THIS SERVICE AGREEMENT is made on, 12 March 2008. PARTIES: INTRODUCTION:
THIS
SERVICE AGREEMENT is
made
on, 12 March 2008.
PARTIES:
1.
|
China
Architectural Engineering, Inc.
(Ticker RCH) of
000 Xxxxxx Xxxx, Xxxxxxx Xxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxx 000000, People’s Republic of
China (the PRC), a Company incorporated in the State of Delaware,
USA
(“Company”) and currently listed on the American Stock
Exchange;
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2.
|
Xxx
Xxx Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxx of
the State of New York, USA (the
“Executive”)
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INTRODUCTION:
The
Company has agreed to employ the Executive as Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
and
the Executive has agreed to accept that employment upon and subject to the
terms
and conditions set out in this Agreement.
AGREED
TERMS:
1.
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DEFINITIONS
AND INTERPRETATION
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1.1
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Definitions
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In
this
Agreement, unless the contrary intention appears -
"Address
for Service"
means
the address of each party appearing in this Agreement or such other address
as
either party may, by notice in writing to the other, nominate as its new address
for service of notices;
"Board"
means
the board of directors of the Company;
"Business
Day"
means a
day that is not a Saturday, Sunday, public holiday or bank holiday in Hong
Kong;
"Commencement
Date"
means 3
March 2008;
"Related"
in
respect of a corporation has the same meaning as "related body
corporate";
"Services"
means
the services of Chief Financial Officer as generally directed by the Board
including, without limitation:
(a)
|
to
perform duties relating to all financial and accounting matters,
including
but not limited to arrange equity and debt financing for the Company,
supervise all financial and accounting personnel in parent company
and all
subsidiaries, investor relations;
and
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(b)
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to
provide advice to the Chief Executive Officer and the Board of Directors
on all matters relating to financial and accounting matters of the
Company; and
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(c)
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to
undertake such travel at the expense of the Company as may be necessary
for the Executive to properly perform the above duties and obligations;
and
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(d)
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any
and all complimentary or necessarily incidental duties and obligations
entrusted to the Executive by the Chief Executive Officer or the
Board of
Directors.
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"Term"
means
the period commencing on the Commencement Date and ending on the earlier to
occur of:
(a)
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2
March 2010, or such later date as may be agreed upon by the Company
and
the Executive (the “Expiration Date”);
and
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(b)
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The
date this Agreement is terminated by either
party.
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(c)
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It
is not necessary for the Executive to undergo a probationary
period.
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1.2
|
Interpretation
|
In
this
Agreement, unless the contrary intention appears -
(a)
|
a
reference to this Agreement or to another document includes this
Agreement
or that document as amended or
varied;
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(b)
|
unless
otherwise stated, monetary amounts are expressed in Hong Kong
Dollars;
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(c)
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clause
headings and the table of contents are inserted for convenience only
and
are not to be used in interpreting this
Agreement;
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(d)
|
references
to a statutory enactment or regulation include references to that
enactment or regulation as amended or re-enacted and include references
to
any enactment or regulation which replaces an enactment or regulation
referred to;
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(e)
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words
importing any gender include all other
genders;
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(f)
|
words
importing the singular include the plural and vice
versa;
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(g)
|
reference
to a "party"
is a reference to a party to this
Agreement;
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(h)
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reference
to an Annexure, Clause, Introduction, Item or Schedule is a reference
to
an annexure to, clause of, the introduction to, item in a schedule
to, or
a schedule to this Agreement:
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2
(i)
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reference
to a person includes a natural person, corporation, incorporated
association, statutory corporation, the Government and any other
type of
legal entity;
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(j)
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reference
to a body or authority is if the body or authority has ceased to
exist and
unless otherwise prescribed by law, a reference to the body or authority
which then has substantially the same objects as that body or authority
and any reference to the Chief Executive Officer or Chairman of a
body or
authority is a reference to the senior officer or acting senior officer
for the time being of that body or authority;
and
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(k)
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"including"
and "includes"
are not words of limitations.
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1.3
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Business
Day
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If
the
time for doing any act to be done under or pursuant to this Agreement expires
on
a day other than a Business Day, the time for doing that act is extended until
the next Business Day.
1.4
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Good
Faith
|
Each
party must act in good faith towards the other and use its best endeavours
to
comply with the spirit and intention of this Agreement.
2.
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EMPLOYMENT
OF THE EXECUTIVE
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2.1
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The
Company employs the Executive for the Term as the Chief Financial
Officer
to provide the Services to the Company and the Executive accepts
that
employment upon and subject to the terms and conditions set out in
this
Agreement.
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2.2
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The
Company represents, warrants and covenants to the Executive that
prior to
the Company's execution of this Agreement it shall have obtained
all
necessary consents and approvals for this Agreement, including (but
not
limited to) the approval of the Company's Board of Directors and
a
majority of the independent Directors of the
Board.
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3
3.
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DUTIES
AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE
EXECUTIVE
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3.1
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Obligations
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The
Executive must throughout the Term:
(a)
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serve
the Company as the Chief Financial
Officer;
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(b)
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provide
the Services to the Company;
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(c)
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use
her best endeavours to promote, extend and develop the business of
the
Company;
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(d)
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faithfully
serve the Company;
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(e)
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report
directly to the Chief Executive Officer;
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(f)
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comply
with and observe all lawful and reasonable requests, directions and
restrictions made or imposed by the Chief Executive Officer or the
Board
of Directors.
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3.2
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Confidentiality
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The
Executive covenants and warrants with and to the Company that during the Term
and at all times thereafter she will not divulge either directly or indirectly,
knowingly or inadvertently, any knowledge or information concerning the
business, financial affairs, property or clients of the Company or any related
corporation of the Company other than
(a)
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information
which is in the public domain (otherwise than as a result of a breach
of
this Clause);
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(b)
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as
required by law; or
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(c)
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to
her legal or financial advisers for the purpose of obtaining professional
advice.
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4.
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REMUNERATION
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4.1 Salary
(a) |
The
Company must pay to the Executive Hong Kong Dollars Eight Hundred
and
Forty Thousand ($840,000) per year, which is equivalent to Hong Kong
Dollars Seventy Thousand ($70,000.00) per month which includes in
the said
Salary an amount up to Hong Kong Dollars Two Hundred and Forty Thousand
($240,000) per year may be used by the Executive at her discretion
for her
children’s education purposes;
and
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4
(b) |
The
Company must pay housing allowance to the Executive Hong Kong Dollars
Seven Hundred and Twenty Thousand ($720,000) per year, which is equivalent
to Hong Kong Dollars Sixty Thousand ($60,000.00) per month in addition
to
the above mentioned Salary which may be used by the Executive at
her
discretion; and
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(c) |
The
Company must pay salary together with the housing allowance on 1st
of
every month in equal monthly instalments in advance. If the payment
day is
the same as holiday or resting day, The Company should pay at the
nearest
working day; and
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(d) |
The
salary and housing allowance must be paid by legal tender and instead
of
kind or value securities.
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4.2 Shares
(a)
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As
a signing bonus, the Company and/or its representative, must issue
to the
Executive or transfer to the Executive, at no cost to the Executive
(including as to stamp duty or taxes), seventy thousand (70,000)
Shares of
the Company at the Commencement Date;
and
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(b)
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The
Company and/or its representative, must issue to the Executive or
transfer
to the Executive, at no cost to the Executive (including as to stamp
duty
or taxes), seventy thousand (70,000) Shares of the Company at the
first
anniversary of the Commencement Date;
and
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(c)
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The
Company and/or its representative, must issue to the Executive or
transfer
to the Executive, at no cost to the Executive (including as to stamp
duty
or taxes), minimum sixty thousand (60,000) additional Shares of the
Company at the first anniversary of the Commencement Date, provided
that
the Executive has performed her Services to the satisfaction of the
Chief
Executive Officer and the Board of Directors, including but not limited
to
contributing to the Company’s financial and operating performance,
enhancing the Company’s reputation within the investment community;
and
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5
(d)
|
The
Company and/or its representative, must issue to the Executive or
transfer
to the Executive, at no cost to the Executive (including as to stamp
duty
or taxes), minimum sixty thousand (60,000) additional Shares of the
Company at the second anniversary of the Commencement Date, provided
that
the Executive has performed her Services to the satisfaction of the
Chief
Executive Officer and the Board of Directors, including but not limited
to
contributing to the Company’s financial and operating performance,
enhancing the Company’s reputation within the investment community;
and
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(e)
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The
Shares shall be subject to a 12 month lock-up. All of the Shares
described
in this Agreement must be of the same type and class of shares as
are
being traded on the American Stock Exchange as of the Commencement
Date.
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4.3
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Cash
Bonus
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(a)
|
The
Company must pay to the Executive a cash bonus no lower than Hong
Kong
Dollars Four Hundred Thousand ($400,000) per year;
and
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(b) |
The
Cash Bonus shall be paid at the first and the second anniversary
of the
Commencement Date.
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4.4
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Holidays
and Vacation Days
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(a)
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The
Executive is entitled to all standard holidays for any typical Hong
Kong
employee per year; and
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(b)
|
The
Executive is entitled to accrue up to twenty (20) working days’ paid
vacation per year during her Employment (plus public holidays in
Hong
Kong). The right to paid vacation will accrue pro rata during each
year of
the Employment.
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(c)
|
On
termination of the Employment, the Executive shall be entitled to
payment
in lieu of accrued but untaken vacation on a pro rata
basis.
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6
4.5
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Medical,
Dental and Vision
Insurance
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(a)
|
The
Company must, at its own expense, maintain throughout the Term insurance,
with a reputable insurance company, which covers medical, dental
and
vision expenses including but not limited to annual check-ups for
the
Executive and her immediate family (husband and children) worldwide,
including but not limited to Hong Kong, the PRC, the United States;
and
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(b)
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The
Company must reimburse the Executive for any out of pocket expenses
(not
covered by the insurance) related to medical, dental and vision needs
of
the Executive and her immediate family (husband and children) worldwide.
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4.6
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Accidental
Death, Dismemberment and Travel
Insurance
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(a)
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The
Company must, at its own expense, maintain throughout the Term insurance,
with a reputable insurance company, which insures against accidental
death, dismemberment and accidents that may arise out of travel for
the
Executive and her immediate family (husband and children) worldwide,
including but not limited to Hong Kong, the PRC, the United States;
and.
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(b)
|
The
Company must reimburse the Executive for any out of pocket expenses
(not
covered by the insurance) related to the accidental death, dismemberment
and accidents that may arise out of travel by the Executive and her
immediate family (husband and children)
worldwide.
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4.7
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Life
Insurance
|
The
Company must, at its own expense, maintain throughout the Term a life insurance,
with a reputable insurance company, which insures against the death of the
Executive and pays a minimum benefit of US Dollars Two Million ($2,000,000)
to
the Executive’s named beneficiaries. To the extent that such insurance
constitutes a taxable benefit to the Executive in either Hong Kong or the U.S.,
the Company shall pay to the Executive as a “gross-up” an additional amount
sufficient to pay the Executive’s income or related taxes on the value of such
benefit.
4.8
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Corporate
Apartment
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The
Company must, at its own expense, provide the Executive an apartment in Hong
Kong until the end of July 2008. To the extent that such apartment constitutes
a
taxable benefit to the Executive in either Hong Kong or the U.S., the Company
shall pay to the Executive as a “gross-up” an additional amount sufficient to
pay the Executive’s income or related taxes on the value of such
benefit.
7
4.9
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Moving
Expenses
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The
Company must reimburse the Executive all moving expenses arising out of her
and
her immediate family’s (husband and children) move from the State of New York,
USA to Hong Kong, including but not limited to air travel tickets for her and
her immediate family, moving of furniture and other belongings. Upon the
expiration or termination of the Executive’s employment with the Company for any
reason other than a termination of her employment pursuant to Section 7.1 below,
the Company shall reimburse the Executive all moving expenses arising out of
her
and her family’s move from Hong Kong to the USA., including but not limited to
air travel tickets for her and her immediate family, moving of furniture and
other belongings. To the extent that such reimbursement constitutes a taxable
benefit to the Executive in either Hong Kong or the U.S., the Company shall
pay
to the Executive as a “gross-up” an additional amount sufficient to pay the
Executive’s income or related taxes on the value of such benefit.
4.10
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Tax,
Accounting and Legal
Expenses
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The
Company must reimburse all tax, accounting and legal expenses, including but
not
limited to annual USA and Hong Kong personal income tax filings for the
Executive and her immediate family, accountant and legal expenses associated
with this Agreement.
To
the
extent that payment by the Company of any of the items described in Sections
4.5
through 4.10 constitutes a taxable benefit to the Executive in either Hong
Kong
or the U.S., the Company shall pay to the Executive as a “gross-up” an
additional amount sufficient to pay the Executive’s income or related taxes on
the value of such benefit(s).
5. |
LOCATION,
TRAVEL
AND BUSINESS EXPENSES
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5.1
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Location
of the Executive
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The
Company acknowledges that, throughout the Term, the Executive will be based
in
Hong Kong but will travel to the Company’s offices when
required.
8
5.2
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Travel
and Accommodation
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When
the
Executive undertakes pre-approval travel within the PRC and elsewhere for the
Company, the Company must meet the full cost of that travel in accordance with
the Company’s reimbursement policies.
5.3
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Business
Expenses
|
The
Executive is entitled to reimbursement for reasonable and necessary business
expenses incurred in connection with the performance of the Executive’s duties
in accordance with the Company’s reimbursement policies.
6.
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INSURANCE
AND INDEMNITY
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6.1
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Directors’
& Officers’ Liability
Insurance
|
The
Company must, at its own expense, maintain throughout the Term insurance,
commonly known as directors’ and officers’ liability insurance, with a reputable
insurance, in such amounts as determined by the Board of Directors.
6.2
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Indemnity
|
The
Company shall indemnify and hold harmless the Executive from and against all
and
any liability incurred by the Executive in her capacity as Chief Financial
Officer of the Company to the fullest extent allowable under Delaware
law.
7.
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TERMINATION
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7.1
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Termination
by the Company for Cause
|
The
Company may forthwith terminate this Agreement if the Executive at any time
-
(a)
|
commits
any act involving fraud, deceit or dishonesty in relation to her
employment with the Company;
|
(b)
|
becomes
bankrupt or commits an act of bankruptcy or suspends payment of her
debts
or compounds with or assigns her estate for the benefit of her creditors
and such condition is not remedied within a period of no more than
sixty
(60) days after the Company provides notice of potential termination
to
the Executive;
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9
(c)
|
is
convicted of any criminal offence carrying a maximum penalty of not
less
than twelve (12) months
imprisonment;
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(d)
|
persistently
neglects the duties and responsibilities of her position with the
Company;
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(e)
|
materially
breaches this Agreement and does not remedy the breach within fourteen
(14) Business Days of receipt of notice in writing from the Company
specifying the breach;
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and
without prejudice to any other claim, right or remedy which the Company may
have
against the Executive.
7.2
|
Termination
by the Executive for Cause
|
The
Executive may forthwith terminate this Agreement if the Company at any time
-
(a)
|
is
in default of any of its agreements, duties or obligations under
this
Agreement and fails to rectify that default within fourteen (14)
Business
Days after being requested to do so by notice in writing from the
Executive;
|
(b)
|
has
a liquidator, provisional liquidator, receiver, receiver and manager
or
official manager appointed to it or has an administrator appointed
to
it;
|
(c)
|
fails
to maintain the Executive in the position of Chief Financial Officer
(or
any other position not less senior to such position);
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(d)
|
a
material diminution in the nature or scope of the Executive’s
responsibilities, duties or authority;
|
(e)
|
relocation
of the Company’s executive offices outside of Hong Kong or relocation of
Executive away from the executive offices;
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(f)
|
failure
of the Company to timely make any material payment or provide any
material
benefit under this Agreement, or the Company’s material reduction of any
compensation, equity or benefits that the Executive is eligible to
receive
under this Agreement which failure is not cured within five (5) business
days after notice to the Company by the
Executive;
|
(g)
|
requires
the Executive to engage in any activities or conduct despite the
Executive
expressing in good faith the opinion that such activities or conduct
would
constitute a violation of any criminal laws, accounting standards
in
either Hong Kong or the United States, (for so long as the Company’s
shares continue to be traded on any exchange in the U.S.) any applicable
U.S. securities laws (including, but not limited to, the Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxx
Act of 2002), or Section 7.1(a) above, and without prejudice to any
other
claim, right or remedy which the Executive may have against the
Company.
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10
7.3
|
Payment
upon Termination
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(a)
|
If
the Executive terminates this Agreement pursuant to Clause 7.2 or
is
terminated by the Company under circumstances outside of Clause 7.1,
the
Company must within ten (10) Business Days after the date of that
termination pay to the Executive the whole of the remuneration of
the
Executive pursuant to Clause 4 which, but for the termination of
this
Agreement, would be payable to the Executive under this Agreement
until
the Expiration Date.
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(b)
|
The
remuneration payable to the Executive under this Section 7.3 must
include,
but is not limited to, salary, cash bonus, holidays, vacation days,
all
insurance and other reimbursements provided for in this
Agreement.
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(c)
|
The
Shares issued pursuant to Clause 4.2 shall cease to be covered by
any
applicable lock-up immediately upon such termination.
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7.4
|
Shares
|
The
termination of this Agreement by the Executive in accordance with the terms
of
this agreement does not affect in any way the Shares issued or transferred
to
the Executive pursuant to Clause 4.2.
7.5
|
Obligations
on Termination
|
On
termination of this agreement, the Executive must return to the Company all
tangible property of the Company or any Group Company including, but not limited
to, all books, documents, papers, materials, portable telephones, computer
hardware and software, computer disks, credit or charge cards, cars, keys and
any other property (including copies, summaries and excerpts) belonging to
or
relating to the affairs or business of the Company or any Group Company held
by
the Executive or under the Executive’s control.
11
8.
|
MODIFICATION
OF THE SERVICE AGREEMENT
|
(a)
|
If
any party wants to modify relevant clauses of this Agreement, he
or she
should inform the other party by written
form.
|
(b)
|
Relevant
clauses, which are agreed by both parties after negotiation, could
be
modified according to the
procedures.
|
9. |
NEW
SERVICE AGREEMENT
|
(a)
|
The
parties must attempt to negotiate the terms and conditions of a new
service agreement between the Company and the Executive to commence
immediately upon the expiration of the Term and for a term to be
agreed.
|
(b)
|
The
terms and conditions of the new service agreement referred to in
Clause
(a) must not be less favourable to the Executive than the terms and
conditions of this Agreement.
|
(c)
|
If
the parties cannot agree on a new Service Agreement, the Agreement
will
terminate in accordance with its
terms.
|
10.
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CONFIDENTIALITY
|
10.1
|
Obligations
of the Parties
|
Each
party must maintain in confidence all confidential information relating to
the
business affairs of the other party, however that information is obtained,
and
may only disclose that information -
(a)
|
as
required by law or any applicable
stock-exchange;
|
(b)
|
for
prosecuting or defending any claim, action, proceeding or
demand;
|
(c)
|
in
confidence to that party’s professional advisers to obtain professional
advice; or
|
(d)
|
with
the prior written consent of the
other.
|
11.
|
GENERAL
|
11.1
|
Assignment
|
This
Agreement is for the benefit of and is binding on the parties but neither the
rights nor the obligations of the parties under this Agreement may be
voluntarily novated or assigned, wholly or partly, to any person without the
prior written consent of the other.
12
11.2
|
Entire
Agreement
|
This
Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties regarding the
matters set out in it and supersedes any prior representation, understanding
or
arrangement made by the parties, whether orally or in writing. This Agreement
may not be varied other than by a later written agreement executed by the
parties.
11.3
|
Further
Assurance
|
Each
party must, and must ensure that its employees and agents will, execute all
Agreements and do all things necessary to give full effect to the arrangements
contemplated by this Agreement.
11.4
|
Waiver
|
No
delay
by a party in exercising any right under this Agreement will operate as a
waiver, of that right nor will any waiver by a party of any right under this
Agreement operate as a waiver of any other right of that party, nor will any
single or partial exercise of any right preclude any further exercise of that
or
any other right under this Agreement.
11.5
|
Severance
|
If
any
provision of this Agreement is in any way unenforceable, it is to be read down
so as to be enforceable or, if it cannot be read down, the provision (or where
possible, the offending party) is to be severed from this Agreement without
affecting the enforceability of the remaining provisions (or parts of those
provisions) which will continue in effect.
11.6
|
Existing
Rights
|
Expiry
or
termination of this Agreement will not affect any right accrued prior to the
expiry or termination.
13
11.7
|
Notices
|
Any
notice, consent or other communication ("notice")
which
either party is required or wants to give to the other party must be in writing
and may be given by-
(a)
|
being
delivered to the recipient at its Address for
Service;
|
(b)
|
being
sent by facsimile transmission to the facsimile number of the recipient;
or
|
(c)
|
being
sent by prepaid ordinary mail (and by facsimile transmission) to
the
Address for Service of the recipient
party,
|
and
the
notice will be given -
(i)
|
if
delivered personally, on the date of
delivery;
|
(ii)
|
if
sent by facsimile transmission, on the date on which the sending
party’s
facsimile machine records that it has been transmitted;
or
|
(iii)
|
if
sent by prepaid ordinary mail, three (3) Business Days after
posting.
|
11.8
|
Stamp
Duty
|
The
Company will pay any stamp duty payable on this Agreement or any instrument
or
transaction required by this Agreement.
11.9
|
Counterparts
|
This
Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts. All counterparts taken
together will constitute one instrument.
11.10
|
Binding
Agreement
|
Each
party warrants that it is authorised and has capacity to execute this Agreement
and to bind itself to this Agreement.
11.11
|
Governing
Law
|
This
Agreement is governed by and is to be construed in accordance with the laws
in
the state of Delaware.
11.12
|
Power
of Attorney
|
If
this
Agreement is executed by an attorney on behalf of a party, the attorney declares
that he has no notice of the revocation of the power of attorney.
14
EXECUTED
AS AN AGREEMENT
THE
COMPANY CHOP
of
China
Architectural Engineering, Inc.
was affixed to this Agreement in accordance with its Constitution
in the
presence of:
|
)
)
)
)
|
|
|
/s/ Tang Xxxx Xxxxx
|
/s/ Luo Xxx Xx | ||
Signature of Director/Secretary |
Signature of Director/Secretary |
||
Xxxx Xxxx Xxxxx | Xxx Xxx Xx | ||
Full
Name of Signatory
|
Full
Name of Signatory
|
SIGNED
by
the EXECUTIVE
in
the presence of:
|
)
)
)
|
|
|
/s/ Xxxx Xxx Man | /s/ Xxx Xxx Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxx | ||
Signature of Witness |
Signature |
||
Xxxx Xxx Man | Xxx Xxx Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxx | ||
Print
Name
|
Print
Name
|
15
DATE |
12
March
2008
|
Between
and
[Xxx
Xxx Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxx]
|
SERVICE
AGREEMENT
|