Item 4. Information on the Company—B. Business Overview—Government Regulations—Regulations on Internet Publishing,” “—Regulations on Online Transmission of Audio-Visual Programs” and “—Regulations on Cybersecurity, Data Security and Personal Information Protection.” Internet platform operators may also be held liable for the content displayed on or linked to their platforms that is subject to certain restrictions. In addition to professionally produced content, we allow our users to upload other video content, such as internet movies, internet drama series, interactive videos, vertical or horizontal videos, short-form videos, micro-videos, and video blogs, among others. Our business partners, on the other hand, can upload or display their video content, such as livestreaming content or sport content, on our platform. Although we have adopted internal procedures to monitor the content displayed on our platform, due to the significant amount of content uploaded, we may not be able to identify all videos or other content that may be illegal or otherwise objectionable. In addition, we may not be able to always keep these internal procedures abreast of changes in Chinese mainland government’s requirements for content display. See “Item 4. Information on the Company—B. Business Overview—Content Moderation” for more details relating to our content moderation procedures. Failure to identify and prevent illegal or inappropriate content from being displayed on our platform may subject us to liability, government sanctions or loss of licenses and permits. To the extent that PRC regulatory authorities, such as the CAC, find any content displayed on our platform objectionable, they may require us to limit or eliminate the dissemination of such content on our platform in the form of take-down orders or otherwise. In the past, we have from time to time received oral and written notices from the PRC regulatory authorities requesting us to delete or restrict certain content that the government deemed inappropriate or sensitive. The National Radio and Television Administration publishes from time to time lists of content that is objectionable, and we monitor content uploaded on to our platform and remove those referenced in the list. In addition, regulatory authorities may impose penalties on us for content displayed on or linked to our platform in cases of material violations or lacking proper license, including a revocation of our operating licenses or a suspension or shutdown of our online operations. Although we have not been materially penalized for our content so far, in the event that the PRC regulatory authorities find the video and other content on our platform objectionable and impose penalties on us or take other actions against us in the future, our business, results of operations and reputation may be materially and adversely affected. Moreover, the costs of compliance with these regulations may continue to increase as a result of more content uploaded by our users. Our business is significantly impacted by the reputation of artists featured in videos produced for our platform or presented on it. Audience are drawn to videos we present based on factors such as the artists reputation and popularity, the content themes and the overall production value of the videos. Any negative news about these artists, such as inappropriate conduct in their private life, scandals or criminal allegations, will pose a negative impact on the videos or TV series featuring these artists. Negative publicity of or media coverage about our artists or the content we provide will cause a negative impact on the image of the artists and ourselves, which could have a negative impact on our brand image in the online entertainment industry and our relationships with the agencies we work with. In addition, we may need to postpone the release of, reshoot, revise, edit or remove our content to reduce the negative impact caused by such artists, which will adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. Furthermore, the popularity and audience acceptance of artists featured in videos produced for our platform or provided on it cannot be predicted accurately, and we may not be able to timely respond to the changes in the market trends. There is no guarantee that we will be able to accommodate the audiences’ preferences on the type of videos and the selection of artists catering to the changing market trends. The failure to achieve any of the foregoing or the sudden changes in the audiences’ preferences will adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. 29 Advertisements shown on our platform may subject us to penalties and other administrative actions. Under PRC advertising laws and regulations, we are obligated to monitor the advertising content shown on our platform to ensure that such content is true, accurate and in full compliance with applicable laws and regulations. In addition, where a special government review is required for specific types of advertisements prior to posting, such as advertisements relating to pharmaceuticals, medical instruments, agrochemicals and veterinary pharmaceuticals, we are obligated to confirm that such review has been performed and approval has been obtained from a competent governmental authority. To fulfill these monitoring functions, we include clauses in all of our advertising contracts requiring that all advertising content provided by advertising agencies and advertisers must comply with the applicable laws and regulations. Under PRC law, we may have claims against advertising agencies and advertisers for all damages to us caused by their breach of such representations. Violation of these laws and regulations may subject us to penalties, including fines, confiscation of our advertising income, orders to cease dissemination of the advertisements and orders to publish an announcement correcting the misleading information. In circumstances involving serious violations, such as posting a pharmaceutical product advertisement without approval, or posting an advertisement for any fake pharmaceutical product, PRC governmental authorities may force us to terminate our advertising operation or revoke our licenses. In addition, to the extent we advertise our products and services in Hong Kong, we will be required to comply with laws and regulations governing the advertising and promotion of products in Hong Kong, such as the Trade Descriptions Ordinance (Chapter 362 of the Laws of Hong Kong). A majority of the advertisements shown on our platform are provided to us by third parties. Although we have implemented automated and manual content moderation systems and significant efforts have been made to ensure that the advertisements shown on our platform are in full compliance with applicable laws and regulations, we cannot assure you that all the content contained in such advertisements is true and accurate as required by the advertising laws and regulations, especially given the large volume of in-feed ads and the possible changes in the application of these laws and regulations. In addition, advertisers, especially in-feed advertisers, may, through illegal technology, evade our content moderation procedures to display advertisements that do not comply with applicable laws and regulations on our platform. The inability of our systems and procedures to adequately and timely discover such evasions may subject us to regulatory penalties or administrative sanctions. Although we have not been subject to material penalties or administrative sanctions in the past for the advertisements shown on our platform, if we are found to be in violation of applicable advertising laws and regulations in the future, we may be subject to penalties and our reputation may be harmed, which may have a material and adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects. Any lack of requisite permits for any of our internet video and other content or any of our business may expose us to regulatory sanctions. All films and television shows in Chinese mainland, whether produced in Chinese mainland or overseas, must be pre-approved by the National Radio and Television Administration and the State Film Bureau, and distributors of these films and television shows must obtain an applicable permit before releasing them. In addition, online games are also subject to approval by the National Press and Publication Administration. In terms of licensed third-party content published or online games we distribute, we obtain and rely on written representations from content providers and third-party operators regarding the National Radio and Television Administration, the State Film Bureau, the National Press and Publication Administration and other approval and filing status of these content and online games, and, to a lesser extent, require content providers and third-party operators to produce evidence demonstrating that they and the licensed content or the online games have received all requisite permits and approvals. We also import some foreign TV dramas and films and apply for the permits for and register such contents with the competent authorities by ourselves. However, we cannot assure you that our monitoring procedures with respect to licensed content and online games are fully adequate, and we cannot guarantee that the remedies provided by these content providers, if any, will be sufficient to compensate us for potential regulatory sanctions imposed by the National Radio and Television Administration, the State Film Bureau or the National Radio and Television Administration due to violations of the approval and permit requirements and for the foreign TV dramas and movies we imported, we cannot assure you that we will be able to obtain the permits for or register such contents with the competent authorities in a timely manner or at all. Nor can we ensure that any such sanctions will not adversely affect either the general availability of video, online games or other content on our platform or our reputation. Although we have internal content moderation procedures in place to review our procured content, we face risks of termination or revocation of permits and approvals, contractual misrepresentations and failure to honor representations or indemnify us against any claims or costs by content providers. As of the date of this annual report, we have obtained the Value-added Telecommunication Service License (the “VATS License”), the Internet Audio-video Program Transmission License and the Network Culture Business Permit, Permit to Produce and Operate Radio and Television Programs, the Commercial Performance License, the Internet Publishing License, the Publication Trade License and the Food Trade License for operating our business. However, there remain certain permissions or approvals that may 30 become necessary if the interpretation or enforcement of existing laws and regulations were to change. For example, (i) we have not obtained the Permit for Internet News Information Service to publish or disseminate current political news on our platform, and the VATS License does not cover “news” category accordingly, (ii) we have not obtained the Internet Publishing Service License for Beijing iQIYI in relation to the comics operation and (iii) our Permit for Internet Audio-video Program Service currently does not cover the permission for displaying and forwarding current political audio-video news programs. We plan to apply for these permissions and approvals to the extent practical. We generate minimal revenue from the comics operation and no revenue related to internet news, and maintain regular communication with the regulatory authorities in charge of these permissions or approvals. As of the date of this annual report, these regulatory authorities have not expressed any objections to our business operations. Nonetheless, if we fail to obtain, maintain or renew the licenses, permissions or approvals as required by current PRC laws and regulations, or fail to obtain any additional licenses, permissions or approvals or make any requisite records or filings required by new laws, regulations or executive orders required for our current or future business in a timely manner or at all, we could be subject to liabilities or penalties, and our operations could be adversely affected. For further details, please see “Item 4. Information on the Company—B. Business Overview—Government Regulations—Regulations on the Value-Added Telecommunications Services and Internet Content Services.” New laws and regulations, and the evolving practice in the implementation of the existing laws and regulations may be adopted from time to time to address new issues that come to the authorities’ attention, which may require us to obtain new license and permits, or take certain actions that may adversely affect our business operations. For example, we have voluntarily taken down certain online advertisements on our platform due to tightened regulations on online advertisements. We have also taken down or cut down contents on our platform due to sanctions put on their cast or other limitations imposed by the governmental authorities from time to time. We may not be able to timely obtain or maintain all the required licenses or approvals or make all the necessary filings in the future. Nor can we assure you that we will be able to timely address all the change in policy, failure of which may subject us to liabilities or penalties, and our operations could be adversely affected. We operate in a rapidly evolving industry that is subject to continuous technology developments. Adjusting our services in response to developments in the industry and technology and the resulting changes in users’ demands and preferences could result in our incurrence of additional costs and expenses, and if we fail to keep up with such changes, our business, results of operations and prospects may be materially and adversely affected. The online entertainment video service industry is rapidly evolving and subject to continuous technology developments. Our success depends on our ability to capture the trends in technology developments and offer services and products catering to the resulting changes in users’ demands preferences. We cannot assure you that we will always be able to accurately predict or capture the trends in technology developments that could result in users’ behavior changes and guide our operations accordingly. In addition, we may incur substantial, extra costs and capital expenditures as we develop and modify products, services, systems or infrastructure in response to changes in users’ demands and preferences resulting from technology developments. For example, the expansion of our content reach resulted in increase in bandwidth costs and operating expenses historically. There could be further adaptations needed in the future as the industry and technology continue to evolve, which could impose additional challenges and result in rising costs. While we have been improving bandwidth and operation efficiency through technology innovations, we cannot assure you that our technology innovations will always be developed fast enough to offset potential negative impacts on our operational efficiency associated with such adaptions. In addition, as we leverage AI technology on video content creation, purchase, production, tagging, distribution, monetization and customer service, we face risks and challenges relating to AI technology. For example, the use of AI in our video content offerings could expose us to risks if the technology does not perform as anticipated, leading to inaccuracies in content curation, personalization or distribution. This could affect the quality of service we provide, potentially damaging our brand and reputation. Our AI initiatives may not deliver the benefits we expect, may take longer than planned to roll out, or may cost more than expected. AI initiatives also increase our exposure to cybersecurity, data privacy and regulatory risks, including risks arising from unauthorized access, data leakage, model manipulation, misuse, or failure to comply with evolving laws, regulations and industry standards relating to algorithm governance, data use, and automated decision making. While we strive to comply with current legal standards, future regulatory changes could impose additional compliance burdens, and failure to adhere to these regulations may result in penalties. Offering AI-driven features or content that provokes public or regulatory scrutiny over these issues could lead to reputational damage or legal liabilities. Furthermore, the automation of content selection and distribution could inadvertently propagate biased or inappropriate content, risking regulatory penalties, reputational damage, and potential loss of user trust. These risks are compounded by the rapid pace of AI technology evolution, making it challenging to consistently ensure our content’s compliance and appropriateness. 31 Further, as we make our services available across content terminals from personal computers and mobile devices operating on different systems to connected TV devices and smart vehicles, we are dependent on the interoperability of our services with such terminals, whose systems and the functionality, compatibility and performance thereof, such as those of set up boxes operated by cable TV networks as well as Android and iOS mobile operating systems, are beyond our control. Any changes in the functions and features of such systems or devices that degrade the functionality of our services or give preferential treatment to our competitive services could adversely affect usage of our services. Meanwhile, if the number of platforms for which we develop our services increases, which is typically seen in a dynamic and fragmented market such as China, it will result in an increase in our costs and expenses. If we fail to adapt our products and services to trends and changes in technology and to the resulting evolution of users’ demands and preferences in an effective and timely manner, users’ experience on our platform may deteriorate, our products and services may become less attractive and we may miss potential growth opportunities and suffer from decrease in user traffic and shrinkage in subscribing member base and number of advertising customers. If we cannot effectively address the cost and efficiency impediments associated with related service and operation adaptations and strategy adjustments, our ability to achieve profitability will be hindered. Each of these occurrences could materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations, financial condition and prospects. We have been, and may continue to be, subject to liabilities for infringement, misappropriation or other violation of third-party intellectual property rights or other allegations based on the content available on our platform or services we provide. Our success depends, in large part, on our ability to operate our business without infringing, misappropriating or otherwise violating third-party rights, including third-party intellectual property rights. Companies in the internet, technology and media industries own, and are seeking to obtain, a large number of patents, copyrights, trademarks and trade secrets, and they are frequently involved in litigation based on allegations of infringement, misappropriation or other violations of intellectual property rights or other related legal rights. There may be patents issued or pending that are held by others that cover significant aspects of our technologies, products, or services, and such third parties may attempt to enforce such rights against us. In addition, we may not have obtained licenses for all content we offer and the scope, type and term of the licenses we obtained for certain content may not be broad enough to cover all fashions we currently employ or may employ in the future. In addition, if any purported licensor does not actually have sufficient authorization relating to the content or right to license a content to us, or if such purported licensor had lost its authorization to sub-license content that we are distributing on our platform, and do not timely inform us of such loss of authorization, we may be subject to claims of intellectual property infringement from third parties. Although we have set up procedures to enable copyright owners to provide us with notice of alleged infringement, given the volume of content available on our platform, it is not possible, and we do not attempt to, identify and remove or disable all potentially infringing content that may exist. Similarly, although we have set up screening processes to try to filter out or disable access to content that we have previously been informed is subject to claims of copyright or other intellectual property protection, we do not attempt to filter out or disable access to all potentially infringing content available through our services. As a result, third parties may take action and file claims against us if they believe that certain content available on our platform violates their copyrights or other intellectual property rights. We have been, and may in the future be, subject to such claims filed in Chinese mainland and other jurisdictions. We have been involved in litigation based on allegations of infringement of third-party copyright, including information network dissemination rights, and other rights, due to the content available on our platform. Our platform allows users to search the internet for content that resides on certain third parties’ servers and online platforms. While the legal standards as well as the judicial interpretation of such standards for determining liabilities for our providing links and access to content on third-party servers and websites that infringes others’ copyrights and other intellectual property rights under PRC laws and the laws of other jurisdictions may change in the future, third parties may take action and file claims against us if they believe that certain content we provide links or access to through our platform violates their copyrights or other intellectual property rights. We cannot assure you that we will not be subject to copyright laws or legal proceedings initiated by third parties in other jurisdictions, such as the United States, as a result of the ability of users to access our videos and other content in the United States and other jurisdictions, the ownership of our ADSs by investors in the United States and other jurisdictions, the extraterritorial application of foreign law by foreign courts, the fact that we sub-licensed content from licensors who in turn obtained their authorizations from content providers in the United States and other jurisdictions or otherwise. In addition, as a publicly listed company, we may be exposed to increased risk of litigation. If a claim of infringement brought against us in the United States or other jurisdictions is successful, we may be required to, upon enforcement, (i) pay substantial statutory or other damages and fines, (ii) remove content from our platform or (iii) enter into royalty or license agreements which may not be available on commercially reasonable terms or at all. 32 Moreover, although U.S. copyright laws, including the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (17 U.S.C. § 512), or the DMCA, provide safeguards or “safe harbors” from claims in the U.S. for monetary relief for copyright infringement for certain entities that host user-uploaded content or provide information location tools that may link to infringing content, these safe harbors only apply to companies that comply with specified statutory requirements. While we seek to voluntarily comply with DMCA safe harbor requirements, we cannot ensure that we satisfy all of the requirements of any DMCA safe harbor. It is possible that we could be subject to claims of copyright infringement or other violation of intellectual property rights in the U.S. and be required to pay substantial damages or prevented from offering all or part of our services in the U.S. We have been subject to lawsuits in Chinese mainland for alleged unfair competition in connection with our platform. We may also face litigation or administrative actions for defamation, negligence, copyright and trademark infringement, or other purported injuries resulting from the content we provide or the nature of our services. Such litigation and administrative actions, with or without merits, may be expensive and time-consuming to defend and may result in significant diversion of resources and management attention from our business operations. Furthermore, such litigation or administrative actions may adversely affect our brand image and reputation. We may not be able to adequately protect our intellectual property rights, and any failure to protect our intellectual property rights could adversely affect our revenues and competitive position. We believe that trademarks, trade secrets, copyright, and other intellectual property we use are critical to our business. We rely on a combination of trademark, copyright and trade secret protection laws in Chinese mainland and other jurisdictions, as well as confidentiality procedures and contractual provisions to protect our intellectual property and our brand. We may not be able to adequately protect our intellectual property rights, which could adversely affect our revenues and competitive position. In addition, any unauthorized use of our intellectual property by third parties may adversely affect our revenues and our reputation. In particular, our members may abuse their membership privilege and illegally distribute paid content exclusively available to paid members, which could have a material and adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and prospects. Further, we may have difficulty addressing the threats to our business associated with piracy of our copyrighted content, particularly our original content. Our content and streaming services may be potentially subject to unauthorized consumer copying and illegal digital dissemination without an economic return to us. We adopt a variety of measures to mitigate risks associated with piracy, including by litigation and through technology measures. We cannot assure that such measures will be effective. In addition, while we typically require our employees, consultants and contractors who may be involved in the development of intellectual property to execute agreements assigning such intellectual property to us, we may be unsuccessful in executing such an agreement with each party who in fact develops intellectual property that we regard as our own. In addition, such agreements may not be self-executing such that the intellectual property subject to such agreements may not be assigned to us without additional assignments being executed, and we may fail to obtain such assignments. In addition, such agreements may be breached. Accordingly, we may be forced to bring claims against third parties, or defend claims that they may bring against us related to the ownership of such intellectual property. Furthermore, policing unauthorized use of copyrights, proprietary technology and other intellectual properties is difficult and expensive, and we may need to resort to litigation to enforce or defend intellectual property or to determine the enforceability, scope and validity of our proprietary rights or those of others. Historically and up to the date hereof, we have commenced multiple actions, some of which are at their preliminary stages, to protect our copyrighted content from being streamed on other online entertainment video service platforms without authorization. Such litigations and an adverse determination in any such litigations could result in substantial costs and diversion of resources and management attention. While we obtained favorable rulings in some of these cases, we cannot guarantee success in others or any future ones, neither can we assure you that we are able to recover our loss resulting from the infringements or the cost incurred in enforcing our rights. We have been and may again be subject to legal proceedings, claims and investigations in the ordinary course of business. If the outcomes of these proceedings are adverse to us, it could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition. We are subject to various legal proceedings, claims and government investigations that have arisen in the ordinary course of business and have not yet been fully resolved. New legal proceedings, claims and investigations may arise in the future. The existence of litigation, claims, investigations and proceedings may harm our reputation, business and adversely affect the trading price of our ADSs. Between 2020 and 2024, we were involved in certain securities class actions filed in federal court, which were purportedly brought on behalf of a class of persons who allegedly suffered damages as a result of alleged misstatements and omissions in our 33 company’s public disclosure documents. In May 2021, these actions were consolidated. In September 2024, the relevant court granted our motion to dismiss the case in its entirety with prejudice, and the matter is now closed. In addition, we are subject to legal proceedings in the ordinary course of business. We have been involved in litigation based on allegations of infringement of third-party copyright, including information network dissemination rights, and other rights, due to the content available on our platform. We have been subject to lawsuits in Chinese mainland for alleged unfair competition in connection with our platform. We may also face litigation or administrative actions for defamation, negligence, copyright and trademark infringement, or other purported injuries resulting from the content we provide or the nature of our services. We were subject to a total of 866 lawsuits in Chinese mainland for alleged copyright infringement between January 1, 2023 and December 31, 2025, in connection with our platform. Approximately 98.5% of the lawsuits filed from January 1, 2023 through December 31, 2025 in connection with the iQIYI platform were rejected by the PRC courts, withdrawn by the plaintiffs, or settled by the parties. As of December 31, 2025, a total of 119 lawsuits against us in connection with our platform were pending in Chinese mainland, with the aggregate amount of damages sought under these pending cases being RMB 79.4 million (US$11.4 million). The outcome of legal proceedings and investigations is inherently uncertain. If one or more legal matters were resolved against us or an indemnified third party in a reporting period for amounts in excess of management’s expectations, our financial condition and operating results for that reporting period could be materially adversely affected. Further, such an outcome could result in significant compensatory, punitive or trebled monetary damages, disgorgement of revenue or profits, remedial corporate measures or injunctive relief against us that could materially adversely affect our financial condition and operating results. If we cannot maintain our corporate culture as we grow, we could lose the innovation, collaboration and focus that contribute to our business. We believe that a critical component of our success is our corporate culture, which fosters innovation and cultivates creativity. As we continue to expand and grow our business, we may find it difficult to maintain these valuable aspects of our corporate culture. Any failure to preserve our culture could undermine our reputation and negatively impact our ability to attract and retain employees, which would in turn jeopardize our future success. Our quarterly operating results may fluctuate, which makes our results of operations difficult to predict and may cause our quarterly results of operations to fall short of expectations. Our quarterly operating results have fluctuated in the past and may continue to fluctuate depending upon a number of factors, many of which are out of our control. Our operating results tend to be seasonal. For instance, our content distribution revenue may fluctuate significantly from quarter to quarter as a result of the varying availability of popular content titles for distribution and adjustments to our market strategies. For these reasons, comparing our operating results on a period-to-period basis may not be meaningful, and you should not rely on our past results as an indication of our future performance. Our quarterly and annual revenues and costs and expenses as a percentage of our revenues in a given period may be significantly different from our historical or projected rates and our operating results in future quarters may fall below expectations. Disruption or failure of our IT systems, cybersecurity related threats or our failure to timely and effectively scale and adapt our existing technology and infrastructure could impair our users’ online entertainment experience and adversely affect our reputation, business and operating results. Our ability to provide users with a high-quality online entertainment experience depends on the continuous and reliable operation of our IT systems. We cannot assure you that we will be able to procure sufficient bandwidth in a timely manner or on acceptable terms or at all. Failure to do so may significantly impair user experience on our platform and decrease the overall effectiveness of our platform to both users and advertisers. Disruptions, failures, unscheduled service interruptions or a decrease in connection speeds could hurt our reputation and cause our users and advertising customers to switch to our competitors’ platforms. Our IT systems and proprietary content delivery network, or CDN, are vulnerable to damage or interruption as a result of fires, floods, earthquakes, power losses, telecommunications failures, undetected errors in software, computer viruses, hacking and other attempts to harm our systems. These interruptions may be due to unforeseen events that are beyond our control or the control of our third-party service providers. For example, we have experienced intermittent interruptions for up to 48 hours of viewer access to one popular drama title in the past. Our platform has also experienced general intermittent interruptions in the past. These interruptions were caused by (i) overload of our servers; (ii) unexpected overflow of user traffic; (iii) service malfunction of payment gateway; and (iv) service malfunction of the telecommunications operators, such as power outage of internet data centers or network transmission congestion. We may continue to experience similar interruptions in the future despite our continuous efforts to improve our IT systems. Since we host our servers at third-party internet data centers, any natural disaster or unexpected closure of internet data centers operated by third-party providers may result in lengthy service interruptions. Furthermore, in the future we may experience 34 service disruptions, outages and other performance problems due to a variety of factors, including infrastructure changes and cybersecurity related threats as follows: •our technology, system, networks and our users’ devices have been subject to, and may continue to be the target of, cyber-attacks, computer viruses, malicious code, phishing attacks or information security breaches that could result in an unauthorized release, gathering, monitoring, misuse, loss or destruction of confidential, proprietary and other information of ours, our employees or sensitive information provided by our users, or otherwise disrupt our, our users’ or other third parties’ business operations; •we periodically encounter attempts to create false accounts or use our platform to send targeted and untargeted spam messages to our users, or take other actions on our platform for purposes such as spamming or spreading misinformation, and we may not be able to repel spamming attacks; •the use of encryption and other security measures intended to protect our systems and confidential data may not provide absolute security, and losses or unauthorized access to or releases of confidential information may still occur; •our security measures may be breached due to employee error, malfeasance or unauthorized access to sensitive information by our employees, who may be induced by outside third parties, and we may not be able to anticipate any breach of our security or to implement adequate preventative measures; and we may be subject to IT system failures or network disruptions caused by natural disasters, accidents, power disruptions, telecommunications failures, acts of terrorism or war, computer viruses, physical or electronic break-ins, or other events or disruptions. If we experience frequent or persistent service disruptions, whether caused by failures of our own systems or those of third-party service providers, our users’ experience with us may be negatively affected, which in turn, may have a material and adverse effect on our reputation. We cannot assure you that we will be successful in minimizing the frequency or duration of service interruptions. As the number of our users increases and our users generate more content on our platform, we may be required to expand and adapt our technology and infrastructure to continue to reliably store and analyze this content. It may become increasingly difficult to maintain and improve the performance of our services, especially during peak usage times, as our services become more complex and our user traffic increases. If our users are unable to access our online application in a timely fashion, or at all, our user experience may be compromised and our users may seek other platforms to meet their needs, and may not return to iQIYI or use iQIYI as often in the future, or at all. This would negatively impact our ability to attract users and maintain the level of user engagement. If the technologies we use in operating our business fail, become unavailable, or do not operate to meet expectations, our business and results of operation may be adversely impacted. We utilize a combination of proprietary and third-party technologies to operate our business. These include the technologies that we have developed to recommend and monetize content to our users as well as enable fast and efficient delivery of content to our users and their various internet connected devices. For example, we use our own CDN, and third-party CDN services to support our operation. To the extent internet service providers do not interconnect with the CDN services we use, or if we experience difficulties in its operation, our ability to efficiently and effectively deliver our streaming content to our users could be adversely impacted and our business and results of operation could be adversely affected. Likewise, if our recommendation and monetization technology does not enable us to predict and recommend content that our users will enjoy, our ability to attract and retain users may be adversely affected. We also utilize third-party technology to help market our service, process payments, and otherwise manage the daily operations of our business. If our technology or that of third parties we utilize in our operations fails or otherwise operates improperly, our ability to operate our service, retain existing users and add new users may be impaired. Also, any harm to our users’ electronic devices caused by software used in our operations could have an adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition. If our security measures are breached, or if our products and services are subject to attacks that degrade or deny the ability of users to access our products and services, our products and services may be perceived as unsecure, users and advertising customers may curtail or stop using our products and services and our business and operating results may be harmed. Our products and services involve the storage and transmission of users’ and advertising customers’ information, particularly billing data, as well as original content, and security breaches expose us to a risk of loss of this information, loss of users, litigation and potential liability. We experience cyber-attacks of varying degrees on a regular basis, including hacking into our user accounts and redirecting our user traffic to other internet platforms, and we have been able to rectify attacks without significant impact to our operations in the past. Functions that facilitate interactivity with other internet platforms could increase the scope of access of hackers to user accounts. We take measures to protect against unauthorized intrusion into our users’ data. Nevertheless, our payment processing services or other third-party services we use could experience an unauthorized intrusion into our users’ data. In the event of such a breach, current and potential users may become unwilling to provide to us the information that is necessary for them to use our 35 services or become our members. Additionally, we could face legal claims or regulatory fines or penalties for such a breach. The costs relating to any data breach could be material, and we currently do not carry insurance against the risk of a data breach. For these reasons, should an unauthorized intrusion into our users’ data occur, our business could be adversely affected. Our security measures may also be breached due to employee error, malfeasance or otherwise. For example, we face risks of users bypassing the membership verification process on our platform with illegal technology and manipulating our system into recognizing them as paid members. As a result, such users may illegally gain access to premium content without purchasing our membership. Additionally, external parties may attempt to fraudulently induce employees, users or customers to disclose sensitive information in order to gain access to our data or our users’ or customers’ data or accounts, or may otherwise obtain access to such data or accounts. Since our users and customers may use their accounts to establish and maintain online identities, unauthorized communications from accounts that have been compromised may damage their reputations and brands as well as ours. Furthermore, we face the risk of hackers gaining illegal access to and illegally distributing our original content that has not been released. While such incidents have not occurred in the past, we cannot assure you that they will not happen in the future. Any such breach or unauthorized access could result in significant legal and financial exposure, damage to our reputation and a loss of confidence in the security of our products and services that could have an adverse effect on our business and operating results. Because the techniques used to obtain unauthorized access, disable or degrade service or sabotage systems change frequently and often are not recognized until launched against a target, we may be unable to anticipate these techniques or to implement adequate preventative measures. If an actual or perceived breach of our security occurs, the market perception of the effectiveness of our security measures and our reputation and relationships with users could be harmed, we may lose users and customers and we may be exposed to significant legal and financial risks, including legal claims and regulatory fines and penalties. Any of these actions could have a material and adverse effect on our business, reputation and operating results. Undetected programming errors could adversely affect our user experience and market acceptance of our video content, which may materially and adversely affect our business and results of operations. Video content on our platform may contain programming errors that may only become apparent after their release. We receive user feedbacks in connection with programming errors affecting the user experience from time to time, and such errors may also come to our attention during our monitoring process. We generally have been able to resolve such programming errors in a timely manner. However, we cannot assure you that we will be able to detect and resolve all these programming errors effectively. Undetected audio or video programming errors or defects may adversely affect user experience, cause users to refrain from becoming our paid members or to cancel their membership subscriptions, and cause our advertising customers to reduce their use of our services, any of which could materially and adversely affect our business and results of operations. We have invested in or acquired, and may continue to invest in and acquire, complementary assets, technologies and businesses in the future, and such efforts may fail, may cause risks of non-compliance and may result in equity or earnings dilution. We have invested in and acquired, and may continue to invest in and acquire, assets, technologies and businesses that are complementary to our business in the future. For example, in July 2018, we acquired a 100% equity stake in a developer and publisher of games known as Skymoons. Acquired businesses or assets may not yield the results we expect. In addition, investments and acquisitions involve uncertainties and risks, including: •potential ongoing financial obligations and unforeseen or hidden liabilities, including liability for infringement of third-party copyrights or other intellectual property; •costs and difficulties of integrating acquired businesses and managing a larger business; •in the case of investments where we do not obtain management and operational control, lack of influence over the controlling partner or shareholder, which may prevent us from achieving our strategic goals in the investments; •possible loss of key employees of a target business; •potential claims or litigation regarding our board’s exercise of its duty of care and other duties required under applicable law in connection with any of our significant acquisitions or investments approved by the board; •diversion of resources and management attention; •regulatory hurdles and compliance risks, including the anti-monopoly and competition laws, rules and regulations of Chinese mainland and other jurisdictions; and enhanced compliance requirements for outbound acquisitions and investment under the laws and regulations of Chinese mainland. 36 Any failure to address these risks successfully may have a material and adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. Investments and acquisitions may require a significant amount of capital, which would decrease the amount of cash available for working capital or capital expenditures. In addition, if we use our equity securities to pay for investments and acquisitions, we may dilute the value of our ADSs and the underlying ordinary shares. If we borrow funds to finance investments and acquisitions, such debt instruments may contain restrictive covenants that could, among other things, restrict us from distributing dividends. Moreover, acquisitions may also generate significant amortization expenses related to intangible assets. We may also incur impairment charges to earnings for investments and acquired businesses and assets. For example, we recorded impairment losses in the amount of RMB336.2 million, RMB192.6 million and RMB37.9 million (US$5.4 million) for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2024 and 2025, respectively. We may continue to record impairment losses in the future. Our determination on whether assets are impaired is based on a number of assumptions made by our management. If any of these assumptions does not materialize, or if the performance of our business is not consistent with such assumptions, the carrying amount of the assets may exceed our recoverable amount, and our assets may be impaired. As a result, we may be required to significantly write-off our assets and record a significant impairment loss. Even though these charges may be non-cash items and would not have an immediate impact on our liquidity, the fact that we may report charges of this nature could contribute to negative market perceptions of us or our securities. Accordingly, any of our shareholders and beneficial owners of the ADSs could suffer a reduction in the value of their investment. We cannot guarantee that we will not record greater impairment losses in the future. If we suffer from significant impairment losses, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected. We are subject to certain risks related to construction delays on a piece of land. One of our subsidiaries acquired the land use right to a piece of land in Dongyang City, Zhejiang Province through a land auction, but has not yet commenced construction on the land in accordance with the relevant land use right grant contract (the “Grant Contract”). Pursuant to the Grant Contract and the PRC Urban Real Estate Administration Law, failure to commence construction as scheduled under the Grant Contract may result in an idle land fee of up to 20% of the purchase price, a daily fine of 0.5‰ of the purchase price for delayed construction, and even repossession of the idle land. Notwithstanding that no such sanctions have been imposed on us to date in connection with the delayed construction, and that we have maintained communication with the grantor and competent authorities regarding the expected timeline for its commencement, should we incur any such sanctions, they would increase our project costs and adversely impact our financial condition and operating results. Negative media coverage could adversely affect our business. Negative publicity about us or our business, shareholders, affiliates, directors, officers or other employees, as well as the industry in which we operate or the talents on our platform, can harm our operations. Such negative publicity could be related to a variety of matters, including: •alleged misconduct or other improper activities committed by our shareholders, affiliates, directors, officers, other employees, talents on our platform, or by third-party suppliers; •false or malicious allegations or rumors about us or our shareholders, affiliates, directors, officers, other employees, talents on our platform, or by third-party suppliers; •user complaints about the quality of our products and services; •copyright infringements involving us and content offered on our platform; •security breaches of confidential user information; •improper actions by fans; and governmental and regulatory investigations or penalties resulting from our failure to comply with applicable laws and regulations. Furthermore, negative publicity about talents on our platform could occur in many circumstances that are beyond our control. For instance, they may post unlawful, false, offensive or controversial content on their social media pages, notwithstanding any terms of use of the social media platforms and our guidelines, which may thus receive negative comments and complaints or even cause their accounts to be closed by social media platforms. In addition, they may also receive negative publicity if they are involved in any illegal activities, scandals or rumors. Any negative publicity of or media coverage about the talents on our platform, regardless of its veracity, could harm our reputation and have a negative impact on our business. In addition, we are exploring various opportunities and marketing strategies to better monetize our membership base, including offering early access privilege to certain drama series for an additional fee. We may receive negative news reports, or negative publicity on influential TV shows, on such initiatives, which may negatively impact our reputation and results of operations. We may 37 also be affected by publicity relating to third-party service providers. In addition to traditional media, there has been an increasing use of social media platforms and similar devices in Chinese mainland, including instant messaging applications, such as Weixin/WeChat, social media apps and other forms of internet-based communications that provide individuals with access to a broad audience of users and other interested persons. The availability of information on instant messaging applications and social media platforms is virtually immediate as is its impact without affording us an opportunity for redress or correction. The opportunity for dissemination of information, including inaccurate information, is seemingly limitless and readily available. Information concerning our company, shareholders, directors, officers and employees may be posted on such platforms at any time. The risks associated with any such negative publicity or incorrect information cannot be completely eliminated or mitigated and may materially harm our reputation, business, financial condition and results of operations. A severe or prolonged downturn in the economy of Chinese mainland or the global economy could materially and adversely affect our business and financial condition. The global macroeconomic environment is facing numerous challenges. The growth rate of the Chinese economy has gradually slowed in recent years and the trend may continue, and the Chinese population began to decline in 2022. There is considerable uncertainty over the long-term effects of the monetary and fiscal policies adopted by the central banks and financial authorities of some of the world’s leading economies, including the United States and China. The conflict in Ukraine and the imposition of broad economic sanctions on Russia could raise energy prices and disrupt global markets. Unrest, terrorist threats and the potential for war may increase market volatility across the globe. There have also been concerns on the relationship among China and other countries, including the surrounding Asian countries, which may potentially have economic effects. In addition economic conditions in Chinese mainland are sensitive to global economic conditions, as well as changes in domestic economic and political policies and the expected or perceived overall economic growth rate in Chinese mainland. Any severe or prolonged slowdown in the global or Chinese mainland economy may materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition. In addition, continued turbulence in the international markets may adversely affect our ability to access capital markets to meet liquidity needs. Rising international political tensions, particularly with regard to China, may adversely impact our business and operating results. Rising international political tensions may adversely impact our business and operating result. For example, there is significant uncertainty about the future relationship between the United States and China with respect to trade policies, treaties, government regulations and tariffs, as well as sanctions and anti-sanction actions implemented by both sides. The U.S. government has taken actions that have impacted, and such actions or any potential new actions may continue to impact, companies like us with a substantial presence in China. A non-exhaustive list of such actions includes legislative measures aiming to prohibit or restrict U.S. investment in China-based companies that operates in certain industries, sanctions or trade restrictions targeting China, increased tariffs on imports from China, or ban or enhanced review of transactions with, or inbound investments from, China-based companies. China has responded by taking a series of measures such as implementing retaliatory tariffs, trade barriers, and other regulatory actions, and new measures may be adopted from time to time. The tension between these two countries may escalate, potentially disrupting cross-border commerce, capital flows, and investor sentiment, leading to increased compliance costs, operational disruptions, and constraints on our access to capital markets. The possibility of the U.S. government delisting China-based companies from U.S. stock exchanges, as previously reported in the media, creates uncertainty regarding our ability to maintain our Nasdaq listing. We have granted, and may continue to grant, share incentives, which may result in increased share-based compensation expenses. We have adopted the share incentive plans to provide incentive to our directors, employees and consultants. As of February 28, 2026, options to purchase a total of 316,284,743 ordinary shares were outstanding under our 2010 Equity Incentive Plan, options to purchase a total of 239,181,278 ordinary shares were outstanding under our 2021 Share Incentive Plan, and options to purchase a total of 55,068,650 ordinary shares were outstanding under our 2024 Share Incentive Plan. For the years ended December 31, 2023, 2024 and 2025, we recorded RMB636.7 million, RMB544.4 million and RMB403.4 million (US$57.7 million), respectively, in share-based compensation expenses. We believe the granting of share-based awards is of significant importance to our ability to attract and retain key personnel and employees, and we will continue to grant share-based awards in the future. As a result, our expenses associated with share-based compensation may increase, which may have an adverse effect on our results of operations. We may have exposure to greater than anticipated tax liabilities. Due to shifting economic and political conditions, tax policies and laws, tax rates in various jurisdictions may be subject to significant changes that could impair our financial results. Various jurisdictions around the world have enacted or are considering enacting digital services taxes, which could lead to inconsistent and potentially overlapping international tax regimes applicable to highly-digitalized businesses. In 2021, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development announced an Inclusive 38 Framework on Base Erosion and Profit Shifting including, Pillar Two Model Rules defining the global minimum tax, which calls for the taxation of large multinational corporations at a minimum rate of 15%. Subsequently, multiple sets of administrative guidance have been issued. Various tax jurisdictions have either enacted legislation to adopt certain components of the Pillar Two Model Rules beginning in 2024 with the adoption of additional components in later years, or announced their plans to enact such legislation in future years. We will continue to evaluate the impact of such legislative initiatives in the tax jurisdictions in which we operate. There are uncertainties regarding the rules and implementations, and there is no guarantee that these changes will not affect our financial results. We are subject to changing law and regulations regarding regulatory matters, corporate governance and public disclosure that have increased both our costs and the risk of non-compliance. We are subject to rules and regulations by various governing bodies, including, for example, the SEC, which is charged with the protection of investors and the oversight of companies whose securities are publicly traded in the US, and the various regulatory authorities in Chinese mainland and the Cayman Islands, and to new and evolving regulatory measures under applicable law. Our efforts to comply with new and changing laws and regulations have resulted in and are likely to continue to result in, increased general and administrative expenses and a diversion of management time and attention from revenue-generating activities to compliance activities. Moreover, because these laws, regulations and standards are subject to regulatory guidance as adjusted from time to time, their application in practice may evolve over time as new guidance becomes available. This evolution may require us to make continual refinements to our disclosure and governance practices, leading to additional compliance costs. If we fail to address and comply with these regulations and any subsequent changes, we may be subject to penalty and our business may be harmed. We have limited business insurance coverage. Insurance companies in Chinese mainland offer limited business insurance products. We maintain, and require our subcontractors to maintain, standard film production insurance. However, aside from this, we do not have business liability or disruption insurance coverage for our operations in Chinese mainland. Any business disruption may result in our incurring substantial costs and the diversion of our resources, which could have an adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition. Failure to maintain effective internal control over financial reporting could have a material and adverse effect on the trading price of our ADSs. We are subject to the reporting obligations under the U.S. securities laws. The SEC, as required by Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, adopted rules requiring every public company to include a report from management on the effectiveness of such company’s internal control over financial reporting in its annual report on Form 20-F. In addition, the independent registered public accounting firm must report on the effectiveness of such company’s internal control over financial reporting. If we fail to maintain effective internal control over financial reporting, we will not be able to conclude and our independent registered public accounting firm will not be able to report that we have effective internal control over financial reporting in accordance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 in any future annual report on Form 20-F covering the fiscal year in which any such failure occurs. Effective internal control over financial reporting is necessary for us to produce reliable financial reports. Any failure to maintain effective internal control over financial reporting could result in the loss of investor confidence in the reliability of our financial statements, which in turn could have a material and adverse effect on the trading price of our ADSs. Furthermore, we may need to incur additional costs and use additional management and other resources as our business and operations further expand or in an effort to remediate any significant control deficiencies that may be identified in the future. We face risks related to health epidemics and other outbreaks, as well as natural disasters, which could significantly disrupt our operations and adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operation. Our business could be materially and adversely affected by natural disasters, such as snowstorms, earthquakes, fires or floods, the outbreak of other widespread health epidemic, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, swine flu, avian influenza, severe acute respiratory syndrome, or SARS, Ebola, Zika or other events, such as wars, acts of terrorism, environmental accidents, power shortage or communication interruptions. 39 Increasing focus with respect to environmental, social and governance matters may impose additional costs on us or expose us to additional risks. Failure to adapt to or comply with the evolving expectations and standards on environmental, social and governance matters from investors and the PRC government may adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operation. The PRC government and public advocacy groups have been increasingly focused on environment, social and governance, or ESG, issues in recent years, making our business more sensitive to ESG issues and changes in governmental policies and laws and regulations associated with environment protection and other ESG-related matters. Investor advocacy groups, certain institutional investors, investment funds, and other influential investors are also increasingly focused on ESG practices and in recent years have placed increasing importance on the implications and social cost of their investments. Regardless of the industry, increased focus from investors and the PRC government on ESG and similar matters may hinder access to capital, as investors may decide to reallocate capital or to not commit capital as a result of their assessment of a company’s ESG practices. Any ESG concern or issue could increase our regulatory compliance costs. If we do not adapt to or comply with the evolving expectations and standards on ESG matters from investors and the PRC government or are perceived to have not responded appropriately to the growing concern for ESG issues, regardless of whether there is a legal requirement to do so, we may suffer from reputational damage and the business, financial condition, and the price of our ADSs could be materially and adversely effected. Risks Related to Our Relationship with Baidu We may have conflicts of interest with Baidu and, because of Baidu’s controlling ownership interest in our company, we may not be able to resolve such conflicts on terms favorable to us. Conflicts of interest may arise between Baidu and us in a number of areas relating to our ongoing relationships. Potential conflicts of interest that we have identified include the following: •Our board members may have conflicts of interest. Our directors Mr. Haijian He, Dr. Dou Shen, Mr. Fei Qi and Mr. Zhanbing Xu are also employees of Baidu. These relationships could create, or appear to create, conflicts of interest when these persons are faced with decisions with potentially different implications for Baidu and us. •Sale of shares in our company. Baidu may decide to sell all or a portion of our shares that it holds to a third party, including to any one of our competitors, thereby giving that third-party substantial influence over our business and our affairs. Such a sale could be in conflict with the interests of our employees or our other shareholders. •Developing business relationships with Baidu’s competitors. So long as Baidu remains our controlling shareholder, we may be limited in our ability to do business with its competitors. This may limit our ability to market our services for the best interests of our company and our other shareholders. •Allocation of business opportunities. Business opportunities may arise that both we and Baidu find attractive, and which would complement our businesses. We may be prevented from taking advantage of new business opportunities that Baidu has entered into. Although our company became a stand-alone public company in March 2018, we expect to operate, for as long as Baidu is our controlling shareholder, as a subsidiary of Baidu. Baidu may from time to time make strategic decisions that it believes are in the best interests of its business as a whole, including our company. These decisions may be different from the decisions that we would have made on our own. Baidu’s decisions with respect to us or our business, including any related party transactions between Baidu and us, may be resolved in ways that favor Baidu and therefore Baidu’s own shareholders, which may not coincide with the interests of our other shareholders. If Baidu were to compete with us, our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects could be materially and adversely affected. Our agreements with Baidu may be less favorable to us than similar agreements negotiated with unaffiliated third parties.. We were bound by a master business cooperation agreement with Baidu between January 2018 and January 2026. We are negotiating the renewal of this agreement with Baidu, and may enter into additional agreements with Baidu in the future. Under our previous master business cooperation agreement with Baidu, we agreed during the non-competition period, which ended on January 19, 2026, not to compete with Baidu in its core businesses. We may agree to similar contractual limitations in future agreements, which may affect our ability to expand our business and may adversely impact our growth and prospects. Potential conflicts of interest could arise in connection with the resolution of any dispute between Baidu and us, regarding the terms of the arrangements governing our agreements with Baidu. For example, so long as Baidu continues to control us, we may not be able to bring a legal claim against Baidu in the event of contractual breach, notwithstanding our contractual rights under inter-company agreements entered into by Baidu and us from time to time. 40 If we are unable to benefit from the synergies of our business cooperation with Baidu, our business may be adversely affected. Our controlling shareholder and strategic partner, Baidu, is a leading AI company with a strong internet foundation. Our business has benefited significantly from Baidu’s advanced technological capabilities and strong market position in Chinese mainland. In addition, we have benefited from Baidu’s financial support in the past. We cooperate with Baidu in a number of areas, including AI technology, cloud services and traffic. However, we cannot assure you that we will continue to maintain our cooperative relationships with Baidu and its affiliates in the future. To the extent we cannot maintain our cooperative relationships with Baidu at reasonable prices or at all, we will need to source other business partners to provide services, which could result in material and adverse effects to our business and results of operations. We may also need to obtain financing through other means if Baidu ceases to provide financial support to us. In addition, our current customers and content partners may react negatively to our carve-out from Baidu. Our inability to maintain a cooperative relationship with Baidu could materially and adversely affect our business, growth and prospects. Baidu will control the outcome of shareholder actions in our company. As of February 28, 2026, Baidu held approximately 45.1% of our total issued and outstanding ordinary shares, representing 89.1% of our total voting power. Baidu has advised us that it does not anticipate disposing of its voting control in us in the near future. Baidu’s voting power gives it the power to control certain actions that require shareholder approval under Cayman Islands law, our memorandum and articles of association and the Nasdaq Stock Market requirements, including approval of mergers and other business combinations, changes to our memorandum and articles of association, the number of shares available for issuance under any share incentive plans, and the issuance of significant amounts of our ordinary shares in private placements. Baidu’s voting control may cause transactions to occur that might not be beneficial to you as a holder of our ADSs and may prevent transactions that could have been beneficial to you. For example, Baidu’s voting control may prevent a transaction involving a change of control of us, including transactions in which you as a holder of our ADSs might otherwise receive a premium for your securities over the then-current market price. In addition, Baidu is not prohibited from selling a controlling interest in us to a third party and may do so without your approval and without providing for a purchase of your ADSs. In addition, the significant concentration of share ownership may adversely affect the trading price of our ADSs due to investors’ perception that conflicts of interest may exist or arise. We are a “controlled company” within the meaning of the Nasdaq Stock Market Rules and, as a result, will rely on exemptions from certain corporate governance requirements that provide protection to shareholders of other companies. We are a “controlled company” as defined under the Nasdaq Stock Market Rules because Baidu beneficially owns more than 50% of our total voting power. For so long as we remain a controlled company under that definition, we are permitted to elect to rely, and will rely, on certain exemptions from the Nasdaq corporate governance rules, including: •an exemption from the rule that a majority of our board of directors must be independent directors; •an exemption from the rule that the compensation of our chief executive officer must be determined or recommended solely by independent directors; and an exemption from the rule that our director nominees must be selected or recommended solely by independent directors. As a result, you will not have the same protection afforded to shareholders of companies that are subject to these corporate governance requirements. Risks Related to Our Corporate Structure If the PRC government finds that the agreements that establish the structure for operating certain of our operations in Chinese mainland do not comply with PRC regulations relating to the relevant industries, or if these regulations or the interpretation of existing regulations change in the future, we could be subject to severe penalties or be forced to relinquish our interests in those operations. Foreign ownership of telecommunication businesses and certain other businesses, such as provision of internet video and online game services, is subject to restrictions under current PRC laws and regulations. For example, foreign investors are generally not allowed to own more than 50% of the equity interests in a commercial internet content provider or other value-added telecommunication service provider (other than operating e-commerce, domestic multi-party communication, store-and-forward, and call center). In addition, foreign investors are prohibited from investing in companies engaged in internet video, culture and publishing business and film/drama production and operation (including importation) business. We are a Cayman Islands exempted company and our Chinese mainland subsidiaries are considered foreign-invested enterprises. As such, none of our Chinese mainland subsidiaries are 41 eligible to operate internet video and other businesses which foreign-owned companies are prohibited or restricted from conducting in Chinese mainland. Accordingly, we conduct such business activities through the variable interest entities in Chinese mainland, Beijing iQIYI, Shanghai iQIYI, Shanghai Zhong Yuan, Intelligent Entertainment and iQIYI Yinhua, and their subsidiaries. Our wholly-owned subsidiaries, Beijing QIYI Century, iQIYI New Media and iQIYI Optical Era, have entered into contractual arrangements with the variable interest entities and their respective shareholders. The contractual arrangements enable us to receive the economic benefits of, and have an exclusive option to purchase all or part of the equity interest and assets in the variable interest entities when and to the extent permitted by PRC law, and as a result, iQIYI, Inc. is considered as the primary beneficiary of the variable interest entities in Chinese mainland and consolidate the financial results of the variable interest entities as required by ASC topic 810, Consolidation. Accordingly, we treat the variable interest entities as our consolidated entities under U.S. GAAP, and we consolidate the financial results of the variable interest entities in our consolidated financial statements under U.S. GAAP for accounting purposes. We conduct our operations in Chinese mainland through (i) our Chinese mainland subsidiaries, which primarily include Beijing QIYI Century, Beijing iQIYI Interactive, iQIYI New Media and iQIYI Optical Era, and (ii) the variable interest entities with which we maintained these contractual arrangements, namely Beijing iQIYI, Shanghai iQIYI, Shanghai Zhong Yuan, Intelligent Entertainment and iQIYI Yinhua, and their subsidiaries in Chinese mainland such as Hainan iQIYI Culture. Investors in our ADSs thus are not purchasing equity interest in the variable interest entities in Chinese mainland but instead are purchasing equity interest in a Cayman Islands holding company with no equity ownership in the variable interest entities. Our holding company in the Cayman Islands, the variable interest entities, and investments in our Company are subject to potential future actions by the PRC government that could affect the enforceability of the contractual arrangements with the variable interest entities and, consequently, the business, financial condition, and results of operations of the variable interest entities and our Company as a group. In addition, our ADSs may decline in value or become worthless if we are unable to assert our contractual control rights over the assets of the variable interest entities which contributed 88% of our revenues in 2025. If the PRC government finds that our contractual arrangements do not comply with its restrictions on foreign investment in online video and other foreign-restricted services, or if the PRC government otherwise finds that we, the variable interest entities, or any of their subsidiaries are in violation of PRC laws or regulations or lack the necessary permits or licenses to operate our business, the PRC regulatory authorities, including the MIIT, the National Radio and Television Administration, the State Film Bureau, the National Press and Publication Administration, the Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Commerce, would have discretion in dealing with such violations or failures, including, without limitation: •revoking the business licenses and operating licenses of such entities; •discontinuing or placing restrictions or onerous conditions on our operation through any transactions between our Chinese mainland subsidiaries and the variable interest entities; •imposing fines, confiscating the income from our Chinese mainland subsidiaries or the variable interest entities, or imposing other requirements with which we or the variable interest entities may not be able to comply; •requiring us to restructure our ownership structure or operations, including terminating the contractual arrangements with the variable interest entities and deregistering the equity pledges of the variable interest entities, which in turn would affect our ability to consolidate, derive economic interests from, or direct activities that most significantly affect the economic performance of the variable interest entities; or restricting or prohibiting our use of the proceeds of any of our offshore financings to finance our business and operations in Chinese mainland. In addition, in September 2009, the General Administration of Press and Publication together with several other government agencies issued a notice, known as Circular 13, prohibiting foreign investors from participating in online game operating businesses through wholly-owned enterprises, equity joint ventures or cooperative joint ventures in Chinese mainland. Circular 13 expressly prohibits foreign investors from exercising control or participating in PRC operating companies’ online game operations indirectly, such as through other joint venture companies or contractual or technical arrangements. Other government agencies that also had the authority to regulate online game operations in Chinese mainland when Circular 13 was issued, such as the Ministry of Culture and the MIIT, did not join the General Administration of Press and Publication in issuing Circular 13. The General Administration of Press and Publication was replaced by the State Administration of Press Publication, Radio, Film and Television and later by the National Press and Publication Administration. To date, none of the General Administration of Press and Publication, the State Administration of Press Publication, Radio, Film and Television and the National Press and Publication Administration has issued any interpretation of Circular 13. Due to differing regulatory provisions on online games and the absence of definitive guidance from the PRC authorities, the final determination of whether our contractual arrangements constitute foreign investment in online game operation businesses rests with those authorities. While we are not aware of any online game companies which use the same or similar contractual arrangements as ours having been penalized or ordered to terminate operation by PRC authorities claiming that the contractual arrangements constitute control over, or participation in, the operation of online game operations through indirect means, the manner and extent to which the PRC authorities will interpret or implement the various regulations going forward remain subject to their final determination. If our contractual arrangements were deemed to be “indirect means” or “disguised form” under Circular 13, the contractual arrangements may be challenged by the National Press and Publication Administration or other governmental 42 authorities. If we were found to be in violation of Circular 13 to operate our mobile game business, the National Press and Publication Administration, in conjunction with the regulatory authorities, would have the power to investigate and deal with such violations, including in the most serious cases, suspending or revoking the licenses and registrations. If we were found to be in violation of any existing or future PRC laws or regulations, including the MIIT notice and Circular 13, the regulatory authorities would have discretion in dealing with such violations. Furthermore, the adoption and content of any new PRC laws, rules or regulations relating to contractual arrangements will be determined by the authorities. For example, the National People’s Congress approved the Foreign Investment Law on March 15, 2019 and the State Council approved the Regulation on Implementing the Foreign Investment Law on December 12, 2019, effective from January 1, 2020. The Supreme People’s Court of China issued a judicial interpretation on the Foreign Investment Law on December 27, 2019, effective from January 1, 2020. The Foreign Investment Law and the Regulation on Implementing the Foreign Investment Law do not touch upon the concepts and regulatory regimes that were historically suggested for the regulation of the variable interest entity structures, and thus this regulatory topic awaits further clarification under the Foreign Investment Law. Since the Foreign Investment Law and the Regulation on Implementing the Foreign Investment Law are new, their interpretation and implementation shall be determined in accordance with the laws and regulations in force at the time and it is also possible that variable interest entities will be deemed as foreign invested enterprises and be subject to restrictions in the future. Such restrictions may cause interruptions to our operations, products and services and may incur additional compliance cost, which may in turn materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. Any of these events could cause significant disruption to our business operations and severely damage our reputation, which would in turn materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. If occurrences of any of these events results in our inability to direct the activities of the variable interest entities in Chinese mainland that most significantly impact their economic performance, or our failure to receive the economic benefits from the variable interest entities, we may not be able to consolidate the financial results of the variable interest entities in our consolidated financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP. In October 2024, Yangshipin Integrated Media Development Co., Ltd. completed its investment of approximately RMB0.3 million in Beijing iQIYI to acquire 1% of Beijing iQIYI’s enlarged registered capital. Yangshipin Integrated Media Development Co., Ltd. is not a party to the contractual arrangements currently in effect among Beijing iQIYI, Beijing QIYI Century, and other shareholders of Beijing iQIYI. Therefore, we are unable to mandatorily purchase, or have Yangshipin Integrated Media Development Co., Ltd. pledge, the 1% equity interests in Beijing iQIYI in the same manner as agreed under existing contractual arrangements, nor are we granted the authorization of the voting rights of the 1% equity interests. We believe iQIYI, Inc. still controls and is the primary beneficiary of Beijing iQIYI for accounting purposes, as it continues to have a controlling financial interest in Beijing iQIYI pursuant to ASC 810-10-25-38A after the issuance of such 1% equity interests. We rely on contractual arrangements with the variable interest entities and their shareholders for our business operations, which may not be as effective as direct ownership in providing operational control. We have relied and expect to continue to rely on contractual arrangements with variable interest entities and their shareholders to operate our business in Chinese mainland. For a description of these contractual arrangements, see “Item 4. Information on the Company—C. Organizational Structure—Contractual Arrangements with the Variable Interest Entities and Their Respective Shareholders.” These contractual arrangements may not be as effective as direct ownership in providing us with control over the variable interest entities. For example, the variable interest entities and their shareholders could breach their contractual arrangements with us by, among other things, failing to conduct their operations in an acceptable manner or taking other actions that are detrimental to our interests. If we had direct ownership of the variable interest entities in Chinese mainland, we would be able to exercise our rights as a shareholder to effect changes in the board of directors of the variable interest entities, which in turn could implement changes, subject to any applicable fiduciary obligations, at the management and operational level. However, under the current contractual arrangements, we rely on the performance by the variable interest entities and their shareholders of their obligations under the contracts to direct activities that most significantly affect the economic performance of the variable interest entities. The shareholders of the variable interest entities may not act in the best interests of our company or may not perform their obligations under these contracts. Such risks exist throughout the period in which we intend to operate a certain portion of our business through the contractual arrangements with the variable interest entities. If any dispute relating to these contracts remains unresolved, we will have to enforce our rights under these contracts through the operations of PRC law and arbitration, litigation and other legal proceedings and therefore will be subject to the laws and regulations under the PRC legal system. In addition, the legality and enforceability of the contractual agreements between our Chinese mainland subsidiaries, the variable interest entities, and their nominee shareholders, as a whole, have not been tested in a court of law in Chinese mainland. In the event we are unable to enforce these contractual arrangements, or if we suffer significant delays or other obstacles in the process of enforcing these contractual arrangements, we may 43 not be able to direct activities that most significantly affect the economic performance of the variable interest entities, and our ability to conduct our business may be materially adversely affected. Therefore, our contractual arrangements with the variable interest entities may not be as effective in ensuring our control over our business operations as direct ownership would be. Any failure by the variable interest entities or their shareholders to perform their obligations under our contractual arrangements with them would have a material and adverse effect on our business. If the variable interest entities or their shareholders fail to perform their respective obligations under the contractual arrangements, we may have to incur substantial costs and expend additional resources to enforce such arrangements. We may also have to rely on legal remedies under PRC law, including seeking specific performance or injunctive relief, and claiming damages, which we cannot assure you will be effective under PRC law. For example, if the shareholders of the variable interest entities were to refuse to transfer their equity interests in the variable interest entities to us or our designee if we exercise the purchase option pursuant to these contractual arrangements, or if they were otherwise to act in bad faith toward us, then we may have to take legal actions to compel them to perform their contractual obligations. All the agreements under our contractual arrangements are governed by PRC law and provide for the resolution of disputes through arbitration in Chinese mainland. Accordingly, these contracts would be interpreted in accordance with PRC law and any disputes would be resolved in accordance with PRC legal procedures. We face ongoing questions about the enforceability of these contractual arrangements. The final resolution of any arbitration should legal action become necessary, will depend on the tribunal’s determinations. In addition, under PRC law, rulings by arbitrators are final, parties cannot appeal the arbitration results in courts, and if the losing parties fail to carry out the arbitration awards within a prescribed time limit, the prevailing parties may only enforce the arbitration awards in PRC courts through arbitration award recognition proceedings, which would require additional expenses and delay. In the event we are unable to enforce these contractual arrangements, or if we suffer significant delay or other obstacles in the process of enforcing these contractual arrangements, we may not be able to direct activities that most significantly affect the economic performance of the variable interest entities, and our ability to conduct our business may be negatively affected. See “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Related to Doing Business in Chinese Mainland—Uncertainties with respect to the legal systems in the jurisdictions where we operate could adversely affect us.” The shareholders of the variable interest entities may have potential conflicts of interest with us, which may materially and adversely affect our business and financial condition. The shareholders of the variable interest entities may have potential conflicts of interest with us. These shareholders may breach, or cause the variable interest entities to breach, or refuse to renew, the existing contractual arrangements we have with them and the variable interest entities, which would have a material and adverse effect on our ability to effectively direct the business operations of the variable interest entities and receive economic benefits from them. For example, the shareholders may be able to cause our agreements with the variable interest entities to be performed in a manner adverse to us by, among other things, failing to remit payments due under the contractual arrangements to us on a timely basis. In particular, Mr. Xiaohua Geng (who holds 50% of the equity interest in Shanghai iQIYI and 99% in Beijing iQIYI) is not our directors or executive officers. As a result, we cannot assure you that their interests will align with ours. We cannot assure you that when conflicts of interest arise, any or all of these shareholders will act in the best interests of our company or such conflicts will be resolved in our favor. Currently, we do not have any arrangements to address potential conflicts of interest between these shareholders and our company. If we cannot resolve any conflict of interest or dispute between us and these shareholders, we would have to rely on legal proceedings, which could result in disruption of our business and subject us to substantial uncertainty as to the outcome of any such legal proceedings. Contractual arrangements in relation to the variable interest entities may be subject to scrutiny by the PRC tax authorities and they may determine that we or our PRC variable interest entities owe additional taxes, which could negatively affect our financial condition and the value of your investment. Under applicable PRC laws and regulations, arrangements and transactions among related parties may be subject to audit or challenge by the PRC tax authorities within ten years after the taxable year when the transactions are conducted. We could face material and adverse tax consequences if the PRC tax authorities determine that our contractual arrangements with the variable interest entities were not entered into on an arm’s length basis in such a way as to result in an impermissible reduction in taxes under applicable PRC laws, rules and regulations, and adjust the income of the variable interest entities in the form of a transfer pricing adjustment. A transfer pricing adjustment could, among other things, result in a reduction of expense deductions recorded by the variable interest entities for PRC tax purposes, which could in turn increase their tax liabilities without reducing our Chinese mainland subsidiary’s tax expenses. In addition, the PRC tax authorities may impose late payment fees and other penalties on the variable interest entities for the adjusted but unpaid taxes according to the applicable regulations. Our financial position could be materially and adversely affected if our variable interest entities’ tax liabilities increase or if they are required to pay late payment fees and other penalties. 44 We may lose the ability to use and enjoy assets held by the variable interest entities that are material to the operation of certain portion of our business if the entity goes bankrupt or becomes subject to a dissolution or liquidation proceeding. As part of our contractual arrangements with the variable interest entities, the entities hold certain assets that are material to the operation of certain portion of our business, including permits, domain names and most of our IP rights. If the variable interest entities go bankrupt and all or part of its assets become subject to liens or rights of third-party creditors, we may be unable to continue some or all of our business activities, which could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. Under the contractual arrangements, the variable interest entities may not, in any manner, sell, transfer, mortgage or dispose of their assets or legal or beneficial interests in the business without our prior consent. If the variable interest entities undergo a voluntary or involuntary liquidation proceeding, the independent third-party creditors may claim rights to some or all of these assets, thereby hindering our ability to operate our business, which could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. The interpretation and implementation of the newly enacted PRC Foreign Investment Law shall be determined in accordance with the laws and regulations in force at the time and any noncompliance thereof may impact the viability of our current corporate structure, corporate governance and business operations. The National People’s Congress approved the Foreign Investment Law on March 15, 2019 and the State Council approved the Regulation on Implementing the Foreign Investment Law on December 12, 2019, effective from January 1, 2020, to replace the trio of laws previously regulating foreign investment in Chinese mainland, namely, the Sino-foreign Equity Joint Venture Enterprise Law, the Sino-foreign Cooperative Joint Venture Enterprise Law and the Wholly Foreign-invested 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 investments. However, since it is relatively new, its interpretation and implementation shall be determined in accordance with the laws and regulations in force at the time. For instance, under the Foreign Investment Law, “foreign investment” refers to the investment activities directly or indirectly conducted by foreign individuals, enterprises or other entities in Chinese mainland. Though it does not explicitly classify contractual arrangements as a form of foreign investment, there is no assurance that foreign investment via contractual arrangement would not be interpreted as a type of indirect foreign investment activities under the definition in the future. In addition, the definition contains a catch-all provision which includes investments made by foreign investors through means stipulated in laws or administrative regulations or other methods prescribed by the State Council. Therefore, it still leaves leeway for future laws, administrative regulations or provisions promulgated by the State Council to provide for contractual arrangements as a form of foreign investment. In any of these cases, the PRC authorities will decide whether our contractual arrangements comply with the market access requirements for foreign investment. Furthermore, if future laws, administrative regulations or provisions prescribed by the State Council mandate further actions to be taken by companies with respect to existing contractual arrangements, we may face substantial uncertainties as to whether we can complete such actions in a timely manner, or at all. Failure to take timely and appropriate measures to cope with any of these or similar regulatory compliance challenges could materially and adversely affect our current corporate structure, corporate governance and business operations. Risks Related to Doing Business in Chinese Mainland The PCAOB had historically been unable to inspect our auditor in relation to their audit work performed for our financial statements and the inability of the PCAOB to conduct inspections of our auditor in the past has deprived our investors of the benefits of such inspections. Our auditor, the independent registered public accounting firm that issues the audit report included elsewhere in this annual report, as an auditor of companies that are traded publicly in the United States and a firm registered with the PCAOB, is subject to laws in the United States pursuant to which the PCAOB conducts regular inspections to assess its compliance with the applicable professional standards. The auditor is located in Chinese mainland, a jurisdiction where the PCAOB was historically unable to conduct inspections and investigations completely before 2022. As a result, we and investors in the ADSs were deprived of the benefits of such PCAOB inspections. The inability of the PCAOB to conduct inspections of auditors in Chinese mainland in the past has made it more difficult to evaluate the effectiveness of our independent registered public accounting firm’s audit procedures or quality control procedures as compared to auditors outside of China that are subject to the PCAOB inspections. On December 15, 2022, the PCAOB issued a report that vacated its December 16, 2021 determination and removed Chinese mainland and Hong Kong from the list of jurisdictions where it is unable to inspect or investigate completely registered public accounting firms. However, if the PCAOB determines in the future that it no longer has full access to inspect and investigate completely accounting firms in Chinese mainland and Hong Kong, and we use an accounting firm headquartered in one of these jurisdictions to issue an audit report on our financial statements filed with the SEC, we and investors in the ADSs would be deprived of the benefits of such PCAOB inspections again, which could cause investors and potential investors in our ADSs to lose confidence in our audit procedures and reported financial information and the quality of our financial statements. 45 Our ADSs may be prohibited from trading in the United States under the HFCAA in the future if the PCAOB is unable to inspect or investigate completely auditors located in China. The delisting or prohibition of trading of our ADSs, or the threat of their being delisted or prohibited from trading, may materially and adversely affect the value of your investment. Pursuant to the HFCAA, if the SEC determines that we have filed audit reports issued by a registered public accounting firm that has not been subject to inspections by the PCAOB for two consecutive years, the SEC will prohibit our shares or ADSs from being traded on a national securities exchange or in the over-the-counter trading market in the United States. On December 16, 2021, the PCAOB issued a report to notify the SEC of its determination that the PCAOB was unable to inspect or investigate completely registered public accounting firms headquartered in Chinese mainland and Hong Kong and our auditor was subject to that determination. In April 2022, the SEC conclusively listed us as a Commission-Identified Issuer under the HFCAA following the filing of our annual report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021. On December 15, 2022, the PCAOB removed Chinese mainland and Hong Kong from the list of jurisdictions where it is unable to inspect or investigate completely registered public accounting firms. As of the date of this annual report, the PCAOB has not issued any new determination that it is unable to inspect or investigate completely registered public accounting firms headquartered in any jurisdiction. For this reason, we do not expect to be identified as a Commission-Identified Issuer under the HFCAA after we file this annual report on Form 20-F. Each year, the PCAOB will determine whether it can inspect and investigate completely audit firms in Chinese mainland and Hong Kong, among other jurisdictions. If the PCAOB determines in the future that it no longer has full access to inspect and investigate completely accounting firms in Chinese mainland and Hong Kong and we use an accounting firm headquartered in one of these jurisdictions to issue an audit report on our financial statements filed with the SEC, we would be identified as a Commission-Identified Issuer following the filing of the annual report on Form 20-F for the relevant fiscal year. In accordance with the HFCAA, our securities would be prohibited from being traded on a national securities exchange or in the over-the-counter trading market in the United States if we are identified as a Commission-Identified Issuer for two consecutive years in the future. If our shares and ADSs are prohibited from trading in the United States, there is no certainty that we will be able to list on a non-U.S. exchange or that a market for our shares will develop outside of the United States. A prohibition of being able to trade in the United States would substantially impair your ability to sell or purchase our ADSs when you wish to do so, and the risk and uncertainty associated with delisting would have a negative impact on the price of our ADSs. Also, such a prohibition would significantly affect our ability to raise capital on terms acceptable to us, or at all, which would have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition, and prospects. The approval of or the filing with the CSRC or other PRC government authorities may be required in connection with our future offshore listings and capital raising activities under PRC law, and, if required, we cannot predict whether or for how long we will be able to obtain such approval or filing. The Regulations on Mergers and Acquisitions of Domestic Enterprises by Foreign Investors, adopted by six PRC regulatory agencies in 2006 and amended in 2009, require an overseas special purpose vehicle formed for listing purposes through acquisitions of PRC domestic companies and controlled by PRC persons or entities to obtain the approval of the CSRC prior to the listing and trading of such special purpose vehicle’s securities on an overseas stock exchange. The interpretation and application of the regulations remain unclear and uncertain. If the CSRC approval is required for any of our offshore listings and capital raising activities, it is uncertain whether we can or how long it will take us to obtain the approval and, even if we obtain such CSRC approval, the approval could be rescinded. Any failure to obtain or delay in obtaining the CSRC approval for any of our offshore listings and capital raising activities if such approval is required, or a rescission of such CSRC approval we obtained, would subject us to sanctions imposed by the CSRC or other PRC regulatory authorities, which could include fines and penalties on our operations in Chinese mainland, restrictions or limitations on our ability to pay dividends outside of China, and other forms of sanctions that may materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations. On July 6, 2021, the PRC government authorities issued the Opinions on Strictly Cracking Down Illegal Securities Activities in Accordance with the Law, which called for the enhanced administration over illegal securities activities and the supervision of overseas-listed China-based companies and proposed to revise the regulation governing the overseas issuance and listing of shares by such companies and clarified the responsibilities of competent domestic industry regulators and government authorities. On February 17, 2023, the CSRC published the Interim Administrative Measures on Overseas Securities Offering and Listing by the Domestic Enterprises (CSRC Announcement [2022] No. 43), or the Overseas Listing Measures, which took effect on March 31, 2023. Under the Overseas Listing Measures, a filing-based regulatory system is applied to “indirect overseas offerings and listings” of PRC domestic companies, which refers to securities offerings and listings in an overseas market made under the name of an offshore entity but based on the underlying equity, assets, earnings or other similar rights of a domestic company that operates its main business domestically. The Overseas Listing Measures state that, any overseas offering of securities, including issuance of shares, convertible notes and other similar securities, by a PRC domestic company, and listing by a PRC domestic company in an 46 overseas market, shall be subject to filing requirements within three business days after the completion of such offering or listing. In addition, according to the Notice on the Administrative Arrangements for the Filing of Overseas Securities Offering and Listing by the Domestic Enterprises, issuers that have already been listed in an overseas market by March 31, 2023, the date on which the Overseas Listing Measures took effect are not required to make any immediate filing. However, such issuers will be required to comply with the filing requirements under Overseas Listing Measures if and when they pursue any future securities offerings and listings outside of Chinese mainland, including but not limited to follow-on offerings, secondary listings and going private transactions. Any failure to complete or delay in completing such procedures for any future securities offerings, or for our future capital raising activities such as follow-on equity or debt offerings, listing on other stock exchanges and going private transactions outside of Chinese mainland, as required under the Overseas Listing Measures or otherwise, or a recission of any such filings completed by us, would subject us to sanctions by the CSRC or other PRC regulatory authorities, which may include fines and penalties on our operations in Chinese mainland, limitations on our operating privileges in Chinese mainland, restrictions on or prohibition of the payments or remittance of dividends by our subsidiaries in Chinese mainland, restrictions on or delays to our future financing transactions offshore, or other actions that could have a material and adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, reputation and prospects, as well as the trading price of our ADSs. In addition, according to the Special Administrative Measures for Market Access of Foreign Investment (2024), or the 2024 Negative List, promulgated by the Ministry of Commerce and the NDRC and took effect on November 1, 2024, domestic enterprises engaged in activities in any field prohibited from foreign investment under the 2024 Negative List shall be subject to review and approval by the authorities when listing and trading overseas. Furthermore, the Enterprise Mid- and Long-Term Foreign Debt Registration Administrative Measures, effective February 10, 2023, established a foreign debt approval registration system that replaced the foreign debt filing registration system under the NDRC Circular on Promoting the Reform of the Filing and Registration System on the Issuance by Enterprises of Foreign Debt. As a result, a new foreign debt approval registration system that replaced the foreign debt filing registration system under the NDRC Circular on Promoting the Reform of the Filing and Registration System on the Issuance by Enterprises of Foreign Debt. We obtained a certificate for the registration of issuances of foreign debt under the new NDRC Measures in January 2025. However, as the Enterprise Mid- and Long-Term Foreign Debt Registration Administrative Measure is recently promulgated, its interpretation and implementation shall be determined in accordance with the laws and regulations in force at the time. There is no assurance that we can register future foreign debt offerings or accomplish the required filings or other regulatory procedures in a timely manner, or at all. If we cannot obtain the required approval or accomplish the required filings or other regulatory procedures in a timely manner for any future securities offerings and listings outside of Chinese mainland, including but not limited to follow-on offerings, secondary listings and going private transactions, it may negatively impact our ability to further raise capital from the market or pursue restructuring or refinancing of our indebtedness. We may also face sanctions by the CSRC or other PRC regulatory agencies, which may include fines and penalties on our operations in Chinese mainland, limitations on our operating privileges in Chinese mainland, restrictions on or prohibition of the payments or remittance of dividends by our subsidiaries in Chinese mainland, or other actions that could have a material and adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, reputation and prospects, as well as the trading price and listing status of our ADSs. The CSRC or other PRC regulatory authorities also may take actions requiring us, or making it advisable for us, to halt our future securities offerings and listings outside of Chinese mainland, including but not limited to follow-on offerings, secondary listings and going private transactions. 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. Changes in Chinese mainland’s economic, political or social conditions or government policies could have a material adverse effect on our business and operations. Substantially all of our operations are located in Chinese mainland. Accordingly, our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may be influenced to a significant degree by political, economic, social conditions and government policies in Chinese mainland generally. In recent decades, the Chinese government has implemented a series of reform measures, including among others, emphasizing the utilization of market forces for economic reform, and the establishment of improved corporate governance in business enterprises. The Chinese government also plays a significant role in regulating industry development and has extensive influence over China’s economic growth through allocating resources and setting monetary and fiscal policy. 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, and the rate of growth has been slowing since 2012. Any adverse changes in economic conditions in Chinese mainland, in the policies of the Chinese government or in the laws and regulations in Chinese mainland could have a material adverse effect on the overall economic growth of China. Such developments could adversely affect our business and operating results, lead to reduction in demand for our services and adversely affect our competitive position. 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. 47 Uncertainties with respect to the legal systems in the jurisdictions where we operate could adversely affect us. The PRC legal system is a civil law system based on written statutes. Prior court decisions may be cited for reference but have limited precedential value. These laws and regulations are relatively new and the PRC legal system may continue to evolve. There is no assurance that the Chinese mainland government will not legally institute measures restricting the ability of iQIYI, Inc., its subsidiaries, and the variable interest entities to transfer cash or assets. To the extent cash or assets in the business is in Chinese mainland or a Chinese mainland entity, the funds or assets may not be available to fund operations or for other use outside of the PRC due to any subsequent measures by the Chinese mainland government that legally limit the ability of iQIYI, Inc., its subsidiaries, or the variable interest entities by the Chinese mainland government to transfer cash or assets. Local courts may also have discretion to reject the enforcement of foreign awards or arbitration awards. These uncertainties may affect our judgment on the relevance of legal requirements and our ability to enforce our contractual rights or claims. As of the date of this annual report, there is no equivalent or similar restriction or limitation in Hong Kong on cash or assets transfers in, or out of, our Hong Kong entities. However, if certain restrictions or limitations were to become applicable to cash or assets transfers in and out of Hong Kong entities in the future, the funds or assets in our Hong Kong entities may not be available to fund operations or for other use outside of Hong Kong. The laws and regulations of Chinese mainland have significantly enhanced the protections afforded to various forms of foreign investments in Chinese mainland for the past decades. However, recently enacted laws and regulations may not sufficiently cover all aspects of economic activities in Chinese mainland. In particular, because these laws and regulations are relatively new, and because of the limited volume of published decisions and their nonbinding nature, the interpretation and enforcement of these laws and regulations shall be determined in accordance with the laws and regulations in force at the time. We may encounter situations where regulations are unclear or imprecise, or where interpretations by regulatory authorities are not entirely consistent with those adopted by courts in similar cases. Such inconsistencies can lead to increased legal and compliance risks, potentially resulting in costly administrative or court proceedings and diversion of management attention and resources, which could have material adverse impacts on our business, financial condition, and results of operations. The PRC government’s significant oversight over our business operation could result in a material adverse change in our operations and the value of our ADSs. We conduct our business primarily in Chinese mainland. Our operations in Chinese mainland are governed by PRC laws and regulations. The PRC government has significant oversight and discretion over the conduct of our business, and it may influence our operations as the government deems appropriate to advance regulatory and societal goals and policy positions, which could result in a material adverse change in our operation, and our ordinary shares and ADSs may decline in value or become worthless. Also, the PRC government has recently promulgated certain regulations and rules to exert more oversight and influences over offerings that are conducted overseas and foreign investment in Chinese mainland-based issuers. Any such action could significantly limit or completely hinder our ability to offer or continue to offer securities to investors. In addition, implementation of industry-wide regulations directly targeting our operations and enhanced supervision over large internet platforms may adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations, and could cause the value of our securities to significantly decline. Therefore, investors of our company and our business face potential uncertainty from actions taken by the PRC government affecting our business. We may rely on dividends and other distributions on equity paid by our Chinese mainland subsidiaries to fund any cash and financing requirements we may have, and any limitation on the ability of our Chinese mainland subsidiaries to make payments to us and any tax we are required to pay could have a material and adverse effect on our ability to conduct our business. We are a Cayman Islands holding company and we may rely on dividends and other distributions on equity from our Chinese mainland subsidiaries for our cash requirements, including the funds necessary to pay dividends and other cash distributions to our shareholders and for services of any debt we may incur. Our subsidiaries’ ability to distribute dividends is based upon their distributable earnings. Current PRC regulations permit our Chinese mainland subsidiaries to pay dividends to their respective shareholders only out of their accumulated profits, if any, determined in accordance with PRC accounting standards and regulations. However, our Chinese mainland subsidiaries and the variable interest entities are subject to certain restrictions with respect to paying dividends or make distributions to shareholders of our securities, or otherwise transferring any of their net assets to us. Each of our Chinese mainland subsidiaries and the variable interest entities is required to set aside at least 10% of its after-tax profits each year, if any, to fund a statutory reserve until such reserve reaches 50% of its registered capital. Each of such entities in Chinese mainland may also set aside a portion of its after-tax profits to a discretionary surplus fund at its discretion. The amounts restricted also include the net assets of the variable interest entities in which we have no legal ownership. These reserves are not distributable as cash dividends. If our Chinese mainland subsidiaries 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 limitation on the ability of our Chinese mainland subsidiaries to distribute dividends or other payments to their respective shareholders could materially and adversely limit our ability to grow, make investments or acquisitions that could be beneficial to our businesses, pay dividends or otherwise fund and conduct our business. 48 Since 2016, the People’s Bank of China and SAFE have implemented a series of capital flow supervisory measures, including stricter vetting procedures for China-based companies to remit foreign currency for overseas acquisitions, dividend payments and shareholder loan repayments. For instance, the People’s Bank of China issued the Circular on Further Clarification of Relevant Matters Relating to Offshore RMB Loans Provided by Domestic Enterprises on November 22, 2016, which provides that offshore RMB loans provided by a domestic enterprise to offshore enterprises that it holds equity interests in shall not exceed 30% of the domestic enterprise’s ownership interest in the offshore enterprise. This circular may constrain our Chinese mainland subsidiaries’ ability to provide offshore loans to us. The PRC government may continue to strengthen its capital flow supervision and our Chinese mainland subsidiaries’ dividends and other distributions may be subjected to tighter scrutiny in the future. Any limitation on the ability of our Chinese mainland subsidiaries 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. Under the Enterprise Income Tax Law and related regulations, dividends, interests, rent or royalties payable by a foreign-invested enterprise, such as our Chinese mainland subsidiaries, to any of its foreign non-resident enterprise investors, and proceeds from any such foreign enterprise investor’s disposition of assets (after deducting the net value of such assets) are subject to a 10% withholding tax, unless the foreign enterprise investor’s jurisdiction of incorporation has a tax treaty with China that provides for a reduced rate of withholding tax. Undistributed profits earned by foreign-invested enterprises prior to January 1, 2008 are exempted from any withholding tax. The Cayman Islands, where iQIYI, Inc., the direct parent company of our Chinese mainland subsidiaries Beijing QIYI Century and Chongqing QIYI Tianxia Science & Technology Co., Ltd., is incorporated, does not have such a tax treaty with China. Hong Kong has a tax arrangement with China that provides for a 5% withholding tax on dividends subject to certain conditions and requirements, such as the requirement that the Hong Kong resident enterprise own at least 25% of the PRC enterprise distributing the dividend at all times within the 12-month period immediately preceding the distribution of dividends and be a “beneficial owner” of the dividends. For example, iQIYI Film Group HK Limited, which directly owns our Chinese mainland subsidiaries iQIYI New Media, is incorporated in Hong Kong. However, if iQIYI Film Group HK Limited is not considered to be the beneficial owner of the dividends paid to it by iQIYI New Media under the tax circulars promulgated in February and October 2009, such dividends would be subject to withholding tax at a rate of 10%. If our Chinese mainland subsidiaries declare and distribute profits to us, such payments will be subject to withholding tax, which will increase our tax liability and reduce the amount of cash available to our company. We are subject to PRC laws and regulations governing loans to and direct investment in Chinese mainland entities by offshore holding companies and currency conversion, which may delay or prevent us to make loans to or make additional capital contributions to our Chinese mainland subsidiaries and the variable interest entities, which could materially and adversely affect our liquidity and our ability to fund and expand our business. Any funds we transfer to our Chinese mainland subsidiaries, either as a shareholder loan or as an increase in registered capital, are subject to approval by or registration or filing with governmental authorities in Chinese mainland. See “Item 4. Information on the Company—B. Business Overview—Government Regulations—Regulations on Foreign Exchange.” Any loan to be provided by our company to our Chinese mainland subsidiaries, variable interest entities and their subsidiaries with a term of more than one year must be recorded and registered by the NDRC or its local branches. We may not obtain these government approvals or complete such registrations on a timely basis, if at all, with respect to future capital contributions or foreign loans by our company to our Chinese mainland subsidiaries and the variable interest entities. If we fail to receive such approvals or complete such registration or filing, our ability to capitalize our Chinese mainland operations may be negatively affected, which could adversely affect our liquidity and our ability to fund and expand our business. With respect to loans to the Chinese mainland subsidiaries by our company, (i) if the Chinese mainland subsidiaries adopt the traditional foreign exchange administration mechanism, or the Current Foreign Debt Mechanism, the outstanding amount of the loans shall not exceed the difference between the total investment and the registered capital of the Chinese mainland subsidiaries and there is, in effect, no statutory limit on the amount of loans that we can make to our Chinese mainland subsidiaries under this circumstance; and (ii) if the Chinese mainland subsidiaries adopt the foreign exchange administration mechanism as provided in PBOC Notice No. 9, or the Notice No. 9 Foreign Debt Mechanism, the risk-weighted outstanding amount of the loans, which shall be calculated based on the formula provided in PBOC Notice No. 9, shall not exceed 200% of the net asset of the Chinese mainland subsidiary, known as the Risk-Weighted Approach and the Net Asset Limits. According to PBOC Notice No. 9, after a transition period of one year since the promulgation of the People’s Bank of China Notice No. 9, the PBOC and SAFE will determine the cross-border financing administration mechanism for the foreign-invested enterprises after evaluating the overall implementation of PBOC Notice No. 9. As of the date hereof, neither the People’s Bank of China nor SAFE has promulgated and made public any further rules, regulations, notices or circulars in this regard. It remains to be seen which mechanism the People’s Bank of China and SAFE will adopt in the future and what statutory limits will be imposed on us when providing loans to our Chinese mainland subsidiaries. Currently, our Chinese mainland subsidiaries have the flexibility to choose between the Current Foreign Debt Mechanism and the Notice No. 9 Foreign Debt Mechanism. However, if the Notice No. 9 Foreign Debt Mechanism, or a more stringent foreign debt mechanism becomes mandatory and our Chinese mainland subsidiaries are no longer able to choose the Current 49 Foreign Debt Mechanism, our ability to provide loans to our Chinese mainland subsidiaries or the variable interest entities may be significantly limited, which may adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. Furthermore, cash transfers from our Chinese mainland subsidiaries and the variable interest entities to entities outside of Chinese mainland must comply with applicable PRC foreign-exchange administrative procedures. We are required to apply Renminbi funds converted from the net proceeds we received from our financing activities within the business scopes of our Chinese mainland subsidiaries. In addition, remittance of dividends by a wholly foreign-owned enterprise out of Chinese mainland is also subject to examination by the banks designated by SAFE. To the extent cash in our business is in Chinese mainland or an entity in Chinese mainland, such cash may not be available to fund operations or for other use outside of Chinese mainland due to restrictions and limitations imposed by the governmental authorities on the ability of us, our subsidiaries, or the variable interest entities to transfer cash outside of the PRC. Shortages in the availability of foreign currency may temporarily delay the ability of our Chinese mainland subsidiaries and the variable interest entities to remit sufficient foreign currency to pay dividends or make distributions to shareholder of our securities, or other payments to us, or otherwise satisfy their foreign currency denominated obligations. In view of the foregoing, to the extent cash in our business is held in Chinese mainland or by an entity in Chinese mainland, such cash may not be available to fund operations or for other use outside of Chinese mainland. SAFE Circular 19, SAFE Circular 16 and other rules and regulations may significantly limit our ability to transfer to and use in Chinese mainland any foreign currency, which may adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. Fluctuations in exchange rates could have a material and adverse effect on our results of operations and the value of your investment. The conversion of Renminbi into foreign currencies, including U.S. dollars, is based on rates published by the People’s Bank of China. The Renminbi has fluctuated against the U.S. dollar, at times significantly and unpredictably. For instance, the Renminbi generally depreciated against the U.S. dollar in 2024. The value of the Renminbi against the U.S. dollar and other currencies may fluctuate and is affected by, among other things, changes in political and economic conditions in Chinese mainland and by China’s foreign exchange policies. We cannot assure you that the Renminbi will not appreciate or depreciate significantly in value against the U.S. dollar in the future. It is difficult to predict how market forces or PRC or U.S. government policy may impact the exchange rate between the Renminbi and the U.S. dollar in the future. Any significant appreciation or depreciation of Renminbi may have a material and adverse effect on your investment. For example, to the extent that we need to convert U.S. dollars into Renminbi for our operations, appreciation of the Renminbi against the U.S. dollar would have an adverse effect on the Renminbi amount we would receive from the conversion. Conversely, if we decide to convert our Renminbi into U.S. dollars for the purpose of making payments for dividends on our ordinary shares or ADSs or for other business purposes, appreciation of the U.S. dollar against the Renminbi would have a negative effect on the U.S. dollar amount available to us. To date, we have not entered into any material hedging transactions in an effort to reduce our exposure to foreign currency exchange risk. While we may decide to enter into hedging transactions in the future, the availability and effectiveness of these hedges may be limited and we may not be able to adequately hedge our exposure or at all. As a result, fluctuations in exchange rates may have a material adverse effect on your investment. Our use of some leased properties could be challenged by third parties or governmental authorities, which may cause interruptions to our business operations. As of the date of this annual report, some of the lessors of our properties we lease in Chinese mainland have not provided us with their property ownership certificates or any other documentation proving their right to lease those properties to us. If our lessors are not the owners of the properties and they have not obtained consents from the owners or their lessors or permits from the governmental authorities, our leases could be invalidated. If this occurs, we may have to renegotiate the leases with the owners or other parties who have the right to lease the properties, and the terms of the new leases may be less favorable to us. Although we may seek damages from such lessors, such leases may be void and we may be forced to relocate. We can provide no assurance that we will be able to find suitable replacement sites on terms acceptable to us on a timely basis, or at all, or that we will not be subject to material liability resulting from third parties’ challenges on our use of such properties. As a result, our business, financial condition and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected. In addition, a substantial portion of our leasehold interests in leased properties have not been registered with the PRC governmental authorities as required by PRC laws. The failure to register leasehold interests may expose us to potential warnings and penalties up to RMB10,000 per unregistered leased property. 50 The enforcement of labor-related regulations in Chinese mainland and Hong Kong may adversely affect our business and results of operations. The Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress enacted the PRC Labor Contract Law in 2008, and amended it on December 28, 2012. The PRC Labor Contract Law introduced specific provisions related to fixed-term employment contracts, part-time employment, probationary periods, consultation with labor unions and employee assemblies, employment without a written contract, dismissal of employees, severance, and collective bargaining to enhance previous PRC labor laws. Under the PRC Labor Contract Law, an employer is obligated to sign an unlimited-term labor contract with any employee who has worked for the employer for ten consecutive years. Further, if an employee requests or agrees to renew a fixed-term labor contract that has already been entered into twice consecutively, the resulting contract, with certain exceptions, must have an unlimited term, subject to certain exceptions. With certain exceptions, an employer must pay severance to an employee where a labor contract is terminated or expires. In addition, the PRC governmental authorities have continued to introduce various new labor-related regulations since the effectiveness of the PRC Labor Contract Law. Under the PRC Social Insurance Law and the Administrative Measures on Housing Fund, employees are required to participate in pension insurance, work-related injury insurance, medical insurance, unemployment insurance, maternity insurance, and housing funds and employers are required, together with their employees or separately, to pay the social insurance premiums and housing funds for their employees. If we fail to make adequate social insurance and housing fund contributions, we may be subject to fines and legal sanctions, and our business, financial condition and results of operations may be adversely affected. In Hong Kong, employers are required to select and join a provident fund scheme in accordance with the statutory requirements of the Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Ordinance for all employees in Hong Kong and to make contributions to the provident fund scheme based on the minimum statutory contribution requirement of 5% of the eligible employees’ relevant aggregate income, subject to a capped amount. Any non-compliance with statutory requirements with respect to our employees located in Hong Kong may result in enforcement being taken by the authorities, which could lead to financial penalties or imprisonment. These laws designed to enhance labor protection tend to increase our labor costs. In addition, as the interpretation and implementation of these regulations are still evolving, our employment practices may not be at all times be deemed in compliance with the regulations. As a result, we could be subject to penalties or incur significant liabilities in connection with labor disputes or investigations. 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 Chinese mainland. The Regulations on Mergers and Acquisitions of Domestic Enterprises by Foreign Investors 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 that the approval from the Ministry of Commerce be obtained in circumstances where overseas companies established or controlled by Chinese mainland enterprises or natural persons acquire an affiliated Chinese mainland domestic enterprise. After the Foreign Investment Law and the Regulation on Implementing the Foreign Investment Law took effect on January 1, 2020, the provisions of the Regulations on Mergers and Acquisitions of Domestic Enterprises by Foreign Investors remain effective to the extent they are not inconsistent with the PRC Foreign Investment Law and the Regulation on Implementing the Foreign Investment Law. Moreover, the Anti-Monopoly Law requires that the SAMR (formerly the Ministry of Commerce) shall be notified in advance of any concentration of undertaking if certain thresholds are triggered. In addition, the Rules of Ministry of Commerce on Implementation of Security Review System of Mergers and Acquisitions of Domestic Enterprises by Foreign Investors issued by the Ministry of Commerce that took effect in September 2011 and the Measures for the Security Review of Foreign Investment promulgated by the NDRC and the Ministry of Commerce in December 2020 have established procedures and requirements that are expected to make merger and acquisition activities in Chinese mainland by foreign investors increasingly time-consuming and complex. These rules specify that mergers and acquisitions by foreign investors that raise “national defense and security” concerns and mergers and acquisitions through which foreign investors may acquire de facto control over domestic enterprises that raise “national security” concerns are subject to strict review by the competent authority, and the rules prohibit any activities attempting to bypass a security review, including by structuring the transaction through a proxy or contractual control arrangement. In the future, we may grow our business by acquiring complementary businesses. Complying with the requirements of the above-mentioned regulations and other rules to complete such transactions could be time consuming, and any required approval processes, including obtaining approval from the competent authority may delay or inhibit our ability to complete such transactions, which could affect our ability to expand our business or maintain our market share. 51 PRC regulations relating to the establishment of offshore special purpose companies by PRC residents may subject our PRC resident beneficial owners or our Chinese mainland subsidiaries to liability or penalties, limit our ability to inject capital into our Chinese mainland subsidiaries, limit our Chinese mainland subsidiaries’ ability to increase their registered capital or distribute profits to us, or may otherwise adversely affect us. SAFE promulgated the Circular on Relevant Issues Relating to Domestic Resident’s Investment and Financing and Roundtrip Investment through Special Purpose Vehicles, or SAFE Circular 37, in July 2014 that requires PRC residents or entities to register with SAFE or its local branch in connection with their establishment or control of an offshore entity established for the purpose of overseas investment or financing with such PRC residents or entities’ legally owned assets or equity interests in domestic enterprises or offshore assets or interests. In addition, such PRC residents or entities must update their SAFE registrations when the offshore special purpose vehicle undergoes material events relating to any change of basic information (including change of such PRC citizens or residents, name and operation term), increases or decreases in investment amount, transfers or exchanges of shares, or mergers or divisions. If our shareholders who are PRC residents or entities do not complete their registration with the local SAFE branches, our Chinese mainland subsidiaries may 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 Chinese mainland subsidiaries. Moreover, failure to comply with SAFE registration described above could result in liability under PRC laws for evasion of applicable foreign exchange restrictions. We have notified all PRC residents or entities who directly or indirectly hold shares in our Cayman Islands holding company and who are known to us as being PRC residents to complete the foreign exchange registrations. However, we may not be informed of the identities of all the PRC residents or entities holding direct or indirect interest in our company, nor can we compel our beneficial owners to comply with SAFE registration requirements. As a result, we cannot assure you that all of our shareholders or beneficial owners who are PRC residents or entities have complied with, and will in the future make, obtain or update any applicable registrations or approvals required by, SAFE regulations. Failure by such shareholders or beneficial owners to comply with SAFE regulations, or our failure to amend the foreign exchange registrations of our Chinese mainland subsidiaries, could subject us to fines or legal sanctions, restrict our overseas or cross-border investment activities, limit our Chinese mainland subsidiaries’ ability to make distributions or pay dividends to us or affect our ownership structure, which could adversely affect our business and prospects. If the chops of our Chinese mainland subsidiaries and the variable interest entities are not kept safely, are stolen or are used by unauthorized persons or for unauthorized purposes, the corporate governance of these entities could be severely and adversely compromised. In Chinese mainland, a company chop or seal serves as the legal representation of the company towards third parties even when unaccompanied by a signature. Each legally registered company in Chinese mainland is required to maintain a company chop, which must be registered with the local Public Security Bureau. In addition to this mandatory company chop, companies may have several other chops which can be used for specific purposes. The chops of our Chinese mainland subsidiaries and the variable interest entities are generally held securely by personnel designated or approved by our company in accordance with our internal control procedures. To the extent those chops are not kept safely, are stolen or are used by unauthorized persons or for unauthorized purposes, the corporate governance of these entities could be severely and adversely compromised and those corporate entities may be bound to abide by the terms of any documents so chopped, even if they were chopped by an individual who lacked the requisite power and authority to do so. In addition, if the chops are misused by unauthorized persons, we could experience disruption to our normal business operations. We may have to take corporate or legal action, which could involve significant time and resources to resolve while distracting management from our operations. Any failure to comply with PRC regulations regarding the registration requirements for employee stock incentive plans may subject the PRC plan participants or us to fines and other legal or administrative sanctions. Pursuant to SAFE Circular 37, PRC residents who participate in share incentive plans in overseas non-publicly-listed companies may submit applications to SAFE or its local branches for the foreign exchange registration with respect to offshore special purpose companies. In the meantime, our directors, executive officers and other employees who are PRC citizens or who are non-PRC residents residing in Chinese mainland for a continuous period of not less than one year, subject to limited exceptions, and who have been granted share-based awards by our company, may follow the Notices on Issues Concerning the Foreign Exchange Administration for Domestic Individuals Participating in Stock Incentive Plan of Overseas Publicly Listed Company, promulgated by SAFE in 2012. Pursuant to the 2012 SAFE notices, PRC citizens and non-PRC citizens who reside in Chinese mainland for a continuous period of not less than one year who participate in any stock incentive plan of an overseas publicly listed company, subject to a few exceptions, are required to register with SAFE through a domestic qualified agent, which could be the Chinese mainland subsidiaries of such overseas listed company, and complete certain other procedures. In addition, an overseas entrusted institution must be retained to handle 52 matters in connection with the exercise or sale of stock options and the purchase or sale of shares and interests. We, our directors, our executive officers and other employees who are PRC citizens or who reside in Chinese mainland for a continuous period of not less than one year and who have been granted share-based awards are subject to these regulations since we have become an overseas listed company. Failure to complete the SAFE registrations may subject them to fines, and legal sanctions and may also limit our ability to contribute additional capital into our Chinese mainland subsidiaries and limit our Chinese mainland subsidiaries’ ability to distribute dividends to us. We have completed filing with the competent SAFE branch for our equity incentive plans and are required to update our filing periodically or in the event of any material changes. In addition, relevant regulatory rules are still being formulated or amended, which could limit our ability to adopt additional incentive plans for our directors, executive officers and employees under PRC law. See “Item 4. Information on the Company—B. Business Overview—Government Regulations—Regulations on Employment and Social Welfare—Employee Stock Incentive Plan.” The State Administration of Taxation has issued certain circulars concerning employee share options and restricted shares. Under these circulars, our employees working in Chinese mainland who exercise or transfer share options or are granted restricted shares will be subject to Chinese mainland individual income tax. Our Chinese mainland subsidiaries have obligations to file documents related to employee share options or restricted shares with the tax authorities and to withhold individual income taxes of those employees who exercise their share options. If our employees fail to pay or we fail to withhold their income taxes according to the applicable laws and regulations, we may face sanctions imposed by the tax authorities or other PRC governmental authorities. See “Item 4. Information on the Company—B. Business Overview—Government Regulations—Regulations on Employment and Social Welfare—Employee Stock Incentive Plan.” If we are classified as a Chinese mainland resident enterprise for Chinese mainland income tax purposes, such classification could result in unfavorable tax consequences to us and our non-Chinese mainland shareholders or ADS holders. Under the PRC Enterprise Income Tax Law and its implementation rules, an enterprise established outside of Chinese mainland with its “de facto management body” within Chinese mainland is considered a “resident enterprise” and will be subject to Chinese mainland enterprise income tax on its global income at the rate of 25%. The implementation rules define the term “de facto management body” as the body that exercises full and substantial control and overall management over the business, productions, personnel, accounts and properties of an enterprise. In 2009, the State Administration of Taxation issued a circular, known as SAT Circular 82, which provides certain specific criteria for determining whether the “de facto management body” of a Chinese mainland-controlled enterprise that is incorporated offshore is located in Chinese mainland. Although this circular only applies to offshore enterprises controlled by Chinese mainland enterprises or Chinese mainland enterprise groups, not those controlled by Chinese mainland individuals or foreigners, the criteria set forth in the circular may reflect the State Administration of Taxation’s general position on how the “de facto management body” test should be applied in determining the tax resident status of all offshore enterprises. According to SAT Circular 82, an offshore incorporated enterprise controlled by a Chinese mainland enterprise or a Chinese mainland enterprise group will be regarded as a Chinese mainland tax resident by virtue of having its “de facto management body” in Chinese mainland and will be subject to Chinese mainland enterprise income tax on its global income only if all of the following conditions are met: (i) the primary location of the day-to-day operational management is in Chinese mainland; (ii) decisions relating to the enterprise’s financial and human resource matters are made or are subject to approval by organizations or personnel in Chinese mainland; (iii) the enterprise’s primary assets, accounting books and records, company seals, and board and shareholder resolutions, are located or maintained in Chinese mainland; and (iv) at least 50% of voting board members or senior executives habitually reside in Chinese mainland. We believe none of our entities outside of China is a Chinese mainland resident enterprise for Chinese mainland tax purposes. However, the criteria used by the Chinese mainland tax authorities to identify the “de facto management body” still awaits further clarification. If the Chinese mainland tax authorities determine that iQIYI, Inc. is a Chinese mainland resident enterprise for enterprise income tax purposes, we may be required to withhold a 10% withholding tax from interest or dividends we pay to our shareholders that are non-resident enterprises, including the holders of our ordinary shares or ADSs. In addition, non-resident enterprise shareholders (including our ADS holders) may be subject to Chinese mainland tax at a rate of 10% on gains realized on the sale or other disposition of the ADSs or ordinary shares, if such income is treated as sourced from within Chinese mainland. Furthermore, if Chinese mainland tax authorities determine that we are a Chinese mainland resident enterprise for enterprise income tax purposes, interest or dividends paid to our non-Chinese mainland individual shareholders (including our ADS holders) and any gain realized on the transfer of the ADSs or ordinary shares by such holders may be subject to Chinese mainland tax at a rate of 20% (which, in the case of interest or dividends, may be subject to withholding at source), if such gain is deemed to be from Chinese mainland sources. These rates may be reduced by an applicable tax treaty. However, whether non-Chinese mainland shareholders of iQIYI, Inc. would be able to claim the benefits of any tax treaties between their country of tax residence and Chinese mainland in the event that iQIYI, Inc. is treated as a Chinese mainland resident enterprise remains to be determined. Any such tax may reduce the returns on your investment in the ADSs. 53 Any failure or perceived failure to comply with the anti-monopoly, anti-unfair competition, and consumer rights protection laws and regulations may result in governmental investigations or enforcement actions, litigation or claims against us and could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. The PRC government has adopted a series of anti-monopoly and anti-unfair competition laws and regulations and has recently enhanced its enforcement of such laws and regulations. The PRC Anti-monopoly Law and the implementing rules (i) require that where concentration of undertakings reaches the filing threshold stipulated by the State Council, a filing must be made with the anti-monopoly authority before the parties implement the concentration, (ii) prohibit a business operator with a dominant market position from abusing such position, such as by selling commodities at unfairly high prices or buying commodities at unfairly low prices, selling products at prices below cost without any justifiable cause, or refusing to trade with a trading party without any justifiable cause, and (iii) prohibit business operators from entering into monopoly agreements, which refer to agreements that eliminate or restrict competition with competing business operators or transaction counterparties, such as by boycotting transactions, fixing or changing the price of commodities, limiting the output of commodities or fixing the price of commodities for resale to third parties, unless the agreements satisfy certain exemptions under the PRC Anti-monopoly Law. Furthermore, in February 2021, the Anti-monopoly Commission of the State Council officially promulgated the Anti-Monopoly Guidelines for the Internet Platform Economy Sector. The guidelines prohibit certain monopolistic acts of internet platforms so as to protect market competition and safeguard the interests of users and undertakings participating in the internet platform economy, including, without limitation, prohibiting platforms with a dominant position from abusing their market dominance (such as discriminating against customers in terms of pricing and other transactional conditions using big data and analytics, coercing counterparties into exclusivity arrangements, using technology to block competitors’ interfaces, favorable positioning in search results of goods displays, using bundle services to sell services or products, compulsory collection of unnecessary user data). In addition, the guidelines also reinforce antitrust merger review for internet platform related transactions to safeguard market competition. It is still uncertain how they will impact on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects. On August 1, 2022, the Standing Committee further amended the Anti-Monopoly Law, which, among other things, (i) emphasized that business operators with a dominant market position shall not engage in any conduct of abusing a dominant market position by utilizing data and algorithm, technology, and platform rules, (ii) increased the fines on business operators for illegal concentration to “no more than ten percent of the preceding year’s sales revenue of the business operators if the concentration of business operators has or may have an effect of excluding or limiting competition; or a fine of up to RMB5 million if the concentration of business operators does not have an effect of excluding or limiting competition,” and (iii) increased the fines on business operators that reaching monopoly agreements to “no less than one percent but no more than ten percent of the preceding year’s sales revenue of the business operators, or a fine of up to RMB5 million if no sales revenue in the preceding year; and if such monopoly agreements have not been implemented, a fine of up to RMB3 million.” According to the PRC Anti-unfair Competition Law, unfair competition, which refers to the production and operating activities where the operator disrupts the market competition order and damages the legitimate rights and interests of other operators or consumers in violation of the provisions of the PRC Anti-unfair Competition Law, shall be prohibited. Pursuant to the PRC Anti-unfair Competition Law, operators shall abide by the principle of voluntariness, equality, impartiality, integrity and adhere to laws and business ethics during market transactions. Operators in violation of the PRC Anti-unfair Competition Law may be subject to civil, administrative or criminal liabilities depending on the specific circumstances. In practice, the PRC governmental authority also strengthens the supervision of monopoly and other unfair competition acts, activities infringing consumer rights, and requests to establish a new order of the platform economy. In particular, the PRC regulators have been increasingly focused on inspection and regulation on potential noncompliance with anti-unfair competition and anti-monopoly related laws recently. For example, in April 2021, the SAMR, the CAC and the State Administration of Taxation, held an administrative guidance meeting for internet platform enterprises. During the meeting, it was pointed out that illegal activities including, among others, forcing the implementation of “choose one” among the enterprise and its competitors, abusing dominant market position, “cash burning” to seize the “community group buying” market, making use of big data analysis to the disadvantage of existing customers, shall be prohibited and rectified. In addition, many platforms, including 34 enterprises which attended such administrative guidance meeting as representatives of internet platform enterprises, are required to conduct a comprehensive self-inspection and make necessary rectification accordingly. The competent administration for market regulation will organize and conduct inspections on the platforms’ rectification results. If the platforms are found to conduct illegal activities including forcing the implementation of “choose one” among them and their competitors, abusing dominant market position, infringing consumers rights and interests, among others, they will be imposed with more severe penalties in accordance with the laws. We have conducted necessary self-inspection and rectifications in accordance with such guidance and completed rectification procedures, such as filing of concentration notification for our past investments and M&A deals. In addition, China Consumers’ Associations and other local consumers’ associations, who have the authority to bring civil public interest lawsuit and make complains to the governmental authorities, have been targeting large platforms more frequently. Complaints made by consumers’ associations may lead to negative publicity, and increase the risk of governmental investigations and public interest lawsuits. 54 We cannot guarantee you that we will not be subject to more similar or even stricter rectification requests from the governmental authorities or that we will fully comply with all applicable rules and regulations at all times. As a result of the regulators’ focus on anti-monopoly and anti-unfair competition compliance and consumer rights protection and enhanced regulation of platform enterprises, our business practice and expansion strategy may be subject to heightened regulatory scrutiny. In order to comply with existing laws and regulations and new laws and regulations that may be enacted in the future, we may need to devote significant resources and efforts, including restructuring affected businesses, adjusting investment activities and adjusting our business strategy, which may adversely affect our business operation, growth prospects and reputation. In addition, we cannot assure you that our efforts are sufficient to comply with the all the applicable laws and regulations on anti-monopoly, anti-unfair competition and consumer rights protection, and the authorities’ requirements in all respects. Any anti-monopoly, anti-unfair competition or consumer rights protection related lawsuit, regulatory investigations or administrative proceedings initiated against us could also result in our being subject to regulatory actions, significant fines, and constraints on our investments and acquisitions, which could include forced termination of any agreements or transactions, required divestitures, or limitations on certain pricing and business practices or significant fines. As a result, we may be subject to significant difficulties in operating our current business and pursuing our operation, investment and acquisition strategy. It may be difficult for overseas regulators to conduct investigation or collect evidence. The difficulty of cross-border supervision and administration is common in many territories, including Chinese mainland. Although the authorities in Chinese mainland may establish a regulatory cooperation mechanism with the securities regulatory authorities of another country or region to implement cross-border supervision and administration, such cooperation with the securities regulatory authorities in the Unities States may not be efficient in the absence of mutual and practical cooperation mechanism. Furthermore, according to Article 177 of the PRC Securities Law, which took effect in March 2020, no overseas securities regulator is allowed to directly conduct investigation or evidence collection activities within the territory of Chinese mainland and without the consent by the Chinese securities regulatory authorities and the other competent governmental agencies, no entity or individual may provide documents or materials related to securities business overseas. In addition, the Data Security Law and the PRC Personal Information Protection Law provide that no entity or individual within the territory of Chinese mainland shall provide any foreign judicial body and law enforcement body with any data or any personal information stored within the territory of Chinese mainland without the approval of the competent governmental authority of Chinese mainland. While detailed interpretation of or implementation rules under these laws have yet to be promulgated, the inability for an overseas securities regulator to directly conduct investigation or evidence collection activities within Chinese mainland, and restrictions on the provision of documents, materials, data and personal information by PRC entities and individuals to an overseas securities regulator, foreign judicial body or foreign law enforcement body may further increase difficulties faced by you in protecting your interests. If we were to become subject to the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s final rule on outbound investment in the future, our ability to raise capital from U.S. persons could be restricted. On October 28, 2024, the U.S. Department of the Treasury issued a final rule on outbound investment, referred to as the Final Rule, to implement the executive order of August 9, 2023. The Final Rule became effective on January 2, 2025. It imposes investment prohibition and notification requirements on U.S. persons for certain investments in entities associated with China (including Hong Kong and Macau) that are engaged in certain activities relating to three sectors: (i) semiconductors and microelectronics, (ii) quantum information technologies, and (iii) artificial intelligence systems, collectively defined as the Covered Foreign Persons. U.S. persons subject to the Final Rule are in some instances prohibited altogether from making, and in other instances required to report, certain investments in Covered Foreign Persons. We believe we are not a “Covered Foreign Person” as defined in the Final Rule. However, there is no assurance that the U.S. Department of the Treasury will take the same view as ours, which could implicate the prohibition or notification requirements under the Outbound Investment Rule for U.S. persons. Furthermore, the U.S. government has issued a broadly worded “America First Trade Policy” and an “America First Investment Policy” that seek to further restrict U.S. investments involving China (including possibly expanding technologies subject to investment restrictions and narrowing related exceptions, such as those related to publicly traded securities). If we were deemed to be a Covered Foreign Person in the future due to changes in our business operations or amendments to relevant laws and regulations or the interpretation thereof, at which time restrictions on investments by U.S. persons (as defined under the Final Rule) could significantly and negatively affect our ability to raise capital, in which case the trading price of our ADSs may be materially and adversely affected. 55 Risks Related to Our ADSs The trading price of our ADSs has been and is likely to continue to be volatile regardless of our operating performance. Since our ADSs became listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market on March 29, 2018, the trading price of our ADSs has fluctuated significantly. The market price for our ADSs may continue to be volatile and subject to wide fluctuations in response to factors including, but not limited to, the following: •actual or anticipated fluctuations in our quarterly results of operations; •changes in financial estimates by securities research analysts; •conditions in online entertainment markets; •announcements of new investments, acquisitions by our company or our competitors, strategic partnerships, joint ventures or capital commitments; •addition or departure of key personnel; •fluctuations of exchange rates between RMB and the U.S. dollar; •litigation, government investigation or other legal or regulatory proceeding; and general economic or political conditions in Chinese mainland or elsewhere in the world. In addition, the stock market in general, and the performance and fluctuation of the market prices for internet-related companies and other companies with operations mainly in Chinese mainland in particular, may affect the volatility in the prices of and trading volumes for our ADSs. The securities of some China-based companies that have listed their securities in the United States have experienced significant volatility that often has been unrelated to the operating performance of such companies, including, in some cases, substantial declines in the trading prices of their securities. The trading performances of these companies’ securities may affect the attitudes of investors towards Chinese companies listed in the United States in general, which consequently may impact the trading performance of our ADSs, regardless of our actual operating performance. In addition, any negative news or perceptions about inadequate corporate governance practices or fraudulent accounting, corporate structure or other matters of other Chinese companies may also negatively affect the attitudes of investors towards Chinese companies in general, including us, regardless of whether we have engaged in any inappropriate activities. In particular, the global financial crisis, the ensuing economic recessions and deterioration in the credit market in many countries have contributed and may continue to contribute to extreme volatility in the global stock markets. These broad market and industry fluctuations may adversely affect the market price of our ADSs. Volatility or a lack of positive performance in the price of our ADSs may also adversely affect our ability to retain key employees, most of whom have been granted options or other equity incentives. In the past, shareholders of public companies have often brought securities class action suits against those companies following periods of instability in the market price of their securities. If we were involved in a class action suit, it could divert a significant amount of our management’s attention and other resources from our business and operations and require us to incur significant expenses to defend the suit, which could harm our results of operations. Any such class action suit, whether or not successful, could harm our reputation and restrict our ability to raise capital in the future. In addition, if a claim is successfully made against us, we may be required to pay significant damages, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. Substantial future sales or perceived potential sales of our ADSs in the public market could cause the price of our ADSs to decline. Sales of our ADSs in the public market, or the perception that these sales could occur, could cause the market price of our ADSs to decline. We cannot predict what effect, if any, market sales of securities held by our significant shareholders or any other shareholder or the availability of these securities for future sale will have on the market price of our ADSs. Such sales also might make it more difficult for us to sell equity or equity-related securities in the future at a time and price that we deem appropriate. If any existing shareholder or shareholders sell a substantial amount of ADSs, the prevailing market price for our ADSs could be adversely affected. In addition, if we pay for our future acquisitions in whole or in part with additionally issued ordinary shares, your ownership interests in our company would be diluted and this, in turn, could have a material and adverse effect on the price of our ADSs. 56 If securities or industry analysts do not publish research or publish inaccurate or unfavorable research about our business, the market price for our ADSs and trading volume could decline. The trading market for our ADSs will depend in part on the research and reports that securities or industry analysts publish about us or our business. If research analysts do not maintain adequate research coverage or if one or more of the analysts who covers us downgrades our ADSs or publishes inaccurate or unfavorable research about our business, the market price for our ADSs would likely decline. If one or more of these analysts cease coverage of our company or fail to publish reports on us regularly, we could lose visibility in the financial markets, which, in turn, could cause the market price of or trading volume for our ADSs to decline. Techniques employed by short sellers may drive down the market price of our ADSs. Short selling is the practice of selling securities that the seller does not own but rather has borrowed from a third party with the intention of buying identical securities back at a later date to return to the lender. The short seller hopes to profit from a decline in the value of the securities between the sale of the borrowed securities and the purchase of the replacement shares, as the short seller expects to pay less in that purchase than it received in the sale. As it is in the short seller’s interest for the price of the security to decline, many short sellers publish, or arrange for the publication of, negative opinions regarding the issuer and its business prospects in order to create negative market momentum and generate profits for themselves after selling a security short. These short attacks have, in the past, led to selling of shares in the market. Public companies listed in the United States that have a substantial majority of their operations in Chinese mainland have been the subject of short selling. Much of the scrutiny and negative publicity has centered on allegations of a lack of effective internal control over financial reporting resulting in financial and accounting irregularities and mistakes, inadequate corporate governance policies or a lack of adherence thereto and, in many cases, allegations of fraud. As a result, many of these companies are now conducting internal and external investigations into the allegations and, in the interim, are subject to shareholder lawsuits and SEC enforcement actions. We had historically been, and may in the future be, the subject of unfavorable allegations made by short sellers. Any such allegations may be followed by periods of instability in the market price of our ordinary shares and ADSs and negative publicity. If and when we become the subject of any unfavorable allegations, whether such allegations are proven to be true or untrue, we could have to expend a significant amount of resources to investigate such allegations and defend ourselves. While we would strongly defend against any such short seller attacks, we may be constrained in the manner in which we can proceed against the short seller by principles of freedom of speech, applicable federal or state law or issues of commercial confidentiality. Such a situation could be costly and time-consuming and could distract our management from growing our business. Even if such allegations are ultimately proven to be groundless, allegations against us could severely impact our business operations and shareholder’s equity, and the value of any investment in our ADSs could be greatly diminished. Because we do not expect to pay dividends in the foreseeable future, you must rely on price appreciation of our ADSs for return on your investment. We currently intend to retain most, if not all, of our available funds and any future earnings to fund the development and growth of our business. As a result, we do not expect to pay any cash dividends in the foreseeable future. Therefore, you should not rely on an investment in our ADSs as a source for any future dividend income. Our board of directors has complete discretion as to whether to distribute dividends. Even if our board of directors decides to declare and pay dividends, the timing, amount and form of future dividends, if any, will depend on our future results of operations and cash flow, our capital requirements and surplus, the amount of distributions, if any, received by our company from our subsidiaries, our financial condition, contractual restrictions and other factors deemed relevant by our board of directors. Accordingly, the return to ADS holders will likely depend entirely upon any future price appreciation of our ADSs. There is no guarantee that our ADSs will appreciate in value or even maintain the price at which ADS holders purchased the ADSs. The exercise of voting rights of holders of ADSs are limited by the terms of the deposit agreement, and you may not be able to exercise your right to vote your Class A ordinary shares. Holders of our ADSs will only be able to exercise the voting rights with respect to the underlying Class A ordinary shares in accordance with the provisions of the deposit agreement. Under the deposit agreement, ADS holders must vote by giving voting instructions to the depositary. If we ask for instructions of ADS holders, then upon receipt of such voting instructions, the depositary will try to vote the underlying Class A ordinary shares in accordance with these instructions. If we do not instruct the depositary to ask for instructions of ADS holders, the depositary may still vote in accordance with instructions given by holders of ADSs, but it is not required to do so. ADS holders will not be able to directly exercise your right to vote with respect to the underlying shares unless you 57 withdraw the shares. When a general meeting is convened, an ADS holder may not receive sufficient advance notice to withdraw the shares underlying his or her ADSs to allow such holder to vote with respect to any specific matter. If we ask for instructions of holders of ADSs, the depositary will notify ADS holders of the upcoming vote and will arrange to deliver our voting materials to ADS holders. We have agreed to give the depositary at least 30 days’ prior notice of shareholder meetings. Nevertheless, we cannot assure you that ADS holders will receive the voting materials in time to ensure that ADS holders can instruct the depositary to vote their shares. In addition, the depositary and its agents are not responsible for failing to carry out voting instructions or for their manner of carrying out ADS holders’ voting instructions. This means that an ADS holder may not be able to exercise the right to vote and may have no legal remedy if the shares underlying his or her ADSs are not voted as such holder requested. ADS holders may experience dilution of his or her holdings due to inability to participate in rights offerings. We may, from time to time, distribute rights to our shareholders, including rights to acquire securities. Under the deposit agreement, the depositary will not distribute rights to holders of ADSs unless the distribution and sale of rights and the securities to which these rights relate are either exempt from registration under the Securities Act with respect to all holders of ADSs, or are registered under the provisions of the Securities Act. The depositary may, but is not required to, attempt to sell these undistributed rights to third parties, and may allow the rights to lapse. We may be unable to establish an exemption from registration under the Securities Act, and we are under no obligation to file a registration statement with respect to these rights or underlying securities or to endeavor to have a registration statement declared effective. Accordingly, holders of ADSs may be unable to participate in our rights offerings and may experience dilution of their holdings as a result. ADS holders may be subject to limitations on transfer of their ADSs Our ADSs are transferable on the books of the depositary. However, the depositary may close its books at any time or from time to time when it deems expedient in connection with the performance of its duties. The depositary may close its books from time to time for a number of reasons, including in connection with corporate events such as a rights offering, during which time the depositary needs to maintain an exact number of ADS holders on its books for a specified period. The depositary may also close its books in emergencies, and on weekends and public holidays. The depositary may refuse to deliver, transfer or register transfers of our ADSs generally when our share register or the books of the depositary are closed, or at any time if we or the depositary thinks it is advisable to do so because of any requirement of law or of any government or governmental body, or under any provision of the deposit agreement, or for any other reason. Certain judgments obtained against us or our directors and management by our shareholders may not be enforceable. We are a Cayman Islands exempted company and substantially all of our assets are located outside of the United States. Substantially all of our current operations are conducted in Chinese mainland, and are all located outside of the Cayman Islands. Service of court documents on a Cayman Islands company can be effected by serving the documents at the company’s registered office and it may be possible to enforce foreign judgments in the Cayman Islands against a Cayman Islands company, subject to some exceptions. However, if investors wish to serve documents on and/or enforce foreign judgments against our directors and officers, they will need to ensure that they comply with the rules of the jurisdiction where the directors and officers are located. In addition, all of our directors and executive officers are located in Chinese mainland or Hong Kong as of the date of this annual report. As a result, it may be difficult or impossible for you to bring an action against us or against these individuals in the United States in the event that you believe that your rights have been infringed under the U.S. federal securities laws, or otherwise. Even if you are successful in bringing an action of this kind, the laws of the Cayman Islands, Chinese mainland and Hong Kong may render you unable to enforce a judgment against our assets or the assets of our directors and officers, depending on where our directors and officers are located. You may also experience difficulties in enforcing judgments of the United States courts obtained against us or our directors or executive officers in Chinese mainland or Hong Kong as the United States and Chinese mainland or Hong Kong do not have a bilateral treaty or multilateral convention in force on reciprocal recognition and enforcement of judgments. As a result, any United States judgment may only be enforceable in Chinese mainland or Hong Kong provided that the conditions set forth in the laws of these jurisdictions are determined by the courts of Chinese mainland or Hong Kong, as applicable, to have been fulfilled. For details of the limitations relating to the enforceability of civil liabilities, see “Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employees—E. Share Ownership—Enforceability of Civil Liabilities.” You may face difficulties in protecting your interests, and your ability to protect your rights through U.S. courts may be limited (depending on the remedies you are seeking), because we are incorporated under Cayman Islands law. We are an exempted company incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands with limited liability. Our corporate affairs are governed by our memorandum and articles of association, the Companies Act and the common law of the Cayman Islands. The rights of shareholders to take action against the directors, actions by minority shareholders and the fiduciary duties of our directors to us under Cayman Islands law are to a large extent also governed by our memorandum and articles of association, the Companies Act and 58 the common law of the Cayman Islands. The common law of the Cayman Islands is derived in part from comparatively limited judicial precedent in the Cayman Islands (as compared to the United States) as well as from the common law of England. The decisions of the English courts are of highly persuasive authority, but are not binding, on a court in the Cayman Islands (except for those decisions handed down from the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council to the extent that these have been appealed from the Cayman Islands courts). The rights of our shareholders and the fiduciary duties of our directors under Cayman Islands law are broadly similar to those in other common law jurisdictions, but there may be differences in the statutes or judicial precedent in some jurisdictions in the United States. In particular, the Cayman Islands has a different body of securities laws than the United States. Some U.S. states, such as Delaware, have more fully developed and judicially interpreted bodies of corporate law than the Cayman Islands. In addition, plaintiffs may face special obstacles, including but not limited to those relating to jurisdiction and standing, in attempting to assert derivative claims in state or federal courts of the United States. Shareholders of Cayman Islands exempted companies with limited liability like us have no general rights under Cayman Islands law to inspect corporate records (other than the memorandum and articles of association, the register of mortgages and charges and any special resolutions passed by shareholders) or to obtain copies of lists of shareholders of these companies. Under Cayman Islands law, the names of our current directors can be obtained from a search conducted at the Registrar of Companies in the Cayman Islands. Our directors have discretion under our articles of association to determine whether or not, and under what conditions, our corporate records may be inspected by our shareholders, but are not obliged to make them available to our shareholders. This may make it more difficult for you to obtain the information needed to establish any facts necessary for a shareholder motion or to solicit proxies from other shareholders in connection with a proxy contest. As a result of all of the above, our public shareholders may have more difficulty in protecting their interests in the face of actions taken by management, members of the board of directors or controlling shareholders than they would as public shareholders of a company incorporated in the United States. Since we are a Cayman Islands exempted company, the rights of our shareholders may be more limited than those of shareholders of a company organized in the United States. Under the laws of some jurisdictions in the United States, majority and controlling shareholders generally have certain fiduciary responsibilities to the minority shareholders. Shareholder action must be taken in good faith, and actions by controlling shareholders which are obviously unreasonable may be declared null and void. Cayman Islands law protecting the interests of minority shareholders may not be as protective in all circumstances as the law protecting minority shareholders in some U.S. jurisdictions. In addition, the circumstances in which a shareholder of a Cayman Islands company may sue the company derivatively, and the procedures and defenses that may be available to the company, may result in the rights of shareholders of a Cayman Islands company being more limited than those of shareholders of a company organized in the United States. Furthermore, our directors have the power to take certain actions without shareholder approval which would require shareholder approval under the laws of most U.S. jurisdictions. The directors of a Cayman Islands company, without shareholder approval, may implement a sale of any assets, property, part of the business, or securities of the company. Our ability to create and issue new classes or series of shares without shareholders’ approval could have the effect of delaying, deterring or preventing a change in control without any further action by our shareholders, including a tender offer to purchase our ordinary shares at a premium over then current market prices. Our dual-class voting structure limits your ability to influence corporate matters and could discourage others from pursuing any change of control transactions that holders of our ADSs may view as beneficial. Our authorized and issued ordinary shares are divided into Class A ordinary shares and Class B ordinary shares (and a further class of authorized but undesignated shares). Holders of Class A ordinary shares are entitled to one vote per share, while holders of Class B ordinary shares are entitled to ten votes per share. Due to the disparate voting powers attached to these two classes of ordinary shares, Baidu, holder of our Class B ordinary shares, held approximately 45.1% of our total issued and outstanding ordinary shares and 89.1% of the voting power of our outstanding shares as of February 28, 2026. Therefore, Baidu has decisive influence over matters requiring shareholders’ approval, including election of directors and significant corporate transactions, such as a merger or sale of our company or our assets. This concentrated control limits the ability of holders of Class A ordinary shares and ADSs to influence corporate matters and could discourage others from pursuing any potential merger, takeover or other change of control transactions that holders of Class A ordinary shares and ADSs may view as beneficial. 59 Our memorandum and articles of association contain anti-takeover provisions that could have a material adverse effect on the rights of holders of our ordinary shares and ADSs. Our memorandum and articles of association contain provisions to limit the ability of others to acquire control of our company or cause us to engage in change-of-control transactions. These provisions could have the effect of depriving our shareholders of an opportunity to sell their shares at a premium over prevailing market prices by discouraging third parties from seeking to obtain control of our company in a tender offer or similar transaction. Subject to our memorandum and articles of association and the Companies Act, our board of directors has the authority, without further action by our shareholders, to issue preferred shares in one or more series and to fix their designations, powers, preferences, privileges, and relative participating, optional or special rights and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions, including dividend rights, conversion rights, voting rights, terms of redemption and liquidation preferences, any or all of which may be greater than the rights associated with our ordinary shares, in the form of ADS or otherwise. Preferred shares could be issued quickly with terms calculated to delay or prevent a change in control of our company or make removal of management more difficult. If our board of directors decides to issue preferred shares, the price of our ADSs may fall and the voting and other rights of the holders of our ordinary shares and ADSs may be materially and adversely affected. We are a foreign private issuer within the meaning of the rules under the Exchange Act, and as such we are exempt from certain provisions applicable to United States domestic public companies. Because we are a foreign private issuer under the Exchange Act, we are exempt from certain provisions of the securities rules and regulations in the United States that are applicable to U.S. domestic issuers, including: (i) the rules under the Exchange Act requiring the filing of quarterly reports on Form 10-Q or current reports on Form 8-K with the SEC; (ii) the sections of the Exchange Act regulating the solicitation of proxies, consents, or authorizations in respect of a security registered under the Exchange Act; (iii) the sections of the Exchange Act regulating the liability for insiders who profit from trades made in a short period of time; (iv) the selective disclosure rules by issuers of material nonpublic information under Regulation FD; and (v) certain audit committee independence requirements in Rule 10A-3 of the Exchange Act. We are required to file an annual report on Form 20-F within four months of the end of each fiscal year. In addition, we publish our results on a quarterly basis through press releases, distributed pursuant to the rules and regulations of Nasdaq Stock Market. Press releases relating to financial results and material events will also be furnished to the SEC on Form 6-K. However, the information we are required to file with or furnish to the SEC is less extensive and less timely compared to that required to be filed with the SEC by U.S. domestic issuers. As a result, you may not be afforded the same protections or information, which would be made available to you, were you investing in a U.S. domestic issuer. In addition, as a foreign private issuer whose securities are listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market, we are permitted to follow certain home country corporate governance practices in lieu of the requirements of the Nasdaq Rules pursuant to Nasdaq Rule 5615(a) (3), which provides for such exemption to compliance with the Nasdaq Rule 5600 Series. We rely on the exemption available to foreign private issuers for the requirement under Nasdaq Rule 5605(c)(2)(A)(i) that each member of the audit committee must be an independent director as defined under Nasdaq Rule 5605(a)(2). Mr. Fei Qi, who is a non-voting member of our audit committee, is not an independent director as defined under Nasdaq Rule 5605(a)(2). In addition, we follow home country practice with respect to annual shareholders meetings and did not hold an annual meeting of shareholders in 2025. Furthermore, Nasdaq Rule 5635(c) requires shareholder approval prior to the issuance of securities when a stock option or purchase plan is to be established or materially amended or other equity compensation arrangement made or materially amended, pursuant to which stock may be acquired by officers, directors, employees, or consultants. We elected to follow our home country practice and did not obtain shareholder approval for the adoption of our 2024 Plan in May 2024. If we continue to rely on these and other exemptions available to foreign private issuers in the future, our shareholders may be afforded less protection than they otherwise would under the Nasdaq corporate governance listing standards applicable to U.S. domestic issuers. Furthermore, as a result of our use of the “controlled company” exemptions, our investors will not have the same protection afforded to shareholders of companies that are subject to all of Nasdaq’s corporate governance requirements. In addition, on June 4, 2025, the SEC issued a concept release soliciting public input on whether the definition of foreign private issuer should be amended, including possible changes to the eligibility criteria and the regulatory framework applicable to foreign private issuers. Any changes to the SEC’s rules could result in new or more stringent requirements for foreign private issuers or could cause us to lose our status as a foreign private issuer. If the SEC adopts new rules or amends existing rules in a manner that affects our eligibility as a foreign private issuer, we could become subject to additional U.S. regulatory and reporting requirements applicable to domestic issuers, which could increase our compliance costs, negatively affect our ability to raise capital in international markets, and require significant management attention and resources. There can be no assurance as to the timing or outcome of any such regulatory changes, or the impact they may have on our business, operations, or reporting obligations. 60 We may be a passive foreign investment company, or PFIC, which could result in adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences for U.S. shareholders. Generally, a non-U.S. corporation, such as our company, will be considered a PFIC for any taxable year if either (i) at least 75% of its gross income is passive income or (ii) at least 50% of the value of its assets (generally based on an average of the quarterly values of the assets during a taxable year) is attributable to assets that produce or are held for the production of passive income. For purposes of these rules, the value of certain of our assets is generally determined by reference to the market price of the ADSs and class A ordinary shares, which may fluctuate considerably. Based on the market price of our ADSs, the value of our assets and the composition of our assets and income, we believe that we were not a PFIC for our taxable year ended December 31, 2025, and do not presently expect to be a PFIC for the 2026 taxable year or the foreseeable future. However, PFIC status is a fact-intensive determination that generally cannot be determined until after the close of the taxable year in question, and is based on that year’s composition of income and assets (which could change significantly during the course of a taxable year). Fluctuations in the market price of our ADSs, for instance, may cause us to become a PFIC for the current or subsequent taxable years because the value of certain of our assets, for the purpose of the asset test, is generally determined by reference to the market price of our ADSs. The composition of our income and assets may also be affected by how, and how quickly, we use our liquid assets. In addition, there are uncertainties in the application of the PFIC rules to our particular circumstances. It is possible that the Internal Revenue Service, or IRS, may challenge our classification of certain income and assets or our valuation of our tangible and intangible assets, each of which may result in our becoming a PFIC for the current or subsequent taxable years. Furthermore, we may also be a PFIC if we were not treated as the owner of the variable interest entities for U.S. tax purposes. Accordingly, no assurance can be given regarding our PFIC status for the current or any taxable year. If we were treated as a PFIC for any taxable year during which a U.S. shareholder held an ADS or Class A ordinary share, certain adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences could apply to the U.S. shareholder. See “Item 10. Additional Information—Taxation—U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations—Passive Foreign Investment Company Considerations.” Provisions of our outstanding convertible senior notes could discourage an acquisition of us by a third party. Certain provisions of our outstanding convertible senior notes could make it more difficult or more expensive for a third-party to acquire us. The indentures for the PAG Notes, 2028 Notes and 2030 Notes define a “fundamental change” to include, among other things: (i) any person or group becoming a beneficial owner of our company through gaining more than 50% voting power of our ordinary share capital or more than 50% of our outstanding Class A ordinary shares; (ii) any recapitalization, reclassification or change of our ordinary shares or ADSs as a result of which these securities would be converted into, or exchanged for, stock, other securities, other property or assets or any share exchange, consolidation or merger or similar transaction pursuant to which our ordinary shares or ADSs will be converted into cash, securities or other property or any sale, lease or other transfer in one transaction or series of transaction of all or substantially all our consolidated assets, to any person other than one of our subsidiaries or variable interest entities; (iii) the adoption of any plan or proposal relating to the liquidation or dissolution of our company; (iv) our ADSs ceasing to be listed or quoted on any of The Nasdaq Global Select Market, The Nasdaq Global Market, The New York Stock Exchange (or any of their respective successors) and none of the ADSs, Class A ordinary shares, other common equity and ADSs in respect of reference property is listed or quoted on one of The Nasdaq Global Select Market, The Nasdaq Global Market, The New York Stock Exchange (or any of their respective successors) within one trading day of such cessation; or (v) any change in or amendment to the laws, regulations and rules in Chinese mainland that prohibits us from operating substantially all of our business operations and prevents us from continuing to derive substantially all of the economic benefits from our business operations. Upon the occurrence of a fundamental change, holders of these convertible senior notes will have the right, at their option, to require us to repurchase their notes. In the event of a fundamental change, we may also be required to issue additional ADSs upon conversion of our convertible senior notes. Conversion of the convertible senior notes may dilute the ownership interest of existing shareholders, including holders who had previously converted their convertible senior notes. The conversion of some or all of the convertible senior notes will dilute the ownership interests of existing shareholders and existing holders of our ADSs. Any sales in the public market of the ADSs issuable upon such conversion may increase the opportunities to create short positions with respect to the ADSs, which could adversely affect prevailing market prices of our ADSs. In addition, the existence of the convertible senior notes may encourage short selling by market participants because the conversion of the convertible senior notes could depress the price of our ADSs. 61

A.HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE COMPANY We launched qiyi.com under the QIYI brand in April 2010 as an internet video streaming service in Chinese mainland. Our holding company, Ding Xin, Inc., was incorporated in November 2009 in the Cayman Islands. Ding Xin, Inc. was subsequently renamed Qiyi.com, Inc. in August 2010 and later iQIYI, Inc. in November 2017. QIYI was rebranded as iQIYI in November 2011. In March 2010, we established a wholly-owned Chinese mainland subsidiary, Beijing QIYI Century Science and Technology Co., Ltd., or Beijing QIYI Century. In November 2011, we obtained control over Beijing Xinlian Xinde Advertisement Media Co., Ltd. and in May 2012 we renamed it Beijing iQIYI Science & Technology Co., Ltd., or Beijing iQIYI, to operate our internet video streaming services. In December 2012, Shanghai iQIYI Culture Media Co., Ltd., or Shanghai iQIYI, was established as our exclusive advertising agent. In May 2013, we acquired the online video business of PPS. We primarily provide live streaming service through Shanghai Zhong Yuan Network Co., Ltd., or Shanghai Zhong Yuan, the operating entity of PPS. We are considered as the primary beneficiary of Beijing iQIYI, Shanghai iQIYI and Shanghai Zhong Yuan as a result of a series of contractual arrangements, and have consolidated their financial results as our variable interest entities under U.S. GAAP for accounting purposes. Beijing iQIYI and Shanghai Zhong Yuan hold our VATS Licenses and other licenses and permits necessary for our business operation. In May 2017, we established a wholly-owned Cayman Islands subsidiary, iQIYI Film Group Limited. Subsequently, we established iQIYI Film Group HK Limited in June 2017, and Beijing iQIYI New Media Science and Technology Co., Ltd., or iQIYI New Media, in July 2017. iQIYI Film Group Limited holds 100% of the equity of iQIYI Film Group HK Limited, which in turn holds 100% of equity in iQIYI New Media. Beijing iQIYI Intelligent Entertainment Technology Co., Ltd., or Intelligent Entertainment (previously known as Beijing iQIYI Cinema Management Co., Ltd., or Beijing iQIYI Cinema), was established in June 2017. We are considered as the primary beneficiary of Intelligent Entertainment as a result of a series of contractual arrangements, and have consolidated its financial results as our variable interest entity under U.S. GAAP for accounting purposes. On March 29, 2018, our ADS commenced trading on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol “IQ.” On July 17, 2018, we completed the acquisition of 100% equity stake in Skymoons Inc. and Chengdu Skymoons Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd., the two entities that owned and operated Skymoons. The aggregate consideration consists of a fixed payment of RMB1.27 billion, as well as an additional consideration valued at RMB730 million as of June 30, 2018, which has been delivered upon the satisfaction of the agreed upon performance benchmarks. In January 2024, we established a Chinese mainland subsidiary, Beijing iQIYI Optical Era Technology Co., Ltd., or iQIYI Optical Era, which is wholly-owned by iQIYI Film Group HK Limited. Subsequently, Beijing iQIYI Yinhua Media Co., Ltd., or iQIYI Yinhua, was established in January 2024. We are considered as the primary beneficiary of iQIYI Yinhua as a result of a series of contractual arrangements, and have consolidated its financial results as our variable interest entity under U.S. GAAP for accounting purposes. Our principal executive offices are located at 4/F, iQIYI Youth Center, Yoolee Plaza, No. 21, North Road of Workers’ Stadium, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100027 People’s Republic of China. Our telephone number at this address is +86 10 6267-7171. Our registered office in the Cayman Islands is located at PO Box 309, Ugland House, Grand Cayman, KY1-1104, Cayman Islands. Our agent for service of process in the United States in connection with the registration statement on Form F-3 is Cogency Global Inc., located at 122 East 42nd Street, 18th Floor, New York, NY 10168. SEC maintains an internet site that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC on www.sec.gov. You can also find information on our website http://ir.iqiyi.com. The information contained on our website is not a part of this annual report. B.BUSINESS OVERVIEW iQIYI is a leading provider of online entertainment video services in China. Since our inception, we have always put content and users at the center, orienting each of our business strategies around delivering superior-quality content and a user-friendly entertainment experience. Artistically crafted and imbued with industry expertise distilled from over a decade of operational experience, many iQIYI original titles have secured their places among the most successful IP franchises in the history of Chinese popular culture. Designed and refined by our engineers with a deep understanding of the evolving user preferences, our products continue to advance and offer superior experience for users. 62 Our platform features a comprehensive and diversified content library. As of December 31, 2025, our content library boasted over 40,000 professionally produced long-form content titles, including drama series, films, variety shows, children’s content, animations, and others, along with approximately 20,000 micro dramas, collectively providing an all-inclusive entertainment experience for our users. We are home to many acclaimed original drama series and variety show franchises, among others, with in-house studios spearheading our original content production. In 2025, iQIYI original drama series served as the main driver for premium content supply, accounting for over 90% of the newly released drama series with iQIYI popularity index scores of over 9,000. We are integrating AI throughout our business to drive operational efficiency and deliver superior user experience. For example, we used Screenplay Studio (剧本工坊), a proprietary AI tool, to systematically identify high potential scripts and enhance their likelihood of becoming audience hits. We also leveraged AI to generate micro animations. As for user experience, we have launched innovative AI-powered features including Taodou (桃豆), a smart personal assistant who provides personalized content recommendations and plot explanations through conversational interactions. We have developed diversified monetization models. We generate revenues through membership services, online advertising services, content distribution, and a suite of other monetization methods. Our membership services contribute a significant portion of our revenues. Our monetization model fosters an environment for high-quality content production and effective content distribution on our platform, which in turn attracts a large and highly-engaged user base, creating a virtuous cycle. Our Products and Services We provide our users with a variety of products and services encompassing online videos, experience services, online games, comics, and others. Videos We produce, aggregate and distribute a wide variety of long-form videos, micro dramas and other video contents. Our extensive portfolio encompasses primarily iQIYI original content and licensed content. Long-form Videos iQIYI original content Driven by our long-term commitment to original content, we have established a unique and effective methodology for both original content production and operations. Powered by a strong team of professionals and supported by a mature and highly efficient operating mechanism, our methodology covers everything from content creation to production and post-broadcasting. iQIYI original drama series have become the main driver for our premium drama content supply. To date, we have had 22 dramas that achieved over 10,000 iQIYI popularity index scores, of which six were released in 2025. iQIYI original content includes content produced in-house and content produced in collaboration with third-party partners. We have a diversified portfolio that includes: •Original dramas, such as Drifting Away (漂白), Feud (临江仙), Coroner’s Diary (朝雪录), The Thriving Land (生万物), Strange Tales of Tang Dynasty III To Chang’an (唐朝诡事录之长安) and The Punishment (罚罪2), all of which broke our internal 10,000 iQIYI popularity index score; •Variety shows, such as the multi-season The Rap of China (新说唱), Become A Farmer (种地吧), and The King of Stand-up Comedy (喜剧之王单口季); •Movies, such as Clash (冲·撞), and The Shadow’s Edge (捕风追影); and •Children’s content and animations, such as the multi-season Deer Squad (无敌鹿战队) and The Great Ruler (大主宰). For iQIYI original content produced in collaboration with third-party partners, typically established entertainment production companies, we maintain a high degree of control throughout the content development and production process. We also adapt video IP into multiple entertainment products, such as online games, IP-based consumer products, and offline experiences. 63 Licensed content In addition to iQIYI original content, we also provide users with a selection of professionally produced content that is produced by and licensed from third parties. Leveraging our expertise in content selection, we have successfully debuted well-received titles such as the drama series A Dream Within A Dream (书卷一梦), We Are Criminal Police (我是刑警), A Journey to Love (一念关山), A Lifelong Journey (人世间), and the variety show Keep Running (奔跑吧). Our licensed content library also features movies, animations, documentaries and other content. Our licensed video content is typically procured from third parties at fixed rates for a specified term. Payments of licensing fees are generally made in installments upon signing of the contract and during the license period. We also exchange internet broadcasting rights of licensed content with other internet video streaming services to enrich our content library. We leverage our content procurement team’s insights and our AI-based analytics capabilities to optimize content procurement. We have established partnerships with content providers to ensure access to high-quality content. These partners include leading domestic and overseas production companies and TV networks. Micro Dramas Starting in 2024, we have been enhancing our content offerings by integrating micro dramas to complement our extensive long-form content portfolio. Micro dramas, featuring episodes primarily one to five minutes long, are optimized for vertical screen viewing. Micro dramas differ from long-form videos in format, storytelling style, and audience reach, catering specifically to users seeking quick entertainment breaks. Through introducing micro dramas, we aim to cater to diverse user preferences and viewing scenarios. This diversified content approach is designed to broaden our user reach while enhancing user satisfaction and loyalty, and drive monetization opportunities over time. Other Video Content We also offer a broad base of other video content with all kinds of genres, formats and running times, such as micro animations, micro variety shows, edited video clips, and video blogs. Our other video content expands our library and allows us to capture a broader user base, drive user engagement and enhance user stickiness. Our other video content is created and uploaded to our platform by a wide array of content providers. The content providers range from ordinary registered users, amateurs, and semiprofessional partners to internet influencers, multi-channel networks, and production studios, which collectively contribute to growing our creative user community. Content providers upload their videos onto their iQIYI partner accounts, an open platform we provide, to share, distribute and monetize their video content. We then evaluate the quality of uploaded videos through the use of AI and manual review before final approval. Users can follow their favorite iQIYI partner accounts. Overseas Business We expand our business overseas through our multilingual iQIYI International app and international website, featuring popular Chinese content, commonly known as C-pop, along with a wide range of local video content and others, to cater to a diverse global audience. We currently support interfaces in over ten languages, ensuring a user-friendly experience for viewers worldwide. Our app and website are globally accessible and our app can be downloaded from major app stores, making it convenient for users across different countries and regions to enjoy our content offerings. Our goal for overseas business is to make our platform the home to beloved Asian content. We also seek collaboration with local partners to leverage their strong marketing capabilities and know-how in high-quality local content. Experience Business Our experience business focuses on two key areas: IP-based consumer products and offline experiences. We are leveraging our extensive and unique IP collection to tap into the IP merchandising market. We are also in the process of building our premium IPs into offline experiences through iQIYI LAND and the launch of VR-empowered immersive theaters. Our first iQIYI LAND premiered on February 8, 2026, offering attractions including VR tours, holographic spaces, immersive shows, recreation of popular drama or film sets, opportunity to interact with beloved characters, and parties and games, and serving as a retail channel for our IP-based 64 consumer products. There are currently two other iQIYI LANDs under development. Additionally, we engage with customers through immersive theaters leveraging our industry-leading XR and VR technologies. Other Products and Services Our other products and services include online games, comics and others. We develop and distribute online games featured in various formats to domestic and overseas users. We provide comics works which can be adapted into script for derivative entertainment products. In January 2021, we officially released the iQIYI Lite app, which offers users an easy and quick access to the personalized videos based on user preferences. The iQIYI Lite app enables us to expand our total addressable market by reaching regions and user cohorts that are not yet covered by our main app. User Experience We offer entertainment content across our user-friendly and feature-rich interfaces on our website, mobile app, smart TV and other online terminals. In our ongoing commitment to improving user experience, we have introduced multiple advancements in 2025, including adding AI-enabled features such as iJump (跳看), which enables users to freely skip between key highlights in each episode, and iQuickReel (速看), which turns long-form content into collections of short videos, offering a micro drama like experience. We have developed Taodou World (桃豆世界), a proprietary platform that features over 1,700 NPC agents from our popular IPs, together with an AI agent, Taodou (桃豆), which acts as a personal assistant that offers support such as video searches, recommendations, and plot insights. Our home page is a one-stop portal for users to access both trending and recommended content. Leveraging our big data analytics, we analyze user browsing behavior to understand their tastes and preferences, and dynamically update the content shown on the home page to offer users the content they enjoy. Our interface offers a variety of viewing functions designed to enhance user experience. We provide various picture resolution and play options. Other key functions include bullet chat, screenshots, screen mirroring and video caching. Monetization We generate revenues primarily through membership services, online advertising and content distribution. We also generate revenues from other monetization methods, including online games, talent agency, experience business and more. Membership Services Our membership services provide subscribing members with a choice of various membership privileges. Our current membership program consists of multiple packages, tailored for individuals and families. Both individual and family packages include an ad-supported basic service tier and a standard service tier. Moreover, the family package also features a premium service tier. Each membership plan is offered at a different price and provides subscribing members with access to a large collection of subscribing members-only content comprised of long-form videos, micro dramas and others. Subscribing members also enjoy earlier access to certain content aired on the iQIYI platform and a bundle of viewing functions and features. Our members primarily include subscribing members and, to a lesser extent, users who gain access to our premium content library through paid video-on-demand service. We review and evaluate the scope and the price of our membership services periodically, and may adjust based on evolving market demands from time to time. We assess and improve our membership services to better meet the evolving user demand. For example, we offer Express Packages (加更礼) that grant early access to finale episodes of hit drama series, and in 2025, we integrated this benefit into the S-diamond Plans at no additional cost to encourage membership upgrades. Additionally, during selected offline major marketing events, we offer exclusive perks like red-carpet viewing privilege and live feeds featuring the members’ favorite celebrities. We also offer bundled membership initiatives to reach broader audience, and offer the Courtesy Experience Programs (云包场) to enable content lovers, brand advertisers and more to gift virtual seats, essentially granting membership access for binge-watching content. Online Advertising We offer both brand advertising services and performance-based advertising services. The prices of our advertising services depend upon various factors, including form of the advertisement, level of sponsorship, popularity of the content or event in which the advertisements will be placed, and specific targeting requirements. 65 For brand advertising service, prices purchased by each advertiser or advertising agency are generally fixed under our sales contracts. In addition to traditional pre-roll and pop-up advertisements, we have also launched various innovative advertising products and solutions: for example, soft product placement incorporates the advertised product into the production of our premium original content to facilitate a more natural advertisement viewing experience; content-integrated advertisement that integrate brands with the content itself, such as theme songs with lyrics embedding brand names of advertisers, creatively designed and presented naturally with the original content; interactive advertisement facilitates enhanced interaction between brands and users; and tailor-made microfilms, micro variety shows or documentaries for brand advertisers. We also offer performance-based advertising, which is competitively priced through an online bidding process. This approach allows advertisers to bid for ad placements in a dynamic and market-driven environment. Our algorithms play a crucial role in maximizing the effectiveness of performance-based advertising. By analyzing user behavior and engagement patterns, these algorithms aim to deliver the advertisements to the most relevant audiences. This targeted approach not only increases the likelihood of user interaction, but also provides advertisers with measurable outcomes. By offering this flexible and results-oriented advertising model, we cater to the evolving needs of advertisers, providing them with more control and better alignment with their marketing objectives. Content Distribution We monetize and enrich our content through content distribution. We sub-license content within its authorized scope to TV stations and other internet video streaming services. We also enter into barter agreements to exchange internet broadcasting rights of licensed content with other internet video streaming services. The barter agreement provides the licensee with the right to broadcast the licensed content, and the licensor retains the right to continue broadcasting and/or sub-licensing the exchanged content. We distribute our selected content not only to third-party platforms in Chinese mainland but also to regions outside of Chinese mainland. We also generate revenue by releasing films invested by iQIYI to offline movie cinemas. Others Our other monetization models include online games, talent agency, experience business and others. For our online games, we distribute both games we develop ourselves and third-party games, and we monetize online games through users’ in-app purchases of virtual gifts and game privileges. We monetize our talent agency business by organizing our talents to participate in dramas, variety shows, commercial performances and brand endorsements, among others. For experience business, we focus on IP-based consumer products and offline experiences, generating revenue primarily through direct merchandise sales, licensing fees, and ticket sales and on-site spending at iQIYI LAND. We also generated revenue from other licensing by granting rights to certain customers to re-create short-form videos for selected content assets from our existing content library over a fixed license period. Sales and Marketing Brand Promotion iQIYI’s brand is anchored in the keywords “High Quality,” “Young and Energetic,” and “Fashionable.” We believe that our high-quality video content and services lead to strong word-of-mouth referrals, which drives customer awareness of our brand in Chinese mainland. Our market position benefits significantly from our large and high-quality user base and our strong brand recognition. Leveraging our in-depth understanding of user behavior, we employ a variety of online marketing programs and promotional activities to build our brand as part of our overall market strategy. These initiatives include celebrity endorsements, the promotion of trending topics across various media platforms, brand integration into blockbuster content, and live streaming events featuring renowned actors and actresses. We host many offline activities to enhance our brand recognition. To increase members’ loyalty, we organize special events for members such as on-site visits during the show productions. We also host innovative offline marketing activities such as the July 17th iQIYI Membership Festival, iQIYI Scream Night, offline music performances and our content IP based exhibitions. 66 We also execute marketing strategies aimed at young users to enhance user affinity. We leverage social media platforms and place billboards in high-traffic areas to facilitate user engagement. We attract young users by offering fan meetings, offline IP-related pop-up stores, advance screenings, among others. We also collaborate with major wireless carriers to provide monthly unlimited data package for the use of iQIYI app on mobile devices. Advertising Sales For brand advertising, we sell our advertising services primarily through third-party advertising agencies, including members of American Association of Advertising Agencies, or 4As, and leading Chinese advertising agencies, and a portion of our brand advertising services directly to advertisers. We primarily sell our performance-based advertising service through third-party advertising agencies. We strategically leverage advertising agencies’ existing long-term relationships and network resources to increase our sales and expand our advertiser base. Depending on the type of advertiser and content, the duration of an advertising framework agreement is typically 12 months. We have an experienced sales team consisting of salespeople with prior experience at Chinese internet companies, members of 4As and domestic advertising agencies. We divide our sales team by regions across China to ensure the delivery of targeted advertising solutions. We provide regular training to our sales team to help them provide advertisers with comprehensive information about our services. Content promotion We employ a variety of traditional and internet promotional activities to promote our content. We deploy outdoor brand advertisements, such as display ads in subway stations. Our promotional efforts are also focused on brand advertisements placed on internet video platforms and social media campaigns. Furthermore, we also organize offline promotional events attended by popular celebrities to raise the awareness of our content offerings. Intellectual Property and Copyright Protection We highly value our intellectual property rights, which are fundamental to our success and competitiveness. We rely on a combination of patent, copyright, trademark and trade secret laws and restrictions to protect our intellectual property rights. As of December 31, 2025, we have applied for the registration of 11,752 patents, among which 3,396 patents of invention, 32 utility model patents and 4,131 patents of appearance have been registered in Chinese mainland with the State Administration for Market Regulation of the PRC, or the SAMR, and 93 patents of invention and 14 patents of appearance have been registered overseas. As of December 31, 2025, we have registered 6,167 trademarks and have 255 trademarks in application in Chinese mainland with the State Intellectual Property Office, and we also have registered 277 trademarks and have 36 trademarks in application overseas. We have also registered 477 software copyrights with the Copyright Protection Center of the PRC. As of December 31, 2025, our “爱奇艺” trademark has been recognized as a well-known trademark by the SAMR. We employ a three-phase copyright protection scheme consisting of copyright management, network monitoring, and complaint or legal action. Our proprietary copyright management system registers all procured copyrights and ensures that licensed content on our platform do not exceed its scope and term of the licensing agreement. We developed a proprietary system to detect unauthorized use of iQIYI content on other internet platforms. We also establish various other channels for copyright protection. After a user registers and before each upload, we require the user to confirm that the content to be uploaded is in compliance with the terms and conditions set forth in the user agreement, to guarantee that he or she is the copyright owner or has obtained all necessary consents and authorizations for such content. We set technical barriers to deter illegal video content extractions. We encourage our users to report pirated content, and our copyright protection team promptly removes any suspected infringing content once we receive proper notification from the legitimate copyright owner. As a major market player in the online entertainment video service industry, we also attach great value to industrial response and feedback. We actively liaise with other major internet video streaming services to form industry union and collectively protect copyright. Content Moderation We implement strict monitoring procedures to remove inappropriate or illegal content, including video, comics, bullet chat and comment postings, and content from other services. Text, images and videos are screened by our content moderation team, which reviews our content on a 24/7 basis. Illegal and inappropriate content can generally be identified and removed promptly after it has been uploaded. 67 Our content moderation team employs systematic monitoring procedures that include intelligent screening and manual review based on laws and regulations. Our intelligent screening technologies automatically screens text, picture, video content, live streaming and audio based on comprehensive approaches including pre-set keywords anti-spam system, pornographic-content detection, copyright analysis, among others. The machine screening process may have three possible outcomes: suggesting to delete content identified as illegal or inappropriate, releasing content identified as safe, or flagging content for manual review when the system cannot make a judgment. The content moderation team manually reviews flagged content to make a judgment on whether to block or to release, and the intelligent identification system conducts auto-learning based on the judgment from manual review. The content moderation team also conducts random screenings of content that has passed the machine screening process. We closely track developments in laws and regulations to ensure compliance. We provide periodic and comprehensive training to our content moderation team to ensure and enhance their understanding of regulatory requirements. We conduct thorough background checks on our content providers. We request entities to provide us with copies of registration information and organization code certificate, and individuals to provide us with copies of official governmental ID. We request individuals to provide a mobile phone number, which is registered with one’s ID. We monitor all live content broadcast on our platform in real time using both machine screening and manual review. Despite our content moderation efforts, we may still be subject to risks arising from contents on our platform. See “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Business and Industry—Videos and other content displayed on our platform may be found objectionable by PRC regulatory authorities and may subject us to penalties and other administrative actions.” Competition We face competition for content production, content sourcing, user traffic and advertising customers from other providers of online entertainment video services primarily in Chinese mainland. We also compete with other internet media and entertainment services, such as micro drama platforms, internet social platforms and short video platforms, as well as major TV stations. For a discussion of risks related to competition, see “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Business and Industry—We operate in a highly competitive market and we may not be able to compete effectively.” Seasonality Seasonal fluctuations have affected our business, and are likely to affect our business in the future. The first and third quarters of each year typically represent the peak seasons for our membership services historically, when users tend to consume more content during Chinese New Year and summer holiday. However, the seasonal pattern of our business can be impacted by our content release schedule and other factors. For a discussion of risk related to seasonality and fluctuation of our operating results, see “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factor—Risks Related to Our Business and Industry—Our quarterly operating results may fluctuate, which makes our results of operations difficult to predict and may cause our quarterly results of operations to fall short of expectations.” Insurance As required by laws and regulations in Chinese mainland, we participate in various employee social benefits plans that are organized by municipal and provincial governments, including medical insurance, job-related injury insurance, maternity insurance and unemployment insurance. We maintain, and require our subcontractors to maintain, standard film production insurance. However, aside from this, we do not have business liability or disruption insurance coverage for our operations in Chinese mainland. See “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Business and Industry—We have limited business insurance coverage.” Government Regulations This section sets forth a summary of the most significant rules and regulations that affect our business activities in Chinese mainland. Regulations on Corporate Governance On December 29, 2023, the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress promulgated the amended PRC Company Law, which came into effect on July 1, 2024. The amended PRC Company Law has made material amendments on corporate governance and shareholders’ rights of PRC companies, including, among others, the statutory period for payment of registered capital, the setting of the board of directors and the board of supervisors, and the transfer of equity interests in a company. 68 With respect to the period for payment of the registered capital, pursuant to the amended PRC Company Law, all shareholders of a PRC limited liability company shall fully pay up the registered capital subscribed for by such shareholders within five years from the date of establishment of such PRC limited liability company, unless otherwise provided by laws and regulations. With respect to any company established before the effective date of the amended PRC Company Law, the period of capital contribution provided in its articles of association shall be amended to meet the time limit provided in the amended PRC Company Law if such period of capital contribution in its articles of association exceeds that as required by the amended PRC Company Law. With respect to any company whose period of capital contribution or amount of the registered capital is obviously abnormal, the competent governmental authority may require such company to adjust its period of capital contribution or amount of the registered capital in a timely manner. The amended PRC Company Law provides that the detailed implementation measures for the aforesaid provisions will be formulated by the State Council of the PRC. If any shareholder fails to make capital contributions on schedule and in full as provided in the articles of association, the company shall send a written notice requesting such shareholder to pay up all overdue registered capital within a grace period of no less than sixty days from the issuance date of such notice. If, upon the expiration of the foregoing grace period, such shareholder still has not fulfilled the obligation of capital contribution with respect to such overdue registered capital, the company may, upon adoption of the resolution of the board of directors, send a notice of forfeiture to such shareholder in writing. Since the issuance date of the foregoing notice, such shareholder shall forfeit the equity interests for which the capital contribution has not been paid up. The forfeited equity interests shall be transferred or canceled in accordance with the applicable laws. On July 1, 2024, the SAMR issued the Provisions of the State Council on Implementing the Registered Capital Registration and Management System under the PRC Company Law, which further specify the detailed requirements and measures of the registration and management of registered capital under the amended PRC Company Law. Pursuant to these provisions, there shall be a three-year interim period from July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2027, for the existing companies to adjust their periods of capital contribution. If the period of capital contribution of a company established before the effective date of the amended PRC Company Law exceeds the period prescribed under the amended PRC Company Law, such company shall make an adjustment within the foregoing interim period to meet the requirements under the amended PRC Company Law. The adjusted period of capital contribution shall be recorded in such company’s articles of association and publicized through the national enterprise credit information publicity system in accordance with laws. If a limited liability company established before the effective date of the amended PRC Company Law fails to adjust its period of capital contribution during the interim period, the competent registration authority may require it to make adjustment within ninety days so that this company’s period of capital contribution shall not exceed five years commencing from July 1, 2027, in accordance with laws. With respect to the board of directors and the board of supervisors, the amended PRC Company Law eliminates the upper limit on the number of directors of a limited liability company and stipulates that the board of directors of a limited liability company without a board of supervisors, including an employee representative among its members, but with more than 300 employees, shall have an employee representative acting as a director, who shall be democratically elected by the company’s employees through a general assembly of employees or other democratic forms. In addition, after the effective date of the amended PRC Company Law, limited liability companies, joint stock limited companies with small scale or a small number of shareholders, and wholly state-owned companies may set up an audit committee to replace the functions and powers of the board of supervisors, and such companies may not set the board of supervisors or any supervisor. With respect to the transfer of equity interests of a limited liability company, the amended PRC Company Law stipulates that the shareholders of a limited liability company may transfer the equity interests without the consent of other shareholders, provided that such shareholder shall notify other shareholders in writing with respect to the transfer of such equity interests. Other shareholders will be regarded as giving up the right of first refusal if they fail to reply within 30 days after receiving the written notice. If a shareholder transfers the equity interests held by it, it shall notify the company in writing to request the company (i) to change the register of shareholders and (ii) to register the change with the competent enterprise registration authority. If the company refuses or fails to respond, the transferee and transferor may file a lawsuit with the competent court. Regulations on Foreign Investment in Chinese Mainland The Foreign Investment Law, effective January 1, 2020, replaced the trio of laws previously regulating foreign investment in Chinese mainland: the Sino-foreign Equity Joint Venture Enterprise Law, the Sino-foreign Cooperative Joint Venture Enterprise Law, and the Wholly Foreign-invested Enterprise Law, together with their implementation rules and ancillary regulations. The organizational form, governance, and activities of foreign-invested enterprises are now governed, among others, by the amended PRC Company Law and the PRC Partnership Enterprise Law. Foreign-invested enterprises established before the implementation of this law may retain their existing corporate structure and governance for up to five years following its enactment. 69 Under the Foreign Investment Law, foreign investments are entitled to pre-entry national treatment and must comply with the “negative list.” Foreign investors are prohibited from investing in restricted fields outlined in the negative list unless the specified conditions are met. The law ensures that foreign investors’ investments, earnings, and other legitimate rights and interests within Chinese mainland are protected. Furthermore, all national policies supporting enterprise development equally apply to foreign-invested enterprises. Investment activities in Chinese mainland by foreign investors are principally governed by the Guidance Catalogue of Industries for Foreign Investment, promulgated by the Ministry of Commerce and the NDRC. This catalogue classifies industries into three categories with regard to foreign investment: “encouraged,” “restricted,” and “prohibited.” Industries not listed in this catalogue are deemed permitted areas for foreign investments and are generally open to foreign investment unless specifically restricted by other PRC regulations. On September 9, 2024, the NDRC and the Ministry of Commerce promulgated the 2024 Negative List, which replaced the 2021 Negative List. According to the 2024 Negative List, the ultimate foreign equity ownership of entities that engage in value-added telecommunications business (except for e-commerce, domestic multi-party communication, storage and forwarding and call center) may not exceed 50%. In addition, foreign investments in internet cultural business (except for music), internet audio-video program business, radio and television program production and operation business, production of audio-video products and/or electronic publications and film production and distribution business are prohibited. However, foreign investors are allowed to hold up to 100% of equity interests in an online data processing and transaction processing business (including e-commerce business operation) in Chinese mainland. On December 19, 2020, the NDRC and the Ministry of Commerce jointly promulgated the Measures on the Security Review of Foreign Investment, effective January 18, 2021, introducing a security review mechanism for foreign investments. This mechanism outlines the types of investments subject to review, as well as review scopes and procedures. The Office of the Working Mechanism of the Security Review of Foreign Investment, established under the NDRC, leads these efforts in coordination with the Ministry of Commerce. Foreign investors or relevant parties in Chinese mainland must declare security reviews to this office before (i) investing in military industries, military-supporting fields or areas related to national defense security, as well as areas surrounding military or military industry facilities, and (ii) investing in critical sectors, including important agricultural products, energy and resources, equipment manufacturing, infrastructure, transportation services, cultural products and services, information technology and internet products, financial services, and key technologies, if such investments result in obtaining control of the target enterprise. Control is defined as (i) holding over 50% equity interests in the target, (ii) having voting rights that materially impact board or shareholder resolutions despite holding less than 50% equity, or (iii) having significant influence over the target’s business decisions, human resources, accounting or technology. To comply with Chinese mainland’s regulatory requirements, we operate a substantial portion of our business through the variable interest entities and their subsidiaries. We rely on contractual arrangements among our Chinese mainland subsidiaries, the variable interest entities, and their nominee shareholders to control the business operations of the variable interest entities. For associated risks, see “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Corporate Structure—We rely on contractual arrangements with the variable interest entities and their shareholders for our business operations, which may not be as effective as direct ownership in providing operational control” and “—The shareholders of the variable interest entities may have potential conflicts of interest with us, which may materially and adversely affect our business and financial condition.” Regulations on Value-added Telecommunications Services On September 25, 2000, the State Council promulgated the PRC Telecommunications Regulations, which were most recently amended on February 6, 2016. These regulations distinguish between basic telecommunications services and value-added telecommunications services. The regulations define value-added telecommunications services as telecommunications and information services provided through public network infrastructures. Pursuant to the regulations, commercial operators of value-added telecommunications services must first obtain an operating license from the MIIT or its provincial counterparts. The Catalog of Telecommunications Business, issued as an attachment to the PRC Telecommunications Regulations and most recently amended on June 6, 2019, further categorizes value-added telecommunications services into two classes: Class 1 value-added telecommunications services and Class 2 value-added telecommunications services. Information services provided via cable networks, mobile networks, or the internet fall within Class 2 value-added telecommunications services. The Administrative Measures for Internet Information Services, promulgated by the State Council on September 25, 2000, and last amended on December 6, 2024, provide guidelines for the provision of internet content services. Under these measures, internet content services are classified into commercial internet content services and non-commercial internet content services. All commercial internet content providers must obtain a Value-added Telecommunications Business Operation License for Internet Information Service, which is commonly referred to as an ICP License, from the telecommunications authorities. 70 On July 3, 2017, the MIIT issued the Measures on the Administration of Telecommunications Business Operating Permits, effective September 1, 2017, to supplement the PRC Telecommunications Regulations and further regulate telecommunications business permits. These measures outline the types of licenses required to operate value-added telecommunications services, as well as the qualifications and procedures for obtaining such licenses. They also specify that operators providing value-added telecommunications services in multiple provinces must obtain an inter-regional license, while operators providing value-added telecommunications services within a single province must obtain an intra-provincial license. Any telecommunications services operator must conduct its business in compliance with the specifications set out in its license. We engage in business activities categorized as value-added telecommunications services under the PRC Telecommunications Regulations and the Catalog of Telecommunications Business. To comply with these laws and regulations, Beijing iQIYI, Shanghai Zhong Yuan, and Chengdu Skymoons Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd. have each obtained an ICP License, which will remain effective until September 8, 2026, May 11, 2026, and May 12, 2027, respectively. Beijing iQIYI has obtained a VATS License for internet data center, content distribution, internet access services, and information services other than internet information services, which remains effective until October 8, 2027. Regulations on Internet Content Providers The Administrative Measures for Internet Information Services set out guidelines on the provision of internet content services. These measures specify that internet content services related to news, publications, education, medical and healthcare, pharmacy, and medical appliances, among others, are required to be examined, approved, and regulated by the authorities. Internet information providers are prohibited from offering services outside the scope of their licenses or filings. Furthermore, the measures list prohibited content. Internet information providers are forbidden from producing, copying, publishing, or distributing content that is humiliating, defamatory, or infringes the legal rights of others. Providers that violate these rules may face criminal charges or administrative sanctions. Internet information providers must monitor and control the content posted on their websites. If prohibited content is found, it must be immediately removed, and a record must be kept and reported to the authorities. On December 15, 2019, the Office of the Central Cyberspace Affairs Commission promulgated the Provisions on the Governance of Network Information Content Ecology. According to the provisions, content platforms must establish a mechanism for ecological governance of network information content, develop detailed rules for governance, and improve systems for user registration, account management, information release examination, and posts and comments examination. If a content platform violates these provisions, the competent cyberspace authorities may hold interviews, issue warnings, and order the platform to rectify the situation within a specified timeframe. If the platform fails to comply or if the circumstances are severe, the authorities may order the suspension of the platform’s information updates and impose other penalties. As a provider of commercial internet content services, we are required to comply with these provisions. See “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Business and Industry—Videos and other content displayed on our platform may be found objectionable by PRC regulatory authorities and may subject us to penalties and other administrative actions.” Regulations on Online Transmission of Audio-Visual Programs On December 20, 2007, the Ministry of Information Industry and the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television jointly issued the Administrative Provisions for the Internet Audio-video Program Services, which took effect on January 31, 2008 and was amended on August 28, 2015. The provisions define “internet audio-video program services” as producing, editing and integrating of audio-video programs, supplying audio-video programs to the public via the internet, and providing audio-video programs uploading and transmission services to third parties. Entities providing internet audio-video program services must obtain an Internet Audio-video Program Transmission License. Applicants for such licenses shall be state-owned or state-controlled entities unless an internet audio-video program transmission license was obtained prior to the effectiveness of the provisions in accordance with the then-in-effect laws and regulations. According to the Official Answers to Press Questions Regarding the Internet Audio-video Program Regulations published by the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television on February 3, 2008, the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television and the Ministry of Information Industry clarified that providers of internet audio-video program services who had legally engaged in such services prior to the adoption of the provisions, provided they have not been in violation of laws and regulations, shall be eligible to re-register and continue operations of internet audio-video program services. This policy was later reflected in the Notice on Relevant Issues Concerning Application and Approval of Audio-video Permit, issued by the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television on May 21, 2008 and amended on August 28, 2015. In addition, in accordance with the Decisions of the State Council on the Entry of Non-state-owned Capital into the Cultural Industry, promulgated by the State Council on April 13, 2005, and the Opinions on Introducing Foreign Investments to the Cultural Sector, jointly adopted by five PRC regulatory agencies and the Negative List, foreign-invested enterprises are not allowed to engage in the above-mentioned services. 71 According to the provisions and other applicable laws and regulations, audio-video programs provided by entities supplying internet audio-video program services shall not contain any illegal content or other content prohibited by law, such as content that violates the basic principles of the PRC Constitution, content that damages the sovereignty of the country or national security, or content that disturbs social order or undermines social stability. An audio-video program that has already been broadcast must be retained in full for at least 60 days. Movies, television programs and other media content used as internet audio-video programs must comply with the administrative regulations on programs broadcasts through radio, movie and television channels. Entities providing services related to internet audio-video programs must immediately delete the audio-video programs violating laws and regulations, keep appropriate records, report to the proper authorities and implement other regulatory requirements. The Categories of the Internet Audio-video Program Services (Trial) promulgated by the State Administration of Press Publication, Radio, Film and Television on March 17, 2010 and amended on March 10, 2017, classifies internet audio/visual programs into four categories: (i) Category I internet audio/video program service, which is carried out with a form of radio station or television station; (ii) Category II internet audio/video program service, including (a) re-broadcasting service of current political news audio/video programs; (b) hosting, interviewing, reporting and commenting service of arts, entertainment, technology, finance and economics, sports, education and other specialized audio/video programs; (c) producing (interviewing not included) and broadcasting service of arts, entertainment, technology, finance and economics, sports, education and other specialized audio/video programs; (d) producing and broadcasting service of internet films/dramas; (e) aggregating and broadcasting service of films, television dramas and cartoons; (f) aggregating and broadcasting service of arts, entertainment, technology, finance and economics, sports, education and other specialized audio/video programs; and (g) live audio/video broadcasting service of cultural activities of common social organizations, sport events or other organization activities; (iii) Category III internet audio/video program service, including (a) aggregating service of online audio/video contents, and (b) re-broadcasting service of the audio/video programs uploaded by internet users; and (iv) Category IV internet audio/video program service, including (a) re-broadcasting of the radio/television program channels; (b) re-broadcasting of internet audio/video program channels; and (c) re-broadcasting of live internet-based audio/video programs. On July 20, 2015, the State Administration of Press Publication, Radio, Film and Television issued the Notice on Relevant Issues concerning Implementing the Approval Works of Upgrading Mobile Internet Audio-video Program Service. The notice provides that the mobile internet audio-video program services shall be deemed internet audio-video program service. Entities which have obtained the approvals to provide the internet audio-video program services may use mobile wireless application protocol websites or mobile applications to provide audio-video program services. Entities with regulatory approvals may operate mobile applications to provide the audio-video program services. The types of the programs shall be within the permitted scope as provided in the licenses and such mobile applications shall be filed with the National Radio and Television Administration and/or the State Film Bureau. On March 16, 2018, the State Administration of Press Publication, Radio, Film and Television issued the Notice on Further Regulating the Transmission Orders of Internet Audio-video Programs. According to this notice, online platforms shall not illegally capture, edit, or reprogram audio-video programs, shall strengthen the administration of audio-video programs, such as online movie clips and trailers, shall strengthen the management of the naming or sponsorship of the various programs, and the governmental authorities shall strengthen their administration and supervision over online audio-video platforms, as well as radio and television stations on content management. Among other things, the notice requires that online audio-video platforms shall not produce or disseminate programs that distort, parody or vilify classic literary works; shall not re-edit, re-dub, or re-caption the subtitles of classic literary works, radio and television programs, network-based original audio-video programs or intercept certain program segments and splice them into new programs; and shall not disseminate edited pieces of works that distort the originals. Online platforms shall strictly supervise reprogramed videos uploaded by users and shall not facilitate the dissemination of defective audio-video programs. In addition, when receiving a complaint about defective programs from copyright owners, broadcasting agencies or producing agencies, online platforms shall immediately delete such programs. On October 31, 2018, the State Administration of Radio and Television issued the Notice on Further Strengthening the Management of Radio and Television and Network Audio-video Programs, which stipulates that all radio and television broadcasting institutes, network audio-video program service institutes, and program production institutes must adhere to the correct political direction and strengthen value guidance; pursue people-centered creative orientation to curb bad tendencies such as pursuing celebrities, pan-entertainment and so on; persist in providing high-quality content, constantly innovate programs, and strictly control the remuneration of guests; and strengthen the governance of TV series, network series (including network movies) to promote the benign development of the industry; shall strengthen the use and management of ratings (click-through rate) survey data and resolutely crack down on ratings (click-through rate) forgeries. The notice further provides that as to main network audiovisual programs, the total remuneration of all guests in each program shall not exceed 40% of the total cost of the program, the total remuneration of main guests in each program shall not exceed 70% of the total remuneration of all guests, and information such as the names, salaries and cost proportion of the guests shall be reported to the State Administration of Radio and Television before going online. Meanwhile, the total remuneration of all actors of each TV series and network series (including network movies) shall not exceed 40% of the total cost of production, of which the total remuneration of main actors shall not exceed 70% of the total remuneration of all actors. 72 On December 27, 2018, the State Administration of Radio and Television issued the Notice on the Upgrading of the Network Audio-video Program Information Recording System, which added a new module called the “Main Network Movies and Teleplays Information Recording System” to the “Network Play, Micro Film and other Network Audiovisual Program Information Recording System” established in 2012. Since February 15, 2019, before the production of main network movies and teleplays (including network plays, network movies and network animations), the producers shall provide certain specified information, such as name, type, content outline, budget making, among other things. Main network movies and teleplays shall include network series (network animations) with total investment of more than RMB five million and network movies with an investment of more than RMB one million. After shooting and production of main network movies and teleplays, the producers shall provide additional information, such as the expected broadcasting platform, amount of actual investment, actor’s remuneration and so on in the recording system, and submit the finished programs to the competent radio and television administrative departments. Main network series, network movies and network animations with on-line filing numbers could be broadcasted and promoted on the home pages of various audio-video program websites, or could be used for investment promotion, membership recommendation, online recommendation and program optimization of audio-video program websites. On September 2, 2021, the National Radio and Television Administration issued the Circular of the General Office of the National Radio and Television Administration on Further Strengthening the Management of Cultural Programs and Their Personnel, which stipulates that online audio-video platforms must not broadcast idol training shows or variety entertainment and reality shows featuring celebrity children. This notice also requires platforms to strictly control voting in the talent shows and not to use in programs actors and guests who have violated laws or have conducted unethical behaviors. The CAC, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, and the National Radio and Television Administration issued the Notice on the Administrative Provisions on Online Audio-video Information Services on November 18, 2019, which stipulates that online audio-video information service providers must authenticate users’ real identity information based on the organization code, identity card number, and mobile phone number, among other things. Online audio-video information service providers shall not serve users who fail to provide their real identity information. Online audio-video information service providers shall strengthen the management of the audio-video information posted by users, deploy and apply identification technologies for illegal and non-real audio and video; if any user is found to produce, post or disseminate content prohibited by laws or regulations, the transmission of such information shall be ceased, and disposal measures such as deletion shall be taken to prevent the information from spreading, and such service providers shall keep appropriate records, and report to the CAC, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the National Radio and Television Administration and other regulatory bodies. On August 18, 2025, the National Radio and Television Administration formally promulgated the Several Measures to Further Enrich Television Big-Screen Content and Promote the Supply of Radio and Television Audio-Visual Content. The document introduces a series of innovations: it supports the creation of diversified content such as original works, micro dramas, documentaries and animations; pilots a “review-while- broadcasting” mechanism, removes episode-count limitations, and enhances the efficiency and flexibility of content release; relaxes restrictions on the adaptation of overseas intellectual property and the importation of high-quality drama series, while encouraging coordination between online platforms and television stations; and strengthens copyright protection and regulatory framework, thereby providing institutional safeguards for the healthy development of platform content ecosystems. Regulations on Online Live Streaming Services On November 4, 2016, the State Internet Content Office issued the Administrative Regulations on Online Live-Streaming Services that took effect on December 1, 2016, according to which, when providing internet news information services, both online live-streaming service providers and online live-streaming publishers must obtain licenses to provide internet news information services and may only carry out internet news information services within the scope of their licenses. All online live-streaming service providers (whether or not providing internet news information services) must take certain actions to operate their services, including the establishment of platforms for monitoring live-streaming content. On September 2, 2016, the State Administration of Press Publication, Radio, Film and Television issued the Circular on Issues concerning Strengthening the Administration of Online Live Streaming of Audio-video Programs, according to which, the Internet Audio-video Program Transmission License is a prerequisite for online audio-video live streaming of general cultural events, such as social communities, sports events, as well as important political, military, economic, social and cultural events. Information about specific activities to be streamed must be filed in advance with the provincial counterparts of the National Radio and Television Administration. Online audio-video live streaming service providers must censor and record such programs and retain them for at least 60 days for future review by the administrative departments; and they must have emergency plans in place to replace programs in violation of laws and regulations. Bullet chats are not allowed in the live streaming of major political, military, economic, social, cultural, sports and other activities and events. Special censorship must be implemented on the bullet chats during the live streaming of cultural activities, social group events, sports events, and other organized activities. 73 According to the Notice on Strengthening the Management of Online Show Live Streaming and E-commerce Live Streaming promulgated by the National Radio and Television Administration on November 12, 2020, live-streaming platforms for online shows are required to strengthen positive value guidance and enable those tasteful, meaningful, interesting and warm live-streaming programs to have good traffic, and to prevent the spread of the trends of wealth flaunting, money worshiping and vulgarity. In addition, the number of content reviewers a platform is required to maintain must, in principle, be no less than 1/50 of the number of live-streaming rooms. Live-streaming platforms for online shows need to manage the hosts and “virtual gifting” users based on the real-name-registration system, and users who have not registered with real names or who are minors are prohibited from virtual gifting. The live-streaming platforms are required to implement a real-name registration system by real-name verification, face recognition, manual review and other measures to prevent minors from virtual gifting. The platform must limit the maximum amount of virtual gifting each user may give per transaction, day, and month. Live-streaming platforms for e-commerce must not illegally produce or broadcast any commentary programs beyond their e-commerce business scope that are unrelated to the sale of goods. According to the Law of the PRC on the Protection of Minors (2024 Revision), which took effect on April 26, 2025, live-streaming service providers are not allowed to provide minors under age 16 with online live-streaming publisher account registration services, and must obtain consent from parents or guardians and verify the identity of minors before allowing minors aged 16 or older to register live-streaming publisher accounts. Regulations on Mobile Applications Information Services In addition to the Telecommunications Regulations and other regulations mentioned above, mobile applications are further regulated by the Administrative Provisions on Mobile Internet Applications Information Services, which were promulgated by the CAC and took effect on August 1, 2022. According to these provisions, the CAC and its local branches are responsible for the supervision and administration of nationwide and local app information, respectively. App providers must strictly fulfill their information security management responsibilities and perform the following duties: (i) in accordance with the principle of “real name in the background, any name in the foreground,” verify the identities of registered users through mobile phone numbers and other information; (ii) establish and improve the mechanism for user information security protection, following the principles of “legality, appropriateness, and necessity” in the collection and use of personal information, clearly stating the purpose, methods, and scope of information collection, and obtaining users’ consent; (iii) establish and improve the verification and management mechanisms for information content, and adopt appropriate sanctions and measures, such as warnings, limiting functions, suspending updates, and closing accounts, for releasing illegal information content, as appropriate; keep records and report them to the competent department; (iv) in accordance with the law, protect and safeguard users’ “rights to know and rights to choose” during installation or use; do not enable functions such as collecting geographic location, reading address books, or using cameras or recordings without expressly informing users and obtaining their consent; do not enable functions irrelevant to the services; do not bundle or install irrelevant apps; (v) respect and protect intellectual property rights by not producing or releasing apps that violate others’ rights; and (vi) keep records of user log information for 60 days. Regulations on Production and Operation of Radio/Television Programs/Films On July 19, 2004, the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television promulgated the Administrative Measures on the Production and Operation of Radio and Television Programs (the “Radio and Television Program Production Measures”), which took effect on August 20, 2004, and were amended on August 28, 2015, October 31, 2018 and June 3, 2025. The Radio and Television Program Production Measures provide that any business involved in the production or operation of radio or television programs must first obtain a Radio and Television Program Production and Operation Permit. Entities holding such permits must conduct their business within the permitted scope outlined in the permits. In addition, foreign-invested enterprises are not allowed to engage in the services mentioned above. On December 25, 2001, the State Council promulgated the Regulations on the Administration of Films, which took effect on February 1, 2002. The State maintains a licensing system for the production, import, export, distribution, exhibition and public screening of films. The Film Industry Promotion Law of the People’s Republic of China which were promulgated on November 7, 2016 and took effect on March 1, 2017, regulates and standardizes film creation, production, distribution and exhibition, as well as the support and safeguarding of the film industry. The Film Industry Promotion Law has updated and refined the Regulations on the Administration of Films in several respects: it abolishes the “film-production-unit approval” system, allowing any legal person or other organization to file for production directly; it eliminates the need for a single-film Shooting Permit, replacing it with a synopsis-filing system for ordinary subjects; it removes entry thresholds at the production stage, so that obtaining a Film Production License is no longer a prerequisite for filing; and it scraps the former two-tier review (provincial preliminary examination followed by submission to the State authority) in favor of a single, locality-based filing or examination. 74 Regulations on Online Culture Activities According to the Interim Administrative Provisions on Internet Culture, promulgated by the Ministry of Culture on February 17, 2011 and most recently amended on December 15, 2017, internet culture activities include: (i) the production, reproduction, import, release, or broadcast of internet culture products (such as online music, online games, online performances, and cultural products transmitted via certain technical means and copied to the internet for dissemination); (ii) the distribution or publication of cultural products on the internet; and (iii) exhibitions, competitions, and other similar activities related to internet culture products. The provisions further classify internet cultural activities into commercial and non-commercial internet cultural activities. Entities engaging in commercial internet cultural activities must apply to the authorities for a Network Cultural Business Permit, while non-commercial entities are only required to report to the relevant cultural administration authorities within 60 days of their establishment. If any entity engages in commercial internet cultural activities without approval, the cultural administration authorities or other governmental bodies may order the entity to cease its internet cultural activities and impose penalties, including an administrative warning, fines up to RMB30,000, and inclusion on the cultural market blacklist, which may result in a credit penalty if non-compliance continues. In addition, foreign-invested enterprises are not allowed to engage in the above-mentioned services, except for online music. In accordance with the Administrative Measures for Content Self-Review by Network Culture Business Entities, issued by the Ministry of Culture on August 12, 2013, and which took effect on December 1, 2013, entities engaged in the internet cultural business must review the content of products and services before providing such content and services to the public. These entities must establish a content management system, set up departments for content management, and employ qualified personnel to ensure the legality of content. The content management system of an internet cultural business entity must specify the responsibilities, standards, and processes for content review, as well as accountability measures, and must be filed with the provincial counterpart of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. Regulations on Online Advertising Services On April 24, 2015, the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress enacted the Advertising Law, which took effect on September 1, 2015, and was most recently amended on April 29, 2021. The Advertising Law increases the potential legal liability of advertising service providers and strengthens the regulation of false advertising. On February 25, 2023, the SAMR issued the Measures for the Administration of Internet Advertising, which became effective on May 1, 2023. Both the Advertising Law and the SAMR measures require that online advertisements not interfere with users’ normal internet usage. In addition, internet pop-up ads must display a “close” button prominently and ensure that the pop-up windows can be closed with one click. The SAMR measures further stipulate that all online advertisements must be marked as “advertisement” to enable viewers to easily identify them. Moreover, the SAMR measures treat paid search results as advertisements, subject to PRC advertisement laws, and require that paid search results be conspicuously labeled as advertisements on search result pages. The Advertising Law and the SAMR measures require us to conduct more stringent examinations and monitoring of our advertisers and the content of their advertisements. Regulations on Internet Publishing On February 4, 2016, the State Administration of Press Publication, Radio, Film and Television, and the MIIT jointly issued the Rules of the Administration of Internet Publishing Services, effective March 10, 2016. The rules define “internet publications” as digital works that are edited, produced, or processed for publication and made available to the public through the internet. These include: (i) original digital works, such as pictures, maps, games, and comics; (ii) digital works with content consistent with the type of content that has been published in media such as books, newspapers, periodicals, audio-video products, and electronic publications; (iii) digital works in the form of online databases compiled by selecting, arranging, and compiling other types of digital works; and (iv) other types of digital works as identified by the National Press and Publication Administration. Under the rules, internet operators distributing such publications are required to apply for an internet publishing license from the relevant governmental authorities and obtain approval from the National Press and Publication Administration before distributing internet publications.. Regulations on Online Games Regulatory Authorities, Online Game Publications and Online Game Operations On September 28, 2009, the General Administration of Press and Publication, together with the National Copyright Administration and the National Office of Combating Pornography and Illegal Publications, jointly issued the Notice on Further Strengthening the Administration of Pre-examination and Approval of Online Games and the Examination and Approval of Imported Online Games, known as Circular 13. Circular 13 stipulates that foreign investors are prohibited from investing in online game operations in Chinese mainland through wholly foreign-owned entities, Sino-foreign equity joint ventures, or cooperative joint 75 ventures. They are also prohibited from exercising control or participating in the operation of PRC domestic online game businesses indirectly, such as through other joint venture companies or contractual or technical arrangements. If our contractual arrangements were considered an “indirect means” under Circular 13 for foreign investors to control or participate in the operation of a domestic online game business, such arrangements could be challenged by the National Press and Publication Administration. We are not aware of any online game companies which use the same or similar contractual arrangements having been challenged by the General Administration of Press and Publication, the State Administration of Press Publication, Radio, Film and Television or the National Press and Publication Administration as using those contractual arrangements as an “indirect means” for foreign investors to exercise control over or participate in the operation of a domestic online game business or having been penalized or ordered to terminate operations since Circular 13 took effect. However, it is unclear whether and how Circular 13 might be interpreted or implemented in the future. See “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Corporate Structure—If the PRC government finds that the agreements that establish the structure for operating certain of our operations in Chinese mainland do not comply with PRC regulations relating to the relevant industries, or if these regulations or the interpretation of existing regulations change in the future, we could be subject to severe penalties or be forced to relinquish our interests in those operations.” Pursuant to the Notice on Issuing the Provisions on the Main Functions, Internal Bodies and Staffing of the General Administration of Press and Publication (National Copyright Administration) promulgated by the General Office of the State Council on July 11, 2008, the Notice of the State Commission Office for Public Sector Reform on Interpretation of the State Commission Office for Public Sector Reform on Several Provisions relating to Animation, Online Game and Comprehensive Law Enforcement in Culture Market in the Three Provisions jointly promulgated by the Ministry of Culture, the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television and the General Administration of Press and Publication on September 7, 2009, the Notice on Issuing the Provisions on the Main Functions, Internal Bodies and Staffing of the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television promulgated by the General Office of the State Council on July 11, 2013, and the Rules for the Administration for Internet Publishing Services, the General Administration of Press and Publication was responsible for the examination and approval process of online games prior to online publication, the State Administration of Press Publication, Radio, Film and Television was responsible for the approval of game registration and issuance of game publication numbers, and after the online games uploaded on the internet, online games would be administered by the Ministry of Culture. Moreover, if an online game is launched on the internet without the prior approval of the General Administration of Press and Publication, the Ministry of Culture would be responsible for guiding the cultural market law enforcement team to conduct investigation and punishment. In March 2018, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China issued the Plan for Deepening the Institutional Reform of the Party and State and the National People’s Congress promulgated the Decision of the First Session of the Thirteenth National People’s Congress on the State Council Institutional Reform Proposal, or collectively, the Institutional Reform Plans. According to the Institutional Reform Plans, the State Administration of Press Publication, Radio, Film and Television was reformed and now known as the National Radio and Television Administration under the State Council, and the responsibility of the State Administration of Press Publication, Radio, Film and Television for the approval of online game registrations and issuance of game publication numbers has been transferred to the National Press and Publication Administration, effective from March 21, 2018. Beginning in December 2018, the National Press and Publication Administration at the national level started to approve new online games. On May 20, 2019, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism released the Notice on Adjusting the Scope of Examination and Approval regarding the Network Cultural Business Permit to Further Regulate the Approval Work, which quotes the Regulations on the Function Configuration, Internal Institutions and Staffing of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and further specifies that the Ministry of Culture and Tourism no longer assumes the responsibility for administering the industry of online games. On July 10, 2019, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism issued the Abolition Decisions on the Interim Administrative Measures for the Administration of Online Games and the Administrative Measures for Tourism Development Plan. The abolition decisions also cite the Regulations on the Function Configuration, Internal Institutions and Staffing of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and further abolish the Interim Measures for the Administration of Online Games, which means that the Ministry of Culture and Tourism no longer regulates the industry of the online games. The abolition decisions reduced the regulatory burden on online game operators, as a Network Cultural Business Permit and post-operation filings are no longer required for online games, and imported online games are no longer subject to content review by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, while a currently valid games-related Network Cultural Business Permit will remain valid until the term of the license expires. Protection of Minors In April 2007, the General Administration of Press and Publication and several other government authorities jointly promulgated the Notice Concerning the Protection of Minors’ Physical and Mental Well-being and Implementation of Anti-addiction System on Online Games, which confirms the real-name verification scheme and anti-addiction system standard made by the General Administration of Press and Publication in previous years and requires online game operators to develop and test their anti-addiction systems from April 2007 to July 2007, after which no online games can be registered or operated without an anti-addiction system, in accordance with the notice. Since then, the governmental authorities have issued rules to restrict playtime of minors. On August 30, 76 2021, the National Press and Publication Administration promulgated the Notice on Further Strengthening Regulation to Effectively Prevent Online Gaming Addictions among Minors, according to which all online game companies can only provide one hour of online game services to minors between 8 p.m. and 9 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and legal holidays, and are not allowed to provide online game services in any form to minors in any other time. Regulations on E-Commerce The SAMR promulgated the Measures for the Supervision and Administration of Online Transactions on March 15, 2021 and amended the measures on May 1, 2025, which impose stringent requirements and obligations on online trading or service operators as well as marketplace platform providers. For example, marketplace platform providers are obligated to examine the legal status of each third-party merchant selling products or services on their platforms and display on a prominent location on a merchant’s web page the information stated in the merchant’s business license or a link to its business license. On December 24, 2014, the Ministry of Commerce promulgated the Provisions on the Procedures for Formulating Transaction Rules of Third-Party Online Retail Platforms (Trial) to regulate the formulation, revision and enforcement of transaction rules for online retail marketplace platforms. The Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress enacted the PRC E-Commerce Law on August 31, 2018, which took effect on January 1, 2019. Under the PRC E-Commerce Law, e-commerce refers to operating activities of selling goods or providing services through the internet or other information networks. The PRC E-Commerce Law generally applies to: (i) platform operators, which refer to legal persons or unincorporated organizations that provide network places of business, transaction matching, information release and other services to enable the transaction parties to carry out independent transaction activities; (ii) operators on the platform, which refer to e-commerce operators that sell goods or provide services to customers through e-commerce platforms; and (iii) other e-commerce operators that sell goods or provide services through their own websites or other network services. The PRC E-Commerce Law also provides rules in relation to e-commerce contracts, dispute settlements, e-commerce development as well as legal liabilities involved in e-commerce. According to the Notice on Lifting the Restriction to Foreign Shareholding Percentage in Online Data Processing and Transaction Processing Business (Operational E-commerce) promulgated by the MIIT on June 19, 2015, as well as the Negative List, foreign investors are allowed to hold up to 100% of all equity interest in the online data processing and transaction processing business (operational e-commerce) in Chinese mainland. An e-commerce operator shall obtain a license for value-added telecommunications services with the specification of online data processing and transaction processing business from appropriate telecommunications authorities, pursuant to the Telecommunications Regulations and the Catalog of Telecommunications Business. The Consumer Protection Law, which was promulgated by the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress on October 31, 1993 and was most recently amended on October 25, 2013, sets out the obligations of business operators and the rights and interests of the consumers. Business operators must guarantee the quality, function, usage and term of validity of the goods or services they sell or provide. The consumers whose interests have been damaged due to their purchase of goods or acceptance of services on online platforms may claim damages from the sellers or service providers. Online platform operators may be subject to liabilities if the lawful rights and interests of consumers are infringed in connection with consumers’ purchase of goods or acceptance of services on online platforms and the platform operators fail to provide consumers with authentic contact information of the sellers or service providers. In addition, platform operators may be jointly and severally liable with the sellers and service providers if they are aware or should be aware that the sellers or the service providers are using the online platform to infringe upon the lawful rights and interests of consumers and fail to take measures necessary to prevent or stop this activity. On January 6, 2017, the SAMR issued the Interim Measures for No Reason Return of Online Purchased Commodities within Seven Days, which took effect on March 15, 2017 and was amended on October 23, 2020, further clarify the scope of consumers’ rights to make returns without a reason, including exceptions, return procedures and online marketplace platform providers’ responsibility to formulate seven-day no-reason return rules and related consumer protection systems, and supervise the merchants for compliance with these rules. Regulations on Internet News Information Services On June 1, 2017, the Provisions for the Administration of Internet News Information Service and the Implementing Rules for the Administration of the Licensing for Internet News Information Services, promulgated by the CAC, took effect, which superseded the previous regulations. According to the revised provisions, to provide internet news information services to the public via internet websites, applications, forums, blogs, micro-blogs, public accounts, instant communication tools and online live-stream, providers must obtain an Internet News Information Service License, issued by the CAC or a local cyberspace administrative office. In addition, the regulations prohibit organizations from establishing foreign, partially or wholly-owned, entities that invest or operate internet-based news information services. The CAC and the local cyberspace administrative offices are responsible for the supervision, management and inspection of internet-based news information services. If any entity or individual provides internet news information services without licenses, the PRC regulatory authorities may suspend the services and impose a fine from RMB10,000 to RMB30,000. 77 Regulations on Cybersecurity, Data Security and Personal Information Protection Cybersecurity and Data Security On November 7, 2016, the SCNPC issued the PRC Cybersecurity Law (the “Cybersecurity Law”), which came into effect on June 1, 2017 and was amended on January 1, 2026. This is the first PRC law that focuses exclusively on cybersecurity. The Cybersecurity Law provides that network operators must set up internal security management systems that meets the requirements of a classified protection system for cybersecurity, including appointing dedicated cybersecurity personnel, taking technical measures to prevent computer viruses, network attacks and intrusions, taking technical measures to monitor and record network operation status and cybersecurity incidents, and taking data security measures such as data classification, backups and encryption. The Cybersecurity Law emphasizes that any individuals and organizations that use networks must not endanger network security or use networks to engage in unlawful activities such as those endangering national security, economic order and social order or infringing the reputation, privacy, intellectual property rights and other lawful rights and interests of others. Any violation of the provisions and requirements under the Cybersecurity Law may subject the Internet service providers to warnings, fines, confiscation of illegal gains, revocation of licenses, shutdown of websites or even criminal liabilities. On December 28, 2021, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology of the People’s Republic of China (the “MIIT”) and several other PRC governmental authorities jointly promulgated the Cybersecurity Review Measures, which provide that (i) the CSRC is included as one of the regulatory authorities for purposes of jointly establishing the state cybersecurity review working mechanism; (ii) the Internet platform operators holding personal information of more than one million users and seeking a list in foreign countries shall file for cybersecurity review with the Cybersecurity Review Office; (iii) the purchase of network products and services by critical information infrastructure operator, which affects or may affect national security, shall be subject to cybersecurity review in accordance with the Cybersecurity Review Measures; and (iv) furthermore, where members of the cybersecurity review working mechanism believe that network products and services and data processing activities affect or are likely to affect national security, the Cybersecurity Review Office shall report to the Central Cyberspace Affairs Commission for approval as per procedure, and conduct a review in accordance with the Cybersecurity Review Measures. As of the date of this annual report, we have not been involved in any investigation or been subject to a cybersecurity review initiated by the CAC, and we have not received any inquiry, notice, warning, sanctions, or regulatory objections to our listing status from the CAC. On June 10, 2021, the SCNPC issued the PRC Data Security Law, which has taken effect on September 1, 2021. The PRC Data Security Law provides a national data security review system, under which data processing activities that affect or may affect national security shall be reviewed. In addition, it clarifies the data security protection obligations of organizations and individuals carrying out data activities and implementing data security protection responsibility. Data processors shall establish and improve the whole-process data security management rules, organize and implement data security trainings as well as take appropriate technical measures and other necessary measures to protect data security. Any organizational or individual data processing activities that violate the PRC Data Security Law shall bear the corresponding civil, administrative or criminal liabilities depending on specific circumstances. On September 24, 2024, the State Council published the Regulations on Network Data Security Management (the “Cyber Data Security Regulations”), which became effective on January 1, 2025. The Cyber Data Security Regulations applies to cyber data processing activities conducted within China and has extraterritorial effects under specific circumstances. Within the comprehensive cybersecurity framework established by the Cybersecurity Law, the Cyber Data Security Regulations serves as a joint implementation regulation of the Data Security Law and the Personal Information Protection Law. It consolidates and integrates various obligations of different types of cyber data processors, including general obligations of cyber data processors, obligations of personal information processors, obligations of key data processors, and obligations of network platform service providers. The Cyber Data Security Regulations stipulate that cyber data processors should standardize data processing activities, implement cybersecurity level protection measures, establish network data security management systems, and develop cyber data security incident emergency plans. Furthermore, the Cyber Data Security Regulations focus on refining the provisions of the Personal Information Protection Law on notification, consent, and individual exercise of rights. First, it clarifies the content, form, and other requirements for fulfilling the obligation to notify through the formulation of personal information processing rules. Second, it clarifies the basic requirements that should be followed when processing personal information based on individual consent. Third, it clarifies the requirements for exercising the rights to access, copy, correct, supplement, and delete personal information, and refines the specific conditions for the transfer of personal information. Fourth, it clarifies the requirements for establishing a special agency or designating a representative within the country in accordance with Article 53 of the Personal Information Protection Law. Fifth, it clarifies the obligations that cyber data processors should also fulfill when processing the personal information of more than 10 million people, such as appointing a cyber data security officer and establishing a cyber data security management organization must be fulfilled. On September 17, 2021, the CAC and the SAMR, together with several other regulatory authorities, jointly issued the Guidelines on Strengthening the Comprehensive Regulation of Algorithm for Internet Information Services, which provide that relevant regulators shall carry out daily monitoring of data use, application scenarios and effects of algorithms, and conduct security assessments of algorithm, and that an algorithm filing system shall be established and classification and hierarchical security management of algorithms shall be adopted. On December 31, 2021, the CAC, the MIIT, the Ministry of Public Security and the 78 SAMR jointly promulgated the Provisions on the Administration of Algorithm-generated Recommendations for Internet Information Services (the “Algorithm Recommendation Provisions”) which came into effect on March 1, 2022. The Algorithm Recommendation Provisions implement the classification and hierarchical management of algorithm recommendation service providers based on various criteria, and stipulate that algorithm recommendation service providers shall clearly inform users of their provision of algorithm recommendation services, and properly publicize the basic principles, intentions, and main operating mechanisms of algorithm recommendation services, and that algorithm recommendation service providers selling goods or providing services to consumers shall protect consumers’ rights of fair trade, and are prohibited from carrying out illegal conduct such as unreasonable differentiated treatment on transaction conditions based on consumers’ preferences, purchasing habits, or such other characteristics. In addition, the Administrative Provisions on Deep Synthesis of Internet Information Services, which took effect on January 10, 2023, impose obligations on providers, technology supporters and users of deep synthesis technology, including verification of user identity, implementing measures to protect data security and personal information, content moderation, labeling content generated using deep synthesis technology, and conducting security assessment and completing filings for provision of certain services. On July 10, 2023, seven governmental authorities including the CAC published the Provisional Measures for the Administration of Generative Artificial Intelligence Services (the “AIGC Measures”), setting compliance standards for generative AI service providers. The AIGC Measures require generative AI service providers to take responsibility for the content they produce in accordance with the law and ensure information security. Besides, providers of generative AI services that influence public opinion or could mobilize society shall undergo security assessments and follow procedures for registering or updating their algorithms as required by applicable regulations. Non-compliance with the AIGC Measures may subject the providers of generative AI services to penalties, including warnings, public denouncement, rectification orders and suspension of the provision of relevant services. On December 15, 2019, the CAC promulgated the Provisions on the Management of Network Information Content Ecology (the “CAC Order No. 5”), which became effective on March 1, 2020, to further strengthen the regulation and management of network information content. Pursuant to these provisions, each network information content service platform is required, among others, (i) not to disseminate any information prohibited by laws and regulations, such as information jeopardizing national security; (ii) to strengthen the examination of advertisements published on such network information content service platform; (iii) to promulgate management rules and platform convention, improve user agreement, clarify users’ rights and obligations and perform management responsibilities required by laws, regulations, rules and convention; (iv) to establish convenient channels for complaints and reports; and (v) to prepare an annual work report regarding its management of network information content ecology. In addition, a network information content service platform must not, among others, (i) utilize new technologies and applications, such as deep-learning and virtual reality, to engage in activities prohibited by laws and regulations; (ii) engage in online traffic fraud, malicious traffic rerouting and other activities related to fraudulent account, illegal transaction account or maneuver of users’ account; and (iii) infringe a third party’s legitimate rights or seek illegal interests by way of interfering with information display. Additionally, the Administrative Regulations on Services of Online Comment Threads, which took effect on December 15, 2022, requires that a provider of comments posting services shall strictly fulfill its primary responsibilities for administration of comments posting services and perform the following obligations: (i) under the principle of “mandatory registration of legal name in background and voluntary use of legal name as screen name,” authenticate the identity information of each registered user based on mobile phone number, identity card number or unified social credit code, and shall not provide comments posting services for any user whose identity information has not been authenticated or who has falsely used the identity information of an organization or another person; (ii) establish and improve the user personal information protection system, process the personal information of a user under the principles of legitimacy, appropriateness, necessity, and integrity, disclose the personal information processing rules, notify the purpose and method of personal information processing, the type of personal information to be processed, and the retention period, and obtain the consent of persons in accordance with the law, unless as otherwise prescribed by laws and administrative regulations; and (iii) establish and improve the examination management, real-time inspection, emergency disposal of posts, acceptance of tip-offs, and other information security management systems, discover and dispose of illegal and harmful information in a timely manner, and report to the cyberspace administrations. On July 22, 2020, the Ministry of Public Security published the Guiding Opinions on the Implementation of Cybersecurity Hierarchical Protection System and Critical Information Infrastructure Security Protection System, which requires, among others, to determine the cybersecurity protection level in a scientific manner based on the importance of network (including network facilities, information system, and data resources) in national security, economic construction, and social life, as well as factors such as the degree of harm after its destruction, and to implement hierarchical protection and supervision, with emphasis on ensuring the security of critical information infrastructure and networks at or above the third level. 79 Personal Information Protection The Civil Code of the PRC (the “Civil Code”) that was issued on May 28, 2020 and became effective on January 1, 2021, provides that a natural person’s personal information shall be protected by the law. Any organization or individual shall legally obtain the personal information of others when necessary and ensure the security of such personal information, and shall not illegally collect, use, process or transmit the personal information of others, or illegally trade, provide or make public the personal information of others. The Cybersecurity Law imposes certain data protection obligations on network operators, including that network operators may not disclose, tamper with, or damage users’ personal information that they have collected, and are obligated to delete unlawfully collected information and to amend incorrect information. Moreover, internet operators may not provide users’ personal information to others without consent. Exempted from these rules is information irreversibly processed to preclude identification of specific individuals. In addition, the Cybersecurity Law imposes breach notification requirements that will apply to breaches involving personal information. Pursuant to the Ninth Amendment to the Criminal Law issued by the SCNPC on August 29, 2015 that became effective on November 1, 2015, any internet service provider that fails to fulfill the obligations related to the internet information security administration as required by the applicable laws and refuses to rectify upon orders, shall be subject to criminal penalty. Pursuant to the Notice of the Supreme People’s Court, the Supreme People’s Procuratorate and the Ministry of Public Security on Legally Punishing Criminal Activities Infringing upon the Personal Information of Citizens, issued on April 23, 2013, Article 253 of the Criminal Law of the PRC, and the Interpretation of the Supreme People’s Court and the Supreme People’s Procuratorate on Several Issues regarding Legal Application in Criminal Cases Infringing upon the Personal Information of Citizens, which was issued on May 8, 2017 and became effective on June 1, 2017, the following activities may constitute the crime of infringing upon a citizen’s personal information: (i) providing a citizen’s personal information to specified persons or releasing a citizen’s personal information online or through other methods in violation of relevant national provisions; (ii) providing legitimately collected information relating to a citizen to others without such citizen’s consent (unless the information is processed, not traceable to a specific person and not recoverable); (iii) collecting a citizen’s personal information in violation of applicable rules and regulations when performing a duty or providing services; or (iv) collecting a citizen’s personal information by purchasing, accepting or exchanging such information in violation of applicable rules and regulations. On August 20, 2021, the SCNPC promulgated the Personal Information Protection Law of the People’s Republic of China (the “Personal Information Protection Law”), which became effective on November 1, 2021. According to the Personal Information Protection Law, personal information refers to any kind of information related to an identified or identifiable natural person as electronically or otherwise recorded, excluding information that has been anonymized. Processing of personal information includes the collection, storage, use, processing, transmission, provision, disclosure and deletion of personal information. Processing of personal information shall be for a specified and reasonable purpose, and shall be conducted for a purpose directly relevant to the purpose of processing and in a way that has the least impact on personal rights and interests. Collection of personal information shall be limited to the minimum scope necessary for achieving the purpose of processing and shall not be excessive. In addition, the Personal Information Protection Law specifically specifies the rules for processing sensitive personal information, i.e., personal information that, once leaked or illegally used, may easily cause harm to the dignity of natural persons or grave harm to personal or property security, including information on biometric characteristics, financial accounts, individual location tracking, etc., as well as the personal information of minors under the age of 14. Entities processing personal information shall bear responsibility for their personal information processing activities and adopt the necessary measures to safeguard the security of the personal information they process. Otherwise, entities processing the personal information will be ordered to correct or suspend or terminate the provision of services, confiscation of illegal income, fines or other penalties. As of the date of this annual report, we have not been involved in any investigations on cybersecurity reviews conducted by the CAC on this basis, and we have not received any inquiry, notice, warning, or sanctions in this regard. To protect the legitimate rights and interests of telecommunication and Internet users, the MIIT issued the Provisions on Protection of Personal Information of Telecommunication and Internet Users on July 16, 2013, which became effective from September 1, 2013, to clarify the scope and obligators of protecting personal information of telecommunication and Internet users. The scope of protecting personal information stipulated in the Provisions on Protection of Personal Information of Telecommunication and Internet Users includes information such as username, birth date, ID number, address, phone number, account and password, etc., enabling identification of users separately or in combination with other information collected by telecommunication service operators and Internet information service providers in the provision of services. Telecommunication service operators and Internet information service providers shall not collect or use the personal information of users without the consent of users. Telecommunication service operators and Internet information service providers shall keep such information strictly confidential, and shall not disclose, tamper with or damage, sell or illegally provide such information to others. Telecommunication service operators and Internet information service providers shall take technological and other measures to prevent unauthorized disclosure, damage or loss of users’ personal information. 80 On January 23, 2019, the CAC, the MIIT, the Ministry of Public Security, and the SAMR jointly issued the Notice on Special Governance of Illegal Collection and Use of Personal Information via Apps, which restates the requirement of legal collection and use of personal information, encourages App operators to conduct security certifications, and encourages search engines and App stores to clearly mark and recommend those certified Apps. On November 28, 2019, the CAC, MIIT, the Ministry of Public Security and SAMR jointly issued the Measures to Identify Illegal Collection and Usage of Personal Information by Apps, which came into effect on the same day and lists six types of illegal collection and usage of personal information, including “non-disclosure of collection and use rules,” “failure to expressly state the purpose, method and scope of collecting and using personal information,” “collection or use of personal information without the consent of users,” “collection of personal information unrelated to the services they provide in violation of the principle of necessity,” “provision of personal information without consent,” “failure to provide the function of deleting or correcting personal information in accordance with the law” and “failure to disclose the information such as ways of filing complaints and whistleblowing reports.” On July 22, 2020, the MIIT issued the Notice of Ministry of Industry and Information Technology on Carrying out Special Rectification Actions in Depth against the Infringement upon Users’ Rights and Interests by Apps, which lists four types of illegal collection and usage of personal information, including “illegally processing personal information of users by the App and the SDK,” “Setting up obstacles and frequently harassing users,” “cheating and misleading users” and “inadequate implementation of application distribution platforms’ responsibilities.” Regulations on Intellectual Property Copyright and Software Registration According to the Copyright Law of the PRC which was promulgated by the SCNPC on September 7, 1990 and implemented on June 1, 1991, and finally revised on November 11, 2020 and came into effect on June 1, 2021, and the Implementation Regulations of the Copyright Law of the PRC promulgated by the State Council on August 2, 2002 and implemented on September 15, 2002, and finally revised on January 30, 2013. Copyright holders enjoy a variety of personal and property rights, including the right of publication, the right of authorship, the right of reproduction, and the right of communication of information on networks. Pursuant to the Regulation on Computer Software Protection promulgated on June 4, 1991 by the State Council and last amended on January 30, 2013 and the Measures for the Registration of Computer Software Copyright promulgated on April 6, 1992 and last amended by the National Copyright Administration on February 20, 2002, the National Copyright Administration is mainly responsible for the registration and management of software copyright in China and recognizes the China Copyright Protection Center as the software registration organization. The China Copyright Protection Center shall grant certificates of registration to computer software copyright applicants in compliance with the regulations of the Measures for the Registration of Computer Software Copyright and the Regulation on Computers Software Protection. The Provisions of the Supreme People’s Court on Certain Issues Related to the Application of Law in the Trial of Civil Cases Involving Disputes on Infringement of the Information Network Dissemination Rights, which were promulgated on December 17, 2012, and further amended on December 29, 2020, and took effect on January 1, 2021, specify that disseminating works, performances, or audio-video products by the internet users or the internet service providers via the internet without the permission of the copyright owners shall be deemed to have infringed the right of dissemination of the copyright owner. The Measures for Administrative Protection of Copyright Related to the Internet, which were jointly promulgated by the National Copyright Administration and the MIIT on April 29, 2005, and took effect on May 30, 2005, provide that upon receipt of an infringement notice from a legitimate copyright holder, an ICP operator must take remedial actions immediately by removing or disabling access to the infringing content. If an ICP operator knowingly transmits infringing content or fails to take remedial actions after receipt of a notice of infringement that harms the public interest, the ICP operator could be subject to administrative penalties, including an order to cease infringing activities, confiscation by the authorities of all income derived from the infringement activities, or payment of fines. On May 18, 2006, the State Council promulgated the Regulations on the Protection of the Right to Network Dissemination of Information (as amended in 2013). Under these regulations, an owner of the network dissemination rights with respect to written works, performances, or audio or video recordings who believes that information storage, search, or link services provided by an internet service provider infringe his or her rights may require that the internet service provider delete or disconnect the links to such works or recordings. 81 Patent According to the Patent Law of the People’s Republic of China (the “Patent Law”), which was promulgated by the SCNPC on March 12, 1984 and revised on September 4, 1992, August 25, 2000, December 27, 2008 and October 17, 2020 respectively, and became effective on June 1, 2021, and the Rules for Implementation of the Patent Law of the People’s Republic of China, which was promulgated by the State Council on June 15, 2001 and revised on December 28, 2002, January 9, 2010, December 11, 2023, and became effective on January 20, 2024, the patent administration department under the State Council shall be responsible for the patent-related work in China. It accepts and examines patent applications in a uniform way and grants patent rights in accordance with the law. The Patent Law and its implementation rules provide for three types of patents, namely “inventions,” “utility models” and “designs”. Invention patents are valid for twenty years, utility model patents are valid for ten years, and since June 1, 2021, the term of protection for design patents whose application date is after June 1, 2021 has been extended to fifteen years in each case from the date of application. The Chinese patent system adopts a “first-to-file” principle, which means that where more than one person files a patent application for the same invention, utility model or design, a patent will be granted to the person who files the application first. An invention or a utility model must possess novelty, inventiveness and practical applicability to be patentable. Third Parties must obtain consent or a proper license from the patent owner to use the patent. Otherwise, the unauthorized use constitutes an infringement on the patent rights. Trademark According to the Trademark Law of the PRC, promulgated by the SCNPC on August 23, 1982 and last amended on April 23, 2019 and came into effect on November 1, 2019, and the Implementing Regulations of the Trademark Law of the People’s Republic of China, which was promulgated by the State Council on August 3, 2002 and revised on April 29, 2014, and became effective on May 1, 2014, the Trademark Office of China National Intellectual Property Administration (the “Trademark Office”) is responsible for the registration and administration of trademarks and resolving trademark disputes in the PRC. Registered trademarks are valid for ten years from the date the registration is approved. A registrant may apply to renew a registration within twelve months before the expiration date of the registration. If the registrant fails to apply in a timely manner, a grace period of six additional months may be granted. If the registrant fails to apply before the grace period expires, the registered trademark shall be deregistered. Renewed registrations are valid for ten years. A trademark registrant may, by entering into a trademark licensing contract, license another party to use its registered trademark. Where another party is licensed to use a registered trademark, the licenser shall report the license to the Trademark Office for recordation, and the Trademark Office shall publish it. An unrecorded license may not be used as a defense against a third party in good faith. Domain Names The Administrative Measures on Internet Domain Names (the “Domain Name Measures”) was promulgated by the MIIT on August 24, 2017, and came into effect on November 1, 2017. According to the Domain Name Measures, any party that has domain name root servers, and the institution for operating domain name root servers, the domain name registry, and the domain name registrar within the territory of the PRC, shall obtain a permit from the MIIT (for root server operators and registries) or the communications administration of the local province (for registrars), autonomous region or municipality directly under the PRC central government. The registration of domain names generally follows a “first-come, first-served” basis and a domain name applicant will become the domain name holder upon the completion of the application procedure. Trade Secrets According to the PRC Anti-Unfair Competition Law, promulgated by the SCNPC in September 1993, as amended on November 4, 2017, April 23, 2019 and June 27, 2025 respectively, the term “trade secrets” refers to technical and business information that is unknown to the public, has utility, may create business interests or profits for its legal owners or holders, and is maintained as a secret by its legal owners or holders. Under the PRC Anti-Unfair Competition Law, business persons are prohibited from infringing others’ trade secrets by: (1) obtaining the trade secrets from the legal owners or holders by any unfair methods such as theft, bribery, fraud, coercion, electronic intrusion, or any other illicit means; (2) disclosing, using or permitting others to use the trade secrets obtained illegally under item above; (3) disclosing, using or permitting others to use the trade secrets, in violation of any contractual agreements or any requirements of the legal owners or holders to keep such trade secrets in confidence; or (4) instigate, induce or assist others to violate confidentiality obligation or to violate a rights holder’s requirements on keeping confidentiality of commercial secrets, so as to disclose, use or allow others to use the commercial secrets of the rights holder. Any person, legal persons, and unincorporated organizations other than business operators that carry out the illegal acts listed in the preceding paragraph shall be deemed to have infringed upon trade secrets. If a third party knows or should have known of the above-mentioned illegal conduct but nevertheless obtains, uses or discloses trade secrets of others, the third party may be deemed to have committed a misappropriation of the others’ trade secrets. The parties whose trade secrets are being misappropriated may petition for administrative corrections, and regulatory authorities may stop any illegal activities and fine infringing parties. 82 Regulations on Foreign Exchange General Administration of Foreign Exchange Under the PRC Foreign Exchange Administration Rules promulgated on January 29, 1996 and most recently amended on August 5, 2008, as well as various regulations issued by SAFE and other PRC government authorities, Renminbi is convertible into other currencies for current account items, such as trade-related receipts and payments, as well as the payment of interest and dividends. The conversion of Renminbi into other currencies and the remittance of the converted foreign currency outside Chinese mainland for capital account items, such as direct equity investments, loans, and repatriation of investment, require prior approval from SAFE or its local office. Payments for transactions that take place within Chinese mainland must be made in Renminbi. Unless otherwise approved, Chinese mainland companies may not repatriate foreign currency payments received from abroad or retain the same abroad. Foreign-invested enterprises may retain foreign exchange in accounts with designated foreign exchange banks under the current account items, subject to a cap set by SAFE or its local office. Foreign exchange proceeds under the current accounts may be either retained or sold to a financial institution engaged in settlement and sale of foreign exchange pursuant to SAFE rules and regulations. For foreign exchange proceeds under the capital accounts, approval from SAFE is generally required for the retention or sale of such proceeds to a financial institution engaged in settlement and sale of foreign exchange. Pursuant to the Circular of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange on Further Improving and Adjusting Foreign Exchange Administration Policies for Direct Investment, promulgated by SAFE on November 19, 2012 and most recently amended on October 10, 2018, approval is not required for opening a foreign exchange account and depositing foreign exchange into accounts related to direct investments. This circular also simplified the foreign exchange-related registration required for foreign investors to acquire equity interests in Chinese companies and further improved the administration of foreign exchange settlement for foreign-invested enterprises. The Circular on Further Simplifying and Improving the Foreign Currency Management Policy on Direct Investment, promulgated by SAFE on February 13, 2015 and amended on December 30, 2019, canceled the administrative approvals of foreign exchange registration for direct domestic investment and direct overseas investment, and simplifies the procedure of foreign exchange-related registration, requiring investors to register with banks for direct domestic investment and direct overseas investment. The Circular on Reforming the Management Approach Regarding the Foreign Exchange Capital Settlement of Foreign-Invested Enterprises, or SAFE Circular 19, which was promulgated by SAFE on March 30, 2015, provides that a foreign-invested enterprise may, according to its actual business needs, settle with a bank the portion of the foreign exchange capital in its capital account for which the foreign exchange administration has confirmed monetary capital contribution rights and interests (or for which the bank has registered the injection of the monetary capital contribution into the account). Pursuant to SAFE Circular 19, for the time being, foreign-invested enterprises are allowed to settle 100% of their foreign exchange capitals on a discretionary basis; a foreign-invested enterprise shall truthfully use its capital for its own operational purposes within the scope of business; where an ordinary foreign-invested enterprise makes domestic equity investment with the amount of foreign exchange settled, the invested enterprise shall first go through domestic re-investment registration and open a corresponding account for foreign exchange settlement pending payment with the foreign exchange administration or the bank at the place where it is registered. The Circular on Reforming and Regulating Policies on the Control over Foreign Exchange Settlement of Capital Accounts, or SAFE Circular 16, which was promulgated by SAFE and took effect on June 9, 2016, provides that enterprises registered in Chinese mainland may also convert their foreign debts from foreign currency into Renminbi on a self-discretionary basis. SAFE Circular 16 also provides an integrated standard for conversion of foreign exchange under capital account items (including but not limited to foreign currency capital and foreign debts) on a self-discretionary basis, which applies to all enterprises registered in Chinese mainland. In January 2017, SAFE promulgated the Circular on Further Improving Reform of Foreign Exchange Administration and Optimizing Genuineness and Compliance Verification, or SAFE Circular 3, which stipulates several capital control measures with respect to the outbound remittance of profits from domestic entities to offshore entities, including (i) banks must check whether the transaction is genuine by reviewing board resolutions regarding profit distribution, original copies of tax filing records, and audited financial statements, and (ii) domestic entities must retain income to account for previous years’ losses before remitting any profits. Moreover, pursuant to SAFE Circular 3, domestic entities must explain in detail the sources of capital and how the capital will be used, and provide board resolutions, contracts, and other proof as a part of the registration procedure for outbound investment. On October 23, 2019, SAFE promulgated the Notice of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange on Further Promoting the Facilitation of Cross-border Trade and Investment, or SAFE Notice 28, which permits non-investment foreign-invested enterprises to use their capital funds to make equity investments in Chinese mainland, with genuine investment projects, in compliance with effective foreign investment restrictions, and other applicable laws. On December 4, 2023, SAFE promulgated the Notice on Further 83 Deepening Reforms to Promote the Facilitation of Cross-border Trade and Investment, which further refined the operational guidelines for the use of capital funds by foreign-invested enterprises and clarified certain ambiguous points in the implementation of SAFE Notice 28 Based on SAFE Circular 13 and other laws and regulations relating to foreign exchange, when setting up a new foreign-invested enterprise, the foreign-invested enterprise shall register with the bank located at its registered place after obtaining the business license, and if there is any change in capital or other changes relating to the basic information of the foreign-invested enterprise, including, without limitation, any increase in its registered capital or total investment, the foreign-invested enterprise shall register such changes with the bank located at its registered place after obtaining approval from, or completing the filing with, competent authorities. Pursuant to foreign exchange laws and regulations, the above-mentioned foreign exchange registration with the banks will typically take less than four weeks upon the acceptance of the registration application. Based on the foregoing, if we intend to provide funding to our wholly foreign-owned subsidiaries through capital injection at or after their establishment, we shall register the establishment of, and any follow-on capital increase in, our wholly foreign-owned subsidiaries with the SAMR or its local counterparts, file such via the foreign investment comprehensive management information system, and register such with the local banks for foreign exchange-related matters. Loans Made by Foreign Companies to Their Chinese Mainland Subsidiaries A loan made by foreign investors as shareholders in a foreign-invested enterprise is considered foreign debt in Chinese mainland and is regulated by various laws and regulations, including the PRC Foreign Currency Exchange Administration Rules, the Interim Provisions on the Management of Foreign Debts, the Statistical Monitoring of Foreign Debts Tentative Provisions, and the Administrative Measures for Registration of Foreign Debts. Under these rules and regulations, a shareholder loan made to a Chinese mainland entity in the form of foreign debt does not require prior approval from SAFE. However, such foreign debt must be registered with and recorded by SAFE or its local branches within 15 business days after entering into the foreign debt contract. Under these regulations, the foreign debt balance of a foreign-invested enterprise must not exceed the difference between its total investment and registered capital. Pursuant to the Interim Provisions of the State Administration for Industry and Commerce on the Ratio of the Registered Capital to the Total Investment of a Sino-Foreign Equity Joint Venture Enterprise, promulgated by SAMR on February 17, 1987, and effective March 1, 1987, the registered capital for a Sino-foreign equity joint venture must be: (i)no less than 7/10 of its total investment, if the total investment is US$3 million or less; (ii)no less than 1/2 of its total investment, if the total investment is between US$3 million and US$10 million (including US$10 million), provided that the registered capital shall not be less than US$2.1 million if the total investment is less than US$4.2 million; (iii)no less than 2/5 of its total investment, if the total investment is between US$10 million and US$30 million (including US$30 million), provided that the registered capital shall not be less than US$5 million if the total investment is less than US$12.5 million; and (iv)no less than 1/3 of its total investment, if the total investment exceeds US$30 million, provided that the registered capital shall not be less than US$12 million if the total investment is less than US$36 million. On January 11, 2017, the People’s Bank of China promulgated the Notice of the People’s Bank of China on Matters Concerning the Macro-Prudential Management of Full-Covered Cross-Border Financing, commonly known as PBOC Notice No. 9. Pursuant to PBOC Notice No. 9, within a transition period of one year from January 11, 2017, the foreign invested enterprises may adopt the currently valid foreign debt management mechanism, or Current Foreign Debt Mechanism, or the mechanism as provided in PBOC Notice No. 9, or Notice No. 9 Foreign Debt Mechanism, at their own discretion. PBOC Notice No. 9 provides that, enterprises may conduct independent cross-border financing in RMB or foreign currencies as required. Pursuant to PBOC Notice No. 9, the outstanding cross-border financing of an enterprise (the outstanding balance drawn, here and below) shall be calculated using a risk-weighted approach, or Risk-Weighted Approach, and shall not exceed the specified upper limit of risk-weighted outstanding cross-border financing. Risk-weighted outstanding cross-border financing equals the total of outstanding amounts of RMB and foreign currency denominated cross-border financing multiplied by the maturity risk conversion factor and the type risk conversion factor, plus the total of outstanding foreign currency denominated cross-border financing multiplied by the exchange rate risk conversion factor. The maturity risk conversion factor shall be 1 for medium- and long-term cross-border financing with a term of more than one year and 1.5 for short-term cross-border financing with a term of less than one year. The type risk conversion factor shall be 1 for on-balance-sheet financing and 1 for off-balance-sheet financing (contingent liabilities) for the time being. The exchange rate risk conversion factor shall be 0.5. PBOC Notice No. 9 further provides that the upper limit of risk-weighted outstanding cross-border financing for enterprises shall be 200% of its net assets, or Net Asset Limits. Enterprises shall file with SAFE in its capital item information system after entering into cross-border financing contracts and prior to three business day before drawing any money from the foreign debts. 84 Based on the foregoing, if we provide funding to our wholly foreign owned subsidiaries through shareholder loans, the balance of such loans shall not exceed the Total Investment and Registered Capital Balance and we will need to register such loans with SAFE or its local branches in the event that the Current Foreign Debt Mechanism applies, or the balance of such loans shall be subject to the Risk-Weighted Approach and the Net Asset Limits and we will need to file the loans with SAFE in its information system in the event that the Notice No. 9 Mechanism applies. According to PBOC Notice No. 9, after a transition period of one year from January 11, 2017, the People’s Bank of China and SAFE will determine the cross-border financing administration mechanism for the foreign-invested enterprises after evaluating the overall implementation of PBOC Notice No. 9. As of the date hereof, neither the People’s Bank of China nor SAFE has promulgated and made public any further rules, regulations, notices or circulars in this regard. It is uncertain which mechanism will be adopted by the People’s Bank of China and SAFE in the future and what statutory limits will be imposed on us when providing loans to our Chinese mainland subsidiaries. Offshore Investment Under the Circular of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange on Issues Concerning the Foreign Exchange Administration over Overseas Investment and Financing and Round-trip Investment by Domestic Residents via Special Purpose Vehicles, or SAFE Circular 37, issued by SAFE and effective on July 4, 2014, Chinese mainland residents are required to register with the local SAFE branch prior to the establishment or control of an offshore special purpose vehicle, which is defined as offshore enterprises directly established or indirectly controlled by Chinese mainland residents for offshore equity financing of the enterprise assets or interests they hold in Chinese mainland. An amendment to the registration or a subsequent filing with the local SAFE branch is also required if there is any change in the basic information of the offshore company or any material change in the capital of the offshore company. At the same time, SAFE issued the Operational Guidance for Issues Concerning Foreign Exchange Administration over Round-trip Investment, which outlines the procedures for SAFE registration under SAFE Circular 37. This guidance took effect on July 4, 2014, and is an attachment to SAFE Circular 37. Failure to comply with the registration procedures set forth in SAFE Circular 37 may result in restrictions on the foreign exchange activities of the onshore company, including the payment of dividends and other distributions to its offshore parent or affiliates, and may also subject Chinese mainland residents to penalties under PRC foreign exchange administration regulations. On February 13, 2015, SAFE promulgated the Notice on Simplifying and Improving the Foreign Currency Management Policy on Direct Investment, effective from June 1, 2015. This notice further amends SAFE Circular 37 by requiring domestic residents to register with qualified banks, rather than SAFE or its local branches, in connection with their establishment or control of an offshore entity established for the purpose of overseas investment or financing. Regulations on Dividend Distribution The principal laws and regulations governing the dividend distribution by foreign-invested enterprises in Chinese mainland include the Company Law of the PRC (as amended in 2004, 2005, 2013, 2018, and 2023), the Foreign Investment Law, and the Regulation on the Implementation of the Foreign Investment Law. Under the current regulatory regime in Chinese mainland, foreign-invested enterprises may pay dividends only out of their retained earnings, if any, as determined in accordance with PRC accounting standards and regulations. A Chinese mainland company is required to set aside at least 10% of its after-tax profit as statutory reserve funds until the cumulative amount of such reserve funds reaches 50% of its registered capital, unless otherwise provided by laws regarding foreign investment. A Chinese mainland company shall not distribute any profits until any losses from prior fiscal years have been offset. Profits retained from prior fiscal years may be distributed together with distributable profits from the current fiscal year. As of December 31, 2025, all of our wholly foreign-owned subsidiaries, including but not limited to Beijing QIYI Century, iQIYI New Media, Tianjin iQIYI Network & Technology Co., Ltd., Shanghai iQIYI Network & Technology Co., Ltd., Beijing iQIYI Interactive, Shanghai iQIYI New Media Science & Technology Co., Ltd., and Hainan iQIYI Information Technology Co., Ltd., were in an accumulated loss position, all of which have not and will not be able to pay dividends to our offshore entities until they generate accumulated profits and meet the requirements for statutory reserve funds. Regulations on Taxation Enterprise Income Tax On March 16, 2007, the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress promulgated the Enterprise Income Tax Law, which was amended on February 24, 2017 and December 29, 2018. On December 6, 2007, the State Council enacted the Regulations for the Implementation of the Law on Enterprise Income Tax, which took effect on January 1, 2008 and was most recently amended 85 on December 6, 2024. Under the Enterprise Income Tax Law and its implementing regulations, both resident enterprises and non-resident enterprises are subject to tax in Chinese mainland. Resident enterprises are defined as enterprises that are established in Chinese mainland in accordance with PRC laws, or that are established in accordance with the laws of foreign countries but are actually or in effect controlled from within Chinese mainland. Non-resident enterprises are defined as enterprises that are organized under the laws of foreign countries and whose actual management is conducted outside Chinese mainland, but who have established institutions or premises in Chinese mainland or income generated from inside Chinese mainland. Under the Enterprise Income Tax Law and the implementing regulations, a uniform corporate income tax rate of 25% is applied. However, if non-resident enterprises have not formed permanent establishments or premises in Chinese mainland, or if their permanent establishment or premises in Chinese mainland have no actual relationship to the income derived in Chinese mainland, enterprise income tax is set at the rate of 10% with respect to their income sourced from inside Chinese mainland. Value-added Tax The Provisional Regulations of the PRC on Value-added Tax were promulgated by the State Council on December 13, 1993, which were most recently amended on November 19, 2017. The Detailed Rules for the Implementation of the Provisional Regulations of the PRC on Value-added Tax (Revised in 2011) were promulgated by the Ministry of Finance on December 25, 1993 and subsequently amended on December 15, 2008 and October 28, 2011. On November 19, 2017, the State Council promulgated The Decisions on Abolishing the Provisional Regulations of the PRC on Business Tax and Amending the Provisional Regulations of the PRC on Value-added Tax. According to these laws and decisions, all enterprises and individuals engaged in the sale of goods, the provision of processing, repair and replacement services, sales of services, intangible assets, real property and the importation of goods within the territory of Chinese mainland are the taxpayers of VAT. The VAT tax rates generally applicable are simplified as 17%, 11%, 6% and 0%, and the VAT tax rate applicable to the small-scale taxpayers is 3%. The Notice of the Ministry of Finance and the State Administration of Taxation on Adjusting Value-added Tax Rates was promulgated on April 4, 2018 and took effect on May 1, 2018. The notice adjusted the VAT tax rates of 17% and 11% to 16% and 10%, respectively. According to the Announcement on Relevant Policies for Deepening Value-Added Tax Reform, with effect from April 1, 2019, the VAT tax rate of 16% and 10% are changed into 13% and 9%, respectively. On December 25,2024, the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress promulgated the Value-Added Tax Law of the People's Republic of China, and on December 25, 2025, the State Council enacted the regulations for the Implementation of the Value-Added Tax Law of the People's Republic of China. The Value-Added Tax Law and its implementing regulations came into effect on January 1, 2026, which further clarified the relevant provisions on Value-added tax. As of the date of this annual report, our Chinese mainland subsidiaries and the variable interest entities are generally subject to 3%, 6%, 9% or 13% VAT rate and related surcharges. Dividend Withholding Tax The Enterprise Income Tax Law provides that since January 1, 2008, an income tax rate of 10% will normally be applicable to dividends declared to non-Chinese mainland resident enterprise investors who do not have an establishment or place of business in Chinese mainland, or whose establishment or place of business is not effectively connected with the relevant income, to the extent such dividends are derived from sources within Chinese mainland. Pursuant to an Arrangement Between the Mainland of China and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with Respect to Taxes on Income and other applicable PRC laws, if a Hong Kong resident enterprise is determined by the competent PRC tax authority to have satisfied the conditions and requirements under such arrangement and other applicable laws, the 10% withholding tax on the dividends the Hong Kong resident enterprise receives from a Chinese mainland resident enterprise may be reduced to 5%. However, based on the Circular on Certain Issues with Respect to the Enforcement of Dividend Provisions in Tax Treaties, or SAT Circular 81, issued on February 20, 2009 by the State Administration of Taxation, if the PRC tax authorities determine, in their discretion, that a company benefits from such reduced income tax rate due to a structure or arrangement that is primarily tax-driven, the PRC tax authorities may adjust the preferential tax treatment. According to the Circular on Several Questions Regarding the “Beneficial Owner” in Tax Treaties, which took effect on April 1, 2018, when determining the applicant’s status as a “beneficial owner” with respect to the tax treatment of dividends, interest, or royalties under certain tax treaties, several factors, including whether the applicant is obligated to pay more than 50% of their income over a twelve-month period to residents of a third country or region, whether the business operated by the applicant constitutes actual business activities, and whether the counterparty country or region to the tax treaty does not levy any tax, exempts the relevant income from tax, or levies tax at an extremely low rate, will be taken into account and analyzed in accordance with the specific circumstances of each case. This circular further provides that applicants who intend to prove their “beneficial owner” status shall submit the required documents to the tax bureau according to the Announcement on Issuing the Measures for the Administration of Non-Resident Taxpayers’ Enjoyment of the Treatment under Tax Agreements. 86 Tax on Indirect Transfer On February 3, 2015, the State Administration of Taxation issued the Circular on Issues of Enterprise Income Tax on Indirect Transfers of Assets by Non-PRC Resident Enterprises. Pursuant to this circular, an “indirect transfer” of assets, including equity interests in a Chinese mainland resident enterprise, by a non-Chinese mainland resident enterprise, may be recharacterized and treated as a direct transfer of Chinese mainland taxable assets if such arrangement does not have a reasonable commercial purpose and was established for the purpose of avoiding payment of Chinese mainland enterprise income tax. As a result, gains derived from such indirect transfers may be subject to Chinese mainland enterprise income tax. When determining whether there is a “reasonable commercial purpose” for the transaction arrangement, features to be taken into consideration include, inter alia, whether the main value of the equity interest of the offshore enterprise derives directly or indirectly from Chinese mainland taxable assets; whether the assets of the offshore enterprise mainly consist of direct or indirect investments in Chinese mainland, or whether its income is mainly derived from China; and whether the offshore enterprise and its subsidiaries that directly or indirectly hold Chinese mainland taxable assets have a real commercial nature that is evidenced by their actual function and risk exposure. According to the circular, where the payor fails to withhold any or sufficient tax, the transferor shall declare and pay such tax to the tax authority by itself within the statutory time limit. Late payment of applicable tax will subject the transferor to default interest. The circular does not apply to sales of shares by investors through a public stock exchange where such shares were acquired on a public stock exchange. On October 17, 2017, the State Administration of Taxation issued the Circular on Issues of Tax Withholding Regarding Non-PRC Resident Enterprise Income Tax, which was amended on June 15, 2018. This circular further elaborates the implementing rules regarding the calculation, reporting, and payment obligations of the withholding tax by non-resident enterprises. Nonetheless, there remain uncertainties as to the interpretation and application of the circular. The circular may be determined by the tax authorities to be applicable to our offshore transactions or sale of our shares or those of our offshore subsidiaries where non-resident enterprises, being the transferors, were involved. Regulations on Employment and Social Welfare Labor Contract Law The PRC Labor Contract Law, which took effect on January 1, 2008, and was amended on December 28, 2012, is primarily aimed at regulating the rights and obligations of employer-employee relationships, including the establishment, performance, and termination of labor contracts. Pursuant to the PRC Labor Contract Law, labor contracts shall be concluded in writing if labor relationships are to be, or have been, established between employers and employees. Employers are prohibited from forcing employees to work beyond certain time limits, and employers shall pay employees for overtime work in accordance with national regulations. In addition, employee wages shall be no lower than local minimum wage standards and shall be paid to employees in a timely manner. Social Insurance and Housing Fund According to the PRC Social Insurance Law, most recently amended on December 29, 2018, and the Regulations on the Administration of Housing Funds, most recently amended in 2019, employers in Chinese mainland must provide employees with welfare schemes covering pension insurance, unemployment insurance, maternity insurance, work-related injury insurance, medical insurance, and housing funds. See “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Related to Doing Business in Chinese Mainland—The enforcement of the labor-related regulations in Chinese mainland and Hong Kong may adversely affect our business and results of operations.” Employee Stock Incentive Plan Pursuant to the Notice on Issues Related to the Foreign Exchange Administration for Domestic Individuals Participating in Stock Incentive Plans of Overseas Listed Companies, which was issued by SAFE on February 15, 2012, employees, directors, supervisors, and other senior management who participate in any stock incentive plan of a publicly listed overseas company and who are Chinese mainland citizens or non-Chinese mainland citizens residing in Chinese mainland for a continuous period of no less than one year, subject to a few exceptions, are required to register with SAFE through a qualified domestic agent, which may be a Chinese mainland subsidiary of such an overseas listed company, and complete certain other procedures. In addition, the State Administration of Taxation has issued certain circulars concerning employee stock options and restricted shares. Under these circulars, employees working in Chinese mainland who exercise stock options or are granted restricted shares will be subject to individual income tax in Chinese mainland. The Chinese mainland subsidiaries of an overseas listed company are required to file documents related to employee stock options and restricted shares with the tax authorities and withhold individual income taxes from employees who exercise their stock options or purchase restricted shares. If the employees fail to pay or the 87 Chinese mainland subsidiaries fail to withhold income tax in accordance with the laws and regulations, the Chinese mainland subsidiaries may face sanctions imposed by the tax authorities or other PRC government authorities. Regulations on Anti-unfair Competition and Anti-monopoly Most recently on June 27, 2025, the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress amended the PRC Anti-unfair Competition Law, pursuant to which business operators may not engage in anti-competitive activities including but not limited to, unduly influencing transactions, confusing or defrauding consumers, commercial bribery, trade secret infringement and commercial libel. Failure to comply with the Anti-unfair Competition Law and related regulations could result in various administrative penalties, including fines, confiscation of illegal gains and cessation of business activities. In addition, in February 2021, the Anti-monopoly Committee of the State Council published the Antimonopoly Guidelines for the Platform Economy Sector, aiming at enhancing anti-monopoly administration of businesses that operate under the platform model and the overall platform economy. According to these guidelines, business practices such as deploying big data analytics to set discriminatory terms for merchandise price or other transaction terms, coercive exclusivity arrangements with transaction counterparties, blocking of competitor interface through technological means and unlawful collection of user data without consent, are prohibited. In addition, the guidelines included concentrations involving companies with VIE structure within the ambit of the SAMR’s merger control review, if certain reporting thresholds are met. Certain amendments to the Anti-monopoly Law became effective in August 2022. The amended Anti-monopoly Law increased the maximum amount of fines that may be imposed on a business operator for violations of certain market concentration requirements to 10% of the business operator’s sales revenue from the preceding year and also proposes that the authority should investigate a transaction if the concentration resulting from the transaction has or may have the effect of eliminating or restricting competition, even if such concentration does not reach the filing threshold. On May 6, 2024, the SAMR published the Interim Provisions on Anti-unfair Competition on the Internet. These provisions prohibit business operators from using data, algorithms and other technical methods to hijack traffic or influence users’ choices, or use technical means to illegally capture or use other business operators’ data. M&A Rules and Overseas Listing On August 8, 2006, six PRC governmental and regulatory agencies, including the Ministry of Commerce and the China Securities Regulatory Commission, or the CSRC, promulgated the Regulations on Mergers and Acquisitions of Domestic Enterprises by Foreign Investors, governing the mergers and acquisitions of domestic enterprises by foreign investors that took effect on September 8, 2006 and were revised on June 22, 2009. The regulations, among other things, require that if an overseas company established or controlled by Chinese mainland companies or individuals, or Chinese mainland citizens, intends to acquire equity interests or assets of any other Chinese mainland domestic company affiliated with the Chinese mainland citizens, such acquisition must be submitted to the Ministry of Commerce for approval. The regulations also require that an offshore special purpose vehicle formed for overseas listing purposes and controlled directly or indirectly by the Chinese mainland citizens shall obtain the approval of the CSRC prior to overseas listing and trading of such special purpose vehicle’s securities on an overseas stock exchange. On July 6, 2021, the General Office of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the General Office of the State Council jointly promulgated the Opinions on Strictly Cracking Down on Illegal Securities Activities in Accordance with the Law. 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 regulatory systems will be taken to deal with the risks and incidents of China-based overseas listed companies, and cybersecurity and data privacy protection requirements and other regulatory requirements. The opinions and any related implementing rules to be enacted may subject us to compliance requirement in the future. Furthermore, on February 17, 2023, the CSRC published the Interim Administrative Measures on Overseas Securities Offering and Listing by the Domestic Enterprises, or the Overseas Listing Measures, which took effect on March 31, 2023. Under the Overseas Listing Measures, a filing-based regulatory system will be applied to “indirect overseas offerings and listings” of PRC domestic companies, which refers to securities offerings and listings in an overseas market made under the name of an offshore entity but based on the underlying equity, assets, earnings or other similar rights of a domestic company that operates its main business domestically in Chinese mainland. The Overseas Listing Measures state that, any overseas offering of securities, including issuance of shares, convertible notes and other similar securities, by a PRC domestic company, and listing by a PRC domestic company in an overseas market, shall be subject to filing requirements within three business days after the completion of such offering or listing. On February 17, 2023, the CSRC also published the Notice on the Administrative Arrangements for the Filing of Overseas Securities Offering and Listing by Domestic Enterprises, which provides that issuers who have already been listed in an overseas market by March 31, 2023, the date on which the Overseas Listing Measures took effect, including our company, are not required to make any immediate filing. 88 However, such issuers will be required to comply with the filing requirements under Overseas Listing Measures if and when they pursue any future securities offerings and listings outside of Chinese mainland, including but not limited to follow-on offerings, secondary listings and going private transactions. C.ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE The following diagram illustrates our current corporate structure, which identifies our major subsidiaries, including our significant subsidiaries, and the variable interest entities, as of the date of this annual report: For details of contractual arrangements, see “Item 4. Information on the Company—C. Organizational Structure—Contractual Arrangements with the Variable Interest Entities and Their Respective Shareholders.” Equity interest. Notes (1)Dr. Yu Gong, our founder, chief executive officer and director, and Mr. Xiaohua Geng, our senior vice president, each holds 50% and 50% of the equity interests in Shanghai iQIYI. (2)Mr. Xiaohua Geng holds 99% of the equity interests in Beijing iQIYI and Yangshipin Integrated Media Development Co., Ltd., a third-party minority shareholder, holds 1% of the equity interests in Beijing iQIYI. (3)Dr. Yu Gong holds 100% of the equity interests in Shanghai Zhong Yuan. (4)Dr. Yu Gong and Mr. Xianghua Yang, our senior vice president, each holds 50% and 50% of the equity interests in Intelligent Entertainment. (5)Dr. Yu Gong and Mr. Xiaohui Wang, our chief content officer, each holds 50% and 50% of the equity interests in iQIYI Yinhua. 89 Contractual Arrangements with the Variable Interest Entities and Their Respective Shareholders Current PRC laws and regulations impose certain restrictions or prohibitions on foreign ownership of companies that engage in certain value-added telecommunication services, internet audio-video program services and certain other businesses. We are an exempted company with limited liability incorporated in the Cayman Islands. Beijing QIYI Century, Beijing iQIYI Interactive, iQIYI New Media and iQIYI Optical Era, our Chinese mainland subsidiaries, are considered foreign-invested enterprises. To comply with PRC laws and regulations, we primarily conduct our business in Chinese mainland through Beijing iQIYI, Shanghai iQIYI, Shanghai Zhong Yuan, Intelligent Entertainment and iQIYI Yinhua, the variable interest entities in Chinese mainland, and their subsidiaries, based on a series of contractual arrangements by and among our Chinese mainland subsidiaries, namely, Beijing QIYI Century or iQIYI New Media or iQIYI Optical Era, the variable interest entities and their shareholders. Prior to February 2026, we also conducted our operations in Chinese mainland through iQIYI Pictures, which was a variable interest entity. In February 2026, we terminated the contractual arrangements with iQIYI Pictures and one of the VIEs acquired it as a wholly-owned subsidiary. Such contractual arrangements enable us to direct activities that most significantly affect the economic performance of the variable interest entities, receive economic benefits of and absorb losses that potentially could be significant to the variable interest entities, and have an exclusive option to purchase all or part of the equity interest and assets in the variable interest entities when and to the extent permitted by PRC law, and as a result, iQIYI, Inc. is considered as the primary beneficiary of the variable interest entities in Chinese mainland and consolidate the financial results of the variable interest entities as required by ASC topic 810, Consolidation. Accordingly, we treat the variable interest entities as our consolidated entities under U.S. GAAP, and we consolidate the financial results of the variable interest entities in our consolidated financial statements under U.S. GAAP for accounting purposes. In October 2024, Yangshipin Integrated Media Development Co., Ltd. completed its investment of approximately RMB0.3 million in Beijing iQIYI to acquire 1% of Beijing iQIYI’s enlarged registered capital. Yangshipin Integrated Media Development Co., Ltd. is not a party to the contractual arrangements currently in effect among Beijing iQIYI, Beijing QIYI Century, and other shareholders of Beijing iQIYI. Therefore, we are unable to mandatorily purchase, or have Yangshipin Integrated Media Development Co., Ltd. pledge, the 1% equity interests in Beijing iQIYI in the same manner as agreed under existing contractual arrangements, nor are we granted the authorization of the voting rights of the 1% equity interests. We believe iQIYI, Inc. still controls and is the primary beneficiary of Beijing iQIYI for accounting purposes, as it continues to have a controlling financial interest in Beijing iQIYI pursuant to ASC 810-10-25-38A after the issuance of such 1% equity interests. The following is a summary of the currently effective contractual arrangements among Beijing QIYI Century, Beijing iQIYI, Beijing iQIYI’s shareholder and iQIYI, Inc. The terms of the contractual arrangements by and among (i) Shanghai iQIYI and Shanghai Zhong Yuan, respectively, and their respective shareholders, with Beijing QIYI Century and iQIYI, Inc., (ii) Intelligent Entertainment and its shareholders, with iQIYI New Media and iQIYI, Inc., and (iii) iQIYI Yinhua and its shareholders, with iQIYI Optical Era and iQIYI, Inc., are substantially the same as the contractual arrangements discussed above. Loan Agreement Pursuant to the amended and restated loan agreement dated January 30, 2013 between Beijing QIYI Century and Mr. Xiaohua Geng, the sole shareholder of Beijing iQIYI, Beijing QIYI Century made loans in an aggregate amount of RMB27 million to Mr. Geng for the acquisition and capitalization of Beijing iQIYI. Pursuant to the amended and restated loan agreement, Mr. Geng can only repay the loans by the sale of all his equity interest in Beijing iQIYI to iQIYI, Inc. insofar as permitted under PRC law and pay all of the proceeds from sale of such equity interests to iQIYI, Inc. In the event that Mr. Geng sells his equity interests in Beijing iQIYI to iQIYI, Inc. with a price equivalent to or less than the amount of the principal, the loans will be interest free. If the price is higher than the amount of the principal, the excess amount will be paid to Beijing QIYI Century as the loan interest to or cost for capital occupancy to the extent allowed under PRC law. Pursuant to a confirmation letter executed by Beijing QIYI Century in 2020, the loan maturity date has been extended to June 23, 2031 and may be further extended upon Beijing QIYI Century’s written notification. Share Pledge Agreement Pursuant to the amended and restated share pledge agreement dated January 30, 2013, Mr. Xiaohua Geng has pledged all of his equity interest in Beijing iQIYI to guarantee his and Beijing iQIYI’s performance of his obligations under, where applicable, the amended and restated exclusive technology consulting and services agreement and the amended and restated loan agreement. If Beijing iQIYI or Mr. Geng breach their contractual obligations under these agreements, Beijing QIYI Century, as pledgee, will have the right to dispose of the pledged equity interests. Mr. Geng agrees that, during the term of the share pledge agreements, he will not dispose of the pledged equity interests or create or allow any encumbrance on the pledged equity interests, and he also agrees that Beijing QIYI Century’s rights relating to the equity pledge should not be prejudiced by the legal actions of Mr. Geng, his successor or 90 his assignee. During the term of the amended and restated share pledge agreement, Beijing QIYI Century has the right to receive all of the dividends and profits distributed on the pledged equity. The amended and restated share pledge agreement will terminate on the date when Beijing iQIYI and Mr. Geng have completed all their obligations under the amended and restated exclusive technology consulting and services agreement and the amended and restated loan agreement unless otherwise unilaterally terminated by Beijing QIYI Century. Exclusive Purchase Option Agreement Pursuant to the amended and restated exclusive purchase option agreement dated January 30, 2013 by and among iQIYI, Inc., Beijing QIYI Century, Beijing iQIYI, and Mr. Xiaohua Geng, Mr. Geng irrevocably grants iQIYI, Inc. or its designee an exclusive option to purchase at its discretion, to the extent permitted under PRC law, all or part of his equity interests in Beijing iQIYI. In addition, the purchase price should equal the amount that Mr. Geng contributed to Beijing iQIYI as registered capital for the equity interest to be purchased, or be the lowest price permitted by applicable PRC law. If any dividends or assets of other form were distributed, such dividends or distributions, including the purchase consideration received if the exclusive purchase option is exercised, will have to be repaid by Mr. Geng to iQIYI, Inc. Without the prior written consent of iQIYI, Inc., Beijing iQIYI may not amend its articles of association, increase or decrease the registered capital, sell or otherwise dispose of its assets or beneficial interest, create or allow any encumbrance on its assets or other beneficial interests, provide any loans to any third parties, enter into any material contract with a value of more than RMB0.3 million (except those contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business), merge with or acquire any other persons or make any investments, or distribute dividends to the shareholders. Mr. Geng agrees that, without the prior written consent of iQIYI, Inc., he will not dispose of his equity interests in Beijing iQIYI or create or allow any encumbrance on the equity interests, and will not cause Beijing iQIYI to provide any persons with any loans. Pursuant to a confirmation letter executed by iQIYI Inc. in 2020, the term of the amended and restated exclusive purchase option agreement has been extended to November 22, 2032 and may be further extended at the discretion of iQIYI, Inc. Business Operation Agreement Pursuant to the amended and restated business operation agreement dated January 30, 2013 by and among Beijing QIYI Century, Beijing iQIYI and Mr. Xiaohua Geng, Beijing QIYI Century agrees to provide Beijing iQIYI with performance guarantees with respect to any contracts, agreements and transactions Beijing iQIYI entered into in connection with its business. As a counter-guarantee, Beijing iQIYI agrees to offer all its account receivables and assets as collateral. Pursuant to a confirmation letter executed by Beijing QIYI Century in 2020, the term of the business operation agreement has been extended to January 30, 2033 and may be further extended at the discretion of Beijing QIYI Century. Business Cooperation Agreement Pursuant to the business cooperation agreement, which took effect on November 23, 2011 by and between Beijing QIYI Century and Beijing iQIYI, Beijing iQIYI agrees to provide Beijing QIYI Century with services, including internet information services, online advertising and other services reasonably necessary within the scope of Beijing QIYI Century’s business. Beijing iQIYI agrees to use, on the website it operates, technology services provided by Beijing QIYI Century, including but not limited to, P2P download and video on-demand system. As consideration for the internet information services and other services provided by Beijing iQIYI, Beijing QIYI Century agrees to pay specified service fees to Beijing iQIYI. Beijing iQIYI has the right to waive the service fees. Pursuant to a confirmation letter executed by Beijing QIYI Century in 2020, the term of the business cooperation agreement has been extended to November 23, 2031 and may be further extended at the discretion of Beijing QIYI Century. Commitment Letter Pursuant to the commitment letter dated January 30, 2013, under the condition that Beijing iQIYI remains as an entity of which the financial statements are consolidated by iQIYI, Inc. and Beijing QIYI Century under U.S. GAAP and the contractual arrangements remain in effect, iQIYI, Inc. and Beijing QIYI Century undertake to provide financial support to Beijing iQIYI for any financial loss that might affect its business operation occurred before and after the execution of the commitment letter as permitted by the law. Such financial support shall be forgiven by iQIYI, Inc. and Beijing QIYI Century. Shareholder Voting Rights Trust Agreement Pursuant to the amended and restated shareholder voting rights trust agreement dated January 30, 2013 by and between Beijing QIYI Century and Mr. Xiaohua Geng, Mr. Geng has agreed to irrevocably entrust a person designated by Beijing QIYI Century to represent him to exercise all the voting rights and other shareholders’ rights to which he is entitled as the shareholder of Beijing iQIYI. The agreement will remain effective for as long as Mr. Geng remains the shareholder of Beijing iQIYI unless Beijing QIYI Century unilaterally terminates the agreement by written notice. 91 Exclusive Technology Consulting and Services Agreement Pursuant to the exclusive technology consulting and services agreement, which took effect on November 23, 2011 by and between Beijing QIYI Century and Beijing iQIYI, Beijing QIYI Century has the sole and exclusive right to provide specified technology consulting and services to Beijing iQIYI. Beijing iQIYI agrees to accept such services and, without the prior written consent of Beijing QIYI Century, may not accept the same or similar technology consulting and services provided by any third-party during the term of the agreement. Beijing iQIYI agrees to pay specified service fees to Beijing QIYI Century on a quarterly basis. Beijing QIYI Century has the right to adjust the calculation basis and payment method through written confirmation, without the prior consent of Beijing iQIYI. All the benefits and interests generated from the agreement, including but not limited to software copyrights, intellectual property rights, know-how and trade secrets, will be Beijing QIYI Century’s sole and exclusive rights. Pursuant to a confirmation letter executed by Beijing QIYI Century in 2020, the term of the exclusive technology consulting and services agreement has been extended to November 23, 2031 and may be further extended at the discretion of Beijing QIYI Century. Trademark License Agreement Pursuant to the trademark license agreement, which took effect on November 23, 2011 by and between Beijing QIYI Century and Beijing iQIYI, Beijing QIYI Century grants Beijing iQIYI trademark licenses to use the trademarks held by Beijing QIYI Century in specified areas. Beijing QIYI Century may not grant trademark licenses to third parties. Beijing iQIYI agrees to pay specified usage fees to Beijing QIYI Century. The initial term of this trademark license agreement is five years and is afterwards automatically renewed for one additional year each year, unless terminated by Beijing QIYI Century by written notice. Software Usage License Agreement Pursuant to the software usage license agreement, which took effect on November 23, 2011 by and between Beijing QIYI Century and Beijing iQIYI, Beijing QIYI Century grants Beijing iQIYI non-exclusive rights to use specified software in Chinese mainland. Beijing iQIYI agrees not to sublicense such software usage rights, and agrees to pay specified usage fees to Beijing QIYI Century. Pursuant to a confirmation letter executed by Beijing QIYI Century in 2020, the term of the software usage license agreement has been extended to December 1, 2031 and may be further extended at the discretion of Beijing QIYI Century. Power of Attorney On January 30, 2013, Beijing QIYI Century granted iQIYI, Inc. irrevocable power of attorney under the amended and restated shareholder voting rights trust agreement. Pursuant to the irrevocable power of attorney, iQIYI, Inc. may exercise all shareholder rights during the term of the amended and restated shareholder voting rights trust agreement and may transfer such rights to a designated third-party without written notice to Beijing QIYI Century. Spousal Consent Letter The spouse of the shareholder of Beijing iQIYI signed a spousal consent letter. Under the spousal consent letter, the signing spouse unconditionally and irrevocably agreed that the spouse is aware of the above-mentioned loan agreement, share pledge agreement, exclusive purchase option agreement, business operation agreement, and shareholder voting rights trust agreement, and has no objection regarding the contractual arrangements aforesaid. The signing spouse committed not to impose any adverse assertions upon the validity of such contractual arrangement based on the existence or termination of the marital relationship with the shareholder, or exert any impediment or adverse influence over the shareholder’s performance of any contractual arrangement or claim rights on Beijing iQIYI. The contractual arrangements by and among iQIYI, Inc., Beijing QIYI Century, Shanghai iQIYI, and the shareholders of Shanghai iQIYI, including loan agreement, share pledge agreement, exclusive purchase option agreement, business operation agreement, commitment letter, shareholder voting rights trust agreement, spousal consent letter and exclusive technology consulting and services agreement, are substantially the same as the corresponding contractual arrangements discussed above. The loan agreements, exclusive purchase option agreement, business operation agreement and exclusive technology consulting and services agreement were extended by Beijing QIYI Century and iQIYI, Inc. before their respective expiration dates to October 25, 2033, and can be further renewed at the discretion of Beijing QIYI Century and iQIYI, Inc. The contractual arrangements by and among iQIYI, Inc., Beijing QIYI Century, Shanghai Zhong Yuan, and the shareholder of Shanghai Zhong Yuan, including loan agreement, share pledge agreement, exclusive purchase option agreement, business operation agreement, commitment letter, shareholder voting rights trust agreement, spousal consent letter and exclusive technology consulting and services agreement, are substantially the same as the corresponding contractual arrangements discussed above. The loan agreement, exclusive purchase option agreement, business operation agreement and exclusive technology consulting and services 92 agreement were extended by Beijing QIYI Century and iQIYI, Inc. before their respective expiration dates to January 14, 2034, and can be further renewed at the discretion of Beijing QIYI Century and iQIYI, Inc. The contractual arrangements by and among iQIYI, Inc., iQIYI New Media, Intelligent Entertainment, and the shareholders of Intelligent Entertainment, including loan agreements, share pledge agreements, exclusive share purchase agreement, exclusive management consulting and business cooperation agreement, commitment letter, power of attorney and spousal consent letters, are substantially the same as the corresponding contractual arrangements discussed above. The contractual arrangements by and among iQIYI, Inc., iQIYI Optical Era, iQIYI Yinhua, and the shareholders of iQIYI Yinhua, including loan agreements, share pledge agreements, exclusive share purchase agreement, exclusive management consulting and business cooperation agreement, commitment letter, power of attorney and spousal consent letters, are substantially the same as the corresponding contractual arrangements discussed above. In the opinion of Jingtian & Gongcheng, our PRC legal counsel: •the ownership structure of the variable interest entities and our wholly-foreign owned subsidiaries are in compliance with PRC laws or regulations currently in effect; and •the contractual arrangements among our wholly-foreign owned subsidiaries, variable interest entities and their respective shareholder(s), either individually or taken as a whole, are valid and legally binding upon each party to such arrangement and are enforceable against each party thereto in accordance with their terms, and do not contravene any PRC laws or regulations currently in effect. However, there are substantial uncertainties regarding the interpretation and application of current and future PRC laws, regulations and rules. Accordingly, the PRC regulatory authorities may in the future take a view that is contrary to the above opinion of our PRC legal counsel. We have been further advised by our PRC counsel that if the PRC government finds that the agreements that establish the structure for operating our internet video streaming business and related business do not comply with PRC government restrictions on foreign investment in internet video streaming and related businesses, we could be subject to severe penalties including being prohibited from continuing operations. See “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Corporate Structure—If the PRC government finds that the agreements that establish the structure for operating certain of our operations in Chinese mainland do not comply with PRC regulations relating to the relevant industries, or if these regulations or the interpretation of existing regulations change in the future, we could be subject to severe penalties or be forced to relinquish our interests in those operations” and “—Risks Related to Doing Business in Chinese Mainland—Uncertainties with respect to the legal systems in the jurisdictions where we operate could adversely affect us.” D.PROPERTY, PLANTS AND EQUIPMENT Our principal executive offices are located in Beijing, China, where we lease premises of approximately 35,854 square meters. We own office premises of 17,570 square meters in Shanghai and land of 101,722 square meters in Zhejiang Province. We also lease offices in Shanghai, Chongqing and various other cities, with an aggregate area of 22,866 square meters. We lease our premises from unrelated third parties. Below is a summary of the term of each of our current leases, and we plan to renew most of these leases when they expire: Leased properties Term Area (square meters) Beijing 1, 3, 4, 5,10 and 15 years 35,854 Shanghai 1 and 5 years 2,564 Chongqing 2 and 3 years 7,875 Others 1, 2, 3, 5 and 10 years 12,427 Total / 58,720 Our main IT infrastructure include internet data centers (IDC) and content delivery networks (CDN). We lease IDC facilities from major telecommunication service providers in China. Our bandwidth provider includes self-built CDN, cooperating bandwidth, commercial CDN and internet exchanges. 93

The following discussion of our financial condition and results of operations is based upon and should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and the related notes included in this annual report. This report contains forward-looking statements. See “Forward-Looking Information.” In evaluating our business, you should carefully consider the information provided under the caption “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors” in this annual report. We caution you that our businesses and financial performance are subject to substantial risks and uncertainties. A.OPERATING RESULTS Overview iQIYI is a leading provider of online entertainment video services in China. We remain focused on high-quality content and user experience. We provide our users with a variety of products and services encompassing online videos, experience services, online games, comics, and others. As of December 31, 2025, our comprehensive and diversified video content library boasted over 40,000 professionally produced long-form content titles, including drama series, films, variety shows, children’s content, animations, and others, along with approximately 20,000 micro dramas, collectively providing an all-inclusive entertainment experience for our users. We have developed diversified monetization models. We generate revenues through membership services, online advertising services, content distribution, and a suite of other monetization methods, including online games, talent agency, experience business and others. Our membership services contribute a significant portion of our revenues. Our monetization model fosters an environment for high-quality content production and effective content distribution on our platform, which in turn attracts a large and highly-engaged user base, creating a virtuous cycle. We recorded a net income of RMB1,952.6 million in 2023, a net income of RMB790.6 million in 2024 and a net loss of RMB204.0 million (US$29.2 million) in 2025. We have been generating positive operating cash flows on an annual basis since 2023. In 2025, we had a net cash inflow from operating activities of RMB105.8 million (US$15.1 million). Selected Income Statement Items Total Revenues We derive our revenues from (i) membership services, (ii) online advertising services, (iii) content distribution and (iv) others. The following table presents our revenue lines and as percentages of our total revenues for the periods presented. For the year ended December 31, 2023 2024 2025 RMB % RMB % RMB US$ % (in thousands, except for percentages) Revenues: Membership services 20,314,216 63.7 17,762,814 60.8 16,807,289 2,403,410 61.6 Online advertising services 6,223,903 19.5 5,714,243 19.6 5,193,406 742,647 19.0 Content distribution 2,458,610 7.7 2,846,854 9.7 2,497,464 357,133 9.2 Others 2,875,922 9.1 2,901,327 9.9 2,793,141 399,414 10.2 Total revenues 31,872,651 100.0 29,225,238 100.0 27,291,300 3,902,604 100.0 Membership services. We offer membership packages primarily to provide our members with (i) access to streaming of a library of premium content, (ii) certain commercial skipping and other viewing privilege, and (iii) merchandise selection and privilege. We also offer a broader selection of paid services with innovative privileges. We generate a small portion of our membership services revenue from on-demand content purchase by our users and the sale of the right to membership services through the cooperation with other parties, where we recognize revenue on a net basis when we do not control the specified services before they are transferred to the customer. We review and evaluate the scope and the price of our membership services periodically, and may adjust based on evolving market needs from time to time. Online advertising services. Our advertising revenues are recognized net of advertising agency rebates in 2023, 2024 and 2025. Our online advertising services are in the form of brand advertising and performance-based advertising. 94 Content distribution. We distribute video content by sub-licensing such content to other third-party internet video streaming platforms, and as consideration, receive either cash or the right to broadcast certain licensed content from such platforms on our platform. We also distribute selected content to regions outside of Chinese mainland and/or to TV stations in Chinese mainland, as well as from the release of feature films for exhibition in cinemas. Others. We generate revenues from various other channels, such as online games, talent agency, experience business and others. We generate revenues from online games both by distributing third-party online games and sharing revenues with them, and offering online games we develop ourselves. We generate revenues from talent agency services, primarily from celebrity endorsement contracts for the artists we represent. For experience business, we focus on IP-based consumer products and offline experiences, generating revenue primarily through direct merchandise sales, licensing fees, and ticket sales and on-site spending at iQIYI LAND. We also generated revenue from other licensing, granting rights to certain customers to re-create short-form videos for selected content assets from our existing content library over a fixed license period. Operating Costs and Expenses Our operating costs and expenses consist of (i) cost of revenues, (ii) selling, general and administrative expenses and (iii) research and development expenses. Cost of revenues. Our cost of revenues mainly consists of content costs and others. Content costs mainly consist of costs for iQIYI original content, which includes amortization and impairment of capitalized produced content and expenses recorded when production costs exceed the total revenues to be earned, licensed content, which includes amortization and impairment of licensed copyrights; revenue sharing cost for content uploaded by partners, and personnel compensation expenses directly associated with the acquisition, licensing and production of content. We expect our cost of revenues to remain largely stable in the foreseeable future. Selling, general and administrative expenses. Our selling expenses primarily consist of promotional and marketing expenses and compensation for our sales and marketing personnel. We expect our selling and marketing expenses as a percentage of total revenues to remain largely stable in the foreseeable future. Our general and administrative expenses primarily consist of salaries and benefits for our general and administrative personnel and fees and expenses for legal, accounting and other professional services. We expect our general and administrative expenses as a percentage of total revenues to remain largely stable in the foreseeable future. Research and development expenses. Research and development expenses primarily consist of salaries and benefits for our research and development personnel. We expect our research and development expenses as a percentage of total revenues to remain largely stable in the foreseeable future. Taxation We had income tax expense of RMB80.0 million, RMB61.1 million and RMB144.5 million (US$20.7 million) in 2023, 2024 and 2025, respectively. We are subject to various rates of income tax under different jurisdictions. The following summarizes major factors affecting our applicable tax rates in the Cayman Islands, Hong Kong, Singapore and Chinese mainland. Cayman Islands We are an exempted company incorporated in the Cayman Islands. The Cayman Islands currently levies no taxes on individuals or corporations based upon profits, income, gains or appreciation and there is no taxation in the nature of estate duty or inheritance tax. There are no other taxes likely to be material to us levied by the government of the Cayman Islands except for stamp duties which may be applicable on instruments executed in, or after execution brought within the jurisdiction of the Cayman Islands. The Cayman Islands is not party to any double tax treaties that are applicable to any payments made to or by our company. There are no exchange control regulations or currency restrictions in the Cayman Islands. In addition, the Cayman Islands does not impose withholding tax on dividend payments. Hong Kong Our subsidiaries in Hong Kong are subject to the uniform tax rate of 16.5%. Under the Hong Kong tax laws, we are generally exempted from the Hong Kong income tax on our foreign-derived income. Hong Kong does not impose a withholding tax on dividends. 95 Singapore Generally, entities in Singapore are subject to a unified 17% tax rate. Singapore does not impose a withholding tax on dividends. Chinese Mainland Generally, our Chinese mainland subsidiaries, the VIEs and their subsidiaries are subject to enterprise income tax on their taxable income in Chinese mainland at a rate of 25%. The enterprise income tax is calculated based on the entity’s global income as determined under Chinese mainland tax laws and accounting standards. An enterprise may benefit from a preferential tax rate of 15% under the Enterprise Income Tax Law if it qualifies as a High and New Technology Enterprise, or HNTE. A HNTE certificate is normally effective for a period of three years and can be reapplied or renewed. Certain of our Chinese mainland subsidiaries and VIEs, including Beijing QIYI Century, Shanghai Zhong Yuan and Beijing iQIYI, are qualified as HNTEs. The related tax benefits for our entities will expire between 2026 and 2028. Our Chinese mainland subsidiaries, the VIEs and their subsidiaries are generally subject to VAT at a rate of 3%, 6%, 9% or 13% and related surcharges. If our holding company in the Cayman Islands or our subsidiary outside of Chinese mainland were deemed to be a “resident enterprise” under the Enterprise Income Tax Law, it would be subject to enterprise income tax on its worldwide income at a rate of 25%. See “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Related to Doing Business in Chinese Mainland—If we are classified as a Chinese mainland resident enterprise for Chinese mainland income tax purposes, such classification could result in unfavorable tax consequences to us and our non-Chinese mainland shareholders or ADS holders.” Results of Operations Despite the lack of equity ownership, our Cayman Island holding company is considered as the primary beneficiary of the variable interest entities and consolidates the financial results of the variable interest entities and their subsidiaries as required by ASC topic 810, Consolidation. Accordingly, we treat the variable interest entities as our consolidated entities under U.S. GAAP and we consolidate the financial results of the variable interest entities in our consolidated financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The following table summarizes our consolidated results of operations in absolute amounts and as percentages of our total revenues for the years presented. For the year ended December 31, 2023 2024 2025 RMB % RMB % RMB US$ % (in thousands, except for percentages) Revenues: Membership services 20,314,216 63.7 17,762,814 60.8 16,807,289 2,403,410 61.6 Online advertising services 6,223,903 19.5 5,714,243 19.6 5,193,406 742,647 19.0 Content distribution 2,458,610 7.7 2,846,854 9.7 2,497,464 357,133 9.2 Others 2,875,922 9.1 2,901,327 9.9 2,793,141 399,414 10.2 Total revenues 31,872,651 100.0 29,225,238 100.0 27,291,300 3,902,604 100.0 Operating costs and expenses: Cost of revenues(1) (23,102,492 ) (72.5 ) (21,953,582 ) (75.1 ) (21,542,347 ) (3,080,515 ) (78.9 ) Selling, general and administrative(1) (4,014,070 ) (12.6 ) (3,682,050 ) (12.6 ) (3,856,554 ) (551,480 ) (14.1 ) Research and development(1) (1,766,610 ) (5.5 ) (1,778,403 ) (6.1 ) (1,663,084 ) (237,817 ) (6.1 ) Total operating costs and expenses (28,883,172 ) (90.6 ) (27,414,035 ) (93.8 ) (27,061,985 ) (3,869,812 ) (99.1 ) Operating income 2,989,479 9.4 1,811,203 6.2 229,315 32,792 0.9 Total other expenses, net (956,878 ) (3.0 ) (959,524 ) (3.3 ) (288,816 ) (41,301 ) (1.1 ) Income/(Loss) before income taxes 2,032,601 6.4 851,679 2.9 (59,501 ) (8,509 ) (0.2 ) Income tax expenses (80,047 ) (0.3 ) (61,090 ) (0.2 ) (144,542 ) (20,669 ) (0.5 ) Net income/(loss) 1,952,554 6.1 790,589 2.7 (204,043 ) (29,178 ) (0.7 ) Note: 96 (1)Share-based compensation expense was allocated as follows: For the year ended December 31, 2023 2024 2025 RMB RMB RMB US$ Cost of revenues 133,160 121,048 112,822 16,133 Selling, general and administrative 314,788 273,330 163,585 23,393 Research and development 188,784 150,017 127,018 18,163 Total 636,732 544,395 403,425 57,689 Year Ended December 31, 2025 Compared with Year Ended December 31, 2024 Our revenues decreased by 6.6% from RMB29,225.2 million in 2024 to RMB27,291.3 million (US$3,902.6 million) in 2025. Membership services. Our membership services revenue decreased by 5.4% from RMB17,762.8 million in 2024 to RMB16,807.3 million (US$2,403.4 million) in 2025, primarily due to a lighter content slate and the competition among online entertainment video service providers. Online advertising services. Our online advertising services revenue decreased by 9.1% from RMB5,714.2 million in 2024 to RMB5,193.4 million (US$742.6 million) in 2025, as some advertisers adjusted their advertising and promotion strategies in response to macro pressure. Content distribution. Our content distribution revenue decreased by 12.3% from RMB2,846.9 million in 2024 to RMB2,497.5 million (US$357.1 million) in 2025, primarily due to the decrease in barter transactions. Others. Other revenues decreased by 3.7% from RMB2,901.3 million in 2024 to RMB2,793.1 million (US$399.4 million) in 2025 primarily due to the alteration of certain business cooperation arrangement. Cost of revenues Our cost of revenues decreased by 1.9% from RMB21,953.6 million in 2024 to RMB21,542.3 million (US$3,080.5 million) in 2025, primarily due to a decrease in content cost. Content cost. Content cost decreased by 1.7% from RMB15,709.7 million in 2024 to RMB15,449.6 million (US$2,209.3 million) in 2025, as we adopted a more curated content acquisition strategy centered on quality. Gross profit As a result of the foregoing, our gross profit decreased by 20.9% from RMB7,271.7 million in 2024 to RMB5,749.0 million (US$822.1 million) in 2025. Our gross profit as a percentage of total revenues declined from 24.9% in 2024 to 21.1% in 2025, primarily due to the decrease in our membership services revenue. Selling, general and administrative expenses Selling expenses increased by 7% from RMB3,079.4 million in 2024 to RMB3,301.0 million (US$472.0 million) in 2025, primarily due to increased marketing spending to promote our entertainment offerings. Our marketing and promotional expenses increased by 8% from RMB2,424.9 million in 2024 to RMB2,624.3 million (US$375.3 million) in 2025, primarily driven by higher marketing spending. General and administrative expenses decreased by 8% from RMB602.7 million in 2024 to RMB555.5 million (US$79.4 million) in 2025, primarily due to a decrease in share-based compensation expenses. Research and development expenses Our research and development expenses decreased from RMB1,778.4 million in 2024 to RMB1,663.1 million (US$237.8 million) in 2025, primarily attributable to the decrease in personnel-related expenses. 97 Income tax expense In 2025, we recognized RMB144.5 million (US$20.7 million) of income tax expense, which resulted from RMB141.8 million (US$20.3 million) current year income tax and RMB2.7 million (US$0.4 million) deferred income tax expense. In comparison, in 2024, we recognized RMB61.1 million of income tax expense, which resulted from RMB85.5 million current year income tax and RMB24.4 million deferred income tax benefit. Net loss As a result of the foregoing, we recorded a net loss of RMB204.0 million (US$29.2 million) in 2025, compared to a net income of RMB790.6 million in 2024. Year Ended December 31, 2024 Compared with Year Ended December 31, 2023 For a detailed description of the comparison of our operating results for the year ended December 31, 2024 to the year ended December 31, 2023, see “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects—A. Operating Results—Results of Operation—Year Ended December 31, 2024 Compared with Year Ended December 31, 2023” of our Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 27, 2025. Impact of Foreign Currency Fluctuation See “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Related to Doing Business in Chinese Mainland—Fluctuations in exchange rates could have a material and adverse effect on our results of operations and the value of your investment” and “Item 11. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk—Foreign Exchange Risk.” Impact of Governmental Policies See “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Related to Doing Business in Chinese Mainland” and “Item 4. Information on the Company—B. Business Overview—Government Regulations.” B.LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES As of December 31, 2025, we had RMB4,354.3 million (US$622.7 million) and RMB23.1 million (US$3.3 million) in cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash, respectively. Our cash and cash equivalents primarily consist of cash on hand and highly liquid investments, which are unrestricted from withdrawal or use, or which have original maturities of three months or less when purchased. Our restricted cash mainly represents restricted deposits used as security against certain lawsuits. As of December 31, 2025, we had RMB314.8 million (US$45.0 million) in short-term investments. Our short-term investments consisted of available-for-sale debt securities with maturities of less than one year purchased from commercial banks and other financial institutions. Our total current liabilities were RMB22.1 billion (US$3.2 billion) as of December 31, 2025, which primarily included RMB6,652.4 million (US$951.3 million) in accounts and notes payable, RMB4,160.5 million (US$594.9 million) in customer advances and deferred revenue, and RMB3,717.3 million (US$531.6 million) in amounts due to related parties. As of December 31, 2025, we had unused credit lines of RMB3.4 billion (US$0.5 billion) and a working capital deficit of RMB11.8 billion (US$1.7 billion). We generated a net loss of RMB204.0 million (US$29.2 million) in 2025 and had a net cash generated from operating activities of RMB105.8 million (US$15.1 million) in 2025. Accounts and notes payable amounted to RMB6,482.2 million and RMB6,652.4 million (US$951.3 million) as of December 31, 2024 and 2025, respectively. A substantial majority of our accounts and notes payable are due to content providers. To finance our operations, we have incurred a significant amount of indebtedness and other liabilities in relation to our convertible senior notes and other financing arrangements. We had only been able to generate positive net cash flows since the second quarter of 2022. We cannot assure you that we will be able to generate sufficient cash flow from our operations or secure additional financing to support the repayment of our indebtedness when our payments become due. Historically, we have issued convertible senior notes, which are senior, unsecured obligations of our company. Upon the occurrence of an event of default, the trustee or the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of our convertible senior notes may declare the whole principal of, and accrued and unpaid interest on, all the notes to be due and payable immediately, subject to certain exceptions and conditions under the respective indenture. Furthermore, upon the occurrence of a fundamental change, holders of the notes will have the right, at their option, to require us to repurchase all of their notes or any portion of the principal amount and accrued and unpaid interests. In the event of a fundamental change, we may also be required to issue additional ADSs upon conversion of the notes. 98 Our current cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, short-term investments and proceeds and lines of credit/financing available to us and our anticipated cash flows from operations will be sufficient to meet our anticipated working capital requirements and capital expenditures for at least the next 12 months. We prudently manage our working capital to support our business and operations. We have been exploring and executing plans to reduce discretionary capital expenditures and operational expenses and secure additional financing, including, but not limited to, obtaining additional credit facilities from banks in the normal course of business, re-financing certain existing loans and credit facilities, and raising funds through additional issuances of equity and/or debt in public and/or private capital market transactions. We have conducted the below debt and equity financing activities in the last three fiscal years: •In December 2022, we issued an aggregate amount of US$500 million convertible notes due January 2028, to PAG. In February 2023, we issued to PAG an additional US$50 million principal amount of the PAG Notes upon its exercise to subscribe for additional notes in full. The PAG Notes bear an interest rate of 6% per annum and will mature on January 1, 2028. Holders of the PAG notes have the right to require us to repurchase all or part of their notes at a price equal to 120% of the principal amount of the PAG notes plus any accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the repurchase date during the three-month period commencing on December 30, 2025. Holders of the PAG Notes may also have the right to require us to repurchase their notes in the event of certain fundamental changes or events of default. On the maturity date, we are obligated to pay a premium at 30% of the principal amount of the PAG Notes, in addition to repaying the principal amount itself. In September 2023 and August 2024, our subsidiary, iQIYI HK Limited, entered into facility agreements with PAGAC IV-4 (Cayman) Limited, an entity affiliated with PAG. Pursuant to the facility agreements, iQIYI HK Limited agreed to provide to PAGAC IV-4 (Cayman) Limited with aggregate loan facilities up to US$522.5 million, with an interest rate of 6% per annum. For each drawdown under these facilities, PAG releases an equivalent amount of restricted cash collateralized by us under the PAG Notes. Following PAG’s total drawdown of US$400.0 million under the facility agreements in August 2024, PAG’s repurchase right for the US$522.5 million principal of the PAG Notes on or shortly after the third anniversary of the issuance date had been waived. In October 2025, iQIYI HK Limited entered into another facility agreement with PAGAC IV-4 (Cayman) Limited which provides PAG with an additional loan facility of US$114.1 million, carrying an interest rate of 4.5% per annum. In connection with this loan facility, PAG released all remaining collateral secured by our Company under the PAG Notes. As of December 31, 2025, we had a loan principal of US$636.6 million to PAG. •In January 2023, we completed a registered follow-on public offering of 76,500,000 ADSs at a public offering price of US$5.90 per ADS. The underwriters exercised their option to purchase 9,975,000 additional ADSs at the price of US$5.90 per ADS in January 2023. We received net proceeds of US$500.0 million from the follow-on offering, including the exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional ADSs, after deducting the underwriters’ discounts and commissions. •In March 2023, we completed an offering of US$600 million in aggregate principal amount of 6.50% convertible senior notes due March 2028, or the 2028 Notes. Holders of the 2028 Notes may require us to repurchase all or a portion of their notes for cash on March 16, 2026 or in the event of certain fundamental changes at a repurchase price equal to 100% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest. •In February 2025, we completed an offering of US$350 million in aggregate principal amount of 4.625% convertible senior notes due March 2030, or the 2030 Notes. Holders of the 2030 Notes may require us to repurchase all or a portion of their notes for cash on March 15, 2028 or in the event of certain fundamental changes at a repurchase price equal to 100% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest. We have also conducted the following structured payable arrangements in the last three fiscal years: •Since 2020, we have entered into structured payable arrangements with banks or other financial institutions, pursuant to which the suppliers’ receivables collection process was accelerated through selling their receivables from us to the banks or other financial institutions at a discount. We were legally obligated to pay the banks or other financial institutions in the amount totaling RMB1,771.1 million, RMB1,119.2 million and RMB812.1 million (US$116.1 million) for the year ended December 31, 2023, 2024 and 2025, respectively. As of December 31, 2025, the outstanding borrowings from the factoring arrangements was RMB693.0 million (US$99.1 million), which is repayable within one year. In terms of business and operational initiatives, we will continue to (i) pursue diversified monetization models, including membership services, online advertising services, content distribution, online games, talent agency, and experience business, among others, (ii) work closely with our customers and suppliers to optimize our credit terms and payment terms, and (iii) strengthen our content production capabilities and improve production efficiency to enhance content quality, increase return on investment, and manage our cost and operating expenses, in particular content costs. 99 As we will continue to invest in both original and licensed content and technology to support our growth, we may not be able to improve our working capital or liquidity position or to generate or maintain positive net cash flows beyond the next 12 months. We have taken a series of measures to mitigate such risks, including stepping up efforts in accounts receivable collection as well as disciplined spending through careful budget formulation, stringent budget implementation and payment arrangements with longer payment period. We are also exploring opportunities to obtain additional financing, including financing from new and/or existing shareholders, and financing generated through capital market transactions and commercial banks. The issuance and sale of additional equity would result in further dilution to our shareholders. The incurrence of indebtedness would result in increased fixed obligations and could result in operating covenants that would restrict our operations. See “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Business and Industry—We have substantial indebtedness and we may continue to incur substantial additional indebtedness in the future, which could adversely affect our financial health and our ability to generate sufficient cash to satisfy our outstanding and future debt obligations on a timely manner. Deterioration of our cash flow position could materially and adversely affect our ability to service our indebtedness and continue our operations” and “—We have significant working capital requirements and have in the past experienced working capital deficits. If we experience such working capital deficits in the future, our business, liquidity, financial condition and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected.” Despite our efforts to pursue our fund raising plans and business initiatives, the successful completion of these plans is dependent on factors outside of our control and there can be no assurances that new financings or other transactions will be available to us on commercially acceptable terms, or at all. In addition, the deterioration in global economic conditions or escalation of geopolitical conflicts and other adverse changes in macro-economic conditions may adversely impact our ability to secure additional financing. As of December 31, 2025, 57.6% of our cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments were held in Chinese mainland, while 36.7% of our cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments were held by the variable interest entities and their subsidiaries. Although we consolidate the results of the variable interest entities and their subsidiaries, we only have access to the assets or earnings of the variable interest entities and their subsidiaries through our contractual arrangements with the variable interest entities and their shareholders. See “Item 4. Information on the Company—C. Organizational Structure” For restrictions and limitations on liquidity and capital resources as a result of our corporate structure, see “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects—B. Liquidity and Capital Resources—Holding company structure.” We may make additional capital contributions to our Chinese mainland subsidiaries, establish new Chinese mainland subsidiaries and make capital contributions to these new Chinese mainland subsidiaries, make loans to our Chinese mainland subsidiaries, or acquire offshore entities with business operations in Chinese mainland in offshore transactions. However, most of these uses are subject to PRC regulations and approvals. For example: •capital contributions to our Chinese mainland subsidiaries must be registered with the SAMR or its local counterparts, and reported to the competent commerce authorities through the enterprise registration system and the National Enterprise Credit Information Publicity System; and •loans by our company to our Chinese mainland subsidiaries to finance their activities cannot exceed the difference between its registered capital and its total investment amount as recorded in the foreign investment comprehensive management information system or, as an alternative, only procure loans subject to the Risk-Weighted Approach and the Net Asset Limits and must be registered with SAFE or its local branches or filed with SAFE in its information system. Any loan to be provided by our company to our Chinese mainland subsidiaries, variable interest entities and their subsidiaries with a term of more than one year must be recorded and registered by the NDRC or its local branches. See “Item 4. Information on the Company—B. Business Overview—Government Regulations—Regulations on Foreign Exchange.” There is, in effect, no statutory limit on the amount of capital contribution that we can make to our Chinese mainland subsidiaries. This is because there is no statutory limit on the amount of registered capital for our Chinese mainland subsidiaries, and we are allowed to make capital contributions to our Chinese mainland subsidiaries by subscribing for their initial registered capital and increased registered capital, provided that the Chinese mainland subsidiaries complete the filing and registration procedures. With respect to loans to the Chinese mainland subsidiaries by our company, (i) if the Chinese mainland subsidiaries determine to adopt the traditional foreign exchange administration mechanism, or the Current Foreign Debt Mechanism, the outstanding amount of the loans shall not exceed the difference between the total investment and the registered capital of the Chinese mainland subsidiaries and there is, in effect, no statutory limit on the amount of loans that we can make to our Chinese mainland subsidiaries under this circumstance since we can increase the registered capital of our Chinese mainland subsidiaries by making capital contributions to them, subject to the completion of registration, and the difference between the total investment and the registered capital will increase accordingly; and (ii) if the Chinese mainland subsidiaries determine to adopt the foreign exchange administration mechanism as provided in PBOC Notice No. 9, or the Notice No. 9 Foreign Debt Mechanism, the risk-weighted outstanding amount of the loans, which shall be calculated based on the formula provided in PBOC Notice No. 9, shall not exceed 200% of the net asset of the Chinese mainland subsidiary. According to PBOC Notice No. 9, after a transition period of one year since the promulgation of PBOC Notice No. 9, the 100 People’s Bank of China and SAFE will determine the cross-border financing administration mechanism for the foreign-invested enterprises after evaluating the overall implementation of PBOC Notice No. 9. As of the date hereof, neither the People’s Bank of China nor SAFE has promulgated and made public any further rules, regulations, notices or circulars in this regard. It is uncertain which mechanism will be adopted by the People’s Bank of China and SAFE in the future and what statutory limits will be imposed on us when providing loans to our Chinese mainland subsidiaries. We have in place a centralized cash management policy and established stringent controls and procedures for cash flows within our organization. Under our cash management policy, cash is managed by the centralized treasury department of our company, and each transfer of cash between our Cayman Islands holding company and a subsidiary, the variable interest entities or the subsidiaries of the variable interest entities is subject to internal approval. All such transfers are reviewed and approved by the authorities where required, including SAFE. We only allow the treasury department personnel to have access to our funds, and we also segregate duties between personnel involved in funds management. The cash management policy is our management policy and adheres to the applicable laws and regulations. In addition, our board of directors has complete discretion on whether to distribute dividends to the shareholders. Even if our board of directors decides to pay dividends, the form, frequency and amount will depend upon our future operations and earnings, capital requirements and surplus, general financial condition, contractual restrictions and other factors that the board of directors may deem relevant. If we pay any dividends, we will pay our ADS holders to the same extent as holders of our Class A ordinary shares, subject to the terms of the deposit agreement, including the fees and expenses payable thereunder. See “Item 8. Financial Information—A. Consolidated Statements and other Financial Information—Dividend Policy.” A majority of our future revenues are likely to continue to be in the form of Renminbi. Under existing PRC foreign exchange regulations, Renminbi may be converted into foreign exchange for current account items, including profit distributions, interest payments and trade and service related foreign exchange transactions. Our Chinese mainland subsidiaries may convert Renminbi amounts that they generate in their own business activities, including technical consulting and related service fees pursuant to their contracts with the variable interest entities, as well as dividends they receive from their own subsidiaries, into foreign exchange and pay them to their non-Chinese mainland parent companies in the form of dividends. However, current PRC regulations permit our Chinese mainland subsidiaries to pay dividends to us only out of their accumulated profits, if any, determined in accordance with PRC accounting standards and regulations. Each of our Chinese mainland subsidiaries is required to set aside at least 10% of its after-tax profits after making up previous years’ accumulated losses each year, if any, to fund certain reserve funds until the total amount set aside reaches 50% of its registered capital. These reserves are not distributable as cash dividends. The following table sets forth a summary of our cash flows for the periods indicated. For the year ended December 31, 2023 2024 2025 RMB RMB RMB US$ (in thousands) Summary Consolidated Cash Flows Data: Net cash provided by operating activities 3,351,600 2,110,057 105,801 15,131 Net cash used for investing activities (1,739,515 ) (2,444,870 ) (327,435 ) (46,822 ) Net cash provided by/ (used for) financing activities (4,285,072 ) (1,370,121 ) 1,064,434 152,213 Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash 92,039 14,657 (55,393 ) (7,924 ) Net increase/ (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash (2,580,948 ) (1,690,277 ) 787,407 112,598 Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at the beginning of the year 7,861,556 5,280,608 3,590,331 513,411 Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at the end of the year 5,280,608 3,590,331 4,377,738 626,009 101 Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities Net cash provided by operating activities was RMB105.8 million (US$15.1 million) in 2025, primarily attributable to net loss of RMB204.0 million (US$29.2 million), adjusted by non-cash items of RMB13,363.2 million (US$1,910.9 million) and cash outflow from changes in operating assets and liabilities of RMB13,053.4 million (US$1,866.6 million). The decrease in non-cash items compared with 2024 was primarily due to a decrease of amortization of licensed copyrights, partially offset by an increase of amortization and impairment of produced content. The increase of cash outflow from changes in operating assets and liabilities compared with 2024 was primarily due to an increase in prepayments and other assets, which was offset by a decrease in the addition of licensed copyrights. Net cash provided by operating activities was RMB2,110.1 million in 2024, primarily attributable to net income of RMB790.6 million, adjusted by non-cash items of RMB13,678.6 million and cash outflow from changes in operating assets and liabilities of RMB12,359.1 million. The decrease in non-cash items compared with 2023 was primarily due to a decrease of amortization and impairment of produced content and an increase of barter transaction revenue, partially offset by an increase of amortization of licensed copyright. The decrease of cash outflow from changes in operating assets and liabilities compared with 2023 was primarily due to a decrease in accounts payable and prepayments and other assets, which was offset by an increase in other non-current liabilities. Net cash provided by operating activities was RMB3,351.6 million in 2023, primarily attributable to net income of RMB1,952.6 million, adjusted by non-cash items of RMB14,757.5 million and cash outflow from changes in operating assets and liabilities of RMB13,358.5 million. The increase in non-cash items compared with 2022 was primarily due to an increase of amortization and impairment of produced content, which was offset by a decrease of amortization of licensed copyright. The decrease of cash outflow from changes in operating assets and liabilities compared with 2022 was primarily due to a decrease in accounts payable, which was offset by increase in other non-current liabilities. Net Cash Used for Investing Activities Net cash used for investing activities was RMB327.4 million (US$46.8 million) in 2025, primarily due to (i) cash outflow from loans provided to related parties of RMB812.6 million (US$116.2 million), (ii) cash outflow from purchasing of debt securities of RMB497.4 million (US$71.1 million), and (iii) cash inflow from maturities of debt securities of RMB1,110.5 million (US$158.8 million). Net cash used for investing activities was RMB2,444.9 million in 2024, primarily due to (i) cash outflow from loans provided to related parties of RMB2,316.2 million, (ii) cash outflow from purchasing of debt securities of RMB948.0 million, and (iii) cash inflow from maturities of debt securities of RMB953.0 million. Net cash used for investing activities was RMB1,739.5 million in 2023, primarily due to (i) cash inflow from maturities of debt securities of RMB1,769.3 million, (ii) cash outflow from loans provided to related parties of RMB1,472.6 million, and (iii) cash outflow from purchasing of debt securities of RMB1,890.5 million. Net Cash Provided by/(Used for) Financing Activities Net cash provided by financing activities was RMB1,064.4 million (US$152.2 million) in 2025, primarily due to (i) proceeds from short-term and long-term loans of RMB6,037.0 million (US$863.3 million), (ii) net cash inflow from issuance of convertible senior notes of RMB2,490.0 million (US$356.1 million), (iii) cash outflow used for repayments of short-term loans and long-term loans of RMB4,428.8 million (US$633.3 million), and (iv) cash outflow used for repayments or redemption of convertible senior notes of RMB2,813.6 million (US$402.3 million). Net cash used for financing activities was RMB1,370.1 million in 2024, primarily due to (i) cash outflow used for repayments or redemption of convertible senior notes of RMB2,914.2 million, and (ii) proceeds from long-term loans of RMB1,120.3 million. Net cash used for financing activities was RMB4,285.1 million in 2023, primarily due to (i) cash outflow used for repayments or redemption of convertible senior notes of RMB11,736.0 million, (ii) net cash inflow from issuance of convertible senior notes of RMB4,415.4 million, and (iii) net cash inflow from follow-up offering of RMB3,391.3 million. Material Cash Requirements Our material cash requirements as of December 31, 2025 and any subsequent period primarily include our capital expenditures, long-term debt obligations, operating lease obligations, and purchase obligations. 102 Our capital expenditures are incurred primarily in connection with leasehold improvements, computers and servers, and construction in process. Our capital expenditures were RMB37.0 million, RMB79.3 million and RMB95.8 million (US$13.7 million) in the years ended December 31, 2023, 2024 and 2025, respectively. Our capital expenditures may increase in the future as our business continues to grow. We currently plan to fund these expenditures with our current cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments and anticipated cash flow generated from our operating activities. We intend to fund our existing and future material cash requirements with our cash provided by operating activities, existing cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, short-term investments and other financing alternatives. We will continue to make cash commitments, including capital expenditures, to support the growth of our business. The following table sets forth our contractual obligations by specified categories as of December 31, 2025. Payment due by period Total 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 and after (in RMB thousands) Long-Term Debt and Convertible Senior Notes Obligations(1) 14,071,070 1,271,428 3,155,014 7,003,228 116,505 2,524,895 Operating Lease Obligations(2) 497,002 85,987 78,632 74,696 63,633 194,054 Purchase Obligations(3) 18,120,256 8,864,249 5,146,459 2,814,328 852,151 443,069 Total 32,688,328 10,221,664 8,380,105 9,892,252 1,032,289 3,162,018 Notes: (1)On December 21, 2020, we issued US$800 million convertible senior notes and offered an additional US$100 million principal amount simultaneously, issuable pursuant to the underwriters’ exercise of option to purchase additional notes. On January 8, 2021, the additional US$100 million principal amount was issued pursuant to the underwriters’ exercise of their option. The convertible senior notes issued on December 21, 2020 and January 8, 2021, which we collectively refer to as the 2026 Notes, are senior, unsecured obligations of us, and interest is payable semi-annually in cash at a rate of 4.00% per annum on June 15 and December 15 of each year, beginning on June 15, 2021. The 2026 Notes will mature on December 15, 2026, unless repurchased, redeemed or converted prior to such date. In 2023, we entered into separate individually and privately negotiated agreements with certain holders of the 2026 Notes, pursuant to which we repurchased US$504.4 million principal amount of the 2026 Notes for cash. In 2024, we redeemed US$395.5 million aggregate principal amount of the 2026 Notes as requested by the holders. The holders may also require us to repurchase all or a portion of the 2026 Notes upon a fundamental change. On December 30, 2022, we issued an aggregate amount of US$500 million convertible senior notes due January 2028, which we refer to as the PAG Notes, to PAG. In February 2023, we issued to PAG an additional US$50 million principal amount of the PAG Notes upon its exercise to subscribe for additional notes in full. The PAG Notes, secured by certain collateral arrangements, bear an interest rate of 6% per annum and will mature on January 1, 2028. On the maturity date, we are obligated to pay a premium at 30% of the principal amount of the PAG Notes, in addition to repaying the principal amount itself. Holders of the PAG Notes also have the right to require us to repurchase all or part of their notes in the event of certain fundamental changes and events of default. In 2025, we entered into separate individually and privately negotiated agreements with certain holders of the PAG Notes, pursuant to which we repurchased US$27.5 million principal amount of the PAG Notes for cash. On March 7, 2023, we issued US$600 million convertible senior notes, which we refer to as the 2028 Notes. The 2028 Notes are senior, unsecured obligations of us, and interest is payable quarterly in cash at a rate of 6.50% per annum on March 15, June 15, September 15 and December 15 of each year, beginning on June 15, 2023. The 2028 Notes will mature on March 15, 2028, unless redeemed, repurchased or converted prior to such date. The holders may require us to repurchase all or a portion of the 2028 Notes upon a fundamental change, at a repurchase price equal to 100% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest. In 2023, 2024 and 2025, we entered into separate individually and privately negotiated agreements with certain holders of the 2028 Notes, pursuant to which we repurchased US$391.9 million principal amount of the 2028 Notes for cash. In March 2026, we completed the repurchase right offer for the 2028 Notes, pursuant to which US$207.8 million aggregate principal amount of the 2028 Notes were validly surrendered and repurchased and US$0.3 million principal amount of the 2028 Notes remained outstanding. On February 24, 2025, we issued US$350 million convertible senior notes, which we refer to as the 2030 Notes. The 2030 Notes are senior, unsecured obligations of us, and interest is payable quarterly in cash at a rate of 4.625% per annum on March 15, June 15, September 15 and December 15 of each year, beginning on June 15, 2025. The 2030 Notes will mature on March 15, 2030, unless redeemed, repurchased or converted prior to such date. The holders may require us to repurchase all or a portion of the 2030 Notes for cash on March 15, 2028, or upon a fundamental change, at a repurchase price equal to 100% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest. For further information, please see “Loans Payable” under Note 13 and “Convertible Senior Notes” under Note 14 to our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this annual report. (2)Operating lease obligations represent our obligations for leasing office premises and internet data center facilities. (3)Purchase obligations represent our future minimum payments under non-cancelable agreements for licensed copyrights, produced content, property management fees and fixed assets. 103 Other than the contractual obligations set forth above, we do not have any significant contractual obligations that are long-term debt obligations, capital/operating lease obligations, purchase obligations or other long-term liabilities reflected on our balance sheet as of December 31, 2025. Holding Company Structure iQIYI, Inc. is a holding company with no material operations of its own. We conduct our operations primarily through our Chinese mainland subsidiaries, the variable interest entities and their subsidiaries in Chinese mainland. As a result, iQIYI, Inc.’s ability to pay dividends to the shareholders and investors of the ADSs depends upon dividends paid by our Chinese mainland subsidiaries. If our existing Chinese mainland subsidiaries or any newly formed ones incur debt on their own behalf in the future, the instruments governing their debt may restrict their ability to pay dividends to us. In addition, our wholly foreign-owned subsidiaries in Chinese mainland are permitted to pay dividends to us only out of their retained earnings, if any, as determined in accordance with PRC accounting standards and regulations. Under PRC law, each of our subsidiaries and the variable interest entities in Chinese mainland is required to set aside at least 10% of its after-tax profits each year, if any, to fund certain statutory reserve funds until such reserve funds reach 50% of its registered capital. In addition, each of our subsidiaries and the variable interest entities in Chinese mainland may allocate a portion of their after-tax profits based on PRC accounting standards to a discretionary surplus fund at its discretion. The statutory reserve funds and the discretionary funds are not distributable as cash dividends. Remittance of dividends by a wholly foreign-owned company out of Chinese mainland is subject to examination by the banks designated by SAFE. Our Chinese mainland subsidiaries have not paid dividends and will not be able to pay dividends until they generate accumulated profits and meet the requirements for statutory reserve funds. The table below sets forth the respective revenue contribution and assets of iQIYI, Inc. and our wholly-owned subsidiaries and the VIEs and VIEs’ subsidiaries as of the dates and for the periods indicated: Total revenues(1) For the year ended December 31, 2023 2024 2025 iQIYI, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries 7.7 % 6.9 % 11.9 % Variable interest entities and their subsidiaries 92.3 % 93.1 % 88.1 % Total 100.0 % 100.0 % 100.0 % Notes: (1)The percentages exclude the inter-company transactions and balances between iQIYI, Inc. and our wholly-owned subsidiaries and the variable interest entities. Total assets As of December 31, 2023 2024 2025 iQIYI, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries 36.2 % 40.5 % 39.4 % Variable interest entities 63.8 % 59.5 % 60.6 % Total 100.0 % 100.0 % 100.0 % C.RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT, PATENTS AND LICENSES, ETC. Technology Technology is the bedrock of our products and services. As of December 31, 2025, approximately 35% of our employees were engineers dedicated to technological innovation and breakthrough. We utilize AI technology to drive our entire business, including video content creation, purchase, production, tagging, distribution, monetization and customer service, to achieve automation and intelligence in the entire business process. Our advanced technologies facilitate better content production, enhanced operation efficiency and superior user experience. To maintain our industry-leading position, we have established extensive cooperation with many industry-leading research institutes. Technologies to Enhance Content Production and Operation Efficiency We empower all stages of the content production and monetization cycle by applying various AI technologies. We have developed and put into use an integral set of technological infrastructures and AI tools that improve content production quality and enhance operation efficiency. 104 For content creation, we have developed a comprehensive AI-driven system, the Screenplay Studio (剧本工坊), for script evaluation, which enabled breakthroughs in quantitative script analysis. For example, the system is capable of in-depth evaluations of the romantic dynamics and interactions between lead characters, and the identification of unnecessary plots. Based on our massive data and analytical capabilities, our systems also provide recommendations on casting decisions to identify the actors and actresses who are the most suitable for specific characters. Collectively, these analyses substantially improve our ability to identify scripts with potential and develop them into high-quality content. During content production, our integrated production systems improve digital workflow by integrating and streamlining the elements of video production. The Imaging Studio (影像工坊) supports the automatic generation of graphic and video designs, such as anime character design, concept art design, game character design, and storyboard design, among others. In addition, our AI-assisted subtitle translation and dubbing functions have enabled the efficient distribution of our premium content overseas. As for content distribution and monetization, our AI technologies enable the systematic generation of promotional materials including posters and video teasers which are more efficient and cost-effective than a traditional manual process. iQuickReel (速看) uses an AI agent to create collection of short videos based on long-form content, providing viewing experiences akin to micro dramas while amplifying the value of our existing content library. Our toolsets also enable the intelligent breakdown and analysis of scenes, such as identifying objects that a character is interacting with, for an evaluation of the optimal ad placement. Technologies to Enhance User Experience We have skillfully leveraged deep learning technology to areas such as content tagging, user profiling, developing knowledge graph and content recommendation. We have utilized large language models to enhance the accuracy of tagging and understanding search query intents. Moreover, through Taodou (桃豆), an AI agent serving as a personal assistant, we provide services including video searches, recommendations, and plot insights, among others. These innovations are revolutionizing user engagement. In addition, our advanced video, audio and AI technologies provide users with superior viewing experience. The iJump (跳看) feature caters to certain users’ fast-paced viewing preferences. In terms of audio-visual quality, we are one of a few online entertainment video service providers in Chinese mainland providing concurrent 4K/8K high-definition video quality, HDR (High Dynamic Range) video, Dolby Atmos® audio effect and an ultimate cinematic like immersive experience via eXave MAX (幀綺映畫MAX). Leveraging our big data analytics, features such as AI Radar and Watch Me Only support real-time recognition and search of information from video images, or allow users to view only the segments featuring particular artists. Our extensive P2P and CDN-based HCDN (hybrid content delivery network) seamlessly distribute and transmit massive internet video with high quality and low bandwidth cost. In the years ended December 31, 2023, 2024 and 2025, our research and development expenditures, including share-based compensation expenses for research and development staff, were RMB1,766.6 million, RMB1,778.4 million and RMB1,663.1 million (US$237.8 million), respectively, representing 5.5%, 6.1% and 6.1% of our total revenues for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2024 and 2025, respectively. Our research and development expenditures consist primarily of personnel-related costs (including share-based compensation expenses). D.TREND INFORMATION Other than as disclosed elsewhere in this annual report, we are not aware of any trends, uncertainties, demands, commitments or events for the year ended December 31, 2025 that are reasonably likely to have a material and adverse effect on our net revenues, income, profitability, liquidity or capital resources, or that would cause the disclosed financial information to be not necessarily indicative of future results of operations or financial conditions. E.CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES We prepare our financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP, which requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect our reporting of, among other things, assets and liabilities, contingent assets and liabilities and total revenues and expenses. On an on-going basis, we evaluate our estimates based 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 sources. Since our financial reporting process inherently relies on the use of estimates and assumptions, our actual results could differ from what we expect. 105 We consider an accounting estimate to be critical if: (i) the accounting estimate requires us to make assumptions about matters that were highly uncertain at the time the accounting estimate was made, and (ii) changes in the estimate that are reasonably likely to occur from period to period or use of different estimates that we reasonably could have used in the current period, would have a material impact on our financial condition or results of operations. Such critical estimates are discussed below. For further information on our other significant accounting estimates, see Note 2 to our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this annual report. Amortization of content assets Based on factors including historical and estimated future viewership consumption patterns, our content assets (licensed copyrights and produced content) are amortized using an accelerated method by content categories over the shorter of each content’s contractual period or estimated useful lives within ten years, beginning with the month of first availability. We review factors that impact the amortization of the content assets on a regular basis, such as the estimates of future viewership consumption patterns and estimated useful lives. Our estimates related to these factors require complex and subjective management judgment and any changes in our estimates of future viewership consumption patterns and estimated useful lives may cause us to realize different amounts of amortization in future periods. Critical Accounting Policies and Judgments The selection of critical accounting policies, the judgments and other uncertainties affecting application of those policies and the sensitivity of reported results to changes in conditions and assumptions are factors that should be considered when reviewing our financial statements. For further information on our significant accounting policies, see Note 2 to our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this annual report.