Table of Contents

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 20-F

OR

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015

OR

OR

Commission file number 1-31994

Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act.

Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act. None

Securities for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Act. None

Indicate the number of outstanding shares of each of the issuer’s classes of capital or ordinary shares as of the close of the period covered by the annual report.

As of December 31, 2015, there were 42,073,748,961 ordinary shares, par value US$0.0004 per share, outstanding, of which 980,747,650 ordinary shares were held in the form of 19,614,953 American Depositary Shares (“ADSs”). Each ADS represents 50 ordinary shares.

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.

x Yes  ¨ No

If this report is an annual or transition report, indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

¨  Yes x No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

x Yes  ¨ No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).

x Yes  ¨ No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Check one):

Indicate by check mark which basis of accounting the registrant has used to prepare the financial statements included in this filing:

If this is an annual report, indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934).

¨  Yes   x No

* Not for trading, but only in connection with the listing of American Depositary Shares on the New York Stock Exchange, Inc.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION

In this annual report, except where the context otherwise requires and for purposes of this annual report only:

All references in this annual report to silicon wafer quantities are to 8-inch wafer equivalents, unless otherwise specified. Conversion of quantities of 12-inch wafers to 8-inch wafer equivalents is achieved by multiplying the number of 12-inch wafers by 2.25. When we refer to the capacity of wafer fabrication facilities, we are referring to the installed capacity based on specifications established by the manufacturers of the equipment used in those facilities. References to key process technology nodes, such as 0.35 micron, 0.25 micron, 0.18 micron, 0.15 micron, 0.13 micron, 90 nanometer, 65 nanometer, 45 nanometer and 28 nanometer include the stated resolution of the process technology, as well as intermediate resolutions down to but not including the next key process technology node of finer resolution. For example, when we state “0.25 micron process technology,” that also includes 0.22 micron, 0.21 micron, 0.20 micron and 0.19 micron technologies and “0.18 micron process technology” also includes 0.17 micron and 0.16 micron technologies.

We prepare our consolidated financial statements in accordance with IFRS. Our consolidated financial statements presented in our annual reports for the years ended prior to December 31, 2011 were prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This annual report contains, in addition to historical information, “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are based on our current assumptions, expectations and projections about future events. We use words like “believe,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “estimate,” “expect,” “project” and similar expressions to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward- looking statements contain these words. These forward-looking statements are necessarily estimates reflecting the judgment of our senior management and involve significant risks, both known and unknown, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual performance, financial condition or results of operations to be materially different from those suggested by the forward-looking statements including, among others:

Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation and do not intend to update any forward- looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Part I

Not applicable.

Not applicable.

The selected consolidated financial data presented below as of and for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015 have been prepared in accordance with IFRS and are derived from, and should be read in conjunction with our audited consolidated financial statements, including the related notes, included elsewhere in this annual report.

¹ In connection with our transition to IFRS for the year ended December 31, 2012, we adjusted our consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2011 in accordance with IFRS and therefore, financial information set forth in this annual report as of and for the year ended December 31, 2011 may differ from information published in our annual report for the year ended December 31, 2011.

Risk Factors Related to Our Financial Condition and Business

We may not be able to maintain or increase profitability, primarily due to the possibility of increasing fixed costs and market competition reflected in price erosion in the average selling prices of our products.

Our profit totaled US$222.3 million in 2015 and US$126.3 million in 2014. However, with the offsetting impact of such profits, we still have net accumulated losses of US$1,287.5 million as of the end of 2015. We may not be able to maintain or increase profitability on an annual or quarterly basis, primarily because our business is characterized by high fixed costs relating to advanced technology equipment purchases, which result in correspondingly high levels of depreciation expenses. We will continue to incur capital expenditures and depreciation expenses as we equip and ramp-up additional fabs and expand our capacity at our existing fabs. This may result in an increase of our fixed costs and possibly reduce our chances of maintaining or increasing profitability.

In addition, we are competing in the same technology environment as a number of other foundries and our competitors who operate these foundries often use price as a means of securing business, resulting in erosion of the average selling price of our product portfolio, which adversely affects our ability to maintain or increase profitability.

The cyclical nature of the semiconductor industry and periodic overcapacity make our business and operating results particularly vulnerable to economic downturns, such as a global economic crisis.

The semiconductor industry has historically been highly cyclical and, at various times, has experienced significant downturns characterized by fluctuations in end-user demand, reduced demand for integrated circuits, rapid erosion of average selling prices and production overcapacity. Companies in the semiconductor industry have expanded aggressively during periods of increased demand in order to have the capacity needed to meet such increased demand or expected demand in the future. If actual demand is not sustained, does not increase or declines, or if companies in the industry expand too aggressively in light of the actual increase in demand, the industry will generally experience a period in which industry- wide capacity exceeds demand.

During periods when industry-wide capacity exceeds demand, our operations are subject to more intense competition, and our results of operations are likely to suffer because of the resulting pricing pressure and capacity underutilization. Severe pricing pressure could result in the overall foundry industry becoming less profitable, at least for the duration of the downturn, and could prevent us from maintaining or increasing profitability. We expect that industry cyclicality will continue.

In addition, an erosion of global consumer confidence amidst concerns over declining asset values, inflation, energy costs, geopolitical issues, the availability and cost of credit, rising unemployment, and the stability or solvency of financial institutions, financial markets, businesses and sovereign nations could have an adverse effect on our results of operations.

Adverse economic conditions could cause our expenses to vary materially from our expectations. The failure of financial institutions could negatively impact our treasury operations, as the financial condition of such parties may deteriorate rapidly and without notice in times of market volatility and disruption. Other income and expense could vary materially from expectations depending on changes in interest rates, borrowing costs and currency exchange rates. Economic downturns may also lead to restructuring actions and associated expenses.

If we cannot take appropriate or effective actions in a timely manner during any economic downturns, such as reducing our costs to sufficiently offset declines in demand for our services, our business and operating results may be adversely affected. A prolonged period of economic decline could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations. Economic uncertainty also makes it difficult for us to make accurate forecasts of revenue, gross margin and expenses.

Furthermore, a slowdown in the growth in demand for, or the continued reduction in selling prices of, devices that use semiconductors may decrease the demand for our products and reduce our profit margins.

The loan agreements entered into by members of the Group contain certain restrictions that limit our flexibility in operating our business.

The terms of certain of the existing loan agreements entered into by members of the Group contain, and certain future indebtedness of the Group would likely contain, a number of restrictive covenants that impose significant operating and financial restrictions on the Group, including restrictions on the ability of members of the Group to, among other things:

In addition, certain loan agreements of the Group contain, and any future loan agreements may contain, cross-default clauses whereby a default under one of the loan agreements may constitute an event of default under the other loan agreements. We may also be required to satisfy and maintain specified financial ratios and other financial covenants (see “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects — B. Liquidity and Capital Resources — Bank borrowing” for details). The Group’s ability to meet such financial ratios and other covenants can be affected by various events, and we cannot assure you that we will meet these ratios and comply with such covenants in the future. A breach of any of these covenants would result in a default under the existing loan agreements of the Group, which may allow the lenders to declare all amounts outstanding thereunder to be due and payable after the lapse of the relevant grace period and terminate all commitments to extend further credit, any of which could result in an event of default under the terms and conditions of the loan agreement.

The impact of deteriorating economic conditions on our customers and suppliers could adversely affect our business.

Customer financial difficulties have resulted, and could result in the future, in increases in bad debt write-offs and additions to reserves in our receivables portfolio. In particular, our exposure to certain financially troubled customers could have an adverse effect on our results of operations. In addition, we depend on suppliers of raw materials, such as silicon wafers, gases and chemicals, and spare equipment parts, in order to maintain our production processes. Our business may be disrupted if, due to the insolvency of key suppliers, we are unable to obtain the raw materials required to sustain our operations.

Demand instability for foundry services may result in a lower rate of return on investments than previously anticipated and our business and operating results may be adversely affected.

The demand for foundry services by IDMs, fabless semiconductor companies and systems companies has been increasing. We have made significant investments in anticipation of the continuation of this trend and, as such, any reversal of this trend will likely result in a lower rate of return on our investments. During an industry slowdown, IDMs may allocate a smaller portion of their fabricating needs to foundry service providers and perform a greater amount of foundry services for system companies and fabless semiconductor companies in order to maintain their equipment’s utilization rates. As a result, our business and operating results could be adversely affected.

Our results of operations may fluctuate from year to year, making it difficult to predict our future performance which may be below our expectations or those of the public market analysts and investors in these periods.

Our sales, expenses, and results of operations may fluctuate significantly from year to year due to a number of factors, many of which are outside our control. Our business and operations are subject to a number of factors, including:

Due to the factors noted above and other risks discussed in this section, year-to-year comparisons cannot be relied upon to predict our future performance. Unfavorable changes in any of the above factors may adversely affect our business and operating results. In addition, our operating results may be below the expectations of public market analysts and investors in some future periods.

If we are unable to maintain high capacity utilization, optimize the technology and product mix of our services or improve our yields, our margins may substantially decline, thereby adversely affecting our operating results.

Our ability to maintain or increase profitability depends, in part, on our ability to:

Our capacity utilization affects our operating results because a large percentage of our costs are fixed. Our technology and product mix has a direct impact upon our average selling prices and overall margins. Our yields directly affect our ability to attract and retain customers, as well as the price of our products. If we are unable to maintain high capacity utilization, optimize the technology and product mix of our wafer production and continuously improve our yields, our margins may substantially decline, thereby adversely affecting our operating results.

Our continuing expansion could present significant challenges to our management and administrative systems and resources, and as a result, we could experience difficulties managing our growth or maintaining high capacity utilization which could adversely affect our business and operating results.

Over the next several years, we plan to increase our production capacity through expansion of existing and new production sites. We have added and expect to continue to add capital equipment and increase our headcount with future increases in production capacity. We cannot assure you that we will fully realize the expected returns on these investments for a variety of reasons. If we fail to develop and maintain management and administrative systems and resources sufficient to keep pace with our planned growth, we may experience difficulties managing our growth or maintaining high capacity utilization and our business and operating results could be adversely affected.

We may not be able to successfully execute future acquisitions or investments or manage or effectively integrate any acquired personnel, operations and technologies.

From time to time, we seek to acquire or invest in businesses that are complementary to ours. This may require a significant commitment of management time, capital investment and other management resources. We cannot assure you that we will be successful in identifying and negotiating acquisitions or investments on terms favorable to us. If we are unable to execute, manage or integrate our acquisitions and investments effectively, our growth, operating results and financial condition may be materially and adversely affected.

If we lose one or more of our key personnel without obtaining adequate replacements in a timely manner or if we are unable to retain and recruit skilled personnel, our operations could become disrupted and the growth of our business could be delayed or restricted.

Our success depends on the continued service of our key management team members, and in particular, Mr. Zhou Zixue, Chairman of our Board and Executive Director as well as Dr. Tzu-Yin Chiu, Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director. We do not carry full key person insurance. If we lose the services of any of our key executive officers, it could be very difficult to find, relocate and integrate adequate replacement personnel into our operations. As a result, our operations and the growth of our business could be seriously harmed.

We will require an increased number of experienced executives, engineers and other skilled employees in the future to implement our growth plans. In addition, we expect demand for skilled and experienced personnel in China to increase in the future as new wafer fabrication facilities and other similar high technology businesses are established there. There is intense competition for the services of these personnel in the semiconductor industry. If we are unable to retain our existing personnel or attract, assimilate and retain new experienced personnel in the future, our operations could become disrupted and the growth of our business could be delayed or restricted.

Our customers generally do not place purchase orders far in advance, which makes it difficult for us to predict our future sales, adjust our production costs and efficiently allocate our capacity on a timely basis and could therefore have an adverse effect on our business and operating results.

Our customers generally do not place purchase orders far in advance of the required shipping dates. In addition, due to the cyclical nature of the semiconductor industry, our customers’ purchase orders have varied significantly from period to period. As a result, we do not typically operate with any significant backlog, which makes it difficult for us to forecast our sales in future periods. Also, since our cost of sales and operating expenses have high fixed cost components, including depreciation and employee costs, we may be unable to adjust our cost structure in a timely manner to compensate for shortfalls in sales. Our current and anticipated customers may not place orders with us in accordance with our expectations or at all. As a result, it may be difficult to plan our capacity, which requires significant lead time to ramp-up and cannot be altered easily. If our capacity does not match our customer demand, we will either be burdened with expensive and unutilized overcapacity or unable to support our customers’ requirements, both of which could have an adverse effect on our business and results of operations.

Our sales cycles can be long, which could adversely affect our short-term operating results and cause our long- term income stream to be unpredictable.

Our sales cycles, which is measured as the time between our first contact with a particular customer and the first shipment of product orders to such customer, vary substantially and can last as long as one year or more, particularly for new technologies. Sales cycles to IDM customers typically take relatively longer since they usually require our engineers to become familiar with the customer’s proprietary technology before production can commence. In addition, even after we make the initial product shipments, it may take the customer several more months to reach full production of that product using our foundry services. As a result of these long sales cycles, we may be required to invest substantial time and incur significant expenses in advance of the receipt of any product order and related revenue. Orders ultimately received may not be in accordance with our expectations and cause our long-term income stream to be unpredictable.

If we do not consistently anticipate trends in technology development, we will not be able to maintain or increase our business and operating margins.

The semiconductor industry is developing rapidly and the related technologies are constantly evolving. We must be able to anticipate the trends in technology development and rapidly develop and implement new and innovative technologies that our customers require to produce sufficiently advanced products at competitive prices and within the time window of market opportunities. To do this, we must make long- term investments, develop or obtain appropriate intellectual property and commit significant resources based on forecasts. If there is large variation between our forecasts and the actual outcome, our long- term investments will not yield satisfactory results and our business and operations will be adversely affected.

Further, as the life cycle for a process technology matures, the average selling price falls. Accordingly, unless we continually upgrade our capability to manufacture new products that our customers design, our customers may use the services of our competitors instead of ours. This can result in the average selling prices of our wafers falling, which could adversely affect our business and operating margins.

Our sales are dependent upon a small number of customers and any decrease in sales to any of them could adversely affect our results of operations.

We have been dependent on a small number of customers for a substantial portion of our business. For the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2015, our five largest customers accounted for 51.1% and 52.8% of our total sales, respectively. We expect that we will continue to be dependent upon a relatively limited number of customers for a significant portion of our sales. Sales generated from these customers, individually or in the aggregate, may not reach our expectations or historical levels in any future period. Our sales could be significantly reduced if any of these customers cancels or reduces its orders, significantly changes its product delivery schedule, or demands lower prices, which could have an adverse effect on our results of operations.

Since our operating cash flows may not be sufficient to cover our planned capital expenditures, we will require additional external financing, which may not be available on acceptable terms, or at all. Any failure to raise adequate funds in a timely manner could adversely affect our business and operating results.

In 2015, our capital expenditures totaled approximately US$1.6 billion and we currently expect our capital expenditures for foundry operations in 2016 to total approximately US$2.1 billion, subject to adjustment based on market conditions. The planned 2016 capital expenditures for foundry operations are mainly for 1) the expansion of capacity in 12-inch fab in Semiconductor Manufacturing North China (Beijing) Corporation, a majority-owned subsidiary of the Company (“SMNC”), 8-inch fab in Semiconductor Manufacturing International (Shenzhen) Corporation (“SMIC Shenzhen”), 12-inch fab in Semiconductor Manufacturing International (Shanghai) Corporation (“SMIS” or “SMIC Shanghai”) and a new majority-owned 12-inch joint venture fab with bumping services in SJ Semiconductor (Jiangyin) Corporation (”SJ Jiangyin”), 2) a new majority-owned joint venture company, which will focus on research and development on 14nm logic technology, and 3) research and development equipment, mask shops and intellectual property acquisition. We also have budgeted approximately US$60 million as the 2016 capital expenditures for non-foundry operations mainly for the construction of living quarters for employees as part of our employee retention program. In addition, our actual expenditures may exceed our planned expenditures for a variety of reasons, including changes in our business plan, our process technology, market conditions, equipment prices, customer requirements or interest rates. Future acquisitions, mergers, strategic investments, or other developments also may require additional financing. The amount of capital required to meet our growth and development targets is difficult to predict in the highly cyclical and rapidly changing semiconductor industry.

Our operating cash flows may not be sufficient to meet our capital expenditures requirements. If our operating cash flows are insufficient, we plan to fund the expected shortfall through bank loans. If necessary, we will also explore other forms of external financing, as we did in 2015 with our ordinary shares issuances. Our ability to obtain external financing is subject to a variety of uncertainties, including:

External financing may not be available in a timely manner, on acceptable terms, or at all. Since our capacity expansion is a key component of our overall business strategy, any failure to raise adequate funds could adversely affect our business and operating results.

Expansion of our production sites is subject to certain risks that could result in delays or cost overruns, which could require us to expend additional capital and adversely affect our business and operating results.

We plan to increase our production capacity through expansion of existing production sites, such as SMIC Shanghai and SMIC Shenzhen, both our wholly-owned subsidiaries, SMNC, our majority-owned subsidiary in Beijing and SJ Jiangyin, our majority-owned subsidiary with bumping services in Jiangyin. There are a number of events that could delay these expansion projects or increase the costs of building and equipping these or future projects in accordance with our plans. Such potential events include, but are not limited to:

As a result, our projections relating to capacity, process technology capabilities, or technology developments may significantly differ from actual capacity, process technology capabilities, or technology developments.

Delays in the construction and equipping or expansion of any of our fabs could result in the loss or delayed receipt of earnings, an increase in financing costs, or the failure to meet profit and earnings projections, any of which could adversely affect our business and operating results.

If we cannot compete successfully in our industry, particularly in China, our results of operations and financial condition will be adversely affected.

The worldwide semiconductor foundry industry is highly competitive. We compete with other foundries, such as Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Ltd., or TSMC, United Microelectronics Corporation, or UMC, and Global Foundries, as well as the foundry services offered by some IDMs, such as Fujitsu Limited and Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. We also compete with smaller semiconductor foundries in China, Korea, Malaysia and other countries. While different players in the wafer foundry market may compete on factors such as technical competence, production speed and cycle time, time-to-market, research and development quality, available capacity, yields, customer service and price, we seek to compete on the basis of process technology capabilities, performance, quality, service and price. The level of competition differs according to the process technology involved. Some of our competitors have greater access to capital and substantially higher capacity, longer or more established relationships with their customers, superior research and development capability, and greater marketing and other resources than we do. As a result, these companies may be able to compete more aggressively over a longer period of time than we can.

Some of our competitors have established operations in mainland China in order to compete for the growing domestic market in China. TSMC has its own fab in Shanghai and recently entered into an investment agreement with the Government of Nanjing for an investment project to build a wholly-owned 12-inch wafer manufacturing facility and a design service center in Nanjing. UMC has its majority-owned fab in Suzhou and has a 12-inch joint venture fab in Xiamen currently under construction. In these cases, we understand that the ability of these fabs to manufacture wafers using certain more advanced technologies is subject to restrictions by the respective home jurisdiction of TSMC and UMC; however, such restrictions could be reduced or lifted at any time, which may lead to increased competition in China with such competitors and adversely affect our business and operating results.

In addition, various other factors such as import and export controls, foreign exchange controls, exchange rate fluctuations, interest rate fluctuations and political developments affect our ability to compete successfully. If we cannot compete successfully in our industry or are unable to maintain our position as a leading foundry in China, our results of operations and financial condition will be adversely affected.

We may be unable to obtain in a timely manner and at a reasonable cost the equipment necessary for our business and therefore may be unable to achieve our expansion plans or meet our customers’ orders, which could negatively impact our competitiveness, financial condition and results of operations.

The semiconductor industry is capital-intensive and requires investment in advanced equipment that is available from a limited number of manufacturers. The market for equipment used in semiconductor foundries is characterized, from time to time, by significant demand, limited supply and long delivery cycles. Our business plan depends upon our ability to obtain our required equipment in a timely manner and at acceptable prices. Therefore, we invest in advanced equipment based on advance forecasts of demand. During times of significant demand for the types of equipment we use, lead times for delivery can be as long as one year. Shortages of equipment could result in an increase in equipment prices and longer delivery times. If we are unable to obtain equipment in a timely manner and at a reasonable cost, we may be unable to achieve our expansion plans or meet our customers’ orders, which could negatively impact our competitiveness, financial condition, and results of operations.

We expect to have an ongoing need to obtain licenses for the proprietary technology of others, which subjects us to the payment of license fees and potential delays in the development and marketing of our products.

While we continue to develop and pursue patent protection for our own technologies, we expect to continue to rely on third party license arrangements to enable us to manufacture certain advanced wafers. As of December 31, 2015, we had been granted 5,669 patents worldwide, of which, 60 were in Taiwan, 611 were in the U.S., 4,975 were in China and 23 were in other jurisdictions. In comparison, we believe our competitors and other industry participants have been issued numerous more patents concerning wafer fabrication in multiple jurisdictions. Our limited patent portfolio may in the future adversely affect our ability to obtain licenses to the proprietary technology of others on favorable license terms due to our inability to offer cross-licensing arrangements. The fees associated with such licenses could adversely affect our financial condition and operating results. They might also render our services less competitive. If for any reason we are unable to license necessary technology on acceptable terms, it may become necessary for us to develop alternative technology internally, which could be costly and delay the marketing and delivery of key products and therefore have an adverse effect on our business and operating results. In addition, we may be unable to independently develop the technology required by our customers on a timely basis or at all, in which case our customers may purchase wafers from our competitors.

We may be subject to claims of intellectual property rights infringement owing to the nature of our industry partly due to our limited patent portfolio and limitations of the indemnification provisions in our technology license agreements. These claims could adversely affect our business and operating results.

There is frequent intellectual property litigation in our industry, involving patents, copyrights, trade secrets, mask works and other intellectual property subject matters. In some cases, a company attempts to avoid or settle litigation on favorable terms if it possesses patents that can be asserted against the plaintiff. The limited size of our current patent portfolio is unlikely to place us in such a favorable bargaining position. Moreover, some of our technology license agreements with our major technology partners do not provide for us to be indemnified in the event that the processes we license pursuant to such agreements infringe third party intellectual property rights. We could be sued for infringing one or more patents as to which we will be unable to obtain a license and unable to design around. As a result, we would be prohibited from manufacturing or selling the products which are dependent upon such technology, which could have a material adverse effect on our business. We may litigate the issues of whether these patents are valid or infringed, but in the event of a loss we could be required to pay substantial monetary damages and be enjoined from further production or sale of such products. Please refer to our historical litigation with TSMC on page 19 for details.

If we are unable to maintain relationships with certain technology partners or are unable to enter into new technology alliances on a timely basis, we may not be able to continue providing our customers with leading edge process technology, which could adversely affect our competitive position and operating results.

Enhancing our process technologies is critical to our ability to provide high quality services for our customers. One way we are using to enhance our process technologies is forming technology alliances with other companies and leveraging our appropriate technology partners to advance our portfolio of process technologies to lower development risk and development cycle. We currently have joint technology development arrangements and technology sharing arrangements with several companies and research institutes. If we are unable to continue our technology alliances with these entities or maintain mutually beneficial terms on our other joint development arrangements, research and development alliances and other similar agreements or enter into new technology alliances with other leading developers of semiconductor technology, we may not be able to continue providing our customers with leading edge process technology on time, which could adversely affect our competitive position and operating results.

Global or regional economic, political and social conditions could adversely affect our business and operating results.

External factors such as potential terrorist attacks, acts of war, financial crises, the global economic crisis, or political, geopolitical and social turmoil in those parts of the world that serve as markets for our products could significantly adversely affect our business and operating results in ways that cannot presently be predicted. These uncertainties could make it difficult for our customers and us to accurately plan future business activities. For example, we purchase raw materials and other services from numerous suppliers, and, even if our facilities were not directly affected by such events, we could be affected by interruptions at such suppliers. Such suppliers may be less likely to be able to quickly recover from such events and may be subject to additional risks such as financial problems that limit their ability to conduct their operations. We cannot assure you that we will have insurance to adequately compensate us for any of these events. More generally, these geopolitical, social and economic conditions could result in increased volatility in worldwide financial markets and economies that could adversely impact our sales. We are not insured for losses and interruptions caused by terrorist acts or acts of war. Therefore, any of these events or circumstances could adversely affect our business and operating results.

The recurrence of an outbreak of the H7N9 and H5N1strain of flu (Avian Flu), the H1N1 strain of flu (Swine Flu), Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), or an outbreak of any other similar epidemic could, directly or indirectly, adversely affect our operating results.

Concerns about the spread of the H7N9 strain of flu (Avian Flu) in China and outbreaks of the H1N1 virus (Swine Flu) in North America, Europe and Asia in the past have caused governments to take measures to prevent spread of the virus. The spread of epidemics could negatively affect the economy. For example, past occurrences of epidemics such as SARS have caused different degrees of damage to the national and local economies in China. If any of our employees are identified as a possible source of spreading Swine Flu, Avian Flu or any other similar epidemic, we may be required to quarantine employees that are suspected of being infected, as well as others that have come into contact with those employees. We may also be required to disinfect our affected premises, which could cause a temporary suspension of our manufacturing capacity, thus adversely affecting our operations. A recurrence of an outbreak of Swine Flu, SARS, Avian Flu or other similar epidemic could restrict the level of economic activities generally and/or slow down or disrupt our business activities which could in turn adversely affect our results of operations.

Exchange rate fluctuations could increase our costs, which could adversely affect our operating results and the value of our ADSs.

Our financial statements are prepared in U.S. dollars. The majority of our sales are denominated in U.S. dollars and Renminbi. Our manufacturing costs and capital expenditures are generally denominated in U.S. dollars, Japanese Yen, Euros and Renminbi. Although we enter into foreign currency forward exchange contracts and cross currency swap contracts to partially hedge our exposure to exchange rate fluctuations, we are still affected by fluctuations in exchange rates between the U.S. dollar and each of the Japanese Yen, the Euros and the Renminbi. Any significant fluctuations among these currencies may lead to an increase in our costs, which could adversely affect our operating results. See “Item 3.D - Risk Factors - Risks Related to Conducting Operations in China — Devaluation or appreciation in the value of the Renminbi or restrictions on convertibility of the Renminbi could adversely affect our business and operating results” for a discussion of risks relating to the Renminbi.

Fluctuations in the exchange rate of the Hong Kong dollar against the U.S. dollar will affect the U.S. dollar value of the ADSs, since our ordinary shares are listed and traded on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange and the price of such shares are denominated in Hong Kong dollars. While the Hong Kong government has continued to pursue a pegged exchange rate policy, with the Hong Kong dollar trading in the range of HK$7.7500 to HK$7.7653 per US$1.00 for 2015 we cannot assure you that this policy will be maintained. Exchange rate fluctuations also will affect the amount of U.S. dollars received upon the payment of any cash dividends or other distributions paid in Hong Kong dollars and the Hong Kong dollar proceeds received from any sales of ordinary shares. Therefore, such fluctuations could also adversely affect the value of our ADSs.

If we fail to maintain an effective system of internal control, we may not be able to achieve the business objectives in operations, financial reporting integrity, and compliance with applicable laws and regulations.

We are required to comply with various PRC, Hong Kong and U.S. laws and regulations. For example, we are subject to reporting obligations under the U.S. securities laws. The SEC, as required by Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, or the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, adopted rules requiring public companies to include a management report on such company’s internal controls over financial reporting in its annual report, which contains management’s assessment of the effectiveness of our internal controls over financial reporting. Effective internal controls are necessary for us to provide reasonable assurance with respect to our financial reports, compliance with applicable laws and regulations, and to effectively achieve our operation objectives. In addition, because of the inherent limitations of internal control over financial reporting, including the possibility of collusion or improper management override of controls, material misstatements due to error or fraud may not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. As a result, if we fail to maintain effective internal controls, including any failure to implement required new or improved controls, or should we be unable to prevent or detect material misstatements due to error or fraud on a timely basis, our operating results could be harmed, and investors could lose confidence in the reliability of our financial statements. As a result, our business and the trading price of our securities could be negatively impacted.

Security breaches and other disruptions could compromise our information and systems, which would cause our business and reputation to suffer.

We store sensitive data, including intellectual property and proprietary business information belonging to our company, our customers, our suppliers and our business partners. The secure maintenance of this information is critical. Despite our security measures, our information technology and infrastructure may be vulnerable to breaches by hackers, employee error, malfeasance or other disruptions such as natural disasters, power losses or telecommunication failures. Any such breach could compromise our networks and the information stored, possibly resulting in legal and regulatory actions, disruption of operations and customer services, and otherwise harming our business and future operations.

Our tangible and intangible assets may be written down when impaired, any impairment charges may adversely effect on our net income.

Under IFRS, we are required to assess our assets to determine whether an asset may be impaired. An impairment loss exists and is recorded in our books when the carrying value of an asset exceeds its recoverable value. With the exception of goodwill and certain intangible assets for which an annual impairment test is required, we are required to conduct impairment tests where there is an indication of impairment of an asset

At the end of each reporting period, we are required to assess whether there is any indication that an impairment loss recognized in prior periods for an asset other than goodwill may no longer exist or may have decreased. If any such indication exists, the impairment loss will be reversed up to the newly estimated recoverable amount, not to exceed the original value recorded. Goodwill impairment will not be reversed. As of December 31, 2015, the carrying amount of property, plant and equipment was US$3,903.8 million and the carrying amount of intangible assets was US$224.3 million.

Currently we are not able to estimate the amount of impairment loss or when the loss will occur for future years. Any potential changes of the business assumptions, such as forecasted sales, selling prices and utilization, may have a material adverse effect on our net income.

See “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects — Critical Accounting Policies” for a discussion of how we assess if an impairment charge is required and, if so, how the amount is determined.

We have twice settled pending litigation with TSMC at a substantial cost to us, and, if we materially breach our 2009 settlement agreement with TSMC (or certain related documents), we could be required to pay substantial liquidated damages in addition to the money damages or other remedies TSMC may be entitled to in connection with such material breach.

TSMC has brought legal claims against us and our personnel on several occasions since 2002. On January 31, 2005, we entered into a settlement agreement with TSMC and agreed to pay them $175 million in installments over a period of six years (“the 2005 Settlement Agreement”).

On August 25, 2006, TSMC filed a lawsuit against us and certain of our subsidiaries in the Superior Court of the State of California for alleged breach of the 2005 Settlement Agreement, alleged breach of promissory notes and alleged trade secret misappropriation by us. We filed counterclaims against TSMC in the same court in September 2006 and also filed suit against TSMC in Beijing in November 2006. We settled these 2006 lawsuits with TSMC (“the Settled Actions”) on November 9, 2009 with a settlement agreement (“the 2009 Settlement Agreement”) which replaced the 2005 Settlement Agreement.

Under the terms of the 2009 Settlement Agreement, our obligation to make the remaining payments of approximately US$40 million under the 2005 Settlement Agreement was terminated, but we agreed to pay TSMC an aggregate of US$200 million over a period of four years and committed, subject to certain terms and conditions, to issue TSMC 1,789,493,218 of our shares and one or more warrants exercisable within three years of issuance to subscribe for an aggregate of 695,914,030 of our shares, subject to adjustment, at a purchase price of HK$1.30 per share, subject to adjustment. See “Item 10 — Additional Information — Material Contracts—Other Contracts” for a more detailed description of the share and warrant issuance agreement entered into by us and TSMC in connection with the 2009 Settlement Agreement and the warrant agreement entered into between us and TSMC in connection with the 2009 Settlement Agreement. The 1,789,493,218 ordinary shares and the warrant to purchase 695,914,030 ordinary shares, subject to adjustment, were issued on July 5, 2010. In addition, the 2009 Settlement Agreement terminated that certain patent cross- license agreement that was entered into in connection with the 2005 Settlement Agreement under which we had previously cross-licensed patent portfolios with TSMC (“the 2005 Patent Cross-License”).

Under the 2009 Settlement Agreement, each party released the other party from all claims arising out of or related to claims and counterclaims that were or could have been brought in the Settled Actions, but this release does not apply to claims of breach of the 2009 Settlement Agreement. In addition, each party covenanted not to sue the other for misappropriation or infringement of intellectual property rights, but this covenant not to sue did not extend to claims for breach of the 2009 Settlement Agreement or claims for patent or trademark infringement.

Further, the 2009 Settlement Agreement provides that if we materially breach the 2009 Settlement Agreement (or certain related documents) and fail to cure that breach within 30 days after notice from TSMC, we will pay TSMC liquidated damages, in addition to any damages arising from such breach, in the amount of US$44 million plus a royalty equal to 5% of our gross revenues derived from foundry services with respect to our 90nm and larger manufacturing processes during the period commencing on the date of the breach and ending on the date that is 20 years from the date of the 2009 Settlement Agreement.

There can be no assurance that TSMC will not sue us again in the future. For example, TSMC is not prohibited under the 2009 Settlement Agreement from bringing infringement claims against us which could not have been brought in the Settled Actions. Further, we are subject to several obligations under the 2009 Settlement Agreement, including obligations to protect the confidentiality of certain information, and TSMC could, in the future, allege a breach by us of the 2009 Settlement Agreement. If TSMC were successful in a claim of material breach by us of our obligations under the 2009 Settlement Agreement (or certain related documents), we have agreed to pay substantial liquidated damages as described above.

TSMC is a competitor of ours and has substantially greater resources than we do to investigate and pursue legal actions. If TSMC successfully brings additional legal actions against us, we could be subject to significant penalties which could include monetary payments and/or injunctive relief such as requirements to discontinue sales of products.

The occurrence of any of these events could have a material adverse effect on our business and operating results and, in any event, the cost of litigation could be substantial.

Our auditor, like other independent registered public accounting firms operating in China, is not permitted to be subject to inspection by Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, and as such, investors may be deprived of the benefits of such inspection.

Our independent registered public accounting firm that issues the audit reports included in our annual reports filed with the SEC, as an auditor of companies that are traded publicly in the United States and a firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), or PCAOB, is required by the laws of the United States to undergo regular inspections by PCAOB to assess its compliance with the applicable professional standards. Because our auditor is located in China, a jurisdiction where PCAOB is currently unable to conduct inspections without the approval of the PRC authorities, our auditor, like other independent registered public accounting firms operating in China, is currently not inspected by PCAOB.

Inspections of other firms that PCAOB has conducted outside of China have identified deficiencies in those firms’ audit procedures and quality control procedures, which may be addressed as part of the inspection process to improve future audit quality. The inability of PCAOB to conduct inspections of independent registered public accounting firms operating in China makes it more difficult to regularly evaluate the effectiveness of our auditor’s audit procedures or quality control procedures. As a result, investors may be deprived of the benefits of PCAOB inspections.

Proceedings instituted by the SEC against the Big Four PRC-based accounting firms, including our independent registered public accounting firm, could result in our financial statements being determined to not be in compliance with the requirements of the Exchange Act.

In December 2012, the SEC brought administrative proceedings against the Big Four accounting firms, including our independent registered public accounting firm, in China, alleging that they had refused to produce audit work papers and other documents related to certain other China-based companies under investigation by the SEC for potential accounting fraud.

On January 22, 2014, an initial administrative law decision, or Initial Decision, was issued, censuring these accounting firms and suspending four of the five firms from practicing before the SEC for a period of six months. The accounting firms filed a Petition for Review of the Initial Decision to the SEC.

On February 6, 2015, the Big Four China-based accounting firms each agreed to a censure and to pay a fine to the SEC to settle the dispute and avoid suspension of their ability to practice before the SEC and audit U.S.-listed companies. The settlement required the firms to follow detailed procedures and to seek to provide the SEC with access to Chinese firms’ audit documents via the China Securities Regulatory Commission, or the CSRC. If future document productions fail to meet specified criteria, the SEC retains authority to impose a variety of additional remedial measures on the accounting firms depending on the nature of the failure. While we cannot predict if the SEC will further review the four China-based accounting firms’ compliance with specified criteria or if the results of such a review would result in the SEC imposing penalties such as suspensions or restarting the administrative proceedings, if the accounting firms are subject to additional remedial measures, our ability to file our financial statements in compliance with the SEC requirements could be impacted. A determination that we have not timely filed financial statements in compliance with the SEC requirements could ultimately lead to the delisting of our ADSs from the NYSE or the termination of the registration of our ADSs under the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, or both, which would substantially reduce or effectively terminate the trading of our ADSs in the United States.

The SEC’s “conflict minerals” rule has caused us to incur additional expenses, could limit the supply and increase the cost of certain minerals used in manufacturing our products, and could make us less competitive in our target markets.

The SEC’s conflict minerals rule requires disclosure by public companies of the origin, source and chain of custody of specified minerals, known as conflict minerals, that are necessary to the functionality or production of products manufactured or contracted to be manufactured. The rule requires companies to obtain sourcing data from suppliers, engage in supply chain due diligence, and file annually with the SEC a specialized disclosure report on Form SD covering the prior calendar year. The rule could limit our ability to source at competitive prices and to secure sufficient quantities of certain minerals (or derivatives thereof) used in the manufacture of our products, specifically tantalum, tin, gold and tungsten, as the number of suppliers that provide conflict-free minerals may be limited. We have and will continue to incur material costs associated with complying with the rule, such as costs related to the determination of the origin, source and chain of custody of the minerals used in our products, the adoption of conflict minerals-related governance policies, processes and controls, and possible changes to products or sources of supply as a result of such activities. Within our supply chain, we may not be able to sufficiently verify the origins of the relevant minerals used in our products through the data collection and due diligence procedures that we implement, which may harm our reputation. Furthermore, we may encounter challenges in satisfying those customers that require that all of the components of our products be certified as conflict free, and if we cannot satisfy these customers, they may choose a competitor’s products. We continue to investigate the presence of conflict materials within our supply chain.

Risks Related to Manufacturing

Our manufacturing processes are highly complex, costly and potentially vulnerable to impurities and other disruptions, which could significantly increase our costs and delay product shipments to our customers.

Our manufacturing processes are highly complex, require advanced and costly equipment, demand a high degree of precision and may have to be modified to improve yields and product performance. Dust and other impurities, difficulties in the fabrication process or defects with respect to the equipment or facilities used can lower yields, because quality control problems interrupt production or result in losses of products in process. As system complexity has increased and process technology has become more advanced, manufacturing tolerances have been reduced and requirements for precision have become even more demanding. As a result, we may experience production difficulties, which could significantly increase our costs and delay product shipments to our customers. For products that cannot meet the quality, standards of our customers, we may suffer indemnification losses in addition to the production cost.

We may have difficulty in ramping up production, which could cause delays in product deliveries and loss of customers and otherwise adversely affect our business and operating results.

We may experience difficulty in ramping up production at new or existing facilities. This could be due to a variety of factors, including hiring and training new personnel, implementing new fabrication processes, recalibrating and re- qualifying existing processes and the inability to achieve required yield levels.

In the future, we may face construction delays or interruptions, infrastructure failure, or delays in upgrading or expanding existing facilities or changing our process technologies, which may adversely affect our ability to ramp up production in accordance with our plans. Our failure to ramp up our production on a timely basis could cause delays in product deliveries, which may result in the loss of customers and sales. It could also prevent us from recouping our investments in a timely manner or at all, and otherwise adversely affect our business and operating results.

We have formed joint ventures that, if not successful, could adversely impact our business and operating results.

In July 2004, we announced an agreement with Toppan Printing Co., Ltd., to establish Toppan SMIC Electronics (Shanghai) Co., Ltd., a joint venture in Shanghai, to manufacture color filters and micro-lenses for CMOS image sensors.

In December 2013, we lost control of Brite Semiconductor Company and its subsidiaries (“Brite”), but still have significant influence over it. We recorded our ownership interest of Brite as investment in associate. Brite is principally engaged in development and design of integrated circuits.

On December 22, 2014, (i) SilTech Shanghai, one of our indirectly wholly-owned subsidiary; (ii) Jiangsu Changjiang Electronics Technology Co., Ltd (“JCET”); and (iii) China Integrated Circuit Industry Investment Fund Co., Ltd., (“China IC Fund”) entered into a co-investment agreement to form an investment consortium in connection with the proposed acquisition of STATS ChipPAC Ltd. (“STATS ChipPAC”), a leading provider of advanced semiconductor packaging and test services in the world and a company incorporated in the Republic of Singapore, shares of which were listed on the Singapore Exchange Securities Trading Limited. On June 18, 2015, according to the co-investment agreement, we invested US$102 million as a capital contribution for 19.6% equity interest in Suzhou Changjiang Electric Xinke Investment Co., Ltd. (“Changjiang Xinke”), a company incorporated in Jiangsu province, China, which is accounted as an associate of the Group. The acquisition was completed in the second half of 2015.

The results of our joint ventures which we do not have control are reflected in our operating results to the extent of our ownership interest, and gains of the joint ventures could impact our operating results. As integration of assets and operations being contributed by each partner will involve complex activities that must be completed in a short period of time, the joint ventures may face numerous challenges to successful operation, including all operational risks that customarily relate to manufacturing, sales, service, marketing, and corporate functions, which, if unsuccessful, may adversely impact, our business and operating result.

If we are unable to obtain raw materials, spare parts and outsourcing services in a timely manner, our production schedules could be delayed and our costs could increase.

We depend on suppliers of raw materials, such as silicon wafers, gases and chemicals, and spare equipment parts, in order to maintain our production processes. To maintain operations, we must obtain from our suppliers sufficient quantities of quality raw materials and spare equipment parts at acceptable prices and in a timely manner. The most important raw material used in our production is silicon in the form of raw wafers, almost all of which are sourced from outside China. We currently purchase approximately 70.8% of our overall raw wafer requirements from our top three raw wafer suppliers. In addition, a portion of our gas and chemical requirements currently must be sourced from outside China. We may not be able to obtain adequate supplies of raw materials and spare parts in a timely manner and at a reasonable cost. In addition, from time to time, we may need to reject raw materials and parts that do not meet our specifications, resulting in potential delays or declines in output. If the supply of raw materials and necessary spare parts is substantially reduced or disrupted; if there are significant increases in their prices; or if the lead times for the supply of raw materials and necessary spare parts are extended, we may incur additional costs to acquire sufficient quantities of these parts and materials to maintain our production schedules and commitments to customers.

We outsource certain wafer manufacturing, assembly and testing services to third parties. Any delay or interruption in the provision of supplies and/or services could result in our inability to meet customer demand or fulfill contract terms, damage our reputation and customer relationships and adversely affect our business.

Our production may be interrupted, limited or delayed if we cannot maintain sufficient sources of fresh water and electricity, which could adversely affect our business and operating results.

The semiconductor fabrication process requires extensive amounts of fresh water and a stable source of electricity. As our production capabilities increase and our business grows, our requirements for these resources will grow substantially. While we have not, to date, experienced any instances of the lack of sufficient supplies of water or material disruptions in the electricity supply to any of our fabs, we may not have access to sufficient supplies of water and electricity to accommodate our planned growth. Droughts, pipeline interruptions, power interruptions, electricity shortages or government intervention, particularly in the form of rationing, are factors that could restrict our access to these utilities in the areas in which our fabs are located. In particular, our fabs in Tianjin and Beijing are located in areas that are susceptible to severe water shortages during the summer months. If there is an insufficient supply of fresh water or electricity to satisfy our requirements, we may need to limit or delay our production, which could adversely affect our business and operating results. In addition, a power outage, even of very limited duration, could result in a loss of wafers in production and deterioration in yield. In February 2016, a temporary power supply suspension occurred at our fabs in Beijing but it did not cause any casualty or equipment damage, and we don’t believe it had any material adverse financial impact on the Company.

Our operations may be delayed or interrupted due to natural disasters which could adversely affect our business and operating results.

We depend on suppliers of raw materials, such as silicon wafers, gases and chemicals, and spare equipment parts, in order to maintain our production processes in addition to requiring extensive amounts of fresh water and a stable source of electricity. The occurrence of natural disasters such as the April 2016 earthquake in Japan may disrupt this required access to goods and services provided by our suppliers as well as access to fresh water and electricity. As a result of such risk, our production could be limited or delayed due to the disruption of access to required supplies, in addition to possible damage caused to our manufacturing equipment and related infrastructure, which could adversely affect our business and operating results.

We are subject to the risk of damage due to fires or explosions because the materials we use in our manufacturing processes are highly flammable. Such damage could temporarily reduce our manufacturing capacity, thereby adversely affecting our business and operating results.

We use highly flammable materials such as silane and hydrogen in our manufacturing processes and are therefore subject to the risk of loss arising from explosions and fires. The risk of explosion and fire associated with these materials cannot be completely eliminated. Our comprehensive fire insurance and insurance for the loss of property and the loss of profit resulting from business interruption, may not be sufficient to cover all of our potential losses due to an explosion or fire. If any of our fabs were to be damaged or cease operations as a result of an explosion or fire, it could temporarily reduce our manufacturing capacity, which could adversely affect our business and operating results.

Our operations may be delayed or interrupted and our business could suffer as a result of steps we may be required to take in order to comply with environmental regulations.

We are subject to a variety of Chinese environmental regulations relating to the use, discharge and disposal of toxic or otherwise hazardous materials used in our production processes. Any failure or any claim that we have failed to comply with these regulations could cause delays in our production and capacity expansion and affect our company’s public image, either of which could harm our business. In addition, any failure to comply with these regulations could subject us to substantial fines or other liabilities or require us to suspend or adversely modify our operations.

Any new regulations or customer requirements related to climate change or environmental protection could negatively impact our operating results.

There is global concern that an increase in global average temperatures due to emissions of greenhouse gases (GHG) and other human activities have or will cause significant changes in weather patterns, including natural disasters. Such climate change creates risks, such as the physical risks of increased sea levels or extreme weather events, and the financial risks of causing adverse effects on our operations, financial condition, supply chain, increased manufacturing costs, or reduced demand for products believed to contribute to climate change.

We may become subject to legislation, regulation, or treaty obligations designed to address global climate change, Chinese air quality, and other environmental concerns. Compliance with any new rules could be difficult and costly, causing us to incur additional energy and environmental costs, as well as costs for defending and resolving legal claims.

Furthermore, continued serious air pollution in Chinese cities where we operate could pose long-term health risks to our employees and make recruiting and retaining employees more difficult.

Risks related to Our New Investment Fund

Our performance may be affected by the performance of our new investment fund and we may incur losses as a result of ineffective investment.

On February 27, 2014, our wholly owned subsidiary, SMIC Shanghai, established a wholly-owned investment fund in Shanghai which is called China IC Capital Co., Ltd, or the Fund. The Fund has an initial capital of RMB500 million, all funded by SMIC Shanghai. With an operating period of 15 years from the date of the issuance of its business license, the Fund is operated and managed by an equity investment management company named China Fortune-Tech Capital Co., Ltd, and established by SMIC Shanghai and an independent third party on February 27, 2014.

The Fund is intended to invest primarily in the integrated circuits industry but will also invest in other strategic emerging industries such as energy saving and environmental protection, information technology and new energy as well as some other traditional industries. While we generally expect China’s integrated circuits industry to develop rapidly in the next decade and we believe that the other industries we will invest in also have a promising prospect of development, uncertainties due to the slow recovery of the world economy, the global market demand and consumption behaviors may lead to weak market demand in the industries in which we may choose to invest and our investees may not be able to execute their business strategies as successfully as they expect.

As a result, there is no assurance that our investment will be successful. We may incur losses in our investments through the Fund and our overall financial results may be adversely affected by such failure in the Fund’s investment activities.

Risks Related to Conducting Operations in China

Our business is subject to extensive government regulation and benefits from certain government incentives, and changes in these regulations or incentives could adversely affect our business and operating results.

The Chinese government has broad discretion and authority to regulate the technology industry in China. China’s government has also implemented policies from time to time to regulate economic expansion in China. The economy of China has been transitioning from a planned economy to a market-oriented economy. Although in recent years the Chinese government has implemented measures emphasizing the utilization of market forces for economic reform, the reduction of state ownership of productive assets, and the establishment of sound corporate governance in business enterprises, a substantial portion of productive assets in China is still owned by the Chinese government. In addition, the Chinese government continues to play a significant role in regulating industrial development. It also exercises significant control over China’s economic growth through the allocation of resources, controlling payment of foreign currency- denominated obligations, setting monetary policy, and providing preferential treatment to particular industries or companies. New regulations or the readjustment of previously implemented regulations could require us to change our business plan, increase our costs or limit our ability to sell products and conduct activities in China, which could adversely affect our business and operating results.

In addition, the Chinese government and provincial and local governments have provided, and continue to provide, various incentives to domestic companies in the semiconductor industry, including our company, in order to encourage the development of the industry. Such incentives include tax rebates, reduced tax rates, favorable lending policies, and other measures. Any of these incentives could be reduced or eliminated by governmental authorities at any time, which would adversely affect our business and operating results.

We face uncertainty from PRC’s Circular on Strengthening the Management of Enterprise Income Tax Collection of Income Derived by Non-resident Enterprises from Equity Transfers.

The State Administration of Taxation of PRC issued the Public Notice of the State Administrative of Taxation Regarding Certain Corporate Income Tax Matters on Indirect Transfer of Properties by Non-Tax Resident Enterprises (“Circular No.7”) on February 3, 2015, which further regulates and enhances the administration of CIT on indirect transfer of the equity interest in a China Tax Resident Enterprise, or China TRE, and other properties in China by non-TREs. Please be reminded that Circular No. 7 takes effect from its issuance date (February 3, 2015). And the unsettled tax matters before the effective date shall follow the instructions of Circular No. 7.

Under Article 1 in Circular No. 7, where a Non-TRE indirectly transfers the equity interest in a China TRE and other properties in China through the implementation of a scheme without a reasonable commercial purpose and resulting in the avoidance of CIT liability, such indirect transfer should be re-characterized as a direct transfer of the equity interest in the TRE and other properties in China. In addition, under Circular No. 7, the “indirect transfer of taxable properties in China” should refer to the Non-TRE, through the transfer of the equity and other similar rights (“the equity”) of an overseas enterprise (not including overseas incorporated Chinese TREs) (“Overseas Enterprise”) which directly or indirectly owns taxable properties in China, generates the same or similar substantive outcome as compared with a direct transfer of taxable properties in China, including change in shareholder of an Overseas Enterprises resulting from restructurings of the Non-TRE. The Non-TRE who indirectly transfers taxable properties in China is referred as the “Equity Transferor”.

We do not believe that the transfer of our ordinary shares or ADSs by our non-PRC shareholders should be treated as an indirect transfer of equity interests in our PRC subsidiaries subject to Circular No. 7, as the share transfer is carried out for listing purpose and not carried for the main purposes of avoiding PRC taxes. However, Circular No.7 is relatively new and there is uncertainty as to the interpretation and application of Circular No.7 by the PRC tax authorities in practice. If you are required to pay PRC withholding tax on the transfer of our ordinary shares or ADSs, your investment in us may be materially and adversely affected. In addition, we cannot predict how Circular No.7 will affect our financial conditions or operations. For example, we may be required to expend valuable resources on complying with Circular No. 7 or establishing that we should not be taxed under Circular No.7, any of which could have an adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

Because our business is highly dependent on growth in the electronics manufacturing supply chain in China, any slowdown in this growth could adversely affect our business and operating results.

Our business is highly dependent upon the economy and the business environment in China. In particular, our growth strategy is based upon the assumption that demand in China for devices that use semiconductors will continue to grow. Therefore, any slowdown in the growth of consumer demand in China for products that use semiconductors, such as computers, mobile phones or other consumer electronics, could have a serious adverse effect on our business. In addition, our business plan assumes that an increasing number of non-Chinese IDMs, fabless semiconductor companies and systems companies will establish operations in China. Any decline in the rate of migration to China of semiconductor design companies or companies that require semiconductors as components for their products could adversely affect our business and operating results.

Limits placed on exports into China could harm our business and operating results.

The growth of our business depends on the ability of our suppliers to export and our ability to import, into China, equipment, materials, spare parts, process know-how and other technologies and hardware. Any burdensome new restrictions placed on the import and export of these items could adversely impact our growth and substantially harm our business. In particular, the international export control regime led by the United States requires our suppliers and us to obtain licenses to export and import, as applicable, certain of the above items. If we or our suppliers are unable to obtain such licenses in a timely manner, our business and operating results could be adversely affected.

Devaluation or appreciation in the value of the Renminbi or restrictions on convertibility of the Renminbi could adversely affect our business and operating results.

The value of the Renminbi is subject to changes in China’s governmental policies and to international economic and political developments. Since 1994, the conversion of Renminbi into foreign currencies, including Hong Kong and U.S. dollars, has been based on rates set by the People’s Bank of China, or the PBOC, which are set daily based on the previous day’s interbank foreign exchange market rates and current exchange rates on the world financial markets. The Renminbi to U.S. dollar exchange rate experienced significant volatility prior to 1994, including periods of sharp devaluation. On July 21, 2005, the PBOC announced an adjustment of the exchange rate of the U.S. dollar to Renminbi from 1:8.27 to 1:8.11 and modified the system by which the exchange rates are determined. The central parity rate of the

U.S. Dollar to Renminbi was set at 6.4936 on December 31, 2015 compared with 6.1190 on December 31, 2014 by the PBOC. The cumulative depreciation of the Renminbi against the U.S. dollar in 2015 was approximately 6.12%. There still remains significant international pressure on the PRC government to adopt an even more flexible currency policy, which could result in a further and more significant fluctuation of the Renminbi against the U.S. dollar. As a result, the exchange rate may become volatile and could have an adverse effect on our business and operating results.

In the past, financial markets in many Asian countries have experienced severe volatility and, as a result, some Asian currencies have experienced significant devaluation from time to time. The devaluation of some Asian currencies may have the effect of rendering exports from China more expensive and less competitive and therefore place pressure on China’s government to devalue the Renminbi. An appreciation in the value of the Renminbi could have a similar effect. Any devaluation of the Renminbi could result in an increase in volatility of Asian currency and capital markets. Future volatility of Asian financial markets could have an adverse impact on our ability to expand our product sales into Asian markets outside of China.

We receive a portion of our sales in Renminbi, which is currently not a freely convertible currency. For the year ended December 31, 2015, approximately 28.4% of our sales were denominated in Renminbi. While we have used these proceeds for the payment of our Renminbi expenses, we may in the future need to convert these sales into foreign currencies to allow us to purchase imported materials and equipment, particularly as we expect the proportion of our sales to China-based companies to increase in the future. Under China’s existing foreign exchange regulations, payments of current account items, including profit distributions, interest payments and expenditures from trade may be made in foreign currencies without government approval, except for certain procedural requirements. The Chinese government may, however, at its discretion, restrict access in the future to foreign currencies for current account transactions and prohibit us from converting our Renminbi sales into foreign currencies. If this were to occur, we may not be able to meet our foreign currency payment obligations.

China’s legal system embodies uncertainties that could adversely affect our business and operating results.

Since 1979, many new laws and regulations covering general economic matters have been promulgated in China. Despite this activity to develop a legal system, China’s system of laws has not been fully implemented. Even where adequate laws exist, enforcement of existing laws or contracts based on such laws may be uncertain and sporadic, and it may be difficult to obtain swift and equitable enforcement or to obtain enforcement of a judgment of another jurisdiction. The relative inexperience of China’s judiciary system in many cases creates additional uncertainty as to the outcome of any litigation. In addition, interpretation of statutes and regulations may be effected by government policies reflecting domestic political changes.

Our activities in China will be subject to administrative review and approval by various national and local Chinese government agencies. Because of the changes occurring in China’s legal and regulatory structure, we may not be able to timely secure the requisite governmental approval for our activities, which would adversely affect our business and operating results.

Our corporate structure may restrict our ability to receive dividends from, and transfer funds to, our Chinese operating subsidiaries, which could restrict our ability to act in response to changing market conditions and reallocate funds from one Chinese subsidiary to another in a timely manner.

We are a Cayman Islands holding company and substantially all of our operations are conducted through our Chinese operating subsidiaries, Semiconductor Manufacturing International (Shanghai) Corporation, or SMIC Shanghai, Semiconductor Manufacturing International (Beijing) Corporation, or SMIC Beijing, Semiconductor Manufacturing International (Tianjin) Corporation, or SMIC Tianjin, Semiconductor Manufacturing International (Shenzhen) Corporation, or SMIC Shenzhen, SMIC Advanced Technology Development & Research (Shanghai) Corporation, Semiconductor Manufacturing North China (Beijing) Corporation, or SMNC, and SJ Semiconductor (Jiangyin) Corporation, or SJ Jiangyin. The ability of these subsidiaries to distribute dividends and other payments to us may be restricted by factors that include changes in applicable foreign exchange and other laws and regulations. In particular, under Chinese law, these operating subsidiaries may only pay dividends after 10% of their net profit has been set aside as reserve funds, unless such reserves have reached at least 50% of their respective registered capital. In addition, the profit available for distribution from our Chinese operating subsidiaries is determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in China. This calculation may differ from the one performed in accordance with IFRS. As a result, we may not have sufficient distributions from our Chinese subsidiaries to enable necessary profit distributions to us or any distributions to our shareholders in the future.

Distributions by our Chinese subsidiaries to us may be subject to governmental approval and taxation. Any transfer of funds from us to our Chinese subsidiaries, either as a shareholder loan or as an increase in registered capital, is subject to registration or approval of Chinese governmental authorities, including the relevant administration of foreign exchange and/or the relevant examining and approval authority. In addition, it is not permitted under Chinese law for our Chinese subsidiaries to directly lend money to one another. Therefore, it is difficult to change our capital expenditures plans once the relevant funds have been remitted from us to our Chinese subsidiaries. These limitations on the free flow of funds between us and our Chinese subsidiaries could restrict our ability to act in response to changing market conditions and reallocate funds from one Chinese subsidiary to another in a timely manner.

Risks Related to Ownership of Our Shares and ADSs

Future sales of securities by us or our shareholders may decrease the value of your investment.

Future sales by us or our existing shareholders of substantial amounts of our ordinary shares or ADSs in the public markets could adversely affect market prices prevailing from time to time.

We cannot predict the effect, if any, of any such future sales or of the perception that any such future sales will occur, on the market price for our ordinary shares or ADSs.

Holders of our ADSs will not have the same voting rights as the holders of our shares and may not receive voting materials in time to be able to exercise their right to vote.

Holders of our ADSs may not be able to exercise voting rights attaching to the shares evidenced by our ADSs on an individual basis. Holders of our ADSs have appointed the depositary or its nominee as their representative to exercise the voting rights attaching to the shares represented by the ADSs. Holders of our ADSs may not receive voting materials in time to instruct the depositary to vote, and it is possible that holders of our ADSs, or persons who hold their ADSs through brokers, dealers or other third parties, will not have the opportunity to exercise a right to vote.

You may not be able to participate in rights offerings and may experience dilution of your holdings as a result.

We may from time to time distribute rights to our shareholders, including rights to acquire our securities. Under the deposit agreement for the ADSs, the depositary will not offer those rights to ADS holders unless both the rights and the underlying securities to be distributed to ADS holders are either registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, or exempt from registration under the Securities Act with respect to all holders of ADSs. We are under no obligation to file a registration statement with respect to any such rights or underlying securities or to endeavor to cause such a registration statement to be declared effective. In addition, we may not be able to take advantage of any exemptions from registration under the Securities Act. Accordingly, holders of our ADSs may be unable to participate in our rights offerings and may experience dilution in their holdings as a result.

The laws of the Cayman Islands and China may not provide our shareholders with benefits provided to shareholders of corporations incorporated in the United States.

Our corporate affairs are governed by our memorandum and articles of association, and by the Companies Law, as revised from time to time, and the common law of the Cayman Islands. The rights of shareholders to take action against our directors, actions by minority shareholders and the fiduciary responsibilities of our directors to us under Cayman Islands law are to a large extent governed by the common law of the Cayman Islands. The common law in the Cayman Islands is derived in part from comparatively limited judicial precedent in the Cayman Islands and from English common law, the decisions of whose courts are of persuasive authority but are not binding on a court in the Cayman Islands. The rights of our shareholders and the fiduciary responsibilities of our directors under Cayman Islands law are not as clearly established as they would be under statutes or judicial precedents in the United States. In particular, the Cayman Islands have a less developed body of securities laws as compared to the United States. Therefore, our public shareholders may have more difficulty protecting their interests in the face of actions by our management, directors or controlling shareholders than would shareholders of a corporation incorporated in a jurisdiction in the United States. In addition, Cayman Islands companies may not have standing to initiate a shareholder derivative action before the federal courts of the United States.

It may be difficult to enforce any judgment obtained in the United States against our company, which may limit the remedies otherwise available to our shareholders.

Substantially all of our assets are located outside the United States. Almost all of our current operations are conducted in China. Moreover, a number of our directors and officers are nationals or residents of countries other than the United States. All or a substantial portion of the assets of these persons are located outside the United States. As a result, it may be difficult for a person to effect service of process within the United States upon these persons. In addition, there is uncertainty as to whether the courts of the Cayman Islands or China would recognize or enforce judgments of U.S. courts obtained against us or such persons predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the securities law of the United States or any state thereof, or be competent to hear original actions brought in the Cayman Islands or China, respectively, against us or such persons predicated upon the securities laws of the United States or any state thereof. See “Item 4.B — Information on the Company — Business Overview — Enforceability of Civil Liabilities.

Item 4. Information on the Company

We were established as an exempted company under the laws of the Cayman Islands on April 3, 2000. Our legal name is Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation. Our principal place of business is 18 Zhangjiang Road, Pudong New Area, Shanghai, China, 201203; telephone number: (86) 21-3861-0000. Our registered office is located at PO Box 309, Ugland House, Grand Cayman, KY1-1104, Cayman Islands. Since March 18, 2004, we have been listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “SMI” and the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong under the stock code “0981.HK”. CT Corporation System is our agent in the United States of America and its address is 818, West 7th street, 2nd Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90017, U.S.A.

We are now the largest and most advanced semiconductor foundry in mainland China. We operate wafer fabrication facilities in China, including facilities at Beijing, Shanghai, Tianjin and Shenzhen, with an aggregate capacity of up to 284,250 8-inch wafer equivalents per month.

Since the third quarter of 2015, SMIC Shenzhen, which is principally engaged in, among others, the testing, development, design, manufacturing, packaging and sale of integrated circuits and is expected to establish and build up significant manufacturing capacity, had entered into mass production and had reached an installed capacity of 13,000 8-inch wafers per month at the end of 2015.

Since the fourth quarter of 2015, SMNC, our majority-owned subsidiary in Beijing, is principally engaged in, among others, the testing, development, design, manufacturing, packaging and sale of integrated circuits and is expected to establish and build up significant manufacturing capacity with a focus on 45-nanometer and finer technologies, had entered into mass production and had reached an installed capacity of 6,000 12-inch wafers per month at the end of 2015.

On December 22, 2014, (i) SilTech Shanghai, one of our indirectly wholly-owned subsidiary; (ii) JCET; and (iii) China IC Fund entered into a co-investment agreement to form an investment consortium in connection with the proposed acquisition of STATS ChipPAC, a leading provider of advanced semiconductor packaging and test services in the world and a company incorporated in the Republic of Singapore, shares of which were listed on the Singapore Exchange Securities Trading Limited. On June 18, 2015, according to the co-investment agreement, we invested US$102 million as a capital contribution for 19.6% equity interest in Changjiang Xinke, a company incorporated in Jiangsu province, China, which is accounted as an associate of the Group. The acquisition was completed in the second half of 2015.

On June 23, 2015, Huawei, Qualcomm Global Trading Pte. Ltd. (“Qualcomm”), IMEC International (“IMEC”) and we jointly issued a press release in relation to the formation of SMIC Advanced Technology Research & Development (Shanghai) Corporation, an equity joint venture company. The joint venture company will focus on R&D towards next generation CMOS logic technology and is designed to build China’s most advanced integrated circuit (IC) development R&D platform. SMIC Advanced Technology R&D (Shanghai) Corporation is majority owned by SMIC, while Huawei, IMEC, and Qualcomm are minority shareholders. The current focus of the joint venture company is on developing 14nm logic technology.

We spent approximately US$770 million, US$1,014 million and US$1,573 million to construct, equip and ramp up our fabs in 2013, 2014 and 2015, respectively. Currently, the planned capital expenditures in 2016 for foundry operations are approximately US$2.1 billion, which are mainly for 1) the expansion of capacity in 12-inch fab in SMNC, 8-inch fab in SMIC Shenzhen, 12-inch fab in SMIC Shanghai and a new majority-owned 12-inch joint venture fab with bumping services in SJ Jiangyin, 2) a new majority-owned joint venture company, which will focus on research and development on 14nm logic technology and 3) research and development equipment, mask shops and intellectual property acquisition. In addition, we have budgeted approximately US$60 million as the 2016 capital expenditures for non-foundry operations mainly for the construction of living quarters for employees as part of our employee retention program. The primary sources of capital resources and liquidity include funds generated from a combination of cash from operations, bank borrowings and debt or equity issuances and other forms of financing.

We provide integrated circuit (IC) foundry and technology services at 0.35-micron to 28-nanometer. Headquartered in Shanghai, China, we position ourselves as the most advanced and diversified foundry in mainland China to address the mainland China semiconductor needs. Currently, we have a 300mm wafer fabrication facility (fab) and a 200mm mega-fab in Shanghai, a 300mm mega-fab and a second majority-owned 300mm fab for advance nodes in Beijing, a 200mm fab in Tianjin, and a 200mm fab in Shenzhen.

We also have customer service and marketing offices in the U.S., Europe, Japan, and Taiwan, and a representative office in Hong Kong.

The table below sets forth a summary of our current fabs:

In addition to wafer fabrication, our service offerings include a comprehensive portfolio consisting of IC design libraries, circuit design blocks, design support, mask-making, wafer probing and gold/solder bumping. We have a majority-owned factory for 300mm wafer bumping and testing services in Jiangyin. We also work with our partners to provide IC assembly and testing services.

We have a global and diversified customer base that includes some of the world’s leading IDMs and fabless semiconductor companies.

Our Products and Services

Manufacturing of Wafers and Our Manufacturing Capacity

We currently manufacture silicon wafers based on proprietary designs provided by our customers or third party designers.

The following table sets forth the historical capacity and utilization rate of our wafer fabrication and facilities (all output and capacity data is provided as 8-inch wafers or 8-inch wafer equivalents per month):

Our factories manufacture the following types of semiconductors:

The following table sets forth a percentage breakdown of wafer sales by process technology for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015 and each of the quarters in the year ended December 31, 2015:

Our Integrated Solutions

In addition to wafer fabrication, we provide our customers with a range of complementary services, from circuit design support and mask-making to wafer level probing and testing. This range of services is supported by our network of partners that assist in providing design, probing, final testing, packaging, assembly and distribution services.

The diagram below sets forth our service model and our key points of interaction with our customers:

Design Support Services

Our design support services provide our customers with access to the fundamental technology files and libraries that facilitate customers’ own integrated circuit design. We also offer design reference flows and access to our design center alliance, as well as layout services to our customers. In addition, we collaborate with industry leaders in electronic design automation, library and IP (intellectual property) services to create a worldwide network of expertise, resources and services that are available to our customers.

Libraries and Intellectual Property

As part of the fundamental building blocks for our customers’ integrated circuit designs, we have a dedicated team of engineers who work with our research and development department to develop, license or acquire from third parties selected key libraries and intellectual property so that our customers can quickly design sophisticated integrated circuits that utilize our new process technologies. These include standard cell, I/O, memory compilers, embedded memory, high- speed interface, peripheral controllers, and embedded processors, among others, using 0.35 micron down to 28 nanometer process technologies. They have been developed primarily through our third party alliances, as well as by our internal research and development team, to facilitate easy design and fast integration into the overall design system. Our library partners include ARM, Synopsys, Inc., VeriSilicon, and InnoPower.

Mask-making Services

While most of our mask-making services are for customers who use our wafer fabrication services, we also produce masks for other domestic and overseas fabs as a separate revenue- generating service.

Our mask-making facility, which is located in Shanghai, includes a 4,400 square meters clean room with up to class I specifications. At present, our mask shop offers both five-inch by five-inch, six-inch by six-inch and seven-inch circular reticles. Our facility is capable of producing binary masks, optical proximity correction masks and phase shift masks. Our mask facility also offers mask repair services.

Wafer Probing, Bumping, Assembly and Testing Services

We have our own probing facility in Shanghai that provides test program development, probe card fabrication, wafer probing, failure analysis, and failure testing. We also outsource these services to our partners.

Our probing facility in Shanghai occupies a clean room space of 3,300 square meters, which is rated at Class 1000 cleanliness equipped with advanced testers, probers and laser repair machines. We have experienced engineers to provide test solution development, probe card fabrication, wafer probing, characterization and failure analysis services for most of eMemory, Logics, SoC, Mix-Signal, CIS and MEMS applications. In addition, we have a majority-owned factory for 300mm wafer bumping and testing services in Jiangyin, which have not entered into mass production as of 2015 year-end.

We have established a network of partners that provide additional probing and bumping services, as well as assembly and testing services, to serve our customers. These partners, which include worldwide and domestic leading assembly and testing companies, have helped to enhance the range of services that we are able to offer our customers.

Customers and Markets

We categorize our sales geographically based on the headquarters of customer operations and not related to shipment destination. The following table sets forth the geographical distribution of our sales and percentage of sales for 2013, 2014 and 2015:

* Excluding Mainland China and Hong Kong

The following table sets forth the breakdown of our operating revenue by product and service type for 2013, 2014 and 2015:

We have a global and diversified customer base that includes IDMs, fabless semiconductor companies and systems companies. A significant portion of our sales is attributable to a relatively small number of our customers. For the year ended December 31, 2015, our five largest customers accounted for 52.8% of our total sales.

The following table sets forth a breakdown of our sales by application type for 2013, 2014 and 2015:

Intellectual Property, Patents

We have several thousand patents and patent applications, in addition to third party licenses. Research and development is important for us to maintain our competitiveness. We also have various trademark registrations worldwide. However, we are not dependent on any single patent, license, or trademark, or any group of related patents, licenses or trademarks. Please also see “Research and Development, Patents and Licenses, etc.” on page 68.

Competition and Marketing Channels

We compete internationally and domestically in mainland China with dedicated foundry service providers, as well as with semiconductor companies that allocate a portion of their fabrication capacity to foundry operations. While different players in the wafer foundry market may compete on factors such as technical competence, production speed and cycle time, time-to-market, research and development quality, available capacity, yields, customer service and price, we seek to compete on the basis of process technology capabilities, performance, quality, service and price. The level of competition differs according to the process technology involved.

Our competitors are other pure-play foundries such as TSMC, UMC and Global Foundries. Another group of potential competitors consists of IDMs that have established their own foundry capabilities including Fujitsu Limited and Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

We have customer service and marketing offices located in the United States, Europe, Japan, mainland China and Taiwan and a representative office in Hong Kong. Our mainland China offices serve mainland China, Hong Kong and other non- Japan, non-Taiwan Asian markets, our U.S. office serves the North American market, our Taiwan office serves the Taiwan market and our Europe and Japan offices serve the European and Japanese markets, respectively. We also sell some products through sales agents in selected markets.

Some of our competitors have established operations in mainland China in order to compete for the growing domestic market in China. TSMC has its own fab in Shanghai and recently entered into an investment agreement with the Government of Nanjing for an investment project to build a wholly-owned 12-inch wafer manufacturing facility and a design service center in Nanjing. UMC has its majority-owned fab in Suzhou and has a 12-inch joint venture fab in Xiamen currently under construction. In these cases, we understand that the ability of these fabs to manufacture wafers using certain more advanced technologies is subject to restrictions by the respective home jurisdiction of TSMC and UMC; however, such restrictions could be reduced or lifted at any time, which may lead to increased competition in China with such competitors and adversely affect our business and operating results.

Business Seasonality

In general, semiconductor foundry business is subject to seasonal behavior patterns in which business normally would peak in the third quarter of a calendar year and bottom in the first quarter.

Raw Materials

Our fabrication processes uses many raw materials, primarily silicon wafers, chemicals, gases, and various types of precious and other metals. Raw material costs constituted 24%, 24% and 28% of our manufacturing costs in 2013, 2014 and 2015, respectively.

The three largest components of raw material costs - raw wafers, chemicals and gases - accounted for approximately 36%, 26%, and 10%, respectively, of our raw material costs in 2013, approximately 36%, 27% and 9%, respectively, of our raw material costs in 2014, and approximately 34%, 27% and 9%, respectively, of our raw material costs in 2015. Most of our raw materials generally are available from several suppliers, but substantially all of our principal materials requirements must currently be sourced from outside China.

The most important raw material used in our production is silicon in the form of raw wafers. In 2015, we purchased approximately 70.8% of our overall raw wafer requirements from our three major raw wafer suppliers. The prices of our principal raw material are not considered to be volatile.

For 2015, our largest and five largest raw materials suppliers accounted for approximately 10.4% and 39.0%, respectively, of our overall raw materials purchases. For 2014, our largest and five largest raw materials suppliers accounted for approximately 11.4% and 42.0%, respectively, of our overall raw materials purchases. For 2013, our largest and five largest raw materials suppliers accounted for approximately 12.2% and 40.7%, respectively, of our overall raw materials purchases. Our largest two raw materials supplier were the same in last three years. Most of our materials are imported free of value-added tax and import duties due to concessions granted to our industry in China.

Electricity and Water

We use substantial amounts of electricity in our manufacturing process. This electricity is sourced from Pudong Electricity Corporation, Beijing Municipal Electricity Department, Tianjin Municipal Electricity Department, Shenzhen PanGuShi Municipal Electricity Department and Jiangyin Municipal Electricity Department for our facilities located in Shanghai, Beijing, Tianjin, Shenzhen and Jiangyin, respectively. We maintain Uninterrupted Power Supply systems and emergency back-up generators to power life safety and critical equipment and systems for emergencies.

The semiconductor manufacturing process also uses extensive amounts of fresh water. We source our fresh water for our Shanghai mega-fab and 12-inch fab from Pudong Veolia Water Corporation Limited, for our Beijing mega-fab from Beijing Waterworks Group Co. Ltd., for our Tianjin fab from the Tianjin Municipal Water Department, for our majority-owned Beijing fab from Beijing Yixing High Quality Regeneration Water Co. Ltd., for our Shenzhen fab from Grand Industrial Zone Water Company of Shenzhen and for our majority-owned Jiangyin fab with bumping services from Jiangsu Jiangnan Water Co. Ltd. Because Beijing and Tianjin are subject to potential water shortages in the summer, our fabs in Beijing and Tianjin are equipped with back-up reservoirs. Our fab located in Shenzhen is also equipped with back-up reservoirs to avoid unpredictable water shortages. We have taken steps to reduce fresh water consumption in our fabs and capture rainwater for use at our Beijing and Tianjin facilities, and our water recycling systems in most of our fabs allow us to recycle up to 80% of the water used during the manufacturing process. The Beijing and Tianjin sites are also equipped to use recycled/treated industrial waste water for non-critical operations.

Regulation

The integrated circuit industry in China is subject to substantial regulation by the Chinese government. This section sets forth a summary of the most significant Chinese regulations that affect our business in China.

Preferential Industrial Policies Relating to ICPEs (“Integrated Circuit Production Enterprises”)

ICPEs which are duly accredited in accordance with relevant laws and regulations may qualify for preferential industrial policies. Under the Integrated Circuit Policies, accreditation of ICPEs is determined by the competent examination and approval authorities responsible for integrated circuit projects after consultation with relevant taxation authorities. Under the Accreditation Measures, an integrated circuit enterprise refers to an independent legal entity duly established in the PRC (except for Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan) engaging in the fabrication, package, or testing of integrated circuit chips and the production of mono-crystalline silicon of six inches or above, excluding the integrated circuit design enterprise. The accreditation of ICPEs is included in the accreditation of the integrated circuit enterprises. Such accreditation is determined by the competent authorities consisting of the National Development and Reform Commission, the Ministry of Information Industry (now Ministry of Industry and Information Technology), the State Administration of Taxation and the General Administration of Customs, which jointly designate the China Semiconductor Industrial Association as the accreditation institution. Any enterprise qualified under the requirements set forth in the Accreditation Measures is entitled to apply to the China Semiconductor Association for the Accreditation of the ICPEs. The accreditation of ICPEs is annually reviewed. If the enterprise fails to apply for the annual review in time, it shall be deemed as giving up such accreditation and if the enterprise fails in the annual review, the accreditation will also be canceled.

SMIC Shanghai, SMIC Beijing, SMIC Tianjin, SMIC Shenzhen, SMNC and SJ Jiangyin have been accredited as ICPEs and are entitled to the preferential industrial policies described below.

Encouragement of Domestic Investment in ICPEs

Pursuant to the Interim Provisions on Promoting Industrial Structure Adjustment, or the Interim Provisions, issued by the State Council on December 2, 2005, and the Catalogue for the Guidance of Industrial Structure Adjustment, or the Guidance Catalogue, which is the basis and criteria for implementing the Interim Provisions, issued by the National Development and Reform Commission and all the State Council Institutions on March 27, 2011 and amended on February 16, 2013 and March 10, 2015, the Chinese government encourages (i) the design of integrated circuits, (ii) the fabrication of integrated circuits with a line width of less than 0.11 micron (including 0.11 micron) and (iii) the advanced packaging and testing of BGA, PGA, CSP and MCM. Under the Interim Provisions, imported equipment that is used for a qualifying domestic investment project and that falls within such project’s approved total investment amount is exempt from custom duties except for such equipment listed in the Catalogue of Import Commodities for Domestic Investment Projects Not Entitled to Tax Exemptions, as stipulated by the State Council and amended in 2006, 2008 and 2012, as well as in the General Administration of Customs’ announcement on the relevant matters arising from the implementation of the Industrial Restructuring Guidance Catalogue (2011) by the customs (Announcement No. 36 [2011]of the General Administration of Customs) and the Notice of the State Council on Adjusting the Taxation Policies for Imported Equipment (Guo Fa [1997] No.37).

Encouragement of Foreign Investment in ICPEs

Pursuant to the Integrated Circuit Policies and the Guideline Catalogue of Foreign Investment Industries promulgated jointly by the State Development and Reform Commission and the Ministry of Commerce on March 10, 2015, the following foreign investment categories are encouraged:

Foreign investment in such encouraged projects may enjoy preferential treatment as stipulated by the laws and regulations.

Preferential Taxation Policies

SMIC is incorporated in the Cayman Islands and not currently subject to taxation in the Cayman Islands.

The Law of the People’s Republic of China on Enterprise Income Tax (“EIT Law”) was promulgated on March 16, 2007, which became effective January 1, 2008. Under the EIT Law, domestically-owned enterprises and foreign-invested enterprises (“FIEs”) are subject to a uniform tax rate of 25%, except where a special preferential rate applies. The EIT Law provides a five-year transition period starting from its effective date for those companies which were established before the promulgation date of the EIT Law and which were entitled to a preferential lower tax rate under the then effective tax laws or regulations. In accordance with regulations issued by the State Council, the tax rate of such companies may gradually transit to the uniform tax rate within the transition period. For those companies which are enjoying tax holidays, such tax holidays may continue until their expiration in accordance with the regulations issued by the State Council, but where the tax holiday has not yet started because of losses, such tax holiday shall be deemed to commence from the first effective year of the EIT Law.

Pursuant to Caishui Circular [2008] No. 1 (“Circular No. 1”) promulgated on February 22, 2008, integrated circuit production enterprises whose total investment exceeds RMB8,000 million (approximately US$1,095 million) or whose integrated circuits have a line width of less than 0.25 micron are entitled to a preferential tax rate of 15%. Enterprises with an operation period of more than 15 years are entitled to a full exemption from income tax for five years starting from the first profitable year after utilizing all prior years’ tax losses and 50% reduction of the tax for the following five years. Pursuant to Caishui Circular [2009] No. 69 (“Circular No. 69”), the 50% reduction should be based on the statutory tax rate of 25%.

On January 28, 2011, the State Council of China issued Guofa [2011] No. 4 (“Circular No. 4”), the Notice on Certain Policies to Further Encourage the Development of the Software and Integrated Circuit Industries which reinstates the EIT incentives stipulated by Circular No. 1 for the software and integrated circular enterprises.

On April 20, 2012, State Tax Bureau issued Cai Shui [2012] No. 27 (“Circular No. 27”), stipulating the income tax policies for the development of integrated circuit industry. Circular No. 1 was partially abolished by Circular No. 27 and the preferential taxation policy in Circular No. 1 was replaced by Circular No. 27.

On July 25, 2013, State Tax Bureau issued [2013] No. 43 (“Circular No.43”), clarifying that the assertion and preferential tax policy of integrated circuit enterprise established before December 31, 2010, is pursuant to Circular No.1.

Preferential Policies Encouraging Research and Development

The EIT Law and the Implementation Regulations of the EIT Law have provided tax incentives in relation to technologies as a means to encourage advancement and adoption of new technologies. The EIT Law provides an additional 50% deduction of the research and development expenses incurred from the research and development of new technologies, new products, and new techniques on the basis of the actual deductions when relevant enterprise has no intangible asset to be formed and calculated into the current gains and losses. R&D super deduction is subject to certain application with the in-charge tax bureau with other supporting documents (i.e. specialized R&D audit report, etc.).

Legal Framework Concerning the Protection of Intellectual Property Relating to Integrated Circuits

China has formulated various laws and regulations on intellectual property protection in respect of integrated circuits including:

Protection of the Layout Design of Integrated Circuits

Under the Layout Design Regulations, layout design of an integrated circuit refers to a three dimensional configuration in an integrated circuit that has two or more components, with at least one of these being an active component, and part or all of the interconnected circuitry or the three-dimensional configuration prepared for the production of integrated circuits.

Chinese natural persons, legal persons or other organizations that create layout designs are entitled to the proprietary rights in the layout designs in accordance with the Layout Design Regulations. Foreign persons or enterprises that create layout designs and have them first put into commercial use in China are entitled to the proprietary rights in the layout designs in accordance with the Layout Design Regulations. Foreign persons or enterprises that create layout designs and that are from a country that has signed agreements with China regarding the protection of layout designs, or is a party to an international treaty concerning the protection of layout designs to which China is also a party, are entitled to the proprietary rights of the layout designs in accordance with the Layout Design Regulations.

Proprietary Rights in Layout Design of Integrated Circuits

Holders of proprietary rights in a layout design are entitled to the following proprietary rights:

Proprietary rights in layout designs become valid after being registered with the administrative department of the State Council responsible for intellectual property. Unregistered layout designs are not protected by the Layout Design Regulations.

The protection period of the proprietary rights in a layout design is ten years, commencing from the date of the application for registration of the layout design or the date that it is first put into commercial use anywhere in the world, whichever is earlier. However, regardless of whether or not a layout design is registered, or whether or not it is put into commercial use, it is not protected after 15 years from the time of its creation.

Registration of a Layout Design

The administrative departments of the State Council responsible for intellectual property are responsible for the registration of layout designs and accepting applications for the registration of layout designs. If an application for a layout design registration is not made with the administrative department of the State Council responsible for intellectual property within two years after it has been first put into commercial use anywhere in the world, the administrative department of the State Council responsible for intellectual property will not register the application. A holder of proprietary rights in a layout design may transfer the proprietary rights or give permission for other parties to use the layout design.

Compulsory Licenses for Exploitation of Patents in Respect of Semiconductor Technology

Under the Patent Law and the Implementing Regulations of the Patent Law, three years after a patent right is granted and four years after a patent application is filed, any person or enterprise that has made good faith reasonable proposals to the holder of proprietary rights seeking a license to such right, but has been unable to obtain such license after an extended period of time, may request the administrative department responsible for patents under the State Council to grant a compulsory license for the relevant patent, provided that the patent owner fails to exploit or fails to adequately exploit the patent without justified reasons. However, where a compulsory license involves semiconductor technology, the implementation of a compulsory license is restricted to public and non-commercial uses, or to uses that counteract anti- competitive actions, as determined by judicial or administrative procedures.

PRC Tax for “Resident Enterprises”

Under China’s EIT Law, an enterprise established under the laws of non-PRC jurisdictions, but whose “de facto management body” is located in the PRC is treated as a resident enterprise for PRC tax purpose. If we are classified as a “resident enterprise” in China, we could be subject to unfavorable tax consequences to us and our non-PRC shareholders. The implementing rules of the EIT Law define de facto management bodies as “management bodies that exercises substantial and overall management and control over the production and operations, personnel, accounting, and properties” of the enterprise. In April 2009, the State Administration of Taxation further specified criteria for the determination of the location of ‘‘de facto management bodies’’ for foreign enterprises, which include: (i) the enterprise’s day-to-day operational management is primarily exercised in the PRC, (ii) decisions relating to the enterprise’s financial and human resource matters are made or subject to approval by organizations or personnel in the PRC, (iii) the enterprise’s primary assets, accounting books and records, company seals, and board and shareholders’ meeting minutes are located or maintained in the PRC and (iv) 50% or more of voting board members or senior executives of the enterprise habitually reside in the PRC.

If the PRC tax authorities determine that our Cayman Islands holding company is a “resident enterprise” for PRC enterprise income tax purposes, a number of unfavorable PRC tax consequences could follow. First, we may be subject to enterprise income tax at a rate of 25% on our worldwide taxable income as well as PRC enterprise income tax reporting obligations. Second, although under the EIT Law and its implementing rules dividends income between qualified resident enterprises is tax exempted income, it is not clear how a qualified resident enterprise which is incorporated overseas would be treated under the EIT Law. Finally, it is possible that future guidance issued with respect to the “resident enterprise” classification could result in a situation in which a 10% withholding tax is imposed on dividends we pay to our non-PRC shareholders and with respect to gains derived by our non-PRC shareholders from transferring our shares or ADSs. Similarly, these unfavorable consequences could apply to our other overseas intermediary holding companies if they are classified as PRC resident enterprises.

Environmental Regulations

Our Chinese subsidiaries are subject to a variety of Chinese environmental laws and regulations promulgated by the central and local governments, for example, the Environmental Protection Law of the People's Republic of China, effective December 26, 1989 and amended on April 24, 2014, effective January 1, 2015, concerning examination and acceptance of environmental protection measures in construction projects, the use, discharge and disposal of toxic and hazardous materials, the discharge and disposal of waste water, solid waste, and waste gases, control of industrial noise and fire prevention. These laws and regulations set out detailed procedures that must be implemented throughout a project’s construction and operation phases.

A key document that must be submitted for the approval of a project’s construction is an environmental impact assessment report that is reviewed by the relevant environmental protection authorities. Upon completion of construction, and prior to commencement of operations, an additional examination and acceptance by the relevant environmental authority of such projects is also required. Within one month after receiving approval of the environmental impact assessment report, a semiconductor manufacturer is required to apply to and register with the competent environmental authority the types and quantities of liquid, solid and gaseous wastes it plans to discharge, the manner of discharge or disposal, as well as the level of industrial noise and other related factors. If the above wastes and noise are found by the authorities to have been managed within regulatory levels, renewable discharge registrations for the above wastes and noise are then issued for a specified period of time. SMIC Shanghai, SMIC Beijing, SMIC Tianjin, SMIC Shenzhen, SMNC and SJ Jiangyin have all received approval with respect to their relevant environmental impact assessment reports and discharge registrations.

From time to time during the operation of our Chinese subsidiaries, and also prior to renewal of the necessary discharge registrations, the relevant environmental protection authority will monitor and audit the level of environmental protection compliance of these subsidiaries. Discharge of liquid, solid or gaseous waste over permitted levels may result in imposition of fines, imposition of a time period within which rectification must occur or even suspension of operations.

Enforceability of Civil Liabilities

We are a Cayman Islands holding company. We are incorporated in the Cayman Islands because of the following benefits associated with being a Cayman Islands corporation:

However, the Cayman Islands have a less developed body of securities laws as compared to the United States and provide significantly less protection for investors. In addition, Cayman Islands companies may not have standing to initiate a shareholder derivative action before the federal courts of the United States. Substantially all of our assets are located outside the United States. In addition, most of our directors and officers are nationals and/or residents of countries other than the United States, and all or a substantial portion of our or such persons’ assets are located outside the United States. As a result, it may be difficult for a shareholder to effect service of process within the United States upon us or such persons or to enforce against them or against us, judgments obtained in United States courts, including judgments predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the securities laws of the United States or any state thereof.

Conyers Dill & Pearman (Cayman) Limited, our counsel as to Cayman Islands law, Slaughter and May, our counsel as to Hong Kong law, and Shanghai BaoHua & Shanghai JunHeHeng, our counsels as to Chinese law, have advised us that there is uncertainty as to whether the courts of the Cayman Islands, Hong Kong and China, respectively, would:

Conyers Dill & Pearman (Cayman) Limited has further advised us that a final and conclusive judgment in the federal or state courts of the United States under which a sum of money is payable, other than a sum payable in respect of taxes, fines, penalties or similar charges, may be subject to enforcement proceedings as a debt in the Courts of the Cayman Islands under the common law doctrine of obligation.

We operate primarily through SMIC Shanghai, SMIC Beijing, SMIC Tianjin, SMIC Shenzhen, SMNC and SJ Jiangyin in China. The chart below sets forth also our other significant operating subsidiaries or affiliates, including their jurisdictions of incorporation and principal activities as of December 31, 2015:

*For identification purposes only.

# Companies registered as wholly-owned foreign enterprises in the People’s Republic of China. (PRC) excluding for the purpose of this report, Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan.

Equipment

The quality and level of technology of the equipment used in the semiconductor fabrication process are important because they dictate the limits of the process technology that we use. Advances in process technology cannot be achieved without corresponding advances in equipment technology. The principal pieces of equipment used by us to fabricate semiconductors are scanners, cleaners and track equipment, inspection equipment, etchers, furnaces, wet stations, strippers, implanters, sputterers, CVD equipment, testers and probers. We source substantially all of our equipment from vendors located in the United States, Europe and Japan.

In implementing our capacity expansion and technology advancement plans, we expect to make significant purchases of equipment required for semiconductor fabrication. Some of the equipment is available from a limited number of vendors and/or is manufactured in relatively limited quantities, and in some cases has only recently become commercially available. Our ability to obtain certain kinds of equipment from outside of China may be subject to restrictions. See “Risk Factors — Risks Related to Conducting Operations in China—Limits placed on exports into China could substantially harm our business and operating results.”

We maintain our equipment through a combination of in-house maintenance and outside contracting to our equipment vendors. We decide whether to maintain ourselves, or subcontract the maintenance of, a particular piece of equipment based on a variety of factors, including cost, complexity and regularity of the required periodic maintenance and the availability of maintenance personnel in China. Most of our equipment vendors offer maintenance services through technicians based in China.

Property

The following table sets forth the location, size and primary use of our real properties and whether such real properties are owned or leased.

Our right to continued use of the land is subject to our continued compliance with the land use agreement that each of our Chinese subsidiaries has executed. The Chinese government has reserved the right to revoke our land use rights for special eminent domain purposes, in which case the government will compensate us. In addition, pursuant to our domestic bank loan agreements, SMIC Shanghai had pledged a portion of its land use right to the lenders. See “Item 5 — Operating and Financial Review and Prospects — Liquidity and Capital Resources.”

For further discussion concerning our capacity, capacity utilization rate and capacity expansion plans, please see “Item 5 — Operating and Financial Review and Prospects — Factors that Impact our Results of Operations.”

Environmental Matters

The semiconductor production process generates gaseous chemical wastes, liquid waste, waste water, and other industrial wastes in various stages of the fabrication process. We have installed various types of pollution control equipment for the treatment of gaseous chemical waste and liquid waste and equipment for the recycling of treated water in our fabs. Our operations are subject to regulation and periodic monitoring by the PRC’s State Environmental Protection Bureau, as well as local environmental protection authorities, including those under the Shanghai Pudong Municipal Government, the Beijing Municipal Government, the Tianjin Municipal Government, the Shenzhen Municipal Government and the Jiangyin Municipal Government, which may in some cases, establish stricter standards than those imposed by the State Environmental Protection Bureau. The Chinese national and local environmental laws and regulations impose fees for the discharge of waste substances above prescribed levels, require the payment of fines for serious violations, and authorize the Chinese national and local governments to suspend any facility that fails to comply with orders requiring it to cease or remedy operations causing environmental damage. No such penalties have been imposed on us or any of our subsidiaries for violations of environmental pollution.

We believe our pollution control measures are effective and comply with the requirements applicable to the semiconductor industry in China and comparable to other countries. Waste generated from our operations, including acid waste, alkaline waste, flammable waste, toxic waste, oxidizing waste and self-igniting waste, are collected and sorted for proper disposal. Furthermore, we have in many cases implemented waste reduction steps beyond the scope of current regulatory requirements. In addition, we continuously investigate methods to lower our energy consumption, including making existing processes more efficient and reclaiming waste heat.

The ISO 14001 standard is a voluntary standard and part of a comprehensive series of standards for environmental management published by the International Standards Organization. The ISO 14001 standard covers environmental management principles, systems and supporting techniques. SMIC first received ISO 14001 certification in August 2002.

In addition, all fabs currently in operation have been QC 080000 certified to be compliant with the hazardous substances management directives such as RoHS (Restriction of the use of certain Hazardous Substances in electrical and electronic equipment), which bans the use of various chemicals determined to be harmful to humans and the environment. The Jiangyin site plans to apply for ISO14001 and QC080000 certification in the future.

We are also proactively protecting the environment by implementing energy saving measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In order to calculate our greenhouse gas output and to reach a reduction goal, all SMIC sites obtained ISO 14064 certification since 2010. ISO 14064 is an international standard against which greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reports are voluntarily verified. SMIC Shenzhen and SMNC entered into mass production in 2015 and they plan to apply for the ISO14064 certification by 2017. Once the Jiangyin site is in mass production, it will also apply for the ISO14064 certification.

Item 4A. Unresolved Staff Comments

Not applicable

Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects

The following discussion of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and the related notes prepared in accordance with IFRS as described in “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” as of, and for the years ended, December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015. 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.D - Key Information—Risk Factors” in this annual report on Form 20-F. We caution you that our businesses and financial performance are subject to substantial risks and uncertainties.

Overview

Our operations are primarily based in China. We continued to achieve profitability on a full-year basis in 2015. In 2015 we achieved total sales of US$2,236.4 million, compared to US$1,970.0 million in 2014. We recorded annual profit of US$222.3 million and generated US$669.2 million in cash from operating activities in 2015, compared to annual profit of US$126.3 million and US$608.1 million in cash from operating activities in 2014.

Our China revenue contributed 47.7% of the overall revenue in 2015, compared to 43.3% in 2014. In particular, 54.8% of our advanced nodes (90nm and below) wafer revenue in 2015 was contributed by customers in China. In terms of the revenue by technology, wafer revenue attributable to advanced technology at 90nm and below increased from 39.2% in 2014 to 44.4% in 2015 and the revenue contribution percentage from 40/45nm technology increased from 11.1% in 2014 to 15.8% in 2015. In addition, our latest 28nm technology started to contribute revenue in 2015.

The major factors affecting our results of operations and financial condition are discussed below.

Factors that Impact Our Results of Operations

Cyclicality of the Semiconductor Industry

The semiconductor industry is highly cyclical due mainly to the cyclicality of demand in the markets of the products that use semiconductors. As these markets fluctuate, the semiconductor market also fluctuates. This fluctuation in the semiconductor market is exacerbated by the tendency of semiconductor companies, including foundries, to make capital investments in plant and equipment during periods of high demand since it may require several years to plan, construct and commence operations at a fab. Absent sustained growth in demand, this increase in capacity often leads to overcapacity in the semiconductor market, which in the past has led to a significant underutilization of capacity and a sharp drop in semiconductor prices. The semiconductor industry is generally slow to react to declines in demand due to its capital-intensive nature and the need to make commitments for equipment purchases well in advance of the planned expansion. See “Item 3.D - Risk Factors — Risks Related to Our Financial Condition and Business.”

Substantial Capital Expenditures

The semiconductor foundry industry is characterized by substantial capital expenditures. This is particularly true for our company as we have recently constructed and equipped fabs and are continuing to construct and equip new fabs. In connection with the construction and ramp-up of our capacity, we incurred capital expenditures of US$770 million, US$1,014 million, and US$1,573 million, in 2013, 2014 and 2015, respectively. We depreciate our manufacturing machinery and equipment on a straight-line basis over an estimated useful life of five to seven years. We recorded depreciation of US$501.9 million, US$506.4 million, and US$473.0 million in 2013, 2014 and 2015, respectively.

The semiconductor industry is also characterized by rapid changes in technology, frequently resulting in obsolescence of process technologies and products. As a result, our research and development efforts are essential to our overall success. We spent approximately US$145.3 million in 2013, US$189.7 million in 2014 and US$237.2 million in 2015 on research and development expenses, which represented 7.0%, 9.6% and 10.6%, respectively, of our sales for 2013, 2014 and 2015. Our research and development costs are partially offset by related government fundings and include the costs associated with the ramp-up of a new wafer facility.

We currently expect that our capital expenditures in 2016 for foundry operations will be approximately US$2.1 billion, subject to adjustment based on market conditions, which are mainly for 1) the expansion of capacity in 12-inch fab in SMNC, 8-inch fab in SMIC Shenzhen, 12-inch fab in SMIC Shanghai and a new majority-owned 12-inch joint venture fab with bumping services in SJ Jiangyin, 2) a new majority-owned joint venture company, which will focus on research and development on 14nm logic technology and 3) research and development equipment, mask shops and intellectual property acquisition. In addition, we have budgeted approximately US$60 million as the 2016 capital expenditures for non-foundry operations mainly for the construction of living quarters for employees as part of our employee retention program. Our actual expenditures may differ from our planned expenditures for a variety of reasons, including changes in our business plan, our process technology, market conditions, equipment prices, or customer requirements. We will monitor the global economy, the semiconductor industry, the demands of our customers, and our cash flow from operations and will adjust our capital expenditures plans as necessary.

Capacity Expansion

We have expanded our production capacity in the past years, and plan to continue to expand through organic growth, joint ventures and acquisitions. An increase in capacity may have a significant effect on our results of operations, both by allowing us to produce and sell more wafers and achieve higher sales, and as a cost component in the form of acquisition costs and depreciation expenses. In 2016, most of our expansion will be on our Shanghai site, Shenzhen site and on our majority-owned fab in Beijing. Our target, subject to market conditions, is to reach 20,000 12-inch wafers per month installed capacity in our Shanghai fab, 30,000 8-inch wafers per month installed capacity in our Shenzhen fab, and 15,000 12-inch wafers per month installed capacity in our majority-owned Beijing fab by 2016 year-end.

Pricing

We price our foundry services on either a per wafer or a per die basis, taking into account the complexity of the technology, the prevailing market conditions, the order size, the cycle time, the strength and history of our relationship with the customer, and our capacity utilization. Since a majority of our costs and expenses are fixed or semi-fixed, fluctuations in the average selling prices of semiconductor wafers have historically had a substantial impact on our margins. The average selling price of the wafers we shipped decreased from US$770 per wafer in 2014 to US$742 per wafer in 2015.

Change in Process Mix and Technology Migration

Because the price of wafers processed with different technologies varies significantly, the mix of wafers that we produce is among the primary factors that affect our sales and profitability. The value of a wafer is determined principally by the complexity of the process technology used to fabricate the wafer. In addition, production of devices with higher levels of functionality and greater system-level integration requires more fabrication steps, and these devices generally sell for higher prices.

Prices for wafers of a given level of technology generally decline over the relevant process technology life cycle. As a result, we and our competitors are continuously in the process of developing and acquiring more advanced process technologies and migrating our customers to use such technologies to maintain or improve our profit margins. This technology migration requires continuous investment in research and development and technology-related acquisitions, and we may spend a substantial amount of capital on upgrading our technologies.

Capacity Utilization Rates

Operations at or near full capacity utilization have a significant positive effect on our profitability because a substantial percentage of our cost of sales is of a fixed or semi-fixed nature. If we increase our utilization rates, the number of wafers we fabricate will increase, and therefore our average fixed costs per wafer will decrease. Therefore, our capacity utilization rates have a significant effect on our margins. Our capacity utilization rates have varied from period to period mainly due to the mix of wafers produced and fluctuations in customer orders. Our capacity utilization rate was 90.7% in 2013, 91.0% in 2014 and 100.7% in 2015. Factors affecting capacity utilization rates are the overall industry conditions, the level of customer orders, the complexity of the wafers and of the mix of wafers produced, mechanical failures and other operational disruptions such as the expansion of capacity or the relocation of equipment, and our ability to manage the production facilities and product flows efficiently.

Our capacity is determined by us based on the capacity ratings for each piece of equipment, as specified by the manufacturers of such equipment, adjusted for, among other factors, actual output during uninterrupted trial runs, expected down time due to set up for production runs and maintenance, and expected product mix. Because these factors include subjective elements, our measurement of capacity utilization rates may not be comparable to those of our competitors.

Yield Rates

Yield per wafer is the ratio of the number of functional dies on that wafer to the maximum number of dies that can be produced on that wafer. We continuously upgrade the process technologies that we use. At the beginning of each technology migration, the yield utilizing the new technology is generally lower, sometimes substantially lower, than the yield under the then-current technology. This is because it requires time to stabilize, optimize and test a new process technology. We do not ship wafers to a customer until we have achieved that customer’s minimum yield requirements. Yield is generally improved through the expertise and cooperation of our research and development personnel, process engineers, and equipment suppliers.

Critical Accounting Policies

We prepare our financial statements in conformity with IFRS, which requires us to make judgments, estimates and assumptions. We regularly evaluate these estimates and assumptions based on the most recently available information, our own historical experience and various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. Since the use of estimates is an integral component of the financial reporting process, actual results could differ from our expectations as a result of changes in our estimates.

An accounting policy is considered critical if it requires an accounting estimate to be made based on assumptions about matters that are highly uncertain at the time such estimate is made, and if different accounting estimates that reasonably could have been used, or changes in the accounting estimates that are reasonably likely to occur periodically, could materially impact the consolidated financial statements. We believe that the following accounting policies involve a higher degree of judgment and complexity in their applications and require us to make significant accounting estimates. You should read the following descriptions of critical accounting policies, judgments and estimates in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and other disclosures included in this annual report.

Inventories

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost (weighted average) or net realizable value (NRV), with NRV being the “estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business less the estimated costs of completion and the estimated costs necessary to make the sale.” We estimate the recoverability for such finished goods and work-in-progress based primarily upon the latest invoice prices and current market conditions. If the NRV of an inventory item is determined to be below its carrying value, we record a write- down to cost of sales for the difference between the carrying cost and NRV.

The cost of inventories recognized as an expense (income) during the year in respect of inventory provision (reversal) was US$(13.3) million (2014: US$29.6 million and 2013: US$(0.1) million). The reversal of inventory provision in 2015 was due to the fact that net realizable value for the inventories previously written down has increased because of changed economic circumstances.

Long-lived assets

We assess the impairment of long-lived assets when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of asset or cash-generating unit (“CGU”) may not be recoverable. Factors that we consider in deciding when to perform an impairment review include, but are not limited to significant under-performance of a business or product line in relation to expectations, significant negative industry or economic trends,and significant changes or planned changes in the use of the assets.

An impairment analysis is performed at the lowest level of identifiable independent cash flows for an asset or CGU. An impairment exists when the carrying value of an asset or cash-generating unit exceeds its recoverable amount, which is the higher of its fair value less costs to sell and its value in use. The fair value less costs to sell calculation is based on available data from binding sales transactions, conducted at arm’s length, for similar assets or observable market prices less incremental costs for disposing of the asset. The value in use calculation is based on a discounted cash flow model. Currently we are not able to estimate the amount of impairment loss or when a loss may occur for future years. Any potential changes of the business assumptions, such as forecasted sales, selling prices, utilizations, may have a material adverse effect on our net income.

We make subjective judgments in determining the independent cash flows that can be related to a specific CGU based on its asset usage model and manufacturing capabilities. We measure the recoverability of assets that will continue to be used in our operations by comparing the carrying value of CGU to our estimate of the related total future discounted cash flows. If a CGU’s carrying value is not recoverable through the related discounted cash flows, the impairment loss is measured by comparing the difference between the CGU’s carrying value and its recoverable amount, based on the best information available, including market prices or discounted cash flow analysis. The recoverable amount is most sensitive to the discount rate used for the discounted cash flow model as well as the expected future cash-inflows and the growth rate used for extrapolation purposes.

In order to remain technologically competitive in the semiconductor industry, we have entered into technology transfer and technology license arrangements with third parties in an attempt to advance our process technologies. The payments made for such technology licenses are recorded as an intangible asset or as a deferred cost and amortized on a straight- line basis over the estimated useful life of the asset. We routinely review the remaining estimated useful lives of these intangible assets and deferred costs. We also evaluate these intangible assets and deferred costs for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying amounts may not be recoverable. When the carrying amounts of such assets are determined to exceed their recoverable amounts, we will impair such assets and write down their carrying amounts to recoverable amount in the year when such determination was made.

Share-based Compensation Expense

The fair value of options and shares issued pursuant to our option plans at the grant date was estimated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. This model was developed for use in estimating the fair value of traded options that have no vesting restrictions and are fully transferable. In addition, option-pricing models require the input of highly subjective assumptions, including the expected term of the options, the estimated forfeiture rates and the expected stock price volatility. The expected term of options granted represents the period of time that options granted are expected to be outstanding. We estimated forfeiture rates using historical data to estimate option exercise and employee termination within the pricing formula. We use projected volatility rates based upon the Company’s historical volatility rates. These assumptions are inherently uncertain. Different assumptions and judgments would affect our calculation of the fair value of the underlying ordinary shares for the options granted, and the valuation results and the amount of share-based compensation would also vary accordingly.

For further discussion on our share-based employee compensation plans see “Item 6.E — Directors, Senior Management and Employees — Share Ownership.”

Taxes

As a company incorporated in the Cayman Islands, we are not subject to taxation in the Cayman Islands.

Our other subsidiaries are subject to their respective jurisdictions’ income tax laws, including Japan, Taiwan, the United States and Europe. Our income tax obligations to date have been minimal.

Uncertainties exist with respect to the interpretation of complex tax regulations, changes in tax laws, and the amount and timing of future taxable income. Given the wide range of international business relationships and the long-term nature and complexity of existing contractual agreements, differences arising between the actual results and the assumptions made, or future changes to such assumptions, could necessitate future adjustments to tax income and expense already recorded. We established provisions, based on reasonable estimates, for possible consequences of audits by the tax authorities of the respective counties in which it operates. The amount of such provisions is based on various factors, such as experience of previous tax audits and differing interpretations of tax regulations by the taxable entity and the responsible tax authority. Such differences of interpretation may arise on a wide variety of issues depending on the conditions prevailing in the respective domicile of us.

Deferred tax assets are recognized for unused tax losses to the extent that it is probable that taxable profit will be available against which the losses can be utilized. Significant management judgment is required to determine the amount of deferred tax assets that can be recognized, based upon the likely timing and the level of future taxable profits together with tax planning strategies.

A deferred tax asset of US$0.5 million and US$0.4 million has been recognized in our consolidated statement of financial position as of December 31, 2014 and 2015, respectively, in relation to unused tax losses. The realizability of the deferred tax asset mainly depends on whether sufficient profits or taxable temporary differences will be available in the future. In cases where the actual future profits generated are less than expected, a material reversal of deferred tax assets may arise, which would be recognized in profit or loss for the period in which such a reversal takes place. For further details on taxes see “Note 10 to Consolidated Financial Statements”.

Fair value measurements and valuation processes

Some of our assets and liabilities are measured at fair value for financial reporting purposes.

In estimating the fair value of an asset or a liability, we use market-observable data to the extent it is available. Where Level 1 inputs are not available, we engage third party qualified appraisers to perform the valuation.

We use valuation techniques that include inputs that are not based on observable market data to estimate the fair value of certain types of financial instruments.

Impairment of trade and other receivable

We assess at the end of each reporting period whether there is any objective evidence that trade and other receivable are impaired. To determine whether there is objective evidence of impairment, we consider factors such as the probability of insolvency or significant financial difficulties of the debtor and default or significant delay in payments.

When there is objective evidence of impairment loss, we take into consideration the estimation of future cash flows. The amount of the impairment loss is measured as the difference between the asset’s carrying amount and the present value of estimated future cash flows (excluding future credit losses that have not been incurred) discounted at the financial asset’s original effective interest rate (that is, the effective interest rate computed at initial recognition). Where the actual future cash flows are less than expected, a material impairment loss may arise.

Foreign Currency Fluctuations

Our revenue, expenses, and capital expenditures are primarily transacted in U.S. dollars. We also enter into transactions in other currencies. We are primarily exposed to changes in exchange rates for the Euro, the Japanese Yen, and RMB. Accordingly, we are affected by fluctuations in exchange rates between the U.S. dollar and each of the Japanese Yen, the Euro and the RMB. See “Item 3.D — Key Information - Risk Factors — Risks Related to Conducting Operations in China — Devaluation or appreciation in the value of the Renminbi or restrictions on convertibility of the Renminbi could adversely affect our operating results” and “Risk Factors - Risks Related to Our Financial Condition and Business — Exchange rate fluctuations could increase our costs, which could adversely affect our operating results and the value of our ADSs” for a discussion of the effects on our company of fluctuating exchange rates and “Item 11 — Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk — Foreign Exchange Rate Fluctuation Risk” for a discussion of our efforts to minimize such risks”.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

We have not applied the following new and revised IFRSs that have been issued but are not yet effective:

We are in the process of evaluating these impact of the new standards or amendments on our consolidated financial statements.

Incentives from the Chinese government

The chart below sets forth a brief summary of the material incentives received by our Chinese subsidiaries as qualified integrated circuit production enterprises (ICPE) from the Chinese government. Our Shanghai, Beijing, Tianjin, Shenzhen and Jiangyin subsidiaries are qualified as ICPEs under the Integrated Circuit Policies. Under these policies, ICPEs whose total investment exceeds RMB8,000 million (approximately US$1,095 million) or whose integrated circuits have a line width of less than 0.25 micron are entitled to the benefits listed below. For a more detailed discussion of these incentives, see “Item 4.B-Information on the Company—Business Overview —Regulation.”