Bio-bridge Science (HK) Co., Ltd J R Scientific, Inc. Beijing Boda Times Science and Trade Co., Ltd Beijing Zhongpu Huaxing Biotechnology Co., Ltd Huhhot Haibo Biologic Production Co., Ltd
Exhibit
1.01. Equity Joint Venture Contract dated June 9, 2009 (translated from the
executed Chinese version)
Dated: June
9, 2009
Bio-bridge
Science (HK) Co., Ltd
J R
Scientific, Inc.
Beijing
Boda Times Science and Trade Co., Ltd
Beijing
Zhongpu Huaxing Biotechnology Co., Ltd
Huhhot
Haibo Biologic Production Co., Ltd
And
China
Diamond Limited
for
the establishment and operation of
Bio-Bridge
JRS Biosciences (Beijing) Co., Ltd
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TABLE
OF CONTENTS
Clause
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Page
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1.
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DEFINITIONS
AND INTERPRETATION
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1
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2.
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PARTIES
TO THE CONTRACT
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2
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3.
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ESTABLISHMENT
OF THE JOINT VENTURE COMPANY
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3
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4.
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OBJECTIVES
AND SCOPE OF BUSINESS
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4
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5.
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REGISTERED
CAPITAL AND TOTAL INVESTMENT
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4
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6.
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RESPONSIBILITIES
OF THE PARTIES
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8
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7.
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BOARD
OF DIRECTORS AND SUPERVISOR
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8
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8.
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BUSINESS
MANAGEMENT ORGANIZATION
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14
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9.
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BUSINESS
PLACE
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15
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10.
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LABOUR
MANAGEMENT
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16
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11.
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FINANCIAL
AFFAIRS, ACCOUNTING AND INSURANCE
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17
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12.
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TAXATION
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19
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13.
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CONFIDENTIALITY
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19
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14.
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NON-COMPETITION
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20
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15.
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JOINT
VENTURE TERM AND XXXXXXXXXXX
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00
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00.
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LIABILITY
FOR BREACH OF XXXXXXXX
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00
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00.
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XXXXX
XXXXXXX
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00
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00.
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SETTLEMENT
OF DISPUTES
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25
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19.
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WARRANTIES
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25
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20.
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APPLICABLE
LAW
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26
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21.
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MISCELLANEOUS
PROVISIONS
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26
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Appendices
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1.
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DEFINITIONS
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A-1
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2.
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ARTICLES
OF ASSOCIATION
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i
THIS EQUITY JOINT VENTURE
CONTRACT (the “Contract”) is made on June 9,
2009
AMONG
(1)
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Bio-bridge Science (HK) Co.,
Ltd, whose registered address is at Suit 1403 Cambridge House 00-00
Xxxxxxx Xxxx X.X.X XXX Xxxx Xxxx (“Party
A”);
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(2)
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J R Scientific, Inc.,
whose registered address is at 0000 Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxx, XX 00000
(“Party B”);
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(3)
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Beijing Boda Times Science and
Trade Co., Ltd, whose registered address is at Room 2006, North
Building of Xx. 0 Xxxx, Xxxxxxx Xxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxx
(“Party
C”);
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(4)
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Beijing Zhongpu Huaxing
Biotechnology Co., Ltd, whose registered address is at Xxxx 0000
Xxxxxxxx 0-0-X, 0 Xxxxx Xxxx, Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxx (“Party
D”);
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(5)
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Huhhot Haibo Biologic
Production Co., Ltd, whose registered address is at the Industrial
Area of Baimiaozi Town, Tumote Zuoqi, Huhhot City, Inner Mongolia
Autonomous Region (“Party
E”);
and
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(6)
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China Diamond Limited,
whose registered address is at 0xx Xxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxx Xxxxx, Xxx
Xxxxxxxx, 00 Xxxxx'x Xxxx Xxxxxxx, Xxxx Xxxx (“Party
F”).
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Party A,
Party B, Party C, Party D, Party E and Party F will hereinafter be referred to
collectively as the “Parties” and individually as a
“Party”.
PRELIMINARY
STATEMENTS
(B)
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The
Parties have gained their reputation and status in their respective
business area, and they are willing to integrate their resources for the
purpose of achieving better
development;
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(C)
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Through
faithful negotiation, the Parties agree to establish an equity joint
venture company (the “Joint Venture Company”) in China
according to the provisions of “Chinese-Foreign Equity Joint Venture Law
of PRC” and its Implementing Regulations, and other relevant PRC laws and
regulations and this Contract so as to fulfil the strategic objectives of
the Parties.
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THE PARTIES AGREE as
follows:
1. DEFINITIONS AND
INTERPRETATION
Unless
the provisions of this Contract otherwise provide, terms used in this Contract
shall have the meanings set out in Appendix 1.
Reference
to “days” in this Contract means calendar days unless otherwise
specified.
Unless
the context requires otherwise, in this Contract, words importing the singular
include the plural and vice versa and words importing gender or the neuter
include both genders and the neuter.
1
The
provision of a Table of Contents, the division of this Contract into Clauses and
other subdivisions and the insertion of headings are for convenience of
reference only and shall not affect or be utilized in construing or interpreting
this Contract.
2. PARTIES TO THE
CONTRACT
The
Parties to this Contract are set forth below:
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Party
A:
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Name: Bio-bridge Science (HK) Co.,
Ltd,
Legal Address: Suit 1403 Cambridge
House 00-00 Xxxxxxx Xxxx X.X.X XXX Xxxx Xxxx
Legal
representative:
Name: Xx.
Xxxxxx Xxx
Position:
Chairman
Nationality:
Australian
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Party
B:
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Name: J R Scientific,
Inc.
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Legal Address: 0000
Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxx, XX 00000
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Legal
representative:
Name: Xx.
Xxx Xxxxx
Position:
President and CEO
Nationality:
USA
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Party
C:
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Name: Beijing Boda Times Science and Trade
Co., Ltd
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Legal Address: Room
2006, North Building of Xx. 0 Xxxx, Xxxxxxx Xxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxx
Xxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxx
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Legal
representative:
Name: Xx.
Xxxxxxxx Xx
Position: Chairman
Nationality: Chinese
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Party
D:
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Name: Beijing Zhongpu Huaxing Biotechnology
Co., Ltd
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Legal Address: Xxxx 0000
Xxxxxxxx 0-0-X, 0 Xxxxx Xxxx, Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx,
Xxxxxxx
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Legal
representative:
Name: Ms.
Puxian Ren
Position: Chairman
Nationality: Chinese
2
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Party
E:
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Name: Huhhot Haibo Biologic Production Co.,
Ltd
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Legal Address: the
Industrial Area of Baimiaozi Town, Tumote Zuoqi, Huhhot City, Inner
Mongolia Autonomous Region
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Legal
representative:
Name: Xx.
Xxxxxxxxx Xxx
Position: Chairman
Nationality:
Chinese
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Party
F:
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Name: China Diamond
Limited
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Legal
Address: 0xx Xxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxx Xxxxx, Xxx Xxxxxxxx, 00 Xxxxx'x Xxxx
Xxxxxxx, Xxxx Xxxx
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Legal
Representative:
Name: Xx.
Xxxxxx Xxx
Position:
Chairman
Nationality:
Australian
3.
ESTABLISHMENT OF THE JOINT VENTURE
COMPANY
3.1 Establishment of the Joint Venture
Company
3.1.1 As
soon as practical after the signing of this Contract, the Parties shall submit
to the Examination and Approval Authority an application for official approval
of the terms of this Contract, its Appendix and such other documents as shall be
required for the establishment of the Joint Venture Company.
3.1.2 If
the terms of this Contract and its Appendix are not required to make any major
amendment by the Examination and Approval Authority and each of the Parties has
issued a written notice to the other Parties confirming their consent of the
content of the Certificate of Approval, the Parties shall apply on behalf of the
Joint Venture Company to SAIC for the issue of a Business License to the Joint
Venture Company within one month after receipt of the Certificate of
Approval.
3.1.3 The
date of issue of the Business License shall be the date of establishment of the
Joint Venture Company (the “Date of
Establishment”).
3.2 Pre-commencement
Expenses
3.2.1 All
pre-commencement expenses required for the formation and establishment of the
Joint Venture Company shall first be advanced by the Parties in accordance with
a budget agreed by the Parties. The Parties shall be reimbursed for all such
amounts incurred in relation to the formation and establishment of the Joint
Venture Company from the date of signing of this Equity Joint Venture Contract
to and including the Date of Establishment from the funds of the Joint Venture
Company within three (3) months of its establishment in accordance with a
payment schedule determined by the Board.
3.2.2 Notwithstanding
the foregoing, if this Contract terminates pursuant to Clause 5.2, all such
pre-commencement expenses incurred by the Parties as aforesaid shall be borne by
the Party which incurred the relevant expense.
3.2.3 Notwithstanding
the foregoing, each of the Parties shall respectively bear its own costs in
relation to its own professional advisors concerning negotiating and signing
this Contract and Articles of Association.
3
3.3 Name and Address of the Joint Venture
Company
3.3.1 The
name of the Joint Venture Company shall be: “Bio-Bridge JRS Biosciences
(Beijing) Co., Ltd” in English, and普瑞杰成医药科技(北京)有限公司in
Chinese.
3.3.2 The
legal address of the Joint Venture Company is No. 7 standard factory, Caiyuan
Industrial Zone, No. 10 Caixiang East Road, Nancai Town, Shunyi District,
Beijing.
3.3.3 Subject
to relevant Chinese laws and regulations and approval by the Examination and
Approval Authority, upon resolution of the Board, the Joint Venture Company may
establish branch organizations and offices within or outside the People’s
Republic of China.
3.4 Limited Liability
Company
The form
of organization of the Joint Venture Company shall be a limited liability equity
joint venture company. The investors responsible for paying in the registered
capital of the Joint Venture Company shall be all of the Parties. Once the
Parties have paid their respective contributions to the registered capital of
the Joint Venture Company in full (including any contributions paid towards any
increases in registered capital), no Party shall be required to provide any
further funds to the Joint Venture Company. Creditors of the Joint
Venture Company shall have recourse only to the assets of the Joint Venture
Company and shall not seek repayment from any equity holder.
3.5 Laws and
Regulations
The Joint
Venture Company shall be a legal person under the laws of China. The
activities of the Joint Venture Company shall comply with and be governed and
protected by the relevant and published Chinese laws and
regulations.
4.
OBJECTIVES AND SCOPE OF
BUSINESS
4.1 Objectives
The
objectives of the Parties in establishing the Joint Venture Company are to
enhance the economic co-operation and technical exchanges among the Parties, to
adopt advanced and applicable technologies and scientific management methods, to
develop, manufacture and sell [biologic products] which shall meet the
requirements of domestic and international markets, so as to ensure satisfactory
economic efficiency and benefits for each of the Parties.
4.2 Scope of Business of the Joint
Venture Company
The scope
of business of the Joint Venture Company shall be to develop, manufacture and
sell raw material and subsidiary material of biologic products and the culture
mediums and such other business as allowed by the PRC laws and regulations (the
“Business”).
5.
REGISTERED CAPITAL AND TOTAL
INVESTMENT
5.1 Registered Capital and Total
Investment
The Joint
Venture Company’s registered capital shall be Ten Million RMB (RMB10,000,000),
and its total investment shall be Ten Million RMB
(RMB10,000,000).
4
5.2 Contributions to Registered
Capital
5.2.1 Party
A shall contribute in cash in US dollars an amount equal to Five Million and One
Hundred Thousand RMB (RMB5,100,000), representing fifty one percent (51%) of the
registered capital. The exchange rate to be used for calculating the amount of
US dollars required shall be the average of the buying and selling rates for US
dollars published by People’s Bank of China on the applicable Contribution Date.
Party B shall contribute in technology, independently valued, at a value equal
to One Million and Five Hundred Thousand RMB (RMB1,500,000), representing
fifteen percent (15%) of the registered capital.
5.2.2 Party
C shall contribute in equipment, at a value equal to One Million RMB
(RMB1,000,000), representing ten percent (10%) of the registered
capital.
5.2.3 Party
D shall contribute in cash an amount of One Million RMB (RMB1,000,000),
representing ten percent (10%) of the registered capital.
5.2.4 Party
E shall contribute in cash an amount of Thirty Hundred Thousand RMB
(RMB300,000), representing three percent (3%) of the registered
capital.
5.2.5 Party
F shall contribute in cash in US dollars an amount equal to One Million and One
Hundred Thousand RMB (RMB1,100,000), representing eleven percent (11%) of the
registered capital. The exchange rate to be used for calculating the amount of
US dollars required shall be the average of the buying and selling rates for US
dollars published by People’s Bank of China on the same business day as the
Contribution Date.
5.2.6 Within
ninety (90) days of the issuance of a Business License to the Joint Venture
Company, by SAIC, (the initial "Contribution Date") the Parties shall contribute
not less than twenty percent (20%) of the total amount of the registered
capital, the remaining eighty percent (80%) of the same shall be made by each of
the Parties within six (6) months of the initial Contribution Date.
5.2.7 In
the event that a Party fails to make its contribution by the Contribution Date
(or “Defaulting Party”),
in whole or in part, in accordance with Clause 5.2.7, in addition to the
liability under Clause 16 of this Contract, the Defaulting Party shall also be
liable to pay interest to the Joint Venture Company on the unpaid amount from
the date on which such unpaid sum becomes due and payable until the date of the
actual payment at the rate of five percent (5%) above the one year London
Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) for US Dollar loans as liquidated
damages.
5.3 Conditions Precedent to the
Contribution of Registered Capital
5.3.1 The
fulfillment by the Parties of the obligations under Clause 5.2 is subject to the
following conditions (the “Conditions”) having been
fulfilled prior to the expiry of the period referred to in Clause
5.3.2:
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(a)
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issuance
by the Examination and Approval Authority to the Joint Venture Company of
a Certificate of Approval consistent with the terms of this Contract and
its Appendixes; and
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(b)
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issuance
by the SAIC to the Joint Venture of a Business License consistent with the
terms of this Contract and its
Appendixes.
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5.3.2 The
Parties shall use their best efforts to procure the fulfillment of the
Conditions set out in Clause 5.3.1 above as soon as possible and in any event
before the expiry of six (6) calendar months from signing this
Contract.
5.3.3 If
the Conditions have not been fulfilled upon the expiry of the period referred to
in Clause 5.3.2, then this Contract shall terminate automatically unless, on or
prior to the expiry of that period, the Parties have negotiated in good faith
and have agreed in writing to either (i) postpone the date for fulfillment of
the Conditions to a new date in accordance with Clause 5.3.4 or (ii) make
adjustments to this Contract.
5
5.3.4 If
the Parties have agreed to extend the period for fulfillment of the Conditions
in accordance with Clause 5.3.3, then the provisions of this Clause 5.3 shall
apply as if the extended period was applicable.
5.3.5 Upon
termination of this Contract pursuant to Clause 5.3.3, all rights and
obligations of the Parties hereunder shall cease to have effect immediately and
no Party shall have any liability to any other Parties in respect of such
termination or the negotiations in connection therewith except that termination
shall not affect the accrued rights and obligations of the Parties up to the
date of termination.
5.4 Investment
Certificates
5.4.1 Promptly
after a contribution by each of the Parties of the registered capital, an
accountant registered in China shall be engaged, at the expense of the Joint
Venture Company, to verify the respective contribution and issue a contribution
verification report. Thereupon, the Joint Venture Company shall,
within thirty (30) days after receiving the contribution verification report,
issue an investment certificate to each of the Parties signed by the Chairman of
the Board and specifying their respective contributions to the registered
capital of the Joint Venture Company.
5.5 Assignment of Equity
Interest
5.5.1 Assignment
to Affiliates
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(a)
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Each
of the Parties (the “Assigning Party”) is
hereby granted a right to assign, at any time during the term of this
Contract, its equity interest in the Joint Venture Company’s registered
capital to one or more of its Affiliates for any consideration it deems
appropriate.
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(b)
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The
other Parties (the “Non
Assigning Parties”) shall waive any right to pre-emptive purchase
of such equity interest to be assigned by the Assigning Party pursuant to
Clause 5.5.1(a) and shall cause the directors appointed by them to vote
for any such assignment in a duly convened Board
meeting.
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(c)
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The
provisions of Clause 5.5.4(a) shall apply mutatis
mutandis to the execution of documents by the Affiliate(s) of the
Assigning Party for the assumption of rights and obligations which were
originally assumed by the Assigning Party under this Contract prior to the
Assignment.
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5.5.2 Assignment
Among the Parties
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(a)
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Except
in the case of Clauses 5.5.1 and 15, in the event that any Party (the
“Selling Party”)
wishes to sell, transfer or otherwise assign all or part of its equity
interest in the Joint Venture Company’s registered capital, the Selling
Party is obliged to offer the equity interest in question for sale to the
other Parties first, for which purpose the Selling Party shall notify the
other Parties in writing of its offer to sell, which offer shall contain a
proposed price for the equity interest (the “Offered Price”) and the
main terms and conditions of the transfer which offer shall be open for
acceptance by the other Parties within thirty (30) days after receipt of
the notice in question.
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(b)
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In
the event that the other Parties confirm in writing within the thirty (30)
day period referred to under Clause 5.5.2(a) above, that it shall purchase
(the “Purchasing
Party”) all or part of the Selling Party’s interest in the Joint
Venture Company’s registered capital, unless the Selling Party and the
Purchasing Party agree otherwise, the price for such sale and purchase to
be paid to the Selling Party shall be the price agreed by the Selling
Party and the Purchasing Party based on the Offered
Price.
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6
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(c)
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If
all other Parties decline to purchase the equity interest offered for sale
by the Selling Party within the thirty (30) day period referred to under
Clause 5.5.2(a) above (a failure to reply within said period shall be
deemed to be a declination to purchase), then the Selling Party shall be
entitled to sell the equity interest to a third party at a price not lower
than the Offered Price.
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(d)
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The
Parties may assign all or any of their equity interests among
themselves.
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5.5.3 Assignment
- General
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(a)
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The
Selling Party shall be responsible for ensuring that the third party will
execute all documents so that the third party shall assume such rights and
obligations as were originally assumed by the Selling Party under this
Contract prior to the assignment to the third party of all (or, as the
case may be, part) of the Selling Party’s equity interest in the
registered capital of the Joint Venture Company. Any consent given by the
Non Assigning Parties for the assignment by the Selling Party to the third
party shall be deemed withdrawn if either of the Selling Party or the
third party does not comply with the foregoing terms of this Clause
5.5.3(a).
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(b)
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An
assignment to a third party shall be completed within sixty (60) days or
an amended timeframe agreed by the Parties after receipt of the approval
of the Non Assigning Parties and the approval of the Examination and
Approval Authority.
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5.5.4 Approval
Details
of any Assignment to be made in accordance with this Clause 5.5 (and any
amendment to this Contract (if any) required as a result thereof) shall be
submitted by the Non Assigning Parties, the Selling or Assigning Party and the
Joint Venture Company to the Examination and Approval Authority for approval.
The Parties agree to use their respective best effects to procure the relevant
approvals as soon as practicable. Upon receipt of the approvals of the
Examination and Approval Authority and the completion of the assignment
transaction, the Joint Venture Company shall register the change in ownership of
registered capital with the SAIC, and issue to the equity holder a new
investment certificate recording the change in ownership.
5.6 Increase of Registered
Capital
5.6.1 If
the Board of the Joint Venture Company resolves to increase the registered
capital of the Joint Venture Company after the Date of Establishment, then,
unless the Parties otherwise agree, each of the Parties shall have the right to
contribute to the increased registered capital in proportion to such Party’s
percentage share in the registered capital of the Joint Venture Company at that
time.
5.6.2 Without
prejudicing the effectiveness of Clause 5.6.1 above, if any Party waives its
right to contribute to the increased registered capital (or any part thereof) as
resolved by the Board of the Joint Venture Company, the subscribing Parties
shall have the right (but not the obligation) to elect to contribute, or
nominate one of its Affiliates to contribute the non-subscribing Party’s share
(or part thereof) of the increase in the registered capital, in which case the
percentage share of each Party (or its Affiliate(s) if applicable) shall be
adjusted to reflect their actual contributions to the increased registered
capital of the Joint Venture Company.
7
5.6.3 Details
of any increase in accordance with Clause 5.6 shall be submitted to the
Examination and Approval Authority for examination and approval. The Parties
agree to use their respective best efforts to procure the approval by the
Examination and Approval Authority of any subscription to the increased
registered capital subscribed to in accordance with the foregoing terms of
Clause 5.6. Upon receipt of the approval of the Examination and Approval
Authority, the Joint Venture Company shall register the increase in the
registered capital with the SAIC, and the Parties shall be issued new
Certificates of Investment pursuant to Clause 5.4.
5.6.4 The
Contribution Date for the increase of the registered capital shall be within one
(1) month of the issuance of the approval of the Examination and Approval
Authority as per Clause 5.6.3.
5.7 Working Capital
If the
operations of the Joint Venture Company require, and subject to the approval of
the Board, the Joint Venture Company may borrow from commercial banks or other
financial institutions sufficient funds to maintain the operations of the Joint
Venture Company.
6.
RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE
PARTIES
In
addition to its other obligations under this Contract, the Parties shall
separately or jointly:
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(a)
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apply
for all necessary approvals, permits, licenses and registrations required
for the establishment and operation of the Joint Venture
Company;
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(b)
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assist
the Joint Venture Company in applying for and obtaining preferential tax
and customs duty reductions and exemptions and the benefit of other
investment incentives available the Joint Venture
Company;
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(c)
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assist
the Joint Venture Company in all ongoing regulatory matters, including,
without limitation, renewals of all approvals, permits, licenses and
registrations;
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(d)
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assist
the Joint Venture Company in opening RMB and foreign exchange bank
accounts in China;
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(e)
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assist
the Joint Venture Company in relating with the relevant authorities with
respect to the supply of all utilities to the Joint Venture
Company;
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(f)
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use
its extensive knowledge of the Chinese and international market in order
to provide advice to the Joint Venture Company so as to assist in its
development, and help the Joint Venture Company establish and maintain
strong, productive relations with officials at various levels of Chinese
government; and
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(g)
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handle
other matters which may be entrusted to it by the Joint Venture
Company.
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7.
BOARD
OF DIRECTORS AND SUPERVISOR
7.1 Directors and
Chairman
7.1.1 The
Board shall consist of eleven (11) directors, six (6) of whom shall be appointed
by Party A, and the remaining five (5) shall be appointed by each of Party B,
Party C, Party D, Party E and Party F, respectively. The Board shall be
deemed established from the date of issue of the Business License of the Joint
Venture Company.
7.1.2 In
the event of a change in the equity percentage of the Parties in the Joint
Venture Company, the Parties shall collectively adjust the number of their
respective directors with the approval of the Board in order to reflect the
adjusted equity percentage of the Parties following the change in equity
holdings.
8
7.1.3 Each
director shall be appointed for a term of three (3) years. Any director may be
removed by, and may serve consecutive terms if reappointed by, the Party which
originally appointed him. The term of appointment of the members of the initial
Board shall commence on the Date of Establishment. If a seat on the
Board is vacated by the retirement, resignation, illness, disability or death of
a director or by the removal of such director by the Party which originally
appointed him, the Party which originally appointed such director shall appoint
a successor to serve out such director’s term within thirty (30) days and shall
give notice of such change(s) to the other Parties and the Joint Venture
Company.
7.1.4 One
director appointed by Party A shall serve as the Chairman of the Board. The
chairman shall act as the legal representative of the Joint Venture Company and
shall be responsible to convene and preside the Board meetings and exercise such
authority as shall be authorized by the relevant Chinese laws and regulations
and by the Board. Whenever the Chairman of the Board is unable to
perform his responsibilities, he shall appoint in writing another director to
perform his duty.
7.2 Powers of the
Board
7.2.1 The
Board shall be the decision-making authority of the Joint Venture
Company. The Board shall be responsible for making all decisions of
the Company, including but not limited to the following:
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(a)
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the
long term strategic plans, annual business plans, annual budgets, annual
accounts and annual financial reports of the Joint Venture
Company;
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(b)
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the
profit distribution schemes, allocation of profits to the various funds
required by PRC laws and schemes for making up the losses (if any) of the
Joint Venture Company;
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(c)
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any
amendment to the Articles of
Association;
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(d)
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any
wind-up, liquidation or dissolution of the Joint Venture Company and
change of the term of the Joint Venture
Company;
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(e)
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the
merger of the Joint Venture Company with another economic
organization;
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(f)
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any
increase in the registered capital or, subject to Clause 5.5, assignment
of any Party’s equity interest in the Joint Venture
Company;
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(g)
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the
Joint Venture Company’s expansion into any domestic or foreign city other
than that in which the Joint Venture Company commences
operations;
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(h)
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the
products which the Joint Venture Company manufactures and sells from time
to time and any change in the nature of the Business of the Joint Venture
Company;
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(i)
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the
appointment, remuneration, compensation, transfer and discharge of the
Senior Employees and the Management Personnel nominated by the General
Manager, and the arrangement for the remove of the Senior Employees and
the Management Personnel;
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(j)
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the
purchase or lease of any real property (land and
buildings);
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(k)
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the
purchase, assignment, sale, lease or other disposal in any 12 month period
of any asset or property (or related group of assets or properties) of the
Joint Venture Company having a net book value in excess of an amount to be
determined at the first Board meeting and to be reviewed by the Board from
time to time;
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9
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(l)
|
the
creation of mortgage, pledge, lien or any other security interest over the
foregoing assets or properties of the Joint Venture
Company;
|
|
(m)
|
the
borrowing money by the Joint Venture Company from any third
person;
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(n)
|
the
appointment or change of external auditors, and any change in the
accounting policies of the Joint Venture Company and accounting reference
date or bank mandates;
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|
(o)
|
the
establishment of any social insurance scheme (including retirement
insurance, medical insurance, unemployment insurance, housing fund,
industrial injury insurance) in relation to the Joint Venture Company’s
employees (excluding those Personnel seconded by any Party to the Joint
Venture Company), or the making of any contribution to any third party
scheme for the provision of retirement benefits; and the establishment of
any bonus, profit sharing or other incentive scheme for the Joint Venture
Company;
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|
(p)
|
the
granting or entering into or termination of any license agreement or
arrangement concerning any of its intellectual property rights and
policies and measures to protect the intellectual property which the Joint
Venture Company owns or is licensed to use for its
business;
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(q)
|
the
granting of the intellectual property owned or licensed to the Joint
Venture Company, and the execution and termination of the agreement or
arrangement relating to the intellectual property protection policy and
measurement;
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(r)
|
any
project incurring capital expenditure individually of One Hundred and
Fifty Thousand RMB (RMB150,000) or more, or all the projects in a quarter
incurring a total capital expenditure of Three Hundred Thousand RMB
(RMB300,000);
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|
(s)
|
the
entering into or termination of any contract with a gross value of fifteen
percent (15%) of budgeted sales for that year approved by the latest
meeting of the board of directors;
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|
(t)
|
the
entering into or termination of any long-term contracts with a duration of
three (3) years or more;
|
|
(u)
|
the
entering into or termination of any contract between the Joint Venture
Company and any Affiliate of any
Party;
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(v)
|
any
expansion of the sales market of the Joint Venture Company;
and
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|
(w)
|
such
other powers and functions the Board, at its discretion, determines to
practice.
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7.2.2 The
Board may establish standing committees or ad hoc committees to be responsible
for considering and/or implementing such matters as may be delegated to them by
the Board.
7.3 Board Meetings
7.3.1 Meetings
of the Board shall, in general, be held in Beijing, or such other place as shall
be determined by the Chairman. Meetings of the Board may also be held
by way of telephone conferencing or video-conferencing. If a director
is unable to attend he shall appoint, in writing, a proxy to represent and vote
for him at a Board meeting. A proxy may, but need not, be a director,
and a director may serve as proxy for one or more absent
directors.
10
7.3.2 Each
Board meeting requires a quorum of eight (8) of all directors present in person
or by proxy, telephone or by video-conferencing in order for the resolutions
adopted by such meeting to be valid. If a quorum is not present, the Chairman
shall send notice to all directors within forty eight (48) hours, and call a
subsequent Board meeting (the "adjourned Board Meeting") with
an identical agenda to be convened within the following ten (10) days, in which
case each of the Parties is obliged to procure that the directors appointed by
each of them shall attend the adjourned Board meetings so convened. If a quorum
is still not present at such an adjourned Board Meeting, then decisions adopted
at the adjourned Board Meeting shall be deemed valid.
7.3.3 At
Board meetings, each director (including the Chairman) shall have only one vote.
Issues to be determined at a Board meeting shall be adopted by the affirmative
vote of a simple (1/2) majority of the directors present in person or by proxy,
telephone or video-conferencing at a duly constituted Board meeting, except for
issues provided in Clause 7.3.4 below.
7.3.4 If
the following issues require Board action, they shall require the unanimous vote
of the directors present at a duly constituted Board meeting:
|
(a)
|
modifications
or amendments to the Articles of
Association;
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(b)
|
any
increase or decrease of registered capital of the Joint Venture
Company;
|
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(c)
|
merger
or de-merger of the Joint Venture Company;
or
|
|
(d)
|
termination,
dissolution or liquidation of the Joint Venture
Company.
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7.3.5 In
case a resolution proposed at a Board meeting is not adopted because the
relevant majority or unanimity required has not been achieved, and failure to
adopt the proposed resolution will materially endanger the interest of the Joint
Venture Company (a “Deadlock”), the Parties shall
forthwith thereafter enter into good faith negotiations to resolve the
Deadlock. If the Deadlock is not resolved within fifteen (15) days of
the relevant Board meeting, then the senior representatives (other than the
directors) of the Parties, shall, within a further ten (10) day period
thereafter, meet and attempt to reach a solution acceptable to each Party. The
resolution (if any) reached by such senior representatives of the Parties shall
be submitted for approval forthwith to a Board meeting convened for the purpose
of approving such resolution, whereby the Parties shall cause the directors
appointed by them respectively to vote in favor of approving such resolution
within ten (10) days after a unanimously acceptable solution is reached by the
senior representatives of the Parties. If no resolution is reached in the manner
and within the times contemplated by the foregoing terms of this Clause, then
the provisions of Clause 14.5(f) shall apply.
7.3.6 The
Board shall convene at least one (1) meeting every year. Upon the
written request of not less than five (5) directors, specifying the business to
be discussed, the Chairman shall convene a meeting of the Board at a convenient
time and, subject to Clause 7.3.1, location. Notwithstanding the above, during
the Joint Venture Company’s first year of operations starting from the Date of
Establishment, the Board shall convene at least quarterly, and thereafter, the
Board shall convene at such intervals as determined by the
Chairman.
7.3.7 Board
meetings shall be called by not less than fifteen (15) days prior written notice
(which shall include notification in both the Chinese and English languages as
to time, place and the agenda of the business which is proposed to be discussed
at such meeting) given by facsimile or other electronic means to each director.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the directors may in writing unanimously waive
the notice requirements of this Clause 7.3.7 and consent to a Board meeting
being held on shorter notice.
7.3.8 In
lieu of a Board meeting, a written resolution may be adopted by the Board if
such resolution is sent to the directors of the Board (no less than the quorum
provided in Clause 7.3.2) and signed in one or more counterparts by these
directors (which shall not be signed by their proxies). A written resolution so
adopted shall be equally valid as a resolution adopted in a formally convened
Board meeting.
11
7.3.9 Minutes
and resolutions of meetings of the Board shall be signed by each director or
his/her proxies attending the meeting and the originals thereof shall be kept in
the Minutes Book of Board Meetings of the Joint Venture Company at the Joint
Venture Company’s legal address. A copy of the minutes shall immediately be sent
by facsimile or registered post to each of the directors upon completion of a
Board meeting.
7.3.10 The
minutes of Board meetings and written resolutions of the Board shall be recorded
in Chinese. These documents shall also be translated to English and
distributed to parties who use English as the business language.
7.3.11 Prior
to the end of each Board meeting, the directors shall determine the date on
which the next Board meeting (“Next Board Meeting”) is to be
held. In the event of any change in the date on which the Next Board
Meeting is to be held, the Chairman shall give each director not less that
fifteen (15) days prior written notice of the new date for the Next Board
Meeting (unless the fifteen (15) days notice requirement is waived in accordance
with Clause 7.3.7).
7.4 First Board
Meeting
The first
Board Meeting shall be convened within thirty days after the Date of
Establishment of the Joint Venture Company. The Parties agree that at the first
Board meeting of the Joint Venture Company, resolutions shall be passed by every
director voting in person or by proxy at such meeting to approve the following
matters:
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(a)
|
appointment
of the first General Manager, Deputy General Manager and the Chief
Financial Officer nominated by Party A, and determination of the
respective terms of the secondment agreements for them to be seconded by
the relevant nominating Party to the Joint Venture Company (or their
contracts of employment as the case may be);
and
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|
(b)
|
subject
to the provisions of Clauses 7.2.1 and 8 and the approval by the Board,
delegation to the General Manager of the overall management of the Joint
Venture Company’s activities and the day to day business of the Joint
Venture Company, including, but not limited
to:
|
|
(i)
|
execution
of the strategies adopted by the Board from time to time and
implementation of decisions in relation to the operations of the
Joint Venture Company made by the Board from time to
time;
|
|
(ii)
|
preparation
and implementation of all annual business plans, annual budgets and annual
accounts of the Joint Venture Company and submission of the same to the
Board for discussion and approval;
|
|
(iii)
|
the
overall management of Joint Venture Company's
business;
|
|
(iv)
|
the
conduct of litigation or arbitration proceedings on behalf of the Joint
Venture Company as decided by the
Board;
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|
(v)
|
responsibility
for advertising, public relations and governmental
relations;
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|
(vi)
|
execution
and delivery of all contracts, agreements, documents or instruments which
may be deemed necessary for carrying on the business of the Joint Venture
Company and within the powers delegated to him/her by the
Board;
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12
|
(vii)
|
responsibility
for ensuring compliance by the Joint Venture Company with relevant Chinese
laws and regulations and any other laws applicable to the Joint Venture
Company;
|
|
(viii)
|
power
to delegate such of his management powers as shall fall within the
authority of the General Manager;
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|
(ix)
|
any
other acts, transactions or decisions as the Board may direct from time to
time.
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|
(x)
|
the
determination of the amount as per Clause 7.2.1(a) and (k)
above;
|
|
(xi)
|
appointment
of the Auditors referred to in Clause
11.4.1;
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|
(xii)
|
the
decision about the repayment of the pre-commencement expenses as per
Clause 3.2.1;
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|
(xiii)
|
the
establishment of the business management structure referred to in Clause
8;
|
|
(xiv)
|
the
adoption of a business plan and budget for the first year of operation;
and
|
|
(xv)
|
the
policy of procurement of raw materials and capital equipment of the Joint
Venture Company.
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7.5 Remuneration of
Directors
All
directors (including the Chairman) shall serve without any remuneration, but (i)
the reasonable costs and expenses incurred by the directors in attending the
Board meetings shall be reimbursed by the Joint Venture Company; and (ii) a
director shall also be entitled to receive remuneration and compensation for
performance of special tasks assigned by the Board within the budget approved by
the Board.
7.6 Indemnity for
Directors
No
director shall have any liability for any acts performed in his capacity as a
director except for such acts knowingly in violation of laws or regulations or
that constitute gross negligence and willful misconduct. The directors shall
exercise their powers in good faith and within the scope of authority determined
or delegated by the Board. The Joint Venture Company shall indemnify each
director against any claims which may be brought against such director for acts
performed in his capacity as director of the Joint Venture Company except for
acts knowingly in violation of laws or regulations or that constitute gross
negligence and willful misconduct.
7.7 Supervisor
7.7.1 The
Joint Venture Company shall have a Supervisor rather than a Supervisory Board
which shall be appointed by Party A.
7.7.2 The
Supervisor shall be appointed for a term of three (3) years, and may serve
consecutive terms if reappointed Party A.
7.7.3 The
Supervisor shall exercise the following powers and functions:
|
(a)
|
to
supervise the Joint Venture Company's financial
affairs;
|
13
|
(b)
|
to
supervise the directors and senior managers’ misconduct which violates the
provisions of law, regulation and the Articles of Association when they
execute their duties;
|
|
(c)
|
when
an act done by a director or senior manager is detrimental to the Joint
Venture Company's interests, to require such director or senior manager to
rectify such act;
|
|
(d)
|
to
initiate proceedings against the directors and senior managers according
to the provision of the Joint Venture Company Law;
and
|
|
(e)
|
such
other functions and powers as specified in the Articles of Association of
the Joint Venture Company.
|
7.7.4 The
Supervisor may attend the Board meeting as a non-voting attendee, and offer
inquiry and suggestion to the Board meeting. The directors and the senior
managers may not concurrently serve as the Supervisor.
8.
BUSINESS MANAGEMENT
ORGANIZATION
8.1 Management
Structure
The Joint
Venture Company shall adopt a business management structure designed by the
General Manager and approved by the Board under which the General Manager shall
have overall responsibility for the day to day operations of the Joint Venture
Company, and shall report to and be under the leadership of the
Board.
8.2 Senior Management
Personnel
Until
such time as the Board shall otherwise determine, the senior management
positions of the Joint Venture Company shall be as follows:
|
-
|
One
(1) General Manager; and
|
|
-
|
Other
senior managers as determined by the
Board
|
The
director nominated by Party C shall, upon appointment of the Board, serve as the
first General Manager. In the event that the misconduct of the first General
Manager gives rise to any loss or difficultly of the Joint Venture Company, the
Board may discharge the General Manager, in which case the new General Manager
shall be nominated by Party A and appointed by the Board.
The
General Manager shall report to the Board and the Deputy General Managers shall
report to the General Manager.
8.3 Term of Office
The
General Manager and any Deputy General Manager shall be appointed for a term of
three (3) years. The General Manager may serve consecutive terms if he is
nominated by the Board. The Deputy General Manager may serve consecutive terms
if re-nominated by the Party which originally nominated him. If the position of
either the General Manager or the Deputy General Manager is vacated by his
retirement, resignation, illness, disability or death or by his removal by the
Party which originally nominated him, the Party which originally nominated him
shall nominate a successor to serve out his term. Appointments to and
dismissals from the positions of General Manager and Deputy General Manager
shall be made by the Board.
14
8.4 Functions of General
Manager
8.4.1 The
General Manager is responsible for implementing the decisions and plans of the
Board, and for organizing and conducting the daily management of the Joint
Venture Company. The General Manager shall have such powers and
functions as set out in this Contract and as delegated to him by the Board
pursuant to Clause 7.4(b) hereof (as may be subsequently varied).
8.4.2 The
General Manager shall consult with the Deputy General Managers on major
operational issues (such as the preparation of annual budgets, business plans,
and the hiring, remuneration and dismissal of Management Personnel), provided
that if the General Manager and the Deputy General Managers fail to reach an
agreement on any matter, the General Manager shall have the right to make a
final decision and to implement such decision (provided that in so doing, the
General Manager is acting within the scope of his authority). The General
Manager shall subsequently inform the Board of such decision.
8.5 Functions of Deputy General
Managers
The
Deputy General Managers shall assist the General Manager to implement the
decisions and plans of the Board, and carry out the work delegated to him by the
General Manager in respect of the daily operation and financial management of
the Joint Venture Company. The Deputy General Managers shall report
to the General Manager. The General Manager may entrust the Deputy
General Managers, in writing, to carry out certain of his functions on his
behalf.
8.6 Chief Financial
Officer
The
Deputy General Manager nominated by Party A and appointed by the Board shall
serve concurrently as the Chief Financial Officer. The Chief Financial Officer
shall be responsible for the finance and accounting issues of the Joint Venture
Company and for the overall audit of the income and expense, and shall report
directly to the Board.
8.7 Management
Personnel
Management
Personnel shall be nominated by the General Manager and appointed by the
Board. Management Personnel shall be responsible for the work of
their respective departments or lines of business, handle the matters delegated
to them by the General Manager and shall report to the General Manager from time
to time.
8.8 Non-Competition by Senior Managers
and Management Personnel
The
Senior Managers and Management Personnel shall work full time in the Joint
Venture Company and shall not, during their employment with the Joint Venture
Company and two (2) years thereafter, take up any other executive or
administrative position in any other competing economic organization nor engage
in any activities which are in competition with the Business of the Joint
Venture Company or are detrimental to the Joint Venture Company’s interests in
China. If, during their employment with the Joint Venture Company, any one of
the above persons is found to be in violation of the foregoing provision, he may
be immediately suspended, disciplined or dismissed by the General Manager or the
Board. Should he be found in violation of the foregoing provision within two (2)
years after his employment with the Joint Venture Company, the Joint Venture
Company shall be entitled to adopt any legal and appropriate measures for his
responsibility.
9.
BUSINESS PLACE
The Joint
Venture Company shall, in accordance with the terms and conditions approved by
the Board, lease or purchase the appropriate place for its business. Upon
approval of the Board, the Joint Venture Company may rent the unused space to
the other entities.
15
10. LABOR MANAGEMENT
10.1 Governing
Principles
Matters
relating to the recruitment, employment, dismissal, resignation, wages, welfare
and other matters concerning the Personnel of the Joint Venture Company shall be
handled in accordance with relevant Chinese laws and regulations. The Joint
Venture Company shall adopt as far as permitted by PRC laws and practical the
standard management rules of Party A in relation to the employees. The Joint
Venture Company shall be staffed by both local and expatriate staff at a level
agreed upon among the Parties. Each Party may recommend any number of
qualified candidates and the General Manager shall examine these recommendations
in accordance with the principles set forth in Clauses 10.2 and 10.3
below.
10.2
Working
Personnel
10.2.1 The
Joint Venture Company shall employ Working Personnel at its own discretion on
the basis of merit. The qualifications and proficiency of each candidate shall
be examined and/or tested before hiring. Labor contracts shall be
entered into between the Joint Venture Company and each individual member of the
Working Personnel. Terms of labor contracts of Working Personnel shall be
determined by General Manager, subject to the provisions of Clause
7.2.1. Each labor contract shall set out all material terms governing
the employment, duties and benefits of the relevant individual and shall be
filed with the local labor department.
10.2.2 The
General Manager shall determine the number of Working Personnel required based
on the operating needs of the Joint Venture Company and Party A’s usual
standards for efficient operations, subject to the provisions of Clause
7.2.1.
10.3
Management
Personnel
10.3.1 The
Joint Venture Company shall employ Management Personnel at its own discretion on
the basis of merit. The qualifications and proficiency of each
candidate shall be examined and/or tested before hiring. Labor
contracts shall be entered into between the Joint Venture Company and each
individual member of the Management Personnel. Terms of labor
contracts of Management Personnel shall be determined by the General Manager,
subject to the provisions of Clause 7.2.1. Each labor contract shall
set out all material terms governing the employment, duties and benefits of the
relevant individual and shall be filed with the local labor
department.
10.3.2 Subject
to Clause 7.2.1, the nomination of Management Personnel shall be determined by
the General Manager.
10.3.3 Management
Personnel must have the necessary experience and may be recruited from within
China as well as from abroad.
10.4
Discipline
10.4.1 The
General Manager shall have the right to take disciplinary action, including
giving a warning and recording of a demerit against, and a reduction in the
wages of, those Personnel who violate the rules, regulations and labor
discipline of the Joint Venture Company. Where a case is serious,
such Personnel may be dismissed. The General Manager shall also have the right
to dismiss any member of the Personnel who is found to be inadequate,
incompetent or unsuitable for his job (even after having received proper
training), but the dismissal of the Senior Managers and Management Personnel
shall be determined by the Board.
10.4.2 Dismissal
of Personnel by the Joint Venture Company shall be carried out in accordance
with the stipulations of the labor contract and the relevant laws and
regulations of China.
16
10.5 Salaries and Annual
Review
The
detailed salaries for all Personnel (other than the Senior Managers and
Management Personnel) shall be decided by the General Manager based on the
business plan adopted by the Board. All expatriate Personnel shall be
compensated as agreed among the Parties. Budgetary guidelines for the annual
adjustment of salaries and other related matters of the Joint Venture Company’s
Personnel shall be proposed by the General Manager and approved by the
Board.
10.6 Non Solicitation
Neither
any Party nor any of their Affiliates shall, during the entire term of the Joint
Venture Company, employ or solicit any of the Personnel, or entice any of such
persons to resign from the Joint Venture Company for the purpose of employing
any of such persons unless unanimously agreed by the other Parties with a
written notice.
10.7 Employment
Insurance
The Joint
Venture Company shall pay for the pension insurance, medical insurance and
unemployment insurance in accordance with the relevant regulations.
11.
FINANCIAL AFFAIRS,
ACCOUNTING AND INSURANCE
11.1 Accounting System
11.1.1 The
Joint Venture Company shall adopt internationally used accrual basis and debit
and credit accounting system in the preparation of its accounts.
11.1.2 The
Joint Venture Company shall maintain accounting systems and procedures in
accordance with the “Accounting Law of the People’s Republic of China”,
“Accounting System of Enterprises”, and “Accounting System of Foreign Invested
Enterprises” and related stipulations promulgated by the Ministry of Finance of
China. In addition, the Joint Venture Company shall also ensure that it shall
prepare and produce accounts and financial reports in accordance with the
accounting principles as applied by Party A’s own accounts and in accordance
with Party A’s customary reporting and management requirements. The Joint
Venture Company shall also maintain financial records which, in reasonable
detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions in which the Joint
Venture Company has engaged (including, without limitation, all and any
acquisitions and disposals of assets of the Joint Venture Company).
11.1.3 The
Joint Venture Company shall provide to each Party the necessary information and
data required by them. All financial records of the Joint Venture Company shall
be maintained in Chinese language.
11.1.4 The
Joint Venture Company shall adopt RMB as its standard bookkeeping base currency,
but may also use US Dollars or other foreign currencies as supplementary
bookkeeping currencies. The exchange between RMB and US Dollars or other foreign
currencies shall abide by the relevant PRC laws and regulations.
11.1.5 Routine
accounting records, vouchers, books and statements of the Joint Venture Company
shall be made and kept in Chinese. At the request of Party A, Party B or
Party F, an English version of the aforesaid documents shall be
provided.
17
|
11.2
|
Accounting
Year
|
The
accounting year of the Joint Venture Company shall begin on 1st January and end
on 31st December. The first accounting period of the Joint Venture Company shall
commence on the Date of Establishment and end on 31st December of the same
year.
|
11.3
|
Accounting and Financial
Management Documents and
Reports
|
The Chief
Financial Officer shall:
11.3.1 within
twenty (20) days of each accounting year end produce the first draft of the
annual profit and loss accounts and the annual balance sheet of the Joint
Venture Company for the immediately preceding account year and distribute the
same to both Parties for review. Within the first twenty (20) day of each
accounting year, the Chief Financial Officer shall produce the final audited
accounts of the Joint Venture Company for the immediately preceding accounting
year and submit the same to the meeting of the Board for approval. Within twenty
(20) days of the approval by the Board, the Chief Financial Officer shall
provide the Parties with copies of such final audited profit and loss accounts
and balance sheet.
11.3.2 within
fourteen (14) days of the last day of each quarterly accounting period ending on
31 December, 31 March, 30 June and 30 September respectively
of each year, procure the preparation of a quarterly profit and loss account and
balance sheet of the Joint Venture Company for the immediately preceding
quarterly accounting period with quarterly re-forecasts of the annual outcome
prepared from the actual to date and forecast of the remainder of the year. The
Chief Financial Officer shall, within such fourteen (14) day period as
aforesaid, submit such quarterly profit and loss account and balance sheet as
mentioned above to the Board. Within fourteen (14) days of the
approval by the Board, the Chief Financial Officer shall provide the Parties
with copies of each such quarterly profit and loss account and balance
sheet.
11.3.3 Within
seven (7) days after the last day of each month, procure the preparation of
monthly management accounts, such management accounts to include profit and loss
accounts, cash flow forecast of the next three months and balance sheet of the
Joint Venture Company. The Chief Financial Officer shall, within such seven (7)
day period as aforesaid, submit such information to the Parties.
11.4 Auditing
11.4.1 The
Board shall appoint a recognized firm of accountants with the qualifications to
engage in auditing business in China as the independent auditors of the Joint
Venture Company (the “Auditors”). The Auditors shall
be appointed for such term as the Board shall determine. The Auditors shall
perform the annual examination and audit of the financial statements of the
Joint Venture Company, produce the relevant certificates and reports and assist
in the production and counter-signing of the annual accounting statements and
other documents, certificates or statements required by Chinese law to be
examined and certified by an accountant registered in China. The cost
of employing the Auditors shall be borne by the Joint Venture
Company.
11.4.2 Whenever
necessary, the Board may set up an internal audit team for conducting internal
audit of the financial condition of the Joint Venture Company.
11.5 Bank Accounts and Foreign Exchange
Control
The Joint
Venture Company shall open RMB bank accounts and foreign exchange accounts
within China in currencies used by the Joint Venture Company in its operations.
The Joint Venture Company’s foreign exchange transactions shall be handled in
accordance with the relevant Chinese laws and regulations relating to foreign
exchange control.
18
11.6 Profit
Distribution
11.6.1 After
payment of taxes in accordance with relevant Chinese laws and regulations and
after accumulated losses of previous years have been fully made up, the Joint
Venture Company shall, prior to distribution of profits for any accounting year,
make allocations to the various funds (including reserve funds, bonuses and
welfare funds for staff and workers and expansion funds) required by relevant
Chinese laws and regulations to be made after the payment of taxes, in such
amounts as determined by the Board.
11.6.2 After
the payment of taxes, making up losses of previous years (if any) and after
making allocations to the funds referred to in Clause 11.6.1 above, the
remaining profits of the Joint Venture Company (or such portion of the remaining
profits of the Joint Venture Company as the Board, based upon the recommendation
of the General Manager, shall determine) will be available for distribution to
each of the Parties in proportion to such Party’s share in the registered
capital of the Joint Venture Company.
11.6.3 The
Joint Venture Company shall pay profits due to Party A, Party B and Party F in a
foreign currency to be notified by Party A, Party B and Party F. If in any
accounting year, the Joint Venture Company does not have sufficient foreign
exchange funds to pay to Party A, Party B and Party F in full its share of
profits, the Joint Venture Company shall exchange a sufficient amount of RMB
into foreign exchange in order to make such payment. If for any reason this is
not possible, Party A, Party B and/or Party F may, at its option, take its
profits for that accounting year in RMB in China or determine that the balance
of any dividend unpaid in that year shall be paid when foreign currency becomes
available together with an amount in respect of interest on such balance in the
appropriate foreign currency for the period from the date of declaration up to
the date of payment calculated at the average rate of interest charged by the
Bank of China, Beijing Branch for one (1) month term fixed deposits of such
currency in the same amount.
11.7 Insurance
The Joint
Venture Company shall purchase insurance in accordance with the Chinese laws and
regulations, common practice in the same industry in China and normal practice
of Party A, including (but not limited to) insurance for property damage and
business interruption, product and public liability and employer’s liability in
respect of employees. The General Manager shall prepare and submit to the Board
of Directors for approval a proposal of insurance to be purchased in each year.
After such insurance proposal is approved by the Board of Directors, the General
Manager shall be responsible for implementing the proposal and keeping the
insurance policies effective during their respective terms.
12. TAXATION
The Joint
Venture Company shall pay various types of tax under the relevant national and
local laws of China, and shall apply for all types of preferential tax treatment
as permitted by the PRC law.
13. CONFIDENTIALITY
13.1 During
the term of this Contract and for a period of three (3) years from the date of
termination or expiration of this Contract for any reason whatsoever, the
Receiving Party of any Confidential Information shall:
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(a)
|
keep
the Confidential Information
confidential;
|
|
(b)
|
not
disclose the Confidential Information to any person other than with the
prior written consent of the Disclosing Party or the Joint Venture
Company, or in accordance with Clauses 13.2 and 13.3;
and
|
|
(c)
|
not
use the Confidential Information for any purpose other than the
performance of its obligations under this
Contract.
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19
13.2 During
the term of this Contract, the Receiving Party may disclose the Confidential
Information to any of its employees or to any of its various professional
advisors or to any member of Personnel of the Joint Venture Company (each a
“Recipient”) to the
extent that such disclosure is reasonably necessary for the purposes of this
Contract or any Ancillary Agreement.
13.3 The
Receiving Party shall ensure that each Recipient is made aware of and complies
with all the Receiving Party’s obligations of confidentiality under this
Contract as if the Recipient was a party to this Contract.
13.4 The
obligations contained in Clauses 13.1 to 13.3 shall not apply to any
Confidential Information which:
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(a)
|
at
the date of this Contract is in, or at any time after the date of this
Contract comes into, the public domain other than through breach of this
Contract by the Receiving Party or any
Recipient;
|
|
(b)
|
was
not obtained directly or indirectly from the Disclosing Party and which
was available to the Receiving Party or to a Recipient on a
non-confidential basis from a source other than the Disclosing Party,
provided that such source is not and has not been bound by any obligations
of confidentiality with the Disclosing Party or the Joint Venture Company;
or
|
|
(c)
|
is
required to be disclosed by applicable laws and
regulations.
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13.5 Each
Party agrees to take (and shall ensure that the Joint Venture Company takes) at
its own expense all reasonable action, including court proceedings, where
appropriate, to compel compliance by a Recipient with the provisions of Clause
13.3.
13.6 Upon
termination of this Contract, each Party shall return to the other Parties all
Confidential Information, including the documents in electronic form, all
confidential correspondence received from such other Parties prior to and during
the existence of the Joint Venture Company. No Party shall be allowed
to retain copies of such Confidential Information.
14. NON-COMPETITION
14.1 Non-Competition during the Term of
the Joint Venture Company
For the
duration of this Contract, no Party nor any of its Affiliates shall directly or
indirectly engage in any discussions or negotiations, or enter into any
agreement, commitment, or understanding with a third party to conduct of any or
all of the Business in China, or to do anything which is likely to compete with
the Business of the Joint Venture Company in China.
14.2 Non-Competition after the Termination
of the Joint Venture Company
If any of
the Parties exits the Joint Venture Company as a result of a buy-out in
accordance with Clauses 15.4.3 and 15.5, such Party and any Affiliates shall not
for a period of three (3) years (either directly or indirectly through any of
its Affiliates) attempt to conduct (either on its own or through a joint venture
with a third party) any Business in China
JOINT
VENTURE TERM AND TERMINATION
14.3 Joint Venture
Term
The term
of the Joint Venture Company shall commence on the Date of Establishment and its
duration shall be thirty (30) years.
20
14.4 Early Termination
In the
event that the Joint Venture Company is dissolved or forced to declare
bankruptcy, liquidation shall be conducted in accordance with applicable Chinese
laws and regulations. Subject to the Parties adhering to this general principle,
the following provisions of this Clause 0 shall apply.
14.5 Notice of
Termination
Each of
the Parties (the “Notifying
Party”) shall have the right to give written notice to the relevant
Parties (the “Non-Notifying
Party”) of its desire to terminate this Contract (except that none of the
Parties shall have the right to serve notice if it is the breaching Party under
this Clause 15.3(c) or if its control is acquired by a competing third party
under Clause 15.3(j)):
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(a)
|
if
any Party bankrupts, or becomes the subject of proceedings for liquidation
or dissolution (except as a result of inter-group restructuring), or
ceases to carry on business or becomes unable to pay its debts as they
come due;
|
|
(b)
|
if
the Joint Venture Company is insolvent or becomes
bankrupt;
|
|
(c)
|
if
any Party commits a material breach of this Contract (which includes
breach of the non-competition obligation contained in Clause 14 and any of
the representations and warranties contained in Clause 19), and the
breaching Party fails to remedy the breach to the satisfaction of the
Notifying Party within ninety (90) days of written notice from the
Notifying Party;
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|
(d)
|
if
all or part of the assets or property of the Joint Venture Company or the
interest of any Party in the Joint Venture Company is expropriated or
requisitioned;
|
|
(e)
|
if
the conditions or consequences of Force Majeure prevail for a period in
excess of six (6) consecutive months and the Parties have been unable to
find an equitable solution pursuant to Clause
16.3;
|
|
(f)
|
if
good faith negotiations by the senior representatives of the Parties
pursuant to Clause 7.3.5 have failed to resolve an incident of
Deadlock;
|
|
(g)
|
the
Joint Venture Company sustains significant and unsustainable losses (i.e.,
the accumulated losses sustained by the Joint Venture Company equal the
registered capital contributed by the Parties) for a three (3) consecutive
year period from the Date of Establishment, and, after consultations, the
Parties are unable to agree on a satisfactory method to improve the
economic condition of the Joint Venture Company, and they are unwilling to
contribute further capital towards the Joint Venture Company (whether by
way of registered capital or, to the extent permitted, loan financing),
and none of the Parties is prepared or authorized to purchase the
registered capital of the other
Parties;
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|
(h)
|
any
new law or regulation, or the judicial interpretation of any existing law
or regulation, is imposed on the Joint Venture Company which has a
materially adverse effect on any of the Parties and/or the Joint Venture
Company;
|
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(i)
|
if
the Joint Venture Company loses its business qualification for more than
six (6) months, or if such qualification is restricted or limited in such
a way that it has or might have a material adverse effect on the Parties
and/or the Joint Venture Company;
or
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21
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(j)
|
if
the control (as such term is used within the definition of “Affiliate”) of any Party
(or its ultimate holding company) is acquired by a third party which is a
competitor of any of the other
Parties.
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14.6 Consequences of Termination
Notice
14.6.1 In
the event that the Notifying Party gives written notice pursuant to Clause 15.3
and as to Clause 14.5(c) provided that the Non-Notifying Party is in breach, or
as to Clause 15.3(j) and provided that the control of the Non-Notifying Party is
acquired by the Notifying Party’s competitor, then the Notifying Party shall,
subject to Clause 15.5.3, have the right to purchase (or to nominate a third
party to purchase) all equity interests of the Non-Notifying Party in the Joint
Venture Company, or to sell all of its equity interest in the Joint Venture
Company to the Non-Notifying Party, for an amount determined in accordance with
Clause 15.5.
14.6.2 In
the event that any Party (the “Affected Party”) gives written
notice pursuant to Clause 14.5(e) or 14.5(h) and provided the incident of Force
Majeure or change of law has a materially adverse effect on the Affected Party,
then the Affected Party shall have the right to require the other Parties to
purchase (or to nominate a third party to purchase) the Affected Party’s equity
interest in the Joint Venture Company for an amount determined in accordance
with Clause 15.5, unless both Parties agree that the Joint Venture Company shall
be liquidated and Clause 16.6 shall apply.
14.6.3 Under
the circumstances described in Clause 14.5(f), the Party(ies) which vote(s) in
favour of approving the resolution (the “Approving Party”) may give a
written notice to the Party(ies) which vote(s) against the resolution (the
“Opposing Party”), and
the Opposing Party may also give a written notice to the Approving Party. The
Notifying Party shall specify in such notice the price which such Notifying
Party believes is fair for the purchase of the Non-Notifying Party's equity
interest in the
Joint Venture Company (the “Purchase Price”).
|
(a)
|
Such
notice, which may not be withdrawn by the Notifying Party for fifteen (15)
days from its delivery to the Non-Notifying Party, shall be deemed to be
an irrevocable offer to either:
|
|
i)
|
purchase
(or to nominate a third party to purchase) from the Opposing Party the
entire (but not part of the) equity interest owned by such Opposing Party
in the Joint Venture Company at the Purchase Price;
or
|
|
ii)
|
sell
to the Opposing Party (or to a third party nominated by it) the entire
(but not part of the) equity interest owned by the Approving Party in the
Joint Venture Company at the Purchase
Price.
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|
(b)
|
The
Opposing Party is entitled to decide, within fifteen (15) days after
receiving such written notice, in writing whether to accept the offer
either to sell to the Approving Party (or a third party nominated by it)
the entire equity interest owned by the Opposing Party in the Joint
Venture Company at the Purchase Price, or to purchase (or to nominate a
third party to purchase) from the Approving Party the entire equity
interest owned by such Approving Party in the Joint Venture Company at the
Purchase Price.
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|
(c)
|
Should
the Non-Notifying Party fail to reply in writing to one of the offers
referred to in Clause 15.4.3(a)(i) or (ii) above within fifteen (15) days
after receiving the Notifying Party’s notification pursuant to this
Clause, the Non-Notifying Party shall be deemed to have given its consent
to the offer provided for by the Notifying Party, unless the Parties agree
that the Joint Venture Company should be liquidated and Clause 15.6 shall
apply.
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22
14.6.4 In
the event that any Party gives written notice pursuant to Clauses 14.5(b),
14.5(d), 14.5(g) or 14.5(i), and (in the case where the incident of Force
Majeure or change of law has a materially adverse effect on the Joint Venture
Company and/or the Parties at the same time) Clauses 14.5(e) and 14.5(h), or in
the event that Clauses 15.4.1, and 15.4.2 shall apply, but no buy-out is
proposed or agreed to pursuant to Clause 15.5 or approved by the Examination and
Approval Authority, the provisions of Clause 15.6 shall apply.
14.7 Buy-out
14.7.1 Upon
giving of a written notice pursuant to Clause 15.4.1 or Clause 15.4.2, or the
Party (or a third party nominated by it as the case may be) which has the right
or is obliged to purchase the equity interest of the other Party in the Joint
Venture Company (the “Purchasing Party”) may (in the
case of Clause 15.4.1) or shall (in the case of Clause 15.4.2) use its best
effort to purchase such other Parties’ (the “Selling Party”) equity
interest in the Joint Venture Company and the Selling Party shall sell its
equity interest to the Purchasing Party (or a third party nominated by it). In
such case, the purchase of the equity interest shall be at a consideration to be
unanimously agreed upon between the Parties (or, as the case may be between the
Selling Party and the third party nominated by the Purchasing Party), or, if
there is no agreement within thirty (30) days of the giving of a written notice
as aforesaid, at the Disposal Value (the provisions of Clause 15.5.2 to apply
mutatis
mutandis to this Clause 15.5.1).
14.7.2 Determination
of Disposal Value
|
(a)
|
For
the purposes of determining the Disposal Value, the Selling Party and the
Purchasing Party shall jointly select and appoint a highly qualified
international firm of accountants or appraiser (the “Appraiser”) to determine
the Disposal Value and, as soon as the Selling Party and the Purchasing
Party reach an agreement on the selection of the Appraiser, send an
instruction notice to the Appraiser to determine the Disposal Value. The
Appraiser shall commence his work immediately upon receipt of the notice
from the Selling Party and the Purchasing Party and shall deliver to the
Selling Party and the Purchasing Party its written determination of the
Disposal Value within thirty (30) days of receipt of the notice or any
time as otherwise agreed by the
Parties.
|
|
(b)
|
If
the Selling Party and the Purchasing Party are unable to agree upon the
selection of the Appraiser within fifteen (15) days of the failure to
reach an agreement on price pursuant to Clause 15.5.1 above, either Party
may request the current President of the Hong Kong Society of Accountants
(or its successor organization) to select a highly qualified international
firm of accountants or appraiser (the “Independent Appraiser”)
to determine the Disposal Value. The Independent Appraiser shall commence
his work immediately upon receipt of the notice from the Selling Party and
the Purchasing Party and shall deliver to them its written determination
of the Disposal Value accordingly.
|
|
(c)
|
In
the absence of fraud or manifest error, the Disposal Value determined by
the Appraiser selected pursuant to paragraph (a) above or the Independent
Appraiser selected pursuant to paragraph (b) above shall be final and
binding on the Selling Party and the Purchasing Party. The cost incurred
for the determination of the Disposal Value shall be borne by the Selling
Party and the Purchasing Party
equally.
|
14.7.3 In
addition to the Selling Party and the Purchasing Party, the other Parties shall
use their efforts regarding the proposed purchase pursuant to Clause 15.5 which
shall include, without limitation, to urge the directors appointed by them to
vote in favor of approving the resolution (if any) concerning the proposed
purchase and use their respective best efforts to procure approval and
registration.
14.7.4 The
Parties shall submit their agreement regarding the proposed purchase pursuant to
Clauses 15.4 and 15.5.1 to the Examination and Approval Authority for approval.
Each Party agrees that it shall use its respective best efforts to procure all
approvals required as a result of the application of Clauses 15.4 and 15.5.1 as
soon as practicable.
23
14.7.5 The
Purchasing Party shall pay the purchase price in a currency acceptable to the
Selling Party (which may be a foreign currency to be selected by Party A, Party
B and/or Party F in the event Party A, Party B and/or Party F are/is the Selling
Party) within forty-five (45) days of approval by the Examination and Approval
Authority. If the Purchasing Party, for any reason, does not pay the Purchase
Price in full within the aforesaid forty-five (45) day period, then it shall pay
to the Selling Party liquidated damages equivalent to the interest for the
period during which the overdue amount remains unpaid at the rate of two percent
(2%) above the one year London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) for US Dollar
loans. Such liquidated damages shall accrue on a daily basis and shall be
payable monthly in arrears until the overdue amount is paid in full. In the event the
Purchasing Party fails to rectify the default in paying the full amount of the
purchase price to the Selling Party within ninety (90) days after receipt of the
notice sent by the Selling Party pursuant to this Clause, the provisions of
Clause 15.6 shall apply.
14.7.6 If
the purchase under Clause 15.4.3 or this Clause 15.5 is not completed as
provided for herein within ninety (90) days of the notice given by a Party
pursuant to the relevant paragraphs of Clause 15.3, then the provisions of
Clause 15.6 shall apply.
|
14.8
|
Voluntary Liquidation
Procedure
|
In the
event that the Business License is revoked, or if the provisions of Clauses
15.4.4 or 15.5.5 shall apply, this Contract shall automatically terminate and
procedures for the voluntary liquidation of the Joint Venture Company shall be
carried out in accordance with the relevant Chinese laws and
regulations.
|
14.9
|
Distribution of
Assets
|
Upon
completion of liquidation and settlement of all outstanding debts and
liabilities, the balance of the Joint Venture Company’s assets shall be
distributed to the Parties in proportion to their respective percentage
ownership in the Joint Venture Company’s registered capital.
15. LIABILITY FOR BREACH OF
CONTRACT
If any
Party is in breach of any provision (including a breach of warranties provided
in Clause 19) of this Contract or any provision of the Articles of Association,
the breaching Party shall indemnify the other Parties and the Joint Venture
Company for the losses suffered by the other Parties or the Joint Venture
Company as a result of such breach.
16. FORCE MAJEURE
16.1 If
an event of Force Majeure occurs, to the extent that any contractual obligation
(other than the obligations under Clauses 13 and 14) of any Party cannot be
performed as a result of such event, such contractual obligation shall be
suspended while the Force Majeure subsists and the due date for performance
thereof shall be automatically extended, without penalty, for a period equal to
such suspension.
16.2 The
Party encountering Force Majeure shall promptly inform the other Parties in
writing and shall furnish appropriate proof of the occurrence and duration of
such Force Majeure. The Party encountering Force Majeure shall also use all
reasonable efforts to minimize the consequences of such Force
Majeure.
16.3 In
the event of Force Majeure, the Parties shall immediately consult with each
other in order to find an equitable solution and shall use all reasonable
efforts to minimize the consequences of such Force Majeure.
24
17. SETTLEMENT OF
DISPUTES
17.1 Consultation
17.1.1 If
a dispute of any kind whatsoever arises among the Parties in connection with
this Contract or the Articles of Association, including any question concerning
the existence, construction, interpretation, validity, termination or
implementation of this Contract, the Articles of Association, the Parties shall
use all reasonable efforts to resolve the matter amicably.
17.1.2 If
any Party has sent to the other Parties a written notice setting forth a matter
in dispute and the dispute cannot be resolved by the Parties within thirty (30)
days after the notice has been sent, each of the Parties may submit such dispute
to arbitration. However, despite the foresaid, any Party may require a judgment
or decision from a court or relevant government for a temporary remedy, so as to
force the relevant Parties to perform obligations not in dispute.
17.2 Arbitration
17.2.1 In
the event that the dispute cannot be resolved within the period prescribed in
Clause 17.1.2 above, any Party may submit such dispute to arbitration in Beijing
by the China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission (the “CIETAC”) in accordance with
the Arbitration Rules of the CIETAC (the “Rules”) for the time being in
force, which Rules (including any amendment thereto) are deemed to be
incorporated by reference in this Clause.
17.2.2 Any
award made by the arbitral tribunal shall be final and binding on the Parties
and the Joint Venture Company who hereby waive any right of appeal to any court
which might otherwise have jurisdiction in respect of the matter.
17.2.3 The
cost of arbitration shall be borne by the losing Party, unless otherwise
determined by the arbitration award.
17.3 Continued
Performance
When any
dispute occurs and when any dispute is under arbitration, except for the matters
under dispute, the Parties shall continue to fulfill their respective
obligations (and shall be entitled to exercise their rights) under this
Contract.
18. WARRANTIES
18.1 Warranties of Party C, Party D and
Party E
Party C,
Party D and Party E hereby warrant that:
|
(a)
|
they
are validly existing enterprise legal persons of the PRC, in good standing
under the laws of the PRC, and have the full power and right to conduct
their business within the scope of their business
licenses;
|
|
(b)
|
they
have respectively full power and authority to enter into and perform this
Contract;
|
|
(c)
|
they
have respectively taken all requisite corporate actions to authorize the
signing of this Contract to which each of them is a party, and after
approval by the Examination and Approval Authority, the respective
obligations of them under this Contract will be valid and binding;
and
|
25
|
(d)
|
the
execution and performance of this Contract by them will not violate any
outstanding commitments, licenses or obligations, contractual or
otherwise, of them or any currently effective law, regulation, decree or
policy of the PRC.
|
18.2 Warranties of Party A, Party B and
Party F
Party A,
Party B and Party F each hereby warrants that:
18.2.1 Both
Party A and Party F are validly existing companies organized and in good
standing under the laws of Hong Kong, and Party B is a validly existing company
organized and in good standing under the laws of USA.
18.2.2
Both Party A and Party B have the full power and right to conduct its business
within the scope of its by-laws;
18.2.3 they
have full power and authority to enter into and perform this
Contract;
18.2.4 they
have taken all requisite corporate actions to authorize the signing of this
Contract and after approval by the Examination and Approval Authority,
their obligations under this Contract will be valid and binding;
and
18.2.5 the
execution and performance of this Contract by them will not violate any
outstanding commitments, licenses or obligations, contractual or otherwise, of
them or any currently effective law, regulation, decree or policy of the
relevant jurisdictions.
18.3 Indemnity
Subject
to Clause 16, each Party agrees to indemnify the other Parties from any and all
losses that may arise should any of its warranties set forth in this Clause 19
prove to be inaccurate in any respect.
19. APPLICABLE LAW
The
validity, interpretation and implementation of this Contract shall be governed
by relevant and published Chinese laws. In the event that there is no
relevant and published Chinese laws governing a particular matter relating to
this Contract, reference shall be made to general international commercial
practice.
20. MISCELLANEOUS
PROVISIONS
20.1 Waiver
The
failure to exercise or delay in exercising a right or remedy under this Contract
shall not constitute a waiver of the right or remedy or a waiver of any other
rights or remedies and no single or partial exercise of any right or remedy
under this Contract shall prevent any further exercise of the right or remedy or
the exercise of any other right or remedy.
20.2 Binding Effect
After
being executed by the legal representatives or their authorized persons and upon
the company chops of the Parties, this Contract shall come into effect from the
date of issue of the Certificate of Approval.
26
20.3 Language
This
Contract is written and executed in Chinese and English, any inconsistency
between the two versions shall be resolved in accordance with the provision of
Clause 18 hereof.
20.4 Severability
The
invalidity of any provision of this Contract shall not affect the validity of
any other provisions of this Contract. The Parties shall negotiate in good faith
in order to agree to the terms of a mutually satisfactory provision to be
substituted for the provision to be held invalid, subject to any approval
required of the Examination and Approval Authority.
20.5 Notices
Any
notice or other communication provided for in this Contract shall be in writing
in the English or Chinese languages and shall be delivered personally or sent by
facsimile (to be confirmed by registered mail or courier), or by registered mail
(receipt acknowledged) as follows:
If
to Party A, to:
Address:
1 Zhuyuan Second Street Beijing Tianzhu Export Processing
Xxxx,
Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxx,
000000
Tel: 010-80411312
Facsimile: 010-80411316
E-mail: xxx@xxx-xxxxxx.xxx.xx
Marked
for the attention of: Xxxx Xxx
If
to Party B, to:
Address: 0000
Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxx, XX 00000
Tel: (000)
000-0000
Facsimile: (000)
0000000
Marked
for the attention of: Xx. Xxx Xxxxx
If
to Party C, to:
Address:
Xxxx 000, Xx. 0 Xxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Mingyuan,
Xx. 00 Xxxxxxxx Xxxxx
Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxx, 000000
Tel: 010-62251122
Facsimile:
010-62219703
E-mail: xxxxxxxxxx00@000.xxx
Marked
for the attention of: Xx. Xxxxxxxx Xx
27
If
to Party D, to:
Address: Room
23C Xx.0 Xxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxx, 000000
Tel: 010-87731551
Facsimile: 010-87731551
Marked
for the attention of: Xxx Xxxx
If
to Party E, to:
Address: The
Industrial Area of Baimiaozi Town, Tumote Zuoqi, Xxxxxx Xxxx,
000000
Tel: 0471-8050999
Facsimile: 0471-8050808
E-mail: xxx0000@000.xxx
Marked
for the attention of: Xx. XXX Yongsheng
If
to Party F, to:
Address: 0xx
Xxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxx Xxxxx, Xxx Xxxxxxxx, 00 Xxxxx'x Xxxx Xxxxxxx,
Xxxx Xxxx
Tel: 852
3589 8899
Facsimile: 852
3589 8522
Marked
for the attention of: Xxxxxx Ma
or
to such other person, address or facsimile number as any Party may specify by
notice in writing to the others.
20.5.1
In the absence of evidence of earlier receipt, any notice or other communication
shall be deemed to have been duly given:
|
(a)
|
if
delivered personally, when left at the address referred to in Clause
21.5;
|
|
(b)
|
if
sent by facsimile, when clearly received in full;
and
|
|
(c)
|
if
sent by registered mail, with acknowledgement of receipt, when
acknowledged.
|
28
20.6 Inconsistency
If there
is any conflict or inconsistency between the provisions of this Contract and the
Articles of Association, this Contract shall prevail. If there is anything
relating to the Joint Venture Company, including but not limited to the
business, operation and management of the Joint Venture Company, or the Parties’
rights, obligations or liabilities concerning the Joint Venture Company not
provided in the Articles of Association, but provided in the Contract, the
Contract shall be binding upon the Joint Venture Company and the Parties. The
Parties shall use their efforts to ensure that the Joint Venture Company
complies with the Contract.
20.7 Amendment
No
amendment of this Contract shall be valid unless it is in writing and signed by
or on behalf of each of the Parties and, to the extent required by applicable
laws and regulations, approved by the Examination and Approval
Authority.
20.8 Non-Assignability
Other
than as expressly provided under the terms of this Contract, the rights and
obligations each Party hereunder shall not be assignable without the express
written consents of all the other Parties.
20.9 Survival
The
provisions of, and the obligations and benefits under Clauses 13, 18 and 19
(and any Clause which is expressly or impliedly stated to do so) shall
survive the termination of this Contract and the liquidation of the Joint
Venture Company.
20.10 Entire Agreement
This
Contract constitutes the entire agreement among the Parties relating to the
subject matter of this Contract and supersede all previous agreements,
including, without limitation any letter of intent between the
Parties.
29
20.11 Execution of
Contract
This
Contract shall be executed in ten (10) originals in both Chinese and English
language.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF each of the
Parties hereto has caused this Contract to be executed by its duly authorised
representative on the date first set forth above.
SIGNED
by
|
( )
|
for
and on behalf of
|
Bio-bridge
Science (HK) Co., Ltd
|
SIGNED
by
|
( )
|
for
and on behalf of
|
J R
Scientific, Inc.
|
SIGNED
by
|
( )
|
for
and on behalf of
|
Beijing
Boda Times Science and Trade Co., Ltd
|
SIGNED
by
|
( )
|
for
and on behalf of
|
Beijing
Zhongpu Huaxing Biotechnology Co., Ltd
|
SIGNED
by
|
( )
|
for
and on behalf of
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Huhhot
Haibo Biologic Production Co., Ltd
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SIGNED
by
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( )
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for
and on behalf of
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China
Diamond Limited
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30
appendix
1
DEFINITIONS
“Affiliate” means in relation
to each Party, any person who is directly or indirectly controlling or
controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such
Party. For the purposes of this definition, “control” when used with
respect to any person means the ownership of over fifty percent (50%) of the
voting stock, registered capital or other interest of that person, directly or
indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by agreement or
otherwise, or the power to appoint the manager or majority of members of the
management committee, board of directors or equivalent decision making body. A
“person” for such purposes is any individual, corporation, partnership, joint
venture, enterprise, association, joint-stock company, limited liability
company, trust, unincorporated organization or government or government
organization.
“Appendix” or “Appendices” means the appendix
or appendices attached to this Contract.
“Appraiser” has the meaning
given to it in Clause 15.5.2, 14.7.2(a) of this Contract.
“Articles of Association” means
the Articles of Association of the Joint Venture Company appended hereto as
Appendix 2.
“Assigning Party” has the
meaning given to it in Clause 5.5.1, 14.7.2(a) of this Contract.
“Auditors” mean the auditors of
the Joint Venture Company appointed in accordance with Clause
11.4.1.
“Board” means the board of
directors of the Joint Venture Company.
“Business” has the meaning
given to it in Clause 4.2 of this Contract.
“Business License” means the
Joint Venture Company’s business license issued by the SAIC.
“Certificate of Approval” means
the certificate of approval issued to the Joint Venture Company by the
Examination and Approval Authority approving the establishment of the Joint
Venture Company.
“China” or “PRC” or “People’s Republic of China”
means the People’s Republic of China (but for the purposes of this Contract
shall exclude the territories of Hong Kong, Macau and
Taiwan).
“Confidential Information”
means all information of a confidential nature disclosed (whether in writing,
verbally or by any other means and whether directly or indirectly) by any Party
(the “Disclosing Party”)
to the other Parties (the “Receiving Party”) whether
before or after the date of this Contract including, without limitation, any
information relating to the Disclosing Party’s products, operations, processes,
plans or intentions, product information, know-how, Intellectual Property,
design rights, trade secrets, market opportunities and business
affairs.
“Contract” means this Joint
Venture Contract entered into by Party A, Party B, Party C, Party D, Party E and
Party F for the establishment and operation of the Joint Venture
Company.
“Contribution Date” has the
meaning given to it in Clause 5.2.7 and 5.6.4 of this
Contract.
“Date of Establishment” has the
meaning given to it in Clause 3.1.3 of this Contract.
“Deadlock” has the meaning
given to it in Clause 7.3.5 of this Contract.
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“Disposal Value” means for the
purposes of the provisions of Clauses 15.5.1 and 15.5.2, the price for the
purchase of equity interest in the Joint Venture Company by the Purchasing Party
to be determined by Appraiser or Independent Appraiser which shall be the fair
value thereof. For the purposes of this Contract the term “the fair
value” of any such sale equity interest shall be determined on the basis of any
arms-length transaction between a willing seller and willing buyer by reference
to past audited accounts and current management figures and forecasts and taking
into account changes to the Joint Venture Company including past and prospective
earnings and underlying net asset value and further by taking into account
normal or representative price/earnings ratios in the same business as that
carried on by the Joint Venture Company without giving undue preference to any
one aspect and always regarding the Joint Venture Company as a going
concern.
“Effective Date” means the date
on which the Examination and Approval Authority issues the Certificate of
Approval in respect of this Contract and the Articles of
Association.
“Examination and Approval
Authority” means the Ministry of Commerce or the local authorities
entrusted by such Ministry to issue the Certificate of
Approval.
“Force Majeure” means all
events which are beyond the control of the Parties and which are unforeseen, or
if foreseen, unavoidable, and which prevent total or partial performance by any
Party. Such events shall include but are not limited to any lockouts,
explosions, shipwrecks, acts of nature or the public enemy, fires, flood,
sabotage, accidents, strikes, wars, riots, acts of terrorists, insurrections,
inability to obtain transportation, governmental action and any other similar
contingency.
“Independent Appraiser” has the
meaning given to it in Clause 15.5.2 and 14.7.2(b) of this
Contract.
“Joint Venture Company” has the
meaning given to it in Preliminary Statement (B) and Clause 3.3 of this
Contract.
“Management Personnel” means
the department managers and other personnel nominated by the General Manager and
designated as “Management Personnel” by the Board of
Directors.
“Non Assigning Party” has the
meaning given to it in Clauses 5.5.1 of this Contract.
“Notifying Party” has the
meaning given to it in Clauses 15.5.3 and 15.5.4 of this Contract.
“Offered Price” has the meaning
given to it in Clause 5.5.2 (a) of this Contract.
“Party” or “Parties” means one or all of
Party A, Party B, Party C, Party D, Party E and Party F.
“Personnel” means the Senior
Managers and Management Personnel and Working Personnel.
“Purchasing Party” has the
meaning given to it in Clauses 5.5.2 and 15.5.1 of this
Contract.
“Recipient” has the meaning
given to it in Clause 13.2 of this Contract.
“RMB” means
Renminbi, the lawful currency of China.
“Rules” has the meaning given
to it in Clause 17.2.1 of this Contract.
“Selling Party” has the meaning
given to it in Clauses 5.5.2 and 15.5.1 of this Contract.
“Senior Managers” means General
Manager, Deputy General Managers, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Administrative
Officer, Chief Technical Officer and Chief Marketing Officer.
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“SAIC” means State
Administration of Industry and Commerce or the local authority entrusted by such
Administration to issue the Business License.
“Working Personnel” means all
employees of the Joint Venture Company except the Senior Managers and Management
Personnel.
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