Delaware
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000-49729
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38-1740889
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(State of incorporation)
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(Commission File Number)
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(IRS Employer Identification No.)
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¨
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Written communication pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
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¨
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Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
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¨
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Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
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¨
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Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
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●
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our ability to produce concentrated iron powder at a profitable margin;
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●
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the uncertainty of acquiring mining rights in the areas around the production facilities;
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●
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the impact that a downturn or negative changes in the steel market may have on sales;
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●
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our ability to obtain additional capital to fund our expansion;
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●
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economic, political, regulatory, legal and foreign exchange risks associated with our operations; and
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●
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the loss of key members of our senior management.
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the “Company,” “we,” “us,” and “our” refer to the combined business of (i) Target Acquisitions I, Inc., or “Target Acquisitions,” a Delaware corporation, which has been merged into UHF Incorporated, the registrant, or “UHF”, (ii) China Real Fortune Mining Limited, or “Real Fortune BVI,” a BVI limited company , (iii) Real Fortune Holdings Limited, or “Real Fortune HK,” a Hong Kong limited company and wholly-owned subsidiary of Real Fortune BVI, (iv) Zhangjiakou TongDa Mining Technologies Service Co., Ltd., or “China Tongda,” a Chinese limited company and wholly-owned subsidiary of Real Fortune HK, (v) Zhuolu Jinxin Mining Co., Ltd., or “China Jinxin,” a Chinese limited company which is effectively and substantially controlled by China Tongda through a series of agreements, and (vi) Haixing Huaxin Mining Industry Co., Ltd.or “China Huaxin”, a Chinese limited liability company and wholly-owned subsidiary of China Tongda, as the case may be;
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“BVI” refers to the British Virgin Islands;
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“Exchange Act” refers to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended;
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“Hong Kong” refers to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China;
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“PRC,” “China,” and “Chinese,” refer to the People’s Republic of China (excluding Hong Kong and Taiwan);
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“Renminbi” and “RMB” refer to the legal currency of China;
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“Securities Act” refers to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended;
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“US dollars,” “dollars” and “$” refer to the legal currency of the United States; and
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“tons” or “tonnes” refer to metric tonnes (2,205 pounds).
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●
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Our Company and its offshore subsidiaries did not acquire an equity interest in any PRC company.
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●
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China Tongda was incorporated as a wholly foreign-owned enterprise by means of direct investment rather than by merger or acquisition by our Company of the equity interests or assets of any “domestic company” as defined under the M&A Rules, and no provision in the M&A Rules classifies the contractual arrangements between China Jinxin and China Tongda as a type of acquisition transaction falling under the M&A Rules.
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(1)
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Management Entrustment Agreement
: Pursuant to this Agreement China Tongda has the right and obligation to manage all aspects of the operations of China Jinxin and the Board of Directors and shareholders of China Jinxin may not take any actions without the consent of China Tongda. The scope of the authority granted to China Tongda includes, but is not limited to, the right to make all major decisions, the right to manage the assets, capital and finances of China Jinxin, authority for all decisions related to human resources, daily operation management and technical support. To facilitate its exercise of such rights, China Tongda has been granted powers of attorney by the shareholders of China Jinxin granting China Tongda the right to participate in all shareholders’ meetings of China Jinxin and to make all significant decisions at such meetings, including the designation of candidates for election to the Board of China Jinxin. In consideration of its services, China Tongda shall be paid quarterly an amount equal to the pre-tax profits of China Jinxin and shall be required to pay to China Jinxin the amount of any loss incurred by China Jinxin within 30 days of a request for payment. Further, if China Jinxin is unable to pay its debts, China Tongda will be responsible therefor. Similarly, if losses sustained by China Jinxin result in a capital deficiency, China Tongda shall be obligated to make up the deficiency. To facilitate China Tongda’s management of China Jinxin, China Tongda shall have access to and the right to maintain all books and records and other relevant documentation of China Jinxin. Further, during the term of the Management Entrustment Agreement, without the consent of China Tongda, China Jinxin will not issue, purchase or redeem any of its equity securities or debt or create any liens upon its property or assets, other than for expenses incurred in the ordinary course of business and permitted exceptions; or declare or pay any dividends. The term of the Management Entrustment Agreement is for 30 years, or until May 9, 2041, and will be extended automatically for successive 10-year periods thereafter, except that the agreement will terminate (i) at the expiration of the initial 30-year term, or any 10-year renewal term, if China Tongda notifies China Jinxin not less than 30 days prior to the applicable expiration date that it does not want to extend the term, (ii) upon prior written notice from China Tongda, or (iii) upon the date China Tongda acquires all of the assets or at least 51% of the equity interests of China Jinxin.
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(2)
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Exclusive Purchase Option Agreement
: Pursuant to this Agreement China Jinxin and each of China Jinxin’s shareholders granted to China Tongda an exclusive option to purchase all of the assets or outstanding shares of China Jinxin at such time as the purchase of such assets or shares is permissible under the laws of the PRC. The options are for an initial period of 30 years and will renew automatically for successive periods of 10 years each unless voluntarily terminated by China Tongda. At such time during the term as China Tongda determines to exercise its option to purchase either the assets or equity of China Jinxin it shall send a notice to China Jinxin or its shareholders, as the case may be. Upon receipt of such notice, China Jinxin or its shareholders shall take such steps and execute such documents as are necessary to transfer the assets or shares. Unless an appraisal is required by the laws of China, the purchase price of the assets or outstanding equity shall be equal to the lower of (i) the actual registered capital of China Jinxin and (ii) RMB 500,000 ($80,195); provided that if the laws of the PRC do not permit the purchase at that price, the purchase price shall be the lowest price allowed under the laws of the PRC. All taxes relating to such purchase shall be borne by China Tongda.
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(3)
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Power of Attorney
:
Each shareholder of China Jinxin entered into a Power of Attorney irrevocably authorizing China Tongda to exercise all of its rights as a shareholder of China Jinxin. The rights granted include, without limitation, the right to: (i) attend the shareholders’ meetings of China Jinxin and execute actions by written consent; (ii) exercise all of holder’s rights as a shareholder under the laws of the PRC and the Articles of Association of China Jinxin, including but not limited to the right to transfer or pledge or dispose of the grantor’s shares in China Jinxin; (iii) designate and appoint the legal representatives, Chairman of the Board of Directors , directors, supervisors, the chief executive officer, the chief financial officer and other senior management members of China Jinxin; (iv) execute the relevant share and/or asset purchase agreements contemplated in the Exclusive Purchase Option Agreement, and to effect the terms of the Equity Pledge Agreement and Exclusive Purchase Option Agreement; and (v) to transfer allocate, or utilize in some other ways the cash dividends and non-cash income of China Jinxin. The power of attorney shall be in effect as long as the shareholder owns shares of China Jinxin.
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(4)
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Equity Pledge Agreement
: Pursuant to an Equity Pledge Agreement each of the shareholders of China Jinxin has pledged all of such shareholder’s shares in China Jinxin as security for the performance by China Jinxin and each of its shareholders of their obligations under the VIE Agreements. In addition to pledging his shares in the Equity Pledge Agreement, each shareholder has agreed not to impose any encumbrances or restrictions on his shares, not to sell, lease or transfer any of his shares and to provide notice to China Tongda should he receive any notice, order, ruling, verdict or other instrument in relation to the pledged shares or which may affect his ownership of the pledged shares.
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Department
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Employee #
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|||
Administrative
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17
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|||
Finance
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9
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|||
Quality Control
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3
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|||
Production
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12
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|||
Exploration
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19
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|||
Total
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60
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1.
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the resources, reserves and mining operations of the target mines;
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2.
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the grade, mining costs and sustainability of the target resources and reserves;
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3.
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exploration potential;
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4.
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the financial costs and benefits of the acquisition;
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5.
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valid land use rights and property ownership and no material legal risks; and
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6.
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the contributions of the acquisition towards the overall sustainability of our business.
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●
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long-term management of permanent engineered structures;
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●
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compliance with environmental closure standards;
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●
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orderly retrenchment of employees; and
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●
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relinquishment of the site with associated permanent structures and community development infrastructure and programs to new owners.
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●
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comprehensively establish ore reserves through drilling;
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determine appropriate mining and production processes for optimizing the recovery of iron contained in ore;
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obtain environmental and other licenses;
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construct mining and processing facilities; and
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●
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obtain the ore or extract iron content from the ore.
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●
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our future financial condition, results of operations and cash flows;
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●
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the condition of the global and domestic financial markets; and
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●
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changes in the monetary policy of the PRC government with respect to bank interest rates and lending practices.
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limits on increases in ore output volume;
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grant and renewal of mining rights;
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grant and renewal of safety production permits;
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production safety and casualty ratings;
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taxes and fees;
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environmental, health and safety standards; and
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annual verification of mining permits and exploration permits.
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impose fees for the discharge of waste substances;
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●
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require the establishment of reserves for reclamation and rehabilitation;
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●
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impose fines for serious environmental offences; and
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●
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allow the PRC government, at its discretion, to close down any facilities failing to comply with orders to correct or stop operations that have caused environmental damage.
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●
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imposing economic penalties;
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●
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discontinuing or restricting the operations of China Jinxin or China Tongda;
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●
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imposing conditions or requirements in respect of the VIE Agreements with which China Jinxin or China Tongda may not be able to comply;
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●
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requiring our company to restructure the relevant ownership structure or operations;
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●
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taking other regulatory or enforcement actions that could adversely affect our company’s business; and
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●
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revoking the business licenses and/or the licenses or certificates of China Tongda, and/or voiding the VIE Agreements.
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our earnings releases, actual or anticipated changes in our earnings, fluctuations in our operating results or our failure to meet the expectations of financial market analysts and investors;
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●
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changes in financial estimates by us or by any securities analysts who might cover our stock;
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●
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speculation about our business in the press or the investment community;
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●
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significant developments relating to our relationships with our customers or suppliers;
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●
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stock market price and volume fluctuations of other publicly traded companies and, in particular, those that are in our industry;
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●
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customer demand for our products;
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●
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investor perceptions of our industry in general and our Company in particular;
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●
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the operating and stock performance of comparable companies;
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●
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general economic conditions and trends;
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●
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announcements by us or our competitors of new products, significant acquisitions, strategic partnerships or divestitures;
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●
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changes in accounting standards, policies, guidance, interpretation or principles;
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●
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loss of external funding sources; and
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●
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sales of our common stock, including sales by our directors, officers or significant stockholders; and departures of key personnel.
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Dollar
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Percentage
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|||||||||||||||||||||||
2014
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% of Sales
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2013
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% of Sales
|
Increase (Decrease)
|
Increase (Decrease)
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Operating expenses
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$
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935,818
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-
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$
|
381,741
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-
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%
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$
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554,077
|
145
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%
|
|||||||||||||
Loss from operations
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(935,818
|
)
|
-
|
(381,741
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)
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-
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%
|
554,077
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145
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%
|
||||||||||||||
Other expense, net
|
(1,487
|
)
|
-
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(203
|
)
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-
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%
|
1,284
|
633
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%
|
||||||||||||||
Loss before income taxes
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(937,305
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)
|
-
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(381,944
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)
|
-
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%
|
555,361
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145
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%
|
||||||||||||||
Income tax benefit
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(102,127)
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-
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-
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-
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%
|
102,127
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-
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%
|
||||||||||||||||
Net loss
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$
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(835,178
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)
|
-
|
$
|
(381,944
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)
|
-
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%
|
$
|
453,234
|
119
|
%
|
Dollar
|
Percentage
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
2013
|
% of Sales
|
2012
|
% of Sales
|
Increase (Decrease)
|
Increase (Decrease)
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Operating expenses
|
$
|
1,902,271
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-
|
$
|
1,649,372
|
-
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%
|
252,899
|
15
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%
|
||||||||||||||
Loss from operations
|
(1,902,271
|
)
|
-
|
(1,649,372
|
)
|
-
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%
|
252,899
|
15
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%
|
||||||||||||||
Other expense, net
|
(388
|
)
|
-
|
(1,117
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)
|
-
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%
|
(729)
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(65
|
)%
|
||||||||||||||
Loss before income taxes
|
(1,902,659
|
)
|
-
|
(1,650,489
|
)
|
-
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%
|
252,170
|
15
|
%
|
||||||||||||||
Income tax benefit
|
-
|
-
|
(8,388)
|
-
|
%
|
(8,388)
|
100
|
%
|
||||||||||||||||
Net loss
|
$
|
(1,902,659
|
)
|
-
|
$
|
(1,642,101
|
)
|
-
|
%
|
$
|
260,558
|
16
|
%
|
2013
|
2012
|
|||||||
Net cash used in operating activities
|
$
|
(960,913
|
)
|
$
|
(1,191,972
|
)
|
||
Net cash used in investing activities
|
(6,846,075
|
)
|
(1,306,160
|
)
|
||||
Net cash provided by financing activities
|
$
|
7,805,155
|
$
|
2,330,559
|
2014
|
2013
|
|||||||
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
|
$
|
(918,550
|
)
|
$
|
94,613
|
|||
Net cash used in investing activities
|
(2,830,905
|
)
|
(798,352
|
)
|
||||
Net cash provided by financing activities
|
$
|
4,250,897
|
$
|
703,990
|
Payments Due by Period
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Total
|
Less than 1
Year
|
1-3 Years
|
3-5 Years
|
5 Years +
|
||||||||||||||||
Contractual Obligations:
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Payable to contractor
|
$
|
894,004
|
$
|
894,004
|
$
|
$
|
-
|
$
|
-
|
Name
|
Age
|
Position
|
||
Changkui Zhu
|
51
|
Director and Chief Executive Officer
|
||
Zhengting Deng
|
48
|
Director and Chief Financial Officer
|
Name and Principal Position
|
Year
|
Salary ($)
|
Bonus ($)
|
Total ($)
|
|||||||||
Changkui Zhu, Chief Executive Officer *
|
2013
|
0
|
-
|
0
|
|||||||||
2012
|
0
|
-
|
0
|
Name of Purchaser
|
Number of Shares
|
Lawrence Burstein
|
1,620,770
|
Omar Cunha
|
1,620,769
|
Peter van Voorst Vader
|
1,620,769
|
Sidney Levy
|
1,620,769
|
Selmo Nissenbaum
|
1,620,769
|
(1)
|
Management Entrustment Agreement
: Pursuant to this Agreement China Tongda has the right and obligation to manage all aspects of the operations of China Jinxin and the Board of Directors and shareholders of China Jinxin may not take any actions without the consent of China Tongda. The scope of the authority granted to China Tongda includes, but is not limited to, the right to make all major decisions, the right to manage the assets, capital and finances of China Jinxin, authority for all decisions related to human resources, daily operation management and technical support. To facilitate its exercise of such rights, China Tongda has been granted powers of attorney by the shareholders of China Jinxin granting China Tongda the right to participate in all shareholders’ meetings of China Jinxin and to make all significant decisions at such meetings, including the designation of candidates for election to the Board of China Jinxin. In consideration of its services, China Tongda shall be paid quarterly an amount equal to the pre-tax profits of China Jinxin and shall be required to pay to China Jinxin the amount of any loss incurred by China Jinxin within 30 days of a request for payment. Further, if China Jinxin is unable to pay its debts, China Tongda will be responsible therefor. Similarly, if losses sustained by China Jinxin result in a capital deficiency, China Tongda shall be obligated to make up the deficiency. To facilitate China Tongda’s management of China Jinxin, China Tongda shall have access to and the right to maintain all books and records and other relevant documentation of china Jinxin. Further, during the term of the Management Entrustment Agreement, without the consent of China Jinxin, China Jinxin will not issue, purchase or redeem any of its equity securities; issue any debt or create any liens upon its property or assets, other than for expenses incurred in the ordinary course of business and permitted exceptions; or declare or pay any dividends The term of the Management Entrustment Agreement is for 30 years, or until May 9, 2041, and will be extended automatically for successive 10-year periods thereafter, except that the agreement will terminate (i) at the expiration of the initial 30-year term, or any 10-year renewal term, if China Tongda notifies China Jinxin not less than 30 days prior to the applicable expiration date that it does not want to extend the term, (ii) upon prior written notice from China Tongda, or (iii) upon the date China Tongda acquires all of the assets or at least 51% of the equity interests of China Jinxin.
|
(2)
|
Exclusive Purchase Option Agreement
: Pursuant to this Agreement China Jinxin and each of China Jinxin’s shareholders granted to China Tongda an exclusive option to purchase all of the assets or outstanding shares of China Jinxin at such time as the purchase of such assets or shares is permissible under the laws of the PRC. The options are for 30 years and will renew automatically for successive periods of 10 years each unless voluntarily terminated by China Tongda. At such time during the term as China Tongda determines to exercise its option to purchase either the assets or equity of China Jinxin it shall send a notice to China Jinxin or its shareholders, as the case may be. Upon receipt of such notice, China Jinxin or its shareholders shall take such steps and execute such documents as are necessary to transfer the assets or shares. Unless an appraisal is required by the laws of China, the purchase price of the assets or outstanding equity shall be equal to the lower of (i) the actual registered capital of China Jinxin and (ii) RMB 500,000 ($80,195); provided that if the laws of the PRC do not permit the purchase at that price, the purchase price shall be the lowest price allowed under the laws of the PRC. All taxes relating to such purchase shall be borne by China Tongda.
|
(3)
|
Power of Attorney
: Each shareholder of China Jinxin entered into a Power of Attorney irrevocably authorizing China Tongda to exercise all of its rights as a shareholder of China Jinxin. The rights granted include, without limitation, the right to: (i) attend the shareholders’ meetings of China Jinxin and execute actions by written consent; (ii) exercise all of holder’s rights as a shareholder under the laws of the PRC and the Articles of Association of China Jinxin, including but not limited to the right to transfer or pledge or dispose of the grantor’s shares in China Jinxin; (iii) designate and appoint the legal representatives, Chairman of the Board of Directors, directors, supervisors, the CEO, the CFO and other senior management members of China Jinxin; (iv) execute the relevant share and/or asset purchase agreements contemplated in the Exclusive Purchase Option Agreement, and to effect the terms of the Equity Pledge Agreement and Exclusive Purchase Option Agreement; and (v) to transfer allocate, or utilize in some other ways the cash dividends and non-cash income of China Jinxin. The power of attorney shall be in effect as long as the shareholder owns shares of China Jinxin.
|
(4)
|
Equity Pledge Agreement
: Pursuant to an Equity Pledge Agreement each of the shareholders of China Jinxin has pledged all of such shareholder’s shares in China Jinxin as security for the performance by China Jinxin and each of its shareholders of their obligations under the VIE Agreements. In addition to pledging his shares in the Equity Pledge Agreement, each shareholder has agreed not to impose any encumbrances or restrictions on his shares, not to sell, lease or transfer any of his shares and to provide notice to China Tongda should he receive any notice, order, ruling, verdict or other instrument in relation to the pledged shares or which may affect his ownership of the shares.
|
Name of Record Stockholder
|
Name of Beneficial Owner
|
Position
|
Number of Shares
|
Frontera Holdings Limited Partnership
|
Omar Cunha
|
Director, CEO and President
|
1,986,248
|
Lawrence Burstein
|
Lawrence Burstein
|
Director, Treasurer and Secretary
|
1,986,250
|
WIT Global Services Inc.
|
Sidney Levy
|
Director
|
1,986,248
|
Nissen Investments LLC
|
Selmo Nissenbaum
|
---
|
1,986,248
|
Peter van Voorst Vader
|
Peter van Voorst Vader
|
---
|
1,986,248
|
Shelly Schoppe
|
Shelly Schoppe
|
----
|
546,601
|
Wayne Brannan
|
Wayne Brannan
|
----
|
546,601
|
(c)
|
||||||
Number of securities
|
||||||
(a)
|
remaining available
|
|||||
Number of
|
(b)
|
for future issuance
|
||||
securities to be
|
Weighted-average
|
under equity
|
||||
issued upon
|
exercise price of
|
Compensation
|
||||
exercise of
|
outstanding options
|
plans (excluding
|
||||
outstanding
|
under equity
|
securities reflected in
|
||||
Plan Category
|
options
|
compensation plans
|
column (a))
|
|||
Equity compensation
|
||||||
plan approved by
|
||||||
security holders
|
None
|
--
|
None
|
|||
Equity compensation
|
||||||
plans not approved by
|
||||||
security holders
|
None
|
--
|
None
|
|||
Total
|
None
|
--
|
None
|
Name of Purchaser
|
Number of Shares
|
Lawrence Burstein
|
1,620,770
|
Omar Cunha
|
1,620,769
|
Peter van Voorst Vader
|
1,620,769
|
Sidney Levy
|
1,620,769
|
Selmo Nissenbaum
|
1,620,769
|
Name of Target Stockholder | Number of Shares |
Jiazhen Liu
|
17,839,800*
|
Idea Vantage Limited (Jiazhen Liu)
|
2,658,480
|
Wealth Sino Trading Limited (Changqing Han)
|
7,041,474
|
Sui Feng Limited (Junyan Tian)
|
4,526,412
|
True South Limited ( Xia Wang)
|
4,424,970
|
Splendid Shine Limited (Fengqin Ji)
|
4,369,002
|
Dongli Sun
|
1,114,988
|
True Sino Enterprises Limited
|
902,484
|
Talent Lead Investments Limited
|
808,038
|
Talent Horse Limited
|
808,838
|
Meijie Wang
|
668,993
|
Xingwang Shao
|
445,995
|
Wisdom Thrive Limited
|
199,386
|
●
|
1.0% of the number of shares of common stock then outstanding, which is now 459,262 shares; and
|
|
●
|
if the common stock is listed on a national securities exchange, the average weekly trading volume of the shares of common stock during the four calendar weeks preceding the filing of a notice on Form 144 with respect to the sale.
|
●
|
the issuer of the securities that was formerly a shell company has ceased to be a shell company;
|
|
●
|
the issuer of the securities is subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act;
|
|
●
|
the issuer of the securities has filed all Exchange Act reports and material required to be filed, as applicable, during the preceding 12 months (or such shorter period that the issuer was required to file such reports and materials), other than Form 8-K reports; and
|
|
●
|
at least one year has elapsed from the time that the issuer filed current Form 10 type information with the SEC reflecting its status as an entity that is not a shell company.
|
·
|
The Company shall indemnify its directors, officers, employees or agents for serving the Company in those capacities or for serving other business enterprises at the Company’s request, to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law. Delaware law provides that a corporation may indemnify such person if such person acted in good faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company and, with respect to any criminal proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe such person’s conduct was unlawful.
|
·
|
The Company is authorized to obtain insurance to indemnify such persons.
|
Page
|
|
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
|
F-1
|
Consolidated Financial Statements:
|
|
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2013 and 2012
|
F-2
|
Consolidated Statements of Income and Other Comprehensive Income for the Years Ended December 31, 2013 and 2012
|
F-3
|
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 2013 and 2012
|
F-4
|
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity for the Years Ended December 31, 2013 and 2012
|
F-5
|
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
|
F-6-18
|
Goldman Kurland and Mohidin, LLP
|
Encino, California
|
April 15, 2014
|
TARGET ACQUISITIONS I, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
|
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
|
DECEMBER 31, 2013 AND DECEMBER 31, 2012
|
TARGET ACQUISITIONS I, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
|
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
|
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2013 AND 2012
|
Year Ended December 31,
|
||||||||
2013
|
2012
|
|||||||
Operating expenses
|
||||||||
General and administrative
|
$
|
1,902,271
|
$
|
1,649,372
|
||||
Loss from operations
|
(1,902,271
|
)
|
(1,649,372
|
)
|
||||
Non-operating income (expenses)
|
||||||||
Interest income
|
80
|
188
|
||||||
Other
|
48
|
(874
|
)
|
|||||
Financial expense
|
(516
|
)
|
(431
|
)
|
||||
Total non-operating expenses, net
|
(388
|
)
|
(1,117
|
)
|
||||
Loss before income tax
|
(1,902,659
|
)
|
(1,650,489
|
)
|
||||
Income tax benefit
|
-
|
(8,388
|
)
|
|||||
Net loss
|
(1,902,659
|
)
|
(1,642,101
|
)
|
||||
Other comprehensive income
|
||||||||
Foreign currency translation gain
|
226,355
|
17,748
|
||||||
Net comprehensive loss
|
$
|
(1,676,304
|
)
|
$
|
(1,624,353
|
)
|
||
Basic weighted average shares outstanding
|
8,000,100
|
8,000,100
|
||||||
Basic net loss per share
|
$
|
(0.24
|
)
|
$
|
(0.21
|
)
|
TARGET ACQUISITIONS I, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
|
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
|
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2013 AND 2012
|
2013
|
2012
|
|||||||
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
|
||||||||
Net loss
|
$
|
(1,902,659
|
)
|
$
|
(1,642,101
|
)
|
||
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash
|
||||||||
used in operating activities:
|
||||||||
Depreciation and amortization
|
873,476
|
1,047,726
|
||||||
(Increase) decrease in assets and liabilities:
|
||||||||
Inventory
|
(346
|
)
|
2,038
|
|||||
Other receivable
|
-
|
(4,724
|
)
|
|||||
Accounts payable
|
-
|
238
|
||||||
Accrued liabilities and other payables
|
68,616
|
(595,149
|
)
|
|||||
Net cash used in operating activities
|
(960,913
|
)
|
(1,191,972
|
)
|
||||
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
|
||||||||
Construction in progress
|
(6,187,412
|
)
|
(892,405
|
)
|
||||
Advance to suppliers for construction
|
(637,357
|
)
|
(388,119
|
)
|
||||
Acquisition of property, plant & equipment
|
(21,306
|
)
|
(25,636
|
)
|
||||
Net cash used in investing activities
|
(6,846,075
|
)
|
(1,306,160
|
)
|
||||
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
|
||||||||
Advance from related party
|
7,805,155
|
1,459,272
|
||||||
Payable to contractor
|
-
|
871,287
|
||||||
Net cash provided by financing activities
|
7,805,155
|
2,330,559
|
||||||
EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGE ON CASH & EQUIVALENTS
|
841
|
(241
|
)
|
|||||
NET DECREASE IN CASH & EQUIVALENTS
|
(992
|
)
|
(167,814
|
)
|
||||
CASH & EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF YEAR
|
28,302
|
196,116
|
||||||
CASH & EQUIVALENTS, END OF YEAR
|
$
|
27,310
|
$
|
28,302
|
||||
Supplemental Cash flow data:
|
||||||||
Income tax paid
|
$
|
-
|
$
|
-
|
||||
Interest paid
|
$
|
-
|
$
|
-
|
Shares
|
Amount
|
Additional paid in capital
|
Statutory reserves
|
Retained earnings
|
Accumulated other comprehensive income
|
Total stockholders' Equity
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance at January 1, 2012
|
8,000,100
|
$
|
8,000
|
$
|
5,296,312
|
$
|
557,253
|
$
|
3,583,747
|
$
|
550,570
|
$
|
9,995,882
|
|||||||||||||||
Net loss
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(1,642,101
|
)
|
-
|
(1,642,101
|
)
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Foreign currency translation gain
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
17,748
|
17,748
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
Balance at December 31, 2012
|
8,000,100
|
8,000
|
5,296,312
|
557,253
|
1,941,646
|
568,318
|
8,371,529
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
Net loss
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(1,902,659
|
)
|
-
|
(1,902,659
|
)
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Foreign currency translation gain
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
226,355
|
226,355
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
Balance at December 31, 2013
|
8,000,100
|
$
|
8,000
|
$
|
5,296,312
|
$
|
557,253
|
$
|
38,987
|
$
|
794,673
|
$
|
6,695,225
|
a.
|
The legal entity's governing documents or contractual arrangements are changed in a manner that changes the characteristics or adequacy of the legal entity's equity investment at risk.
|
b.
|
The equity investment or some part thereof is returned to the equity investors, and other interests become exposed to expected losses of the legal entity.
|
c.
|
The legal entity undertakes additional activities or acquires additional assets, beyond those anticipated at the later of the inception of the entity or the latest reconsideration event, that increase the entity's expected losses.
|
d.
|
The legal entity receives an additional equity investment that is at risk, or the legal entity curtails or modifies its activities in a way that decreases its expected losses.
|
Office Equipment
|
3-5 years
|
Machinery
|
10 years
|
Vehicles
|
5 years
|
Building
|
20 years
|
●
|
Level 1 inputs to the valuation methodology are quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets.
|
|
●
|
Level 2 inputs to the valuation methodology include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, and inputs that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the financial instrument.
|
|
●
|
Level 3 inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable and significant to the FV measurement.
|
2013
|
2012
|
|||||||
Material
|
$
|
16,950
|
$
|
16,099
|
||||
Finished goods
|
675,909
|
655,629
|
||||||
Total
|
$
|
692,859
|
$
|
671,728
|
2013
|
2012
|
|||||||
Building
|
$
|
7,153,152
|
$
|
6,938,518
|
||||
Production equipment
|
4,215,104
|
4,074,421
|
||||||
Transportation equipment
|
1,265,110
|
1,227,149
|
||||||
Office equipment
|
108,520
|
98,406
|
||||||
Total
|
12,741,886
|
12,338,494
|
||||||
Less: Accumulated depreciation
|
(4,670,040
|
)
|
(3,705,890
|
)
|
||||
Net
|
$
|
8,071,846
|
$
|
8,632,604
|
2013
|
2012
|
|||||||
Land use rights
|
$
|
815,236
|
$
|
790,774
|
||||
Less: Accumulated amortization
|
(278,539
|
)
|
(230,642
|
)
|
||||
Net
|
$
|
536,697
|
$
|
560,132
|
2013
|
2012
|
|||||||
Accrued payroll
|
$
|
21,706
|
$
|
12,432
|
||||
Accrued service and consulting fee
|
69,273
|
56,384
|
||||||
Accrued mining rights (see note 4)
|
72,558
|
70,381
|
||||||
Other payables
|
445,084
|
387,186
|
||||||
Total
|
$
|
608,621
|
$
|
526,383
|
2013
|
2012
|
|||||||
US statutory rates (benefit)
|
(34.0
|
)%
|
(34.0
|
)%
|
||||
Tax rate difference
|
9.0
|
%
|
9.0
|
%
|
||||
Valuation allowance on NOL
|
25.0
|
%
|
24.5
|
%
|
||||
Tax per financial statements
|
-
|
%
|
0.5
|
%
|
TARGET ACQUISITIONS I, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
MARCH 31, 2014 AND 2013
(UNAUDITED)
|
|
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2014 (Unaudited) and December 31, 2013
|
F-20
|
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Other Comprehensive Loss
for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 (Unaudited)
|
F-22
|
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Three Months Ended
March 31, 2014 and 2013 (Unaudited)
|
F-23
|
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
|
F-24
|
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
|
MARCH 31, 2014 (UNAUDITED) AND DECEMBER 31, 2013
|
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
|
THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2014 AND 2013
|
(UNAUDITED)
|
2014
|
2013
|
|||||||
Operating expenses
|
||||||||
General and administrative
|
$
|
935,818
|
$
|
381,741
|
||||
Loss from operations
|
(935,818
|
)
|
(381,741
|
)
|
||||
Non-operating income (expenses)
|
||||||||
Interest income
|
358
|
19
|
||||||
Financial expense
|
(213
|
)
|
(222
|
)
|
||||
Other expense
|
(1,632
|
)
|
-
|
|||||
Total non-operating expenses, net
|
(1,487
|
)
|
(203
|
)
|
||||
Loss before income tax
|
(937,305
|
)
|
(381,944
|
)
|
||||
Income tax benefit
|
(102,127
|
)
|
-
|
|||||
Net loss
|
(835,178
|
)
|
(381,944
|
)
|
||||
Other comprehensive income
|
||||||||
Foreign currency translation gain
|
70,519
|
21,924
|
||||||
Net comprehensive loss
|
$
|
(764,659
|
)
|
$
|
(360,020
|
)
|
||
Basic weighted average shares outstanding
|
12,313,433
|
8,000,100
|
||||||
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding
|
12,903,433
|
8,000,100
|
||||||
Basic net loss per share
|
$
|
(0.07
|
)
|
$
|
(0.05
|
)
|
||
Diluted net loss per share
|
$
|
(0.07
|
)
|
$
|
(0.05
|
)
|
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
|
THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2014 AND 2013
|
(UNAUDITED)
|
2014
|
2013
|
|||||||
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
|
||||||||
Net loss
|
$
|
(835,178
|
)
|
$
|
(381,944
|
)
|
||
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash
|
||||||||
provided by (used in) operating activities:
|
||||||||
Depreciation and amortization
|
630,218
|
262,926
|
||||||
Change in deferred tax
|
(102,127
|
)
|
-
|
|||||
(Increase) decrease in assets and liabilities:
|
||||||||
Inventory
|
(213,017
|
)
|
(161
|
)
|
||||
Other receivable
|
(110,390
|
)
|
-
|
|||||
Accounts payable
|
64,921
|
-
|
||||||
Accrued liabilities and other payables
|
(303,666
|
)
|
213,792
|
|||||
Tax payable
|
(49,311
|
)
|
-
|
|||||
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
|
(918,550
|
)
|
94,613
|
|||||
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
|
||||||||
Construction in progress
|
(1,210,094
|
)
|
(798,352
|
)
|
||||
Advance to suppliers for construction and equipment
|
48,364
|
-
|
||||||
Acquisition of property, plant & equipment
|
(164,668
|
)
|
-
|
|||||
Acquisition of China Huaxin, net of cash acquired
|
(1,504,507
|
)
|
-
|
|||||
Net cash used in investing activities
|
(2,830,905
|
)
|
(798,352
|
)
|
||||
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
|
||||||||
Proceeds from convertible debts
|
1,638,002
|
-
|
||||||
Advance from related parties
|
2,612,895
|
703,990
|
||||||
Net cash provided by financing activities
|
4,250,897
|
703,990
|
||||||
EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGE ON CASH & EQUIVALENTS
|
(2,383
|
)
|
76
|
|||||
NET INCREASE IN CASH & EQUIVALENTS
|
499,059
|
327
|
||||||
CASH & EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF PERIOD
|
27,310
|
28,302
|
||||||
CASH & EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD
|
$
|
526,369
|
$
|
28,629
|
||||
Supplemental Cash flow data:
|
||||||||
Income tax paid
|
$
|
-
|
$
|
-
|
||||
Interest paid
|
$
|
-
|
$
|
-
|
||||
Supplemental Disclosure of Non-Cash Financing Activities:
|
||||||||
Conversion of convertible debts into common stock
|
$
|
1,638,002
|
$
|
-
|
Office Equipment
|
3-5 years
|
Machinery
|
10 years
|
Vehicles
|
5 years
|
Building
|
20 years
|
Three Months Ended March 31,
|
||||||||
2014
|
2013
|
|||||||
Net loss
|
$
|
(835,178)
|
$
|
(381,944)
|
||||
Weighted average shares outstanding – basic
|
12,313,433
|
8,000,100
|
||||||
Effect of dilutive securities:
|
||||||||
Convertible debts
|
590,000
|
-
|
||||||
Weighted average shares outstanding – diluted
|
12,903,433
|
8,000,100
|
||||||
Loss per share – basic
|
$
|
(0.07)
|
$
|
(0.05)
|
||||
Loss per share – diluted
|
$
|
(0.07)
|
$
|
(0.05
|
)
|
2014
|
2013
|
|||||||
Material
|
$
|
2,700,748
|
$
|
16,950
|
||||
Finished goods
|
1,550,903
|
675,909
|
||||||
Total
|
$
|
4,251,651
|
$
|
692,859
|
2014
|
2013
|
|||||||
Building
|
$
|
24,621,900
|
$
|
7,153,152
|
||||
Production equipment
|
15,921,870
|
4,215,104
|
||||||
Transportation equipment
|
1,312,218
|
1,265,110
|
||||||
Office equipment
|
187,706
|
108,520
|
||||||
Total
|
42,043,694
|
12,741,886
|
||||||
Less: Accumulated depreciation
|
(5,227,717
|
)
|
(4,670,040
|
)
|
||||
Net
|
$
|
36,815,977
|
$
|
8,071,846
|
2014
|
2013
|
|||||||
Land use rights
|
$
|
5,846,347
|
$
|
815,236
|
||||
Less: Accumulated amortization
|
(303,709
|
)
|
(278,539
|
)
|
||||
Net
|
$
|
5,542,638
|
$
|
536,697
|
2014
|
2013
|
|||||||
Accrued payroll
|
$
|
11,347
|
$
|
21,706
|
||||
Accrued service and consulting fee
|
68,651
|
69,273
|
||||||
Accrued mining rights (see note 4)
|
71,907
|
72,558
|
||||||
Accrued interest
|
1,859,279
|
-
|
||||||
Due to unrelated parties
|
14,628,586
|
-
|
||||||
Payable for purchase of equipment
|
2,154,518
|
-
|
||||||
Payable for construction
|
866,379
|
-
|
||||||
Payable for purchase of material
|
595,427
|
|||||||
Other payables
|
128,866
|
445,084
|
||||||
Total
|
$
|
20,384,960
|
$
|
608,621
|
2014
|
2013
|
|||||||
US statutory rates (benefit)
|
(34.0
|
)%
|
(34.0
|
)%
|
||||
Tax rate difference
|
9.0
|
%
|
9.0
|
%
|
||||
Valuation allowance on NOL
|
14.1
|
%
|
25.0
|
%
|
||||
Tax per financial statements
|
(10.9
|
)%
|
-
|
%
|
2014
|
2013
|
|||||||
Income tax (benefit) expense - current
|
$
|
-
|
$
|
-
|
||||
Income tax benefit - deferred
|
(102,127
|
)
|
-
|
|||||
Total income tax benefit
|
$
|
(102,127
|
)
|
$
|
-
|
Cash
|
$
|
133,951
|
||
Inventory
|
3,378,770
|
|||
Other receivable
|
232,269
|
|||
Advance to suppliers
|
1,163,898
|
|||
Advance to related parties
|
188,370
|
|||
Tax receivable
|
2,202,788
|
|||
Property and equipment, net
|
29,477,864
|
|||
Intangible assets, net
|
5,077,297
|
|||
Goodwill
|
1,109,896
|
|||
Accounts payable
|
(2,704,488
|
)
|
||
Other payables and accrued liabilities
|
(20,291,146
|
)
|
||
Advance from related parties
|
(18,217,214
|
)
|
||
Deferred tax liabilities
|
(42,853
|
)
|
||
Purchase price
|
$
|
1,709,402
|
For the three months ended March 31, 2014
|
For the three months ended March 31, 2013
|
|||||||
(Unaudited)
|
(Unaudited)
|
|||||||
Net sales
|
$
|
-
|
$
|
-
|
||||
Net loss
|
$
|
(1,068,893
|
)
|
$
|
(842,105
|
)
|
||
Basic weighted average shares outstanding
|
13,220,100
|
13,100,100
|
||||||
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding
|
13,810,100
|
13,100,100
|
||||||
Basic net loss per share
|
$
|
(0.08
|
)
|
$
|
(0.06
|
)
|
||
Diluted net loss per share
|
$
|
(0.08
|
)
|
$
|
(0.06
|
)
|
UHF INCORPORATED
|
AND TARGET ACQUISITIONS I, INC.
|
Pro forma Consolidated Balance Sheet
|
As of March 31, 2014
|
(unaudited)
|
(1)
|
Source: unaudited financial statements of UHF INCORPORATED as of March 31, 2014, as filed in the Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on May 14, 2014.
|
(2)
|
Source: unaudited financial statements of TARGET ACQUISITIONS I, INC. as of March 31, 2014, as filed in the Form 10-Q filed with the SEC
on May 23, 2014.
|
(A)
|
Reflection of 9,111,464 shares out of 11,662,104 outstanding common stock of UHF being retired; and the issuance of 1 preferred share and 43,375,638
common shares to the shareholders of Target, resulting in 1 preferred share and 45,926,278 common shares outstanding of UHF after the reverse merger.
|
(B)
|
Elimination of UHF capital accounts and accumulated deficit as result of recapitalization, and reflection of payment of all liabilities of
UHF prior to closing.
|
UHF INCORPORATED
|
AND TARGET ACQUISITIONS I, INC.
|
Pro forma Consolidated Statement of Operations
|
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
|
(unaudited)
|
(1)
|
(2)
|
|||||||||||||||
UHF
|
TARGET
|
Pro forma
|
Pro forma
|
|||||||||||||
Adjustments
|
Consolidated
|
|||||||||||||||
(historical)
|
(historical)
|
|||||||||||||||
Net sales
|
$ | -- | $ | - | $ | -- | $ | -- | ||||||||
Cost of sales
|
-- | - | -- | -- | ||||||||||||
Gross profit
|
-- | -- | -- | -- | ||||||||||||
Operating expenses
|
||||||||||||||||
General and administrative
|
9,275 | 935,818 | -- | 945,093 | ||||||||||||
Total operating expenses
|
9,275 | 935,818 | -- | 945,093 | ||||||||||||
Income (loss) from operations
|
(9,275 | ) | (935,818 | ) | -- | (945,093 | ) | |||||||||
Non-operating income (expenses)
|
||||||||||||||||
Interest income
|
1 | 358 | -- | 359 | ||||||||||||
Financial expense
|
(213 | ) | (213 | ) | ||||||||||||
Other expense
|
-- | (1,632 | ) | -- | (1,632 | ) | ||||||||||
- | ||||||||||||||||
Total non-operating expenses, net
|
1 | (1,487 | ) | -- | (1,486 | ) | ||||||||||
Income (loss) before income tax
|
(9,274 | ) | (937,305 | ) | -- | (946,579 | ) | |||||||||
Income tax benefit
|
-- | (102,127 | ) | -- | (102,127 | ) | ||||||||||
Net loss
|
$ | (9,274 | ) | $ | (835,178 | ) | $ | -- | $ | (844,452 | ) | |||||
Loss per common and diluted share
|
$ | (0.00 | ) | $ | (0.07 | ) | $ | (0.01 | ) | |||||||
Weighted average common and diluted shares outstanding
|
11,662,104 | 12,313,433 | 39,790,541 | 63,766,078 |
(1)
|
Source: unaudited financial statements of UHF INCORPORATED as of March 31, 2014, as filed in the Form 10-Q filed with the SEC
on May 14, 2014.
|
(2)
|
Source: unaudited financial statements of TARGET ACQUISITIONS I, INC. as of March 31, 2014, as filed in the Form 10-Q filed with the SEC
on May 23, 2014.
|
UHF INCORPORATED
|
AND TARGET ACQUISITIONS I, INC.
|
Pro forma Consolidated Statement of Operations
|
For the Year Ended December 31, 2013
|
(unaudited)
|
(1)
|
(2)
|
|||||||||||||||
UHF
|
TARGET
|
Pro forma
|
Pro forma
|
|||||||||||||
Adjustments
|
Consolidated
|
|||||||||||||||
(historical)
|
(historical)
|
|||||||||||||||
Net sales
|
$ | -- | $ | -- | $ | -- | $ | -- | ||||||||
Cost of sales
|
-- | -- | -- | -- | ||||||||||||
Gross profit
|
-- | -- | -- | -- | ||||||||||||
Operating expenses
|
||||||||||||||||
General and administrative
|
31,760 | 1,902,271 | -- | 1,934,031 | ||||||||||||
Total operating expenses
|
31,760 | 1,902,271 | -- | 1,934,031 | ||||||||||||
Income from operations
|
(31,760 | ) | (1,902,271 | ) | -- | (1,934,031 | ) | |||||||||
Non-operating income (expenses)
|
||||||||||||||||
Interest income
|
-- | 80 | -- | 80 | ||||||||||||
Financial expense
|
-- | (516 | ) | (516 | ) | |||||||||||
Other income
|
6 | 48 | -- | 54 | ||||||||||||
Total non-operating expenses, net
|
6 | (388 | ) | -- | (382 | ) | ||||||||||
Income before income tax
|
(31,754 | ) | (1,902,659 | ) | -- | (1,934,413 | ) | |||||||||
Income tax expense
|
-- | -- | -- | -- | ||||||||||||
Net loss
|
$ | (31,754 | ) | $ | (1,902,659 | ) | $ | -- | $ | (1,934,413 | ) | |||||
Loss per common and diluted share
|
$ | (0.00 | ) | $ | (0.24 | ) | $ | (0.03 | ) | |||||||
Weighted average common and diluted shares outstanding
|
11,662,104 | 8,000,100 | 44,103,874 | 63,766,078 | ||||||||||||
(1)
|
Source: Audited financial statements of UHF INCORPORATED as of December 31, 2013, as filed in the annual report of Form 10-K filed with
the SEC on March 17, 2014.
|
(2)
|
Source: Audited financial statements of TARGET ACQUISITIONS I, INC. as of December 31, 2013, as filed in the annual report of Form 10-K
filed with the SEC on April 16, 2014.
|
a.
|
Reflection of 9,111,464 shares out of 11,662,104 outstanding common stock of UHF being retired; and the issuance of 1 preferred share and 43,375,638 common shares to the shareholders of Target, resulting in 1 preferred share and 45,926,278 common shares outstanding of UHF after the reverse merger.
|
b.
|
Elimination of UHF capital accounts and accumulated deficit as result of recapitalization, and reflection of payment of all liabilities of UHF prior to closing.
|
Exhibit
No.
|
Description
|
|
2.1
|
Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of December 1, 2011
(
incorporated by reference herein from the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011 filed March 19, 2012 (the “Company’s 2011 Form 10-K)).
|
|
2.2
|
Certificate of Merger filed with the Office of the Secretary of State of Delaware merging UHF Incorporated , a Michigan corporation, into the Company
(
incorporated by reference herein from the Company’s 2011 Form 10-K).
|
|
2.3
|
Share Exchange Agreement, dated as of October 1, 2011, among Target Acquisitions I, Inc., China Real Fortune Mining Limited (“Real Fortune BVI”), and the shareholders of Real Fortune BVI (incorporated by reference herein from the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed August 11, 2011(the “Company’s August 2011 Form 8-K”)).
|
|
2.4
|
Share Exchange Agreement among the Company, Target Acquisitions I, Inc. (“Target”) and the Stockholders of Target.
|
|
2.5
|
Certificate of Merger filed with the Secretary of State of Delaware merging Target into the Company.
|
|
3.1 |
Certificate of Incorporation
(
incorporated by reference herein from the Company’s 2011 Form 10-K).
|
|
3.2
|
Certificate of Designation authorizing the issuance of series A convertible preferred stock.
|
|
3.3
|
By-laws
(
incorporated by reference herein from the Company’s 2011 Form 10-K).
|
|
10.1
|
Subscription Agreement dated as of August 1, 2011 by and among the Company and Lawrence Burstein, Omar Cunha, Peter van Voorst Vader, Sidney Levy and Selmo Nissenbaum
(
incorporated by reference herein from the Company’s August 2011 Form 8-K).
|
|
10.2
|
Stock Purchase Agreement dated as of August 1, 2011 by and among Dachris Ltd. and Lawrence Burstein, Omar Cunha, Peter van Voorst Vader, Sidney Levy and Selmo Nissenbaum
(
incorporated by reference herein from the Company’s August 2011 Form 8-K).
|
|
10.3
|
Subscription Agreement dated as of August 3, 2011 by and among the Company and Lawrence Burstein, Omar Cunha, Peter van Voorst Vader, Sidney Levy, Nissen Holdings & Co. Ltd. Shellie Schoppe and Wayne Brannan
(
incorporated by reference herein from the Company’s 2011 Form 10-K).
|
|
10.4
|
Option Agreement dated as of August 3, 2011 by and among Lawrence Burstein, Frontera Holdings Limited Partnership, Peter van Voorst Vader, Wit Services Global Inc., Nissen Holdings & Co. Ltd. and Wayne Brannan (incorporated by reference herein from the Company’s 2011 Form 10-K).
|
|
10.5
|
Subscription Agreement dated as of February 15, 2012 by and among the Company, Lawrence Burstein, Omar Cunha, Peter van Voorst Vader, Sidney Levy and Nissen Holdings & Co.
(
incorporated by reference herein from the Company’s 2011 Form 10-K).
|
|
10.6
|
Stock Purchase Agreement dated as of June 26, 2014 among certain directors, officers and other stockholders of the Company and HC Consulting Limited (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 27, 2014).
|
|
10.7
|
English translation of Management Entrustment Agreement, dated May 9, 2011, between ZhangJiaKou TongDa Mining Service Co., Ltd. and Zhuolu Jinxin Mining Co., Ltd.
|
|
10.8
|
English translation of Powers of Attorney, dated May 9, 2011.
|
|
10.9
|
English translation of Exclusive Purchase Option Agreements, dated May 9, 2011, among ZhangJiaKou TongDa Mining Service Co., Ltd. and Zhuolu Jinxin Mining Co., Ltd. and its shareholders.
|
|
10.10
|
English translation of Equity Pledge Agreements, dated May 9, 2011, among ZhangJiaKou TongDa Mining Service Co., Ltd. and Zhuolu Jinxin Mining Co., Ltd. and its shareholders.
|
|
10.11
|
English translation of Lease Agreement, dated December 27, 2006, between Zhuolu County Luanzhuang Township People’s Government and Zhuolu Jinxin Mining Co., Ltd..
|
10.12
|
English translation of form of Long Term Strategic Agreement dated January 16, 2009 between Zhuolu Jinxin Mining Co., Ltd. and Handan Steel Group.
|
|
10.13
|
English translation of Employment Agreement between Zhuolu Jinxin Mining Co., Ltd. and Changkui Zhu.
|
|
10.14
|
English translation of Employment Agreement between Zhuolu Jinxin Mining Co., Ltd. and Zhengting Deng.
|
|
10.15
|
English translation of Agreement dated March 20, 2010 between Zhuolu Jinxin Mining Co., Ltd. and Baoding Hongye Mechanical Engineering Equipments Company Limited.
|
|
10.16
|
English translation of Agreement dated March 20, 2010 between Zhuolu Jinxin Mining Co., Ltd. and Zhuolu Hydraulic and Hydro-Power Engineering Company Limited.
|
|
10.17
|
Stock Purchase Agreement dated January 17, 2014, among Target Acquisitions I, Inc., ZhangJiaKou TongDa Mining Technologies Service Co., Ltd. and Jiazhen Liu.
|
|
10.18
|
Stock Purchase Agreement dated January 17, 2014, among Target Acquisitions I, Inc., ZhangJIaKou TongDa Mining Technologies Service Co., Ltd. and Changkui Zhu.
|
|
10.19
|
Stock Purchase Agreement dated January 17, 2014, among Target Acquisitions I, Inc., ZhangJiaKou TongDa Mining Technologies Service Co. Ltd., and Dongli Sun.
|
|
10.20
|
Stock Purchase Agreement dated January 17, 2014, among Target Acquisitions I, Inc., ZhangJiaKou TongDa Mining Technologies Service Co. Ltd., and Meijie Wang.
|
|
10.21
|
Stock Purchase Agreement dated January 17, 2014, among Target Acquisitions I, Inc., ZhangJiaKou TongDa Mining Technologies Service Co. Ltd., and Xingwang Shao.
|
|
10.22
|
Convertible Promissory Note with a private investor in the face amount of RMB 3,333,333.
|
|
10.23
|
Convertible Promissory Note with a private investor in the face amount of RMB 3,333,333.
|
|
10.24
|
Convertible Promissory Note with a private investor in the face amount of RMB 3,333,333.
|
|
21.1
|
Subsidiaries
|
TARGET ACQUISITIONS I, INC.
|
|||
Date: July 7 , 2014
|
By:
|
/s/ Changkui Zhu
|
|
Changkui Zhu
Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer
|
|||
By:
|
/s/ Zhengting Deng
|
||
Zhengting Deng
Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)
|
Changkui Zhu
|
/s/ Jiazhen Liu
Jiazhen Liu
|
Wealth Sino Trading Limited
|
By:
/s/ Changqing Han
|
Sui Feng Limited
|
By:
/s/Junyan Tian
|
True South Limited
|
By:
/s/ Xia Wang
|
Splendid Shine Limited
|
By:
/s/Fengqin Ji
|
/s/
Chia-Hua Lee
Chia-Hua Lee
|
/s/ Lien-Hsiang Hu
|
Lien-Hsiang Hu
|
Trophy Journey Limited
|
By:
/s/ Lixin Shi
|
Idea Vantage Limited
|
By:
/s/ Jiazhen Liu
|
United Ample International Limited
By:
/s/ Wenyan Yang
|
/s/ Wanli Liu
|
Wanli Liu
|
Southern Sleek Limited
|
By:
/s/ Dengwei Gao
|
/s/ Dongli Sun
Dongli Sun
|
True Sino Enterprises Limited
|
By:
/s/
Huiqin Wang
|
Talent Lead Investments Limited
|
By:
/s/ Shaofeng Han
|
Talent Horse Limited
|
By:
/s/ Yuqin Wei
|
/s/ Meijie Wang
Meijie Wang
|
/
s/ Xingwang Shao
|
Xingwang Shao
|
Wisdom Thrive Limited
|
By:
/s/ Jianxin Wei
|
Name of Target Stockholder
|
Number of Exchange Shares |
Number of Target Shares
|
|||||||
Series A Preferred
|
Common
|
|
|||||||
Changkui Zhu
|
2,229,975 | 510,000 | |||||||
Jiazhen Liu
|
“1” converts into | 17,839,800 | 4,080,000 | ||||||
Wealth Sino Trading Limited
|
7,041,474 | 1,610,400 | |||||||
Sui Feng Limited
|
4,526,412 | 1,035,200 | |||||||
True South Limited
|
4,424,970 | 1,012,000 | |||||||
Splendid Shine Limited
|
4,369,002 | 999,200 | |||||||
Chia-Hua Lee
|
3,060,750 | 700,000 | |||||||
Lien-Hsiang Hu
|
3,060,750 | 700,000 | |||||||
Trophy Journey Limited
|
2,913,834 | 666,400 | |||||||
Idea Vantage Limited
|
2,658,480 | 608,000 | |||||||
United Ample International Limited
|
1,661,550 | 380,000 | |||||||
Wanli Liu
|
1,311,750 | 300,000 | |||||||
Southern Sleek Limited
|
1,168,332 | 267,200 | |||||||
Dongli Sun
|
1,114,988 | 255,000 | |||||||
True Sino Enterprises Limited
|
902,484 | 206,400 | |||||||
Talent Lead Investments Limited
|
808,038 | 184,800 | |||||||
Talent Horse Limited
|
808,038 | 184,800 | |||||||
Meijie Wang
|
668,993 | 153,000 | |||||||
Xingwang Shao
|
445,995 | 102,000 | |||||||
Wisdom Thrive Limited
|
199,386 | 45,600 | |||||||
Target Acquisitions I, Inc.
|
437 | 100 | |||||||
Total
|
“1” | 61,215,43 8 | 14,000,100 |
Exceptions to Representations
|
|
By:
|
/s/ Changkui Zhu | |
Changkui Zhu | |||
Chief Executive Officer | |||
UHF Incorporated
|
|||
By:
|
/s/ Changkui Zhu
|
||
Changkui Zhu
|
|||
Chief Executive Officer
|
|||
|
1.2.1
|
This Agreement is executed on the date first above written and shall take effect as of such date (such day, the “Effective Date”), and subject to the termination provisions of Sections 1.2.2. and 1.2.3 below (collectively, the “Early Termination Provisions”), shall continue in effect until the thirtieth anniversary of the Effective Date (the “Initial Term”); provided, that if this Agreement has not been terminated prior to the end of the Initial Term or a Renewal Term (as the case may be) in accordance with the Early Termination Provisions, the term of this Agreement automatically and without any action of any party shall be extended for additional successive ten year periods thereafter (each a “Renewal Term”), unless not less than 30 days prior to the end of the Initial Term or any Renewal Term Party B notifies Party A in writing that this Agreement shall terminate at the end of the Initial Term or that Renewal Term, as the case may be. In no event shall Party A have the right to unilaterally terminate this Agreement. Anything to the contrary in the foregoing notwithstanding, upon the occurrence of the events set forth below this Agreement shall terminate on the date specified:
|
1.2.2
|
the day when the Agreement is terminated by Party B in its sole and absolute discretion by the delivery to Party A of a written notice of termination; or
|
1.2.3
|
the day when Party B completes the acquisition of all the assets or at least 51% of the equity interests of Party A.
|
(
1
)
|
Pursuant to Power of Attorney issued by the shareholders of Party A on the same day as this Agreement (“Power of Attorney”), Party B shall have the right to participate in the shareholder’s meeting of Party A, vote on the matters proposed at the meeting, suggest the holding of temporary shareholders’ meeting as the agent of the shareholders of Party A, and have other shareholders’ voting rights as stipulated in the Articles of Association of Party A and the Companies Law of the PRC. Party B shall also have the right to make the following major decisions:
|
a)
|
to decide the operation plan and investment scheme for Party A;
|
b)
|
to discuss and approve the reports of the Board of Directors and the supervisor;
|
c)
|
to discuss and approve the annual financial budget and settlement plan;
|
d)
|
to discuss approve the profit distribution plan and the loss compensation plan;
|
e)
|
within the authorization of the shareholder’s meeting, to decide such matters of Party A as investment, assets purchase or sale, assets mortgage, external guarantee, assets management and related party transaction;
|
f)
|
to resolve on the increase or decrease of the registered capital;
|
g)
|
to resolve on the issuance of the corporate bond;
|
h)
|
to resolve on the matters including merger, division, change of corporate form, dissolution and liquidation of the company;
|
i)
|
to amend the articles of association;
|
j)
|
to retain or replace the Certified Public Accounting (“CPA”) firm providing auditing service for Party A.
|
(2)
|
Party B shall have the right to designate candidates of the directors and supervisor of Party A.
|
(3)
|
Party B shall have the right to prepare the scheme to purchase or repurchase the shares of Party A, the scheme of reorganization and the scheme to go public for Party A; Party A should make sure that the shareholders of Party A shall agree such schemes and go through the necessary legal procedures to complete said schemes.
|
(1)
|
Party B shall establish the financial and accounting system of Party A pursuant to the applicable laws of the PRC.
|
(2)
|
Party B shall submit annual budget and settlement scheme to the shareholders of Party A.
|
(3)
|
Party B shall on a quarterly basis file financial statements to the shareholders of Party A, and prepare the annual financial statements of Party A within one hundred and twenty (120) days after the end of each fiscal year, and provide them to the
shareholders after they are audited by the CAP firm.
|
(1)
|
Party A shall deliver the list of all its assets on March 31, 2011 (“Base Date”) to Party B, within 5 days after the effective date of this Agreement and undertake it has no action adversely affecting such assets after the Base Date and before the execution of this Agreement. Party B has the right to use such assets for the necessary operation scope.
|
(2)
|
Within the term of the entrusted operation, Party A shall not transfer the assets of
Party A or reduce their value, unless otherwise arising in the ordinary course of business of Party A and obtaining approval from Party B.
|
(1)
|
Party B have the right to decide the setup of the internal governance structure of Party A;
|
(2)
|
Party B shall have the right to decide all matters in relation to HR of Party A, including but not limited to the employment, removal, staffing and remuneration of senior officers.
|
(3)
|
Within the term of the entrusted operation, Party B shall continue to perform the labor contracts signed by Party A and its employees according to the PRC labor laws.
|
(1)
|
Party B shall have the right to decide all daily production and sales arrangements of Party A such as the production scale, product category, sales strategy and execution of operating contracts.
|
(2)
|
Party B undertakes to make full use of its existing advanced methods of management and technologies, to improve product quality, broaden sales channels, reduce product cost and operating expenses.
|
|
1.5.1
|
In consideration of the services to be provided by Party B, Party A shall pay to Party B each quarter a management consulting fee equal to all pre-tax profits, if any, of Party A for that quarter (such pre-tax profits are referred to herein as the “Profits”).
|
|
1.5.2
|
Such fees that Party A shall pay (or cause to be paid) to Party B are to be paid in the following manner: during the term of this Agreement: the Profits for each quarter shall be computed no later than 45 days after the end of each quarter, except that in the case of the final quarter of a fiscal year the period for calculating the Profits shall be 90 days. Once such computation is completed, but in all events within 45 days of the end of each fiscal quarter (90 days in the case of the fourth quarter), 100% of all Profits for that quarter shall be paid to Party B. If the Profits for any quarter are zero or negative, meaning that Party A had a loss for such quarter, Party A will not pay Party B a management consulting fee for that quarter, and any loss for a quarter shall be deducted from the management consulting fee for the following quarters; provided further, if at any time Party A shall request that Party B pay to it the amount of any loss that has not been offset against a Profit, Party B will do so within thirty days of such request.
|
|
1.5.3
|
Should Party A fail to pay all or any part of the fees due to Party B under this Agreement within the time stipulated, Party A shall pay to Party B interest on the amount overdue based at an adjustable rate equal to the three (3) month lending rate for RMB announced from time to time by the People’s Bank of China from the date due until the date paid in full.
|
|
1.5.4
|
Following the end of each fiscal year of Party A, the parties shall conduct an examination and verification of the management consulting fees paid by Party A based upon the Profits of Party A for each of the quarters during such fiscal year as confirmed by the audit report by the CPA firm retained by Party A and make appropriate adjustments within fifteen (15) business days following the issuance of such audit report, so that any overcharge will be refunded or any deficiency will be compensated for. Party A covenants and warrants to Party B that it will provide all necessary materials and assistance to such CPA firm and cause the preparation and issuance to the parties of the foregoing audit report by such CPA firm within ninety (90) days following the end of each fiscal year of Party.
|
(1)
|
After the execution of this Agreement, the management of Party A shall be handed over to Party B. Party A shall, within 5 days after the effective date of this Agreement, deliver Party A’s
business data, personal archives, business licenses, seals, financial records, legal title certificates and other relevant documentation to Party B or representative authorized by Party B, in order to guarantee Party B to execute its operation responsibilities.
|
(2)
|
During the term of the entrusted operation, without Party B’s consent, Party A and its shareholders and the Board of Directors shall not make any decision on Party A’s operations, and they shall not intervene with Party B’s entrusted management activities in any form;
|
(3)
|
During the term of the entrusted operation, Party A’s Board of directors shall have the obligation to cooperate with Party B in accordance with Party B’s request to ensure the stability and consistency of the operation;
|
(4)
|
To entrust the authorities of the shareholders and the Board of Directors to Party B;
|
(5)
|
To timely pay the entrustment fee to Party B;
|
(6)
|
Without Party B’s consent, Party A shall not entrust any third party other than Party B in any form to manage Party A’s businesses;
|
(7)
|
The Board of Directors and shareholders of Party A shall issue necessary documents for the purpose of accomplishing the management by Party B;
|
(8)
|
Party A shall do or cause to be done, all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its existence and its material rights, franchises and licenses;
|
(9)
|
Party A shall actively assist Party B in transacting foreign merger formalities provided that doing so is permitted by the laws of the PRC;
|
(10)
|
Party A shall not unilaterally early terminate this Agreement for any reason.
|
(11)
|
Other rights and obligations of Party A provided under this Agreement.
|
(1)
|
Party A will not issue, purchase or redeem any equity securities of Party A;
|
(2)
|
Party A will not create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any liens upon or with respect to any property or assets of Party A whether now owned or hereafter acquired, provided that the provisions of this subsection shall not prevent the creation, incurrence, assumption or existence of:
|
a)
|
liens for taxes not yet due, or liens for taxes being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings for which adequate reserves have been established; and
|
b)
|
liens in respect of property or assets of Party A imposed by the laws of the PRC, which were incurred in the ordinary course of business, and (i) which do not in the aggregate materially detract from the value of such property or assets or materially impair the use thereof in the operation of the business of Party A or (ii) which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings, which proceedings have the effect of preventing the forfeiture or sale of the property of assets subject to any such lien.
|
(3)
|
Party A will not liquidate ,dissolve or terminate its operations or enter into any transactions of merger or consolidation, or convey, sell, lease or otherwise dispose of (or agree to do any of the foregoing at any future time) all or any part of its property or assets, or purchase or otherwise acquire (in one or a series of related transactions) any part of the property or assets (other than purchases or other acquisitions of inventory, materials and equipment in the ordinary course of business) of any person, except that (i) Party A may make sales of inventory in the ordinary course of business; and (ii) Party A may, in the ordinary course of business, sell equipment which is uneconomic or obsolete;
|
(4)
|
Party A will not declare or pay any dividends, or return any capital, to its shareholders or authorize or make any other distribution, payment or delivery of property or cash to its shareholders as such, or redeem, retire, purchase or otherwise acquire, directly or indirectly, for a consideration, any shares of any class of its capital stock now or hereafter outstanding (or any options or warrants issued by Party A with respect to its capital stock), or set aside any funds for any of the foregoing purposes;
|
(5)
|
Party A will not contract, create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any indebtedness, except accrued expenses and current trade accounts payable incurred in the ordinary course of business, and obligations under trade letters of credit inclined by Party A in the ordinary course of business, which are to be repaid in full not longer than one year after the date on which such indebtedness is originally incurred to finance the purchase of goods by Party A;
|
(6)
|
Party A will not lend money or credit or make advances to any person, or purchase or acquire any stock, obligations or securities of, or any other interest in, or make any capital contribution to, any other person, except that Party A may acquire and hold receivables owing to it, if created or acquired in the ordinary course of business and payable or dischargeable in accordance with customary trade terms;
|
(7)
|
Party A will not enter into any transactions or series of related transactions, whether or not in the ordinary course of business, with any affiliates of Party A, other than on terms and conditions substantially as favorable to Party A as would be obtainable by Party A at the time in a comparable arm’s-length transaction with a person other than an affiliate and with the prior written consent of Party B;
|
(8)
|
Party A will not make any expenditures for fixed or capital assets (including, without limitation, expenditures for maintenance and repairs which should be capitalized in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the PRC or in the United States) in excess of US $1,000,000, without the prior written consent of Party B; and
|
(9)
|
Party A will not: (i) make any voluntary or optional payment or prepayment on or redemption or acquisition for value of (including, without limitation, by way of depositing with the trustee with respect thereto money or securities before due for the purpose of paying when due) any existing indebtedness; (ii) amend or modify, or permit the amendment or modification of, any provision of any existing indebtedness or of any agreement (including, without limitation, any purchase agreement, indenture, loan agreement or security agreement) relating to any of the foregoing; or (iii) amend, modify or change its Article of Association or Business License, or any agreement entered into by it, with respect to its shares, or enter into any new agreement with respect to its shares.
|
(1)
|
Party B shall enjoy independent and comprehensive management right over Party A’s operations;
|
(2)
|
Party B shall have the right to adjust the organizational structure and the personnel placement of Party A based on the needs of the management;
|
(3)
|
Party B shall have the right to dispose of all the assets of Party A, and Party B can dispose of any of the aforesaid assets without any prior consent of Party A;
|
(4)
|
Party B shall be entitled to entrustment fees in accordance with this Agreement.
|
(5)
|
Party B shall carry out all the responsibilities and rights entrusted to it under this Agreement in good faith, and shall pay reasonable attention to the entrusted matters and notify Party A timely of relevant matters;
|
(6)
|
Party B shall act in good faith and consult with Party A in regards to the handling of matters covered by this Agreement;
|
(7)
|
Other obligations shall be performed by Party B under this Agreement.
|
(1)
|
Party A has an iron ore concentrate production line with an annual capacity of 300,000 tons and associated plant and office building (hereinafter collectively referred to as "production facilities") , which was put into trial production from March to September 2010. Party A successively obtained temporary manufacturing licenses for metallurgical mineral production license of Zhangjiakou City on March 22, 2009, March 23, 2010 and January 1, 2011, respectively. The valid period of the latest one is one year.
|
(2)
|
The local county government has commissioned a qualified provincial mineral resources exploration agency (“the Agency”) to carry out a geological survey of ultra-poor magnetite around Party A’s production facilities, covering an area about 5.73KM
2
. Pursuant to the commission agreement, the local county government shall pay geological survey fees ("Survey fee", which has been already paid); the Agency would obtain mineral exploration right in its own name ("Geological Survey Certificate”: No. D13020100600001085; valid period: from June 18, 2010 to June 18, 2013); if the search results meet the establishment conditions of mining rights, the mining rights will belong to the local county government ("the mining rights"); the local county government will adopt an open tender to sell the mining rights.
|
(3)
|
Party A undertakes to assist Party B and coordinate the local governments at various levels during the period of the entrusted operation to acquire the mining license(s) in relation to the areas around the production facilities, the state-owned land use right occupied by the production facilities, and to go through the relevant lacking legal procedures of the production facilities according to Chinese laws. If Party A's own capital is not sufficient to pay the relating consideration or expenses, Party B shall be responsible for the shortage.
|
(1)
|
Each party shall have the right to enter into this Agreement, and the ability to perform this Agreement;
|
(2)
|
In order to execute and perform this Agreement, each party has gone through the necessary internal decision-making procedures and obtained the approval;
|
(3)
|
Each party has duly authorized its representative to execute this Agreement;
|
(4)
|
Each party shall not have any reason of its own that will encumber the effectiveness of this Agreement from the effective date and become binding on such party;
|
(5)
|
The execution of this Agreement and the performance of the obligations hereunder will NOT:
|
a)
|
violate the business license, articles of association or any other similar documents of that party;
|
b)
|
violate the laws and regulations of China or the government authorization or permit;
|
c)
|
violate any other contracts or agreements to which that party is a party (or is bound), or lead to that party’s breach of contract under such contracts or agreements.
|
11.1
|
The parties agree and shall cause their relevant personnel to keep strict confidence of all the terms and conditions of this Agreement and all the matters of the entrusted operation that have access to. They shall not disclose the aforesaid information to any third party unless it is required by the explicit provision of law, or the instruction of judicial or governmental agencies or with consent of the other party, otherwise, the disclosing party shall bear the relevant legal consequences.
|
11.2
|
The confidentiality obligation of the parties shall survive the termination of this Agreement.
|
12.1
|
If any clause of this Agreement is invalidated or non-enforceable due to the provisions of laws or regulations, this clause is invalid while all other clauses shall remain in full force and effect and binding upon both parties.
|
12.2
|
In the event the aforesaid situation occurs, the parties shall, through friendly consultation, agree upon supplemental clause to replace the invalid clause at their earliest possible time.
|
13.1
|
If one party fails or delays to exercise a certain right provided under this Agreement, such failure or delay shall not constitute the waiver of such right by that party.
|
13.2
|
If one party fails to require the other party to perform a certain obligation provided under this Agreement, such failure shall not constitute the waiver by that party of the right to require the other party to perform at a later time.
|
13.3
|
If one party violates any clause of this Agreement and obtains a waiver of liability from the non-violating party, such waiver shall not constitute the waiver of liability by the non-violation party over the violations by the other party at a later time or of other clauses of this Agreement.
|
15.1
|
Any supplemental agreements entered into by the parties after the effective date of this Agreement shall be an effective part of this Agreement and have the same legal effect as this Agreement. If there is any discrepancy between the supplemental agreement and this Agreement, the supplemental agreement shall prevail.
|
15.2
|
This Agreement is written both in Chinese and English; in case there is any conflict between the Chinese version and the English version, the Chinese version shall prevail.
|
15.3
|
This Agreement shall be executed in four counterparts; each party holds one and the rest are used for the transaction of related formalities. Each of the copies shall be deemed as the original one and has the same effect.
|
1.
|
Conferring and Exercise of Purchase Option
|
1.1
|
Exclusive Purchase Option of the Object Equities. Party B agrees to irrevocably confer Party A the exclusive option to purchase all the equities Party B holds in Party C (“
Equity Purchase Option
”).
|
1.1.1
|
This Agreement is executed on the date first above written and shall take effect as of such date (such day, the “Effective Date”), and subject to earlier termination by Party A, shall continue in effect until the thirtieth anniversary of the Effective Date (the “Initial Term”); provided, that if this Agreement has not been terminated by Party A prior to the end of the Initial Term or a Renewal Term (as the case may be), the term of this Agreement automatically and without any action of any party shall be extended for additional successive ten year periods thereafter (each a “Renewal Term,” and collectively with the Initial Term, the “Term”), unless not less than 30 days prior to the end of the Initial Term or any Renewal Term Party A notifies Party B and Party C in writing that this Agreement shall terminate at the end of the Initial Term or that Renewal Term, as the case may be. In no event shall Party B or Party C have the right to unilaterally terminate this Agreement.
|
1.1.2
|
Commencing upon the Effective Date and continuing through the Term of this Agreement (“
Exercise Period
”), Party A or its Designee shall have the right to purchase all or part of the equities Party B holds in Party C pursuant to the related terms and conditions under this Agreement and at the Exercise Price for Equity Purchase Option (as defined hereunder), provided that the laws of the PRC at that time permits. Party B agrees to enter into an Equity Transfer Agreement (“
Equity Transfer Agreement
”) with Party A or its Designee in the format. The Exercise Period under this Agreement may be extended by the written consent of Party A before the expiration date. The term of extension shall be determined through mutual agreement by all parties to this Agreement.
|
1.1.3
|
Where the laws of the PRC permits and Party A sends the Equity Purchase Exercise Notice (as defined in Subsection 2.2.1), Party B and Party C shall unconditionally cooperate with Party A to carry out the above procedures and transfer all or part of the Object Equities to Party A or its Designee, and transact all necessary formalities such as review and approval, permit, registration and filing.
|
1.1.4
|
The Object Equities shall be free of any Security Interest. For the purpose of this Agreement, Security Interest means any mortgage, pledge, the right or interest of the third party, any purchase right of equity interest, right of acquisition, right of first refusal, right of set-off, ownership detainment or other security arrangements; however, it does not include any security interests created under Equity the Pledge Agreement entered into by Party A and Party B on the same day as this Agreement (“
Equity Pledge Agreement
”).
|
1.1.5
|
During the Exercise Period, if the holding of all or part of the Object Equities by Party B is or will be deemed to violate the applicable laws, Party B and Party C shall immediately send a written notice to Party A to explain the reason in detail.
|
1.2
|
Exclusive Purchase Option to the Object Assets. Party C here agrees to irrevocably confer Party A the purchase option to purchase all of its assets (“
Assets Purchase Option
”). The Equity Purchase Option and the Assets Purchase Option collectively are referred to as “
Purchase Option
”:
|
1.2.1
|
During the Exercise Period, Party A or its Designee shall have the right to purchase all or part of the assets owned by Party C pursuant to the terms and conditions under this Agreement at the Exercise Price for Assets Purchase Option or a percentage thereof (as defined hereunder), provided that the laws of the PRC at that time permits. Party C agrees to enter into an assets transfer agreement (“
Assets Transfer Agreement
”) with Party A or its Designee.
|
1.2.2
|
Where the laws of the PRC permits and Party A sends the Asset Purchase Exercise Notice (as defined in Subsection 2.3.1), Party B and Party C shall unconditionally cooperate with Party A to carry out the above procedures and transfer all or part of the Object Assets to Party A or its Designee, and transact all necessary formalities such as review and approval, permit, registration and filing.
|
1.2.3
|
When Party A exercises the Assets Purchase Option, Party B and Party C shall ensure other shareholders of Party C will approve the asset transfer under this Agreement.
|
2.
|
Exercise Steps
|
2.1
|
Pursuant to the applicable laws of the PRC, Party A shall have the right to determine the time, manner and number of purchases for the Purchase Option.
|
2.2
|
Exercise steps to purchase equities:
|
2.2.1
|
During the Exercise Period, Party A may send an exercise notice (“
Equity Purchase Exercise Notice
”) to Party B to exercise the Equity Purchase Option under this Agreement to purchase all or part of the Object Equities or transfer all or part of the Object Equities to a Designee, provided that the laws of the PRC permits at that time.
|
2.2.2
|
Upon receipt of the Equity Purchase Notice pursuant to Subsection 2.2.1 above or earlier if requested by Party A, Party B shall immediately:
|
(a)
|
obtain the waiver concerning the first refusal of other shareholders of Party C at that time on the purchase of such equities;
|
(b)
|
enter into an Equity Transfer Agreement in the format attached as Annex 1 hereto with Party A and/or its Designee according the requirements of the Equity Purchase Exercise Notice;
|
(c)
|
revise the Articles of Association of Party C together with Party A and/or its Designee and other shareholders of Party C at that time pursuant to the Equity Transfer Agreement;
|
(d)
|
cause Party C to promptly convene a shareholder’s meeting to pass the resolutions to approve the equity transfer pursuant to the exercise of the Equity Purchase Option and the amendment to the Articles of Association of Party C;
|
(e)
|
together with Party A and/or its Designee and other shareholders of Party C at that time, handle all necessary approval and examination, registration and filing procedures required by the laws of the PRC within thirty (30) business days as of the date of receipt of the Equity Purchase Exercise Notice by Party B or an earlier time agreed upon by the parties; and
|
(f)
|
execute all other requisite contracts, agreements or documents, obtain all requisite approvals and consents of the government, conduct all necessary actions to transfer the valid ownership, without any Security Interest, of the Object Equities to Party A and/or its Designee, and cause Party A and/or its Designee to be the registered owner of the Object Equities.
|
2.3
|
Exercise steps to purchase assets:
|
2.3.1
|
During the Exercise Period, Party A may send an exercise notice (“
Assets Purchase Exercise Notice
”) to Party C to exercise the Assets Purchase Option under this Agreement, purchase all or part of the Object Assets owned by Party C or transfer all or part of the Object Assets to a Designee, provided that the laws of the PRC permits at that time.
|
2.3.2
|
Once Party C receives the Assets Purchase Exercise Notice pursuant to Subsection 2.3.1 above or earlier if requested by Party A, Party C shall immediately:
|
(a)
|
enter into an Assets Transfer Agreement in the format attached as Annex 2 hereto and any other necessary agreements with Party A and/or its Designee according to the requirements set forth in the Assets Purchase Exercise Notice;
|
(b)
|
convene a shareholder's meeting to pass the resolution to approve the exercise of the Assets Purchase Option; and
|
(c)
|
together with all the shareholders of Party C at that time execute all other requisite contracts, agreements or documents, obtain all requisite approvals and consents of the government, conduct all necessary actions to transfer the valid ownership, without any security interest, of the Object Assets to Party A and/or it Designee, and cause Party A and/or its Designee to be the registered owner of the Object Assets (if necessary).
|
2.4
|
Before Party A obtains the Object Equities or the Object Assets by means of exercising either the Equity Purchase Option or the Assets Purchase Option, Party B and/or Party C shall entrust Party A to manage Party C pursuant to the Management Entrustment Agreement entered into by and between Party A and Party C on the same day as this Agreement.
|
3.
|
Exercise Conditions
|
4.
|
Exercise Price
|
4.1
|
Exercise price for Equity Purchase Option (“
Exercise Price for Equity Purchase Option
”) or Assets Purchase Option (“
Exercise Price for Assets Purchase Option
”)
|
5.
|
Representations and Warranties
|
5.1
|
Each party respectively represents and warranties to the other parties that:
|
5.1.1
|
it has the right to execute this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreement, and the Assets Transfer Agreement, and the capability to perform its obligations under this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreement, and the Assets Transfer Agreement;
|
5.1.2
|
it has carried out necessary internal derision-making procedures, obtained proper authority, acquired all the necessary consent and approval of any requisite third party and government authority to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreement, and the Assets Transfer Agreement; and
|
5.1.3
|
once executed, this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreement, and the Assets Transfer Agreement will constitute the legal, valid, and binding obligation of each party, and each party will be subject to compulsory enforcement on it pursuant to the terms and conditions under this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreement, and the Assets Transfer Agreement.
|
5.2
|
Party B hereby represents and warrants to Party A that:
|
5.2.1 Party B is a shareholder, duly and legally registered, of Party C and has paid the subscribed registered capital in full sum pursuant to the laws of the PRC;
|
5.2.2 The Object Equities held by Party B can be freely transferred without anyone's prior consent, and the Object Equities are free of encumbrances of any kind, other than the Security Interest pursuant to the Equity Pledge Agreement.
|
5.2.3 Party B has complied with all the laws of the PRC and regulations applicable to the purchase of assets and equities in connection with this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreement, and the Assets Transfer Agreement;
|
5.2.4 No litigation, arbitration or administrative procedure relevant to the Object Equities or Party B is in process or to be settled, and Party B has no knowledge of any pending or threatened claim;
|
5.2.5 Party B has not sold or agreed to sell the Object Equities to any third party other than Party A or its Designee, and Party B has no future plans to sell or agree to sell the Object Equities to any third party other than Party A or its Designee;
|
5.2.6 Party B strictly abides by the obligations under the Articles of Association of Party C. There are no circumstances that may affect the legal status of Party B as the shareholder of Party C, or any circumstance that may prevent Party A from exercising the Equity Purchase Option under this Agreement;
|
5.2.7 Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreements or Assets Transfer Agreements, nor the performance of the obligations under this Agreement, any Equity Transfer Agreements or Assets Transfer Agreements will: (i) violate any laws of the PRC; (ii) conflict with its Articles of Association or other organizational documents; (iii) breach any contracts or documents to which Party B is a party or which bind Party B; (iv) violate any acquired permits, approvals or any valid qualifications; or (v) result in the ceasing or revocation or additional conditions to the acquired permits or approvals;
|
5.2.8 Party B, upon the request of Party A, will appoint any person designated by Party A to be the director of Party C; and
|
5.2.9 Party B shall promptly notify Party A of any pending or threatened litigation, arbitration or administrative procedure related to the assets, business and income of Party C, and tender to Party A the sole control of the defense and settlement of such claim and cooperate with such defense and/or settlement at its own expense.
|
5.3
|
Party C hereby represents and warrants to Party A that:
|
5.3.1 Party C is a company with limited liability, which has been duly incorporated and validly existing pursuant to the laws of the PRC;
|
5.3.2 Party C has stated to Party A, in the Article 5.1 of Management Entrustment Agreement by on the same day as this Agreement, the legal status of land occupied for production facilities, the legal status of production facilities and the contractual arrangement with the local county government in connection with mining rights surrounding the production facilities.
|
5.3.3 Party C complies with all PRC laws and regulations applicable to the purchase of assets and equities in connection with this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreement, and the Assets Transfer Agreement;
|
5.3.4 The shares of Party C are transferable, and Party C has not permitted or caused any Security Interest to be imposed upon the shares of Party C, other than the Security Interest pursuant to the Equity Pledge Agreement;
|
5.3.5 Party C does not have any unpaid debt, other than (i) debt arising from the ordinary course of business; and (ii) debt disclosed to Party A and obtained written consent by Party A;
|
5.3.6 No litigation, arbitration or administrative procedure relevant to Object Equities, the Object Assets or Party C itself is in process or to be settled and Party C has no knowledge of any pending or threatened claim;
|
5.3.7 Party C has not sold or agreed to sell any of its assets to any third party other than Party A or its Designee, and Party C has no future plans to sell or agree to sell the Object Assets to any third party other than Party A or its Designee;
|
5.3.8 Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreements or Assets Transfer Agreements, nor the performance of the obligations under this Agreement, any Equity Transfer Agreements or Assets Transfer Agreements will: (i) violate any laws of the PRC; (ii) conflict with its Articles of Association or other organizational documents; (iii) breach any contracts or documents to which Party C is a party or which bind Party C; (iv) violate any acquired permits, approvals or any valid qualifications; or (v) result in the ceasing or revocation or additional conditions to the acquired permits or approvals;
|
5.3.9 Party C will agree to look for insurance from an insurance company acceptable to Party A. The amount and category of insurance shall be the same as those held by the companies which are in the same industry with similar business and own the similar properties and assets as Party C;
|
5.3.10 Upon the request of Party A, Party C shall provide all related operation and finance materials of Party C to the extent that those materials are available to Party C; and
|
5.3.11 Party C shall promptly notify Party A of any pending or threatened litigation, arbitration or administrative procedure related to the assets, business and income of Party C, and tender to Party A the sole control of the defense and settlement of such claim and cooperate with such defense and/or settlement at Party C's expense.
|
5.4
|
Before Party A obtains the Object Equities and Object Assets of Party C by means of exercising either the Equity Purchase Option or the Assets Purchase Option, without the prior written consent by Party A, Party B and Party C shall not jointly or separately:
|
5.4.1
|
amend, modify or revise the Articles of Association of Party C in any form, or change the structure of the shareholders of Party C;
|
5.4.2
|
agree to increase or decrease the registered capital or the number of existing shareholders of Party C;
|
5.4.3
|
cause Party C to have transactions, which may materially affect the assets, business, net assets or other legal rights and liabilities of Party C, unless these transactions are related to the ordinary course of business or have been disclosed to and the written consent from Party A has been obtained;
|
5.4.4
|
transfer or dispose the Object Equities in any manner or grant any security interest or any other third party right on the Object Equities;
|
5.4.5
|
sell, transfer, mortgage or dispose in any other form, any asset, income and any other legal yield and interest of Party C, or approve any encumbrance or imposition of any Security Interest on Party C’s assets;
|
5.4.6
|
issue or provide guarantee, loan or credit to any third party or incur any debt, other than (i) the debt arising from ordinary course of business; and (ii) the debt has been disclosed to Party A and the written consent by Party A has been obtained.
|
5.4.7
|
terminate or cause Party C to terminate any material agreement (whose definition is at Party A’s discretion at that time) entered into by Party C, or enter into any agreement that would conflict with the existing material agreements of Party C and/or Party B;
|
5.4.8
|
distribute any distributable profit, bonus, dividends or interests of Party C, unless otherwise stipulated by the laws of the PRC; or
|
5.4.9
|
approve or adopt any shareholders resolution at a shareholder meeting of Party C which may cause Party C to be merged, acquired or invested, or to merge, acquire or invest in or associate with any entity other than Party A.
|
6.
|
Transfer of this Agreement
|
6.1
|
Without the prior written consent by Party A, Party B and Party C shall not sub-contract, license or transfer its rights and obligations under this Agreement to any third party or its affiliate; and any transfer of this Agreement without prior written consent of Party A shall be invalid.
|
6.2
|
Party B and Party C agree and confirm that Party A may transfer its rights and obligations under this Agreement, without the consent of Party B and/or Party C, to any third party, provided that Party A notifies Party B and Party C of such transfer in writing.
|
7.
|
Confidentiality
|
7.1
|
All parties agree that, all materials, documents, communications and other information obtained in the negotiation, execution or performance of this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreement, and the Assets Transfer Agreement, whether commercial, technical or in any other form (“Confidential information"), shall be strictly kept confidential and used only for the performance of the obligations under this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreement, and the Assets Transfer Agreement. Unless the other parties consent in writing, none of the parties shall release, leak or disclose any Confidential Information to any third party.
|
7.2
|
Each party may disclose the Confidential Information in the following circumstances: (1) where the laws, court orders or the competent courts with jurisdiction require, and such disclosure may be conducted only within such requirement; (2) where the competent authority or government department requires; (3) where such Confidential Information has been known to the general public; (4) where such Confidential Information was owned duly and legally by the disclosing party rather obtained from the other party before the disclosing party obtains it; (5) the information is required to be disclosed subject to the applicable laws or the rules or provisions of a stock exchange or securities governing authority; and (6) the information is disclosed by each party to its legal or financial consultant relating the transaction of this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreement, and the Assets Transfer Agreement, and this legal or financial consultant shall comply with the confidentiality set forth in this Section 7.
|
7.3
|
Nonetheless other provisions of this Section 7, each party shall have the right to disclose the Confidential Information to its lawyer, accountant, other professional consultants, directors or senior officers; such personnel shall undertake in writing to treat such information as Confidential Information by taking the measures similar to those provided in 7.1 of this Section.
|
7.4
|
The disclosure of the Confidential Information by staff or employed institution of any party shall be deemed as the disclosure of such Confidential Information by such party, and such party shall bear the liabilities for breaching the agreement.
|
7.5
|
This Section 7 shall survive whatever this Agreement is invalid, amended, revoked, terminated or unable to implement by any reason.
|
8.
|
Liability for breach
|
8.1
|
Any parties shall sufficiently perform this Agreement. Any Party breaching this Agreement shall bear the liability as arising out of and in relation thereto. If such breach causes damages to any other party, the breaching party shall compensate such party for all such damages.
|
8.2
|
If Party B breaches this Agreement, in addition to the remedies stipulated by the laws of the PRC, Party A may also take the following measures:
|
8.2.1
|
require Party B to transfer all or any part of the Object equities immediately at the Exercise Price for Equity Purchase Option to Party A or its Designee, provided that the laws of the PRC permit at that time; and
|
8.2.2
|
require Party B to compensate all direct and indirect damages, including but not limited to all the legal fees, travel fees and investigation fees paid for seeking and enforcing such remedies.
|
8.3
|
If Party C breaches this Agreement, in addition to the remedies stipulated by the laws of the PRC, Party A may also take the following measures:
|
8.3.1 require Party C to transfer all or part of the Object Assets immediately at the Exercise Price for Assets Purchase Option to Party A or its Designee, provided that the laws of the PRC permit at that time;
|
8.3.2 require Party B to exercise the rights as a shareholder of Party C, and cure the breach of Party C; if after ten (10) days after Party A sends a written notice to Party B or Party C, such breach has not been cured, Party A shall have the right to require Party B to transfer all or part of the Object Equities immediately at the Exercise price for Equity Purchase Option to Party A or its Designee provided that the laws of the PRC permit at that time; or
|
8.3.3 require Party B and Party C to compensate all direct and indirect damages, including but not limited to all the legal fees, travel fees and investigation fees paid for seeking and enforcing such remedies.
|
9.
|
Governing Law and Dispute Resolution
|
9.1
|
The execution, effectiveness, construction, performance, amendment and termination of this Agreement and the resolution of disputes hereunder shall be governed by the formally published and publicly available laws of the PRC. Matters not covered by formally published and publicly available laws of the PRC shall be governed by international legal principles and practices.
|
9.2
|
All parties agree that any dispute arising from or in relation to this Agreement shall first be settled by the friendly negotiation of both parties. If the negotiation fails within 45 days, each party shall have the right to file the dispute with China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission (“
CIETAC
”) in Beijing for arbitration pursuant to the currently effective arbitration rules of CIETAC at the time of application. This arbitration shall be final and bind all parties and shall be enforceable in any court of competent jurisdiction. The arbitration fees shall be born by the losing party.
|
9.3
|
Upon the occurrence of any disputes arising from the construction and performance of this Agreement or during the pending arbitration of any dispute, except for the matters under dispute, the Parties to this Agreement shall continue to exercise their respective rights under this Agreement and perform their respective obligations under this Agreement.
|
10.
|
Effect and Termination
|
10.1
|
This Agreement shall come into effect on and after the date that it is signed and/or stamped by all parties.
|
10.2
|
In any of the following circumstances, this Agreement shall be terminated:
|
10.2.1
|
where, during the Exercise Period, all parties reach an agreement to terminate this Agreement;
|
10.2.2
|
where, during the Exercise Period, Party A notifies the other parties thirty (30) days in advance to terminate this Agreement; in such circumstance, Party A shall not assume any liabilities as arising out of and in relation thereto;
|
10.2.3
|
at the expiration of the Exercise Period provided; however, Party A may extend the Exercise Period and this Agreement in its sole discretion; or
|
10.2.4
|
upon the unanimous agreement by all parties.
|
10.3
|
Section 7 regarding confidentiality and Section 12 regarding indemnification shall survive the termination of this Agreement.
|
11.
|
Taxes and Fees
|
12.
|
Indemnification
|
13.
|
General Terms
|
13.1
|
Entire Agreement. This Agreement and the Exhibits and Schedules hereto contain the entire understanding between the parties, no other representations, warranties or covenants having induced any party to execute this Agreement, and supersede all prior or contemporaneous agreements with respect to the subject matter hereof. All references to schedules and exhibits are to exhibits and schedules attached to and to become a part of this Agreement unless otherwise indicated.
|
13.2
|
Amendment. Any amendment and/or rescission shall be in writing and signed by the authorized representatives of all parties. Such revision shall be a valid integral part of this Agreement.
|
13.3
|
Headings. The headings of any Sections or other portion of this Agreement are for convenience only and are not to be considered in construing this Agreement.
|
13.4
|
Construction. References in this Agreement to "Sections," "Schedules" and "Exhibits" shall be to the Sections, Schedules and Exhibits of this Agreement, unless otherwise specifically provided; any use in this Agreement of the singular or plural, or the masculine, feminine or neuter gender, shall be deemed to include the others, unless the context otherwise requires; the words "herein”, "hereof" and "hereunder" and words of similar import, when used in this Agreement, shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement; the word "including" when used in this Agreement shall mean “including without limitation”; and except as otherwise specified in this Agreement, all references in this Agreement (a) to any agreement, document, certificate or other written instrument shall be a reference to such agreement, document, certificate or instrument, in each case together with all exhibits, schedules, attachments and appendices thereto, and as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof; and (b) to any law, statute or regulation shall be deemed references to such law, statute or regulation as the same may be supplemented, amended, consolidated, superseded or modified from time to time.
|
13.5
|
Severability. Any provision hereof that is prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability, without invalidating the remaining provisions hereof, and any such prohibition or unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.
|
13.6
|
Waiver. No failure or delay of either party to enforce any right hereunder shall constitute a waiver of any such right hereunder. No waiver shall be effective hereunder unless in writing and a waiver shall only be effective for the specific act or circumstance for which it is given and not for any future act or circumstance.
|
13.7
|
Succession of this Agreement. This Agreement shall bind the successors and transferees of all parties.
|
13.8
|
Language. This Agreement is in both Chinese and English and signed by all parties, and the two versions have the same effect. Should there be any discrepancy between the two language versions, the Chinese version shall prevail.
|
13.9
|
Copies of this Agreement. This Agreement shall be executed in four counterparts; each party holds one and the rest are used for the transaction of related formalities. Each of the copies shall be deemed as the original one and has the same effect.
|
1.
|
Conferring and Exercise of Purchase Option
|
1.1
|
Exclusive Purchase Option of the Object Equities. Party B agrees to irrevocably confer Party A the exclusive option to purchase all the equities Party B holds in Party C (“
Equity Purchase Option
”).
|
1.1.1
|
This Agreement is executed on the date first above written and shall take effect as of such date (such day, the “Effective Date”), and subject to earlier termination by Party A, shall continue in effect until the thirtieth anniversary of the Effective Date (the “Initial Term”); provided, that if this Agreement has not been terminated by Party A prior to the end of the Initial Term or a Renewal Term (as the case may be), the term of this Agreement automatically and without any action of any party shall be extended for additional successive ten year periods thereafter (each a “Renewal Term,” and collectively with the Initial Term, the “Term”), unless not less than 30 days prior to the end of the Initial Term or any Renewal Term Party A notifies Party B and Party C in writing that this Agreement shall terminate at the end of the Initial Term or that Renewal Term, as the case may be. In no event shall Party B or Party C have the right to unilaterally terminate this Agreement.
|
1.1.2
|
Commencing upon the Effective Date and continuing through the Term of this Agreement (“
Exercise Period
”), Party A or its Designee shall have the right to purchase all or part of the equities Party B holds in Party C pursuant to the related terms and conditions under this Agreement and at the Exercise Price for Equity Purchase Option (as defined hereunder), provided that the laws of the PRC at that time permits. Party B agrees to enter into an Equity Transfer Agreement (“
Equity Transfer Agreement
”) with Party A or its Designee in the format. The Exercise Period under this Agreement may be extended by the written consent of Party A before the expiration date. The term of extension shall be determined through mutual agreement by all parties to this Agreement.
|
1.1.3
|
Where the laws of the PRC permits and Party A sends the Equity Purchase Exercise Notice (as defined in Subsection 2.2.1), Party B and Party C shall unconditionally cooperate with Party A to carry out the above procedures and transfer all or part of the Object Equities to Party A or its Designee, and transact all necessary formalities such as review and approval, permit, registration and filing.
|
1.1.4
|
The Object Equities shall be free of any Security Interest. For the purpose of this Agreement, Security Interest means any mortgage, pledge, the right or interest of the third party, any purchase right of equity interest, right of acquisition, right of first refusal, right of set-off, ownership detainment or other security arrangements; however, it does not include any security interests created under Equity the Pledge Agreement entered into by Party A and Party B on the same day as this Agreement (“
Equity Pledge Agreement
”).
|
1.1.5
|
During the Exercise Period, if the holding of all or part of the Object Equities by Party B is or will be deemed to violate the applicable laws, Party B and Party C shall immediately send a written notice to Party A to explain the reason in detail.
|
1.2
|
Exclusive Purchase Option to the Object Assets. Party C here agrees to irrevocably confer Party A the purchase option to purchase all of its assets (“
Assets Purchase Option
”). The Equity Purchase Option and the Assets Purchase Option collectively are referred to as “
Purchase Option
”:
|
1.2.1
|
During the Exercise Period, Party A or its Designee shall have the right to purchase all or part of the assets owned by Party C pursuant to the terms and conditions under this Agreement at the Exercise Price for Assets Purchase Option or a percentage thereof (as defined hereunder), provided that the laws of the PRC at that time permits. Party C agrees to enter into an assets transfer agreement (“
Assets Transfer Agreement
”) with Party A or its Designee.
|
1.2.2
|
Where the laws of the PRC permits and Party A sends the Asset Purchase Exercise Notice (as defined in Subsection 2.3.1), Party B and Party C shall unconditionally cooperate with Party A to carry out the above procedures and transfer all or part of the Object Assets to Party A or its Designee, and transact all necessary formalities such as review and approval, permit, registration and filing.
|
1.2.3
|
When Party A exercises the Assets Purchase Option, Party B and Party C shall ensure other shareholders of Party C will approve the asset transfer under this Agreement.
|
2.
|
Exercise Steps
|
2.1
|
Pursuant to the applicable laws of the PRC, Party A shall have the right to determine the time, manner and number of purchases for the Purchase Option.
|
2.2
|
Exercise steps to purchase equities:
|
2.2.1
|
During the Exercise Period, Party A may send an exercise notice (“
Equity Purchase Exercise Notice
”) to Party B to exercise the Equity Purchase Option under this Agreement to purchase all or part of the Object Equities or transfer all or part of the Object Equities to a Designee, provided that the laws of the PRC permits at that time.
|
2.2.2
|
Upon receipt of the Equity Purchase Notice pursuant to Subsection 2.2.1 above or earlier if requested by Party A, Party B shall immediately:
|
(a)
|
obtain the waiver concerning the first refusal of other shareholders of Party C at that time on the purchase of such equities;
|
(b)
|
enter into an Equity Transfer Agreement in the format attached as Annex 1 hereto with Party A and/or its Designee according the requirements of the Equity Purchase Exercise Notice;
|
(c)
|
revise the Articles of Association of Party C together with Party A and/or its Designee and other shareholders of Party C at that time pursuant to the Equity Transfer Agreement;
|
(d)
|
cause Party C to promptly convene a shareholder’s meeting to pass the resolutions to approve the equity transfer pursuant to the exercise of the Equity Purchase Option and the amendment to the Articles of Association of Party C;
|
(e)
|
together with Party A and/or its Designee and other shareholders of Party C at that time, handle all necessary approval and examination, registration and filing procedures required by the laws of the PRC within thirty (30) business days as of the date of receipt of the Equity Purchase Exercise Notice by Party B or an earlier time agreed upon by the parties; and
|
(f)
|
execute all other requisite contracts, agreements or documents, obtain all requisite approvals and consents of the government, conduct all necessary actions to transfer the valid ownership, without any Security Interest, of the Object Equities to Party A and/or its Designee, and cause Party A and/or its Designee to be the registered owner of the Object Equities.
|
2.3
|
Exercise steps to purchase assets:
|
2.3.1
|
During the Exercise Period, Party A may send an exercise notice (“
Assets Purchase Exercise Notice
”) to Party C to exercise the Assets Purchase Option under this Agreement, purchase all or part of the Object Assets owned by Party C or transfer all or part of the Object Assets to a Designee, provided that the laws of the PRC permits at that time.
|
2.3.2
|
Once Party C receives the Assets Purchase Exercise Notice pursuant to Subsection 2.3.1 above or earlier if requested by Party A, Party C shall immediately:
|
(a)
|
enter into an Assets Transfer Agreement in the format attached as Annex 2 hereto and any other necessary agreements with Party A and/or its Designee according to the requirements set forth in the Assets Purchase Exercise Notice;
|
(b)
|
convene a shareholder's meeting to pass the resolution to approve the exercise of the Assets Purchase Option; and
|
(c)
|
together with all the shareholders of Party C at that time execute all other requisite contracts, agreements or documents, obtain all requisite approvals and consents of the government, conduct all necessary actions to transfer the valid ownership, without any security interest, of the Object Assets to Party A and/or it Designee, and cause Party A and/or its Designee to be the registered owner of the Object Assets (if necessary).
|
2.4
|
Before Party A obtains the Object Equities or the Object Assets by means of exercising either the Equity Purchase Option or the Assets Purchase Option, Party B and/or Party C shall entrust Party A to manage Party C pursuant to the Management Entrustment Agreement entered into by and between Party A and Party C on the same day as this Agreement.
|
3.
|
Exercise Conditions
|
4.
|
Exercise Price
|
4.1
|
Exercise price for Equity Purchase Option (“
Exercise Price for Equity Purchase Option
”) or Assets Purchase Option (“
Exercise Price for Assets Purchase Option
”)
|
5.
|
Representations and Warranties
|
5.1
|
Each party respectively represents and warranties to the other parties that:
|
5.1.1
|
it has the right to execute this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreement, and the Assets Transfer Agreement, and the capability to perform its obligations under this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreement, and the Assets Transfer Agreement;
|
5.1.2
|
it has carried out necessary internal derision-making procedures, obtained proper authority, acquired all the necessary consent and approval of any requisite third party and government authority to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreement, and the Assets Transfer Agreement; and
|
5.1.3
|
once executed, this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreement, and the Assets Transfer Agreement will constitute the legal, valid, and binding obligation of each party, and each party will be subject to compulsory enforcement on it pursuant to the terms and conditions under this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreement, and the Assets Transfer Agreement.
|
5.2
|
Party B hereby represents and warrants to Party A that:
|
5.2.1 Party B is a shareholder, duly and legally registered, of Party C and has paid the subscribed registered capital in full sum pursuant to the laws of the PRC;
|
5.2.2 The Object Equities held by Party B can be freely transferred without anyone's prior consent, and the Object Equities are free of encumbrances of any kind, other than the Security Interest pursuant to the Equity Pledge Agreement.
|
5.2.3 Party B has complied with all the laws of the PRC and regulations applicable to the purchase of assets and equities in connection with this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreement, and the Assets Transfer Agreement;
|
5.2.4 No litigation, arbitration or administrative procedure relevant to the Object Equities or Party B is in process or to be settled, and Party B has no knowledge of any pending or threatened claim;
|
5.2.5 Party B has not sold or agreed to sell the Object Equities to any third party other than Party A or its Designee, and Party B has no future plans to sell or agree to sell the Object Equities to any third party other than Party A or its Designee;
|
5.2.6 Party B strictly abides by the obligations under the Articles of Association of Party C. There are no circumstances that may affect the legal status of Party B as the shareholder of Party C, or any circumstance that may prevent Party A from exercising the Equity Purchase Option under this Agreement;
|
5.2.7 Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreements or Assets Transfer Agreements, nor the performance of the obligations under this Agreement, any Equity Transfer Agreements or Assets Transfer Agreements will: (i) violate any laws of the PRC; (ii) conflict with its Articles of Association or other organizational documents; (iii) breach any contracts or documents to which Party B is a party or which bind Party B; (iv) violate any acquired permits, approvals or any valid qualifications; or (v) result in the ceasing or revocation or additional conditions to the acquired permits or approvals;
|
5.2.8 Party B, upon the request of Party A, will appoint any person designated by Party A to be the director of Party C; and
|
5.2.9 Party B shall promptly notify Party A of any pending or threatened litigation, arbitration or administrative procedure related to the assets, business and income of Party C, and tender to Party A the sole control of the defense and settlement of such claim and cooperate with such defense and/or settlement at its own expense.
|
5.3
|
Party C hereby represents and warrants to Party A that:
|
5.3.1 Party C is a company with limited liability, which has been duly incorporated and validly existing pursuant to the laws of the PRC;
|
5.3.2 Party C has stated to Party A, in the Article 5.1 of Management Entrustment Agreement by on the same day as this Agreement, the legal status of land occupied for production facilities, the legal status of production facilities and the contractual arrangement with the local county government in connection with mining rights surrounding the production facilities.
|
5.3.3 Party C complies with all PRC laws and regulations applicable to the purchase of assets and equities in connection with this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreement, and the Assets Transfer Agreement;
|
5.3.4 The shares of Party C are transferable, and Party C has not permitted or caused any Security Interest to be imposed upon the shares of Party C, other than the Security Interest pursuant to the Equity Pledge Agreement;
|
5.3.5 Party C does not have any unpaid debt, other than (i) debt arising from the ordinary course of business; and (ii) debt disclosed to Party A and obtained written consent by Party A;
|
5.3.6 No litigation, arbitration or administrative procedure relevant to Object Equities, the Object Assets or Party C itself is in process or to be settled and Party C has no knowledge of any pending or threatened claim;
|
5.3.7 Party C has not sold or agreed to sell any of its assets to any third party other than Party A or its Designee, and Party C has no future plans to sell or agree to sell the Object Assets to any third party other than Party A or its Designee;
|
5.3.8 Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreements or Assets Transfer Agreements, nor the performance of the obligations under this Agreement, any Equity Transfer Agreements or Assets Transfer Agreements will: (i) violate any laws of the PRC; (ii) conflict with its Articles of Association or other organizational documents; (iii) breach any contracts or documents to which Party C is a party or which bind Party C; (iv) violate any acquired permits, approvals or any valid qualifications; or (v) result in the ceasing or revocation or additional conditions to the acquired permits or approvals;
|
5.3.9 Party C will agree to look for insurance from an insurance company acceptable to Party A. The amount and category of insurance shall be the same as those held by the companies which are in the same industry with similar business and own the similar properties and assets as Party C;
|
5.3.10 Upon the request of Party A, Party C shall provide all related operation and finance materials of Party C to the extent that those materials are available to Party C; and
|
5.3.11 Party C shall promptly notify Party A of any pending or threatened litigation, arbitration or administrative procedure related to the assets, business and income of Party C, and tender to Party A the sole control of the defense and settlement of such claim and cooperate with such defense and/or settlement at Party C's expense.
|
5.4
|
Before Party A obtains the Object Equities and Object Assets of Party C by means of exercising either the Equity Purchase Option or the Assets Purchase Option, without the prior written consent by Party A, Party B and Party C shall not jointly or separately:
|
5.4.1
|
amend, modify or revise the Articles of Association of Party C in any form, or change the structure of the shareholders of Party C;
|
5.4.2
|
agree to increase or decrease the registered capital or the number of existing shareholders of Party C;
|
5.4.3
|
cause Party C to have transactions, which may materially affect the assets, business, net assets or other legal rights and liabilities of Party C, unless these transactions are related to the ordinary course of business or have been disclosed to and the written consent from Party A has been obtained;
|
5.4.4
|
transfer or dispose the Object Equities in any manner or grant any security interest or any other third party right on the Object Equities;
|
5.4.5
|
sell, transfer, mortgage or dispose in any other form, any asset, income and any other legal yield and interest of Party C, or approve any encumbrance or imposition of any Security Interest on Party C’s assets;
|
5.4.6
|
issue or provide guarantee, loan or credit to any third party or incur any debt, other than (i) the debt arising from ordinary course of business; and (ii) the debt has been disclosed to Party A and the written consent by Party A has been obtained.
|
5.4.7
|
terminate or cause Party C to terminate any material agreement (whose definition is at Party A’s discretion at that time) entered into by Party C, or enter into any agreement that would conflict with the existing material agreements of Party C and/or Party B;
|
5.4.8
|
distribute any distributable profit, bonus, dividends or interests of Party C, unless otherwise stipulated by the laws of the PRC; or
|
5.4.9
|
approve or adopt any shareholders resolution at a shareholder meeting of Party C which may cause Party C to be merged, acquired or invested, or to merge, acquire or invest in or associate with any entity other than Party A.
|
6.
|
Transfer of this Agreement
|
6.1
|
Without the prior written consent by Party A, Party B and Party C shall not sub-contract, license or transfer its rights and obligations under this Agreement to any third party or its affiliate; and any transfer of this Agreement without prior written consent of Party A shall be invalid.
|
6.2
|
Party B and Party C agree and confirm that Party A may transfer its rights and obligations under this Agreement, without the consent of Party B and/or Party C, to any third party, provided that Party A notifies Party B and Party C of such transfer in writing.
|
7.
|
Confidentiality
|
7.1
|
All parties agree that, all materials, documents, communications and other information obtained in the negotiation, execution or performance of this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreement, and the Assets Transfer Agreement, whether commercial, technical or in any other form (“Confidential information"), shall be strictly kept confidential and used only for the performance of the obligations under this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreement, and the Assets Transfer Agreement. Unless the other parties consent in writing, none of the parties shall release, leak or disclose any Confidential Information to any third party.
|
7.2
|
Each party may disclose the Confidential Information in the following circumstances: (1) where the laws, court orders or the competent courts with jurisdiction require, and such disclosure may be conducted only within such requirement; (2) where the competent authority or government department requires; (3) where such Confidential Information has been known to the general public; (4) where such Confidential Information was owned duly and legally by the disclosing party rather obtained from the other party before the disclosing party obtains it; (5) the information is required to be disclosed subject to the applicable laws or the rules or provisions of a stock exchange or securities governing authority; and (6) the information is disclosed by each party to its legal or financial consultant relating the transaction of this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreement, and the Assets Transfer Agreement, and this legal or financial consultant shall comply with the confidentiality set forth in this Section 7.
|
7.3
|
Nonetheless other provisions of this Section 7, each party shall have the right to disclose the Confidential Information to its lawyer, accountant, other professional consultants, directors or senior officers; such personnel shall undertake in writing to treat such information as Confidential Information by taking the measures similar to those provided in 7.1 of this Section.
|
7.4
|
The disclosure of the Confidential Information by staff or employed institution of any party shall be deemed as the disclosure of such Confidential Information by such party, and such party shall bear the liabilities for breaching the agreement.
|
7.5
|
This Section 7 shall survive whatever this Agreement is invalid, amended, revoked, terminated or unable to implement by any reason.
|
8.
|
Liability for breach
|
8.1
|
Any parties shall sufficiently perform this Agreement. Any Party breaching this Agreement shall bear the liability as arising out of and in relation thereto. If such breach causes damages to any other party, the breaching party shall compensate such party for all such damages.
|
8.2
|
If Party B breaches this Agreement, in addition to the remedies stipulated by the laws of the PRC, Party A may also take the following measures:
|
8.2.1
|
require Party B to transfer all or any part of the Object equities immediately at the Exercise Price for Equity Purchase Option to Party A or its Designee, provided that the laws of the PRC permit at that time; and
|
8.2.2
|
require Party B to compensate all direct and indirect damages, including but not limited to all the legal fees, travel fees and investigation fees paid for seeking and enforcing such remedies.
|
8.3
|
If Party C breaches this Agreement, in addition to the remedies stipulated by the laws of the PRC, Party A may also take the following measures:
|
8.3.1 require Party C to transfer all or part of the Object Assets immediately at the Exercise Price for Assets Purchase Option to Party A or its Designee, provided that the laws of the PRC permit at that time;
|
8.3.2 require Party B to exercise the rights as a shareholder of Party C, and cure the breach of Party C; if after ten (10) days after Party A sends a written notice to Party B or Party C, such breach has not been cured, Party A shall have the right to require Party B to transfer all or part of the Object Equities immediately at the Exercise price for Equity Purchase Option to Party A or its Designee provided that the laws of the PRC permit at that time; or
|
8.3.3 require Party B and Party C to compensate all direct and indirect damages, including but not limited to all the legal fees, travel fees and investigation fees paid for seeking and enforcing such remedies.
|
9.
|
Governing Law and Dispute Resolution
|
9.1
|
The execution, effectiveness, construction, performance, amendment and termination of this Agreement and the resolution of disputes hereunder shall be governed by the formally published and publicly available laws of the PRC. Matters not covered by formally published and publicly available laws of the PRC shall be governed by international legal principles and practices.
|
9.2
|
All parties agree that any dispute arising from or in relation to this Agreement shall first be settled by the friendly negotiation of both parties. If the negotiation fails within 45 days, each party shall have the right to file the dispute with China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission (“
CIETAC
”) in Beijing for arbitration pursuant to the currently effective arbitration rules of CIETAC at the time of application. This arbitration shall be final and bind all parties and shall be enforceable in any court of competent jurisdiction. The arbitration fees shall be born by the losing party.
|
9.3
|
Upon the occurrence of any disputes arising from the construction and performance of this Agreement or during the pending arbitration of any dispute, except for the matters under dispute, the Parties to this Agreement shall continue to exercise their respective rights under this Agreement and perform their respective obligations under this Agreement.
|
10.
|
Effect and Termination
|
10.1
|
This Agreement shall come into effect on and after the date that it is signed and/or stamped by all parties.
|
10.2
|
In any of the following circumstances, this Agreement shall be terminated:
|
10.2.1
|
where, during the Exercise Period, all parties reach an agreement to terminate this Agreement;
|
10.2.2
|
where, during the Exercise Period, Party A notifies the other parties thirty (30) days in advance to terminate this Agreement; in such circumstance, Party A shall not assume any liabilities as arising out of and in relation thereto;
|
10.2.3
|
at the expiration of the Exercise Period provided; however, Party A may extend the Exercise Period and this Agreement in its sole discretion; or
|
10.2.4
|
upon the unanimous agreement by all parties.
|
10.3
|
Section 7 regarding confidentiality and Section 12 regarding indemnification shall survive the termination of this Agreement.
|
11.
|
Taxes and Fees
|
12.
|
Indemnification
|
13.
|
General Terms
|
13.1
|
Entire Agreement. This Agreement and the Exhibits and Schedules hereto contain the entire understanding between the parties, no other representations, warranties or covenants having induced any party to execute this Agreement, and supersede all prior or contemporaneous agreements with respect to the subject matter hereof. All references to schedules and exhibits are to exhibits and schedules attached to and to become a part of this Agreement unless otherwise indicated.
|
13.2
|
Amendment. Any amendment and/or rescission shall be in writing and signed by the authorized representatives of all parties. Such revision shall be a valid integral part of this Agreement.
|
13.3
|
Headings. The headings of any Sections or other portion of this Agreement are for convenience only and are not to be considered in construing this Agreement.
|
13.4
|
Construction. References in this Agreement to "Sections," "Schedules" and "Exhibits" shall be to the Sections, Schedules and Exhibits of this Agreement, unless otherwise specifically provided; any use in this Agreement of the singular or plural, or the masculine, feminine or neuter gender, shall be deemed to include the others, unless the context otherwise requires; the words "herein”, "hereof" and "hereunder" and words of similar import, when used in this Agreement, shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement; the word "including" when used in this Agreement shall mean “including without limitation”; and except as otherwise specified in this Agreement, all references in this Agreement (a) to any agreement, document, certificate or other written instrument shall be a reference to such agreement, document, certificate or instrument, in each case together with all exhibits, schedules, attachments and appendices thereto, and as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof; and (b) to any law, statute or regulation shall be deemed references to such law, statute or regulation as the same may be supplemented, amended, consolidated, superseded or modified from time to time.
|
13.5
|
Severability. Any provision hereof that is prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability, without invalidating the remaining provisions hereof, and any such prohibition or unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.
|
13.6
|
Waiver. No failure or delay of either party to enforce any right hereunder shall constitute a waiver of any such right hereunder. No waiver shall be effective hereunder unless in writing and a waiver shall only be effective for the specific act or circumstance for which it is given and not for any future act or circumstance.
|
13.7
|
Succession of this Agreement. This Agreement shall bind the successors and transferees of all parties.
|
13.8
|
Language. This Agreement is in both Chinese and English and signed by all parties, and the two versions have the same effect. Should there be any discrepancy between the two language versions, the Chinese version shall prevail.
|
13.9
|
Copies of this Agreement. This Agreement shall be executed in four counterparts; each party holds one and the rest are used for the transaction of related formalities. Each of the copies shall be deemed as the original one and has the same effect.
|
1.
|
Conferring and Exercise of Purchase Option
|
1.1
|
Exclusive Purchase Option of the Object Equities. Party B agrees to irrevocably confer Party A the exclusive option to purchase all the equities Party B holds in Party C (“
Equity Purchase Option
”).
|
1.1.1
|
This Agreement is executed on the date first above written and shall take effect as of such date (such day, the “Effective Date”), and subject to earlier termination by Party A, shall continue in effect until the thirtieth anniversary of the Effective Date (the “Initial Term”); provided, that if this Agreement has not been terminated by Party A prior to the end of the Initial Term or a Renewal Term (as the case may be), the term of this Agreement automatically and without any action of any party shall be extended for additional successive ten year periods thereafter (each a “Renewal Term,” and collectively with the Initial Term, the “Term”), unless not less than 30 days prior to the end of the Initial Term or any Renewal Term Party A notifies Party B and Party C in writing that this Agreement shall terminate at the end of the Initial Term or that Renewal Term, as the case may be. In no event shall Party B or Party C have the right to unilaterally terminate this Agreement.
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1.1.2
|
Commencing upon the Effective Date and continuing through the Term of this Agreement (“
Exercise Period
”), Party A or its Designee shall have the right to purchase all or part of the equities Party B holds in Party C pursuant to the related terms and conditions under this Agreement and at the Exercise Price for Equity Purchase Option (as defined hereunder), provided that the laws of the PRC at that time permits. Party B agrees to enter into an Equity Transfer Agreement (“
Equity Transfer Agreement
”) with Party A or its Designee in the format. The Exercise Period under this Agreement may be extended by the written consent of Party A before the expiration date. The term of extension shall be determined through mutual agreement by all parties to this Agreement.
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1.1.3
|
Where the laws of the PRC permits and Party A sends the Equity Purchase Exercise Notice (as defined in Subsection 2.2.1), Party B and Party C shall unconditionally cooperate with Party A to carry out the above procedures and transfer all or part of the Object Equities to Party A or its Designee, and transact all necessary formalities such as review and approval, permit, registration and filing.
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1.1.4
|
The Object Equities shall be free of any Security Interest. For the purpose of this Agreement, Security Interest means any mortgage, pledge, the right or interest of the third party, any purchase right of equity interest, right of acquisition, right of first refusal, right of set-off, ownership detainment or other security arrangements; however, it does not include any security interests created under Equity the Pledge Agreement entered into by Party A and Party B on the same day as this Agreement (“
Equity Pledge Agreement
”).
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1.1.5
|
During the Exercise Period, if the holding of all or part of the Object Equities by Party B is or will be deemed to violate the applicable laws, Party B and Party C shall immediately send a written notice to Party A to explain the reason in detail.
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1.2
|
Exclusive Purchase Option to the Object Assets. Party C here agrees to irrevocably confer Party A the purchase option to purchase all of its assets (“
Assets Purchase Option
”). The Equity Purchase Option and the Assets Purchase Option collectively are referred to as “
Purchase Option
”:
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1.2.1
|
During the Exercise Period, Party A or its Designee shall have the right to purchase all or part of the assets owned by Party C pursuant to the terms and conditions under this Agreement at the Exercise Price for Assets Purchase Option or a percentage thereof (as defined hereunder), provided that the laws of the PRC at that time permits. Party C agrees to enter into an assets transfer agreement (“
Assets Transfer Agreement
”) with Party A or its Designee.
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1.2.2
|
Where the laws of the PRC permits and Party A sends the Asset Purchase Exercise Notice (as defined in Subsection 2.3.1), Party B and Party C shall unconditionally cooperate with Party A to carry out the above procedures and transfer all or part of the Object Assets to Party A or its Designee, and transact all necessary formalities such as review and approval, permit, registration and filing.
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1.2.3
|
When Party A exercises the Assets Purchase Option, Party B and Party C shall ensure other shareholders of Party C will approve the asset transfer under this Agreement.
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2.
|
Exercise Steps
|
2.1
|
Pursuant to the applicable laws of the PRC, Party A shall have the right to determine the time, manner and number of purchases for the Purchase Option.
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2.2
|
Exercise steps to purchase equities:
|
2.2.1
|
During the Exercise Period, Party A may send an exercise notice (“
Equity Purchase Exercise Notice
”) to Party B to exercise the Equity Purchase Option under this Agreement to purchase all or part of the Object Equities or transfer all or part of the Object Equities to a Designee, provided that the laws of the PRC permits at that time.
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2.2.2
|
Upon receipt of the Equity Purchase Notice pursuant to Subsection 2.2.1 above or earlier if requested by Party A, Party B shall immediately:
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(a)
|
obtain the waiver concerning the first refusal of other shareholders of Party C at that time on the purchase of such equities;
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(b)
|
enter into an Equity Transfer Agreement in the format attached as Annex 1 hereto with Party A and/or its Designee according the requirements of the Equity Purchase Exercise Notice;
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(c)
|
revise the Articles of Association of Party C together with Party A and/or its Designee and other shareholders of Party C at that time pursuant to the Equity Transfer Agreement;
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(d)
|
cause Party C to promptly convene a shareholder’s meeting to pass the resolutions to approve the equity transfer pursuant to the exercise of the Equity Purchase Option and the amendment to the Articles of Association of Party C;
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(e)
|
together with Party A and/or its Designee and other shareholders of Party C at that time, handle all necessary approval and examination, registration and filing procedures required by the laws of the PRC within thirty (30) business days as of the date of receipt of the Equity Purchase Exercise Notice by Party B or an earlier time agreed upon by the parties; and
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(f)
|
execute all other requisite contracts, agreements or documents, obtain all requisite approvals and consents of the government, conduct all necessary actions to transfer the valid ownership, without any Security Interest, of the Object Equities to Party A and/or its Designee, and cause Party A and/or its Designee to be the registered owner of the Object Equities.
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2.3
|
Exercise steps to purchase assets:
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2.3.1
|
During the Exercise Period, Party A may send an exercise notice (“
Assets Purchase Exercise Notice
”) to Party C to exercise the Assets Purchase Option under this Agreement, purchase all or part of the Object Assets owned by Party C or transfer all or part of the Object Assets to a Designee, provided that the laws of the PRC permits at that time.
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2.3.2
|
Once Party C receives the Assets Purchase Exercise Notice pursuant to Subsection 2.3.1 above or earlier if requested by Party A, Party C shall immediately:
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(a)
|
enter into an Assets Transfer Agreement in the format attached as Annex 2 hereto and any other necessary agreements with Party A and/or its Designee according to the requirements set forth in the Assets Purchase Exercise Notice;
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(b)
|
convene a shareholder's meeting to pass the resolution to approve the exercise of the Assets Purchase Option; and
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(c)
|
together with all the shareholders of Party C at that time execute all other requisite contracts, agreements or documents, obtain all requisite approvals and consents of the government, conduct all necessary actions to transfer the valid ownership, without any security interest, of the Object Assets to Party A and/or it Designee, and cause Party A and/or its Designee to be the registered owner of the Object Assets (if necessary).
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2.4
|
Before Party A obtains the Object Equities or the Object Assets by means of exercising either the Equity Purchase Option or the Assets Purchase Option, Party B and/or Party C shall entrust Party A to manage Party C pursuant to the Management Entrustment Agreement entered into by and between Party A and Party C on the same day as this Agreement.
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3.
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Exercise Conditions
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4.
|
Exercise Price
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4.1
|
Exercise price for Equity Purchase Option (“
Exercise Price for Equity Purchase Option
”) or Assets Purchase Option (“
Exercise Price for Assets Purchase Option
”)
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5.
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Representations and Warranties
|
5.1
|
Each party respectively represents and warranties to the other parties that:
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5.1.1
|
it has the right to execute this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreement, and the Assets Transfer Agreement, and the capability to perform its obligations under this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreement, and the Assets Transfer Agreement;
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5.1.2
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it has carried out necessary internal derision-making procedures, obtained proper authority, acquired all the necessary consent and approval of any requisite third party and government authority to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreement, and the Assets Transfer Agreement; and
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5.1.3
|
once executed, this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreement, and the Assets Transfer Agreement will constitute the legal, valid, and binding obligation of each party, and each party will be subject to compulsory enforcement on it pursuant to the terms and conditions under this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreement, and the Assets Transfer Agreement.
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5.2
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Party B hereby represents and warrants to Party A that:
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5.2.1 Party B is a shareholder, duly and legally registered, of Party C and has paid the subscribed registered capital in full sum pursuant to the laws of the PRC;
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5.2.2 The Object Equities held by Party B can be freely transferred without anyone's prior consent, and the Object Equities are free of encumbrances of any kind, other than the Security Interest pursuant to the Equity Pledge Agreement.
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5.2.3 Party B has complied with all the laws of the PRC and regulations applicable to the purchase of assets and equities in connection with this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreement, and the Assets Transfer Agreement;
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5.2.4 No litigation, arbitration or administrative procedure relevant to the Object Equities or Party B is in process or to be settled, and Party B has no knowledge of any pending or threatened claim;
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5.2.5 Party B has not sold or agreed to sell the Object Equities to any third party other than Party A or its Designee, and Party B has no future plans to sell or agree to sell the Object Equities to any third party other than Party A or its Designee;
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5.2.6 Party B strictly abides by the obligations under the Articles of Association of Party C. There are no circumstances that may affect the legal status of Party B as the shareholder of Party C, or any circumstance that may prevent Party A from exercising the Equity Purchase Option under this Agreement;
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5.2.7 Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreements or Assets Transfer Agreements, nor the performance of the obligations under this Agreement, any Equity Transfer Agreements or Assets Transfer Agreements will: (i) violate any laws of the PRC; (ii) conflict with its Articles of Association or other organizational documents; (iii) breach any contracts or documents to which Party B is a party or which bind Party B; (iv) violate any acquired permits, approvals or any valid qualifications; or (v) result in the ceasing or revocation or additional conditions to the acquired permits or approvals;
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5.2.8 Party B, upon the request of Party A, will appoint any person designated by Party A to be the director of Party C; and
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5.2.9 Party B shall promptly notify Party A of any pending or threatened litigation, arbitration or administrative procedure related to the assets, business and income of Party C, and tender to Party A the sole control of the defense and settlement of such claim and cooperate with such defense and/or settlement at its own expense.
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5.3
|
Party C hereby represents and warrants to Party A that:
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5.3.1 Party C is a company with limited liability, which has been duly incorporated and validly existing pursuant to the laws of the PRC;
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5.3.2 Party C has stated to Party A, in the Article 5.1 of Management Entrustment Agreement by on the same day as this Agreement, the legal status of land occupied for production facilities, the legal status of production facilities and the contractual arrangement with the local county government in connection with mining rights surrounding the production facilities.
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5.3.3 Party C complies with all PRC laws and regulations applicable to the purchase of assets and equities in connection with this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreement, and the Assets Transfer Agreement;
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5.3.4 The shares of Party C are transferable, and Party C has not permitted or caused any Security Interest to be imposed upon the shares of Party C, other than the Security Interest pursuant to the Equity Pledge Agreement;
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5.3.5 Party C does not have any unpaid debt, other than (i) debt arising from the ordinary course of business; and (ii) debt disclosed to Party A and obtained written consent by Party A;
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5.3.6 No litigation, arbitration or administrative procedure relevant to Object Equities, the Object Assets or Party C itself is in process or to be settled and Party C has no knowledge of any pending or threatened claim;
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5.3.7 Party C has not sold or agreed to sell any of its assets to any third party other than Party A or its Designee, and Party C has no future plans to sell or agree to sell the Object Assets to any third party other than Party A or its Designee;
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5.3.8 Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreements or Assets Transfer Agreements, nor the performance of the obligations under this Agreement, any Equity Transfer Agreements or Assets Transfer Agreements will: (i) violate any laws of the PRC; (ii) conflict with its Articles of Association or other organizational documents; (iii) breach any contracts or documents to which Party C is a party or which bind Party C; (iv) violate any acquired permits, approvals or any valid qualifications; or (v) result in the ceasing or revocation or additional conditions to the acquired permits or approvals;
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5.3.9 Party C will agree to look for insurance from an insurance company acceptable to Party A. The amount and category of insurance shall be the same as those held by the companies which are in the same industry with similar business and own the similar properties and assets as Party C;
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5.3.10 Upon the request of Party A, Party C shall provide all related operation and finance materials of Party C to the extent that those materials are available to Party C; and
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5.3.11 Party C shall promptly notify Party A of any pending or threatened litigation, arbitration or administrative procedure related to the assets, business and income of Party C, and tender to Party A the sole control of the defense and settlement of such claim and cooperate with such defense and/or settlement at Party C's expense.
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5.4
|
Before Party A obtains the Object Equities and Object Assets of Party C by means of exercising either the Equity Purchase Option or the Assets Purchase Option, without the prior written consent by Party A, Party B and Party C shall not jointly or separately:
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5.4.1
|
amend, modify or revise the Articles of Association of Party C in any form, or change the structure of the shareholders of Party C;
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5.4.2
|
agree to increase or decrease the registered capital or the number of existing shareholders of Party C;
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5.4.3
|
cause Party C to have transactions, which may materially affect the assets, business, net assets or other legal rights and liabilities of Party C, unless these transactions are related to the ordinary course of business or have been disclosed to and the written consent from Party A has been obtained;
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5.4.4
|
transfer or dispose the Object Equities in any manner or grant any security interest or any other third party right on the Object Equities;
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5.4.5
|
sell, transfer, mortgage or dispose in any other form, any asset, income and any other legal yield and interest of Party C, or approve any encumbrance or imposition of any Security Interest on Party C’s assets;
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5.4.6
|
issue or provide guarantee, loan or credit to any third party or incur any debt, other than (i) the debt arising from ordinary course of business; and (ii) the debt has been disclosed to Party A and the written consent by Party A has been obtained.
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5.4.7
|
terminate or cause Party C to terminate any material agreement (whose definition is at Party A’s discretion at that time) entered into by Party C, or enter into any agreement that would conflict with the existing material agreements of Party C and/or Party B;
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5.4.8
|
distribute any distributable profit, bonus, dividends or interests of Party C, unless otherwise stipulated by the laws of the PRC; or
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5.4.9
|
approve or adopt any shareholders resolution at a shareholder meeting of Party C which may cause Party C to be merged, acquired or invested, or to merge, acquire or invest in or associate with any entity other than Party A.
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6.
|
Transfer of this Agreement
|
6.1
|
Without the prior written consent by Party A, Party B and Party C shall not sub-contract, license or transfer its rights and obligations under this Agreement to any third party or its affiliate; and any transfer of this Agreement without prior written consent of Party A shall be invalid.
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6.2
|
Party B and Party C agree and confirm that Party A may transfer its rights and obligations under this Agreement, without the consent of Party B and/or Party C, to any third party, provided that Party A notifies Party B and Party C of such transfer in writing.
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7.
|
Confidentiality
|
7.1
|
All parties agree that, all materials, documents, communications and other information obtained in the negotiation, execution or performance of this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreement, and the Assets Transfer Agreement, whether commercial, technical or in any other form (“Confidential information"), shall be strictly kept confidential and used only for the performance of the obligations under this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreement, and the Assets Transfer Agreement. Unless the other parties consent in writing, none of the parties shall release, leak or disclose any Confidential Information to any third party.
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7.2
|
Each party may disclose the Confidential Information in the following circumstances: (1) where the laws, court orders or the competent courts with jurisdiction require, and such disclosure may be conducted only within such requirement; (2) where the competent authority or government department requires; (3) where such Confidential Information has been known to the general public; (4) where such Confidential Information was owned duly and legally by the disclosing party rather obtained from the other party before the disclosing party obtains it; (5) the information is required to be disclosed subject to the applicable laws or the rules or provisions of a stock exchange or securities governing authority; and (6) the information is disclosed by each party to its legal or financial consultant relating the transaction of this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreement, and the Assets Transfer Agreement, and this legal or financial consultant shall comply with the confidentiality set forth in this Section 7.
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7.3
|
Nonetheless other provisions of this Section 7, each party shall have the right to disclose the Confidential Information to its lawyer, accountant, other professional consultants, directors or senior officers; such personnel shall undertake in writing to treat such information as Confidential Information by taking the measures similar to those provided in 7.1 of this Section.
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7.4
|
The disclosure of the Confidential Information by staff or employed institution of any party shall be deemed as the disclosure of such Confidential Information by such party, and such party shall bear the liabilities for breaching the agreement.
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7.5
|
This Section 7 shall survive whatever this Agreement is invalid, amended, revoked, terminated or unable to implement by any reason.
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8.
|
Liability for breach
|
8.1
|
Any parties shall sufficiently perform this Agreement. Any Party breaching this Agreement shall bear the liability as arising out of and in relation thereto. If such breach causes damages to any other party, the breaching party shall compensate such party for all such damages.
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8.2
|
If Party B breaches this Agreement, in addition to the remedies stipulated by the laws of the PRC, Party A may also take the following measures:
|
8.2.1
|
require Party B to transfer all or any part of the Object equities immediately at the Exercise Price for Equity Purchase Option to Party A or its Designee, provided that the laws of the PRC permit at that time; and
|
8.2.2
|
require Party B to compensate all direct and indirect damages, including but not limited to all the legal fees, travel fees and investigation fees paid for seeking and enforcing such remedies.
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8.3
|
If Party C breaches this Agreement, in addition to the remedies stipulated by the laws of the PRC, Party A may also take the following measures:
|
8.3.1 require Party C to transfer all or part of the Object Assets immediately at the Exercise Price for Assets Purchase Option to Party A or its Designee, provided that the laws of the PRC permit at that time;
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8.3.2 require Party B to exercise the rights as a shareholder of Party C, and cure the breach of Party C; if after ten (10) days after Party A sends a written notice to Party B or Party C, such breach has not been cured, Party A shall have the right to require Party B to transfer all or part of the Object Equities immediately at the Exercise price for Equity Purchase Option to Party A or its Designee provided that the laws of the PRC permit at that time; or
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8.3.3 require Party B and Party C to compensate all direct and indirect damages, including but not limited to all the legal fees, travel fees and investigation fees paid for seeking and enforcing such remedies.
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9.
|
Governing Law and Dispute Resolution
|
9.1
|
The execution, effectiveness, construction, performance, amendment and termination of this Agreement and the resolution of disputes hereunder shall be governed by the formally published and publicly available laws of the PRC. Matters not covered by formally published and publicly available laws of the PRC shall be governed by international legal principles and practices.
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9.2
|
All parties agree that any dispute arising from or in relation to this Agreement shall first be settled by the friendly negotiation of both parties. If the negotiation fails within 45 days, each party shall have the right to file the dispute with China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission (“
CIETAC
”) in Beijing for arbitration pursuant to the currently effective arbitration rules of CIETAC at the time of application. This arbitration shall be final and bind all parties and shall be enforceable in any court of competent jurisdiction. The arbitration fees shall be born by the losing party.
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9.3
|
Upon the occurrence of any disputes arising from the construction and performance of this Agreement or during the pending arbitration of any dispute, except for the matters under dispute, the Parties to this Agreement shall continue to exercise their respective rights under this Agreement and perform their respective obligations under this Agreement.
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10.
|
Effect and Termination
|
10.1
|
This Agreement shall come into effect on and after the date that it is signed and/or stamped by all parties.
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10.2
|
In any of the following circumstances, this Agreement shall be terminated:
|
10.2.1
|
where, during the Exercise Period, all parties reach an agreement to terminate this Agreement;
|
10.2.2
|
where, during the Exercise Period, Party A notifies the other parties thirty (30) days in advance to terminate this Agreement; in such circumstance, Party A shall not assume any liabilities as arising out of and in relation thereto;
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10.2.3
|
at the expiration of the Exercise Period provided; however, Party A may extend the Exercise Period and this Agreement in its sole discretion; or
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10.2.4
|
upon the unanimous agreement by all parties.
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10.3
|
Section 7 regarding confidentiality and Section 12 regarding indemnification shall survive the termination of this Agreement.
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11.
|
Taxes and Fees
|
12.
|
Indemnification
|
13.
|
General Terms
|
13.1
|
Entire Agreement. This Agreement and the Exhibits and Schedules hereto contain the entire understanding between the parties, no other representations, warranties or covenants having induced any party to execute this Agreement, and supersede all prior or contemporaneous agreements with respect to the subject matter hereof. All references to schedules and exhibits are to exhibits and schedules attached to and to become a part of this Agreement unless otherwise indicated.
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13.2
|
Amendment. Any amendment and/or rescission shall be in writing and signed by the authorized representatives of all parties. Such revision shall be a valid integral part of this Agreement.
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13.3
|
Headings. The headings of any Sections or other portion of this Agreement are for convenience only and are not to be considered in construing this Agreement.
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13.4
|
Construction. References in this Agreement to "Sections," "Schedules" and "Exhibits" shall be to the Sections, Schedules and Exhibits of this Agreement, unless otherwise specifically provided; any use in this Agreement of the singular or plural, or the masculine, feminine or neuter gender, shall be deemed to include the others, unless the context otherwise requires; the words "herein”, "hereof" and "hereunder" and words of similar import, when used in this Agreement, shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement; the word "including" when used in this Agreement shall mean “including without limitation”; and except as otherwise specified in this Agreement, all references in this Agreement (a) to any agreement, document, certificate or other written instrument shall be a reference to such agreement, document, certificate or instrument, in each case together with all exhibits, schedules, attachments and appendices thereto, and as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof; and (b) to any law, statute or regulation shall be deemed references to such law, statute or regulation as the same may be supplemented, amended, consolidated, superseded or modified from time to time.
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13.5
|
Severability. Any provision hereof that is prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability, without invalidating the remaining provisions hereof, and any such prohibition or unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.
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13.6
|
Waiver. No failure or delay of either party to enforce any right hereunder shall constitute a waiver of any such right hereunder. No waiver shall be effective hereunder unless in writing and a waiver shall only be effective for the specific act or circumstance for which it is given and not for any future act or circumstance.
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13.7
|
Succession of this Agreement. This Agreement shall bind the successors and transferees of all parties.
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13.8
|
Language. This Agreement is in both Chinese and English and signed by all parties, and the two versions have the same effect. Should there be any discrepancy between the two language versions, the Chinese version shall prevail.
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13.9
|
Copies of this Agreement. This Agreement shall be executed in four counterparts; each party holds one and the rest are used for the transaction of related formalities. Each of the copies shall be deemed as the original one and has the same effect.
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1.
|
Conferring and Exercise of Purchase Option
|
1.1
|
Exclusive Purchase Option of the Object Equities. Party B agrees to irrevocably confer Party A the exclusive option to purchase all the equities Party B holds in Party C (“
Equity Purchase Option
”).
|
1.1.1
|
This Agreement is executed on the date first above written and shall take effect as of such date (such day, the “Effective Date”), and subject to earlier termination by Party A, shall continue in effect until the thirtieth anniversary of the Effective Date (the “Initial Term”); provided, that if this Agreement has not been terminated by Party A prior to the end of the Initial Term or a Renewal Term (as the case may be), the term of this Agreement automatically and without any action of any party shall be extended for additional successive ten year periods thereafter (each a “Renewal Term,” and collectively with the Initial Term, the “Term”), unless not less than 30 days prior to the end of the Initial Term or any Renewal Term Party A notifies Party B and Party C in writing that this Agreement shall terminate at the end of the Initial Term or that Renewal Term, as the case may be. In no event shall Party B or Party C have the right to unilaterally terminate this Agreement.
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1.1.2
|
Commencing upon the Effective Date and continuing through the Term of this Agreement (“
Exercise Period
”), Party A or its Designee shall have the right to purchase all or part of the equities Party B holds in Party C pursuant to the related terms and conditions under this Agreement and at the Exercise Price for Equity Purchase Option (as defined hereunder), provided that the laws of the PRC at that time permits. Party B agrees to enter into an Equity Transfer Agreement (“
Equity Transfer Agreement
”) with Party A or its Designee in the format. The Exercise Period under this Agreement may be extended by the written consent of Party A before the expiration date. The term of extension shall be determined through mutual agreement by all parties to this Agreement.
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1.1.3
|
Where the laws of the PRC permits and Party A sends the Equity Purchase Exercise Notice (as defined in Subsection 2.2.1), Party B and Party C shall unconditionally cooperate with Party A to carry out the above procedures and transfer all or part of the Object Equities to Party A or its Designee, and transact all necessary formalities such as review and approval, permit, registration and filing.
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1.1.4
|
The Object Equities shall be free of any Security Interest. For the purpose of this Agreement, Security Interest means any mortgage, pledge, the right or interest of the third party, any purchase right of equity interest, right of acquisition, right of first refusal, right of set-off, ownership detainment or other security arrangements; however, it does not include any security interests created under Equity the Pledge Agreement entered into by Party A and Party B on the same day as this Agreement (“
Equity Pledge Agreement
”).
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1.1.5
|
During the Exercise Period, if the holding of all or part of the Object Equities by Party B is or will be deemed to violate the applicable laws, Party B and Party C shall immediately send a written notice to Party A to explain the reason in detail.
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1.2
|
Exclusive Purchase Option to the Object Assets. Party C here agrees to irrevocably confer Party A the purchase option to purchase all of its assets (“
Assets Purchase Option
”). The Equity Purchase Option and the Assets Purchase Option collectively are referred to as “
Purchase Option
”:
|
1.2.1
|
During the Exercise Period, Party A or its Designee shall have the right to purchase all or part of the assets owned by Party C pursuant to the terms and conditions under this Agreement at the Exercise Price for Assets Purchase Option or a percentage thereof (as defined hereunder), provided that the laws of the PRC at that time permits. Party C agrees to enter into an assets transfer agreement (“
Assets Transfer Agreement
”) with Party A or its Designee.
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1.2.2
|
Where the laws of the PRC permits and Party A sends the Asset Purchase Exercise Notice (as defined in Subsection 2.3.1), Party B and Party C shall unconditionally cooperate with Party A to carry out the above procedures and transfer all or part of the Object Assets to Party A or its Designee, and transact all necessary formalities such as review and approval, permit, registration and filing.
|
1.2.3
|
When Party A exercises the Assets Purchase Option, Party B and Party C shall ensure other shareholders of Party C will approve the asset transfer under this Agreement.
|
2.
|
Exercise Steps
|
2.1
|
Pursuant to the applicable laws of the PRC, Party A shall have the right to determine the time, manner and number of purchases for the Purchase Option.
|
2.2
|
Exercise steps to purchase equities:
|
2.2.1
|
During the Exercise Period, Party A may send an exercise notice (“
Equity Purchase Exercise Notice
”) to Party B to exercise the Equity Purchase Option under this Agreement to purchase all or part of the Object Equities or transfer all or part of the Object Equities to a Designee, provided that the laws of the PRC permits at that time.
|
2.2.2
|
Upon receipt of the Equity Purchase Notice pursuant to Subsection 2.2.1 above or earlier if requested by Party A, Party B shall immediately:
|
(a)
|
obtain the waiver concerning the first refusal of other shareholders of Party C at that time on the purchase of such equities;
|
(b)
|
enter into an Equity Transfer Agreement in the format attached as Annex 1 hereto with Party A and/or its Designee according the requirements of the Equity Purchase Exercise Notice;
|
(c)
|
revise the Articles of Association of Party C together with Party A and/or its Designee and other shareholders of Party C at that time pursuant to the Equity Transfer Agreement;
|
(d)
|
cause Party C to promptly convene a shareholder’s meeting to pass the resolutions to approve the equity transfer pursuant to the exercise of the Equity Purchase Option and the amendment to the Articles of Association of Party C;
|
(e)
|
together with Party A and/or its Designee and other shareholders of Party C at that time, handle all necessary approval and examination, registration and filing procedures required by the laws of the PRC within thirty (30) business days as of the date of receipt of the Equity Purchase Exercise Notice by Party B or an earlier time agreed upon by the parties; and
|
(f)
|
execute all other requisite contracts, agreements or documents, obtain all requisite approvals and consents of the government, conduct all necessary actions to transfer the valid ownership, without any Security Interest, of the Object Equities to Party A and/or its Designee, and cause Party A and/or its Designee to be the registered owner of the Object Equities.
|
2.3
|
Exercise steps to purchase assets:
|
2.3.1
|
During the Exercise Period, Party A may send an exercise notice (“
Assets Purchase Exercise Notice
”) to Party C to exercise the Assets Purchase Option under this Agreement, purchase all or part of the Object Assets owned by Party C or transfer all or part of the Object Assets to a Designee, provided that the laws of the PRC permits at that time.
|
2.3.2
|
Once Party C receives the Assets Purchase Exercise Notice pursuant to Subsection 2.3.1 above or earlier if requested by Party A, Party C shall immediately:
|
(a)
|
enter into an Assets Transfer Agreement in the format attached as Annex 2 hereto and any other necessary agreements with Party A and/or its Designee according to the requirements set forth in the Assets Purchase Exercise Notice;
|
(b)
|
convene a shareholder's meeting to pass the resolution to approve the exercise of the Assets Purchase Option; and
|
(c)
|
together with all the shareholders of Party C at that time execute all other requisite contracts, agreements or documents, obtain all requisite approvals and consents of the government, conduct all necessary actions to transfer the valid ownership, without any security interest, of the Object Assets to Party A and/or it Designee, and cause Party A and/or its Designee to be the registered owner of the Object Assets (if necessary).
|
2.4
|
Before Party A obtains the Object Equities or the Object Assets by means of exercising either the Equity Purchase Option or the Assets Purchase Option, Party B and/or Party C shall entrust Party A to manage Party C pursuant to the Management Entrustment Agreement entered into by and between Party A and Party C on the same day as this Agreement.
|
3.
|
Exercise Conditions
|
4.
|
Exercise Price
|
4.1
|
Exercise price for Equity Purchase Option (“
Exercise Price for Equity Purchase Option
”) or Assets Purchase Option (“
Exercise Price for Assets Purchase Option
”)
|
5.
|
Representations and Warranties
|
5.1
|
Each party respectively represents and warranties to the other parties that:
|
5.1.1
|
it has the right to execute this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreement, and the Assets Transfer Agreement, and the capability to perform its obligations under this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreement, and the Assets Transfer Agreement;
|
5.1.2
|
it has carried out necessary internal derision-making procedures, obtained proper authority, acquired all the necessary consent and approval of any requisite third party and government authority to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreement, and the Assets Transfer Agreement; and
|
5.1.3
|
once executed, this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreement, and the Assets Transfer Agreement will constitute the legal, valid, and binding obligation of each party, and each party will be subject to compulsory enforcement on it pursuant to the terms and conditions under this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreement, and the Assets Transfer Agreement.
|
5.2
|
Party B hereby represents and warrants to Party A that:
|
5.2.1 Party B is a shareholder, duly and legally registered, of Party C and has paid the subscribed registered capital in full sum pursuant to the laws of the PRC;
|
5.2.2 The Object Equities held by Party B can be freely transferred without anyone's prior consent, and the Object Equities are free of encumbrances of any kind, other than the Security Interest pursuant to the Equity Pledge Agreement.
|
5.2.3 Party B has complied with all the laws of the PRC and regulations applicable to the purchase of assets and equities in connection with this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreement, and the Assets Transfer Agreement;
|
5.2.4 No litigation, arbitration or administrative procedure relevant to the Object Equities or Party B is in process or to be settled, and Party B has no knowledge of any pending or threatened claim;
|
5.2.5 Party B has not sold or agreed to sell the Object Equities to any third party other than Party A or its Designee, and Party B has no future plans to sell or agree to sell the Object Equities to any third party other than Party A or its Designee;
|
5.2.6 Party B strictly abides by the obligations under the Articles of Association of Party C. There are no circumstances that may affect the legal status of Party B as the shareholder of Party C, or any circumstance that may prevent Party A from exercising the Equity Purchase Option under this Agreement;
|
5.2.7 Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreements or Assets Transfer Agreements, nor the performance of the obligations under this Agreement, any Equity Transfer Agreements or Assets Transfer Agreements will: (i) violate any laws of the PRC; (ii) conflict with its Articles of Association or other organizational documents; (iii) breach any contracts or documents to which Party B is a party or which bind Party B; (iv) violate any acquired permits, approvals or any valid qualifications; or (v) result in the ceasing or revocation or additional conditions to the acquired permits or approvals;
|
5.2.8 Party B, upon the request of Party A, will appoint any person designated by Party A to be the director of Party C; and
|
5.2.9 Party B shall promptly notify Party A of any pending or threatened litigation, arbitration or administrative procedure related to the assets, business and income of Party C, and tender to Party A the sole control of the defense and settlement of such claim and cooperate with such defense and/or settlement at its own expense.
|
5.3
|
Party C hereby represents and warrants to Party A that:
|
5.3.1 Party C is a company with limited liability, which has been duly incorporated and validly existing pursuant to the laws of the PRC;
|
5.3.2 Party C has stated to Party A, in the Article 5.1 of Management Entrustment Agreement by on the same day as this Agreement, the legal status of land occupied for production facilities, the legal status of production facilities and the contractual arrangement with the local county government in connection with mining rights surrounding the production facilities.
|
5.3.3 Party C complies with all PRC laws and regulations applicable to the purchase of assets and equities in connection with this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreement, and the Assets Transfer Agreement;
|
5.3.4 The shares of Party C are transferable, and Party C has not permitted or caused any Security Interest to be imposed upon the shares of Party C, other than the Security Interest pursuant to the Equity Pledge Agreement;
|
5.3.5 Party C does not have any unpaid debt, other than (i) debt arising from the ordinary course of business; and (ii) debt disclosed to Party A and obtained written consent by Party A;
|
5.3.6 No litigation, arbitration or administrative procedure relevant to Object Equities, the Object Assets or Party C itself is in process or to be settled and Party C has no knowledge of any pending or threatened claim;
|
5.3.7 Party C has not sold or agreed to sell any of its assets to any third party other than Party A or its Designee, and Party C has no future plans to sell or agree to sell the Object Assets to any third party other than Party A or its Designee;
|
5.3.8 Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreements or Assets Transfer Agreements, nor the performance of the obligations under this Agreement, any Equity Transfer Agreements or Assets Transfer Agreements will: (i) violate any laws of the PRC; (ii) conflict with its Articles of Association or other organizational documents; (iii) breach any contracts or documents to which Party C is a party or which bind Party C; (iv) violate any acquired permits, approvals or any valid qualifications; or (v) result in the ceasing or revocation or additional conditions to the acquired permits or approvals;
|
5.3.9 Party C will agree to look for insurance from an insurance company acceptable to Party A. The amount and category of insurance shall be the same as those held by the companies which are in the same industry with similar business and own the similar properties and assets as Party C;
|
5.3.10 Upon the request of Party A, Party C shall provide all related operation and finance materials of Party C to the extent that those materials are available to Party C; and
|
5.3.11 Party C shall promptly notify Party A of any pending or threatened litigation, arbitration or administrative procedure related to the assets, business and income of Party C, and tender to Party A the sole control of the defense and settlement of such claim and cooperate with such defense and/or settlement at Party C's expense.
|
5.4
|
Before Party A obtains the Object Equities and Object Assets of Party C by means of exercising either the Equity Purchase Option or the Assets Purchase Option, without the prior written consent by Party A, Party B and Party C shall not jointly or separately:
|
5.4.1
|
amend, modify or revise the Articles of Association of Party C in any form, or change the structure of the shareholders of Party C;
|
5.4.2
|
agree to increase or decrease the registered capital or the number of existing shareholders of Party C;
|
5.4.3
|
cause Party C to have transactions, which may materially affect the assets, business, net assets or other legal rights and liabilities of Party C, unless these transactions are related to the ordinary course of business or have been disclosed to and the written consent from Party A has been obtained;
|
5.4.4
|
transfer or dispose the Object Equities in any manner or grant any security interest or any other third party right on the Object Equities;
|
5.4.5
|
sell, transfer, mortgage or dispose in any other form, any asset, income and any other legal yield and interest of Party C, or approve any encumbrance or imposition of any Security Interest on Party C’s assets;
|
5.4.6
|
issue or provide guarantee, loan or credit to any third party or incur any debt, other than (i) the debt arising from ordinary course of business; and (ii) the debt has been disclosed to Party A and the written consent by Party A has been obtained.
|
5.4.7
|
terminate or cause Party C to terminate any material agreement (whose definition is at Party A’s discretion at that time) entered into by Party C, or enter into any agreement that would conflict with the existing material agreements of Party C and/or Party B;
|
5.4.8
|
distribute any distributable profit, bonus, dividends or interests of Party C, unless otherwise stipulated by the laws of the PRC; or
|
5.4.9
|
approve or adopt any shareholders resolution at a shareholder meeting of Party C which may cause Party C to be merged, acquired or invested, or to merge, acquire or invest in or associate with any entity other than Party A.
|
6.
|
Transfer of this Agreement
|
6.1
|
Without the prior written consent by Party A, Party B and Party C shall not sub-contract, license or transfer its rights and obligations under this Agreement to any third party or its affiliate; and any transfer of this Agreement without prior written consent of Party A shall be invalid.
|
6.2
|
Party B and Party C agree and confirm that Party A may transfer its rights and obligations under this Agreement, without the consent of Party B and/or Party C, to any third party, provided that Party A notifies Party B and Party C of such transfer in writing.
|
7.
|
Confidentiality
|
7.1
|
All parties agree that, all materials, documents, communications and other information obtained in the negotiation, execution or performance of this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreement, and the Assets Transfer Agreement, whether commercial, technical or in any other form (“Confidential information"), shall be strictly kept confidential and used only for the performance of the obligations under this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreement, and the Assets Transfer Agreement. Unless the other parties consent in writing, none of the parties shall release, leak or disclose any Confidential Information to any third party.
|
7.2
|
Each party may disclose the Confidential Information in the following circumstances: (1) where the laws, court orders or the competent courts with jurisdiction require, and such disclosure may be conducted only within such requirement; (2) where the competent authority or government department requires; (3) where such Confidential Information has been known to the general public; (4) where such Confidential Information was owned duly and legally by the disclosing party rather obtained from the other party before the disclosing party obtains it; (5) the information is required to be disclosed subject to the applicable laws or the rules or provisions of a stock exchange or securities governing authority; and (6) the information is disclosed by each party to its legal or financial consultant relating the transaction of this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreement, and the Assets Transfer Agreement, and this legal or financial consultant shall comply with the confidentiality set forth in this Section 7.
|
7.3
|
Nonetheless other provisions of this Section 7, each party shall have the right to disclose the Confidential Information to its lawyer, accountant, other professional consultants, directors or senior officers; such personnel shall undertake in writing to treat such information as Confidential Information by taking the measures similar to those provided in 7.1 of this Section.
|
7.4
|
The disclosure of the Confidential Information by staff or employed institution of any party shall be deemed as the disclosure of such Confidential Information by such party, and such party shall bear the liabilities for breaching the agreement.
|
7.5
|
This Section 7 shall survive whatever this Agreement is invalid, amended, revoked, terminated or unable to implement by any reason.
|
8.
|
Liability for breach
|
8.1
|
Any parties shall sufficiently perform this Agreement. Any Party breaching this Agreement shall bear the liability as arising out of and in relation thereto. If such breach causes damages to any other party, the breaching party shall compensate such party for all such damages.
|
8.2
|
If Party B breaches this Agreement, in addition to the remedies stipulated by the laws of the PRC, Party A may also take the following measures:
|
8.2.1
|
require Party B to transfer all or any part of the Object equities immediately at the Exercise Price for Equity Purchase Option to Party A or its Designee, provided that the laws of the PRC permit at that time; and
|
8.2.2
|
require Party B to compensate all direct and indirect damages, including but not limited to all the legal fees, travel fees and investigation fees paid for seeking and enforcing such remedies.
|
8.3
|
If Party C breaches this Agreement, in addition to the remedies stipulated by the laws of the PRC, Party A may also take the following measures:
|
8.3.1 require Party C to transfer all or part of the Object Assets immediately at the Exercise Price for Assets Purchase Option to Party A or its Designee, provided that the laws of the PRC permit at that time;
|
8.3.2 require Party B to exercise the rights as a shareholder of Party C, and cure the breach of Party C; if after ten (10) days after Party A sends a written notice to Party B or Party C, such breach has not been cured, Party A shall have the right to require Party B to transfer all or part of the Object Equities immediately at the Exercise price for Equity Purchase Option to Party A or its Designee provided that the laws of the PRC permit at that time; or
|
8.3.3 require Party B and Party C to compensate all direct and indirect damages, including but not limited to all the legal fees, travel fees and investigation fees paid for seeking and enforcing such remedies.
|
9.
|
Governing Law and Dispute Resolution
|
9.1
|
The execution, effectiveness, construction, performance, amendment and termination of this Agreement and the resolution of disputes hereunder shall be governed by the formally published and publicly available laws of the PRC. Matters not covered by formally published and publicly available laws of the PRC shall be governed by international legal principles and practices.
|
9.2
|
All parties agree that any dispute arising from or in relation to this Agreement shall first be settled by the friendly negotiation of both parties. If the negotiation fails within 45 days, each party shall have the right to file the dispute with China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission (“
CIETAC
”) in Beijing for arbitration pursuant to the currently effective arbitration rules of CIETAC at the time of application. This arbitration shall be final and bind all parties and shall be enforceable in any court of competent jurisdiction. The arbitration fees shall be born by the losing party.
|
9.3
|
Upon the occurrence of any disputes arising from the construction and performance of this Agreement or during the pending arbitration of any dispute, except for the matters under dispute, the Parties to this Agreement shall continue to exercise their respective rights under this Agreement and perform their respective obligations under this Agreement.
|
10.
|
Effect and Termination
|
10.1
|
This Agreement shall come into effect on and after the date that it is signed and/or stamped by all parties.
|
10.2
|
In any of the following circumstances, this Agreement shall be terminated:
|
10.2.1
|
where, during the Exercise Period, all parties reach an agreement to terminate this Agreement;
|
10.2.2
|
where, during the Exercise Period, Party A notifies the other parties thirty (30) days in advance to terminate this Agreement; in such circumstance, Party A shall not assume any liabilities as arising out of and in relation thereto;
|
10.2.3
|
at the expiration of the Exercise Period provided; however, Party A may extend the Exercise Period and this Agreement in its sole discretion; or
|
10.2.4
|
upon the unanimous agreement by all parties.
|
10.3
|
Section 7 regarding confidentiality and Section 12 regarding indemnification shall survive the termination of this Agreement.
|
11.
|
Taxes and Fees
|
12.
|
Indemnification
|
13.
|
General Terms
|
13.1
|
Entire Agreement. This Agreement and the Exhibits and Schedules hereto contain the entire understanding between the parties, no other representations, warranties or covenants having induced any party to execute this Agreement, and supersede all prior or contemporaneous agreements with respect to the subject matter hereof. All references to schedules and exhibits are to exhibits and schedules attached to and to become a part of this Agreement unless otherwise indicated.
|
13.2
|
Amendment. Any amendment and/or rescission shall be in writing and signed by the authorized representatives of all parties. Such revision shall be a valid integral part of this Agreement.
|
13.3
|
Headings. The headings of any Sections or other portion of this Agreement are for convenience only and are not to be considered in construing this Agreement.
|
13.4
|
Construction. References in this Agreement to "Sections," "Schedules" and "Exhibits" shall be to the Sections, Schedules and Exhibits of this Agreement, unless otherwise specifically provided; any use in this Agreement of the singular or plural, or the masculine, feminine or neuter gender, shall be deemed to include the others, unless the context otherwise requires; the words "herein”, "hereof" and "hereunder" and words of similar import, when used in this Agreement, shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement; the word "including" when used in this Agreement shall mean “including without limitation”; and except as otherwise specified in this Agreement, all references in this Agreement (a) to any agreement, document, certificate or other written instrument shall be a reference to such agreement, document, certificate or instrument, in each case together with all exhibits, schedules, attachments and appendices thereto, and as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof; and (b) to any law, statute or regulation shall be deemed references to such law, statute or regulation as the same may be supplemented, amended, consolidated, superseded or modified from time to time.
|
13.5
|
Severability. Any provision hereof that is prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability, without invalidating the remaining provisions hereof, and any such prohibition or unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.
|
13.6
|
Waiver. No failure or delay of either party to enforce any right hereunder shall constitute a waiver of any such right hereunder. No waiver shall be effective hereunder unless in writing and a waiver shall only be effective for the specific act or circumstance for which it is given and not for any future act or circumstance.
|
13.7
|
Succession of this Agreement. This Agreement shall bind the successors and transferees of all parties.
|
13.8
|
Language. This Agreement is in both Chinese and English and signed by all parties, and the two versions have the same effect. Should there be any discrepancy between the two language versions, the Chinese version shall prevail.
|
13.9
|
Copies of this Agreement. This Agreement shall be executed in four counterparts; each party holds one and the rest are used for the transaction of related formalities. Each of the copies shall be deemed as the original one and has the same effect.
|
1.
|
Conferring and Exercise of Purchase Option
|
1.1
|
Exclusive Purchase Option of the Object Equities. Party B agrees to irrevocably confer Party A the exclusive option to purchase all the equities Party B holds in Party C (“
Equity Purchase Option
”).
|
1.1.1
|
This Agreement is executed on the date first above written and shall take effect as of such date (such day, the “Effective Date”), and subject to earlier termination by Party A, shall continue in effect until the thirtieth anniversary of the Effective Date (the “Initial Term”); provided, that if this Agreement has not been terminated by Party A prior to the end of the Initial Term or a Renewal Term (as the case may be), the term of this Agreement automatically and without any action of any party shall be extended for additional successive ten year periods thereafter (each a “Renewal Term,” and collectively with the Initial Term, the “Term”), unless not less than 30 days prior to the end of the Initial Term or any Renewal Term Party A notifies Party B and Party C in writing that this Agreement shall terminate at the end of the Initial Term or that Renewal Term, as the case may be. In no event shall Party B or Party C have the right to unilaterally terminate this Agreement.
|
1.1.2
|
Commencing upon the Effective Date and continuing through the Term of this Agreement (“
Exercise Period
”), Party A or its Designee shall have the right to purchase all or part of the equities Party B holds in Party C pursuant to the related terms and conditions under this Agreement and at the Exercise Price for Equity Purchase Option (as defined hereunder), provided that the laws of the PRC at that time permits. Party B agrees to enter into an Equity Transfer Agreement (“
Equity Transfer Agreement
”) with Party A or its Designee in the format. The Exercise Period under this Agreement may be extended by the written consent of Party A before the expiration date. The term of extension shall be determined through mutual agreement by all parties to this Agreement.
|
1.1.3
|
Where the laws of the PRC permits and Party A sends the Equity Purchase Exercise Notice (as defined in Subsection 2.2.1), Party B and Party C shall unconditionally cooperate with Party A to carry out the above procedures and transfer all or part of the Object Equities to Party A or its Designee, and transact all necessary formalities such as review and approval, permit, registration and filing.
|
1.1.4
|
The Object Equities shall be free of any Security Interest. For the purpose of this Agreement, Security Interest means any mortgage, pledge, the right or interest of the third party, any purchase right of equity interest, right of acquisition, right of first refusal, right of set-off, ownership detainment or other security arrangements; however, it does not include any security interests created under Equity the Pledge Agreement entered into by Party A and Party B on the same day as this Agreement (“
Equity Pledge Agreement
”).
|
1.1.5
|
During the Exercise Period, if the holding of all or part of the Object Equities by Party B is or will be deemed to violate the applicable laws, Party B and Party C shall immediately send a written notice to Party A to explain the reason in detail.
|
1.2
|
Exclusive Purchase Option to the Object Assets. Party C here agrees to irrevocably confer Party A the purchase option to purchase all of its assets (“
Assets Purchase Option
”). The Equity Purchase Option and the Assets Purchase Option collectively are referred to as “
Purchase Option
”:
|
1.2.1
|
During the Exercise Period, Party A or its Designee shall have the right to purchase all or part of the assets owned by Party C pursuant to the terms and conditions under this Agreement at the Exercise Price for Assets Purchase Option or a percentage thereof (as defined hereunder), provided that the laws of the PRC at that time permits. Party C agrees to enter into an assets transfer agreement (“
Assets Transfer Agreement
”) with Party A or its Designee.
|
1.2.2
|
Where the laws of the PRC permits and Party A sends the Asset Purchase Exercise Notice (as defined in Subsection 2.3.1), Party B and Party C shall unconditionally cooperate with Party A to carry out the above procedures and transfer all or part of the Object Assets to Party A or its Designee, and transact all necessary formalities such as review and approval, permit, registration and filing.
|
1.2.3
|
When Party A exercises the Assets Purchase Option, Party B and Party C shall ensure other shareholders of Party C will approve the asset transfer under this Agreement.
|
2.
|
Exercise Steps
|
2.1
|
Pursuant to the applicable laws of the PRC, Party A shall have the right to determine the time, manner and number of purchases for the Purchase Option.
|
2.2
|
Exercise steps to purchase equities:
|
2.2.1
|
During the Exercise Period, Party A may send an exercise notice (“
Equity Purchase Exercise Notice
”) to Party B to exercise the Equity Purchase Option under this Agreement to purchase all or part of the Object Equities or transfer all or part of the Object Equities to a Designee, provided that the laws of the PRC permits at that time.
|
2.2.2
|
Upon receipt of the Equity Purchase Notice pursuant to Subsection 2.2.1 above or earlier if requested by Party A, Party B shall immediately:
|
(a)
|
obtain the waiver concerning the first refusal of other shareholders of Party C at that time on the purchase of such equities;
|
(b)
|
enter into an Equity Transfer Agreement in the format attached as Annex 1 hereto with Party A and/or its Designee according the requirements of the Equity Purchase Exercise Notice;
|
(c)
|
revise the Articles of Association of Party C together with Party A and/or its Designee and other shareholders of Party C at that time pursuant to the Equity Transfer Agreement;
|
(d)
|
cause Party C to promptly convene a shareholder’s meeting to pass the resolutions to approve the equity transfer pursuant to the exercise of the Equity Purchase Option and the amendment to the Articles of Association of Party C;
|
(e)
|
together with Party A and/or its Designee and other shareholders of Party C at that time, handle all necessary approval and examination, registration and filing procedures required by the laws of the PRC within thirty (30) business days as of the date of receipt of the Equity Purchase Exercise Notice by Party B or an earlier time agreed upon by the parties; and
|
(f)
|
execute all other requisite contracts, agreements or documents, obtain all requisite approvals and consents of the government, conduct all necessary actions to transfer the valid ownership, without any Security Interest, of the Object Equities to Party A and/or its Designee, and cause Party A and/or its Designee to be the registered owner of the Object Equities.
|
2.3
|
Exercise steps to purchase assets:
|
2.3.1
|
During the Exercise Period, Party A may send an exercise notice (“
Assets Purchase Exercise Notice
”) to Party C to exercise the Assets Purchase Option under this Agreement, purchase all or part of the Object Assets owned by Party C or transfer all or part of the Object Assets to a Designee, provided that the laws of the PRC permits at that time.
|
2.3.2
|
Once Party C receives the Assets Purchase Exercise Notice pursuant to Subsection 2.3.1 above or earlier if requested by Party A, Party C shall immediately:
|
(a)
|
enter into an Assets Transfer Agreement in the format attached as Annex 2 hereto and any other necessary agreements with Party A and/or its Designee according to the requirements set forth in the Assets Purchase Exercise Notice;
|
(b)
|
convene a shareholder's meeting to pass the resolution to approve the exercise of the Assets Purchase Option; and
|
(c)
|
together with all the shareholders of Party C at that time execute all other requisite contracts, agreements or documents, obtain all requisite approvals and consents of the government, conduct all necessary actions to transfer the valid ownership, without any security interest, of the Object Assets to Party A and/or it Designee, and cause Party A and/or its Designee to be the registered owner of the Object Assets (if necessary).
|
2.4
|
Before Party A obtains the Object Equities or the Object Assets by means of exercising either the Equity Purchase Option or the Assets Purchase Option, Party B and/or Party C shall entrust Party A to manage Party C pursuant to the Management Entrustment Agreement entered into by and between Party A and Party C on the same day as this Agreement.
|
3.
|
Exercise Conditions
|
4.
|
Exercise Price
|
4.1
|
Exercise price for Equity Purchase Option (“
Exercise Price for Equity Purchase Option
”) or Assets Purchase Option (“
Exercise Price for Assets Purchase Option
”)
|
5.
|
Representations and Warranties
|
5.1
|
Each party respectively represents and warranties to the other parties that:
|
5.1.1
|
it has the right to execute this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreement, and the Assets Transfer Agreement, and the capability to perform its obligations under this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreement, and the Assets Transfer Agreement;
|
5.1.2
|
it has carried out necessary internal derision-making procedures, obtained proper authority, acquired all the necessary consent and approval of any requisite third party and government authority to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreement, and the Assets Transfer Agreement; and
|
5.1.3
|
once executed, this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreement, and the Assets Transfer Agreement will constitute the legal, valid, and binding obligation of each party, and each party will be subject to compulsory enforcement on it pursuant to the terms and conditions under this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreement, and the Assets Transfer Agreement.
|
5.2
|
Party B hereby represents and warrants to Party A that:
|
5.2.1 Party B is a shareholder, duly and legally registered, of Party C and has paid the subscribed registered capital in full sum pursuant to the laws of the PRC;
|
5.2.2 The Object Equities held by Party B can be freely transferred without anyone's prior consent, and the Object Equities are free of encumbrances of any kind, other than the Security Interest pursuant to the Equity Pledge Agreement.
|
5.2.3 Party B has complied with all the laws of the PRC and regulations applicable to the purchase of assets and equities in connection with this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreement, and the Assets Transfer Agreement;
|
5.2.4 No litigation, arbitration or administrative procedure relevant to the Object Equities or Party B is in process or to be settled, and Party B has no knowledge of any pending or threatened claim;
|
5.2.5 Party B has not sold or agreed to sell the Object Equities to any third party other than Party A or its Designee, and Party B has no future plans to sell or agree to sell the Object Equities to any third party other than Party A or its Designee;
|
5.2.6 Party B strictly abides by the obligations under the Articles of Association of Party C. There are no circumstances that may affect the legal status of Party B as the shareholder of Party C, or any circumstance that may prevent Party A from exercising the Equity Purchase Option under this Agreement;
|
5.2.7 Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreements or Assets Transfer Agreements, nor the performance of the obligations under this Agreement, any Equity Transfer Agreements or Assets Transfer Agreements will: (i) violate any laws of the PRC; (ii) conflict with its Articles of Association or other organizational documents; (iii) breach any contracts or documents to which Party B is a party or which bind Party B; (iv) violate any acquired permits, approvals or any valid qualifications; or (v) result in the ceasing or revocation or additional conditions to the acquired permits or approvals;
|
5.2.8 Party B, upon the request of Party A, will appoint any person designated by Party A to be the director of Party C; and
|
5.2.9 Party B shall promptly notify Party A of any pending or threatened litigation, arbitration or administrative procedure related to the assets, business and income of Party C, and tender to Party A the sole control of the defense and settlement of such claim and cooperate with such defense and/or settlement at its own expense.
|
5.3
|
Party C hereby represents and warrants to Party A that:
|
5.3.1 Party C is a company with limited liability, which has been duly incorporated and validly existing pursuant to the laws of the PRC;
|
5.3.2 Party C has stated to Party A, in the Article 5.1 of Management Entrustment Agreement by on the same day as this Agreement, the legal status of land occupied for production facilities, the legal status of production facilities and the contractual arrangement with the local county government in connection with mining rights surrounding the production facilities.
|
5.3.3 Party C complies with all PRC laws and regulations applicable to the purchase of assets and equities in connection with this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreement, and the Assets Transfer Agreement;
|
5.3.4 The shares of Party C are transferable, and Party C has not permitted or caused any Security Interest to be imposed upon the shares of Party C, other than the Security Interest pursuant to the Equity Pledge Agreement;
|
5.3.5 Party C does not have any unpaid debt, other than (i) debt arising from the ordinary course of business; and (ii) debt disclosed to Party A and obtained written consent by Party A;
|
5.3.6 No litigation, arbitration or administrative procedure relevant to Object Equities, the Object Assets or Party C itself is in process or to be settled and Party C has no knowledge of any pending or threatened claim;
|
5.3.7 Party C has not sold or agreed to sell any of its assets to any third party other than Party A or its Designee, and Party C has no future plans to sell or agree to sell the Object Assets to any third party other than Party A or its Designee;
|
5.3.8 Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreements or Assets Transfer Agreements, nor the performance of the obligations under this Agreement, any Equity Transfer Agreements or Assets Transfer Agreements will: (i) violate any laws of the PRC; (ii) conflict with its Articles of Association or other organizational documents; (iii) breach any contracts or documents to which Party C is a party or which bind Party C; (iv) violate any acquired permits, approvals or any valid qualifications; or (v) result in the ceasing or revocation or additional conditions to the acquired permits or approvals;
|
5.3.9 Party C will agree to look for insurance from an insurance company acceptable to Party A. The amount and category of insurance shall be the same as those held by the companies which are in the same industry with similar business and own the similar properties and assets as Party C;
|
5.3.10 Upon the request of Party A, Party C shall provide all related operation and finance materials of Party C to the extent that those materials are available to Party C; and
|
5.3.11 Party C shall promptly notify Party A of any pending or threatened litigation, arbitration or administrative procedure related to the assets, business and income of Party C, and tender to Party A the sole control of the defense and settlement of such claim and cooperate with such defense and/or settlement at Party C's expense.
|
5.4
|
Before Party A obtains the Object Equities and Object Assets of Party C by means of exercising either the Equity Purchase Option or the Assets Purchase Option, without the prior written consent by Party A, Party B and Party C shall not jointly or separately:
|
5.4.1
|
amend, modify or revise the Articles of Association of Party C in any form, or change the structure of the shareholders of Party C;
|
5.4.2
|
agree to increase or decrease the registered capital or the number of existing shareholders of Party C;
|
5.4.3
|
cause Party C to have transactions, which may materially affect the assets, business, net assets or other legal rights and liabilities of Party C, unless these transactions are related to the ordinary course of business or have been disclosed to and the written consent from Party A has been obtained;
|
5.4.4
|
transfer or dispose the Object Equities in any manner or grant any security interest or any other third party right on the Object Equities;
|
5.4.5
|
sell, transfer, mortgage or dispose in any other form, any asset, income and any other legal yield and interest of Party C, or approve any encumbrance or imposition of any Security Interest on Party C’s assets;
|
5.4.6
|
issue or provide guarantee, loan or credit to any third party or incur any debt, other than (i) the debt arising from ordinary course of business; and (ii) the debt has been disclosed to Party A and the written consent by Party A has been obtained.
|
5.4.7
|
terminate or cause Party C to terminate any material agreement (whose definition is at Party A’s discretion at that time) entered into by Party C, or enter into any agreement that would conflict with the existing material agreements of Party C and/or Party B;
|
5.4.8
|
distribute any distributable profit, bonus, dividends or interests of Party C, unless otherwise stipulated by the laws of the PRC; or
|
5.4.9
|
approve or adopt any shareholders resolution at a shareholder meeting of Party C which may cause Party C to be merged, acquired or invested, or to merge, acquire or invest in or associate with any entity other than Party A.
|
6.
|
Transfer of this Agreement
|
6.1
|
Without the prior written consent by Party A, Party B and Party C shall not sub-contract, license or transfer its rights and obligations under this Agreement to any third party or its affiliate; and any transfer of this Agreement without prior written consent of Party A shall be invalid.
|
6.2
|
Party B and Party C agree and confirm that Party A may transfer its rights and obligations under this Agreement, without the consent of Party B and/or Party C, to any third party, provided that Party A notifies Party B and Party C of such transfer in writing.
|
7.
|
Confidentiality
|
7.1
|
All parties agree that, all materials, documents, communications and other information obtained in the negotiation, execution or performance of this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreement, and the Assets Transfer Agreement, whether commercial, technical or in any other form (“Confidential information"), shall be strictly kept confidential and used only for the performance of the obligations under this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreement, and the Assets Transfer Agreement. Unless the other parties consent in writing, none of the parties shall release, leak or disclose any Confidential Information to any third party.
|
7.2
|
Each party may disclose the Confidential Information in the following circumstances: (1) where the laws, court orders or the competent courts with jurisdiction require, and such disclosure may be conducted only within such requirement; (2) where the competent authority or government department requires; (3) where such Confidential Information has been known to the general public; (4) where such Confidential Information was owned duly and legally by the disclosing party rather obtained from the other party before the disclosing party obtains it; (5) the information is required to be disclosed subject to the applicable laws or the rules or provisions of a stock exchange or securities governing authority; and (6) the information is disclosed by each party to its legal or financial consultant relating the transaction of this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreement, and the Assets Transfer Agreement, and this legal or financial consultant shall comply with the confidentiality set forth in this Section 7.
|
7.3
|
Nonetheless other provisions of this Section 7, each party shall have the right to disclose the Confidential Information to its lawyer, accountant, other professional consultants, directors or senior officers; such personnel shall undertake in writing to treat such information as Confidential Information by taking the measures similar to those provided in 7.1 of this Section.
|
7.4
|
The disclosure of the Confidential Information by staff or employed institution of any party shall be deemed as the disclosure of such Confidential Information by such party, and such party shall bear the liabilities for breaching the agreement.
|
7.5
|
This Section 7 shall survive whatever this Agreement is invalid, amended, revoked, terminated or unable to implement by any reason.
|
8.
|
Liability for breach
|
8.1
|
Any parties shall sufficiently perform this Agreement. Any Party breaching this Agreement shall bear the liability as arising out of and in relation thereto. If such breach causes damages to any other party, the breaching party shall compensate such party for all such damages.
|
8.2
|
If Party B breaches this Agreement, in addition to the remedies stipulated by the laws of the PRC, Party A may also take the following measures:
|
8.2.1
|
require Party B to transfer all or any part of the Object equities immediately at the Exercise Price for Equity Purchase Option to Party A or its Designee, provided that the laws of the PRC permit at that time; and
|
8.2.2
|
require Party B to compensate all direct and indirect damages, including but not limited to all the legal fees, travel fees and investigation fees paid for seeking and enforcing such remedies.
|
8.3
|
If Party C breaches this Agreement, in addition to the remedies stipulated by the laws of the PRC, Party A may also take the following measures:
|
8.3.1 require Party C to transfer all or part of the Object Assets immediately at the Exercise Price for Assets Purchase Option to Party A or its Designee, provided that the laws of the PRC permit at that time;
|
8.3.2 require Party B to exercise the rights as a shareholder of Party C, and cure the breach of Party C; if after ten (10) days after Party A sends a written notice to Party B or Party C, such breach has not been cured, Party A shall have the right to require Party B to transfer all or part of the Object Equities immediately at the Exercise price for Equity Purchase Option to Party A or its Designee provided that the laws of the PRC permit at that time; or
|
8.3.3 require Party B and Party C to compensate all direct and indirect damages, including but not limited to all the legal fees, travel fees and investigation fees paid for seeking and enforcing such remedies.
|
9.
|
Governing Law and Dispute Resolution
|
9.1
|
The execution, effectiveness, construction, performance, amendment and termination of this Agreement and the resolution of disputes hereunder shall be governed by the formally published and publicly available laws of the PRC. Matters not covered by formally published and publicly available laws of the PRC shall be governed by international legal principles and practices.
|
9.2
|
All parties agree that any dispute arising from or in relation to this Agreement shall first be settled by the friendly negotiation of both parties. If the negotiation fails within 45 days, each party shall have the right to file the dispute with China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission (“
CIETAC
”) in Beijing for arbitration pursuant to the currently effective arbitration rules of CIETAC at the time of application. This arbitration shall be final and bind all parties and shall be enforceable in any court of competent jurisdiction. The arbitration fees shall be born by the losing party.
|
9.3
|
Upon the occurrence of any disputes arising from the construction and performance of this Agreement or during the pending arbitration of any dispute, except for the matters under dispute, the Parties to this Agreement shall continue to exercise their respective rights under this Agreement and perform their respective obligations under this Agreement.
|
10.
|
Effect and Termination
|
10.1
|
This Agreement shall come into effect on and after the date that it is signed and/or stamped by all parties.
|
10.2
|
In any of the following circumstances, this Agreement shall be terminated:
|
10.2.1
|
where, during the Exercise Period, all parties reach an agreement to terminate this Agreement;
|
10.2.2
|
where, during the Exercise Period, Party A notifies the other parties thirty (30) days in advance to terminate this Agreement; in such circumstance, Party A shall not assume any liabilities as arising out of and in relation thereto;
|
10.2.3
|
at the expiration of the Exercise Period provided; however, Party A may extend the Exercise Period and this Agreement in its sole discretion; or
|
10.2.4
|
upon the unanimous agreement by all parties.
|
10.3
|
Section 7 regarding confidentiality and Section 12 regarding indemnification shall survive the termination of this Agreement.
|
11.
|
Taxes and Fees
|
12.
|
Indemnification
|
13.
|
General Terms
|
13.1
|
Entire Agreement. This Agreement and the Exhibits and Schedules hereto contain the entire understanding between the parties, no other representations, warranties or covenants having induced any party to execute this Agreement, and supersede all prior or contemporaneous agreements with respect to the subject matter hereof. All references to schedules and exhibits are to exhibits and schedules attached to and to become a part of this Agreement unless otherwise indicated.
|
13.2
|
Amendment. Any amendment and/or rescission shall be in writing and signed by the authorized representatives of all parties. Such revision shall be a valid integral part of this Agreement.
|
13.3
|
Headings. The headings of any Sections or other portion of this Agreement are for convenience only and are not to be considered in construing this Agreement.
|
13.4
|
Construction. References in this Agreement to "Sections," "Schedules" and "Exhibits" shall be to the Sections, Schedules and Exhibits of this Agreement, unless otherwise specifically provided; any use in this Agreement of the singular or plural, or the masculine, feminine or neuter gender, shall be deemed to include the others, unless the context otherwise requires; the words "herein”, "hereof" and "hereunder" and words of similar import, when used in this Agreement, shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement; the word "including" when used in this Agreement shall mean “including without limitation”; and except as otherwise specified in this Agreement, all references in this Agreement (a) to any agreement, document, certificate or other written instrument shall be a reference to such agreement, document, certificate or instrument, in each case together with all exhibits, schedules, attachments and appendices thereto, and as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof; and (b) to any law, statute or regulation shall be deemed references to such law, statute or regulation as the same may be supplemented, amended, consolidated, superseded or modified from time to time.
|
13.5
|
Severability. Any provision hereof that is prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability, without invalidating the remaining provisions hereof, and any such prohibition or unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.
|
13.6
|
Waiver. No failure or delay of either party to enforce any right hereunder shall constitute a waiver of any such right hereunder. No waiver shall be effective hereunder unless in writing and a waiver shall only be effective for the specific act or circumstance for which it is given and not for any future act or circumstance.
|
13.7
|
Succession of this Agreement. This Agreement shall bind the successors and transferees of all parties.
|
13.8
|
Language. This Agreement is in both Chinese and English and signed by all parties, and the two versions have the same effect. Should there be any discrepancy between the two language versions, the Chinese version shall prevail.
|
13.9
|
Copies of this Agreement. This Agreement shall be executed in four counterparts; each party holds one and the rest are used for the transaction of related formalities. Each of the copies shall be deemed as the original one and has the same effect.
|
1.
|
Conferring and Exercise of Purchase Option
|
1.1
|
Exclusive Purchase Option of the Object Equities. Party B agrees to irrevocably confer Party A the exclusive option to purchase all the equities Party B holds in Party C (“
Equity Purchase Option
”).
|
1.1.1
|
This Agreement is executed on the date first above written and shall take effect as of such date (such day, the “Effective Date”), and subject to earlier termination by Party A, shall continue in effect until the thirtieth anniversary of the Effective Date (the “Initial Term”); provided, that if this Agreement has not been terminated by Party A prior to the end of the Initial Term or a Renewal Term (as the case may be), the term of this Agreement automatically and without any action of any party shall be extended for additional successive ten year periods thereafter (each a “Renewal Term,” and collectively with the Initial Term, the “Term”), unless not less than 30 days prior to the end of the Initial Term or any Renewal Term Party A notifies Party B and Party C in writing that this Agreement shall terminate at the end of the Initial Term or that Renewal Term, as the case may be. In no event shall Party B or Party C have the right to unilaterally terminate this Agreement.
|
1.1.2
|
Commencing upon the Effective Date and continuing through the Term of this Agreement (“
Exercise Period
”), Party A or its Designee shall have the right to purchase all or part of the equities Party B holds in Party C pursuant to the related terms and conditions under this Agreement and at the Exercise Price for Equity Purchase Option (as defined hereunder), provided that the laws of the PRC at that time permits. Party B agrees to enter into an Equity Transfer Agreement (“
Equity Transfer Agreement
”) with Party A or its Designee in the format. The Exercise Period under this Agreement may be extended by the written consent of Party A before the expiration date. The term of extension shall be determined through mutual agreement by all parties to this Agreement.
|
1.1.3
|
Where the laws of the PRC permits and Party A sends the Equity Purchase Exercise Notice (as defined in Subsection 2.2.1), Party B and Party C shall unconditionally cooperate with Party A to carry out the above procedures and transfer all or part of the Object Equities to Party A or its Designee, and transact all necessary formalities such as review and approval, permit, registration and filing.
|
1.1.4
|
The Object Equities shall be free of any Security Interest. For the purpose of this Agreement, Security Interest means any mortgage, pledge, the right or interest of the third party, any purchase right of equity interest, right of acquisition, right of first refusal, right of set-off, ownership detainment or other security arrangements; however, it does not include any security interests created under Equity the Pledge Agreement entered into by Party A and Party B on the same day as this Agreement (“
Equity Pledge Agreement
”).
|
1.1.5
|
During the Exercise Period, if the holding of all or part of the Object Equities by Party B is or will be deemed to violate the applicable laws, Party B and Party C shall immediately send a written notice to Party A to explain the reason in detail.
|
1.2
|
Exclusive Purchase Option to the Object Assets. Party C here agrees to irrevocably confer Party A the purchase option to purchase all of its assets (“
Assets Purchase Option
”). The Equity Purchase Option and the Assets Purchase Option collectively are referred to as “
Purchase Option
”:
|
1.2.1
|
During the Exercise Period, Party A or its Designee shall have the right to purchase all or part of the assets owned by Party C pursuant to the terms and conditions under this Agreement at the Exercise Price for Assets Purchase Option or a percentage thereof (as defined hereunder), provided that the laws of the PRC at that time permits. Party C agrees to enter into an assets transfer agreement (“
Assets Transfer Agreement
”) with Party A or its Designee.
|
1.2.2
|
Where the laws of the PRC permits and Party A sends the Asset Purchase Exercise Notice (as defined in Subsection 2.3.1), Party B and Party C shall unconditionally cooperate with Party A to carry out the above procedures and transfer all or part of the Object Assets to Party A or its Designee, and transact all necessary formalities such as review and approval, permit, registration and filing.
|
1.2.3
|
When Party A exercises the Assets Purchase Option, Party B and Party C shall ensure other shareholders of Party C will approve the asset transfer under this Agreement.
|
2.
|
Exercise Steps
|
2.1
|
Pursuant to the applicable laws of the PRC, Party A shall have the right to determine the time, manner and number of purchases for the Purchase Option.
|
2.2
|
Exercise steps to purchase equities:
|
2.2.1
|
During the Exercise Period, Party A may send an exercise notice (“
Equity Purchase Exercise Notice
”) to Party B to exercise the Equity Purchase Option under this Agreement to purchase all or part of the Object Equities or transfer all or part of the Object Equities to a Designee, provided that the laws of the PRC permits at that time.
|
2.2.2
|
Upon receipt of the Equity Purchase Notice pursuant to Subsection 2.2.1 above or earlier if requested by Party A, Party B shall immediately:
|
(a)
|
obtain the waiver concerning the first refusal of other shareholders of Party C at that time on the purchase of such equities;
|
(b)
|
enter into an Equity Transfer Agreement in the format attached as Annex 1 hereto with Party A and/or its Designee according the requirements of the Equity Purchase Exercise Notice;
|
(c)
|
revise the Articles of Association of Party C together with Party A and/or its Designee and other shareholders of Party C at that time pursuant to the Equity Transfer Agreement;
|
(d)
|
cause Party C to promptly convene a shareholder’s meeting to pass the resolutions to approve the equity transfer pursuant to the exercise of the Equity Purchase Option and the amendment to the Articles of Association of Party C;
|
(e)
|
together with Party A and/or its Designee and other shareholders of Party C at that time, handle all necessary approval and examination, registration and filing procedures required by the laws of the PRC within thirty (30) business days as of the date of receipt of the Equity Purchase Exercise Notice by Party B or an earlier time agreed upon by the parties; and
|
(f)
|
execute all other requisite contracts, agreements or documents, obtain all requisite approvals and consents of the government, conduct all necessary actions to transfer the valid ownership, without any Security Interest, of the Object Equities to Party A and/or its Designee, and cause Party A and/or its Designee to be the registered owner of the Object Equities.
|
2.3
|
Exercise steps to purchase assets:
|
2.3.1
|
During the Exercise Period, Party A may send an exercise notice (“
Assets Purchase Exercise Notice
”) to Party C to exercise the Assets Purchase Option under this Agreement, purchase all or part of the Object Assets owned by Party C or transfer all or part of the Object Assets to a Designee, provided that the laws of the PRC permits at that time.
|
2.3.2
|
Once Party C receives the Assets Purchase Exercise Notice pursuant to Subsection 2.3.1 above or earlier if requested by Party A, Party C shall immediately:
|
(a)
|
enter into an Assets Transfer Agreement in the format attached as Annex 2 hereto and any other necessary agreements with Party A and/or its Designee according to the requirements set forth in the Assets Purchase Exercise Notice;
|
(b)
|
convene a shareholder's meeting to pass the resolution to approve the exercise of the Assets Purchase Option; and
|
(c)
|
together with all the shareholders of Party C at that time execute all other requisite contracts, agreements or documents, obtain all requisite approvals and consents of the government, conduct all necessary actions to transfer the valid ownership, without any security interest, of the Object Assets to Party A and/or it Designee, and cause Party A and/or its Designee to be the registered owner of the Object Assets (if necessary).
|
2.4
|
Before Party A obtains the Object Equities or the Object Assets by means of exercising either the Equity Purchase Option or the Assets Purchase Option, Party B and/or Party C shall entrust Party A to manage Party C pursuant to the Management Entrustment Agreement entered into by and between Party A and Party C on the same day as this Agreement.
|
3.
|
Exercise Conditions
|
4.
|
Exercise Price
|
4.1
|
Exercise price for Equity Purchase Option (“
Exercise Price for Equity Purchase Option
”) or Assets Purchase Option (“
Exercise Price for Assets Purchase Option
”)
|
5.
|
Representations and Warranties
|
5.1
|
Each party respectively represents and warranties to the other parties that:
|
5.1.1
|
it has the right to execute this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreement, and the Assets Transfer Agreement, and the capability to perform its obligations under this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreement, and the Assets Transfer Agreement;
|
5.1.2
|
it has carried out necessary internal derision-making procedures, obtained proper authority, acquired all the necessary consent and approval of any requisite third party and government authority to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreement, and the Assets Transfer Agreement; and
|
5.1.3
|
once executed, this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreement, and the Assets Transfer Agreement will constitute the legal, valid, and binding obligation of each party, and each party will be subject to compulsory enforcement on it pursuant to the terms and conditions under this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreement, and the Assets Transfer Agreement.
|
5.2
|
Party B hereby represents and warrants to Party A that:
|
5.2.1 Party B is a shareholder, duly and legally registered, of Party C and has paid the subscribed registered capital in full sum pursuant to the laws of the PRC;
|
5.2.2 The Object Equities held by Party B can be freely transferred without anyone's prior consent, and the Object Equities are free of encumbrances of any kind, other than the Security Interest pursuant to the Equity Pledge Agreement.
|
5.2.3 Party B has complied with all the laws of the PRC and regulations applicable to the purchase of assets and equities in connection with this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreement, and the Assets Transfer Agreement;
|
5.2.4 No litigation, arbitration or administrative procedure relevant to the Object Equities or Party B is in process or to be settled, and Party B has no knowledge of any pending or threatened claim;
|
5.2.5 Party B has not sold or agreed to sell the Object Equities to any third party other than Party A or its Designee, and Party B has no future plans to sell or agree to sell the Object Equities to any third party other than Party A or its Designee;
|
5.2.6 Party B strictly abides by the obligations under the Articles of Association of Party C. There are no circumstances that may affect the legal status of Party B as the shareholder of Party C, or any circumstance that may prevent Party A from exercising the Equity Purchase Option under this Agreement;
|
5.2.7 Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreements or Assets Transfer Agreements, nor the performance of the obligations under this Agreement, any Equity Transfer Agreements or Assets Transfer Agreements will: (i) violate any laws of the PRC; (ii) conflict with its Articles of Association or other organizational documents; (iii) breach any contracts or documents to which Party B is a party or which bind Party B; (iv) violate any acquired permits, approvals or any valid qualifications; or (v) result in the ceasing or revocation or additional conditions to the acquired permits or approvals;
|
5.2.8 Party B, upon the request of Party A, will appoint any person designated by Party A to be the director of Party C; and
|
5.2.9 Party B shall promptly notify Party A of any pending or threatened litigation, arbitration or administrative procedure related to the assets, business and income of Party C, and tender to Party A the sole control of the defense and settlement of such claim and cooperate with such defense and/or settlement at its own expense.
|
5.3
|
Party C hereby represents and warrants to Party A that:
|
5.3.1 Party C is a company with limited liability, which has been duly incorporated and validly existing pursuant to the laws of the PRC;
|
5.3.2 Party C has stated to Party A, in the Article 5.1 of Management Entrustment Agreement by on the same day as this Agreement, the legal status of land occupied for production facilities, the legal status of production facilities and the contractual arrangement with the local county government in connection with mining rights surrounding the production facilities.
|
5.3.3 Party C complies with all PRC laws and regulations applicable to the purchase of assets and equities in connection with this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreement, and the Assets Transfer Agreement;
|
5.3.4 The shares of Party C are transferable, and Party C has not permitted or caused any Security Interest to be imposed upon the shares of Party C, other than the Security Interest pursuant to the Equity Pledge Agreement;
|
5.3.5 Party C does not have any unpaid debt, other than (i) debt arising from the ordinary course of business; and (ii) debt disclosed to Party A and obtained written consent by Party A;
|
5.3.6 No litigation, arbitration or administrative procedure relevant to Object Equities, the Object Assets or Party C itself is in process or to be settled and Party C has no knowledge of any pending or threatened claim;
|
5.3.7 Party C has not sold or agreed to sell any of its assets to any third party other than Party A or its Designee, and Party C has no future plans to sell or agree to sell the Object Assets to any third party other than Party A or its Designee;
|
5.3.8 Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreements or Assets Transfer Agreements, nor the performance of the obligations under this Agreement, any Equity Transfer Agreements or Assets Transfer Agreements will: (i) violate any laws of the PRC; (ii) conflict with its Articles of Association or other organizational documents; (iii) breach any contracts or documents to which Party C is a party or which bind Party C; (iv) violate any acquired permits, approvals or any valid qualifications; or (v) result in the ceasing or revocation or additional conditions to the acquired permits or approvals;
|
5.3.9 Party C will agree to look for insurance from an insurance company acceptable to Party A. The amount and category of insurance shall be the same as those held by the companies which are in the same industry with similar business and own the similar properties and assets as Party C;
|
5.3.10 Upon the request of Party A, Party C shall provide all related operation and finance materials of Party C to the extent that those materials are available to Party C; and
|
5.3.11 Party C shall promptly notify Party A of any pending or threatened litigation, arbitration or administrative procedure related to the assets, business and income of Party C, and tender to Party A the sole control of the defense and settlement of such claim and cooperate with such defense and/or settlement at Party C's expense.
|
5.4
|
Before Party A obtains the Object Equities and Object Assets of Party C by means of exercising either the Equity Purchase Option or the Assets Purchase Option, without the prior written consent by Party A, Party B and Party C shall not jointly or separately:
|
5.4.1
|
amend, modify or revise the Articles of Association of Party C in any form, or change the structure of the shareholders of Party C;
|
5.4.2
|
agree to increase or decrease the registered capital or the number of existing shareholders of Party C;
|
5.4.3
|
cause Party C to have transactions, which may materially affect the assets, business, net assets or other legal rights and liabilities of Party C, unless these transactions are related to the ordinary course of business or have been disclosed to and the written consent from Party A has been obtained;
|
5.4.4
|
transfer or dispose the Object Equities in any manner or grant any security interest or any other third party right on the Object Equities;
|
5.4.5
|
sell, transfer, mortgage or dispose in any other form, any asset, income and any other legal yield and interest of Party C, or approve any encumbrance or imposition of any Security Interest on Party C’s assets;
|
5.4.6
|
issue or provide guarantee, loan or credit to any third party or incur any debt, other than (i) the debt arising from ordinary course of business; and (ii) the debt has been disclosed to Party A and the written consent by Party A has been obtained.
|
5.4.7
|
terminate or cause Party C to terminate any material agreement (whose definition is at Party A’s discretion at that time) entered into by Party C, or enter into any agreement that would conflict with the existing material agreements of Party C and/or Party B;
|
5.4.8
|
distribute any distributable profit, bonus, dividends or interests of Party C, unless otherwise stipulated by the laws of the PRC; or
|
5.4.9
|
approve or adopt any shareholders resolution at a shareholder meeting of Party C which may cause Party C to be merged, acquired or invested, or to merge, acquire or invest in or associate with any entity other than Party A.
|
6.
|
Transfer of this Agreement
|
6.1
|
Without the prior written consent by Party A, Party B and Party C shall not sub-contract, license or transfer its rights and obligations under this Agreement to any third party or its affiliate; and any transfer of this Agreement without prior written consent of Party A shall be invalid.
|
6.2
|
Party B and Party C agree and confirm that Party A may transfer its rights and obligations under this Agreement, without the consent of Party B and/or Party C, to any third party, provided that Party A notifies Party B and Party C of such transfer in writing.
|
7.
|
Confidentiality
|
7.1
|
All parties agree that, all materials, documents, communications and other information obtained in the negotiation, execution or performance of this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreement, and the Assets Transfer Agreement, whether commercial, technical or in any other form (“Confidential information"), shall be strictly kept confidential and used only for the performance of the obligations under this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreement, and the Assets Transfer Agreement. Unless the other parties consent in writing, none of the parties shall release, leak or disclose any Confidential Information to any third party.
|
7.2
|
Each party may disclose the Confidential Information in the following circumstances: (1) where the laws, court orders or the competent courts with jurisdiction require, and such disclosure may be conducted only within such requirement; (2) where the competent authority or government department requires; (3) where such Confidential Information has been known to the general public; (4) where such Confidential Information was owned duly and legally by the disclosing party rather obtained from the other party before the disclosing party obtains it; (5) the information is required to be disclosed subject to the applicable laws or the rules or provisions of a stock exchange or securities governing authority; and (6) the information is disclosed by each party to its legal or financial consultant relating the transaction of this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreement, and the Assets Transfer Agreement, and this legal or financial consultant shall comply with the confidentiality set forth in this Section 7.
|
7.3
|
Nonetheless other provisions of this Section 7, each party shall have the right to disclose the Confidential Information to its lawyer, accountant, other professional consultants, directors or senior officers; such personnel shall undertake in writing to treat such information as Confidential Information by taking the measures similar to those provided in 7.1 of this Section.
|
7.4
|
The disclosure of the Confidential Information by staff or employed institution of any party shall be deemed as the disclosure of such Confidential Information by such party, and such party shall bear the liabilities for breaching the agreement.
|
7.5
|
This Section 7 shall survive whatever this Agreement is invalid, amended, revoked, terminated or unable to implement by any reason.
|
8.
|
Liability for breach
|
8.1
|
Any parties shall sufficiently perform this Agreement. Any Party breaching this Agreement shall bear the liability as arising out of and in relation thereto. If such breach causes damages to any other party, the breaching party shall compensate such party for all such damages.
|
8.2
|
If Party B breaches this Agreement, in addition to the remedies stipulated by the laws of the PRC, Party A may also take the following measures:
|
8.2.1
|
require Party B to transfer all or any part of the Object equities immediately at the Exercise Price for Equity Purchase Option to Party A or its Designee, provided that the laws of the PRC permit at that time; and
|
8.2.2
|
require Party B to compensate all direct and indirect damages, including but not limited to all the legal fees, travel fees and investigation fees paid for seeking and enforcing such remedies.
|
8.3
|
If Party C breaches this Agreement, in addition to the remedies stipulated by the laws of the PRC, Party A may also take the following measures:
|
8.3.1 require Party C to transfer all or part of the Object Assets immediately at the Exercise Price for Assets Purchase Option to Party A or its Designee, provided that the laws of the PRC permit at that time;
|
8.3.2 require Party B to exercise the rights as a shareholder of Party C, and cure the breach of Party C; if after ten (10) days after Party A sends a written notice to Party B or Party C, such breach has not been cured, Party A shall have the right to require Party B to transfer all or part of the Object Equities immediately at the Exercise price for Equity Purchase Option to Party A or its Designee provided that the laws of the PRC permit at that time; or
|
8.3.3 require Party B and Party C to compensate all direct and indirect damages, including but not limited to all the legal fees, travel fees and investigation fees paid for seeking and enforcing such remedies.
|
9.
|
Governing Law and Dispute Resolution
|
9.1
|
The execution, effectiveness, construction, performance, amendment and termination of this Agreement and the resolution of disputes hereunder shall be governed by the formally published and publicly available laws of the PRC. Matters not covered by formally published and publicly available laws of the PRC shall be governed by international legal principles and practices.
|
9.2
|
All parties agree that any dispute arising from or in relation to this Agreement shall first be settled by the friendly negotiation of both parties. If the negotiation fails within 45 days, each party shall have the right to file the dispute with China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission (“
CIETAC
”) in Beijing for arbitration pursuant to the currently effective arbitration rules of CIETAC at the time of application. This arbitration shall be final and bind all parties and shall be enforceable in any court of competent jurisdiction. The arbitration fees shall be born by the losing party.
|
9.3
|
Upon the occurrence of any disputes arising from the construction and performance of this Agreement or during the pending arbitration of any dispute, except for the matters under dispute, the Parties to this Agreement shall continue to exercise their respective rights under this Agreement and perform their respective obligations under this Agreement.
|
10.
|
Effect and Termination
|
10.1
|
This Agreement shall come into effect on and after the date that it is signed and/or stamped by all parties.
|
10.2
|
In any of the following circumstances, this Agreement shall be terminated:
|
10.2.1
|
where, during the Exercise Period, all parties reach an agreement to terminate this Agreement;
|
10.2.2
|
where, during the Exercise Period, Party A notifies the other parties thirty (30) days in advance to terminate this Agreement; in such circumstance, Party A shall not assume any liabilities as arising out of and in relation thereto;
|
10.2.3
|
at the expiration of the Exercise Period provided; however, Party A may extend the Exercise Period and this Agreement in its sole discretion; or
|
10.2.4
|
upon the unanimous agreement by all parties.
|
10.3
|
Section 7 regarding confidentiality and Section 12 regarding indemnification shall survive the termination of this Agreement.
|
11.
|
Taxes and Fees
|
12.
|
Indemnification
|
13.
|
General Terms
|
13.1
|
Entire Agreement. This Agreement and the Exhibits and Schedules hereto contain the entire understanding between the parties, no other representations, warranties or covenants having induced any party to execute this Agreement, and supersede all prior or contemporaneous agreements with respect to the subject matter hereof. All references to schedules and exhibits are to exhibits and schedules attached to and to become a part of this Agreement unless otherwise indicated.
|
13.2
|
Amendment. Any amendment and/or rescission shall be in writing and signed by the authorized representatives of all parties. Such revision shall be a valid integral part of this Agreement.
|
13.3
|
Headings. The headings of any Sections or other portion of this Agreement are for convenience only and are not to be considered in construing this Agreement.
|
13.4
|
Construction. References in this Agreement to "Sections," "Schedules" and "Exhibits" shall be to the Sections, Schedules and Exhibits of this Agreement, unless otherwise specifically provided; any use in this Agreement of the singular or plural, or the masculine, feminine or neuter gender, shall be deemed to include the others, unless the context otherwise requires; the words "herein”, "hereof" and "hereunder" and words of similar import, when used in this Agreement, shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement; the word "including" when used in this Agreement shall mean “including without limitation”; and except as otherwise specified in this Agreement, all references in this Agreement (a) to any agreement, document, certificate or other written instrument shall be a reference to such agreement, document, certificate or instrument, in each case together with all exhibits, schedules, attachments and appendices thereto, and as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof; and (b) to any law, statute or regulation shall be deemed references to such law, statute or regulation as the same may be supplemented, amended, consolidated, superseded or modified from time to time.
|
13.5
|
Severability. Any provision hereof that is prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability, without invalidating the remaining provisions hereof, and any such prohibition or unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.
|
13.6
|
Waiver. No failure or delay of either party to enforce any right hereunder shall constitute a waiver of any such right hereunder. No waiver shall be effective hereunder unless in writing and a waiver shall only be effective for the specific act or circumstance for which it is given and not for any future act or circumstance.
|
13.7
|
Succession of this Agreement. This Agreement shall bind the successors and transferees of all parties.
|
13.8
|
Language. This Agreement is in both Chinese and English and signed by all parties, and the two versions have the same effect. Should there be any discrepancy between the two language versions, the Chinese version shall prevail.
|
13.9
|
Copies of this Agreement. This Agreement shall be executed in four counterparts; each party holds one and the rest are used for the transaction of related formalities. Each of the copies shall be deemed as the original one and has the same effect.
|
1.
|
Conferring and Exercise of Purchase Option
|
1.1
|
Exclusive Purchase Option of the Object Equities. Party B agrees to irrevocably confer Party A the exclusive option to purchase all the equities Party B holds in Party C (“
Equity Purchase Option
”).
|
1.1.1
|
This Agreement is executed on the date first above written and shall take effect as of such date (such day, the “Effective Date”), and subject to earlier termination by Party A, shall continue in effect until the thirtieth anniversary of the Effective Date (the “Initial Term”); provided, that if this Agreement has not been terminated by Party A prior to the end of the Initial Term or a Renewal Term (as the case may be), the term of this Agreement automatically and without any action of any party shall be extended for additional successive ten year periods thereafter (each a “Renewal Term,” and collectively with the Initial Term, the “Term”), unless not less than 30 days prior to the end of the Initial Term or any Renewal Term Party A notifies Party B and Party C in writing that this Agreement shall terminate at the end of the Initial Term or that Renewal Term, as the case may be. In no event shall Party B or Party C have the right to unilaterally terminate this Agreement.
|
1.1.2
|
Commencing upon the Effective Date and continuing through the Term of this Agreement (“
Exercise Period
”), Party A or its Designee shall have the right to purchase all or part of the equities Party B holds in Party C pursuant to the related terms and conditions under this Agreement and at the Exercise Price for Equity Purchase Option (as defined hereunder), provided that the laws of the PRC at that time permits. Party B agrees to enter into an Equity Transfer Agreement (“
Equity Transfer Agreement
”) with Party A or its Designee in the format. The Exercise Period under this Agreement may be extended by the written consent of Party A before the expiration date. The term of extension shall be determined through mutual agreement by all parties to this Agreement.
|
1.1.3
|
Where the laws of the PRC permits and Party A sends the Equity Purchase Exercise Notice (as defined in Subsection 2.2.1), Party B and Party C shall unconditionally cooperate with Party A to carry out the above procedures and transfer all or part of the Object Equities to Party A or its Designee, and transact all necessary formalities such as review and approval, permit, registration and filing.
|
1.1.4
|
The Object Equities shall be free of any Security Interest. For the purpose of this Agreement, Security Interest means any mortgage, pledge, the right or interest of the third party, any purchase right of equity interest, right of acquisition, right of first refusal, right of set-off, ownership detainment or other security arrangements; however, it does not include any security interests created under Equity the Pledge Agreement entered into by Party A and Party B on the same day as this Agreement (“
Equity Pledge Agreement
”).
|
1.1.5
|
During the Exercise Period, if the holding of all or part of the Object Equities by Party B is or will be deemed to violate the applicable laws, Party B and Party C shall immediately send a written notice to Party A to explain the reason in detail.
|
1.2
|
Exclusive Purchase Option to the Object Assets. Party C here agrees to irrevocably confer Party A the purchase option to purchase all of its assets (“
Assets Purchase Option
”). The Equity Purchase Option and the Assets Purchase Option collectively are referred to as “
Purchase Option
”:
|
1.2.1
|
During the Exercise Period, Party A or its Designee shall have the right to purchase all or part of the assets owned by Party C pursuant to the terms and conditions under this Agreement at the Exercise Price for Assets Purchase Option or a percentage thereof (as defined hereunder), provided that the laws of the PRC at that time permits. Party C agrees to enter into an assets transfer agreement (“
Assets Transfer Agreement
”) with Party A or its Designee.
|
1.2.2
|
Where the laws of the PRC permits and Party A sends the Asset Purchase Exercise Notice (as defined in Subsection 2.3.1), Party B and Party C shall unconditionally cooperate with Party A to carry out the above procedures and transfer all or part of the Object Assets to Party A or its Designee, and transact all necessary formalities such as review and approval, permit, registration and filing.
|
1.2.3
|
When Party A exercises the Assets Purchase Option, Party B and Party C shall ensure other shareholders of Party C will approve the asset transfer under this Agreement.
|
2.
|
Exercise Steps
|
2.1
|
Pursuant to the applicable laws of the PRC, Party A shall have the right to determine the time, manner and number of purchases for the Purchase Option.
|
2.2
|
Exercise steps to purchase equities:
|
2.2.1
|
During the Exercise Period, Party A may send an exercise notice (“
Equity Purchase Exercise Notice
”) to Party B to exercise the Equity Purchase Option under this Agreement to purchase all or part of the Object Equities or transfer all or part of the Object Equities to a Designee, provided that the laws of the PRC permits at that time.
|
2.2.2
|
Upon receipt of the Equity Purchase Notice pursuant to Subsection 2.2.1 above or earlier if requested by Party A, Party B shall immediately:
|
(a)
|
obtain the waiver concerning the first refusal of other shareholders of Party C at that time on the purchase of such equities;
|
(b)
|
enter into an Equity Transfer Agreement in the format attached as Annex 1 hereto with Party A and/or its Designee according the requirements of the Equity Purchase Exercise Notice;
|
(c)
|
revise the Articles of Association of Party C together with Party A and/or its Designee and other shareholders of Party C at that time pursuant to the Equity Transfer Agreement;
|
(d)
|
cause Party C to promptly convene a shareholder’s meeting to pass the resolutions to approve the equity transfer pursuant to the exercise of the Equity Purchase Option and the amendment to the Articles of Association of Party C;
|
(e)
|
together with Party A and/or its Designee and other shareholders of Party C at that time, handle all necessary approval and examination, registration and filing procedures required by the laws of the PRC within thirty (30) business days as of the date of receipt of the Equity Purchase Exercise Notice by Party B or an earlier time agreed upon by the parties; and
|
(f)
|
execute all other requisite contracts, agreements or documents, obtain all requisite approvals and consents of the government, conduct all necessary actions to transfer the valid ownership, without any Security Interest, of the Object Equities to Party A and/or its Designee, and cause Party A and/or its Designee to be the registered owner of the Object Equities.
|
2.3
|
Exercise steps to purchase assets:
|
2.3.1
|
During the Exercise Period, Party A may send an exercise notice (“
Assets Purchase Exercise Notice
”) to Party C to exercise the Assets Purchase Option under this Agreement, purchase all or part of the Object Assets owned by Party C or transfer all or part of the Object Assets to a Designee, provided that the laws of the PRC permits at that time.
|
2.3.2
|
Once Party C receives the Assets Purchase Exercise Notice pursuant to Subsection 2.3.1 above or earlier if requested by Party A, Party C shall immediately:
|
(a)
|
enter into an Assets Transfer Agreement in the format attached as Annex 2 hereto and any other necessary agreements with Party A and/or its Designee according to the requirements set forth in the Assets Purchase Exercise Notice;
|
(b)
|
convene a shareholder's meeting to pass the resolution to approve the exercise of the Assets Purchase Option; and
|
(c)
|
together with all the shareholders of Party C at that time execute all other requisite contracts, agreements or documents, obtain all requisite approvals and consents of the government, conduct all necessary actions to transfer the valid ownership, without any security interest, of the Object Assets to Party A and/or it Designee, and cause Party A and/or its Designee to be the registered owner of the Object Assets (if necessary).
|
2.4
|
Before Party A obtains the Object Equities or the Object Assets by means of exercising either the Equity Purchase Option or the Assets Purchase Option, Party B and/or Party C shall entrust Party A to manage Party C pursuant to the Management Entrustment Agreement entered into by and between Party A and Party C on the same day as this Agreement.
|
3.
|
Exercise Conditions
|
4.
|
Exercise Price
|
4.1
|
Exercise price for Equity Purchase Option (“
Exercise Price for Equity Purchase Option
”) or Assets Purchase Option (“
Exercise Price for Assets Purchase Option
”)
|
5.
|
Representations and Warranties
|
5.1
|
Each party respectively represents and warranties to the other parties that:
|
5.1.1
|
it has the right to execute this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreement, and the Assets Transfer Agreement, and the capability to perform its obligations under this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreement, and the Assets Transfer Agreement;
|
5.1.2
|
it has carried out necessary internal derision-making procedures, obtained proper authority, acquired all the necessary consent and approval of any requisite third party and government authority to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreement, and the Assets Transfer Agreement; and
|
5.1.3
|
once executed, this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreement, and the Assets Transfer Agreement will constitute the legal, valid, and binding obligation of each party, and each party will be subject to compulsory enforcement on it pursuant to the terms and conditions under this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreement, and the Assets Transfer Agreement.
|
5.2
|
Party B hereby represents and warrants to Party A that:
|
5.2.1 Party B is a shareholder, duly and legally registered, of Party C and has paid the subscribed registered capital in full sum pursuant to the laws of the PRC;
|
5.2.2 The Object Equities held by Party B can be freely transferred without anyone's prior consent, and the Object Equities are free of encumbrances of any kind, other than the Security Interest pursuant to the Equity Pledge Agreement.
|
5.2.3 Party B has complied with all the laws of the PRC and regulations applicable to the purchase of assets and equities in connection with this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreement, and the Assets Transfer Agreement;
|
5.2.4 No litigation, arbitration or administrative procedure relevant to the Object Equities or Party B is in process or to be settled, and Party B has no knowledge of any pending or threatened claim;
|
5.2.5 Party B has not sold or agreed to sell the Object Equities to any third party other than Party A or its Designee, and Party B has no future plans to sell or agree to sell the Object Equities to any third party other than Party A or its Designee;
|
5.2.6 Party B strictly abides by the obligations under the Articles of Association of Party C. There are no circumstances that may affect the legal status of Party B as the shareholder of Party C, or any circumstance that may prevent Party A from exercising the Equity Purchase Option under this Agreement;
|
5.2.7 Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreements or Assets Transfer Agreements, nor the performance of the obligations under this Agreement, any Equity Transfer Agreements or Assets Transfer Agreements will: (i) violate any laws of the PRC; (ii) conflict with its Articles of Association or other organizational documents; (iii) breach any contracts or documents to which Party B is a party or which bind Party B; (iv) violate any acquired permits, approvals or any valid qualifications; or (v) result in the ceasing or revocation or additional conditions to the acquired permits or approvals;
|
5.2.8 Party B, upon the request of Party A, will appoint any person designated by Party A to be the director of Party C; and
|
5.2.9 Party B shall promptly notify Party A of any pending or threatened litigation, arbitration or administrative procedure related to the assets, business and income of Party C, and tender to Party A the sole control of the defense and settlement of such claim and cooperate with such defense and/or settlement at its own expense.
|
5.3
|
Party C hereby represents and warrants to Party A that:
|
5.3.1 Party C is a company with limited liability, which has been duly incorporated and validly existing pursuant to the laws of the PRC;
|
5.3.2 Party C has stated to Party A, in the Article 5.1 of Management Entrustment Agreement by on the same day as this Agreement, the legal status of land occupied for production facilities, the legal status of production facilities and the contractual arrangement with the local county government in connection with mining rights surrounding the production facilities.
|
5.3.3 Party C complies with all PRC laws and regulations applicable to the purchase of assets and equities in connection with this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreement, and the Assets Transfer Agreement;
|
5.3.4 The shares of Party C are transferable, and Party C has not permitted or caused any Security Interest to be imposed upon the shares of Party C, other than the Security Interest pursuant to the Equity Pledge Agreement;
|
5.3.5 Party C does not have any unpaid debt, other than (i) debt arising from the ordinary course of business; and (ii) debt disclosed to Party A and obtained written consent by Party A;
|
5.3.6 No litigation, arbitration or administrative procedure relevant to Object Equities, the Object Assets or Party C itself is in process or to be settled and Party C has no knowledge of any pending or threatened claim;
|
5.3.7 Party C has not sold or agreed to sell any of its assets to any third party other than Party A or its Designee, and Party C has no future plans to sell or agree to sell the Object Assets to any third party other than Party A or its Designee;
|
5.3.8 Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreements or Assets Transfer Agreements, nor the performance of the obligations under this Agreement, any Equity Transfer Agreements or Assets Transfer Agreements will: (i) violate any laws of the PRC; (ii) conflict with its Articles of Association or other organizational documents; (iii) breach any contracts or documents to which Party C is a party or which bind Party C; (iv) violate any acquired permits, approvals or any valid qualifications; or (v) result in the ceasing or revocation or additional conditions to the acquired permits or approvals;
|
5.3.9 Party C will agree to look for insurance from an insurance company acceptable to Party A. The amount and category of insurance shall be the same as those held by the companies which are in the same industry with similar business and own the similar properties and assets as Party C;
|
5.3.10 Upon the request of Party A, Party C shall provide all related operation and finance materials of Party C to the extent that those materials are available to Party C; and
|
5.3.11 Party C shall promptly notify Party A of any pending or threatened litigation, arbitration or administrative procedure related to the assets, business and income of Party C, and tender to Party A the sole control of the defense and settlement of such claim and cooperate with such defense and/or settlement at Party C's expense.
|
5.4
|
Before Party A obtains the Object Equities and Object Assets of Party C by means of exercising either the Equity Purchase Option or the Assets Purchase Option, without the prior written consent by Party A, Party B and Party C shall not jointly or separately:
|
5.4.1
|
amend, modify or revise the Articles of Association of Party C in any form, or change the structure of the shareholders of Party C;
|
5.4.2
|
agree to increase or decrease the registered capital or the number of existing shareholders of Party C;
|
5.4.3
|
cause Party C to have transactions, which may materially affect the assets, business, net assets or other legal rights and liabilities of Party C, unless these transactions are related to the ordinary course of business or have been disclosed to and the written consent from Party A has been obtained;
|
5.4.4
|
transfer or dispose the Object Equities in any manner or grant any security interest or any other third party right on the Object Equities;
|
5.4.5
|
sell, transfer, mortgage or dispose in any other form, any asset, income and any other legal yield and interest of Party C, or approve any encumbrance or imposition of any Security Interest on Party C’s assets;
|
5.4.6
|
issue or provide guarantee, loan or credit to any third party or incur any debt, other than (i) the debt arising from ordinary course of business; and (ii) the debt has been disclosed to Party A and the written consent by Party A has been obtained.
|
5.4.7
|
terminate or cause Party C to terminate any material agreement (whose definition is at Party A’s discretion at that time) entered into by Party C, or enter into any agreement that would conflict with the existing material agreements of Party C and/or Party B;
|
5.4.8
|
distribute any distributable profit, bonus, dividends or interests of Party C, unless otherwise stipulated by the laws of the PRC; or
|
5.4.9
|
approve or adopt any shareholders resolution at a shareholder meeting of Party C which may cause Party C to be merged, acquired or invested, or to merge, acquire or invest in or associate with any entity other than Party A.
|
6.
|
Transfer of this Agreement
|
6.1
|
Without the prior written consent by Party A, Party B and Party C shall not sub-contract, license or transfer its rights and obligations under this Agreement to any third party or its affiliate; and any transfer of this Agreement without prior written consent of Party A shall be invalid.
|
6.2
|
Party B and Party C agree and confirm that Party A may transfer its rights and obligations under this Agreement, without the consent of Party B and/or Party C, to any third party, provided that Party A notifies Party B and Party C of such transfer in writing.
|
7.
|
Confidentiality
|
7.1
|
All parties agree that, all materials, documents, communications and other information obtained in the negotiation, execution or performance of this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreement, and the Assets Transfer Agreement, whether commercial, technical or in any other form (“Confidential information"), shall be strictly kept confidential and used only for the performance of the obligations under this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreement, and the Assets Transfer Agreement. Unless the other parties consent in writing, none of the parties shall release, leak or disclose any Confidential Information to any third party.
|
7.2
|
Each party may disclose the Confidential Information in the following circumstances: (1) where the laws, court orders or the competent courts with jurisdiction require, and such disclosure may be conducted only within such requirement; (2) where the competent authority or government department requires; (3) where such Confidential Information has been known to the general public; (4) where such Confidential Information was owned duly and legally by the disclosing party rather obtained from the other party before the disclosing party obtains it; (5) the information is required to be disclosed subject to the applicable laws or the rules or provisions of a stock exchange or securities governing authority; and (6) the information is disclosed by each party to its legal or financial consultant relating the transaction of this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreement, and the Assets Transfer Agreement, and this legal or financial consultant shall comply with the confidentiality set forth in this Section 7.
|
7.3
|
Nonetheless other provisions of this Section 7, each party shall have the right to disclose the Confidential Information to its lawyer, accountant, other professional consultants, directors or senior officers; such personnel shall undertake in writing to treat such information as Confidential Information by taking the measures similar to those provided in 7.1 of this Section.
|
7.4
|
The disclosure of the Confidential Information by staff or employed institution of any party shall be deemed as the disclosure of such Confidential Information by such party, and such party shall bear the liabilities for breaching the agreement.
|
7.5
|
This Section 7 shall survive whatever this Agreement is invalid, amended, revoked, terminated or unable to implement by any reason.
|
8.
|
Liability for breach
|
8.1
|
Any parties shall sufficiently perform this Agreement. Any Party breaching this Agreement shall bear the liability as arising out of and in relation thereto. If such breach causes damages to any other party, the breaching party shall compensate such party for all such damages.
|
8.2
|
If Party B breaches this Agreement, in addition to the remedies stipulated by the laws of the PRC, Party A may also take the following measures:
|
8.2.1
|
require Party B to transfer all or any part of the Object equities immediately at the Exercise Price for Equity Purchase Option to Party A or its Designee, provided that the laws of the PRC permit at that time; and
|
8.2.2
|
require Party B to compensate all direct and indirect damages, including but not limited to all the legal fees, travel fees and investigation fees paid for seeking and enforcing such remedies.
|
8.3
|
If Party C breaches this Agreement, in addition to the remedies stipulated by the laws of the PRC, Party A may also take the following measures:
|
8.3.1 require Party C to transfer all or part of the Object Assets immediately at the Exercise Price for Assets Purchase Option to Party A or its Designee, provided that the laws of the PRC permit at that time;
|
8.3.2 require Party B to exercise the rights as a shareholder of Party C, and cure the breach of Party C; if after ten (10) days after Party A sends a written notice to Party B or Party C, such breach has not been cured, Party A shall have the right to require Party B to transfer all or part of the Object Equities immediately at the Exercise price for Equity Purchase Option to Party A or its Designee provided that the laws of the PRC permit at that time; or
|
8.3.3 require Party B and Party C to compensate all direct and indirect damages, including but not limited to all the legal fees, travel fees and investigation fees paid for seeking and enforcing such remedies.
|
9.
|
Governing Law and Dispute Resolution
|
9.1
|
The execution, effectiveness, construction, performance, amendment and termination of this Agreement and the resolution of disputes hereunder shall be governed by the formally published and publicly available laws of the PRC. Matters not covered by formally published and publicly available laws of the PRC shall be governed by international legal principles and practices.
|
9.2
|
All parties agree that any dispute arising from or in relation to this Agreement shall first be settled by the friendly negotiation of both parties. If the negotiation fails within 45 days, each party shall have the right to file the dispute with China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission (“
CIETAC
”) in Beijing for arbitration pursuant to the currently effective arbitration rules of CIETAC at the time of application. This arbitration shall be final and bind all parties and shall be enforceable in any court of competent jurisdiction. The arbitration fees shall be born by the losing party.
|
9.3
|
Upon the occurrence of any disputes arising from the construction and performance of this Agreement or during the pending arbitration of any dispute, except for the matters under dispute, the Parties to this Agreement shall continue to exercise their respective rights under this Agreement and perform their respective obligations under this Agreement.
|
10.
|
Effect and Termination
|
10.1
|
This Agreement shall come into effect on and after the date that it is signed and/or stamped by all parties.
|
10.2
|
In any of the following circumstances, this Agreement shall be terminated:
|
10.2.1
|
where, during the Exercise Period, all parties reach an agreement to terminate this Agreement;
|
10.2.2
|
where, during the Exercise Period, Party A notifies the other parties thirty (30) days in advance to terminate this Agreement; in such circumstance, Party A shall not assume any liabilities as arising out of and in relation thereto;
|
10.2.3
|
at the expiration of the Exercise Period provided; however, Party A may extend the Exercise Period and this Agreement in its sole discretion; or
|
10.2.4
|
upon the unanimous agreement by all parties.
|
10.3
|
Section 7 regarding confidentiality and Section 12 regarding indemnification shall survive the termination of this Agreement.
|
11.
|
Taxes and Fees
|
12.
|
Indemnification
|
13.
|
General Terms
|
13.1
|
Entire Agreement. This Agreement and the Exhibits and Schedules hereto contain the entire understanding between the parties, no other representations, warranties or covenants having induced any party to execute this Agreement, and supersede all prior or contemporaneous agreements with respect to the subject matter hereof. All references to schedules and exhibits are to exhibits and schedules attached to and to become a part of this Agreement unless otherwise indicated.
|
13.2
|
Amendment. Any amendment and/or rescission shall be in writing and signed by the authorized representatives of all parties. Such revision shall be a valid integral part of this Agreement.
|
13.3
|
Headings. The headings of any Sections or other portion of this Agreement are for convenience only and are not to be considered in construing this Agreement.
|
13.4
|
Construction. References in this Agreement to "Sections," "Schedules" and "Exhibits" shall be to the Sections, Schedules and Exhibits of this Agreement, unless otherwise specifically provided; any use in this Agreement of the singular or plural, or the masculine, feminine or neuter gender, shall be deemed to include the others, unless the context otherwise requires; the words "herein”, "hereof" and "hereunder" and words of similar import, when used in this Agreement, shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement; the word "including" when used in this Agreement shall mean “including without limitation”; and except as otherwise specified in this Agreement, all references in this Agreement (a) to any agreement, document, certificate or other written instrument shall be a reference to such agreement, document, certificate or instrument, in each case together with all exhibits, schedules, attachments and appendices thereto, and as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof; and (b) to any law, statute or regulation shall be deemed references to such law, statute or regulation as the same may be supplemented, amended, consolidated, superseded or modified from time to time.
|
13.5
|
Severability. Any provision hereof that is prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability, without invalidating the remaining provisions hereof, and any such prohibition or unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.
|
13.6
|
Waiver. No failure or delay of either party to enforce any right hereunder shall constitute a waiver of any such right hereunder. No waiver shall be effective hereunder unless in writing and a waiver shall only be effective for the specific act or circumstance for which it is given and not for any future act or circumstance.
|
13.7
|
Succession of this Agreement. This Agreement shall bind the successors and transferees of all parties.
|
13.8
|
Language. This Agreement is in both Chinese and English and signed by all parties, and the two versions have the same effect. Should there be any discrepancy between the two language versions, the Chinese version shall prevail.
|
13.9
|
Copies of this Agreement. This Agreement shall be executed in four counterparts; each party holds one and the rest are used for the transaction of related formalities. Each of the copies shall be deemed as the original one and has the same effect.
|
1.
|
Conferring and Exercise of Purchase Option
|
1.1
|
Exclusive Purchase Option of the Object Equities. Party B agrees to irrevocably confer Party A the exclusive option to purchase all the equities Party B holds in Party C (“
Equity Purchase Option
”).
|
1.1.1
|
This Agreement is executed on the date first above written and shall take effect as of such date (such day, the “Effective Date”), and subject to earlier termination by Party A, shall continue in effect until the thirtieth anniversary of the Effective Date (the “Initial Term”); provided, that if this Agreement has not been terminated by Party A prior to the end of the Initial Term or a Renewal Term (as the case may be), the term of this Agreement automatically and without any action of any party shall be extended for additional successive ten year periods thereafter (each a “Renewal Term,” and collectively with the Initial Term, the “Term”), unless not less than 30 days prior to the end of the Initial Term or any Renewal Term Party A notifies Party B and Party C in writing that this Agreement shall terminate at the end of the Initial Term or that Renewal Term, as the case may be. In no event shall Party B or Party C have the right to unilaterally terminate this Agreement.
|
1.1.2
|
Commencing upon the Effective Date and continuing through the Term of this Agreement (“
Exercise Period
”), Party A or its Designee shall have the right to purchase all or part of the equities Party B holds in Party C pursuant to the related terms and conditions under this Agreement and at the Exercise Price for Equity Purchase Option (as defined hereunder), provided that the laws of the PRC at that time permits. Party B agrees to enter into an Equity Transfer Agreement (“
Equity Transfer Agreement
”) with Party A or its Designee in the format. The Exercise Period under this Agreement may be extended by the written consent of Party A before the expiration date. The term of extension shall be determined through mutual agreement by all parties to this Agreement.
|
1.1.3
|
Where the laws of the PRC permits and Party A sends the Equity Purchase Exercise Notice (as defined in Subsection 2.2.1), Party B and Party C shall unconditionally cooperate with Party A to carry out the above procedures and transfer all or part of the Object Equities to Party A or its Designee, and transact all necessary formalities such as review and approval, permit, registration and filing.
|
1.1.4
|
The Object Equities shall be free of any Security Interest. For the purpose of this Agreement, Security Interest means any mortgage, pledge, the right or interest of the third party, any purchase right of equity interest, right of acquisition, right of first refusal, right of set-off, ownership detainment or other security arrangements; however, it does not include any security interests created under Equity the Pledge Agreement entered into by Party A and Party B on the same day as this Agreement (“
Equity Pledge Agreement
”).
|
1.1.5
|
During the Exercise Period, if the holding of all or part of the Object Equities by Party B is or will be deemed to violate the applicable laws, Party B and Party C shall immediately send a written notice to Party A to explain the reason in detail.
|
1.2
|
Exclusive Purchase Option to the Object Assets. Party C here agrees to irrevocably confer Party A the purchase option to purchase all of its assets (“
Assets Purchase Option
”). The Equity Purchase Option and the Assets Purchase Option collectively are referred to as “
Purchase Option
”:
|
1.2.1
|
During the Exercise Period, Party A or its Designee shall have the right to purchase all or part of the assets owned by Party C pursuant to the terms and conditions under this Agreement at the Exercise Price for Assets Purchase Option or a percentage thereof (as defined hereunder), provided that the laws of the PRC at that time permits. Party C agrees to enter into an assets transfer agreement (“
Assets Transfer Agreement
”) with Party A or its Designee.
|
1.2.2
|
Where the laws of the PRC permits and Party A sends the Asset Purchase Exercise Notice (as defined in Subsection 2.3.1), Party B and Party C shall unconditionally cooperate with Party A to carry out the above procedures and transfer all or part of the Object Assets to Party A or its Designee, and transact all necessary formalities such as review and approval, permit, registration and filing.
|
1.2.3
|
When Party A exercises the Assets Purchase Option, Party B and Party C shall ensure other shareholders of Party C will approve the asset transfer under this Agreement.
|
2.
|
Exercise Steps
|
2.1
|
Pursuant to the applicable laws of the PRC, Party A shall have the right to determine the time, manner and number of purchases for the Purchase Option.
|
2.2
|
Exercise steps to purchase equities:
|
2.2.1
|
During the Exercise Period, Party A may send an exercise notice (“
Equity Purchase Exercise Notice
”) to Party B to exercise the Equity Purchase Option under this Agreement to purchase all or part of the Object Equities or transfer all or part of the Object Equities to a Designee, provided that the laws of the PRC permits at that time.
|
2.2.2
|
Upon receipt of the Equity Purchase Notice pursuant to Subsection 2.2.1 above or earlier if requested by Party A, Party B shall immediately:
|
(a)
|
obtain the waiver concerning the first refusal of other shareholders of Party C at that time on the purchase of such equities;
|
(b)
|
enter into an Equity Transfer Agreement in the format attached as Annex 1 hereto with Party A and/or its Designee according the requirements of the Equity Purchase Exercise Notice;
|
(c)
|
revise the Articles of Association of Party C together with Party A and/or its Designee and other shareholders of Party C at that time pursuant to the Equity Transfer Agreement;
|
(d)
|
cause Party C to promptly convene a shareholder’s meeting to pass the resolutions to approve the equity transfer pursuant to the exercise of the Equity Purchase Option and the amendment to the Articles of Association of Party C;
|
(e)
|
together with Party A and/or its Designee and other shareholders of Party C at that time, handle all necessary approval and examination, registration and filing procedures required by the laws of the PRC within thirty (30) business days as of the date of receipt of the Equity Purchase Exercise Notice by Party B or an earlier time agreed upon by the parties; and
|
(f)
|
execute all other requisite contracts, agreements or documents, obtain all requisite approvals and consents of the government, conduct all necessary actions to transfer the valid ownership, without any Security Interest, of the Object Equities to Party A and/or its Designee, and cause Party A and/or its Designee to be the registered owner of the Object Equities.
|
2.3
|
Exercise steps to purchase assets:
|
2.3.1
|
During the Exercise Period, Party A may send an exercise notice (“
Assets Purchase Exercise Notice
”) to Party C to exercise the Assets Purchase Option under this Agreement, purchase all or part of the Object Assets owned by Party C or transfer all or part of the Object Assets to a Designee, provided that the laws of the PRC permits at that time.
|
2.3.2
|
Once Party C receives the Assets Purchase Exercise Notice pursuant to Subsection 2.3.1 above or earlier if requested by Party A, Party C shall immediately:
|
(a)
|
enter into an Assets Transfer Agreement in the format attached as Annex 2 hereto and any other necessary agreements with Party A and/or its Designee according to the requirements set forth in the Assets Purchase Exercise Notice;
|
(b)
|
convene a shareholder's meeting to pass the resolution to approve the exercise of the Assets Purchase Option; and
|
(c)
|
together with all the shareholders of Party C at that time execute all other requisite contracts, agreements or documents, obtain all requisite approvals and consents of the government, conduct all necessary actions to transfer the valid ownership, without any security interest, of the Object Assets to Party A and/or it Designee, and cause Party A and/or its Designee to be the registered owner of the Object Assets (if necessary).
|
2.4
|
Before Party A obtains the Object Equities or the Object Assets by means of exercising either the Equity Purchase Option or the Assets Purchase Option, Party B and/or Party C shall entrust Party A to manage Party C pursuant to the Management Entrustment Agreement entered into by and between Party A and Party C on the same day as this Agreement.
|
3.
|
Exercise Conditions
|
4.
|
Exercise Price
|
4.1
|
Exercise price for Equity Purchase Option (“
Exercise Price for Equity Purchase Option
”) or Assets Purchase Option (“
Exercise Price for Assets Purchase Option
”)
|
5.
|
Representations and Warranties
|
5.1
|
Each party respectively represents and warranties to the other parties that:
|
5.1.1
|
it has the right to execute this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreement, and the Assets Transfer Agreement, and the capability to perform its obligations under this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreement, and the Assets Transfer Agreement;
|
5.1.2
|
it has carried out necessary internal derision-making procedures, obtained proper authority, acquired all the necessary consent and approval of any requisite third party and government authority to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreement, and the Assets Transfer Agreement; and
|
5.1.3
|
once executed, this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreement, and the Assets Transfer Agreement will constitute the legal, valid, and binding obligation of each party, and each party will be subject to compulsory enforcement on it pursuant to the terms and conditions under this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreement, and the Assets Transfer Agreement.
|
5.2
|
Party B hereby represents and warrants to Party A that:
|
5.2.1 Party B is a shareholder, duly and legally registered, of Party C and has paid the subscribed registered capital in full sum pursuant to the laws of the PRC;
|
5.2.2 The Object Equities held by Party B can be freely transferred without anyone's prior consent, and the Object Equities are free of encumbrances of any kind, other than the Security Interest pursuant to the Equity Pledge Agreement.
|
5.2.3 Party B has complied with all the laws of the PRC and regulations applicable to the purchase of assets and equities in connection with this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreement, and the Assets Transfer Agreement;
|
5.2.4 No litigation, arbitration or administrative procedure relevant to the Object Equities or Party B is in process or to be settled, and Party B has no knowledge of any pending or threatened claim;
|
5.2.5 Party B has not sold or agreed to sell the Object Equities to any third party other than Party A or its Designee, and Party B has no future plans to sell or agree to sell the Object Equities to any third party other than Party A or its Designee;
|
5.2.6 Party B strictly abides by the obligations under the Articles of Association of Party C. There are no circumstances that may affect the legal status of Party B as the shareholder of Party C, or any circumstance that may prevent Party A from exercising the Equity Purchase Option under this Agreement;
|
5.2.7 Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreements or Assets Transfer Agreements, nor the performance of the obligations under this Agreement, any Equity Transfer Agreements or Assets Transfer Agreements will: (i) violate any laws of the PRC; (ii) conflict with its Articles of Association or other organizational documents; (iii) breach any contracts or documents to which Party B is a party or which bind Party B; (iv) violate any acquired permits, approvals or any valid qualifications; or (v) result in the ceasing or revocation or additional conditions to the acquired permits or approvals;
|
5.2.8 Party B, upon the request of Party A, will appoint any person designated by Party A to be the director of Party C; and
|
5.2.9 Party B shall promptly notify Party A of any pending or threatened litigation, arbitration or administrative procedure related to the assets, business and income of Party C, and tender to Party A the sole control of the defense and settlement of such claim and cooperate with such defense and/or settlement at its own expense.
|
5.3
|
Party C hereby represents and warrants to Party A that:
|
5.3.1 Party C is a company with limited liability, which has been duly incorporated and validly existing pursuant to the laws of the PRC;
|
5.3.2 Party C has stated to Party A, in the Article 5.1 of Management Entrustment Agreement by on the same day as this Agreement, the legal status of land occupied for production facilities, the legal status of production facilities and the contractual arrangement with the local county government in connection with mining rights surrounding the production facilities.
|
5.3.3 Party C complies with all PRC laws and regulations applicable to the purchase of assets and equities in connection with this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreement, and the Assets Transfer Agreement;
|
5.3.4 The shares of Party C are transferable, and Party C has not permitted or caused any Security Interest to be imposed upon the shares of Party C, other than the Security Interest pursuant to the Equity Pledge Agreement;
|
5.3.5 Party C does not have any unpaid debt, other than (i) debt arising from the ordinary course of business; and (ii) debt disclosed to Party A and obtained written consent by Party A;
|
5.3.6 No litigation, arbitration or administrative procedure relevant to Object Equities, the Object Assets or Party C itself is in process or to be settled and Party C has no knowledge of any pending or threatened claim;
|
5.3.7 Party C has not sold or agreed to sell any of its assets to any third party other than Party A or its Designee, and Party C has no future plans to sell or agree to sell the Object Assets to any third party other than Party A or its Designee;
|
5.3.8 Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreements or Assets Transfer Agreements, nor the performance of the obligations under this Agreement, any Equity Transfer Agreements or Assets Transfer Agreements will: (i) violate any laws of the PRC; (ii) conflict with its Articles of Association or other organizational documents; (iii) breach any contracts or documents to which Party C is a party or which bind Party C; (iv) violate any acquired permits, approvals or any valid qualifications; or (v) result in the ceasing or revocation or additional conditions to the acquired permits or approvals;
|
5.3.9 Party C will agree to look for insurance from an insurance company acceptable to Party A. The amount and category of insurance shall be the same as those held by the companies which are in the same industry with similar business and own the similar properties and assets as Party C;
|
5.3.10 Upon the request of Party A, Party C shall provide all related operation and finance materials of Party C to the extent that those materials are available to Party C; and
|
5.3.11 Party C shall promptly notify Party A of any pending or threatened litigation, arbitration or administrative procedure related to the assets, business and income of Party C, and tender to Party A the sole control of the defense and settlement of such claim and cooperate with such defense and/or settlement at Party C's expense.
|
5.4
|
Before Party A obtains the Object Equities and Object Assets of Party C by means of exercising either the Equity Purchase Option or the Assets Purchase Option, without the prior written consent by Party A, Party B and Party C shall not jointly or separately:
|
5.4.1
|
amend, modify or revise the Articles of Association of Party C in any form, or change the structure of the shareholders of Party C;
|
5.4.2
|
agree to increase or decrease the registered capital or the number of existing shareholders of Party C;
|
5.4.3
|
cause Party C to have transactions, which may materially affect the assets, business, net assets or other legal rights and liabilities of Party C, unless these transactions are related to the ordinary course of business or have been disclosed to and the written consent from Party A has been obtained;
|
5.4.4
|
transfer or dispose the Object Equities in any manner or grant any security interest or any other third party right on the Object Equities;
|
5.4.5
|
sell, transfer, mortgage or dispose in any other form, any asset, income and any other legal yield and interest of Party C, or approve any encumbrance or imposition of any Security Interest on Party C’s assets;
|
5.4.6
|
issue or provide guarantee, loan or credit to any third party or incur any debt, other than (i) the debt arising from ordinary course of business; and (ii) the debt has been disclosed to Party A and the written consent by Party A has been obtained.
|
5.4.7
|
terminate or cause Party C to terminate any material agreement (whose definition is at Party A’s discretion at that time) entered into by Party C, or enter into any agreement that would conflict with the existing material agreements of Party C and/or Party B;
|
5.4.8
|
distribute any distributable profit, bonus, dividends or interests of Party C, unless otherwise stipulated by the laws of the PRC; or
|
5.4.9
|
approve or adopt any shareholders resolution at a shareholder meeting of Party C which may cause Party C to be merged, acquired or invested, or to merge, acquire or invest in or associate with any entity other than Party A.
|
6.
|
Transfer of this Agreement
|
6.1
|
Without the prior written consent by Party A, Party B and Party C shall not sub-contract, license or transfer its rights and obligations under this Agreement to any third party or its affiliate; and any transfer of this Agreement without prior written consent of Party A shall be invalid.
|
6.2
|
Party B and Party C agree and confirm that Party A may transfer its rights and obligations under this Agreement, without the consent of Party B and/or Party C, to any third party, provided that Party A notifies Party B and Party C of such transfer in writing.
|
7.
|
Confidentiality
|
7.1
|
All parties agree that, all materials, documents, communications and other information obtained in the negotiation, execution or performance of this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreement, and the Assets Transfer Agreement, whether commercial, technical or in any other form (“Confidential information"), shall be strictly kept confidential and used only for the performance of the obligations under this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreement, and the Assets Transfer Agreement. Unless the other parties consent in writing, none of the parties shall release, leak or disclose any Confidential Information to any third party.
|
7.2
|
Each party may disclose the Confidential Information in the following circumstances: (1) where the laws, court orders or the competent courts with jurisdiction require, and such disclosure may be conducted only within such requirement; (2) where the competent authority or government department requires; (3) where such Confidential Information has been known to the general public; (4) where such Confidential Information was owned duly and legally by the disclosing party rather obtained from the other party before the disclosing party obtains it; (5) the information is required to be disclosed subject to the applicable laws or the rules or provisions of a stock exchange or securities governing authority; and (6) the information is disclosed by each party to its legal or financial consultant relating the transaction of this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreement, and the Assets Transfer Agreement, and this legal or financial consultant shall comply with the confidentiality set forth in this Section 7.
|
7.3
|
Nonetheless other provisions of this Section 7, each party shall have the right to disclose the Confidential Information to its lawyer, accountant, other professional consultants, directors or senior officers; such personnel shall undertake in writing to treat such information as Confidential Information by taking the measures similar to those provided in 7.1 of this Section.
|
7.4
|
The disclosure of the Confidential Information by staff or employed institution of any party shall be deemed as the disclosure of such Confidential Information by such party, and such party shall bear the liabilities for breaching the agreement.
|
7.5
|
This Section 7 shall survive whatever this Agreement is invalid, amended, revoked, terminated or unable to implement by any reason.
|
8.
|
Liability for breach
|
8.1
|
Any parties shall sufficiently perform this Agreement. Any Party breaching this Agreement shall bear the liability as arising out of and in relation thereto. If such breach causes damages to any other party, the breaching party shall compensate such party for all such damages.
|
8.2
|
If Party B breaches this Agreement, in addition to the remedies stipulated by the laws of the PRC, Party A may also take the following measures:
|
8.2.1
|
require Party B to transfer all or any part of the Object equities immediately at the Exercise Price for Equity Purchase Option to Party A or its Designee, provided that the laws of the PRC permit at that time; and
|
8.2.2
|
require Party B to compensate all direct and indirect damages, including but not limited to all the legal fees, travel fees and investigation fees paid for seeking and enforcing such remedies.
|
8.3
|
If Party C breaches this Agreement, in addition to the remedies stipulated by the laws of the PRC, Party A may also take the following measures:
|
8.3.1 require Party C to transfer all or part of the Object Assets immediately at the Exercise Price for Assets Purchase Option to Party A or its Designee, provided that the laws of the PRC permit at that time;
|
8.3.2 require Party B to exercise the rights as a shareholder of Party C, and cure the breach of Party C; if after ten (10) days after Party A sends a written notice to Party B or Party C, such breach has not been cured, Party A shall have the right to require Party B to transfer all or part of the Object Equities immediately at the Exercise price for Equity Purchase Option to Party A or its Designee provided that the laws of the PRC permit at that time; or
|
8.3.3 require Party B and Party C to compensate all direct and indirect damages, including but not limited to all the legal fees, travel fees and investigation fees paid for seeking and enforcing such remedies.
|
9.
|
Governing Law and Dispute Resolution
|
9.1
|
The execution, effectiveness, construction, performance, amendment and termination of this Agreement and the resolution of disputes hereunder shall be governed by the formally published and publicly available laws of the PRC. Matters not covered by formally published and publicly available laws of the PRC shall be governed by international legal principles and practices.
|
9.2
|
All parties agree that any dispute arising from or in relation to this Agreement shall first be settled by the friendly negotiation of both parties. If the negotiation fails within 45 days, each party shall have the right to file the dispute with China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission (“
CIETAC
”) in Beijing for arbitration pursuant to the currently effective arbitration rules of CIETAC at the time of application. This arbitration shall be final and bind all parties and shall be enforceable in any court of competent jurisdiction. The arbitration fees shall be born by the losing party.
|
9.3
|
Upon the occurrence of any disputes arising from the construction and performance of this Agreement or during the pending arbitration of any dispute, except for the matters under dispute, the Parties to this Agreement shall continue to exercise their respective rights under this Agreement and perform their respective obligations under this Agreement.
|
10.
|
Effect and Termination
|
10.1
|
This Agreement shall come into effect on and after the date that it is signed and/or stamped by all parties.
|
10.2
|
In any of the following circumstances, this Agreement shall be terminated:
|
10.2.1
|
where, during the Exercise Period, all parties reach an agreement to terminate this Agreement;
|
10.2.2
|
where, during the Exercise Period, Party A notifies the other parties thirty (30) days in advance to terminate this Agreement; in such circumstance, Party A shall not assume any liabilities as arising out of and in relation thereto;
|
10.2.3
|
at the expiration of the Exercise Period provided; however, Party A may extend the Exercise Period and this Agreement in its sole discretion; or
|
10.2.4
|
upon the unanimous agreement by all parties.
|
10.3
|
Section 7 regarding confidentiality and Section 12 regarding indemnification shall survive the termination of this Agreement.
|
11.
|
Taxes and Fees
|
12.
|
Indemnification
|
13.
|
General Terms
|
13.1
|
Entire Agreement. This Agreement and the Exhibits and Schedules hereto contain the entire understanding between the parties, no other representations, warranties or covenants having induced any party to execute this Agreement, and supersede all prior or contemporaneous agreements with respect to the subject matter hereof. All references to schedules and exhibits are to exhibits and schedules attached to and to become a part of this Agreement unless otherwise indicated.
|
13.2
|
Amendment. Any amendment and/or rescission shall be in writing and signed by the authorized representatives of all parties. Such revision shall be a valid integral part of this Agreement.
|
13.3
|
Headings. The headings of any Sections or other portion of this Agreement are for convenience only and are not to be considered in construing this Agreement.
|
13.4
|
Construction. References in this Agreement to "Sections," "Schedules" and "Exhibits" shall be to the Sections, Schedules and Exhibits of this Agreement, unless otherwise specifically provided; any use in this Agreement of the singular or plural, or the masculine, feminine or neuter gender, shall be deemed to include the others, unless the context otherwise requires; the words "herein”, "hereof" and "hereunder" and words of similar import, when used in this Agreement, shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement; the word "including" when used in this Agreement shall mean “including without limitation”; and except as otherwise specified in this Agreement, all references in this Agreement (a) to any agreement, document, certificate or other written instrument shall be a reference to such agreement, document, certificate or instrument, in each case together with all exhibits, schedules, attachments and appendices thereto, and as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof; and (b) to any law, statute or regulation shall be deemed references to such law, statute or regulation as the same may be supplemented, amended, consolidated, superseded or modified from time to time.
|
13.5
|
Severability. Any provision hereof that is prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability, without invalidating the remaining provisions hereof, and any such prohibition or unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.
|
13.6
|
Waiver. No failure or delay of either party to enforce any right hereunder shall constitute a waiver of any such right hereunder. No waiver shall be effective hereunder unless in writing and a waiver shall only be effective for the specific act or circumstance for which it is given and not for any future act or circumstance.
|
13.7
|
Succession of this Agreement. This Agreement shall bind the successors and transferees of all parties.
|
13.8
|
Language. This Agreement is in both Chinese and English and signed by all parties, and the two versions have the same effect. Should there be any discrepancy between the two language versions, the Chinese version shall prevail.
|
13.9
|
Copies of this Agreement. This Agreement shall be executed in four counterparts; each party holds one and the rest are used for the transaction of related formalities. Each of the copies shall be deemed as the original one and has the same effect.
|
1.
|
Conferring and Exercise of Purchase Option
|
1.1
|
Exclusive Purchase Option of the Object Equities. Party B agrees to irrevocably confer Party A the exclusive option to purchase all the equities Party B holds in Party C (“
Equity Purchase Option
”).
|
1.1.1
|
This Agreement is executed on the date first above written and shall take effect as of such date (such day, the “Effective Date”), and subject to earlier termination by Party A, shall continue in effect until the thirtieth anniversary of the Effective Date (the “Initial Term”); provided, that if this Agreement has not been terminated by Party A prior to the end of the Initial Term or a Renewal Term (as the case may be), the term of this Agreement automatically and without any action of any party shall be extended for additional successive ten year periods thereafter (each a “Renewal Term,” and collectively with the Initial Term, the “Term”), unless not less than 30 days prior to the end of the Initial Term or any Renewal Term Party A notifies Party B and Party C in writing that this Agreement shall terminate at the end of the Initial Term or that Renewal Term, as the case may be. In no event shall Party B or Party C have the right to unilaterally terminate this Agreement.
|
1.1.2
|
Commencing upon the Effective Date and continuing through the Term of this Agreement (“
Exercise Period
”), Party A or its Designee shall have the right to purchase all or part of the equities Party B holds in Party C pursuant to the related terms and conditions under this Agreement and at the Exercise Price for Equity Purchase Option (as defined hereunder), provided that the laws of the PRC at that time permits. Party B agrees to enter into an Equity Transfer Agreement (“
Equity Transfer Agreement
”) with Party A or its Designee in the format. The Exercise Period under this Agreement may be extended by the written consent of Party A before the expiration date. The term of extension shall be determined through mutual agreement by all parties to this Agreement.
|
1.1.3
|
Where the laws of the PRC permits and Party A sends the Equity Purchase Exercise Notice (as defined in Subsection 2.2.1), Party B and Party C shall unconditionally cooperate with Party A to carry out the above procedures and transfer all or part of the Object Equities to Party A or its Designee, and transact all necessary formalities such as review and approval, permit, registration and filing.
|
1.1.4
|
The Object Equities shall be free of any Security Interest. For the purpose of this Agreement, Security Interest means any mortgage, pledge, the right or interest of the third party, any purchase right of equity interest, right of acquisition, right of first refusal, right of set-off, ownership detainment or other security arrangements; however, it does not include any security interests created under Equity the Pledge Agreement entered into by Party A and Party B on the same day as this Agreement (“
Equity Pledge Agreement
”).
|
1.1.5
|
During the Exercise Period, if the holding of all or part of the Object Equities by Party B is or will be deemed to violate the applicable laws, Party B and Party C shall immediately send a written notice to Party A to explain the reason in detail.
|
1.2
|
Exclusive Purchase Option to the Object Assets. Party C here agrees to irrevocably confer Party A the purchase option to purchase all of its assets (“
Assets Purchase Option
”). The Equity Purchase Option and the Assets Purchase Option collectively are referred to as “
Purchase Option
”:
|
1.2.1
|
During the Exercise Period, Party A or its Designee shall have the right to purchase all or part of the assets owned by Party C pursuant to the terms and conditions under this Agreement at the Exercise Price for Assets Purchase Option or a percentage thereof (as defined hereunder), provided that the laws of the PRC at that time permits. Party C agrees to enter into an assets transfer agreement (“
Assets Transfer Agreement
”) with Party A or its Designee.
|
1.2.2
|
Where the laws of the PRC permits and Party A sends the Asset Purchase Exercise Notice (as defined in Subsection 2.3.1), Party B and Party C shall unconditionally cooperate with Party A to carry out the above procedures and transfer all or part of the Object Assets to Party A or its Designee, and transact all necessary formalities such as review and approval, permit, registration and filing.
|
1.2.3
|
When Party A exercises the Assets Purchase Option, Party B and Party C shall ensure other shareholders of Party C will approve the asset transfer under this Agreement.
|
2.
|
Exercise Steps
|
2.1
|
Pursuant to the applicable laws of the PRC, Party A shall have the right to determine the time, manner and number of purchases for the Purchase Option.
|
2.2
|
Exercise steps to purchase equities:
|
2.2.1
|
During the Exercise Period, Party A may send an exercise notice (“
Equity Purchase Exercise Notice
”) to Party B to exercise the Equity Purchase Option under this Agreement to purchase all or part of the Object Equities or transfer all or part of the Object Equities to a Designee, provided that the laws of the PRC permits at that time.
|
2.2.2
|
Upon receipt of the Equity Purchase Notice pursuant to Subsection 2.2.1 above or earlier if requested by Party A, Party B shall immediately:
|
(a)
|
obtain the waiver concerning the first refusal of other shareholders of Party C at that time on the purchase of such equities;
|
(b)
|
enter into an Equity Transfer Agreement in the format attached as Annex 1 hereto with Party A and/or its Designee according the requirements of the Equity Purchase Exercise Notice;
|
(c)
|
revise the Articles of Association of Party C together with Party A and/or its Designee and other shareholders of Party C at that time pursuant to the Equity Transfer Agreement;
|
(d)
|
cause Party C to promptly convene a shareholder’s meeting to pass the resolutions to approve the equity transfer pursuant to the exercise of the Equity Purchase Option and the amendment to the Articles of Association of Party C;
|
(e)
|
together with Party A and/or its Designee and other shareholders of Party C at that time, handle all necessary approval and examination, registration and filing procedures required by the laws of the PRC within thirty (30) business days as of the date of receipt of the Equity Purchase Exercise Notice by Party B or an earlier time agreed upon by the parties; and
|
(f)
|
execute all other requisite contracts, agreements or documents, obtain all requisite approvals and consents of the government, conduct all necessary actions to transfer the valid ownership, without any Security Interest, of the Object Equities to Party A and/or its Designee, and cause Party A and/or its Designee to be the registered owner of the Object Equities.
|
2.3
|
Exercise steps to purchase assets:
|
2.3.1
|
During the Exercise Period, Party A may send an exercise notice (“
Assets Purchase Exercise Notice
”) to Party C to exercise the Assets Purchase Option under this Agreement, purchase all or part of the Object Assets owned by Party C or transfer all or part of the Object Assets to a Designee, provided that the laws of the PRC permits at that time.
|
2.3.2
|
Once Party C receives the Assets Purchase Exercise Notice pursuant to Subsection 2.3.1 above or earlier if requested by Party A, Party C shall immediately:
|
(a)
|
enter into an Assets Transfer Agreement in the format attached as Annex 2 hereto and any other necessary agreements with Party A and/or its Designee according to the requirements set forth in the Assets Purchase Exercise Notice;
|
(b)
|
convene a shareholder's meeting to pass the resolution to approve the exercise of the Assets Purchase Option; and
|
(c)
|
together with all the shareholders of Party C at that time execute all other requisite contracts, agreements or documents, obtain all requisite approvals and consents of the government, conduct all necessary actions to transfer the valid ownership, without any security interest, of the Object Assets to Party A and/or it Designee, and cause Party A and/or its Designee to be the registered owner of the Object Assets (if necessary).
|
2.4
|
Before Party A obtains the Object Equities or the Object Assets by means of exercising either the Equity Purchase Option or the Assets Purchase Option, Party B and/or Party C shall entrust Party A to manage Party C pursuant to the Management Entrustment Agreement entered into by and between Party A and Party C on the same day as this Agreement.
|
3.
|
Exercise Conditions
|
4.
|
Exercise Price
|
4.1
|
Exercise price for Equity Purchase Option (“
Exercise Price for Equity Purchase Option
”) or Assets Purchase Option (“
Exercise Price for Assets Purchase Option
”)
|
5.
|
Representations and Warranties
|
5.1
|
Each party respectively represents and warranties to the other parties that:
|
5.1.1
|
it has the right to execute this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreement, and the Assets Transfer Agreement, and the capability to perform its obligations under this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreement, and the Assets Transfer Agreement;
|
5.1.2
|
it has carried out necessary internal derision-making procedures, obtained proper authority, acquired all the necessary consent and approval of any requisite third party and government authority to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreement, and the Assets Transfer Agreement; and
|
5.1.3
|
once executed, this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreement, and the Assets Transfer Agreement will constitute the legal, valid, and binding obligation of each party, and each party will be subject to compulsory enforcement on it pursuant to the terms and conditions under this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreement, and the Assets Transfer Agreement.
|
5.2
|
Party B hereby represents and warrants to Party A that:
|
5.2.1 Party B is a shareholder, duly and legally registered, of Party C and has paid the subscribed registered capital in full sum pursuant to the laws of the PRC;
|
5.2.2 The Object Equities held by Party B can be freely transferred without anyone's prior consent, and the Object Equities are free of encumbrances of any kind, other than the Security Interest pursuant to the Equity Pledge Agreement.
|
5.2.3 Party B has complied with all the laws of the PRC and regulations applicable to the purchase of assets and equities in connection with this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreement, and the Assets Transfer Agreement;
|
5.2.4 No litigation, arbitration or administrative procedure relevant to the Object Equities or Party B is in process or to be settled, and Party B has no knowledge of any pending or threatened claim;
|
5.2.5 Party B has not sold or agreed to sell the Object Equities to any third party other than Party A or its Designee, and Party B has no future plans to sell or agree to sell the Object Equities to any third party other than Party A or its Designee;
|
5.2.6 Party B strictly abides by the obligations under the Articles of Association of Party C. There are no circumstances that may affect the legal status of Party B as the shareholder of Party C, or any circumstance that may prevent Party A from exercising the Equity Purchase Option under this Agreement;
|
5.2.7 Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreements or Assets Transfer Agreements, nor the performance of the obligations under this Agreement, any Equity Transfer Agreements or Assets Transfer Agreements will: (i) violate any laws of the PRC; (ii) conflict with its Articles of Association or other organizational documents; (iii) breach any contracts or documents to which Party B is a party or which bind Party B; (iv) violate any acquired permits, approvals or any valid qualifications; or (v) result in the ceasing or revocation or additional conditions to the acquired permits or approvals;
|
5.2.8 Party B, upon the request of Party A, will appoint any person designated by Party A to be the director of Party C; and
|
5.2.9 Party B shall promptly notify Party A of any pending or threatened litigation, arbitration or administrative procedure related to the assets, business and income of Party C, and tender to Party A the sole control of the defense and settlement of such claim and cooperate with such defense and/or settlement at its own expense.
|
5.3
|
Party C hereby represents and warrants to Party A that:
|
5.3.1 Party C is a company with limited liability, which has been duly incorporated and validly existing pursuant to the laws of the PRC;
|
5.3.2 Party C has stated to Party A, in the Article 5.1 of Management Entrustment Agreement by on the same day as this Agreement, the legal status of land occupied for production facilities, the legal status of production facilities and the contractual arrangement with the local county government in connection with mining rights surrounding the production facilities.
|
5.3.3 Party C complies with all PRC laws and regulations applicable to the purchase of assets and equities in connection with this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreement, and the Assets Transfer Agreement;
|
5.3.4 The shares of Party C are transferable, and Party C has not permitted or caused any Security Interest to be imposed upon the shares of Party C, other than the Security Interest pursuant to the Equity Pledge Agreement;
|
5.3.5 Party C does not have any unpaid debt, other than (i) debt arising from the ordinary course of business; and (ii) debt disclosed to Party A and obtained written consent by Party A;
|
5.3.6 No litigation, arbitration or administrative procedure relevant to Object Equities, the Object Assets or Party C itself is in process or to be settled and Party C has no knowledge of any pending or threatened claim;
|
5.3.7 Party C has not sold or agreed to sell any of its assets to any third party other than Party A or its Designee, and Party C has no future plans to sell or agree to sell the Object Assets to any third party other than Party A or its Designee;
|
5.3.8 Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreements or Assets Transfer Agreements, nor the performance of the obligations under this Agreement, any Equity Transfer Agreements or Assets Transfer Agreements will: (i) violate any laws of the PRC; (ii) conflict with its Articles of Association or other organizational documents; (iii) breach any contracts or documents to which Party C is a party or which bind Party C; (iv) violate any acquired permits, approvals or any valid qualifications; or (v) result in the ceasing or revocation or additional conditions to the acquired permits or approvals;
|
5.3.9 Party C will agree to look for insurance from an insurance company acceptable to Party A. The amount and category of insurance shall be the same as those held by the companies which are in the same industry with similar business and own the similar properties and assets as Party C;
|
5.3.10 Upon the request of Party A, Party C shall provide all related operation and finance materials of Party C to the extent that those materials are available to Party C; and
|
5.3.11 Party C shall promptly notify Party A of any pending or threatened litigation, arbitration or administrative procedure related to the assets, business and income of Party C, and tender to Party A the sole control of the defense and settlement of such claim and cooperate with such defense and/or settlement at Party C's expense.
|
5.4
|
Before Party A obtains the Object Equities and Object Assets of Party C by means of exercising either the Equity Purchase Option or the Assets Purchase Option, without the prior written consent by Party A, Party B and Party C shall not jointly or separately:
|
5.4.1
|
amend, modify or revise the Articles of Association of Party C in any form, or change the structure of the shareholders of Party C;
|
5.4.2
|
agree to increase or decrease the registered capital or the number of existing shareholders of Party C;
|
5.4.3
|
cause Party C to have transactions, which may materially affect the assets, business, net assets or other legal rights and liabilities of Party C, unless these transactions are related to the ordinary course of business or have been disclosed to and the written consent from Party A has been obtained;
|
5.4.4
|
transfer or dispose the Object Equities in any manner or grant any security interest or any other third party right on the Object Equities;
|
5.4.5
|
sell, transfer, mortgage or dispose in any other form, any asset, income and any other legal yield and interest of Party C, or approve any encumbrance or imposition of any Security Interest on Party C’s assets;
|
5.4.6
|
issue or provide guarantee, loan or credit to any third party or incur any debt, other than (i) the debt arising from ordinary course of business; and (ii) the debt has been disclosed to Party A and the written consent by Party A has been obtained.
|
5.4.7
|
terminate or cause Party C to terminate any material agreement (whose definition is at Party A’s discretion at that time) entered into by Party C, or enter into any agreement that would conflict with the existing material agreements of Party C and/or Party B;
|
5.4.8
|
distribute any distributable profit, bonus, dividends or interests of Party C, unless otherwise stipulated by the laws of the PRC; or
|
5.4.9
|
approve or adopt any shareholders resolution at a shareholder meeting of Party C which may cause Party C to be merged, acquired or invested, or to merge, acquire or invest in or associate with any entity other than Party A.
|
6.
|
Transfer of this Agreement
|
6.1
|
Without the prior written consent by Party A, Party B and Party C shall not sub-contract, license or transfer its rights and obligations under this Agreement to any third party or its affiliate; and any transfer of this Agreement without prior written consent of Party A shall be invalid.
|
6.2
|
Party B and Party C agree and confirm that Party A may transfer its rights and obligations under this Agreement, without the consent of Party B and/or Party C, to any third party, provided that Party A notifies Party B and Party C of such transfer in writing.
|
7.
|
Confidentiality
|
7.1
|
All parties agree that, all materials, documents, communications and other information obtained in the negotiation, execution or performance of this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreement, and the Assets Transfer Agreement, whether commercial, technical or in any other form (“Confidential information"), shall be strictly kept confidential and used only for the performance of the obligations under this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreement, and the Assets Transfer Agreement. Unless the other parties consent in writing, none of the parties shall release, leak or disclose any Confidential Information to any third party.
|
7.2
|
Each party may disclose the Confidential Information in the following circumstances: (1) where the laws, court orders or the competent courts with jurisdiction require, and such disclosure may be conducted only within such requirement; (2) where the competent authority or government department requires; (3) where such Confidential Information has been known to the general public; (4) where such Confidential Information was owned duly and legally by the disclosing party rather obtained from the other party before the disclosing party obtains it; (5) the information is required to be disclosed subject to the applicable laws or the rules or provisions of a stock exchange or securities governing authority; and (6) the information is disclosed by each party to its legal or financial consultant relating the transaction of this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreement, and the Assets Transfer Agreement, and this legal or financial consultant shall comply with the confidentiality set forth in this Section 7.
|
7.3
|
Nonetheless other provisions of this Section 7, each party shall have the right to disclose the Confidential Information to its lawyer, accountant, other professional consultants, directors or senior officers; such personnel shall undertake in writing to treat such information as Confidential Information by taking the measures similar to those provided in 7.1 of this Section.
|
7.4
|
The disclosure of the Confidential Information by staff or employed institution of any party shall be deemed as the disclosure of such Confidential Information by such party, and such party shall bear the liabilities for breaching the agreement.
|
7.5
|
This Section 7 shall survive whatever this Agreement is invalid, amended, revoked, terminated or unable to implement by any reason.
|
8.
|
Liability for breach
|
8.1
|
Any parties shall sufficiently perform this Agreement. Any Party breaching this Agreement shall bear the liability as arising out of and in relation thereto. If such breach causes damages to any other party, the breaching party shall compensate such party for all such damages.
|
8.2
|
If Party B breaches this Agreement, in addition to the remedies stipulated by the laws of the PRC, Party A may also take the following measures:
|
8.2.1
|
require Party B to transfer all or any part of the Object equities immediately at the Exercise Price for Equity Purchase Option to Party A or its Designee, provided that the laws of the PRC permit at that time; and
|
8.2.2
|
require Party B to compensate all direct and indirect damages, including but not limited to all the legal fees, travel fees and investigation fees paid for seeking and enforcing such remedies.
|
8.3
|
If Party C breaches this Agreement, in addition to the remedies stipulated by the laws of the PRC, Party A may also take the following measures:
|
8.3.1 require Party C to transfer all or part of the Object Assets immediately at the Exercise Price for Assets Purchase Option to Party A or its Designee, provided that the laws of the PRC permit at that time;
|
8.3.2 require Party B to exercise the rights as a shareholder of Party C, and cure the breach of Party C; if after ten (10) days after Party A sends a written notice to Party B or Party C, such breach has not been cured, Party A shall have the right to require Party B to transfer all or part of the Object Equities immediately at the Exercise price for Equity Purchase Option to Party A or its Designee provided that the laws of the PRC permit at that time; or
|
8.3.3 require Party B and Party C to compensate all direct and indirect damages, including but not limited to all the legal fees, travel fees and investigation fees paid for seeking and enforcing such remedies.
|
9.
|
Governing Law and Dispute Resolution
|
9.1
|
The execution, effectiveness, construction, performance, amendment and termination of this Agreement and the resolution of disputes hereunder shall be governed by the formally published and publicly available laws of the PRC. Matters not covered by formally published and publicly available laws of the PRC shall be governed by international legal principles and practices.
|
9.2
|
All parties agree that any dispute arising from or in relation to this Agreement shall first be settled by the friendly negotiation of both parties. If the negotiation fails within 45 days, each party shall have the right to file the dispute with China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission (“
CIETAC
”) in Beijing for arbitration pursuant to the currently effective arbitration rules of CIETAC at the time of application. This arbitration shall be final and bind all parties and shall be enforceable in any court of competent jurisdiction. The arbitration fees shall be born by the losing party.
|
9.3
|
Upon the occurrence of any disputes arising from the construction and performance of this Agreement or during the pending arbitration of any dispute, except for the matters under dispute, the Parties to this Agreement shall continue to exercise their respective rights under this Agreement and perform their respective obligations under this Agreement.
|
10.
|
Effect and Termination
|
10.1
|
This Agreement shall come into effect on and after the date that it is signed and/or stamped by all parties.
|
10.2
|
In any of the following circumstances, this Agreement shall be terminated:
|
10.2.1
|
where, during the Exercise Period, all parties reach an agreement to terminate this Agreement;
|
10.2.2
|
where, during the Exercise Period, Party A notifies the other parties thirty (30) days in advance to terminate this Agreement; in such circumstance, Party A shall not assume any liabilities as arising out of and in relation thereto;
|
10.2.3
|
at the expiration of the Exercise Period provided; however, Party A may extend the Exercise Period and this Agreement in its sole discretion; or
|
10.2.4
|
upon the unanimous agreement by all parties.
|
10.3
|
Section 7 regarding confidentiality and Section 12 regarding indemnification shall survive the termination of this Agreement.
|
11.
|
Taxes and Fees
|
12.
|
Indemnification
|
13.
|
General Terms
|
13.1
|
Entire Agreement. This Agreement and the Exhibits and Schedules hereto contain the entire understanding between the parties, no other representations, warranties or covenants having induced any party to execute this Agreement, and supersede all prior or contemporaneous agreements with respect to the subject matter hereof. All references to schedules and exhibits are to exhibits and schedules attached to and to become a part of this Agreement unless otherwise indicated.
|
13.2
|
Amendment. Any amendment and/or rescission shall be in writing and signed by the authorized representatives of all parties. Such revision shall be a valid integral part of this Agreement.
|
13.3
|
Headings. The headings of any Sections or other portion of this Agreement are for convenience only and are not to be considered in construing this Agreement.
|
13.4
|
Construction. References in this Agreement to "Sections," "Schedules" and "Exhibits" shall be to the Sections, Schedules and Exhibits of this Agreement, unless otherwise specifically provided; any use in this Agreement of the singular or plural, or the masculine, feminine or neuter gender, shall be deemed to include the others, unless the context otherwise requires; the words "herein”, "hereof" and "hereunder" and words of similar import, when used in this Agreement, shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement; the word "including" when used in this Agreement shall mean “including without limitation”; and except as otherwise specified in this Agreement, all references in this Agreement (a) to any agreement, document, certificate or other written instrument shall be a reference to such agreement, document, certificate or instrument, in each case together with all exhibits, schedules, attachments and appendices thereto, and as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof; and (b) to any law, statute or regulation shall be deemed references to such law, statute or regulation as the same may be supplemented, amended, consolidated, superseded or modified from time to time.
|
13.5
|
Severability. Any provision hereof that is prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability, without invalidating the remaining provisions hereof, and any such prohibition or unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.
|
13.6
|
Waiver. No failure or delay of either party to enforce any right hereunder shall constitute a waiver of any such right hereunder. No waiver shall be effective hereunder unless in writing and a waiver shall only be effective for the specific act or circumstance for which it is given and not for any future act or circumstance.
|
13.7
|
Succession of this Agreement. This Agreement shall bind the successors and transferees of all parties.
|
13.8
|
Language. This Agreement is in both Chinese and English and signed by all parties, and the two versions have the same effect. Should there be any discrepancy between the two language versions, the Chinese version shall prevail.
|
13.9
|
Copies of this Agreement. This Agreement shall be executed in four counterparts; each party holds one and the rest are used for the transaction of related formalities. Each of the copies shall be deemed as the original one and has the same effect.
|
1.
|
Conferring and Exercise of Purchase Option
|
1.1
|
Exclusive Purchase Option of the Object Equities. Party B agrees to irrevocably confer Party A the exclusive option to purchase all the equities Party B holds in Party C (“
Equity Purchase Option
”).
|
1.1.1
|
This Agreement is executed on the date first above written and shall take effect as of such date (such day, the “Effective Date”), and subject to earlier termination by Party A, shall continue in effect until the thirtieth anniversary of the Effective Date (the “Initial Term”); provided, that if this Agreement has not been terminated by Party A prior to the end of the Initial Term or a Renewal Term (as the case may be), the term of this Agreement automatically and without any action of any party shall be extended for additional successive ten year periods thereafter (each a “Renewal Term,” and collectively with the Initial Term, the “Term”), unless not less than 30 days prior to the end of the Initial Term or any Renewal Term Party A notifies Party B and Party C in writing that this Agreement shall terminate at the end of the Initial Term or that Renewal Term, as the case may be. In no event shall Party B or Party C have the right to unilaterally terminate this Agreement.
|
1.1.2
|
Commencing upon the Effective Date and continuing through the Term of this Agreement (“
Exercise Period
”), Party A or its Designee shall have the right to purchase all or part of the equities Party B holds in Party C pursuant to the related terms and conditions under this Agreement and at the Exercise Price for Equity Purchase Option (as defined hereunder), provided that the laws of the PRC at that time permits. Party B agrees to enter into an Equity Transfer Agreement (“
Equity Transfer Agreement
”) with Party A or its Designee in the format. The Exercise Period under this Agreement may be extended by the written consent of Party A before the expiration date. The term of extension shall be determined through mutual agreement by all parties to this Agreement.
|
1.1.3
|
Where the laws of the PRC permits and Party A sends the Equity Purchase Exercise Notice (as defined in Subsection 2.2.1), Party B and Party C shall unconditionally cooperate with Party A to carry out the above procedures and transfer all or part of the Object Equities to Party A or its Designee, and transact all necessary formalities such as review and approval, permit, registration and filing.
|
1.1.4
|
The Object Equities shall be free of any Security Interest. For the purpose of this Agreement, Security Interest means any mortgage, pledge, the right or interest of the third party, any purchase right of equity interest, right of acquisition, right of first refusal, right of set-off, ownership detainment or other security arrangements; however, it does not include any security interests created under Equity the Pledge Agreement entered into by Party A and Party B on the same day as this Agreement (“
Equity Pledge Agreement
”).
|
1.1.5
|
During the Exercise Period, if the holding of all or part of the Object Equities by Party B is or will be deemed to violate the applicable laws, Party B and Party C shall immediately send a written notice to Party A to explain the reason in detail.
|
1.2
|
Exclusive Purchase Option to the Object Assets. Party C here agrees to irrevocably confer Party A the purchase option to purchase all of its assets (“
Assets Purchase Option
”). The Equity Purchase Option and the Assets Purchase Option collectively are referred to as “
Purchase Option
”:
|
1.2.1
|
During the Exercise Period, Party A or its Designee shall have the right to purchase all or part of the assets owned by Party C pursuant to the terms and conditions under this Agreement at the Exercise Price for Assets Purchase Option or a percentage thereof (as defined hereunder), provided that the laws of the PRC at that time permits. Party C agrees to enter into an assets transfer agreement (“
Assets Transfer Agreement
”) with Party A or its Designee.
|
1.2.2
|
Where the laws of the PRC permits and Party A sends the Asset Purchase Exercise Notice (as defined in Subsection 2.3.1), Party B and Party C shall unconditionally cooperate with Party A to carry out the above procedures and transfer all or part of the Object Assets to Party A or its Designee, and transact all necessary formalities such as review and approval, permit, registration and filing.
|
1.2.3
|
When Party A exercises the Assets Purchase Option, Party B and Party C shall ensure other shareholders of Party C will approve the asset transfer under this Agreement.
|
2.
|
Exercise Steps
|
2.1
|
Pursuant to the applicable laws of the PRC, Party A shall have the right to determine the time, manner and number of purchases for the Purchase Option.
|
2.2
|
Exercise steps to purchase equities:
|
2.2.1
|
During the Exercise Period, Party A may send an exercise notice (“
Equity Purchase Exercise Notice
”) to Party B to exercise the Equity Purchase Option under this Agreement to purchase all or part of the Object Equities or transfer all or part of the Object Equities to a Designee, provided that the laws of the PRC permits at that time.
|
2.2.2
|
Upon receipt of the Equity Purchase Notice pursuant to Subsection 2.2.1 above or earlier if requested by Party A, Party B shall immediately:
|
(a)
|
obtain the waiver concerning the first refusal of other shareholders of Party C at that time on the purchase of such equities;
|
(b)
|
enter into an Equity Transfer Agreement in the format attached as Annex 1 hereto with Party A and/or its Designee according the requirements of the Equity Purchase Exercise Notice;
|
(c)
|
revise the Articles of Association of Party C together with Party A and/or its Designee and other shareholders of Party C at that time pursuant to the Equity Transfer Agreement;
|
(d)
|
cause Party C to promptly convene a shareholder’s meeting to pass the resolutions to approve the equity transfer pursuant to the exercise of the Equity Purchase Option and the amendment to the Articles of Association of Party C;
|
(e)
|
together with Party A and/or its Designee and other shareholders of Party C at that time, handle all necessary approval and examination, registration and filing procedures required by the laws of the PRC within thirty (30) business days as of the date of receipt of the Equity Purchase Exercise Notice by Party B or an earlier time agreed upon by the parties; and
|
(f)
|
execute all other requisite contracts, agreements or documents, obtain all requisite approvals and consents of the government, conduct all necessary actions to transfer the valid ownership, without any Security Interest, of the Object Equities to Party A and/or its Designee, and cause Party A and/or its Designee to be the registered owner of the Object Equities.
|
2.3
|
Exercise steps to purchase assets:
|
2.3.1
|
During the Exercise Period, Party A may send an exercise notice (“
Assets Purchase Exercise Notice
”) to Party C to exercise the Assets Purchase Option under this Agreement, purchase all or part of the Object Assets owned by Party C or transfer all or part of the Object Assets to a Designee, provided that the laws of the PRC permits at that time.
|
2.3.2
|
Once Party C receives the Assets Purchase Exercise Notice pursuant to Subsection 2.3.1 above or earlier if requested by Party A, Party C shall immediately:
|
(a)
|
enter into an Assets Transfer Agreement in the format attached as Annex 2 hereto and any other necessary agreements with Party A and/or its Designee according to the requirements set forth in the Assets Purchase Exercise Notice;
|
(b)
|
convene a shareholder's meeting to pass the resolution to approve the exercise of the Assets Purchase Option; and
|
(c)
|
together with all the shareholders of Party C at that time execute all other requisite contracts, agreements or documents, obtain all requisite approvals and consents of the government, conduct all necessary actions to transfer the valid ownership, without any security interest, of the Object Assets to Party A and/or it Designee, and cause Party A and/or its Designee to be the registered owner of the Object Assets (if necessary).
|
2.4
|
Before Party A obtains the Object Equities or the Object Assets by means of exercising either the Equity Purchase Option or the Assets Purchase Option, Party B and/or Party C shall entrust Party A to manage Party C pursuant to the Management Entrustment Agreement entered into by and between Party A and Party C on the same day as this Agreement.
|
3.
|
Exercise Conditions
|
4.
|
Exercise Price
|
4.1
|
Exercise price for Equity Purchase Option (“
Exercise Price for Equity Purchase Option
”) or Assets Purchase Option (“
Exercise Price for Assets Purchase Option
”)
|
5.
|
Representations and Warranties
|
5.1
|
Each party respectively represents and warranties to the other parties that:
|
5.1.1
|
it has the right to execute this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreement, and the Assets Transfer Agreement, and the capability to perform its obligations under this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreement, and the Assets Transfer Agreement;
|
5.1.2
|
it has carried out necessary internal derision-making procedures, obtained proper authority, acquired all the necessary consent and approval of any requisite third party and government authority to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreement, and the Assets Transfer Agreement; and
|
5.1.3
|
once executed, this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreement, and the Assets Transfer Agreement will constitute the legal, valid, and binding obligation of each party, and each party will be subject to compulsory enforcement on it pursuant to the terms and conditions under this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreement, and the Assets Transfer Agreement.
|
5.2
|
Party B hereby represents and warrants to Party A that:
|
5.2.1 Party B is a shareholder, duly and legally registered, of Party C and has paid the subscribed registered capital in full sum pursuant to the laws of the PRC;
|
5.2.2 The Object Equities held by Party B can be freely transferred without anyone's prior consent, and the Object Equities are free of encumbrances of any kind, other than the Security Interest pursuant to the Equity Pledge Agreement.
|
5.2.3 Party B has complied with all the laws of the PRC and regulations applicable to the purchase of assets and equities in connection with this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreement, and the Assets Transfer Agreement;
|
5.2.4 No litigation, arbitration or administrative procedure relevant to the Object Equities or Party B is in process or to be settled, and Party B has no knowledge of any pending or threatened claim;
|
5.2.5 Party B has not sold or agreed to sell the Object Equities to any third party other than Party A or its Designee, and Party B has no future plans to sell or agree to sell the Object Equities to any third party other than Party A or its Designee;
|
5.2.6 Party B strictly abides by the obligations under the Articles of Association of Party C. There are no circumstances that may affect the legal status of Party B as the shareholder of Party C, or any circumstance that may prevent Party A from exercising the Equity Purchase Option under this Agreement;
|
5.2.7 Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreements or Assets Transfer Agreements, nor the performance of the obligations under this Agreement, any Equity Transfer Agreements or Assets Transfer Agreements will: (i) violate any laws of the PRC; (ii) conflict with its Articles of Association or other organizational documents; (iii) breach any contracts or documents to which Party B is a party or which bind Party B; (iv) violate any acquired permits, approvals or any valid qualifications; or (v) result in the ceasing or revocation or additional conditions to the acquired permits or approvals;
|
5.2.8 Party B, upon the request of Party A, will appoint any person designated by Party A to be the director of Party C; and
|
5.2.9 Party B shall promptly notify Party A of any pending or threatened litigation, arbitration or administrative procedure related to the assets, business and income of Party C, and tender to Party A the sole control of the defense and settlement of such claim and cooperate with such defense and/or settlement at its own expense.
|
5.3
|
Party C hereby represents and warrants to Party A that:
|
5.3.1 Party C is a company with limited liability, which has been duly incorporated and validly existing pursuant to the laws of the PRC;
|
5.3.2 Party C has stated to Party A, in the Article 5.1 of Management Entrustment Agreement by on the same day as this Agreement, the legal status of land occupied for production facilities, the legal status of production facilities and the contractual arrangement with the local county government in connection with mining rights surrounding the production facilities.
|
5.3.3 Party C complies with all PRC laws and regulations applicable to the purchase of assets and equities in connection with this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreement, and the Assets Transfer Agreement;
|
5.3.4 The shares of Party C are transferable, and Party C has not permitted or caused any Security Interest to be imposed upon the shares of Party C, other than the Security Interest pursuant to the Equity Pledge Agreement;
|
5.3.5 Party C does not have any unpaid debt, other than (i) debt arising from the ordinary course of business; and (ii) debt disclosed to Party A and obtained written consent by Party A;
|
5.3.6 No litigation, arbitration or administrative procedure relevant to Object Equities, the Object Assets or Party C itself is in process or to be settled and Party C has no knowledge of any pending or threatened claim;
|
5.3.7 Party C has not sold or agreed to sell any of its assets to any third party other than Party A or its Designee, and Party C has no future plans to sell or agree to sell the Object Assets to any third party other than Party A or its Designee;
|
5.3.8 Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreements or Assets Transfer Agreements, nor the performance of the obligations under this Agreement, any Equity Transfer Agreements or Assets Transfer Agreements will: (i) violate any laws of the PRC; (ii) conflict with its Articles of Association or other organizational documents; (iii) breach any contracts or documents to which Party C is a party or which bind Party C; (iv) violate any acquired permits, approvals or any valid qualifications; or (v) result in the ceasing or revocation or additional conditions to the acquired permits or approvals;
|
5.3.9 Party C will agree to look for insurance from an insurance company acceptable to Party A. The amount and category of insurance shall be the same as those held by the companies which are in the same industry with similar business and own the similar properties and assets as Party C;
|
5.3.10 Upon the request of Party A, Party C shall provide all related operation and finance materials of Party C to the extent that those materials are available to Party C; and
|
5.3.11 Party C shall promptly notify Party A of any pending or threatened litigation, arbitration or administrative procedure related to the assets, business and income of Party C, and tender to Party A the sole control of the defense and settlement of such claim and cooperate with such defense and/or settlement at Party C's expense.
|
5.4
|
Before Party A obtains the Object Equities and Object Assets of Party C by means of exercising either the Equity Purchase Option or the Assets Purchase Option, without the prior written consent by Party A, Party B and Party C shall not jointly or separately:
|
5.4.1
|
amend, modify or revise the Articles of Association of Party C in any form, or change the structure of the shareholders of Party C;
|
5.4.2
|
agree to increase or decrease the registered capital or the number of existing shareholders of Party C;
|
5.4.3
|
cause Party C to have transactions, which may materially affect the assets, business, net assets or other legal rights and liabilities of Party C, unless these transactions are related to the ordinary course of business or have been disclosed to and the written consent from Party A has been obtained;
|
5.4.4
|
transfer or dispose the Object Equities in any manner or grant any security interest or any other third party right on the Object Equities;
|
5.4.5
|
sell, transfer, mortgage or dispose in any other form, any asset, income and any other legal yield and interest of Party C, or approve any encumbrance or imposition of any Security Interest on Party C’s assets;
|
5.4.6
|
issue or provide guarantee, loan or credit to any third party or incur any debt, other than (i) the debt arising from ordinary course of business; and (ii) the debt has been disclosed to Party A and the written consent by Party A has been obtained.
|
5.4.7
|
terminate or cause Party C to terminate any material agreement (whose definition is at Party A’s discretion at that time) entered into by Party C, or enter into any agreement that would conflict with the existing material agreements of Party C and/or Party B;
|
5.4.8
|
distribute any distributable profit, bonus, dividends or interests of Party C, unless otherwise stipulated by the laws of the PRC; or
|
5.4.9
|
approve or adopt any shareholders resolution at a shareholder meeting of Party C which may cause Party C to be merged, acquired or invested, or to merge, acquire or invest in or associate with any entity other than Party A.
|
6.
|
Transfer of this Agreement
|
6.1
|
Without the prior written consent by Party A, Party B and Party C shall not sub-contract, license or transfer its rights and obligations under this Agreement to any third party or its affiliate; and any transfer of this Agreement without prior written consent of Party A shall be invalid.
|
6.2
|
Party B and Party C agree and confirm that Party A may transfer its rights and obligations under this Agreement, without the consent of Party B and/or Party C, to any third party, provided that Party A notifies Party B and Party C of such transfer in writing.
|
7.
|
Confidentiality
|
7.1
|
All parties agree that, all materials, documents, communications and other information obtained in the negotiation, execution or performance of this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreement, and the Assets Transfer Agreement, whether commercial, technical or in any other form (“Confidential information"), shall be strictly kept confidential and used only for the performance of the obligations under this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreement, and the Assets Transfer Agreement. Unless the other parties consent in writing, none of the parties shall release, leak or disclose any Confidential Information to any third party.
|
7.2
|
Each party may disclose the Confidential Information in the following circumstances: (1) where the laws, court orders or the competent courts with jurisdiction require, and such disclosure may be conducted only within such requirement; (2) where the competent authority or government department requires; (3) where such Confidential Information has been known to the general public; (4) where such Confidential Information was owned duly and legally by the disclosing party rather obtained from the other party before the disclosing party obtains it; (5) the information is required to be disclosed subject to the applicable laws or the rules or provisions of a stock exchange or securities governing authority; and (6) the information is disclosed by each party to its legal or financial consultant relating the transaction of this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreement, and the Assets Transfer Agreement, and this legal or financial consultant shall comply with the confidentiality set forth in this Section 7.
|
7.3
|
Nonetheless other provisions of this Section 7, each party shall have the right to disclose the Confidential Information to its lawyer, accountant, other professional consultants, directors or senior officers; such personnel shall undertake in writing to treat such information as Confidential Information by taking the measures similar to those provided in 7.1 of this Section.
|
7.4
|
The disclosure of the Confidential Information by staff or employed institution of any party shall be deemed as the disclosure of such Confidential Information by such party, and such party shall bear the liabilities for breaching the agreement.
|
7.5
|
This Section 7 shall survive whatever this Agreement is invalid, amended, revoked, terminated or unable to implement by any reason.
|
8.
|
Liability for breach
|
8.1
|
Any parties shall sufficiently perform this Agreement. Any Party breaching this Agreement shall bear the liability as arising out of and in relation thereto. If such breach causes damages to any other party, the breaching party shall compensate such party for all such damages.
|
8.2
|
If Party B breaches this Agreement, in addition to the remedies stipulated by the laws of the PRC, Party A may also take the following measures:
|
8.2.1
|
require Party B to transfer all or any part of the Object equities immediately at the Exercise Price for Equity Purchase Option to Party A or its Designee, provided that the laws of the PRC permit at that time; and
|
8.2.2
|
require Party B to compensate all direct and indirect damages, including but not limited to all the legal fees, travel fees and investigation fees paid for seeking and enforcing such remedies.
|
8.3
|
If Party C breaches this Agreement, in addition to the remedies stipulated by the laws of the PRC, Party A may also take the following measures:
|
8.3.1 require Party C to transfer all or part of the Object Assets immediately at the Exercise Price for Assets Purchase Option to Party A or its Designee, provided that the laws of the PRC permit at that time;
|
8.3.2 require Party B to exercise the rights as a shareholder of Party C, and cure the breach of Party C; if after ten (10) days after Party A sends a written notice to Party B or Party C, such breach has not been cured, Party A shall have the right to require Party B to transfer all or part of the Object Equities immediately at the Exercise price for Equity Purchase Option to Party A or its Designee provided that the laws of the PRC permit at that time; or
|
8.3.3 require Party B and Party C to compensate all direct and indirect damages, including but not limited to all the legal fees, travel fees and investigation fees paid for seeking and enforcing such remedies.
|
9.
|
Governing Law and Dispute Resolution
|
9.1
|
The execution, effectiveness, construction, performance, amendment and termination of this Agreement and the resolution of disputes hereunder shall be governed by the formally published and publicly available laws of the PRC. Matters not covered by formally published and publicly available laws of the PRC shall be governed by international legal principles and practices.
|
9.2
|
All parties agree that any dispute arising from or in relation to this Agreement shall first be settled by the friendly negotiation of both parties. If the negotiation fails within 45 days, each party shall have the right to file the dispute with China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission (“
CIETAC
”) in Beijing for arbitration pursuant to the currently effective arbitration rules of CIETAC at the time of application. This arbitration shall be final and bind all parties and shall be enforceable in any court of competent jurisdiction. The arbitration fees shall be born by the losing party.
|
9.3
|
Upon the occurrence of any disputes arising from the construction and performance of this Agreement or during the pending arbitration of any dispute, except for the matters under dispute, the Parties to this Agreement shall continue to exercise their respective rights under this Agreement and perform their respective obligations under this Agreement.
|
10.
|
Effect and Termination
|
10.1
|
This Agreement shall come into effect on and after the date that it is signed and/or stamped by all parties.
|
10.2
|
In any of the following circumstances, this Agreement shall be terminated:
|
10.2.1
|
where, during the Exercise Period, all parties reach an agreement to terminate this Agreement;
|
10.2.2
|
where, during the Exercise Period, Party A notifies the other parties thirty (30) days in advance to terminate this Agreement; in such circumstance, Party A shall not assume any liabilities as arising out of and in relation thereto;
|
10.2.3
|
at the expiration of the Exercise Period provided; however, Party A may extend the Exercise Period and this Agreement in its sole discretion; or
|
10.2.4
|
upon the unanimous agreement by all parties.
|
10.3
|
Section 7 regarding confidentiality and Section 12 regarding indemnification shall survive the termination of this Agreement.
|
11.
|
Taxes and Fees
|
12.
|
Indemnification
|
13.
|
General Terms
|
13.1
|
Entire Agreement. This Agreement and the Exhibits and Schedules hereto contain the entire understanding between the parties, no other representations, warranties or covenants having induced any party to execute this Agreement, and supersede all prior or contemporaneous agreements with respect to the subject matter hereof. All references to schedules and exhibits are to exhibits and schedules attached to and to become a part of this Agreement unless otherwise indicated.
|
13.2
|
Amendment. Any amendment and/or rescission shall be in writing and signed by the authorized representatives of all parties. Such revision shall be a valid integral part of this Agreement.
|
13.3
|
Headings. The headings of any Sections or other portion of this Agreement are for convenience only and are not to be considered in construing this Agreement.
|
13.4
|
Construction. References in this Agreement to "Sections," "Schedules" and "Exhibits" shall be to the Sections, Schedules and Exhibits of this Agreement, unless otherwise specifically provided; any use in this Agreement of the singular or plural, or the masculine, feminine or neuter gender, shall be deemed to include the others, unless the context otherwise requires; the words "herein”, "hereof" and "hereunder" and words of similar import, when used in this Agreement, shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement; the word "including" when used in this Agreement shall mean “including without limitation”; and except as otherwise specified in this Agreement, all references in this Agreement (a) to any agreement, document, certificate or other written instrument shall be a reference to such agreement, document, certificate or instrument, in each case together with all exhibits, schedules, attachments and appendices thereto, and as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof; and (b) to any law, statute or regulation shall be deemed references to such law, statute or regulation as the same may be supplemented, amended, consolidated, superseded or modified from time to time.
|
13.5
|
Severability. Any provision hereof that is prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability, without invalidating the remaining provisions hereof, and any such prohibition or unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.
|
13.6
|
Waiver. No failure or delay of either party to enforce any right hereunder shall constitute a waiver of any such right hereunder. No waiver shall be effective hereunder unless in writing and a waiver shall only be effective for the specific act or circumstance for which it is given and not for any future act or circumstance.
|
13.7
|
Succession of this Agreement. This Agreement shall bind the successors and transferees of all parties.
|
13.8
|
Language. This Agreement is in both Chinese and English and signed by all parties, and the two versions have the same effect. Should there be any discrepancy between the two language versions, the Chinese version shall prevail.
|
13.9
|
Copies of this Agreement. This Agreement shall be executed in four counterparts; each party holds one and the rest are used for the transaction of related formalities. Each of the copies shall be deemed as the original one and has the same effect.
|
1.
|
Conferring and Exercise of Purchase Option
|
1.1
|
Exclusive Purchase Option of the Object Equities. Party B agrees to irrevocably confer Party A the exclusive option to purchase all the equities Party B holds in Party C (“
Equity Purchase Option
”).
|
1.1.1
|
This Agreement is executed on the date first above written and shall take effect as of such date (such day, the “Effective Date”), and subject to earlier termination by Party A, shall continue in effect until the thirtieth anniversary of the Effective Date (the “Initial Term”); provided, that if this Agreement has not been terminated by Party A prior to the end of the Initial Term or a Renewal Term (as the case may be), the term of this Agreement automatically and without any action of any party shall be extended for additional successive ten year periods thereafter (each a “Renewal Term,” and collectively with the Initial Term, the “Term”), unless not less than 30 days prior to the end of the Initial Term or any Renewal Term Party A notifies Party B and Party C in writing that this Agreement shall terminate at the end of the Initial Term or that Renewal Term, as the case may be. In no event shall Party B or Party C have the right to unilaterally terminate this Agreement.
|
1.1.2
|
Commencing upon the Effective Date and continuing through the Term of this Agreement (“
Exercise Period
”), Party A or its Designee shall have the right to purchase all or part of the equities Party B holds in Party C pursuant to the related terms and conditions under this Agreement and at the Exercise Price for Equity Purchase Option (as defined hereunder), provided that the laws of the PRC at that time permits. Party B agrees to enter into an Equity Transfer Agreement (“
Equity Transfer Agreement
”) with Party A or its Designee in the format. The Exercise Period under this Agreement may be extended by the written consent of Party A before the expiration date. The term of extension shall be determined through mutual agreement by all parties to this Agreement.
|
1.1.3
|
Where the laws of the PRC permits and Party A sends the Equity Purchase Exercise Notice (as defined in Subsection 2.2.1), Party B and Party C shall unconditionally cooperate with Party A to carry out the above procedures and transfer all or part of the Object Equities to Party A or its Designee, and transact all necessary formalities such as review and approval, permit, registration and filing.
|
1.1.4
|
The Object Equities shall be free of any Security Interest. For the purpose of this Agreement, Security Interest means any mortgage, pledge, the right or interest of the third party, any purchase right of equity interest, right of acquisition, right of first refusal, right of set-off, ownership detainment or other security arrangements; however, it does not include any security interests created under Equity the Pledge Agreement entered into by Party A and Party B on the same day as this Agreement (“
Equity Pledge Agreement
”).
|
1.1.5
|
During the Exercise Period, if the holding of all or part of the Object Equities by Party B is or will be deemed to violate the applicable laws, Party B and Party C shall immediately send a written notice to Party A to explain the reason in detail.
|
1.2
|
Exclusive Purchase Option to the Object Assets. Party C here agrees to irrevocably confer Party A the purchase option to purchase all of its assets (“
Assets Purchase Option
”). The Equity Purchase Option and the Assets Purchase Option collectively are referred to as “
Purchase Option
”:
|
1.2.1
|
During the Exercise Period, Party A or its Designee shall have the right to purchase all or part of the assets owned by Party C pursuant to the terms and conditions under this Agreement at the Exercise Price for Assets Purchase Option or a percentage thereof (as defined hereunder), provided that the laws of the PRC at that time permits. Party C agrees to enter into an assets transfer agreement (“
Assets Transfer Agreement
”) with Party A or its Designee.
|
1.2.2
|
Where the laws of the PRC permits and Party A sends the Asset Purchase Exercise Notice (as defined in Subsection 2.3.1), Party B and Party C shall unconditionally cooperate with Party A to carry out the above procedures and transfer all or part of the Object Assets to Party A or its Designee, and transact all necessary formalities such as review and approval, permit, registration and filing.
|
1.2.3
|
When Party A exercises the Assets Purchase Option, Party B and Party C shall ensure other shareholders of Party C will approve the asset transfer under this Agreement.
|
2.
|
Exercise Steps
|
2.1
|
Pursuant to the applicable laws of the PRC, Party A shall have the right to determine the time, manner and number of purchases for the Purchase Option.
|
2.2
|
Exercise steps to purchase equities:
|
2.2.1
|
During the Exercise Period, Party A may send an exercise notice (“
Equity Purchase Exercise Notice
”) to Party B to exercise the Equity Purchase Option under this Agreement to purchase all or part of the Object Equities or transfer all or part of the Object Equities to a Designee, provided that the laws of the PRC permits at that time.
|
2.2.2
|
Upon receipt of the Equity Purchase Notice pursuant to Subsection 2.2.1 above or earlier if requested by Party A, Party B shall immediately:
|
(a)
|
obtain the waiver concerning the first refusal of other shareholders of Party C at that time on the purchase of such equities;
|
(b)
|
enter into an Equity Transfer Agreement in the format attached as Annex 1 hereto with Party A and/or its Designee according the requirements of the Equity Purchase Exercise Notice;
|
(c)
|
revise the Articles of Association of Party C together with Party A and/or its Designee and other shareholders of Party C at that time pursuant to the Equity Transfer Agreement;
|
(d)
|
cause Party C to promptly convene a shareholder’s meeting to pass the resolutions to approve the equity transfer pursuant to the exercise of the Equity Purchase Option and the amendment to the Articles of Association of Party C;
|
(e)
|
together with Party A and/or its Designee and other shareholders of Party C at that time, handle all necessary approval and examination, registration and filing procedures required by the laws of the PRC within thirty (30) business days as of the date of receipt of the Equity Purchase Exercise Notice by Party B or an earlier time agreed upon by the parties; and
|
(f)
|
execute all other requisite contracts, agreements or documents, obtain all requisite approvals and consents of the government, conduct all necessary actions to transfer the valid ownership, without any Security Interest, of the Object Equities to Party A and/or its Designee, and cause Party A and/or its Designee to be the registered owner of the Object Equities.
|
2.3
|
Exercise steps to purchase assets:
|
2.3.1
|
During the Exercise Period, Party A may send an exercise notice (“
Assets Purchase Exercise Notice
”) to Party C to exercise the Assets Purchase Option under this Agreement, purchase all or part of the Object Assets owned by Party C or transfer all or part of the Object Assets to a Designee, provided that the laws of the PRC permits at that time.
|
2.3.2
|
Once Party C receives the Assets Purchase Exercise Notice pursuant to Subsection 2.3.1 above or earlier if requested by Party A, Party C shall immediately:
|
(a)
|
enter into an Assets Transfer Agreement in the format attached as Annex 2 hereto and any other necessary agreements with Party A and/or its Designee according to the requirements set forth in the Assets Purchase Exercise Notice;
|
(b)
|
convene a shareholder's meeting to pass the resolution to approve the exercise of the Assets Purchase Option; and
|
(c)
|
together with all the shareholders of Party C at that time execute all other requisite contracts, agreements or documents, obtain all requisite approvals and consents of the government, conduct all necessary actions to transfer the valid ownership, without any security interest, of the Object Assets to Party A and/or it Designee, and cause Party A and/or its Designee to be the registered owner of the Object Assets (if necessary).
|
2.4
|
Before Party A obtains the Object Equities or the Object Assets by means of exercising either the Equity Purchase Option or the Assets Purchase Option, Party B and/or Party C shall entrust Party A to manage Party C pursuant to the Management Entrustment Agreement entered into by and between Party A and Party C on the same day as this Agreement.
|
3.
|
Exercise Conditions
|
4.
|
Exercise Price
|
4.1
|
Exercise price for Equity Purchase Option (“
Exercise Price for Equity Purchase Option
”) or Assets Purchase Option (“
Exercise Price for Assets Purchase Option
”)
|
5.
|
Representations and Warranties
|
5.1
|
Each party respectively represents and warranties to the other parties that:
|
5.1.1
|
it has the right to execute this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreement, and the Assets Transfer Agreement, and the capability to perform its obligations under this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreement, and the Assets Transfer Agreement;
|
5.1.2
|
it has carried out necessary internal derision-making procedures, obtained proper authority, acquired all the necessary consent and approval of any requisite third party and government authority to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreement, and the Assets Transfer Agreement; and
|
5.1.3
|
once executed, this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreement, and the Assets Transfer Agreement will constitute the legal, valid, and binding obligation of each party, and each party will be subject to compulsory enforcement on it pursuant to the terms and conditions under this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreement, and the Assets Transfer Agreement.
|
5.2
|
Party B hereby represents and warrants to Party A that:
|
5.2.1 Party B is a shareholder, duly and legally registered, of Party C and has paid the subscribed registered capital in full sum pursuant to the laws of the PRC;
|
5.2.2 The Object Equities held by Party B can be freely transferred without anyone's prior consent, and the Object Equities are free of encumbrances of any kind, other than the Security Interest pursuant to the Equity Pledge Agreement.
|
5.2.3 Party B has complied with all the laws of the PRC and regulations applicable to the purchase of assets and equities in connection with this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreement, and the Assets Transfer Agreement;
|
5.2.4 No litigation, arbitration or administrative procedure relevant to the Object Equities or Party B is in process or to be settled, and Party B has no knowledge of any pending or threatened claim;
|
5.2.5 Party B has not sold or agreed to sell the Object Equities to any third party other than Party A or its Designee, and Party B has no future plans to sell or agree to sell the Object Equities to any third party other than Party A or its Designee;
|
5.2.6 Party B strictly abides by the obligations under the Articles of Association of Party C. There are no circumstances that may affect the legal status of Party B as the shareholder of Party C, or any circumstance that may prevent Party A from exercising the Equity Purchase Option under this Agreement;
|
5.2.7 Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreements or Assets Transfer Agreements, nor the performance of the obligations under this Agreement, any Equity Transfer Agreements or Assets Transfer Agreements will: (i) violate any laws of the PRC; (ii) conflict with its Articles of Association or other organizational documents; (iii) breach any contracts or documents to which Party B is a party or which bind Party B; (iv) violate any acquired permits, approvals or any valid qualifications; or (v) result in the ceasing or revocation or additional conditions to the acquired permits or approvals;
|
5.2.8 Party B, upon the request of Party A, will appoint any person designated by Party A to be the director of Party C; and
|
5.2.9 Party B shall promptly notify Party A of any pending or threatened litigation, arbitration or administrative procedure related to the assets, business and income of Party C, and tender to Party A the sole control of the defense and settlement of such claim and cooperate with such defense and/or settlement at its own expense.
|
5.3
|
Party C hereby represents and warrants to Party A that:
|
5.3.1 Party C is a company with limited liability, which has been duly incorporated and validly existing pursuant to the laws of the PRC;
|
5.3.2 Party C has stated to Party A, in the Article 5.1 of Management Entrustment Agreement by on the same day as this Agreement, the legal status of land occupied for production facilities, the legal status of production facilities and the contractual arrangement with the local county government in connection with mining rights surrounding the production facilities.
|
5.3.3 Party C complies with all PRC laws and regulations applicable to the purchase of assets and equities in connection with this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreement, and the Assets Transfer Agreement;
|
5.3.4 The shares of Party C are transferable, and Party C has not permitted or caused any Security Interest to be imposed upon the shares of Party C, other than the Security Interest pursuant to the Equity Pledge Agreement;
|
5.3.5 Party C does not have any unpaid debt, other than (i) debt arising from the ordinary course of business; and (ii) debt disclosed to Party A and obtained written consent by Party A;
|
5.3.6 No litigation, arbitration or administrative procedure relevant to Object Equities, the Object Assets or Party C itself is in process or to be settled and Party C has no knowledge of any pending or threatened claim;
|
5.3.7 Party C has not sold or agreed to sell any of its assets to any third party other than Party A or its Designee, and Party C has no future plans to sell or agree to sell the Object Assets to any third party other than Party A or its Designee;
|
5.3.8 Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreements or Assets Transfer Agreements, nor the performance of the obligations under this Agreement, any Equity Transfer Agreements or Assets Transfer Agreements will: (i) violate any laws of the PRC; (ii) conflict with its Articles of Association or other organizational documents; (iii) breach any contracts or documents to which Party C is a party or which bind Party C; (iv) violate any acquired permits, approvals or any valid qualifications; or (v) result in the ceasing or revocation or additional conditions to the acquired permits or approvals;
|
5.3.9 Party C will agree to look for insurance from an insurance company acceptable to Party A. The amount and category of insurance shall be the same as those held by the companies which are in the same industry with similar business and own the similar properties and assets as Party C;
|
5.3.10 Upon the request of Party A, Party C shall provide all related operation and finance materials of Party C to the extent that those materials are available to Party C; and
|
5.3.11 Party C shall promptly notify Party A of any pending or threatened litigation, arbitration or administrative procedure related to the assets, business and income of Party C, and tender to Party A the sole control of the defense and settlement of such claim and cooperate with such defense and/or settlement at Party C's expense.
|
5.4
|
Before Party A obtains the Object Equities and Object Assets of Party C by means of exercising either the Equity Purchase Option or the Assets Purchase Option, without the prior written consent by Party A, Party B and Party C shall not jointly or separately:
|
5.4.1
|
amend, modify or revise the Articles of Association of Party C in any form, or change the structure of the shareholders of Party C;
|
5.4.2
|
agree to increase or decrease the registered capital or the number of existing shareholders of Party C;
|
5.4.3
|
cause Party C to have transactions, which may materially affect the assets, business, net assets or other legal rights and liabilities of Party C, unless these transactions are related to the ordinary course of business or have been disclosed to and the written consent from Party A has been obtained;
|
5.4.4
|
transfer or dispose the Object Equities in any manner or grant any security interest or any other third party right on the Object Equities;
|
5.4.5
|
sell, transfer, mortgage or dispose in any other form, any asset, income and any other legal yield and interest of Party C, or approve any encumbrance or imposition of any Security Interest on Party C’s assets;
|
5.4.6
|
issue or provide guarantee, loan or credit to any third party or incur any debt, other than (i) the debt arising from ordinary course of business; and (ii) the debt has been disclosed to Party A and the written consent by Party A has been obtained.
|
5.4.7
|
terminate or cause Party C to terminate any material agreement (whose definition is at Party A’s discretion at that time) entered into by Party C, or enter into any agreement that would conflict with the existing material agreements of Party C and/or Party B;
|
5.4.8
|
distribute any distributable profit, bonus, dividends or interests of Party C, unless otherwise stipulated by the laws of the PRC; or
|
5.4.9
|
approve or adopt any shareholders resolution at a shareholder meeting of Party C which may cause Party C to be merged, acquired or invested, or to merge, acquire or invest in or associate with any entity other than Party A.
|
6.
|
Transfer of this Agreement
|
6.1
|
Without the prior written consent by Party A, Party B and Party C shall not sub-contract, license or transfer its rights and obligations under this Agreement to any third party or its affiliate; and any transfer of this Agreement without prior written consent of Party A shall be invalid.
|
6.2
|
Party B and Party C agree and confirm that Party A may transfer its rights and obligations under this Agreement, without the consent of Party B and/or Party C, to any third party, provided that Party A notifies Party B and Party C of such transfer in writing.
|
7.
|
Confidentiality
|
7.1
|
All parties agree that, all materials, documents, communications and other information obtained in the negotiation, execution or performance of this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreement, and the Assets Transfer Agreement, whether commercial, technical or in any other form (“Confidential information"), shall be strictly kept confidential and used only for the performance of the obligations under this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreement, and the Assets Transfer Agreement. Unless the other parties consent in writing, none of the parties shall release, leak or disclose any Confidential Information to any third party.
|
7.2
|
Each party may disclose the Confidential Information in the following circumstances: (1) where the laws, court orders or the competent courts with jurisdiction require, and such disclosure may be conducted only within such requirement; (2) where the competent authority or government department requires; (3) where such Confidential Information has been known to the general public; (4) where such Confidential Information was owned duly and legally by the disclosing party rather obtained from the other party before the disclosing party obtains it; (5) the information is required to be disclosed subject to the applicable laws or the rules or provisions of a stock exchange or securities governing authority; and (6) the information is disclosed by each party to its legal or financial consultant relating the transaction of this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreement, and the Assets Transfer Agreement, and this legal or financial consultant shall comply with the confidentiality set forth in this Section 7.
|
7.3
|
Nonetheless other provisions of this Section 7, each party shall have the right to disclose the Confidential Information to its lawyer, accountant, other professional consultants, directors or senior officers; such personnel shall undertake in writing to treat such information as Confidential Information by taking the measures similar to those provided in 7.1 of this Section.
|
7.4
|
The disclosure of the Confidential Information by staff or employed institution of any party shall be deemed as the disclosure of such Confidential Information by such party, and such party shall bear the liabilities for breaching the agreement.
|
7.5
|
This Section 7 shall survive whatever this Agreement is invalid, amended, revoked, terminated or unable to implement by any reason.
|
8.
|
Liability for breach
|
8.1
|
Any parties shall sufficiently perform this Agreement. Any Party breaching this Agreement shall bear the liability as arising out of and in relation thereto. If such breach causes damages to any other party, the breaching party shall compensate such party for all such damages.
|
8.2
|
If Party B breaches this Agreement, in addition to the remedies stipulated by the laws of the PRC, Party A may also take the following measures:
|
8.2.1
|
require Party B to transfer all or any part of the Object equities immediately at the Exercise Price for Equity Purchase Option to Party A or its Designee, provided that the laws of the PRC permit at that time; and
|
8.2.2
|
require Party B to compensate all direct and indirect damages, including but not limited to all the legal fees, travel fees and investigation fees paid for seeking and enforcing such remedies.
|
8.3
|
If Party C breaches this Agreement, in addition to the remedies stipulated by the laws of the PRC, Party A may also take the following measures:
|
8.3.1 require Party C to transfer all or part of the Object Assets immediately at the Exercise Price for Assets Purchase Option to Party A or its Designee, provided that the laws of the PRC permit at that time;
|
8.3.2 require Party B to exercise the rights as a shareholder of Party C, and cure the breach of Party C; if after ten (10) days after Party A sends a written notice to Party B or Party C, such breach has not been cured, Party A shall have the right to require Party B to transfer all or part of the Object Equities immediately at the Exercise price for Equity Purchase Option to Party A or its Designee provided that the laws of the PRC permit at that time; or
|
8.3.3 require Party B and Party C to compensate all direct and indirect damages, including but not limited to all the legal fees, travel fees and investigation fees paid for seeking and enforcing such remedies.
|
9.
|
Governing Law and Dispute Resolution
|
9.1
|
The execution, effectiveness, construction, performance, amendment and termination of this Agreement and the resolution of disputes hereunder shall be governed by the formally published and publicly available laws of the PRC. Matters not covered by formally published and publicly available laws of the PRC shall be governed by international legal principles and practices.
|
9.2
|
All parties agree that any dispute arising from or in relation to this Agreement shall first be settled by the friendly negotiation of both parties. If the negotiation fails within 45 days, each party shall have the right to file the dispute with China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission (“
CIETAC
”) in Beijing for arbitration pursuant to the currently effective arbitration rules of CIETAC at the time of application. This arbitration shall be final and bind all parties and shall be enforceable in any court of competent jurisdiction. The arbitration fees shall be born by the losing party.
|
9.3
|
Upon the occurrence of any disputes arising from the construction and performance of this Agreement or during the pending arbitration of any dispute, except for the matters under dispute, the Parties to this Agreement shall continue to exercise their respective rights under this Agreement and perform their respective obligations under this Agreement.
|
10.
|
Effect and Termination
|
10.1
|
This Agreement shall come into effect on and after the date that it is signed and/or stamped by all parties.
|
10.2
|
In any of the following circumstances, this Agreement shall be terminated:
|
10.2.1
|
where, during the Exercise Period, all parties reach an agreement to terminate this Agreement;
|
10.2.2
|
where, during the Exercise Period, Party A notifies the other parties thirty (30) days in advance to terminate this Agreement; in such circumstance, Party A shall not assume any liabilities as arising out of and in relation thereto;
|
10.2.3
|
at the expiration of the Exercise Period provided; however, Party A may extend the Exercise Period and this Agreement in its sole discretion; or
|
10.2.4
|
upon the unanimous agreement by all parties.
|
10.3
|
Section 7 regarding confidentiality and Section 12 regarding indemnification shall survive the termination of this Agreement.
|
11.
|
Taxes and Fees
|
12.
|
Indemnification
|
13.
|
General Terms
|
13.1
|
Entire Agreement. This Agreement and the Exhibits and Schedules hereto contain the entire understanding between the parties, no other representations, warranties or covenants having induced any party to execute this Agreement, and supersede all prior or contemporaneous agreements with respect to the subject matter hereof. All references to schedules and exhibits are to exhibits and schedules attached to and to become a part of this Agreement unless otherwise indicated.
|
13.2
|
Amendment. Any amendment and/or rescission shall be in writing and signed by the authorized representatives of all parties. Such revision shall be a valid integral part of this Agreement.
|
13.3
|
Headings. The headings of any Sections or other portion of this Agreement are for convenience only and are not to be considered in construing this Agreement.
|
13.4
|
Construction. References in this Agreement to "Sections," "Schedules" and "Exhibits" shall be to the Sections, Schedules and Exhibits of this Agreement, unless otherwise specifically provided; any use in this Agreement of the singular or plural, or the masculine, feminine or neuter gender, shall be deemed to include the others, unless the context otherwise requires; the words "herein”, "hereof" and "hereunder" and words of similar import, when used in this Agreement, shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement; the word "including" when used in this Agreement shall mean “including without limitation”; and except as otherwise specified in this Agreement, all references in this Agreement (a) to any agreement, document, certificate or other written instrument shall be a reference to such agreement, document, certificate or instrument, in each case together with all exhibits, schedules, attachments and appendices thereto, and as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof; and (b) to any law, statute or regulation shall be deemed references to such law, statute or regulation as the same may be supplemented, amended, consolidated, superseded or modified from time to time.
|
13.5
|
Severability. Any provision hereof that is prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability, without invalidating the remaining provisions hereof, and any such prohibition or unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.
|
13.6
|
Waiver. No failure or delay of either party to enforce any right hereunder shall constitute a waiver of any such right hereunder. No waiver shall be effective hereunder unless in writing and a waiver shall only be effective for the specific act or circumstance for which it is given and not for any future act or circumstance.
|
13.7
|
Succession of this Agreement. This Agreement shall bind the successors and transferees of all parties.
|
13.8
|
Language. This Agreement is in both Chinese and English and signed by all parties, and the two versions have the same effect. Should there be any discrepancy between the two language versions, the Chinese version shall prevail.
|
13.9
|
Copies of this Agreement. This Agreement shall be executed in four counterparts; each party holds one and the rest are used for the transaction of related formalities. Each of the copies shall be deemed as the original one and has the same effect.
|
1.
|
Conferring and Exercise of Purchase Option
|
1.1
|
Exclusive Purchase Option of the Object Equities. Party B agrees to irrevocably confer Party A the exclusive option to purchase all the equities Party B holds in Party C (“
Equity Purchase Option
”).
|
1.1.1
|
This Agreement is executed on the date first above written and shall take effect as of such date (such day, the “Effective Date”), and subject to earlier termination by Party A, shall continue in effect until the thirtieth anniversary of the Effective Date (the “Initial Term”); provided, that if this Agreement has not been terminated by Party A prior to the end of the Initial Term or a Renewal Term (as the case may be), the term of this Agreement automatically and without any action of any party shall be extended for additional successive ten year periods thereafter (each a “Renewal Term,” and collectively with the Initial Term, the “Term”), unless not less than 30 days prior to the end of the Initial Term or any Renewal Term Party A notifies Party B and Party C in writing that this Agreement shall terminate at the end of the Initial Term or that Renewal Term, as the case may be. In no event shall Party B or Party C have the right to unilaterally terminate this Agreement.
|
1.1.2
|
Commencing upon the Effective Date and continuing through the Term of this Agreement (“
Exercise Period
”), Party A or its Designee shall have the right to purchase all or part of the equities Party B holds in Party C pursuant to the related terms and conditions under this Agreement and at the Exercise Price for Equity Purchase Option (as defined hereunder), provided that the laws of the PRC at that time permits. Party B agrees to enter into an Equity Transfer Agreement (“
Equity Transfer Agreement
”) with Party A or its Designee in the format. The Exercise Period under this Agreement may be extended by the written consent of Party A before the expiration date. The term of extension shall be determined through mutual agreement by all parties to this Agreement.
|
1.1.3
|
Where the laws of the PRC permits and Party A sends the Equity Purchase Exercise Notice (as defined in Subsection 2.2.1), Party B and Party C shall unconditionally cooperate with Party A to carry out the above procedures and transfer all or part of the Object Equities to Party A or its Designee, and transact all necessary formalities such as review and approval, permit, registration and filing.
|
1.1.4
|
The Object Equities shall be free of any Security Interest. For the purpose of this Agreement, Security Interest means any mortgage, pledge, the right or interest of the third party, any purchase right of equity interest, right of acquisition, right of first refusal, right of set-off, ownership detainment or other security arrangements; however, it does not include any security interests created under Equity the Pledge Agreement entered into by Party A and Party B on the same day as this Agreement (“
Equity Pledge Agreement
”).
|
1.1.5
|
During the Exercise Period, if the holding of all or part of the Object Equities by Party B is or will be deemed to violate the applicable laws, Party B and Party C shall immediately send a written notice to Party A to explain the reason in detail.
|
1.2
|
Exclusive Purchase Option to the Object Assets. Party C here agrees to irrevocably confer Party A the purchase option to purchase all of its assets (“
Assets Purchase Option
”). The Equity Purchase Option and the Assets Purchase Option collectively are referred to as “
Purchase Option
”:
|
1.2.1
|
During the Exercise Period, Party A or its Designee shall have the right to purchase all or part of the assets owned by Party C pursuant to the terms and conditions under this Agreement at the Exercise Price for Assets Purchase Option or a percentage thereof (as defined hereunder), provided that the laws of the PRC at that time permits. Party C agrees to enter into an assets transfer agreement (“
Assets Transfer Agreement
”) with Party A or its Designee.
|
1.2.2
|
Where the laws of the PRC permits and Party A sends the Asset Purchase Exercise Notice (as defined in Subsection 2.3.1), Party B and Party C shall unconditionally cooperate with Party A to carry out the above procedures and transfer all or part of the Object Assets to Party A or its Designee, and transact all necessary formalities such as review and approval, permit, registration and filing.
|
1.2.3
|
When Party A exercises the Assets Purchase Option, Party B and Party C shall ensure other shareholders of Party C will approve the asset transfer under this Agreement.
|
2.
|
Exercise Steps
|
2.1
|
Pursuant to the applicable laws of the PRC, Party A shall have the right to determine the time, manner and number of purchases for the Purchase Option.
|
2.2
|
Exercise steps to purchase equities:
|
2.2.1
|
During the Exercise Period, Party A may send an exercise notice (“
Equity Purchase Exercise Notice
”) to Party B to exercise the Equity Purchase Option under this Agreement to purchase all or part of the Object Equities or transfer all or part of the Object Equities to a Designee, provided that the laws of the PRC permits at that time.
|
2.2.2
|
Upon receipt of the Equity Purchase Notice pursuant to Subsection 2.2.1 above or earlier if requested by Party A, Party B shall immediately:
|
(a)
|
obtain the waiver concerning the first refusal of other shareholders of Party C at that time on the purchase of such equities;
|
(b)
|
enter into an Equity Transfer Agreement in the format attached as Annex 1 hereto with Party A and/or its Designee according the requirements of the Equity Purchase Exercise Notice;
|
(c)
|
revise the Articles of Association of Party C together with Party A and/or its Designee and other shareholders of Party C at that time pursuant to the Equity Transfer Agreement;
|
(d)
|
cause Party C to promptly convene a shareholder’s meeting to pass the resolutions to approve the equity transfer pursuant to the exercise of the Equity Purchase Option and the amendment to the Articles of Association of Party C;
|
(e)
|
together with Party A and/or its Designee and other shareholders of Party C at that time, handle all necessary approval and examination, registration and filing procedures required by the laws of the PRC within thirty (30) business days as of the date of receipt of the Equity Purchase Exercise Notice by Party B or an earlier time agreed upon by the parties; and
|
(f)
|
execute all other requisite contracts, agreements or documents, obtain all requisite approvals and consents of the government, conduct all necessary actions to transfer the valid ownership, without any Security Interest, of the Object Equities to Party A and/or its Designee, and cause Party A and/or its Designee to be the registered owner of the Object Equities.
|
2.3
|
Exercise steps to purchase assets:
|
2.3.1
|
During the Exercise Period, Party A may send an exercise notice (“
Assets Purchase Exercise Notice
”) to Party C to exercise the Assets Purchase Option under this Agreement, purchase all or part of the Object Assets owned by Party C or transfer all or part of the Object Assets to a Designee, provided that the laws of the PRC permits at that time.
|
2.3.2
|
Once Party C receives the Assets Purchase Exercise Notice pursuant to Subsection 2.3.1 above or earlier if requested by Party A, Party C shall immediately:
|
(a)
|
enter into an Assets Transfer Agreement in the format attached as Annex 2 hereto and any other necessary agreements with Party A and/or its Designee according to the requirements set forth in the Assets Purchase Exercise Notice;
|
(b)
|
convene a shareholder's meeting to pass the resolution to approve the exercise of the Assets Purchase Option; and
|
(c)
|
together with all the shareholders of Party C at that time execute all other requisite contracts, agreements or documents, obtain all requisite approvals and consents of the government, conduct all necessary actions to transfer the valid ownership, without any security interest, of the Object Assets to Party A and/or it Designee, and cause Party A and/or its Designee to be the registered owner of the Object Assets (if necessary).
|
2.4
|
Before Party A obtains the Object Equities or the Object Assets by means of exercising either the Equity Purchase Option or the Assets Purchase Option, Party B and/or Party C shall entrust Party A to manage Party C pursuant to the Management Entrustment Agreement entered into by and between Party A and Party C on the same day as this Agreement.
|
3.
|
Exercise Conditions
|
4.
|
Exercise Price
|
4.1
|
Exercise price for Equity Purchase Option (“
Exercise Price for Equity Purchase Option
”) or Assets Purchase Option (“
Exercise Price for Assets Purchase Option
”)
|
5.
|
Representations and Warranties
|
5.1
|
Each party respectively represents and warranties to the other parties that:
|
5.1.1
|
it has the right to execute this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreement, and the Assets Transfer Agreement, and the capability to perform its obligations under this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreement, and the Assets Transfer Agreement;
|
5.1.2
|
it has carried out necessary internal derision-making procedures, obtained proper authority, acquired all the necessary consent and approval of any requisite third party and government authority to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreement, and the Assets Transfer Agreement; and
|
5.1.3
|
once executed, this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreement, and the Assets Transfer Agreement will constitute the legal, valid, and binding obligation of each party, and each party will be subject to compulsory enforcement on it pursuant to the terms and conditions under this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreement, and the Assets Transfer Agreement.
|
5.2
|
Party B hereby represents and warrants to Party A that:
|
5.2.1 Party B is a shareholder, duly and legally registered, of Party C and has paid the subscribed registered capital in full sum pursuant to the laws of the PRC;
|
5.2.2 The Object Equities held by Party B can be freely transferred without anyone's prior consent, and the Object Equities are free of encumbrances of any kind, other than the Security Interest pursuant to the Equity Pledge Agreement.
|
5.2.3 Party B has complied with all the laws of the PRC and regulations applicable to the purchase of assets and equities in connection with this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreement, and the Assets Transfer Agreement;
|
5.2.4 No litigation, arbitration or administrative procedure relevant to the Object Equities or Party B is in process or to be settled, and Party B has no knowledge of any pending or threatened claim;
|
5.2.5 Party B has not sold or agreed to sell the Object Equities to any third party other than Party A or its Designee, and Party B has no future plans to sell or agree to sell the Object Equities to any third party other than Party A or its Designee;
|
5.2.6 Party B strictly abides by the obligations under the Articles of Association of Party C. There are no circumstances that may affect the legal status of Party B as the shareholder of Party C, or any circumstance that may prevent Party A from exercising the Equity Purchase Option under this Agreement;
|
5.2.7 Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreements or Assets Transfer Agreements, nor the performance of the obligations under this Agreement, any Equity Transfer Agreements or Assets Transfer Agreements will: (i) violate any laws of the PRC; (ii) conflict with its Articles of Association or other organizational documents; (iii) breach any contracts or documents to which Party B is a party or which bind Party B; (iv) violate any acquired permits, approvals or any valid qualifications; or (v) result in the ceasing or revocation or additional conditions to the acquired permits or approvals;
|
5.2.8 Party B, upon the request of Party A, will appoint any person designated by Party A to be the director of Party C; and
|
5.2.9 Party B shall promptly notify Party A of any pending or threatened litigation, arbitration or administrative procedure related to the assets, business and income of Party C, and tender to Party A the sole control of the defense and settlement of such claim and cooperate with such defense and/or settlement at its own expense.
|
5.3
|
Party C hereby represents and warrants to Party A that:
|
5.3.1 Party C is a company with limited liability, which has been duly incorporated and validly existing pursuant to the laws of the PRC;
|
5.3.2 Party C has stated to Party A, in the Article 5.1 of Management Entrustment Agreement by on the same day as this Agreement, the legal status of land occupied for production facilities, the legal status of production facilities and the contractual arrangement with the local county government in connection with mining rights surrounding the production facilities.
|
5.3.3 Party C complies with all PRC laws and regulations applicable to the purchase of assets and equities in connection with this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreement, and the Assets Transfer Agreement;
|
5.3.4 The shares of Party C are transferable, and Party C has not permitted or caused any Security Interest to be imposed upon the shares of Party C, other than the Security Interest pursuant to the Equity Pledge Agreement;
|
5.3.5 Party C does not have any unpaid debt, other than (i) debt arising from the ordinary course of business; and (ii) debt disclosed to Party A and obtained written consent by Party A;
|
5.3.6 No litigation, arbitration or administrative procedure relevant to Object Equities, the Object Assets or Party C itself is in process or to be settled and Party C has no knowledge of any pending or threatened claim;
|
5.3.7 Party C has not sold or agreed to sell any of its assets to any third party other than Party A or its Designee, and Party C has no future plans to sell or agree to sell the Object Assets to any third party other than Party A or its Designee;
|
5.3.8 Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreements or Assets Transfer Agreements, nor the performance of the obligations under this Agreement, any Equity Transfer Agreements or Assets Transfer Agreements will: (i) violate any laws of the PRC; (ii) conflict with its Articles of Association or other organizational documents; (iii) breach any contracts or documents to which Party C is a party or which bind Party C; (iv) violate any acquired permits, approvals or any valid qualifications; or (v) result in the ceasing or revocation or additional conditions to the acquired permits or approvals;
|
5.3.9 Party C will agree to look for insurance from an insurance company acceptable to Party A. The amount and category of insurance shall be the same as those held by the companies which are in the same industry with similar business and own the similar properties and assets as Party C;
|
5.3.10 Upon the request of Party A, Party C shall provide all related operation and finance materials of Party C to the extent that those materials are available to Party C; and
|
5.3.11 Party C shall promptly notify Party A of any pending or threatened litigation, arbitration or administrative procedure related to the assets, business and income of Party C, and tender to Party A the sole control of the defense and settlement of such claim and cooperate with such defense and/or settlement at Party C's expense.
|
5.4
|
Before Party A obtains the Object Equities and Object Assets of Party C by means of exercising either the Equity Purchase Option or the Assets Purchase Option, without the prior written consent by Party A, Party B and Party C shall not jointly or separately:
|
5.4.1
|
amend, modify or revise the Articles of Association of Party C in any form, or change the structure of the shareholders of Party C;
|
5.4.2
|
agree to increase or decrease the registered capital or the number of existing shareholders of Party C;
|
5.4.3
|
cause Party C to have transactions, which may materially affect the assets, business, net assets or other legal rights and liabilities of Party C, unless these transactions are related to the ordinary course of business or have been disclosed to and the written consent from Party A has been obtained;
|
5.4.4
|
transfer or dispose the Object Equities in any manner or grant any security interest or any other third party right on the Object Equities;
|
5.4.5
|
sell, transfer, mortgage or dispose in any other form, any asset, income and any other legal yield and interest of Party C, or approve any encumbrance or imposition of any Security Interest on Party C’s assets;
|
5.4.6
|
issue or provide guarantee, loan or credit to any third party or incur any debt, other than (i) the debt arising from ordinary course of business; and (ii) the debt has been disclosed to Party A and the written consent by Party A has been obtained.
|
5.4.7
|
terminate or cause Party C to terminate any material agreement (whose definition is at Party A’s discretion at that time) entered into by Party C, or enter into any agreement that would conflict with the existing material agreements of Party C and/or Party B;
|
5.4.8
|
distribute any distributable profit, bonus, dividends or interests of Party C, unless otherwise stipulated by the laws of the PRC; or
|
5.4.9
|
approve or adopt any shareholders resolution at a shareholder meeting of Party C which may cause Party C to be merged, acquired or invested, or to merge, acquire or invest in or associate with any entity other than Party A.
|
6.
|
Transfer of this Agreement
|
6.1
|
Without the prior written consent by Party A, Party B and Party C shall not sub-contract, license or transfer its rights and obligations under this Agreement to any third party or its affiliate; and any transfer of this Agreement without prior written consent of Party A shall be invalid.
|
6.2
|
Party B and Party C agree and confirm that Party A may transfer its rights and obligations under this Agreement, without the consent of Party B and/or Party C, to any third party, provided that Party A notifies Party B and Party C of such transfer in writing.
|
7.
|
Confidentiality
|
7.1
|
All parties agree that, all materials, documents, communications and other information obtained in the negotiation, execution or performance of this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreement, and the Assets Transfer Agreement, whether commercial, technical or in any other form (“Confidential information"), shall be strictly kept confidential and used only for the performance of the obligations under this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreement, and the Assets Transfer Agreement. Unless the other parties consent in writing, none of the parties shall release, leak or disclose any Confidential Information to any third party.
|
7.2
|
Each party may disclose the Confidential Information in the following circumstances: (1) where the laws, court orders or the competent courts with jurisdiction require, and such disclosure may be conducted only within such requirement; (2) where the competent authority or government department requires; (3) where such Confidential Information has been known to the general public; (4) where such Confidential Information was owned duly and legally by the disclosing party rather obtained from the other party before the disclosing party obtains it; (5) the information is required to be disclosed subject to the applicable laws or the rules or provisions of a stock exchange or securities governing authority; and (6) the information is disclosed by each party to its legal or financial consultant relating the transaction of this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreement, and the Assets Transfer Agreement, and this legal or financial consultant shall comply with the confidentiality set forth in this Section 7.
|
7.3
|
Nonetheless other provisions of this Section 7, each party shall have the right to disclose the Confidential Information to its lawyer, accountant, other professional consultants, directors or senior officers; such personnel shall undertake in writing to treat such information as Confidential Information by taking the measures similar to those provided in 7.1 of this Section.
|
7.4
|
The disclosure of the Confidential Information by staff or employed institution of any party shall be deemed as the disclosure of such Confidential Information by such party, and such party shall bear the liabilities for breaching the agreement.
|
7.5
|
This Section 7 shall survive whatever this Agreement is invalid, amended, revoked, terminated or unable to implement by any reason.
|
8.
|
Liability for breach
|
8.1
|
Any parties shall sufficiently perform this Agreement. Any Party breaching this Agreement shall bear the liability as arising out of and in relation thereto. If such breach causes damages to any other party, the breaching party shall compensate such party for all such damages.
|
8.2
|
If Party B breaches this Agreement, in addition to the remedies stipulated by the laws of the PRC, Party A may also take the following measures:
|
8.2.1
|
require Party B to transfer all or any part of the Object equities immediately at the Exercise Price for Equity Purchase Option to Party A or its Designee, provided that the laws of the PRC permit at that time; and
|
8.2.2
|
require Party B to compensate all direct and indirect damages, including but not limited to all the legal fees, travel fees and investigation fees paid for seeking and enforcing such remedies.
|
8.3
|
If Party C breaches this Agreement, in addition to the remedies stipulated by the laws of the PRC, Party A may also take the following measures:
|
8.3.1 require Party C to transfer all or part of the Object Assets immediately at the Exercise Price for Assets Purchase Option to Party A or its Designee, provided that the laws of the PRC permit at that time;
|
8.3.2 require Party B to exercise the rights as a shareholder of Party C, and cure the breach of Party C; if after ten (10) days after Party A sends a written notice to Party B or Party C, such breach has not been cured, Party A shall have the right to require Party B to transfer all or part of the Object Equities immediately at the Exercise price for Equity Purchase Option to Party A or its Designee provided that the laws of the PRC permit at that time; or
|
8.3.3 require Party B and Party C to compensate all direct and indirect damages, including but not limited to all the legal fees, travel fees and investigation fees paid for seeking and enforcing such remedies.
|
9.
|
Governing Law and Dispute Resolution
|
9.1
|
The execution, effectiveness, construction, performance, amendment and termination of this Agreement and the resolution of disputes hereunder shall be governed by the formally published and publicly available laws of the PRC. Matters not covered by formally published and publicly available laws of the PRC shall be governed by international legal principles and practices.
|
9.2
|
All parties agree that any dispute arising from or in relation to this Agreement shall first be settled by the friendly negotiation of both parties. If the negotiation fails within 45 days, each party shall have the right to file the dispute with China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission (“
CIETAC
”) in Beijing for arbitration pursuant to the currently effective arbitration rules of CIETAC at the time of application. This arbitration shall be final and bind all parties and shall be enforceable in any court of competent jurisdiction. The arbitration fees shall be born by the losing party.
|
9.3
|
Upon the occurrence of any disputes arising from the construction and performance of this Agreement or during the pending arbitration of any dispute, except for the matters under dispute, the Parties to this Agreement shall continue to exercise their respective rights under this Agreement and perform their respective obligations under this Agreement.
|
10.
|
Effect and Termination
|
10.1
|
This Agreement shall come into effect on and after the date that it is signed and/or stamped by all parties.
|
10.2
|
In any of the following circumstances, this Agreement shall be terminated:
|
10.2.1
|
where, during the Exercise Period, all parties reach an agreement to terminate this Agreement;
|
10.2.2
|
where, during the Exercise Period, Party A notifies the other parties thirty (30) days in advance to terminate this Agreement; in such circumstance, Party A shall not assume any liabilities as arising out of and in relation thereto;
|
10.2.3
|
at the expiration of the Exercise Period provided; however, Party A may extend the Exercise Period and this Agreement in its sole discretion; or
|
10.2.4
|
upon the unanimous agreement by all parties.
|
10.3
|
Section 7 regarding confidentiality and Section 12 regarding indemnification shall survive the termination of this Agreement.
|
11.
|
Taxes and Fees
|
12.
|
Indemnification
|
13.
|
General Terms
|
13.1
|
Entire Agreement. This Agreement and the Exhibits and Schedules hereto contain the entire understanding between the parties, no other representations, warranties or covenants having induced any party to execute this Agreement, and supersede all prior or contemporaneous agreements with respect to the subject matter hereof. All references to schedules and exhibits are to exhibits and schedules attached to and to become a part of this Agreement unless otherwise indicated.
|
13.2
|
Amendment. Any amendment and/or rescission shall be in writing and signed by the authorized representatives of all parties. Such revision shall be a valid integral part of this Agreement.
|
13.3
|
Headings. The headings of any Sections or other portion of this Agreement are for convenience only and are not to be considered in construing this Agreement.
|
13.4
|
Construction. References in this Agreement to "Sections," "Schedules" and "Exhibits" shall be to the Sections, Schedules and Exhibits of this Agreement, unless otherwise specifically provided; any use in this Agreement of the singular or plural, or the masculine, feminine or neuter gender, shall be deemed to include the others, unless the context otherwise requires; the words "herein”, "hereof" and "hereunder" and words of similar import, when used in this Agreement, shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement; the word "including" when used in this Agreement shall mean “including without limitation”; and except as otherwise specified in this Agreement, all references in this Agreement (a) to any agreement, document, certificate or other written instrument shall be a reference to such agreement, document, certificate or instrument, in each case together with all exhibits, schedules, attachments and appendices thereto, and as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof; and (b) to any law, statute or regulation shall be deemed references to such law, statute or regulation as the same may be supplemented, amended, consolidated, superseded or modified from time to time.
|
13.5
|
Severability. Any provision hereof that is prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability, without invalidating the remaining provisions hereof, and any such prohibition or unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.
|
13.6
|
Waiver. No failure or delay of either party to enforce any right hereunder shall constitute a waiver of any such right hereunder. No waiver shall be effective hereunder unless in writing and a waiver shall only be effective for the specific act or circumstance for which it is given and not for any future act or circumstance.
|
13.7
|
Succession of this Agreement. This Agreement shall bind the successors and transferees of all parties.
|
13.8
|
Language. This Agreement is in both Chinese and English and signed by all parties, and the two versions have the same effect. Should there be any discrepancy between the two language versions, the Chinese version shall prevail.
|
13.9
|
Copies of this Agreement. This Agreement shall be executed in four counterparts; each party holds one and the rest are used for the transaction of related formalities. Each of the copies shall be deemed as the original one and has the same effect.
|
1.
|
Conferring and Exercise of Purchase Option
|
1.1
|
Exclusive Purchase Option of the Object Equities. Party B agrees to irrevocably confer Party A the exclusive option to purchase all the equities Party B holds in Party C (“
Equity Purchase Option
”).
|
1.1.1
|
This Agreement is executed on the date first above written and shall take effect as of such date (such day, the “Effective Date”), and subject to earlier termination by Party A, shall continue in effect until the thirtieth anniversary of the Effective Date (the “Initial Term”); provided, that if this Agreement has not been terminated by Party A prior to the end of the Initial Term or a Renewal Term (as the case may be), the term of this Agreement automatically and without any action of any party shall be extended for additional successive ten year periods thereafter (each a “Renewal Term,” and collectively with the Initial Term, the “Term”), unless not less than 30 days prior to the end of the Initial Term or any Renewal Term Party A notifies Party B and Party C in writing that this Agreement shall terminate at the end of the Initial Term or that Renewal Term, as the case may be. In no event shall Party B or Party C have the right to unilaterally terminate this Agreement.
|
1.1.2
|
Commencing upon the Effective Date and continuing through the Term of this Agreement (“
Exercise Period
”), Party A or its Designee shall have the right to purchase all or part of the equities Party B holds in Party C pursuant to the related terms and conditions under this Agreement and at the Exercise Price for Equity Purchase Option (as defined hereunder), provided that the laws of the PRC at that time permits. Party B agrees to enter into an Equity Transfer Agreement (“
Equity Transfer Agreement
”) with Party A or its Designee in the format. The Exercise Period under this Agreement may be extended by the written consent of Party A before the expiration date. The term of extension shall be determined through mutual agreement by all parties to this Agreement.
|
1.1.3
|
Where the laws of the PRC permits and Party A sends the Equity Purchase Exercise Notice (as defined in Subsection 2.2.1), Party B and Party C shall unconditionally cooperate with Party A to carry out the above procedures and transfer all or part of the Object Equities to Party A or its Designee, and transact all necessary formalities such as review and approval, permit, registration and filing.
|
1.1.4
|
The Object Equities shall be free of any Security Interest. For the purpose of this Agreement, Security Interest means any mortgage, pledge, the right or interest of the third party, any purchase right of equity interest, right of acquisition, right of first refusal, right of set-off, ownership detainment or other security arrangements; however, it does not include any security interests created under Equity the Pledge Agreement entered into by Party A and Party B on the same day as this Agreement (“
Equity Pledge Agreement
”).
|
1.1.5
|
During the Exercise Period, if the holding of all or part of the Object Equities by Party B is or will be deemed to violate the applicable laws, Party B and Party C shall immediately send a written notice to Party A to explain the reason in detail.
|
1.2
|
Exclusive Purchase Option to the Object Assets. Party C here agrees to irrevocably confer Party A the purchase option to purchase all of its assets (“
Assets Purchase Option
”). The Equity Purchase Option and the Assets Purchase Option collectively are referred to as “
Purchase Option
”:
|
1.2.1
|
During the Exercise Period, Party A or its Designee shall have the right to purchase all or part of the assets owned by Party C pursuant to the terms and conditions under this Agreement at the Exercise Price for Assets Purchase Option or a percentage thereof (as defined hereunder), provided that the laws of the PRC at that time permits. Party C agrees to enter into an assets transfer agreement (“
Assets Transfer Agreement
”) with Party A or its Designee.
|
1.2.2
|
Where the laws of the PRC permits and Party A sends the Asset Purchase Exercise Notice (as defined in Subsection 2.3.1), Party B and Party C shall unconditionally cooperate with Party A to carry out the above procedures and transfer all or part of the Object Assets to Party A or its Designee, and transact all necessary formalities such as review and approval, permit, registration and filing.
|
1.2.3
|
When Party A exercises the Assets Purchase Option, Party B and Party C shall ensure other shareholders of Party C will approve the asset transfer under this Agreement.
|
2.
|
Exercise Steps
|
2.1
|
Pursuant to the applicable laws of the PRC, Party A shall have the right to determine the time, manner and number of purchases for the Purchase Option.
|
2.2
|
Exercise steps to purchase equities:
|
2.2.1
|
During the Exercise Period, Party A may send an exercise notice (“
Equity Purchase Exercise Notice
”) to Party B to exercise the Equity Purchase Option under this Agreement to purchase all or part of the Object Equities or transfer all or part of the Object Equities to a Designee, provided that the laws of the PRC permits at that time.
|
2.2.2
|
Upon receipt of the Equity Purchase Notice pursuant to Subsection 2.2.1 above or earlier if requested by Party A, Party B shall immediately:
|
(a)
|
obtain the waiver concerning the first refusal of other shareholders of Party C at that time on the purchase of such equities;
|
(b)
|
enter into an Equity Transfer Agreement in the format attached as Annex 1 hereto with Party A and/or its Designee according the requirements of the Equity Purchase Exercise Notice;
|
(c)
|
revise the Articles of Association of Party C together with Party A and/or its Designee and other shareholders of Party C at that time pursuant to the Equity Transfer Agreement;
|
(d)
|
cause Party C to promptly convene a shareholder’s meeting to pass the resolutions to approve the equity transfer pursuant to the exercise of the Equity Purchase Option and the amendment to the Articles of Association of Party C;
|
(e)
|
together with Party A and/or its Designee and other shareholders of Party C at that time, handle all necessary approval and examination, registration and filing procedures required by the laws of the PRC within thirty (30) business days as of the date of receipt of the Equity Purchase Exercise Notice by Party B or an earlier time agreed upon by the parties; and
|
(f)
|
execute all other requisite contracts, agreements or documents, obtain all requisite approvals and consents of the government, conduct all necessary actions to transfer the valid ownership, without any Security Interest, of the Object Equities to Party A and/or its Designee, and cause Party A and/or its Designee to be the registered owner of the Object Equities.
|
2.3
|
Exercise steps to purchase assets:
|
2.3.1
|
During the Exercise Period, Party A may send an exercise notice (“
Assets Purchase Exercise Notice
”) to Party C to exercise the Assets Purchase Option under this Agreement, purchase all or part of the Object Assets owned by Party C or transfer all or part of the Object Assets to a Designee, provided that the laws of the PRC permits at that time.
|
2.3.2
|
Once Party C receives the Assets Purchase Exercise Notice pursuant to Subsection 2.3.1 above or earlier if requested by Party A, Party C shall immediately:
|
(a)
|
enter into an Assets Transfer Agreement in the format attached as Annex 2 hereto and any other necessary agreements with Party A and/or its Designee according to the requirements set forth in the Assets Purchase Exercise Notice;
|
(b)
|
convene a shareholder's meeting to pass the resolution to approve the exercise of the Assets Purchase Option; and
|
(c)
|
together with all the shareholders of Party C at that time execute all other requisite contracts, agreements or documents, obtain all requisite approvals and consents of the government, conduct all necessary actions to transfer the valid ownership, without any security interest, of the Object Assets to Party A and/or it Designee, and cause Party A and/or its Designee to be the registered owner of the Object Assets (if necessary).
|
2.4
|
Before Party A obtains the Object Equities or the Object Assets by means of exercising either the Equity Purchase Option or the Assets Purchase Option, Party B and/or Party C shall entrust Party A to manage Party C pursuant to the Management Entrustment Agreement entered into by and between Party A and Party C on the same day as this Agreement.
|
3.
|
Exercise Conditions
|
4.
|
Exercise Price
|
4.1
|
Exercise price for Equity Purchase Option (“
Exercise Price for Equity Purchase Option
”) or Assets Purchase Option (“
Exercise Price for Assets Purchase Option
”)
|
5.
|
Representations and Warranties
|
5.1
|
Each party respectively represents and warranties to the other parties that:
|
5.1.1
|
it has the right to execute this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreement, and the Assets Transfer Agreement, and the capability to perform its obligations under this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreement, and the Assets Transfer Agreement;
|
5.1.2
|
it has carried out necessary internal derision-making procedures, obtained proper authority, acquired all the necessary consent and approval of any requisite third party and government authority to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreement, and the Assets Transfer Agreement; and
|
5.1.3
|
once executed, this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreement, and the Assets Transfer Agreement will constitute the legal, valid, and binding obligation of each party, and each party will be subject to compulsory enforcement on it pursuant to the terms and conditions under this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreement, and the Assets Transfer Agreement.
|
5.2
|
Party B hereby represents and warrants to Party A that:
|
5.2.1 Party B is a shareholder, duly and legally registered, of Party C and has paid the subscribed registered capital in full sum pursuant to the laws of the PRC;
|
5.2.2 The Object Equities held by Party B can be freely transferred without anyone's prior consent, and the Object Equities are free of encumbrances of any kind, other than the Security Interest pursuant to the Equity Pledge Agreement.
|
5.2.3 Party B has complied with all the laws of the PRC and regulations applicable to the purchase of assets and equities in connection with this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreement, and the Assets Transfer Agreement;
|
5.2.4 No litigation, arbitration or administrative procedure relevant to the Object Equities or Party B is in process or to be settled, and Party B has no knowledge of any pending or threatened claim;
|
5.2.5 Party B has not sold or agreed to sell the Object Equities to any third party other than Party A or its Designee, and Party B has no future plans to sell or agree to sell the Object Equities to any third party other than Party A or its Designee;
|
5.2.6 Party B strictly abides by the obligations under the Articles of Association of Party C. There are no circumstances that may affect the legal status of Party B as the shareholder of Party C, or any circumstance that may prevent Party A from exercising the Equity Purchase Option under this Agreement;
|
5.2.7 Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreements or Assets Transfer Agreements, nor the performance of the obligations under this Agreement, any Equity Transfer Agreements or Assets Transfer Agreements will: (i) violate any laws of the PRC; (ii) conflict with its Articles of Association or other organizational documents; (iii) breach any contracts or documents to which Party B is a party or which bind Party B; (iv) violate any acquired permits, approvals or any valid qualifications; or (v) result in the ceasing or revocation or additional conditions to the acquired permits or approvals;
|
5.2.8 Party B, upon the request of Party A, will appoint any person designated by Party A to be the director of Party C; and
|
5.2.9 Party B shall promptly notify Party A of any pending or threatened litigation, arbitration or administrative procedure related to the assets, business and income of Party C, and tender to Party A the sole control of the defense and settlement of such claim and cooperate with such defense and/or settlement at its own expense.
|
5.3
|
Party C hereby represents and warrants to Party A that:
|
5.3.1 Party C is a company with limited liability, which has been duly incorporated and validly existing pursuant to the laws of the PRC;
|
5.3.2 Party C has stated to Party A, in the Article 5.1 of Management Entrustment Agreement by on the same day as this Agreement, the legal status of land occupied for production facilities, the legal status of production facilities and the contractual arrangement with the local county government in connection with mining rights surrounding the production facilities.
|
5.3.3 Party C complies with all PRC laws and regulations applicable to the purchase of assets and equities in connection with this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreement, and the Assets Transfer Agreement;
|
5.3.4 The shares of Party C are transferable, and Party C has not permitted or caused any Security Interest to be imposed upon the shares of Party C, other than the Security Interest pursuant to the Equity Pledge Agreement;
|
5.3.5 Party C does not have any unpaid debt, other than (i) debt arising from the ordinary course of business; and (ii) debt disclosed to Party A and obtained written consent by Party A;
|
5.3.6 No litigation, arbitration or administrative procedure relevant to Object Equities, the Object Assets or Party C itself is in process or to be settled and Party C has no knowledge of any pending or threatened claim;
|
5.3.7 Party C has not sold or agreed to sell any of its assets to any third party other than Party A or its Designee, and Party C has no future plans to sell or agree to sell the Object Assets to any third party other than Party A or its Designee;
|
5.3.8 Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreements or Assets Transfer Agreements, nor the performance of the obligations under this Agreement, any Equity Transfer Agreements or Assets Transfer Agreements will: (i) violate any laws of the PRC; (ii) conflict with its Articles of Association or other organizational documents; (iii) breach any contracts or documents to which Party C is a party or which bind Party C; (iv) violate any acquired permits, approvals or any valid qualifications; or (v) result in the ceasing or revocation or additional conditions to the acquired permits or approvals;
|
5.3.9 Party C will agree to look for insurance from an insurance company acceptable to Party A. The amount and category of insurance shall be the same as those held by the companies which are in the same industry with similar business and own the similar properties and assets as Party C;
|
5.3.10 Upon the request of Party A, Party C shall provide all related operation and finance materials of Party C to the extent that those materials are available to Party C; and
|
5.3.11 Party C shall promptly notify Party A of any pending or threatened litigation, arbitration or administrative procedure related to the assets, business and income of Party C, and tender to Party A the sole control of the defense and settlement of such claim and cooperate with such defense and/or settlement at Party C's expense.
|
5.4
|
Before Party A obtains the Object Equities and Object Assets of Party C by means of exercising either the Equity Purchase Option or the Assets Purchase Option, without the prior written consent by Party A, Party B and Party C shall not jointly or separately:
|
5.4.1
|
amend, modify or revise the Articles of Association of Party C in any form, or change the structure of the shareholders of Party C;
|
5.4.2
|
agree to increase or decrease the registered capital or the number of existing shareholders of Party C;
|
5.4.3
|
cause Party C to have transactions, which may materially affect the assets, business, net assets or other legal rights and liabilities of Party C, unless these transactions are related to the ordinary course of business or have been disclosed to and the written consent from Party A has been obtained;
|
5.4.4
|
transfer or dispose the Object Equities in any manner or grant any security interest or any other third party right on the Object Equities;
|
5.4.5
|
sell, transfer, mortgage or dispose in any other form, any asset, income and any other legal yield and interest of Party C, or approve any encumbrance or imposition of any Security Interest on Party C’s assets;
|
5.4.6
|
issue or provide guarantee, loan or credit to any third party or incur any debt, other than (i) the debt arising from ordinary course of business; and (ii) the debt has been disclosed to Party A and the written consent by Party A has been obtained.
|
5.4.7
|
terminate or cause Party C to terminate any material agreement (whose definition is at Party A’s discretion at that time) entered into by Party C, or enter into any agreement that would conflict with the existing material agreements of Party C and/or Party B;
|
5.4.8
|
distribute any distributable profit, bonus, dividends or interests of Party C, unless otherwise stipulated by the laws of the PRC; or
|
5.4.9
|
approve or adopt any shareholders resolution at a shareholder meeting of Party C which may cause Party C to be merged, acquired or invested, or to merge, acquire or invest in or associate with any entity other than Party A.
|
6.
|
Transfer of this Agreement
|
6.1
|
Without the prior written consent by Party A, Party B and Party C shall not sub-contract, license or transfer its rights and obligations under this Agreement to any third party or its affiliate; and any transfer of this Agreement without prior written consent of Party A shall be invalid.
|
6.2
|
Party B and Party C agree and confirm that Party A may transfer its rights and obligations under this Agreement, without the consent of Party B and/or Party C, to any third party, provided that Party A notifies Party B and Party C of such transfer in writing.
|
7.
|
Confidentiality
|
7.1
|
All parties agree that, all materials, documents, communications and other information obtained in the negotiation, execution or performance of this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreement, and the Assets Transfer Agreement, whether commercial, technical or in any other form (“Confidential information"), shall be strictly kept confidential and used only for the performance of the obligations under this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreement, and the Assets Transfer Agreement. Unless the other parties consent in writing, none of the parties shall release, leak or disclose any Confidential Information to any third party.
|
7.2
|
Each party may disclose the Confidential Information in the following circumstances: (1) where the laws, court orders or the competent courts with jurisdiction require, and such disclosure may be conducted only within such requirement; (2) where the competent authority or government department requires; (3) where such Confidential Information has been known to the general public; (4) where such Confidential Information was owned duly and legally by the disclosing party rather obtained from the other party before the disclosing party obtains it; (5) the information is required to be disclosed subject to the applicable laws or the rules or provisions of a stock exchange or securities governing authority; and (6) the information is disclosed by each party to its legal or financial consultant relating the transaction of this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreement, and the Assets Transfer Agreement, and this legal or financial consultant shall comply with the confidentiality set forth in this Section 7.
|
7.3
|
Nonetheless other provisions of this Section 7, each party shall have the right to disclose the Confidential Information to its lawyer, accountant, other professional consultants, directors or senior officers; such personnel shall undertake in writing to treat such information as Confidential Information by taking the measures similar to those provided in 7.1 of this Section.
|
7.4
|
The disclosure of the Confidential Information by staff or employed institution of any party shall be deemed as the disclosure of such Confidential Information by such party, and such party shall bear the liabilities for breaching the agreement.
|
7.5
|
This Section 7 shall survive whatever this Agreement is invalid, amended, revoked, terminated or unable to implement by any reason.
|
8.
|
Liability for breach
|
8.1
|
Any parties shall sufficiently perform this Agreement. Any Party breaching this Agreement shall bear the liability as arising out of and in relation thereto. If such breach causes damages to any other party, the breaching party shall compensate such party for all such damages.
|
8.2
|
If Party B breaches this Agreement, in addition to the remedies stipulated by the laws of the PRC, Party A may also take the following measures:
|
8.2.1
|
require Party B to transfer all or any part of the Object equities immediately at the Exercise Price for Equity Purchase Option to Party A or its Designee, provided that the laws of the PRC permit at that time; and
|
8.2.2
|
require Party B to compensate all direct and indirect damages, including but not limited to all the legal fees, travel fees and investigation fees paid for seeking and enforcing such remedies.
|
8.3
|
If Party C breaches this Agreement, in addition to the remedies stipulated by the laws of the PRC, Party A may also take the following measures:
|
8.3.1 require Party C to transfer all or part of the Object Assets immediately at the Exercise Price for Assets Purchase Option to Party A or its Designee, provided that the laws of the PRC permit at that time;
|
8.3.2 require Party B to exercise the rights as a shareholder of Party C, and cure the breach of Party C; if after ten (10) days after Party A sends a written notice to Party B or Party C, such breach has not been cured, Party A shall have the right to require Party B to transfer all or part of the Object Equities immediately at the Exercise price for Equity Purchase Option to Party A or its Designee provided that the laws of the PRC permit at that time; or
|
8.3.3 require Party B and Party C to compensate all direct and indirect damages, including but not limited to all the legal fees, travel fees and investigation fees paid for seeking and enforcing such remedies.
|
9.
|
Governing Law and Dispute Resolution
|
9.1
|
The execution, effectiveness, construction, performance, amendment and termination of this Agreement and the resolution of disputes hereunder shall be governed by the formally published and publicly available laws of the PRC. Matters not covered by formally published and publicly available laws of the PRC shall be governed by international legal principles and practices.
|
9.2
|
All parties agree that any dispute arising from or in relation to this Agreement shall first be settled by the friendly negotiation of both parties. If the negotiation fails within 45 days, each party shall have the right to file the dispute with China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission (“
CIETAC
”) in Beijing for arbitration pursuant to the currently effective arbitration rules of CIETAC at the time of application. This arbitration shall be final and bind all parties and shall be enforceable in any court of competent jurisdiction. The arbitration fees shall be born by the losing party.
|
9.3
|
Upon the occurrence of any disputes arising from the construction and performance of this Agreement or during the pending arbitration of any dispute, except for the matters under dispute, the Parties to this Agreement shall continue to exercise their respective rights under this Agreement and perform their respective obligations under this Agreement.
|
10.
|
Effect and Termination
|
10.1
|
This Agreement shall come into effect on and after the date that it is signed and/or stamped by all parties.
|
10.2
|
In any of the following circumstances, this Agreement shall be terminated:
|
10.2.1
|
where, during the Exercise Period, all parties reach an agreement to terminate this Agreement;
|
10.2.2
|
where, during the Exercise Period, Party A notifies the other parties thirty (30) days in advance to terminate this Agreement; in such circumstance, Party A shall not assume any liabilities as arising out of and in relation thereto;
|
10.2.3
|
at the expiration of the Exercise Period provided; however, Party A may extend the Exercise Period and this Agreement in its sole discretion; or
|
10.2.4
|
upon the unanimous agreement by all parties.
|
10.3
|
Section 7 regarding confidentiality and Section 12 regarding indemnification shall survive the termination of this Agreement.
|
11.
|
Taxes and Fees
|
12.
|
Indemnification
|
13.
|
General Terms
|
13.1
|
Entire Agreement. This Agreement and the Exhibits and Schedules hereto contain the entire understanding between the parties, no other representations, warranties or covenants having induced any party to execute this Agreement, and supersede all prior or contemporaneous agreements with respect to the subject matter hereof. All references to schedules and exhibits are to exhibits and schedules attached to and to become a part of this Agreement unless otherwise indicated.
|
13.2
|
Amendment. Any amendment and/or rescission shall be in writing and signed by the authorized representatives of all parties. Such revision shall be a valid integral part of this Agreement.
|
13.3
|
Headings. The headings of any Sections or other portion of this Agreement are for convenience only and are not to be considered in construing this Agreement.
|
13.4
|
Construction. References in this Agreement to "Sections," "Schedules" and "Exhibits" shall be to the Sections, Schedules and Exhibits of this Agreement, unless otherwise specifically provided; any use in this Agreement of the singular or plural, or the masculine, feminine or neuter gender, shall be deemed to include the others, unless the context otherwise requires; the words "herein”, "hereof" and "hereunder" and words of similar import, when used in this Agreement, shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement; the word "including" when used in this Agreement shall mean “including without limitation”; and except as otherwise specified in this Agreement, all references in this Agreement (a) to any agreement, document, certificate or other written instrument shall be a reference to such agreement, document, certificate or instrument, in each case together with all exhibits, schedules, attachments and appendices thereto, and as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof; and (b) to any law, statute or regulation shall be deemed references to such law, statute or regulation as the same may be supplemented, amended, consolidated, superseded or modified from time to time.
|
13.5
|
Severability. Any provision hereof that is prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability, without invalidating the remaining provisions hereof, and any such prohibition or unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.
|
13.6
|
Waiver. No failure or delay of either party to enforce any right hereunder shall constitute a waiver of any such right hereunder. No waiver shall be effective hereunder unless in writing and a waiver shall only be effective for the specific act or circumstance for which it is given and not for any future act or circumstance.
|
13.7
|
Succession of this Agreement. This Agreement shall bind the successors and transferees of all parties.
|
13.8
|
Language. This Agreement is in both Chinese and English and signed by all parties, and the two versions have the same effect. Should there be any discrepancy between the two language versions, the Chinese version shall prevail.
|
13.9
|
Copies of this Agreement. This Agreement shall be executed in four counterparts; each party holds one and the rest are used for the transaction of related formalities. Each of the copies shall be deemed as the original one and has the same effect.
|
1.
|
Conferring and Exercise of Purchase Option
|
1.1
|
Exclusive Purchase Option of the Object Equities. Party B agrees to irrevocably confer Party A the exclusive option to purchase all the equities Party B holds in Party C (“
Equity Purchase Option
”).
|
1.1.1
|
This Agreement is executed on the date first above written and shall take effect as of such date (such day, the “Effective Date”), and subject to earlier termination by Party A, shall continue in effect until the thirtieth anniversary of the Effective Date (the “Initial Term”); provided, that if this Agreement has not been terminated by Party A prior to the end of the Initial Term or a Renewal Term (as the case may be), the term of this Agreement automatically and without any action of any party shall be extended for additional successive ten year periods thereafter (each a “Renewal Term,” and collectively with the Initial Term, the “Term”), unless not less than 30 days prior to the end of the Initial Term or any Renewal Term Party A notifies Party B and Party C in writing that this Agreement shall terminate at the end of the Initial Term or that Renewal Term, as the case may be. In no event shall Party B or Party C have the right to unilaterally terminate this Agreement.
|
1.1.2
|
Commencing upon the Effective Date and continuing through the Term of this Agreement (“
Exercise Period
”), Party A or its Designee shall have the right to purchase all or part of the equities Party B holds in Party C pursuant to the related terms and conditions under this Agreement and at the Exercise Price for Equity Purchase Option (as defined hereunder), provided that the laws of the PRC at that time permits. Party B agrees to enter into an Equity Transfer Agreement (“
Equity Transfer Agreement
”) with Party A or its Designee in the format. The Exercise Period under this Agreement may be extended by the written consent of Party A before the expiration date. The term of extension shall be determined through mutual agreement by all parties to this Agreement.
|
1.1.3
|
Where the laws of the PRC permits and Party A sends the Equity Purchase Exercise Notice (as defined in Subsection 2.2.1), Party B and Party C shall unconditionally cooperate with Party A to carry out the above procedures and transfer all or part of the Object Equities to Party A or its Designee, and transact all necessary formalities such as review and approval, permit, registration and filing.
|
1.1.4
|
The Object Equities shall be free of any Security Interest. For the purpose of this Agreement, Security Interest means any mortgage, pledge, the right or interest of the third party, any purchase right of equity interest, right of acquisition, right of first refusal, right of set-off, ownership detainment or other security arrangements; however, it does not include any security interests created under Equity the Pledge Agreement entered into by Party A and Party B on the same day as this Agreement (“
Equity Pledge Agreement
”).
|
1.1.5
|
During the Exercise Period, if the holding of all or part of the Object Equities by Party B is or will be deemed to violate the applicable laws, Party B and Party C shall immediately send a written notice to Party A to explain the reason in detail.
|
1.2
|
Exclusive Purchase Option to the Object Assets. Party C here agrees to irrevocably confer Party A the purchase option to purchase all of its assets (“
Assets Purchase Option
”). The Equity Purchase Option and the Assets Purchase Option collectively are referred to as “
Purchase Option
”:
|
1.2.1
|
During the Exercise Period, Party A or its Designee shall have the right to purchase all or part of the assets owned by Party C pursuant to the terms and conditions under this Agreement at the Exercise Price for Assets Purchase Option or a percentage thereof (as defined hereunder), provided that the laws of the PRC at that time permits. Party C agrees to enter into an assets transfer agreement (“
Assets Transfer Agreement
”) with Party A or its Designee.
|
1.2.2
|
Where the laws of the PRC permits and Party A sends the Asset Purchase Exercise Notice (as defined in Subsection 2.3.1), Party B and Party C shall unconditionally cooperate with Party A to carry out the above procedures and transfer all or part of the Object Assets to Party A or its Designee, and transact all necessary formalities such as review and approval, permit, registration and filing.
|
1.2.3
|
When Party A exercises the Assets Purchase Option, Party B and Party C shall ensure other shareholders of Party C will approve the asset transfer under this Agreement.
|
2.
|
Exercise Steps
|
2.1
|
Pursuant to the applicable laws of the PRC, Party A shall have the right to determine the time, manner and number of purchases for the Purchase Option.
|
2.2
|
Exercise steps to purchase equities:
|
2.2.1
|
During the Exercise Period, Party A may send an exercise notice (“
Equity Purchase Exercise Notice
”) to Party B to exercise the Equity Purchase Option under this Agreement to purchase all or part of the Object Equities or transfer all or part of the Object Equities to a Designee, provided that the laws of the PRC permits at that time.
|
2.2.2
|
Upon receipt of the Equity Purchase Notice pursuant to Subsection 2.2.1 above or earlier if requested by Party A, Party B shall immediately:
|
(a)
|
obtain the waiver concerning the first refusal of other shareholders of Party C at that time on the purchase of such equities;
|
(b)
|
enter into an Equity Transfer Agreement in the format attached as Annex 1 hereto with Party A and/or its Designee according the requirements of the Equity Purchase Exercise Notice;
|
(c)
|
revise the Articles of Association of Party C together with Party A and/or its Designee and other shareholders of Party C at that time pursuant to the Equity Transfer Agreement;
|
(d)
|
cause Party C to promptly convene a shareholder’s meeting to pass the resolutions to approve the equity transfer pursuant to the exercise of the Equity Purchase Option and the amendment to the Articles of Association of Party C;
|
(e)
|
together with Party A and/or its Designee and other shareholders of Party C at that time, handle all necessary approval and examination, registration and filing procedures required by the laws of the PRC within thirty (30) business days as of the date of receipt of the Equity Purchase Exercise Notice by Party B or an earlier time agreed upon by the parties; and
|
(f)
|
execute all other requisite contracts, agreements or documents, obtain all requisite approvals and consents of the government, conduct all necessary actions to transfer the valid ownership, without any Security Interest, of the Object Equities to Party A and/or its Designee, and cause Party A and/or its Designee to be the registered owner of the Object Equities.
|
2.3
|
Exercise steps to purchase assets:
|
2.3.1
|
During the Exercise Period, Party A may send an exercise notice (“
Assets Purchase Exercise Notice
”) to Party C to exercise the Assets Purchase Option under this Agreement, purchase all or part of the Object Assets owned by Party C or transfer all or part of the Object Assets to a Designee, provided that the laws of the PRC permits at that time.
|
2.3.2
|
Once Party C receives the Assets Purchase Exercise Notice pursuant to Subsection 2.3.1 above or earlier if requested by Party A, Party C shall immediately:
|
(a)
|
enter into an Assets Transfer Agreement in the format attached as Annex 2 hereto and any other necessary agreements with Party A and/or its Designee according to the requirements set forth in the Assets Purchase Exercise Notice;
|
(b)
|
convene a shareholder's meeting to pass the resolution to approve the exercise of the Assets Purchase Option; and
|
(c)
|
together with all the shareholders of Party C at that time execute all other requisite contracts, agreements or documents, obtain all requisite approvals and consents of the government, conduct all necessary actions to transfer the valid ownership, without any security interest, of the Object Assets to Party A and/or it Designee, and cause Party A and/or its Designee to be the registered owner of the Object Assets (if necessary).
|
2.4
|
Before Party A obtains the Object Equities or the Object Assets by means of exercising either the Equity Purchase Option or the Assets Purchase Option, Party B and/or Party C shall entrust Party A to manage Party C pursuant to the Management Entrustment Agreement entered into by and between Party A and Party C on the same day as this Agreement.
|
3.
|
Exercise Conditions
|
4.
|
Exercise Price
|
4.1
|
Exercise price for Equity Purchase Option (“
Exercise Price for Equity Purchase Option
”) or Assets Purchase Option (“
Exercise Price for Assets Purchase Option
”)
|
5.
|
Representations and Warranties
|
5.1
|
Each party respectively represents and warranties to the other parties that:
|
5.1.1
|
it has the right to execute this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreement, and the Assets Transfer Agreement, and the capability to perform its obligations under this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreement, and the Assets Transfer Agreement;
|
5.1.2
|
it has carried out necessary internal derision-making procedures, obtained proper authority, acquired all the necessary consent and approval of any requisite third party and government authority to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreement, and the Assets Transfer Agreement; and
|
5.1.3
|
once executed, this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreement, and the Assets Transfer Agreement will constitute the legal, valid, and binding obligation of each party, and each party will be subject to compulsory enforcement on it pursuant to the terms and conditions under this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreement, and the Assets Transfer Agreement.
|
5.2
|
Party B hereby represents and warrants to Party A that:
|
5.2.1 Party B is a shareholder, duly and legally registered, of Party C and has paid the subscribed registered capital in full sum pursuant to the laws of the PRC;
|
5.2.2 The Object Equities held by Party B can be freely transferred without anyone's prior consent, and the Object Equities are free of encumbrances of any kind, other than the Security Interest pursuant to the Equity Pledge Agreement.
|
5.2.3 Party B has complied with all the laws of the PRC and regulations applicable to the purchase of assets and equities in connection with this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreement, and the Assets Transfer Agreement;
|
5.2.4 No litigation, arbitration or administrative procedure relevant to the Object Equities or Party B is in process or to be settled, and Party B has no knowledge of any pending or threatened claim;
|
5.2.5 Party B has not sold or agreed to sell the Object Equities to any third party other than Party A or its Designee, and Party B has no future plans to sell or agree to sell the Object Equities to any third party other than Party A or its Designee;
|
5.2.6 Party B strictly abides by the obligations under the Articles of Association of Party C. There are no circumstances that may affect the legal status of Party B as the shareholder of Party C, or any circumstance that may prevent Party A from exercising the Equity Purchase Option under this Agreement;
|
5.2.7 Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreements or Assets Transfer Agreements, nor the performance of the obligations under this Agreement, any Equity Transfer Agreements or Assets Transfer Agreements will: (i) violate any laws of the PRC; (ii) conflict with its Articles of Association or other organizational documents; (iii) breach any contracts or documents to which Party B is a party or which bind Party B; (iv) violate any acquired permits, approvals or any valid qualifications; or (v) result in the ceasing or revocation or additional conditions to the acquired permits or approvals;
|
5.2.8 Party B, upon the request of Party A, will appoint any person designated by Party A to be the director of Party C; and
|
5.2.9 Party B shall promptly notify Party A of any pending or threatened litigation, arbitration or administrative procedure related to the assets, business and income of Party C, and tender to Party A the sole control of the defense and settlement of such claim and cooperate with such defense and/or settlement at its own expense.
|
5.3
|
Party C hereby represents and warrants to Party A that:
|
5.3.1 Party C is a company with limited liability, which has been duly incorporated and validly existing pursuant to the laws of the PRC;
|
5.3.2 Party C has stated to Party A, in the Article 5.1 of Management Entrustment Agreement by on the same day as this Agreement, the legal status of land occupied for production facilities, the legal status of production facilities and the contractual arrangement with the local county government in connection with mining rights surrounding the production facilities.
|
5.3.3 Party C complies with all PRC laws and regulations applicable to the purchase of assets and equities in connection with this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreement, and the Assets Transfer Agreement;
|
5.3.4 The shares of Party C are transferable, and Party C has not permitted or caused any Security Interest to be imposed upon the shares of Party C, other than the Security Interest pursuant to the Equity Pledge Agreement;
|
5.3.5 Party C does not have any unpaid debt, other than (i) debt arising from the ordinary course of business; and (ii) debt disclosed to Party A and obtained written consent by Party A;
|
5.3.6 No litigation, arbitration or administrative procedure relevant to Object Equities, the Object Assets or Party C itself is in process or to be settled and Party C has no knowledge of any pending or threatened claim;
|
5.3.7 Party C has not sold or agreed to sell any of its assets to any third party other than Party A or its Designee, and Party C has no future plans to sell or agree to sell the Object Assets to any third party other than Party A or its Designee;
|
5.3.8 Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreements or Assets Transfer Agreements, nor the performance of the obligations under this Agreement, any Equity Transfer Agreements or Assets Transfer Agreements will: (i) violate any laws of the PRC; (ii) conflict with its Articles of Association or other organizational documents; (iii) breach any contracts or documents to which Party C is a party or which bind Party C; (iv) violate any acquired permits, approvals or any valid qualifications; or (v) result in the ceasing or revocation or additional conditions to the acquired permits or approvals;
|
5.3.9 Party C will agree to look for insurance from an insurance company acceptable to Party A. The amount and category of insurance shall be the same as those held by the companies which are in the same industry with similar business and own the similar properties and assets as Party C;
|
5.3.10 Upon the request of Party A, Party C shall provide all related operation and finance materials of Party C to the extent that those materials are available to Party C; and
|
5.3.11 Party C shall promptly notify Party A of any pending or threatened litigation, arbitration or administrative procedure related to the assets, business and income of Party C, and tender to Party A the sole control of the defense and settlement of such claim and cooperate with such defense and/or settlement at Party C's expense.
|
5.4
|
Before Party A obtains the Object Equities and Object Assets of Party C by means of exercising either the Equity Purchase Option or the Assets Purchase Option, without the prior written consent by Party A, Party B and Party C shall not jointly or separately:
|
5.4.1
|
amend, modify or revise the Articles of Association of Party C in any form, or change the structure of the shareholders of Party C;
|
5.4.2
|
agree to increase or decrease the registered capital or the number of existing shareholders of Party C;
|
5.4.3
|
cause Party C to have transactions, which may materially affect the assets, business, net assets or other legal rights and liabilities of Party C, unless these transactions are related to the ordinary course of business or have been disclosed to and the written consent from Party A has been obtained;
|
5.4.4
|
transfer or dispose the Object Equities in any manner or grant any security interest or any other third party right on the Object Equities;
|
5.4.5
|
sell, transfer, mortgage or dispose in any other form, any asset, income and any other legal yield and interest of Party C, or approve any encumbrance or imposition of any Security Interest on Party C’s assets;
|
5.4.6
|
issue or provide guarantee, loan or credit to any third party or incur any debt, other than (i) the debt arising from ordinary course of business; and (ii) the debt has been disclosed to Party A and the written consent by Party A has been obtained.
|
5.4.7
|
terminate or cause Party C to terminate any material agreement (whose definition is at Party A’s discretion at that time) entered into by Party C, or enter into any agreement that would conflict with the existing material agreements of Party C and/or Party B;
|
5.4.8
|
distribute any distributable profit, bonus, dividends or interests of Party C, unless otherwise stipulated by the laws of the PRC; or
|
5.4.9
|
approve or adopt any shareholders resolution at a shareholder meeting of Party C which may cause Party C to be merged, acquired or invested, or to merge, acquire or invest in or associate with any entity other than Party A.
|
6.
|
Transfer of this Agreement
|
6.1
|
Without the prior written consent by Party A, Party B and Party C shall not sub-contract, license or transfer its rights and obligations under this Agreement to any third party or its affiliate; and any transfer of this Agreement without prior written consent of Party A shall be invalid.
|
6.2
|
Party B and Party C agree and confirm that Party A may transfer its rights and obligations under this Agreement, without the consent of Party B and/or Party C, to any third party, provided that Party A notifies Party B and Party C of such transfer in writing.
|
7.
|
Confidentiality
|
7.1
|
All parties agree that, all materials, documents, communications and other information obtained in the negotiation, execution or performance of this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreement, and the Assets Transfer Agreement, whether commercial, technical or in any other form (“Confidential information"), shall be strictly kept confidential and used only for the performance of the obligations under this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreement, and the Assets Transfer Agreement. Unless the other parties consent in writing, none of the parties shall release, leak or disclose any Confidential Information to any third party.
|
7.2
|
Each party may disclose the Confidential Information in the following circumstances: (1) where the laws, court orders or the competent courts with jurisdiction require, and such disclosure may be conducted only within such requirement; (2) where the competent authority or government department requires; (3) where such Confidential Information has been known to the general public; (4) where such Confidential Information was owned duly and legally by the disclosing party rather obtained from the other party before the disclosing party obtains it; (5) the information is required to be disclosed subject to the applicable laws or the rules or provisions of a stock exchange or securities governing authority; and (6) the information is disclosed by each party to its legal or financial consultant relating the transaction of this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreement, and the Assets Transfer Agreement, and this legal or financial consultant shall comply with the confidentiality set forth in this Section 7.
|
7.3
|
Nonetheless other provisions of this Section 7, each party shall have the right to disclose the Confidential Information to its lawyer, accountant, other professional consultants, directors or senior officers; such personnel shall undertake in writing to treat such information as Confidential Information by taking the measures similar to those provided in 7.1 of this Section.
|
7.4
|
The disclosure of the Confidential Information by staff or employed institution of any party shall be deemed as the disclosure of such Confidential Information by such party, and such party shall bear the liabilities for breaching the agreement.
|
7.5
|
This Section 7 shall survive whatever this Agreement is invalid, amended, revoked, terminated or unable to implement by any reason.
|
8.
|
Liability for breach
|
8.1
|
Any parties shall sufficiently perform this Agreement. Any Party breaching this Agreement shall bear the liability as arising out of and in relation thereto. If such breach causes damages to any other party, the breaching party shall compensate such party for all such damages.
|
8.2
|
If Party B breaches this Agreement, in addition to the remedies stipulated by the laws of the PRC, Party A may also take the following measures:
|
8.2.1
|
require Party B to transfer all or any part of the Object equities immediately at the Exercise Price for Equity Purchase Option to Party A or its Designee, provided that the laws of the PRC permit at that time; and
|
8.2.2
|
require Party B to compensate all direct and indirect damages, including but not limited to all the legal fees, travel fees and investigation fees paid for seeking and enforcing such remedies.
|
8.3
|
If Party C breaches this Agreement, in addition to the remedies stipulated by the laws of the PRC, Party A may also take the following measures:
|
8.3.1 require Party C to transfer all or part of the Object Assets immediately at the Exercise Price for Assets Purchase Option to Party A or its Designee, provided that the laws of the PRC permit at that time;
|
8.3.2 require Party B to exercise the rights as a shareholder of Party C, and cure the breach of Party C; if after ten (10) days after Party A sends a written notice to Party B or Party C, such breach has not been cured, Party A shall have the right to require Party B to transfer all or part of the Object Equities immediately at the Exercise price for Equity Purchase Option to Party A or its Designee provided that the laws of the PRC permit at that time; or
|
8.3.3 require Party B and Party C to compensate all direct and indirect damages, including but not limited to all the legal fees, travel fees and investigation fees paid for seeking and enforcing such remedies.
|
9.
|
Governing Law and Dispute Resolution
|
9.1
|
The execution, effectiveness, construction, performance, amendment and termination of this Agreement and the resolution of disputes hereunder shall be governed by the formally published and publicly available laws of the PRC. Matters not covered by formally published and publicly available laws of the PRC shall be governed by international legal principles and practices.
|
9.2
|
All parties agree that any dispute arising from or in relation to this Agreement shall first be settled by the friendly negotiation of both parties. If the negotiation fails within 45 days, each party shall have the right to file the dispute with China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission (“
CIETAC
”) in Beijing for arbitration pursuant to the currently effective arbitration rules of CIETAC at the time of application. This arbitration shall be final and bind all parties and shall be enforceable in any court of competent jurisdiction. The arbitration fees shall be born by the losing party.
|
9.3
|
Upon the occurrence of any disputes arising from the construction and performance of this Agreement or during the pending arbitration of any dispute, except for the matters under dispute, the Parties to this Agreement shall continue to exercise their respective rights under this Agreement and perform their respective obligations under this Agreement.
|
10.
|
Effect and Termination
|
10.1
|
This Agreement shall come into effect on and after the date that it is signed and/or stamped by all parties.
|
10.2
|
In any of the following circumstances, this Agreement shall be terminated:
|
10.2.1
|
where, during the Exercise Period, all parties reach an agreement to terminate this Agreement;
|
10.2.2
|
where, during the Exercise Period, Party A notifies the other parties thirty (30) days in advance to terminate this Agreement; in such circumstance, Party A shall not assume any liabilities as arising out of and in relation thereto;
|
10.2.3
|
at the expiration of the Exercise Period provided; however, Party A may extend the Exercise Period and this Agreement in its sole discretion; or
|
10.2.4
|
upon the unanimous agreement by all parties.
|
10.3
|
Section 7 regarding confidentiality and Section 12 regarding indemnification shall survive the termination of this Agreement.
|
11.
|
Taxes and Fees
|
12.
|
Indemnification
|
13.
|
General Terms
|
13.1
|
Entire Agreement. This Agreement and the Exhibits and Schedules hereto contain the entire understanding between the parties, no other representations, warranties or covenants having induced any party to execute this Agreement, and supersede all prior or contemporaneous agreements with respect to the subject matter hereof. All references to schedules and exhibits are to exhibits and schedules attached to and to become a part of this Agreement unless otherwise indicated.
|
13.2
|
Amendment. Any amendment and/or rescission shall be in writing and signed by the authorized representatives of all parties. Such revision shall be a valid integral part of this Agreement.
|
13.3
|
Headings. The headings of any Sections or other portion of this Agreement are for convenience only and are not to be considered in construing this Agreement.
|
13.4
|
Construction. References in this Agreement to "Sections," "Schedules" and "Exhibits" shall be to the Sections, Schedules and Exhibits of this Agreement, unless otherwise specifically provided; any use in this Agreement of the singular or plural, or the masculine, feminine or neuter gender, shall be deemed to include the others, unless the context otherwise requires; the words "herein”, "hereof" and "hereunder" and words of similar import, when used in this Agreement, shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement; the word "including" when used in this Agreement shall mean “including without limitation”; and except as otherwise specified in this Agreement, all references in this Agreement (a) to any agreement, document, certificate or other written instrument shall be a reference to such agreement, document, certificate or instrument, in each case together with all exhibits, schedules, attachments and appendices thereto, and as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof; and (b) to any law, statute or regulation shall be deemed references to such law, statute or regulation as the same may be supplemented, amended, consolidated, superseded or modified from time to time.
|
13.5
|
Severability. Any provision hereof that is prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability, without invalidating the remaining provisions hereof, and any such prohibition or unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.
|
13.6
|
Waiver. No failure or delay of either party to enforce any right hereunder shall constitute a waiver of any such right hereunder. No waiver shall be effective hereunder unless in writing and a waiver shall only be effective for the specific act or circumstance for which it is given and not for any future act or circumstance.
|
13.7
|
Succession of this Agreement. This Agreement shall bind the successors and transferees of all parties.
|
13.8
|
Language. This Agreement is in both Chinese and English and signed by all parties, and the two versions have the same effect. Should there be any discrepancy between the two language versions, the Chinese version shall prevail.
|
13.9
|
Copies of this Agreement. This Agreement shall be executed in four counterparts; each party holds one and the rest are used for the transaction of related formalities. Each of the copies shall be deemed as the original one and has the same effect.
|
1.
|
Conferring and Exercise of Purchase Option
|
1.1
|
Exclusive Purchase Option of the Object Equities. Party B agrees to irrevocably confer Party A the exclusive option to purchase all the equities Party B holds in Party C (“
Equity Purchase Option
”).
|
1.1.1
|
This Agreement is executed on the date first above written and shall take effect as of such date (such day, the “Effective Date”), and subject to earlier termination by Party A, shall continue in effect until the thirtieth anniversary of the Effective Date (the “Initial Term”); provided, that if this Agreement has not been terminated by Party A prior to the end of the Initial Term or a Renewal Term (as the case may be), the term of this Agreement automatically and without any action of any party shall be extended for additional successive ten year periods thereafter (each a “Renewal Term,” and collectively with the Initial Term, the “Term”), unless not less than 30 days prior to the end of the Initial Term or any Renewal Term Party A notifies Party B and Party C in writing that this Agreement shall terminate at the end of the Initial Term or that Renewal Term, as the case may be. In no event shall Party B or Party C have the right to unilaterally terminate this Agreement.
|
1.1.2
|
Commencing upon the Effective Date and continuing through the Term of this Agreement (“
Exercise Period
”), Party A or its Designee shall have the right to purchase all or part of the equities Party B holds in Party C pursuant to the related terms and conditions under this Agreement and at the Exercise Price for Equity Purchase Option (as defined hereunder), provided that the laws of the PRC at that time permits. Party B agrees to enter into an Equity Transfer Agreement (“
Equity Transfer Agreement
”) with Party A or its Designee in the format. The Exercise Period under this Agreement may be extended by the written consent of Party A before the expiration date. The term of extension shall be determined through mutual agreement by all parties to this Agreement.
|
1.1.3
|
Where the laws of the PRC permits and Party A sends the Equity Purchase Exercise Notice (as defined in Subsection 2.2.1), Party B and Party C shall unconditionally cooperate with Party A to carry out the above procedures and transfer all or part of the Object Equities to Party A or its Designee, and transact all necessary formalities such as review and approval, permit, registration and filing.
|
1.1.4
|
The Object Equities shall be free of any Security Interest. For the purpose of this Agreement, Security Interest means any mortgage, pledge, the right or interest of the third party, any purchase right of equity interest, right of acquisition, right of first refusal, right of set-off, ownership detainment or other security arrangements; however, it does not include any security interests created under Equity the Pledge Agreement entered into by Party A and Party B on the same day as this Agreement (“
Equity Pledge Agreement
”).
|
1.1.5
|
During the Exercise Period, if the holding of all or part of the Object Equities by Party B is or will be deemed to violate the applicable laws, Party B and Party C shall immediately send a written notice to Party A to explain the reason in detail.
|
1.2
|
Exclusive Purchase Option to the Object Assets. Party C here agrees to irrevocably confer Party A the purchase option to purchase all of its assets (“
Assets Purchase Option
”). The Equity Purchase Option and the Assets Purchase Option collectively are referred to as “
Purchase Option
”:
|
1.2.1
|
During the Exercise Period, Party A or its Designee shall have the right to purchase all or part of the assets owned by Party C pursuant to the terms and conditions under this Agreement at the Exercise Price for Assets Purchase Option or a percentage thereof (as defined hereunder), provided that the laws of the PRC at that time permits. Party C agrees to enter into an assets transfer agreement (“
Assets Transfer Agreement
”) with Party A or its Designee.
|
1.2.2
|
Where the laws of the PRC permits and Party A sends the Asset Purchase Exercise Notice (as defined in Subsection 2.3.1), Party B and Party C shall unconditionally cooperate with Party A to carry out the above procedures and transfer all or part of the Object Assets to Party A or its Designee, and transact all necessary formalities such as review and approval, permit, registration and filing.
|
1.2.3
|
When Party A exercises the Assets Purchase Option, Party B and Party C shall ensure other shareholders of Party C will approve the asset transfer under this Agreement.
|
2.
|
Exercise Steps
|
2.1
|
Pursuant to the applicable laws of the PRC, Party A shall have the right to determine the time, manner and number of purchases for the Purchase Option.
|
2.2
|
Exercise steps to purchase equities:
|
2.2.1
|
During the Exercise Period, Party A may send an exercise notice (“
Equity Purchase Exercise Notice
”) to Party B to exercise the Equity Purchase Option under this Agreement to purchase all or part of the Object Equities or transfer all or part of the Object Equities to a Designee, provided that the laws of the PRC permits at that time.
|
2.2.2
|
Upon receipt of the Equity Purchase Notice pursuant to Subsection 2.2.1 above or earlier if requested by Party A, Party B shall immediately:
|
(a)
|
obtain the waiver concerning the first refusal of other shareholders of Party C at that time on the purchase of such equities;
|
(b)
|
enter into an Equity Transfer Agreement in the format attached as Annex 1 hereto with Party A and/or its Designee according the requirements of the Equity Purchase Exercise Notice;
|
(c)
|
revise the Articles of Association of Party C together with Party A and/or its Designee and other shareholders of Party C at that time pursuant to the Equity Transfer Agreement;
|
(d)
|
cause Party C to promptly convene a shareholder’s meeting to pass the resolutions to approve the equity transfer pursuant to the exercise of the Equity Purchase Option and the amendment to the Articles of Association of Party C;
|
(e)
|
together with Party A and/or its Designee and other shareholders of Party C at that time, handle all necessary approval and examination, registration and filing procedures required by the laws of the PRC within thirty (30) business days as of the date of receipt of the Equity Purchase Exercise Notice by Party B or an earlier time agreed upon by the parties; and
|
(f)
|
execute all other requisite contracts, agreements or documents, obtain all requisite approvals and consents of the government, conduct all necessary actions to transfer the valid ownership, without any Security Interest, of the Object Equities to Party A and/or its Designee, and cause Party A and/or its Designee to be the registered owner of the Object Equities.
|
2.3
|
Exercise steps to purchase assets:
|
2.3.1
|
During the Exercise Period, Party A may send an exercise notice (“
Assets Purchase Exercise Notice
”) to Party C to exercise the Assets Purchase Option under this Agreement, purchase all or part of the Object Assets owned by Party C or transfer all or part of the Object Assets to a Designee, provided that the laws of the PRC permits at that time.
|
2.3.2
|
Once Party C receives the Assets Purchase Exercise Notice pursuant to Subsection 2.3.1 above or earlier if requested by Party A, Party C shall immediately:
|
(a)
|
enter into an Assets Transfer Agreement in the format attached as Annex 2 hereto and any other necessary agreements with Party A and/or its Designee according to the requirements set forth in the Assets Purchase Exercise Notice;
|
(b)
|
convene a shareholder's meeting to pass the resolution to approve the exercise of the Assets Purchase Option; and
|
(c)
|
together with all the shareholders of Party C at that time execute all other requisite contracts, agreements or documents, obtain all requisite approvals and consents of the government, conduct all necessary actions to transfer the valid ownership, without any security interest, of the Object Assets to Party A and/or it Designee, and cause Party A and/or its Designee to be the registered owner of the Object Assets (if necessary).
|
2.4
|
Before Party A obtains the Object Equities or the Object Assets by means of exercising either the Equity Purchase Option or the Assets Purchase Option, Party B and/or Party C shall entrust Party A to manage Party C pursuant to the Management Entrustment Agreement entered into by and between Party A and Party C on the same day as this Agreement.
|
3.
|
Exercise Conditions
|
4.
|
Exercise Price
|
4.1
|
Exercise price for Equity Purchase Option (“
Exercise Price for Equity Purchase Option
”) or Assets Purchase Option (“
Exercise Price for Assets Purchase Option
”)
|
5.
|
Representations and Warranties
|
5.1
|
Each party respectively represents and warranties to the other parties that:
|
5.1.1
|
it has the right to execute this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreement, and the Assets Transfer Agreement, and the capability to perform its obligations under this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreement, and the Assets Transfer Agreement;
|
5.1.2
|
it has carried out necessary internal derision-making procedures, obtained proper authority, acquired all the necessary consent and approval of any requisite third party and government authority to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreement, and the Assets Transfer Agreement; and
|
5.1.3
|
once executed, this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreement, and the Assets Transfer Agreement will constitute the legal, valid, and binding obligation of each party, and each party will be subject to compulsory enforcement on it pursuant to the terms and conditions under this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreement, and the Assets Transfer Agreement.
|
5.2
|
Party B hereby represents and warrants to Party A that:
|
5.2.1 Party B is a shareholder, duly and legally registered, of Party C and has paid the subscribed registered capital in full sum pursuant to the laws of the PRC;
|
5.2.2 The Object Equities held by Party B can be freely transferred without anyone's prior consent, and the Object Equities are free of encumbrances of any kind, other than the Security Interest pursuant to the Equity Pledge Agreement.
|
5.2.3 Party B has complied with all the laws of the PRC and regulations applicable to the purchase of assets and equities in connection with this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreement, and the Assets Transfer Agreement;
|
5.2.4 No litigation, arbitration or administrative procedure relevant to the Object Equities or Party B is in process or to be settled, and Party B has no knowledge of any pending or threatened claim;
|
5.2.5 Party B has not sold or agreed to sell the Object Equities to any third party other than Party A or its Designee, and Party B has no future plans to sell or agree to sell the Object Equities to any third party other than Party A or its Designee;
|
5.2.6 Party B strictly abides by the obligations under the Articles of Association of Party C. There are no circumstances that may affect the legal status of Party B as the shareholder of Party C, or any circumstance that may prevent Party A from exercising the Equity Purchase Option under this Agreement;
|
5.2.7 Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreements or Assets Transfer Agreements, nor the performance of the obligations under this Agreement, any Equity Transfer Agreements or Assets Transfer Agreements will: (i) violate any laws of the PRC; (ii) conflict with its Articles of Association or other organizational documents; (iii) breach any contracts or documents to which Party B is a party or which bind Party B; (iv) violate any acquired permits, approvals or any valid qualifications; or (v) result in the ceasing or revocation or additional conditions to the acquired permits or approvals;
|
5.2.8 Party B, upon the request of Party A, will appoint any person designated by Party A to be the director of Party C; and
|
5.2.9 Party B shall promptly notify Party A of any pending or threatened litigation, arbitration or administrative procedure related to the assets, business and income of Party C, and tender to Party A the sole control of the defense and settlement of such claim and cooperate with such defense and/or settlement at its own expense.
|
5.3
|
Party C hereby represents and warrants to Party A that:
|
5.3.1 Party C is a company with limited liability, which has been duly incorporated and validly existing pursuant to the laws of the PRC;
|
5.3.2 Party C has stated to Party A, in the Article 5.1 of Management Entrustment Agreement by on the same day as this Agreement, the legal status of land occupied for production facilities, the legal status of production facilities and the contractual arrangement with the local county government in connection with mining rights surrounding the production facilities.
|
5.3.3 Party C complies with all PRC laws and regulations applicable to the purchase of assets and equities in connection with this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreement, and the Assets Transfer Agreement;
|
5.3.4 The shares of Party C are transferable, and Party C has not permitted or caused any Security Interest to be imposed upon the shares of Party C, other than the Security Interest pursuant to the Equity Pledge Agreement;
|
5.3.5 Party C does not have any unpaid debt, other than (i) debt arising from the ordinary course of business; and (ii) debt disclosed to Party A and obtained written consent by Party A;
|
5.3.6 No litigation, arbitration or administrative procedure relevant to Object Equities, the Object Assets or Party C itself is in process or to be settled and Party C has no knowledge of any pending or threatened claim;
|
5.3.7 Party C has not sold or agreed to sell any of its assets to any third party other than Party A or its Designee, and Party C has no future plans to sell or agree to sell the Object Assets to any third party other than Party A or its Designee;
|
5.3.8 Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreements or Assets Transfer Agreements, nor the performance of the obligations under this Agreement, any Equity Transfer Agreements or Assets Transfer Agreements will: (i) violate any laws of the PRC; (ii) conflict with its Articles of Association or other organizational documents; (iii) breach any contracts or documents to which Party C is a party or which bind Party C; (iv) violate any acquired permits, approvals or any valid qualifications; or (v) result in the ceasing or revocation or additional conditions to the acquired permits or approvals;
|
5.3.9 Party C will agree to look for insurance from an insurance company acceptable to Party A. The amount and category of insurance shall be the same as those held by the companies which are in the same industry with similar business and own the similar properties and assets as Party C;
|
5.3.10 Upon the request of Party A, Party C shall provide all related operation and finance materials of Party C to the extent that those materials are available to Party C; and
|
5.3.11 Party C shall promptly notify Party A of any pending or threatened litigation, arbitration or administrative procedure related to the assets, business and income of Party C, and tender to Party A the sole control of the defense and settlement of such claim and cooperate with such defense and/or settlement at Party C's expense.
|
5.4
|
Before Party A obtains the Object Equities and Object Assets of Party C by means of exercising either the Equity Purchase Option or the Assets Purchase Option, without the prior written consent by Party A, Party B and Party C shall not jointly or separately:
|
5.4.1
|
amend, modify or revise the Articles of Association of Party C in any form, or change the structure of the shareholders of Party C;
|
5.4.2
|
agree to increase or decrease the registered capital or the number of existing shareholders of Party C;
|
5.4.3
|
cause Party C to have transactions, which may materially affect the assets, business, net assets or other legal rights and liabilities of Party C, unless these transactions are related to the ordinary course of business or have been disclosed to and the written consent from Party A has been obtained;
|
5.4.4
|
transfer or dispose the Object Equities in any manner or grant any security interest or any other third party right on the Object Equities;
|
5.4.5
|
sell, transfer, mortgage or dispose in any other form, any asset, income and any other legal yield and interest of Party C, or approve any encumbrance or imposition of any Security Interest on Party C’s assets;
|
5.4.6
|
issue or provide guarantee, loan or credit to any third party or incur any debt, other than (i) the debt arising from ordinary course of business; and (ii) the debt has been disclosed to Party A and the written consent by Party A has been obtained.
|
5.4.7
|
terminate or cause Party C to terminate any material agreement (whose definition is at Party A’s discretion at that time) entered into by Party C, or enter into any agreement that would conflict with the existing material agreements of Party C and/or Party B;
|
5.4.8
|
distribute any distributable profit, bonus, dividends or interests of Party C, unless otherwise stipulated by the laws of the PRC; or
|
5.4.9
|
approve or adopt any shareholders resolution at a shareholder meeting of Party C which may cause Party C to be merged, acquired or invested, or to merge, acquire or invest in or associate with any entity other than Party A.
|
6.
|
Transfer of this Agreement
|
6.1
|
Without the prior written consent by Party A, Party B and Party C shall not sub-contract, license or transfer its rights and obligations under this Agreement to any third party or its affiliate; and any transfer of this Agreement without prior written consent of Party A shall be invalid.
|
6.2
|
Party B and Party C agree and confirm that Party A may transfer its rights and obligations under this Agreement, without the consent of Party B and/or Party C, to any third party, provided that Party A notifies Party B and Party C of such transfer in writing.
|
7.
|
Confidentiality
|
7.1
|
All parties agree that, all materials, documents, communications and other information obtained in the negotiation, execution or performance of this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreement, and the Assets Transfer Agreement, whether commercial, technical or in any other form (“Confidential information"), shall be strictly kept confidential and used only for the performance of the obligations under this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreement, and the Assets Transfer Agreement. Unless the other parties consent in writing, none of the parties shall release, leak or disclose any Confidential Information to any third party.
|
7.2
|
Each party may disclose the Confidential Information in the following circumstances: (1) where the laws, court orders or the competent courts with jurisdiction require, and such disclosure may be conducted only within such requirement; (2) where the competent authority or government department requires; (3) where such Confidential Information has been known to the general public; (4) where such Confidential Information was owned duly and legally by the disclosing party rather obtained from the other party before the disclosing party obtains it; (5) the information is required to be disclosed subject to the applicable laws or the rules or provisions of a stock exchange or securities governing authority; and (6) the information is disclosed by each party to its legal or financial consultant relating the transaction of this Agreement, the Equity Transfer Agreement, and the Assets Transfer Agreement, and this legal or financial consultant shall comply with the confidentiality set forth in this Section 7.
|
7.3
|
Nonetheless other provisions of this Section 7, each party shall have the right to disclose the Confidential Information to its lawyer, accountant, other professional consultants, directors or senior officers; such personnel shall undertake in writing to treat such information as Confidential Information by taking the measures similar to those provided in 7.1 of this Section.
|
7.4
|
The disclosure of the Confidential Information by staff or employed institution of any party shall be deemed as the disclosure of such Confidential Information by such party, and such party shall bear the liabilities for breaching the agreement.
|
7.5
|
This Section 7 shall survive whatever this Agreement is invalid, amended, revoked, terminated or unable to implement by any reason.
|
8.
|
Liability for breach
|
8.1
|
Any parties shall sufficiently perform this Agreement. Any Party breaching this Agreement shall bear the liability as arising out of and in relation thereto. If such breach causes damages to any other party, the breaching party shall compensate such party for all such damages.
|
8.2
|
If Party B breaches this Agreement, in addition to the remedies stipulated by the laws of the PRC, Party A may also take the following measures:
|
8.2.1
|
require Party B to transfer all or any part of the Object equities immediately at the Exercise Price for Equity Purchase Option to Party A or its Designee, provided that the laws of the PRC permit at that time; and
|
8.2.2
|
require Party B to compensate all direct and indirect damages, including but not limited to all the legal fees, travel fees and investigation fees paid for seeking and enforcing such remedies.
|
8.3
|
If Party C breaches this Agreement, in addition to the remedies stipulated by the laws of the PRC, Party A may also take the following measures:
|
8.3.1 require Party C to transfer all or part of the Object Assets immediately at the Exercise Price for Assets Purchase Option to Party A or its Designee, provided that the laws of the PRC permit at that time;
|
8.3.2 require Party B to exercise the rights as a shareholder of Party C, and cure the breach of Party C; if after ten (10) days after Party A sends a written notice to Party B or Party C, such breach has not been cured, Party A shall have the right to require Party B to transfer all or part of the Object Equities immediately at the Exercise price for Equity Purchase Option to Party A or its Designee provided that the laws of the PRC permit at that time; or
|
8.3.3 require Party B and Party C to compensate all direct and indirect damages, including but not limited to all the legal fees, travel fees and investigation fees paid for seeking and enforcing such remedies.
|
9.
|
Governing Law and Dispute Resolution
|
9.1
|
The execution, effectiveness, construction, performance, amendment and termination of this Agreement and the resolution of disputes hereunder shall be governed by the formally published and publicly available laws of the PRC. Matters not covered by formally published and publicly available laws of the PRC shall be governed by international legal principles and practices.
|
9.2
|
All parties agree that any dispute arising from or in relation to this Agreement shall first be settled by the friendly negotiation of both parties. If the negotiation fails within 45 days, each party shall have the right to file the dispute with China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission (“
CIETAC
”) in Beijing for arbitration pursuant to the currently effective arbitration rules of CIETAC at the time of application. This arbitration shall be final and bind all parties and shall be enforceable in any court of competent jurisdiction. The arbitration fees shall be born by the losing party.
|
9.3
|
Upon the occurrence of any disputes arising from the construction and performance of this Agreement or during the pending arbitration of any dispute, except for the matters under dispute, the Parties to this Agreement shall continue to exercise their respective rights under this Agreement and perform their respective obligations under this Agreement.
|
10.
|
Effect and Termination
|
10.1
|
This Agreement shall come into effect on and after the date that it is signed and/or stamped by all parties.
|
10.2
|
In any of the following circumstances, this Agreement shall be terminated:
|
10.2.1
|
where, during the Exercise Period, all parties reach an agreement to terminate this Agreement;
|
10.2.2
|
where, during the Exercise Period, Party A notifies the other parties thirty (30) days in advance to terminate this Agreement; in such circumstance, Party A shall not assume any liabilities as arising out of and in relation thereto;
|
10.2.3
|
at the expiration of the Exercise Period provided; however, Party A may extend the Exercise Period and this Agreement in its sole discretion; or
|
10.2.4
|
upon the unanimous agreement by all parties.
|
10.3
|
Section 7 regarding confidentiality and Section 12 regarding indemnification shall survive the termination of this Agreement.
|
11.
|
Taxes and Fees
|
12.
|
Indemnification
|
13.
|
General Terms
|
13.1
|
Entire Agreement. This Agreement and the Exhibits and Schedules hereto contain the entire understanding between the parties, no other representations, warranties or covenants having induced any party to execute this Agreement, and supersede all prior or contemporaneous agreements with respect to the subject matter hereof. All references to schedules and exhibits are to exhibits and schedules attached to and to become a part of this Agreement unless otherwise indicated.
|
13.2
|
Amendment. Any amendment and/or rescission shall be in writing and signed by the authorized representatives of all parties. Such revision shall be a valid integral part of this Agreement.
|
13.3
|
Headings. The headings of any Sections or other portion of this Agreement are for convenience only and are not to be considered in construing this Agreement.
|
13.4
|
Construction. References in this Agreement to "Sections," "Schedules" and "Exhibits" shall be to the Sections, Schedules and Exhibits of this Agreement, unless otherwise specifically provided; any use in this Agreement of the singular or plural, or the masculine, feminine or neuter gender, shall be deemed to include the others, unless the context otherwise requires; the words "herein”, "hereof" and "hereunder" and words of similar import, when used in this Agreement, shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement; the word "including" when used in this Agreement shall mean “including without limitation”; and except as otherwise specified in this Agreement, all references in this Agreement (a) to any agreement, document, certificate or other written instrument shall be a reference to such agreement, document, certificate or instrument, in each case together with all exhibits, schedules, attachments and appendices thereto, and as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof; and (b) to any law, statute or regulation shall be deemed references to such law, statute or regulation as the same may be supplemented, amended, consolidated, superseded or modified from time to time.
|
13.5
|
Severability. Any provision hereof that is prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability, without invalidating the remaining provisions hereof, and any such prohibition or unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.
|
13.6
|
Waiver. No failure or delay of either party to enforce any right hereunder shall constitute a waiver of any such right hereunder. No waiver shall be effective hereunder unless in writing and a waiver shall only be effective for the specific act or circumstance for which it is given and not for any future act or circumstance.
|
13.7
|
Succession of this Agreement. This Agreement shall bind the successors and transferees of all parties.
|
13.8
|
Language. This Agreement is in both Chinese and English and signed by all parties, and the two versions have the same effect. Should there be any discrepancy between the two language versions, the Chinese version shall prevail.
|
13.9
|
Copies of this Agreement. This Agreement shall be executed in four counterparts; each party holds one and the rest are used for the transaction of related formalities. Each of the copies shall be deemed as the original one and has the same effect.
|
1.
|
On the date of execution of this Agreement, Party A is one of the shareholders of Zhuolu Jinxin Mining Co., Ltd. (“Jinxin Company”) and duly holds 47% of the shares of Jinxin Company;
|
2.
|
Jinxin Company is a corporation incorporated and validly existing in the territory of the PRC pursuant to the law of the PRC with business license registration number: 130731000000165 and its address at at Chunshugou Village, Luanzhuang Town, Zhuolu County, Hebei Province.
|
3.
|
In order to ensure all the shareholders of Jinxin Company and/or Jinxin Company to perform all obligations under the Management Entrustment Agreement, Power of Attorney and Exclusive Purchase Option Agreement (collectively referred to as “Onshore Agreements”) entered into on the same day as this Agreement, Party A agrees to pledge all the shares held by Party A in Jinxin Company to Party B as the guarantee for the performance of the Onshore Agreements by the related responsible parties pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, and Party B agrees to accept such pledge provided by Party A.
|
1.
|
Pledge of Equity
|
|
1.1
|
In order to guarantee Jinxin Company, all the shareholders of Jinxin Company (“Shareholders” )and other related responsible parties to perform all obligations and liabilities under the Onshore Agreements, Party A agrees to pledge the Pledged Equities (as defined in Section 4 herein) under this Agreement to Party B pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, and Party B agrees to accept the above equity pledge, and have priority right to the proceeds from the conversion, auction, or sale of the Pledged Equities.
|
|
1.2
|
The pledge under this Agreement includes the rights owned by Party B to collect the fees (including legal fees), expenses, interests, losses, liquidated damages and compensations that Jinxin Company and/or the Shareholders shall pay under the Onshore Agreements, and civil liabilities that Jinxin Company and/or the Shareholders shall bear in case the Onshore Agreements wholly or partially become null and void due to any reason.
|
|
1.3
|
Unless consent in writing by Party B, after the execution of this Agreement, the pledge under this Agreement will be terminated only when Jinxin Company and the Shareholders have performed all the obligations and liabilities under the Onshore Agreements and Party B confirms such fulfillment in writing. If Jinxin Company or the Shareholders have not fully performed all or part of its or their obligations or liabilities under the Onshore Agreements at the expiration of such agreements, Party B will maintain the pledge hereunder up to the date when all such obligations and liabilities are fully performed.
|
2.
|
Representations and Warranties
|
|
2.1
|
Party A represents and warrants to Party B, on the day of execution of this Agreement:
|
|
2.1.1.
|
Party A has the right to execute this Agreement and the capability to perform the same;
|
|
2.1.2.
|
Party A has gone through necessary internal decision-making procedures, obtained proper authority, acquire all the necessary consents and approvals of any requisite third party and government authority to enter into and perform this Agreement and this Agreement does not violate the laws of the PRC and contracts binding or affecting it;
|
|
2.1.3.
|
upon the execution, this Agreement will constitute the legal, valid, binding obligation of both parties and both parties will be subject to compulsory enforcement pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Agreement;
|
|
2.1.4.
|
Party A is the exclusive and duly owner of the Pledged Equities, has paid up all capitals subscribed, has obtained the capital verification report issued by the duly qualified Certified Public Accounting firm and has the right to set the pledge of the first priority on such Pledged Equities for Party B;
|
|
2.1.5.
|
except for the pledge under this Agreement, there is not: (i) any other encumbrance or any security interests for the benefit of any third party on the equity interests pledged by Party A (including but not limited to pledge); (ii) any mortgages or other guarantee rights set for any third party; (iii) any pending or possible civil, administrative or criminal litigation or administrative punishment or arbitration relating to the equity interests hereunder on the date of execution of this Agreement; (iv) any trusts or conditions of limited use; (v) any exemptions from lawsuit, execution, enforcement or other legal proceedings; or (vi) any outstanding taxes, fees or undecided legal procedures related with the equity interests hereunder on the date of execution of this Agreement;
|
|
2.1.6.
|
Party A has not effected and will not effect an Event of Default (as defined in Section 8) and has no knowledge of any risk of an Event of Default under this Agreement or any other agreement to which Party A are a party;
|
|
2.1.7.
|
Party A has abided by and performed all obligations stipulated by the applicable laws, regulations and rules and all applicable authorizations and permissions; Party A does not have any circumstances that go against any laws, regulations or rules and may have material and adverse effect on the validity, effect, performance and enforceability of this Agreement; and
|
|
2.1.8.
|
to the best knowledge of Party A, no court, arbitral tribunal or government authority starts to take any legal proceedings or administrative proceedings against Party A or the Pledged Equities, neither does any courts, arbitral tribunals or government authority start to file any legal proceedings or administrative proceedings against Party A or the Pledged Equities, and Party A has no knowledge of any such risks.
|
|
2.2
|
Party B presents and warranties to Party A on the day of execution of this Agreement:
|
|
2.2.1.
|
it has the right, to execute this Agreement and the capability to perform the same;
|
|
2.2.2.
|
it has carried out necessary internal decision-making procedures, obtained proper authority, acquire the necessary consents and approvals of any third party and government authority to enter into and perform this Agreement and it does not go against the laws and contracts binding or affecting it; and
|
|
2.2.3.
|
upon the execution, this Agreement will constitute the legal, valid, binding obligation of both parties and both parties shall be subject to compulsory enforcement pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Agreement.
|
3.
|
Guaranteed Liabilities
|
4.
|
Pledged Equities
|
5.
|
Pledge Procedures and Transaction
|
6.
|
Party A’s Undertaking
|
|
6.1
|
without the prior written consent of Party B, Party A shall not impose any other encumbrance (whether prevailing over the pledge under this Agreement or not) or other restrictive conditions on all or part of the Pledged Equities;
|
|
6.2
|
without the prior written consent of Party B, Party A shall not sell, lease, lend, transfer, assign, grant, remortgage, trust, or participate in equity investment by, the Pledged Equities or dispose by any other means all or part of the Pledged Equities;
|
|
6.3
|
Party A shall not use or allow others to use the Pledged Equities for any actions or events against any laws or this Agreement;
|
|
6.4
|
after receiving any notice, order, ruling, verdict or other instruments in relation to the Pledged Equities from the government, judicial authority or arbitral organization, Party A shall immediately notify Party B and within the period provided by the applicable laws take all necessary steps to reduce the risks that such notice, order or other instruments may bring to the Pledged Equities. Where Party B deems necessary, Party A shall file a lawsuit, arbitration or administrative lawsuit against the above notice, order or other instruments and bear all fees that arising therefrom and in relation thereto;
|
|
6.5
|
Party A shall immediately notify Party B of any events or any received notices which may affect the equity interest of Party A or any part of its right, and any events or any received notices which may change the covenants and obligations of Party A under this Agreement or which may affect the performance of its obligations under this Agreement, and take actions in accordance with the instructions of Party B;
|
|
6.6
|
Party A agrees that the right of Party B to exercise the pledge pursuant to this Agreement shall not be suspended or hampered by Party A or any successors or transferees of Party A or any other persons;
|
|
6.7
|
Party A warrants to Party B that in order to protect and perfect the security over the obligations of Party A and/or Jinxin Company under the Onshore Agreements, Party A shall make any necessary amendment (if applicable), execute in good faith and cause any third party who has interests in the pledge to execute all the title certificates, contracts, and /or perform and cause any third party who has interests to take action as required by Party B and make access to exercise the rights and authorization vested in Party B under this Agreement, and execute all the documents with respect to the changes of equity interests owned by Party B or another party designated by Party B, and provides Party B with all the necessary documents within the reasonable time; and
|
|
6.8
|
Party A warrants to Party B that Party A will comply with and perform all the guarantees, covenants, agreements, representations and conditions for the benefits of Party B. Party A shall indemnity Party B for all the damages suffered by Party B for the reasons that Party A does not perform or fully perform such guarantees, covenants, agreements, representations and conditions.
|
7.
|
Exercise of Pledge
|
|
7.1
|
Subject to Clause 8.3, Party B may dispose the Pledged Equities at any time upon or after sending the notice for the exercise of the pledge.
|
|
7.2
|
Party B shall have the priority right to dispose all or part of Pledged Equities under this Agreement (including but not limited to purchase of shares at discounted price by agreement, sell at auction by the laws of the PRC, sell-off Pledged Equities) as per legal procedures and to be paid with the sum gained from the disposal until all guaranteed liabilities of Jinxin Company and the Shareholders under the Onshore Agreements are fulfilled completely.
|
|
7.3
|
Where Party B disposes the Pledged Equities pursuant to this Agreement, Party A shall provide and cause Jinxin Company to provide necessary assistance so that Party B can realize its pledge.
|
8.
|
Event of Default
|
|
8.1
|
The following events shall be regarded as an Event of Default:
|
|
8.1.1.
|
where Party A and/or Jinxin Company and related responsible parties fail to perform any obligations under the Onshore Agreements in time or fails to discharge any guaranteed liability as scheduled in full sum;
|
|
8.1.2.
|
where there are any falsity, fraud, misleading statements or errors relating to any representation and undertaking Party A makes in Section 2
herein;
|
|
8.1.3.
|
where Party A violates any undertaking in Section 6 of this Agreement;
|
|
8.1.4.
|
where Party A violates any other terms and conditions of this Agreement;
|
|
8.1.5.
|
where Party A refuses or intentionally delays the registration procedures for the pledge under this Agreement and fails to correct such action within ten (10) days as of the day when Party B requires in writing to do so;
|
|
8.1.6.
|
where any loan, guarantee, indemnity, undertaking or other compensation liability of Party A: (i) is required to be repaid or performed in advance due to an event of default; or (ii) is due but unable to be repaid or performed as scheduled, which makes Party B reasonably believe that the ability of Party A to perform its obligations under this Agreement has been materially and adversely affected;
|
|
8.1.7.
|
where this Agreement becomes ineffective, revocable, unenforceable or Party A cannot continue performing its obligations under this Agreement in time and fully due to the fault (including omission) of Party A after the issuance of new laws of the PRC;
|
|
8.1.8.
|
Party A waive the pledged equity interests or transfers the pledged equity interests without prior written consent from the Party B;
|
|
8.1.9.
|
any approval, permits, licenses or authorization from the competent authority of the government needed to perform under this Agreement or validate this Agreement are withdrawn, suspended, invalidated or materially amended;
|
|
8.1.10.
|
the property of Party A is adversely changed and causes Party B to deem that the capability of Party A to perform the obligations herein is affected; and
|
|
8.1.11.
|
other circumstances in which Party B cannot exercise and dispose the pledge due to the fault (including omission) of Party A.
|
|
8.2
|
If Party A knows or should have known the occurrence of any event stated above in Subsection 8.1 or any matter that may incur the above events, Party A shall immediately notify Party B in writing.
|
|
8.3
|
Unless Party A immediately takes the measures satisfactory to Party B to correct the Event of Default listed in Subsection 8.1 above, Party B may send written notice of exercising the pledge to Party A at any time upon or after the occurrence of Event of Default, demand Party A and/or Jinxin Company to: (i) make full payment of the outstanding fees pursuant to the Onshore Agreement, and (ii) immediate perform their obligations under the Onshore Agreements, and require disposal of the Pledged Equities pursuant to this Agreement.
|
|
8.4
|
The Event of Default provided in this Section 8 will not affect the exercise of other remedies by the parties pursuant to the laws of the PRC.
|
9.
|
Liability in the Event of Default
|
10.
|
Assignment
|
|
10.1
|
Without the prior written consent of Party B, Party A shall not have the right to assign or delegate its rights and obligations under this Agreement.
|
|
10.2
|
This Agreement shall be binding on Party A and its successors and permitted assigns, and shall be valid with respect to Party B and each of its successors and assigns.
|
|
10.3
|
At any time, Party B may assign any and all of its rights and obligations under the Onshore Agreements to its designee(s) (natural or legal persons), in which case the assigns shall have the rights and obligations of Party B under this Agreement, as if it were the original party to this Agreement. When Party B assigns the rights and obligations under the Onshore Agreements, at the request of Party B, Party A shall execute relevant agreements or other documents relating to such assignment.
|
|
10.4
|
In the event of a change in the pledgee due to an assignment, Party A shall, at the request of Party B, execute a new pledge agreement with the new pledgee on the same terms and conditions as this Agreement, and register for change of the pledgee with the competent Administration of Industry and Commerce.
|
11.
|
Termination
|
12.
|
Taxes, Fees and Other Expenses
|
13.
|
Confidentiality
|
|
13.1
|
Both parties agree that, all materials, documents, communications and other information obtained in the negotiation, execution or performance of this Agreement, whether commercial, technical or in any other form (“
Confidential information
"), shall be strictly kept confidential and used only for the performance of the obligations under this Agreement. Unless the other parties consent in writing, neither of the parties shall release, leak or disclose any Confidential Information to any third party.
|
|
13.2
|
Either party may disclose the Confidential Information in the following circumstances: (i) where the laws, court orders or the competent courts with jurisdiction require, and such disclosure may be conducted only within such requirement; (ii) where the competent authority or government department requires; (iii) where such Confidential Information has been known to the general public; (iv) where such Confidential Information was owned duly and legally by the disclosing party rather obtained from the other party before the disclosing party obtains it; (v) the information is required to be disclosed subject to the applicable laws or the rules or provisions of a stock exchange or securities governing authority; and (vi) the information is disclosed by each party to its legal or financial consultant relating the transaction of this Agreement, and this legal or financial consultant shall comply with the confidentiality set forth in this Section 13. However, for the circumstances aforesaid, where either party discloses the Confidential Information, it shall inform the other party of the Confidential Information to be disclosed.
|
|
13.3
|
Nonetheless other provisions of this Section 13, either party shall have the right to disclose the Confidential Information to its lawyer, accountant, other professional consultants, directors or senior officers; such personnel shall undertake in writing to treat such information as Confidential Information by taking the measures similar to those provided in 13.1 of this Section.
|
|
13.4
|
The disclosure of the Confidential Information by staff or employed institution of any party shall be deemed as the disclosure of such Confidential Information by such party, and such party shall bear the liabilities for breaching the agreement.
|
|
13.5
|
This Section 13 shall survive whatever this Agreement is invalid, amended, revoked, terminated or unable to implement by any reason.
|
14.
|
Governing Law and Dispute Resolution
|
|
14.1
|
The execution, effectiveness, construction, performance, amendment and termination of this Agreement and the resolution of disputes hereunder shall be governed by the formally published and publicly available laws of the PRC. Matters not covered by formally published and publicly available laws of the PRC shall be governed by international legal principles and practices.
|
|
14.2
|
Both parties agree that any dispute arising from or in relation to this Agreement shall first be settled by the friendly negotiation of both parties. If the negotiation fails within 45 days, either party shall have the right to file the dispute with China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission (“
CIETAC
”) in Beijing for arbitration pursuant to the currently effective arbitration rules of CIETAC at the time of application. This arbitration shall be final and bind both parties and shall be enforceable in any court of competent jurisdiction. The arbitration fees shall be born by the losing party.
|
|
14.3
|
Upon the occurrence of any disputes arising from the construction and performance of this Agreement or during the pending arbitration of any dispute, except for the matters under dispute, the Parties to this Agreement shall continue to exercise their respective rights under this Agreement and perform their respective obligations under this Agreement.
|
15.
|
Effect, Change and Recession of this Agreement
|
|
15.1
|
This Agreement shall come into effect on and after the date that it is signed and/or stamped by both parties.
|
|
15.2
|
After this Agreement comes into effect, except otherwise provided by this Agreement, neither party shall amend or terminate this Agreement in advance. If it is necessary to amend or terminate this Agreement, both parties shall negotiate to reach a written agreement. Before such written agreement is reached, this Agreement shall remain in effect.
|
16.
|
Physical Possession Of Documents
|
|
16.1
|
Party A shall deliver the physical possession of the certificates of registration (original) of the pledge to Party B, provide the proper record relating to the registration of such pledge to Party B, and transact various approval and examination, registration and filling procedures required by the laws of the PRC within thirty (30) business days as of the date of execution of this Agreement or an earlier time agreed upon by the parties.
|
|
16.2
|
If the subjects of the pledge change and such changes need to be registered or filed, Party A shall register or file or cause Jinxin Company to register or file such changes within five (5) business days as of the day of change, and shall deliver relevant registration of change or filling documents to Party B.
|
|
16.3
|
During the term of the equity pledge, Party A shall instruct Jinxin Company not to distribute any dividends, or adopt any profits distribution plans; if Party A shall be entitled to collect any interests other than distribution plans of dividends and profits, Party A shall instruct Jinxin Company to transform such interests into cash and pay such interests into the bank account designated by Party B in accordance with Party B’s requirements, and Party A shall not use any money deposited into the bank account without the prior written consent of Party B.
|
|
16.4
|
During the term of equity pledge, if Party A subscribes new capital contribution or accepts an equity transfer (“Newly-added Equities”), the Newly-added Equities shall be automatically become Pledged Equities under this Agreement, and Party A shall accomplish all the procedures with respect to the pledge of the Newly-added Equities within ten (10) business days after acquiring the Newly-added Equities. If Party A fails to accomplish the relevant procedures as specified in this Section 16, Party B shall have the right to exercise the pledge right under this Agreement.
|
17.
|
General Terms
|
|
17.1
|
Entire Agreement. This Agreement and the Exhibits and Schedules hereto contain the entire understanding between the parties, no other representations, warranties or covenants having induced any party to execute this Agreement, and supersede all prior or contemporaneous agreements with respect to the subject matter hereof. All references to schedules and exhibits are to exhibits and schedules attached to and to become a part of this Agreement unless otherwise indicated.
|
|
17.2
|
Amendment. Any amendment and/or rescission shall be in writing and signed by the authorized representatives of both parties. Such revision shall be a valid integral part of this Agreement.
|
|
17.3
|
Headings. The headings of any Sections or other portion of this Agreement are for convenience only and are not to be considered in construing this Agreement.
|
|
17.4
|
Construction. References in this Agreement to "Sections," "Schedules" and "Exhibits" shall be to the Sections, Schedules and Exhibits of this Agreement, unless otherwise specifically provided; any use in this Agreement of the singular or plural, or the masculine, feminine or neuter gender, shall be deemed to include the others, unless the context otherwise requires; the words "herein”, "hereof" and "hereunder" and words of similar import, when used in this Agreement, shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement; the word "including" when used in this Agreement shall mean “including without limitation”; and except as otherwise specified in this Agreement, all references in this Agreement (i) to any agreement, document, certificate or other written instrument shall be a reference to such agreement, document, certificate or instrument, in each case together with all exhibits, schedules, attachments and appendices thereto, and as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof; and (ii) to any law, statute or regulation shall be deemed references to such law, statute or regulation as the same may be supplemented, amended, consolidated, superseded or modified from time to time.
|
|
17.5
|
Severability. Any provision hereof that is prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability, without invalidating the remaining provisions hereof, and any such prohibition or unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.
|
|
17.6
|
Waiver. No failure or delay of either party to enforce any right hereunder shall constitute a waiver of any such right hereunder. No waiver shall be effective hereunder unless in writing and a waiver shall only be effective for the specific act or circumstance for which it is given and not for any future act or circumstance.
|
|
17.7
|
Language. This Agreement is in both Chinese and English and signed by both parties, and the two versions have the same effect. Should there be any discrepancy between the two language versions, the Chinese version shall prevail.
|
|
17.8
|
Copies of this Agreement. This Agreement shall be executed in four counterparts; each party holds one and the rest are used for the transaction of related formalities. Each of the copies shall be deemed as the original one and has the same effect.
|
1.
|
On the date of execution of this Agreement, Party A is one of the shareholders of Zhuolu Jinxin Mining Co., Ltd. (“Jinxin Company”) and duly holds 21.87% of the shares of Jinxin Company;
|
2.
|
Jinxin Company is a corporation incorporated and validly existing in the territory of the PRC pursuant to the law of the PRC with business license registration number: 130731000000165 and its address at at Chunshugou Village, Luanzhuang Town, Zhuolu County, Hebei Province.
|
3.
|
In order to ensure all the shareholders of Jinxin Company and/or Jinxin Company to perform all obligations under the Management Entrustment Agreement, Power of Attorney and Exclusive Purchase Option Agreement (collectively referred to as “Onshore Agreements”) entered into on the same day as this Agreement, Party A agrees to pledge all the shares held by Party A in Jinxin Company to Party B as the guarantee for the performance of the Onshore Agreements by the related responsible parties pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, and Party B agrees to accept such pledge provided by Party A.
|
1.
|
Pledge of Equity
|
|
1.1
|
In order to guarantee Jinxin Company, all the shareholders of Jinxin Company (“Shareholders” )and other related responsible parties to perform all obligations and liabilities under the Onshore Agreements, Party A agrees to pledge the Pledged Equities (as defined in Section 4 herein) under this Agreement to Party B pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, and Party B agrees to accept the above equity pledge, and have priority right to the proceeds from the conversion, auction, or sale of the Pledged Equities.
|
|
1.2
|
The pledge under this Agreement includes the rights owned by Party B to collect the fees (including legal fees), expenses, interests, losses, liquidated damages and compensations that Jinxin Company and/or the Shareholders shall pay under the Onshore Agreements, and civil liabilities that Jinxin Company and/or the Shareholders shall bear in case the Onshore Agreements wholly or partially become null and void due to any reason.
|
|
1.3
|
Unless consent in writing by Party B, after the execution of this Agreement, the pledge under this Agreement will be terminated only when Jinxin Company and the Shareholders have performed all the obligations and liabilities under the Onshore Agreements and Party B confirms such fulfillment in writing. If Jinxin Company or the Shareholders have not fully performed all or part of its or their obligations or liabilities under the Onshore Agreements at the expiration of such agreements, Party B will maintain the pledge hereunder up to the date when all such obligations and liabilities are fully performed.
|
2.
|
Representations and Warranties
|
|
2.1
|
Party A represents and warrants to Party B, on the day of execution of this Agreement:
|
|
2.1.1.
|
Party A has the right to execute this Agreement and the capability to perform the same;
|
|
2.1.2.
|
Party A has gone through necessary internal decision-making procedures, obtained proper authority, acquire all the necessary consents and approvals of any requisite third party and government authority to enter into and perform this Agreement and this Agreement does not violate the laws of the PRC and contracts binding or affecting it;
|
|
2.1.3.
|
upon the execution, this Agreement will constitute the legal, valid, binding obligation of both parties and both parties will be subject to compulsory enforcement pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Agreement;
|
|
2.1.4.
|
Party A is the exclusive and duly owner of the Pledged Equities, has paid up all capitals subscribed, has obtained the capital verification report issued by the duly qualified Certified Public Accounting firm and has the right to set the pledge of the first priority on such Pledged Equities for Party B;
|
|
2.1.5.
|
except for the pledge under this Agreement, there is not: (i) any other encumbrance or any security interests for the benefit of any third party on the equity interests pledged by Party A (including but not limited to pledge); (ii) any mortgages or other guarantee rights set for any third party; (iii) any pending or possible civil, administrative or criminal litigation or administrative punishment or arbitration relating to the equity interests hereunder on the date of execution of this Agreement; (iv) any trusts or conditions of limited use; (v) any exemptions from lawsuit, execution, enforcement or other legal proceedings; or (vi) any outstanding taxes, fees or undecided legal procedures related with the equity interests hereunder on the date of execution of this Agreement;
|
|
2.1.6.
|
Party A has not effected and will not effect an Event of Default (as defined in Section 8) and has no knowledge of any risk of an Event of Default under this Agreement or any other agreement to which Party A are a party;
|
|
2.1.7.
|
Party A has abided by and performed all obligations stipulated by the applicable laws, regulations and rules and all applicable authorizations and permissions; Party A does not have any circumstances that go against any laws, regulations or rules and may have material and adverse effect on the validity, effect, performance and enforceability of this Agreement; and
|
|
2.1.8.
|
to the best knowledge of Party A, no court, arbitral tribunal or government authority starts to take any legal proceedings or administrative proceedings against Party A or the Pledged Equities, neither does any courts, arbitral tribunals or government authority start to file any legal proceedings or administrative proceedings against Party A or the Pledged Equities, and Party A has no knowledge of any such risks.
|
|
2.2
|
Party B presents and warranties to Party A on the day of execution of this Agreement:
|
|
2.2.1.
|
it has the right, to execute this Agreement and the capability to perform the same;
|
|
2.2.2.
|
it has carried out necessary internal decision-making procedures, obtained proper authority, acquire the necessary consents and approvals of any third party and government authority to enter into and perform this Agreement and it does not go against the laws and contracts binding or affecting it; and
|
|
2.2.3.
|
upon the execution, this Agreement will constitute the legal, valid, binding obligation of both parties and both parties shall be subject to compulsory enforcement pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Agreement.
|
3.
|
Guaranteed Liabilities
|
4.
|
Pledged Equities
|
5.
|
Pledge Procedures and Transaction
|
6.
|
Party A’s Undertaking
|
|
6.1
|
without the prior written consent of Party B, Party A shall not impose any other encumbrance (whether prevailing over the pledge under this Agreement or not) or other restrictive conditions on all or part of the Pledged Equities;
|
|
6.2
|
without the prior written consent of Party B, Party A shall not sell, lease, lend, transfer, assign, grant, remortgage, trust, or participate in equity investment by, the Pledged Equities or dispose by any other means all or part of the Pledged Equities;
|
|
6.3
|
Party A shall not use or allow others to use the Pledged Equities for any actions or events against any laws or this Agreement;
|
|
6.4
|
after receiving any notice, order, ruling, verdict or other instruments in relation to the Pledged Equities from the government, judicial authority or arbitral organization, Party A shall immediately notify Party B and within the period provided by the applicable laws take all necessary steps to reduce the risks that such notice, order or other instruments may bring to the Pledged Equities. Where Party B deems necessary, Party A shall file a lawsuit, arbitration or administrative lawsuit against the above notice, order or other instruments and bear all fees that arising therefrom and in relation thereto;
|
|
6.5
|
Party A shall immediately notify Party B of any events or any received notices which may affect the equity interest of Party A or any part of its right, and any events or any received notices which may change the covenants and obligations of Party A under this Agreement or which may affect the performance of its obligations under this Agreement, and take actions in accordance with the instructions of Party B;
|
|
6.6
|
Party A agrees that the right of Party B to exercise the pledge pursuant to this Agreement shall not be suspended or hampered by Party A or any successors or transferees of Party A or any other persons;
|
|
6.7
|
Party A warrants to Party B that in order to protect and perfect the security over the obligations of Party A and/or Jinxin Company under the Onshore Agreements, Party A shall make any necessary amendment (if applicable), execute in good faith and cause any third party who has interests in the pledge to execute all the title certificates, contracts, and /or perform and cause any third party who has interests to take action as required by Party B and make access to exercise the rights and authorization vested in Party B under this Agreement, and execute all the documents with respect to the changes of equity interests owned by Party B or another party designated by Party B, and provides Party B with all the necessary documents within the reasonable time; and
|
|
6.8
|
Party A warrants to Party B that Party A will comply with and perform all the guarantees, covenants, agreements, representations and conditions for the benefits of Party B. Party A shall indemnity Party B for all the damages suffered by Party B for the reasons that Party A does not perform or fully perform such guarantees, covenants, agreements, representations and conditions.
|
7.
|
Exercise of Pledge
|
|
7.1
|
Subject to Clause 8.3, Party B may dispose the Pledged Equities at any time upon or after sending the notice for the exercise of the pledge.
|
|
7.2
|
Party B shall have the priority right to dispose all or part of Pledged Equities under this Agreement (including but not limited to purchase of shares at discounted price by agreement, sell at auction by the laws of the PRC, sell-off Pledged Equities) as per legal procedures and to be paid with the sum gained from the disposal until all guaranteed liabilities of Jinxin Company and the Shareholders under the Onshore Agreements are fulfilled completely.
|
|
7.3
|
Where Party B disposes the Pledged Equities pursuant to this Agreement, Party A shall provide and cause Jinxin Company to provide necessary assistance so that Party B can realize its pledge.
|
8.
|
Event of Default
|
|
8.1
|
The following events shall be regarded as an Event of Default:
|
|
8.1.1.
|
where Party A and/or Jinxin Company and related responsible parties fail to perform any obligations under the Onshore Agreements in time or fails to discharge any guaranteed liability as scheduled in full sum;
|
|
8.1.2.
|
where there are any falsity, fraud, misleading statements or errors relating to any representation and undertaking Party A makes in Section 2
herein;
|
|
8.1.3.
|
where Party A violates any undertaking in Section 6 of this Agreement;
|
|
8.1.4.
|
where Party A violates any other terms and conditions of this Agreement;
|
|
8.1.5.
|
where Party A refuses or intentionally delays the registration procedures for the pledge under this Agreement and fails to correct such action within ten (10) days as of the day when Party B requires in writing to do so;
|
|
8.1.6.
|
where any loan, guarantee, indemnity, undertaking or other compensation liability of Party A: (i) is required to be repaid or performed in advance due to an event of default; or (ii) is due but unable to be repaid or performed as scheduled, which makes Party B reasonably believe that the ability of Party A to perform its obligations under this Agreement has been materially and adversely affected;
|
|
8.1.7.
|
where this Agreement becomes ineffective, revocable, unenforceable or Party A cannot continue performing its obligations under this Agreement in time and fully due to the fault (including omission) of Party A after the issuance of new laws of the PRC;
|
|
8.1.8.
|
Party A waive the pledged equity interests or transfers the pledged equity interests without prior written consent from the Party B;
|
|
8.1.9.
|
any approval, permits, licenses or authorization from the competent authority of the government needed to perform under this Agreement or validate this Agreement are withdrawn, suspended, invalidated or materially amended;
|
|
8.1.10.
|
the property of Party A is adversely changed and causes Party B to deem that the capability of Party A to perform the obligations herein is affected; and
|
|
8.1.11.
|
other circumstances in which Party B cannot exercise and dispose the pledge due to the fault (including omission) of Party A.
|
|
8.2
|
If Party A knows or should have known the occurrence of any event stated above in Subsection 8.1 or any matter that may incur the above events, Party A shall immediately notify Party B in writing.
|
|
8.3
|
Unless Party A immediately takes the measures satisfactory to Party B to correct the Event of Default listed in Subsection 8.1 above, Party B may send written notice of exercising the pledge to Party A at any time upon or after the occurrence of Event of Default, demand Party A and/or Jinxin Company to: (i) make full payment of the outstanding fees pursuant to the Onshore Agreement, and (ii) immediate perform their obligations under the Onshore Agreements, and require disposal of the Pledged Equities pursuant to this Agreement.
|
|
8.4
|
The Event of Default provided in this Section 8 will not affect the exercise of other remedies by the parties pursuant to the laws of the PRC.
|
9.
|
Liability in the Event of Default
|
10.
|
Assignment
|
|
10.1
|
Without the prior written consent of Party B, Party A shall not have the right to assign or delegate its rights and obligations under this Agreement.
|
|
10.2
|
This Agreement shall be binding on Party A and its successors and permitted assigns, and shall be valid with respect to Party B and each of its successors and assigns.
|
|
10.3
|
At any time, Party B may assign any and all of its rights and obligations under the Onshore Agreements to its designee(s) (natural or legal persons), in which case the assigns shall have the rights and obligations of Party B under this Agreement, as if it were the original party to this Agreement. When Party B assigns the rights and obligations under the Onshore Agreements, at the request of Party B, Party A shall execute relevant agreements or other documents relating to such assignment.
|
|
10.4
|
In the event of a change in the pledgee due to an assignment, Party A shall, at the request of Party B, execute a new pledge agreement with the new pledgee on the same terms and conditions as this Agreement, and register for change of the pledgee with the competent Administration of Industry and Commerce.
|
11.
|
Termination
|
12.
|
Taxes, Fees and Other Expenses
|
13.
|
Confidentiality
|
|
13.1
|
Both parties agree that, all materials, documents, communications and other information obtained in the negotiation, execution or performance of this Agreement, whether commercial, technical or in any other form (“
Confidential information
"), shall be strictly kept confidential and used only for the performance of the obligations under this Agreement. Unless the other parties consent in writing, neither of the parties shall release, leak or disclose any Confidential Information to any third party.
|
|
13.2
|
Either party may disclose the Confidential Information in the following circumstances: (i) where the laws, court orders or the competent courts with jurisdiction require, and such disclosure may be conducted only within such requirement; (ii) where the competent authority or government department requires; (iii) where such Confidential Information has been known to the general public; (iv) where such Confidential Information was owned duly and legally by the disclosing party rather obtained from the other party before the disclosing party obtains it; (v) the information is required to be disclosed subject to the applicable laws or the rules or provisions of a stock exchange or securities governing authority; and (vi) the information is disclosed by each party to its legal or financial consultant relating the transaction of this Agreement, and this legal or financial consultant shall comply with the confidentiality set forth in this Section 13. However, for the circumstances aforesaid, where either party discloses the Confidential Information, it shall inform the other party of the Confidential Information to be disclosed.
|
|
13.3
|
Nonetheless other provisions of this Section 13, either party shall have the right to disclose the Confidential Information to its lawyer, accountant, other professional consultants, directors or senior officers; such personnel shall undertake in writing to treat such information as Confidential Information by taking the measures similar to those provided in 13.1 of this Section.
|
|
13.4
|
The disclosure of the Confidential Information by staff or employed institution of any party shall be deemed as the disclosure of such Confidential Information by such party, and such party shall bear the liabilities for breaching the agreement.
|
|
13.5
|
This Section 13 shall survive whatever this Agreement is invalid, amended, revoked, terminated or unable to implement by any reason.
|
14.
|
Governing Law and Dispute Resolution
|
|
14.1
|
The execution, effectiveness, construction, performance, amendment and termination of this Agreement and the resolution of disputes hereunder shall be governed by the formally published and publicly available laws of the PRC. Matters not covered by formally published and publicly available laws of the PRC shall be governed by international legal principles and practices.
|
|
14.2
|
Both parties agree that any dispute arising from or in relation to this Agreement shall first be settled by the friendly negotiation of both parties. If the negotiation fails within 45 days, either party shall have the right to file the dispute with China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission (“
CIETAC
”) in Beijing for arbitration pursuant to the currently effective arbitration rules of CIETAC at the time of application. This arbitration shall be final and bind both parties and shall be enforceable in any court of competent jurisdiction. The arbitration fees shall be born by the losing party.
|
|
14.3
|
Upon the occurrence of any disputes arising from the construction and performance of this Agreement or during the pending arbitration of any dispute, except for the matters under dispute, the Parties to this Agreement shall continue to exercise their respective rights under this Agreement and perform their respective obligations under this Agreement.
|
15.
|
Effect, Change and Recession of this Agreement
|
|
15.1
|
This Agreement shall come into effect on and after the date that it is signed and/or stamped by both parties.
|
|
15.2
|
After this Agreement comes into effect, except otherwise provided by this Agreement, neither party shall amend or terminate this Agreement in advance. If it is necessary to amend or terminate this Agreement, both parties shall negotiate to reach a written agreement. Before such written agreement is reached, this Agreement shall remain in effect.
|
16.
|
Physical Possession Of Documents
|
|
16.1
|
Party A shall deliver the physical possession of the certificates of registration (original) of the pledge to Party B, provide the proper record relating to the registration of such pledge to Party B, and transact various approval and examination, registration and filling procedures required by the laws of the PRC within thirty (30) business days as of the date of execution of this Agreement or an earlier time agreed upon by the parties.
|
|
16.2
|
If the subjects of the pledge change and such changes need to be registered or filed, Party A shall register or file or cause Jinxin Company to register or file such changes within five (5) business days as of the day of change, and shall deliver relevant registration of change or filling documents to Party B.
|
|
16.3
|
During the term of the equity pledge, Party A shall instruct Jinxin Company not to distribute any dividends, or adopt any profits distribution plans; if Party A shall be entitled to collect any interests other than distribution plans of dividends and profits, Party A shall instruct Jinxin Company to transform such interests into cash and pay such interests into the bank account designated by Party B in accordance with Party B’s requirements, and Party A shall not use any money deposited into the bank account without the prior written consent of Party B.
|
|
16.4
|
During the term of equity pledge, if Party A subscribes new capital contribution or accepts an equity transfer (“Newly-added Equities”), the Newly-added Equities shall be automatically become Pledged Equities under this Agreement, and Party A shall accomplish all the procedures with respect to the pledge of the Newly-added Equities within ten (10) business days after acquiring the Newly-added Equities. If Party A fails to accomplish the relevant procedures as specified in this Section 16, Party B shall have the right to exercise the pledge right under this Agreement.
|
17.
|
General Terms
|
|
17.1
|
Entire Agreement. This Agreement and the Exhibits and Schedules hereto contain the entire understanding between the parties, no other representations, warranties or covenants having induced any party to execute this Agreement, and supersede all prior or contemporaneous agreements with respect to the subject matter hereof. All references to schedules and exhibits are to exhibits and schedules attached to and to become a part of this Agreement unless otherwise indicated.
|
|
17.2
|
Amendment. Any amendment and/or rescission shall be in writing and signed by the authorized representatives of both parties. Such revision shall be a valid integral part of this Agreement.
|
|
17.3
|
Headings. The headings of any Sections or other portion of this Agreement are for convenience only and are not to be considered in construing this Agreement.
|
|
17.4
|
Construction. References in this Agreement to "Sections," "Schedules" and "Exhibits" shall be to the Sections, Schedules and Exhibits of this Agreement, unless otherwise specifically provided; any use in this Agreement of the singular or plural, or the masculine, feminine or neuter gender, shall be deemed to include the others, unless the context otherwise requires; the words "herein”, "hereof" and "hereunder" and words of similar import, when used in this Agreement, shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement; the word "including" when used in this Agreement shall mean “including without limitation”; and except as otherwise specified in this Agreement, all references in this Agreement (i) to any agreement, document, certificate or other written instrument shall be a reference to such agreement, document, certificate or instrument, in each case together with all exhibits, schedules, attachments and appendices thereto, and as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof; and (ii) to any law, statute or regulation shall be deemed references to such law, statute or regulation as the same may be supplemented, amended, consolidated, superseded or modified from time to time.
|
|
17.5
|
Severability. Any provision hereof that is prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability, without invalidating the remaining provisions hereof, and any such prohibition or unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.
|
|
17.6
|
Waiver. No failure or delay of either party to enforce any right hereunder shall constitute a waiver of any such right hereunder. No waiver shall be effective hereunder unless in writing and a waiver shall only be effective for the specific act or circumstance for which it is given and not for any future act or circumstance.
|
|
17.7
|
Language. This Agreement is in both Chinese and English and signed by both parties, and the two versions have the same effect. Should there be any discrepancy between the two language versions, the Chinese version shall prevail.
|
|
17.8
|
Copies of this Agreement. This Agreement shall be executed in four counterparts; each party holds one and the rest are used for the transaction of related formalities. Each of the copies shall be deemed as the original one and has the same effect.
|
1.
|
On the date of execution of this Agreement, Party A is one of the shareholders of Zhuolu Jinxin Mining Co., Ltd. (“Jinxin Company”) and duly holds 7.18% of the shares of Jinxin Company;
|
2.
|
Jinxin Company is a corporation incorporated and validly existing in the territory of the PRC pursuant to the law of the PRC with business license registration number: 130731000000165 and its address at at Chunshugou Village, Luanzhuang Town, Zhuolu County, Hebei Province.
|
3.
|
In order to ensure all the shareholders of Jinxin Company and/or Jinxin Company to perform all obligations under the Management Entrustment Agreement, Power of Attorney and Exclusive Purchase Option Agreement (collectively referred to as “Onshore Agreements”) entered into on the same day as this Agreement, Party A agrees to pledge all the shares held by Party A in Jinxin Company to Party B as the guarantee for the performance of the Onshore Agreements by the related responsible parties pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, and Party B agrees to accept such pledge provided by Party A.
|
1.
|
Pledge of Equity
|
|
1.1
|
In order to guarantee Jinxin Company, all the shareholders of Jinxin Company (“Shareholders” )and other related responsible parties to perform all obligations and liabilities under the Onshore Agreements, Party A agrees to pledge the Pledged Equities (as defined in Section 4 herein) under this Agreement to Party B pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, and Party B agrees to accept the above equity pledge, and have priority right to the proceeds from the conversion, auction, or sale of the Pledged Equities.
|
|
1.2
|
The pledge under this Agreement includes the rights owned by Party B to collect the fees (including legal fees), expenses, interests, losses, liquidated damages and compensations that Jinxin Company and/or the Shareholders shall pay under the Onshore Agreements, and civil liabilities that Jinxin Company and/or the Shareholders shall bear in case the Onshore Agreements wholly or partially become null and void due to any reason.
|
|
1.3
|
Unless consent in writing by Party B, after the execution of this Agreement, the pledge under this Agreement will be terminated only when Jinxin Company and the Shareholders have performed all the obligations and liabilities under the Onshore Agreements and Party B confirms such fulfillment in writing. If Jinxin Company or the Shareholders have not fully performed all or part of its or their obligations or liabilities under the Onshore Agreements at the expiration of such agreements, Party B will maintain the pledge hereunder up to the date when all such obligations and liabilities are fully performed.
|
2.
|
Representations and Warranties
|
|
2.1
|
Party A represents and warrants to Party B, on the day of execution of this Agreement:
|
|
2.1.1.
|
Party A has the right to execute this Agreement and the capability to perform the same;
|
|
2.1.2.
|
Party A has gone through necessary internal decision-making procedures, obtained proper authority, acquire all the necessary consents and approvals of any requisite third party and government authority to enter into and perform this Agreement and this Agreement does not violate the laws of the PRC and contracts binding or affecting it;
|
|
2.1.3.
|
upon the execution, this Agreement will constitute the legal, valid, binding obligation of both parties and both parties will be subject to compulsory enforcement pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Agreement;
|
|
2.1.4.
|
Party A is the exclusive and duly owner of the Pledged Equities, has paid up all capitals subscribed, has obtained the capital verification report issued by the duly qualified Certified Public Accounting firm and has the right to set the pledge of the first priority on such Pledged Equities for Party B;
|
|
2.1.5.
|
except for the pledge under this Agreement, there is not: (i) any other encumbrance or any security interests for the benefit of any third party on the equity interests pledged by Party A (including but not limited to pledge); (ii) any mortgages or other guarantee rights set for any third party; (iii) any pending or possible civil, administrative or criminal litigation or administrative punishment or arbitration relating to the equity interests hereunder on the date of execution of this Agreement; (iv) any trusts or conditions of limited use; (v) any exemptions from lawsuit, execution, enforcement or other legal proceedings; or (vi) any outstanding taxes, fees or undecided legal procedures related with the equity interests hereunder on the date of execution of this Agreement;
|
|
2.1.6.
|
Party A has not effected and will not effect an Event of Default (as defined in Section 8) and has no knowledge of any risk of an Event of Default under this Agreement or any other agreement to which Party A are a party;
|
|
2.1.7.
|
Party A has abided by and performed all obligations stipulated by the applicable laws, regulations and rules and all applicable authorizations and permissions; Party A does not have any circumstances that go against any laws, regulations or rules and may have material and adverse effect on the validity, effect, performance and enforceability of this Agreement; and
|
|
2.1.8.
|
to the best knowledge of Party A, no court, arbitral tribunal or government authority starts to take any legal proceedings or administrative proceedings against Party A or the Pledged Equities, neither does any courts, arbitral tribunals or government authority start to file any legal proceedings or administrative proceedings against Party A or the Pledged Equities, and Party A has no knowledge of any such risks.
|
|
2.2
|
Party B presents and warranties to Party A on the day of execution of this Agreement:
|
|
2.2.1.
|
it has the right, to execute this Agreement and the capability to perform the same;
|
|
2.2.2.
|
it has carried out necessary internal decision-making procedures, obtained proper authority, acquire the necessary consents and approvals of any third party and government authority to enter into and perform this Agreement and it does not go against the laws and contracts binding or affecting it; and
|
|
2.2.3.
|
upon the execution, this Agreement will constitute the legal, valid, binding obligation of both parties and both parties shall be subject to compulsory enforcement pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Agreement.
|
3.
|
Guaranteed Liabilities
|
4.
|
Pledged Equities
|
5.
|
Pledge Procedures and Transaction
|
6.
|
Party A’s Undertaking
|
|
6.1
|
without the prior written consent of Party B, Party A shall not impose any other encumbrance (whether prevailing over the pledge under this Agreement or not) or other restrictive conditions on all or part of the Pledged Equities;
|
|
6.2
|
without the prior written consent of Party B, Party A shall not sell, lease, lend, transfer, assign, grant, remortgage, trust, or participate in equity investment by, the Pledged Equities or dispose by any other means all or part of the Pledged Equities;
|
|
6.3
|
Party A shall not use or allow others to use the Pledged Equities for any actions or events against any laws or this Agreement;
|
|
6.4
|
after receiving any notice, order, ruling, verdict or other instruments in relation to the Pledged Equities from the government, judicial authority or arbitral organization, Party A shall immediately notify Party B and within the period provided by the applicable laws take all necessary steps to reduce the risks that such notice, order or other instruments may bring to the Pledged Equities. Where Party B deems necessary, Party A shall file a lawsuit, arbitration or administrative lawsuit against the above notice, order or other instruments and bear all fees that arising therefrom and in relation thereto;
|
|
6.5
|
Party A shall immediately notify Party B of any events or any received notices which may affect the equity interest of Party A or any part of its right, and any events or any received notices which may change the covenants and obligations of Party A under this Agreement or which may affect the performance of its obligations under this Agreement, and take actions in accordance with the instructions of Party B;
|
|
6.6
|
Party A agrees that the right of Party B to exercise the pledge pursuant to this Agreement shall not be suspended or hampered by Party A or any successors or transferees of Party A or any other persons;
|
|
6.7
|
Party A warrants to Party B that in order to protect and perfect the security over the obligations of Party A and/or Jinxin Company under the Onshore Agreements, Party A shall make any necessary amendment (if applicable), execute in good faith and cause any third party who has interests in the pledge to execute all the title certificates, contracts, and /or perform and cause any third party who has interests to take action as required by Party B and make access to exercise the rights and authorization vested in Party B under this Agreement, and execute all the documents with respect to the changes of equity interests owned by Party B or another party designated by Party B, and provides Party B with all the necessary documents within the reasonable time; and
|
|
6.8
|
Party A warrants to Party B that Party A will comply with and perform all the guarantees, covenants, agreements, representations and conditions for the benefits of Party B. Party A shall indemnity Party B for all the damages suffered by Party B for the reasons that Party A does not perform or fully perform such guarantees, covenants, agreements, representations and conditions.
|
7.
|
Exercise of Pledge
|
|
7.1
|
Subject to Clause 8.3, Party B may dispose the Pledged Equities at any time upon or after sending the notice for the exercise of the pledge.
|
|
7.2
|
Party B shall have the priority right to dispose all or part of Pledged Equities under this Agreement (including but not limited to purchase of shares at discounted price by agreement, sell at auction by the laws of the PRC, sell-off Pledged Equities) as per legal procedures and to be paid with the sum gained from the disposal until all guaranteed liabilities of Jinxin Company and the Shareholders under the Onshore Agreements are fulfilled completely.
|
|
7.3
|
Where Party B disposes the Pledged Equities pursuant to this Agreement, Party A shall provide and cause Jinxin Company to provide necessary assistance so that Party B can realize its pledge.
|
8.
|
Event of Default
|
|
8.1
|
The following events shall be regarded as an Event of Default:
|
|
8.1.1.
|
where Party A and/or Jinxin Company and related responsible parties fail to perform any obligations under the Onshore Agreements in time or fails to discharge any guaranteed liability as scheduled in full sum;
|
|
8.1.2.
|
where there are any falsity, fraud, misleading statements or errors relating to any representation and undertaking Party A makes in Section 2
herein;
|
|
8.1.3.
|
where Party A violates any undertaking in Section 6 of this Agreement;
|
|
8.1.4.
|
where Party A violates any other terms and conditions of this Agreement;
|
|
8.1.5.
|
where Party A refuses or intentionally delays the registration procedures for the pledge under this Agreement and fails to correct such action within ten (10) days as of the day when Party B requires in writing to do so;
|
|
8.1.6.
|
where any loan, guarantee, indemnity, undertaking or other compensation liability of Party A: (i) is required to be repaid or performed in advance due to an event of default; or (ii) is due but unable to be repaid or performed as scheduled, which makes Party B reasonably believe that the ability of Party A to perform its obligations under this Agreement has been materially and adversely affected;
|
|
8.1.7.
|
where this Agreement becomes ineffective, revocable, unenforceable or Party A cannot continue performing its obligations under this Agreement in time and fully due to the fault (including omission) of Party A after the issuance of new laws of the PRC;
|
|
8.1.8.
|
Party A waive the pledged equity interests or transfers the pledged equity interests without prior written consent from the Party B;
|
|
8.1.9.
|
any approval, permits, licenses or authorization from the competent authority of the government needed to perform under this Agreement or validate this Agreement are withdrawn, suspended, invalidated or materially amended;
|
|
8.1.10.
|
the property of Party A is adversely changed and causes Party B to deem that the capability of Party A to perform the obligations herein is affected; and
|
|
8.1.11.
|
other circumstances in which Party B cannot exercise and dispose the pledge due to the fault (including omission) of Party A.
|
|
8.2
|
If Party A knows or should have known the occurrence of any event stated above in Subsection 8.1 or any matter that may incur the above events, Party A shall immediately notify Party B in writing.
|
|
8.3
|
Unless Party A immediately takes the measures satisfactory to Party B to correct the Event of Default listed in Subsection 8.1 above, Party B may send written notice of exercising the pledge to Party A at any time upon or after the occurrence of Event of Default, demand Party A and/or Jinxin Company to: (i) make full payment of the outstanding fees pursuant to the Onshore Agreement, and (ii) immediate perform their obligations under the Onshore Agreements, and require disposal of the Pledged Equities pursuant to this Agreement.
|
|
8.4
|
The Event of Default provided in this Section 8 will not affect the exercise of other remedies by the parties pursuant to the laws of the PRC.
|
9.
|
Liability in the Event of Default
|
10.
|
Assignment
|
|
10.1
|
Without the prior written consent of Party B, Party A shall not have the right to assign or delegate its rights and obligations under this Agreement.
|
|
10.2
|
This Agreement shall be binding on Party A and its successors and permitted assigns, and shall be valid with respect to Party B and each of its successors and assigns.
|
|
10.3
|
At any time, Party B may assign any and all of its rights and obligations under the Onshore Agreements to its designee(s) (natural or legal persons), in which case the assigns shall have the rights and obligations of Party B under this Agreement, as if it were the original party to this Agreement. When Party B assigns the rights and obligations under the Onshore Agreements, at the request of Party B, Party A shall execute relevant agreements or other documents relating to such assignment.
|
|
10.4
|
In the event of a change in the pledgee due to an assignment, Party A shall, at the request of Party B, execute a new pledge agreement with the new pledgee on the same terms and conditions as this Agreement, and register for change of the pledgee with the competent Administration of Industry and Commerce.
|
11.
|
Termination
|
12.
|
Taxes, Fees and Other Expenses
|
13.
|
Confidentiality
|
|
13.1
|
Both parties agree that, all materials, documents, communications and other information obtained in the negotiation, execution or performance of this Agreement, whether commercial, technical or in any other form (“
Confidential information
"), shall be strictly kept confidential and used only for the performance of the obligations under this Agreement. Unless the other parties consent in writing, neither of the parties shall release, leak or disclose any Confidential Information to any third party.
|
|
13.2
|
Either party may disclose the Confidential Information in the following circumstances: (i) where the laws, court orders or the competent courts with jurisdiction require, and such disclosure may be conducted only within such requirement; (ii) where the competent authority or government department requires; (iii) where such Confidential Information has been known to the general public; (iv) where such Confidential Information was owned duly and legally by the disclosing party rather obtained from the other party before the disclosing party obtains it; (v) the information is required to be disclosed subject to the applicable laws or the rules or provisions of a stock exchange or securities governing authority; and (vi) the information is disclosed by each party to its legal or financial consultant relating the transaction of this Agreement, and this legal or financial consultant shall comply with the confidentiality set forth in this Section 13. However, for the circumstances aforesaid, where either party discloses the Confidential Information, it shall inform the other party of the Confidential Information to be disclosed.
|
|
13.3
|
Nonetheless other provisions of this Section 13, either party shall have the right to disclose the Confidential Information to its lawyer, accountant, other professional consultants, directors or senior officers; such personnel shall undertake in writing to treat such information as Confidential Information by taking the measures similar to those provided in 13.1 of this Section.
|
|
13.4
|
The disclosure of the Confidential Information by staff or employed institution of any party shall be deemed as the disclosure of such Confidential Information by such party, and such party shall bear the liabilities for breaching the agreement.
|
|
13.5
|
This Section 13 shall survive whatever this Agreement is invalid, amended, revoked, terminated or unable to implement by any reason.
|
14.
|
Governing Law and Dispute Resolution
|
|
14.1
|
The execution, effectiveness, construction, performance, amendment and termination of this Agreement and the resolution of disputes hereunder shall be governed by the formally published and publicly available laws of the PRC. Matters not covered by formally published and publicly available laws of the PRC shall be governed by international legal principles and practices.
|
|
14.2
|
Both parties agree that any dispute arising from or in relation to this Agreement shall first be settled by the friendly negotiation of both parties. If the negotiation fails within 45 days, either party shall have the right to file the dispute with China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission (“
CIETAC
”) in Beijing for arbitration pursuant to the currently effective arbitration rules of CIETAC at the time of application. This arbitration shall be final and bind both parties and shall be enforceable in any court of competent jurisdiction. The arbitration fees shall be born by the losing party.
|
|
14.3
|
Upon the occurrence of any disputes arising from the construction and performance of this Agreement or during the pending arbitration of any dispute, except for the matters under dispute, the Parties to this Agreement shall continue to exercise their respective rights under this Agreement and perform their respective obligations under this Agreement.
|
15.
|
Effect, Change and Recession of this Agreement
|
|
15.1
|
This Agreement shall come into effect on and after the date that it is signed and/or stamped by both parties.
|
|
15.2
|
After this Agreement comes into effect, except otherwise provided by this Agreement, neither party shall amend or terminate this Agreement in advance. If it is necessary to amend or terminate this Agreement, both parties shall negotiate to reach a written agreement. Before such written agreement is reached, this Agreement shall remain in effect.
|
16.
|
Physical Possession Of Documents
|
|
16.1
|
Party A shall deliver the physical possession of the certificates of registration (original) of the pledge to Party B, provide the proper record relating to the registration of such pledge to Party B, and transact various approval and examination, registration and filling procedures required by the laws of the PRC within thirty (30) business days as of the date of execution of this Agreement or an earlier time agreed upon by the parties.
|
|
16.2
|
If the subjects of the pledge change and such changes need to be registered or filed, Party A shall register or file or cause Jinxin Company to register or file such changes within five (5) business days as of the day of change, and shall deliver relevant registration of change or filling documents to Party B.
|
|
16.3
|
During the term of the equity pledge, Party A shall instruct Jinxin Company not to distribute any dividends, or adopt any profits distribution plans; if Party A shall be entitled to collect any interests other than distribution plans of dividends and profits, Party A shall instruct Jinxin Company to transform such interests into cash and pay such interests into the bank account designated by Party B in accordance with Party B’s requirements, and Party A shall not use any money deposited into the bank account without the prior written consent of Party B.
|
|
16.4
|
During the term of equity pledge, if Party A subscribes new capital contribution or accepts an equity transfer (“Newly-added Equities”), the Newly-added Equities shall be automatically become Pledged Equities under this Agreement, and Party A shall accomplish all the procedures with respect to the pledge of the Newly-added Equities within ten (10) business days after acquiring the Newly-added Equities. If Party A fails to accomplish the relevant procedures as specified in this Section 16, Party B shall have the right to exercise the pledge right under this Agreement.
|
17.
|
General Terms
|
|
17.1
|
Entire Agreement. This Agreement and the Exhibits and Schedules hereto contain the entire understanding between the parties, no other representations, warranties or covenants having induced any party to execute this Agreement, and supersede all prior or contemporaneous agreements with respect to the subject matter hereof. All references to schedules and exhibits are to exhibits and schedules attached to and to become a part of this Agreement unless otherwise indicated.
|
|
17.2
|
Amendment. Any amendment and/or rescission shall be in writing and signed by the authorized representatives of both parties. Such revision shall be a valid integral part of this Agreement.
|
|
17.3
|
Headings. The headings of any Sections or other portion of this Agreement are for convenience only and are not to be considered in construing this Agreement.
|
|
17.4
|
Construction. References in this Agreement to "Sections," "Schedules" and "Exhibits" shall be to the Sections, Schedules and Exhibits of this Agreement, unless otherwise specifically provided; any use in this Agreement of the singular or plural, or the masculine, feminine or neuter gender, shall be deemed to include the others, unless the context otherwise requires; the words "herein”, "hereof" and "hereunder" and words of similar import, when used in this Agreement, shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement; the word "including" when used in this Agreement shall mean “including without limitation”; and except as otherwise specified in this Agreement, all references in this Agreement (i) to any agreement, document, certificate or other written instrument shall be a reference to such agreement, document, certificate or instrument, in each case together with all exhibits, schedules, attachments and appendices thereto, and as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof; and (ii) to any law, statute or regulation shall be deemed references to such law, statute or regulation as the same may be supplemented, amended, consolidated, superseded or modified from time to time.
|
|
17.5
|
Severability. Any provision hereof that is prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability, without invalidating the remaining provisions hereof, and any such prohibition or unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.
|
|
17.6
|
Waiver. No failure or delay of either party to enforce any right hereunder shall constitute a waiver of any such right hereunder. No waiver shall be effective hereunder unless in writing and a waiver shall only be effective for the specific act or circumstance for which it is given and not for any future act or circumstance.
|
|
17.7
|
Language. This Agreement is in both Chinese and English and signed by both parties, and the two versions have the same effect. Should there be any discrepancy between the two language versions, the Chinese version shall prevail.
|
|
17.8
|
Copies of this Agreement. This Agreement shall be executed in four counterparts; each party holds one and the rest are used for the transaction of related formalities. Each of the copies shall be deemed as the original one and has the same effect.
|
|
1.
|
On the date of execution of this Agreement, Party A is one of the shareholders of Zhuolu Jinxin Mining Co., Ltd. (“Jinxin Company”) and duly holds 6.33% of the shares of Jinxin Company;
|
|
2.
|
Jinxin Company is a corporation incorporated and validly existing in the territory of the PRC pursuant to the law of the PRC with business license registration number: 130731000000165 and its address at at Chunshugou Village, Luanzhuang Town, Zhuolu County, Hebei Province.
|
|
3.
|
In order to ensure all the shareholders of Jinxin Company and/or Jinxin Company to perform all obligations under the Management Entrustment Agreement, Power of Attorney and Exclusive Purchase Option Agreement (collectively referred to as “Onshore Agreements”) entered into on the same day as this Agreement, Party A agrees to pledge all the shares held by Party A in Jinxin Company to Party B as the guarantee for the performance of the Onshore Agreements by the related responsible parties pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, and Party B agrees to accept such pledge provided by Party A.
|
1.
|
Pledge of Equity
|
|
1.1
|
In order to guarantee Jinxin Company, all the shareholders of Jinxin Company (“Shareholders” )and other related responsible parties to perform all obligations and liabilities under the Onshore Agreements, Party A agrees to pledge the Pledged Equities (as defined in Section 4 herein) under this Agreement to Party B pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, and Party B agrees to accept the above equity pledge, and have priority right to the proceeds from the conversion, auction, or sale of the Pledged Equities.
|
|
1.2
|
The pledge under this Agreement includes the rights owned by Party B to collect the fees (including legal fees), expenses, interests, losses, liquidated damages and compensations that Jinxin Company and/or the Shareholders shall pay under the Onshore Agreements, and civil liabilities that Jinxin Company and/or the Shareholders shall bear in case the Onshore Agreements wholly or partially become null and void due to any reason.
|
|
1.3
|
Unless consent in writing by Party B, after the execution of this Agreement, the pledge under this Agreement will be terminated only when Jinxin Company and the Shareholders have performed all the obligations and liabilities under the Onshore Agreements and Party B confirms such fulfillment in writing. If Jinxin Company or the Shareholders have not fully performed all or part of its or their obligations or liabilities under the Onshore Agreements at the expiration of such agreements, Party B will maintain the pledge hereunder up to the date when all such obligations and liabilities are fully performed.
|
2.
|
Representations and Warranties
|
|
2.1
|
Party A represents and warrants to Party B, on the day of execution of this Agreement:
|
|
2.1.1.
|
Party A has the right to execute this Agreement and the capability to perform the same;
|
|
2.1.2.
|
Party A has gone through necessary internal decision-making procedures, obtained proper authority, acquire all the necessary consents and approvals of any requisite third party and government authority to enter into and perform this Agreement and this Agreement does not violate the laws of the PRC and contracts binding or affecting it;
|
|
2.1.3.
|
upon the execution, this Agreement will constitute the legal, valid, binding obligation of both parties and both parties will be subject to compulsory enforcement pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Agreement;
|
|
2.1.4.
|
Party A is the exclusive and duly owner of the Pledged Equities, has paid up all capitals subscribed, has obtained the capital verification report issued by the duly qualified Certified Public Accounting firm and has the right to set the pledge of the first priority on such Pledged Equities for Party B;
|
|
2.1.5.
|
except for the pledge under this Agreement, there is not: (i) any other encumbrance or any security interests for the benefit of any third party on the equity interests pledged by Party A (including but not limited to pledge); (ii) any mortgages or other guarantee rights set for any third party; (iii) any pending or possible civil, administrative or criminal litigation or administrative punishment or arbitration relating to the equity interests hereunder on the date of execution of this Agreement; (iv) any trusts or conditions of limited use; (v) any exemptions from lawsuit, execution, enforcement or other legal proceedings; or (vi) any outstanding taxes, fees or undecided legal procedures related with the equity interests hereunder on the date of execution of this Agreement;
|
|
2.1.6.
|
Party A has not effected and will not effect an Event of Default (as defined in Section 8) and has no knowledge of any risk of an Event of Default under this Agreement or any other agreement to which Party A are a party;
|
|
2.1.7.
|
Party A has abided by and performed all obligations stipulated by the applicable laws, regulations and rules and all applicable authorizations and permissions; Party A does not have any circumstances that go against any laws, regulations or rules and may have material and adverse effect on the validity, effect, performance and enforceability of this Agreement; and
|
|
2.1.8.
|
to the best knowledge of Party A, no court, arbitral tribunal or government authority starts to take any legal proceedings or administrative proceedings against Party A or the Pledged Equities, neither does any courts, arbitral tribunals or government authority start to file any legal proceedings or administrative proceedings against Party A or the Pledged Equities, and Party A has no knowledge of any such risks.
|
|
2.2
|
Party B presents and warranties to Party A on the day of execution of this Agreement:
|
|
2.2.1.
|
it has the right, to execute this Agreement and the capability to perform the same;
|
|
2.2.2.
|
it has carried out necessary internal decision-making procedures, obtained proper authority, acquire the necessary consents and approvals of any third party and government authority to enter into and perform this Agreement and it does not go against the laws and contracts binding or affecting it; and
|
|
2.2.3.
|
upon the execution, this Agreement will constitute the legal, valid, binding obligation of both parties and both parties shall be subject to compulsory enforcement pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Agreement.
|
3.
|
Guaranteed Liabilities
|
4.
|
Pledged Equities
|
5.
|
Pledge Procedures and Transaction
|
6.
|
Party A’s Undertaking
|
|
6.1
|
without the prior written consent of Party B, Party A shall not impose any other encumbrance (whether prevailing over the pledge under this Agreement or not) or other restrictive conditions on all or part of the Pledged Equities;
|
|
6.2
|
without the prior written consent of Party B, Party A shall not sell, lease, lend, transfer, assign, grant, remortgage, trust, or participate in equity investment by, the Pledged Equities or dispose by any other means all or part of the Pledged Equities;
|
|
6.3
|
Party A shall not use or allow others to use the Pledged Equities for any actions or events against any laws or this Agreement;
|
|
6.4
|
after receiving any notice, order, ruling, verdict or other instruments in relation to the Pledged Equities from the government, judicial authority or arbitral organization, Party A shall immediately notify Party B and within the period provided by the applicable laws take all necessary steps to reduce the risks that such notice, order or other instruments may bring to the Pledged Equities. Where Party B deems necessary, Party A shall file a lawsuit, arbitration or administrative lawsuit against the above notice, order or other instruments and bear all fees that arising therefrom and in relation thereto;
|
|
6.5
|
Party A shall immediately notify Party B of any events or any received notices which may affect the equity interest of Party A or any part of its right, and any events or any received notices which may change the covenants and obligations of Party A under this Agreement or which may affect the performance of its obligations under this Agreement, and take actions in accordance with the instructions of Party B;
|
|
6.6
|
Party A agrees that the right of Party B to exercise the pledge pursuant to this Agreement shall not be suspended or hampered by Party A or any successors or transferees of Party A or any other persons;
|
|
6.7
|
Party A warrants to Party B that in order to protect and perfect the security over the obligations of Party A and/or Jinxin Company under the Onshore Agreements, Party A shall make any necessary amendment (if applicable), execute in good faith and cause any third party who has interests in the pledge to execute all the title certificates, contracts, and /or perform and cause any third party who has interests to take action as required by Party B and make access to exercise the rights and authorization vested in Party B under this Agreement, and execute all the documents with respect to the changes of equity interests owned by Party B or another party designated by Party B, and provides Party B with all the necessary documents within the reasonable time; and
|
|
6.8
|
Party A warrants to Party B that Party A will comply with and perform all the guarantees, covenants, agreements, representations and conditions for the benefits of Party B. Party A shall indemnity Party B for all the damages suffered by Party B for the reasons that Party A does not perform or fully perform such guarantees, covenants, agreements, representations and conditions.
|
7.
|
Exercise of Pledge
|
|
7.1
|
Subject to Clause 8.3, Party B may dispose the Pledged Equities at any time upon or after sending the notice for the exercise of the pledge.
|
|
7.2
|
Party B shall have the priority right to dispose all or part of Pledged Equities under this Agreement (including but not limited to purchase of shares at discounted price by agreement, sell at auction by the laws of the PRC, sell-off Pledged Equities) as per legal procedures and to be paid with the sum gained from the disposal until all guaranteed liabilities of Jinxin Company and the Shareholders under the Onshore Agreements are fulfilled completely.
|
|
7.3
|
Where Party B disposes the Pledged Equities pursuant to this Agreement, Party A shall provide and cause Jinxin Company to provide necessary assistance so that Party B can realize its pledge.
|
8.
|
Event of Default
|
|
8.1
|
The following events shall be regarded as an Event of Default:
|
|
8.1.1.
|
where Party A and/or Jinxin Company and related responsible parties fail to perform any obligations under the Onshore Agreements in time or fails to discharge any guaranteed liability as scheduled in full sum;
|
|
8.1.2.
|
where there are any falsity, fraud, misleading statements or errors relating to any representation and undertaking Party A makes in Section 2
herein;
|
|
8.1.3.
|
where Party A violates any undertaking in Section 6 of this Agreement;
|
|
8.1.4.
|
where Party A violates any other terms and conditions of this Agreement;
|
|
8.1.5.
|
where Party A refuses or intentionally delays the registration procedures for the pledge under this Agreement and fails to correct such action within ten (10) days as of the day when Party B requires in writing to do so;
|
|
8.1.6.
|
where any loan, guarantee, indemnity, undertaking or other compensation liability of Party A: (i) is required to be repaid or performed in advance due to an event of default; or (ii) is due but unable to be repaid or performed as scheduled, which makes Party B reasonably believe that the ability of Party A to perform its obligations under this Agreement has been materially and adversely affected;
|
|
8.1.7.
|
where this Agreement becomes ineffective, revocable, unenforceable or Party A cannot continue performing its obligations under this Agreement in time and fully due to the fault (including omission) of Party A after the issuance of new laws of the PRC;
|
|
8.1.8.
|
Party A waive the pledged equity interests or transfers the pledged equity interests without prior written consent from the Party B;
|
|
8.1.9.
|
any approval, permits, licenses or authorization from the competent authority of the government needed to perform under this Agreement or validate this Agreement are withdrawn, suspended, invalidated or materially amended;
|
|
8.1.10.
|
the property of Party A is adversely changed and causes Party B to deem that the capability of Party A to perform the obligations herein is affected; and
|
|
8.1.11.
|
other circumstances in which Party B cannot exercise and dispose the pledge due to the fault (including omission) of Party A.
|
|
8.2
|
If Party A knows or should have known the occurrence of any event stated above in Subsection 8.1 or any matter that may incur the above events, Party A shall immediately notify Party B in writing.
|
|
8.3
|
Unless Party A immediately takes the measures satisfactory to Party B to correct the Event of Default listed in Subsection 8.1 above, Party B may send written notice of exercising the pledge to Party A at any time upon or after the occurrence of Event of Default, demand Party A and/or Jinxin Company to: (i) make full payment of the outstanding fees pursuant to the Onshore Agreement, and (ii) immediate perform their obligations under the Onshore Agreements, and require disposal of the Pledged Equities pursuant to this Agreement.
|
|
8.4
|
The Event of Default provided in this Section 8 will not affect the exercise of other remedies by the parties pursuant to the laws of the PRC.
|
9.
|
Liability in the Event of Default
|
10.
|
Assignment
|
|
10.1
|
Without the prior written consent of Party B, Party A shall not have the right to assign or delegate its rights and obligations under this Agreement.
|
|
10.2
|
This Agreement shall be binding on Party A and its successors and permitted assigns, and shall be valid with respect to Party B and each of its successors and assigns.
|
|
10.3
|
At any time, Party B may assign any and all of its rights and obligations under the Onshore Agreements to its designee(s) (natural or legal persons), in which case the assigns shall have the rights and obligations of Party B under this Agreement, as if it were the original party to this Agreement. When Party B assigns the rights and obligations under the Onshore Agreements, at the request of Party B, Party A shall execute relevant agreements or other documents relating to such assignment.
|
|
10.4
|
In the event of a change in the pledgee due to an assignment, Party A shall, at the request of Party B, execute a new pledge agreement with the new pledgee on the same terms and conditions as this Agreement, and register for change of the pledgee with the competent Administration of Industry and Commerce.
|
11.
|
Termination
|
12.
|
Taxes, Fees and Other Expenses
|
13.
|
Confidentiality
|
|
13.1
|
Both parties agree that, all materials, documents, communications and other information obtained in the negotiation, execution or performance of this Agreement, whether commercial, technical or in any other form (“
Confidential information
"), shall be strictly kept confidential and used only for the performance of the obligations under this Agreement. Unless the other parties consent in writing, neither of the parties shall release, leak or disclose any Confidential Information to any third party.
|
|
13.2
|
Either party may disclose the Confidential Information in the following circumstances: (i) where the laws, court orders or the competent courts with jurisdiction require, and such disclosure may be conducted only within such requirement; (ii) where the competent authority or government department requires; (iii) where such Confidential Information has been known to the general public; (iv) where such Confidential Information was owned duly and legally by the disclosing party rather obtained from the other party before the disclosing party obtains it; (v) the information is required to be disclosed subject to the applicable laws or the rules or provisions of a stock exchange or securities governing authority; and (vi) the information is disclosed by each party to its legal or financial consultant relating the transaction of this Agreement, and this legal or financial consultant shall comply with the confidentiality set forth in this Section 13. However, for the circumstances aforesaid, where either party discloses the Confidential Information, it shall inform the other party of the Confidential Information to be disclosed.
|
|
13.3
|
Nonetheless other provisions of this Section 13, either party shall have the right to disclose the Confidential Information to its lawyer, accountant, other professional consultants, directors or senior officers; such personnel shall undertake in writing to treat such information as Confidential Information by taking the measures similar to those provided in 13.1 of this Section.
|
|
13.4
|
The disclosure of the Confidential Information by staff or employed institution of any party shall be deemed as the disclosure of such Confidential Information by such party, and such party shall bear the liabilities for breaching the agreement.
|
|
13.5
|
This Section 13 shall survive whatever this Agreement is invalid, amended, revoked, terminated or unable to implement by any reason.
|
14.
|
Governing Law and Dispute Resolution
|
|
14.1
|
The execution, effectiveness, construction, performance, amendment and termination of this Agreement and the resolution of disputes hereunder shall be governed by the formally published and publicly available laws of the PRC. Matters not covered by formally published and publicly available laws of the PRC shall be governed by international legal principles and practices.
|
|
14.2
|
Both parties agree that any dispute arising from or in relation to this Agreement shall first be settled by the friendly negotiation of both parties. If the negotiation fails within 45 days, either party shall have the right to file the dispute with China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission (“
CIETAC
”) in Beijing for arbitration pursuant to the currently effective arbitration rules of CIETAC at the time of application. This arbitration shall be final and bind both parties and shall be enforceable in any court of competent jurisdiction. The arbitration fees shall be born by the losing party.
|
|
14.3
|
Upon the occurrence of any disputes arising from the construction and performance of this Agreement or during the pending arbitration of any dispute, except for the matters under dispute, the Parties to this Agreement shall continue to exercise their respective rights under this Agreement and perform their respective obligations under this Agreement.
|
15.
|
Effect, Change and Recession of this Agreement
|
|
15.1
|
This Agreement shall come into effect on and after the date that it is signed and/or stamped by both parties.
|
|
15.2
|
After this Agreement comes into effect, except otherwise provided by this Agreement, neither party shall amend or terminate this Agreement in advance. If it is necessary to amend or terminate this Agreement, both parties shall negotiate to reach a written agreement. Before such written agreement is reached, this Agreement shall remain in effect.
|
16.
|
Physical Possession Of Documents
|
|
16.1
|
Party A shall deliver the physical possession of the certificates of registration (original) of the pledge to Party B, provide the proper record relating to the registration of such pledge to Party B, and transact various approval and examination, registration and filling procedures required by the laws of the PRC within thirty (30) business days as of the date of execution of this Agreement or an earlier time agreed upon by the parties.
|
|
16.2
|
If the subjects of the pledge change and such changes need to be registered or filed, Party A shall register or file or cause Jinxin Company to register or file such changes within five (5) business days as of the day of change, and shall deliver relevant registration of change or filling documents to Party B.
|
|
16.3
|
During the term of the equity pledge, Party A shall instruct Jinxin Company not to distribute any dividends, or adopt any profits distribution plans; if Party A shall be entitled to collect any interests other than distribution plans of dividends and profits, Party A shall instruct Jinxin Company to transform such interests into cash and pay such interests into the bank account designated by Party B in accordance with Party B’s requirements, and Party A shall not use any money deposited into the bank account without the prior written consent of Party B.
|
|
16.4
|
During the term of equity pledge, if Party A subscribes new capital contribution or accepts an equity transfer (“Newly-added Equities”), the Newly-added Equities shall be automatically become Pledged Equities under this Agreement, and Party A shall accomplish all the procedures with respect to the pledge of the Newly-added Equities within ten (10) business days after acquiring the Newly-added Equities. If Party A fails to accomplish the relevant procedures as specified in this Section 16, Party B shall have the right to exercise the pledge right under this Agreement.
|
17.
|
General Terms
|
|
17.1
|
Entire Agreement. This Agreement and the Exhibits and Schedules hereto contain the entire understanding between the parties, no other representations, warranties or covenants having induced any party to execute this Agreement, and supersede all prior or contemporaneous agreements with respect to the subject matter hereof. All references to schedules and exhibits are to exhibits and schedules attached to and to become a part of this Agreement unless otherwise indicated.
|
|
17.2
|
Amendment. Any amendment and/or rescission shall be in writing and signed by the authorized representatives of both parties. Such revision shall be a valid integral part of this Agreement.
|
|
17.3
|
Headings. The headings of any Sections or other portion of this Agreement are for convenience only and are not to be considered in construing this Agreement.
|
|
17.4
|
Construction. References in this Agreement to "Sections," "Schedules" and "Exhibits" shall be to the Sections, Schedules and Exhibits of this Agreement, unless otherwise specifically provided; any use in this Agreement of the singular or plural, or the masculine, feminine or neuter gender, shall be deemed to include the others, unless the context otherwise requires; the words "herein”, "hereof" and "hereunder" and words of similar import, when used in this Agreement, shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement; the word "including" when used in this Agreement shall mean “including without limitation”; and except as otherwise specified in this Agreement, all references in this Agreement (i) to any agreement, document, certificate or other written instrument shall be a reference to such agreement, document, certificate or instrument, in each case together with all exhibits, schedules, attachments and appendices thereto, and as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof; and (ii) to any law, statute or regulation shall be deemed references to such law, statute or regulation as the same may be supplemented, amended, consolidated, superseded or modified from time to time.
|
|
17.5
|
Severability. Any provision hereof that is prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability, without invalidating the remaining provisions hereof, and any such prohibition or unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.
|
|
17.6
|
Waiver. No failure or delay of either party to enforce any right hereunder shall constitute a waiver of any such right hereunder. No waiver shall be effective hereunder unless in writing and a waiver shall only be effective for the specific act or circumstance for which it is given and not for any future act or circumstance.
|
|
17.7
|
Language. This Agreement is in both Chinese and English and signed by both parties, and the two versions have the same effect. Should there be any discrepancy between the two language versions, the Chinese version shall prevail.
|
|
17.8
|
Copies of this Agreement. This Agreement shall be executed in four counterparts; each party holds one and the rest are used for the transaction of related formalities. Each of the copies shall be deemed as the original one and has the same effect.
|
|
1.
|
On the date of execution of this Agreement, Party A is one of the shareholders of Zhuolu Jinxin Mining Co., Ltd. (“Jinxin Company”) and duly holds 3.50% of the shares of Jinxin Company;
|
|
2.
|
Jinxin Company is a corporation incorporated and validly existing in the territory of the PRC pursuant to the law of the PRC with business license registration number: 130731000000165 and its address at at Chunshugou Village, Luanzhuang Town, Zhuolu County, Hebei Province.
|
|
3.
|
In order to ensure all the shareholders of Jinxin Company and/or Jinxin Company to perform all obligations under the Management Entrustment Agreement, Power of Attorney and Exclusive Purchase Option Agreement (collectively referred to as “Onshore Agreements”) entered into on the same day as this Agreement, Party A agrees to pledge all the shares held by Party A in Jinxin Company to Party B as the guarantee for the performance of the Onshore Agreements by the related responsible parties pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, and Party B agrees to accept such pledge provided by Party A.
|
1.
|
Pledge of Equity
|
|
1.1
|
In order to guarantee Jinxin Company, all the shareholders of Jinxin Company (“Shareholders” )and other related responsible parties to perform all obligations and liabilities under the Onshore Agreements, Party A agrees to pledge the Pledged Equities (as defined in Section 4 herein) under this Agreement to Party B pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, and Party B agrees to accept the above equity pledge, and have priority right to the proceeds from the conversion, auction, or sale of the Pledged Equities.
|
|
1.2
|
The pledge under this Agreement includes the rights owned by Party B to collect the fees (including legal fees), expenses, interests, losses, liquidated damages and compensations that Jinxin Company and/or the Shareholders shall pay under the Onshore Agreements, and civil liabilities that Jinxin Company and/or the Shareholders shall bear in case the Onshore Agreements wholly or partially become null and void due to any reason.
|
|
1.3
|
Unless consent in writing by Party B, after the execution of this Agreement, the pledge under this Agreement will be terminated only when Jinxin Company and the Shareholders have performed all the obligations and liabilities under the Onshore Agreements and Party B confirms such fulfillment in writing. If Jinxin Company or the Shareholders have not fully performed all or part of its or their obligations or liabilities under the Onshore Agreements at the expiration of such agreements, Party B will maintain the pledge hereunder up to the date when all such obligations and liabilities are fully performed.
|
2.
|
Representations and Warranties
|
|
2.1
|
Party A represents and warrants to Party B, on the day of execution of this Agreement:
|
|
2.1.1.
|
Party A has the right to execute this Agreement and the capability to perform the same;
|
|
2.1.2.
|
Party A has gone through necessary internal decision-making procedures, obtained proper authority, acquire all the necessary consents and approvals of any requisite third party and government authority to enter into and perform this Agreement and this Agreement does not violate the laws of the PRC and contracts binding or affecting it;
|
|
2.1.3.
|
upon the execution, this Agreement will constitute the legal, valid, binding obligation of both parties and both parties will be subject to compulsory enforcement pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Agreement;
|
|
2.1.4.
|
Party A is the exclusive and duly owner of the Pledged Equities, has paid up all capitals subscribed, has obtained the capital verification report issued by the duly qualified Certified Public Accounting firm and has the right to set the pledge of the first priority on such Pledged Equities for Party B;
|
|
2.1.5.
|
except for the pledge under this Agreement, there is not: (i) any other encumbrance or any security interests for the benefit of any third party on the equity interests pledged by Party A (including but not limited to pledge); (ii) any mortgages or other guarantee rights set for any third party; (iii) any pending or possible civil, administrative or criminal litigation or administrative punishment or arbitration relating to the equity interests hereunder on the date of execution of this Agreement; (iv) any trusts or conditions of limited use; (v) any exemptions from lawsuit, execution, enforcement or other legal proceedings; or (vi) any outstanding taxes, fees or undecided legal procedures related with the equity interests hereunder on the date of execution of this Agreement;
|
|
2.1.6.
|
Party A has not effected and will not effect an Event of Default (as defined in Section 8) and has no knowledge of any risk of an Event of Default under this Agreement or any other agreement to which Party A are a party;
|
|
2.1.7.
|
Party A has abided by and performed all obligations stipulated by the applicable laws, regulations and rules and all applicable authorizations and permissions; Party A does not have any circumstances that go against any laws, regulations or rules and may have material and adverse effect on the validity, effect, performance and enforceability of this Agreement; and
|
|
2.1.8.
|
to the best knowledge of Party A, no court, arbitral tribunal or government authority starts to take any legal proceedings or administrative proceedings against Party A or the Pledged Equities, neither does any courts, arbitral tribunals or government authority start to file any legal proceedings or administrative proceedings against Party A or the Pledged Equities, and Party A has no knowledge of any such risks.
|
|
2.2
|
Party B presents and warranties to Party A on the day of execution of this Agreement:
|
|
2.2.1.
|
it has the right, to execute this Agreement and the capability to perform the same;
|
|
2.2.2.
|
it has carried out necessary internal decision-making procedures, obtained proper authority, acquire the necessary consents and approvals of any third party and government authority to enter into and perform this Agreement and it does not go against the laws and contracts binding or affecting it; and
|
|
2.2.3.
|
upon the execution, this Agreement will constitute the legal, valid, binding obligation of both parties and both parties shall be subject to compulsory enforcement pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Agreement.
|
3.
|
Guaranteed Liabilities
|
4.
|
Pledged Equities
|
5.
|
Pledge Procedures and Transaction
|
6.
|
Party A’s Undertaking
|
|
6.1
|
without the prior written consent of Party B, Party A shall not impose any other encumbrance (whether prevailing over the pledge under this Agreement or not) or other restrictive conditions on all or part of the Pledged Equities;
|
|
6.2
|
without the prior written consent of Party B, Party A shall not sell, lease, lend, transfer, assign, grant, remortgage, trust, or participate in equity investment by, the Pledged Equities or dispose by any other means all or part of the Pledged Equities;
|
|
6.3
|
Party A shall not use or allow others to use the Pledged Equities for any actions or events against any laws or this Agreement;
|
|
6.4
|
after receiving any notice, order, ruling, verdict or other instruments in relation to the Pledged Equities from the government, judicial authority or arbitral organization, Party A shall immediately notify Party B and within the period provided by the applicable laws take all necessary steps to reduce the risks that such notice, order or other instruments may bring to the Pledged Equities. Where Party B deems necessary, Party A shall file a lawsuit, arbitration or administrative lawsuit against the above notice, order or other instruments and bear all fees that arising therefrom and in relation thereto;
|
|
6.5
|
Party A shall immediately notify Party B of any events or any received notices which may affect the equity interest of Party A or any part of its right, and any events or any received notices which may change the covenants and obligations of Party A under this Agreement or which may affect the performance of its obligations under this Agreement, and take actions in accordance with the instructions of Party B;
|
|
6.6
|
Party A agrees that the right of Party B to exercise the pledge pursuant to this Agreement shall not be suspended or hampered by Party A or any successors or transferees of Party A or any other persons;
|
|
6.7
|
Party A warrants to Party B that in order to protect and perfect the security over the obligations of Party A and/or Jinxin Company under the Onshore Agreements, Party A shall make any necessary amendment (if applicable), execute in good faith and cause any third party who has interests in the pledge to execute all the title certificates, contracts, and /or perform and cause any third party who has interests to take action as required by Party B and make access to exercise the rights and authorization vested in Party B under this Agreement, and execute all the documents with respect to the changes of equity interests owned by Party B or another party designated by Party B, and provides Party B with all the necessary documents within the reasonable time; and
|
|
6.8
|
Party A warrants to Party B that Party A will comply with and perform all the guarantees, covenants, agreements, representations and conditions for the benefits of Party B. Party A shall indemnity Party B for all the damages suffered by Party B for the reasons that Party A does not perform or fully perform such guarantees, covenants, agreements, representations and conditions.
|
7.
|
Exercise of Pledge
|
|
7.1
|
Subject to Clause 8.3, Party B may dispose the Pledged Equities at any time upon or after sending the notice for the exercise of the pledge.
|
|
7.2
|
Party B shall have the priority right to dispose all or part of Pledged Equities under this Agreement (including but not limited to purchase of shares at discounted price by agreement, sell at auction by the laws of the PRC, sell-off Pledged Equities) as per legal procedures and to be paid with the sum gained from the disposal until all guaranteed liabilities of Jinxin Company and the Shareholders under the Onshore Agreements are fulfilled completely.
|
|
7.3
|
Where Party B disposes the Pledged Equities pursuant to this Agreement, Party A shall provide and cause Jinxin Company to provide necessary assistance so that Party B can realize its pledge.
|
8.
|
Event of Default
|
|
8.1
|
The following events shall be regarded as an Event of Default:
|
|
8.1.1.
|
where Party A and/or Jinxin Company and related responsible parties fail to perform any obligations under the Onshore Agreements in time or fails to discharge any guaranteed liability as scheduled in full sum;
|
|
8.1.2.
|
where there are any falsity, fraud, misleading statements or errors relating to any representation and undertaking Party A makes in Section 2
herein;
|
|
8.1.3.
|
where Party A violates any undertaking in Section 6 of this Agreement;
|
|
8.1.4.
|
where Party A violates any other terms and conditions of this Agreement;
|
|
8.1.5.
|
where Party A refuses or intentionally delays the registration procedures for the pledge under this Agreement and fails to correct such action within ten (10) days as of the day when Party B requires in writing to do so;
|
|
8.1.6.
|
where any loan, guarantee, indemnity, undertaking or other compensation liability of Party A: (i) is required to be repaid or performed in advance due to an event of default; or (ii) is due but unable to be repaid or performed as scheduled, which makes Party B reasonably believe that the ability of Party A to perform its obligations under this Agreement has been materially and adversely affected;
|
|
8.1.7.
|
where this Agreement becomes ineffective, revocable, unenforceable or Party A cannot continue performing its obligations under this Agreement in time and fully due to the fault (including omission) of Party A after the issuance of new laws of the PRC;
|
|
8.1.8.
|
Party A waive the pledged equity interests or transfers the pledged equity interests without prior written consent from the Party B;
|
|
8.1.9.
|
any approval, permits, licenses or authorization from the competent authority of the government needed to perform under this Agreement or validate this Agreement are withdrawn, suspended, invalidated or materially amended;
|
|
8.1.10.
|
the property of Party A is adversely changed and causes Party B to deem that the capability of Party A to perform the obligations herein is affected; and
|
|
8.1.11.
|
other circumstances in which Party B cannot exercise and dispose the pledge due to the fault (including omission) of Party A.
|
|
8.2
|
If Party A knows or should have known the occurrence of any event stated above in Subsection 8.1 or any matter that may incur the above events, Party A shall immediately notify Party B in writing.
|
|
8.3
|
Unless Party A immediately takes the measures satisfactory to Party B to correct the Event of Default listed in Subsection 8.1 above, Party B may send written notice of exercising the pledge to Party A at any time upon or after the occurrence of Event of Default, demand Party A and/or Jinxin Company to: (i) make full payment of the outstanding fees pursuant to the Onshore Agreement, and (ii) immediate perform their obligations under the Onshore Agreements, and require disposal of the Pledged Equities pursuant to this Agreement.
|
|
8.4
|
The Event of Default provided in this Section 8 will not affect the exercise of other remedies by the parties pursuant to the laws of the PRC.
|
9.
|
Liability in the Event of Default
|
10.
|
Assignment
|
|
10.1
|
Without the prior written consent of Party B, Party A shall not have the right to assign or delegate its rights and obligations under this Agreement.
|
|
10.2
|
This Agreement shall be binding on Party A and its successors and permitted assigns, and shall be valid with respect to Party B and each of its successors and assigns.
|
|
10.3
|
At any time, Party B may assign any and all of its rights and obligations under the Onshore Agreements to its designee(s) (natural or legal persons), in which case the assigns shall have the rights and obligations of Party B under this Agreement, as if it were the original party to this Agreement. When Party B assigns the rights and obligations under the Onshore Agreements, at the request of Party B, Party A shall execute relevant agreements or other documents relating to such assignment.
|
|
10.4
|
In the event of a change in the pledgee due to an assignment, Party A shall, at the request of Party B, execute a new pledge agreement with the new pledgee on the same terms and conditions as this Agreement, and register for change of the pledgee with the competent Administration of Industry and Commerce.
|
11.
|
Termination
|
12.
|
Taxes, Fees and Other Expenses
|
13.
|
Confidentiality
|
|
13.1
|
Both parties agree that, all materials, documents, communications and other information obtained in the negotiation, execution or performance of this Agreement, whether commercial, technical or in any other form (“
Confidential information
"), shall be strictly kept confidential and used only for the performance of the obligations under this Agreement. Unless the other parties consent in writing, neither of the parties shall release, leak or disclose any Confidential Information to any third party.
|
|
13.2
|
Either party may disclose the Confidential Information in the following circumstances: (i) where the laws, court orders or the competent courts with jurisdiction require, and such disclosure may be conducted only within such requirement; (ii) where the competent authority or government department requires; (iii) where such Confidential Information has been known to the general public; (iv) where such Confidential Information was owned duly and legally by the disclosing party rather obtained from the other party before the disclosing party obtains it; (v) the information is required to be disclosed subject to the applicable laws or the rules or provisions of a stock exchange or securities governing authority; and (vi) the information is disclosed by each party to its legal or financial consultant relating the transaction of this Agreement, and this legal or financial consultant shall comply with the confidentiality set forth in this Section 13. However, for the circumstances aforesaid, where either party discloses the Confidential Information, it shall inform the other party of the Confidential Information to be disclosed.
|
|
13.3
|
Nonetheless other provisions of this Section 13, either party shall have the right to disclose the Confidential Information to its lawyer, accountant, other professional consultants, directors or senior officers; such personnel shall undertake in writing to treat such information as Confidential Information by taking the measures similar to those provided in 13.1 of this Section.
|
|
13.4
|
The disclosure of the Confidential Information by staff or employed institution of any party shall be deemed as the disclosure of such Confidential Information by such party, and such party shall bear the liabilities for breaching the agreement.
|
|
13.5
|
This Section 13 shall survive whatever this Agreement is invalid, amended, revoked, terminated or unable to implement by any reason.
|
14.
|
Governing Law and Dispute Resolution
|
|
14.1
|
The execution, effectiveness, construction, performance, amendment and termination of this Agreement and the resolution of disputes hereunder shall be governed by the formally published and publicly available laws of the PRC. Matters not covered by formally published and publicly available laws of the PRC shall be governed by international legal principles and practices.
|
|
14.2
|
Both parties agree that any dispute arising from or in relation to this Agreement shall first be settled by the friendly negotiation of both parties. If the negotiation fails within 45 days, either party shall have the right to file the dispute with China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission (“
CIETAC
”) in Beijing for arbitration pursuant to the currently effective arbitration rules of CIETAC at the time of application. This arbitration shall be final and bind both parties and shall be enforceable in any court of competent jurisdiction. The arbitration fees shall be born by the losing party.
|
|
14.3
|
Upon the occurrence of any disputes arising from the construction and performance of this Agreement or during the pending arbitration of any dispute, except for the matters under dispute, the Parties to this Agreement shall continue to exercise their respective rights under this Agreement and perform their respective obligations under this Agreement.
|
15.
|
Effect, Change and Recession of this Agreement
|
|
15.1
|
This Agreement shall come into effect on and after the date that it is signed and/or stamped by both parties.
|
|
15.2
|
After this Agreement comes into effect, except otherwise provided by this Agreement, neither party shall amend or terminate this Agreement in advance. If it is necessary to amend or terminate this Agreement, both parties shall negotiate to reach a written agreement. Before such written agreement is reached, this Agreement shall remain in effect.
|
16.
|
Physical Possession Of Documents
|
|
16.1
|
Party A shall deliver the physical possession of the certificates of registration (original) of the pledge to Party B, provide the proper record relating to the registration of such pledge to Party B, and transact various approval and examination, registration and filling procedures required by the laws of the PRC within thirty (30) business days as of the date of execution of this Agreement or an earlier time agreed upon by the parties.
|
|
16.2
|
If the subjects of the pledge change and such changes need to be registered or filed, Party A shall register or file or cause Jinxin Company to register or file such changes within five (5) business days as of the day of change, and shall deliver relevant registration of change or filling documents to Party B.
|
|
16.3
|
During the term of the equity pledge, Party A shall instruct Jinxin Company not to distribute any dividends, or adopt any profits distribution plans; if Party A shall be entitled to collect any interests other than distribution plans of dividends and profits, Party A shall instruct Jinxin Company to transform such interests into cash and pay such interests into the bank account designated by Party B in accordance with Party B’s requirements, and Party A shall not use any money deposited into the bank account without the prior written consent of Party B.
|
|
16.4
|
During the term of equity pledge, if Party A subscribes new capital contribution or accepts an equity transfer (“Newly-added Equities”), the Newly-added Equities shall be automatically become Pledged Equities under this Agreement, and Party A shall accomplish all the procedures with respect to the pledge of the Newly-added Equities within ten (10) business days after acquiring the Newly-added Equities. If Party A fails to accomplish the relevant procedures as specified in this Section 16, Party B shall have the right to exercise the pledge right under this Agreement.
|
17.
|
General Terms
|
|
17.1
|
Entire Agreement. This Agreement and the Exhibits and Schedules hereto contain the entire understanding between the parties, no other representations, warranties or covenants having induced any party to execute this Agreement, and supersede all prior or contemporaneous agreements with respect to the subject matter hereof. All references to schedules and exhibits are to exhibits and schedules attached to and to become a part of this Agreement unless otherwise indicated.
|
|
17.2
|
Amendment. Any amendment and/or rescission shall be in writing and signed by the authorized representatives of both parties. Such revision shall be a valid integral part of this Agreement.
|
|
17.3
|
Headings. The headings of any Sections or other portion of this Agreement are for convenience only and are not to be considered in construing this Agreement.
|
|
17.4
|
Construction. References in this Agreement to "Sections," "Schedules" and "Exhibits" shall be to the Sections, Schedules and Exhibits of this Agreement, unless otherwise specifically provided; any use in this Agreement of the singular or plural, or the masculine, feminine or neuter gender, shall be deemed to include the others, unless the context otherwise requires; the words "herein”, "hereof" and "hereunder" and words of similar import, when used in this Agreement, shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement; the word "including" when used in this Agreement shall mean “including without limitation”; and except as otherwise specified in this Agreement, all references in this Agreement (i) to any agreement, document, certificate or other written instrument shall be a reference to such agreement, document, certificate or instrument, in each case together with all exhibits, schedules, attachments and appendices thereto, and as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof; and (ii) to any law, statute or regulation shall be deemed references to such law, statute or regulation as the same may be supplemented, amended, consolidated, superseded or modified from time to time.
|
|
17.5
|
Severability. Any provision hereof that is prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability, without invalidating the remaining provisions hereof, and any such prohibition or unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.
|
|
17.6
|
Waiver. No failure or delay of either party to enforce any right hereunder shall constitute a waiver of any such right hereunder. No waiver shall be effective hereunder unless in writing and a waiver shall only be effective for the specific act or circumstance for which it is given and not for any future act or circumstance.
|
|
17.7
|
Language. This Agreement is in both Chinese and English and signed by both parties, and the two versions have the same effect. Should there be any discrepancy between the two language versions, the Chinese version shall prevail.
|
|
17.8
|
Copies of this Agreement. This Agreement shall be executed in four counterparts; each party holds one and the rest are used for the transaction of related formalities. Each of the copies shall be deemed as the original one and has the same effect.
|
|
1.
|
On the date of execution of this Agreement, Party A is one of the shareholders of Zhuolu Jinxin Mining Co., Ltd. (“Jinxin Company”) and duly holds 3.50% of the shares of Jinxin Company;
|
|
2.
|
Jinxin Company is a corporation incorporated and validly existing in the territory of the PRC pursuant to the law of the PRC with business license registration number: 130731000000165 and its address at at Chunshugou Village, Luanzhuang Town, Zhuolu County, Hebei Province.
|
|
3.
|
In order to ensure all the shareholders of Jinxin Company and/or Jinxin Company to perform all obligations under the Management Entrustment Agreement, Power of Attorney and Exclusive Purchase Option Agreement (collectively referred to as “Onshore Agreements”) entered into on the same day as this Agreement, Party A agrees to pledge all the shares held by Party A in Jinxin Company to Party B as the guarantee for the performance of the Onshore Agreements by the related responsible parties pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, and Party B agrees to accept such pledge provided by Party A.
|
1.
|
Pledge of Equity
|
|
1.1
|
In order to guarantee Jinxin Company, all the shareholders of Jinxin Company (“Shareholders” )and other related responsible parties to perform all obligations and liabilities under the Onshore Agreements, Party A agrees to pledge the Pledged Equities (as defined in Section 4 herein) under this Agreement to Party B pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, and Party B agrees to accept the above equity pledge, and have priority right to the proceeds from the conversion, auction, or sale of the Pledged Equities.
|
|
1.2
|
The pledge under this Agreement includes the rights owned by Party B to collect the fees (including legal fees), expenses, interests, losses, liquidated damages and compensations that Jinxin Company and/or the Shareholders shall pay under the Onshore Agreements, and civil liabilities that Jinxin Company and/or the Shareholders shall bear in case the Onshore Agreements wholly or partially become null and void due to any reason.
|
|
1.3
|
Unless consent in writing by Party B, after the execution of this Agreement, the pledge under this Agreement will be terminated only when Jinxin Company and the Shareholders have performed all the obligations and liabilities under the Onshore Agreements and Party B confirms such fulfillment in writing. If Jinxin Company or the Shareholders have not fully performed all or part of its or their obligations or liabilities under the Onshore Agreements at the expiration of such agreements, Party B will maintain the pledge hereunder up to the date when all such obligations and liabilities are fully performed.
|
2.
|
Representations and Warranties
|
|
2.1
|
Party A represents and warrants to Party B, on the day of execution of this Agreement:
|
|
2.1.1.
|
Party A has the right to execute this Agreement and the capability to perform the same;
|
|
2.1.2.
|
Party A has gone through necessary internal decision-making procedures, obtained proper authority, acquire all the necessary consents and approvals of any requisite third party and government authority to enter into and perform this Agreement and this Agreement does not violate the laws of the PRC and contracts binding or affecting it;
|
|
2.1.3.
|
upon the execution, this Agreement will constitute the legal, valid, binding obligation of both parties and both parties will be subject to compulsory enforcement pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Agreement;
|
|
2.1.4.
|
Party A is the exclusive and duly owner of the Pledged Equities, has paid up all capitals subscribed, has obtained the capital verification report issued by the duly qualified Certified Public Accounting firm and has the right to set the pledge of the first priority on such Pledged Equities for Party B;
|
|
2.1.5.
|
except for the pledge under this Agreement, there is not: (i) any other encumbrance or any security interests for the benefit of any third party on the equity interests pledged by Party A (including but not limited to pledge); (ii) any mortgages or other guarantee rights set for any third party; (iii) any pending or possible civil, administrative or criminal litigation or administrative punishment or arbitration relating to the equity interests hereunder on the date of execution of this Agreement; (iv) any trusts or conditions of limited use; (v) any exemptions from lawsuit, execution, enforcement or other legal proceedings; or (vi) any outstanding taxes, fees or undecided legal procedures related with the equity interests hereunder on the date of execution of this Agreement;
|
|
2.1.6.
|
Party A has not effected and will not effect an Event of Default (as defined in Section 8) and has no knowledge of any risk of an Event of Default under this Agreement or any other agreement to which Party A are a party;
|
|
2.1.7.
|
Party A has abided by and performed all obligations stipulated by the applicable laws, regulations and rules and all applicable authorizations and permissions; Party A does not have any circumstances that go against any laws, regulations or rules and may have material and adverse effect on the validity, effect, performance and enforceability of this Agreement; and
|
|
2.1.8.
|
to the best knowledge of Party A, no court, arbitral tribunal or government authority starts to take any legal proceedings or administrative proceedings against Party A or the Pledged Equities, neither does any courts, arbitral tribunals or government authority start to file any legal proceedings or administrative proceedings against Party A or the Pledged Equities, and Party A has no knowledge of any such risks.
|
|
2.2
|
Party B presents and warranties to Party A on the day of execution of this Agreement:
|
|
2.2.1.
|
it has the right, to execute this Agreement and the capability to perform the same;
|
|
2.2.2.
|
it has carried out necessary internal decision-making procedures, obtained proper authority, acquire the necessary consents and approvals of any third party and government authority to enter into and perform this Agreement and it does not go against the laws and contracts binding or affecting it; and
|
|
2.2.3.
|
upon the execution, this Agreement will constitute the legal, valid, binding obligation of both parties and both parties shall be subject to compulsory enforcement pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Agreement.
|
3.
|
Guaranteed Liabilities
|
4.
|
Pledged Equities
|
5.
|
Pledge Procedures and Transaction
|
6.
|
Party A’s Undertaking
|
|
6.1
|
without the prior written consent of Party B, Party A shall not impose any other encumbrance (whether prevailing over the pledge under this Agreement or not) or other restrictive conditions on all or part of the Pledged Equities;
|
|
6.2
|
without the prior written consent of Party B, Party A shall not sell, lease, lend, transfer, assign, grant, remortgage, trust, or participate in equity investment by, the Pledged Equities or dispose by any other means all or part of the Pledged Equities;
|
|
6.3
|
Party A shall not use or allow others to use the Pledged Equities for any actions or events against any laws or this Agreement;
|
|
6.4
|
after receiving any notice, order, ruling, verdict or other instruments in relation to the Pledged Equities from the government, judicial authority or arbitral organization, Party A shall immediately notify Party B and within the period provided by the applicable laws take all necessary steps to reduce the risks that such notice, order or other instruments may bring to the Pledged Equities. Where Party B deems necessary, Party A shall file a lawsuit, arbitration or administrative lawsuit against the above notice, order or other instruments and bear all fees that arising therefrom and in relation thereto;
|
|
6.5
|
Party A shall immediately notify Party B of any events or any received notices which may affect the equity interest of Party A or any part of its right, and any events or any received notices which may change the covenants and obligations of Party A under this Agreement or which may affect the performance of its obligations under this Agreement, and take actions in accordance with the instructions of Party B;
|
|
6.6
|
Party A agrees that the right of Party B to exercise the pledge pursuant to this Agreement shall not be suspended or hampered by Party A or any successors or transferees of Party A or any other persons;
|
|
6.7
|
Party A warrants to Party B that in order to protect and perfect the security over the obligations of Party A and/or Jinxin Company under the Onshore Agreements, Party A shall make any necessary amendment (if applicable), execute in good faith and cause any third party who has interests in the pledge to execute all the title certificates, contracts, and /or perform and cause any third party who has interests to take action as required by Party B and make access to exercise the rights and authorization vested in Party B under this Agreement, and execute all the documents with respect to the changes of equity interests owned by Party B or another party designated by Party B, and provides Party B with all the necessary documents within the reasonable time; and
|
|
6.8
|
Party A warrants to Party B that Party A will comply with and perform all the guarantees, covenants, agreements, representations and conditions for the benefits of Party B. Party A shall indemnity Party B for all the damages suffered by Party B for the reasons that Party A does not perform or fully perform such guarantees, covenants, agreements, representations and conditions.
|
7.
|
Exercise of Pledge
|
|
7.1
|
Subject to Clause 8.3, Party B may dispose the Pledged Equities at any time upon or after sending the notice for the exercise of the pledge.
|
|
7.2
|
Party B shall have the priority right to dispose all or part of Pledged Equities under this Agreement (including but not limited to purchase of shares at discounted price by agreement, sell at auction by the laws of the PRC, sell-off Pledged Equities) as per legal procedures and to be paid with the sum gained from the disposal until all guaranteed liabilities of Jinxin Company and the Shareholders under the Onshore Agreements are fulfilled completely.
|
|
7.3
|
Where Party B disposes the Pledged Equities pursuant to this Agreement, Party A shall provide and cause Jinxin Company to provide necessary assistance so that Party B can realize its pledge.
|
8.
|
Event of Default
|
|
8.1
|
The following events shall be regarded as an Event of Default:
|
|
8.1.1.
|
where Party A and/or Jinxin Company and related responsible parties fail to perform any obligations under the Onshore Agreements in time or fails to discharge any guaranteed liability as scheduled in full sum;
|
|
8.1.2.
|
where there are any falsity, fraud, misleading statements or errors relating to any representation and undertaking Party A makes in Section 2
herein;
|
|
8.1.3.
|
where Party A violates any undertaking in Section 6 of this Agreement;
|
|
8.1.4.
|
where Party A violates any other terms and conditions of this Agreement;
|
|
8.1.5.
|
where Party A refuses or intentionally delays the registration procedures for the pledge under this Agreement and fails to correct such action within ten (10) days as of the day when Party B requires in writing to do so;
|
|
8.1.6.
|
where any loan, guarantee, indemnity, undertaking or other compensation liability of Party A: (i) is required to be repaid or performed in advance due to an event of default; or (ii) is due but unable to be repaid or performed as scheduled, which makes Party B reasonably believe that the ability of Party A to perform its obligations under this Agreement has been materially and adversely affected;
|
|
8.1.7.
|
where this Agreement becomes ineffective, revocable, unenforceable or Party A cannot continue performing its obligations under this Agreement in time and fully due to the fault (including omission) of Party A after the issuance of new laws of the PRC;
|
|
8.1.8.
|
Party A waive the pledged equity interests or transfers the pledged equity interests without prior written consent from the Party B;
|
|
8.1.9.
|
any approval, permits, licenses or authorization from the competent authority of the government needed to perform under this Agreement or validate this Agreement are withdrawn, suspended, invalidated or materially amended;
|
|
8.1.10.
|
the property of Party A is adversely changed and causes Party B to deem that the capability of Party A to perform the obligations herein is affected; and
|
|
8.1.11.
|
other circumstances in which Party B cannot exercise and dispose the pledge due to the fault (including omission) of Party A.
|
|
8.2
|
If Party A knows or should have known the occurrence of any event stated above in Subsection 8.1 or any matter that may incur the above events, Party A shall immediately notify Party B in writing.
|
|
8.3
|
Unless Party A immediately takes the measures satisfactory to Party B to correct the Event of Default listed in Subsection 8.1 above, Party B may send written notice of exercising the pledge to Party A at any time upon or after the occurrence of Event of Default, demand Party A and/or Jinxin Company to: (i) make full payment of the outstanding fees pursuant to the Onshore Agreement, and (ii) immediate perform their obligations under the Onshore Agreements, and require disposal of the Pledged Equities pursuant to this Agreement.
|
|
8.4
|
The Event of Default provided in this Section 8 will not affect the exercise of other remedies by the parties pursuant to the laws of the PRC.
|
9.
|
Liability in the Event of Default
|
10.
|
Assignment
|
|
10.1
|
Without the prior written consent of Party B, Party A shall not have the right to assign or delegate its rights and obligations under this Agreement.
|
|
10.2
|
This Agreement shall be binding on Party A and its successors and permitted assigns, and shall be valid with respect to Party B and each of its successors and assigns.
|
|
10.3
|
At any time, Party B may assign any and all of its rights and obligations under the Onshore Agreements to its designee(s) (natural or legal persons), in which case the assigns shall have the rights and obligations of Party B under this Agreement, as if it were the original party to this Agreement. When Party B assigns the rights and obligations under the Onshore Agreements, at the request of Party B, Party A shall execute relevant agreements or other documents relating to such assignment.
|
|
10.4
|
In the event of a change in the pledgee due to an assignment, Party A shall, at the request of Party B, execute a new pledge agreement with the new pledgee on the same terms and conditions as this Agreement, and register for change of the pledgee with the competent Administration of Industry and Commerce.
|
11.
|
Termination
|
12.
|
Taxes, Fees and Other Expenses
|
13.
|
Confidentiality
|
|
13.1
|
Both parties agree that, all materials, documents, communications and other information obtained in the negotiation, execution or performance of this Agreement, whether commercial, technical or in any other form (“
Confidential information
"), shall be strictly kept confidential and used only for the performance of the obligations under this Agreement. Unless the other parties consent in writing, neither of the parties shall release, leak or disclose any Confidential Information to any third party.
|
|
13.2
|
Either party may disclose the Confidential Information in the following circumstances: (i) where the laws, court orders or the competent courts with jurisdiction require, and such disclosure may be conducted only within such requirement; (ii) where the competent authority or government department requires; (iii) where such Confidential Information has been known to the general public; (iv) where such Confidential Information was owned duly and legally by the disclosing party rather obtained from the other party before the disclosing party obtains it; (v) the information is required to be disclosed subject to the applicable laws or the rules or provisions of a stock exchange or securities governing authority; and (vi) the information is disclosed by each party to its legal or financial consultant relating the transaction of this Agreement, and this legal or financial consultant shall comply with the confidentiality set forth in this Section 13. However, for the circumstances aforesaid, where either party discloses the Confidential Information, it shall inform the other party of the Confidential Information to be disclosed.
|
|
13.3
|
Nonetheless other provisions of this Section 13, either party shall have the right to disclose the Confidential Information to its lawyer, accountant, other professional consultants, directors or senior officers; such personnel shall undertake in writing to treat such information as Confidential Information by taking the measures similar to those provided in 13.1 of this Section.
|
|
13.4
|
The disclosure of the Confidential Information by staff or employed institution of any party shall be deemed as the disclosure of such Confidential Information by such party, and such party shall bear the liabilities for breaching the agreement.
|
|
13.5
|
This Section 13 shall survive whatever this Agreement is invalid, amended, revoked, terminated or unable to implement by any reason.
|
14.
|
Governing Law and Dispute Resolution
|
|
14.1
|
The execution, effectiveness, construction, performance, amendment and termination of this Agreement and the resolution of disputes hereunder shall be governed by the formally published and publicly available laws of the PRC. Matters not covered by formally published and publicly available laws of the PRC shall be governed by international legal principles and practices.
|
|
14.2
|
Both parties agree that any dispute arising from or in relation to this Agreement shall first be settled by the friendly negotiation of both parties. If the negotiation fails within 45 days, either party shall have the right to file the dispute with China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission (“
CIETAC
”) in Beijing for arbitration pursuant to the currently effective arbitration rules of CIETAC at the time of application. This arbitration shall be final and bind both parties and shall be enforceable in any court of competent jurisdiction. The arbitration fees shall be born by the losing party.
|
|
14.3
|
Upon the occurrence of any disputes arising from the construction and performance of this Agreement or during the pending arbitration of any dispute, except for the matters under dispute, the Parties to this Agreement shall continue to exercise their respective rights under this Agreement and perform their respective obligations under this Agreement.
|
15.
|
Effect, Change and Recession of this Agreement
|
|
15.1
|
This Agreement shall come into effect on and after the date that it is signed and/or stamped by both parties.
|
|
15.2
|
After this Agreement comes into effect, except otherwise provided by this Agreement, neither party shall amend or terminate this Agreement in advance. If it is necessary to amend or terminate this Agreement, both parties shall negotiate to reach a written agreement. Before such written agreement is reached, this Agreement shall remain in effect.
|
16.
|
Physical Possession Of Documents
|
|
16.1
|
Party A shall deliver the physical possession of the certificates of registration (original) of the pledge to Party B, provide the proper record relating to the registration of such pledge to Party B, and transact various approval and examination, registration and filling procedures required by the laws of the PRC within thirty (30) business days as of the date of execution of this Agreement or an earlier time agreed upon by the parties.
|
|
16.2
|
If the subjects of the pledge change and such changes need to be registered or filed, Party A shall register or file or cause Jinxin Company to register or file such changes within five (5) business days as of the day of change, and shall deliver relevant registration of change or filling documents to Party B.
|
|
16.3
|
During the term of the equity pledge, Party A shall instruct Jinxin Company not to distribute any dividends, or adopt any profits distribution plans; if Party A shall be entitled to collect any interests other than distribution plans of dividends and profits, Party A shall instruct Jinxin Company to transform such interests into cash and pay such interests into the bank account designated by Party B in accordance with Party B’s requirements, and Party A shall not use any money deposited into the bank account without the prior written consent of Party B.
|
|
16.4
|
During the term of equity pledge, if Party A subscribes new capital contribution or accepts an equity transfer (“Newly-added Equities”), the Newly-added Equities shall be automatically become Pledged Equities under this Agreement, and Party A shall accomplish all the procedures with respect to the pledge of the Newly-added Equities within ten (10) business days after acquiring the Newly-added Equities. If Party A fails to accomplish the relevant procedures as specified in this Section 16, Party B shall have the right to exercise the pledge right under this Agreement.
|
17.
|
General Terms
|
|
17.1
|
Entire Agreement. This Agreement and the Exhibits and Schedules hereto contain the entire understanding between the parties, no other representations, warranties or covenants having induced any party to execute this Agreement, and supersede all prior or contemporaneous agreements with respect to the subject matter hereof. All references to schedules and exhibits are to exhibits and schedules attached to and to become a part of this Agreement unless otherwise indicated.
|
|
17.2
|
Amendment. Any amendment and/or rescission shall be in writing and signed by the authorized representatives of both parties. Such revision shall be a valid integral part of this Agreement.
|
|
17.3
|
Headings. The headings of any Sections or other portion of this Agreement are for convenience only and are not to be considered in construing this Agreement.
|
|
17.4
|
Construction. References in this Agreement to "Sections," "Schedules" and "Exhibits" shall be to the Sections, Schedules and Exhibits of this Agreement, unless otherwise specifically provided; any use in this Agreement of the singular or plural, or the masculine, feminine or neuter gender, shall be deemed to include the others, unless the context otherwise requires; the words "herein”, "hereof" and "hereunder" and words of similar import, when used in this Agreement, shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement; the word "including" when used in this Agreement shall mean “including without limitation”; and except as otherwise specified in this Agreement, all references in this Agreement (i) to any agreement, document, certificate or other written instrument shall be a reference to such agreement, document, certificate or instrument, in each case together with all exhibits, schedules, attachments and appendices thereto, and as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof; and (ii) to any law, statute or regulation shall be deemed references to such law, statute or regulation as the same may be supplemented, amended, consolidated, superseded or modified from time to time.
|
|
17.5
|
Severability. Any provision hereof that is prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability, without invalidating the remaining provisions hereof, and any such prohibition or unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.
|
|
17.6
|
Waiver. No failure or delay of either party to enforce any right hereunder shall constitute a waiver of any such right hereunder. No waiver shall be effective hereunder unless in writing and a waiver shall only be effective for the specific act or circumstance for which it is given and not for any future act or circumstance.
|
|
17.7
|
Language. This Agreement is in both Chinese and English and signed by both parties, and the two versions have the same effect. Should there be any discrepancy between the two language versions, the Chinese version shall prevail.
|
|
17.8
|
Copies of this Agreement. This Agreement shall be executed in four counterparts; each party holds one and the rest are used for the transaction of related formalities. Each of the copies shall be deemed as the original one and has the same effect.
|
|
1.
|
On the date of execution of this Agreement, Party A is one of the shareholders of Zhuolu Jinxin Mining Co., Ltd. (“Jinxin Company”) and duly holds 3% of the shares of Jinxin Company;
|
|
2.
|
Jinxin Company is a corporation incorporated and validly existing in the territory of the PRC pursuant to the law of the PRC with business license registration number: 130731000000165 and its address at at Chunshugou Village, Luanzhuang Town, Zhuolu County, Hebei Province.
|
|
3.
|
In order to ensure all the shareholders of Jinxin Company and/or Jinxin Company to perform all obligations under the Management Entrustment Agreement, Power of Attorney and Exclusive Purchase Option Agreement (collectively referred to as “Onshore Agreements”) entered into on the same day as this Agreement, Party A agrees to pledge all the shares held by Party A in Jinxin Company to Party B as the guarantee for the performance of the Onshore Agreements by the related responsible parties pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, and Party B agrees to accept such pledge provided by Party A.
|
1.
|
Pledge of Equity
|
|
1.1
|
In order to guarantee Jinxin Company, all the shareholders of Jinxin Company (“Shareholders” )and other related responsible parties to perform all obligations and liabilities under the Onshore Agreements, Party A agrees to pledge the Pledged Equities (as defined in Section 4 herein) under this Agreement to Party B pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, and Party B agrees to accept the above equity pledge, and have priority right to the proceeds from the conversion, auction, or sale of the Pledged Equities.
|
|
1.2
|
The pledge under this Agreement includes the rights owned by Party B to collect the fees (including legal fees), expenses, interests, losses, liquidated damages and compensations that Jinxin Company and/or the Shareholders shall pay under the Onshore Agreements, and civil liabilities that Jinxin Company and/or the Shareholders shall bear in case the Onshore Agreements wholly or partially become null and void due to any reason.
|
|
1.3
|
Unless consent in writing by Party B, after the execution of this Agreement, the pledge under this Agreement will be terminated only when Jinxin Company and the Shareholders have performed all the obligations and liabilities under the Onshore Agreements and Party B confirms such fulfillment in writing. If Jinxin Company or the Shareholders have not fully performed all or part of its or their obligations or liabilities under the Onshore Agreements at the expiration of such agreements, Party B will maintain the pledge hereunder up to the date when all such obligations and liabilities are fully performed.
|
2.
|
Representations and Warranties
|
|
2.1
|
Party A represents and warrants to Party B, on the day of execution of this Agreement:
|
|
2.1.1.
|
Party A has the right to execute this Agreement and the capability to perform the same;
|
|
2.1.2.
|
Party A has gone through necessary internal decision-making procedures, obtained proper authority, acquire all the necessary consents and approvals of any requisite third party and government authority to enter into and perform this Agreement and this Agreement does not violate the laws of the PRC and contracts binding or affecting it;
|
|
2.1.3.
|
upon the execution, this Agreement will constitute the legal, valid, binding obligation of both parties and both parties will be subject to compulsory enforcement pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Agreement;
|
|
2.1.4.
|
Party A is the exclusive and duly owner of the Pledged Equities, has paid up all capitals subscribed, has obtained the capital verification report issued by the duly qualified Certified Public Accounting firm and has the right to set the pledge of the first priority on such Pledged Equities for Party B;
|
|
2.1.5.
|
except for the pledge under this Agreement, there is not: (i) any other encumbrance or any security interests for the benefit of any third party on the equity interests pledged by Party A (including but not limited to pledge); (ii) any mortgages or other guarantee rights set for any third party; (iii) any pending or possible civil, administrative or criminal litigation or administrative punishment or arbitration relating to the equity interests hereunder on the date of execution of this Agreement; (iv) any trusts or conditions of limited use; (v) any exemptions from lawsuit, execution, enforcement or other legal proceedings; or (vi) any outstanding taxes, fees or undecided legal procedures related with the equity interests hereunder on the date of execution of this Agreement;
|
|
2.1.6.
|
Party A has not effected and will not effect an Event of Default (as defined in Section 8) and has no knowledge of any risk of an Event of Default under this Agreement or any other agreement to which Party A are a party;
|
|
2.1.7.
|
Party A has abided by and performed all obligations stipulated by the applicable laws, regulations and rules and all applicable authorizations and permissions; Party A does not have any circumstances that go against any laws, regulations or rules and may have material and adverse effect on the validity, effect, performance and enforceability of this Agreement; and
|
|
2.1.8.
|
to the best knowledge of Party A, no court, arbitral tribunal or government authority starts to take any legal proceedings or administrative proceedings against Party A or the Pledged Equities, neither does any courts, arbitral tribunals or government authority start to file any legal proceedings or administrative proceedings against Party A or the Pledged Equities, and Party A has no knowledge of any such risks.
|
|
2.2
|
Party B presents and warranties to Party A on the day of execution of this Agreement:
|
|
2.2.1.
|
it has the right, to execute this Agreement and the capability to perform the same;
|
|
2.2.2.
|
it has carried out necessary internal decision-making procedures, obtained proper authority, acquire the necessary consents and approvals of any third party and government authority to enter into and perform this Agreement and it does not go against the laws and contracts binding or affecting it; and
|
|
2.2.3.
|
upon the execution, this Agreement will constitute the legal, valid, binding obligation of both parties and both parties shall be subject to compulsory enforcement pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Agreement.
|
3.
|
Guaranteed Liabilities
|
4.
|
Pledged Equities
|
5.
|
Pledge Procedures and Transaction
|
6.
|
Party A’s Undertaking
|
|
6.1
|
without the prior written consent of Party B, Party A shall not impose any other encumbrance (whether prevailing over the pledge under this Agreement or not) or other restrictive conditions on all or part of the Pledged Equities;
|
|
6.2
|
without the prior written consent of Party B, Party A shall not sell, lease, lend, transfer, assign, grant, remortgage, trust, or participate in equity investment by, the Pledged Equities or dispose by any other means all or part of the Pledged Equities;
|
|
6.3
|
Party A shall not use or allow others to use the Pledged Equities for any actions or events against any laws or this Agreement;
|
|
6.4
|
after receiving any notice, order, ruling, verdict or other instruments in relation to the Pledged Equities from the government, judicial authority or arbitral organization, Party A shall immediately notify Party B and within the period provided by the applicable laws take all necessary steps to reduce the risks that such notice, order or other instruments may bring to the Pledged Equities. Where Party B deems necessary, Party A shall file a lawsuit, arbitration or administrative lawsuit against the above notice, order or other instruments and bear all fees that arising therefrom and in relation thereto;
|
|
6.5
|
Party A shall immediately notify Party B of any events or any received notices which may affect the equity interest of Party A or any part of its right, and any events or any received notices which may change the covenants and obligations of Party A under this Agreement or which may affect the performance of its obligations under this Agreement, and take actions in accordance with the instructions of Party B;
|
|
6.6
|
Party A agrees that the right of Party B to exercise the pledge pursuant to this Agreement shall not be suspended or hampered by Party A or any successors or transferees of Party A or any other persons;
|
|
6.7
|
Party A warrants to Party B that in order to protect and perfect the security over the obligations of Party A and/or Jinxin Company under the Onshore Agreements, Party A shall make any necessary amendment (if applicable), execute in good faith and cause any third party who has interests in the pledge to execute all the title certificates, contracts, and /or perform and cause any third party who has interests to take action as required by Party B and make access to exercise the rights and authorization vested in Party B under this Agreement, and execute all the documents with respect to the changes of equity interests owned by Party B or another party designated by Party B, and provides Party B with all the necessary documents within the reasonable time; and
|
|
6.8
|
Party A warrants to Party B that Party A will comply with and perform all the guarantees, covenants, agreements, representations and conditions for the benefits of Party B. Party A shall indemnity Party B for all the damages suffered by Party B for the reasons that Party A does not perform or fully perform such guarantees, covenants, agreements, representations and conditions.
|
7.
|
Exercise of Pledge
|
|
7.1
|
Subject to Clause 8.3, Party B may dispose the Pledged Equities at any time upon or after sending the notice for the exercise of the pledge.
|
|
7.2
|
Party B shall have the priority right to dispose all or part of Pledged Equities under this Agreement (including but not limited to purchase of shares at discounted price by agreement, sell at auction by the laws of the PRC, sell-off Pledged Equities) as per legal procedures and to be paid with the sum gained from the disposal until all guaranteed liabilities of Jinxin Company and the Shareholders under the Onshore Agreements are fulfilled completely.
|
|
7.3
|
Where Party B disposes the Pledged Equities pursuant to this Agreement, Party A shall provide and cause Jinxin Company to provide necessary assistance so that Party B can realize its pledge.
|
8.
|
Event of Default
|
|
8.1
|
The following events shall be regarded as an Event of Default:
|
|
8.1.1.
|
where Party A and/or Jinxin Company and related responsible parties fail to perform any obligations under the Onshore Agreements in time or fails to discharge any guaranteed liability as scheduled in full sum;
|
|
8.1.2.
|
where there are any falsity, fraud, misleading statements or errors relating to any representation and undertaking Party A makes in Section 2
herein;
|
|
8.1.3.
|
where Party A violates any undertaking in Section 6 of this Agreement;
|
|
8.1.4.
|
where Party A violates any other terms and conditions of this Agreement;
|
|
8.1.5.
|
where Party A refuses or intentionally delays the registration procedures for the pledge under this Agreement and fails to correct such action within ten (10) days as of the day when Party B requires in writing to do so;
|
|
8.1.6.
|
where any loan, guarantee, indemnity, undertaking or other compensation liability of Party A: (i) is required to be repaid or performed in advance due to an event of default; or (ii) is due but unable to be repaid or performed as scheduled, which makes Party B reasonably believe that the ability of Party A to perform its obligations under this Agreement has been materially and adversely affected;
|
|
8.1.7.
|
where this Agreement becomes ineffective, revocable, unenforceable or Party A cannot continue performing its obligations under this Agreement in time and fully due to the fault (including omission) of Party A after the issuance of new laws of the PRC;
|
|
8.1.8.
|
Party A waive the pledged equity interests or transfers the pledged equity interests without prior written consent from the Party B;
|
|
8.1.9.
|
any approval, permits, licenses or authorization from the competent authority of the government needed to perform under this Agreement or validate this Agreement are withdrawn, suspended, invalidated or materially amended;
|
|
8.1.10.
|
the property of Party A is adversely changed and causes Party B to deem that the capability of Party A to perform the obligations herein is affected; and
|
|
8.1.11.
|
other circumstances in which Party B cannot exercise and dispose the pledge due to the fault (including omission) of Party A.
|
|
8.2
|
If Party A knows or should have known the occurrence of any event stated above in Subsection 8.1 or any matter that may incur the above events, Party A shall immediately notify Party B in writing.
|
|
8.3
|
Unless Party A immediately takes the measures satisfactory to Party B to correct the Event of Default listed in Subsection 8.1 above, Party B may send written notice of exercising the pledge to Party A at any time upon or after the occurrence of Event of Default, demand Party A and/or Jinxin Company to: (i) make full payment of the outstanding fees pursuant to the Onshore Agreement, and (ii) immediate perform their obligations under the Onshore Agreements, and require disposal of the Pledged Equities pursuant to this Agreement.
|
|
8.4
|
The Event of Default provided in this Section 8 will not affect the exercise of other remedies by the parties pursuant to the laws of the PRC.
|
9.
|
Liability in the Event of Default
|
10.
|
Assignment
|
|
10.1
|
Without the prior written consent of Party B, Party A shall not have the right to assign or delegate its rights and obligations under this Agreement.
|
|
10.2
|
This Agreement shall be binding on Party A and its successors and permitted assigns, and shall be valid with respect to Party B and each of its successors and assigns.
|
|
10.3
|
At any time, Party B may assign any and all of its rights and obligations under the Onshore Agreements to its designee(s) (natural or legal persons), in which case the assigns shall have the rights and obligations of Party B under this Agreement, as if it were the original party to this Agreement. When Party B assigns the rights and obligations under the Onshore Agreements, at the request of Party B, Party A shall execute relevant agreements or other documents relating to such assignment.
|
|
10.4
|
In the event of a change in the pledgee due to an assignment, Party A shall, at the request of Party B, execute a new pledge agreement with the new pledgee on the same terms and conditions as this Agreement, and register for change of the pledgee with the competent Administration of Industry and Commerce.
|
11.
|
Termination
|
12.
|
Taxes, Fees and Other Expenses
|
13.
|
Confidentiality
|
|
13.1
|
Both parties agree that, all materials, documents, communications and other information obtained in the negotiation, execution or performance of this Agreement, whether commercial, technical or in any other form (“
Confidential information
"), shall be strictly kept confidential and used only for the performance of the obligations under this Agreement. Unless the other parties consent in writing, neither of the parties shall release, leak or disclose any Confidential Information to any third party.
|
|
13.2
|
Either party may disclose the Confidential Information in the following circumstances: (i) where the laws, court orders or the competent courts with jurisdiction require, and such disclosure may be conducted only within such requirement; (ii) where the competent authority or government department requires; (iii) where such Confidential Information has been known to the general public; (iv) where such Confidential Information was owned duly and legally by the disclosing party rather obtained from the other party before the disclosing party obtains it; (v) the information is required to be disclosed subject to the applicable laws or the rules or provisions of a stock exchange or securities governing authority; and (vi) the information is disclosed by each party to its legal or financial consultant relating the transaction of this Agreement, and this legal or financial consultant shall comply with the confidentiality set forth in this Section 13. However, for the circumstances aforesaid, where either party discloses the Confidential Information, it shall inform the other party of the Confidential Information to be disclosed.
|
|
13.3
|
Nonetheless other provisions of this Section 13, either party shall have the right to disclose the Confidential Information to its lawyer, accountant, other professional consultants, directors or senior officers; such personnel shall undertake in writing to treat such information as Confidential Information by taking the measures similar to those provided in 13.1 of this Section.
|
|
13.4
|
The disclosure of the Confidential Information by staff or employed institution of any party shall be deemed as the disclosure of such Confidential Information by such party, and such party shall bear the liabilities for breaching the agreement.
|
|
13.5
|
This Section 13 shall survive whatever this Agreement is invalid, amended, revoked, terminated or unable to implement by any reason.
|
14.
|
Governing Law and Dispute Resolution
|
|
14.1
|
The execution, effectiveness, construction, performance, amendment and termination of this Agreement and the resolution of disputes hereunder shall be governed by the formally published and publicly available laws of the PRC. Matters not covered by formally published and publicly available laws of the PRC shall be governed by international legal principles and practices.
|
|
14.2
|
Both parties agree that any dispute arising from or in relation to this Agreement shall first be settled by the friendly negotiation of both parties. If the negotiation fails within 45 days, either party shall have the right to file the dispute with China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission (“
CIETAC
”) in Beijing for arbitration pursuant to the currently effective arbitration rules of CIETAC at the time of application. This arbitration shall be final and bind both parties and shall be enforceable in any court of competent jurisdiction. The arbitration fees shall be born by the losing party.
|
|
14.3
|
Upon the occurrence of any disputes arising from the construction and performance of this Agreement or during the pending arbitration of any dispute, except for the matters under dispute, the Parties to this Agreement shall continue to exercise their respective rights under this Agreement and perform their respective obligations under this Agreement.
|
15.
|
Effect, Change and Recession of this Agreement
|
|
15.1
|
This Agreement shall come into effect on and after the date that it is signed and/or stamped by both parties.
|
|
15.2
|
After this Agreement comes into effect, except otherwise provided by this Agreement, neither party shall amend or terminate this Agreement in advance. If it is necessary to amend or terminate this Agreement, both parties shall negotiate to reach a written agreement. Before such written agreement is reached, this Agreement shall remain in effect.
|
16.
|
Physical Possession Of Documents
|
|
16.1
|
Party A shall deliver the physical possession of the certificates of registration (original) of the pledge to Party B, provide the proper record relating to the registration of such pledge to Party B, and transact various approval and examination, registration and filling procedures required by the laws of the PRC within thirty (30) business days as of the date of execution of this Agreement or an earlier time agreed upon by the parties.
|
|
16.2
|
If the subjects of the pledge change and such changes need to be registered or filed, Party A shall register or file or cause Jinxin Company to register or file such changes within five (5) business days as of the day of change, and shall deliver relevant registration of change or filling documents to Party B.
|
|
16.3
|
During the term of the equity pledge, Party A shall instruct Jinxin Company not to distribute any dividends, or adopt any profits distribution plans; if Party A shall be entitled to collect any interests other than distribution plans of dividends and profits, Party A shall instruct Jinxin Company to transform such interests into cash and pay such interests into the bank account designated by Party B in accordance with Party B’s requirements, and Party A shall not use any money deposited into the bank account without the prior written consent of Party B.
|
|
16.4
|
During the term of equity pledge, if Party A subscribes new capital contribution or accepts an equity transfer (“Newly-added Equities”), the Newly-added Equities shall be automatically become Pledged Equities under this Agreement, and Party A shall accomplish all the procedures with respect to the pledge of the Newly-added Equities within ten (10) business days after acquiring the Newly-added Equities. If Party A fails to accomplish the relevant procedures as specified in this Section 16, Party B shall have the right to exercise the pledge right under this Agreement.
|
17.
|
General Terms
|
|
17.1
|
Entire Agreement. This Agreement and the Exhibits and Schedules hereto contain the entire understanding between the parties, no other representations, warranties or covenants having induced any party to execute this Agreement, and supersede all prior or contemporaneous agreements with respect to the subject matter hereof. All references to schedules and exhibits are to exhibits and schedules attached to and to become a part of this Agreement unless otherwise indicated.
|
|
17.2
|
Amendment. Any amendment and/or rescission shall be in writing and signed by the authorized representatives of both parties. Such revision shall be a valid integral part of this Agreement.
|
|
17.3
|
Headings. The headings of any Sections or other portion of this Agreement are for convenience only and are not to be considered in construing this Agreement.
|
|
17.4
|
Construction. References in this Agreement to "Sections," "Schedules" and "Exhibits" shall be to the Sections, Schedules and Exhibits of this Agreement, unless otherwise specifically provided; any use in this Agreement of the singular or plural, or the masculine, feminine or neuter gender, shall be deemed to include the others, unless the context otherwise requires; the words "herein”, "hereof" and "hereunder" and words of similar import, when used in this Agreement, shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement; the word "including" when used in this Agreement shall mean “including without limitation”; and except as otherwise specified in this Agreement, all references in this Agreement (i) to any agreement, document, certificate or other written instrument shall be a reference to such agreement, document, certificate or instrument, in each case together with all exhibits, schedules, attachments and appendices thereto, and as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof; and (ii) to any law, statute or regulation shall be deemed references to such law, statute or regulation as the same may be supplemented, amended, consolidated, superseded or modified from time to time.
|
|
17.5
|
Severability. Any provision hereof that is prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability, without invalidating the remaining provisions hereof, and any such prohibition or unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.
|
|
17.6
|
Waiver. No failure or delay of either party to enforce any right hereunder shall constitute a waiver of any such right hereunder. No waiver shall be effective hereunder unless in writing and a waiver shall only be effective for the specific act or circumstance for which it is given and not for any future act or circumstance.
|
|
17.7
|
Language. This Agreement is in both Chinese and English and signed by both parties, and the two versions have the same effect. Should there be any discrepancy between the two language versions, the Chinese version shall prevail.
|
|
17.8
|
Copies of this Agreement. This Agreement shall be executed in four counterparts; each party holds one and the rest are used for the transaction of related formalities. Each of the copies shall be deemed as the original one and has the same effect.
|
|
1.
|
On the date of execution of this Agreement, Party A is one of the shareholders of Zhuolu Jinxin Mining Co., Ltd. (“Jinxin Company”) and duly holds 1.79% of the shares of Jinxin Company;
|
|
2.
|
Jinxin Company is a corporation incorporated and validly existing in the territory of the PRC pursuant to the law of the PRC with business license registration number: 130731000000165 and its address at at Chunshugou Village, Luanzhuang Town, Zhuolu County, Hebei Province.
|
|
3.
|
In order to ensure all the shareholders of Jinxin Company and/or Jinxin Company to perform all obligations under the Management Entrustment Agreement, Power of Attorney and Exclusive Purchase Option Agreement (collectively referred to as “Onshore Agreements”) entered into on the same day as this Agreement, Party A agrees to pledge all the shares held by Party A in Jinxin Company to Party B as the guarantee for the performance of the Onshore Agreements by the related responsible parties pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, and Party B agrees to accept such pledge provided by Party A.
|
1.
|
Pledge of Equity
|
|
1.1
|
In order to guarantee Jinxin Company, all the shareholders of Jinxin Company (“Shareholders” )and other related responsible parties to perform all obligations and liabilities under the Onshore Agreements, Party A agrees to pledge the Pledged Equities (as defined in Section 4 herein) under this Agreement to Party B pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, and Party B agrees to accept the above equity pledge, and have priority right to the proceeds from the conversion, auction, or sale of the Pledged Equities.
|
|
1.2
|
The pledge under this Agreement includes the rights owned by Party B to collect the fees (including legal fees), expenses, interests, losses, liquidated damages and compensations that Jinxin Company and/or the Shareholders shall pay under the Onshore Agreements, and civil liabilities that Jinxin Company and/or the Shareholders shall bear in case the Onshore Agreements wholly or partially become null and void due to any reason.
|
|
1.3
|
Unless consent in writing by Party B, after the execution of this Agreement, the pledge under this Agreement will be terminated only when Jinxin Company and the Shareholders have performed all the obligations and liabilities under the Onshore Agreements and Party B confirms such fulfillment in writing. If Jinxin Company or the Shareholders have not fully performed all or part of its or their obligations or liabilities under the Onshore Agreements at the expiration of such agreements, Party B will maintain the pledge hereunder up to the date when all such obligations and liabilities are fully performed.
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2.
|
Representations and Warranties
|
|
2.1
|
Party A represents and warrants to Party B, on the day of execution of this Agreement:
|
|
2.1.1.
|
Party A has the right to execute this Agreement and the capability to perform the same;
|
|
2.1.2.
|
Party A has gone through necessary internal decision-making procedures, obtained proper authority, acquire all the necessary consents and approvals of any requisite third party and government authority to enter into and perform this Agreement and this Agreement does not violate the laws of the PRC and contracts binding or affecting it;
|
|
2.1.3.
|
upon the execution, this Agreement will constitute the legal, valid, binding obligation of both parties and both parties will be subject to compulsory enforcement pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Agreement;
|
|
2.1.4.
|
Party A is the exclusive and duly owner of the Pledged Equities, has paid up all capitals subscribed, has obtained the capital verification report issued by the duly qualified Certified Public Accounting firm and has the right to set the pledge of the first priority on such Pledged Equities for Party B;
|
|
2.1.5.
|
except for the pledge under this Agreement, there is not: (i) any other encumbrance or any security interests for the benefit of any third party on the equity interests pledged by Party A (including but not limited to pledge); (ii) any mortgages or other guarantee rights set for any third party; (iii) any pending or possible civil, administrative or criminal litigation or administrative punishment or arbitration relating to the equity interests hereunder on the date of execution of this Agreement; (iv) any trusts or conditions of limited use; (v) any exemptions from lawsuit, execution, enforcement or other legal proceedings; or (vi) any outstanding taxes, fees or undecided legal procedures related with the equity interests hereunder on the date of execution of this Agreement;
|
|
2.1.6.
|
Party A has not effected and will not effect an Event of Default (as defined in Section 8) and has no knowledge of any risk of an Event of Default under this Agreement or any other agreement to which Party A are a party;
|
|
2.1.7.
|
Party A has abided by and performed all obligations stipulated by the applicable laws, regulations and rules and all applicable authorizations and permissions; Party A does not have any circumstances that go against any laws, regulations or rules and may have material and adverse effect on the validity, effect, performance and enforceability of this Agreement; and
|
|
2.1.8.
|
to the best knowledge of Party A, no court, arbitral tribunal or government authority starts to take any legal proceedings or administrative proceedings against Party A or the Pledged Equities, neither does any courts, arbitral tribunals or government authority start to file any legal proceedings or administrative proceedings against Party A or the Pledged Equities, and Party A has no knowledge of any such risks.
|
|
2.2
|
Party B presents and warranties to Party A on the day of execution of this Agreement:
|
|
2.2.1.
|
it has the right, to execute this Agreement and the capability to perform the same;
|
|
2.2.2.
|
it has carried out necessary internal decision-making procedures, obtained proper authority, acquire the necessary consents and approvals of any third party and government authority to enter into and perform this Agreement and it does not go against the laws and contracts binding or affecting it; and
|
|
2.2.3.
|
upon the execution, this Agreement will constitute the legal, valid, binding obligation of both parties and both parties shall be subject to compulsory enforcement pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Agreement.
|
3.
|
Guaranteed Liabilities
|
4.
|
Pledged Equities
|
5.
|
Pledge Procedures and Transaction
|
6.
|
Party A’s Undertaking
|
|
6.1
|
without the prior written consent of Party B, Party A shall not impose any other encumbrance (whether prevailing over the pledge under this Agreement or not) or other restrictive conditions on all or part of the Pledged Equities;
|
|
6.2
|
without the prior written consent of Party B, Party A shall not sell, lease, lend, transfer, assign, grant, remortgage, trust, or participate in equity investment by, the Pledged Equities or dispose by any other means all or part of the Pledged Equities;
|
|
6.3
|
Party A shall not use or allow others to use the Pledged Equities for any actions or events against any laws or this Agreement;
|
|
6.4
|
after receiving any notice, order, ruling, verdict or other instruments in relation to the Pledged Equities from the government, judicial authority or arbitral organization, Party A shall immediately notify Party B and within the period provided by the applicable laws take all necessary steps to reduce the risks that such notice, order or other instruments may bring to the Pledged Equities. Where Party B deems necessary, Party A shall file a lawsuit, arbitration or administrative lawsuit against the above notice, order or other instruments and bear all fees that arising therefrom and in relation thereto;
|
|
6.5
|
Party A shall immediately notify Party B of any events or any received notices which may affect the equity interest of Party A or any part of its right, and any events or any received notices which may change the covenants and obligations of Party A under this Agreement or which may affect the performance of its obligations under this Agreement, and take actions in accordance with the instructions of Party B;
|
|
6.6
|
Party A agrees that the right of Party B to exercise the pledge pursuant to this Agreement shall not be suspended or hampered by Party A or any successors or transferees of Party A or any other persons;
|
|
6.7
|
Party A warrants to Party B that in order to protect and perfect the security over the obligations of Party A and/or Jinxin Company under the Onshore Agreements, Party A shall make any necessary amendment (if applicable), execute in good faith and cause any third party who has interests in the pledge to execute all the title certificates, contracts, and /or perform and cause any third party who has interests to take action as required by Party B and make access to exercise the rights and authorization vested in Party B under this Agreement, and execute all the documents with respect to the changes of equity interests owned by Party B or another party designated by Party B, and provides Party B with all the necessary documents within the reasonable time; and
|
|
6.8
|
Party A warrants to Party B that Party A will comply with and perform all the guarantees, covenants, agreements, representations and conditions for the benefits of Party B. Party A shall indemnity Party B for all the damages suffered by Party B for the reasons that Party A does not perform or fully perform such guarantees, covenants, agreements, representations and conditions.
|
7.
|
Exercise of Pledge
|
|
7.1
|
Subject to Clause 8.3, Party B may dispose the Pledged Equities at any time upon or after sending the notice for the exercise of the pledge.
|
|
7.2
|
Party B shall have the priority right to dispose all or part of Pledged Equities under this Agreement (including but not limited to purchase of shares at discounted price by agreement, sell at auction by the laws of the PRC, sell-off Pledged Equities) as per legal procedures and to be paid with the sum gained from the disposal until all guaranteed liabilities of Jinxin Company and the Shareholders under the Onshore Agreements are fulfilled completely.
|
|
7.3
|
Where Party B disposes the Pledged Equities pursuant to this Agreement, Party A shall provide and cause Jinxin Company to provide necessary assistance so that Party B can realize its pledge.
|
8.
|
Event of Default
|
|
8.1
|
The following events shall be regarded as an Event of Default:
|
|
8.1.1.
|
where Party A and/or Jinxin Company and related responsible parties fail to perform any obligations under the Onshore Agreements in time or fails to discharge any guaranteed liability as scheduled in full sum;
|
|
8.1.2.
|
where there are any falsity, fraud, misleading statements or errors relating to any representation and undertaking Party A makes in Section 2
herein;
|
|
8.1.3.
|
where Party A violates any undertaking in Section 6 of this Agreement;
|
|
8.1.4.
|
where Party A violates any other terms and conditions of this Agreement;
|
|
8.1.5.
|
where Party A refuses or intentionally delays the registration procedures for the pledge under this Agreement and fails to correct such action within ten (10) days as of the day when Party B requires in writing to do so;
|
|
8.1.6.
|
where any loan, guarantee, indemnity, undertaking or other compensation liability of Party A: (i) is required to be repaid or performed in advance due to an event of default; or (ii) is due but unable to be repaid or performed as scheduled, which makes Party B reasonably believe that the ability of Party A to perform its obligations under this Agreement has been materially and adversely affected;
|
|
8.1.7.
|
where this Agreement becomes ineffective, revocable, unenforceable or Party A cannot continue performing its obligations under this Agreement in time and fully due to the fault (including omission) of Party A after the issuance of new laws of the PRC;
|
|
8.1.8.
|
Party A waive the pledged equity interests or transfers the pledged equity interests without prior written consent from the Party B;
|
|
8.1.9.
|
any approval, permits, licenses or authorization from the competent authority of the government needed to perform under this Agreement or validate this Agreement are withdrawn, suspended, invalidated or materially amended;
|
|
8.1.10.
|
the property of Party A is adversely changed and causes Party B to deem that the capability of Party A to perform the obligations herein is affected; and
|
|
8.1.11.
|
other circumstances in which Party B cannot exercise and dispose the pledge due to the fault (including omission) of Party A.
|
|
8.2
|
If Party A knows or should have known the occurrence of any event stated above in Subsection 8.1 or any matter that may incur the above events, Party A shall immediately notify Party B in writing.
|
|
8.3
|
Unless Party A immediately takes the measures satisfactory to Party B to correct the Event of Default listed in Subsection 8.1 above, Party B may send written notice of exercising the pledge to Party A at any time upon or after the occurrence of Event of Default, demand Party A and/or Jinxin Company to: (i) make full payment of the outstanding fees pursuant to the Onshore Agreement, and (ii) immediate perform their obligations under the Onshore Agreements, and require disposal of the Pledged Equities pursuant to this Agreement.
|
|
8.4
|
The Event of Default provided in this Section 8 will not affect the exercise of other remedies by the parties pursuant to the laws of the PRC.
|
9.
|
Liability in the Event of Default
|
10.
|
Assignment
|
|
10.1
|
Without the prior written consent of Party B, Party A shall not have the right to assign or delegate its rights and obligations under this Agreement.
|
|
10.2
|
This Agreement shall be binding on Party A and its successors and permitted assigns, and shall be valid with respect to Party B and each of its successors and assigns.
|
|
10.3
|
At any time, Party B may assign any and all of its rights and obligations under the Onshore Agreements to its designee(s) (natural or legal persons), in which case the assigns shall have the rights and obligations of Party B under this Agreement, as if it were the original party to this Agreement. When Party B assigns the rights and obligations under the Onshore Agreements, at the request of Party B, Party A shall execute relevant agreements or other documents relating to such assignment.
|
|
10.4
|
In the event of a change in the pledgee due to an assignment, Party A shall, at the request of Party B, execute a new pledge agreement with the new pledgee on the same terms and conditions as this Agreement, and register for change of the pledgee with the competent Administration of Industry and Commerce.
|
11.
|
Termination
|
12.
|
Taxes, Fees and Other Expenses
|
13.
|
Confidentiality
|
|
13.1
|
Both parties agree that, all materials, documents, communications and other information obtained in the negotiation, execution or performance of this Agreement, whether commercial, technical or in any other form (“
Confidential information
"), shall be strictly kept confidential and used only for the performance of the obligations under this Agreement. Unless the other parties consent in writing, neither of the parties shall release, leak or disclose any Confidential Information to any third party.
|
|
13.2
|
Either party may disclose the Confidential Information in the following circumstances: (i) where the laws, court orders or the competent courts with jurisdiction require, and such disclosure may be conducted only within such requirement; (ii) where the competent authority or government department requires; (iii) where such Confidential Information has been known to the general public; (iv) where such Confidential Information was owned duly and legally by the disclosing party rather obtained from the other party before the disclosing party obtains it; (v) the information is required to be disclosed subject to the applicable laws or the rules or provisions of a stock exchange or securities governing authority; and (vi) the information is disclosed by each party to its legal or financial consultant relating the transaction of this Agreement, and this legal or financial consultant shall comply with the confidentiality set forth in this Section 13. However, for the circumstances aforesaid, where either party discloses the Confidential Information, it shall inform the other party of the Confidential Information to be disclosed.
|
|
13.3
|
Nonetheless other provisions of this Section 13, either party shall have the right to disclose the Confidential Information to its lawyer, accountant, other professional consultants, directors or senior officers; such personnel shall undertake in writing to treat such information as Confidential Information by taking the measures similar to those provided in 13.1 of this Section.
|
|
13.4
|
The disclosure of the Confidential Information by staff or employed institution of any party shall be deemed as the disclosure of such Confidential Information by such party, and such party shall bear the liabilities for breaching the agreement.
|
|
13.5
|
This Section 13 shall survive whatever this Agreement is invalid, amended, revoked, terminated or unable to implement by any reason.
|
14.
|
Governing Law and Dispute Resolution
|
|
14.1
|
The execution, effectiveness, construction, performance, amendment and termination of this Agreement and the resolution of disputes hereunder shall be governed by the formally published and publicly available laws of the PRC. Matters not covered by formally published and publicly available laws of the PRC shall be governed by international legal principles and practices.
|
|
14.2
|
Both parties agree that any dispute arising from or in relation to this Agreement shall first be settled by the friendly negotiation of both parties. If the negotiation fails within 45 days, either party shall have the right to file the dispute with China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission (“
CIETAC
”) in Beijing for arbitration pursuant to the currently effective arbitration rules of CIETAC at the time of application. This arbitration shall be final and bind both parties and shall be enforceable in any court of competent jurisdiction. The arbitration fees shall be born by the losing party.
|
|
14.3
|
Upon the occurrence of any disputes arising from the construction and performance of this Agreement or during the pending arbitration of any dispute, except for the matters under dispute, the Parties to this Agreement shall continue to exercise their respective rights under this Agreement and perform their respective obligations under this Agreement.
|
15.
|
Effect, Change and Recession of this Agreement
|
|
15.1
|
This Agreement shall come into effect on and after the date that it is signed and/or stamped by both parties.
|
|
15.2
|
After this Agreement comes into effect, except otherwise provided by this Agreement, neither party shall amend or terminate this Agreement in advance. If it is necessary to amend or terminate this Agreement, both parties shall negotiate to reach a written agreement. Before such written agreement is reached, this Agreement shall remain in effect.
|
16.
|
Physical Possession Of Documents
|
|
16.1
|
Party A shall deliver the physical possession of the certificates of registration (original) of the pledge to Party B, provide the proper record relating to the registration of such pledge to Party B, and transact various approval and examination, registration and filling procedures required by the laws of the PRC within thirty (30) business days as of the date of execution of this Agreement or an earlier time agreed upon by the parties.
|
|
16.2
|
If the subjects of the pledge change and such changes need to be registered or filed, Party A shall register or file or cause Jinxin Company to register or file such changes within five (5) business days as of the day of change, and shall deliver relevant registration of change or filling documents to Party B.
|
|
16.3
|
During the term of the equity pledge, Party A shall instruct Jinxin Company not to distribute any dividends, or adopt any profits distribution plans; if Party A shall be entitled to collect any interests other than distribution plans of dividends and profits, Party A shall instruct Jinxin Company to transform such interests into cash and pay such interests into the bank account designated by Party B in accordance with Party B’s requirements, and Party A shall not use any money deposited into the bank account without the prior written consent of Party B.
|
|
16.4
|
During the term of equity pledge, if Party A subscribes new capital contribution or accepts an equity transfer (“Newly-added Equities”), the Newly-added Equities shall be automatically become Pledged Equities under this Agreement, and Party A shall accomplish all the procedures with respect to the pledge of the Newly-added Equities within ten (10) business days after acquiring the Newly-added Equities. If Party A fails to accomplish the relevant procedures as specified in this Section 16, Party B shall have the right to exercise the pledge right under this Agreement.
|
17.
|
General Terms
|
|
17.1
|
Entire Agreement. This Agreement and the Exhibits and Schedules hereto contain the entire understanding between the parties, no other representations, warranties or covenants having induced any party to execute this Agreement, and supersede all prior or contemporaneous agreements with respect to the subject matter hereof. All references to schedules and exhibits are to exhibits and schedules attached to and to become a part of this Agreement unless otherwise indicated.
|
|
17.2
|
Amendment. Any amendment and/or rescission shall be in writing and signed by the authorized representatives of both parties. Such revision shall be a valid integral part of this Agreement.
|
|
17.3
|
Headings. The headings of any Sections or other portion of this Agreement are for convenience only and are not to be considered in construing this Agreement.
|
|
17.4
|
Construction. References in this Agreement to "Sections," "Schedules" and "Exhibits" shall be to the Sections, Schedules and Exhibits of this Agreement, unless otherwise specifically provided; any use in this Agreement of the singular or plural, or the masculine, feminine or neuter gender, shall be deemed to include the others, unless the context otherwise requires; the words "herein”, "hereof" and "hereunder" and words of similar import, when used in this Agreement, shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement; the word "including" when used in this Agreement shall mean “including without limitation”; and except as otherwise specified in this Agreement, all references in this Agreement (i) to any agreement, document, certificate or other written instrument shall be a reference to such agreement, document, certificate or instrument, in each case together with all exhibits, schedules, attachments and appendices thereto, and as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof; and (ii) to any law, statute or regulation shall be deemed references to such law, statute or regulation as the same may be supplemented, amended, consolidated, superseded or modified from time to time.
|
|
17.5
|
Severability. Any provision hereof that is prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability, without invalidating the remaining provisions hereof, and any such prohibition or unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.
|
|
17.6
|
Waiver. No failure or delay of either party to enforce any right hereunder shall constitute a waiver of any such right hereunder. No waiver shall be effective hereunder unless in writing and a waiver shall only be effective for the specific act or circumstance for which it is given and not for any future act or circumstance.
|
|
17.7
|
Language. This Agreement is in both Chinese and English and signed by both parties, and the two versions have the same effect. Should there be any discrepancy between the two language versions, the Chinese version shall prevail.
|
|
17.8
|
Copies of this Agreement. This Agreement shall be executed in four counterparts; each party holds one and the rest are used for the transaction of related formalities. Each of the copies shall be deemed as the original one and has the same effect.
|
|
1.
|
On the date of execution of this Agreement, Party A is one of the shareholders of Zhuolu Jinxin Mining Co., Ltd. (“Jinxin Company”) and duly holds 1.73% of the shares of Jinxin Company;
|
|
2.
|
Jinxin Company is a corporation incorporated and validly existing in the territory of the PRC pursuant to the law of the PRC with business license registration number: 130731000000165 and its address at at Chunshugou Village, Luanzhuang Town, Zhuolu County, Hebei Province.
|
|
3.
|
In order to ensure all the shareholders of Jinxin Company and/or Jinxin Company to perform all obligations under the Management Entrustment Agreement, Power of Attorney and Exclusive Purchase Option Agreement (collectively referred to as “Onshore Agreements”) entered into on the same day as this Agreement, Party A agrees to pledge all the shares held by Party A in Jinxin Company to Party B as the guarantee for the performance of the Onshore Agreements by the related responsible parties pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, and Party B agrees to accept such pledge provided by Party A.
|
1.
|
Pledge of Equity
|
|
1.1
|
In order to guarantee Jinxin Company, all the shareholders of Jinxin Company (“Shareholders” )and other related responsible parties to perform all obligations and liabilities under the Onshore Agreements, Party A agrees to pledge the Pledged Equities (as defined in Section 4 herein) under this Agreement to Party B pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, and Party B agrees to accept the above equity pledge, and have priority right to the proceeds from the conversion, auction, or sale of the Pledged Equities.
|
|
1.2
|
The pledge under this Agreement includes the rights owned by Party B to collect the fees (including legal fees), expenses, interests, losses, liquidated damages and compensations that Jinxin Company and/or the Shareholders shall pay under the Onshore Agreements, and civil liabilities that Jinxin Company and/or the Shareholders shall bear in case the Onshore Agreements wholly or partially become null and void due to any reason.
|
|
1.3
|
Unless consent in writing by Party B, after the execution of this Agreement, the pledge under this Agreement will be terminated only when Jinxin Company and the Shareholders have performed all the obligations and liabilities under the Onshore Agreements and Party B confirms such fulfillment in writing. If Jinxin Company or the Shareholders have not fully performed all or part of its or their obligations or liabilities under the Onshore Agreements at the expiration of such agreements, Party B will maintain the pledge hereunder up to the date when all such obligations and liabilities are fully performed.
|
2.
|
Representations and Warranties
|
|
2.1
|
Party A represents and warrants to Party B, on the day of execution of this Agreement:
|
|
2.1.1.
|
Party A has the right to execute this Agreement and the capability to perform the same;
|
|
2.1.2.
|
Party A has gone through necessary internal decision-making procedures, obtained proper authority, acquire all the necessary consents and approvals of any requisite third party and government authority to enter into and perform this Agreement and this Agreement does not violate the laws of the PRC and contracts binding or affecting it;
|
|
2.1.3.
|
upon the execution, this Agreement will constitute the legal, valid, binding obligation of both parties and both parties will be subject to compulsory enforcement pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Agreement;
|
|
2.1.4.
|
Party A is the exclusive and duly owner of the Pledged Equities, has paid up all capitals subscribed, has obtained the capital verification report issued by the duly qualified Certified Public Accounting firm and has the right to set the pledge of the first priority on such Pledged Equities for Party B;
|
|
2.1.5.
|
except for the pledge under this Agreement, there is not: (i) any other encumbrance or any security interests for the benefit of any third party on the equity interests pledged by Party A (including but not limited to pledge); (ii) any mortgages or other guarantee rights set for any third party; (iii) any pending or possible civil, administrative or criminal litigation or administrative punishment or arbitration relating to the equity interests hereunder on the date of execution of this Agreement; (iv) any trusts or conditions of limited use; (v) any exemptions from lawsuit, execution, enforcement or other legal proceedings; or (vi) any outstanding taxes, fees or undecided legal procedures related with the equity interests hereunder on the date of execution of this Agreement;
|
|
2.1.6.
|
Party A has not effected and will not effect an Event of Default (as defined in Section 8) and has no knowledge of any risk of an Event of Default under this Agreement or any other agreement to which Party A are a party;
|
|
2.1.7.
|
Party A has abided by and performed all obligations stipulated by the applicable laws, regulations and rules and all applicable authorizations and permissions; Party A does not have any circumstances that go against any laws, regulations or rules and may have material and adverse effect on the validity, effect, performance and enforceability of this Agreement; and
|
|
2.1.8.
|
to the best knowledge of Party A, no court, arbitral tribunal or government authority starts to take any legal proceedings or administrative proceedings against Party A or the Pledged Equities, neither does any courts, arbitral tribunals or government authority start to file any legal proceedings or administrative proceedings against Party A or the Pledged Equities, and Party A has no knowledge of any such risks.
|
|
2.2
|
Party B presents and warranties to Party A on the day of execution of this Agreement:
|
|
2.2.1.
|
it has the right, to execute this Agreement and the capability to perform the same;
|
|
2.2.2.
|
it has carried out necessary internal decision-making procedures, obtained proper authority, acquire the necessary consents and approvals of any third party and government authority to enter into and perform this Agreement and it does not go against the laws and contracts binding or affecting it; and
|
|
2.2.3.
|
upon the execution, this Agreement will constitute the legal, valid, binding obligation of both parties and both parties shall be subject to compulsory enforcement pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Agreement.
|
3.
|
Guaranteed Liabilities
|
4.
|
Pledged Equities
|
5.
|
Pledge Procedures and Transaction
|
6.
|
Party A’s Undertaking
|
|
6.1
|
without the prior written consent of Party B, Party A shall not impose any other encumbrance (whether prevailing over the pledge under this Agreement or not) or other restrictive conditions on all or part of the Pledged Equities;
|
|
6.2
|
without the prior written consent of Party B, Party A shall not sell, lease, lend, transfer, assign, grant, remortgage, trust, or participate in equity investment by, the Pledged Equities or dispose by any other means all or part of the Pledged Equities;
|
|
6.3
|
Party A shall not use or allow others to use the Pledged Equities for any actions or events against any laws or this Agreement;
|
|
6.4
|
after receiving any notice, order, ruling, verdict or other instruments in relation to the Pledged Equities from the government, judicial authority or arbitral organization, Party A shall immediately notify Party B and within the period provided by the applicable laws take all necessary steps to reduce the risks that such notice, order or other instruments may bring to the Pledged Equities. Where Party B deems necessary, Party A shall file a lawsuit, arbitration or administrative lawsuit against the above notice, order or other instruments and bear all fees that arising therefrom and in relation thereto;
|
|
6.5
|
Party A shall immediately notify Party B of any events or any received notices which may affect the equity interest of Party A or any part of its right, and any events or any received notices which may change the covenants and obligations of Party A under this Agreement or which may affect the performance of its obligations under this Agreement, and take actions in accordance with the instructions of Party B;
|
|
6.6
|
Party A agrees that the right of Party B to exercise the pledge pursuant to this Agreement shall not be suspended or hampered by Party A or any successors or transferees of Party A or any other persons;
|
|
6.7
|
Party A warrants to Party B that in order to protect and perfect the security over the obligations of Party A and/or Jinxin Company under the Onshore Agreements, Party A shall make any necessary amendment (if applicable), execute in good faith and cause any third party who has interests in the pledge to execute all the title certificates, contracts, and /or perform and cause any third party who has interests to take action as required by Party B and make access to exercise the rights and authorization vested in Party B under this Agreement, and execute all the documents with respect to the changes of equity interests owned by Party B or another party designated by Party B, and provides Party B with all the necessary documents within the reasonable time; and
|
|
6.8
|
Party A warrants to Party B that Party A will comply with and perform all the guarantees, covenants, agreements, representations and conditions for the benefits of Party B. Party A shall indemnity Party B for all the damages suffered by Party B for the reasons that Party A does not perform or fully perform such guarantees, covenants, agreements, representations and conditions.
|
7.
|
Exercise of Pledge
|
|
7.1
|
Subject to Clause 8.3, Party B may dispose the Pledged Equities at any time upon or after sending the notice for the exercise of the pledge.
|
|
7.2
|
Party B shall have the priority right to dispose all or part of Pledged Equities under this Agreement (including but not limited to purchase of shares at discounted price by agreement, sell at auction by the laws of the PRC, sell-off Pledged Equities) as per legal procedures and to be paid with the sum gained from the disposal until all guaranteed liabilities of Jinxin Company and the Shareholders under the Onshore Agreements are fulfilled completely.
|
|
7.3
|
Where Party B disposes the Pledged Equities pursuant to this Agreement, Party A shall provide and cause Jinxin Company to provide necessary assistance so that Party B can realize its pledge.
|
8.
|
Event of Default
|
|
8.1
|
The following events shall be regarded as an Event of Default:
|
|
8.1.1.
|
where Party A and/or Jinxin Company and related responsible parties fail to perform any obligations under the Onshore Agreements in time or fails to discharge any guaranteed liability as scheduled in full sum;
|
|
8.1.2.
|
where there are any falsity, fraud, misleading statements or errors relating to any representation and undertaking Party A makes in Section 2
herein;
|
|
8.1.3.
|
where Party A violates any undertaking in Section 6 of this Agreement;
|
|
8.1.4.
|
where Party A violates any other terms and conditions of this Agreement;
|
|
8.1.5.
|
where Party A refuses or intentionally delays the registration procedures for the pledge under this Agreement and fails to correct such action within ten (10) days as of the day when Party B requires in writing to do so;
|
|
8.1.6.
|
where any loan, guarantee, indemnity, undertaking or other compensation liability of Party A: (i) is required to be repaid or performed in advance due to an event of default; or (ii) is due but unable to be repaid or performed as scheduled, which makes Party B reasonably believe that the ability of Party A to perform its obligations under this Agreement has been materially and adversely affected;
|
|
8.1.7.
|
where this Agreement becomes ineffective, revocable, unenforceable or Party A cannot continue performing its obligations under this Agreement in time and fully due to the fault (including omission) of Party A after the issuance of new laws of the PRC;
|
|
8.1.8.
|
Party A waive the pledged equity interests or transfers the pledged equity interests without prior written consent from the Party B;
|
|
8.1.9.
|
any approval, permits, licenses or authorization from the competent authority of the government needed to perform under this Agreement or validate this Agreement are withdrawn, suspended, invalidated or materially amended;
|
|
8.1.10.
|
the property of Party A is adversely changed and causes Party B to deem that the capability of Party A to perform the obligations herein is affected; and
|
|
8.1.11.
|
other circumstances in which Party B cannot exercise and dispose the pledge due to the fault (including omission) of Party A.
|
|
8.2
|
If Party A knows or should have known the occurrence of any event stated above in Subsection 8.1 or any matter that may incur the above events, Party A shall immediately notify Party B in writing.
|
|
8.3
|
Unless Party A immediately takes the measures satisfactory to Party B to correct the Event of Default listed in Subsection 8.1 above, Party B may send written notice of exercising the pledge to Party A at any time upon or after the occurrence of Event of Default, demand Party A and/or Jinxin Company to: (i) make full payment of the outstanding fees pursuant to the Onshore Agreement, and (ii) immediate perform their obligations under the Onshore Agreements, and require disposal of the Pledged Equities pursuant to this Agreement.
|
|
8.4
|
The Event of Default provided in this Section 8 will not affect the exercise of other remedies by the parties pursuant to the laws of the PRC.
|
9.
|
Liability in the Event of Default
|
10.
|
Assignment
|
|
10.1
|
Without the prior written consent of Party B, Party A shall not have the right to assign or delegate its rights and obligations under this Agreement.
|
|
10.2
|
This Agreement shall be binding on Party A and its successors and permitted assigns, and shall be valid with respect to Party B and each of its successors and assigns.
|
|
10.3
|
At any time, Party B may assign any and all of its rights and obligations under the Onshore Agreements to its designee(s) (natural or legal persons), in which case the assigns shall have the rights and obligations of Party B under this Agreement, as if it were the original party to this Agreement. When Party B assigns the rights and obligations under the Onshore Agreements, at the request of Party B, Party A shall execute relevant agreements or other documents relating to such assignment.
|
|
10.4
|
In the event of a change in the pledgee due to an assignment, Party A shall, at the request of Party B, execute a new pledge agreement with the new pledgee on the same terms and conditions as this Agreement, and register for change of the pledgee with the competent Administration of Industry and Commerce.
|
11.
|
Termination
|
12.
|
Taxes, Fees and Other Expenses
|
13.
|
Confidentiality
|
|
13.1
|
Both parties agree that, all materials, documents, communications and other information obtained in the negotiation, execution or performance of this Agreement, whether commercial, technical or in any other form (“
Confidential information
"), shall be strictly kept confidential and used only for the performance of the obligations under this Agreement. Unless the other parties consent in writing, neither of the parties shall release, leak or disclose any Confidential Information to any third party.
|
|
13.2
|
Either party may disclose the Confidential Information in the following circumstances: (i) where the laws, court orders or the competent courts with jurisdiction require, and such disclosure may be conducted only within such requirement; (ii) where the competent authority or government department requires; (iii) where such Confidential Information has been known to the general public; (iv) where such Confidential Information was owned duly and legally by the disclosing party rather obtained from the other party before the disclosing party obtains it; (v) the information is required to be disclosed subject to the applicable laws or the rules or provisions of a stock exchange or securities governing authority; and (vi) the information is disclosed by each party to its legal or financial consultant relating the transaction of this Agreement, and this legal or financial consultant shall comply with the confidentiality set forth in this Section 13. However, for the circumstances aforesaid, where either party discloses the Confidential Information, it shall inform the other party of the Confidential Information to be disclosed.
|
|
13.3
|
Nonetheless other provisions of this Section 13, either party shall have the right to disclose the Confidential Information to its lawyer, accountant, other professional consultants, directors or senior officers; such personnel shall undertake in writing to treat such information as Confidential Information by taking the measures similar to those provided in 13.1 of this Section.
|
|
13.4
|
The disclosure of the Confidential Information by staff or employed institution of any party shall be deemed as the disclosure of such Confidential Information by such party, and such party shall bear the liabilities for breaching the agreement.
|
|
13.5
|
This Section 13 shall survive whatever this Agreement is invalid, amended, revoked, terminated or unable to implement by any reason.
|
14.
|
Governing Law and Dispute Resolution
|
|
14.1
|
The execution, effectiveness, construction, performance, amendment and termination of this Agreement and the resolution of disputes hereunder shall be governed by the formally published and publicly available laws of the PRC. Matters not covered by formally published and publicly available laws of the PRC shall be governed by international legal principles and practices.
|
|
14.2
|
Both parties agree that any dispute arising from or in relation to this Agreement shall first be settled by the friendly negotiation of both parties. If the negotiation fails within 45 days, either party shall have the right to file the dispute with China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission (“
CIETAC
”) in Beijing for arbitration pursuant to the currently effective arbitration rules of CIETAC at the time of application. This arbitration shall be final and bind both parties and shall be enforceable in any court of competent jurisdiction. The arbitration fees shall be born by the losing party.
|
|
14.3
|
Upon the occurrence of any disputes arising from the construction and performance of this Agreement or during the pending arbitration of any dispute, except for the matters under dispute, the Parties to this Agreement shall continue to exercise their respective rights under this Agreement and perform their respective obligations under this Agreement.
|
15.
|
Effect, Change and Recession of this Agreement
|
|
15.1
|
This Agreement shall come into effect on and after the date that it is signed and/or stamped by both parties.
|
|
15.2
|
After this Agreement comes into effect, except otherwise provided by this Agreement, neither party shall amend or terminate this Agreement in advance. If it is necessary to amend or terminate this Agreement, both parties shall negotiate to reach a written agreement. Before such written agreement is reached, this Agreement shall remain in effect.
|
16.
|
Physical Possession Of Documents
|
|
16.1
|
Party A shall deliver the physical possession of the certificates of registration (original) of the pledge to Party B, provide the proper record relating to the registration of such pledge to Party B, and transact various approval and examination, registration and filling procedures required by the laws of the PRC within thirty (30) business days as of the date of execution of this Agreement or an earlier time agreed upon by the parties.
|
|
16.2
|
If the subjects of the pledge change and such changes need to be registered or filed, Party A shall register or file or cause Jinxin Company to register or file such changes within five (5) business days as of the day of change, and shall deliver relevant registration of change or filling documents to Party B.
|
|
16.3
|
During the term of the equity pledge, Party A shall instruct Jinxin Company not to distribute any dividends, or adopt any profits distribution plans; if Party A shall be entitled to collect any interests other than distribution plans of dividends and profits, Party A shall instruct Jinxin Company to transform such interests into cash and pay such interests into the bank account designated by Party B in accordance with Party B’s requirements, and Party A shall not use any money deposited into the bank account without the prior written consent of Party B.
|
|
16.4
|
During the term of equity pledge, if Party A subscribes new capital contribution or accepts an equity transfer (“Newly-added Equities”), the Newly-added Equities shall be automatically become Pledged Equities under this Agreement, and Party A shall accomplish all the procedures with respect to the pledge of the Newly-added Equities within ten (10) business days after acquiring the Newly-added Equities. If Party A fails to accomplish the relevant procedures as specified in this Section 16, Party B shall have the right to exercise the pledge right under this Agreement.
|
17.
|
General Terms
|
|
17.1
|
Entire Agreement. This Agreement and the Exhibits and Schedules hereto contain the entire understanding between the parties, no other representations, warranties or covenants having induced any party to execute this Agreement, and supersede all prior or contemporaneous agreements with respect to the subject matter hereof. All references to schedules and exhibits are to exhibits and schedules attached to and to become a part of this Agreement unless otherwise indicated.
|
|
17.2
|
Amendment. Any amendment and/or rescission shall be in writing and signed by the authorized representatives of both parties. Such revision shall be a valid integral part of this Agreement.
|
|
17.3
|
Headings. The headings of any Sections or other portion of this Agreement are for convenience only and are not to be considered in construing this Agreement.
|
|
17.4
|
Construction. References in this Agreement to "Sections," "Schedules" and "Exhibits" shall be to the Sections, Schedules and Exhibits of this Agreement, unless otherwise specifically provided; any use in this Agreement of the singular or plural, or the masculine, feminine or neuter gender, shall be deemed to include the others, unless the context otherwise requires; the words "herein”, "hereof" and "hereunder" and words of similar import, when used in this Agreement, shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement; the word "including" when used in this Agreement shall mean “including without limitation”; and except as otherwise specified in this Agreement, all references in this Agreement (i) to any agreement, document, certificate or other written instrument shall be a reference to such agreement, document, certificate or instrument, in each case together with all exhibits, schedules, attachments and appendices thereto, and as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof; and (ii) to any law, statute or regulation shall be deemed references to such law, statute or regulation as the same may be supplemented, amended, consolidated, superseded or modified from time to time.
|
|
17.5
|
Severability. Any provision hereof that is prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability, without invalidating the remaining provisions hereof, and any such prohibition or unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.
|
|
17.6
|
Waiver. No failure or delay of either party to enforce any right hereunder shall constitute a waiver of any such right hereunder. No waiver shall be effective hereunder unless in writing and a waiver shall only be effective for the specific act or circumstance for which it is given and not for any future act or circumstance.
|
|
17.7
|
Language. This Agreement is in both Chinese and English and signed by both parties, and the two versions have the same effect. Should there be any discrepancy between the two language versions, the Chinese version shall prevail.
|
|
17.8
|
Copies of this Agreement. This Agreement shall be executed in four counterparts; each party holds one and the rest are used for the transaction of related formalities. Each of the copies shall be deemed as the original one and has the same effect.
|
|
1.
|
On the date of execution of this Agreement, Party A is one of the shareholders of Zhuolu Jinxin Mining Co., Ltd. (“Jinxin Company”) and duly holds 1.16% of the shares of Jinxin Company;
|
|
2.
|
Jinxin Company is a corporation incorporated and validly existing in the territory of the PRC pursuant to the law of the PRC with business license registration number: 130731000000165 and its address at at Chunshugou Village, Luanzhuang Town, Zhuolu County, Hebei Province.
|
|
3.
|
In order to ensure all the shareholders of Jinxin Company and/or Jinxin Company to perform all obligations under the Management Entrustment Agreement, Power of Attorney and Exclusive Purchase Option Agreement (collectively referred to as “Onshore Agreements”) entered into on the same day as this Agreement, Party A agrees to pledge all the shares held by Party A in Jinxin Company to Party B as the guarantee for the performance of the Onshore Agreements by the related responsible parties pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, and Party B agrees to accept such pledge provided by Party A.
|
1.
|
Pledge of Equity
|
|
1.1
|
In order to guarantee Jinxin Company, all the shareholders of Jinxin Company (“Shareholders” )and other related responsible parties to perform all obligations and liabilities under the Onshore Agreements, Party A agrees to pledge the Pledged Equities (as defined in Section 4 herein) under this Agreement to Party B pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, and Party B agrees to accept the above equity pledge, and have priority right to the proceeds from the conversion, auction, or sale of the Pledged Equities.
|
|
1.2
|
The pledge under this Agreement includes the rights owned by Party B to collect the fees (including legal fees), expenses, interests, losses, liquidated damages and compensations that Jinxin Company and/or the Shareholders shall pay under the Onshore Agreements, and civil liabilities that Jinxin Company and/or the Shareholders shall bear in case the Onshore Agreements wholly or partially become null and void due to any reason.
|
|
1.3
|
Unless consent in writing by Party B, after the execution of this Agreement, the pledge under this Agreement will be terminated only when Jinxin Company and the Shareholders have performed all the obligations and liabilities under the Onshore Agreements and Party B confirms such fulfillment in writing. If Jinxin Company or the Shareholders have not fully performed all or part of its or their obligations or liabilities under the Onshore Agreements at the expiration of such agreements, Party B will maintain the pledge hereunder up to the date when all such obligations and liabilities are fully performed.
|
2.
|
Representations and Warranties
|
|
2.1
|
Party A represents and warrants to Party B, on the day of execution of this Agreement:
|
|
2.1.1.
|
Party A has the right to execute this Agreement and the capability to perform the same;
|
|
2.1.2.
|
Party A has gone through necessary internal decision-making procedures, obtained proper authority, acquire all the necessary consents and approvals of any requisite third party and government authority to enter into and perform this Agreement and this Agreement does not violate the laws of the PRC and contracts binding or affecting it;
|
|
2.1.3.
|
upon the execution, this Agreement will constitute the legal, valid, binding obligation of both parties and both parties will be subject to compulsory enforcement pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Agreement;
|
|
2.1.4.
|
Party A is the exclusive and duly owner of the Pledged Equities, has paid up all capitals subscribed, has obtained the capital verification report issued by the duly qualified Certified Public Accounting firm and has the right to set the pledge of the first priority on such Pledged Equities for Party B;
|
|
2.1.5.
|
except for the pledge under this Agreement, there is not: (i) any other encumbrance or any security interests for the benefit of any third party on the equity interests pledged by Party A (including but not limited to pledge); (ii) any mortgages or other guarantee rights set for any third party; (iii) any pending or possible civil, administrative or criminal litigation or administrative punishment or arbitration relating to the equity interests hereunder on the date of execution of this Agreement; (iv) any trusts or conditions of limited use; (v) any exemptions from lawsuit, execution, enforcement or other legal proceedings; or (vi) any outstanding taxes, fees or undecided legal procedures related with the equity interests hereunder on the date of execution of this Agreement;
|
|
2.1.6.
|
Party A has not effected and will not effect an Event of Default (as defined in Section 8) and has no knowledge of any risk of an Event of Default under this Agreement or any other agreement to which Party A are a party;
|
|
2.1.7.
|
Party A has abided by and performed all obligations stipulated by the applicable laws, regulations and rules and all applicable authorizations and permissions; Party A does not have any circumstances that go against any laws, regulations or rules and may have material and adverse effect on the validity, effect, performance and enforceability of this Agreement; and
|
|
2.1.8.
|
to the best knowledge of Party A, no court, arbitral tribunal or government authority starts to take any legal proceedings or administrative proceedings against Party A or the Pledged Equities, neither does any courts, arbitral tribunals or government authority start to file any legal proceedings or administrative proceedings against Party A or the Pledged Equities, and Party A has no knowledge of any such risks.
|
|
2.2
|
Party B presents and warranties to Party A on the day of execution of this Agreement:
|
|
2.2.1.
|
it has the right, to execute this Agreement and the capability to perform the same;
|
|
2.2.2.
|
it has carried out necessary internal decision-making procedures, obtained proper authority, acquire the necessary consents and approvals of any third party and government authority to enter into and perform this Agreement and it does not go against the laws and contracts binding or affecting it; and
|
|
2.2.3.
|
upon the execution, this Agreement will constitute the legal, valid, binding obligation of both parties and both parties shall be subject to compulsory enforcement pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Agreement.
|
3.
|
Guaranteed Liabilities
|
4.
|
Pledged Equities
|
5.
|
Pledge Procedures and Transaction
|
6.
|
Party A’s Undertaking
|
|
6.1
|
without the prior written consent of Party B, Party A shall not impose any other encumbrance (whether prevailing over the pledge under this Agreement or not) or other restrictive conditions on all or part of the Pledged Equities;
|
|
6.2
|
without the prior written consent of Party B, Party A shall not sell, lease, lend, transfer, assign, grant, remortgage, trust, or participate in equity investment by, the Pledged Equities or dispose by any other means all or part of the Pledged Equities;
|
|
6.3
|
Party A shall not use or allow others to use the Pledged Equities for any actions or events against any laws or this Agreement;
|
|
6.4
|
after receiving any notice, order, ruling, verdict or other instruments in relation to the Pledged Equities from the government, judicial authority or arbitral organization, Party A shall immediately notify Party B and within the period provided by the applicable laws take all necessary steps to reduce the risks that such notice, order or other instruments may bring to the Pledged Equities. Where Party B deems necessary, Party A shall file a lawsuit, arbitration or administrative lawsuit against the above notice, order or other instruments and bear all fees that arising therefrom and in relation thereto;
|
|
6.5
|
Party A shall immediately notify Party B of any events or any received notices which may affect the equity interest of Party A or any part of its right, and any events or any received notices which may change the covenants and obligations of Party A under this Agreement or which may affect the performance of its obligations under this Agreement, and take actions in accordance with the instructions of Party B;
|
|
6.6
|
Party A agrees that the right of Party B to exercise the pledge pursuant to this Agreement shall not be suspended or hampered by Party A or any successors or transferees of Party A or any other persons;
|
|
6.7
|
Party A warrants to Party B that in order to protect and perfect the security over the obligations of Party A and/or Jinxin Company under the Onshore Agreements, Party A shall make any necessary amendment (if applicable), execute in good faith and cause any third party who has interests in the pledge to execute all the title certificates, contracts, and /or perform and cause any third party who has interests to take action as required by Party B and make access to exercise the rights and authorization vested in Party B under this Agreement, and execute all the documents with respect to the changes of equity interests owned by Party B or another party designated by Party B, and provides Party B with all the necessary documents within the reasonable time; and
|
|
6.8
|
Party A warrants to Party B that Party A will comply with and perform all the guarantees, covenants, agreements, representations and conditions for the benefits of Party B. Party A shall indemnity Party B for all the damages suffered by Party B for the reasons that Party A does not perform or fully perform such guarantees, covenants, agreements, representations and conditions.
|
7.
|
Exercise of Pledge
|
|
7.1
|
Subject to Clause 8.3, Party B may dispose the Pledged Equities at any time upon or after sending the notice for the exercise of the pledge.
|
|
7.2
|
Party B shall have the priority right to dispose all or part of Pledged Equities under this Agreement (including but not limited to purchase of shares at discounted price by agreement, sell at auction by the laws of the PRC, sell-off Pledged Equities) as per legal procedures and to be paid with the sum gained from the disposal until all guaranteed liabilities of Jinxin Company and the Shareholders under the Onshore Agreements are fulfilled completely.
|
|
7.3
|
Where Party B disposes the Pledged Equities pursuant to this Agreement, Party A shall provide and cause Jinxin Company to provide necessary assistance so that Party B can realize its pledge.
|
8.
|
Event of Default
|
|
8.1
|
The following events shall be regarded as an Event of Default:
|
|
8.1.1.
|
where Party A and/or Jinxin Company and related responsible parties fail to perform any obligations under the Onshore Agreements in time or fails to discharge any guaranteed liability as scheduled in full sum;
|
|
8.1.2.
|
where there are any falsity, fraud, misleading statements or errors relating to any representation and undertaking Party A makes in Section 2
herein;
|
|
8.1.3.
|
where Party A violates any undertaking in Section 6 of this Agreement;
|
|
8.1.4.
|
where Party A violates any other terms and conditions of this Agreement;
|
|
8.1.5.
|
where Party A refuses or intentionally delays the registration procedures for the pledge under this Agreement and fails to correct such action within ten (10) days as of the day when Party B requires in writing to do so;
|
|
8.1.6.
|
where any loan, guarantee, indemnity, undertaking or other compensation liability of Party A: (i) is required to be repaid or performed in advance due to an event of default; or (ii) is due but unable to be repaid or performed as scheduled, which makes Party B reasonably believe that the ability of Party A to perform its obligations under this Agreement has been materially and adversely affected;
|
|
8.1.7.
|
where this Agreement becomes ineffective, revocable, unenforceable or Party A cannot continue performing its obligations under this Agreement in time and fully due to the fault (including omission) of Party A after the issuance of new laws of the PRC;
|
|
8.1.8.
|
Party A waive the pledged equity interests or transfers the pledged equity interests without prior written consent from the Party B;
|
|
8.1.9.
|
any approval, permits, licenses or authorization from the competent authority of the government needed to perform under this Agreement or validate this Agreement are withdrawn, suspended, invalidated or materially amended;
|
|
8.1.10.
|
the property of Party A is adversely changed and causes Party B to deem that the capability of Party A to perform the obligations herein is affected; and
|
|
8.1.11.
|
other circumstances in which Party B cannot exercise and dispose the pledge due to the fault (including omission) of Party A.
|
|
8.2
|
If Party A knows or should have known the occurrence of any event stated above in Subsection 8.1 or any matter that may incur the above events, Party A shall immediately notify Party B in writing.
|
|
8.3
|
Unless Party A immediately takes the measures satisfactory to Party B to correct the Event of Default listed in Subsection 8.1 above, Party B may send written notice of exercising the pledge to Party A at any time upon or after the occurrence of Event of Default, demand Party A and/or Jinxin Company to: (i) make full payment of the outstanding fees pursuant to the Onshore Agreement, and (ii) immediate perform their obligations under the Onshore Agreements, and require disposal of the Pledged Equities pursuant to this Agreement.
|
|
8.4
|
The Event of Default provided in this Section 8 will not affect the exercise of other remedies by the parties pursuant to the laws of the PRC.
|
9.
|
Liability in the Event of Default
|
10.
|
Assignment
|
|
10.1
|
Without the prior written consent of Party B, Party A shall not have the right to assign or delegate its rights and obligations under this Agreement.
|
|
10.2
|
This Agreement shall be binding on Party A and its successors and permitted assigns, and shall be valid with respect to Party B and each of its successors and assigns.
|
|
10.3
|
At any time, Party B may assign any and all of its rights and obligations under the Onshore Agreements to its designee(s) (natural or legal persons), in which case the assigns shall have the rights and obligations of Party B under this Agreement, as if it were the original party to this Agreement. When Party B assigns the rights and obligations under the Onshore Agreements, at the request of Party B, Party A shall execute relevant agreements or other documents relating to such assignment.
|
|
10.4
|
In the event of a change in the pledgee due to an assignment, Party A shall, at the request of Party B, execute a new pledge agreement with the new pledgee on the same terms and conditions as this Agreement, and register for change of the pledgee with the competent Administration of Industry and Commerce.
|
11.
|
Termination
|
12.
|
Taxes, Fees and Other Expenses
|
13.
|
Confidentiality
|
|
13.1
|
Both parties agree that, all materials, documents, communications and other information obtained in the negotiation, execution or performance of this Agreement, whether commercial, technical or in any other form (“
Confidential information
"), shall be strictly kept confidential and used only for the performance of the obligations under this Agreement. Unless the other parties consent in writing, neither of the parties shall release, leak or disclose any Confidential Information to any third party.
|
|
13.2
|
Either party may disclose the Confidential Information in the following circumstances: (i) where the laws, court orders or the competent courts with jurisdiction require, and such disclosure may be conducted only within such requirement; (ii) where the competent authority or government department requires; (iii) where such Confidential Information has been known to the general public; (iv) where such Confidential Information was owned duly and legally by the disclosing party rather obtained from the other party before the disclosing party obtains it; (v) the information is required to be disclosed subject to the applicable laws or the rules or provisions of a stock exchange or securities governing authority; and (vi) the information is disclosed by each party to its legal or financial consultant relating the transaction of this Agreement, and this legal or financial consultant shall comply with the confidentiality set forth in this Section 13. However, for the circumstances aforesaid, where either party discloses the Confidential Information, it shall inform the other party of the Confidential Information to be disclosed.
|
|
13.3
|
Nonetheless other provisions of this Section 13, either party shall have the right to disclose the Confidential Information to its lawyer, accountant, other professional consultants, directors or senior officers; such personnel shall undertake in writing to treat such information as Confidential Information by taking the measures similar to those provided in 13.1 of this Section.
|
|
13.4
|
The disclosure of the Confidential Information by staff or employed institution of any party shall be deemed as the disclosure of such Confidential Information by such party, and such party shall bear the liabilities for breaching the agreement.
|
|
13.5
|
This Section 13 shall survive whatever this Agreement is invalid, amended, revoked, terminated or unable to implement by any reason.
|
14.
|
Governing Law and Dispute Resolution
|
|
14.1
|
The execution, effectiveness, construction, performance, amendment and termination of this Agreement and the resolution of disputes hereunder shall be governed by the formally published and publicly available laws of the PRC. Matters not covered by formally published and publicly available laws of the PRC shall be governed by international legal principles and practices.
|
|
14.2
|
Both parties agree that any dispute arising from or in relation to this Agreement shall first be settled by the friendly negotiation of both parties. If the negotiation fails within 45 days, either party shall have the right to file the dispute with China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission (“
CIETAC
”) in Beijing for arbitration pursuant to the currently effective arbitration rules of CIETAC at the time of application. This arbitration shall be final and bind both parties and shall be enforceable in any court of competent jurisdiction. The arbitration fees shall be born by the losing party.
|
|
14.3
|
Upon the occurrence of any disputes arising from the construction and performance of this Agreement or during the pending arbitration of any dispute, except for the matters under dispute, the Parties to this Agreement shall continue to exercise their respective rights under this Agreement and perform their respective obligations under this Agreement.
|
15.
|
Effect, Change and Recession of this Agreement
|
|
15.1
|
This Agreement shall come into effect on and after the date that it is signed and/or stamped by both parties.
|
|
15.2
|
After this Agreement comes into effect, except otherwise provided by this Agreement, neither party shall amend or terminate this Agreement in advance. If it is necessary to amend or terminate this Agreement, both parties shall negotiate to reach a written agreement. Before such written agreement is reached, this Agreement shall remain in effect.
|
16.
|
Physical Possession Of Documents
|
|
16.1
|
Party A shall deliver the physical possession of the certificates of registration (original) of the pledge to Party B, provide the proper record relating to the registration of such pledge to Party B, and transact various approval and examination, registration and filling procedures required by the laws of the PRC within thirty (30) business days as of the date of execution of this Agreement or an earlier time agreed upon by the parties.
|
|
16.2
|
If the subjects of the pledge change and such changes need to be registered or filed, Party A shall register or file or cause Jinxin Company to register or file such changes within five (5) business days as of the day of change, and shall deliver relevant registration of change or filling documents to Party B.
|
|
16.3
|
During the term of the equity pledge, Party A shall instruct Jinxin Company not to distribute any dividends, or adopt any profits distribution plans; if Party A shall be entitled to collect any interests other than distribution plans of dividends and profits, Party A shall instruct Jinxin Company to transform such interests into cash and pay such interests into the bank account designated by Party B in accordance with Party B’s requirements, and Party A shall not use any money deposited into the bank account without the prior written consent of Party B.
|
|
16.4
|
During the term of equity pledge, if Party A subscribes new capital contribution or accepts an equity transfer (“Newly-added Equities”), the Newly-added Equities shall be automatically become Pledged Equities under this Agreement, and Party A shall accomplish all the procedures with respect to the pledge of the Newly-added Equities within ten (10) business days after acquiring the Newly-added Equities. If Party A fails to accomplish the relevant procedures as specified in this Section 16, Party B shall have the right to exercise the pledge right under this Agreement.
|
17.
|
General Terms
|
|
17.1
|
Entire Agreement. This Agreement and the Exhibits and Schedules hereto contain the entire understanding between the parties, no other representations, warranties or covenants having induced any party to execute this Agreement, and supersede all prior or contemporaneous agreements with respect to the subject matter hereof. All references to schedules and exhibits are to exhibits and schedules attached to and to become a part of this Agreement unless otherwise indicated.
|
|
17.2
|
Amendment. Any amendment and/or rescission shall be in writing and signed by the authorized representatives of both parties. Such revision shall be a valid integral part of this Agreement.
|
|
17.3
|
Headings. The headings of any Sections or other portion of this Agreement are for convenience only and are not to be considered in construing this Agreement.
|
|
17.4
|
Construction. References in this Agreement to "Sections," "Schedules" and "Exhibits" shall be to the Sections, Schedules and Exhibits of this Agreement, unless otherwise specifically provided; any use in this Agreement of the singular or plural, or the masculine, feminine or neuter gender, shall be deemed to include the others, unless the context otherwise requires; the words "herein”, "hereof" and "hereunder" and words of similar import, when used in this Agreement, shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement; the word "including" when used in this Agreement shall mean “including without limitation”; and except as otherwise specified in this Agreement, all references in this Agreement (i) to any agreement, document, certificate or other written instrument shall be a reference to such agreement, document, certificate or instrument, in each case together with all exhibits, schedules, attachments and appendices thereto, and as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof; and (ii) to any law, statute or regulation shall be deemed references to such law, statute or regulation as the same may be supplemented, amended, consolidated, superseded or modified from time to time.
|
|
17.5
|
Severability. Any provision hereof that is prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability, without invalidating the remaining provisions hereof, and any such prohibition or unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.
|
|
17.6
|
Waiver. No failure or delay of either party to enforce any right hereunder shall constitute a waiver of any such right hereunder. No waiver shall be effective hereunder unless in writing and a waiver shall only be effective for the specific act or circumstance for which it is given and not for any future act or circumstance.
|
|
17.7
|
Language. This Agreement is in both Chinese and English and signed by both parties, and the two versions have the same effect. Should there be any discrepancy between the two language versions, the Chinese version shall prevail.
|
|
17.8
|
Copies of this Agreement. This Agreement shall be executed in four counterparts; each party holds one and the rest are used for the transaction of related formalities. Each of the copies shall be deemed as the original one and has the same effect.
|
|
1.
|
On the date of execution of this Agreement, Party A is one of the shareholders of Zhuolu Jinxin Mining Co., Ltd. (“Jinxin Company”) and duly holds 1.05% of the shares of Jinxin Company;
|
|
2.
|
Jinxin Company is a corporation incorporated and validly existing in the territory of the PRC pursuant to the law of the PRC with business license registration number: 130731000000165 and its address at at Chunshugou Village, Luanzhuang Town, Zhuolu County, Hebei Province.
|
|
3.
|
In order to ensure all the shareholders of Jinxin Company and/or Jinxin Company to perform all obligations under the Management Entrustment Agreement, Power of Attorney and Exclusive Purchase Option Agreement (collectively referred to as “Onshore Agreements”) entered into on the same day as this Agreement, Party A agrees to pledge all the shares held by Party A in Jinxin Company to Party B as the guarantee for the performance of the Onshore Agreements by the related responsible parties pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, and Party B agrees to accept such pledge provided by Party A.
|
1.
|
Pledge of Equity
|
|
1.1
|
In order to guarantee Jinxin Company, all the shareholders of Jinxin Company (“Shareholders” )and other related responsible parties to perform all obligations and liabilities under the Onshore Agreements, Party A agrees to pledge the Pledged Equities (as defined in Section 4 herein) under this Agreement to Party B pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, and Party B agrees to accept the above equity pledge, and have priority right to the proceeds from the conversion, auction, or sale of the Pledged Equities.
|
|
1.2
|
The pledge under this Agreement includes the rights owned by Party B to collect the fees (including legal fees), expenses, interests, losses, liquidated damages and compensations that Jinxin Company and/or the Shareholders shall pay under the Onshore Agreements, and civil liabilities that Jinxin Company and/or the Shareholders shall bear in case the Onshore Agreements wholly or partially become null and void due to any reason.
|
|
1.3
|
Unless consent in writing by Party B, after the execution of this Agreement, the pledge under this Agreement will be terminated only when Jinxin Company and the Shareholders have performed all the obligations and liabilities under the Onshore Agreements and Party B confirms such fulfillment in writing. If Jinxin Company or the Shareholders have not fully performed all or part of its or their obligations or liabilities under the Onshore Agreements at the expiration of such agreements, Party B will maintain the pledge hereunder up to the date when all such obligations and liabilities are fully performed.
|
2.
|
Representations and Warranties
|
|
2.1
|
Party A represents and warrants to Party B, on the day of execution of this Agreement:
|
|
2.1.1.
|
Party A has the right to execute this Agreement and the capability to perform the same;
|
|
2.1.2.
|
Party A has gone through necessary internal decision-making procedures, obtained proper authority, acquire all the necessary consents and approvals of any requisite third party and government authority to enter into and perform this Agreement and this Agreement does not violate the laws of the PRC and contracts binding or affecting it;
|
|
2.1.3.
|
upon the execution, this Agreement will constitute the legal, valid, binding obligation of both parties and both parties will be subject to compulsory enforcement pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Agreement;
|
|
2.1.4.
|
Party A is the exclusive and duly owner of the Pledged Equities, has paid up all capitals subscribed, has obtained the capital verification report issued by the duly qualified Certified Public Accounting firm and has the right to set the pledge of the first priority on such Pledged Equities for Party B;
|
|
2.1.5.
|
except for the pledge under this Agreement, there is not: (i) any other encumbrance or any security interests for the benefit of any third party on the equity interests pledged by Party A (including but not limited to pledge); (ii) any mortgages or other guarantee rights set for any third party; (iii) any pending or possible civil, administrative or criminal litigation or administrative punishment or arbitration relating to the equity interests hereunder on the date of execution of this Agreement; (iv) any trusts or conditions of limited use; (v) any exemptions from lawsuit, execution, enforcement or other legal proceedings; or (vi) any outstanding taxes, fees or undecided legal procedures related with the equity interests hereunder on the date of execution of this Agreement;
|
|
2.1.6.
|
Party A has not effected and will not effect an Event of Default (as defined in Section 8) and has no knowledge of any risk of an Event of Default under this Agreement or any other agreement to which Party A are a party;
|
|
2.1.7.
|
Party A has abided by and performed all obligations stipulated by the applicable laws, regulations and rules and all applicable authorizations and permissions; Party A does not have any circumstances that go against any laws, regulations or rules and may have material and adverse effect on the validity, effect, performance and enforceability of this Agreement; and
|
|
2.1.8.
|
to the best knowledge of Party A, no court, arbitral tribunal or government authority starts to take any legal proceedings or administrative proceedings against Party A or the Pledged Equities, neither does any courts, arbitral tribunals or government authority start to file any legal proceedings or administrative proceedings against Party A or the Pledged Equities, and Party A has no knowledge of any such risks.
|
|
2.2
|
Party B presents and warranties to Party A on the day of execution of this Agreement:
|
|
2.2.1.
|
it has the right, to execute this Agreement and the capability to perform the same;
|
|
2.2.2.
|
it has carried out necessary internal decision-making procedures, obtained proper authority, acquire the necessary consents and approvals of any third party and government authority to enter into and perform this Agreement and it does not go against the laws and contracts binding or affecting it; and
|
|
2.2.3.
|
upon the execution, this Agreement will constitute the legal, valid, binding obligation of both parties and both parties shall be subject to compulsory enforcement pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Agreement.
|
3.
|
Guaranteed Liabilities
|
4.
|
Pledged Equities
|
5.
|
Pledge Procedures and Transaction
|
6.
|
Party A’s Undertaking
|
|
6.1
|
without the prior written consent of Party B, Party A shall not impose any other encumbrance (whether prevailing over the pledge under this Agreement or not) or other restrictive conditions on all or part of the Pledged Equities;
|
|
6.2
|
without the prior written consent of Party B, Party A shall not sell, lease, lend, transfer, assign, grant, remortgage, trust, or participate in equity investment by, the Pledged Equities or dispose by any other means all or part of the Pledged Equities;
|
|
6.3
|
Party A shall not use or allow others to use the Pledged Equities for any actions or events against any laws or this Agreement;
|
|
6.4
|
after receiving any notice, order, ruling, verdict or other instruments in relation to the Pledged Equities from the government, judicial authority or arbitral organization, Party A shall immediately notify Party B and within the period provided by the applicable laws take all necessary steps to reduce the risks that such notice, order or other instruments may bring to the Pledged Equities. Where Party B deems necessary, Party A shall file a lawsuit, arbitration or administrative lawsuit against the above notice, order or other instruments and bear all fees that arising therefrom and in relation thereto;
|
|
6.5
|
Party A shall immediately notify Party B of any events or any received notices which may affect the equity interest of Party A or any part of its right, and any events or any received notices which may change the covenants and obligations of Party A under this Agreement or which may affect the performance of its obligations under this Agreement, and take actions in accordance with the instructions of Party B;
|
|
6.6
|
Party A agrees that the right of Party B to exercise the pledge pursuant to this Agreement shall not be suspended or hampered by Party A or any successors or transferees of Party A or any other persons;
|
|
6.7
|
Party A warrants to Party B that in order to protect and perfect the security over the obligations of Party A and/or Jinxin Company under the Onshore Agreements, Party A shall make any necessary amendment (if applicable), execute in good faith and cause any third party who has interests in the pledge to execute all the title certificates, contracts, and /or perform and cause any third party who has interests to take action as required by Party B and make access to exercise the rights and authorization vested in Party B under this Agreement, and execute all the documents with respect to the changes of equity interests owned by Party B or another party designated by Party B, and provides Party B with all the necessary documents within the reasonable time; and
|
|
6.8
|
Party A warrants to Party B that Party A will comply with and perform all the guarantees, covenants, agreements, representations and conditions for the benefits of Party B. Party A shall indemnity Party B for all the damages suffered by Party B for the reasons that Party A does not perform or fully perform such guarantees, covenants, agreements, representations and conditions.
|
7.
|
Exercise of Pledge
|
|
7.1
|
Subject to Clause 8.3, Party B may dispose the Pledged Equities at any time upon or after sending the notice for the exercise of the pledge.
|
|
7.2
|
Party B shall have the priority right to dispose all or part of Pledged Equities under this Agreement (including but not limited to purchase of shares at discounted price by agreement, sell at auction by the laws of the PRC, sell-off Pledged Equities) as per legal procedures and to be paid with the sum gained from the disposal until all guaranteed liabilities of Jinxin Company and the Shareholders under the Onshore Agreements are fulfilled completely.
|
|
7.3
|
Where Party B disposes the Pledged Equities pursuant to this Agreement, Party A shall provide and cause Jinxin Company to provide necessary assistance so that Party B can realize its pledge.
|
8.
|
Event of Default
|
|
8.1
|
The following events shall be regarded as an Event of Default:
|
|
8.1.1.
|
where Party A and/or Jinxin Company and related responsible parties fail to perform any obligations under the Onshore Agreements in time or fails to discharge any guaranteed liability as scheduled in full sum;
|
|
8.1.2.
|
where there are any falsity, fraud, misleading statements or errors relating to any representation and undertaking Party A makes in Section 2
herein;
|
|
8.1.3.
|
where Party A violates any undertaking in Section 6 of this Agreement;
|
|
8.1.4.
|
where Party A violates any other terms and conditions of this Agreement;
|
|
8.1.5.
|
where Party A refuses or intentionally delays the registration procedures for the pledge under this Agreement and fails to correct such action within ten (10) days as of the day when Party B requires in writing to do so;
|
|
8.1.6.
|
where any loan, guarantee, indemnity, undertaking or other compensation liability of Party A: (i) is required to be repaid or performed in advance due to an event of default; or (ii) is due but unable to be repaid or performed as scheduled, which makes Party B reasonably believe that the ability of Party A to perform its obligations under this Agreement has been materially and adversely affected;
|
|
8.1.7.
|
where this Agreement becomes ineffective, revocable, unenforceable or Party A cannot continue performing its obligations under this Agreement in time and fully due to the fault (including omission) of Party A after the issuance of new laws of the PRC;
|
|
8.1.8.
|
Party A waive the pledged equity interests or transfers the pledged equity interests without prior written consent from the Party B;
|
|
8.1.9.
|
any approval, permits, licenses or authorization from the competent authority of the government needed to perform under this Agreement or validate this Agreement are withdrawn, suspended, invalidated or materially amended;
|
|
8.1.10.
|
the property of Party A is adversely changed and causes Party B to deem that the capability of Party A to perform the obligations herein is affected; and
|
|
8.1.11.
|
other circumstances in which Party B cannot exercise and dispose the pledge due to the fault (including omission) of Party A.
|
|
8.2
|
If Party A knows or should have known the occurrence of any event stated above in Subsection 8.1 or any matter that may incur the above events, Party A shall immediately notify Party B in writing.
|
|
8.3
|
Unless Party A immediately takes the measures satisfactory to Party B to correct the Event of Default listed in Subsection 8.1 above, Party B may send written notice of exercising the pledge to Party A at any time upon or after the occurrence of Event of Default, demand Party A and/or Jinxin Company to: (i) make full payment of the outstanding fees pursuant to the Onshore Agreement, and (ii) immediate perform their obligations under the Onshore Agreements, and require disposal of the Pledged Equities pursuant to this Agreement.
|
|
8.4
|
The Event of Default provided in this Section 8 will not affect the exercise of other remedies by the parties pursuant to the laws of the PRC.
|
9.
|
Liability in the Event of Default
|
10.
|
Assignment
|
|
10.1
|
Without the prior written consent of Party B, Party A shall not have the right to assign or delegate its rights and obligations under this Agreement.
|
|
10.2
|
This Agreement shall be binding on Party A and its successors and permitted assigns, and shall be valid with respect to Party B and each of its successors and assigns.
|
|
10.3
|
At any time, Party B may assign any and all of its rights and obligations under the Onshore Agreements to its designee(s) (natural or legal persons), in which case the assigns shall have the rights and obligations of Party B under this Agreement, as if it were the original party to this Agreement. When Party B assigns the rights and obligations under the Onshore Agreements, at the request of Party B, Party A shall execute relevant agreements or other documents relating to such assignment.
|
|
10.4
|
In the event of a change in the pledgee due to an assignment, Party A shall, at the request of Party B, execute a new pledge agreement with the new pledgee on the same terms and conditions as this Agreement, and register for change of the pledgee with the competent Administration of Industry and Commerce.
|
11.
|
Termination
|
12.
|
Taxes, Fees and Other Expenses
|
13.
|
Confidentiality
|
|
13.1
|
Both parties agree that, all materials, documents, communications and other information obtained in the negotiation, execution or performance of this Agreement, whether commercial, technical or in any other form (“
Confidential information
"), shall be strictly kept confidential and used only for the performance of the obligations under this Agreement. Unless the other parties consent in writing, neither of the parties shall release, leak or disclose any Confidential Information to any third party.
|
|
13.2
|
Either party may disclose the Confidential Information in the following circumstances: (i) where the laws, court orders or the competent courts with jurisdiction require, and such disclosure may be conducted only within such requirement; (ii) where the competent authority or government department requires; (iii) where such Confidential Information has been known to the general public; (iv) where such Confidential Information was owned duly and legally by the disclosing party rather obtained from the other party before the disclosing party obtains it; (v) the information is required to be disclosed subject to the applicable laws or the rules or provisions of a stock exchange or securities governing authority; and (vi) the information is disclosed by each party to its legal or financial consultant relating the transaction of this Agreement, and this legal or financial consultant shall comply with the confidentiality set forth in this Section 13. However, for the circumstances aforesaid, where either party discloses the Confidential Information, it shall inform the other party of the Confidential Information to be disclosed.
|
|
13.3
|
Nonetheless other provisions of this Section 13, either party shall have the right to disclose the Confidential Information to its lawyer, accountant, other professional consultants, directors or senior officers; such personnel shall undertake in writing to treat such information as Confidential Information by taking the measures similar to those provided in 13.1 of this Section.
|
|
13.4
|
The disclosure of the Confidential Information by staff or employed institution of any party shall be deemed as the disclosure of such Confidential Information by such party, and such party shall bear the liabilities for breaching the agreement.
|
|
13.5
|
This Section 13 shall survive whatever this Agreement is invalid, amended, revoked, terminated or unable to implement by any reason.
|
14.
|
Governing Law and Dispute Resolution
|
|
14.1
|
The execution, effectiveness, construction, performance, amendment and termination of this Agreement and the resolution of disputes hereunder shall be governed by the formally published and publicly available laws of the PRC. Matters not covered by formally published and publicly available laws of the PRC shall be governed by international legal principles and practices.
|
|
14.2
|
Both parties agree that any dispute arising from or in relation to this Agreement shall first be settled by the friendly negotiation of both parties. If the negotiation fails within 45 days, either party shall have the right to file the dispute with China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission (“
CIETAC
”) in Beijing for arbitration pursuant to the currently effective arbitration rules of CIETAC at the time of application. This arbitration shall be final and bind both parties and shall be enforceable in any court of competent jurisdiction. The arbitration fees shall be born by the losing party.
|
|
14.3
|
Upon the occurrence of any disputes arising from the construction and performance of this Agreement or during the pending arbitration of any dispute, except for the matters under dispute, the Parties to this Agreement shall continue to exercise their respective rights under this Agreement and perform their respective obligations under this Agreement.
|
15.
|
Effect, Change and Recession of this Agreement
|
|
15.1
|
This Agreement shall come into effect on and after the date that it is signed and/or stamped by both parties.
|
|
15.2
|
After this Agreement comes into effect, except otherwise provided by this Agreement, neither party shall amend or terminate this Agreement in advance. If it is necessary to amend or terminate this Agreement, both parties shall negotiate to reach a written agreement. Before such written agreement is reached, this Agreement shall remain in effect.
|
16.
|
Physical Possession Of Documents
|
|
16.1
|
Party A shall deliver the physical possession of the certificates of registration (original) of the pledge to Party B, provide the proper record relating to the registration of such pledge to Party B, and transact various approval and examination, registration and filling procedures required by the laws of the PRC within thirty (30) business days as of the date of execution of this Agreement or an earlier time agreed upon by the parties.
|
|
16.2
|
If the subjects of the pledge change and such changes need to be registered or filed, Party A shall register or file or cause Jinxin Company to register or file such changes within five (5) business days as of the day of change, and shall deliver relevant registration of change or filling documents to Party B.
|
|
16.3
|
During the term of the equity pledge, Party A shall instruct Jinxin Company not to distribute any dividends, or adopt any profits distribution plans; if Party A shall be entitled to collect any interests other than distribution plans of dividends and profits, Party A shall instruct Jinxin Company to transform such interests into cash and pay such interests into the bank account designated by Party B in accordance with Party B’s requirements, and Party A shall not use any money deposited into the bank account without the prior written consent of Party B.
|
|
16.4
|
During the term of equity pledge, if Party A subscribes new capital contribution or accepts an equity transfer (“Newly-added Equities”), the Newly-added Equities shall be automatically become Pledged Equities under this Agreement, and Party A shall accomplish all the procedures with respect to the pledge of the Newly-added Equities within ten (10) business days after acquiring the Newly-added Equities. If Party A fails to accomplish the relevant procedures as specified in this Section 16, Party B shall have the right to exercise the pledge right under this Agreement.
|
17.
|
General Terms
|
|
17.1
|
Entire Agreement. This Agreement and the Exhibits and Schedules hereto contain the entire understanding between the parties, no other representations, warranties or covenants having induced any party to execute this Agreement, and supersede all prior or contemporaneous agreements with respect to the subject matter hereof. All references to schedules and exhibits are to exhibits and schedules attached to and to become a part of this Agreement unless otherwise indicated.
|
|
17.2
|
Amendment. Any amendment and/or rescission shall be in writing and signed by the authorized representatives of both parties. Such revision shall be a valid integral part of this Agreement.
|
|
17.3
|
Headings. The headings of any Sections or other portion of this Agreement are for convenience only and are not to be considered in construing this Agreement.
|
|
17.4
|
Construction. References in this Agreement to "Sections," "Schedules" and "Exhibits" shall be to the Sections, Schedules and Exhibits of this Agreement, unless otherwise specifically provided; any use in this Agreement of the singular or plural, or the masculine, feminine or neuter gender, shall be deemed to include the others, unless the context otherwise requires; the words "herein”, "hereof" and "hereunder" and words of similar import, when used in this Agreement, shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement; the word "including" when used in this Agreement shall mean “including without limitation”; and except as otherwise specified in this Agreement, all references in this Agreement (i) to any agreement, document, certificate or other written instrument shall be a reference to such agreement, document, certificate or instrument, in each case together with all exhibits, schedules, attachments and appendices thereto, and as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof; and (ii) to any law, statute or regulation shall be deemed references to such law, statute or regulation as the same may be supplemented, amended, consolidated, superseded or modified from time to time.
|
|
17.5
|
Severability. Any provision hereof that is prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability, without invalidating the remaining provisions hereof, and any such prohibition or unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.
|
|
17.6
|
Waiver. No failure or delay of either party to enforce any right hereunder shall constitute a waiver of any such right hereunder. No waiver shall be effective hereunder unless in writing and a waiver shall only be effective for the specific act or circumstance for which it is given and not for any future act or circumstance.
|
|
17.7
|
Language. This Agreement is in both Chinese and English and signed by both parties, and the two versions have the same effect. Should there be any discrepancy between the two language versions, the Chinese version shall prevail.
|
|
17.8
|
Copies of this Agreement. This Agreement shall be executed in four counterparts; each party holds one and the rest are used for the transaction of related formalities. Each of the copies shall be deemed as the original one and has the same effect.
|
|
1.
|
On the date of execution of this Agreement, Party A is one of the shareholders of Zhuolu Jinxin Mining Co., Ltd. (“Jinxin Company”) and duly holds 0.79% of the shares of Jinxin Company;
|
|
2.
|
Jinxin Company is a corporation incorporated and validly existing in the territory of the PRC pursuant to the law of the PRC with business license registration number: 130731000000165 and its address at at Chunshugou Village, Luanzhuang Town, Zhuolu County, Hebei Province.
|
|
3.
|
In order to ensure all the shareholders of Jinxin Company and/or Jinxin Company to perform all obligations under the Management Entrustment Agreement, Power of Attorney and Exclusive Purchase Option Agreement (collectively referred to as “Onshore Agreements”) entered into on the same day as this Agreement, Party A agrees to pledge all the shares held by Party A in Jinxin Company to Party B as the guarantee for the performance of the Onshore Agreements by the related responsible parties pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, and Party B agrees to accept such pledge provided by Party A.
|
1.
|
Pledge of Equity
|
|
1.1
|
In order to guarantee Jinxin Company, all the shareholders of Jinxin Company (“Shareholders” )and other related responsible parties to perform all obligations and liabilities under the Onshore Agreements, Party A agrees to pledge the Pledged Equities (as defined in Section 4 herein) under this Agreement to Party B pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, and Party B agrees to accept the above equity pledge, and have priority right to the proceeds from the conversion, auction, or sale of the Pledged Equities.
|
|
1.2
|
The pledge under this Agreement includes the rights owned by Party B to collect the fees (including legal fees), expenses, interests, losses, liquidated damages and compensations that Jinxin Company and/or the Shareholders shall pay under the Onshore Agreements, and civil liabilities that Jinxin Company and/or the Shareholders shall bear in case the Onshore Agreements wholly or partially become null and void due to any reason.
|
|
1.3
|
Unless consent in writing by Party B, after the execution of this Agreement, the pledge under this Agreement will be terminated only when Jinxin Company and the Shareholders have performed all the obligations and liabilities under the Onshore Agreements and Party B confirms such fulfillment in writing. If Jinxin Company or the Shareholders have not fully performed all or part of its or their obligations or liabilities under the Onshore Agreements at the expiration of such agreements, Party B will maintain the pledge hereunder up to the date when all such obligations and liabilities are fully performed.
|
2.
|
Representations and Warranties
|
|
2.1
|
Party A represents and warrants to Party B, on the day of execution of this Agreement:
|
|
2.1.1.
|
Party A has the right to execute this Agreement and the capability to perform the same;
|
|
2.1.2.
|
Party A has gone through necessary internal decision-making procedures, obtained proper authority, acquire all the necessary consents and approvals of any requisite third party and government authority to enter into and perform this Agreement and this Agreement does not violate the laws of the PRC and contracts binding or affecting it;
|
|
2.1.3.
|
upon the execution, this Agreement will constitute the legal, valid, binding obligation of both parties and both parties will be subject to compulsory enforcement pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Agreement;
|
|
2.1.4.
|
Party A is the exclusive and duly owner of the Pledged Equities, has paid up all capitals subscribed, has obtained the capital verification report issued by the duly qualified Certified Public Accounting firm and has the right to set the pledge of the first priority on such Pledged Equities for Party B;
|
|
2.1.5.
|
except for the pledge under this Agreement, there is not: (i) any other encumbrance or any security interests for the benefit of any third party on the equity interests pledged by Party A (including but not limited to pledge); (ii) any mortgages or other guarantee rights set for any third party; (iii) any pending or possible civil, administrative or criminal litigation or administrative punishment or arbitration relating to the equity interests hereunder on the date of execution of this Agreement; (iv) any trusts or conditions of limited use; (v) any exemptions from lawsuit, execution, enforcement or other legal proceedings; or (vi) any outstanding taxes, fees or undecided legal procedures related with the equity interests hereunder on the date of execution of this Agreement;
|
|
2.1.6.
|
Party A has not effected and will not effect an Event of Default (as defined in Section 8) and has no knowledge of any risk of an Event of Default under this Agreement or any other agreement to which Party A are a party;
|
|
2.1.7.
|
Party A has abided by and performed all obligations stipulated by the applicable laws, regulations and rules and all applicable authorizations and permissions; Party A does not have any circumstances that go against any laws, regulations or rules and may have material and adverse effect on the validity, effect, performance and enforceability of this Agreement; and
|
|
2.1.8.
|
to the best knowledge of Party A, no court, arbitral tribunal or government authority starts to take any legal proceedings or administrative proceedings against Party A or the Pledged Equities, neither does any courts, arbitral tribunals or government authority start to file any legal proceedings or administrative proceedings against Party A or the Pledged Equities, and Party A has no knowledge of any such risks.
|
|
2.2
|
Party B presents and warranties to Party A on the day of execution of this Agreement:
|
|
2.2.1.
|
it has the right, to execute this Agreement and the capability to perform the same;
|
|
2.2.2.
|
it has carried out necessary internal decision-making procedures, obtained proper authority, acquire the necessary consents and approvals of any third party and government authority to enter into and perform this Agreement and it does not go against the laws and contracts binding or affecting it; and
|
|
2.2.3.
|
upon the execution, this Agreement will constitute the legal, valid, binding obligation of both parties and both parties shall be subject to compulsory enforcement pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Agreement.
|
3.
|
Guaranteed Liabilities
|
4.
|
Pledged Equities
|
5.
|
Pledge Procedures and Transaction
|
6.
|
Party A’s Undertaking
|
|
6.1
|
without the prior written consent of Party B, Party A shall not impose any other encumbrance (whether prevailing over the pledge under this Agreement or not) or other restrictive conditions on all or part of the Pledged Equities;
|
|
6.2
|
without the prior written consent of Party B, Party A shall not sell, lease, lend, transfer, assign, grant, remortgage, trust, or participate in equity investment by, the Pledged Equities or dispose by any other means all or part of the Pledged Equities;
|
|
6.3
|
Party A shall not use or allow others to use the Pledged Equities for any actions or events against any laws or this Agreement;
|
|
6.4
|
after receiving any notice, order, ruling, verdict or other instruments in relation to the Pledged Equities from the government, judicial authority or arbitral organization, Party A shall immediately notify Party B and within the period provided by the applicable laws take all necessary steps to reduce the risks that such notice, order or other instruments may bring to the Pledged Equities. Where Party B deems necessary, Party A shall file a lawsuit, arbitration or administrative lawsuit against the above notice, order or other instruments and bear all fees that arising therefrom and in relation thereto;
|
|
6.5
|
Party A shall immediately notify Party B of any events or any received notices which may affect the equity interest of Party A or any part of its right, and any events or any received notices which may change the covenants and obligations of Party A under this Agreement or which may affect the performance of its obligations under this Agreement, and take actions in accordance with the instructions of Party B;
|
|
6.6
|
Party A agrees that the right of Party B to exercise the pledge pursuant to this Agreement shall not be suspended or hampered by Party A or any successors or transferees of Party A or any other persons;
|
|
6.7
|
Party A warrants to Party B that in order to protect and perfect the security over the obligations of Party A and/or Jinxin Company under the Onshore Agreements, Party A shall make any necessary amendment (if applicable), execute in good faith and cause any third party who has interests in the pledge to execute all the title certificates, contracts, and /or perform and cause any third party who has interests to take action as required by Party B and make access to exercise the rights and authorization vested in Party B under this Agreement, and execute all the documents with respect to the changes of equity interests owned by Party B or another party designated by Party B, and provides Party B with all the necessary documents within the reasonable time; and
|
|
6.8
|
Party A warrants to Party B that Party A will comply with and perform all the guarantees, covenants, agreements, representations and conditions for the benefits of Party B. Party A shall indemnity Party B for all the damages suffered by Party B for the reasons that Party A does not perform or fully perform such guarantees, covenants, agreements, representations and conditions.
|
7.
|
Exercise of Pledge
|
|
7.1
|
Subject to Clause 8.3, Party B may dispose the Pledged Equities at any time upon or after sending the notice for the exercise of the pledge.
|
|
7.2
|
Party B shall have the priority right to dispose all or part of Pledged Equities under this Agreement (including but not limited to purchase of shares at discounted price by agreement, sell at auction by the laws of the PRC, sell-off Pledged Equities) as per legal procedures and to be paid with the sum gained from the disposal until all guaranteed liabilities of Jinxin Company and the Shareholders under the Onshore Agreements are fulfilled completely.
|
|
7.3
|
Where Party B disposes the Pledged Equities pursuant to this Agreement, Party A shall provide and cause Jinxin Company to provide necessary assistance so that Party B can realize its pledge.
|
8.
|
Event of Default
|
|
8.1
|
The following events shall be regarded as an Event of Default:
|
|
8.1.1.
|
where Party A and/or Jinxin Company and related responsible parties fail to perform any obligations under the Onshore Agreements in time or fails to discharge any guaranteed liability as scheduled in full sum;
|
|
8.1.2.
|
where there are any falsity, fraud, misleading statements or errors relating to any representation and undertaking Party A makes in Section 2
herein;
|
|
8.1.3.
|
where Party A violates any undertaking in Section 6 of this Agreement;
|
|
8.1.4.
|
where Party A violates any other terms and conditions of this Agreement;
|
|
8.1.5.
|
where Party A refuses or intentionally delays the registration procedures for the pledge under this Agreement and fails to correct such action within ten (10) days as of the day when Party B requires in writing to do so;
|
|
8.1.6.
|
where any loan, guarantee, indemnity, undertaking or other compensation liability of Party A: (i) is required to be repaid or performed in advance due to an event of default; or (ii) is due but unable to be repaid or performed as scheduled, which makes Party B reasonably believe that the ability of Party A to perform its obligations under this Agreement has been materially and adversely affected;
|
|
8.1.7.
|
where this Agreement becomes ineffective, revocable, unenforceable or Party A cannot continue performing its obligations under this Agreement in time and fully due to the fault (including omission) of Party A after the issuance of new laws of the PRC;
|
|
8.1.8.
|
Party A waive the pledged equity interests or transfers the pledged equity interests without prior written consent from the Party B;
|
|
8.1.9.
|
any approval, permits, licenses or authorization from the competent authority of the government needed to perform under this Agreement or validate this Agreement are withdrawn, suspended, invalidated or materially amended;
|
|
8.1.10.
|
the property of Party A is adversely changed and causes Party B to deem that the capability of Party A to perform the obligations herein is affected; and
|
|
8.1.11.
|
other circumstances in which Party B cannot exercise and dispose the pledge due to the fault (including omission) of Party A.
|
|
8.2
|
If Party A knows or should have known the occurrence of any event stated above in Subsection 8.1 or any matter that may incur the above events, Party A shall immediately notify Party B in writing.
|
|
8.3
|
Unless Party A immediately takes the measures satisfactory to Party B to correct the Event of Default listed in Subsection 8.1 above, Party B may send written notice of exercising the pledge to Party A at any time upon or after the occurrence of Event of Default, demand Party A and/or Jinxin Company to: (i) make full payment of the outstanding fees pursuant to the Onshore Agreement, and (ii) immediate perform their obligations under the Onshore Agreements, and require disposal of the Pledged Equities pursuant to this Agreement.
|
|
8.4
|
The Event of Default provided in this Section 8 will not affect the exercise of other remedies by the parties pursuant to the laws of the PRC.
|
9.
|
Liability in the Event of Default
|
10.
|
Assignment
|
|
10.1
|
Without the prior written consent of Party B, Party A shall not have the right to assign or delegate its rights and obligations under this Agreement.
|
|
10.2
|
This Agreement shall be binding on Party A and its successors and permitted assigns, and shall be valid with respect to Party B and each of its successors and assigns.
|
|
10.3
|
At any time, Party B may assign any and all of its rights and obligations under the Onshore Agreements to its designee(s) (natural or legal persons), in which case the assigns shall have the rights and obligations of Party B under this Agreement, as if it were the original party to this Agreement. When Party B assigns the rights and obligations under the Onshore Agreements, at the request of Party B, Party A shall execute relevant agreements or other documents relating to such assignment.
|
|
10.4
|
In the event of a change in the pledgee due to an assignment, Party A shall, at the request of Party B, execute a new pledge agreement with the new pledgee on the same terms and conditions as this Agreement, and register for change of the pledgee with the competent Administration of Industry and Commerce.
|
11.
|
Termination
|
12.
|
Taxes, Fees and Other Expenses
|
13.
|
Confidentiality
|
|
13.1
|
Both parties agree that, all materials, documents, communications and other information obtained in the negotiation, execution or performance of this Agreement, whether commercial, technical or in any other form (“
Confidential information
"), shall be strictly kept confidential and used only for the performance of the obligations under this Agreement. Unless the other parties consent in writing, neither of the parties shall release, leak or disclose any Confidential Information to any third party.
|
|
13.2
|
Either party may disclose the Confidential Information in the following circumstances: (i) where the laws, court orders or the competent courts with jurisdiction require, and such disclosure may be conducted only within such requirement; (ii) where the competent authority or government department requires; (iii) where such Confidential Information has been known to the general public; (iv) where such Confidential Information was owned duly and legally by the disclosing party rather obtained from the other party before the disclosing party obtains it; (v) the information is required to be disclosed subject to the applicable laws or the rules or provisions of a stock exchange or securities governing authority; and (vi) the information is disclosed by each party to its legal or financial consultant relating the transaction of this Agreement, and this legal or financial consultant shall comply with the confidentiality set forth in this Section 13. However, for the circumstances aforesaid, where either party discloses the Confidential Information, it shall inform the other party of the Confidential Information to be disclosed.
|
|
13.3
|
Nonetheless other provisions of this Section 13, either party shall have the right to disclose the Confidential Information to its lawyer, accountant, other professional consultants, directors or senior officers; such personnel shall undertake in writing to treat such information as Confidential Information by taking the measures similar to those provided in 13.1 of this Section.
|
|
13.4
|
The disclosure of the Confidential Information by staff or employed institution of any party shall be deemed as the disclosure of such Confidential Information by such party, and such party shall bear the liabilities for breaching the agreement.
|
|
13.5
|
This Section 13 shall survive whatever this Agreement is invalid, amended, revoked, terminated or unable to implement by any reason.
|
14.
|
Governing Law and Dispute Resolution
|
|
14.1
|
The execution, effectiveness, construction, performance, amendment and termination of this Agreement and the resolution of disputes hereunder shall be governed by the formally published and publicly available laws of the PRC. Matters not covered by formally published and publicly available laws of the PRC shall be governed by international legal principles and practices.
|
|
14.2
|
Both parties agree that any dispute arising from or in relation to this Agreement shall first be settled by the friendly negotiation of both parties. If the negotiation fails within 45 days, either party shall have the right to file the dispute with China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission (“
CIETAC
”) in Beijing for arbitration pursuant to the currently effective arbitration rules of CIETAC at the time of application. This arbitration shall be final and bind both parties and shall be enforceable in any court of competent jurisdiction. The arbitration fees shall be born by the losing party.
|
|
14.3
|
Upon the occurrence of any disputes arising from the construction and performance of this Agreement or during the pending arbitration of any dispute, except for the matters under dispute, the Parties to this Agreement shall continue to exercise their respective rights under this Agreement and perform their respective obligations under this Agreement.
|
15.
|
Effect, Change and Recession of this Agreement
|
|
15.1
|
This Agreement shall come into effect on and after the date that it is signed and/or stamped by both parties.
|
|
15.2
|
After this Agreement comes into effect, except otherwise provided by this Agreement, neither party shall amend or terminate this Agreement in advance. If it is necessary to amend or terminate this Agreement, both parties shall negotiate to reach a written agreement. Before such written agreement is reached, this Agreement shall remain in effect.
|
16.
|
Physical Possession Of Documents
|
|
16.1
|
Party A shall deliver the physical possession of the certificates of registration (original) of the pledge to Party B, provide the proper record relating to the registration of such pledge to Party B, and transact various approval and examination, registration and filling procedures required by the laws of the PRC within thirty (30) business days as of the date of execution of this Agreement or an earlier time agreed upon by the parties.
|
|
16.2
|
If the subjects of the pledge change and such changes need to be registered or filed, Party A shall register or file or cause Jinxin Company to register or file such changes within five (5) business days as of the day of change, and shall deliver relevant registration of change or filling documents to Party B.
|
|
16.3
|
During the term of the equity pledge, Party A shall instruct Jinxin Company not to distribute any dividends, or adopt any profits distribution plans; if Party A shall be entitled to collect any interests other than distribution plans of dividends and profits, Party A shall instruct Jinxin Company to transform such interests into cash and pay such interests into the bank account designated by Party B in accordance with Party B’s requirements, and Party A shall not use any money deposited into the bank account without the prior written consent of Party B.
|
|
16.4
|
During the term of equity pledge, if Party A subscribes new capital contribution or accepts an equity transfer (“Newly-added Equities”), the Newly-added Equities shall be automatically become Pledged Equities under this Agreement, and Party A shall accomplish all the procedures with respect to the pledge of the Newly-added Equities within ten (10) business days after acquiring the Newly-added Equities. If Party A fails to accomplish the relevant procedures as specified in this Section 16, Party B shall have the right to exercise the pledge right under this Agreement.
|
17.
|
General Terms
|
|
17.1
|
Entire Agreement. This Agreement and the Exhibits and Schedules hereto contain the entire understanding between the parties, no other representations, warranties or covenants having induced any party to execute this Agreement, and supersede all prior or contemporaneous agreements with respect to the subject matter hereof. All references to schedules and exhibits are to exhibits and schedules attached to and to become a part of this Agreement unless otherwise indicated.
|
|
17.2
|
Amendment. Any amendment and/or rescission shall be in writing and signed by the authorized representatives of both parties. Such revision shall be a valid integral part of this Agreement.
|
|
17.3
|
Headings. The headings of any Sections or other portion of this Agreement are for convenience only and are not to be considered in construing this Agreement.
|
|
17.4
|
Construction. References in this Agreement to "Sections," "Schedules" and "Exhibits" shall be to the Sections, Schedules and Exhibits of this Agreement, unless otherwise specifically provided; any use in this Agreement of the singular or plural, or the masculine, feminine or neuter gender, shall be deemed to include the others, unless the context otherwise requires; the words "herein”, "hereof" and "hereunder" and words of similar import, when used in this Agreement, shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement; the word "including" when used in this Agreement shall mean “including without limitation”; and except as otherwise specified in this Agreement, all references in this Agreement (i) to any agreement, document, certificate or other written instrument shall be a reference to such agreement, document, certificate or instrument, in each case together with all exhibits, schedules, attachments and appendices thereto, and as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof; and (ii) to any law, statute or regulation shall be deemed references to such law, statute or regulation as the same may be supplemented, amended, consolidated, superseded or modified from time to time.
|
|
17.5
|
Severability. Any provision hereof that is prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability, without invalidating the remaining provisions hereof, and any such prohibition or unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.
|
|
17.6
|
Waiver. No failure or delay of either party to enforce any right hereunder shall constitute a waiver of any such right hereunder. No waiver shall be effective hereunder unless in writing and a waiver shall only be effective for the specific act or circumstance for which it is given and not for any future act or circumstance.
|
|
17.7
|
Language. This Agreement is in both Chinese and English and signed by both parties, and the two versions have the same effect. Should there be any discrepancy between the two language versions, the Chinese version shall prevail.
|
|
17.8
|
Copies of this Agreement. This Agreement shall be executed in four counterparts; each party holds one and the rest are used for the transaction of related formalities. Each of the copies shall be deemed as the original one and has the same effect.
|
|
1.
|
On the date of execution of this Agreement, Party A is one of the shareholders of Zhuolu Jinxin Mining Co., Ltd. (“Jinxin Company”) and duly holds 0.46% of the shares of Jinxin Company;
|
|
2.
|
Jinxin Company is a corporation incorporated and validly existing in the territory of the PRC pursuant to the law of the PRC with business license registration number: 130731000000165 and its address at at Chunshugou Village, Luanzhuang Town, Zhuolu County, Hebei Province.
|
|
3.
|
In order to ensure all the shareholders of Jinxin Company and/or Jinxin Company to perform all obligations under the Management Entrustment Agreement, Power of Attorney and Exclusive Purchase Option Agreement (collectively referred to as “Onshore Agreements”) entered into on the same day as this Agreement, Party A agrees to pledge all the shares held by Party A in Jinxin Company to Party B as the guarantee for the performance of the Onshore Agreements by the related responsible parties pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, and Party B agrees to accept such pledge provided by Party A.
|
1.
|
Pledge of Equity
|
|
1.1
|
In order to guarantee Jinxin Company, all the shareholders of Jinxin Company (“Shareholders” )and other related responsible parties to perform all obligations and liabilities under the Onshore Agreements, Party A agrees to pledge the Pledged Equities (as defined in Section 4 herein) under this Agreement to Party B pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, and Party B agrees to accept the above equity pledge, and have priority right to the proceeds from the conversion, auction, or sale of the Pledged Equities.
|
|
1.2
|
The pledge under this Agreement includes the rights owned by Party B to collect the fees (including legal fees), expenses, interests, losses, liquidated damages and compensations that Jinxin Company and/or the Shareholders shall pay under the Onshore Agreements, and civil liabilities that Jinxin Company and/or the Shareholders shall bear in case the Onshore Agreements wholly or partially become null and void due to any reason.
|
|
1.3
|
Unless consent in writing by Party B, after the execution of this Agreement, the pledge under this Agreement will be terminated only when Jinxin Company and the Shareholders have performed all the obligations and liabilities under the Onshore Agreements and Party B confirms such fulfillment in writing. If Jinxin Company or the Shareholders have not fully performed all or part of its or their obligations or liabilities under the Onshore Agreements at the expiration of such agreements, Party B will maintain the pledge hereunder up to the date when all such obligations and liabilities are fully performed.
|
2.
|
Representations and Warranties
|
|
2.1
|
Party A represents and warrants to Party B, on the day of execution of this Agreement:
|
|
2.1.1.
|
Party A has the right to execute this Agreement and the capability to perform the same;
|
|
2.1.2.
|
Party A has gone through necessary internal decision-making procedures, obtained proper authority, acquire all the necessary consents and approvals of any requisite third party and government authority to enter into and perform this Agreement and this Agreement does not violate the laws of the PRC and contracts binding or affecting it;
|
|
2.1.3.
|
upon the execution, this Agreement will constitute the legal, valid, binding obligation of both parties and both parties will be subject to compulsory enforcement pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Agreement;
|
|
2.1.4.
|
Party A is the exclusive and duly owner of the Pledged Equities, has paid up all capitals subscribed, has obtained the capital verification report issued by the duly qualified Certified Public Accounting firm and has the right to set the pledge of the first priority on such Pledged Equities for Party B;
|
|
2.1.5.
|
except for the pledge under this Agreement, there is not: (i) any other encumbrance or any security interests for the benefit of any third party on the equity interests pledged by Party A (including but not limited to pledge); (ii) any mortgages or other guarantee rights set for any third party; (iii) any pending or possible civil, administrative or criminal litigation or administrative punishment or arbitration relating to the equity interests hereunder on the date of execution of this Agreement; (iv) any trusts or conditions of limited use; (v) any exemptions from lawsuit, execution, enforcement or other legal proceedings; or (vi) any outstanding taxes, fees or undecided legal procedures related with the equity interests hereunder on the date of execution of this Agreement;
|
|
2.1.6.
|
Party A has not effected and will not effect an Event of Default (as defined in Section 8) and has no knowledge of any risk of an Event of Default under this Agreement or any other agreement to which Party A are a party;
|
|
2.1.7.
|
Party A has abided by and performed all obligations stipulated by the applicable laws, regulations and rules and all applicable authorizations and permissions; Party A does not have any circumstances that go against any laws, regulations or rules and may have material and adverse effect on the validity, effect, performance and enforceability of this Agreement; and
|
|
2.1.8.
|
to the best knowledge of Party A, no court, arbitral tribunal or government authority starts to take any legal proceedings or administrative proceedings against Party A or the Pledged Equities, neither does any courts, arbitral tribunals or government authority start to file any legal proceedings or administrative proceedings against Party A or the Pledged Equities, and Party A has no knowledge of any such risks.
|
|
2.2
|
Party B presents and warranties to Party A on the day of execution of this Agreement:
|
|
2.2.1.
|
it has the right, to execute this Agreement and the capability to perform the same;
|
|
2.2.2.
|
it has carried out necessary internal decision-making procedures, obtained proper authority, acquire the necessary consents and approvals of any third party and government authority to enter into and perform this Agreement and it does not go against the laws and contracts binding or affecting it; and
|
|
2.2.3.
|
upon the execution, this Agreement will constitute the legal, valid, binding obligation of both parties and both parties shall be subject to compulsory enforcement pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Agreement.
|
3.
|
Guaranteed Liabilities
|
4.
|
Pledged Equities
|
5.
|
Pledge Procedures and Transaction
|
6.
|
Party A’s Undertaking
|
|
6.1
|
without the prior written consent of Party B, Party A shall not impose any other encumbrance (whether prevailing over the pledge under this Agreement or not) or other restrictive conditions on all or part of the Pledged Equities;
|
|
6.2
|
without the prior written consent of Party B, Party A shall not sell, lease, lend, transfer, assign, grant, remortgage, trust, or participate in equity investment by, the Pledged Equities or dispose by any other means all or part of the Pledged Equities;
|
|
6.3
|
Party A shall not use or allow others to use the Pledged Equities for any actions or events against any laws or this Agreement;
|
|
6.4
|
after receiving any notice, order, ruling, verdict or other instruments in relation to the Pledged Equities from the government, judicial authority or arbitral organization, Party A shall immediately notify Party B and within the period provided by the applicable laws take all necessary steps to reduce the risks that such notice, order or other instruments may bring to the Pledged Equities. Where Party B deems necessary, Party A shall file a lawsuit, arbitration or administrative lawsuit against the above notice, order or other instruments and bear all fees that arising therefrom and in relation thereto;
|
|
6.5
|
Party A shall immediately notify Party B of any events or any received notices which may affect the equity interest of Party A or any part of its right, and any events or any received notices which may change the covenants and obligations of Party A under this Agreement or which may affect the performance of its obligations under this Agreement, and take actions in accordance with the instructions of Party B;
|
|
6.6
|
Party A agrees that the right of Party B to exercise the pledge pursuant to this Agreement shall not be suspended or hampered by Party A or any successors or transferees of Party A or any other persons;
|
|
6.7
|
Party A warrants to Party B that in order to protect and perfect the security over the obligations of Party A and/or Jinxin Company under the Onshore Agreements, Party A shall make any necessary amendment (if applicable), execute in good faith and cause any third party who has interests in the pledge to execute all the title certificates, contracts, and /or perform and cause any third party who has interests to take action as required by Party B and make access to exercise the rights and authorization vested in Party B under this Agreement, and execute all the documents with respect to the changes of equity interests owned by Party B or another party designated by Party B, and provides Party B with all the necessary documents within the reasonable time; and
|
|
6.8
|
Party A warrants to Party B that Party A will comply with and perform all the guarantees, covenants, agreements, representations and conditions for the benefits of Party B. Party A shall indemnity Party B for all the damages suffered by Party B for the reasons that Party A does not perform or fully perform such guarantees, covenants, agreements, representations and conditions.
|
7.
|
Exercise of Pledge
|
|
7.1
|
Subject to Clause 8.3, Party B may dispose the Pledged Equities at any time upon or after sending the notice for the exercise of the pledge.
|
|
7.2
|
Party B shall have the priority right to dispose all or part of Pledged Equities under this Agreement (including but not limited to purchase of shares at discounted price by agreement, sell at auction by the laws of the PRC, sell-off Pledged Equities) as per legal procedures and to be paid with the sum gained from the disposal until all guaranteed liabilities of Jinxin Company and the Shareholders under the Onshore Agreements are fulfilled completely.
|
|
7.3
|
Where Party B disposes the Pledged Equities pursuant to this Agreement, Party A shall provide and cause Jinxin Company to provide necessary assistance so that Party B can realize its pledge.
|
8.
|
Event of Default
|
|
8.1
|
The following events shall be regarded as an Event of Default:
|
|
8.1.1.
|
where Party A and/or Jinxin Company and related responsible parties fail to perform any obligations under the Onshore Agreements in time or fails to discharge any guaranteed liability as scheduled in full sum;
|
|
8.1.2.
|
where there are any falsity, fraud, misleading statements or errors relating to any representation and undertaking Party A makes in Section 2
herein;
|
|
8.1.3.
|
where Party A violates any undertaking in Section 6 of this Agreement;
|
|
8.1.4.
|
where Party A violates any other terms and conditions of this Agreement;
|
|
8.1.5.
|
where Party A refuses or intentionally delays the registration procedures for the pledge under this Agreement and fails to correct such action within ten (10) days as of the day when Party B requires in writing to do so;
|
|
8.1.6.
|
where any loan, guarantee, indemnity, undertaking or other compensation liability of Party A: (i) is required to be repaid or performed in advance due to an event of default; or (ii) is due but unable to be repaid or performed as scheduled, which makes Party B reasonably believe that the ability of Party A to perform its obligations under this Agreement has been materially and adversely affected;
|
|
8.1.7.
|
where this Agreement becomes ineffective, revocable, unenforceable or Party A cannot continue performing its obligations under this Agreement in time and fully due to the fault (including omission) of Party A after the issuance of new laws of the PRC;
|
|
8.1.8.
|
Party A waive the pledged equity interests or transfers the pledged equity interests without prior written consent from the Party B;
|
|
8.1.9.
|
any approval, permits, licenses or authorization from the competent authority of the government needed to perform under this Agreement or validate this Agreement are withdrawn, suspended, invalidated or materially amended;
|
|
8.1.10.
|
the property of Party A is adversely changed and causes Party B to deem that the capability of Party A to perform the obligations herein is affected; and
|
|
8.1.11.
|
other circumstances in which Party B cannot exercise and dispose the pledge due to the fault (including omission) of Party A.
|
|
8.2
|
If Party A knows or should have known the occurrence of any event stated above in Subsection 8.1 or any matter that may incur the above events, Party A shall immediately notify Party B in writing.
|
|
8.3
|
Unless Party A immediately takes the measures satisfactory to Party B to correct the Event of Default listed in Subsection 8.1 above, Party B may send written notice of exercising the pledge to Party A at any time upon or after the occurrence of Event of Default, demand Party A and/or Jinxin Company to: (i) make full payment of the outstanding fees pursuant to the Onshore Agreement, and (ii) immediate perform their obligations under the Onshore Agreements, and require disposal of the Pledged Equities pursuant to this Agreement.
|
|
8.4
|
The Event of Default provided in this Section 8 will not affect the exercise of other remedies by the parties pursuant to the laws of the PRC.
|
9.
|
Liability in the Event of Default
|
10.
|
Assignment
|
|
10.1
|
Without the prior written consent of Party B, Party A shall not have the right to assign or delegate its rights and obligations under this Agreement.
|
|
10.2
|
This Agreement shall be binding on Party A and its successors and permitted assigns, and shall be valid with respect to Party B and each of its successors and assigns.
|
|
10.3
|
At any time, Party B may assign any and all of its rights and obligations under the Onshore Agreements to its designee(s) (natural or legal persons), in which case the assigns shall have the rights and obligations of Party B under this Agreement, as if it were the original party to this Agreement. When Party B assigns the rights and obligations under the Onshore Agreements, at the request of Party B, Party A shall execute relevant agreements or other documents relating to such assignment.
|
|
10.4
|
In the event of a change in the pledgee due to an assignment, Party A shall, at the request of Party B, execute a new pledge agreement with the new pledgee on the same terms and conditions as this Agreement, and register for change of the pledgee with the competent Administration of Industry and Commerce.
|
11.
|
Termination
|
12.
|
Taxes, Fees and Other Expenses
|
13.
|
Confidentiality
|
|
13.1
|
Both parties agree that, all materials, documents, communications and other information obtained in the negotiation, execution or performance of this Agreement, whether commercial, technical or in any other form (“
Confidential information
"), shall be strictly kept confidential and used only for the performance of the obligations under this Agreement. Unless the other parties consent in writing, neither of the parties shall release, leak or disclose any Confidential Information to any third party.
|
|
13.2
|
Either party may disclose the Confidential Information in the following circumstances: (i) where the laws, court orders or the competent courts with jurisdiction require, and such disclosure may be conducted only within such requirement; (ii) where the competent authority or government department requires; (iii) where such Confidential Information has been known to the general public; (iv) where such Confidential Information was owned duly and legally by the disclosing party rather obtained from the other party before the disclosing party obtains it; (v) the information is required to be disclosed subject to the applicable laws or the rules or provisions of a stock exchange or securities governing authority; and (vi) the information is disclosed by each party to its legal or financial consultant relating the transaction of this Agreement, and this legal or financial consultant shall comply with the confidentiality set forth in this Section 13. However, for the circumstances aforesaid, where either party discloses the Confidential Information, it shall inform the other party of the Confidential Information to be disclosed.
|
|
13.3
|
Nonetheless other provisions of this Section 13, either party shall have the right to disclose the Confidential Information to its lawyer, accountant, other professional consultants, directors or senior officers; such personnel shall undertake in writing to treat such information as Confidential Information by taking the measures similar to those provided in 13.1 of this Section.
|
|
13.4
|
The disclosure of the Confidential Information by staff or employed institution of any party shall be deemed as the disclosure of such Confidential Information by such party, and such party shall bear the liabilities for breaching the agreement.
|
|
13.5
|
This Section 13 shall survive whatever this Agreement is invalid, amended, revoked, terminated or unable to implement by any reason.
|
14.
|
Governing Law and Dispute Resolution
|
|
14.1
|
The execution, effectiveness, construction, performance, amendment and termination of this Agreement and the resolution of disputes hereunder shall be governed by the formally published and publicly available laws of the PRC. Matters not covered by formally published and publicly available laws of the PRC shall be governed by international legal principles and practices.
|
|
14.2
|
Both parties agree that any dispute arising from or in relation to this Agreement shall first be settled by the friendly negotiation of both parties. If the negotiation fails within 45 days, either party shall have the right to file the dispute with China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission (“
CIETAC
”) in Beijing for arbitration pursuant to the currently effective arbitration rules of CIETAC at the time of application. This arbitration shall be final and bind both parties and shall be enforceable in any court of competent jurisdiction. The arbitration fees shall be born by the losing party.
|
|
14.3
|
Upon the occurrence of any disputes arising from the construction and performance of this Agreement or during the pending arbitration of any dispute, except for the matters under dispute, the Parties to this Agreement shall continue to exercise their respective rights under this Agreement and perform their respective obligations under this Agreement.
|
15.
|
Effect, Change and Recession of this Agreement
|
|
15.1
|
This Agreement shall come into effect on and after the date that it is signed and/or stamped by both parties.
|
|
15.2
|
After this Agreement comes into effect, except otherwise provided by this Agreement, neither party shall amend or terminate this Agreement in advance. If it is necessary to amend or terminate this Agreement, both parties shall negotiate to reach a written agreement. Before such written agreement is reached, this Agreement shall remain in effect.
|
16.
|
Physical Possession Of Documents
|
|
16.1
|
Party A shall deliver the physical possession of the certificates of registration (original) of the pledge to Party B, provide the proper record relating to the registration of such pledge to Party B, and transact various approval and examination, registration and filling procedures required by the laws of the PRC within thirty (30) business days as of the date of execution of this Agreement or an earlier time agreed upon by the parties.
|
|
16.2
|
If the subjects of the pledge change and such changes need to be registered or filed, Party A shall register or file or cause Jinxin Company to register or file such changes within five (5) business days as of the day of change, and shall deliver relevant registration of change or filling documents to Party B.
|
|
16.3
|
During the term of the equity pledge, Party A shall instruct Jinxin Company not to distribute any dividends, or adopt any profits distribution plans; if Party A shall be entitled to collect any interests other than distribution plans of dividends and profits, Party A shall instruct Jinxin Company to transform such interests into cash and pay such interests into the bank account designated by Party B in accordance with Party B’s requirements, and Party A shall not use any money deposited into the bank account without the prior written consent of Party B.
|
|
16.4
|
During the term of equity pledge, if Party A subscribes new capital contribution or accepts an equity transfer (“Newly-added Equities”), the Newly-added Equities shall be automatically become Pledged Equities under this Agreement, and Party A shall accomplish all the procedures with respect to the pledge of the Newly-added Equities within ten (10) business days after acquiring the Newly-added Equities. If Party A fails to accomplish the relevant procedures as specified in this Section 16, Party B shall have the right to exercise the pledge right under this Agreement.
|
17.
|
General Terms
|
|
17.1
|
Entire Agreement. This Agreement and the Exhibits and Schedules hereto contain the entire understanding between the parties, no other representations, warranties or covenants having induced any party to execute this Agreement, and supersede all prior or contemporaneous agreements with respect to the subject matter hereof. All references to schedules and exhibits are to exhibits and schedules attached to and to become a part of this Agreement unless otherwise indicated.
|
|
17.2
|
Amendment. Any amendment and/or rescission shall be in writing and signed by the authorized representatives of both parties. Such revision shall be a valid integral part of this Agreement.
|
|
17.3
|
Headings. The headings of any Sections or other portion of this Agreement are for convenience only and are not to be considered in construing this Agreement.
|
|
17.4
|
Construction. References in this Agreement to "Sections," "Schedules" and "Exhibits" shall be to the Sections, Schedules and Exhibits of this Agreement, unless otherwise specifically provided; any use in this Agreement of the singular or plural, or the masculine, feminine or neuter gender, shall be deemed to include the others, unless the context otherwise requires; the words "herein”, "hereof" and "hereunder" and words of similar import, when used in this Agreement, shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement; the word "including" when used in this Agreement shall mean “including without limitation”; and except as otherwise specified in this Agreement, all references in this Agreement (i) to any agreement, document, certificate or other written instrument shall be a reference to such agreement, document, certificate or instrument, in each case together with all exhibits, schedules, attachments and appendices thereto, and as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof; and (ii) to any law, statute or regulation shall be deemed references to such law, statute or regulation as the same may be supplemented, amended, consolidated, superseded or modified from time to time.
|
|
17.5
|
Severability. Any provision hereof that is prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability, without invalidating the remaining provisions hereof, and any such prohibition or unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.
|
|
17.6
|
Waiver. No failure or delay of either party to enforce any right hereunder shall constitute a waiver of any such right hereunder. No waiver shall be effective hereunder unless in writing and a waiver shall only be effective for the specific act or circumstance for which it is given and not for any future act or circumstance.
|
|
17.7
|
Language. This Agreement is in both Chinese and English and signed by both parties, and the two versions have the same effect. Should there be any discrepancy between the two language versions, the Chinese version shall prevail.
|
|
17.8
|
Copies of this Agreement. This Agreement shall be executed in four counterparts; each party holds one and the rest are used for the transaction of related formalities. Each of the copies shall be deemed as the original one and has the same effect.
|
|
1.
|
On the date of execution of this Agreement, Party A is one of the shareholders of Zhuolu Jinxin Mining Co., Ltd. (“Jinxin Company”) and duly holds 0.32% of the shares of Jinxin Company;
|
|
2.
|
Jinxin Company is a corporation incorporated and validly existing in the territory of the PRC pursuant to the law of the PRC with business license registration number: 130731000000165 and its address at at Chunshugou Village, Luanzhuang Town, Zhuolu County, Hebei Province.
|
|
3.
|
In order to ensure all the shareholders of Jinxin Company and/or Jinxin Company to perform all obligations under the Management Entrustment Agreement, Power of Attorney and Exclusive Purchase Option Agreement (collectively referred to as “Onshore Agreements”) entered into on the same day as this Agreement, Party A agrees to pledge all the shares held by Party A in Jinxin Company to Party B as the guarantee for the performance of the Onshore Agreements by the related responsible parties pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, and Party B agrees to accept such pledge provided by Party A.
|
1.
|
Pledge of Equity
|
|
1.1
|
In order to guarantee Jinxin Company, all the shareholders of Jinxin Company (“Shareholders” )and other related responsible parties to perform all obligations and liabilities under the Onshore Agreements, Party A agrees to pledge the Pledged Equities (as defined in Section 4 herein) under this Agreement to Party B pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, and Party B agrees to accept the above equity pledge, and have priority right to the proceeds from the conversion, auction, or sale of the Pledged Equities.
|
|
1.2
|
The pledge under this Agreement includes the rights owned by Party B to collect the fees (including legal fees), expenses, interests, losses, liquidated damages and compensations that Jinxin Company and/or the Shareholders shall pay under the Onshore Agreements, and civil liabilities that Jinxin Company and/or the Shareholders shall bear in case the Onshore Agreements wholly or partially become null and void due to any reason.
|
|
1.3
|
Unless consent in writing by Party B, after the execution of this Agreement, the pledge under this Agreement will be terminated only when Jinxin Company and the Shareholders have performed all the obligations and liabilities under the Onshore Agreements and Party B confirms such fulfillment in writing. If Jinxin Company or the Shareholders have not fully performed all or part of its or their obligations or liabilities under the Onshore Agreements at the expiration of such agreements, Party B will maintain the pledge hereunder up to the date when all such obligations and liabilities are fully performed.
|
2.
|
Representations and Warranties
|
|
2.1
|
Party A represents and warrants to Party B, on the day of execution of this Agreement:
|
|
2.1.1.
|
Party A has the right to execute this Agreement and the capability to perform the same;
|
|
2.1.2.
|
Party A has gone through necessary internal decision-making procedures, obtained proper authority, acquire all the necessary consents and approvals of any requisite third party and government authority to enter into and perform this Agreement and this Agreement does not violate the laws of the PRC and contracts binding or affecting it;
|
|
2.1.3.
|
upon the execution, this Agreement will constitute the legal, valid, binding obligation of both parties and both parties will be subject to compulsory enforcement pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Agreement;
|
|
2.1.4.
|
Party A is the exclusive and duly owner of the Pledged Equities, has paid up all capitals subscribed, has obtained the capital verification report issued by the duly qualified Certified Public Accounting firm and has the right to set the pledge of the first priority on such Pledged Equities for Party B;
|
|
2.1.5.
|
except for the pledge under this Agreement, there is not: (i) any other encumbrance or any security interests for the benefit of any third party on the equity interests pledged by Party A (including but not limited to pledge); (ii) any mortgages or other guarantee rights set for any third party; (iii) any pending or possible civil, administrative or criminal litigation or administrative punishment or arbitration relating to the equity interests hereunder on the date of execution of this Agreement; (iv) any trusts or conditions of limited use; (v) any exemptions from lawsuit, execution, enforcement or other legal proceedings; or (vi) any outstanding taxes, fees or undecided legal procedures related with the equity interests hereunder on the date of execution of this Agreement;
|
|
2.1.6.
|
Party A has not effected and will not effect an Event of Default (as defined in Section 8) and has no knowledge of any risk of an Event of Default under this Agreement or any other agreement to which Party A are a party;
|
|
2.1.7.
|
Party A has abided by and performed all obligations stipulated by the applicable laws, regulations and rules and all applicable authorizations and permissions; Party A does not have any circumstances that go against any laws, regulations or rules and may have material and adverse effect on the validity, effect, performance and enforceability of this Agreement; and
|
|
2.1.8.
|
to the best knowledge of Party A, no court, arbitral tribunal or government authority starts to take any legal proceedings or administrative proceedings against Party A or the Pledged Equities, neither does any courts, arbitral tribunals or government authority start to file any legal proceedings or administrative proceedings against Party A or the Pledged Equities, and Party A has no knowledge of any such risks.
|
|
2.2
|
Party B presents and warranties to Party A on the day of execution of this Agreement:
|
|
2.2.1.
|
it has the right, to execute this Agreement and the capability to perform the same;
|
|
2.2.2.
|
it has carried out necessary internal decision-making procedures, obtained proper authority, acquire the necessary consents and approvals of any third party and government authority to enter into and perform this Agreement and it does not go against the laws and contracts binding or affecting it; and
|
|
2.2.3.
|
upon the execution, this Agreement will constitute the legal, valid, binding obligation of both parties and both parties shall be subject to compulsory enforcement pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Agreement.
|
3.
|
Guaranteed Liabilities
|
4.
|
Pledged Equities
|
5.
|
Pledge Procedures and Transaction
|
6.
|
Party A’s Undertaking
|
|
6.1
|
without the prior written consent of Party B, Party A shall not impose any other encumbrance (whether prevailing over the pledge under this Agreement or not) or other restrictive conditions on all or part of the Pledged Equities;
|
|
6.2
|
without the prior written consent of Party B, Party A shall not sell, lease, lend, transfer, assign, grant, remortgage, trust, or participate in equity investment by, the Pledged Equities or dispose by any other means all or part of the Pledged Equities;
|
|
6.3
|
Party A shall not use or allow others to use the Pledged Equities for any actions or events against any laws or this Agreement;
|
|
6.4
|
after receiving any notice, order, ruling, verdict or other instruments in relation to the Pledged Equities from the government, judicial authority or arbitral organization, Party A shall immediately notify Party B and within the period provided by the applicable laws take all necessary steps to reduce the risks that such notice, order or other instruments may bring to the Pledged Equities. Where Party B deems necessary, Party A shall file a lawsuit, arbitration or administrative lawsuit against the above notice, order or other instruments and bear all fees that arising therefrom and in relation thereto;
|
|
6.5
|
Party A shall immediately notify Party B of any events or any received notices which may affect the equity interest of Party A or any part of its right, and any events or any received notices which may change the covenants and obligations of Party A under this Agreement or which may affect the performance of its obligations under this Agreement, and take actions in accordance with the instructions of Party B;
|
|
6.6
|
Party A agrees that the right of Party B to exercise the pledge pursuant to this Agreement shall not be suspended or hampered by Party A or any successors or transferees of Party A or any other persons;
|
|
6.7
|
Party A warrants to Party B that in order to protect and perfect the security over the obligations of Party A and/or Jinxin Company under the Onshore Agreements, Party A shall make any necessary amendment (if applicable), execute in good faith and cause any third party who has interests in the pledge to execute all the title certificates, contracts, and /or perform and cause any third party who has interests to take action as required by Party B and make access to exercise the rights and authorization vested in Party B under this Agreement, and execute all the documents with respect to the changes of equity interests owned by Party B or another party designated by Party B, and provides Party B with all the necessary documents within the reasonable time; and
|
|
6.8
|
Party A warrants to Party B that Party A will comply with and perform all the guarantees, covenants, agreements, representations and conditions for the benefits of Party B. Party A shall indemnity Party B for all the damages suffered by Party B for the reasons that Party A does not perform or fully perform such guarantees, covenants, agreements, representations and conditions.
|
7.
|
Exercise of Pledge
|
|
7.1
|
Subject to Clause 8.3, Party B may dispose the Pledged Equities at any time upon or after sending the notice for the exercise of the pledge.
|
|
7.2
|
Party B shall have the priority right to dispose all or part of Pledged Equities under this Agreement (including but not limited to purchase of shares at discounted price by agreement, sell at auction by the laws of the PRC, sell-off Pledged Equities) as per legal procedures and to be paid with the sum gained from the disposal until all guaranteed liabilities of Jinxin Company and the Shareholders under the Onshore Agreements are fulfilled completely.
|
|
7.3
|
Where Party B disposes the Pledged Equities pursuant to this Agreement, Party A shall provide and cause Jinxin Company to provide necessary assistance so that Party B can realize its pledge.
|
8.
|
Event of Default
|
|
8.1
|
The following events shall be regarded as an Event of Default:
|
|
8.1.1.
|
where Party A and/or Jinxin Company and related responsible parties fail to perform any obligations under the Onshore Agreements in time or fails to discharge any guaranteed liability as scheduled in full sum;
|
|
8.1.2.
|
where there are any falsity, fraud, misleading statements or errors relating to any representation and undertaking Party A makes in Section 2
herein;
|
|
8.1.3.
|
where Party A violates any undertaking in Section 6 of this Agreement;
|
|
8.1.4.
|
where Party A violates any other terms and conditions of this Agreement;
|
|
8.1.5.
|
where Party A refuses or intentionally delays the registration procedures for the pledge under this Agreement and fails to correct such action within ten (10) days as of the day when Party B requires in writing to do so;
|
|
8.1.6.
|
where any loan, guarantee, indemnity, undertaking or other compensation liability of Party A: (i) is required to be repaid or performed in advance due to an event of default; or (ii) is due but unable to be repaid or performed as scheduled, which makes Party B reasonably believe that the ability of Party A to perform its obligations under this Agreement has been materially and adversely affected;
|
|
8.1.7.
|
where this Agreement becomes ineffective, revocable, unenforceable or Party A cannot continue performing its obligations under this Agreement in time and fully due to the fault (including omission) of Party A after the issuance of new laws of the PRC;
|
|
8.1.8.
|
Party A waive the pledged equity interests or transfers the pledged equity interests without prior written consent from the Party B;
|
|
8.1.9.
|
any approval, permits, licenses or authorization from the competent authority of the government needed to perform under this Agreement or validate this Agreement are withdrawn, suspended, invalidated or materially amended;
|
|
8.1.10.
|
the property of Party A is adversely changed and causes Party B to deem that the capability of Party A to perform the obligations herein is affected; and
|
|
8.1.11.
|
other circumstances in which Party B cannot exercise and dispose the pledge due to the fault (including omission) of Party A.
|
|
8.2
|
If Party A knows or should have known the occurrence of any event stated above in Subsection 8.1 or any matter that may incur the above events, Party A shall immediately notify Party B in writing.
|
|
8.3
|
Unless Party A immediately takes the measures satisfactory to Party B to correct the Event of Default listed in Subsection 8.1 above, Party B may send written notice of exercising the pledge to Party A at any time upon or after the occurrence of Event of Default, demand Party A and/or Jinxin Company to: (i) make full payment of the outstanding fees pursuant to the Onshore Agreement, and (ii) immediate perform their obligations under the Onshore Agreements, and require disposal of the Pledged Equities pursuant to this Agreement.
|
|
8.4
|
The Event of Default provided in this Section 8 will not affect the exercise of other remedies by the parties pursuant to the laws of the PRC.
|
9.
|
Liability in the Event of Default
|
10.
|
Assignment
|
|
10.1
|
Without the prior written consent of Party B, Party A shall not have the right to assign or delegate its rights and obligations under this Agreement.
|
|
10.2
|
This Agreement shall be binding on Party A and its successors and permitted assigns, and shall be valid with respect to Party B and each of its successors and assigns.
|
|
10.3
|
At any time, Party B may assign any and all of its rights and obligations under the Onshore Agreements to its designee(s) (natural or legal persons), in which case the assigns shall have the rights and obligations of Party B under this Agreement, as if it were the original party to this Agreement. When Party B assigns the rights and obligations under the Onshore Agreements, at the request of Party B, Party A shall execute relevant agreements or other documents relating to such assignment.
|
|
10.4
|
In the event of a change in the pledgee due to an assignment, Party A shall, at the request of Party B, execute a new pledge agreement with the new pledgee on the same terms and conditions as this Agreement, and register for change of the pledgee with the competent Administration of Industry and Commerce.
|
11.
|
Termination
|
12.
|
Taxes, Fees and Other Expenses
|
13.
|
Confidentiality
|
|
13.1
|
Both parties agree that, all materials, documents, communications and other information obtained in the negotiation, execution or performance of this Agreement, whether commercial, technical or in any other form (“
Confidential information
"), shall be strictly kept confidential and used only for the performance of the obligations under this Agreement. Unless the other parties consent in writing, neither of the parties shall release, leak or disclose any Confidential Information to any third party.
|
|
13.2
|
Either party may disclose the Confidential Information in the following circumstances: (i) where the laws, court orders or the competent courts with jurisdiction require, and such disclosure may be conducted only within such requirement; (ii) where the competent authority or government department requires; (iii) where such Confidential Information has been known to the general public; (iv) where such Confidential Information was owned duly and legally by the disclosing party rather obtained from the other party before the disclosing party obtains it; (v) the information is required to be disclosed subject to the applicable laws or the rules or provisions of a stock exchange or securities governing authority; and (vi) the information is disclosed by each party to its legal or financial consultant relating the transaction of this Agreement, and this legal or financial consultant shall comply with the confidentiality set forth in this Section 13. However, for the circumstances aforesaid, where either party discloses the Confidential Information, it shall inform the other party of the Confidential Information to be disclosed.
|
|
13.3
|
Nonetheless other provisions of this Section 13, either party shall have the right to disclose the Confidential Information to its lawyer, accountant, other professional consultants, directors or senior officers; such personnel shall undertake in writing to treat such information as Confidential Information by taking the measures similar to those provided in 13.1 of this Section.
|
|
13.4
|
The disclosure of the Confidential Information by staff or employed institution of any party shall be deemed as the disclosure of such Confidential Information by such party, and such party shall bear the liabilities for breaching the agreement.
|
|
13.5
|
This Section 13 shall survive whatever this Agreement is invalid, amended, revoked, terminated or unable to implement by any reason.
|
14.
|
Governing Law and Dispute Resolution
|
|
14.1
|
The execution, effectiveness, construction, performance, amendment and termination of this Agreement and the resolution of disputes hereunder shall be governed by the formally published and publicly available laws of the PRC. Matters not covered by formally published and publicly available laws of the PRC shall be governed by international legal principles and practices.
|
|
14.2
|
Both parties agree that any dispute arising from or in relation to this Agreement shall first be settled by the friendly negotiation of both parties. If the negotiation fails within 45 days, either party shall have the right to file the dispute with China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission (“
CIETAC
”) in Beijing for arbitration pursuant to the currently effective arbitration rules of CIETAC at the time of application. This arbitration shall be final and bind both parties and shall be enforceable in any court of competent jurisdiction. The arbitration fees shall be born by the losing party.
|
|
14.3
|
Upon the occurrence of any disputes arising from the construction and performance of this Agreement or during the pending arbitration of any dispute, except for the matters under dispute, the Parties to this Agreement shall continue to exercise their respective rights under this Agreement and perform their respective obligations under this Agreement.
|
15.
|
Effect, Change and Recession of this Agreement
|
|
15.1
|
This Agreement shall come into effect on and after the date that it is signed and/or stamped by both parties.
|
|
15.2
|
After this Agreement comes into effect, except otherwise provided by this Agreement, neither party shall amend or terminate this Agreement in advance. If it is necessary to amend or terminate this Agreement, both parties shall negotiate to reach a written agreement. Before such written agreement is reached, this Agreement shall remain in effect.
|
16.
|
Physical Possession Of Documents
|
|
16.1
|
Party A shall deliver the physical possession of the certificates of registration (original) of the pledge to Party B, provide the proper record relating to the registration of such pledge to Party B, and transact various approval and examination, registration and filling procedures required by the laws of the PRC within thirty (30) business days as of the date of execution of this Agreement or an earlier time agreed upon by the parties.
|
|
16.2
|
If the subjects of the pledge change and such changes need to be registered or filed, Party A shall register or file or cause Jinxin Company to register or file such changes within five (5) business days as of the day of change, and shall deliver relevant registration of change or filling documents to Party B.
|
|
16.3
|
During the term of the equity pledge, Party A shall instruct Jinxin Company not to distribute any dividends, or adopt any profits distribution plans; if Party A shall be entitled to collect any interests other than distribution plans of dividends and profits, Party A shall instruct Jinxin Company to transform such interests into cash and pay such interests into the bank account designated by Party B in accordance with Party B’s requirements, and Party A shall not use any money deposited into the bank account without the prior written consent of Party B.
|
|
16.4
|
During the term of equity pledge, if Party A subscribes new capital contribution or accepts an equity transfer (“Newly-added Equities”), the Newly-added Equities shall be automatically become Pledged Equities under this Agreement, and Party A shall accomplish all the procedures with respect to the pledge of the Newly-added Equities within ten (10) business days after acquiring the Newly-added Equities. If Party A fails to accomplish the relevant procedures as specified in this Section 16, Party B shall have the right to exercise the pledge right under this Agreement.
|
17.
|
General Terms
|
|
17.1
|
Entire Agreement. This Agreement and the Exhibits and Schedules hereto contain the entire understanding between the parties, no other representations, warranties or covenants having induced any party to execute this Agreement, and supersede all prior or contemporaneous agreements with respect to the subject matter hereof. All references to schedules and exhibits are to exhibits and schedules attached to and to become a part of this Agreement unless otherwise indicated.
|
|
17.2
|
Amendment. Any amendment and/or rescission shall be in writing and signed by the authorized representatives of both parties. Such revision shall be a valid integral part of this Agreement.
|
|
17.3
|
Headings. The headings of any Sections or other portion of this Agreement are for convenience only and are not to be considered in construing this Agreement.
|
|
17.4
|
Construction. References in this Agreement to "Sections," "Schedules" and "Exhibits" shall be to the Sections, Schedules and Exhibits of this Agreement, unless otherwise specifically provided; any use in this Agreement of the singular or plural, or the masculine, feminine or neuter gender, shall be deemed to include the others, unless the context otherwise requires; the words "herein”, "hereof" and "hereunder" and words of similar import, when used in this Agreement, shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement; the word "including" when used in this Agreement shall mean “including without limitation”; and except as otherwise specified in this Agreement, all references in this Agreement (i) to any agreement, document, certificate or other written instrument shall be a reference to such agreement, document, certificate or instrument, in each case together with all exhibits, schedules, attachments and appendices thereto, and as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof; and (ii) to any law, statute or regulation shall be deemed references to such law, statute or regulation as the same may be supplemented, amended, consolidated, superseded or modified from time to time.
|
|
17.5
|
Severability. Any provision hereof that is prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability, without invalidating the remaining provisions hereof, and any such prohibition or unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.
|
|
17.6
|
Waiver. No failure or delay of either party to enforce any right hereunder shall constitute a waiver of any such right hereunder. No waiver shall be effective hereunder unless in writing and a waiver shall only be effective for the specific act or circumstance for which it is given and not for any future act or circumstance.
|
|
17.7
|
Language. This Agreement is in both Chinese and English and signed by both parties, and the two versions have the same effect. Should there be any discrepancy between the two language versions, the Chinese version shall prevail.
|
|
17.8
|
Copies of this Agreement. This Agreement shall be executed in four counterparts; each party holds one and the rest are used for the transaction of related formalities. Each of the copies shall be deemed as the original one and has the same effect.
|
|
1.
|
On the date of execution of this Agreement, Party A is one of the shareholders of Zhuolu Jinxin Mining Co., Ltd. (“Jinxin Company”) and duly holds 0.32% of the shares of Jinxin Company;
|
|
2.
|
Jinxin Company is a corporation incorporated and validly existing in the territory of the PRC pursuant to the law of the PRC with business license registration number: 130731000000165 and its address at at Chunshugou Village, Luanzhuang Town, Zhuolu County, Hebei Province.
|
|
3.
|
In order to ensure all the shareholders of Jinxin Company and/or Jinxin Company to perform all obligations under the Management Entrustment Agreement, Power of Attorney and Exclusive Purchase Option Agreement (collectively referred to as “Onshore Agreements”) entered into on the same day as this Agreement, Party A agrees to pledge all the shares held by Party A in Jinxin Company to Party B as the guarantee for the performance of the Onshore Agreements by the related responsible parties pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, and Party B agrees to accept such pledge provided by Party A.
|
1.
|
Pledge of Equity
|
|
1.1
|
In order to guarantee Jinxin Company, all the shareholders of Jinxin Company (“Shareholders” )and other related responsible parties to perform all obligations and liabilities under the Onshore Agreements, Party A agrees to pledge the Pledged Equities (as defined in Section 4 herein) under this Agreement to Party B pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, and Party B agrees to accept the above equity pledge, and have priority right to the proceeds from the conversion, auction, or sale of the Pledged Equities.
|
|
1.2
|
The pledge under this Agreement includes the rights owned by Party B to collect the fees (including legal fees), expenses, interests, losses, liquidated damages and compensations that Jinxin Company and/or the Shareholders shall pay under the Onshore Agreements, and civil liabilities that Jinxin Company and/or the Shareholders shall bear in case the Onshore Agreements wholly or partially become null and void due to any reason.
|
|
1.3
|
Unless consent in writing by Party B, after the execution of this Agreement, the pledge under this Agreement will be terminated only when Jinxin Company and the Shareholders have performed all the obligations and liabilities under the Onshore Agreements and Party B confirms such fulfillment in writing. If Jinxin Company or the Shareholders have not fully performed all or part of its or their obligations or liabilities under the Onshore Agreements at the expiration of such agreements, Party B will maintain the pledge hereunder up to the date when all such obligations and liabilities are fully performed.
|
2.
|
Representations and Warranties
|
|
2.1
|
Party A represents and warrants to Party B, on the day of execution of this Agreement:
|
|
2.1.1.
|
Party A has the right to execute this Agreement and the capability to perform the same;
|
|
2.1.2.
|
Party A has gone through necessary internal decision-making procedures, obtained proper authority, acquire all the necessary consents and approvals of any requisite third party and government authority to enter into and perform this Agreement and this Agreement does not violate the laws of the PRC and contracts binding or affecting it;
|
|
2.1.3.
|
upon the execution, this Agreement will constitute the legal, valid, binding obligation of both parties and both parties will be subject to compulsory enforcement pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Agreement;
|
|
2.1.4.
|
Party A is the exclusive and duly owner of the Pledged Equities, has paid up all capitals subscribed, has obtained the capital verification report issued by the duly qualified Certified Public Accounting firm and has the right to set the pledge of the first priority on such Pledged Equities for Party B;
|
|
2.1.5.
|
except for the pledge under this Agreement, there is not: (i) any other encumbrance or any security interests for the benefit of any third party on the equity interests pledged by Party A (including but not limited to pledge); (ii) any mortgages or other guarantee rights set for any third party; (iii) any pending or possible civil, administrative or criminal litigation or administrative punishment or arbitration relating to the equity interests hereunder on the date of execution of this Agreement; (iv) any trusts or conditions of limited use; (v) any exemptions from lawsuit, execution, enforcement or other legal proceedings; or (vi) any outstanding taxes, fees or undecided legal procedures related with the equity interests hereunder on the date of execution of this Agreement;
|
|
2.1.6.
|
Party A has not effected and will not effect an Event of Default (as defined in Section 8) and has no knowledge of any risk of an Event of Default under this Agreement or any other agreement to which Party A are a party;
|
|
2.1.7.
|
Party A has abided by and performed all obligations stipulated by the applicable laws, regulations and rules and all applicable authorizations and permissions; Party A does not have any circumstances that go against any laws, regulations or rules and may have material and adverse effect on the validity, effect, performance and enforceability of this Agreement; and
|
|
2.1.8.
|
to the best knowledge of Party A, no court, arbitral tribunal or government authority starts to take any legal proceedings or administrative proceedings against Party A or the Pledged Equities, neither does any courts, arbitral tribunals or government authority start to file any legal proceedings or administrative proceedings against Party A or the Pledged Equities, and Party A has no knowledge of any such risks.
|
|
2.2
|
Party B presents and warranties to Party A on the day of execution of this Agreement:
|
|
2.2.1.
|
it has the right, to execute this Agreement and the capability to perform the same;
|
|
2.2.2.
|
it has carried out necessary internal decision-making procedures, obtained proper authority, acquire the necessary consents and approvals of any third party and government authority to enter into and perform this Agreement and it does not go against the laws and contracts binding or affecting it; and
|
|
2.2.3.
|
upon the execution, this Agreement will constitute the legal, valid, binding obligation of both parties and both parties shall be subject to compulsory enforcement pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Agreement.
|
3.
|
Guaranteed Liabilities
|
4.
|
Pledged Equities
|
5.
|
Pledge Procedures and Transaction
|
6.
|
Party A’s Undertaking
|
|
6.1
|
without the prior written consent of Party B, Party A shall not impose any other encumbrance (whether prevailing over the pledge under this Agreement or not) or other restrictive conditions on all or part of the Pledged Equities;
|
|
6.2
|
without the prior written consent of Party B, Party A shall not sell, lease, lend, transfer, assign, grant, remortgage, trust, or participate in equity investment by, the Pledged Equities or dispose by any other means all or part of the Pledged Equities;
|
|
6.3
|
Party A shall not use or allow others to use the Pledged Equities for any actions or events against any laws or this Agreement;
|
|
6.4
|
after receiving any notice, order, ruling, verdict or other instruments in relation to the Pledged Equities from the government, judicial authority or arbitral organization, Party A shall immediately notify Party B and within the period provided by the applicable laws take all necessary steps to reduce the risks that such notice, order or other instruments may bring to the Pledged Equities. Where Party B deems necessary, Party A shall file a lawsuit, arbitration or administrative lawsuit against the above notice, order or other instruments and bear all fees that arising therefrom and in relation thereto;
|
|
6.5
|
Party A shall immediately notify Party B of any events or any received notices which may affect the equity interest of Party A or any part of its right, and any events or any received notices which may change the covenants and obligations of Party A under this Agreement or which may affect the performance of its obligations under this Agreement, and take actions in accordance with the instructions of Party B;
|
|
6.6
|
Party A agrees that the right of Party B to exercise the pledge pursuant to this Agreement shall not be suspended or hampered by Party A or any successors or transferees of Party A or any other persons;
|
|
6.7
|
Party A warrants to Party B that in order to protect and perfect the security over the obligations of Party A and/or Jinxin Company under the Onshore Agreements, Party A shall make any necessary amendment (if applicable), execute in good faith and cause any third party who has interests in the pledge to execute all the title certificates, contracts, and /or perform and cause any third party who has interests to take action as required by Party B and make access to exercise the rights and authorization vested in Party B under this Agreement, and execute all the documents with respect to the changes of equity interests owned by Party B or another party designated by Party B, and provides Party B with all the necessary documents within the reasonable time; and
|
|
6.8
|
Party A warrants to Party B that Party A will comply with and perform all the guarantees, covenants, agreements, representations and conditions for the benefits of Party B. Party A shall indemnity Party B for all the damages suffered by Party B for the reasons that Party A does not perform or fully perform such guarantees, covenants, agreements, representations and conditions.
|
7.
|
Exercise of Pledge
|
|
7.1
|
Subject to Clause 8.3, Party B may dispose the Pledged Equities at any time upon or after sending the notice for the exercise of the pledge.
|
|
7.2
|
Party B shall have the priority right to dispose all or part of Pledged Equities under this Agreement (including but not limited to purchase of shares at discounted price by agreement, sell at auction by the laws of the PRC, sell-off Pledged Equities) as per legal procedures and to be paid with the sum gained from the disposal until all guaranteed liabilities of Jinxin Company and the Shareholders under the Onshore Agreements are fulfilled completely.
|
|
7.3
|
Where Party B disposes the Pledged Equities pursuant to this Agreement, Party A shall provide and cause Jinxin Company to provide necessary assistance so that Party B can realize its pledge.
|
8.
|
Event of Default
|
|
8.1
|
The following events shall be regarded as an Event of Default:
|
|
8.1.1.
|
where Party A and/or Jinxin Company and related responsible parties fail to perform any obligations under the Onshore Agreements in time or fails to discharge any guaranteed liability as scheduled in full sum;
|
|
8.1.2.
|
where there are any falsity, fraud, misleading statements or errors relating to any representation and undertaking Party A makes in Section 2
herein;
|
|
8.1.3.
|
where Party A violates any undertaking in Section 6 of this Agreement;
|
|
8.1.4.
|
where Party A violates any other terms and conditions of this Agreement;
|
|
8.1.5.
|
where Party A refuses or intentionally delays the registration procedures for the pledge under this Agreement and fails to correct such action within ten (10) days as of the day when Party B requires in writing to do so;
|
|
8.1.6.
|
where any loan, guarantee, indemnity, undertaking or other compensation liability of Party A: (i) is required to be repaid or performed in advance due to an event of default; or (ii) is due but unable to be repaid or performed as scheduled, which makes Party B reasonably believe that the ability of Party A to perform its obligations under this Agreement has been materially and adversely affected;
|
|
8.1.7.
|
where this Agreement becomes ineffective, revocable, unenforceable or Party A cannot continue performing its obligations under this Agreement in time and fully due to the fault (including omission) of Party A after the issuance of new laws of the PRC;
|
|
8.1.8.
|
Party A waive the pledged equity interests or transfers the pledged equity interests without prior written consent from the Party B;
|
|
8.1.9.
|
any approval, permits, licenses or authorization from the competent authority of the government needed to perform under this Agreement or validate this Agreement are withdrawn, suspended, invalidated or materially amended;
|
|
8.1.10.
|
the property of Party A is adversely changed and causes Party B to deem that the capability of Party A to perform the obligations herein is affected; and
|
|
8.1.11.
|
other circumstances in which Party B cannot exercise and dispose the pledge due to the fault (including omission) of Party A.
|
|
8.2
|
If Party A knows or should have known the occurrence of any event stated above in Subsection 8.1 or any matter that may incur the above events, Party A shall immediately notify Party B in writing.
|
|
8.3
|
Unless Party A immediately takes the measures satisfactory to Party B to correct the Event of Default listed in Subsection 8.1 above, Party B may send written notice of exercising the pledge to Party A at any time upon or after the occurrence of Event of Default, demand Party A and/or Jinxin Company to: (i) make full payment of the outstanding fees pursuant to the Onshore Agreement, and (ii) immediate perform their obligations under the Onshore Agreements, and require disposal of the Pledged Equities pursuant to this Agreement.
|
|
8.4
|
The Event of Default provided in this Section 8 will not affect the exercise of other remedies by the parties pursuant to the laws of the PRC.
|
9.
|
Liability in the Event of Default
|
10.
|
Assignment
|
|
10.1
|
Without the prior written consent of Party B, Party A shall not have the right to assign or delegate its rights and obligations under this Agreement.
|
|
10.2
|
This Agreement shall be binding on Party A and its successors and permitted assigns, and shall be valid with respect to Party B and each of its successors and assigns.
|
|
10.3
|
At any time, Party B may assign any and all of its rights and obligations under the Onshore Agreements to its designee(s) (natural or legal persons), in which case the assigns shall have the rights and obligations of Party B under this Agreement, as if it were the original party to this Agreement. When Party B assigns the rights and obligations under the Onshore Agreements, at the request of Party B, Party A shall execute relevant agreements or other documents relating to such assignment.
|
|
10.4
|
In the event of a change in the pledgee due to an assignment, Party A shall, at the request of Party B, execute a new pledge agreement with the new pledgee on the same terms and conditions as this Agreement, and register for change of the pledgee with the competent Administration of Industry and Commerce.
|
11.
|
Termination
|
12.
|
Taxes, Fees and Other Expenses
|
13.
|
Confidentiality
|
|
13.1
|
Both parties agree that, all materials, documents, communications and other information obtained in the negotiation, execution or performance of this Agreement, whether commercial, technical or in any other form (“
Confidential information
"), shall be strictly kept confidential and used only for the performance of the obligations under this Agreement. Unless the other parties consent in writing, neither of the parties shall release, leak or disclose any Confidential Information to any third party.
|
|
13.2
|
Either party may disclose the Confidential Information in the following circumstances: (i) where the laws, court orders or the competent courts with jurisdiction require, and such disclosure may be conducted only within such requirement; (ii) where the competent authority or government department requires; (iii) where such Confidential Information has been known to the general public; (iv) where such Confidential Information was owned duly and legally by the disclosing party rather obtained from the other party before the disclosing party obtains it; (v) the information is required to be disclosed subject to the applicable laws or the rules or provisions of a stock exchange or securities governing authority; and (vi) the information is disclosed by each party to its legal or financial consultant relating the transaction of this Agreement, and this legal or financial consultant shall comply with the confidentiality set forth in this Section 13. However, for the circumstances aforesaid, where either party discloses the Confidential Information, it shall inform the other party of the Confidential Information to be disclosed.
|
|
13.3
|
Nonetheless other provisions of this Section 13, either party shall have the right to disclose the Confidential Information to its lawyer, accountant, other professional consultants, directors or senior officers; such personnel shall undertake in writing to treat such information as Confidential Information by taking the measures similar to those provided in 13.1 of this Section.
|
|
13.4
|
The disclosure of the Confidential Information by staff or employed institution of any party shall be deemed as the disclosure of such Confidential Information by such party, and such party shall bear the liabilities for breaching the agreement.
|
|
13.5
|
This Section 13 shall survive whatever this Agreement is invalid, amended, revoked, terminated or unable to implement by any reason.
|
14.
|
Governing Law and Dispute Resolution
|
|
14.1
|
The execution, effectiveness, construction, performance, amendment and termination of this Agreement and the resolution of disputes hereunder shall be governed by the formally published and publicly available laws of the PRC. Matters not covered by formally published and publicly available laws of the PRC shall be governed by international legal principles and practices.
|
|
14.2
|
Both parties agree that any dispute arising from or in relation to this Agreement shall first be settled by the friendly negotiation of both parties. If the negotiation fails within 45 days, either party shall have the right to file the dispute with China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission (“
CIETAC
”) in Beijing for arbitration pursuant to the currently effective arbitration rules of CIETAC at the time of application. This arbitration shall be final and bind both parties and shall be enforceable in any court of competent jurisdiction. The arbitration fees shall be born by the losing party.
|
|
14.3
|
Upon the occurrence of any disputes arising from the construction and performance of this Agreement or during the pending arbitration of any dispute, except for the matters under dispute, the Parties to this Agreement shall continue to exercise their respective rights under this Agreement and perform their respective obligations under this Agreement.
|
15.
|
Effect, Change and Recession of this Agreement
|
|
15.1
|
This Agreement shall come into effect on and after the date that it is signed and/or stamped by both parties.
|
|
15.2
|
After this Agreement comes into effect, except otherwise provided by this Agreement, neither party shall amend or terminate this Agreement in advance. If it is necessary to amend or terminate this Agreement, both parties shall negotiate to reach a written agreement. Before such written agreement is reached, this Agreement shall remain in effect.
|
16.
|
Physical Possession Of Documents
|
|
16.1
|
Party A shall deliver the physical possession of the certificates of registration (original) of the pledge to Party B, provide the proper record relating to the registration of such pledge to Party B, and transact various approval and examination, registration and filling procedures required by the laws of the PRC within thirty (30) business days as of the date of execution of this Agreement or an earlier time agreed upon by the parties.
|
|
16.2
|
If the subjects of the pledge change and such changes need to be registered or filed, Party A shall register or file or cause Jinxin Company to register or file such changes within five (5) business days as of the day of change, and shall deliver relevant registration of change or filling documents to Party B.
|
|
16.3
|
During the term of the equity pledge, Party A shall instruct Jinxin Company not to distribute any dividends, or adopt any profits distribution plans; if Party A shall be entitled to collect any interests other than distribution plans of dividends and profits, Party A shall instruct Jinxin Company to transform such interests into cash and pay such interests into the bank account designated by Party B in accordance with Party B’s requirements, and Party A shall not use any money deposited into the bank account without the prior written consent of Party B.
|
|
16.4
|
During the term of equity pledge, if Party A subscribes new capital contribution or accepts an equity transfer (“Newly-added Equities”), the Newly-added Equities shall be automatically become Pledged Equities under this Agreement, and Party A shall accomplish all the procedures with respect to the pledge of the Newly-added Equities within ten (10) business days after acquiring the Newly-added Equities. If Party A fails to accomplish the relevant procedures as specified in this Section 16, Party B shall have the right to exercise the pledge right under this Agreement.
|
17.
|
General Terms
|
|
17.1
|
Entire Agreement. This Agreement and the Exhibits and Schedules hereto contain the entire understanding between the parties, no other representations, warranties or covenants having induced any party to execute this Agreement, and supersede all prior or contemporaneous agreements with respect to the subject matter hereof. All references to schedules and exhibits are to exhibits and schedules attached to and to become a part of this Agreement unless otherwise indicated.
|
|
17.2
|
Amendment. Any amendment and/or rescission shall be in writing and signed by the authorized representatives of both parties. Such revision shall be a valid integral part of this Agreement.
|
|
17.3
|
Headings. The headings of any Sections or other portion of this Agreement are for convenience only and are not to be considered in construing this Agreement.
|
|
17.4
|
Construction. References in this Agreement to "Sections," "Schedules" and "Exhibits" shall be to the Sections, Schedules and Exhibits of this Agreement, unless otherwise specifically provided; any use in this Agreement of the singular or plural, or the masculine, feminine or neuter gender, shall be deemed to include the others, unless the context otherwise requires; the words "herein”, "hereof" and "hereunder" and words of similar import, when used in this Agreement, shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement; the word "including" when used in this Agreement shall mean “including without limitation”; and except as otherwise specified in this Agreement, all references in this Agreement (i) to any agreement, document, certificate or other written instrument shall be a reference to such agreement, document, certificate or instrument, in each case together with all exhibits, schedules, attachments and appendices thereto, and as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof; and (ii) to any law, statute or regulation shall be deemed references to such law, statute or regulation as the same may be supplemented, amended, consolidated, superseded or modified from time to time.
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17.5
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Severability. Any provision hereof that is prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability, without invalidating the remaining provisions hereof, and any such prohibition or unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.
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17.6
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Waiver. No failure or delay of either party to enforce any right hereunder shall constitute a waiver of any such right hereunder. No waiver shall be effective hereunder unless in writing and a waiver shall only be effective for the specific act or circumstance for which it is given and not for any future act or circumstance.
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17.7
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Language. This Agreement is in both Chinese and English and signed by both parties, and the two versions have the same effect. Should there be any discrepancy between the two language versions, the Chinese version shall prevail.
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17.8
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Copies of this Agreement. This Agreement shall be executed in four counterparts; each party holds one and the rest are used for the transaction of related formalities. Each of the copies shall be deemed as the original one and has the same effect.
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ZHANGJIAKOU TONGDA MINING TECHNOLOGIES SERVICE CO., LTD.
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Seller
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Buyer
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By:
/s/ Jiazhen Liu
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By:
/s/ Jiazhen Liu
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Name: Jiazhen Liu
|
Name: Jiazhen Liu
|
|
Title:
|
Title:
|
|
Target Acquisitions I, Inc. | ||
By:
/s/ Changkui Zhu
|
||
Name: Changkui Zhu | ||
Title:
|
|
ZHANGJIAKOU TONGDA MINING TECHNOLOGIES SERVICE CO., LTD.
|
|
Seller
|
Buyer
|
|
By:
/s/ Changkui Zhu
|
By:
/s/ Jiazhen Liu
|
|
Name: Changkui Zhu
|
Name: Jiazhen Liu
|
|
Title:
|
Title:
|
|
Target Acquisitions I, Inc. | ||
By:
/s/ Changkui Zhu
|
||
Name: Changkui Zhu | ||
Title:
|
|
ZHANGJIAKOU TONGDA MINING TECHNOLOGIES SERVICE CO., LTD.
|
|
Seller
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Buyer
|
|
By:
/s/ Dongli Sun
|
By:
/s/ Jiazhen Liu
|
|
Name: Dongli Sun
|
Name: Jiazhen Liu
|
|
Title:
|
Title:
|
|
Target Acquisitions I, Inc. | ||
By:
/s/ Changkui Zhu
|
||
Name: Changkui Zhu | ||
Title:
|
||
|
ZHANGJIAKOU TONGDA MINING TECHNOLOGIES SERVICE CO., LTD.
|
|
Seller
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Buyer
|
|
By:
/s/ Meijie Wang
|
By:
/s/ Jiazhen Liu
|
|
Name: Meijie Wang
|
Name: Jiazhen Liu
|
|
Title:
|
Title:
|
|
Target Acquisitions I, Inc. | ||
By:
/s/ Changkui Zhu
|
||
Name: Changkui Zhu | ||
Title:
|
|
ZHANGJIAKOU TONGDA MINING TECHNOLOGIES SERVICE CO., LTD.
|
|
Seller
|
Buyer
|
|
By:
/s/ Xingwang Shao
|
By: /s/ Jiazhen Liu | |
Name:
Xingwang Shao
|
Name: Jiazhen Liu
|
|
Title:
|
Title:
|
|
Target Acquisitions I, Inc. | ||
By:
/s/ Changkui Zhu
|
||
Name: Changkui Zhu | ||
Title:
|
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THIS SECURITY (OR ITS PREDECESSOR) WAS ORIGINALLY ISSUED IN A TRANSACTION EXEMPT FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE "1933 ACT") AND APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS AND MAY NOT BE SOLD OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR AN APPLICABLE EXEMPTION THEREFROM.
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TARGET ACQUISITIONS I, INC.
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|||
By:
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|||
Witness: | Name: Changkui Zhu | ||
Title: Chief Executive Officer | |||
Dated: January 20, 2014
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|||
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THIS SECURITY (OR ITS PREDECESSOR) WAS ORIGINALLY ISSUED IN A TRANSACTION EXEMPT FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE "1933 ACT") AND APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS AND MAY NOT BE SOLD OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR AN APPLICABLE EXEMPTION THEREFROM.
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TARGET ACQUISITIONS I, INC.
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|||
By:
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|||
Witness: | Name: Changkui Zhu | ||
Title: Chief Executive Officer | |||
Dated: January 20, 2014
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|||
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THIS SECURITY (OR ITS PREDECESSOR) WAS ORIGINALLY ISSUED IN A TRANSACTION EXEMPT FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE "1933 ACT") AND APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS AND MAY NOT BE SOLD OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR AN APPLICABLE EXEMPTION THEREFROM.
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TARGET ACQUISITIONS I, INC.
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|||
By:
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|||
Witness: | Name: Changkui Zhu | ||
Title: Chief Executive Officer | |||
Dated: January 20, 2014
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Name
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Jurisdiction of Incorporation
or Organization
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Ownership
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Direct or Indirect
|
|
China Real Fortune Mining Limited
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British Virgin Islands
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100%
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Direct
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Real Fortune Holdings Limited
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Hong Kong
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100%
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Indirect
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Zhangjiakou Tongda Mining Technologies Service Co., Ltd.
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PRC
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100%
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Indirect
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|
Haixing Huaxin Mining Industry Co., Ltd.
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PRC
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100%
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Indirect
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